Digital Commons Network^™

Volume 55, Number 45: June 27, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 55, Number 44: June 20, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Development And Validation Of The Value-Expectancy Stem Assessment Scale For Students In Higher Education, Joseph Appianing, Richard Van Eck

Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice Faculty Publications

Background: Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs are expected to make up a significant portion of the U.S. workforce. Unfortunately, the trend in retaining students in STEM majors has been going down. If higher education institutions are going to retain more students in STEM majors, it will be important to understand who leaves STEM fields and why. More than 32% of women college students who declare a STEM major are likely to switch to non-STEM majors before they graduate, whereas only 25% of their male counterparts do so, and women may be as much as 1.5 times more likely …

Volume 55, Number 43: June 13, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Detecting Wildlife In Unmanned Aerial Systems Imagery Using Convolutional Neural Networks Trained With An Automated Feedback Loop, Connor Bowley, Marshall Bowley, Andrew Barnas, Susan Ellis-Felege, Travis Desell

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Using automated processes to detect wildlife in uncontrolled outdoor imagery in the field of wildlife ecology is a challenging task. This is especially true in imagery provided by an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), where the relative size of wildlife is small and visually similar to its background. This work presents an automated feedback loop which can be used to train convolutional neural networks with extremely unbalanced class sizes, which alleviates some of these challenges. This work utilizes UAS imagery collected by the Wildlife@Home project, which has employed citizen scientists and trained experts to go through collected UAS imagery and classify …

Comparison Of Autonomic Control Of Blood Pressure During Standing And Artificial Gravity Induced Via Short-Arm Human Centrifuge, Ajay K. Verma, Da Xu, Michelle Bruner, Amanmeet Garg, Nandu Goswami, Andrew P. Blaber, Kouhyar Tavakolian

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

Autonomic control of blood pressure is essential toward maintenance of cerebral perfusion during standing, failure of which could lead to fainting. Long-term exposure to microgravity deteriorates autonomic control of blood pressure. Consequently, astronauts experience orthostatic intolerance on their return to gravitational environment. Ground-based studies suggest sporadic training in artificial hypergravity can mitigate spaceflight deconditioning. In this regard, short-arm human centrifuge (SAHC), capable of creating artificial hypergravity of different g-loads, provides an auspicious training tool. Here, we compare autonomic control of blood pressure during centrifugation creating 1-g and 2-g at feet with standing in natural gravity. Continuous blood pressure was acquired …

A Systematic Literature Review For Evidence Of Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Toxigenicity In Recreational Waters And Toxicity Of Dietary Supplements: 2000–2017, Amber Lyon-Colbert, Shelley Su, Curtis Cude

Kinesiology & Public Health Education Faculty Publications

Previous studies of recreational waters and blue-green algae supplements (BGAS) demonstrated co-occurrence of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) and cyanotoxins, presenting exposure risk. The authors conducted a systematic literature review using a GRADE PRISMA-p 27-item checklist to assess the evidence for toxigenicity of AFA in both fresh waters and BGAS. Studies have shown AFA can produce significant levels of cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin in fresh waters. Toxicity studies evaluating AFA-based BGAS found some products carried the mcyE gene and tested positive for microcystins at levels ≤ 1 μg microcystin (MC)-LR equivalents/g dry weight. Further analysis discovered BGAS samples had cyanotoxins levels exceeding tolerable …

Volume 55, Number 40: May 23, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 55, Number 39: May 16, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Borrelia Burgdorferi Adhere To Blood Vessels In The Dura Mater And Are Associated With Increased Meningeal T Cells During Murine Disseminated Borreliosis, Ali Divan, Timothy Casselli, Anand Narayanan, Sanjib Mukherjee, David C. Zawieja, John A. Watt, Catherine A. Brissette, Karen Newell-Rogers

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is a vector-borne bacterial infection that is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. If not treated with antibiotics during the early stages of infection, disseminated infection can spread to the central nervous system (CNS). In non-human primates (NHPs) it has been demonstrated that the leptomeninges are among the tissues colonized by B. burgdorferi spirochetes. Although the NHP model parallels aspects of human borreliosis, a small rodent model would be ideal to study the trafficking of spirochetes and immune cells into the CNS. Here we show that during early and late …

Spring Commencement: May 12, 2018, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Spring Commencement program from May 12, 2018.

Lipophilic Components Of Diesel Exhaust Particles Induce Pro-Inflammatory Responses In Human Endothelial Cells Through Ahr Dependent Pathway(S), Bendik C. Brinchmann, Tonje Skuland, Mia H. Rambol, Krisztina Szoke, Jan E. Brinchmann, Arno C. Gutleb, Elisa Moschini, Alena Kubatova, Klara Kukowski, Eric Le Ferrec, Dominique Lagadic-Gossmann, Per E. Schwarze, Marit Lag, Magne Refsnes, Johan Ovrevik, Jorn A. Holme

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Background: Exposure to traffic-derived particulate matter (PM), such as diesel exhaust particles (DEP), is a leading environmental cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and development of atherosclerosis. It is still debated how DEP and other inhaled PM can contribute to CVD. However, organic chemicals (OC) adhered to the particle surface, are considered central to many of the biological effects. In the present study, we have explored the ability of OC from DEP to reach the endothelium and trigger proinflammatory reactions, a central step on the path to atherosclerosis.

Results: Exposure-relevant concentrations of DEP (0.12 μg/cm2 …

Lipophilic Chemicals From Diesel Exhaust Particles Trigger Calcium Response In Human Endothelial Cells Via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Non-Genomic Signalling, Alena Kubatova, Bendik C. Brinchmann, Eric Le Ferrec, Normand Podechard, Dominique Lagadic-Gossmann, Kenji F. Shoji, Aubin Penna, Klara Kukowski, Jorn A. Holme, Johan Ovrevik

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) affects endothelial function and may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and vasomotor dysfunction. As intracellular calcium concentration [Ca²⁺]_i is considered important in myoendothelial signalling, we explored the effects of extractable organic matter from DEPs (DEP-EOM) on [Ca²⁺]_i and membrane microstructure in endothelial cells. DEP-EOM of increasing polarity was obtained by pressurized sequential extraction of DEPs with n-hexane (n-Hex-EOM), dichloromethane (DCM-EOM), methanol, and water. Chemical analysis revealed that the majority of organic matter was extracted by the n-Hex- and DCM-EOM, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons primarily occurring in n-Hex-EOM. …

Volume 55, Number 38: May 09, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Regional Anesthesia With A Paravertebral Nerve Block And Its Effects On Breast Cancer Recurrence And Metastasis, Jessica M. Hall

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

School Of Law Commencement: May 5, 2018, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND School of Law Commencement program from May 5, 2018.

The Cancer Immunotherapy Armamentarium: Assessing Applications, Ambitions, And Amplitude, Natisha J. Corum

Essential Studies UNDergraduate Showcase

Given the high, and rapidly increasing, incidence of cancer coupled with the enormous cost burden associated with the disease, it has been, and will continue to be, an area of intense focus in biomedical, translational, and clinical research. Research steered towards targeting and manipulating the body’s own immune function to fight cancer has accompanied a paradigm shift in treatment modalities that aims to include more precision/personalized medicine. The positive initial findings and clinical results of recent immunotherapies has precipitated a wave of attention and interest into the field, both in the general public and within the biomedical community. While there …

Forensic Entomology And The Order Coleoptera, Carrie Pratt

Essential Studies UNDergraduate Showcase

Medico-legal forensic entomology is the study of insects to aid in determining time, place, manner, and cause of death. Identification of the postmortem interval (PMI), or the time that has passed since a person has died, is arguably one of the most important pieces of information that forensic entomology can provide. The PMI can be found using either insect developmental rates or entomofaunal succession, the arrival of different insects at a body at different time points.

The largest group of insects, the beetles, is the order Coleoptera, which contains 25% of all animal species. Members of this order are critical …

Obesity: Modern Medicine Vs. Lifestyle, Jenny Christianson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Obesity is a rising epidemic, and is one of the most common, costly and preventable health problems the world is experiencing today (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, [CDC], 2017). From this, it is important to establish an effective treatment plan that can be implemented across the nation for maximum patient benefit. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are important to any health care plan and are equally necessary to reduce health risks. However, in certain patients, lifestyle changes are not enough due to the maladaptive biologic process in their brain. From this, additional treatment options need to be …

Volume 55, Number 36: April 25, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Skin-To-Skin Contact In The Operating Room Following Cesarean Birth, Tara M. Nordberg

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Suicide Among Farmers: Ramifications Of The Culture Of Agriculture, Amber Deere

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

An Anti-Inflammatory Diet In Osteoarthritis Prevention & Management, Stephanie J. Speetzen

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Volume 55, Number 35: April 18, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 55, Number 34: April 11, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Vitamin D Status And Its Relation To Exercise Performance And Iron Status In Young Ice Hockey Players, Joanna Orysiak, Joanna Mazur-Rozycka, John S. Fitzgerald, Michal Starczewski, Jadwiga Malczewska-Lenczowska, Krzysztof Busko

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

Objectives The aim was to examine the association between serum vitamin D concentration and isometric strength of various muscle groups, vertical jump performance, and repeated sprint ability in young ice hockey players. The secondary aim was to determine the association between vitamin D deficiency and indices of iron status.

Methods Fifty male ice hockey players (17.2±0.9 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Exercise performance was evaluated using isometric strength measures of upper and lower extremities, vertical jump performance and repeated sprint ability (RSA). Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and multiple indicies of iron …

Differential Susceptibilities Of Anopheles Albimanus And Anopheles Stephensi Mosquitoes To Ivermectin, Staci M. Dreyer, Kelsey J. Morin, Jefferson A. Vaughan

Biology Faculty Publications

Background

Vector control is a crucial element of anti-malaria campaigns and works best when there is a thorough knowledge of the biology and behaviour of the Anopheles vector species responsible for transmitting malaria within a given locale. With the push to eradicate malaria stronger than ever, there is a growing need to develop and deploy control strategies that exploit the behavioural attributes of local vector species. This is especially true in regions where the vectors are exophagic (i.e., prefer to bite outdoors), exophilic (i.e., prefer to remain outdoors), and zoophagic (i.e., as likely to feed on non-humans as humans). One …

Association Between Vitamin D Status And Testosterone And Cortisol In Ice Hockey Players, John S. Fitzgerald, Joanna Orysiak, Patrick B. Wilson, Joanna Mazur-Różycka, Zbigniew Obminski

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

The identification of the vitamin D receptor in tissues related to testosterone and cortisol production, in conjunction with the observed correlations between vitamin D levels and these hormones in the general population, suggest vitamin D may influence testosterone and cortisol concentrations in athletes. A crosssectional study design was used to evaluate the association between 25(OH)D and testosterone and cortisol concentrations in young male ice hockey players (n = 50). All athletes were recruited during October from the Sosnowiec area, Poland (50° N). Commercially available ELISA kits were used to determine total serum 25(OH)D, testosterone and cortisol concentrations. Serum 25(OH)D concentration …

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines And Depression, Amy Roesch

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Ovarian Reserve Testing: A Promising Tool For Family Planning And Fertility Preservation In The 21st Century, Heather Badger

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.