Digital Commons Network^™

Review Of Genetic And Maternal Effects On Tsd In Reptiles And Identification Of Population Differentiation In Putative Tsd Genes In Chelydra Serpentina, Danielle Roush

Theses and Dissertations

Variation in sex ratio among clutches of eggs from different females is common in reptiles with TSD, but the mechanisms that cause this variation are unknown. In an effort to shed light on these mechanisms, we first critically review literature that examines variation in temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) within species. Genetic variation in TSD and maternal effects on TSD are two major mechanisms that have received attention. We outline the types of experiments and data required to demonstrate that a) genetic variation, b) maternally derived steroids, or c) both factors influence variation in sex ratio among clutches. Next, we compare …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Sue Morrison, Ashton Hudspeth, Colton Peltier

Oral History Student Papers

This qualitative study gathered information regarding the evolution of occupational therapy in North Dakota and Wyoming. Its purpose was to provide a view of what practice looked like from the beginning of Sue Morrison’s occupational therapy career until now by uncovering her life history. She has played an influential role in pediatric occupational therapy in Wyoming. The goal of this study was to provide more knowledge for current occupational therapists about the history of occupational therapy and how it has changed over time. This was done by interviewing individuals who have impacted the occupational therapy profession in the states of …

Wireless Power Transfer For Biomedical Applications, Reem Shadid

Theses and Dissertations

In this research wireless power transfer using near-field inductive coupling is studied and investigated. The focus is on delivering power to implantable biomedical devices.

The objective of this research is to optimize the size and performance of the implanted wireless biomedical sensors by: (1) proposing a hybrid multiband communication system for implantable devices that combines wireless communication link and power transfer, and (2) optimizing the wireless power delivery system. Wireless data and power links are necessary for many implanted biomedical devices such as biosensors, neural recording and stimulation devices, and drug delivery and monitoring systems.

The contributions from this research …

Evaluation Of Movements And Habitat Use Of Suburban Striped Skunks (Mephitis Mephitis) In The Northern Great Plains To Inform Rabies Management, Anna Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

Few studies have investigated the ecology of urban striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) despite their role as a primary rabies vector species paired with an ability to thrive in these landscapes. Our aim was to obtain baseline ecological information with an emphasis on spatial ecology of urban striped skunks in the Northern Great Plains region that is missing in the literature. This information, such as home range, nightly movements, habitat selection, and denning behavior is important for informing rabies management decisions such as the placement of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits. We used radio telemetry equipment to track 22 (4M, 18 …

Characterization Of Infectious Isolates Of Borrelia Burgdorferi In North Dakota, Bb0399 And Bbb28 In B. Burgdorferi, And Borrelia Miyamotoi In Vitro And In Vivo, Brandee Lynn Stone

Theses and Dissertations

The Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex contains species carried by hard-shell ticks (Ixodes spp.) and causing Lyme disease and related non-pathogenic species. Relapsing fever Borrelia include both tick-borne (soft-shell, Ornithodoros spp.) and louse-borne species knowns to cause relapsing fever. A subgroup includes relapsing fever spirochetes carried by hard-shell ticks, including B. miyamotoi, an emerging pathogen. Despite bordering high-risk counties in Minnesota, little attention has been given to Lyme disease, B. burgdorferi, I. scapularis, or reservoirs in eastern North Dakota. Reports of B. burgdorferi and I. scapularis in North Dakota, however, prompted a more detailed examination. Through trapping Peromyscus and …

The Relationship Between The Digit Ratio (2d:4d) And Explosive Muscular Strength In College Football Players, Jacob Disterhaupt

Theses and Dissertations

Prenatal testosterone, reflected by digit ratio (2D:4D), is thought to benefit the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems and has been shown to benefit long-duration exercise performance, but little is known about the relationship between 2D:4D and short-duration exercise performance (e.g., explosive muscular strength). This study describes the relationship between 2D:4D and lower-body explosive strength, a key factor in successful sports performance, in college athletes. Sixty-one Division I American Football players from a Midwestern U.S. university had their 2D:4D measured digitally and squat jump performance measured using force-platform jumping mechanography. In addition to the primary outcome of jump height, secondary outcomes depicting …

Origin And Preservation Of Organic-Rich Zones And Kukersite Beds Of The Red River Formation (Upper Ordovician), Williston Basin, North Dakota, Spencer Wheeling

Theses and Dissertations

The Red River Formation is North Dakota’s third most productive hydrocarbon unit. The unit has been interpreted to be self-sourced, but the locations of the source beds has not been thoroughly investigated within the North Dakota portion of the Williston Basin. Using the most current available data, this study investigated the source beds of the Red River Formation. This present study agrees with past studies that there are two source bed types; the first type being a higher organic-rich, thin kukersite bed and the second being a less organic-rich, thicker organic zone. Both types of source beds commonly occur as …

Morphological And Genetic Analysis Of Embryo Specific Mutants In Maize, Dale Cletus Brunelle

Theses and Dissertations

The maize zygote normally develops over approximately 45-days into a mature embryo comprised of five or six leaf primordia and several root primordia. The developing embryo passes through the proembryo, transition, coleoptilar and stage 1 (first leaf primordium) morphogenetic stages followed by the iterative formation of additional leaf primordia during stages 2 through 6 according to Abbe and Stein (1954). Using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) treatment of maize pollen from W22 inbreed we have produced lethal embryo specific (emb) mutants that have no obvious effects on endosperm development except for some reduction in kernel size in some cases. Thirteen emb mutants …

Exploring Student Perspectives On Elementary To Middle School Transition Practices, Erin Spies

Theses and Dissertations

Characteristics of effective transition programs include (a) providing realistic experiences of middle school expectations for incoming students, (b) frequent communication with students, parents, and staff, and (c) extensive and ongoing planning, assessment, and redesign of the transition program. While these effective components of a transition program have been recommended based on research, student reflection on essential elements have not been included. The purpose of this study was to use phenomenology research methods to identify components of middle school transition programs from the perspective of middle school students. The study analyzed current transitional practices and their alignment with Schlossberg’s Transition Theory …

Examining Cultural Identification And Alcohol Use Among College Students, Lynn Martell

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has found American Indians (AI) to demonstrate higher levels of alcohol use than Caucasians (CA); however, recent research has found that AI may be drinking at similar or lower rates than CA. Cultural identification (i.e., degree to which an individual associate with, and represents themselves as a member of a specific cultural group) may be a factor contributing to the level of alcohol use among AI. The current study examined cultural identification and alcohol use among University of North Dakota (UND) AI (n=56) and CA (n=88) college students. Results indicated non-significant differences in alcohol use between cultural identification …

The Role Of A Principal In Establishing And Maintaining Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis): An Ethnographic Case Study, Angela Wanzek

Theses and Dissertations

An ethnographic case study was used to examine roles of a principal in implementing and maintaining positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) in one North Dakota elementary school. Observations, school documents, and semi-structured interviews were analyzed to identify the role of a principal. Skinner’s reinforcement theory and Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory served as

theoretical frameworks.

Research indicates a trend in the increase of PBIS in schools across the country. A

need remains to identify the role of elementary principals utilizing PBIS in North Dakota

elementary schools. Certified and classified staff were interviewed to examine their

perspectives on the role of …

Differential Gene Expression Of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Marker Genes In A Model Of Arsenite And Cadmium Induced Bladder Cancer, Danyelle Beth Osowski

Theses and Dissertations

Urinary carcinoma is one of the most prevalent cancers across the United States and is among the leading cause of cancer related morbidities. With muscle-invasive urinary carcinoma having only 15% survival at stage T4, diagnostic tools of this type of cancer is necessary. This work sought to characterize a model of urothelial carcinoma into a specific muscle-invasive bladder cancer subtype, which has important implications in for prognosis, development of targeted therapeutic agents, and disease management. Our laboratory has developed an immortalized uroepithelial cell line, UROtsa, which can be malignantly transformed by arsenite (As+3) and Cd2+ and has been shown to …

Isolation And Characterization Of Stem Cell Population In Human Proximal Tubule Cells And The Effect Of Cadmium In The Isolated Proximal Tubule Stem/Progenitor Cell Line., Swojani Shrestha

Theses and Dissertations

The proximal tubules of the kidney are target sites of injury by various toxicants. Cadmium (Cd2+), an environmental nephrotoxicant can cause adverse effects and overt renal damage. To decipher the mechanisms involved in nephrotoxicity, an in-vitro model system is required. Mortal cultures of human proximal tubule (HPT) cells isolated from the renal cortex are used as models, but are difficult to acquire and have limited passage number. The immortalized HK-2 cell line, has served as a model but it lacks vectorial active transport and shows signs of lost epithelial features. Recently a new proximal tubule cell line, the RPTEC/TERT1, was …

Effects Of Early Cadmium And Selenium Exposure On Zebrafish Neural Development And Behavior, Marissa Wold

Theses and Dissertations

Cadmium is a naturally-occurring trace metal frequently found in soil that has been linked with increased prevalence of various cancers via formation of reactive oxygen species. Selenium, a widely-prevalent metalloid, antagonizes the detrimental action of cadmium and has been demonstrated to exert a rescue effect. The present work focuses on the short- and long-term effects of exposure to ecologically-relevant cadmium concentrations on zebrafish development and behavior, and compares this to co-treatment with selenium. This study has demonstrated a decrease in overall brain size, specifically telencephalic area, in response to cadmium exposure, and has documented a sparing effect of selenium treatment. …

Quantifying Extravehicular Activity Performance Degradation Due To Sustenance Deprivation, Eryn Beisner

Theses and Dissertations

Modern EVAs (spacewalks) performed onboard the International Space Station require astronauts to endure up to twelve hours of intense mental and physical exertion without food, as they do not stop to eat nor do they currently have the capabilities to consume sustenance in their spacesuits. With the future of space exploration taking aim at the Moon, Mars, and beyond, EVAs are expected to become more demanding than ever. This is a pilot study to attempt to quantify astronaut performance during an EVA to determine if there is significant performance degradation because of acute starvation. Astronauts conducting EVA training at NASA’s …

A Cmip5 Ensemble Assessment Of Durum Wheat Production & Climate Change In North Dakota, Usa, Timothy Douglas Hochstetler Dillon

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States (US), North Dakota is the largest producer of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum), hereinafter referred to as Durum. Durum grain has a high protein content and multiple utilities in food products. We investigated the historical trends in Durum production and yield as influenced by changes in precipitation (precip) and temperature (temp). The study accounted for variations in environmental conditions by running a dynamic crop model in thirteen Durum producing counties.

The climate of North Dakota is representative of the highly productive agricultural lands of the Northern Great Plains, encompassing five US states and two Canadian provinces. The …

Parting A Read Sea Of Images: An Exploration Of Field Dependent-Independent Responses To Minimalist, Pictographic And Infographic Data Displays, Debra Kaye Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

Western society reflects an “eikoncentric era” when contemporary instruction has become image -centered. Textbooks, journals, popular media as well as computer-based and web- based instructional media are filled by pictures that are intended to accomplish learning. Imagery is widely believed to represent an efficient, understandable method for relaying information and clarifying instruction for nearly all learners. However, those who subscribe to the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” often fail to acknowledge individual differences in visual comprehension and cognition. The field dependent-independent (FDI) cognitive style describes individual learner differences that can thwart visual learning. Information graphics are among …

Trpc1-Mediated Ca2+ Entry Regulates Metabolism By Modulating Adipose Differentiation, Autophagy, And Adiponectin Secretion, Anne Schaar

Theses and Dissertations

A multitude of organs play a critical role in managing metabolism including the liver, pancreas, gut, brain, muscle, and adipose tissue. Abnormal function in any one of these can offset the metabolic balance and negatively affect whole body function thereby contributing to the development of metabolic complications and obesity. Although no single metabolic abnormality is responsible for obesity, understanding how normal cellular processes are regulated provides us with knowledge to reverse them during times of dysfunction. The main focus of this dissertation is on the regulation of adipose tissue due to its dual role of storing excess lipids and endocrine …

A Comparison Of Direct And Indirect Assessments Of Standing Lumbar Lordosis In Asymptomatic Adults, Nolan Adam Larson

Theses and Dissertations

Background: While lumbar lordosis is often indirectly (visually) assessed by practitioners to guide treatment, it is not clear how well direct and indirect assessments agree. The aims of this study were to (a) determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of two indirect assessments (visual assessments of real and 3D body scanned people), and (b) determine the agreement between direct and indirect assessments (3D scan-extracted vs. visual assessments).

Methods: Fifty asymptomatic participants were physically landmarked and scanned with and without landmarks using the Vitus Smart 3D whole body scanner, after which 10 practitioners visually assessed the lumbar lordosis of each participant. …

Online Resources And The Transgender Community, Mason Maxwell Wehse

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender individuals are characterized by identifying as a gender other than the gender they were assigned at birth based on their biological sex (Meerwijk & Sevelius, 2017). Transgender identities can include being born female but identifying as male and vice versa. Identities can also include people who are non-binary meaning that they identify as a gender other than male or female, such as identifying as no gender (i.e., agender). Being transgender can be seen as controversial and there is a lot of misinformation and little formal research conducted on this topic. Because of this, transgender people often face discrimination and …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Bioplastics By Innovative 3d Printing Approaches, Kathryn Marie Hall

Theses and Dissertations

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of novel bioplastic composites by using novel additive manufacturing (AM) approaches. As a background, global plastic consumption has become a problem with the accumulation of plastics in landfills and the ocean. Recently, bioplastics have emerged as a viable option to petrochemicals. Currently, there are some issues like biodegradability, property optimization with bioplastics etc. In thesis, novel methods and engineering of composition of bioplastics are being reported. In Chapter II, the addition of lignin to the PLA polymer matrix by using solvent mixing will be reported. During this study, liquid ink mixture was successfully …

Stroop And Mindfulness: An Experimental Multi-Group Comparison, Anna Lauren Schimmelpfennig

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness has been associated with various benefits, including enhanced cognitive performance and disengagement from problematic emotions. Previous research has indicated that engaging in a brief mindfulness exercise may enhance performance on the Color Word Stroop, neutral Stroop, and emotional Stroop. Participants in the current study were 201 students (139 female), mean age 19.7 years (SD=1.4) from a Midwestern university, who were randomly assigned to listen to a 9- minute mindfulness exercise, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercise, or interview control condition before completing the Color-Word Stroop, Neutral Stroop, and Emotional Stroop. Preliminary analysis reveal that participants generally had positive attitudes toward …

The S.P.I.R.I.T. Program: Spirituality Promotion Interdependence Resiliency Inclusive Therapy, Alycia Heisler, Brianna Safranski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Native American children and adolescents are some of the most underserved people in the United States (Warzak, Dogan, & Godfrey, 2011). Common mental health problems this population typically experiences are depression, suicidal thoughts or ideation, traumatic experiences, substance use, and results of historical trauma (Brockie, Dana-Sarco, Wallen, Wilcox, & Campbell, 2015). They have the highest rates of these mental health problems, more than any other ethnic group (Evans-Campbell, Walters, Pearson, & Campbell, 2012). There is a need for preventative programs to be implemented with elementary school-aged Native American children and adolescents (Ohl, Mitchell, Cassidy, & Fox, 2008; Stigler, …

Occupation-Based Intervention Tool For Postoperative Upper Extremity Nerve Laceration, Rachel A. Bonneville, Jenna L. Meissner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose

The purpose of the product was to create an accessible resource for occupational therapists to implement occupation-based interventions effectively.

Methods

The results of a thorough literature review on the shared topic of interest supported the therapeutic value of occupation through education and home programming. The literature was used to justify the gap that exists in the need for the implementation of occupation-based interventions in hand therapy. The results from the literature review was synthesized into a detailed narrative that guided the formation of a patient education tool. The product was designed using concepts from the biomechanical frame of reference, …

Childhood Trauma: An Analysis Of Associated Co-Morbidities And Various Psychotherapies, Brittney L. Benson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

American and European studies suggest that anywhere from 14 to 67% of children have experienced at least one traumatic event throughout their life. Furthermore, about 13.4% of them go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or symptoms (Diehle, J., Opmeer, B.C., Boer, F., Mannarino, A.P., & Lindauer, R.J., 2015). One study suggests that as many as 63.9% of adults suffer from ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) (CDC, 2016). The 4th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) states that PTSD is the most common Axis I disorder in children that are victims of abuse with statistics ranging from 20% …

Glycemic Control And Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Current Standard Treatment Vs. Closed-Loop Insulin Pumps, Kelsey Daley

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

As of 2015, 9.4% of the US population had a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Although most of the data sets studied encompass type 1 (T1) and type 2 (T2) DM data in all ages of patients, the focus of this project will be primarily on T1DM patients. A thorough review of the current literature reveals that there are effective methods currently available for the management of T1DM patients. These methods include: closed-loop insulin pumps that integrate a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pump into one effective system that calculates the needed insulin doses through complicated algorithms, CGM with …

Decreased Mortality Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension In Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy And Down Syndrome, Mitchell Volin

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The genetic cause of significant disorders like Down syndrome (DS) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is well documented. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a co-morbid condition, is tied to mortality among these groups. If undetected or untreated, in DS, this condition can lead to complications with coronary and lung disease later in life. If undetected or untreated in DMD it can hasten the inevitable prognosis of the disease. Individuals with the ability to communicate their symptoms and actively participate in treatment are at an advantage with subsequent benefit. DS and DMD significantly decrease physical ability and communication capacity.

Genetic research has …

Theoretical Circular Dichroism Spectra Of The Α-Helical Protein Calexitin With The Dipole Interaction Model Including The N-Π* Transition, Akongnwi C. Jungong, Tsvetan Aleksandrov, Rahul Nori, Justin Erickson, Kathryn A. Thomasson, Igor V. Uporov, Ethan R. Austhof, Emily Holt, Felix N. Ngassa

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Circular dichroism (CD) is an important structural biology technique used to study protein dynamics, and most especially the secondary structure of peptides and proteins. Although CD is a technique that is relatively easy to introduce to undergraduate students, the high cost of obtaining a conventional CD instrument and the time required for sample preparation prevents a good number of students from having hands-on experiments demonstrating the principle of CD. Herein, theoretical circular dichroism with the dipole interaction model, DInaMo, is proposed as a tool for introducing students to CD. Using the dipole interaction model, the CD spectra of an α-helical …

Using Citizen Scientists To Inform Machine Learning Algorithms To Automate The Detection Of Species In Ecological Imagery, Marshall Mattingly

Theses and Dissertations

Modern data collection techniques used by ecologists has created a deluge of data that is becoming increasingly difficult to store, filter, and analyze in an efficient and timely manner. In just two summers, over 65,000 unmanned aerial system (UAS) images were collected, comprising the several terabytes (TB) of data that was reviewed by citizen scientists to generate inputs for machine learning algorithms. Uncontrolled conditions and the small size of target species relative to the background further increase the difficulty of manually cataloging the images. To assist with locating and identifying snow geese in the UAS images, a citizen science web …

American Indian Biculturalism Inventory - Pueblo, Royleen J. Ross

Theses and Dissertations

A time in American history existed when Native Americans were not allowed to express, much less retain their traditions, culture, language, and livelihood. Today, Natives are thriving in various fields at many different professional levels and have not only mastered majority culture’s ways, but have integrated them, on their own terms, into their lives. Warfare was declared upon Native Americans in the educational arena beginning in the late 1800’s, resulting in many indigenous individuals not only meeting the educational challenge posed to them, but excelled beyond expectation. Thus, in contemporary society, many Native Americans have retained their traditional ways and …