Digital Commons Network^™

Associations Between Oral Hormonal Contraceptive Use, Digestive And Other Health Symptoms In Young Women, Silviana E. Buzatu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral hormonal contraceptives (OHCs) are widely used among reproductive-age women; however, their gastrointestinal (GI) side effects remain understudied. The present study examined associations between OHC use, GI, physical, and psychological symptom burden in a large sample of undergraduate women. Participants (N = 669) aged 18 to 25 years were recruited from UCF’s SONA system and classified into three groups based on self-reported contraceptive status: no birth control, combined estrogen–progestin OHC, and progestin-only OHC. Participants completed GI questionnaires, as well as physical and mental health symptoms ones.

Multivariate analyses indicated that overall GI symptom profiles did not differ significantly by birth …

Repurposing Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors For The Discovery Of Novel Antiplasmodial Compounds, Ritam Bhowmik

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Malaria remains a major global health burden with over 282 million cases annually and rising resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies. Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite species in humans, relies on tightly regulated cell cycle progression during replication within red blood cells. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are central regulators of eukaryotic cell division and transcription, and several CDK-like enzymes in P. falciparum, including Pfmrk and PfPK6, are essential for parasite growth and structurally distinct from human kinases. This study evaluated whether commercially available human CDK inhibitors (CDKIs) targeting cancer pathways could be repurposed as novel antimalarial compounds. A library of …

Manuka Honey Modulates Oxidative Stress In Neuro2-A Cells Through Mitochondrial Regulation, Rachel Abramovici

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Manuka honey is known for its vital usage in wound healing, being an agonist towards fighting infections, and is an acting antioxidant [32]. Its main constituents are flavonoids and phenolic compounds, with methyl syringate (MSYR) being a major active ingredient. The specific compounds responsible for these antioxidant effects, particularly in the CNS, remain unclear. It is hypothesized that pre-treatment of mouse neuroblastoma cells with MSYR followed by hydrogen peroxide exposure will activate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1a pathway, due to MSYR’s phenolic structure, and thus reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial biogenesis. Hydrogen peroxide is a standard reactive oxygen species (ROS) treatment to …

Transforming Florida Chemistry Education: Exploring Information Literacy Strategies From Singapore, Han N. Le

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study explores the applicability of Singapore’s information literacy (IL) strategies within Central Floridian higher education environments. Singapore’s national IL framework, supported by its Ministry of Education, integrates information and communication technology (ICT), professional development, and lifelong learning initiatives through a standardized, systemwide approach. In contrast, IL instruction in the United States is largely decentralized, often limited to one-time sessions or elective courses. To investigate the feasibility of adapting Singapore’s practices, surveys were distributed to faculty and librarians across Florida’s twelve public universities, yielding responses that highlighted varying levels of IL integration, limited institutional support, and minimal professional training related …

Multicomponent Deoxyribozyme Probes For Targeted Detection Of Cancer Associated Gene Insertions, Samuel R. Veleke

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Insertions and deletions (indels) in DNA sequences of genes are linked with cancers such as glioblastoma (GB). Thus, indels may be used as potential cancer biomarkers. In the NANOG gene, its pseudogene NANOGP8 has a 22 base pair insertion sequence for GB patients. In this work, the NANOG gene and the insertion sequence were detected in one sample using a dual-fluorescent assay containing two multicomponent split deoxyribozyme (Dz) probe complexes. One complex used TXR fluorescence to detect the gene regardless of the insertion’s presence. The other complex used fluorescein (FAM) fluorophore to detect the insertion. The probes were able to …

Slay Her: The Rhetoric Of Violation In Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Lea N. Wright

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research draws on feminist theory and monster theory to perform a close rhetorical analysis of incidents in the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Buffy) where female characters are violated physically, psychologically, and/or sexually. Buffy is one of the most-analyzed television shows of all time, with a particular emphasis on the show’s engagement with feminism; however, the issue of violation has received little scholarly investigation despite multiple instances of it within the show. Through examining the rhetorical elements (such as dialogue, camerawork, body language, and character response) that surround incidents of violation, this research reveals that Buffy …

Bodies Of Knowledge: The Accuracy Of Medical Anatomical Drawings From The 14th To The 18th Century, Marina G. Mitchell

Honors Undergraduate Theses

From the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries, European anatomical illustration underwent major transformations in response to changing scientific methods, technologies, and visual conventions, reflecting critical transitions in anatomical history. Scientific evolution allowed these images to achieve increasing structural precision and internal detail, though they frequently diverged from anatomical forms as they are understood today. This study examines how anatomical inaccuracies across five centuries emerged not from ignorance, but from deliberate mediation between purpose, observation, pedagogy, artistic convention, and cultural ideology. Through close analysis of works in visual comparison to their modern counterparts, this thesis identifies specific deviations from the twenty-first …

Social Determinants Of Health Affecting Cardiovascular Health Among South Asian Americans, Ann Mary Thomas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: South Asian Americans experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease, yet the social determinants contributing to these disparities remain understudied.

Objective: This systematic review examines the role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in shaping cardiovascular outcomes among South Asian Americans.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science using predefined search terms related to South Asian populations, cardiovascular health, and SDOH. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 reporting guidelines, and study screening and management were performed using Covidence. A total …

The Development And Implementation Of A Computational Framework To Simulate Patellofemoral Joint Mechanics, Mahmood Rashedi

Master’s Theses

Anterior knee pain affects approximately 25% of adults and is associated with altered joint mechanics. Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) models vary widely in complexity, with no established gold standard. Musculoskeletal models efficiently estimate joint loading but do not capture tissue-level mechanics, whereas finite element (FE) models provide tissue-level predictions at greater computational cost. This thesis developed a workflow to evaluate relationships between musculoskeletal model-predicted PFJ loads and FE-predicted cartilage mechanics, examined the impact of altered quadriceps activation, and introduced improved computational models.

Marker trajectories and ground reaction forces were collected from four adults (2 male, 2 female) during walking and squatting. …

Trends In Pharmaceutical Patent Settlements Since Actavis And Private Plaintiffs' Causation Requirement, Kelly Lear Nordby

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

In January 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that a new form of “possible compensation” from brand drug manufacturers to generic (or biosimilar) manufacturers, specifically “quantity restrictions,” have become “increasingly prevalent” in pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements filed with FTC under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. As the FTC noted, “quantity restrictions” may reduce the settling firm’s incentives to compete, resulting in supracompetitive prices for the brand and generic drug. This article summarizes trends in pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements and reverse-payment antitrust litigation since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in FTC v. Actavis. Focusing …

Exploring The Role Of Dialogue In Student Development And Knowledge Generation, Alison Warren

Indiana STEM Education Conference

In classrooms where students are given the space to engage in dialogue, ask questions, and negotiate ideas, science learning comes to life. Providing opportunities for students to negotiate ideas publicly, through dialogue, then privately, through writing has the potential to maximize student idea generation. Although dialogue is widely recognized as important for engagement and communicating ideas, it has also been framed as an epistemic tool. However, the role of dialogue as a sense-making process or epistemic tool, and its relationship to other forms of language, remains under-explored. This study addresses this gap by investigating the role of dialogue and how …

Intergenerational Bible Study As A Means Of Discipleship At The Waukesha Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Myoung Kwon

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Waukesha Community Seventh-day Adventist Church faced a plateau in Bible study engagement. Newly baptized members were disengaging from continuing Bible study and not reproducing disciples, resulting in a spiritual growth process that was minimal and heavily dependent on the pastor.

Method

The DMin student chose action research as a method for developing, implementing, and evaluating an intergenerational Bible study strategy to revitalize discipleship. The three-phase intervention included: (1) a sermon series featuring intergenerational activities to recruit participants; (2) a workshop to equip lay members as Bible study teachers; and (3) an eight-week program with two tracks: a one-on-one …

Impact Of Senescence On Breast Cancer Outcomes, Gracie Sous

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cellular senescence is a biological process in which damaged cells exit the cell cycle while remaining metabolically active and accumulating within tissues. Senescence plays a complex role in breast cancer progression, largely through the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. These factors include a broad range of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and signaling molecules that can influence the tumor microenvironment.

Studies suggest that senescence may significantly promote cancer metastasis. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the genes involved in cancer progression and to improve understanding of how SASP is regulated, which is critical for improving breast cancer outcomes. The central …

Evaluation Of Tactile Cueing Embedded In An Aviation Headset On Pilot Altitude Control, Nicholas D. Wilson, Jessica Van Bree, Matthew Cleveland, Sunny Charakuru, Thomas Petros, Richard Ferraro, Kouhyar Tavakolian

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study evaluated the effectiveness of tactile cueing integrated into a pilot’s headset on pilot altitude control during simulated instrument conditions. Pilots typically rely on visual and auditory inputs to maintain situational awareness, but in high-workload or instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), these channels can become overloaded. One underutilized alternative for alerting is a tactile cueing apparatus. Using an X-Plane simulation of a Piper Archer equipped with a G-1000 avionics suite, 39 FAA-certified pilots flew two precision approaches. The experimental group (n = 20) received haptic cues via ear seal-embedded tactors when deviating from assigned altitude or glideslope. The control group …

Feasibility Of Telehealth-Delivered Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy For Managing Gastrointestinal Health: Exploring Specific Vs. Nonspecific Effects, Sabrina Romero

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of telehealth-delivered Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH) compared to General Hypnotherapy (GH) for managing gastrointestinal symptoms associated with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI). Eleven adults were randomized to receive four 1-hour hypnotherapy sessions over a 14-day period via Zoom (GH n = 5; GDH n = 6). Primary outcomes included PROMIS GI Belly Pain T-scores and Abdominal Pain Ratings assessed at baseline and post-treatment. Follow-up assessments were conducted at three months (n = 8). At post-treatment, participants receiving GDH demonstrated significantly lower PROMIS GI Belly Pain T-scores compared to GH, F(1, …

Investigating The Interaction Of Gram-Positive Lactobacillus Species With Mucin In The Context Of Barrett's Esophagus, Ritisha Suresh

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) can progress to the precancerous Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) condition, in which the normal esophageal squamous epithelium is replaced with a columnar epithelium containing goblet cells. Mucins, sticky substances, are secreted in response to bile acid exposure during reflux episodes to protect the esophageal epithelium. Goblet cells secrete these mucins, which can also scaffold microbial colonization. Probiotic Lactobacillus bacteria can use glycosidase enzymes to process mucin and metabolize them into their component sugars (glycans). This project aims to identify the role of the Lactobacillus-mucin interaction in BE, as glycan availability could confer an advantage to Lactobacillus …

Decoding A Decade: Evolution In Distal Radius Fracture Techniques From Past To Present, Embracing The Efcr Method, Natasha G. Dark, Ahmed S. Raihane, Laurie G. Wells, Deana Mercer

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

No abstract provided.

Activity-Dependent Remodeling Of Muscle Architecture During Distinct Locomotor Behaviors In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Adina Fazyl, Akash Anbu, Sabrina Kollbaum, Andres G. Vidal-Gadea

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Muscle structure is dynamically shaped by mechanical use, yet how distinct locomotor behaviors influence sarcomere organization remains poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, crawling and swimming constitute discrete gaits that differ in curvature, frequency, and mechanical load, providing a tractable model for studying activity-dependent remodeling. Using confocal imaging of phalloidin-stained body-wall myocytes, we quantified myocyte geometry, sarcomere length, and sarcomere number across anterior, mid-body, and posterior regions in animals reared exclusively under crawling or swimming conditions. Quantification and hypothesis testing used linear mixed models that accounted for repeated myocyte measurements within animals, with interaction terms testing region-specific effects of locomotor …

Developing A Best Practice Guideline For Clinical Practice In A Digital Health Environment: Systematic Reviews Based On The Grading Of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, And Evaluation Approach, Lauren Bailey, Lyndsay Howitt, Nafsin Nizum, Christine Buchanan, Maureen Charlebois, Jennifer Yoon, Rob Beleno, Michelle Beyn, Rebecca Bliss, Elizabeth Borycki, Margarita Cleghorne, Sandra Davidson, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Faan, Alexander Hamilton, Tsz Yee Ip, Margery Konan, Daile Moffat, Sanaz Riahi, Tiziana Rivera, Tammy Rooke, Vaishali Sengar, Steve Sottile, Meredith Whitehead, Vanessa Burkoski

Publications

Background:

Digital health refers to the field of knowledge and practice associated with the development and use of digital technologies to improve clinical practice and health outcomes. Knowledge of digital health technology is becoming essential for all nurses and health providers.

Objective:

This study aims to present the results of the systematic reviews that were used to inform the recommendations in a best practice guideline (BPG) following the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Reviews focused on digital health education for nurses and health providers, peer champion models, and the use of predictive analytics in digital health …

To Flea Or Not To Flea: Abiotic And Biotic Factors Driving Flea Parasitism On Wild Deer Mice, Parker Todd, Angela Luis, Mike Kinsella

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are an abundant North American rodent and the primary reservoir for Sin Nombre virus (SNV), a hantavirus with a 30-40% case fatality rate in humans. While ectoparasites, such as fleas, are not considered vectors of SNV, their bites may indirectly affect the transmission of SNV by impacting host condition or immune function. These impacts could potentially lead to an increase in host susceptibility and/or an increase in viral shedding, yet there is still little knowledge on what influences flea parasitism on deer mice in western Montana. This study looks to examine how mouse sex, …

Perceptions And Metaperceptions Of Bison In The West, Riley Rush Comstock

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Effective coexistence between wildlife populations and the people that live with them requires an understanding of how people feel toward the species and their management. Bison occupy a unique place in conservation history and management. Once extirpated across nearly all of their range and only recently introduced to areas outside of large tracts of federal land, they are now a jurisdictionally challenged species, with varying management paradigms across a patchwork of landowners and managers. Recent research has shown how activating different social identities can distort people’s attitudes toward species. Here, I explore whether activating urban and rural identities distorts people’s …

The Impact Of A Nf-Κb Signaling Inhibitor On The Antibacterial Activity Immune Response In The Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides Felis), Caroline M. Singer

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Ctenocephalides felis are vectors of several bacterial pathogens that cause disease in humans and animals, including Bartonella henselae and Rickettsia felis. Successful pathogen transmission requires that microbes survive the immune defenses of the flea digestive tract following blood feeding. In insects, humoral immune responses are regulated primarily by the Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) signaling pathways, with the IMD pathway serving as the principal defense against Gram-negative bacteria. Although genomic and transcriptional evidence indicate that cat fleas encode and express components of the IMD signaling pathway, the functional roles of individual pathway components within the flea digestive tract remain …

Personhood Amidst Process, Bennett B. Gilbert

History Faculty Publications and Presentations

Both process philosophy and key forms of philosophical personalism aim to harmonize the flux of reality, especially of organisms, with cosmic values and human meaningfulness. This is because both must face our mortality. This paper makes four suggestions for considering further the connection between these two approaches. First, that process philosophy can supply for personalism a thoroughly reasoned ground for nonreducible complexity. Second, that process thought borrows from personhood its model for cosmic creativity. Third, that both approaches share strong notions of the interdependence of all parts of a relational universe. And fourth, that they differ in respect of moral …

Association Between Caregiver Status And Physical And Mental Health Among National Senior Games Athletes, Chibuzo Uchechukwu Victor Obasi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

As the population ages, more people rely on informal caregivers, which puts many older adults at risk for health problems. Caregiving can be meaningful and strengthen family bonds, but it often leads to more psychological stress, especially for older adults who also have their own health concerns. Research shows that regular physical activity can help older adults build resilience and improve their mental well-being. Still, we know little about the health of older caregivers who stay very active. This study examines the health effects of caregiving among members of the National Senior Games Association (NSGA), a group of highly active …

The Sub-Lethal Effects Of Trematode Parasites On The Migratory Behavior Of Lesser Scaup (Aythya Affinis), Scott Alan Herman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The introduction of the invasive freshwater faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) and its associated parasites in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region provides the opportunity to investigate how anthropogenic stressors impact the life history of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) using the Mississippi Flyway. To understand the life histories and interactions between lesser scaup and faucet snails we examined historical records, research, and ecology textbooks. Our literature review identified critical knowledge gaps in lesser scaup literature surrounding population dynamics, reproduction, and migration. Specifically, the sub-lethal effects of invasive trematodes on the migratory behavior of lesser scaup in the Upper Mississippi …

Impact Of Social Media On Acne Treatment Practices In Egypt, Hadeer Fathy, Moheiddin Fakhry Alghobary, Nada Mohmed Elhadidy, Sara Hamdy Fouad

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Acne is one of the most prevalent global diseases, affecting up to 85% of adolescents and young adults and contributing to significant psychological burden. Despite available treatments, many patients rely on social media for guidance, where misinformation and unauthorized drug promotion can negatively influence Acne Vulgaris management.

Aim: The aim of this research is to determine the influence of social media information on the selected treatment method of Egyptian patients with Acne Vulgaris

Patients and methods: This is cross‑sectional study targets Acne Vulgaris patients aged ≥15 with current or past AV who use social media. Data was collected through …

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulation To Alleviate Sickle Cell Disease Severity: A Promising Therapeutic Approach, Shahanas Chathoth

Saudi Medical Journal

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Chronic anemia, hemolysis and vasculopathy are the most common symptoms that arise from hemoglobin (Hb) polymerization, which is the primary event of SCD. The above process can lead to erythrocyte sickling. Therapeutic options for SCD remain limited, and novel therapies are still being evaluated for their effectiveness in particular populations. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a significant bioactive sphingolipid, acts as a potent signal mediator, modulating several cellular functions. The potential role of erythrocyte-S1P in enhancing SCD severity has been previously reported by multiple studies. Therefore, the present …

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Registry At King Abdullah Specialized Children’S Hospital (Jiar-Kasch) In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jubran T. Alqanatish, Abdullah I. Almojali, Wejdan M. Algbaiwi, Abdullah S. Alqahtani, Abdulrahman A. Alrasheed, Lubna A. Alnasser, Wafaa M. Alsuwairi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To establish and maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date registry of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) cases, and to outline the methodology used in creating it. Methods: Retrospective and prospective data collection commenced in August 2021, using the Hospital Information System to identify electronic medical records of JIA patients. All individuals diagnosed with JIA and receiving follow-up care at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital (KASCH) in Riyadh were included. A broad range of variables covering sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory results, imaging findings, and therapeutic medications were recorded in the REDCap platform. Data collection update occurs every 6 months. Results: By December …

Digital Emblems In Cyberspace: A Deterrent Or A Target?, Fatemah Albader

Emory International Law Review Recent Developments

In 2022, the ICRC proposed a digital emblem to identify and protect medical and humanitarian digital assets during armed conflict. While this initiative marks a pivotal evolution of IHL into cyberspace, its effectiveness depends on whether states can ensure accountability, attribution, and compliance. This article argues that digitalizing IHL’s distinctive emblems, such as the red cross, is not optional but mandatory under both conventional and customary law. Once developed, states must adopt and regulate the digital emblem to protect hospital networks and medical personnel online as they are protected offline. However, emblem digitalization alone cannot deter deliberate cyberattacks or unintentional …

Long‑Term Impacts Of A Composted Sewage Sludge–Based Class B Organic Fertilizer On Soil Micronutrients And Crop Production In The Tropics, Luana Corrêa Silva, Aline Renée Coscione, Rodrigo Silva Alves, Philippe Solano Toledo Silva, Adrielle Rodrigues Prates, Leiliane Dutra Silva, Fabrício Da Silva Vasconcelos, Jussara Borges Regitano, Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior, Wanderley José De Melo, Gian Franco Capra, Arun Dilipkumar Jani, Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira

Biology, Agriculture and Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Organic fertilizers, such as Class B materials (e.g., composted sewage sludge, CSS), may contain high levels of plant micronutrients, but their use in crop production needs to be monitored to avoid environmental problems. In this study, we sought to understand the Cu, Mn, and Zn dynamics in tropical soils and their residual effects on maize and wheat productivity, after three CSS applications. A randomized complete block experimental design with six treatments and four replicates was implemented. CSS rates (0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 Mg ha⁻¹) were compared with conventional mineral fertilizer (CMF). Over a six-year period encompassing …