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Assessing Biochar and Industrial Hemp to Remediate Heavy-metal-contaminated Soil
Get PDFEnvironmental degradation is becoming increasingly prevalent as global industrialization runs rampant. Anthropogenic activity, such as mining, deposits inorganic pollutants into the environment, leading to potential soil and water contamination. Traditional, engineering-based remediation and containment procedures alter soil structure and aggregate stability and affect the biological function of the area impacted by mining activities. Phytoremediation is a more energy-efficient, and therefore cost-effective, method of environmental restoration. Phytoremediation, on its own, works in soils that are less contaminated so that the selected plant can actually grow. Soil amendments, such as biochar, can be added to improve remediation potential in more contaminated soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil-contamination level (i.e., low, medium, and high), industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivar (i.e., \u27Carmagnola\u27and \u27Jinma\u27), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)-derived biochar rate (i.e., 0, 2, 5, and 10% by volume), and their interactions on root tissue Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations and uptakes, whole-plant Cd, Pb, and Zn uptakes, and translocation factors after 90 days of hemp growth in contaminated soil from the Tar Creek Superfund Site near Picher, Oklahoma. Hemp removal of Cd, Pb, and Zn differed among soil-contamination levels (P \u3c 0.01), but was unaffected (P\u3e 0.05) by hemp cultivar or biochar rate, except for total Zn uptake. Total Cd uptake was greatest from the high- (0.0058 mg cm-2), which did not differ from the medium-, and was significantly greater than from the low-contaminated soil (0.0004 mg cm-2). Total Pb uptake was greatest from the high- (0.09 mg cm-2) than the other two soils, while the medium- (0.0084 mg cm-2) was also greater than from the low-contaminated soil (0.0031 mg cm-2). Total Zn uptake was affected (P = 0.02) by biochar rate in the medium- and high-contaminated soils, where total plant Zn uptake in the high- was numerically largest with 10% biochar (0.28 mg cm-2) and, in the medium- was numerically largest with 2% biochar (0.07 mg cm-2), but was unaffected (P \u3e 0.05) by biochar rate in the low-contaminated soil. The translocation factor for Zn uptake in the low and medium soils was \u3e 1, indicating industrial hemp as a potential Zn hyperaccumulator up to a threshold soil-contamination level. Results demonstrate that biochar amendment has the potential to enhance hemp’s ability to remediate heavy-metal-contaminated soils
Filipino American Cultural Beliefs, Perceptions of Autism, and Help-Seeking Behaviors
Get PDFBackground: Filipinos carry a unique culture that is deeply rooted in ideas of family, community, religion, and honor. When Filipinos immigrated to the United States, these values followed and have organically passed down through generations. Studies have explored how Filipino Americans feel about the healthcare system and how Southeast Asians perceive mental health conditions, such as autism. Current research lacks how Filipino culture has impacted Filipino Americans’ perceptions of autism and their help-seeking behaviors if their child were to receive an autism diagnosis. Methods: Participants were asked questions about their cultural values, presented with a vignette depicting an autistic child and then asked about their course of action seeking help for their child. Results: Outcomes showed differences across generations for acculturation and religiosity but little differences for help-seeking and confidence in contacting a medical professional. Outcomes showed a significant correlation between participants’ acculturation level and religiosity level as well as between participants’ help-seeking behavior and confidence in contacting a medical professional. No significant differences were found in confidence levels between participants with and without past familial mental health diagnoses. Conclusions: Filipino Americans have a deeply rooted belief that the healthcare system is untrustworthy, and natural methods are thus seen as more favorable. Future studies should work to understand what Filipino Americans need to feel more comfortable with seeking out help for their child if given an autism diagnosis.
Keywords: Filipino Americans, autism, acculturation, religiosity, help-seeking behavior, medical mistrus
Managing Graphical Fidelity with Stylized Shaders for Independent Game Development
Get PDFThis paper outlines work performed by the author within the Unity3D game engine to gain preliminary experience with technical art implementation and suggests design choices that could be useful to other students or independent game developers to manage complexity within their games while maintaining visual appeal. The final product of the discussed project is a small game consisting of an outdoor urban city environment as well as an interior aquarium environment. This paper begins with the author’s motivations and goals for the project before describing the implementation of specific aspects of technical art, including 3D modeling, rigging, animation, level design, lighting, programming, and performance optimization. Finally, this paper includes an analysis discussing the project’s success in terms of visual appearance and overall performance and describes areas for improvement and potential future work
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
An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Informational Interviews on Biomedical Engineering Students\u27 Professional Growth, Career Preparedness, and Networking Skills Development
No full textBone fractures and complete joint replacements are becoming more common, primarily because of accidents and age-related issues. Conventional solutions to treat these orthopedic injuries involve inert metal alloys to correct bone fractures until the healing process is complete, where a secondary revision surgery is then required to remove the implant. Issues regularly associated with these solutions include stress shielding, bone resorption, infection, inflammation, and implant loosening. Magnesium (Mg)-based nanocomposites offer promising potential as an alternative to commonly used metal alloys because of their favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. A particularly advantageous property of Mg is its natural biodegradation in vivo, meaning the implant will dissolve once healing has been completed, eliminating the need for revision surgeries. However, Mg’s naturally high corrosion rate presents significant challenges for these applications, including compromised mechanical stability and biocompatibility. This research investigates the effects of boron nitride (BN) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticle reinforcement on the degradation behavior, mechanical strength, microstructural properties, and biocompatibility of Mg-based nanocomposites. The influence of adding each nanoparticle individually showed a significantly positive effect on mechanical and corrosion properties in current literature. However, further investigation into the effect of adding these two nanoparticles together into the magnesium matrix has yet to be conducted. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of adding these two nanoparticles in equal volume percentages to create hybrid Mg-based nanocomposites to more comprehensively assess their combined influence on mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. Characterization techniques included porosity measurements, Vickers microhardness testing, contact angle analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Biocompatibility was assessed through cell viability assays and a PFA cell fixation study, while corrosion performance was evaluated via SEM imaging, electrochemical corrosion tests, and immersion testing in complete αMEM, followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The Zk60-0.5%BN-0.5%SiC nanocomposite exhibited improved hardness, refined grain structure, and strong interparticle bonding with minimal porosity. SEM and EDX analyses confirmed uniform nanoparticle dispersion and grain boundary reinforcement. However, the same composite also showed increased corrosion susceptibility, as indicated by higher pH shifts, greater Mg ion release, and more pronounced Mg(OH)₂ surface deposits during SEM characterization. Biocompatibility assays revealed moderate cytotoxicity in both the Pure Zk60 and Zk60-0.5%BN-0.5%SiC groups, with reduced cell adhesion linked to elevated corrosion rates in the latter. Despite these challenges, the mechanical benefits and early-stage cell attachment suggest strong potential for orthopedic use. Future work should focus on optimizing nanoparticle volume fractions and applying corrosion-resistant coatings to enhance the long-term viability of Mg-based nanocomposites in clinical settings. Overall, the Mg nanocomposites reinforced with BN and SiC nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced mechanical and microstructural properties suitable for orthopedic implants, but the increased corrosion rate needs to be addressed before clinical applications.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnrcsturpc25/1050/thumbnail.jp
Examining the Motivational Circumstances of Bias-Motivated Violence and the Likelihood of Fatal Outcomes
Get PDFBias-motivated violence has emerged as an increasingly urgent social problem in the United States, with recent years witnessing significant rises in hate crimes against multiple marginalized groups. Although prior research has recognized that bias crimes are not motivated by a single factor, gaps remain in understanding how motivational circumstances relate to fatal outcomes and how situational factors differ between types of bias attacks. Using descriptive and bivariate analyses of cases from the Bias Homicide Database (2015-2022), this study examines the relationship between motivation, fatal outcomes, and incident characteristics in bias-motivated murders and attempted murders. Findings show that while predatory motivations were more prevalent overall, they did not significantly increase the likelihood of a fatal outcome compared to responsive motivations. However, important differences emerged between predatory and responsive attacks in terms of victim group, weapon type, and number of deaths. These results challenge traditional typologies that portray offender motivations as rigid or universally predictive, highlighting the need for greater attention to the fluid and complex nature of bias violence. By improving understanding of these nuances, the study offers insights for researchers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and policymakers seeking to more effectively identify, prevent, and respond to violent bias crime
Aspirational Architecture: How the Design of the Barbie Dreamhouse Reflected the Cultural Influences of its Time
Get PDFSimilarly to the iconic cerulean monologue given by Meryl Streep in the film, The Devil Wears Prada (2006), the trickling and filtering of “stuff” from one art form to another is a significant point of discovery and contention. Whether it be the influence of art to architecture, architecture to art, fashion to architecture, media to art to architecture, or the amalgamation of all art mediums to form a confluence of design and a representation of time in history. This capstone explores the relationship between architectural and interior design to fashion, media, and even cultural events. Particularly, how design is affected by these factors throughout history. As a result, the Barbie Dreamhouse, a physical manifestation and product of its time and circumstances, is influenced by these social and cultural meeting points
Vision-Based Multimodal Frameworks for Human Behavioral Analysis: Applications in Group Activity Understanding and Public Health
Get PDFGroup Activity Recognition (GAR) has emerged as a crucial problem in computer vision, with wide-ranging applications in sports analysis, video surveillance, and social scene understanding. Unlike traditional action recognition focused on individuals, GAR requires understanding complex spatiotemporal relationships between multiple actors, their interactions, and the broader context in which these activities occur. This complexity introduces unique challenges, including the need for accurate actor localization, modeling of inter-actor dependencies, and understanding of temporal evolution in group behaviors. While recent advances have shown promise, existing approaches often rely heavily on extensive annotations such as ground-truth bounding boxes and action labels, creating significant barriers to practical deployment and scalability. Additionally, current methods struggle to capture the full spectrum of contextual factors that give meaning to group activities, particularly in real-world applications where multiple modalities of information are available. We first introduce Self-supervised Spatiotemporal Transformers Approach to Group Activity Recognition (SPARTAN) and Self-supervised Spatiotemporal Attention-based Social Group Activity Recognition (SoGAR), novel self-supervised frameworks that significantly reduce annotation requirements while maintaining high recognition accuracy. SPARTAN leverages multi-resolution temporal views to capture varied motion characteristics, while SoGAR implements temporal collaborative learning and spatiotemporal cooperative learning strategies. These approaches achieve state-of-the-art performance on multiple benchmark datasets, including JRDB-PAR, NBA, and Volleyball, without requiring person-level annotations. In the multimodal domain, we present three frameworks: Recognize Every Action Everywhere All At Once (REACT), which employs a Vision-Language Encoder for sparse spatial interactions; Hierarchical Attention-Flow Mechanism for Group-Activity Scene Graph Generation in Videos (HAtt-Flow), which introduces flow conservation principles in attention mechanisms; and LiDAR-Guided Hierarchical Transformer for Multi-Modal Group Activity Recognition (LiGAR), which utilizes LiDAR data as a structural backbone for processing visual and textual information. These frameworks demonstrate significant improvements in capturing cross-modal dependencies and spatial-temporal relationships. Finally, we extend our research to healthcare applications, particularly in analyzing tobacco-related content on social media platforms. We develop Public Health Advocacy Dataset: A Dataset of Tobacco Usage Videos from Social Media (PHAD), Flow-Attention Adaptive Semantic Hierarchical Fusion for Multimodal Tobacco Content Analysis (FLAASH), and A Large-scale 1M Dataset and Foundation Model for Tobacco Addiction Prevention (DEFEND) frameworks to address the limitations of current Large Language Models in processing video content. Our experimental results show substantial improvements over existing methods, achieving up to 10.6% gains in F1-score on JRDB-PAR and 5.9% improvement in Mean Per Class Accuracy on the NBA dataset. This thesis advances the field of group activity recognition by reducing reliance on extensive annotations, improving multimodal integration, and demonstrating practical applications in public health monitoring. The proposed frameworks provide a foundation for future research in automated understanding of complex group behaviors while addressing real-world challenges in data annotation and multimodal analysis
Examining the Impact of the Executive Healthcare Leadership Institute on Faculty Readiness to Lead
Get PDFAmericans living in rural communities face significantly poorer health outcomes compared to those in urban areas. Academic medical centers (AMCs), such as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), play a critical role in addressing these disparities by incorporating rural health improvement into their mission. UAMS has committed to mitigating adverse health outcomes through targeted initiatives. However, AMCs operate within highly complex environments, balancing their tripartite mission of teaching, research, and clinical care, which demands exceptional leadership. These institutions also face unique organizational and economic challenges, compounded by personal and professional pressures on faculty members. To enhance leadership capacity and address these challenges, UAMS partnered with the Executive Education program at the Sam M. Walton College of Business (Walton College) to establish the Executive Healthcare Leadership Institute (EHLI). EHLI is designed to develop leadership skills among UAMS faculty, with one of its primary objectives being to increase faculty readiness to lead. This readiness is assessed through leader self-efficacy, a concept rooted in Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy framework, which reflects an individual’s confidence in their ability to execute leadership responsibilities effectively. This study evaluates the effectiveness of EHLI in enhancing leadership readiness among UAMS faculty. Using multiple linear regression, the study compares leadership readiness scores, as—measured through the Leader Efficacy Questionnaire (LEQ)—between faculty who have completed EHLI and those who have not. Additionally, the research examines whether prior leadership experience or participation in leadership development programs (LDPs) moderates the relationship between EHLI completion and leadership readiness. The findings will inform potential modifications to EHLI, assess its overall value as a resource investment, and contribute to broader efforts to strengthen AMC leadership in an era of constrained resources and persistent rural health disparities