Digital Commons Network^™

The Influence Of A Serotonin 2a Receptor Gene (Htr2a) On Stress Responsivity, Akshay Naraine

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A single nucleotide polymorphism on the serotonin 2A receptor gene HTR2A (rs6313) alters neurological functions. Previous research has shown that the “A” allele carriers are at greater risk for increased stress responsivity. It is currently uncertain the extent to which rs6313 affects physiological and psychological responses. To address this uncertainty, we carried out a study with the hypothesis that “A” allele carriers on the serotonin 2A receptor gene would have increased physiological and psychological stress responsivity. The groups did not differ on any self-report measures of anxiety or sensation seeking. There was no difference between the groups on cortisol before …

The Psychological And Physiological Implications Of Sleep Restriction: A Comparison Of Voluntary And Experimental Sleep Restriction Groups, Sri Moturu, Kevin Douglas, Kaylin Huitsing

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sleep restriction (SR) has profound adverse effects on health and wellbeing; however, it is not clear if there are differential effects of chronic and voluntary SR vs. short-term and involuntary SR. In order to examine this possibility, we tested the extent to which psychological and physical health measures were influenced by a group of participants who voluntarily restricted their sleep (VSR) relative to participants who underwent 7 days of experimental sleep restriction (ESR). We tested a female-specific population since sleep complaints in women are particularly associated with impaired psychological functioning. Upon study enrollment, sleep group categorization (ESR vs. VSR) was …

Continuous Dependence And Differentiating Solutions Of A Second Order Boundary Value Problem With An Average Value Condition, Samantha Major, Kaitlyn Seabrook

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Using a few conditions, continuous dependence, and a result regarding smoothness of initial conditions, we show that derivatives of solutions to the second order boundary value problem y''=f (x, y, y'), a < x < b, y (x₁) = y₁, 1 d-c ∫ _c ^d y(x)dx = y₂, a < x₁ < c < d < b, y₁, y₂ ∈ ℝ with respect to each of the boundary data x₁, y₁, y₂, c, d solve the associated variational equation with interesting boundary conditions. Of note is the second bundary condition with an average value condition.

Me/Cfs Genes Study: Creating A De-Identified Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Genomic Database And Analyzing Snps Frequency Trends For Potential Diagnostic Biomarker Establishment, Melanie Perez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease with unknown causes. It is known that Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) play an important role in gene expression. Changes to that can manifest as phenotypic changes. Prior to this ongoing study, there existed no known databases of SNPs in patients diagnosed with ME/CFS.

Our objectives are to create and continually update a novel database of SNPs that are specific for ME/ CFS patients, and to identify the relative frequency in our cohort of specific SNPs warranting further

A genetic database was created on-site through the use of a secure user-friendly online …

Catfish Get Caught And Punished: Dating Profile "Cheaters" And Mate Value Ratings, Gianpaolo Stasi, Mariana Brinkerhoff, Danielle Sampson, Widline Nordelus

Undergraduate Student Symposium

People who break social rules by trying to take more than their fair share are often singled out and punished by those around them. Although this phenomenon has been studied across a wide range of human behaviors, it has not yet been investigated in one situation in which people are consistently trying to “get more than they deserve”: dating. This study tested the extent to which people may punish those potential romantic partners who falsely present themselves as valuable mates. Participants completed a task in which they (1) read a fictitious online dating profile that described a person as having …

Colleges Must Require A Diversity Course, Nadia A. Siddiqi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

It has been over half a century since the Civil Rights Act was passed into law, however, prejudice and discrimination rooted in race, color, religion, sex or national origin is still prevalent in our society today. In fact, hate crimes, motivated entirely or partly by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity, increased 6% between 2014 and 2015. Implementing a diversity course requirement for all undergraduate college students nationwide would help to combat this outbreak of hatred in the country by fostering graduates who are better equipped to understand the perspectives of …

Differences In Jump Height And Reactice Strength Index-Modified In Dancers And Non-Dancers Performing The Vertical Jump From Two Positions, Sarah Hutcher

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The vertical jump (VJ), the gold standard for assessing leg power, is most commonly performed from a squat stance (SS). However, dancers often initiate jumps/leaps from a plié, externally rotated from the hip or "turned out" (TO). Testing dancers from a SS may not indicate activity specific power. This study's purpose was to determine differences in jump height and leg explosiveness, as measured by reactive strength index-modified (RSI-mod) when performed from TO and SS positions in dancers and non-dancers. Thus far, five healthy participants who are physically active at least ten hours/week have been studied; three dancers, having at least …

Does Stress Hurt Everyone? Individual Differences In Susceptability To Psychosocial Stressors, Lauren Gispert, Alyssa Boltson, Samantha Rodriguez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Despite the critical role working memory plays in controlling attention, when people experience negative or stressful life events working memory task performance is impaired (Klein & Boals, 2001). Further, daily variation in stress corresponds to variation in working memory performance (Sliwinksi, Smyth, Hofer, & Stawski, 2006). In contrast to robust findings that stress impairs working memory, recent evidence suggests there are individual differences in susceptibility to stress manipulations (Plieger, et al., 2016). To examine this, the current study randomly assigned one hundred NSU undergraduates to either a speech or control condition. Participants in the speech condition gave a threeminute speech …

Examining The Stress-Gut Microbiome Interface In A Human Population, Eileen Davidson, Reaghan May, Sarah Lyle

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Diverse symbiotic microbial communities are harbored on and within most eukaryotic host organisms, including humans as “microbiomes”. The human gut microbiome represents one of the best-studied microbial communities in nature. Recent research on the gut has indicated that the microbiome can influence human behavior, metabolism, and disease states. However, it currently remains unclear as to how the diversity in the gut microbiome may affect stress. To address this open question, we sought to sample gut microbiome from two populations of participants: stressed and non-stressed males. Neurobehavioral measures of emotion processing and cognition were assessed through the NIH Toolbox platform and …

How Peripheral Substitutions Affect Porphyrin Basicity, Alfredo Lam, Fady Guigati

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Using H₂TPP as a central reference, a set of proton competition studies of free base octa alkyl and meso substituted porphyrins were carried out. The H₂TPP was selected since it has a large absorption for dication at 650 nm. The octa alkyl substituted porphyrins used in this study were H₂OEP, H₂OMP and H₂etiol; selected because they are a good representation of natural occurring porphyrins. H₂TPP, H₂TBPP, H₂DPP, and H₂TTFMPP, using different arrangements on substitution, where also investigated to further study their meso …

Impact Of Mdm2 On The Expression Level Of Xiap On Various Cancer Cell Lines, Kyle Bolston, Christopher Garcia

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Transcription of the mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) gene is amplified during cancer development and continues through disease progression. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)- MDM2 heterodimerization occurs when XIAP binds to the RING domain of the MDM2. This interaction is a pro-cancerous mechanism, which counteracts the cellular stress caused by cancer therapy, and plays a significant role in the stabilization of MDM2 and related functions. Additionally, XIAP inhibits the pro-apoptotic proteins caspase 3, 7 and 9; which are key factors in intrinsic cellular apoptosis. The objective of the study is to test the effect of MDM2 inhibitor RG7388 …

Isolation And Characterization Of Antibiotic Producing Bacteria From Storm Water Treatment Areas, Kayla Catellanos-Bristol, Taura Khorramshahi, Anupsinh Chauhan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

With the diminishing supply for new antibiotic drugs to fight the rising number of infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens, a novel program called the Small World Initiative (SWI) was developed. SWI is a collaborative research effort that combines scientific education with research. The research is performed by undergraduate students from select Universities throughout the world. The majority of antibiotics in current use originate from soil dwelling bacteria; thus, discovery of new antibiotics produced by soil microbes is used as a scientific driver to combat the antibiotic crisis. Microorganisms present in soils should change with the concentrations of nutrients found in …

Low Vision Patients' And Providers' Satisfaction With Telerehabilitation, Alisha Trivedi, Tony Succar, Pat Yoshinaga, Angie Bowers, John Shepherd, Nicole C. Ross

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Purpose: A recent systematic review found no publications with results on the topic of telerehabilitation for low vision (LV). Our goal was to develop and evaluate components to deliver LV telerehabilitation services. Methods: Three LV providers conducted telerehabilitation sessions from their office with eight visually-impaired adults in their homes. Subjects received a hand-held magnification device for reading, and self-reported difficulty with returning for a follow-up at their provider's office. We obtained providers’ ratings for the use of hardware devices (i.e., iPad and Android tablets) and commercially available, HIPAA compliant, secure videoconference software (zoom.us) during telerehabilitation sessions at which subjects received …

Quantification Of Metals In The Shells Of The Eastern Oyster, Crassotrea Virginica, Utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Swati Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20, 2010 resulted in the largest marine oil spill recorded in U.S. history. Consequently, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife were affected adversely. The purpose of this study was to analyze the level of metals in the shells of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Bivalves are suitable indicators of the surrounding ecosystem because they are sessile suspension feeders and are known to accumulate both organic and inorganic materials in their shells and tissues. Hence oysters are suitable indicators of the presence of contaminants in the food web. Analyses were performed on …

Sargassum-Associated Fish Communities Are Stable Over Time And Feature Low Levels Of Parasitism, Kelsey Fox

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sargassum mats are common features of South Florida coastlines. Consisting of pelagically drifting clumps of brown algae (usually of the genus Sargassum), these mats are critical nursery habitat for many fish species, providing surface shelter in otherwise exposed open ocean areas. However, the ecology of Sargassum mat communities remains unstudied. This project addressed two key knowledge gaps. First, the long term stability of Sargassum community structure was assessed in samples collected over an 8-year period. Overall 9 fish species were collected (N=150). Individual Sargassum mats typically harbored 2.6 ± 0.7 fish species which were equally abundant in any given …

Senior Year - Nsu Women's Soccer, Monica Orteu

Undergraduate Student Symposium

“SENIOR YEAR - NSU Women's Soccer” is a short documentary about the journey of three senior student-athletes, concretely from the NSU Women’s Soccer team. The film is directed by Monica Orteu. The interviewees are Gabriela Alfaro, Sidney Franko, and Nichole Poppe.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Tris(4,4-Dichloro-2,2-Bipyridine) Ruthenium (Ii), Jake Bence

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A new ruthenium (II) [Ru(4,4-dichloro-2,2-bipy)₃Cl₂ complex has been synthesized using a new procedural method. The complex was characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-Vis. After purification through column chromatography with alumnia, the percent yield was 60.39%. Electrochemistry data confirmed the presence of Ruthenium-bipyridine bonds, very similar to electrochemical data of [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂. The quantum yield of the [Ru(4,4-dichloro-2,2-bipy)₃Cl₂ complex was calculated after comparing with calibrated standards. This complex will be used to improve the photosensitizing properties of the complex by adding auxiliary ligands to the chlorinated bipyridine group.

The Effect Of Sucralose On The Inhibition Of Three Bacteria Species That Inhabit The Human Gut, Kristi Njaravelil, Avidor Gerstenfeld

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this experiment is to examine the proposed bacteriostatic (growth-inhibition) effect of sucralose, a minimally metabolized, non-nutritive, and non-caloric sweetener on three species of bacteria commonly found in the human gut. Sucralose has been shown to inhibit the growth of environmental bacteria likely due to the inhibition of the invertase enzyme, which is involved in the breakdown of sucrose. This study attempts to replicate this finding with bacterial species associated with the human gut microbiome and to test if the bacteria are still susceptible to growth inhibition by sucralose while in a monosaccharide rich environment, such as with …

Whey Versus Casein Protein Supplementation On Body Composition And Resting Metabolic Rate, Kristain Mejia

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Research shows the benefits of Whey Isolate Protein Powder (Whey) and Casein Protein Poweder (Casein) supplementation in regards to body composition and resting metabolic rate; however, minimal research exists comparing Whey to Casein supplementation. Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to compare Whey versus Casein supplementation. Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to compare Whey versus Casein in regard to body composition and resting metabolic rate. Methods: 12 physically trained, healthy individuals (22±4.1 yrs.; 8 males; 4 females) completed a randomized two condition [Combat 100% Isolate (Whey) versus Combat 100% (Casein) intervention. The intervention consisted of …

Zooplankton Community Productivity Determined Through Stable Isotope Analysis, Paul Katz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Zooplankton samples were collected from five stations off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fl, between approximately 8 and 18 km offshore over a one year period in 2007. Zooplankton were sorted taxonomically for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis. This study shows evidence that a shift in zooplankton diet takes place throughout the year, from lipid rich diatoms to lipid poor dinoflagellates. Additionally, the stable isotope ratios reveal fluctuations in productivity that we have used to trace distinct water masses and meteorlogic conditions. These are the first data of their kind that have used stable isotopes ratios of zooplankton to …

Quantification Of Metals In The Shells Of The Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica, Utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Swati Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20, 2010 resulted in the largest marine oil spill recorded in U.S. history. Consequently, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife were affected adversely. The purpose of this study was to analyze the level of metals in the shells of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Bivalves are suitable indicators of the surrounding ecosystem because they are sessile suspension feeders and are known to accumulate both organic and inorganic materials in their shells and tissues. Hence oysters are suitable indicators of the presence of contaminants in the food web. Analyses were performed on tissue …

Behavioral Response Of Small Everglades Fish To Hydrological Variation, Predator Cues, And Parasites, Stacey Spadafore, Domenique Olesen

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Small fish are important to the Everglades ecosystem as primary and secondary consumers and as a food source for higher trophic levels. In short-hydroperiod wetlands, these fish must migrate to refuge areas or risk stranding, and have been observed to rapidly recolonize during the wet season. The goals of this study are to understand what influences annual migrations to and from short-hydroperiod wetlands. We aim to link individual variation in behavior to population-level movement. We specifically tested whether the willingness of fish to explore and move through unknown environments varied among species, with hydrological season, wetland hydroperiod, or parasite load). …

The Effects Of Video Gaming With A Brain-Computer Interface On Mood And Stress, Francisco Javier Carrera Arias

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Previous research has shown that video game playing can alter psychological processing. Noninvasive, but cognitively challenging, video games (e.g. Tetris) have been shown to reduce intrusive memories following a traumatic event. This application has been thought of as a “cognitive vaccine” wherein the limited processing resources following a traumatic event are redistributed to the video game task. Emerging video game apparatuses include brain-computer interfaces (BCI’s) where scalp-recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) data are used to control different aspects of the game. It is possible that BCI-driven video games can serve as a useful addition to video game “cognitive vaccine” treatment following emotional …

Academic And Emotional Intelligence In First Year College Students: A Research Proposal, Izabella Bass Klicsu, Victoria Biddle

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The relationship between academic intelligence and emotional intelligence (EI) is essential for the success of first year college students. This research proposal reviews the literature on the teaching and learning of students in first year seminar type courses. Goleman’s (2001) 2x2 emotional competencies model of EI predicts recognition and regulation of self and other. The ability to recognize and regulate one’s emotions enhances student’s academic performance. The main purpose of the research study is to generate hypotheses about the measurement of emotional intelligence as it complements GPA.

Biomechanics Differ Between Highest And Lowest Race Finishing Places Of Collegiate Distance Runners: A Case Analysis, Natalie Bedell, Victoria Rushia, Shivani Wood

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Faulty running biomechanics have been associated with injury, yet their role in performance in poorly understood. We sought to determine if gait and functional movement mechanics could differentiate between high and low performing distance runners. Three top and three bottom place finishers from a men's university cross-country team were studied, [(top; 22.7±2.9 yrs, 63.0±4.0 kg, 1.73±0.04 m) (bottom; 19.7±4.6 yrs, 62.8±6.0 kg, 1.71±0.07 m)]. They were identified by reviewing six NCAA races for consistent performance in Fall 2016, and represent six of 11 team members. Participants underwent a 3D analysis using a camcorder and 10-camera motion capture system while running …

Case Studies: Developing A Cost-Effective Approach To Treating Hiv In Africa, Afrin Naz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this research is to investigate the cost-effectiveness of government-subsidized HIV intervention programs and its effects upon the labor force in Africa. This study will discuss how Africa became one of the densest regions in the world to fall victim to HIV/AIDS along with a discussion on the present framework of intervention programs and treatments and their shortcomings. One of the largest government-subsidized programs is the antiretroviral therapy (ART) offered to those who have already contracted HIV/AIDS. The ART treatment will be assessed as to how cost-effective it is and whether the incidence rate has truly fallen enough …

Comparison Of Porifera Bacterial Symbiont Community Profiles Based On Species And Source Template, Celeste Banfill

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sponges exhibit complex, species-specific microbial symbioses. The role of symbiont communities, known as “microbiomes”, to create a “holobiont” with their host is not fully understood. Microbiomes can be characterized by sequencing 16S rRNA fragments from total community genomic DNA (gDNA). The purpose of this study is to sequence bacterial rRNA from previously isolated cDNA (complementary DNA synthesized from RNA samples) and compare the profiles to gDNA. The samples were derived from the Porifera Tree of Life (PorTol.org). I hypothesize that microbial profiles derived from gDNA templates will be nearly identical to those found in cDNA of the same sponge species. …

Cytotoxic Effect Of Iphinoe: A Marine Natural Product On Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, Simran Agarwal, Deepthi Gangaram

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among men in the United States. It is estimated that one in every three men will develop prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, among them one in six will progress to carcinoma of the prostate. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are commonly sought-after treatments for prostate cancer. However, recently there has been a growing number of discoveries reported in favor of the chemopreventative abilities of natural products. Therefore, the primary focus of this study was to determine the cytotoxic effect of Iphinoe extract (IE) from marine cyanobacteria, on LNCaP prostate cancer cells. …

Frozen Brain Atlas: Individualized Brain Mapping For Research And Education, Marlin Mathew

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Frozen Brain Atlas provides students, educators, and scientists with a tool to further explore the architecture of the brain. Current brain atlases allow users to navigate sectioned brain tissue using histological staining; however, they fail to capture naturally visible fiber tract structures post sectioning. Through immediate post sectioning image collection, the natural contrast of the brain reveals unique structural details that are rarely seen by traditional staining procedures. The Frozen Brain Atlas project creates a user friendly online interactive brain atlas available to the public as a teaching tool, along with researchers as a source for reference. The project …

Improving Functional Movement Patterns Reduces Pathomechanics In Competitive Distance Runners, Shivani Wood, Victoria Rushia, Natalie Bedell

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Running related injuries are linked to faulty running biomechanics such as excessive hip adduction (HADD), hip internal rotation (HIR), knee valgus (KVAL), and contralateral pelvis drop (CPD). Functional movement pattern (FMP) training is a novel intervention used by clinicians to correct underlying FMPs (stepping, squatting) with the aim of affecting more sport specific mechanics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week FMP corrective program to reduce pathomechanics in six runners with dysfunctional FMPs. We used paired t-tests to evaluate changes in peak motion in degrees for HADD, HIR, KVAL, and CPD; and total Functional …