Digital Commons Network^™

Disease Progression And Serological Assay Performance In Heritage Breed Pigs Following Brucella Suis Experimental Challenge As A Model For Naturally Infected Feral Swine, Vienna R. Brown, Ryan S. Miller, Courtney F. Bowden, Timothy J. Smyser, Nicholas A. Ledesma, Aim E. Hartwig, Paul Gordy, Aaron M. Anderson, Stephanie M. Porter, Kate Alexander, Zane Gouker, Tom Gidlewski, Richard A. Bowen, Angela M. Bosco-Lauth

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Invasive feral swine (Sus scrofa) are one of the most important wildlife species for disease surveillance in the United States, serving as a reservoir for various diseases of concern for the health of humans and domestic animals. Brucella suis, the causative agent of swine brucellosis, is one such pathogen carried and transmitted by feral swine. Serology assays are the preferred field diagnostic for B. suis infection, as whole blood can be readily collected and antibodies are highly stable. However, serological assays frequently have lower sensitivity and specificity, and few studies have validated serological assays for B. suis in feral swine. …

Evaluation Of The Effect Of Hydrated Lime On The Scavenging Of Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) Carcasses And Implications For Managing Carcass-Based Transmission Of African Swine Fever Virus, Courtney F. Bowden, James Grinolds, Gregory Franckowiak, Loma Mccallister, Joe M. Halseth, Matthew Cleland, Travis Guerrant, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Robert Miknis, Michael C. Marlow, Vienna R. Brown

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating hemorrhagic disease marked by extensive morbidity and mortality in infected swine. The recent global movement of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in domestic and wild swine (Sus scrofa) populations has initiated preparedness and response planning activities within many ASF-free countries. Within the US, feral swine are of utmost concern because they are susceptible to infection, are wide-spread, and are known to interact with domestic swine populations. African swine fever virus is particularly hardy and can remain viable in contaminated carcasses for weeks to months; therefore, carcass-based transmission plays an important role in the …

Perturbations Highlight Importance Of Social History In Parakeet Rank Dynamics, Annemarie Van Der Marel, Xavier Francis, Claire L. O'Connell, Cesar O. Estien, Chelsea Carminito, Virginia Darby Moore, Nickolas Lormand, Bryan M. Kluever, Elizabeth A. Hobson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Dominance hierarchies can provide many benefits to individuals, such as access to resources or mates, depending on their ranks. In some species, rank can emerge as a product of a group’s history of social interactions. However, it can be difficult to determine whether social history is critical to rank in observation-based studies. Here, we investigated rank dynamics in three captive groups of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus). We used experimental social perturbations to test whether social history shapes rank emergence in these groups. Using targeted removals and reintroductions, we tested whether differently ranked individuals could re-take their ranks in hierarchies after …

Distribution Of The Misfolded Isoform Of The Prion Protein In Peripheral Tissues And Spinal Cord Of Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus Elaphus Nelsoni) With Naturally Occurring Chronic Wasting Disease, Terry R. Spraker, Thomas Gidlewski, J. G. Powers, T. A. Nichols, M. A. Wild

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids associated with the presence of a misfolded prion protein (PrPCWD). Progression of PrPCWD distribution has been described using immunohistochemistry and histologic changes in a single section of brain stem at the level of the obex resulting in scores from 0 (early) to 10 (terminal) in elk with naturally occurring CWD. Here we describe the spread and distribution of PrPCWD in peripheral tissues and spinal cord in 16 wild and 17 farmed Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) with naturally occurring CWD and correlate these findings with obex scores. …

Predator Telemetry Informs Temporal And Spatial Overlap With Stocked Salmonids In Lake Huron, David G. Fielder, Todd A. Hayden, Thomas R. Binder, Brian S. Dorr, Heidi A. Currier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Double-Crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auratus), Walleyes (Sander vitreus), and Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are migratory predators that undergo extensive movements in Lake Huron. Stocking of juvenile salmonid fish (Oncorhynchus and Salmo sp.) is an important component of fishery management in Lake Huron and assessing the spatial and temporal extent of predator movements is a useful consideration for determining when and where to stock juvenile fish to reduce predation and maximize survival. Previous investigation indicated that some Walleyes migrate to the main basin of Lake Huron in spring from Saginaw Bay. Similarly, telemetry studies of Lake Trout movement in Lake Huron have …

Role Of Social Structure In Establishment Of An Invasive Large Mammal After Translocation, Lindsay M. Clontz, Anni Yang, Sarah M. Chinn, Kim M. Pepin, Kurt C. Vercauterten, George Wittemyer, Ryan S. Miller, James C. Beasley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Background

Data on the movement behavior of translocated wild pigs is needed to develop appropriate response strategies for containing and eliminating new source populations following translocation events. We conducted experimental trials to compare the home range establishment and space-use metrics, including the number of days and distance traveled before becoming range residents, for wild pigs translocated with their social group and individually.

Results

We found wild pigs translocated with their social group made less extensive movements away from the release location and established a stable home range ~5 days faster than those translocated individually. We also examined how habitat quality …

Part 4: Death And Dying In Virginia, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

Death and taxes may be inevitable, but where we die is usually not a topic of public policy or discussion. Hospice care is the specialized treatment that provides support and comfort to patients who are terminally ill with a general life expectancy of six months or less. In this chapter, we take a close look at serious disease and hospice care in the United States and Virginia. We examine the demand for hospice care by Medicare beneficiaries as well as the changing nature of hospice care suppliers as now more than two-thirds of hospices nationwide operate as for-profit entities. We …

Fair Domestic Allocation Of Monkeypox Virus Countermeasures, Govind C. Persad, R. J. Leland, Trygve Ottersen, Henry S. Richardson, Carla Saenz, G. Owen Schaefer, Ezekiel J. Emanuel

Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship

Countermeasures for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), primarily vaccines, have been in limited supply in many countries during outbreaks. Equitable allocation of scarce resources during public health emergencies is a complex challenge. Identifying the objectives and core values for the allocation of mpox countermeasures, using those values to provide guidance for priority groups and prioritisation tiers, and optimising allocation implementation are important. The fundamental values for the allocation of mpox countermeasures are: preventing death and illness; reducing the association between death or illness and unjust disparities; prioritising those who prevent harm or mitigate disparities; recognising contributions to combating an outbreak; …

Considering Vaccination Status, Govind C. Persad

Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship

"This Article examines whether policies—sometimes termed “vaccine mandates” or “vaccine requirements”— that consider vaccination status as a condition of employment, receipt of goods and services, or educational or other activity for participation are legally permitted, and whether such policies may even sometimes be legally required. It does so with particular reference to COVID-19 vaccines.

Part I explains the legality of private actors, such as employers or private universities, considering vaccination status, and concludes that such consideration is almost always legally permissible unless foreclosed by specific state legislation. Part II examines the consideration of vaccination status by state or federal policy. …

Bundle Up To Improve Cauti, Jennifer Anderson, Valorie Dearmon

DNP Manuscripts

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) are a leading cause of healthcare acquired infections. Strong evidence for CAUTI best practices exists, however, the struggle to translate best practice evidence into everyday practice remains a challenge. Catheter associated urinary tract infection rates continue to be a problem despite organizational efforts to implement best practice guidelines; the challenge is to effectively translate and embed best practices into everyday practice. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer reimburse hospitals for expenses associated with hospital acquired CAUTI; moreover, hospitals are subject to penalties for high rates of hospital acquired CAUTIs. …

Field Days Against Flu Days: Decreasing Missed School Days In The D.C. Metropolitan Area Due To Influenza, Elyana Belete, Evan Bowie, Maria - Carmen Miko, Raymond Weeden

DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP)

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 290,000 to 650,000 people worldwide are affected annually by the flu (WHO, 2023). Children ages 0–17 are more prone to contracting the flu due to increased contact with other individuals in daycare and grade school as they are more likely to put their hands in their mouths and less likely to practice proper hygiene. Additionally, they have less developed immune systems to fight off infections (CDC, 2020). This leads to an increased likelihood of catching an illness that can spread from person to person compared to adults. According to the Morbidity and …

Nasis 2023: Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey Questionnaire, Bureau Of Sociological Research

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS)

No abstract provided.

Data Visualization Of Big Data For Predictive And Descriptive Analytics For Stroke, Covid-19, And Diabetes, Richard S. Segall, Soichiro Takashashi

Faculty Publications

Visualization of big data is crucial for meaningful interpretations and especially for healthcare. Brief discussions are made for big data, background for healthcare, and recent work in big data analytics for healthcare. This research pertains to different levels of big data: 5,110 vs. 101,766 vs. 320,200 vs. 1 million data values. Data visualizations and predictive analytics are presented of big data for selected diseases of stroke with 5,110 data values, diabetes with 101,766 data values, and two COVID-19 studies: one with 320,200 data values and another with 1 million data values. Data visualizations are generated for these diseases with big …

Study Of Potential Synergistic Effect Of Probiotic Formulas On Acrylamide Reduction, Siu Mei, Emily Choi

Faculty of Science & Technology (THEi)

Acrylamide (AA) is a food processing contaminant commonly found in fried and baked food products. In this study, the potential synergistic effect of probiotic formulas in reducing AA was studied. Five selected probiotic strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum ATCC14917 (L. Pl.), Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus ATCC11842 (L. B.), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei ATCC25302 (L. Pa), Streptococcus thermophilus ATCC19258, and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum ATCC15707) were selected for investigating their AA reducing capacity. It was found that L. Pl. (108 CFU/mL) showed the highest AA reduction percentage (43–51%) when exposed to different concentrations of AA standard chemical solutions (350, 750, and …

Lead And Mercury Exposure In Eastern Whooping Cranes: Cause For Concern?, Barry K. Hartup, Anne E. Lacy, Hillary L. Thompson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The dietary uptake of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) risks limiting population growth of reintroduced whooping cranes (Grus americana) in the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP). We evaluated these potentially toxic trace elements in blood and marginal covert feathers of wild-hatched juvenile and adult cranes sampled in the Wisconsin breeding range between 2016 and 2023. Samples were obtained at live capture events, and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry for Pb and Total Hg (THg). Blood Pb concentrations from adults were greater than those of juveniles, but feather Pb concentrations were similar between age classes. Blood and feather THg concentrations were …

Part 5: Death And Dying In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Death and taxes may be inevitable, but where we die is usually not a topic of public policy or discussion. Hospice care is the specialized treatment that provides support and comfort to patients who are terminally ill with a general life expectancy of six months or less. In this chapter, we take a close look at serious disease and hospice care in the United States and Virginia. We examine the demand for hospice care by Medicare beneficiaries as well as the changing nature of hospice care suppliers as now more than two-thirds of hospices nationwide operate as for-profit entities.

Harlem's Superhero: Social Interaction, Heterogeneity Of Thought, And The Superhero Mission In Marvel's Luke Cage, Justin Martin

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

The essay extends previous Luke Cage scholarship by analyzing him through a discipline rarely utilized in superhero scholarship: developmental psychology. Using the Luke Cage television series, the author centers Luke Cage's relationship to Harlem. In doing so, the author explores how the relationship can elucidate both the conceptual foundations of morally-relevant decision-making and the ways these concepts may be applied in varied and complex social interactions -- features of social life relevant to everyday persons as well as superheroes working within a fictionalized neighborhood.

Investigating Ishikwaella Symbiont Transcriptome Analysis Concerning The Immune System Of Kudzu Bugs, Erika Calle

Theses & ETDs

This thesis investigated the roles of host-gut symbiotic interactions of Candidatus Ishikawella capsulate and Kudzu bugs in the Southeastern United States. Exploring the host-microbe interactions can provide insight into understanding the overall health of species. While the microbes get a habitat and nourishment from the host, these microbes, in turn, help the host by regulating various host physiological functions, including dietary digestion, and imparting protective immunity against pathogens (Khan et al.,2019). Megacopta cribraria or the Kudzu bug is an invasive species of stink bug from the Kyushu region of Japan that invaded the state of Georgia in 2009 (Eger et …

Brain Connectivity And Mechanoreception In Marine Mammals, Alexis Mingos

Theses & ETDs

Marine mammals returned to the water through several temporally separated lineages, each species adapting somatosensory mechanisms that allow them to locate and consume food. The species in this study have adapted to underwater environments through different modalities. Manatees, harbor seals, and sea otters all utilize mystacial vibrissae, while manatees also possess lightly scattered thin vibrissae over the entire body, and sea otters employ their sensitive paws for active touch. These sensory differences provide an interesting opportunity to compare and examine the neuroanatomy of mechanoreception in differentially adapted marine species. The brain reflects these adaptations, creating “pathways” formed by neuronal connectivity, …

Investigating The Kshb V246s Mutation In The Kshab Protein Complex Found In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Malika Cruickshank

Undergraduate Review

This research centered on studying the interactions between the KshA and KshB subunits of the 3-ketosteroid-9α hydroxylase (KshAB) protein complex found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Interactions between the two protein subunits were computationally explored using the protein docking program ClusPro and a location in the KshB subunit at Val 246 was found to be in proximity with nearby amino acids in the KshA subunit. This was determined to be a possible location for docking the protein complex. Val 246 of KshB was mutated into a serine residue to explore changes in the electron transfer pathway upon disruption of this …

How Gonorrhea Caused The Medicalization Of American Blindness, Ashley Schepis

Undergraduate Review

No abstract provided.

Advancing Heart, Lung, Blood, And Sleep Research (January 2023)

United States Natonal Institutes of Health: Materials

Advancing Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Research is a brochure that highlights major NHLBI programs, partnership activities, as well as recent advances in science.

Sisyphean Frustrations: The Impetus For Improving Harm Reduction Strategies In Minneapolis, Mn, Jordan Baker

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: The last decade has seen an alarming rise in deaths attributed to opioid use. Considering the ever-increasing mortality rate contributable to opiate use disorder, it is important to identify and utilize more efficacious public health interventions.

Purpose: The focus of this paper is identifying the current harm reduction strategies being implemented in Minneapolis MN, the history of harm reduction in the US, and opportunities to improve existing systems to better engage current conditions.

Methods: The primary research method for this community assessment was volunteer work with Southside Harm Reduction in Minneapolis, MN. Through community clean-ups the researcher was able …

Stress Management For Healthcare Providers In The Emergency Department During Covid-19 Pandemic, Carrie A. Warns

Theses and Graduate Projects

The challenges healthcare providers face during the COVID-19 pandemic are

unprecedented, leading to work-related stress and burnout symptoms. Stress management for health care providers is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers must find effective modalities during this time. Animal Assist therapy is a stress management modality that evidence-based research has proven to be effective. A comprehensive literature review of the importance of stress reduction for health care providers and the effectiveness of Animal Assist Therapy will help support this project. Jean Watson's human caring theory will serve as a model for this project. The implementation of the scholarly project …

Herbal Medicine Use In Costa Rica: A Case Study Examining Herbal Medicine’S Utilization And Cultural Significance, Jules Schlicting-Bader

Theses and Graduate Projects

Introduction: Herbal medicine has been widely used in the past and present, as it is deeply rooted in many cultures' histories. Literature Review: Herbal medicines are used for health maintenance and treatment in Costa Rica. The country's rich natural environment, accessibility, and tradition led to prominent herbal medicine use. Annona muricata (Soursop), Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw), Mikania species (Guaco), and Neurolaena lobata (Gavilana) have commonly been used in Central American medications and have diverse indications based on their plant parts.

Case Study: A discussion with an herbalist, founder, and citizen of Longo Mai, a community in southern Costa Rica, was …

Outcomes Of Unbalanced Versus Balanced Crystalloids In Sepsis: A Systematic Review, Gus R. Whittington

Theses and Graduate Projects

This systematic review attempts to examine current literature regarding the outcomes of septic patients who receive fluid resuscitation with balanced versus unbalanced crystalloids. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), retrospective cohort studies, and clinical trials that presented either pediatric or adult patients who were admitted to the hospital in critically ill condition and received either 0.9% normal saline or any type of balanced crystalloid, with the presence of at least one out of three primary outcomes: comparative rates of mortality, renal dysfunction, or metabolic acidosis. Reports were excluded if they did not contain information regarding any primary outcome measure, …

Unique Posttraumatic Growth Expression Among Homeless Males Currently Enrolled In Chemical Dependency Treatment, Travis T. Mord

Theses and Graduate Projects

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) has gained considerable research and clinical attention for the past three decades. While the impact of PTG has been well-researched in relation to trauma exposure, medical ailments, or mood related conditions, there are still a number of mental health conditions requiring further analysis. The current study examined the relationship between PTG and key substance use significance indicators, including diagnostic severity of the use disorder and number of previous substance use treatment attempts, among a sample (N = 136) of adult men who were enrolled in a mental illness/chemical dependency (MICD) intensive outpatient program (IOP). This study also …

An Ethiopian Health Center: A Transcultural Approach To Health For Immigrants Living In Minnesota, Liyu Daniel

Theses and Graduate Projects

The growing cultural diversity and universality in the United States calls for the understanding of all members of society. Health care in the 21st century has become a human rights issue, where every member of the society desires to be treated within the specific culture. To Ethiopians, culture is seen as the embodiment of one’s existence, it influences perceptions and views of varying life dimensions. Culture, as seen in through the lens of individuals, is highly dependent on upbringings, traditions, beliefs and lifeways. Individuals from varying cultures perceive health and wellness from a cultural perspective. For Ethiopians, what it means …

Research Annual Report Fy2023, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Research Annual Reports

Annual report of the research at Children's Mercy Kansas City in Kansas City MO, a pediatric medical center.

Lessons From Disease And Economic Surveillance During Covid-19, Anup Malani

Articles

This paper describes disease and economic surveillance during COVID, along with the uses of that surveillance, and lessons learned about the pandemic from that surveillance. It ends with policy suggestions on how to gather intelligence during the next pandemic in India and how surveillance informs suppression policy. The important themes that I stress are the value of population-level surveillance, understanding the incentives and disincentives for surveillance and reporting, and tailoring policy to the results of surveillance.