Digital Commons Network^™

Expanding Shelter Dog Research And Service To Encompass University Campus Communities, Lea Stephen, Richa Patel, Raquel Walton

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Many animal shelters are actively exploring social enrichment (SE) programs to alleviate animal stress and reduce residency times. SE invests in resources for focal animals (e.g. field trips, play groups, and/or augmented cages) to improve health, temperament, and adoption prospects. SE hinges on many factors, including strategic design and resource recruitment (e.g. human volunteers) to implement data-driven protocols. We propose that college students can help expand and refine SE efforts of campus-adjacent animal shelters, while meeting student needs for meaningful service and research opportunities. To demonstrate this, we completed diverse SE-related activities over the last two semesters using public data, …

Exploration Of Mdm2-Aurkb Regulatory Interaction: Implications For Cell Cycle Arrest And Cell Death In Lung Cancer, Akshara Sriram, Esha Surana

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 26.6% in the USA contributing to a higher mortality in comparison to other cancers. Among various abnormalities, MDM2 overexpression can positively influence the intracellular mechanisms and contribute to cancer progression through AURKB activation. Also, FOXO3A, a member of the Forkhead Box transcription factors linked to MDM2, serve as intermediates for various cellular mechanisms, including tumorigenesis, cell cycle progression, DNA damage, and cell death. Therefore, blocking MDM2 with specific inhibitors has become one of the promising strategies for the restoration of p53 mediated tumor …

Exploring The Genetic Elements Regarding The Early Onset Of Arthritis Due To Crohn's Disease, Vamsi Korisapati, Karam Asad

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Crohn’s disease is a rare inflammatory bowel disease that negatively impacts the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease increases the probability of early onset arthritis, both of which are commonly associated chronic conditions. An overactive immune response is the primary cause of inflammation in Crohn's disease, and this inflammation can damage not only the digestive tract but also other regions of the body such as the joints. However, patients who are diagnosed with arthritis are typically prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are not recommended for patients with Crohn’s disease (ex. aspirin, naproxen, & celecoxib). On the other hand, disease-modifying …

Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of Telmisartan Against High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Dose- And Sex-Dependent Study In Mice, Nitisha Dundigalla, Ariana Hernandez, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Iliana Uribe, Shalet James, Eleanor Wind, Natalia Noto, Valeria Cohen, Julianna Bonetti

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, often developing in response to poor diet consumption and associated metabolic disturbances (obesity, Type II diabetes). Telmisartan, an Angiotensin II receptor blocker commonly used for treating hypertension, may hold therapeutic value against the adverse metabolic effects of a high fat (HF) diet, including NAFLD. This project explores whether the effects of Telmisartan are dose- and sex-dependent in obese, prediabetic mice. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat (HF) or low-fat (LF) diet starting at ~3 months old; diet was maintained for the remainder …

Exploring Trends In Hate Crime Statistics And Trauma-Related Disorders In Asian And Black Americans, 2017-2021, Arun Jagarlamudi, Meghana Jagarlamudi, Varun Jagarlamudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The rise of COVID-19 and social movements (i.e., protests) were also accompanied with the rise of hate crimes, specifically against Asian and Black communities. Along with physical threats from hate crimes, long-term consequences of this include trauma-related responses such as developing feelings of anger and facing higher risks of PTSD compared to other crimes committed against these groups. This project explored a 5-year trend analysis of the relationship between hate crimes and trauma-related mental health disorders among Black and Asian populations in the United States. It was hypothesized that hate crimes and trauma-related disorders would be positively correlated and would …

Flirting With Danger: A Review Of Mental Health Factors Associated With Sexual Risk Behaviors In Young Adult Women, Megana Guntur

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sexual risk behavior is a global public health challenge that contributes to transmission of sexually transmitted infection, negatively affecting the health of young people all around the world, particularly young women. Both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified reduction of sexually transmitted infections as a goal for which reducing sexual risk behavior is crucial. In recent years, as the prevalence of mental health issues has risen in young people, several studies have examined the associations between mental health factors and participation in risky sexual behaviors. The present review synthesizes findings from research …

Molecular Diagnostics Of Toxoplasma Gondii, The World's Most Interesting Parasite, In Diverse Floridian Avifauna, Trisha Jaganathan, Sri Vaishnavi Konagalla, Roshini Bodicherla, Sonia Rao, Mihir Kurup, Adam Sewnarine, Pari Cribbins

Undergraduate Student Symposium

T. gondii is an intracellular parasite that infects terrestrial mammals and birds worldwide; it also has important impacts on human and wildlife health. Data on this parasite’s prevalence in our local (South Florida) ecosystem is lacking, which could help inform both public health and conservation efforts. Our questions for this study include: a) how prevalent is this parasite locally? b) do avian species differ in infection rates? c) does parasite abundance differ between localities?

Thus far, tissues have been dissected from carcasses provided by partner conversation facilities, including two very common South Florida bird species: Green Herons (a large wetland-associated …

Red Dog Loess, A Peoria Equivalent, Last Glacial Desert Loess Of The White River Badlands, South Dakota, Usa, John Nichols, Corinne Renshaw, Lillie Suthers, Amanda Altree, Tava Boeckel, Ritika Vonguru

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Understanding how ecosystems in the Great Plains responded to droughts and prehistoric climate change is important for interpreting future climate disturbances and water resource planning. There is a correlation between glacial periods and atmospheric dust distribution, with significant dust deposition in the Great Plains during the Last Glacial Maximum, ~23,000 years ago (23ka). Continuous freezing and thawing events in the mid-continent led to erosion in the Great Plains, transporting a significant deposit of windblown dust, or loess, and an ecological collapse of the grassland ecosystems. This research aims to determine if the White River Badlands (WRB) region was the source …

Reducing Inoculum Effect By Modulating Growth Productivity Through The Superpathway Of Purine, Pyrimidine And Histidine Synthesis In Escherichia Coli, Ruth Thomas, Daniella M. Hernandez, Melissa Marzouk

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic overuse has driven the evolution of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria that complicate infections that were once easily treatable. While mechanisms by which individual bacterium resist or tolerate antibiotics are well explored, less studied are the mechanisms by which populations of bacteria tolerate antibiotics as a collective. One such mechanism bacteria employ to tolerate antibiotic treatment as a collective is the inoculum effect (IE). We recently discovered that growth productivity, which describes the relationship between ATP production and growth rate, can account for IE for multiple antibiotics and pathogens. However, the underlying pathways for determining growth productivity have yet to be …

Relationships Between Emotion Regulation, Self-Directed Behaviors, And Student Learning Outcomes In Online Vs. In-Person College Courses, Sri Vaishnavi Konagalla

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Research examining student learning outcomes in online vs. in-person learning has shown varied results, with some studies showing more favorable outcomes in in-person courses and others showing no major differences between the two course types. Further exploration into additional factors influencing satisfaction and learning outcomes in both course formats highlights the relationships between self-directed learning behaviors (SDLBs), emotion regulation (ER), and quality of sleep with increased academic performance and course satisfaction. Previous research examining SLDBs and ER on student outcomes is limited to either online courses or in-person courses and does not compare the two. Therefore, the purpose of this …

Religiosity, Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors, And Treatment Utilization Among Muslim Populations In America, Aminah Asghar, Jenin Mannaa

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Despite the emphasis Islam gives to mental health practices including prayer and meditation, Muslim populations in the United States, on average, do not seek professional mental health services. Little research has been conducted on the relationship between religion and mental health help-seeking behaviors and treatment utilization among Muslims. This study aims to investigate the utilization of mental health services in Muslim populations. We hypothesize that Muslims with higher levels of religiosity will be less likely to seek professional mental health help or support.

Data was utilized from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III (NESARC-III). Mental health …

Resveratrol-Inspired Synthetic Compounds For Glioblastoma Stem Cell Cytotoxicity, Nhi Van, Daniela Otero-Wincher, Elaine Chen, Brianna Calderon, Eliezer Gurovich, Marissa Bonsangue, Maria Moreno Hollweg, Eduardo Veliz Ph.D., Steven Vanni Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor that poses a formidable challenge in terms of treatment due to its infiltrative nature and lack of effective conventional therapies. The presence of treatment resistant glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) is hypothesized to be responsible for tumor growth; therefore, successful elimination of GSCs is necessary to prevent post-therapy tumor recurrence and patient death. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenolic stilbene found vastly in plant products, such as the skin of red grapes. RSV and its analogs are known for their antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antiaging, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and blood-sugar lowering properties. A challenge of utilizing RSV in …

Spring-Mass Model Characteristics In Distance Runners Across A Competitive Season, Isabella Vargas-Blanchard, Riley Schemel, Alexis Arena

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The spring-mass model (SMM) explains the elastic bouncing nature of the lower limbs during running as the tendons store and release elastic energy. It is primarily used to explain sprinting and is less understood in distance runners. SMM is quantified by evaluating the asymmetries in landing-takeoff and rebound percents (%) determined from ground reaction forces (GRF). Faster runners have less asymmetrical landing-takeoff% and more asymmetrical rebound%. SMM asymmetries may be sensitive to longitudinal training. Therefore, we sought to document changes in elastic bouncing properties over a 7-week competitive season in distance runners. Thirteen university runners (age, 19.8±2.2 yrs; height, 1.74±0.10 …

The Effect Of Kras Mutation In Lung Cancers And Neuroblastomas, Lohita Sunkara, Jessica Mangila

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Objective: This literature research examined the effects of KRAS mutation and expression in NonSmall Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Neuroblastomas for using it as a therapeutic target. Background: KRAS gene mutations are more common in long-term tobacco smokers with lung cancer than in non-smokers. The KRAS gene mutations in Lung Cancers typically indicate poor prognosis and resistance to several cancer treatments. Patients with KRAS Mutations were often shown to present resistance to certain drugs such as targeted chemotherapeutics, including EGFR inhibitors. Results: KRAS mutations in NSCLC are driver mutations, which are known to activate signaling pathways that promote aggressive tumor …

The Impacts Of Feeding And Swallowing On Infants And Toddlers With Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Scoping Review Of The Literature, Elenie Ortiz, Katheline Hernandez, Julie Fumero, Rachel Seganti

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is when the brain is deprived of oxygen leading to brain damage. There are two stages- the acute phase and the latent phase. The acute phase is when an initial lack of oxygen to the brain occurs. The latent phase occurs when oxygenated blood flow resumes in the brain, this is known as reperfusion injury. Symptoms can present directly after birth, or later in a child’s development, during the early childhood years. It is one of the most common causes of neonatal encephalopathy. It is a prevalent source of morbidity and mortality for infants throughout the …

The Portrayal Of The Femme Fatale: The Evolution Of Gender Roles In The Depiction Of A Femme Fatale, Esperanza Barrios, Amanda Perez Romero

Undergraduate Student Symposium

When male authors describe the word ‘femme fatale’, it is always a synonym for a seductive woman who brings disaster to an unfortunate male hero. But, when a female author writes the story, the definition changes to women who become victims of patriarchy. In turn, they transform into unfeeling women who use their charms to survive in a world where they are viewed as subdued, mink, and consenting objects for a male’s pride and satisfaction. There are two femme fatales who although they struggled to obtain their happiness, kept striving forward and did not let any difficulty fracture their minds …

The Universal Mass Function And Its Applicability To Organic Molecules, Abby Schamber, Raquel Walton

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The ability to predict the yield when synthesizing an organic molecule is a challenging issue in organic chemistry and a major obstacle when planning a multi-step organic synthesis. It would be beneficial to predict the yield of the product such that the most time, money, and waste-efficient method can be used. The Universal Mass Function (UMF) states that cosmic objects on all scales are in direct relation to each other. It shows that massive objects are much rarer than objects with lower masses. The following research aims to examine if the UMF theory is applicable to the field of organic …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Sudoku Variant Puzzles, Nhat Yen Nhi Nguyen

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sudoku is a globally popular number puzzle game whose appeal lies in its simplicity and capacity to challenge logical and analytical skills, transcending cultural barriers and finding applications in various fields. The game is believed to bring many benefits to the players, including stimulating the mind, as well as developing their ability to make decisions (Uniyal, 2022). This research delves into evolving preferences by analyzing publicly available data from Logic Masters Deutschland (LMD), a leading German organization dedicated to expanding Sudoku logic puzzles through competitions and events (www.logic-masters.de). The dataset comprises a wealth of puzzle-related information, including puzzle names, author …

An Approach To Using X-Ray Crystallography To Understand Peptidomimetics, Mariapaz Velez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Peptidomimetics can fold into a variety of well-defined shapes. The goal of this project is to understand shape selection in a beta peptide foldamer with an alpha amino acid cap. This research represents interdisciplinary collaboration between KAIST, a research university in South Korea, and NSU. We solved the single crystal x-ray structure and found that the crystals of this molecule were orthorhombic in P2₁2₁2with unit cell dimensions a=22.655(6), b=30.008(8), c=18.271(5) and a unit cell volume of 12421.2 ų (Z=8). We observed a total of 6 intermolecular hydrogen bonds within the beta peptide foldamer. Each of …

Comparing Methodologies In 2-2'-Bipyridine Synthesis, Valentina El Khouri Faieta, Emily Andersen, Cameron Martinez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this study is to determine the most economical and efficient way to synthesize functionalized bipyridine adducts for future incorporation into ruthenium complexes. These complexes show promise in treating bladder cancer and their extensive conjugated system demonstrates strong photovoltaic activity.

Two distinct approaches will be contrasted. The first method uses several disubstituted 2-bromopyridine substrates in homo-coupling reactions to create functionalized bipyridines, at the expense of long reactions times. The second route utilizes unsubstituted 2,2’-bipyridines and functionalizes them in a symmetrical pattern using a microwave synthesizer, to attempt to drastically shorten reaction times.

The first mode utilizes deactivating groups …

Ketogenic Diet Improves Cognitive-Behavioral Function In A Mouse Model Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Lauren Rosenburg, Iliana Uribe, Ariana Hernandez, Bianca Echeverria

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the accumulation of amyloid protein in cerebral vessels, is linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), stroke, and cognitive impairment. Currently, there is no effective treatment or prevention for this condition. The ketogenic diet (KD), which is characterized by high fat, low carbohydrate, and moderate protein consumption, has gained considerable attention in recent years for its potential therapeutic use in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Studies in AD rodent models have found that KD and/or ketogenic supplements attenuate cognitive-behavioral impairments and dementia-related pathology. However, it is unknown whether KD can similarly benefit individuals with CAA. Considering KD’s …

Social Anxiety Disorder In Gerontological Populations: Analysis Of Retirement, Spousal Loss, And Health-Related Challenges In Older Adults, Nathan Tinu

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This study will explore Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in gerontological populations, specifically examining how it manifests in the context of retirement, spousal loss, and health challenges. Employing surveys, interviews, and clinical assessments, the research will investigate both the subjective experiences and objective markers of SAD among older adults. The study will delve into the impact of retirement on social interactions, identity, and self-esteem to uncover potential contributions to social anxiety symptoms. Additionally, the research will observe the repercussions of spousal loss, using advanced statistical modeling to analyze longitudinal data and identify temporal patterns in the development of social anxiety. The …

The Economic Burden Of Celiac Disease: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Direct And Indirect Costs Associated With The Diagnosis And Management Of Celiac Disease, Mit Patel, Michelle Milman

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition where gluten ingestion prompts an immune response, damaging the small intestine and leading to diverse health complications. Effective management of CD necessitates a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). This paper reviews the economic implications of living with CD, drawing on peer-reviewed research from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The analysis reveals significant direct and indirect costs that contribute to the economic burden faced by individuals with CD. Direct costs stem from medical consultations, diagnostic testing, and treatment of CD and its comorbidities, such as thyroid dysfunction and osteoporosis. Indirect costs arise from the higher …

Unraveling The Elasmobranch: A Look At Shark Oral Microbiomes In South Florida, Varsha Chigurupati, Paul Paronich, Adhvika Saravanan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The intricate relationship between host organisms and their associated microbial communities, known as the microbiome, has garnered increasing attention across various fields of biology. Sharks, as apex predators in marine ecosystems, are important organisms to study and understand. Previous studies have shown shark gills and shark mouths are abundant in various types of commensal and pathogenic bacteria. This study examines results from a variety of swabs collected from shark species off the east coast of Florida. Through traditional microbial culturing and Next Generation 16S rRNA (Ribosomal RNA sequencing), we will understand the composition and functional significance of the shark microbiome …

What Is The Level Of Knowledge And Awareness Among Healthcare Providers In Neonatal Intensive Care Units (Nicus) Regarding Prelinguistic And Linguistic Development In Premature And Newborn Infants?, Brooke Gallo, Preye Ford

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Healthcare professionals in the Neonatal/Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are charged with education and competencies to maximize life support and viability in premature infants and medically fragile term infants. Often, the neonate’s first experiences with communication occur while in the hospital environment. It is well established that neonates and infants who spend more than five days in the NICU are at an increased risk for developmental delays, including language delays, speech sound disorders, motor speech disorders, and/or cognitive delays. Research indicates that 'Up to 50% of infants born less than 32 weeks of gestation develop disadvantaged outcomes, including language and …

Quantifying Respiratory Plasticity Of Checkered Pufferfish Under Climate Change Conditions, Logan Exton

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Increasing water temperatures resulting from global climate change introduce new energetic demands for marine organisms. Higher energy input will be required to cope with a subsequently higher metabolic rate, affecting all aspects of an individual’s life and therefore their survival. Because estuaries act as a link between rivers and oceans, they and their inhabitants are considered to be the most threatened by climate change. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how these organisms will respond to increased stressors due to climate change. Checkered pufferfish (Sphoeroides testudineus) are among the most common teleost fish in the Indian River Lagoon, …

Stereoscopic 3d Video Games Can Boost Depth Perception, Lara Cereminati

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Previous studies have shown that video game play improves a range of visual functions such as contrast sensitivity and visual crowding. Our experiment goal was aimed to test whether playing video games in a virtual 3-dimensional (3D) environment can modify depth perception or not. Altogether, 24 healthy young adults with no previous video game experience were recruited in two groups. In the treatment group (3DVG, n=12), participants were required to play stereoscopic 3D video games for a total of 40 hours over 4-5 weeks. In the control group (2DVG, n=12), participants played the same video games but in 2D mode …

Synthesis And Comparative Analysis Of FeχNiγSn Magnetic Nanoparticles , Sofia Celis

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Nano synthesis of Heusler alloys holds promise for their potential applications in creating next generation computer hard drives. This research project aims to investigate the synthesis and comparative analysis of Heusler nanomagnets using Ni₂FeSn, Fe₂NiSn, and FeNiSn compositions. The nanoparticles are synthesized using microwave-assisted heating and are then subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and SQUID magnetometry. We are particularly interested in conducting comparative analyses of the three nanomagnet compositions in order to determine which demonstrates superior magnetic properties for potential applications in the field.

Synthetic Psychedelic Phenethylamine Drugs After Microtubule Formation And Neurogenesis In Human Neural Progenitor Cells, Amelia Zannoni, Chase A. Gonzalez, Peter Stringer, Roberto G. Fileni, Nitisha S. Gajavalli, Julia Langman, Grace K. Wong

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Understanding how psychedelic phenethylamines affect neural plasticity is essential in understanding effects associated with recreational drug use. Intracellular scaffolding proteins and downstream effectors, i.e., the microtubule cytoskeleton, have been proposed to modulate the effects of psychedelics. Microtubules are polymers of the protein tubulin that contribute to the cytoarchitecture, protein transport, and synaptic stability in cells. Our group has shown that psychedelic substituted phenethylamines interact with microtubules in a dose dependent manner to affect its ability to form. These interactions would prevent microtubule dependent protein transport within cells leading to altered cytoarchitecture of the cell and may be associated with adverse …

Assessment Of Brain Function And Soccer Penalty Kick Performance In Collegiate Soccer Players, Toniann Brezina

Undergraduate Student Symposium

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research study is to assess National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s and women’s soccer players brain function while taking penalty kicks wearing an electroencephalogram (EEG) band and a heart rate monitor. An EEG is a device used to assess brain activity and will record four types of brain wave activities: alpha, beta, theta, and delta. Heart rate data provides additional insight during strenuous activity. Minimal research exists on EEG and soccer penalty kicks, but multiple published studies discuss high activity in the beta wave along with a low heart rate indicating a focused but relaxed …