| 1 |
Author(s):
Aarnav S. Padigala.
Page No : 1-13
|
A Bioinformatic Comparative Analysis of TEM-1and ROB-1 Ampicillin Resistance β-Lactamases in Haemophilus influenzae
Abstract
The growing issue of antibiotic resistance is causing an increasing crisis in bacterial infections. The
discovery of new antibiotics is not aligned with the rapid increase in antibiotic resistance, resulting
in significant challenges in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. One important bacterial
pathogen with increased antibiotic resistance is Haemophilus influenzae, which was highlighted in the
2024 WHO bacterial priority pathogen list, especially in terms of the rise in resistance against ampicillin
and other penicillin-based antibiotics. This study aimed to computationally characterize and compare the
sequence, structure, and cellular localization of TEM-1 and ROB-1 β-lactamases in H. influenzae. In this
study, multiple computational tools, including BLAST, Interpro, Phobius, Protein Data Bank, AlphaFold,
and PyMOL, were used to investigate the prevalence of the most important genes and proteins associated
with increased resistance to penicillin-based antibiotics in Haemophilus influenzae, specifically TEM-1
and ROB-1. BLASTn and BLASTp revealed a range of bacterial species, including those with intrinsic
resistance, acquired resistance, and species with no documented ampicillin resistance, which were
identified in the analysis as containing both genes and their associated proteins, thereby confirming the
involvement of TEM-1 and ROB-1 in ampicillin resistance, as well as the widespread dissemination
of TEM-1 and ROB-1-mediated resistance. A structural comparison of the two proteins revealed high
similarity, and an Interpro analysis of protein domains revealed two distinct domains in both ROB-1
and TEM-1. Phobius analysis of protein cellular localization revealed that the two proteins are noncytoplasmic.
These findings were in line with the mechanism of action of ampicillin resistance.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Aidan Han.
Page No : 14-21
|
Comparative Evaluation of Latin Natural Language Processing Tools for Pedagogical Applications
Abstract
This narrative review compares contemporary Latin Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools and
their use cases for pedagogical applications. While NLP has advanced significantly for high-resource
modern languages, Latin remains underrepresented due to its complex morphology, flexible word
order, orthographic variation, and limited annotated corpora. To address this gap, this review examines
five prominent Latin NLP systems, LatinBERT, Stanza, LatinCy, LemLat 3.0, and Lamon/LamonPy,
across architecture, training data, task performance, and educational relevance. Drawing on published
evaluation metrics from peer-reviewed sources, including part-of-speech tagging, lemmatization,
dependency parsing, and word sense disambiguation, this study analyzes the strengths and limitations
of each approach. Transformer-based models demonstrate strong contextual understanding and high
accuracy in disambiguation tasks, while rule-based systems offer transparency and reliability for
vocabulary learning. Pipeline models provide comprehensive syntactic analysis but show performance
variability across text genres. The reviewed evidence suggests that no single model performs optimally
across all tasks or corpora, and that performance is strongly influenced by alignment between training
and evaluation data. The review concludes that an integrated, multi-tool approach is most effective
for supporting Latin pedagogy and outlines directions for future research, including standardized
benchmarking and classroom-based evaluation.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Tara M. Pidaparthi.
Page No : 22-31
|
Sleep as a Multi-System Maintenance State: Integrating Glymphatic Clearance, Gut Oxidative Homeostasis, and Hippocampal Plasticity
Abstract
Sleep is a phylogenetically universal behavior across nearly all studied animal phyla, characterized
by environmental vulnerability and behavioral immobility. Despite evolutionary pressures favoring
wakefulness, this persistence implies that sleep serves vital physiological functions. Although sleep is
energetically expensive and evolutionarily conserved, its foundational purpose remains a central paradox
in the life sciences. Historically, research posited sleep as a strictly neurocentric imperative; however,
emerging multidisciplinary evidence reveals the brain is merely one beneficiary of a far more expansive,
systemic process. This review synthesizes landmark findings across biological disciplines to propose
a unified, multi-system model of sleep as a period of globally coordinated metabolic reallocation. By
analyzing the macroscopic fluid dynamics of glymphatic clearance, cellular mitigation of oxidative stress
within the gastrointestinal tract, and electrophysiological stabilization via hippocampal replay, this paper
argues that sleep is a non-negotiable prerequisite for systemic survival. Key findings indicate that sleep
acts as a driver of cerebral detoxification and a metabolic “stand-down” period essential for peripheral
homeostasis. When sleep is disrupted, the synchronized failure of these independent systems, evidenced
by amyloid-β accumulation, midgut epithelial apoptosis, and synaptic saturation, suggests that sleep
operates as a critical regulatory checkpoint against progressive metabolic dysfunction. By integrating
these disparate research silos, this manuscript provides a novel, holistic framework, reframing sleep as
an essential, multi-organ maintenance protocol required for the structural and metabolic integrity of the
organism.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Julia Mulles.
Page No : 32-40
|
CRISPR Therapies in Treating Monogenic Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) arise when a pathogenic gene mutation disrupts an
individual’s brain development, often resulting in symptoms such as epilepsy, motor impairments, and
intellectual disability. Historically, NDDs have been managed primarily through pharmacological and
behavioral therapies that alleviate symptoms but do not address the underlying genetic causes. Recent
advances in genomic medicine, particularly the development of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short
Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based technologies, have created the opportunity to directly target
disease-causing genes. The versatility of CRISPR has enabled the development of multiple editing and
regulatory modalities, allowing increasingly precise control of gene expression. Preclinical studies
in rodent models suggest that CRISPR-mediated epigenetic reactivation may be an effective strategy
for treating monogenic NDDs by restoring gene function without permanently altering the DNA
sequence. While these approaches show promise, significant challenges related to delivery, safety, and
ethical considerations remain. Despite these controversies surrounding the use of CRISPR, it remains
a prospective candidate in improving the management of NDDs in the future. This review evaluates
the potential of CRISPR-based editing as a therapeutic strategy for monogenic NDDs and evaluates the
limitations that must be addressed before its widespread application in human patients.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Christian D. Barravecchio.
Page No : 41-50
|
Effects of Robotic Therapy Dog Interaction on Mood Among Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Abstract
Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide and is frequently associated with social
withdrawal, reduced emotional engagement, and declining quality of life. Although animal-assisted
therapy has demonstrated benefits for individuals with dementia, many long-term care facilities face
practical barriers that limit regular access to live animals. This study examined whether robotic therapy
dogs could improve mood among nursing home residents with dementia. Forty residents with diagnosed
dementia participated in a controlled repeated-measures study. Twenty participants received continuous
access to individualized robotic companion dogs, while twenty participants continued to receive standard
care. Mood was assessed at four separate time points, including two baseline observations and two
post-intervention observations, using a clinician-administered 10-point observational scale supported
by staff feedback. Following introduction of the robotic dogs, the treatment group demonstrated a
statistically significant average mood improvement of 0.40 points, while the control group showed little
overall change. Comparison of mood change scores between groups revealed a statistically significant
difference favoring the treatment group (t(38) = 3.65, p = 0.0008). Positive changes were observed in
most treatment-group participants rather than being concentrated among only a few individuals. The
results indicate that robotic companion dogs may provide a feasible approach to supporting emotional
well-being among residents with dementia in long-term care settings. Although the magnitude of
improvement was modest, robotic companion technology may represent a practical option for expanding
emotional support within care facilities.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Benjamin W. Lee, Nicole Rogers.
Page No : 51-59
|
Neighborhood Risk Factors and Their Associations with Family Resilience and Adolescent Behavioral Outcomes
Abstract
Adolescent behavioral health is shaped by both family and neighborhood contexts. Families in
disadvantaged neighborhoods may face challenges that affect their ability to cope and provide support,
while also having limited access to important community resources. This study examined associations
between neighborhood disorder and deprivation and adolescent behavioral problems, and whether
family resilience helps explain these relationships. We analyzed data from the 2023 National Survey
of Children’s Health (N=17,659 adolescents ages 12–17). Caregivers reported on adolescent behavioral
problems, neighborhood disorder, neighborhood deprivation, and family resilience. Logistic and linear
regression models examined associations among these variables, adjusting for age, sex, and race/
ethnicity. We also tested whether family resilience helped explain the relationship between neighborhood
conditions and behavioral problems. The results showed that neighborhood disorder and deprivation
were each associated with greater odds of adolescent behavioral problems (disorder OR=1.15, p=.02;
deprivation OR=1.08, p=.03) and with lower family resilience (disorder b=-0.07; deprivation b=-0.03;
both p<.001). Higher family resilience was associated with lower odds of behavioral problems (OR=0.56,
p<.001). After accounting for family resilience, the associations between neighborhood conditions and
behavioral problems were attenuated. These findings suggest that neighborhood disadvantages are
associated with poorer adolescent behavioral health, and that these associations were partially attenuated
after accounting for family resilience, highlighting the importance of supporting both family and
community contexts to promote adolescent well-being.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Shreya Chandrasekar.
Page No : 60-71
|
AI Violin Tutor Applications for High School Students in the San Francisco Bay Area: A Student-Centered Mixed-Methods Evaluation
Abstract
This study aimed to identify which features of three AI violin tutor applications—Trala, Violy, and
Caidence—high school violinists perceived as most supportive when learning a new piece of music.
Traditional violin pedagogy often depends on individualized instruction, which can limit access for
students who face financial and logistical barriers to private lessons and high-quality coaching. Prior
studies on AI-assisted violin learning have largely emphasized listener-based evaluations or technical
system performance rather than students’ direct experiences of using the tools. The present study
addressed that gap through a student-centered, mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design with 12 high
school violinists from one competitive high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each participant
completed a single 45–60 minute session in which all three applications were used sequentially, followed
by a structured reflection survey. Data sources included Likert-scale survey responses, open-ended
survey responses, and observational field notes. Qualitative analysis used deductive coding focused on
visual design and interface, feedback clarity and accuracy, and perceived effectiveness. Quantitative
analysis was descriptive and exploratory. Trala was the most preferred application, selected by 8 of 12
participants, and was described as strongest for immediate intonation feedback. Violy was perceived as
more useful for complete run-throughs of longer excerpts but less clear in locating errors. Caidence was
least effective for technical correction but was valued by some participants for stylistic and interpretive
guidance. Across applications, the most salient characteristics were immediate feedback, clarity of
explanation, and interface simplicity. These findings suggest that the educational value of AI violin tutors
depends not only on technical capability but also on how clearly feedback is communicated to learners.
Because the study used a small, geographically homogeneous sample and a single-session design, the
findings should be interpreted as preliminary and descriptive.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Agastya Mohanty.
Page No : 72-80
|
The Wider Implications of the U.S. Loan Forgiveness Programs on Borrowers and Lenders
Abstract
This paper examines the effect of U.S. student loan debt on household consumption, evaluating
whether policy interventions such as forgiveness programs mitigate these effects. The paper uses a
state-level panel regression to analyze the impact of student loan debt on consumer spending. The paper
finds that student loan debt significantly constrains consumption, showing consistency with liquidity
constraint and debt overhang mechanisms. The paper also finds that loan forgiveness programs increase
consumer spending directly and indirectly, by partially offsetting the negative effect of debt. The paper
concludes that the effectiveness of these policies depends significantly on design, with targeted efforts at
relief proving to be more efficient than broad-based approaches.
| 9 |
Author(s):
Rishab Ghosh.
Page No : 81-97
|
Examining the Influence of French and Islamic Colonization on National Education Systems in West Africa
Abstract
This narrative review examines how French colonial rule and earlier Islamic political and educational
traditions influenced the development of contemporary education systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger,
Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Through comparative synthesis of historical, educational, and postcolonial
scholarship, it analyzes how colonial policies shaped educational institutions, curricula,
linguistic practices, and post-independence educational trajectories across these countries. Key findings
reveal consistent themes of resource extraction and cultural imposition by French authorities, marked
by strategic educational neglect in colonies and systematic attempts to undermine Islamic educational
institutions. Across the 5 cases, these policies produced enduring structural inequalities, particularly
in rural access, gender equity, and literacy outcomes. Post-independence reforms did not fully displace
colonial models but instead generated hybrid systems in which French, Arabic, secular, and religious
forms of education coexist in uneven ways. Details on the impact of Islamic colonization and the enduring
pre-French Ottoman influence are more sparse, representing an area of greater research need. Presentday
disparities in educational outcomes, gender equity, and literacy rates across these nations underscore
lasting colonial legacies. Further academic work engaging with indigenous educational traditions and
further archival research into the intersection of Islamic and French colonial influence in Africa is needed.
For policymakers, this work also highlights the necessity for educational reforms rooted in indigenous
cultural values and improved resource allocation to bridge these historical inequities.
| 10 |
Author(s):
Andrew Jia-de Ma.
Page No : 98-105
|
Ecosystem Disruption and Environmental Injustices Caused by Modern Golf Courses
Abstract
This paper examines how modern golf courses cause ecosystem disruption and environmental
injustice. Intensive maintenance renders these landscapes heavy contributors to ecological degradation.
Empirically, golf developments trigger severe habitat fragmentation, exemplified by clearing 100 acres
(about 40 hectares) of forest at Cobbs Creek. Chemical management poses eco-toxicological threats,
with pesticide application averaging seven pounds per acre annually, causing groundwater pesticide
concentrations up to 780% above the regulatory limit in a modeled worst-case scenario. Resource
exploitation is most acute in arid climates like California’s Coachella Valley and Los Cabos, Mexico,
where the average U.S. golf course consumes up to 800,000 gallons of water daily and Coachella
Valley courses alone account for about 18% of local water supplies. Crucially, a profound pattern of
environmental injustice emerges: while affluent populations enjoy exclusive recreation, marginalized
communities disproportionately bear the ecological burdens, facing restricted green space access and
heightened health risks, including a 126% increase in the odds of developing Parkinson’s disease for
nearby residents. This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence on the ecological and environmentaljustice
impacts of modern golf courses and to evaluate policy and management solutions capable
of reducing these harms. To mitigate these disparities, this paper evaluates progressive solutions,
emphasizing stricter chemical regulations, transparency audits, and eco-centric remodeling such as the
50% water-reduction turf restoration executed at Pinehurst No. 2. Ultimately, it argues for transforming
golf courses from resource-intensive symbols of exclusivity into models of sustainable, inclusive land
use.
| 11 |
Author(s):
Venkat Nithin Porala .
Page No : 106-117
|
Detecting Cognitive Stress in Knowledge Work Using Keyboard and Mouse Interaction Behavior
Abstract
Cognitive stress is a common obstacle in knowledge-requiring workspaces and is recognized to
influence both performance and motor control. The most established stress-detection systems require
complex hardware including physiological and wearable sensors that detect the following factors: heart
rate, electrodermal activity, respiratory activity, skin temperature, and pupil/eye measures. Systems have
rarely been created with the purpose of stress detection through behavioral interaction signals alone.
This study explores this lacuna by investigating whether cognitive stress can be detected from keyboard
and mouse behavior alone. Keyboard and mouse interaction offers a minimal-sensing alternative. Using
the publicly available SWELL-KW dataset, the study extracts nine interaction features (five keyboard
and four mouse features) over one-minute intervals. Logistic regression and random forest classifiers
are trained then evaluate the nine features under a leave-one-participant-out cross-validation against
a majority-class baseline. The accuracy under simple behaviors is below that of complex multi-modal
systems, which is the cost of looking at the feasibility of the model. The behavioral signal is genuine but
weak: pooled ROC-AUC reaches 0.58-0.61 (above the 0.50 chance level) and PR-AUC 0.66-0.70 (above
the 0.615 prevalence baseline), and macro-F1 0.54-0.58. Both modalities performed comparably, with
total mouse-movement distance as the strongest single predictor. Combining the modalities produces a
statistical gain for both models. Aggregating predictions to the task-block level improved discrimination
(ROC-AUC up to 0.72). Behavior-only stress detection is feasible and non-intrusive, but currently
provides weak, highly person-dependent accuracy.
| 12 |
Author(s):
Ava R. Nariman.
Page No : 118-126
|
Socioeconomic Status and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Among College Students: Examining the Roles of Urban and Perceived Stress
Abstract
Chronic stress is a well-established driver of gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, yet how socioeconomic
status (SES) shapes stress-related GI outcomes during emerging adulthood remains poorly understood.
The current study examined associations between perceived stress, urban life stress, and GI symptoms
among undergraduate students, and explored whether these associations differed across socioeconomic
status (SES) groups. In a cross-sectional online survey, undergraduate students (N = 45) completed
measures of perceived stress, urban life stress, GI symptoms, and a multidimensional socioeconomic
status index (SEI). SES was dichotomized at the SEI median into low- and high-SES groups. Independentsamples
t-tests compared stress exposure between SES groups, Pearson correlations examined stress-
GI associations, and linear regressions conducted separately within each SES group examined whether
stress predicted GI symptom severity. Lower-SES students reported significantly higher urban life stress
than higher-SES students, while perceived stress did not differ by SES. Greater urban life stress was
associated with poorer GI symptoms, and this association was statistically significant among low-SES
students, but not among high-SES students. These findings suggest that urban life stress is associated
with greater GI symptom burden among lower-SES students, highlighting urban stressors as a potential
focus for understanding socioeconomic health disparities during emerging adulthood. Given the crosssectional
design and absence of a formal SES-stress interaction test, these results should be interpreted
as descriptive group differences rather than evidence of statistical moderation or causal pathways.
| 13 |
Author(s):
Jocelyn Wang.
Page No : 127-134
|
Comparative Effects of Energy Drinks and Naturally Caffeinated Beverages on Exercise Performance
Abstract
The review aims to guide athletes in optimizing their performance by clarifying how different
caffeine sources influence athletic performance and long-term health. Caffeine is widely used by athletes
to improve physical performance, and its growing popularity has led to increased consumption of
energy drinks and naturally caffeinated drinks by athletes. Many athletes rely on caffeine to increase
energy, focus, and endurance before practices, workouts, and competitions. This review paper compares
and contrasts research on the effects of energy drinks and naturally caffeinated drinks on exercise
performance, using measures such as reaction time, endurance, speed, and strength. By focusing on
studies from sports medicine and physiology studies, this review paper summarizes the differences
between energy drinks and naturally caffeinated drinks in terms of performance outcomes. The paper
also summarizes health risks of each added ingredient in energy drinks and naturally caffeinated drinks.
As a result of these health risks, the paper also explores the long-term and short-term health effects
associated with each choice. It raises awareness of the ingredients being consumed and the health risks
that are commonly linked to energy drinks.
| 14 |
Author(s):
Gaeun Jang, Angelina Jiale Ding, Judy Song, Wendi Zhang, Jayden Junpyo Ku, Jiayu Wu, Joseph Mingde Liu.
Page No : 135-139
|
Benzalkonium Chloride as a Potential Oral Antiseptic in Veterinary Dentistry: An In Vitro Pilot Study
Abstract
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a widely used quaternary ammonium compound with broadspectrum
antimicrobial properties; however, its effectiveness against veterinary oral bacteria remains
underexplored. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of BAC at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.5%,
1%, 3%, and 5% using disk diffusion assays on bacterial isolates obtained from a feline oral sample. A
descriptive trend of increasing inhibition zone diameter was observed with increasing concentration,
ranging from 12 mm at 0.1% to 29 mm at 5%. These findings suggest concentration-dependent
antibacterial activity within the tested range. However, due to methodological limitations, including
a lack of bacterial identification, the absence of statistical testing, and the use of a single biological
sample, results should be interpreted cautiously. This study provides preliminary evidence supporting
BAC’s potential as an oral antiseptic in veterinary contexts and highlights the need for further controlled
investigations.
| 15 |
Author(s):
Ziqian (Wilson) Yang.
Page No : 140-153
|
Rewiring Trust, Emotion, and Reason: Addressing Teen Depression in the AI Era
Abstract
This narrative review aims to synthesize developmental neuroscience, adolescent mental-health
research, social media studies, and emerging work on generative artificial intelligence (AI) to propose a
conceptual framework for understanding teen depression risk in the AI era. Rates of adolescent depression,
anxiety, and suicide-related distress remain a major public health concern, while AI is rapidly changing
the social and cognitive environments in which teenagers grow up. We propose the Triadic Misalignment
Model, in which healthy development depends on the calibration of three psychological functions: trust
and credibility, emotion and motivation, and reasoning and reflective control. The model hypothesizes
that AI-mediated environments may destabilize this balance by amplifying emotionally salient content,
shifting credibility cues from relational authority toward algorithmic popularity or chatbot fluency, and
compressing reflection through interruption, cognitive offloading, and sleep-displacing engagement.
Generative AI and AI companions may add a new layer of risk and opportunity by simulating responsive
social presence, potentially offering low-barrier support while also raising concerns about dependency,
sycophantic validation, and unclear clinical boundaries. Drawing on existing evidence and theoretical
synthesis, this paper argues that teen depression should not be framed as an individual failure or a simple
consequence of screen time. Rather, depressive risk may emerge from the interaction of developmental
sensitivity, offline stress, and AI-shaped environments. We outline multilevel solutions that include
emotional literacy, digital and AI literacy, family and school connectedness, sleep and attention
protection, ethical platform design, transparent research access, and youth-centered policy. The paper
concludes by calling for a shift from blaming adolescents to redesigning the conditions under which
trust, emotion, and reason develop.
| 16 |
Author(s):
Ameer Akhil Ahmed Shaik.
Page No : 154-168
|
Dental Stem Cells: Advances in Isolation, Characterization, and Therapeutic Applications in Tooth Development, Maintenance, and Regeneration
Abstract
Dental Stem Cells (DSCs) represent an emerging biological platform with significant potential to
advance regenerative dentistry and repair damaged dental tissues. The major contributions of stem cell
populations from pulp-associated tissues (including DPSCs, SHEDs & SCAP) are to promote dentin–
pulp regeneration and root development, while PDLSCs have a primary contribution to periodontal
tissue repair. The potential of these cells has been well established in preclinical studies, demonstrating
their ability to differentiate into multiple cell types and thereby contribute to dentin-pulp regeneration,
periodontal repair, and root development. Complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and molecular
signaling pathways regulate odontogenesis, controlling cellular proliferation, differentiation, and tissue
morphogenesis. Molecular technological advances, including lineage tracing, single-cell and spatial
transcriptomics, and multi-omics analysis, have dramatically increased our understanding of DSC
heterogeneity and the organization of the DSC niche. Furthermore, tissue-engineering approaches
combining stem cells with biomaterial scaffolds and bioactive molecules have shown significant promise
for dental regeneration. In addition to demonstrating feasibility, biomimetic scaffold-based delivery
systems capable of delivering both angiogenic and odontogenic growth factors have shown efficacy in
promoting dentin-pulp regeneration during endodontic therapy. Three-dimensional culture systems and
dental organoid models also provide physiologic relevance for studying stem cell behavior and evaluating
regenerative therapies. This review summarizes recent advances in the isolation, characterization, and
therapeutic potential of DSCs. Preclinical and clinical evidence support the translational potential of
DSCs, although further standardization and long-term validation are required for clinical applications.
However, despite the advancements listed above, many barriers remain before this technology is available
for everyday clinical practice. Such barriers include limited availability of DSCs, DSC heterogeneity,
and limitations of current experimental models.
| 17 |
Author(s):
Taylor A. Mangoba.
Page No : 169-182
|
Testing the Shoulder Point Compression Framework on 13 Pairs of Used Athletic Shoes
Abstract
Athletic-shoe cushioning is commonly characterized by pressing on the heel with a materials-testing
machine and extracting descriptors from the resulting force–compression curve. These values are
peak compression (PC), foam stiffness over low, mid, and high force ranges, energy absorbed (Eabs),
and energy return efficiency (η). A recent paper proposed four additional “shoulder point” parameters
describing the point of maximum energy absorbed per unit force: the efficiency (E/F)max, the force (Fopt),
the compression (xopt), and the energy absorbed (Eopt). The original authors treated all four as independent,
but whether they add information beyond the conventional descriptors has not been tested. We tested 13
used pairs of athletic shoes from high-school students on a materials-testing machine and examined the
relationships among descriptors using correlation and principal component analysis. Two shoulder point
parameters, (E/F)max and xopt, tracked peak compression almost exactly, adding little new information. A
third, Fopt, was unrelated to every conventional descriptor but closely tracked the foam-stiffening ratio
Kmid/Klow. The fourth, Eopt, was well predicted by Eabs and Fopt together. In this sample the shoulder point
framework therefore added one new dimension to the description of cushioning, not four, with Fopt the
most informative parameter and a possible marker for how cushioning changes as a shoe wears. These
findings come from a small convenience sample of 13 pairs of used shoes and should be regarded as
preliminary; confirmation in larger and more varied samples is warranted.
| 18 |
Author(s):
Saahil Viral Mehta.
Page No : 183-192
|
The Science Behind the Limitations of Who Can and Who Cannot Dunk a Basketball Based on Their Genetics (Using 11 Participants and Measuring Vertical Increase)
Abstract
This study investigated how genetic traits interact with a structured sports science program to
determine vertical jump performance and dunking capability in adolescent male athletes. Over 12 weeks,
11 male adolescent athletes ages 14–17 followed a periodized program concentrating on five variables:
nutrition, recovery, strength, plyometrics, and jump technique. Performance was measured at five time
points (Weeks 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12) across three primary outcomes: standing vertical, approach vertical, and
vertical with ball. By Week 12, all 11 participants showed statistically significant improvements across
all three measures. Standing vertical increased by a mean of 2.91 inches (SD = 0.70; p < .001; Cohen’s d
= 4.15), approach vertical by a mean of 3.73 inches (SD = 0.65; p < .001; d = 5.76), and vertical with ball
by a mean of 3.64 inches (SD = 0.81; p < .001; d = 4.49). Effect sizes were very large across all outcomes.
Seven of the 11 athletes (64%) successfully executed a regulation dunk by Week 12. Height was strongly
associated with dunking success (rpb = 0.84, p = .001), and dunkers were significantly taller than nondunkers
(p = .001). These findings show that while neuromuscular performance is highly adaptable
through a structured training program, fixed anthropometric factors such as height and standing reach
ultimately determine whether training gains are sufficient to clear a 10-foot rim within a fixed timeframe.
| 19 |
Author(s):
Vrishank Ram, Abhinav Shivalli, Edwin Mu.
Page No : 193-204
|
Analyzing the Use of Fresnel Lenses to Optimize Solar Sails
Abstract
Fresnel lenses are segmented convex lenses with a reduced mass that can collimate light and direct
it at a focal point, and have proven useful in solar concentrator technologies like solar cells. In this
study, we analyze the feasibility of using Fresnel lenses in solar sails (devices that utilize light from the
Sun as a form of stellar propulsion). A major challenge for solar sails is maximizing surface area while
minimizing mass, which increases propulsion. By focusing and capturing light over a larger surface
while being less massive, Fresnel lenses could improve the area-mass ratio (AMR), and this investigation
analyzes whether they increase the efficiency of solar sails. After designing the lens and sail, we used
ANSYS Lumerical FDTD and other simulation methodologies to model light interaction with the lens,
measuring lens material efficiency through the intensity of the focused light. The results provided a
theoretical design with a theoretical AMR nearly double that of NASA’s ACS-3 solar sail; once optical
losses are applied to both designs on the same basis, the improvement is more modest. These idealized
values hold only when the physical limits of manufacturing extremely thin lenses are not considered.
Current works focus on novel surface materials, increased thermal efficiency, or structural design
changes for efficiency. Through this work, we present an analysis of AMR improvement through the
integration of Fresnel lenses into solar sails, with quantitative comparisons to designs such as the ACS-3,
contributing to the limited existing literature on this application.