Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Emotional Balance, Health, And Resilience At The Start Of Covid-19 Pandemic, David Pincus, Bernard P. Ricca, Brooke Jenkins, Julia K. Boehm, Vincent Berardi, Amy C. Moors, David A. Frederick

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Self-organizing systems can shift between stability and flexibility in response to perturbation, a potential adaptive mechanism for understanding biopsychosocial resilience. Inverse Power-Law (IPL) structure, a frequency distribution that describes fractal patterns commonly produced by self-organization, produce measurements of stability and flexibility. This study applies these measures to emotional resilience at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ratings of frequency over the past week (1-5 Likert scale) across 12 emotions (six positive and six negative) gathered in mid-April 2020 as part of a survey of adults’ (N = 4,094) pandemic experiences and health in the USA. The distributions of everyone’s emotion …

The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Substance Use Amongst The Hispanic Maternal Population, Emily C. Olivo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To explore and synthesize existing research that focuses on the relationship between socioeconomic status and the use of substances amongst the maternal Hispanic population. By examining research and these factors, interventions can be identified to lower reported substance use rates amongst Hispanic mothers of childbearing ages.

Background: Minorities such as Hispanic women deal with a myriad of struggles, especially during motherhood. Socioeconomic status and substance use can contribute to a large part of the struggles faced by this population. Hispanic and Latina will be used interchangeably throughout this review of literature.

Method: A comprehensive electronic review of 3 databases …

Organization And Activation Of Caffeine Expectancies, Catherine S. Forsyth

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Caffeine is the most consumed and widely used psychoactive substance in the world. Whether someone uses caffeine or not, expectations about use can be influential to some degree. Expectancies exist everywhere and are extremely influential in all aspects of life. Regarding drug use, expectancies can affect behavior, outcomes, and one’s experience with the drug. Caffeine is no exception, caffeine expectancies have been seen to play a role in several actions such as the development, maintenance, and reinforcement of caffeine use. This study examined latent use profiles of caffeine and relationships between the profiles and the activation of caffeine expectancies. Multidimensional …

Assessing The Relationship Between Perceived Psychological And Physical Pain In Adults With Orthopedic Pain, Daniel C. Karimi Dehkordi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Suicide remains a public health concern in the U.S., particularly among individuals experiencing chronic pain and psychological distress. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between perceived physical and psychological pain in 41 adults with chronic orthopedic conditions. The relationship between other risk and protective factors and perceived levels of pain distress was also examined. Results showed a significant positive correlation between psychological distress and physical pain (r(39) = 0.388, p < .05) and psychological distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (r (39) = 0.477, p < .01). Psychological distress was moderately associated with feelings of hopelessness (r (39) = 0.403, p < .01), however, the relationship between physical pain and hopelessness was weak and nonsignificant (r (39) = -0.06, p = .71). Contrary to expectations, emotional support did not buffer the effects of psychological distress (r (39) = 0.07, p = 0.66). Mediational analysis confirmed that emotional support did not influence the relationship between physical pain and psychological distress (Beta (β) = -0.969, p = 0.572; Sobel Z = 0.5598, p = 0.575). Age was not correlated with psychological distress (r (39) = -0.24, p = 0.13) or mental health symptoms (r (39) = -0.05, p = .77). While there was no significant difference across sex, males reported higher mental health symptomatology and psychological distress scores than female counterparts. These findings underscore the direct impact of physical pain on psychological distress and challenge assumptions about the protective role of social support. The study highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary interventions targeting both physical and psychological pain to mitigate suicide risk among individuals with chronic orthopedic conditions. Future research should iii explore alternative support mechanisms and resilience-building strategies to address the complex interplay of pain, distress, and suicidality.

Physical Activity And Hypertension Outcomes Around Menopause In Adult Women—A Secondary Analysis Of The All Of Us Research Program, Meriam F. Naguib

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypertension significantly impacts menopausal women due to a decrease in estrogen levels. That is due to estrogen level changes, causing many metabolic alterations, one of which is increased vascular resistance, leading to hypertension. Advanced treatments are made available to help alleviate the condition; however, lifestyle modifications—especially physical activity—show a critical role in hypertension control. This thesis explored the effect of physical activity as a non-pharmacological, lifestyle intervention on hypertension in women by menopausal status (pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal). This study used a secondary analysis with a retrospective design. Physical activity was defined using the American Heart Association's (AHA) guidelines (i.e., …

The Intersection Of Autism Spectrum Disorder And Mental Health: A Focus On College Students, Sudeepta Matha

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Rising prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), changes in diagnostic criteria, and increased public awareness have all contributed to the growing population of college students with ASD. However, many individuals - commonly referred to as the “lost generation” - go undiagnosed, due to experiencing negative interactions with mental health professionals. As a result, these individuals are not given the proper support and interventions required for a successful transition into adulthood, and often face heightened social isolation, academic problems, mental health challenges compared to their neurotypical peers. A combination of these factors can lead to increased suicidal ideation (SI) and …

Generation Z’S Perception Of Skin Cancer And How It Relates To Climate Change, Piercen Bogolea

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and climate change has been identified as a significant contributor. Preventative action early on can help reduce occurrence, but it is unknown if Generation Z is aware of this and is taking the necessary action now to protect themselves. This research aims to gauge the perception of Generation Z on the severity of skin cancer, the relationship between climate change and skin cancer, and the prevalence of preventative measures being taken. A survey was distributed to students aged 18 to 27 enrolled at the University of Central Florida through mixed sampling. The …

Identification Of Fiducial Points In Seismocardiographic Cycles Using Manual And Automated Annotation Methods, Jasmine-Vy T. Truong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There is currently a need for complementary methods for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. Seismocardiography (SCG), the measurement of cardiac-induced vibrations at the chest surface, has shown potential clinical utility. Improving the reliability of detecting fiducial points of electrocardiography (ECG) and SCG, which collectively capture the electro-mechanical cardiac activities, could expand ECG/SCG utility as a low-cost, accessible tool for clinical assessment. This study identifies commonly accepted criteria for fiducial point detection in SCG and ECG through an extensive literature review and signal processing techniques. The previous criteria were evaluated to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the findings, an improved set …

Uv- Altered Macrophages: Impact Of Uv Radiation On Phagocytic Receptor Expression In M2 Macrophages And Implications For Tissue Repair And Immunosuppression, Hala Hafez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Ultraviolet radiation is an environmental stressor known to suppress immune function in the skin, but its effect on the immunoregulatory M2 phenotype macrophages is poorly studied. This study aims to investigate the impact of UV exposure on key markers of the M2 macrophage, which are critical for tissue repair and immunosuppression. THP-1 monocytes were differentiated and polarized into the M2 phenotype using Phorbol-12 myristate (PMA) and Cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Once differentiation was confirmed, the macrophages were exposed to varying durations of UV radiation. Real Time Quantitative PCR was used to analyze expression changes in phagocytic receptors (CD206, CD163, Arg-1), …

Fabrication Of Palladium Decorated Zinc Oxide Nanostructures For Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensing, Reagan Aviha, Anju Joshi, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

The growing global burden of diabetes necessitates the development of glucose sensors that are not only reliable and sensitive but also cost-effective and amenable to point-of-care use. In this work, we report a non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor based on laser-induced graphene (LIG), functionalized with zinc oxide (ZnO) and palladium (Pd) nanostructures. The ZnO nanostructures were systematically optimized on the LIG surface by varying electrochemical deposition parameters, including applied potential, temperature, and deposition time, to enhance the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose in alkaline medium. Subsequent modification with Pd nanostructures further improved the electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity of the sensor. The performance …

Advanced Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensor For Ultra-Sensitive Dopamine Detection In Physiological Fluids, Megha Shinde, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

This study presents a novel point-of-care electrochemical sensor for dopamine (DA) detection, featuring a flexible laser-induced graphene (LIG) modified with a unique nanocomposite comprising Nb₄C₃T_x MXene, polypyrrole (PPy), and iron nanoparticles (FeNPs). The LIG-Nb₄C₃T_x MXene-PPy-FeNPs is characterized by scanning electron microscopy to confirm the successful surface modification. The electrochemical performance of the fabricated sensor via cyclic voltammetry showed significant electrochemical activity upon Nb₄C₃T_x MXene-PPy-FeNPs nanocomposite modification of the LIG surface with an increased peak anodic current (Ipa) from 43 μA to 104 μA. The sensor …

Electrochemical Strategies For Microrna Quantification Leveraging Amplification And Nanomaterials: A Review, Alexander Hunt, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and have emerged as critical biomarkers in various diseases, including cancer. Their stability in bodily fluids and role as oncogenes or tumor suppressors make them attractive targets for non-invasive diagnostics. However, conventional detection methods, such as Northern blotting, RT-PCR, and microarrays, are limited by low sensitivity, lengthy protocols, and limited specificity. Electrochemical biosensors offer a promising alternative, providing high sensitivity, rapid response times, portability, and cost-effectiveness. These biosensors translate miRNA hybridization events into quantifiable electrochemical signals, often leveraging redox-active labels, mediators, or intercalators. Recent advancements in nanomaterials and signal amplification …

Weighted Family History Density Of Substance Use: Influence On Participant Substance Use Onset, Escalation, And Duration, Carleigh A. Litteral

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Substance use disorders impose a staggering toll on the United States (U.S.), straining healthcare systems, destabilizing communities, and profoundly impacting both individuals and families. Approximately one in six Americans aged 12 and older had a past-year substance use disorder in 2022 (Key Substance Use, 2022), and nearly one-third of adults experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime (Wu, 2010), contributing to an economic burden exceeding $400 billion annually (National Drug Threat Assessment, 2011). Family history of substance use disorders is a key predictor of vulnerability, with individuals who have affected relatives being 2–8 times more …

The Effects Of Plx 3397 On Fentanyl Escalation In Male And Female Sprague-Dawley Rats, Jakob Shaykin

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Purpose: A hallmark characteristic of opioid use disorder (OUD) is a persons’ ‘loss of control’, which leads to the compulsion to seek and obtain opioids, resulting in increased consumption. This phenomenon is known as ‘escalation of drug intake’. Chronic opioid use causes microglial reactivity and subsequent release of proinflammatory cytokines leading to neuroinflammation, weakening one’s executive control over drug taking and ultimately leading to greater use. Previous research in our laboratory has explored heterogeneity of fentanyl intake in extended access (6-hr) sessions and identified distinct endophenotypes of fentanyl intake. Moreover, we have observed a positive correlation between Treml1 expression …

Emotions And Cognition, Krystal D. Becks

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Cognitive functioning is linked to emotional processes, with this relationship shaped by various biological (e.g., age, sex, diseases, and genetics), psychological (e.g., emotional well-being, coping strategies, mental health), and sociological (e.g., income and education) factors. Understanding these interactions is critical for advancing research on cognitive-emotional health across diverse populations. Purpose: To examine the relationship between positive and negative emotions and cognitive functioning among healthy adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) study (n=434). The independent variables were subsets from the NIH toolbox emotional battery. The dependent variables were from the NIH …

Cerebral Polyopia Due To Paraneoplastic Monoclonal Igg4-Related Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis, Tejasvi Paturu, Ashish Lal Shrestha Md, Ajay Menon Md, Negar Moheb Md, Casey Judge Do

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Association Of Prenatal Exposure To Phthalates And Phenols With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Misa Hayasaka, Diana Aboukhater, George Saade, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the association between prenatal exposures to phthalates and phenols and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth weight, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS:

This study analyzed data from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes consortium, which harmonized longitudinal data on more than 30,000 pregnancies and 57,000 children from 69 cohorts across the United States and Puerto Rico. Pregnancy outcomes included PTB, SGA, and GDM, identified from medical records or self-reports. Generalized estimating equations models with Poisson distribution and robust variance were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs per interquartile …

Racial Disparities In Maternal Mortality Before, During, And After The Covid-19 Pandemic In The United States: A Difference-In-Difference Analysis, Kyosuke Kamijo, Misa Hayasaka, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

This study aimed to examine changes in racial disparities in pregnancy-related and maternal mortality before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) data from January 2018 to June 2024. We focused on pregnancy-related and maternal mortality among Black and White individuals to examine racial disparities. The study periods were defined as pre-pandemic (January 2018-March 2020), pandemic (April 2020-March 2022), and post-pandemic (April 2022-June 2024). We applied interrupted time series analysis and difference-in-difference (DID) models …

Timing Of Delivery In Preeclampsia: Time To Reconsider?, Rebecca Horgan, Ahmed S. Z. Moustafa, Mackenzie Mchugh, Tetsuya Kawakita, Baha Sibai, George Saade

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

The article discusses the need to reassess the timing of delivery in cases of preeclampsia, a condition affecting 2%–8% of pregnancies and linked to significant maternal and neonatal risks. It highlights that existing guidelines, primarily based on older studies, may not adequately reflect current clinical practices and advancements in neonatal care. The authors suggest that planned delivery at 34–36 weeks of gestation may offer maternal benefits without increasing short-term neonatal morbidity, while also emphasizing the importance of considering long-term outcomes for both mothers and infants. They advocate for further research, including large-scale randomized trials, to better understand the implications of …

Biomedical Mxene-Polymer Nanocomposites: Advancing Photothermal Therapy, Antibacterial Action, And Smart Drug Delivery: A Review, Ali Mohammad Amani, Lobat Tayebi, Ehsan Vafa, Mohammad Javad Azizli, Milad Abbasi, Ahmad Vaez, Hesam Kamyab, Daniel Simancas-Racines, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

MXenes are hydrophilic, conductive, tunable, and biocompatible two-dimensional ceramic materials prepared by etching the 'A' layer from their precursor MAX phases. Although MXenes show exceptional promise in photothermal therapy, biosensing, and regenerative medicine, they face challenges such as oxidative instability in physiological environments, limited drug-loading capacity, and unpredictable immune responses. To address these limitations, MXene/polymer nanocomposites incorporating both synthetic polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)) and natural biopolymers (e.g., cellulose nanofiber, gelatin, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and soybean phospholipids) have been developed. These composites enhance functionality for biomedical applications such as photothermal cancer …

Guideline Of Pulmonary Rehabilitation In Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease, Chia-Ho Lin, Seong-Woong Kang, Ming-Lung Chuang, Pin-Kuei Fu, Chin-Ming Chen, Ko-Long Lin, Ssu-Yuan Chen, Li-Wei Chou, Kuan-Cheng Chen, Yuan-Yang Cheng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) includes a group of chronic respiratory disorders characterized by pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, often resulting in dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and reduced quality of life. Although pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is effective in managing these symptoms, no guideline has comprehensively summarized its principles, components, and supporting evidence in ILD. This guideline provides an evidence-based framework for designing and implementing PR tailored to ILD patients. Core recommendations include individualized exercise prescription following the FITT principle, aerobic and resistance training, breathing exercises, supplemental oxygen use, and disease-specific self-management strategies. The guideline also presents validated assessment tools to aid clinical application …

Phenobarbital And Ciwa Protocol: A Retrospective Analysis Of Alcohol Withdrawal Optimization, Cooper Alden Josephs, Trey Austin Doss, Maulikkumar Patel, Taylor Templeton-Jager

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Diagnostic Dilemma: Appendiceal Endometriosis Mimicking Acute Appendicitis In A Pregnant Patient, Samantha Perez, Abigail Haythron, Trey Doss, Keisha Reddick

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Old Habits Die Hard: Why Surgeons Continue To Conduct Robotic Surgery Despite A Lack Of Statistical Support, Ansley Connelly, Francheska Razalan-Krause, Taylor Johnson

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Contribution Of Low Birthweight To Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admission Among Newborns Delivered At Hca Hospitals In The State Of Georgia: A Mediation Analysis, Brinkley Bray, Bailey Brown, Katelyn Crumbley, Taylor Templeton-Jager, Anthony Royek, Anthony Kondracki

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Improving Mmr Vaccine Administration Among Rubella Non-Immune Postpartum Women – A Quality Improvement Project, Renée Ricci, Erika Olsen, Final Patel, Stephanie Tootle, Dina Linfoot, Anthony Royek, Eric Shaw

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

39 Week Labor Induction Versus Expectant Management And Cesarean Section Rates In Low-Risk Multiparous Women, A Tanner Fincher, Brendon Cornett, Michael G. Flynn, Sylwia Blawat, Mikalah Maury, Anthony Royek, Arthur M. Baker

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Incontinentia Pigmenti Diagnosed In Newborn Nursery, Virginia Ramsey Aldrich, Andrea Heuser

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Autoimmune Pancreatitis Not Otherwise Specified (Aip-Nos): The Importance Of Gastroenterology Consultation When Clinical Findings Are Concerning For Pancreatic Cancer, Cooper Alden Josephs, Daniel Mullady, Nicholas Fuerstenau, Steve Xie, Taylor Templeton-Jager

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Cryptogenic Fusobacterium Liver Abscesses In Two Healthy, Young Adult Males, Cooper Alden Josephs, Anna Bryce Tucker, James Everhart, Nick Fuerstenau, Taylor Templeton-Jager

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.