Dr. Dragon Issue #6

DR. DRAGON

HSMSE’S MATH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING MAGAZINE

WHAT’S INSIDE: THE SCIENCE OF BEAUTY VIRTUAL REALITY ROSETTA AND THE COMET REFLECTIVE ARCHITECTURE AND MUCH MORE!

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Dr. Dragon Winter

2015 STAFF

Art Director

Writers

RIchelle Chen

Ethan Bless Wint

Vice President

Assistant Designers

Hajin Yang

Joy Aun Ethan Borer-Newton Shubhash Argha Franklin Guttman Fatema Begum

Adris Jaoutakas Carin Queener Fatema Begum Hajin Yang Iffat Iqbal Irene Ok Isaac Elysee Joy Aun Lucy Cai Michaela Palmer Rebecca Mikofsky Richelle Chen Sharon Young Shubhashish Argha Yael Saiger

Michaela Palmer

Secretary Irene Ok

Fundraising Manager

Assistant Editors

Lucy Cai

Adris Jaoutakas Carin Queener Lucy Cai Irene Ok Sharon Young

Faculty Advisor Ronald Choi

Special Thanks The HSMSE PTA

The Aorta

VIRTUAL REALITY

Isaac Elysee

Michaela Palmer

Shubhashish Argha

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President

Editor in Chief

The Penalties of photo-pollution

Cenza Imperiale

Rosetta And the Comet Science of beauty

Sharon young

Joy Aun

Richelle chen

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Ebola

Reflective design

Science of death

Irene ok

Fatema Begum

franklin guttman

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Why do we procrastinate?

Hajin Yang

The Penalties of Photopollution Photopollution can confuse animals that depend on light or darkness for body processes. Many different animals rely on light to help guide them to locations for nesting, laying eggs, mating, feeding, and other activities. Aquatic insects are stimulated by light, due to phototaxis. Phototaxis is when the body moves toward a light stimulant, similarly to the way certain plants bend toward the sun for photosynthesis.

Insects cannot differentiate the fake lights from water surfaces. When they see an artificial polarizer, these animals often gather on it in large numbers, mate with each other, and lay their eggs on shiny surfaces. However, these insects’ eggs regularly die because they are not in water and the parents may also die from being trapped in or on a light source.

When people think of the word “pollution,” the first image that comes to mind may be litter rolling down the streets or towering smoke stacks releasing ridiculous amounts of gas into the air. The pollution of our air by greenhouse gases and our water by oil and litter has been in the news for years now, as many countries are trying to start a move towards a cleaner, safer planet. However, one form of pollution (those of us who live in the city see it on a daily basis), is much lesser known and though its effects on wildlife are significant, is usually ignored.This form of pollution is called photopollution or luminous pollution – pollution by light.

Since sunlight is required for plants to undergo photosynthesis, which helps keep all living organisms alive and helps regulate body temperatures in animals, it seems counterintuitive that light can pose a threat to the same plants and animals. The real culprit here is artificial light. Excessive man-made light poses many threats to living organisms, by disorienting animals, disrupting our innate circadian rhythms, and promoting other types of pollution.

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Photopollution “can be defined as the alteration of natural light levels in the outdoor environment owing to artificial light sources” (Cinzano et al., 641). It comes in three different forms: glare, light trespass, and skyglow. Glare is the temporarily blinding radiance that glows horizontally.

Light trespass is when excessive light from one property encroaches on another and skyglow is the accumulation of artificial light directed upward toward the sky. The Royal Astronomical Society, in a report on light pollution from 2001, found that roughly 63% of the world’s population lives in areas where the sky at night is too bright, making photopollution one of the most invasive forms of pollution.

This includes 99% of Europe and the continental United States’ population. This is a startling statistic and considering the study was more than a decade ago, it is fair to speculate that this problem may be much worse today. In urban areas especially, lights are always on to keep the city streets or roads from being dark so people are safer.

However, the effects of this practice on human, animal, and plant health are significant and put living organism at risk.

This is a major problem, since very few of the births are successful and many new insects are needed to fill niches within their ecosystems. If the insect population is not maintained, then the ecosystems that depend on their populations will have to adapt. Turtles’ reproductive success, like that of water insects’, can be negatively impacted by man made illuminants. Turtles do not like to lay their eggs on brightly lit beaches because it is distracting to them. Also, hatchling turtles often walk toward glowing lights rather than the sea, which puts them at great risk.

Besides insects and turtles, birds frequently become disoriented due to glare from public buildings and crash into buildings, another testament to the damaging effects of luminous pollution. Frogs are less likely to produce mating calls when hit with harsh light. Bats’ feeding patterns are also influenced by artificial light. Likewise, nocturnal animals, which are dormant during the day and active at night, feel the effects of photopollution. Even trees are unable to adapt to the constant barrage of light caused by artificial lights shining at night, which keeps them from recognizing seasonal changes and therefore poses a major threat to wildlife who make their habitats in trees.

Human and animal bodies are controlled by internal changes to our physical, mental, and behavioral traits.

These changes are called circadian rhythms. They are regulated by light during the day and, therefore, run on a 24-hour

cycle, which is maintained in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in humans. The SCN is located in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that monitors and adjusts bodily functions to maintain balance throughout the body. The SCN also produces melatonin, the hormone that induces sleepiness.

Light can be an epigenetic factor, meaning that it affects the genetic material of organisms without actually changing the sequence of the DNA. When artificial light is introduced in the night, it can disrupt patterns for sleeping, eating, the release of hormones and enzymes, and body temperature because the brain cells’ DNA is modified. Thus, melatonin and other hormones are released abnormally. Animals and humans can therefore be harmed by the introduction of man-made lights.

Photopollution not only affects living organisms directly but also indirectly, but promoting other types of pollution.

Nitrate radicals are responsible for cleaning up polluting chemicals and compounds in the air. They help reduce smog and ozone levels, while bolstering the protective ozone layer.

Nitrate radicals are light-sensitive, so they are only active at night. However, when non-natural light is visible at night, it degrades this nitrate radical into nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is good for the ozone layer, but not good enough to overcome how much of our natural night cleaners are degraded. The end result each night is up to 7% additional toxins in the air. While it may seem that this percentage is not significant enough to garner attention, 7% more pollution in the air every night is critical. It surely does expedite the process at which pollutants are destroying the ozone layer, which is why we need to take steps in order to slow down the effects our lights are producing.

Artificial lights are very beneficial to society. They allow us to be productive well into the night, whereas our predecessors were limited by the sunrise and sunset. Lights are also aesthetically pleasing, as we often love the glitzy lights of the city. However, humans are hurting the wildlife around us and ourselves. There are many ways to ensure that the light pollution we produce is minimal, while still enjoying light.

Turning off lights when not in use and closing blinds are two very simple ways to prevent light trespass and can also reduce your electricity bill. Additionally, shielded and sensor-equipped lights can help minimize the amount of light being shone into the sky. And while we may not be able to change the amount of light city buildings and skyscrapers emit, it is beneficial and our responsibility to be aware and spread awareness of the ramifications of photopollution.

Isaac Elysee

Dr. Dragon• Winter 2015

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The Aorta

The heart is connected to the aorta by the aortic valve. The aorta is the body’s largest and most crucial artery. It carries oxygenated blood away from the heart and to the rest of the body, giving the organs and limbs the necessary blood and oxygen they need to survive. The aorta starts in the heart with the aortic valve, and ends after the split of the abdominal aorta in the two common iliac arteries which go into the legs. The aortic valve sits at the exit of the left ventricle. It controls the ejection of blood into the aorta and prevents blood from the aorta from returning to the heart. It usually has three leaflets, referred to as a tricuspid valve. People born with aortic valves with two leaflets, called a bicuspid valve, often have heart problems.

Aortic Valve Disease

There are two main types of aortic valve disease - aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation. Both diseases can be caused by congenital heart defects or acquired heart disease. They can lead to severe heart problems or death if not treated correctly. The most effective way to treat severe aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation is with a surgical valve replacement. These surgeries are fairly common and have high success rates. They give very sick patients the ability to live normal lives and return to normal activities.

Aortic Stenosis

THE HEART The heart is the four-chambered organ responsible for pumping blood through the body. It consists of two atria, two ventricles and four valve. The atrium (upper chambers) receive blood from the body and the ventricles (lower chambers) pump the blood back out. The valves connect different parts of the heart and are crucial to its function - they ensure that blood moves in the correct direction to the correct place. Each valve has a set of two or three flaps, or leaflets, that open and close to let the blood in and out. Leaflets are supported by tough, fibrous tissue called the annulus which helps to maintain the proper shape and structure of the valve.

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Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve. When the valve narrows, it cannot open fully, thereby obstructing blood flow. The heart needs to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, so the left ventricle (to which the aortic valve is attached) thickens. The heart muscle stiffens and weakens so heart muscle and can’t pump blood as effectively. This leads to the common symptoms which include chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath and a detectable heart murmur. Aortic stenosis can be caused by a congenital heart defect, such as a bicuspid valve which impedes blood flow, or it can caused by calcium build-up (typically in older patients) or damage from rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is caused by untreated strep infections. The infection damages the heart. No longer common in America, rheumatic fever is caught early or prevented by better pediatric health care. It is, however, common in developing countries.

Aortic regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation, or aortic insufficiency, occurs when the aortic valve doesn’t close tightly enough and allows blood pumped into the aorta back into the heart (specifically, the left ventricle). Increased blood in the left ventricle leads to increased pressure in the heart and lungs.

Symptoms of aortic insufficiency include short ness of breath, chest pain, fainting and heart murmurs. Common causes include congenital heart defects, rheumatic

fever, endocarditis, or a tear in the aorta. Like with aortic stenosis, rheumatic fever and endocarditis lead to infections which can attack and damage the aortic valve.

Surgical

Valve

Replacements

In severe cases of aortic disease, the aortic valve can be replaced with a new valve. The chest is opened, the sick valve is removed and the new valve is sewn into place. This operation typically takes about four to five hours. Surgeons, cardiologists and patients work together to figure out the best option for each patient and the doctors review the pros and cons of each with them.

Mechanical valves are made out of carbon or metal. They are extremely durable and can last for the patient’s entire life. However, the patient must take anticoagulants for the rest of his or her life to prevent clotting on or around the valve.

Biological valves are made out of bovine or porcine pericardium. Patients do not have to take anticoagulants, but the valves do not last as long as mechanical valves and sometimes need to be replaced.

The Ross Procedure is an operation created by Dr. Donald Ross in 1967. During a Ross Procedure, the patient’s aortic valve (autograft) is replaced with their own pulmonic valve and their pulmonic valve is replaced with a donor valve from a cadaver (homograft). The autograft has excellent blood flow since it is a live valve. Patients don’t need blood thinners and the Ross lasts for a long time so it is used in younger patients with great success.

The new aortic valve can grow with children, preventing them from needing a replacement as they grow older. The pulmonic valve is under less stress and pressure than the aortic, so there is a greater chance of a donor valve working well there. The main drawback of the Ross Procedure is that it is a longer, more technically demanding surgery, but should go well when performed by someone who specializes in them and has a lot of experience.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, can be used in high-risk patients who need a new valve but cannot withstand the stress surgery puts on the body.

A catheter is inserted through the groin into the femoral artery and all the way up to the heart. A replacement valve is wedged into the aortic valve, pushes the leaflets away and takes over as the aortic valve. A TAVR takes less time and has a much shorter recovery time than openheart surgery, but there are still risks such as stroke.

Michaela Palmer “Aortic Valve Disease.” MayoClinic.org. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Aug. 2014.

Web. 17 Jan. 2015.

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VIRTUAL REALITY The idea of being somewhere where you physically are not has intrigued humans since the beginning of the digital age. It’s not possible, but engineers have come up with the next best thing: feeling like you are somewhere other than where you physically are. This is referred to as “virtual reality,” or an artificial environment created through software. It is presented to the consumer in such a way that the user believes it is their actual environment.

Virtual reality has gone through major changes since it was first made possible in the 1920’s as a flight simulation device by Edwin Link. Soon afterwards, the desire for virtual reality grew as more users searched for a new type of entertainment system. Users wanted a system where they could feel as if they were in a place where they could do what they could not in the real world. The ability to experience a virtual “world” was first created in 1957 by Morton Heilig with a device named Sensorama. Sensorama gave the user the feeling that they were in a different three-dimensional world.The machine had the capability to release smells, wind, vibrations and audio and show video. The Sensorama was the device that changed the way humans think about virtual reality and its possibilities.

Now in the 21st century, virtual reality is more sophisticated than anyone who used the Sensorama could have imagined. In early 2014, engineers at Oculus built the Oculus Rift, a device that connects to a new virtual world. The Oculus Rift is like a big pair of glasses. The device itself contains a small screen with a viewing angle of 110 degrees; with this device you will feel like you are experiencing the world in your glasses. The Rift was originally designed for the average gamer, but since Facebook purchased the Oculus Rift for 2 billion dollars, its unknown how they might expand upon it. Average gamers and virtual reality enthusiasts are asking: what will a major social media website do with the Oculus Rift? After the purchase, Facebook’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated, “strategically we want to start building the next major computing platform that will come after mobile.” Virtual reality is a fascinating topic with new innovations everyday. Given the amount it has evolved over the past 50 years, it will be exciting to watch it continue to change in the coming years.

Shubhashish Argha

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Frier, By. “Facebook Makes $2 Billion Virtual-Reality Bet With Oculus.”

Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 8 Jan. 2015. <http:// www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-26/facebook-makes-2-billion-virtual-reality-bet-with-oculus.

Dr. Dragon • Winter 2015

What does biopharmaceutical mean?

To be a biopharmaceutical means to manufacture a biologic medical product which is extracted from a biological source(s).

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you ended up working where you are now? Did you already have this job in mind?

When I began college, I really wasn't sure what avenue I was going to pursue by the time I graduated. Being in the chemical engineering field, there are so many possibilities to venture out to (which is a good thing!).

Some avenues which are popular for chemical engineer graduates include thepharma/biopharmaceutical, petrochemical, food and beverage, cosmetics, and energy industries.

Interview : Cenza Imperiale 10

Dr. Dragon â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2015

We interviewed Cenza

Imperiale, a Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Bristol-Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company, about her education, her job, her advice for students and more!

I had done two summer internships working for a global food and beverage company which was great because it helped me develop "people" skills by interacting with manufacturing operators alongside the production floor manager and by working on a huge capital project with a great project manager. I then took an internship with Wyeth (now Pfizer), which got me into the drug industry. By the time I graduated with my Masters in Science, I landed a fulltime position working at Wyeth (now Pfizer) Pharmaceuticals, which began my journey into the biopharmaceutical industry. I've been in this industry ever since!

What should one study in to pursue your field?

I'm a Chemical Engineer by degree (MS), however there are other members in my immediate group that hold several other STEM degrees, including mechanical engineering, biology, and chemistry. There is a decent enough amount of overlap between fields that each of these fields bring valuable skills to the table. In terms of

science, biology and chemistry play a particularly important role in my field, because our product starts from a living biologic source, so knowing about cell science (in other words, what science it takes to keep "the bugs happy and growing") is critical.

What do you and your colleagues do on a typical day?

In a nutshell, a great deal of what we are is also "professional troubleshooters" because when things go wrong, we are on call and expected to find out why and how to fix it.

What are your main responsibilities?

Engineers and scientists are responsible for determining critical parameters like environmental factors of cell culture growth (such as nutrient source, temperature, pH, bioreactor vessel shape and dimensions). Specific types of cells, once in the appropriate growth phase, will express factors of interest in the making of the final product, which will then be harvested.

Harvesting product usually requires clarification and purification unit operations to occur to separate the unimportant material from the important material. Hence, in biological processing, these common terms are used to express stages in bioprocessing; "upstream" (cell growth/ fermentation stages) and "downstream" (clarification/purification stages). Usually, these parameters are determined in the design and development phases of a product, usually considered "bench-scale".

On a larger, commercial manufacturing scale, engineers and scientists are responsible for scaling up the designed manufacturing process to a scale that can be supplied to a public market based on customer demand.

All of these stages are heavily STEMbased fields, and engineers play an important role in designing a physical

platform by which a product can be manufactured. This means design of equipment, piping, creation and analyzing of Process and Instrumentation Drawings (P&IDs), and design and maintenance of utility systems that can clean and sanitize or sterilize all this equipment (such as pharmaceutical grade water and steam) which are onto themselves very important systems that must be designed and maintained in order to ensure that the manufacturing plant has adequate supply of utilities at all times.

There are also utilities required to run the manufacturing plant itself, which is non-pharmaceutical grade water, steam, refrigerant, and air).

Designing equipment, or changing existing equipment design requires STEM to determine appropriate equipment size, equipment material of construction, piping dimensions, determining required flow rates through piping and other channels, and understanding what operational parameters (like pressure and pump speed) will be safe to use for the equipment itself, and that will also work for the process. This is mainly where my group comes into play. The use of engineering instrumentation and software tools has allowed what we do in our work to come a long way!

How are math and science important to your field?

In my mind, math is relevant for all STEM fields, because it is used and required in any STEM job you could imagine!

What has surprised you most about this job?

What has surprised me about this job is how diverse and broad my knowledge base can eventually become by staying in this field. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned so much about the mechanics of how to take raw materials and end up with a product. Along the way in that proDr. Dragonâ&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2015

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cess, I learned what equipment and mechanical controls are required in order to meet process parameter and product quality attributes. The quality attributes of a drug (biological activity, composition, identity, purity, and performance) are what the consumer really cares about.

What I like about my job is that so many things I work on can be applied to other manufacturing facilities as well. Sure, the details of our manufacturing process is specific to our company, but the main principles that I’ve learned in school and in the workforce I get to take with me and apply to no matter where I may decide to end up.

What has been your favorite project to work on?

A really great project recently that I had the opportunity to be involved in was re-designing our current Bulk Drug Substance (BDS) filling assembly. The BDS manifold project was a process improvement initiative aimed at re-designing our disposable bulk filling process in order to achieve efficiency, consistency, and yield benefits.

The project is site-wide and has high visibility across top management.

There were real expectations to deliver a filling assembly (consisting of bottles, tubing, hose barbs, connectors, and filters) that would be easy for manufacturing operators to work with, less cumbersome than the existing assembly, and shorten overall filling time by a significant amount.

The projected materials/consumables savings is over 1 Million dollars a year.

Was there a time where you were presented with a difficult task?

Most certainly! A great sign of personal growth and development in this field is if you have challenged yourself to take on a task which is outside of 12

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your comfort level. Knowing how to utilize your manager and colleagues for support is a critical aspect in completing a task successfully.

“

What I like about my job is that so many things I work on can be applied to other manufacturing facilities as well… the main principles that I’ve learned in school and in the workforce I get to take with me and apply to no matter where I may decide to end up.

work environment. In my experience, I have found that if you are open to relocating or traveling, there are a much larger scope of opportunities available in this field. Otherwise, as manufacturing or process engineers, you are limited by the industries around you. Lastly, if your high school or college offers mentoring programs, I would recommend getting involved in that.

Sharon Young

Rosetta And the Comet What is a comet?

A comet is a celestial object with a nucleus of ice and dust that enters the inner solar system. Comets formed about the same time as the gas giants in our solar system - around 4.6 billion years ago. There is special interest in comets because they are thought to be the “fossils” of our solar system. This is because their makeup has been preserved since they are far from the sun and include debris that are billions of years old.

What is Philae?

„

What advice would you offer students who are interested in your field?

The advice I’d offer students would be to do some research into current jobs that are being offered in your field of interest. Search on job and company websites for position offerings, and read the job description sections to see if what’s laid out in the description and job responsibilities sounds like something you might be interested in.

I would also recommend applying to internships, as this is a great way to gain insight into a potential future

Philae is the lander that was ejected by ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft onto C-G’s surface. Philae currently carries ten types of research equipment and a transmitter to communicate data and location information with Rosetta.

A magnetic field and solar wind monitor, seismographs to detect the core’s activity, and solar panels to power the machine are also included. NASA has contributed three instruments called ALICE, MIRO, and IES to the mission.

The instruments have provided data on chemical interactions, solar wind, and radiation on C-G.

On November 12, 2014, Rosetta’s Philae lander, a robotic lander sent by the European Space Agency (ESA) made history by successfully landing on Comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko, also known as C-G. This is the first time a spacecraft has soft-landed - landed without destruction to the surface - a robot onto a comet and observed a comet close-range.

The Rosetta spacecraft had been flying alongside the comet for four billion miles, and took ten years reach C-G. It encountered Earth three times and Mars once. According to Time Magazine this caused a “slingshot” effect, which allowed the craft to accelerate to 34,500 miles per hour.

This mission has been ongoing for ten years and plans to answer the questions of scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the ESA about the origins of comets and our solar system. It has already provided insights on the chemistry of the comets’ ice cores and the chemical composition of its different layers.

Using the transmitter, Rosetta and Philae will send radio waves to map the internal structure of C-G. In order to find out more about the different layers of the comet, which can open up pathways to new discoveries concerning the origins of our solar system, the probe will penetrate the surface of C-G to measure the temperature and density of the interior.

December 2015 will mark the end of the mission of Rosetta. Hopefully, with the help of technology from NASA and ESA, international scientists will achieve their mission goals which include, according to NASA, the explanation of C-G’s origin, how it was formed, if it witnessed the formation of our solar system and how it develops different layers as it grows in the solar wind. Scientists can also learn more about life on Earth, since comets may have carried water and organic chemicals onto our planet.

-Joy Aun

Dr. Dragon• Winter 2015

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Though we’d like to think of ourselves as logical beings, the truth is humans are in fact very emotional and whimsical. This is a fact reinforced every time we swoon at something beautiful. Beauty is so abstract, so complex and so subconscious, how could we possibly rationalize it? As is our nature, we of course attempt to explain it anyway.

THE SCIENCE OF BEAUTY

Beauty is so abstract, so complex and so subconscious, how could we possibly rationalize it? As is our nature, we of course attempt to explain it anyway.

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The evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin is used to explain a wide variety of things, from elements of psychology to anatomy to religion. It can also be used to explain what we perceive as attractive. Certain biological features are signs of good health and reproductive probabilities which are crucial to further the human race. Full figures indicate fertility, symmetrical faces indicate good immune systems, and so on. Those who found these features attractive tended to have a higher chance of reproduction, and thus became our ancestors. The theory is quite reasonable. But what about our perceptions of things not human?

In an international poll, people worldwide were given scenic photos of different natural landscapes and asked to decide which were the most beautiful. This is when statistics begin to confuse us. From birth to adulthood, we often see that what we find to be pleasing tends to also be familiar, whether it’s the scent of your mother’s perfume or the taste of chicken soup. Yet the results of the poll say that people can find things they have never seen before more pleasing than things that they have been surrounded by for a long time. The winners of the poll

were the photographs of lush, green scenery - not places the polled people had been. Does that have to do with the evolutionary theory that what we find beautiful will help us reproduce?

Well actually, yes. Those who had found green landscapes attractive and decide live in these places were more likely to survive than those who enjoyed the barren desert scenery as they were more likely to come across food and shelter.

So far, evolutionary theory has been able to explain why it is that we find other human beings and nature attractive. But what about things that seem superfluous in the evolutionary quest for survival? What about beautiful music?

Neurochemistry has attempted to explain this with the idea that the brain loves patterns, and upon being able to find a pattern, releases dopamine. Listening to music, which contains patterns, should thus consistently. Pushing the relationship between evolution and beauty even further, the brain’s ability to discover patterns and predict what comes next has helped humans survive.

If you realize that fire burns when you go near it, then you would be less likely to try to grasp the flames. If you could tell that green places grow food, you are more likely to find substantial sustinance.So beauty is what helps us survive, right? But what about specific tastes in beauty? Why do some mathematicians find certain math-

ematical equations beautiful? How can words on a flimsy piece of paper fill our hearts with emotions and ourbrains with dopamine? Unfortunately, science has not yet been able to tell us, but there are still theories. Denis Dutton, an art philosopher gives a single, simple explanation: beauty is something well done. A beautiful face is the masterpiece of physical health, a lush forest is the result of the right amount of moisture and light, and sensational art works are pieces of precision and careful thinking. Science has not been able to prove this with its methods yet beauty is something so intrinsic, and so universal, that perhaps it is time for scientists to take a closer look at it.

Richelle Chen Dr. Dragon• Winter 2015

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Ebola Ebola is an epidemic infectious disease that has been going around recently since March 2014. Ebola virus was first discovered near the Ebola River in Africa in 1976. It was transmitted to humans from wild animals and it spread in the human population. The common animals in which Ebola can be passed from are monkeys, chimpanzees, and bats. It can be transmitted through bodily fluids, blood, and needles. It causes bleeding inside and outside the body due to the decrease in the levels of blood clotting cells. The symptoms of Ebola include headaches, severe vomiting, stomach pains, and organ failures. These symptoms usually show up within 2 to 21 days after infection.

Just like HIV/AIDS, Ebola is a RNA virus which means that its genome is made from RNA that animals cells use only transiently. Unlike HIV and AIDS, Ebola is not a retrovirus. A retrovirus is a virus that carries its genetic material in RNA instead of in DNA. Normally, the genetic information in DNA would be replicated, transcribed into RNA, and then translated into proteins. However, in retroviruses, their genetic information have to be transcribed from RNA to DNA and then transcribed back into RNA. This constitutes a reversal of the usual processes of transcription of DNA into RNA. Ebola viruses hijack the cells in the body by enabling them to make more copies of Ebola viruses.

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These copies of the virus leave the cells violently and eventually spread throughout the whole body. Ebola viruses destroys T cells, which are cells that help kill infected cells.

Ebola is a filovirus that uses RNA to invade the cell’s machinery and DNA similar to a retrovirus. Ebola, on the other hand, has viruses that attach to the surface of host cells, invade the cells, and replicate the Ebola RNA code at such a rapid pace that the infected cells explode. Ebola causes the host’s immune cells to attack organs and the immune system. This attack on the immune system causes the symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, and pain. Although there is currently no cure for Ebola, drugs called ZMapp and TKM-Ebola are being studied.

Irene Ok World Health Organization. Ebola Virus Disease. WHO. n.p. n.d.Web. 29. Oct. 2014. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/ factsheets/fs103/en/> Mayo Clinic Staff. Infectious Diseases. Mayo Clinic. n.p. 23 July. 2014. Web. 5 Nov.2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/basics/prevention/con-20033534> Healthy People. Immunization and Infectious Diseases.

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. n.p. n.d.

Web. 5 Nov. 2014.<https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/ topics-objectives/topic/immunization-and-infectious-diseases>

reflective design the wonders of architecture

As technology continues to expand, innovations in architecture evolve and reach heights that have never been conquered before. Buildings compete in size, and a vast many are recognized all over world. From the Parthenon to the Twin Towers, architecture has revolutionized not only the way human beings live, but society in itself. Architecture is often symbolized as an economic and national might. Even more so, throughout history buildings have differentiated in size, shape, even color, however a new element has recently come into play, invisibility and reflection.

One such building hoping to incorporate elements of invisibility and reflection is the planned Tower Infinity. The building is due for completion in 2015 outside of Seoul, South Korea and is likely to include leisure facilities including a theme park, restaurants and an observation deck. This building employs invisibility through the use of LED lights and cameras. 18 weatherproof cameras will be used to project what’s behind one side of the building onto an LED façade onto the opposing side.

The 450-meter-tall tower will visually capture its surrounding environment and transmit those images to the opposite face of the building from which they were shot.

Another form of architecture that encompasses invisibility/ reflection are the Sweden’s hotel rooms. Measuring 4x4x4 meters, the cube is clad in mirrors that reflect the surrounding environment. The hotel is now concealed with the natural landscape that envelops it. It contains a large bed, bathroom, lounge, rooftop ter

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-race, and six bedrooms from which to admire the view, only being accessible through a ramp.

These ‘invisibility’ features arise many questions. What is its effect on the environment, its effect on other species? As for the Tower Infinity the architects have confirmed that the tower has been designed so as to remain visible to birds and air traffic. Michael Collins, director, has stated “the tower’s facade patterning actually is more favorable towards warning birds and has the potential to incorporate subsonic, low frequency deterring sounds to ward off incoming birds- the same technology currently employed by many airports on their runways.” As for Sweden’s hotel because the cube is rendered almost unnoticeable from certain angles, its designers have conceived a way to prevent birds from flying into it. In result architects cover the walls with infrared film invisible to humans but highly visible to birds. Architecture is very much significant, but being able to create buildings that are harmless to surrounding animals are imperative.

Have you ever looked up at a building, and it seems to go on forever? Soaring up into the clouds, the skyscraper in front of you is never ending. Imagine space, the sky, grass in front of you, except there’s a whole other world you are unable to see. People walking up stairs, visitors gaping at gardens, but to your eye it is merely sky. As technology continues to expand, innovations in architecture evolve and reach heights that have never been conquered before, invisibility and reflection are just one of the many new elements.

Fatema Begum Tower Infinity: South Korea’s ‘invisible’ skyscraper” John O’Ceallaigh ‘Telegraph Media Group’ September 18,2013 n.p.,n.d.Web South Korea Will Soon Be Home To An Invisible Skyscraper” Alex Kanpp ‘Forbes Magazine’ September 18,2013 n.p.,n.d.Web “Coming soon: World’s first ‘invisible’ tower” Kayla Cripps ‘CNN’ September 15, 2013 n.p.,n.d.Web

Dr. Dragon• Winter 2015

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WHY DO WE PROCRASTINATE?

How can we reduce procrastination?

Here are several steps to avoid procrastination

(adapted from a Forbes article by Margie Warrell)

1.

We all have procrastinated at some point in our lives - or we’ve at least seen our friend struggling to get all their work done at the last minute. Sometimes we procrastinate mundane tasks like deleting emails, organizing binders for school, or doing stacks of laundry. However, people still often procrastinate on important tasks too, like finishing a resume for a job interview or writing a paper. Sound familiar? Have you ever wondered why we procrastinate? There are several answers to this question, in addition to some serious consequences of procrastination that most do not not know about.

Researchers suggest that procrastination is very common among students. It is estimated that 25 to 75 percent of college students procrastinate on academic work.

Students tend to overestimate how much time they have left to perform tasks while underestimating how long those tasks will take to complete. They assume that they will be more motivated in the future and start right in on their work.

Self-doubt also plays a big role in procrastination. When students don’t know how to start a project, they actively look for distractions, particularly ones that don’t take a lot of commitment on their part, instead of going step by step to tackle the problem. There are many excuses that procrastinators tell themselves to push their work to the last minute. They say, “I’m not in the mood to do it right now, ” or “I work best under pressure.” They believe that time pressure makes them more creative and efficient, which is typically not the case.

Procrastination can have a serious impact on human health, including a person’s mental health. Researchers found in a 2007 study that procrastinating college students had evidence of compromised immune systems 18

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such as more colds, flus and gastrointestinal problems.

Although they reported less illness and lower stress levels than non-procrastinators at the beginning of the term, they showed higher levels of stress and illness than non-procrastinators by the end of the term. Procrastinators also often had insomnia. Procrastination is also connected to higher levels of alcohol consumption. They drink more than they intend to, which results from problems in self-regulation.

Procrastination can also harm social relationships. It shifts the burden of responsibilities onto others, especially when there is a project that should be done by a group of friends, family, co-workers or students. Procrastination hurts teamwork in the workplace and private relationships.

Surprisingly, 20% of people identify themselves as chronic procrastinators, which means they identify procrastination as part of their lifestyle. They don’t pay bills on time.

They leave their Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve. They miss the date to purchase tickets to concerts. However, nobody is born as procrastinator. Procrastination is a behavior that is learned throughout one’s life, perhaps from family members. Flexible parents who do not train their children to develop the ability to regulate themselves may be a factor.

On the other hand, a form of rebellion against strict parents cause also cause procrastination. Procrastinators tend to turn more to friends than to parents for support, and their friends may reinforce procrastination because they tolerate the excuses that procrastinators create (and often procrastinate themselves). The good news is procrastinators can change their habits. But, it requires a lot of mental energy.

- Hajin Yang

2.

3.

Visualize the future you want.

Picture yourself in a favorite place with your favorite people, celebrating what you’ve accomplished.

What do you have to do to until you reach that point of your life?

Write down your goal and give yourself a deadline. Deadlines are essential to achieve goals. If not, they are easily put off or forgotten. Let your friends be aware of your goals, so that they can constantly remind you what you have to accomplish.

Break your goal into small pieces.

Big goals often seem overwhelming, but smaller aims are more approachable. Your goals may be similar to the ones of your friends, and you can help each other out in a way.

4.

4.

Reward progress. Whether the reward is a fun activity with friends, or a treat for your self, make sure you celebrate the progress you have made. You’ll be more motivated get work if you know you have a reward in your future.

Start today, right now. If you are still laying on your bed even after reading this article, you are never going to change. Step out of your comfort zone and start building momentum. It does not matter how fast you are going as long as you are making progress. So, take the first step and you will see how good you feel when you start accomplishing your goals - Hajin Yang

Dr. Dragon• Winter 2015

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The Science of Death The concept of death has been one of fascination to the human race for millennium. What is it? How do we stop it? What comes after? Many religions have different ideas of death and what comes after. It has been explored throughout the world in our media, our schools, and our thoughts.

Everything from the Grim Reaper to the Devil. And while everyone is entitled to their own belief as to how it happens or what it is, there have been several recent scientific breakthroughs that may shed some light on this elusive concept and even develop techniques to pull people back from the brink of death.

The process of death does not take place instantly after the heart stops beating; it isn’t until several minutes afterward that cells begin the steps of cell death. Sensing the lack of oxygen, the brain sends out a signal to the cells of the body that it is time to die, an “abandon ship!” message. During this time, even while brain activity is being affected, the process can be delayed by a severe decrease in body temperature, or hypothermia. The brain’s need for oxygen decreases and the brain stops sending the cell death signal. Despite the fact that the patient is clinically considered dead, in multiple cases, the “dead” were brought back with minimal or nonexistent brain damage by freezing the body. However, if the patient isn’t properly heated up afterwards, the rush of blood and oxygen will cause severe neurological damage. The process of halting and delaying death is still incomplete and scientists are developing methods to improve it. Even so, moral and ethical questions are being raised about this new concept of death reversal. First, there is a possibility of significant amounts of brain damage. Also, it is often difficult to assess whether or not the damage will be reversible during the cooling or heating of the body. This causes some doctors to begin the process of delaying death but not apply all the techniques and strategies scientists have developed, because some of them can cause brain damage. On the other hand, discounting these procedures can lead to serious brain damage if the patient doesn’t receive the proper level of heating for their level of hypothermia. The levels include Mild (86°-89° Fahrenheit 20

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or 30°-32° Celsius), Moderate (71°-77° Fahrenheit or 22°-25° Celsius), and Severe (36°-46.5° Fahrenheit or 0°-8°Celsius). The brain damage is usually so severe that some argue that it would be better to die and avoid the pain. There is an ongoing scientific debate as to whether or not doctors should do everything they can to save a patient, unless they make the decision that the risk of brain damage is too high.

But what does this new concept of death mean for our understanding of it? More importantly, how does this affect those who have “died” and been brought back?

Recently, the University of Southampton did an enlightening four-year study on people who survived cardiac arrest.

Nearly 40% of the survivors recounted having an “awareness” while they were clinically dead. It was previously thought that there wasn’t any consciousness after the heart stopped beating because the brain wasn’t working.

However, of 140 patients surveyed, 39% of them claimed to have this “awareness”. One man even described leaving his body and watching his revival. Many of those with an awareness couldn’t recall such vivid and specific details but some themes did repeat. For example, 1 in 5 patients had an “unusual sense of peacefulness” and of them recalled time speeding up or slowing down. Others saw a bright flash or felt like they were being dragged down into water. Still others felt that their senses were intensified or that they left their bodies. It is possible that many others had experiences similar to these, but brain damage and medical drugs have prevented them from recalling their ordeal.

This study supports the idea of several minutes of consciousness after death, but whether or not this indicates a full life after death remains to be seen. Either way, the study and techniques for bringing a patient back from the brink revolutionize our notion of an inevitable in our world, the idea of Death.

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Franklin Guttman Dr. Dragon• Winter 2015

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About Dr. Dragon Dr. Dragon is a student-produced magazine that focuses on math, science, and engineering. The mission of this magazine is to give HSMSE students the opportunity to take the school's core subjects and explore subtopics that particularly interest them. Students on the magazine staff research and write about subjects of their choice. They are also involved with the production of the magazine, and learn about everything from design to fundraising and budgeting.

If you are an HSMSE student and want to contribute your thoughts, please talk to our officers or our faculty advisor, Mr. Choi.

Contact information: Dr. Dragon email: hsmsedrdragon@gmail.com Mr. Choi: RChoi@hsmse.org Also, you can read our previous magazines, and check the answers to crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles by visiting our website: sites.Google.com/site/hsmsedrdragon/

Copyright © 2015 by Dr. Dragon All rights reserved. Published by Dr. Dragon No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission by the publisher.

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Dr. Dragon • Winter 2015

Crystal Bonds, Principal