Digital Commons Network^™

Using Lrr Standard Deviation As A Genotype Quality Control Measure And Its Downstream Effect On Cnv Calling., Adam Dunne

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Background:

Log R Ratio (LRR) is a genotype intensity measurement returned alongside routine genotype results and used to detect structural variation in the genome known as copy number variation (CNVs). Although LRR standard deviation (SD) is commonly applied as a quality control measure in CNV studies, limited research has explored its effect on genotype quality and the potential impact on CNV calling.

Methods:

A total of 720,152 genotypes were available on 716,234 cattle. Among these were 1,044 cattle that had duplicate genotype samples where one sample was considered gold standard (LRR SD < 0.3, Call Rate ≥ 0.95). Genotype concordance was calculated for all duplicates. PennCNV was used to call CNVs and concordance among CNV calls per duplicate animal was determined using the Jaccard index.

Results:

Across all 720,152 cattle samples, the mean …

Environmental Screening For Multidrug Resistant (Mdr) Organisms In The Surgical Ward Of An Irish Tertiary Referral Hospital., Sinead A. Fahy, Sinéad Fahy

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) colonisation on a surgical ward of an acute tertiary hospital. MDRO determination was conducted on a patient-occupied surgical ward over a 6-month period. The screen included sink, and shower drains in bathrooms and sinks of multi-bedded and single-occupied rooms. Swabs were cultured on chromogenic agar to enable detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenemase producing enterobacterales (CPE), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Suspect resistant organisms were confirmed using NG-Carba 5 (NG Biotech, Guipry, France) lateral flow tests, Vitek 2.0 …

Modesty In Originalism, William H. Pryor Jr.

Florida Law Review

Keynote address that addresses modesty in originalism. William H. Pryor Jr. returns to discuss this topic after he delivered the Dunwody Lecture sixteen years ago. He is no longer a junior circuit judge but now a chief circuit judge with over twenty years of experience. More than ever, he is committed to the ideal of the modest judge.

Going En Banc, Randy J. Kozel

Florida Law Review

This Article examines the law of en banc review in the federal courts of appeals. It explores key doctrinal questions and advances a theory that maintains the primacy of three-judge panels by focusing the en banc process on a specialized set of institutional tasks.

The Clayton Act Cipher: Text As An Antitrust Strategy, Samuel Evan Milner

Florida Law Review

As federal antitrust enforcement has adopted its most aggressive stance in decades, the fate of billions of dollars’ worth of economic activity rests on a few short statutory phrases enacted generations ago. The government officials who have proposed expanding antitrust enforcement have not justified their efforts through the difficult work of parsing the original meaning of these statutory texts. Nor have the targets of their scrutiny shielded themselves by asserting that statutory meaning. Instead, antitrust regulation and litigation have assumed that the text of these laws does not provide as clear or relevant a standard as do precedent, policy, and …

Expressive Discrimination: Universities' First Amendment Right To Affirmative Action, Alexander Volokh

Florida Law Review

In the wake of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, affirmative action proponents should pursue a First Amendment approach. Private universities, which are speaking associations that express themselves through the collective speech of faculty and students, may be able to assert an expressive association right, based on Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, to choose their faculty and students. This theory has been recently strengthened by 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis.

I discuss various complexities and counterarguments: (1) Race is not different from sex or sexual orientation for purposes of the …

Transunion, Vermont Agency, And Statutory Damages Under Article Iii, Randy Beck

Florida Law Review

The Supreme Court concluded in TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez that a plaintiff may not sue to collect statutory damages under a statute such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act simply because the defendant violated a right Congress conferred on the plaintiff. Article III instead requires the plaintiff to show that the statutory violation resulted in a “concrete” injury with “a ‘close relationship’ to a harm ‘traditionally’ recognized as providing a basis for a lawsuit in American courts.” Under the majority’s reading of Article III, “an injury in law is not an injury in fact.”

The TransUnion Court made no effort …

Artificial Intelligence And Privacy, Daniel J. Solove

Florida Law Review

This Article aims to establish a foundational understanding of the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and privacy, outlining the current problems AI poses to privacy and suggesting potential directions for the law’s evolution in this area. Thus far, few commentators have explored the overall landscape of how AI and privacy interrelate. This Article seeks to map that territory.

Some commentators question whether privacy law is appropriate for addressing AI. In this Article, I contend that although existing privacy law falls far short of resolving the privacy problems with AI, privacy law properly conceptualized and constituted would go a long way …

Review Of Trans And Gender Diverse Voices In Libraries, Adrian Johnson

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

This book review summarizes and discusses Trans and Gender Diverse Voices in Libraries, a compilation of fifty-three individual essays by and for trans and gender diverse people in the library and information science (LIS) profession. Edited by Kalani Keahi Adolpho, Stephen G. Krueger, and Krista McCraken, the 547-page work was published by Library Juice Press in 2023. This review provides a thorough look at each of the book’s seven sections, which are designated by professional focus or career stage, and emphasizes and contextualizes the importance of the title within the landscape of LIS literature.

Tracing Transformations: (Digitized) World War Ii Correspondence Through The Lens Of The Records Continuum Model, Milan M. Van Lange, Carlijn Keijzer

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

This paper traces the transformations of a historical archival collection of personal wartime correspondence. Most of the records in this collection were created in the context of the German Occupation of the Netherlands during World War II (1940–1945) and/or the War of Independence in Indonesia (1945-1950). The collection was gathered and curated by the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam from 1945 onwards and was digitised between 2020 and 2023. We navigate the convergence of past and future transformations of the records and illuminate the intricate web of considerations and decisions of historical preservation, archiving, digitisation, …

Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation Of Biomass Model Compounds Using Ni, Co And Fe Over Hzsm-5, Dana Mohammad Salaas

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

With the exponential increase in the human population and energy demand coupled with the alarming levels of worldwide CO2 emissions and the global warming crisis, there is a shift of focus towards developing and deploying clean and renewable energy sources. Biomass is a widely available renewable energy source that offers a promising sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, especially in the case of liquid biofuels production. However, unlike fossil fuels, biomass inherently contains high oxygen content which must be reduced in the biomass-to-biofuel upgrading process in order for the biofuel to provide comparable amounts of energy per unit volume to traditional …

Examining The Impact Of Stress On Collegiate Flight Students, Shivanee D. Cannon-Patron

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

Stress may negatively affect the timely completion of a student pilot's flight training. A student pilot influenced by stress may be subject to what is known as "falling behind the aircraft," a condition that constantly requires minor interventions from their flight instructor. This lack of situational awareness and decreased performance may inadvertently cause the student pilot to repeat the flight lesson, increasing the time spent in the training course.

Examining The Anxiolytic Effects Of Flavonoids In Passionflower: A Gut-Brain Axis Perspective, Khelen R. Walsh

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This literature review investigates the influence of Passiflora incarnata on the Gut-Brain Axis, focusing on the role of flavonoids and the specific biological mechanisms involved in this process. The study aims to identify Passiflora incarnata as a practical, non-harmful, and cost-effective alternative to current modern anxiety medications. This study also emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to integrate Passiflora incarnata further into healthcare settings. Using a narrative review approach, this analysis will examine pre-existing empirical articles, all of which have been found on credible sites, are peer-reviewed, and have been published within the past twenty-five years. The data discussed …

Safe-Haven Ignorance: The Epistemic Refugee, Purya Rabet

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This paper engages with the emerging field of ignorance studies. Per feminist critique, the classic “X knows that p” formulation in epistemology fails to account for the subjectivity and situatedness of X. Building on feminist and critical race theory contributions, this paper puts forward a positive theory regarding resistance to belief-revision. The inquiry concerns the relationship between X’s ignorance and X’s self. This paper interrogates defensive reactions to knowledge and their connection to the narrative sense of self. It introduces “safe-haven ignorance”—a psycho-sociopolitical defense mechanism—which occurs when an individual becomes hostile toward knowledge that contradicts their established self-narrative. This contradiction …

Revealing The Role Of Saccharibacteria (Tm7) In The Oral Cavity And Its Potential Applications In Fighting Gum Disease, Tyrese Ostin-Bordeaux

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This study explores the physiology of TM7, a mysterious microbe, in preventing gum disease. A literature review of 42 articles examines TM7's interactions with other microbes, deeming the microbe's behavior could help modulate pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity as a probiotic.

Who's Afraid Of Femininity? An Examination Of Hegemonic Masculinity And Envy, Shiloh R. Frost, Emily Shafer

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

The woman's rights movement has made strong progress over the past years, yet strict attitudes on how men and women should behave persist. Manhood is defined as being the polar opposite to womanhood, as any expression of femininity is treated as a threat to its dominant position within gender hierarchy. Research has shown that while women have managed incorporate traditionally masculine roles into womanhood, the same has yet to be done for manhood — specifically in the case of cisgender and heterosexual men. In fact, societal wide disdain towards the femininities persists despite attempts to challenge the gender hierarchy. This …

Social Emotional Learning With Children And Social Cognitive Therapies Used In Treatment For Schizophrenia: What Is The Relationship Between Them?, Lynette Marie Lubiak

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

Why has mental illness in our children let alone society increased so significantly? In this paper I am doing a lit review to understand the need for a structured lesson plan of Social Emotional Learning (S.E.L.) and incorporating some techniques of social cognitive therapies for our children. This will be understood by comparing social cognitive therapies in Schizophrenia treatment that rewires healthy neural pathways from miswired neural pathways that are not functional in schizophrenia and the impact on a person with schizophrenia having difficulties to integrate into society while coping with their illness. I will do this by analyzing Theory …

Phenotypic Characterisation Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Escherichia Coli Clinical Isolates And Their Susceptibility To Targeted Bacteriophages, Shauna K. Hurley, Laura O'Connell, Michael Callanan, Aidan Coffey

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Abstract:

Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is the one of the biggest threats facing humans and animals in the 21^st century. This has been caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics leading to the desperate need for innovative therapeutic alternatives. Research is ongoing regarding the use of bacteriophages as a possible viable antimicrobial agent. However, various limitations exist which hinder their use including their narrow host range. This limitation poses a significant threat to the development of phage therapies as it requires phenotypic characterisation of clinical isolates to ensure compatibility between strains and phage. This study outlines phenotypic characterisation of …

Selecting For Less: How Much Methane Can We Truly Breed Away?, Sean B. Crowley

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Background

Genetic selection has potential to reduce enteric methane emissions from cattle, but a key challenge is determining how much of the genetic variation in methane traits is independent of traits already targeted in breeding programs, such as feed intake and growth.

Methods

Methane and carbon dioxide emissions were recorded in 1,700 crossbred, indoor-fed beef cattle using Greenfeed systems. Performance data included feed intake, metabolic liveweight, average daily gain, carcass weight, and ultrasound and skeletal traits. Genetic parameters and correlations among traits were estimated using animal linear mixed models to quantify the independence of methane-related genetic variation.

Results

Daily methane …

Exploiting Genomics To Advance Genetic Gain For Reproductive Traits In Sheep, Mujibur Rahman

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Poor reproductive performance has a negative impact on the profitability of sheep production systems with the number of lambs reared highlighted as a key driver of farm profitability. Nevertheless, the genetic improvement of reproductive traits in sheep has been constrained by their low heritability and pleiotropic nature. Understanding the underlying genetic architecture can improve genomic prediction estimates and enhance genetic gain.

This study will utilize large-scale genomic and phenotypic datasets to enhance genetic gain in sheep reproductive traits through four approaches: 1) to determine the effect of inbreeding depression on reproduction, 2) to identify causal variants impacting reproductive performance through …

Sports And Physical Activity Of Poles In The Context Of Good Health And Well-Being As A Sustainable Development Goal, Elżbieta Biernat, Monika Piątkowska, Robert Podstawski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Investing in physical activity (PA) is vital for achieving sustainable development goals. We examine PA trends in Poland using data from Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2013, 2017, and 2022. In 2022, 64.6% of Poles did not participate in sports, and 41.8% did not engage in non-sport PA. There is a concerning trend of increasing inactivity in sports (Chi²_2022/2017 = 34.64; p < 0.001; Chi²_2017/2013 = 56.98; p < 0.001) and non-sports PA (Chi²_2022/2017 = 18.3, p < 0.01 and Chi²_2017/2013 = 16.95, p < 0.01). Participation in sport and PA is influenced by individual, inter-personal, environmental, political, and global factors. Notably, there is an upward trend in interpersonal (e.g., club membership, volunteering), environmental (e.g., PA in parks/nature, at home), and political (e.g., dissatisfaction with local government actions) factors. Government intervention is crucial and requires: (1) establishment of an institution for leadership and advocacy of PA, (2) adoption of a cross-sectoral approach for a coordinated change, and (3) increased in-vestment in monitoring systems to track the impact of interventions. These actions are essential for fostering a more active and healthier population in Poland.

Preliminary Convergent And Known-Groups Validity Evidence For Scores From Various Executive Function Tasks In Us Adolescents With Visual Impairment, Adam Pennell, Alexandra Stribing, Peter Rifenburg, Andrea Taliaferro, Pamela Beach, Lauren Lieberman, Ali Brian

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Investigations exploring the purported reciprocities between psychomotor and cognitive skills are mounting. However, such inquiries are limited in adolescents with visual impairment (AVI). This disparity is (in part) due to the fact that psychometrically-vetted cognitive and executive function test scores/studies derived from AVI are scant. While large sample investigations are needed, pilot psychometric studies are an advisable antecedent. The purpose of this study was to investigate preliminary convergent and known-groups validity evidence for scores from various executive function tasks in AVI. Thirty-seven participants (Mage=13.59 ± 2.80 years) completed a background information questionnaire, several anthropometric measurements, as well as the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders …

Inclusivising Our World: Co-Designing An Inclusive Play Space In The Crann Centre, Cork, Ireland, Alice Moore

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

This project exemplifies the intersection of policy, practice, and research in adapted physical activity, highlighting the importance of user participation in creating inclusive play and recreation spaces. Traditional playground designs often reflect adult perspectives, which can inadvertently exclude children with diverse abilities, leading to missed opportunities for play and social interaction. Our initiative uniquely engaged both children and adults as "user experts" alongside "professional experts" in co-designing a state-of-the-art inclusive play area in Cork, Ireland, over a 30-month period, culminating in its launch in Summer 2022.

By actively incorporating children’s voices throughout the design process, we sought to align our …

Disability Studies On A Global Landscape: Pedagogical Study Abroad Experiences, Brenda Rossow-Kimball, Doug Cripps

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

“Learning happens best by doing” (University of Regina, Centre for Experiential and Service Learning, 2023). Reflective of Dewey’s belief that experience is knowledge and our experience is simply ‘what we do’ (Dewey, 1892), students who engage in this type of learning ultimately enhance their academic outcomes.

This presentation shares the experiences of two Canadian professors of disability studies who have integrated experiential learning as a pedagogical tool throughout their combined 45 years of teaching. Most recently, their work has engaged student learning on study abroad experiences (ISAPA 2025; Disability Sport Conference 2024 in Coventry, England).

Through immersive cross-cultural learning, student …

The Exploration Of An Orientation And Mobility Internship Program At A Summer Sports Camp For Children Who Are Visually Impaired, Benjamin Lytle, Katie Ericson, Lauren Lieberman, Pamela Beach, Amy Parker

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction Orientation and Mobility (O&M) encompasses essential skills for independent travel and community participation for individuals with visual impairments. O&M training, including over 350 internship hours, equips professionals to teach skills like cane techniques and community travel (ACVREP, 2024). However, little research has explored internship experiences that best support skill acquisition. Short-term programs, such as week-long sports camps, may address gaps in traditional internships through experiential learning.

Methodology This qualitative study examined the experiences of seven O&M interns and seven youth athletes with visual impairments during a one-week sports camp. The data sources consisted of written accounts, observational notes, and …

Sleep And Physical Activity In Youth With Visual Impairments, Pamela Beach, Jack Peltz, Marlee Pontello, Ali Brian, Sarah Decker, Lauren Lieberman, Andrea Taliaferro, Adam Pennell

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction

Currently, there is minimal research on sleep in youth with visual impairments. The present study aimed to examine the associations between physical activity, mental health, and sleep in this population.

Methods

Participants included 37 youth (M_age = 13.03 years; range: 8-19; 51% female). Six were congenitally blind, and the overall sample included eight B1’s, three B2’s, 18 B3’s, and eight B4’s. All participants were assessed at the start of a summer sports camp for youth with VI and completed the School Sleep Habits Survey and the Rapid Assessment Physical Activity Survey.

Results

Although there were no differences in …

Enhancing Movement: Fundamental Movement Skills In Foundation Phase Children With Visual Impairments In A South African Community, Candace Vermaak, Catherine De Wet

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction and Aim Children with visual impairments (VI) often experience delayed fundamental movement skills (FMS) development, potentially impacting physical activity participation and quality of life. Early intervention is crucial to fostering motor competence, confidence, and social inclusion which contributes to sustained healthy PA levels later in life. This study aimed to improve FMS of children with VI through a six-week intervention programme.

Method A quantitative research strategy using quasi-experimental design was used to collect the data. Children aged 5–9 years with VI (N = 30) were purposefully recruited from the local school for children with VI. The children participated in …

I Didn’T Think I Qualified: Adult Wheelchair Basketball Players’ Journey To And Experience In The Sport., Steven K. Holland, Katherine Holland, Cathy Mckay

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction

Wheelchair basketball has been examined from a variety of perspectives, from performance and physiological-based studies (e.g., Soylu et al., 2021) to phenomenological and reverse integration-focused studies (e.g., Evans et al., 2015). Less is known about the lived experiences of wheelchair basketball players. The purpose of this study was to explore adult wheelchair basketball players’ experiences starting and participating in the sport.

Methodology

These findings are part of a larger dataset collected at the 2024 U.S. National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s national adult tournament. Data was collected using individual and focus group interviews and thematically analysed to explore athletes’ experiences in …

Design And Validation Of A Questionnaire To Measure Students ‘Perception Of Inclusive Hiking’, Clara Climent Oltra, Héctor Esteve Ibáñez, Lidia Ramos López, Francisco De Asís Martínez Manchón, Laura Jiménez Monteagudo

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

Introduction:

Social inclusion is a right for people with disabilities, and Physical Activities in the Natural Environment (PANE) can foster inclusion in Physical Education. However, limited scientific studies have explored the participation of students with disabilities in PANE, and no instruments have been developed to assess participants' perceptions.

Objective:

This study aimed to design and validate a questionnaire to assess perceptions of participants in PANE with learners with disabilities, specifically in inclusive hiking and nature-based activities.

Methodology:

As the methodology used, the Delphi method was employed, with the participation of 14 experts in the field: 7 Physical Education teachers and …

Redeveloping For Accessibility: Applying Design Thinking Approach To Create A Card Game For People With Visual Impairment, Rosa Aysegul Aksoy

International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness

The design thinking approach (DTA) as a transdisciplinary method (Manjunath, A. A., et. al., 2023), is a problem-solving process (Cleveland, 2023) that addresses individuals’ needs, in a manner that technologically feasible (Brown, et. al., 2020). Although, DTA is structured as 1- empathizing, 2 - defining, 3 - ideating, 4 - prototyping, and 5 - testing, the overall process is non-linear.

This study provides an in-depth examination of how DTA was utilised for redeveloping an accessible game for the people with visual impairment (PwVI).

DTA and qualitative research were applied by the principles of inclusive, accessible design, along with colour contrast, …