Digital Commons Network^™

Breeding Microhabitat Patterns Among Sympatric Tropical Larids, Antonio Garcia-Quintas, Dennis Denis, Christophe Barbraud, Sophie Lanco Bertrand

Marine Ornithology

The selection of breeding microhabitat (nesting sites) affects successful reproduction in seabirds, yet the process of nesting-site selection in sympatric tropical species remains poorly known. During the 2021 breeding season, we assessed nesting-site selection among five larid species at three cays of Cuba and quantified explanatory variables. Random forest classification models were used to assess which landscape features among eight variables best explained site selection by each species. Patterns were clear for most species, especially the highly gregarious Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii, Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus, and Sandwich Tern T. sandvicensis. Patterns were consistent among the study cays. Dominant plant …

The Potential Of Ecologists To Enhance Our Understanding Of Seabird Health, Melanie R. Wells, Annie Philips, Mary-Anne Lea, Scott Carver

Marine Ornithology

Ecologists play a pivotal role in the detection and investigation of population changes in seabirds and by doing so have significant potential to contribute to enhancing knowledge of seabird health. This review highlights key examples in the literature where ecologists have employed diligent passive health surveillance and/or undertaken targeted investigations of seabirds, strategies that have augmented our knowledge of seabird health at individual and population levels. Within the context of One Health, an integrated approach to perceiving and managing health, this review amalgamates veterinarian and ecology disciplines by summarising auxiliary metrics of clinical health that may be considered for incorporation …

The Influence Of Breeding Status And Nest Site Location On Marine Habitat Use By Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus Marmoratus, Sonya A. Pastran, David B. Lank, Patrick D. O’Hara, Russell W. Bradley, Cecilia Lougheed, Lynn W. Lougheed, Nadine R. Parker, Laura A. Mcfarlane Tranquilla, Elizabeth A. Krebs, Fred Cooke, Douglas F. Bertram

Marine Ornithology

The Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus is a threatened seabird that relies on old-growth forest for nesting. We compare marine space use between breeding and non-breeding birds, and how marine home range locations and overlap vary with respect to nesting location and breeding status. We collected very high frequency (VHF) radio-telemetry data in southern British Columbia from Clayoquot Sound (190 birds; 2000–2002) and Desolation Sound (206 birds; 1998–2001). The sites differ strongly in their oceanic exposure and surrounding terrestrial features. Kernel utilization distribution-based estimates showed that breeders and non-breeders had similar overall distributions, but breeders were more spatially aggregated. Pooled home …

Diagnosis Of Hypothermia In Seabirds From Coastal California, Nancy L. Anderson

Marine Ornithology

This study established cloacal temperature (TCl) cut-off values to diagnose hypothermia in near shore seabirds rescued along the coast of California. All birds died when TCl was < 38.2 °C. When Aechmophorus grebes were excluded, 100% died when TCl was < 38.4 °C. Mortality increased 2–3× when TCl was lower than receiver operating curve-determined criteria for diagnosing hypothermia based on attitude: < 38.8 °C for mixed species, < 39.1 °C for Common Murres Uria aalge, and < 38.2 °C for Aechmophorus grebes. Reductions in TCl as small as 1.0 °C had significant physiologic effects.

Longevity Records For The Brown Booby Sula Leucogaster And Flesh-Footed Shearwater Ardenna Carneipes, Vincent H.S. Yap, Lillian G. Stewart, Silke Stuckenbrock, Andrew L. Fidler, Jennifer L. Lavers

Marine Ornithology

Longevity records for seabirds are vital to understanding population demography but are often limited due to the relatively short duration of many monitoring programs. Here, we present new longevity records for two seabird species: 32.2 years (Queensland, Australia) for the Brown Booby Sula leucogaster and 33.9 years (New Zealand) for the Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes, alongside existing longevity data. While these new records represent the oldest known birds to date, we suggest that they reflect typical adult lifespans of these species, i.e., 25–30 years, and reinforce the need for ongoing monitoring efforts.

Population Decline And Breeding Distribution Changes Of Magnificent Frigatebirds Fregata Magnificens In Baja California Sur, Gerardo Marrón, Adriana Hernández-Alvarez, Roberto Carmona, Sergio Águila

Marine Ornithology

The Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens (MaFr) is a tropical seabird species that is widely distributed along the mid-latitude coasts of the Americas. Historically, its most important breeding location has been Estero Las Tijeras in the Magdalena Lagoon complex (MLC), Baja California Sur, Mexico. Our recent data indicate a severe (~96%) population decline at this location. In 2002–2003, 33535 MaFr were counted in all of the MLC, and historical data (1985–1986) support the maintenance of consistently high numbers of MaFr in this region over time. Yet, MaFr abundance dropped severely—to ~1 200 individuals—in 2015. This low abundance persisted into 2017, when …

Camera Trapping Reveals Cooperative Breeding In The Red-Footed Booby Sula Sula, Matthieu Le Corre, Morgane Manoury, Sabine Orlowski, Florent Bignon, Gabrielle Dicque

Marine Ornithology

Cooperative breeding occurs in only 9% of bird species and is particularly rare among seabirds. We provide evidence that cooperative breeding occurs in a tropical seabird, the Red-footed Booby. Through camera monitoring of active nests, we found one nest in which a chick was raised by a trio of birds: its two parents and an immature bird. The immature bird fed the chick, guarded it, and preened it. The parents did not behave aggressively towards the immature bird when it approached the chick, suggesting that this trio was stable and composed of birds that knew each other. The growth of …

Status Of Craveri’S Murrelet Synthliboramphus Craveri In The Midriff Islands, Gulf Of California, Mexico, Francisco Jaime Martínez Reyes, Lauren A. Dolinski, Lorayne R. Meltzer, Paulina De L. Camarena Gomez, Noah L. Oas

Marine Ornithology

The Craveri's Murrelet Synthliboramphus craveri is an endangered seabird (family Alcidae) endemic to northwestern Mexico, where it breeds on rocky islands throughout the Gulf of California (GOC). Nesting records are scarce for most of these islands, and much of the available information relies on historical data collected more than 50 years ago. Beginning in 2009 through to 2023, we performed intermittent nest searches on five islands in the Midriff Islands of the GOC. Starting in 2018 on Alcatraz Island and starting in 2022 on San Pedro Mártir Island, we monitored nests to determine average clutch size and hatching success. We …

Decrypting The Breeding Biology Of The Elusive And Declining Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria Rostrata, Angelique Pagenaud, Karen Bourgeois, Léna Payandi, Wilfried Weiss, Éric Vidal, Andreas Ravache

Marine Ornithology

Among procellariids, the Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata is one of the most endangered and least known species. Its global populations are declining, yet demographic and ecological studies remain scarce. Understanding the breeding cycle and behavior of Tahiti Petrel adults and chicks is essential to develop effective protection measures. To address this knowledge gap, Tahiti Petrel colonies of various sizes were studied at three sites in New Caledonia, with extensive sampling at two main sites and limited sampling at a third. A total of 157 burrows were monitored for up to two years using endoscopic cameras and camera traps. This allowed …

Ecological Correlates Of Reproduction Of A Bet-Hedging Seabird, The Kittlitz’S Murrelet Brachyramphus Brevirostris, Michelle L. Kissling, Paul M. Lukacs, Grey W. Pendleton, Jonathan J. Felis, Scott M. Gende, Stephen B. Lewis

Marine Ornithology

For longer-lived species, individuals hedge their bets by skipping breeding when conditions are poor to preserve the opportunity for future breeding attempts. Thus, understanding the ecological drivers behind the ‘choice’ to reproduce or not is a key step in identifying and diagnosing causes of population change. We investigated both marine and terrestrial factors that might influence whether Kittlitz’s Murrelets Brachyramphus brevirostris—a long-lived seabird of conservation concern that is often associated with glacially-influenced habitats—choose to breed in a given year. We used a suite of proxies to explain variation in reproductive metrics of radio-tagged Kittlitz’s Murrelets, exploring three hypotheses related to …

Environmental Advocacy As An Occupation: Perceived Self-Efficacy And Occupational Justice In Community Programming, Emma Sims, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Current occupational therapy literature demonstrates a gap in knowledge of environmental advocacy as an occupation, which directly impacts occupational justice in those experiencing environmental racism or discrimination. This study’s purpose was to provide foundational information on the importance of advocacy work in the sphere of environmental and occupational justice through the lived experiences of those directly involved in community environmental advocacy.

Method: Qualitative data was collected via three focus groups using semi-structured interviews focused on perceptions of participant experiences in environmental advocacy occupations. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes relating to research questions.

Results: When …

Integrating Belowground Recovery Into Tropical Forest Restoration Design And Monitoring, Lauren Toro, Leland K. Werden, Shalom D. Addo-Danso, Kelly M. Andersen, Sarah Batterman, Matilde M. Bragadini, Pooja Choksi, Rebecca J. Cole, Liza S. Comita, Daniela Cusack, Daisy H. Dent, Lee H. Dietterich, Joshua B. Fisher, Katrin Fleischer, Lucia Fuchslueger, Nohemi Huanca-Nunez, Janey R. Lienau, Lindsay A. Mcculloch, Ember M. Morrissey, Jennifer S. Powers, Mareli Sánchez-Juliá, Oscar Valverde-Barrantes, Anita Weissflog, Michelle Y. Wong

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

There is growing recognition that tropical forest restoration is key for sequestering carbon and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Soils, roots, and soil biota are central to ecosystem function and services, but belowground recovery is largely overlooked in restoration monitoring frameworks. Here, we outline current understanding of the links between above- and belowground recovery in tropical forests by examining how belowground properties before and after intervention influence recovery; by evaluating whether aboveground recovery can serve as a proxy for belowground dynamics; and by proposing a blueprint for monitoring dynamic soil physical (bulk density, aggregate stability), chemical (organic matter or carbon, pH), and …

The Kentucky Microbiome Dataset, Rachel L. Washburn, Douglas C. Curl

Research Data--KGS

The Kentucky Microbiome Dataset is a continuously updated geolocated dataset which describes the distribution and diversity of microorganisms across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each geolocated point represents a location reported in the peer-reviewed literature where microorganisms were sampled from soil, water, geologic substrates, or clinical settings. Environmental studies include only non-host-associated, non-clinical microorganisms sampled from natural environments. Clinical studies are mapped separately to highlight locations where investigations into host-associated or human health-related microbes have occurred.

For each location, associated metadata include study information, taxonomic classifications, sample type, sampling method, latitude and longitude, sampling date, publication reference, and a direct link …

Pola Sebaran Spasial Pada Kejadian Stunting Di Provinsi Lampung Tahun 2019 -2023, R Nasrullah Nur Nugroho, Indang Trihandini, Martya Rahmaniati Makful

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

Stunting merupakan gangguan pertumbuhan dan perkembangan yang dialami anak-anak akibat gizi buruk, infeksi berulang dan stimulasi psikososial yang tidak memadai. Menurut Survei Kesehatan Indonesia (SKI) 2023, prevalensi stunting di Indonesia sebesar 21,5%, sementara Lampung 14,9% yang menempatkannya pada posisi ke-empat terendah setelah Bali, Jambi dan Riau. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pola sebaran spasial dan autokorelasi spasial kejadian stunting di Provinsi Lampung tahun 2019–2023 dengan pendekatan studi ekologi. Sampel penelitian adalah 13 kabupaten dan 2 kota di Provinsi Lampung. Metode analisis spasial yang digunakan adalah Moran’s I untuk mengukur autokorelasi spasial global dan Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) untuk …

Conflict And Compromise, Discourse And Action: Political Ecology In The Complexity Of Land Management In Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Salsa Rizkia Meilinda, Darmawan Salman, Sawedi Muhammad

Forest and Society

Peatlands in Mantangai District, Central Kalimantan, have emerged as a site of contention among many stakeholders with differing interests, illustrating the intricacies of natural resource management in Indonesia. This research seeks to examine the contestation process, identify main actors, and comprehend how various forms of knowledge and power influence the results of peatland management. This research employs a case study method with a qualitative approach, incorporating direct observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis to achieve a thorough knowledge of the dynamics of contestation. The findings indicate three primary viewpoints in peatland management: eco-conservationism exemplified by Mawas Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation …

The Impact Of Genetic Ancestry On Survival Outcomes In Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report From The Children’S Oncology Group, Ekene A Onwuka, Christina L Magyar, Bailey A Martin-Giacalone, Michael E Scheurer, Deborah A Marquez-Do, Mark Zobeck, Elizabeth G Atkinson, Erin R Rudzinski, Michael A Arnold, Donald A Barkauskas, David Hall, Javed Khan, Jack F Shern, Paul Scheet, Brian Crompton, Corinne M Linardic, Douglas S Hawkins, Rajkumar Venkatramani, Lisa Mirabello, Chad D Huff, Melissa A Richard, Philip J Lupo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Emerging evidence suggests genetic ancestry may influence childhood cancer outcomes, but its impact on pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is unknown. We explored genetic ancestry's impact on survival among children with RMS. This multi-center observational cohort study is a secondary analysis of previously collected biobanking, genomic, and clinical data. The study included 920 individuals with newly diagnosed RMS under 40 years of age enrolled from 2005 to 2017 under the COG soft tissue sarcoma biobanking protocol D9902. The primary endpoints were (1) event-free survival (EFS), defined as the time from study enrollment to tumor recurrence/progression, secondary malignancy, or death from any cause; …

Community Members’ Perspectives On A Community-Engaged Process For Supporting Vibrant Greenspaces In Detroit, Alysha D. Matthews, Guilherme Hebling Costa, Karl Erickson, Karin A. Pfeiffer, Amber L. Pearson, Benjamin V. Dougherty

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Greenspaces provide several well-being (Dinnie et al., 2013) and psychosocial benefits (Addy et al., 2004). Community-engaged research affords community partners a voice in the project (Cushman et al., 2004). This study assessed Detroit community members’ perceived benefits of and suggestions for engaging with the community to support greenspaces. Through qualitative analysis, a three-step process for community-engaged planning was revealed. Findings highlight strategies that involve community members in this process to enhance community engagement and well-being.

Preferred Plants And Nectar Collecting Times For Honey Production, David Macfawn, Jennifer M.K. O'Keefe, Sophie Warny, Carol Wymer, June Rampy Ponder

Clemson Extension Publishing

This book addresses three important questions for South Carolina beekeepers – which plants are bees in South Carolina using for nectar forage, when bees collect nectar from those plants, and how can understanding nectar foraging habits inform beekeepers as they work to gather specific types of premium honey? In 2021, the South Carolina Beekeeper’s Association, led by David MacFawn, designed and implemented a statewide pollen study, the first in any state in over fifty years, to answer these questions. Informed by data gathered from 19 apiaries across the state, this book contains the results of that study, including large-scale melissopalynological …

Investing Hysteresis In Floodplain Dynamics Of Lakes In The Middle St. Johns River Using Sentinel-1 Sar Imagery, Keenan Hubbard

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Floodplain dynamics are often complex, with hysteresis potentially affecting the temporal relationship between flood stage and flood extent during subsequent inundation phases. This study leverages Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to map flood extent in the Middle St. Johns River Lake floodplains and examine the presence of hysteresis during flood events. SAR scenes corresponding to river gauge readings were analyzed from the rising and falling limbs of a flood hydrograph. By comparing these flood maps, we assess differences in inundated areas at equivalent water levels during each stage of the flood event. The findings aim to enhance flood monitoring …

Reaction Control Mechanism In Deoxyuridine 5'-Triphosphate Nucleotidohydrolase, Aaron Delay

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) is an enzyme involved in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway, a key component of cellular DNA metabolism. It regulates intracellular uracil carrying triphosphate levels by hydrolyzing dUTP, thereby providing a substrate for thymidylate synthase (TS). The effective inhibition of dUTPase is expected to enhance TS-targeted chemotherapy by promoting thymine-less apoptosis.

Although the reaction mechanism of dUTPase has been studied, the human nuclear homotrimeric form remains complex, as all three subunits cooperatively form a single active site. As a result, the detailed molecular dynamics of its catalysis are still not fully understood. In this study, I investigated the …

Investigating Environmental And Socioeconomic Contributors To Adult Obesity In The Rio Grande Valley, John Nicholas Cauba, Jihoo Woo, Russel Wiggins, Shizue Mito

School of Medicine Publications

Obesity in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas remains a critical public health concern, with rates (46.9%) significantly exceeding those of Texas (36%) and the U.S. (34%) (p < 0.001). This study used 2024 County Health Rankings data to analyze environmental and socioeconomic contributors to obesity across 240 Texas counties, with a population-weighted focus on Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacy counties. The RGV exhibited markedly poorer access to exercise, higher rates of physical inactivity, lower Food Environment Index scores (FEI = 4.3 vs. 5.7 in Texas), higher rates of uninsurance, worse patient-to–primary care physician (PCP) ratios (2152:1 vs. Texas 1660:1), and increased preventable hospitalizations. Multiple linear regression identified physical inactivity (β = 0.6, p = 0.01) and access to exercise (β = −0.02, p = 0.02) as significant predictors of obesity. Notably, higher uninsured rates were associated with lower reported obesity, likely due to underdiagnosis in the absence of routine care. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing food access, environmental and recreational infrastructure, along with healthcare infrastructure in the RGV, where socioeconomic disadvantage and structural barriers magnify the impact of national obesity trends on the regional level.

Mycetohabitans Rhizoxinica Bacteremia In The Setting Of Invasive Fungal Disease In An Immunocompromised Patient, Marisa Orbea, Mary Fortini, Megan H Amerson-Brown, Debra L Palazzi, James J Dunn

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Mycetohabitans [Burkholderia] rhizoxinica is an endosymbiotic bacteria of Rhizopus microsporus that normally causes rice seedling blight. In our case report, we present one of the first known cases of concomitant bacteremia with M. rhizoxinica and invasive mold infection due to Rhizopus spp. in an immunocompromised child.

Case summary: A 3 year old male recently diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed febrile neutropenia. His workup was significant for invasive fungal sinusitis due to Exserohilum spp. based on histopathology and culture, a right middle lobe infiltrate, and a blood culture positive for gram-negative coccobacilli, later identified as M. …

A Phase 2 Trial Of Short-Term Intravenous N-Acetylcysteine In Biliary Atresia After Kasai Portoenterostomy, Sanjiv Harpavat, Kristin A Borovsky, Michael E Scheurer, Laurel Cavallo, Franca E Erhiawarie, Sanjeev Vasudevan, Adam M Vogel, Dana Cerminara, Elizabeth M Tessier, Kalyani R Patel, Sridevi Devaraj, Benjamin L Shneider

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: For infants with biliary atresia, the only treatment that can establish bile flow and delay need for liver transplant is the Kasai portoenterostomy (KP). Unfortunately, the KP has variable success. In this study, we hypothesized that intravenous N-acetylcysteine (IV NAC) treatment following KP would improve bile flow.

Methods: This was a phase 2 study following the two-stage "minimax" trial design. Participants received IV NAC (150 mg/kg/day) for 7 days after KP, and the primary endpoint was achieving total serum bile acids (TSBA) ≤10 μmol/L within 24 weeks of KP. Secondary endpoints were clinical markers and the occurrence of sentinel …

The Baeyya Poem Of Thul Rimmah: An Ecology Study, Theeb Mek'at Al-Otaypi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Arts and Humanities

This research analyzes a poem of Dhu Al-Rummah called Al-Ba'iyyah from the perspective of ecologicl criticism and seeks to detect the relationship of the text to the environment, and the poet's obsession with preserving it. It reveals the environmental space of the text and the appearance of the environment as an important part of the textual space and the internal structure of the text. Then the research tries to explore the characteristics of the place in the text because it is an important part of the environment, and the relationship of the place to the poet, and how the place …

Distribusi Kejadian Diare Pada Balita Dan Kualitas Sumber Air Minum Di Indonesia: Studi Ekologi, Nadia Z. Sabira, Naijla I. Shaliha, Sandrina H. Salsabila, Wellsa D. Kusumaningrum

Jurnal Nasional Kesehatan Lingkungan Global

Background: Diarrhea is an infectious disease with the third highest mortality rate in children under 5 years of age globally. The Indonesian Ministry of Health states that 88% of deaths from diarrhea in children are caused by poor sanitation practices and inadequate quality of drinking water sources. This study aims to describe the distribution of the quality of drinking water sources and the prevalence of diarrhea in all provinces in Indonesia. Methods: This study used an ecological study approach with secondary aggregate data from Survei Kesehatan Indonesia (SKI) 2023 and Studi Kualitas Air Minum Rumah Tangga (SKAM RT) 2020. The …

Diarrhea Risk Factors Of Toddlers In Jember District, 2022, Annisa Fitrah Aini, Yunus Ariyanto, Adistha Eka Noveyani

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Diarrhea is a disease characterized by passing feces three or more times a day. The occurrence of diarrhea is also influenced by sociodemographic factors (nutritional status) and environmental factors (access to clean water, access to sanitary latrines, and living in flood-prone areas). The purpose of this research focuses on finding risk factors for diarrhea and mapping the risk factors of diarrhea. This study used an ecological study design, in which the population is all sub-districts in Jember. Secondary data were used in this research. The data were analyzed using statistical correlation analysis using SPSS and mapping using GIS software. The …

Environmental Related Variation In A Natural Grassland Of Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil, V De P. Pillar, A.V A. Jacques, I I. Boldrini

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Vegetation ecology studies help research efforts to improve natural grassland productivity by laying foundations for improvement techniques directed to benefit desired plant com­munities. Experiments reveal knowledge about the environ­mental conditions responsible for community structure and productivity, while surveys are a fast and cheap means for exploratory studies. In either case, data interpretation are helped by multivariate methods described by different authors, e.g., Orloci and Kenkel (1985). Our work is aimed to identify the environmental factors most responsible for vegetation variation in natural grasslands, locally known as « campos », and to formulate hypotheses about the effects of fertilization and grazing …

Physical And Chemical Characterization Of Recycled Glass Sand For Environmental Restoration, Shehbaz Ahmad, Julie P. Vanegas, Nicholas Borne, Natalia Butler, Toby Mendels, Leah A. Michaeloff, Diego Molina, Mary Salvaggio, Samantha Tamayo, Franziska Trautmann

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Introduction

We rely on coastal resources for food, water, and energy. However, over 75% of U.S. coastlines are eroding. Concurrently, the U.S. recycles less glass than other developed countries, landfilling hundreds of millions of tons every year. Recycled glass sand has many potential benefits over natural sand for combatting land loss; for example, it can be produced with controlled particle size to better resist erosion, making it an excellent—and underutilized—material for environmental restoration.

Objectives

This research compares the physical and chemical properties of recycled glass sand to natural sands (beach and dredge) from the U.S. Gulf Coast to assess environmental …

Predictive Modeling Of Colorectal Cancer Risk: Leveraging Health, Demographic, And Socioeconomic Factors For Targeted Screening, Anish Bhandari, Shawn Deng, Michael Olheiser, Robert Slater

SMU Data Science Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant public health concern, affecting millions in the United States and worldwide. This study investigates the risk factors associated with CRC using data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial and aims to develop predictive models to identify high-risk individuals for targeted screening and increased awareness. The dataset integrates CRC incidence data from the National Cancer Institute with socioeconomic indicators from U.S. Census Bureau, linked by zip code. We employ Logistic Regression and Neural Network models to predict CRC risk, incorporating health, demographic, and socio-economic features. While the results suggest that …

Crayfish Microhabitats Provide A Close Association With Benthic Microbiomes To Support Cleaning Symbionts., Kyle J. Harris, John Hoverson, Matthew Becker, Matthew M. Cooke Mr

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Stream ecosystems promote variable microhabitats along a longitudinal gradient. These microhabitats support dynamic biotic assemblages. One such microhabitat in freshwater streams involves the external surface of crayfish. We investigated the microbiome of crayfish exoskeletons and the surrounding environment (water and substrate) in association with the presence and abundance of crayfish cleaning ectosymbionts (branchiobdellidans). These ectosymbionts actively consume the biofilm on crayfish as they live and reproduce in association with crayfish microhabitats. Sequenced microbes of the environment and crayfish were compared for dominant taxa. While the sample types (water, substrate, and crayfish) had significantly different microbiomes, there was not a significant …