NESEP Archive

Abstract:

This research focuses on the role of uncertainty in explaining gender disparities in entrepreneurship by testing a behavioral decision model. It examines how misperceptions and ambiguity affect men’s and women’s decisions on founding startups or maintaining established firms in developed and developing countries. It starts from the theoretical assumption that entrepreneurial decision-making follows cumulative prospect theory, the Ellsberg paradox, and loss aversion as in the Allais paradox. Data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor in 46 countries/territories over 2013 – 2019 was used for a panel data econometric analysis using fixed-effects and Generalized Least Squares (GLS) models. Findings indicate that there are clear gender differences in behavioral characteristics of entrepreneurs in the face of varying uncertainty levels according to three business development stages. During the startup stage, confidence in ability and confidence from knowing an entrepreneur is positively associated with entrepreneurial prevalence, whereas fearing the worst is negatively associated. Gender-bias “discount factors” progressively hinder women as the business develops, particularly in developing countries. During the established business stage, fearing the worst, confidence, and high reference points are positively associated, especially for women’s entrepreneurship. Due to a self-selection effect, once women can enter the scale-up stage, they are more likely than men to continue to the established business stage. Effective policies should consider the specific needs of women and the barriers that they face when setting up and sustaining businesses. 

Reference

[1] T. Adachi and T. Hisada, "Gender differences in entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship: an empirical analysis," Small Business Economics, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 447-486, 2017. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/26154737.

[2] M. Arellano and B. Honore, “Panel data models: Some recent developments” in Handbook of Econometrics (J.J. Heckman and E. Lemur), 3229-3296, Elsevier, 2001.

[3] I. Chadwick and A. Dawson, "From imposter fears to authenticity: a typology of women entrepreneurs," Small Business Economics, 2023. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00795-x. 

[4] B. Chung, P. Franses, and E. Pennings, "Conditions that make ventures thrive: from individual entrepreneur to innovation impact," Small Business Economics, 2023. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00800-3. 

[5] C. Harris and M. Jenkins, "Gender differences in risk assessment: Why do women take fewer risks than men?" Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 48-63, 2006.

[6] S. Hügelschäfer and A. Achtziger, "On confident men and rational women: It’s all on your mind(set)," Journal of Economic Psychology, vol. 41, pp. 31-44, 2014. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2013.04.001.

[7] D. Hechavarría and A. Ingram, "Entrepreneurial ecosystem conditions and gendered national-level entrepreneurial activity: A 14-year panel study of GEM," Small Business Economics, vol. 53, pp. 431-458, 2019. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-9994-7.

[8] A. Invernizzi, A. Menozzi, D. Passarani, D. Patton, and G. Viglia, "Entrepreneurial overconfidence and its impact upon performance," International Small Business Journal, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 709-728, 2017. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242616678445.

[9] F. Knight, Risk, Uncertainty and Profit. Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1921.

[10] G. Liu and W. Spanjers, "Modeling uncertainties and gender differences in entrepreneurial decision making," Working Paper series 23-15, Rimini Centre for Economic Analysis, 2023. Retrieved from https://ideas.repec.org/p/rim/rimwps/23-15.html.

[11] S. Prasad, R. Kiran, and R. Sharma, "Behavioural, socio-economic factors, financial literacy and investment decisions: Are men more rational and women more emotional?" The Indian Economic Journal, vol. 69, no. 1, 2021. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/0019466220987023.

[12] E. Sent and I. van Staveren, "A feminist review of behavioral economic research on gender differences," Feminist Economics, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 1-35, 2019. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/13545701.2018.1532595.

[13] A. Tversky and D. Kahneman, “Advances in prospect theory: Cumulative representation of uncertainty,” Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 297-323, 1992.

[14] P. Wakker, Prospect Theory for Risk and Ambiguity. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2010.

[15] M, Woolcock and D. Narayan, “Social capital: implications for development theory, research, and policy,” World Bank Research Observer, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 225-249, 2000.

[16] World Bank, "The World by Income and Region," 2022. Retrieved from https://datatopics.worldbank.org/world-development-indicators/the-world-by-income-and-region.html.

Abstract

The Indigenous peoples of Taiwan maintained their valuable cultural and ecological understanding before colonial and post-colonial authorities started their systematic efforts to exclude them through land theft and enforced cultural assimilation and economic limitations during the last hundred years. This research paper demonstrates that successful business expansion occurs through reliable cooperative systems, enhanced infrastructure, and robust intellectual property protection, as these factors help communities reach economic self-sufficiency through value-driven development. It focuses on the Indigenous peoples who launched their business operations after enduring for years colonial-era land confiscation and forced assimilation policies that marginalized them. 

By demonstrating through policy evaluation techniques and industry-specific case studies, the paper examines the Indigenous Peoples Basic Act (2005) together with funding from the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) to understand their functions and effects. Thereby, it is possible to understand how state-backed initiatives promote Indigenous development and their resulting impact. The study focuses on three main sectors, which include cultural tourism at the Amis Harvest Festival, handicraft production that merges traditional indigenous methods with modern designs, and specialty farming that cultivates heritage crops such as millet. The business initiatives show promise but encounter multiple obstacles because they operate from remote locations and face competition from fake mass-produced goods, insufficient intellectual property protection, and youth migration to other regions.

The business initiatives by the Indigenous peoples show promise but have encountered multiple obstacles. This includes remote locations, fake mass-produced products, insufficient protection of intellectual property, and youth migration to other areas. The presented paper shows sustainable development requires Indigenous peoples to establish their governance systems and regain economic control while safeguarding their cultural heritage for upcoming generations.

Reference

1. Cheng, T. M., Wu, H. C., & Chen, Y. C. (2023). A cross-level analysis of Indigenous tourism of Tsou in Taiwan. Tourism Studies, 33(2), 145–166.

2. Choi, C. (2024, October 24). Empowering Indigenous farmers in Taiwan: How the Tribal E-Shop is reviving local knowledge and ecology. Organic Without Boundaries.

3. Creative Expo Taiwan. (2025). Creative Expo Taiwan. Taiwan Design Research Institute / Ministry of Culture.

4. FFTC. (2024). Promoting local agritourism: A case study of Indigenous Taiwan. Food and Fertilizer Technology Center Journal, 38(1), 55–70.

5. Hsieh, S. C. (2015). Ethnic identity and social mobility among Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples. Asian Ethnicity, 16(3), 351–370.

6. IWGIA. (2022). The Indigenous World 2022: Taiwan. Copenhagen: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs.

7. Life of Taiwan. (2023). Private tours with an Indigenous twist. Retrieved from https://lifeoftaiwan.com

8. Satoyama Initiative. (2022). Sustainable development of Taiwanese Indigenous tribes in accordance with Seediq tradition. Retrieved from https://satoyama-initiative.org

9. Simon, S. (2006). Paths to autonomy: Aboriginality and the nation in Taiwan. Social Analysis, 50(3), 1–27.

10. Skilling Indigenous Futures. (2024). Crafts and resilience among Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples. Journal of Indigenous Studies, 12(1), 77–94.

11. WITS. (2024). World Indigenous Tourism Summit: Proceedings from Taipei. WITS Journal, 7(1), 1–20.

12. Yeh, J. H., Chiang, Y. C., & Lin, P. Y. (2021). Taiwanese Indigenous cultural heritage and revitalization: Policies and practices. Heritage, 4(2), 567–585.

Abstract:

Assessment of both water quality and quantity pose a great challenge to those studying the effects of anthropogenic activities on bodies of water. Eutrophication created by the increased concentration of nutrients including nitrates and phosphates has been known to contribute to the development of both toxic algal blooms, which serve as limiting factors in the ecosystems of the water, rendering it useless for consumption.1,2 Another common development is the buildup of suspended sediments (SS/TSS), contributing to the anoxic conditions characterizing environmental hypoxia.3 Because current methods for the assessment of the presence of such issues rely upon tedious and costly methods, a timely and cost-efficient method is desirable for application to the practice.4  This research relies upon analysis of the inherent optical properties of chlorophyll and sedimentation present within the bodies of water in question, achieved through analysis of the reflectance values of the red and blue bands from Landsat satellite images of five bodies of water. 5 The analysis, performed using Geographic Information System ArcMap, allows for determination of the values that attest to changes in surface area, turbidity, and eutrophication. The trends in the data hold consistency with the natural occurrences surrounding the bodies of water associated with the three parameters outlined above, supporting usage of remote sensing for qualitative and quantitative analysis of water.

Reference

 [1] Smith, V., Tilman, G., & Nekola, J. (1999). Eutrophication:Impacts of excess nutrient inputs on freshwater, marine,andterrestrial ecosystems. ​Environmental Pollution,100(​ 1-3), 179-196. doi:10.1016/s0269-7491(99)00091-3 12                                        

[2] Chislock, M.F.; Doster, E.; Zitomer, R.A.; Wilson, A.E. (2013)."Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, and Controls in Aquatic Ecosystems". Nature Education Knowledge. 4 (4): 10. Retrieved 10 March 2018.

[3] Anderson, D. M., Glibert, P. M., & Burkholder, J. M. (2002). “Harmful algal blooms and eutrophication: Nutrient sources, composition, and consequences.” Estuaries,25(4), 704-726. doi:10.1007/bf02804901

[4] Bush et al. (2017). "Oxic-anoxic regime shifts mediated by feedbacks between biogeochemical processes and microbial community dynamics". nature. Bibcode:2017NatCo...8..789B. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00912-x.

[5] Michaud, Joy P. (1994). "Measuring Total Suspended Solids and Turbidity in lakes and streams." Archived 2010-07-30 at the Wayback Machine. A Citizen's Guide to Understanding and Monitoring Lakes and Streams. State of Washington, Department of Ecology.  

[6] Alesheikh, A. A., et al. “Coastline Change Detection Using Remote Sensing”. International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 4, no. 1, Jan. 2007, pp. 61–66., doi:10.1007/bf03325962.

[7]Babin, M., Cullen, J., Roesler, C., Donaghay, P., Doucette, G., Kahru, M., . . . Sosik, H. (2005). New Approaches and Technologies for Observing Harmful Algal Blooms. Oceanography, 18(2), 210-227. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2005.55 [8] Stony, J., & Scaramuzza, P. (n.d.). LANDSAT 7 SCAN LINE CORRECTOR-OFF GAP-FILLED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract

In this project, I delineate a method for addressing the scarcity of energy and cutting-edge microchip production supplies that were cut off from the US. Experts have been indicating peak oil has passed, and several recent global crises, including the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, have exacerbated an era of energy poverty, which in turn produced global increases in energy and food prices by 50% and 20%, respectively. According to experts, there can be further similar changes because of the war in the Middle East. The White House has demonstrated commitment to bringing novel nanotechnology, specifically semiconductor chips, which are ingrained in the automotive, aerospace, and technology industries. As they are currently only produced in Taiwan, the economic safety and diminishing effects of the current economic downturn depend on bringing production home through the novel technology I outline. State-of-the-art production of microchips only exists overseas, which caused steep price increases by 50% of cars to the point, for example, of being completely absent in New York State. I demonstrate a novel methodology in nanocatalyst and nanotechnology real-time characterization using a novel mathematical framework for machine learning algorithms. Prior approaches failed to satisfy the requirements of nanoscale, real-time analysis needed for lights-out and smart manufacturing, as prioritized by the government. Previous research in machine learning applications to materials science did not have adapt-on-the-fly models to exploit the hidden patterns of the particular material dataset, which are necessary to operate novel flexible manufacturing smart technology moves in the nanoscale. Past models failed to capture the crucial features of nanomaterial structure and properties, which my multi-task algorithm for variational auto-encoding (MAVEN) does. MAVEN creates a disentangled, interpretable latent space through my novel mathematical framework by performing multi-objective optimization for tasks tailored to the data, including novel loss functions and evaluation metrics. I demonstrate the power of this method through studying palladium nanoparticles, which are potent materials used prominently in industrial catalysis, batteries, and fuel cells and essential to greener, optimized systems of energy. New smart manufacturing, including cutting-edge microchips, requires palladium catalysts. Results demonstrate algorithmic independence and real-time structural analysis, which are essential for efficient production. Such information and processing were not previously available for nanocatalyst design and analysis. Furthermore, MAVEN’s interpretable capabilities create insight into the nature of fine structure spectra relationships, which are used as feedback in nanomanufacturing. MAVEN demonstrates efficacy in promoting a greener, more efficient energy model, which will bring advanced scientific and computational production back to the US.

Reference

[1] Olesya S. Ablyasova, Meiyuan Guo, Vicente Zamudio-Bayer, Markus Kubin, Tim Gitzinger, Mayara da Silva San tos, Max Flach, Martin Timm, Marcus Lundberg, J. Tobias Lau, and et al. Electronic structure of the complete series of gas-phase manganese acetylacetonates by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 127(34):7121–7131, 2023. 

[2] M. Ahmadi, J. Timoshenko, F. Behafarid, and B. Roldan Cuenya. Tuning the structure of pt nanoparticles through support interactions: An in situ polarized x-ray absorption study coupled with atomistic simulations. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 123(16):10666–10676, 2019. 

[3] Carlos Alejandre, Ortzi Akizu-Gardoki, and Erlantz Lizundia. Optimum operational lifespan of household appliances considering manufacturing and use stage improvements via life cycle assessment. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 32:52–65, Jul 2022. 

[4] Md. Eaqub Ali, Md. Motiar Rahman, Shaheen M. Sarkar, and Sharifah Bee Hamid. Heterogeneous metal catalysts for oxidation reactions. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2014:1–23, Dec 2014. 

[5] Morris Argyle and Calvin Bartholomew. Heterogeneous catalyst deactivation and regeneration: A review. Catalysts, 5(1):145–269, Feb 2015. 

[6] John N. Armor. A history of industrial catalysis. Catalysis Today, 163(1):3–9, Apr 2011. 

[7] Michael L. Baker, Michael W. Mara, James J. Yan, Keith O. Hodgson, Britt Hedman, and Edward I. Solomon. K- and l-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xas) and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (rixs) determination of differential orbital covalency (doc) of transition metal sites. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 345:182–208, 2017. 

[8] Jon Bateman. U.s.-china technological “decoupling”: A strategy and policy framework ..., 2022. 

[9] Tarek Ben Hassen and Hamid El Bilali. Impacts of the russia-ukraine war on global food security: Towards more sustainable and resilient food systems? Foods, 11(15):2301, 2022. 

[10] Matthew R. Carbone, Shinjae Yoo, Mehmet Topsakal, and Deyu Lu. Classification of local chemical environments from x-ray absorption spectra using supervised machine learning. Phys. Rev. Mater., 3:033604, Mar 2019. 

[11] Danilo S. Carvalho, Giangiacomo Mercatali, Yingji Zhang, and Andre Freitas. Learning disentangled representa tions for natural language definitions, 2023. 

[12] Tian Qi Chen, Xuechen Li, Roger B. Grosse, and David Duvenaud. Isolating sources of disentanglement in variational autoencoders. CoRR, abs/1802.04942, 2018. 

[13] Raphaël Dang-Nhu. Evaluating disentanglement of structured representations. 2021. [14] Harry Dent and Gordon Long. Financial repression authority, Apr 2016. 

[15] Kien Do and Truyen Tran. Theory and evaluation metrics for learning disentangled representations. CoRR, abs/1908.09961, 2019. 

[16] Kien Do and Truyen Tran. Theory and evaluation metrics for learning disentangled representations. 02 2020. [17] Camila Domonoske. Why car prices are still so high - and why they are unlikely to fall anytime soon, Mar 2023. 

[18] Lin Gao, Jie Yang, Tong Wu, Yu-Jie Yuan, Hongbo Fu, Yu-Kun Lai, and Hao Zhang. SDM-NET: deep generative network for structured deformable mesh. CoRR, abs/1908.04520, 2019. 

[19] Unai Garciarena, Alexander Mendiburu, and Roberto Santana. Towards automatic construction of multi-network models for heterogeneous multi-task learning. ACM Trans. Knowl. Discov. Data, 15(2), mar 2021. 

[20] Juan García-Serna, Raúl Piñero-Hernanz, and Desirée Durán-Martín. Inspirational perspectives and principles on the use of catalysts to create sustainability. Catalysis Today, 387:237–243, Mar 2022. 

[21] Alejandro de la Garza. Gaza’s energy crisis could turn hospitals into “morgues”, Oct 2023. 

[22] Spyros Gidaris and Nikos Komodakis. Generating classification weights with GNN denoising autoencoders for few-shot learning. CoRR, abs/1905.01102, 2019. 

[23] Spyros Gidaris and Nikos Komodakis. Generating classification weights with GNN denoising autoencoders for few-shot learning. CoRR, abs/1905.01102, 2019.

Abstract:

Young people experience their most critical developmental phase during adolescence because their brains and mental health remain highly sensitive to stress, anxiety, and identity exploration. The growing number of smartphones has created new difficulties for young people because their excessive phone usage now stands as a major public health issue known as smartphone overdependence. The research investigates how adolescent psychological distress from depression, anxiety, and attention deficits creates a strong circular pattern with smartphone addiction behavior. The psychological theories of self-determination and escape theory show that people use smartphones as harmful coping tools to escape their negative emotions, which stem from academic stress and social problems, including FOMO. The digital addiction creates multiple severe negative effects that follow one another. The combination of cognitive deterioration, academic helplessness, blue light exposure, and psychological hyperarousal leads to severe sleep disturbances, which intensify the original psychological issues that the behavior was intended to treat. Research data from the past years demonstrates that screen time directly affects mental health in a direct proportion. The paper establishes that successful intervention requires a unified strategy that combines psychological interventions with educational system changes to teach digital skills and promote responsible phone use. The development of emotional strength requires programs that teach healthy offline activities and create supportive peer relationships in addition to digital restriction measures. A complete intervention plan which includes CBT and educational reforms will help break the ongoing pattern of digital addiction and worsening mental health problems. Smartphone usage functions as an unhealthy coping mechanism, which the Escape Theory, as proposed by Baumeister, helps explain.

Reference

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

2. Baumeister, R. F. (1990). Suicide as escape from self. Psychological Review, 97(1), 90–113.

3. Billieux, J., Maurage, P., Lopez-Fernandez, O., Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015). Can disordered mobile phone use be considered a behavioral addiction? An update on current evidence and a comprehensive model for future research. Current Addiction Reports, 2(2), 156–162.

4. Choi, H., & Jung, H. (2023). The Impact of Smartphone Overdependence on Adolescent Attention Deficits: Serial Mediation Effects of Sleep Quality and Depression. Korean Journal of Child Welfare, 72(1), 75–99.

5. Elhai, J. D., Dvorak, R. D., Levine, J. C., & Hall, B. J. (2017). Problematic smartphone use: A conceptual overview and systematic review of relations with anxiety and depression psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 251–259.

6. Gazzaley, A., & Rosen, L. D. (2016). The distracted mind: Ancient brains in a high-tech world. MIT Press.

7. Hysing, M., Pallesen, S., Stormark, K. M., Jakobsen, R., Lundervold, A. J., & Sivertsen, B. (2015). Sleep and use of electronic devices in adolescence: results from a large population-based study. BMJ Open, 5(1), e006748.

8. Kim, Y. (2025). The Mediating Effect of Academic Passion and Smartphone Overdependence on Depression and Academic Helplessness in High School Freshmen. *Learner-Centered Curriculum and Instruction Research, 25*(14), 675–685.

9. Kwon, M., Lee, J. Y., Won, W. Y., Park, J. W., Min, J. A., Hahn, C., ... & Kim, D. J. (2013). Development and validation of a smartphone addiction scale (SAS). PloS one, 8(2), e56936.

10. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

11. Steinberg, L. (2014). Age of opportunity: Lessons from the new science of adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

12. Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271–283.

13. Van Deursen, A. J., Bolle, C. L., Hegner, S. M., & Kommers, P. A. (2015). Modeling habitual and addictive smartphone behavior: The role of smartphone usage types, emotional intelligence, social stress, self-regulation, age, and gender. Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 411–420.

14. Vernon, L., Modecki, K. L., & Barber, B. L. (2018). Tracking effects of problematic social networking on adolescent psychopathology: The mediating role of sleep disruptions. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 47(2), 269-283.

15. Wilmer, H. H., Sherman, L. E., & Chein, J. M. (2017). Smartphones and cognition: A review of research exploring the links between mobile technology habits and cognitive functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 605.

Abstract:

Every forty seconds, suicide steals a life, yet no biomarkers exist for suicide. Suicide has largely been investigated from a psychological lens, and therefore the pathogenesis remains unclear. This study investigated blood-brain barrier (BBB) claudin-5 breakdown, the most enriched BBB tight junction, as a biomarker for suicide. Human de-identified postmortem brain tissue (n=20) was stratified based on suicidality. ELISAs assessed cytokine and claudin-5 levels and an immunolabeling solvent-cleared organs protocol determined claudin-5 localization. RNA-sequencing data from publicly-available repositories was aligned to perform pathway enrichment and differential expression analyses. Molecular docking software PyRx determined whether current medications to treat suicide and anti-inflammatory compounds dock with claudin-5. IL-6 and IL-8 were higher in suicide cases (p < 0.05) indicating neuroinflammation and claudin-5 was increased in the brain of suicide cases (p < 0.05). Photomicrographs indicated claudin-5 mislocalization in neurons and brain microvessels of suicides. Inflammatory and neurodegenerative pathways modulating claudin-5 degradation were identified. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) was upregulated (log2F2 = 4.10, p < 0.001), and aquaporin-1 (AQP1) was downregulated (log2F2 = -1.58; p < 0.001) in suicide. Molecular docking indicated a weak affinity of antidepressants for claudin-5, but a strong affinity for medications targeting MMP-1 and AQP1. High claudin-5 levels could serve as pre-markers for suicide. Future in vitro assessments should evaluate the novel therapeutics promoting claudin-5 for suicide risk prevention. 

Reference

1] World Health Organization. (2019, September 9). Suicide: One person dies every 40 seconds. World Health Organization. Retrieved June 25, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news/item/09-09-2019-suicide-one-person-dies-every-40-seconds

[2] Sliwa, J. (2016). After decades of research, science is no better able to predict suicidal behaviors. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/e515562016-001

[3] Franklin, J. C., Ribeiro, J. D., Fox, K. R., Bentley, K. H., Kleiman, E. M., Huang, X., Musacchio, K. M., Jaroszewski, A. C., Chang, B. P., & Nock, M. K. (2017). Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A meta-analysis of 50 years of research. Psychological Bulletin, 143(2), 187–232. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000084

[4] National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Research Prioritization Task Force. (2014). A prioritized research agenda for suicide prevention: An action plan to save lives. Rockville, MD: National Institute of Mental Health and the Research Prioritization Task Force

[5] Stovall, J., & Domino, F. J. (2003). Approaching the suicidal patient. American family physician, 68(9), 1814–1818. 

[6] Simon, G. E., Yarborough, B. J., Rossom, R. C., Lawrence, J. M., Lynch, F. L., Waitzfelder, B. E., Shortreed, S. M. (2019). Self-reported suicidal ideation as a predictor of suicidal behavior among outpatients with diagnoses of psychotic disorders. Psychiatric Services, 70(3), 176-183. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201800381

[7] Friedlander, A., Nazem, S., Fiske, A., Nadorff, M. R., & Smith, M. D. (2012).

Self-concealment and suicidal behaviors. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 42(3), 332-340. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278x.2012.00094.

[8] Franklin, J. C., Ribeiro, J. D., Fox, K. R., Bentley, K. H., Kleiman, E. M., Huang, X., Musacchio, K. M., Jaroszewski, A. C., Chang, B. P., & Nock, M. K. (2017). Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A meta-analysis of 50 years

[9] Nock, M. K. (2016). Recent and needed advances in the understanding, prediction, and prevention of suicidal behavior. Depression and Anxiety, 33(6), 460–463. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22528

[10] Niciu MJ, Mathews DC, Ionescu DF, Richards EM, Furey ML, Yuan P, Nugent AC, Henter ID, Machado-Vieira R, Zarate CA Jr (2014) Biomarkers in mood disorders research: developing new and improved therapeutics. Rev Psiquiatr Clin 41:131–134.

[11] Jenessa N Johnston, BA, Darcy Campbell, BSc, Hector J Caruncho, PhD, Ioline D Henter, MA, Elizabeth D Ballard, PhD, Carlos A Zarate, Jr, MD, Suicide Biomarkers to Predict Risk, Classify Diagnostic Subtypes, and Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets: 5 Years of Promising Research, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, Volume 25,Issue 3, March 2022, Pages 197–214, https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyab083

[12] Interian, A., Myers, C. E., Chesin, M. S., Kline, A., Hill, L. S., King, A. R., Miller, R., Latorre, M., Gara, M. A., Stanley, B. H., & Keilp, J. G. (2020). Towards the objective assessment of suicidal states: Some neurocognitive deficits may be temporally related to suicide attempt. Psychiatry Research, 287, 112624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112624

[13] Rajalin M, Hirvikoski T, Renberg ES, Åsberg M, Jokinen J. Exposure to Early Life Adversity and Interpersonal Functioning in Attempted Suicide. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Sep 17;11:552514. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.552514. PMID: 33093835; PMCID: PMC7527599.

[14] Duffy KA, McLaughlin KA, Green PA. Early life adversity and health-risk behaviors: proposed psychological and neural mechanisms. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2018Sep;1428(1):151-169. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13928. Epub 2018 Jul 16. PMID: 30011075; PMCID: PMC6158062.

[15] Mann, J. J., & Rizk, M. M. (2020). A Brain-Centric Model of Suicidal Behavior. The American journal of psychiatry, 177(10), 902–916.  https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20081224

[16] Cunningham, K., Mengelkoch, S., Gassen, J., & Hill, S. E. (2022). Early life adversity, inflammation, and immune function: An initial test of adaptive response models of immunological programming. Development and Psychopathology, 34(2), 539-555.

[17] Shalev, I., Hastings, W. J., Etzel, L., Israel, S., Russell, M. A., Hendrick, K. A., ... & Siegel,

S. R. (2020). Investigating the impact of early-life adversity on physiological, immune, and gene expression responses to acute stress: A pilot feasibility study. PloS one, 15(4), e0221310.

[18] Andersen S. L. (2022). Neuroinflammation, Early-Life Adversity, and Brain Development. Harvard review of psychiatry, 30(1), 24–39. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000325

[19] Dich, N., Hansen, Å. M., Avlund, K., Lund, R., Mortensen, E. L., Bruunsgaard, H., & Rod,

N. H. (2015). Early life adversity potentiates the effects of later life stress on cumulative physiological dysregulation. Anxiety, stress, and coping, 28(4), 372–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2014.969720

[20] Horn SR, Leve LD, Levitt P, Fisher PA. Childhood adversity, mental health, and oxidative stress: A pilot study. PLoS One. 2019 Apr 26;14(4):e0215085. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215085. PMID: 31026258; PMCID: PMC6485615.

[21] Wolkow A, Aisbett B, Reynolds J, Ferguson SA, Main LC. Relationships between inflammatory cytokine and cortisol responses in firefighters exposed to simulated wildfire suppression work and sleep restriction. Physiol Rep. 2015 Nov;3(11):e12604. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12604. Epub 2015 Nov 24. PMID: 26603450; PMCID: PMC4673634.

[22] Kim, Y. K., Na, K. S., Myint, A. M., & Leonard, B. E. (2016). The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and the neuroendocrine system in major depression. Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry, 64, 277–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.06.008

[23] Daneman R, Prat A. The blood-brain barrier. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2015 Jan 5;7(1):a020412. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a020412. PMID: 25561720; PMCID: PMC4292164.

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Abstract:

Major space organizations together with private companies now focus on sending humans to Mars which used to exist only in science fiction stories. The Soviet Union achieved a historic milestone in 1971 when Mars 3 successfully landed on the planet which enabled current space exploration progress. NASA achieved two major rover successes with Curiosity and Perseverance during the 21st century to collect essential data about Martian environments and possible life signs which supports their plans to send astronauts between 2030s or 2040s. The Starship spacecraft development by SpaceX demonstrates increasing interest in Martian exploration and settlement activities.

Humanity can find protection from Earth-based threats through space colonization which serves as a defensive measure against climate change and other existential risks. Mars offers economic potential through its resource extraction activities and its ability to create an independent space-based economic system. Mars stands out from other celestial bodies because it contains vital nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen which enable the creation of energy systems and independent settlements.

The establishment of long-term human settlements on Mars requires a solution to provide food security as a fundamental requirement. The initial food supply for short-term space missions depends on transported resources but long-term survival on Mars demands the ability to grow crops within Martian soil. Scientists have proven that lettuce and tomatoes and wheat and garden cress can successfully grow in Martian soil simulants when scientists maintain proper environmental controls. The growth of lettuce in soil compost mixtures with Martian simulant showed positive results but the results depended on fertilizer usage and light exposure levels.

Scientists need to conduct additional research to develop agricultural techniques which can handle the harsh Martian environmental conditions including its harsh temperature extremes. Research on spinach growth in space-like conditions indicates beetroot could become a viable crop for Martian cultivation despite its slower growth rates. The solution of these problems will enable the practical establishment of human settlements on Mars.

Reference

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[7] Hájos, M. T., & Rubóczki, T. (2018). Evaluation of mineral element content of beetroot during the different stages of the growing season. Acta Agraria Debreceniensis. https://doi.org/10.34101/actaagrar/150/1741

Abstract

Approximately 95,000 cases of E. coli related food poisoning are reported in the U.S. each year. The purpose of this study is to improve the effectiveness of the antibiotic Neosporin against bacteria by supplementing it with the polyphenol resveratrol. There is a great deal of information about the impact of polyphenols on the function of topoisomerase and the development of resistance to standard antibiotics. However, there is very little research on the impact of the polyphenol resveratrol combined with the standard antibiotic, neosporin, on the  growth of Escherichia coli. This study was designed to investigate the effect of the common antibiotic neosporin enhanced with the polyphenol resveratrol on Escherichia coli. This study was completed by combining the neosporin with resveratrol and examining the zones of inhibition versus the control (water) using a Kirby-Bauer assay. Two different trials were conducted over the course of 4 days. The results of the Kirby-Bauer assay showed  that, as hypothesized, the neosporin and resveratrol combined had the largest zones of inhibition. Thus, this novel combination could be a promising new method to address antibiotic resistance.

Reference

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11. Rahul, R., Maheswary, D., Damodharan, N., & leela, K. V. (2023). Unveiling Global Public Interest and Seasonal Patterns of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance: An Infodemiology Study with Implications for Public Health Awareness and Intervention Strategies. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 105231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105231

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Abstract: Our study examines the social impact of art therapy on neurodivergent subjects. For individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), such as autism or Down syndrome, art therapy provides striking advantages correlated to traditional therapeutic models. Art therapy carries vast mediums of nonverbal communication, which, in turn, is better suited for patients who have a difficult time speaking or language development than the typical talk therapy. When put together with conventional therapy, art therapy can also promote emotional regulation. Extracting information from neuroscientific case studies and qualitative assessments, our study reveals that IDD patients improved neuroplasticity and their mental health. 

The study also confronts habitual misconceptions about the creative abilities and mindset of individuals with IDD. Patients with IDD artwork are frequently overlooked as “outsider art” or art brut due to its unconventional subject matter. Still, such criticism seems to prolong biases against IDD. After reviewing historical views of autism and outdated definitions of neurotypicality, the study advocates for a fresh evaluation of art therapy as a medium for therapeutic tools. There are two advantages when it comes to Art Therapy. For starters, it operates as a beneficial form of treatment while also promoting the value and depth of neurodiversity in society as a whole. Lastly, our study pushes for more inclusive practices and strategies in therapeutic settings while also emphasizing the need for cultural efforts to protect the rights and privileges of IDD patients.

Reference

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Abstract: Noise pollution is harmful to the environment due to intensity and duration. As human activities increase so does noise that is produced by boat and car traffic, machinery, electronics etc… Marine organisms are sensitive due to the vulnerability of sound pollution traveling underwater quicker and therefore becoming more intense. Organisms have characteristics that correspond to the ability to tolerate and adapt to sound frequencies. Depending on the quality of their auditory range it may affect an organism that cannot cope with sound frequencies. This could pose a threat to generations to come, as without adaptation through evolution it may cause species to go extinct and create problems in the food chain. This research study explores how sound pollution affects the offspring of exposed Daphnia magna as a scenario. The study was performed with three independent variables: 415, 425, and 435 Hz sound frequencies. The control group and the three experimental groups contained three Daphnia magna each. In the proceeding five days per week for two weeks, the experimental groups were exposed for 30 minutes. Any offspring that were produced were noted, separated, and then also exposed to sound frequencies. By the end of the study, all experimental groups of Daphnia magna could not adapt and survive. The control group survived with two Daphnia magna. Therefore, sound pollution may not be adaptable in terms of the intensity and duration of exposure for Daphnia magna within generations. 

Reference

Brausch, J. M., & Salice, C. J. (2010). Effects of an environmentally realistic pesticide mixture on daphnia magna exposed for two generations. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 61(2), 272–279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-010-9617-z 

Chahouri, A., Elouahmani, N., & Ouchene, H. (2022). Recent progress in Marine Noise Pollution: A thorough review. Chemosphere, 291, 132983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132983  

Donald Hawkins, A. (2022). The impact of underwater sound on aquatic animals – and especially fishes. Examines in Marine Biology &amp; Oceanography, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.31031/eimbo.2022.04.000597 

Frongia, F., Forti, L., & Arru, L. (2020). Sound perception and its effects in plants and algae. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 15(12), 1828674. https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2020.1828674 

Gu, S., Zhang, Y., & Wu, Y. (2016). Effects of sound exposure on the growth and intracellular macromolecular synthesis ofE. coliK-12. PeerJ, 4. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1920 

Kunc, H. P., McLaughlin, K. E., & Schmidt, R. (2016). Aquatic noise pollution: Implications for individuals, populations, and ecosystems. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 283(1836), 20160839. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.0839 

Kunc, H. P., & Schmidt, R. (2019). The effects of anthropogenic noise on animals: A meta-analysis. Biology Letters, 15(11), 20190649. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2019.0649

The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. (2023). Noise pollution: More attention is needed. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 24, 100577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100577 

McDonald-Madden, E., Sabbadin, R., Game, E. T., Baxter, P. W. J., Chadès, I., & Possingham, H. P. (2016, January 18). Using food-web theory to conserve ecosystems. Nature News. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms10245 

Yağcilar, Ç., & Yardimci, M. (2021). Effects of 432 hz and 440 Hz sound frequencies on the heart rate, egg number, and survival parameters in water flea (daphnia magna). Journal of Ecological Engineering, 22(4), 119–125. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/134038