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Title: UNDERWATER 3-DIMENSIONAL VIDEOGRAMMETRY METHODS AND ANALYSIS OPTIMIZATION.
Creator: Cohen, Elizabeth, Moore, Jon, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: 3-dimensional (3-D) models made from video recordings are a relatively novel method for mapping and quantifying surface areas of objects. Photos extracted from video and aligned in sequence allow an increase of usable information when compared to discrete photos. The applications of 3-D videogrammetry in this thesis are extremely useful in the tracking of surface areas of living, healthy coral tissue on stony mounding or bouldering corals on reefs. However, during 3-D model generation, errors...
Show more3-dimensional (3-D) models made from video recordings are a relatively novel method for mapping and quantifying surface areas of objects. Photos extracted from video and aligned in sequence allow an increase of usable information when compared to discrete photos. The applications of 3-D videogrammetry in this thesis are extremely useful in the tracking of surface areas of living, healthy coral tissue on stony mounding or bouldering corals on reefs. However, during 3-D model generation, errors occasionally develop such as visual distortions or failure to scale accurately. Therefore, an analysis of the accuracy of a 3-D photogrammetry process was conducted. A 3-D printed “coral” and several geometric objects were recorded underwater using a previously used method known as the “Lawnmower” with the addition of 45- and 90-degree angle videos. Successful generation of the models, satisfactory visual quality, and comparison of expected surface area and known surface areas were all used to assess the accuracy of this Lawnmower technique as well as with the addition of angled video coverage.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00190
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: “I Have a Name Without a Title”; Representations of Middle Eastern Muslim Women in Western Literature.
Creator: Abed, Hadeel, Luria, Rachel, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Since September 11, 2001, novels about Middle Eastern Muslim women acclimating to Western society have been a popular genre for Western authors seeking to counter anti-Muslim prejudices. However, in their efforts to counteract Islamophobia, many of these authors perpetuate and reinforce harmful stereotypes, particularly regarding Middle Eastern Muslim women. This thesis will explore two such works, Ten Things I Hate About Me by Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah and A Large Expanse of Sea...
Show moreSince September 11, 2001, novels about Middle Eastern Muslim women acclimating to Western society have been a popular genre for Western authors seeking to counter anti-Muslim prejudices. However, in their efforts to counteract Islamophobia, many of these authors perpetuate and reinforce harmful stereotypes, particularly regarding Middle Eastern Muslim women. This thesis will explore two such works, Ten Things I Hate About Me by Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah and A Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. I will argue that the novels have problematic components such as the "White Savior" archetype and how the characters reinforce stereotypical representations of their religion and culture, perpetuating assumptions that all or most Middle Eastern Muslim women are dissatisfied with their culture, appearance, and/or faith, which is not entirely representative of reality.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00184
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Effect of Sulindac on Senescence in Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells.
Creator: Manoharan, Samuel, Chandrasekhar, Chitra, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries. Cellular senescence was shown to be involved int he pathogenesis of AMD. We have shown that sulindac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, protects normal cells such as retinal cells against oxidative damage through preconditioning mechanism. To test this, we established an in vitro model for senescence in RPE cells by a treatment of hydrogen peroxide (oxidative stressor) for 12 hours followed...
Show moreAge-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries. Cellular senescence was shown to be involved int he pathogenesis of AMD. We have shown that sulindac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, protects normal cells such as retinal cells against oxidative damage through preconditioning mechanism. To test this, we established an in vitro model for senescence in RPE cells by a treatment of hydrogen peroxide (oxidative stressor) for 12 hours followed by incubation for four days. We assayed for senescence by Beta-galactosidase assay to stain senescent cells. Effect of sulindac was tested by pre-treating cells with sulindac at different concentrations for 24 h prior to Tetra Butyl Hydrogen Peroxide treatment. The data shows that Sulindac reduced number of senescent cells in the samples treated compared to the control groups. These findings indicate oxidative damage induces cellular senescence, and sulindac lowers the amount of senescence by protecting from oxidative damage.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00207
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Function of Rcl1 in Eye Degeneration in the Blind Mexican Cavefish Astyanax mexicanus.
Creator: Aviles, Ari, Stanhope, Bethany, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Uncovering the genetic and regulatory mechanisms driving the formation of organs is essential to understand how these complex structures form, lending insight to developmental aberrations from disease or deficiencies. The blind Mexican cavefish Astyanax mexicanus can be utilized to study the development of the visual system, including the eye. Previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) were aligned to the Astyanax genome, and subsequently used to encounter genes related to the...
Show moreUncovering the genetic and regulatory mechanisms driving the formation of organs is essential to understand how these complex structures form, lending insight to developmental aberrations from disease or deficiencies. The blind Mexican cavefish Astyanax mexicanus can be utilized to study the development of the visual system, including the eye. Previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) were aligned to the Astyanax genome, and subsequently used to encounter genes related to the selective regression of eyes in cave populations, which ultimately identified the gene RNA terminal phosphate cyclase-like 1 (Rcl1) for further study. To examine the function of this gene in vivo, CRISPR/Cas9 targeted mutagenesis was employed to knockout Rcl1 in both Astyanax and a closely related fish model Danio rerio. These preliminary results imply the role of Rcl1 in the development of the eye and a plausible role in evolved eye degeneration in Astyanax.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00186
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ALTRUISTIC BEHAVIOR AMOUNG CAPTIVE CHIMPANZEES.
Creator: Ranaweera, Esha, Wetterer, James, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Altruism plays an essential role in maintaining cooperative societies. From September 2021 to January 2022, I studied a group of seven chimpanzees (two males and five females) living in Lion Country Safari, recording acts of altruism related to grooming, food and water sharing, and border patrol. I found males on average both gave and received more grooming sessions. Among the few food and water sharing events I observed, males-males sharing was the most common. The two males performed almost...
Show moreAltruism plays an essential role in maintaining cooperative societies. From September 2021 to January 2022, I studied a group of seven chimpanzees (two males and five females) living in Lion Country Safari, recording acts of altruism related to grooming, food and water sharing, and border patrol. I found males on average both gave and received more grooming sessions. Among the few food and water sharing events I observed, males-males sharing was the most common. The two males performed almost all the border patrol. Altruistic behaviors among chimpanzees help bind their social groups in ways analogous to the human behaviors.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00213
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY AND DESCRIPTION OF COLOBOMA AND CHARGE SYNDROME.
Creator: Toledo, Ana, Mincer, Tracy, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Coloboma and CHARGE Syndrome are rare congenital conditions that arise in about 1 in 10,000 children. Coloboma is a defect in the eyes. CHARGE Syndrome involves Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia choanae (also known as choanal atresia), Restricted growth and development, Genital abnormalities, and Ear abnormalities. This thesis aims to spread awareness about the medical and physical complications that come with these conditions and the impacts they have on individuals. This thesis not only...
Show moreColoboma and CHARGE Syndrome are rare congenital conditions that arise in about 1 in 10,000 children. Coloboma is a defect in the eyes. CHARGE Syndrome involves Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia choanae (also known as choanal atresia), Restricted growth and development, Genital abnormalities, and Ear abnormalities. This thesis aims to spread awareness about the medical and physical complications that come with these conditions and the impacts they have on individuals. This thesis not only meticulously studies and characterizes the mutations and symptoms involved in Coloboma and CHARGE Syndrome, but also provides insight on treatment and possibilities of a cure.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00224
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: AN EXAMINATION OF THE ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS TO PATIENTS IN RECOVERY.
Creator: Shank, Marissa, Trivigno, Catherine, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The opioid crisis is a critical problem in the United States. Therefore, the ethicality of prescribing opioids to those recovering from drug addiction must be considered. Opioids may be prescribed to treat postoperative pain, which poses an ethical dilemma as the prescription of these drugs to recovering addicts can lead to relapse. While addiction can impair one’s ability to make rational decisions, there are cases in which those in recovery are autonomous and are therefore capable of self...
Show moreThe opioid crisis is a critical problem in the United States. Therefore, the ethicality of prescribing opioids to those recovering from drug addiction must be considered. Opioids may be prescribed to treat postoperative pain, which poses an ethical dilemma as the prescription of these drugs to recovering addicts can lead to relapse. While addiction can impair one’s ability to make rational decisions, there are cases in which those in recovery are autonomous and are therefore capable of self-determination which should not be denied. This paper aims to assess the concepts of autonomy and drug addiction to propose treatment follow-up options for clinicians and patients which may prevent relapse from occurring in postoperative settings where opioid prescription is indicated for the patient’s well-being. It is argued that opioids can be prescribed to former drug users in an ethical way under specific parameters including the implementation of patient-specific treatment plans.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00216
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS (Solenopsis invicta) INFESTING AMERICAN ALLIGATOR (Alligator mississippiensis) NESTS.
Creator: Osuna, Ashley, Wetterer, James K., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is known for its impacts on Florida wildlife; hatchlings of ground-nesting herpetofauna are particularly vulnerable. This study examined factors correlated with fire ant infestation of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests. We were particularly interested in determining whether having floating nests afforded any protection from these ants. We surveyed ants on 24 alligator nests at Orange Lake located in Alachua County, Florida,...
Show moreThe red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is known for its impacts on Florida wildlife; hatchlings of ground-nesting herpetofauna are particularly vulnerable. This study examined factors correlated with fire ant infestation of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests. We were particularly interested in determining whether having floating nests afforded any protection from these ants. We surveyed ants on 24 alligator nests at Orange Lake located in Alachua County, Florida, using tuna baits left for ~2h. We found S. invicta was the most commonly observed species at nests, present at 12 of the 24 nests. There was no significant difference in the proportion of nests with S. invicta present for floating nests (8 of 14) versus land-based nests (4 of 10). This may have been influenced by the limited sample size of the study, something which future studies should aim to address.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00210
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: REPATRIATION WARS: THE POLITICAL CULTURE AND IDEOLOGICAL CONFLICT WITHIN UN POW CAMPS DURING THE KOREAN WAR.
Creator: Brockelbank, Madison A., Ely, Christopher, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: During the Korean War, POWs within UN POW camps participated in riots and mass-demonstrations, as anxieties over repatriation increased. Not all POWs who were against repatriation were against Communism and not all POWs who wanted repatriation were radical Communists. However, almost all Chinese and Koreans living in post-World War II East Asia during this period experienced increasing pressure to pick a side. The US, North Korea, South Korea, China, and Taiwan all manipulated the POWs’ fight...
Show moreDuring the Korean War, POWs within UN POW camps participated in riots and mass-demonstrations, as anxieties over repatriation increased. Not all POWs who were against repatriation were against Communism and not all POWs who wanted repatriation were radical Communists. However, almost all Chinese and Koreans living in post-World War II East Asia during this period experienced increasing pressure to pick a side. The US, North Korea, South Korea, China, and Taiwan all manipulated the POWs’ fight over repatriation to support specific ideologies and legitimize new regimes. Regardless of whether a POW was ideologically motivated, the POW issue was definitely a direct result of the Cold War mentality which perpetuated the recent civil wars in China and Korea. Thus, the appalling level of POW violence in the UN camps revealed how the Cold War ideological struggle was deeply complicated by the lingering civil wars in China and the Korean peninsula.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00203
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: State-Level COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates: A Constitutional Analysis.
Creator: Moran, Hillary, Tunick, Mark, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The coronavirus pandemic has upended our daily lives, especially regarding our civil liberties. With the development of a vaccine, many Americans are concerned about the possibility of vaccine mandates. Regardless of whether states should implement these mandates, the first question that needs to be answered is whether they can. Although the Supreme Court’s recent National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration decision put an...
Show moreThe coronavirus pandemic has upended our daily lives, especially regarding our civil liberties. With the development of a vaccine, many Americans are concerned about the possibility of vaccine mandates. Regardless of whether states should implement these mandates, the first question that needs to be answered is whether they can. Although the Supreme Court’s recent National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration decision put an end to a vaccine mandate implemented through OSHA’s workplace safety standards, the possibility of state level mandates remains. Although there have been legal challenges to localized mandates, it is clear from Jacobson v Massachusetts that state vaccine mandates are constitutional.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00209
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: TARGETING HEALTH CARE INEQUALITIES AMONG RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
Creator: Radwan, Rami, McGovern, Warren, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Statistics within different modes of health care suggest that inequalities exist between differing racial and ethnic subgroups, with some groups experiencing higher rates of positive health care outcomes as opposed to others. This thesis is a review of different sectors of health care and focuses to determine rates of inequalities between treatment of patients, rates of incidence among disseminating groups and focuses on representation of ethnic and racial minorities and to better illuminate...
Show moreStatistics within different modes of health care suggest that inequalities exist between differing racial and ethnic subgroups, with some groups experiencing higher rates of positive health care outcomes as opposed to others. This thesis is a review of different sectors of health care and focuses to determine rates of inequalities between treatment of patients, rates of incidence among disseminating groups and focuses on representation of ethnic and racial minorities and to better illuminate how these problems affect people’s lives. It was found that discrepancies exist between the health care outcomes and incidence between Non-Hispanic White and Asian populations versus Non-Hispanic African, Native American/Alaskan Native, and Hispanic populations, as more negative outcomes and treatment within medicine are associated with the latter.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00212
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SEMI-AUTOMATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL MORPHOLOGY ANALYSIS IN DROSOPHILA BRAIN SCANS.
Creator: Li, Ashlee, Fily, Yaouen, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Mitochondrial dysfunction is the core of several neurodegenerative diseases that include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). One strategy to understand these diseases is to analyze the geometry of mitochondria in different neuron types: motor (ALS) and brain neurons (FTD/AD). A bottleneck in assessing the quality of mitochondria in healthy versus ALS/FTD/AD flies was performing image analysis on hundreds of microscope images....
Show moreMitochondrial dysfunction is the core of several neurodegenerative diseases that include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). One strategy to understand these diseases is to analyze the geometry of mitochondria in different neuron types: motor (ALS) and brain neurons (FTD/AD). A bottleneck in assessing the quality of mitochondria in healthy versus ALS/FTD/AD flies was performing image analysis on hundreds of microscope images. In this project, we developed a program to automate this tedious process. We collaborated with the Ron Davis Laboratory at Scripps Florida, using the fruit fly, Drosophila, as the model organism. We were able to cut processing time from one week to a couple hours. Changing parameters is as simple as editing a spreadsheet; no programming knowledge is required. Furthermore, our automation approach is easy to extend to any image analysis workflow based on the software ImageJ.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00206
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: STRESS-REGULATING PATHWAYS INTERACT WITH SLEEP-REGULATING PATHWAYS UNDER SLEEP DEPRIVED CONDITIONS.
Creator: Almeida, Ghabrielle Zepeda Almeida, Duboué, Erik R., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Sleep deprivation (SD) is an extremely common problem worldwide. SD is correlated with various psychological and physiological consequences, such as mood instability or somatic pain, and it has also been linked to increased stress. While the relationship between stress and SD is well-studied, little is known about the neuronal mechanism underlying this relationship. Sleep-regulating (SL) pathways and stress-regulating (ST) pathways are both modulated by the circadian rhythm, and there are...
Show moreSleep deprivation (SD) is an extremely common problem worldwide. SD is correlated with various psychological and physiological consequences, such as mood instability or somatic pain, and it has also been linked to increased stress. While the relationship between stress and SD is well-studied, little is known about the neuronal mechanism underlying this relationship. Sleep-regulating (SL) pathways and stress-regulating (ST) pathways are both modulated by the circadian rhythm, and there are interactions between the two—some regions that contribute to sleep regulation also contribute to stress regulation. Sleep inhibits the activation of the HPA-axis, an ST system. SD results in a disruption in the SL systems, which subsequently disrupts ST systems. Three mechanisms underlying how SD leads to increased stress includes: 1. decreased inhibition of the HPA-axis, 2. ultradian rhythm dysregulation resulting in dysregulated stress response and 3. activation of other stress-responding regions.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00185
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: MACHINE LEARNING FOR PREDICTION OF FACULTY SUCCESS IN WINNING GRANT AWARDS.
Creator: Delgado, Jose, Zhu, Xingquan, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: In order for innovation and breakthroughs to occur, principal investigators must constantly apply for grants and other funding sources. Through previous research, it has been shown that peer-review panels responsible for selecting grant award recipients don’t base their decisions on the applicant’s academic or research history and affiliations. Instead, they can identify quality research proposals that achieve high citation counts later on. Therefore, it can be deduced that the recipients are...
Show moreIn order for innovation and breakthroughs to occur, principal investigators must constantly apply for grants and other funding sources. Through previous research, it has been shown that peer-review panels responsible for selecting grant award recipients don’t base their decisions on the applicant’s academic or research history and affiliations. Instead, they can identify quality research proposals that achieve high citation counts later on. Therefore, it can be deduced that the recipients are chosen solely due to their research quality and topic with little to no bias involved. This produces two important questions: Can machine learning help predict the success of faculty seeking external awards? What are the important factors related to such predictive models? Using the Academic Analytics Research Center’s rich faculty dataset, I will leverage machine learning models to identify important factors associated with winning grant awards.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00192
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ON HUMILITY IN MEDICINE.
Creator: Zavala, Frida, Baima, Nicholas, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The importance of medical virtues has allowed physicians to flourish within their fields as they interact and form relationships with their co-workers, themselves, and, most importantly, their patients. Though much attention has been paid to virtues like compassion and integrity, the virtue of humility has been overlooked. This is unfortunate because humility, I will argue, is deeply important to being a virtuous physician. The humble physician collaboratively works with their patients to...
Show moreThe importance of medical virtues has allowed physicians to flourish within their fields as they interact and form relationships with their co-workers, themselves, and, most importantly, their patients. Though much attention has been paid to virtues like compassion and integrity, the virtue of humility has been overlooked. This is unfortunate because humility, I will argue, is deeply important to being a virtuous physician. The humble physician collaboratively works with their patients to understand their concerns and find a solution in the patient’s best interest. In addition, I will argue that humility can indeed be taught and offer how it can be implemented in the medical school curriculum.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00226
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SYNTHESIS OF FMOC-GLY-VAL PHOSPHINIC PSEUDODIPEPTIDE BUILDING BLOCK FOR PRODUCTION OF TRIPLE-HELICAL PEPTIDE INHIBITORS OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-2 AND -9.
Creator: Deutsch, Michael H., Fields, Gregg B., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Capable of reshaping the extracellular matrix, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are of enormous consequence to human health. The pathologies of cancers and diseases of the skeletal, central nervous, and cardiovascular systems often owe to the overactivity of MMPs. While efforts to produce therapeutic inhibitors have been largely unsuccessful, triple-helical peptide inhibitors (THPIs) of MMPs show tremendous potential. The synthesis of phosphinic pseudodipeptide building blocks needed for...
Show moreCapable of reshaping the extracellular matrix, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are of enormous consequence to human health. The pathologies of cancers and diseases of the skeletal, central nervous, and cardiovascular systems often owe to the overactivity of MMPs. While efforts to produce therapeutic inhibitors have been largely unsuccessful, triple-helical peptide inhibitors (THPIs) of MMPs show tremendous potential. The synthesis of phosphinic pseudodipeptide building blocks needed for THPIs is entirely replicable and convenient. Here we replicate a crucial step in the synthesis, the cascade bis-deprotection, and formation of Fmoc-amine. The procedure’s feasibility is demonstrated through a 77% yield of the Fmoc-Gly-Val phosphinic pseudodipeptide building block to be incorporated into THPIs of the gelatinases. In the future, it is hoped that such procedures will culminate in large-scale production of refined THPIs, enabling in-depth biochemical studies, further optimization, clinical trials, and novel therapeutics.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00194
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Screening for novel small molecule binders of RNA repeat expansions.
Creator: De Oliveira, Isabela Caiado, Chandrasekhar, Chitra, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: RNA performs a number of vital roles in the human cell, such as turning genetic information into proteins in the human body and gene regulation via numerous mechanisms. Therefore, its malfunction may lead to severe diseases such as Huntington’s disease or Myotonic Dystrophy type 1. Huntington’s disease is a rare neurodegenerative disease most likely inherited, and it is caused by the trinucleotide repeat expansion r(CAG)exp in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is an...
Show moreRNA performs a number of vital roles in the human cell, such as turning genetic information into proteins in the human body and gene regulation via numerous mechanisms. Therefore, its malfunction may lead to severe diseases such as Huntington’s disease or Myotonic Dystrophy type 1. Huntington’s disease is a rare neurodegenerative disease most likely inherited, and it is caused by the trinucleotide repeat expansion r(CAG)exp in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is an untreatable neuromuscular disorder caused by the trinucleotide repeat expansion r(CUG)exp. The biology of healthy or disease-infected cells is usually determined by RNA structures, which are desirable targets for chemical probe and lead compounds. Targeting these RNAs with small molecules provides opportunities to affect their function and therapeutically change many pathologic cellular processes. The purpose of this study is to use a fragment-based approach to find small molecules that bind these two trinucleotides repeat expansions by phenotypic screening that involves a luciferase reporter assay for r(CAG)exp, and a target-based approach involving NMR spectroscopy for r(CUG)exp.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00193
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE FOCUS OF NON-MILITARY THREATS: BIODEFENSE AND THE REDEFINING OF NATIONAL SECURITY.
Creator: Suarez, Javier, Steigenga, Timothy, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: National security is not an easily defined concept. Over time, technological advances, globalization, and climate change have changed our perceptions of national security and how we approach policies to effectively contain potential hazards. This work aims to examine the emergence of zoonotic disease and the implications climate change has on humans and animals, the theories of international relations and their usefulness in formulating strategy, and why biodefense measures should be made...
Show moreNational security is not an easily defined concept. Over time, technological advances, globalization, and climate change have changed our perceptions of national security and how we approach policies to effectively contain potential hazards. This work aims to examine the emergence of zoonotic disease and the implications climate change has on humans and animals, the theories of international relations and their usefulness in formulating strategy, and why biodefense measures should be made priority in national security policy.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00223
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE EFFECT OF FIRM-SIZE ON FINANCIAL METRICS AND RETURNS.
Creator: Dixon, Seth, Nur-tegin, Kanybek, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The small-firm effect is a well-researched topic that defies fundamental financial market theory. Though there are many studies on presence of the small-firm effect, few investigate the reasoning behind it. This study tests 577 stocks in 2019 to determine if the small-firm effect can be explained by differences in financial metrics commonly used by investors. Though we find that market capitalization has an inverse relationship with asset turnover, market capitalization has a positive and...
Show moreThe small-firm effect is a well-researched topic that defies fundamental financial market theory. Though there are many studies on presence of the small-firm effect, few investigate the reasoning behind it. This study tests 577 stocks in 2019 to determine if the small-firm effect can be explained by differences in financial metrics commonly used by investors. Though we find that market capitalization has an inverse relationship with asset turnover, market capitalization has a positive and negative relationship, respectively, with return on assets and cash conversion cycle. We find that revenue growth, free cash flow growth, return on assets, and market capitalization all have a positive effect on returns. Though we find that asset turnover is higher for small-firms, it does not make a difference on returns. In contrast, return on assets is lower for small-firms is positively correlated with returns, possibly explaining the reversal of the small-firm effect in our sample.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00195
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WIND SPEED AND BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AS PREDICTORS OF FATALITIES AND DAMAGES IN LANDFALLING US HURRICANES.
Creator: Kingsley, Justin, McGovern, Warren, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00201
Format: Document (PDF)

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