14 research outputs found
Understanding the winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) Southern New England / Mid-Atlantic stock through historical trawl surveys and monitoring cross continental shelf movement
No full textThe goal of this study was to better understand where adult winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) are, both in distribution and while seasonally spawning in the central to southern Mid-Atlantic Bight, through the use of historic datasets and tagging and tracking methods. I accomplished this with the use of three historic bottom trawl surveys to investigate if there was a shift in the distribution of winter flounder at the southern extend of the their range. In addition, the relationship between ocean temperatures and winter flounder centers of biomass and abundance was tested to see if temperature was a driver. To characterize seasonal migration, adult winter flounder (n=231) were tagged with three tag types. I targeted adult fish, using fish length and the gonadosomatic index as an indicator. To reconstructing an individual’s location using the environmental data recorded from a data logging archival tag, three state space models were developed and tested for model accuracy. I subsampled the trawl data and used data below the Hudson Valley and found that the distribution of winter flounder has shifted over the last few decades. A distributional shift north along the continental shelf was the most common trend across surveys, but there were several other changes in the distribution (e.g., across shelf location and depth) that were season and survey specific. These spatial shifts, along with abundance, were not temporally similar to an increase in ocean temperatures. While the tagging efforts were successful, I had a low recapture rate. Most of the tagged fish were female and mature. I observed two movement behaviors in the fall of 2012, including two individuals that moved inshore and north from the release site and two offshore. The recovery of one archival tag helped inform the three state space models developed. I used two data matching and simulation state space models and one particle filter model to reconstruct fish location. All of the models were tested on simulated known fish paths, and while they performed similarly on short time scales, at larger time scales the particle filter outperformed the data matching and simulation state space models.M.S.Includes bibliographical referencesby Kaycee E. Colema
Adaptation strategies of coastal fishing communities as species shift poleward
No full textIn this period of environmental change, understanding how resource users respond to such changes is critical for effective resource management and adaptation planning. Extensive work has focused on natural resource responses to environmental changes, but less has examined the re- sponse of resource users to such changes. We used an interdisciplinary approach to analyse changes in resource use among commercial trawl fish- ing communities in the northwest Atlantic, a region that has shown poleward shifts in harvested fish species. We found substantial community- level changes in fishing patterns since 1996: southern trawl fleets of larger vessels with low catch diversity fished up to 400 km further north, while trawl fleets of smaller vessels with low catch diversity shrank or disappeared from the data set over time. In contrast, trawl fleets (of both large and small vessels) with higher catch diversity neither changed fishing location dramatically or nor disappeared as often from the data set. This analysis suggests that catch diversity and high mobility may buffer fishing communities from effects of environmental change. Particularly in times of rapid and uncertain change, constructing diverse portfolios and allowing for fleet mobility may represent effective adaptation strategies.Peer reviewe
Effects of Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention in Improving Children\u27s BMI-for-Age Percentiles
No full textBackground: The number of obese children and adolescents in the United States (U.S.) is estimated to be 12.7 million according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Therefore, approximately 17% of the nation’s children are obese. Rates of childhood obesity in Arkansas (22%) are consistently higher than the national average. To address this issue, a nutrition and physical activity intervention was designed by researchers from Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) Nutrition and Dietetics Program.
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity intervention in improving the Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age percentiles of rural Arkansas children at risk for childhood obesity.
Design: The research included a treatment group that received weekly nutrition and physical activity lessons and a control group that did not receive nutrition and physical activity lessons. The baseline and ending BMI-for-age percentiles were recorded for all children. Nutrition knowledge was assessed in the treatment group at baseline and at the end of a seven-week period using a multiple choice pre- and post-test.
Participants/setting: In the summer of 2018, 110 children ages 2- to 12-years-old from the three childcare programs in Arkadelphia were selected.
Intervention: Treatment groups received weekly nutrition and physical activity lessons over a seven-week period.
Main Outcome Measures: Children’s BMI and test scores were analyzed.
Statistical analyses performed: t test and z-scores.
Results: Test scores improved in the 7- to 9-year-old group and the 10- to 12-year-old group, but there was no improvement in the 4- to 6-year-old group. For the control group, the mean pre-assessment BMI was 16.0 ± 2.9 and at post-assessment, the mean BMI was 15.8 ± 2.8 (p=0.295). The mean BMI of the control group did not change significantly during the summer. For the treatment group, the mean pre-assessment BMI was 18.5 ± 3.1 and at post-assessment, the mean BMI was 18.6 ± 3.2 (p=0.395). The mean BMI of the treatment group did not change significantly during the summer.
Conclusions and Implications: The majority of children participating in the nutrition and physical activity intervention had improved nutrition knowledge test scores at the end of the intervention. BMI-for-age percentiles remained statistically the same for the seven-week program. Pre- and post-test for 7- to 9-year-old and 10- to 12-year-old children are useful for accessing nutrition and physical activity knowledge but are not useful for 4- to 6-year-old children
Assessment of Nutrition Status of Adults Using the Nutrition Focused Physical Examination
No full textBackground: Thirteen percent of the United States (U.S.) population is over 65 years of age and up to 50% are malnourished; therefore, seniors were chosen as the subjects for this research study.
Objective: To identify malnutrition in older adults using the Nutrition Focused Physical Examination (NFPE), and to compare the results to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics parameters for assessment of nutritional status.
Design: Each senior voluntarily completed a head-to-toe NFPE, 24-hour diet recall, and anthropomorphic measures were also taken. Information was later analyzed and results were given to each participant.
Participants/setting: Seniors from the Senior Center in Arkadelphia, Arkansas volunteered for the study in the summer of 2018.
Main outcome measures: The NFPE was used to identify areas of malnutrition and 24-hour diet recall information was assessed in comparison to the DRI.
Statistical analyses performed: Results were calculated using Nutritionist Pro®, Excel® and SPSS®.
Results: Sixty-four percent had subcutaneous fat loss in the orbital region, 40% in the upper arm region, and 27% and 10% in the thoracic and lumbar region respectively. Sixty-seven percent had muscle loss in the temple region, 37% in the clavicle bone region, 17% in the scapular bone region, and 70% in the dorsal hand. Of the 30 subjects participating in the study, 93% had some form of malnutrition. Nutrient analysis showed significant correlation between age and protein, carbohydrate, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, sodium, iron and kcalories consumed. Intake of potassium, and calcium were significantly below the DRI for both genders. Sodium intake was significantly above the DRI for both genders.
Conclusion: The NFPE was successful in identifying malnutrition in a sample of elderly subjects as confirmed by the low nutrient intake levels reported. However, further research is needed to quantitatively assess the validity and reliability of the NFPE
Cyberbullying, Mental Health, and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth with Disabilities: Intersectionalities and Environmental Risks
No full textLesbian, gay, and bisexual youth with disabilities are at risk for being cyberbullied. Additionally, these risks can be compounded by other intersectional factors, such as cultural identity. Youth with multiple marginalized identities are at risk for stress, discrimination, and poor mental health outcomes as a result of bullying. However, research exploring the intersections between risk, sexual identity, and disability is sparse. In this article, we begin to address this gap in a diverse sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth who have reported being cyberbullied in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. We discuss implications for child and family studies, identifying opportunities for further discussion on risk, mental health, and person-in-environment factors for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth with disabilities. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Soul Force: Ideologies and Reactions to Civil Disobedience During the Indian Independence Movement
No full textabstract: This thesis explores the relationship between the ideological justification for civil disobedience in British India in the twentieth century and the contemporary responses to the nonviolent resistance. By evaluating the elements of preparation and reaction to the Champaran, Kheda, Rowlatt Hartal, Khilafat, Bardoli, Dandi, and Quit India satyagraha campaigns, an understanding of the goals and values of civil disobedience and noncooperation was established. By studying the intellectual works of Indian independence leaders, correspondence between British government officials, widely distributed newspapers (The Times of London, The Times of India, Young India, The Spectator, The Manchester Guardian, The New York Times, etc) and first hand participant accounts, I was able to see how the ideas of independence leaders translated into popular participation and policy reform. A wide range of opinions existed amongst British contemporaries ranging from the encouragement of the Indian agitators to a deep hatred of the resistance. In addition, this thesis possesses an accompanying historical comic book which chronicles one family's participation in the Dandi March of 1930. The creative project attempts to introduce audiences to a historical case study of non-violent resistance. Similar to how Mahatma Gandhi chose salt to represent the oppression of all Indians by the British, the Salt March of 1930 was selected as the topic of the comic book in order to introduce all audiences to the experiences of twentieth century satyagrahis. Mass civil disobedience continues to be used as a tool for political change around the world today. "Soul Force" studies the pioneering efforts in mass nonviolent resistance within colonial India
Author response: The genome of the Hi5 germ cell line from Trichoplusia ni, an agricultural pest and novel model for small RNA biology
No full textStrong-coupling charge density wave in monolayer TiSe<sub>2</sub>
No full textWe study the 2 × 2 charge density wave (CDW) in epitaxially-grown monolayer TiSe2. Our temperature-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements indicate a strong-coupling instability, but reveal how not all states couple equally to the symmetry-breaking distortion, with an electron pocket persisting to low temperature as a non-bonding state. We further show how the CDW order can be suppressed by a modest doping of around 0.06(2) electrons per Ti. Our results provide an opportunity for quantitative comparison with a realistic tight-binding model, which emphasises a crucial role of structural aspects of the phase transition in understanding the hybridisation in the ground state. Together, our work provides a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenology of the CDW in TiSe2 in the 2D limit. © 2020 IOP Publishing Lt
Survey of the prevalence of conformational defects in feedlot receiving cattle in the United States
No full text2016 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.A survey was conducted on large beef cattle feedlots in Colorado and Texas between March and July 2015, to assess the current status of conformational defects in U.S. fed steers and heifers. The objectives were to: 1) determine the prevalence of conformational defects in feedlot receiving cattle in a population across multiple regions within the United States; and 2) increase industry awareness of the structural problems found in the current cattle population to help ultimately improve a practical selection focus. Conformational traits of front and rear claw, front and rear feet angles, rear leg side view, and rear leg hind view were evaluated on a scale of 1-9 with scores 4-6 serving as the most desirable. Overall soundness was evaluated from 0-100 with 66-100 serving as optimal soundness. A new scoring tool was developed and added to assess conformational problems in cattle shoulder and hip structure. Data from 2,886 head of feedlot cattle was used to evaluate the frequency of these conformational defects. Phenotypic evaluation revealed the highest prevalence of conformational issues in the shoulder, hip, and rear leg covering multiple relationships with demographic characteristics. Of the entire sample, 49.97% had a less than ideal shoulder structure, 53.33% had a less than ideal hip structure, and 29.97% displayed a less than ideal hock structure when viewed from the side. Heavier weight cattle showed a significantly higher (P<0.0001) prevalence of front claw scissor type abnormalities (7-9) and an increase (P<0.0001) in impaired mobility scores (group 2). Northern cattle exhibited a significant (P<0.0001) increase in front claw defects of scissor claw type abnormalities (7-9). Lastly, Bos Indicus cattle displayed a higher prevalence (P<0.0001) of round hip structures (7-9) and an increase (P<0.0001) of impaired mobility scores (group 2). The remaining traits had significantly higher proportions in the desirable (normal) group, and thus, the industry has shown positive developments in rear claw set and front and rear feet angles. Additionally, 85.85% of our total sample demonstrated overall comprehensive soundness scores for sound and flexible mobility (group 3). These findings will be useful to the beef industry in creating a benchmark for the conformational status of the current cattle herd to ultimately improve skeletal structure for improved welfare and performance in feedlot cattle
