Comparison of cattail (Typha sp.) occurrence on a photo-interpreted map versus a satellite data map

A comparison between a 1985 photo-interpreted vegetation map and a vegetation map made from classified 1987 satellite data of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge showed that 81% of samples taken in areas occupied by cattail (Typha sp.) on the photo-interpreted map corresponded with cattail on the satellite data map.(5 page document

Biomarkers of Disease and Treatment in Murine and Cynomolgus Models of Chronic Asthma

Background Biomarkers facilitate early detection of disease and measurement of therapeutic efficacy, both at clinical and experimental levels. Recent advances in analytics and disease models allow comprehensive screening for biomarkers in complex diseases, such as asthma, that was previously not feasible. Objective Using murine and nonhuman primate (NHP) models of asthma, identify biomarkers associated with early and chronic stages of asthma and responses to steroid treatment. Methods The total protein content from thymic stromal lymphopoietin transgenic (TSLP Tg) mouse BAL fluid was ascertained by shotgun proteomics analysis. A subset of these potential markers was further analyzed in BAL fluid, BAL cell mRNA, and lung tissue mRNA during the stages of asthma and following corticosteroid treatment. Validation was conducted in murine and NHP models of allergic asthma. Results Over 40 proteins were increased in the BAL fluid of TSLP Tg mice that were also detected by qRT-PCR in lung tissue and BAL cells, as well as in OVA-sensitive mice and house dust mite-sensitive NHP. Previously undescribed as asthma biomarkers, KLK1, Reg3γ, ITLN2, and LTF were modulated in asthmatic mice, and Clca3, Chi3l4 (YM2), and Ear11 were the first lung biomarkers to increase during disease and the last biomarkers to decline in response to therapy. In contrast, GP-39, LCN2, sICAM-1, YM1, Epx, Mmp12, and Klk1 were good indicators of early therapeutic intervention. In NHP, AMCase, sICAM-1, CLCA1, and GP-39 were reduced upon treatment with corticosteroids. Conclusions and clinical relevance These results significantly advance our understanding of the biomarkers present in various tissue compartments in animal models of asthma, including those induced early during asthma and modulated with therapeutic intervention, and show that BAL cells (or their surrogate, induced sputum cells) are a viable choice for biomarker examination

Effects of PECS and Staff Instruction on Social Requests in a Naturalistic Setting

Communication deficits are a core symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and as a result many autistic children use Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), to facilitate communication. PECS interventions are typically taught in a classroom setting, whereas few studies have evaluated PECS use in a naturalistic setting, such as a playground. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of introducing PECS into a naturalistic setting on social requests (SR), as well as the effects of staff instruction on SR made with PECS. Participants consisted of 6 pre-school aged autistic children who used PECS. Overall, results indicated a significant increase in the percentage of correct social requests following staff instruction, and an increase in the frequency of SR made with PECS. Frequency of social requests remained consistent across phases. Implications for introducing PECS into a naturalistic setting are discussed.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2023/1066/thumbnail.jp

The Evolving Concept of Neurodivergence and Challenges in Operationalizing Diversity

Neurodivergence is a social-cultural identity not exclusively tied to any condition but often used by individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. In scientific literature, neurodivergent is widely operationalized as autism, ADHD, and learning conditions (Clouder et al., 2020). The present study investigated the proportion of college students who identify as neurodivergent and which diagnostic labels they use to describe themselves in a sample of 215 Binghamton undergraduate students (M age = 18.93 years, SD = 1.20). Among those who identify as neurodivergent (n = 28), 75% reported a clinical and/or self-diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition, and 25% reported having non-neurodevelopmental conditions such as anxiety and depression. These findings shed light on the evolving definition of neurodivergence as a social phenomenon in contrast to disorder-based research criteria. Demographic information will also be compared across the neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent identifying groups.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2024/1033/thumbnail.jp

Examining the Relationship between ASD Knowledge and Educator Experience in a NY State Sample

Given the increase in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence rates (CDC, 2021), educators are more likely than ever to serve autistic students across educational environments. The literature suggests that educator knowledge of ASD may be poor and impact effectiveness in working with students (Gómez-Mari, 2021). This study will examine knowledge about ASD in a large sample of educators from New York state (N=400) using data from an online survey. Autism knowledge was measured using the ASK-Q, a measure validated and designed to reliably identify gaps in ASD knowledge across cultures and professions (Harrison, 2017). Regression analyses will be used to examine the association between years of experience and other demographic variables (e.g., age, educator type) with educators’ ASD knowledge across specific domains—diagnosis and symptoms, etiology, treatment, and stigma. Implications are relevant to identifying demographic-specific training needs and developing resources for educators working with autistic students.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2022/1015/thumbnail.jp

New technologies for examining neuronal ensembles in drug addiction and fear

Correlational data suggest that learned associations are encoded within neuronal ensembles. However, it has been difficult to prove that neuronal ensembles mediate learned behaviours because traditional pharmacological and lesion methods, and even newer cell type-specific methods, affect both activated and non-activated neurons. Additionally, previous studies on synaptic and molecular alterations induced by learning did not distinguish between behaviourally activated and non-activated neurons. Here, we describe three new approaches—Daun02 inactivation, FACS sorting of activated neurons and c-fos-GFP transgenic rats — that have been used to selectively target and study activated neuronal ensembles in models of conditioned drug effects and relapse. We also describe two new tools — c-fos-tTA mice and inactivation of CREB-overexpressing neurons — that have been used to study the role of neuronal ensembles in conditioned fear

Moral trauma, moral distress, moral injury, and moral injury disorder: definitions and assessments.

We propose new definitions for moral injury and moral distress, encompassing many prior definitions, but broadening moral injury to more general classes of victims, in addition to perpetrators and witnesses, and broadening moral distress to include settings not involving institutional constraints. We relate these notions of moral distress and moral injury to each other, and locate them on a moral trauma spectrum that includes considerations of both persistence and severity. Instances in which moral distress is particularly severe and persistent, and extends beyond cultural and religious norms, might be considered to constitute moral injury disorder. We propose a general assessment to evaluate various aspects of this proposed moral trauma spectrum, and one that can be used both within and outside of military contexts, and for perpetrators, witnesses, victims, or more generally

Reflections [Complete issue : Second Quarter 2003]

Publishing History: Print issues of Reflections magazine were published from 1975 to 1999 and its successor, Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL) began publication in 2000. RNL migrated to an online format, http://www.reflectionsonnursingleadership.org, in 2006 and continues today. RNL is a member benefit of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). The historical print issues have been made openly available. Publishing Frequency: Quarterly until its transition to online. It’s now updated virtually every day. Format: Print, 1975 - 2005; Online, 2006 - present Feature Articles in this Issue: Take the Lead! Still Opening Doors Conspiracy of Silence In the Boardroom Strategic Partnerships Advancing Nursing Through Mentoring Vision and Excellence Go Online! Building Comnmunities of Scholarship in Mexico Bringing Up Grandchildren This issue of Reflections is fifty-four pages in length and contains information of interest to STTI members