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Children are uniquely sensitive to harmful environmental toxins, which can have a lifelong impact on brain development and behavioral functions (National Research Council, 1993). Children’s immature and undeveloped bodies are especially vulnerable to toxins, due to their physical and biological differences compared to adults. Adolescents are simply not little
adults (Landrigan & Goldman, 2018). Therefore, implementation of the U.S. Government regulations is crucial to protect pediatrics, and to educate parents and caregivers about the risk and dangers of environmental toxins. Common and toxic environmental toxins that can be encountered daily include; pesticides, lead, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), Bisphenol A (BPA), and talc. These frequent and harmful chemicals are often non-regulated, and are constantly persisting in our environment, posing adverse health effects on human health and development (Landrigan & Goldman, 2018).
Keywords: Environmental toxins, Health science, Pediatrics
Young Americans (age 18-27) (n=495) were recruited via Amazon mTurk between May 13-15, 2020 and asked about their social distancing practices, news source preferences, extraversion, support for President Trump, and beliefs about personal susceptibility to COVID-19. We hypothesized that social isolation practices, as well as judgements (pro or con) of others who fail to abide by social isolation advisories, would vary as a function of news source and political ideology. Participants’ support for President Trump was negatively correlated with 1) compliance with social-distance practices and 2) anxiety about the coronavirus, and positively correlated with endorsement of others breaking quarantine. In addition, Fox News Channel viewers were less worried about COVID-19 and socialized more frequently with those outside their household. Fox News Channel (FNC) viewers reported significantly less worry about becoming ill and reported greater frequency of unprotected face-to-face socializing than non-Fox-viewers.
Keywords: Gen Z, Covid 19, Social Distance, Coronavirus
Studies have demonstrated that the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic have not been equitable. Using survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, my research examines the employment rates for each industry within the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton tri-city area. Comparison of these rates indicates that the economy took a dramatic hit in the area of leisure and hospitality, which lost the highest percentage of its workers by far; workers in this category also have the lowest average salary and are disproportionately women and people of color. Because low-income workers, and more specifically women and people of color, were more likely to have lost their jobs, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton economy cannot be considered equitable. Additionally, the
intersections of these social groups are evident, highlighting the necessity for government intervention in order to account for underlying inequalities.
Keywords: coronavirus, economy, pandemic, inequality, unemployment
This study examines the role that money plays in American politics, specifically focusing on the corrupting influence of dark money and Super PACs. The author outlines the role that money has played throughout American history and the laws governing the current system and analyzes the effect and corrupting influence that money has on each branch of American government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. A comparison is made between the role money plays in the American political system and the political systems of European nations. There is a discussion regarding the validity of money in American politics. The author concludes by presenting solutions to curb the unethical behaviors of dark money groups and Super PACs to decrease corruption, increase transparency, and shift the balance of power influencing politicians from the economic elite and special interest groups back to the American people.
Keywords: campaign finance, elections, Super PACs, dark money, Citizens United
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how people visit parks and protected areas, including participation in interpretive programs. This project investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on the number of programs offered, visitor attendance, staff workloads, safety precautions, and program goals. In the fall of 2020, we interviewed Alberta Parks’ visitor services coordinators and environmental education managers. Thematic analyses and descriptive statistics revealed that, because of COVID-19, fewer programs were offered, program attendance decreased, safety measures were implemented for visitors and staff, workload increased for interpretive staff and supervisors, and interpretive goals changed slightly. These results will help park interpreters, environmental educators, and park managers plan for and manage interpretive programs in order to make the programs safe.
Keywords: COVID-19, interpretation, parks, Alberta, impacts, programs
Carotenoids are plant pigments that function in photoprotection, photosynthesis, and abiotic stress response. Soil salinity, an abiotic stressor, negatively impacts crop yields worldwide. Phytoene synthase (PSY) is the first dedicated enzyme in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, ultimately producing the stress hormone abscisic acid. In maize, PSY is encoded by three sub-functionalized genes: PSY1, PSY2, and PSY3, which are differentially expressed in root zones. How PSY expression is affected by salt stress is not well understood in US inbred lines. To determine the effects of salinity on PSY expression in developing roots, maize seedlings were grown in increasing salt concentrations. Root and shoot growth were assessed and the expression of PSY quantified in primary root zones. Expression of two Alfin (ALF) genes, also involved in stress responses, were measured. Increasing salt concentrations significantly stunted seedling growth and differentially altered the expression of PSY and ALF genes in primary root zones.
Keywords: phytoene synthase, salinity, maize, roots
Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel American Psycho satirizes 1980s American culture, showcasing the harmful results of selfishness and mass consumption. This controversial novel follows the life of Patrick Bateman, a murderous psychopathic yuppie obsessed with the latest trends. In one notable scene, Bateman removes a victim’s body parts from his freezer to cook for dinner, only to become frustrated when he realizes he does not even know how to cook. Ellis’s content and humor may not be appealing to all, but a point of black humor is to leave readers wondering how to respond. In American Psycho, Ellis uses black humor to heighten his views on the shallowness of the Reagan Era through the use of the grotesque, his deadpan narrator, and the disruption of conventional plot. With Bateman’s sarcastic tone, the reader is introduced to a merciless 80s Manhattan which lacks any sort of moral code.
Keywords: black humor, Bret Easton Ellis, American Psycho, 1980s
The achievement gap is an important topic when discussing the education system in America. However, Asian-Americans are often overlooked when looking at achievement gaps or are used through racial triangulation as the “model minority” pawn by which they are used to blame other minorities for their shortcomings. There are staggering differences in the academic achievements within the Asian-American community. Using data from theU.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, I found significant achievement gaps within the Asian-American community by disaggregating data about 16 Asian- American ethnic groups from the years 2011 to 2018. I also conducted a generalized least squares (GLS) regression analysis to find three significant factors in the educational attainment of Asian-Americans: unemployment rates, food stamp/SNAP benefits, and English-speaking ability.
Keywords: model minority myth, achievement gap, educational attainment, aisan americans
This paper seeks to explain the factors that explain what makes Scandinavia so unique, successful, and prosperous. The first of the factors described is the education system, particularly in Finland. They spend less money and time on students yet see exemplary results. The second factor is the health of their people. They consistently rank at the top in life expectancy and other measures of health. The third factor is the economy. It is a unique blend of free markets with large social programs that also encourages small business. The last factor is both the historical and current high level of equality between genders in Scandinavia. This paper describes each of these factors in detail and explains how they contribute to a high standard of living.
Keywords: Scandinavia, Nordic, Education, Economy, Equality