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[2026 Winner] Seed Sovereignty Through The Lens Of Decolonization, Lily A. Marx

Ethnic Studies Research Paper Award

This paper explores the movement of seed sovereignty, a contemporary movement stemming from the history of theft, appropriation, and forced assimilation endured by indigenous peoples. This movement recognizes that consumers alone cannot mend the damage being done to our food systems, but instead encourages communities to take political action by saving seeds and rebuilding connections with the land.

City Farm Slo: A Case Study Of Nonprofit Regenerative Agriculture, Carver Tunnell

Master's Theses

The focus of this thesis is to create a case study on City Farm SLO, a nonprofit based in San Luis Obispo, California, that has engaged in education and regenerative agriculture on City owned land since 2013. This case study is intended for use in undergraduate agribusiness and natural resource management courses, to encourage thoughtful discussion surrounding nonprofit and regenerative agricultural systems. The case presents the nonprofit at a time of relative success, having recently secured a lease renewal, extending stewardship 40 years into the future. However, the reliance on grants and donations threatens the security of the operation going …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Effects Of Led Light Spectra And 1-Mcp On Postharvest Quality And Bioactive Compounds Of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) During Cold Storage, Imad Eldin Abbas Yousif

Theses

Extending postharvest quality and maintaining the nutritional value of cucumber fruit requires specific storage conditions to postpone senescence and enhance marketability. The postharvest lighting environment is a main factor that influences quality preservation for harvested biomass. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different light emitting diodes (LED) spectra (green, red, blue, and white LED) alone or in combination with 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest quality and bioactive compounds of cucumber fruit during cold storage for 16 days at 5°C, the control fruit were left in the dark. For combined treatment, the fruits were exposed to 1-MCP …

Hydroxamate Formation In The Lipopeptide Containing Siderophore Taiwachelin, Aaron J. Gringer, Kernen P. Agwaza, Isabel Da Fonseca, Pablo Sobrado

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cupriavidus taiwanensis is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium found in root nodules of the invasive tropical weed Mimosa pudica . C. taiwanensis has been shown to grow in environments contaminated with heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, and Cd. Taiwachelin, a recently identified siderophore produced by C. taiwanensis , is an iron chelator that contains a hydroxamate functional group for metal binding. In its biosynthesis, a flavin-dependent N-monooxygenase (NMO) was predicted to hydroxylate l -ornithine, leading to formation of the metal binding hydroxamate moiety. Here, we report the cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of this enzyme, herein referred to as CtNMO. CtNMO …

Exploring Regenerative Vegetable Systems On The Central Coast Of California, Una S. O'Connell

Master's Theses

As climate change and current agricultural practices place pressure on the long term sustainability and resilience of food production systems, there is growing interest in whether existing agricultural systems can adapt to maintain productivity while improving environmental outcomes.

This study evaluated the effects of regenerative versus standard organic vegetable production systems on yield, insect communities, and weed suppression across three field trials conducted on California's Central Coast. In addition, I collected baseline soil health data for all trials. Trials 1 and 2 were carried out at the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Organic Farm using cabbage and broccoli as cash …

The Effects Of Maceration And Enzymes On The Chemical Characteristics Of Hard Apple Cider, Manou De Pelsmaeker

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of maceration and pectinase enzymes on the base chemical, polyphenolic, and volatile characteristics of cider. The apples (Fuji) were milled and macerated for 0, 4, 12, 24, or 36 hours, both with and without an enzymatic pectinase addition. While base chemical characteristics such as sugar content and ABV were unaffected, the acidity of cider was influenced maceration and enzymes. Extended maceration time resulted in lower concentrations of malic acid, and enzymes resulted in a lower pH compared to the control. Polyphenols were extracted during maceration time, resulting in higher concentrations …

Movement And Space Use Of Weaned Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga Angustirostris) Pups During Their First At-Sea Foraging Migration, Katie Saenger

Master's Theses

The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is a marine mammal known for engaging in long foraging migrations at sea. Adult male northern elephant seals follow pathways along the western coast of North America towards Alaska and adult female northern elephant seals follow pathways to open ocean in the North Pacific. However, there is little information on weaned northern elephant seal pup foraging behavior during their first foraging migration. This lack of knowledge is significant because northern elephant seals have a mortality rate of >50% in the first year. This project aimed to better understand the at-sea migratory movement …

Sustainable Management Of Soilborne Pathogens In Strawberry Production Through Host Resistance And Sanitation Practices, Maria G. Alvarez Arredondo

Master's Theses

Strawberry production in California is significantly impacted by soilborne pathogens that reduce plant productivity and increase management costs. This research addressed management of these pathogens through two independent approaches: evaluation of host resistance in strawberry cultivars and assessment of sanitation practices for reducing pathogen movement between fields.

Macrophomina root rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, was evaluated over two growing seasons (2024–2025 and 2025–2026) using field trials at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In Year 1, disease incidence varied widely among genotypes, with mortality ranging from 1.3% to 88.8% and an average mortality of 26.4%. Area under the …

Recreational Fishing Location Guide, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Please note: this version (6th edition) published in 2026 replaces the version published in 2023.

This guide has been developed to help you identify the fishing locations that you may visit. The purpose of this guide is to enhance consistent and accurate identification of fishing locations and block numbers within each Bioregion. If you are unsure about a particular location, please discuss it with a representative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.

Updates To The Caniform Fauna (Carnivora, Caniformia) Of The John Day Formation, Oregon, Usa, John D. Orcutt, Kevin C. Talbott, Michael J. Monroe, Nicholas A. Famoso

Biology Faculty Scholarship

The John Day Formation of central Oregon preserves a diversity of Oligo-Miocene caniform carnivorans, many of which were first described from the formation. However, many historically important specimens lack detailed locality or stratigraphic information, complicating any analysis of faunal change through time. Here, we describe 16 new specimens of caniforms from the John Day Formation, most with precise stratigraphic information. We report multiple specimens of the amphicyonids Daphoenus Leidy, 1853, Paradaphoenus cuspigerus (Cope, 1878), and Temnocyon altigenis (Cope, 1878), all previously known from the formation. We also report the first definitive occurrence of the hesperocyonine canid Osbornodon Wang, 1994 from …

Effect Of Leaf Harvesting Frequency On Cassava Leaf Production And Tuber Yield Of Binulak, Lakan 1 (Upl Cv-2), And Sultan 6 (Nsic 2003 Cv-25), Fides Marciana Z. Tambalo, Rosa Buena A. Capuno, Hiyasmin Rose L. Benzon, Jayson F. Garcia, Lizette Sahar N. Arcillas, Rona Joy C. Tud

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital staple crop in many developing countries, valued for its adaptability and dual-purpose use of roots and leaves. This study investigated the effects of leaf harvesting frequency on the leaf and tuber yields of 3 locally grown cassava varieties: Binulak, Lakan 1, and Sultan 6. The experiment followed a split plot in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 treatments varying in leaf harvesting frequency and initiation. Cassava leaves were harvested at 4, 6, 8, or 10 mo after planting (MAP), and tubers were harvested at 10 MAP. Results indicated that leaf yield …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Reproductive Biology Of Sweet Potato Weevil, Cylas Formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Among Commonly Grown Sweet Potato Cultivars, Jerah Mystica Novenario, Flor A. Ceballo-Alcantara

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius), is a devastating pest of sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., with a specific point of damage at the tuber where eggs are oviposited, and voracious larvae feed. Farmers in Tarlac province in the Philippines claim that a specific cultivar is highly infested by the pest, suggesting that other cultivars may not be susceptible to the pest damage. This study aimed to determine the reproductive biology of the weevil across 3 sweet potato cultivars (Inubi, Super Bureau, and Bureau) frequently grown in Central Luzon. Since the weevils are nocturnal, behavioral observations were conducted …

Filtered Genome Of Commercial Philippine Varieties Of Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L.) For The Characterization And Identification Of Ssrs Associated With Resistance To Philippine Downy Mildew (Peronosclerospora Philippinensis), Antonio G. Lalusin, Jhun Lawrence S. Rasco

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Sugarcane is a major global source of sugar, with total production reaching 1.89 billion t. Although the Philippines produces about 1.85 million t of sugarcane annually, yields are limited by downy mildew and smut. Developing varieties resistant to these pathogens is the most economical and practical approach to mitigating losses from these biotic stresses. In this study, SSRs related to disease resistance were developed through Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the filtered genomes of sugarcane varieties with known phenotypic responses to downy mildew. Two assemblies based on minimum contig lengths (450 and 900 bp) were performed using SoapDeNovo2. The 900-bp assembly …

Marker-Assisted Identification Of Hybrids In Polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) Breeding In The Philippines, John Edward L. Felipe, Kyla Andrea G. Mendoza, Benjamin Christian J. Esguerra, Carolyn E. Alcasid, Gino R. Hernandez, Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Varietal improvement of the Philippine ‘Carabao’ mango (Mangifera indica L.) through conventional breeding is constrained by polyembryony, which makes it difficult to distinguish zygotic hybrids from nucellar seedlings at early developmental stages. This study evaluated the utility of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for early and accurate identification of hybrids in polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ mango crosses. Genomic DNA was isolated from 24 parental accessions and 61 putative hybrid seedlings using a modified CTAB protocol that yielded DNA suitable for PCR-based marker analysis. Eighty-one SSR markers were screened across 29 parental combinations, of which 64 markers (79.0%) were polymorphic in at …

Spatial Variation In Soil Quality Across Selected Fruit Tree Plantations In Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, Jay Mark G. Cortado, Roberto G. Visco, Jenielyn T. Padrones, Pastor L. Malabrigo Jr

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Sustaining soil quality on any plantation is critical to increasing productivity and responsible land use. However, spatial variation in soil quality across fruit tree plantations under existing field and management conditions remains insufficiently documented. This study aimed to assess the soil quality of monocropped plantations of banana, calamansi, coffee, and rambutan in northern Luzon, Philippines, evaluate the extent of degradation or improvement relative to a reference forest using the Soil Quality Index (SQI) approach, and identify the soil indicators that significantly influence soil quality in these plantations. The objectives were to determine which fruit tree plantations could enhance soil quality …

Postharvest Response Of Jute Mallow (Corchorus Olitorius L.) Tops To Different Storage Temperatures, Wella L. Absulio-Morales, James L. Tababa, Daphne Cassandra H. Gonzales, Genesis M. Banawa, Angelo C. Castro, Arlan James D. Rodeo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.), locally known as saluyot, is a nutrient-rich leafy vegetable, but its potential remains underutilized due to its high perishability. This study determined the postharvest behavior of jute tops stored at 4 different temperatures (5, 13, 20, and 28 °C). Key quality parameters were measured at specific time intervals. The marketable shelf life of jute tops was 7 d at 5 and 13 °C, but only 2 and 3 d at 28 and 20 °C, respectively. This shorter shelf life was mainly due to wilting caused by high weight loss, especially at higher temperatures. …

Off-Label Neuroimaging, Jane C. Moriarty

Law Faculty Publications

The growth of neuroimaging evidence in the courtroom is consistent with the increased reliance on technical and machine-based specialties at trial. Litigants routinely seek to introduce neuroimaging evidence in both civil and criminal trials to supplement traditional medical, psychiatric, and psychological opinion testimony. A substantial portion of neuroimaging evidence is still in the developmental stage—what I term “off-label neuroimaging.” Unsurprisingly, evaluating the reliability of developing neuroimaging poses challenging questions for gatekeeping courts. Among the complex evidentiary issues neuroimaging presents for courts and litigants, this Article considers one foundational question: How should courts determine whether neuroimaging evidence is sufficiently reliable for …

Dock7 Is A Novel Modifier Of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Pathology, Katherine English

ETDs from 2020-2029

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive, x-linked neuromuscular disorder affecting 1/5000 male births every year. DMD results from mutations in DMD, a critical structural protein within the muscle. In the absence of Dystrophin, the muscle degrades, increasing inflammation, destabilizing the cell membrane and going through constant cycles of regeneration which depletes the stem cell population. Over time, muscle tissue is replaced by fibrosis and adipose tissue, leading to loss of ambulation, respiratory and cardiac failure leading to death by early 20s. The standard of care for DMD patients is corticosteroid treatment. However, gene therapies have recently emerged which present …

Chemical And Sensory Consequences Of Oxidative And Reductive Handling Of White Wines, Amelia Pargellis

Master's Theses

In the 2024 and 2025 vintage four experiments were performed each with a different varietal, namely Albariño, Grenache blanc, Loureiro, and Vermentino. These experiments investigated the effects of hyperoxygenation, reductive winemaking techniques, while monitoring the oxidation-reduction potential.

Albariño grapes were made following two juice protocols, control/reductive (Reductive Control) and oxidative (HyOx). Reductive Control received antioxidants (50 ppm SO₂, 160 mg/L ascorbic acid) and CO₂ blanketing, and HyOx underwent hyperoxygenation at approximately 700 mL/L/h of air for two hours through a stainless-steel sparging stone with 10-µm pores. Juice was cold-settled and racked. Reductive Control juice was split into …

Fire–Climate–Vegetation Linkages In A Quaking Aspen Forest During The Late Holocene, R. Justin Derose, Jesse L. Morris

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Fire plays an important role in shaping forested ecosystems around the globe. Unlike many other fire-driven forest types, our understanding of pre-settlement fire behavior in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) systems is limited. To better understand the frequency and severity of fires in a putatively stable quaking aspen forest, a small, key watershed was selected for sediment coring to reconstruct fire history, vegetation change, and climatic variability. The study aim was to explore the fire–climate–vegetation linkages in an aspen-dominated catchment. For the past ~4000 years this basin has been dominated by quaking aspen but also subalpine fir (Abies …

University Of Nebraska At Omaha Division Of Biomechanics And Research Development Annual Report 2023-2025, Uno Biomechanics

Biomechanics Annual Report

This report contains:

A letter from the Director: Dr. Nick Stergiou

Highlights articles

Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics (CRiB) articles

The Center for Research in Human Movement Variability (MOVCENTR) articles

People of UNO Biomechanics

Student Centered articles

Education Initiative articles

Resource Assessment Report No. 8: Pilbara Prawn Resource - 2024 Assessment, Inigo Koefoed, Rachel Marks, Scott Evans, Sharon Wilkin, Jason How

Resource Assessment Reports

The Pilbara Prawn Resource (Resource) is accessed by three managed commercial fisheries; the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery (EGPMF), the Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery (OPMF) and the Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (NBPMF). All three fisheries are managed under effort controls, with the EGPMF and OPMF targeting brown tiger prawns (BTP; Penaeus esculentus), western king prawns (WKP; Penaeus latisulcatus), blue endeavour prawns (BEP; Metapenaeus endeavouri), and lesser quantities of banana prawns (Penaeus merguiensis). The NBPMF primarily targets banana prawns while also catching BTP, WKP, and BEP in lower numbers. These fisheries are situated adjacent to one another along the Pilbara …

Decentralizing Dementia Research To The Us–Mexico Border: The Rio Grande Valley Ad-Rcmar As A Model For Translational Equity, Gladys E. Maestre, John Blangero, Eron Manusov, Gabriel A. De Erausquin, Francisco Fernandez, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Vincent P. Diego, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Claudia Alaniz, Neyra García, Rosa V. Pirela, Andrew Tsin, Michael Mahaney

School of Medicine Publications

Translational equity means ensuring that diagnostics, treatments, care models, and prevention strategies are developed and implemented so they work for populations with the greatest burden and least access to care. In Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), where most evidence derives from highly educated, non-Hispanic White participants at large academic centers, translational equity is critical to prevent misclassification, limited access, and widening disparities and to ensure that underrepresented communities shape how new knowledge moves into practice. Hispanic and other populations in the United States are disproportionately affected by ADRD yet remain underrepresented in research, with gaps especially pronounced in high-poverty …

Roots And Greens: Discovering The Power Of Indigenous Produce, Abiodun T. Atoloye, Sherif O. Olasoji, Ebunoluwa G. Ibidapo

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Courseware

The curriculum was designed in alignment with the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML), Empowerment Theory (ET), and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) frameworks. These frameworks were used to determine the selection and sequencing of learning activities. As reflected in CTML principles, the use of texts, images, infographics, and videos enhances knowledge retention and information comprehension and helps prevent cognitive overload. Through activities, homework, and family engagement, the principles of ET were incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate participants’ perceived control over food-related decisions. Additionally, by applying the principles of SCT, the curriculum incorporates scenario-based questions, opportunities to engage with peers, …

Microbial Literacy, Equity, And Sustainability At Cal Poly: A Policy Framework With University Housing As A Pilot Case, Joseph B. Fewel

Biological Sciences

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in human health, environmental systems, and the functioning of built environments, yet they remain largely absent from sustainability and public policy discussions. This project proposes a framework for integrating microbial literacy, equity, and health into institutional decision-making, using California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) as a case study and university housing as a pilot site for implementation. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature in microbiology, public health, environmental justice, and sustainability, as well as policy analysis and stakeholder interviews, this project examines how campus systems, including housing, ventilation, sanitation, food systems, and waste management, shape microbial exposure …

Resource Assessment Report No. 7: Shark Bay Invertebrate Resource - 2024 Assessment, Jason How, Inigo Koefoed, Rachel Marks, Scott E. Evans, Sharon Wilkin

Resource Assessment Reports

The Shark Bay Invertebrate Resource (Resource) is accessed by three managed commercial fisheries; the Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (SBPMF), the Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery (SBSMF) and the Shark Bay Blue Swimmer Crab Managed Fishery (SBCMF). Additionally, blue swimmer crabs are taken by recreational fishers through a variety of methods, though the overall level of boat-based catch is relatively low (~ 7.8 t). The SBSMF and SBCMF fisheries are quota managed and primarily retain their target species of scallops and crabs, respectively. The SBPMF is an effort-managed fishery that targets brown tiger prawns (BTP; Penaeus esculentus) and western king …

Synergies Of Microecology And Macroecology Elicit Insights For Creation Care, David Warners, John T. Wertz

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

This article reports on a collection of microecological and macroecological insights that emerged from extended conversations between Calvin University professors David Warners, a botanist concentrating in restoration ecology, and John Wertz, a micro-biologist specializing in microbial ecology. Classic descriptions of ecology identify biological interactions as happening at the ecosystem, community, or population level. And yet, ecological interactions are very much occurring at the microbial level as well. Furthermore, microbial-level interactions frequently influence the quality and character of macroecological relationships and vice versa. Allowing ecological principles to be applied across all life forms broadens our comprehension of interactions that are happening …

Recent Advances In The Juvenile-To-Adult Phase Transition, Yifei Liao, Mingli Xu

Faculty Publications

The transition from the juvenile to adult vegetative phase in Arabidopsis thaliana is a fundamental developmental process that integrates morphological and physiological maturation. Despite extensive study, how vegetative phase change is regulated and how this phase transition is coordinated with plant physiology remain incompletely understood. This review synthesizes recent advances in the molecular regulation and physiological functions of vegetative phase change. We summarize how developmental traits—such as leaf shape, trichome distribution, and margin serration—are controlled through distinct downstream targets of the age-dependent miR156–SPL pathway. We further highlight emerging insights into how epigenetic factors dynamically modify chromatin states of key regulatory …

Evaluating Species At Risk In Data-Limited Fisheries: A Productivity–Susceptibility Analysis For Marine Aquarium Fish, Gabrielle A. Baillargeon, Alice A. Wynn, Jemelyn Grace P. Baldisimo, Michael F. Tlusty, Andrew L. Rhyne

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The marine aquarium trade (MAT) is a significant global industry harvesting millions of wild-caught, live coral reef fishes for public and private aquaria markets in the United States and Europe annually, while supporting fisher livelihoods in the Indo-Pacific. This diverse and species-rich trade is considered data-limited, creating barriers to quantifying the current and future socio-ecological sustainability of the fishery. We present a revised and expanded productivity–susceptibility analysis (PSA) that serves as a holistic risk assessment to estimate the vulnerability of marine aquarium fish to overfishing. Our global analysis includes 306 species that are actively in trade. Improvements to the PSA …