Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

How Is Focused Attention Related To Infants Learning To Sit?, Emma Costello, Aleena Purewal, Melanie Schultz, Melanie Tommer

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Focused attention is when an individual is completely absorbed in a task or attending to an object. This concept has been connected to learning and other cognitive skills. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is a tool used to quantify change in gross motor skills over time. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between total focused attention time and GMFM scores in early sitting infants. 26 infants, all between 6-8 months old, were given 3 different types of toys each for 90 seconds and were videotaped while they explored. Videos were later coded using Datavyu, a …

The Ethical Dilemma Of Discovering Misattributed Paternity In Living Kidney Donation, Zehra Mehdi

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

A major ethical dilemma in living kidney donation is the sharing of information about either the recipient or donor. Ethical policies have been created for donor’s and recipient’s privacy, generally called “Confidentiality Policy for Patient/Recipient.” This policy ends up clashing when it comes to discovery of misattributed paternity. The discovery of misattributed paternity reveals information that is directly linked to both donor and recipient. This information is the discovery by healthcare provider that the recipient (father or child) is not biologically related to the donor (father or child). Each case of misattributed paternity can vary, such as the age of …

The Next Small Step, Samiya Henry

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

As of right now, NASA and other space programs are estimating that by 2026, there will be people living in Space. Whether it be the Moon or Mars, one cannot have a functional society without a proper source of laws, especially since no one country has ownership over space. "One Small Step" will produce this source of laws, called the “Space Bill of Rights,” that will outline important matters like the trade of resources, medical care, government officials, and will ensure the preservation of our physical and figurative footsteps in space. This Space Bill of Rights is made up of …

Discovery Of Sigma-2 Ligands And Prioritization Of Marine Cyanobacteria Extracts For Tnbc Drug Discovery, Katelyn Grenell, Andrea L. Rague, Sahar Mofidi, Jane E. Cavanaugh, Kevin J. Tidgewell

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

The role of natural products in drug development is well established. In recent years, marine cyanobacteria have been regarded as a major source of biologically active metabolites with chemical and Figure 5 pharmacological diversity. These cyanobacterial natural products serve as a promising source of drug A. leads for the discovery of therapeutic agents used in the treatment of many diseases of interest, such as CNS disorders, pain, and cancer. We have generated a library of 409 fractions from 37 field collected cyanobacterial samples and screened these fractions against a panel of CNS receptors using radiolabeled ligand competitive-binding assays. Upon analysis …

Understanding The Effect Of Adaptive Mutations On The Three-Dimensional Structure Of Rna, Justin Cook

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are variations in the genome where one base pair can differ between individuals.¹ SNPs occur throughout the genome and can correlate to a disease-state if they occur in a functional region of DNA.¹According to the central dogma of molecular biology, any variation in the DNA sequence will have a direct effect on the RNA sequence and will potentially alter the identity or conformation of a protein product. A single RNA molecule, due to intramolecular base pairing, can acquire a plethora of 3-D conformations that are described by its structural ensemble. One SNP, rs12477830, which …

The Relationship Between Focused Attention And Object Permanence In Infants With Motor Delays, Amber Delprince, Melanie Tommer, Claire Boe, Jessica Spirnak, Karl Jancart, Regina Harbourne Ph.D

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Background: Focused attention (uninterrupted attention to task) and understanding of object permanence (knowledge that objects exist when not seen) are two constructs in infancy that build future cognitive skills. The relationship between the two in infants with delays is poorly understood.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of early focused attention at the point of early sitting independence to object permanence skill one year later in infants with motor delays.

Methods: 15 infants (aged 8-16 months) with motor delays were scored on an analog scale of 1-5 (5 = greatest focus) to indicate their level …

Going Out Or Staying In: How The Covid-19 Pandemic Has Influenced College Students’ Drinking And Socializing, Megan Huey, Amy Yuhas, Mai-Ly N. Steers, Chelsie M. Young

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

People’s daily social activities have been altered during the pandemic since they carry risk for contracting COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, drinking socially has been the highlight of many college students’ lives. This study explores how COVID-19 has impacted college students’ drinking and social activities. We examined samples from a large, southern, public university both prior (N=65, Mean age=22.15, SD=2.03, 78.87% female) and during COVID-19 (N=47, Mean age=22.42, SD=1.64, 75.47% female). Students filled out an alcohol-related Timeline Followback measure (TLFB), in which they recalled their drinking over the past 30 days using anchor events inputted into a calendar. The events …

Effects Of Socioeconomic Status On Glycemic Control In Children And Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes, Julianna Morgan

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

The purpose of this research presentation is to identify the relationship between socioeconomic status and glycemic control in children and young adults living with Type 1 diabetes. Poor blood glucose regulation can often lead to various lasting complications such as chronic kidney disease, loss of eyesight, infection, and even death. These can be devastating to an individual, yet preventable. The complications resulting from the lack of strict glucose regulation are a significant problem currently facing healthcare and disproportionally affecting patients from lower socioeconomic groups. Using CINAHL, research studies about the relationship between type 1 diabetes control and socioeconomic status were …

Development Of A Rapid Drug Detection Method For Insects Using Paper Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (Psi-Ms), Alexandria Plyler

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Insects have the ability to reflect the chemical environment that they have developed in. Thus, necrogenous insects can reflect the chemical environment of cadavers they have fed on. Forensic scientists can potentially utilize insect larvae as an alternate biological matrix to detect drugs in cadavers that are skeletonized, burned, or otherwise badly damaged. Analysis of insects using paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS), an analytical method requiring little to no sample preparation, could prove a rapid, cost-effective, and non-destructive alternative form of toxicological analysis. Traditional tissue analysis via GC and LC-MS often require lengthy sample preparation, use expensive reagents, and …

Modeling The Effects Of Fentanyl And Narcan On The Opioid Epidemic In Allegheny County Using Mathematics, Lindsay Moskal, Lauren Sines, Rachael Neilan Ph.D.

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Starting in the 1990s, physicians across the United States have increasingly prescribed opioid pain relievers, which has given rise to the current opioid epidemic. As a result, there has been a drastic increase in the number of overdose fatalities. In 2017, the number of opioid overdose deaths peaked and the U.S. declared the crisis as a public health emergency. One state that has contributed significantly to this epidemic is Pennsylvania, which ranks first for the greatest number of overdose deaths and third for the highest death rate. In fact, Allegheny County has witnessed an overdose death rate that is three …

Understanding Nursing Students' Attitudes And Knowledge In Caring For People With Disabilities, Cassidy Kaczor, Ashley Mcdanald

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

This study focused on exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and comfort level of undergraduate nursing students in caring for people with disabilities (PWD). Inclusion of disability content in nursing curricula is limited. Smeltzer and colleagues (2010) discovered an absence of disability-related content in pre-licensure nursing textbooks. PWDs have indicated four areas of concern regarding their care by nursing staff: poor communication, lack of competence, negative attitudes, and quality of care received. We hypothesized, if education on the health care of PWD and standardized patient experiences are implemented into nursing school curriculum then nursing students will have an increase in knowledge and …

Modeling The Effects Of Fentanyl And Narcan On The Opioid Epidemic In Allegheny County Using Mathematics, Lindsay Moskal, Lauren Sines, Rachael Neilan Ph.D.

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Starting in the 1990s, physicians across the United States have increasingly prescribed opioid pain relievers, which has given rise to the current opioid epidemic. As a result, there has been a drastic increase in the number of overdose fatalities. In 2017, the number of opioid overdose deaths peaked and the U.S. declared the crisis as a public health emergency. One state that has contributed significantly to this epidemic is Pennsylvania, which ranks first for the greatest number of overdose deaths and third for the highest death rate. In fact, Allegheny County has witnessed an overdose death rate that is three …

Developing Occupational Identity In Refugee Youth, Anna Katherine Fish

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

This research discusses the challenges that youth that are refuges face adjusting to the United States, as well as the benefit of providing health and educational activities, which can support these youth to overcome these challenges. Health and educational activities establish an enriching environment for youth who are refugees by providing academic support and fun and creative activities. Health and educational activities work on skills such as self-identity, love and teamwork that are important for the development of key occupational roles of youth including being a friend, a family member and a student. This research highlights the experiences of ten …

Improving Physician Office Quality Measures By Evaluating Statin Prescribing In Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Choniece Phillips, Kathleen Dawson, Lindsay Roberts, Jamie Mcconaha, Megan Bookser

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Abstract

Objective

The focus of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist’ intervention on quality metrics focusing on patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II (T2DM) not currently prescribed statin therapy.

Methods

This retrospective cohort investigational study was conducted in four lowest performing office locations of a nineteen regional primary care physician group practice. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of T2DM without active statin therapy. Data was excluded from analysis for patients younger than age 40 or older than age 75, or if the most recent LDL documented was less than 70 mg/dL. Recommendations for initiation of …

Fluoride Removal From Water Using A 3d Printed Calcium Carbonate Filter, Sophia Bakar, David Kahler, Benjamin S. Goldschmidt

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Groundwater containing high concentrations of fluoride is the most common source of drinking water in rural areas in parts of east Africa, India, and China. The elevated levels of fluoride cause skeletal and dental fluorosis, which is the weakening and decay of bone structures due to the leeching of calcium from the body as calcium and fluoride bond by the process of adsorption. Over 150 million people are suffering from some form of fluorosis due to the consumption of groundwater. Calcium carbonate has been demonstrated to influence fluoride removal in several forms. To make fluoride removal a cost-effective and user-friendly …

Quantifying Iron Overload Using Mri, Active Contours, And Convolutional Neural Networks, Andrea Sajewski, Stacey Levine

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Iron overload, a complication of repeated blood transfusions, can cause tissue damage and organ failure. The body has no regulatory mechanism to excrete excess iron, so iron overload must be closely monitored to guide therapy and measure treatment response. The concentration of iron in the liver is a reliable marker for total body iron content and is now measured noninvasively with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI produces a diagnostic image by measuring the signals emitted from the body in the presence of a constant magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses. At each pixel, the signal decay constant, T2*, can be calculated, …