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Nitric Oxide in Exercise Physiology
No full textNitric oxide is an endogenous reactive nitrogen species found throughout the human body. Its role in human physiology at rest and during exercise has proven to be essential in maintaining human health and enhancing exercise performance. The bioavailability of nitric oxide can be enhanced via nitrate supplementation. Chapter 1 presents a detailed and critical review of the function of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle, mitochondria and redox state followed by a discussion of the literature investigating its effect of nitrate supplementation in endurance and resistance exercise. Final comments point to the need for a broader look into nitrate supplementation and its effect in resistance exercise in older adults. Chapter 2 explores the effect of chronic nitrate supplementation and resistance training on markers of skeletal muscle mitochondria, redox state and resistance exercise performance in older adults. The results suggest that nitrate supplementation does not provide any additional benefit to the mitochondrial or redox response to resistance training or enhance improvements in leg extensor exercises; however, our results confirmed findings that resistance training can alter the status of mitochondria in skeletal muscle via increases in mitochondrial content and alterations to mitochondrial remodeling in older adults. Therefore, we highlight the need for further investigation into the mitochondrial adaptations occurring with chronic resistance training in older adults
Bridging the divide: Movement and disease ecology of free-roaming domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) across ecological and anthropogenic interfaces
Get PDFAnimal movement is a process which can connect otherwise distinct communities. When moving across ecosystem boundaries, animals have distinct behavioral responses, and decisions along these interfaces can affect ecosystem patterns such as the distribution of species, pathogens, or populations across space. However, hypothesis testing of individual movement decisions is difficult due to high inter-individual variability, high computational overhead, and lack of precision of movement predictions. Free-roaming cats and dogs are species which live in both anthropogenic and natural ecosystems. In this dissertation, we ask: 1) how does parasite prevalence of free-roaming cats and dogs change across socioecological gradients; 2) how do fine-scale landscape features interact with individual animal movement decisions to affect landscape-scale cross-ecosystem land-use patterns; 3) does movement preference drive free-roaming dog spatial heterogeneity in forest reserves. We found that for every 10% increase in the proportion of the human population with improved sanitation access, free-roaming domestic cat (Felis catus) and dog (Canis lupus familiaris) parasite and pathogen prevalence decreased by 12% (5-19%, 95% C.L.; p = 0.002). Then, we tested the influence of land cover permeability on domestic dog ingress into forest reserves and found that greater edge permeability increased site-use intensity and heterogeneity. We further developed the model framework to include validation of simulated presence at sites throughout each reserve with observed camera trap data and used this framework to test the hypothesis that directional preference drives site-use of domestic dogs in forest reserves in Andasibe, Madagascar. We found that the observed numbers of captures fell within the distribution of simulated captures for all but two camera trap sites, suggesting that the movement model is realistic at the site-level for most locations. We found that directional preference was not supported, where simulations using calibrated input from observed forest space-use data did not improve predictions (AICc < 2). Top models of predictive accuracy for all simulations were exponential with distance to the largest village in the region as the only covariate. In light of these three studies, pathogen prevalence and fine-scale movement decisions and parasite prevalence of free-roaming dogs may be driven more strongly by anthropogenic than natural ecosystems. However, additional studies using this validation framework are needed to understand the magnitude and relative contributions of ecological vs anthropogenic factors on fine-scale movement drivers
Transport Phenomena of Solutes in Dense Polymer Membranes
No full textIon exchange membranes (IEMs) are indispensable materials with diverse applications in energy and environmental technologies, such as fuel cells, water desalination, water purification, and electrochemical CO2 reduction systems. IEMs facilitate selective ion transport while maintaining charge balance, minimizing undesired crossover of species, and ensuring efficient separation processes. However, the development of IEMs is hindered by several challenges. A key issue is the trade-off between ionic conductivity and selectivity, where enhancing one often compromises the other. Additionally, the undesired crossover of reactants or byproducts can significantly diminish system efficiency and product purity. Compounding these issues is an incomplete understanding of the structure-property relationships that govern membrane behavior, limiting the ability to design tailored membranes for specific applications. To address these challenges, this study investigates (1) single and co-transport solute behavior across various IEMs, (2) solute transport characteristics in membranes with comparable water volume fractions, and (3) the impact of different polymer structures on solute transport. In anion exchange membranes (AEMs), we observed that the co-permeation of alcohol and carboxylate ions decreases, while the co-permeation of two carboxylates exhibits competitive transport. However, the water volume fraction generally has the most significant influence on transport behavior. Different monomers impart distinct physicochemical properties to the membrane, substantially affecting solute transport
Avondale: A Search for Identity in a Transitioning Neighborhood
No full textAvondale today exists as one of Birmingham, Alabama’s most popular historic neighborhoods for its public green spaces and bustling entertainment scene. Founded in 1887 as an industrial hub, Avondale quickly grew into a center for southern textile production. The 1971 closure of Avondale Mills, however, precipitated the collapse of the local economy and the need to shift its economic base. Avondale struggled economically for decades in the shadow of the old textile mill. Despite this, the neighborhood managed to retain significant elements of its historic landscape, if not always historic character. This dissertation seeks to understand elements of power, identity, and class that catalyzed these changes and also shaped the exploitation and disenfranchisement of segments of the population. In order to understand the complexity of these roles, a bottom-up perspective focusing on generations of blue-collar workers, local populations of African Americans, and people of lower socioeconomic status will provide insight into the lived experiences of everyday life in Avondale. A chronological examination of Avondale lends to distinct periods in the neighborhood’s history beginning with its founding and the establishment of Avondale Mills in 1897, followed by deindustrialization and economic decline in the 1970s and 1980s, and the eventual process of gentrification beginning in the early 2000s. The examination of each of these periods will center Avondale’s many overlooked voices while engaging with a question repeatedly asked by locals today – Who is Avondale for
El MS. G-II-18 De El Escorial: Comentario a Isaías de David Quimhi y la Traducion de Alfonso de Zamora, Edición y Estudio de los Capítulos I y II
No full textEl presente trabajo busca resaltar la importancia que tuvieron los exégetas hebreos como David Quimḥi en el Renacimiento, destacando el matrimonio que formaron la exégesis literal y la pedagogía para la educación del pueblo que vivió en Sefarad, traspasando los siglos hasta plasmarse de nuevo en las didácticas obras de Alfonso de Zamora. Es por ello, que el manuscrito G-II-18 de la Real Biblioteca del Monasterio de El Escorial, se alza en silencio como una “sencilla” obra que recoge toda la grosura de la tradición inserta del sentido literal de la Escritura a través de los principios filológicos. Con este trabajo de edición se pretende dar a conocer la profundidad de la tradición hebrea en manos de la cristiandad como artefacto de enseñanza en el contexto humanístico de Alcalá de Henares, además de servir como puerta para posibles estudios críticos, ediciones e investigaciones futuras que ensalzarán la importancia de los códices hebreos
Enhancing Water Resilience in Haiti: Understanding Extreme Events and Urbanization Effects.
No full textWater supply, management, and associated risks are constant concerns for the Haitian population. The country faces severe issues such as waterborne diseases, cyclones, floods, landslides, and droughts every year. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In response, the Université d'État d'Haïti à Limonade (UEH-CHCL) and Auburn University have partnered to establish a water resilience unit in northeastern Haiti, aiming to improve water resource management, support climate change adaptation, and foster research and innovation. Addressing these issues in Haiti requires using novel data sources, as the ground-based monitoring networks that form the basis of water resources management in the United States and other developed countries are not available.
This study explores the use of novel data sources to evaluate flood and drought scenarios in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed, a critical region for agriculture and water supply, supporting thousands of people and essential for food security. We investigated hydrological trends and patterns to understand the impacts of climate change and urbanization on water resources. We analyzed two key hydrological variables: maximum annual precipitation and maximum instantaneous discharge. For precipitation data, we used the Global Precipitation Measurement Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals (GPM-IMERG) from Earthdata and for discharge, we used the GeoGLOWS Global Streamflow and Flood Forecasting System. Due to current travel restrictions in Haiti, which significantly impacted our ability to collect field data, we utilized gridded data products with suitable spatial and temporal resolution as a surrogate. An annual maxima series spanning approximately 25 years (2000–2025) was constructed for each variable. We fitted Gumbel and Lognormal distributions to the data using L-moment methods. We applied goodness-of-fit tests to identify the best fitting distribution, including root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and probability plot correlation coefficient (PPCC). Furthermore, we calculated exceedance probabilities, enabling the determination of return periods of 2, 10, 20, 50, and 100 years.
Furthermore, hydrological modeling scenarios were developed using HEC-HMS to assess the impact of urbanization on streamflow patterns and flood risks. A baseline scenario with no impervious surface was compared to two post-urbanization scenarios: one based on impervious surface estimates from 2023 Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) land cover data, and another representing a 20% increase in imperviousness. The model was calibrated using GeoGLOWS streamflow data corrected with the Simbi hydrological database. This research contributes to enhancing water resilience in Haiti and supports informed decision-making for improved water resource management and flood risk mitigation
The Role of Nerve Growth Factor in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
No full textObesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are characterized by increased levels of circulating fatty acids, resulting in metabolic abnormalities in the heart. Emerging data has demonstrated that cardiac dysfunction, including diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), is linked to obesity and T2DM. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophic factor, plays pro-survival and anti-apoptotic roles in cardiomyocytes. Therefore, the first study aimed to investigate the effects of NGF on myocardial insulin resistance, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. In vitro study using H9c2 cell lines showed that high-glucose treatment induced myocardial insulin resistance. Combining palmitic acid and high-glucose treatment increased oxidative stress and activated apoptotic and inflammatory markers in cardiomyocytes. We also found that NGF administration prevented diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting myocardial insulin resistance, oxidative stress, cardiac apoptosis, and inflammation via activation of the PI3K/Akt. The second part of the dissertation work aimed to clarify the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of DCM and to examine the effects of NGF on mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, and mitophagy in obese and T2DM mouse models. Our western blot results showed no significant differences in mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis proteins in all groups. However, cardiac mitophagy was suppressed in diabetic mice. Notably, intranasal NGF administration showed no effects on mitochondrial function. In summary, NGF administration prevented obesity- and T2DM-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in vitro but not in vivo. These results suggest that the cardioprotective effects of NGF may depend on the delivery route of NGF. Further research is needed to clarify its effectiveness in diabetic heart using different NGF delivery routes
Understanding the Role of Cattle Grazing and Poultry Litter Application on Weed Proliferation in Agricultural Fields
No full textThis thesis investigates the complex interactions between cattle grazing and poultry litter (PL) application on weed seed dispersal and proliferation in agricultural systems in the southern USA. The first study focuses on the germination and survival of five dominant weed species—Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila), johnsongrass (Sorghum halpense), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), and pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa)—following incubation in bovine digestive fluid for eight different time periods (0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours). The results reveal significant variation in seed germination among the species, with I. lacunosa reaching zero germination after 24 hours of incubation, whereas A. palmeri and S. halpense retained up to 3% germination even after 96 hours. The small seed size and hard seed coat of A. palmeri and S. halpense likely contributed to their high resistance to rumen fluid incubation, while the seed coat of I. lacunosa became easily permeable and ruptured. These findings suggest that cattle grazing can selectively affect weed seed distribution and invasiveness in grazed grasslands and rangelands, emphasizing the need for customized grazing practices to manage weed spread effectively. The second study examines the effects of PL from varying cleanout frequencies (6 months, 2 years, and >2 years) on weed emergence, growth, and corn (Zea mays) yield across field and controlled environments in Alabama. Field experiments at two locations demonstrate that PL application, with and without supplemental nitrogen, significantly increases weed density and biomass compared to full fertilizer and control treatments. Greenhouse trials support these findings, showing higher weed emergence and biomass in PL-treated plots. Palmer amaranth exhibited the highest responsiveness to PL, raising concerns about herbicide resistance management. Laboratory experiments assessed the impact of PL-soil ratios and leachate concentrations on seed germination, viability, and seedling growth. Results indicate that increasing PL ratios and leachate concentrations negatively affect A. palmeri germination and growth, while corn demonstrates greater resilience. Corn grain yield was significantly reduced in PL-treated plots with high weed densities, highlighting the competitive impact of weeds on crop production. Together, these studies provide valuable insights into the role of grazing and PL application in weed dispersal and management. The findings offer opportunities for developing integrated strategies, including customized feeding and grazing practices combined with timely removal of weeds at the pre-flowering stage, to enhance sustainable agricultural practices and effective weed control in the southern USA
"We were all trying to figure it out as we go." A Narrative Inquiry Exploring the Sensemaking Processes of Senior Housing Officers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFWhen it comes to crisis management, higher education is no stranger to the response, management, and evaluation of a crisis. As campus administrators, we regularly navigate crises, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflection and evaluation were minimal. When working in a person-centered environment, the scope of crises is varied and unique, therefore the understanding and decision-making of senior leadership staff is instrumental in institutional success. This study explores the critical role of Housing and Residence Life (HRL) Senior Housing Officers (SHOs) in managing crises on college campuses, with a particular focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. The research examines the sensemaking processes of Senior Housing Officers (SHOs) during the initial two years of the pandemic and how these experiences informed their decision-making and crisis management strategies. Utilizing a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, the research highlights the lived experiences of nine SHOs from large, public, research institutions in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The findings reveal five key themes: 1) aversion to sensemaking; 2) experiential learning; 3) decision-making; 4) sensemaking; and 5) community. The study underscores the challenges faced by SHOs, including the overwhelming nature of the pandemic, the need for rapid decision-making, and the reliance on past experiences to navigate unprecedented situations. Additionally, the research emphasizes the significance of community and collaboration among SHOs, which provided essential support and benchmarking during the crisis.
The study contributes to the literature on crisis management in higher education by providing insights into the unique experiences of SHOs and offering practical recommendations for future crisis preparedness. This study advocates for the integration of crisis response roles into position descriptions, the importance of mental health support for SHOs, and the need for ongoing training and tabletop exercises to enhance preparedness. Ultimately, this research aims to inform the practice of HRL professionals and support the development of effective crisis management strategies in higher education
Successful Recruitment and Retention Strategies of High School Band Directors: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore successful high school band directors’ recruiting strategies. Research questions guiding this study were: 1. What strategic actions have band directors taken to recruit students into their programs? 2. What strategies have increased enrollment? 3. What strategies have not increased enrollment? 4. What collaboration efforts are in place, if any, between high school and middle school directors? I used interviews to examine participants’ experiences in the successful recruitment and
retention of students. Participants were public high school band directors selected for their expertise in successfully recruiting students. Twelve participants from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee were selected using the following
criteria: the reputation of their program on the marching field and concert stage, tenure in their current building, and the percentage of students enrolled in band classes compared to the overall student body in their building. Semi-structured interviews occurred via Zoom and lasted approximately 30 minutes with each participant. Interview recordings were transcribed and entered into AtlasTi 22 software for
analysis. Member checking of interview transcripts and peer review ensured dependability. Findings revealed four major themes: philosophy of the student experience, strategic planning, targeted activities, and building relationships. The encompassing idea was an annual cycle, specifically the cycle of themes interconnecting with each other. This research fills a gap in current literature by documenting effective strategies and philosophies of successful directors, which may inform discussions and contribute to existing research on recruitment and retention strategies