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Traumatic Experiences, Perceived Discrimination, And Psychological Distress Among Members Of Various Socially Marginalized Groups, Kimberley Matheson, Mindi D. Foster, Amy Bombay, Robyn Mcquaid, Hymie Anisman

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

Perceived discrimination has consistently been shown to be associated with diminished mental health, but the psychological processes underlying this link are less well understood. The present series of four studies assessed the role of a history traumatic events in generating a proliferation of discrimination stressors and threat appraisals, which in turn predict psychological distress (depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms) (mediation model), or whether prior traumatic events sensitize group members, such that when they encounter discrimination, the link to stress-related symptoms is heightened (moderation model). Each of the studies assessed a different marginalized group in Canada, including Indigenous peoples, Blacks, Jews, …

Cultivating Collaboration In Biomolviz: Key Attributes For Building A Stem Educator Community Of Practice, Pamela S. Mertz, Charmita Burch, Roderico Acevedo, Josh T. Beckham, Didem Vardar-Ulu, Kristin M. Fox, Lauren A. Genova, Rachel M. Mitton-Fry, Swati Agrawal, Daniel R. Dries, Kristen Procko

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

BioMolViz is an educational community of practice (CoP) focused on creating resources to improve biomolecular visual literacy instruction and assessment. The community of life science instructors developed in three phases, beginning with a small Core Team that emerged from a conference session and established the domain of interest for the CoP. In-person workshops, supported by short-term funding, drove the initial expansion of the community and the development of shared activities in Phase 2. This CoP was sustained through intentional choices about how members interact, collaborate, and share work. As the community matured in Phase 3, it was supported by longer-term …

Gc-Ms Profiling And Antibacterial Activity Of Cold-Macerated Garlic Extracts Against Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens, Fatima A. Khalaf, Saeed A. Fayadh

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The growing number of cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) urinary tract infections has made the clinical management of urinary tract diseases a significant challenge; therefore, the need for effective adjunctive therapies cannot be overemphasized. This study evaluated the bioactive components and antibacterial efficacy of cold-macerated garlic extracts obtained using distilled water, 70% ethanol and hexane solvents against antimicrobial-resistant urinary isolates. Out of 250 urine samples that were analyzed, 124 (49.6%) showed significant microbial growth, with Escherichia coli being the most frequently isolated organism. The results of the phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that the ethanolic extract had …

Ai-Supported Analysis Of Jury Deliberation Impact Factors, Jennifer Siciliani Phd

Generative AI Teaching Activities

Students conduct a controlled, two-run generative AI jury simulation to examine how a single socio-legal variable affects simulated jury deliberation. They compare and manually code the AI-generated outcomes against peer-reviewed human jury research to evaluate the model’s accuracy, limitations, and potential biases.

Identification Of Ca2 As A Potential Candidate Gene Involved In The Therapeutic Effect Of Huatan Huoxue Decoction On Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Integrated Study Of Network Pharmacology, Mendelian Randomization, And Experimental Validation, Chan Zhu, Yijin Zhang, Panwei Hu, Cong Qi, Qiu Chen, Hong Yang, Jing Li

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Purpose: Huatan Huoxue decoction (HTHXD) is effective in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, its underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. Methods: Gene targets were obtained through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using druggable genes from public databases and genome-wide association study data for PCOS from the FinnGen R12 database. These targets were integrated with the active ingredients and protein targets of HTHXD retrieved from the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases for network pharmacology analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were conducted. Core targets were validated using molecular docking. Experimental validation was performed using a letrozole-induced …

A Brief History Of Irrigation In Utah, Burdette Barker, Reagan Wytsalucy

All Current Publications

Irrigation is essential for most crop production in Utah. With an ever-increasing population, regular drought cycles, and environmental concerns, there is a public discourse about agricultural irrigation water use. This fact sheet is an effort to step back in time to consider the heritage of irrigated agriculture in Utah, from prehistory to the present, and the modernization of irrigation driven by global industrialization and the information age.

Variability In Nutrient And Carbon Cycling Of Constructed Marshes, Alyssa Leclaire, Jenny Davis, Molly Bost, David De La Garza

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Salt marshes provide valuable ecosystem services, including filtering nutrients and trapping sediments from the water column, but are increasingly threatened by sea-level rise and coastal development. Constructed marshes offer a potential pathway to offsetting marsh loss, but the extent to which they can replace the ecosystem services provided by mature natural marshes is not well understood. Using a chronosequence of constructed marshes (1, 21, and 44 years old) and a natural reference marsh (>100y old) in Beaufort, NC, we assessed the development of plant communities, sediment characteristics, and nutrient and carbon cycling over time. We compared aboveground biomass, surface …

Precision Approaches Improve Community Health, Roger A. Rennekamp, David Buys

Journal of Extension

Recent advances in data science provide Extension practitioners with access to data sorted by zip code, census tract, or neighborhood. Such hyper-local data now allows Extension personnel to assess community needs and assets at a more granular level and focus their work on the people and communities of greatest need. In this article, we introduce an approach we refer to as precision public health. Using such a precision approach to community assessment and, ultimately, programming can save money, increase the likelihood of producing measurable results, and create more manageable workloads for county-based Extension personnel.

Females With Urinary Incontinence Demonstrate Impaired Postural Stability, Jean L. Mccrory, Corrie Mancinelli, Kate Harrison, Samantha K. Rondini Monaco, Krystal L. Thomas

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Females with urinary incontinence (UI) have an increased risk of falls.  Few studies have quantified postural control, namely center of pressure (COP) movement and vertical ground reaction force in static and dynamic tasks, in females with UI. Purpose: The aim of our study was to examine static and perturbed postural stability in females with UI compared to unaffected females. Methods: The study design was a between-group comparison (UI vs control) on our static outcome variables of anteroposterior and mediolateral COP sway, COP displacement, average and instantaneous maximum COP velocity, and standard deviations of anteroposterior and mediolateral COP movement and …

Effectiveness Of A Training Program In Enhancing The Knowledge Of Intensive Care Unit Staff Regarding Emergency Response: A Quasi-Experimental Pre–Post Study, Abdulrahman Abbas Jasim, Shimaa Gomaa, Rofida Albash, Amira B Kassem, Shahab Abdulla, Ralela Makline, Mustafa Abbass

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Background: Timely and effective emergency response by intensive care unit (ICU) staff is critical for patient outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a structured educational intervention on ICU staff knowledge of emergency response. Methods: A one-group quasi-experimental pre–post study was conducted among ICU healthcare professionals in Thi-Qar Governorate hospitals. Participants completed a validated questionnaire assessing emergency response knowledge before and after a structured lecture covering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), airway management, bleeding control, and the ABCDE protocol. Paired statistical analyses were applied, and p-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Forty-one participants completed both assessments. Significant improvements were observed in recognition …

Bioactive Peptides From The Cucurbitaceae Family: From Identification And Health-Promoting Functions To Industrial Utilization, Himani R. Kekiri Obada Gamage, Mahya Bahmani, Utpal Bose, Mekhala Vithana, Michelle L. Colgrave, Angéla Juhász

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cucurbitaceae is a major plant family within the kingdom Plantae, encompassing popular food crops such as zucchini, squash, pumpkins, and melons. With the growing interest in discovering novel bioactive peptides (BPs) from various plant sources, Cucurbitaceae crops have emerged as a popular candidate for isolating nutrient-enriched peptides due to their diverse applications in the nutritional and pharmaceutical sectors, with experimentally evidenced antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. However, current investigations are limited to a few economically important species and are seed-centric within this family, with limited in vivo and clinical validations for their in vitro functional properties. In this review, …

Waste Streams From Next Generation Molten Salt Reactors: The Challenge Of Creating An Insoluble Ceramic For Chloride Salt Waste, Alevtina A. Maksimova, Jake W. Amoroso, Matthew Page, Gregory Morrison, Hans Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) design development is of interest to many research groups and companies. Waste management for MSRs is one of the most important issues that needs to be resolved due to its impact on environmental safety, primarily via the dissolution of radionuclides in water. Furthermore, the waste treatment strategy will have a significant influence on the operating cost of MSRs, which is why a reliable process for the immobilization, transportation, storage and disposal of MSR waste must be addressed. This work presents a new approach for the immobilization of chloride salts from molten salt reactors in stable oxyhalide …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Diets For Body Weight Reduction, Alan Aragon, Bill I. Campbell, Brad J. Schoenfield, Jeffrey Stout, Douglas Kalman, Paul J. Arciero, Shawn Arent, Richard Kreider, Lem Taylor, Laurent Bannock, Robert E.C. Wildman, Chad Kerksick, Jose Antonio

Faculty Scholarship

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on diets for body weight reduction. This critical analysis of the literature is intended to provide a scientific foundation for practitioners, coaches, and trainees regarding the effects of the major diet types in adults who are generally healthy, physically active, and/or athletic, while drawing from clinical research in those with overweight/obesity, when relevant. This position stand does not address acute dehydration-based weight cutting, pharmacotherapy (i.e. GLP-1RAs), or bariatric surgery. The following 15 points constitute the Position Statement of the Society; the Research Committee has approved them.

1. Diets for …

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Characterization Of Mettl3/14-Mediated M6a Modification In Human Transcriptome Using Nanopore Direct Rna Sequencing, Emily Kurtyan, Andrew J. Stein, Kelly J. Abdalla, Zhangerjiao Yuan, Miten Jain, Fadia Ibrahim

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Post-transcriptional RNA modifications modulate diverse aspects of RNA metabolism. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), one of the most abundant internal RNA modifications, is deposited by the core methyltransferase complex, METTL3 and METTL14. Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform permits direct, single RNA molecule sequencing while preserving native modifications. However, without rigorous benchmarking, the accuracy and reproducibility of modification detection remain uncertain. Here, we leveraged ONT to comprehensively profile bona fide m6A modifications in cellular RNAs at single-nucleotide resolution by integrating two direct RNA sequencing chemistries (RNA002 and RNA004) with the m6Anet and Dorado modification-detection models. We independently depleted METTL3 and METTL14 in human cells …

Local Adaptation To Host Plants In Herbivorous Insects: A Meta-Analysis, Mariana Abarca, Shannon M. Murphy, Gina M. Wimp, Mattheau S. Comerford, Chase Ryan-Embry, Dhaval K. Vyas, Macawan S. Luu, Mayra C. Vidal

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Local adaptation, wherein populations are well-adapted to local biotic and abiotic conditions, is a common outcome of natural selection and a driver of diversification.Previous theory identified two criteria to detect local adaptation: (a) the home-away criterion compares the fitness of a population in its home environment to its fitness in a different environment and (b) the local-foreign criterion examines differences in fitness between a local and a foreign population when experiencing the local environment.We conducted a meta-analysis synthesizing empirical evidence of insect herbivores' local adaptation to their host plants using both criteria to assess how diet breadth, geographic distance among …

Individualized Bayesian Inference Identifies Novel Genetic Variants For Parkinson's Disease, Jin Ren, Yasaman J. Soofi, Md Asad Rahman, Qing Lu, Jinling Liu

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with a significant genetic component. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been instrumental in identifying genetic variants associated with PD, the reliance on large sample sizes and population-level analyses may overlook variants with lower minor allele frequencies or individual-specific relevance. Individualized Bayesian Inference (IBI) offers a promising method to complement GWAS by identifying and prioritizing candidate genetic markers at both the individual and patients-like-me subgroup levels. This study evaluates the application of IBI to PD genetics, using GWAS as a baseline for comparison. We analyzed genetic data from the Fox Insight online …

Gender-Responsive Knowledge Management Strategies For Vegetable Farmers Of Atok, Benguet , Philippines, Marianne R. De Luna, Farawyn E. Sarmiento

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Knowledge transfer in Philippine vegetable production often follows centralized pathways that neglect gendered roles, perpetuating productivity gaps. This study evaluated gender-responsive knowledge management pathways and technology adoption among smallholder vegetable farmers in Atok, Benguet, Philippines. Using a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys (n = 85), Social Network Analysis (SNA), vignettes, and key informant interviews, data were disaggregated by sex to map institutional disparities. Results showed that while women farmers demonstrate higher college completion rates (29%), men farmers cultivate larger average plots (0.57 vs. 0.37 ha), have higher off-farm income, and enjoy greater irrigation access (70.69% vs. 59.26%). Additionally, women derive …

Physical Soil Health Indicators In Paired Certified Organic And Conventional Farms: A Multi-Case Study In The Philippines, Victorino A. Bato, Gina Villegas Pangga

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

There is a common perception that organic products and practices are good for the health of consumers, plants, the environment, and particularly the soil. In the Philippines, organic agriculture was enacted into law (i.e., Republic Act No. 10068) in order to encourage farmers to shift to organic farming and reap its benefits, including better soil health through improved soil physical properties. This study compared certain soil physical properties of certified organic farms in the Philippines with those of a conventional cropping system. Results showed significantly higher soil aggregate stability (high values of percent water-stable aggregates and mean weight diameter, both …

Building Wellbeing Through Nature And Adventure For Justice-Involved Youth, Lewis Kogan, Meagan Ricks, Janna Coulter, Miranda Margetts, Lori Butterfield, Ben Ukoh-Eke

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Justice-involved youth often experience elevated levels of stress, mental health challenges, and reduced access to positive developmental opportunities. A nature- and adventure-based youth development program designed to strengthen resilience, self-efficacy, nature-connectedness, and well-being among justice-involved youth was piloted in 2025 to address these challenges. Pilot findings indicated improvements in resilience, self-efficacy, hopefulness, and connectedness to nature.

Bathurst Burr And Its Control, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum) is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). This factsheet describes the nature of the plant, requirements land owners/occupiers must adhere to, control methods, and how to search, detect, and report it.

Bathurst burr is a summer growing annual shrubby plant originating in South America. In south west Australia, some mature plants survive well into winter, with the result that burrs may be found for most of the year. The weed spreads entirely by burrs, which are usually carried by people or animals, attached to clothes, fur, or other fibre by their hooked spines. They may …

Noogoora Burr And Its Control, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Noogoora burr, also known as cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). This factsheet describes the nature of the plant with links to requirements that land owners/occupiers must adhere to and control methods.

Native to western United States of America. Locally abundant in parts of the Kimberley, especially near water courses. Occasionally found in the South West region of WA.

Insect Monitoring Without Pitfalls: Seven Steps For Robust Insect Sensing Systems, Jamie Alison, Luca Pegoraro, Jarrett Blair, Yuval Cohen, Birgen Haest, Jacob Idec, Jacob Kamminga, Jenna Lawson, Meng Li, Leandro Aparecido Do Nascimento, Charlotte L. Outhwaite, Benjamin Rutschmann, Maximilian Sittinger, Mariana Abarca, Et Al

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

1. Data shortages fuel controversy about an ongoing insect biodiversity crisis. Insects are immensely diverse and functionally critical for ecosystems, yet data on their trends remain patchy and biased. Sensors, ranging from camera traps and acoustic recorders to weather radar stations, are set to transform data collection in entomol- ogy. Meanwhile, AI models that extract biological information from sensors are improving at a startling rate.

2. Realising the potential of automated monitoring means progressing from proof- of-concept studies to scalable insect sensing systems. However, stakeholders face severe operational challenges when adopting a growing suite of sensors, models and protocols for …

Genomic Investigation Of Population Structure In A Secretive, Semi‐Fossorial Snake (Colubridae: Tropidoclonion Lineatum) Across The Great Plains, Taylor Probst, Cameron D. Siler, Drew R. Davis

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

With advances in genomic technologies, it has become increasingly feasible to generate large numbers of loci to address population genetic and phylogeographic questions. Nevertheless, many widespread and relatively abundant species remain unsampled using molecular approaches. The lined snake ( Tropidoclonion lineatum ), a semi‐fossorial snake distributed across the Great Plains, is one such example. Despite the historical recognition of multiple subspecies based on noted variation in morphological characters, no formal molecular investigation of population structure has been conducted to date due to a paucity of vouchered genetic samples. Here, we present the first genomic assessment of range‐wide population structure in …

Best Practices For Managing Human–Beaver Conflicts In North America: Balancing Ecological Benefits And Human Interests, Alec J. Sundelius, Jerry Altermatt, Doug Brimeyer, Derek J. Broman, Jared Duquette, Cory Mosby, Falyn Owens, Shawn Rossler, David B. Ruid, Brian F. Wakeling, H. Bryant White

Human–Wildlife Interactions Monographs

We explore the complexities of managing beaver (Castor canadensis) conflicts in North America, describing the most common approaches used by natural resource management agencies to address conflicts. We identify specific conflicts caused by beavers, the ecological benefits beavers provide, and the tools commonly used to address conflicts. We discuss regional differences in beaver management strategies, including ecosystem restoration and conflict prevention. We specifically discuss a variety of management practices including public education, land use management, trapping, translocation, exclusion, shooting, dam removal, repellants, and harvest incentive programs; we then review the challenges and benefits of these tools. We discuss …

A Decision Analytic Approach To Hierarchical Decisions For Double-Crested Cormorant Conflict Resolution, Kelly F. Robinson, Travis O. Brenden, Alex Maguffee, Charles R. Bronte, Randall M. Claramunt, Thomas R. Cooper, Robin L. Debruyne, Brian S. Dorr, James F. Farquhar, Jana R. Lantry, James R. Jackson, David G. Fielder, Rachel L. Pierce, Doug Schultz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Double-crested cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) are piscivorous, migratory waterbirds that often conflict with fisheries interests in North America, stemming from depredation effects on fish populations. A new permitting process in the United States allows natural resource agencies to request permits for lethal take of cormorants in special instances like depredation of managed fish stocks. This rule does not include guidance for when cormorant take might be actionable. We developed a hierarchical structured decision making (SDM) framework for evaluating whether, when, and how much cormorant take might be necessary. A broad-scale, or “umbrella,” SDM framework established the overarching problem, objectives …

State Of The Fisheries: Status Reports Of The Fisheries And Aquatic Resources Of Western Australia 2024/25, Stephen J. Newman, Ainslie Denham, Lebo Selemela, Jenny Moore

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia (SRFAR) provides an annual update on the state of the fish stocks and other aquatic resources of Western Australia (WA). These reports outline the most recent assessments of the cumulative risk status for each of the aquatic resources (assets) within WA’s six bioregions using an Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Dveelopment’s (DPIRD) risk based EBFM framework is the WA Government’s basis for management of all of WA’s aquatic resources.

Assets examined in each bioregion include the meso-scale ecosystems and aquatic …

The Cranial Nerves And Electrical Stimulation, Devin K. P. Adair

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Cranial nerves provide afferent pathways that enable bottom-up modulation of central autonomic and cognitive neural pathways. Because these pathways project to brainstem nuclei such as the nucleus tractus solitarius and engage neuromodulatory systems, including the locus coeruleus, electrical stimulation offers a mechanistically grounded approach to influencing brain function. This thesis tested whether active transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) produces physiological responses indicative of parasympathetic engagement, defined as decreases in heart rate, increases in heart rate variability, and decreases in respiration relative to a dose-matched earlobe control condition. Using cardiac and respiratory measures as physiological markers, taVNS at the tragus …

Collecting Holistic Evidence On Agroecology Performance To Accelerate Sustainable Food System Transitions, Sarah K. Jones, Andrea Cecilia Sánchez, Chris Dickens, Matthias S. Geck, Chaturangi Wickramaratne, Veronique Alary, Peter Bolo, Dennis Junior Choruma, Somphasith Douangsavanh, Modou Gueye Fall, Gatien Falconnier, Shweta Gupta, Chris Kettle, Smitha Krishnan, Sylvia Nyawira, Guillermo Orjuela-Ramirez, Boko Michel Orounladji, Piedad Pareja, Telma Sibanda, Christine Lamanna

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

A growing body of research shows the potential of agroecology for enabling a shift to planet-friendly and socially just agrifood systems through context-specific transition pathways. We conduct a scoping review to identify and evaluate the potential of 42 existing agroecology adherence and/or agricultural performance assessment tools to generate credible, legitimate, salient and transferable evidence to inform these transitions. Results show that while multiple relevant tools exist, each of them can be strengthened in at least one area. While most tools are transferable (low time and resource requirements) and have legitimacy (open access with transparent methods), tools have variable saliency (holistic …

Machine Learning-Enabled Chemical Ecology For Integrated Pest Management: From Volatiles To Field Applications, Steve B.S. Baleba, Victor O. Omondi, Pascal Aigbedion-Atalor, Emmanuel Peter, Souleymane Diallo, Komi Mensah Agboka

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Machine learning is transforming chemical ecology by accelerating the discovery and deployment of semiochemical-based tools for precision pest management. These advances are particularly important in the face of climate change, pesticide resistance, and the growing need for sustainable agricultural intensification. This review synthesizes how machine learning can be applied across the semiochemical discovery and implementation pipeline, from chemical signal detection to field deployment and decision support for integrated pest management. We review major machine learning approaches and demonstrate how they extract biologically relevant information from high-dimensional chemical, electrophysiological, behavioral, sensor, and field datasets. These methods accelerate semiochemical discovery, prioritize candidate …

Remote Sensing Integrated Modeling Of Fall Armyworm Parasitoid Interactions In Africa Using Fractional Differential Equations, Marian Adan, Steeven Belvinos Affognon, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Klaus Greve, Christian Borgemeister, Georg Goergen

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The invasion of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda; FAW) into Africa poses a major threat to agricultural systems, particularly maize production, necessitating effective biological control strategies. This study presents an ecological modelling framework that integrates temperature data with fractional differential equations (FDEs) to investigate interactions between FAW and its parasitoid natural enemies. By incorporating temperature-driven effects on life-history traits and ecological memory dynamics, the model captures key features of host–parasitoid interactions under variable environmental conditions. Equilibrium states corresponding to FAW extinction, parasitoid extinction, and coexistence were analytically derived, and sensitivity analysis of the FAW reproduction number highlighted its central role in …