Life Sciences Commons^™

Setdb1 Is Critically Required For Uveal Melanoma Growth And Represents A Promising Therapeutic Target, Imène Krossa, Céline Pisibon, Yann Cheli, Karine Bille, Mélanie Dalmasso, Sabah Hamadat, Chrystel Husser, Marie Irondelle, Julien Cherfils-Vicini, Frédéric Soysouvanh, Sacha Nahon-Esteve, Arnaud Martel, Sandra Lassalle, Jean-Pierre Caujolle, Célia Maschi, Stéphanie Baillif, Dan Hasson, Saul Carcamo, Andrerw E. Aplin, Irwin Davidson, Emily Bernstein, Valeria Naim, Robert Ballotti, Corine Bertolotto, Thomas Strub

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Metastatic uveal melanomas are highly resistant to all existing treatments. To identify actionable vulnerabilities, we conducted a CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen using a library composed of chromatin regulators. We revealed that the lysine methyltransferase, SETDB1, plays a critical role in metastatic uveal melanoma cell proliferation and survival. Functionally, SETDB1 deficiency induces a DNA damage response, senescence-like state and growth arrest. Knockdown of SETDB1 is associated with a decreased expression of genes related to replication and cell cycle. Moreover, deficiency in CDC6, an essential regulator of DNA replication, phenocopies SETDB1 inhibition. Using a pre-clinical model, we further demonstrated that anti-SETDB1 therapy impairs …

Leptin As A Key Driver For Organ Fibrogenesis, Xue-Nan Sun, Shiuhwei Chen, Shangang Zhao, Jan-Bernd Funcke, Megan Virostek, Line Pedersen, Chao Li, Chanmin Joung, Qian Lin, Yan Li, Ayanna Cobb, May-Yun Wang, Kyounghee Min, Lisandro Maya-Ramos, Giovanna Degasperi, Junquan Liu, Ningyan Zhang, Zhiqiang An, Diana R Tomchick, R Max Wynn, Da Young Oh, Philipp E Scherer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Leptin, a hormone primarily secreted by adipocytes, regulates energy balance and systemic metabolism through its interaction with the leptin receptor (LEPR). Beyond these functions, leptin signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. Here, we report the x-ray crystal structures of a leptin-neutralizing antibody (hLep3) in the unbound and leptin-bound states. The interaction of this antibody with leptin mimics the interaction of the LEPR with leptin, providing direct insights into the mechanism by which the antibody disrupts leptin signaling. We furthermore evaluate the therapeutic potential of neutralizing leptin with this antibody across distinct mouse models of fibrosis affecting …

Transdiagnostic Alterations In White Matter Microstructure Associated With Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviours In The Enigma Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviours Consortium, Laura S Van Velzen, Lejla Colic, Zuriel Ceja, Maria R Dauvermann, Luca M Villa, Hannah S Savage, Yara J Toenders, Niousha Dehestani, Alyssa H Zhu, Adrian I Campos, Lauren E Salminen, Martin Alda, Ingrid Agartz, Nina Alexander, Rosa Ayesa-Arriola, Elizabeth D Ballard, Nerisa Banaj, Carlotta Barkhau, Zeynep Başgöze, Jochen Bauer, Francesco Benedetti, Klaus Berger, Bianca Besteher, Katharina Brosch, Manuel Canal-Rivero, Simon Cervenka, Romain Colle, Colm G Connolly, Emmanuelle Corruble, Philippe Courtet, Baptiste Couvy-Duchesne, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro, Kathryn R Cullen, Udo Dannlowski, Jeremy Deverdun, Ana M Diaz-Zuluaga, Lorielle M F Dietze, Jennifer W Evans, Negar Fani, Kira Flinkenflügel, Naomi P Friedman, Ian H Gotlib, Nynke A Groenewold, Dominik Grotegerd, Tomas Hajek, Alexander S Hatoum, Marco Hermesdorf, Ian B Hickie, Yoshiyuki Hirano, Tiffany C Ho, Yuki Ikemizu, Frank Iorfino, Jonathan C Ipser, Yuko Isobe, Andrea P Jackowski, Fabrice Jollant, Tilo Kircher, Melissa Klug, Sheri-Michelle Koopowitz, Anna Kraus, Axel Krug, Emmanuelle Le Bars, Elisabeth J Leehr, Meng Li, Elizabeth T C Lippard, Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Ivan I Maximov, Andrew M Mcintosh, Katie A Mclaughlin, Sean R Mcwhinney, Susanne Meinert, Elisa Melloni, Philip B Mitchell, Benson Mwangi, Igor Nenadić, Stener Nerland, Emilie Olie, Victor Ortiz-García De La Foz, Pedro M Pan, Fabricio Pereira, Fabrizio Piras, Federica Piras, Sara Poletti, Andrew E Reineberg, Gloria Roberts, Rafael Romero-García, Matthew D Sacchet, Giovanni A Salum, Anca-Larisa Sandu, Carl M Sellgren, Eiji Shimizu, Harry R Smolker, Jair C Soares, J Douglas Steele, Frederike Stein, Dan J Stein, Benjamin Straube, Lea Teutenberg, Florian Thomas-Odenthal, Paula Usemann, Romain Valabregue, Johanna Valencia-Echeverry, Gerd Wagner, Gordon Waiter, Martin Walter, Heather C Whalley, Mon-Ju Wu, Tony T Yang, Carlos A Zarate, Andre Zugman, Giovana B Zunta-Soares, Kees Van Heeringen, Sanne J H Van Rooij, Nic Van Der Wee, Steven Van Der Werff, Paul M Thompson, Hilary P Blumberg, Anne-Laura Van Harmelen, Miguel E Rentería, Neda Jahanshad, Enigma Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviours Consortium, Lianne Schmaal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Previous studies have suggested that alterations in white matter (WM) microstructure are implicated in suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STBs). However, findings of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have been inconsistent. In this large-scale mega-analysis conducted by the ENIGMA Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours (ENIGMA-STB) consortium, we examined WM alterations associated with STBs. Data processing was standardised across sites, and resulting WM microstructure measures (fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity) for 24 WM tracts and one global measure were pooled across 40 cohorts. We compared these measures among individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis and lifetime history of …

Distinct Spatiotemporal Patterns Of White Matter Hyperintensity Progression, Jinyong Chung, Gilsoon Park, Wi-Sun Ryu, Dawid Schellingerhout, Hang-Rai Kim, Dong-Seok Gwak, Elizabeth Haddad, Neda Jahanshad, Beom Joon Kim, Keun-Sik Hong, Hyerin Oh, Sang-Wuk Jeong, Joon-Tae Kim, Man Seok Park, Kang-Ho Choi, Kyungbok Lee, Tai Hwan Park, Sang-Soon Park, Jong-Moo Park, Kyusik Kang, Kyung-Ho Yu, Mi Sun Oh, Soo Joo Lee, Jae Guk Kim, Jae-Kwan Cha, Dae-Hyun Kim, Jun Lee, Moon-Ku Han, Yong-Jin Cho, Byung-Chul Lee, Philip M Bath, Joanna M Wardlaw, Hee-Joon Bae, Hosung Kim, Dong-Eog Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

White matter hyperintensity, a key imaging biomarker for brain health, has prognostic implications for stroke. Using a multicenter MRI dataset of 9179 stroke patients plus the UK Biobank (n = 36,210 low/high risk controls), we employ Subtype and Stage Inference modeling and identify three distinct white matter hyperintensity progression subtypes: fronto-parietal, radial, and temporo-occipital. Longitudinal validation confirms classification stability. The fronto-parietal subtype shows delayed onset and more hypertension, while the temporo-occipital subtype has more atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease. The fronto-parietal and radial subtypes are linked to small vessel stroke, while the temporo-occipital subtype is linked to cardioembolism. The …

Visible Image-Based Machine Learning For Identifying Abiotic Stress In Sugar Beet Crops, Seyed Reza Haddadi, Masoumeh Hashemi, Richard C. Peralta, Masoud Soltani

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Previous researches have proved that the synchronized use of inexpensive RGB images, image processing, and machine learning (ML) can accurately identify crop stress. Four Machine Learning Image Modules (MLIMs) were developed to enable the rapid and cost-effective identification of sugar beet stresses caused by water and/or nitrogen deficiencies. RGB images representing stressed and non-stressed crops were used in the analysis. To improve robustness, data augmentation was applied, generating six variations on each image and expanding the dataset from 150 to 900 images for training and testing. Each MLIM was trained and tested using 54 combinations derived from nine canopy and …

Comparative Analysis Of Training Load And Technical Demands In Various Small-Sided Games During Soccer Preseason, Jakov Marasović, Ante Rađa, Frane Žuvela, Luka Čikotić, Marko Erceg

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1286-1297, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/QCAG3602 Small-sided games (SSG) are often used as a multifunctional form of specific training that allows development of various key components during soccer training. The main goal of this research was to determine the differences in internal and external load of different small-sided games (SSG) during preseason. The secondary goal was to analyze specific technical demands during these SSG. Twelve players of the First Croatian Junior League (U19) participated in this research in the fourth week of the preparatory period for the competitive season 2019/2020. Testing was conducted on two separate days …

Development And Validation Of A Running Drill Test Battery To Predict 5 M And 20 M Sprint Performance, Paula Matijašević, Josip Maleš, Luka Cikojević, Frane Žuvela, Goran Kuvačić

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1269-1285, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/LYKE8231 This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and predictive validity of specific athletic running drills: A-skip, B-skip, bounding step, and jumps, in relation to sprint performance over 5 m and 20 m distances. Sixty-three young males (mean age: 21.3 ± 2.1 years; body height: 183 ± 6.5 cm; body weight: 77 ± 9.3 kg) were enrolled in the study. Running drill performance was recorded on an athletics track using high-speed cameras and evaluated based on predefined criteria and a scoring system. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficients …

Global Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Higher Education In Physiology, Sean Mahajan, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the higher education sector worldwide in several disciplines, especially those in healthcare as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that require active, experiential learning via practical application of concepts centered around physiology. Dynamic instructional and technological interventions took place rapidly in an effort to minimize the adverse repercussions of moving away from traditional means of education in these critical scientific fields. COVID-19 necessitated administrators, faculty, students, and interns at colleges, universities, medical/healthcare science programs and residencies to pursue teaching, learning, and assessment of physiology courses/curricula through innovative strategies without compromising …

Influence Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Anatomy Higher Education Around The World, Sneh Patel, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disrupted the higher education sector worldwide in several disciplines, especially those in healthcare as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that require active, experiential learning via practical application of concepts centering around anatomy. Dynamic instructional and technological interventions took place rapidly in an effort to minimize the adverse repercussions of moving away from traditional means of education in these critical scientific fields. COVID-19 necessitated administrators, faculty, students, and interns at colleges, universities, medical/ healthcare science programs and residencies to pursue teaching, learning, and assessment of anatomy courses/curricula through innovative strategies without compromising …

Radiomics For Dynamic Lung Cancer Risk Prediction In Uspstf-Ineligible Patients, Morteza Salehjahromi, Hui Li, Eman Showkatian, Maliazurina B Saad, Mohamed Qayati, Sherif M Ismail, Sheeba J Sujit, Amgad Muneer, Muhammad Aminu, Lingzhi Hong, Xiaoyu Han, Simon Heeke, Tina Cascone, Xiuning Le, Natalie Vokes, Don L Gibbons, Iakovos Toumazis, Edwin J Ostrin, Mara B Antonoff, Ara A Vaporciyan, David Jaffray, Fernando U Kay, Brett W Carter, Carol C Wu, Myrna C B Godoy, J Jack Lee, David E Gerber, John V Heymach, Jianjun Zhang, Jia Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Non-smokers and individuals with minimal smoking history represent a significant proportion of lung cancer cases but are often overlooked in current risk assessment models. Pulmonary nodules are commonly detected incidentally-appearing in approximately 24-31% of all chest CT scans regardless of smoking status. However, most established risk models, such as the Brock model, were developed using cohorts heavily enriched with individuals who have substantial smoking histories. This limits their generalizability to non-smoking and light-smoking populations, highlighting the need for more inclusive and tailored risk prediction strategies. Purpose: We aimed to develop a longitudinal radiomics-based approach for lung cancer …

Sequestration Of Plant Defenses By Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma Delicatula) And Effects On Avian Predators, Anne E. Johnson, Allison Cornell, Fang Zhu, Ashley E. Shay, Gabrielle Davis, Kelli Hoover

Biology Faculty Publications

Lycorma delicatula is a polyphagous phloem feeder, which is spreading rapidly in the U.S., and is a major threat to grapes, hops, and ornamentals. Among its hosts, L. delicatulaprefers Ailanthus altissima, an invasive tree from which it sequesters toxins, including several quassinoid compounds. We tested how these defenses affected predation by birds of nymphal and adult L. delicatula. Freeze-killed nymphs of each instar were reared with or without access to A. altissima and placed into cups on top of nest boxes occupied by house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). House wrens ate or fed their chicks a …

A New Low-Rate Stable Hydrogel Cathode For Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries, Roya Rajabi, Shichen Sun, Jamil A. Khan, Morgan Stefik, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are attractive candidates for large-scale energy storage owing to the abundance, low cost, and intrinsic safety of Zn metal. However, their practical application is hindered by poor cycle stability, especially at low current densities, due to cathode dissolution and limited electrochemically active sites (EAS). Herein, a hydrogel-based cathode comprising ammonium vanadate, carbon black, and a Zn-ion-conducting carboxymethyl chitosan–acrylamide hydrogel matrix doped with Zn(ClO4)2 is reported. This design establishes a continuous Zn-ion-conducting network, thereby maximizing EAS density throughout the electrode volume. The ZIB with the hydrogel cathode exhibits outstanding cycling stability, with 77% capacity retention after 2000 …

Using An Old Assay In New Ways: Differential Scanning Calorimetry Characterization, Quantification, And Interaction Analysis Of Whey Proteins, Charity Conlin Jennings

Theses and Dissertations

Whey proteins including β-Lactoglobulin, α-Lactalbumin, Immunoglobulin-G, Serum Albumin, Lactoferrin, and Lactoperoxidase each have unique biological properties spanning anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities as well as deliver essential nutrients to the human body. In the past decade, there has been a large focus on extracting these individual proteins for their use in foods and supplements. In order to best extract these proteins and prepare them properly in foods and supplements, an understanding of how they behave and denature in different environments is necessary. However, there is insufficient knowledge of their thermodynamic properties and potential interactions in varying conditions. Additionally, there are …

Relationship Between Parent Demographics And Attitudes About Their Child’S Diabetes In Nigerian Parents Who Live In The United States, Vivian Obioma Nwankwo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Relationship Between Parent Demographics and Attitudes About Their Child’s Diabetes in Nigerian Parents who Live in the United States by Vivian Obioma Eluwa Nwankwo MA, Walden University, 2018 BA, University of Nigeria, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services Walden University August 2025

Relationship Between Smoking And Psychiatric And Somatic Comorbidities In Older Age Bipolar Disorder: Lien Entre Le Tabagisme Et Les Affections Psychiatriques Et Somatiques Concomitantes Chez Les Personnes Âgées Atteintes De Trouble Bipolaire, Molly Howland, Arushi Mahajan, Peijun Chen, Osvaldo Almeida, Kürşat Altınbaş, Hilary Blumberg, Annemiek Dols, Nicole Fiorelli, Orestes Forlenza, Beny Lafer, Andrew Olagunju, Melis Orhan, Soham Rej, Martha Sajatovic, Matthew Schurr, Christian Simhandl, Jair Soares, Ashley Sutherland, Shang-Ying Tsai, Sara Weisenbach, Joy Yala, Farren Briggs

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective

Smoking has been associated with psychiatric and somatic comorbidities in bipolar disorder (BD) populations. However, studies in older age BD (OABD) populations are sparse. We hypothesized that among individuals with OABD, current and former smokers would have worse psychiatric and somatic comorbidities parameters compared to never smokers.

Method

Our study used baseline cross-sectional data from 27 international studies reporting data on adults 50 years old and older (N = 984). Smoking status was categorized into current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers. The distribution of demographic and clinical variables was assessed. The associations between smoking status and the …

Effect Of Au Nanoparticles Doping On The Structure, Surface Morphology And Optical Properties Of Znago Nanorods, Mohsin Talib Mohammed, Salah M. Saleh Al-Khazali, Bassam A. Salih, Adel H. Omran Alkhayatt

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In this work, nanoparticles (NPs) composed of noble elements (Au and Ag) were prepared using a chemical reduction method and then combined with a spray pyrolysis technique for synthesizing ZnAgO and Au-doped ZnAgO nanorods (NRs). The films were produced by adding 2 wt% of Ag NPs and 2, 4, and 6 wt% of Au NPs at 420°C. The results showed that the films have a polycrystalline ZnO (wurtzite) with a hexagonal structure. Also, all films had a preference orientation along the (002) plane. The crystal size increased with increasing Au doping from 64.4 to 65.33 nm. For ZnO doped with …

2025 Celebration Of Scholarship, Creativity, And Engagement, Todd Bruns, Jaime Pedigo, Jennifer Smith, Patty Watson, Heather Wohltman, Amanda Wolf

Programs

Each year, Eastern Illinois University proudly recognizes the outstanding achievements of our faculty in research, creativity, and engagement. This collection of accomplishments reflects the dedication of an engaged faculty committed to excellence and the continual pursuit of knowledge. Many of these successes were made possible through meaningful collaboration with our students, who contribute as co-authors, research assistants, and partners in bringing ideas to life. Some of these professional milestones represent years of effort, demonstrating remarkable persistence and determination. We offer our heartfelt congratulations on this wide range of achievements, which bring distinction to our departments, colleges, and the University as …

Mir147 Promotes Mucosal Integrity And Healing In Intestinal Inflammation, Agnieszka K Czopik, Arash Dabiri, Chia-Hao Tung, Victoria Vaughn, Xiangsheng Huang, Jinlian Wang, Hui Li, Nicolas F Moreno, Natalia V Piwko, Katherine Figarella, Hongfang Liu, Zhongming Zhao, Xiaoyi Yuan, Holger K Eltzschig

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The intestinal mucosal epithelium forms a barrier between luminal contents and the body. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate mucosal homeostasis by controlling inflammatory responses and structural integrity. Here, we discovered a protective role for miR147 in intestinal inflammation using a miR147tdTomato reporter mouse. miR147 was enriched in the intestines, with the highest expression in the colonic epithelial cells at the luminal surface, with prominent expression in differentiated enterocytes. Mice with general or intestinal epithelial deletion of miR147 showed increased intestinal inflammation and diminished mucosal healing during colitis. RNA sequencing of miR147-deficient cells showed dysregulated immune signaling, with upregulated proinflammatory cytokine pathways and …

Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Metabolism In Bacteria, Jana Wieschollek

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC: CO2, HCO3⁻, CO32⁻) plays a central role in the metabolism of all living organisms. DIC is necessary for steps in essential biosynthetic processes, such as the synthesis of amino acids and nucleobases; in autotrophic bacteria, organic molecules are synthesized entirely from DIC. To ensure a steady supply of CO2 and HCO3 - needed for biosynthesis and/or autotrophy, organisms use bicarbonate transporters to increase the cytoplasmic concentration of this anion, and carbonic anhydrase (CA) to speed the interconversion of CO2 and HCO3 -, both in the cytoplasm and at the cell surface. This dissertation investigates DIC metabolism …

Oxygen Supply Capacity Of The Atlantic Horseshoe Crab,, Marty Sims

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, inhabits shallow bays and estuaries where it encounters variable oxygen levels. Moreover, each year, the biomedical industry harvests hemolymph from hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs to use in bacterial contamination testing, yet the effects of bloodletting on their physiology are relatively unknown. This study aims to determine the oxygen supply capacity of Limulus polyphemus in relation to environmental hypoxia and biomedical bloodletting. Study animals were collected from the intertidal waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. Experiments included a control group that did not undergo substantial blood-volume reduction and a treatment group from which 10% of …

Vaccination Against Onchocerca Volvulus Induces Igg-Mediated Protective Immunity Dependent On Neutrophils And Complement, Nathan M. Ryan, Jessica A. Hess, Mohini Nakhale, Annabel A. Ferguson, William Stump, Sara Belko, Rachel Monane, Robert S. Pugliese, Nikolai Petrovsky, Benjamin L. Makepeace, Sean A. Gray, Darrick Carter, Sara Lustigman, David Abraham

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Onchocerciasis remains a significant cause of morbidity and economic loss in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the existence of effective therapeutics, a prophylactic vaccine targeting the etiologic agent, Onchocerca volvulus, is needed to control ongoing disease and transmission. Mice were vaccinated against O. volvulus with a fusion of the recombinant antigens Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 (Ov-FUS-1) with Advax-CpG adjuvant. Immunized mice developed protective immunity with the killing of third-stage larvae (L3) within 36 h of challenge infection. IgG from immunized mice passively transferred protective immunity to naïve mice, indicating that antigen-specific IgG mediated parasite elimination. Neutrophils were the most abundant subset of immune …

Perspectives Of Cannabis Farmers On Intersection Of Water Access And Cannabis Frontier Constraints In Southern Oregon, Tapiwa Malvin Chabikwa

Dissertations and Theses

Cannabis farming and use are being legalized at unprecedented levels by many states in the United States. Oregon was one of the pioneer states to legalize cannabis in 2016. Although it is legalized at the state level (in Oregon), cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. Due to the quasi-legalization of cannabis, an agricultural frontier for marijuana is unfolding. Cannabis farming in Oregon has grown as there is a market and ideal weather climate for the cannabis industry to flourish. This study seeks to understand the challenges cannabis farmers face in accessing water and the socio-economic and political constraints that …

The Genome Sequence Of The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges Tsugae Annand 1924, Bryan M.T. Brunet, Dustin T. Dial, Gaelen R. Burke, Carol D. Von Dohlen, Julia Douglas Freitas, Haley Sanderson, Afiya R. Chida, Samantha J. Jones, Fergal J. Martin, Leanne Haggerty, Stephen W. Scherer, Ioannis Ragoussis, Steven J.M. Jones, Robert G. Foottit, Nathan P. Havill

Biology Faculty Publications

The genome of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is presented in 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules along with 132 unplaced scaffolds for a combined length of 216.56 Mb. The genome is highly contiguous with an N50 of 20.54 Mb and its longest scaffold 37.41 Mb in length. The assembly recovered 97.7% of benchmarked universal single-copy Hemiptera orthologs (BUSCO) with an overall completion score of 98.6%. On the basis of chromosomal synteny with other aphid genomes, the hemlock woolly adelgid’s genome is composed of eight autosomes and two sex (X) chromosomes. Annotation of the assembly identified 11,800 coding genes, 1,930 …

Lifestyle Data-Based Multiclass Obesity Prediction With Interpretable Ensemble Models Incorporating Shap And Lime Analysis, Shahid Mohammad Ganie, Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Obesity is a major public health concern. Predicting obesity risk from lifestyle data can guide targeted interventions, but current models remain limited. This study first evaluates ensemble learning methods and then combines approaches to improve prediction accuracy and generalizability. Four ensemble techniques-boosting, bagging, stacking, and voting-were tested. Five boosting and five bagging models were constructed alongside voting and stacking models. Hyperparameter tuning optimized performance, and feature importance analysis guided potential feature elemination. In phase two, hybrid stacking and voting models integrated the best-performing boosting and bagging models to enhance predictive capability. Model robustness was ensured through k-fold cross-validation and statistical …

Evaluation Of Host Resistance To Rotylenchulus Reniformis In Sweetpotato Germplasm, Timothy S. Miller

LSU Master's Theses

The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is an emerging plant-parasitic threat to sweetpotato production. Dissimilar from the galling caused by root-knot nematode infections, infections from the reniform nematode occur without visible damage to the root system. In the southern United States, heavily infested sweetpotato fields can lose up to 40% of their total yield. Growers rely heavily on fumigants and nematicides which provide inconsistent control and are not sustainable in the long-term. Past research has been more focused on the efficacy of chemicals than in the identification of host resistance or tolerance in sweetpotato germplasm. This study evaluated past …

Perceived Recovery And Muscle Fatigue In Professional Soccer Players During Preseason, Josip Maleš, Frane Žuvela, Nicola Bragazzi, Andrea De Giorgio, Goran Kuvačić

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1212-1227, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/ERIN2946 This study aimed to examine weekly variations and within-subject relationships between internal training intensity (ITI), perceived recovery (TQR), neuromuscular performance (CMJ), and perceived muscle soreness (PMS) during a four-week preseason period in professional soccer players. Twenty-three soccer players (age 24.8 ± 4.4 years; height 182 ± 7 cm; body mass 74.6 ± 6.7 kg) classified as Tier 3 athletes from the Croatian Second Soccer League were monitored using session rating of perceived exertion, TQR scales, countermovement jump tests, and PMS questionnaires. A significant reduction in ITI and concurrent improvement in TQR …

Age And Postural Stability In Firefighters: An Analysis Of Anterior Reach Asymmetry And The Two-Foot Length Criterion, Madeleine Fulk, Roger O. Kollock, Maddie Seidner, Rachel Ward, Zora Szabo, Muhammed O. Malik, Gabriel J. Sanders

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1175-1185, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/HSMV3009 This study explored how age affects postural stability (PS) in firefighters by focusing on two key objectives: 1) determining if age affects right-to-left anterior (ANT) reach distance asymmetry (ASYM) during the Motor Control Screen (MCS) test and 2) assessing whether the proportion of firefighters not meeting the greater than two-foot length (2FL) criterion for ANT reach differs across age groups. Data from 95 male firefighters were analyzed using the MCS ANT reach test, part of the Y-Balance Test (YBT). The key outcomes were the difference in ANT reach distances between legs …

The Effects Of Combined Fasting And Exercise On Inflammatory Cytokine Concentrations In Healthy Adults: A Randomized Crossover Study, Landon S. Deru, Austin F. Duersch, Spencer C. Cleverly, Hunter D. Chamberlain, Elizabeth Z. Gipson, Parker G. Graves, Cameron G. Jacobsen, Larry A. Tucker, Bruce W. Bailey

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1252-1268, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/APHT9483 The object was to assess the effects of adding exercise to a 36-hour fast on the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. The study was a randomized crossover design with counterbalanced conditions in community members living near a single academic institution. Participants included twenty healthy adults (11 male). The intervention consisted of two 36-h water-only fasts, one of which was initiated with a bout of treadmill exercise. Venous blood was taken at baseline, 12-h, 24-h, and 36-h of fasting. Area under the curve and timepoint analyses were computed. The area under …

Incidence And Risk Factors Of Metabolic Syndrome In Track And Field Throwing Athletes, Taylor Browning, Samuel Headley, Elizabeth M. Mullin, Margaret T. Jones, Andrew R. Jagim, Jennifer Fields

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1199-1211, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/HOKT7948 Track and field (T&F) throwers are a prominent subgroup of athletes that may be at risk for the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) and other cardiometabolic disease conditions. However, limited research exists examining the prevalence of MetSyn in these athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of MetSyn and associated risk factors in collegiate throwers. Collegiate Division I men (n=17) and women (n=4) T&F throwers participated in a single day of lab assessments, which included anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure, a venous blood draw, and aerobic …

Influence Of Social Identity And Industry Role On Implicit Biases In Fitness Professionals, Shayna J. Guerra, Katie Mcpherrin, Kellie A. Walters, Leilani Madrigal, Alison Ede, Amber Johnson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 1228-1251, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/SQUH3795 Implicit biases are unconscious, internally held beliefs shaped by cultural norms, societal structures, and personal experiences and are often related to societal constructs such as race, gender, age, body shape, and ability. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between social identity, industry role, and implicit biases in fitness professionals. Participants (n=296) were randomly assigned two implicit association tests (IATs): disability, weight, gender, skin-tone, or age. IATs measured implicit bias through word and pictorial associations and timed response to word/picture stimuli. Interviews (n=25) were conducted to further examine …