Digital Commons Network^™

Crossing The Quality Communication Chasm Among Inpatients, Julie Gaurang Patel, Jacob Aiden Boyle, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell, Lauren Rae Selent, Joshua Refaat Gerges

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Identifying the most effective approach to enhancing service quality and patient satisfaction may be challenging for providers. Efficient communication between healthcare providers and patients is frequently mentioned as a fundamental element of favorable patient experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine patient satisfaction regarding ‘interpersonal communication’ within a multi-hospital system.  A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the floor the patient was admitted to. The dependent variables were the patients' responses to satisfaction survey questions including: 1) Friendliness of hospital staff; 2) Explanations provided in a way patients could easily …

Reducing Expenses Through Digital Innovation Among Medicare Advantage Plans, Stanley Y. Huang, Jada N. Faircloth, Lauren R. Selent, Lauren R. Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The United States healthcare system is approaching unsustainable cost levels. Within the next ten years Medicare Advantage plans face potential insolvency. Medicare Advantage plans are expanding, and many receive priority over patient care and physician payments yet operating without meaningful accountability. Many of these rising costs affect quality and lead to increased overhead expenses. 1, 2 The purpose of this project was to examine whether replacing traditional methods with safe, timely, and HIPAA-compliant digital innovation would lower cost and maximize outcomes. A quantitative, causal- comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was fiscal year, and …

Leveraging Patient Satisfaction In The Hospital Admission & Parking Processes, Leila Joyce Babb, Manasa Jaishankar, Lauren Rae Selent, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality. Patient expectations and experiences during healthcare encounters, such as the admission process, strongly influence perceived quality of care and overall satisfaction with hospital services.[^1  ]Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality. Limited healthcare resources require efficient and effective process improvement efforts. The purpose of this study is to examine patient satisfaction with the hospital admission and parking processes at a multi-hospital system in Tampa-Bay. A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the floor the patient was assigned to. The dependent variables …

Emerging Technology In Leptospirosis Testing: Comparison And Future Directions, Ashley Kassay, Mallory Caldwell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Leptospirosis is an under-recognized zoonotic bacterial infection that is responsible for 1 million cases and 60,000 deaths globally every year. With vague symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose in early stages, and if left undiagnosed, it is highly fatal. To prevent late diagnosis, there must be research into improving testing methods, especially with respect to countries with limited resources. The following will compare emerging technologies in leptospirosis testing, such as CRISPR, LAMP, microfluidic-based paper device, and photothermal immunosensing, with traditional testing methods such as MAT and PCR. Comparing biomarkers, sample type and amount, time, sensitivity, point-of-care ability, this research determined …

Leveraging Healthcare Providers Responsiveness To Patient Needs, Kevin R. Garcia, Lauren R. Mcconnell, Lauren R. Selent

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Patient satisfaction is viewed as a vital key driver that holds significant importance for healthcare leaders. The healthcare arena is continually evolving and marked by advancements in medical technologies with emphasis on patient-centered care. The patient experience is recognized as the drivers of healthcare quality.1 The purpose of this study was to examine patients’ perceptions of ‘timeliness’ by clinical unit. A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the clinical unit to which the patient was assigned. The dependent variables were the patients responses to survey questions including: 1) Pain medication administered timely; …

Crossing The Quality Chasm With Accommodations Among Hospitalized Patients, Sarieli Lakshmi Sribhashyam, Erica Mainenti Lima, Lauren Rae Selent, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The healthcare landscape has evolved significantly over time, placing greater emphasis on patient-centered care as a fundamental component of effective healthcare delivery. High levels of patient satisfaction contribute to improved perceptions of care, stronger trust in physicians, better treatment compliance, reduced errors, greater staff satisfaction, and ultimately improved clinical outcomes and provider profitability. While factors such as hospital environment and sanitation remain essential in shaping these outcomes.¹ The purpose of this study is to examine patient satisfaction regarding ‘accommodations’ in their hospital room. A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. A Multi Variate Analysis of …

Testing Downstream Analysis Of Noninvasive Anoa Dna Samples Using The Mm12 Primer, Madisen Hamai

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endangered species of wild cattle endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. As anoa populations are expected to decline in future years, genetic analysis is important to monitor numbers and guide both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. Because anoa avoid human interaction, noninvasive sampling methods of DNA collection are being tested. These methods minimize stress to the animal and allow scientists to measure genetic diversity within anoa populations and relatedness between individuals.

This study uses PCR amplification of a microsatellite to determine whether noninvasive DNA is suitable for population level analysis. The study uses …

Amplifying The Anoa: Noninvasive Genetic Amplification Of The Lowland Anoa With Csrm60, Haley B. Merkle

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is the smallest species of wild cattle in the world and is classified as endangered on the ICUN Red List. Noninvasive genetic assessment allows for collection of samples with minimal impact on animal welfare but can result in low-quality DNA or contamination. Little is known about effective forms of noninvasive sampling and the DNA analysis protocol that follows regarding the anoa. This study is part of a continuing collaborative investigation and helped gain insight into the suitability of noninvasive DNA for population research. To determine whether the DNA is suitable, a set of …

Benefits Of Art Therapy On Quality Of Life In Middle Aged Women With Gynecological And/Or Breast Cancer, Rylee N. Diehl, Iman Ahmed, Piper S. Bell, Lamya Moore, Giada Anastasi, Constanza Bravo Rodriguez, Taylor Edmondson

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Art therapy involves the use of art representations in clinical and mental health care. Art mediums such as painting, dance, and movement can be interventions for diagnoses such as gynecological or breast cancer (GBC). GBC incidence is highest among women 45-65, and art therapy has shown potential to improve their quality of life (QoL). Art therapy’s impact on QoL is often assessed by measuring physical and mental health, coping and adjustment capabilities, healthcare relationships, and social life. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted with an initial 181 articles extracted from multiple journals of psychology. A final selection …

The Gothic’S Boy Mom: A Depiction Of The Jocasta Complex In Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, Rylee N. Diehl

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper explores the dynamic between Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It is revealed later in the novel that Mrs. Danvers worked for Rebecca’s family prior to becoming the housekeeper of Manderley. She took on a maternal role over the other woman that was characterized by an overbearing love for her. After Rebecca’s death, this love turned into obsession and readers have often noted sexual undertones within the way Mrs. Danvers refers to the woman she watched grow up. This is reminiscent of Raymond de Saussure’s Jocasta Complex which analyzes a mothers incestual fixation with her …

Effectiveness Of Mindfulness-Based Interventions In Treating Behavioral Addictions, Arjun Tummala, Eshal Farhan, Tina Zhang, Ayesha Menon, Harshini Janapaty

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Behavioral addictions are non-substance compulsive disorders creating urges to engage with actions such as gambling and internet gaming disorder (IGD). Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) use conscious awareness of the present to improve both mental and physical health. However, their long-term effectiveness remains unclear compared to other therapies. This literature review explores how the use of MBIs, compared to other therapeutic techniques, help adults and adolescents struggling with behavioral addictions. A systematic screening of peer-reviewed articles was conducted using PubMed. Of 135 articles published from 2021-2026, “mindfulness”/“meditation”, “behavioral addiction”/”gambling”/“gaming disorder”/“internet”, and “long-term”/“relapse”, only studies that explored MBIs for behavioral addiction with experimental …

Gender Differences In The Diagnosis Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: The Role Of Vulnerable Narcissism And Clinical Judgment, Shreya Patel, Marvel Abdelmalak, Madison Dumerlin, Deeley Nice, Forat Waleed, Arjun Tummala, Amanda Janner

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition categorized into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Current guidelines used to evaluate NPD include the ICD-11 and DSM, however, the accuracy of their results is arguable. NPD presents differently in males vs. females which may lead to misdiagnosis. This study reviews how clinician judgements are influenced by the gender-based differences in the presentation of narcissistic traits while using current diagnostic guidelines, aiming to understand the misdiagnosis of NPD when the traits are less grandiose. A literature review was conducted through PubMed using the search terms: (“Narcissistic Personality Disorder” OR narcissism) AND (“gender differences” …

Citing The Usage Of Generative A.I. In Academic Articles: Avoiding Plagiarism And Staying Authentic, Amanda Bitkauskaite

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The usage of generative A.I. increases day by day as the technology improves and remains accessible to the public. Inside academia, many argue the technology will help students and scholars to write papers quicker, to improve their writing, and/or to organize data quicker. However, there is the issue of if A.I. really improves workflow, and if it can correctly be used in the realm of publishing without impeding on the merit of their research and without insulting readers and editors alike, as is explained in “When and how to disclose AI use in academic publishing: AMEE Guide No.192” (L. Cleland, …

Ai-Enabled Food As Medicine In Hospitality: Children’S Wellness Menus, Guest Perceptions, And Service Design, Isabella Fonte

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Dietary management plays a crucial role in alleviating symptoms of chronic health conditions, yet accessible, credible resources remain underutilized. This project focuses on collecting and standardizing online recipes designed to support individuals managing ailments through nutrition, emphasizing that these recipes provide foundational dietary guidance rather than curative solutions. For instance, recipes targeting heart disease consistently prioritize whole grains, low-fat proteins, and vegetables, offering structured starting points for those navigating dietary changes. Our methodology involves identifying credible sources that meet specific criteria: nutrition information, dietary tags, serving sizes, preparation and cooking times, and detailed instructions to name a few. Selected recipes …

Engineering Synthetic Promoters And Gene Circuits For Tumor-Specific Dreadd- Mglur2 Expression Across Age Groups, Sara J. Bariq, Theresa Anil, Harsith Kollipara, Luis Zayas, Devanshi Krishna Gollamudi

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Synthetic promoters and chemogenetics offer emerging strategies to control cancer cell signaling. Prior work examined tumor-specific promoters and glutamatergic signaling in cancer, yet evidence remains limited on restricting DREADD-engineered GPCRs to tumor cells using multi-gene circuits, particularly across age groups. This review evaluates synthetic promoter–gene circuit designs enabling tumor-restricted expression of DREADD-modified mGluR2 and assesses age-related effects on performance. A comprehensive review of 54 peer-reviewed articles was conducted, investigating factors such as relations between age and changes in gene expression, epigenetic promoter alterations within cancer therapies, and mGluR2 function and implications for therapeutic applications in cancer therapies and immunotherapy. Articles …

The Mediterranean Diet And Lipid Profiles In Hyperlipidemia, Aarav Shah, Kartheek Malireddy, Advith Katta, Ishani Sunkara, Alyssa Resendez, Serena Bhaskar

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) reduces risk of hyperlipidemia by reducing LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) levels, which cause plaque buildup. However, the comparison of the MedDiet with other diets for improving lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic patients has not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluates how MedDiet compares to diets such as the Vegan, Keto, and DASH diets on adults with hyperlipidemia concerning our primary outcome LDL-C levels and our secondary outcome HDL levels. A meta-analysis on 47 studies, 169 screened, from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect focused on comparing effects of DASH, vegan, low-fat, Western, and Keto diets against MedDiet. …

Reimagining Academic Editorial Procedure For Creative Novel Publishing: Press Of Rebellious Origins And Imagination’S Manuscript Process, Suravi Gurung

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

My close examination of manuscripting processes based on common ethical practices outlined in “The Handbook of Journal Publishing” (Sally Morris, et al.) explores how academic publishing pipelines are established and the functionality of each stage. This project further inspects internal editorial systems within journals or publishing houses throughout a manuscript’s processing, and how these frameworks can appear through applied analysis, with both text and flowcharts for each stage. “Press of Rebellious Origins and Imagination’s Manuscript Process” is a mock in-house guidebook based on the pre-existing journal of POROI (Project on the Rhetoric of Inquiry at the University of Iowa and …

Demographics Of Published Nonfiction Authors In Literary Magazines And What It Means For Academia, Amanda Bitkauskaite

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

In a 2023 survey done by The Author’s Guild (“Key Takeaways from the Authors Guild’s 2023 Author Income Survey”), the demographic of published authors has shifted from what many perceive to be a male dominated field–with the data collected showing that published authors are majority women, writing romance and fantasy. This survey study was conducted to see if this applies to academic creative writing, in particular, non-fiction. The study took a look at 100 writers who were published in 6 different academic literary magazines, looking at several demographics—age, gender, and sexuality. It also examined their education level, job, and whether …

A Pooled Analysis Of Efficacy Outcomes Of Til In Advanced Mel Patients Treated At Moffitt Cancer Center, Joel Kuriakose

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy induces durable responses in a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma, yet determinants of efficacy remain incompletely defined. We performed integrated immunophenotypic and spatial transcriptomic profiling of TIL infusion products and matched tumor microenvironments (TMEs) from patients treated in early-phase TIL-based trials at Moffitt Cancer Center. The objective response rate was 36%, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 10 months. Responders exhibited infusion products enriched for CD8⁺ T cells, stem-like memory (TSCM) CD8⁺ subsets, and LAG3⁺CD8⁺ T cells, along with enhanced TIL persistence in the periphery. Notably, prior exposure to immune checkpoint was associated with …

Sleep Restriction And Its Affects On Mood, April M. Rummery Lamb

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Sleep plays a fundamental role in the human body being able to function effectively, in particular it plays an essential role in mood regulation. Previous research on sleep and mood has found that there is a correlation between receiving an inadequate amount of sleep and having a negative mood. However, the current field has mostly looked at the relationship between disordered sleep and mood disorders as opposed to everyday sleep patterns and daily mood. The present study aims to look at how sleep restrictions which occur naturally (not caused by sleep disorders such as insomnia) effect daily mood. To conduct …

The Missing Void: Lack Of Pockets In Womenswear And Its Effect On Daily Life, Clare Bolon

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Pockets give power to people who possess them. Yet, an estimated half of the U.S. population —women— frequently wear garments lacking useful pockets. Why? Womenswear is molded by beauty standards. This study brings an anthropological perspective on gender inequality in the U.S. by examining modern clothing and the differences in pocket access by gender. 127 participants were recruited for a mixed methods survey, most from a medium-sized university in the Mountain West region. Survey questions explored the attitudes and experiences of people who wear women’s clothing regarding pockets (or the lack thereof) and its impact on their daily lives. Open-ended …

Representation Formulas And Large Time Behavior For Solutions To Some Nonconvex Hamilton-Jacobi Equations, Hung Vinh Tran

University of Tennessee Mathematical Journal

We give a new representation formula for solutions to nonconvex first-order Hamilton-Jacobi equations in the periodic setting and present some applications. We then prove the large-time behavior of solutions under additional assumptions.

Corrigendum To " Urban Transportation Strategy As Urban Sustainable Indicator Frameworks Study Of Masdar City, Abu Dhabi", Rania Badawy Shokry

Mansoura Engineering Journal

No abstract is required for this article.

Civil Discourse: A 3-Part Lesson Plan With Media Literacy Connections, Greg Davis

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

This article presents a three-part lesson plan designed to help students develop civil discourse skills through emotional self-regulation, value exploration, and structured debate. Drawing inspiration from Alaa Al-Musalli’s work on “Unteaching Divisive Argumentation,” the lesson introduces students to the emotional dynamics of disagreement, the ethical diversity that underlies opposing viewpoints, and the practice of respectful argumentation. The culminating activity—a classroom debate over a fictitious local law regulating electric bikes and scooters—invites students to reflect on how tone, listening, and self-awareness affect discourse. Integrating media literacy, the lesson concludes with a discussion of memes and online bias, prompting students to evaluate …

Building Legal Dwelling: An Existential Analysis Of The Phenomenon Of Law, Thomas Gambino

Graduate Student Research Symposium

This paper explores the necessity of law for the existence of Dasein in the thinking of Martin Heidegger. It begins by analyzing our everyday experience of the phenomenon of law, concluding that the being of law reveals itself to us, at different times, as present-at-hand and ready-to-hand. From this realization, it grounds the being of law in the being of Dasein, describing law essentially as Dasein’s own existence, projected into the world and shown back to it as a seemingly independent phenomenon. Finally, it characterizes this projection as an act of building and concludes that Dasein dwells in the law …

Beyond Self-Defense: A Critical Analysis Of The Biden Administration’S Application Of ‘Just War’ Theory In The Israel-Hamas War, Thomas Elias

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Abstract

The Israel-Hamas war has ignited critical questions regarding the justification for violence, particularly the right to self-defense. Harm to Palestinian noncombatants and the conflict’s prolonged duration has contributed to critiques and doubts about Israel’s military operations and the Biden administration’s substantial military aid post-October 7th. The war’s extensive destruction and dehumanization creates a stark tension with the Biden administration’s invocation of just war theory. This paper critically analyzes the Biden administration’s use of just war theory in supporting the Israel-Hamas war, investigating how Christian theological ethics on just war and self-defense have been utilized and misapplied since October 2023. …

Best Practices For Classroom Seating Arrangements: A Narrative Literature Review, Sophia M. Williams

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Every K-12 classroom has a unique dynamic produced by students and managed by its teachers. The relationships between peers, as well as the relationships between students and their teacher play an integral role in how students work and behave each day. An important aspect of the classroom dynamic that teachers’ control is seating arrangements. Indeed, extant research has debated on the best practice for seating arrangements in classrooms to create optimal learning environments that benefit both pupil and teacher. Some studies suggest that students work better when they are working with people that they have positive relationships with. Contrarily, others …

A Phenomenological Study Of Parent Experiences During Transition From Early Intervention To School-Based Services, Kelly F. Gregoire, Halie Mayfield, Jeryl D. Benson, Johnna Estep

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Abstract

Importance: Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners and members of the Early Intervention (EI) to school-based transition should understand the barriers to a successful transition to better advocate for their clients and tailor their involvement in the transition process.

Objective: To explore the lived experience of parents of young children participating in the transition process.

Participants: Fourteen parents of young children (ages 2.5-6 years) with a developmental disability.

Outcomes and Measures: Semi-structured interviews focusing on parent and family experiences with the transition process.

Results: Seven resulting themes emerged from the data representing parent perceptions related to their experience of the system. …

Straw As A Potential Vegetable Fibre Insulative Infill In Framed Constructions - Material Testing\Tnotereftnote1, Patrick Daly

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The construction sector faces increasing pressure to reduce embodied carbon and adopt circular material strategies, with bio-based materials offering a promising pathway. Straw-based insulation, particularly in loose-fill form, has gained traction in Europe, where several products have achieved certification under EAD 040138-01-1201. This study investigates the potential of Irish-processed straw chip as a bio-based insulative infill for framed construction by evaluating its material properties and thermal conductivity–density performance relative to European ETA-certified reference products. A programme of laboratory testing was undertaken on commercially available Irish straw samples, including material characterisation (moisture content, particle morphology, and dust content) and thermal conductivity …

Development And Characterization Of Mycelium-Based Biocomposites From Ganoderma Lucidum Using Spent Yerba Mate And Residual Sunflower Oil For Sustainable Insulation In Construction, Paula V. Alfieri, Guadalupe Canosa

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The construction industry urgently requires sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based insulation materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and mineral wool. Mycelium-based biocomposites offer a promising solution by valorizing agricultural waste while delivering competitive thermal and acoustic performance. In this study, developed and characterized biocomposites using Ganoderma lucidum mycelium combined with spent yerba mate and residual sunflower oil (70 g/30 mL), both commonly generated as waste in Argentine institutions. Two formulations were evaluated: high density (HD: 280 ± 5 kg/m³) and low density (LD: 185 ± 5 kg/m³). Samples were cultivated for 90 days at 28 °C and 65% relative humidity and …