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Characterization of Fecal Gut Microbial Composition and Function in a State of Physical Activity and Excess Energy Intake
No full textDespite public health initiatives at the global, national, and state levels, the prevalence of obesity continues to grow. Alterations in gut microbial composition have been observed in individuals with obesity. Changes in the composition of the gut microbiota may correspond
to changes in the functional composition and can impact metabolite availability to the host. Although physical activity is a key lifestyle intervention for obesity treatment and management, its effect on the gut microbiota remains poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the impact of 12-week moderate treadmill exercise on the gut microbiota of two cohorts of male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS), or standard chow
diet (LN). In the first cohort, fecal samples were collected only at the end of the intervention and were sequenced using shallow shotgun sequencing. In the second cohort, both pre-and post-test fecal samples were collected and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for short-chain fatty acid quantification and deep shotgun sequencing for microbial characterization. In both studies, mice in the HFHS-fed group gained significantly more weight than LN mice, and changes in gut microbial diversity and taxonomy tended to correspond to diet rather than exercise assignment. Furthermore, the implementation of a mixed-effects model in the second cohort indicated that changes at the phylum level were driven by time, while changes at the species level were driven by diet. Exercise increased the abundance of Faecalibaculum rodentium, whose abundance positively correlated with the majority of enzymes involved in branch-chain amino acid biosynthesis. Overall, our results support the ability of a Western-style diet to alter
microbial composition and provide insight into the taxonomic and functional changes occurring in response to exercise
Undergraduate and Graduate String Instrumentalists’ Approaches to Learning New Solo Repertoire: Descriptive Case Studies of Deliberate Practice Using the Fitts and Posner Model of Skill Learning
Full text linkPractice, defined as working at something repeatedly to achieve proficiency (Merriam-Webster, n.d.), is widely recognized as a necessary component of skill acquisition. Past research has recognized the need to develop systematic teaching of practice skills (Pitts et al., 2000; Prichard, 2017; Prichard, 2021). An effective method for teaching practice skills must be tailored to its target population, making it necessary to learn more about the practice habits of various student populations. In this collective descriptive case study, I examined how freshman, senior, and graduate level string performance majors (N = 7) learned solo repertoire from sightreading to performance by observing practice videos and interviewing participants about their learning process. I recruited participants from a diverse list of institutions that varied in size and setting, control, and admission stringency. My purpose was to examine how participants (a) learned a new solo at different phases of learning, (b) measured progress, (c) handled errors during practice, (d) used and justified practice strategies, and (e) determined if a change of practice approach was necessary. In addition, I investigated the extent to which students at different stages of university enrollment varied in their approach and their perceptions of applied music professors’ approach to teaching. I used the skill acquisition approach advocated by Lehmann and Davidson (2002) and Scripps et al. (2013), the skill learning model by Fitts and Posner (1967), and the theory of deliberate practice by Ericsson et al. (1993) as my theoretical framework. The skill acquisition approach emphasizes that everyone can develop skills. The theory of deliberate practice specifies conditions that lead to expertise. The phases of skill learning encouraged more accurate recall of the learning process at different points in time. Keywords: skill learning, skill acquisition, deliberate practice, Fitts and Posne
Does Parental Support Moderate the Relationship Between Gender Identity and Sleep?
Full text linkCompared to their cisgender peers, gender-expansive (GE) youth are more likely to experience less-optimal sleep. Although it is clear that sleep differences exist between GE and cisgender youth, little research has focused on protective factors that could influence this relationship. In cisgender youth, parental support has been shown to impact sleep. In this thesis, we aimed to investigate whether parental support moderates the relationship between gender identity and sleep. In our sample, GE status was associated with earlier wake times and greater variability in sleep midpoint. Higher levels of parental support were associated with increased sleep duration. Although parental support moderated the relationship between GE status and sleep duration, it did so in an unexpected direction. GE youth with higher levels of parental support slept for fewer minutes, on average, than youth with lower levels of parental support
Demystifying Quality Metrics and Unveiling the True Measure of Quality of Care in Nursing Homes
No full textThe increasing elderly population in the United States, coupled with the increasing average life expectancy, presents a significant challenge in delivering quality nursing home services while managing complex resident needs. Examining the landscape of nursing home quality unveils that its evolution was triggered by pivotal events, notably the emergence of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) following the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987.
The MDS, a comprehensive clinical assessment tool, forms the basis for various Quality Indicators (QIs) and Quality Measures (QMs) crucial for identifying areas of improvement in nursing home care. QIs/QMs have become integral in the evaluation of nursing home quality and have subsequently contributed to the development and implementation of the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) public reporting system and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the efficacy of the CMS Five-Star Rating System as a reliable quality measure. Challenges, such as inconsistency of MDS reporting, significant variations in standard errors when comparing across facilities, and ascertainment bias, contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding the reliability of the CMS Five-Star Rating System as an indicator of quality. To measure the effectiveness of the current quality metrics in capturing the true quality of nursing homes, chapter 4 of this dissertation adopts the Donabedian's Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) framework to classify QIs/QMs (see Table 4.1) and examines the correlation between QIs/QMs and COVID-19 outcomes. Establishing which QIs/QMs are well-correlated with COVID-19 outcomes will enable us to recommend them as the true quality metrics of nursing homes. This information will be invaluable for patients and their families in making informed decisions when selecting a nursing home.
It is also recognized that optimal health, functioning, and Quality-Of-Life (QOL) are achieved when favorable conditions exist in all areas of one’s life. Therefore, chapter 5 of this dissertation also considers the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH) on nursing home performance, acknowledging the broader context in which these facilities operate. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) framework was used for classifying Social Determinants Of Health (SDOH) attributes (see Table 5.1). To test whether it is possible to predict the performance and outcomes of nursing homes in case of a pandemic, we examine the correlation among the current quality metrics, SDOH attributes, and COVID-19 outcomes. Developing a predictive model to preemptively address pandemics will allow us to proactively prepare, minimizing the potential adverse effects and mitigating their impact.
Finally, the performance of nursing homes is also dependent upon their proximity to important places such as nursing schools, hospitals, etc. In chapter 6 of this dissertation, proximity of nursing homes to physical locations will be mapped using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This will allow us to understand whether physical locations had an influence on the COVID-19 outcomes
The (Uni)sex Appeal of Exterior Auto Design: Consumer Perceptions Toward Gendered- and Gender-Neutral Anthropomorphized Vehicle Form
No full textThis phenomenological study explores consumer experiences relating to gendering (seeing gender in objects) vehicle exterior appearance (vehicle styling) through theoretical lenses of anthropomorphism, evolutionary aesthetics, self-identity, motivation, and semantics. Consumer vehicle gendering is systematically approached to unpack three areas of consumer experience relating to vehicle gendering perception: design communication, consumer motivation, and consumer response. Through stimuli coding and expert review, 20 SUV images were refined to six stimuli based on the two most feminine-, gender-neutral-, and masculine-interpreted images. The stimuli were presented in 12 in-depth interviews, six with designers and six with non-designers, residing in the United States. Purposive sampling was engaged to support demographic diversity, design experience representation, vehicle ownership, and vehicle purchase involvement. To address each of the three research objectives, three separate transcendental phenomenological reductions were conducted. Eight themes were identified within design communication, three themes were identified within consumer motivation, and 12 themes were identified within consumer response. Findings reveal that consumers within the United States engage in vehicle gendering, and that consumers draw from styling cues to interpret gender. Consistent with gendering observed in branding and product design, consumers supported gendering interpretations through curved lines and smooth surfaces (perceived to be feminine) and through straight lines and boxy forms (perceived to be masculine). Vehicles perceived to contain feminine and masculine forms, and vehicles perceived to lack distinctive gender forms were interpreted as gender neutral. Notably, rounded angles and edges, termed “soft angles” and “soft edges” were received well, supporting the appeal of androgynous design (the combination of highly feminine and highly masculine forms). Participants engaged in other forms of anthropomorphism, including persona development. Headlights were viewed as eyes and grilles were viewed as mouths or facial hair. Line angularity and headlight shape contributed to personality. Persona development offered insights into motivation. Status (introjected) and family (relational) motivations were observed. Desires to communicate gendered identities through vehicle ownership were observed. Findings from this study add support to theories of anthropomorphism, evolutionary aesthetics, the extended self, and self-determination. This study adds valuable contribution to the reach and applicability of gendering within automotive design
The Power of Novelty: How Mitochondrial Diversity and Video Games Can Shape the Way We Think About Evolution
Full text linkIn this dissertation, I explore questions related to mitonuclear ecology, sexual selection, the maintenance of genetic variation, and biology education. In my first two chapters, I use cybrid laboratory populations of Callosobruchus maculatus, a seed beetle (introgressed genomes originating from disparate ancestral sources in southern India and Burkina Faso) to investigate questions related to the interplay between the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. In chapter 1, I test whether the genomic interplay between the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes facilitates the maintenance of genetic variation. I find that when two mitochondrial haplotypes are present in a population, that population maintains greater stability in additive genetic variance than populations with only a single mitochondrial haplotype present. In my second chapter, I investigate the effects of interactions between the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear genome of eukaryotic organisms and how the interplay between the two genomes influences mate choice preferences in populations of these beetles. I find that C. maculatus demonstrate a preference for individuals whose mitochondrial haplotype originates from the same population as their own. In my third and final chapter, I investigate the effectiveness of video games as a teaching tool for use in undergraduate courses aiming to teach evolution, and to this end, I develop a video game designed to accurately represent evolution by natural selection. I test this tool’s efficacy by evaluating more than 900 Auburn University undergraduate students’ knowledge of evolution, as measured through a validated concept inventory, before and after thirty minutes of gameplay. I find that students do significantly improve their understanding of evolution on average after playing as compared to students who played either a simple (evolution-free) version of the same game or no game at all over those same thirty minutes. In sum, I ask novel questions about how mitochondrial diversity influences the evolutionary trajectories of populations, and I test new approaches to teaching the all-important subject of evolution
Investigating Wetland Ecosystem Dynamics Through Modeling Across Scales
No full textWetlands are complex ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecological services, including water quality improvement, flood control, erosion reduction, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision. Although they cover a small fraction of the Earth’s land surface, wetlands serve as effective nature-based solutions that offer substantial benefits to both human and environmental systems. This dissertation advances the understanding of wetland processes through two complementary approaches: the development of process-based numerical models for simulating hydrology and water quality in constructed wetlands (CWs), and the application of data-driven methods to investigate carbon dynamics in natural wetlands across the United States. The first part focuses on modeling hydrological and biogeochemical processes in CWs by introducing a novel cell-averaged subsurface flow model capable of capturing wetland-scale hydrodynamics, which is then extended to simulate water quality through modules for suspended sediment transport, nutrient cycling, and primary productivity. The second part explores the spatial and temporal drivers of carbon fluxes in natural wetlands using a national-scale database of greenhouse gas measurements and environmental predictors. Machine learning models are developed and evaluated to predict gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (RECO), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and methane (CH₄) emissions, and are integrated into an ensemble framework to spatially extrapolate carbon dynamics across the Southeastern United States. Collectively, this work contributes to the advancement of both mechanistic and statistical modeling approaches for wetlands, providing valuable tools for ecosystem management, climate change mitigation, and the design of sustainable water infrastructure
A Quantitative Survey of Secondary Instrumental Music Educators' Perceptions of Undergraduate Preparation to Teach in Disparate Locales
Full text linkEvery community in the United States is different, from the smallest town to the largest city, and each locale offers unique rewards and challenges for instrumental music educators. However, novice instrumental music teachers are not always prepared for the specific needs of all communities. The purpose of this nationally-distributed quantitative research study was to examine secondary instrumental music educators’ perceptions of their undergraduate preparation for teaching across disparate locales. Participants answered questions about their perceptions of preparation to teach in disparate locales during their undergraduate degree, and experiences they perceived to most impact their feelings of preparations. I looked for significant differences between band and orchestra directors, and differences between feelings of preparation and employment decisions.
This study employed a quantitative methodology through an anonymous online survey of secondary instrumental music educators who earned an undergraduate degree in music education or a Bachelor of Arts in music with a Master of Arts in teaching in the United States. Results showed that the participants felt most prepared to teach in a suburban area and generally valued the courses taken during their undergraduate degree. Most participants indicated that their feelings of preparation to teach in disparate locales did not affect their employment decisions. However, the participants whose feelings of preparation did affect their job decisions were most likely to feel uncomfortable applying for or accepting a job in a city or rural area. Results of this study could inform the delivery and implementation of undergraduate music education curriculum
Faith-Based Food Choices: How Food Deserts, Agriculture Literacy, and Home Gardening Shape Food Orientations in a Seventh-Day Adventist Church Community
Full text linkThis study explores how agricultural literacy and home gardening can alleviate the effects of food deserts, concentrating on a Seventh-Day Adventist Church in DeKalb County, Georgia. It finds significant gaps in agricultural literacy among residents, which hampers their
comprehension of agriculture's importance for daily life and food security. By introducing targeted educational programs, residents could cultivate home gardens, improving their access to fresh food and decreasing reliance on external sources. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research assesses agricultural literacy, food insecurity, and attitudes toward gardening among church members. Results show that those with higher education levels experience better food outcomes and healthier eating habits, highlighting the necessity of educational interventions. Furthermore, younger participants tend to adopt healthier dietary practices, due to greater access to nutritional information. The study recommends incorporating agricultural literacy into curricula and promoting home gardening as an effective method to enhance food security and overall community well-being. It concludes that these strategies are critical for achieving food sustainability and fostering self-sufficient communities while improving public health
Evaluation of Disease Resistance in Selectively Bred Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and Hybrid Catfish (Channel Catfish ♀ x Blue Catfish (I. furcatus) ♂)
Full text linkSelectively bred channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and hybrid catfish (channel catfish ♀ x blue catfish (I. furcatus) ♂) were evaluated for resistance to channel catfish virus (CCV) and Flavobacterium covae (FC). In the CCV challenge, survival following CCV exposure varied significantly among families. Overall analysis showed slightly higher resistance for the hybrid catfish. Blue catfish paternal effects were more impactful than channel catfish maternal effects. These results contradicted earlier studies that indicated the resistance of hybrid catfish to CCV was less than or equal to channel catfish.
Two FC challenges were conducted, one high dose and one low dose, resulting in extremely rapid and slower mortality, respectively. In the high dose challenge, overall survival fell below 10 % within 72 h, and channel catfish families had longer survival than the hybrid catfish (mean 19.9 h vs 16.8 h; log rank p = 0.01), Family effects were also observed (p < 0.05). In the low dose trial, median survival reached the 176 h study maximum for all families, and channel catfish still averaged longer survival than hybrid catfish (157.4 h vs 138.3 h; p = 0.056).
These findings contradict earlier reports that hybrid catfish are more resistant to columnaris than channel catfish (Arias et al., 2012). Genotype-environment interactions may occur due to strain differences in the pathogen, F. covae and/or the confined conditions of the experiments potentially causing more stress on the hybrid catfish leading to greater disease susceptibility in this specific challenge environment