Digital Commons Network^™

Decadal Changes In Ground-Layer Plant Communities Reflect Maple Dieback And Earthworm Invasion In National Forests In The Lake Superior Region, Usa, Tara Bal, Manuel Eduardo Anderson, Mattison E. Brady, Julia I. Burton, Christopher R. Webster

Michigan Tech Publications

Northern hardwood forests of the Lake Superior region face a series of novel disturbance pressures including canopy dieback. Previous studies have linked regional sugar-maple (Acer saccharum) canopy dieback to introduced earthworms, which may have coinciding impacts on the ground-layer plant community. Dieback–earthworm interactions may lead to important longer-term changes in forest structure and function, but these relationships but have not been characterized. We sampled ground-layer plant communities in five national forest units in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in 2010, and again just over a decade later in 2021. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination and indicator species analysis were used to assess …

Structural And Biological Properties Of Chitosan/Copper Polymetallic Complexes Synthesized From Apis Mellifera-Derved Chitosan, Dilnoza Sohibovna Isomitdinova, Gulnora Akmalovna Ikhtiyarova, Nazira Madusmanovna Kuchkarbayeva, Nafisa Akhrorovna Ergasheva

Technical science and innovation

In this study, a chitosan/copper (Ch/Cu²⁺) polymetallic complex was synthesized from chitosan obtained by the cryogenic method from Apis mellifera bees. The structural and physicochemical properties of the complex were investigated using FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, TGA, and DLS analyses. FTIR spectra showed shifts in absorption bands at 1400-1339 cm⁻¹ and 1640-1550 cm⁻¹, confirming the coordination of Cu²⁺ ions with amino and hydroxyl groups. UV-Vis spectra revealed absorption peaks in the 410-540 nm range, while XRD analysis indicated new crystalline peaks at 2θ = 24°, 27°, and 37°. Thermal analysis demonstrated high thermal stability of the complex, and DLS confirmed a …

Improvement Of Ultrasonic-Convective Equipment And Beetroot (Beta Vulgaris L.) Drying Process, Jasur Esirgapovich Safarov, Shakhnoza Abduvaxitovna Sultanova, R. M. Najafli

Technical science and innovation

In the world, the air-dried food market is seeing rapid expansion, valued at USD 103.26 billion in 2021, out of which the Asia Pacific region consumed the maximum amount. The freeze-dried vegetable and fruit market is predicted to reach USD 132.7 billion by 2027. Processed vegetables are also exported to a large extent from India. Uzbekistan recorded excellent development in agriculture in 2024, with record harvests, better yields, and use of advanced machinery. Azerbaijan also demonstrated good agriculture growth and export performance. Beetroot has now been identified as a functional food containing bioactive compounds like betaines and dietary fiber that …

Structure And Principle Of Operation Of The Vibrational Pressing And Dehydration Unit For Semi-Soft Cheese, Qobiljon Akmal Ugl Muxiddinov, Shakhnoza Abduvaxitovna Sultanova, Azamat Bakir Ugli Usenov

Technical science and innovation

This paper investigates the structural design and operational principles of a vibrational pressing and dehydration unit developed for semi – soft cheese production. The equipment is engineered to optimize whey expulsion and moisture uniformity in curd blocks by combining mechanical pressure with controlled vibration. The unit comprises a stainless – steel vibrating chamber, drainage plates with micro – perforations, and an adjustable frequency–amplitude control system. Vibrations in the range of 20–60 Hz are applied during pressing, promoting more efficient capillary flow and enhancing the separation of whey from curd particles. The process ensures uniform density and texture across the cheese …

Evaluation Of Hypolipidemic And Hypoglycemic Effects Of Dillenia Indica L. On Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats, Md Mahfuj Alam Siddiq

Student Scholarship

Context: Dillenia indica L. a tropical fruit-bearing plant native to South and Southeast Asia, has attracted scientific interest due to its rich phytochemical composition and potential therapeutic benefits in managing diabetes, lipid disorders, and oxidative stress. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential antidiabetic and lipid-lowering properties of D. indica fruit and bark extracts in a rat model of alloxan-induced type 2 diabetes. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats using an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (160 mg/kg) after a 12-hour fast. The chloroform fractions of D. indica fruit and bark (200 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally, with …

Turning Waste Into Fertilizer: Aloe Vera Leaf Shavings Improve Plant Growth And Support Soil Fertility In Organic Systems, Isaiah Edward Jaramillo, Carine Cocco, James Jihoon Kang, Chu-Lin Cheng, Engil Pereira

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The Aloe vera industry discards large amounts of outer leaf tissue (“shavings”), creating an opportunity to repurpose this byproduct as a sustainable fertilizer. This study evaluated whether aloe shavings can serve as a plant-based alternative to compost in organic Aloe vera production. A field trial in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas tested three treatments: aloe shavings (applied to supply 39 kg N ha−1), organic compost (39 kg N ha−1), and a non-fertilized control. Laboratory incubations further assessed nitrogen mineralization and microbial respiration. Aloe shavings significantly enhanced vegetative growth: leaf number increased from 5.7 to 12.3 leaves per plant …

Spartan Daily, October 15, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 23

Graphrag-Enabled Local Large Language Model For Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Development Of A Proof-Of-Concept, Edmund Evangelista, Fathima Ruba, Salman Bukhari, Amril Nazir, Ravishankar Sharma

All Works

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent chronic condition that affects maternal and fetal health outcomes worldwide, increasingly in underserved populations. While generative artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in health care, their application in GDM management remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether retrieval-augmented generation techniques, when combined with knowledge graphs (KGs), could improve the contextual relevance and accuracy of AI-driven clinical decision support. For this, we developed and validated a graph-based retrieval-augmented generation (GraphRAG)–enabled local LLM as a clinical support tool for GDM management, assessing its performance against open-source LLM …

21st-Century Dental Public Health: Revisiting The Role Of Community Water Fluoridation, Larry Williams, Preetha Kanjirath

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been celebrated as a major public health achievement, significantly reducing dental caries and narrowing oral health disparities. While historically effective, today’s fluoride exposure landscape has shifted, with multiple sources contributing to cumulative intake. This article reviews the scientific foundation, mechanisms of action, public health benefits, and ethical considerations surrounding CWF, alongside real-world outcomes from policy reversals. It examines contemporary concerns, including potential neurodevelopmental risks and vulnerable populations, and calls for recalibrated policies that maintain caries prevention benefits while monitoring total fluoride exposure to ensure safety in modern contexts.

J Am Coll Dent 2022 89 2

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

J Am Coll Dent 2021 88 3

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

J Am Coll Dent 2020 87 1

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

J Am Coll Dent 2017 84 4

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

Evaluation Of Anti-Bacterial Efficacy Of Ginger, Resin Gum, And Nigella Sativa Irrigants Against Enterococcus Faecalis: An In Vitro Study, Iman El Ghazzawy, Leen Imad Hasbini, Reem Chamseddine, Wael Betbout, Roula Abiad

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Ginger, Resin Gum, and Nigella Sativa, against Enterococcus Faecalis.

Methods: Thirty-eight extracted single-rooted premolars were inoculated with E.faecalis, except the negative control, and incubated for 4 weeks. After instrumentation samples were divided into 4 groups (n=7) according to final irrigation: NaOCl+EDTA (Group A), Nigella sativa (B), Resin Gum (C), Ginger (D), plus 2 control groups (n=5): Saline (E), and Saline without bacterial inoculation (F). Cultures were collected at baseline and after irrigation.

Results: One-way ANOVA showed that in groups A-D a statistically significant reduction of bacterial load was observed at …

Sickle Cell Anemia And Its Impact On The Oral Cavity: Integrative Review, Fernanda Leal, Maria Inês Guimarães, Ambre Natbeth, Inês Lopes Cardoso

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: Sickle cell anemia, a hereditary disease, results from a mutation in the β-globin coding gene that makes up hemoglobin, leading to the deformation of erythrocytes. Numerous oral manifestations result from this disease; however, some may not be specific.

Objectives: This study’s objective is to recognize these clinical manifestations of the disease to be able to manage oral health in sickle cell anemia patients.

Methods: this integrative review analyzes scientific literature on the impact of sickle cell anemia on oral cavity. A bibliographic search was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL Plus (via EBSCO host), Web of Science …

Anthropometric And Metabolic Assessment In Adults With Down Syndrome: The Need For Novel Indices And Tailored Criteria ​, Seli̇n Teki̇n, Nergi̇s Basmaci, İnci̇lay Lay, Alper Gürlek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic profile of adults with Down syndrome (DS) using novel anthropometric and metabolic indices, while also highlighting the limitations of traditional obesity assessment methods compared with the non-DS population.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 22 adults with DS and 28 age- and sex-matched non-DS controls. Anthropometric measurements, including BMI, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), were recorded alongside novel indices such as waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body adiposity index (BAI), A body shape index (ABSI), and visceral adiposity index (VAI). Metabolic parameters (fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profiles, HOMA-IR) and CBC-derived …

Association Between Nutritional Targets And Muscle Index Changes In Patients With Terminal Cancer Under Palliative Care ​, İrem Kiraç Utku, Burcu Çalişkan Aydoğmuş, Hati̇ce Nur Avcioğlu, Müge Çatikkaş, Ayfer Durak, Deni̇z Sevi̇ndi̇k Günay, Umut Safer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

​

Background/aim: Malnutrition and muscle wasting are common in terminal cancer patients and adversely affect prognosis. Bedside muscle ultrasonography (US) has emerged as a practical tool to assess nutritional status and monitor therapy. This study evaluated the relationship between achieving individualized nutritional targets and changes in muscle indices measured by US in terminal cancer patients receiving palliative care.

Materials and methods: Subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (SFTT), muscle thickness (MT), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps brachii (BB) muscles were assessed by US over 10 days and normalized to height squared (m²). A total of 95 …

Spartan Daily, October 14, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 22

Quantifying Interest In And Sentiment Of Online Media About Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Cattle Production In The United States, Michael L. Smith, Jinho Jung, Nicole Olynk Widmar, Danielle J. Ufer, Maria Berikou, Jayson Lusk

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The public is paying increased attention to the environmental impacts associated with cattle production systems in the US. Thus, cattle producers are increasingly exploring ways to communicate their efforts to reduce those environmental and climate impacts. This study uses online and social media data from 2018 to 2022 to examine public interest in and sentiment about beef and dairy cattle production when discussed within the context of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Variation in mentions and net sentiment over the reporting period is quantified and analyzed. Over the period of data collection, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we find …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Hesperidin Efficacy Of Epidural Fibrosis In A Post Laminectomy Rat Model: An Experimental Study, Emrah Keski̇n, Mehmet Seli̇m Gel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Epidural fibrosis (EF) plays a significant role in the development of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). This study evaluates the antifibrotic effect of hesperidin, a citrus-derived bioflavonoid, within a rat laminectomy model.

Materials and methods: Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups (n = 8 each). Group 1 received laminectomy alone (control); Group 2 received a gelatin sponge; Groups 3 and 4 intraperitoneally received 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of hesperidin, respectively, for 7 days post-laminectomy. After 6 weeks, epidural tissues were assessed histopathologically, and hydroxyproline levels were measured.

Results: Group 4 showed significantly lower EF …

Effect Of The Prognostic Nutritional Index On Stent Restenosis In Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome, Burak Kardeşler, Serdal Baştuğ, Kamuran Kalkan, Mehmet Erdoğan, Furkan Külekci̇, Muhammed Yunus Çalapkulu, Nur Beton, Abdullah Nabi̇ Aslan, Hafi̇ze Corut Güzel, Tahi̇r Durmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a significant clinical challenge in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. We investigated the association between Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and ISR in patients with chronic coronary syndrome.

Materials and methods: A total of 1007 patients who underwent coronary angiography for a provisional diagnosis of chronic coronary syndrome between March 1, 2019, and July 1, 2022, were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: ISR (n = 395) and non-ISR (n = 612). PNI was calculated using patients’ laboratory values before coronary angiography with the following formula: PNI = (10 × albumin (g/dL)) …

Cultural Adaptation And Psychometric Characteristics Of The Child Oral And Motor Proficiency Scale (Chomps)-Turkish Version, Ebru Umay, Si̇bel Eyi̇gör, Damla Cankurtaran, Sema Kalkan, Ni̇hal Tezel, Cuma Uz, Şükran Güzel, Fatma Balli Uz, Güler Gözpinar, Recep Gayir, Fatma Nazli, Keri̇m Demi̇rsöz, Ece Ünlü Akyüz, Britt Pados

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The child oral and motor proficiency scale (ChOMPS) is a parent-reported assessment that evaluates a child’s eating and drinking skills within the framework of all related motor functions. It has been found to be useful in research studies and recommended in reviews. The purpose of this study was to perform the translation and cultural adaptation of the English version of the ChOMPS to Turkish and conduct psychometric testing of the ChOMPS–Turkish version, including reliability and validity.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted with 185 children. Cronbach’s α, corrected item-to-total correlations, coefficient of variation, and Cronbach’s α when one …

Differential Patterns Of Gut And Oral Microbiomes In Hispanic Individuals With Cognitive Impairment, Yannick N. Wadop, Erin L. Vasquez, Julia J. Mathews, Jazmyn A. S. Muhammad, Rosa P. Mavarez, Claudia Satizabal, Mitzi M. Gonzales, Jeremy A. Tanner, Gladys E. Maestre, Bernard Fongang

School of Medicine Publications

Alterations in both oral and gut microbiomes have been associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). While extensive research has focused on the role of gut dysbiosis in ADRD, the contribution of the oral microbiome remains relatively understudied. This study aims to evaluate distinct patterns and potential synergistic effects of oral and gut microbiomes in a cohort of predominantly Hispanic individuals with cognitive impairment (CI) and without cognitive impairment (NC). We conducted 16S rRNA gene sequencing on stool and saliva samples from 32 participants (17 CI, 15 NC; 62.5% female, mean age = 70.4 ± 6.2 years) recruited in …

A Comprehensive Approach Addressing The Most Chronic And Emerging Contaminants Along The Egyptian Mediterranean Coast, Tarek O. Said

Blue Economy

Newly identified substances known as emerging contaminants (ECs) are harmful to the environment and public health, frequently because limited regulation and incomplete understanding of their impacts. They comprise a broad variety of materials, such as insecticides, industrial wastes, personal care items, and medications. Persistent pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that have remained in the environment for an extended period of time. They tend to move through the atmosphere over enormous distances making them a chronic contaminant and may harm ecology and humanity over time. In Egypt, particularly within its Mediterranean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), heavy metal (HM) contamination is increasingly …

Billiken As Transcultural Object From American Mascot To Japanese Pop Deity, M.W. Shores

Asia Pacific Perspectives

This article examines Billiken’s transcultural journey from American novelty mascot (1908) to cultural icon, illuminating early twentieth-century Pacific exchange networks and patterns of cultural adaptation. Drawing on American and Japanese archives, it demonstrates how this commercial figure, born from Progressive Era optimism and incorporating Japanese (and Orientalist) design elements, was transformed within Japanese religious and cultural frameworks. The study analyzes Billiken’s metamorphosis from “good luck” commodity to quasi-religious icon, particularly in Osaka’s Shinsekai district, where strategic marketing drove his its late twentieth-century revival after decades of obscurity. While largely forgotten in America and elsewhere, Billiken’s endurance in Osaka challenges narratives …

Temperamental Traits For Infants And Toddlers With Rickets, Rabab Salah Eldin Mohamed

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Rickets is a deficiency in the mineralization of developing bone. Infant temperament comprises a collection of qualities that define individual behavior. The objective of this work was to determine if there were variations in temperamental qualities between ricketic and normal babies and toddlers, and whether such differences varied by sex. Methods This cross-sectional work had been conducted on 100 children aged from 6 to 24 months both sexes, with rickets (Group 1), and 100 normal sex- and age-matched children as a control group (Group 2). All patients underwent evaluation of temperamental traits. The assessment of psychological aspects for both …

Study Of Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Pediatric Healthcare Practitioners Towards Wilson Disease., Hanaa Ahmed Elaraby, Magdy Anwar Saber, Sally Waheed Elkhadry, Salwa Gamal Attia, Gihan Ahmed Sobhy

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background; Wilson disease (WD) is a rare genetic disease that occurs secondary to an excess of copper building up in our body, especially in the liver and brain. Diagnosis of WD is challenging. Since it is a curable illness, raising awareness about it among medical professionals is essential. Aim of the work; to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice of pediatric practitioners towards WD providing useful alerts about this disease and augmenting their knowledge. Participants and Methods ; Five hundred and one (501) pediatric practitioners with varying academic degrees from several Egyptian governmental hospitals participated in this cross-sectional study …

Strategies That Clinical Research Site Managers Use To Minimize Employee Turnover, Christina Holston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High turnover rates among clinical research staff present a business problem that reduces continuity, quality, and cost-effectiveness of clinical trials. This problem is important to clinical research managers because employee stability is essential for participant retention, regulatory compliance, and operational success. Grounded in the job embeddedness and transformational leadership theories, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore the effective strategies that some clinical research site managers use to reduce employee turnover in the southeastern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with six clinical research leaders and triangulated with publicly available documents. Using Yin’s …

The Effect Of Telehealth-Based Medical Nutrition Therapy On Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors In A Rural Population: A Secondary Analysis Of Outcomes Related To Nutrition, Health And Well-Being From The Healthy Rural Hearts Randomised Controlled Trial, Tracy L. Schumacher, Erin D. Clarke, Jaimee Herbert, Anna Jansson, Chris Oldmeadow, Megan E. Rollo, Penny Milson, Carissa Alderton, Leanne J. Brown, Jennifer T. May Phd, Rn, Anp-Bc, Annabelle Williams, Michelle Guppy, Shanthi Ramanathan, John Attia, Clare E. Collins

Publications

BACKGROUND: Adults in rural Australia are at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, no intervention trials have evaluated the impact of dietitian delivered nutrition therapy using telehealth exclusively in patients recruited in the primary care setting. The primary aim was to assess effectiveness of telehealth delivered Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) on change in dietary intake energy, reported as percent energy derived from nutrient-dense (core) foods. Secondary aims included assessment of the intervention effects on percentage weight loss, quality of life, health literacy and patient engagement in their health (patient activation).

METHODS: This was a secondary data analysis of …