Digital Commons Network^™

Cognitively Enhanced Humans As Both Warfighters And Weapons Of War, Carolyn Sharp

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

With the advent of neuromorphic computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning can now behave in a human-like manner by analyzing information and responding with subjective reasoning. And when this informed decision-making process is combined with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), not only could a neuromorphic BCI take direction from the brain, but it could also observe its complexity and use that information to incorporate new knowledge and capabilities into the brain itself as it exploits the plasticity, or adaptability, of the brain. This combination of biological and technological intelligence could lead to the development and delivery of thoughts/outputs that are powerful enough …

Patterns Of Epiphytic Lichen Abundance On Aspen Stands In Proximity To Roads Of Varying Vehicular Traffic, D. Aragon, C. Castillo, J. Moffroid, G. Thomas

Aspen Bibliography

Although present in nearly any wild space with available moisture and on a wide variety of substrates, lichen, and its importance as a bioindicator for an ecosystem, is often overlooked. As air pollution becomes a greater concern for flora, fauna, and even humans, the story told by lichen growth becomes more useful as we try to make sense of the downstream effects of anthropogenic contributions to poor air quality. One such human-driven pollutant is the level of emissions that result from vehicular travel. The Jackson Hole area has experienced a large increase in vehicular traffic in the past five to …

Pando Clone Recovery: Repeat Photos 2014-2019, Mary O'Brien, Marc Coles-Ritchie

Aspen Bibliography

The world's largest known clone of aspen (Populus tremuloides), called the "Pando Clone" is located in the Fishlake National Forest in central Utah. For many decades, significant pressure from ungulate (deer and cattle) browsing has prevented growth of young aspen stems in to trees that would replace the mature trees as they die of natural causes. There has been concern that this impressive 104-acre Pando Clone could be lost altogether due to the excessive browsing of young aspen stems. In 2013, 16 acres of this clone were fenced to exclude all ungulates (deer and cattle) so that recovery …

Striatal Dopamine And Norepinephrine Levels In Conjunction With Ocd-Like Behaviors In A Novel Animal Model Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Brooke Bokal, Miya Carmichael, Jessica Krupa Emily Bellow, Kayla Elder, Danielle Stern

Research Days Posters 2020

This study evaluated behaviors and monoamine levels of the neonatal clomipramine (neoCLOM) model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in male and female rats (36 of each). Subjects were injected with 15 mg/kg of the serotonin-norepinephrine uptake inhibitor clomipramine during a developmentally sensitive period. A unique combination of Hole Board (HB) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) apparatuses was used to evaluate compulsiveness and anxiety. There was a significant effect of Treatment in the HB. Male neoCLOMs had increased hole poke and repeats versus control male neoSALs. In contrast, there was a significant effect of Sex in the EPM. Female neoCLOMs spent …

Sex Influences Behaviors And Neurochemistry Of The Neonatal Clomipramine Model Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Ocd), Erika Hryhorenko, Julia Mende, Abigail Reilly, Sydney Tse, Sophia Valerino, Hannah Wojcik

Research Days Posters 2020

Current treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are ineffective. This study evaluated the neo-clomipramine (neoCLOM) animal model of OCD using elevated plus maze (EPM) testing and HPLC analysis of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in punches of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Treatment had an effect on total arm entries, whereas Sex had an effect on open arm entries: (a) neoCLOM females had increased total arm entries compared to neoSAL females; (b) both female groups had more closed and total arms entries compared to respective male groups; (c) neoCLOM females spent more time in the open …

Development Of Assay Platforms For Monitoring Human C-Reactive Protein, Palmer Ernst, Corrine Stahura

Research Days Posters 2020

It is imperative to have rapid diagnostic assays available that provide healthcare workers with a rapid yes/no or semi-quantitative response to a biomarker of interest. Agglutination assays use the clustering of antibodies in the presence of an antigen to semi-quantitatively monitor specific protein levels. Our research details the development of a latex agglutination test (LAT) for the detection of C-reactive protein (CRP), an important marker of inflammation in various disease states, at physiologically-relevant levels. Blue latex beads were covalently coated with Protein A for oriented antibody immobilization, then functionalized with anti-CRP antibody at various concentrations. We determined the optimal concentrations …

Increasing The Efficacy Of Student Learning Groups, Juliet Buddiga, Mel Phillip

Research Days Posters 2020

Many college classes involve work and assignments to be completed as a group. These student groups vary with respect to their ability to achieve their goals effectively, often due to insufficient cooperation within the group. This project seeks to improve student group function through education on the eight Core Design Principles derived from Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom. In a randomized control trial, students were provided with core design principle intervention, and the subsequent results will report on the effects of this intervention on group performance and satisfaction.

Assumptions About The Nature Of Sexual Attraction And Asexuality, Chloe Cairncross, Alex Rehman-Grosser

Research Days Posters 2020

Asexuality is defined as the non-experience of sexual attraction, but if humans are naturally sexual beings then the assumption is that asexuality must not be natural. This research explores the idea of asexuality as part of human nature. We reviewed literature on the topic of asexuality and administered a survey. The survey was released on five different platforms and received nearly 600 responses, the majority from individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum. The survey addressed understandings of asexuality and experiences of both asexual and non-asexual individuals. Almost all survey participants believed that asexuality is natural, however, approximately two-thirds also believed …

Effects Of Dietary Choices On Anxiety And Depression, Frederick Mignone, Lina Begdache

Research Days Posters 2020

Anxiety is commonly defined as a set of emotions including nervousness, restlessness or being fidgety. Depression is commonly defined as a state of unhappiness, hopelessness, worthlessness and a sense of futility. Previous research reported a positive relationship between the consumption of energy drinks, dairy and anxiety. On the other hand, other studies revealed a negative relationship between the consumption of fruit and anxiety. In addition, there is an established negative relationship between exercise, fish consumption and depression. However, there is a need to assess dietary patterns in relation to mental distress as nutrients collectively contribute to brain chemistry . An …

Systematic Racism In The U.S.: Disproportionate African American Maternal Mortality Rates, Jillian Karlicek, Connor Barry, Mackenzie Johnson

Research Days Posters 2020

Black mothers in the United States have significantly higher mortality rates than all other American racial or ethnic groups, even when factors such as education, income, and overall health are controlled for. We considered whether life experiences of systemic racism contribute to poor maternal health for black women. Through literary analysis and an interview with a medical anthropologist, we found indications that higher incidences of maternal mortality are not due to genetic factors shared among African-American women. Rather, along with other cultural factors, continuous exposure to racism strains the body in ways that negatively impact maternal health. Our research highlights …

Let's Talk About Sex...And Gender: The Varying Ways In Which Sex And Gender Are Operationally Defined In Current Medical Research, Marissa Cimmino, Jasper Otvertchenko

Research Days Posters 2020

Sex-based differences are a common area of study in health research, specifically in relation to disease manifestation and treatment. Hormonal makeup, genetic factors, and reproductive organs are a few factors lumped under the definition of sex while broad and varying social paradigms are examined as a framework for gender or excluded altogether. Operational definitions of sex and/or gender were compared within varying sectors of healthcare in western medicine, elucidating the differences in medical research practices overall. This content analysis shows limitations in how current studies define what sex characteristics are being examined, how sex/gender are defined, and if these distinctions …

Identification Of Genes That Affect Cardiac Failure In Diabetic Drosophila Melanogaster, Ashley O'Toole, Christie Santoro

Research Days Posters 2020

High sugar diets exacerbate type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease in humans and model organisms, including Drosophila melanogaster. High sugar diets are linked to cardiovascular disease through lipotoxicity, which causes lipid accumulation in the blood and organs. While the lipids and mechanisms underlying lipotoxicity are not well understood, increased abundance of cardiac diacylglycerides, triacylglycerides, and other lipids is strongly associated with impaired cardiovascular function. We used tissue-specific loss-of-function genetics to target genes that we hypothesized might contribute to the accumulation of toxic lipid species in Drosophila. Genes encoding enzymes in several metabolic pathways were knocked down in a screen in …

A Head Start In Science: Parent-Child Interactions And Children’S Science Process Skills, Ariel Kachuro, Dennis Cregin, Arlicia Gross, Samantha Herlands, Julia Kolodny, Briana Squires, Danielle Wolfe, Kayla Yim, Samantha Ziesel

Research Days Posters 2020

Supporting early STEM learning in children is important in formal and informal settings, especially for underrepresented families. Head Start partnered with the Sciencenter to engage parents and children in STEM related activities once a month during free Family Engagement Night. It was hypothesized that children’s school readiness was related to the amount of science-process language used between parents and children. Children’s school readiness scores were evaluated throughout the academic year. Science process language was categorized into observations, predictions, categorization, math and measurements, and spatial. It was found that school readiness scores were correlated with math related conversation but not science …

Taste Of Attraction: Observing The Effects Of Starvation Resistance On Mating Success In D. Melanogaster, Rachel Santana Felipes, Ali Machrone, Nicholas Shleiwet

Research Days Posters 2020

Drosophila melanogaster have reduced mating success after being exposed to starvation selection pressure that results in increased body weight. Many insect are capable of finishing their metamorphosis before larva reaches their final size. This results in smaller but viable adults. Previously, flies were put through a rescue protocol to reduce their size in efforts to increase mating. This method was not successful across all genetic lines of starvation resistant flies. We suspect that the increased cuticle hydrocarbon released by starvation resistance flies impacts their mating success. We will test this hypothesis by following a performing a pheromone exchange protocol.

Sharing Isn't Always Caring: Sti Concerns, Matt Heider

Research Days Posters 2020

This study examined the relationship between gender and concern about contracting a sexually transmitted diseases during oral sex. It was hypothesized that concern regarding contracting a sexually transmitted disease would be higher in females in general than in males in general. College students completed a survey with questions regarding their concern levels about contracting an STI while having oral sex. The implications are discussed regarding the variance in concern from “never concerned” to “always concerned” of contracting an STI.

Optimizing Conditions For The Conjugation Of Unusual Substrates To Igg1 Antibodies Using Microbial Transglutaminase, Brittany Brems, Tak Ian Chio, Breanna Demestichas

Research Days Posters 2020

Antibody drugs conjugations (ADCs) are an increasingly important targeted drug-delivery technology for the treatment of cancer. Site-specific ADCs are particularly advantageous due to the homogeneous nature of drug attachment, consistent drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) and improved pharmacokinetic, efficacy and safety profile. Microbial transglutaminase is frequently used for preparation for these ADCs because it facilitates the facile formation of a specific peptide bond between alkyl amines and the amide side change of exposed glutamine residues. Previously, it was believed that the only viable substrates for transglutaminase were alkyl amines. However, we have recently found that non-amine substrates, such as hydrazines and hydrazides, …

Evaluation Of Tag And Glucose Concentrations To Determine The Degree Of Adaptation To A High-Sugar Diet In Drosophila Melanogaster, Christina Capobianco, Azva Alvi, Matthew Pereira, Thomas Rundell

Research Days Posters 2020

Experimental evolution strategies have been used to alter both phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of populations under laboratory selective pressures. In this project, an outbred population of Drosophila melanogaster will undergo selection for adaptation to high-sugar (HS) diets during early adulthood. Previous studies showed that HS feeding reduces the lifespan and health span in adult Drosophila, including obesity and hyperglycemia, compared to control flies. Therefore, the longest-lived survivors of chronic HS feeding will be mated to produce each generation, allowing selection for protective alleles. We hypothesize that the HS-adapted population will increase its tolerance to HS feeding over time, whereas the …

Tourism And Public Health: The Case For Thailand, Liam Lane

Research Days Posters 2020

From its unique history, Thailand has embraced its independence and benefited from its cultural and natural beauty. With a developing economy centered around a strong tourism industry, Thailand experienced a period of intensive industrialization that shaped Thai lifestyle. At the same time, this industry gave way to the emergence of regional and social disparities that have seemingly divided Thai society. Public health statuses have also suffered; with threats of harmful air qualities second to transportation and poor agricultural practices, the abundance of single-use plastics, growing trends in medical tourism, and noticeable changes in subsistence strategies. This capstone highlights Thailand's experience …

Maximizing The Efficiency Of Prednisolone In Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Through Reformulation, Antonietta Macri, Rebecca Harris

Research Days Posters 2020

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease in which skeletal muscle membranes lack the protein dystrophin, decreasing membrane stability and causing progressive muscle degeneration. DMD has no cure, but is commonly treated with glucocorticoids such as, prednisolone to reduce inflammatory symptoms and prolong ambulation. However, chronic use of Prednisolone yields systemic side effects, thus we aim to reduce the dose needed and preferentially target this drug to muscle tissue. To this end, we have focused on two strategies for improved prednisolone formulation: 1.) combination with thiamine (vitamin B1) to synergistically improve anti-inflammatory properties and 2.) entrapment within liposomes to …

Neonatal Clomipramine Rat Model Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Ocd) Demonstrates Neurochemical Differences In Prefrontal And Motor Cortices And Behavioral Differences In Elevated Plus Maze And Hole Board, Rebecca Nussbaum, Maylin Vititow, Juan Mato, Kristen Coletti, Dana Silberstein

Research Days Posters 2020

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves recurring, unwanted thoughts and uncontrollable behaviors that are known to be caused by defects in neurochemical circuits. The main pharmacological treatment for OCD is Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs). These drugs are insufficient in providing symptom relief effectively and painlessly. Animal models are necessary for screening new drugs that could potentially surpass SRIs in terms of efficacy. A preliminary study concerned with developing the neoCLOM rat model of OCD was conducted. Male and female rat behaviors were observed in the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Hole Board (HB) assays after they were injected with either clomipramine …

Drug Usage In Heart Disease As A Risk Factors For Mental Illness Using Machine Learning, Jay Sivakumar

Research Days Posters 2020

Patients with increased mental illness like depression, anxiety or schizophrenia can lead to heart failures among mid-life and old age patients. Although the significance of mental illnesses (such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia) on the cardiovascular disease is well documented, mental illnesses as a side effect due to heart disease is vaguely studied. In this research, we investigate the role of cardiovascular disease as a risk factor for mental illness. During investigation, long term use of antibiotics, along with gender, age, BMI, hypertension and the usage of drugs like clarithromycin, Z-pak, folate, CoQ, omega3fish oil, vitamin B6 were considered as …

Norepinephrine And Corticosterone In The Neoclom Animal Model Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Effects Of Treatment And Sex, Hannah Rockwood, Jason Howard, Lea Safarpour, Kate Lerner

Research Days Posters 2020

This study examined a novel animal model of OCD, the neoCLOM model, in which rats are treated twice daily from postnatal Days 9-16 with 15 mg/kg of the serotonin-norepinephrine uptake inhibitor clomipramine. Results showed there was an effect of neonatal TREATMENT on levels of norepinephrine (NE) measured from micropunches of post-mortem brain tissue using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Compared to control males, neoCLOM males had higher levels of NE in the amygdala and the lateral thalamus. Compared to control females, neoCLOM females had higher levels of NE in the motor cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and the hypothalamus. There was also an …

Identifying Genes Associated With Elevated Rates Of Mitochondrial Dna Instability In A Yeast Model System, Austen Tinz-Burdick

Research Days Posters 2020

Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles whose principal function is to produce chemical energy for cells. Instability of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) interrupts mitochondrial function, which in turn can beget a variety of diseases. We assayed several hundred strains of yeast for differences in the rates of mtDNA loss and performed a genome-wide association study to identify nuclear genes that influence mtDNA stability. We validated our findings by employing a collection of yeast strains, each bearing a knockout of a different gene. Our results show that genes involved in cell cycle regulation (WHI4) and proteins associated with oxidative phosphorylation (COQ11, YAT1) had significant …

Understanding The Metal-Insulator Transition In Certain Metal-Oxides, Keith Tirpak, Galo Paez Fajardo, Christopher Singh

Research Days Posters 2020

With the increasing interest in finding novel methods of computing comes a complementary interest in studying the potentially useful electronic properties of Transition Metal Oxides. Some such oxides of particular interest are those which undergo a temperature-dependent metal to insulator transition (MIT), where this change in resistivity allows these materials to exhibit a property known as negative differential resistance, which makes them useful for implementation into memristive devices. These memristors are integrally important to a new circuit design that is engineered to emulate the spike-based processing of biological neurons, known as a neuristor. One important element that must be understood …

Host-Parasite Interactions In The Presence Of Microplastic Contamination, Brianna Sander, Nick Buss

Research Days Posters 2020

Microplastics are gaining increased attention as a ubiquitous anthropogenic contaminant. Despite the fact that freshwater systems may represent a major source for marine microplastic pollution, less data exists regarding environmental contamination and the biological effects of microplastics in freshwater environments. Taking an ecological approach, this experiment looks at the potential effects of the presence of polyester microfibers (a common form of microplastic) on the dynamics of a host-parasite relationship. We use wood frog tadpoles and trematode parasites common to local Northeastern wetlands as our model system.

Policing Executive Teamwork: Rescuing The Apa From Presidential Administration, William Powell

Missouri Law Review

No abstract provided.

Thiamine-Induced Nitric Oxide Improves Tolerance To Boron Toxicity In Pepper Plants By Enhancing Antioxidants, Cengi̇z Kaya, Mustafa Aslan, Ferhat Uğurlar, Muhammad Ashraf

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The role of thiamine (THI)-induced nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in the improvement of tolerance to boron (B) toxicity in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was studied. A solution of THI (50 or 100 mg L-1) was sprayed to the foliage of pepper plants exposed to high B regime (2.0 mM H3BO3) once a week for 4 weeks. A scavenger of NO (0.1 mM), cPTIO, along with THI was sprayed once a week to ascertain whether or not endogenous NO played a role in the alleviation of B stress in pepper plants by THI. There were significant reductions in plant dry weight, …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

No abstract provided.

Low Doses Of Bisphenol S Affect Post-Translational Modifications Of Sperm Proteins In Male Mice, Hedvika Řimnáčová, Miriam Štiavnická, Jiří Moravec, Marouane Chemek, Yaroslav Kolinko, Olga García-Álvarez, Peter R. Mouton, Azalia Mariel Carranza Trejo, Tereza Fenclová, Nikola Eretová, Petr Hošek, Pavel Klein, Milena Králíčková, Jaroslav Petr, Jan Nevoral

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: Bisphenol S (BPS) is increasingly used as a replacement for bisphenol A in the manufacture of products containing polycarbonates and epoxy resins. However, further studies of BPS exposure are needed for the assessment of health risks to humans. In this study we assessed the potential harmfulness of low-dose BPS on reproduction in male mice.

Methods: To simulate human exposure under experimental conditions, 8-week-old outbred ICR male mice received 8 weeks of drinking water containing a broad range of BPS doses [0.001, 1.0, or 100 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day, BPS1-3] or vehicle control. Mice were sacrificed and testicular tissue taken …

Where Do We Go From Here? A Forward-Thinking Vision For Physiology Undergraduate Education, Nancy M. Aguilar-Roca, Lisa C. Anderson, Anne R. Crecelius, Michelle B. French, Katie Johnson, Jenny L. Mcfarland, Jennifer Rogers, Claudia I. Stanescu, Erica A. Wehrwein

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

This paper is a summary of the special collection of papers in Advances in Physiology Education dedicated to the Physiology Majors Interest Group (P-MIG). P-MIG is a new and vibrant community (1, 2) of educators and administrators who are united by the common goal of creating physiology courses, curricula and programs that will prepare our students for the future. It is an independent consortium that welcomes anyone interested in physiology education at the level of the undergraduate degree in physiology and physiology-related fields. As demonstrated by this special collection of papers of Advances in Physiology Education, P-MIG has already made …