Life Sciences Commons^™

Misused And Misunderstood: Examining The Inappropriate Use Of Stimulant Medications, Connor Dains, Madilyn Paphanchith, Makayla Eversole, Chaehyeon Jin, Minhwan Yang, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Kayla Petkus

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorses stimulant medications as the first-line treatment option. When combined with behavioral therapy, this pharmacologic class can improve focus, executive functioning, and the overall quality of life. While stimulant prescriptions can have a positive effect when used as directed, there is concern for the potential of provider overprescription and patient misuse related to these medications. Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the boxed warning and prescribing information for stimulant medications. Healthcare providers must educate …

Diagnostic And Clinical Utility Of Oncoscan Microarray And Ngs-Based Sequencing In Pediatric Solid Tumors: Children’S Mercy Hospital’S Experience, Aravindh Nagarajan, Lisa Lansdon, Midhat Farooqi, Lei Zhang, Elena Repnikova

Research Days

This papers attempts to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical utility of microarray-based OS+ in detecting clinically relevant genetic alterations in FFPE solid tumor samples and to compare the yield of somatic mutation detection by WGS/WES in pediatric solid tumors at Children’s Mercy Hospital - Kansas City.

Variability In Methotrexate Metabolites In A Cohort Of Jia Patients, Nuria Lara Castillo, Mara Becker, Marc Sudman, Susan Thompson, Laura Ramsey

Research Days

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is the cornerstone disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug for the treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). While most patients receiving MTX have a favorable outcome, approximately 30% do not respond, and several experience toxic events, suggesting interindividual difference. Furthermore, evaluation of MTX response takes several months, with the risk of missing the early “window of opportunity” for treatment. Predicting MTX response prior to administration would greatly benefit these patients and their treating physicians by saving valuable time during the early stages of the disease onset. MTX is a folate antagonist and, similar to folate, it undergoes polyglutamation inside the …

Viral Detection In Anterior Nasal Swabs Versus Nasopharyngeal Swabs In Children, Nicole Neeley, Abby Kietzman, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Dithi Banerjee, Jennifer Goldman, Jennifer Schuster

Research Days

Background: Respiratory viruses are a significant cause of pediatric illness and healthcare utilization. Diagnostic testing for respiratory viruses is generally performed using nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens obtained by trained staff, limiting testing to medical settings. Evaluating additional sampling methods in children that are easier to collect and can be performed outside of medical settings, such as anterior nasal swab (NS) specimens may expand access to diagnostic testing and aid public health surveillance.

Methods: Eligible children hospitalized at Children’s Mercy Hospital who had a standard of care NP specimen collected for respiratory viral testing were enrolled. Research NS specimens were obtained through …

Correction To The Key (Page 92) Of Description Of The Nymph Of Ophiogomphus Smithi (Odonata: Gomphidae), With A Key To The Species Of Ophiogomphus In The Western Great Lakes Region Tgle 49(1&2): 78–97, William A. Smith, Kenneth J. Tennessen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

[excerpt]

In our paper describing the nymph of Ophiogomphus smithi (TGLE, vol. 49, pages 78–97), we characterized Ophiogomphus howei in couplet 1 of the Primary Key (p. 92) as “Head W [width] greater than maximum abdomen W”. The statement was based on our misinterpretation of data reported online.

Phyllopalpus Pulchellus Uhler, The Handsome Trig (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), A Confirmed Michigan Resident, Mark F. O'Brien, Julie A. Craves

The Great Lakes Entomologist

[excerpt]

Phyllopalpus pulchellus Uhler is a member of the Trigonidiinae, also called trigs, sword-tail crickets (Capinera et al. 2004), or more informally, bush crickets; the common name is the Handsome Trig or Red-headed Bush Cricket. The distinctive features of this small cricket (less than 15 mm)—the large black palps, light yellow legs, shiny black wings, and red pronotum and head—are not seen in any other crickets within its range. The Handsome Trig can be found throughout much of the U.S. east of extreme east Texas and south of approximately 41.5° latitude, just south of the Michigan state border (Walker 2003).

Xiphydria Prolongata (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae): First North American Hosts And State Records For Connecticut And New York, Chris T. Maier, David R. Smith

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Adults of the Eurasian sawfly, Xiphydria prolongata (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae), were reared from Salix nigra Marshall in Connecticut and from Salix alba L. in New York. These are the first reported hosts for North America, and the collecting localities represent the first state records.

Assessing The Contribution Of Geography And Host Use To Genetic Structure In New York Populations Of The Parasitoid Wasp, Aphidius Ervi, Haley J. Plasman, David M. Althoff

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Host-associated differentiation (HAD) been proposed as a general mechanism for differentiation of many groups of parasitic organisms including plant-feeding insects and their natural enemies. In particular, parasitoid wasps that attack herbivorous insects have many life habits similar to other parasitic taxa, suggesting that HAD also may be important in differentiation. We tested for the population genetic signature of HAD in a parasitoid wasp, Aphidius ervi (Haliday), a biocontrol agent that uses many species of aphids throughout Europe, but is mainly limited to the clover and alfalfa host-races of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) in North America. We assessed allelic …

Sirex Nigricornis (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) Oviposition Preference And Development In Relation To Host Age, And A Novel Live-Trapping System For Wood-Borers, Jessica A. Hartshorn, Larry D. Galligan, Ace J.W. Lynn-Miller, Fred M. Stephen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Sirex nigricornis F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) is a pine-inhabiting woodwasp native to eastern North America. A non-native congener, S. noctilio F., was discovered along the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario in New York in 2004 and its current distribution now includes seven northeastern states, Ontario, and Quebec. Its discovery led to a sharp increase in research focusing on S. noctilio as well as S. nigricornis. Research on these two species, and their associates, requires efficient methods for field collection and laboratory rearing. Success of these programs relies on successful collection of, and oviposition by, live females in artificial conditions. Moisture content …

Gallery Characteristics And Life History Of The Ambrosia Beetle Anisandrus Obesus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) In Big Tooth Aspen, Steven Cassar, Richard Roeper, Robert Beck, Todd Pomeroy, Mark Bruce

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Anisandrus obesus LeConte constructs entrance holes uniformly over the surface of Big Tooth Aspen (Populus grandidenta Michx.) in April each year. An individual female bores a single entrance tunnel about 7 mm into the sapwood and then two lateral tunnels parallel to the surface. After symbiotic fungal growth, eggs are laid along the gallery walls by May. Three larval instars consume the beetle’s symbiotic fungus and do not expand the gallery. Pupae develop through June with progeny adults appearing by mid-July. Progeny sex ratio of approximately 6 females to 1 male was observed. Progeny adults overwinter within the parental gallery; …

Attraction Of Diabrotica Barberi Smith And Lawrence (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) To Eugenol-Baited Traps In Soybean, Louis S. Hesler

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence (the northern corn rootworm) is a native North American leaf beetle and a major pest of corn. However, adult D. barberi forage in various habitats outside of corn fields, including soybean, roadside vegetation, and prairie. Eugenol is a common floral volatile that has been shown to increase trap catch of D. barberi within corn and prairie habitat. This paper documents the first report of increased catch of D. barberi on eugenol- baited traps in soybean fields. In two successive tests, catch of D. barberi was increased eight-fold or more by baiting traps with eugenol compared …

Invertebrate Communities Associated With Three Early Phases Of A Prairie Restoration Project, Tracy R. Evans, Meredith J. Mahoney, E. D. Cashatt, Bryon W. Cross, Geert R. De Snoo, C. J.M. Musters

The Great Lakes Entomologist

While specific invertebrate groups have been studied in prairie restorations, there are few studies that look at terrestrial invertebrate assemblages. We surveyed invertebrates in three phases of plant restoration that were part of a larger restoration project. This cross-sectional study of invertebrate recovery at two, four and five years post-restoration shows there was no overall difference in invertebrate taxa richness and diversity between restoration phases. Overall abundance was greatest in the most recently restored area. Richness, diversity and abundance of six functional groups did not differ. The conclusion is that all phases are still characterized by pioneer invertebrate assemblages, and …

A Synopsis Of The Cimicoidea (Heteroptera) Of Michigan, Daniel R. Swanson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

An overview of the 20 species of Cimicoidea (Anthocoridae, Cimicidae, Lasiochilidae, Lyctocoridae) found in Michigan is presented, along with identification keys, distribution maps, and relevant literature. Five new state records for the following species, representing three of the four cimicoid families found in Michigan, are presented: Oeciacus vicarius Horváth (Cimicidae: Cimicinae), Cimexopsis nyctalis List (Cimicidae: Haematosiphoninae), Amphiareus obscuriceps (Poppius) (Anthocoridae), Cardiastethus borealis Kelton (Anthocoridae), and Lyctocoris stalii (Reuter) (Lyctocoridae).

Redescription Of The Female Of Oobius Depressus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Newly Found In Michigan, U.S.A., Serguei V. Triapitsyn, Toby R. Petrice, Vladimir V. Berezovskiy

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A female of Oobius depressus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), collected in a modified Malaise trap in the canopy of a black locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia, at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in Bath Charter Township, Clinton Co., Michigan, U.S.A., is re-described and illustrated. This species was previously known only from the type series of headless specimens of both sexes from the type locality in Morristown, Henry Co., Illinois, U.S.A. These type specimens were from a single cohort of locust borer, Megacyllene robiniae (Forster) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), eggs collected and reared over one hundred years ago. An updated taxonomic key to females of …

New Records Of Aulacigaster Neoleucopeza Mathis And Freidberg (Diptera: Schizophora: Aulacigastridae) From Wisconsin, Daniel K. Young, Craig M. Brabant

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In Wisconsin, Aulacigaster neoleucopeza was previously known from but a single Dane County record dating from April 1951. We report one specimen captured with a flight-intercept trap on private property in Lafayette County, five specimens recovered from Lindgren funnel and Malaise traps at the Hemlock Draw, Nature Conservancy Preserve in Sauk County, and 659 specimens from Malaise traps at the Quincy Bluff State Natural Area in Adams County. The specimens were taken from mid-April 1998, late April to mid-May 2014, and early to mid-April 2010, respectively. As

Generation Of A Transgenic Vector For The Purpose Of Transforming Charcoal Rot Resistance Into Soybeans (Glycine Max), John M. Bear Jr

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, is among the most devastating fungal pathogens affecting G. max, particularly in drought-susceptible regions such as the midwestern United States. Traditional agricultural practices have included crop rotation and irrigation, which have proved ineffective or economically unfeasible. Charcoal rot infects over 500 other species of plants and can overwinter as dormant sclerotia which can germinate once soybeans are re-planted and infect young plants. As a result, transgenic solutions have offered a promising alternative for the development of disease-resistant soybeans. This thesis documents the construction of a transgenic vector to express BOZO, a …

Evaluation Of Plant Growth Regulators On Sweetpotato Slip Propagation, Kerington Lyn Bass

Theses and Dissertations

Sweetpotato production is often impacted by high mortality of slips during transplantation to the field, particularly with greenhouse-grown slips. These slips develop thinner stems, thus being more vulnerable to transplant shock, resulting in reduced establishment. To address this issue, the study evaluated the effects of four plant growth regulators on the morphological and anatomical characteristics of sweetpotato slips. In the first experiment, external growth parameters were recorded over four weeks, followed by post-harvest assessments of plant and root material. In the second experiment, the widths of various stem structures in stained cross-sections of slip stems were measured. Results showed that …

The Manifestation Of Synesthesia In The Deaf, Hard-Of-Hearing, And Sign Language User Population, Elizabeth Droubi

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

This capstone project investigated the prevalence and manifestation of synesthesia—a perceptual condition where stimulation in one sensory pathway triggers automatic, involuntary experiences in another—within d/Deaf, hard-of-hearing (DHH), and sign language user populations. Despite an estimated prevalence of over 4% in the general population and findings that many synesthetic experiences are language-based, little is known about how synesthesia presents across different language modalities, including signed languages. This project explored the phenomenon in two phases: an initial online survey assessing the prevalence and characteristics of synesthesia among DHH and signing individuals and follow-up interviews with self-reported synesthetes along with a test-retest procedure …

Kid Eats App: Supporting Parents And Children Cooking Together, Amy S. Muise, Gabrielle A. Longo, Pamela N. Martinez, Umekia R. Taylor, Linda E. Torv, Barbara A. Chamberlin

Journal of Extension

Kid Eats is a free app for iPad encouraging children and parents to cook together at home using fruits and vegetables. A preliminary study with parents and children showed children enjoyed using the app and that it provided useful information to support children’s involvement in the kitchen, including guidance around safety concerns. Every family in the study voluntarily completed at least one of the recipes with their child at least once following the in-person activity. Parents reported that their children actively asked to cook the recipes from the app and felt the app helped increase their time spent cooking with …

Myxozoan Diversity And Life Cycles In Catfish Production Ponds In Mississippi, Usa, Ethan Woodyard

Theses and Dissertations

Catfish aquaculture is a critical industry in the United States and Mississippi in particular. The industry is beset by depredation, rising feed costs, competition with imports, and loss to disease. Chief among these is the myxozoan parasite and causative agent of proliferative gill disease, Henneguya ictaluri. In chapter 2, novel molecular markers for greater resolution in species identification of these parasites are provided, allowing more robust life cycle inference, species-level identifications, and inference of evolutionary relationships through molecular phylogenetic analyses. Chapters 3–5 apply the approaches developed in Chapter 2 to a broad array of taxa beyond catfish-infecting Henneguya spp. These …

High-Entropy (Feconimnal)3o4/Cnt And (Feconimnal)3o4/Rgo Hybrid Bi-Functional Catalyst For Hydrogen And Oxygen Evolution Reactions, Bhumikaben V. Makawana

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for advancing sustainable energy conversion technologies. In this study, high-entropy (FeCoNiMnAl)₃O₄ and its hybrid forms supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were synthesized with varying carbon concentrations (5 mM, 10 mM, and 15 mM) and evaluated for their bifunctional electrocatalytic performance in alkaline media. The rGO-supported catalyst with 10 mM concentration exhibited the best HER performance, achieving a low overpotential of 162 mV at 10 mA/cm², followed by rGO (15 mM) and rGO (5 mM) …

Stress-Related Phenotypic Differentiation Identified By Motivational Behaviors In Male Mice, Renee A. Brummels

Honors Thesis

Social stress substantially contributes to psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Recognizing these disorders affect millions, it is essential to understand social stress’s impacts on behavior and how these behaviors vary among affected populations. We address these questions through a social defeat/avoidance paradigm, the Stress-Alternatives Model (SAM), which demonstrates defeat (Stay) and avoidance (Escape) responses across species, including fish, rats, hamsters, and mice. Avoidance of social conflict in the SAM is possible by utilizing escape routes for smaller test mice during aggressive interactions. Additionally, measurements of SAM motivational behaviors, like time near and nose pokes into escape …

Evaluation Of The Development Of Critical Life Skills As A Result Of Participating In Texas Youth Horse Judging Programs, Ashley N. Dibbs, Jennifer Zoller, Chelsie Huseman, Scott Cummings

Journal of Extension

Competitive judging teams are valued forms of extracurricular learning tools for many youth students. Unfortunately, unless individuals have direct involvement in these programs the benefits often go unnoticed and undocumented. A survey was designed to assess self-perceived life skill development from current and past horse judging participants, as well as youth life skill development observed by adults. Participants identified critical thinking, decision making, and public speaking as the highest rated life skills developed. Adults ranked self confidence, critical thinking and decision making as the skills they observe develop most frequently.

06.16.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Email address Matters with SPAN and ARC Forms

Participant Support Costs training for PIs available in Blackboard

Are We Ready For Ai-Augmented Generalists?, Jiajie Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping medical practice and education by unifying the knowledge of medical specialties and subspecialties into a single, intelligent system. This system functions not only as an integrated knowledge base but also as an active cognitive collaborator. By bridging knowledge gaps beyond the capacity of any individual clinician, AI could enable physicians to function as AI-augmented generalists who can perform certain tasks that require specialist training. These generalists may help mitigate care fragmentation, but realizing their potential will require significant changes in medical education.

Balancing Burrowing Owl (Athene Cunicularia Hypugaea) Protections While Maintaining Renewable Energy Development Within The San Joaquin Valley, Madison Lenzi Mcginn

Master's Projects and Capstones

Balancing the needs of wildlife and people has long been a complex challenge. The San Joaquin Valley exemplifies this tension, as space for agriculture and urbanization compete for land use of native grasslands– often resulting in the conversion of grasslands for agriculture fields, commercialized areas, or energy development. With an increasing number of agricultural landscapes going fallow and the passing of SB-100 in 2018, solar farm development has emerged as an attractive option to offset financial losses from unproductive farmland. However, the same landscapes favored for solar development also provide suitable habitat for sensitive species such the western burrowing owl …

Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Candida Disrupt Biofilms And Inhibit Growth Across Global Clinical Isolates, Jonothan Rosario-Colon, Karen Eberle, Hong Xin

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Candida species are a major cause of severe fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and hospitalized patients. Among these, Candida auris stands out as an emerging “superbug”, responsible for life-threatening bloodstream infections with mortality rates up to 60%. This multidrug-resistant, hospital-acquired pathogen has been declared a serious global health threat, complicating effective treatment and increasing mortality risks. Our research has identified universal monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting Candida albicans cell wall epitopes, which are highly homologous to those in other pathogenic Candida species, including C. auris. Passive transfer of mAbs—C3.1 (anti-β-1,2-mannotriose) and 9F2 (anti-phosphoglycerate kinase 1)—significantly extended survival and improved fungal …

Effects Of Different Forms Of Dietary Zinc On Weaned Steers When Fed Prior To Weaning, Christopher Lane Addison

Theses and Dissertations

Zinc (Zn) is crucial for many life sustaining processes within the body. Additional Zn is known to be beneficial during certain periods of increased stress. Weaning is one of the most stressful periods of beef calves’ lives. Due to this it was hypothesized that additional zinc in an organic form would increase weight gain and immune response compared to additional zinc in an inorganic form or no added zinc. No differences were found for ADG, Th score, IgG concentration, or mineral concentration among treatments. However, there was a novel and unexpected finding when there was no difference found in preweaning …

Assessment Of Pagp Gene Function In Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Pathogenicity Using Different Challenge Models, Hailey Fugate

Theses and Dissertations

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in poultry, contributing an estimated $40 million in annual losses in the U.S. broiler industry alone, and contributing to growing concerns over antibiotic resistance. This study investigated the role of the pagP gene, which encodes a lipid A palmitoyl transferase involved in immune evasion, using both a broiler chick and embryo challenge model. Deletion of pagP significantly reduced mortality and lesion severity in broilers, indicating its role in APEC pathogenicity. However, in embryos, pagP deletion had minimal effects on survival and bacterial colonization, suggesting alternative virulence mechanisms …

Impact Of An Automated Brush System On Intensively Managed Lactating Dairy Cattle Behavior, Production, And Stress Physiology, Allison Lyn Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

The dairy industry has increasingly prioritized improving animal welfare for intensively housed cows. This study evaluated the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) using an automated brush system on stress physiology, behavior, and productivity of lactating dairy cows. Fifty-nine pregnant and lactating dairy cows were divided into two groups: CON (no brush) and TRT (automated brush system). Saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol concentrations, and behaviors were monitored in the morning (07:00 h - 11:00 h) and evening (19:00 h - 23:00 h) using high-resolution cameras. The results indicated that cows with brush access had lower cortisol concentrations, suggesting reduced …