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Bioinformatic Analysis of POGZ Variants in Relation to White Sutton Syndrome
No full textWhite-Sutton syndrome (WHSUS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the Pogo Transposable Element with ZNF Domain (POGZ) gene, which encodes pogo-transposable element with ZNF domain, a chromatin regulator essential for proper mitotic progression and DNA repair. This study uses a bioinformatic framework to evaluate the structural and functional impact of missense mutations in the conserved amino acid region (positions 500–800) of the POGZ protein. Protein modeling, variant effect prediction, conservation analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to gain an understanding of the effects of POGZ missense mutations on protein structure and movement with specific emphasis on POGZ clinical variant of unknown significance Cys562Tyr
Personal Touches and Consumer Behavior in the Restaurant Industry
No full textThis presentation aims to observe the relationship between consumer behavior and personal touches in the restaurant industry. Referring to customers by their names as well as creating connections throughout the dining experience may have an effect on the amount of time and money spent in the restaurant. The data collected in this study will be used from Longhorn Steakhouse, a chain restaurant that has a core value of making personal connections with guests. During this presentation, factors such as tip percentages, add on amounts, time spent, and money spent will be examined. Different phenomena will be examined to explain the data collected.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1059/thumbnail.jp
Efficacy of Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplementation: Insights into Strength, Power, and Exercise Performance in Resistance-Trained Individual
No full textPlease note: no video is available for this presentation.
Popularity of Multi-Ingredient Pre-workout Supplementation (MIPS) is rapidly increasing across the world, initiating the need to understand their effects on consumers. The role of MIPS is investigated to see if they are considered an ergogenic aid when used during a workout. With supplement usage being on the rise with over 50% of adults taking daily supplements, research on these supplements is the only way to ensure safety and accuracy. This article assesses the outcomes of previous studies on MIPS and identifies the study’s potential bias while also evaluating the results on exercise performance in healthy individuals. These articles had to include a randomized controlled trial with participants who were healthy, and 18 years or older. The trial also had to include a placebo group. To filter out the studies, authors used what is called the GRADE approach to rate the articles by quality of evidence. Articles were rated from HIGH quality which showed confidence in the article to VERY LOW quality which meant the authors had zero confidence in the article. After reviewing 22 articles, the authors saw that some studies showed MIPS increased the number of repetitions in upper body strength and lower body strength compared to placebo. There was a positive correlation between MIPS and participants compared to participants that consumed placebo in areas such as greater mean power output in anerobic capacity, greater peak power in anerobic capacity, higher repetition in upper body strength, and higher repetition in lower body strength. It is addressed that users of MIPS need to be cautious due to the limited amount of research of the long-lasting effects that are unknown such as high blood pressure, kidney damage, or increased anxiety. Although some studies showed mild side effects such as tingly hands, safety concerns are raised due to the lack of data for long term effects. The results of the studies were considered low quality due to issues with small sample size and studies with larger sample size will have to be conducted for more accurate results. Side effects from pre-workout are also inconclusive because of lack of reporting after a study is conducted. Researchers going forward need to identify the probability of side effects, the proper dosage for MIPS, and conduct studies with higher sample size to get a better look at outcomes. Conducting research with biomarkers such as blood pressure, pulse, and creatinine levels could give a more significant look at what factors of the body MIPS are affecting. Future studies with larger sample sizes and advanced biomarkers are essential better to understand the long-term safety and effectiveness of MIPS, ensuring evidence-based recommendations for users.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1050/thumbnail.jp
The Impact of Tart Cherry on Strength, Soreness, and Inflammation Following Strenuous Exercise
No full textTart cherry supplementation has been in the public eye as a potential strategy to enhance recovery after an intense workout session for some time now. It is highly beneficial for athletes and active individuals seeking to optimize performance while minimizing recovery time. Tart cherry contains a variety of antioxidants that help with inflammation; it also contains melatonin, which aids in sleep. Getting an adequate amount of rest is beneficial in the recovery process. Tart cherry can reduce blood pressure, control blood sugar, boost immune systems, and improve brain function. Tart cherry supplementation has been shown to support recovery by reducing inflammation and enhancing muscle strength. This increases interest among athletes who are interested in natural recovery aids. Tart cherry’s effects on recovery of muscle soreness, strength, power, and inflammation have been linked. Tart cherry supplementation benefits by reducing muscle soreness, improving recovery of strength and power, and diminishing inflammation. Tart cherry supplementation showed minimal effect on decreased muscle soreness. It enhances the recovery of muscular strength. Different exercises, such as muscular strength exercises, jumping, and sprints, have been tested to see the effects of tart cherry. Tart cherry showed moderate recovery of muscular strength and power. It had a large effect on jump height. It has a small effect on sprint performance. Small changes were seen in C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6. Reducing inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is important because too much inflammation may make recovery difficult, lower performance, and increase the risk of overtraining or injury. CRP and IL-6 are indicators of systemic inflammation increase in response to heavy exercise, muscle damage, and stress. Tart cherry supplementation is valuable for recovery following major exercise sessions by helping to reduce muscle soreness, improve performance measures, and decrease inflammation. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, such as anthocyanins contained in tart cherries, reduce the increase of CRP and IL-6 levels due to the depletion of oxidative stress and a dampened inflammation response. Reduction is critical for recovery in that it allows for quicker muscle recovery, minimizing extended soreness and inhibiting potential long-term inflammation that could delay recovery and interfere with overall athletic function. Tart cherry benefits athletes and those into sports seeking the best ways of recovery and performance. In the future, to find more evidence, studies should explore a wider variety of exercise modalities, such as running, cycling, and swimming, to provide further evidence for the benefits of tart cherry supplementation.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1049/thumbnail.jp
NCAA\u27s Policies on Conference Realignment: An Examination of Colleges and Universities Athletic Programs Transitioning to a New Level
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This article examines the impacts of the NCAA requirements on the balance of competitive football conferences. The authors use evidence from 1953 through 2003 on NCAA enforcement effects on the conference balances. The results say that the NCAA enforcement net effect is an improvement in the balancehttps://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1043/thumbnail.jp
Can an Instant Pot Sterilize a Bacterial Culture?
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This research investigates whether the Instant Pot can effectively sterilize E. coli liquid cultures, providing an innovative alternative to traditional autoclaving. The experiment started with E. coli cultures incubated in LB broth at 37°C using a shaking biological incubator. Following Instant Pot processing, the treated E. coli samples were inoculated into fresh LB broth and streaked onto LB agar plates, which were then incubated using shaking and standing biological incubators and observed for microbial growth over a 30-day period. Results indicated that samples processed by the Instant Pot showed no visible bacterial growth in either liquid or solid media, in stark contrast to the positive controls that demonstrated robust growth. These findings highlight the Instant Pot\u27s potential as a reliable and accessible method for sterilizing bacterial cultures, particularly in educational settings and low-resource laboratories. This experiment was conducted as part of a larger, ongoing project in The Lab., led by Dr. Turner, within the ESE 423/523 Teaching General Science CURE (course-based undergraduate research experience) in the Department of Teacher Education, CEPS.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1035/thumbnail.jp
Voices of the Campus: JSU Sociology Club\u27s Student Issue Survey
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The purpose of our project is to better understand how the student body feels about particular issues on-campus and in the broader community. In order to do this, we wrote and conducted a survey in Fall 2022 which includes questions about students’ experiences interacting with various aspects of JSU. The survey includes a variety of questions, asking about students’ experiences ranging from housing, transportation to and from classes, on-campus dining options, accessibility of campus buildings, inequality, the environment, and other issues. Near the beginning of the survey, students were asked which of these issues they are most concerned with. Based on their responses, they were directed to specific blocks of questions to answer questions focused on those issues. In this presentation, we discuss the preliminary findings from the 292 survey responses we received. Our findings show that students top concerns focus on mental health, finances, and campus housing. In this presentation, we further break down the issues students care about most. As we go forward, we hope to use our findings to work towards potential solutions to improve our campus community.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1032/thumbnail.jp
Antibacterial Properties of Alabama Wildflowers: A Preliminary Study using the Kirby-Bauer Test
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Plants have been used for medicinal purposes throughout recorded history, with evidence dating back 5,000 years on their usefulness for a diversity of ailments, and as a source of conventional and alternative medicines. The current study examines the antibacterial properties of leaves from seven native or naturalized plant species collected on or near the Jacksonville State University (JSU) campus in Alabama. The species include Southern Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum var. puberulum), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima), Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), Common Dog Fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), and Eastern Rabbit Tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium). Phytochemicals were extracted using four solvents—methanol, ethanol, ether, and nuclease-free water—and tested for antibacterial activity using the Kirby-Bauer disk diƯusion assay against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. The strongest inhibition was observed against Bacillus subtilis, with Common Evening Primrose and Common Dog Fennel exhibiting the greatest antibacterial eƯects. Ether and methanol extracts demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity, with seven instances of successful inhibition each, followed by ethanol with six. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that Common Evening Primrose and Common Dog Fennel contain antibacterial compounds, likely terpenoids and/or alkaloids. These results are especially noteworthy since little previous research has been done on the medicinal properties of Dog Fennel.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1024/thumbnail.jp
The Role of Fiber in Athletic Performance: A Missing Link in Sports Nutrition
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While carbohydrate intake is a key focus in sports nutrition, fiber is often neglected—even though it plays a critical role in gut health, performance, and recovery. This is intriguing because changes in fiber intake are a common approach in sport nutrition to optimize GI comfort during exercise and to achieve body mass or composition goals. Beyond its role in digestion, fiber is crucial for overall health—especially for athletes with high protein intakes, who may experience gut imbalances if fiber is lacking. Current sports nutrition recommendations emphasize limiting fiber intake before exercise to minimize GI distress. However, sports dietitians commonly manipulate fiber for various athletic needs, often based on clinical experience rather than comprehensive research studies. The absence of research emphasizes the need for evidence-based fiber recommendations specific to athletes. Although research is still developing, emerging evidence suggests that adequate fiber intake supports gut microbiome stability, which may contribute to better health and performance. Further, fiber classification goes beyond the standard soluble versus insoluble distinction and includes fermentable versus non-fermentable fiber and microbiota-accessible carbohydrates or MACs. Understanding these classifications is necessary for understanding fiber and gut bacteria interactions. MACs are important substrates, especially for healthy gut bacteria, promoting diverse production of short-chain fatty acids or SCFAs. SCFAs, such as butyrate, become important in gut barrier integrity, reducing inflammation and influencing various physiological functions. The \u27athlete\u27s dietary behaviors, like the intake of a high amount of protein and carbohydrate manipulation, could affect both the intake of fiber and the gut microbiome. Despite consuming high amounts of protein, most athletes fail to meet general dietary fiber recommendations. The association between consumption, fiber intake, and gut microbiota is complex, with an adequate amount of fiber potentially offsetting the negative effects of high protein diets on microbial diversity. It is recommended that athletes gradually increase their fiber intake to about 30 grams per day, including two grams of beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is a soluble fiber that may offer inflammation-controlling benefits and improve muscle strength and endurance. This highlights the need for individualized fiber recommendations since every athlete responds differently. Personalized recommendations for fiber should account for pre-existing GI issues, exercise intensity, and individual differences in microbiome composition. Sports nutrition guidelines should evolve to include specific, research-backed fiber recommendations that account for gut health, performance, and individual needs. Although more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between fiber, gut microbiota, and athletic performance, it is certain from current evidence that fiber can no longer be forgotten in the athlete\u27s diet.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1013/thumbnail.jp
The Effects of Combined Creatine and Caffeine Supplementation: Optimizing Exercise Performance
No full textCaffeine and creatine are the most commonly used supplements to enhance exercise performance. Creatine primarily supports anaerobic energy systems in the body for activities involving muscle force, power, muscular endurance, and sprints. The intake of creatine increases the availability of creatine and phosphocreatine, enhancing the energy supply for the phosphagen system. This uptake promotes quicker recovery, improved performance on repetitive tasks, and increased total work during a session. Inversely, caffeine has been shown to have ergogenic effects on both anaerobic and aerobic activities. Due to its chemical structure, caffeine can easily reach the brain, allowing it to impact the central nervous system (CNS). Once absorbed, it begins blocking adenosine, which promotes tiredness and relaxation. Moreover, caffeine increases spinal and motor cortex excitability and promotes the release of endorphins and dopamine. This enhances motor function, improves mood and motivation, and reduces the sensation of pain. Although both supplements have well-documented individual benefits, their combined effects remain underexplored, despite their widespread use by athletes. Therefore, understanding the interactions between these supplements may help improve performance-enhancing strategies. Current literature shows evidence relevant to the ergogenic effects of caffeine intake during or after a creatine-loading phase. Findings indicate that taking 5–6 mg/kg of caffeine an hour before exercising, after a 5–6-day creatine loading phase (0.3 g/kg/day), improved performance in tasks including strength, endurance, and sprints. However, conflicting evidence has been published, specifically research that evaluated long-term supplementation or habitual caffeine use during a creatine loading period. Results indicated no improvements in muscle strength or speed. Some protocols show performance benefits, while others show no improvements or even a decreased muscle performance when creatine and caffeine are taken simultaneously. One explanation could be that creatine and caffeine can hinder performance due to a calcium imbalance. This occurs because creatine promotes calcium clearance for muscle relaxation, while caffeine stimulates calcium release for muscle contraction, potentially overwhelming these systems. Despite conflicting results, the evidence suggests that the timing of caffeine intake is essential for exercise improvements. Athletes can maximize their exercise performance by taking caffeine one hour before exercising, following a creatine loading phase. Furthermore, understanding the relationship between caffeine and creatine can help inform sports dietitians and coaches, improving their approach to athletes using these supplements. Future research can improve by standardizing protocols to minimize variables and enhance the understanding of their effects. Additionally, investigating the physiological processes underlying the combined ergogenic effects of creatine and caffeine is crucial. Finally, including various of demographics, such as women, senior citizens, and players from different sports, can broaden the application of the results.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1048/thumbnail.jp