Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Of Coconut Coir And Sphagnum Peat As Soil-Less Media Components For Plant Growth, Jason Holman, Bruce Bugbee, Julie K. Chard

Hydroponics/Soilless Media

Coconut coir, a by-product of the coconut industry, has been promoted as an alternative to peat moss in soil-less media. Sphagnum peat moss has long been a standard component of soil-less media, but some people have expressed concern that it is a non-renewable resource. Although it does not appear that world peat resources will be in short supply for a very long time, coconut coir may have characteristics that make it a useful component of soil-less media mixes. Coir has been considered to promote excellent plant growth but there are few rigorous studies that have compared it with peat moss …

Plant Ontology (Po): A Controlled Vocabulary Of Plant Structures And Growth Stages, Pankaj Jaiswal, Shulamit Avraham, Katica Ilic, Elizabeth Kellogg, Susan Mccouch, Anuradha Pujar, Leonore Reiser, Seung Rhee, Martin Sachs, Mary Schaeffer, Lincoln Stein, Peter Stevens, Leszek Vincent, Doreen Ware, Felipe Zapata

Biology Department Faculty Works

The Plant Ontology Consortium (POC) (www.plantontology.org) is a collaborative effort among several plant databases and experts in plant systematics, botany and genomics. A primary goal of the POC is to develop simple yet robust and extensible controlled vocabularies that accurately reflect the biology of plant structures and developmental stages. These provide a network of vocabularies linked by relationships (ontology) to facilitate queries that cut across datasets within a database or between multiple databases. The current version of the ontology integrates diverse vocabularies used to describe Arabidopsis, maize and rice (Oryza sp.) anatomy, morphology and growth stages. Using the ontology browser, …

Life Event Perception: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach To The Antecedents Of The Life Stress Response, Christopher Aaron Myers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It has been often argued that life events have an impact on our physical and psychological well-being. In general, research supports this connection between life events and general health, though some argue that simply experiencing life events has a measurable and predictable impact our health, while others contend that this effect is mediated by the appraisal process. Further, research has identified a number of different factors (hypothetically stratified into pre-existing beliefs, external resources and demands, and behavioral activation and coping strategies) that may influence appraisal and general health. The current study attempts to integrate these findings by testing structural models …

Nuclear Chemistry Unit Designed For Ames Community School District Chemistry Classes, Alan John Junck

Graduate Research Papers

Nuclear chemistry is a topic that is relevant to all areas of science, but often left out of the curriculum due to a lack of time or the belief by teachers that it can be covered in someone elses course. If we are to help students become scientifically literate, the basic science of nuclear chemistry and its numerous applications must be addressed at some point in the curriculum. An important part of the local history of Ames is its involvement in the Manhattan Project by the Department of Energy Ames Lab. By creating a unit that deals with some of …

Nature And Its Application With Students Who Have Special Needs, Nicholas J. Hoeger

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the utility of Nature-Assisted Therapy and its processes in conjunction with students who have been identified as having special needs. In addition, it weighs both the pros and cons of applying this method with various populations. Finally, it weighs the value of this approach within the educational setting and identifies common strategies that have been adopted.

A Program Evaluation Of Tender Hearts, Kensey R. Sheline

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The effectiveness of the Tender Hearts program is examined, based on the perception of participants. Data collection is obtained by a questionnaire developed from the objectives of the program. Frequency analysis and descriptive statistics are utilized to examine the data. Overall, the participants demonstrate satisfaction with Tender Hearts. The study’s limitations are discussed.

Chronic Wasting Disease Of Elk: Transmissibility To Humans Examined By Transgenic Mouse Models, Qingzhong Kong, Shenghai Huang, Wenquan Zou, Difernando Vanegas, Meiling Wang, Di Wu, Jue Yuan, Mengjie Zheng, Hua Bai, Huayun Deng, Ken Chen, Allen L. Jenny, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Ermais D. Belay, Lawrence B. Schonberger, Robert B. Pertersen, Man-Sun Sy, Shu G. Chen, Pierluigi Gambetti

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease affecting free-ranging and captive cervids (deer and elk), is widespread in the United States and parts of Canada. The large cervid population, the popularity of venison consumption, and the apparent spread of the CWD epidemic are likely resulting in increased human exposure to CWD in the United States. Whether CWDis transmissible to humans, as has been shown for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (the prion disease of cattle), is unknown. We generated transgenic mice expressing the elk or human prion protein (PrP) in a PrP-null background. After intracerebral inoculation with elk CWD prion, two lines …

Extent Of Exposure To Environmental Tobacco Smoke (Ets) And Its Dose-Response Relation To Respiratory Health Among Adults, Wasim Maziak, Kenneth D. Ward, Samer Rastam, Fawaz Mzayek, Thomas Eissenberg

Psychology Publications

Background

There is a dearth of standardized studies examining exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and its relationship to respiratory health among adults in developing countries.

Methods

In 2004, the Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies (SCTS) conducted a population-based survey using stratified cluster sampling to look at issues related to environmental health of adults aged 18–65 years in Aleppo (2,500,000 inhabitants). Exposure to ETS was assessed from multiple self-reported indices combined into a composite score (maximum 22), while outcomes included both self-report (symptoms/diagnosis of asthma, bronchitis, and hay fever), and objective indices (spirometric assessment of FEV₁ and FVC). Logistic …

Enrollment By Major, Office Of Institutional Research And Effectiveness, Mississippi State University

Bulldog Basics

No abstract provided.

The Case Of South African And Chilean Health Systems: Comparison Of Financial, Economic And Health Indicators, Alberto Coustasse, Peter Hilsenrath, Patricio Silva Rojas

Management Faculty Research

The purpose of this study is to identify similarities and differences between healthcare systems of South Africa and Chile. The World Health Report 2000, the Human Development Index, and financial indicators were used for comparison. Chile showed better performance than South Africa in most of the measures used. Significant progress has been made in South Africa, bringing better education, healthcare and housing to the deprived black majority. However, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, weighs heavily on health indicators. Chile decentralized its health services and implemented economic reforms during the 1980's and has had steady improvement in its healthcare indicators. Finally, these counties …

Prenatal Malnutrition And Risk Of Schizophrenia, Andria Timmer

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that is estimated to have a lifetime risk of one percent (Liu et al., Allen 2002). Prevalence rates in different countries range from 0.2-2.0 percent with an average incidence rate of 28.1 per 100,000 remaining stable across a wide range of cultures, climates and ethnic groups (Thomas 2000). In the United States, at any given time there may be two to three million people who either have schizophrenia or are at risk of developing it (Allen 2002). The disease usually manifests itself in late …

Colorectal Cancer And Meat Consumption: Recent Views From Epidemiology, Rachel Horner

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in men and women (CDC 2003). The risk for developing colorectal cancer increases with age (90 percent of cases occur in individuals over 50) and with personal or familial predisposition to cancer. Numerous studies over the years also show connections between lifestyle factors-such as eating a diet high in saturated fat and low in fruits and vegetables, smoking and not exercising regularly-and the incidence of this cancer. However, the links between certain dietary factors and the risk …

The Brook Summer 2005, V. 5, N. 03, Stony Brook University Office Of Communications.

The Brook

v.: ill. ; 30 cm (original analog pub.),Brook

The Brook Summer 2005, Stony Brook University Office Of Communications.

The Brook

v.: ill. ; 30 cm (original analog pub.),Brook

Early Oral-Motor Interventions For Pediatric Feeding Problems: What, When And How, C. J. Manno, C. Fox, P. S. Eicher, Mary Louise Kerwin

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

Children with developmental delays often have feeding difficulties resulting from oral-motor problems. Based on both clinical experience and a review of published studies, oral-motor interventions have been shown to be effective in improving the oral function of preterm infants and children with neuromotor disorders, such as cerebral palsy. However, oral-motor problems may be under identified in other populations of children with developmental difficulties. The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for understanding oral-motor skill development and problems that can occur in any infant and young child and to review oral-motor treatment techniques and their empirical support.

Ethical Approaches To Gathering Information From Children And Adolescents In International Settings: Guidelines And Resources, Katie D. Schenk, Jan Williamson

HIV and AIDS

This publication provides practical guidance to help program managers and researchers understand and uphold ethical standards when planning and implementing information-gathering activities among children and adolescents, and promotes discussion of ethical issues among people of different backgrounds and training who gather information for different purposes. The publication, which is divided into three parts, is intended to be helpful to anyone who plans, manages, implements, analyzes, or funds any program or research activity that requires gathering information from children and adolescents, including monitoring and evaluation. Part 1 presents key issues that must be considered from the earliest stages of planning and …

Suffolk Journal, Vol. 66, No. 10, 11/30/2005, Suffolk Journal

Suffolk Journal

No abstract provided.

Contents, Inquiry Editors

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Faculty Bibliography 2005, John Carroll University

Faculty Bibliography (2002-2016)

No abstract provided.

Folate Synthesis And Metabolism In Plants And Prospects For Biofortification, Gilles J. C. Basset, Eoin P. Quinlivan, Jesse F. Gregory Iii, Andrew D. Hanson

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty Publications

Folates are essential cofactors for one-carbon transfer reactions in most living organisms and are required for the biosynthesis of nucleic acids, amino acids, and pantothenate. Unlike plants and microorganisms, humans cannot synthesize folates de novo and must acquire them from the diet, primarily from plant foods. However, lack of folates is the most common vitamin deficiency in the world and has serious health consequences, including increased risk of neural tube defects in infants, cancers, and vascular diseases. Consequently, there is much interest in engineering plants with enhanced folate content (biofortification). In this review, we outline progress in defining the plant …

Drought Preparedness Planning: Building Institutional Capacity, Donald A. Wilhite, Michael Hayes, Cody L. Knutson

National Drought Mitigation Center: Faculty Publications

Past attempts to manage drought and its impacts through a reactive, crisis management approach have been ineffective, poorly coordinated, and untimely, as illustrated by the hydro- illogical cycle in Figure 1. The crisis management approach has been followed in both developed and developing countries. Because of the ineffectiveness of this approach, greater interest has evolved in recent years in the adoption of a more proactive risk-based management approach in some countries (see Chapter 6). Other countries are striving to obtain a higher level of preparedness through development of national action programs that are part of the United Nations Convention to …

Nova Southeastern University 2005 Annual Report, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

The Library Voice, Library Newsletter, Vol. 1, Issue 5, January 2005, Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

JWU Library Newsletter - Charlotte Campus

No abstract provided.

A Bi-County Examination Of Child Welfare Workers' Levels Of Compassion Fatigue And Coping Skills, Pamela Marie Keyes, Christina Leigh Smith

Theses Digitization Project

This study examined the relationship between child welfare workers' coping skills and their levels of empathy. The author developed instruments for measuring empathy and for measuring coping skills. Measures of the coping skills and empathy of child welfare workers in San Bernardino County and San Diego County were compared and found to be similar; the author hoped that this would demonstrate that the results can be generalized. The hypothesis that excellent coping skills diminish compassion fatigue and lead to increased empathy was supported.

Inquiry: The University Of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal - Volume 6 - Fall 2005, Inquiry Editors

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Are Gutter Punk Youth Satisfied With Homeless Services In Berkeley, California?, Eleanor Rachel Sommers

Theses Digitization Project

The present study assessed the satisfaction with homeless services and needs of gutter punk youth in Berkeley, California. The purpose of the study was to explore the ways in which a marginalized population with radical social and political beliefs functions in a liberal social welfare system.

Does The Quantity Of Enteral Nutrition Affect Outcomes In Critically Ill Trauma Patients?, Jennifer L. Ash, Jane M. Gervasio, Gary P. Zaloga, George H. Rodman Jr.

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Abstract from Clinical Nutrition Week, Orlando, FL, January 29-February 2, 2005.

Prediction Of The Tenderness Of Cooked Poultry Pectoralis Major Muscles By Near-Infrared Reflectance Analysis Of Raw Meat, Bradley R. Cheatham

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Tenderness in boneless poultry breast meat is of utmost importance to consumers. However, there is currently no nondestructive method to predict poultry breast meat tenderness. Textural properties of poultry breast meat were predicted by near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. Spectra were collected on 390 poultry Pectoralis major muscles from broiler carcasses to examine the correlation between NIR spectroscopy and the Meullenet-Owens Razor Shear (MORS) test. Two instrumental parameters (maximum shear force and total shear energy) were used as estimates of meat tenderness. Calibration (R2 cal) and validation (r2 val) coefficients of determination were used for predicting instrumental measurements using the reflectance, …

Use Of Calcium Hypochlorite As A Sanitizer For Seeds Used For Sprouting: Task #2; Impact: Improved Alfalfa Decontamination Technologies, Emily Damron, Carrie Klein, Melissa Leach, Jordan Mourot, Tom Murphy, Amy Seamans, Ryan Wilson

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Consumption of raw or lightly cooked alfalfa sprouts has been a concern of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recent years due to connections between sprouts and foodborne illnesses. Researchers have identified, contaminated seeds as the primary source of alfalfa sprouts contamination. Contamination of alfalfa seeds can originate in the field, harvesting, storing, or sprouting. Two pathogens of particular concern on alfalfa seeds are Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) and Salmonella. These pathogens are capable of producing biofilms that provide protection for individual cells and allow for survival in otherwise hostile environments, including some disinfectant washes. Other factors …

Lead Tolerant Bacteria Could Be The Future Of Bioremediation, Kendra Waltermire

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

The contamination of soil, sediment, and water by toxic metals is a major problem worldwide, both environmentally, and economically. Microorganisms that are resistant to lead are rare in nature. Lead is toxic to most microorganisms and only a few have developed mechanisms to survive in this toxic environment In this study, bacteria found in soil and water with high concentrations of soluble lead are isolated and characterized. I grew and isolated bacteria that are resistant to the lead found in the solid medium. A gram stain was used to characteristically determine the bacteria that were isolated. Four isolated bacteria were …