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As consumers in this market, we all unknowingly are pushed into financial decisions through “nudges.” Nudges are “any aspect of the choice architecture that alters people's behavior in a predictable way without forbidding any options or significantly changing their economic incentives”(Thaler & Sunstein, 2008). Previous research has pointed out the presence of nudges in grocery stores: the more expensive products are kept at eye level while the cheaper products are kept toward the bottom of the shelf, “nudging” customers toward choosing the more expensive option. Along those lines exist defaults. Defaults are “pre-set courses of action that take effect if nothing is specified by the decision maker”(Thaler & Sunstein, 2008). In this research, I collected data to analyze how nudges and defaults impact tipping culture. Largely driven by social pressure and feeling judged, tippers are “nudged” into tipping more or less when they feel the attention of the cashier. From a cashier’s perspective, this study shows best practices to maximize tipping. However, to a consumer, it is a reminder that feeling judged is not necessarily a reason to tip higher: they are merely being “nudged.”

Behavioral Economics, Marketing, Decision Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Judgment and Decision Making, Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Consumption, Consumer Behavior, Prosocial Behavior

To Tip or not to Tip?: A Closer Look at Nudges

Environmental changes driven by pollution and climate change have affected many species globally. The Pacific white-sided dolphin (*Lagenorhynchus obliquidens*)** is threatened by water pollution, which is the product of human actions and can impact the genetic structure of species in affected areas. While researchers have studied genetic differences between populations of *L. obliquidens* in Japan, they failed to explore the potential environmental drivers of these differences. Our research aimed to identify the major environmental factors impacting the genetics of *L. obliquidens*, which will increase our understanding of how the species responds to variations in the environment. Due to the significant presence and variation of microplastics in the ocean surrounding Japan, we hypothesized that this would have the most notable impact on the genetics of *L. obliquidens*. We began our research by gathering genetic sequencing data from a preexisting study focusing on populations along the Japanese coast. We collected environmental data and analyzed it alongside a genetic distance matrix, leveraging data analysis and machine learning tools in R. We created a distance-based redundancy analysis that indicated that current stability was the most important variable, which matched the results of a random forest machine-learning model using environmental data to predict genetic clusters, a binary category determined by the authors of the original study. We then investigated why current may have had such a strong impact on *L. obliquidens* and hypothesized that it has a connection to nutrient and prey distribution, which is something that ocean currents can have a major impact on.

coral biology, environmental changes, marine ecosystems, applications of math to ecology, how ocean dynamics affect marine life, how organisms specialize for their environments, how hybridization affects the potential of species, using models to connect to real-world systems, interactions of social factors and the environment, spatial statistics projects, symbiosis, landscape genetics, microbial interactions

Explaining genetic variation in the Pacific white-sided dolphin with environmental factors

Is being rational, moderately reasons-responsive, normal and following the law enough to safeguard our actions from blame? Adolf Eichmann, as Hannah Arendt shows, was in possession of the above characteristics, followed the law and acted out of seemingly good motivation. Yet he managed to contribute to an unjust and immoral system, eventually leading to the deaths of millions of people. In this paper I aim to show that much like Eichmann we too, engage in various oppressive systems around us, despite being rational, normal, reasons-responsive and law abiding. We may not be actively participating in large scale genocide like him, but by driving a gas car and consuming meat or living in a society where systemic racial injustice occurs we nonetheless manage to contribute to both racism and climate change. It is evident that merely fulfilling the criteria to be held morally responsible for our actions, being in possession of good intent and being cognizant of the law are not enough to prevent us from severe moral transgression. I propose that engaging in dialogue with people outside of our immediate communities serves as an important epistemic check against which we measure our actions and enables us to criticize our own moral standards, hopefully preventing us from transgressing morally in a way similar to Eichmann’s. 
 

Philosophy

Eichmann and Us: Differences in Moral Responsibility and Reasoning 

This project investigates how temperature affects the optimal tuning slide lengths of the B-flat trumpet to produce accurate harmonic pitches from low F-sharp (164.8138 Hz) to double high C (932.3275 Hz), based on the equal tempered chromatic scale. Six experimental trials are conducted, in which temperature sensors and measuring tapes are attached to respective tuning slides on the trumpet. Additional temperature sensors are placed near the mouthpiece and on the bell, to provide data on how temperature varies at different locations along the trumpet tubing. The relationship between temperatures at each location and the resulting tuning slide lengths is developed. The project report provides a table of values with the ambient temperatures and corresponding tuning slide lengths for the trumpet player to reference, in order to make accurate adjustments to play in tune.

Materials Science, Materials Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering - manufacturing and design, nanomaterials, energy storage, batteries, rapid prototyping, and product development

Developing a Relationship Between the Ambient Temperature and Main Tuning Slide Length of a B-Flat Trumpet

Yutonia will be surveying the literature to determine the state of bias in the utilization of artificial intelligence for breast cancer care. She is interested in both understanding why the bias exists and what can be done about it. To do this, she will compile and summarize literature in the field that has covered AI bias in healthcare. Specifically, she will focus on how AI algorithms are developed, what the impacts of their implementation has been, how this will evolve in the future, and what can be done to overcome bias to improve outcomes for all. She will propose promising strategies for circumventing bias to meaningfully contribute to the field with her work.

Cancer Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology

Assessing the state of bias in AI utilization for breast cancer care

Flora is drafting a paper on COVID and lung cancer. This is the abstract that we drafted today: COVID-19 is a highly-infectious respiratory disease that caused a global pandemic in 2019, forcing many countries to go on lockdown. COVID-19 has greatly impacted patients with lung cancer.  Lung cancer is a common cancer diagnosis with the highest mortality rate in the United States, most often affecting the elderly 65 years of age or older. With the COVID-19 pandemic reaching its peak, many patients have been faced with the prospect of decreased accessibility of physician consultation, reduced availability of lung cancer screening, and forced postponement of their treatment plans. These factors have resulted in detrimental consequences for lung cancer patients around the world. 

Biochemistry, nutrition, agriculture, sustainability, green chemistry

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Lung Cancer Patients

This system of three raspberry pis along with a NAS (network attached storage, basically like a PC with little computing power but a LOT of storage that is on your network) built from scratch is a great way to remotely monitor any places throughout your home. The setup consists of three raspberry pis, each running a special single - board OS called motion eye OS. Each pi has one camera directly wired to it, and each one is also wirelessly connected to the NAS, which has motion eye running through a docker container. This allows you to monitor the activity seen by each pi from one place: the ip address of the NAS followed by the port number of the docker container running motion eye (which can be accessed from any device on your network). This system also leverages the NAS's higher computing power compared to the raspberry pis to offer much higher expandability than only one pi that several cameras are directly wired to. You also get the benefit of several terabytes of NAS storage. This system is both cheaper and more effective than retail solutions from companies like Ring or Nest. 

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Automotive Engineering, Power Generation Systems (e.g. Internal Combustion Engine), Electrification, Product Engineering, Product Management

Video surveillance system

This paper aims to understand the relationship between economic concepts and contract law issues to generate efficient contractual outcomes. In other words, outcomes where both parties reap the maximum benefits through the contract. It explores ideas such as the Edgeworth Box, the Contract Curve, the Endowment Effect, and theories such as Coase theorem and game theory, applying them to contract law.

These theories reveal different ideas, and each of these ideas suggests some kind of change that can be made to account for these findings whether it be to limit issues within contracts or to maximize party benefits. The economic concepts are also used to highlight instances of market failure: when exchanges in the market promote inefficiency. The instances of market failure are dissected to reveal how they can be prevented through changes in the current law.

Additionally, the paper also explores two types of behavior: internalizer (selfless) and externalizer (self-interested) behavior. Since there are two distinct behavior types, different approaches affect different contractual behavioral tendencies. What might work for an externalizer may not work for an internalizer, and applying this idea suggests legal reforms as current laws are based upon externalizer actions. Thus, the suggested changes account for both internalizer and externalizer behavior, rather than just one. Ultimately, the paper highlights how basic economic principles and theories are used in the context of contract law and can be used to generate efficient outcomes. With the application of these concepts and reforms, this paper suggests how contracts can be improved to ensure both parties are better off.

Psychology, Neuroscience, Law, Economics, History, Government

The Application of Economics to Contract Law

Addiction is a rising global problem. Different substances have different rates of abuse, leaving an everlasting effect on both the affected individual and their families. Each substance has its unique effect on the individual, in terms of onset, withdrawal, and long-term consequences. Generally, there are three major factors that influence addiction: Genetics, Neuroanatomy, and Neurochemstry. It is recently emerging how each substance affects each of the major factors. In this review, I have synthesized the contribution of Genetics, Neuroanatomy, and Neurochemstry. using three substances of abuse: Tobacco, Opiods, and Alcohol. Using these substances, I created a framework to analyze the relative similarities and differences through the lense of Genetics, Neuroanatomy, and Neurochemstry.


Neuroscience, Biology, Engineering, Genetics, Data Science

Genetics, Neuroanatomy, and Neurochemistry of Addiction

The lift to drag ratio of an airfoil (2D) or wing (3D) is an important aerodynamic quantity when analyzing the performance of said device. For example, operating at the maximum lift/drag ratio while in steady flight reduces the total drag to a minimum and the lift/drag ratio determines an aircraft's glide ratio and glide range. For this project, we will be comparing the performance of different NACA airfoil designations in terms of lift/drag ratio, assuming steady, level flight. This will be achieved through a trade study focusing on optimizing the shape of an airfoil to achieve the maximum lift/drag ratio at the given conditions. With these results, we will then focus on comparing the 'best' theoretical airfoil design to airfoils which are actually utilized on modern aircraft, highlighting differences between the two while analyzing the reasons these differences arise (e.g. looking at more than just one regime of flight). 

To deeper understand what variables would optimize the lift/drag ratio, we will design a base airfoil with a relatively high ratio and then continue to manipulate the other variables. (e.g. angle of attack, Reynold's number, camber line, thickness, etc. . .) Based on those findings, we will create our 'best' airfoil and report back what variables greatest affect the ratio.

If time allows, we will also begin looking into more complex aerodynamic phenomena (e.g. twisting forces and/or the causes of left turning tendencies) and performing the same type of optimization to minimize/maximize these forces, comparing them to existing airfoils as well.

Aerospace engineering, finite element methods, Aerospace, Computational Simulations, Public Speaking

NACA Airfoil Optimization of Lift to Drag Ratio by Manipulation of Variables

DeVon will research and write a long essay about voting trends in the working class town of Agawam, Massachusetts. He will convene focus groups/conversation groups from both political parties and from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. Together, he and the attendees will do a "deep dive" into their thoughts on issues relating to voting and values to try and answer the question of what it means to vote and why people sometimes vote against their own self-interest (if they even realize they are doing so). He will also talk to people less formally throughout the summer to get answers to a smaller set of questions about voting and values. In the end, he hopes to share his findings with the members of his small town and beyond so we can all better understand what voting means and why we vote the way we do. 

US, Middle East, or World History, Memory Studies, Religion, Nationalism, Representation, Cultural Studies, Public History, Oral History

A Crab in the Ocean: Voting Red in a Blue State

You will learn the fundamental concepts of investing in the stock market, including how to analyze and evaluate companies, assess market trends and risks, and develop a personal investment strategy. You will also explore the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and engage disruptive new technologies like AI-based investment tools. This will  enable you to develop a deep understanding of a company or industry that you are personally passionate about.

Mental Health, User Interface, User Experience, Public Health, Business, Entrepreneurship

Analyze a stock: Learn how Covid and AI have impacted investment strategy

Rohan is interested in ways to sequester and utilize CO2 in order to mitigate climate change. He is also interested in biology and the value that plants can provide to air quality, so we combined these interests to create his topic. He will create small, airtight greenhouses to investigate how the CO2 concentration in the air affects plant growth. The goal is to see that higher levels of CO2 allow crops to grow quicker and larger, and results in higher-quality produce. This could create more demand for CO2 that is captured from burning fossil fuels, hastening the overall transition to a zero-carbon economy. Previous work has shown some impact of increasing CO2 concentration on crop size, so Rohan plans to expand the literature on this topic by also considering subjective factors like taste and texture.

Energy storage, climate change, heat transfer

Studying the effects of CO2 concentration on crop growth and quality

In my project, I will examine the strength of belief in Buddhism among different socio-economic  classes in Hanoi, Vietnam. The results will be achieved by interviewing people from a  range of socio-economic classes and  incomes,  as well as monks  to determine their experience and faith in Buddhism. I will conduct participant observation with a description of a visit to two particular pagodas located in Hanoi. This will allow me to elaborate on Buddhists’ daily practice by the people encountered at such places. In addition, I will  use  details extracted and analysed from multiple sources, namely articles and books exploring Buddhism in terms of history, practice and values. From this research, I hope to determine the impacts of socio-economic class in Vietnam on the level of belief in Buddhism. With my findings, I will write a research paper that I wish to publish in High school Journal. 


Anthropology and Ethnography, Religion and Society, Theater, Literature, Italian and French

The relation between Buddhist belief and socio-economic class in Hanoi, Vietnam.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth [1]. However, the real point of inquiry here was how concussions are caused. The two types of sports being compared were collision sports and contact sports. In collision sports, the person purposely hits or collides with other people or objects with great force. Examples: boxing, ice hockey, football, and lacrosse. In contact sports, the person is constantly making contact with other people or objects, but with less force than in collision sports. Examples: basketball and soccer. With new studies on CTE and the long-lasting effects of a concussion, new technologies have also been researched to prevent long-term head trauma [2]. Technologies such as infrared scanners or new neurological tests have been tested for the future. Some key data to note is the massive rise of concussions in collision sports in comparison to contact sports [3]. Over 60 percent of all football players will suffer a concussion in their playing career, and almost 80 percent of football players that experience multiple concussions will have CTE [4]. The high impact to the head seen in collision sports increases the rate of concussions compared to contact sports. Collision sports have a higher rate of concussion due to the higher rate of high-energy impact on the frontal lobe, temporal lobes, and hippocampus.

Neurodegenerative Diseases (Glaucoma, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, etc), Neuroimaging Technologies (MRI, CT, etc.), Neurotrauma (Concussions, Blast impact), Sports Medicine (new treatments, diagnostic tests), Medical Device ideation and design for underserved communities, Anything related to statistical analysis and/or data science (any industry/subject area)

PREVALENCE OF CONCUSSION – COLLISION vs CONTACT SPORTS

In today’s world, the education system prepares students for what to think rather than how to think. With a rapidly changing future, it is critical that students understand how to adapt rather than focusing on skills like memorization, recall and fear of creativity. Design Thinking is a human centric approach to creative problem solving that is the perfect solution to our education crisis. When students are able to apply the process to real world problems, they develop skills of problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. With these skills, they are empowered to change the world around them and become prepared for the workplace of the future. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview on how design thinking can improve problem solving skills and analyze how the education system can adapt to teach students these skills. 

Clinical Psychology, Digital Mental Health, Research Methods and Design, Child and Adolescent Development, Eating Disorders Prevention and Treatment

The role of Design Thinking in Teaching Problem Solving Skills in U.S. Youth: A Review of the Literature

Aanika will be writing a review about rock climbing and neuroscience. She will be diving into literature first. She will then work on filling out the outline focused on this topic. After she finds references to fill out her outline for each subsection, we will be writing the text for the review.

Neuroscience, Biology - Cell and Molecular, Neurodegenerative diseases, Mass Spectrometry

Rock climbing and Neuroscience Review 

Srihith Tirnati

September 7, 2021

Polygence

			Project Outline: Preserving Existing Cultures

Ever heard of the Maori or Moriori culture? Possibly the first one, given the fact that it is the dominant one and also the culture actor Russell Crowe is of descent. Culture is a complicated topic that is crucial to learn about because of how it influences decisions throughout someone’s life and is part of who they are. However, there is a problem at stake: cultural extinction can threaten ethnic minorities and without prevalence in respective areas, they could be gone with the language’s last speaker or the conquest of civilization. To be honest, losing an aspect of culture can dig a hole in someone’s heart.
	Like the Maori and Moriori, there are numerous cultures who are threatened and need to be preserved. Whenever stating this, the initial reaction many people have is, “Why do I care?”,”What will benefit me if this culture is preserved?” The answer is somewhat simple with a logical explanation: each culture is interconnected with another because they have similar origins and therefore can run into the same problem. A great example is the cultures of ancient civilizations, such as the Aztec civilization in central Mexico. 
Starting with wanderers discovering an eagle on a cactus, the Aztec civilization was established with the capital being Tenochtitlan. They had a reputation for being bellicose but also were renowned for their art and pottery depicting gods such as Quezalcoatl. However as the Aztecs controlled their land, their downfall was brought upon them by Hernan Cortes and Spanish conquistadors in 1519. The Spanish erased most of Aztec culture and built Mexico City, and the Aztec culture was lost.
This is exactly what happened to other cultures worldwide. In the modern world (apart from some conflicts), the issue is the disappearance of language. Around the world, one language is going extinct with its last speaker every two weeks. According to National Geographic, half of our cultures right now will be gone because the people whose culture includes the language will favor English, French, Spanish, or other large languages since those are more prevalent. This is what my project is essentially about, finding methods to help inform others and encourage them to do something to preserve these cultures. To answer the main question: if a culture is threatened because of a reason that caused the downfall of other cultures, then it is significant because it can be the exact reason that your culture might also be in jeopardy if action isn’t taken.

Race & Ethnicity, History of Race & Social Movements, Creative Projects

Extinct & Endangered: Histories of Cultures in the Past, Their Relevance Today, and Why Should We Care?

Anxiety has extensive effects on a person’s daily life. The impact of anxiety on children and adolescents needs to be examined in order to better understand the influence that mental health disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, and social anxiety, have on the abilities and skill development of children. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the causes and development of anxiety during the early stages of life, focusing on the role of fear and increased media exposure in these processes. Additionally, the effects that anxiety has on learning, explicitly in school, as well as potential solutions for this heightened problem, are further investigated. Lastly, new and innovative treatments for stress-related mental health disorders, such as Ketamine IV for anxiety relief, are discussed.

Meet Polygence Scholars and explore their projects