Undergraduate Research Posters

Follow

• 

  Negative Perception of Sexuality in Advertising And the Counterarguments or Solutions to These Reactions

  Rachael Mott

  This paper focuses on the comparison of how people in the United States perceive sexuality in advertising and how negative reactions may be prevented or counteracted. Through the analyzing of multiple articles on the perception of sexuality, data was analyzed to find that in most situations, the use of sexuality in advertising negatively affects the sale of a product. This is because of a reduction of brand recall and the fact that many consumers, mainly women, find overt sexuality in a public advertisement offensive; however all of these negative effects can either be prevented or offset. If the product at hand has a pre-existing sexual connotation, there is no worry about the advertisement being viewed negatively. While brand recall is decreased due to sexuality, the attention paid to the advertisement is increased and while women dislike sexuality, sexuality in the context of a relationship increases the positivity of a woman’s views. All of these negative effects show that sexuality in advertising must be dealt with carefully in order for the message portrayed to both be remembered by consumers and to be viewed in a positive light by consumers. These findings allow readers understand if sexuality in advertising sells and if so, in what situations it does. The implications of this research can allow advertisers and companies to understand which products would benefit from sexuality in advertising and how to treat the sexuality in advertising to prevent negative effects on the product or even the brand itself.

• 

  Examining the relationship between high school deviant behavior and substance use in college students.

  Amanda Ndemo

  The main purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between deviant high school behavior and substance use, as limited to alcohol and cigarette use. Deviant behavior as analyzed was defined by symptoms of conduct disorder and alcohol and cigarette use was limited to the past 30 days of the individual’s college career. The Conduct Disorder (CD) symptoms queried in the survey included setting fires, fights and things of that nature. Deviant behavior sum scores were created based on a pattern of related behaviors and the frequency at which each occurred. Data from 2022 VCU freshman who completed the Spit for Science survey were included in the study. The sample was also limited to age groups between 18 and 21. This is a longitudinal survey based on continuous variables. Our results displayed a positive correlation (r=0.231) between deviant high school behavior and frequency of alcohol consumption which was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was also a positive correlation (r=.219) between deviant high school behavior and frequency of cigarette use which was also statistically significant (p<0.05). The results showed a significant relationship between deviant high school behavior and substance use. The prevalence of deviant behavior in high school students may serve as an indicator of patterns of substance use in these individuals in college. This could serve as an effective targeting method in preventive interventions.

• 

  Analysis of Humira, Electro-Acupuncture, and Pulsatile Dry Cupping on Reducing Joint Inflammation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

  Natalie Noll

  Humira, an anti-TNF drug aimed at decreasing inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients, can cause skin diseases from a rash to skin cancer. Humira works by blocking the chemical receptor RANKL, which therefore halts the production of osteoclasts, which attack and eat bone and cartilage, causing inflammation in arthritis patient’s joints. By analyzing Humira’s effect on the human body, it can be compared against other treatments such as electro-acupuncture and pulsatile dry cupping to see if these alternative treatments can decrease inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients through blocking RANKL, and if they are safer methods for carrying out this treatment. Under close examination of scientific journals written on studies where patients and animals were treated with Humira, acupuncture, and cupping for inflammation due to arthritis, the data collected suggests that Humira, electro-acupuncture, and pulsatile dry cupping all decrease inflammation in the joints of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. However, acupuncture patients overall have the least harmful side-effects, with nausea and localized tingling being the most common complaints. These outcomes are less life-altering than localized bruising from cupping or the consequences of Humira which include an increased risk of cancer, and heat and liver failure. Therefore, electro-acupuncture and pulsatile dry cupping should be used as a viable safer alternative to Humira in treatment of inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. The data collected from this review is important because patients should know about less harmful alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, because it has been proven to have the same effects as Humira, but have less harmful consequences that will benefit the patient’s overall health.

• 

  How Important is being "Liked"? The Relation between Facebook Use and Well-being

  Lauren Oglesby, Allison Crowley, Prachi Desai, Jhaminique Lynwood, Meredith Murgia, and Kelsey Richardson

  Facebook is used by approximately 1.06 billion(Craig,2013) to keep in touch with family and friends. However, the question remains whether Facebook is helpful or harmful to people’s well being. According to a research study conducted by Gonzales and Hancock (2010), Facebook use enhances self-esteem by providing multiple opportunities for selective self-presentation through photos and personal details. Another research study by Twenge, Freeman and Campbell (2012) found that participants who spent time on social network sites endorsed more positive self-views. While some research indicates that Facebook has a positive effect on the user other studies suggest that Facebook use is detrimental. A study conducted by Tazghini and Siedlecki (2013) found a negative association between self-esteem and Facebook activity. This association was related to actions like untagging “undesirable” pictures or adding others as friends who they are not familiar with. Similarly, Sheppard Pratt’s (2012) research indicated that Facebook has a negative impact on self-esteem and body image . “Facebook is making it easier for people to spend more time and energy criticizing their own bodies and wishing they looked like someone else” (Dr. Harry Brandt, director of The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt). Given the discrepancies in the research, a worthwhile next step involves examining personal characteristics that may influence the relationship between Facebook use and well-being. The present research will examine whether certain factors influence the relationship between Facebook use and overall well-being.

• 

  Spit for Science: The relationship between deviant high school behavior and college substance use

  Preetha Palasuberniam

  This study examined the relationship between deviant high school behavior, as defined by symptoms of conduct disorder, and frequency of alcohol and cigarette use in the past 30 days in college freshman at VCU. Deviant high school behaviors included skipping school, running away, stealing, starting a fire, destroying property, hurting animals or people, using weapons, fighting, and lying. The sample included first year freshmen at VCU who participated in the Spit for Science study. The software SPSS was used to calculate the significance of the correlations between deviant high school behavior and frequency of alcohol and cigarette use. A sum score was created for each individual based on their endorsement and frequency of each deviant behavior. There was a positive, significant correlation between deviant high school behavior and frequency of alcohol and cigarette use (p=.0001 and p=.0001, respectively). This suggested that there is a relationship between high school students’ deviant behavior, as defined by symptoms of conduct disorder, and the use of alcohol and cigarettes once they attend college. This study suggests risk factors for substance use in the VCU student body.

• 

  The Fundamental Law of Hungary and its Effect on Social Cohesion

  Veronica Peterkin

  During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, citizens of Hungary stood side by side to revolt against Communism. Today, the Fidesz party, a right wing group that considers itself more moderate than the infamous Jobbik party, has a majority in Parliament as well as the presidency and recently proposed a new constitution that took act on January 1, 2012. Through analysis of survey studies and interviews conducted by researchers with citizens and scholars, I determined that social trust has decreased and the presence of racism has increased in Hungary during the past three years. Although the idea of passing the new constitution, Fundamental Law of Hungary, was appropriate since the nation is in need of a new constitution, the recent changes in Hungarian laws and government in the past three years has deteriorated social cohesion among Hungarian citizens by causing a decrease of social trust and an increase of discrimination.

• 

  PERCUSSION AND VIBRATION AIRWAY CLEARANCE THERAPY INCREASES INFLAMMATORY FACTORS

  Gil Rubia, Mike Davis, and Alison Montpetit

  Ventilator associated pneumonia is a common problem with the mechanically ventilated population. Mortality, hospital stay, and cost increase with ventilator associated pneumonia. The importance of tackling this problem has spurred an effort within the medical community to prevent the onset of VAP. Upon years of study, a basic bundle of care has been recommended by the IHI for implementation in the hospital so that the incidence of VAP would decrease. This paper will focus on the nurse’s role in implementing the bundle of care. The paper will explore the different interventions and will cover the evidence behind the practice. The paper will also try to mention the avenues in which research can focus due to the lack of development in that area.

• 

  Analysis of Prescribed Gender Roles through the Use of Dissociative Identity Disorder in Contemporary Film

  Christian Ruiz

  Art is considered both a mirror to reality and a means of critiquing society. This is especially evident through contemporary filmmakers’ use of dissociative identity disorder (DID) in psychological thrillers from the 1990s to 2012, which is a time frame in which both film and society were notably different from those of the previous decades and in which there has not been extensive cultural study regarding DID. Through the presence of multiple selves, which is characteristic of DID, filmmakers illustrate their main characters’ attempts to resolve a stressful, or traumatic, situation. This study is an examination of the ways in which the main characters of Primal Fear (1996), Fight Club (1999), Black Swan (2010), and Silent House (2011) use DID to cope with pervasive and debilitating gender role expectations. For men, there is an increasing cultural call to act in accordance with the feminine traits of sensitivity and submission, which are contradictory to the masculine roles of being macho and independent. For women, there is a cultural call to continue to adhere to the traditional roles of being submissive, to allow themselves to be repressed by men, and to be bound by being caretakers. While the men in these films struggle to reassert their traditional, masculine roles of machismo and independence in the wake of a feminizing society, the women struggle to break away from traditional gender roles in order to become more like men, which conflict with the submissive roles that they are also forced to play. In essence, through this conflicting dichotomy of gender roles that both sexes are forced to play, the characters become fractured and beaten by these debilitating cultural expectations.

• 

  Three Day Dietary Recalls is Equivalent to Five Day Dietary Recalls in Evaluating Caloric Intake and Macronutrients in Person with Spinal Cord Injury

  Tulsi Shah and Letitia Romero

  Background: The detrimental adaptations on body composition characterized by rapid loss in lean mass and accumulation of fat mass are associated with several non-communicable diseases similar to type II diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Accurately evaluating dietary intakes is an essential component in management of body composition adaptations following SCI. We have previously shown that 7 days of diary recalls is an accurate method of capturing weekly caloric intake and providing accurate estimates of macronutrients (% carbohydrate, % fat and % protein). Purpose: The purpose of this pilot work is to examine whether three days are equivalent to five days of dietary recalls and whether it is more efficient than one day of dietary recall in evaluating caloric intake and the percent of macronutrients in persons with SCI. Methods: Three persons with complete SCI were enrolled as a part of a federally funded study investigating the effects of exercise and testosterone on body composition and metabolic profile after SCI (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01652040). Participants were asked to turn in a 5-day dietary recall on a weekly basis for 16 weeks. Data of the first 8 weeks were analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR 2012) software. Basal metabolic rate was measured using indirect calorimeter and participants received feedback from the dietitian every 4 weeks. The averages of 5-day, 3-day and 1-day dietary recalls for caloric intake and percentage macronutrients (% carbohydrate, % fat and % protein) were calculated. Results: One-way ANOVA revealed that the caloric intake of 5-day dietary recalls (1231 ± 66 kcal/day) was not different from 3-day (1228 ± 119 kcal/day) or 1-day dietary (1217 ± 166 kcal/day) recalls over 8 weeks (P > 0.05). However, the 1-day dietary recall did not show the same pattern, especially during the first 4 weeks. Percentage macronutrients were not different among 5-day, 3-day or 1-day dietary recalls. Conclusions: Three-day dietary recalls provide an accurate estimate of caloric intake and macronutrients compared to 5-day dietary recalls. The results did not show a difference from a one-day dietary recall; the pattern, however, in caloric intake was clearly not similar to 3 or 5-day dietary recalls.

• 

  Effects of photoinitiators on intracellular signaling transduction

  Natasha Sheybani

  Photopolymerization has been widely explored in biomedical and tissue engineering applications due to its widely held potentials in the biomedical field. Photoinitiators embedded within crosslinked scaffold materials could potentially serve as a more effective alternative to present uses of gamma radiation for sterilization of implants and biomaterials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cellular toxicity and the intracellular response of three ultraviolet (UV) sensitive photoinitiators including eosin Y, 2-hydroxy-1-[4-(hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2methyl-1-propanone (Irgacure 2959) and dimethoxyphenyl acetophenone (DMPA) as well as the subsequent degree of proliferation of free radicals on HN4 cells. WST-1 assay indicated that HN4 cells can tolerate a wide range of concentrations of eosin Y and low concentrations of Irgacure 2959 (≤ 1 mg/ml) but not DMPA. Consistent with these results, eosin Y displayed no effect on intracellular AKT inactivation, but both Irgacure 2959 and DMPA concentration-dependently induced intracellular AKT inactivation. To initiate free radicals, these photoinitiators were exposed to UV light at 365 nm with an intensity of 100 watts for 30 minutes. In all three photoinitiating systems, HN4 cells failed to maintain cell viability and intracellular AKT activity. To further demonstrate the stability of free radicals on cytocompatibility, cell culture medium was mixed with eosin Y to reach a final concentration of 25μl/ml, and this mixture was exposed to UV light for 30 min. The mixture was kept in the dark prior to exposure to the cells. The results illustrate that the free radicals can be stable up to 48 hours, and HN4 cells failed to maintain cell viability and intracellular AKT activity in the eosin Y photoinitiating system after UV exposure. In summary, these results suggest that eosin Y is able to stabilize intracellular AKT activity and cell viability in a wider range than Irgacure 2959 and DMPA. However, the free radicals introduced by UV light significantly inhibit intracellular AKT activation and induce cytotoxicity. Future studies will aim to overcome the cruciality of removing from or significantly limiting free radicals within the photopolymer before biomedical applications.

• 

  The Prison Child Dilemma: An Assessment of Human Rights Infringements and Custodial Autonomy in Bolivian Prisons

  Natasha Sheybani

  The primary focus of this study is to assess the healthcare conditions and availability for imprisoned women and children in Bolivia. The international community has recently been faced with an overwhelming dilemma of children being subjected unjustly to prison conditions due to circumstances of parental incarceration. Commonly referred to as prison children, these dependents, ranging from newborns to adolescent minors in age, often follow their convicted mothers to prison due to lack of a better alternative. Research has indicated that while there is a tremendous threat to the safety, development, and general wellbeing of innocent children residing in prison, one benefit includes that of remaining close to their mothers during key early emotional, physical, and mental development stages. Threats to these children persist in the categories of security and protection from abuse and sexual harassment, denial of rights to education, physical recreation, proper nutrition, and most importantly due medical attention. Deterioration of healthcare rights for women and children is currently one of the most significant sectors of human rights violations. Recent proposed legislative resolutions include development of an international prison monitoring system for nations that subject prisoners to sub-humane conditions due to socioeconomic disparities, birthing and childcare provisions for imprisoned mothers, mother-baby units in prisons, gender and child sensitive prison facilities, comprehensive record-keeping systems for children entering prisons, as well as availability of well-trained and more specialized medical staff to attend to the specific needs of women in prisons. A final resolution in this particular study will include that of development of a child welfare system specific to Bolivia that can be later adapted to other socioeconomically disadvantaged countries, modeled after the present system in the United States and nonetheless compatible with nations' respective resource bases.

• 

  Strategies to Improve Oral Health Systems in Rural Vietnam

  Dylan Vu

  Oral health care systems seek to prevent and treat problems related to the mouth as well as restore teeth and the tissues that support the teeth. Oral health is important because it is closely related to general health and affects quality of life, food consumption, and physical appearance (Uetani et al., 2006). Poor, rural areas of the world especially do not have the oral health care system to keep up with the worsening oral health statuses of their people due to a lack of resources and/or infrastructure (Kandelman et al., 2012). Such is the case of Vietnam, where according to the National Oral Health Survey of Vietnam from 2001 and data from the World Health Organization, “large parts of the population of Vietnam must have incomplete natural dentitions” due to a high number of extractions and the average number of dental caries (cavities) is higher than the global average (Bhide et al., 2008; Nguyen et al., 2010, p.1). Rural areas of Vietnam are vulnerable because dental decay is prevalent but access to dental professionals is limited. While the oral health of individuals goes untreated, pain increases and quality of life deteriorates. This paper sought to create a plan for improving the oral health care system in rural Vietnam by analyzing a range of previously performed studies. The studies offered different perspectives and suggestions, which were then evaluated and compared to inspire new oral health strategies. One article provided a historical overview of Vietnam’s health care system as it transitioned from a planned to market economy, and another discussed health care issues that rural areas of Vietnam currently have. Multiple studies investigated the oral health status of Vietnamese people and two others analyzed the effectiveness of national health programs in rural areas. Moreover, several studies gave a general overview on oral health care systems and how to improve them. Results of the investigation reveal that although there are not many resources in rural areas of Vietnam to have a robust and sophisticated oral health system, a combination of preventive, structural, and curative strategies can help improve oral health in rural Vietnam. For example, preventive strategies include promoting school education programs and fluoridation treatment. Structural strategies offer changes to how the oral health system is organized, such as creating regional and local plans or using general health care workers to perform oral health tasks. Curative strategies include trying to restore teeth to a functional state instead of extracting them and emphasizing the importance of anterior teeth. Most importantly, the plan should be cost-effective and suit local priorities. Once an improved model is developed in rural Vietnam, it can be used as a model to improve oral health in poor areas around the world.

• 

  Foliage as a Modifier of Erotica and Indicator of Politics in Fragonard Paintings

  Michael Walker

  The French Revolution invoked prejudice against the aristocracy and the Rococo works they purchased, including those by eighteenth century artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard whose compositions display erotic subject matter, fluid brushwork, and preference for the natural world. Today that stigma persists; Fragonard’s works, though included in authoritative texts, are described as superficial and banal. This study examines a collection of four of Fragonard’s paintings and, through consideration of over twenty-one expertly written texts, shows that painted flora symbolically modifies the erotic themes of his works. Flowers, trees, and shrubs recontextualize erotic imagery, suggesting that Fragonard’s paintings contain conceits about the French aristocracy. This study calls for a reconsideration of Fragonard’s work in general.

• 

  Mangrove forest age as a predictor of overwintering habitat quality for migratory songbirds

  Ryan Weaver

  Wetland ecosystems are critical habitats for a host of organisms including resident and migratory birds. Forested wetlands (i.e., mangroves) surrounding Panama City, Panama are currently being drained and cleared to allow for commercial development. Restoration or replacement of mangroves (i.e. younger stands) may not be a sufficient surrogate for existing mature stands. Our main objective was to determine if mature mangrove forests provided higher quality habitat to (wintering) birds compared with younger mangroves. To assess this, we compared the following in mature and young mangroves in Panama (1) Prothonotary warbler and Northern waterthrush body condition, our most abundant species, and (2) feather reflectance criteria (specifically, carotenoid content) in prothonotary warblers occupying both types of mangroves. Carotenoid pigments are an honest indicator of the overall health and condition of a bird. By comparing reflectance of the carotenoid-pigmented breast feathers of prothonotary warbler, we are using feather reflectance as a proxy for an individual bird’s condition. After accounting for sex and age differences in our model, breast feathers from prothonotary warblers in mature mangroves had higher carotenoid content than feathers from prothonotary warblers occupying younger mangrove stands. Site occupancy strongly predicted body condition of prothonotary warblers in our study, such that, mature mangroves supported birds in better body condition than younger mangrove sites. Together, these results suggest mature mangroves offer higher quality habitats for migratory songbirds during their overwintering period.

• 

  Boxed In: The Lack of Creative Thinking in Engineering Students

  Rachel Wilbur

  The lack of creativity coming from recently graduated engineering students seems to be apparent through my observations of students, standard social stigma, as well as research conducted at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. However, little is known about the reason behind this vastly growing problem. Without a better understanding of the issues, universities will continue to produce engineers lacking innovative abilities and creative motivation. Seven scholarly articles and studies as well as three primary sources were reviewed and analyzed in order to better understand what difficulties universities face within the engineering community. It has come to my realization that not only is the lack-luster curriculum leading to student disengagement, but the professors also have difficulty expressing the value of creativity, as they cannot clearly define what creativity entails in their specific courses and disciplines. Other problems arise when professors who are proficient with the idea of creative teaching are not incorporating it into their classrooms because the courses are material heavy and time-limited. Several solutions such as project-based introductory courses, interdisciplinary study programs, and professor training have been suggested to solve these faults in the engineering curricula. If changes do not begin to occur within the university environment, engineering students may find it difficult to exhibit the main characteristics of a “good” engineer that companies are searching for—becoming an innovator and a thinker.