UARK (University of Arkansas )
Not a member yet
19829 research outputs found
Sort by
Applied Research Note: Microbial Composition of the Biofilm of Poultry Drinking Water System
Get PDFEnsuring good water quality is one of the key management strategies to promote optimal broiler health and performance. A few studies have assessed the microbial status of drinking water for poultry, but there is insufficient information on biofilm in the drinking water lines within the poultry housing facilities. The buildup of microbes in the drinking water system could potentially result in biofilm formation which eventually deteriorates water quality. Hence, in this preliminary study, we sought to evaluate biofilm formation in the drinking water lines of selected broiler houses and characterize their microbial composition. Three random houses in each of 5 farms were visited representing 15 total houses used in this study. Using a borescope, we confirmed the presence of biofilm in 4 water lines per house on each farm, and a sterile gauze swab was used to collect the biofilm from these water lines. All biofilm samples were analyzed for the total aerobic plate count (APC), presence of yeasts and molds (YM), and Enterobacteriaceae (EB). The data were analyzed with ANOVA, and means were separated with Tukey\u27s HSD test at P ≤ 0.05 using JMP software. All 15 houses evaluated had aerobic bacteria population and YM, whereas 7 out of the 15 houses had EB counts. For APC, there were significant differences across the farms (P \u3c 0.0001) with Farm 1 having the highest APC (3.65 Log10 CFU/mL) and Farm 5 having the lowest APC (2.05 Log10 CFU/mL). For YM, significant differences existed across farms (P \u3c 0.0001), Farm 2 had the highest counts (4.44 Log10 CFU/mL), whereas Farm 5 had the lowest count (1.19 Log10 CFU/mL). EB was detected in 3 out of the 5 farms and the counts were not statistically different (P = 0.07). Based on a sample size of 15 commercial broiler houses, these results suggest the need to evaluate water lines for biofilm and develop effective mitigations
Hardy Spaces and Canonical Kernels on Quadric CR Manifolds
Get PDFR functions on an embedded quadric M always extend holomorphically to M + iΓM where ΓM is the closure of the convex hull of the image of the Levi form. When ΓM is a closed polygonal cone, we show that the Bergman kernel on the interior of M + iΓM is a derivative of the Szegö kernel. Moreover, we develop the Lp Hardy space theory which turns out to be particularly robust. We provide examples that show that it is unclear how to formulate a corresponding relationship between the Bergman and Szegö kernels on a wider class of quadrics
Examining Media Reports of Pediatric Unintentional Firearm Injury Deaths for Prevention Messaging Concerning Secured Storage of Firearms: US, 2021-2022
Get PDFBackground
Media outlets that report on firearm injuries and deaths may provide an important role in emphasizing safe storage practices, particularly when unintentional firearm injuries and deaths occur among young children. There has been a scarcity of research on aspects of media reports on injuries, particularly concerning prevention messaging. The objective of the present study was to examine prevention messaging on the safe storage of firearms among media outlets when reporting on unintentional firearm injury deaths among children aged 0–11. Methods
The Gun Violence Archive collects information from media sources regarding firearm injuries and deaths. We analyzed data from 2021 to 2022 to analyze prevention messaging incorporated into the media reports. We then examined if media reporting of events that occurred in States with child access prevention (CAP) laws had a higher likelihood of including prevention messaging compared to those events occurring in States without CAP laws. Results
There were 223 deaths reported that were attributed to unintentional firearm discharge among children aged 0–11. Prevention messages were delivered in 61 of the 223 incidents. Specific messages which included the word “lock” when referring to firearm storage were included in 21.9% of all incidents. An analysis examining State CAP laws and the presence of any prevention message per event did not yield any discernable relationship. Conclusion
Inclusion of prevention messaging stating that firearms should be stored locked and unloaded when reporting on unintentional firearm injury deaths among children is lacking. When specific prevention messaging was included, the source was often law enforcement. Public health officials may play an important role in educating the journalistic and law enforcement communities about the inclusion of safe storage messages when reporting on firearm deaths
Cellulose–Starch Composite Aerogels as Thermal Superinsulating Materials
No full textThe demand for sustainable packaging materials is rapidly increasing due to growing environmental concerns over the impact of plastic waste. In this study, biodegradable, porous, lightweight, and high-surface-area microcrystalline cellulose–starch (MCC-S) hybrid aerogels were synthesized via supercritical carbon dioxide (SC–CO2) drying. The samples were generated using five different MCC-S weight ratios and characterized for their morphology, crystallinity, and structural and thermal properties. When MCC and S were used together, aerogels with superior properties were obtained compared to those made from each component individually. Specifically, the 1:2 MCC-S aerogel exhibited the highest porosity (97%), the lowest density (0.058 g/cm3), and the lowest thermal conductivity (0.012 W/(m·K)) along with a high specific surface area (258 m2/g). Therefore, MCC-S aerogels are promising insulators for advanced packaging applications, potentially serving as a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam
Leveraging Imitation Learning in Agricultural Robotics: A Comprehensive Survey and Comparative Analysis
Get PDFImitation learning (IL), a burgeoning frontier in machine learning, holds immense promise across diverse domains. In recent years, its integration into robotics has sparked significant interest, offering substantial advancements in autonomous control processes. This paper presents an exhaustive insight focusing on the implementation of imitation learning techniques in agricultural robotics. The survey rigorously examines varied research endeavors utilizing imitation learning to address pivotal agricultural challenges. Methodologically, this survey comprehensively investigates multifaceted aspects of imitation learning applications in agricultural robotics. The survey encompasses the identification of agricultural tasks that can potentially be addressed through imitation learning, detailed analysis of specific models and frameworks, and a thorough assessment of performance metrics employed in the surveyed studies. Additionally, it includes a comparative analysis between imitation learning techniques and conventional control methodologies in the realm of robotics. The findings derived from this survey unveil profound insights into the applications of imitation learning in agricultural robotics. These methods are highlighted for their potential to significantly improve task execution in dynamic and high-dimensional action spaces prevalent in agricultural settings, such as precision farming. Despite promising advancements, the survey discusses considerable challenges in data quality, environmental variability, and computational constraints that IL must overcome. The survey also addresses the ethical and social implications of implementing such technologies, emphasizing the need for robust policy frameworks to manage the societal impacts of automation. These findings hold substantial implications, showcasing the potential of imitation learning to revolutionize processes in agricultural robotics. This research significantly contributes to envisioning innovative applications and tools within the agricultural robotics domain, promising heightened productivity and efficiency in robotic agricultural systems. It underscores the potential for remarkable enhancements in various agricultural processes, signaling a transformative trajectory for the sector, particularly in the realm of robotics and autonomous systems
Integrating Ecophysiology and Omics to Unlock Crop Response to Drought and Herbivory Stress
Get PDFThis article is part of the Research Topic: Plant Ecophysiology: Responses to Climate Changes and Stress Condition
Conserved Functions of Frazzled in Axon Guidance in Insects (2024)
Get PDFConserved functions of frazzled in axon guidance in insects
The 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) is a research communication competition that challenges students to communicate the significance of their projects without the use of props or industry jargon in just three minutes. The winner of the 3MT competition moves on to the Council of Southern Graduate School’s Regional Conference in March 2025.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/mtsturpc/1089/thumbnail.jp
A Native American Free Press: The opportunities and threats to press freedom in Indian Country
Get PDFTribal media – media outlets often operated by a tribe for a Native audience – are an indispensable public service to their communities. They are relied upon for news and information about current events and governmental actions, and often reinforce cultural and community values. These outlets are often financially subsidized by the tribal government if the operation is too small or geographically remote to generate the revenue necessary for financial independence. Herein lies a central dilemma: Can tribal media, under the influence of tribal governments, serve as an independent voice free of political interference and capable of fair and truthful reporting in tribal communities? The purpose of this research is to examine: communications theories to provide conceptual frameworks that contextualize the role of tribal media in Native communities; a brief history of some developmental milestones in the Native American media landscape; how tribal governments have enshrined the right to a free press in their constitutions; how press freedom is perceived by both producers and consumers of tribal media; and the specific threats to press freedom found within the four corners of the research. By employing conceptual frameworks that analyze the relative strengths of press protections in constitutions, several methods tribal governments may use to exert undue influence, and how the data shows an erosion of trust in press freedom, this thesis reveals that undue influence may be at work in manipulating the news and information published by some tribal media. While tribal media will likely continue to be dependent on tribal governments for financial support, policy solutions can and should be pursued to ensure a vibrant, culturally relevant, and editorially independent tribal media landscape
Investigation of Potential Gut Health Biomarkers in Broiler Chicks Challenged by \u3ci\u3eCampylobacter jejuni\u3c/i\u3e and Submitted to a Continuous Water Disinfection Program
Get PDFThe exploration of novel biomarkers to assess poultry health is of paramount importance, not only to enhance our understanding of the pathogenicity of zoonotic agents but also to evaluate the efficacy of novel treatments as alternatives to antibiotics. The present study aimed to investigate potential gut health biomarkers in broiler chicks challenged by Campylobacter jejuni and subjected to a continuous water disinfection program. A total of 144 one-day-old hatched broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatment groups with four replicates each, according to the following experimental design: Group A received untreated drinking water; Group B received drinking water treated with 0.01–0.05% v/v Cid 2000™ (hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and paracetic acid); Group C was challenged by C. jejuni and received untreated drinking water; and Group D was challenged by C. jejuni and received drinking water treated with 0.01–0.05% v/v Cid 2000™. The use of Cid 2000™ started on day 1 and was applied in intervals until the end of the experiment at 36 days, while the C. jejuni challenge was applied on day 18. Potential biomarkers were investigated in serum, feces, intestinal tissue, intestinal content, and liver samples of broilers. Statistical analysis revealed significant increases (p \u3c 0.001) in serum cortisol levels in C. jejuni-challenged broilers. Serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) increased significantly (p = 0.004) in broilers challenged by C. jejuni and treated with drinking water disinfectant, while fecal ovotransferrin concentration also increased significantly (p \u3c 0.001) in broilers that received the drinking water disinfectant alone. The gene expression levels of occludin (p = 0.003) and mucin-2 (p \u3c 0.001) were significantly upregulated in broilers challenged by C. jejuni, while mucin-2 significantly increased in birds that were challenged and received the drinking water disinfectant (p \u3c 0.001). TLR-4 expression levels were significantly (p = 0.013) decreased in both groups that received the drinking water disinfectant, compared to the negative control group. Finally, the C. jejuni challenge significantly increased (p = 0.032) the crypt depth and decreased (p = 0.021) the villus height-to-crypt-depth ratio in the ileum of birds, while the tested disinfectant product increased (p = 0.033) the villus height in the jejunum of birds. Furthermore, the counts of C. jejuni in the ceca of birds (p = 0.01), as well as its translocation rate to the liver of broilers (p = 0.001), were significantly reduced by the addition of the water disinfectant. This research contributes to novel insights into the intricate interplay of water disinfection and/or C. jejuni challenge with potential intestinal biomarkers. In addition, it emphasizes the need for continued research to unveil the underlying mechanisms, expands our understanding of broiler responses to these challenges and identifies breakpoints for further investigations
Unlocking Telecommuting Patterns Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Explainable AI-Driven Study
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has instigated a global paradigm shift in employment practices, precipitating a widespread transition to telework. While past events had no long-lasting effect on the continued working conditions of the population, it is unclear what a prolonged need for telecommuting on such a nationwide scale would continue to have on the working population. This study uses an explainable artificial intelligence approach to investigate the changes in those telecommuting across three periods: i) pre-pandemic, ii) pandemic, and iii) post-pandemic periods. Machine learning methods, including decision trees, random forest, extreme gradient boost, naïve Bayes, and artificial neural networks, were developed across the study periods. Shapely Additive Explanations, a model-agnostic approach, explains the best-performing model for each period. Results show that before the pandemic, gender and occupation were major determining factors of telecommuting adoption. However, the pandemic reduced the impact of these factors, making income and education levels a more significant factor for identifying telecommuters. Additionally, the study examines interaction effects between these features, allowing for a deeper investigation of specific aspects of interest. These insights can be instrumental in shaping policies surrounding telecommuting as the pandemic gradually subsides. By understanding the changing dynamics of telework, decision-makers can better support and adapt to the evolving needs of the working population