Chemistry and Physics
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13013/2054
2024-03-29T09:13:09ZThe Social Dimensions of STEM Culture: How Does Lack of Diversity and Inclusivity Affect a Student’s Socialization?
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13013/2980
The Social Dimensions of STEM Culture: How Does Lack of Diversity and Inclusivity Affect a Student’s Socialization?
Mendoza, Gisady A.
Diversity and inclusivity matters in STEM and without them, STEM would fall apart. In the United States, Latine and African American students are severely underrepresented in STEM fields and they obtain fewer STEM degrees compared to their white counterparts (Hall, Nishina, Lewis 2017). The reasoning behind this can be due to societal, social, individual issues, or ethnic discrimination (Wiedemann 2019). This can affect retention rates, academic outcomes, self-efficacy, and one’s socialization (Estrada 2021). Students and educators need a sense of belonging to be able to thrive in the rigorous STEM environments. Students from underrepresented backgrounds need experiences of love, kindness, and a sense of belonging regardless of their diverse backgrounds. For many students and educators, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of stress and only increased the need for compassion and kindness. Students are working from home, “juggling pets, children, elderly relatives, economic pressures, unstable internet, health disparities, political unrest, climate disruptions, racism, violence, and death” (Estrada 2021). While efforts are being made to reduce this large disparity in STEM, it is not enough. Trends in the STEM fields can also be seen at Salem State University (SSU). This presentation will describe a study that attempts to understand how SSU fosters a more inclusive STEM environment for minorities and how students can find support from others like themselves. This study employs a mixed methodology that will study the institutional diversity statement and policy at SSU, and current students will be asked to fill out an anonymous survey on their sense of belonging, experiences at SSU, and how well students feel that they are supported. At the end of the survey, there is an option where students can participate in a personal interview to learn about their experiences on campus.
2023-05-01T00:00:00ZAn Investigation Into The Role Of Gamma Oscillations In Alzheimer's Disease And Future Treatment Options
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13013/2660
An Investigation Into The Role Of Gamma Oscillations In Alzheimer's Disease And Future Treatment Options
Moge, Serena
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and involves the deterioration of memory and other important cognitive functions. Despite 1 in 3 seniors dying from AD or another form of dementia, there still remains no cure. An accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau protein aggregates are what characterize AD. There have been medicines developed that target Aβ and tau protein in order to improve symptoms, but these can neither stop nor delay the progression of AD. Instead, most of the medicines available only aid in symptom control and patient comfort. Researchers have begun to search for new theories of pathogenesis, which may assist in creating new treatments that might cure this disease. One novel area of research in this field is the role of gamma oscillations. It is believed that a disruption in gamma brain waves could be a cause of the formation of Aβ and tau protein aggregation. Although changes in gamma wave activity have been linked to several neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, treatments that restore gamma oscillations to their normal activity have not been investigated widely. The goal of this research is to investigate the current knowledge on AD pathogenesis and treatments, with special emphasis on the impact of gamma oscillations and the exploration of treatments that target restoration of gamma waves.
2022-05-01T00:00:00ZEvaluating The Antibacterial Activity Of Greener Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles As An Example Of Sustainable Nanoscience In Early Undergraduate Curriculum
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13013/2624
Evaluating The Antibacterial Activity Of Greener Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles As An Example Of Sustainable Nanoscience In Early Undergraduate Curriculum
Biv, Kelly
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can damage and destroy bacteria upon contact with each other, illustrating their ability to exert antibacterial properties. Traditionally, AgNPs are synthesized using sodium borohydride to reduce silver nitrate to metallic silver and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating would be used to further stabilize the particles. To develop a more sustainable and economical AgNPs synthesis, lemon extract was substituted as the reducing and stabilizing agent. Furthermore, these AgNPs were characterized using the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer over time, to evaluate the stability of the particles. Then, the AgNPs were tested against Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) to which their inhibition rings were measured. In this thesis, our preliminary data have shown that the greener synthesis of AgNPs using lemon extract had been effective against both type of bacteria. Additionally, the greener synthetic method was developed using a hot water bath, over the usual use of either an ultrasonic or thermostatic bath. Because of that, this budget- and eco-friendly alternative method could potentially be used in a first-year chemistry laboratory class to introduce students to the multidisciplinary field of nanotechnology by merging green chemistry and biology.
2022-05-01T00:00:00ZSSU Water Quality
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13013/858
SSU Water Quality
Asselin, Trisha
The purpose of this research was to see how the water around Salem State University's campus fared with that of national standards. Since water can contain many contaminants such as metals, pesticides, and toxins, it is important to know if standards are being upheld. The metals copper (Cu), iron (Fe), calcium, (Ca), and zinc (Zn) were tested, along with the non-metal fluoride (F). The atomic absorption machine (AA) was used to find the concentration of each metal in parts per million (ppm). A new fluoride ion-selective electrode was used to determine the concentration of the fluoride in ppm in the water samples. The water tested was taken from each residence hall and campus building, and from multiple sources in each building. The main objective was to see if Salem State University's water was up to standards.
2013-12-01T00:00:00Z