Digital Commons Network^™

Effectiveness Of Organic Amendments In Enriching Nitrogen In Compost Produced From Organic Fractions Of Market Waste Generated In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Amani Bilula, Ally Mahadhy, Anthony Manoni Mshandete, Amelia Kivaisi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Low nitrogen (N) content remains a key limitation of compost derived from urban organic waste. This study evaluated the effectiveness of selected plant-based organic amendments in enhancing nitrogen content and improving compost quality. Four plant- based organic amendments, Leucaena leucocephala (BN01), Commelina benghalensis (BN02), Morus alba (BN03), and Helianthus annuus (sunflower) cake (BN04), were incorporated into market waste compost at ratios of 1:0.06:0.04, 1:0.06:0.25, and 1:0.06:0.5 (organic waste: sawdust: amendment). Composting was conducted using a 4 × 3 factorial design with three replicates per treatment (n = 36). Temperature, moisture, and pH were monitored throughout the composting period. Total nitrogen, …

The Evaluation Of Relationships Between Ecological Factors And Production On Permanent Grassland, Vladimir Krajovic

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

On 42 sites in 10 districts of the Carpathian region of the CSSR, relationships were exam­ined between grassland production and region­al, climatic (precipitation, temperature, solar radiation), and soil conditions (soil type, pH, S, 'r, V, C0., nutrients, and clay fraction). To this, five variants of fertilization were used (0; PK; 120 kg N/ha + PK, 240 kg N/ha + PK; 480 kg N/ha + PK). None of the natural ecofactors is generally characteristic enough for determining an opti­mal production. But the nutrition and the utilization of grass stands are important under each condition. Therefore, a system of differ­entiated grassland management …

Flood Adaptation And Productivity Of Savanna Grasses, E Gonzalez Jimenez, A Escobar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Savannas subjected to seasonal flooding occupy· vast areas of the Tropics. Above-ground bio­mass values for Venezuelan flooded savannas are high and related to the longer availability of water. C3 plants colonized the waterlogged unit and showed the highest productivity and nutritive value. This natural system permits a prolonged grazing season. These first results show the great potential for animal production of this ecosystem, stressing the need for coor­dinated research efforts in order to gain a better understanding of it.

Influence Of Plant Nutrition And Method Of Utilization On The Accumulation And Decomposition Of Root Matter In Meadow Soils, Yan Liyv, Rikhard Toomre

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Root matter formation of forage plants de­pends primarily on soil fertility. In fertile soils and under intensive fertilization less root matter is formed than in soils of low fertility. The decomposition of root matter as influenced by microbiological processes was found to be more intensive under grazing than under mow­ing. The application of high rates of nitrogen fertilizer (more than 200 kg N/ha) over longer periods is likely to cause undesirable changes in the relationship between forage plants and soil microorganisms, this resulting in yield decline and in lower efficiency of the fertilizers applied.

Exploring The High School Experiences Of Black Males With Their Considerations To Enroll In College, Maria Fernandes

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This qualitative study applied a phenomenological research approach to explore the high school experiences of black males with their considerations to enroll in college. The research was guided by social network theory as a lens to understand Black males’ considerations to enroll in college upon high school completion. Ten Black male college students participated in semi-structured interviews, and an analysis of the response data revealed two main themes: 1. socially influenced college enrollment considerations and 2. motivation rooted in self-confidence. The findings in this study highlighted the role authentic interpersonal relationships and self-determination play in Black males’ college enrollment considerations. …

Diabetes At Camp A Beginner’S Guide To Care, Abby Hollander, Stephanie Kassels

CompassPoint

No abstract provided.

Spring 2024 - Volume 34, Number 1, Compass Point

CompassPoint

No abstract provided.

Explainable Machine Learning Revealing The Impact Of Mental And Physical Health On Arthritis, Ma Shams, S Fatema, Dmh Islam, A Datta, David Eisenberg, Dt Mridula, J Mawa, A Sultana, N Ahmed, M Islam, Ts Pias

Department of Information Management and Business Analytics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Objectives To develop a robust and interpretable machine learning framework for arthritis risk prediction and to identify important risk factors associated with the disease.Methods This study used four datasets, which are Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2019, BRFSS 2021, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2020 and NHIS 2022. We evaluated 11 machine learning and deep learning architectures including a custom stacked ensemble combined with five resampling techniques to address class imbalance and 9 imputation methods to handle missing data. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity and balanced accuracy are used to evaluate model performance, with …

Defining Life: A Conversation, K. Kofman, C. Adami, F. Baluška, J. Bongard, D. Brash, P. Calvo, G. Dodig-Crnkovic, P. Das, C. Fields, T. Froese, P. L. Gentili, G. Y. Georgiev, Scott F. Gilbert, T. N. W. Jackson, S. Kauffman, N. Lane, P. Marshall, D. Mcshea, W. Miller, S. Newman, A. Nunn, T. P. Pavlic, M. Picard, W. Ratcliff, A. Reber, J. Shapiro, A. Sloman, R. Solé, C. Sonnenschein, S. Stepney, R. Watson, O. Witkowski, M. Levin

Biology Faculty Works

Life is one of the most fascinating features of the physical world. Despite centuries of scientific study, experts still disagree about the definition, and even the possibility or utility of a definition, of this field. In a recent paper, we used AI to analyze the conceptual space formed by definitions of life given by a select set of modern workers in the life sciences and related fields. However, some of the most interesting material emerged as real-time conversations among those polled. In order to ensure that these ideas are not lost to the peer-reviewed scientific record, we here provide a …

Integrating Nutrition And Stress Into Life History Stages Of Wild Free-Ranging Female Pronghorn, Cole A. Bleke, Eric M. Gese, Juan J. Villalba, Shane B. Roberts, Susannah S. French

Wildland Resources Student Research

Studies addressing seasonal changes in diet quality and hormones are important for understanding the interactions between ecology and physiology. We collected fecal samples from free-ranging adult female pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) to examine the relationships between indicators of nutrition and glucocorticoid activity. This occurred during three population-level, life-history-correlated sampling periods across five subpopulations. We evaluated nutrition via fecal nitrogen, fecal 2,6-diaminopimelic acid (DAPA), and assessed glucocorticoid activity using fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM). We found positive relationships between fecal nitrogen and DAPA, whereas DAPA and fecal nitrogen with FGM varied in influence and strength, depending upon life history stage. Generally, …

Legal Deserts Over Time, Cory L. Dodds

Maine Law Review

Legal deserts—counties with exceptionally low attorney availability—shape housing stability, personal safety, health outcomes, and economic security in rural communities. Yet, national scholarship has not yet determined whether attorney scarcity is transient or durable and relies largely on cross-sectional snapshots and population-based headcounts benchmarked to the American Bar Association’s (ABA) threshold of one attorney per 1,000 residents. These measures can obscure temporal dynamics, overstate functional supply, and embed contested normative assumptions about adequacy. This Article offers a national, longitudinal, and definition-sensitive analysis of legal deserts using county-level data from the forty-eight contiguous states at three observation points. Attorney supply is measured …

Evaluation Of Diclazuril And Amprolium Against Eimeria Spp. In Vietnamese Broilers: Implications For Intestinal Integrity And Claudin Gene Expression, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Pham Hoang Son Hung, Le Dinh Phung, Le Duc Thao, Nguyen Van Chao, Tran Thi Na, Tran Cao My Linh, Ho Thi Dung

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study aimed to assess the resistance status of Eimeria spp. in Vietnam to diclazuril and amprolium and to evaluate their effects on intestinal recovery following infection. One hundred 12-day-old chicks were randomly allotted to four groups: a non-infected negative control (NC), an infected untreated as positive control (PC), an infected group treated with diclazuril (DI), and an infected group treated with amprolium (AM). At day 14, chicks from all groups except NC were orally challenged with 2 × 10⁴ sporulated Eimeria oocysts (E. tenella, E. maxima, E. acervulina, and E. mitis). On day 7 …

African American Women’S Perceptions And Experiences With Weight Management And Ensuing Health Outcomes, Brenda Louise Gill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women (AAW) experience disproportionately high rates of obesity and chronic disease compared to all other demographic groups in the United States. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of AAW aged 36–64 residing in Nashville, Tennessee, regarding food, weight management, and chronic disease management. The social-ecological model (SEM) served as the theoretical framework, providing a multilevel lens through which individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal factors are examined. Three research questions guided the inquiry, examining individual-level experiences, parental and caregivers’ influences, and community and societal-level factors shaping participants’ relationship with food, weight management, …

Usa V. Darrell Devonish

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Food As Medicine: Effects Of A Culinary Medicine Food-Demonstration On Medical Students' Nutrition Knowledge, Confidence, And Satisfaction: An Exploratory Pilot Non-Randomized Pre-Post Intervention Study., Niayesh Mardmomen, Cyrus Fatemi, Olivia K Smith, Michael B. Roberts, Farzaneh Daghigh

PCOM Scholarly Works

Background: Diet plays a central role in the development of chronic diseases, making nutrition-focused interventions a powerful tool for improving population health. However, substantial gaps in nutrition education persist in the U.S. medical education, and medical students frequently report receiving limited nutrition training despite its importance in patient care. Methods: A non-randomized pre-post intervention study with a one-month follow-up was conducted among osteopathic medical students. Participants attended a culinary medicine food-demonstration featuring five case-based topics and three chef-prepared recipes. Nutrition knowledge, satisfaction with nutrition education, confidence in nutrition counseling, and personal nutrition-related behaviors were assessed at baseline, immediately …

Extrafloral Nectaries In Woody Plants: Toward An Integrated Framework For Ant-Mediated Plant Defense, Fangming Liu, Qifei Cai, Victor Busov, Zhen Liu

Michigan Tech Publications

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs)—secretory structures that recruit predatory arthropods as indirect defenders against herbivory—have been studied almost exclusively in herbaceous systems, leaving a critical gap in our understanding of plant defense in woody plants. In trees, secondary growth, ontogenetic regulation, and seasonal phenology generate structural and temporal heterogeneity in EFN expression poorly captured by existing frameworks. We synthesize evidence across structural, chemical, and functional dimensions of EFN biology to develop an integrated framework for perennial trees. Our analysis suggests that methodological limitations in EFN detection likely bias the current chemical record of woody EFNs, while incomplete chemical characterization constrains the evaluation …

Psychotropic Medication Use In Older Adults In A Long-Term Care Facility: Implications For Screening Tool, Callie M. Johnson

Dissertations

Psychotropic medication use in older adults aged 65 years and older residing in the long-term care facility has a complex issue in the high use of psychotropic medications. Older adults residing  in long-term care (LTC) facilities are affected and prescribed at least one psychotropic or antidepressant medication.

Extrafloral Nectaries In Woody Plants: Toward An Integrated Framework For Ant-Mediated Plant Defense, Fangming Liu, Qifei Cai, Victor Busov, Zhen Liu

Michigan Tech Publications

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs)-secretory structures that recruit predatory arthropods as indirect defenders against herbivory-have been studied almost exclusively in herbaceous systems, leaving a critical gap in our understanding of plant defense in woody plants. In trees, secondary growth, ontogenetic regulation, and seasonal phenology generate structural and temporal heterogeneity in EFN expression poorly captured by existing frameworks. We synthesize evidence across structural, chemical, and functional dimensions of EFN biology to develop an integrated framework for perennial trees. Our analysis suggests that methodological limitations in EFN detection likely bias the current chemical record of woody EFNs, while incomplete chemical characterization constrains the evaluation …

The Stigma Experiences Of The African American Transgender Individual In Mental Health Settings, Linda Shaw Henley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The intersection of race, gender identity, and systemic marginalization has profound implications for mental health outcomes, particularly among African American transgender individuals. Addressing African American transgender individuals’ stigma experiences in mental health settings is important because transgender individuals have dual minority statuses, wherein racism, stigma, transphobia, and institutional neglect converge, significantly impacting their access to affirming and effective mental health treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the stigma experiences of the African American transgender individual in mental health settings. The phenomenon of interest in this study was stigma experiences in mental health settings with mental health providers. …

Implementation Of A Follow-Up Call To Improve Glp-1 Medication Compliance, Hanna Weitzman-Flanigan

DNP and Student Works

Background: Obesity is a major driver of healthcare spending in the United States. GLP-1 receptor agonists are effective for weight management; however, high rates of early discontinuation reduce both clinical and economic value.

Methods: A pre–post quality improvement project implemented a nurse-led follow-up call at four weeks.

Results: Adherence improved significantly (p=0.009), weight decreased by 10 pounds (p=0.023), and estimated annual savings per patient were $6,472, contingent on sustained long-term adherence. Total estimated project savings were $80,141.

Conclusion: Nurse-led follow-up calls are a high-value intervention supporting economic sustainability.

Full Issue: Summer 2026

DePaul Magazine

In DePaul Magazine's summer 2026 issue, learn how DePaul is living its Vincentian mission through innovative community engagement and service learning, exemplified by its Irwin W. Steans Center and Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy graduate programs. Also, meet alumna Kate Steinberg who revisits her youth and DePaul days as a rising social media influencer, get the latest news from DePaul's 10 colleges and schools, and much more.

Campaign Corner

DePaul Magazine

Learn more about DePaul's ambitious Mission: Forward philanthropic campaign, including its collaborative leadership structure, two landmark gifts benefiting the university's Catholic mission and School of Music, and an imminent, state-of-the-art basketball practice facility.

Fecal Fatty Acids And Other Risk Factors Associated With Multiple Sclerosis Score, Progression And Diagnosis Among Hispanic Adults, Juliana Ayala-Viqueira

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition with insufficient research regarding risk factors influencing MS severity score (MSSS), progression and diagnosis among Hispanic adults living in the United States. This cross-sectional study assessed factors associated with MS score, progression and diagnosis using secondary data from the International Multiple Sclerosis Microbiome Study (iMSMS). Guided by the ecological model, the study included N = 576 participants with MS. Manuscript 1 explored the association between body mass index (BMI), sodium consumption, and the MS severity score in a Hispanic adult population. A multiple linear regression was conducted to examine whether age and …

Women Refugees & Immigrants: What Utahns Need To Know, Susan R. Madsen, Deborah Lin

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Refugee and immigrant women are an integral part of Utah’s communities, contributing as neighbors, workers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and advocates. They enrich our state through their diverse perspectives, experiences, and talents. Utah has a long tradition of welcoming newcomers, and our communities are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to belong and contribute. At the same time, research shows that many of the challenges facing Utah women and girls disproportionately affect refugee and immigrant women. Understanding the experiences, needs, and contributions of these women is essential to fostering welcoming, supportive communities so that all Utah women and girls can thrive.

Tips For Growing Garden Vegetables In Utah: Soil Fertilization, Gastone Makalaya, Josh Martin, Milena Oliveira

All Current Publications

A successful vegetable garden requires precise nutrient management to achieve maximum yields. Fertilization must provide adequate nutrients to support plant growth throughout the season. Fertilizer applications should be based on soil test recommendations and crop nutrient requirements. This fact sheet provides Utah gardeners with practical guidance and tips on soil fertilization for vegetable gardening.

The Impact Of One-To-One Peer Support On Mothers’ Personal Breastfeeding Goals And Emotional Well-Being: A Scoping Review, Khayla Timothy, Elizabeth J. O’Sullivan, Áine O’Connor

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Objective: To examine the impact of one-to-one peer support on mothers’ personal breastfeeding goals. Design: Scoping review guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework and reported in accordance with PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Qualitative data were analysed using descriptive content analysis. Quantitative data were analysed by identifying numerical trends and recurring patterns, and a concise overview of key descriptive findings was provided using frequency counts and proportions. Setting: Studies conducted across ten countries globally, identified through systematic searches of seven electronic databases and screening of reference lists. Participants: Thirty-eight studies were included: twenty quantitative, seven qualitative, six mixed …

The Outcome Of Thrombectomy Can Be Improved By Shortening The Door-To-Needle And The Onset-To-Door Time, Sounira Mehri, Josef Finsterer

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Awareness Of The Mediterranean Diet And Its Perceived Effect On Cardiovascular Health In The Western Region, Saudi Arabia, Abdullah M. Alharbi, Mohammed S. Alsaedi, Mutaz S. Alharbi, Faisal F. Almutairi, Adeeb M. Aloufi, Azzam M. Alharbi, Rakan D. Alsaedi, Hatim F. Alhejaili, Motasem M. Alyamani

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To increase awareness of mediterranean diet (MD) and its perceived effects on cardiovascular health, enhance knowledge and inform public health efforts aimed at improving the population's health outcomes of. The MD comprises heart-healthy eating patterns high in vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and fruits. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved adult participants who were living in the Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected online through social media platforms, then cleaned, coded, and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21 to generate key insights. Results: A total of 390 participants were included …

Dietary Fat Intake And Its Influence On The Association Between Liver Fat And Brain Choline Metabolism In Young Saudi Women, Halima S. Hawesa, Mansour E. Shanawani, Haya A. Alshegri, Mahasin G. Hassan, Amal I. Alorainy, Nouf A. Alroqaiba, Shanoo G. A. Sheikh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: Fat-rich nutrition may influence the neurochemical consequences of hepatic lipid accumulation. This study examined whether percent energy from fat modifies the association between liver fat and the brain (Cho/Cr) ratio in healthy young women. Methods: A total of 109 healthy Saudi women aged 18–25 years underwent brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) to quantify Cho/Cr ratios. Liver fat was estimated using MRI-based proton density fat fraction (PDFF), and lipid intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable regression models tested the interaction between liver fat and fat-derived energy intake, followed by simple slopes analysis, regression …

Emerging Strategies For Cardio-Renal Protection Beyond Raas Blockade: Emphasis On Non-Diabetic Ckd And Resistant Hypertension, Fahad S. Alrashidi

Saudi Medical Journal

Non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) complicated by resistant hypertension remains a high-risk phenotype even when renin–angiotensin system blockade is optimized. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence for cardio-renal protection beyond traditional renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition (RAASi), with emphasis on mechanisms, clinical trial data, and pragmatic sequencing. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors provide hemodynamic and tubular benefits that translate into renal and heart failure risk reduction in many patients with ND-CKD. Non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism (MRA) like finerenone targets inflammatory and fibrotic signaling and may add incremental benefit when potassium is proactively managed. The GLP-1 receptor agonists offer cardiometabolic advantages with emerging kidney signals, …