Digital Commons Network^™

Brignoni-Ponce And The Establishment Of Race-Based Immigration Enforcement, Isabel Skilton

Washington International Law Journal

United States v. Brignoni-Ponce solidified the racist enforcement of United States immigration laws by allowing “Mexican appearance” to be a factor forming reasonable suspicion in a roving patrol. The United States Supreme Court rationalized race-based immigration enforcement by relying on erroneous immigration demographics and a misconstrued notion of serving the public interest. This comment demonstrates that the rationales provided by the Supreme Court are illogical, discriminatory, and harmful to communities of color. This comment analyzes the impacts of race-based discrimination and provides alternatives which may cabin the impact of Brignoni-Ponce. Aside from overruling Brignoni-Ponce in its entirety, a probable cause …

Reply To R Kirwan Et Al., David S. Ludwig, Belinda S. Lennerz, Jacob T. Mey

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Oncostatin M Induces Lipolysis And Suppresses Insulin Response In 3t3-L1 Adipocytes, Jennifer L. Bailey, Hardy Hang, Anik Boudreau, Carrie M. Elks

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Oncostatin M (OSM) is an immune cell-derived cytokine that is upregulated in adipose tissue in obesity. Upon binding its receptor (OSMR), OSM induces the phosphorylation of the p66 subunit of Src homology 2 domain-containing transforming protein 1 (SHC1), called p66Shc, and activates the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway. Mice with adipocyte-specific OSMR deletion (OsmrFKO) are insulin resistant and exhibit adipose tissue inflammation, suggesting that intact adipocyte OSM–OSMR signaling is necessary for maintaining adipose tissue health. How OSM affects specific adipocyte functions is still unclear. Here, we examined the effects of OSM on adipocyte lipolysis. We treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes with OSM, …

Hyperactivity Of A Midbrain Dopamine To 5-Ht Circuit Causes Anorexia, Hailan Liu, Xing Cai, Yanlin He, Yong Xu

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A D2 To D1 Shift In Dopaminergic Inputs To Midbrain 5-Ht Neurons Causes Anorexia In Mice, Xing Cai, Hailan Liu, Bing Feng, Meng Yu, Yang He, Hesong Liu, Chen Liang, Yongjie Yang, Longlong Tu, Nan Zhang, Lina Wang, Na Yin, Junying Han, Zili Yan, Chunmei Wang, Pingwen Xu, Qi Wu, Qingchun Tong, Yanlin He, Yong Xu

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Midbrain dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) neurons regulate motivated behaviors, including feeding, but less is known about how these circuits may interact. In this study, we found that DA neurons in the mouse ventral tegmental area bidirectionally regulate the activity of 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), with weaker stimulation causing DRD2-dependent inhibition and overeating, while stronger stimulation causing DRD1-dependent activation and anorexia. Furthermore, in the activity-based anorexia (ABA) paradigm, which is a mouse model mimicking some clinical features of human anorexia nervosa (AN), we observed a DRD2 to DRD1 shift of DA neurotransmission on 5-HTDRN neurons, which …

Artemisia Dracunculus L. Ethanolic Extract And An Isolated Component, Dmc2, Ameliorate Inflammatory Signaling In Pancreatic Β-Cells Via Inhibition Of P38 Mapk, Peter Smoak, Susan J. Burke, Thomas M. Martin, Heidi M. Batdorf, Z. Elizabeth Floyd, J. Jason Collier

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Non-resolving pancreatic islet inflammation is widely viewed as a contributor to decreases in β-cell mass and function that occur in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Therefore, strategies aimed at reducing or eliminating pathological inflammation would be useful to protect islet β-cells. Herein, we described the use of 2′,4′-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone (DMC2), a bioactive molecule isolated from an ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L., as a novel anti-inflammatory agent. The ethanolic extract, termed PMI 5011, reduced IL-1β-mediated NF-κB activity. DMC2 retained this ability, indicating this compound as the likely source of anti-inflammatory activity within the overall PMI 5011 extract. We further …

Nams 2021 Utian Translational Science Symposium September 2021, Washington, Dc - >Charting The Path To Health In Midlife And Beyond: The Biology And Practice Of Wellness, Nanette F. Santoro, Helen L. Coons, Samar R. El Khoudary, C. Neill Epperson, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Hadine Joffe, Sarah H. Lindsey, Kara L. Marlatt, Patti Montella, Gloria Richard-Davis, Bonny Rockette-Wagner, Marcel E. Salive, Cynthia Stuenkel, Rebecca C. Thurston, Nancy Woods, Holly Wyatt

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Charting the Path to Health in Midlife and Beyond: The Biology and Practice of Wellness was a Translational Science Symposium held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Foundational psychosocial and behavioral approaches to promote healthy aging and strategies to disseminate this information were discussed. The following synopsis documents the conversation, describes the state of the science, and outlines a path forward for clinical practice. Wellness, in its broadest sense, prioritizes an orientation toward health, and an embrace of behaviors that will promote it. It involves a journey to improve and maintain physical and mental health and overall well-being to fully engage …

A Qualitative Analysis Of The Remote Food Photography Method And The Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool For Assessing Children's Food Intake Reported By Parent Proxy, Traci A. Bekelman, Susan L. Johnson, Rachel I. Steinberg, Corby K. Martin, Katherine A. Sauder, Sophie Luckett-Cole, Deborah H. Glueck, Daniel S. Hsia, Dana Dabelea, P. B. Smith, K. L. Newby, D. K. Benjamin

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Background: Accuracy and participant burden are two key considerations in the selection of a dietary assessment tool for assessing children's full-day dietary intake. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify barriers experienced by parents and burden when using two technology-based measures of dietary intake to report their child's intake: the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM) and the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24). Design: Qualitative, semistructured, focus groups were conducted with parents who served as proxy reporters of their child's dietary intake using the two different dietary assessment methods (ie, RFPM and ASA24) 1 week apart. Participants/setting: …

State Of Ex Situ Conservation Of Landrace Groups Of 25 Major Crops, Julian Ramirez-Villegas, Colin K. Khoury, Harold A. Achicanoy, Maria Victoria Diaz, Andres C. Mendez, Chrystian C. Sosa, Zakaria Kehel, Luigi Guarino, Michael Abberton, Jorrel Aunario, Bashir Al Awar, Juan Carlos Alarcon, Ahmed Amri, Noelle L. Anglin, Vania Azevedo, Khadija Aziz, Grace Lee Capilit, Oswaldo Chavez, Dmytro Chebotarov, Denise E. Costich, Daniel G. Debouck, David Ellis, Hamidou Falalou, Albert Fiu, Michel Edmond Ghanem, Peter Giovannini, Alphonse J. Goungoulou, Badara Gueye, Amal Ibn El Hobyb, Ramni Jamnadass, Chris S. Jones, Bienvenu Kpeki, Jae Sung Lee

Faculty Publications

Crop landraces have unique local agroecological and societal functions and offer important genetic resources for plant breeding. Recognition of the value of landrace diversity and concern about its erosion on farms have led to sustained efforts to establish ex situ collections worldwide. The degree to which these efforts have succeeded in conserving landraces has not been comprehensively assessed. Here we modelled the potential distributions of eco-geographically distinguishable groups of landraces of 25 cereal, pulse and starchy root/tuber/fruit crops within their geographic regions of diversity. We then analysed the extent to which these landrace groups are represented in genebank collections, using …

Sibling Resemblances In Physical Fitness In Three Distinct Regions In Peru: The Peruvian Sibling Study On Growth And Health, Carla Santos, Alcibíades Bustamante, Olga Vasconcelos, Sara Pereira, Rui Garganta, J. Timothy Lightfoot, Go Tani, Donald Hedeker, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, José Maia

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

We estimated sibling resemblance in health-related physical fitness (PF) and examined how individual characteristics and shared natural environment accounted for sibling similarities. The sample comprised 656 sibling pairs and 102 triplets (6–15 years of age), from three geographical areas of Peru. PF components included morphological (waist circumference, sum of skinfolds), muscular (handgrip strength, standing long jump), and motor (shuttle-run). Body mass index (BMI) and somatic maturation were also assessed. In general, sibling intraclass correlations differed significantly across sib-ship types for waist circumference and handgrip strength but were the same for sum of skinfolds, standing long jump, and shuttle-run. Further, in …

Regional Variation In Growth Status. The Peruvian Health And Optimist Growth Study, Alcibíades Bustamante, Carla Santos, Sara Pereira, Duarte Freitas, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, José Maia

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Objective: This study aims to (1) investigate differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) among Peruvian children and adolescents living in three areas located at different altitudes; (2) compare age- and sex-specific height, weight, and BMI within each site with US reference data. Methods: We sampled 8753 subjects (4130 boys), aged 4 to 17 years from sea level, rainforest, and high-altitude. Height, weight, and WC were measured and BMI was calculated. Analysis of variance was used to compare variables across geographic regions, and the Hoff and Blackburn procedure was used to compare the Peruvian results with …

Crossover Food Businesses In Louisiana, United States: A Descriptive Study Of Their Characteristics And Food Safety Training Needs From Public Health Inspectors’ Perspective, Wenqing Xu, Evelyn Watts, Carolyn Bombet, Melissa Cater

Faculty Publications

Objectives: Integrating retail and manufacturing enables limitless potential for food businesses, but also creates challenges for navigating within complex food safety regulations. From public health inspectors’ (PHIs) perspective, this study aimed (1) to describe the characteristics of crossover businesses in Louisiana, and (2) to evaluate regulation awareness and food safety education needs for business owners and PHIs who inspect crossover businesses. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was administered to Louisiana Department of Health PHIs using Qualtrics®. A descriptive analysis was performed, focusing on the frequency of each item. Results: In total, 1774 retailers were conducting or planned to conduct specialized processes, …

A Reappraisal Of Polyploidy Events In Grasses (Poaceae) In A Rapidly Changing World, Acga Cheng, Noraikim Mohd Hanafiah, Jennifer Ann Harikrishna, Niranjan Baisakh, Muhamad Shakirin Mispan, Lim Phaik Eem

Faculty Publications

Around 80% of megaflora species became extinct at the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary. Subsequent polyploidy events drove the survival of thousands of plant species and played a significant historical role in the development of the most successful modern cereal crops. However, current and rapid global temperature change poses an urgent threat to food crops worldwide, including the world’s big three cereals: rice, wheat, and maize, which are members of the grass family, Poaceae. Some minor cereals from the same family (such as teff) have grown in popularity in recent years, but there are important knowledge gaps regarding the similarities and differences …

Thinking Inside The Box: The Future Of Young Children's Physical Activity And The Home Environment, Chelsea L. Kracht, Amanda E. Staiano

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Parrish et al.‘s (2021) investigation of caregiver perceptions of preschoolers' physical activity (PA) within the home environment posits important opportunities for public policy to consider space and available opportunities for PA for preschoolers. This study uncovered qualitative themes on preschoolers' PA in the home, referencing the use of indoor and outdoor spaces, adaptations within the home, interplay between space and caregiving, and variability in child's PA. This work sparks a discussion into the current understanding of the home environment for preschooler PA and future research directions. We propose three main areas to bring forward physical activity and public health research, …

The Effects Of Covid-19 Induced Stress, Anxiety And Depression On The Eating Behavior Of College Women, Natalie Simpson

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Increases in the prevalence of disordered eating patterns have been linked to distress and poor mental well-being. Additionally, COVID-19 has been linked to both depressive and anxious symptomatology, along with increased feelings of distress (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). Because disordered eating is particularly prevalent among college-aged women, this study sought to determine how depression, anxiety, and stress affect eating behaviors of college women in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 179 women at Butler University, aged 18-24, gave informed consent before completing a questionnaire pertaining to their demographics, their stress surrounding COVID, and their weight change since March 2020. The …

A Limited Look At The Educational Experiences Of Black Stem Professionals From The Butler Community And Beyond, Victoria Ann Templin

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This project looks at the STEM educational experiences of Black professionals from both the Butler community and outside of it. It focuses on the perspectives of five individuals (three Butler graduates and two non-Butler graduates) interviewed via Zoom and analyzes how their experiences compare to those of other Black STEM professionals across the nation. After completing the interviews and conducting thorough background research, all data was examined. It was found that what was discussed during the interviews paralleled what was discovered in the research, such as the importance of mentors and broadening the image of what a scientist looks like. …

A Survey To Determine The Relationship Between Health Literacy And Vaccine Hesitancy In College Students At Butler University, Lindsey Schreiber

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The prolonged pandemic has proven the need for vaccines to protect the public against COVID-19. The goal of immunity across populations has been hindered by vaccine refusal and vaccine hesitancy. Finding the root of this hesitancy could be critical in increasing vaccination, which is needed to alleviate the strain that Coronavirus has had on the world. A Qualtrics skip logic survey was created that collected demographic information, vaccine status, vaccine influences, vaccine concerns, and The Newest Vital Sign, a health literacy assessment. The purpose of this study was to find a relationship between health literacy and vaccine hesitancy in order …

Investigation Into The Responses Of Physcomitrella Patens To Herbivory And The Influence Of Light On The Production Of Defense Compounds, Matthew Morris

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Plant defense mechanisms are well studied in many agriculturally relevant crops such as corn and tomatoes. Though less studied, the more ancestral nonvascular plants may be able to provide insights into the origin and working of modern plant defense systems. In this study, the bryophyte Physcomitrella patens was researched and the role of the jasmonic acid pathway in response to herbivory was investigated. Additionally, the impact of light intensity on the efficacy of this pathway was to be determined. After exposing the moss to various chemical elicitors and mechanical wounding, the activity of proteins produced in the JA pathway was …

Agricultural Practices And Nitrogen Cycling Microbes: The Impact Of Sustainable Farming Practices On Nutrient Movement In Indianapolis Urban Farms, Margaret Davis

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

As population movement to urban centers and decreased availability of fresh foods becomes more common, the prevalence of food deserts is becoming far greater. Urban farming can potentially help address these issues by bringing healthy and fresh food sources directly to these areas that lack access to quality food. Urban farming is reliant on the implementation of sustainable practices, like the use of cover crops, to increase the amount of nutrients that are accessible to plants from the soil. Nitrogen is a vital nutrient but cannot be readily produced by plants, so it must be obtained by either an external …

Investigating Instagram Marketing Strategies For Nonprofit Donor Engagement During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Annabella Cobos

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a profound shift in various industries around the world, the non-profit industry being one of them. In this research the author virtually interviewed four participants with experience in marketing from three non-profit organizations to determine what strategic components of Instagram marketing worked best to influence donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The changed marketing strategies in the nonprofit industry are the result of changed donor behavior. The results from the interview findings reveal two Instagram marketing strategies were successfully adapted to influence donations during the pandemic: focusing on authentic media to increase …

Improving Specialist Referrals In Outpatient Primary Care: An Evidence-Based Practice Quality Improvement Project, Kimberly Gaznabie

DNP Projects

Background: In the United States, more than a third of patients receive specialty referrals per year, constituting more than half of outpatient visits. Patients require efficient, immediate referrals for specialty-based treatment plans and the prevention of worsening conditions.

Purpose: This evidence-based practice improvement project aimed to improve the specialty-provider referral system for a community-based outpatient primary care clinic.

Implementing A Patient Reported Outcome Measure For Patient With Anemia Of Chronic Kidney Disease (Ckd) In The Outpatient Setting, Marissa Finger

DNP Projects

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health concern in the United States. People with CKD suffer from many symptoms that cause distress and low quality of life (QoL). Research has found an association between symptom burden in patients with CKD and the disease's worsening progression. There is little data on ways to monitor and address CKD symptoms routinely.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to identify symptoms related to advancing kidney disease using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) through IPOS-Renal survey and implement a nurse-driven protocol to manage patient reported symptoms.

Interventions/Setting: Over a three-month period at …

Hiv Virological Non-Suppression Is Highly Prevalent Among 18- To 24-Year-Old Youths On Antiretroviral Therapy At The Kenyan Coast, Moses K. Nyongesa, Mwaganyuma H. Mwatasa, Vincent A. Kagonya, Gabriel Mwambingu, Caroline Ngetsa, Charles R. J. C. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, data on virologic outcomes of young people living with HIV (YLWH) enrolled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains scarce. In this study, we describe the prevalence of HIV virological non-suppression (VNS) and its associated factors among YLWH aged 18–24 years from the Kenyan coast.

Methods: Data were analyzed for 384 YLWH who participated in a larger cross-sectional study conducted between November 2018 and September 2019 in two counties at the Kenyan coast (Kilif and Mombasa). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sample characteristics and logistic regression was used for statistical modeling of factors associated with …

Embedding ‘Holistic Intelligence’ Education At Tu Dublin, Fionnuala Darby, Shaun Ferns, Barry J. Ryan

Group Reports

This document outlines the integration of Holistic Intelligence (HI) education within Technological University Dublin’s (TU Dublin) University Education Model (UEM). Holistic Intelligence education aims to foster a culture of well-being and productivity by addressing eight dimensions: personal, social, occupational, physical, economic, intellectual, emotional, and environmental. The document emphasises the importance of embedding HI education into the curriculum to support transformative learning experiences and align with TU Dublin’s strategic intent. It discusses the principles and enablers of HI education and highlights the benefits of HI education for learners, staff, and the community.

Predictive Analytics In Child Welfare: Five Principles For Regulating Algorithmic Accountability In A New Wave Of Predictive Models, Michael Blanchard

University of Baltimore Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Heritage Family Study: A Review Of The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cardiometabolic Health, With Insights Into Molecular Transducers, Mark A. Sarzynski Ph.D., Faha, Facsm, Treva K. Rice, Jean-Pierre Després, Louis Pérusse, Angelo Tremblay, Philip R. Stanforth, André Tchernof, Jacob L. Barber, Francesco Falciani, Clary Clish, James S. Skinner, D. C. Rao, Claude Bouchard

Faculty Publications

The aim of the HERITAGE Family Study was to investigate individual differences in response to a standardized endurance exercise program, the role of familial aggregation, and the genetics of response levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors. Here we summarize the findings and their potential implications for cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness. It begins with overviews of background and planning, recruitment, testing and exercise program protocol, quality control measures, and other relevant organizational issues. A summary of findings is then provided on cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise hemodynamics, insulin and glucose metabolism, lipid and lipoprotein profiles, adiposity and …

Comparison Of Carbon Footprints Of School Lunches In Dangriga, Belize, And Northwest Arkansas, Lauren Greenwood

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The original purpose of this study was to investigate differences in carbon footprints of school lunches by comparing a school in Arkansas, USA, and a school in Belize. Due to complications imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose was revised to gathering preliminary data about the school lunch program at a school in Northwest Arkansas; data were to be used to estimate CO2-equivalent emissions for cafeteria energy use, meal ingredients from the two most popular meals served, and food transportation at the last point in the supply chain (food service delivery to school). This study highlights the intersection of food …

Consumer Preferences For Lab Grown Meat: The Effect Of Information On Consumer Choice, Aryn Blumenberg

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Global population growth and increased meat demand present challenges for the agricultural industry to produce meat sustainably. In-vitro meat (IVM) is an alternative that could reduce negative impacts associated with livestock production. The goal of this study was to examine consumers’ preferences for IVM. A choice experiment was created with twelve choice tasks that varied across five attributes: production method (IVM or conventional), carbon trust label, organic label, animal welfare label, and price. 1,120 US consumers were randomly assigned to one of four information treatments, differing by information presented regarding IVM: 1) neutral (baseline), 2) positive, 3) negative, and 4) …

Effects Of Cottonseed Meal Containing Gossypol On Testis Physiology In Boars, Kristin Ryan

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Feral hogs are an invasive species found in 35 U.S. states without an effective control method to limit their population growth. According to a 2019 survey of 467 landowners in Arkansas, feral hogs caused an estimated $12 million in damages (Cook, 2019). While there are current control methods such as hunting and trapping, 65% of the feral hog population must be eliminated in a specific area to prohibit population growth (Cook, 2019). It is theorized that gossypol, a phenolic compound known to negatively impact reproductive function in other species, could cause sterility in boars. In this preliminary research study, 21 …

Mental Health Presentation: An Instrument In Coach Education, Alison Zigler

Undergraduate Honors Theses

While mental health is a prevalent and important topic in athletics, coaches often receive little to no training on how to recognize and manage mental health concerns or how to make good mental health a priority on their team. Thus, a mental health presentation that informs coaches at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) on the main mental health disorders and concerns in student-athletes and their management was conducted. An investigation on the main mental health concerns in student-athletes and the best practices for athletic staff when managing these concerns was done to properly create the presentation and accurately inform …