Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Ampk On Exercise-Induced Adipocyte Metabolism, Alec M. Giakas, Ran Hee Choi, Ho-Jin Koh

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Regular physical activity is a recommended strategy to prevent obesity via increasing fatty acid metabolism. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been associated with the activation of lipolysis in adipose tissue. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that a single bout of exercise increases AMPK activity in adipocytes; however, the mechanism by which AMPK regulates exercise-induced adipocyte metabolism has yet to be determined. To examine the role of AMPK in exercise-induced adipocyte metabolism, we utilized fat-specific AMPK alpha 1 and alpha 2 knockout mice (FKO). Wild type (WT) and FKO mice were divided into sedentary (Sed) and exercise (EX) groups. After 6 …

Predicting Narcissism Through Social Media, Cameryn Freglette, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The objective of this study was to assess if narcissism can be predicted through social media behaviors such as frequency of posts, posting selfies, and social media presence on a variety of platforms. This study was conducted through a questionnaire related to social media use and a brief assessment from the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI- 16). Results indicated that social media use per day was significantly different between people who post selfies and those who do not. Participants that scored higher for narcissism used social media less but posted significantly more selfies. Results were not significant in predicting narcissism through …

White Antiracists: Everyday Antiracism And White Fragility Among Racially Progressive White Americans, Buffy Renea Duncan, Jaclyn Wong Ph.D

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Despite the abolition of slavery and Jim Crow laws, racial inequity persists. Bonilla-Silva (2017) suggests that colorblind racism, or the assertion that race does not matter for one’s life chances, has perpetuated anti-Black racial inequality since the Civil Rights Movement. Now, through antiracist efforts such as the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, White Americans are increasingly expanding their notions of racism to include the subtle, institutional racial discrimination associated with colorblind ideologies (Crass 2015). A rejection of “colorblind” thinking places Whites in a position to address systems of White supremacy, both in themselves and the world around them, but it …

Connecting On Campus: Exploring The Motivations And Behaviors Of College Students On Dating Apps, Emma Doyle, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Dating apps are increasingly popular among young people, including college students. However, these apps can be quite versatile, and there can be a number of reasons why a college student would use them, whether they are looking for a serious relationship, casual sex, or anything in between. Our study evaluated the intents, behaviors, and satisfaction of college students who used dating apps. Using Chi-Square and independent samples t-test analyses, results show that while satisfaction ratings were similar between men and women, more men use dating apps than women, which suggests that women might have a more negative perception of dating …

The Impact Of Weekly Workouts On Self-Reported Happiness Among College Students, Reid Davis, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

College students are consistently at risk for depressive behaviors during a major time of habit transition (i.e., a time of gaining autonomy while developing their own lifestyle and health habits) and gaining in independence; this is met with only half of them not engaging in at least moderately vigorous exercise (Catellier 2013; Powell, 2019). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of types of exercise (cardio, weightlifting, and yoga/pilates) that undergraduate college students voluntarily engaged in on their subjective current and general happiness levels. There were 52 participants in the study, all undergraduates at the University of …

Changes In Medical Knowledge And Patent Medicine, Anna Mcnamee

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper examines advertisements for patent medicines and nostrums, from the Colonial Period to the Food and Drug Act of 1906.  The Pure Food and Drug Act represented the triumph of the medical profession over state legislation and unsupervised patent medicine manufacturing. Tracing these advertisements alongside the historiography of science, medicine, and advertising; this paper argues that advertisements for patent medicine represent a shift in the culture of healing and the growth of medical knowledge in the United States. By the end of the nineteenth century, science and medicine made great advances and medical professionals began influencing both state and …

Evaluating The Role Of Stress, Self-Perceptions Of Health, And Self-Efficacy On Physical Activity Over Time: Results From Project Drive, Ashlynn Riley, Allison Sweeney, Dawn K. Wilson

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Most Americans are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. In underserved communities, these inequities are even greater, with African American women being less likely to engage in physical activity and being at greater risk for chronic disease relative to non-minority women. This study seeks to further understand the factors that support or undermine engagement in physical activity among African American women. Specifically, the present study evaluates the impact of stress, self-perceptions of health, and self-efficacy on physical activity engagement in a 10-week physical activity intervention program for African American women. Participants (N = 33) completed measures of …

Dominance Linearity And Steepness In Captive Western Lowland Gorillas, Nate Wichmann

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Many animals live in social groups for a variety of reasons, whether it is for hunting strategies, predator avoidance, or enhanced resource acquisition. These groups often develop a social network and/or dominance hierarchy within the population, with certain individuals gaining advantages or disadvantages based upon one’s rank within a group. Dominance hierarchies can be assessed on the grounds of structure, and, more recently, steepness.  Structure can be assessed by determining and comparing the rank of each individual (quantified by David’s scores). These scores can then be plotted and analyzed to determine the steepness of the dominance hierarchy. A dominance hierarchy …

Early Behavioral And Physiological Predictors Of Autism In 12-Month-Old Siblings Of Children With Autism, Nicolas Poupore, Kayla Smith, Abigail L. Hogan, Jane E. Roberts Ph.D.

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by social-communicative deficits and repetitive behaviors. Complementing behavioral (i.e., The Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) scores) and physiological markers (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), heart rate (HR)) may improve early identification of ASD and provide insights into the neurobiological mechanisms contributing to early ASD symptoms. Younger siblings of a child with ASD (ASIBs) had significantly higher AOSI Total Scores and AOSI Marker Scores in comparison to Low Risk Controls (LRCs). RSA significantly decreased from a Baseline to AOSI for both groups, but only for the ASIB group was a negative …

Sedentary Behaviors And Measured Physical Activity In College Student Populations, Vanessa Grout, Elizabeth A. Easley, Sarah H. Sellhorst, William F. Riner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Injuries In Youth Football: A Two Year Descriptive Study Of Local South Carolina Football Leagues, Marie Morrissette, Dr. Jim Mensch, Dr. Daheia Barr-Anderson

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

There has been an increase in the media attention surrounding retired National Football League players and the lasting effects from previous injuries.  With more than 20 million children under the age of 17 participating in competitive sports, the attention in the lasting effects of injuries in professional players has trickled down to the youth level.  Of the approximately 20 million children participating in competitive sports, the largest portion of the participants is playing youth football.  The University of South Carolina Athletic Training Department is partaking in a multisite research study conducted by the Datalys Center to track the injuries of …

The Influence Of Study Abroad On Identity How Immersion In South African Culture Contributes To Identities Of American Students, Madeline Willett

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

With a 170% increase in study abroad by U.S. students from 2000 to 2012, it is widely recognized that study abroad not only allows students to learn a foreign language and gain international experience, but also influences compassion for difference, motivation to engage in intercultural relationships, and understanding of culturally responsible behavior. Previous research suggests that study abroad impacts students' identities on social, national, global, and personal levels. This study explored how the identities of American students were influenced by summer study abroad in South Africa. Employing qualitative research methods, including in-country, in-depth interviews and PhotoVoice, a methodology which allows …

The Victimization Of Heterosexual Males: A Literature Review On Domestic Violence, Chris Friendly, Christine Palmer Mph, Edd, Ches

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Domestic violence, defined as both emotional and physical abuse in intimate relationships, is a pressing issue in today’s society. Because of its serious nature, domestic violence has become a topic of great interest and concern for many public health researchers. However, an overwhelming degree of the studies conducted by these investigators only examine the effects of domestic violence on the female population. In this literature review, 27 sources, both peer-reviewed articles and literature reviews, were previewed. Of the 27 sources, only four were specific to male victimization. This literature review highlights the research disparity between female and male domestic violence …

Gesture Development In Infants With Fragile X Syndrome, Killian R. Hughes, Jessica Klusek Ph.D., Ccc-Slp, Carsyn Butler B.A., Jane E. Roberts Ph.D.

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common known cause of inherited intellectual disability and also the most common known genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Flenthrope & Brady, 2010). About 60% of males diagnosed with FXS meet criteria for ASD (Klusek et al., 2014). Communication impairments are well documented in FXS and ASD; however, limited research has been done to examine early communication in FXS. Gesture use is one of the earliest signs of intentionality and can serve as an early red flag for atypical communication development, even before delays in spoken language are evident (Crais et al, …

The Jewish Athena: The Political Genesis Of The State Of Israel, Julius Sykes, Roger Deal

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Towards Improving The Performance Of The Adcirc Storm Surge Modeling Software, Nick Weldner, Tim Stitt, Jijun Tang

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Accurately predicting storms and hurricanes is critical to saving lives and reducing economic loss. Therefore, it is necessary to use the most efficient software and hardware technology available in order to improve the performance and fidelity of these predictive mathematical models. For over ten years, the Computational Hydraulics Lab (CHL) at the University of Notre Dame has been involved in developing the high-resolution ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC) storm surge model to predict storm surges in coastal areas. The objective of the work reported here was to port a novel adaption of the parallel ADCIRC code to the state-of-the-art Intel Xeon Phi …

Discovering The Southern Appalachian Grassy Balds, Nicholas Lenze

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Grassy balds are unique Appalachian wonders, open meadows in the mountains where, ecologically, there should be trees. It has been hypothesized that some of the balds originated more than ten thousand years ago and were kept open by the grazing of large herbivores such as the mastodon and the wooly mammoth. Over the course of earth’s history, environmental and anthropogenic factors have shaped, modified and maintained the balds. Up to one hundred grassy balds were once recognized to exist in the southern Appalachians, but fewer exist today due to forest succession (Gersmehl, 1970). Collectively, the grassy balds share a common …

The Effects Of Government Policies On The Stock Market, Samruddhi Somani, Dr. Holger Kern

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

What is the most effective government policy to boost stock returns and, subsequently, to foster economic growth, especially during an economic crisis? This paper examines the effects of various government actions on stock market performance during the global financial crisis of 2007. As expected from rational investors, nearly all of the variation in index levels is explained by the variation in index futures levels, which reflect market expectations. Index and future levels were collected for June 2007-December 2009 using Bloomberg, which tracks data for various financial instruments. The financial crisis timeline furnished by the New York Federal Reserve Board on …

The Relationship Between Child Externalizing Behaviors And Parental Stress In Children With Fragile X Syndrome, Erica Mazur, Majorie Grefer, Jane E. Roberts Phd

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading heritable cause for intellectual disabilities and the leading known genetic cause for developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The present study examined the relationship between levels of externalizing behaviors in children with FXS and increased parenting stress in parents of children with FXS. Aggressive behaviors and autism severity were examined in 48 male children diagnosed with FXS (range 2-5 years). Parenting stress was examined in 27 of their mothers and 21 of their fathers. Increased severity of autistic behavior was associated with elevated parental stress. Greater levels of parental stress were …

Response Interference And Activity-Based Anorexia In Rats, Nicole Streeb

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterized by extreme emaciation due to the inability to maintain a healthy weight. The disorder can result in many behavioral and physiological changes. Activity-based anorexia (ABA) in animals is a potentially viable model of anorexia nervosa, reproducing many of the core behavioral components of the disorder such as restriction of food consumption, dramatic weight loss, and increased drive for physical activity (i.e. wheel running). Some of the behavioral and physiological factors involved in this phenomenon have been examined by previous research; however, investigators have yet to determine the mechanisms by which this behavior …

The Cranial Morphology Of Large Wild Versus Captive Felids, Bryttin Boyde, Hannah Selvey

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Studies have shown that carnivores in captivity that are fed soft diets have more periodontal problems and that the morphology of their skeletons, skulls specifically, responds to environmental and behavior factors. Considering that captive diet affects teeth and gums, we have conducted research on Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose’s hypothesis that variation will also be discernible through the examination of cranial morphology. We compared captive and wild lions Panthera leo and tigers Panthera tigris to see if differences were present, then analyzed data collected by a microscribe using a 3D morphometric analysis program. Next, Principal Component Analysis was completed to account for …

A Review Of Video Game Effects And Uses, David Corso

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Video games are versatile in their form and function. Whether they’re training doctors or offsetting Alzheimer’s disease, video games can exercise both mental and physical features, train specific skills for a number of jobs, educate players about events and phenomenon in our world, research and understand natural human processes, and they can be designed for a number of other purposes. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effects of video games on physiological and cognitive levels—positive, negative, and everything in between. This paper identifies various physical and psychological effects that video games produce, and it suggests ways in which video games can …

What In The Fukushima Should We Do? Analyzing The Costs Of The Fukushima Daiichi Disaster And Japan’S Reactions, Sara Deal, Mary Blair Dellinger

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which resulted from the Tōhoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 11 March 2011, has caused much debate about the future of the nuclear power industry.  Japan has shut down all of its 54 nuclear reactors and increased power production through fossil fuel plants to make up the difference (Foster 2012).  This paper analyzes Japan’s decision to shut down its nuclear reactors and investigates the environmental, economic, and health costs of this decision. Nuclear power is compared with other forms of power in regards to life cycle cost, land use, CO₂ emissions, and deaths on …

Replacing Sugar With Artificial Sweeteners: Is The Replacement Of Sugar With Artificial Sweeteners An Effective Strategy For Weight Loss?, Maragret Mccoy

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

In America today there is great concern about obesity. In an attempt to balance a busy daily life with a healthy diet, consumers are now relying on artificial sweeteners to help them make a small step to a better lifestyle. With this notion in mind, there is the question of whether these artificial sweeteners are healthy. This paper discusses the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight and caloric compensation, and considers some hypotheses regarding the reasons for weight gain.

A review of literature led to the conclusion that artificial sweeteners can be 100-13,000 times sweeter than sucrose and that sucrose …

Maternal Depressive Symptoms Predicting Development Of Internalizing Behavior Problems In Boys With Fragile X Syndrome, Sara Deal, Mary Blair Dellinger

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) often exhibit increased internalizing problem behaviors that substantially impact functioning. Research suggests that maternal depressive symptoms can increase the development of internalizing problem behaviors in their children. The present study examined whether (1) maternal depressive symptoms related to the degree of internalizing behaviors exhibited in their sons with FXS, and (2) age as an influencing factor for the development of internalizing behaviors. Child internalizing behaviors were measured in 49 male children with FXS (range 1.08-5.75 yrs). Maternal depressive symptoms were measured in each of their mothers with the FMR1 premutation (range 20.55-40.74 yrs). Increased …

Institutional Silence And The Governance Of Women College Athletes’ Reproductive Autonomy In The United States, Tarlan Chahardovali, Molly Harry Ph.D., Emily S. Mann Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

This study examines how women college athletes understand their pregnancy-related rights and protections and how institutional communication – or its absence – shapes reproductive autonomy within college sport. Guided by a reproductive justice framework, it conceptualizes pregnancy as a site of reproductive governance shaped by institutional policies, norms, and silences within performance-oriented sport organizations. The analysis draws on semi-structured interviews with 25 women college athletes from various NCAA Division I institutions in the United States, conducted between September 2023 and July 2024 in the post-Dobbs legal context, and uses reflexive thematic analysis to examine athletes’ knowledge of Title IX and …

Association Between Cholinesterase Inhibitor-Overactive Bladder Antimuscarinic Prescribing Cascade And Risk Of Delirium And Falls Among Individuals Living With Dementia, Sarah Beth Tucker, Bryan L. Love Pharm D., Chijoke M. Okeke, Erin D. Zwick, Chengwen Teng Pharm.D., Ph.D., Jingkai Wei, Ibraheem M. Karaye, Saud Alsahali, Krithika Rajagopalan, Ismaeel Yunusa Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Background

Prescribing cascades occur when cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI)-induced urinary incontinence is misinterpreted as a new condition, leading to overactive bladder (OAB) antimuscarinic initiation. We evaluated whether the ChEI-OAB antimuscarinic prescribing cascade was associated with delirium or falls compared with mirabegron in older adults living with dementia.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Anlitiks All-Payor Claims database (2015–2020). Participants were adults aged ≥ 65 years with dementia newly prescribed a ChEI with no prior ChEI or OAB therapy (180 days). A 60-day window identified OAB treatment initiation after ChEI therapy. Exposures were OAB antimuscarinics or mirabegron. Outcomes were …

Examining The Relationships Among Child Care Providers’ Knowledge Of Child Development, Burnout, Organizational Climate, And Expulsion Risk: A Brief Report, Juan Wang, Cheri Shapiro Ph.D., Tristan Collier, Jessica Sharp

Publications

Expulsion poses a significant barrier to high-quality and inclusive early care and education (ECE), leading to both immediate and long-term negative con-sequences for children and their families. This descriptive, exploratory study examined whether ECE providers’ knowledge of child development, burnout, and organizational climate was associated with their attitudes and perceptions related to expulsion risk. A total of 309 ECE providers in one state in the South-eastern region of the United States taking part in a program evaluation completed an online survey prior to program implementation. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess associations among providers’ knowledge of child development, …

Wrky Transcription Factors: Integral Regulators Of Defence Responses To Biotic Stress In Crops, Dongjiao Wang, Ruize Zhang, Wenhui Zou, Yuanyuan Zhang, Wanying Zhao, Tingting Sun, Qibin Wu, Zheng Qing Fu, Youxiong Que

Faculty Publications

Crops are continually challenged by biotic stresses, including fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens and insect pests, which cause substantial yield and quality losses worldwide. WRKY transcription factors constitute a plant-specific and functionally diverse family that is central to immune regulation. Recent advances in genomic resources and multi-omics approaches have accelerated the identification and functional characterisation of WRKYs in crops. This review summarises the structural features and classification of WRKY genes and their genome-wide distribution across crop species. It also synthesises WRKY-centred regulatory modules that mediate resistance to major classes of biotic stress. In antifungal defence, WRKYs reinforce pattern- and effector-triggered …

Use Of Period- Or Fertility-Tracking Technologies Pre- And Post-Dobbs, Emily Neiman, Marta Bornstein Phd, Mph, Abigail Norris Turner, Megan L. Kavanaugh, Maria F. Gallo

Faculty Publications

Objectives

Study design