Digital Commons Network^™

Demonstrating Physical Control Over Others Changes One’S Sense Of Power: Testing A Novel Manipulation Of Physical Formidability, Tamara Bogdanova, Morgan Fala, Ned Vaitkevicius, Nissipriya Pill, Ariana Gonzalez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between physical formidability and social power in modern humans. Previous research has shown that factors related to physical power, such as height, can affect a person’s perception of their own social power. We hypothesized that exercising physical power by engaging in the physical control of the behavior of another individual would affect people’s sense of their own social power and influence. To test this hypothesis, we employed a novel manipulation that used a human-to-human Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) device and a confederate to allow participants to feel as though …

Evaluating A Research Course Designed To Help Students Understand Protein Structure And Function, Omar Saleh, Jordan Nichole Carreras, Ryan Luib

Undergraduate Student Symposium

An educational curriculum has been implemented through the Farquhar Honors College (FHC) to integrate computational biology research for undergraduate students. Since its time as an independent study course, it has evolved into an Honors interdisciplinary course that is co-taught by professors from both the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry & Physics with support from the NSF-funded Connecting Researchers, Educators, and STudents program, and 3D Molecular Designs. The course is intended to be applicable to FHC students regardless of their academic background. Throughout the Fall 2023 semester, peer mentors worked with student groups to assist in literature comprehension, protein selection, …

Evaluating The Association Between Undergraduate Major And Telehealth Utilization, Nimisha Kumar, Rojie Ekanayake, Wardah Lodhi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Telehealth is a rapidly advancing phenomenon that utilizes technology to provide long-distance healthcare services to patients. The convenience of telehealth services is essential during emergency situations. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased awareness and reliance of telehealth services worldwide. Additionally, telehealth provides time-saving crisis intervention amongst the recent worsening of the fentanyl and opioid crisis. Telehealth’s increased flexibility and convenience benefits populations facing barriers to healthcare access. As telehealth rapidly evolves, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence its adoption. The purpose of this study is to evaluate any associations between undergraduate students’ majors and telehealth …

Evaluation Of The Effects Of Mdmx And Mdm2 Inhibitors Causing Cell Death In Prostate Cancer Cells, Saaketh Palli, Revanth Madamsetty

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Objective: In this research, we examined the molecular mechanisms by which inhibition of the MDM2 and MDMX pathways induces cell death in prostate cancer cells. Background: In the United States alone, more than 3 million men are living with prostate cancer. Though significant advances have been made in treating prostate cancer, the need for new anti-cancer drugs and treatment methods still persists to fight this deadly disease. Therefore, our study explored the intracellular link between MDMX and necroptosis, to determine how manipulating this molecular target can lead to cell cycle arrest and cell death. Methods: The LNCaP Prostate Cancer cells …

How The Molecular Vibrations Of Water May Prevent Skin Cancer, Jarlynn Ramirez, Angelina Georg, Colette Costello, Mahi Desai, Sandeep Dronavalli

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Studies have shown that when DNA absorbs ultraviolet light it can become structurally damaged leading to a mutation and possibly skin cancer. However, exposing skin to sunlight rarely leads to a mutation. This indicates that after the ultraviolet light is absorbed by the DNA the energy from the light can either cause a structural change to the DNA (a mutation) or be dissipated in a way that does not damage the DNA. Absorption of ultraviolet light causes molecular vibrations in DNA and these vibrations are what likely leads to structural changes in the DNA. One way the structural changes could …

Influence Of Growth Efficiency, Bacterial Density, And Metabolism On Antibiotic Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus, Shreeya Patel, Estefania Marin Meneses

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance presents a formidable challenge in medicine, with rising mortality rates and escalating hospital expenses attributed to infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To address this critical issue, comprehending the mechanisms of bacterial resistance is paramount to the development of innovate drugs and treatment strategies. One such mechanism is the inoculum effect (IE), where the initial bacterial population density determines the minimum concentration of antibiotic required to eliminate the population. While previous work has shown that for gram negative bacteria, the relationship between ATP production and growth rate can account for the IE. However, it remains unclear as to if …

Learning From Louisiana: How Legislation And Location Affect Lgbtq+ Youth Mental Health, Abhay Dharanikota

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Queer youth are disproportionately vulnerable to mental health challenges including elevated risks of social isolation and suicide ideation. Disparities in mental health outcomes among queer students exist across states, but the underlying factors contributing to these variations remain unclear. This research aims to understand why certain states exhibit better mental health outcomes among queer youth than others by analyzing nationwide LGBTQ+ mental health statistics. This knowledge can then inform effective programs and approaches to improving outcomes in other states. It is hypothesized that states offering accessible mental health services, safe spaces such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), and LGBTQ-affirming …

Long-Term Outcomes Of Covid-19 Survivors With Pre-Existing Dementia, Roham Hadidchi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

It is known that patients with dementia are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to older age and may be susceptible to worse acute outcomes. Whether or not acute COVID-19 infection predisposes patients with pre-existing dementia to worse longer-term outcomes is unknown and few studies compare COVID-19 survivors with non-COVID controls. This retrospective study evaluated 9,806 patients with dementia in the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx (January 2016 to July 2023), which serves a large minority population in the epicenter of the pandemic. Patients who had pre-existing dementia at the time of COVID-19 infection (COVID-19 group) or the …

Measuring Drug Metabolism Efficiency Of P450 Enzyme, Rachel Gruboy, Kena Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for the majority of drug metabolism in the human body, generally increasing the drugs’ solubility for secretion. Drug companies have routinely tested how fast drugs are metabolized and the metabolites they produce, but the low efficiency of drug metabolism makes this measurement a challenging task. The purpose of this project was to increase metabolism efficiency by changing the reaction conditions. The drug metabolism of cytochrome P450 enzyme was measured using commonly prescribed medications. The P450 enzyme uses NADPH to reduce the heme iron- O₂ complex making it highly reactive. This highly reactive center is …

Modeling Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Knw For Possible Optimized Asthma Treatment, Sreejani Jonnalagadda, Shalet James

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, asthma has affected 262 million people globally in 2019. Cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (Cys-LTRs) are a δ-branch of class A G protein-coupled receptors associated with physiological functions in airways with allergic inflammation. Current antiasthmatic medications such as pranlukast inhibit CysLT1R, yet many patients still do not respond to this drug. To better understand this process, the related receptor CysLT2R has been identified as a promising drug target for not only asthma but also other conditions such as brain injury and cancer. CysLT1R is associated with bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and mucus production in the …

Changes In Neuromuscular Function Across A Competitive Collegiate Cross-Country Season, Riley Schemel, Alexis Arena, Isabella Vargas-Blanchard

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Resistance training strengthens neural adaptations that aid in improving neuromuscular functions such as the rate of force development (RFD) and power execution during an explosive task like a countermovement jump (CMJ). Distance runners do not engage in heavy resistance training and the effects of endurance running on neuromuscular functions are less known but may provide crucial biomarkers for monitoring performance and injury. The purpose of this intervention study was to evaluate changes in neuromuscular function from 7 weeks of competitive distance running without heavy resistance training. Thirteen university runners (age, 19.8±2.2 yrs; height, 1.74±0.10 m; mass, 61.9±9.0 kg) performed 3 …

Exploring Dysphagia In Alzheimer's Disease: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Literature Review, Katheline Hernandez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease and dementia are progressive conditions that develop gradually, potentially heightening the risk of dysphagia, a condition characterized by difficulties in swallowing. As Alzheimer's disease advances, it can impact cognitive and motor functions, potentially causing challenges in coordinating the muscles involved in the swallowing process. The aim of this literature review was to investigate and determine the prevalence of dysphagia among individuals with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, identify symptoms associated with dysphagia associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, explore relevant dysphagia interventions employed by healthcare professionals, and pinpoint common assessments used to identify both dementia and dysphagia. The systematic …

Interactions Between Atp Production, Growth Rate, And Antibiotic Lethality Determine The Inoculum Effect In Β-Lactamase-Expression Escherichia Coli, Ariane Kalifa, Philopatier Ibrahim, Kielan Singh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance is a global threat, claiming approximately five million lives annually and impacting nations worldwide. In the U.S.A., this issue is significant, with 2.8 million diagnosed cases leading to 35,000 deaths each year. One way that bacteria can resist antibiotic treatment is through the inoculum effect (IE). IE explains how the concentration of antibiotics required to kill a population of bacteria increases as a function of bacterial density. Recently it was found that increasing ATP production/growth rate decreases the strength of IE. However, we do not know if this relationship can predict IE in bacteria that express β-lactamases as …

Where Have All The Flowers Gone? A Call For Federal Leadership In Deer Management In The United States, Bernd Blossey, Darragh Hare, Donald M. Waller

Aspen Bibliography

Forests in the United States continue to lose biodiversity and many fail to regenerate due to high deer (family Cervidae) abundance. Declines in biodiversity and overall ecosystem health due to high deer populations increases prevalence of wildlife and human diseases associated with increasing tick abundances and decreases forest resilience and the ability to deliver benefits provided by healthy ecosystems. In the eastern and midwestern United States, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the main stressor, while in the western U.S. elk (Cervus elaphus) and black-tailed and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) can become equally problematic. Federal …

Navigating Murky Waters: State-Level Strategies For Wetland Preservation And Tile Drainage Regulation After Sackett V. Epa, Caleb M. Swanson

Honors Thesis

Wetlands are some of the world’s most valuable ecosystems, serving as provisioners of species habitat, carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, water quality purification, and other ecosystem services. Human development has resulted in substantial wetland loss the world over. In the 1970s, the United States Congress passed the Clean Water Act, giving the EPA broad authority over wetland protection. However, in the summer of 2023, the United States Supreme Court decided Sackett v. EPA, limiting the EPA’s jurisdiction over wetlands to those indistinguishably connected to generally recognized “Waters of the United States” and removing federal protection for millions of acres of wetlands, …

Relationship Between C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio And Mucocutaneous Symptom Frequency And Disease Severity In Behçet’S Disease, Erdal Pala, Mustafa Bayraktar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: There is no specific marker that can be applied to determine the severity of Behçet’s disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin (CAR) ratio as a tool for assessing the severity of Behçet’s disease.Materials and methods: A retrospective crosssectional study was conducted by examining hospital archives. The CRP and albumin levels of Behçet’s disease patients who presented to our dermatology clinic over a three-year period from February 2020 to February 2022 were included, along with the identical laboratory parameters in the control group. The CAR ratio was calculated and statistically compared …

Antiobesity And Antidyslipidemic Properties Of Clitoria Ternatea Petals Aqueous Extract Against Rats Induced By High-Fat Diet, I Gede Aswin Parisya Sasmana, Desak Made Wihandani, I Gede Krisna Arim Sadeva, Wilson Halim, Putu Putri Agustini, Lalita Samala, I Gusti Ngurah Agung Surya Pratama, Lidiya Nuraliza Rachmawati, Aizar Vesa Prasetyo, Ni Komang Ayu Amanda Setiari Jaya

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease involving dysregulation of fat metabolism that affects 13% of the world’s population. Obesity has been linked to dyslipidemia with a lot of complication, including stroke, chronic kidney disease, fatty liver disease, and so on. One of the natural resources that have several potential effects including anticholesterol, antiobesity, and antidyslipidemia is the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea/CT). CT’s petal has been found to contain high levels of anthocyanins and tannins that can inhibit the biosynthesis of cholesterol and lipid. This study aims to investigate the antiobesity and antidyslipidemic effects of Clitoria ternatea extract (CTE).Materials and …

The Effect Of Human Recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor On Neovascularization And Pedicle Division Time In A Rat Interpolation Flap Model, Aziz Parspanci, Yavuz Keçeci̇, Peyker Temi̇z

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: In practice, waiting 2–3 weeks for interpolation flaps pedicle division result in certain morbidities and discomfort for patient. The division time of flap pedicle depends on neovascularization from the recipient bed and includes wound healing stages. We aimed to investigate the effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on the flap viability during early pedicle division.Materials and methods: Thirty-six rats were allocated to two main groups as control and study. A cranial based flap measuring 5 × 5 cm was elevated from the back, including all layers of the skin. While the cranial half of the defect was …

The Parthenon, April 3, 2012, Evan Green, Matthew Schaffer, Sarah Davis, Joseph Dicristofaro, Victoria Ware, Abigail Cutlip, Rafael Alfonso, Scott Price, Baylee Parsons, Emma Gallus, Luke Jeffrey

The Parthenon

No abstract provided.

Ambiguity In Statistical Analysis Methods And Nonconformity With Prespecified Commitment To Data Sharing In A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Yasaman Jamshidi-Naeini, Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo, Deependra K Thapa, Andrew W Brown, Daniel E Kpormegbey, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Spatial-Temporal Variation Of Diarrhea And Associated Sociobehavioral Factors Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Snap On Food Insecurity: A Michigan And Indiana Case Study, Cecelia Chapleau

Honors Theses

Food insecurity is one of the most pervasive and concerning problems in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 13 households within the United States was food insecure at some point during 2022 (Rabbitt et al., 2023) Food insecurity occurs when households have a limited ability to access nutritious foods, there is a limited supply of safe, healthy foods, or they are unable to obtain food in socially acceptable ways (Anderson, 1990). Low food security is associated with adverse health outcomes like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor mental health, which contributes to the severity of the problem (Thomas …

Exploring Benefits And Barriers That Impact The Implementation Of Pediatric Facility Dogs In Child Life Clinical Programs, Brittany Dame

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

The utilization of facility dog interventions is a quickly growing practice among healthcare facilities across the country. Facility dogs have the ability to provide support, a calming presence, and socialization to patients. This intervention is increasingly popular within child life departments at pediatric hospitals. Child life specialists, who are healthcare professionals that provide psychosocial care to pediatric patients and their families, utilize facility dogs to help pediatric patients cope with hospitalization and medical treatments. The implementation of a child life led facility dog program can come with potential barriers and benefits.

The purpose of this study was to explore the …

Meat Consumption Meets Risk Regulation In The United States, Andrew Kelbley

Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum

No abstract provided.

Vitamin D Deficiency In Scheuermann's Disease Is Associated With Increased Adverse Outcomes, Shivan N. Chokshi, Srikanth Mudiganty, Rutledge Carter Clement, William Accousti

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Scheuermann's disease is a diagnosis of hyperkyphosis commonly encountered in pediatric patients. Studies in animal models suggest an association with vitamin D deficiency, however, extensive studies have not been performed in humans. This study analyzes the role of vitamin D deficiency on unfavorable results in patients with Scheuermann's disease. METHODS: The TriNetX database was utilized to perform a retrospective analysis. Patients in the United States aged 0-18 years with Scheuermann's disease were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes and categorized into those with and without a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency. Comparison of patient groups …

Evaluating Serum Copper And Kidney Function In A Cohort Of Bariatric Surgery Patients, Katherine Mckeon, Mchael Cook, John Baker, Kyle Lapenna, Hua He, Amanda Anderson, Felicia Rabito

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Association for Clinical and Translational Science 2024; April 3 - April 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV

2024-04-03 Food Insecurity: What About College Students?, Grace Hawks

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Screening Of Manihot Esculenta Sao Pedro Petro Extract And Identification Of Active Compounds, Diana Widiastuti, Siska Elisahbet Sinaga, Yayan Sofian, Ade Heri Mulyati, Siti Warnasih, Boedi Sadjarwa, Sri Boedi Dhiandani, Eka Herlina, Triastinurmiatiningsih Triastinurmiatiningsih, Dine Agustine

Chimica et Natura Acta

Sao Pedro Petro cassava tubers (Manihot esculenta Ctro) are one of the cassava varieties, generally cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. This plant has the potential to contain antimicrobial bioactive compounds. This research aimed to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of each fraction and subsequently identify the specific active fraction for in-depth analysis of its bioactive compounds. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity and the identification of bioactive compounds were conducted using the well-diffusion method and UPLC-QTOF MS (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry). Results indicated that the ethanol, n-hexane, and n-butanol fractions exhibited no inhibitory effects on the …

Increased Cardiovascular Risk In Epilepsy, Mark Gaertner, Scott Mintzer, Christopher Degiorgio

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Epilepsy is associated with increased mortality. Cardiovascular disease confers a significant portion of this increased risk. Recently there is increased interest in the burden of cardiovascular mortality in people with epilepsy. This review discusses the most common cardiovascular risk factors and their association with epilepsy including obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia related to the use of enzyme inducing anti-seizure medications is also discussed as a topic that is of particular importance to prescribers that have patients with comorbid cardiovascular risk and epilepsy. Heart rate variability (HRV) and its association with SUDEP is discussed as well as a contributor to …

Dihydroceramide Desaturase Governs Endoplasmic Reticulum And Lipid Droplet Homeostasis To Promote Glial Function In The Nervous System, Yuqing Zhu

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Dihydroceramide desaturase converts dihydroceramides to ceramides in the final step of de novo ceramide biosynthesis. Reduction of dihydroceramide desaturase DEGS1 function in humans leads to hypomyelinating leukodystrophy-18, but the etiology of this disease remains unclear. Using mutants from a forward genetic screen, we discovered that infertile crescent (ifc), the sole Drosophila dihydroceramide desaturase, governs central nervous system development and morphology. ifc is primarily expressed in glia and acts cell-autonomously in glia to control glial morphology and function during nervous system development. Loss of ifc leads to severe glial defects, particularly in cortex glia, including endoplasmic reticulum expansion, glial swelling, compromised …