Digital Commons Network^™

Comparison Of The Mars And Xgboost Algorithms For Predicting Body Weight In Kalahari Red Goats, Louis Thobela Tyasi, Cem Tirink, Kwena Mokoena, Hasan Önder, Uğur Şen, Demet Çanga Boğa, Tolga Tolun, İsmai̇l Gök, Yüksel Aksoy, Lütfi̇ Bayyurt, Ömer Faruk Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Estimating goat body weight from morphometric traits is essential for growth monitoring, health management, and welfare. Accurate weight informs nutrition, clinical interventions, and mating decisions. In this study, the MARS and XGBoost algorithms were used to estimate the live weight of Kalahari Red goats based on body measurements. A dataset containing body length (BL), birth type (single, twin, or triplet), withers height (WH), rump height (RH), and heart girth (HG) information for 200 goats was used in the training and testing of the models. The performances of the models were evaluated with the goodness-of-fit criteria. XGBoost showed a performance of …

Hatchability And Nestling Viability In An Extremely Short-Beaked Pigeon Breed, Türker Savaş, Hakan Erdem, Cemi̇l Tölü

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The selection of hobby animals for breeding by enthusiasts is often based on aesthetic considerations, which can have a negative impact on the animals’ biology. Furthermore, “extreme traits” that deviate from ancestral norms, such as short beaks in pigeons, can be detrimental to the animal’s welfare. Beaks perform many essential functions, such as facilitating feed intake and eggshell breaking. The present study investigates possible hatching problems and the nestling viability of short-beak pigeons through a study of the breeding records of Mısıri (short beak), Baska (medium beak), and Turkish Dönek (normal beak) pigeons, as well as data from one breeding …

Determination Of Cortisol Concentrations Using Different Biomarkers In Dairy Goats During Pregnancy, Fatma Mi̇ra Güven, Erkan Pehli̇van

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Pregnancy is considered one of the most physiologically stressful periods in mammals. In the present study, serum and hair cortisol concentrations were measured in nine female Akkeçi goats, including five primiparous (1.5 years old) and four multiparous (3.5 years old), to evaluate chronic stress during pregnancy. Hair samples were collected in October, November, and December following the introduction of bucks to the herd and within the first 12 h postpartum (corresponding to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th sampling times). Hair samples were not collected in January, February, or March (the 4th, 5th, and 6th sampling times) due to insufficient …

Effects Of Zinc-Reinforced Clinoptilolite On Hematological Parameters, Igg Levels, And Enzyme Histochemistry In Fattening Lambs, İhsan Kisadere, Muhi̇tti̇n Zengi̇n, Özkan Demi̇rbaş, Mehmet Faruk Aydin

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The study aimed to determine the effects of zinc-reinforced clinoptilolite supplementation to the diet on selected hematological parameters, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, and enzyme histochemical characteristics in fattening lambs. For this purpose, 40 healthy male lambs were randomly allocated into five equal groups: control (C; n = 8), natural clinoptilolite (NC; n = 8), zinc (ZN; n = 8), natural clinoptilolite plus zinc (NCZN; n = 8), and zinc-reinforced clinoptilolite (ZNRC; n = 8). All animals were housed in individual pens, and the supplementation period continued for 42 days. Blood samples were collected before the trial (day 0) and …

Queer Approaches To Tolkien: Essays On The Many Paths To Middle-Earth (2025), Edited By Robin Anne Reid, Christopher Vaccaro, And Stephen Yandell, Taylor Driggers

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review, by Taylor Driggers, of Queer Approaches to Tolkien: Essays on the Many Paths to Middle-earth (2025), edited by Robin Anne Reid, Christopher Vaccaro, and Stephen Yandell

Trauma-Informed Collaborative Care In Adolescent And Young Adult (Aya) Oncology Survivorship Patients, Haleigh Mistry, Jessica Blanc

Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

No abstract provided.

Comparing Anatomical Imaging With Functional Imaging For Coronary Artery Disease: The Limitations Of Vessel Stenosis And The Benefits Of Non-Invasive Measurement Of Fractional Flow Reserve, Zachary Zajac, Laura Aravena, Madeline Simone, David R. Allen Lll, Pranally Desai, Chanel Harvey, Nolan Tews, Nickolas Vinokurov

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report appraising

Neglia D, Rovai D, Caselli C, Pietila M, Teresinska A, Aguadé-Bruix S, et al. Detection of Significant Coronary Artery Disease by Noninvasive Anatomical and Functional Imaging. Circ: Cardiovascular Imaging. 2015;8(3):e002179. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.114.002179

for a stable hospitalized patient admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rule out.

Tetramethylbenzidine Loaded Pva Nanofibers Strip For Visual Detection Of Hydrogen Peroxide Via Cu2+ Catalysis And Its Applications, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background Advancements in sensor technology have facilitated the development of cost-effective and highly sensitive sensors which have significantly improved the detection of biological analytes in various fields. This study presents a novel approach for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a critical analyte in both biological and environmental systems. A simple and sensitive colorimetric sensing platform was developed based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Results The nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, confirming the formation of smooth, spindle-shaped fibers with diameters from 324 to 551 nm. The colorimetric detection method utilized TMB, which undergoes oxidation …

Gli Weekly, February 24, 2026, Franke Global Leadership Initiative

GLI Weekly

Advising Information -- Beyond the Classroom Experience Planning -- We're recruiting a VISTA for the Franke GLI -- Graduating Senior Corner -- Flathead Biological Station Summer '26 Courses: Application Now Open! -- Food and Agriculture Organization Internship Program -- Eating with Understanding -- Bee Positive Missoula -- Rooted: Connect with Nature -- Soft Landing Volunteer Opportunity -- SpectrUM Cultural Ambassador -- VolunteerUM -- BASL Night with the BSU & Signing Grizz -- SARC, "What Were You Wearing?" -- Bear Necessities, Is it your first time on Earth? Us, too! -- UM Choral Program: Stronger Together -- Vista opportunities, including with …

Microbiome-Responsive Hydrogels: From Biological Cues To Smart Biomaterials, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Ajoy Koomer, Judy Weng, Matthew Ernest Ghilarducci, Alai Qudus, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRHs) are smart polymeric materials that undergo reversible physicochemical changes in response to abiotic cues and externally applied fields, enabling applications in drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. However, they exhibit limited biological specificity and do not adequately reflect the dynamic, disease-relevant complexity of native tissue microenvironments. Microbe-colonized tissues display distinctive biochemical features driven, shaped by microbial metabolism, including localized pH gradients, short-chain fatty acid production, secretion of quorum-sensing molecules, biofilm formation, and expression of specialized enzymes. These endogenous, spatiotemporally regulated signals are closely linked to host physiology and pathology but remain underutilized in hydrogel …

Evidentiary Standards For Newly Approved Antibiotics For Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections, Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, John H. Powers Iii

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Importance: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections and are typically treated with existing oral antibiotics. In 2024–2025, the FDA approved two new oral agents, sulopenem etzadroxil/probenecid and gepotidacin, via expedited review pathways, for the treatment of uUTIs. Objective: To assess the clinical significance and regulatory evidence supporting FDA approval of sulopenem/probenecid and gepotidacin for uUTI, and to analyze the adherence of pivotal phase III trials to regulatory standards for approval and FDA guidelines. Design, Setting, and Participants: Comparative descriptive analysis of publicly available data from phase 3 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled clinical …

Enhancing Performance Of Intrusion Prevention Systems Through Machine Learning: A Comparative Study, Rawaa Hamza Ali, Zainab Saad Karam

Baghdad Science Journal

This research introduces a Machine Learning-Powered Intrusion Prevention System (ML-IPS) as a robust solution to address the challenges posed by evolving cyber threats. The ML-IPS combines timely threat detection with enhanced accuracy for real-time attack prevention, offering a resilient defense against a broad spectrum of cyber-attack. This study delves into the comprehensive evaluation of a machine learning-powered IPS that ingeniously harnesses the power of advanced algorithms to facilitate real-time threat detection and significantly enhance the overall accuracy of the system. The efficacy of intrusion prevention systems (IPS) that employ machine learning (ML) is greatly dependent on the choice of suitable …

Zinc Imbalance And Its Effect On Nutritional Status, Behavior, Gut Microbiota, And Inflammatory Biomarkers In Btbr T+Itpr3tf/J And C57bl/6j Mice: Insights Into Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asma Nasrullah Ahmadani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been associated with altered zinc homeostasis and disruptions in the gut microbiota. Zinc is a vital trace mineral involved in multiple biological processes such as inflammatory regulation, intestinal integrity, and neurobehavioral function, and has an important role in influencing microbial activity along the gut–brain axis. Both deficiency and excess of zinc can alter microbial balance. However, their collective effects on behavior, overall physiology, and mineral status in ASD-relevant models are not yet fully understood.

Aim: This comprehensive study explored the effect of dietary zinc variation on body weight, food intake, behavior, gut microbiota composition, …

Science Communication Tools: Rubrics For Generating Posters And Manuscripts That Are Authentic To The Practice Of Science, Quinn Vega

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Traditional undergraduate science courses often prioritize content mastery over authentic engagement with the scientific process. Course-based research, also referred to as course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), addresses this limitation by immersing students in authentic scientific practice. In course-based research, assessment practices can also mirror the authentic scientific practice, where extensive formative feedback supports refinement of skills and understanding. Here, we present two rubrics designed to support the teaching and assessment of science communication in a way that reflects how scientists prepare to disseminate their research findings. One rubric is for creating scientific posters and another for writing short-format manuscripts. Developed …

Liposclerosing Myxofibrous Tumor Of The Foot: A Case Report, Mohammad Junayed Khan, Sufiyan Mannan Ahmed, Asad Mustafa, Sairah Asghar, Mohammad Tanjim Hossain

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Statement of Purpose: This case presents a rare sclerosing-type atypical lipomatous tumor with myxomatous features—the first and only known reported case of an ALT in the foot—along with its pathology, treatment, and management.

Case Study: Atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL) represents the most common liposarcoma subtype, with recurrence and dedifferentiation risk influenced by tumor location. Retroperitoneal tumors recur frequently, while those in the lower extremity rarely do. Liposarcoma of the foot is exceedingly rare.

A 61-year-old male presented with a slowly enlarging, mildly tender lump on the right plantar heel. Radiographs demonstrated a 3 cm oval soft-tissue thickening without calcification. …

Midfoot Reconstruction For Avascular Necrosis Of The Navicular Bone​, Jessica Sima, Srilalitha Lanka, Merlin Sajeev, Shannon Rush, Graham Hamilton

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the tarsal navicular, particularly with collapse, presents a complex surgical challenge due to compromised vascularity and the need to restore medial column length. This retrospective case series evaluates three distinct surgical approaches to midfoot reconstruction in patients with navicular AVN.

Methods: Three patients with navicular AVN were treated using individualized grafting strategies. Etiologies included chronic protease inhibitor use for HIV, Müller-Weiss syndrome, and post-resection of a giant cell tumor. All procedures utilized a medial utility incision with debridement to viable bleeding bone. Two cases were reconstructed using a combination of proximal tibial autograft, patellar allograft, …

Using Fire Investigators' Narratives To Explore Serial Firesetting Behaviors, Alisha Jones-Creel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative narrative inquiry examined how fire investigators share tacit knowledge related to threat assessment and risk management in cases of serial firesetting. Data were derived from eight semi-structured interviews with fire investigators from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas who had investigated firesetting incidents within the past five years. Narrative analysis was used to identify cross-case patterns in how investigators recognize offender characteristics, assess contextual risk factors, and detect early warning signs across incidents. Analysis identified three themes addressing how lived experience informs peer understanding of offender behavior, risk indicators, and warning signs, and three themes addressing how narrative experience guides …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Black Males Successfully Reintegrating Post Incarceration, Ashley Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black males remain incarcerated at higher rates than any other race. Those individuals trying to reintegrate into society face many challenges with little mental and emotional rehabilitation support. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to improve the understanding of what contributes to successful reintegration and the mental health and emotional needs of formerly incarcerated Black males. Critical race theory (CRT) was used as a secondary lens to examine how race, systemic racism, and structural inequities shaped participants' experiences. This study examined the following research question: What are the experiences of Black males who were previously incarcerated and have …

The Effect Of St. John’S Wort Solution On Climbing Activity Reflecting Depressive-Like Behavior In Drosophila Melanogaster To Model Seasonal Depression In Low Sunlight Exposure, Madison Simon

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Although depression is a known substantial threat to public health, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is under-researched. SAD refers to recurrent seasonal patterns of depression. This depressive disorder has few accepted treatments. The purpose of this study was to test whether St. John’s Wort (SJW), a natural supplement with researched antidepressant properties, could be a cheaper alternative with fewer limitations for treating SAD. SJW’s efficacy as a seasonal depression inhibitor was tested through a Drosophila depression-like model using climbing activity to reflect depressive behavior. It was hypothesized that as the concentration of SJW solution increases, the climbing activity of stressed Drosophila …

An Examination Of Trends And Factors Influencing Teen Retention In 4-H Youth Development Program: A Case Study, Bethany R. Corona

LSU Master's Theses

Teen participation in 4-H has declined nationally in recent years, raising concerns about long-term program sustainability and youth engagement. Understanding the factors that influence teens’ decisions to remain involved in 4-H is critical for informing program design and delivery. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this qualitative study explored teen perceptions of 4-H programming, youth voice, social influences, communication, and barriers to participation. Data were collected through two group interviews with teen 4-H members representing multiple parishes. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the constant comparative method through a three-phase coding process consisting of open, axial, …

Academic Senate - Agenda, 02/24/2026, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Limitations Of Genetic Testing, Tony N. Jelsma

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Knowing about a pathogenic variant may sharpen our awareness of our mortality, but it should not fundamentally change our perspective on life."

Posting about the advantages and disadvantages of genetic screening from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Limitations of Genetic Testing

Fractional Dynamics And Fixed Point Theorems In Neutrosophic Mr-Metric Spaces With Applications To Network Systems, Abed Al-Rahman M.Malkawi, Ayat M. Rabaiah

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Science Communication Tools: Rubrics For Generating Posters And Manuscripts That Are Authentic To The Practice Of Science, Tamarah Lynne Adair, Swati Agrawal, Yesmi P. Ahumada-Santos, Regina Alvarez, Kirk Anders, Rebekah F. Hare

Biology Faculty Scholarship

Traditional undergraduate science courses often prioritize content mastery over authentic engagement with the scientific process. Course-based research, also referred to as course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), addresses this limitation by immersing students in authentic scientific practice. In course-based research, assessment practices can also mirror the authentic scientific practice, where extensive formative feedback supports refinement of skills and understanding. Here, we present two rubrics designed to support the teaching and assessment of science communication in a way that reflects how scientists prepare to disseminate their research findings. One rubric is for creating scientific posters and another for writing short-format manuscripts. Developed …

Thyroid Hormone Augmentation Accelerates Hair Cell Maturation In Human Cochlear Organoids, Tsubasa Saeki, Yoshitomo Ueda, Isabel Aristizábal-Ramírez, Stephen T. Moore, Rick F. Nelson, Gregory I. Frolenkov, Eri Hashino

Physiology Faculty Publications

Saeki et al. showed that timed supplementation of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, expedites maturation of outer hair cells in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cochlear organoids. Some of the thyroxine-treated hair cells exhibit nonlinear capacitance, a functional hallmark of outer hair cell electromotility.

Revisiting Eli Lilly V. Canada: Judicial Interpretation Of Ip Law And Exposure To Investor-State Disputes, Yumu Chen

Duke Law & Technology Review

Eli Lilly v. Canada was an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) case widely noted for signaling a regime shift in intellectual property (IP) protection from the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to ISDS. Its true yet often overlooked significance, however, lies in being a case of first impression on whether judicial interpretation of IP law may serve as a basis for state responsibility independent of denial of justice. To bridge that gap, this Note undertakes a close reading of the novel doctrinal discussion in Eli Lilly and related precedents, drawing implications for the broader theory of state …

Hybrid Vision Transformer–Cnn Framework For Alzheimer’S Disease Cell Type Classification: A Comparative Study With Vision–Language Models, Md Easin Hasan, Md Tahmid Hasan Fuad, Omar Sharif, Amy Wagler

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Accurate identification of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related cellular characteristics from microscopy images is essential for understanding neurodegenerative mechanisms at the cellular level. While most computational approaches focus on macroscopic neuroimaging modalities, cell type classification from microscopy remains relatively underexplored. In this study, we propose a hybrid vision transformer–convolutional neural network (ViT–CNN) framework that integrates DeiT-Small and EfficientNet-B7 to classify three AD-related cell types—astrocytes, cortical neurons, and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells—from phase-contrast microscopy images. We perform a comparative evaluation against conventional CNN architectures (DenseNet, ResNet, InceptionNet, and MobileNet) and prompt-based multimodal vision–language models (GPT-5, GPT-4o, and Gemini 2.5-Flash) using zero-shot, few-shot, and chain-of-thought …

Green Nanoremediation Of Phytogenic Copper Oxide Nanoparticles For Concurrent Organic Pollutant Degradation In Industrial Wastewaters And Antibacterial Activity, Adel Hussain Talib, Wijdan Hameed Al-Kubaisi, Safaa A. S. Al-Qaysi, Zainab Anwar Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

In the present investigation, culture A. niger was used for the biosynthesis of CuO-NPs using mango (Mangifera indica) leaves aqueous extract. This method of green synthesis is simple, more environment friendly and easy to scaled up. The obtained CuO-NPs were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, TEM, EDX and DLS to evaluate their structure, morphology, elemental composition, and particle size distribution. These findings verify the generation of spherical, crystalline CuO-NPs with an average size of 35.1 nm. The biosynthesized plant-based CuO-NPs showed potential antimicrobial and catalytic, with the higher concentration (till 6.0 mg/mL) having effect better the effect. When used for wastewater …

The Path Forward For T Cell Engagers In Patients With Prostate Cancer, Sumit K. Subudhi, Bilal A. Siddiqui, Kevin K. Zarrabi, William K. Kelly, Charles G. Drake

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

T cell engagers (TCEs) recruit T cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME) to induce antitumor immune responses. TCEs have demonstrated promising clinical responses in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and have advanced into phase 3 clinical trials. Here we provide an overview of the mechanisms of action of TCEs, including both CD3-targeted and CD28-targeted agents, and review the clinical development of these agents for prostate cancer. We propose a path forward for TCEs in prostate cancer, in which innovative clinical trials will facilitate a biological understanding of mechanisms of efficacy and toxicity to inform: (1) development of predictive biomarkers …

Directed Neutrosophic Graph Using Morphological Operators And Its Applications, Abraham Jacob, Ramkumar P. B., Dhanya P. M

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.