Digital Commons Network^™

Fail One Test, Fail For The Year: Florida Education And The Fcat, Michael Bergbauer

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Imagine working hard all school year and managing decent A and B grades. Imagine, too, that failing a single test nullifies all that hard work and results in grade

retention. This experience happens to hundreds of students each year and the test they fail is the FCAT. Relying on test scores to make critical educational decisions about students or schools, otherwise known as high-stakes testing, has become commonplace in Florida education. So much so, that curriculum become dedicated to one objective - pass the state test. However, the FCAT should not be used to determine promotion and retention in grade …

Cellulitis And Risk Factors For Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa) In A Collegiate Athlete: A Case Report, Deirdre Foisy

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Topic: Dermatological condition, presented during pre-season in a collegiate volleyball athlete. The injury manifested into a form of cellulites, with signs of possible Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.

Purpose: To present a case study identifying characteristics associated with a potential staphylococcus infection as it relates to a skin lesion. Friction blisters are common during pre-season athletics, especially during multiple daily practices. The formation of a blister occurs within the upper layers of the epidermis. A space forms between the layers leaving the surface intact and fluid fills the space. Blister formation usually requires thick and immobile epidermis, and forms easily …

Adhesion Of Transferrin To Fda Group Ii Contact Lenses, Viviana Sumi Lee, Shweta Shah, Rafia Chodhry

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Approximately 75 million people worldwide use contact lenses for vision correction. Tears contain roughly 60 different proteins that accumulate on the lens, contributing to lens deterioration, and leading to vision problems and ocular pathology. We examined the adhesion of transferrin FDA Group II contact lenses, and compared these results to previous results examining the adhesion of lysozyme, albumin, and transferrin to lenses from the other FDA material groups: Group I - Optima FW disposable lenses (Bausch and Lomb, Inc. Rochester NY, U.S.A.); Group II - Soflens one-day disposables (Bausch and Lomb, Inc.); Group III - PureVision continuous wear disposables (Baush …

The Way It Has Been, Louis D'Lando

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This poem explains the duality of being part of a certain ethnic background and at the same time being part of a generation in the United States where everyone wants to be seen as one. It reflects both, the need to belong and the fear of losing one’s sense of “identity” as time wears on.

Xenotransplantation: Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants, Jessica Gonzalez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Xenotransplantation is a potential organ replacement therapy that offers enormous promise. Ultimately this new and developing technology would allow for mass production of pig organs to combat the shortage of human organs for transplant. In this literature review, the current process of xenotransplantation is being studied to see whether it could be the answer to the shortage of organs and the death of so many in need of an organ each year. Xenotransplantation has some short comings that must be overcome before its use. Currently some of the major molecular difficulties with pig organs in humans include hyperacute rejection and …

It Takes True Grit To Challenge Gender Stereotypes, Deborah Z. Greenbaum

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This paper evaluates the film True Grit as representative of Westerns that challenge traditional gender roles. The argument is made that Westerns have been unduly dismissed by gender theorists for being monolithic affirmations of traditional masculine hegemony.True Grit, a film from 1969, shows that unorthodox gender portrayals are not a new concept. Focus is placed on analyzing the female character, Mattie Ross. Mattie is revealed to debunk the traditional female role through her appearance, interests, personality traits and behavior. Mattie flouts Laura Mulvey’s assertion that women are in film to pander to the “male gaze” by exhibiting a …

Induction Of Apoptosis By Resveratrol In Cancer Cells During Combination Treatment With Nutlin-3 And Tgf—β, Kamal Kaur, Farheen F. Pervez, Vandana Jasani, Nida Bukhari, Madhusudhanan Narasimhan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Resveratrol (3, 4’, 5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a naturally occurring compound found mainly in the skins of grapes and various other fruits and nuts. Resveratrol (RV) has been previously studied and found to work through various mechanisms and produce anti- inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer effects (1,2,3). Previous studies have shown that RV promotes p53-dependent apoptosis via a Ras-MAPK signal transduction pathway by increasing the phosphorylation of serine residues on p53 (4). In the current study we have investigated the induction of apoptosis by RV in A2780/CP-70 cells in combination with Nutlin-3 and TGF-β. The combination treatments with Nutlin-3 and TGF- β were …

Erikson’S Model Of Psychosocial Development With Autistic Children And Connections To Effective Educational Practices For No Child Left Behind, Lauren M. Stephens, Melissa Dieppa

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Autism is a disorder that affects an individual’s ability to communicate and socialize. Social difficulties of autism involve interpreting human emotions and reciprocity skills that are necessary for communication. To better understand why social development for autistic children is critical, it is beneficial to look at Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development. Erikson’s model explains the importance of peer relationships in order for the adolescent to find his/her identity. Autistic children struggle with peer relationships due to the social difficulties of the disorder. If autistic adolescents are not taught the social skills that are necessary for an autonomous life, they …

Development Of An Ultra-Light Weight Thin Set For Large Format Porcelain Tiles, Greg Mcalpin

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Mortar is a material used in masonry to fill the gaps between blocks in construction and bind the blocks together. The blocks may be stone, brick, and tile. Mortar is a mixture of sand, a powdered adhesive such as cement, and water and is applied as a paste, which then dries hard. Cement is most commonly used to refer more specifically to powdered materials that develop strong adhesive qualities when combined with water. Pozzolanic ash is an alumino-siliceous material which reacts with calcium hydroxide in the presence of water to form compounds possessing cementitious properties at room temperature, producing 2(CaO) …

Attitudes On Alcohol Consumption In Youth Across Ethnic Groups, Dujon Chang

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This research examines how people’s attitudes toward alcohol consumption vary across ethnic groups. Previous research has clearly demonstrated that patterns of alcohol use are influenced by a group’s norms and attitudes regarding alcohol use (Caetano & Clark, 1999). The current study investigates how a group’s norms toward alcohol use extend and apply to the use of alcohol by children and adolescents. Participants were given a twenty eight-item questionnaire on various drinking and eating habits in adults, adolescents and children. The participants rated each question on a five point Likert-type scale indicating their agreement or disagreement. Data was collected from 156 …

Dating Patterns Among The Arab Community Within South Florida, Marissa S. Dass

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this study was to examine different attitudes, perceptions and values regarding dating among South Florida’s Arab community. This research sought to answer such questions as the difference between dating habits of American born Arabs and Middle Eastern born Arabs; how religion and the individuals’ devoutness influenced their dating habits; whether culture or religion was more influential on the individuals’ dating habits; and the differences between the ways in which Arab men and women dated.

Dating is defined as a social appointment, traditionally with a person of the opposite sex; and as individuals going out together as sexual …

Because I Am Not Superwoman!, Kristina Egerborn

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This is a poem that was written about my frustration with all the pressures that are placed upon me as well as other young women who are attending school full-time, working part- time, and taking care of a household.

The Explanation Of Conduct Disorder Via Piaget’S Theory And Evidence-Based Practices For Classroom Practice, Lisette Chapman, Tifani Pratt

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Over the years there has been a noticeable increase of children with behavioral problems and disorders. One of these disorders is the conduct disorder. A conduct disorder is the repetition of negative behavior, which includes such characteristics as lying, cheating, and aggression towards people and animals. Since this disorder involves such negative behavior, educational problems occur. By looking at Piaget's theory of development, the educational problems of students with conduct disorders can be explained. These explanations involve looking into the four factors that influence the way we think: activity, social experiences, biological maturation, and equilibration. Additionally, since many educational problems …

The Effects Of Aluminum On Gene Expression In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Maria Farrell

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Aluminum toxicity has been found to be a major constraint to crop productivity, a neurotoxic agent in animals and proposed to be a cofactor in human diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, anemia, growth disorders, glucose intolerance, and cardiac arrest. Suggested mechanisms of toxicity include alterations in nucleic acid function, changes in cell membrane permeability, inhibition of enzyme activity and protein synthesis, as well as competitive inhibition of several essential elements including magnesium, calcium, and iron. While several studies have examined gene expression of a few genes in response to aluminum (Al) exposure, there is a lack of data concerning how …

The Effects Of Trolox (Vitamin E) On Gene Expression During Oxidative Stress In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Ivan Jozic, Tracy Vuong

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cellular oxidative stress contributes to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during metabolic processes, which may cause many illnesses including cancers. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) forms radicals that may react with various cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. This research focuses on the use of Trolox (vitamin E) as an antioxidant in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast). The abilities of Trolox to decrease cellular damage caused during oxidative stress is investigated through two known oxidative stress genes and four genes of unknown function (suspected to have a role in controlling oxidative stress). Additionally, …

The Peaks Or The Line?, Vien Tran

Undergraduate Student Symposium

“The Peaks or the Line” is an analysis of the euthanasia theme in the movie “Million Dollar Baby.” “Million Dollar Baby” is an inspiring story of a poor waitress named Maggie who turns into an accomplished boxer with the help of her trainer, Frankie. Toward the end of the movie, a horrific accident happens to Maggie, and at her request, Frankie puts her to death. An analysis of this euthanasia theme is not an argument over the morality of it but rather an evaluation on its effectiveness in the context of a movie. Since “Million Dollar Baby” is a serious …

Students Upset By “Necessary” Parker Microlab Closures, Gregory Kyriakakis

Undergraduate Student Symposium

As NSU continues to grow and the undergraduate population increases, more classroom and office space are required in the Parker Building. The area modified to accommodate the new rooms contained the first floor microlabs. Relied on heavily by students due to their convenient location near the classrooms, these labs were used to complete homework and print documents between classes. Many students felt that administration’s decision to remove the labs was detrimental to their academic experience since they would have to travel to other lab locations to complete their work, such as the crowded Alvin-Sherman Library labs that are shared with …

Terbinafine In The Treatment Of Onychomycosis: Review Of Efficacy And Safety, Richard Voskoboynikov

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this literature research project is to investigate the efficacy and safety of terbinafine when used to treat onychomycosis. Onychomycosis is defined as a fungal infection of the nail, mainly caused by the organism Trichophyton rubrum. The estimated prevalence rate is 8% for the general population of North America, with higher rates occurring in special populations such as the immunocompromised as well as patients afflicted with diabetes. Traditional treatment methods have not been as effective and safe as terbinafine therapy. This allylamine agent inhibits the enzyme squalene epoxidase, crucial to the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. In addition to …

Public Policy And Marijuana, Andrew Deonarine, Cassandra Voltaire, Michael Declue, Vishala Sharma

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This research project is an examination of the current public policy concerning marijuana from an economic standpoint. Moral or ethical issues concerning marijuana are not examined. This project only answers the question “Is the current public policy for marijuana good for our economy or should the current policies be discarded and altered?”. Within this project three areas concerning the public policy of marijuana are discussed. First, the health aspects of marijuana are discussed. Economic principles and concepts relating to marijuana are then examined. Lastly, the current public policy is analyzed against the proposed new public policy for marijuana. This research …

Priceless Passage, Amy Harvey

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Written by Amy Harvey in 1993, the poem will be performed as a monolog by the author. The poem is about a young and vulnerable woman who has come to realize that she has the courage to liberate herself from a deceitful boyfriend, and confronts him. This piece is easily applicable for most young women and men. Many of us have had a partner or perhaps a friend who has betrayed a trust or compromised a friendship in some way. This poem is based on a true experience, and is emotionally driven. The emotional responses begin as enlightenment and acknowledgement …

Polygamy: Is Having Multiple Spouses Inappropriate?, Leda Castrillo

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Polygamy is a general term that means multiple spouses (White & White, 2005). There are two types of polygamy: polygyny, which is one man with many wives, and polyandry, which is one woman with many husbands. Polygamy has been practiced in the United States as well as in other parts of the world for many centuries. When some families decide to add a new wife to their family, the decision is carefully considered and must be approved before the couple can get married (Altman & Ginat, 1996). The effect of polygamy on children has been researched but the effect is …

Modification Of 100% Solids Epoxy Grout With Ancamine K-54 To Decrease The Set Time, Stacey Gunberg, Itza Miranda, Luciana Rozas, Sara Westcarth, Pricilla Williams

Undergraduate Student Symposium

100% solids epoxy grouts ideally should be water cleanable, three components, mortar and grout system designed for setting and grouting vitreous, semi-vitreous or absorptive tile: ceramic, mosaic, quarry, cement, Impervious porcelain and glass tile, brick and mini- brick, precast terrazzo, natural stone tile over a wide variety of substrates. This product yields exceptionally high strength, and it offers maximum resistance to staining and chemical attack from food, beverages, chemicals and cleaning agents. The product should also be uniform in color and colorfast. One of the most common applications of 100% solids epoxy grout is in the restaurant industry. Antibacterial agents …

Meeting The Expectations Of No Child Left Behind: The Long-Term Effects Of Head Start, Monica Duenas, Dayana Soriano

Undergraduate Student Symposium

What are the long-term effects of Head Start education on students’ cognitive development? What is head Start? How do long-term effects of Head Start connect to cognitive development? How are students, teachers, and parents affected by NCLB? How are meeting the expectations of NCLB correlated with Head Stat Programs? These are the questions being addressed in this paper. This paper consists of a review of the literature on these topics and concludes that Head Start prepares disadvantaged children for school. They have lower crime rates, better grades, and get better paying jobs than their fellow peers who did not attend …

Life, Sharifa Coombs

Undergraduate Student Symposium

My poem Life is about the questions that are constantly posed by people of all kinds. One thing that can be counted on or expected is the unpredictability of life, but scientist and theorists are always attempting to come up with predictions for what the future will be. Basically, this poem examines different aspects of human nature and the different expectations placed on us by society. For example the meaning of “success,” society deemed it to mean wealth and sometimes fame. In reality the meaning of success is different for everyone, and sometimes the meaning of success given by society …

Effects Of Social Cognition On Children With Language Impairment And Connections For Classroom Practice To Address No Child Left Behind, Arlisha Canion, Stacey Gonzalez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Language impairment is a communication disorder in which children experience difficulty in the ability to understand and/or use words in context. Children with language impairments are not able to relate to others receptively or expressively, thereby creating an affect on the children’s development of social cognition. Social cognition refers to children’s perception and interpretation of the world around them. For children with language impairments, the inability to relate to others in the world around them both verbally and nonverbally facilitates a breakdown of language development and social communication. Therefore, children with language impairments require the use of best practices in …

Public Views Of Clients, Therapists, And The Therapy Process, Risel Borrego, Julio Gurrea

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Therapists and clients have primarily been portrayed negatively in the media, where clients are viewed as being “crazy” and therapists as unethical. Past research has mainly focused on the perceptions of current therapy clients or the feedback of clients to the therapeutic relationship. However, there has been a comparative lack of research measuring the opinions of the general public concerning therapy and the therapeutic relationship. This study will explore the public’s attitudes towards professionals in the mental health field as well as those who attend therapy. Participants will be chosen on the bases that they have not attended therapy in …

Alternative Medicine: The Cure For Cancer, Rena Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

For decades, alternative medicine (also known as complementary medicine) has been subjected to much speculation. Many scientists view this area of medicine as unsafe, but this view is primarily due to a lack of proper testing and personal bias. As we venture to find treatments for cancer that are more effective and with fewer related side effects, researchers are turning to herbal products. This literature review focuses on three such herbs, Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng), Convolvulus arvensis (bindweed), and Evodiae fructus (evodiamine) which have been found to be potent in their property of inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels …

Sandspur, Vol 112, No 24, April 07, 2006, Rollins College

The Rollins Sandspur

Rollins College student newspaper, written by the students and published at Rollins College. The Sandspur started as a literary journal.

The Echo: April 7, 2006, Taylor University

2005-2006 (Volume 93)

Student sentenced for Schultz Hall fire – NASA teaches TU students – Staley Scholar visits campus – The Wall Street Journal Campus Edition. – Rafting the Wabash – Miller smiles in trials – For seniors only – Common sense defense – Letters to the Editor – Christian service is not optional – Chapel check-up – Support YC2006 – Letters to the Editor – ‘Vendetta’ raises timely questions – ‘Libertine’ strikes low blow – Morrissey leads ‘Tormentors’ – Sunny days: Taylor 7-2 over break – Student writer has all-star experience – Trojan softball splits with Cougars in home opener – TU …

An Evaluation Of The Along Track Reef Imaging System (Atris) For Efficient Reef Monitoring And Rapid Groundtruthing Of Eaarl Lidar, Nicole O. Caesar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Along-Track Reef-Imaging System (ATRIS) is a vessel-mounted, digital camera, depth sounder and Global Positioning System (GPS) package that facilitates the rapid capture of underwater images in shallow-water benthic environments. This technology has the potential to collect ecologically significant data, particularly in benthic habitats less than 10 m in depth, with better location referencing and in less time than is required for surveys carried out by Scuba divers. In October 2004, ATRIS was tested coincidently with SCUBA-assisted video along transects on five patch reefs in Biscayne National Park. Images from both data sets were subsampled, viewed, and benthic cover under …