Digital Commons Network^™

The Correlation Between The Microbiome And Neurodegenerative Disorders Such As Alzheimer Disease, Aurora Mokris

Honors Theses

Recent studies suggest that there are 1.3 times as many microbial cells as human cells in the body (Abbot, 2016). Another study claims that the combined genomes of this microbiota is 150 times that of the human genome (Zhuang & Shen, 2018). If you have ever had the feeling that you are not alone in an empty room you are most certainly correct. Your body is teeming with millions of organisms living in mutualistic symbiosis with you and surrounding microbes, but at times, this seemingly harmonious relationship can be disturbed, resulting in serious physical and psychological changes to the human …

Effects Of Age And Exercise On Density Of Sympathetic Innervation And Localization With Nerve Growth Factor And Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor In Vascular Tissue, Kori Mecklenburg

Honors Theses

Hypertension is a condition that affects nearly 75 million people in the United States (Merai et al, 2017). To better understand this mostly idiopathic condition, the role of survival factors on arterial innervation must be understood. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) have been shown to support development and maintenance of the sympathetic nervous system. The aim of this study was to reveal how density of sympathetic innervation changes in mesenteric arteries over time and with six-months of exercise. Additionally, this study aimed to reveal the localization of GDNF and NGF alongside these changes in …

Establishing Enhanced Learning Outcomes In Science For First Generational Undergraduate College Students, Marianna Burks

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

First-generation students represent an increasing percentage of the demographic for college and university enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Since 2001, results from the National Center for Education Statistics Longitudinal Study, indicates ‘higher percentages of first-generations college students attended public postsecondary institutions-76 vs. 72%’ (Redford & Hoyer, 2017). There is insufficient research, however, concerning how first-generation students’ needs are different, even unique, from those students who are second- generation and beyond attending college (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2017). Since this increase of students enrolling in post-secondary education, ‘understanding the needs of first-generation students is imperative more now …

14th Annual Research In The Capitol [Program], April 1, 2019, University Of Northern Iowa. University Honors Program., Iowa State University. Honors Program., University Of Iowa. Honors Program.

Research in the Capitol Programs

Program of research presentations given at the Capitol by students from the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.

Immune Responsive Resolvin D1 Programs Peritoneal Macrophages And Cardiac Fibroblast Phenotypes In Diversified Metabolic Microenvironment, Vasundhara Kain, Ganesh V. Halade

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Bioactive lipid mediators derived from n-3 and n-6 fatty acids are known to modulate leukocytes. Metabolic transformation of essential fatty acids to endogenous bioactive molecules plays a major role in human health. Here we tested the potential of substrates; linoleic acid (LA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and their bioactive products; resolvin D1 (RvD1) and 12- S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETE) to modulate macrophage plasticity and cardiac fibroblast phenotype in presence or absence of lipid metabolizing enzyme 12/15-lipoxygenase (LOX). Peritoneal macrophages and cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from wild-type (C57BL/6J) and 12/15LOX −/− mice and treated with DHA, LA, 12(S)-HETE, and RvD1 for 4, …

Propionate Enhances The Antimicrobial Defenses In Macrophages Against Listeria Monocytogenes, John Weis

Honors Theses

Propionate is a short chain fatty acid produced by the bacteria in the human gut. It has a wide range of nutritional functions in the human body. Several studies have also reported the effects of propionate on immune cell activation. In this study, we used Listeria monocytogenes as a model pathogen to determine how and what the effects of propionate on immune cells influence cell susceptibility to infections. Listeria is a dangerous intracellular pathogen that can replicate inside immune cells such as macrophages. Therefore, we can assess the impact of propionate on infection susceptibility by performing cell culture infections. We …

Towards A Pre-Processing Algorithm For Automated Arrhythmia Detection, Sarah Miller

Honors Theses

There are a variety of different wearable fitness/cardiac monitoring devices that are currently used in many people’s day to day life. The primary cardiac function of these devices is to monitor heart rate, however we believe that they could be utilized to detect different forms of arrhythmia. In order to categorize and identify different forms of arrhythmia, we are utilizing published EKG data sets from existing databases as a basis for machine learning. The challenge that comes from the existing data sets is that the format they present the data in does not lend itself to machine learning, which requires …

Career Pathway Through Exercise Science, Renee Cloeter

Honors Projects

College students have many choices for choosing a major that will lead to a profession or post-graduate school following graduation with a Bachelor’s or Associates degree. For many, making this decision can be daunting and time-consuming as it is important to select the right major for future endeavors. Several students change majors multiple times throughout the course of their college careers causing them to remain in school for an extended period of time to complete graduation. Researching and analyzing potential majors as a new student is a part of the process, but some students may skip this step as there …

Functionality Of The Kidneys, Amber Jourdan

Honors Projects

This project is an informative research paper on the role of the kidneys in the urinary system, as well as issues that arise in the kidneys. A brief introduction is given to explain the general function of the urinary system and the importance of the kidneys. Following that, a section of Acute Kidney Injury explains the disease and possible treatments. Additionally, there is a section on kidney stones, how they are formed, and how treatments are administered when a patient presents with this ailment. This paper is not the only piece of this project. In addition, a visual aid will …

The Effect Of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning On Exercise Hyperemia In Multiple Sclerosis, Jane E. Rosmarin

Honors Theses

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a non-invasive technique in which blood flow is cut off to a limb for a short period of time which produces a protective effect throughout the whole body to subsequent low oxygen conditions. One of the prominent cardiovascular limitations to exercise in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) is fatigue, which may stem from the decreased delivery of oxygen to muscle tissue during exercise. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that RIPC would increase forearm blood flow (FBF) and utilization of oxygen at the level of the muscle tissue in individuals with …

Effects Of Ruesi Dadton (Self-Stretching For Chest Exercise) Training On Blood Pressure, Heart Rate And Cardiopulmonary Function In Elderly Subjects With Primary (Essential) Hypertension, Wanlapa Leelananthakul, Nareewan Saman, Sataporn Isasawin, Siriporn Obsuntorn, Suwanna Maenpuen

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: Controlled blood pressure can contribute to reduce mortality rate and serious complications. Thai hermit exercise (self-stretching for chest exercise) programs (30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks) for healthy Thais 50 to 90 years of age revealed that after 4 weeks, post-test group had significantly decrease (p < 0.05) in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure compared to pre-test group. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate effect of Ruesi Dadton (self-stretching for chest exercise) training on blood pressure, heart rate and cardiopulmonary function among older persons with primary (essential) hypertension.

Method: A pre-experimental clinical research study was designed. Subjects included twenty-three with primary hypertension, aged 60 years or over. Exercise programs were approximately 30 minutes per session by a well-trained instructor, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Before and after exercise, subjects were assessed for 6-minute …

Oscillations In Neural Drive And Age-Related Reductions In Force Steadiness With A Cognitive Challenge, Hugo M. Pereira, Bonnie A. Schlinder-Delap Mrs., Kevin G. Keenan, Francesco Negro, Dario Farina, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kristy A. Nielson, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

A cognitive challenge when imposed during a low-force isometric contraction will exacerbate sex- and age-related decreases in force steadiness, but the mechanism is not known. We determined the role of oscillations in the common synaptic input to motor units on force steadiness during a muscle contraction with a concurrent cognitive challenge. Forty-nine young adults (19–30 yr; 25 women, 24 men) and 36 old adults (60–85 yr; 19 women, 17 men) performed a cognitive challenge (counting backward by 13) during an isometric elbow flexion task at 5% of maximal voluntary contraction. Single-motor units were decomposed from high-density surface EMG recordings. For …

Estimating Cognitive Workload In An Interactive Virtual Reality Environment Using Electrophysiological And Kinematic Activity, Christoph Tremmel

Biomedical Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As virtual reality (VR) technology continues to gain prominence in commercial, educational, recreational and research applications, there is increasing interest in incorporating physiological sensors in VR devices for passive user-state monitoring to eventually increase the sense of immersion. By recording physiological signals such as the electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG) or kinematic parameters during the use of a VR device, the user’s interactions in the virtual environment could be adapted in real time based on the user’s cognitive state. This dissertation evaluates the feasibility of passively monitoring cognitive workload via electrophysiological and kinematic activity while performing a classical n-back task in …

Technical Processing Of University Library: A Theoretical Study, Rajib Kalita

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Technical services operations comprise of ordering, claiming and receipt of materials, cataloging and classification of materials; and serials control. Beside these, other technical services operations contain circulation, documents, foreign language and special collections, and bibliographic instruction in technical services areas. This leads me to believe that the distinction between technical services and public or reader services in individual libraries is based on custom and tradition arising out of incidental circumstances, rather than on fundamental principle. In this article, I tried to provide some basic aspect regarding technical processing which help in maintaining the library bitterly. In this article, I include …

Effects Of Altered Gravity On The Central Nervous System Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Amber M. Paul, Siddhita Mhatre, Janani Iyer, Jhony A. Zavaleta, Ravikumar Hosamani

Publications

A comprehensive understanding of the effects of spaceflight and altered gravity on human physiology is necessary for continued human space exploration and long-term space habitation. Spaceflight includes multiple factors such as microgravity, hyper gravity, ionizing radiation, physiological stress, and disrupted circadian rhythms and these have been shown to contribute to pathophysiological responses that target immunity, bone and muscle integrity, cardiovascular and nervous systems. In terrestrial conditions, some of these factors can lead to cancer and neuroimmunological disorders. In this study, we used a well-established spaceflight model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to assess spaceflight-associated changes in the nervous system. We hypothesize that …

The Rhetoric Of Sickle Cell Anemia, Raquel Mcfarland Robvais

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

My dissertation examines the rhetorical treatment of sickle cell anemia as synecdoche, representing a preoccupation with racialized discourses of disease and the affective registers manifested in public life. From its inception SCA has taken on cultural meanings to satisfy ideological arguments about the nature of black bodies.

It has been appropriated to create “categories of difference and belonging” (Schramm et al). I examine how SCA is gathered by rhetors to serve varying ideological purposes and cultural communities. It is utilized to invite different readings that conceptualize the black body as an object of scientific experimentation, as an agent for resistance …

A Critical Evaluation Of The Biological Construct Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: Size Matters But So Does The Measurement, Cody T. Haun, Christopher G. Vann, Brandon M. Roberts, Andrew D. Vigotsky, Brad J. Schoenfeld, Michael D. Roberts

Publications and Research

Skeletal muscle is highly adaptable and has consistently been shown to morphologically respond to exercise training. Skeletal muscle growth during periods of resistance training has traditionally been referred to as skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and this manifests as increases in muscle mass, muscle thickness, muscle area, muscle volume, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (fCSA). Delicate electron microscopy and biochemical techniques have also been used to demonstrate that resistance exercise promotes ultrastructural adaptations within muscle fibers. Decades of research in this area of exercise physiology have promulgated a widespread hypothetical model of training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy; specifically, fCSA increases are accompanied by …

A Novel Graph-Theoretical Approach For Identifying Inter-Correlations And Functional Pathways In Microbiome Data, Suyeon Kim

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The human microbiome represents a vastly complex ecosystem that is tightly linked to our development. Microbiomes play critical roles in nutrient uptake, immune system development, and vitamin production. The evolution of human microbiomes continues to impact the overall health and quality of life of all humans. For example, despite the ability of microbiota to restrict pathogen invasion, pathogens have evolved tougher due to changes in diets, host environments, and use of antibiotics and other drugs. Such evolution has impacted the organization and composition of the microbial community which, in turn, has influenced susceptibility to and severity of the different type …

Intestinal Crypt Stem Cell Senescence And Dietary Fibre Butyrate, Swapan K. Chatterjee, Snigdha Saha, Joyeeta Chatterjee, T Jyotirmoyee

Manipal Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Cardiorespiratory Responses To Shallow Water Exercise: A Sex Comparison, Mitchell Garant Fisher, Laura Jean Miller, Jerusalem Tesfaye, Karen Roemer, Debra Mary D'Acquisto, Leo Joseph D'Acquisto

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This investigation examined physiological responses to shallow water exercise (SWE) and to a high-intensity interval SWE workout (HIISWE) in males (M, n=9) and females (F, n=9). Participants performed 5 X 5 min. SWE bouts (bts.) at ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 (Borg scale) and a maximal bout of SWE with metabolic, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate (BLa) responses monitored. The same measurements were performed during HIISWE (4 X 4-min bts., alternating 20-s “all-out” and 10-s rest). Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O₂) and BLa were greater in M (3.6 ± 0.4 vs. 2.7 …

Why High-Level Attention Constantly Oscillates: System-Based Explanation, Griselda Acosta, Eric Smith, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many situations like driving, it is important that a person concentrates all his/her attention at a certain critical task -- e.g., watching the road for possible problems. Because of this need to maintain high level of attention, it was assumed, until recently, that in such situations, the person maintains a constantly high level of attention (of course, until he or she gets tired). Interestingly, recent experiments showed that in reality, from the very beginning, attention level oscillates. In this paper, we show that such an oscillation is indeed helpful -- and thus, it is necessary to emulate such an …

Genetic Architecture Of Human Obesity Traits In The Rhesus Macaque, Michael J. Raboin, John Letaw, Asia D. Mitchell, David Toffey, Jessica Mckelvey, Charles T. Roberts Jr, Joanne E. Curran, Amanda Vinson

School of Medicine Publications

Objective: Whereas the metabolic consequences of obesity have been studied extensively in the rhesus macaque, corollary genetic studies of obesity are nonexistent. This study assessed genetic contributions to spontaneous adiposity in this species.

Methods: Phenotypic variation by age class and sex for BMI, waist to height ratio, waist to thigh ratio, and waist circumference was assessed in 583 macaques. Total and sex-specific heritability for all traits was estimated, including waist to thigh ratio adjusted for BMI, as well as genotypic and phenotypic correlations. In addition, functional genetic variation at BDNF, FTO, LEP, LEPR, MC4R, PCSK1, POMC, and SIM1 was assessed …

Occupational Stress In Teachers And Their Psychological Factors, Dilafruz Suyunuvna Qarshieva

Central Asian Journal of Education

Development of methods to identify and eliminate the psychological factors that influence the formation of occupational stress in the personality of a teacher. Observations in the scientific work, interviews, "Professional stress scale" (developed by D. Fontan), "The level of emotional exhaustion" (developed by VVBiko) "Assessment of personality readiness and adaptability to pedagogical activity" (V. Simonov, Yu) Designed by Dementeva); used mathematical statistics.

Prediction Models For Descreasing Visual Acuity In Wig Makers, Nur Ulfah, Siti Harwanti, Ngadiman Ngadiman

Kesmas

One of the occupational diseases that can arise for workers with high accuracy is a decrease in their visual acuity. Therefore, it is necessary to study the risk factors of decreasing visual acuity in workers with high accuracy, such as in wig makers. This study aimed to examine the correlation between age, working period, lighting intensity, fatigue, and nutritional status with visual acuity, and to observe the main risk factors that can be used as a reference for predicting decreasing visual acuity. This study was an observational study that used a cross-sectional design. The population number for this study was …

Ultrasound-Triggered Antibiotic Release From Peek Clips To Prevent Spinal Fusion Infection: Initial Evaluations., Lauren J. Delaney, Daniel Macdonald, Jay Leung, Keith Fitzgerald, Alex M. Sevit, John R. Eisenbrey, Neil Patel, Flemming Forsberg, Christopher K. Kepler, Taolin Fang, Steven M. Kurtz, Noreen J. Hickok

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Despite aggressive peri-operative antibiotic treatments, up to 10% of patients undergoing instrumented spinal surgery develop an infection. Like most implant-associated infections, spinal infections persist through colonization and biofilm formation on spinal instrumentation, which can include metal screws and rods for fixation and an intervertebral cage commonly comprised of polyether ether ketone (PEEK). We have designed a PEEK antibiotic reservoir that would clip to the metal fixation rod and that would achieve slow antibiotic release over several days, followed by a bolus release of antibiotics triggered by ultrasound (US) rupture of a reservoir membrane. We have found using human physiological fluid …

Quality Of Experience (Qoe) And Quality Of Service (Qos) In Uav Systems, A Laghari, Ai Khan, H Hui

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Technology-Aided Meditation At Work: Evaluating The Impact Of Biofeedback On A Mindfulness Program In The Workplace, Charles Morris

Mindfulness Studies Theses

The rise of secular mindfulness has been buoyed in large part by scientific research into its benefits. The availability of consumer-grade biofeedback devices promises to bring the objectivity of results seen in a research lab to personal experience. This mixed methods study examined the experience of 12 participants in a workplace mindfulness program, comparing the experience of an experimental group whose meditation practice was supported with the use of a HeartMath™ Inner Balance device to a control group who learned to meditate without it. The effects on stress, focus and motivation were captured via questionnaire, along with biofeedback data and …

Comparing Vascular Deficiency Between Caucasian And Hispanic Metabolic Syndrome Women, Lorenzo Juarez, Jerene Yazzie, Andi Johnson, Abraham Gomez, Klaudia Szych, Ariel Gomez, Matthew A. Barlow Phd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States especially in Hispanics. People with Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) generally have high blood pressure, excess body fat and fasting glucose and abnormal cholesterol. We evaluated Hispanic (HS) and Caucasian (CA) women diagnosed with MetSyn in New Mexico and sedentary control with an initial screening and vascular measurements. Previous work from our lab indicated significant deficiencies between the control and MetSyn women in the measurements of the vascular mechanisms of developing deficits associated with the metabolic deficiencies. We aimed to identify if the health disparate HS population …

Dynamic Graded Muscle Exercise In Sedentary Metabolic Syndrome Women; Effects On Cardiac Workload, Abraham Gomez, Lorenzo Juarez, Ariel Gomez, Klaudia Szych, Andi Johnson, Jerene Yazzie, Matthew A. Barlow Phd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) individuals presented declining sensitivity to insulin (p=.0201) as calculated by insulin sensitivity index (ISI-60) measurement. The young women categorized as MetSyn were previously found to have significantly lower (ISI-60) from healthy controls (Gomez, 2018), and had higher percent body fat (p< .05), diminished HDL (p< .05), and higher expenditure of Kcals (p=.04) compared to controls as measured by 7 day accelerometer. Cardiovascular modification is hypothesized to involve progressive dysfunction of the insulin mediated AKT/PKB eNOS pathway. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify if daily sedentary activity is associated with myocardial workload in the development of the metabolic disorder. We hypothesized metabolic syndrome individuals Rate Pressure Product (RPP) would be at elevated at rest and through various workloads of small muscle exercise. METHODS: We compared daily activity to heart …

Vascular Deficits In Native American Women With Metabolic Syndrome, Jerene Yazzie, Andi Johnson, Abraham Gomez, Lorenzo Juarez, Klaudia Szych, Ariel Gomez, Matthew A. Barlow Phd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The Native Americans of the Southwest are predisposed to vascular diseases due to health disparate lifestyles influenced by diet, lack of exercise and decreased access to health care. These factors together may be responsible for the co-morbidities developed with Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) which are indicators of early onset cardiovascular disease. We evaluated Native American (NA) women diagnosed with MetSyn or Type II Diabetes in New Mexico and compared to sedentary control NA and Caucasian (CA) women during vascular measurements. Previous work from in our lab indicates that the regional populations with elevated metabolic health issues have declining vascular …