Digital Commons Network^™

Structural Dynamic Response Assessment Of Clt Wall Structure Systems In Wind-Only And Sequential Seismic–Wind Scenarios, Yunxiang Ma, Qingli Dai, Alexander Zhao

Michigan Tech Publications

Because of concentrated connection damage, the impact of sequential hazards on CLT shear wall systems is much more severe than that on traditional concrete and steel structures considering ductile component behaviors. The present paper evaluated the dynamic response of CLT wall structures in wind-only and sequential seismic–wind scenarios and compared the structural dynamic responses and damage levels of different CLT wall systems. The structural models were established separately based on an SOM benchmark structure, a SOFIE project three-story CLT shear wall structure, and a PT CLT wall platform structure from the NHERI Tall Wood project. The equivalent fluctuating wind load …

Evaluating Eight Smoking Metrics For Modelling Survival In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Andrew Cl Lam, Yao Li, M Catherine Brown, Yangqing Deng, Katrina Hueniken, Natasha B Leighl, Frances A Shepherd, Kiera Murison, Zhichao Wang, Jui Kothari, Angela S Wenzlaff, Haoran Liu, Takashi Kohno, Angela Cecilia Pesatori, Curtis Harris, Hongxia Ma, Juncheng Dai, Matthew J Barnett, Ryan Diver, Leticia Ferro Leal, Guillermo Fernandez-Tardon, Mónica Pérez-Ríos, Michael Pa Davies, Bernd Holleczek, Paul Brennan, David Zaridze, Ivana Holcatova, Jolanta Lissowska, Beata Świątkowska, Dana Mates, Milan Savic, Hermann Brenner, Angeline S Andrew, Fiona Taylor, John K Field, Alberto Ruano-Ravina, Sanjay S Shete, Adonina Tardon, Ying Wang, Loic Le Marchand, Rui Manuel Reis, Matthew B Schabath, Marian L Neuhouser, Hongbing Shen, Maria Teresa Landi, Kouya Shiraishi, Jie Zhang, Ann G Schwartz, Ming S Tsao, David C Christiani, Ping Yang, Rayjean J Hung, Wei Xu, Geoffrey Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Smoking is a strong modifiable prognostic factor for lung cancer survival. We compared eight smoking metrics to determine which metric best models the relationship between smoking exposure with overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS). These metrics included cigarettes-per-day, smoking duration, pack-years, square-root pack-years, logcig-years, the comprehensive smoking index, age-of-initiation, and years-since-quit.

Materials/methods: This retrospective, pooled analysis included 25 International Lung Cancer Consortium studies between June 1, 1983-December 31, 2019. The performance of smoking metrics for modelling OS was compared based on 1) strength and significance in adjusted Cox-proportional hazard models and 2) linearity based on the goodness-of-fit …

Documenting For Success: A Case Study Of A Graduate Writing Retreat, Elliott Rose, Denise Wetzel, Sara C. Kern, Katie O'Hara-Krebs, Laurin Davis, Salah Seoudi, Carmen Cole

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate students often find themselves balancing the demands of research and writing while managing complex academic and personal needs. Writing retreats provide an intentional space for graduate students to focus on their academic goals while supporting community-building, institutional belonging, and a welcoming environment. This proposal outlines a model for academic librarians and staff to plan and implement an effective graduate writing retreat designed to support graduate student academic activities through intentional collaboration and documentation.

Penn State University’s (PSU) Graduate Student Writing Retreat started as an event housed within the University Library’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) department. The retreat …

Transitioning From The Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research (Cfir) To The Updated Cfir For Quantitative Measurement Of Influences On Implementation Outcomes In A Faith-Based Walking Intervention, Ruth P. Saunders, Sarah Wilcox Phd, A. Caroline Rudisill, Andrew T. Kaczynski, Jasmin Parker-Brown

Faculty Publications

Background Our research team has used the highly cited Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) a priori throughout the research process to better understand influences on implementation outcomes of an organizational change innovation to promote physical activity and healthy eating in faith-based settings. CFIR has recently been updated to include substantial changes in some domains and constructs, and our research team is preparing to carry out a new implementation study of an evidence-based innovation in churches. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process we undertook to map CFIR domains, constructs, and quantitative measures from our earlier studies …

Louisiana Species Of The Genus Xestia Hübner And The Genus Agnorisma Lafontaine, Vernon Antoine Brou Jr., Charlotte Dozar Brou

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

We address three species of the genus Xestia Hübner recorded for the state of Louisiana: Xestia dilucida (Morrison), Xestia elimata (Guenée) and Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus), and we also address new state capture records for Agnorisma badinodis (Grote) and Agnorisma bollii in Louisiana.

Culvert Retrofit With Green Filter Media For The Removal Of Phosphorus From Stormwater Runoff, Somdipta Bagchi, Zhiming Zhang, Olayinka Olayiwola, Bharadwaj Mandala, Rupali Datta, Subhasis Giri, Richard Lathrop, Dibyendu Sarkar

Michigan Tech Publications

Phosphorus is a ubiquitous contaminant in urban and agricultural landscapes. A retention basin located in the southern part of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, was identified as receiving stormwater runoff with elevated phosphorus concentrations. The basin is surrounded by expanding urban development, contributing to the progressive degradation of water quality in the bay, which is already highly eutrophic. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a culvert retrofit with a green filter media composed of granulated-aluminum-based drinking water-treatment residuals (Al-WTR) and granular carbon (5:1 ratio, w/w) for the removal of phosphorus and suspended sediments from stormwater runoff. The performance of the filter …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Zoology

No abstract provided.

Nonnative Crayfish In Türkiye: Presence Records, Invasion Pathways, And Ecological Risks, Muzaffer Mustafa Harlioğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The globalization of trade, aquaculture, and the ornamental pet industry has accelerated the transboundary movement of nonnative crayfish species, with significant ecological consequences. Türkiye, a biodiversity-rich country bridging Europe and Asia, has increasingly become a point of concern due to the rising presence of alien crayfish taxa introduced primarily via the aquarium trade and scientific research. This study investigates the presence records of nonnative crayfish species in Türkiye, identifies their likely introduction pathways, and outlines potential future outspread routes across the major freshwater basins of the country. Species such as Procambarus clarkii, Cherax quadricarinatus, C. albertisii, and Cambarellus patzcuarensis have …

Stage-Specific Growth Characteristics Of The Calanoid Copepod Invader Sinodiaptomus Sarsi​, Leonid Svetlichny, Kami̇l Mert Eryalçin, Melek İşi̇ni̇bi̇li̇r Okyar

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The population dynamics of the Asian invasive copepod Sinodiaptomus sarsi were  studied for four years after its introduction into an artificial pond in Kyiv (Ukraine) in  2020. The growth and development parameters of this species were measured under  laboratory conditions. From its first appearance in spring 2020, the abundance  of copepodite stages and adults increased from 3.5–5.2 individuals (ind.)  m–3 to 1057.8 ind. m–3 in June 2024, suggesting the successful establishment  of S. sarsi populations in this region. A characteristic feature of S.  sarsi development in ponds is a male-biased sex ratio in the later copepodite stages.  The sex ratio …

Morphometric And Reproductive Divergence Of Deep-Water Shrimps Plesionika Martia (A. Milne-Edwards, 1883) And P. Heterocarpus (A. Costa, 1871) Along A Depth Gradient In The Eastern Aegean Sea, Murat Özbek, Cengi̇z Koçak, Zafer Tosunoğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study provides a comparative analysis of two deep-water pandalid shrimp  species, Plesionika martia and P. heterocarpus, based on monthly samples collected  over one year in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Specimens were obtained from species-specific depth zones (550 m for P. martia and 350 m for P. heterocarpus) to examine  morphometric traits, sexual dimorphism, and reproductive patterns. A total of 4419  individuals were analyzed. Females were significantly larger and more abundant than  males (K–S test, p < 0.05), indicating pronounced sexual dimorphism. Length–weight relationships revealed negative allometric growth in both species, confirmed  by t-tests (p < 0.05). Reproductive activity differed markedly: P. martia showed a short  and distinct spawning period peaking in late autumn, whereas P. heterocarpus  displayed a prolonged, bimodal cycle with peaks in spring and summer. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the proportion of ovigerous females varied  significantly by season and species. A strong positive correlation between carapace  length and gonad weight was found, with a more linear relationship in P. martia and  greater variability in P. heterocarpus. Size at first maturity (L₅₀) was estimated at 22.3  mm CL for P. heterocarpus but could not be reliably determined for P. martia  due to limited small size data, likely reflecting ontogenetic depth segregation. The  consistent bathymetric separation between these species—also reported in the  Western Mediterranean—suggests ecological niche differentiation. Species-specific  management measures, including depth-based fishing restrictions and temporal  closures during reproductive peaks, are recommended to support the sustainable  exploitation of deep sea shrimp stocks in the region.

Frequencies And Roles Of Plants In The Diet Of Three Mesocarnivores (Canis Lupaster, Genetta Genetta, And Herpestes Ichneumon): Implications For Forest Regeneration In A North African Hot Spot (Algeria), Messaoud Bensidhoum, Abdelkrim Limane, Larbi Khifer, Ania Ben Ammar, Lylia Amrouche

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The Djurdjura National Park (PND, Algeria) is part of one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hot spots, recognised by the United Nations as a national biosphere  reserve. It contains the Darna primary forest, a key habitat for several mesocarnivore  mammals, including the golden wolf (Canis lupaster), the common genet (Genetta  genetta) and the ichneumon mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). Although their diets  are primarily based on animal prey, these carnivores exhibit both qualitative and  quantitative reliance on plants, a pattern that merits thorough documentation. We  analysed 30 scats per species per month over four years (1440 scats per species).  More than 35% …

Species Identification Using Otolith Morphometry Of Four Gurnards (Family: Triglidae) From  Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea), Ahmet Mert Şenbahar, Di̇lek İlhan, Aydin Ünlüoğlu, Sencer Akalin

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Shape and size analyses of otoliths are widely considered appropriate tools for distinguishing between fish species and for assessing populations and stocks.  The present study aims to distinguish four gurnard species collected from Edremit  Bay (Aegean Sea) based on variations in their otolith shape morphology. A total of 60  specimens of Eutrigla gurnardus, 64 of Chelidonichthys lastoviza, 60 of  Chelidonichthys lucerna, and 60 of Lepidotrigla cavillone were analyzed. No  significant intraspecific differences were noted in the morphology of the left and right  otoliths, and so only the left sagittal otoliths were subjected to further analysis. Otolith  shape was quantified using …

Spiny Dogfish (Sqaulus Acanthias) Jaw, Courtney R. Schober, Sophia R. Oliveira, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Latest Sightings Of The Striped Hyena In North Africa: Major Threats And Conservation Actions, Abderrazak El Alami, Abderrazzak Fattah, Ilyas El Alami, Ziad El Alami

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is widely distributed across the northern half of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia. However,  numerous studies indicate that this carnivore is in decline, and it is currently classified  as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In North  Africa, the Hyaena hyaena barbara subspecies has been extirpated from many  areas. This article summarizes data collected from observations of the striped hyena  in North Africa between 2004 and 2024. Among the 418 striped hyenas recorded in  North Africa between 2004 and 2024, 18.4% (n = 77) were …

Genetic Variants And Molecular Components Associated With Metabolic Dysfunctional-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease And Depression: Shared Association Of Adamts7 And Thrap3, Eron G. Manusov, Vincent P. Diego, Marcio A. Almeida, Jacob A. Galan, Kathryn Herklotz, Edwardo Abrego Ii, Habiba Sultana, Luis A. Peña Marquez, Marco Arriaga, Marcelo Leandro, Juan M. Peralta, Ana C. Leandro, Tom Howard, Joanne Curran, Sandra Laston, John Blangero, Sarah Williams-Blangero

Human Genetics Publications

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and depression frequently occur together. Identifying the genes that influence both MASLD and depression may facilitate the discovery of biological pathways associated with disease risk.

Methods: We recruited 525 participants from Mexican American families living in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. We collected clinical data, biometric measurements, hepatic health assessments using Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE), and depression evaluations determined with the Beck Depression Inventory-II. We estimated the heritability (h2) of MASLD-related measures, depression status, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the AST/ALT ratio, and Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography measurements. For each gene, …

Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus Occidentalis), Emilie Demard

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information on the western conifer seed bug, including native range, life cycle, plant hosts, symptoms and damage, and management options.

Sustainable Guiding Framework Of The Egyptian Rural Development Initiative (Hayah Karima), Eman Badawy Ahmed

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Hayah Karima initiative launches to improve the standard of living for the most needy community groups across the Egyptian countryside, and it also contributes to improving the quality of services provided to the neediest villages. The research aims to propose a guiding framework for sustainability in villages of the Hayah Karima Initiative to achieve Egypt’s Sustainable Vision 2030. To achieve the goal, the research will study the goals, strategies, and principles of the Hayah Karima Initiative, the Egypt Vision 2030, COP 27, the sustainability evaluation criteria, and the Green Villages Initiative. Consequentially, in addition to A questionnaire to measure …

Polθ Activity Modulates Sensitivity To Standard Therapies In Dnmt3a-Deficient Leukemia, Bac Viet Le, Umeshkumar Vekariya, Monika M. Toma, Margaret Nieborowska-Skorska, Marie-Christine Caron, Malgorzata Gozdecka, Zayd Haydar, Martin Walsh, Jayashri Ghosh, Elaine Vaughan-Williams, Paulina Podszywalow-Bartnicka, Anna-Mariya Kukuyan, Sylwia Ziolkowska, Jessica Atkins, Emir Hadzijusufovic, Gurushankar Chandramouly, Reza Nejati, Katarzyna Piwocka, Richard T. Pomerantz, George S. Vassiliou, Brian J.P. Huntly, Peter Valent, Mariusz Wasik, Alfonso Bellacosa, Jean-Yves Masson, Gaorav P. Gupta, Grant A. Challen, Tomasz Skorski

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Myeloid malignancies carrying somatic DNMT3A mutations (DNMT3Amut) are refractory to standard therapy. DNMT3Amut leukemia cells accumulate toxic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and stalled replication forks, rendering them dependent on DNA damage response (DDR). We report here that DNA polymerase theta (Polθ), a key element in DSB repair by end-joining (Polθ-mediated end-joining [TMEJ]) and in fork restarting, promotes survival and proliferation of DNMT3Amut leukemia cells. Polθ is overexpressed in DNMT3Amut leukemia cells due to abrogation of PARP1 PARylation-dependent UBE2O E3 ligase-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of Polθ. In addition, PARP1-mediated recruitment of the SMARCAD1-MSH2/MSH3 repressive complex to DSBs is diminished in …

Primary School Physical Activity Culture In The Uk: Findings From A Four-Month Rapid Ethnography In Three Schools, Robert Walker, Lydia Emm-Collison, Danielle House, Simoona Kent-Saisch, Ruth Salway, Alice Porter, Abi Howard, Tom Reid, Michael Beets Med, Mph, Phd, Frank De Vocht, Russell Jago

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Physical activity is fundamental for children’s health and well-being, yet most children are not active enough. School-based interventions aiming to increase children’s physical activity have largely been ineffective, perhaps due to a lack of consideration of the unique culture within each school. The aim of this paper is to understand the key aspects of physical activity culture in English primary schools using the organizational culture framework.

Methods: A four-month rapid ethnography study was conducted within three primary schools in Bristol, UK, between March and July 2024. The findings draw on observations, interviews, documentary data, photo elicitation, informal conversations and …

Exploring The Influence Of Environmental Motivations On Consumer Attitudes And Purchase Intentions Toward Upcycled Foods, Peng Lu, Jennifer Waldeck, Keith Weber, Hualu Zhou

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

Food loss and waste (FLW) present pressing environmental and economic challenges. Upcycling technologies provide a sustainable pathway by transforming food by-products into value-added products; however, consumer acceptance remains a critical barrier. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study investigates how environmental motivations influence consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions toward milk enriched with upcycled peanut skins. Data were collected from a nationally representative sample of 1488 U.S. adults. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test hypothesized relationships among motivational constructs, and cluster analysis was used to identify consumer segments based on motivational profiles. The results show that intrinsic motivation and …

Structural Brain Analysis In Focal Upper Limb Dystonia, Danilo Donizete De Faria, Artur José Marques Paulo, Joselisa Péres Queiroz De Paiva, Anderson M. Winkler, Vanderci Borges, Sonia Maria Azevedo Silva, Henrique Ballalai Ferraz, Patricia De Carvalho Aguiar

Human Genetics Publications

Prior structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies that investigated structural alterations in focal dystonia have reported inconsistent findings, potentially due to methodological limitations or sample heterogeneity. This work investigates gray and white matter changes in patients with upper limb dystonia using T1-weighted images and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Imaging data collected with MRI at 3T from 28 right-handed individuals with right upper limb dystonia and 29 healthy controls were analyzed. T1-weighted images were analyzed using FreeSurfer to examine cortical thickness, volume and area. DTI data were assessed using tract-based spatial statistics, regions of interest (ROI) analysis and probabilistic tractography. ROI …

Is The Long-Horned Grasshopper Ruspolia Differens (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) A Novel, Nutritious, Functional, And Safe Alternative Food Product? A Review, Margaret Kababu, Collins Mweresa, Dorothy Nakimbugwe, Geoffrey Ssepuuya, Karlmax Rutaro, Nicodemus Matojo, Faith Nyamu, Robert Mbeche, Sevgan Subramanian, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Ruspolia differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) is among the most widely consumed edible insect in Eastern and Central Africa, where it contributes to both household nutrition and income generation. As a nutrient-dense food source, it offers a promising alternative to curb food insecurity and malnutrition. Despite this, the consumption and use of the grasshopper is limited to its seasonal availability when it is collected from the wild. Coupled with this, is limited evidence on its domestication despite research advances to optimize conditions for mass production. This review was conducted to highlight research advances and gaps on production, processing, nutritional profile, and …

Visdb 20: A Manually Curated Resource Of Viral Integration Sites And Their Regulatory Maps In Human Diseases, Citu Citu, Ajeet Singh, Xinyi Liu, Mounika Ashannagari, Rinki Ratnapriya, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The integration of viral sequence into the human genome plays critical role in the onset of various diseases, especially cancers. To facilitate systematic analysis of these events, we present VISDB 2.0, an expanded and updated database of human viral integration sites (VISs). The current release contains more than 270,000 manually curated VISs derived from 209 peer-reviewed publications, covering 11 viruses, including four retroviruses and seven DNA viruses. This represents a 3.5-fold increase in VIS entries compared with the previous version. Each VIS record includes standardized genomic coordinates and annotations describing local genomic context, CpG islands, repetitive elements, chromosomal fragile sites, …

“Blue Rings” In Engelmann Spruce From The Greater Yellowstone Ecoregion: Their Presentation And Efficacy As Proxies For Ephemeral Cooling Events, Isaac Grimm, Maegen Rochner

The Cardinal Edge

As the polar jet stream’s activity transforms under climate change’s influence, short-term, or ephemeral, cooling events could become more frequent. Understanding how such cooling events may affect forest dynamics and tree-growth can allow us to predict how the morphing jet stream may reflect in our future forests. “Blue rings” (BRs) have presented themselves as subsections of annual rings, made clear through the double-staining of microsections of wood, which have been associated with the interruption of conifers’ lignification process. Such features could allow us to peer back into pre-instrumental records and assess how a tree’s growth and their surrounding canopy may …

Filifactor Alocis Disrupts Efferocytosis To Sustain Inflammation In Periodontitis, Ella Dye, Silvia Uriarte, Ruth Idowu

The Cardinal Edge

Background: Filifactor alocis is a Gram-positive, obligate anaerobe that has emerged as a diagnostic marker of periodontitis. Neutrophils and macrophages are key players in oral immune homeostasis. Neutrophils are short-lived cells and constitutively undergo apoptosis. This apoptotic program can be accelerated or delayed by bacterial interactions. Macrophages clear apoptotic neutrophils via “efferocytosis,” a crucial mechanism for resolving inflammation and preventing tissue damage. The efferocytic process downregulates the expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-23 while promoting anti-inflammatory responses. Our previous findings demonstrated that F. alocis delays neutrophil apoptosis, with fewer apoptotic cells observed after 18 …

Activation Of Autophagy In Human Neutrophils In Response To Emerging Oral Pathogen Peptoanaerobacter Stomatis, Mya Philipose, Shikha Srivastava, Silvia Uriarte

The Cardinal Edge

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects over 50% of the global population and is a leading cause of tooth loss. It is associated with the accumulation of oral pathogens that thrive in inflamed environments and contribute to the destruction of gum tissue and underlying bone. Neutrophils, the most abundant immune cells in the oral cavity, serve as the first line of defense against these pathogens. However, some bacteria can alter neutrophil responses to promote their survival, leading to sustained inflammation and tissue damage. This study focuses on Peptoanaerobacter stomatis, a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium that is highly …

Egf Enhances Re-Epithelization In Our Ex-Vivo Pig Eye Model, Andrew D. Le, Lisandra Plana-Ramos, Kate Tarvestad, Brian Ceresa

The Cardinal Edge

The cornea, the foremost anterior portion of the eye, plays a critical role in vision by refracting light and serving as a protective barrier. Its three distinct layers—the outermost epithelial layer, the thick stromal layer, and the innermost endothelial layer work together to maintain corneal transparency and function. The epithelial layer is particularly susceptible to damage, which can compromise the eye’s defense against foreign particles such as bacteria and viruses, potentially leading to infection and blindness. In this study, we established an ex vivo porcine corneal model to quantitatively and qualitatively investigate corneal re-epithelialization. Using adult pig eyes sourced from …

Hsp90 Inhibitor In Reducing Integrated Stress Response In An Experimental Mouse Model Of Spinal Cord Injury, Yousef Abozaid, Aditya Sarkar, Lukasz P. Slomnicki, Michal Hetman

The Cardinal Edge

Spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates a complex cascade of molecular events, including protein misfolding and neuroinflammation, contributing to neural damage and impaired functional recovery. Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90), a critical molecular chaperone involved in cellular stress responses, emerges as a promising therapeutic target to mitigate secondary damage after SCI. This study was designed to validate the in-vivo effects of different doses of HSP90 inhibitor, HSP990-i, administered acutely after moderate T9 SCI mouse model. The level of HSP70 protein level is measured through western blot from the injury epicenter. Adult mice underwent experimental contusive SCI at the T9 level, followed …

Effects Of Phosphorus Addition On Fungal Colonization In Little Bluestem, Isabel M. Zanartu, Alexx Nicholas, Mckenzie Goodwyn, Connor Morozumi

The Cardinal Edge

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a North American perennial grass that is able to tolerate high heat and droughts. This is possible by its extensive underground root network that taps deep into the ground for resources. Within the same soil systems are fungal endophytes, which are symbionts that live within plant tissues including roots. Fungal endophytes can affect host growth and nutrient acquisition, but the functional role these endophytes play in plant health may be dependent on the abiotic conditions the plant is facing. In the modern era, one large driver of abiotic conditions is synthetic fertilizer use which alters …

Light As An Environmental Toxin: Impacts Of Temporal Circadian Misalignment On Physiology, Behavior, And Lifespan In Drosophila, Aubrey Reitzel, Krish Patel, Breanna Beard, Dae-Sung Hwangbo

The Cardinal Edge

In the modern world, we are exposed to irregular light patterns, which can disturb circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are patterns of behavior that operate on a 24-hour cycle and are regulated by the interactions between external signals and the internal circadian clock, which regulates sleep/wake patterns, feeding and sleep behavior, and resistance to starvation. Little is known about the impact of misalignment of these circadian rhythms as related to dietary composition on the lifespan, behaviors, and physiological changes of Drosophila. We hypothesized that circadian misalignment would significantly reduce lifespan and alter behaviors and physiologies. In this study, mated female …