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University of Nevada, Las Vegas

2020

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Articles 1 - 30 of 94

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

A Conformation Variant Of P53 Combined With Machine Learning Identifies Alzheimer Disease In Preclinical And Prodromal Stages, Giulia Abate, Marika Vezzoli, Letizia Polito, Antonio Guaita, Diego Albani, Moira Marizzoni, Emirena Garrafa, Alessandra Marengoni, Gianluigi Forloni, Giovanni B. Frisoni, Jeffrey L. Cummings, Maurizio Memo, Daniela Uberti Dec 2020

A Conformation Variant Of P53 Combined With Machine Learning Identifies Alzheimer Disease In Preclinical And Prodromal Stages, Giulia Abate, Marika Vezzoli, Letizia Polito, Antonio Guaita, Diego Albani, Moira Marizzoni, Emirena Garrafa, Alessandra Marengoni, Gianluigi Forloni, Giovanni B. Frisoni, Jeffrey L. Cummings, Maurizio Memo, Daniela Uberti

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

© 2020 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a crucial starting point in disease man-agement. Blood-based biomarkers could represent a considerable advantage in providing AD-risk information in primary care settings. Here, we report new data for a relatively unknown blood-based biomarker that holds promise for AD diagnosis. We evaluate a p53-misfolding conformation rec-ognized by the antibody 2D3A8, also named Unfolded p53 (U-p532D3A8+), in 375 plasma samples derived from InveCe.Ab and PharmaCog/E-ADNI longitudinal studies. A machine learning approach is used to combine U-p532D3A8+ plasma levels with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and apolipoprotein E …


Microbial Dark Matter Coming To Light: Challenges And Opportunities, Jian Yu Jiao, Lan Liu, Zheng Shuang Hua, Bao Zhu Fang, En Min Zhou, Nimaichand Salam, Brian P. Hedlund, Wen Jun Li Dec 2020

Microbial Dark Matter Coming To Light: Challenges And Opportunities, Jian Yu Jiao, Lan Liu, Zheng Shuang Hua, Bao Zhu Fang, En Min Zhou, Nimaichand Salam, Brian P. Hedlund, Wen Jun Li

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Microbes are the most abundant and diverse cellular life forms on Earth and colonize a wide range of environmental niches. However, more than 99% of bacterial and archaeal species have not been obtained in pure culture [1] and we have only glimpsed the surface of this mysterious microbial world. This is so-called Microbial Dark Matter (MDM): the enormous diversity of yet-uncultivated microbes that microbiologists can only study by using cultivation-independent techniques. Recently, a number of international projects have dramatically increased our understanding of the extent and distribution of microbial diversity, including the Global Catalogue of Microorganisms (GCM), the Genomic Encyclopedia …


Floral Variation Across Three Varieties Of The Landscape-Dominant Tree Metrosideros Polymorpha (Myrtaceae): Insights From A Hawaii Island Common Garden, Elizabeth A. Stacy, Melissa A. Johnson Dec 2020

Floral Variation Across Three Varieties Of The Landscape-Dominant Tree Metrosideros Polymorpha (Myrtaceae): Insights From A Hawaii Island Common Garden, Elizabeth A. Stacy, Melissa A. Johnson

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Premise of research: Metrosideros polymorpha is a landscape-dominant tree species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Although the group is famous for its ecological amplitude and variation in vegetative characters, little attention has been paid to variation in its “shaving brush” flowers, which occur in inflorescences of diverse sizes and colors. We aimed to determine whether the floral variation observed in natural populations is heritable and how this variation is distributed across environments and varieties of the species. Methodology: We measured seven floral traits in 93 adult trees representing three varieties of M. polymorpha in a common garden on the island …


Running And Physical Activity In An Air-Polluted Environment: The Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Protocol For A Prospective Cohort Study 4haie (Healthy Aging In Industrial Environment—Program 4), Daniel Jandacka, Jaroslav Uchytil, David Zahradnik, Roman Farana, Dominik Vilimek, Jiri Skypala, Jan Urbaczka, Jan Plesek, Adam Motyka, Denisa Blaschova, Gabriela Beinhauerova, Marketa Rygelova, Pavel Brtva, Klara Balazova, Veronika Horka, Jan Malus, Julia Freedman Silvernail, Gareth Irwin, Miika T. Nieminen, Victor Casula, Vladimir Juras, Milos Golian, Steriani Elavsky, Lenka Knapova, Radim Sram, Joseph Hamill Dec 2020

Running And Physical Activity In An Air-Polluted Environment: The Biomechanical And Musculoskeletal Protocol For A Prospective Cohort Study 4haie (Healthy Aging In Industrial Environment—Program 4), Daniel Jandacka, Jaroslav Uchytil, David Zahradnik, Roman Farana, Dominik Vilimek, Jiri Skypala, Jan Urbaczka, Jan Plesek, Adam Motyka, Denisa Blaschova, Gabriela Beinhauerova, Marketa Rygelova, Pavel Brtva, Klara Balazova, Veronika Horka, Jan Malus, Julia Freedman Silvernail, Gareth Irwin, Miika T. Nieminen, Victor Casula, Vladimir Juras, Milos Golian, Steriani Elavsky, Lenka Knapova, Radim Sram, Joseph Hamill

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Far too little attention has been paid to health effects of air pollution and physical (in)activity on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of the Healthy aging in industrial environment study (4HAIE) is to investigate the potential impact of physical activity in highly polluted air on musculoskeletal health. A total of 1500 active runners and inactive controls aged 18–65 will be recruited. The sample will be recruited using quota sampling based on location (the most air-polluted region in EU and a control region), age, sex, and activity status. Participants will complete online questionnaires …


Spatial Patterns Of Correlation Between Cortical Amyloid And Cortical Thickness In A Tertiary Clinical Population With Memory Deficit, Jagan A. Pillai, Mykol Larvie, Jacqueline Chen, Anna Crawford, Jeffery L. Cummings, Stephen E. Jones Dec 2020

Spatial Patterns Of Correlation Between Cortical Amyloid And Cortical Thickness In A Tertiary Clinical Population With Memory Deficit, Jagan A. Pillai, Mykol Larvie, Jacqueline Chen, Anna Crawford, Jeffery L. Cummings, Stephen E. Jones

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). To estimate regional Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology burden clinically, analysis methods that enable tracking brain amyloid or tau positron emission tomography (PET) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures are needed. We therefore developed a robust MRI analysis method to identify brain regions that correlate linearly with regional amyloid burden in congruent PET images. This method was designed to reduce data variance and improve the sensitivity of the detection of cortical thickness–amyloid correlation by using whole brain modeling, nonlinear image coregistration, and partial volume correction. Using this method, a cross-sectional analysis of 75 tertiary memory clinic AD …


Entry-Level Workplace Competencies Needed By Graduates Of A Community College Agriculture Program: A Midwest Case Study Using The Delphi Technique, Blake Colclasure Dec 2020

Entry-Level Workplace Competencies Needed By Graduates Of A Community College Agriculture Program: A Midwest Case Study Using The Delphi Technique, Blake Colclasure

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Community colleges have a strong history of providing vocational education and occupational training to meet changing workforce demands of local industries. In the Midwest, agricultural industries have expressed an expanding need for middle-skilled workers with postsecondary, prebaccalaureate credentials. The 21st century agricultural landscape has changed as a result of the need for efficiency and sustainability, and resulting emergent agricultural technologies. Community colleges will be integral to establishing a qualified agriculture workforce for entry-level, middle-skilled positions. This study utilized a modified Delphi approach to identify entry-level workplace competencies needed by graduates of a community college agriculture program. Delphi panel experts represented …


The Effect Of Body Armor On Pulmonary Function And Repeated Sprint Performance, Dustin Dunnick Dec 2020

The Effect Of Body Armor On Pulmonary Function And Repeated Sprint Performance, Dustin Dunnick

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Tactical athletes face the unique task of performing physically demanding occupational duties often while wearing torso-borne loads. While pulmonary function has been shown to decrease while wearing plate-carrier style body armor, there has yet to be a study using the more accurate measurement of plethysmography to determine exactly why. Additionally, the inspiratory muscle’s pressure generation capabilities and how they respond to a repeated running sprint test while wearing body armor are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine how body armor affects pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength, and athletic performance during repeated, high-intensity sprints.

Methods: Twelve …


Light Conditions During Desiccation And Rehydration Impact The Recovery Of Cultured Timmiella Crassinervis, Sotodeh Ebrahimi Dec 2020

Light Conditions During Desiccation And Rehydration Impact The Recovery Of Cultured Timmiella Crassinervis, Sotodeh Ebrahimi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Many terrestrial mosses of xeric environments experience excess light during extended periods of desiccation. While dry or hydrated, excess light energy can lead to formation of reactive oxygen species and photoinhibition (e.g. damage to Photosystem II) which affects photosynthetic stress and efficiency. This study aimed to determine the effect of duration dry and light intensity (PAR) on cultured shoots of the chaparral moss Timmiella crassinervis, as well as to elucidate the optimal rehydration light conditions for this species. I hypothesized that 1) mosses exposed to higher light intensities during desiccation would incur more damage upon rehydration than those exposed to …


Association Between White Matter Hyperintensities, Cortical Thinning, And Clinical Outcomes In Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Thomas Helmut Knoblauch Dec 2020

Association Between White Matter Hyperintensities, Cortical Thinning, And Clinical Outcomes In Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Thomas Helmut Knoblauch

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a global health challenge, with over 4.6 million confirmed cases annually in North America alone. Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are the most common and make up approximately 81% of all TBI diagnoses worldwide [1]. Studies indicate that 10–15% of patients suffer from trauma induced symptoms (i.e. headache, loss of balance, cognitive impairments, fatigue, and mental health/affective disorders) as far as 1 year post injury [2]. Prediction and management of these post-traumatic sequalae is complicated by a lack of symptom associated neuroimaging findings. In spite of a “prominent distribution” of frontotemporal WMHs in pediatric subjects …


Tissue-Specific Responses From A Global Developmental Signal: A Detailed Subcellular Analysis Of The 20e And Rab Signaling Pathways Controlling Exocrine Secretion During Drosophila Development, Nichalas Nelson Dec 2020

Tissue-Specific Responses From A Global Developmental Signal: A Detailed Subcellular Analysis Of The 20e And Rab Signaling Pathways Controlling Exocrine Secretion During Drosophila Development, Nichalas Nelson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

During metamorphosis, the steroid hormone 20-hydroxecydysone (20E) triggers a plethora of tissue-specific responses in the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The salivary glands are exocrine organs that respond to a large pulse of 20E to secrete a massive cargo of stored glycoproteins called glue. Because the glands are amenable to ex vivo-organ culture and powerful genetic manipulations, they are an excellent model for studying the conserved developmental and physiological signaling pathways that regulate the general function of these specialized secretory tissues. Our lab has generated transgenic animals in which the secreted glue molecules are tagged with fluorescent proteins. I have …


Effects Of Wildfire On Plant And Insect Pollinator Communities In The Mojave Desert, Nha Trang Vivian Sam Dec 2020

Effects Of Wildfire On Plant And Insect Pollinator Communities In The Mojave Desert, Nha Trang Vivian Sam

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The changing fire regime of landscapes across the Mojave Desert has prompted considerable research on its effects on plant community recovery, but it has not been widely studied what effects wildfire may have on native pollinators and the vital ecosystem services they provide. Ecological changes from increased wildfire severity from invasive exotic annual grasses will likely continue influencing pollinator habitats and floral resources. Understanding the effects that wildfires have on pollinators is valuable to make decisions as to whether active management and restoration activities are required to conserve ecologically vital pollinator functions. The intention of this thesis was to examine …


Microbe-Mineral Interactions During Exceptional Fossil Preservation, Stromatolite Formation, And Desert Varnish Growth, Michael Strange Dec 2020

Microbe-Mineral Interactions During Exceptional Fossil Preservation, Stromatolite Formation, And Desert Varnish Growth, Michael Strange

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Ediacaran to Cambrian Deep Spring Formation consists of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic strata which contain an increasingly complex and biogeographically important biota. Past investigations of the Deep Spring Formation at Mt. Dunfee, Nevada, explored the highly diverse microbialite reefs consisting of a wide range of stromatolite morphologies which exerted significant control on local sedimentation and topography. Early investigations also documented the biomineralizing metazoan Cloudina (an Ediacaran index fossil). However, recent exploration of the area has resulted in the discovery of several new metazoan fossil communities consisting of a diverse assemblage of Ediacaran soft-tissue tubicolous vermiforms (tube fossils) similar to Cloudina. The …


Bayesian Variable Selection Methods For Genome-Wide Association Studies With Categorical Phenotypes, Benazir Rowe Dec 2020

Bayesian Variable Selection Methods For Genome-Wide Association Studies With Categorical Phenotypes, Benazir Rowe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) attempt to find the associations between genetic markers and studied traits (phenotypes). The problem of GWAS is complex and various methods have been developed to approach it. One of such methods is Bayesian variable selection (BVS). We describe the BVS methods in detail and demonstrate the ability of BVS method Posterior Inference via Model Averaging and Subset Selection (piMASS) to improve the power of detecting phenotype-associated genetic loci, potentially leading to new discoveries from existing data without increasing the sample size.

We present several ways to improve and extend the applicability of piMASS for GWAS. The …


Validity And Reliability Of Physiological Data In Applied Settings Measured By Wearable Technology: A Rapid Systematic Review, Bryson Carrier, Brenna Barrios, Brayden D. Jolley, James W. Navalta Nov 2020

Validity And Reliability Of Physiological Data In Applied Settings Measured By Wearable Technology: A Rapid Systematic Review, Bryson Carrier, Brenna Barrios, Brayden D. Jolley, James W. Navalta

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the current state of the literature and to identify the types of study designs, wearable devices, statistical tests, and exercise modes used in validation and reliability studies conducted in applied settings/outdoor environments. This was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We identified nine articles that fit our inclusion criteria, eight of which tested for validity and one tested for reliability. The studies tested 28 different devices with exercise modalities of running, walking, cycling, and hiking. While there were no universally common analytical techniques used …


Flame Retardants And Neurodevelopment: An Updated Review Of Epidemiological Literature, Ann M. Vuong, Kimberly Yolton, Kim M. Cecil, Joseph M. Braun, Bruce P. Lanphear, Aimin Chen Nov 2020

Flame Retardants And Neurodevelopment: An Updated Review Of Epidemiological Literature, Ann M. Vuong, Kimberly Yolton, Kim M. Cecil, Joseph M. Braun, Bruce P. Lanphear, Aimin Chen

Public Health Faculty Publications

Purpose of Review: Flame retardant (FR) compounds can adversely impact neurodevelopment. This updated literature review summarizes epidemiological studies of FRs and neurotoxicity published since 2015, covering historical (polybrominated biphenyls [PBBs], polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]), contemporary (polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs], hexabromocyclododecane [HBCD], and tetrabromobisphenol A [TBBPA]), and current-use organophosphate FRs (OPFRs) and brominated FRs (2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobezoate [EH-TBB] TBB), bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate [BEH-TEBP]), focusing on prenatal and postnatal periods of exposure. Recent Findings: Continuing studies on PCBs still reveal adverse associations with child cognition and behavior. Recent studies indicate PBDEs are neurotoxic, particularly for gestational exposures with decreased cognition and increased externalizing behaviors. Findings …


Impact Of Terrestrial Input On Deep-Sea Benthic Archaeal Community Structure In South China Sea Sediments, Dengxun Lai, Brian P. Hedlund, Wei Xie, Jingjing Liu, Tommy J. Phelps, Chuanlun Zhang, Peng Wang Nov 2020

Impact Of Terrestrial Input On Deep-Sea Benthic Archaeal Community Structure In South China Sea Sediments, Dengxun Lai, Brian P. Hedlund, Wei Xie, Jingjing Liu, Tommy J. Phelps, Chuanlun Zhang, Peng Wang

Life Sciences Faculty Research

© Copyright © 2020 Lai, Hedlund, Xie, Liu, Phelps, Zhang and Wang. Archaea are widespread in marine sediments and play important roles in the cycling of sedimentary organic carbon. However, factors controlling the distribution of archaea in marine sediments are not well understood. Here we investigated benthic archaeal communities over glacial-interglacial cycles in the northern South China Sea and evaluated their responses to sediment organic matter sources and inter-species interactions. Archaea in sediments deposited during the interglacial period Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 1 (Holocene) were significantly different from those in sediments deposited in MIS 2 and MIS 3 of the …


Understanding Orthostatic Intolerance And Exercise Programming For The Health And Fitness Practitioner, Deni Roller, Carley A. Shannon, Andrew T. Del Pozzi Nov 2020

Understanding Orthostatic Intolerance And Exercise Programming For The Health And Fitness Practitioner, Deni Roller, Carley A. Shannon, Andrew T. Del Pozzi

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

  • The purpose of this manuscript is to briefly review Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) and discuss proper exercise programming and progression guidelines for working with those affected by OI; a disorder associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, characterized by a difficulty standing upright.
  • In order to do this, we performed a review of the published literature using google scholar and PubMed search engines.
  • Evidence indicated that a light to moderate intensity aerobic exercise program would aid in improving orthostatic tolerance.
  • Previous studies have indicated that progressive resistance training aids in mechanisms that are dysfunctional in OI such as blood volume increases and …


Expanding Magnetic Organelle Biogenesis In The Domain Bacteria, Wei Lin, Wensi Zhang, Greig A. Paterson, Qiyun Zhu, Xiang Zhao, Rob Knight, Dennis A. Bazylinski, Andrew P. Roberts, Yongxin Pan Oct 2020

Expanding Magnetic Organelle Biogenesis In The Domain Bacteria, Wei Lin, Wensi Zhang, Greig A. Paterson, Qiyun Zhu, Xiang Zhao, Rob Knight, Dennis A. Bazylinski, Andrew P. Roberts, Yongxin Pan

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Background: The discovery of membrane-enclosed, metabolically functional organelles in Bacteria has transformed our understanding of the subcellular complexity of prokaryotic cells. Biomineralization of magnetic nanoparticles within magnetosomes by magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) is a fascinating example of prokaryotic organelles. Magnetosomes, as nano-sized magnetic sensors in MTB, facilitate cell navigation along the local geomagnetic field, a behaviour referred to as magnetotaxis or microbial magnetoreception. Recent discovery of novel MTB outside the traditionally recognized taxonomic lineages suggests that MTB diversity across the domain Bacteria are considerably underestimated, which limits understanding of the taxonomic distribution and evolutionary origin of magnetosome organelle biogenesis. Results: Here, …


Artificial Nightlight Alters The Predator–Prey Dynamics Of An Apex Carnivore, Mark A. Ditmer, David C. Stoner, Clinton D. Francis, Jesse R. Barber, James D. Forster, David M. Choate, Kirsten E. Ironside, Kathleen M. Longshore, Kent R. Hersey, Randy T. Larsen, Brock R. Mcmillan, Daniel D. Olson, Alyson M. Andreasen, Jon P. Beckmann, P. Brandon Holton, Terry A. Messmer, Neil H. Carter Oct 2020

Artificial Nightlight Alters The Predator–Prey Dynamics Of An Apex Carnivore, Mark A. Ditmer, David C. Stoner, Clinton D. Francis, Jesse R. Barber, James D. Forster, David M. Choate, Kirsten E. Ironside, Kathleen M. Longshore, Kent R. Hersey, Randy T. Larsen, Brock R. Mcmillan, Daniel D. Olson, Alyson M. Andreasen, Jon P. Beckmann, P. Brandon Holton, Terry A. Messmer, Neil H. Carter

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Artificial nightlight is increasingly recognized as an important environmental disturbance that influences the habitats and fitness of numerous species. However, its effects on wide‐ranging vertebrates and their interactions remain unclear. Light pollution has the potential to amplify land‐use change, and as such, answering the question of how this sensory stimulant affects behavior and habitat use of species valued for their ecological roles and economic impacts is critical for conservation and land‐use planning. Here, we combined satellite‐derived estimates of light pollution, with GPS‐data from cougars Puma concolor (n = 56), mule deer Odocoileus hemionus (n = 263) and locations of cougar‐killed …


Associations Of Dietary Bioactive Compounds With Maternal Adiposity And Inflammation In Gestational Diabetes: An Update On Observational And Clinical Studies, Dustin W. Davis, Jeannette Crew, Petar Planinic, James M. Alexander, Arpita Basu Oct 2020

Associations Of Dietary Bioactive Compounds With Maternal Adiposity And Inflammation In Gestational Diabetes: An Update On Observational And Clinical Studies, Dustin W. Davis, Jeannette Crew, Petar Planinic, James M. Alexander, Arpita Basu

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy that adversely affects maternal and offspring health. Maternal obesity, oxidative stress, and inflammation have been implicated in GDM. In non-pregnant adults, intakes of dietary bioactive compounds inversely associate with insulin resistance and inflammation. However, associations of dietary bioactive compounds with biomarkers of adiposity, antioxidant vitamin and mineral status, oxidative stress, and inflammation in GDM have not been fully elucidated. We addressed this gap by conducting a semi-quantitative review of observational studies and randomized controlled trials published between 2010 and 2020 and retrieved from Google Scholar, Medline, and PubMed. Our analysis …


Impact Of Uv-Induced Ozone And Low-Energy Ar+-Ion Cleaning On The Chemical Structure Of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 Absorber Surfaces, Victor R. Van Maris, Dirk Hauschild, Thomas P. Niesen, Patrick Eraerds, Thomas Dalibor, Jörg Palm, Monika Blum, Wanli Yang, Clemens Heske, Lothar Weinhardt Oct 2020

Impact Of Uv-Induced Ozone And Low-Energy Ar+-Ion Cleaning On The Chemical Structure Of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 Absorber Surfaces, Victor R. Van Maris, Dirk Hauschild, Thomas P. Niesen, Patrick Eraerds, Thomas Dalibor, Jörg Palm, Monika Blum, Wanli Yang, Clemens Heske, Lothar Weinhardt

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

Dry buffer layer deposition techniques for chalcopyrite (CIGSSe)-based thin-film solar cells lack the surface-cleaning characteristics of the commonly used CdS or Zn(O,S) wet-chemical bath deposition. A UV-induced ozone and/or a low-energy Ar+-ion treatment could provide dry CIGSSe surface cleaning steps. To study the impact of these treatments, the chemical surface structure of a CIGSSe absorber is investigated. For this purpose, a set of surface-sensitive spectroscopic methods, i.e., laboratory-based x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray-excited Auger electron spectroscopy, is combined with synchrotron-based soft x-ray emission spectroscopy. After treatment times as short as 15 s, the UV-induced ozone treatment decreases the amount of …


An Acute Application Of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Improve Motor Performance In Parkinson’S Disease, Lidio Lima De Albuquerque, Milan Pantovic, Mitchel Clingo, Katherine Fischer, Sharon Jalene, Merrill Landers, Zoltan Mari, Brach Poston Oct 2020

An Acute Application Of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Improve Motor Performance In Parkinson’S Disease, Lidio Lima De Albuquerque, Milan Pantovic, Mitchel Clingo, Katherine Fischer, Sharon Jalene, Merrill Landers, Zoltan Mari, Brach Poston

Integrated Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Transcranial direct current stimulation of the cerebellum (c-tDCS) improves motor performance in young and old adults. Based on the cerebellar involvement in Parkinson’s disease (PD), c-tDCS could have potential to improve motor function in PD. The purpose was to determine the effects of c-tDCS on motor performance in PD while participants were on medications. The study was a randomized, double-blind, SHAM-controlled, between-subjects design. Twenty-two participants with PD were allocated to either a c-tDCS group or a SHAM group. All participants completed one experimental session and performed two motor tasks with their most affected hand in a Baseline condition (no stimulation) …


Comparison Of Physical Fitness Between Sport And Non-Sport Groups Among Elementary School Children, Junjiro Kubo, Saburo Nishimura, Takayuki Ogiwara Oct 2020

Comparison Of Physical Fitness Between Sport And Non-Sport Groups Among Elementary School Children, Junjiro Kubo, Saburo Nishimura, Takayuki Ogiwara

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

  • We compared physical fitness factors between sport and non-sport groups of elementary school children in all grades. The subjects of this study were 1,079 1st- to 6th-grade male elementary school children. Their parents completed a questionnaire examining whether the child attended sports lessons as a regular after-school activity. Physical fitness was evaluated by a new physical fitness test recommended by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (4). The test consists of the following items: 1) Grip strength (kg); 2) Sit-ups (number completed in 30 sec); 4) Sitting front stretches (cm); 5) Side steps (number completed in …


Investigating The Effect Of Managing Scenarios Of Flow Reduction And Increasing Irrigation Water Demand On Water Resources Allocation Using System Dynamics (Case Study: Zonouz Dam, Iran), Mohammad Taghi Sattari, Rasoul Mirabbasi, Hossein Dolati, Fatemeh Shaker Sureh, Sajjad Ahmad Sep 2020

Investigating The Effect Of Managing Scenarios Of Flow Reduction And Increasing Irrigation Water Demand On Water Resources Allocation Using System Dynamics (Case Study: Zonouz Dam, Iran), Mohammad Taghi Sattari, Rasoul Mirabbasi, Hossein Dolati, Fatemeh Shaker Sureh, Sajjad Ahmad

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Meeting the healthy nutrition needs of the increasing population in the arid and semi-arid climates of the different regions of the world such as Iran has become very important for the agriculture ministry and water resources managers. In this study, the system dynamics approach was used in the Vensim software environment to allocate the water of the Zonouz dam reservoir for irrigation purposes in the northwest of Iran. For this purpose, the existing surface water resources in the basin and the amounts of agricultural water and environmental water demands were determined and a water allocation plan was developed. In the …


Establishing A Methodology For Conducting A Rapid Review On Wearable Technology Reliability And Validity In Applied Settings, Brenna Barrios, Bryson Carrier, Brayden Jolley, Dustin W. Davis, Jacquelyn Sertic, James W. Navalta Sep 2020

Establishing A Methodology For Conducting A Rapid Review On Wearable Technology Reliability And Validity In Applied Settings, Brenna Barrios, Bryson Carrier, Brayden Jolley, Dustin W. Davis, Jacquelyn Sertic, James W. Navalta

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

  • Wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular with new devices entering the market frequently, but with disproportionality less research being conducted on the reliability and validity in field settings, outside of the laboratory.
  • This paper details the methodology of gathering research based on the principals of a rapid review, using these points of application: inclusion criteria of studies (databases), search terms (data to be extracted), and how research will be conducted (narrowing articles and assessing bias).
  • Point of application #1: Inclusion criteria are described well as potential databases used, allowing a means of not only systematically gathering information, but also the …


Resilience And Alternative Stable States After Desert Wildfires, Scott R. Abella, Dominic M. Gentilcore, Lindsay P. Chiquoine Sep 2020

Resilience And Alternative Stable States After Desert Wildfires, Scott R. Abella, Dominic M. Gentilcore, Lindsay P. Chiquoine

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Improving models of community change is a fundamental goal in ecology and has renewed importance during global change and increasing human disturbance of the biosphere. Using the Mojave Desert (southwestern United States) as a model system, invaded by nonnative plants and subject to wildfire disturbances, we examined models of resilience, alternative stable states, and convergent-divergent trajectories for 36 yr of plant community change after 31 wildfires in communities dominated by the native shrubs Larrea tridentata or Coleogyne ramosissima. Perennial species richness on average was fully resilient within 23 yr after disturbance in both community types. Perennial cover was fully resilient …


Measurement Of Human Walking Movements By Using A Mobile Health App: Motion Sensor Data Analysis, Sungchul Lee, Ryan M. Walker, Yoohwan Kim, Hyunhwa Lee Sep 2020

Measurement Of Human Walking Movements By Using A Mobile Health App: Motion Sensor Data Analysis, Sungchul Lee, Ryan M. Walker, Yoohwan Kim, Hyunhwa Lee

Computer Science Faculty Research

Background: This study presents a new approach to measure and analyze the walking balance of humans by collecting motion sensor data in a smartphone. Objective: We aimed to develop a mobile health (mHealth) app that can measure the walking movements of human individuals and analyze the differences in the walking movements of different individuals based on their health conditions. A smartphone's motion sensors were used to measure the walking movements and analyze the rotation matrix data by calculating the variation of each xyz rotation, which shows the variables in walking-related movement data over time. Methods: Data were collected from 3 …


A Lung Cancer Screening Personalized Decision-Aid Improves Knowledge And Reduces Decisional Conflict Among A Diverse Population Of Smokers At An Urban Academic Medical Center, Madeline Kaufman, Nilan Schnure, Andrea Nicholson, Frank Leone, Carmen Guerra Sep 2020

A Lung Cancer Screening Personalized Decision-Aid Improves Knowledge And Reduces Decisional Conflict Among A Diverse Population Of Smokers At An Urban Academic Medical Center, Madeline Kaufman, Nilan Schnure, Andrea Nicholson, Frank Leone, Carmen Guerra

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: Few lung cancer screening decision aids have been tested in diverse populations. The study objective was to determine whether the online decision aid www.shouldiscreen.com impacts knowledge of and decisional conflict around lung cancer screening in a diverse population.

Methods: Eligible patients had significant smoking histories, were at increased risk for lung cancer (ages 45-80, >20 pack-years, smoking within last 15 years) and had no history of prior lung cancer or screening. Data was collected and analyzed in 2017.

Results: 40 patients were enrolled: 80% were female, 62.5% black, 33% white, and 48% had a high school …


Concurrent Heart Rate Validity Of Wearable Technology Devices During Trail Running, James W. Navalta, Jeffrey Montes, Nathaniel G. Bodell, Robert W. Salatto, Jacob W. Manning, Mark Debeliso Aug 2020

Concurrent Heart Rate Validity Of Wearable Technology Devices During Trail Running, James W. Navalta, Jeffrey Montes, Nathaniel G. Bodell, Robert W. Salatto, Jacob W. Manning, Mark Debeliso

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Validation of heart rate responses in wearable technology devices is generally composed of laboratory-based protocols that are steady state in nature and as a result, high accuracy measures are returned. However, there is a need to understand device validity in applied settings that include varied intensities of exercise. The purpose was to determine concurrent heart rate validity during trail running. Twenty-one healthy participants volunteered (female n = 10, [mean (SD)]: age = 31 [11] years, height = 173.0 [7] cm, mass = 75.6 [13] kg). Participants were outfitted with wearable technology devices (Garmin Fenix 5 wristwatch, Jabra Elite Sport earbuds, …


Analysis Of Genomic Sequence Data Reveals The Origin And Evolutionary Separation Of Hawaiian Hoary Bat Populations, Corinna A. Pinzari, Lin Kang, Pawel Michalak, Lars S. Jermiin, Donald K. Price, Frank J. Bonaccorso Aug 2020

Analysis Of Genomic Sequence Data Reveals The Origin And Evolutionary Separation Of Hawaiian Hoary Bat Populations, Corinna A. Pinzari, Lin Kang, Pawel Michalak, Lars S. Jermiin, Donald K. Price, Frank J. Bonaccorso

Life Sciences Faculty Research

We examine the genetic history and population status of Hawaiian hoary bats (Lasiurus semotus), the most isolated bats on Earth, and their relationship to northern hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus), through whole-genome analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms mapped to a de novo-assembled reference genome. Profiles of genomic diversity and divergence indicate that Hawaiian hoary bats are distinct from northern hoary bats, and form a monophyletic group, indicating a single ancestral colonization event 1.34 Ma, followed by substantial divergence between islands beginning 0.51 Ma. Phylogenetic analysis indicates Maui is central to the radiation across the archipelago, with the southward expansion to Hawai‘i and …