614 research outputs found
A Deep Learning Method to Automatically Identify Reports of Scientifically Rigorous Clinical Research from the Biomedical Literature: Comparative Analytic Study
No full textA major barrier to the practice of evidence-based medicine is efficiently finding scientifically sound studies on a given clinical topic
Artful living and the eradication of worry in Søren Kierkegaard's interpretation of Matthew 6:24-34
No full textDanish thinker Søren Kierkegaard published fourteen discourses, across four collections, on Matthew 6:24-34. The repeated readings of the biblical text, whose themes include the choice between God and mammon, worry, what it means to consider the birds and lilies, and how to seek first the kingdom of God, converge with Kierkegaard’s interest in anxiety, despair, worry, subjectivity, indirect communication, choice, the moment, and life before God. Accordingly, the discourses make connections with his larger works, elucidate frequently explored Kierkegaardian themes in recent scholarship, and contribute to his critique of nineteenth-century Copenhagen. Additionally, the collections present an interpretation of each verse and phrase of Matthew’s text and, held up against modern Matthew scholarship, they correlate with and contribute to Sermon on the Mount and New Testament studies. Kierkegaard’s reading of Matthew also holds implications for the practice of biblical interpretation as it promotes the importance of awareness of sin, interestedness, and appropriation as central to proper reading. His emphasis on Christ as the primary exemplar of Matthew’s text adds an additional Christological element to his hermeneutic. Furthermore, the discourses serve as spiritual treatises which provide the reader with theological terminology to help confront the problem of worry and suffering. In light of a human being’s distinctiveness as imago Dei, Kierkegaard elucidates ways an individual may respond artfully to the ongoing possibility of worry, a possibility which the discourses connect with Christian anthropology and external labels associated with possessions and status. The Matthew 6 discourses intimate Kierkegaard’s sympathy with classic Christian spirituality and, in combination with the cultural-ecclesiastical critique, the creative exegesis, and the in-depth analysis of the cause of and cure for worry, his work emerges as an excellent example of spiritual theology
Response and regulation of cell-surface hydrolases to nutrient stress in river-influenced coastal areas
No full textConceptually, the hydrolysis product of ectoenzyme activity is used to relieve nutrient stress or acquire a type of molecule not immediately accessible in the environment. When properly characterized, ectoenzyme activities can offer greater insight into the nutrient requirements of organisms and how they use organic matter. This dissertation analyzes enzyme activity data from two river-influenced coastal regions, locations of variable inorganic nutrient concentrations, dissolved organic matter concentrations, and biomass. It is the ultimate goal of this dissertation to provide a quantitative means of interpreting ectoenzyme activity or, at the very least, to provide possible interpretations of activity that go beyond the overly-simplistic and qualitative views currently dominant in the ectoenzyme literature. In addition, it highlights the advantages of automated biological measurements, and promotes their use in future work. The first section explores the role of nitrate on LAP expression, and how LAP activities can reflect (and participate in) different biogeochemical regimes within the Hudson River outflow. The second section describes a simple model predicting the influence of leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity on a nitrate-limited phytoplankton population. The model includes predictions of the strength of nitrate limitation, ability of LAP to overcome the limitation, coupling strength between hydrolysis and uptake, and a phytoplankton nitrate requirement. The third section expands upon current research in alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in the Louisiana shelf. This work provides a first look at high resolution time-series of AP activity and other environmental variables, and how the interpretation of AP activity measurements may be improved by considering a time lag between variables and a temporal control on AP expression.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Brian Matthew Gaa
Characterizing the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis in North American snakes through field studies, modeling, pathogen genomic analysis, and treatment trials
No full textThe enormous impacts of human activities on global ecosystems pose a threat to the health of people, animals, and the environment. It is critical to study wildlife diseases in order to protect global biodiversity and promote global health, as notably highlighted by the effects on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging fungal diseases have profound impacts on people, agricultural crops, domestic animals, and wildlife. Ophidiomycosis, caused by the keratinophilic fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is an emerging infectious disease of wild and managed snakes worldwide. All snake species appear to be susceptible and it is a particular threat to species of conservation concern. The purpose of this dissertation was to address the gaps in current knowledge of ophidiomycosis in the United States, including the full range of snake species and geographic areas impacted by the disease, how disease and pathogen prevalence vary based on host and environmental factors, the impact of O. ophidiicola genomic diversity on disease epidemiology, and the effectiveness of specific treatment options. The specific objectives were to use fieldwork, clinical trials, molecular approaches, and statistical modeling to examine host, agent, and environmental factors that impact development of disease and characterize the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles for a single medication and delivery system in diseased snakes.
Ophidiomycosis surveillance was conducted in a variety of snake species in southeast Georgia, USA and in Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum, LEWS) in Ottawa and Erie Counties, Ohio, USA. Snakes were captured during visual encounter surveys and visually inspected for skin lesions suggestive of ophidiomycosis, then a body swab was collected to detect the presence of O. ophidiicola using qPCR. Each snake was assigned to an ophidiomycosis category based on the presence of skin lesions and O. ophidiicola. Logistic regression models were used to predict lesion presence, O. ophidiicola detection, and ophidiomycosis category based on individual, spatial, and temporal factors. For LEWS, models were also used to test for associations between lesion and fungal presence and a variety of climate, demographic, and environmental factors. Next, a multiplex qPCR-based genotyping assay was designed to differentiate between clades of O. ophidiicola, which were defined based on whole-genome sequencing conducted at the National Wildlife Health Center. Primer-probes sets were designed to target conserved and divergent areas between clade-representative genomes, such that each clade had a specific amplification pattern. Using the Fluidigm Access Array to conduct multiplex qPCR, the amplification pattern of a particular O. ophidiicola DNA sample across these primer-probes was used to assign it to a clade. This approach was validated using samples of known clade and applied to swab-extracted O. ophidiicola DNA samples from multiple snake species, states, and years. Multinomial logistic regression modeling was used to predict clade based on snake taxonomic group, state of origin, and year of collection. Finally, a controlled clinical trial was conducted using terbinafine nebulization to treat wild-caught Lake Erie watersnakes with natural ophidiomycosis. Snakes received terbinafine nebulization, saline nebulization, or no treatment, and response to treatment was measured using physical exams to document clinical disease severity, as well as qPCR of body and lesion swabs to measure O. ophidiicola quantity. Mixed models were used to analyze response to treatment based on initial disease severity, treatment group, year of the study, and length of treatment. Plasma and skin concentrations of terbinafine were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
A total of 786 free-ranging snakes representing 34 species and four families were examined and sampled in southeast Georgia. Of these, 27.5% had skin lesions and 13.3% were positive for O. ophidiicola DNA. This was the first report of O. ophidiicola in five of the 22 species that were qPCR positive and multinomial logistic regression modeling indicated that eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) had a higher relative risk of apparent ophidiomycosis (lesions present and qPCR positive). The best models predicting qPCR result and ophidiomycosis category included individual factors and excluded temporal and spatial factors. A total of 837 Lake Erie watersnakes were evaluated across five surveillance sites between 2017 and 2020. The prevalence and odds of skin lesion presence, qPCR detection of O. ophidiicola, and ophidiomycosis categories varied between sites and years. Snakes were more likely to have skin lesions at lower temperatures and O. ophidiicola was more likely to be detected in snakes at sites with open space development and low-intensity development. The presence of emerging herbaceous wetlands, urban land change, and certain soil types increased the odds of both lesion presence and qPCR detection of O. ophidiicola. The multiplex qPCR-based genotyping assay consisted of 11 primer-probe sets and, compared to full-genome sequencing, correctly assigned 77.3% of the samples with known clade (Cohen’s kappa = 0.682, 95% CI: 0.527 – 0.837). Swab-extracted O. ophidiicola DNA samples from across the United States were assigned to five different clades, including three of the six pre-established clades and two newly defined clades, which likely represent recombinant strains of O. ophidiicola. U.S.state of collection was the only significant predictor of clade in multinomial logistic regression models and clade was not associated with disease severity in LEWS. Finally, terbinafine nebulization resulted in external molecular resolution of disease in 29.2% of treated snakes following three to six months of daily nebulization, compared to 5% of snakes receiving saline nebulization and 11.1% of snakes receiving no treatment. Terbinafine nebulization did not significantly decrease clinical disease, as measured by disease severity scores, but significantly reduced fungal quantity after three or more 30-day courses of treatment. Daily terbinafine nebulization was found to produce concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration for O. ophidiicola in both plasma and skin. This treatment may be most useful in snakes from managed populations that can be treated for several months, rather than wild snakes who are not releasable after multiple months in captivity.
This work provides a great deal of new information about the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis, but many questions remain. Additional work to improve surveillance, conduct experimental infection trials, and use molecular techniques to evaluate host and pathogen gene expression will support snake health and conservation, as well as informing the management of emerging fungal diseases affecting wildlife, humans, and domestic animals.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2023-05-01The student, Ellen Haynes, accepted the attached license on 2021-04-15 at 07:33.The student, Ellen Haynes, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2021-04-15 at 07:43.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2021-04-15 at 16:38.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #16341 on 2021-09-16 at 17:03:12Made available in DSpace on 2021-09-17T02:34:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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Publisher Correction to Quantifying intra-urban socio-economic and environmental vulnerability to extreme heat events in Johannesburg, South Africa(International Journal of Biometeorology, 10.1007/s00484-025-02971-y)
No full textIn the originally published version of this article, Aakin Bobola, was mistakenly listed as an author. This was an error introduced during typesetting and has since been corrected. The correct list of authors is: Craig Parker, Craig Mahlasi, Tamara Govindasamy, Lebohang Radebe, Nicholas Brian Brink, Christopher Jack, Madina Doumbia, Etienne Kouakou, Matthew Chersich, Guéladio Cissé, and Sibusisiwe Makhanya for the HE2AT Center Group Springer apologizes for the oversight and any confusion this may have caused. The original article has been corrected.</p
Jesus as God's Delight in the Gospel of Matthew: An Overlooked Aspect of Matthew's Christology
No full textThis work was embargoed by the author until 7/01/2025.Throughout the Old Testament, there are many things that God delights in: righteousness, mercy/steadfast love, Israel, Israel’s properly offered sacrifices, and Israel’s king, to name a few. This repeated theme in the Old Testament provides the background for an unexpected and underappreciated aspect of Matthew’s Gospel. Four times in the First Gospel we read that Jesus himself is the object of God’s delight, and each of these occurrences appear at key moments within Matthew’s sophisticated narrative (3:17; 12:18; 17:5; 27:43). God’s delight in Jesus is an unexplored and overlooked aspect of Matthew’s Christology. After establishing the contours of the Old Testament objects of God’s delight (chapter 2), this dissertation argues that Matthew portrays Jesus as the embodiment and fulfillment of God’s delight. Matthew’s portrait of Jesus as God’s delight is developed in the Gospel in three ways: First, Matthew explicitly declares Jesus to be the object of God’s delight at four key moments within his story (chapter 3). Second, Matthew portrays Jesus’s ways of moving throughout the world to be the object of God’s delight (chapter 4). Third, Matthew portrays Jesus as the obedient Son and Davidic king, and these themes, taken together, contribute to Matthew’s multifaceted portrait of Jesus as God’s delight (chapter 5). Unearthing the theme of God’s delight in the Old Testament and the repeated rhythm of God’s delight as a plot line in the First Gospel brings to light an overlooked aspect of Matthew’s Christology. God’s delight in Jesus is a multivalent plot line that surfaces at key junctures in the First Gospel to bring Matthew’s story to moments of narrative climax and to resolve narrative tension, stabilizing the reader’s vision of Jesus in the midst of repeated conflict
Designing 21st Century Standard Ware: The Cultural Heritage of Leach and the Potential Applications of Digital Technologies
No full textThis practice-based research investigates the potential applications of digital manufacturing technologies in the design and production of hand-made tableware at the Leach Pottery. The methodology for the research establishes an approach grounded in my previous experience as a maker that is informed by an open, experimental, emergent, and responsive framework based on Naturalistic Inquiry.
A critical contextual review describes the cultural heritage of Leach which, for the purposes of the research, is developed through the Leach Pottery as a significant site, the historical production of the iconic Leach Standard Ware and the contemporary production of Leach Tableware. This is followed by an examination of Potter’s Tools in the Leach production environment, and a review of makers’ digital ceramic practice.
The contextual review is followed by an explication of ‘standards’ presented through visual lineages of Standard Ware and Leach Tableware to define ‘standard’ at a design (macro) level, followed by an examination of how ‘standard’ operates at a making (micro level) level. This chapter presents new knowledge in relation to defining the visual field of Leach Pottery tableware production and its standards of design.
A chapter focussed on practice presents the outcomes and analysis of my engagement with digital manufacturing technologies which resulted in the development of new tools to support Leach Tableware production and the interrogation of Leach forms, in different mediums, which led to the creation of Digital-Analogue Leach forms. The practice culminated in the design and development of new 21st century Standard Ware: a range of 9 forms, called Echo of Leach, that were developed by myself using digital and analogue methods: the designs were realised by myself, the Leach Studio, and a further four makers. The outcomes of the research were presented in a three month exhibition at the Leach Pottery in 2013.
The conclusions of the research draw on the key points raised in the analysis of the practice and relate these to the approaches to making pottery that are highlighted in the cultural heritage of Leach in the contextual review. These are also discussed in relation to ways in which these findings could be taken forward into development of knowledge about Standard Ware, especially in a broader studio pottery context
The Gospel of Matthew and the Value of "Full Bloom Aspect" for Biblical Interpretation
No full textMatthew’s first two chapters provide fertile ground for debate surrounding his four fulfillment quotations. In an age when biblical interpretation often defaults to the authority of the reader or leans heavily on presuppositional systems, Matthew provides tools for biblical interpretation in these quotations with a goal of demonstrating the interpretive method Jesus taught His disciples. He invites the reader to learn and practice them as well. The journey of discovery reinforces tried and true interpretive aspects such as historical and grammatical contexts. It also introduces, for some, the aspect of biblical theology, which reminds the reader that every passage of Scripture is a scene in a larger story. The real discovery is full bloom aspect—the exercise of using the illumination of the progression of revelation to shine light on earlier passages, revealing the beauty intended by the Author of Scripture
Master’s alumnus draws on CHDS thesis as part of toxic inhalation study
No full textOUT OF THE CLASSROOM, INTO THE WORLD / STORIESNPS-CHDS master’s degree alumnus David Matthew found a way to apply his thesis research deep in the desert of Utah. Matthew, a 2007 graduate, was a participant and co-author of..
Rainolds [Reynolds], William (1544?-1594), Roman Catholic priest and author
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