Digital Commons Network^™

Coping With Mycotoxins That Constrain Animal Production, N R. Towers, M R. Siegel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Many fungi are parasites and saprophytes of growing and conserved forage crops. A number of these produce mycoloxins, the synthesis of which is controlled by the interaction of fungal and host genomes and the environment. Mycotoxins have diverse chemical structures and elicit a range of responses in ruminant animals. Some of the more important mycotoxin-producing fungi found in forages include Claviceps spp. (ergot alkaloids, paspalitrems) and Acremonium spp. (ergot alkaloids, lolitrcms) causing various forms of ergot toxicity and neurological (lremorgenic) disorders; Pithomyces clrartarum (sporidesmin) and other fungal species causing photosensitisation (e.g., facial eczema, geeldikkop); Phomopsis /eptoslromiformis (phomopsins) causing lupinosis; Rhizoctonia …

Recent Developments In Higher Plant Toxin Research Of Relevance To Animal Production, A A. Seawright, M P. Hegarty

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Advances have been achieved in the diagnosis of chronic intoxications caused by poisonous plants in which the pathological changes present In the affected animals are not definitive, by the chemical identification of toxin adducts in their tissues. This has been demonstrated for pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are of global significance as plant poisons and has resulted on occasion in more determined efforts in eliminating the plants responsible. Many plant toxins need to be metabolised for toxicity within the animal's tissues in order to result in disease, and the furanoterpenes found mainly in myoporaceous plants are e,rnmples, Dietary regimes that lend lo …

Invertebrate Pests, Plant Pathogens And Beneficial Organisms Of Improved Temperate Pastures, R P. Pottinger, M J. Barbeiti, T J. Ridsdill-Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The role of pests, pathogens and beneficial organisms in temperate pasture and animal production is highlighted. Significant differences between pests and. the severity of their infestations exists between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, because both pasture and pest species and their natural enemies have been carried by colonists to the New World countries in the Southern Hemisphere, Pests and pathogens place significant constraints on the sustainability and productivity of pastoral agriculture. Acquisition of basic databases and development of a wider range of controls has occurred over the past 25 years, but the effort has been disjointed. Knowledge of the more …

Invertebrate Pests, Plant Pathogens, And Beneficial Organisms In Extensive Natural Grassland, J G. Watts, L W. Burgess, E W. Huddleston

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

After many decades of research on their control, insects and weeds still arc a major factor in semi-arid grassland ranching. Much has been learned concerning their biology, habits and chemical control but penetrating study of the microbial world surrounding them is quite recent. Plant pathogens are credited with little damage to semi­arid grasslands. Potentially, their most important role may be one of toxigensis among grazing animals after unusual weather that promotes exceptional increase of any one or a combination of several indigenous toxigenic fungi on senescing grasses. Objective cost-benefit consideration of pest and disease control was limited in past decades …

Purchase Intention Of Halal Product: An Applied Study In Lebanon, Soumaya Kaakour

Al Jinan الجنان

Halal is a topic that touches on both business and trade as well as religion. This study aims to investigate the following factors (religiosity, attitude, subjective norms, control behavior, Halal certification and perceived availability) that could affect the purchase intention of Halal products in Lebanese context. The research offers explanations for each variable in the suggested model. Following that, in the first quarter of 2022, data was collected from 202 respondents in Lebanon using an online survey form. SPSS version 20 was applied to test the generated data. Results indicates that the following variables (religiosity, attitude, subjective norms, perceived availability, …

The Alt-Self: Investigating The Inclusivity Of Self-Avatar Representations In Social Vr, Madalyn Javier, Sara Wheeler, Qianhui Ni, Magdalayna Drivas, Katelyn G. Wong, Sofia Fitzsimmons, Ria Panda, Tierney Burke, Saunder Salazar, Jessie Jiang, Lynn C. Miller, David C. Jeong

Communication

While recent research in social VR have investigated user motivations and group communication, there is a gap in understanding the challenge of digital self-representation and how constraints in avatar customization may impact user self-presentation norms. 48 participants (aged 18-24) were asked to customize an avatar, after which researcher conducted qualitative interviews within the Meta Horizon Worlds VR platform regarding users’ satisfaction with their avatars (e.g., skin tone, hair, clothing). Using interview findings (n = 44), we report an in-depth empirical investigation of users’ perceptions of avatar representation, realism, and embodiment in VR. Users express a desire to customize avatars that …

The Impact Of Virtual Reality Exposure On Ocean Connectedness And Consumer Responses To Single-Use Packaging, Sohvi Nuojua, Sabine Pahl, Kayleigh Wyles, Richard Thompson

School of Psychology

Efforts to mitigate plastic packaging pollution include behavioural strategies aimed at shifting consumer perceptions and behaviour. Connectedness to nature, and more recently ocean connectedness, has been associated with pro-environmental intentions regarding single-use packaging. Two experimental studies were conducted to examine the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in promoting ocean connectedness and shifting consumer perceptions around packaging and its environmental qualities. To assess the influence of the VR content, in Study 1 (n = 94), participants were briefly exposed to an oceanic VR environment or an urban VR experience. Levels of ocean connectedness, both explicit and implicit, were measured after …

How Has Health Literacy And Digital Health Literacy Scholarship Evolved? A Global, Qualitative Study, Brooks Yelton Ma, Lmsw, Mayank Sakhuja, Simone Kavarana, Lauren Schaurer, Michelle Angelique Arent, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Mark M. Macauda, Samuel Noblet, Daniela B. Friedman

Publications

Health literacy (HL) is a key social determinant of health (SDoH) and is of increasing importance in public health research and intervention for improved health outcomes. Definitions of HL and digital health literacy (DHL) have evolved over time as the field has expanded conceptualization from an individual focus to the broader community and organizational levels. Careful consideration of HL and DHL for a variety of contexts and audiences is critical given increased global adoption of digital technologies and responses to emerging public health challenges. This study aimed to capture researchers' conceptualizations of HL/DHL and their motivations to engage in this …

The Overlooked First Intercostal Ligament: Does It Help To Stabilize The Weberian Apparatus?, Jake Leyhr, Tatjana Haitina, Nathan C. Bird

Faculty Publications

The Weberian apparatus is a novel hearing adaptation that facilitates increased hearing sensitivity in otophysan fishes. The apparatus is a complex system composed of modifications to anterior vertebral elements, the inner ear, and the swim bladder. A critical piece of the system that often receives minor attention are the various ligaments that bridge these three regions. The most famous of the ligaments is the interossicular ligament, which connects the Weberian ossicle chain (scaphium–intercalarium–tripus). Several other ligaments are present, including the suspensor (tripus to parapophysis 4) and the triple ligament (tripus–os suspensorium–tunica externa). Here, by combining diffusible iodine-based contrast enhancement (DICE) …

Ovarian Cancer Metastasis: Looking Beyond The Surface, Emine Bayraktar, Sisy Chen, Sara Corvigno, Jinsong Liu, Anil K Sood

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Historically, ovarian cancer (OC) was thought to metastasize by surface-to-surface spread, but recent developments have yielded a new understanding of the paths of metastatic spread. Given the histologic and molecular heterogeneity of OC, we will focus on high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). Here, we provide a critical and more holistic view of the evidence supporting various routes of metastasis, including peritoneal, hematogenous, lymphatic, and nerve-related. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is necessary to improve treatment strategies for this challenging disease.

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Wildlife Monitoring Using Bioacoustics, Kaitlin Campbell, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

Animals use sounds to communicate with each other, just like humans. Humans can listen in on animals by using a bioacoustic monitoring device, a passive device that quietly records surrounding sounds. Bioacoustic monitoring devices blend in with the environment, allowing us to know what types of animals appear when we’re gone. The device collects and stores data and allows us to visualize, analyze, and identify animals from the sounds they make.

Participatory Design Of An Embodied Mixed Reality Experience Aimed To Assessing Individual And Collaborative Behaviors Of Children, Olga Gali, Gözde Tüter, Sena Beste Ercan, Óscar Delgado, Gray Atherton, Liam Cross, Narcis Pares

School of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Chimes: October 14, 2024, Calvin University

Chimes

Calvin unveils fully operational cadaver lab by Maya Oeverman

SPEAC partners with Calvin Improv to offer a new option for bystander training by Elisabeth Stevens

Nexus leverages new office space to offer free financial coaching by Ethan Meyers

Meet the 2024-25 freshman senators by McKenna Wilkinson and Sarah Sparling

Commanded to rest by Ashley Hamons

Molly Parden, Eliza Edens, Louisa Stancioff: The trio that shook the Recital Hall by Natasha Jayaputra

Why it's important to get engaged? by Graham Kort

Sdeper: A Hybrid Machine Learning And Regression Method For Cell-Type Deconvolution Of Spatial Barcoding-Based Transcriptomic Data, Yunqing Liu, Ningshan Li, Ji Qi, Gang Xu, Jiayi Zhao, Nating Wang, Xiayuan Huang, Wenhao Jiang, Huanhuan Wei, Aurélien Justet, Taylor S Adams, Robert Homer, Amei Amei, Ivan O Rosas, Naftali Kaminski, Zuoheng Wang, Xiting Yan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Spatial barcoding-based transcriptomic (ST) data require deconvolution for cellular-level downstream analysis. Here we present SDePER, a hybrid machine learning and regression method to deconvolve ST data using reference single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. SDePER tackles platform effects between ST and scRNA-seq data, ensuring a linear relationship between them while addressing sparsity and spatial correlations in cell types across capture spots. SDePER estimates cell-type proportions, enabling enhanced resolution tissue mapping by imputing cell-type compositions and gene expressions at unmeasured locations. Applications to simulated data and four real datasets showed SDePER's superior accuracy and robustness over existing methods.

Effects Of Cadherin Mediated Contact Normalization On Oncogenic Src Kinase Mediated Gene Expression And Protein Phosphorylation, Rachel E Nicoletto, Cayla J Holdcraft, Ariel C Yin, Edward P Retzbach, Stephanie A Sheehan, Amanda A Greenspan, Christopher M Laugier, Jason Trama, Caifeng Zhao, Haiyan Zheng, Gary S Goldberg

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Nontransformed cells form heterotypic cadherin junctions with adjacent transformed cells to inhibit tumor cell growth and motility. Transformed cells must override this form of growth control, called "contact normalization", to invade and metastasize during cancer progression. Heterocellular cadherin junctions between transformed and nontransformed cells are needed for this process. However, specific mechanisms downstream of cadherin signaling have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we utilized a β-catenin reporter construct to determine if contact normalization affects Wnt signaling in transformed cells. β-catenin driven GFP expression in Src transformed mouse embryonic cells was decreased when cultured with cadherin competent nontransformed cells compared to …

Isolation And Characterization Of Yeast From Sisal Boles For Bioethanol Production, Neema Msuya, Sospeter P Andrew, Abraham K Temu

Tanzania Journal of Science

Sisal boles are part of the 98% sisal plant waste that is discarded. They have a high bio-diversity of microorganism species, including yeast that can be utilized for bioethanol production. The objective of the study was to isolate yeast cells from sisal boles juice for bioethanol production. Sisal boles for juice extraction were randomly collected from Ubena sisal estate, Pwani region. To preserve the targeted microorganisms cold juice pressing method was used. Pour plate method was used on Potato Dextrose Agar and four distinct colonies were formed and repeatedly sub-cultured to obtain four pure yeast isolates. The juice yield was …

Detection And Validation Of Organic Metabolites In Urine For Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis., Kiana L. Holbrook, George E. Quaye, Elizabeth Noriega Landa, Xiaogang Su, Qin Gao, Heinric Williams, Ryan Young, Sabur Badmos, Ahsan Habib, Angelica A. Chacon, Wen-Yee Lee

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) comprises the majority, approximately 70-80%, of renal cancer cases and often remains asymptomatic until incidentally detected during unrelated abdominal imaging or at advanced stages. Currently, standardized screening tests for renal cancer are lacking, which presents challenges in disease management and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to identify ccRCC-specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the urine of ccRCC-positive patients and develop a urinary VOC-based diagnostic model.

METHODS: This study involved 233 pretreatment ccRCC patients and 43 healthy individuals. VOC analysis utilized stir-bar sorptive extraction coupled with thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SBSE-TD-GC/MS). A …

Bi-Directional Allosteric Pathway In Nmda Receptor Activation And Modulation, Paula A Bender, Subhajit Chakraborty, Ryan J Durham, Vladimir Berka, Elisa Carrillo, Vasanthi Jayaraman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors involved in learning and memory. NMDA receptors primarily comprise two GluN1 and two GluN2 subunits. The GluN2 subunit dictates biophysical receptor properties, including the extent of receptor activation and desensitization. GluN2A- and GluN2D-containing receptors represent two functional extremes. To uncover the conformational basis of their functional divergence, we utilize single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to probe the extracellular domains of these receptor subtypes under resting and ligand-bound conditions. We find that the conformational profile of the GluN2 amino-terminal domain correlates with the disparate functions of GluN2A- and GluN2D-containing receptors. Changes at the pre-transmembrane …

Whole Child Development: Academic Knowledge Influence, Allison Thielbar

Graduate Teacher Education

In the education systems, the emphasis on academic achievement often overshadows the development of young learners. This pressure was particularly evident in early childhood classrooms, where educators were to prioritize standardized academic outcomes over the broader needs of the whole child (Cade et al., 2022). This research paper explored the tension between academic pressure and development in early childhood education, examining how the intense
focus on academic knowledge could undermine efforts to support the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of students (Friedman et al., 2021). A review of existing literature and an analysis of educational practices showed that the emphasis …

Long-Term Human Immune Reconstitution, T-Cell Development, And Immune Reactivity In Mice Lacking The Murine Major Histocompatibility Complex: Validation With Cellular And Gene Expression Profiles., Milita Darguzyte, Philipp Antczak, Daniel Bachurski, Patrick Hoelker, Nima Abedpour, Rahil Gholamipoorfard, Hans A Schlößer, Kerstin Wennhold, Martin Thelen, Maria A Garcia-Marquez, Johannes Koenig, Andreas Schneider, Tobias Braun, Frank Klawonn, Michael Damrat, Masudur Rahman, Jan-Malte Kleid, Sebastian J Theobald, Eugen Bauer, Constantin Von Kaisenberg, Steven R Talbot, Leonard D. Shultz, Brian Soper, Renata Stripecke

Faculty Research 2024

Background: Humanized mice transplanted with CD34+ hematopoietic cells (HPCs) are broadly used to study human immune responses and infections in vivo and for testing therapies pre-clinically. However, until now, it was not clear whether interactions between the mouse major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) and/or the human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) were necessary for human T-cell development and immune reactivity. Methods: We evaluated the long-term (20- week) human hematopoiesis and human T-cell development in NOD Scid Gamma (NSG) mice lacking the expression of MHC class I and II (NSG-DKO). Triplicate experiments were performed with HPCs obtained from three donors, and humanization was confirmed …

Regular Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use Increases Stress Fracture Risk In The General Population: A Retrospective Case-Control Study, Alexandra Ciuciu, Chris Mulholland, Michael A. Bozzi, Chris C. Frymoyer, Leonardo Cavinatto, David Yaron, Marc I. Harwood, Jeremy D. Close, Christopher J. Mehallo, Ryan E. Tomlinson

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Previous studies have shown that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with increased stress fracture risk. This phenomenon has been studied predominantly in high-activity individuals, so data regarding the general population are limited despite the substantial economic and resource burden of stress fracture injuries within the general US population. Furthermore, our preclinical studies demonstrate that regular use of NSAIDs also diminishes the intrinsic ability of bone to resist fracture. To determine the association of regular NSAID use with stress fractures in the general population, we surveyed subjects presenting with either stress fracture or uncomplicated ankle sprain to …

Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 1 In Cancer Metastasis And Therapeutic Resistance: Mechanistic Insights And Translational Advances., Mariana K Najjar, Munazza S Khan, Chuling Zhuang, Ankush Chandra, Hui-Wen Lo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Interleukin-1 Receptor Associated Kinase 1 (IRAK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a critical role as a signaling transducer of the activated Toll-like receptor (TLR)/Interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathway in both immune cells and cancer cells. Upon hyperphosphorylation by IRAK4, IRAK1 forms a complex with TRAF6, which results in the eventual activation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. IRAK1 can translocate to the nucleus where it phosphorylates STAT3 transcription factor, leading to enhanced IL-10 gene expression. In immune cells, activated IRAK1 coordinates innate immunity against pathogens and mediates inflammatory responses. In cancer cells, IRAK1 is frequently activated, and the activation …

Pain After Licorice Or Sugar-Water Gargling In Patients Recovering From Oropharyngeal Surgery-A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial, Marita Windpassinger, Michal Prusak, Jana Gemeiner, Olga Plattner, Stefan Janik, Gerold Besser, Wolfgang Gstoettner, Pu Xuan, Daniel I Sessler, Kurt Ruetzler

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Glycyrrhiza glabrata (licorice) is used in traditional medicine and herbal remedies and reduces sore throats consequent to intubation, but whether it is protective for more intense pain after oropharyngeal surgery remains unclear. We thus tested the joint hypothesis that gargling with licorice, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reduces postoperative pain and morphine consumption.

Methods: We enrolled patients having elective oropharyngeal surgery. Participants were randomly allocated to gargle with either 1 g licorice or a sugar placebo before and for up to three days after surgery. A numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain along with morphine consumption was evaluated …

A Proteomics Approach To Study Mouse Long Bones: Examining Baseline Differences And Mechanical Loading-Induced Bone Formation In Young-Adult And Old Mice, Christopher J Chermside-Scabbo, John T Shuster, Petra Erdmann-Gilmore, Eric Tycksen, Qiang Zhang, R Reid Townsend, Matthew J Silva

2020-Current year OA Pubs

With aging, bone mass declines and the anabolic effects of skeletal loading diminish. While much research has focused on gene transcription, how bone ages and loses its mechanoresponsiveness at the protein level remains unclear. We developed a novel proteomics approach and performed a paired mass spectrometry and RNA-seq analysis on tibias from young-adult (5-month) and old (22-month) mice. We report the first correlation estimate between the bone proteome and transcriptome (Spearman

Vol. 33, No. 12 / Vol. 34, No. 1 - Whole No. 178, Bernadette Bosky

Mythprint

Mythprint is the monthly bulletin of the Mythopoeic Society, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. To promote these interests, the Society publishes three magazines, maintains a World Wide Web site, and sponsors the annual Mythopoeic Conference and awards for fiction and scholarship, as well as local and written discussion groups.

Vol. 33, No. 9-11 - Whole No. 177, Bernadette Bosky

Mythprint

Mythprint is the monthly bulletin of the Mythopoeic Society, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. To promote these interests, the Society publishes three magazines, maintains a World Wide Web site, and sponsors the annual Mythopoeic Conference and awards for fiction and scholarship, as well as local and written discussion groups.

Vol. 33, No. 4-7 - Whole No. 175, Bernadette Bosky

Mythprint

Mythprint is the monthly bulletin of the Mythopoeic Society, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. To promote these interests, the Society publishes three magazines, maintains a World Wide Web site, and sponsors the annual Mythopoeic Conference and awards for fiction and scholarship, as well as local and written discussion groups.

Crypto & The Climate: Will Local & National Environmental Regulation Save Or Stifle The Cryptocurrency Boom?

Fordham Environmental Law Review

As cryptocurrencies continue to gain traction among mainstream investors and consumers, regulators and lobbyists are increasingly taking note of the potential environmental impacts of the industry. At its core, the process of mining new currency for virtual wallets is energy intensive, which can place strains on electrical grids and accelerate the impacts of climate change. However, these effects are felt very differently depending on what source of electricity the mining operation utilizes and the methodology behind the specific currency. These variable factors are on the minds of legislators and regulators as public pressure to better understand and regulate the industry …

A Shifting Focus: How Algal Turf Scrubbers (Ats) In Natural Waterways Can Prevent Toxic Blooms And Could Save The Algae Energy Industry

Fordham Environmental Law Review

Biofuels have generated global interest among oil companies and governments. In particular, algal biofuels are slated to be more promising than traditional biofuel feedstocks, like corn and sugarcane, which are simultaneously cultivated as food products. However, the drawbacks of harvesting algae on a large industrial scale has led to intense criticism. Most critics focus on issues of sustainability, scalability of production, and the legal and ethical concerns of genetically modified crops. New research in cyanobacteria, however, illustrates algae’s potential to produce clean electricity in addition to oil, ethanol, and gasoline. Moreover, using Algal Turf Scrubbers (“ATS”) in natural waterways offers …

Why We Need A Constitutional Right To Healthy Environment In Canada

Fordham Environmental Law Review

The increasing demand for constitutional recognition of the right to a healthy environment (‘RTHE’) has been a matter of public concern and debate in many countries, including Canada.2 This paper asks, will a constitutional RTHE within the Canadian Constitution add any value when statutes already exist to protect the environment (and thereby health)? The present environmental statutes work towards protecting the environment, and by protecting the environment, public health can be protected.3 Together, both of them form a ‘healthy environment’, ie., an environment that fosters a healthy life.4 This paper will argue that there is additional value in recognizing a …