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Total Phenolic, Flavonoids And Vitamin C Contents With Antioxidant Activity Of Urtica Dioica L. Leaves Growing In Zakho, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, Gharbia A. Omer, Lina Y. Mohammed

Baghdad Science Journal

The genus Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) is frequently grown in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and is used as a folk remedy by the locals to heal a variety of illnesses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the total phenolic, flavonoid and vitamin C contents using spectrophotometric method with the determination of antioxidant activities for different solvents such as (aqueous, ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane) using different antioxidant methods namely (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, reducing power assay, total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide scavenging, hydroxyl radical, β -carotene- Linoleic acid and iron chelating assays) and ascorbic acid as standard reference. Our …

Modification Of The Multi-Stage Treatment (Anaerobic- Anoxic- Oxic) By Adding Almond Shells As Biological Carriers, Raghad Alshalabi, Rasin Zakieh, Naeima Ajib

Baghdad Science Journal

In this study, the treatment process Anaerobic- Anoxic- Oxic (A2O) was modified by adding almond shells as biological carriers. The performance of it has been evaluated in two groups for simultaneous removal of organic matter and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) from wastewater. In both groups the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 12.5 hours and mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) was 2000 mg/L. In the first group: The Oxic bioreactor was filled with packing up to 7% on an effective volume basis. In the second group: All bioreactors were filled with packing up to 7% on a volume basis for each …

Quantifying Image Quality In Aoslo Images Of Photoreceptors, Brea D. Brennan, Heather Heitkotter, Joseph Carroll, Sergey Tarima, Robert F. Cooper

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The use of “quality” to describe the usefulness of an image is ubiquitous but is often subject to domain specific constraints. Despite its continued use as an imaging modality, adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) lacks a dedicated metric for quantifying the quality of an image of photoreceptors. Here, we present an approach to evaluating image quality that extracts an estimate of the signal to noise ratio. We evaluated its performance in 528 images of photoreceptors from two AOSLOs, two modalities, and healthy or diseased retinas. The algorithm was compared to expert graders’ ratings of the images and previously published …

Development Of A Wearable Short-Wave Infrared Photoplethysmography Device For Detection And Monitoring Of Hemodilution During Postpartum Hemorrhage, Hannah Gruensfelder

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS

A Thesis on the Development of a Wearable Short-Wave Infrared Photoplethysmography Device for Detection and Monitoring of Hemodilution During Postpartum Hemorrhage

by

Hannah Gruensfelder

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Washington University in St. Louis, 2024

Professor Christine O’Brien, Chair

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal death and morbidity, affects nearly 14 million people worldwide each year, disproportionally impacting racial minorities and people in low resource settings. A timely diagnosis of PPH is key in providing optimal patient care, as an estimated 90% of deaths due to PPH are preventable with early diagnosis and …

Student Self-Efficacy And Attitude In Organic Chemistry: A Comparison Of Two Pedagogical Approaches, Matthew Autry

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Cardiovascular Risk As A Mediator Of Associations Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor With Longitudinal Brain And Cognitive Trajectories In Older Adults, Jennifer Shearon

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Prior work has shown that higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with better brain health and cognitive function. There is also evidence that BDNF is present in cardiovascular tissue and that it may be beneficial for cardiovascular function. This is evidenced by higher BDNF being associated with lower incidence of coronary heart disease and mortality, and with lower incidence of cardiovascular risk factors. The goal of the current study was to investigate the relationship between BDNF and cardiovascular function, and to assess whether there is a mediating or moderating role of cardiovascular health in the relationship between …

Sheep Grazing Influences The Abundance, Diversity, And Community Composition Of Wild Bees And Other Insects In Livestock Pastures, Roshani Sharma Acharya, Timothy B. Leslie, Joan Burke, Kusum Naithani, Emily Fitting, Kelly Loftin, Neelendra K. Joshi

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pollinators contribute to the establishment of perennial native forages, but little is known about the effect of grazing practices on pollinator abundance and diversity in livestock pasture ecosystems. Grazing reduces floral resources available to bees and other insects, and as a result, may influence their communities. The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of sheep grazing on bees and other non-bee insects in livestock pasture established with seed mixes of native forb/legume/grass and warm season grasses. Each pasture was divided into two halves (in a split-plot design) using an electric fence in which one plot was …

Beyond The Bedroom Door: Investigating Representations Of Sex In Young Adult Literature, Amelia Gutche

English Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines representations of sex in young adult (YA) fiction, focusing on negative patterns, empowerment, and healthy relationships. Through analysis of seven YA novels and existing scholarship, three research questions are addressed: the evolution of sexual representations in the twenty-first century, patterns characterizing teenage sexual situations, and distinctions between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Findings reveal a shift toward more inclusive and empowering depictions, yet lingering conservative values and silences persist. YA literature often portrays sex as a source of fear and obsession, limiting adolescent power and perpetuating unrealistic ideals. Healthy relationships are characterized by support systems, mutual respect, and …

Spatiotemporal Gait Parameter Consistency Across Two Days Of Treadmill Walking In Stroke Survivors, Alejandro Aguirre Ramirez, Samantha N. Jeffcoat, Natalia Sanchez, Andrian Kuch

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Retraining impaired gait is essential in post-stroke recovery. This project aims to determine between day variability of spatiotemporal gait measures in treadmill walking post-stroke to differentiate between changes due to the intervention and measurement errors due to between day test-retest variability. Six individuals post-stroke performed a two-minute walk test at a self-selected speed (SSS) for two consecutive days. SSS was assessed through the six-minute walk test. Reflective markers were placed on anatomical landmarks (van den Bogert et al. 2013). The heel markers were used for step detection. We calculated spatiotemporal parameters: stride length, stride time, step length, stance time, and …

Spring 2024 Student Scholar Symposium Abstract Volume, Chapman University Center For Undergraduate Excellence

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Impact Of Subject Placement On Exam Questions​, Briana M. Craig, Jeremy L. Hsu

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Quizzes and exams are crucial elements of undergraduate biology courses; however, little research has been done exploring the importance of the phrasing used in the questions on these assessments. Question framing has the potential to impact student performance and sense of belonging greatly. In this study, we conducted an experiment where we created three versions of the exact same question except for the framing for the experimental scenarios. One version was written with self-referential framing using the term “you,” simulating the student conducting the experiment; another version used classmate-referential framing, placing one of their peers in the experiment; the third …

Introduction Of The Anatomy Academy Program To Children In A Rural Elementary School, Rox Aurelio, Madison Dobbs, Nicole Horn, Gianni Terrana

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Children in rural communities experience health and education disparities. Early exposure to health promoting habits can positively impact future health habits. Healthcare providers who grew up in rural areas are more likely to practice in rural areas. Doctor of physical therapy students and physical therapists implemented Anatomy Academy, a service-learning program aimed at promoting healthy living and introducing healthcare occupations, to elementary students in a rural area as this program had previously only been implemented in urban areas. The Biomedical Institutional Review Board at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas approved this study. A 40-minute lesson was delivered weekly for …

Study Of Plan Of The Day Adaptive Radiation Therapy Validity, Zane W. Burnett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Radiation therapy is the use of radiation sources or generators to treat patients. The most common usage is in the treatment of cancers. Adaptive radiation therapy (ART) is the use of either multiple radiation therapy plans or adjusting a radiation therapy plan for daily anatomical changes. Soft tissue in the lower abdomen and pelvis can be greatly displaced depending on a variety of factors, especially bladder and rectum fill. This paper focuses on the creation of multiple plans prior to treatment to have options each day. Depending on the alignment and anatomical changes, clinicians can choose which one is most …

Characterizing The Molecular And Cellular Changes Of Senescent Cells Induced By Diverse Stressors In 2d And 3d Microenvironments, Apoorva Chauhan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Aging is a risk factor for myriad diseases and is often associated with the accumulation of senescent cells. Cellular senescence, a process of irreversible cell cycle arrest, is associated with various changes in cellular morphology and function. While senescence will occur naturally in a time-dependent manner, it can be prematurely induced by various extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Most senescence studies model cell behavior in two-dimensional (2D) microenvironments; however, these models are not physiologically relevant. In this study, the effects of naturally occurring reactive oxygen species (ROS) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and commonly used chemotherapy drugs, doxorubicin and palbociclib, on cellular senescence …

“Sex Is Fun”: A Study Of Hook Up Behaviors And Experiences Of Post-College And Middle-Aged Adults, Joshua Corum

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research is a qualitative study of the hook up and casual sex behaviors and experiences of those in full adulthood, focusing on their motivations to hook up and the subsequent outcomes of those casual sex activities. Most of the existing scholarship on hooking up and casual sex primarily investigates the behaviors, attitudes, and experiences of college students within emerging adulthood. Little consideration is made for the ways in which adults negotiate hooking up and casual sex in other stages over the life course and after major life transitions. In this dissertation, I asked three questions: 1) How do adults …

Regulation Of Embryonic Eye Regrowth In Xenopus Laevis, Dylan Guerin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Regrowth of lost organs and tissues is an amazing ability that some animals possess. For regrowth to be considered full, the organism must regrow the organ or tissue to a state that is structurally and functionally similar to that which was lost. The ability of an organism to regrow lost or damaged tissue varies among animals, both in the mechanisms utilized to achieve regrowth, and in what body parts can be regrown. Potentially even closely related species can vary wildly in regenerative ability. Therefore, regenerative research can look to other tissues and organisms for direction in elucidating the mechanisms through …

Osteoarthritis In The Temporomandibular Joint And Knee Joint: A Macroscopic Study Of Cadaver Specimens, Jeremy James

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this study, thirty-one TMJs and twenty-eight knee joints were dissected from seventeen cadaveric subjects aged 69 to 95. Degenerative/osteoarthritic changes on the mandibular condyles, mandibular fossae, and femoral condyles were evaluated macroscopically and assigned a score on a disease severity scale (DSS) from 0 signifying “normal cartilage” to 4 signifying “severe OA”. Osteoarthritic changes were found in all TMJ and knee specimens. The average mandibular condyle DSS score was 2.68 ± 0.96, while the average mandibular fossa score was 2.90 ± 0.76; this difference in scores was significant (P = 0.035). Additionally, the mandibular fossa was equally or more …

Promoting Positive Dementia Attitudes Through Occupational Engagement: The Development Of A Dementia Awareness Program For Community Older Adults, Cynthia Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: This capstone project explored the effects of adding occupational engagement into a dementia awareness program on attitudes toward dementia among community-dwelling older adults, aiming to challenge dementia myths and promote an inclusive environment through occupational therapy perspectives. Methods: This project used a pre-test, post-test design with convenience sampling to develop and assess a dementia awareness program based on insights from Silverado Red Rock Memory Care Community and participation from members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the program. Changes in positive attitudes toward dementia were measured using the Dementia Attitudes …

Feasibility Of An Occupation-Based Intervention Manual For Outpatient Hand Clinics, Mia Moralez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose

The purpose of this quality improvement study was to determine the usefulness of an Occupation-based Intervention Manual (OBI) for hand therapists in Southern Nevada and if the utilization of the OBI manual supported client-centered outcomes regardless of diagnosis, age, or population.

Methods

Convenience sampling was used, and five participants met the inclusion criteria in the twelve-week study. Pre-interview questionnaire responses from the therapists were used to develop the OBI manual content and corresponding Utilization Tracker. Post-interview questionnaire responses were used to determine the application and outcomes of the OBI manual. Descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, and thematic analysis were used …

Mixed Methods Approach To Assess ‘Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor’ Activity Within ‘Alternative’ Health Contexts Of Human Maternal Placentophagy, Jacob C. White

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Rats with elevated opioid levels experience an even greater increase in pain threshold after placenta or amniotic fluid consumption via placental opioid-enhancing factor (POEF) in the afterbirth. POEF only enhances opioid hypoalgesia; it cannot produce hypoalgesia alone. Although the POEF molecule remains unidentified and its efficacy in humans is unknown, it could be a safe, novel pain treatment. People who consume placenta as an alternative postpartum health practice are ideal for testing POEF bioactivity. Though rat models show that bioactive POEF is highly sensitive, some forms of the practice in humans may conserve POEF.

This project is the first attempt …

An Educational Toolkit For Addressing Women’S Sexual Health And Activity: Preparation For Occupational Therapists, Brittan Wright

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Despite being an activity of daily living within the scope of Occupational Therapy, issues and concerns related to sexual health are infrequently addressed within practice. This gap is especially prevalent as it relates to women's sexual health and sexual activity specifically. This capstone project evaluated Occupational Therapists' level of knowledge and comfort when discussing sexual activity and women's sexual health. It measured the effectiveness of creating an online educational toolkit to increase knowledge and confidence. The project used a quality improvement approach with pre-and post-test surveys to determine the effectiveness of the educational toolkit to enhance knowledge and confidence in …

Cellular Mechanisms Of Embryonic Eye Regrowth In Xenopus Laevis, Randolph L. Grell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, has been an indispensable model organism for over 100 years in the study of embryogenesis and development. In recent years, this vertebrate model has emerged as a robust tool for deciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying various modes of tissue, limb, and organ regeneration. In the context of eye repair, Xenopus offers a unique model, where the adult frog eye has limited regenerative capacity compared to its pre-metamorphic embryonic and tadpole forms, which exhibit a robust capacity for regrowth. Understanding the intricate molecular mechanisms that underlie this developmental shift in regrowth ability …

A Computational Framework For Predicting Cell-Specific Nucleo-Cytoskeletal Forces, Madison Leigh Goldfeldt

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the influence of mechanical forces on cell function and fate is crucial in unraveling the intricate mechanisms that govern cellular behavior. The cytoskeleton, a dynamic network of protein filaments, plays a pivotal role in sensing and transmitting mechanical cues within cells. The nucleus relies on cytoskeletal mechanical input through nuclear envelope adaptor proteins to sense external stimuli and respond by regulating intra-nuclear chromatin organization. This research provides a means for examining the interplay between mechanical forces and the cytoskeleton in regulating various cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration, division, and differentiation. Through studying and simulating the cellular response to …

Development And Characterization Of A Low Intensity Vibrational System For Microgravity Studies, Omor Khan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The advent of extended-duration human spaceflight demands a better comprehension of the physiological impacts of microgravity. One primary concern is the adverse impact on the musculoskeletal system, including muscle atrophy and bone density reduction. Ground-based microgravity simulations have provided insights, with vibrational bioreactors emerging as potential mitigators of these negative effects. Despite the potential they have, the adaptation of vibrational bioreactors for space remains unfulfilled, resulting in a significant gap in microgravity research. This paper introduces the first automated low-intensity vibrational (LIV) bioreactor designed specifically for the International Space Station (ISS) environment. Our research covers the bioreactor's design and characterization, …

Examining The Sexual Assault Grievance Process Through The Lens Of Title Ix Personnel On College Campuses, Kate Law

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Institutions of higher education (IHEs) have been federally mandated to prevent and respond to reports of sexual violence on campus via Title IX for over 30 years as the trauma that results from campus sexual assault is considered prohibitive to accessing education. Yet, students may not be the only parties harmed when sexual violence is perpetrated. Title IX personnel tasked with responding to campus sexual assault are also at risk of experiencing the negative effects of campus sexual assault in fulfillment of their job. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how Title IX personnel talk about their …

Comparison Of Properties And Fracture Patterns In Aged And Fresh Cortical Bone, Mckenna Roan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bone is a complex natural material that presents many challenges to researchers interested in characterizing its mechanical properties. There are different techniques, such as drying, embalming, and freezing, to preserve bones for engineering and scientific study. There are advantages and disadvantages to these techniques, and there have been limited studies comparing the effect of preservation techniques on the mechanical and fracture properties. In this research, aged and fresh bovine bone specimens are tested in compression while monitoring acoustic emissions (AE). Three main aspects of testing are investigated: the force-displacement curves, acoustic emission activity, and fracture patterns observed in X-ray computed …

A Journey To The Center Of The Cell: The Characterization Of Novel Non-Canonical Mechanisms Of Notch Signaling, Tana Ranae Gazdik

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Cellular signaling pathways are the main method of communication between cells throughout the body. Of the many complex signaling pathways, the Notch signaling pathway is an ancient, highly conserved pathway critical to most animal life. This pathway is not only able to respond to juxtracrine signals from neighboring cells, but also acts as a microenvironment sensor, allowing cells to react to a variety of situations. Thus, understanding the mechanisms behind the regulation of Notch signaling is crucial to improving our basic understanding of Notch in cell biology and development. This dissertation introduces two previously undescribed non-canonical regulatory mechanisms of the …

Biological And Environmental Factors Associated With The Autumn Migration Timing Of North American Raptors, Nora R. Honkomp

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Migration is an energetically expensive and risky event in the life cycles of many organisms, and migration impacts survival and reproductive success through direct and carry-over effects. The timing of migration departure from the summer breeding grounds is important for determining the probability of survival and physical condition upon arrival at wintering sites. Many internal and external factors contribute to departure timing. It is important to study these factors across species, populations, and individuals to determine which traits and conditions are most important for shaping departure timing and its variability. Improving our understanding of the factors that affect organisms’ phenological …

Nesting In Urban Areas Affects American Kestrel Home Range Size And Adult Female Health, Jessica Michele Taylor

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization is happening at an unprecedented rate, and wildlife must adapt or face population declines. American Kestrels inhabit urban areas, however, whether human-dominated landscapes impact kestrel space-use, survival and reproductive success is largely unknown. We monitored American Kestrel nest boxes along a gradient of urbanization, measured using impervious surface area (ISA), and deployed GPS tags on breeding adults to examine the relationship between urbanization, home range size, and adult and nestling health. Male kestrel home ranges were 9.14 times larger than female home ranges, and home range size decreased as ISA increased for both sexes (β = -1.96, SE = …

On-Chip Active Pulse-Clamp Stimulation (Apcs) For Rapid Recovery, Charge-Balanced Neural Stimulation, F. N. U. Tala

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Neurostimulations are widely utilized to modulate brains and nervous systems functions for therapeutic purposes. Traditional neurostimulation involves applying a direct current delivered to the excitable tissues to elicit neural response. There is a growing demand for a robust, rapid stimulation system that ensures chronic safety through charge balancing in vivo. This dissertation is a compilation of previously published works, detailing various board-level stimulators, an innovative on-chip stimulation technique, and a distributed modelling method.

Chapter one introduces MEDUSA, a cost-effective, multi-functional neurostimulation system capable of achieving multi-channel, arbitrary stimulation for neuroscience research.

Chapter two delves into a scripted distributed model framework …