Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Estrogen In Lung Health, Aishwarya Aggarwal, Pooja Shree Mohann, Darshana Srivatsava, Jiya Patel

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Estrogen, a key sex hormone, significantly influences lung health by modulating inflammation, immune responses, and disease progression. It impacts over 50% of women worldwide, yet the precise mechanisms underlying these effects remain misunderstood. This study evaluates how estrogen influences inflammation and disease progression in lung health, focusing on hormonal imbalances. A systematic review of PubMed and Scopus peer-reviewed literature (2000–2024) was performed. Thirty studies were selected considering their relevance for the role of estrogen in asthma, inflammation, lung cancer, and fibrosis. Studies that were included were experimental models to study estrogen receptors and hormonal effects on disease severity. Experiments also …

Exploring Marine Microbial Products: Targeting Medical Bacteria In Little Bayou Bay, Shivam Anil Patel

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

This study focuses on the identification and curation of microbial natural products, with a specific interest in their potential to target medical-related bacteria. The environment of the Little Bayou Bay was sandy with dirt near alley water that goes out to the Little Bayou Bay. The depth of sample was collected can have different pH level, and bacteria that live in the area. Understanding these reasons why microbial natural target medical-related bacteria can open numerous treatment options. The goal of the research lab is to isolate a bacterium from a sample from Little Bayou Bay. During the lab conduct multiple …

Evaluating The Effect Of Competition On Adult Physical Activity Using Heart Rate Monitoring, Julia De Paula Silva

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

As of 2023 it has been reported that the United States is facing a physical inactivity crisis, with approximately 24.2% of adults meeting the recommended engagement levels of physical activity (PA). A lack of PA engagement is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and types of cancer (e.g., colon, breast). Therefore, the purpose of the proposed study is to develop a cost-effective behavioral intervention to promote PA among adults. This study will recruit dyads of existing friends between ages 18–65 who engage in low levels of PA (i.e., at least 45 min per week). …

Evaluating Extreme Weather And Climate Adaptation Concerns For Corn And Soybean Farmers, Dharsh Saravana

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Corn and soybeans are the most economically valuable crops in Minnesota and represent significant land usage in the state with farmers reporting 14.5 million acres of corn and 7 million acres of soybeans planted in 2024. Continued warming and fluctuations between extreme weather events driven by climate change are expected to increase pest pressure, flood damage, and risk of heat stress for crops and farmworkers. Six climate-conscious commercial corn and soybean farmers located predominantly in southern Minnesota were interviewed to understand their perceived extreme weather and climate impacts, farm management responses to these conditions, and risk management concerns for their …

Future Critical Habitat For The Roseate Spoonbill In Florida: A Probabilistic Habitat Suitability Model Based On County Population Growth And Existing Spoonbill Sightings, Ria R. Reynolds

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Historically, studies surrounding future conservation practices for the roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) have been scarce, instead focusing on ecosystem/community based spatial analyses. The roseate spoonbill has long acted as both a flagship species for conservation and ecotourism and an indicator species of wetland health. However, the lack of focus on this species in research only aids in the disjointed classification of their vulnerability levels – the IUCN Red List labeling them as a species of least concern while the Gulf Coast Vulnerability Assessment describes them as highly vulnerable with the lowest capacity to adapt. An individualized assessment of the roseate …

Real-Time Decisions, Real-Time Results: The Power Of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound (Pocus), Muhamed M. Jaber, Natalie A. Brin, Andrea Marcano-Rodriguez, Ryan Singh, Grace Faberlle

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) serves as an invaluable tool in the assessment of anatomical variation, the guidance of invasive interventions and the diagnosis of critical conditions which may lead to changes in plan of care. Using POCUS, anesthesiologists may benefit from this fast diagnostic tool. This technology improves speed, success rate and gets patients to surgery faster. The purpose of this pilot program evaluation was to identify the anesthesiologist’s system and processes for clinical decision-making during the perioperative phases of care. A MANOVA was conducted to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the type of POCUS scan performed [GU, …

Cardiopulmonary Interactions In Heart Failure And Chronic Lung Disease, Krish Makhija, Rithvik Bhathivi, Riya Narwani, Stuti Dibbur

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Globally, cardiovascular diseases, which are directly related to cardiopulmonary interactions, affect over half a billion people and cause 20.5 million deaths in 2021. Cardiopulmonary interactions refer to the complex interactions between the heart and lungs, particularly in diseases where dysfunction in one organ significantly impacts the other. This research aims to discover treatments and prevention methods for Cardiopulmonary Interactions in Heart Failure and Chronic Lung Disease. The aim is to help find early detections of these diseases and educate the public on how to prevent these diseases. A systematic review analyzed 22 peer-reviewed studies out of 45 from 2010 to …

Gpcr-Mediated Mechanisms In Obesity: The Role Of Ghrelin And Glp-1 Receptors​, Ryan Singh, Tuana Cenberoglu, Jonathan Budlong, Jaclyn Alejandro, Andrea Weitoschova, Libin Ye

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate metabolism and transmit appetite cues throughout the brain and digestive system. Binding to GPCRs, ghrelin, and GLP-1 are ligands that influence hunger, energy balance, and insulin secretion. Understanding the relationship between GPCRs and ligands such as ghrelin and GLP-1 offers critical insights into treating metabolic disorders such as obesity, a growing issue in America. Our methodology involved a literature review using USF, NIH, and JSTOR databases. Search terms like “GPCR obesity,” “GLP-1 obesity,” and related keywords identified articles from 2000 onward, yielding 59 studies on GLP-1 and ghrelin in obesity. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), initially …

The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Cognitive Function Of University Students, Ikshita Achanta, Anthony Hamati, Vanessa Singh, Joanne Nguyen, Rebecca Pothen, Reneta Pothen, George Malki, Bhavisha Hirani

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Sleep is vital for college students, directly influencing their cognitive, emotional, and physical health, which are crucial for academic success and overall well-being. Sleep deprivation affects memory consolidation, learning, focus, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which are essential for retaining knowledge, applying it in assignments, and excelling academically. By strengthening neural connections, adequate sleep enhances critical thinking and productivity, while its absence leads to reduced concentration and impaired cognitive performance. Sleep deprivation tends to affect multiple areas of the brain in regard to neural activity, alertness, and cognitive function. Our investigation examines the impact of sleep deprivation on undergraduate cognitive …

Unveiling Suicide Risk In Bipolar Disorder Communities: Static Graph Analysis And Comparative Modeling On Reddit Networks, Phong Hai Tran, Jessica Elrefaei

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Suicide risk detection in online mental health communities poses significant challenges, particularly within bipolar disorder support groups where user interactions are diverse and complex. This study presents a foundational investigation using graph neural networks (GNNs) to model Reddit-based communities through both homogeneous and heterogeneous static graphs. In our homogeneous graph, where all users and interactions are treated uniformly, we extract key centrality measures—degree, closeness, betweenness, eigenvector, and PageRank—to identify influential users and understand the network structure. To capture the richer semantics of the heterogeneous graph, we derive meta-path-based centrality measures that leverage predefined meta-paths to uncover deeper relational patterns among …

Evolutionary Optimization Of Biologically-Inspired Mechanistic Input-Output Neural Circuit Models In The Auditory Pathway, Abdul-Malik Zekri

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Understanding how to compute specific functions from neural architecture is a fundamental challenge in neuroscience, with profound implications for artificial intelligence, neuromorphic computing, and neurological health. This study employs evolutionary meta-heuristic algorithms to optimize a mechanistic input-output spiking neural network (SNN) model of the cochlear nucleus, a key circuit in the auditory pathway. The research integrates biologically inspired initialization, iterative optimization, and data-driven validation to explore how connectivity and topology influence input-output relationships in neural circuits. Synthetic input-output spike train pairs for spiral ganglion and bushy cells are generated using a computational model of the cochlear nucleus. SNNs are initialized …

B-Catenin/B-Cell Lymphoma 9 Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibiting Peptidomimetics, Jianfeng Cai, Peng Sang, Yan Shi, Haitao Ji, Min Zhang

USF Patents

Disclosed herein is a series of helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides that mimic the binding mode of the α-helical HD2 domain of B-Cell Lymphoma 9 (BCL9). As disclosed herein, sulfono-γ-AApeptides can structurally and functionally mimic the α-helical domain of BCL9, and selectively disrupt β-catenin/BCL9 PPIs with even higher potency. More intriguingly, these sulfono-γ-AApeptides can enter cancer cells, bind with β-catenin and disrupt β-catenin/BCL PPI, and exhibit excellent cellular activity, which is much more potent than the BCL9 peptide. Furthermore, enzymatic stability studies demonstrated the remarkable stability of the helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides, with no degradation in the presence of pronase for 24 h, augmenting their …

Human Origin Probiotic Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Hl-200 To Reduce Leaky Gut By Metabolizing Ethanolamine, Hariom Yadav, Shalini Jain, Sidharth Mishra

USF Patents

The present disclosure provides for a method of treating increased gut permeability, including administering a therapeutically effective amount of a human-derived probiotic to a patient in need thereof. Further provided herein is a method of increasing a patient's metabolism of ethanolamine, including administering a therapeutically effective amount of human derived probiotics to the patient in need thereof. Also provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition, including a first strain of Lactobacillus and a second probiotic strain. The present disclosure also provides for a pharmaceutical composition, including Lactobacillus and an antidiabetic drug. Additionally, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition, including Lactobacillus and …

Control Of Robotic Arms Through Hybrid Inverse Kinematics And Intuitive Reference Frame, Lei Wu, Redwan Alqasemi, Rajiv Dubey

USF Patents

Disclosed is an intuitive robotic device control reference frame with hybrid inverse kinematics having a natural and easier human-robot interface. A system for controlling a robot can include a robotic device that performs tasks, an input device that receives user input indicating desired movement of the robotic device to perform the tasks, and a controller that controls the robotic device based on the user input. The controller can receive signals identifying the user input, determine a ground reference frame and an end-effector reference frame for controlling movement of the robotic device, generate, based on the ground reference frame and the …

Crow's Nest, September 15, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The September 15, 2025, issue of Crow's Nest.

Compositions And Uses Thereof For Treatment Of Idiopathic Preterm Birth, Charles Lockwood, Ozlem Guzeloglu-Kayisli, Umit Ali Kayisli, Frederick Schatz

USF Patents

Disclosed are compositions and methods for delaying or preventing idiopathic preterm birth.

Human Adipose Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Glial Cell Response In Aged And Young Tbi Mouse Models, Salma S. Abdelmaboud

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of long-term neurological impairment, with aging significantly increasing vulnerability and worsening outcomes. Older individuals experience greater cognitive and motor deficits after TBI and often show diminished responses to therapeutic interventions. Both aging and TBI independently promote heightened neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction, increasing susceptibility to poor recovery. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) to promote neurological recovery and modulate neuroinflammation in a mouse model of TBI. Male C57BL/6 mice aged 3, 15, and 20 months underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) and …

Crow's Nest, September 2, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The September 2, 2025, issue of Crow's Nest.

Synthetic Plasmodium Antigens, Compositions, And Uses Thereof, John H. Adams, Christopher L. King, Niraj H. Tolia, Edwin Chen, Nichole Diane Salinas, Miriam Thankam George, Francis B. Ntumngia, Samantha Jones Barnes

USF Patents

Provided herein are synthetic P. vivax antigens, antibodies and pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines thereof. Also provided herein are methods of treating and/or preventing Plasmodium infection and/or disease by administering the synthetic P. vivax antigens, antibodies and pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines thereof.

Florida Ems Voices: What Agency Providers Told Us In 2025, Michael Lozano

Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services Research Reports

The 2025 Annual Florida EMS Provider Survey provides a comprehensive overview of Florida’s EMS system, highlighting critical insights into workforce dynamics, resource allocation, medical direction, and service integration across EMS agencies statewide. Conducted from April to May 2025, the survey received robust participation from 249 agencies, covering 74.5% of licensed EMS providers. Key findings underscore regional variability in workforce recruitment, salary scales, mental health support, mobile integrated healthcare (MIH), and preparedness for mass casualty incidents.

Key areas of strategic emphasis include EMT and paramedic mental health and wellness, mobile integrated healthcare (MIH), and local quality improvement (QI) efforts. Notably, recruitment …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Mice Tourism, Gülay Cakmak, Gurel Cetin, Cemil Kilic, Erol Sozen

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The sector of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism play an integral role in the tourism industry not only because of its volume but also per capita spending. MICE tourism is predominantly characterized by its international reach and the significant number of participants it attracts. However, Covid-19 pandemic precipitated a marked, leading to far-reaching ramifications and transformations. This study is focused on evaluating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the MICE tourism sector. It aims to explore both the anticipated and the actual shifts within the industry amidst the pandemic. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, this investigation utilized …

The Double-Edged Role Of Cognitive Reappraisal: A Moderated Mediation Model Of Manager Support And Emotional Exhaustion Among Hotel Supervisors, Han Chen, Yvette Green

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Applying the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Affective Event Theory, this study explores the interplay between perceived manager support (PMS), negative emotions, and emotional exhaustion among hotel supervisors. The study also examines the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal strategy on the above relationships. Data were collected from a sample of U.S. hotel supervisors. Results showed that negative emotions play a mediating role in the relationship between PMS and supervisors’ emotional exhaustion. Cognitive reappraisal amplified the negative effect of PMS on negative emotions, the positive relationship between negative emotions and emotional exhaustion, and the indirect effect of PMS on emotional …

Customer Food Intake: An Empirical Analysis Of Gender, Restaurant Use And Attitude Toward Fast Food Among Adolescents And Young Adults, In Nairobi, Kenya, Gerishom G. Madivoli, Rosemarie Ayuma Khayiya, Beatrice Kamau

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Fast food is the fastest- growing food category worldwide, providing young people and adolescents with a quick, cost- effective, and easily accessible alternative to home- cooked meals. There has been considerably less research into how gender, restaurant usage, and attitudes influence patterns of fast- food consumption. Moreover, the growth of the fast- food industry in every nation creates a significant environmental impetus for increasing fast food consumption and promoting unhealthy eating behaviours. If this issue is not addressed, the prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, along with the costs of managing these conditions, will escalate, particularly in Kenya. This …

Reframing Service Quality In Ai-Powered Hospitality Environments, Olena Ciftci

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The hospitality and tourism industry is experiencing a technological shift through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), transforming both guest experiences and service operations. While AI offers hyper-personalization, efficiency, and scalability, it challenges traditional notions of service quality rooted in human interaction. This viewpoint explores the emerging concept of tech-augmented hospitality, where AI and human employees co-create guest experiences. The paper highlights key research directions for reconceptualizing service quality in the era of AI-enhanced hospitality. It argues for the development of new evaluative frameworks that encompass hybrid service models, cultural adaptability, inclusivity, and AI literacy.

Noteworthy Practices For Performing Mpo Administrative Functions, Jeff Kramer, Tia Boyd, Taylor Dinehart

Transportation Planning, Policy, and Processes (TP3) Final Reports

Federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance provide metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with rules and information for managing aspects of MPO administrative tasks. However, they do not state the exact manner in which those tasks can be achieved. Additionally, there is limited specific research and guidance related to MPO noteworthy practices in MPO administrative functions that would help MPOs in Florida save time and money by streamlining and improving the efficiency of a wide variety of administrative tasks and functions. These tasks fall into several broad categories, including progress reporting and …

Privacy And Peer-To-Peer Payment Apps, Stephen L. Baglione, Louis A. Tucci

Journal of Global Business Insights

Apps for our smartphones are ubiquitous. Free apps usually require exchanging personal information. Mobile payments in the U.S. are expected to almost double by 2027. Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps are a subcategory of said apps. Venmo is a P2P payment app that gathers user data from their smartphone and publicizes user transactions. A between-subject survey shows respondents are concerned about privacy with P2P payment apps, even when only describing what the app does. Clusters are identified when examining involvement with P2P payment apps. The covariate online privacy was statistically significant; however, age, gender, and social media use were not statistically …

Understanding Entrepreneurial Culture: Resident Perspectives In A Post-Soviet Transition Country, Azamat Maksudunov, Kyialbek Dyikanov

Journal of Global Business Insights

The concept of entrepreneurial culture has frequently appeared in academic studies dedicated to both developed and developing countries. However, this topic has not been sufficiently investigated in the case of post-Soviet Central Asian countries, particularly in the context of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan can be an intriguing case study for analyzing entrepreneurial culture, as it has experienced distinct political and economic paradigms throughout its historical trajectory. This paper aims to empirically examine the current state and provide suggestions for the further development of entrepreneurial culture in Kyrgyzstan. This research is based on a conceptual framework developed through a review of existing literature …

Empowering Change: Uncovering The Dynamic Association Between Supervisor Support, Employee Engagement, And Turnover Intention, Abdelhamid Eladl, Vildan Esenyel

Journal of Global Business Insights

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between supervisor support and turnover intention, as well as the mediating role of employee engagement in retail stores in Saudi Arabia. The study’s significance lies in its contribution to the understanding of how front-line employees’ view of the supervision qualities of their superiors impacts their turnover intention. The study offers insights to managers in retail stores by examining whether employee engagement plays a role in mediating the relationship between the two investigated variables. This information could be particularly helpful for supervisors looking to comprehend and adopt effective support when interacting with their front-line …

Examining Liberalization Of Turkiye Through International Trade: A Panel Data Analysis Of Turkish Export Figures From 1992 To 2020, Yasemin S. Ucar, Arzu Kalemci

Journal of Global Business Insights

Since the 1980s, Turkiye has implemented numerous initiatives to adapt to the global liberalization process following a period of import substitution policies. These initiatives were carried out with the assistance of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). Turkiye officially became a member of the WTO in 1995, expecting that membership would enhance its international trade performance by expanding access to global markets and strengthening trade relationships with other member states. This study aims to analyze the impact of global liberalization on Turkish international trade performance, with a specific focus on exports. The study utilizes panel data analysis …

Abiotic Factors Influencing Anuran Occupation Of Neotropical Brazilian Caves, Vinícius F. Sperandei, Willian Vaz-Silva, Tejerina-Garro L. Francisco

International Journal of Speleology

Despite increasing research on the Neotropical underground environment, anurans remain poorly understood in this habitat. It was analyzed scientific literature records of anurans in Brazilian natural caves and performed a redundancy analysis (RDA) to identify the environmental, taxonomic, geographic, geological and land-use variables that influence their cave occupancy. It was examined a total of 247 literature records, encompassing 83 species/morphospecies, which revealed distinct cave-dwelling tendencies. Some anuran species occupy caves at altitudes between 5 to 21 meters above sea level (m asl), in areas characterized by rocky outcrops and grassland. Others are associated with caves surrounded by forest, savanna, pasture …