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Articles 541 - 570 of 39062

Full-Text Articles in Biology

Characterising Soil Microbial Communities In Thinned And Unthinned Eucalyptus Forest In Southwestern Australia, Aaron J. Brace, Laurence Dugal, Josephine Hyde, Kristen Fernandes, Anna J.M. Hopkins, Emma Stevens, Gavan S. Mcgrath, Katinka X. Ruthrof Apr 2026

Characterising Soil Microbial Communities In Thinned And Unthinned Eucalyptus Forest In Southwestern Australia, Aaron J. Brace, Laurence Dugal, Josephine Hyde, Kristen Fernandes, Anna J.M. Hopkins, Emma Stevens, Gavan S. Mcgrath, Katinka X. Ruthrof

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Climate change stress in forested ecosystems globally has led to die-off events, and management actions are needed to help mitigate these pressures. Forest thinning has been proposed to reduce competition for moisture between trees, however, the effects of forest thinning on lesser-studied organisms, such as soil microbial communities, need quantification. Soil microbial communities are essential for processes such as nutrient cycling and can be used as indicators of below-ground health and as an overall proxy for biodiversity. This study examined soil microbial communities, and site and soil characteristics, directly at the base of trees and in inter-tree spaces in a …

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Evaluating Forearm Strength Variability In Collegiate Tennis Players Over The Course Of A Competitive Season, Jeffrey Williams, Payton Jensen, Kevin Laudner Mar 2026

Evaluating Forearm Strength Variability In Collegiate Tennis Players Over The Course Of A Competitive Season, Jeffrey Williams, Payton Jensen, Kevin Laudner

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The muscles of the forearm undergo routine, forceful, and repetitive contractions while playing tennis and may experience adaptive changes that can precede injury. An understanding of forearm strength profiles of tennis players following a competitive season would assist clinicians’ evidence-based management of the forearm’s readiness for training, competition, and return-to-sport participation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a competitive tennis season on forearm strength among collegiate tennis athletes. A prospective, case-series design was used to examine a convenience sample of 15 asymptomatic NCAA Division I tennis players (males = 10, height = 182.88 [SD …

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What Is Alive? Students’ Conceptions Of The Traits That Unite Living Organisms, Jeremy L. Hsu, Meredith A. Dorner, Kate Hill Mar 2026

What Is Alive? Students’ Conceptions Of The Traits That Unite Living Organisms, Jeremy L. Hsu, Meredith A. Dorner, Kate Hill

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Biology is the study of life, but students often hold misconceptions about what it means to be alive, with children often associating life with movement. These misconceptions can lead to biases in what students think is alive, with younger children often not thinking of plants as living given their lack of discernable movement. Despite this past work, there have been no prior studies that we are aware of that have examined how students in introductory biology conceptualize what it means to be alive. Here, we draw upon a fortuitous dataset collected from an in-class activity done on the first day …

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Regulation Of Zygotic Genome Activation By The Nucleocytoplasmic Ratio, Lily Acker, Hui Chen Mar 2026

Regulation Of Zygotic Genome Activation By The Nucleocytoplasmic Ratio, Lily Acker, Hui Chen

Faculty Publications

During early development, embryos undergo the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), when control of development shifts from maternal factors to the newly activated zygotic genome. Decades of studies in various model organisms suggest that the nucleocytoplasmic (N/C) ratio is a key regulator of zygotic genome activation (ZGA), though this relationship is more nuanced in some organisms than others. Changing the nuclear content, nucleus size or cell size has been shown to shift the timing of ZGA. Mechanistically, the N/C ratio is linked to fundamental cellular processes that regulate genome activities, including nuclear import, repressor titration, activator accumulation, cell cycle lengthening, and chromatin …

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Acute Management Of A Hamate Fracture In A Collegiate Baseball Player: A Disablement Model Case Study, Kayleigh A. De Koker, Cory E. Barton, Lindsey E. Eberman Mar 2026

Acute Management Of A Hamate Fracture In A Collegiate Baseball Player: A Disablement Model Case Study, Kayleigh A. De Koker, Cory E. Barton, Lindsey E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The purpose of this disablement model case study was to outline a collegiate baseball player with an isolated hamate fracture including the injury evaluation, diagnosis, and acute management. During a tournament game, the collegiate career of the patient ended abruptly following an injury sustained while at bat. The patient attempted to bat again but encountered significant difficulty due to the increasing pain in his hand. Consequently, the athletic trainer was called out for an on-field examination. The patient presented with no edema or ecchymosis but severe pain in the hypothenar eminence. This patient also presented with decreased grip strength with …

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Quality Of Athletic Training Services For Lower Extremity Injuries, Katie Sniffen, Michael Rozier, Katherine Stamatakis, Paula Buchanan, Janet E. Simon, Leslie Hinyard Mar 2026

Quality Of Athletic Training Services For Lower Extremity Injuries, Katie Sniffen, Michael Rozier, Katherine Stamatakis, Paula Buchanan, Janet E. Simon, Leslie Hinyard

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The use of patient-reported outcomes in athletic training is inconsistent, limiting the ability to communicate service quality and value to key stakeholders. The objective of this study is to calculate meaningful quality outcome measures for athletic training services for lower extremity injuries in high school student-athletes. Data were collected from a subset of the National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network Surveillance Program and a convenience sample of high school student-athletes with patient-reported outcome measures for lower extremity time-loss injuries. Failure-toprogress proportions (FTPPs) were calculated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for knee/thigh injuries and the Foot …

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Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections In An Elite Level Diver: A Disablement Model Case Study, Matt O'Sullivan, Dominique M. Stevens, Lindsey E. Eberman Mar 2026

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections In An Elite Level Diver: A Disablement Model Case Study, Matt O'Sullivan, Dominique M. Stevens, Lindsey E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

This article presents a case of complicated and recurrent pyelonephritis, an infection of 1 or both kidneys, in an elitelevel diver. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common outpatient infections in the United States; most are uncomplicated and resolve without significant mortality or morbidity. However, UTIs have the potential to present significant clinical challenges if the UTI becomes complicated or recurrent. Additionally, recurrent UTIs can carry a significant burden to both the individual patients and the larger healthcare system. The current paper reviews the epidemiological literature surrounding UTIs, the significant impact they have on a patient’s health-related quality …

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Comfort Level Of Collegiate Student-Athletes In Opposite And Same-Gender Patient/Provider Relationships In Athletic Training, Samantha Dickie, Yashu Tang, Sydney Nelson, Emily Madrak Mar 2026

Comfort Level Of Collegiate Student-Athletes In Opposite And Same-Gender Patient/Provider Relationships In Athletic Training, Samantha Dickie, Yashu Tang, Sydney Nelson, Emily Madrak

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Gender-based comfort in patient-provider relationships is a vital aspect of athletic training care. As the profession continues to evolve—particularly with a growing number of women athletic trainers (ATs) and progression of athletic training curriculum—it is essential to understand how gender dynamics influence the comfort of collegiate athletes when receiving care. This cross-sectional survey study examined how athlete comfort varies when treated by same- versus opposite-gender ATs in general patient care and in pathology-based scenarios. Ninety-six collegiate student-athletes (62.5% female) with the mean age of 20.26 (SD 1.7) years from NCAA and NAIA institutions completed the Gender Comfort with Athletic Trainer …

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Prescribed Aerobic Exercise And Sport-Related Concussion Recovery: A Validation Case Series, Lacy L. Chapel, Tamara C. Valovich Mcleod Mar 2026

Prescribed Aerobic Exercise And Sport-Related Concussion Recovery: A Validation Case Series, Lacy L. Chapel, Tamara C. Valovich Mcleod

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Active rehabilitation, including prescribed sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise implemented during the acute phase of recovery after sport-related concussion, has been shown to facilitate recovery and reduce the risk of persisting postconcussion symptoms. The purpose of this validation case series was to evaluate currently available external evidence regarding the effects of prescribed aerobic exercise interventions on recovery after sport-related concussion. For this study, the patient population included college athletes diagnosed with a sport-related concussion who participated in at least 5 days per week of supervised, prescribed aerobic exercise, based on graded aerobic exercise testing and heart rate threshold. Our study findings …

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Suture Augmentation With Ucl Repairs In Baseball Pitchers As An Alternate To Reconstructions: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Kayleigh A. De Koker, Kenneth E. Games Mar 2026

Suture Augmentation With Ucl Repairs In Baseball Pitchers As An Alternate To Reconstructions: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Kayleigh A. De Koker, Kenneth E. Games

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

An injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is sustained through repetitive valgus motions, increasing in prevalence across all levels of baseball due to the increasing workload demands placed on the medial elbow in pitching. Traditionally, UCL tears have been managed through reconstructions followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process. In recent years, the UCL repair with suture augmentation has gained favor given the enhanced patient and clinician outcomes in return-to-play timelines, decreased medial gapping, improved Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic (KJOC) scores, and long-term functionality. Utilizing 4 databases (MEDLINE, Embase Cochrane library, Science Direct, and Scopus), literature was obtained addressing the …

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Comparison Of Vibrating And Non-Vibrating Foam Roller On Hamstring Range Of Motion, Rakhoon Sung, Portia B. Resnick, Karen G. Roos, Mimi Nakajima Mar 2026

Comparison Of Vibrating And Non-Vibrating Foam Roller On Hamstring Range Of Motion, Rakhoon Sung, Portia B. Resnick, Karen G. Roos, Mimi Nakajima

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Tightness in the distal hamstring is a common complaint among active individuals. While a foam roller is used to release muscle tension, there are limited studies about the effect using a vibrating foam roller (VFR) on hamstring flexibility and knee range of motion (ROM). For this reason, the purpose of the research was to compare the effect of a VFR and nonvibrating foam roller (NVFR) on hamstring flexibility and knee ROM in active college students. It was hypothesized that there would be more improvement in hamstring flexibility and knee ROM with a VFR than an NVFR. A randomized controlled trial …

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A Review Of Mentorship And Recruitment Strategies For Minority Athletic Training Students, Dariana M. Brown Mar 2026

A Review Of Mentorship And Recruitment Strategies For Minority Athletic Training Students, Dariana M. Brown

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The underrepresentation of minority athletic trainers remains a critical issue, affecting both the profession and the quality of patient care. While patient demographics continue to diversify, the athletic training workforce has not kept pace, leading to potential communication barriers, mistrust, and inadequate culturally competent care. This review examines whether culturally tailored mentorship programs and targeted recruitment initiatives improve retention, career satisfaction, and diversity in athletic training compared to standard methods. By analyzing studies on underrepresented minority students in athletic training, the review highlights key institutional barriers and systemic factors impacting recruitment and retention. Findings suggest that tailored mentorship and supportive …

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Preferences For Mathematics And Science Education Majors Among Senior High School Students In Bataan, Zydrick L. Avelino Mar 2026

Preferences For Mathematics And Science Education Majors Among Senior High School Students In Bataan, Zydrick L. Avelino

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study examines the factors influencing Senior High School students’ preferences for Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) majors in Bagac and Morong, Bataan, with particular focus on the low interest in Mathematics and Science specializations despite increasing demand for STEM educators. Using a descriptive quantitative design, data were collected from 369 students through a structured survey and analyzed using frequency and percentage distributions. The results reveal a strong preference for non-STEM majors, with Social Studies (42.12%) and English (35.04%) dominating, while Science (15.43%) and Mathematics (7.395%) received significantly lower interest. Personal interest emerged as the primary determinant (58.8%), followed by …

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Carboxypeptidase O Expression In Ku812 Basophil Cells Decreases Upon Degranulation, Etien Balorda Mar 2026

Carboxypeptidase O Expression In Ku812 Basophil Cells Decreases Upon Degranulation, Etien Balorda

Honors Theses

Basophils are leukocytes that mediate inflammatory responses through the exocytosis of granules containing enzymes and inflammatory mediators. Carboxypeptidase O (CPO) is a protease with Cterminal acidic amino acid specificity and is expressed in basophils. CPO expression and localization were assessed in KU812 basophil cells via Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. CPO expression decreased upon degranulation and is localized to cytosolic puncta. These data suggest that CPO may be localized in basophil granules and released upon degranulation.

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Morphological Characteristics Of The Mediophyceae Diatom Lampriscus Cf. Shadboltianus Var. Crenulatus Collected From Gili Meno, Indonesia, Arief Rachman, Riani Widiarti, Setiarti Sukotjo, Mark Wells Mar 2026

Morphological Characteristics Of The Mediophyceae Diatom Lampriscus Cf. Shadboltianus Var. Crenulatus Collected From Gili Meno, Indonesia, Arief Rachman, Riani Widiarti, Setiarti Sukotjo, Mark Wells

Makara Journal of Science

Diatoms are the most common and abundant microalgae group in seawater, with an estimated 200 genera and 200,000 species categorized into three distinct taxonomic classes: Mediophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Coscinodiscophyceae. This study describes the morphological characteristics of Lampriscus GM052022, a diatom belonging to the Mediophyceae family, which was collected from Gili Matra, Lombok, Indonesia. Analysis using light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) showed that the morphological characteristics of the Lampriscus GM052022 specimen are similar to those of Lampriscus shadboltianus var. crenulatus due to the distinct crenulation lines on the frustule, which differentiate this variation from Lampriscus shadboltianus. However, the …

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Comparative Effect Of Mineral, Organic, And Mixed Sunscreens Formulations On The Life History Of A Benthic Marine Invertebrate, Jacob Anthony Fox, Courtney Lott, Araceli Rodriguez-Romero, Gloria Massamba N'Siala Mar 2026

Comparative Effect Of Mineral, Organic, And Mixed Sunscreens Formulations On The Life History Of A Benthic Marine Invertebrate, Jacob Anthony Fox, Courtney Lott, Araceli Rodriguez-Romero, Gloria Massamba N'Siala

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Mineral and organic sunscreens are emerging anthropogenic pollutants in coastal marine waters and have been shown to affect marine invertebrates via genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and impacts on life-history traits, such as reduced survival, growth, and fecundity. Most experiments expose marine organisms to isolated UV filters, with fewer studies testing complete formulations, co-occurring exposure to organic and mineral sunscreens, or the modulating influence of format type on toxicity. In this experiment, we tested the impact of organic sunscreens (3% Avobenzone, 15% Homosalate, 5% Octinoxate, and 10% Octocylene) and 24% zinc oxide mineral sunscreens on the survival and fecundity of …

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Effects Of Alk2 Deficiency On T Cell Fate And Regulatory T Cell Populations, Jalyn Reeves, Afia Salsabil Alam Mar 2026

Effects Of Alk2 Deficiency On T Cell Fate And Regulatory T Cell Populations, Jalyn Reeves, Afia Salsabil Alam

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are central to immune tolerance, and their lineage stability is established during thymic development and maintained in the periphery through tightly regulated signaling networks. Members of the BMP receptor family have been implicated in T-cell differentiation, yet the specific role of the type I receptor ALK2 in shaping cell fate and sustaining the regulatory program remains unclear. To examine how ALK2 contributes to T-cell development, we generated ALK2-knockout murine chimeras and analyzed lymphoid populations from the thymus, spleen, and peripheral tissues. Thymocytes and lymphocytes were isolated and stained with antibody panels to identify developmental subsets and …

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Protocol For Egg Mass Preservation And Its Efficacy In The Marine Annelids Ophryotrocha Labronica, Brennan Sinclair, Gloria Massamba-N'Siala Mar 2026

Protocol For Egg Mass Preservation And Its Efficacy In The Marine Annelids Ophryotrocha Labronica, Brennan Sinclair, Gloria Massamba-N'Siala

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Accurate measurement of egg size is essential for understanding reproductive investment and developmental patterns in Ophryotrocha labronica, but standard protocols require imaging fresh eggs, limiting sample throughput. This study tested whether short‑term preservation in 4% formalin alters egg size and developed a workflow to support more efficient developmental observations. Egg masses were divided into subsamples and measured after 0, 2, and 7 days of preservation. Using a linear mixed‑effects model, we analyzed 224 eggs from 25 masses to evaluate the effect of preservation time while accounting for variation among clutches. Preservation time had no significant effect on egg size, …

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Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 151 - Response To 2025 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Brett Crisafulli, Emily A. Fisher, Matias Braccini, Rubie Evans-Powell, Fabian I. Trinnie, Ainslie Denham, S. A. Hesp Mar 2026

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 151 - Response To 2025 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Brett Crisafulli, Emily A. Fisher, Matias Braccini, Rubie Evans-Powell, Fabian I. Trinnie, Ainslie Denham, S. A. Hesp

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Consistent with national trends, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is transitioning to the globally recognised Stock Synthesis (SS) platform to support more robust, transparent, and internationally aligned assessments. To ensure this transition remains scientifically sound, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review in 2025, following a previous review in 2024. The 2025 review was conducted by Professor André Punt and focused on integrated models for three key WA fish stocks: red emperor in the Kimberley, WA dhufish in the southern West Coast Bioregion, and sandbar shark at the statewide level. This publication summarises the findings and recommendations …

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Bio 230 - Microbiology, Sarah Moroianu Mar 2026

Bio 230 - Microbiology, Sarah Moroianu

Open Educational Resources

This open educational resource (OER) syllabus is designed for BIO 230: Microbiology at Lehman College, City University of New York (CUNY), a single-semester introductory microbiology course for non-biology majors such as Nursing, Dietetics, Health Education, and Physical Education. The course reviews microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, and microbial ecology, with applied emphasis on infectious disease, antimicrobial drugs, host immune defenses, and microbial diseases. The syllabus aligns course content with the freely available OpenStax Microbiology textbook (Parker et al., CC BY 4.0) and reflects accessibility best practices consistent with CUNY guidelines.

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Bacillus Subtilis Parb C-Terminal Lysine Residues Are Essential For Dimerization And In Vivo Function, Indicating Their Roles In Dna Sliding, Aleksey Aleshintsev, Lindsey E. Way, Ngoc Khanh Lai, Bianca Guerra, Paloma Dorantes, Lois Akosua Serwaa, Sealtiel Anulao, Miranda Molina, Xindan Wang, Hyeongjun Kim Mar 2026

Bacillus Subtilis Parb C-Terminal Lysine Residues Are Essential For Dimerization And In Vivo Function, Indicating Their Roles In Dna Sliding, Aleksey Aleshintsev, Lindsey E. Way, Ngoc Khanh Lai, Bianca Guerra, Paloma Dorantes, Lois Akosua Serwaa, Sealtiel Anulao, Miranda Molina, Xindan Wang, Hyeongjun Kim

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The broadly conserved ParB protein performs crucial functions in bacterial chromosome segregation and replication regulation. The cellular function of ParB requires it to dimerize, recognize parS DNA sequences, clamp on DNA, then slide to adjacent sequences through nonspecific DNA binding. How ParB coordinates nonspecific DNA binding and sliding remains elusive. Here, we combine multiple in vitro biophysical and computational tools and in vivo approaches to address this question. We found that five conserved lysine residues in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of ParB play distinct roles. While the two central rigid lysine residues provide the structural platform for the CTD, the …

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Recombinant Hagfish Intermediate Filament Proteins Enable Neural Culture Substrates That Promote Neurite Extension And Reduce Oxidative Stress, Justin Jones, Kristin Durrant Mar 2026

Recombinant Hagfish Intermediate Filament Proteins Enable Neural Culture Substrates That Promote Neurite Extension And Reduce Oxidative Stress, Justin Jones, Kristin Durrant

Browse all Datasets

This dataset supports the production, characterization, and biological validation of a novel recombinant hagfish intermediate filament (rHIF) protein functionalized with spider silk motifs (rHIF-alpha-GRGGL). The data demonstrates a scalable bioprocess resulting in a 7.76 g/L yield, high structural alpha-helicity (77.2%), and significant support for N2a cells.

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Aquifer Characteristics And Groundwater Flow Modeling For Sustainable Water Resources Development And Planning Using Modflow Software In India, Ravi Sharma Mar 2026

Aquifer Characteristics And Groundwater Flow Modeling For Sustainable Water Resources Development And Planning Using Modflow Software In India, Ravi Sharma

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

MODFLOW is one of the most commonly used numerical models for simulating groundwater flow. Its structured data design and compatibility with GIS tools make it suitable for groundwater assessment and planning. Groundwater forms an important part of the hydrological cycle and occurs within the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks or within fractures in hard rock terrains. Although its distribution beneath the surface is not always uniform or predictable, it is still considered one of the cleanest, most accessible, and quickly available freshwater sources. Numerical groundwater models help convert complex subsurface processes into simplified relationships that describe flow behavior. Even though …

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Session Ia: Natural Sciences Presentation 3 - Review Of Dihydroartemisinin And Its Potential As A Neutral Chemotherapeutic, Matthew Mccoy Stowe Mar 2026

Session Ia: Natural Sciences Presentation 3 - Review Of Dihydroartemisinin And Its Potential As A Neutral Chemotherapeutic, Matthew Mccoy Stowe

Life of the Scholar Multidisciplinary Conference

No abstract provided.

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Targeting Hypothalamic Oxidative Stress And Neuroinflammation: A Novel Neuroprotective Role For Annona Muricata Seed Extract In Aluminium- Induced Alzheimer-Like Neurodegeneration, O. A Bamgbose, O. D Akanji, P. B Fakunle, D. O Taiwo-Ola, K. O Odubela, E. O Olayemi, B. A Akanbi, B. M David Mar 2026

Targeting Hypothalamic Oxidative Stress And Neuroinflammation: A Novel Neuroprotective Role For Annona Muricata Seed Extract In Aluminium- Induced Alzheimer-Like Neurodegeneration, O. A Bamgbose, O. D Akanji, P. B Fakunle, D. O Taiwo-Ola, K. O Odubela, E. O Olayemi, B. A Akanbi, B. M David

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder involving oxidative stress and neuroinflammation beyond classical hippocampal pathology. The hypothalamus, a key regulator of metabolic and neuroendocrine homeostasis, remains comparatively underexplored in experimental AD models. This study investigated the effects of aqueous Annona muricata seed extract (SSE) on hypothalamic oxidative injury in an aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced Alzheimer's disease–like model in Wistar rats. Adult Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 5): control, AlCl3 (100 mg/kg), SSE alone (200 mg/kg), AlCl3 + SSE, and AlCl3 + donepezil (10 …

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Phased-Genome Assemblies Of Saltgrass Reveal Structural Dynamics And Genomic Basis For Extreme Salt Tolerance And Dioecy., Kashif Nawaz, Izamar Olivas Orduna, Dal-Hoe Koo, Francisco Molina-Freaner, Hester L. Bell, Mara Miculan, Victor Llaca, Judith Harrington, Sarah M. Eppley, Jesse Poland Mar 2026

Phased-Genome Assemblies Of Saltgrass Reveal Structural Dynamics And Genomic Basis For Extreme Salt Tolerance And Dioecy., Kashif Nawaz, Izamar Olivas Orduna, Dal-Hoe Koo, Francisco Molina-Freaner, Hester L. Bell, Mara Miculan, Victor Llaca, Judith Harrington, Sarah M. Eppley, Jesse Poland

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The climate crisis poses a critical challenge to agriculture, with freshwater scarcity becoming a major constraint on crop production. Harnessing halophytic adaptations for growth in saline environments offers a promising path for neodomestication of salt-tolerant crops. Distichlis spp. (saltgrass)-a genus of dioecious, halophytic C4 grasses in the PACMAD clade-thrives in extreme saline conditions, making it a compelling species to understand salinity tolerance and adaptation. Here, we present high-quality phased genome assemblies of four Distichlis genets, revealing an allotetraploid genome (576-610 Mb) with two highly syntenic but degenerate subgenomes, each exhibiting over 30% gene loss across orthologous pairs. Comparative genomic analyses …

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Spiny Dogfish (Sqaulus Acanthias) Jaw, Courtney R. Schober, Sophia R. Oliveira, David W. Kerstetter Mar 2026

Spiny Dogfish (Sqaulus Acanthias) Jaw, Courtney R. Schober, Sophia R. Oliveira, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

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Cryptic Diversity Within Nyctixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae): A New Species, A Resurrection, And A Redescription, Jennifer Dever, Jimmy A. Mcguire, Djoko T. Iskandar, Amir Hamidy, Lee L. Grismer Mar 2026

Cryptic Diversity Within Nyctixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae): A New Species, A Resurrection, And A Redescription, Jennifer Dever, Jimmy A. Mcguire, Djoko T. Iskandar, Amir Hamidy, Lee L. Grismer

Biology Faculty Publications

The examination of molecular markers confirms hidden diversity and reveals a new species within the Nyctixalus pictus (Peters, 1871) complex. Three genetically distinct clades were recovered: one from the Thai-Malay Peninsula; one from Sumatra, Indonesia; and one from Sarawak, Borneo, East Malaysia. Voucher specimens from each region were compared, and significantly different mean values were found through morphological analyses. The populations also differ significantly in morphospace, as determined by PCA, DAPC, and MFA analyses. The Thai-Malay Peninsula individuals have a distinct, rounded and slightly elongated snout shape compared to the other two clades. Based on these combined data, these three …

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Leaf Droppage Delayed In Sugar Maple Trees On An Urban To Rural Gradient, Isabella S. Bastien, Isabella Bastien Mar 2026

Leaf Droppage Delayed In Sugar Maple Trees On An Urban To Rural Gradient, Isabella S. Bastien, Isabella Bastien

The Cardinal Edge

This study investigates the timing of leaf abscission in Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) trees along an urban-to-rural gradient in Louisville, Kentucky, to determine how proximity to urban environments influences leaf drop. We hypothesized that urban trees would retain their leaves longer than suburban or rural trees due to environmental stressors and tested this using weekly leaf collection and canopy cover measurements from three locations—urban, suburban, and rural. Results showed that urban trees exhibited delayed leaf drop and slower canopy opening compared to suburban and rural trees. These findings suggest that urban stressors significantly alter tree phenology, which may signal underlying …

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Asimina Triloba (L.) Dunal: The Complete Story Of America’S Forgotten Fruit, Autumn M. Howard Mar 2026

Asimina Triloba (L.) Dunal: The Complete Story Of America’S Forgotten Fruit, Autumn M. Howard

The Cardinal Edge

Asimina triloba, commonly known as the pawpaw, is a unique and historically significant native fruit tree of the eastern United States. This research paper explores the taxonomy, botanical description, distribution, habitat requirements, ecological interactions, economic importance, and reproductive biology of A. triloba. The species is distinguished by its tropical-flavored fruits, adaptation to temperate climates, and reliance on clonal reproduction and specific insect pollinators. While offering promising opportunities for sustainable agriculture and riparian restoration, A. triloba faces challenges related to limited seed dispersal, susceptibility to certain pests and diseases, and the presence of neurotoxic compounds. Despite its historical importance …

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