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Investigation Into Whether Chlamydia Can Successfully Invade Ovarian Cancer Cells
Get PDFChlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is being investigated as a potential vector to directly deliver anti-cancer peptides to ovarian cancer cells as part of the “Bugs as Drugs” initiative, offering a possible future treatment option for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Successful delivery of peptides from chlamydia to host cells first requires elementary bodies (EBs), the metabolically inactive form of chlamydia, to gain entry to host cells. To test the viability of this proposition, this project aimed foremost to demonstrate whether C. trachomatis is even capable of infecting ovarian cancer cell strains in vitro. Serovar L2 C. trachomatis was chosen and incubated along with three separate ovarian cancer cell lines: SK-OV-3, PA-1, and SW 626. A HeLa control sample was also grown alongside and incubated with chlamydia. Further experiments were done with the addition to the media of chloramphenicol (CHL), a known antibiotic and inhibitor of bacterial translation. CHL was added to ascertain whether infection could also preclude the development of reticulate bodies (RBs) (the metabolically active form of chlamydia) which could potentially harm healthy cells in the ovaries. Qualitatively, successful invasion of all three cell lines by chlamydia was observed. Encouragingly, the addition of CHL produced the same results but also demonstrated that host cell infections did not result in the development of RBs. Furthermore, western blots done on collected cell lysates showed consistency with other previously published research on chlamydial host cell infections, adding greater validity to the results. These findings encourage the continuation of future experiments that will test whether genetic modifications, such as the addition of nucleotides encoding the CT20 anti-cancer peptide, or administration of chlamydia along with different reagents, produces more promising results for a potential new ovarian cancer treatment option
Rose, The Commissioner, and the Hall
No full textIt seems that the biggest news in baseball this week is off the field. Usually, that is not a good thing. Yesterday, the Commissioner of Baseball, Rob Manfred, announced that Pete Rose and sixteen other players have been re-instated from baseball’s “permanently ineligible” list. Among the sixteen others are several players caught up in the Black Sox scandal of 1919
Generative AI: Another Chapter of Human-Machine Communication
No full textThis editorial introduces a special issue of Human-Machine Communication that explores how generative AI reshapes the communicative relationship between humans and machines. It highlights emerging research on technology use, education, interpersonal dynamics, and trust in AI-generated content, emphasizing that generative AI’s significance lies not in novelty but in the social negotiations it provokes around meaning, authority, and credibility
Use Matters: How Different Ways of Using ChatGPT Drive AI Acceptance and Solutionism
No full textArtificial intelligence is central to solutionism—the vision of a world where all major problems are solved through technology. This study theorizes about how human–AI communication shapes attitudes toward AI and influences the formation of public opinion, sparking solutionist imaginaries. We empirically examine the attitude formation resulting from the non-simulated use of an unmanipulated conversational model in a controlled laboratory experiment. Using a between-subjects design, participants engaged in three semi-structured 20-minute sessions with ChatGPT, providing a novel perspective on the effects of its use. The findings reveal that mere use of ChatGPT causally increases AI acceptance; however, its impact significantly depends on how the system is used. Especially non-instrumental, guided exploratory usage activates the solutionist imagination and leads to greater AI acceptance. This study demonstrates that specific types of AI engagement can shape public attitudes toward AI, including the development of uncritical beliefs about its future capabilities
Episode 73: Angelina Berthiaume - Psychology Major, Applied Linguistics Minor, TEFL Certificate, & Teaching Elementary School
No full textIn this episode, you’ll meet Angelina Berthiaume, a UCF alumna who graduated with a psychology major, a minor in Applied Linguistics, and a TEFL Certificate. She talks about her experiences as an elementary school teacher in Brevard County and discusses her journey from considering various majors to finding her passion in teaching. She highlights the impact of her applied linguistics and TEFL classes on her teaching, particularly in working with English language learners. Angelina also gives some practical advice for new and aspiring teachers.
This episode was pre-recorded in July of 2025
Breathing in Two Languages: Inclusive SEL for Multilingual Learners
No full textAs multilingual learners (MLs) represent the fastest-growing student demographic in U.S. public schools, educators face increasing pressure to support these students’ academic and socio-emotional needs. Traditional social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks often align with Eurocentric norms and overlook the cultural and linguistic assets of MLs. This action research self-study investigates a third-grade teacher’s implementation of culturally responsive, equity-oriented SEL (CRSEL) practices in an urban public school in Hawai‘i. Through adapted SEL lessons centered on gratitude, students engaged in activities that integrated home languages, cultural traditions, and identity-affirming practices. Findings reveal three key themes: self-awareness as validating and emancipatory, social awareness as humanistic and transformative, and self-management as empowering. The study highlights how CRSEL promotes identity affirmation, linguistic pride, emotional regulation, and academic engagement for MLs. Implications emphasize the need for teacher preparation programs and school districts to integrate culturally sustaining SEL strategies and provide professional development to address the unique needs of multilingual students
Locations of Outfalls in the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Worth Lagoon, Florida
No full textThe spatial dataset: UCF_Outfalls_IRL_LWL.shp was created under grants from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuaries Program and Florida Sea Grant. These projects cumulatively led to creation of a living shoreline restoration prioritization model and hydrodynamic habitat suitability models for 1,550 km (963 miles) of estuarine shorelines in Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and Lake Worth Lagoon (LWL).
The dataset presented here includes the location of outfalls identified throughout the study region and general characteristics of the shoreline where they were identified
Healing with Hope: Expanding Access to All
No full textHealing with Hope: Expanding Access to All is a service-learning project completed with Shepherd\u27s Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides free medical care to uninsured and underinsured adults in Central Florida. My work took place at the Dr. Diebel Jr. Memorial Health Center, where I volunteered during evening clinics to greet patients, prepare charts, organize supplies, and assist the volunteer doctors and nurses. The goal of this project was to help improve access to compassionate, high-quality healthcare for individuals who might otherwise go without care. This experience taught me the power of empathy, teamwork, and leadership. I learned how small acts, such as listening to a patient\u27s concerns or helping to streamline clinic flow, can lastingly affect a person\u27s dignity and trust. Most importantly, this project reiterated my commitment to pursuing medicine as a way to serve others and promote health equity in my community.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1025/thumbnail.jp
The Power of Public Speaking
No full texthttps://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1027/thumbnail.jp