A study of the nitrogen content of dune soils, with particular reference to the effects produced by the sea-buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L.

The history of research into the chemistry of dune soils is reviewed, with particular reference to the presence of nitrogen compounds, and also the effects created by the nitrogen-fixing shrub, sea-buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides, L.). Problems associated with the colonization of sand dunes by Hippophaë were investigated in the main study, involving soil sampling at selected sites between December 1980 and November 1981 on the Norfolk coast near Hunstanton. Hippophaë scrub of different ages was chosen, and control sites were left undisturbed. At experimental sites thick polythene sheeting was buried below the surface sand to prevent the downward percolation of solubles. Subsidiary investigations were made of other coastal sites in Britain, some with, and some without, Hippophaë colonies. The soil samples were analysed principally for nitrate ion, but also for ammonium, phosphate, and carbonate ions. The investigations revealed that nitrate levels in dune soil are proportional to the age of the Hippophaë scrub. A seasonal variation in nitrate levels was observed, with peaks in April and September. A model nitrogen economy was proposed to account for this. Statistical tests revealed no significant differences between control and experimental sites suggesting that nitrate is derived principally from Hippophaë rather than the leaf litter or animal products, probably by routine disintegration of the root nodules. The subsidiary sites lacking Hippophaë colonies had no detectable nitrate, or very low levels (< 0.5 ppm) even when heather scrub (Studland Heath, Dorset) or hawthorn scrub (Daymer Bay, Cornwall) was present. This confirms the view that the nitrate detected at Hunstanton came from the Hippophaë scrub. Where Hippophaë was prolific (Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire) the levels of nitrate detected were higher than at Hunstanton, even in the uncolonized sand of the beach, due possibly to the circulation of nitrates within the ground water of the dune system

Morality and Blame

This thesis argues that moral wrongness, permissibility, and requirement are conceptually and metaphysically analysable in terms of moral blameworthiness. As formulated in terms of moral wrongness, the analysis I defend holds: Moral Wrongness as Moral Blameworthiness (MB): It is morally wrong for an agent to φ iff (Def) φ-ing violates standards such that, if the agent violated those standards without a moral excuse, they would be morally blameworthy for violating them, where ‘φ’ stands for an object of deontic moral assessment. Chapters 1-3 explain MB, situate it in relation to the sentimentalist tradition in meta-normative theory, and present my main positive arguments for MB. Chapters 4-6 respond to objections to MB. Finally, Chapter 7 examines the relation between moral wrongness and normative reasons in light of MB. I argue that MB supports the claim that we always have strong normative reasons not to act morally wrongly, but not any stronger claims concerning the connection between moral wrongness and normative reasons

Longitudinal Assessment of Dementia Measures in Down Syndrome

Introduction: Early detection of dementia symptoms is critical in Down syndrome (DS) but complicated by clinical assessment barriers. The current study aimed to characterize cognitive and behavioral impairment using longitudinal trajectories comparing several measures of cognitive and behavioral functioning. Methods: Measures included global cognitive status (Severe Impairment Battery [SIB]), motor praxis (Brief Praxis Test [BPT]), and clinical dementia informant ratings (Dementia Questionnaire for People with Learning Disabilities [DLD]). One-year reliability was assessed using a two-way mixed effect, consistency, single measurement intraclass correlation among non-demented participants. Longitudinal assessment of SIB, BPT, and DLD was completed using linear mixed effect models. Results: One‐year reliability (n = 52; 21 male) was moderate for DLD (0.69 to 0.75) and good for SIB (0.87) and BPT (0.80). Longitudinal analysis (n = 72) revealed significant age by diagnosis interactions for SIB (F(2, 115.02) = 6.06, P = .003), BPT (F(2, 85.59) = 4.56, P = .013), and DLD (F(2, 103.56) = 4.48, P = .014). SIB progression (PR) had a faster decline in performance versus no‐dementia (ND) (t(159) = −2.87; P = .013). Dementia had a faster decline in BPT performance versus ND (t(112) = −2.46; P = .041). PR showed quickly progressing scores compared to ND (t(128) = −2.86; P = .014). Discussion: Current measures demonstrated moderate to good reliability. Longitudinal analysis revealed that SIB, BPT, and DLD changed with age depending on diagnostic progression; no change rates were dependent on baseline cognition, indicating usefulness across a variety of severity levels in DS

Healthcare Disparities Among Incarcerated Populations: A Quality Improvement Project

A population that has been consistently subject to unequal treatment when receiving medical attention is the population of prisoners or jail inmates. It is essential to explore the discrepancies prisoners face and the effects it has on their health. The objective of this research was to bring to light the disparities incarcerated patients experience, and how to eliminate these. In order to develop a better understanding of the prejudiced actions incarcerated patients face in the healthcare spectrum, numerous studies have been analyzed.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2023/1014/thumbnail.jp

Phosphazene Silicate Nanocomposites. A Survey of Materials Properties and Synthetic Methods Using New Catalysts

In the ceramics community, manipulation of synthetic conditions such as the choice of acid, base or ionic species as catalysts, aging of precursor solutions, and choice of sintering temperatures in the formation of silicate networks are known to produce radically different glass and ceramic morphologies.1 Implementation of these approaches has been attempted for some organic polymer based hybrid nanocomposites2 but not for polyphosphazene silicate composites. The desire to create unique and novel network morphologies became the impetus for establishing new catalysis protocols. The surprising inability to reproduce the mechanical properties of a well-established benchmark composite material from the literature,3 was one principal driver that initiated this in-depth investigation into the roles that the nature and amount of catalysts play in the production and physical properties of these composites

Synthesis and Characterization of Cyclic and Linear Phosphazenes with Phosphorus-Sulfur Linkages

Recent research at the INEEL has focused on the versatility inherent in polyphosphazene chemistry to membrane separations involving water transport through polymer materials.1 Polyphosphazenes, a hybrid organic and inorganic polymer, have been shown to be effective membranes in gas separation2 and liquid pervaporation applications.3 These characteristics are due to the inorganic nature of the backbone that provides these materials with remarkable chemical and mechanical stability. Additionally, phosphazene materials can be tailored to specific applications depending on the type of pendant groups that are attached to the phosphorus atoms of the backbone

Feasibility of Dual-Task Gait to Estimate Alzheimer\u27s Related Cognitive Decline in Down Syndrome

Introduction: The striatum and frontal lobes have been shown to have early Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) neuropathology and are critical for motor and cognitive function. We hypothesized gait would be associated with early-stage dementia in Down syndrome (DS), a cohort at risk for AD. Methods: Twenty-eight participants with DS were enrolled in the study. Participants walked at their self-selected pace and while completing a dual task (counting, obstacle, or counting+obstacle). Results: All participants were able to complete the self-paced condition and 78.57-96.42% completed the dual-task conditions. There was a trend for greater dual-task effects on gait velocity based on dementia diagnosis. Gait velocity had stronger associations with clinical dementia assessments than age or diagnosis. Discussion: A dual-task gait paradigm is feasible to conduct with adults with DS and is associated with age and cognitive impairment. Dual-task gait may serve as an indicator of early stage dementia in DS

Novel Polyoxometalate Containing Membranes for PEM Fuel Cells

Current proton exchange membrane (PEM) technologies are inadequate to address the projected needs for fuel cell performance above 80 ºC. Continuing research into traditional ion carriers in novel membrane materials offers the promise of marginal improvement, representing only an evolutionary increase in performance. This conclusion is supported by the role of water in conduction. Thus, the key to better PEMs is not to eliminate water, but to change the role of water by developing ion carriers that will bind water more tightly than traditional sulfur or phosphorus based carriers resulting in materials that will conduct at higher temperatures. This change entails having a carrier structure that interacts more intimately with water and by increasing the ion carrier anionic charge to result in more tightly held inner shell protonated waters of hydration. Both of these factors synergistically act to maintain a critical water concentration at the carrier necessary for conduction. In this work, polyoxometalate (POM) clusters were selected to serve as these different proton carriers