Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Adaptive Coping For Covid-Related Stress, Sandra Maloy

Undergraduate Research Conference

The restrictions placed on society by the COVID- 19 pandemic for the purpose of limiting spread of the disease appear to have produced a different set of potential chronic health issues. Through lockdown and social distancing measures the general public lost access to key elements of daily life. The literature and qualitative interview data primarily support a negative association between participation in spiritual and physical activity and COVID-19 related stress. These findings are not surprising based on previous research investigating coping and other chronic stressors.

Returning What Was Lost: Reengaging And Reconnecting Students Through Community Engagement, Mackenzie Pendarvis, Danyelle Richardson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Humanistic geographers have referred to the theory of sense of place as a personal connection with place, built up over both years of residence and involvement in the community (Hay, 1988). Community engagement activities such as the SFA Stone Fort Museum’s “Esperanza’s Night Out” provided a venue for the students to belong to a place after the pandemic. Students were able to reconnect and reengage through a collaborative event with the university and the local community.

Expression And Purification Of Hpep Inhibitor Peptide, Olivia Plaza

Undergraduate Research Conference

The enzyme human prolyl peptidase, or hPEP, has been linked to many processes within the brain, including breaking down neural peptides. A bovine milk protein, a-s1-casein (see above), has been found to inhibit hPEP in colon cancer cells. A 68 amino acid long section (bolded) of a-s1- casein containing the inhibitor region was cloned. The casein fragment expression was optimized for expression of the peptide. The purpose for optimizing expression is to have much of it on hand to utilize in further studies on its inhibitory properties on hPEP. By using this fragment of casein, one can study the structure …

A Novel Molecular And Cellular Study On Curcumin, Khang Nguyen

Undergraduate Research Conference

Since the discovery of G-quartet (G4)by M. Gellertin 1962, much attention has been given on G4and C4(also called i-motif) as important drug design targets for the treatment of various human disorders. G4 forming sequences are prevalent in human genome, which includes many important regions of the eukaryotic genome, such as telomere ends, regulatory regions of many oncogenes c-kit, proto-oncogene c-myc, Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRas). Curcumin(diferuloylmethane), an antiinflammatory and antioxidant compound, is found in the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa. The phytopolyphenolic chemical curcumin has been in the prominence due to its diverse pharmacological activities. Here, we …

Study Of Potential Drug For Alzheimer’S Disease: Small Organic Molecules, 1,5-Dhn And Tmpyp Inhibit Amyloid-Β Peptide Aggregation And Quench Hydroxyl Radicals, Matthew Murphy

Undergraduate Research Conference

Alzheimer disease (AD) is recognized as the six leading cause of the death in the United States. As of now, there is no cure for this fatal disease. The current treatment methods can only temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms. Research data suggested that an excess generation of hydroxyl radical in the brain causing the aggregation of Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide which is considered to be responsible for Alzheimer's disease. Thus, there is a pressing need to find a suitable drug which can quench hydroxyl radicals effectively and stop or slow down the formation of aggregation of Aβ peptide. The primary …

Biotransformation Of Hbe And Other Benzofuran Derivatives, Hannah Trauger

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

The Study Of Wellbeing In College Students Involved In Organizations: A Qualitative Research Analysis, Reese Murphy

Undergraduate Research Conference

As stress levels rise and increasing amounts of students seek help, this article strives to define the areas that affect students the most while suggesting possible implementation strategies that are proven to be effective in reducing these factors. Qualitative interviews and PhotoVoice were used for data collection. Results were analyzed through a transcription and coding process. Recommendations are made within the article to suggest possible implementation strategies proven to reduce stress within the areas of college student wellbeing. The overall findings of the study suggest that college students, regardless of organizational involvement, focus on mental, physical and social wellness more …

Iron Deficiency In Infancy And Its Impact On Motor And Mental Development, Emma Baker

Undergraduate Research Conference

Iron plays a large role in nerve myelination, dopamine neurotransmission, and neuronal metabolism. The purpose of this literary review was to investigate the connection between iron deficiency and motor and cognitive development. Iron-deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency world-wide, and infants are at a greater risk due to their rapid growth. Due to the higher risk, this review focuses on iron deficiency in infancy.

The Things We Don’T See: Oppressive Mental Health Language In 1940’S East Texas, Shannon R. Groce

Undergraduate Research Conference

In the mental health files I examine, the oppressive mental health language, descriptions, and inaccurate twentieth-century perceptions of female patients will be brought to light and reexamined. It is my hope that, by doing so, the patients who suffered will be remembered, and their stories never again repeated.

The Capacity Of Eye-Tracking Technology To Determine Non-Diagnosed Adhd In Females, Rudi Johnson

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of this study is to determine if eye-tracking technology can support self-reported symptoms of ADHD in a female-only college student sample.

Chemophobia And The Relation To Names, Justin Crow

Undergraduate Research Conference

Chemophobia is a recently identified cultural phenomena where people are afraid of chemicals in their lives, whether "chemicals" are in their food, their medicines, vaccinations, and other products. An increasing amount of people have a concern about the risk associated with chemicals in their everyday life. Chemistry professionals find this a bit strange as Chemistry states that all matter is made up of chemicals. Chemistry has many systems of naming and understanding chemicals which can exclude people from understanding the risk or lack thereof attributed to materials that are common in daily life. This effect could be accentuated by educational …

The Relationship Between Objective And Subjective Markers Of Training Stress In Ncaa Division I Women Basketball Players, Casey Pederson, Courtney Elliott, James Hutson

Undergraduate Research Conference

An athlete’s training stress score (TSS) is an objective marker of overall training volume and can be determined by tracking total time spent at specific heart rate (HR) zones. Additionally, an athlete’s power factor (PF) or explosive strength is an important marker of performance and can be measured objectively with power testing equipment. While these measures of training stress and performance are important, a coach with limited resources may not have access to the equipment or expertise to measure these variables. On a subjective level, perceived recovery status (PRS) prior to practice and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during …

Adhd Medication: To Medicate Or Not To Medicate?, Alyssa Henderson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Eleven percent of American children are diagnosed with at least one type of ADHD. That is 6.4 million children that are clinically diagnosed with the inability to focus attentively, restlessness, imbalanced mood swings and under-developed social skills. All of these lead to any learning environment being a daily battleground in the children both internally as well as externally. This is caused due to an under-activity in the frontal lobe of the child’s brain, which is responsible for their planning, motivation, social behavior and speech production. The symptoms associated with ADHD are currently being combated with the utilization of stimulants known …

Latin@ Immigrants Use Of United States Medical And Health Services, Marilyn Toc

Undergraduate Research Conference

Latin@ immigrants face social and cultural barriers, which can impact use of medical/health services for this population, including language, cultural forces, and fear of deportation. The purpose of this study is to understand human and health services related behaviors among Latin@ immigrants. Spanish speaking participants reported on health information packets and medical literacy items in an anonymous survey. Medical terminology items were used to determine comprehension and knowledge of medical services concerning the Latin@ community in a Southern state. Participants reported on health behavior and utilization of services. Recommendations for policies and providers are explored.

Physical Therapy And Proper Sleep Positions Lead To Improved Hamstring Flexibility, Bailey Miley

Undergraduate Research Conference

Research Question: How effectively can physical therapy and correct sleep positioning improve hamstring flexibility and reduce pain, based on age and everyday activity?

A Study On The Development Of Robotic Prosthesis, Alexandra Knight

Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper is a multi-analysis study of the development of robotic prosthesis. There are many types of robotic prosthesis, some of which are already in circulation. However, true robotic prosthetics which can move in the exact fashion of the original limb are still in the early stages of prototyping. In experimenting there have been problems found in the methods of communicating movement and the manufacturing of sensory recording material. Using a comparison of the failed and successful experiments it is possibly to approximate the material that will be used and the cost of future market ready robotic prosthesis.

The Methods Used For Eradication Of Polio Versus The Defense Efforts That Are Being Conducted For Global Defense Against Ebola, Kalyn Johnson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Poliovirus eradication has been a long-lasting and difficult process that has become a global issue. The World Health Organization and the European Union have been trying to end the terrible reign of this abhorrent disease since the 1980s and are continually fighting the virus today. Poliomyelitis is an Old World disease, much like smallpox. It has been easily, through a twenty year process, eradicable through mass vaccination and circle vaccination.

However, as poliovirus is coming to the end of its reign, a more recent danger lurks nearby. Ebola virus is considered a non-traditional disease in that it requires more developed …

Removable Discontinuity: Crispr, Gene Drives, And Bioethics, Emily Dunnahoe

Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper questions whether bioethical scrutiny has been devoted to the ethical dilemmas that have arisen with advancements of CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing techniques, particularly its use in conjunction with gene drive applications. Therefore, the trend of genetic research using both gene drives and CRISPR-Cas 9 systems must be established, while also simultaneously observing the trend of bioethical scholarly works. The tabulation of all articles from 2012 to 2015 from selected genetic journals yielded a significant increase in articles relating to CRISPR, while no articles were found in their selected bioethical counterparts for the same period. Similarly, no significant CRISPR/gene …

Food Traditions Of The Three Abrahamic Religions, Sarah A. Ross, Justin D. Pelham

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Perception Of Moderation In Dietary Behaviors, Rebecca Prince, Lexi Perimon, Alexis Malquist

Undergraduate Research Conference

The objective of this study is to understand what the general population perceives as dietary moderation, in relation to recommendations. It is hypothesized that the majority of respondents’ perceptions of moderate intake will be over- or underestimated when compared to dietary recommendations.

The Addition Of Arachidin 1 Or Arachidin 3 To Human Rotavirus-Infected Cells Inhibits Viral Replication And Alters The Apoptotic Cell Death Pathway, Macie N. Mattila, Caleb M. Witcher, Rebekah Napier-Jameson, Hannah N. Lockwood, Josephine Taylor, Beatrice A. Clack, Judith M. Ball, Fabricio Medina Bolivar, Rebecca D. Parr

Undergraduate Research Conference

Rotavirus (RV) infections are a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children under the age of five. There are two vaccines available in the United States and one in India that can be administered early in childhood, however they only protect against specific strains1. From our previous work, both arachidin-1 (A1) and arachidin-3 (A3) from peanut (Arachis hypogaea) hairy root cultures significantly inhibit simian RV replication2,3,4. The purpose of this study was to determine if a human intestinal cell line, HT29.f8, infected with a human RV, Wa, was affected by A1 and A3. Cell viability assays were utilized …

Electrochemical Investigations Of Benzanthrone, Antonio Trevino, Kefa Karimu Onchoke

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

A Day In My Life With Partial Lobe Damage, Ashley Dutton

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Resveratrol Effects On Breast Cancer, Shelby Young

Undergraduate Research Conference

Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenolic compound found in 72 different plant species. Grape skins, red wine, berries, pomegranates, soybeans and peanuts are excellent sources. RES is more bioavailable in whole food form than supplemental.

Living The Tasty Life: Cooking For People With Diabetes, Sarah Feye, Carrie Flowers, Amanda Johnson

Undergraduate Research Conference

To compile, format, distribute and organize high quality, affordable and easy-to-understand recipes to the greater East Texas Area in conjunction with East Texas Community Health Services, Inc. of Nacogdoches, TX.

To address the following Didactic Program in Dietetics student learning outcomes required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics: KR 2.1 a, b; KR 4.1 a, and KR 4.2 b.

Medicating America: Exploring Prescription Drug Abuse In A Rural East Texas Community, Christi Courade

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Run Like A Kenyan: How To Be An Elite Athlete The Kenyan Way, Becca Blubaugh

Undergraduate Research Conference

By observation and statistics, research shows that one dominating elite group in running is the Kenyan distance runners, specifically the Kalenjinethnic group. Many aspects of the Kenyan life were found to contribute to their efficiency and success. Analyzing Kenyan aspects of environment, altitude, society, diet, transportation, motives, and training may reveal possible ways American runners can improve their running.

Designing For An Aging Population, Allison Shives

Undergraduate Research Conference

Aging starts at birth and continues throughout life. As people age, they need to continue to live a happy life. A designer’s job is to design a facility that will encourage an independent lifestyle while providing the help and community involvement aging requires. The design solution should meet the aging population’s desire to age in place. An assisted living facility allows older adults to live independently while being surrounded by a support group and events that promote an active lifestyle which is conducive to physical and mental wellbeing.

Healthy Paws Doggie Day Camp, Alexandra Salazar

Undergraduate Research Conference

“Healthy Paws Doggie Day Camp” is an event that will help owners and dogs incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. General knowledge of exercise concerning dogs is considerably lacking, obviously observed as they become more obese over time (Fennell, 2005). Between 40-50 percent of our dogs are overweight (Fennell, 2005). It is not only humans who have trouble controlling their body weight, while metabolism begins to slow down with age, canines are also affected. (Borzendowski, 2007).Walking a dog could help a large proportion of the U.S. population [dog owners] increase their physical activity as well as that of their …

Elder Abuse: A Policy Analysis, Cortni Davis

Undergraduate Research Conference

Elder abuse is a growing social problem in the United States. It takes on many forms, and is prevalent throughout various cultures. Elder Abuse Reporting Laws have been enacted throughout various states to prevent and intervene in elder abuse cases. California’s Financial Abuse Reporting Act of 2005 is one among many laws in the United States which was formed to help ensure social justice for the elderly citizens of America.