The balance of ions in soil and water directly impacts sustainable agriculture, human health, and livestock well-being. Small family farms, such as the one in this study, often depend on well water for household and agricultural use, making water quality essential for both food safety and long-term farm viability. This study investigates the spatial distribution of key anions, including nitrate (NO₃⁻), nitrite (NO₂⁻), and phosphate (PO₄³⁻), in soil and well water across a small family-operated farm in Woodinville, WA. These ions were selected due to their roles in plant growth, soil chemistry, and potential health effects on humans and animals. The farm sustains 68 animals, including chickens, cows, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, sheep, quails, and horses, and provides food and water for seven residents. Soil and water samples were collected from distinct zones, including livestock pens, vegetable fields, and tap water from the farm’s well, to evaluate how land use influences ion distribution. Soil samples were collected at multiple sites; ions were extracted from the samples using a  common water extraction method. Ion chromatography (IC) was employed to quantify anion concentrations and assess spatial variability. While this study does not determine definitive sources of the ions, analyzing variations in these ion concentrations near crop fields and livestock areas can help assess potential nutrient leaching and runoff. This type of comparative analysis of soil and well water samples helps quantify potential risks to both farm operations and the health of residents and livestock. This research underscores the importance of ongoing water and soil quality monitoring to ensure the sustainability of small-scale farms that rely on well water and homegrown food, while offering insights for improved land and resource management practices

Safe drinking water in schools is crucial for children's safety and academic performance. While Seattle Public Schools has tested for some contaminants, such as lead, the district's responsibility for ion-specific testing for anions such as phosphate, bromide, nitrite, nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and sulfite is less clear. High concentrations of anions pose potential health risks, including reduced oxygen in red blood cells, higher risks of tumors in children, and diarrhea. This research investigated the anion concentration in water fountains across seven high schools in the Seattle Public Schools. Twenty-one water samples were collected from seven public high schools and analyzed for anion concentration using ion chromatography. Results were compared to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL). All test samples were below the EPA's MCL. These results suggest that the drinking water in these schools does not pose potential risks to students from anion contamination. While regular monitoring and management are still necessary to maintain safe drinking water, Seattle Public Schools have met the safety requirements for anion concentration in their drinking water. 

The rising impacts of climate change driven by fossil fuel consumption highlight the need for sustainable alternative energy sources, such as biodiesel. Biodiesel is a biodegradable diesel fuel made primarily from vegetable oil or animal fats. Currently, biodiesel production predominantly relies on vegetable oils, which contribute to over 85% of production costs and raise concerns regarding higher consumer costs and environmental sustainability. To mitigate this issue, this study examines the potential of using animal waste, specifically beef tallow,  as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production. The United States produces 20% of beef in the world, leaving large amounts of waste that go unutilized. Instead of relying on plants and crops for biodiesel, which requires large-scale cultivation of crops like soybean and palm that contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions, beef tallow offers a resourceful alternative due to its widespread availability. The production of biodiesel from vegetable oil and beef tallow is done through transesterification with the catalysts NaOH and KOH to facilitate the conversion of the fats to biodiesel. Upon synthesizing the biodiesel, a soda can calorimeter is used to analyze how much of the biodiesel is able to be burned and the amount of heat released from the reaction to determine the fuel value. The aim of this study is to evaluate the fuel value of beef tallow to determine its potential as a more viable alternative to vegetable oils for biodiesel production.

Nitrogen is often a limiting resource in marine ecosystems, and its availability is heavily influenced by human activities, sometimes causing eutrophication. The study of phytoplankton metabolism under nitrogen-limited and replete conditions is of interest due to eutrophication's ecological and economic implications and the prevalence of nitrogen limitation on marine primary productivity. To investigate the metabolic effects of rapid nitrogen addition on phytoplankton metabolism, 15N-nitrate was traced into polymerized and free amino acids in two treatments of the microalgae Tisochrysis lutea with either initially limiting or replete nitrate concentrations. Using acid digestion, derivatization, and GCMS analysis we found that the culture with a lower initial nitrate concentration incorporated more 15N into alanine, valine, serine, and threonine. This suggests that phytoplankton under nitrogen-limited conditions exhibit greater increases in metabolism than those under replete conditions following rapid nitrogen influxes. Heavy nitrogen incorporation into other metabolites was also detected. This work provides a foundational method for future studies into phytoplankton metabolism under varying environmental conditions.

Spoken, written, and body language are the media through which we interact with our social world. Formalized in the 20th century and owing to the work of anthropologists like Franz Boas, Edward Sapir, and Benjamin Whorf, the theory of linguistic relativity posits that the language we use influences our thoughts and our perception of the world. Linguistic practices like code-switching point toward an intricate relationship between language use and social setting. As new technologies proliferate alongside evolving patterns of migration around the globe, it is likely that multilingual ability will increase. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding the role of bi- or multilingualism (hereafter encompassing bilingualism) within linguistic anthropology. Given the cultural origin of identity and the interlinked nature of culture and language, my research question asks if multilingualism can grant individuals greater latitude in the expression of their discrete identities. This literature review examined multilingualism in diverse contexts, including psychotherapy, postcolonialism, and stand-up comedy, to better understand how linguistic flexibility affects our interpersonal lives and intrapersonal conceptions. Despite the aforementioned knowledge gap, a broad scope of answers from the literature suggests that multilingual ability uniquely shapes how people interact with the world around them. Multilingualism provides benefits to both multilingual individuals and the communities and social networks in which they live. The ability to communicate in one more than one language or dialect can afford a more complete sense of identity, maintain connections to cultural roots, and open new avenues for self-perception. As political rhetoric veers towards xenophobic and jingoist tendencies, the question of how people who live and communicate at the intersection of two or more cultures becomes more relevant, both for the self-conception of those at the margins and for the perception of this population by the dominant culture.

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) occurs when a streptococcal infection triggers an abnormal immune response, leading to neuroinflammation in the basal ganglia, causing sudden-onset OCD and other neuropsychiatric symptoms. Current treatments include antibiotics, cognitive-behavioral therapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs, corticosteroids). While antibiotics target infection, they often fail to resolve persistent immune dysfunction. Some patients experience recurring symptoms, suggesting an autoimmune-driven mechanism beyond direct infection. Despite growing research, PANDAS remains controversial. Some clinicians support an autoimmune model, linking streptococcal infections to neuropsychiatric symptoms; others argue that evidence is inconclusive or that PANDAS is not a distinct disorder. Skeptics cite inconsistent diagnostic criteria, patient variability, and limited large-scale clinical trials. Additionally, the lack of a clear biomarker and symptom overlap with other childhood-onset OCD and tic disorders create diagnostic uncertainty. Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) has shown promise in modulating immune responses, reducing autoantibody activity, and lowering neuroinflammation, offering a complementary therapy. However, placebo-controlled trials remain limited, and the synergy between IVIG and antibiotics remains underexplored. This literature review seeks to fill that gap, evaluating the combined efficacy of IVIG and antibiotics in treating PANDAS-associated OCD. It examines whether dual therapy leads to better clinical outcomes than monotherapy and identifies which antibiotics work best with IVIG. Drawing from existing studies on similar conditions and neuroinflammatory mechanisms, this research synthesizes clinical trials, case studies, and immune-response data to explore the therapeutic synergy of these treatments. Preliminary evidence suggests IVIG and antibiotics together may better address both infectious and immune components, potentially improving outcomes. However, further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols, refine diagnostic criteria, and expand knowledge on immune-brain interactions in pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders. Future implications include refining diagnostic criteria, identifying biomarkers, and expanding research on the immune-brain connection in pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders.