Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Granting Personhood For Sentient Non-Human Animals And Sentient Artificial Intelligences: A Demonstrative Argument, Jeremiah Meadows

Virginias Collegiate Honors Council Conference

While the subject of personhood has been exhaustively debated regarding the unborn, personhood for sentient animals and artificial intelligences is a concept that is rarely deliberated. Humanity has learned that there are multiple animal species which are very similar to humans in their self-awareness, emotional capacity, and free will. These traits have been partially developed for artificial intelligences as well, and those characteristics will evolve alongside human and technological development. As stratified societies emerged, there have been multiple occurrences where individuals were deemed lesser but then later acquired equal standing. Dr. Daniel Wilson, roboticist, wrote in his novel Robopocalypse, “It …

Identification Of Prognostic Genes And Gene Sets For Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Bi-Level Selection Methods, Suyan Tian, Chi Wang, Howard H. Chang, Jianguo Sun

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

In contrast to feature selection and gene set analysis, bi-level selection is a process of selecting not only important gene sets but also important genes within those gene sets. Depending on the order of selections, a bi-level selection method can be classified into three categories – forward selection, which first selects relevant gene sets followed by the selection of relevant individual genes; backward selection which takes the reversed order; and simultaneous selection, which performs the two tasks simultaneously usually with the aids of a penalized regression model. To test the existence of subtype-specific prognostic genes for non-small cell lung cancer …

Eco-Anxiety At University: Student Experiences And Academic Perspectives On Cultivating Healthy Emotional Responses To The Climate Crisis, Anna Kelly

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This research looks at the overall question of how planetary health impacts mental health and psychological welling. The central focus is eco-anxiety—mental distress caused by climate change and environmental degradation—and how it manifests in university students. In order to gather data for this research I collected 114 student survey responses, interviewed seven young adults (ages 20-25), and interviewed seven experts in the fields of psychology and environmental studies.

They survey results show high levels of general stress and anxiety, high levels of stress and anxiety related to climate change and the state of the world, and a very high level …

Trap-Neuter-Return Programs And The Importance Of Associated Public Awareness, Nicolette Sliwa

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

The focus of this paper is to describe a typical Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program and highlight the major pros and cons surrounding this somewhat controversial method of managing the overwhelming free-roaming cat population. The effects of the species’ overabundance on the environment and human health are also discussed. Citing studies completed on TNR programs around the globe as well as mathematical models, the effectiveness of this method is compared to other, currently used alternatives. Finally, it has been suggested that the general awareness level a neighborhood possesses about the true goals of TNR programs has a potentially significant impact on the …

Graduate Studies Newsletter, Graduate Studies Office

Newsletters

In This Issue:

Pg. 1 - Welcome

Pg. 2 - Faculty Spotlight on Dr. Meredith Williams

Pg. 3 - Graduate Federal Work Study

Pg. 4 - Outstanding Grad Student Awards

Pg. 5 - Important Dates and Deadlines

Pg. 6 - Thesis Submission News

Pg. 7 & 8 - Graduate Student Profiles

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 58 Number 1, Spring 2017, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

24 - BIG WIN FOR A TINY HOUSE Turning heads and changing the housing game. By Matt Morgan.

28 - $100 MILLION GIFT TO BUILD John A. ’60 and Susan Sobrato make the largest gift in SCU history. Now see the Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation that will take shape—and redefine the University. Illustration by Tavis Coburn.

36 - CUT & PASTE CONSERVATION We can alter wild species to save them. So should we? By Emma Marris. Illustrations by Jason Holley.

44 - INFO OFFICER IN CHIEF From his office overlooking the White House, Tony Scott J.D. ’92 set …

Water, Sanitation And Hygiene In Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Katelyn Bergl

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

No abstract provided.

Ua12/2/2 2017 Talisman: Well Being, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

2017 Talisman yearbook.

• Kaetzel, Kylee. Editor’s Note
• Upton, Jordan. His Hands
• Watkins, Abby. The Meal Plan – Recipes
• Eastham, Lillie. New Hieghts – Reed Mattison, Rock Climbing
• Robb, Hayley. A Life Transformed – Annabeth Welborn
• Robb, Hayley. 6:00 AM Bright & Early – Exercise
• Doyel, Rachael. Redifining Ability – Jacob Holt
• Upton, Jordan. Yom Kippur at Happy Hills Buddhist Temple
• Wegert, Sally. Inner Peace – Allison Adams, Yoga
• Mattingly, Evan. The Future’s in Your Hands – Bianca Williams, Psychics
• Frint, Hunter. Too Often Silenced – Unity Walk
• Doyel, Rachael. Changing Tides
• Wells, Spencer. Struggle & Rebirth – Trey Farlee, Musicians …

The Incredible Inventions Of Intuitive Ai: Ted Talk Annotated Resource List, Dylan Duckworth

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Ua42 Regional Review: Reaching New Heights In The Region Spring 2017, Heather Garcia , Editor

Regional Campuses Publications

No abstract provided.

Quality Of Water In Relation To Diarrheal Disease Incidence In Obunga, Tianna Herman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Kenyan cities are experiencing a serious dilemma in dealing with the large influx of people from rural parts of the country to the cities. Most people come to the city in pursuit of better opportunities and jobs. Rapid urban growth with little planning and preparation by the national and county governments has led to the development of informal settlements. These informal settlements are characterized by poor environmental conditions that predispose their residents for poor health conditions. Because of their illegal status, most residents of informal settlements in Kenya do not receive government services such as water, drainage, sewerage, and rubbish …

Teaching Assistant [Career Paper], Madelynn Williams

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Utilization And Accessibility Of Securinega Virosa For Medical Use In Morogoro Municipality, Sasha Friedrich

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Approximately 80% of rural communities in Tanzania utilize the services of traditional healers. This is largely because modern medicine is often expensive, inaccessible, or has undesirable side effects. This study investigates use of traditional medicine in Morogoro Urban district where people do have access to hospitals. In particular, this study aims to assess the utilization and accessibility the plant species Securinega virosa for medicinal use by identifying and interviewing the actors involved in the supply chain from harvester to consumer. I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight traditional healers and one herbal medicine shopkeeper. I expected harvesters to express a decline …

Climate Change, Natural Disasters, And Suicide: A Systematic Review, Ans Irfan, Peter Lapuma

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background.
Natural disasters are projected to increase due to climate change. Mental health is not a well-researched area in public health, particularly as it relates to environmental health and in the aftermath of natural disasters. The suicide rate is approximately 13 per 100,000 people in the US, nationally. This already high suicide rate warrants researching this area mental health. Understanding the relation between natural disasters and suicide rates might help alleviate human suffering and potentially save lives in the future, in post-disaster settings. This research will further the knowledge of the association between natural disasters and suicide and provide foundation …

Persistent Organic Pollutants And Mortality In The United States, Kristiann Fry, Melinda Power

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background/Objectives: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are environmentally and biologically persistent chemicals that include polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine (OC) pesticides. Currently, there is limited data on the association between exposure to POPs and the risk of mortality in the general US population. The objective of this study was to determine if higher exposure to POPs are associated with greater risk of all-cause, cancer, heart/cerebrovascular disease, or other-cause mortality in persons aged 60 years and older.

Methods: The analyses included participants aged 60 years and older from the 1999-2006 National Health and …

Program And Proceedings: Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2017, 137th Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Twenty-Seventh Annual Meeting

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program

Aeronautics and Space Science

Chemistry and Physics

Collegiate Academy: Biology

Collegiate Academy: Chemistry and Physics

Biological and Medical Sciences

Aeronautics and Space Science: Poster Session

Applied Science and Technology

Maiben Memorial Lecture

Anthropology

Earth Science

Applied Science and Technology

Teaching of Science and Mathematics

Environmental Sciences

Friend of Science Award: Kacie Baum and Todd Young

Outcomes After Diagnosis Of Mild Cognitive Impairment In A Large Autopsy Series, Erin L. Abner, Richard J. Kryscio, Frederick A. Schmitt, David W. Fardo, Daniela C. Moga, Eseosa T. Ighodaro, Gregory A. Jicha, Lei Yu, Hiroko H. Dodge, Chengjie Xiong, Randall L. Woltjer, Julie A. Schneider, Nigel J. Cairns, David A. Bennett, Peter T. Nelson

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and neuropathological outcomes following a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS: Data were drawn from a large autopsy series (N = 1,337) of individuals followed longitudinally from normal or MCI status to death, derived from 4 Alzheimer Disease (AD) Centers in the United States.

RESULTS: Mean follow‐up was 7.9 years. Of the 874 individuals ever diagnosed with MCI, final clinical diagnoses were varied: 39.2% died with an MCI diagnosis, 46.8% with a dementia diagnosis, and 13.9% with a diagnosis of intact cognition. The latter group had pathological features resembling those with a final clinical …

Variables Associated With Overweight/Obesity Among African-American Women With Hypertension And/Or Diabetes, Monica A. Hamilton, Dnp, Rn, Acns-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

BACKGROUND

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death next to tobacco use. Although it is prevalent in all populations, it disproportionately affects AA women. Overweight/obesity increases AA women’s chances of developing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and decreases their life expectancy. The purpose of this study was to explore variables associated with overweight/obese AA women with hypertension and/or diabetes.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis was conducted using a descriptive-correlational design to analyze cross-sectional data obtained from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The sample consisted of AA women (n =1823). The dependent variable …

Level Of Patient-Physician Agreement In Assessment Of Change Following Conservative Rehabilitation For Shoulder Pain, Stephanie D. Moore-Reed, W. Ben Kibler, Heather M. Bush, Timothy L. Uhl

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

Background Assessment of health-related status has been shown to vary between patients and physicians, although the degree of patient–physician discordance in the assessment of the change in status is unknown.

Methods Ninety-nine patients with shoulder dysfunction underwent a standardized physician examination and completed several self-reported questionnaires. All patients were prescribed the same physical therapy intervention. Six weeks later, the patients returned to the physician, when self-report questionnaires were re-assessed and the Global Rating of Change (GROC) was completed by the patient. The physician completed the GROC retrospectively. To determine agreement between patient and physician, intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficient and Pearson’s …

A Program Aimed Toward Inclusive Excellence For Underrepresented Undergraduate Women In The Sciences, Laura A. Katz, Kathryn M. Aloisio, Nicholas J. Horton, Minh Ly, Sara B. Pruss, Kate Queeney, Cate Rowen, Patricia Marten Dibartolo

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Created to foster inclusive excellence, Smith College’s Achieving Excellence in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science (AEMES) Scholars program provides early faculty-mentored research opportunities and other programming as a way to foster success in academic outcomes for underrepresented women in science. Using academic record data, we compared Scholars’ outcomes over time with those of underrepresented students before program launch and to relevant peer comparison groups. Since its launch, AEMES Scholars have achieved significantly higher gateway life sciences course grade point averages (GPAs), rates of persistence in life and natural sciences, and participation in natural sciences advanced research relative to baseline. Gains for …

Emerging Antimicrobial Research Against Superbugs: Perspectives From A Polymer Laboratory, Mitra S. Ganewatta, Md Anisur Rahman, Chuanbing Tang

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Infectious diseases caused by drug-resistant microorganisms have become a major contributor for human morbidity and mortality. To overcome such threats, we have developed various antimicrobial agents using natural product derivatives and metallopolymers. Abundant biomass such as resin acids can be utilized to prepare cationic polymers for inhibiting a variety of bacteria. These polymers have been used in solution as well as surfaces as antimicrobial materials with low cytotoxicity. In addition, a class of charged metallopolymers have been developed to kill superbugs such as MRSA.

Table Of Contents

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Antitumor Activity Of Selected Derivatives Of Pyrazole- Benzenesulfonamides From Dilithiated C(Α), N-Phenylhydrazones And Lithiated Methyl 2-(Aminosulfonyl)Benzoate, N. Dwight Camper [Deceased], James M. Gum, Darby E. Lyles, William T. Pennington, Charles F. Beam, Clyde R. Metz

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Several pyrazole-benzenesulfonamides were subjected to biological evaluation involving tumor formation on potato discs caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This assay led to some excellent and promising initial results with three of the pyrazole compounds showing increased tumor inhibition when compared to a recognized standard, camptothecin. The select pyrazole-benzenesulfonamides were prepared by condensation-cyclization of several dilithiated C(α),N-phenylhydrazones with lithiated methyl 2-aminosulfonyl-benzoate.

Research: South Dakota State University, Spring 2017, Christie Delfanian, Emily Weber

State of Discovery South Dakota State University's Research Magazine

Pharmacy researcher investigates how aspirin kills cancer cells [page] 1
Problem-solving, cornerstone of SDSU research [page] 2
Fluid flow model evaluates clotting risk in new stent graft design [page] 2
Sanford research project inspires graduate student [page] 3
Experience key to nurses' comfort in communicating with terminally ill patients [page] 4
Nondigestible starch feeds gut microbes, reduces inflammation [page] 5
Researchers investigate workings if antibody therapeutics [page] 6
DNA, RNA sequencing available in campus to researchers statewide [page] 7
QUBIC-R software helps researchers model, visualize gene expression networks [page] 8
Scientists assess survival of swine viruses in imported feed ingredients …

Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index Is Associated With Dietary Inflammatory Index And C-Reactive Protein Concentrations During Pregnancy, Dayeon Shin, Junguk Hur, Eun-Hee Cho, Hae-Kyung Chung, Nitin Shivappa, Michael D. Wirth, James R. Hébert, Kyung Won Lee

Faculty Publications

There have been a limited number of studies examining the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and dietary inflammation during pregnancy. Our aim is to examine the association between pre-pregnancy BMI and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)™ and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations during pregnancy. The study included 631 pregnant American women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cross-sectional examinations from 2003 to 2012. Pre-pregnancy BMI was calculated based on self-reported pre-pregnancy weight and measured height. The cut-offs of <18.5 (underweight), 18.5–24.9 (normal), 25.0–29.9 (overweight), and ≥30 kg/m2 (obese) were used to categorize the weight status of pregnant women prior to pregnancy. The DII, a literature-based dietary index to assess the inflammatory properties of diet, was estimated based on a one-day 24-h recall. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were performed to estimate beta coefficients and the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) on the association of pre-pregnancy BMI categories with the DII and CRP concentrations during pregnancy. After controlling for variables including: race/ethnicity, family poverty income ratio, education, marital status, month in pregnancy, and smoking status during pregnancy; women who were obese before pregnancy (n = 136) had increased odds for being in the highest tertile of the DII and CRP concentrations compared to women with normal weight (AORs 2.40, 95% CIs 1.01–5.71; AORs 24.84, 95% CIs 6.19–99.67, respectively). These findings suggest that women with pre-pregnancy obesity had greater odds of reporting higher DII and having elevated CRP. In conclusion, high pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with increased odds of pro-inflammatory diet and elevated CRP levels during pregnancy in the USA.

Predoctoral Dental Students’ Perceptions Of Dental Implant Training: Effect Of Preclinical Simulation And Clinical Experience, Soni Prasad, Naveen K. Bansal

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

The aims of this study were to assess 1) differences in perceptions of dental implant training between dental students who received didactic training alone (control group) and those who received didactic plus simulation training (test group); 2) differences in response between students with and without clinical experience in implant dentistry; and 3) the interaction effect of simulation training and clinical experience on students’ satisfaction. A survey was distributed to the control group in 2014 and to the test group in 2015; both groups were at the same U.S. dental school. Data were collected on confidence levels with various implant restorative …

Examining The Prevalence Rates Of Preexisting Maternal Medical Conditions And Pregnancy Complications By Source: Evidence To Inform Maternal And Child Research, Candace A. Robledo, Edwina H. Yeung, Pauline Mendola, Rajeshwari Sundaram, Nansi S. Boghossian, Erin M. Bell, Charlotte Druschel

School of Medicine Publications

Objectives—We sought to examine whether there are systematic differences in ascertainment of preexisting maternal medical conditions and pregnancy complications from three common data sources used in epidemiologic research

Methods—Diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertensive disorders (GHD), placental abruption and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) among 4821 pregnancies were identified via birth certificates, maternal self-report at approximately 4 months postpartum and by discharge codes from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS), a mandatory New York State hospital reporting system. The kappa statistic (k) was estimated to ascertain beyond chance agreement of outcomes between birth certificates …

Matlab Micro-Symposium, Mathworks

Science Seminar Series

Join us to learn how your colleagues and peers are crossing boundaries and using MATLAB in their work in areas such as chemistry, biology, pharmacy and bioengineering!

We will have four faculty speakers who will share their MATLAB uses in teaching, projects and research.

This will be followed by a coffee break that includes:

• Poster session with faculty and student projects using MATLAB
• The opportunity to talk to the MathWorks team about the tools they provide – learn about what’s new and ask your questions here!
• An opportunity to network with your fellow Pacific colleagues from other departments!

MATLAB is …

47th Annual Wku Student Research Conference, Student Research Council,

Student Research Conference Select Presentations

See document below for project abstracts

Fatty Acid Biomarker Detection For Breast Cancer Using Differential Mobility Spectrometry With Non-Radioactive Ion Source, James Joseph Alberti

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS) using a non-radioactive ion source (NRIS) is investigated as a possible medical diagnostic instrument for near real-time detection of breast cancer biomarkers. In previous clinical studies, concentrations of Linoleic, Palmitic and Stearic fatty acids have been observed at different levels in women with carcinoma breast cancer versus women with benign tumors or healthy women showing no signs of breast cancer. Present diagnostic methods require a biopsy of the suspect tissue and a microscopic lab analysis performed to determine its disease state. This process can take hours or days before the patient and doctor are informed of …