Digital Commons Network^™

Unsettling Settled Science: The Perils Of And Rationale Behind Blind Faith In Forensic Evidence, Jaclyn Marra

University of Miami Race & Social Justice Law Review

Science—a seemingly compelling and infallible adjudicative element—plays a pivotal role in criminal trials, serving as a cornerstone for evidence interpretation and decision-making. However, the perceived infallibility of scientific evidence often masks its inherent limitations and vulnerabilities. Forensic methods, widely regarded as objective and precise, can suffer from a plethora of inconspicuous constraints—including flawed methodologies, human error, and biases—which undermine their reliability. The American public and legal system frequently place undue trust in forensic evidence and experts, influenced by portrayals of their certainty in media and popular culture. This phenomenon has been referred to as the “Reverse CSI Effect.” This note …

Development Of A Preclinical Model That Can Be Used To Test Novel Therapeutics For The Treatment Of Mild And Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury, Hayden Anderson

Honors Theses

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when a foreign object induces damage to the skull and brain through a forceful blow or whiplash. It is one of the most frequent injuries in the United States, with approximately 250,000 cases of different levels occurring annually. It is well known that severe TBIs can result in persistent physical, cognitive, and socioeconomic consequences and the timing of treatment following this injury can play a critical role in the ultimate outcome. It would be beneficial to develop a safe therapeutic that could be administered rapidly after impact and improve the recovery of the patient. However, …

Animal-Assisted Therapy, Stress Regulation, And Mental Awareness, Kimberly Montenegro, Brandy Whitford

Student Publications and Presentations

Mental awareness refers to a person's ability to focus, regulate emotions, and respond to stress. When these capacities weaken, daily functioning can become more difficult. They depend on the body’s stress response system, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and brain regions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. When chronic stress disrupts these systems, individuals often experience reduced attentional control and emotional instability. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has gained attention as a possible approach to reducing stress. Research on human-animal interaction shows that spending time with animals can lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin, both of which influence stress responses. Studies …

29th Annual Women's, Gender, And Sexuality Studies Symposium Program, 2026, Illinois State University, Women's, Gender, And Sexuality Studies Program

WGSS Student Research Symposium

Program from the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Symposium

The Impact Of Glyphosate On Parkinson’S Pathology In A Mouse Model, Katie Hettel, Kaitlyn Carver, Sabrina Wilson, Trevor Walker, Tyra Naymik, Sydney Boutros

2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive loss of dopamine neurons in the brain, leading to symptoms such as tremors, poor balance and bradykinesia. PD has a unique pathology: Lewy bodies, which are primarily comprised of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (p-Syn), spread through synaptic connections. Yet, it is unclear how the first Lewy body starts. Recently, evidence suggests that environmental influences such as pesticides and herbicides might initiate PD pathology. The most widely-used herbicide is glyphosate, the main chemical in products such as RoundUp. Thus, we tested if glyphosate in water could lead to PD-like pathology in a mouse model. A …

Identifying Mosquito Species From Gyrfalcon Nests In Nome, Alaska, Zosha Kocemba, Annastasia Waters, Michael Henderson, Kara Beer, Travis Booms, Carly L. Tolle, Anna Grimstein, Stephanie J. Galla

2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Climate change in the Arctic is accelerating much faster than the rest of the globe, changing the disease ecology of Arctic environments. A prime example of this are disease carrying mosquitoes (Family: Culicidae) expanding their realized habitats and interacting with new animal hosts. To understand this changing disease ecology in the new Arctic, methods to identify disease vectors- like mosquitoes- are needed. This study aims to identify mosquitoes that may carry avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) taken from nests of immunologically naive Arctic Gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus). This ongoing study focuses on characterizing mosquito species found in Gyrfalcon nests …

The Pam-1 Aminopeptidase Does Not Protect Against Ptl-1 Mediated Neurodegeneration In C. Elegans., Ethan E. Schuff

Honors College Theses

Debilitating neurodegenerative conditions are increasingly prevalent in our aging population, yet treatment options remain limited. Though neurodegenerative diseases vary in pathophysiology and clinical manifestations, these diseases are related to one another in that many involve misfolded proteins. Tau is a member of the microtubule-stabilizing MAPT/MAP2/MAP4 family, and misfolded tau proteins form the neurotoxic aggregates called neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Designing a study to elucidate the neurotoxic role of tau is difficult because other MAPs may have compensatory mechanisms which confound study data. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) …

An Analysis Of Surface-Level Macro And Microplastics Along Western Central Leyte, Philippines, Graham B. Morrison-Plumley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the pervasive use of plastics worldwide, their environmental effects can reach even the most remote ecosystems. This study examines both macro and microplastic pollution in the Greater Baybay region in western Leyte, Philippines. Samples from 10 separate sites within Baybay and its adjacent communities represent the unique environmental and geologic diversity of the central Visayan region of the Philippines. At each of the 10 sampling sites, 3 excavations were conducted, yielding 30 samples. Macroplastics were collected in the field, immediately around microplastic digs. Microplastic samples were analyzed in Florida Atlantic University’s Environmental Change Lab. It was determined that spatial …

The Effect Of Forever Chemicals From Paper Cups On Planarians, Sara Miller, Erika L. Doctor

Student Publications and Presentations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals added to products like paper cups, Teflon pans, and muffin tins to make them water-resistant and durable. PFAS have been a growing concern for the human health and the environment due to their migration into the beverages and foods we consume. PFAS have been linked to various health issues such as cancer, immunotoxicity, and thyroid disturbances. The purpose of this study is to determine the amount of PFAS leaking from paper cups into water and their impact on planarians through three different experiments: optimization of PFAS detection, determination of leaching PFAS from …

From Plastics To Pathways: Phthalates, Oxidative Stress, And Nervous System Function In Planaria, Destiny M. Perez, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Phthalates are widely used chemicals added to plastics to increase flexibility and durability. Because they are not chemically bound to products, they can leach into the environment and contribute to human exposure through food packaging, plastic containers, and hygiene products such as lotions, shampoos, and fragrances. This widespread exposure has raised public health concerns because many phthalates are linked to endocrine disruption and have been associated with reproduction, developmental, metabolic, and neurological disruption. To investigate how phthalates may impact nervous system function, planarian flatworms will be used as a toxicology model. Planaria will be exposed to phthalates and then tested …

Volume Cxlv, Number 19, April 24, 2026, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

N.A.U.T.I.L.U.S.: Natural Aquaculture Using Technology In Living Underwater Systems, Joey Ciocher, Abby Vallejo, Will Marble, Martin Pham, Roger Jiang

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are small subsets of marine ecosystems with limited to no access to exploitation to promote sustainability and growth of healthy populations of marine organisms. Factors that affect the performance of MPAs include Size, Age, Level of Protection, Enforcement and Compliance, Isolation and Connectivity, and Habitat Quality and Diversity.

Role Of Rpm-1 In A C. Elegans Apoe4 Alzheimer’S Disease Model, Lucille Mcdonald

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is characterized by the aggregation of β-amyloid plaques. The ε4 allele of APOE (APOE4) is linked to increased plaque formation in AD. Therefore, identifying genetic modifiers of APOE4 could present novel drug targets for AD treatment.

Unf Student Research Symposium Conference Program Spring 2026, Office Of Undergraduate Research, Graduate School, Digital Humanities Institute, Hicks Honors College

UNF Student Research Symposium

Formerly known as SOARS, ARISE and U-GLIDE, the Student Research Symposium is a multi-disciplinary conference series at the University of North Florida (UNF) in which undergraduate and graduate students showcase their research projects during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Research at UNF includes inquiry and investigation in all forms. Communication of knowledge produced through student research can be presented in poster format or as an oral presentation at the Student Research Symposium in a welcoming environment. This is an excellent opportunity for students to refine their presentation skills through interaction with peers and faculty as they explain their projects, …

Identifying Delays Impacting Maternal And Perinatal Deaths Using A Facility-Based Death Audit Review System Integrated With Community Engagement: A Mixed Methods Study, Zahid Memon, Wardah Ahmed, Shah Muhammad, Sajid Soofi, Shanti Chouhan, Arjumad Rizvi, Paul Barach, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Pakistan's persistently high maternal (178 per 100 000 livebirths) and neonatal (41 per 1000 livebirths) mortality ratios are compounded by lack of reliable data on the root causes and preventable risk factors, which hinders their effective use in improving care and progress toward safe, high-quality services. We sought to identify system delays impacting maternal and perinatal deaths using a facility-based death audit review system integrated with community engagement for implementing actionable solutions.

METHODS: We used a mixed methods, concurrent parallel study design at three secondary level healthcare facilities in District Matiari, Sindh, Pakistan. We reviewed 319 cases that included …

Assessment Of Goose-Beaked Whale Responsesto Mid-Frequency Active Sonar Usinga Hierarchical Hidden Markov Model, Stacy L. De Ruiter, Erin A. Falcone, Shannon N. Coates, Brenda K. Rone, David A. Sweeney, Karin A. Dolan, Susan M. Jarvis, Russel D. Andrews, Stephanie L. Watwood, Gregory S. Schorr

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Background

Acoustic disturbance is increasingly recognized as an ecological concern, particularly at sea. In light of marine mammal stranding events associated with use of naval mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS), which often involve goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), research has sought to detect and characterize Ziphius behavioral responses to MFAS.

Methods

We deployed Sound and Motion Recording and Telemetry (SMRT) tags on 13 Ziphius in the Southern California Bight. The study area includes the United States Navy’s Southern California Anti-submarine Warfare Range (SOAR), and deployments overlapped temporally with training exercises including MFAS use. We used hierarchical hidden Markov models (HHMMs), which provided …

Advancing Neutrosophic Topology Through Gamma Generalized Alpha Closed Sets, B. Kalaiselvi, K. Sivakumar, S. Chandrasekar, P. Kalarani, A. Kesavan

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper introduces a new class of Neutrosophic closed sets, termed Neutrosophic γ-generalized α-closed sets (Ne.(γGα)CS), together with their corresponding open sets (Ne.(γGα)OS), within the framework of Neutrosophic Topological Spaces (NTS). The study is motivated by limitations in existing classes of Neutrosophic closed sets, including α-closed, semi-closed, and γ-closed sets, which often lack sufficient flexibility for modeling hybrid structures characterized by partial membership, indeterminacy, and uncertainty. To overcome these limitations, the proposed Ne.(γGα)CS are defined using β-closure operators and α-open supersets, providing a more comprehensive framework that extends and unifies several previously established concepts. The properties of these sets are …

Advancing Common Fixed Point Theorems In Bipolar Fuzzy-2 Metric Space And Applications In Nonlinear Analysis, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mukesh Kushwaha

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study advances common fixed point theorems (CFPT) in bipolar fuzzy-2 metric space (BF2MS) and explores their applications in nonlinear analysis. BF2MS generalizes traditional metric and fuzzy metric spaces (FMS) by incorporating dualistic relationships, allowing the representation of both attraction and repulsion effects. We extend classical fixed point theorems (FPTs) to BF2MS, establishing conditions for the existence of common fixed points (CFPs). The study's applications span nonlinear analysis, stability analysis, control theory, and multi-criteria decision-making under uncertainty. Our findings refine existing results and provide practical real-world applications, supported by numerical examples, enhancing fuzzy mathematics and nonlinear systems modeling.

Valorization Of Dairy Wastewater Biomass Through Hydrothermal Liquefaction, Logan Mallory, Josue Duran, Morgan Fong, Rose Saxton, Owen Mcdougal

2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

The production of dairy products generates millions of gallons of wastewater every day. Processors treat the wastewater using methods called flocculation and suspended air flotation to capture and collect the solids from the water. The solids form a high-moisture (~85-90%) sludge, called flocs, that is hauled away and sold as low-value animal feed. The current research study aims to convert the flocs obtained from the treatment of Greek yogurt processing wastewater into a biocrude for energy utilization through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). HTL is a process that transforms organic material into hydrocarbon-dense biocrude through conditions of high temperature, typically in the …

Learning The Notes: Developing Absolute Pitch, Emma Joyce

Student Publications and Presentations

Absolute pitch (AP) is the ability to identify or name a musical pitch without the aid of a reference tone. Although the concept has been known for centuries, the processes of its development remain unclear. Researchers have proposed a variety of explanations, yet despite advances in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, there is still no agreement on whether AP results from natural ability or learned experience. By understanding neurological and developmental research, reviewing existing literature, analyzing case studies, and evaluating current theories, this paper aims to identify gaps in previous research and suggests a new approach for developing AP in young …

Modeling Early Human Heart Development Using An Ipsc-Based 3d Bioprinted Model Of Embryonic Heart Tube, Linqi Jin, Christian Park, Sunder Neelakantan, Shweta Karnik, Arnab Dey, Sarah Fineman, Roshni Nandwani, Carmen J Gil, Boeun Hwang, Melissa A Cadena, Vani Sridhar, Jing Wang, Yuxiao Wu, Connor J Evans, Lan Li, Sarah Rezapourdamanab, Mehdi Salar Amoli, Martin L Tomov, Ryan K Roeder, Reza Avazmohammadi, Lakshmi Prasad Dasi, Hanjoong Jo, Eric Weeks, Holly D Bauser-Heaton, Sean M Wu, Vahid Serpooshan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Human heart development depends on tightly coordinated genetic programs and biomechanical cues, yet the underlying cell-microenvironment interactions remain poorly understood because the developing heart is difficult to study in utero and accurate experimental models are lacking. Recent advances in stem cell biology and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting now allow the construction of human tissue analogues with defined structure and function. Here we show a perfusable 3D bioprinted model of the human embryonic heart tube composed of layered myocardium, cardiac jelly, and endocardium. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells are cultured under controlled flow conditions, producing constructs with high …

Mississippi Coastal Bacterial Community Response To Lowered Salinty, Jackson C. Sues

Honors Theses

Microbial communities are essential to the function of coastal ecosystems; however, few studies have examined their response to short-term reductions in salinity. This study used a microcosm approach to examine how decreased salinity over five days affected seawater bacterial community composition, diversity, and richness. Microcosms were assigned to three treatments: unmanipulated seawater (control) collected from the Mississippi coast, seawater amended with natural freshwater, and seawater amended with sterilized freshwater. Length of time bacteria spent in the microcosms was found to have the strongest effect on bacterial community composition, while salinity effects were weaker but still statistically significant. All treatments shifted …

Reproductive Season And Fecundity Reassessment Of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus Polyphemus) In Southeastern Florida, Riley Waters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) breeding season occurs throughout spring and early summer across its distributional range, but recent research shows that in southeastern Florida, mating also occurs in the fall and winter months. This project evaluates the gopher tortoise’s extended reproductive season in southeastern Florida and female fecundity. The study, conducted at two locations in South Florida: Jupiter, FL and Boca Raton, FL, used field ultrasound equipment and radiographs to identify gravid females and determine clutch size. The data suggest a much earlier start to egg development and nesting, and the possibility of an extended egg development …

Engineering Function In Lung Biology: Integrating Imaging, Regenerative Constructs, And Functional Biodesign, Rene A Girard, Jamie Tran, Yuqing Cai, Mary C Farach-Carson, Hadi T Nia, Allison M Greaney, Laura E Niklason, Killian Hurley, Elvin Blanco, Sinem Koc-Günel, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The lung is a uniquely demanding target for regeneration because function depends on the coordinated integration of cellular diversity, three-dimensional architecture, cyclic mechanical forces, vascular perfusion, immune surveillance, and extracellular matrix remodeling. While single-cell and spatial profiling, lineage tracing, and iPSC-derived models have transformed our understanding of lung cell states and developmental potential, these descriptive approaches have also highlighted a central bottleneck: the field still lacks broadly adopted platforms to test whether engineered tissues and regenerative interventions restore function under physiologic load. In this review, we focus on emerging technologies that enable functional biodesign in lung biology by coupling engineered …

Integral Type Contractive Condition In E-Chainable Neutrosophic Metric Space And Common Fixed Point Theorem, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mukesh Kushwaha, Moh. Kasim

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Nonlinear Optimization, Game theory, economics and study of differential equations are just a few of the many domains in which fixed point theory (FPT) is essential. It is possible to construct new forms of infinite products by using continuous triangular norms (TN) and continuous triangular co-norms (TC). Banach contraction principal has been established in the context of neutrosophic metric space (NMS) within the framework through the use of these newly define infinite products. We introduced integral type contractive condition in -chainable NMS and establishes a common fixed point theorems (CFPTs) in the current work. The result acquired in this study …

Development Of Research Direction At The Hospital General De México In The Last Two Decades, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, José D. Carrillo-Ruiz, Galileo Escobedo, América Guadalupe Arroyo Valerio, Miguel Fonseca-Sanchez, Gustavo Acosta-Altamirano

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Visualization For Formal Languages, Chris Pinto-Font, Andrew Bastien, Vincent Borrelli, Keegan Mcnear

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

The primary goal is student comprehension of complex DFA concepts.

This project is important for students and professors because being able to visualize Deterministic Finite Automota (DFA) and how it is created and expressed can lead to better understanding of how parsing and computation works.

Java Oo Visualizer, Darian Dean, Ashley Mckim, Simon Gardling, Josh Kalinsky

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Current Challenge: Understanding the execution of an object-oriented program is challenging for students beginning their undergraduate CS degree

Common Issue: Students learn syntax but fail to see the underlying behavior of object creation, reference assignment, and method calls

Unified Solution: bridge the gap between abstract concepts and concrete understanding by animating the process of object instantiation, reference assignment, and results of method

Competitive Programming Primer, Jon Ayuco, Pedro Marcet, Ivan Marriott

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Helps first-year CS/SWE Students that are confused on how advanced algorithms work.

Professors can give a visual aid in-class.

Encourages unsure students interested in Competitive Programming a low-risk place to practice

Inhibition Of Cyclophilin D Rescues Cardiac Function And Bioenergetic Defects Caused By Neonatal Hypoxia, Jonathan R. Burris, Gisela Beutner, Min Yee, Bartholomew V. Simon, Michael F. Swartz, Kathryn B. Boudreau, Ethan D. Cohen, Chaitanya A. Kulkarni, Prottoy Hasan, Hongyue Wang, Karen L. De Mesy Bentley, György Hajnóczky, George M. Alfieris, Eric M. Small, Paul S. Brookes, Michael A. O'Reilly, George A. Porter

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Increased oxygen levels at birth regulate myocyte bioenergetic and structural maturation controlled by mitochondrial cyclophilin D (CypD). We evaluated mechanisms of neonatal hypoxic cardiac dysfunction by exposing neonatal mice to 12% oxygen and studied cardiac bioenergetics, myocyte maturation, and function. Hypoxia decreased the activity/assembly of electron transport chain complex I, uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation, increased proliferation, decreased differentiation, increased ventricular mass, and decreased cardiac function. CypD inhibition rescued most hypoxia-mediated effects and increased cardiac function. In conclusion, neonatal hypoxia alters cardiac bioenergetics, myocyte maturation, and cardiac function through CypD-dependent pathways, providing potential therapeutic targets for neonatal cardiac dysfunction.