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Stress Affects Infectious Disease Outcomes in Canaries
Get PDFChronic stress is related to a decline in immune function in all living organisms and is known to increase the likelihood of developing or exacerbating chronic non-infectious diseases. However, the role of chronic stress in affecting outcomes of infection important to individual health and endpoints important for epidemic dynamics (e.g., likelihood of transmission) are not well understood. In this study we exposed canaries (Serinus canaria) to chronic stress or control conditions after which they were inoculated with Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, a bacterium that causes respiratory disease in birds.
Following the chronic stress protocol, the canaries were assessed every day for measures of body condition (body mass and fat score) and disease pathology (eye swelling). Once a week, we also swabbed eye conjunctiva to measure pathogen load and collected blood samples to measure hematocrit levels. In this system greater eye swelling and higher pathogen loads are associated with greater likelihood of MG transmission.
Preliminary data demonstrated that birds exposed to chronic stress had greater body mass and fat stores but showed no significant differences in disease pathology compared to control birds. Pathogen load analysis using qPCR indicated no significant differences between stressed and control groups. However, chronic stress was associated with prolonged recovery times and higher mortality rates. Our findings highlight the ecological significance of chronic stress in wildlife populations, suggesting that frequent stressors, such as habitat disturbance or food scarcity, may heighten disease susceptibility and mortality. These results underscore the potential for chronic stress to amplify epidemic risks in stressed populations.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnrcsturpc25/1039/thumbnail.jp
Corporate Partnerships: The Heartbeat of an Organization
Get PDFA deep-dive into the world of Corporate Partnerships for large sporting events. This thesis includes day-to-day responsibilities and takeaways from a ten-week internship with the 2024 Men\u27s Basketball Final Four event
Phosphatase Activity and Structure of the SpoIIE Protein in Clostridioides difficile
Get PDFClostridioides difficile is a major cause of severe gastrointestinal infections and diseases, particularly in healthcare settings. Because of its ability to produce infectious endospores by sporulation, the protein SpoIIE, which is known to play a role in the regulation of this process, is being explored as a potential therapeutic target. In order to gain better insight into the structure and function of this protein, a concentrated and purified sample of the protein must be obtained. The goal of this study was to determine the conditions that would yield the highest amount of SpoIIE. The density of the cultures of bacteria prior to induction with L-arabinose in addition to the time of exposure to the sugar were tested to see if they resulted in overexpression of the protein. While the density did not produce significant results, six hours of exposure to L-arabinose was shown to yield the greatest increase in expression. Optimization of the conditions to obtain the greatest amount of protein will contribute to future studies of this protein, ultimately providing insight into the structure and function of SpoIIE
The Development of 3D Bioprinted Collagen-Genipin Coated Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration and Treatment
No full textBone regeneration remains a critical challenge, especially in cases of irregularly-shaped or complex defects that cannot heal on its on. The purpose of this study is to develop and analyze the mechanical properties and cell viability of 3D bioprinted Collagen-Genipin coated Polycaprolactone (COL-Gen-PCL) scaffolds for bone regeneration and treatment purposes. With an increased need for more innovative, effective bone injury treatments, a bioprinted scaffold may pose a solution. 3D bioprinting has recently become a hot topic in tissue engineering because of the complexity and accuracy it can provide during the biofabrication process. This aspect is important in structures like bone where injury could come in distinct shapes or sizes depending on the situation and patient. To investigate both bioprinting parameters and a novel mix of materials, 3D bioprinted polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were coated with collagen (COL) and crosslinked with Genipin (Gen) to potentially improve cellular viability and mechanical strength respectively. In this study, all three components were combined to optimize structural stability without compromising MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cell differentiation. While PCL-Col scaffolds showed higher cell viability and ALP activity, suggesting faster early proliferation and differentiation, PCL-Col-Gen scaffolds contained higher total protein contents and increased expression of osteogenic differentiation markers. Increased gene expression in genipin-crosslinked samples shows a 3968.78 fold increase in ALP and a 68.32-fold increase in RunX2 compared to uncrosslinked PCL-Col samples. Despite lower early differentiation activity, the results suggest that genipin may shift the temporal dynamics of osteogenesis and promote mid to late-stage differentiation processes, which is important for not only bone repair, but also permanent tissue integration. This study characterizes 3D bioprinted PCL-Col-Gen scaffolds for applications in bone tissue engineering and regeneration to improve treatment options and allow for a broader and more complex scale of injuries
Curated: The Impact of Architectural Sequence on the Journey through the Art Museum
Get PDFThe museum is a culturally significant institution used for learning, thought, and contemplation from its conceptualization in The Enlightenment Movement of the 17th century. The art museum has the potential to create a powerful relationship between the art and the architecture that houses it. The architecture of an art museum becomes a critical participant in the experience of art and affects the spaces in a dramatic way. If the art or architecture overpowers the other, the user experience is impacted; therefore, the connection created between the two within the museum is one of great importance. When a symbiotic connection, or a mutually beneficial relationship between the art and architecture is created harmony results, fostering a transforming experience for the museum patron. This research poses the question: What qualities create a symbiotic relationship between architecture and the viewing of art in an art museum? This research used three case studies, The Clyfford Still Museum, The Glenstone, and The Nasher Sculpture Center, and focused on extracting what architectural qualities aided in creating a symbiotic relationship between the art and architecture that resulted in a fully harmonious museum experience. A series of diagrams, photographs, and experience pastel drawings for each case study museum illuminated what elements functioned best within each museum to create harmony, or a balanced experience, with a final compilation of possible strategies for museum designers to reference to create a more accessible future for the museum typology
The Effect of Maternal Anxiety on Breastfeeding Exclusivity and Duration
Get PDFBackground: The postpartum period, especially during the first year, presents a heightened risk for maternal anxiety. Research suggests a potential negative relationship between maternal anxiety and breastfeeding duration, though there is currently a gap in the existing literature regarding how maternal mental health impacts breastfeeding outcomes.
Purpose: This study seeks to investigate the influence of postpartum anxiety on both the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, crucial knowledge required to support and implement targeted interventions. We expected that maternal anxiety would predict shorter exclusive and total breastfeeding durations.
Methodology: To explore the relationship between postpartum anxiety and breastfeeding behaviors, we distributed a self-reported survey via Qualtrics to women in Northwest Arkansas who had breastfed in the past 12 months (n=213). The survey was promoted in collaboration with Tiny Tusks and Infant Support, an organization offering breastfeeding resources at University of Arkansas sporting events and through social media. Maternal anxiety was measured using the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis, and separate regression models were run to assess both breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. The confounding variables included in the model were child age, maternal education, and infant birth order.
Results: The regression models were significant, but maternal anxiety did not significantly contribute to exclusivity and duration outcomes. Child age and infant birth order were significant predictors in the exclusivity model, while child age was the only significant predictor in the breastfeeding duration model.
Conclusion: Our study did not find statistically significant evidence to support the hypothesis that postpartum anxiety influences breastfeeding behaviors. The lack of significant findings may be partially explained by the limited variability found in survey responses, i.e., high rates of exclusivity and duration
Subjective Acoustics
No full textHistorically, concert venues, such as large cathedrals and expansive Greek theaters have used heuristic methods for optimizing the experience of sound in accordance with the architectural essence of space. A shift in this design stratagem emerged in the late 19th century when Wallace Clement Sabine invented formal definitions for reverberation time and employed quantitative measurements to design Boston\u27s Symphony Hall. This departure from iterative, qualitatively measured sound led to a counter-culture in the 20th century called subjective acoustics. Using generally agreed upon variables such as brilliance, warmth, spaciousness, intimacy, clarity, and liveliness, researchers began surveying audiences to see if quantitative sound could match the qualitative experience of an audience member. The purpose of this inquiry is to answer the question: how does sound interact with architecture and space from the perspective of a musician and an audience member
Deconstructing the Anthony Timberlands Center: Making Preparations for a Building’s End-of-Life.
No full textBased on a speculative future where mass timber has become a normalized structural material, integrated into the building envelope as commonplace, and material reuse and reclamation are standard practice. The Anthony Timberlands Center is slated for deconstruction due to age and necessity for more updated programing. Today in 2025 as the building has not even reached completion, how can its assembly and use influence its purpose after the initial lifespan?
This study is based on principles of design for deconstruction from two different theories: the 6 S’s of a building devised by Stewart Brand, and Philip Crowther\u27s 10 frameworks for deconstruction design. These two methods are then used together as a theoretical framework for breaking down and understanding the ATC at the end of its life for deconstruction. This study relates to the large conversation around the impact of architecture on waste production, growing mass timber use, and the industry\u27s relationship with a building\u27s end of life. The scope of this study is twofold: one in its analysis of a specific building, the ATC, and the other in its context, looking solely at US waste and construction streams and practices. The way in which deconstruction and its speculation are understood in this study is through the lens of the American standards.
In conclusion this building can be deconstructed, theoretically, it is important to qualify in this framework the reality of the proposal. Are these methods achievable? How much waste is still generated? Can this building achieve full disassembly at all levels? The scope of this study is already informative about this issue. Limiting the scope to the timber systems and ignoring MEP and concrete construction simplifies the study. The large number of details, connection types, wet construction, and unique construction are real obstacles in the way of deconstruction. The Brand and Crowther methodologies worked well together to deepen the study. The language and building classifications that Brand proposes work with the frameworks to break down the building into an understandable format. This layering system also pushes continuity between the frameworks. This method of study provides a framework for these future endeavors. The idea of speculating a building\u27s death, even ascribing the verb “death” to something, implies something more serious and impactful than framing this solely around reuse and waste
Lucky Charms: Leveraging Consumer Data Analysis for Strategic Decision-Making at General Mills
No full textThis undergraduate thesis examines the application of data analytics in sales strategy and consumer insights from the perspective of a summer internship at General Mills. It gives an overview of the company’s background, industry position, and intern’s role within the sales organization. It outlines the personal learning objectives established before the internship and how they evolved through practical experience.
A central focus of the summer internship was the analysis of consumer demographics within the cereal category to enhance sales performance and optimize retail execution. Using the Data Science Analytics Process as a framework, this thesis details the problem statements, methodologies, and analytical approaches employed to complete the intern projects. By leveraging demographic data, purchasing patterns, and market segmentation, insights were generated to drive more effective product positioning and promotional strategies. A literature review contextualizes the project within existing research, evaluating relevant methodologies in sales analytics and their applicability to the internship assignment. Results highlight key insights gained, the impact of data-driven decision-making on sales operations, and recommendations for improving business performance.
The analysis was conducted using Walmart Luminate, NielsenIQ, and E2Open, three business intelligence tools that provide data on consumer behavior, market trends, and sales dynamics. These tools enabled insights into sales performance and competitive positioning that were shared cross functionally with brand and supply chain teams. This thesis also discusses the challenges encountered in working with large-scale retail data and the strategic implications of these data-driven decisions.
This thesis contributes to a broader understanding of how data analytics can be used to understand consumer behavior, optimize sales strategies, and drive growth within the cereal market. It offers a practical intern perspective on the growing role of data science in the corporate sales environments, particularly within the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry
