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Examining the Relationship between Lake Michigan Water Levels and the Ecohydrology of an Interdunal Wetland/Slack on the Southeast Coast of Lake Michigan
No full textInterdunal wetlands or slacks are an imperiled ecosystem along the Great Lakes. We initiated an ecohydrological study of an interdunal slack/wetland in the deflation basin of a large parabolic dune ~200m inland from Lake Michigan near Saugatuck, Michigan. The slack formed where wind unevenly scoured the sand to the water table, creating a series of pools and ridges. We reviewed historic aerial photographs together with the Lake Michigan water level curve to examine the relationship between slack features and the lake’s hydrology. The earliest photo, 1938, shows three pools along the northernmost edge and emergent wetland vegetation in the northeast corner and along the western edge of the slack. In subsequent photos, larger pond and emergent wetland vegetation areas occurred in years with higher water levels, while smaller pond and emergent vegetation areas occurred in years with lower water levels. Low lake levels from 1998 – 2014 significantly shrank the wetland areas with upland dune vegetation replacing wetland vegetation in many places. Even the northernmost pools were dry during a portion of this time. Rising lake levels (2014 – present) reflooded the wetland. Vegetation quadrat sampling in the summer of 2016 showed dominant wetland species in the slack. Thus, water levels in the slack generally reflect Lake Michigan levels with the ecological communities responding accordingly. In addition, different wetland plant communities and zonation of these communities were noted in the various pools and lobes of this slack, apparently due to different water depths in the respective pools and lobes. This phenomenon is under additional study. Groundwater levels obtained from a slack/dune monitoring well network show that local rain events significantly raise the slack’s water levels while not impacting those of Lake Michigan. Hence, water levels within the slack are reflective of both Lake Michigan’s levels and local precipitation events
Genotyping within the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Gene and Apathy among Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease
No full textApathy, defined as a disorder of motivation, is a prevalent neuropsychiatric symptom among persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Variations within the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Gene are hypothesized to be candidate modifiers of apathy symptoms in persons with AD. These variations are called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The aim of this study was to amplify SNPs of interest in order to generate genotype data for 115 DNA samples collected from patients with AD. The allelic discrimination feature of real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and primer-probe sets were used to amplify OXTR SNPs rs2268498, rs237885, rs237887, and rs237902. Genotype frequencies for each of the SNPs of interest were as follows: rs2268498 [22.6% (n=26) CC, 46.1% (n=53) CT, 23.5% (n=27) TT, 7.8% (n=9) Missing], rs237885 [21.7% (n=25) GG, 46.1% (n=53) GT, 27.0% (n=31) TT, 5.2% (n=6) Missing], rs237887 [28.7% (n=22) AA, 47.0% (n=54) AG, 18.3% (n=21) GG, 6.1% (n=7) Missing], and rs237902 [13.0% (n=15) AA, 42.6% (n=49) AG, 36.5% (n=42) GG, 7.8% (n=9) Missing]. Genotype data will be analyzed and compared to previously collected phenotype data, including apathy symptoms as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Findings may contribute to identifying individuals with AD more at risk for apathy based on OXTR genotype
Refining the R-process with the SuN Detector at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory
No full textWhere did all of the heavy elements originate? The rapid neutron capture process (r-process), currently only characterized by theoretical calculations, model the nuclear reactions that lead to heavier nuclei in intense astrophysical locations such as supernovas. Experimenting with the few reactions reproducible on Earth can refine the theoretical calculations of reactions currently impossible to replicate. A cocktail beam of heavy nuclei associated with the r-process around 104Nb with a magnetic rigidity of 3.2097 Tm was produced at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The beam implanted in an energy and position detector located inside an efficient gamma detector called the Summing NaI(Tl) detector (SuN). Beta-decay events were correlated to implantation events to identify the A and Z of the decayed nucleus. Using the correlated gamma-ray energies measured in SuN, values such as the beta-decay intensity distribution will then be calculated and compared to values predicted by models that are used to calculate the abundance distribution of the various nuclei observed today
A Middle School English Language Arts Teacher\u27s Transition to Integrated, Project-Based Learning
No full textIn the past, subject integration efforts have focused primarily on coupling science with other subjects such as technology, engineering, and mathematics (i.e., STEM). However, recent initiatives seek to broaden integration of traditional STEM subjects with the fine arts (i.e., STEAM). Locally, a rural middle school has started a STREAM school program (with the “R” representing Reading) that includes the integration of STEM components, the arts, and English language arts (ELA) in a project-based learning environment. Although integrating ELA in STEM contexts offers many benefits including increased science content knowledge (Bradbury, 2014), the process can prove difficult for teachers. The purpose of this research is to investigate the trials and triumphs of an ELA teacher’s transition from educating in a traditional setting to educating in the integrated STREAM program. Using case study methodology (Yin, 2014), this study tracks the successes and challenges of an experienced teacher who transformed the traditional ELA curriculum into an integrated, project-based learning curriculum. Data were collected from interviews with the teacher and analyzed using grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Furthermore, a framework was developed to describe and understand her experience.The results of this case study inform educators about the obstacles of ELA integration in STEM, and how these obstacles can be overcome
The Effect of Lower Extremity Fatigue on Balance in Dancers, Cross-Country Runners, and Non-Athlete College Students
No full textThis study was designed to compare the effect of lower body fatigue of individuals (n=27) from different athletic backgrounds on static balance. Participants included dancers (n=8), cross-country runners (n=9) and non-athletes (n=10). It was hypothesized that the dancers would have greater balance after fatigue compared to the cross-country runners and non-athlete college students. This hypothesis was based on the dancer\u27s physical training. Each participant was familiarized with the study methods before beginning experimental trials which included 2 identical sessions. During each session, participants performed a tandem stance balance task on a force plate for 20s with eyes opened and closed prior to cycling to fatigue on a stationary cycle ergometer. The balance tasks were then repeated. Postural sway path length (cm) and area of the 95th percentile ellipse (cm2) were assessed. Fatigue resulted in significant decreases in balance in all groups for postural sway path length (pre-eyes opened path length: 99.18±2.87 cm, post-eyes opened path length: 113.67±5.89 cm, p=0.006; pre-eyes closed path length: 161.44±9.82 cm, post-eyes closed path length: 184.87±14.71 cm, p=0.021), but not area of the 95th percentile ellipse (p\u3e0.05). Furthermore, there were no interactions between groups, suggesting that all participants balance scores responded to fatigue similarly, and dancers did not have better balance than cross-country runners, and non-athletes as hypothesized
Utilizing Core Stability in a Bankart Repair Rehabilitation
No full textIn the rehabilitation orthopedic injuries, having a whole body mindset is necessary for the full recovery of the athlete. As each part of the body is attached to the whole the effect of injury to one seemingly isolated area does affect the global system. This study was done around a case that entered rehabilitation after a Bankart Repair surgery. Innately, the glenohumeral joint sacrifices stability for enhanced mobility. The Bankart repair is primarily to repair any damage from the hypermobile humerus and tighten the capsule. Therefore, rehabilitation for this athlete is focused on progressing the stable use of the joint at the humerus as well as how the rest of the body works with the shoulder. The utilization of the lower core was specifically evaluated in the global strengthening process to investigate better rehabilitation engagement. Developing a dynamic core requires the upper body to position the trunk over the pelvis providing a foundation for optimal function of the upper and lower extremities. The throwing process is unique often to upper extremity on the dominant side and requires the build up, release, and control of power and torque in precise timing. Therefore, in the rehabilitation progression of an athlete with the need to strengthen instability in the his dominant arm, founding a strong core is of great importance. The pelvic floor was specifically evaluated due to the muscles’ role in upholding strength in the lower abdominals as well as stability in the pelvis and further down the kinetic chain. Engaging the muscles of the transverse abdominis, multifidi, and pelvic floor provides a direct foundation to the upper back musculature, providing mobility and stability to scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joints. As the athlete progressed through post surgical rehabilitation, areas of the shoulder, upper and lower back, and core were facilitated simultaneously, enhancing the patient’s return to play and overall function
Attitudes towards LGBTQ Rights
No full textThis work will trace what factors explain shifts in American attitudes toward the advancement of LGBTQ rights. In particular, relying on public opinion surveys I explore the role that political ideology plays in explaining an individual’s support for LGBTQ rights
Religion, Government, and Conflict
No full textReligion and type of government (ie. Autocracy vs Democracy) often influence one another and religious values often become reflected in the government itself. These ideological differences may cause different states to become alienated and make conflict between them more probable than with a state that holds similar beliefs. My research project attempts to explore this relationship
The Good Physician: Role Perceptions, Beliefs, and Patient Interactions
No full textWhen sick, patients understand their conditions in the terms of their everyday experiences. How normal rhythms are impacted, interrupted or disturbed. Religion, for many, plays an integral role in making sense of experiences, but processes of healing often do not include these meaning making structures such as religious beliefs. This potentially hinders patients’ healing processes or at least their experiences with healthcare. Over the years, research has shown that patients would like their physicians to ask about or at least be aware of their religious/spiritual beliefs (Ehman et al. 1999). Physicians, however, tend to deemphasize religion in interactions with patients even while they tend to agree on the potential importance of religion (Armbruster, Chibnall, and Legett 2003). This project focused on the relationship between a physician’s personal beliefs and values and their professional beliefs and values in an attempt to understand how or when there is an overlap, and whether this overlap influences perceptions regarding what they should be doing as a physician. That is, what do they think they ought to be doing, and is this patterned by their personal beliefs? Semistructured interviews were conducted with southwest Michigan physicians to understand these questions. We found that most physicians could articulate how their own beliefs or values influenced the attitudinal/relational dimension of medical care, forming a foundation for these professional values. Moreover, respondents’ personal beliefs and values also seemed to influence the stability of physician’s identity as physician. In particular, they spoke of a more unified identity (little to no separate “personal” and “professional” persona), and having an emotional buffer with which to cope with the professions’ pressures
The Effects of 5 Weeks of Pull-up Training with Fat Gripz™ Bar Attachments on Grip Strength and Shot Speed in Collegiate Men’s Lacrosse Athletes
Get PDFUsing wider bar diameters during “pulling” exercises (such as pull-ups), may activate muscles in the forearm influencing grip strength. Fat Gripz™ bar attachments, devices used to increase bar diameter, were used in this study. The purpose was to examine whether performing pull-up training using Fat Gripz™ (FG, n=8) would improve grip strength, 1RM lat pull-down, pull-ups to failure, and shot speed of male collegiate lacrosse players compared to using a standard diameter pull-up bar (CON, n=6). It was hypothesized that dependent variables would have a greater increase in the FG group than the CON group due to enhanced forearm muscle activation. All participants performed 3 sets of supervised pull-ups to failure 3 times/week for 5 weeks. Following training pull-ups to failure increased for both groups (pre:9.64±3.65, post:16.57±7.32, p0.05 for all dependent variables). Interestingly, the FG group averaged significantly less pull-ups per set than the CON group over the course of the 5 week training period (CON: 10.23±1.29 reps/set, FG: 6.15±1.11 reps/set, p=0.034). Therefore, while our hypothesis that the FG group would improve to a greater degree with training than the control group was not supported, there is evidence to suggest that training with a wider bar diameter can result in similar performance improvements with less training volume. Further research is warranted to study the effects of resistance training with wide diameter bars