Digital Commons Network^™

The Local Neighborhood Interactions Shaping Tree Communities Through Ecological Disturbance And Environmental Change, Cole Doolittle

Dissertations (1934 -)

My dissertation consists of four chapters focused on understanding the factors maintaining local species diversity, addressing a central goal of ecology increasingly critical for preserving ecosystem services and human well-being in the face of climate change. Specifically, I investigate how local neighborhoods – that is, the spatial arrangement, density, and identity of nearby competitors – contribute to patterns of growth and survival along gradients of ecological disturbance and environmental change using forest tree communities as a study system. In my first chapter, I develop a conceptual framework that synthesizes why we may expect local neighborhood interactions to weaken under ecological …

Annual Ghg Emissions In Co2e From Turfgrass Maintenance In Los Angeles County, Valerie Rountree, Michael Barnes, Martin S. Hoecker-Martinez, Nathan W. Strout

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Maintaining turfgrass landscapes - including mowing, irrigation, and fertilization - is an under-recognized source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides. The state of California has ambitious policies to reduce GHG emissions and improve local air quality, however, southern California continues to be one of the most polluted regions in the world; moreover, it is an arid region that relies heavily on imported water to meet diverse user needs. To better understand the significance of turfgrass maintenance as a source of GHG emissions, we calculate the total annual GHG emissions in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO_{2 …}

Ethical Lawyering While Our House Is On Fire, Jaclyn Lopez

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

A Study On Litigation Strategies Of Environmental Ngos In China’S Centralized Governance Society: Taking Biodiversity Litigation As An Example, Huiyu Zhao, Yizhen Xu

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

A Human Rights-Based Litigation Strategy For Wildlife Protection In Nigeria, Emmanuel K. Omirin

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Native Hawaiians And Environmental Stewardship: Reclaiming The ‘Āina In The Face Of A Western System, Lauren Wiederkehr

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Exploring Physician Associates’ Perceptions Of Motivational Interviewing: A Phenomenological Study, Thaddeus Riley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Longer lifespans across the population are contributing to a rise in chronic illnesses that require ongoing treatment. This increase has furthered the need for evidence-based clinical tools to effectively treat long-term diseases. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based method used by physicians and other healthcare practitioners, including physician associates (PAs), to help patients facilitate health behavior changes. PAs are licensed, highly trained healthcare professionals who practice medicine across all specialties and settings. PAs focus on patient-centered, team-based care and play a key role in expanding access to healthcare and improving overall health outcomes (AAPA, 2023b). While MI’s efficacy has been …

Effects Of Dietary Supplementation With Codium Fragile And Fennel Essential Oil On Growth, Enzyme Activity, And Hepatopancreas Histology In Juvenile Narrow-Clawed Crayfish (Pontastacus Leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823), Yavuz Mazlum, Meti̇n Yazici, Şehri̇ban Çek, Mehmet Naz, Musa Türkmen, Oğuz Yaşar Uzunmehmetoğlu, Kemal Dede

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study investigated the impact of different levels of Codium fragile macroalgae (CF) dietary supplementation combined with a fixed concentration of 0.05% fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. dulce Mill.) essential oil (FO) on the growth performance, enzyme activity, and hepatopancreas histological changes of juvenile narrow-clawed crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus (initial average weight = 0.25 ± 0.04 g). A 90-day feeding trial was conducted using four experimental groups: CF + FO (control), 1% CF + FO, 2% CF + FO, and 4% CF + FO. The essential oil yield obtained from the fennel seeds was 2.4%. Anethole was the most abundant component …

Monitoring And Control Of Red Palm Weevil Infestation Using Iot Technology, Harun Çi̇men, İbrahi̇m Çakmak, Mustapha Touray, Selçuk Hazir

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Palms are slow-growing arboreal monocots predominantly distributed across warm regions and are frequently incorporated into parks, gardens, and roadsides. The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is a highly destructive invasive insect that threatens palms. This field study investigated the effectiveness of a seismic sensor system to detect R. ferrugineus larvae on palm trees in the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Culture Park. This park is home to a diverse collection of palm species, including Washingtonia sp. and Phoenix dactylifera. Seismic sensors were attached to the trunks of palm trees to detect the vibrations caused by feeding R. ferrugineus larvae and calibrated to …

The First Documented Case Of Melanism In Sciurus Anomalus, Recorded In Türkiye, Burak Akdağ, Balkan Mega

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study reports the first documented case of melanism in the Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) from Türkiye. While melanism has been documented in 12 other species within the Sciurus genus, it has not previously been recorded in S. anomalus. The observation was made during a herpetological field survey in Erzincan Province, Türkiye, where a melanistic specimen was photographed in a mixed habitat comprising natural vegetation and cultivated land. In mammals, melanism is widely regarded as an adaptive trait, potentially conferring advantages such as improved thermoregulation in colder climates and enhanced crypsis in shaded forest environments. This novel observation not only …

Spatiotemporal Responses To A Rural Highway By Four Mammal Species, Caitlin K. Brett, Anna Rose Mehner, John H. Young Jr., Sarah E. Lehnen, Richard J. Kline

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Roads can negatively impact the wildlife communities they transect. Road mortalities from wildlife-vehicle collisions are one direct effect, but roads may also indirectly affect wildlife behavior, movement, or local distribution. Quantifying the spatial extent of these road-effects is important for understanding how roads indirectly affect species of concern, identifying potential sources of disturbance, and for estimating the effectiveness of road mitigation structures. Farm-to-Market Road (FM)106, which transects part of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County, Texas, has been identified as a potential source of wildlife road mortalities, particularly for one of the two remaining breeding populations of …

First National Study On Genomic Profiling Of Escherichia Coli In United Arab Emirates (Uae) Aquatic Environments Shows Diverse Quinolone And Cephalosporin Resistance, A. Papadopoulou, C. A. Moubareck, D. Ryder, A. L. Powell, M. Stone, A. W. Joseph, M. A. Khan, E. Light, D. W. Verner-Jeffreys, J. H. Stahl, W. J.F. Le Quesne

All Works

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to human, animal and plant health, and over recent years the role of the aquatic environment as a hotspot and dissemination route for resistant bacteria has been increasingly recognised. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has identified AMR as a critical area of concern; however, limited studies have been conducted regarding the presence of AMR in aquatic environments in the region. This study addresses this gap by conducting a national surveillance to better understand the prevalence of aquatic AMR. We investigated the phenotypic and genotypic resistances in Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates (n= 256) …

Association Between Antioxidant Defense Systems And Celiac Disease, Saad Kadhim Taher Yahya

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Intake of gluten activates the immune system in CD patients resulting in tissue damage to their digestive system.

Objectives: The oxidative stress status as well as antioxidant defense mechanisms in persons with CD and non-CD individuals while evaluating gluten-free dietary impact.

Methods: A total of 100 CD patients along with 100 healthy participants received inclusion for this study. The laboratory analysis determined oxidative stress through MDA, AOPP, and 8-OHdG examinations of bloodstream markers. The study measured antioxidant defenses using FRAP and TEAC techniques to examine SOD, CAT, GPx, and TAC. Tissue examination and blood tests were used to measure …

Efficacy Of A Novel Bcl-Xl Degrader, Dt2216, In Preclinical Models Of Jak2-Mutated Post-Mpn Aml, Zhe Wang, Anna Skwarska, Gowri Poigaialwar, Sovira Chaudhry, Alba Rodriguez-Meira, Pinpin Sui, Emmanuel Olivier, Yannan Jia, Varun Gupta, Warren Fiskus, Cassandra L Ramage, Guangrong Zheng, Alexandra Schurer, Kira Gritsman, Eirini P Papapetrou, Kapil Bhalla, Daohong Zhou, Adam J Mead, Raajit K Rampal, Jeffrey W Tyner, Hussein A Abbas, Naveen Pemmaraju, Qi Zhang Tatarata, Marina Konopleva

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that evolves from myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is known as post-MPN AML. Current treatments do not significantly extend survival beyond 12 months. B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-xL) has been found to be overexpressed in leucocytes from patients with MPN, making it a potential therapeutic target. We investigated the role of BCL-xL in post-MPN AML and tested the efficacy of DT2216, a platelet-sparing BCL-xL proteolysis-targeting chimera, in preclinical models of post-MPN AML. We found that BCL2L1, the gene encoding BCL-xL, is expressed at higher levels in patients with post-MPN AML than in those with de novo AML. Single-cell multiomics …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Zoology

No abstract provided.

Winter Breeding Of The Long-Eared Owl (Asio Otus) In Türkiye, Alaz Uslu, Gencer Yaprak, Sali̇h Tora Benzeyen, Alper Tüydeş, İbrahi̇m Kaan Özgenci̇l

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The long-eared owl (Asio otus) is a widespread nocturnal raptor found across the Holarctic, inhabiting a variety of wooded habitats with adjacent open areas. While the species is not globally threatened, its population is declining, which is primarily attributed to threats such as habitat degradation, pesticide use, hunting, and disturbance. Although winter breeding has been documented in several European countries, no such records have been reported from Türkiye up to date. In this study, we compiled 11 records of winter breeding long-eared owls from northwest and central Türkiye, based on our field observations and data from rehabilitation centers. The estimated …

Comparative Mitogenomics Of Clitellata Reveals Mitogenome Organization Can Affect The Mode Of Phylogeny, Deni̇z Mercan, Austin Horenkamp, Merve Nur Aydemi̇r, Habeş Bi̇lal Aydemi̇r, Kurt Neubig, Nai̇me Arslan, Frank E. Anderson

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Clitellata is a major clade of Annelida that includes almost all freshwater and terrestrial annelids as well as many marine species. Aquatic oligochaetes include the union of the two multispecies families: Naididae and Tubificidae. There has been much debate regarding the phylogeny and classification of the cosmopolitan and diverse Naididae. In this study, the total mitogenome sequences of Potamothrix hammoniensis (Naididae: Tubificinae), Stylaria fossularis, Stylaria lacustris, Chaetogaster diaphanus, Chaetogaster diaphanus sp. B, and Slavina appendiculata (Naididae: Naidinae) were sequenced and characterized and can be accessed from NCBI under accession numbers OQ654101, PP909790, PP909791, PP909792, PP909793, and PP893275, respectively. For comparative …

Sensing The Stiffness: Cellular Mechano-Sensing At The Implant Interface, Patricia S Pardo, Delia Danila, Raja Devesh Kumar Misra, Aladin M Boriek

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In this perspective, we highlight the relevance of the FA-Hippo signaling pathway and its regulation of the Yes-associated protein (YAP) and the transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding domain (TAZ) as main players in the process of implants integration. The modulation and responses of YAP/TAZ triggered by substrate and ECM stiffness are of particular interest in the construction of materials used for medical implants. YAP/TAZ nuclear localization and activity respond to the substrate stiffness by several mechanisms that involve the canonical and non-canonical Hippo signaling and independently of the Hippo cascade. YAP/TAZ regulate the expression of genes involved in several mechanisms …

Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (Equine Cushing's Syndrome), Cheyanne Eaton, Karl Hoopes

All Current Publications

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as equine Cushing’s disease, is an endocrine disorder that affects a horse’s pituitary gland. Involving a veterinarian early in the diagnosis and treatment of PPID will greatly enhance the horse’s welfare and longevity. A veterinarian diagnoses PPID by observing symptoms and testing blood. Treatments for this disease include medicinal intervention and dietary changes.

Electrophysiological Characterization Of Sex-Dependent Hypnosis By An Endogenous Neuroactive Steroid Epipregnanolone, Tamara Timic Stamenic, Ian Coulter, Douglas F Covey, Slobodan M Todorovic

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Neuroactive steroids (NAS) have long been recognized for their hypnotic and anesthetic properties in both clinical and preclinical settings. While sex differences in NAS sensitivity are acknowledged, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we examined sex-specific responses to an endogenous NAS epipregnanolone (EpiP) in wild-type mice using behavioral assessment of hypnosis (loss of righting reflex, LORR) and in vivo electrophysiological recordings. Specifically, local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded from the central medial thalamus (CMT) and electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were recorded from the barrel cortex. We found that EpiP-induced LORR exhibited clear sex differences, with females showing increased sensitivity. Spectral …

Microbial Nanocellulose Based Biocomposites For Soft Bone Regeneration: From Present To The Future: From The Present To The Future, Probal Basu, Nabanita Saha, Tomáš Sáha, Petr Sáha

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Microbial nanocellulose (MC) draws special attention from the research community due to its unique nano-bio fabrication. This nanofiber-constructed biomaterial is biosynthesized by certain microbes in the purest form (devoid of lignin, pectin, and hemicellulose). Due to its striking similarities to animal collagen fibers, MC nanofibers have been used to develop osteoconductive biomaterial for soft tissue regeneration. High surface area, notable rheological properties, and biocompatibility make this material attractive for tissue regeneration. Concurrently, their bio-friendly characteristics are due to various bio-ceramic materials like calcium phosphate (CP) employed in conjunction with MC (for the development of scaffold/bio-composite). The significant interaction between MC's …

Synthesis Of Cancrinite Zeolite From Toraja Natural Bentonite For Heavy Metal Removal From Wastewater, Yuli Astuti, Paulina Taba, Siti Fauziah, Syarifuddin Liong, Yusafir Hala, Nur Umriani Permatasari, Satria Putra Jaya Negara, Fadliah Fadliah

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study explores the production of cancrinite (CAN) zeolite from bentonite found in Toraja (a place in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia) and its effectiveness in removing Pb²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions from wastewater. The synthesis was carried out using a hydrothermal method with varying NaOH concentrations, where a single phase of zeolite was formed at 5 M, as confirmed through XRD analysis. FTIR results showed the characteristics of CAN zeolite with typical absorption peaks at 676, 622, and 565 cm^-1, as well as the presence of carbonate groups (CO₃^2-) at 1300-1400 cm^-1. SEM …

Machine Learning Crime Prediction Models And The Gap Between Research And Implementation: A Systematic Review, Ricardo Huamantingo, Miguel Cano-Lengua, Ciro Rodriguez

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

A crime is an illegal or violent act committed by one individual against another. The increasing crime rate has become a major concern as it negatively affects people's quality of life and generates significant social and economic costs. This study aims to identify the most widely used machine learning (ML) models for crime prediction, determine evaluation metrics for assessing model performance, and analyze key data characteristics to enhance real-world implementation. The study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. A search string was formulated using the population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) framework and applied …

The Bond Of Peace: Restoring Souls In Worship Amid Culture War And Moral Suffering, Steve Yeagley

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

Jeremiah’s critique of war as false worship challenges popular Christianity’s support of American war culture. While primarily expressed as American militarism, war culture also manifests in the rhetoric of culture wars. Adding to the division and violence that the nation’s culture wars can fuel is their potential to inflict moral suffering. Emerging discourses of moral distress and injury suggest that, like wartime environments, culture wars may exact a spiritual toll. Unlike the militant liturgies of war culture, Christian worship can address this moral suffering. When acknowledged in worship through witness and lamentation, moral distress and injury offer a prophetic critique, …

New College Environmental Studies Program, New College Of Florida

Environmental Studies Collection

No abstract provided.

Report Of The Special Rapporteur On The Implications For Human Rights Of The Environmentally Sound Management And Disposal Of Hazardous Substances And Wastes, Marcos Orellana - Military Activities And Toxics, Marcos Orellana

PEEL Faculty Scholarship

Implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes

Note by the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the General Assembly the report of the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Marcos Orellana, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 54/10.

"...Anything My Friend Shares, I Would Want To Support Them By Clicking On It": Co-Designing Story-Based Interventions Against Clickbait For Teenagers, Ankit Shrestha, Audrey Flood, Bryson Hackler, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

Teenagers' lack of digital sophistication and cyber hygiene makes them vulnerable to social engineering attacks, especially as they start using social media. Clickbait, one of such attacks, is primarily performed through social media to trick users into clicking on malicious links. With teenagers' increasing use of social media, clickbait poses a substantial threat to their online safety. The existing online safety measures for teens mainly focus on parental mediation, which can be perceived as restrictive and privacy-invasive. To this end, researchers recommended empowering teens to deal with online risks. In order to design such interventions for clickbait, we conducted co-design …

The Testimonial Double Bind For Disabled People, Avram Hiller

Philosophy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Disabled people face a testimonial double bind: Either (1) they give entirely positive testimony about their disability, which may not be believed, or (2) they give some negative testimony about their disability, which either (2a) may not be believed, (2b) will risk reinforcing false and harmful stereotypes, or (2c) will risk damaging disability rights. While (1) has been discussed to a significant extent in the literature, (2) has been discussed to a much lesser extent, and a goal of this paper is to explore (2) in more detail. I further argue that this testimonial double bind may cause problems for …

Global Scale Assessment Of The Human-Induced Extinction Crisis Of Terrestrial Carnivores., Erik Joaquín Torres-Romero, Timothy M. Eppley, William J. Ripple, Thomas M. Newsome, Miha Krofel, Neil H. Carter, Andrés Ordiz, Tadeu G. De Oliveira, Nuria Selva, Vincenzo Penteriani

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Human impacts on carnivores are a persistent conservation challenge worldwide. We present a global analysis showing the overlap of conservation lands and the cumulative impact of humans on the distribution ranges of 257 terrestrial carnivore species. Our findings reveal that 64% of carnivore ranges overlap with areas characterized by high human pressures. We found that Indigenous peoples' lands emerge as crucial for carnivore population viability, potentially safeguarding 26% of carnivore ranges globally, while protected and wilderness areas cover roughly 10 and 16% of carnivore ranges, respectively. These three areas combined cover 35% of the global range of carnivores. Reducing human …

Enhancing Winter Climate Simulations Of The Great Lakes: Insights From A New Coupled Lake–Ice–Atmosphere (Cliav1) System On The Importance Of Integrating 3d Hydrodynamics With A Regional Climate Model, Pengfei Xue, Chenfu Huang, Yafang Zhong, Michael Notaro, Miraj Kayastha, Xing Zhou, Chuyan Zhao, Christa Peters-Lidard, Carlos Cruz, Eric Kemp

Michigan Tech Publications

The Laurentian Great Lakes significantly influence the climate of the Midwest and Northeast United States due to their vast thermal inertia, moisture source potential, and complex heat and moisture flux dynamics. This study presents a newly developed coupled lake–ice–atmosphere (CLIAv1) modeling system for the Great Lakes by coupling the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) regional climate model (RCM) with the three-dimensional (3D) Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) and investigates the impact of coupled dynamics on simulations of the Great Lakes’ winter climate. By integrating 3D lake hydrodynamics, CLIAv1 demonstrates superior performance in …