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- Title
- COASTAL ABSENCES IN ANDEAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGHLAND-CENTRIC INDIGENEITY.
- Creator
- Crawford, Ben, Corr, Rachel, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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As a tangible linkage to the past, archaeological material culture plays a vital role in constructing contemporary identities. In Ecuador, archaeology focused on the state societies of the Andean highlands has long informed a hill-centric national narrative about the indigenous past, leaving coastal peoples on the margins. Conversely, more recent efforts at investigating overlooked coastal sites have paralleled the process of coastal communities publically reclaiming their indigenous status....
Show moreAs a tangible linkage to the past, archaeological material culture plays a vital role in constructing contemporary identities. In Ecuador, archaeology focused on the state societies of the Andean highlands has long informed a hill-centric national narrative about the indigenous past, leaving coastal peoples on the margins. Conversely, more recent efforts at investigating overlooked coastal sites have paralleled the process of coastal communities publically reclaiming their indigenous status. This thesis investigates the historical trends in the field of Andean archaeology which have contributed to a popular conception of highland indigeneity in Ecuador that excludes coastal peoples. However, coastal peoples’ recent expressions of indigeneity have reciprocally drawn from and shaped the work of contemporary archaeologists working in coastal sites, articulating a vision of indigenous ethnicity rooted in a living relationship to the archaeological record which subverts predominant highland centric narratives.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00286
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Exploring Fractals: the Madelbrot Set.
- Creator
- Diehl, Sarah, McGovern, Warren Wm., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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A fractal is a shape that is self-similar through infinitely many iterations. There are many instances of self-similarity in nature, but fractals can be computer-generated and even modeled after nature. One of the most notable examples of a computergenerated fractal is the Mandelbrot set, which is defined as the set of those z for which the orbit of fc(z) = z2 + c is bounded. This set is an instance of how a simple iteration can be extremely intricate.
- Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00283
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- DELINEATING THE INTRACELLULAR AND EXTRACELLULAR ROLE OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE 14 IN PRIMARY AND METASTATIC PANCREATIC CANCERS BxPC-3 AND HPAF-II.
- Creator
- Gopi, Nihasika, Fields, Gregg B., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Using flow cytometry and two forms of hypoxic induction, chemical (CoCl2) and gaseous (Tri-gas chamber), this study highlighted the advantages of quantitative analyses of MMP-14 expression (intracellularly/extracellularly) for one primary (BxPC-3) and one metastatic (HPAF-II) pancreatic cancer line. No significant changes in MMP-14 expression were observed for pancreatic cancer lines using CoCl2. Increased expression levels of MMP-14 were observed using tri-gas incubation maintaining oxygen...
Show moreUsing flow cytometry and two forms of hypoxic induction, chemical (CoCl2) and gaseous (Tri-gas chamber), this study highlighted the advantages of quantitative analyses of MMP-14 expression (intracellularly/extracellularly) for one primary (BxPC-3) and one metastatic (HPAF-II) pancreatic cancer line. No significant changes in MMP-14 expression were observed for pancreatic cancer lines using CoCl2. Increased expression levels of MMP-14 were observed using tri-gas incubation maintaining oxygen levels at 2% intracellularly for HPAF-II, but not BxPC-3. A combination of 2D/3D cell culturing techniques were also used to examine changes in cellular behavior/morphology after hypoxic exposure and a 24-hour reoxygenation cycle. BxPC-3 cells showed a greater propensity toward oxidative damage caused by reoxygenation using 2D culturing techniques. Using 3D biomimetic culturing techniques, reoxygenated BxPC-3 cells did not undergo significant apoptosis or necrosis. These results suggest that changes in cellular metabolism and behavior depend on both phenotype and culture scaffolding.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00284
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- ORIGAMI CONSTRUCTIBLE NUMBERS AND SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF ANTIQUITY.
- Creator
- Preisser, Kasey, McGovern, Warren Wm., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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The Problems of Antiquity, which have challenged and fascinated mathematicians for hundreds of years, include squaring the circle, trisecting the angle, and doubling the cube. Mathematicians of Ancient Greece attempted to solve these problems through the traditional construction methods involving a compass and straightedge. It was discovered in the nineteenth century, however, that these problems are impossible to solve using a compass and straightedge. Surprisingly, it is origami - the...
Show moreThe Problems of Antiquity, which have challenged and fascinated mathematicians for hundreds of years, include squaring the circle, trisecting the angle, and doubling the cube. Mathematicians of Ancient Greece attempted to solve these problems through the traditional construction methods involving a compass and straightedge. It was discovered in the nineteenth century, however, that these problems are impossible to solve using a compass and straightedge. Surprisingly, it is origami - the ancient art of Japanese paper folding - that holds the key to solving two of these classical problems. The development of the field of origami constructible numbers has led to modern axioms that, when coupled with traditional paper folding techniques, make trisecting the angle and doubling the cube possible. The applications of mathematical origami are seemingly endless, ranging from solving these ancient problems to designing folding space telescopes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00285
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Investigation of Environmental and Genetic Factors on Circadian Rhythm and Longevity.
- Creator
- Amato, Mia Lin, Ja, William, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Studies of longevity and behavior have been facilitated by the genetically tractable model, Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster). Disrupted circadian rhythms can be detrimental to health and lifespan by dysregulating the biological rhythms that guide behaviors such as sleeping and feeding. These stressors are associated with an increased risk for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding how circadian biology is regulated by aging may inform novel interventions for age-related...
Show moreStudies of longevity and behavior have been facilitated by the genetically tractable model, Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster). Disrupted circadian rhythms can be detrimental to health and lifespan by dysregulating the biological rhythms that guide behaviors such as sleeping and feeding. These stressors are associated with an increased risk for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding how circadian biology is regulated by aging may inform novel interventions for age-related diseases. In this two-part study, we first characterize the lifespan of D. melanogaster under an extended light/dark cycle to determine whether dysregulated circadian rhythms affect longevity. The second study analyzes the effect of the longevity gene, methuselah (mth), on circadian periodicity. The mth mutant is a hypomorph with reduced mth expression, and flies harboring this mutation exhibit a ~35% prolonged lifespan. While the molecular mechanisms connecting aging and circadian biology remain unclear, our studies aim to understand if mth might influence the free-running clock and, if so, test whether this contributes to extended life. This study demonstrates how an extended light cycle can adversely affect longevity and the evidence that mth does not interfere with free-running clock rhythmicity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00242
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- THE REEVALUATION OF PUNISHMENT.
- Creator
- Barroso, Jonathan Alexander, Tunick, Mark, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Kaplow and Shavell, two scholars of law and economics, defend the utilitarian approach to punishment. They try to find the most efficient way to deter crime using a mathematical formula. According to their efficiency formula, the ideal sanction is the expected utility of the crime divided by the probability of conviction. This calculation could be effective in deterring crime, but it often leads to disproportionate punishments. I argue that a retributivist approach is a better option for a...
Show moreKaplow and Shavell, two scholars of law and economics, defend the utilitarian approach to punishment. They try to find the most efficient way to deter crime using a mathematical formula. According to their efficiency formula, the ideal sanction is the expected utility of the crime divided by the probability of conviction. This calculation could be effective in deterring crime, but it often leads to disproportionate punishments. I argue that a retributivist approach is a better option for a society as it uses proportional punishment with an underlying principle of punishing for justice. Even in the United States, cruel and unusual punishments are prohibited and that includes those that are disproportionate. This shows that on a practical basis, using a proportional punishment model that is often expressed in a retributivist philosophy can be effective.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00243
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A FLORAL SURVEY OF THE ABACOA GOPHER TORTOISE PRESERVE.
- Creator
- Bates, Malaika, Wetterer, James K., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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The Abacoa Gopher Tortoise Preserve is a 60-ha section of the Abacoa Greenway (designated RangeⅠ) consisting of scrubby pine flatwood habitat. For this thesis, I used the iNaturalist app as a tool to identify and create a comprehensive list of all plant species in Range Ⅰ. I organized this information by IUCN conservation status to distinguish between invasive, native, and endemic species. I compare this list to similar floral surveys done in this preserve to obtain a view of how the...
Show moreThe Abacoa Gopher Tortoise Preserve is a 60-ha section of the Abacoa Greenway (designated RangeⅠ) consisting of scrubby pine flatwood habitat. For this thesis, I used the iNaturalist app as a tool to identify and create a comprehensive list of all plant species in Range Ⅰ. I organized this information by IUCN conservation status to distinguish between invasive, native, and endemic species. I compare this list to similar floral surveys done in this preserve to obtain a view of how the composition of the preserve is changing over time. I used the initial conservation targets for the Abacoa Greenway to determine whether the standards for percent penetration of invasive/exotic species and fire treatment were being upheld and how this may have influenced the floral composition. Lastly, I discuss the species found within the preserve that contain known nutritional or medicinal properties that could be valuable for human use.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00244
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- ‘They’re Just Kids: The Case Against Adult Sentencing for Juvenile Offenders’.
- Creator
- Bleck, Renise, Tunick, Mark, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Nathaniel Brazill, when 13, fatally shot one of his schoolteachers. Brazill was tried as an adult and sentenced to 28 years in prison without the possibility of parole. Such harsh sentences for such young offenders seem drastic and unfair, therefore I argue that the juvenile justice system should take not a punitive but a rehabilitative approach to minors. I first discuss different theories of why society punishes and whether they apply to the way juveniles are punished today. Drawing on...
Show moreNathaniel Brazill, when 13, fatally shot one of his schoolteachers. Brazill was tried as an adult and sentenced to 28 years in prison without the possibility of parole. Such harsh sentences for such young offenders seem drastic and unfair, therefore I argue that the juvenile justice system should take not a punitive but a rehabilitative approach to minors. I first discuss different theories of why society punishes and whether they apply to the way juveniles are punished today. Drawing on research in psychology, I detail key cognitive differences between minors and adults to argue that juveniles have no place in adult correctional facilities as they are not designed to cater to the special needs of growing adolescents and expose them to harsher conditions than are found in juvenile facilities. Finally, I propose an alternative strategy that focuses more on prevention or the rehabilitation of convicted juveniles rather than punishing them.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00245
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Portrayals of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Contemporary Fiction.
- Creator
- Boerth-Dryden, Lara, Earles, Julie, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Literature is an integral medium through which individuals use language to create a shared experience with an audience. Writing as an act is an intimate expression of identity. So, what does it mean that there are some voices who are not equally represented and heard in literature? There is an interesting juxtaposition between literature and disabilities. Certain people with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) struggle at communication, articulation, and interpretation. This...
Show moreLiterature is an integral medium through which individuals use language to create a shared experience with an audience. Writing as an act is an intimate expression of identity. So, what does it mean that there are some voices who are not equally represented and heard in literature? There is an interesting juxtaposition between literature and disabilities. Certain people with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) struggle at communication, articulation, and interpretation. This paper seeks to analyze representations and portrayals of individuals with ASD in fiction, and compare differences in these representations based on whether the author has an ASD diagnosis. The authors who have received a diagnosis of ASD do portray a more nuanced understanding of ASD in day to day life; however, the authors who lack a diagnosis still represented character’s with ASD in an accurate light.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00246
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- GUILTY BUT INSANE?: THE CASE OF JOHN HINCKLEY.
- Creator
- Coppin, Shanece, Tunick, Mark, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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On March 30th, 1981, John Hinckley tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan using a .22 caliber revolver. As a result, he wounded Reagan, Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy, police officer Thomas Delahanty, and White House Press Secretary James Brady (who was left permanently disabled and died in 2014 from his gunshot injuries). Hinckley did so to grab the attention of Jodie Foster from the film Taxi Driver. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and placed into psychiatric...
Show moreOn March 30th, 1981, John Hinckley tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan using a .22 caliber revolver. As a result, he wounded Reagan, Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy, police officer Thomas Delahanty, and White House Press Secretary James Brady (who was left permanently disabled and died in 2014 from his gunshot injuries). Hinckley did so to grab the attention of Jodie Foster from the film Taxi Driver. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and placed into psychiatric care. I argue that Hinkley should be found guilty but insane under the retributive theory of punishment. After discussing Hinckley’s background leading up to the attempted assassination of Reagan, I explain two ethical theories of punishment (utilitarianism and retributivism). Then, I address how they would rule in Hinckley’s case. Lastly, I will defend the retributive theory, and argue that it would support a guilty but insane verdict.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00247
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A NEW LABOR MOVEMENT: WHAT MOTIVATES WORKERS TO UNIONIZE AND WHAT STANDS IN THEIR WAY?.
- Creator
- DiGangi, Dawid, Steigenga, Timothy, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, union rates in the United States were at their lowest since the 1980s. The recent success of unionization efforts at companies such as Amazon and Starbucks raise questions about what makes unionization successful and which factors explain the current resurgence in labor organizing. This thesis explores theories about what drives workers to unionize, including feelings of dissatisfaction and estrangement (Marx), the gap between an employee's expectations and...
Show morePrior to the COVID-19 pandemic, union rates in the United States were at their lowest since the 1980s. The recent success of unionization efforts at companies such as Amazon and Starbucks raise questions about what makes unionization successful and which factors explain the current resurgence in labor organizing. This thesis explores theories about what drives workers to unionize, including feelings of dissatisfaction and estrangement (Marx), the gap between an employee's expectations and achievements (Wheeler), community and social movement solidarity, legal frameworks, and other factors. I conclude that the communication between workers and the resources of the movement are directly proportional to its success, while shop size is inversely proportional. The current state of weak union laws in the United States, particularly in Republican-controlled states, causes employees to face adversity in unionizing and negotiating with employers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00248
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- MANIPULATION OF INTERLEUKIN PATHWAY REDUCES SEVERITY OF POST-ICTAL EEG SUPPRESSION IN GENERALIZED TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURES.
- Creator
- Dillon, Tashi, Maldonado, Monica, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Post generalized electroencephalographic suppression (PGES) following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) may be a biomarker for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) risk. The interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) induces inflammatory response which may be exaggerated in epilepsy, with evidence that the release of inflammatory mediators produced by GTCSs influences epileptogenesis. Preliminary experiments used a transgenic mouse model of adult-onset, progressive epilepsy with an...
Show morePost generalized electroencephalographic suppression (PGES) following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) may be a biomarker for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) risk. The interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) induces inflammatory response which may be exaggerated in epilepsy, with evidence that the release of inflammatory mediators produced by GTCSs influences epileptogenesis. Preliminary experiments used a transgenic mouse model of adult-onset, progressive epilepsy with an overexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (TgBDNF). Electrode implantation recorded controlled seizures that develop at adulthood and increase in severity/frequency with age. PGES duration prolongs with progression, with cellular loss in the nucleus pontis oralis, a brainstem arousal structure. TgBDNF mice were bred with IL-1R knockout (KO) strain to determine if the course or severity of epileptogenesis could change. TgBDNF/IL-1RKO mice develop GTCSs, however the prolongation of PGES with successive seizures is abolished. This is critical for understanding the mechanisms underlying the risk of death associated with adult-onset epilepsy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00249
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- FLORAL SURVEY AND SPECIES CHECKLIST OF FRENCHMAN’S FOREST.
- Creator
- Elkins, Jessica, Wetterer, James, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Frenchman’s Forest Natural Area in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is a 172-acre (70-hectare) preserve that includes diverse ecosystems, including scrub flatwoods, pine flatwoods, wet flatwoods, and swamp. Earlier floral inventories of this site listed 477 plant species. For my thesis, I surveyed plants in Frenchman’s Forest and compiled a list of plant species documented in Frenchman’s Forest in 2022-2023 based on photographs posted to the iNaturalist website. I found that most of the plant...
Show moreFrenchman’s Forest Natural Area in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is a 172-acre (70-hectare) preserve that includes diverse ecosystems, including scrub flatwoods, pine flatwoods, wet flatwoods, and swamp. Earlier floral inventories of this site listed 477 plant species. For my thesis, I surveyed plants in Frenchman’s Forest and compiled a list of plant species documented in Frenchman’s Forest in 2022-2023 based on photographs posted to the iNaturalist website. I found that most of the plant species I documented, a total of 179 plant species, include 37 native and eight non-native species not previously listed. These eight non-native species are described further in detail on their invasive status and how they made their way into the preserve.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00250
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Survey of Florida Bat Species Feeding at Highway Rest Areas.
- Creator
- Fernandez, Ariel, Wetterer, James K., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Florida is home to 13 species of bats, all of which are insectivorous. As humans immigrated into areas that were previously natural, bats have had to adjust their habits to live alongside us. Bats in Florida are commonly seen foraging for insects attracted to artificial lights. For my thesis, I set up ultrasonic recording equipment at highway rest areas under large streetlights in Martin and Palm Beach County to see how frequently different bat species visited each area. I identified a total...
Show moreFlorida is home to 13 species of bats, all of which are insectivorous. As humans immigrated into areas that were previously natural, bats have had to adjust their habits to live alongside us. Bats in Florida are commonly seen foraging for insects attracted to artificial lights. For my thesis, I set up ultrasonic recording equipment at highway rest areas under large streetlights in Martin and Palm Beach County to see how frequently different bat species visited each area. I identified a total of 1598 calls, including 159 calls of rare or endangered species. I found most frequently recorded species at both sites was the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), a very common species in South Florida. My other findings suggest that the known rarity and range of some species should be reconsidered. The importance of streetlights to the survival of insectivorous bats certainly deserves additional attention.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00251
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Social Buffering of Fear in Two Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Creator
- Fernandez, Thamara C. Martinez, Page, Damon, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions and repetitive patterns of behaviors, symptoms which manifest differently among individuals. This is due to ASD being caused by a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Although ASD is not caused by a single factor, various risk genes have been identified that are associated with particular phenotypes. Among these genes are the Phosphatase and tensin homolog ...
Show moreAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions and repetitive patterns of behaviors, symptoms which manifest differently among individuals. This is due to ASD being caused by a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Although ASD is not caused by a single factor, various risk genes have been identified that are associated with particular phenotypes. Among these genes are the Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and the Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), both are involved in cellular processes that affect cell division, brain growth, and neurodevelopment. Macrocephaly and microcephaly are symptoms displayed in approximately 20% and 15% of individuals with autism, respectively, and in these same population subsets, mutations in PTEN and DYRK1A occur at a greater frequency. Two mouse models of ASD associated with PTEN and DYRK1A mutations display deficits in social and sensorimotor behaviors; however, social buffering has not yet been studied in these models. Social buffering is a phenomenon in which the presence of a conspecific diminishes the negative effects of stressors. Considering how individuals with ASD struggle with social impairments, and how social isolation increases the risk of health issues, this behavior is of interest to investigate. The objective of this project is to identify if Pten haploinsufficient and Dyrk1a cHet mice experience social buffering by measuring freezing time compared to controls. Based on social interaction deficits displayed by both models, we hypothesize that these animals will be refractory to the effects of social buffering. Testing this hypothesis is the goal of the project, which we anticipate will lead to a deeper understanding of social behavior in two models of autism, macrocephaly caused by PTEN mutations, and microcephaly caused by DYRK1A mutations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00252
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF CORTICOTROPIN RELEASING FACTOR RECEPTOR 2 AND NONMUSCLE MYOSIN II IN DRUG-ASSOCIATED MEMORIES.
- Creator
- Fisher, Cadence, Miller, Courtney, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Substance use disorders (SUDs) are perpetuated by the formation of drug-associated memories. Methamphetamine (METH)-associated memories undergo immediate and long-lasting disruption after treatment with blebbistatin (blebb), a nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) inhibitor, but cocaine (COC) associated memories do not. This suggests that the mechanisms of METH and COC-associated memories are different. To visualize these potential differences, RNA-sequencing was conducted. Crhr2, a gene that encodes...
Show moreSubstance use disorders (SUDs) are perpetuated by the formation of drug-associated memories. Methamphetamine (METH)-associated memories undergo immediate and long-lasting disruption after treatment with blebbistatin (blebb), a nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) inhibitor, but cocaine (COC) associated memories do not. This suggests that the mechanisms of METH and COC-associated memories are different. To visualize these potential differences, RNA-sequencing was conducted. Crhr2, a gene that encodes corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRF2), was uniquely upregulated in the BLA after METH learning. Action upon CRF2 after memory consolidation did not have an effect. However, pretreating brains with CRF2 antagonist Astressin-2B (AS2B) prevented blebb’s ability to disrupt established METH-associated memories. Additionally, overexpressing CRF2 in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) plus providing its ligand UCN3 during conditioning, and then administering blebb resulted in disruption of COC-associated memory. CRF2 is the first upstream regulator of NMII inhibition of METH-associated memory to be identified.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00253
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- SCHOOLHOUSE ECONOMICS: EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN PALM BEACH COUNTY'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND PROPERTY PRICES.
- Creator
- Fleites, Joel, Nur-tegin, Kanybek, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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This paper investigates the relationship between elementary school quality, as assessed through standardized test scores and ratings, and residential property values in Palm Beach County, Florida. Multiple regression analysis found a strong positive connection between these two variables. Our results indicate that a one-point increase in school rating would lead to an estimated $7,100 increase in property value; this signals a tangible appreciation for higher-quality schools. All the houses...
Show moreThis paper investigates the relationship between elementary school quality, as assessed through standardized test scores and ratings, and residential property values in Palm Beach County, Florida. Multiple regression analysis found a strong positive connection between these two variables. Our results indicate that a one-point increase in school rating would lead to an estimated $7,100 increase in property value; this signals a tangible appreciation for higher-quality schools. All the houses examined were bought in 2019, providing a current Palm Beach County housing market analysis. The relevance of our findings cannot be overshadowed: it is essential for realtors and homeowners to comprehend the link between school quality and property values so they can make better choices about allocating resources efficiently and selecting suitable homes when buying that will benefit their children’s future.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00254
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- FROZEN STRAITS: AN ANALYSIS OF U.S-CUBA FOREIGN POLICY AS A MULTI-LEVEL GAME.
- Creator
- Garcia-Navarro, Ruben D., Steigenga, Timothy, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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This thesis analyses U.S.-Cuban relations through the lens of William LaGrande’s (1998) two level game theory. An historical analysis of the chills and thaws is in U.S.- Cuban relations prior to, during, and after the Cold War suggests that U.S. and Cuban policy makers consistently address both domestic and international concerns before deciding the course of their diplomatic actions. In other words, policy outputs are impacted by lobbyists, sub-national groups, the makeup of Congress,...
Show moreThis thesis analyses U.S.-Cuban relations through the lens of William LaGrande’s (1998) two level game theory. An historical analysis of the chills and thaws is in U.S.- Cuban relations prior to, during, and after the Cold War suggests that U.S. and Cuban policy makers consistently address both domestic and international concerns before deciding the course of their diplomatic actions. In other words, policy outputs are impacted by lobbyists, sub-national groups, the makeup of Congress, changing international contexts, and other factors not otherwise explained by systems level theories (Neorealism) or ideological differences. Understanding the multiple input factors in U.S. policy helps to explain why little progress has been made in U.S.-Cuban relations more than 30 years after the end of the Cold War.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00255
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- APPROACHING CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE: A STUDY OF DEBT-TRAP DIPLOMACY VERSUS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.
- Creator
- Gatimi, Irene, Nur-tegin, Kanybek, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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This thesis examines whether China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is promoting economic development or downfall in the form of debt-trapping to 4 participating economically emerging countries. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the world's largest infrastructure program, launched by the Chinese government in 2013. Since its inception, Chinese financial institutions and businesses have financed and constructed a wide range of global projects. I utilize qualitative and quantitative methods...
Show moreThis thesis examines whether China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is promoting economic development or downfall in the form of debt-trapping to 4 participating economically emerging countries. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the world's largest infrastructure program, launched by the Chinese government in 2013. Since its inception, Chinese financial institutions and businesses have financed and constructed a wide range of global projects. I utilize qualitative and quantitative methods in the form of primary and secondary sources and data on economic growth rates and debt accumulation rates to explore the effects of the BRI in participating countries. There was no uniform consequence of the BRI, but rather characteristic-dependent effects that varied across cases. Further, my analysis does not suggest an overall trend of debt-trapping. By understanding the impact of the BRI in these countries, we can better recommend how countries carrying similar characteristics to participating countries should approach the BRI.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00256
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Forms of Mental Health Stigma Affecting Treatment and Help - Seeking in the Indian Population.
- Creator
- George, Evangeline A., Vernon, Laura, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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With the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, awareness of mental health and the mental health crisis increased sharply on the global stage. In some countries, strides have been made to understand and combat barriers that people encounter in recognizing and treating mental health problems. Some other countries have faced difficulties in this, including India. India has encountered particular challenges in the acceptance and expansion of mental health awareness and treatment. One driving factor...
Show moreWith the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, awareness of mental health and the mental health crisis increased sharply on the global stage. In some countries, strides have been made to understand and combat barriers that people encounter in recognizing and treating mental health problems. Some other countries have faced difficulties in this, including India. India has encountered particular challenges in the acceptance and expansion of mental health awareness and treatment. One driving factor may be stigma. Stigma has been found to vary in different cultures as it is influenced by the cultural climate of the community. When there are high levels of stigma, there is typically less identification and treatment of mental health concerns. Stigma is vital to understand and combat in the cultural setting. This thesis will explore the role of Indian culture on stigma and its effects on treatment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUHT00257
- Format
- Document (PDF)