A Study of Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Polymorphisms in the Tumor Suppressor Gene, p53, of Wild Menhaden

The British Petroleum (BP) Deep Water Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) caused detrimental effects to wildlife including marine fish populations (Diercks, et al. 2010). The fish were exposed to crude oil which contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Some PAHs are carcinogens and can damage DNA in key regulatory genes in various species (Milleman, et al. 2015; Nadler, 2017). Menhaden are oily, filter feeding fish and incorporate and retain these lipophilic contaminants at high levels. The objective of the present work was to search for genetic mutations on the tumor suppressor gene, p53, in various organs (gill, muscle, gonad, liver, and heart) of wild menhaden collected from two locations with differing proximity to the spill. Gulf Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) were collected from the Vermillion (low oil exposure) and Grand Isle (heavy oil exposure) bay areas of the GOM. The DNA binding region of the p53 gene was amplified by PCR and Single-strand Conformational Polymorphism (SSCP) was utilized as an indicator of p53 mutations. P53 normally functions to inhibit cell division when excessive DNA damage is present. When mutated, cancer may result from uncontrolled cell growth. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed PAH- like compounds in almost all fish samples tested. The genomic analysis illustrates one sharp band at 360 bp which is consistent with the expected size of the DNA binding domain of p53, indicating a successful amplification of this gene. SSCP reveals one profile in all organ samples concluding low incidence of gene variation or single nucleotide polymorphisms

Modifying Spending Behavior

Undergraduate Applie

Arts Integration Self Study Research

The goal of Ms. Reed and Mr. Torres was to determine how the use of arts integration could impact the classroom setting and their teaching practices. Through the use of performance and visual arts, the data represents their findings, as they monitored their research question during the course of their eight-week practicum. They both discovered that, through arts integration, their students\u27 engagement and overall classroom management had improved. Continuing, Ms. Reed also found a positive correlation with her students’ academic scores, as well

A Controlled Study on Evaluation of Thermal Stimulation Influence on Affective Measures of Uninformed Individuals

Although the relationship between temperature and emotional states has been investigated in the field of haptics, it remains unknown if, or in what direction, temperature affects emotional states. We approach this question at the intersection of haptics and psychology using a custom-built thermal device and emotional responses based on photos from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) library. Unlike past research, this study incorporates deception and a control (i.e., neutral temperature) condition. One hundred and twenty naive subjects reported their emotional responses to fifty-six images varying on normative arousal and valence ratings while being exposed to a cool~(30{\deg}C), neutral (33{\deg}C), or warm (36{\deg}C) temperature applied to the upper back. Participants exposed to warm temperatures reported higher arousal ratings in some image categories than participants exposed to neutral or cool temperatures. Valence ratings were decreased in warm conditions compared to neutral conditions. The emotion wheel was used as a complementary method of affective response measurement, and exploratory analysis methods were implemented. Although the valence and arousal showed statistical significance, the emotion wheel results did not demonstrate any significant differences between the temperature conditions

Ethiopia: poverty elimination and barriers to development

Economic development and the eradication of poverty are complicated issues debated by experts. Current literature is polarized; offering extreme solutions that are easy to argue but that are ambiguous or lacking application. Some of the most prominent researchers choose popular stances on development perhaps due to selling power. Unfortunately, no one current author offers a sufficient explanation or solution for development. However, this gap presents an opportunity. Synthesis of the current literature illuminates a new approach to development. Finally, specific country analysis of key policies and areas of concern is the first step in supporting economic development

Flood Management in Texas: Planning for the Future

This Report examines existing flood-related regulations in Texas and the United States, the Texas State Flood Plan, current flood mitigation strategies in the state, and the potential to implement green stormwater infrastructure. The report offers policy recommendations to clarify and help alleviate the current ambiguities and uncertainties between the Texas State Water Plan and State Flood Plan for future flood mitigation practices, and to simplify the implementation of green infrastructure

Proximal Strength and Functional Testing Applicable to Patellofemoral Instability: A Preliminary Study

Background: Much of the current literature around risk factors for patellar instability directs attention to anatomical/structural features such as femoral antero-version, patellar alignment, Q-angle, and MPFL disruption. There is limited research indicating clinically relevant tests to identify functional and strength-associated risk factors for patients with patellar instability. Purpose: To determine reliability and validity of lower extremity functional tests applicable to patients with patellofemoral instability in a healthy control group. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects underwent hip strength, endurance, and lower extremity functional tests on their dominant and non-dominant lower extremities. Hip abduction, extension, and external rotation strength were assessed with hand-held dynamometry utilizing reinforcing straps. Functional endurance tests were assessed bilaterally. Functional assessments were videotaped and assessed at a later date. Each subject completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine his or her weekly activity levels. Independent t-tests were used to assess differences between subjects who tested positive versus negative on the functional tests. Inter-rater reliability for functional tests was assessed using kappa and Pearson correlations were used to assess relationships among the strength, endurance, and functional tests. Results: Inter-rater reliability for the single leg squat and step down test was determined to have fair-moderate agreement among 5 raters. The side plank endurance test was significantly lower for subjects who were positive for knee medial to toe on the single leg squat test. Low correlations were found between hip strength and functional endurance testing. Scores on the IPAQ had moderate correlation with the side plank. Conclusions: Single leg squat showed adequate reliability and demonstrated good construct validity with the lateral plank endurance test. The low correlation between hip strength and functional endurance suggests that these measurements identify different aspects of muscle function in healthy controls. Given these findings, it is recommended that clinicians utilize both strength measurements and endurance tests along with lower extremity functional testing in the assessment of individuals with lower extremity dysfunction. Further testing is needed in a patient population with patellofemoral instability

Does the sound environment influence the behaviour of zoo-housed birds? A preliminary investigation of ten species across two zoos

This study was made possible thanks to an Economic & Social Research Council grant number ES/R009554/1.In the zoo, the sound environment experienced by captive wild animals will contain numerous anthropogenic features that may elicit different responses to those stimulated by naturally created, or more biologically relevant, sounds. Husbandry activities, visitor presence and neighbouring species (free-living and captive) will all influence the sounds around zoo-housed species; an animal's behavioural responses may therefore provide an insight into how its welfare state is influenced by this changing sound environment. This project aimed to investigate how animal behaviour was influenced by the sound environment at two large UK zoos; one situated in a more rural location and the other in an urban location. Species were selected based on their location in the zoo, the relevance of sound to their natural ecology (e.g., as a form of communication and/or for anti-predator responses) and their novelty as research subjects in the scientific literature. Behavioural data collection was conducted for five days per enclosure per zoo at the population and individual level for birds housed in different styles of enclosure. Instantaneous sampling at one-minute intervals was used to collect information on state behaviours, assessed using a pre-determined species-specific ethogram. Event behaviours were collected continuously for each observation period. The sound environment around or in the enclosure was recorded continuously during each behavioural recording session using a recorder mounted on a tripod. Results showed a variety of responses to the presence of visitors and potential associated changes to sound around the enclosure with some behaviours being more influenced by the presence of visitors (and increases in the volume of sound) compared to others, e.g., vigilance and vocalisations. Overall, birds showed few of the changes thought to indicate poor or impoverished welfare states linked to changes to the sound environment in their enclosure or to the presence of visitors, but we recommend that zoos consider further measurement and recording of sound on a species-by-species basis to capture individual responses and behavioural changes to variation in visitor number and the sound environment.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Listening after the animals : sound and pastoral care in the zoo

This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, grant number ES/R009554/1.In anthropology and across the humanities and social sciences, zoos have tended to be theorized as places of spectacle. Scholars often focus on the ways in which these institutions enable the viewing of other-than-human animals by human publics. This article, however, uses sound-focused ethnographic fieldwork to engage with two UK zoos and to describe a particular mode of cross-species listening which is enacted by zookeepers. The concepts of pastoral care and control discussed by Foucault and applied to the zoo context by Braverman are productively reworked and reorientated in order to understand this form of listening. The article also demonstrates the interconnectedness of keeper, visitor, and animal sound worlds, in the process generating an original perspective that complements and enriches conventional zoo studies.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Concert recording 2022-10-02

[Track 1]. Grand duo concertant, op. 48. I. Allegro con fuoco ; II. Andante con moto ; III. Ronda, Allegro / Carl Maria von Weber -- [Track 2]. Impromptu: duo for clarinet and marimba / William A.R. May -- [Track 3]. Sonata in E-flat major, op. 120, no. 2. I. Allegro amabile ; II. Allegro appassionato ; III. Andante con moto, Allegro / Johannes Brahms -- [Track 4]. Adoration / Florence Price ; arr. Larkin Sanders -- [Track 5]. Blue skies / Irving Berlin ; arr. R. Percival