13109 research outputs found
Sort by
Examination of Microplastic Content in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and Cassin’s auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus)
Full text linkMentor: Kit Cunningham; This project will document and compare the microplastic content and quantity in the diets of Steller sea lions and Cassin’s auklets. Due to their distinct diet differences, this comparison will allow for a more holistic understanding of microplastic accumulation within the marine food web and where microplastic accumulation might be occurring
Mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase enzyme activity in hibernating black bears
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Sarah Rice; Black bears suppress their metabolism by 75% in hibernation and 50% during spring emergence, but the mechanisms regulating metabolic suppression are unknown. Studies in hibernating ground squirrels have suggested that inhibition of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase activity (SDH, complex II) could play a role in metabolic suppression. SDH activity has not been measured in hibernating black bears before. We hypothesized that SDH activity would be lower during hibernation and spring emergence compared to summer levels in kidney, cardiac, skeletal muscle, and liver tissue of black bears
Reconstruction of Fire History and its Connection to the Arrival of Spruce from Windmill Lake, Interior Alaska
No full textMentor: Dr. Nancy Bigelow; Analyzing pollen and counting charcoal in samples taken from cores retrieved from Windmill Lake in order to determine fire history and whether or not it correlates to the arrival of spruce in Interior Alaska
UAS Facilities Services News Letter
Full text linkShakespeare-Who knew? -- What does facilities services do?? -- Bollard replacement project -- UAS shuttle operations -- Trades crew -- REC center lights -- Welding lab door replacement -- Novatney 2nd floor office renovations -- Anderson seawater vault -- New whale card -- Student housing upgrades -- Covered stair well -- Grounds & landscaping -- Power-wash before & after -- Fallen trees -- Happy spring from Sitka -- Facilities planning & construction project updates -- Security cameras -- Ketchikan Maritime Center -- Lakeside Grill refresh -- Housing Lodge fuel tank replacement -- Smart classroom FNBA grant -- QR for maintenance requests -- Sitka Campus anticipates dock construction -- Housing concrete sidewalk repair -- Welding Lab-Fire alarm replacement -- Anderson-Hazardous materials storage building --Noyes Pavilion Wi-Fi -- REC Center-Shades in the activity center -- Facilities services survey -- How are we doing? -- Earth Day -- Juneau campus celebrates Earth Day -- Campus clean up -- Employee spotlight -- Glide path to retiremen
The Experiences of Caregivers in Implementing Medical Nutrition Therapy When raising Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Full text linkA Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the degree of
MASTER of SCIENCE
in
Dietetics and NutritionType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a complex, chronic endocrine disorder that accounts for roughly 5-10% of the diabetic population globally. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is the foundation of diabetes self-management. Since MNT is fundamental for managing and caring for T1DM, medical providers must understand the challenges of implementing recommendations at home. This study sought to identify what experiences caregivers face regarding implementing MNT recommendations when raising children with T1DM. A mixed-methods design collected data through focus groups and a demographic survey. The focus group took place via Zoom. Inclusion criteria were adults over the age of 18 who had a child between the ages of 10 and 18 years old who had had T1DM for over two years and who were English-speaking. A total of three caregivers participated in the focus group. This study found that caregivers typically do not follow carbohydrate counting as recommended by medical providers. Instead, carbohydrate counting is modified based on caregivers' experiences with how their child’s blood glucose responds to foods. Additionally, there is a lack of support within the school system. Caregivers often had to find outside support from medical providers or school programs to ensure adequate care and medical safety while their child attended school. The findings from this study corresponded with prior research and suggest that medical providers frequently review family MNT practices to ensure alignment with the medical team and caregivers.Abstract / List of Appendices / Introduction / Literature Review / Research Questions / Methods / Analysis / Results / Discussion / Conclusion / Strengths and Limitations / Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Implications / References / Appendice
An Assessment of Dietary Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake in the United States
No full textA Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
Dietetics and NutritionThe dietary intake of omega-6 relative to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has risen in the last century from 4:1 to 20:1, largely attributed to an increased intake of processed foods and the abundance of seed oils. The imbalance in the intake of omega-6 PUFA linoleic acid (LA) to omega-3 PUFA alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) may lead to a “hyperallergic” state in chronic inflammatory conditions. A lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs is widely considered to be beneficial because of the anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3 PUFAs, and pro-inflammatory effects associated with higher intakes of LA; however, there is no consensus on what the exact ratio should be. The purpose of this study was to determine which foods are contributing the most to omega-6 PUFAs intake, and which foods are highest in omega-6 PUFAs in the United States. This study was a secondary analysis of NHANES 2017-March 2020 pre-pandemic dietary data for 9,606 participants and a total of 122,533 individual foods consumed. The USDA’s 2021-2023 Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) was used to further subcategorize USDA food codes into What We Eat in America (WWEIA) categories. Foods classified as grain products and meat, poultry, fish, and mixtures contributed more than half of all omega-6 PUFAs intake in this national sample, although nuts and seeds are the individual subcategory that contribute the greatest amount of omega-6 PUFAs. The results of this analysis are consistent with prior studies for omega-6 PUFA food sources, primarily cereal and grain products were top contributing foods groups. Although causation may not be implied regarding the health risks from a high intake of omega-6 PUFAs, the results allow consumers to be more knowledgeable about top food sources consumed that contain omega-6 PUFAs and weigh the health risks and benefits of omega-6 PUFA dietary intake to current available research
Application of Project Management to Develop a Multifunctional Wheelchair Mount in the Non-Profit Sector
Full text linkA Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
Project ManagementThere are currently few commercially available multi-function accessory mounts for electric wheelchairs that are practical for high-level quadriplegics. Consequently, an individual user must design and create one for themselves, an undertaking that requires significant resources in the form of expertise, time, and money.
Wes Price, a quadriplegic, has developed a concept mount for operating a hunting rifle. This project optimized the proof-of-concept by building a prototype and completing a design that can be offered to the public.
The primary tasks and deliverables of this project include:
1)
Research and develop improvements to the proof-of-concept and prototype
2)
Fabricate prototypes
3)
Field test and analyze results
This project used Project Management methodology to effectively plan, organize, and execute. It was completed with volunteers, thus introducing novel project management issues and concepts. A project management guide was produced to be used on similar future projects executed in a volunteer framework.Table of Contents / List of Exhibits / Acknowledgments / Abstract / LIst of Definitions / Project Summary / Literature Review / Research / Results of the Multifunctional Wheelchair Mount Project / Analysis / Discussion of Project Management Elements / Conclusions / Recommendations / References / Appendice
Marketing Around the World
Full text linkMentor: Tammy Tragis-McCook, Marketing strategies are shaped by culture, war, and economic conditions worldwide. This study explores how cultural values influence messaging, how conflict shifts priorities and increases patriotism, and how economic disparities drive luxury and sachet marketing. By analyzing global trends, we highlight the need for brands to adapt to regional challenges
Using Machine Learning, the Cloud, Big Data, Citizen-science, and 200+ environmental predictors towards proposing modern add-ons to improve conservation management plans for squirrel species in Alaska and its Indigenous lands(vers2)
No full textContext. Squirrel species in Alaska generally lack thorough conservation management plans, while all species are actively hunted with no bag limits, closed seasons, or any other restrictions, and the current ‘management’ is based on ambiguous hand-drawn distribution maps. This indicates a laissez-faire approach to Alaskan squirrel conservation management. Aims. Here, we attempt to improve this current situation by assessing the effectiveness of ensemble machine-learning prediction models as proposed add-ons to the traditional components of conservation management plans toward a more state-of-the-art approach to species conservation. Methods. We combined the Machine Learning algorithms TreeNet, CART, Random Forest, and Maxent with over 200 environmental and socio-economic predictors for the ensemble Super Species Distribution Models. These ensemble models were carried out for all squirrel species individually occurring in Alaska and a 600 km buffer area and two assemblage models combined: a) all species currently occurring only in Alaska and b) all species occurring in Alaska and the 600km buffer area. Key results. Most predicted distribution hotspots for squirrels in Alaska and the 600 km buffer area were observed near road and river systems (close to human activities) and the last glacial maximum refugia. Conclusions & Implications. Applying a machine learning ensemble distribution modeling framework to conservation management plans can add valuable science-based insights to better understand the landscape and species to be managed. Such insights include more accurate guidance on, e.g., habitat protection, hunting regulations, or any collaborative management initiatives. This can also be highly valuable for lands not directly managed by conventional agencies, e.g., land managed by the military or Native communities throughout the Pacific Rim.Ye
Using Correlative Science, Open Access Big Data and Ensemble Machine Learning to Track Contamination Signals in the Wild: A first landscape-scale prediction for the Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) associated with Diclofenac in Asia
No full textData package for the named studyThis is the data package for the named study (abstract):
The Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) is the largest vulture in central Asia with a wide reach across the tropical mountain parts of the Old World. While they co-evolved with humans for millennia, they are now on a decline in most parts of their range, e.g. due to contaminants in the food chain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Diclofenac. Summarized with a workflow, here we present the first correlational Big Data mining approach using Open Access Data for vultures and associated GIS layers in the Old World. We used latest machine learning algorithms to obtain the best possible prediction for inference. Due to the established role of Diclofenac as a local extinction factor for vultures we are correlating the best available vulture prediction with the digitally best-available global diclofenac layer. We find that vultures are fully exposed to essentially one of three levels of diclofenac: unknown, lower units and very high amounts. Many remaining vulture presences now correlate with low Diclofenac units whereas high Diclofenac shows little vultures predicted, if at all. We find most of the high risk zones to be located in China (by area), Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Bangladesh, whereas Nepal for instance seems to be rather low risk. In the absence of mechanistic studies on a larger scale we propose that our pioneering work still represents an underestimate due to several confounding actors not resolved, e.g. farming and high altitude refugia, but can be used to prioritize, pursue and fine-tune these results, inform conservation and pre-cautionary management, and use our workflow to further study, quantify and safeguard raptors and this species that exemplify such a food chain in the Anthropocene, e.g. through large diclofenac-free zones.NoneNAYe