Digital Commons Network^™

Southeast Florida Reef-Wide Post-Irma Coral Disease Surveys, Brian K. Walker

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Reports

Florida’s coral reefs are currently experiencing a multi-year outbreak of coral disease that have resulted in the mortality of millions of corals across southeast Florida, Biscayne National Park, and the Upper and Middle Florida Keys. In early September 2017, Hurricane Irma impacted the entire FRT. The purpose of this project was to conduct field surveys to identify the current state of the coral reefs in southeast Florida and coordinate with other concomitant reef tract efforts to improve the regional understanding of the extent of the disease outbreak and identify recent hurricane injury to direct future restoration. Through a broader partner …

Disclosing An Eating Disorder: A Situational Analysis Of Online Accounts, Emily P. Williams, Shelly Russell-Mayhew, Alana Ireland

The Qualitative Report

Disclosing a mental illness can be difficult, especially for those affected by eating disorders. Individuals impacted by eating disorders often worry that disclosing their situation may lead to fear, judgment, and stigmatization. Online eating disorder communities have become increasingly popular, hosting thousands of users worldwide, and may be safe places for individuals with eating disorders to communicate and connect. In this postmodern study, we utilized situational analysis to examine online accounts on publically accessible websites where individuals discussed disclosing eating disorders. Situational Analysis utilizes illustrative mapping techniques to demonstrate the complexity of the situation of inquiry, allowing researchers to highlight …

Branding Strategies Of A Private International School, Balasubramanian Varadarajan, Timothy Malone Dr.

The Qualitative Report

Demand for international K-12 schools in India is growing, and this is causing competition between them. The purpose of this paper was to explore the branding strategies that private international school leaders in India use to enhance the school brand. Case study method was used where fifteen participants were interviewed from an international school in Southern part of India. Interviews were conducted with five school leaders, five teachers, and five parents using a semi-structured interview method with open-ended questions related to branding strategies. Brand-oriented organizations have internal approaches to developing their brand based on vision, mission, and values. As education …

Black Male Persistence In Spite Of Facing Stereotypes In College: A Phenomenological Exploration, Taylor Benjamin Hardy Boyd, Donald Mitchell Jr.

The Qualitative Report

Stereotypes often create threatening environments for Black males on college campuses. This study sought to break the deficit narrative surrounding Black males in college by highlighting how they persisted despite facing stereotypes. Six participants were included in this study. Through interviews and naturalistic observations, we explored how participants articulated their experiences with stereotypes, how they dealt with those experiences, how the experiences shaped future endeavors, and how they used strategies to dispel stereotypes and persist through threatening experiences. Findings suggest (a) the participants dealt with internalized feelings due to stereotypes; (b) stereotypes were reinforced in various ways; and, (c) they …

Perceptions Of Athletic Identity: A Case Study Of A Niche Club Sport, Alex Traugutt, Jacob Augustin, Rammi Hazzaa

The Qualitative Report

Research on athletic identity has been robust, however, there remains a gap in the literature regarding its perceived impact among collegiate club sport athletes. The subject of the present study was the niche sport of quidditch, a co-ed contact sport that is currently being played at over 200 colleges and universities across the United States. The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of athletic identity among quidditch participants. In addition, it was also of interest to understand the degree to which spectators perceive the athletic identity of the participants and the game of quidditch in general. …

Life During The Biggest Loser: Experiences And Perspectives Of Non-Contestant Romantic Partners, Darren D. Moore, Clinton Cooper, Kai Zwierstra, Toiya Williams

The Qualitative Report

For this study, authors engaged in 9 semi-structured interviews with romantic partners of contestants who were involved with a weight loss intervention (The Biggest Loser), to gain insight into the phenomenon of weight loss within the context of couple relationships and reality television. Utilizing Basic Qualitative Description influenced by aspects of phenomenology, the authors explored the role of weight loss and the role that the specific intervention utilized, has played within the couple relationship. Building upon previous research (Moore, Cooper, Williams, & Zwierstra, 2017a) authors added the voice of the non-contestant partners to the discussion and explored experiences …

The Current Volume 28: Issue 27, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Marker Of Proliferation Ki-67 Expression Is Associated With Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 And Can Predict The Prognosis Of Patients With Hepatic B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Chengkun Yang, Hao Su, Xiwen Liao, Chuangye Han, Tingdong Yu, Guangzhi Zhu, Xiangkun Wang, Cheryl Ann Winkler, Stephen J. O’Brien, Tao Peng

Biology Faculty Articles

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent malignancy of the liver. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) and marker of proliferation Ki-67 (MKI67) regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth. The association between MKI67 and TGFB1 expression and its clinical implications in HCC remain unknown. Methods: Public databases were used to analyze TGFB1 and MKI67 expression in different pathologic grades/stages and tissue types of HCC. The association between MKI67 and TGFB1 expression was explored using pathway analysis and in a HepG2 cell line treated with TGFB1. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of TGFB1 and MKI67 expression in …

The Very Perplexed Stepmother: Step Motherhood And Developing A Healthy Self-Identity, Sonia Cann-Milland, Jane Southcott

The Qualitative Report

This autoethnographic study unpacks Sonia’s experiences as a stepmother. Historically stepmothers are the evil, unkind villains in fairy tales. Most research about stepfamilies has deemed stepmotherhood to be ambiguous and stress-laden. This research explores how becoming a stepmother has impacted her evolving sense of self-identity. To do this we undertook an autoethnographic study of Sonia’s experiences. The use of authoethnographic method supports and challenges personal narrative. We reflected upon the specific situations that caused her to question, alter and sustain a healthy sense of self, so in turn she may create a safe and secure environment that supports healthy and …

#Hadtopostthis: Instagram, Community Building, And Digital Literacies In Freshman Seminar, Janine Morris

CAHSS Faculty Presentations, Proceedings, Lectures, and Symposia

No abstract provided.

Modeling The Conversion Of Normal Protein Prpc Into The Mutated Prpsc In A Prion Disease, Allan Barraza, Hoang (Gwen) Bui

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker (GSS) is a rare, genetically inherited prion disease caused by a mutation in the prion gene (PRNP). Carriers begin to experience GSS symptoms (similar to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's) during their 30s and 40s. While molecular details concerning the progression of GSS remain largely unknown, the altered conformation of the prion could be directly involved in the aggregation of plaques contributing to progression of the disease. In collaboration with the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Center for Biomolecular Modeling - Students Modeling A Research Topic (CBM-SMART) program, we used 3-D modeling and printing technology to examine relationships between this normal …

Bilingualism And Wandering Thoughts: Does Bilingualism Protect Against Mind Wandering?, Maria Morales, Jordana Arauz, Alejandra Quintero, Abraham Yacaman

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Previous research demonstrates that the benefits of speaking two languages extend beyond verbal communication to non-linguistic, executive function (EF) abilities. One component of EF, the ability to inhibit or ignore distracting information, has been shown to be better developed in bilinguals relative to monolinguals. However, little is known whether speaking two languages also enhances the ability to inhibit unwanted or intrusive thoughts. These intrusive thoughts, or mind wandering, have been shown to negatively impact performance on tasks of EF. Thus, the purpose of our study was to compare monolinguals and bilinguals on a self-report measure of mind wandering and performance …

Investigation And Characterization Of Metabolic Rates Of Angiotensin Ii And Associated Bioactive Derivatives In The Renin-Angiotensin System, Chelsea Mathews

Undergraduate Student Symposium

To maintain homeostasis, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) works to regulate the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and neurological systems of the body through activation of both the vasoconstrictive and proliferative arm of ACE/Ang II/AT1R and the vasodilative and antiproliferative arm of ACE- 2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis. To better understand their interaction, the components of the alternate RAS and the classical RAS in the homeostatic systems of the body are researched and analyzed. One of the significant constituents of the classical pathway is the octapeptide hormone angiotensin II (Ang II). It is a major contributor to vasoconstriction and peripheral vascular resistance through the activation of …

Undetected Exoplanet Populations In The Galaxy, Alisha Rickman, Alex Wild

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The observation of stars and their planets in our galaxy have been made significantly easier with the advent of more efficient telescopes in ideal locations lacking light pollution. Exoplanets, however, are still difficult to identify because of the limitations of technology. Thus, a large fraction of exoplanets has not been detected. In this poster, we explore the populations of exoplanets that slip though current observations. We discuss what exoplanets will be discovered by more sensitive telescopes and advances in observation technologies. We describe the properties of these populations and ultimately show how common these exoplanets are.

Women – Filmed, Rarely Filming, Devon Frazier

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Behind the camera, the Hollywood of today is predominantly male, despite a growing number of women filmmakers in all aspects of the industry. Many capable women filmmakers are marginalized and often confined to making independent films and working in television and streaming media. This sexist bias limits creativity, and the variety of stories that could come out of Hollywood, which in turns robs viewers of varied and fresh storytelling on film.

By exploring the role of women in the Hollywood film industry from its infancy to the present, and highlighting the work of three contemporary directors—Kathryn Bigelow, Sofia Coppola, and …

The Shortage Of Affordable Workforce Housing, Natalie Ramirez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This research involves an investigation into the shortage of affordable workforce housing in the United States. While the workforce continues to grow, housing development has not kept up for households inthe middle quintiles of their area’s median income, or AMI. Affordability and distance from work arethe main factors the workforce considers important in deciding where to live. The affordable workforce housing shortage is clearly an economic and political issue. Supply and demand dynamics drive up the price of land where it is most sought after, and yet creative solutions exist to offset the increased demand of the workforce. Various government …

The Relationship Between The Actn3 Genotype And Measures Of Stress, Exercise Performance And Body Composition, Sarah Knafo, Anya Ellerbroerk, Leonel Vargas

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the expression of the ACTN3 gene (RR homozygous or RX heterozygous) and measures of stress, performance (i.e., bench press strength and endurance), and body composition. Strength was determined via a 1-RM (one- repetition maximum) for the bench press, and muscular endurance was determined by the number of repetitions to failure that were performed on the bench press at 60% of 1-RM. Body composition was assessed via a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). One hundred and five subjects completed the study ([mean ± SEM]: body weight: R/- group: 73.8 ± 1.7 …

The Hottest Fashion To Conquer College, David Naranjo

Undergraduate Student Symposium

“The Hottest Fashion to Conquer College” is a short film in which the protagonist gets ready for his firstday of class and doesn’t know what to wear. He wishes he had a fashion “guru” to help find the perfect outfit. Out of nowhere, two fashion “gurus” come out and help him pick outfits. However, instead ofserious outfits for the occasion, they tell the protagonist crazy/dumb outfit tips for the situation (e.g., wearing a sports jacket with a shirt cut in half and calling it business casual). However, they realize that they did not make any fashion choices for women, after …

The Effects Of Growth Rate On Antibiotic Resistance In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Laura Enzinna

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis. The overuse of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections has led to rapid pathogen adaptation, which has resulted in reduced treatment efficacy. This, in turn, can lead to adverse consequences such as prolonging the duration and expense of a patient’s hospital stay,infecting immunocompromised individuals leading to further health complications, and increasing the occurrence and severity of side effects due to necessitated use of higher doses of medications. One opportunistic pathogen that has shown increased resistance to several antibiotics is the biofilm forming bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In order to grow, and resist antibiotics, P. aeruginosa …

The Balance Of Public And Private Benefits Determines Sensitivity To Catastrophic Population Collapse In A Microbial Volunteer’S Dilemma, Aimee Doiron, Rodrigo Muzquiz, Tom Abraham

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cooperation plays important roles in bacteria, plant, animal, and human ecosystems. Cheaters, who garner public benefits without paying the associated costs, often outcompete cooperators. One mechanism of cooperation is the production of a public good. This seems evolutionarily unstable, because cooperation tends to decrease the fitness of the individual, while promoting the fitness of cheaters. However, cooperation can persist even in the presence of cheaters, as long as a private benefit is retained by the cooperator. While theoretical and experimental studies have examined the use of public goods in cooperation, research has yet to determine how the ratio of public …

Synthesis Of Mof-Templated Mixed-Metal Oxides For Catalytic Carbon Monoxide Oxidation, Jake Bence

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF) are highly crystalline, porous coordination polymers formed from metal nodes connected by organic bridging ligands. Recently, a cerium-based MOF, UiO-67, was utilized as a sacrificial template for synthesizing novel CuO/CeO2 catalysts through pyrolysis under air, as the support in a metal oxide catalyst is known to dramatically influence the performance. In this work, we attempted the solvothermal synthesis of a mixed-metal hafnium/cerium UiO-67 to create mixed hafnium-oxide/cerium-oxide materials as a metal oxide support for catalytic carbon monoxide oxidation. X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns support that (Hf) UiO-67 was synthesized with phase purity. XRPD patterns of the …

Performance Evaluation Of Inferior Vena Cava Filters, Felipe Souza

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of death and morbidity in the world. Conventional treatments for embolisms include anti-coagulant drugs (Warfarin® or Heparin®), clot anti-thrombotic therapy (streptokinase®), bypass surgery, and thrombo-aspiration. In cases where the patient shows contraindication, failure or complication to anticoagulation drugs, the patient usually receives an inferior vena cava filter (IVCF). Despite its increase in popularity, complete and exhaustive blood flow analysis need to be performed for scenarios that can lead to IVCFs failure. Such scenarios include basket over- filling and filter tilting, among others. This study was conducted to analyze the average blood flow velocity, …

Porphyrin Tautomerization For The 5,15-Dibromo-10,20-Diphenylporphine And 5 Bromo-10,15,20- Triphenylporphine Using Vt H1nmr, Anthony Sangermano

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Variable-temperature proton NMR spectroscopy, as well as theoretical studies, will be used to compare the reported free energy of activation value of the tetra phenyl porphyrin (12.2 kcal/mol), the 5, 15 phenyls substituted porphyrin with an in-plane distortion (11.6 kcal/mol) with the 5,15-dibromo-10,20- diphenylporphine and 5 bromo-10,15,20-triphenylporphine. The experimental determination of tautomerization using VT H1NMR of both porphyrins is to be compared to the molecular modeling analysis of the porphyrin structure using MM+.

Pufferfish Corallivory On The Massive Coral Porites Lobate In The Galapagos Islands, Morgan Will

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Arothron meleagris is an obligate corallivorous pufferfish that scrapes tissue off the coral skeleton with its parrot-like beak. It is a common member of coral communities in the Galápagos Islands where it predominantly feeds on zooxanthellate scleractinian corals. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between frequency of Arothron meleagris bite marks and location on ridged vs. smooth portions of massive Porites lobata colonies. Differences may then be related to greater feeding efficiency. Images of coral colonies that have A. meleagris bites were taken off of Darwin Island, Galápagos, Ecuador in 2012. These images …

Screening For Type Iii Secretion System Inhibitors, Samir Nacer, Michael Mcdonough

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Commonly used antibiotics are becoming less effective since overuse creates a selective pressure forbacteria to become resistant, leading to the formation of “super bugs”. Some of these pathogenicbacteria include E. coli, Salmonella, Chlamydia and Yersinia species. These species utilize a type III secretion system (T3SS), which are needle-like structures on their surface used to inject host cells with toxins to evade our immune system and cause infection. The goal of this research was to screen for antimicrobials produced by soil bacteria that may target T3SSs. Many species of bacteria found in soil produce antimicrobials to compete for nutrients and space. …

A Search For Type Iii Secretion System Inhibitors Produced By Soil Bacteria, Miguel Portales Guemes

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Due to the misuse of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria have become prevalent in modern day. To circumvent this, instead of directly affecting bacterial growth with antibiotics, the virulence factors can be targeted. Type III secretion system (T3SS) pathogens exude toxins through needle-like protrusions found on their cell membrane. If the secretion of these toxins is inhibited, then the severity of the illness will be reduced. The purpose of this research is to find a T3SS inhibitor for pathogens through the analysis of soil bacteria. While T3SS pathogens are known to target humans, many are soil-dwelling plant pathogens. By studying the …

Investigating The Anti-Parasitic Veterinary Drug, Imizol, And Its Potential Use For Treatment Of Bacterial Infections, Michael Mcdonough

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Imizol is a veterinary drug used to treat protozoan, mainly Babesia spp., parasitic infections found in both horses and dogs. The active ingredient in this medicine is imidocarb dipropionate. This compound has traditionally been used in the veterinary field for treating parasitic infections; however, it has also been shown to inhibit the Yersinia pestis type III secretion system (T3SS) and therefore may have a dual-purpose as an antibacterial drug. T3SSs are found in several pathogenic bacteria and function as adefense against the host’s immune response. Although dipropionate is a known T3SS inhibitor, the exactmechanism it uses to inhibit the T3SS …

Impact Of Mdm2 Oncogene On Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition And Metastasis Of Prostate Cancer Cells, Simran Agarwal, Deepthi Gangaram, Priya Dondapati

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) gene containing E3 ubiquitin ligase is overexpressed in nearly 40- 80% of late-stage metastatic cancers. MDM2 acts as a negative regulator of p53 by inhibiting its transcriptional activation and inducing proteasomal degradation by ubiquitination. Hence, MDM2 overexpression is often associated with increased Tumor Angiogenesis, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), drug resistance, and aggressiveness. EMT is a morphologic cellular program simply defined as the phenotypic transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal state, including gain of invasive and migratory properties, and thus, is critical for the conversion of early-stage tumors into metastatic malignancies. The primary focus …

Identifying Neuronal Damage Biomarkers In Bortezomib-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (Bipn), Vineela Nagamalla, Jay Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer of plasma cells. Bortezomib (BTZ) is a proteasome complex inhibitor commonly used as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat multiple myeloma patients. However, it also known to cause a dose-limiting toxicity known as BTZ-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN). The aim of this study is to determine the BTZ-induced neuronal damage, identifying biomarkers of neurotoxicity, and testing novel strategies for its prevention or reversal. In our preliminary studies, we utilized PC12 cells as the in vitro neuronal model. These studies included culturing and differentiating PC12 cells using nerve growth factor (NGF) at 100 ng/ml …

Examining The Effects Of Blue Light On Melatonin, Mood, And Neurobehavioral Performance, Reaghan May

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The pineal hormone melatonin can become dysregulated with evening light exposure and changes in sleep/wake behavior. Dysregulated melatonin is associated with impaired mood and cognitive performance. This study examines the effects of modifying short-wavelength (blue) light exposure on evening melatonin levels, sleep disturbances and self-reported mood. To that end, we are testing the effect of blocking blue light during the evening on salivary melatonin, sleep quality, cognitive performance, and mood. Participants undergo one control and one experimental condition involving the use of filtered glasses to attenuate blue wavelength light using a repeated measures, randomized crossover design. The control and experimental …