Life Sciences Commons^™

Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2025, Nathan A. Slaton

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Rapid technological changes in crop management and production require that the research efforts be presented in an expeditious manner. The contributions of soil fertility and fertilizers are major production factors in all Arkansas crops. The studies described within will allow producers to compare their practices with the university’s research efforts. Additionally, soil-test data and fertilizer sales are presented to allow comparisons among years, crops, and other areas within Arkansas.

Evaluation Of Limestones Varying In Calcium Solubility On Egg Production Performance And Total Tract Calcium Retention In Lohman Lsl Lite Laying Hens, R. L. Drysdale, P. L. Utterback, Benjamin Parsons, J E. Emmert, C. M. Parsons

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Limestone is one of the primary sources of Ca in poultry diets because it is often readily available and inexpensive. The amount and availability of Ca in limestone can vary due to factors such as the origin of the rock, particle size, and solubility. It is believed that larger particles that solubilize at moderate or slow rates may be advantageous by limiting Ca-phytate interactions and increasing retention time of particles in the gastrointestinal tract, which would lead to better utilization of Ca by the bird. There were 5 limestones evaluated with 2 dietary Ca levels fed per limestone (2.65 and …

Evolutionary Conservation Of Midline Axon Guidance Activity Between Drosophila And Tribolium Frazzled, Piyasi Ghosh, Benjamin C. Wadsworth, Logan Terry, Timothy A. Evans

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The regulation of midline crossing of axons is of fundamental importance for the proper development of nervous system connectivity in bilaterian animals. A number of conserved axon guidance signaling pathways coordinate to attract or repel axons at the nervous system midline to ensure the proper regulation of midline crossing. The attractive Netrin-Frazzled/DCC (Net-Fra) signaling pathway is widely conserved among bilaterians, but it is not clear whether the mechanisms by which Net and Fra promote midline crossing are also conserved. In Drosophila, Fra can promote midline crossing via Netrin-dependent and Netrin-independent mechanisms, by acting as a canonical midline attractive receptor and …

Soil Structure And Organic Carbon Dynamics From Agroforestry And Conventional Coffee Systems In A Clayey Oxisol, Helen C.S. Amorium, Franciane D. Cogo, Rodrigo L. Cunha, Carols A. Silva, Amanda Ashworth, Yuri L. Zinn

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Agroforestry systems can enhance C retention in soils, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity, helping offset soil and water degradation commonly associated with monocultures. However, impacts of agroforestry on soil organic carbon and water retention are variable and remain largely understudied for tropical soils and coffee (Coffea arabica L.) systems. This study assessed soil organic C (SOC), soil structure, and particulate organic matter C (POM-C) in a gibbsitic Oxisol under conventional coffee (CC), coffee + macadamia [Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche (CM)] agroforestry, no-till (NT) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-corn (Zea mays L.), and a secondary forest succession (SF) as a control. …

Genomic Insights Of Leafminer Resistance In Spinach Through Gwas Approach And Genomic Prediction, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Beiquan Mou, Kenani Edward Chiwina, Waltram Ravelombola, Qun Luo, Yiting Xiao, Yang Tian, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Leafminers, representing a diverse group of insects from various genera within the Agromyzidae family, pose a significant threat to spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) production. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with leafminer resistance through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and to evaluate the prediction accuracy (PA) for selecting resistant spinach using genomic prediction (GP). Using a dataset of 84 301 SNPs obtained from whole-genome resequencing, seven GWAS models, including BLINK, FarmCPU, MLM, and MLMM in GAPIT 3, as well as MLM, GLM, and SMR in TASSEL 5, were employed to perform GWAS on …

New Host And Distributional Records For Helminth Parasites (Monogenoidea, Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda) Of Arkansas Reptiles (Testudines, Ophidia), C. T. Mcallister, C. R. Bursey, T. J. Fayton, S. E. Trauth, H. W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Over the last decade or more, our collaborative research has provided noteworthy information on the helminth parasites of reptiles of Arkansas. Because several species still need to be surveyed from the state, some for the first time, there has been a general void of information on their parasites. We therefore examined 10 reptiles, including seven species/subspecies of turtles, as well as three species/subspecies of snakes for helminth parasites. Found were 24 taxa of parasites, including two monogeneans, 14 digeneans, one tapeworm, and seven nematodes. We document several new host and distributional records for these parasites from some reptiles of the …

Effect Of Heat Stress On Jejunal Epithelial Barrier Integrity In Broilers Divergently Selected For High- And Low-Water Efficiency, Elizabeth S. Greene, Sara Orlowski, Sami Dridi

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Drought and water scarcity, exacerbated by global warming, are enormous threats to global food sustainability and security. Poultry, in particular, are highly impacted by adverse environmental stressors. As nutrient absorption and intestinal integrity are critical for growth and performance, understanding the impact on the broiler gastrointestinal tract is highly relevant. Here, we examined the effect of chronic cyclic heat stress (HS) on the jejunal expression profile of tight-junction, gap-junction, adherens, and desmosome genes in the 4th generation of broiler lines divergently selected for low (LWE)- and high-water efficiency (HWE). Male HWE and LWE broilers (n = 240/line) were allotted to …

Systemic Drug Delivery In Pigs Using Biodegradable Microneedle Patches, Katherine A. Miranda-Munoz, Tsungcheng Tsai, Jacy Riddle, Ke He, Lee Blaney, Jeremy Powell, Jorge Almodovar

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Transdermal microneedle systems offer a minimally invasive strategy for systemic drug delivery in veterinary medicine. In this study, biodegradable microneedle patches composed of polyvinyl alcohol, collagen, and chitosan were evaluated in pigs for the delivery of two model compounds, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran, 4 kDa) and flunixin meglumine (FLU). Patches were applied to the ear and neck to assess the influence of anatomical site on systemic absorption. FITC-dextran delivered via a single 50 mg patch on the neck achieved approximately 1.2-1.4-fold higher plasma concentrations than oral administration and ear-applied patches, demonstrating enhanced uptake from vascularized regions. FLU patches applied to the …

Distribution Of Mussels In Two Intermittent Upland Streams Of The Arkansas Valley Ecoregion, A. A. Brady, K. B. Hecke, S. A. Drake, Z. R. Crain, K. Moles

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Freshwater mussels are facing an increasing need for conservation due to their declining populations. More data is needed on mussel distributions, especially in tributaries of large rivers to properly conserve and restore populations. Big Shoal Creek and Little Shoal Creek are two upland-tributaries of the Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle) in which no records exist for freshwater mussel populations. We addressed this knowledge gap by sampling a total of 9 sites in Little Shoal Creek and 18 sites in Big Shoal Creek to determine the abundance and distribution of mussels in these streams. Mussels were sampled using a timed-search approach. A …

Temporal Variation Of Benthic Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Communities In Two Upland Intermittent Streams In The Boston Mountains, R. J. Mccollough, K. B. Hecke

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Benthic aquatic macroinvertebrates are some of the most highly used organisms for biomonitoring and assessing stream health. However, biomonitoring is often done in one season, potentially missing important taxa and inaccurately reflecting the community as well as stream health. In addition, while road crossing effects have also been extensively researched the last few decades, these studies are also often conducted in one season, likely misrepresenting the community structure and the overall effects of the road crossing. The highly known River Continuum Concept (RCC) is often applied to these benthic aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. This study aimed to examine aquatic macroinvertebrate communities …

First Report Of The Chytrid Fungus, Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis (Chytridiomycota: Rhizophydiales) From Spring Peeper, Pseudacris Crucifer (Anura: Hylidae), In Western Arkansas, C. T. Mcallister, I. F. Standish, E. M. Leis, M. R. Rodriguez, G. Burrows, H. W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Seven adult spring peepers, Pseudacris crucifer, were collected by hand during April 2024 from Polk County, Arkansas, and examined for the pathogens, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), and frog virus 3-like Ranavirus (FV3). Swabs from three of seven (43%) individuals tested positive for Bd: all P. crucifer were negative for the other two pathogens. In addition, no hosts showed any obvious pathological signs of infection and, as such, may represent Bd vectors.  This is the first time P. crucifer from Arkansas has been reported with Bd and increases the number of amphibian species …

First Arkansas Records Of The True Bugs Lasiochilus Hirtellus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lasiochilidae) And Physopleurella Mundula (Anthocoridae)., S. W. Chordas Iii, R. Tumlison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We report 2 uncommon species of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), Lasiochilus hirtellus (Lasiochilidae) and Physopleurella mundula (Anthocoridae), for the first time from Arkansas. This includes the first report of the family Lasiochilidae for Arkansas. Both species were captured in UV light traps set in Clark County. We discuss identification, provide digital images of the voucher specimens and include updated distribution maps (north of Mexico) for both species. With the addition of these 2 species, there are now a total of 7 anthocorid species, among the 3 bug families Lasiochilidae, Anthocoridae and Lytocoridae, known for Arkansas.

Enhancing The Playing Field:​ Effects Of Playground Renovation On Recess Physical Activity​, Hudson M. Parsley

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: Children in recent years have become increasingly sedentary, which poses major risks to their health and overall well-being. Recess is a point of interest in the field of exercise science, as research has found increased recess time is associated with increased levels of PA, but little is known on how the quality of recess, such as playground structures, affects physical activity. Purpose: The aim of my study is to investigate if there is a significant change in physical activity habits during recess among elementary school students due to a change in playground play structures and surfaces, in the form …

Clawing Our Way To Inclusion: Identifying Minority Students’ Barriers To Entering The Veterinary Medicine Profession, Danielle Reeves, Lauren Rogers

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Veterinary services are being utilized more each year as pet owners are increasingly viewing and treating their pets like family members. Due to this changing perspective, the veterinary profession has grown significantly. Yet, despite this change, there is a lack of ethnic/racial diversity within the veterinary field. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors and/or barriers associated with minority students’ desire or lack of desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This study used an online survey tool to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 456 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas during the spring …

Influence Of Increased Supplementation Of Organic-Complexed Zinc To Beef Cows During Gestation And The Effects On Offspring, Naija N. Sharpley, Robin A. Cheek, Elizabeth B. Kegley, Jeremy G. Powell, Kenneth P. Coffey

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing zinc (Zn) supplementation of beef cows during gestation on calf performance. Angus crossbred cows confirmed pregnant with female sexed semen (n = 83) were allotted to 4 groups (20 to 21 cows/group), 2 groups/treatment. There were 2 treatments: 1) grain supplement with inorganic Zn to meet current National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine requirements (CONTROL), and 2) grain supplement containing an additional 360 mg/day of Zn as an amino acid complex (Zinpro Availa Zn; HIGHZN). A subset of cows (n = 32; 16 cows/treatment) was selected for …

Factors Affecting Diet Selection In Sheep Fed Endophyte-Infected Toxic Fescue, Jordan Thomas, Ronelson Stinfil, Kenneth P. Coffey, Christine C. Nieman, Derico Setyabrata, Shawna Weimer

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) infected with toxin‑producing fungi can induce fescue toxicosis in grazing ruminants, reducing performance and altering forage intake. Chemical compounds in red clover (Trifolium pratense), such as biochanin A, have been proposed to mitigate these effects by improving palatability and blood vessel relaxation. This study examined whether the inclusion of ground red clover (GRC), either alone or in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), affected voluntary diet selection in lambs offered toxic fescue. Thirty‑three lambs were housed individually and assigned randomly to one of four diets: (1) toxic …

Examining Any Differences Between Genders’ Activity Levels During Recess, Kara M. Wells

2026 Honors Symposium

Physical activity in children is significant for all aspects of their development, including cognitive, physical, emotional, and social aspects. Recess is important for children to be given a designated time to exercise and get physical activity. For some children, recess is the only time they get to exercise in a day. This study aims to examine differences in activity levels between genders at Leverett Elementary School. It is important to know if there is a disparity between boys and girls at recess, so that educators, parents, and administrators can work to bridge any gaps and ensure that all kids are …

Pain And Pace: Investigating Gait Velocity In Individuals With Cancer, Melaina E. Taylor

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, with incidence rates continuing to rise. Pain, a hallmark symptom of many cancers, is caused by both the progression of disease and treatments. Gait, the way in which someone walks, is now dubbed the “6th vital sign” for its strong relationship with functional status, longevity, and survival. Specifically, gait velocity is a key metric for gait, with previous studies in cancer free adults showing increased pain associated with a decreased gait velocity. The relationship between gait velocity and pain has not yet been explored in individuals with cancer. Purpose: The …

Arkansas Corn And Grain Sorghum Performance Tests 2025, J. F. Carlin, J. P. Kelley, T. N. Spurlock, T. D. Swanson, R. D. Bond, J. C. Mccoy, C. J. Bulloch

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Report Statement This Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) publication summarizes variety trial research conducted by the Arkansas Crop Variety Improvement Program. Variety trial information presented here furthers the AAES mission of conducting research that benefits the citizens of Arkansas by expanding agricultural profitability and strengthening local and state economies. This information is not a recommendation or an endorsement of any product by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture or AAES. Recommendations interpreted from this information are made and presented by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Corn and grain sorghum performance tests are conducted each year in Arkansas by …

Analysis Of The Pervasiveness Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) And Their Relationship With The Incidence Of Neurological Health Disorders, Emma Waters

2026 Research Poster Competition

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a contaminant of emerging concern due to their chemical structure that afford a plethora of issues with regards to degradation on environmental and metabolic fronts. PFAS are amphiphilic and contain a carbon-fluorine bond, which complicates their movement through the environment and ensures their longevity in biological systems. Their persistence in biological systems has led them to be marked as “forever chemicals” and have emphasized them as a priority area for research in recent years. Current work on PFAS relationships to human health have pointed to some causes for concern. Much of the research on …

Satisfaction With Physician Communication, Joyce Ho

2026 Research Poster Competition

Problem. Provider-patient communication can be sorted into two approaches: patient-centered communication (PCC) and doctor-centered communication (DCC). PCC is characterized by a patient focus, in which patients are encouraged to participate in decisions regarding their care, while DCC is characterized by a doctor focus, in which the physician acts as an informational source for patients (Bientzle et al. 2017). Physician communication style is known to be influenced by gender. Female physicians are more likely to utilize PCC than their male counterparts (Roter 2004). Female patients are more likely to have higher measures of PCC in interactions with their physicians (Bertakis et …

Ovipositional Behavior Of The Twig Girdler (Cerambycidae: Oncideres Cingulata) On Stems Of Mockernut Hickory (Carya Tomentosa) In Arkansas, R. Tumlison, L. Serviss

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Twig Girdler (Cerambycidae: Oncideres cingulata) is a long-horned beetle that girdles stems of certain species of trees to prepare a habitat for its offspring. The stems eventually die, break, and fall from the tree, but the beetle usually had already laid its eggs within the stems. Eggs are laid singly, almost always at growth rings or leaf bases. Because the space for the young to develop is finite, laying too many eggs could cause reproductive failure and too few eggs would be suboptimal. We hypothesized that the female laying eggs should be able to evaluate the stem and …

Technical Skills And Their Roles In Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Education, Ryan Loy, Logan L. Britton, F. Bailey Norwood

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The integration of advanced technical skills and supply chain management (SCM) tools is critical for the evolving demands of agribusiness. This study identifies the technical competencies, software proficiencies, and educational strategies essential for preparing students to excel in modern SCM roles. Through semi-structured interviews with 26 SCM professionals across US agribusiness sectors, the study highlights the demand for expertise in tools such as SAP, Power BI, and SQL alongside capabilities in data-driven decision-making and adaptability. Despite theoretical preparation, graduates often lack practical experience with industry-standard technologies, underscoring a gap in academic curricula. The findings suggest that agribusiness programs should emphasize …

Insight Into School-Based Tobacco Prevention Education In Arkansas School Districts, Faisal Khan

2026 Research Poster Competition

Insight into School-Based Tobacco Prevention Education in Arkansas School Districts [PD1] Henry Obajaja, Ashley Clawson, Kara Lasater, Victor Kwaku Akakpo, Kolade Olatunde, Luke Larsen, Faisal Khan, Page D Dobbs Characters: 2,500/2,500Select Category: Public Health Study Type: Cross-sectionalPresentation Type – Paper or Poster Funding – select University (College of Education and Health Professions WE CARE Initiative) Significance. Despite national declines in youth tobacco use, Arkansas, a Tobacco Nation state, continues to report disproportionately high rates of tobacco use among adolescents. Prior research found Arkansas school professionals identified student tobacco use as a top health concern; however, it is unclear what tobacco …

Validity And Reliability Of The Wut Hydration System When Assessed In The Afternoon, Peyton Hines

2026 Research Poster Competition

The WUT (weight, urine color, and thirst) Venn diagram is recommended for individuals to self-assess their hydration status. However, current research is limited to comparisons between morning first-void markers and 24-hour markers. PURPOSE: To examine the validity and reliability of afternoon WUT scores in comparison to 24-hour hydration status. METHODS: Fifty participants (25 ± 8y, 72.2 ± 14.9kg) voluntarily participated in this study. Participants collected afternoon spot urine between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and 24-hour urine samples on three out of seven consecutive days. Body mass (BM), urine color (Ucol), urine osmolality (Uosm), urine specific gravity (USG), and thirst perception …

Exploring Experiences Of Contraceptive Counseling & Coercion Among Various Races And Age Groups Of Women Of Reproductive Age., Haylie Horn

2026 Research Poster Competition

Making an informed decision about contraception based on patient-centered contraceptive counseling is a fundamental reproductive right for women. This counseling approach serves as a key indicator of high-quality health care that focuses on and prioritizes patients’ individual needs and preferences regarding contraceptive methods. However, recent studies indicate a growing emphasis on promoting specific contraceptive options – particularly long-acting contraception (LARCs) – without adequately considering patients’ preferences and needs, which has led to growing concerns over contraceptive coercion. Despite concerns, no studies have yet explored the association between certain demographic factors like race, education level, age, socioeconomic status, etc. This study …

Adolescent Development Of Pubertal Hormones, Reward Neurocircuitry, And Externalizing Behaviors And Internalizing Behaviors, Amber Jared

2026 Research Poster Competition

Title: Adolescent development of pubertal hormones, reward neurocircuitry, and externalizing behaviors and internalizing behaviors Authors: Amber Jared & Josiah K. Leong  Background: Adolescence is a period of rapid biological and brain development during which changes in pubertal hormones and neural reward systems may increase vulnerability to emotional and behavioral difficulties. Although prior research has documented widespread brain maturation during adolescence, less is known about how specific subcortical reward pathways develop and how these changes relate to hormones and behavior.  Methods:         Using longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, this project examines developmental changes in two key brain …

Monitoring Long-Term Water Quality Benefits Of Urban Stream Restoration, Kira Burnett

2026 Research Poster Competition

Urbanization without conscious environmental planning can result in the degradation of stream ecosystems. This tends to result in urban stream syndrome, which is often characterized by increased sediment and nutrient concentrations, decreased biodiversity, more frequent flash flooding, and overall water quality degradation. As such, stream restoration practices are often implemented to address urban stream syndrome. Commonly used restoration practices include applying natural channel design to stabilize eroding stream banks and establishing diverse streamside vegetation to filter pollutant inputs. However, the benefits of restoration are not often quantified due to a lack of post-restoration monitoring, making it challenging to determine what …

Responses To Influencer’S Vlog On Instagram: Nicotine Pouches And Oral Health, Amrusha Ranjith

2026 Research Poster Competition

Despite claims by ZYN, the leading nicotine pouch brand, that it does not partner with social media influencers, influencers with large followings continue to post content depicting nicotine pouch use. Prior research suggests oral lesions are among the most commonly reported adverse events associated with nicotine pouch use; however, public discussions of these outcomes on social media remain understudied. This study examined public discourse surrounding nicotine pouch use and oral health in response to an Instagram post by a popular influencer. Methods: We collected 1,668 publicly available comments from an Instagram post by Emma Chamberlain (@emmachamberlain) using a social media …

Developing Bioassays For Detection Of Residual Herbicides In Compost, Esther Moore

2026 Research Poster Competition

Developing Bioassays for Detection of Residual Herbicides in Compost, the use of synthetic herbicides has dominated the field of agricultural production for over a century. While synthetic herbicide use has resulted in an undeniable boost in agricultural productivity, risks such as environmental degradation and reduced yield of non-target plant species must be considered. Key among these risks is compost contamination, especially from persistent herbicides. After these herbicides are applied, they are absorbed by growing vegetation, consumed by herbivores, passed through the digestive tract, and reintroduced into soil manure based compost. Even after this process, chemicals in such herbicides can remain …