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Investigation of Fungal Extracts as Anti-Biofilm Agents
No full textGemstone Team FUNGIMany nosocomial infections are derived from microbial growth on implantable medical devices
that form biofilms. Biofilms are complex colonies of bacteria that can grow on the surfaces of
medically implantable devices and typically have antibiotic-resistant properties. Currently, no
commercially available FDA-approved or EPA-certified biofilm sterilants are biocompatible for
medically implantable devices. This study examined potential applications of shiitake (Lentinula
edodes) and turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) water-soluble fungal extracts as preventative
antibiofilm agents. Through the isolation of extracts derived from turkey tail and shiitake
mushrooms, this research sought to find a sustainable, safe, and accessible method to treat
biofilm infections originating from medically implanted devices to address the rise in antibiotic
resistance, in addition to other practical applications. Our results show that ultrasonic-assisted
aqueous shiitake extract inhibits Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation in a
dose-dependent manner and displays general cytotoxicity, while ultrasonic-assisted aqueous
turkey tail extract shows no significant biofilm or growth inhibition. Further research is needed
to characterize these isolates and determine their particular mechanisms of action
Assessing the Biomechanical Properties of ErythroMer for Partical Integrity in an ex vivo Organ Perfusion System
No full textGemstone Team HEM(O-)The development of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) is critical for advancing
organ perfusion systems. This study evaluates the structural integrity of ErythroMer (EM), a
novel oxygen carrying nanoparticle, as a potential blood substitute for ex vivo kidney perfusion
systems. Shear stress assessments were conducted to simulate physiological forces within
complex pump systems. This study was organized through three scientific aims: quantification of
EM peak tolerance, assessing shear stability over time, and evaluating the impact of suspension
medium on shear tolerance. These aims assessed EM shear stability as a safety metric, ensuring
maintenance of particle integrity were it to be used as a perfusion solution within an organ pump
system. The results demonstrated that EM maintains structural integrity and resistance to lysis,
even under high levels of shear stress. These findings support the potential use of the EM particle
in future organ perfusion pump systems and its broader applications in biomedical fields
What Remains: Memory, Urban Renewal, and the Erasure of Alley Communities in Southwest
No full textThis project examines the long-term consequences of urban renewal on the historical and cultural landscape of Southwest Washington, D.C., focusing on the erasure of its alley dwelling communities. Using “The Island” as a case study—a neighborhood once defined by its close-knit, working-class residents and named alleys—the research interrogates how redevelopment has displaced marginalized populations and erased both tangible and intangible heritage. The study draws on archival materials, planning documents, and preservation reports to trace the transformation of Southwest from a diverse, culturally vibrant area to a modernized space marked by exclusion and loss. Alley dwellings serve as both a physical remnant and a symbol of deeper spatial injustices, shaped by D.C.’s unique urban form and racial history. Despite their marginalization, these spaces housed resilient communities whose stories have largely been omitted from mainstream preservation narratives. This research critiques traditional preservation approaches that prioritize architectural significance over social history and proposes a reparative framework that integrates memory work, programming, and community engagement. This work urges preservationists, planners, and policymakers to reconceptualize what historic preservation can do for lost landscapes
Morphological Characterization of Ipsilaterally and Contralaterally-Innervated Neurons in the Mouse Superior Colliculus
No full textThe superior colliculus (SC) is a major retinorecipient nucleus that regulates visually driven behaviors. Recently, binocular vision and innervation of the SC by ipsilaterally projecting retinal ganglion cells (ipsi-RGCs) were demonstrated to be necessary for prey capture behavior in mice. To better understand this, we sought to define the neuronal populations innervated by contralateral- (contra-RGCs) and/or ipsi-RGCs. We injected trans-synaptic AAV1-Cre and AAV1-Flp intraocularly in separate eyes and Cre- and Flp-dependent reporters in the SC. Reporter signal was amplified, and cell-specific markers labeled by immunohistochemistry, followed by collection of confocal images on cleared tissue, 3D reconstruction, and quantification of reconstructed cells. Out of a total of 353 reconstructed neurons, we found that 40.6% were innervated solely by contra-RGCs, 39.1% solely by ipsi-RGCs, and 20.3% were innervated by both. For each population, we found cells distributed across the entire rostro-caudal and mediolateral axes of the SC. Additionally, ipsi-RGC-recipient cells displayed a significantly smaller soma than contra-RGC-recipient cells. We also analyzed their morphology based on topographic location in the SC. Ipsi-RGC-recipient neurons in the rostro-medial and rostro-central SC have a higher dendritic complexity and a larger overall dendritic length than contra-RGC-recipient cells. In contrast, ipsi-RGC-recipient neurons in the caudo-medial SC have considerably less complexity in their proximal dendrites. These data suggest that neurons solely innervated by contra- or ipsi-RGCs may be comprised of distinct neuronal subtypes and, potentially, subserve different functions
"Extra! Extra! Read all about it!": Collection Assessment of UMD Libraries’ Major U.S. Newspapers
No full textNewspapers are some of the most frequently used resources in the University of Maryland (UMD) Libraries. As a large academic library, UMD Libraries has vast newspaper collections that are spread over many formats (print, microfilm, and digital) and online databases, so it is easy for students, faculty, and staff to get confused with how to navigate these resources. Consequently, many users submit reference questions related to locating newspapers or specific articles. As a HiLS graduate student using UMD Libraries’ newspapers in her own Master’s thesis research, I was interested in learning more about the different ways that newspaper resources are presented to users. Working with Sarah Clinton-McCausland, Librarian for Journalism, Communication, and Open Education, this field study project aimed to audit and access UMD Libraries’ newspaper collections and aggregate this information in the pages of a new LibGuide for Newspapers
The Closed-Loop: Academic Publication and the Data Surveillance Conundrum
No full texthttps://litwinbooks.com/books/platform-power-and-libraries/https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/id/eprint/995573
McKeldin Library Atlas Usage Dashboard
No full textMcKeldin Library's map collection includes over 750 bound atlases, spanning a wide variety of topics and geographic locations. Because these materials cannot be checked out by patrons, tracking their usage and deriving detailed analytics is inherently difficult. In response to this, we implemented a "no reshelving" rule that indicates patrons to leave any materials they use out, allowing for usage to be tracked in a spreadsheet when staff shelf these materials. Using this data, which has been collected since 2015, we created an interactive, web-based dashboard application to explore and communicate various usage metrics, including geographic location and atlas category. These metrics can be used in future acquisition and collection management decisions.https://uofmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/79c5a6bb7bf04175b2ff743f96dd204
Favor Increasing SNAP Benefits and Tax Credits for Low-Wage Workers
No full textVoice Of the People (VOP) is a nonpartisan organization working to re-anchor our democracy in its founding principles by giving ‘We the People’ a greater and more effective voice in government. VOP champions innovative methods and technology – notably online public consultations – that enable the American people to play a role in the policymaking process and provide policymakers with a more accurate understanding of the views of their constituents.
The Program for Public Consultation conducts policymaking simulations, which are an online process that puts citizens in the shoes of elected officials by simulating the process they go through in making policy decisions. Each simulation introduces a broader policy topic and then presents a series of modules that address a specific policy option that is currently under consideration in the current discourse.
For each module, respondents: 1) receive a short briefing on a policy issue and the option or options for addressing it; 2) evaluate arguments for and against the policy options; and 3) finally, make their recommendation for what their elected officials should do.The American public overwhelmingly opposes cuts to federal assistance programs for low-income households, and in most cases favor increasing their benefits. Large majorities of Republicans and Democrats:
Oppose cutting Medicaid
Support increasing SNAP benefits (food stamps), and not restricting what they can be used for
Support increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and having it cover more workers
These are some of the findings from a new in-depth survey by the University of Maryland’s Program for Public Consultation (PPC), fielded April 4-9, 2025 with a representative sample of 1,195 adults nationwide.https://publicconsultation.org/uncategorized/majorities-of-republicans-and-democrats-oppose-cutting-medicaid
Experiences with Police and Emergency Response Services among Trans People in Maryland
No full textThe Maryland Trans Survey is a community-based research project conducted by Trans Maryland and the Queer/Trans Collective for Research on Equity and Wellness examining experiences of trans people in the State of Maryland in areas such as health and healthcare, employment and economic wellbeing, and legal and policy experiences. To date, it is the largest survey of trans people in the State, with 750 trans people representing all 23 counties in Maryland and Baltimore City. Data were collected from June to December 2023 through in-person and online community outreach. The project was approved by Towson University’s Institutional Review Board (Protocol #1897) and used Transgender Research Informed Consent (TRICON) Disclosures to provide trans community members with additional transparency on the project, recognizing long histories of harmful practices in trans research from scientific institutions. This brief contains information regarding experiences with police and emergency response systems from the project for advocates, policymakers, and community-serving entities to better understand and support the current needs of trans people in Maryland.University System of Maryland - Wilson H. Elkins Professorship (2021-2023); Washington University in St. Louis - Audre Lorde Distinguished Professorship (2023-present)https://transmaryland.org
Community Academic Partnerships: Recruitment Strategy Toolkit
No full textThe infographic explores Community Academic Partnerships, including the underpinnings to practice authentic engagement and key components of Community Academic Partnerships as a recruitment strategy