Digital Commons Network^™

Plant And Algal Mucilage: A Comprehensive Review On Sources, Extraction, Functional Properties, Health Benefits, And Emerging Trends In Food, Divya Singh Chauhan, Disha Mishra, Hamid, Vijay Singh Sharanagat, Amit K. Jaiswal

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Plant- and algal-derived mucilage has gained attention as a sustainable, multifunctional biopolymer for food and allied applications, driven by the demand for clean-label ingredients, green processing technologies, and alternatives to petroleum-based additives. Mucilage is a complex hydrocolloid matrix primarily composed of heteropolysaccharides (e.g. pectins, arabinoxylans, galactomannans, glucomannans, and alginates), associated proteins, and bioactive compounds that provide hydration, rheological, emulsifying, gelling, and film-forming properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical synthesis of information on plant and algal mucilage, focusing on sources, extraction strategies, chemical composition, structural–functional relationships, health attributes, and emerging trends in food applications. This review systematically …

Human-Centered Evaluation Of Control And Perception Interface Factors In A Teleoperational Cutting Task, Inês F. Ramos, Keerthi Sagar, Philip Long, Maria Chiara Leva, Ernesto Damiani, Gabriele Gianini

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Despite significant advances in teleoperated systems, optimal human performance remains a challenging task due to one key aspect, i.e. reduced situational awareness. Active telepresence is one of the major contributing factors affecting operator’s situational awareness. Providing the user with multiple perspectives of the remote environment can be very beneficial, although it may also introduce challenges in maintaining effective control. Prior work has largely examined discrete manipulation tasks using single-modality assessments, whereas this study applies a multimodal neuroergonomic approach to a continuous precision-cutting task, providing first insights into control–view alignment and multi-camera perception effects. In this work, we focus on two …

Decision Support Impact And Error Prediction In Control Room: A Behavioural Data Analysis, Chidera W. Amazu, Joseph Mietkiewicz, Ammar N. Abbas, Gabriele Baldissone, Davide Fissore, Micaela Demichela, Anders L. Madsen, Maria Chiara Leva

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Data from psychophysiological measures can offer new insight into control room operators’ behaviour, cognition, and mental workload status. This is particularly helpful when assessing capacity to respond to critical plant conditions such as alarm response scenarios. However, wearable tools such as eye tracking and electroencephalography caps can be perceived as intrusive and unsuitable for daily operations. Therefore, this article examines the potential of using real-time data from process and operator-system interactions during abnormal scenarios, recorded and retrieved from the distributed control system’s historian or process log, to provide insight into operator behaviour and predict their response outcomes without intruding on …

Characterization Of Nutritional And Flavor Profiles Of Aromatic Black Rice, India, Babli Waribam, Raju Sasikumar, T. Selva Kumar, Phani Kumar Garlapati, Sandeep Janghu, S. Chakkaravarthi, Paul Mansingh, Vidisha Tomer, Amit K. Jaiswal

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Chakhao is an indigenous aromatic black rice variety from Manipur, India, valued for its distinctive flavor, high anthocyanin content, and associated health benefits. Despite its geographical indication status, limited information exists on how regional cultivation conditions influence its compositional attributes. This study characterizes and compares the nutritional composition, mineral content, volatile profile, and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) composition of Chakhao sourced from five major cultivation regions in Manipur. Proximate analysis quantified moisture, protein, ash, fiber, fat, and carbohydrate content, whereas GC-MS/MS and ICP-MS were employed to profile volatile compounds, FAMEs, and mineral elements. Carbohydrates were the predominant macronutrient (73.88%–74.21%), …

Brief #1 White Paper: Collaborative Aggregation & Marketing Of Local Farm Food: A Qualitative Analysis Of Farmers' Collaboration Strategies, Evan England, Rachel Filippone, Hannah Stokes-Ramos, Cindy (Luyue) Zheng, Olivia Burton, Analena Bruce

Food Practice Research

This white paper presents research findings from a comparative case study of four Collaborative Aggregation and Marketing Models: Local Harvest, a cooperative non-profit, farmer-owned, and certified organic CSA, Three River Farmers Alliance, an online food hub and regional distributor, Vernon Family Farm Store, an on-farm, year-round store that aggregates from local farms, and Fresh Start Farms, a food hub, farmers’ market, and CSA operated by the nonprofit Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success.

Brief #2 White Paper: Collaborative Aggregation & Marketing Of Local Farm Food: A Qualitative Analysis Of Customer Relations Strategies, Evan England, Rachel Filippone, Hannah Stokes-Ramos, Cindy (Luyue) Zheng, Olivia Burton, Analena Bruce

Food Practice Research

No abstract provided.

Brief #2: Collaborative Aggregation & Marketing Of Local Farm Food: A Qualitative Analysis Of Customer Relations Strategies, Evan England, Rachel Filippone, Hannah Stokes-Ramos, Cindy (Luyue) Zheng, Olivia Burton, Analena B. Bruce

Food Practice Research

No abstract provided.

Current Regenerative Injection Treatment For Rotator Cuff Disease: A Review Article And Practical Algorithm, Abdallah El-Sayed Allam, Manal Hassanien, Ahmed Omar Mahmoud Abdallah

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Rotator cuff disease is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting shoulder function and quality of life. Traditional management includes conservative treatments and surgery, but ultrasound-guided regenerative orthobiological interventions have emerged as effective alternatives. This review examines epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approaches to rotator cuff disease, with an emphasis on the role of ultrasound-guided regenerative injections. Specific techniques such as platelet-rich plasma, alpha-2 macroglobulin, lipoaspirate, and bone marrow concentrate are discussed. Recent human studies highlight the efficacy and safety of these interventions, supporting their integration into clinical practice.

Sucarnochee Review - 2026 Issue, The Sucarnochee Review Editors

The Sucarnochee Review

No abstract provided.

Eleanor Of Aquitaine, As It Was Said: Truth And Tales About The Medieval Queen, By Karen Sullivan, Lauren Wood

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Real Talk: Piloting A Brief Digital Body Image Intervention For College Students, Logan Faith

Research Honors

The present study examines data from 20 participants who were randomly assigned to a brief digital body image intervention and a waitlist control group. The program, Real Talk, incorporated elements from several evidence-based approaches, namely affirming one’s values, making cognitive reappraisals, building body functionality, and self-compassion. The main outcome measures were body appreciation, functionality appreciation, self-kindness, and self-judgment. We hypothesized that Real Talk participants would experience greater increases in positive body image constructs and self-kindness and lower levels of self-judgment as compared to the waitlist control group. Data were analysed using nonparametric analyses due to the small sample size. Mann-Whitney …

Integrative Analysis Of Differentially Regulated Proteins In Meningioma, Maryam Shah

Peninsula Medical School Theses

Background: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumours that arise from arachnoid cap cells of the meninges and dura border cells. These tumours share a unique epigenetic and genomic landscape. The most common epigenetic event in meningiomas is the loss of chromosome 22q. About 50% of meningiomas harbour mutations in the NF2 gene that resides on chromosome 22 and codes for a protein named “Merlin”. Moreover, frequent mutations can be observed in genes including AKT1, KLF4, TRAF7, SMO, and PIK3CA. Based on mutations, meningiomas can be divided into different genomic subgroups that express unique proteomic profiles. …

Exploring The Potential Use Of Tead Inhibition As Part Of A Combination Therapy For Nf2-Deficient Schwannoma And Meningioma., Jamie Blake

Peninsula Medical School Theses

NF2-related Schwannomatosis is a genetic cancer predisposition syndrome, resulting in the development of schwannoma, meningioma and ependymoma tumours. Although surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy can be used, new avenues of therapeutic development are essential to target inoperable and recurrent tumours. Previous studies evaluating small molecule TEAD auto-palmitoylation inhibitors have distinguished their anti-proliferative effect in NF2-deficient cancers. Here we aim to identify compounds that could be utilised in conjunction with TEAD inhibition, to target aberrant Hippo signalling and secondary resistance mechanisms. We utilised immortalised and primary cells to evaluate the efficacy and potential synergism of TEAD inhibitors VT3989 and VT107 in …

What Constitution? The Dual State Theory In Immigration Law & Practice, Elizabeth Keyes

All Faculty Scholarship

Immigration law in the second Trump Administration has created profound disorientation and dissonance, where some legal matters proceed in largely familiar ways, and others seem to occur in an entirely new dimension. This Article avails itself of Ernst Fraenkel’s Dual State theory to examine this dissonance. It argues that a duality exists in U.S. immigration law today between the federal courts and the administrative immigration system. In Fraenkel’s terms, constitutional challenges to immigration policies and individual habeas cases demonstrate important features of the Normative State, one that is consistent with the Rule of Law. By contrast, the administrative system—comprising the …

Harnessing Activated Sludge For The Treatment Of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Wastewater: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Cyrus Li, Jiefu Wang, Meicen Liu, Yi Zheng, Sandeep Kumar, Isamu Umeda, Chandan Mahata, John Norton

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Although hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is the leading technology in converting wet biomass into bioenergy, the treatment of its toxic-laden aqueous phase wastewater presents a major challenge on its path toward commercial viability. This study presents the first-ever assessment of sewage sludge-fed HTL wastewater (SS-HTLWW) treatment and toxic compound removal using municipal activated sludge (AS) by optimizing its cultivation condition. It was found that AS with optimized pretreatment can remove up to 91.2% of the soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) in SS-HTLWW, of which up to 82% can be attributed to biological mineralization and adsorption of sCOD by AS. Conventional bioprocess …

When Slides Replace Thinking: How Powerpoint Culture Undermines Conceptual Learning In Engineering Education, Shahin Nayyeri Amiri, Hamid Eisazadeh

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Engineering education has gradually shifted from deep conceptual teaching to a culture dominated by presentation slides. In many universities today, core courses such as Statics, Dynamics, and Mechanics of Materials are taught through PowerPoint files rather than through reasoning, derivation, and problem solving. While slide-based instruction may appear efficient, it encourages passive learning and has severely weakened students’ ability to think independently and make sound engineering judgments. Traditionally, these fundamental courses were taught by seasoned instructors who had mastered the subjects and took genuine pride in explaining complex ideas with clarity and passion. They guided students through the logic behind …

Organic Pollutants And Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Yousif M. Hydoub, Ricardo Loor-Torres, Abdul Qadeer, Kinaan Farhan, Thaer K. Swaid, Hanieh S.T. Yeganeh, Joelle N. Friesen, Shangwe Kiliaki, Iman Fawad, Danielle J. Gerberi, Thirumurugan Prakasam, Rainer Lohmann, H. Hassan Murad, Sagar B. Dugani

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Objective: To evaluate the associations between organic pollutants (OPs) and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Patients and Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central from inception through March 18, 2024. We included studies reporting the adjusted or unadjusted association between serum concentration of OPs and risk of T2D. We excluded studies on type 1 diabetes, self-reported exposure, and if fewer than 100 T2D cases. We classified OPs using 2 classification methods and reported pooled risk estimates using a random-effects model (odds ratio [95% CI]) and assessed risk of bias at the levels …

A Call To Action: Engaging With The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel On Chemicals, Waste And Pollution, Miriam L. Diamond, Gabriel Sigmund, Marlene Ågerstrand, Michael G. Bertram, Alex T. Ford, Rainer Lohmann, Andreas Schäffer, Maria Clara V.M. Starling, Anna Soehl, Noriyuki Suzuki, Penny Vlahos, Marta Venier, Martin Scheringer

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Global Inventory Of Fluoropolymer Production Plants And Their Associated Pfas Environmental Contamination, Anna J. Miller, Kevin Kleemann, Juliane Glüge, Rainer Lohmann, Ian T. Cousins, Dorte Herzke, Mark F. Miller, Amanda Rensmo, Xenia Trier, Zhanyun Wang, Martin Scheringer

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Fluoropolymers are widely used across sectors, but their production is associated with emissions of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which are mobile, persistent, and toxic. In this work, we compiled a global inventory of fluoropolymer production plants (FPPs) and assembled PFAS concentration measurements for various media in their vicinity. We identified 52 currently operating FPPs across 11 countries and 41 cities. For 12 FPPs, in 12 different cities, there are peer-reviewed site-specific PFAS measurements specifically attributed to the FPP. At these 12 sites, at least 236 individual PFASs have been detected across multiple environmental media, including surface water, groundwater, air, …

Preliminary Cruise Report: Tn452 Eastern Lau Spreading Center And Northeastern Lau Basin, Kingdom Of Tonga, April 19, 2026 – May 18, 2026, Roxanne A. Beinart, Shawn Arellano

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Tourism And Quality Of Life In Montana: A Longitudinal Study Of Resident Attitudes 2012-2023, Sophie Morris, Melissa Weddell, Carter Bermingham, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Montana’s outdoor recreation and tourism industries have experienced steady growth over the past decade. This report explores how that expansion has shaped residents’ perceptions of tourism. Drawing on data from Montana residents, we track changes in attitudes from 2012 to 2023 on key issues, including overcrowding, the balance between tourism’s benefits and its impacts, quality of life, and the state’s role in promoting tourism.

The State Of Short-Term Rentals – 2024, Elena Bigart, Melissa Weddell, Jesse Wheeler, Sophie Morris, Jenna Asnault

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examined the role short-term rentals (STRs) play in Montana’s housing challenges, building on earlier ITRR research (Bigart et al., 2021). Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzed STR and housing data from 2019 to 2023 and incorporated interviews with local officials to assess evolving regulations, occupancy patterns, and perceptions of STR impacts. Findings highlight that STRs interact with broader market forces contributing to tight housing conditions and underscore the need for balanced policy approaches that support housing supply and affordability while sustaining tourism-related economic activity.

Reply To The Letter-To-Editor: “On The Preserved Muscle Oxidative Capacity In Copd Patients With Hypoxemia Treated By Long Term O2 Therapy”, Alessandra Adami, Mara Paneroni, Michele Vitacca, Richard Casaburi, Harry B. Rossiter

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Six-Minute Step Test Performance In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Aldair Darlan Santos-De-Araújo, Daniela Bassi-Dibai, Izadora Moraes Dourado, Nelson Francisco Serrão Júnior, Renan Shida Marinho, Paula Angélica Ricci, Cássia De Luz Goulart, Renata Gonçalves Mendes, Alessandra Adami, Audrey Borghi-Silva

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Purpose:

The six-minute step test (6MST) is a valuable assessment to determine functional capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, clinical and behavioral variables, and personal characteristics, may be associated with test performance. No predictive equations are available that account for one or more of these variables in the estimation of functional capacity outcome from the 6MST. We sought to identify clinical and behavioral variables associated with 6MST outcome (total number of steps) in patients with COPD.

Methods:

This retrospective analysis included 122 adults, aged ≥ 50 years, with stable COPD that underwent a 6MST …

Methods Of Harvest And Compositional Characterization Of Hemp Fibers From Medical Cannabis Biomass Using Detergent Fiber Analysis, Abigail Lazier, Jennifer Macadam, Bruce Bugbee

Publications

Medical cannabis production generates large quantities of stem biomass that is typically discarded despite its potential as a source of natural hemp fibers. This study developed and evaluated two methods for recovering fibers from greenhouse-grown medical cannabis using water retting and compared their composition with commercially produced industrial hemp fibers. Fiber quality was assessed using detergent fiber analyses to quantify cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin fractions. Both harvest methods produced usable fibers, although one approach (method A) yielded cleaner fibers after shorter retting durations, while the second approach (method B) offered greater potential for large-scale processing. Increasing retting duration improved fiber …

Leading The Way In Pediatric Oral Health Promotion, Denise C. Mckinney

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Dental hygienists promote oral health and provide preventive services to patients throughout their lifespan. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, Dental Hygiene Standards emphasize that graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all patient populations, including children.¹ In fact, promoting pediatric oral health begins prior to birth with the expectant mother and/or caregiver. Oral health care to include education is essential during pregnancy; specifically, around the prevention and treatment of dental caries for the mother and the unborn child.² In the U.S., from 2013-2016, roughly 30% of women aged 20-44 years had untreated dental caries.³ Expectant mothers …

Biological Dental Hygiene: Principles, Educational Pathways, And Clinical Practice Considerations, Tara Newcomb

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Dental hygiene practice is rapidly evolving in response to emerging evidence on the oral–systemic health connection, advances in preventive technologies, and increased emphasis on individualized, minimally invasive care. A commitment to lifelong learning and continuing professional development is essential for maintaining clinical competence and integrating new scientific knowledge into practice. Biological dental hygiene has emerged as a complementary framework that emphasizes whole-body health, biocompatibility, reduction of toxic exposures, and prevention-centered care. This approach expands traditional dental hygiene practice by incorporating enhanced risk assessment, salivary diagnostics, targeted preventive strategies, as well as patient education focused on nutrition, inflammation reduction, and systemic …

Dental Professionalism In A Changing World: Challenges & Opportunities, Robert P. Iovino, Dds, Ma Dds, Ma

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This manuscript examines the erosion of traditional dental professionalism amid rising educational costs, declining membership in professional associations, and the growing influence of corporate ownership and private equity in dentistry. Drawing perspectives from economics, sociology, philosophy, law, and ethics, it traces the historical development of professional licensure and its role in safeguarding clinical autonomy, ethical integrity, and public trust. The analysis highlights how deregulation and profit-driven practice models challenge the profession’s social contract. The manuscript argues that preserving strong civic institutions, restrictive licensure standards, and humanities-informed education is essential to sustaining dentistry as a learned profession rather than a commodified …

Lessons On Generative Artificial Intelligence From The American Association Of Dental Editors And Journalists (Aadej), Christopher J. Smiley

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ) recently released "Guidance for Authors, Editors and Publishers on the Use of Generative AI". Developed by an 11-member stakeholder panel, this guidance paper serves a dual purpose: It provides practical strategies for mitigating the risks that generative artificial intelligence (GAI) poses to professional writing and explains how GAI creates these risks. Understanding both the underlying vulnerabilities of GAI and how to address them is critical for users at all levels, from authors and reviewers to editors, publishers, and general users, to maintain the validity and reliability of their written work. This …

How Dentists Can Remain Advisors Of Merit To Their Patients, Daniel L. Orr Ii, Dds, Ms (Anesth), Phd, Jd, Md, Facd (Nevada Section Chair)

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article examines how members of the dental profession can sustain their longstanding reputation as trusted advisors amid declining public confidence in major institutions. Grounded in ethical principles, informed consent, and professional self-regulation, dentistry has historically ranked among the most trusted professions. The discussion explores challenges to credibility, including media scrutiny, concerns about anesthesia safety, controversial treatment hesitancy, and debates over community water fluoridation. Emphasizing the concept of the “advisor of merit,” the author argues that continued trust depends on truthful communication, transparency about risks, respect for patient autonomy, and freedom from conflicts of interest in clinical and public health …