Gender and the Outdoors: An International Conversation

Over the past two to three decades in outdoor education circles, there has been a gradual swell of interest in bringing a gender lens to the examination of issues, theory and practice within the field. Although feminist theory has been subjected to lively debate and undergone sophisticated shifts in the ways of conceptualizing and analyzing gender, much of the literature coming out of the outdoor field and much of our practice is still centered on women and difference. As Bell (1997) so clearly asked, “Has the dialogue on the nature of gender and associated social issues not changed in the past decade?” A group of international researchers, educators and practitioners discussed gender theory and practice in their “neck of the woods” and challenged attendees to ask that question again today

Leptospirosis Pulmonary Hemorrhage Syndrome In Salvador, Brazil From 2003 - 2012

ABSTRACT Objective: Leptospirosis pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome (LPHS) is a severe form of leptospirosis, with a case fatality rate exceeding 50%. Recently, LPHS has become the principal cause of mortality in leptospirosis patients in Salvador, Brazil. This study aims to describe the epidemiology of LPHS since 2003, characterize its clinical presentation, and identify risk factors. Methods: Patients admitted between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2012 in the active hospital-based surveillance who met the clinical case definition for leptospirosis were included in the study. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data from patient charts and in-person interviews. Unadjusted logistic regression models identified individual-level risk factors. Maps showing spatial distribution and clustering of leptospirosis cases were created to identify areas of high risk. Results: We identified 1,316 patients meeting our case definition, which included 113 LPHS, 184 NHPL, and 1019 NPL cases. Males were at greater risk for LPHS in all age groups. The LPHS-associated mortality was 65.5% (95% CI: 56.33-73.63), compared to 30.4% and 6.2% for NHPL and NPL cases, respectively. A lower microagglutination test (MAT) titer compared for LPHS compared to NPL cases in the acute phase suggests the absence of an early robust immune response. A high-risk LPHS cluster (p= 0.01) was identified and rat sightings was associated with NHPL patients (OR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.23-6.23). Limited unique clinical correlates observed in patients with pulmonary manifestations compared to non-pulmonary forms of leptospirosis. Conclusion: We describe the clinical features and epidemiology of LPHS in Salvador, Brazil, since its emergence in 2003. Few clinical correlates were identified between LPHS and NHPL patients, suggesting that leptospirosis is a disease on a clinical spectrum. Multidimensional control measures focusing on areas of high risk are necessary to reduce the burden of leptospirosis

Prediction, Prevention and Treatment of Virally Induced Type 1 Diabetes: A Dissertation

Several viral infections have been associated with human type 1 diabetes (T1D), although it has proven difficult to unequivocally establish them as causative agents. In rodent models, however, viruses have definitely been established to cause T1D. The treatment of weanling BBDR rats with the combination of a TLR3 ligand, pIC, and an ssDNA parvovirus, KRV, precipitates T1D in nearly 100% of rats within a short, predictable timeframe. In this dissertation, we utilized the BBDR rat model to (1) identify early serum biomarkers that could predict T1D precipitated by viral induction and (2) test the efficacy of leptin, a therapeutic agent, which may have the ability to prevent diabetes onset, reverse new onset diabetes and prevent autoimmune recurrence of diabetes in rats transplanted with syngeneic islet grafts. Identification of biomarkers has long served as an invaluable tool for disease prediction. In BBDR rats, we identified an acute phase response protein, haptoglobin, as a potential biomarker for pIC + KRV induced T1D using the global proteomic profiling techniques, 2D gel analysis and iTRAQ. Upon validating this biomarker, we determined that haptoglobin was sensitive in predicting T1D in the pIC + KRV model, in which nearly 100% of the rats become diabetic, but not in models where diabetes expression was variable (KRV only or RCMV only models). However, analysis of the serum kinetics of haptoglobin and its functional capacity in the blood has given us insights into the potential role of early phase reactants in modulating virally mediated T1D. An alternative means of regulating T1D pathogenesis is through leptin. Leptin is a hormone with pleotropic roles in the body, particularly affecting energy metabolism and immune regulation. These characteristics make leptin an intriguing candidate for therapeutic testing in T1D models. Our studies have determined that high doses of leptin delivered via an adenovirus (AdLeptin) or alzet pump delivery system can prevent diabetes in \u3e 90% of rats treated with pIC + KRV. We further showed that serum hyperleptinemia was associated with decreased body weight, decreased non-fasting serum insulin levels and lack of islet insulitis in pIC + KRV treated rats pretreated with AdLeptin compared with those pretreated with PBS. We discovered that hyperleptinemia induced a profound decrease in splenic weight and splenic cellularity, including reductions in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, DC/MACs and B cells. These findings indicate a potential mechanism whereby hyperleptinemia protects rats from virally induced T1D through the promotion of peripheral immunosuppression. Among pIC + KRV treated rats, we have also found that leptin therapy can reverse hyperglycemia in a subset of new onset diabetics for up to 20 days. In the absence of exogenous insulin, leptin treatment of new onset diabetics prevented the rapid weight loss associated with osmotic diuresis, as well as the ketosis observed in vehicle treated diabetic rats. Overall, these findings point to the therapeutic value of leptin in maintaining glycemic control and preventing ketosis in an insulin deficient state, in the absence of exogenous insulin therapy. Additionally, we have also determined that AdLeptin treatment can prolong the survival of syngeneic islets transplanted into diabetic BBDR rats for up to 50 days post transplant. Although hyperleptinemia generated by AdLeptin was unable to prevent insulitis into islet grafts, this insulitis did not appear to be destructive as islet grafts continued to stain positively for insulin when compared with control rats whose grafts succumbed to recurrent autoimmunity. In the various therapeutic settings in which we have tested leptin treatment, we have found this hormone to have significant beneficial effects. These findings merit further evaluation of leptin as a therapeutic agent in human T1D

Alien Registration- Civile, Annie J. (Portland, Cumberland County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/21505/thumbnail.jp

Geospatial and statistical foundations for streamflow synthesis in West Virginia

Streamflow values must be synthesized for locations where flow measurement stations, in applications such as the West Virginia SWAP program, are lacking or where only intermittent measurements are available (West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 1999). This research describes an effort to improve upon the current synthetic streamflow model by incorporating geomorphic, geologic, and hydrogeologic measurements. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to derive a set of master variables that characterize stream flow in West Virginia based on historical data from 29 watersheds. The relationships between variables affecting stream flow were also analyzed using cluster and correlation analysis to derive an optimum set of variables for predicting stream flow in the state. Based on this analysis, there are two categories of watersheds in West Virginia. The first is strongly correlated to climatic variables: precipitation, temperature, elevation, and groundwater recharge. The second is strongly correlated to two geomorphic variables; watershed slope, and percentage of forested area. The spatial distribution of the watershed groupings shows that watersheds dominated by the climatic component are located along the Allegheny Front while watersheds dominated by the geomorphic component are located in the Allegheny plateau and Valley and Ridge physiographic provinces

Alien Registration- Morrison, Annie J. (Millinocket, Penobscot County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/7665/thumbnail.jp

Nutrient Management in Beef Feedlots and Forage Replacement with Byproduct and Crop Residues

Finishing cattle performance and mass balance was evaluated with Micro-Aid was fed in diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at 35% (DM basis). Micro-Aid is a feed ingredient derived from a Yucca extract which contains saponins, and was included in the treatment diet at 1 g/hd daily in the supplement. There was no difference in performance and carcass characteristics between treatments. In the winter experiment, cattle fed Micro-Aid had a greater amount of OM and DM removed from the pen surface. Micro-Aid in the diet increased the amount of manure N and decreased N lossis in the winter. The addition of Micro-Aid in the diet resulted in no difference in nutrient mass balance during the summer. There was no difference in N excreted in manure or lost via volatilization in the summer experiment. Supplementing cattle grazing smooth bromegrass pasture with crop residue and byproducts may be a viable option to extend the grazing season or increase carrying capacity. Two experiments (2010 and 2011) were conducted to determine the effect on forage intake of supplementing cattle grazing smooth bromegrass pasture with a byproduct and crop residue blend. Cattle grazed at 1) the recommending strocking rate (7.56 AUM/ha in 2010 or 9.46 AUM/ha in 2011) with no supplementation (CON) or 2) double the recommended stocking rate (15.1 AUM/ha in 2010 and 18.9 AUM/ha in 2011) with supplementation (SUP). In experiment 1 (2010) nonpregrnant, nonlactating cows grazed smooth bromegrass pasture from mid April to mid Spetmeber. Supplemented cows were fed a 35% Synergy and 65% wheat straw mixture daily. The ensiled mixture (46.6% DM) was fed from late April to mid-August and a fresh mixture (30.7% DM; mixed at feeding time) from mid-August to mid-September. In experiment 2 (2011), cows with spring born calves at side grazed from early May to mid-September. A fresh supplement of 30% MDGS and 70% cornstalk blend was fed daily. No differences in performance or diet quality were observed. Consequently, supplement replaced 40% of grazed forage intake in 2010 and 36.3% of forage intake in 2011. Supplementing byproduct and crop residue mixtures can replace forage intake of cattle grazing smooth bromegrass pasture. Advisors: Galen E. Erickson and Terry Klopfenstei

Alien Registration- Civile, Annie J. (Portland, Cumberland County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/21505/thumbnail.jp