Digital Commons Network^™

Impacts Of Early Childhood Intervention On The Cognitive Development Of Individuals With Down Syndrome, Ella Riddle

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Trisomy 21, commonly known as Down Syndrome, is a chromosomal condition that causes intellectual and developmental delays. It is one of the several intellectual disabilities that is protected in the education system under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that provides free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. Though there is no “cure” for the syndrome, there are several therapies and interventions that significantly improve the cognitive capabilities of individuals diagnosed with Down Syndrome. In recent years, early intervention strategies taking place as early as birth until the age of three have been implemented through services …

Exploring The Effects Of Food Additives On Electroshock-Induced Seizures In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Sharvani Nune, Carina Pavlov, Japji G. Madan, Emma Hickey, Bhargav Potineni, Dillen-Preetesh Patel, Jeremy Ignatius, Mackenzie Mcgrogan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Many commercially available food products are laced with food additives, such as non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs, e.g. Equal and Splenda). Due to the minimal caloric content and increased palatability, these products are often preferred. Some research exists on the adverse effects of these food additives, but the neurotoxic effects of these compounds are not yet understood beyond anecdotes. In this study, we explore the effects of chemical sweeteners and food additives on seizure behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans are widely used in neuroscience research due to their simple and fully mapped nervous system. To study convulsant behavior of C. …

Effective Weight Cutting And Post Weigh-In Recovery Strategies In Professional Mma, Avanie Balram, Soleil Ramos, Victoria Potvin

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), currently in its 32^nd year, is highly responsible for the exponential growth and international interest in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA includes groups of contact activities. MMA athletes can kick, throw, punch, elbow, or grapple with their opponent. To gain a perceived advantage, MMA athletes undergo weight cuts/longitudinal weight descents (LDW), to compete in lower weight classes. The weight cut frequently occurs during the “Fight Camp” phase, which may last from 8-12 weeks. The week before a match is termed “Fight Week,” which consists of rapid weight loss (RWL) and acute water loss (AWL) …

Long Noncoding Rna Malat1 In Mitochondrial Modulation Induced By Ketosis In Human Cardiomyocytes, Meghana Divi, Eera Mehrotra, Colin Pulickathadam, Sathvi Gandra

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Heart failure, a major cause of mortality, is increasingly viewed as a metabolic disorder involving mitochondrial dysfunction. Ketone body treatments have shown promise in enhancing mitochondrial function and improving heart failure outcomes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins, play critical roles in regulating gene expression and mitochondrial activity. Despite the known modulation of lncRNAs during heart failure, their specific functions under ketotic conditions remain poorly understood. Based on our preliminary findings, this study aims to explore the impact of ketosis on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), particularly MALAT1, and …

A Computational Analysis Of The Monocation And Dication Porphyrins Stability, Dani Sheil, Andersen Cheong

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A computational analysis was used to study the changes on octaethyl (OEP) and tetraphenyl (TPP) substituted porphyrins when the solvents and acids were changed. The analysis used density functional theory to simulate the effects on the porphyrins’ basicity under different conditions at the B3LYP/6- 31g(d) level of theory and incorporated the solvent using the polarizable continuum model. The calculation accounted for different acid interactions (HCl, HF, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, toluene)) with the porphyrins in the gas phase and in a variety of solvents (heptane, dichloromethane, and acetonitrile). The freebase, monocation, and dication phases of both porphyrins were …

Coconut Oil As A Renewable Source For Carbon Dot Nanoparticles: Synthesis And Characterization, Amaan Khan, Aryan Rathi, Srika Saai Talanki, Pierce Canavan, Tasfia Tazri Howlader, Maria Guillén-Méndez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Carbon dots (C-dots) are zero-dimensional, carbon-based fluorescent nanoparticles that have gained significant attention due to their exceptional optical, chemical, and physical properties, along with their biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, and facile synthesis. These characteristics make C-dots versatile for applications in biomedical fields, food packaging, anti-counterfeiting, and semiconductors. Despite the exploration of natural products for C-dot synthesis, using oils to synthesize C-dots remains underexplored. In this study, we synthesized C-dots using coconut oil, a lauric acid-rich renewable resource, through a bottom-up approach. A mixture of coconut oil, citric acid, and ethylenediamine was treated at 180°C for 12 hours, followed by purification via centrifugation …

Determining The Optimal Multiplicity Of Infection (Moi) And Lysis Time Of Gordonia Rubripertincta Bacteriophage, Bianca A. Gonzalez, Jose C. Padron, Dani Sheil

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance represents a significant global health crisis, especially within hospitals, creating a necessity for the search for alternative therapeutic agents to combat drug-resistant pathogens. One alternative treatment is phages specifically targeting G. rubripertincta, a gram-positive, aerobic actinomycete bacterium which has shown intrinsic resistance to some antibiotics. Furthermore, G. rubripertincta can cause endocarditis and CNS infections in immunocompromised individuals. Several phages such as Alyssamiracle, Fribs8, Genamy16, and NovaSharks, have been discovered that successfully target G. rubripertincta. The goal of this research is to determine the optimal lysis time and multiplicity of infection (MOI) of these phages. The phages …

Examining The Impact Of Health Insurance On Covid-19 Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Of England And The United States Of America, Dibya Mullapudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries were put under tremendous strain due to the sudden increase in patients requiring immediate hospital care. The pandemic exposed latent issues within these healthcare systems that were only exacerbated under the pressure of COVID-19. Insurance remains a major factor in determining the quality and availability of healthcare services. This study will examine the distinct insurance systems of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) and analyze how they impacted COVID-19 patients’ healthcare outcomes. The US has a mixed insurance system composed of various public and private systems with around two-thirds of the …

Exploring The Psychological Impact Of In-Vitro Fertilization, Japji G. Madan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) affects both men and women differently, impacting their physical and emotional health throughout the process. Understanding these dynamics is essential to offer support to couples navigating the complex journey of assisted reproduction. This paper delves into the multifaceted stages of IVF, addressing the psychological and emotional challenges faced by individuals undergoing this invasive treatment. With the increasing prevalence of IVF as a common fertility treatment, this review emphasizes the importance of considering both the short-term and long-term psychological implications for couples.

Health As A Global Priority: Challenges, Innovations, And Cross-Cultural Insights From Bangladesh To The United States, Afia Mushfika

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A thorough cross-cultural analysis of the traditional Eastern healthcare system in Bangladesh and the modern Western healthcare system in the United States reveals various distinctions. Recognizing these differences enables a better understanding and application of effective public health delivery and paves the way for improving healthcare on a global scale, including not only impoverished developing countries but established industrialized ones as well. Health equity and cultural competence could be advanced globally due to the comparison and analysis of the traditional healthcare system of Bangladesh with the modern healthcare system of the United States. Prior research independently depicts the nuances of …

Heavy Metal Distribution In Volcanic Hawaiian Sediment From Five Million Years Ago To Present, Lauren Nonnenmacher

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The increase in heavy metal contamination in the marine and terrestrial environments of the Pacific basin has raised concerns, as studies continue to display evidence of heavy metal bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity. Volcanism is a major source of the distribution of heavy metals through rock formation and weathering. The main Hawaiian Islands (State of Hawaii) were formed by hot spot activity in the central northern Pacific Ocean, where upwelling of a magmatic plume containing heavy metals solidified into an archipelago of volcanic islands over a five-million-year period. The combination of natural and anthropogenic metal(loid) sources generates the critical need to …

Protecting Citrus Through Patents: Legal And Economic Implications Of Uf/Ifas Biotechnological Advances, Laeila Scott

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Citrus greening, or Huanglongbing (HLB), threatens the survival of Florida’s citrus industry, driving innovation in disease-resistant crops through biotechnology. This research examines how intellectual property (IP) law shapes these advancements, focusing on the direct industry impact of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Through analyzing patent strategies, licensing models, and governance structures, this study explores the balance between proprietary protections and public access. Additionally, it considers broader ethical and economic implications, including the challenges of patent enforcement and the impact on citrus growers. This research situates UF/IFAS’s biotechnological innovations within the larger legal and economic …

Modeling Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 2 Mutations In Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Exploring How The Drug Ag-221 Inhibits 2-Hydroxyglutarate Production And Restores Blood Cell Differentiation, Bhumika Balani, Jay Matta, Brianna Bourke, Nitya Punjal, Melissa Dore Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Mutations in the Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) enzyme have been linked to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). IDH2, involved in the citric acid cycle, normally converts isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), using NADP+ to produce NADPH. Mutations like R140Q and R172K lead IDH2 to convert αKG into the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), hindering blood cell differentiation and resulting in AML.

The drug AG-221 targets mutant IDH2 at an allosteric site, stabilizing the enzyme in an inactive form and preventing 2HG formation, thus alleviating AML symptoms. Most patients, however, require additional chemotherapy and often complete bone marrow transplants. A 3-D printed model based on …

Nutritional Challenges In Children With Down Syndrome And The Use Of Early Interventions, Avisha Thota

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Children with Down syndrome (DS) face distinct nutritional challenges that significantly impact their growth, health, and overall quality of life. These challenges include a high prevalence of obesity, gastrointestinal issues, increased risk of oral motor difficulties, and eating disorders such as pica and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Contributing conditions include unique low muscle tone, reduced physical activity, and metabolic differences, further compounded by environmental influences such as parental feeding practices and limited access to specialized care. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the nutritional challenges and eating disorders faced by children with DS and examine how early …

Unraveling The Elasmobranch: A Look At Shark Oral Microbiomes In South Florida, Adam Sadik, Adhvika Saravanan, Amanda Finnefrock, Melody Kim

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The intricate relationship between host organisms and their associated microbial communities, known as the microbiome, has garnered increasing attention across various biological disciplines. Sharks, as apex predators in marine ecosystems, are important to study and understand. Previous studies have shown shark gills and oral cavities are abundant in various types of commensal and pathogenic bacteria, many of which are resistant to antibiotics. Previous research on Florida blacktip sharks suggest 43% of all bacteria samples from the sharks were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Using microbial culturing techniques and Next Generation 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing, our objective is to …

Last Glacial Maximum Paleoenvironmental Proxies For The White River Badlands, Sd, Corinne Renshaw, John Nichols, Kaitlyn Perez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Paleoclimate research on Central North American droughts can help reconstruct regional climate effects that leave America’s agricultural areas vulnerable to future droughts. The past climate of the White River Badlands (WRB), located in the northwestern Great Plains, is poorly understood, due to the lack of traditional paleoclimate proxies in the area. However, with geochemical analyses of fossils preserved within mesa material there, we constrained the age of sediment deposition in this region and characterized climatic forces associated with last glacial drought and subsequent (dust) deposition. Geochemical proxies from gastropod fossil shells show that drought-driven dust deposition occurred at the Last …

Investigating Efficacy Of Nanomedicine For Novel Parkinson's Disease Therapeutics, Emma Hickey, Jeremy Ignatius, Annu Joji

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an endogenous incretin hormone primarily produced in the gut and brainstem. GLP-1 helps regulate glucose levels and appetite control, but recent evidence suggests that it may play a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases. GLP-1 receptors, part of the G-protein-coupled receptor family, activate intracellular metabolic and neurological signal cascades mainly via activation, or agonism. GLP-1 agonists, a drug class which includes Ozempic, were initially developed to manage type 2 diabetes, but recent studies have demonstrated neuroprotective properties for GLP-1 agonists in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (PD) models, thereby broadening their potential therapeutic applications. While early clinical trials …

Women Reclaiming Identity In A Dehumanizing Healthcare System, Neelima Tyagi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This examination of two-twentieth century pathographies explores the transformative role of narrative in reclaiming identity within a dehumanizing healthcare system, with a focus on women’s experiences. By analyzing Cortney Davis’s essay, “Becoming Flora: When the Written Narrative Is Our Own,” and Amy Haddad’s poem, “What If They Said?” the comparative review underscores how women’s narratives of illness illuminate the challenges of navigating the roles of caregiver and patient. Davis recounts her personal journey as a caregiver crossing the fragile boundary into patienthood, emphasizing shared vulnerability and empathy as a means of redefining identity. Conversely, Haddad uses vivid metaphors to portray …

Stalking The Forests And Swimming In The Oceans: Trophic Flexibility In Alaskan Coastal Grey Wolves, Mckenna Smith, Miranda Brohman, Gretchen Roffler, Dimitrios G. Giarikos Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Coastal grey wolves of Southeast Alaska (Canis lupus ligoni) are opportunistic apex predators endemic to their environments. Large terrestrial vertebrates such as deer and marine organisms such as salmon dominate their diet. Large terrestrial vertebrates such as deer and marine organisms such as salmon dominate their diet. In recent years, wolves from Gustavus have moved back and forth between the mainland coastal environment and Pleasant Island, a small island 10 kilometers offshore. Wolves initially foraged on the island deer but more recently, a group of wolves has remained full-time on the island to forage on a marine diet …

Sexual Dimorphism In Physiological, Metabolic, And Hypothalamic Alteration In The Tg-Swdi Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Yingying Zhu, Ariana Hernandez, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Natalia Noto, Julianna Bonetti

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting 55 million people worldwide. Cognitive disruptions, linked to pathology in the hippocampus and cortical areas, are frequently observed in individuals with late manifestation of AD; however, non-cognitive dysfunctions, which contribute to poor quality of life and survival, are often overlooked. The hypothalamus plays a role in regulating homeostatic functions such as hunger, thirst, sleep, and blood pressure. The coordinated activity of hypothalamic nuclei regulates energy balance and hormonal functions, which are crucial for maintaining metabolic homeostasis and neuroendocrine processes. Dysregulation of these processes has been shown to directly correlate with amyloid-β and …

Climactic Transition And Loess Transport In The White River Badlands, South Dakota, John Nichols, Victor Pomales Pinto, Iyanla Reid, Lillie Suthers

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Great Plains is one of the most important agricultural regions in the world. However, the semiarid climate makes the region vulnerable to drought and climate change. Safeguarding this critical resource will depend on forecasting the timing and magnitude of climatic transitions and drought events. This study investigates dust deposition during the climate transition from the last glacial period into the modern interglacial period (Late Pleistocene to Holocene) in the White River Badlands (WRB), South Dakota. Preliminary radiocarbon evidence indicates significant dust deposition began around 25,000 years ago (25 ka), coinciding with the coldest time during the last glacial period …

Investigating The Therapeutic Potential Of Mdm2 And Dnmts Inhibition In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Nathan Tinu, Samhitha Vangala

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, underscoring the need for more effective therapeutic strategies. This study explores the impact of MDM2 and DNMTs inhibition on key regulatory pathways in the HCC827 lung cancer cells, specifically focusing on epigenetic modification and cell cycle regulation. We investigated the effects of RG-7388 (MDM2 inhibitor) and CM-272 (G9a/DNMTs inhibitor) on MRNAs and miRNAs gene expressions that were suspected to be modulating the above-mentioned processes. Our qRT-PCR results showed significant downregulation of epigenetic modifiers (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3b) and cell cycle arrest genes (CDC25A, CDC25C) in both RG-7388 and CM-272 treated …

9 To 5 And Glucose High: The Connections Between Work And Pre-Diabetes, Nemo Thomas, Rosselyn Perez, Joshua K. Dumond

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The topic of this systematic review is to determine if there is an association between parental occupation and the prevalence of pre-diabetes in children (defined as a person under eighteen years of age). Globally, it is estimated that 537 million people between the ages of 20-79 live with diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the blood glucose levels are higher than normal. There are two types of diabetes. Type one diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by genetic predispositions and cannot be successfully mitigated through primary interventions. In contrast, type 2 diabetes can be prevented through primary interventions. …

A Man In The Woods: Individual Differences In Women's Distress Response To Unknown Men, Tamara Bogdanova, Brianna Muñoz, Ned Vaitkevicius

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between distress and perceived danger in modern humans since previous research has shown that threats have various effects on an individual’s thoughts and behaviors. We hypothesized that women would report greater changes in distress after reading a story in which they are confronted with an unknown man compared to after reading a story in which they interact with a friend. Additionally, we hypothesized that women’s change in distress would be moderated by individual difference variables such as mate value. Using an experimental vignette methodology, data provide preliminary support for both …

Analysis Of Community Impact And Sustainability: A Comparative Of Humana Inc. And Toyota Motor North America, Dev J. Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Climate change affects all aspects of human life. With the depletion of the Ozone layer, increasing frequency of natural disasters, health impact, and more, expectations must be set for large corporations to follow the principle of sustainability. This concept focuses on how businesses can prioritize environmental health, social justice, and economic development of nearby communities they serve. The most common practice for reporting on sustainable issues is through annual iterations of environmental, sustainable, and governance (ESG) reports. This qualitative study examines the sustainability efforts of two major corporations: Humana, Inc. and Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). Humana, Inc. is the …

Assessment Of Brain Function And Personality Types On A Soccer Penalty Kick Performance In Women Collegiate Soccer Players, Emily Cabral

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The research study assesses women’s soccer players personality types and brain function while taking a soccer penalty kick using a wearable electroencephalograph (EEG) band. The EEG recorded major brain wave function during activity and the personality test identified different fields of emotions of how an individual perceives, processes and expresses emotions to distinct stimulus. Included in this study were participants from a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II women’s soccer players that completed a baseline personality test and baseline EEG device. Each participant then completed a series of penalty kicks wearing the EEG aiming for multiple targets in a …

Assessment Of Dna Methylation Pattern Differences Between Healthy And Obese Dogs Using A Cohort Of Golden Retrievers, Jordan Marriott

Undergraduate Student Symposium

It is essential to understand the mechanisms of aging and disease in dogs, especially in the role played by DNA methylation (DNAm). DNAm, an epigenetic modification, offers insights into biological age and disease progression, which are often linked to obesity and its comorbidities. This study addresses the growing prevalence of canine obesity, a major contributor to chronic inflammation and age-related diseases through the exploration of DNAm patterns to identify early biomarkers for disease detection. To find out how DNAm patterns differ between healthy and diseased dogs and whether these patterns can reveal biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment, researchers analyzed …

Census Of Non-U.S. Billfish And Swordfish Recreation Tournaments In The Iccat Convention Area, Kevin Rafferty

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Swordfish and istiophorid billfishes are large pelagic predators with circumglobal distributions. In the Atlantic Ocean, these economically valuable fishes are considered highly migratory species (HMS) and managed domestically by National Oceanographic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Fisheries and internationally by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Internationally, swordfish has long supported primarily commercial fisheries but is increasingly targeted by recreational fisheries; although occasionally landed as incidental catch, istiophorid billfish fisheries are primarily fished recreationally. In the U.S. Atlantic, NOAA Fisheries regulates HMS fisheries, including mandatory recreational tournament registration and monitoring. Commercial landings are often reported to ICCAT, but …

Characterizing Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) And Other Freshwater Macroinvertebrates Of Negros, Philippines, Aidan Pflieger, Lhear Elloren, Robert Guino-O Ii, Ph.D., Chris Bird Ph.D., David Gauthier Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Mayflies (Order: Ephemeroptera) and other aquatic macroinvertebrates are heavily understudied in the Philippines, and especially the province of Negros Oriental, despite making up a significant portion of biomass in freshwater ecosystems. The processes of morphological assessment and genetic barcoding of Ephemeroptera and other insect taxa sourced from three locations along the Malaunay River are described. The CO1 maternal mitochondrial gene was amplified via PCR and sequenced to DNA barcode specimens and construct a maximum likelihood phylogeny of taxa in the region. This study has generated foundational DNA barcoding data for Ephemeroptera biodiversity research in the Philippines, and there is …

Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species To Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters With Cytoxic Properties, Omobolanle Ayangade, Abril Chao, Emily Abraham, Maya Pasapuleti, Fatima Muhammad, Rajendra Pangeni Ph.D., Braham Dhillon Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Fungi in the genus Ganoderma have been widely studied in Chinese culture for their medicinal properties and promoting overall health and longevity. Our prior work on eight Ganoderma species showed that they contain Secondary Metabolite Clusters (SMCs) that code for multiple terpenes, betalactones, and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). These compounds are well known for their cytotoxic and anticancer potential. A specialized bioinformatics analysis tool, antiSMASH1, was used to identify and annotate SMCs that produce anticancer compounds in the eight Ganoderma genomes. To test the results obtained from the bioinformatics analysis, fungal extracts were prepared from G. lucidum …