Digital Commons Network^™

Laying The Groundwork For A Trail At Breton Preserve With Androscoggin Land Trust, Kelley Attenborough, Sarah Maccormick, Isabel Mohammadi-Hall

Community Engaged Research Reports

Public access to the coastal, mountainous and historic hotspots is one of the reasons Maine’s population is increasing. These natural areas are threatened by land turnover and human development, forcing government funded conservation programs, local land trusts, and nationwide privately held conservation groups to take action. Throughout cities in Maine, there is a push for more public outdoor areas providing further recreational opportunities to facilitate holistic and educated relationships with the land. For these reasons, the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) has identified a need for a multi-use trail along the Androscoggin River at the Breton Preserve in Lisbon, Maine. To …

Creating Opportunities For Urban Agriculture In Lewiston/Auburn, Lily Edelman-Gold, Meredith Melendy

Community Engaged Research Reports

The intersectional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis, as well as the heightened awareness of racism and racial disparities across the United States, all shed light on one specific commonality: food injustice. Through a food justice lens, these issues may be further explored and complicated as cities experience exacerbated inequities within food access and food security. These ongoing issues have further illuminated the barriers to achieving food justice, identifying a need for more accessible and affordable opportunities within cities’ food systems. One possible solution to overcome these barriers is the implementation of urban agriculture, which scholars have …

The Feasibility Of A Community Food Center In Downtown Lewiston, Tamsin Stringer, Kate Loughlin

Community Engaged Research Reports

This report provides insight into the feasibility and potential elements of a Community Food Center (CFC) within Downtown Lewiston, Maine in collaboration with St. Mary’s Nutrition Center. The feasibility of this project was assessed based on several benchmarks, which included the necessity of economic sustainability within the center and the need for expressed personal benefit in purchasing local and low-to-no-cost goods, depending on varying income levels. Survey responses and focus groups were conducted with a diverse group of residents from both Lewiston and Auburn. Focus within this study was on residents outside of the Tree-Streets area. The results of our …

Offshore Wind Projects And Fisheries: Conflict And Engagement In The United Kingdom And The United States, Claire Haggett, Talya Ten Brink, Aaron Russell, Michael Roach, Jeremy Firestone, Tracey Dalton, Bonnie J. Mccay

Marine Affairs Faculty Publications

A just transition to renewable energy requires accounting for the effects of offshore wind projects (OWPs) on the fishing industry. Research on the interaction of OWPs with coastal communities and fisheries in the United Kingdom and the United States offers insights into minimizing conflict and enhancing constructive engagement between fishers and wind energy developers. Recent innovations include earlier and more meaningful inclusion of fisheries representatives in planning and decision-making, involving fisheries liaisons in the process, and conducting more cumulative studies and taking collaborative approaches to considering the effects of OWP on fishing.

The Nicu Experience: Supporting Families & Providing Resources, Annie Zitelli

Senior Honors Projects

ANNIE ZITELLI (Nursing)

The NICU Experience: Supporting Families & Providing Resources

Sponsors: Colleen Kenny (Nursing)

This project aims to explore and understand the needs of family members who have an infant in the NICU to identify any gaps in resources and/or support hospitals provide to these families. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides optimal care for infants who are not fully developed or have serious health conditions. When an infant is brought to the NICU, parents and family members experience a flood of emotions. While families are trying to process the reality of having an infant in such a …

Do Greenhouse Gases Impact Our Respiratory System? A Study Of The Effect Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions On Respiratory Disease Related Mortality In Ireland, Anushree Priyadarshini, Christina Kenny

Articles

Respiratory-related deaths are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality every year in the developed world. Previous research outlines that greenhouse gas emission levels have a negative effect on respiratory health and can cause worsening of symptoms. This study examines the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on respiratory disease related mortality in Ireland from 2007-2017 using Statbank data from Central Statistics Office, Ireland. Analysis shows that over the last decade, while greenhouse gases emissions in Ireland have reduced by 1.1%, respiratory disease related mortality has increased on an average by 2.1%. Results indicate that greenhouse gas emis- sions …

The Classic, Winter 2020-2021, Public Relations

The Classic, 2020-present

Zwemer View Responsible Raiders; Around the Green Perfect Pass Rate; High Rankings; Test-optional; Enrollment Sets Record...Again; The Newest Raiders Northwestern's Class of 2024; Campus Life Building Women Leaders; Servicing Campus; A Warm Welcome; Lives of Service: Three staff members contribute 74 years to NWC; Standout Scores; Innovative Leadership; Published Professor; Extreme Makeover: VPH Edition; Investing in Students; New Programs; Giving to Northwestern College in 2019-20; Award Winners: Northwestern recognizes outstanding work and service by faculty and staff; Red Zone Raiders Sport a New Logo; 1,000 Words Mask Fashion; Meeting a Need: 24 students enroll in Northwestern's first class of physician …

Birth Interval And Childhood Undernutrition: Evidence From A Large Scale Survey In India, Holendro Singh Chungkham, Harihar Sahoo, Strong P. Marbaniang

ISI Best Publications

Background: The study of birth interval is important for maternal and child health. The long birth interval is favorable for maternal, child health, and nutritional outcomes. The present study is an attempt to explore the relationship between birth intervals and poor nutritional condition of children under five years of age in India. Methods: The unit of analysis is children under five years of age in India. The data come from the fourth round of Indian National Family Health Survey, 2015–2016. Bivariate and logistic regression model were used to explore the relationship between birth intervals and the poor nutritional status of …

Cost, Coverage, And The Underuse Of Medications Among People With Cf, Semret Seyoum, Marsha Regenstein, Lea Nolan

Health Policy and Management Issue Briefs

No abstract provided.

Timss 2019 Australia Highlights, Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Sima Rodrigues, Elizabeth O'Grady

TIMSS 2019

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international sample study that assesses the mathematics and science achievement of Year 4 and Year 8 students every four years. Australia has participated in all cycles of TIMSS since it commenced in 1995 and over this 24-year period has collected rich data about trends in mathematics and science achievement. This document provides the highlights from Volume I of the main report TIMSS 2019 Australia. Volume I: Student performance. Volume I and these Highlights focus on the achievement results, detailing Australia’s results within the international context, as well as the …

A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction Training On Quadriceps Muscle Atrophy And Circumference Post Acl Reconstruction, Derek Charles, Ryan White, Caleb Reyes, Drew Palmer

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background:

ACL reconstruction often results in an extended period of muscle atrophy and weakness. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a technique that has been shown to decrease muscle atrophy in a variety of populations.

Purpose:

The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the research presented on the effect of blood flow restriction training on quadriceps muscle atrophy and circumference post ACL reconstruction.

Study Design:

Systematic Review

Methods:

Articles were reviewed using the databases Google Scholar, PubMed, and EBSCO. Keywords included blood flow restriction training, ACL reconstruction, and quadriceps.

Inclusion criteria included:

English language, peer-reviewed journals; randomized control …

What Is The Efficacy Of Biologics For Chronic Plaque-Type Psoriasis Among Pediatric Patients?, Uduakobong Akpainyang

Health Informatics Student Papers and Projects

Chronic plaque psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by red thick, raised, silvery scaly patches. It is the most common type of psoriasis, often appearing on the knees, postauricular area, elbows, scalp, and lower back. Chronic plaque psoriasis was the most prevalent (73.7%) among children with psoriasis and was found to increase with age in a study at Olmsted County, Minnesota (Tollefson et al., 2010). Chronic plaque psoriasis is a life-changing condition that significantly impacts the overall health and well-being (emotional, physical, social, and psychological) as well as quality of life in pediatric patients. As a result of data …

Mobilizations And Strengthening For Radiating Hip And Anterior Knee Pain: A Case Report, Thai Ho

Case Report Presentations

Research presentation slides:

Background and Purpose: The most common joint disorder in the United States is osteoarthritis (OA). Knee OA occurs in 10% men and 13% in women aged 60 years or older. Hip instability is commonly defined as hip joint unsteadiness that may cause pain. Joint restrictions and lack of hip strength may be associated with these two conditions. However, there is limited literature on hip strengthening and mobilizations on positive outcomes with hip instability. Therefore, the purpose of this case report was to utilize hip strengthening and mobilizations interventions on a patient with hip instability and knee OA. …

Assessment Of Performance Measures, Gait, And Rehabilitation Of A 68- Year Old Female With A Transtibial Amputation: A Case Report, Kellie Guillies

Case Report Presentations

Research presentation:

Background and Purpose: With 1.6 million Americans living with limb loss, transtibial amputations (TTA) are the most common type of below the knee amputations, and may contribute to concomitant musculoskeletal impairments, gait deviations, and decreased community ambulation. The purpose of this report was to describe the use of specific functional outcome measures, gait training with a prosthetic, and physical therapy (PT) intervention for functional mobility of a patient following a TTA. Case Description: The patient was a 68-year old female referred to outpatient PT 3 months following a right TTA. She presented with left lower leg pain and …

Al-Baghdadi And The Art Of Terrorist Persuasion, Bandar Dawshi

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the rhetoric used by ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to persuade thousands of young Muslims around the world to join the organization and defend it until the end. The dissertation concerns the innovative methods used by the organization to reach thousands of young people around the world, and the role of misinterpretations of the Qur'an in supporting al-Baghdadi's rhetorical arguments. In order to provide a reasonable explanation for these speeches, the dissertation used Aristotle's rhetorical methodology, Gamal Abdel Nasser's rhetorical concept, Burke's concept of identity and social identity theory. The arguments focused on studying rhetoric within the …

Op-Ed On The Need To Protect Reproductive Rights, Hannah Mistler

Student Scholarship

Reproductive rights have continued to be threatened all across the country. This Op-Ed discusses the psychological research behind why we need to protect reproductive rights and the services provided. The different ways to take action and advocate for the protection of reproductive rights are also discussed.

Understanding Facilities And Administrative Costs, Melissa Hodge-Penn

ORSP Presentations

No abstract provided.

Clinical Relevance Of Cancer Stem Cell Chemotherapeutic Assay For Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, Candace M. Howard, Nadim Bou Zgheib, Stephen Bush, Timothy Deeulis, Antonio Cortese, Antonio Mollo, Seth T. Lirette, Krista Denning, Jagan Valluri, Pier Paolo Claudio

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020 Introduction: Disease recurrence and progression of ovarian cancer is common with the development of platinum-resistant or refractory disease. This is due in large part to the presence of chemo-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) that contribute to tumor propagation, maintenance, and treatment resistance. We developed a CSCs drug cytotoxicity assay (ChemoID) to identify the most effective chemotherapy treatment from a panel of FDA approved chemotherapies. Methods: Ascites and pleural fluid samples were collected under physician order from 45 consecutive patients affected by 3rd-5th relapsed ovarian cancer. Test results from the assay were used to treat patients with the highest …

Financial Analysis Of Dalbavancin For Acute Bacterial Skin And Skin Structure Infections For Self-Pay Patients, Adam G. Pizzuti, E. Yancy Murray, Jamie L. Wagner, Derek A. Gaul, Christopher M. Bland, Bruce M. Jones

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). Introduction: Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) are an increasing cause of admission in the self-pay population. We previously reported that patients with ABSSSI discharged to receive dalbavancin showed a decreased length of stay (LOS) and total direct costs without increasing 30-day readmission rate. For patients who are financially eligible, a dalbavancin vial replacement program can offset costs. The objective of this study was to determine cost differences in treating ABSSSI in self-pay inpatients discharged to receive dalbavancin compared to standard of care (SOC). Methods: This retrospective cohort within a community health system compared …

Combined And Independent Effects Of Hypoxia And Tributyltin On Mrna Expression And Physiology Of The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica), Ann Fairly Barnett, James H. Gledhill, Robert J. Griffitt, Marc Slattery, Deborah J. Gochfeld, Kristine L. Willett

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). Oyster reefs are vital to estuarine health, but they experience multiple stressors and globally declining populations. This study examined effects of hypoxia and tributyltin (TBT) on adult Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed either in the laboratory or the field following a natural hypoxic event. In the laboratory, oysters were exposed to either hypoxia followed by a recovery period, or to hypoxia combined with TBT. mRNA expression of HIF1-α and Tβ-4 along with hemocyte counts, biomarkers of hypoxic stress and immune health, respectively, were measured. In field-deployed oysters, HIF1-α and Tβ-4 expression increased, while no effect on …

Condylar Neck And Sub-Condylar Fractures: Surgical Consideration And Evolution Of The Technique With Short Follow-Up On Five Cases, Antonio Cortese, Antonio Borri, Marco Bergaminelli, Fabrizio Bergaminelli

Faculty and Student Publications

Condylar neck and sub-condylar fractures of the mandible are a frequent occurrence in maxillofacial surgery. The indication for surgical treatment of these fractures has changed over time, and several techniques have been developed with different results in the attempt to avoid the most worrisome adverse event, i.e., facial nerve injury. In this study, we present a new technique that combines an intraoral and a cutaneous pre-auricular access, which allows for easy and safe access to the surgical site, preventing facial nerve injury and avoiding surgical scars in high-impact aesthetic areas of the neck. Five consecutive patients affected by condylar neck …

A New Stilbene From Agonis Flexuosa Leaves And Verification Of Its Histamine Release Inhibitory Activity Using In Silico And In Vitro Studies, Rola M. Labib, Lourin G. Malak, Fadia S. Youssef, Samir A. Ross

Faculty and Student Publications

This study aimed to explore the phytoconstituents of Agonis flexuosa, F. Myrtaceae and its biological activity. A thorough phytochemical investigation of its leaves led to the isolation of one new stilbene glycoside; (Z)-2,3-dihydroxystilbene-5-O-β-D-glucoside (1), and fifteen known compounds identified as two stilbenes: (Z)-pinosylvin mono methyl ether (2) and (Z)-pinosylvin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (3); six flavanones: (2S)-pinostrobin (4), (2S)-strobopinin (5), (2S)-cryptostobin (6), (2S)-pinocembrin (7), (2S)-dimethylpinocembrin (8) and (2S)-dimethylstrobopinin (9); four flavonoids: quercetin (10), kaempferol-7-O-β-D-glucoside (11), quercetin-3-O-α-D-rhamnoside (12) and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (13), α-terpineol (14), β-sitosterol (15) and gallic acid (16). The structures of the isolated metabolites were elucidated based upon the interpretation of their 1D and …

Comparative Performance Of Reduced-Risk Fungicides And Biorational Products In Management Of Postharvest Botrytis Blight On Bigleaf Hydrangea Cut Flowers, Ravi Bika, Cristi Palmer, Lisa Alexander, Fulya Baysal-Gurel

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Botrytis cinerea is one of the problematic and notorious postharvest pathogens of bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) cut flowers. It causes flower blight, leaf blight, and stem rot, reducing the ornamental value (such as longevity, color, and texture) of flowers, ultimately making them unsalable. The objective of this study was to identify effective conventional fungicides and biorational products for botrytis blight management on bigleaf hydrangea cut flowers that can be easily and readily adopted by growers of ornamentals. Preventive preharvest whole-plant spray and postharvest dip treatment applications were used in this study. For the whole-plant spray applications, bigleaf hydrangea …

Can Increasing Years Of Schooling Reduce Type 2 Diabetes (T2d)?: Evidence From A Mendelian Randomization Of T2d And 10 Of Its Risk Factors, Charleen D. Adams, Brian B. Boutwell

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). A focus in recent decades has involved examining the potential causal impact of educational attainment (schooling years) on a variety of disease and life-expectancy outcomes. Numerous studies have broadly revealed a link suggesting that as years of formal schooling increase so too does health and wellbeing; however, it is unclear whether the associations are causal. Here we use Mendelian randomization, an instrumental variables technique, with a two-sample design, to probe whether more years of schooling are causally linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 10 of its attendant risk factors. The results revealed a protective effect …

A Mendelian Randomization Study Of Telomere Length And Blood-Cell Traits, Charleen D. Adams, Brian B. Boutwell

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). Whether telomere attrition reducing proliferative reserve in blood-cell progenitors is causal has important public-health implications. Mendelian randomization (MR) is an analytic technique using germline genetic variants as instrumental variables. If certain assumptions are met, estimates from MR should be free from most environmental sources of confounding and reverse causation. Here, two-sample MR is performed to test whether longer telomeres cause changes to hematological traits. Summary statistics for genetic variants strongly associated with telomere length were extracted from a genome-wide association (GWA) study for telomere length in individuals of European ancestry (n = 9190) and from GWA …

Food Security Status And Food Purchasing Behaviors: Findings From A Sample Of Maine Residents During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Debra L. Brucker, Ross Hatton, Thomas M. Meuser, Alyssa Moran, Michele Polacsek

Institute on Disability

No abstract provided.

Creating Educational Opportunities For Independent Living Through Participatory Curriculum Development: A Toolkit For Centers For Independent Living, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Health and Wellness

This toolkit is an introduction for staff at centers for independent living (CILs) and their community partners who are interested in developing curriculums or trainings that meet the unique needs and goals of Independent Living. It provides instructions and guidance on how to use Participatory Curriculum Development (PCD) to create new ways of supporting Independent Living skills education and development.

This toolkit is for those who can commit to working collaboratively with consumers and other stakeholders to address an Independent Living service gap or training need.

Dancing Through Covid: An Ethnographic Exploration Of Exotic Dancers' Experiences During A Pandemic, Danyelle Sturdivant

Anthropology Undergraduate Senior Theses

The novel coronavirus pandemic, quarantine, and social distancing measures affected working conditions for a variety of workers. Exotic dancers were distinctly impacted due to the stigma of their work which, prior to the pandemic, often involved the sale of close-proximity lap dances. This paper explores exotic dancers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide insight on the unique challenges they faced.

Data were gleaned using ethnographic methods with modifications informed by phenomenology. Existentially-engaged participant observation was performed in a small, Southern strip club, identified here as Flare. Two rounds of formal, recorded interviews were conducted with six exotic dancers, and …

From International Borders To The Honeycombing Of Internal Borders: Response To Covid-19 Pandemic, David E. Toohey

International Journal of Peace Studies

This article looks at borders during the Covid-19 crisis. In particular, it looks at how internal borders have arisen following xenophobic and national responses to Covid-19. This rise of internal borders is referred to as the honeycombing of borders. This article takes a genealogical approach to understand how borders have arisen—despite not always favorable opinions about them. Therefore, this looks at Rancière’s (1999; 2004) concept of the “police order” in the imposition of the sensible through Foucault’s genealogical approach, both to show the temporary, haphazard nature of these borders and how they revert to less desirable things. This is situated …

Body Composition In Elite Strongman Competitors, William J. Kraemer, Lydia K. Caldwell, Emily M. Post, William H. Dupont, Emily R. Martini, Nicholas A. Ratamess, Tunde K. Szivak, Jason P. Shurley, Matthew K. Beeler, Jeff S. Volek, Carl M. Maresh, Janice S. Todd, Bryant J. Walrod, Parker N. Hyde, Ciaran Fairman, Thomas M. Best

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Kraemer, WJ, Caldwell, LK, Post, EM, DuPont, WH, Martini, ER, Ratamess, NA, Szivak, TK, Shurley, JP, Beeler, MK, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Todd, JS, Walrod, BJ, Hyde, PN, Fairman, C, and Best, TM. Body composition in elite strongman competitors. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3326–3330, 2020—The purpose of this descriptive investigation was to characterize a group of elite strongman competitors to document the body composition of this unique population of strength athletes. Data were collected from eligible competitors as part of a health screening program conducted over 5 consecutive years. Imaging was acquired using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), providing total …