Digital Commons Network^™

Associations Between Urine Specific Gravity And Race/Ethnicity At The Population Level: Implications For Hydration Status Categorization, Ian P. Winter, Brain K. Ferguson, Patrick B. Wilson

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Objective

We aimed to evaluate how urine specific gravity (USG) and rates of supposed hypohydration vary by race/ethnicity, and to examine how adjustment for several important factors impacts estimated USG.

Methods

Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this cross‐sectional study evaluated a total of 4195 (2098 female, 2097 male) Americans and categorized them as supposedly hypohydrated (USG≥1.020) or not using spot urine samples. USG and prevalence of supposed hypohydration were compared across racial/ethnic groups, separately by gender. The analyses considered the impact of urine creatinine, body composition, age, dietary nutrients, and physical activity.

Results

Differences in supposed hypohydration …

The Biobehavioral Effects Of Embryonic Exposure To Neural Inflammation And Oxidative Stress In Zebrafish, Dalton J. Anderson

Honors College Theses

The purpose of this research is to improve understanding of the neurodevelopmental effects of embryonic exposure to elevated inflammation and oxidative stress induced by the antipyretic drug acetaminophen (APAP). Our study was the first to examine the interactive effects of APAP and inflammation in zebrafish embryos and how the treatments affect brain development and larval behavior. Experimental groups of zebrafish larvae were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, APAP, or LPS + APAP and larval behavior was analyzed using Ethovision automated behavioral tracking software. We also measured changes in whole-brain Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK3B) and GSK3B phosphorylation, …

Assessment Of The Extraction And Quantification Of Pfbs From Sprague Dawley Rat Adipose Tissues, Joshua O. Osaghae

Honors College Theses

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of complex synthetic chemicals that have applications ranging from automotives to consumer products. PFAS have been found to bioaccumulate in the ecosystem as their carbon-fluorine bonds are among the strongest bonds in organic chemistry. Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) compounds are used as surfactants in water- and stain-repellent coatings for fabrics and carpets, cleaning agents, and paints. The persistence of PFAS has led to their accumulation in sources of groundwater, making them ubiquitous drinking water contaminants of concern with evidence linking PFAS exposure to adverse health effects, including reduced kidney function, thyroid disruption, and …

Fungal Activity In Fusarium Keratoplasticum Isolates With And Without Endohyphal Bacteria On Various Carbon Sources, Maya Brown

Honors College Theses

In recent years, the fungus Fusarium keratoplastic has been associated with failed sea turtle eggs. One fungal isolate collected from a failed egg collected on Wassaw Island, GA in 2020 contained endohyphal bacteria, bacteria living within the hyphae of the fungus. The type of endohyphal bacteria (EHB), as well as the relationship between the bacteria and fungal hosts, are currently unknown. Previous research on the same fungus and EHB, specifically Chitinophaga sp., discovered that EHB influenced the ability of the fungus to utilize carbon sources. Our research goal was to examine the metabolic relationship of Fusarium isolated from failed sea …

Ca2+ Binding Shifts Dimeric Dual Oxidase's Truncated Ef-Hand Domain To Monomer, Chin-Chuan Wei, Amena Razzak, Hadis Ghasmi

SIUE Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Hydrogen peroxide, produced by Dual Oxidase (Duox), is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Duox activation involves Ca2+ binding to its EF-hand Domain (EFD), which contains two EF-hands (EFs). In this study, we characterized a truncated EFD using spectrometry, calorimetry, electrophoretic mobility, and gel filtration to obtain its Ca2+ binding thermodynamic and kinetics, as well as to assess the associated conformational changes. Our results revealed that its 2nd EF-hand (EF2) exhibits a strong exothermic Ca2+ binding (Ka = 107 M−1) while EF1 shows a weaker binding (Ka = 105 M−1), resulting in the burial of its negatively charged residues. The Ca2+ …

Leveraging High Resolution Classifications And Random Forests For Hindcasting Decades Of Mesic Ecosystem Dynamics In The Landsat Time Series, N. E. Kolarik, Nawaraj Shrestha, T. Caughlin, J. S. Brandt

Conservation and Survey Division: Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2023, Aaron R. Young, Mark E. Burbach, Sue Olafsen Lackey, Robert Matthew Joeckel, Nawaraj Shrestha, Jeffrey Westrop

Conservation and Survey Division: Faculty and Staff Publications

This report is a synthesis of groundwater-level monitoring programs in Nebraska. It is a continuation of the series of annual reports and maps produced by the Conservation and Survey Division (CSD) of the University of Nebraska in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since the 1950s. Groundwater-level monitoring began in Nebraska in 1930 to survey the state’s groundwater resources and observe changes in its availability on a regular basis. The CSD and USGS cooperatively developed, maintained, and operated an observation-well network throughout the state. These two agencies were responsible for collecting and archiving this information, and for making it …

Age Dating Young Groundwater: How To Determine Groundwater Age From Environmental Tracer Data, D. K. Solomon, T. E. Gilmore

Conservation and Survey Division: Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Risk Factors Of Glioma In Non-Hispanic White And Hispanic Children In California, Lixin Kang

Public Health Theses

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of pediatric glioma in relation to multiple birth and parental characteristics as well as environmental exposures, in the overall California population and in racial and ethnic subgroups.

Methods: Leveraging a population-based linkage of statewide birth records and cancer registry data in California, we conducted a case-control study that included 3,244 cases who were born in California during 1982-2015 and diagnosed with first primary glioma at the age of 0-19 years during 1988-2015, and 162,200 controls who were born in California and frequency-matched to cases on year of birth. Odds ratios (OR) and …

How Marital Stress May Affect The Onset Of Dementia In Older Adults, Khunza Asma

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Marital stress has been identified as a significant factor influencing the cognitive health of older adults, with emerging evidence suggesting a potential link between marital discord and the risk of developing dementia. This study will review the existing literature on the relationship between chronic stress, depression, marital discord, and the development of cognitive impairment which can increase the risk of developing dementia in older adults. However, the purpose of studying how marital stress affects the onset of dementia is to deepen our understanding of the complex interplay between psychosocial factors and cognitive health in older adults, with the ultimate goal …

Integrative Machine Learning Approaches For Enhanced Classification Of Genomic Sequences: A Next-Generation Sequencing Perspective, Sujatha Alla, Nagesh Bheesetty, Sai Gireesh Komaragiri, Prasanthi Chidipudi, Joshit Mohanty, Sathish Kumar Chintala, Jubin Thomas, Jayapal Vummadi, Hemanth Volikatla, Navin Kamuni

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The advent of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques has revolutionized genomic research by enabling the rapid sequencing of DNA and RNA. This data can be used for various applications, including genome sequencing, transcriptome profiling, metagenomics, and epigenetics studies. For this study, DNA classifier dataset was extracted from UCI repository of machine learning databases. This vast amount of genomic data necessitates the development of sophisticated machine learning (ML) models for effective classification and analysis. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of various ML models, including Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forests (RF), and Neural Networks (NNs), approaches, in classifying genomic data. We …

Food Allergies, The Immune Response, And Preventative Treatments: Milk, Egg, And Shellfish Allergies, Marissa Dimatteo

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food allergies have been an increasing concern worldwide with very little information on preventative measures and treatment. They can have long lasting and life-threatening consequences with a wide range of symptoms from hives to anaphylactic shock. Long recommended feeding guidelines, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and gastrointestinal alterations are thought to play a role in the increase in food allergies in infants. Early introduction of food, immunotherapy, and a properly supported gut microbiome have been recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing a food allergy and desensitizing the immune system.

Community Science Informs Movement And Reproductive Ecology Of Sand Tigers Carcharias Taurus Off North Carolina, United States Of America, Carol Seals Price, Ara Lupton Mcclanahan, Erin J. Burge, Tanya Houppermans, Jason Holmberg

Marine Science

Sand tigers are frequently observed at shipwrecks and other artificial reef habitats off North Carolina (USA), but data about occupancy, movement ecology, and site fidelity are lacking. Spot A Shark USA researchers used Wildbook^© photoidentification software to spot map sand tigers in images provided by recreational SCUBA divers, or collected from remotely operated vehicles, and an offshore live-streaming camera. We uniquely identified 1837 sand tigers, 101 of which were resighted on more than one date between 2005–2021. Sand tigers of both sexes and various ages were found year-round along the northern, central and southern coast. We identified shipwrecks or …

A “War” Over Lobster And Whales: The Issue-Attention Cycle, Media Discourse, And Political Ecology Of Right Whale Science And Conservation In Six Us Newspapers, Marcus Reamer, Catherine Macdonald, Julia Wester, Russell Fielding, Meryl Shriver-Rice

Honors College Faculty Publications

News organizations and journalists are important and influential actors in environmental politics. Their reporting on social and environmental issues often follows issue-attention cycles (IACs) that emphasize drama and problematization to maintain public interest. This study examined nearly 13 years of news coverage to understand the media discourse about the Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) and its conservation. Content analysis and critical discourse analysis were used to analyze 356 texts published in six large US newspapers between January 1, 2010 and March 15, 2023. NARW conservation and management received increased public attention and an IAC began in 2017 after …

Incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge In Integrated Science In Junior Secondary School Curriculum, Charles Oando Opole

Master of Education

Indigenous knowledge, developed over generations through direct interaction with the environment, offers unique perspectives on ecological systems, resource management, and sustainable practices. Integrating this rich knowledge into the science curriculum acknowledges traditional knowledge's cultural diversity and relevance, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of scientific phenomena, and encouraging collaboration between diverse knowledge systems. This study sought to explore incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into the integrated science curriculum in junior secondary schools in Kenya, focusing on the Mbita sub-county, Homabay County. Utilizing a qualitative approach and a case study design, the study was conducted in five junior secondary schools. The findings …

Assessing School Self-Evaluation For Enhancing Academic Achievement: A Case Of Selected Secondary Schools In Mara Region, Tanzania, Wambura Mhoni

Master of Education

This study investigates the practices and impact of School Self-Evaluation/Internal School Quality Assurance (SSE/ISQA) on academic achievement in secondary schools within the Mara region of Tanzania. Employing a qualitative approach and case study design, 41 participants were purposefully sampled, including school administrators, teachers, and students. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis, with thematic research applied for data interpretation. Key findings revealed that specific SSE practices, including teacher-student collaboration, follow-up on teaching and learning, and the provision of examinations, positively influence academic achievement. However, stakeholders displayed mixed perceptions towards SSE/ISQA, with concerns about transparency and potentially …

Exploring The Use Of Experiential Learning Strategies To Develop Science Process Skills In Primary Schools In Arua City – West Nile, Uganda., Wilfred Joe Ken Okwaimung

Master of Education

Teachers in Uganda still make use of the traditional teacher-centred pedagogies that do not factor in the learners’ past experiences, interactions, and engagement in the learning process. This reduces the learners’ abilities to acquire some Science Process Skills which are vital for further acquisition of scientific knowledge and skills for future learning and practice of science. Science teaching and learning require practical pedagogies that make the learning meaningful. Using lesson observation, interviews, focus group discussion, and document analysis, this Action Research, sought to find out whether the current pedagogies that teachers used, integrated Experiential Learning Strategies as an intervention to …

Ai In Education: Investigating The Potential Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) To Support Biology Teachers In Improving Their Pedagogical Practices To Teaching Topics Perceived As Difficult., Silas Otiende Ouma

Master of Education

Ensuring learner engagement is crucial for achieving conceptual understanding, especially in biology classes. In Kenya, a noticeable decline in average biology scores, and insights from studies indicate that there is a dominant use of teacher-centered teaching methods which rarely engage learners to enable them to comprehend some of the biology topics that are marred with complexity. This research aimed to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support biology teachers in improving their pedagogical practices in teaching topics perceived as difficult. The study began by exploring the perceived difficult topics in biology, the current pedagogical approaches used to teach …

Washington University Magazine, August 2024

Washington University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Not Woman Enough: How World Athletics’ Treatment Of Women With Differences In Sexual Development Violates The Olympic Charter And The Un’S Conventions Against Racial Discrimination And Discrimination Against Women, Rachel Crass

Denver Journal of International Law & Policy

In 1966, in response to growing fears that men would attempt to pose as women to win medals in elite competition, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) began gender testing all female athletes through various visual and gynecological evaluations. These tests were quickly deemed to be too invasive and were replaced by other chemical and genetic tests as scientific capabilities advanced. The new tests led to the disqualification of dozens of elite female athletes after results revealed latent Y chromosomes in women with androgen insensitivity conditions. After multiple leading medical societies and international sports governing bodies called for an end to …

Annual Report Of The Registrar 2023/2024, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Definitions
--- Some Comparisons
--- Annual Report Data
--- Summary of Attendance
--- Attendance by Session
--- Full-Time Equivalency Enrollment
--- Degrees Granted 2023/24
--- Degree Summary 2023/24
--- Program Certificates 2023/24
--- Miscellaneous Enrollment Information
--- Degrees Granted by College, Degree and Racial/Ethnic Classification

Domestic Supply (A Feminist Proposal), Jennifer Hendricks

UC Law Constitutional Quarterly

No abstract provided.

An Updated Practical Guide To Taking And Defending Depositions, Gary Gildin

Faculty Scholarly Works

The deposition offers a singular opportunity to handcuff the deponent to an irreversible script. Consequently, both the attorney taking the deposition and defending counsel must prepare for and conduct the deposition with equal if not greater care than the trial.

Traditionally, lawyers have used the deposition to discover facts relating to the legal elements and the credibility, perception, and recollection of the witness. However, recent breakthroughs in neuroscience as to how the brain makes decisions have revealed a different genre of evidence that will drive how the trier of fact will decide the case. Today an attorney taking a deposition …

Empirical Determination Of The Carbon Impacts Of Urban Forest Management In Hong Kong: Removal Of Acacia Confusa And Leucaena Leucocephala, Shing Him, Louis Lee, Yin Wai, Riki Chan, Yin Chi, Gigi Leung, Yi Man, Anthea Cheung, Allen Hao Zhang

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

Urban trees contribute to decarbonisation. However, the removal of trees may release the stored carbon within them. In Hong Kong, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala are being removed, but with unknown carbon impacts. This industry-academia-government collaborative research aimed to: (1) report the amount of carbon stored inside A. confusa and L. leucocephala harvested from slopes; (2) estimate the carbon storage of a tree using dendrometric measurements; and (3) explain the variation in carbon content percentage of urban trees with respect to tree species, part of the tree, and position within the part. 10 A. confusa and 10 L. leucocephala were …

Hostos Community College Academic Bulletin 2023-2024, Hostos Community College

College Bulletins

This is the official college catalog for 2023-2024. It contains course descriptions as well as information on degree programs, college resources and services, financial aid, admissions, and the academic calendar.

Exploring Women`S Perceptions Of Climate Change Impact On Agriculture, Health & Food Security In Upper Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan, Ambreen, Elina Nizar Ali, Taiba Yar Baig, Fozia Parveen

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, renowned for its towering mountains and major river basins, sustains nearly 1.4 billion people worldwide and is pivotal to global food production. Glacial melt from the HKH region nourishes agriculture, livestock, and horticulture, supporting the livelihoods of mountain communities. However, climate change is accelerating the melting of glaciers, and shifts in wet seasons significantly impact food security in these communities. Sectors such as water resources, agricultural land, and human health, particularly women’s health, are significantly affected by these changes. For centuries, agriculture has been the backbone of Gilgit-Baltistan’s economy, with over 70% of livelihoods …

A Quest For Gender Equity: Exploring The Existing Positioning Of Children And Teachers In An Early Childhood Classroom In Karachi Pakistan, Nasima Shakeel, Dilshad Ashraf

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals, children are recognized as active change agents in the global development agenda (The Lancet, 2022). Research has established that engaging young children has the potential to promote gender equity and reduce other inequities in society (UN Women 2020). Despite this, limited research has been conducted on gender equity issues in education and early childhood education particularly in Pakistan (Pardhan & Pelletier, 2016). In response to this gap, collaborative action research was conducted to explore the possibilities of creating a gender-equitable learning environment in an early childhood classroom in Karachi Pakistan. This paper presents …

Naomi Kinney Honors Portfolio, Naomi Kinney

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Naomi Kinney's Honors Portfolio captured in August 2024.

Carly Abelson Honors Portfolio, Carly Abelson

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Carly Abelson's Honors Portfolio captured in December 2024.

Characterization Of Nuclear Microsatellites In Marchantia Polymorpha (Liverwort) With Additional Trans-Specific Analyses, Nicole Rodriguez Ortiz, Niharika Sharma, Tian Xiong Zheng, James J. Campanella

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Microsatellites are present in mitochondria, chloroplast, and nuclear DNA, but nuclear microsatellites are more useful genetic tools than those in plastids or mitochondria. Plastid and mitochondrial microsatellites have been identified in the model plant Marchantia polymorpha (liverwort), but no laboratory has published information on nuclear microsatellite loci. The aim of this study was to detect novel nuclear markers in the most commonly employed liverwort species, design PCR primers that would allow amplification, and characterize the subsequently generated loci. We detected 18 polymorphic nuclear loci in M. polymorpha, amplifiable by PCR across all chromosomes. Additionally, trans-specific amplification of the eighteen loci …