Digital Commons Network^™

"Green Gasoline" - Biofuels From Sugar, A Sweet Idea, Megan Christopher, Sagir Patel, Case Warshall

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Biofuels are fuels made from agricultural sources offering a viable and earth-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, such as petroleum. The use of sugar and its products to produce "green gasoline" – biofuels to replace fossil fuels, is being investigated. Recent research has sought to advance the production of biofuels for use as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. An explanation of the chemical and biological processes used to convert sugars into biofuels, and a review of the most current research seeking to advance the field, is presented.

Establishing A Control Of Gene Expression In Yeast Exposed To A Standard Environment As A Comparison To Yeast Exposed To Flu Vaccine With And Without Thimerosal, Christie Rubio

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker‘s yeast) was assessed using microarray technology. After growing the yeast in standard conditions (YEPD media), the total RNA was extracted using the Ambion RiboPure Yeast Kit. The quality and quantity of the RNA was assessed using gel electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometry. Next, mRNA (approximately 1% of the total RNA) was isolated using reverse transcription reactions. cDNA was made from the mRNA by amplifying a gene that should always be expressed (TDHI) using Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Several key genes that are hypothesized to be affected by thimerosal in vaccines were also tested …

Bohemian Classicism: An Analysis And Performance Of Jiri Georg Benda’S Piano Sonatina In A Minor, Michelle Mi-Le Kim

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The piano sonatinas of Bohemian composer Jiri Georg Benda occupy animportant place in Benda‘s compositional output. This poster will explore theessential parts of sonatina form and include an analysis that shows the unique way in which Benda‘s sonatina in A minor exemplifies the form. This presentation willinclude a recording of the author‘s performance of the piece as informed by her theoretical analysis.

Trashing The Past: Butch And Femme Labels In The Lesbian Community, Nicole Donia

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Since the 1970‘s, there has been an ongoing argument within the lesbian community over whether the genders butch and femme should be rejected or embraced. Some lesbian feminists and now queer theorists have gone to great lengths to convince lesbians to reject the labels of butch and femme. They claim that lesbians of the past were forced into these gender roles because of the necessity to conform to a heterosexist society. On the other hand, scholars of gay and lesbian cultural studies oppose the rejection of these genders based on the importance they have played in lesbian history. After a …

The Impact Of Emotional Stress On Raynaud’S Disease, Kara Faso

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Raynaud's Disease is a condition that causes blood vessels to constrict resulting indiscomfort in and discoloration of the hands and feet. Raynaud's Disease can occur inboth a primary and secondary form. The primary form is idiopathic while the secondaryform is comorbid with a second disease and is often classified as 'Raynaud's Phenomenon'. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) mediates the vasoconstrictive responses to cold exposure and also emotional stress. In fact, the symptoms of Raynaud's Disease are often exaggerated during periods of emotional stress. However, the impact of emotional stress on the development and instances of Raynaud's Disease is not well …

Modeling Health Care Data Using Regression Analysis, Giovanna Revano, Diana Jablansky

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In this presentation, we use a multiple regression analysis technique to build a regression model to predict body mass index (BMI) for a person given some predictors like age, height, weight, waist, gender, etc. Data from the U.S department of health and human services, national center for health statistics, third national health and nutrition examination survey will be used to build the regression model. We will use the method of least squares to fit the data and get estimates of the parameters. Predictors will be tested for significance, model assumptions will be checked, and model diagnostics will be used to …

Math And Politics: Analyzing Political Polling In 2008, Kelly Koziol

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Political polling was a hot topic in 2008 with an extended presidential primary election season and a historical presidential election in November. This research examines the quality of political polling during the presidential primary election season in an effort to predict which political polls would be most accurate in the general presidential election. This analysis was done using thousands of political polls from across the United States that were released to the public from a variety of sources. The statewide primary election polls themselves differed in a variety of ways and the data was stratified by many factors including: which …

Making The Nsu Film Symposium, Philip Ortiz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

"Making the NSU Film Symposium" is a short documentary film about the students who participate in the production of short films. This documentary is directed by Philip Ortiz. Other crew members include Adam Walters, Michael McGregor, and Japheth Pizarro. This documentary will feature interviews with past and present student participants in the NSU Film Symposium. There will also be short clips from instructional workshop presentations.

Effects Of Periodic Acceleration (Pgz) On Cardiovascular Health, Sam Aminov

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Heart disease is among the leading killers of both men and women in the United States. Periodic acceleration (pGz) is a promising non-invasive treatment that induces the expr ess io n o f mult ip le ca rd iop rotec t ive med ia tors t hat funct io n i n myocard ia l preservation, ischemia and reperfusion, and post-ischemic injuries. In this literature review the expression of nitric oxide synthase in endomyocardium and the implications of periodic acceleration on overall cardiovascular health were examined. Periodic acceleration increases pulsatile sheer stress on the vascular endothelium leading to the release …

Avulsion Fracture Of The Medial Epicondyle Of The Humerus And Ulnar Nerve Neurolysis In A Male Soccer Player—A Case Study, Meagan Taylor

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to educate the sports medicine community about serious orthopedic injuries that occur to non-dominant areas of the body that are not required for the athlete to compete in that sport. The knowledge and preparedness to handle a wide variety of injuries allows the sports medicine professional to provide a higher standard of care.

Background: A 15 year old male soccer player jumps up for a ball, collides with a fellow player, and falls down catching himself on his left elbow. He has been playing soccer for 5 years on club teams and …

Examination Stress Can Enhance Long Term Memory Performance, Randy Denis, Kara Faso

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The literature is currently unclear regarding the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation during examination periods. In addition, it is uncertain if a potential increase in cortisol influences memory processes during an academic examination. Here, we seek to better understand the complex relationship between examination stress and memory by testing both short-term and long-term memory 3 weeks prior to an examination period and then 15 minutes prior to an examination. We also assessed subjective measures of stress through self- report assessment of stress and physiological measures of stress through salivary cortisol levels during both periods. We found that participants reported to be …

Dna Fingerprinting And Whole Genome Replication For The Identification Of Bacteria, Justin Piacentino, Shilpa Kailas

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Prokaryotes are typically clonal in nature due to their rapid reproduction by binary fission, but some molecular genetics methods exist to differentiate various bacterial species. In this experiment, common bacteria were grown in nutrient broth before their DNA was extracted. Repetitive DNA sequences that are universal to a variety of bacteria were then targeted in the polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR) using ERIC primers.The bacterial DNA was then quantified using gel electrophoresis to form a ―fingerprint‖of distinct bands for each bacterial species. The Repli-g procedure was then performed to amplify the amount of DNA going into the REP-PCR replication, while testing …

A Study Of New Porous Molecular Frameworks And Their Adsorption And Desorption Properties, Sam Aminov, Jennifer Tejada

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Metal-organic Frameworks (MOF‘s) are porous materials comprised of organic buildingblocks bound to metal atoms. These compounds are finding applications in various fields of study including gas absorption, catalysis of specific reactions, and in drug delivery among others. Our emphasis has been placed on synthesizing and characterizing new frameworks with the use of bisl(arylimino)isoindolines (BAII‘s) as building blocks. Oneof these, NBAII(CuOAc), produced by reaction of NBAII with copper acetate, was analyzed for small molecular absorption and desorption. This particular framework was successful in the absorption of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform but failed to absorb pentane and toluene, while other organic solvents …

Acid Rain: Adversity On Atmospheric Carbon, Andrew Lister, Hannah Bromberg, Kayla Mancuso

Undergraduate Student Symposium

―Acid Rain is the deposition of wet and dry acidic pollutants that have been shown tocause damage to the environment. Dissolved atmospheric carbon dioxide in clouds and rain undergoes a chemical reaction with water to form carbonic acid, thereby changing the pH of unpolluted rain water from 7.0 to 5.7. When unpolluted rain acquires additional acidity through the reactions of air pollutants with water, stronger acids are formed. Deposits from acid rain on the earth‘s surface have adverse effects on oceans,forests, soils, organisms, buildings and mankind. Acid rain clearly has an adverse affect on the carbon cycle of the atmosphere.

The Attitudes And Roles Of Indigenous People Of Veracruz, Mexico Towards Manatees, Sylvia Duluc-Silva, Christina Ledon

Undergraduate Student Symposium

During a Nova Southeastern University sponsored investigation, principal investigators Dr. Edward Keith and Dr. Eileen M. Smith-Cavros will be conducting research entitled "CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE OF MANATEES AT EL MANATÍ, VERACRUZ, MEXICO" with the assistance of undergraduate researchers (Sylvia Duluc-Silva and Christina Ledon). The fieldwork research will be conducted in order to obtain data regarding the history of the Veracruz manatees that appear to have played an important cultural role to the indigenous peoples of Veracruz. Once the basic interviews with the people are performed for the purposes of the primary research, the undergraduate researchers and the principal investigators …

Spring 2009, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.

Lincoln's Populist Sovereignty: Public Finance Of, By, And For The People, Timothy A. Canova

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Guiding Principles For Chronic Disease Management For Vulnerable And Disadvantaged People: Pilot Study Findings, Karen Grimmer-Somers, Michelle Guerin, Julie Luker, Di Jones, Maria Zucco

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: The need for chronic disease self-management (CDS-M) is increasing worldwide. CDS-M programs are variably effective for vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals. Objectives: The objects of this study were 1) To explore experiences of health workers leading CDS-M programs for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, and 2) To develop guiding principles for the delivery of more effective CDS-M programs for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. Methods: Two focus groups were undertaken, with all primary health workers, and allied health (AH) staff in a large community centre in an Australian city, who worked with vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals with chronic disease. Results: Consistent messages …

The Current Volume 19: Issue 23, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

H. Sapiens Digital: From Digital Immigrants And Digital Natives To Digital Wisdom, Marc Prensky

Innovate: Journal of Online Education

No abstract provided.

What's Wrong With Copyright: Educator Strategies For Dealing With Analog Copyright Law In A Digital World , J. Patrick Mcgrail, Ewa Mcgrail

Innovate: Journal of Online Education

No abstract provided.

Innovate-Ideagora: Connecting Students To Leverage Learning, Alan Mccord, Denise Easton

Innovate: Journal of Online Education

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory Study On Adolescents Experiences Of Using Icq (I Seek You), Zenobia C. Y. Chan, Wilson Cheuk

The Qualitative Report

Little research exists into adolescents rationales for using ICQ (I Seek You) and these adolescents relationships with their peers, families, and strangers in ICQ communication. Our curiosity about these subjects led us to adopt a qualitative inquiry, a multiple case study of ten adolescents via purposive sampling. Three major results were discerned: (1) rationales for using ICQ as a major communication tool and for its entertainment functions, (2) contents of ICQ included the participants school lives, peer relationships, family issues, and playing games, and (3) the participants relationships with their peers, family, and strangers like female adolescents are more protective …

Interpretive Research Aiming At Theory Building: Adopting And Adapting The Case Study Design, Antonio Diaz Andrade

The Qualitative Report

Although the advantages of case study design are widely recognised, its original positivist underlying assumptions may mislead interpretive researchers aiming at theory building. The paper discusses the limitations of the case study design for theory building and explains how grounded theory systemic process adds to the case study design. The author reflects upon his experience in conducting research on the articulation of both traditional social networks and new virtual networks in six rural communities in Peru, using both case study design and grounded theory in a combined fashion in order to discover an emergent theory.

Mas' Making And Pedagogy: Imagined Possibilities, Janice B. Fournillier

The Qualitative Report

In this article I draw on an ethnographic case study that examined mas makers perceptions of the learning/teaching practices at work in the production of costumes for Trinidad and Tobagos annual Carnival celebrations. During the 2005 Carnival season I spent four months in the field, my country of birth, and collected data through participant observation, still photographs, and informal and semi-formal autobiographical interviews. I used Spradleys (1979, 1980) domain and componential analysis and Goodenoughs (1971) propriospect in my description, analysis, and interpretation of the data resources. In this article, I apply the notion of performance art pedagogy to these findings. …

The Search For An Explanation: Breast Cancer In The Context Of Genetic Inheritance, Christine Maheu

The Qualitative Report

This case study is an in-depth examination of how Erika (a pseudonym) interpreted and understood her genetic test results for breast cancer susceptibility. Her experience is presented in the form of a biography, which was built from key passages retrieved from the semi structured interview the author conducted at Erikas home. The interview data showed that Erikas interpretation and understanding of her inconclusive test results were embedded in her own and her familys experiences with breast cancer. Her interpretation of her test results was influenced by perception of risk for future breast cancers for herself and her family, as well …

Bringing Together A Community Of Voices To Debate A Growing Challenge: A Review Of Qualitative Inquiry And The Politics Of Evidence, Dan Wulff

The Qualitative Report

Editors Norman Denzin and Michael Giardina bring together a collection of leading voices from the Third International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry to explore political, social, and methodological contexts of what constitutes evidence in qualitative research and suggest a diversification of evidential criteria. The book also demonstrates the community-building abilities scholarly journals can have in networking together peers and colleagues from around the world to contemplate, discuss, and debate critical issues such as those raised in this text.

The Current Volume 19: Issue 19, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Current Volume 19: Issue 18, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Current Volume 19: Issue 17, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.