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The game of Snakes and Ladders is a board game that is a part of the childhood of many people. We model the movement of pieces along the board using Markov chains. With Markov chains and its fundamental matrix we can solve for the expected value of the number of turns it takes to get to the end of the board starting from a specific space. These expected values help us try to modify the board of Snakes and Ladders to make the first roll insignificant. Where the expected number of turns to get from the first six spaces to the end is about the same.  

Change of Direction (COD) tasks are common in a variety of high performance sports. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine technique and kinetic differences between unexpected defensive COD tasks in women’s collegiate soccer players. METHODS: Eleven collegiate soccer players participated voluntarily in accordance with the local IRB, performing six 180°R and L , 135° L, and 225°R tasks, approaching from 5m and exiting 3m. Force (Kistler, 1200Hz) and timing information (Brower) data was collected. Repeated Measures ANOVA determined differences across the group between movement directions. RESULTS: Four categories of techniques emerged: natural step, shuffle, hop, and stomp. 135L COD tasks proved to be faster (1.866 ± 0.132 s) than 225R tasks (1.945 ± 0.159 s, p = 0.003), however no other significant differences were found between conditions. CONCLUSION: Athletes used varying self-selected techniques to complete COD tasks with similar biomechanical factors and performance outcomes. This may suggest players at the collegiate level have adjusted to their individual movement patterns. Further study of the kinetics of prior incoming or later outgoing steps is necessary. Change of direction movements are a necessary part of defensive play in women’s soccer and efficiency as outlined in this study could directly affect game performance. Natural step COD seems to be the most effective technique, therefore it would be interesting to analyze the incorporation of this method at the amateur level. Regardless, exposing athletes to situations which require differing COD techniques may best prepare players to move effectively during competition. 

Female choice can lead to the evolution of male morphological and behavioral traits.Squirrel monkeys display a sexually dimorphic trait: in the two-month mating season, males gain 20% of their body weight in water and fat due to hormonal changes, in what is called a “fattening” period. The adaptive function of this phenomenon is unknown. Our field study investigated the relationship between male fattening and female choice in wild squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi) in Amazonian Brazil. Behavioral data were collected on two groups of monkeys during one mating season (N = 143 contact hours). Groups averaged 33 individuals, nine of which were adult males. Each adult male was classified on a visual scale of 1-3 (grade 1= least fattened; grade 3=most fattened). Focal samples were conducted on adults, with note of nearest neighbor within 3m. We also recorded all observed male-female sociosexual interactions.The highest percentage of copulations (82%) was observed for grade 3 males (N=11copulations). Grade 3 males spent more time in proximity to adult females (H=9.49, df= 2; p=0.009) and less time alone (H=9.09, df= 2; p=0.01). Fatter males initiated sexual solicitations toward females more than did less fat males (61% of solicitations, N=277 observations). The weekly average of female receptivity to male solicitations was higher than expected towards grade 3 males (75%; t=7.07; df=5; p=0.0009). These initial results indicate that fatter males have higher mating success, and that female choice may play a role in the evolution of the male fattening in squirrel monkeys.

Microfibers originate from synthetic textiles and can pose ecological risks, absorbing harmful chemicals and accumulating in marine animals. Microfibers can enter the ecosystem by washing textiles and traveling into the ocean by way of runoff after heavy rainfall and further distributing by ocean currents. Microfiber counts from Santa Cruz Island and Point Mugu were measured. Santa Cruz Island was expected to have fewer microfibers than Point Mugu because of its offshore location and lack of human development. At Point Mugu, the MF count in 2022 was significantly lower than in 2023 (p<0.01). In 2023, the high MF count at Point Mugu compared to Santa Cruz (p<0.05) was likely caused by the spring storms. This data could impact marine ecosystems, due to MFs acting as sponges for harmful chemicals, affecting the physiology of the animals that ingest them.

RNA Thermometers (RNATs) are functional non-coding RNAs located in the 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) that regulate the expression of genes downstream in response to temperature. One particular class of RNATs, Repression Of heat Shock gene Expression (ROSE)-like thermometers, contains a conserved nucleotide motif, U(U/C)GCU. The ROSE-like motif base pairs with the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) site, blocking ribosomal binding to the SD and hindering translation of mRNA, unless an increase in temperature is introduced. This study investigated the prevalence of ROSE-like RNATs upstream of genes that encode for ABC transporter proteins. ABC transporter proteins utilize ATP hydrolysis to translocate substances across the cell membrane, and are relevant to virulence and pathogenesis processes in bacteria. We aimed to discover potential RNATs upstream of ABC transporter genes to elucidate the mechanism governing the upregulation of ABC transporter gene expression in response to heat stress. A bioinformatic search was performed using the structure of previously confirmed RNAT to discover candidate sequences. β-galactosidase assays were performed at 25, 37, and 42 °C on E. coli cells expressing an RNAT candidate 5′-UTR-bgaB fusion. Heat induction values of these reporter assays validated five RNAT candidates being tested. This study adds new layers to our understanding of the mechanisms governing heat stress-induced gene regulation of ABC transporter proteins.

Green tea is consumed by a wide range of people around the world as a natural medicine and is known for its health benefits such as cancer prevention and anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. The purpose of this experiment was to explore the metabolic breakdown of green tea catechins and identify the development of hydrogen peroxide and free radicals formed from the interaction of green tea catechins with the cytochrome p450 liver enzymatic system. A mechanistic scheme was developed for four green tea catechins and their interaction with the cytochrome p450 iron (III) oxide complex. The mechanistic scheme was further developed for the production of hydrogen peroxide. An extraction of green tea tablets was performed which revealed the green tea tablets were soluble in a 50:50 hexane/toluene solvent. A derivatization method was developed with a 1:1 ratio of BSTFA + 1% TMCS and green tea catechin mix and analyzed on GC/MS. The instrument displayed silyl groups interacting with ring-like structures such as those of the green tea catechins. A colorimetric assay of hydrogen peroxide was run as a comparison to the hydrogen peroxide production of green tea catechins. Future experiments could include efforts in the cell culture analysis of green tea catechins and artificial neural network development to compare factors of green tea catechins and their efficiency in the production of hydrogen peroxide and free oxygen radicals.