Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Practices Of Lactation And Infant Feeding Together With Women With Hiv: The Uplift Observational Study Protocol, Christiana Smith, Emily Anne Barr, Karen Hampanda, Mark Trumbull, Hulin Wu, Jennifer Mckinney, Sarah Buisson, Carly Hoffmann, Ciarra Brown, Angela B Hutchinson, K Rivet Amico, Ifeyinwa V Asiodu, Elizabeth J Mcfarland, Margaret A Lampe, Preetam A Cholli, Olga Varechtchouk, Allahna Esber, Athena P Kourtis, Lisa Abuogi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: There is a limited understanding of infant feeding decisions, practices, and outcomes for women living with HIV (WLHIV) and their infants since U.S. guidelines were updated in 2023 to support breastfeeding for virally suppressed women on antiretroviral treatment.

Methods and analysis: The Understanding Practices of Lactation and Infant Feeding Together with women with HIV (UPLIFT) study is a convergent mixed-methods, multisite, observational study designed to address key knowledge gaps. Twelve US sites will begin enrollment in early 2026 to accomplish three core activities (CA). In CA1, we explore infant feeding decision-making and experiences via in-depth interviews with pregnant/postpartum WLHIV …

Correction: Feasibility Of Conducting A Pilot Randomized Trial Of A Mindfulness-Based Intervention Among Sheltered Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness, Diane Santa Maria, Paula Cuccaro, Erica Sibinga, Kimberly Bender, Ethel Jacko, Widumini Liyanage, Jennifer Jones, Stanley Cron

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This corrects the article "Feasibility of conducting a pilot randomized trial of a mindfulness-based intervention among sheltered young adults experiencing homelessness" in volume 16, 1649664.

Front Matter, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Front Matter for Volume 124, Issue 4 of Michigan Law Review

Standard Textualism, James A. Macleod

Michigan Law Review

For as long as legal scholars have been writing about the rules-versus-standards distinction, textualism has been understood to produce characteristically rule-like law. This Article argues for the opposite view. Far from generating the “law of rules” that Scalia famously envisioned, the rule of modern textualism produces a law of standards—much more so than anybody, proponent of textualism or critic, appears to have recognized.

Two aspects of today’s textualism produce this result. The first is its emphasis on ordinary language and communication. Modern textualism typically produces standards because ordinary language and communication are typically standard-like. The second is modern textualism’s drive …

The Law Of The Mid-Transition, Alison Gocke

Michigan Law Review

To address climate change, our energy systems need to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy resources. There is a tendency to think this transition will occur in a linear, seamless progression: We will move from the (old) fossil fuel system at Time A to a (new) clean energy system at Time B. But this belies the reality that an energy transition involves not just building a new energy system, but also unwinding an old one. Crucially, both processes will take time. That means there will be a significant period in which both energy systems coexist.

In the engineering literature, …

Algorithmic Medicine And The Duty To Disclose: Informed Consent Through The Lens Of Radiology, Lee Rodriguez

Michigan Law Review

Informed consent is the law’s mechanism for protecting patient autonomy by requiring disclosure of facts that bear on the decision to accept or refuse care. Artificial intelligence now helps decide what is medically true for patients, yet informed consent law still assumes that diagnostic judgment is rendered by a human mind whose reasoning is at least in principle communicable. Radiology has become the leading setting for this tension. AI systems triage worklists, flag suspected abnormalities, and anchor first-pass impressions in ways that guide radiologists’ attention and, in practice, can coauthor diagnostic conclusions while remaining invisible to patients. When patients are …

Understanding Motivations And Health Outcomes Of College-Aged Triathletes During Covid-19: A Mixed-Methods Study, Patrick Wilson, Eddie Hill, Justin Haegele, Xihe Zhu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

A triathlon is a multi-sport event that consists of three simultaneous events: swimming, biking, and running. This sport has experienced significant growth in the past few decades, with colleges and universities now participating. This exploratory mixed-methods study examined the motivations and perceived health benefits of college triathletes during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the Means-Ends of Recreation Scale and the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (N = 29), as well as semi-structured interviews (N = 4). Results indicate no difference in motives or health outcomes between male and female survey respondents. The thematic analysis of open-ended interview questions highlighted lived …

Inclusive Psychology Pedagogy Is Linked To Increased Belonging And Reduced Prejudice Toward Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships, Rose Bern, Rachel Dinero, Kate Linenbach, Amy Moors

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Students enrolled in an elective psychology course entitled Relationship Science, which emphasized inclusive curricula focused on relationship diversity, completed pre- and postcourse assessments of attitudes toward consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships, relationship skills (e.g., constructive communication), and classroom belonging. Given the established literature on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+-inclusive pedagogy, attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ individuals were also measured. Comparisons of pre- and postcourse assessments revealed significant reductions in stigma toward individuals engaged in CNM, alongside increased acceptance of CNM relationships more broadly. Students also reported increases in relationship skills and classroom belonging over the course of the …

Asynchronous Lgbtq+ Affirming Counseling Training With Early Career Counselors: A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation, Amber L. Pope, Kelli Hartzell, Matt B. Siroty, Jeff Moe, Noelle St. Germain-Sehr, Bianca R. Augustine, Amanda St. Germain-Sehr, Tai Lexumé

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

A growing body of research shows that training in LGBTQ+ affirming counseling (LGBTQ+ AC) positively impacts counselors’ perceived knowledge and skills in providing mental health services to LGBTQ+ communities. Existing program evaluations of LGBTQ+ AC, however, have primarily used synchronous delivery formats and cultural competency models for the training design. This study is part of an action research agenda to develop an introductory training in LGBTQ+ AC, using asynchronous online delivery and cultural humility as the conceptual framework for the training design. We used a fixed convergent parallel mixed methods quasi-experimental design to examine the impact of our LGBTQ+ AC …

"Oh, You've Come To Visit The Yard?": Phenotypic Capital, Intragroup Marginalization, And The Gated Sanctuary In Black Lgbtq+ Communities, Keith J. Watts, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Nicole Campbell, Laneshia R. Conner, Julian K. Glover, Janet K. Otachi, Dekeitra Griffin

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Identity-based communities that share common characteristics, beliefs, and experiences (e.g., Black LGBTQ+ communities) have historically been conceptualized as protective bubbles that buffer Black LGBTQ+ individuals against the deleterious effects of systemic racism and cisheterosexism. However, this monolithic narrative often masks the internal power dynamics that divide belonging. This study explores the exclusionary dynamics embedded within these safe spaces, examining how internal hierarchies of skin tone, socioeconomic status, and gender performance function as proximal stressors. Guided by a critical constructivist paradigm, this study utilized Reflexive Thematic Analysis to analyze open-ended survey responses from 74 Black LGBTQ+ adults. Data were drawn from …

Recent Abdominal Surgery As A Risk Factor For Unfavorable Immune-Mediated Colitis Outcomes, Rohan Ahuja, Malek Shatila, Jay Shah, Cristina Natha, Varun Vemulapalli Mdi, Nitish Mittal, Jasmine Mikal Haydel, Irene Jeong-Ah Lee, Andres Caleb Urias Rivera, Carolina Colli Cruz, Bryan Schneider, Shilpa Grover, Aliyah Pabani, Anusha S Thomas, Yinghong Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and aims: Risk factors for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy enterocolitis (IMC) have not been greatly explored. Abdominal surgery can reduce bacterial diversity, increase the presence of pathogenic bacteria, and lead to inflammatory changes. This retrospective analysis seeks to determine if a history of recent abdominal surgery in patients who receive ICI therapy affects the severity and duration of enterocolitis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with history of abdominal surgeries, who received ICI for cancers and then developed IMC. Clinical profiles, oncology variables, and colitis-related characteristics were reported.

Results: Seven hundred sixty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients median …

Evaluating Differences In Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts By Infant Sex: National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011, Victoria A Salinas, Natalie P Archer, Layla R Lustri, Katherine L Ludorf, Timothy Ihongbe, Wei Yang, Eva M Williford, Marilyn L Browne, Adrian M Michalski, Lindsay A Williams, Wendy Nembhard, Eirini Nestoridi, Gary M Shaw, Andrew F Olshan, A J Agopian, National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To investigate nongenetic factors that may contribute to observed differences in nonsyndromic orofacial clefts by infant sex.

Study design: Using data for 1997-2011 deliveries from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a case-control study, we separately examined associations between 23 maternal factors and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate alone (CP) using multivariable logistic regression stratified by infant sex.

Results: We compared 2986 infants with CL/P and 1557 with CP to 11 271 control infants without birth defects. After adjusting for maternal age at conception and education, lower odds of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts were …

An Integrated Lifestyle-, Genetic- And Metabolomics-Based Prediction Model For Mild Cognitive Aging In The Hchs/Sol, Annah B Wyss, Yana Hrytsenko, Linfeng Hu, Iris J Broce, Robert C Kaplan, Wassim Tarraf, Bing Yu, Eric Boerwinkle, Qibin Qi, Myriam Fornage, Charles Decarli, Hector M González, Tamar Sofer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Prediction models for cognitive aging measures have largely evaluated demographic variables and APOE carrier status in populations of European ancestry. To comprehensively assess prediction models among Hispanic/Latinos, we considered 12 models (6 predictor sets and 2 methods) for global cognitive score change (GCSC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) (N = 5856). Based on the average mean squared error (MSE) for GCSC or average area under the curve (AUC) for MCI across 100 randomly split testing and training sets, performance was similar across models, but slightly better for the following models: …

Enhancing Data Compatibility In An Evolving Landscape: Medical Cannabis And Polysubstance Use Protocols In The Phenx Toolkit, Anne Buu, Johannes Thrul, Amanda Bunting, Tamara Haegerich, Wayne Huggins, Christian Hopfer, Denise Vidot, Cataia Ives, Ryan Mcneil, Sarah Zemore, Corrie Vilsaint, Elizabeth Fallon, Christine Hill, Carol Hamilton, John Kelly

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: With increasing legalization of medical cannabis and prevalence of polysubstance use in the United States comes the need for standard psychometrically validated measures to study these substances' health effects in the population. The PhenX (consensus measures for Phenotypes and eXposures) Toolkit (www.phenxtoolkit.org) is a freely accessible catalog of recommended measurement protocols to promote data compatibility across studies, but this extensive catalog did not include measures in these important areas.

Methods: In 2024, a PhenX Working Group of experts followed a well-established consensus process to identify and recommend measurement protocols suitable for inclusion in studies on medical cannabis and polysubstance …

Population-Based Analysis Of Synergistic Effects Of Functional Disability And Comorbidities On Retention In Hiv Care Among People With Hiv, Modupe Olajumoke Onigbogi, Osaro Mgbere, Paul Rowan, Ruosha Li, Charles Darkoh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined how types of disability and comorbidities influence retention in care (RIC) among people with HIV (PWH) in Houston/Harris County, Texas, USA.

Methods: Data from 1142 participants in the Houston Medical Monitoring Project (2015–2021) were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate factors associated with RIC.

Results: Approximately 74.9% of participants were retained in care. Compared to PWH without specific comorbidities, those with dyslipidemia and kidney disease had higher odds of RIC (AOR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.40–5.03 and AOR: 14.08; 95% CI: 1.44–138.12, respectively). PWH reporting only mobility disability had …

Impact Of Early Intervention On Developmental Outcomes In Young Children With Autism In Rural Communities, Libier Burgara

IdeaFest 2026

This poster examines the impact of early intervention on developmental outcomes in young children with autism in rural communities, with a focus on care delivered through a community based rural clinic and a rural federally qualified health center. Delays in diagnosis and limited access to specialized services contribute to poorer developmental trajectories in these settings.  This project highlights the importance of early screening, timely referral, and coordinated, family centered care.  Key concepts include reducing disparities, improving access to evidence based interventions, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.  Outcomes demonstrate that early, consistent intervention is associated with improved communication, social functioning, and overall …

Physiological Responses Of Oregon White Oak To Thinning In The East Cascades, Millen Mccord

IdeaFest 2026

This project monitors the short-term physiological responses of conifer-encroached Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) to thinning treatments in the East Cascades region of Oregon to investigate the influences of woody encroachment, tree characteristics, and environmental variables on these responses. We also collected oak and conifer xylem water isotope samples to compare sources of oak and conifers to examine source water use.

Enhancing Surgical Safety, Sarah Moxon

IdeaFest 2026

Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for 20% of hospital-acquired infections, increasing patients’ risk of disability and mortality and raising costs for hospitals. This quality improvement project, using the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change, aims to reduce SSIs at a rural hospital by 20% within one year. Engaging key players, proven strategies will be implemented, including preoperative nasal decolonization, reducing operating room traffic, and using an SSI risk tool. These strategies will be evaluated through electronic medical record (EMR) documentation audits, tracking door openings, nasal swab cultures, and surveys assessing the SSI risk tool’s impact on clinical decision-making.

Effects Of Trail Surface On Nighttime Mammal Space Use In A Forest Reserve, Spencer Foto

IdeaFest 2026

Recreational trails are widespread in protected forests, yet their effects on wildlife remain understudied. We used motion-activated cameras at 30 sites along the Elk River Trail, CA, to test whether trail surface (paved vs. unpaved) influenced nighttime mammal detections and whether responses varied by body size. Eight species were detected, with the gray fox being the most frequently observed. Detections were higher on paved trails (p = 0.005), but no consistent species-level or body size effects were found.

Rainfall Effects On Trash Accumulation In The San Diego River, Charlie Bruhn

IdeaFest 2026

My project examines the relationship between rainfall and trash accumulation in the San Diego River using survey data collected by the San Diego River Park Foundation and precipitation data from NOAA. Data were compiled, cleaned, and analyzed using Python and Excel to examine correlations and patterns. Results indicate a weak direct relationship between rainfall and trash accumulation, with evidence suggesting a potential lagged effect.

Solar Microgrids Effects On Insect Diversity In A California Coastal Prairie, Bailey Glashan

IdeaFest 2026

Investigating insect diversity and abundance at different microclimates created by solar panels.

Disturbance From Restoring Native Dune Ecosystems Affects Small Mammal Occupancy In Humboldt County, Ca, Kyra Stewart

IdeaFest 2026

Small mammal occupancy in restored and unrestored dune sites in Humboldt County, Ca.

Foraging Success Of Diving Birds Compared To Dive Duration, Elizabeth Denny

IdeaFest 2026

Divers are a highly specialized group of aquatic birds that have adapted to be experts at capturing prey underwater. The goal when searching for prey is to achieve optimal foraging efficiency, which is an individual’s ability to effectively acquire food. The amount of time spent underwater per dive is a vital part of foraging efficiency, and it may affect the rate at which prey is captured. This phenomenon was the main focus of my project, and it was evaluated by observing dive duration and capture success in diving birds to see if there was a correlation between the two.

Activity Budgets Of Belted Kingfishers In Humboldt County, Thomas Pietrowicz

IdeaFest 2026

This study investigated belted kingfisher behaviors in order to understand how they manage their time within the coastal wetland habitats at the the Arcata Marsh. I recorded the total length of time (in seconds) that an individual kingfisher spent perched, preening, and foraging across various wetland habitat types at the Arcata Marsh, in multiple 30-minute observation periods. The number of individual foraging attempts (defined as a dive into the water) and the outcome of each attempt was also recorded during each observation period. The data was used to calculate activity budgets and evaluate their foraging efficiency. A statistical analysis of …

Sex-Based Behavioral Differences In Mallards (Anas Platyrhynchos), Melissa Flores

IdeaFest 2026

I have done research on sex-based behaviors in male and female Mallards. I was curious on how they allocate their time foraging, preening, resting and being vigilant leading up to the breeding season.

Waterfowl Foraging And Vigilance Tradeoff In Mallard And Green-Winged Teal, Noah Ramsey

IdeaFest 2026

This study compared the trade-off between foraging and vigilance of mallard and green-winged teal. Mallard and green-winged teal were chosen for this study due to their similarity as dabbling ducks and their differences in morphology. Balancing the tradeoff between vigilance and foraging is crucial for spring migrating waterfowl who need excess energy reserves to successfully migrate.

Dows Prairie Elementary School - College Corp Service, Megan Jones

IdeaFest 2026

My project is a comprehensive submission of my service at Dow's Prairie Elementary School in Mckinleyville. In this project, I discuss issues I noticed and addressed at my site, such as students lacking understanding of food systems and the challenges presented by screen time with younger students. I also briefly discuss my role as an ESM student, what I have learned, and the impact I have had on students at my site.

Macroinvertebrates As An Indicator Of Water Quality At A Constructed Marsh, Amelia Jensen

IdeaFest 2026

My project is to test to see if macroinvertebrates are a good indicator of water quality. I will need to sample at each 2 marshes, West Pond and Brackish Pond, for macroinvertebrates using a D-Frame net and a bucket. At each location, I will collect 8 macroinvertebrate samples, with 4 taken to the right of my starting point and then 4 to the left. In addition to macroinvertebrates, I will also be collecting pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity from the water as well. To be able to classify the macroinvertebrates I will be using shallow bins to place the invertebrates …

Aquatic Invertebrate Diversity Across Ponds In The Arcata Marsh, Bree Gentil-Guijosa

IdeaFest 2026

I am collecting samples across different ponds in the Arcata Marsh to compare aquatic invertebrate biodiversity and abundance. Each pond is selected due to the ponds having different management goals and different reasons for their restoration/creation in the marsh back when the city marsh was being created. I will be presenting what invertebrate orders I found, if their presence and diversity was affected based on what pond they were collected in, and what this research can be applied to in the future.

Habitat Use Of Gray Foxes In Coastal California, Jillian Arcadi

IdeaFest 2026

This project sought to determine if land-use type has an impact on when and how frequently gray foxes are active in the Humboldt Bay.