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Novel Multiplex Pcr Reveals Multiple Trypanosomatid Species Infecting North American Bumble Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus), Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Crithidia bombi and Crithidia expoeki (Trypanosomatidae) are common parasites of bumble bees (Bombus spp.). Crithidia bombi was described in the 1980s, and C. expoeki was recently discovered using molecular tools. Both species have cosmopolitan distributions among their bumble bee hosts, but there have been few bumble bee studies that have identified infections to species since the original description of C. expoeki in 2010. Morphological identification of species is difficult due to variability within each stage of their complex lifecycles, although they can be easily differentiated through DNA sequencing. However, DNA sequencing can be expensive, particularly with many samples to diagnose. …

Modeling Of A Dynamic Mckibben Style Muscle System Using Material Properties, Alexander G. Arcus

Theses

The McKibben style artificial muscle is a type of pneumatic artificial muscle. When the muscle is pressurized a length contraction and contractive force occur. Modeling a McKibben style muscle presents many challenges. The physical dynamics of the muscle are highly nonlinear, which makes accurate modeling difficult. Modeling using experimentally determined coefficients enables the creation of an equation that ignores the nonlinear nature of the system, but it can have a limited range or accuracy and cannot adjust for changing system properties. Modeling using the system properties requires the consideration of the nonlinear dynamics of the muscle; however, it provides the …

Using High-Order Prior Belief Predictions In Hierarchical Temporal Memory For Streaming Anomaly Detection, Brody Kutt

Theses

Autonomous streaming anomaly detection can have a significant impact in any domain where continuous, real-time data is common. Often in these domains, datasets are too large or complex to hand label. Algorithms that require expensive global training procedures and large training datasets impose strict demands on data and are accordingly not fit to scale to real-time applications that are noisy and dynamic. Unsupervised algorithms that learn continuously like humans therefore boast increased applicability to these real-world scenarios.

Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) is a biologically constrained theory of machine intelligence inspired by the structure, activity, organization and interaction of pyramidal neurons …

Compact Antenna With Artificial Magnetic Conductor For Noninvasive Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring, Meenakshy Iyer

Theses

A non-invasive technique for real-time continuous monitoring of blood glucose has been under development by Venkataraman’s research group in the ETA lab at RIT [16]-[18]. The methodology involves placing an antenna on the arm and monitoring changes in the resonant frequency, which is attributed to changes in the blood glucose level. This is because the blood’s permittivity depends on the glucose levels, and in turn, affects the antenna’s resonant frequency. In order to correlate the antenna’s resonant frequency shift with the real-time blood glucose change, glucose estimation was also modeled using the antenna’s input impedance. The antennas designed could successfully …

Femtosecond Laser-Matter Interactions In Ternary Zinc Phosphate Glasses, J. Hernandez-Rueda, N. W. Troy, P. Freudenberger, Richard K. Brow, D. M. Krol

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We investigate the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with ternary zinc phosphate glasses. We explore the viability of ten different glass compositions with different levels of alumina to inscribe optical waveguides via the fs-laser direct writing technique, finding that only samples with [O]/[P] ratios of 3.25 are suitable candidates. We also test a zinc magnesium phosphate glass to fabricate waveguide Bragg gratings in order to generate filters and mirrors with specific spectral properties. Confocal Raman spectroscopy inspection shows that laser-damaged material exhibits a relative intensity decrease and a subtle blue-shift on the 1209 cm-1 Raman peak, which implies a relative …

Wild Horse Country: The History, Myth, And Future Of The Mustang, Seth J. Dettenmaier

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Managing Healthy Wild Horses And Burros On Healthy Rangelands: Tools And The Tool Box, Callie Hendrickson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act (WFRHBA) of 1971 authorized the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to manage feral horses (Equus ferus caballus ) and burros (E. asinus ) on public lands in the United States. This special issue of Human–Wildlife Interactions has explored in-depth the ecological, policy, political, practical, and sociological issues pertinent to the BLM and USFS management of wild horses and burros. In this commentary, I summarize the pros and cons of the available contemporary policy and management options—the tools in the BLM and USFS toolbox— that can contribute …

Human-Bear Conflicts In Massanutten Village: Achieving Success Requires Partnerships, Ally M. Scott, David M. Kocka, Glenn W. Mitchell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Interactions between humans and black bears (Ursus americanus) in Virginia, USA, increase as bear populations recover from historically low levels and expand their range to seek food in human-modified environments. In 2002, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) changed its management of human–bear conflicts from translocating bears involved in conflicts to emphasizing human behavior changes. Herein we provide an overview of human–bear conflict management at Massanutten Village (Village), a popular four-season resort with 3 ownerships. Before 2009, VDGIF received an average of 60–70 human–bear interaction complaints from the Village annually. In 2009, 2 Village ownerships …

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Accountability On Jobsites Within The Construction Industry, Joseph O. Lamphere

Construction Management

Noise induced hearing loss is a major issue on jobsites within the construction industry. Every day workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise, but they are not being properly managed to mitigate this issue. Workers have misconceptions about the topic, but more surprisingly are sometimes indifferent to the effects; believing hearing loss is inevitable, or it can be cured with a hearing aide. Construction has inherent dangers that workers have to deal with every day. Hearing loss might not be on the top of their lists, but the effects are permanent, and they cannot be cured with a hearing …

Interacting Effects Of Urbanization And Coastal Gradients On Ant Thermal Responses, Robert Warren

Biology Faculty Datasets

Urban-to-rural gradients intersect with other, often unmeasured, environmental gradients that may influence or even supersede species responses. Here we use coastal-to-interior and urban-rural gradients to investigate woodland ant response (physiological thermal tolerance, community structure and spring phenology) to two overlapping thermal gradients, the Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) and the Buffalo, NY urban center (USA). Woodland ant physiological and behavioral responses, and community responses, shifted along the coastal-to-interior and urban-rural gradients, but they were generally best explained by lake effects (though urban ants tolerated higher temperatures than rural ants). The relatively colder spring temperatures in coastal areas (as compared to …

Release From Intraspecific Competition Promotes Dominance Of A Non-Native Invader, Robert Warren

Biology Faculty Datasets

Species can coexist through equalizing (similar fitness abilities) and stabilizing (unique niche requirements) mechanisms – assuming that intraspecific competition imposes more limitation than interspecific competition. Non-native species often de-stabilize coexistence, suggesting that they bring either a fitness advantage or a distinct niche requirement. We tested whether greater fitness or unique niche requirements best explained a successful North American invasion by the European Myrmica rubra ant. North American invaded-range M. rubra aggressively sting and occur in enormous numbers (suggesting a fitness advantage), yet our study site has a history of anthropogenic disturbance that might favor M. rubra (suggesting a unique niche). …

Rapid And Simultaneous Determination Of Nutritional Constituents Of United States Grown Oats Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (Nirs), Devendra Paudel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oats is a unique cereal owing to its nutritional and health benefits. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) is an efficient tool for monitoring the quality of cereal foods. NIRS holds potential for non-destructive multicomponent oat analyses with advantage of large sample throughput, speed, and reduced cost. The purpose of this study was to develop predictive calibration models for estimating beta-glucan, protein, and oil content of US oat cultivars using NIRS and validated AACCI reference methods. A rapid, non-destructive (whole oat groat), and secondary NIRS method was developed to estimate beta-glucan, protein, and oil content based on the standard reference analyses …

Blended Learning In Credit Recovery, Robin Kuhn

Graduate Research Papers

This project is to create a blended learning module for students who need to recover course credit in order to stay on track to graduate on time from a small rural district with limited teachers and face-to-face time. This project will eliminate the need for the district to pay for online credit recovery services and help avoid scheduling issues that may prevent completion of the high school curriculum by students who fail a class. The project will be tested with students within the district and, if successful, will be implemented for all students who need to recover course credit.

Transport Of Bmaa Into Neurons And Astrocytes By System XC-, Rebecca Albano, Doug Lobner

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The study of the mechanism of β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) neurotoxicity originally focused on its effects at the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. In recent years, it has become clear that its mechanism of action is more complicated. First, there are certain cell types, such as motor neurons and cholinergic neurons, where the dominate mechanism of toxicity is through action at AMPA receptors. Second, even in cortical neurons where the primary mechanism of toxicity appears to be activation of NMDA receptors, there are other mechanisms involved. We found that along with NMDA receptors, activation of mGLuR5 receptors and effects on the …

Are Psychedelics Effective In Treating Anxiety Associated With A Lifethreatening Disease?, Kayla Wilwohl

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not “Are psychedelics effective in treating anxiety associated with a lifethreatening disease?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot studies and one randomized controlled trial (RCT).

DATA SOURCES: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found via the use of PubMed Database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured in this EBM was the effect of psilocybin or LSD on the reduction in anxiety. Reduction in anxiety was measured using either the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) or the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Participants …

Does Continuous Subcutaneous Hydrocortisone Infusion Therapy Improve Vitality In Adult Patients With Addison’S Disease When Compared To Oral Hydrocortisone Therapy?, Vanessa Rivas

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective systematic review is to determine whether or not continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CSHI) therapy improves vitality in adult patients with Addison’s disease when compared to oral hydrocortisone therapy.

STUDY DESIGN: This systematic review used three peer reviewed articles published in English. The articles were a crossover randomized control trial, a double bind placebo controlled clinical trial, and a case series published from 2007 to 2014.

DATA SOURCES: The crossover randomized control trial and the double blind, placebo randomized control trial compared adult patients with Addison’s disease vitality scores when taking oral hydrocortisone tablets to …

Does Yoga Therapy Improve Physical Pain In Females And Males With Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis?, Rebecca Nolan

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not yoga therapy improves physical pain in females and males over the age of 18 with diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

DESIGN: Review of three randomized control trials (RCTs), two written in English and one written in Hindi and translated to English, which were published in 2011, 2013, and 2015.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized control trials, one of which was a double blind study, published in peer-reviewed journals found via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Physical pain due to rheumatoid arthritis was measured using Short form (SF36) Physical Component Summary, which …

Does Adalimumab Prevent The Loss Of Visual Acuity In Patients With Uveitis?, Michael Moore

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not adalimumab prevents the loss of visual acuity in patients with uveitis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published between 2013-2016.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled phase 3 trials and one retrospective study were found using PubMed. The RCT’s compared treatment with adalimumab to placebo in patients with noninfectious uveitis, while the retrospective study solely assessed outcomes in patients with noninfectious uveitis receiving adalimumab treatment.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: For the two RCT’s, the clinical outcome of time to treatment failure due to worsening visual acuity …

Are The Use Of Probiotics An Effective Treatment For Relieving Symptoms Of Depression In Adults?, Olynda B. Mileon-Etuk

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM is to determine whether or not, “Are the use of antibiotics an effective treatment for relieving symptoms of depression in adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, published between 2010- 2016.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found using PubMed- NCBI. These studies analyzed the effectiveness of probiotics in adults with symptoms of depression.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The main outcome measured was improvement of symptoms of depression after the administration of probiotic supplements. Outcomes were assessed using data from self-reported questionnaires, which include the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-90), Hospital …

Are Tnf-Α Inhibitors Infliximab And Certolizumab Pegol Effective In Treating Adults With Psoriatic Arthritis (Psa) Or Psa Patients Who Have Previously Failed Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (Dmard) Therapy?, Matthew B. Louis

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether TNF-α inhibitors Infliximab and Certolizumab pegol are effective in treating adults with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) or PsA patients who have previously failed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy

Study Design: Review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials published after 2006.

Data sources: Three articles were found on PubMed and chosen based upon patient oriented outcomes relevant to the patient population. The population study was adults with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patients with PsA who failed prior DMARD therapy. Infliximab and certolizumab pegol were analyzed for treatment efficacy. …

Is Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Able To Decrease The Number Of Relapses In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis?, Justin K. Balliet

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not mesenchymal stem cell therapy decreased the number of relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trials from 2006-2016.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials and one case series were found searching PubMed. The randomized control trials compared the number of relapses of patients undergoing stem cell therapy against placebo and anti-inflammatory treatment (IV methylprednisolone and oral prednisone). The case series compared the number of relapses patients experienced before and after stem cell therapy.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Clinical outcomes included the number …

Does Low-Level Light Therapy Accelerate Healing Time Of Oral Herpes Simplex Lesions?, Anna Cauthen

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence-based medicine review is to determine whether or not low-level light therapy accelerates healing time of oral herpes simplex lesions.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized control trials between 2006 and 2013.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized, double-blind and semi-blind control trials found via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The primary endpoint measured was healing time, which was defined as time for oral herpes lesions to fully resolve and underlying skin to become completely re-epithelialized. 3,4 The secondary endpoint measured time it took lesions to crust over. 3,4 One study also measured recurrence of lesions over a …

Legal Structures In A Game Of Thrones: The Laws Of The First Men And Those That Followed, David P. Weber

South Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Coordinated School Health, Annual Summary, Tennessee Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results 2017, Tennessee. Department Of Education.

Coordinated School Health

No abstract provided.

Continued Growth For Tennessee's Economy 2017 Reference Guide, Tennessee. Department Of Labor & Workforce Development.

Tennessee's Economy

No abstract provided.

Antiracist Teaching, Jan L. H. Frank

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Book Review

Availability Of Fermentable Nutrients Affect Gut Microbiota Composition, Trupthi Mehta

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies have increasingly established the role of gut microbiota in human health and disease. Diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, cardiovascular disease and many neurological disorders have been linked to specific gut microbiota composition and disturbances. There have also been attempts in recent years to modulate gut microbial composition with the use of prebiotics and probiotics to promote healthy gut and prevent diseases. This thesis investigates whether the availability of fermentable nutrients high in fiber and antioxidants such as found in green coffee, roasted coffee, and salami infused with various prebiotics altered the composition and abundance of …

Lipin1 Regulates Skeletal Muscle Differentiation Through The Pkc/Hdac5/Mef2c:Myod -Mediated Pathway, Abdulrahman M. Jama

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Our previous characterization of global lipin1-deficient (fld) mice demonstrated that lipin1 played a novel role in skeletal muscle (SM) regeneration. The clinical relevance of lipin1 has been observed in patients with lipin1 null mutations where they exhibited severe rhabdomyolysis with aggregated and dysfunctional mitochondria. Lipin1 is a key gene that plays an important role in lipid biosynthesis and metabolism. It has dual functions as it contains a phosphatase activity that converts phosphatidic acid (PA) to diacylglycerol (DAG), the penultimate step in triglycerides (TAG) biosynthesis as well as transcriptional co-activator function. In the cytosol and ER, lipin1 carries out its lipid …

Discovery Of Small Molecules Blocking Oncogenic K-Ras Activity, Sarah E. Kovar

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Ras proteins were the first human oncogenes discovered. Although Ras has been found to be the most frequently mutated oncogene, there are currently no anti-Ras-specific drugs available in the clinic. Ras is responsible for initiating cellular pathways that include proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. There are three ubiquitously expressed Ras isoforms in mammalian cells: H-, N-, and K-Ras. Interaction with the plasma membrane is required for Ras biological activity. When Ras interaction with the plasma membrane is blocked, Ras activity is inhibited. Two compounds (from Dr. Ketcha, WSU Chemistry Department) were tested and shown to dissociate K-Ras, but not H-Ras from …

Development Of Entubulation Strategies For Treating Central Nervous System Injuries, Ivy Brosch

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

According to the McKnight Brain Institute, at least 10,000 people annually in the USA suffer from a central nervous system (CNS) injury. These injuries can cause serve disabilities including paralysis. Due to the complexity of the spinal cord, it is common that potential CNS treatments are first applied to an optic nerve crush (ONC) model in rats. Two proposed treatments were employed; one where nerve growth factor (NGF) was immobilized to a chitosan substrate to stimulate axonal regeneration, and the other using pentadecafluorooctanoyl chloride modified methacrylamide chitosan (MAC(Ali15)F) hydrogel to enhance local oxygenation. The two different treatments were formed into …