Digital Commons Network^™

First Evidence Of Plastic Ingestion By Red-Billed Tropicbirds Phaethon Aethereus From St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands, Hannah Madden, Eline Eggermont

Marine Ornithology

We present the first confirmed evidence of plastic ingestion by a Red-billed Tropicbird on the Caribbean Netherlands island of St. Eustatius, which supports a regionally important nesting population. With our observations, all species of tropicbird have now been documented ingesting marine plastic pollution.

Behavioral Responses To A Novel Feeding Problem In The Olrog's Gull Larus Atlanticus, Melina V. Castano, Laura M. Biondi, Francisco Zumpano, Marco Favero, Germán O. García

Marine Ornithology

Behavioral innovation is considered an expression of behavioral flexibility and is a source of phenotypic plasticity in animals. In this study, we explored the main components of behavioral innovation (neophobia and exploratory behavior) with respect to social context and age in the Olrog’s Gull Larus atlanticus. Twenty consecutive experimental sessions were performed, involving presentation of a plexiglass box containing food; the box could be opened and reached by pushing or pulling different lids, each leading to a food reward. Gulls were able to decrease their neophobic response throughout the course of the experiments. Fifty-three percent of individuals who entered the …

Masthead, Pacific Seabird Group

Marine Ornithology

No abstract provided.

Inside Front Cover, Pacific Seabird Group

Marine Ornithology

No abstract provided.

Retracted: Solving Time-Fractional Nonlinear Variable-Order Delay Pdes Using Feedforward Neural Networks, Hala S. Alruhaili, Adel S. Hussain, Abdullah M. S. Ajlouni, Funda Türk, Emad A. Az-Zo’Bi, Mohammad A. Tashtoush

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

This study presents an innovative application of Feedforward Neural Networks ‘FNNs’ to solve Variable-Order Fractional Partial Differential Equations ‘VO-FPDEs’ with time delays. Utilizing the Caputo definition, the variable-order fractional derivatives are approximated in terms of integer-order derivatives. The problem is reformulated as a system of partial differential equations with delay terms, which is then addressed using ‘FNNs’ to achieve explicit approximate solutions. Comprehensive error and convergence analyses validate the method’s precision and reliability. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is highlighted through numerical examples, with graphical and tabular representations showcasing minimal absolute errors and robust convergence. These results demonstrate the …

The High Burden Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among University Students In Southern Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study, Hassan Al-Karagoly, Zahraa Al-Attar, Hjar Al-Asadi, Sajad Al-Lahibi, Russul Al-Fartousi, Teeba Al-Jadry, Menatallah Bali, Baneen Al-Hasnawi, Hanan Al-Aboudi, Zainab Al-Fadliu, Ali Al-Mosawi, Zahraa Al-Aboudi, Qassim Al-Rubaie, Mohsin Al-Samawi, Abdulsalam Halboup

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

University students often face significant academic, social, and environmental pressures, making them particularly vulnerable to psychological distress. Despite this, there is limited evidence regarding the prevalence and associated factors of mental health problems among university students in Iraq. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress in this population and to examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, insomnia, internet use, and physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Iraqi university students using a structured questionnaire, including the DASS-21, Insomnia Severity Index, and Internet Addiction Test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to …

Activity Of Ampicillin-Sulbactam, Sulbactam-Durlobactam, And Comparators Against Acinetobacter Baumannii-Calcoaceticus Complex Strains Isolated From Respiratory And Bloodstream Sources: Results From Acnbio Study, Ecem Buyukyanbolu, Jill Argotsinger, Eric T. Beck, Robin R. Chamberland, Andrew E. Clark, Anne R. Daniels, Rachael Liesman, Mark Fisher, Philip Gialanella, Jonathan Hand, Amanda T. Harrington, Romney M. Humphries, Holly Huse, Robert Hamilton-Seth, Julia D. Hankins, Wesley D. Kufel, Scott W. Riddell, Jamie Marino, Lars F. Westblade, Brian Mochon, Navaneeth Narayanan, Thomas J. Kirn, Virginia M. Pierce, Raghava Potula, Tsigereda Tekle, Patricia J. Simner, Robert J. Tibbetts, Christine Vu, Lilian M. Abbo, Octavio Martinez, Rebekah E. Dumm, David P. Nicolau, Tomefa E. Asempa, Acinetobacter Baumannii Complex National Biorepository (Acnbio) Study Group

Pharmacy Faculty Scholarship

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex (ABC) are associated with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro activity of clinically utilized antimicrobials against a contemporary collection of ABC isolates with a predominant carbapenem-resistant phenotype. Geographically dispersed US medical centers (n =22) provided non-duplicate respiratory and bloodstream ABC isolates for surveillance testing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by broth microdilution and interpreted according to Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakpoints. ABC isolates (n = 523) from respiratory tract (74.4%) and blood (25.6%) sources were recovered …

Identity Entanglement In Transnational Body Horror Cinema, Jessica Hughes

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This paper will examine Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance (2024) within the context of transnational body horror films, arguing that its power lies in its ability to entangle audiences in themes of identity fragmentation. The Substance, echoing work by filmmakers including David Cronenberg, Pedro Almodóvar, and Takashi Miike, depicts the disturbing erosion of self through visceral transformations and psychological disintegration. By analysing Fargeat’s

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recent film alongside earlier films such as Videodrome (1983), The Skin I Live In (2011), and Audition (1999), this paper demonstrates how body horror, despite diverse origins, shares a preoccupation with blurring self/other boundaries. Drawing on Blasi’s …

Conquer And Prevail Issue 192 July 17 2025, Wofford College. Office Of Marketing And Communications

Conquer and Prevail Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Canopy Insect Communities Are Shaped By The Genes And Phenotypes Of Their Aspen Hosts, Clay J. Morrow, Jennifer Lind-Riehl, Christopher T. Cole, Kennedy Rubert-Nason, Cécile Ané, Richard L. Lindroth

Aspen Bibliography

1. Community genetics research aims to identify genetic and phenotypic mechanisms that shape communities as extended phenotypes. To date, most progress has been made identifying variation in herbivore communities associated with intraspecific variation in plants, with little focus on identifying specific genes or traits responsible for that variation. Here, we identify how extended phenotype variation of a foundation tree species, Populus tremuloides, arises from trait variation among individuals and specific genes. 2. We quantified heritability for 13 tree traits -- including phenology, defense chemistry, reproduction, and morphology -- and for 18 associated insect species (640,557 individuals). We performed genomic …

Transcriptomic Analysis Of Localized High-Risk Prostate Cancer Improves Prognostication And Identifies Benefit From Adding Docetaxel To Definitive Radiotherapy With Androgen Suppression In The Nrg Oncology/Rtog 0521 Phase 3 Trial, Ryan M. Phillips, James A. Proudfoot, Elai Davicioni, Yang Liu, Daniel E. Spratt, Jeff M. Simko, Robert Den, Alan Pollack, Seth A. Rosenthal, A. Oliver Sartor, Christopher J. Sweeney, Gerhardt Attard, Leslie Longoria, Samir Patel, Michael W. Straza, Jason A. Efstathiou, Amit B. Shah, Karen E. Hoffman, Joseph P. Rodgers, Howard M. Sandler, Felix Y. Feng, Phuoc T. Tran

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: NRG/RTOG 0521 randomized men with high-risk localized prostate cancer (PC) to androgen suppression (AS) and definitive radiotherapy (RT) ± docetaxel-based chemotherapy (CT). The overall survival (OS) benefit with CT initially reported was lost on longer follow-up. The Decipher genomic classifier (GC) measures multiple transcripts relevant to docetaxel action. Basal/luminal differentiation portends differential response to AS and CT for high-risk localized and metastatic hormone-sensitive PC. We validated the Decipher GC in pretreatment biopsy samples for risk stratification and examined basal-luminal subtyping to predict docetaxel response.

METHODS: Decipher GC scores and basal-luminal cellular subtypes were generated for specimens from …

Stimulated Cytokine Production, Attachment, And Emotional Well-Being In Dementia Spousal Caregivers, Daniel L. Argueta, Sarah Roberts, Kelly N. Brice, E Lydia Wu-Chung, Vincent D. Lai, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, Bryan T. Denny, Charles Green, Samantha Henry, Multiple Additional Authors

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Proinflammatory cytokine production may be related to poor emotional adjustment in dementia spousal caregivers. People who display attachment insecurity may be at increased risk for adverse caregiving experiences and poor psychosocial outcomes.

A Predictive Framework For Early Detection And Personalised Monitoring Of Parkinson’S Disease Using Artificial Intelligence And Large Language Models, Priyadharshini S

Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a multifaceted and progressive neurodegenerative disorder that presents a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective disease management and improved patient outcomes, yet remains clinically challenging due to symptom overlap and diagnostic limitations. This thesis proposes a comprehensive and interpretable artificial intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostic framework that aims to transform the early detection, personalised monitoring, and treatment recommendation process for PD. The proposed solution integrates deep learning, radiomics, evolutionary optimisation, and large language models (LLMs), ensuring a highly accurate and clinically adaptable system.

The research begins by analysing T2-weighted 3D …

Positive Social Emotional Influences Experienced By College-Educated Black Men During Their K–12 Education In U.S. Public Schools, Lyzanethia Howard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although negative experiences and unfair factors in the K–12 educational experiences of Black males are well-researched, very little research is found on the positive contributions toward their educational success. As some Black males successfully complete K–12 schooling and advance to the college level, it is imperative to understand the factors that positively contributed to their educational advancement. Guided by Yosso’s theory of community cultural wealth, this basic qualitative study explored six aspects of cultural capital—the aspirational, familial, linguistic, resistant, navigational, and social capital—that contributed to the educational success and advancement of Black males during their journeys through the U.S. K–12 …

Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation For Older Adults And Clinical Populations, Darren G. Candow, Sergej M. Ostojic, Philip D. Chilibeck, Igor Longobardi, Bruno Gualano, Mark A. Tarnopolsky, Theo Wallimann, Terence Moriarty, Richard B. Kreider, Scott C. Forbes, Uwe Schlattner, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

Background: The biological process of aging is typically associated with a decrease in muscle quantity, muscle performance (primarily strength), bone mass and architecture, functionality and neurological/cognitive function. From a healthy aging perspective, interventions that have the potential to overcome or attenuate these decrements are clinically relevant.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review on the efficacy of creatine monohydrate supplementation (CrM) in older adults. Results: Accumulating research shows that CrM, primarily when combined with exercise training, is safe and has beneficial effects on measures of whole-body lean body mass, regional muscle size, muscle strength, bone area and thickness, functional ability, glucose …

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

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

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

Ethical Lawyering While Our House Is On Fire, Jaclyn Lopez

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

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

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

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

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

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

Maryland Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

The Response Of Mitochondrial Position To Glucose Stimulation In The Min6 Model System, Luis Perez

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The compartmentalization of eukaryotic cells into membrane-bound organelles with specific subcellular positioning enables precise spatial and temporal control of cellular functions. While functionally significant mitochondrial localization has been demonstrated in cells such as neurons, it remains unclear how general these cell principles are. Here, we examine the spatial organization of mitochondria within MIN6 pancreatic beta cells under variable glucose conditions. We observe glucose-dependent redistributions of mitochondria, favoring peripheral localization at elevated glucose levels when insulin secretion is also elevated. Our results suggest that active mitochondrial transport along microtubules and calcium activity, but not ATP synthesis, are critical regulators of this …

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

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

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

Post-Wildfire Erosion And Sedimentation: An Escalating Threat For Utah Fisheries, Colton James, Kendall Becker, Scott Hotaling, Aish Chandrasekaran, Alex Fiedler, Timothy E. Walsworth, Patrick Belmont

All Current Publications

Wildfires are a natural part of the western U.S. landscape and provide numerous benefits, including enhanced nutrient cycling and habitat rejuvenation. Utah’s fish populations evolved with wildfire as a common disturbance. However, the increasing size and severity of wildfires, combined with Utah’s heavily engineered and fragmented stream networks, pose a contemporary risk to fish populations. This fact sheet reviews wildfire impacts on erosion and Utah's watersheds and fisheries. It outlines measures we can take to prevent post-wildfire fish die-offs.

Investigating The Capacity Of Tdp-43 Low Complexity Domain To Target Protein Aggregates In Yeast, Nicholas J. Grahame

Biology Summer Fellows

Utilizing protein TDP-43 and fluorescent proteins to:

Investigate TDP-43’s LCD region in protein aggregates. Use fluorescent protein tagging to visualize co-localization and aggregation. Leverage yeast as a model system for studying LLPS and aggregation.

Can we target chaperone proteins to TDP-43 LCD region?

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

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

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

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

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

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

Carbon Sequestration Potential Of Urban Tree Species: A Case Study From Porbandar, India, Himanshu Vandariya, Jay Ulva, Kunal N. Odedra, Jenish Bamaniya, B. A. Jadeja Dr.

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Urban ecosystems are integral to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. This study quantifies the carbon sequestration potential of 40 tree species at M.D. Science College, Porbandar, Gujarat, employing non-destructive methodologies. Key biometric parameters, including height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and biomass, were analysed to estimate carbon storage and CO₂ sequestration. The dataset reveals significant inter-species variations, with Ficus benghalensis leading in sequestration capacity, storing 1221.08 kg of carbon and sequestering 4476.84 kg of CO₂ per tree annually. Conversely, low biomass species such as Ziziphus mauritiana exhibit limited sequestration rates, highlighting a broad spectrum of ecological roles. tatistical analyses …

Green Infrastructure Features And Benefits Communicated By Programs Targeting Residents In The Greater Toronto Area, Nya Lazarus-Munnick, Tenley M. Conway

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Municipalities are increasingly adopting green infrastructure (GI) as a nature-based solution to address stormwater management, climate adaptation, and other urban environmental challenges. One of the strengths of GI is its multifunctionality, which can provide a range of social, economic and environmental benefits. For GI to reach its full potential, widespread implementation throughout a landscape is needed. As a result, GI strategies often rely on various actors, including residents, who can implement GI on their own properties and contribute to the scaling up of GI across a landscape. GI implementation that depends on residents, however, has many challenges pertaining to their …

Cognitive Fatigue Assessment For Human-Robot Collaboration: Review & Open Challenges, Manizheh Zand, Sally Wood, Fatemeh Davoudi Kakhki, Maria Kyrarini

General Engineering

As Human Robot Collaboration (HRC) technologies continue to advance, robots are increasingly being deployed to assist in various settings, including manufacturing, healthcare, and home environments. A critical aspect of designing safe and adaptable HRC systems is the ability to assess and monitor an individual’s Cognitive Fatigue (CF) during interactions with robots. This is especially important in ensuring safe and effective environments, as fluctuations in CF can affect both performance and safety. Although prior research has explored cognitive workload and fatigue, a significant gap exists in understanding how to effectively measure and manage CF in real-time during HRC. This paper reviews …

Tailoring Hiv/Aids Communication To The Cultural Contexts Of The Borana Pastoral Community In Ethiopia, Dano Olana, Sabihah Moola

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The HIV/AIDS health communication approach in sub-Saharan Africa has often overlooked sociocultural specificities. The current approach follows a generalist notion that does not consider the specific contextual domains accordingly. Similarly, the cultural appropriateness of HIV/AIDS health communication among the Borana pastoral community in Ethiopia is not clear. In this study, we aimed to explore whether HIV/AIDS communication among the Borana pastoral community was tailored to the cultural contexts of the community. A qualitative case study was used to unpack the cultural communication contexts for HIV/AIDS. We collected data using three methods, namely, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis …