Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Virtual Fencing In Livestock Management: Effects On Beef Cattle Stress And Enhancing Wildlife Conservation, Kaitlyn E. Dozler

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

I examined the effects of virtual fencing on beef cattle stress and how implementing the technology can aid wildlife habitat conservation at the University of Nebraska Gudmundsen Sandhills laboratory (GSL) near Whitman, NE. First, I examined how virtual fencing influences acute heart rate changes in beef cattle fitted with the virtual fencing collars. No significant difference in the average heart rate of a cow (P > 0.05) was observed between the 30 min control and virtual fenced periods for both trial dates. Second, I examined the influence of topography on wildlife species richness and presence at GSL using wildlife camera …

Spatial Ecology Of Mountain Lions Throughout Their Distribution In California, Kyle D. Dougherty

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have been studied extensively throughout their wide geographic distribution in the Western Hemisphere, but most research has been conducted at relatively small spatial scales. We used GPS telemetry data contributed by researchers in 16 study areas throughout California to advance understanding of mountain lion spatial ecology. First, we investigated multi-scale resource selection of mountain lions relative to spatially varying risk of intentional human-caused mortality associated with livestock depredation management. We show that individuals that proactively avoided mortality risk when selecting home ranges were able to relax their avoidance of risk when making resource selection …

Assessing Soil Properties For Optimized Irrigation Development In Sudan, Northern Africa, Suhib Hamid, Derek M. Heeren, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Saleh Taghvaeian, Randall S. Ritzema

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Sustainable irrigation methods maximize agricultural productivity in Northern African countries like Sudan. This project evaluates soil properties to develop optimized irrigation strategies for Sudan's arid and semi-arid climate. Assessing soil characteristics such as texture, infiltration rates, and nutrient content informs the selection of modern irrigation systems. Data from 3,192 locations, collected using GPS and ring infiltrometers for infiltration rates, alongside laboratory analyses for soil properties, were employed. A ranking system determined suitable irrigation systems for specific soil classes, considering factors like slope, wind, crop tolerance, available water capacity (AWC), drainage, germination, capital cost, labor cost, maintenance, and evapotranspiration (ET). The …

Measuring Activity Demands On Fatigue In Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Laura R. Mccray, Kara M. Lee

Graduate Student Scholarship

The functional presentation of those with Parkinson's disease (PD) are complex, varying depending on cognition, physiological deficits, and support network. This study assesses the perceptions of fatigue across individuals with Parkinson's disease with different clinical presentations to guide clinicians in their selection of evidence-based interventions to facilitate greater functional outcomes. A mixed-methods design was used to collect data on the mental and physiological perceptions of fatigue, utilizing surveys and physiological measures such as heart rate. Participants were recruited from a community group targeting those with PD with inclusion criteria being a diagnosis of PD. Results for both heart rate and …

Private Management Of African Protected Areas Improves Wildlife And Tourism Outcomes But With Security Concerns In Conflict Regions, Sean Denny, Gabriel Englander, Patrick Hunnicutt

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Protected areas can conserve wildlife and benefit people when managed effectively. African governments increasingly delegate the management of protected areas to private, nongovernmental organizations, hoping that private organizations’ significant resources and technical capacities actualize protected areas’ potential. Does private sector management improve outcomes compared to a counterfactual of government management? We leverage the transfer of management authority from governments to African Parks (AP)—the largest private manager of protected areas in Africa—to show that private management significantly improves wildlife outcomes via reduced elephant poaching and increased bird abundances. Our results also suggest that AP’s management augments tourism, while the effect on …

Achieving Equitable Cardiovascular Care For All: Acc Board Of Trustees Health Equity Task Force Action Plan, Paul L Douglass, Dipti Itchhaporia, Biykem Bozkurt, Robert O Roswell, Akshay Khandelwal, Quinn Capers, Kathryn Berlacher, Modele O Ogunniyi, Alison L Bailey, Phillip D Levy, Aubrey J Grant, Jack Tocco, Angela Natcheva, Akua G Asare, Ami B Bhatt, Jennifer H Mieres, Maghee F Disch, Melvin R Echols

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Advancements in cardiovascular (CV) disease management are notable, yet health inequities prevail, associated with increased morbidity and mortality noted among non-Hispanic African Americans in the United States. The 2002 Institute of Medicine Report revealed ongoing racial and ethnic health care disparities, spearheading a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and systemic racism to develop strategies for CV health equity (HE). This article outlines the strategic HE approach of the American College of Cardiology, comprising 6 strategic equity domains: workforce pathway inclusivity, health care, data, science, and tools; education and training; membership, partnership, and collaboration; advocacy and policy; and …

Growing Urbanization In The Jammu Province Of Jammu And Kashmir, India: An Environmental And Social Interpretation, Rani Mughal, Javed Manzoor, Rouf Ahmad Wagay

Journal of Bioresource Management

Urbanization is a global phenomenon with profound implications for both physical and social landscapes and plays a noteworthy role in the progression and advancement of human civilizations. Urbanization influences and changes the social, economic, political, and traditionalorganization of a society. This paper examines the process and consequences of urbanization in the Jammu province of J&K India, focusing on its physical transformation and social dynamics. This study employs a descriptive research approach to investigate the multifaceted aspects of urbanization by synthesizing data from various sources, including demographic surveys, interviews, and spatial analysis. The study showed that Jammu province is gradually proceeding …

A Comparative Review Of Soil Carbon Sequestration Methods In Brazil’S Agriculture, Skylar Cheng

Discussions

Brazil is under unique pressure to adopt sustainable agricultural practices due to its intricate biodiversity and globally dominant agricultural sector. Increasing soil degradation, agricultural land expansion, and rising levels of atmospheric carbon are nationwide concerns that require multifaceted solutions. Integrated agricultural systems, which rehabilitate soils through crop, forage, and livestock rotation as well as biochar—a carbon-rich soil amendment—can address such concerns. These sustainable farming practices improve carbon sequestration and soil fertility; however, uptake remains minimal due to environmental, economic, and policy barriers. Accordingly, this paper proposes a comprehensive model of integrated systems and biochar, in which the benefits of one …

Stakeholder Involvement And Systematic Review Of Elements That Determine A Successful Return To Work For Injured Workers: A Scoping Review, Sundip Kaur Khosa, Wilma Jelley Professor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: A healthy and sustainable return to work (RTW) for a worker after injury or illness has benefits for the worker, their family, the employer, and society.¹ For this research we used the following definition of RTW success; return to positive and meaningful work in a position or occupation not necessarily including all the aspects of the worker’s pre-injury or pre-illness functions or tasks. Purpose: The question behind this survey-based research was, What elements are perceived as essential, to ensure return to employment of injured or ill workers, by stakeholders with experience in the RTW process? Methods: A 32 …

06.24.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Research Networking Lunch (LINC), NIH podcast, CREW (Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement) Premier Physics Experiment

External And Internal Attribution In Human-Agent Interaction: Insights From Neuroscience And Virtual Reality, Nina Lauharatanahirun, Andrea Won, Angel Hsing-Chi Hwang

Human-Machine Communication

Agents are designed in the image of humans, both internally and externally. The internal systems of agents imitate the human brain, both at the levels of hardware (i.e., neuromorphic computing) and software (i.e., neural networks). Furthermore, the external appearance and behaviors of agents are designed by people and based on human data. Sometimes, these humanlike qualities of agents are purposely selected to increase their social influence over human users, and sometimes the human factors that influence perceptions of agents are hidden. Inspired by Blascovich’s “threshold of social influence’, a model designed to explain the effects of different methods of anthropomorphizing …

Biodiversity Conservation In Western China With Scientific And Technological Support: Current Status, Challenges, And Suggestions, Fuwen Wei, Hang Sun, Jiaojun Zhu, Baoguo Li, Gexia Qiao, Shilong Chen, Jiang Zhu, Xiaoge Ping

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a megadiverse country, China has made significant progress in biodiversity conservation in recent years. The western region is a critical area for biodiversity conservation in China, boasting rich species resources and a high proportion of endemic species. However, its ecosystems are fragile and vulnerable to the impacts of multiple factors like climate change and human activities. Scientific and technological support has played a vital supporting role in biodiversity conservation, providing comprehensive support from monitoring and assessment to restoration and decision-making through biodiversity surveys, scientific research, and the establishment of monitoring networks. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including gaps in taxa and …

Psychology And Neuroscience Interactions: Roles, Challenges, And Breakthroughs, Xiaolan Fu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Psychology and neuroscience are deeply cross-fertilized to reveal the neural mechanisms of psychological processes and to promote the precise diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases. Psychology and neuroscience need to further break down disciplinary boundaries in the future to jointly address the complex challenges of human mental and brain health. This study discusses the role of psychology in the interaction with neuroscience, analyzes the challenges facing the interaction between the two parties as well as the direction of future breakthroughs, and uses a community-based population-based cohort study of depression as an example to further illustrate the multiple challenges of such …

Innovate And Create Novel Mycoinsecticide System To Promote Green Development Of Agriculture, Ding Ding, Feng Jiang, Lili Cao, Le Kang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The long-term irrational use of chemical pesticides has led to severe ecological, environmental, and human safety concerns, although chemical pesticides play an important role in increasing crop yields. In response, China has issued a series of policies to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, aiming to ensure food and agricultural safety while promoting high-quality agricultural development. Reducing the usage of chemical pesticides must be complemented by the adoption of biological pesticides. Globally, biological pesticides currently account for approximately 40% of total pesticide usage in many countries. Mycoinsecticide, characterized by their environmental friendliness, sustainability, and low resistance development, represents an important …

Uncovering The Dynamic Nature Of Fire Refugia Across Landscapes In Oregon's Western Cascades, Alec Scott Dyer

Dissertations and Theses

With increased fire activity, the presence of fire refugia is critical to support forest resiliency and mitigate large-scale vegetation conversion, however, the persistence of fire refugia within burn perimeters over time is uncertain. This study examines the dynamic nature of fire refugia by mapping the decline in forest cover over time, identifying spatiotemporal patch- and landscape-scale patterns and the biophysical drivers of delayed mortality following the 2020 Labor Day Fires occurring in Oregon’s western Cascades. After three years post-fire, delayed mortality accounted for an additional 8.5% of forest loss (total of 24,147 hectares in all five burns) compared to pre-fire …

Meals For All: An Examination Of The Effects Of Free School Meals On Middle Class Households, Ryan Elizabeth Comerford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Universal meal programs were created to mitigate childhood food insecurity in low-income communities. It is well known that poverty and food insecurity go hand-in-hand and are often the basis for much academic research within the realm of childhood food insecurity. This study investigates the impact of universal meal programs on food insecurity from a different perspective, that of the middle class. As an under-researched area, the hope is to draw attention to the needs of communities that are often forgotten and may not qualify for social programs, in an effort to reform existing federal policy regarding Universal Meal programs. Utilizing …

The Ecosystem As Super-Organ/Ism, Revisited: Scaling Hydraulics To Forests Under Climate Change, Jeffrey D. Wood, Matteo Detto, Marvin Browne, Nathan J.B. Kraft, Alexandra G. Konings, Joshua B. Fisher, Gregory R. Quetin, Anna T. Trugman, Troy S. Magney, Camila D. Medeiros, Nidhi Vinod, Thomas N. Buckley, Lawren Sack

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Classic debates in community ecology focused on the complexities of considering an ecosystem as a super-organ or organism. New consideration of such perspectives could clarify mechanisms underlying the dynamics of forest carbon dioxide (CO₂) uptake and water vapor loss, important for predicting and managing the future of Earth's ecosystems and climate system. Here, we provide a rubric for considering ecosystem traits as aggregated, systemic, or emergent, i.e., representing the ecosystem as an aggregate of its individuals, or as a metaphorical or literal super-organ or organism. We review recent approaches to scaling-up plant water relations (hydraulics) concepts developed for …

Proceedings Of The Cuny Games Conference 10.0, Robert O. Duncan, Grace Axler-Diperte, Joe Bisz, Christina Boyle, Devorah Kletenik, Carolyn Stallard

Publications and Research

The ten-year anniversary (!) of the CUNY Games Conference combines workshops, idea exchanges, interactive participant presentations, playtesting, and playing tabletop games into a two-day hybrid event to promote and discuss game-based learning. The conference focuses on creative pedagogy, such as playful learning activities or games, that teachers can use in the classroom every day. Day 1 featured interactive presentations by attendees, informal idea exchange sessions, and workshops by the conference organizers. Day 2 featured select presentations and workshops, poster sessions, playtesting and game modding, and casual play of tabletop games.

Evidence Of Climatic Influence On Subsistence Strategies At Sage Hen Springs, Nevada, Andrew Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Models of settlement patterns in the northwest Great Basin describe a decrease in residential mobility, intensified use of upland spring ecozones, and an increase in diet breadth during the Middle and Late Archaic. Here, I present data collected from the Sage Hen Springs site in northwestern Nevada during a Phase II testing project conducted by the BLM and an analysis of these data focusing on patterns of subsistence and mobility strategies throughout the Archaic. Results of this analysis support existing models of lifeways in the northwest Great Basin at the small scale and point to climatic factors as influences on …

Attrition And Assimilation: The Neural Mechanisms Of Mandarin-English Bilingualism, Natalie Paige Robison

University Honors Theses

This line of research investigates attrition of native language (L1) Mandarin proficiency with increasing proficiency in English. English uses pitch to denote intonation (e.g., "it's there?" versus "it's there!"), while Mandarin additionally uses pitch to indicate word meanings; e.g., /he/ means "drink" when spoken with a high, level tone, or "river" when spoken with a rising tone. The present study delineates between two alternative explanations for the prior finding that English proficiency correlates with attrition of Mandarin tones, but not Mandarin vowels. This pattern could be explained by 1) assimilability of the Mandarin vowel contrasts used in the study into …

Supporting Ontario Public Health Units To Address Adverse Childhood Experiences In Pandemic Recovery Planning: A Priority-Setting Exercise, Kimberly B Harding, Erica Di Ruggiero, Erick Gonzalez, Amanda Hicks, Daniel W Harrington, Sarah Carsley

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic exposures experienced during childhood, for example, neglect. There is growing evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related socioeconomic conditions contributed to an increased risk of ACEs. As public health programs/services are re-evaluated and restored following the state of emergency, it is important to plan using an ACEs-informed lens. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize initiatives or activities that Public Health Ontario (PHO) could undertake to support Ontario public health units' work towards ACEs-informed pandemic recovery plans.

METHODS: The Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method …

Table Of Contents, Lauren R. Yanase

Anthós

This document includes the front matter and table of contents for this issue of Anthós.

Knock And The Door Shall Be Opened Unto You, Using Strength And Conditioning As A Tool To Open Doors For Ministry, Tim Dornemann

CSKLS Annual Conference

This professional presentation will discuss how the power of meeting a need can open doors for ministry. Christian Sports Performance Ministry utilizes strength and conditioning to encourage, equip, and enable athletes, coaches, and educators to create relationships through which the Gospel can be shared. In areas of the world where current conditioning methods are not commonplace, education on how to enhance physical performance can be very attractive.

In conjunction with Athletes in Action Philippines, Christian Sports Performance has successfully been using strength and conditioning to open doors for ministry since 2011. Initially, a skill-based training system was developed and used …

An Epigenetically Driven Relationship Between Parental Ptsd And Inflammatory Disease In Offspring: A Proposal, Emma Griffith, Kevin P. Kaut

Journal of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Processes

Could a combat veteran's horrific experiences in early-2000s Afghanistan have a direct, biological impact on his or her now-adult daughter's risk of a heart attack later in her life? This concept would have been unapologetically mocked a mere twenty years ago, and it has only been in the past decade that the new field of epigenetics has revealed a distinct possibility for this event to actually take place—for parents' experiences to profoundly influence the biology of their children. The major objective of this research project is to argue for the legitimacy of this theoretical phenomenon by discussing the latest data …

Phototaxis In The Terrestrial Isopod: A Mechanism For Investigating Invertebrate Learning And Memory, Christopher Buzzelli, Jessica Kent, Chelsea Pawlak, Kevin P. Kaut

Journal of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Processes

Isopods readily explore new environments and typically prefer contexts with lower levels of illumination (i.e., negative phototaxis). In the first of two behavioral experiments reported here, the ability of isopods to discriminate between light and dark nesting regions was confirmed, although evidence suggests an initial ‘instinctive’ draw toward a darker context. Extending these findings to experiment 2, isopods were trained against their negatively phototaxic tendency and had to exit a darkened start chamber in order to locate nesting material in a brighter chamber. Within-session improvements in latency to enter the nesting region were noted across training trials, coupled with evidence …

Mukha Bhastrika On Reaction Time In Male High School Athletes: A Pilot Study, Malachi D. Ruiz, Matthew D. Ruiz

CSKLS Annual Conference

This pilot study investigates the potential impact of yoga (Mukha Bhastrika) practice on reaction time in male high school athletes. While existing literature emphasizes the importance of reaction time in contact sports and the potential of calming exercises like yoga to reduce it, there remains a gap in the literature focusing on male high school athletes in contact sports. This pilot study utilized a randomized controlled trial with ten male high school athletes. The participants were divided into two groups: one practicing Mukha Bhastrika and the other serving as a control group which simply rested between reaction time tests. Reaction …

The Impact Of Virtual Reality Training On Women’S Collegiate Tennis In Physical And Mental Performance, Megan Leblanc, Jordan Schools

CSKLS Annual Conference

This presentation focuses on the use of virtual reality (VR) in mental preparation among collegiate tennis players. In addition it explores the ways that VR and EEG can be used to enhance feeling of preparedness and prime the mind for performance.

Immersive Training: Elevating Athlete Performance And Cognitive Focus With Vr And Eeg Integration, Calvin Lopez, Jordan Schools

CSKLS Annual Conference

The pursuit of optimal athletic performance and mental focus has long been a central focus in sports science research. In recent years, the integration of virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing athlete development. This abstract presents findings from a case study investigating the efficacy of using Meta Quest 2 VR headsets coupled with EEG headbands to track and improve focus and mental preparedness levels in athletes. The study employed a case study methodology, focusing on the use of VR technology to enhance athlete performance and mental focus. Specifically, the research aimed to assess the …

Cultivating Gratitude In Christian Sport Professionals, Julie Powell

CSKLS Annual Conference

Using the framework of the eight dimensions of wellness and the five habits of a flourishing life, this presentation will focus on how to cultivate the virtue of gratitude and thanksgiving in order to combat the undesirable vice of entitlement. This presentation will outline what gratitude is, how we express it, and how to embody it as a part of our character. Cultivating a grateful disposition can be the result of practicing spiritual disciplines and the session will brainstorm ideas of how this might look in our current profession and in our personal lives.

Tough Conversations In The Classroom, Dale Connally, David Waddell

CSKLS Annual Conference

There are quite a few topics of discussion that can be difficult within the curricula for Recreation and Leisure, Health Professions, Sport and other disciplines within CSKLS. These might include environmental stewardship, immigration, political funding for programs, LGTBQ matters, racial discrimination, and DEI. We will explore some approaches gleaned from secular pedagogy sources. We will present useful techniques for planning discussions, facilitating, and following up after discussion. We will discuss differences between teaching at a public institution and a faith-based institution. The presenters will give a couple of examples from their classes for discussion. Attendees will be encouraged to engage …