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The Effect Of Verbal Encouragement With Swearing On High Intensity Exercise Performance, Ella Kern Apr 2026

The Effect Of Verbal Encouragement With Swearing On High Intensity Exercise Performance, Ella Kern

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Verbal encouragement has not been shown to reliably enhance performance on the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT); however, research has found that when individuals swear during the WAnT, average power increases. This study examined whether incorporating swearing into verbal encouragement during a WAnT enhances performance, self-confidence, and psychological flow compared to standard verbal encouragement without swearing. Forty-one physically active participants (25 females, 16 males; age 20.8 ± 0.78 years) completed two counterbalanced laboratory visits involving verbal encouragement with swearing (VES) and without swearing (VE) while performing the WAnT on a Wattbike Air ergometer. Average power, fatigue index, self-confidence, and psychological flow …


Uncovering Hidden Bioenergetic Effects Of Deet: Is Mitochondrial Complex I A Primary Target?, Jacob Kora, Dillen-Preetesh Patel Apr 2026

Uncovering Hidden Bioenergetic Effects Of Deet: Is Mitochondrial Complex I A Primary Target?, Jacob Kora, Dillen-Preetesh Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is one of the most common insect repellents worldwide and is generally regarded as safe for humans. As such, DEET is available as a nonprescribed product to the public for topical application, with concentrations reaching up to 4.0M. However, new studies in other organisms suggest it may have a greater physiological effect than thought before. Research has shown that DEET can reduce Photosystem II activity in algae, alter red blood cell production and lipid metabolism in fish, and cause developmental and cardiovascular issues in zebrafish embryos. These findings point toward disruptions in mitochondrial and oxidative processes. Mammalian …


Does A Competitive Season Alter Elastic Bounce Mechanics In University Distance Runners?, Marcus Marek Tortorella Apr 2026

Does A Competitive Season Alter Elastic Bounce Mechanics In University Distance Runners?, Marcus Marek Tortorella

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The spring-mass model (SMM) describes the body's center of mass oscillation during running as a bouncing system, where energy is absorbed and released, producing two asymmetries that represent muscle-tendon elastic function: (1) landing-takeoff (LTO; % relative difference propulsion to braking time), and (2) rebound (REB; % relative difference effective aerial to contact time). Additional SMM-derived variables, such as vertical stiffness(kvert) and step frequency (SF) may provide insight into the influence of a competitive season on running elastic bounce mechanics in university distance runners. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a competitive cross-country season …


Genetic Diversity Of Invasive Grey-Headed Swamphens In Florida Compared To Native Gallinules, Monica Maurer Apr 2026

Genetic Diversity Of Invasive Grey-Headed Swamphens In Florida Compared To Native Gallinules, Monica Maurer

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Invasive species outcompete native ones and threaten ecosystem stability. The grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus), established in southeast Florida since 1996, continues to expand into the northern Everglades and Lake Okeechobee despite prior eradication attempts. This study is comparing the genetic diversity of invasive grey-headed swamphens to the genetic diversity of native purple (P. martinica) and common (Gallinula galeata) gallinules to better understand invasion history, competitive potential, and ecosystem impacts. Muscle tissue samples of P. porphyrio collected by the Florida Museum of Natural History from 1999-2023 and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) …


Implementing Video Analysis And Titleist Performance Institute Level 1 Screening To Assess Sway In Collegiate Golfers, Sydney Mazur Apr 2026

Implementing Video Analysis And Titleist Performance Institute Level 1 Screening To Assess Sway In Collegiate Golfers, Sydney Mazur

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Golf swing mechanics are fundamental for proper performance and sustainability in the sport. Understanding the complexities of the golf swing as well are crucial in proper performance and prevent injury. Sway is a common swing fault that occurs in golfers because of improper swing fundamental mechanics. The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Level 1 screen is used in conjunction with video analyses to better understand swing mechanics. The purpose of this study is to better understand these specific components of the golf swing mechanics to prevent injury and improve performance for collegiate golfers. A total of 16 National Collegiate Athletic Association …


What Genograms Can Tell Us About Family Dynamics That Quantitative Data Cannot, Connor Mccarville, Jessica Frye, Maegan Mcdonough Apr 2026

What Genograms Can Tell Us About Family Dynamics That Quantitative Data Cannot, Connor Mccarville, Jessica Frye, Maegan Mcdonough

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Genograms are an important clinical tool that is used to visually represent family relationships and their dynamics, but their effectiveness in empirical research remains limited. This mix-methods study examined the alignment between qualitative genogram visualizations and quantitative assessments of family dysfunctionality among individuals who exhibited high levels of risky sexual behavior. Based on preliminary data, currently with seven individuals with a high level of risky sexual behavior, we created genograms through interviews with young adult participants who described the emotional quality of each family relationship. Quantitative data on risky sexual behavior and whole family functioning were collected using the Family …


Biomechanical Profiles In Cross-Country Runners: Pca Identifies Patterns, Not Injury, Kiana Medina, Sathvi Gandra, Auston Hsieh Apr 2026

Biomechanical Profiles In Cross-Country Runners: Pca Identifies Patterns, Not Injury, Kiana Medina, Sathvi Gandra, Auston Hsieh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Running biomechanics reflect coordinated strategies rather than isolated variable effects and are thought to influence injury risk. This study investigates whether distinct running gait patterns identified through principal component analysis (PCA) of biomechanical variables were associated with injury occurrence in collegiate cross-country athletes. Twenty-two university cross-country runners (N=22; n = 5 males, n = 17 females; age range = 18-25 years) completed a 3D biomechanical gait assessment from which we derived step frequency (SF), hip and ankle propulsive power, knee abductor moments (KAM), vertical stiffness (kvert), contralateral pelvis drop (CPD), hip adduction (HADD), time of braking force ( …


Ankle Dorsiflexion Differences Due To Fatigue In Men's Division Ii Collegiate Basketball Players, James Manuel Moonnumacakal Apr 2026

Ankle Dorsiflexion Differences Due To Fatigue In Men's Division Ii Collegiate Basketball Players, James Manuel Moonnumacakal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Previous research indicates the biomechanics at the ankle joint can lead to increased risk of injury such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, Achilles rupture, or patellofemoral tendinopathy. Studies also revealed that the establishment of baseline ankle range-of-motion (ROM) measures can allow the decrease of injury for a team over the course of professional season. Understanding ankle ROM norms can lead to detecting critical injuries and the development of a strength and conditioning plan to help avoid injury. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship that fatigue has upon ankle ROM using a static lunge test to …


Dft Modeling Of Steroid–Phospholipid Noncovalent Interactions: Conformations, Binding Energy, And Solvation Effects, Sohan Mothkur Apr 2026

Dft Modeling Of Steroid–Phospholipid Noncovalent Interactions: Conformations, Binding Energy, And Solvation Effects, Sohan Mothkur

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Steroids (STRs) have essential roles in human physiology and disease, regulating processes such as metabolism and immunity. STRs exert their effects through receptor-mediated pathways and by modulating cell membrane properties. STRs can intercalate into phospholipid (PL) bilayers, altering membrane properties that can influence downstream biological processes. While STR-protein interactions have been widely studied, little is known about how STR-PL interactions influence membrane properties. In this study, we used density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the interactions between testosterone (TST) and cholesterol (CHOL) with three representative PLs: phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). STR-PL complexes were modeled using an aqueous …


Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species To Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters With Cytotoxic Properties, Fatima Muhammad, Maya Pasapuleti, Emily Abraham, Navya Mysore Apr 2026

Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species To Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters With Cytotoxic Properties, Fatima Muhammad, Maya Pasapuleti, Emily Abraham, Navya Mysore

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. Using the bioinformatics platform antiSMASH, we previously identified and annotated the specific SMCs within these genomes that are predicted to produce such bioactive metabolites. To test the results obtained from the bioinformatics analysis, fungal extracts were prepared from …


Developing A Novel Protocol To Isolate Mitochondria From The Cnidarian Aiptasia Pallida For Bioenergetic Studies , Chelsea Nguyen, Kiran Sajnani Apr 2026

Developing A Novel Protocol To Isolate Mitochondria From The Cnidarian Aiptasia Pallida For Bioenergetic Studies , Chelsea Nguyen, Kiran Sajnani

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The symbiotic relationship between cnidarian hosts and photosynthetic dinoflagellates relies on a dynamic exchange of metabolites between key organelles including chloroplasts and mitochondria. Understanding how temperature affects this exchange is pivotal to determine its role in metabolic dysbiosis, but methodological challenges in isolating mitochondria from cnidarian tissue must be addressed. The aim of this project is to develop a reproducible homogenization and isolation protocol of mitochondria from the upside-down sea jelly Cassiopea xamachana, to be used as a model for subsequent bioenergetic studies. Mesogleal tissue from laboratory acclimated C. xamachana was finely minced, and several mechanical homogenization methods were …


Passion Versus Predisposition: How Engagement, Personality, And Trait-Anxiety Predict Homesickness, Bala Sivani Padala, Porsha Adoghe, Alyssa Harris Apr 2026

Passion Versus Predisposition: How Engagement, Personality, And Trait-Anxiety Predict Homesickness, Bala Sivani Padala, Porsha Adoghe, Alyssa Harris

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Homesickness is a prevalent condition affecting many college students. Several factors contribute to homesickness, including, but not limited to, adjustment difficulty, missing family and friends, rumination, and loneliness. To better understand homesickness, we explored how engagement, anxiety, and personality moderate each factor. Engagement and personality were hypothesized to negatively correlate with homesickness. Trait anxiety was hypothesized to positively correlate with homesickness. We examined these variables by having participants complete a Google form that included questions from four surveys: the Utrecht Homesickness Scale (UHS), the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory …


Biomechanical Stress And Asymmetrical Loading: Comparing Unilateral Landings Across Volleyball Hitter Positions, Nihar Patel Apr 2026

Biomechanical Stress And Asymmetrical Loading: Comparing Unilateral Landings Across Volleyball Hitter Positions, Nihar Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Jump-based movements in volleyball, particularly unilateral landings, generate substantial injury risk to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). These landings create asymmetrical ground reaction forces and patellar joint instability, with outside and right-side hitters most affected since they often land on a single leg after spiking. Prior studies show that unilateral landings produce higher peak forces and reduced knee flexion compared to bilateral landings, increasing biomechanical stress. Lead-limb dominance and player position further influence landing mechanics and loading patterns. Using VERT, a wearable sensor that records jump height, frequency, and landing impact, along with synchronized video analysis, this study compares landing …


Mapping Neurobehavioral Outcomes Of Glyphosate Application In The United States Through A Data Science Framework, Parushi Porwal, Sharvani Nune, Japji Madan, Arrin Carter, Mitali Athwale, Aliyah Khan, Roham Hadidchi, Umayyah Ahsan, Junaid Muktadir, Rishi Porwal Apr 2026

Mapping Neurobehavioral Outcomes Of Glyphosate Application In The United States Through A Data Science Framework, Parushi Porwal, Sharvani Nune, Japji Madan, Arrin Carter, Mitali Athwale, Aliyah Khan, Roham Hadidchi, Umayyah Ahsan, Junaid Muktadir, Rishi Porwal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glyphosate is the most widely used active ingredient in herbicides globally, yet its impact on mental health and neurodegenerative disorders is under-researched. This project developed a data science approach to build a structured database that consolidates evidence of glyphosate exposure and neurological health outcomes, with a primary focus on the United States. A systematic search of scientific databases identified over seventy peer-reviewed studies, primarily U.S.-based with some global representation. Data for six primary health outcomes (depression, anxiety, reported suicide, ADHD, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease) were extracted. Each study was reviewed for design type, study location, exposure assessment methods, health …


Pattern Formation In A Β-Amyloid Plaque Model For Alzheimer's Disease , Hannah Prudhomme Apr 2026

Pattern Formation In A Β-Amyloid Plaque Model For Alzheimer's Disease , Hannah Prudhomme

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with complex physiological mechanism that are not fully understood. Over 7 million Americans are known to be living with the disease, and an Alzheimer's diagnosis accounts for 60-70% of dementia cases. Current hypotheses attribute the cause to an interplay between β-Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, resulting in central nervous system disruption and decline in cognitive functioning. In this project, we study a spatial dynamical system model that incorporates the interaction between β-Amyloid monomers, oligomers, microglia, and interleukins in the context of plaque aggregation. We establish conditions for the existence and stability of a spatially …


Repurposing Nilotinib In A Metabolically Compromised Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Maria Ramirez Aleman, Victoria Pullido-Correa, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Ana Carvalho, Daniel Lopez, Esperanza Barrios, Katilin Martin, Dylan Kuni, Maria A. Paiz Apr 2026

Repurposing Nilotinib In A Metabolically Compromised Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Maria Ramirez Aleman, Victoria Pullido-Correa, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Ana Carvalho, Daniel Lopez, Esperanza Barrios, Katilin Martin, Dylan Kuni, Maria A. Paiz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Diet-related metabolic disorders, including obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes, significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite substantial research, effective disease-modifying therapies remain limited. Nilotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for leukemia, has shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical AD models, including reduced amyloid-β pathology and improved cognition. In vitro studies also suggest nilotinib enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics. However, its efficacy under conditions of metabolic dysfunction remains unclear. This study therefore evaluated the effects of nilotinib in an AD mouse model with diet-induced metabolic impairment. Male and female B6129SF1/J control and 3xTg-AD mice were fed a low-fat (LFD) or high-fat …


The Effects Of Gender Crime Congruency On Jurors' Decisions And Confidence, Elizabeth Avila Apr 2026

The Effects Of Gender Crime Congruency On Jurors' Decisions And Confidence, Elizabeth Avila

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A basic principle of the U.S. court system is that every individual has the right to a fair and unbiased trial. While this is the ideal, it is not always reality. Jurors come in with their own beliefs and attitudes before the trial starts. These preconceived beliefs can jeopardize the integrity of the trial. An example of these beliefs is gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes can influence a juror's attitude towards a defendant, to either have a more negative or positive view on whether the defendant's gender matched the nature of their crime. This is called gender crime congruency. In this …


A Review Of Reproductive Cycling In Batoid Dentition Morphology With New Data On Two Dasyatid Stingrays From The Western North Atlantic, Lacey Adamik Apr 2026

A Review Of Reproductive Cycling In Batoid Dentition Morphology With New Data On Two Dasyatid Stingrays From The Western North Atlantic, Lacey Adamik

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Elasmobranchs continuously replace their teeth throughout their lifespan, allowing changes in tooth morphology associated with feeding and reproduction to occur. In many batoid species, males will bite females during pre-copulatory behavior, placing male dentition under selective pressure to meet the demands of both diet and grasping of females. Previous research has documented sexual dimorphism and seasonal dentition changes in several species of batoids, suggesting that this phenomenon is widespread. Much of this research is observation-based, and quantitative studies of dentition are limited, particularly in pelagic species. Pelagic Stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea) specimens were previously collected by commercial fishermen, and …


Towards Safer Epirubicin Based Anti-Cancer Treatments, Alanis Malave Carmona, Julian Oliver Bozek, Elizia Jijon, Shivansh Patel, Alvin Binoj, Samuel Dinh Apr 2026

Towards Safer Epirubicin Based Anti-Cancer Treatments, Alanis Malave Carmona, Julian Oliver Bozek, Elizia Jijon, Shivansh Patel, Alvin Binoj, Samuel Dinh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Epirubicin is a widely used anticancer agent whose mechanism of action (DNA intercalation leading to disruption of the double-stranded helical structure) has been extensively studied. Despite its clinical effectiveness, epirubicin is associated with significant side effects that limit its therapeutic window. In this work, we investigated the interaction of epirubicin with a circular double-stranded plasmid DNA (2686 bp) in the presence and absence of 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide (AIC). Spectroscopic studies combined with a modified Stern-Volmer methodology were used to determine binding constants. The results indicate that stepwise addition of AIC enhances epirubicin intercalation, yielding a higher DNA-epirubicin binding constant compared to epirubicin …


Temperature-Driven Changes In Lysis Kinetics Of Bacteriophages Infecting Gordonia Rubripertincta, Bianca Gonzalez, Jyothi Vivekananda Apr 2026

Temperature-Driven Changes In Lysis Kinetics Of Bacteriophages Infecting Gordonia Rubripertincta, Bianca Gonzalez, Jyothi Vivekananda

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance represents a significant global health crisis creating a necessity for alternative treatments to combat drug-resistant pathogens. One alternative treatment is bacteriophages, such as those targeting Gordonia 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. Phages that successfully target G. rubripertincta (Alyssamiracle, Fribs8, Genamy16, and NovaSharks) have been discovered by NSU students. The phages work in a lytic manner, bursting the bacteria and releasing its viral progeny. The goal of this research was to evaluate the lysis kinetics of these …


Comparison Of Bacteria From Varied Soils With Potential Antimicrobial Activity, Nicole Nesterovitch, Nyobi Fleming, Andrew Sourial Apr 2026

Comparison Of Bacteria From Varied Soils With Potential Antimicrobial Activity, Nicole Nesterovitch, Nyobi Fleming, Andrew Sourial

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance is increasing at a rate that surpasses the discovery and development of new antimicrobial compounds, creating a widening resistance-innovation gap that poses a global public health concern. To address this need for new antibiotic-producing organisms, we partnered with Tiny Earth, a global initiative that engages students in antibiotic discovery through soil sample collection, bacterial isolation, and antimicrobial screening. We isolated bacteria from local soil in Davie, Florida as well as soil from the White River Badlands, South Dakota with the hypothesis that distinct soil conditions may yield different antimicrobial producers with varied activity and chemical profiles. 42 unique …


Is Left Ventricular Dysfunction Associated With Increased Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease Independent Of Classical Vascular Dementia Pathways?, Priyanshi Patel Apr 2026

Is Left Ventricular Dysfunction Associated With Increased Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease Independent Of Classical Vascular Dementia Pathways?, Priyanshi Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This poster examines the potential connection between left ventricular dysfunction and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. Studies suggest that reduced heart function may affect brain health by limiting blood flow to the brain, increasing inflammation, and interfering with the brain's ability to clear harmful proteins such as amyloid-β and tau. These processes resemble changes commonly seen in Alzheimer's disease. In population-based studies, individuals with heart failure or structural abnormalities of the left ventricle appear to have a higher risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, even after accounting for major risk factors such as hypertension and clinical …


From Conversations To Mechanisms: Aligning Advertiser Incentives In Ai-Powered Product Recommendations, Dirk Bergemann, Marek Bojko, Paul Dütting, Renato Paes Leme, Haifeng Xu, Song Zuo Apr 2026

From Conversations To Mechanisms: Aligning Advertiser Incentives In Ai-Powered Product Recommendations, Dirk Bergemann, Marek Bojko, Paul Dütting, Renato Paes Leme, Haifeng Xu, Song Zuo

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We study the design of efficient dynamic recommendation systems, such as AI shopping assistants, in which a platform interacts with a user over multiple rounds to identify the most suitable product among those offered by advertisers. Advertisers have multi-dimensional private information: their private value from a purchase and private information about the user’s preferences. In each round, the platform displays recommendations; the user learns product characteristics of the shown items and then chooses whether to purchase, exit without purchasing, or submit a new query. These actions generate a stream of feedback—purchase, exit, and follow-up queries—that is informative about the user’s …


Measuring Atonomy: Local Llms Orchestrating Reconnaissance And Exploitation, Bryston Ahrendt Apr 2026

Measuring Atonomy: Local Llms Orchestrating Reconnaissance And Exploitation, Bryston Ahrendt

Honors

This study evaluates the ability of locally hosted large language models (LLMs) to autonomously preform multi-step offensive tasks against a vulnerable target. Tested in this study are three publicly obtainable LLMs; Qwen3.5, Llama3.1, and Gemma4 configured to use Model Context Protocol (MCP) in a host-only virtual network comprising of a Kali Linux attacker system and a Metasploitable 2 target. Each model executed five independent attempts across two phases; reconnaissance (service and port discovery) and exploitation (attempt to open a session). This study measured phase success rate, tool call counts, redundant and erroneous calls, and human interventions. Results indicate that all …


A Model For Professional Organization Membership Support: Trust, Commitment, Membership Value, And Relationship Quality Commitment, Shawn F. Clouse, Nader H. Shooshtari, Simona Stan, Liz Kohl Apr 2026

A Model For Professional Organization Membership Support: Trust, Commitment, Membership Value, And Relationship Quality Commitment, Shawn F. Clouse, Nader H. Shooshtari, Simona Stan, Liz Kohl

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Members of professional associations join these organizations for reasons that include benefits and services to members, advocacy and lobbying on behalf of members and their interests, networking opportunities, and a sense of community and identification with fellow association members. Members are likely to commit to the association and remain as members to the extent they are satisfied with what the association provides and if they perceive the benefits to exceed the costs (not just monetary) of membership. This survey of members of a professional association investigates the relationship between trust, relationship quality commitment, membership dues value and commitment (normative, affective, …


Evaluating The Role Of Social Media And Consumer Preferences In The Food Truck Industry, David Farabaugh, Kayla Weslager, Noah Kohan, Anthony George Apr 2026

Evaluating The Role Of Social Media And Consumer Preferences In The Food Truck Industry, David Farabaugh, Kayla Weslager, Noah Kohan, Anthony George

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This study examines how a mobile food business, specifically a local food truck operating throughout Cambria County, Pennsylvania, can use market insights and strategic marketing to attract new customers and maintain a loyal following. As food trucks continue to grow in popularity and competition increases, offering good food alone is no longer enough to stand out. Instead, success often depends on delivering a memorable overall experience, including efficient service, convenience, brand personality, and consistent customer engagement. Using the featured food truck as a case example, this research analyzes customer preferences, travel patterns, and the influence of social media platforms such …


Coping Under Constraint: How Consumer Vulnerability And Caregiver Status Shape Food Choice And Well-Being, Kerry-Ann V. Forbes, Prachi Gala Apr 2026

Coping Under Constraint: How Consumer Vulnerability And Caregiver Status Shape Food Choice And Well-Being, Kerry-Ann V. Forbes, Prachi Gala

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Caregiving is a chronic and understudied form of consumer vulnerability that reshapes everyday decision-making, particularly in food contexts. This research conceptualizes caregiving as a sustained role-based vulnerability. It proposes a moderated-mediation model in which consumer vulnerability influences coping strategies that subsequently affect food choice and consumer well-being. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior, Coping Theory, and Transformative Consumer Research, the study examines how caregiver status (familial, professional, or non-caregiver) serves as a boundary condition that shapes these relationships. A three-phase mixed-methods design is employed: qualitative interviews to refine constructs, a survey–experiment to test the moderated-mediation model, and an experimental …


When Faces Do Not Help: Visual Design And Engagement For B2b Technology Brands On Instagram, Ali Jamei, Sima Sabahi Apr 2026

When Faces Do Not Help: Visual Design And Engagement For B2b Technology Brands On Instagram, Ali Jamei, Sima Sabahi

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Firms increasingly use visual content on social media to connect with customers, yet most evidence on what drives engagement comes from consumer or personal contexts. This study examines how simple visual features in Instagram photos posted by B2B technology brands relate to engagement, interpreted through processing fluency. The dataset contains 600 photos from 30 B2B technology brands. For each image, we record likes and comments, collect brand and post level metadata, and use Microsoft Azure computer vision tools to detect faces, classify their age group and gender, and identify the dominant background color. Negative binomial models show that the presence …


Dressed For Judgment: What Should Celebrities Wear To Court?, Alaina Jean, Emily Lesmes, Hyunju Shin Apr 2026

Dressed For Judgment: What Should Celebrities Wear To Court?, Alaina Jean, Emily Lesmes, Hyunju Shin

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This project explores consumers’ perceptions of celebrities facing criminal charges based on their choice of outfit. On the basis of Weiner’s attribution theory, we argue that when celebrities facing criminal charges are attired in traditional/professional outfits such as a black suit for males or a black knee-length dress for females in court compared with non-traditional/casual outfits such as a casual shirt with a defiant print and sneakers, consumers are likely to infer their remorse for their wrongdoings, which in turn may lead to more favorable attitudes toward the celebrity and higher forgiveness intentions. This research expands understanding of how consumers’ …


Consumer Insights About Art Workshop And Art Boutique Preferences, Lucia M. Johnson, Richard Kaminski, Megan E. Marlin, Craig B. Joyner Apr 2026

Consumer Insights About Art Workshop And Art Boutique Preferences, Lucia M. Johnson, Richard Kaminski, Megan E. Marlin, Craig B. Joyner

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This research explores customer preferences, the effects of local demographics, purchasing habits, and the impact of social media platforms in driving customer engagement and loyalty. By surveying consumers, the study identifies the key qualities necessary to further engage potential and return customers, including pricing, location, and accessibility. The findings suggest a deep appreciation for creating artwork rather than buying artwork, distinct social media opportunities through the utilization of apps such as Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, as well as focusing their current offerings while broadening and segmenting their marketing initiatives. However, the study also notes limitations such as a convenience-based sample …