Digital Commons Network^™

The Importance Of Using Visual Aids For Reminders In Nursing Practice, Madison Cooper

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

The Treatment Approach Of Dynamic Temporal And Tactile Cueing On Childhood Apraxia Of Speech, Marykate Ryan

Academic Festival

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder that impedes children's ability to form correct words despite knowing what they want to communicate. The Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) method is an effective treatment designed to enhance speech performance in children with varying degrees of CAS. This literature review assesses the use of DTTC by examining its impact on accurate movement gestures, whole-word accuracy, and speech-motor control through a comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed articles. Methodology included analysis using the PEDro scale, revealing that while many studies had limitations, DTTC demonstrates positive trends in treatment efficacy. Results …

Are College Students Who Cut Or Skip Meals More Prone To Experience Depression?, Cailey Ziegler, Danielle Queen, Sarah D'Orio, Alexis Troiano

Academic Festival

College students will often reduce or limit their food intake for multiple reasons, including food insecurity, which often leads to the development of poor eating habits. These newly developed habits can impact students in different ways, including affecting their mental health. The aim of the observational, cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between skipping meals due to a lack of financial resources and depression severity among college students. This study was conducted to examine this relationship in a private, Catholic university in the northeast of the United States. Our study was comprised of 271 students at Sacred Heart University’s …

Food Insecurity And Racism, Grace Casey, Kerri Feuilly, Samantha Martel, Shamika Saint-Hilaire, Ella Smith

Academic Festival

Throughout the United States, food insecurity is a growing issue. Poor or disrupted eating can have severe consequences on mental and physical health. Food insecurity can lead to malnutrition, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, and even PTSD. There are various factors that can increase the chances of experiencing food insecurity including socioeconomic status, education levels, household size, gender, race, ethnicity, and disability (Feeding America, n.d.). Certain races, ethnicities, and genders are more likely to experience food insecurity leading to questions about the impact of discrimination. Racism and racial discrimination are experienced throughout various institutions, organizations, and aspects of life …

Use Of The Braden Q Scale For Prevention Of Pressure Ulcers In The Pediatric Population, Alissa Cooke

Academic Festival

This project is centered around the patient-centered intervention of preventing pressure ulcers within the pediatric population. The intervention is the usage of the Braden Q scale which has been adapted from its adult counterpart as a way of identifying the patients most at risk for developing these types of injuries. In the poster the background, importance, clinical implications, and barriers to implementation are all discussed

Uber Industry Analysis, Melanie Hernandez

Academic Festival

Uber Technologies, Inc. is a global technology company that has transformed the transportation industry with its ride-hailing platform. Founded in 2009 in San Francisco, Uber connects passengers with drivers of hire vehicles through an easy-to-use mobile app. The company has since expanded its services to include food delivery through Uber Eats, freight transportation via Uber Freight, and even autonomous vehicle development. Operating in hundreds of cities around the world, Uber has changed the way people travel, providing convenience and flexible earning opportunities for drivers.

Agreement Of Body Composition Estimates Using Air Displacement Plethysmography And Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, Ryan Mcgann, Matthew Schafrick

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Strength & Conditioning Training In Optimizing Competitive Rowing Performance, Julia Casubolo

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Physical Activity Among Remote Workers, Afrodite Koulouris, Tyler Settanni

Academic Festival

With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, many individuals are experiencing increased sedentary behavior and decreased physical activity. This shift presents new challenges for maintaining health and wellness, as well as workplace engagement. Our project evaluates a range of programs designed to promote physical activity among remote workers, including virtual group exercise sessions, walking challenges, wellness app incentives, and partnerships offering discounted local gym memberships. By analyzing the effectiveness, accessibility, and sustainability of these initiatives, we aim to identify strategies that not only encourage movement but also foster a stronger sense of community and support within remote workforces. …

Program Development For 18-Year Old Female Targeting Body Recomposition, Anthony Alison, Aidan Connolly, Katie Musser

Academic Festival

Our client, a healthy and motivated 18-year-old, approached us with the goal of reducing body fat while building lean muscle mass, with a particular emphasis on developing upper body strength. She currently maintains a consistent exercise routine, training six days per week, and has expressed a strong interest in more challenging workouts aimed at hypertrophy. Based on her goals and training history, we developed a structured hypertrophy-focused resistance training program, consisting of four days of resistance training complemented by two days of conditioning to support fat loss and improve overall fitness.

The Impact Of Step Challenges On Workplace Wellness, Amanda Larow, Alayna Lovelace, Robert Mcgrath, Veronica Tierney

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Strength Training Program For A Competitive Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Athlete, Marisa Imme

Academic Festival

The strength and conditioning program of an amateur mixed martial arts athlete was followed for 12 weeks at Gold Coast Strength and Conditioning in Norwalk, CT. The observation and analysis began with initial testing, and followed the athlete through his competition phase. This poster highlights sport-specific exercises that are implemented into a training program to optimize characteristics that that enhance MMA performance and help prevent injury. Key aspects of programming such as periodization, exercise selection, and overload and specificity are also featured on this poster.

Case Study: Onset Of Gluten Ataxia In A Senior Patient, Elizabeth Portelli

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

The Expression Pattern Of Α6 And Β4 Integrin Receptor Subunits In Cultured Chick Forebrain Neurons, Jenna Jacinto

Academic Festival

Previous data suggest that a laminin receptor is localized in the axons of chick forebrain neurons mediating the axon-growth promoting properties of laminin. Many heterodimers from the integrin family of proteins have previously been identified as laminin receptors, including the α6β4 heterodimer. We tested the role of β4, β1, and α6 integrins in laminin-induced increases in axonal growth using function blocking antibodies. Axons of neurons grown on laminin treated with β4 integrin function blocking antibodies or α6 integrin function blocking antibodies were significantly shorter compared to untreated cultures or cultures treated with a β1 integrin function-blocking antibody. These data are …

Comparing The Effects Of Elevated Temperatures On Flowering Of A Foundation Species In Natural Versus Restored Marshes, Emma M. Murphy

Academic Festival

Globally, many plants are experiencing elevated temperatures as a result of climate change, which can affect survival, growth, and reproduction and have far-reaching impacts on populations and communities, particularly in plant-dominated ecosystems. In addition, these effects may vary depending on whether a system is composed mainly of a natural population that has existed for decades with minimal human interference versus a restored population that has been created or modified by human activity. Here, we focus on the effects of ambient versus elevated temperatures on the reproduction of Spartina alterniflora, a foundation species in natural versus restored salt marshes, to …

Protein Targeting Of Amyloid Precursor Protein In Cultured Neurons, Julianna Koman, Joseph Tenedine, Benedetto Galluzzo, Mark Jareb Phd

Academic Festival

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) has commonly shown to lead to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease through its cleavage into amyloid-β plaques that aggregate in the brain, causing neurodegeneration. To better understand the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, researching the normal targeting and processing of APP in neurons can reveal many of the processes that lead to the aggregation of senile plaques in the brain. We have expressed a FLAG-tagged human APP construct in cultured embryonic chick forebrain neurons and visualized its distribution using immunocytochemistry and fluorescent microscopy. Initial findings show that APP is expressed in cell body, dendrites, and axons …

Binge Drinking And Depression Symptoms Among Female College Students, Jessica Samuolis, Fallon Gearty, Rachael Johnson, Brayden Wihbey

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

More Than A Sport: The Psychological Demands And Benefits Of Being A Di Equestrian, Nikki Albert, Kayla Destephanis

Academic Festival

This project explores the psychological demands and benefits of being a Division I equestrian athlete at Sacred Heart University. With a year-round season, rigorous training schedule, academic responsibilities, and strong commitment to community service, student-athletes on the team face unique challenges. A survey of current team members (N=24) assessed perceptions of time management, mental wellness, and personal growth. Results reveal that while athletes report elevated stress, pressure to perform, and social sacrifices, they also experience significant personal development, increased self-awareness, and improved teamwork skills. These findings highlight the complex mental landscape of collegiate equestrian athletes and underscore the dual impact …

Service Dogs "Heal": A Service Learning Immersive Experience Raising Puppies For Disabled Teens, Mackenzie Hamilton, Beverly Banerji, Elizabeth Bickett, Jessica Bogucki, Natalia Ferrulli, Julia Parlapiano, Annika Westra, Caroline Campanella, Harley Mae Jimenez

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

You Are What You Eat: Integrative Effects Of Food Supplementation On Native And Invasive Backyard Birds., Alexandria Lovasi, Lena Seerosh

Academic Festival

You are what you eat: Integrative effects of food supplementation on native and invasive backyard birds Alexandria Lovasi, Lena Seerosh, Cassandra Vallon, Vita Pivtorak, Emily J Levy Environmental factors during an organism’s early life can cause dramatic long-term effects. While these early-life effects have long been documented, we lack an integrative and comparative understanding how early-life environments get ‘under the skin’ to affect traits like behavior, morphology, physiology, fitness. Food availability is a particularly interesting early-life factor because all organisms must allocate energy toward the body's many developing systems, and limited energy results in developmental trade-offs. To assess the trade-offs …

Spartina Alterniflora Resilience And Warming Impacts On Long Island Sound Marshes, Christopher Isaac, Latina Steele

Academic Festival

Abstract: Coastal marshes along the Long Island Sound play a clinical role in reducing erosion, mitigating climate change impacts, and sequestering carbon. This study investigates the resilience of Spartina species, crucial to marsh stabilization, by comparing northern, southern, and mixed-source plants under environmental stressors like temperature fluctuations, sea level rise, and nutrient variations. Field experiments have assessed differences in plant height, shoot density, and flowering frequency among these sources. Results have shown that northern plants performed better than southern and mixed populations in key traits relevant to marsh resilience. Northern populations have shown a significantly higher shoot density than both …

Assessing The Effects Of Spatial And Temporal Variation In Sediment Conditioning On Seagrass Seed Germination And Seedling Performance, Mason Tsaglos, Torrie Hanley

Academic Festival

Mason J. Tsaglos1, Forest R. Schenck2, and Torrance C. Hanley1

1Sacred Heart University, Department of Biology, Fairfield, CT

2Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Salem, MA

Seagrass meadows provide numerous ecosystem functions and services, making conservation and restoration of these ecologically-valuable systems a high priority for coastal managers. The global decline of seagrass meadows necessitates finding consistently effective restoration methods. Recently, there has been increased interest in seed-based methods of seagrass restoration. However, these methods have had mixed success, with highly variable outcomes. Relatively little is known about how sediment characteristics, including soil conditioning by seagrasses at different spatial and temporal …

Cannabis Use Risk Levels And Challenges To Changing Use Among College Students, Jessica Samuolis, Alyssa Brady, Sophia Rogers, Rachael Tomanelli, Rachel Wolk

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Is Age Really Just A Number? Finalizing The Ageist Experiences Questionnaire, Ava Bjelka, Lindsay Calise, Francesca Davenport, Sofia Mazzella, Brian Musco

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

The Game From The Ads, Giovanni Michael Orlando

Academic Festival

I created a small video game project to test my skills and creative thinking. I based the game on the barrel shooter mobile game ads from Evony: The King's Return and created the game in Unity 6 using C#.

A Mobile Application Fostering A Green Mindset On Campus - Ecoheart, Bolen Alfreh, Mira C. Poelzer, Tristan A. Palinkas

Academic Festival

With climate change and waste pollution worsening, we aim to foster a greener mindset in communities. EcoHeart is designed for higher education institutions, their staff, faculty, and students, serving as a hub for exploring sustainable options and incentivizing eco-friendly actions. Our application is designed to engage students, faculty, and staff in sustainability, fostering a more sustainable lifestyle, helping guide their consumption decisions, and thus learning how to better take care of the environment around them. The application includes links to articles, an interactive map of the campus, and a QR scanner to identify the user and give rewards where applicable. …

Research Remix, Tommy Kennedy

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Decoding Dolphin Dynamics: Observing Object Play Among Bottlenose Dolphins, Samantha Apostolico, Sophia Pertoso, Samantha Gojcaj, Angelika Falandysza, Diego Salles, Deirdre Yeater, Manon Themelin, Kathleen Dudzinski, Heather Manitzas Hill, Rachel Walker

Academic Festival

Whereas several studies focused on object play in dolphins, few have examined details about observers, i.e., individuals just watching the play event without participating. It has been suggested that calves and juveniles are more likely to observe others engaging in object play, but not enough evidence has been collected. Object play among bottlenose dolphins at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences was documented from 28 sessions recorded underwater. 692 object play events including observers were analyzed, involving 18 dolphins. We expected calf and juvenile dolphins to be the most frequent observers and longer play bouts to attract a greater number …

Rent, Stress, And Student Success In Missoula, Alysa Curry, Halston Witt, Aidan Rasmussen, Sadie Arnold, Tristan Clifford

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This research examines the impact of the rental housing market in Missoula, Montana, on the well-being of undergraduate students at the University of Montana and Missoula College. As rental prices rise and housing options become increasingly limited, students are encountering significant challenges in securing affordable housing. This has a direct effect on their financial stability, mental health, and overall life satisfaction. This study aims to better understand these challenges by surveying students about their current housing situations, financial stress, and mental health concerns. The survey results will provide insights into the specific factors contributing to housing difficulties and their broader …

From Soil To Society: Enhancing Local Food Systems Through Global And Cultural Insights, Lisa Venckus, Wyatt Balius, Madelyn Bouchard, Bryce Hayes, Annie Mclaverty, Rhiannon Morgan, Destiny Santiago, Marley Miller

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This research aims to investigate the extent to which cultural perceptions, ideas, and attitudes influence how individuals interact with their community’s food system and how this relates to sustainable agricultural practices. The overall project stems from the necessity of finding more sustainable solutions to food production in an era defined by large industrial monocultures. The research consists of a series of interviews with experts and stakeholders on sustainable food systems, as well as case studies from Samoa, North America, and Ecuador. Significant themes and patterns will be derived from an analysis of the case studies and interviews. Our research will …