Digital Commons Network^™

Sustainable City Design And Policy Impacts: Mental, Health, Productivity, And Quality Of Life, Sawyer B. Bowman

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

As corporations grow larger and consolidate more assets, both human and material, the importance of sustainability in workplace efforts has never been greater. Firms have excised impact over their communities and those employed by said firms, making decisions regarding green operations, triple bottom line considerations, and other sustainable business practices highly needed for the continued operation of firms. As these practices are costly both in the monetary and temporal sense of reality, many firms tend to place sustainability lower on the list of importance as compared to concepts such as productivity or profitability. Based on surveys and interviews with firms …

Business Incubation And The Role That It Plays In The Future Economic And Financial Success Of Small Island Developing States, Warren Watkins

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a unique blend of economic vulnerabilities and untapped potential, often stemming from their heavy reliance on tourism and limited diversification. This thesis explores how business incubation can serve as a strategic mechanism for fostering sustainable economic and financial growth within these nations. Through a comparative analysis of established models in countries such as Singapore, Japan, and Chile, alongside emerging initiatives in Caribbean SIDS, this research identifies the pathways through which foreign investment, education, and technology can jointly stimulate entrepreneurial development. Findings indicate that while foreign partnerships remain essential in the early stages of incubation, …

Corporate Adaptability In The Nil Era: How Athletic Departments Are Navigating A New Landscape, Jake H. Greene

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The landscape of college athletics was completely restructured in 2021 when NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) legislation passed, and the pace of change has not slowed since. With athletic departments facing new legal frameworks, financial pressures, and compliance demands, the question arises: how essential is corporate adaptability to institutional success in this era? Through content analysis of new laws, NCAA rulings, and two targeted case studies, this study argues that corporate adaptability is not merely advantageous but essential for athletic departments navigating the NIL landscape. Programs that have proactively restructured their operations, staffing, and compliance systems have positioned themselves for …

The Moderation Of Gender In The Relationship Between Social Cognition And Narrative Language Skills In Autistic Children, Zara Khan, Coral Morley

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Compared to males, autistic females often demonstrate a greater desire for social interactions and may imitate peers’ social behaviors, sometimes masking underlying social-cognitive difficulties (Hull et al., 2017; Lai et al., 2015). To better understand these differences, the present study focuses on two key components of social cognition (i.e., affect recognition and theory of mind (ToM)), and their associations with narrative listening comprehension. Gender may act as a moderator, showing variability between these variables; thereby providing a more nuanced view of autism that may inform assessment and screening practices rather than relying on the traditional male-centered research (Harrop et al., …

Bidirectional Associations Between Social-Cognitive Processes And Mathematics Achievement In Autistic Children, Carole M. Wadie, Conner Peltier, Quinn Slyker

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Mathematics achievement is a critical component of academic functioning, strongly predicting later educational and life outcomes (Kaskens et al., 2022; Tonizzi & Usai, 2024). Although prior research has examined mathematics achievement and general cognition, limited work has investigated the role of social-cognitive processes in mathematical development among autistic children. Skills such as theory of mind (ToM), affect recognition, and inferencing may support mathematical learning by enabling children to interpret instructions, integrate information, and apply conceptual understanding (Kloo et al., 2022; Kim et al., 2021). Developmental cascade theory suggests that functioning in one domain may influence development in another, with bidirectional …

The Impact Of Ramadan Fasting On Chronic Disease Management, Abdulwahab Eddib, Aakez Adrak Marjan, Faris Jabbar, Nuzat Indawala

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Every year, 2.06 billion Muslims perform Ramadan fasting, a religious practice involving abstinence from food and drink from dawn to sunset for 30 days. This religious practice changes diet, hydration, sleep, and medication timing, raising clinical concerns for the safety of individuals with chronic diseases who choose to fast. Research reports mixed effects on disease control and treatment safety, emphasizing the need for an overarching analysis of its impact on chronic disease management. This literature review is aimed to examine research on Ramadan and intermittent fasting on chronic disease management and to analyze its effects on disease control, clinical outcomes, …

Reproductive Equity: A Comparative Chemical Analysis Of Emerging Male Contraception Technology, Grace Kim, Esmaralda Pilar-Lopez

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Female oral contraceptives, although abundant in access and successful as contraceptives, pose significant risks to women’s health. Biosocial factors that discourage male contraceptive drugs include harmful hormonal changes and inconsistent efficacy. This research employs comparative analysis of three current methods on potential male contraceptive options, focusing on steroid chemistry, functional group modification, and bioavailability. Emerging male contraceptive drugs of interest include the non-hormonal retinoic acid (vitamin A) receptor to antagonize sperm production, blocking the sperm-specific 〖Ca〗^(+2)  ion channel, and a reversible “Chemical Plug” that limits sperm movement at the vas deferens. Through comparison, this research will use six references to …

Cbt-Based Psychotherapy Apps Vs. No Intervention For Insomnia: A Systematic Review Of Symptom Differences In Dsm-5 Adults, Soham C. Dihenia, Mary Hanna, Melissa Fede, Aashna Patel, Pierre Mosad, Semené Clement, Amanda Janner

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Insomnia is a prevalent health issue impacting many adults alongside other mental disorders. One common treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) which is now increasingly delivered through smartphone apps. With an upward trend in adults, these applications offer a potential accessible and scalable solution. This study evaluated the efficacy of internationally available mental health apps utilizing CBT principles for adults diagnosed with insomnia under the DSM-5 which were compared to the control group with no psychotherapy app exposure.

A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Eligible studies were published within the last 5 years, …

The Effect Of Distraction On Emotion-Based Communication Behaviors, Twisha Nadella

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

As technology becomes increasingly integrated in daily activities, there are growing concerns for the effects of multi-tasking within the workplace. It is important to consider how communication efficiency may be impacted by dual-task situations. Therefore, understanding the potential outcomes that distraction may have on language production is valuable in determining optimal working conditions for effective use of emotional communication. This dual-task study was designed to understand the effects of distraction on emotion-based communication behavior. A driving task was utilized as the means of distraction in this experiment, while the concurrent negotiation task was analyzed to understand how emotional language was …

Optimization Of Antibiotic Selection Conditions In Human T-Cell Lines To Study Mechanisms Of Resistance To Bi-Specific Antibody Therapy In Multiple Myeloma, Raphael Gabra

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cells for which emerging therapies increasingly target B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Many experimental approaches used to investigate therapeutic resistance rely on genetically modified cell populations that must be maintained through antibiotic selection to ensure stable expression of introduced constructs. However, antibiotic sensitivity varies across cell lines and drug types, and improper dosing can compromise experimental reproducibility by allowing unmodified cells to persist or inducing excessive cytotoxic stress. This study aimed to define efficient and practical selection conditions for two commonly used antibiotics, G418 and puromycin, in Jurkat and TALL-104 human T-cell lines. Cells …

Maternal Feedback Over Time: Associations With Youth Perceptions Of Autonomy Support, Andrew Middleton, Genevieve Martin, Alyssa Lazanowski, Wendy M. Rote

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Parental feedback and direction are often interpreted as controlling; however, developmental theory suggests these behaviors may function as autonomy support when they are responsive to youths’ need. Drawing on self-determination theory, autonomy supportive parenting involves the promotion of volitional functioning through behaviors that align with youths’ perspectives and fosters independent problem-making and a sense of choice (McCurdy et al., 2020; Zhang & Whitebread, 2021). Similarly, scaffolding frameworks emphasize that provisions of parental support (e.g., feedback, direction, and emotional encouragement) contingent on the child’s task performance can promote higher levels of independent functioning (Mermelshtine, 2017; Salonen et al., 2007). The present …

The Overestimation Of Minority Group Size, Kennedy Tennant, Kiara Overstreet, Ty Curci

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Politicians and citizens often claim that a problem is "growing" or even "out of control" without providing metrics to support their claim. We wondered if people who fear immigration might be prone to overestimate the percentage of people who they perceive as "foreign" and further, whether that overestimation is moderated by the degree of fear or contempt held towards that group. In Study 1, participants viewed fictitious graduate school applications and then estimated the percentage of applicants that were from the Middle East. In study 2, participants viewed fictitious head shots and estimated the percentage of individuals who were wearing …

Leveraging Infection Control Practices To Maximize Quality Patient Outcomes, Sydney Busch, Lauren Rielly Mcconnell, Lauren Rae Selent

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Health care associated infections (HAI) remain a significant challenge for hospitals and may negatively affect patient outcomes if infection control practices are not consistently followed. A very important indicator of the safety and quality of health care is hand washing as it demonstrates the link between good hygiene practices and low health care related infection rates 1,2. This study examined how infection control practices differed across clinical units. A quantitative, causal- comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the unit the patient was assigned to. Student researchers paired with faculty and infection control practitioners …

Cyclobenzaprine: Psychiatric Side Effects In Patients With Mood Disorders, Shelby R. Mcgrew, Michael Pestova-Habera

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Cyclobenzaprine, also known under the brand name Flexeril, is one of the most widely prescribed skeletal muscle relaxants globally. While treatment is typically limited to post-injury pain relief, long-term use has increased due to evidence of pain reduction in patients with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint disorder. Recently, cyclobenzaprine was found to be contraindicated for patients with bipolar disorder and other mood disorders. This is thought to result from its structural similarity to amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. As a result, some patients utilizing cyclobenzaprine for pain management may experience acute manic episodes following administration. This study reviews …

Leveraging Cauti & Evidence-Based Best Practices, Jacob G. Slipak, Lauren Rae Selent, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

An estimated 44% of urinary tract infections are classified as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). In 2020, stated United States CAUTI infection rates were estimated at 0.754 per 1000 catheter days1 (with higher rates in ICUs). CAUTI is associated with an adjusted incremental total hospital cost of $9,807 (p<0.0001) and increased length of stay of 3.01 days2 (p<0.0001). This study examines staff compliance with known CAUTI best practices. A quantitative, causal- comparative approach was utilized. All patients (n=119) had an indwelling foley catheter. The independent variables were the individual clinical units each patient was assigned to. The dependent variable was adherence to the CAUTI Prevention Bundle best practices. Best practices included proper removal protocol and catheter maintenance (ensuring an unobstructed flow). Initially, a MANOVA was used to compare differences across groups. For a statistically significant criteria one way ANOVA contrasts were conducted. There were statistically significant findings as evidenced by Wilk’s Λ (36, 472) = 0.53, p<0.0005. One-way ANOVA contrasts identified two statistically significant differences: 1) Less than half of employees (48%) were adhering to best practice guidelines for catheter removal protocol (p< 0.02); and 2) Employees (71%) were compliant with best practices for catheter care (p< 0.005). It was chilling to note that less than half of employees (48%) complied with the catheter removal process. This information is the first of its kind in CAUTI and may assist policymakers and other key stakeholders in Florida—and nationally—in identifying, designing and implementing strategies to promote best practices.

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 …