28360 research outputs found
Sort by
Genome-wide association studies of reproductive, growth, and carcass attributes in admixed heifers using latent variables
No full textGenomic selection of beef cattle for complex composite traits of economic importance is becoming challenging with advancements in phenotypic data collection technologies. Composite traits are biologically immeasurable and require a set of phenotypic parameters to define them, but multiple correlated parameters are difficult to handle. Herein we adopted factor analysis approach, effectively addressing the correlation issue given phenotypic data of developing beef heifers (n = 336) for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Different reproductive and body size-related parameters were modeled to identify latent variables as composite traits using factor analyses and then modeled using univariate, multi-trait, and structure equation-based GWAS approaches with a Bayesian network learning structure. Twenty-four different genes identified across all composite traits were involved in cellular growth, morphogenesis, energy metabolism, and muscular development. Heritability of composite traits was also improved compared to using individual phenotypes. Collectively, this approach was found effective for GWAS analyses in beef heifers
FROM PAGES TO PLACES: SITUATING KELLY ET AL.?S THE ROBOT ZOO: A MECHANICAL GUIDE TO THE WAY ANIMALS WORK IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXT
Get PDFThe Robot Zoo: A Mechanical Guide to the Way Animals Work (1994), written by John Kelly, Dr. Philip Whitfield and Obin, consists of textual descriptions and visual images of sixteen robot animals. Among them, my discussion of Giraffe, Platypus and Rhino highlights the fact that they are endangered animals who are facing extinction due to climate change, human encroachment, poaching, illegal trade, and a lack of biodiversity. Although my other subjects of discussion such as House Fly, Grasshopper, Chameleon and Bat do not necessarily face any immediate extinction, this paper shows how scientists are using the heights and zips of these flying beings for wildlife conservation and construction engineering, even raising the possibilities of conserving real-life giraffes, rhinos, and platypuses. Therefore, in my paper, I prove that the more people watch and interact with electronic animatrons on display in robot zoo exhibitions, the more informed they will be about conservation, extinction, and the global climate crisis
Using wing flap sounds to distinguish individual birds
Get PDFOrnithologist often need to recognize individual birds, but traditional invasive methods, such as capturing, marking, releasing, and recapturing of birds, have limitations. To overcome this, researchers use non-invasive alternatives, such as bird vocalizations. In our study, we used wing flap sounds of three male Zebra Finch birds for individual recognition. We achieved identification accuracies ranging from 55% to 100% by using a combination of Principal Component Analysis-K-Nearest Neighbor (PCA-KNN) and Cross-Correlation method on training data and testing data. PCA-KNN allows for dimensionality reduction and pattern recognition, while the Cross-Correlation method bases data analysis on shifting data elements. Our approach can be applied to other bird species and is becoming more accessible due to technological advancements. Non-invasive methods for bird identification are becoming increasingly popular, and our study demonstrates the potential for using wing flap sounds to recognize individual birds
A far-field radio frequency experimental exposure system for yeast: creating a new standard
Get PDFThis paper presents a framework for investigating the potential effects of radiofrequency (RF) exposure on gene expression and cellular processes. Utilizing Schizosaccharomyces Pombe (S. pombe) as a model organism and specialized equipment to create a standard test environment for continued research in this field. Key methods include environmental monitoring, RF antenna configuration, and power density mapping. Results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed experimental setup. Future directions involve variations in RF frequency and exposure time, as well as exploring underlying molecular mechanisms. This framework aims to lay the groundwork for future experimentation in this field. It emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific inquiry and highlights the potential implications for understanding biological responses to RF exposure. This work provides a roadmap for further investigation into RF effects on gene expression, facilitating advancements in scientific understanding without conducting an actual experiment
Dermoscopy education to improve provider confidence in skin cancer identification
Get PDFSkin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and is becoming more prevalent each year. Patients often consult their primary care provider (PCP) for initial evaluation of skin lesions, and PCPs typically use naked-eye examination (NEE) to evaluate the lesion. Using NEE alone can yield varying results of accuracy and differential diagnosis. PCPs can utilize a dermatoscope to aid their visual inspection of suspicious lesions.
Dermoscopy, a non-invasive technique for examining skin lesions, has been recognized as an invaluable tool in the early detection of skin cancer. While traditionally used by dermatologists, the need for early identification of skin cancer demands that PCPs utilize dermoscopy to improve patient outcomes. This practice improvement project aimed to increase PCPs accuracy in dermoscopic analysis while improving confidence in performing skin cancer screening and dermatoscope use.
The practice improvement project utilized a pre-training assessment and dermoscopy training that was presented in-person at a primary care clinic in the Midwest and was available online to providers unable to attend in-person. The training was created to equip providers with knowledge of dermoscopy principles, the PASS algorithm, and the ability to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Following the training, the clinic was provided with two dermatoscopes, as well as a binder containing PASS algorithm and training references. Providers then had three months to utilize dermoscopy in their clinical practice prior to taking the post-implementation assessment. Pre- and post-assessments were used to gauge the participants' knowledge and confidence levels throughout the project. Project results support literature findings, including actual and perceived improvement in knowledge and confidence of skin lesion identification and triaging.
Continued rise in skin cancer prevalence necessitates PCPs to become more proficient in secondary prevention strategies. The project concluded with the need to advocate for the integration of dermatoscope access and training aimed to equip PCPs with the necessary skills to effectively identify and prioritize skin lesions. By empowering PCPs with the skills to use dermatoscopes in combination with the PASS algorithm, communities can benefit from early detection of skin cancer, fewer unnecessary referrals, and better healthcare outcomes
Synthesis and Characterization of Thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine-Based Near-Infrared Material
Get PDFSince their first report in the 1800s, conjugated polymers have gained significant attention for their ability to exhibit the optical and electronic properties of inorganic semiconductors and the physical traits of organic plastics. This has led to the development of organic electronics with notable commercial applications, such as organic photovoltaics and organic light-emitting diodes. The tunability of these materials has also allowed for the production of materials that absorb and emit near-infrared (NIR) light, making them useful for NIR photodetection and bioimaging.
NIR photodetection is important for several applications, including optical communication, artificial vision, and health monitoring. Commercially available NIR photodetectors use inorganic materials such as InGaAs and HgCdTe, which are toxic, inflexible, and have limited tunability of their spectral response range. Conjugated polymers offer an alternative to these materials as they are considerably less toxic, flexible, and their spectral response range is tunable through molecular design. Thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine (TP) homopolymers show potential for NIR photodetectors due to their ability to absorb NIR light. However, TP homopolymers generally exhibit low solubility, which limits their application to devices. To improve solubility, TP homopolymers were functionalized with branched side chains, resulting in soluble materials with bandgaps as low as 0.64 eV. In addition, NIR photodetectors made from these materials exhibit specific detectivity values that are competitive with some of the top-performing polymers currently used in NIR photodetectors. Moreover, TP homopolymers are of relatively low synthetic complexity compared to current state-of-the-art conjugated polymers. The overall design, synthesis, characterization, and device data for these materials will be presented.
Both absorption and emission are crucial for bioimaging, unlike NIR photodetection which only requires absorption. Fluorescence imaging allows for fast feedback and high sensitivity while being relatively inexpensive compared to traditional imaging methods. The NIR-I and NIR-II windows (700?900 and 1000?1700 nm, respectively) are ideal for fluorescence imaging due to the reduced absorption, autofluorescence, and scattering in these regions. Organic small molecule fluorophores have gained interest due to their low toxicity, fast excretion rates, tunability, and good biocompatibility. The overall design, synthesis, and characterization of several small molecule emitters will be presented
Improving nitrogen management, including the use of cover crops, in North Dakota cropping systems
Get PDFCrop production in North Dakota covers nearly 64 million ha, playing a crucial role in the state?s economy. However, wide-spread agriculture also poses environmental risks resulting from soil erosion and loss of N to ground and surface water. To address these concerns, agriculturists must adopt practices to decrease soil erosion and responsibly manage N. Between 2020 and 2024, several studies in North Dakota focused on improving N management in two-row malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), explored opportunities for cover crop integration, and assessed the rotational impact cover crops on crop productivity and soil factors. Research indicated N recommendations ranging from 89 to 190 kg available N ha-1 could optimize profitability and barley quality while reducing fertilizer requirements compared to yield-goal based recommendations. Although cover crops planted following barley harvest sequestered N in the biomass preventing leaching, the subsequent two cropping years of corn (Zea Mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) showed no significant yield response from the cover crop. It did appear the cover crop had an impact on the wheat yield response to N, indicating a potential long-term benefit. In addition to cover crops, managing barley residue resulted in significant soil temperature differences in the spring, with greater mean daily temperatures measured where residue was removed compared to residue-mulched or cover cropped treatments; these temperature differences were attributed to increased absorption of solar radiation. The absence of mulch or cover crops, however, caused greater fluctuations and lower minimum temperature in the bare-soil treatment. Additionally, integrating interseeded cover crops into wide-row (152-cm) corn was determined to be a viable option for adding diversity to the cropping system without impacting corn yield. Through responsibly managed N recommendations in North Dakota cropping systems, dependence on N fertilizers can be reduced. The integration of cover crops can sequester N and provide erosion control without a significant impact on rotational crop yield
An assessment of barriers to nurse practitioners? utilizing pharmacogenetic testing for depression
Get PDFAs a leading cause of disability worldwide, depression is considered a chronic disease. Medication management is the first-line treatment for moderate to severe major depressive disorder. Medications are selected based on provider experience and preference with a trial-and- error? approach. These medications may take several weeks to reach therapeutic dosing. If it is not tolerated or ineffective for treating the disease, then the medication regimen is changed, requiring a minimum of 4-6 weeks to determine efficacy. This trial-and-error approach to depression treatment can lead to patients living with persistently debilitating depressive symptoms for months, increased healthcare costs due to continued need to seek medical follow-up, or patients discontinuing care due to lack of efficacy early in treatment attempts.
In a post-market release study regarding the efficacy of antidepressant use, results indicated that 11% of the United States population takes an antidepressant. Depressed patients that do not benefit from the first antidepressant they are prescribed is 60% (Alemi et al., 2021). Pharmacogenomic testing (PGT) is beneficial in disease management by determining individual genotype responses to specific medications. Incorporating PGT into routine care for depression can lessen the time it takes to reach disease remission as well as avoid any adverse medication effects. Despite the known benefits of PGT, it continues to have a slow adoption rate in clinical practice.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) surveyed aided the co-investigator in assessing current rates of NPs utilizing PGT as well as identifying barriers to use. Understanding limits for using PGT can contribute to developing targeted education in hopes of enhancing the uptake of PGT for managing depression into routine clinical practice. use. Understanding limits for using PGT can contribute to developing targeted education in hopes of enhancing the uptake of PGT for managing depression into routine clinical practice
A practice improvement project improving tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment education in a doctor of nursing practice program
Get PDFTobacco use is a global epidemic and the leading cause of preventable mortality and morbidity in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022h). Approximately 5.4 million people die annually due to tobacco-related illnesses. About 70% of tobacco users visit primary care clinics annually and even brief advice from clinicians can improve cessation rates ( United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2020). However, four out of nine adult smokers who visited healthcare providers did not receive any advice or counseling on quitting smoking. Lack of training and confidence were identified as a barrier among providers as to why they were not providing regular counseling or pharmacologic intervention (Meijer et al., 2019).
This practice improvement project improved the tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment education curriculum in North Dakota State University?s (NDSU) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program based on the recommendation provided by former DNP student, Dr. Doan (Doan, 2023). Dr. Doan first incorporated tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment education into the DNP curriculum in 2022. This project was implemented in NURS 810 class among DNP students. The education consisted of an online program (NDQuits QuitLogix) and an in-class presentation. Students were provided with toolkits.
NDSU DNP students? knowledge, motivation, confidence in helping people quit tobacco and nicotine, and comfort with providing information about cessation medications, programs and services, and referrals for evidence-based tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment were assessed through pre- and 2-month post-education questionnaires. Motivation to help users quit was high before the intervention began and did not have a significant increase post-intervention. Significant increases in knowledge, confidence, and comfort were observed in helping patients quit and in providing information about cessation medications, programs and services, and referrals for tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment. The results of this practice improvement support the effectiveness of formal tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment curriculum for DNP programs. Additionally, this project serves as a guide for DNP and other primary care programs for adding tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment curriculum into DNP and other primary care professional programs
Emotion regulation moderates the prospective association between ERN and anxiety in early adolescence: An age-specific moderation of cognitive reappraisal but not expressive suppression
Get PDFThe increasing prevalence of anxiety problems during adolescence underscores the importance of a better understanding of the development of anxiety. While past research has highlighted a link between error responsivity, indexed by error-related negativity (ERN), and youth anxiety, the role of emotion regulation in the ERN-anxiety relationship remains unclear. We conducted a two-wave study with 115 healthy nine-12-year-olds, and found that expressive suppression (ES), an important emotion regulatory strategy, moderates the ERN-anxiety association. A larger T1 ERN predicted heightened T2 anxiety symptoms in those with higher ES. Interestingly, the moderating effect of cognitive reappraisal (CR), another important emotion regulatory strategy, on the ERN-anxiety association was age-dependent; in older youths, the association between T1 ERN and T2 symptoms was significant only for those with lower CR. These findings offer novel insights into the differential age-related patterns in the moderating effects of emotion regulation, and inform future emotion intervention studies for youths