Life Sciences Commons^™

Expression Levels Of Heat Shock Protein 72 And Their Correlation With Biomarkers Of Renal Function Among Hispanic Construction Workers Exposed To Ambient Heat In El Paso, Texas, Maria Fuentes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Heat shock proteins (HSP) are intracellular molecular proteins that are upregulated in response to cellular stress, including heat exposure. Through their protective functions, HSP help maintain protein structure, prevent protein denaturation, and preserve cellular homeostasis during states of physiological stress. Because of their cytoprotective properties, HSP have emerged as potential biomarkers for detecting early signs of tissue injury and predicting clinical outcomes associated with heat related illnesses (HRI), including acute kidney injuries (AKI). AKI is a leading cause of hospitalizations due to heat stress exposure and heat stroke. In the absence of early detection and effective therapeutic interventions, AKI may …

Identify And Widen Bottlenecks In The Asexual Restoration Of Endangered Orbicella Faveolata Boulder Coral, Whitney Schwab

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Landscape-scale coral reef restoration is constrained by the context-dependent responses of corals to environmental and ecological conditions throughout a region, and identifying factors affecting the growth and survival of key reef-building species is essential for maximizing restoration success. In collaboration with Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the University of Miami (UM), and Mote Marine Laboratory, this study evaluated the relative effects of intrinsic factors (putative genotype and source colony location) and extrinsic factors (ex-situ nursery system characteristics, in-situ nursery location, nursery type (ex-situ vs. in-situ), and environmental conditions) on Orbicella faveolata tissue regeneration and survival following fragmentation. Corals …

Governance, Culture, And Law: The Expanding Scope Of Environmental Science And Sustainable Development Research, Ahyaudin Sodri, Herdis Herdiansyah

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Environmental science emerged as a discipline based on physical measurements, such as soil pollutant levels (Ailijiang et al., 2022), ecological restoration (Yue et al., 2026), city surface temperature (Shafizadeh-Moghadam et al., 2025), and microbial density in air samples (Hayleeyesus & Manaye, 2014). However, its objects of study increasingly extend beyond the confines of the laboratory. Questions that were once sufficiently answered with measurement data now require answers through draft laws, Constitutional Court decisions, financial reports of mining companies, and even traditional ritual discourses governing community access to forests. In other words, environmental …

Environmental Dna For Endangered Freshwater Mussel Monitoring: A Review On Global Synthesis Of Edna Methods, Challenges, And Innovative Strategies, Mizanur Rahman, Md. Saydur Rahman, Richard J. Kline

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Freshwater mussels (family Unionidae) are among the most endangered aquatic species worldwide, making effective monitoring vital for their conservation. Traditional surveys are laborious, time-consuming, and often miss rare or low-density populations. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a highly sensitive, non-invasive approach for freshwater mussel detection and monitoring; however, uncertainties in ecological interpretation continue to limit its broader application in freshwater biodiversity monitoring. We conducted a systematic review of 49 peer-reviewed studies, identified through an extensive literature search, to assess temporal research trends, methodological advancements, ecological contexts, and regulatory readiness of freshwater mussel eDNA monitoring. Findings show that freshwater mussel eDNA research …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Alpine Smelowskia (Smelowskia Ovalis), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Alpine smelowskia (Smelowskia ovalis) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Ithuriel's Spear (Triteleia Laxa), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Ithuriel's spear (Triteleia laxa)
 using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Using A Cell Flux Model To Investigate Phytoplankton Growth And Macromolecular Allocation Under Iron Limitation, Margaret Bernish, Meng Gao, Jongsun Kim, Benoit Pasquier

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Global biogeochemical models are powerful tools used to interpret observations and empirical data, create hypotheses, and make predictions. Many of these models, however, represent marine microbes as static stoichiometric reactions that convert nutrients into biomass. To better constrain the biological processes that control nutrient cycling in the global ocean, we extend the Cell Flux Model of Phytoplankton to explore the impact of dissolved iron concentration on the allocation of macromolecules and elemental ratios within phytoplankton cells. This model is supported by data obtained from a range of incubation experiments conducted with phytoplankton of varying species and size categories. Model output …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Thompson Mistmaiden (Romanzoffia Thompsonii), Nora Dunkirk, Gabriel Campbell, Sue Vrilakas

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Thompson mistmaiden (Romanzoffia thompsonii) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For California Pinefoot (Pityopus Californicus), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for California Pinefoot (Pityopus californicus) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Progress And Prospective Of New Pollutants Study, Ruan Ting, Chunyang Liao, Yawei Wang, Maoyong Song, Yaqi Cai, Guibin Jiang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The governance of new pollutants has been becoming a critical strategic demand for the high-quality development of China. The policy will be further advanced during the coming National 15th Five-Year Plan period. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in aspects such as list of controlled chemicals, standard development, measurement methods, alternative approaches, and remediation techniques. Existing experience in addressing traditional pollutants remains insufficient to adequately address the concealed and complex ecological and/or health risks associated with new pollutants. Thus, a strengthening of basic research is the optimal approach to tackling these challenges and avoiding detours. To better identify the critical scientific challenges …

Harmful Algal Blooms: Risks For Food In Utah, Jose Brandao, Sarah Erwin, Stephanie Vaughn, Clare Entwistle

All Current Publications

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a problem because they can produce toxins that make water unsafe for people, animals, and the environment. In recent years, HABs have emerged as a growing concern in freshwater systems throughout Utah, including irrigation canals, reservoirs, and livestock ponds. HABs in freshwater are caused by cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae. These microorganisms can release dangerous toxins that can harm swimmers, pets, and the food supply. Unlike foodborne pathogens, these toxins cannot be removed by boiling, cooking, or washing the food. Therefore, regular monitoring is essential to detect HABs early and reduce exposure risks. This fact …

Resource Assessment Report No. 09: South Coast Crustacean Resource 2045-25 Assessment, Emma-Jade Tuffley, Simon De Lestang

Resource Assessment Reports

The South Coast Crustacean Resource (SCCR) comprises southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii), western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus), crystal crab (Chaceon albus), giant crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas), and champagne crab (Hypothalassia acerba). The resource is accessed primarily by the South Coast Crustacean Managed Fishery (SCCMF), which operates between Augusta in the west and the South Australian border in the east. Since the 2022–23 season, the SCCMF has been managed under an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system with Total Allowable Commercial Catches (TACs) set for four quota zones. Recreational fishing retains a small quantity of rock lobster only.

During the 2024–25 fishing season, …

Determinants Of Home Composting Behavior In Supporting Sustainable Agriculture Among Smallholder Farmers: A Case Study In The Thai Nguyen Province Of Vietnam, Bac Ho Van, Hien Vu Thi, Xinh Ho Luong

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Home composting is a practical and sustainable approach for the management of organic waste generated in the home and agricultural production that contributes to both organic waste management and soil fertility enhancement. In the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam, smallholder farmers face limited adoption of sustainable waste management practices due to behavioral constraints, limited technical knowledge, and resource constraints affecting agricultural productivity.  This study applies and extends the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by integrating behavioral and contextual determinants to examine home composting adoption among smallholder farmers in rural Vietnam. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to reduce and structure …

Fish Tissue Digestion And Microplastic Polymer Identification Protocol Using Open-Source Ftir Database, Shawn L. Kissinger, Vick-Ariel Privert, Jason Bystriansky, Kyle A. Grice

DePaul Discoveries

Microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant concerns for environmental and public health, as seafood represents a critical food source worldwide. Despite increasing evidence of MP presence in marine organisms, efficient and accessible detection methods remain essential for characterizing contamination patterns and informing regulatory frameworks. This study extracted MPs from brain, gill, intestine, liver, and muscle tissues of gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), two commercially important species from the Gulf of Cádiz, Spain, using a NaOH–HNO₃ chemical digestion protocol. Isolated particles were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, with …

Clearing The Air: Tracking Spatial And Temporal Pm2.5 Variability Along A Biking Transect In Chicago, Beau R. Rass

DePaul Discoveries

Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) poses significant risks to human health and disproportionately affects marginalized communities in urban environments (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021; Tessum et al., 2021). Using low-cost mobile sensors, this study explored spatiotemporal PM₂.₅ concentration patterns along a north–south transect of Halsted Street in Chicago. A 2B Technologies Portable Aerosol Monitor (PAM) mounted on a bicycle was used to continuously record PM₂.₅ concentrations with associated GPS coordinates at approximately two-second intervals during 16 sampling events between 08-12-2025 and 10-05-2025. PM₂.₅ concentrations did not differ significantly among the South Side, West Loop, and North Side regions, contrary to the …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Steens Mountain Cushion Buckwheat (Eriogonum Ovalifolium Var. Rubidum), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Steens Mountain Cushion Buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium var. rubidum) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Oregon Daisy (Erigeron Oreganus), Nora Dunkirk, Sue Vrilakas

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Oregon Daisy (Erigeron oreganus) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Bensonia (Bensoniella Oregana), Nora Dunkirk, Sue Vrilakas, Gabriel Campbell

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Bensonia (Bensoniella oregana) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Deschutes Milkvetch (Astragalus Tegetarioides), Nora Dunkirk, Gabriel Campbell, Sue Vrilakas

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Deschutes Milkvetch (Astragalus tegetarioides) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Mt. Hood Bugbane (Actaea Laciniata), Nora Dunkirk

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Mt. Hood Bugbane (Actaea laciniata) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Farm Workers And The Structural Basis Of Climate Change Perceptions, Cody Mortell, Anna Erwin, Zhao Ma, Dongkyu Kim, Elizabeth Rodriquez, Marla Perez-Lugo

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Farm workers are particularly vulnerable to climate change, especially from extreme heat; however, little is known about how they perceive this risk. This study examines climate change perceptions (CCP) among 404 farm workers surveyed in person in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas from April to May 2024. Guided by Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of practice, we conducted a latent class analysis of economic, cultural, social, and symbolic capital indicators to identify distinct class profiles. We then assessed CCP by latent profile, using two primary outcome variables: (1) perceived temperature trends in the region (assessed alongside NOAA data) and (2) perceived …

An Emergent Seafood Nationalism Takes Hold In The United States, Owen Temby

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper introduces the concept of ‘seafood nationalism’ to describe how, since 2024–2025, the United States increasingly uses tariffs, trade remedies, food safety enforcement and origin-based rules to favour American seafood over foreign products. Federal actions include Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which directs agencies to address unfair trade practices, unsafe imports and to develop a coordinated seafood trade strategy. Additional measures include a tariff package imposing a 10% duty on nearly all seafood imports and 30% on seafood from China, as well as new anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on warm-water shrimp. This paper presents Gulf …

Mechanistic And Spatio-Temporal Modelling Of Cassava Whitefly (Bemisia Tabaci) Risk Under Climate Change: Projections For Africa With Case Evidence From Malawi, Lumbani Benedicto Banda, Frank Thomas Ndjomatchoua, Ritter A. Guimapi, Komi Mensah Agboka, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Wezi G. Mhango, Trust Kasambala Donga, Chikondi Makwiza, Karl H. Thunes, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The cassava whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) greatly constrains cassava production across Africa due to its role as a vector of viral diseases that cause substantial yield losses. Effective management of this insect pest requires detailed knowledge of its spatio-temporal distribution, however long-term datasets are scarce. Mechanistic models circumvent these long-term data needs by modelling temperature-dependent processes that govern population dynamics. Nevertheless, their application to B. tabaci remains poorly explored. Here, we developed a mechanistic model to derive a risk index (RI) for B. tabaci across Africa, focusing on Malawi. The model integrates the effects of temperature on the life stages of …

R Code And Supporting Data For "Fast And Slow Water Handling Strategies Explain Pinyon Pine Decline And Juniper Expansion", Andrew Kulmatiski, Muhammad Faraz Rehman

Browse all Datasets

This repository contains the datasets, R scripts, HYDRUS-1D model files, weather data, and supporting materials used for the M.S. thesis, "Fast and Slow Water Handling Strategies Explain Pinyon Pine Decline and Juniper Expansion." The study investigated root water uptake and water-use strategies of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) using stable isotope tracer experiments, soil water flow modeling, leaf water potential measurements, stomatal conductance measurements, and environmental data collected across an aridity gradient in southern Utah, USA.

Instructions To Authors, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Journal Acknowledgements And Editorial Board, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Keynote Address And Meeting Program, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Business Meeting Report (Secretary's And Treasurer's Report), Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Artificial Food Colors Are Not Needed To Attract Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus Colubris) To Feeders, A. Siddiqui, R. Kannan

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Noteworthy Natural History Notes From The Neotropics, R. Kannan

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I report some rarely observed, infrequently reported, or hitherto unrecorded ecological interactions from the neotropics. These anecdotal observations were made opportunistically during nature tours or tropical biology classes in Belize, Panama, Costa Rica, and Trinidad & Tobago, between 2014 and 2024.