afeltrin's blog

Marine Mammal Summary PP

This article focuses on the occurrence of decompression sickness in diving, air-breathing marine vertebrates and hypotheses for how this can be limited. Most deep diving vertebrates contain more available space for oxygen, and smaller-sized lungs. The popularly studied prediction scientists made was that the collapse of the alveolar led to a reduction in nitrogen intake. As seen in Figure 1, rapid decompression leads to an increase in nitrogen tension pressure and ultimately causes decompression sickness. The researchers reference a study involving loggerhead sea turtles and the onset of gas embolisms. These turtles have the ability to manage gases by utilizing the pulmonary artery. From this study, they propose a new hypothesis to limit nitrogen saturation—adaptations in vertebrates can lead to a pulmonary functional shunt that can control alveolar collapse and cardiac output.

Are Violent Video Games Indicative of Aggression?

It has been proven that violent video games are linked to maladaptive behavior. When children are playing video games, there are a myriad of effects that occur. There is an increase in physiological arousal, such as an increase in heart rate, or blood pressure. Increases in aggressive cognitions also occur when comparing children playing violent games and non-violent games. There tends to be a decrease in prosocial behaviors, which ultimately leads to an increase in aggressive behaviors. The increase in aggressive behaviors that occur can happen in any individual, regardless of age or gender. Another effect of violent video games is that there is an increase in aggressive emotions, as well. The frustration level increases in children and adults, whether they are male or female.

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The Impact of Violence in Video Games versus Television

Any form of violent media can be associated with an increase in aggression. Yet, video games tend to influence adolescents more so than television. Video games allow for the child to identify with the aggressor, leading to an increase in the imitation of the aggressor. So, children essentially take on the role of the character acting out these aggressive acts. Additionally, practicing entire behavior sequences is more effect than practicing only a portion. TV allows for us to see mere clips of violent acts, whereas video games allow the player to witness the necessary steps to commit an aggressive act. This also ties into the notion that violence is continuous in video games, as opposed to in TV. The repetition of these acts performed leads to children learning these acts, and the rewards ultimately incense the imitation of the acts.

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Marine Mammal Summary

This article focuses on the occurrence of decompression sickness in diving, air-breathing marine vertebrates and hypothesis for how this can be limited. Most deep diving vertebrates contain more available space for oxygen, and smaller-sized lungs. The popularly studied prediction scientists made was that the collapse of the alveolar led to a reduction in nitrogen intake. As seen in Figure 1, rapid decompression leads to an increase in nitrogen tension pressure and ultimately causes decompression sickness. The researchers reference a study involving loggerhead sea turtles and the onset of gas embolisms. These turtles have the ability to manage gases by utilizing the pulmonary artery. From this study, they propose a new hypothesis to limit nitrogen saturation; adaptations in vertebrates can lead to a pulmonary functional shunt that can control alveolar collapse and cardiac output.

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Developmental Psychology of Transgender Children

A compelling argument against leaving it completely up to children to determine their gender identity is the potential presence of psychological issues. The doctor goes on to tell the extreme story of a young girl who witnessed her mother being murdered. Right after, the girl was then convinced she wanted to be a boy. In this case, the child seemingly would benefit most from therapy as opposed to going through gender reassignment. The video of Alex, who said for 5-6 years that she wanted to be a boy, aids in this argument against letting children decide. After that block of years, she found other girls like her that enjoyed the stereotypical 'boy’s' sports and that awakened her into self-acceptance. If her parents had let her decide that, then what would her life be like now? Would she be happy or be filled with regret?

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Structural Inequality in Haiti

Structural inequality is particularly sustained in rural Haiti, as displayed in “Culture, Poverty, and HIV Transmission: The Case of Rural Haiti.” In rural Haiti, there is a greater likelihood that the people living there are under tiring poverty. Unable to really escape in their rural village, people will travel to the larger city and attempt to find work. There is then clear gender inequality, especially concerning sexual unions. Women have weakened abilities to negotiate safe sex, thereby leaving them exposed to potential diseases. Once they’ve contracted HIV or any other STDs, there is a glaring lack of public health systems offering access to treatment. Without the necessary treatment and prevention and the structural inequality faced, many people end up dying due to typically treatable ailments.

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Disease versus Culturally Bound Syndrome

When comparing a disease versus a culturally bound syndrome, it’s imperative to note that a disease has an actual biological/genetic basis. A culturally bound syndrome results from widespread cultural values and institutional factors. Try comparing cancer to the falling out. Cancer is a disease that results from unregulated, rapid cell proliferation in the body and a failure in the function of tumor suppressor genes. It is a genetic disease that has a biological basis. Falling out is a culturally bound syndrome that particularly affects those living in the Caribbean and the southern United States. It is experiencing seizure-like symptoms, like a sudden collapse, dizziness, and being able to hear and understand what’s going on around them. Falling out is a psychological response to certain stressors and it can be a response to anxiety. It’s not a disease because it’s basically manifested psychosomatic effects due to their culture. Culturally bound syndromes seem to occur more in other countries, I think, due to religious beliefs held and superstitions that our society doesn’t really believe in.

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Macroevolutionary Changes Among Crinoids PP

This article aims to search for macroevolutionary consequences from the predation of crinoids. It is hypothesized that sea urchins preyed on crinoids, leading to evolutionary change. The scientists observed Mesozoic skeletons of crinoids in search of bite marks from echinoids, mainly sea urchins. These bite marks would show up as trace fossils remaining on the skeletons long after death. Their results showed that as the Mesozoic period gradually progressed, the occurrence of bite marks on crinoids increased. Additionally, there were more bites present on sessile crinoids than motile crinoids. Their data showcased a strong positive correlation between increasing sea urchin diversity and the frequency of bite marks. Scientists hypothesize a potential arms race between predation pressure and defenses displayed in prey. As predation increases, prey are left to develop stronger defenses for survival. So, it is plausible that crinoids increased defenses involving their motile abilities.

Bioinformatics Lab

This past week in lab, we performed computer tasks to determine the bioinformatics of the fish samples we previously isolated DNA and performed PCR on. We began by assessing the quality of the DNA samples—our tuna was of excellent quality and our haddock was of poor quality. We assessed the mean quality scores and standard deviation for both directional sequences. From viewing each trace file, we searched the BOLD database for a match in the forward and reverse sequences. A match was found with our tuna sample, displaying 100% similarity to Thunnus alalunga. Our poorer quality fish sample, haddock, displayed a 96.1% similarity match with Melanoggrammus aeglefinus. Finally, we examined both sequencing traces for failed quality data.

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Steps to Genetically Modify Crops

The process of genetically modifying a crop entails four main steps. First, it is essential to identify the desired trait. A popular example of a desired trait is tolerance to the Roundup herbicide, which resulted in the creation of ‘Roundup Ready.’ Next, the desired trait will have its DNA isolated. A comparative analysis is generally conducted to identify this trait’s genetics. If it is easily identified, then scientists can simply remove parts of the genome that are responsible for expressing this specific trait. The next step entails inserting this desired genetic trait into a new genome. This can occur in two ways. Currently, a popular method is utilizing a ‘gene gun’ to insert DNA-coated metal particles into plant tissue. The other method is to use bacteria to enter the seeds and alter the plants’ DNA by inserting its own DNA. The final step is to simply grow the GMO. Allowing it to grow will ensure that it can reproduce the same plant with these new traits (Powell).

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