Undergraduate Research Posters 2022

Follow

• 

  Factors Contributing to Health Disparities in the African American Community

  My’Jia Brown

  Diabetes Mellitus is a group of chronic metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels) over a prolong period of time affecting 37.3 million Americans, 90% of them suffering from type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes patients are characterized by insulin resistance, and in some cases, a decrease in insulin production. Among African Americans, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is up to 2.3-fold higher than their White counterparts. This review aims at examining the different factors that contribute disparities in health outcomes in African American communities. The difference in genetic factors, such as G6PD deficiency, and its consequences for accurate HbA1c measurements tests were explored. Socioeconomic factors, such as food insecurity and healthcare access were examined, and lifestyle interventions were explored. Together, this illustrates the complicated interconnectivity of genetic and socioeconomic health determinants and suggests a need to further understand how they intersect to design better interventions to serve African American communities.

• 

  The Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Extraversion

  Angel Ciccarelli

  Attachment styles and personality are important parts of one’s identity and may influence future attitudes towards close relationships. An understudied expression of personality that attachment may influence is extraversion. In this study, we examine the relationship between attachment and extraversion by testing the hypothesis that participants with secure and anxious attachment styles are more likely to be extroverted compared to participants with an avoidant attachment (fearful and dismissive). Sixty-nine participants were recruited from Cleveland State University’s SONA Systems online recruitment tool, Research Match, Instagram, CSU Facebook Groups, GroupMe, and email. Participants were asked to complete a self-report survey, which measured their attachment style and extraversion by using the Revised Adult Attachment Scale and the IPIP-NEO 120. Data was analyzed by doing a correlation and linear regression analysis. This study found significant correlations between closeness, anxiety towards relationship, dependency, friendliness, gregariousness, cheerfulness, and excitement-seeking. Furthermore, positive correlations were found between friendliness and closeness, closeness and gregariousness, and friendliness and being dependent. Negative correlations were found between friendliness and anxiety, cheerfulness and anxiety, and excitement-seeking and being dependent. These correlations suggest how extraverted specific attachment styles may be and expand the knowledge of the relationship between attachment and personality.

• 

  Adverse Childhood Experiences in Relation to Substance abuse and the Moderating Role

  Sydni Davila

  Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to numerous negative outcomes such as higher rates of antisocial traits, substance use and abuse, and other health risk behaviors. Health risk behaviors make up a substantial portion of deaths in the United States so targeting these behaviors can significantly reduce the amount of people impacted by such behaviors. This study poses that increased exposure to ACEs and higher scores on antisocial measures will leave an individual at higher risk of substance abuse. This study was conducted using secondary data analysis from a national sample of young adults. A survey was conducted through Qualtrics that provided a total data set of 359 participants (ranging from 18-30) with a mean age of 25 years. In this population, 55.9% of participants were women, 27.8% made between $20,000 and $49,999 annually, and 47.1% identifying as non-White. There was a non-significant, negative correlation between scores on antisocial scales and ACEs. However, there was a significant correlation between ACEs and scores of problematic drug use, and between problematic alcohol use and antisocial personality traits. We can conclude that ACEs relate to illicit drug use but not problematic alcohol use. Further, antisocial personality traits are related to problematic alcohol use but not illicit drug use. By targeting at-risk populations, the premature death rate caused by adverse childhood experiences can be lowered.

• 

  The Evolution and Morphological Change in Keratella cochlearis

  Semra Dervisevic

  Organisms in the phylum Rotifera are vital for freshwater environments; they have a short development time, fast turnover, high production, circulate organic matter, and aid in energy transfer (Li, Cheng, & Chen, 2005). However, they are becoming increasingly difficult to characterize by molecular studies due to cryptic genetic differences that are not reflected in their morphology. This is due to the sensitivity based on responses to environmental parameters such as water temperature and chemical cues from predators (Stemberger & Gilbert 1984, Green 2005). This arises the need to identify the presence and geographic distribution of cryptic species complexes; this study reports findings across the ecoregions of the U.S from collected samples by the National Lakes Assessment in 2017. Keratella cochlearis were first isolated from these samples, washed off with TE buffer, had their DNA extracted, and then sent to Functional Biosciences for their DNA to be amplified through a PCR and then Sanger sequenced. The expected results include that those sites with higher densities and larger shapes to have undergo evolution and thus have more abundant cryptic species complexes present (Chen et al., 2012).

• 

  SFRP-4, TLRs, And EVs Signaling Play Critical Roles in Type Two Diabetes

  Anthony K. Graley

  Type two diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and insulin deficiency that resulted from the expression and suppression of polygenic-based signal pathways while under hyperglycemic conditions. These pathways often result in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, β -cell apoptosis, and poor metabolic control. Available glycemic control treatments are often inefficient and therefore, there is a need for additional therapeutic treatments and targets. To better understand the genetic complexities of type two diabetes, a literature review was conducted from scholarly articles, and a framework was built to explain the pathogenic pathways involved in type two diabetes. Specifically, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Secreted Frizzled Related Protein Four (SFRP-4), and extracellular vesicles (EVs) were examined, and their interconnective inflammatory mechanisms explored. The study of how these pathways create feedback loops among each other that have the potential to result in the identification of novel therapeutic targets that better regulate this complex disorder.

• 

  Understanding the Role of Sleep and Personality on Emerging Adult Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic

  Dywayne Johnson

  Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period that affords many new opportunities for adolescents as they transition to adulthood; however, studies reported that the pandemic caused significant disruptions in terms of development for young adults. As such, it is critical that researchers work to further our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 on core areas of young adult functioning. Sleep plays an integral role in understanding the effects of mental health, but the impact of the pandemic on sleep in young adults is one area that has been understudied. The main focus of the present study is to highlight the associations between sleep, stress, mental health, and personality that interplay in the context of COVID-19 in the emerging adulthood population. Self-report data were collected from a sample of 33 young adults (ages 18-25) via Qualtrics. Results suggest that there is an important interplay between sleep, mental health, and personality, and further, that the impact of the pandemic affects this interplay in young adults. These results highlight the potential importance of interventions aimed at regulating sleep patterns to support mental health in emerging adulthood.

• 

  Ground Level interactions in the Panama Canal Zone

  Benjamin King

  The prevailing academic consensus in the United States of the relationship between the countries of Panama and the United States has shifted during the last two decades. The idea that the relationship between the two nations was based on the United States acting as a beneficent "big brother" to a fledgling democracy is no longer the commonly accepted version of history. Instead, the consensus has moved towards a more unvarnished and nuanced view in which the United States did offer many benefits to the young nation of Panama; the relationship between the two countries was also less nurturing and more imperial and neo-colonial than previously accepted. This research project aims to answer the following question, what were relations like in and around the Canal Zone? Using oral histories of the residents and neighbors of the Canal Zone that were conducted by the Panama Canal Historical Association and Archive at the University of Florida, this research project examines the thoughts, opinions, and feelings of those who lived in the imperial borderland during the US occupation of the Canal Zone. The analysis of these oral histories has led to the conclusion that the United States routinely took advantage of the young country under its dominion while importing a discriminatory and racially segregated system of government into the ten-mile-wide swath of land bisecting the country of Panama. This research project helps to give voice to previously ignored or unheard local voices.

• 

  Racial Experiences, Achievement, and Academic Pressure

  India J. Matthews

  Previous research establishes that high achievement is a predictor of depression ande anxiety symptoms. Additionally, research establishes that being a racial minority is a risk factor for depression and anxiety. The literature does not directly identify the relationship between high achievement, race, and depression and anxiety. This study aims to investigate whether there are differences in rates of depression and anxiety in Black high-achieving students compared to White high-achieving peers and explore factors that could influence this relationship. Participants 14-19 years old were recruited from Cleveland State University for this ongoing project. It is expected that Black high-achieving students will experience higher levels of depression and anxiety than their White high-achieving peers. It is also expected that experiences with race will strengthen the relationship between high achievement and depression and anxiety, while academic pressure will mediate this relationship. If the results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis, clinical interventions should focus on addressing race-related stressors as well as academic pressure within Black high-achieving youth. Additionally, schools could focus on implementing resources and culturally competent interventions for high-achieving students to address these disparities in internalizing disorders.

• 

  Pool Boiling: Ambient Pressure Increase to Enhance Heat Transfer

  Forrest Osborn

  Nuclear energy’s potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation is currently under debate. To better understand the inner dynamics nuclear power plant, pool boiling and platinum wire were used to model water cooling of nuclear fuel cladding and burnout phenomenon. Joule heating was used to generate and measure heat transfer rate from a platinum wire inside a pressurized vessel of water. Voltage, current, and duration were varied to achieve transient boiling along a wire of approximately 10 mm in length. A slow-motion camera was utilized to capture images of the resulting bubbles during the pulse and temperature, voltage, and current data was collected and analyzed to produce boiling curves of transient boiling behavior. These measurements indicated that the heat transfer rate was positively correlated with increased pressure. These experiential learning project and results contributed to a better understanding of the heat transfer rate inside a nuclear reactor and further comprehension of safe nuclear power plant design.

• 

  Exploring Dance/Movement Therapy: African American Adolescents and Trauma

  Sadie Pinckney

  The use of Dance Movement Therapy through the lens of trauma amongst African American adolescents has been groundbreaking. This is especially important as society aims to bridge the gap amongst African American adolescence and privileged adolescents. However, there is a further need to develop effective modes and methods of treating underprivileged youth. This project aimed to develop a thorough Healing in Motion Program designed specifically for African American adolescents in America. The primary methods were experiential learning, Dance Movement Therapy-informed techniques, and creative activities. The program guides facilitators through ten modules of content. It is designed to be replicated in order to measure its effectiveness. Over the course of a 10-week period, adolescents would be assessed before, during, and after the program. By the end of the 10-week period, adolescents show improvement in self-concept, selfesteem, and self-awareness.

• 

  Dual-Trauma and Assortative Mating Associations Among Dating Young Adults

  Madison Slayton

  In the present study, we examined the concept of assortative mating, which means that people tend to find partners who are similar to themselves. Prior research has primarily focused on areas such as attraction and personality, with less evidence on couples who have experienced trauma. Further, less evidence is available about couples who have experienced trauma. The first focus was to detect whether couples who have experienced similar levels of trauma gravitate towards each other using the concept of disordered familiarity and assortative mating. The second question examined whether individual personality traits were also similar, and whether these associations were also evident regarding relationship satisfaction. In our study, 49 couples (N = 98 participants) ranging from ages 18-30 participated in an in-lab protocol. Several measures such as a Relationship Assessment Scale, PTSD Checklist for DSM -5, and the International Personality Item Pool were used for further analyses to examine relationship satisfaction, trauma, and the Big Five personality within couples. Only within couple correlations were shown for openness on the big five personality scale (negatively correlated) and relationship satisfaction (positively correlated). The implications of this work suggest that as one partner reports more openness, the other reports less openness. However, for relationship satisfaction, each partner’s relationship satisfaction increased together.

• 

  The Impact of Soil Compaction on Soil Moisture Dynamics of Red Maple, Norway Maple, and Honey Locust Tree Species in Urban Environments

  Cyenna Ulrich-Cech

  Soil compaction, a result of urbanization, may be detrimental to the soil moisture dynamics and health of urban trees which subsequently limits their ecosystem services. This study considers two hypotheses: higher compacted soils will negatively impact soil moisture dynamics of red maple, Norway maple, and honey locust tree species on campus; and there will be a difference in the soil moisture dynamics between tree species due to varying tree traits. A preliminary survey was conducted on trees of interest to gather health metric data, and soil compaction, soil texture, and water holding capacity were measured. Additionally, soil moisture measurements were taken throughout the duration of this study for further analysis. In regard to all 36 trees of interest, the lowest soil compaction measured was 243.25 PSI with the highest measurement at 766 PSI, providing a wide range of variability. The average water holding capacity measured was 1.828 g/g and the average percentages of sand, silt, and clay were measured at 56.92%, 27.30%, and 15.77% respectively. 7 total soil moisture events were measured and the lowest soil moisture measurement within the full dataset was 1.85% with the highest at 22.60%, again showing a wide range of variability. Further analysis of the data suggests a relationship between the soil compaction and the health of the tree as well as shows a significant difference between the two maple and honey locust species. Future studies may closer look at the potential relationship between soil compaction and soil moisture dynamics within urban environments.