Digital Commons Network^™

Neuroplasticity And Creativity: Transformative Potential Of Fibre Arts For Growth And Well-Being, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the transformative potential of fibre arts—such as quilting, weaving, and embroidery—as tools for personal growth, neuroplasticity, and well-being. Drawing on neuroscience and psychology, it demonstrates how engaging with fibre arts stimulates brain regions associated with problem-solving, sensory integration, and adaptability, fostering neural growth and enhancing cognitive flexibility. Fibre arts, through their inherent challenges and opportunities for play, provide a perfect medium for stepping beyond familiar boundaries, cultivating resilience, and reducing stress. This interplay of creativity and tactile engagement is particularly effective due to the historical undervaluation of fibre arts, which makes them novel and accessible mediums that …

Beyond Pathology: Inclusive Mentorship, Accommodations, And Policy Reforms For Autistic Women In The Medical Profession, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article addresses the unique challenges faced by autistic women in the medical profession, particularly in navigating traditional medical frameworks that often marginalize neurodiverse individuals. Drawing from a targeted literature review, this paper highlights the importance of adapting medical curricula, establishing mentorship programs, and reforming policies to foster inclusivity. Autistic women in medicine encounter barriers such as a lack of mentorship tailored to their needs, inadequate accommodations, and systemic bias rooted in the pathologization of autism. The article synthesizes current research to provide evidence-based recommendations that address these barriers. Specific examples of successful mentorship programs demonstrate the critical role of …

Phenology And Resource Allocation Strategies Of Diploid Flowering Rush (Butomus Umbellatus) In Ohio And New York, Maxwell G. Gebhart, Ryan M. Wersal, Andrew R. Hannes, Nathan E. Harms, Bradley T. Sartain, William L. Wolanske, Mia Yeager

Biological Sciences Department Publications

Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus L.) is an emergent perennial monocot that has invaded aquatic systems along the U.S.–Canadian border. Currently, there are two known cytotypes of flowering rush, diploid and triploid, within the invaded range. Although most studies have focused on the triploid cytotype, little information is known about diploid plants. Therefore, phenology and resource allocation were studied on the diploid cytotype of flowering rush in three study sites (Mentor Marsh, OH; Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, NY; and Unity Island, NY) to understand seasonal resource allocation and environmental influences on growth, and to optimize management strategies. Samples were harvested once …

The Role Of Eor-1/Plzf In Promoting Soma Compartment Specific Death In A Non-Canonical Cell Death Program In C. Elegans, Nathan Rather

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Programmed cell death (PCD) is an essential evolutionarily- conserved and genetically encoded program for normal development and homeostasis. A previous study identified a CED-3 dependent but mechanistically non-apoptotic and highly stereotyped elimination program called Compartmentalized Cell Elimination (CCE) in the C. elegans tail-spike epithelial cell (TSC). Here the transcription factor EOR-1/PLZF is found to promote CCE. The loss of which results in a persisting non-engulfed soma with enlarged nuclei in the first larval stage. This study finds that EOR-1 and its established partners function downstream of CED-3 Caspase protease activity, a role distinct from other PCD contexts where EOR-1 has …

Assessment Of Gender Differences In Letters Of Recommendation For Physical Therapy Residency Applications, Darren Q Calley, Sunyang Fu, Marissa D Hamilton, Austin W Kalla, Christopher K Lee, Veronica A Rasmussen, John H Hollman, Hongfang Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Letters of recommendation (LOR) are an integral component of physical therapy residency applications. Identifying the influence of applicant and writer gender in LOR will help identify whether potential implicit gender bias exists in physical therapy residency application processes.

Review of literature: Several medical and surgical residency education programs have reported positive, neutral, or negative LOR female gender bias among applicants and writers. Little research exists on gender differences in LOR to physical therapy education programs or physical therapy residency programs.

Subjects: Seven hundred sixty-eight LOR were analyzed from 256 applications to 3 physical therapy residency programs (neurologic, orthopaedic, sports) …

Are Universities Adequately Preparing Undergraduate Students For Careers As Professional Wildlife Biologists?, Trevon D. Strange

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The demands for diversely skilled wildlife biologists and scientific researchers in the wildlife profession are projected to increase. Increasing urbanization has affected wildlife management, and the recruitment of future wildlife professionals. Thus, state and federal supervisors in agencies that hire wildlife professionals are concerned that recent graduates of university wildlife programs lack the necessary skill-sets to address these complex contemporary wildlife management issues. My research sought to identify where the educational performance gaps may exist between university wildlife programs, wildlife agencies, and student expectations. To conduct my research, I evaluated undergraduate wildlife curricula offered by 42 accredited universities listed on …

Investigating Brain Reward Mechanisms: A Comparative Study In Male And Female Rats, Valeria Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Drug addiction is a serious public health concern. Recently, electronic cigarette use has become increasingly popular among vulnerable populations such as adolescents and women. Previous research on conventional cigarette use has shown significant sex differences in drug-seeking behavior and withdrawal symptoms, which are driven mainly by hormonal differences. However, changes in sex hormones do not completely explain the enhanced reward sensitivity reported in females. Thus, this dissertation aims to examine other alternative reasons that can explain these sex differences, such as differences in reward-seeking and neuronal reactivity. Additionally, there is a dearth of consistency across papers intending to map electrode …

Bap1: Genotype-Phenotype Correlation, Variant Classification, And Treatment Efficacy, Elizabeth Hobbs

All Dissertations

BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 3p21.3 and encodes a deubiquitinase enzyme (DUB) involved in DNA repair, cell cycle and metabolism, and apoptosis. BAP1 pathogenic germline variants are primarily associated with a familial cancer syndrome, Tumor Predisposition Syndrome 1 (TPDS1), but new missense variants have been linked to a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Kury-Isidor Syndrome (KURIS). Patients with TPDS1 variants have an increased risk for developing cancers, such as uveal and cutaneous melanomas, mesothelioma, and renal cell carcinoma, at an earlier age with lower thresholds for environmental exposures, mainly UV rays and asbestos, compared …

Drosophila Model Of Cocaine Use Disorder, Jeffrey Hatfield

All Dissertations

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a major public health challenge. While the primary mechanism of action of cocaine has been well characterized, and family studies have identified a strong genetic component, the specific genetic factors that influence susceptibility to development of CUD remain poorly understood. Genetic studies of cocaine use disorder are difficult in humans, but can be readily performed in Drosophila, where environment, genetic background, and cocaine exposure can be controlled. Drosophila exhibit behavioral and transcriptomic responses to cocaine, which binds to the dopamine transporter in fruit flies as it does in humans. Here, we use Drosophila to …

Acupressure For Rescue Treatment For Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting, Kimberly Amerson, Jennifer Smith

Doctoral Projects

This doctoral project investigates acupressure as a non-pharmacological option for PONV management, focusing on the P6 point (Neiguan). The physiological processes involved in regulating nausea are highlighted in the discussion of the mechanisms of action. This research also looks at the valuable uses of acupressure in clinical settings and the education of PACU nurses and anesthesia providers. By utilizing knowledge, including acupressure, PACU nurses and anesthesia providers can improve satisfaction with care, expedite recovery, and boost overall patient well-being. This doctoral project strives to decrease healthcare costs associated with prolonged hospital stays, optimize patient recovery experiences, expand knowledge for PACU …

Common Questions And Misconceptions About Energy Drinks: What Does The Scientific Evidence Really Show?, Jose Antonio, Brandi Antonio, Shawn M. Arent, Darren G. Candow, Guillermo Escalante, Cassandra Evans, Scott Forbes, David Fukuda, Maureen Gibbons, Patrick Harty, Andrew R. Jagim, Douglas S. Kalman, Chad Kerksick, Jennifer A. Kurtz, Joseph Lillis, Lonnie Lowery, Gianna F. Mastrofini, Scotty Mills, Michael Nelson, Flavia Pereira, Justin Roberts, Michael Sagner, Jeffrey Stout, Jaime Tartar, Adam Wells

Faculty Scholarship

Energy drinks are a commonly consumed beverage, and studies suggest a possible performance-enhancing effect. A Google Scholar search using the keywords “energy drinks” and “exercise” yields numerous results, underscoring the voluminous research on this topic. However, there are questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of energy drinks. These questions include, but are not limited to: (1) What are the main active ingredients in energy drinks? (2) Do energy drinks assist in weight management? (3) Do energy drinks enhance aerobic performance? (4) Do energy drinks enhance athletic speed? (5) Do energy drinks improve reaction time? (6) Do energy drinks enhance lean …

Quantifying Temperature Effects On Development Rate And Plant Quality Of Compact Container-Grown Tomato, Morgan Humphrey, Ryan W. Dickson, Sonali Padhye

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mean daily temperature effects on plant development rates and quality were evaluated for compact container-grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Compact tomato varieties ‘Siam’ and ‘Red Velvet’ were grown in greenhouses at 18 to 26 °C (Expt. 1) and 20 to 30 °C (Expt. 2) under supplemental high-pressure sodium lighting and 16-h photoperiod. The number of days to first open flower, first ripe fruit and from flower to ripe fruit were measured and development rates calculated by taking the reciprocal (e.g., 1/d). Temperature effects were predicted by fitting a linear (for first open flower) and a nonlinear exponential function (for …

Predicting Agricultural Sciences Students’ Media Literacy In A Post-Truth Era, Abigail Durheim, Kasey Harmon, Taylor Ruth, Cara Lawson

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

As more individuals turn to various forms of online media to seek information, misinformation and skepticism are on the rise when considering news media. Media literacy, or how individuals evaluate information they see in the news media, is critical to addressing this growing problem. This study aimed to explore the predictors of agricultural sciences students’ perceived news media literacy to gather preliminary data around this topic. Through an online survey, students enrolled in an agricultural communication class at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln completed a literacy reflection assignment. Students were asked to answer questions about their news media use, perceived media …

What’S The Beef? Current Trends Of The Florida Beef Cattle Industry As Perceived By Florida Beef Cattle Industry Leaders, Micah Gallagher, Matt Benge, Lauri Baker

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Agriculture plays a vital role in Florida’s economy, as it is the second largest industry behind tourism. Additionally, Florida is a leading cow-calf production state in the United States which is impacted by numerous factors internal and external to the industry itself. The Theory of Reasoned Action was used to explore current trends of the Florida beef cattle industry as perceived by Florida cattle industry leaders. Thirteen themes emerged from the data, such as environmental protection and alternative proteins. Florida ranchers need support from government entities to continue participation in conservation, education, and improvement of the cattle industry in Florida. …

Condition And Management Futures In A Quaking Aspen Recreation Area. Final Report To Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District, Paul C. Rogers, Georgie Corkery, Anna B. Miller

Aspen Bibliography

In partnership with Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District (SBSRD), we undertook a study of ecological conditions and user preferences within a quaking aspen recreational destination forest. The location, in two sections know as Run-A-Muk and Right Turn Sage (RAM/RTS), has experienced some forest die-off in the principally aspen dominated forest dissected by ski, bike, and hiking trails. Graduate student Georgie Corkery led the study and successfully completed a Master's degree, in addition to providing needed information to SBSRD regarding the status, uses, and preferred actions at this facility. Key outcomes regarding aspen conditions include assigning causal factors—ungulate browsing and elevated …

Napa Valley Certified Organic Viticulture Napa Valley Vineyards Go Green: Transitioning To Organic Cultivation, Eric E. Tapia

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The shift to sustainable agriculture in Napa Valley necessitates certified organic vineyards among wine industry stakeholders to facilitate systemic change. Nonetheless, numerous impediments—such as fiscal constraints, inadequate access to information, and agricultural education—are intended to address these barriers for fostering an environmental stewardship program focused on innovation and sustainability. The methods employed to investigate the transition to organic vineyards include qualitative and quantitative approaches, such as interviews with vintners and data analysis of annual crop yields and the economic impact of certified organic vineyards in Napa Valley. The investigation reveals that vineyard proprietors face significant early challenges, including a steep …

Metagenomic Sequencing For Early Detection Of Future Engineered Pandemics: Foreshadowing The Privacy Challenge, Nir Eyal, Bridget Williams, Kevin M. Esvelt, Jane R. Bambauer

UF Law Faculty Publications

In this commentary, we imagine how a global system of metagenomic sequencing could be governed in order to reap the benefits and manage the risks. Global institutional engineers and their academic partners would need to develop a new governance model to ensure that all partners involved in a global metagenomic surveillance system cooperate as needed.

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 33. The Story In Evolution., Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) is best known for his independent formulation of the principle of natural selection. In this work I first review my understanding of Wallace’s intellectual development on this subject, including the notion that he had no model for the evolution of higher consciousness as of his first treatment of natural selection in 1858. This leads to some conclusions about his approach to the subject, and links to parallel ideas inherent in the philosophy of Baruch de Spinoza (1632-1677).

Psychological Distress Among Family Caregivers Of Persons With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias In Uganda, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) present growing global health challenges, especially in aging populations, such as Uganda. In Uganda, familial caregiving, predominantly undertaken by female relatives, is the primary form of support provided to patients with ADRD. Cultural stigma around dementia and limited access to support services amplify caregivers' challenges. This study examined psychological distress, depression, and quality of life (QoL) among family caregivers of patients with ADRD in Wakiso District, Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 caregivers from three sub-counties in Wakiso, selected through purposive sampling to capture diverse experiences. Participants included caregivers aged 18 years …

The Informal, Non-Prescribed Use Of Antiretroviral Medications For Prep Among A National Us-Based Sample Of Gay, Bisexual, And Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Cross-Sectional Study, Mance E. Buttram, Matthew S. Ellis, Krishen D. Samuel, Matthew Hayhurst

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

This brief report presents findings on informal, non-prescribed PrEP use among an online sample of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (n = 196). Mean age was 33.4. Participants were Hispanic (13.3%), African American (15.8%), white (63.8%), and other race/ethnicity (6.6%). Informal PrEP users (11%) more frequently reported past year sexually transmitted infections (p < 0.001), group sex (p < 0.001), sex in public (p < 0.01), transactional sex (p < 0.001), ever receiving a formal PrEP prescription (p < 0.05), and ease of finding diverted HIV medications on gay dating/sex apps (p < 0.05). Formal PrEP uptake should be encouraged to mitigate potential negative consequences of informal use.

Exploring The Relationship Between Nutrition-Related Attitudes And Use Of Scrappy’S Cupboard Among College Students At The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, Emma Rosenberger

Honors Theses

Introduction This thesis examines the relationship between nutrition-related attitudes and the use of Scrappy’s Cupboard, a campus food pantry, among undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). This study aims to determine how students’ attitudes toward nutrition influence their likelihood of utilizing campus food resources, highlighting differences between users and non-users of Scrappy’s Cupboard. A correlation between nutrition-related attitudes and the use of Scrappy's Cupboard was expected, with pantry users reporting more positive attitudes towards nutrition compared to non-users. Methods A survey was administered to UTC students to assess their nutrition-related attitudes, food pantry usage, …

Front Matter

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Moose Movement In An Urbanizing Landscape, Lucian R. Mcdonald

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Humans disturb the environment in specific places and at specific times. As wildlife learn to navigate these disturbances, they react as they would to the risk of predation. Wildlife biologists can identify where and when these disturbances will lead wildlife to congregate by comparing geospatial data, such as metrics that represent vegetation, topography, or other environmental conditions, to known locations of the animal(s) in question. In Chapter I, I discuss the impact of human disturbances, like urbanization and roads, on wildlife behavior. In Chapter II, I compare the risk of moose-vehicle collisions (MVCs) to moose selection of urbanized landscapes to …

A063: Electroencephalogram (Eeg) Signal Analysis For College Students' Attention And Meditation Level In Yoga Courses, Zhonghui He, Fangxin Li, Xi Qi, Honglin Chen

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

PURPOSE: Yoga is associated with psychological and physiological benefits, including relaxation and increased attention. Electroencephalograms (EEG) signals reflect the electrical activity of the brain and transformed Alpha and Beta brainwaves into meditation and attention values. This study primarily aimed to measure college students’ attention and meditation level in yoga courses. The secondary aim was to explore yoga’s effect on students’ cognitive ability.

METHODS: The study selected two yoga classes in the first semester of 2023 in an academic university in China. Using convenience sampling methods, 16 college students who attended yoga courses voluntarily participated in this study. All learning phases, …

A086: The Mechanisms Of Mental Fatigue Among Table Tennis Athletes From The Perspective Of Positive Psychology, Jingyi Xie, Bin Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objective: In the realm of competitive sports, mental fatigue, as a prevalent negative psychological phenomenon, not only adversely affects athletes' immediate competitive performance, but also impedes their long-term career progression. This issue is particularly acute among table tennis athletes who endure persistent pressures and concerns. Presently, there is a burgeoning interest in investigating athletes' mental fatigue through the lens of positive psychological attributes. Notably, temperamental optimism fosters the development of positive cognitions and enhances psychological resilience. Similarly, cognitive reappraisal facilitates the augmentation of positive emotional experiences. Investigating the relationship between these variables and table tennis athletes' mental fatigue holds promise …

A123: The Study Of Intervention Effect Of Promoting And Inhibiting Kinesio Tape On Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Ruyun Wang, Runzhe Wang, Zihan Yang, Yunhao Cui, Caixia Li, Xin Zhang, Shilun Hou

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: The patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), which might be caused by weakness and delayed activation of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), as well as tightness of the vastus lateralis (VL), gravely affects daily lives and exercises. Kinesio tape (KT) are often used to prevent and treat musculoskeletal diseases. Different application directions and tension levels can produce a promoting or inhibitory effect. If KT could improve the symptoms of PFPS through coordinating imbalanced muscles, it has positive significance. This study aimed to explore the effects of three KT application methods on PFPS and compare them with placebo, to explore possible psychological …

A130: Exercise Goal Orientations, Behavioral Regulation, Physical Activity, And Subjective Vitality Among Chinese University Students, Mingyue Yi, Chuzhu Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Introduction/objective: Subjective vitality is a crucial factor for overall well-being, as it positively impacts both physiological and psychological health. However, the underlying process through which exercise goal orientations (GOEM) predict subjective vitality (SV), mediated by exercise regulations (BREQ) and physical activity (PA), need further elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the direct effect of GOEM on SV, as well as the mediating role of BREQ and PA.

Methods: A sample of 492 Chinese university students (47% are female; 27% are freshman, 28% are sophomore, 23% are junior, and 22% are senior) completed self-report measures including the Subjective Vitality Scale, Goal …

A147: Tai Chi For College Students: Optimal Dose And Impact – A Meta-Analysis, Lijuan Yi, Guohao Wang, Yi Liu, Ting Shen, Chan Peng, Mengqi Liao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background and Purpose: Insufficient physical activity in college students correlates with various physical and mental health complications. Tai Chi, as a mindful-body practice, exhibits potential physiological and psychosocial advantages potentially mitigating these concerns. This systematic review intended to amalgamate existing evidence to thoroughly explore the impacts of Tai Chi and ascertain its optimal implementation parameters for enhancing the physical and psychological well-being of college students.

Method: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the following databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Wan Fang Data, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Medicine …

A160: Effects Of Social Support On College Students' Exercise Behavior: The Mediating Role Of Exercise Self-Efficacy, Yuqing Yang, Liping Liu, Shanping Chen, Tiantian Guo

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: Improving college students’ physical fitness and health has been a critical concern for the state and society. Existing studies have shown that exercise self-efficacy and social support are essential intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing college students’ exercise behavior. This study is based on the theory of social support. It replaced positive psychology with exercise self-efficacy, analyzed the influence of social support on college students’ exercise behavior, and explored the mediating role of exercise self-efficacy between social support and exercise behavior.

Methods: 807 college students were randomly selected for the survey using the Perceived Social Support Scale, Physical Exercise Behavior …

A001: Research On The Physical Education Teaching Model Of Professional Physical Fitness For Navigation Majors, Jianmin Yao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Research Purpose: Due to the unique working environment of seagoing vessels, the physical and mental health of crew members is put to special tests. This requires students majoring in navigation not only to have basic vocational and technical abilities, but also to have physical fitness to adapt to future work environments.

Research methods: This study used literature review, survey interviews, and logic analysis to analyze the physical fitness required for seafarers to work and live on ships.

Research results: 1. Choose activities that meet the basic professional needs of seafarers, such as swimming, high-altitude diving, and surface survival, to exercise …