Volume 1: 2018

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11868/725

At The University of Tampa, our mission is for students to balance “learning by thinking” with “learning by doing.” Many courses at UT are structured so that students actively participate in scholarship through inquiry, which can be defined as a systematic process of exploration through questioning and experimenting. Engaging in inquiry-based education leads to deep, meaningful learning experiences that also empower students to contribute to their discipline. In this inaugural issue of Q, we are pleased to be able to highlight several examples from across the University of the types of student scholarship being produced within these courses. The work presented here ranges from literary critiques, to a scientific manuscript, to an analysis of Tampa’s emergency operations plan. Although the subject matter is highly varied, the tie that unites these studies is each student’s application of inquiry to his or her discipline to create a scholarly work that is of value beyond the University community. We celebrate the accomplishments of these students while looking forward to where their continued explorations might take them in the future. Dr. Eric Freundt Director, Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Associate Professor of biology The University of Tampa.

EDITORS

Alex Sullivan, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Sara Casareto, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Meghan Lebrun, Layout Editor

Cover: "Plant Hall at Sunset" by Kiley Sutela

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

[Front Matter] Q: Journal of Undergraduate Research & Inquiry
(The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, 2018) Alex Sullivan, Co-Editor-in-Chief; Sara Casareto, Co-Editor-in-Chief; Meghan Lebrun, Layout Editor
Includes cover art, mission statement, honorable mention, table of contents and editor bios.
"There Will Be Nonsense in it!": Absurdity and Anti-Allegory in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
(The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2018) Gilbert, Cheyenne
A Mouse Model: To Predict the Effect of Devil Facial Disease (DFTD) on Sarcophilus harrisii Behavior
(The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2018) Valentine, Kendal
The specific question in study is if the parasitic cell line of devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) induces behavioral changes in its host in order to augment transmission. DFTD has obliterated the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population since its emergence, causing the species to become endangered. The experimental plan will be two-fold: establishing an effective non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) DFTD mouse model, and observing relative behaviors in individuals who contract DFTD. Two previous studies which have established effective NOD/SCID DFTD mouse models will provide crucial guidance to procedures of DFTD tumor cell culture and inoculation (Kreiss et al., 2011, Pinfold et al., 2014). NOD/SCID (immunocompromised) mice will be injected with DFTD cells and will have the ability to develop the disease. The second portion of the experiment involves a series of behavioral observations of BALB/c (normal) mice, NOD/SCID mice, and DFTD-infected NOD/SCID mice. In an open-field chamber, two mice will interact for 48 hours and will have access to food, water, a resting area, and an activity (a mouse wheel) (Figure1). It is expected that DFTD-infected NOD/SCID mice will display an increase in aggressive social behaviors such as biting, attacking, and fighting because they have contracted the parasitic cell line. In comparison, BALB/c and NOD/SCID mice should exhibit lower levels of aggression. NOD/SCID mice are immunocompromised and will likely exhibit decreased activity (Mench, 1998). The results of this study have the potential to combine known information from Tasmanian devil behavioral studies with successful DFTD tumor cell mouse models in order to elucidate the overall understanding of the DFTD disease mechanism. Understanding the mechanism could lead to further studies that explore the possibility of a neuron-parasite interaction which induces observed behaviors. Studies may investigate upregulation or downregulation of neurotransmitters and/or altered neurotransmitter receptor function.
An Analysis of the City of Tampa Bay's Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan
(The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2018) Joseph, Colin
As with any other city, Tampa Bay is prone to a number of hazards and disasters that could potentially pose a danger for citizens and the general business environment. To prepare for cases like this, it is important to have a plan that can be easily implemented to mitigate the effects of any potential natural disaster/hazard that could ultimately endanger the lives of citizens and business owners within the area. As such, the City of Tampa Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (CEOP) provides a detailed overview of the various areas that need to be addressed, as well as specific actions that need to be taken, in the event of any sort of natural disaster/hazard. In terms of the current CEOP, it provides an introduction that outlines the importance of having an established operations plan in place. The plan’s introduction includes detailed descriptions on various elements of the plan itself, as well as the interim steps of the plan’s preparation, which are useful for outlining the reasoning behind the plan’s design. In other words, this provides an explanation for the plan’s purpose, along with why the plan is designed in this specific manner. From a more holistic perspective, the plan is divided into numerous chapters which, in my opinion, is useful for citizens as it makes the plan easier to read and understand, by providing a building infrastructure for every element of the plan, in order to ensure a greater understanding and awareness for all/most citizens.
The Uncovered Illness in Charlotte Temple: Sociopathy and Society
(The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2018) Nelson, Abigail
The Effectiveness and Accurateness of Goniometric Devices in Lower Extremity Injuries
(The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2018) May, Rebecca
Background: Lower extremity injuries add up to be the leading cause of emergency room visits and trauma hospitalizations among people aged under 65 years’ old. Goniometers are the devices clinically used to measure range of motion of various joints in patients receiving treatment or therapy following an injury or procedure. Although goniometric devices allow for simple measurements and are relatively cheap to manufacture, they have limitations that need to be addressed. Research Question and Hypothesis: The research question of this study is as follows: Do traditional and modern goniometric devices provide accurate joint range of motion measurement among adult patients with lower extremity operations and/or injuries in the United States? The hypothesis of this research study is that advanced modern goniometric devices are more accurate than traditional goniometric devices. Objectives: This research aims to examine the accuracy of goniometric devices, to determine whether or not the accuracy of these goniometric devices impacts the recovery process of patients, and to assess if new range of motion devices are more accurate and effective than traditional devices. Methods: This study is structured as a Quasi-experimental study which includes 4 phases. Phase 1 includes a pretest to determine overall range of motion, Phase 2 collects measurements utilizing traditional goniometers, Phase 3 collects measurements utilizing modern goniometers, and Phase 4 concludes with a post-test to reexamine overall joint range of motion. With IRB approval, 380 participants over the age of 18 will be recruited from Tampa General Hospital, Florida Hospital Tampa, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and/or Tampa Community Hospital. Analysis: Statistical analyses will be run to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive of each goniometric device. These results will be compared amongst the two groups of goniometric assessment devices.
Effects of Ultravoiolet Radiation on Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Integrity: an ultrastructure analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy
(The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2018) Albert, Gabrielle
The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation of various wavelengths (UV-A, UV-B, UV-C) on the integrity of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm structure. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was employed to visualize and qualitatively assess damage to the ultrastructure of S. aureus biofilms cultivated on plastic coverslips after exposure to UV-radiation. The results of the study revealed that the high-energy wavelengths of UV-B and UV-C could effectively induce apoptosis with no evidence of intact biofilm formation after exposure. Therefore, such wavelengths of UV-radiation may be employed as a supplementary mechanism for targeted biofilm decontamination to further minimize the occurrences of biofilm-related nosocomial infections.

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