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Exploring Diversity In Genetic Counseling: Experiences And Perspectives Of Bipoc Faculty And Leadership, Dessiah Phillips

Human Genetics Theses

The underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities within faculty and leadership roles in genetic counseling programs highlights a critical gap in the field's commitment to diversity and inclusion. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study investigates the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) serving in these capacities. By examining responses from the faculty and leadership members across various genetic counseling programs, this research aimed to identify barriers to diversity and explore mechanisms for fostering a more inclusive environment. The findings revealed an underrepresented number of BIPOC individuals (n≤3) in leadership or faculty roles per genetic counseling …

Flora Of The Dreat Mountains (Center Of Algeria) - Inventory, Taxonomy And Biogeography, Nabila Ouadeh, Khellaf Rebbas

Journal of Bioresource Management

Following the publication of the article on the synthaxonomic study of the Dreat forest, the aim of this inventory of the Dreat forest’s flora (semi-arid zone in central Algeria) to allow us a quantitative analysis on the basis of biogeographic parameters such as specific richness, geography of distribution, endemism and rarity. A subjective sampling was carried out between 2018 and 2021 at the level of the various formations (forest, matorral, altitude grasslands, and steppe). This analysis showed considerable species richness, estimated at around 468 taxa belonging to 278 genera and 66 families. Therophytes dominate the other living forms, according to …

Conservation Of Grass Collections At The Western Regional Plant Introduction Station, V L. Bradley, R C. Johnson

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Germplasm managers at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) have focused on improving seed regeneration in forage and turf grass species through studies of diversity maintenance, using isozyme markers in annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and through studies of pollen isolation, using strains of dominant pubescent and recessive glabrous smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.). Balanced samples of annual ryegrass (an equal number of seeds per plant) from field plots were best for maintaining allelic frequencies, but genetic diversity (heterozygosity and allelic richness) was maintained nearly as well in bulk samples (seeds proportionally assembled according to seeds per …

Ecogeographic Assessment Of Mediterranean Environments For Targeting Legume Collections, S J. Bennett

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The mediterranean area is the centre of diversity for many of the legume species of agricultural importance and their wild relatives. Ecogeographical assessments are a method of determining the areas within the mediterranean that are homologous with a particular area within southern Australia. Using Geographical Information Systems the distribution of legume species are mapped and related to other climatic and edaphic factors. Using this data it is possible to show which areas of the mediterranean have been well collected and where the edaphic requirements of a species can be found and therefore where to collect it. The detail of an …

Coral Cover Percentage And Health Condition In Tioman Island Marine Protected Area, Pahang, Malaysia, Nur Addawiah Mohamad Rodzi, Mohamed Fahmy Yusof, Zaidi Che Cob

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Continuous evaluation and monitoring of coral percentage cover and health status is critical for enhancing coral reef resilience management. The present study aimed to determine the coverage and coral status at important sites of Tioman Island Marine Park, which include Renggis Island, Tiong Point and Tekek. Surveillance video recording and in situ observation were carried out using the Coral Video Transect (CVT) method, which were analyzed using the Coral Point Count with Excel extension (CPCe) software. The overall health status for the study area was considered as “fair” with 41.61% ± 4.46% of mean live coral coverage. Among the stations …

Lycosidae Abundance And Diversity Across Lawn And Leaf Litter Substrate, Sage O. Lockett, Dan Albrecht-Mallinger

Undergraduate Research Posters

Significant knowledge gaps exist in how land-cover impacts ground-hunting spider populations. To fill these gaps, this study investigates a common family of ground-hunting spiders, Lycosidae, to determine differences in their abundance and diversity in deciduous leaf litter and managed turfgrass (lawn). The study was conducted within a forested ecosystem at Virginia Commonwealth University's Rice Rivers Center in Charles City County, Virginia. I placed 10 belt transects (1m x 20m) on lawn substrate and 10 identical transects in deciduous forest leaf litter substrate. I performed repeated visual census via eyeshine and manual capture of up to three individuals per transect …

Determination Of Genetic Diversity Among Some Naturally Growing Arbutus Andrachne L.Genotypes In Türkiye Using Morphological, Biochemical, And Molecular Markers, Ni̇lda Ersoy, Ramazan Süleyman Göktürk, Emi̇ne Orhan, Mustafa Erkan, İbrahi̇m Baktir, Hali̇l İbrahi̇m Sağbaş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne L.) is a wild edible fruit that grows naturally in the Mediterranean climate zone, including Türkiye. In this study, the genetic morphological, biochemical, and genetic diversity of 10 superior strawberry tree genotypes growing naturally in Antalya Province in Türkiye were investigated. Morphological and biochemical characterization were performed based on some important fruit characteristics. In addition, genetic variation was detected at the molecular level using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The genotypes exhibited fruit weight, width, length, and shape index values of 1.22–2.12 g, 12.07–15.28 mm, 10.15–14.24 mm, and 0.99–2.22, respectively. The biochemical parameters soluble solid …

Grazing Effects On Soil Seed Banks: A Global Synthesis, Shi Yafei

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Livestock grazing is a major disturbance affecting plant diversity and abundance in terrestrial ecosystems. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) predicts that moderate-intensity grazing should produce the highest species diversity, while the Milchunas-Sala-Lauenroth (MSL) model posits that the IDH is valid only for mesic areas. However, it remains unclear how grazing affects soil seed bank and whether or not the IDH or MSL models are valid for soil seed bank communities. Here, we presented a global meta-analysis synthesizing 483 observations: we found that grazing had a negative effect on soil seed bank abundance, but did not alter seed bank richness. Further …

Beyond The Boom: Integrated Approaches To Managing Weeds And Brush, M. L. Treadwell, D. Burson

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

William Bray stated in his 1904 report, The Timber of the Edwards Plateau of Texas, "This struggle of the timberlands to capture the grasslands is an old warfare....it spreads like infection.” This trend is true today and especially pronounced in the Great Plains, where only 1/4 of the Great Plains’ original grasslands remains intact. Species like honey mesquite, honey locust, black locust, sumac, dogwood, post oak, winged elm, Siberian elm, salt cedar, huisache, Eastern redcedar, Ashe and redberry juniper, pricklypear, sericea lespedeza, and many other species represent alarming rates of spread and rapid establishment throughout Great Plains grasslands. Although, these …

Grazing Effects On Soil Seed Banks: A Global Synthesis, Shi Yafei

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Livestock grazing is a major disturbance affecting plant diversity and abundance in terrestrial ecosystems. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) predicts that moderate-intensity grazing should produce the highest species diversity, while the Milchunas-Sala-Lauenroth (MSL) model posits that the IDH is valid only for mesic areas. However, it remains unclear how grazing affects soil seed bank and whether or not the IDH or MSL models are valid for soil seed bank communities. Here, we presented a global meta-analysis synthesizing 483 observations: we found that grazing had a negative effect on soil seed bank abundance, but did not alter seed bank richness. Further …

Grass Diversity And Pasture Quality Baseline Assessement In Central Madagascar, O. P. Nanjarisoa, L. Randriamanalina, Wayne F. Truter, M. T. Rajaonah, C. E. R. Lehmann, C. Birkinshaw, L. Rakotonirina, D. Miarinjanahary, N. L. Raharinirina, M. S. Vorontsova

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Poaceae family contributes to Madagascar’s biodiversity hotspot with 217 of 541 grass species endemic to the island, although their forage value is unknown, at least in the scientific literature. Our research aims 1) to describe the diversity of native and endemic grasses thereby recognising the role of grass species diversity in forage and ecosystem management and 2) to provide new knowledge about pasture management based on the relationship between grazing capacity and productivity within experimental pastureland plots under different fire and grazing treatments. Our study seeks to provide information to inform improvements in livestock nutrition via grazing management of natural …

Tiller Demography Within Synthetic Grass Populations, K. J. Moore, C. Córdova

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Like other populations of biological organisms, the collective aging structure of a population of grass tillers has meaning and consequences far beyond the development of an individual within it. Using various methods, it is possible to assign numerical indices to tiller development so that it can be described numerically. By sampling a population of tillers and assigning a numerical index to each, the average stage of tillers within a population can be calculated and a repeatable assessment of its development determined. The average or mean stage count (MSC) of tiller development is commonly calculated and used to compare the development …

Freshwater Lampreys And Fishes Of Türkiye; An Annotated Checklist, 2023, Erdoğan Çi̇çek, Sevi̇l Sungur, Ronald Fricke, Burak Seçer

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Herewith, the current status of the inland waters ichthyofauna of Türkiye is revised, and an updated checklist of the freshwater lampreys and fishes is presented. As of November 2023, the freshwater ichthyofauna of Türkiye is known to consist of 427 species belonging to 20 orders, 37 families, and 97 genera. Among these, 21 species (4.9%) are alien, and 215 species (50.4%) are considered endemic to Türkiye. The orders with the largest numbers of species in the ichthyofauna of Türkiye are the Cypriniformes (297 species, 69.6%), followed by the Cyprinodontiformes (26 species, 6.1%), the Salmoniformes (25 species, 5.9%), the Gobiiformes (20 …

Alpha Diversity And Species Status Of Uneven Forests In Eco-Zones Of Taraba State, Nigeria, Dau Henry Japheth, Joseph A. Ugbe, Jerry I. Alfa

Journal of Bioresource Management

Alpha diversity indices quantify the uncertainty in predicting the species identity of an individual. Quantitative indices on species composition and distribution are vital to understanding the trend and species status of an ecosystem for conservation management. However, among the forest ecosystems in Taraba state, Bakin Dutse and Wasaji uneven forests are one of the least studied areas, especially in terms of tree species status. This research work aims at assessing alpha diversity and species status of selected uneven forests in Taraba state, Nigeria; to provide baseline knowledge for conservation management. In total, 102 tree species from 74 genera and 41 …

A Multi-Method Analysis Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Websites Of Fortune 500 Agricultural And Food Companies, Garrett M. Steede, Rebecca Swenson, Troy Mckay

Journal of Applied Communications

Each year, Fortune magazine publishes a list of the 500 largest corporations in the United States of America based on total revenue in the previous fiscal year. As successful companies, these organizations must prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for a multitude of reasons. The purpose of this study was to determine how agricultural and food companies on the 2021 Fortune 500 list demonstrated a commitment to DEI efforts on their corporate websites. Thus, we analyzed the DEI website of each food and agricultural company listed on the 2021 Fortune 500 list. Quantitatively, most websites only required two clicks to …

The Influence Of Hiking Trails On Salamanders, Emily M. Macdonald

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Over half of the World’s salamanders are facing extinction. It is important to understand the impact Humans have on them in all parts of their ranges so we can better understand what they need and how we can prevent further extinctions. I conducted this study to try to determine if the human activity on the official hiking trails in the Arcata Community Forest in Arcata California; as designated by the official map of the Forest; is negatively impacting the salamanders that live in the Forest. I thought there would be an increase in the number of species and the overall …

Once You See It, You Can’T Unsee It?: Racial Justice Activism And Articulations Of Whiteness Among White Collegiate Athlete Activists, Yannick Kluch, Emma Calow, Eric M. Martin, Travis R. Scheadler, Andrew Mac Intosh, Shannon Jolly

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The goal of this study was to examine how athletes holding privileged racial identities understand their whiteness as they engage in racial justice activism. Drawing from 12 semistructured interviews with white collegiate athletes who have engaged in activism for racial justice, we identified four higher order themes which we situate within a broader discussion of how each theme either reinforces or disrupts racial power: articulations of (a) racial consciousness, (b) white privilege, (c) white empathy, and (d) white accountability. While the white accountability theme has the potential to disrupt racial power due to its relying on rigorous self-critique, the remaining …

Diversity And Adaptation Of Perennial Plants From North Africa: Legumes And Grasses, Aissa Abdelguerfi, M. Laouar, K. Abbas, M. M'Hammedi Bouzina

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

A variety of climates, soil types and reliefs characterise North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia). These natural conditions have produced a large diversity of environments, landscapes, plant formations and flora. Several factors have contributed to the spread of a wide floristic variety: the influence of the Mediterranean in the north and in the north-east, the Atlantic in the west, and the Sahara in the south, as well as the presence of mountain ranges, particularly the Rif, the Tell Atlas, the Sahara Atlas, the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas, and the Anti-Atlas. This diversity of landscapes, environments and ecosystems has generated …

Plant Functional Types And Grazing Management In Mediterranean Grassland: An 11-Year Synthesis, Marcelo Sternberg, Zalmen Henkin, Avi Perevolotsky, M. Gutman, Eugene D. Ungar

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Mediterranean ecosystems have high seasonality in resource availability, high year-to-year rainfall variability, many annual plants in the forage and a long history of grazing and disturbance. These facts, and results of previous studies (Sternberg et al., 2000) suggested that stocking rates could be increased above those of traditional grazing. However, the long-term effects of intensive grazing on the vegetation were not fully known. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of plant functional types (PFT) and community structure to different regimes of cattle grazing in Mediterranean grassland, particularly at high stocking rates.

The Effect Of Grazing On Rare And Common Grasses And Forbs In The Mediterranean Coastal Desert Of Egypt, A. El-Keblawy, A. Ramadan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Large parts of the rangelands in the Arab countries are either overgrazed or gradually deteriorating due to large numbers of livestock and unrestricted grazing (Assaeed, 1997). Protection of vegetation against grazing in desert environments has been suggested as a feasible approach to halting land degradation and rehabilitating rangelands (El-Keblawy, 2003). However, little is known about the response of different plant life forms and life cycles to grazing. The objectives of this study were to address this point and to test the response of rare and common forbs and grasses to protection against grazing.

The Relationship Between Species Diversity And Productivity Of Cool-Season Grassland, S. E. Florine, Kenneth J. Moore, Steven L. Fales, R. L. Hintz

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Iowa grasslands consist mainly of introduced cool-season grasses and forbs. Many of these species are well adapted and have become naturalised. Most of these grasslands are located on marginal sites with heterogeneous soils and topography. Consequently, there is significant variation in the botanical composition and biomass productivity within and across grassland sites. This experiment aimed to evaluate the botanical composition and biomass productivity of representative grasslands and to determine if there was a relationship between grassland species diversity and biomass production across sites.

Operating Systems Of The Meadows In Semi-Arid Region Of Algeria, K. Abbas, M. Abdelguerfi-Laouar, Aissa Abdelguerfi, T. Madani, A. Mebarkia

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Permanent meadows are the base of the fodder resources and also provide environmental services (MAP France, 2002). The function of fodder production is no longer solely to ensure bulk agricultural production. It must also allow the development of livestock products of good quality, contribute to environmental protection, the quality of the landscape and ensure a viable economic activity in the rural areas. These areas have decreased greatly (from 1 million ha at the beginning of the century (Lapeyronie, 1982) to less than 300,000 ha in 2000), in particular in the semi-arid zones at high altitude; however they contribute very effectively …

Pasture Condition Scoring, James B. Cropper

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

A pasture condition score sheet has been developed for use in the United States. It has rating criteria for key indicators that are used to ascertain if some areas of pasture management could be improved. It can also help evaluate what is causing less than desirable pasture conditions. Pasture condition scoring involves the visual and tactual evaluation of ten indicators that rate a pasture's overall condition. The ten indicators are: percent desirable plants, plant cover, plant diversity, plant residue, plant vigor, percent legume, uniformity of use, livestock concentration areas, soil compaction, and erosion (sheet and rill, gully, streambank and shoreline, …

Study Of Morphological And Physiological Properties And Pollinators Of The Invasive Callery Pear, Prabina Sharma

All Theses

Callery pear is an invasive tree in 15 states of United States and is currently present in 37 states. Its management has challenged landowners and land managers. Despite being listed as a noxious weed in four states, its study is limited. The accurate estimation of Callery pear biomass will give a clearer picture of the level of invasion and help land managers develop different strategies to control its population. Similarly, identifying possible pollinators of Callery pear is essential to have some insights on pollinators associated with this tree. Hence, the objectives of this study are 1) to calculate total above-ground …

Teaching Cognitive / Behavioral Neuroscience Through A Dei Lens, Jamie Opper

Psychology Faculty Publications

Introduction: As higher education continues to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), cognitive/behavioral neuroscience and other physiologically-based psychology courses may face challenges incorporating DEI issues into the curriculum relative to other subfields of psychology.

Statement of the Problem: Instructors of these courses may believe that their discipline is more objective than other psychology subfields, or may simply be unsure where to insert discussion of DEI issues into their course material. Literature Review: There is a substantial evidence regarding both the fallacy of total scientific objectivity and how structural inequalities can impact brain structure and function in historically marginalized populations. Teaching …

Diversity And Dispersal Among Eastern Continental Divide Headwater Stream Fishes In Gwinnett County, Georgia., James E. Russell, Molly M. Botting, Ryan M. Davenport, Emilee J. Story, Mark Patterson

Georgia Journal of Science

The eastern continental divide that bisects Georgia runs through Gwinnett County, separating headwater streams of the western Chattahoochee River watershed from headwater streams of the eastern Ocmulgee and Oconee River watersheds. This landscape feature was used to test hypotheses regarding headwater habitat, fish diversity and gene flow. Headwater habitats are dominant components of river network ecosystems delivering vital ecosystem services and biodiversity. Three headwater streams, one in the Chattahoochee watershed and two in the Oconee watershed, on Gwinnett County Park property, were sampled for differences in physical and chemical properties and fish inter- and intraspecific diversity. Our results suggest the …

Third Diversity In Aquatics Special Issue, Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., Tiffany M. Quash Phd

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Front matter - none available

Intensification Differentially Affects The Delivery Of Multiple Ecosystem Services In Subtropical And Temperate Grasslands, Shishir Paudel, Nuria Gomez-Casanovas, Elizabeth H. Boughton, Samuel D. Chamberlain, Pradeep Wagle, Brekke L. Peterson, Rajen Bajgain, Patrick J. Starks, Jefferey Basara, Carl J. Bernacchi, Evan H. Delucia, Laura E. Goodman, Prasanna H. Gowda, Ryan Reuter, Jed P. Sparks, Hilary M. Swain, Xiangming Xiao, Jean L. Steiner

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Intensification, the process of intensifying land management to enhance agricultural goods, results in “intensive” pastures that are planted with productive grasses and fertilized. These intensive pastures provide essential ecosystem services, including forage production for livestock. Understanding the synergies and tradeoffs of pasture intensification on the delivery of services across climatic regions is crucial to shape policies and incentives for better management of natural resources. Here, we investigated how grassland intensification affects key components of provisioning (forage productivity and quality), supporting (plant diversity) and regulating services (CO2 and CH4 fluxes) by comparing these services between intensive versus extensive pastures in subtropical …

Macroecological Patterns Of Frugivorous Fishes’ Diversity (Serrasalmidae) In The Amazon Drainage Basin, Karold Vivianna Coronado Franco

Theses and Dissertations

The Amazon River drainage basin is known as the most biodiverse region in the world. Regarding freshwater fish, this region contains around 15% of the world's fish richness. The fish family Serrasalmidae have a variety of feeding preferences including Pacus (herbivores) and Piranhas (carnivores). Fruit eating fish species are evolutionarily the oldest species in the family and have a mutualistic interaction with flooded forests. Considering the diversity of feeding habits of the Serrasalmidae family, it represents an excellent model to study ecological questions related to factors that influence the spatial distribution of species and factors that contribute to the maintenance …

The Response Of An Avian Community To Intercropping And Forest Management Practices In A Private Working Pine Forest, Rebecca Doyne Bracken

Theses and Dissertations

Within managed pine forest systems, a plethora of bird species exist throughout the lifecycle of a stand akin to what may be experienced through post-disturbance regeneration in a natural forest system. I sought to address how breeding avian communities shift across time in response to stand aging and forest management, evaluate species-specific responses to stand conditions, investigate the responses of at-risk avian species to forest management, and determine avian non-breeding, over-wintering presence in a managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest. I conducted breeding bird point count and vegetation surveys within five stands of privately owned and managed pine forest in …