Digital Commons Network^™

223 - Color Alteration Of Conodonts From The Upper Devonian To Lower Mississippian, Ethan Gilfus, Jamie Mccarthy, Ryan Britt

GREAT Day Posters

Three conodont bearing samples from Mount Morris, New York, San Saba, Texas, and Pi, Spain were processed using 10% formic acid buffered with calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate to compare age, preservation, and burial depth as indicated by the Color Alteration Index. The Shurtleff Concretion Horizon in the upper Cashaqua Formation of the Sonyea Group from Mount Morris, New York, yielded a fauna of exceptionally well preserved Frasnian conodonts that are CAI 2.5. Pi-01 limestone from Pi, Spain, within the Barousse Formation yielded poorly preserved Upper Famennian conodonts that are CAI 5. Type Chappel limestone from San Saba, Texas, yielded …

229 - Power Dynamics In Close Peer Relationships: Associations With Adjustment, Lily Finnegan, Grace Morichelli, Elise Cleary

GREAT Day Posters

Very little research has examined power in peer relationships, as they are assumed to be egalitarian (Blieszner & Adams, 1992). Although this is generally found to be true for college students (Furman & Buhrmester, 1992), this isn’t always the case. In romantic relationships, having equal power or more power has been associated with higher self-esteem (Galliher et al., 1999; Hall & Knox, 2019). This presentation highlights preliminary analyses from an ongoing project examining associations between perceived power and adjustment among college students in their same-sex friendships, other-sex friendships, and romantic relationships. We used cluster analysis to group the students into …

230 - Examination Of Gold Colloid Aggregate Formations Within The Hippocampus Of The Alzheimer’S Disease Rat, Victoria Brzezinski, Kazushige Yokoyama

GREAT Day Posters

An entire section of the hippocampus of the Long Evans Cohen's Alzheimer’s disease, AD(+), rat model was examined utilizing the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectrum to study gold aggregates. An examination of normal rat, AD(-), tissues was also performed as a comparison and negative control. In the AD(+) rat hippocampal tissues, a limited quantity of larger gold colloid aggregates were identified. The SERS spectrum of each section in the hippocampus exhibited nearly identical spectral patterns in the region of Amide I, II, and III bands, as well as distinct spectral patterns in the 300 cm–1 and 1250 cm–1 region …

231 - Investigation Of Ace 2 On Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Coated Gold Colloids, Mitsuki Tabei, Nathan Boboeski

GREAT Day Posters

The RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) of spike protein (s-protein) in SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly associated with priming the viral infection, where N-terminal helices and its adjacent loop of ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2) is bound to s-protein. We investigated a protein corona formation of s-protein over gold nano-colloids and reversible aggregation process as a function of pH change between acidic condition (i.e., pH ~3) and basic condition (i.e., pH ~11). The s-protein exhibited signs of aggregation through the unfolded conformation of RBD segments at the acidic condition. As the pH was repeatedly cycled between acidic and basic conditions, the aggregation …

233 - Synthesis And Evaluation Of 1,10-Phenanthroline Ruthenium-Arene Complexes To Modulate The Aggregation Of The Amyloid-Β Peptide, Maria Loughlin, Emma Grabowski, Ryan Hacker, Jacob Smith

GREAT Day Posters

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurological disorder characterized by a buildup of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide as aggregate species in the brain. Recent advances using antibody based treatments which target Aβ have seen clinical success, achieving FDA approval. However, they come at a significant cost, ranging from $20,000-40,000 a year. Ruthenium-based therapeutics are promising alternatives, as they have shown an ability to modulate the aggregation of Aβ in solution and prevent its cytotoxicity. Despite their initial success, significant questions regarding the affinity of the complexes for Aβ relative to endogenous proteins remain unknown. Therefore, we have synthesized a series …

236 - Characterization Of Reversible Aggregation Of Amyloid Beta 1-40 Coated Gold Nano-Particles, Christopher Kolilias, Victoria Brzezinski

GREAT Day Posters

The gold colloid coated with Aβ1-40 was characterized by using the Raman imaging technique. Through the observed pH-dependent shift of the SPR (Surface Plasmon Radiance) band, it was determined that gold colloid aggregates were formed under acidic conditions.. Remarkably, Aβ1-40 coated 20 nm gold supported quasi-reversible self-assembly of the aggregates as the pH was alternated between pH 4 and pH 10. The morphology was distinctly observable between two different conditions. Nevertheless, the SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) spectrum presented minor differences. An additional analysis displayed the contrast in spectral density in the regions of 250 cm-1 and 1750 cm-1. The …

237 - Investigation Of Cytoskeletal Protein Reconstruction Of Vulvar Cancer With Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, Nicole Mathewson

GREAT Day Posters

The A431 vulvar cancer cell line undergoes a defined cellular transformation when treated with the corticosteroid clobetasol, marked by changes in cytoskeletal protein biomarkers indicative of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Replicated experiments demonstrate that this transformation provides a valuable model for studying protein interactions from a chemical perspective. To quantify these interactions, we employed surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with gold nanoparticles, enhancing the detection sensitivity of cytoskeletal protein changes. By tracking protein dynamics and surface composition throughout the cellular transformation, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying EMT. We have completed the data collection of A431 and A431D cells. Spectral …

240 - A Green Field Investment Approach, Ivy Tha Zin

GREAT Day Posters

This presentation explores international business expansion through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), focusing on the advantages and challenges of Greenfield investment. By analyzing economic, legal, and cultural factors, we explore how companies can establish a strong market presence in a new country while aligning with sustainability and market entry strategies. Additionally, we assess key business objectives such as increasing market share, driving sales revenue, and strengthening competitive positioning in the global marketplace. To illustrate this approach, our project focuses on expanding a U.S.-based shopping mall business to South Korea, a nation with a thriving retail industry and a strong demand for …

244 - Trends And Practices Relating To Maternal Mortality Rates In 19th And Early 20th Century Rochester, New York, Shannon Lacy

GREAT Day Posters

This study explores the incidence and causes of maternal mortality in 19th century and early 20th century Rochester. Several practices, including the emergence of antiseptics and obstetrics, have reduced maternal mortality rates since the end of the 19th century. At that time, the development of germ theory led to the discovery of the cause of puerperal fever, a common cause of maternal deaths first addressed by Semmelweis in the 1840s. Although the overall prevalence of sepsis-related post-birth mortality has decreased, we are now seeing how the medicalization of birth comes with its own complications, including hemorrhage and post-intervention infection. In …

250 - Student-Athlete Mentorship: An Analysis Of First-Year Athlete Adjustment, Hannah Olejniczak

GREAT Day Posters

This study examined the Student-Athlete Mentor (SAM) program's effect on first-year athletes at SUNY Geneseo. Before attending each mentoring session, participants completed an online survey to self-report their adjustment in four areas: academic, athletic, emotional, and social. Four waves of data were collected in fall from two cohorts: 2023-2024 (n = 143) and 2024-2025 (n = 142). The study addressed two research questions. First, the association between the number of mentoring sessions attended by mentees and their end-of-semester GPA. A bivariate correlation illustrated a statistically significant positive association between students’ fall GPA and the number of mentoring sessions attended (r …

256 - The Pathway Between Life Satisfaction And Environmentally Friendly Behavior Mediated Through Personal Distress And Empathetic Concern, Alex Gaboury, Anthony Carvalho

GREAT Day Posters

Previous studies show that life satisfaction predicts environmentally friendly behaviors. Mayer and Frantz view connectedness to nature as a potential component of life satisfaction, so in this way, we can view life satisfaction as a related component to environmentalism. But mediators and the relationship between this relationship are unclear. This led to the hypothesis that life satisfaction would predict environmentally friendly behaviors through personal distress and empathetic concern. This was tested with a sample of college students at a public liberal arts college who completed a questionnaire with various empathetic and environmental measures and scales. Results confirmed the hypothesis and …

267 - An Investigation Of The Impact On Human Well-Being By Flooding In Delaware, Daniela Paolino

GREAT Day Posters

Flooding causes obvious physical destruction, but if the visible effects of destruction are so great, how much greater are the invisible? Looking at the history and preexisting effects of flooding on the environment, and using them to reveal potential long-term physical damages helps to make known its potential consequences on society. Delaware is a prime subject to examine; due to its long history of flooding, water has progressively consumed coastal lands during record-breaking coastal floods that are projected only to increase in magnitude. This review attempts to elucidate how social well-being in Delaware is being impacted by flooding and what …

268 - A Fossil Bugs Life In Conesus Lake, Zander Cole

GREAT Day Posters

This study aims to investigate the subfossil record, preservation, and environmental sensitivity of lake insects in Conesus Lake (Livingston County, NY). The Finger Lakes, especially Conesus Lake, are critical sites for aquatic insect diversity and life stages. Fossil insects are primarily found in ancient lake sediments and are useful indicators of insect diversity, evolution, and ecological change. Therefore, Conesus Lake is an ideal system for investigating the aquatic insect subfossil record to use as a tool for understanding lake ecosystem health and preservation. Piston and bolivia cores were collected from the south basin of Conesus Lake. The cores were collected …

272 - Florescence In Situ Hybridization In Zebrafish With The Neurod4 Gene, Sarah Allam, Olivia Schnauder, Lauren Conover, Samuel Sunderland

GREAT Day Posters

Neurod4, neurogenic differentiation 4, is a protein encoding gene that is crucial for neuronal development and is expressed in the nervous system specifically within the brain. The purpose of this gene is to regulate the extreme, rapid growth of photoreceptor progenitors in the retina of Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Due to the highly similar, although not identical, gene patterns in humans, Zebrafish act as an exceptional model organism to provide significant insights of the role of Neurod4 in human retinal and neuronal development. The transgenic nature of Zebrafish allows for genetic modification to express the Neurod4 gene in this model organism. …

279 - The Enlightenment Of Passion: The Promises And Limitations Of The Socratic Education In Plato's Alcibiades I, Alexander Gent

GREAT Day Posters

In Plato’s Theages, Socrates claims that he is knowledgeable in nothing but that which pertains to eros. Given such knowledge, one can understand why Plato’s Socrates would take great interest in the character of Alcibiades who, according to Socrates, in aspiring to be “the only man ever worth existing", desires such a thing more than any human being has ever desired anything. With this understanding of the character of Alcibiades, along with his presumed knowledge of eros, Socrates approaches the ambitious youth and expresses his desire to “have the greatest power” over him – assuming he can prove his value …

281 - Effects Of Advancing Age On Motor And Somatosensory Functions In Rats Exposed To Tetrahydrocannabinol During The Perinatal Or Juvenile Developmental Periods, Charlie Wilson

GREAT Day Posters

Prior studies have suggested various physiological and behavioral impairments following adolescent exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. As marijuana legalization continues to expand both for medical and recreational use, concerns have arisen over the long-term effects of consumer use of THC in teens. The present study aimed to identify potential psychomotor and somatosensory effects of THC in Long-Evans rats. Two exposure cohorts were created: a perinatal cohort (gestation until weaning) and a juvenile cohort (throughout the pubertal period). Motor function was assessed using a grip strength test, while somatosensory function was assessed using a tail-flick …

282 - Juvenile Exposure To Tetrahydrocannabinol Affects Anxiety In Adult Long-Evans Rats, Atoria Hamm, Anna Burdick-Biernbaum, Karla Colley, Eddie Galarza, Gabe Spanbauer

GREAT Day Posters

Society’s perception of cannabis has evolved significantly, and the laws that once prohibited it have changed as its popularity has grown. Many individuals have come to regard cannabis as a naturopathic treatment for anxiety although research has shown that acute administration of THC has biphasic effects on anxiety in both humans and rats. It is anxiolytic at low doses and anxiogenic at high doses. However, relatively little research has been done on the long-term effects following exposure throughout critical periods of brain development. The current study examined anxiety behaviors in adults that had been administered a daily oral dose of …

292 - Our Veteran And Military-Affiliated Students And What We Can Do For Them, Jaime Arena, Jackson Correia

GREAT Day Posters

Veterans and military-affiliated students have made massive sacrifices in the name of service and deserve the best Geneseo has to offer. Services for veterans and military-affiliated students on campus are lacking or outright unavailable. Veterans and military-affiliated students are often unaware of each other's presence on campus, in addition, veterans undergo a significantly different college experience than most who attend directly following high school. We intend to bridge the gap between academia and veteran/military-affiliated students by connecting them to each other and providing new and improved resources to enhance their academic experience and push them to success.

302 - The Social Implications Of Defunding Libraries, Nia Jones

GREAT Day Posters

Public libraries are the frontline of education, social issues, and opportunity. Library funding has been under attack by right-wing politicians for years. These individuals, along with other groups, have sought to limit access to library materials; some seek to ban materials altogether, or even to defund or dismantle the libraries that resist these challenges. There is an increasing number of state and local jurisdictions that have passed, or have attempted to pass, legislation that restricts or limits the public’s access to certain materials. These attacks on intellectual freedom directed towards public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, and even museums are …

Methods For Rotating Electrodes In High-Temperature Molten Salts, Ranon Fuller, Eloise Cluff, Edward Mercado, Carlos Mejia, Devin Rappleye

Faculty Publications

In this paper, we describe and validate a custom apparatus for performing high-speed (250-3,500 rpm) rotating electrode and dilatometer density experiments in molten salts. The reported details can aid in decreasing the difficulty and increasing the quality of such experiments. We discuss the design challenges and the solutions identified. We investigate methods for accurately measuring the solution resistance using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), calculating the working electrode area using cyclic voltammetry (CV), and measuring the mass transfer-limited current of rotating electrodes using a series of chronoamperometry (CA) pulses. We further demonstrate the efficacy of our methods in producing accurate results.

Lived Experiences Of Adult Christian Men Navigating Religious Beliefs And Internet Pornography Use, Chiante' Josiah Jemison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Religious individuals who engage in pornography use often experience guilt, shame, and cognitive dissonance, creating internal conflict that may lead to anxiety, depression, and strained personal and spiritual relationships. Guided by cognitive dissonance theory, this qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 15 adult Christian men (ages 18-44) who struggled with problematic internet pornography use and scrupulosity. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Yin’s five-step process to identify recurring themes. Findings revealed that faith served both as a source of strength and a contributor to emotional distress, with participants experiencing cycles of guilt, secrecy, and relapse. …

Retroactive Quality Improvement By Utilization Of The Leaf, Preston Stigall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This project is a retroactive quality improvement initiative to evaluate the effectiveness of the LEAF wearable pressure sensor and reduce sacral hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) in critically-ill adult patients. The practice problem addressed is the high incidence of pressure injuries in hospitalized patients, which can lead to increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. The evidence-based practice question was: In critically ill adult patients at risk of pressure injuries, how does the use of the LEAF wearable pressure sensor compared to standard care without sensors impact the incidence of sacral HAPIs over the past year? The purpose …

Well-Being In Disney Animated Feature Films, 2013–2023, Ruth Zeman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most existing research on Disney animated films has concentrated on problematic themes, including stereotypical portrayals of romantic relationships or aggression, while comparatively little attention has been given to how these films may also convey positive messages and promote prosocial behavior. Research on well-being is particularly relevant, given its strong association with improved health outcomes and the development of positive interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how well-being is portrayed in Disney animated feature films released between 2013 and 2023. Seligman’s model of well-being, which consists of the pursuit and attainment of five core pillars—positive …

How External Efficacy Influences Support For Third-Party And Independent Candidates: A Mediational Analysis, Joren (Jordy) Santana

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

As displayed by Ralph Nader in 2000, non-major party candidates can play a decisive role in presidential elections without emerging victorious. Throughout U.S. history, several third-party and independent candidates have garnered notable support, typically among voters who self-identify as independent of partisanship. However, most Independents, particularly leaning Independents, ultimately vote for one of the two major political parties. This research utilizes external efficacy--an individual’s perceptions about the responsiveness of government officials and institutions to citizen demands--as a predictor for voting behavior and partisan identification. In theory, citizens with low external efficacy are more likely to possess frustration with the two …

Jtc 25: An Unexpected Academic Journey, Staff Report

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2025 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

Jtc 25: Saying Yes To The Spotlight, Marvis Herring

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2025 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

The First Of All Freedoms: Free Speech, Antisemitism, And Lessons For The Jewish Community From The Dreyfus Affair, Jacob Burns Center For Ethics In The Practice Of Law, Cardozo Law Institute In Holocaust And Human Rights (Clihhr), Joel Swansin

2025 Event Invitations

Join us for a thought-provoking talk with Professor Joel Swanson of Sarah Lawrence College as he explores the intense debates over free speech and its boundaries within the French Jewish community during the Dreyfus Affair. At this pivotal time, French Jews debated extensively the question of whether there should be limits on speech in the name of protecting the Jewish community. By examining these historical debates and their outcomes, Professor Swanson will highlight parallels with the current discussions surrounding American Jews, pointing to historical precedents for lessons about how to approach current controversies. This event

U.S. Births Up Slightly But Remain Near 40-Year Lows, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that new National Center for Health Statistics data for 2024 show a slight increase in annual births and the birth rate from 2023. Even with the uptick, both the number of births and the birth rate were near 40-year lows, and there is no evidence of a significant increase in fertility rates in the new data.

The long-term impact of the fertility decline has been substantial. There would have been 11.8 million more births in the last 17 years had 2007 fertility patterns been sustained through 2024. The expense and limited availability of …

Effects Of Hyperglycemia In Cognition And Sex, Erin E. Mcdonald

Senior Honors Theses

An empirical study tested the effects of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) on cognitive function in a hyperglycemic mouse model. Strong correlations between mental illnesses, such as major depressive disorder, neuropathologies like Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes suggest comorbid pathology. Considering the prevalence of both T1D and cognitive decline within the general population, the findings were relevant and aimed to identify early signs of cognitive decline in diabetic patients. Behavioral tests and immunohistochemical staining were utilized to determine the cognitive function of the mice, revealing decline or deterioration caused by hyperglycemia. Data gathered from the hyperglycemic or control mice were analyzed based …

The Effects Of Pediatric Cancer On Healthy Siblings: An Integrative Review, Emily Vernon

Senior Honors Theses

Pediatric cancer is an epidemic that fundamentally alters the lives of families all over the world. In both clinical and research settings, it is widely understood that cancer impacts the patient mentally, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. However, the degree of impact on healthy siblings of children with cancer is widely overlooked. Thus, the goal of this research is to highlight the psychological implications of pediatric cancer on healthy siblings, through a developmental perspective, and identify how healthcare workers can better integrate interventions geared towards the entire family. This integrative review identified that siblings psychologically and psychosocially struggle with a lack …