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Précis Of: "Birds, Bats And Minds: Tales Of A Revolutionary Scientist, Donald R. Griffin", Carolyn A. Ristau

Animal Sentience

Donald Griffin co-discovered bat sonar and founded the field of echolocation. He studied bird migration and founded Cognitive Ethology, the study of animal awareness and mental experiences. In all these endeavors, he faced hostile opposition. The biography (Ristau 2024) examines Griffin's life and the scientific explorations by him and others in these fields. This Précis emphasizes his arguments and supporting evidence for animal consciousness as well as his later research. Griffin considered the inhibiting assumptions made by scientists, including Cartesian views, the misunderstanding of innate behaviors, prejudice against lower animals, concern with violations of parsimony, and the assertions of the …

The Grenada Learning And Memory Scale: Psychometric Features And Normative Data In Caribbean Preschool Children, Karen Blackmon, Roberta Evans, Lauren Mohammed, Kemi Burgen, Erin Ingraham, Bianca Punch, Rashida Isaac, Toni Murray, Jesma Noel, Cora Belmar-Roberts

Brain and Mind Institute

Objective: Neuropsychological assessment of preschool children is essential for early detection of delays and referral for intervention prior to school entry. This is especially pertinent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which are disproportionately impacted by micronutrient deficiencies and teratogenic exposures. The Grenada Learning and Memory Scale (GLAMS) was created for use in limited resource settings and includes a shopping list and face-name association test. Here, we present psychometric and normative data for the GLAMS in a Grenadian preschool sample.

Methods: Typically developing children between 36 and 72 months of age, primarily English speaking, were recruited from public preschools in …

White Monsters: Understanding Whiteness As Social And Legal Monstrosity, Steven Sacco

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article argues that whiteness operates as a socially and legally constructed monstrosity, perpetuating systemic inequality and destructive power through both intentional and nonintentional mechanisms. By employing monster theory, the analysis reveals how whiteness adapts and evolves to maintain its dominance, often through legal frameworks that obscure its harmful effects. The Supreme Court's decision in Plyler v. Doe, while advancing justice in some aspects, also exemplifies how the law can perpetuate inequality by overlooking historical and social contexts.

Elementary Educators Building Relationships With Parents And Caregivers, To Promote Student Achievement, Elena Schaust

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The link between elementary educators and the parents and caregivers of their students, and their relationships with one another as correlated to possible benefits of academic and behavioral outcomes for the student, is examined. The basis for this author’s inquiry is: What is the intrinsic value of elementary educators building meaningful relationships with parents and caregivers as a means to support positive student learning? The literature review analyzed historical and cultural assumptions, and expectations surrounding relationship building for educators, parents and caregivers. Federal and state mandates, statistics, and strategies on behalf of educators for developing and maintaining relationships are also …

Increasing Student Retention And Engagement Of Learned Concepts, While Fostering Connections To The Cultural And Ecological Significance Of The Galapagos Islands Through Pre-Travel Lessons And Reflection, Bernadette Heaney-Deuel

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Student travel has the potential to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Travel combines authentic experiences and exposure to multiple perspectives in a way unlikely to happen in the classroom. Authentic experiences answer the age-old question, “Why do I have to learn this?” The reason for learning becomes tangible in the moment. Broadening our perspective increases empathy, reduces bias, and improves problem-solving skills. Travel provides the opportunity to experience many perspectives different from those experienced in our daily lives. The impact travel can have on a student can vary based on the experiences before, during, and after travel. Through the use of pre-travel …

Employing Multi-Omics Analyses To Understand Changes During Kidney Development In Perinatal Interleukin-6 Animal Model, Ganesh Panzade, Tarak Srivastava, Daniel P. Heruth, Mohammad H. Rezaiekhaligh, Jianping Zhou, Zhen Lyu, Mukut Sharma, Trupti Joshi

Biomedical Sciences

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Maternal obesity during pregnancy is linked to systemic inflammation and elevated levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). In our previous work, we demonstrated that increased maternal IL-6 during gestation impacts intrauterine development in mice. We hypothesized that IL-6-induced inflammation alters gene expression in the developing fetus. To test this, pregnant mice were administered IL-6 or saline during mid-gestation. Newborn mouse kidneys were analyzed using mRNA-seq, miRNA-seq and whole-genome bisulfite-seq (WGBS). A multi-omics approach was employed to quantify mRNA gene expression, miRNA expression and DNA methylation, using …

Leader Age And Conflictual Behavior In International Relations, Michael B. Cox

Student Publications

The United States 2020 election of Joe Biden over Donald Trump led many Americans to argue the need for younger politicians and presidential candidates, as they had concerns that older presidents, like Trump and Biden, were unfit mentally and physically to lead the nation. In particular, some expressed fears that these leaders, because of their age, would be more likely to engage the United States in or escalate interstate disputes. Scholarship in the field has found conflicting results, with Horowitz et al. finding older leaders are more likely to engage their states in interstate disputes, while Bertoli et al. found …

Interstate Conflict Initiation And The Age Of International Leaders, Katelyn L. Laplaunt

Student Publications

The 2024 presidential election in the United States amplified concerns regarding the age of international leaders and their ability to lead. Current research indicates that differences in individual characteristics such as ideology, biological sex, and aggression, can cause leaders to interact with foreign countries in varying ways. Especially important is the manner in which a leader’s age might impact their tendency to initiate interstate conflict, as the effects of these conflicts can have major impacts on the international system. In alignment with my hypothesis, most research indicates that older leaders will initiate fewer interstate conflicts than younger leaders. This is …

Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry14a Family Proteins As Novel Anthelmintics Against Gastrointestinal Nematode Parasites, Duy Hoang, Kelly Flanagan, Qian Ding, Nicholas R. Cazeault, Hanchen Li, Stefani Díaz-Valerio, Florentina Rus, Esther A. Darfour, Elizabeth Kass, Katherine H. Petersson, Martin Krarup Nielsen, Heiko Liesegang, Gary R. Ostroff, Raffi V. Aroian

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Bacillus thuringiensis crystal (Cry) proteins have been expressed in commercial transgenic crops for nearly 30 years, providing safe and effective control of insect pests and significantly reducing the application of hazardous chemical pesticides. B. thuringiensis crystal proteins have also been shown to target parasitic nematodes, including plant parasitic nematodes. Recently, transgenic soybean crops expressing Cry14Ab have been shown to provide control against the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines, marking the first time a crystal protein is being commercialized in transgenic crops for control of a nematode pest. However, apart from H. glycines and the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, the breadth …

Ur’S Witness Oak Project Honors Enslaved Ancestors, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

This article is about one tree and one cemetery plot. Though the existence of some may have been forgotten, many more burial grounds for the enslaved are known and some of these may still have trees old enough to have “witnessed” the interments of those who toiled so hard, for so long. What better way to remember their contributions to the land that continues to nourish us than by maintaining a living legacy of Witness Tree progeny?

Arthropod Arbiters: Natural Enemy Communities Mediate The Effects Of Landscape And Local-Scale Complexity On Lygus-Induced Crop Loss In Organic Strawberries, Adrian Lu, David J. Gonthier, Amber Sciligo, Karina Garcia, Taiki Chiba, Gila Juárez, Claire Kremen

Entomology Faculty Publications

Sustainable pest management requires growers and regional land managers to consider the relationships among pest management practices, pest and natural enemy communities, crop loss, and multi-scalar habitat complexity. However, the causal links among these variables, in particular potential interactions between landscape and local-scale habitat complexity, remain underexplored. In the context of organically managed strawberry crops in California’s Central Coast, we tested the independent effects of landscape and local habitat complexity gradients on arthropod communities and crop loss using a piecewise structural equation model (PSEM). We found that landscape-scale woody habitat proportion indirectly decreased crop loss through its positive effect on …

A Collective Case Study Of Special Educators’ Experiences Implementing Interventions In A New Reading Specialist Role, Tom Knutson

Dissertations (1934 -)

Millions of children in the United States struggle with reading acquisition, many of whom are identified with developmental dyslexia (DD). Although experimental research indicates that evidence-based reading interventions can bring many of these children to average-range reading skills, such promising outcomes are not commonly achieved within K-12 public schools. Consequently, many students with DD face persistent academic challenges, often resulting in long-term negative outcomes such as poor mental health and low socioeconomic status. This study investigated the perceptions which three special education teachers (SETs) held of a newly established special education reading specialist (SERS) role that aimed to support the …

Burn Cost Modeling For Surface Grinding Optimization, Taiwo Fasae

Dissertations (1934 -)

Surface grinding plays a pivotal role in the machining industry, constituting roughly 25% of all machining operations worldwide. Its precision and efficiency are crucial, particularly in sectors requiring high-quality surface finishes, such as aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing. For thermal damage prevention, traditional approaches to parameter selection use thresholds to exclude burn-prone parameters. However, by omitting the cost of burn, the threshold-exclusion strategy yields outcomes that fail to reflect the true costs of grinding. This dissertation introduces a novel burn cost model that transcends these limitations, offering a more nuanced and cost-effective approach to managing grinding burn. The burn cost model …

Characterization Of Cortical Bone In Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Katarina Radmanovic

Dissertations (1934 -)

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable bone fragility disorder characterized by skeletal deformities and frequent fractures. Impairment of the collagen network in bone reduces bone quality and quantity, increasing the risk of fracture. The corrective osteotomy required to insert a rod into a long bone during corrective orthopaedic surgeries in OI excises at least one small bone wedge. Research on these specimens is beginning to offer valuable insight into the material behavior and modeling potential for improved orthopaedic treatment. There is a paucity of data on macroscopic properties and microstructural metrics as well as limited correlation analyses performed between them …

Determining The Differentially Expressed Genes By Bayesian Decision Rule, Tao Cui

Dissertations (1934 -)

dentification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying various biological conditions and diseases. Traditionally, this process utilizes statistical methods which manage high-dimensional data and adjust for multiple testing to ensure statistical and biological relevance. These methods assume the independence of genes, which is not usually the case, many of genes are correlated when there is a stimilation. In this dissertation, we will work on the methods that consider the correlation in finding the DEGS to improve the power of tests. We have developed a novel approach to multiple hypothesis testing using Bayesian decision rules …

Stability Of The S-N Bond In S-Nitrosothiols: Computational And Experimental Approach, Rustam Sabitov

Dissertations (1934 -)

S-Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are chemical compounds capable to transport nitric oxide (NO) and show promise in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. RSNOs occur naturally in-vivo, and others have been synthesized in-vitro as potential drug candidates for NO transport and release. However, RSNOs are inherently unstable due to their weak S–N bond (D0(S-N)=25–30 kcal/mol), so developing a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the RSNOs stability is crucial. In Chapter 2, we investigated the substituent effect on the -SNO group properties. Substituting R– in RSNOs with more electro-donating character can stabilize the –SNO group according to the Natural Resonance Theory (NRT). But …

Considerations For Widespread Implementation Of Blood-Based Biomarkers Of Alzheimer's Disease, Michelle Mielke, Matthew Anderson, Wesson Ashford, Andreas Jeromin, Pei-Jung Lin, Allyson Rosen, Jamie Tyrone, Lawren Vandevrede, Deanna Willis, Zul Merali

Brain and Mind Institute

Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses significant challenges to health care, often resulting in delayed or inadequate patient care. The clinical integration of blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) for AD holds promise in enabling early detection of pathology and timely intervention. However, several critical considerations, such as the lack of consistent guidelines for assessing cognition, limited understanding of BBM test characteristics, insufficient evidence on BBM performance across diverse populations, and the ethical management of test results, must be addressed for widespread clinical implementation of BBMs in the United States. The Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's Disease BBM Workgroup convened to address these challenges …

Peer Counseling For Perinatal Depression In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Alexander Cuncannon, Kailyn Seitz, Aneel Signh, Aliyah Dosani

Brain and Mind Institute

Perinatal depression is associated with adverse maternal, newborn and child health outcomes. Treatment gaps and sociocultural factors contribute to its disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Task-sharing approaches, such as peer counseling, have been developed to improve access to mental health services. We conducted a scoping review to map the current literature on peer counseling for perinatal women experiencing depression in LMICs. We searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Global Health and EMBASE for literature with no date limits. We included 73 records in our analysis, with most being systematic reviews and meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials and qualitative studies. …

Recommendations For Clinical Implementation Of Blood-Based Biomarkers For Alzheimer's Disease, Michelle Mielke, Matthew Anderson, Wesson Ashford, Andreas Jeromin, Pei-Jung Lin, Allyson Rosen, Jamie Tyrone, Lawren Vandevrede, Deanna Willis, Zul Merali, Chinedu Momoh

Brain and Mind Institute

Blood-based biomarkers (BBM) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are being increasingly used in clinical practice to support an AD diagnosis. In contrast to traditional diagnostic modalities, such as amyloid positron emission tomography and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, BBMs offer a more accessible and lower cost alternative for AD biomarker testing. Their unique scalability addresses the anticipated surge in demand for biomarker testing with the emergence of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) that require confirmation of amyloid pathology. To facilitate the uptake of BBMs in clinical practice, The Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's Disease convened a BBM Workgroup to provide recommendations for two clinical implementational …

(Si13-09) Numerical Methods For Solving Nonlinear Fisher Equation Using Backward Differentiation Formula, Vikash Vimal, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Liju Pannikkal

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This paper examines the numerical solution of the nonlinear Fisher equation that is used to find the growth of tumour cells in the brain. By employing new methods that transform nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE) into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODE) through spatial discretization. The stability of the resulting nonlinear system is evaluated using Lyapunov’s criteria. Implicit stiff solvers, including various orders of backward differentiation formulas, are used to address the ODE system. The efficiency of these numerical methods is demonstrated through two examples, and a comparison with existing methods from the literature is conducted. Compared to traditional methods, the …

Unleashing The Power Of Polymeric Nanoparticles — Creative Triumph Against Antibiotic Resistance: A Review, Gaurisha Alias Resha Ramnath Naik, Amrita Arup Roy, Srinivas Mutalik, Namdev Dhas

Open Access archive

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) poses a universal concern owing to the widespread use of antibiotics in various sectors. Nanotechnology emerges as a promising solution to combat ABR, offering targeted drug delivery, enhanced bioavailability, reduced toxicity, and stability. This comprehensive review explores concepts of antibiotic resistance, its mechanisms, and multifaceted approaches to combat ABR. The review provides an in-depth exploration of polymeric nanoparticles as advanced drug delivery systems, focusing on strategies for targeting microbial infections and contributing to the fight against ABR. Nanoparticles revolutionize antimicrobial approaches, emphasizing passive and active targeting. The role of various molecules, including small molecules, antimicrobial peptides, proteins, …

Kebijakan Transmigrasi Dalam Kerangka Kesejahteraan Sosial Dan Ketahanan Nasional Di Provinsi Lampung, Heru Susetyo, Satrio Febriyanto, Tien Tis’Aini Latifah, Deden Ardiansyah, Feymi Angelina, Ibrahim Ghifar Hamadi, Najma Izzatul Haq, Nurroby Fatih

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

Transmigration in Lampung Province is part of Indonesia's national transmigration program, which aims to equalize development and reduce the population density of densely populated islands such as Java. Transmigration in Lampung began in 1905 with a colonial approach by the Dutch and continued during the Old Order New Order and began to decline after the 1998 reformation. The challenges of transmigration in Lampung include social and economic problems, integration of immigrants with local communities, and environmental impacts; the next challenge is the availability of health and welfare infrastructure and sustainable development. This study examines the dynamics of transmigration in Lampung …

Synthesis, Spectroscopic, And Characterization Of Novel Nano Sized Mannich Base Complexes With Pt (Iv) And Au (Iii) Ions And Assessing Their Antioxidants Activity, Alya'a J. Ahmed, Mahasin F. Alias

Baghdad Science Journal

This study focuses on the synthesis of nano pt(IV) and Au(III) Mannich base complexes derived from ciprofloxacin by the ultrasonic sonication method. The size and morphology of nanocomplex were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray differentiation (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Newly synthesized ligand and their metal complexes were tested for their ability to scavenge free radicals at concentrations between 6.25 and 100 µg/ml using their interaction with the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). It has been demonstrated that all compounds enhance antioxidant activity in …

Simultaneous Determination Of Lead And Cadmium In Environmental Samples Using Zinc-Diethyldithiocarbamates, Bashar Qasim

Baghdad Science Journal

Toxic metals have a serious impact on the ecological environment. The determination of these metal concentrations provides more information about their toxicity. In this study, a simple, rapid and selective spectrophotometric method with solid phase extraction method has been described for the simultaneous determination of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in environmental samples using a freshly precipitated zinc-diethyldithiocarbamate (Zn-(DDTC)2) as a reagent. The pre-concentration of Pb and Cd contents was performed according to solid phase extraction process. The determination of Pb+2 and Cd+2 based on the replacement of Zn+2 from the freshly precipitated Zn-(DDTC)2 by Pb+2 and Cd+2 in aqueous …

Comparison Of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering In Colloidal Silver Nanostar ‎And Colloidal Silver Nanocubes, Zinah Salahuddin Shakir, Sameer Khudhur Yaseen, Ayad Abdul Razzak Dhaigham

Baghdad Science Journal

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an extremely responsive and selective method that improves the Raman scattering signals of molecules utilizing nanomaterials as substrates. SERS enables the identification of material in very low concentrations via electrical field amplification or chemical enhancement due to the localized surface Plasmon (LSP). In this work, low concentrations of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) were investigated as a water pollutant using liquid SERS based on colloidal Ag nanostructures. Two types of Ag nanostructures were prepared and utilized as liquid SERS substrates: nanostars (NSs) and nanocubes (NCs). A chemical reduction method was used for synthesizing Ag nanostructures from silver …

Academic Libraries, Counter-Storytelling, And Minoritized Students' Scholarly Identity Development, Darren Ilett

University Libraries Publications

This study uses the critical race theory approach of counter-storytelling to explore scholarly identity development among first-generation, low-income, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and women students transitioning to graduate school. Data included interview transcripts, observation notes, and student assignments from a program that supports students in completing an original research project and applying for graduate school. Findings show the frequent negative stereotypes about students that circulate in higher education as well as students' own counter-stories that reimagine academia and their place in it. Implications include ways that libraries can better support students' scholarly identity development.

...Of Cabbages And Kings, Fall 2024, Emeriti Society, University Of The Pacific

Emeriti Newsletter: "...Of Cabbages and Kings"

"...Of Cabbages and Kings" is the newsletter of the University of the Pacific Emeriti Society. Read more about the Emeriti Society of Pacific by clicking here.

Towards Understanding Capacity Development As A System: Perceptions From Multiple Conservation Stakeholder Groups In Bhutan, Jeremy S. Brooks, Sonam Wangyel Wang, Ugyen Namgyel, Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek, Katia Nakamura Lam, Johanna Eklund, Om Katel, Daniel C. Miller

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Capacity development is crucial for enduring conservation success. Recent scholarship has called for a systems perspective based on input from local stakeholders to better understand and develop conservation capacity. However, few studies have adopted such an approach to explore interactions among capacities or how capacity development needs and priorities evolve. We address this gap through a case study from Bhutan, centred on perceptions from 52 local conservation practitioners, planners, funders and community members. We use mixed methods to identify which capacities have been important for conservation success, which capacities are needed for future success, which capacities are foundational and how …

Drinking Water And Wastewater In Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities In New Mexico: The Utilization Of Geographic Information Systems To Identify Communities Most In Need Of Technical Assistance, Alejandra Gaytan Tellez

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

The goal of this study is to identify the most burdened New Mexico community water systems (CWSs) and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to be able to provide them with technical assistance to address their issues, such as health-based and monitoring and reporting violations. Additionally, technical assistance can help them access federal or state funding to improve the infrastructure within their systems. The study evaluated multiple factors to determine the systems with the highest level of burden and reported the results as value numbers. The CWSs were evaluated on 10 factors that …

Une Com Research And Scholarship Fall Forum November 2024, Une Com Research & Scholarship

Osteopathic Student Research Symposia

Program including abstracts from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s 2024 Research and Scholarship Fall Forum.

Supplemental content: List of award winners.