Digital Commons Network^™

A Modified Lean And Release Technique To Emphasize Response Inhibition And Action Selection In Reactive Balance, David A.E. Bolton, Manhoud Mansour

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Assessment of reactive balance traditionally imposes some type of perturbation to upright stance or gait followed by measurement of the resultant corrective behavior. These measures include muscle responses, limb movements, ground reaction forces, and even direct neurophysiological measures such as electroencephalography. Using this approach, researchers and clinicians can infer some basic principles regarding how the nervous system controls balance to avoid a fall. One limitation with the way in which these assessments are currently used is that they heavily emphasize reflexive actions without any need to revise automatic postural reactions. Such an exclusive focus on these highly stereotypical reactions would …

Scaling Human Fiber Intakes For Mouse Microbiome Studies, Robert E. Ward

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Puma Occupancy Indicate Prey Vulnerability Is More Important Than Prey Availability In A Highly Fragmented Landscape, Courtney A. C. Coon, Peter J. Mahoney, Emilie Edelblutte, Zara Mcdonald, David C. Stoner

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Habitat fragmentation represents the single greatest conservation challenge of the 21st century. This problem is particularly acute for large, obligate carnivores like pumas Puma concolor which have persisted in North and South America in the face of habitat fragmentation and other anthropogenic disturbances. Shrinking habitat and reduced connectivity mean that mapping habitat is increasingly important for species conservation in multiple-use landscapes. Previous work suggests that pumas occupy habitats where sufficient stalking cover and preferred prey are present, yet the intersection of these factors has rarely been assessed. Here we used data from 68 299 camera trap nights collected from 181 …

Faculty Award Winners Recognized At Awards Banquet, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

March 16, 2019 — The College of Engineering extends its congratulations to the two faculty award winners recognized at the Engineers Week Awards Banquet.

Imported Fire Ants, Ryan Davis, Ann Mull, Lori R. Spears

All Current Publications

Imported fire ants (Order Hymenoptera, Family Formicidae) (IFA) are social insects representing two South American ant species: the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) and black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri Forel), along with their hybrid offspring. IFA are native to South America, where their colonies are kept in check by native competitors, predators, and parasites. However, they have invaded other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., causing agricultural, ecological, economical, nuisance, and public health problems, which are described in more detail in this fact sheet. Management is also addressed.

The Utah Statesman, March 10, 2020, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Adaptability Of Tree Species As Windbreaks For Urban Farms In The U.S. Intermountain West, Sheriden M. Hansen, Jaydee Gunnell, Anthony Whaley, Xin Dai, Cole Harding, Brent L. Black

Extension Research

Windbreaks or shelterbelts are a management tool to protect crops from damaging horizontal wind flow, and may provide a useful buffer between farmland and urbanized areas by reducing pesticide drift, dust, and noise associated with farming activities. Plant selection for windbreaks in the Intermountain West can be difficult as high elevation coupled with extreme temperatures, high pH soils, and limited access to water are common. This study assessed eight tree species for suitability as a windbreak in the Intermountain West, with a particular focus on initial establishment and use at the urban–agriculture interface. Species were assessed for mortality, size, canopy …

Shrub Size Modulates Resource Heterogeneity In A Sagebrush-Steppe Ecosystem, Lin Liu, Kari E. Veblen, Thomas A. Monaco

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Shrubs create heterogeneity in resource availability, yet the influences of shrub age and size on these conditions in semiarid ecosystems is largely unknown. In order to inform restoration and conservation efforts in global shrub-steppe ecosystems that are currently imperiled, we assessed plant age-size relationships within an Artemisia tridentata stand in southern Idaho, USA, and examined the dependence of 2 resources, soil water content (SWC) and light at the soil surface (photosynthetically active radiation [PAR]), on size of individual plants in understory and interspace microsites. Results included a positive relationship between shrub age and size, a median shrub age of 19 …

Gestational Age At Birth And Risk Of Developmental Delay: The Upstate Kids Study, Kimberly A. Hochstedler, Griffith Bell, Hyojun Park, Akhgar Ghassabian, Erin M. Bell, Rajeshwari Sundaram, Katherine L. Grantz, Edwina H. Yeung

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Objective—To model the association between gestational age at birth and early child development through 3 years of age.

Study Design—Development of 5868 children in Upstate KIDS (New York State; 2008–2014) was assessed at 7 time-points using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The ASQ was implemented using gestational age corrected dates of birth at 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months. Whether children were eligible for developmental services from the Early Intervention Program (EIP) was determined through linkage. Gestational age was based on vital records. Statistical models adjusted for covariates including sociodemographic factors, maternal smoking and …

Expanding Your Customer Base To Low-Income Populations: Snap Basics & Marketing, Regan Emmons, Kelsey Hall, Roslynn Brain Mccann

Applied Sciences, Technology and Education Faculty Publications

Full representation of a community shopping at farmers markets, farm stands or belonging to a community supported agriculture (CSA) program entails reaching low-income community members. Farmers markets, farm stands, and CSA models that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and offer SNAP incentive programs, such as Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), are emerging to help low-income individuals access local products. They also connect growers with new customers. This workshop will provide research-based information on 1. strengthening your marketing techniques, 2. benefits of accepting SNAP and incentives, like DUFB, and 3. how market managers, farm stands, and CSA growers might …

Summer Research Internships In Agricultural Biotechnology For Off-Campus Undergraduate Students, Aaron J. Thomas

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Why Are Some Cases Not On Track? An Item Analysis Of The Assessment For Signal Cases During Inpatient Psychotherapy, Thomas Probst, Maria Kleinstäuber, Michael J. Lambert, Karin Tritt, Christoph Pieh, Thomas H. Loew, Reiner W. Dahlbender, Jamie Delgadillo

Psychology Faculty Publications

Within the Routine Outcome Monitoring system “OQ-Analyst,” the questionnaire “Assessment for Signal Cases” (ASC) supports therapists in detecting potential reasons for not-on-track trajectories. Factor analysis and a machine learning algorithm (LASSO with 10-fold cross-validation) were applied, and potential predictors of not-on-track classifications were tested using logistic multilevel modeling methods. The factor analysis revealed a shortened (30 items) version of the ASC with good internal consistency (α = 0.72–0.89) and excellent predictive value (area under the curve = 0.98; positive predictive value = 0.95; negative predictive value = 0.94). Item-level analyses showed that interpersonal problems captured by specific ASC items (not …

What Therapists Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Utah Girls And Women, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2020 gathering of 25 therapists and other mental health practitioners. As society becomes more aware of how mental health impacts overall wellbeing, therapists will play an increasingly influential role, not only to their clients, but in the broader community as well.

Genetic Parameters Of Growth And Adaptive Traits In Aspen (Populus Tremuloides): Implications For Tree Breeding In A Warming World, Chen Ding, Andreas Hamann, Rong-Cai Yang, Jean S. Brouard

Aspen Bibliography

Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) is a widespread commercial forest tree of high economic importance in western Canada and has been subject to tree improvement efforts over the past two decades. Such improvement programs rely on accurate estimates of the genetic gain in growth traits and correlated response in adaptive traits that are important for forest health. Here, we estimated genetic parameters in 10 progeny trials containing >30,000 trees with pedigree structures based on a partial factorial mating design that includes 60 half-sibs, 100 full-sib families and 1,400 clonally replicated genotypes. Estimated narrow-sense and broad-sense heritabilities were low for height …

Food Matrix And The Microbiome: Considerations For Preclinical Chronic Disease Studies, Robert E. Ward, Abby D. Benninghoff, Korry J. Hintze

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Animal models of chronic disease are continuously being refined and have evolved with the goal of increasing the translation of results to human populations. Examples of this progress include transgenic models and germ-free animals conventionalized with human microbiota. The gut microbiome is involved in the etiology of several chronic diseases. Therefore, consideration of the experimental conditions that may affect the gut microbiome in preclinical disease is very important. Of note, diet plays a large role in shaping the gut microbiome and can be a source of variation between animal models and human populations. Traditionally, nutrition researchers have focused on manipulating …

The Utah Statesman, February 25, 2020, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Living Cell Imaging Technique Sheds Light On Molecular View Of Obesity, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Utah State University researchers develop probes to help improve techniques to test drugs for obesity-related conditions.

Initial Development Of Corn Seedlings After Seed Priming With Nanoscale Synthetic Zinc Oxide, Michel Esper Neto, David W. Britt, Lorena Moreira Lara, Anthony Cartwright, Rayssa Fernanda De Santos, Tadeu Takeyoshi Inoue, Marcelo Augusto Batista

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Nanofertilizers are increasingly explored for sustainable micronutrient delivery in agriculture. Pre-treating seeds with nanofertilizers prior to planting (i.e., seed priming) reduces concerns about nanoparticle (NP) fertilizer non-target dispersion; however, priming formulations and concentrations must be carefully selected to avoid germination inhibition and toxicity. Here we investigate changes in corn seed germination and seedling development after seed priming with ZnO NPs, ZnO bulk and ZnCl₂. To evaluate the effects sterile seeds were immersed in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg L⁻¹ Zn for the three Zn sources. Following an 8 h priming the seeds were …

Consumption Of The Total Western Diet Promotes Colitis And Inflammation-Associated Colorectal Cancer In Mice, Abby D. Benninghoff, Korry J. Hintze, Stephany P. Monsanto, Daphne Michelle Rodriguez Jimenez, Ashli H. Hunter, Sumira Phatak, James J. Pestka, Arnaud J. Van Wettere, Robert E. Ward

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Consumption of a Western type diet is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer. Our group previously developed the total Western diet (TWD) for rodents with energy and nutrient profiles that emulate a typical Western diet. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that consumption of the TWD would enhance colitis, delay recovery from gut injury and promote colon tumorigenesis. In multiple experiments using the azoxymethane + dextran sodium sulfate or Apc^Min/+ mouse models of colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis (CAC), we determined that mice fed TWD experienced more severe and more prolonged colitis compared to their counterparts fed the standard …

Data From: Consumption Of The Total Western Diet Promotes Colitis And Inflammation-Associated Colorectal Cancer In Mice, Abby D. Benninghoff

Browse all Datasets

Gene expression data for colon tissues obtained prior to, during, and after onset of colitis in mice fed either a standard or Western type diet.

File 1: probe annotations.

File 2: nSolver differential expression analysis results.

File 3: Gene set analysis

File 4: nSolver pathway scores

File 5: STRING-db networks and clusters

File 6: Metascape ontology results

File 7: nSolver cell type profiling scores

Teaching Listening Skills With Digital Resources To Ells, Ekaterina Arshavskaya

Course Materials

These are open-source instructional materials designed for intermediate/high-intermediate and advanced learners of English. The materials feature multiple online resources and help students improve listening comprehension by practicing note-taking skills and listening strategies in a variety of contexts (e.g., podcasts, movies, lecture excerpts).

Emerging Priorities For Microbiome Research, Chad M. Cullen, Kawalpreet K. Aneja, Sinem Beyhan, Clara E. Cho, Stephen Woloszynek, Matteo Convertino, Sophie J. Mccoy, Yanyan Zhang, Matthew Z. Anderson, David Alvarez-Ponce, Ekaterina Smirnova, Lisa Karstens, Pieter C. Dorrestein, Hongzhe Li, Ananya Sen Gupta, Et Al.

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Microbiome research has increased dramatically in recent years, driven by advances in technology and significant reductions in the cost of analysis. Such research has unlocked a wealth of data, which has yielded tremendous insight into the nature of the microbial communities, including their interactions and effects, both within a host and in an external environment as part of an ecological community. Understanding the role of microbiota, including their dynamic interactions with their hosts and other microbes, can enable the engineering of new diagnostic techniques and interventional strategies that can be used in a diverse spectrum of fields, spanning from ecology …

Invasive Vegetation Affects Amphibian Skin Microbiota And Body Condition, Obed HernáNdez-GóMez, Allison Q. Byrne, Alex R. Gunderson, Thomas S. Jenkinson, Clay F. Noss, Andrew P. Rothstein, Molly C. Womack, Erica B. Rosenblum

Biology Faculty Publications

Invasive plants are major drivers of habitat modification and the scale of their impact is increasing globally as anthropogenic activities facilitate their spread. In California, an invasive plant genus of great concern is Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus leaves can alter soil chemistry and negatively affect underground macro- and microbial communities. Amphibians serve as excellent models to evaluate the effect of Eucalyptus invasion on ground-dwelling species as they predate on soil arthropods and incorporate soil microbes into their microbiotas. The skin microbiota is particularly important to amphibian health, suggesting that invasive plant species could ultimately affect amphibian populations. To investigate the potential for …

The Utah Statesman, February 18, 2020, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Interviews With Philip Barlow And Patrick Q. Mason, Philip Barlow, Patrick Q. Mason

Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies

Editor's interview with Philip Barlow and Patrick Q. Mason.

From Loving To Obergefell And Beyond: Plural Marriage As The Next Sexual Justice Issue, Philippa Juliet Meek

Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies

In 1967, the Supreme Court of the United States unanimously ruled that anti-miscegenation laws were unconstitutional, citing the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The ruling struck down laws in sixteen states that banned inter-racial marriage and overturned an earlier 1883 Supreme Court ruling; Pace v. Alabama. Richard Loving, a white man, and his wife Mildred, a woman of colour, had been sentenced to a year in prison for marrying contrary to Virginia law; their sentence was suspended upon condition that they leave the state and not return for at least …

Imw Journal Of Religious Studies Volume 10 Number 1

Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies

No abstract provided.

Stoichiometric And Stable Isotope Ratios Of Wild Lizards In An Urban Landscape Vary With Reproduction, Physiology, Space And Time, Andrew M. Durso, Geoffrey David Smith, Spencer B. Hudson, Susannah S. French

Ecology Center Publications

Spatial and temporal variation in stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of animals contains ecological information that we are just beginning to understand. In both field and lab studies, stoichiometric or isotopic ratios are related to physiological mechanisms underlying nutrition or stress. Conservation and ecosystem ecology may be informed by isotopic data that can be rapidly and non-lethally collected from wild animals, especially where human activity leaves an isotopic signature (e.g. via introduction of chemical fertilizers, ornamental or other non-native plants or organic detritus). We examined spatial and temporal variation in stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of the toes of Uta …

Socio-Psychological Impacts Of Hydraulic Fracturing On Community Health And Well-Being, Mehmet Soyer, Kylen Kaminski, Sebahattin Ziyanak

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

At the core of the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) debate is the level of perceived risk involved with extractive industries, such as the release of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, increased population growth, and truck traffic. However, industry supporters of fracking acclaim the benefits of oil and gas drilling, such as energy independence and economic gains. In this study, we examine the perceived impacts of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on community health and well-being based on interviews with anti-fracking activists in Denton, Texas who were active in the “anti-fracking” community organization, Frack Free Denton (FFD). Emergent from the interviews, we discuss the socio-psychological …

Sensitivity Of Landsat 7 & 8-Derived Vegetation Indices On Semi-Arid Rangelands Of Southwestern Uzbekistan, Toshpulot F. Rajabov, R. Douglas Ramsey, Bakhtiyor K. Mardonov, Muthor G. Nasirov, Tashkhanim Rakhimova, Shuhrat A. Valiev

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Consistent use of vegetation indices (VIs) for monitoring rangeland ecosystems in Middle Asia, and particularly Uzbekistan has been limited. In the face of intense rangeland degradation in Uzbekistan, understanding the applicability of VIs is an immediate priority for the assessment of the current state of these rangelands. This article focuses on comparing and evaluating the potential of five intensively used VIs (NDVI, SAVI, EVI, PVI and TSAVI) to detect changes in condition and productivity of Artemisia spp. rangelands across different seasons and years. The results indicate a high degree of similarity in the response of the tested VIs when multi-season …