Digital Commons Network^™

Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modulate Mammary Gland Composition And Inflammation, Saraswoti Khadge, Geoffrey M. Thiele, J. Graham Sharp, Timothy R. Mcguire, Lynell W. Klassen, Paul N. Black, Concetta Dirusso, James Talmadge

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Studies in rodents have shown that dietary modifications as mammary glands (MG) develop, regulates susceptibility to mammary tumor initiation. However, the effects of dietary PUFA composition on MGs in adult life, remains poorly understood. This study investigated morphological alterations and inflammatory microenvironments in the MGs of adult mice fed isocaloric and isolipidic liquid diets with varying compositions of omega (ω)-6 and long-chain (Lc)-ω3FA that were pair-fed. Despite similar consumption levels of the diets, mice fed the ω-3 diet had significantly lower body-weight gains, and abdominal-fat and mammary fat pad (MFP) weights. Fatty acid analysis showed significantly higher levels of Lc-ω-3FAs …

Adenosine Has Two Faces: Regionally Dichotomous Adenosine Tone In A Model Of Epilepsy With Comorbid Sleep Disorders, Ted J. Warren, Timothy A. Simeone, D. David Smith, Ryan Grove, Jiri Adamec, Kaeli K. Samson, Harrison M. Roundtree, Deepak Madhavan, Kristina A. Simeone

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Objective: Adenosine participates in maintaining the excitatory/inhibitory balance in neuronal circuits. Studies indicate that adenosine levels in the cortex and hippocampus increase and exert sleep pressure in sleep-deprived and control animals, whereas in epilepsy reduced adenosine tone promotes hyperexcitability. To date, the role of adenosine in pathological conditions that result in both seizures and sleep disorders is unknown. Here, we determined adenosine tone in sleep and seizure regulating brain regions of Kv1.1 knockout (KO) mice, a model of temporal epilepsy with comorbid sleep disorders.

Methods: 1) Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was performed on brain tissue to determine levels …

Influenza D Virus M2 Protein Exhibits Ion Channel Activity In Xenopus Laevis Oocytes, Evan Kesinger, Jianing Liu, Aaron Jensen, Catherine P. Chia, Andrew Demers, Hideaki Moriyama

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

A new type of influenza virus, known as type D, has recently been identified in cattle and pigs. Influenza D virus infection in cattle is typically asymptomatic; however, its infection in swine can result in clinical disease. Swine can also be infected with all other types of influenza viruses, namely A, B, and C. Consequently, swine can serve as a "mixing vessel" for highly pathogenic influenza viruses, including those with zoonotic potential. Currently, the only antiviral drug available targets influenza M2 protein ion channel is not completely effective. Thus, it is necessary to develop an M2 ion channel blocker capable …

Energy Demand And The Context-Dependent Effects Of Genetic Interactions Underlying Metabolism, Luke A. Hoekstra, Cole R. Julick, Katelyn M. Mika, Kristi L. Montooth

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Genetic effects are often context dependent, with the same genotype differentially affecting phenotypes across environments, life stages, and sexes.We used an environmental manipulation designed to increase energy demand during development to investigate energy demand as a general physiological explanation for context-dependent effects of mutations, particularly for those mutations that affect metabolism. We found that increasing the photoperiod during which Drosophila larvae are active during development phenocopies a temperature-dependent developmental delay in a mitochondrial-nuclear genotype with disrupted metabolism. This result indicates that the context-dependent fitness effects of this genotype are not specific to the effects of temperature and may generally result …

Evolutionary Origins Of Vocal Mimicry In Songbirds, Maria Goller, Daizaburo Shizuka

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Vocal learning is an important behavior in oscines (songbirds). Some songbird species learn heterospecific sounds as well as conspecific vocalizations. The emergence of vocal mimicry is necessarily tied to the evolution of vocal learning, as mimicry requires the ability to acquire sounds through learning. As such, tracking the evolutionary origins of vocal mimicry may provide insights into the causes of variation in song learning programs among songbirds. We compiled a database of known vocal mimics that comprised 339 species from 43 families. We then traced the evolutionary history of vocal mimicry across the avian phylogeny using ancestral trait reconstruction on …

Cd32 Is Expressed On Cells With Transcriptionally Active Hiv But Does Not Enrich For Hiv Dna In Resting T Cells, Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, Leticia Kuri-Cervantes, Judith Grau-Exposito, Adam M. Spivak, Racheal A. Nell, Costin Tomescu, Surya Kumari Vadrevu, Leila B. Giron, Carla Serra-Peinado, Meritxell Genesca, Josep Castellvi, Guoxin Wu, Perla M. Del Rio Estrada, Mauricio Gonzalez-Navarro, Kenneth Lynn, Collin T. King, Sai Vemula, Kara Cox, Yanmin Wan, Qingsheng Li, Karam Mounzer, Jay Kostman, Ian Frank, Mirko Paiardini, Daria Hazuda, Gustavo Reyes-Teran, Douglas Richman, Bonnie Howell, Pablo Tebas, Javier Martinez-Picado, Vicente Planelles, Maria J. Buzon, Michael R. Betts, Luis J. Montaner

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The persistence of HIV reservoirs, including latently infected, resting CD4⁺ T cells, is the major obstacle to cure HIV infection. CD32a expression was recently reported to mark CD4⁺ T cells harboring a replication-competent HIV reservoir during antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppression. We aimed to determine whether CD32 expression marks HIV latently or transcriptionally active infected CD4⁺ T cells. Using peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue of ART-treated HIV⁺ or SIV⁺ subjects, we found that most of the circulating memory CD32⁺ CD4⁺ T cells expressed markers of activation, including CD69, HLA-DR, CD25, CD38, and Ki67, and …

Sports Logistics Outsourcing: A Conceptual And Qualitative Study In The Equine Industry, Stephen E. Genchev, Gordon Gray, Stacia Wert-Gray

AMTP Proceedings 2018

The equine industry, despite its considerable impact on the economy, remains overlooked in contemporary supply chain research. The current paper aims at narrowing the gap along two directions: First, the equine industry supply chain is conceptualized, and its main participants and relationships involved are identified. Second, the complex nature of these relationships is illustrated within the context of a specific strategic decision, outsourcing. For years, outsourcing was considered a formal transaction-cost economics decision with little or no consideration for additional factors. This limiting perspective provides the stimulus for the current study’s use of a qualitative approach to get a better …

Puppies, Ponies, Pigs And Parrots: Policies, Practices, And Procedures In Pubs, Pads, Planes And Professions: Where We Live, Work, And Play, And How We Get There: Animal Accommodations In Public Places, Housing, Employment, And Transportation, Laura Rothstein

Brandeis School of Law Faculty Scholarship

This is an expanded and updated version of an article published in 23 ANIMAL L.13 (2018). It examines how disability discrimination policy clarifies when animals may be allowed as accommodations in various settings. It provides basic statutory and regulatory framework for these settings, administrative agency guidance, and judicial interpretations of these requirements in various settings. Major settings where animals might be an accommodation are addressed separately, with particular focus on higher education institutions and health care settings.

The Impact Of Caseworkers' Educational Background And Placement Outcomes For Foster Children, Katrina Haynes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Decades of data document that permanent placements of children in the welfare system has been a concern in Mississippi. As foster care rates increase, more children are awaiting placement. Researchers have linked child welfare workers' educational background to placement outcomes for foster care children; however, researchers have not addressed the relationship between child welfare workers' educational backgrounds and foster care placement outcomes in Mississippi. This quantitative study examined the educational backgrounds of social work and nonsocial work child welfare caseworkers and other factors such as children's gender and race as predictors in placement outcomes for children in welfare custody. Attachment …

Play Time: Why Video Games Are Essential To Urban Academic Libraries, Christina Boyle

Urban Library Journal

Although there is still some hesitance to accept video games as valuable materials for academic library collections, there is a growing body of research which proves that they are highly beneficial to these institutions. The current conversation indicates that video games are useful to academic libraries, but there are no discussions of their essential role within urban library collections. In this paper, it is my contention that video games are not only advantageous to urban academic libraries, but are indisputably necessary as well. Video games are both effective community builders and catalysts for increased awareness and usage of library sources …

An Exploratory Case Study: Persistence And Retention Of Students In An Alternative High School, Lametrica Andrews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students with emotional behavioral disorders (EBD) are at greater risk for dropping out of high school than other students, and are likely to experience fewer employment options and more societal marginalization. Alternative schools have been viewed as a last chance and best option for educating many students with EBD who have not actually been diagnosed. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore persistence and retention in the alternative school setting for students who may or may not have been diagnosed with EBD. Students in this study will be referred to as EBD. Although they have not been …

The Relationships Between Older, Physically Impaired Men And Their Pets., Jennifer Hughes Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The present study examined older male adults' lived experiences with pet ownership. There is robust literature on older adults and the human-animal bond, but presently there are no qualitative phenomenological studies that focus solely on older physically impaired males who live alone and the relationships they have with their pets. With the guiding framework of biopsychosocial theory and using intensive interviews, 10 older males (65+) who suffered from some physical impairment discussed the relationships they have with their pets, and how their companion animals affect their physical, emotional, and social health. All interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes. …

Exploring Peace Education For Consensual Peace Building In Nigeria, Agada John Elachi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Violence, insurgency, and terrorism have been a recurring problem in Nigeria. Efforts to address these challenges through the use of force have proved ineffective. The purpose of this study was to explore the application of peace education in the educational curriculum with a view to promoting consensual peace building in Kafanchan Town, Jema'a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Although peace education has been applied in some countries, this approach has not been applied to these challenges plaguing Nigeria. This study adopts the survey research method and utilizes the tripodal theoretical framework of ethnic conflict theory, enemy system theory, …

Inpatient Rehabilitation, Diabetes, And The Risk Of Clostridium Difficile Infection, Kerry A. Flint

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clostridium difficile is a frequent cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest environmental and host characteristics increase patient's susceptibility to C. difficile infection (CDI). However, few studies have examined the risk of CDI among those with diabetes or patients in the acute rehabilitation (AR) setting. A case-control study, using secondary data (n = 473), evaluated the relationship between CDI and diabetes and identified modifiable environmental exposures. An ecosocial framework was used to examine the relationship between these two complex diseases among hospitalized patients in an AR setting. Results of the …

An Eye-Tracking Study Examining The Role Of Question-Answer Congruency In Children’S Comprehension Of Only: A Preliminary Report, Lauren Covey, Caitlin E. Coughlin, Utako Minai

Department of Linguistics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

‘Crain’s puzzle’ is a term that has been used to describe children’s difficulty comprehending the focus operator only when it is in subject position (subject-only), showing a tendency to interpret only as if it preceded the verb phrase instead. While some researchers attribute children’s difficulty to impoverished pragmatics in the discourse (Hackl et al., 2015), others argue that children’s grammar fundamentally differs from adults’ Notley et al. (2009), yielding a debate regarding whether children’s misinterpretation reflects a non-adult-like linguistic representation of only or some computational burden on their processing of meaning. This study addresses this debate by using eye-tracking to …

Where Have All The Falcons Gone? Saker Falcon (Falco Cherrug) Exports In A Global Economy, Paul B. Stretesky, Ruth E. Mckie, Michael J. Lynch, Michael A. Long, Kimberly L. Barrett

Criminology Faculty Publications

Within conservation biology growing evidence of the decline of the Saker falcon (falco cherrug) population has directed attention to the role of the global falcon trade. Here, we examine factors that may explain the global Saker trade using ecological modernization, treadmill of production and unequal ecological exchange as theoretical frameworks. We estimate trends in Saker exports using the most comprehensive measure available – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Trade Database. Our analysis employs fixed effects regression techniques to control for unobserved heterogeneity between nations to isolate the most important drivers of …

The Effects Of Nicotine On Maladaptive Alcohol Drinking, Isabella Stuart

Research on Capitol Hill

• Impulsivity is defined as choosing a smaller-sooner choice over a more rational larger-later choice.
• Most delay discounting studies only investigate magnitude differences in the same reward.
• Cross-commodity discounting consists of providing the opportunity for subjects to choose between a low quality reward that is available almost immediately and a higher quality reward that is available at a time delay. We will model this in an animal model with rats who have a choice between a relatively small amount of alcohol immediately and a relatively large amount of food at a delay.

Mathematically Predicting The Aleut Tribe Population Using Archaeological Data, Jack Conrad Kiefer Ii, Paden Allen Thompson

Research on Capitol Hill

Sanak Island, located off the southern Alaska Peninsula, was home to the native Aleut peoples for thousands of years. Their hunter-gatherer society depended heavily on the arctic and marine ecosystem for food resources.

In 2015, a team of archaeologists from Idaho State and Utah State universities went to the island and collected data about the Aleut population size and their diet.

This study constructed a dynamical model to mathematically predict the Aleut population over time in order to gain insights into how food resources affected the Aleut people’s ability to survive.

Hope(S) After Genocide, Margaret Urban Walker

Philosophy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Reason And Agency In Kant And Fichte, Michael Vater

Philosophy Faculty Research and Publications

This paper explores the question of the unity of Transcendental Idealism at the end of Eighteenth Century German philosophy, given that it circulated in different versions, Kant’s Critique [of humans’ rational powers] and Fichte’ System of Science [Wissenschaftslehre]. Both thinkers take the transcendental turn. They base conceptual investigations not on facts or empirical evidence, but on the possibility of a situation; they are idealists since they look inward to the spontaneity of the agent/knower for explanation, not the environment, stimulus, or sensory given. Reason can fathom only what it has constructed.

The Open Source Gaitor Suite For Rodent Gait Analysis, Brittany Y. Jacobs, Emily H. Lakes, Alex J. Reiter, Spencer P. Lake, Trevor R. Ham, Nic D. Leipzig, Stacy L. Porvasnik, Christine E. Schmidt, Rebecca A. Wachs, Kyle D. Allen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Locomotive changes are often associated with disease or injury, and these changes can be quantified through gait analysis. Gait analysis has been applied to preclinical studies, providing quantitative behavioural assessment with a reasonable clinical analogue. However, available gait analysis technology for small animals is somewhat limited. Furthermore, technological and analytical challenges can limit the effectiveness of preclinical gait analysis. The Gait Analysis Instrumentation and Technology Optimized for Rodents (GAITOR) Suite is designed to increase the accessibility of preclinical gait analysis to researchers, facilitating hardware and software customization for broad applications. Here, the GAITOR Suite’s utility is demonstrated in 4 models: …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Beef Feedlot Surface Materials As Affected By Diet, Moisture, Temperature, And Time, Bryan L. Woodbury, John E. Gilley, David B. Parker, Bobbi S. Stomer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

A laboratory study was conducted to measure the effects of diet, moisture, temperature, and time on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from feedlot surface materials (FSM). The FSM were collected from open-lot pens where beef cattle were fed either a dry-rolled corn (DRC) diet containing no wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) or a DRC diet containing 35% WDGS. The FSM were collected, air-dried or mixed with 3.0 L of water to represent dry or wet conditions, and then incubated at temperatures of 5°C, 15°C, 25°C, or 35°C. Static flux chambers were used to quantify GHG emissions over a 14-day period. …

Evaluation Of Critical Nitrogen And Phosphorus Models For Maize Under Full And Limited Irrigation Conditions, Koffi Djaman, Suat Irmak

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Proper nitrogen (N) fertiliser application rates and timing of application, coupled with optimum irrigation management can improve the sustainability of maize production and reduce the risk of environmental contamination by nutrients. The impact of full and limited irrigation and rainfed conditions on in-season maize (Zea mays L.) shoot biomass nutrient concentration and critical N and phosphorus (P) indices were evaluated using a combination of measured nutrients and critical N and P models in south central Nebraska in 2009 and 2010. Four irrigation treatments [fully-irrigated treatment (FIT), 75% FIT, 60% FIT and 50% FIT) and rainfed] were imposed. Irrigation regimes …

Visionary Ophthalmics: Confluence Of Computer Vision And Deep Learning For Ophthalmology, Dustin Morley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ophthalmology is a medical field ripe with opportunities for meaningful application of computer vision algorithms. The field utilizes data from multiple disparate imaging techniques, ranging from conventional cameras to tomography, comprising a diverse set of computer vision challenges. Computer vision has a rich history of techniques that can adequately meet many of these challenges. However, the field has undergone something of a revolution in recent times as deep learning techniques have sprung into the forefront following advances in GPU hardware. This development raises important questions regarding how to best leverage insights from both modern deep learning approaches and more classical …

Olfaction, Memory, And Presence In Warfighters: Do The Scents Of War Matter?, Benson Munyan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Exposure therapy (EXP) is a first-line intervention for combat-related PTSD. EXP works by repeatedly exposing the patient to the feared stimuli, situation, or physical sensations in the absence of actual danger until the stimuli no longer evoke maladaptive responses. Over the past decade, multiple technologies have been introduced to augment the EXP process by presenting multi-sensory cues (e.g., sights, smells, sounds) to increase patients' sense of presence. Exploratory research has only broadly examined the effect of odorants on the patient's sense of presence during simulated exposure tasks. This study hypothesized that those with autobiographical memories similar to the virtual …

Evaluating Outcomes Of Education On Waste Management In The Hospital Setting, Taryn N. Schlather

Honors Undergraduate Theses

With advancements in healthcare, we continue to find new needs that must be addressed. Hospitals generate a substantial amount of medical waste, and proper disposal is important for patient and staff safety, environmental protection, and cost efficiency. A series of studies show there is a need for further education on hospital waste management policies. This thesis aims to evaluate education interventions to improve knowledge and healthcare waste disposal practices. This literature review was conducted using multiple databases, including MedLINE, CINAHL, GreenFILE, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and NCBI, to find qualifying research articles in the English language from 2005-2018. Key terms for …

The Effects Of Hormone Replacement Therapy (Hrt) On Surgically Postmenopausal Women: A Review Of The Literature, Leslie M. Hertweck

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the effects of HRT in women with acute estrogen deficiency from surgically induced menopause. The secondary purpose was to evaluate how HRT improves symptoms of acute estrogen deficiency and quality of life (QOL) in women using hormone supplementation. Peer reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2017 that were written in the English language with a focus on the use of HRT in women with acute estrogen deficiency after surgical menopause were evaluated for relevance. Evidence suggests the primary reason for decreased use of HRT is the associated risks outweighing the benefits; …

Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) And Equine Assisted Therapy: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Brittany R. Selzer

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this integrative review of the literature is to examine the effectiveness of equine assisted therapy with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). An extensive review of the literature was conducted regarding children diagnosed with ASD who received equine therapy, equine psychotherapy, therapeutic horseback riding, or horse therapy. Inclusion criteria include articles written in the English language, articles that were peer-reviewed, and had a publication date from 2006 to present. Fourteen articles were analyzed regarding children with ASD who participated in different types of equine therapy. The majority of the studies found individuals with ASD who participated …

Mental Health Interventions For Adolescent Cancer Patients, Kelsey A. Faherty

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: According to the National Cancer Institute (2017) approximately 15,270 individuals’ ages 0 to 19 years would be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Although pediatric cancer survival rates continue to rise, there are high rates of anxiety, fear, and depression amongst this population. The purpose of this literature review was to explore mental health interventions for adolescent cancer patients.

Methodology: A total of 165 articles were found in a literature search. Databases used include: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. As results were further narrowed based on relevance and …

A Transcultural Perspective On Nonpharmacological Treatment Of Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review, Amanda W. Leyva

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Despite PPD’s global extent, scarce research that addresses culturally competent alternative interventions exists. The purposes of this thesis were to 1) analyze the existing literature on non-pharmacological treatment of PPD in the US and across selected cultures; 2) determine the effectiveness of cross-cultural non-pharmaceutical therapy; and 3) examine and suggest ways health care providers can integrate non-pharmacologic interventions into PPD treatment in the US. The systematic electronic search comprised the databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline, PsycINFO and SAGE Research Methods. Searches were limited to English language, peer reviewed, and research articles between 2007 and 2017. …