Life Sciences Commons^™

Functional Outcomes Of Noninvasive Sensory Feedback In Upper Limb Prostheses: A Meta-Analysis, Libby Caldwell

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Noninvasive sensory feedback applies vibration or pressure to the residual limb and is thought to improve the functionality of upper limb prostheses. However, the efficacy of this approach has not been sufficiently investigated, particularly regarding actual amputee efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional benefits of noninvasive sensory feedback in upper limb prostheses through a meta-analysis. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PubMed) were searched up to October 2022 using the following search terms: (prosthesis OR prosthetic) AND (hand OR arm OR forearm OR transradial OR “upper limb” OR “upper extremity) AND (tactile OR haptic …

Checking For Ticks: Analyzing The Efficiency Of Different Tick Collection Methods, Peter Briggs, Lawson Trimmell, Javier Monzón

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Ticks are the most important arthropod disease vectors in both North America and Europe. Field collection of wild ticks is vital for research on the ecology of vector-borne diseases. Dragging and trapping are the two most common methods for collecting wild ticks. Dragging involves a researcher pulling a canvas through a field to collect ticks searching for a host, while trapping exploits ticks’ natural attraction to carbon dioxide to lure them onto a canvas where they get caught on tape. Our study aimed to evaluate which of these two methods is more effective. We chose six sites across three states, …

Assessing The Reliability, Internal Consistency, And Sensitivity Of A Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire For Four-Year-Old Pre-K Children, Lin Wang, Karla Cortez, Brenda Rodriguez, Joseph Reyes, Moises Cisneros, Elizabeth Alanis, Zasha Romero, Lisa Michelle Belzer Salinas, Juan López Alvarenga, Roberto Treviño-Peña

Research Symposium

Introduction: Assessing nutrition knowledge in four-year-olds, a developmental stage marked by limited attention spans and varying comprehension abilities, is challenging with traditional methods. A reliable test is pivotal for establishing a foundation for future health interventions. We evaluated a 13-question nutrition and healthy habits test in Pre-K4 children to assess reliability and sensitivity to detect differences.

Methods: Calculations included Cronbach's alpha, kappa coefficient, McNemar analysis by item, and Bland-Altman plots for test-retest differences. Mixed model regression assessed the questionnaire's sensitivity by sex and association with age. Item response theory (IRT) models were employed, generating latent abilities for students and individual …

Recovering Ancient Dna Using The Polymerase Chain Reaction, Rose Jennings

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Investigations into aDNA offer a window into the past that modern DNA and paleontological studies alone cannot provide and help address the evolution and connections between hominids, domestication timelines, the analysis of populations over time, and general diversity. Progress in aDNA research has been inherently technology-driven, with modern molecular biology methods, such as the inventions of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), substantially increasing the analysis possibilities of aDNA. My research this semester has taken me along two parallel paths of investigation: literary research into aDNA and practical exposure to the laboratory techniques used in its analysis. …

Attitudes Of South-Central Kentucky Residents Towards Coyotes And Their Management, Andrew T. Mcqueen, Stephen Sumithran Phd

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The existence of the coyote in the eastern U.S. is a recent development and the public’s perception of coyotes has been widely studied in urban areas. However, perceptions in rural areas, especially rural Appalachia, have been largely unstudied. It is necessary for wildlife managers to understand the public’s perceptions of coyotes and coyote management when creating management plans. We conducted a public survey in South-central Kentucky to determine perceptions toward coyotes and coyote management methods. The survey contained questions about demographics (age, gender, county of residence, landownership, etc.), perceptions (fears, opinions), knowledge (true/false questions), and preferred management practices (hunting, trapping, …

Detecting Interactions Between Mps3 In Linc Complex And Ndj1 In Nuclear Pore Complex In Mechanically Stressed Yeast, Dean Boecher, Rebecca Adams

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

The mechanisms of how mechanical stress is translated into cellular action and structural reorganization within the nuclear envelope are largely unexplored. The Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex is a transmembrane protein complex that connects the actin cytoskeleton to the lamin nucleoskeleton, enabling mechanical forces to be translated between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. A better understanding of the translation of physical forces into cell responses can be gained through confirming the existence of interactions between LINC complex proteins and nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which control the exchange of biochemical signals and macromolecules in and out of the nucleus …

Parkland Science Scholars: Improving Retention, Graduation, And Transfer Rates In Low-Income Community College Stem Students, Sheryl Drake, Chelsea Llyod, Curtis Shoaf

Parkland Science Scholars

Parkland College is a community college in Champaign, Illinois with 30% of students Pell eligible and approximately 32% of students considered underrepresented race/ethnicity (2024).

Parkland Science Scholars (PSS) is an NSF: S-STEM Track 1 (Institutional Capacity Building) program. PSS seeks to address Parkland’s low retention and graduation/transfer rates for low-income students in the Natural Sciences using five pillars: scholarship funds, tiered mentorship, summer research opportunities, community building, and a seminar course (SCI-121).

Bettering Our Police Training; Strategies To Increase Physicality And Reduce Injuries, Piyush Baliyan, Matthew J. Garver

K-STAR Student Research Week

Background: Injuries during tactical, physical training (e.g., military, police academy) are common due to physical, mental, and physiological stresses and work demands. Absenteeism, decreased performance, and medical expenses can result. Purpose: The aim of this work will be to utilize micro-education and a group-mediated, cognitive-behavioral intervention strategy to supplement traditional training and improve training outcomes to enhance physicality and reduce injuries. Methods: Hematological (e.g., hemoglobin, hematocrit), physical (e.g., select components of fitness), and physiological (e.g., heart rate, oxygen consumption) data will be collected at baseline, midpoint, and post training. The micro-education classes will include topics such as: …

Determining The Ideal Concentrations Of Ethanol And Propylene Glycol In Ethosomes For Transdermal Delivery Of Vitamin D3, Rebecca Conner

Harrisburg University Research Symposium: Highlighting Research, Innovation, & Creativity

Vitamin D₃ is an important chemical in the human body, however, many Americans have low levels of this vitamin. There are plenty of oral supplementations for Vitamin D₃ deficiency, but those of older age and busy schedules may struggle to meet the minimum requirement. A recently developed ethosomal transmembrane delivery system (Touitou, 2000), similar to liposomes but also containing ethanol, allows users to apply a gel dermally and have the desired drug or active ingredient reach the bloodstream faster. However, there is considerable variation in the concentration of ethanol and permeation enhancers used. Using an affordable method to …

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Populations And Water Quality Of Aquatic Systems, Nicholas Duellman

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Macroinvertebrates are key indicators of aquatic health. We surveyed 3 distinct locations in the Appomattox River basin to gather data regarding conductivity and water temperature correlation on species diversity among three locations. There were significant correlations between species diversity and conductivity.

“Pinkalicious": Outer Membrane Vesicles Isolated From Pseudoalteromonas Rubra Carry Prodigiosin Antibiotics As Cargo, Margaret Hill

Senior Honors Projects

Astrangia poculata, the state coral of Rhode Island, is susceptible to infection by Vibrio coralliilyticus RE22, which is a common marine pathogen affecting various invertebrate species. The settlement of coral larvae prior to the establishment of colonies is mediated by crustose coralline algae (CCA). This process may be induced by CCA-associated protective bacteria that colonize corals in early metamorphosis; furthermore, such bacteria potentially have downstream effects in the susceptibility of corals to pathogens. Strains of Pseudoalteromonas rubra isolated from CCA have been shown to induce larval settlement of tropical corals. We hypothesize that P. rubra induces the settlement of …

Fighting Malnutrition In Kenya, Jessica Payton, Tara Ross, Adalyne Nehus

ATU Scholars Symposium

No abstract provided.

Environmental And Agricultural Effects On Waterfowl Population In Arkansas, Caleb Sipes, Ellison Stephens, Marissa Young

ATU Scholars Symposium

This paper discusses some of the positive and negative effects of environmental and agricultural influences on the waterfowl population in the state of Arkansas. Waterfowl hunting has been a prominent source of revenue to the state of Arkansas for many decades. Waterfowl hunting will continue to be prominent in this state in future as long as Arkansans maintain and preserve the natural resources here as well as use our own to further progress the waterfowl industry in Arkansas. Through aerial surveying, requiring hunters to purchase licenses and stamps to legally hunt waterfowl, and conservation efforts from the Arkansas Game and …

Medicinal Use Of Cannabis In Canines, Claire Manns, Hannah Horst, Tailor Kimbriel

ATU Scholars Symposium

Medicinal cannabis continues to gain popularity for treating a variety of health issues for both humans and animals. This paper examines this growing trend and looks closer at the benefits canine cannabis offers in veterinary care. Cannabis carries a negative connotation due to legal and safety concerns. However, research has shown medicinal cannabis offers multiple benefits, such as chronic pain relief, epilepsy management, and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite the increased availability of cannabis products for dogs, community and veterinary education remain stagnant. Surveys were created to gain both veterinary and community opinions on the use of cannabis for canine health. The …

Environmental Factors Affecting Coleoptera Biomass In The Ozark Mountain Range In Arkansas, Hayley J. Springsteen

ATU Scholars Symposium

Abstract:

Terrestrial invertebrates including species of Coleoptera (beetles) play an important role in many ecosystem services including soil formation and fertility, pollination, decomposition and nutrient turnover, population regulation of other organisms through predation. Coleoptera are often vital in determining biodiversity and conservation techniques. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of how environmental factors and different management practices are affecting Coleoptera populations and further assist ecologists in improving management techniques in the future. The insect data in this study was collected over the course of two weeks in the Arkansas portion of the Boston Mountain range. …

Study Of Protein Extraction Techniques For M. Foliorum Phages, Lola Sibaud, Anna Elgersma

Student Academic Conference

Characterizing phages is becoming increasingly important in biochemistry and biotechnology due to their potential to treat bacterial infections without need for antibiotics. Last year, students attempted to isolate proteins from Microbacterium foliorum infecting phages Babydotz and Rosadiaz. Proteins were successfully extracted; however, after further analysis it was shown that the obtained proteins belonged to the host bacteria and not the phages. The purpose of this study was to find a method to separate phage from host bacterial debris to successfully isolate phage proteins and analyze them later. Isolating phage proteins could help us characterize more phages and know more about …

Evaluation Of Concussion Assessment Tools For Collegiate Athletes, Jacqueline D. Villanueva Arevalo, Emily R. Brown

Student Scholar Showcase

BACKGROUND: Due to the increase in sports-related concussions in the United States, there is a rising concern about concussion assessments in collegiate athletes with regard to long term vestibular ocular motor dysfunction and post-concussion syndrome.

PURPOSE: Due to varying practices in concussion diagnosis, this systematic review analyzed three concussion diagnostic instruments, The King Devick, Screening Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-5), and Vestibular Oculomotor Screening Tool (VOMS), to determine the most appropriate instrument(s) for reducing vestibular ocular-motor dysfunction and post-concussion symptoms in collegiate athletes.

METHODS: Nested Knowledge was used to identify articles from PubMed, Europe Pubmed Central, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Key search …

Locomotor Biomechanics In Stream Gobies, Rhinogobius Sp.: Functional Performance Of Waterfall-Climbing Behavior, Ernest W. Murphy

Student Scholar Showcase

Gobiidae is the taxonomic classification of a large fish family comprising over 2,000 species. A few goby species have the unique ability of scaling waterfalls using pelvic fins that are fused into a suction disc (pelvic sucker) located on the ventral side of the body, aiding them in upstream migration to freshwater feeding and reproduction locations. This study aimed to investigate the locomotor biomechanics of Rhinogobius goby fish due to the lack of literature in the area. In particular, climbing performance variables (pressure differential, force, endurance, and kinematics of attachment), pelvic sucker fatigability, and ontogenetic patterns of physical development and …

Lai As Affected By Flashing-Light Interception With Corn And Soybeans, Josh W. Pohl, Jondavid Mcclanahan, Jake Eaker

Scholars Week

LAI as Affected by Flashing-Light Interception With

Corn (Zea mays) and Soybeans (Glycine max)

Corn (Zea mays) and Soybean (Glycine max) are both staple crops in global agriculture. With growing concern regarding food security and production, indoor cultivation of corn and soybean plants has become a question of interest. This study looks at the application of different lighting regimes for corn and soybeans and effects on development. Light that can be used by plants is called photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). PAR is the solar radiation range of energy that plants use for …

Soil Properties Associated With Land Management Practices In Western Kentucky, Ava Isaacs, Gracey Moffitt

Scholars Week

Soil Properties Associated with Land Management Practices in Western Kentucky

1. A. Isaacs, G. Moffitt, W. Sides, and Corey Hale

Mentor: Dr. I.P. Handayani

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA

Abstract

One of the most important factors regarding soil and plant health is nutrient availability and fertility. Of these two factors that were mentioned available potassium is a key component. With that being said we decided that it would be beneficial to see how potassium can be traced within the soil in various locations after fertilizer is applied. There were two parts to this experiment. Part one was …

A Tale Of Two Scents: Scent Preferences Of Naïve And Experienced Pollinators, Scout N. Steinhiser

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

Mounting evidence of pollinator decline and its repercussions on agriculture and plant diversity means that scientists must work to understand the details of plant-pollinator interactions. Though there are many facets to the relationship between plants and pollinators, one major mediator of this relationship is scent. As much is already known about the scent make-up of Narcissus and its pollinator partners, it is a great model system for additional research. This is also true for the insect species Vanessa cardui, a generalist pollinator found worldwide that has most likely come into contact with Narcissus and its scent. The objective of this …

Pollinators And Flowering Resources In Louisville Urban Green Spaces, Sarah Hobbs

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

Urban Greenspaces can appear in many different forms such as parks, urban orchards, and community gardens. These spaces provide important ecosystem services such as enhanced biodiversity, improved soil health, and increased carbon sequestration. Greenspaces such as parks and community gardens have been relatively well studied in the last few decades compared to urban orchards, despite the multitude of ecosystem services that can be provided or enhanced by these orchards. We hypothesize that urban orchards will provide the optimal conditions for pollinator communities because urban orchards normally have the greatest variety of vegetation and flowering resources, which is positively correlated with …

Fossil Marine Vertebrates From The Mid-Graneros Shale (Upper Cretaceous: Mid-Cenomanian), Russell County, Kansas, Usa, Austin M. Salvino

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

The upper Graneros Shale are deposits of the late Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma.) Western Interior Seaway in North America. Various vertebrate fossils have been located within the deposit, but detailed documentation had yet to be conclusively reported. This study takes into consideration the remains of fossil fishes from this uppermost Graneros shale location. The specific Graneros shale was in Russel County Kansas (Fig 1B). A location once containing a shallow marine environment of the Cretaceous Western Interior Sea. The specimens and fossilized vertebrate evidence found provide sufficient support of previous paleoecology inferences made in other locations containing Graneros shale deposits. …

Population Genetics And Morphometrics Of Overwintering Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza Georgiana) At Panola Mountain State Park, Ashley Mcmahon

Graduate Research Showcase

Grassland birds are facing the greatest decline of any bird guild in North America due to widespread loss of grassland habitats. Conservation efforts tend to focus on birds that breed in grasslands, but grassland habitat loss will also negatively affect populations that overwinter in grasslands. Three Swamp Sparrow subspecies (Melospiza georgiana georgiana, M. g. ericrypta, M. g. nigrescens) segregate on at least some of their breeding grounds but may mix on wintering grounds, which often includes grasslands. Philopatric passerines often also segregate by sex on wintering grounds. Thus, loss of overwintering grasslands may disproportionately impact both subspecies and sex, leading …

Development Of A Novel Cox Ii Mitochondrial Dna Marker For Rat Fecal Contamination.**, A'Aden Redhead

Graduate Research Showcase

Rodent feces can contain dangerous human microbial pathogens that are a serious health hazard to the human population. Currently, there is no known rapid assay to detect rodent fecal contamination. In this study, a rapid PCR-based mitochondrial DNA primer pair was constructed as it enabled the detection of rodent fecal pollution in environmental samples. Environmental samples were all tested using end-point PCR after filtration and then extraction of DNA using the DNeasy Powersoil pro kit. These primers were designed to specifically detect rodent feces that belong to the Rattus Sp. taxonomic group. Rodent samples from various counties in Georgia were …

Body Dimension And Length-Weigh Relationships Of Invasive Exotic Earthworm Species In Huron Mountains Forests, Paula Arroyo, Xiaoyong Chen, Timothy Gsell, John A. Yunger, Mary E. Carrington

Research Days

Invasive exotic earthworms have undesired ecological effects on structure, function, and biodiversity of forest ecosystems in the Great Lakes region. Biological parameters including body length, weight, growth rate, and regeneration patterns of earthworms are necessary to understand their life cycle and impacts on ecological processes such as nutrient biogeochemistry cycling and carbon sequestration in the forests, as well as for forest management practices. In this work, earthworms were surveyed in main forest types of the Huron Mountains Preserve of Michigan, Upper Peninsula during the period of May 2021 to October 2022. Earthworms were captured from established sampling quadrates using a …

Effects On Primary Endothelial Cells When Exposed To Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic, David Guzman

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

As the use of plastics becomes more predominant in our environment, the interactions between nanoplastics and the human body have increased dramatically. One of the most common and prevalent plastics is polyethylene, and more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Tissue exposure to nanoplastics occurs through surface contact upon ingestion or inhalation where nanoplastics can pass readily through the epithelial layer. Directly beneath gut and lung epithelia is the endothelial layer of capillaries. Very little is known about the interactions between polyethylene and human cells, with no information currently available on its effects with the endothelial layer. Our previous research showed that …

Functional Analysis Provides Insight Into Missing Heritability, Scott L. Baughan, Michael A. Tainsky, Fatima Darwiche

Medical Student Research Symposium

Accurate ascertainment of genetic risk can be potentially lifesaving for patients who inherit cancer promoting mutations. However, even with the most extensive panel testing clinically available, a large number of patients will test negative despite family history of cancer or test positive for a variant of unknown significance (VUS). For these patients, clinical management is complicated; patients want to know their risk, and may fear disease they are not at great risk for (benign VUS) or they may not be given access to potentially lifesaving early screening procedures (pathogenic VUS). ATM has proven a challenge to clinicians due to its …

Investigating Respiratory Simplification Caused By Prenatal Rage Upregulation, Paul Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Potential Role For Rage In The Development Of Secondhand Smoke-Induced Chronic Sinusitis, Paul Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.