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Graduate Medical Education Annual Report 2021-2022, Children's Mercy Kansas City

GME Annual Reports

Annual report of the Children's Mercy Hospital Graduate Medical Education department, including pediatric residency, internal medicine/pediatrics residency, fellowship programs, medical students, continuing medical education, and library services.

Contextualizing Artificial Intelligence: The History, Values, And Epistemology Of Technology In The Philosophy Of Science, Christopher Grimsley

Theses and Dissertations--Philosophy

Artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies pose new questions for philosophers of science regarding epistemology, science and values, and the history of science. I will address these issues across three essays in this dissertation. The first essay concerns epistemic problems that emerge with existing accounts of scientific explanation when they are applied to deep neural networks (DNNs). Causal explanations in particular, which appear at first to be well suited to the task of explaining DNNs, fail to provide any such explanation. The second essay will explore bias in systems of automated decision-making, and the role of various conceptions of …

Arginine Catabolism And Polyamine Biosynthesis Pathway Disparities Within Francisella Tularensis Subpopulations, Yinshi Yue, Bhanwar Lal Puniya, Tomáš Helikar, Benjamin Girardo, Steven H. Hinrichs, Marilyn A. Larson

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious zoonotic pathogen with as few as 10 organisms causing tularemia, a disease that is fatal if untreated. Although F. tularensis subspecies tularensis (type A) and subspecies holarctica (type B) share over 99.5% average nucleotide identity, notable differences exist in genomic organization and pathogenicity. The type A clade has been further divided into subtypes A.I and A.II, with A.I strains being recognized as some of the most virulent bacterial pathogens known. In this study, we report on major disparities that exist between the F. tularensis subpopulations in arginine catabolism and subsequent polyamine biosynthesis. The genes …

Species-Specific Responses To Landscape Features Shaped Genomic Structure Within Alaska Galliformes, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Robert E. Wilson, Sandra L. Talbot

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

Aim: Connectivity is vital to the resiliency of populations to environmental change and stochastic events, especially for cold-adapted species as Arctic and alpine tundra habitats retract as the climate warms. We examined the influence of past and current landscapes on genomic connectivity in cold-adapted galliformes as a critical first step to assess the vulnerability of Alaska ptarmigan and grouse to environmental change. We hypothesize that the mosaic of physical features and habitat within Alaska promoted the formation of genetic structure across species.

Location: Alaska, United States of America.

Taxa: Ptarmigan and Grouse (Galliformes: Tetraoninae).

Methods: We collected double digest restriction-site- …

Western Herbalism: What Drives Individuals Within Rhode Island To Study This Ancient Healing Modality?, Kyla Shea

Student Publications

People globally rely on herbal practices as their main form of healing, yet few people in the West understand how to properly identify and effectively use herbs. This loss of knowledge regarding traditional healing practices was done so intentionally during enslavement and colonization, resulting in exploitation and misinterpretation of herbal practices. By reclaiming this knowledge, it is not only a way to improve the health of communities and the land, but it is also a way of reclaiming ancestral traditions and connection with oneself. Furthermore, this research paper explores the complexities of Western herbalism and determines what drives individuals within …

2022 Summary Of Synod 2022 For Councils, Crcna

Agendas and Acts of Synod

Grand Rapids, MI: Rev. José Rayas, president; Rev. Derek Buikema, vice president; Rev. Aaron J. Vriesman, first clerk; Ms. Luann D. Sankey, second clerk

Immature Bull Shark Habitat Use And Residency In The Manatee River, A Non-Thermally Altered Nursery Area, Cecilia Hampton

Theses & ETDs

The Manatee River is a non-thermally altered estuarine river that flows into the southern edge of Tampa Bay. Prior studies suggest that temperature and salinity are the primary factors driving juvenile bull shark habitat use. However, previously-studied nurseries at latitudes similar to the Manatee River have been in thermally-altered rivers. The objective was to examine immature bull shark use of this habitat in relation to variation in temperature and salinity. A network of acoustic receivers was deployed within the Manatee River to track movements of acoustically-tagged juvenile bull sharks (n=20). Incorporating data from New College’s temperature/salinity loggers and from USGS …

Targeting Egfr-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells With Carm1 Inhibitors, Anastasia Gregory

Theses & ETDs

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths, and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) make up the majority of cases. EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients have been found to develop resistance to chemotherapeutic agents such as third generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, osimertinib, over time. This study aimed to determine the effects of CARM1 inhibitors on EGFR-mutant NSCLC cell lines and to assess if a CARM1 inhibitor (CARM1i) shows cooperativity with osimertinib to reduce viability of EGFR-mutant NSCLC cell lines. This study involved a colorimetric thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to determine cell viability for a series of single and …

Physiological Indicators Of Menstrual Cycle Phase: A Two-Part Study On Developing A Method Of Menstrual Cycle Phase Determination And Assessment Of Menstrual Cycle Impacts On Brain Activation, Anna Feldbush

Theses & ETDs

The menstrual cycle, and associated variations in hormone status, are a powerful moderator of both behavioral and physiological variables. However, current methods of determining menstrual cycle phase in research are largely unreliable and often cumbersome to put to use in a study. This two-part study examined two bio-markers of menstrual cycle phase for the application in research. Study 1 assessed the viability of salivary ferning - a crystal pattern formed in dried saliva that is linked to ovarian hormone status -- in identifying menstrual cycle phase. The two sampling types used in this study demonstrated that although salivary ferning patterns …

Racial Inequality: An Economic And Philosophical Approach, Isabel Nieves

Theses & ETDs

I provide evidence that there is racial inequality in the criminal justice system, and that our criminal justice system is flawed. I look at the effects of the incarceration rates among different races, and how this has a domino effect into other aspects of the Black community. I look at how this affects mental health, segregation, and employment in Black communities. I look at why our criminal justice system is flawed through a John Rawlisan approach through his principles of justice, and Charles Mills' criticism of John Rawls, as well as Tommie Shelby. I look at policies in which we …

Understanding Perceptions Of Fictional Depictions Of Autism In The Media, Maya Kierski

Theses & ETDs

The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a developmental and neurological disorder that is characterized by repetitive behaviors and difficulty with social skills and communication, has been growing significantly in the last few decades. As this group expands, we need to know more about people with ASD, their needs, and their experiences. One way to learn more about these aspects of ASD is to investigate how characters with Autism Spectrum Disorder are perceived by people with and without ASD. Here we compared the responses of people with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder to questions about ASD and portrayals of fictional …

Modeling Ecological Interactions Between Two Species Of Parasitoid Wasps, Michelle Voight

Theses & ETDs

The competitive exclusion principle is a commonly accepted notion within ecology; it asserts that two species with identical niches can not coexist indefinitely over ecologi- cal time. The Lotka-Volterra model of competition explores this notion by predicting the outcome of competitive events between two species. Using data on two species of parasitoid wasps, Nasonia vitripennis and Melittobia digitata, this model was ap- plied to determine the outcome of interspecific competition. The analysis found the population growth of M. digitata was possibly negatively impacted by the presence of N. vitripennis. Comparatively, the results indicated N. vitripennis was likely to be either …

Spatial Modeling Of The Relative Abundance Of Bird Populations In Peninsular Florida Using Citizen Science Data, Veronica Lee

Theses & ETDs

In our thesis, we will model the relative abundance of ten selected bird species in peninsular Florida using data from eBird, a citizen science project developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We will implement strategies developed by the Cornell Lab to make best use of citizen science data in the modeling context, such as imposing structure on the data by filtering for effort on the behalf of eBird participants. We will begin by conducting generalized linear modeling using the quasi- Poisson, negative binomial, and zero-inflated Poisson distributions for the response variable. We will use covariates related to both environment …

An Exploration Of Gis Interpolation Methods For Determining Trends In Environmental Factors Along The Elbow Ridge, West Florida Shelf, Jessica Franks

Theses & ETDs

Transects along the Elbow, a popular offshore fishing area in the West Florida Shelf, were run by cruises using a towed underwater video camera system called C-BASS collecting benthic and pelagic data including depth, salinity, temperature, chlorophyll, red beam C and light backscatter. These cruises were part of a larger project called the Continental Shelf Characterization Assessment and Mapping Project. This thesis furthers current literature of C- BASS data, asks what trends are present within environmental factors in the Elbow, and documents water conditions along the Elbow, which may aid in future research as the global climate changes and help …

A Grizzly Situation An Issue Assessment Of Grizzly Bear Management In The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Macie Robison

Theses & ETDs

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the few remaining areas in the contiguous United States that contains a stable and thriving population of grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis). Management policies and practices have heavily impacted the success of this species’ survival. This thesis examines the relationship between the public, government agencies, and the state of Yellowstone’s grizzly population both spatially and temporally. It addresses both historic and current issues facing grizzly bears in the ecosystem today, and includes stakeholder perspectives gathered through unstructured interviews, historic documents, and legislation. It concludes that the future management of grizzly bears is …

Is Engaging In Social Activism A Physician’S Ethical Responsibility, Specifically As It Pertains To Racial Justice?, Samantha Blackwood

Theses & ETDs

This thesis answers the presented question in the affirmative, stating that it is a responsibility of physicians and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) to participate in social activism for racial justice. This is done in four section. The Introduction subsections aim to recognize structural racism in the medical field through historical examples and their residual impacts, explaining why physicians/HCPs should be included in the opposition and deconstruction of systemic racism, and why action should be taken in the form of social activism. Chapter 1 addresses the current literatures uses the terms of Advocacy and Activism in the health field. With subsections …

Let’S Leap! : Dynamic Museum Experiences For Children With Autism, Ivana Johnson

Theses & ETDs

This thesis combines concepts from art and science museum education to create an accessible education program titled “Let’s Leap!”. The program is designed to meet the needs of all learners with special attention to the Autism Spectrum Disorder community. I have selected three major methodologies as vehicles for teaching. The methodologies are the universal design for learning by Anne Meyer and David Gordon, visual thinking strategies formulated by Phillip Yenawine and Abigail Housen, and the 5Es designed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study.

Examining The Role Of Premenstrual Symptomatology In Emotion Regulation, Interoceptive Awareness, & Cortisol Reactivity To Competition, Sophia Laney

Theses & ETDs

Premenstrual disorders, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), are defined by significant fluctuations in mood, behavior, and cognition across the menstrual cycle that are inextricably linked to a differential sensitivity to cyclical hormone changes. This thesis aimed to investigate several psychological and biological correlates of premenstrual symptomatology, including emotion regulation difficulties and interoceptive abilities, as well as how premenstrual disorders are connected to cortisol reactivity and competitive stress. Two different studies were conducted to achieve this. In Study 1, self-reports, along with a competitive behavioral task and hormone assay data, were used to assess 54 participants’ extent of premenstrual symptomatology, cortisol …

“The Hand That Rocks The Cradle:” Exploring Contemporary Depictions Of Motherhood In Literature, Thalia Sanchez

Theses & ETDs

This thesis focuses on exploring depictions of motherhood in popular twentieth and twenty-first century literature. I use shifting trends in maternal literature as a means of identifying women’s shifting anxieties and frustrations around motherhood, specifically through the lens of the traditional nuclear family structure. In Chapter 1, I analyze the cultural mythology of the Virgin Mary, in conjunction with Shin Kyung-sook’s novel Please Look After Mom. The aim of this chapter is to create an understanding of what it takes to be considered a “good mother,” and the limitations of the sociocultural vision of the perfect mother. In Chapter 2, …

The Effects Of Cannabidiol Exposure On The Nervous System Regeneration Of The Planarian Dugesia Dorotocephala, Talia Neally

Theses & ETDs

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical currently being researched for its potential medical applications which are thought to include pain, nausea, and muscle tension, anxiety, and depression. An under-explored use for CBD and its medical capabilities is treating pregnant women for the most uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately, there is little to no knowledge currently available as to whether use of CBD during pregnancy is safe for the developing fetus. The present study uses planaria as a model for CBD exposure during development. As will be reviewed, planaria consist of 30% stem cells known as neoblasts which gives them the unique ability …

Homology Modeling Of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase From A Halophilic Bacteria, Julia Sweeney

Theses & ETDs

A novel species of halophilic bacteria from a Florida marine environment (Zooshikella MI-3) was identified, its genome sequenced, and a likely Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) identified by sequence similarity. In this thesis project, a three dimensional structure was proposed for this G6PD enzyme using sequence homology in SWISS-MODEL. The structure was refined and verified for accuracy using the YASARA, ProtParam, MolProbity, SAVES Verify3D and ProSA web servers. A biological assembly was created via structural homology using the dimer G6PD of L. mesenteroides. Surface interactions between protein chains were quantified in Chimera and ChimeraX and compared to those from known crystal structures …

Indigenous Aesthetics And Post-Revolutionary Nationalism: Defining Mexicanidad Through The Popular Arts And The Best-Maugard Method, Katie Margerison

Theses & ETDs

After the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920, President Álvaro Obregón (1920-1924) enacted a national reconstruction plan that aimed to establish a unified national identity through visual culture. The plan foregrounded efforts toward the cultural inclusion and integration of Mexico’s substantial yet marginalized indigenous population. Through a variety of government-sponsored events, initiatives, and educational programs related to the visual arts, Obregón sought to unify the nation by promoting indigenous culture as integral to Mexican identity. In this thesis, I examine the key ways in which Obregón’s administration was involved in popularizing indigenous aesthetics and integrating them into modern Mexican culture, while …

In The Misery Business: Female Serial Killers As Seen In U.S Popular Media, Natalie Roldan

Theses & ETDs

This thesis identifies stereotypes and gender issues that are all-encompassing in serial killers, more specifically female serial killers in the United States. The subsequent representation in the media through connections between psychology, criminology, and popular culture show how many female criminals and serial killers have been changed to fit the narrative of the professionals in said fields. Using the theories of Cesare Lombroso and Sigmund Freud as time markers for the period that they were written in. Using articles from feminist journals, psychological journals, and historical journals based around criminology, along with film reviews and basic background information, this thesis …

Not Another Cinderella Story: Immigrant And Refugee Storytellers In Contemporary Youth Literature, Alexandra Conte

Theses & ETDs

This thesis argues that immigrant and refugee youth protagonists in Erin Entrada Kelly’s The Land of Forgotten Girls, Tae Keller’s When You Trap a Tiger, and Daniel Nayeri’s Everything Sad is Untrue use storytelling to navigate trauma. In recent years, prestigious youth literature awards such as the Newbery and Printz have gone to diverse books, including books depicting immigrants or refugee children that use storytelling to cope with traumas such as poverty, abuse, grief, and displacement. In Kelly and Keller’s novels, the Asian American protagonists inherit the position of the family storyteller to heal the matriarchal family unit following the …

Inhabiting International Relations: Indigenous Rights And Land Degradation, Abigail Floyd

Theses & ETDs

This thesis is a portfolio of works exploring the interplay between international relations, Indigenous rights, and land degradation. The first paper provides an overview of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Working at the international level, the regime acknowledged the need for collective action and resource sharing to protect the land we inhabit. The UNCCD was an instance of developed countries coming together to advocate for themselves in a period of intense international interest in environmental protection. The second paper of this portfolio examines the relationship between democracy and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. The Brazilian Amazon is …

Patio Pollinators: Teaching Wildlife Gardening And Appreciation Through A Video Game, Malakai Hall

Theses & ETDs

Pollinator populations are in decline globally. Pollinator gardens, even small ones, play a vital role in supporting urban pollinator populations. The beneficial effects of pollinator gardens are increased when the gardens are planted with native species. However, figuring out which species are native to a given area and which ones are best for pollinators takes time and energy that may deter many from starting a garden. Given the teaching power of games, I have created a video game that teaches its players to establish and care for a pollinator garden with flora native to the Sarasota area. The purpose of …

Comeback Stage: Trends Of Indianness In K-Pop | Performance Theory Feat. Video Essays, Kanti Gudur

Theses & ETDs

This interdisciplinary thesis examines trends of Indianness in the context of K-pop and is accompanied by a performance component in the form of a video essay. Through analysis of multi-media sources, I establish and explore the relationship between performances of racial and ethnic identity and K-pop. This is accomplished by analyzing trends of Indianness from the last decade through the lenses of Performance Studies and Psychology. The video essay and thesis are complements to each other, as they both examine the same sites of analysis, but are directed toward different audiences. The thesis prioritizes thoroughness and interaction with theory, while …

Ludic Becoming, Joshua Pettit

Theses & ETDs

No abstract provided.

The Spatial Analysis Of Seagrass Bed Propeller Scarring In Sarasota County, Bella Shuler

Theses & ETDs

Seagrass is important to marine ecosystems because of its immense oxygen production, protection provided for and from other organisms, and influence on water quality. Humans have the ability to impact the important marine plant seagrass in several ways. One of the damaging ways that have widespread effects is through propeller scars formed by boats. South of Tampa Bay, the smaller Sarasota Bay has experienced several seagrass restoration projects over the past decades as a result of propeller scarring. This study aimed to determine the number of scars, as well as the hot and cold spots of scarring, and visually analyze …

Corals, Cassiopea, And Climate Change: An Assessment Of Cassiopea Xamachana As A Model Organism For Coral-Algal Symbioses, Caroline Link

Theses & ETDs

The driving force between the high biodiversity and productivity of coral reefs is corals’ symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellates within the family Symbiodiniaceae. Recent studies have found that Symbiodiniaceae species differ in their physiological thermotolerances and that symbiont identity is a key determinant of a coral host’s susceptibility and acclimation to increased temperature. However, the specific thermotolerances between species and among species strains remain partially unknown. This is due in part to the difficulty associated with maintaining ex hospite symbionts in culture and sourcing intact coral-algal holobionts with a symbiont that has known physiology when in culture. Cassiopea xamachana jellyfish, …