Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

‘Floating Populations’ Of Seabirds: The Bane Of Demographic Modelers And Managers, David G. Ainley, George J. Divoky, Pat Baird, Gregory C. Spencer

Marine Ornithology

’Floating’ portions of seabird populations (mature but non-breeding individuals) are generally ignored in seabird research and management despite frequent evidence of their existence, especially in cavity-nesting species for whom nest habitat is often limiting. Here we demonstrate, using a few among an appreciable number of cases, that often more adults contribute to regional populations than colony-based censuses reveal, and that these birds are able to breed but do not. Once given the chance through the creation of nesting habitat, either by natural or human-caused processes, these populations reveal themselves by occupying the newly created habitats to become breeders. We include …

Seasonal And Spatial Variations In Densities Of Marbled Murrelets Brachyramphus Marmoratus Off Southwestern Vancouver Island, Alan E. Burger, E. Anne Stewart

Marine Ornithology

The ocean off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a productive area supporting diverse marine life, including a globally important breeding population of Marbled Murrelets Brachyramphus marmoratus. We report on the year-round at-sea distribution and densities of this murrelet off southwestern Vancouver Island based on monthly vessel surveys in 1993–2000. Surveys covered three ocean zones: Nearshore (sheltered waters, usually < 20 m deep, within 1–2 km of shore; 69 surveys), Inshore (exposed coastal waters, < 50 m deep, within 6 km of shore; 38 surveys), and Offshore (exposed open seas over the continental shelf, > 50 m deep, generally > 6 km from shore; 29 surveys). Year-round mean densities (± standard deviation, in birds/km2) for Nearshore, Inshore, and Offshore waters were 4.5 ± 5.8, 1.5 ± 1.2, and 0.2 ± 0.2, respectively. During peak breeding season (May–July), densities …

Updated Distribution And Population Dynamics Of Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus Magellanicus Colonies In The Strait Of Magellan, Chile, Manuel Ochoa-Sánchez, Jorge Acevedo, Claudio Moraga, Katherine Gaete, Pedro Valenzuela, Valeria Souza, Eliana Paola Acuña Gomez

Marine Ornithology

The Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus exhibits a broad latitudinal distribution in southern South America. However, the locations of many breeding colonies remain poorly known on the Pacific side, particularly in the southernmost region. Here, we provide information for six Magellanic Penguin colonies in the Strait of Magellan and adjacent waters that have been known by the local community for years but were unknown in the scientific literature until now: Rupert Islet, Tuckers Islet 1, Tuckers Islet 2, James Island 1, James Island 2, and Monmouth Island. These locations differ in population size and in vegetation coverage: most colonies are characterized …

Long-Term Outcomes Of A Laysan Albatross Phoebastria Immutabilis Foster Egg Translocation Program, Eric A. Vanderwerf, Lindsay C. Young, C. Robert Kohley, Jessica Behnke, Brooke Mcfarland, Katherine Finney, Hob Osterlund, Julie Murphy, Angela Serota, Louise Barnfield, Yuka Green, Kim S. Rogers, Cathy Granholm

Marine Ornithology

In the 1960s and 1970s, Laysan Albatrosses Phoebastria immutabilis colonized several sites in the Pacific from which they had been extirpated or had not been known to nest previously, including the US Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, USA, where they increased to become a bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH). To reduce their population at PMRF, albatross eggs were destroyed or removed as part of a BASH reduction program until 2005, when an alternate plan was devised by the Navy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, in which eggs from PMRF …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceptions Of Using Chatgpt For An Academic Course Assignment, Diane Tom, Robyn Wu, Chi-Kwan Shea

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), a natural language based artificial intelligence (AI), has been either welcomed or maligned by academia. This project aimed to: (a) provide a structured opportunity for students to use ChatGPT and critique its responses and (b) investigate student perceptions before and after using ChatGPT for a class assignment. Forty graduate occupational therapy students used ChatGPT to complete two written assignments. Pre- and post-ChatGPT assignment surveys completed by students were analyzed. After using ChatGPT to complete course assignments, students were significantly more likely to agree that: (a) ChatGPT is helpful for completing assignments, (b) ChatGPT provides accurate …

The Usage Of Robot In The Scale Of Islamic Jurisprudence, Ali Ahmed Salem Farahat

UB Journal for Humanities

The study aimed to investigate the concept of the robot, its types, importance, the ruling of its use in contracting, transactions, sexual relations, and the civil and criminal liability resulting from the misuse of the robot. The study relied on the descriptive methodology. Besides, it used the deductive method. Many findings emerged from the study as follows: first: Using the robot in everyday life is permissible in general; second: it is permissible to use the robot in contracting provided that it abides by the principles of the Islamic Sharia; third: using robot in making sexual intercourse is forbidden and punishable. …

Environmental Management Practices In Major Pers-Certified European Ports And Major Turkish Ports: A Comparative Analysis, Fırat Bolat

Seatific Journal

This study compares the environmental management practices of certain major European ports and major ports in Türkiye. Environmental port management practices are significantly relevant to the increasing size of ships and their consequent impacts on the marine environment. Modern ports are also key interfaces in the economy. Ports hold featured positions as transitional spaces between different kinds of maritime traffic; they are nodes in transport networks. They also generate economic power. In the comparison, major ports in Türkiye not only present a growing concern for environmental management; they also align, at an increasing level, with several international standards. This research …

Evaluating The Impact Of Inefficient Maintenance Practices Of Diesel Engines On The Ship’S Operational Efficiency, Çağlar Karatuğ

Seatific Journal

This paper analyses the influence of inefficient operations performed on the ship regarding the carbon intensity indicator. In this case, different malfunctions regarding the ship's main diesel engine have been taken into consideration, such as extended fuel injection timing, wear of injector nozzles, exhaust valve leakage, and deposit of scavenging air ports. The effects of these faults on fuel usage are determined through simulations in an engine room simulator. The resulting effect values are subsequently utilized to calculate the impact on the noon report data for a bulk carrier. Finally, the effect of improper maintenance practices on the vessel's operational …

Thermal Analysis And Experimental Design Of A Cryogenic System For Low-Noise Amplifiers, Tapuwa Makombore, Tunde Bello-Ochende

Seatific Journal

This study details the design and characterisation of a cryogenic test facility for low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) used in radio astronomy. Following a review of available cooling and vacuum pumping methods, a dedicated test system was designed and manufactured to meet specific performance requirements. Mathematical models were developed to predict the thermal and pressure behaviors within the cryostat, enabling accurate assessments of the system’s cooling efficiency. Experimental results showed that the first and second stages reached minimum temperatures of 11 K and 38 K, closely aligning with the calculated values of 13 K and 42 K, respectively. Vacuum testing across the …

Analysis Of The Performance Of Two Moving Mesh Methods Applied To Semi-Submerged Structures With A Rotational Dof, Yanca Da Cunha Pereira, Paulo Roberto De Freitas Teixeira, Eric Didier

Seatific Journal

Numerical analyses of a buoy with a rotational DOF and a Pendulor-type wave energy converter subjected to incident regular waves are carried out. The ANSYS Fluent® software, based on the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations, is used for the free surface flow simulations. The k–ω SST turbulence model and the Volume of Fluid technique, to consider the two-phase flow, composed of air and water, are employed. The performance of two moving mesh methods are analyzed, the dynamic mesh (DM) and sliding mesh (SM) methods. The numerical results of the free decay test and the incident wave over the buoy, obtained by …

Hydro-Morphodynamic Characterization Of Areas With Potential For Nearshore Wind Farms Using Computational Modeling, Nahome Paz Azevedo Dos Santos, André Martelo, Juliana Costi

Seatific Journal

The hydrodynamic and morphodynamic characterization of areas with potential for the installation of wind farms in Lagoa dos Patos is necessary as part of the planning for future wind energy projects. The aim of this study is to use computational modeling to describe the hydrodynamics of the lagoon system, focusing on areas with the greatest potential for wind farm installation. The three-dimensional hydrodynamic module TELEMAC-3D and the morphodynamic module SISYPHE, both from the Open TELEMAC-MASCARET system, were used in coupling for numerical simulations covering the period from 2005 to 2009. The analyses considered parameters that force the lagoon system, such …

Chi Chung's Voice

V Music Magazine

No abstract provided.

Screening For Depression And Anxiety In Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Nicole M. Bondurant

Dissertations

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder that affects up to 20% of women of reproductive age and is associated with an increased prevalence of psychiatric conditions, particularly depression and anxiety. Despite international guidelines recommending routine screening for these mental health conditions in women with PCOS, consistent implementation in clinical practice remains limited.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) pilot project aimed to address this gap by developing and implementing a standardized screening protocol for depression and anxiety within a suburban concierge OB-GYN clinic specializing in women’s reproductive and sexual health using validated tools—the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) …

Implementing A Turn Team Process To Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries On A Telemetry Unit At A Hospital In The Midwest, Sally Wang

Dissertations

Problem: Pressure injuries (PI) are localized wounds to the skin and soft tissues that typically result from sustained pressure on specific areas of the body (Zaidi & Sharma, 2024). Hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) refers to pressure injuries that develop while a patient is in the hospital (Rondinelli et al., 2018). PI can cause patients to experience pain, decreased feelings of dignity, increased feelings of depression and anxiety, reduced levels of social activity, difficulty sleeping, and impaired cognitive function (Roussou et al., 2023). The Advanced Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU) at Missouri Baptist Medical Center experienced an increase in HAPI cases: …

Preparation Of Human Asprosin Nanobodies Based On A Natural Nanobody Phage Display Library, Yun Liang, Yi Huang, Qinghua He

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] Asprosin (ASP ),an adipokine produced from fibrillin- 1 (FBN 1) cleavage,is closely linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity when its level is abnormal,demonstrating significant effect on human health.Therefore,monitoring the ASP level is crucial.The author aims to screen the nanobodies specifically binding to ASP via phage display technology,offering a new antibody component for the research on ASP.[Method ] The antigenic epitopes of ASP were predicted by the online tools ABCpred and NovoPro,and then coupled with bovine serum albumin (BSA ) to form the coating antigen (ASP-Epitope-BSA ).After five rounds of bio-panning,the nanobodies specifically binding to ASP were …

Modulatory Effects Of Flavonoids On Il- 4/Il-13 In Atopic Dermatitis And Their Structure-Activity Relationships, Yueyuan Wang, Jing Liu, Chen Li, Fengfeng Chen, Cheng Yang, Bingtian Zhao

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to explore the ameliorating effects of flavonoids on atopic dermatitis (AD) and their structure-activity relationships.[Method ] Flavonoids were selected through network pharmacology with interleukin- 4 (IL-4) and interleukin- 13 (IL-13) as key targets.The immunoglobulin E (IgE)-induced RBL- 2H3 cell model was employed to evaluate the effects of flavonoids on inflammatory factors,degranulation activities,and calcium ion influx,and the structure-activity relationships were analyzed.Finally,molecular docking was utilized to assist in exploring the action mechanism.[Result ] All of the six flavonoids (luteolin,apigenin,chrysin,quercetin,kaempferol,and fisetin ) screened by network pharmacology had significant inhibitory effects on the expression of IL- 4,IL- 13,tumor necrosis …

Structural And Solution Property Characterization Of Oat Β-Glucans, Hongli Zhang, Yaning Shi, Ming Miao

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to characterize the structure and investigate the solution properties of oat β-glucan (OBG ).[Method ] Two soluble OBGs with different weigh-average molecular weights (Mw),number-average molar weights (Mn),and peak molecular weights (Mp) were prepared by hot water extraction and ethanol classification.The structures and solution properties were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR ),nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR ),X-ray diffraction (XRD ),scanning electron microscopy (SEM ),high performance size exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering (HPSEC-MALLS ),and rheology.[Result ] OBG- 1 and OBG- 2 showed the Mw of 80.73×104 g/mol and 8.05×104 g/mol,the yields of (4.86±0.55)% and …

Effects Of Tea Polysaccharides On The Properties Of Chestnut Starch, Lei Lei, Wenjun Fu, Lingling Yang, Haibo Liu, Daxi Sang, Qing Wang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to improve the properties of chestnut starch.[Method ] Tea polysaccharides were added to chestnut starch in different proportions,and the effects of tea polysaccharides on the water-holding capacity,digestive properties,textural properties,and other properties of chestnut starch were investigated.[Result ] The water-holding and oil-holding properties of chestnut starch were the largest when tea polysaccharides were added at 1% and then gradually decreased with the increase in the proportion of tea polysaccharides added.The transparency of chestnut starch gradually increased when tea polysaccharides were added from 1% to 8% and decreased significantly when tea polysaccharides were added at 16%.Adding tea …

Care Coordination In Pediatric Primary Care, Alyssa K. Durzo

Dissertations

No central documentation of care plans exists for children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) in the electronic health record (EHR). Providers of a large pediatric primary care office in St. Louis Missouri were asked to identify CSHCN in the practice. Clinic nurses completed a comprehensive chart review of the patients identified and constructed care coordination documents using a pre-established smart-text phrase. Subsequently, these were documented centrally in the EHR under the Problem List.

Likert score data was obtained from providers on the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention through the verified tools: Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness …

Nanoporous Gold Nanoparticles And Model Membrane Systems Applied To The Study Of Lipopolysaccharide (Lps), Dhanbir Lingden

Dissertations

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a key structural component of Gram-negative bacteria, is a major trigger of sepsis and septic shock, the systemic inflammatory conditions responsible for millions of deaths annually. Even at concentrations as low as 1 ng/mL, LPS can activate the immune system and initiate inflammatory cascades. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, sepsis accounted for 48.9 million cases globally, with 11 million deaths, emphasizing the urgent need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Accurate and rapid detection of LPS is vital for early intervention and improved clinical outcomes. While traditional detection methods are still widely used, modern …

Featuring Ir Collections With Monthly Snapshot, Alice W. Sherwood

Library Staff Publications

Join Alice for this lightning round talk on how she has developed snapshots of her collections to highlight special topics and notable cultural events.

Research Progress In Thermo-Reversible Polysaccharide Gels, Dongxin Zhou, Ziao Zhang, Su Chen, Weimin Yang, Jiajun Sun, Shengzu Han, Anning Xie, Xiaoxiao Li, Yuxiang Bai

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

Thermo-reversible gels are widely applied in the processing of baking,meat,and snack products including cakes,candies,jelly,aspic,and steamed custard buns.Currently,the most effective thermo-reversible gel is gelatin,which can combine with water to form a transparent gel that melts when it is close to the temperature of the human oral cavity.However,gelatin is expensive.Therefore,researchers have turned their attention to polysaccharide gels,hoping to obtain more thermo-reversible food raw materials with different properties.The author reviews thermo-reversible polysaccharide gels from natural sources such as plants,algae,and microorganisms and those modified by physical,chemical,and enzymatic methods and summarizes the sources,structures,gelatinization mechanisms,and product applications of polysaccharide gels.It is expected to provide a reference …

Reconstruction And Analysis Of Genome-Scale Metabolic Model Of Aspergillus Oryzae Fmme-S- 38, Cong Gao, Weijia Yuan, Chao Ye, Jia Liu, Liming Liu

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] A genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM ) of the high L-malic acid-producing strain Aspergillus oryzae (A.oryzae ) FMME-S- 38 was constructed and analyzed.[Method ] The new GSMM iJW1333 was established for A.oryzae FMME-S- 38 through a two-step process of draft reconstruction and model refinement.[Result ] The model integrated 1 723 biochemical reactions,1 723 metabolites,and 1 333 functional genes,achieving the prediction accuracy of 94.6% for substrate metabolism and 92.0% for cell growth.Comparative genomic analysis revealed that mutations in the genes involved in the hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP ) and oxidative phosphorylation underpinned the enhanced L-malic acid production of A.oryzae FMME-S- …

Effects Of Extraction Methods On The Composition And Immunological Activities Of Yeast Mannoproteins, Haibo Zhang, Yongjun Xia, Guangqiang Wang, Ning Peng, Zhixian Chen, Lianzhong Ai

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] The extraction efficiency of different methods and the effects of these methods on the composition of mannoproteins extracted from yeast cell walls were compared.Furthermore,the anti-inflammatory activities of the extracted mannoprotein were evaluated.[Method ] Three yeast mannoproteins (MP-W,MP-B,and MP-E ) were extracted via high-temperature water,alkali,and enzyme-assisted extraction methods and purified via ethanol precipitation.The identification of monosaccharide composition and amino acid composition,distribution of relative molecular mass,and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to analyze the composition and chemical structures of yeast mannoproteins.A cell experiment was carried out to examine the anti-inflammatory activity.[Result ] The yields of yeast mannoproteins extracted by …

Zeaxanthin Encapsulated With High Internal Phase Emulsions And Its Stability, Ya Li, Ying Ou, Jie Lu, Shuo Meng, Shoushuai Feng, Hailin Yang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study prepared highly stable high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs ) to encapsulate zeaxanthin,thereby improving the stability and expanding the food and pharmaceutical applications of zeaxanthin.[Method ] HIPEs were prepared with the gelatin-chitosan suspension for encapsulation of zeaxanthin extracted from goji berries.Ultra-performance convergence chromatography (UPCC ) was employed to separate zeaxanthin.Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM ) was employed to observe the emulsion structure.The rheological analysis was performed to characterize the emulsion,which was combined with the hydrogen peroxide and storage stability tests to evaluate the performance of encapsulation with HIPEs in improving the stability of zeaxanthin.[Result ] The separation …

Identification And Spoilage Capacity Analysis Of Main Spoilage Bacteria In Pickles, Li Zhu, Huimin Li, Liejiang Yuan, Cancan Peng, Bo Zhou, Sheng Song, Haizhi Wu, Mingyang Zhu, Fangmei Wang, Yu Liu, Yuqian Hu, Ge Li, Yiqing Sun, Yi Zhou

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to identify the main spoilage bacteria and evaluate their spoilage capacity in the spoilage process of pickles.[Method ] High-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the microbial community dynamics in the samples of pickles at the early,middle,and late stages of spoilage.The key spoilage bacteria were isolated,purified,and then identified through a combination of colony morphology observation,biochemical analysis,and 16S rDNA/ITS sequencing.Re-inoculation experiments were carried out for further validation of the primary spoilage bacteria in pickles.[Result ] Acinetobacter and Bacillus were the dominant spoilage bacterial genera across the three spoilage stages.Notably,Bacillus exhibited rapid growth over time,with the relative abundance …

Establishment And Application Of An Immunomagnetic Bead-Based Melisa Method For Olaquindox, Ziyi Chen, Yanling Song, Junjie Sun, Yinlai Li, Lu Zhai, Yaofeng Zhang, Junli Feng, Renyao Jin

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to establish a magnetic bead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MELISA ) method for olaquindox (OLA ) based on immunomagnetic beads.[Method ] First,olaquindox-hapten conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (OLA-HS-HRP ) and immunomagnetic beads were synthesized.Then,the conjugated immunomagnetic beads and OLA-HS-HRP were used to screen and optimize the reaction conditions of MELISA.[Result ] The optimal working dilution factors for the immunomagnetic beads and OLA-HS-HRP were 100 times and 8 000 times,respectively,with the antibody dilution buffer being PBS solution (0.010 mol/L,pH 7.0) containing methanol at a volume fraction of 5%.Under the optimized conditions,the established standard equation was y=13.593ln x+17.173 (R2=0.994 …

Design & Development Of Efficient Biometric Authentication And Key Agreement Schemes For Wireless Body Area Network, Aarthi S

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) play a vital role in continuous health monitoring, where sensitive biometric and physiological data must be protected from privacy breaches and emerging quantum-based threats. Conventional security mechanisms are often inadequate due to resource constraints, scalability issues, and vulnerability to advanced attacks. To address these challenges, this research proposes a lightweight, scalable, and future-proof security framework tailored for WBAN applications, focusing on secure communication, privacy preservation, and quantum resilience.

An anonymous Certificate-Based Signcryption–Mutual Authentication and Key Agreement (CBS-MAKE) protocol is introduced to secure extra-body communications while ensuring patient anonymity. The protocol integrates Elliptic Curve Cryptography with …

Ethnicizing Europe: Hate And Violence After Versailles, Éva Kovács, Raul Cârstocea, Gábor Egry

Central European Studies

Ethnicizing Europe focuses on the dynamics of interethnic violence in Europe between the two world wars. The new international system that was enshrined by the Versailles peace treaties after World War I did not bring stability to East-Central Europe. Rather, it resulted in a host of conditions like self-determination, international oversight, revolutionary political ideas, and democratic processes, which eventually gave new meaning to already established conflicts, as well as igniting new conflicts in the region. This book opens with a discussion of the theoretical scholarship on ethnicity before proceeding to specific case studies investigating the different ways in which ethnicity …