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The Effects of Prenatal Exercise on Infant Gross Motor Skills and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I & II
No full textABSTRACT
Prenatal exercise has been shown to improve both maternal and infant health outcomes. Previous research conducted in our lab has shown that there is a positive relationship between aerobic exercise and infant gross motor skills at one month of age. However, it remains unknown the effects of prenatal exercise on various frequency, intensity, time, type, and volume (FITT-V ) metrics at one month of age, the duration of these gross motor skill improvements, as well as the mechanism behind these improvements. The purpose of this dissertation was to address these gaps in the literature through the following aims: aim 1a: To determine the effects of prenatal exercise modes and exercise metrics (FITT-V) on 1-month infant gross motor skills, aim 1b: To determine the effects of prenatal exercise mode on gross motor skill trajectories at 1, 6, and 12 month, aim 2: Evaluate the correlation of prenatal exercise with umbilical cord plasma IGF concentrations as well as the correlation between IGF concentrations with infant gross motor skills. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2nd Edition (PDMS-2) scores and cord plasma were obtained from infants of healthy pregnant women who participated in our randomized control trial intervention. Women participated in the study from <16-wks gestation until delivery and those in the exercise groups completed 150 min of moderate intensity aerobic (AE), resistance (RE), or combination (CE) exercise per week. For all aims, offspring completed an infant gross motor skill assessment, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2nd Edition (PDMS-2). This assessment was completed by a pediatric physical therapist with 40 years experience who was blinded to group randomization. For aim 2, umbilical cord plasma was analyzed for insulin-like growth factors I & II (IGF I &II) using MULTIPLEX MAP kits and Luminex xMAP technology to quantify biomarker concentration.
For aim 1a, PDMS-2 scores were higher in infants born to women exercising at a higher intensity during pregnancy. When examining differences in gender, we found a trend towards higher PDMS-2 Reflex scores in females and higher Stationary and Locomotion scores in the males. Aim 1b, we found that all prenatal exercise modes elicited enhanced gross motor skills when compared to the attention control (CON) group. Moreover, we found that prenatal exercise, specifically CE, positively influences infant gross motor skill development in the first year of life. We also found that prenatal CE and infant sex (female) were significant predictors of infant gross motor skills at 12 months of age. There was also no association found between IGF-II and infant gross motor skills. However, there was a trend towards significance as well as a large effect size when examining the relationship between prenatal exercise and cord plasma IGF-II concentrations.
Our findings demonstrate that prenatal exercise, specifically when performed at higher intensities (at one month of age) and across various modes (AE, RE, CE) have a positive influence on infant gross motor skill development in the first year of life, with CE showing the greatest impact. Although we were not able to analyze cord plasma IGF-I, we observed a promising trend and large effect size between cord plasma IGF-II concentrations and prenatal exercise. Overall, these findings add to the existing literature on the benefits of prenatal exercise on infant health outcomes
The impacts of industrial fishing on local food security: insights from the Canadian North
No full textThis dissertation investigates the complex relationship between industrial commercial fishing and household food security through a multi-scalar, mixed-method approach. Guided by the social-ecological systems (SES) framework, the research integrates literature synthesis, participatory research, ecosystem modeling, and agent-based simulation to understand how ecological changes driven by industrial fishing intersect with social dynamics and community food systems. Chapter 2 presents a systematic review of 55 peer-reviewed studies on industrial fishing and food security, identifying four key thematic pathways. The review reveals a critical gap in empirical studies that directly link fishing activity to food security outcomes. Chapter 3 explores food access and decision-making in Nunavik, an Inuit region in Arctic Canada, using participatory mapping and scenario-based workshops with 17 community members. Findings reveal a complex and adaptive food system that includes both country and market food sources, with access shaped by a range of social and economic factors. Chapter 4 evaluates the ecological and economic implications of shrimp fisheries in Ungava Bay. Results show that fishing activity has increased notably in the region and that the Indigenous corporation likely earns 11–13% of total fishing revenues through royalties. Even under a hypothetical scenario in which shrimp harvest is doubled, ecosystem impacts remain limited. Chapter 5 builds a coupled ecosystem–agent-based model, inspired by regional dynamics, to simulate how changes in biomass interact with social conditions to affect household food security in a hypothetical northern coastal community. The simulation shows that while biomass declines from fishing have measurable effects on household food insecurity, social factors play a more significant role in shaping outcomes. Together, these chapters offer novel insights into how industrial fisheries development—and broader anthropogenic change—can shape local food systems, particularly in remote coastal communities
Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Rural Areas
No full textTeacher recruitment and retention has long been a challenge across the state of North Carolina. Rural school districts are especially affected due to small population sizes, limited access to housing, and limited resources. Rural areas form a large portion of North Carolina. High quality educators are needed in these areas to provide students with a quality education, regardless of where they live. The focus of this study is to determine perspectives of prospective educators and determine what factors are important when deciding where to teach. In addition, perspectives of current rural school teachers are taken into account to determine what strategies can be used to recruit and retain new teachers in these school systems. To gather data, a survey was sent to students in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at East Carolina University. Following this survey, a small focus group gathered together to further explain their perspectives. Interviews were also held with current rural school teachers to discuss potential recruitment strategies and their perspectives of teaching in a rural school. Following the survey and interviews, the data was analyzed to determine potential themes. It is hoped that this information will help school administrators and leaders recruit and retain teachers
Dear Ivy
No full textHave you ever wanted to get something more out of the love stories that you read? Something that remains in your body as your fingertips turn the final page and you just feel as though something is missing in a book’s very essence. You read tales of love and relationships but more often than not, they’re unrealistic and idealized versions of the strange emotion that we have all experienced throughout our lifetime. Our collection ties together many genres under the overarching theme of love that not only include happy, idealized relationships, but that also unveil the raw truth of how love can leave us. Sometimes family members pass away and that leaves a hole in your heart, sometimes the one you believed to be the love of your life is just another lesson, and sometimes you find that the friend you’ve known for ages has been your soulmate all along. Love exists in the real world, and our stories reflect the reality of what can happen to those who stumble into its enchantment.
Written by two North Carolina college students, Dear Ivy, is a unique and diverse collection of short stories that explores love in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Within this book, you’ll find stories about everlasting love and “happily ever after”, while also finding stories about platonic love, friendship, familial relationships, and more. These tales are organized by the Victorian art of floriography, a practice in which flowers are like words, and every blossom has its own message to convey. Each story is titled after a special bloom with its unique meaning that goes on to provide the theme to the story with its namesake. As you read, you’ll constantly find the idea that love exists everywhere and within everyone and can be found in all facets of life as it does not discriminate between culture, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Love, as a concept, is realistic, enduring, poetic, and enchanting to many readers, and the twenty-two stories housed in this book encapsulate the concept that has inspired humanity for millennia. The only question that remains is this; would you like to fall into that world with us
Health Risk Assessment of Arsenic and Manganese Contamination in West Virginia's Public Water Systems
No full textThis study examines arsenic (As) and manganese (Mn) contamination in West Virginia's public water systems, focusing on Community Water Systems (CWS) and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems (NTNCWS). The research addresses the critical public health issue of heavy metal exposure through drinking water, which can lead to various adverse health effects. Water sampling data from 2011 to 2023 were obtained from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and analyzed for As (n=305) and Mn (n=112) across the state. This study utilized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's risk assessment framework, calculating Average Daily Dose (ADD), Lifetime Average Daily Dose (LADD), Hazard Quotients (HQ), and Cancer Risk (CR) for various age groups under multiple (default, low and high) exposure scenarios. Socioeconomic factors were evaluated using county-level data and examined using univariate analysis. The dependent variables were log-transformed As and Mn concentrations, while the independent variables included median income, county districts, collection year, and water system type.
The findings revealed significant geographic variations in As and Mn contamination across counties. Arsenic levels remained relatively stable from 2011 to 2022 (1.6-6.7 µg/L) but spiked dramatically in 2023 (60.17 µg/L). Manganese levels increased significantly from 2017, peaking at 889 µg/L in 2019. Several samples exceeded regulatory limits: 19 As samples surpassed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 µg/L, and 67 Mn samples exceeded the secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) of 50 µg/L. Arsenic levels were significantly influenced by the year of collection and its interaction with the geographic district. Manganese contamination was influenced by geographic district and its interaction with collection year. The study found no significant correlation between As or Mn concentration and median income (p = 0.704, p = 0.283, respectively), suggesting that environmental factors may have a stronger influence on contamination levels than socioeconomic factors. All exposure scenarios for As in both the community water system (CWS) and non-transient non-community water system (NTNCWS) showed hazard quotient (HQ) values greater than 1, indicating considerable non-cancer risks across all age groups. Manganese exposure presented considerable non-cancer risks, particularly for infants and young children. Cancer risk characterization revealed elevated lifetime cancer risks for As exposure, exceeding the threshold of 1 × 10⁻⁶ in most scenarios.
The study confirms significant variations in As and Mn contamination between counties and reveals considerable cancer and non-cancer risks from exposure to these metals in drinking water among West Virginia residents. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve water quality and reduce exposure to these contaminants, particularly in high-risk areas. Recommendations include implementing targeted interventions in high-risk counties, enhancing water quality monitoring and remediation efforts, conducting public awareness campaigns, considering stricter regulations on industrial activities, and investing in water treatment infrastructure and distribution systems
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No full textNoneThis executive summary outlines a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project creating and disseminating a validated opioid overdose toolkit based on national models.Non
MOBILE SENSORIMOTOR INTEGRATION ASSESSMENT IN SOCCER PLAYERS
No full textBackground: The purpose of this study is to establish metrics that work in the field to promptly identify and evaluate the level of sensorimotor integration impairment incurred by repetitive sub-concussive loading (RSCL). Repeated head impacts, even without clinical symptoms of mTBI, can cause neurocognitive and neurophysiological impairments. In contact sports, repetitive sub-concussive impacts may lead to mTBI-like deficits, increasing the risk of neurological injury, cognitive decline, and CTE. One study found CTE in 41.4% of contact sport athletes under 30 at death. With many neurological injuries going undetected, developing a rapid, in-field assessment is crucial to prevent further damage. We hypothesize that the use of wireless sensorimotor integration measurements can be harnessed to objectively evaluate sensorimotor integration following periods of exposure to RSCL in the field.
Methods: Our approach is to integrate wireless measures of postural control, oculomotor control, and cortical activation with virtual reality (VR) to provide a comprehensive assessment of sensorimotor integration function, independent of a lab setting, following a single period of exposure to RSCL. Twenty participants will be chosen who are ages 18-50 who currently play, or have played within the past two years, organized soccer with no diagnosed concussions within the past year and no lower extremity injuries within the past three months. These participants will be outfitted with a Pedar in-hoe pressure distribution and gTEC EEG systems after consent is obtained. They will then participate in the pretest using the wireless measures listed above. Next, the participants will take part in the RSCL exposure period. For the RSCL exposure period, soccer players will engage in a heading training protocol. Following completion of the heading protocol, participants will be re-tested using the same measures in the pre-test.
Expected Results: We expect to see a difference in the sensorimotor integration measures before and after the RSCL exposure period. More specifically, we expect to see results similar to what is seen following concussion. The RSCL exposure data will help to develop a portable sensorimotor integration system for real-time impairment assessment after RSCL incidents in field settings. This system could help prevent neurological injury in sports, military, and other environments while also aiding in the evaluation of conditions like Parkinson’s disease and stroke
Dopamine Receptor Control of Collagen Transcription and Secretion: Relevance to Fibrosis, Health and Disease
No full textDopamine receptors (DRs) play critical roles beyond the central nervous system, influencing cardiovascular function and fibrosis. However, the impact of DR signaling on collagen regulation in cardiac fibroblasts remains poorly understood, specifically the direct and indirect effects on collagen transcription factors. SP1, SMAD3, and TCF21 are all important transcription factors, previously determined in Endothelin-1 (ET1), Angiotensin II (Ang II), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb-1) pathways for collagen synthesis and accumulation. This study aims to investigate the effects of dopamine receptor 1 (D1R) and dopamine receptor 3 (D3R) signaling on transcription factors mediated by these established collagen synthesis pathways in regulation of human fibroblasts, that are heavily involved in health and disease across the human body, especially the cardiovascular system. By elucidating the role of dopamine receptor signaling in regulating collagen transcription and secretion, this study will provide insights into novel cellular and nuclear mechanisms underlying fibrosis in cardiovascular disease. Moreover, since collagen regulation is critical for tissue remodeling, wound healing, and fibrotic disorders beyond the cardiovascular system, these findings may have broader implications for human health and disease
Emerging Trends and Approaches to Student Leadership within Higher Education
No full textThis study investigates the trends and challenges surrounding student leadership in higher education. While leadership development is a priority for many institutions, existing research suggests that current efforts may not be sufficient, highlighting a need for new strategies and programs. This research uncovers key issues in student leadership while addressing gaps in existing literature. The study concludes with actionable recommendations to enhance leadership participation and engagement at institutions nationwide.
Previous research emphasizes the transformative power of extracurricular activities and leadership positions for students’ future careers. However, studies show that many students are reluctant to engage in these activities, with barriers being particularly pronounced for marginalized populations. This study bridges these research gaps by exploring these challenges through the perspectives of both students and faculty, incorporating insights into post-pandemic shifts and evolving leadership dynamics.
The research involves surveying students and faculty in higher education. Participants responded to a mix of open-ended, scale-rating, and multiple-choice questions to explore their perceptions of leadership accessibility, barriers, and potential improvements. The survey was administered through East Carolina University’s Qualtrics platform.
The findings from this study reinforce that leadership is perceived in many different ways and each student has a different perspective on what they think leadership is. Higher education must adopt a developmental mindset, seeing leadership not as an opportunity reserved for a select group of students, but rather as a skillset that should be cultivated and taught to all of their students. With the right programs and processes, institutions can transform how students perceive leadership
SEXUAL PAIN AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING AMONG COLLEGE-AGED BLACK WOMEN
No full textSexual pain is commonly experienced among women; it impacts 10-20% of women in the United States, yet it is still an underexplored area of research (Sorensen et al., 2018). The majority of sexual pain research has also focuses on the experiences of White, middle-aged, and older women (Avis et al.,2005; Kao et al., (2008); Rosen et al., 1993).This study addresses this gap by focusing on the sexual pain and sexual health experiences of college-aged Black women.
The purpose of this study was to explore the frequency of sexual pain in a sample of Black female college students, differences in psychosocial functioning between Black female college students with vs. without sexual pain, how sexual pain impacts mental health (specifically depressive and anxiety symptoms, and fear-avoidance of college-aged Black women), how sexual pain affects college-aged Black women's sexual satisfaction, and how cultural factors play a role in coping strategies among college-aged Black women experiencing sexual pain.
A total of 77 African American women completed an online survey that examined demographics, sexual health history, three sexual pain variables (e.g., sexual pain intensity, sexual pain frequency,and sexual pain duration), anxiety, depressive, fear-avoidance, sexual satisfaction, and cultural attitudes.Additionally, majoritiy of participants considered themselves to be sexually active with themselves and others.
Notably, about half (48%) of the women reported experiencing sexual pain, highlighting the prevalence of sexual pain in this population. The findings demonstrated that Black women with sexual pain had higher average scores for depressive symptoms. Findings also revealed significant associations between three sexual pain variables (e.g., sexual pain intensity, sexual pain frequency, and sexual pain duration) and fear avoidance. A notable trend finding also indicated a positive relationship between pain duration and anxiety symptoms. Ultimately, the findings from the study highlight the psychological and sexual health challenges that college-aged Black women experience, and it highlights the importance of developing culturally informed interventions and screening tools that address these challenges and disparities