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Crow's Nest, February 24, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The February 24, 2025 edition of Crow's Nest.

Enhanced Formulation And Comprehensive Analysis Of Novel Natural Ointments Withgrape Seed And Pomegranate Peel Infused In Olive Oil, Mebarka Imane Benguechoua, Madjda Benguechoua, Khedidja Benarous, Alaeddine Kaouka, Mohamed Yousfi

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The global shift toward sustainable and organic alternatives in cosmetics and personal care has created a demandfor innovative and environmentally conscious formulations. This study aimed to develop novel natural ointments using beeswax andgrape seed (GS) and pomegranate peel (PP) extracts infused in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and determine the physicochemicalcharacteristics, microbiological properties, and antioxidant activity as a way to valorize organic waste toward its application in thecosmetic industry. The research aimed to promote sustainability and effectiveness in the cosmetic industry.Materials and methods: Microbial analysis was performed on the oils and ointments, followed by the extraction of active compoundsusing …

Antilipase Activities Of Cultivated Peppermint And Rosemary Essential Oils:In Vitro And In Silico Studies, Khadidja Bengana, Talia Serseg, Khedidja Benarous, Ari̇f Mermer, Yakup Şi̇ri̇n, Alaeddine Kaouka

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The growing interest in essential oils clearly indicates the power of nature and aligns with our increasing need to findtherapeutic solutions in the natural world. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of the essential oils of Mentha × piperitaand Salvia rosmarinus, harvested from the Laghouat region of Algeria, against Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) and pancreatic lipasethrough both in vitro and in silico studies.Materials and methods: Essential oils were extracted via hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometryand spectrophotometry. Their antilipase activities were assessed using an inhibition assay, and molecular docking was performed withAutoDock Vina to explore interactions …

Psychology Professor Recognized By Sec For Research, Teaching, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Passionate about research, scholarship and students, psychology professor Kenneth Sufka is the 2025 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award winner for the University of Mississippi.

Consumer Resistance To Sustainable Fashion: Evidence From The Usa And India, Abdelsalam Busalim, Theo Lynn, Charles M. Wood

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Purpose: Despite increasing awareness among fashion consumers about the positive environmental and societal impacts of sustainable fashion as a viable alternative to fast fashion, their actual adoption behavior often diverges. This study aims to empirically investigate consumers’ resistance barriers to sustainable fashion clothing. Design/methodology/approach: This study utilizes innovation resistance theory to examine the barriers to consumer intention to buy sustainable clothing. The study collected a large sample (N = 745) of fashion consumers from the USA and India to test a research model. Findings: The study finds that value, social risk, tradition and image barriers significantly reduce consumers’ intentions to …

Novel Device Therapies In Heart Failure: Focus On Patient Selection, Amrita Balgobind, Daniel Asemota, Emily Rodriguez, Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul, Marat Fudim, Miguel Alvarez Villela

Einstein Health Papers

The increasing prevalence of heart failure (HF) has led to advancements in therapeutic strategies, including the development of new pharmacological treatments and the expansion of guideline recommendations across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fractions. Despite these advancements, the full benefits of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) are often limited by various barriers that result in incomplete implementation or suboptimal responses. For patients who cannot tolerate or only partially respond to GDMT, therapeutic options remain limited. This gap is particularly significant for those with contraindications to heart replacement therapies (HRT), such as left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or heart transplant. In …

Regulating Chemoresistance And Cancer Stemness: The Cdh17-Yap Pathway In Distinct Cellular States Of Lung Cancer Ctc Clusters, Zujun Que, Dan Qi, Yun Yang, Wang Yao, Jiajun Liu, Yan Li, Yuanyuan Yu, Luyao Wang, Fangfei Li, Ge Zhang, Erxi Wu, Jianhui Tian

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Drug resistance in metastatic lung cancer significantly contributes to patient mortality. This study explores the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), the precursors to metastasis, in driving this resistance. We aim to delineate the unique biological traits of CTC clusters in lung cancer and elucidate the mechanisms underlying their resistance to chemotherapy.

Methods: We used an ultralow adsorption plate to establish a CTC suspension culture system. Comparisons between adherent and suspension cultures of CTC-TJH-01 cells were made via Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), western blot, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry assays to evaluate cell proliferation, drug resistance, and cancer stemness. The …

Intouch Week Of February 24, 2025, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Medical Students Dance the Night Away at NYMC Formal
• NYMC T-Shirt Contest Winner
• NYMC Donates Microscopes to Schools, Enhancing Science Education
• Furry Friends Bring Comfort to 19 Skyline Lobby
• Transforming Rehab Care: QI Initiative Recognized for Reducing Length of Stay
• Faculty Spotlight: From Pupil to Professor: Martin Katzenstein, M.D. '78
• Student Spotlight: Adiya Katseff’s Scientific Pursuit of Immunological Defense

What To Do Now That You've Trapped A Nuisance Wild Animal, Cory Farnsworth, S. Nicole Frey

All Current Publications

This fact sheet outlines specific guidelines for legally responding to nuisance wild animals. Management best practices, animal use, euthanasia, and proper disposal are discussed.

Ultra-Low Extracorporeal Volume Microfluidic Leukapheresis Is Safe And Effective In A Rat Model, Mubasher Iqbal, Alexandra L Mclennan, Anton Mukhamedshin, Mai T P Dinh, Qisheng Liu, Jacob J Junco, Arvind Mohan, Poyyapakkam R Srivaths, Karen R Rabin, Thomas P Fogarty, Sean C Gifford, Sergey S Shevkoplyas, Fong W Lam

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Leukapheresis is a potentially life-saving therapy for children with symptomatic hyperleukocytosis. However, the standard centrifugation-based approach exposes pediatric patients to significant complications due to its large extracorporeal volume, high flow rates, and considerable platelet loss. Here, we tested whether performing cell separation with a high-throughput microfluidic technology could alleviate these limitations. In vitro, our microfluidic devices removed ~85% of large leukocytes and ~90% of spiked leukemic blasts from undiluted human whole blood, while minimizing platelet losses. Multiplexed devices connected in parallel allowed for faster, clinically relevant flow rates in vitro with no difference in leukocyte collection efficiency. When connected to …

Evaluation Of Tourniquets For Rapid Self-Application In Wilderness Environments, Dr. Emilia Davis M.D., Dr. Sam W. Richards Ph.D

Defensive Publications Series

This study investigates the effectiveness of magnet-based tourniquet system designed for rapid self-application in emergency situations, particularly in wilderness settings. The tourniquet employs magnets or magnetic clips/clasps for fast application and secure fastening, aiming to improve ease of use, particularly in self-administered scenarios. Our research suggests that this system significantly reduces the time required for tourniquet application, offers a more user-friendly experience, and proves effective in a variety of controlled and field-based settings. This study underscores the value of innovation in life-saving equipment, particularly for remote and isolated environments where prompt medical intervention is critical.

Facial Swap Detection Based On Deep Learning: Comprehensive Analysis And Evaluation, Israa Mishkhal, Nibras Abdullah, Hassan H. Saleh, Nur Intan Raihana Ruhaiyem, Fadratul Hafinaz Hassan

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

In recent years, Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL), have made great strides in the creation of highly realistic deepfakes, which manipulate facial forensics to generate convincing fake faces or expressions. These manipulations pose significant threats to individual privacy and the integrity of legal, political, and social institutions. In fact, several existing studies have recently pursued the development of machine learning techniques for detecting deepfake content, with the overarching aim of protecting the victim's privacy or curbing the rise of picture fabrication. Despite extensive research on DL-based deepfake detection systems, challenges such as detecting facial swaps under …

A Kuba Raffia Cut-Pile Textile From The May Weber Ethnographic Study Collection, Stella Riehl

Department of Anthropology

The May Weber Ethnographic Study Collection at Loyola University Chicago contains thousands of objects, including numerous textiles. This report discusses one specific textile housed in the collection. The object is a raffia cut-pile cloth from the Kuba Kingdom of modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo. This report details the specific description, materials, and creation techniques of the object, as well as attribution of its cultural group, function, and date of creation. The object is further contextualized through the discussion of cultural production and usage of textiles among the Kuba. This includes their ritual and economic uses, as well as their changes …

Nature-Based Education As A Learning Tool: Unleashing The Power Of Nature-Based Education In Egyptian Primary Schools. "The Effects Of Outdoor Learning And Open-Air Classrooms On Primary School Students In Egypt.", Nermeen Bekhiet

Theses and Dissertations

When learning modalities are tailored to each student's preferences and needs, academic success follows. This effect is contingent upon both individual and surrounding factors. Many schools in Egypt and the Middle East do not concentrate on how exposure to nature and nature-based learning can affect how the learner perceives his or her learning area. Most schools in Egypt have no exposure to nature to allow students to explore the world in their way; there is no room for diverse students to excel. Therefore, this exploratory research aims to reestablish a connection between private primary school students and the natural world …

Spatiotemporal Metabolic Mapping Of Ex-Situ Preserved Hearts Subjected To Dialysis By Integration Of Bio-Spme Sampling With Non-Targeted Metabolipidomic Profiling., Mariola Olkowicz, Frank Yu, Juglans Souto Alvarez, Roberto Vanin Pinto Ribeiro, Roizar Rosales, Liming Xin, Miao Yu, Karol Jaroch, Mitchell Brady Adamson, Ved Bissoondath, Filio Billia, Mitesh Vallabh Badiwala, Janusz Pawliszyn

Faculty Research 2025

BACKGROUND: Normothermic ex situ heart perfusion (ESHP) has emerged as a valid modality for advanced cardiac allograft preservation and conditioning prior to transplantation though myocardial function declines gradually during ESHP thus limiting its potential for expanding the donor pool. Recently, the utilization of dialysis has been shown to preserve myocardial and coronary vasomotor function. Herein, we sought to determine the changes in myocardial metabolism that could support this improvement.

RESULTS: Male Yorkshire porcine hearts were subjected to ESHP for 8 h with or without dialysis. Alterations in metabolism were studied with an innovative in vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technology coupled …

Urbanization Impacts Dissolved Organic Matter Concentration And Quality In A Southeastern United States Watershed, Gwendolyn M. Hopper, Erik M. Smith, Jade Dormoy-Boulanger, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson

Faculty Publications

Blackwater rivers are named due to their exceptionally high concentrations of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM). They are the predominant lotic ecosystem in the United States Southeastern Coastal Plain, a region experiencing some of the nation’s highest rates of development. This study assessed variability in DOM concentration and composition across forested to urbanized blackwater systems in coastal South Carolina, U.S. Dissolved organic carbon and nutrient concentrations as well as absorbance and fluorescence optical properties reveal that urban sites have lower concentrations, elemental ratios, and less complex DOM. In contrast, forested blackwater sites have concentrations an order of magnitude higher, elevated …

Aberrant Choroid Plexus Formation Drives The Development Of Treatment-Related Brain Toxicity, Tamara Bender, Esther Schickel, Celine Schielke, Jürgen Debus, David R Grosshans, Marco Durante, Insa S Schroeder

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Brain tumors are commonly treated with radiotherapy, but the efficacy of the treatment is limited by its toxicity to the normal tissue including post-irradiation contrast enhanced lesions often linked to necrosis. The poorly understood mechanisms behind such brain lesions were studied using cerebral organoids. Here we show that irradiation of such organoids leads to dose-dependent growth retardation and formation of liquid-filled cavities but is not correlated with necrosis. Instead, the radiation-induced changes comprise of an enhancement of cortical hem markers, altered neuroepithelial stem cell differentiation, and an increase of ZO1+/AQP1+/CLDN3+-choroid plexus (CP)-like structures accompanied by an upregulation of IGF2 mRNA, …

Investigating Environmental Controls On Temperature Dynamics In An Urban Stream, Matthew Cullen Yates

Dissertations and Theses

Water temperature is a critical environmental variable influencing aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the factors controlling stream temperature and thermal stratification in Rock Creek (RC) and Bethany Lake, an urbanized watershed featuring an in-line irrigation pond and buried wastewater infrastructure. Previous research suggested that subsurface water flow might drive temperature shifts in Rock Creek during summer periods when flow from Bethany Lake ceases. From 2023 to 2024, continuous temperature and stage monitoring, combined with statistical methods including principal component analysis and random forest regression, were used to evaluate seasonal temperature dynamics and their controlling factors. Results confirmed that seasonal reversals …

Nature Journaling: A Tool For Designing A Responsive Science Methods Course For Adult Learners, Meenakshi Sharma, Divya Gangadin, Francy Gomez

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We examined an outdoor, experiential learning approach within a science methods course for nontraditional adult learners who are often career changers or individuals transitioning into teaching later in life. Through immersive, nature-based experiences, the course connected adult learners to science via direct engagement with the natural world. We include reflections from two nontraditional learners who participated in a 6-week nature journaling process, showcasing how they embraced inquiry-based experiences in natural settings. These reflections reveal a supportive learning environment that values diverse learning styles and life experiences and encourages exploration. Insights from these experiences can guide science teacher educators in developing …

A Mission In Trouble—Vietnamization And The U.S. Navy, Edward J. Marolda

Naval War College Review

The troubled, expensive, and ultimately failed “Vietnamization” of the U.S. Navy’s assistance to the Republic of Vietnam demonstrates the pitfalls of imposing the American “way of war” on a partner without considering local needs or sustainability.

A Forgotten Dimension Of Naval Diplomacy—The Production Of Social Capital In The National Interest, Nell Bennett, Adam Lockyer

Naval War College Review

Naval diplomacy is a key noncombat mission for fleets to engage in as they communicate their nations’ broader political objectives. Most literature focuses on how different platforms affect this communication but neglects the social dimension of naval diplomacy and how personal relationships supplement and impact the strategic landscape.

Development And Participatory Communication, Jacob Srampickal S.J.

Communication Research Trends

No abstract provided.

Book Review For Hoebeke, E. Richard, James R. Labonte, And Kent E. Loeffler. 2024. Adventive Weevils Recorded From North America: A Review And Illustrated Manual For Their Identification (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea, Excluding Scolytinae). The Coleopterists Society Special Publication 5: 1-603, 226 Color Plates., Wayne Gall

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Book Review for Hoebeke, E. Richard, James R. LaBonte, and Kent E. Loeffler. 2024. Adventive weevils recorded from North America: A review and illustrated manual for their identification (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea, excluding Scolytinae). The Coleopterists Society Special Publication 5: 1-603, 226 color plates.

Flowers Of Black-Seeded And Yellow-Seeded Oilseed Pennycress (Thlaspi Arvense): Abundance, Timing, And Potential Insect Visitors, Frank Forcella, Riley Ellarson, Russ W. Gesch, Alex Hard, Nicholas J. Heller, Sarah Jandricic, M D. Marks, Yesuf Mohammed, William L. Perry, Winthrop B. Phippen, Lucas M. Roberts, Samantha Wells, Tad L. Wesley, Julia Zhang

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Pennycress is being developed in the Midwestern USA as a new oilseed crop that provides numerous ecosystem services. These services include being an early spring source of pollen and nectar for flower-visiting insects. Most past research on pennycress flower visitors used wild genotypes of pennycress. All wild genotypes have seed coats that are black, which occurs because of high levels of proanthocyanadins (PACs). Concentrations of PACs are minimal in newly developed genotypes with yellow-colored seed coats. However, little is known regarding flower abundance and timing nor insect visitation preferences for black-seeded genotypes (BSG) or yellow-seeded genotypes (YSG) of pennycress. Flower …

“Feels Good Man”: How One Amphibian Became A Weapon Of Mass Disinformation, Samuel Stiller

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the “Pepe the Frog” meme to explore the significance of memes as a medium of disinformation with particular emphasis on how the psychology of anonymity affects how disinformation is disseminated.

The Effect Of Temperature And Vegetative Substrate On The Short-Distance Dispersal Behavior Of An Invasive Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) To A Protected Dune Thistle, Alyssa S. Hakes, Tina Czaplinska, Monica Paniagua-Montoya

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The invasion of a seed-eating weevil, Larinus carlinae (Olivier, 1807) poses a threat to the persistence of native Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri), a federally-threatened plant in sand dune communities of the western Great Lakes. At Whitefish Dunes (Sturgeon Bay, WI. USA), seed predation by weevils is higher for thistles surrounded by native marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata) than for those located in sandy habitats. In this study, we observed how the local abiotic and biotic environment affects the short-distance dispersal behavior of L. carlinae. Weevils were captured on site and individually released on the sand approximately …

Occurrence Of Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii) In Wild Berries In Forested Areas Of Marquette And Keweenaw Counties, Upper Peninsula Of Michigan, Alexis M. Shatrau, Erika I. Hersch-Green

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Spotted-wing Drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive fly that targets unripe soft-fruits causing premature ripening, dehiscence, and rotting. While the presence of SWD in agricultural systems is well-documented, much less is known about the host range of SWD in wild areas, especially in more northern latitudes where colder temperatures and short summers are thought to restrict their life-cycles and limit population growth. In 2019 and 2020, we collected wild berries from two counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with long, cold winters, to determine the prevalence, host range, and seasonal/temporal variation of SWD. We found …

Initial Responses Of Carabidae (Coleoptera) To Intensive Biomass Harvesting And Soil Compaction In Aspen Stands Of The Huron-Manistee National Forest, Oscoda County, Michigan, Robert Haack, Robert E. Acciavatti, Robert L. Davidson, Toby Petrice

The Great Lakes Entomologist

During the 1990s, the United States Forest Service implemented several studies to measure the impacts of organic matter removal and soil compaction on forest productivity in forest ecosystems throughout the country. One site was in northeastern Lower Michigan on the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Oscoda County. This site was dominated by mature quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and bigtooth aspen (P. grandidentata Michx.) growing on sandy loam soils. The three organic-matter removal treatments at the site included: 1. stem-only harvesting (SOH); 2. whole-tree harvesting (WTH); and 3. whole-tree harvesting plus forest floor removal (FFR). The three soil compaction …

Susceptibility Of English Oak (Quercus Robur) To The Twolined Chestnut Borer, Agrilus Bilineatus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): Observations From Michigan, Robert A. Haack, Richard W. Blank

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The twolined chestnut borer, Agrilus bilineatus (Weber), is a native North American buprestid beetle that normally infests oak (Quercus) trees stressed by drought or defoliation. However, during the 1980s and early 1990s, A. bilineatus preferentially infested English oak (Quercus robur L.) trees that initially appeared healthy at two experimental plantings in southern Michigan as well as on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus in East Lansing, Michigan. At both experimental plantings the English oaks were intermixed with native white oaks (Quercus alba L.) and had a border of native northern red oaks (Quercus rubra L.). …

Snake Tail, Robert Loeffler

Lines from the Middle of Nowhere

Snake Tail by Robert Loeffler English, Writing Concentration, Undergraduate