JSU Student Symposium 2024

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  Examination of MY06 Missense Variants of Uncertain Significance Associated with Autosomal Recessive Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss Utilizing C. elegans

  Tarika Herman

  Genetic research in human health has revolutionized healthcare. Hearing loss affects 5% globally, and additional research is needed to understand these complex conditions and variants of uncertain significance (VUS). This includes autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL), linked to MYO6. This study explores the MYO6 nematode ortholog, spe-15, utilizing C. elegans as a model organism. The hypothesis posits that introducing the MYO6 human variant (c.178G>C (p.Glu60Gln)) into spe-15 (c.199G>C (p.Gly67Gln)) results in increased unfertilized oocytes for the homozygous VUS mutant nematodes compared to the wildtype N2 nematodes. Bioinformatics confirmed variant conservation, and hands-on experiments resulted in successful nematode DNA extraction and PCR and gel electrophoresis to amplify the spe-15 VUS region. The study advances understanding of MYO6 missense variants associated with ARNSHL, supporting further CRISPR-Cas9 experiments to generate the mutant strain and examine the MYO6 VUS in vivo. Employing C. elegans offers a promising avenue for investigating the potential impact of MYO6 VUS on ARNSHL and human health.

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  Are Concussed Collegiate Athletes More Susceptible to Depression: A Critically Appraised Topic

  Courtney Hood

  Context: The interdependent relationship between concussions and depression in collegiate athletes has become increasingly popular over the last few years. There is an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million sport-related concussions annually in the United States, making it one of the leading public health problems. The United States Department of Health and Human Services states that depression is most prevalent in the 18-25 age group. The prevalence of the risk of depression in collegiate student-athletes ranges from 15.6-33.2%, with first-year students and females typically reporting more symptoms. The purpose of this critically appraised topic is to investigate if collegiate athletes are more susceptible to depression, after sustaining a concussion.

  Methods: A computerized search was conducted in October 2023. The search terms used were “collegiate athletes”, “concussion”, and “depression”. Electronic databases used were JSU library, SPORT Discus, PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included: studies conducted with current collegiate athletes, peer-reviewed studies, articles published after 2000, and studies that reported data on mental health along with concussions. Exclusion criteria included: studies that included international sports, studies that solely talked about retired athletes, and studies that were in any language other than English. Validity of the selected studies was determined using the PRISMA and STOBE checklists. One author independently reviewed the studies, scored each paper, and reviewed the completed appraisals to come to a consensus on the study quality.

  Results: The literature search retrieved 1,710 total articles and 1,707 articles were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, resulting in three studies. When researching the long-term effects of sport-related concussions, one article concluded that currently competing athletes and/or retired athletes displayed impaired mental health, particularly with depression symptoms. Sport-related concussions and mental health outcomes, studies concluded that depression symptoms were the most frequently considered and reported mental health outcome in concussion research. Furthermore, predictors and prevalence of post-concussion depression symptoms concluded that a large portion of collegiate athletes demonstrated an increase in depression after concussion.

  Conclusions: The clinical bottom line demonstrates an association between concussion and depression. It is essential that athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals are aware of this connection to advocate for athletes that may experience depressive symptoms after a sport-related concussion. Future research should investigate other patient populations such as other professional sports and coping strategies in the management of depression.

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  Is the Lever Sign an Effective Diagnostic Tool for Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: A Critically Appraised Topic

  Cody Hopkins

  Context: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most injured structures of the knee, occurring in 68.6 per 100,000 athletes per year. Assessing ACL injuries should be completed quickly and precisely to allow for appropriate injury management decisions. Special tests allow for expedited injury assessments by utilizing manual maneuvers that test the integrity of the ACL. Prevalent ACL special tests include the Lachman, Anterior Drawer, and Pivot Shift tests. These special tests require quick translational or rotational movements that can lead to patient apprehension and, thus, possible reduction of test accuracy. The Lever Sign is a special test that proposes to not be limited by patient factors such as pain, swelling, and apprehension.

  Methods: A computerized search was completed in October 2023. The search terms used were acute ACL injuries, Lever Sign, Lachman, Anterior Drawer, and Pivot Shift. Electronic databases used were PubMed, EBSCOHOST, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required articles to be written in the English language, published within the last ten years, peer-reviewed, contain all of the search words, and be predominantly focused on acute ACL injuries. Exclusion criteria included articles that focused solely on chronic ACL tears, ACL injuries with co-existing ligamentous or soft-tissue injuries, and any topics unrelated to the search terms provided. Validity of the selected cohort studies was determined using the STROBE checklist. One author independently reviewed the studies, scored each paper, and reviewed the completed appraisals to come to a consensus on the study quality.

  Results: The literature search retrieved 224 total articles and 220 were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, resulting in four studies. The studies ranged from 61.2%-100% for sensitivity and 90% for specificity of the Lever sign. The average accuracy of the Lever sign from these four studies was 82.5%.

  Conclusions: Each of these cohort studies had varying methodologies, hypotheses, and study parameters, but all had a common goal in determining the overall accuracy of the Lever Sign. It was determined from these studies that, with an average accuracy of 82.5%, the Lever Sign is a viable option for ACL diagnostic testing. However, due to inaccuracies between studies, the Lever Sign should not be performed as the sole diagnostic test in a physical examination, but should be completed in conjunction with other special tests. The Lever Sign was determined to be unaffected by patient factors, anesthesia, stage of injury, patient gender, and clinical experience level. Since the test has an easy learning curb, it allows clinicians to perform accurately with minimal training. Given these strengths, the Lever Sign could be an important tool for athletic trainers and other clinicians.

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  The Impact of Arginine Supplementation on Energy Metabolism in Sports

  Emma Jones

  NOTE: Video of this presentation is not available.

  This study investigates the multifaceted effects of Arginine (Arg) supplementation on energy metabolism and its subsequent impact on athletic performance. Through a rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis, the research probes into the nuanced effects of Arg supplementation across aerobic (≤VO₂max) and anaerobic (>VO₂max) performance spectrums. Arg distinguishes itself in sports nutrition by synthesizing Nitric Oxide (NO), promoting vasodilation, and optimizing blood flow. This process is instrumental in enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles during physical exertion, a critical factor in sports performance.

  The physiological mechanisms through which Arg exerts its effects are thoroughly explored in the study. These include its role in NO synthesis, pivotal for effective blood circulation and muscle oxygenation. Furthermore, Arg's involvement in muscle contraction, gas exchange, oxygen kinetics, and mitochondrial function is meticulously dissected. The study also acknowledges the role of Arg in promoting the release of growth hormones, which are integral in muscle development, fuel mobilization, and overall physical performance. Given the intricate nature of the body's response to supplements and the variation in individual physiology, the study underscores the importance of tailored Arg supplementation protocols. It recommends acute dosing of 0.15 g/kg body weight 60–90 minutes before exercise, and for sustained improvement in aerobic and anaerobic performance, a regimen of 1.5–2 g/day over 4–7 weeks and 10–12 g/day over 8 weeks, respectively.

  While the results indicate Arg's potential benefits in sports nutrition, the study acknowledges the need for further research to comprehend its efficacy across diverse athletic disciplines and conditions fully. This comprehensive review lays a solid foundation for future explorations, aiming to optimize supplementation strategies and maximize the athletic performance and recovery of sports enthusiasts and professional athletes alike.

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  Does the Fear of Re-Injury in Athletes After an ACL Reconstruction Negatively Affect Their Return to Sport Process: A Critically Appraised Topic

  Samara Kilgore

  Context: A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a very prevalent injury in athletes. The ACL is the most injured ligament within the knee, ranging up to 200,000 injuries per year and approximately 100,000 ACL reconstructions occur annually. In addition to initial ACL injuries, the athletic population also has the highest risk of re-injury. Fear is a normal psychological response that can affect the decision-making process during recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this critically appraised topic is if fear of re-injury in athletes after undergoing an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) negatively affect their return to sport process.

  Methods: A computerized search was conducted in October 2023. The search terms used were “kinesiophobia in athletes with ACL reconstruction”, “ACL reconstruction”, “kinesiophobia”, and “fear of return to play in athletes after an ACL reconstruction”. Electronic databases used were PubMed, Google Scholar, JSU Houston Cole Library Database, and Sports Discus. Inclusion criteria: Articles in the English language and written after 2011. Exclusion criteria: Combined knee ligament injuries, other psychological injuries, and studies that did not include athletes. Validity of the selected studies was determined using the PRIMSA and STROBE checklists. One author independently reviewed the studies, scored each paper, and reviewed the completed appraisals to come to a consensus on the study quality.

  Results: The literature search retrieved 2,570 total articles and 2,567 were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, resulting in three studies. The cited sources used for this article included a variety of questionnaires, interviews, and neurological assessments tools to measure the fear in athletes during their recovery process. Athletes did not return to their sport after ACLR because they had a fear of failing financially and socially, along with having the reconstruction fail. The costs associated with surgically reconstructed ACL injuries range from $5000 to $17,000 per patient; however, the estimated long-term societal costs may be as high as $38,000 per patient. In addition, 77.2% of ACLR patients reported emotional states such as anxiety, anger, confusion, depression, and worry. Furthermore, greater fear of reinjury was associated with lesser hamstrings strength, hop performance, and patient-reported function throughout the patient’s recovery process, as patients believed their reconstruction would fail them.

  Conclusion: Research has shown that athletes who have ruptured their ACL and had a ACLR experience fear of re-injury when returning to their sport. This fear of re-injury can cause the athlete to have a delay in the return to play process, can create physical ailments that can put them at a higher risk of reinjuring their ACL, and can ultimately lead to them never returning to their sport. Implications for healthcare providers should address the emotion in the rehabilitation process of an injured athlete with an ACLR.

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  The Comprehensive Impact of Beta-Alanine on Sports Performance and Muscle Dynamics

  Brendyn Knight

  NOTE: Video of this presentation is not available.

  The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has extensively reviewed the effects of beta-alanine supplementation, emphasizing its potential to enhance exercise performance and muscle physiology. Beta-alanine, primarily known for increasing muscular carnosine levels, acts as an intracellular pH buffer, effectively combating muscle acidity during high-intensity activities. This buffering capacity is critical in maintaining muscle performance and endurance, especially under strenuous exercise conditions.

  The ISSN outlines that a daily intake of 4-6 grams of beta-alanine can significantly elevate muscular carnosine concentration—up to 64% after four weeks and up to 80% after ten weeks. This substantial increase is pivotal in enhancing muscle performance and endurance by mitigating fatigue and facilitating muscle recovery post-training. Despite variations in baseline carnosine concentrations influenced by gender, activity level, genetics, and diet, beta-alanine supplementation consistently yields positive outcomes across different demographic profiles.

  Beta-alanine’s function extends beyond pH buffering. It is an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress and aiding muscle repair, which is particularly beneficial during high-intensity workouts or sports training. This property enhances training quality and performance by increasing muscle repair rates, thus shortening the recovery period between training sessions.

  However, the research presents a nuanced picture regarding strength outcomes. While short-term studies indicate improvements in training volume and a decrease in fatigue, longer-term investigations (8-10 weeks) reveal varied effects on body composition and overall strength. This suggests that while beta-alanine positively influences training volume and fatigue resistance, its impact on long-term strength development and body composition is less clear-cut and warrants further investigation.

  Beta-alanine's efficacy is most pronounced in high-intensity activities lasting up to 25 minutes. The impact of beta-alanine supplementation beyond this duration remains less defined, attributed to complex physiological interactions that are not yet fully understood. This has prompted ISSN to recommend potentially combining beta-alanine with other supplements to enhance its effects. Popular combinations include ergogenic acids like sodium, creatine, and other pre-workout supplements, which have shown synergistic effects in specific performance contexts, such as sprinting and rowing time trials. Nonetheless, the results vary, with some studies indicating significant improvements while others show negligible impact.

  In conclusion, beta-alanine emerges as a promising supplement in sports nutrition, offering significant benefits in increasing muscular carnosine concentration, acting as a pH buffer, and potentially enhancing exercise performance and recovery. Despite mixed findings in long-term strength outcomes and its limited impact on activities exceeding 25 minutes, the short-term benefits and the potential for synergistic effects with other supplements position beta-alanine as a valuable component in the dietary regimen of athletes aiming to optimize their physical performance. Further research is anticipated to unravel more about beta-alanine's multifaceted role in sports nutrition and its optimal application in different exercise regimes.

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  Predicting Airbnb Listing Prices in Seattle (January 2016): A Multiple Regression Analysis

  Yunus Korku

  This presentation highlights a data analysis project from the CS 445 Predictive Analysis course, focusing on open-source Airbnb listing data from Seattle, WA, from early January 2016. The presentation will detail the various stages of the project, including data cleansing, data normalization, and the application of dummy coding for categorical variables. An overview of multiple regression techniques will be provided, followed by the steps of model building, validation, and interpretation of the regression results predicting pricing of the listings.

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  Graphic Design | Edie Liu

  Edie Liu

  Graphic design entry for 2024 Student Symposium

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  Optimizing Athletic Recovery: The Role of Nutrition and Supplements in Combatting Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

  Caroline Lively

  Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) presents a significant impediment for athletes, manifesting as pain, soreness, inflammation, and diminished muscle functionality. While traditional recovery modalities such as massage, cryotherapy, and stretching offer varying degrees of relief, recent trends have gravitated towards nutritional and supplementation interventions as promising avenues to mitigate EIMD-related consequences. This exhaustive review categorizes these interventions based on their nutrient profiles, encompassing fruits, vegetables, herbs, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and other dietary supplements, all posited to potentially attenuate EIMD symptoms and enhance muscle function across diverse demographic groups.

  This assessment emphasizes the importance of addressing EIMD, which can significantly hamper athletic performance and compromise training integrity. Athletes, particularly those facing the demand for swift recovery post-intensive exercise, stand to gain from evidence-based nutritional and supplementation protocols. These approaches have been rigorously examined, yielding encouraging findings in reducing EIMD manifestations and bolstering muscle performance. Specific nutritional interventions exhibit substantial promise. Foods rich in antioxidants and long-term supplementation with agents like creatine, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D3 have effectively alleviated EIMD symptoms. Nevertheless, the review acknowledges prevailing research voids, particularly highlighting the necessity for more inclusive studies involving female athletes to assess the effectiveness of diverse supplementation regimes thoroughly. Supplements such as pineapple-derived proteases, ginger, ginseng, curcumin, taurine, β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, and caffeine are identified as meriting deeper exploration.

  The study accentuates the significance of conducting holistic investigations into combined nutritional strategies and their influence on EIMD, positing that such research could unveil synergistic benefits and empower athletes to refine their recovery methodologies more effectively. Adopting nutritional strategies should be approached with prudence, mindful of potential adverse impacts on long-term training adaptations.

  In summary, we tried to shed light on a spectrum of nutritional and supplementation strategies with potential efficacy in ameliorating symptoms associated with EIMD. Recognizing the multifaceted challenges confronting athletes, the review advocates for continued research to refine our understanding of optimal recovery protocols. This endeavor will substantially enrich the discourse on managing and preempting EIMD, fostering improved health and performance outcomes for athletes and physically active individuals.

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  Graphic Design | Ansley Lyons

  Ansley Lyons

  Graphic design entry for 2024 Student Symposium

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  Global Scale Effects of Pollution and Parasitism on Freshwater Fish Health: A Review

  Kathleen Madden

  The negative effects of pollution on declines in diversity and impaired health are well described in freshwater systems worldwide. However, the interaction between anthropogenic stressors and parasites on fish health is less well studied. We conducted a survey of published literature to determine the number of studies, approaches, and the interaction between parasite infection and pollution on freshwater fish health. By using search terms including metals, pollution, freshwater, parasites, fishes, and physiology in literature search engines, we compiled a collection of scientific studies. Studies were classified into years published, location by global region, study design (field surveys, laboratory studies), pollutant type (metals, microplastics, or chemicals), and fish health response (physiology or immune). For this review, all parasite types were combined. The most widely used study approach was survey based and most focused on the combined effect of parasites and pollution on fish physiology and immune responses. More research is needed in other regions of the world and laboratory studies to test the results found in the field studies. Also, other measures of fish health are needed to understand the relationships of pollution and parasitism. Finally, as fishes are parasitized by a wide variety of organisms from bacteria to different types of worms, the negative effects of parasitism on health may not be equal across all parasites. Literature surveys such as this uncover data gaps in the science of this topic and promote continued research to fully understand the combined effects of pollution and parasitism on the health of freshwater fishes.

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  Building a Restaurant Ordering System: From Design to Deployment

  Kendall McCay, Josh Riddle, and Hunter Isaac Wert

  This group project, undertaken for the CS488 Database Systems course, focused on developing a functional relational database tailored for a restaurant ordering system. Through in-person meetings, social media, and collaborative platforms, we iteratively designed and implemented the database. Our process began with crafting a conceptual diagram, which was then refined with each iteration, culminating in a robust data model. Using Microsoft SQL Server 2019, this model was converted into an operational database, populated with sample data, followed by the creation of a user interface. Subsequently, we developed the front-end and integrated it with the backend. A thorough product demonstration will be presented to showcase the completed system.

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  College Athlete Revenue Sharing and NIL: Financial Considerations and Implications

  Madison McCoy and Stephen Smith

  The landscape of college athletics has changed significantly over the past several years. Due to the ruling from the 2021 court case NCAA v. Alston, athletes are now allowed to earn compensation from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). This compensation originates from external sources, such as collectives, donors, and companies, not the academic institutions themselves. The compensation received is determined by each athlete’s specific market/brand value. Social media has become a major factor in defining market value in the modern era of technology. The more “valuable” the athlete, the more likely for them to receive NIL income. However, there are issues that arise with this new stream of income. They may not realize the responsibilities attached to the new income stream they are receiving, especially the taxation rules that will apply to them. A dearth of tax education for student athletes currently exists. Many athletes do not have any substantial background in financial planning or financial literacy. Mandated guidelines by the NCAA are needed to aid these student athletes or individual institutions to navigate these new financial considerations.

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  Enhancing Muscle Function and Endurance in Aging: Nutritional Strategies and Exercise Interventions

  Cassidy McDaniel

  Background

  Aging is associated with significant physical changes, including a decline in muscle mass, strength, and mobility. The decrease in strength and mobility results in fall risk and reduces the ability to be independent. Psychological, social, and economic changes are the greatest risk of nutritional problems in the older population. Daily living activities become an obstacle when there is no physical activity in a daily lifestyle.

  Purpose

  This study aims to identify sports and nutrition practices that can help older adults develop body mass, reduce fat, and maintain muscle mass and strength, thereby preventing injuries. The evidence of endurance exercise and nutritional strategies were reviewed in this study.

  Results

  The study found caffeine and beta-alanine combined with protein and particular exercise regions to significantly improve muscle quality functioning and reduce fatigue among older adults. Body composition measurements have shown that fat-free body mass has been positively associated with physical activity and negatively with age. The study underscores the need for personalized nutrition and exercise plans tailored to an individual's age, gender, physical condition, and activity level. Comparisons between the sexes, physical and psychological changes experienced by aged individuals due to endurance interventions and nutritional supplements. Muscle loss in the older population has been related to suboptimal nutrition and resistance to anabolic stimuli.

  Conclusion

  The study concludes that while certain supplements and nutritional strategies, like caffeine and protein with beta-alanine, show promise in improving endurance and muscle function in older adults, their effects vary based on individual characteristics. Notably, supplementation showed differentiation effects across genders.

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  Molecular Genetic Analysis of Congenital Stationary Night Blindness Associated TRPM1 Genetic Variants of Uncertain Significance in Humans and Horses Utilizing Caenorhabditis elegans

  Victoria Moses, Gabrielle Davis, and Sara Morris

  Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a collection of genetic diseases affecting the eyes and vision in humans and horses. In horses, genetic mutations in TRPM1 also result in a leopard-spotted coat pattern. Studies of Caenorhabditis elegans have revealed the nematode ortholog gon-2. If a TRPM1 missense variant has been associated with CSNB in humans and horses, then the genetic variant could result in gon-2 dysfunction and a phenotype in the mutant nematode. Identification of conserved variants of uncertain significance (VUS) within the TRPM1 were identified in both humans and horses. The human and horse TRPM1 genes, along with the nematode gon-2 gene were used to identify I875V VUS at the human TRPM1 location. Future experiments include generating a CRISPR-Cas9-engineered C. elegans model containing the TRPM1 missense VUS in the nematode loci of gon-2 for in vivo assessment. Primers were designed and used to amplify the I875V VUS region in C. elegans using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gradient PCR, and gel electrophoresis. Gradient PCR was carried out to identify the optimal annealing temperature for a single band PCR product and a large PCR reaction was generated for an in vitro CRISPR-Cas9 experiment followed by microinjection. Ultimately, we plan to analyze phenotypic differences present in the mutant nematode strain when the gon-2 gene is edited with the TRPM1 VUS; focusing on the impact of gonadal and vulva development. This study will provide in vivo assessment of this CSNBassociated VUS shedding light on its clinical significance for humans and horses.

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  Sex Differences in Sub-categories of Narcissism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Psychopathy

  Julianna Mostillo

  The literature suggests men score higher on measures of narcissism and psychopathy (Grijalva et al., 2015; Muris et al., 2017) and that women score higher on measures of conscientiousness (Schmitt et al., 2008). The literature also shows that women score higher on the warmth, friendliness, and gregariousness facets of extraversion while men score higher in dominance and assertiveness measures of extraversion (Costa et al., 2001; Schmitt et al., 2008). We hypothesize that men will score higher on all facets of narcissism and psychopathy and that women will score higher on all facets of conscientiousness. We also expect that men will score higher on the dominance/assertiveness facets of extraversion while women will score higher on the warmth, friendliness, and gregariousness facets of extraversion. In the current study 160 college students were asked to anonymously fill out the Brief Pathological Narcissism Inventory which measures two aspects of narcissism – grandiose and vulnerable (Schoenleber et al., 2015). This scale has 28 items rated on a 5-point scale. The second measure completed was the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, version 3 (Paulhus et al., 2015). This scale consists of 64 psychopathy items rated on a 5-point scale. Conscientiousness and Extraversion were both taken from the IPIP-NEO-120 measure of the Big 5 personality traits (Johnson, 2014). Each scale consists of 24 items rated on a 5-point scale. Results and discussion will focus on whether the hypotheses were supported or not and why that might be the case.

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  Graphic Design | Sam Musgrove

  Sam Musgrove

  Graphic design entry for 2024 Student Symposium

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  Emotion in Human-Computer Interaction

  Aseel Mustafa

  Emotion is a fundamental component of being human. Joy, hate, anger , and pride, among the plethora of other emotions, motivate action and add meaning and richness to virtually all human experience. Traditionally, human-computer interaction (HCI) has been viewed as the “ultimate” exception; users must discard their emotional selves to work efficiently and rationally with computers, the quintessentially unemotional artifact. Emotion seemed at best marginally relevant to HCI and at worst oxymoronic.

  Recent research in psychology and technology suggests a different view of the relationship between humans, computers, and emotion. After a ling period of dormancy and confusion, there has been an explosion of research on the psychology of emotion. Emotion is no longer seen as limited to the occasional outburst of fury when the computer crashes inexplicably, excitement when a video game character leaps an obstacle, or frustration at an incomprehensible error message . It is now understood that a wide range of emotions plays a critical role in every computer-related, goal-directed activity, from developing a #d CAD model and running calculations on a spreadsheet, to searching the Web and sending an e-mail, to making an online purchase and playing Solitaire. Indeed, many psychologists argue that it is impossible for a person to have a thought or perform an action without engaging, at least unconsciously, his or her emotional systems.

  The goal of this work is present discoveries and concepts that are relevant to the design and assessment of interactive systems. We want to understand terms like affective computing and emotional AI, as well as the basic tools needed to create emotion-conscious and consciously emotional interface designs.

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  Empowering Adolescent Online Safety: Examining the Current Landscape and Anticipating Future Technological Advances

  Tajuddin Mwijage

  Growing concerns about the online safety of adolescents in our digital age prompt an exploration of inventive strategies to tackle issues like cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, exposure to inappropriate content, and internet addiction. This systematic review, covering 21 research papers from 2015 to 2023, focuses on technology's role in addressing online risks specific to adolescents. The study aims to show ongoing trends, challenges, and potential applications of modern technology, offering insights into existing strategies and highlighting strategies for future research to develop effective online safety measures tailored to adolescents.

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  Tiny Things BFA Show

  Laney O'Neal

  Tiny Things is a monthly subscription box that aims to teach homeowners ways to better support the pollinator population. This box aims to teach the basics of gardening through embroidery to give individuals the ability and confidence to diversify suburban yards. Included in the box is a screen-printed flower embroidery activity, a seed packet of said flower, an illustration of a pollinator, and a sticker of the pollinator. These goodies come in a kraft box that is easy to recycle. Embroidery is a stress-relieving activity and so is gardening. By combining the two, Tiny Things offers a new relaxing way to learn about the importance of pollinators and clean gardening.

  The inspiration for this box came from the decreasing population of pollinators, mainly the honeybee. The main reason for this decrease is pesticides and mites. Other contributing factors are urbanization, invasive species, and climate change. These factors affect the pollinator’s ability to find a habitat and food. If a pollinator takes contaminated pollen back to its home, then that pesticide affects all the other bees including the queen. Homeowners can offer pollinators a safe space away from the effects of commercial and agricultural malice. Hopefully, you will consider starting your own garden. Let’s save the pollinators together!

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  A Rat Plays Cornhole: Is it Magic or Science?

  Donna Perez

  Behavior analysis is the science of human and animal behavior. The principles and procedures of behavior analysis have been used to meaningfully influence socially significant behaviors in many populations (e.g., increasing communication skills with autism spectrum disorder and decreasing drug use in individuals with substance use disorder). One procedure to teach new behaviors is called shaping, which involves rewarding successive steps that lead to a more complex behavior and not rewarding the steps that have already been learned. Though seemingly simple, successfully shaping a new behavior is a subtle process that depends on many factors (e.g., reward immediacy and frequency, quickly adapting to the learner’s behavior). In the Behavior Analytic Rodent Research (BARR) lab on campus, students learn how to shape behavior using rats as subjects. I have created a shaping protocol to teach a complex behavior that, to our knowledge, no rat has done before. I will describe how shaping was used to teach a rat how to play cornhole followed by a demonstration of this behavior.

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  The Connection Between Schadenfreude, Dark Traits, and Counterproductive Workplace Behaviors

  Rachel Powell, Richard Sheffield, Harley Fields, Haley Helms, Kayleigh Forehand, and Katherine Robles

  Schadenfreude is defined as a positive reaction to someone else’s misfortune (Johnson, 2021). In previous research schadenfreude has been found to be positively correlated with measures of the dark personality traits of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism (Greenier, 2018; James et al., 2014).

  Further, all three components of the dark triad have been found to be related to counterproductive workplace behaviors, such as purposefully wasting supplies, skipping work, ignoring people at work, etc. (O'Boyle et al., 2012). The goal of the current study is to further examine and replicate the relationship between schadenfreude, dark traits, and counterproductive workplace behaviors. Over 150 college students participated in a large-scale online survey assessing a variety of constructs related to dark traits. The schadenfreude measure was created by the authors, based on an adaptation of the scenarios developed by Johnson (2021). Workplace behaviors were assessed using the Counterproductive Workplace Behavior Checklist (Spector et al., 2006) and dark traits were assessed using the Dirty Dozen (Jonason & Webster, 2010) and SD-4 (Paulhus et al., 2021). We hypothesize that there will be strong positive correlations between all of the subscales assessed. The discussion will focus on how our results tie back to previous research.

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  Cuboid Syndrome: Manipulation Techniques and Optimal Patient Outcomes: A Critically Appraised Topic

  Sean Rape

  Context: Cuboid syndrome is defined as a minor disruption or subluxation of the structural congruity of the calcaneocuboid portion of the midtarsal joint. Manipulation of the cuboid is the initial treatment for cuboid syndrome unless contraindicated. Therefore, the purpose of this critically appraised topic is to investigate techniques and outcomes in which the cuboid is manipulated.

  Methods: A computerized search was conducted in October 2023. The search terms used were “cuboid syndrome”, “manipulation”, and “patient outcomes”. Electronic databases used were SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included all sports, multiple study designs, articles published within the previous 40 years, and expert opinion. Exclusion criteria included non-peer-reviewed articles and articles in foreign languages. Validity of the selected studies was determined using the PRIMSA, JBI, and AMSTAR 2 scales. One author independently reviewed the studies, scored each paper, and reviewed the completed appraisals to come to a consensus on the study quality.

  Results: The literature search retrieved 260 total articles and 257 were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, resulting in three studies. Cuboid syndrome is treated conservatively consisting of manipulation, rest, and physical therapy. The cuboid whip technique is best for athletes who sustain cuboid syndrome secondary to a plantarflexion and inversion ankle sprain. The cuboid squeeze technique is utilized for athletes who sustain cuboid syndrome secondary to an overuse injury. Patients responded well and reported substantial relief after manipulation. In acute cases, patients returned to athletic competition the same day of manipulation. Surgery for cuboid syndrome is rarely used in research and is typically the final option for management.

  Conclusions: Diagnosing cuboid syndrome is difficult due to the complications of other injuries. A thorough history and evaluation, an understanding of the signs and symptoms, and a list of differential diagnoses will assist in diagnosing cuboid syndrome accurately. Conservative treatment for cuboid syndrome is preferred. This conservative approach consists of cuboid manipulation, therapeutic modalities, strengthening, padding, and taping. Future research should consist of prospective randomized controlled trials to examine the efficacy of manipulation techniques. In addition, cuboid syndrome occurrence in males and females should also be studied to assess which sex is more susceptible to this injury.

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  Graphic Design | Madelline Reed

  Madelline Reed

  Graphic design entry for 2024 Student Symposium

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  Memes: A Social and Cultural History

  Hayden Richardson

  The word meme has assumed the conversations and social behavior of every individual living in the twenty-first century. Despite its widespread use in conversation, and regardless of what medium people may use, many don’t truly know what a meme even is. When its origin is traced it originates with noted atheist apologist Richard Dawkins in one of his works during the 1970s. His definition fits very closely with one of the two definitions found in the Oxford English Dictionary. By this definition memes have existed for all of recorded history, though not in their modern understanding. The other definition, which fits most closely to how most people would describe the word today, can be seen appearing in the world in the early 1900s. From there it goes through several evolutions or eras all slightly adding to the word until we get the recognizable meme we see today. The changing of the form can be viewed not just through the lens of simple categorical history, but of culture history as well. The changing of forms that memes took matches closely with the shifts in culture that were going on during each time. Mass connectedness, a search for a universal language, and explosion of rapid and extreme individualism are all themes seen at the most recent turn of the century which is where the expansion and morphing of memes truly began. Today memes have become important on a level the average person doesn't realize. From the universality of its use, to the evaluation of them en masse, memes have become pivotal to modern life in a way similar to the dawn of the telephone or newspaper were. Thus a deep and in depth history reveals all the complexities hidden behind the word “meme”.