5257 research outputs found
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071 - Beavers From Above: Identifying Keystone Habitats via Remote Sensing
Get PDFBeavers (Castor canadensis) are a keystone species whose dam-building activities influence hydrology, geomorphology, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem productivity. Once widespread across North America, their populations have declined due to over-trapping and habitat loss. Recognizing and preserving beaver habitats is essential for supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. This study aims to identify key features of beaver dams and associated ponds using publicly available satellite imagery and spatial analysis tools to support conservation efforts. We analyzed a subset of data from Collaborative Earth’s Beaver Lab, focusing on 894 beaver dam locations in the Tug Hill region of Lewis County, New York. Using ArcGIS Pro and data from Web Soil Survey, we assessed soil characteristics commonly associated with dam sites. Preliminary findings suggest consistent soil patterns at dam sites, indicating possible predictive relationships between soil type and dam location. These insights highlight the role of beavers as natural engineers—enhancing water retention, sediment redistribution, and riparian habitat diversity. Our results demonstrate the utility of remote sensing and GIS tools for identifying beaver habitats at the landscape scale, informing watershed restoration and land management strategies. By better understanding where and how beavers build, we can more effectively prioritize conservation actions and integrate their ecological benefits into climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration plans with Collaborative Earth
216 - Location of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in the Regenerating Zebrafish Retina.
Get PDFThe Sonic Hedgehog protein (Shh) is required in the cell cycle for development and regeneration in zebrafish eyes. This is because it controls how cells differentiate into specialized cell types. The gene, ptch2, is also important due to it being a component of the Shh signaling. The retina needs to replace photoreceptors, a specific cell type of the retina, after it is damaged by light. It is unknown which retinal cells produce Shh. To detect which cells that express the shh and ptch2 mRNA, we plan to perform in situ hybridization using antisense probes on regenerating retinal sections and compare this to normal retinas. This will be done by attaching a fluorescent molecule to antisense shh and ptch2 synthetically transcribed RNAs. We are currently in the process of making probes
Climate Change and Human Migration
Get PDFMigration is one of the oldest human behaviors and among the most important of human survival strategies. Climate change has always been a significant driver of human migration because humans are interdependent with the ecosystems where they live. Today’s climate change is anthropogenic, and its harmful effects are made worse by social inequities. Millions are having to leave their homes, including internally displaced people, climate refugees, and labor migrants. Radical changes are needed in science, policy, law, and cultural narratives to minimize the harms of climate displacement
152 - Ion Beam Analysis of Lithium Targets used to Measure Laser-Driven Nuclear Reaction Cross Sections
Get PDFA project is underway to develop a platform for measuring light ion nuclear reaction cross sections at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) using beams of particles produced by the target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. This technique could enable the measurement of nuclear reaction cross sections that are not accessible with conventional accelerators. One reaction currently under investigation to test the feasibility of this technique is the 7Li(d,p)8Li reaction. The deuteron beam, produced by TNSA, is incident on a lithium target producing the radioactive isotope 8Li with a half life of 840 ms. Counting the resulting activity of the 8Li produced in this process allows the reaction cross section to be determined. A set of lithium targets has been produced at Houghton University by depositing a thin film (~2 um) of lithium onto a stainless steel substrate. These targets have been studied using ion beam analysis (IBA) performed at the 1.7 MV Pelletron accelerator laboratory at SUNY Geneseo. A proton beam from the accelerator is incident on the target and the energy spectrum of the backscattered particles is measured using a silicon detector. We have used both Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) to determine the thickness and composition of the lithium layer in these targets. The detection of energetic alpha particles produced via the 7Li(p,α) reaction is used to provide additional information regarding the thickness of the lithium layer on these targets
236 - Characterization of Reversible Aggregation of Amyloid beta 1-40 Coated Gold Nano-Particles
Get PDFThe gold colloid coated with Aβ1-40 was characterized by using the Raman imaging technique. Through the observed pH-dependent shift of the SPR (Surface Plasmon Radiance) band, it was determined that gold colloid aggregates were formed under acidic conditions.. Remarkably, Aβ1-40 coated 20 nm gold supported quasi-reversible self-assembly of the aggregates as the pH was alternated between pH 4 and pH 10. The morphology was distinctly observable between two different conditions. Nevertheless, the SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) spectrum presented minor differences. An additional analysis displayed the contrast in spectral density in the regions of 250 cm-1 and 1750 cm-1. The mode analysis distinguished in the reversible aggregation, the formation of aggregates with the important influence of the benzene ring components of Tyrosine and Phenylalanine. The disassembling of the aggregates, however, was intensified through the participation of Histidine, Glutamine, Methionine, and Aspartic acid
194 - Wetland restoration using leaf-litter compost and mosses: Using Shannon Diversity, Floristic Quality Analysis, & C:N ratios to determine effectiveness
Get PDFNatural wetlands provide ecosystem services such as carbon storage and biodiversity habitat. Anthropogenic impacts have degraded and destroyed wetlands, leading to loss of these services. Finding optimal restoration strategies is essential to recovering these ecosystem services and mitigating climate change. This study focuses on the change in the plant community over time; determining species composition, species diversity, and overall plant quality (FQA and C:N) in one created wetland under experimental conditions in which leaf-litter compost was added and one nearby natural forested wetland. The created wetland was divided into four transects (4 x 50 meters), two of which were kept under experimental conditions, and two as controls, for five years. The study is part of a comprehensive ecosystem analysis of a newly created forested freshwater depressional wetland in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Previous results indicate leaf litter compost experimental transects had increased floristic quality and Shannon Diversity compared to control wetland. Recent data shows the naturally forested wetland and the compost transects showed an increase in Shannon diversity throughout the study period. Also assessed is the potential for mosses in restoration as indicators of ecosystem quality and to initiate succession. Initial data showed the highest C:N ratios for mosses in naturally forested wetland. Future research will determine whether the addition of leaf litter compost and mosses are effective strategies for wetland restoration to inform effective management decisions to drive ecosystem succession toward wetland mitigation
228 - Investigating Metabolic and Hormonal Modulation in Female APOE4 Mice: Insights for Sex-Specific Alzheimer’s Research
Get PDFAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) disproportionately affects females, with estrogen loss after menopause contributing to cognitive decline and metabolic dysregulation. The APOE4 genotype is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD and may interact with hormone fluctuations to exacerbate neurodegeneration in females. I am starting a project to test the role of estrogen in AD-related behaviors using APOE4 knock-in mice, which carry the high-risk AD allele. This female-focused study uses a mouse model to explore ovarian hormones in the context of AD risk. To begin, I assessed baseline estrous cycles in thirteen 8-month-old female APOE4 knock-in mice using a vaginal lavage technique, which allows for monitoring hormone-congruent cycle stages. To test if we could shift cyclicity, the mice were then placed on a ketogenic diet (KD)—a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that shifts brain metabolism from glucose to ketones. After this period, I reassessed their estrous cycles. In addition to monitoring weight, I tested memory using a working memory maze. This project is also developing a more quantitative and less invasive hormone tracking method. Currently, we are comparing traditional vaginal cytology with a digital hormone monitoring system using INITO fertility test strips, which measure estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone through urine-based testing. This foundational work informs future experiments using ethinyl estradiol (EE)—a synthetic estrogen found in many birth control pills—to investigate how hormone treatments interact with age and APOE4 genotype. Ultimately, this research supports female-specific approaches to understanding and preventing AD
075 - WIYN 0.9m UBVRI Photometry of the Open Cluster NGC 6811
Get PDFWe present photometry of 83 images of the Open Cluster NGC 6811 in five filters, U, B, V, R, and I, taken with the WIYN 0.9m telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Stars in each image were automatically detected and brightnesses measured using a dynamically measured and spatially varying point spread function (psf). Light extending past the psf radius was measured and corrected for. A final catalog of averaged magnitudes in each filter was created and cluster parameters such as age, distance, reddening, and metallicity were derived
Social Justice & Advocacy in Human Services
Get PDFRead this book online at: https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/social-justice-in-human-services/
Social Justice & Advocacy in Human Services delves into the complex realm of social justice, offering a deep dive into historical roots and theories to practical applications in the field. This text covers fundamental concepts, including power, privilege, and oppression, and explores critical issues like racism, gender, sexuality, poverty, religion, and disability in the context of the United States. The last section of the book hones in on the field of human services, discussing power, privilege, and bias in this context, and lastly exploring equitable distribution, human rights, and the systems and entry points within human services practice.
The text provides many resources, videos, definitions, and reflection questions, ensuring readers have a solid foundation in social justice concepts. The authors also present real-world stories and examples, enriching the learning experience. The text also offers educators and students opportunities to explore, learn more on their own, and take actionable steps toward advancing social justice. Preface Overview, Framing, and Definitions Chapter 1: Historical Concepts of Social Justice Chapter 2: Theories of Social Justice Chapter 3: Human Rights and the Equitable Distribution of Resources Chapter 4: Power, Privilege, Oppression, and Bias Chapter 4: Legislation and Policy Chapter 6: Race, Racism, and Being Black in the United States Chapter 7: Being Asian, Indigenous, and Latinx in the United States Chapter 8: Being a Woman in the United States Chapter 9: Gender and Sexuality in the United States Chapter 10: Poverty in the United States Chapter 11: Religion in the United States Chapter 12: Ability in the United States Chapter 13: Community Action and Activism Chapter 14: Social Justice Practice in Human Services: An Individual Approach Chapter 15: Social Justice Practice in Human Services: A Systems Approachhttps://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/oer-ost/1035/thumbnail.jp
Interview, Bryan Burroughs - July 19, 2025
No full textBryan Burroughs, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), shares his journey into psychiatry and advanced nursing practice. In this interview, he reflects on the importance of accessible psychiatric care, breaking stigma around mental health, and centering patient voices in treatment. His story highlights how advanced practice nursing bridges gaps in mental health services and supports holistic, patient-centered therapy