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2012

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Gene-By-Diet Interactions And Obesity Among Yup'ik People Living In Southwest Alaska, Dominick Lemas Apr 2012

Gene-By-Diet Interactions And Obesity Among Yup'ik People Living In Southwest Alaska, Dominick Lemas

Chemistry and Biochemistry

BACKGROUND: Molecular approaches have expedited the discovery of human obesity genes, however the heritability explained by these loci remains low (<2%). Gene-by-environment interactions may partially account for the "missing heritability" attributed to variation in obesity phenotypes. OBJECTIVE: The specific aims of this dissertation were to (i) identify genetic polymorphisms associated with obesity-related phenotypes in Yup'ik people and (ii) evaluate how n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) intake modifies associations between genetic polymorphisms and obesity-related phenotypes in a population with widely varying intake of n-3 PUFAs. APPROACH: We genotyped genetic polymorphisms in (1) candidate genes with a strong physiological role in obesity pathophysiology; (2) candidate genes identified in obesity whole-genome linkage studies that were regulated by n-3 PUFAs; and (3) candidate genes reproducibly implicated in obesity genome-wide association studies (GWAS). DATA & ANALYSES: We used Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) data collected between 2001 and 2008. We estimated dietary intake of n-3 PUFA using nitrogen stable isotope ratios (delta15N) of red blood cells (RBC) and obesity-related phenotypes were obtained by trained staff. Genotype-phenotype analyses used generalized linear models that accounted for familial correlations. RESULTS: Our analyses of candidate genes based on physiology revealed a polymorphism called P479L in carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) that was associated with elevated fasting HDL-cholesterol and all obesity phenotypes. Our investigation of candidate genes that are regulated by n-3 PUFAs and implicated in obesity whole-genome linkage studies demonstrate that polymorphisms in stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) and steroyl regulatory element binding protein (SLC2A4) were associated with obesity-related phenotypes; however n-3 PUFA intake did not modify associations between SCD and SLC2A4 polymorphisms and obesity phenotypes. Finally, our investigation of candidate genes reproducibly implicated in obesity GWAS demonstrated that genetic predisposition to obesity is associated with adiposity and that interactions with n-3 PUFA intake accounted for more than twice the phenotypic variation in adiposity. CONCLUSION: Taken together, results from this dissertation suggest that selecting candidate genes based on large-scale genomic analyses, such as linkage analyses and GWAS, has the potential to identify gene-by-environment interactions that partially account for the "missing heritability" attributed to obesity.

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"That's A Hard Question": Undergraduate Students Talk About Culture, Caitlin N. Montague-Winebarger Apr 2012

"That's A Hard Question": Undergraduate Students Talk About Culture, Caitlin N. Montague-Winebarger

Education

In this project I examine the ability of undergraduate students to articulate a working definition of culture and cross-culture. The students were predominately elementary education majors, enrolled in one of two culture-based elective courses at the University of Alaska Fairbanks during the 2010-2011 school year. Through the use of semi-structured interviewing and participatory/observational autoethnographic fieldwork, I provide several viewpoints from which to look at this complex issue. Through the examination of historical and institutional documents, I show that the School of Education within the University has had a long-standing commitment to teacher education in the Alaskan context, including creating teachers …

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Executive Committee - Agenda, 4/17/2012, Academic Senate Apr 2012

Executive Committee - Agenda, 4/17/2012, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

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Identifying Morphological And Functional Changes In A Caenorhabditis Elegans Neuronal Aging Model Of Huntington’S Disease, Cyrena Parker Apr 2012

Identifying Morphological And Functional Changes In A Caenorhabditis Elegans Neuronal Aging Model Of Huntington’S Disease, Cyrena Parker

2012 Research Day Posters

• Evaluate the effects of aging on neuronal morphology and gentle touch response in a C. elegans model of Huntington's disease • Establish that our RNAi method in our two genetic strains, Huntington’s disease model ID1 and control ID245, is selective and specific in silencing targeted genes in neurons

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Central Co2/Ph Chemosensitivity Influence On Respiration In Both Early And Late Staged Tadpoles, Alex Tackett Apr 2012

Central Co2/Ph Chemosensitivity Influence On Respiration In Both Early And Late Staged Tadpoles, Alex Tackett

2012 Research Day Posters

We test the hypothesis that central respiratory CO2/pH chemosensitivity, recorded from isolated brainstems, remains consistent throughout tadpole development. Results indicate that tadpoles at all developmental stages respond to CO2/pH, and that the sensitivity of these responses does not change with development.

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Resistance To Multi Organ Damage After Hemorrhagic Shock Induced Ischemia/Reperfusion In Arctic Ground Squirrels, Lori Bogren, Jm Olson, J Carpluk, Jt Moore, Kl Drew Apr 2012

Resistance To Multi Organ Damage After Hemorrhagic Shock Induced Ischemia/Reperfusion In Arctic Ground Squirrels, Lori Bogren, Jm Olson, J Carpluk, Jt Moore, Kl Drew

2012 Research Day Posters

•Worldwide hemorrhagic shock is the number one cause of death in trauma patients, the majority of those die from multi organ dysfunction syndrome [1, 2]. •During hemorrhagic shock (HS), the body undergoes global ischemia as blood pressure drops below the threshold at which tissues can be adequately perfused with blood. •Resistance to ischemic injury is a characteristic of hibernating mammals, including ground squirrels. •There is debate on if this resistance is dependant on hibernation season or if it is an intrinsic plasticity of the organism. QUESTION: Are AGS protected from HS‐induced ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury on the whole organism and …

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Consumer Awareness And Belief Regarding The Health Implications Of Soy, Cindy Klement Apr 2012

Consumer Awareness And Belief Regarding The Health Implications Of Soy, Cindy Klement

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This work examines consumer awareness of soy, including which information source enabled consumers to form their beliefs regarding soy's health implications. Controversy surrounds the much-researched topic of soy, including its isolated compounds, processing and manufacturing methods, seed source, and consumption amounts. Inconsistent results in research lead to disagreements on what is and what is not safe, and for whom. Participants in six states were recruited from a convenience sample and asked to complete a seven-question survey. Results indicate a great amount of uncertainty with consumers regarding whether soy is beneficial or detrimental, especially when considering the prevalence of internet soy …

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Report: The Illinois State University Faculty-Staff Newsletter, April 17, 2012, Illinois State University Apr 2012

Report: The Illinois State University Faculty-Staff Newsletter, April 17, 2012, Illinois State University

Illinois State University Report (1966-2012)

Illinois State University bi-weekly employee newsletter.

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Model-Predicting The Effect Of Freshwater Inflow On Saltwater Layers, Migration And Life History Of Zooplankton In The Arctic Ocean: Towards Scenarios And Future Trends, Moritz Schmid Apr 2012

Model-Predicting The Effect Of Freshwater Inflow On Saltwater Layers, Migration And Life History Of Zooplankton In The Arctic Ocean: Towards Scenarios And Future Trends, Moritz Schmid

Faculty

The Arctic Ocean is warming up and an increasing freshwater inflow is triggering major changes in ocean layers. This model study aims at creating a baseline, and analyzing the effect of freshwater content changes, subsequent freshwater sealing as well as related parameters in the Arctic Ocean on migration and life history of zooplankton such as copepods and euphausiids. Copepods and euphausiids make for a major part of the zooplankton biomass in the Arctic Ocean, and are an important part of the food chain. Analyses are carried out using an ecosystem-based, spatial modeling approach with machine learning algorithms (Salford Systems TreeNet®, …

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Nuclear Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (Its) Region As A Universal Dna Barcode Marker For Fungi, Eric Tretter, Yan Wang, Eric M. Johnson, Merlin M. White Apr 2012

Nuclear Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (Its) Region As A Universal Dna Barcode Marker For Fungi, Eric Tretter, Yan Wang, Eric M. Johnson, Merlin M. White

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Six DNA regions were evaluated as potential DNA barcodes for Fungi, the second largest kingdom of eukaryotic life, by a multinational, multilaboratory consortium. The region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 used as the animal barcode was excluded as a potential marker, because it is difficult to amplify in fungi, often includes large introns, and can be insufficiently variable. Three subunits from the nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron were compared together with regions of three representative protein-coding genes (largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, and minichromosome maintenance protein). Although the protein-coding …

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Final Report: Germination Of Water Sedge, Carex Aquatilis, And Cotton Sedge, Eriophorum Angustifolium, From Arctic Coastal Wetlands, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, Patricia S. Holloway, M. Sean Willison, Stephen D. Sparrow Apr 2012

Final Report: Germination Of Water Sedge, Carex Aquatilis, And Cotton Sedge, Eriophorum Angustifolium, From Arctic Coastal Wetlands, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, Patricia S. Holloway, M. Sean Willison, Stephen D. Sparrow

Miscellaneous Publications

The Prudhoe Bay oil fields, Alaska were discovered in 1968, and commercial production commenced in 1977 with the completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Oil production has been declining since 1989, although additional exploratory drilling continues. Support facilities for oil production are built on permafrost soils that surface-thaw in summer to form extensive wetlands composed of moist meadows, sedge marshes, moist sedge-dwarf shrub tundra, grass marshes, small ponds and lakes (Walker and Acevedo 1987). To prevent thawing and subsidence of subsurface, ice-rich soils, gravel pads, 2m (6 ft) or more thickness have been built to support drilling sites as well as …

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Site Formation Processes And Environmental Reconstruction At The Mink Island Archaeological Site (Xmk-030), Katmai National Park And Preserve, Alaska, Alison Dawn Laybolt Apr 2012

Site Formation Processes And Environmental Reconstruction At The Mink Island Archaeological Site (Xmk-030), Katmai National Park And Preserve, Alaska, Alison Dawn Laybolt

Anthropology

This research was initiated to document climate and weather, as reflected in geoarchaeological data, and identify, if possible, any related changes in human behaviors at the Mink Island Site (XMK-030) on the Shelikof Strait, in Katmai National Park, Alaska. The goal was to identify local environmental changes through the analysis of sediment micromorphology, grain-size, and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation of sediment grain surface textures, and use the data to determine if local environmental changes were related to periods of human occupation, or associated with local or regional hiatuses. Research indicated that micromorphology, grain-size and SEM analyses are not the …

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Losing Ground: An Ethnography Of Vulnerability And Climate Change In Shishmaref, Alaska, Elizabeth K. Marino Apr 2012

Losing Ground: An Ethnography Of Vulnerability And Climate Change In Shishmaref, Alaska, Elizabeth K. Marino

Anthropology

This dissertation presents an ethnography of vulnerability in Shishmaref, Alaska. The village of Shishmaref, population 563, faces imminent threat from increasing erosion and flooding events -- linked to climatic changes and ecological shift -- making the relocation of residents off of the island necessary in the foreseeable future. In spite of ongoing conversations with government agencies since 1974, an organized relocation has yet to occur in Shishmaref. While ecological shift and anthropogenic climate change are no doubt occurring in and around the island, the literature on vulnerability and disaster predicts that social systems contribute at least as much as ecological …

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Health And Empires: Implications For Political Development On The Health Of The Inhabitants Of Great Moravia (9th--10th Centuries), Megan Michelle Ellicott Apr 2012

Health And Empires: Implications For Political Development On The Health Of The Inhabitants Of Great Moravia (9th--10th Centuries), Megan Michelle Ellicott

Anthropology

The early medieval period was a time of great change in Europe. Politically thee empires ruled Europe: Charlemagne's Carolingian Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire. During this time early cities began to form in Europe, and new patterns of settlement developed. Great Moravia was a state level society in the southeastern region of the Czech Republic during the late 9th and early 10th centuries. This thesis explores the impact of urban development on the health of its inhabitants. In order to do this, rural (Josefov and Lahovice) and urban (Mikulcice-Kostelisko) skeletal populations were examined for cribra orbitalia, …

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Aurora, Vol. 05, No. 1 (Fall 2012), Marketing And Communications Apr 2012

Aurora, Vol. 05, No. 1 (Fall 2012), Marketing And Communications

Aurora

No abstract provided.

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Aurora Vol. 04 No. 2 (Spring 2012), N/A N/A Apr 2012

Aurora Vol. 04 No. 2 (Spring 2012), N/A N/A

Aurora

No abstract provided.

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Reassessing The Wider Genetic Affiliations Of The Timor-Alor-Pantar Languages, Laura C. Robinson, Gary Holton Apr 2012

Reassessing The Wider Genetic Affiliations Of The Timor-Alor-Pantar Languages, Laura C. Robinson, Gary Holton

Alaska Native Language Center Faculty

The wider genealogical affiliations of the Timor-Alor-Pantar languages have been the subject of much speculation. These languages are surrounded by unrelated Austronesian languages, and attempts to locate related languages have focused on Papuan languages 800 km or more distant. In this paper we examine three hypotheses for genealogical relatedness, drawing on both pronominal and especially lexical evidence. We rely in particular on recent reconstructions of proto-Alor-Pantar vocabulary. Of the hypotheses evaluated here, we find the most striking similarities between TAP and the West Bomberai family. However, we conclude that the evidence currently available is insufficient to confirm a genealogical relationship …

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Internal Classification Of The Alor-Pantar Language Family Using Computational Methods Applied To The Lexicon, Laura C. Robinson, Gary Holton Apr 2012

Internal Classification Of The Alor-Pantar Language Family Using Computational Methods Applied To The Lexicon, Laura C. Robinson, Gary Holton

Alaska Native Language Center Faculty

The non-Austronesian languages of Alor and Pantar in eastern Indonesia have been shown to be genetically related using the comparative method, but the identified phonological innovations are typologically common and do not delineate neat subgroups. We apply computational methods to recently-collected lexical data and are able to identify subgroups based on the lexicon. Crucially, the lexical data are coded for cognacy based on identified phonological innovations. This methodology can succeed even where phonological innovations themselves fail to identify subgroups, showing that computational methods using lexical data can be a powerful tool supplementing the comparative method.

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Polishing The Mirror: A Multiple Methods Study Of The Relationship Between Teaching Style And The Application Of Technology In Alaska's Rural One To One Digital Classrooms, Larry S. Ledoux Apr 2012

Polishing The Mirror: A Multiple Methods Study Of The Relationship Between Teaching Style And The Application Of Technology In Alaska's Rural One To One Digital Classrooms, Larry S. Ledoux

Indigenous Studies

This mixed method survey study examined the inter-relationships between teaching styles and the depth of classroom-based technology applications used by teachers participating in 1:1 digitally enhanced classrooms in thirteen of Alaska's rural school districts. The promise of technology to catalyze the transformation of schools into learner centric environments preparing students to be 21st century learners has not been realized. Significant first order barriers have limited the digital learning resources necessary to systemically affect pedagogical change. During the last six years, various entities have sponsored digitally enhanced learning environments to stimulate the process of education reform. These initiatives, labeled as one-to-one …

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Anatomical And Mechanical Characteristics Of Woods Used To Manufacture Bassoons, Carolyn K. Levings Apr 2012

Anatomical And Mechanical Characteristics Of Woods Used To Manufacture Bassoons, Carolyn K. Levings

Forest Sciences

The purpose of this dissertation was three-fold -- 1) to determine if anatomical characteristics and mechanical characteristics derived from tapping (the act of striking an object lightly) can be used to more accurately describe bassoon resonant wood than the characters in use now, 2) to determine if any Alaska hardwoods can be used to construct bassoons, and 3) to produce lists of potential North American hardwoods and resonant bassoon wood characters. The bassoon resonant woods (Acer spp., Dalbergia melanoxylon, and Pyrus spp.) were compared to a known non-resonant bassoon wood (Juglans nigra). Vessel length and width, fiber length, and axial …

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Factors Contributing To Weight Gain Among College Freshman And Beyond, Cody L. Chipp Apr 2012

Factors Contributing To Weight Gain Among College Freshman And Beyond, Cody L. Chipp

Psychology

Background: Linked with a higher risk of life threatening illnesses, obesity in the United States has become an epidemic, with a prevalence rate of overweight and obese adults of nearly 68%. Obesity rates have accelerated over the past two decades and one crucial developmental period for weight gain is among emerging adults attending college. Using an explanatory mixed-method design, this study examined contributing factors to weight gain among college students, including eliciting university stakeholders' perceptions of supports and barriers to exercising and healthy eating among students. Method: Data collection for the quantitative phase of the study consisted of two waves, …

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Highland Hunters: Prehistoric Resource Use In The Yukon-Tanana Uplands, Gerad M. Smith Apr 2012

Highland Hunters: Prehistoric Resource Use In The Yukon-Tanana Uplands, Gerad M. Smith

Anthropology

The purpose of this study was to conduct a first approximation of explorations and excavations throughout the White Mountain and Steese Conservation areas during the summer field seasons of 2010 and 2011 in the Yukon Tanana Uplands. An analysis of the lithic artifacts from five site excavations (the Big Bend, Bachelor Creek, Bear Creek, US Creek and Cripple Creek) was then undertaken. These assemblages were then examined and modeled using risk-assessments, optimal resource use, and behavior processes in order to explore the interdependence of environment, ecology, and material culture that drove prehistoric subsistence cycles in this area. This archaeological research …

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Chancellor's Report 2012-04, John Pugh Apr 2012

Chancellor's Report 2012-04, John Pugh

Chancellor's Report

No abstract provided.

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Gabaergic Neurons In The Medullary Raphé Possess Network Independent Chemosensitivity In Situ, Kimberly E. Iceman Apr 2012

Gabaergic Neurons In The Medullary Raphé Possess Network Independent Chemosensitivity In Situ, Kimberly E. Iceman

2012 Research Day Posters

The identity and location of central pH/CO2 sensitive chemoreceptors are not fully understood. Serotonin (5-HT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesizing neurons in the medullary raphé have demonstrated intrinsic chemosensitivity in vitro. This evidence forms the basis for our "push-pull" model of raphé contributions to chemosensitivity. We have previously shown that CO2-stimulated 5-HT neurons occur in the medullary raphé in situ. Here, we test the hypothesis that the medullary raphé contains GABA synthesizing CO2-inhibited neurons that retain their chemosensitivity after pharmacological blockade of major fast synaptic inputs. To assess chemosensitivity, we record extracellular single neuron discharge during normocapnic and hypercapnic conditions …

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The Effect Of Nutritional Stress And Life History On The Rate Of Telomere Loss In Black-Legged Kittiwake And Red-Legged Kittiwake Chicks, Lara Johnson Apr 2012

The Effect Of Nutritional Stress And Life History On The Rate Of Telomere Loss In Black-Legged Kittiwake And Red-Legged Kittiwake Chicks, Lara Johnson

2012 Research Day Posters

Slow-track species such as the red-legged kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) and fast-track species such as the black-legged kittiwake (R. tridactyla) respond differently to environmental pressures. We examined how nutritional stress may affect the rate of telomere loss, a proxy for life expectancy, in these two seabirds. We did not find a significant effect of nutrition on telomere dynamics. However, there was a difference in species effect, with black-legged kittiwakes having an increase and red-legged kittiwakes a decrease in telomere length. This result may reflect differences in life history.

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Trapping As A Wildlife Management Tool In Interior Alaska, Xavier Lonewolf Apr 2012

Trapping As A Wildlife Management Tool In Interior Alaska, Xavier Lonewolf

2012 Research Day Posters

In the present day the Alaska Department of Fish and Game utilizes furbearer trapping as an important Wildlife Management tool. Historically, people have depended on furbearer trapping for required nutrients provided, by meat and also fur for clothing, bedding and shelter. But, modern day advances have impacted the trapping society and resulted in decline of participates. As time persists will the Alaska Dep. of Fish and Game have to replace the benefits that the trapping community provides us? It is important to see what simple solutions could possible restore the downfall. One simple outlook is to understand who all is …

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Transient Spatiotemporal Chaos Collapses Into Periodic And Steady States In An Electrically-Coupled Neural Ring Network, Keegan Keplinger Apr 2012

Transient Spatiotemporal Chaos Collapses Into Periodic And Steady States In An Electrically-Coupled Neural Ring Network, Keegan Keplinger

2012 Research Day Posters

Chaotic behavior in a spatially extended system is often referred to as spatiotemporal chaos. The trajectories of a system as it evolves through state space are described by irregular spatial and temporal patterns. In mathematical biology, spatiotemporal chaos has been demonstrated in chemotaxis models (Painter & Hillen, 2011) predator-prey models (Sherratt, J. & Fowler, A., 1995) and the Hogdkin-Huxley neural model (Wang, Lu, & Chen, 2006). Transient chaos is a special case of chaotic dynamics in which the system dynamics collapses without external perturbation. Rather, collapse is an intrinsic property of the system. Here, we diff usively couple many spiking …

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Post Natal Impact Of Maternal Tryptophan Deficiency On Central Co2/Ph Chemosensitivity, Bryan P. Mosher Apr 2012

Post Natal Impact Of Maternal Tryptophan Deficiency On Central Co2/Ph Chemosensitivity, Bryan P. Mosher

2012 Research Day Posters

Cells and mechanisms underlying central chemosensitivity, are poorly understood and can be controversial. Our overarching hypothesis is that brainstem 5-HT and/or GABA neurons contribute to detection and response to changes in pH/CO2. Our experiments are designed to provide insight into respiratory physiology, and pathologies thought to result from chemosensory dysfunction such as the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). A deficiency of 5-HT resulting from maternal dietary restriction could enhance vulnerability to SIDS. It was recently shown that rat pups born to dams fed a tryptophan deficient diet have a reduced number of central 5-HT neurons and reduced ventilatory sensitivity to …

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Changes In Respiratory Co2 Chemosensitivity Using Early- And Late-Stage Tadpoles, Andrea K. Nesteby Apr 2012

Changes In Respiratory Co2 Chemosensitivity Using Early- And Late-Stage Tadpoles, Andrea K. Nesteby

2012 Research Day Posters

Isolated tadpole brainstems provide a robust model for quantifying central respiratory CO2 chemosensitivity. Whole-nerve recordings were used to identify respiratory responses of early and late-stage tadpoles to different CO2 levels in order to characterize the sensitivity of different developmental stages to respiratory stimuli. Some significance has been determined when comparing baseline and individual treatment values; however, further research needs to be done in order to fully characterize the CO2 influence on respiration.

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Growth Response Of White Spruce [Picea Glauca (Moench) Voss] In Denali National Park Under Warming Climate, Kyoko Okano Apr 2012

Growth Response Of White Spruce [Picea Glauca (Moench) Voss] In Denali National Park Under Warming Climate, Kyoko Okano

2012 Research Day Posters

In subarctic mountains such as Denali National Park and Preserve(DNP), vegetation shifts from alpine tundra to boreal forests caused by recent climate change are a potential threat to plant conservation and indirectly to animal habits and diversity, which could affect the experience of visitors who wish to see wildlife.  The growth rate of Picea glauca (white spruce) could decrease by climate change due to drought stress, which might lead to species elimination.  The shift of P. glauca towards a higher elevation would require its seedlings not only to adapt to new abiotic harsh conditions, but also to compete …

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