Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Patterns Of Recent Natural Selection On Genetic Loci Associated With Sexually Differentiated Human Body Size And Shape Phenotypes, Audrey M. Arner, Kathleen E. Grogan, Mark Grabowski, Hugo Reyes-Centeno, George H. Perry

Anthropology Faculty Publications

Levels of sex differences for human body size and shape phenotypes are hypothesized to have adaptively reduced following the agricultural transition as part of an evolutionary response to relatively more equal divisions of labor and new technology adoption. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by studying genetic variants associated with five sexually differentiated human phenotypes: height, body mass, hip circumference, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. We first analyzed genome-wide association (GWAS) results for UK Biobank individuals (~194,000 females and ~167,000 males) to identify a total of 114,199 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with at least one of …

Detecting Recent Crop Phenology Dynamics In Corn And Soybean Cropping Systems Of Kentucky, Yanjun Yang, Bo Tao, Liang Liang, Yawen Huang, Christopher J. Matocha, Chad D. Lee, Michael Sama, Bassil El Masri, Wei Ren

Geography Faculty Publications

Accurate phenological information is essential for monitoring crop development, predicting crop yield, and enhancing resilience to cope with climate change. This study employed a curve-change-based dynamic threshold approach on NDVI (Normalized Differential Vegetation Index) time series to detect the planting and harvesting dates for corn and soybean in Kentucky, a typical climatic transition zone, from 2000 to 2018. We compared satellite-based estimates with ground observations and performed trend analyses of crop phenological stages over the study period to analyze their relationships with climate change and crop yields. Our results showed that corn and soybean planting dates were delayed by 0.01 …

Integrating Policies, Systems, And Environments (Pse) Work Into Fcs Extension Programming: Lessons Learned From A Multi-State Training, Lisa T. Washburn, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Karen L. Franck, Lauren E. Kennedy, Christopher T. Sneed

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Public health efforts have emphasized changes to policies, systems and environments (PSEs) to improve health behaviors for individuals and communities. Extension has increasingly emphasized these approaches, particularly for work of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agents. In part, this emphasis on PSEs in Extension has been driven by SNAP-Ed and other federally funded initiatives, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) High Obesity Programs (HOP). However, broader adoption and implementation of PSEs at the local level has lagged in some states for various reasons. These include limited understanding about PSE interventions and how this work fits with …

Open-Field Scale-Model Experiments Of Fire Whirls Over L-Shaped Line Fires, Yuto Iga, Kazunori Kuwana, Kozo Sekimoto, Yuji Nakamura

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

This paper presents the results of open-field scale-model experiments of fire-whirl formation over line fires. L-shaped line fires were burned in crosswinds, and the processes of fire-whirl formation were observed. The flame height was measured using an image-processing technique, while two-dimensional velocity components were measured at two different locations using ultrasonic anemometers. Two tests were selected for comparison: test A, in which intense fire whirls repeatedly formed, and test B, in which no whirls were observed. In test A, the wind flow was bent by the fire plume, creating swirling flows near the burning area, thereby forming fire whirls. On …

Effect Of Reduced Plume Entrainment On The Burning Rate Of Porous Fuel Beds, Sara Mcallister

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

Large outdoor fires often exhibit unexpected fire behavior, particularly compared with much smaller fires. Understanding the difference between large- and small-scale fires is of importance for both fire behavior predictions and safety. Large fires are often characterized by very tall plumes that can extend to the stratosphere. Particularly as the actively burning area increases, plumes in large-scale fires likely entrain relatively little and may act in a similar fashion to a chimney. To explore the possible changes in burning rate due to the chimney effect, experiments were conducted with wood cribs burned with a chimney of variable height. The burning …

Scale Model Test To Estimate Thermal Damage By Fire In Aircraft Cargo, Jian Gao, Tsuneyoshi Matsuoka, Yuji Nakamura

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires fire detectors to alarm within one minute of the start of a fire in cargo compartments of airplanes. To determine whether such alarm timing works, investigations of the thermal damage to ceilings and other structures during the early stage of a fire were accomplished to demonstrate compliance with these FAA regulations. The objective was to test the feasibility of predicting convective heat transfer in early stage of a cargo compartment fire by conducting reduced scale (lab scale) experiments. First, the scaling laws was derived and validated. Then, full-scale and half-scale experiments were performed with …

Extinguishment Of Diffusion Flames Formed Over A Porous Plate Burner Using Rubber Balloons Filled With Inert Gases, Hiroyuki Torikai, Shinya Kudo

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

We have proposed an inert gas, rubber-balloon extinguishing method which might increase the effectiveness of extinguishing flames and decreasing the amounts of agents needed for fire suppression. Hence, extinguishing experiments have been performed to further clarify possible extinguishing characteristics, mechanisms and scaling effects of this method. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon and helium gases were used as the extinguishing agents. Methane-air and propane-air diffusion flames were formed on two different diameter, round porous plate burner and used as the targets for extinguishment. The extinguishing probabilities were measured, and the extinguishing processes were observed with a high-speed camera. As a result, an …

Effects Of Dimensionless Numbers On Decomposition Of Methane Hydrate, Shoma Shimizu, Genichiro Kushida

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

It is necessary to elucidate the decomposition and combustion of methane hydrate for fire safety during transportation and storage to utilize it for commercial practice. The amount of methane evolved during the decomposition of methane hydrates is affected by the conditions such as the initial temperature, initial density and ambient temperature. In the present study, the internal temperature of methane hydrate and the amount of methane evolved during its decomposition were investigated by a dimensionless numerical analysis using a transient one-dimensional conduction model from a symmetrical methane hydrate ball heated by ambient air. The numerically calculated central temperature and the …

A Study On Fire Hazards Of Oil Tanks In Urban Areas With Scale Model Experiments, Ho Yin Ng, Yu Wan, Wan Ki Chow

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

Large fuel tanks are located in an urban area of Tsing Yi in Hong Kong, giving potentially high risks to people living nearby if a fire was to occur. Scale modeling experiments were carried out to investigate the potential of fire hazards. Propanol pool fires with five different scales of oil tanks were studied first. Appropriate tank sizes were then put in a 1/2500 architectural scale model on the Tsing Yi Island to study a fuel tank fire. Results show that the heat and smoke from a fire would affect occupants staying in areas near to the fuel tanks. Fire …

Fingering Behavior Of Flame Spread Over Solid Combustibles, Tsuneyoshi Matsuoka, Kentaro Nakashima, Takuma Kajimoto, Akihiro Yoshimasa, Yuji Nakamura

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

In this study, the fingering pattern formation and the following flamelet spreading over three different kinds of thick combustibles, i.e., Poly methacrylate (PMMA), Poly ethylene (PE) and Poly carbonate (PC) were observed and the effective Lewis number correlation was validated. Experiments were performed with a narrow channel apparatus. In addition to the kinds of solid fuel materials, the channel height and the oxidizer velocity were varied as experimental parameters. An image analysis method was developed to quantify the number, diameter and spread rate of the flamelets. Replacing the fuel thickness into the thermal thickness, the effective Lewis number which is …

Data-Driven Tools Guided By First-Principles For Scale Modeling, Sadegh Poozesh

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

For decades, traditional scale-modeling techniques have been relying on first-principles models (FPMs). FPMs have been used to find non-dimensional numbers (PIs) and identify normalized underlying forces and energies behind the phenomenon in focus. The two main challenges with FPM-based PIs extraction are finding the relevant PIs and proper correlations between PIs. The emergence and surge of data-driven modeling (DDM) provide a new opportunity to leverage experimental data in model development across scales/plants. In this paper, first, the two mentioned issues in PIs development will be elaborated to reveal the gap, and second, a new insight into scale modeling and similarity …

Metabolomics-Based Analysis Of Miniature Flask Contents Identifies Tobacco Mixture Use Among The Ancient Maya, Mario Zimmermann, Korey J. Brownstein, Luis Pantoja Díaz, Iliana Ancona Aragón, Scott R. Hutson, Barry Kidder, Shannon Tushingham, David R. Gang

Anthropology Faculty Publications

A particular type of miniature ceramic vessel locally known as “veneneras” is occasionally found during archaeological excavations in the Maya Area. To date, only one study of a collection of such containers successfully identified organic residues through coupled chromatography–mass spectrometry methods. That study identified traces of nicotine likely associated with tobacco. Here we present a more complete picture by analyzing a suite of possible complementary ingredients in tobacco mixtures across a collection of 14 miniature vessels. The collection includes four different vessel forms and allows for the comparison of specimens which had previously formed part of museum exhibitions with recently …

Procuring Produce In A Rural, Appalachian County: A Thematic Analysis Of Community Member Experiences, Caroline Blincoe

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Rates of obesity and other health disparities are exceptionally high in rural Appalachian counties compared to the nation as a whole. One causal factor of these health disparities in Appalachian counties is the inequitable allocation of healthy food. Food insecurity and the local food environment are large drivers for obesity experienced by Martin County, Kentucky residents. Successful socioecological model (SEM) and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) interventions have shown promising results in reducing obesity and enhancing food security in this population. Through the transcription of semi-structured focus group interviews, thematic analysis aimed to obtain perspectives on the local food system. …

Sustainability And Economics Of White Oak (Quercus Alba) Timber Supply In Kentucky, Gaurav Dhungel

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

Sustained timber supply relies upon balanced forest age distribution, where the level of harvesting and mortality is compensated by regeneration and growth among younger age classes. However, current forest inventory trends from the white oak growing region reveal sustainability threat from declining white oak regeneration and recruitment leading to disproportionate inventory structure. Consequently, there exists growing concern among stakeholders on long-term sustainability of white oak timber and its economic implications, particularly in Kentucky, because of the significance of the species to the state’s economy. This research aims to examine past and current inventory levels of white oak in Kentucky using …

Maternal Proximity To Mountaintop Removal Mining And Birth Defects In Appalachian Kentucky, 1997-2003, Daniel B. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Extraction of coal through mountaintop removal mining (MTR) alters many dimensions of the landscape, and explosive blasts, exposed rock, and coal washing have the potential to pollute air and water with substances known to increase risk of developmental and birth anomalies. Previous research suggests that infants born to mothers living in MTR coal mining counties have higher prevalence of most types of birth defects.

Objectives: This study seeks to examine further the relationship between MTR activity and birth defects by employing individual level exposure estimation through precise satellite data of MTR activity in the Appalachian region and maternal residence …

The Relationship Between Stress And Quality Of Life In People With Multiple Sclerosis: The Mediating Role Of Resilience, Byung Jin Kim

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system encompassing the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve, in which the patient’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues. Due to the unpredictable characteristics of the disease, MS can lead to an unusually high level of stress and may negatively impact the individual’s QoL. Resilience is a psychological structure that shows positive coping and adaptive ability from difficult or stressful situations. Resilience also indicates a buffering effect on the stressors of individuals with disabilities and serves to protect psychological health and function from disability. The purpose of this …

Pharmacokinetics And Reward-Related Behaviors Of Ethanol In Male And Female Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica), Shannon Eaton

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Ethanol is one of the most widely used and abused drugs. Problem use is associated with many different health problems and the economic burden is in the billions of dollars. Additionally, many people have difficulty controlling their ethanol consumption and about 5% of adults end up with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Many people with an AUD often find themselves in a cycle of binge, remission, and relapse.

Following ethanol consumption ethanol enters the bloodstream from the small intestine where it gets distributed to peripheral tissues. Ethanol in the bloodstream is cleared from the system by the liver. The primary …