Digital Commons Network^™

Geological And Environmental Sciences - 2019, Dept. Of Geological And Environmental Sciences

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Annual newsletter for 2019 of the Geological and Environmental Sciences department.

• Faculty Updates
• The Resource Play (feature story)
• Dinosaur Park and the Schmaltz Museum
• Hydrogeology Field Course
• Alumni Awards
• Advisory Council and CoreKids
• Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE)
• Michigan Geological Survey
• Student News (new graduate students, SEG, AAPG, Geology club)
• Department Achievements (grants, donors, awards, and publications)

Biological Variation, Imsa Fusion

An Epidemiological Approach to Addressing Food Insecurity

Objectives:

• Identify different phenotypes of corn (maize) kernels.
• Use ratios and sampling to determine which of two different ears of corn is most likely to have produced a given sample of kernels.
• Use Punnett Squares to determine the genotypes of the “parents” that produced the different kernel samples.
• Compare and contrast traditional selective breeding techniques with genetically engineering a desired trait in corn.
• Model the regulation of gene expression in a hypothetical cell.
• Discuss the potential role that epigentic variation may play in improving corn crops of the future.

Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project 2018 Annual Report, Michael S. Nassaney

Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project

Western Michigan University (WMU) hosted its 43rd annual archaeological field school this past July and August under the auspices of the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project. The Project is a long-term, multidisciplinary, community-based partnership between the City of Niles and WMU that investigates and interprets colonialism and the fur trade in the region.

We selected the theme “Technology Then and Now,” to focus our activities in 2019. We recognize that technology is not only important in the 21st century, but has defined humanity since our earliest ancestors crafted simple tools to assist them in their survival. Most of the archaeological …

Utah State University Interfaith Diversity Experiences & Attitudes Longitudinal Survey - Time 3 Report, Matthew Mayhew, Alyssa Rockenbach, Eboo Patel

Interfaith Initiative Research

Together with more than 120 other colleges and universities around the United States, USU is participating in the national Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Study or "IDEALS" survey. This survey was co-developed by Interfaith Youth Core and North Carolina State University to measure the impact that university experiences have on the emergence of a worldview that promotes religious "pluralism" (appreciative engagement across religious divides). View the third and final year report here.

Western Michigan University Graduate Catalog 2019-2020, Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Course Catalogs (1904-present)

• General Information
• Colleges
• Course Descriptions (by prefix)
• Faculty

Western Michigan University Undergraduate Catalog 2019-2020, Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Course Catalogs (1904-present)

• General Information
• Colleges
• Course Descriptions (by prefix)
• Faculty

Bioaccumulation Of Heavy Metals In Mesozooplankton From A Human-Impacted South Western Atlantic Estuary (Argentina), Diana M. Villagran, Melisa D. Fernández Severini, Florencia Biancalana, Carla V. Spetter, Eleonora M. Fernández, Jorge E. Macrovecchio

Journal of Marine Research

The total metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Fe) in the mesozooplankton (200 μm–2 mm) were studied for a year in a human-impacted estuary strongly affected by urban and industrial discharges located in the South Atlantic. Over the last 25 years, this estuary has been the site of significant anthropogenic impacts including industrial activities, maritime traffic, and regular dredging. A quantitative and qualitative analysis was also carried out to identify the mesozooplanktonic community that was sampled for metal determinations. The mesozooplankton had high concentrations of toxic metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni, which may …

Analysis Of Brevundimonas Subvibrioides Developmental Signaling Systems Reveals Inconsistencies Between Phenotypes And C-Di-Gmp Levels, Lauryn Sperling, Milagros D. Mulero Alegría, Volkhard Kaever, Patrick D. Curtis

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2019 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved. The DivJ-DivK-PleC signaling system of Caulobacter crescentus is a signaling network that regulates polar development and the cell cycle. This system is conserved in related bacteria, including the sister genus Brevundimonas. Previous studies had shown unexpected phenotypic differences between the C. crescentus divK mutant and the analogous mutant of Brevundimonas subvibrioides, but further characterization was not performed. Here, phenotypic assays analyzing motility, adhesion, and pilus production (the latter characterized by a newly discovered bacteriophage) revealed that divJ and pleC mutants have phenotypes mostly similar to their C. crescentus homologs, but divK …

Cushion Plant Revegetation And Recovery After Recreational Trampling On A Colorado Fourteener, Rachel Kreb

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

MS Environmental Biology

Iatrogenic Complications Of Diabetes Mellitus: An Examination Of Hospital-Acquired Diabetic Ketoacidosis And Severe Outpatient Hypoglycemia, Chloe Zimmerman

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk for two acute metabolic complications: severe hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. These acute complications are costly and associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but are preventable with delivery of high-quality care. The purpose of this work is to focus on a subset of these complications which are iatrogenic, i.e., caused by medical treatment. Hospital-acquired diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an iatrogenic complication as it occurs when a patient with known diabetes experiences DKA while hospitalized for other reasons. Hypoglycemia is an adverse effect of treatment and thus, by definition, all hypoglycemia resulting from the use of …

Modeling And Measuring Students' Computational Thinking Practices In Science, Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens, Sugat Dabolkar, Connor Bain, Philip Woods, Kevin Hall, Hillary Swanson, Michael Horn, Uri Wilensky

Publications

In recent decades, computational tools and methods have become pervasive in mathematical and scientific fields (National Research Council, 2010a). Tools such as mathematical and statistical models have expanded the range of phenomena that are explored and have become necessary for analyzing increasingly large data sets across disciplines (National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, & Institute of Medicine, 2007). With these advances, entirely new fields such as computational statistics, neuroinformatics, and chemometrics have emerged. The varied applied uses of computational tools across these fields have shown that future scientists will not only need to know how to program, but …

Phylogenetic Origins For Severe Acetaminophen Toxicity In Snake Species Compared To Other Vertebrate Taxa, Peter Van Den Hurk, Harold M.I. Kerkkamp

Publications

While it has been known for a while that some snake species are extremely sensitive to acetaminophen, the underlying mechanism for this toxicity has not been reported. To investigate if essential detoxification enzymes are missing in snake species that are responsible for biotransformation of acetaminophen in other vertebrate species, livers were collected from a variety of snake species, together with samples from alligator, snapping turtle, cat, rat, and cattle. Subcellular fractions were analyzed for enzymatic activities of phenol-type sulfotransferase and UDP‑glucuronosyltransferase, total glutathione S‑transferase, and N‑acetyltransferase. The results showed that none of the snake species, together …

Ua66/1/3 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Dean's Office Events, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created for events by the office of the Dean of Ogden College of Science & Engineering.

Ua66/6/3/3 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Biology Student Organizations Beta Beta Beta, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about the Beta Beta Beta Club.

Ua66/1/2 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Dean's Office Administration, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about the administration of the office of the Dean of Ogden College of Science & Engineering.

Ua66/1/1 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Dean's Office Publications, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Publications created by the office of the Dean of Ogden College of Science & Engineering.

Ua35/3 Memoranda, Wku Provost

WKU Administration Documents

2019 memoranda issued by the WKU Provost to faculty & staff via email.

• Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning
• Comprehensive Academic Program Evaluation Committee Membership
• Updates from the Provost
• Academic Affairs Personnel Update
• College of Health & Human Services Dean Search Update
• Potter College Leadership Update
• Provost Council
• Office of the Provost Personnel Updates
• Welcome Back!
• August 29th Class Schedules & Football Game Parking
• CAPE & Curriculum Review
• SIF Commitments
• WKU Undergraduate Curriculum Expedited Review Workflow
• WKU Undergraduate Curriculum Full Review Workflow
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Plan
• Gray Associates
• Fifth Week Check-in
• Strategic Enrollment Planning Committees
• Updates from the Provost …

Self-Evaluation Report For Society Of American Foresters' Continued Accreditation Of Bachelor Of Science Degree In Forest Ecology And Management, Karen E. Mock, Department Of Wildland Resources, Utah State University

Faculty

This self-evaluation report has been produced for the purpose of reaccreditation of the Utah State University Forest Ecology and Management (FEMA) undergraduate degree program by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Utah State University has maintained an SAF-accredited forestry program since 1936 and was most recently reaccredited by SAF in 2010.

Utah State University has a long and influential legacy in the forestry profession. Our faculty have led and shaped the profession, and our graduates have become leaders in a variety of state, federal, international, and academic organizations. Our institutional structure, degree program components, and enrollments have changed over time, …

Newsletter 2019, Utah State University

Research

This is a newsletter from the 2018-2019 academic year at Utah State University. It explores the type of research being done, in addition to the changes in the past year regarding research, fellowships, and programs available to students.

Usu Teaching Documentation: Dossiers From The Mentoring Program, Francis Galey, Sylvia Read, María Luisa Spicer-Escalante, Cathy Ferrand Bullock, Alan Blackstock, Sergio Bernal, Katherine Chudoba, Mike A. Christiansen, Travis Dorsch, Lianna K. Etchberger, Paul R. Grossl, Kelsey Hall, Wayne Hatch, Scott L. Hunsaker, Kimberly H. Lott

Faculty

The nation's land grant institutions were founded on the principle of access for the general public to the knowledge gained through research and creative activity fostered in higher education. Central to our access mission is our dedication to teaching and learning that is informed by research and discovery, both of which must result, at least in part, from our engagement with our external constituents. That teaching and learning informs our research and vice versa; our research informs and aids in our teaching mission.

This work, compiled by Professors Maria Luisa Spicer-Escalante and Cathy Ferrand Bullock, is focused on how the …

Synthesis Of Trisubstituted Isoquinoline Alkaloids, Thao Tran, Zach Farrell, Kaitie C. Cartwight, Carolyn E. Anderson

Summer Research

Isoquinoline alkaloids encompasses a large and important group of naturally occurring substances that exhibit a diverse array of biological activity, including treating Yaws and worm infections,1 as well as showing activity as both topoisomerase inhibitors2 and as antibiotics against various quinoline-resistant gram-positive bacteria (Figure 1). 3 In this project, isoquinoline alkaloids, containing stereogenic centers on the backbone, are being pursued.

Behavioral Analysis Of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) As A Model For Bjornstad Syndrome, Luke Schellenberg, Amy Wilstermann, Rachael Baker

Summer Research

Bjornstad Syndrome

• Autosomal recessive disease caused by single mutations in the BCS1L gene
• Characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and pili torti (brittle hair susceptible to falling out)

Zebrafish as a Model

• 70% of the same genes as humans, 84% of the same genes associated with human disease
• High fecundity and quick development

Utah State Magazine, Winter 2019, Utah State University

Utah State Magazine

The quarterly magazine for friends and alumni of Utah State University.

Health Justice For Immigrants, Medha D. Makhlouf

Faculty Scholarly Works

Should universal health coverage include immigrants within the “universe?” Should federal taxpayers subsidize health insurance coverage for immigrants, even those who are undocumented? Should all immigrants be required to purchase health insurance? Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is conceived as a progressive project to expand access to coverage and promote equity in health care, it intentionally left out the 12.5 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States and preserved the existing restrictions on subsidized coverage for lawfully present non-citizens. In fact, it increased the disparity in access to health care between U.S. citizens and immigrants. As a result, …

Ua1c2/2 Academic Complex Photos, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Images of the Academic Complex.

Unraveling Pdi And Its Interaction With Ab Toxins, Jessica Guyette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an essential endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that acts as both an oxidoreductase and chaperone. It exhibits substantial flexibility and undergoes cycles of unfolding and refolding in its interaction with cholera toxin (Ctx), which is a unique property of PDI. This unfolding allows PDI to disassemble the Ctx holotoxin, which is required for Ctx activity. Here, we investigated the unfolding and refolding property of PDI and how this affects its interaction with bacterial toxins. PDI showed remarkable redox-linked conformational resilience that allows it to refold after being thermally stressed. Deletion constructs of PDI showed that both …

Ua45 2019-2020 Four-Year Degree Paths, Wku Registrar

WKU Administration Documents

An addendum to the 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog

The purpose of the Four-Year Degree Path is to assist undergraduate students in determining a timeline for completion of their undergraduate degree program. Each path displayed within this website provides students with the anticipated order in which a degree would typically be completed in a timely fashion at Western Kentucky University.

The Degree Paths show appropriate timing and spacing of general education, core course requirements, elective suggestions, prerequisites and displays how each of these requirements may be met during a four-year time frame.

The Degree Path is simply a guideline and might not …

Food Pantries And Stigma: Users’ Concerns And Public Support, Peter A. Kindle, Mckayla Foust-Newton, Marissa Reis, Margaret Gell

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

This study compares the perception of stigma measured as social distance between users (n = 40) and non-users (n = 202) of local food pantries in the Upper Midwest. Utilizing the concept of social distance to measure social disapproval and stigma with a new Food Pantry Stigma Scale, these nonprobability results indicated that users’ perception of stigma was significantly higher than the non-using public (Cohen’s d = 1.56). These findings suggest that public support for need-based use of local food pantries in the Upper Midwest is substantially higher than those facing food insecurity anticipate.

The Periodical Winter 2019, Southern Adventist University

the Periodical – Chemistry Department Newsletter

Volume 6, issue 1 of the Periodical includes articles about Professor Loren Barnhurst's departure from the university, an alumni spotlight, general department news, at a pictorial listing of 2018-2019 Chemistry graduates.

Parameter Estimation Of Stochastic Models Against Probabilistic Temporal Logic Behavioral Specifications, Arfeen Khalid

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The inherent behavioral variability exhibited by stochastic systems makes it a challenging task for human experts to manually analyze them. Computational modeling of such systems helps in investigating and predicting the behaviors of their underlying processes but at the same time introduces the presence of several unknown parameters. A key challenge faced in this scenario is to determine the values of these unknown parameters against known behavioral specifications. The solutions that have been presented so far estimate the parameters of a given model against a single specification whereas a correct model is expected to satisfy all the behavioral specifications when …