Minimum Common Decomposition is a variation of the classical computer science problem Minimum Flow Decomposition. In this variant, the goal is to decompose a set of common flows into a set of weighted source-to-sink paths that satisfy the edges of each of the flows. Both flow decompositions and common decompositions serve as powerful models for multiassembly problems in bioinformatics. While flow decomposition is effective, we conjecture that common flow decomposition can more accurately recover desired sequences from highly related experiments. Previous work lends some support to this conclusion. However, experiments were limited, so further experiments are necessary to support this conclusion. Additionally, common decomposition comes with a tradeoff; it's much slower than regular flow decomposition. To remedy this, we speculate that using sequences that appear in every possible solution, safe sequences, can accelerate the decomposition process. We also intend to further generalize the idea of safe sequences into a hierarchy or hierarchies to better capture their effectiveness in solving common and other decomposition problems.

Axially loaded weight may impose a metabolic demand equivalent to that of fat mass (FM). As males (M) typically have a lower body fat percentage than females (F), differences in the metabolic demand of load carriage may be resolved by accounting for FM in pack loads. PURPOSE: To determine whether normalizing pack load to FM will equalize metabolic cost across sex during load carriage. METHODS: Twenty-eight participants (14M, 23±5 y, 1.81±0.07 m, 78.7±10.0 kg, 12.7±5.4% body fat, VO₂peak 4.18±0.54 L·min^-1; 14F, 22±4 y, 1.68±0.07 m, 63.7±8.1 kg, 22.6±5.2% body fat, VO₂peak 2.76±0.47 L·min^-1) were recruited. Preliminary visits included measures of height, body weight, body composition (air displacement plethysmography (ADP); bioelectrical impedance (BIA)), isometric mid-thigh pull peak power, and treadmill VO₂peak. An average of ADP and BIA body fat percentages was used to calculate experimental pack loads. Participants performed 2 trials of treadmill walking at 1.34 m·s^-1 and 10% grade for 10 minutes while measuring expired gases, heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Trials were separated by 15 minutes of rest. Load order was randomized between 30% of body mass (30%BM) and 30% of body mass minus absolute FM (SubFM). RESULTS: VO₂ was higher (M30%BM 2.47±0.38 L·min^-1, F30%BM 2.02±0.26 L·min^-1, MSubFM 2.18±0.25 L·min^-1, FSubFM 1.64±0.25 L·min^-1, p< 0.001), and HR was lower (M30%BM 145±23 bpm, F30%BM 164±17 bpm, MSubFM 132±21 bpm, FSubFM 143±18 bpm, p=0.045) in M than F across load conditions. Percentage of VO₂peak was lower in M than F across load conditions (M30%BM 60±9%, F30%BM 74±6%, MSubFM 53±7%, FSubFM 60±6%, p< 0.001). Mean sex differences in percentage of VO₂peak between loads was 13.8% in the 30%BM condition (p< 0.001) and 7.1% in the SubFM condition (p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Normalizing pack weight to FM reduces but fails to completely normalize sex differences in the metabolic cost of load carriage.

The causative agent of Lyme disease in North America, Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi (Bb), is maintained in an enzootic cycle between a tick vector and non-human vertebrate hosts. Persistence within these host populations requires both immune evasion and genetic diversity, yet the mechanisms contributing to diversity in Bb remain understudied. One potential contributor to Bb genetic diversity is fBB-1, a bacteriophage that packages the ubiquitous 32-kb circular plasmid (cp32) family via a headful mechanism. The cp32 plasmids encode variable outer surface lipoproteins implicated in antigenic variation.

We hypothesize that fBB-1 contributes to Bb genetic diversity via transduction of the cp32s, facilitating reinfection within host reservoir populations. The nucleic acid–binding protein BpuR binds to the pac site of cp32 prophages, suggesting a role in regulating phage packaging and, by extension, cp32 production.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of BpuR in fBB-1 phage production and to explore its potential involvement in coordinating bacteriophage activity with host-adaptive gene regulation in Bb.

To address this, we generated a bpuR null mutant and complement. Bacteriophage production was increased in the bpuRmutant via as assayed by immunoblotting of the major capsid protein and qPCR of the cp32 prophage. These data demonstrate that BpuR functions as a negative regulator of phage production. In addition, analysis of Bb proteins in the bpuR mutant revealed increased levels of RpoS, the alternative sigma factor that controls the regulon required for vertebrate host infection.

These findings suggest that BpuR may serve as one of the first mechanistic bridges between RpoS-mediated regulation of vertebrate infection and bacteriophage-driven genetic diversity. Together, these data support a model in which BpuR coordinates phage production and host-adaptive gene expression, contributing to the maintenance of Bb within its enzootic cycle.

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly adopted in STEM education, yet research often conflates immersion (VR vs. desktop) with learner agency (interactive vs. passive engagement), making it difficult to determine which design features actually drive learning outcomes. This study attempts to systematically disentangles these factors to understand how immersion and agency independently influence chemistry learning and student motivation.

Students enrolled in CHMY 121N were randomly assigned to one of four instructional conditions that varied in immersion and agency: Interactive VR, Passive VR, Guided Desktop, or Passive Desktop. Participants completed pre- and post-assessments measuring chemistry content knowledge and spatial ability. Post-intervention surveys measured intrinsic motivation (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory) and perceived workload (NASA Task Load Index). We analyzed learning gains using mixed-design ANOVAs and motivational outcomes using one-way ANOVAs.

Chemistry knowledge improved significantly across all conditions (F(1,24)=15.06, p< .001), with no advantage seen between intervention types. However, agency seems to have significantly influenced motivation. Conditions with higher agency generated higher reported effort (F(3,24)=3.02, p=.0497), and perceived pressure (F(3,24)=4.28, p=.018), with Guided Desktop eliciting greater perceived pressure than Passive Desktop (p=.014).

Unlike previous VR chemistry studies that compare immersive versus non-immersive conditions without isolating interactivity, this research systematically separates immersion from agency to reveal that these factors influence different aspects of the learning experience. While existing literature has demonstrated mixed results regarding VR's impact on chemistry learning outcomes, few studies have disentangled the distinct contributions of technological immersion versus learner control.

These findings align with emerging evidence that immersion alone does not guarantee improved learning outcomes in VR chemistry education. Instead, the study suggests that agency may play a critical and distinct role in shaping engagement and motivation. This work contributes to a more nuanced understanding of VR as an educational tool and hopes to provide design-relevant guidance for developing effective virtual chemistry learning environments.

Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a central goal in forensic investigations. However, traditional methods based on observable physiological changes are highly variable and influenced by environmental and regional factors. This study investigates the human necromicrobiome, specifically skin-associated microbial communities, as a more reliable and standardized approach for PMI estimation in semi-arid environments. Necromicrobiome research supports the development of forensic taphonomic tools that enhance the accuracy and efficiency of human identification and expand access to justice, particularly in dry, arid regions.

Research was conducted at the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS) in western Colorado, the westernmost and second-highest elevation human decomposition facility in the United States, located at 4,646 feet above sea level. This environment is underrepresented in existing PMI models, emphasizing the need for region-specific forensic tools. Taxonomic identification was performed through amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and accumulated degree days (ADD) were used to establish PMI timelines.

Previous work by Burcham et al. (2024) demonstrated that skin-associated microbial communities provide more reliable PMI estimates than soil-based communities and participate in a consistent decomposition network across environments. Their results identified Helcococcus seattlensis as a strong predictor of PMI, with consistent presence across multiple climates, suggesting potential as a universal decomposer indicator. In contrast, taxa common in temperate environments, such as O. alkaliphila, Savagea sp., Peptoniphilus stercorisius, Ignatzschineria sp., and Acinetobacter sp., were less prevalent in arid conditions.

Similar microbial succession patterns are expected at FIRS, which would validate prior findings and provide a regional reference for forensic practitioners. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of skin microbiome succession in semi-arid, high-elevation environments and supports the development of non-invasive, scientifically validated PMI estimation models.

Rationing mechanisms such as lotteries, online reservations, and first-come, first-served approaches offer the promise of predictability and balance for public lands experiencing extremely high use. However, when an inefficient or inappropriate rationing mechanism is applied in the wrong context, it results in headaches for visitors and land managers alike. Applying the River Recreation Allocation Decision-making Framework (Phillips & Rice, 2025) to two popular trailheads in the Cleveland National Forest Palomar Ranger District, this poster demonstrates the importance of data-informed decision-making and holistic visitor management strategies.

To determine how to resolve pre-existing safety, crowding, and human waste challenges at these trailheads, we collected information on visitor planning horizons and preferences, perspectives on crowding, and views on freedom of access through an in-person survey. Based on a two-week survey effort and through the lens of the Framework, our project analyzed responses with descriptive statistics and ultimately suggested the trailheads could ration use in different ways to meet varying planning preferences for visitors. Furthermore, we encouraged the Ranger District to consider implementing a timed-entry system at one of the trailheads to provide more management options when heat closures are warranted at the site. This research matters because, in determining whether a rationing system is necessary and then selecting the appropriate rationing techniques, land managers have the opportunity to ensure broad access and avoid needlessly limiting visitorsm and it is our hope that this project may serve as an example for public land managers are considering refining or adopting an allocation system.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a structural protein with good mechanical properties, allowing its processing into scaffolds, including films and hydrogels for biotechnological applications. SF is traditionally sourced from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons and silk textile yarn—sources also relied upon by the textile industry for fabrics. This shared dependence creates high demand for cocoons and yarn, which is met through large-scale silkworm rearing and cocoon harvesting. These practices are associated with environmental and ethical concerns, including a heavy carbon footprint and silkworm killing, necessitating the search for alternative SF sources for biotechnology purposes.

Silk textile waste (STW), with over 11 million tons generated annually, has been proposed as a feasible alternative. However, it remains unclear whether SF from STW will retain molecular and functional properties comparable to SF from conventional sources to allow downstream applications. This study addresses this knowledge gap by extracting SF from three STW forms—undyed waste silk fiber (WSF), dyed WSF, and sari ribbon scraps—and from the two conventional sources (cocoon and yarn), followed by comparative analysis of their molecular, physicochemical, rheological, scaffold, and cytocompatibility properties.

SF from all STW forms exhibited molecular and physicochemical properties comparable to conventional SF, although sari ribbon scrap SF showed greater protein degradation. SF viscosity and scaffold mechanical properties correlated with the extent of prior textile processing, following the trend: cocoon > yarn > undyed WSF > dyed WSF > sari ribbon scrap. STW-derived SF was cytocompatible, though residual impurities suggest caution for direct biomedical use. Plasticized SF films from STW exhibited mechanical properties comparable to commercial plastic films, indicating their applicability as bioplastics for packaging. Future work will assess the moisture and gas permeability and biodegradability of SF plastic films.

Overall, this work contributes to advancing circular bioeconomic strategies and reducing the environmental footprint of silk-based materials.

Background: Skeletal muscle recovery is improved with immediate post-exercise carbohydrate feeding. Little is known regarding muscle recovery and performance when feeding is delayed between exercise bouts. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of varying forms of exogenous carbohydrate on skeletal muscle glycogen recovery and cycling performance with delayed feedings and low skeletal muscle glycogen. Methods: Following 60 minutes of cycling at 65% W_MAX and an overnight fast (12.1±0.4 hours), participants consumed 2.10±0.13 g·kg-1 bodyweight carbohydrate of one of the following: whole potatoes (POT), cooked pasta (PAS), energy gel (GEL), or remained fasted (control, CON), then rested for 120 minutes. Participants then cycled for 60 min at 65% W_MAX and completed a 19.4 km time trial. Muscle samples were collected pre-feeding, 120 minutes post-feeding, and after cycling for glycogen analyses. Venous blood samples were collected pre-feeding, at minutes 15, 30, 60, and 120 of rest period, and after cycling for glucose and insulin analyses. Results: Time trial mean power output was higher in PAS (213±56W, p=0.006) and GEL (209±71W, p=0.011) compared to CON (179±68W), but POT (196±51W, p=0.199) was not different from CON. Mean power was similar between POT, PAS, and GEL (p>0.05) trials. Time trial finish time trended towards significance (p=0.088) with carbohydrate trials averaging 3 minutes faster than CON. Muscle glycogen was similar between trials (p=0.446) and did not change due to feeding (pre-feeding: 44±21 mmol·kg-1, post-feeding: 47±23 mmol·kg-1, p=0.120). Glycogen declined after cycling for 60 min (26±16 mmol·kg-1, p< 0.001) compared to pre-feeding and post-feeding samples. Glucose and insulin were elevated in carbohydrate trials over CON 0-30 minutes post-feeding (p< 0.05). Conclusions: Delayed carbohydrate intake did not improve skeletal muscle glycogen availability within 120 minutes. Varied pre-exercise exogenous carbohydrate sources effectively improve cycling time trial performance in a glycogen compromised state.

Identity is a human right, and forensic anthropological methods aim to return identity to decedents. DNA methods are considered the gold standard because fingerprints and dental comparison may not be applicable in cases of unidentified individuals or those with no known records. Identification efforts also may be hindered when perpetrators attempt to obscure a victim’s identity with corrosive substances, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Previous studies have shown teeth are an excellent source of DNA. Large posterior teeth are often preferred because they contain the highest concentration of DNA and are more likely to survive taphonomic processes due to their position in the jaw. Many previous chemical alteration studies of teeth performed destructive methods; by destroying the tooth for DNA extraction, we lose the opportunity to collect more data and return those remains to the family. Additionally, whereas many prior studies collected little pre- or post-exposure morphological data, this research assesses morphology before and after acid submersion using multiple techniques, with the goal of identifying visible degradation trends.

Teeth were assigned to experimental groups to be submerged in HCl for various time intervals using R Studio. DNA quantification is underway using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to determine if the minimum DNA concentration required to proceed with DNA profile creation is present. The genetic and morphological data collected will contribute to the growing body of forensic research on altered human remains and aims to shed new light on how HCl affects tooth morphology and DNA degradation over time in a minimally destructive manner. Ultimately, the use of minimally destructive identification techniques may allow for more complete remains to be returned to the family of the decedent.

Bilingual language processing requires the coordinated engagement of large-scale brain networks, yet how these networks dynamically reorganize across native (L1) and second language (L2) use—and how this reorganization depends on language proficiency—remains poorly understood. Traditional fMRI studies often characterize brain connectivity as static, overlooking moment-to-moment fluctuations in network interactions that may be critical for successful second-language processing.

In this study, we investigated dynamic brain network organization in Spanish–Basque bilinguals performing a semantic animacy judgment task in their native (Spanish) and second (Basque) language. Using Independent Component Analysis (ICA), we identified large-scale functional networks engaged during L1 and L2 processing and mapped these components onto the canonical Yeo 7-network parcellation. To capture temporal dynamics, we extracted component time courses and applied dynamic functional connectivity analysis combined with Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), enabling the identification of recurring brain states and quantification of their temporal properties, including mean dwell time, fractional occupancy, and transition rates.

Our results reveal clear proficiency-dependent differences in network dynamics. During L2 processing, advanced bilinguals exhibited longer dwell times and fewer state transitions, indicating more stable and efficient network configurations. In contrast, intermediate bilinguals showed shorter dwell times and more frequent transitions, reflecting greater cognitive effort and reduced processing automaticity. Cross-language network similarity analyses further demonstrated stronger alignment between L1 and L2 network configurations in advanced speakers, suggesting a more integrated and automatized bilingual neural architecture. Intermediate speakers showed more variable and distributed network coupling, particularly involving attention, visual, and control networks.

Together, these findings support the Neurocognitive Adaptation Hypothesis, demonstrating that increasing bilingual proficiency is associated with greater stability, efficiency, and convergence of large-scale brain networks during second-language processing. This work highlights the importance of dynamic network approaches for understanding how the bilingual brain adapts to linguistic demands and advances our understanding of neural plasticity in language learning.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects millions worldwide and has poor therapeutic outcomes. The locus of encoded fear memories is unknown, which has delayed therapeutic intervention. It is known that appropriate responses to threats require disinhibition of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) glutamatergic outputs. However, inappropriate threat responses may be caused by disruption of the inhibitory/excitatory balance that regulates glutamatergic outputs. Dendritic spines are points of contact between neurons to send electrical or chemical signals. Changes in shape and number of dendritic spines contribute to memory storage. Recently, a subset of interneurons expressed in the mPFC, GABAergic somatostatin interneurons (SST-INs), have been shown to encode the association between the cues that predict threats. In a mouse model of PTSD, we found an increase in glutamatergic spines on SST-INs in the mPFC, suggesting that these excitatory inputs could be a locus of fear memory storage. Importantly, when naive mice have a constitutive deletion of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit GluN3A (3AKO), the spine morphology resembles a fear-conditioned mouse in mPFC SST-INs. Moreover, 3AKO mice exhibit increased fear responses at 24 hours. These results suggest that GluN3A plays a role in fear learning and memory consolidation, potentially through regulation of dendritic spines on mPFC SST cells. In this study, we utilize male and female wildtype (WT) and transgenic mice to understand how changes in synaptic plasticity contribute to changes in neurocircuitry within the mPFC. Electrophysiological experiments were done by measuring the baseline changes in synaptic transmission in 3AKO and WT mice in SST-INs and projection neurons (PNs). Through whole-cell patch clamp, we show that PNs are more excitable at baseline in 3AKO than their WT counterparts, however SST-INs are not. These data suggest that SST-INs do not directly synapse onto PNs but are rather disinhibiting other GABAergic interneurons.

Physiological stress is widely hypothesized to influence immune function and disease susceptibility in a variety of systems, yet empirically testing this relationship remains limited in free-ranging wildlife. The Sin Nombre virus (SNV) – Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) system provides a natural framework for exploring how host physiology relates to infection status under ecologically relevant conditions. In this study, we assessed variation in physiological stress, immune metrics, and condition among wild-caught deer mice sampled across multiple sites in Western Montana. We quantified stress and condition using circulating corticosterone responses to a standardized suppression challenge, hematocrit, white blood cell profiles, and biometric measurements to explore their relationship with SNV infection status. Using these data, we explore whether physiological indicators differ between infected and uninfected individuals, and whether these relationships vary across sites. Across the study period, SNV prevalence was 13.5%, and stress-regulation phenotypes differed among hosts. Females – particularly lactating females – more frequently exhibited altered stress regulation. By integrating endocrine and immune data, this work aims to characterize how individual-level physiological variation may be associated with SNV infection patterns in natural populations.

An 18-year-old, male football player presented to urgent care with erythema and edema from his calf down to his right foot, with large hemorrhagic bullae on his anterior mid foot and an abrasion to the medial right hallux. Upon admission to the emergency department, the patient was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and was treated for the condition. The patient underwent three surgical irrigation and debridement’s, was placed on broad-spectrum antibiotics until cultures were confirmed for a tailored approach, and received a skin graft from his anterior lateral thigh. This case involved a multidisciplinary team including trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants, plastic surgeons, and athletic trainers for the athlete’s treatment and return to play progression back to football.

As AI technologies have rapidly emerged over the past few years, conversations about their implementation in education have been at the forefront; given this, it’s important to consider student experience. The goal of this study was to elicit perspectives of students in relation to their experience with an AI-powered instructional tool called Packback, which was used for online class discussions. Through various features, Packback provides users with real-time AI-generated feedback on their work. The participants in this study were graduate level SLP students who at the end of the semester were able to share their thoughts about the tool through a Qualtrics survey. Of the features available, respondents most used credibility and convention. When first using Packback students were hesitant, but gained confidence in their use of the tool as time went on. Some students grew to like the app as they became familiar with it, but many did not find it to be a preferable tool for the purposes of class discussion. As it pertains to the writing process within Packback, many students expressed frustration due to internal issues the tool has. When discussing changes in their writing, some listed word choice and grammar as having been impacted. Many praised the tool for making the experience of online discussion boards more dynamic. However, many expressed discomfort at the idea of using an AI tool in a graduate level course; discussing issues with AI, lack of instructor oversight, and feeling like the discussion posts were busy work.  The study here contributes to the growing literature of AI-tool use in the education sector. Seeking out the opinions of students allows us to: understand what issues may still plague AI tools, identify how their entrance into the classroom affects student experience, and learn how to properly implement them.

Stroke is a leading cause of global disability, with approximately 94 million people living with the effects of stroke worldwide, impacting over 2.5 million individuals annually (Feigin et al., 2025). Stroke-related motor and communication deficits often co-occur, increasing challenges for recovery and increasing social isolation, depression, and dependency (Mitchell et al., 2021). Hippotherapy, the therapeutic use of equine movement, has emerged as a novel treatment approach for neurorehabilitation; however, its integration within interprofessional stroke rehabilitation targeting motor and communication impairments is limited (Koca, 2016; Viruega et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of an interprofessional intervention incorporating equine movement as a treatment tool for adults with post-stroke aphasia.

This single-group prospective feasibility pilot included three adults with chronic aphasia who participated in interprofessional speech-language and physical therapy using hippotherapy (2x/week for 4 weeks; 8 sessions). Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, attendance, outcome completion, and provider participation. Fidelity was evaluated via structured video-based coding. Acceptability was measured using session-level participant satisfaction measures.

All feasibility benchmarks were met including 100% retention and outcome completion, 87.5% session attendance, and 93.11% overall treatment fidelity. Acceptability was high, with near-ceiling satisfaction and engagement ratings across participants. All outcome measures were administered successfully with no missing data. The protocol was implemented safely and consistently within the equine environment.

This study is among the first to examine an interprofessional speech-language pathology and physical therapy model targeting both communication and motor recovery integrating hippotherapy as a treatment tool for post-stroke aphasia recovery. Findings demonstrate this model is feasible, acceptable, and deliverable with high fidelity. Importantly, this study generated critical methodological and implementation guidance informing the design of a fully funded two-year randomized controlled trial with participant recruitment underway and intervention initiation planned for summer 2026.

Background: Traumatic nerve injuries occur at a rate of approximately 350,000 cases per year, with 74% affecting males; only 2.4% are sport related. In athletics, acute peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) usually result from compressive forces, stretching, traction, or lacerations and are most common in high-contact sports. Although PNIs are uncommon, 71.3% of nerve injuries in high school sports occur in football, with nearly half of affected athletes missing about one week of participation.

Patient: A 16-year-old male varsity football player was evaluated on the sideline after hyperextending his right knee while twisting his upper body. He reported severe pain and inability to move his leg. Evaluation revealed sensory deficits along the lateral lower leg and pain with passive movement. Further assessment demonstrated decreased strength and motor function in the right leg.

Intervention or Treatment: The athlete was placed in a knee immobilizer and transported to the emergency department for imaging. MRI revealed a right knee hyperextension injury with a neuropraxic stretch injury caused by edema surrounding the tibia and common fibular (peroneal) nerves. Rehabilitation followed three phases: Phase 1 (Days 1–4) focused on rest and pain management; Phase 2 (Days 5–10) emphasized quadriceps and hamstring strengthening and knee range of motion; Phase 3 (Days 11–14) focused on return-to-sport activities with functional and position-specific drills. No modalities were used.

Outcomes: Full sensation returned by day 9 post-injury. The athlete returned to practice on day 10 and game play at two weeks post-injury, completing the season without complications.

Conclusion and Clinical Bottom Line: Neuropraxic injuries are typically managed conservatively and have an excellent prognosis. Although PNIs account for approximately 0.5% of sports injuries, they are often underrecognized. Early identification and appropriate management are essential to optimize outcomes and improve awareness.

To understand if children of LGBTQ+ parents experience minority stress, this narrative review integrates minority stress theory with empirical research on LGBTQ+ parent families. To this end, I will illustrate the history of LGBTQ+ parent family research, outline emerging frameworks for understanding the impact of minority stress on the family unit, and examine outcomes research on children of LGBTQ+ parents. Researchers have indicated that children of LGBTQ+ parents may experience discrimination due to their familial status; however, little is known about the extent to which children of LGBTQ+ families experience minority stress, or about nuanced protective and risk factors that shape children’s well-being. Existing research on LGBTQ+ parent families rarely considers how minority stress processes targeting the family may impact child outcomes, including psychopathology. To address this gap, I conclude by proposing conceptual directions for research assessing experiences of minority stress among children from LGBTQ+ headed families.

Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in Collegiate Football Players Following Concussion

Context: Concussions are among the most common injuries in collegiate football, with the sport demonstrating one of the highest concussion incidence rates (6.71 per 10,000 athlete exposures). Following a concussion, athletes may experience lingering neurophysiological impairments that affect neuromuscular control, balance, postural stability, reaction time, and cognitive-motor integration. Although athletes may report symptom resolution, growing evidence suggests that these deficits can persist beyond clinical recovery. Such impairments may alter movement patterns and delay muscular responses, increasing the risk of subsequent musculoskeletal injury. Athletes with a history of concussion have been shown to demonstrate altered gait mechanics and decreased postural control, factors that may elevate injury risk, particularly in the lower extremities. Understanding the relationship between concussion and subsequent musculoskeletal injury is essential for improving post-concussion management and injury prevention strategies in collegiate football. Therefore, this review aims to synthesize current literature examining the association between concussion history and musculoskeletal injury risk in collegiate football players.

Methods: A PubMed search from October 2025 excluded pre-2015 articles. Using five search term combinations related to concussion, neuromuscular control, balance deficits, and injury risk, 105 articles were initially identified. After removing duplicates and irrelevant studies, 92 abstracts were screened, leading to 17 full-text reviews, with four meeting criteria. One additional article was found via references.

Results: Athletes with concussion history had higher rates of lower extremity injuries than non-concussed or differently injured athletes, especially within 90 days after returning to sport.

Conclusions: Collegiate football players with concussions face higher risk of lower extremity injuries after returning, even beyond symptom resolution. This highlights the need for better post-concussion rehab and return-to-play protocols.

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Across U.S. history, sexual regulation has operated as a powerful tool for producing racial hierarchy, defining moral boundaries, and legitimating punishment. From the colonial construction of Indigenous “savagery” to the hypersexualization of Black Americans under slavery and Jim Crow, sexual deviance has repeatedly been mobilized to justify surveillance, punishment, and racial terror. This project argues that the contemporary sex offender registry, widely understood as a neutral mechanism of public safety, is best understood as a modern extension of long-standing racialized narratives that link sexuality, danger, and exclusion.

The purpose of this study is to examine how offender race and age, alongside offense severity, relationship to the victim, and victim age, shape public perceptions of punishment, rehabilitation, and social exclusion. Drawing on theories of group position, racial threat, and retributive impulses, the project investigates how moral emotions such as fear, disgust, and the desire for symbolic purification continue to structure punitive judgment today. This study employs a nationally representative survey experiment conducted through YouGov where respondents evaluate paired hypothetical male sex offenders who vary across experimentally manipulated characteristics. Participants allocate prison sentences, assess rehabilitative potential, and indicate comfort with social proximity, allowing for causal identification of how racialized and contextual cues shape punitive decision-making.

This project is original in its integration of historical analysis of racialized sexual mythmaking with experimental methods typically divorced from sociohistorical inquiry. By operationalizing centuries-old racial-sexual narratives within a contemporary survey experiment, the study bridges a critical gap between theory and empirical research. The project challenges the assumption that punishment is a rational response to risk, revealing how the American state continues to define safety, citizenship, and belonging through the regulation of racialized sexuality.

Baseball is a sport that places a high repetitive load on the shoulder and elbow complex. Injuries to baseball throwers are commonly seen, which can lead to a loss of playing time. Mechanical stress may contribute to altered shoulder function over time, underscoring the importance of understanding the biomechanics of throwing and identifying risk factors that could influence long-term shoulder injury risk. Understanding whether scapular dyskinesis directly influences the risk factor or injury rates in baseball players can help develop effective screening, prevention, throwing programs, and rehabilitation strategies to lower the incidence of injuries. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between scapular dyskinesis and upper extremity injury in baseball players.

Methods:  PubMed and PEDro databases were accessed to locate articles for this systematic review beginning in October 2025. To ensure research was conducted recently, articles were limited to a publication year no older than 2005. In total, a combination of four search terms was used: scapular dyskinesis and baseball, scapular dyskinesis and baseball and injury, scapular dyskinesis and baseball and muscle, and scapular dyskinesis and baseball and treatment. We identified 87 articles in PubMed and 0 in the PEDro database. Articles that were duplicated did not fit within the criteria, and those with titles that did not pertain to scapular dyskinesis were removed, which left 35 articles. Each of the remaining articles underwent an abstract review where a narrower focus on injury type, participants, and scapular dyskinesis was applied, which left 9 full-text articles. Upon more intensive examination, only 3 of these articles met all criteria and contained relevant research content. After reviewing the bibliographies of these articles, one additional article was identified.

Results: Four articles were included in the review, combining an identified 235 baseball players with an average age of 21. Variables examined included glenohumeral internal and external rotation, posterior and anterior tilt, scapular upward and downward rotation, and injuries identified within the studies. Players with scapular dyskinesis demonstrated increased glenohumeral anterior force associated with greater external rotation of the glenohumeral joint and insufficient posterior tilt of the scapula.

Conclusions:  Proper scapular movement is critical in maintaining a healthy shoulder complex, particularly for long-term playing careers. Scapular dyskinesis can disrupt the kinetic chain and increase mechanical stress within the shoulder and the elbow, especially in athletes who perform repetitive motions. Players that exhibit greater anteriorly directed glenohumeral forces during throwing, places increased mechanical demand in the shoulder. Scapular dyskinesis disrupts coordinated scapulohumeral movement, potentially leading to tissue overload in the shoulder and elbow.

Background: World-wide, stroke is the leading cause of acquired physical disability in adults and is the second leading cause of mortality in middle-to-high income countries, with an overall incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke at 85-94 per 100,000. About 10-15% of all strokes occur in adults aged 25-49 years, with approximately 85% of all strokes being ischemic.

Patient:  A 20-year-old male hockey player presented with facial tingling and balance difficulty. The patient woke up after a nap with a headache and tingling on the left side of his face. First responders noted the patient had left facial droop and difficulty with speech.  Given the patient’s age, stroke was felt to be unlikely and suspected complex migraine or early left facial Bell’s palsy.

Intervention or Treatment: Acute right thalamic stroke extending into the right midbrain was found on brain MRI. A paradoxical embolism was found through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) on echocardiogram. He was provided anticoagulant therapy on discharge with follow up laboratory testing ordered. A cardiology referral was made for consideration of PFO closure, as well as a referral for outpatient physical therapy and a follow up visit in the stroke clinic.

Conclusions: Patent foramen ovale is a common congenital intracardiac condition that occurs in 15-35% of healthy adults. It should always be suspected when there is an embolic event with no identifiable source. Closure of PFO has been deemed to be safe and beneficial for those who participate in sports compared to sedentary individuals.

Clinical Bottom Line: Diagnosis of a stroke requires substantial imaging and diagnostic lab work to confirm presence of a PFO. Non-closure of PFO increases risk of future paradoxical embolisms and transient ischemic attacks, however, more research is needed in elite endurance athletes whose cardiac physiology has adapted to meet higher demands in sport.

Objective: Rowing is an endurance sport requiring athletes to optimally fuel their bodies to be able to perform at their highest capacity.  Coupled high stress activity with nutrient deficiency can lead to increased risk of injury and illness. The combination of low energy deficit, menstrual dysfunction, and altered bone mineral density is known as female athlete triad.  Any singular part of the triad can affect performance, but all three can lead to drastic performance deficits for athletes. The purpose of this study was to explore risk factors leading to diagnosis of female athlete triad in female rowers.

Data sources:  PubMed and Cochrane library were used and searched by using 6 different search terms including: rowers AND female athlete triad; crew athletes AND female athlete triad; female athlete triad AND collegiate rowers; rowers AND nutritional deficiency; lightweight rowers AND female athlete triad. 21 articles were retrieved.

Study Selection: Studies included for review examined at least one part of the female athlete triad and included female rowers was written in English and full text was available online.

Data extraction: Articles were eliminated if they did not include female rowers, female athlete triad or were duplicates. This left 8 articles for abstract review. Upon further review of full text articles 5 articles remained for analysis.

Data synthesis: Analysis of age, weight, body mass index (BMI), open weight or lightweight rower, reported stress fractures, iron deficiency, menstrual disorders, disordered eating, and years rowing was conducted. 280 rowers with an average age of 21.9 years, body mass index of 23.1 were included for analysis.

Conclusion: Lightweight rowers appear to be more at risk for one or more conditions identified in the female athlete triad.  Pre-participation examinations for female rowers should include screenings for disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction and osteoporosis on a yearly basis.

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Load carriage transiently stimulates bone metabolism biomarkers, but impact by sex is unclear. Males (M) generally exhibit higher circulating bone metabolism biomarkers than females (F). Sclerostin (SOST) inhibits a key formation pathway. Human procollagen type 1 N-terminal propetide (P1NP) is a formation byproduct. C-Terminal Telopeptide of Type 1 Collagen (CTX1) is a resorption byproduct.

PURPOSE: Investigate sex differences in bone metabolism following 5 days of load carriage.

METHODS:  12M (29±9 y, 54.6±8.2 mL∙kg^-1∙min^-1) and 20F (27±5 y, 43.4±4.9 mL∙kg^-1∙min^-1) completed the protocol. Each day consisted of two 1-hour ascents separated by a 15-minute rest. Ascents were paced at 70% of age-predicted heart rate max (121±8 bpm), descents were self-paced. Packs weighed 30% of lean body mass determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (M 19.1±3.0 kg and F 12.8±1.6 kg). Blood was sampled before and after the intervention for biomarker analysis.

RESULTS: SOST overall was higher in M (12.8±4.0 pg∙mL^-1) than F (8.3±4.3 pg∙mL^-1, p=0.005). There was no change in SOST for either sex (p>0.05) from pre–post hike. CTX1 overall was lower in M (270.8±196.0 pg∙mL^-1) than F (517.8±315.7 pg∙mL^-1, p=0.016). There was no change in CTX1 for either sex (p>0.05) from pre–post hike. P1NP was higher in M (pre- 50.2±15.6 ng∙mL^-1, post- 44.4±10.7 ng∙mL^-1) than F (pre- 23.1±12.9 ng∙mL^-1, post- 24.4±14.5 ng∙mL^-1, p< 0.001) across timepoints. P1NP decreased from pre–post hike in M (p=0.022) with no change in F (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Biomarkers indicate bone metabolism may vary by sex following daily load carriage. Total bone metabolism in M appears higher than F, but less resilient to daily load carriage. Breakdown itself appears resilient to load carriage between sexes. While reduced formation in M, but not F, may indicate a shift toward net breakdown after daily load carriage. Indicating daily load carriage may weaken bone in M but not F.

Background

The rapid increase in female participation in sport has led to significant improvements in athletic performance and opportunity but has also increased exposure to sport-related musculoskeletal injuries, particularly non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. While anatomical and biomechanical factors have traditionally been emphasized, growing evidence suggests that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle may also influence ACL injury risk. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the role of hormones in the incidence of non-contact ACL injuries in female athletes.

Methods

A systematic search of the PubMed and PEDro databases was conducted, including articles published from 2010 onward. Four search term combinations were used: ACL tears AND hormones; ACL tears AND hormones AND female athlete; ACL tears AND menstrual cycle AND female athletes; and ACL tears AND menstrual cycle AND female athlete AND hormones. Of the 109 articles identified, duplicates and irrelevant studies were removed, leaving 52 articles for abstract review. Eighteen studies underwent further screening, and 9 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Six studies met all inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis.

Results

The six included studies involved a total of 165 female participants. All studies measured serum relaxin levels and reported associations with increased ligamentous laxity. Five studies examined hormonal contraceptive use, suggesting that contraceptives may stabilize relaxin levels and reduce ligament laxity. Sport-specific findings were reported but varied across studies.

Conclusions

Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, particularly increases in relaxin, appear to contribute to an elevated risk of non-contact ACL injuries in female athletes by increasing ligamentous laxity. These findings emphasize the importance of considering hormonal factors in ACL injury prevention strategies.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are significant negative exposures that strongly influence adult behavioral, physical, and mental health. ACEs disrupt emotional, cognitive, social, and physiological functioning, shaping developmental trajectories across the lifespan.

This study’s purpose is to examine how ACEs drive progressive, intergenerational patterns of harm that can lead to substance misuse, mental health challenges, and eventual involvement with the criminal legal system, including adult incarceration. The US prevalence of ACEs and the social and economic costs associated with their long-term impacts are explored. The analysis identifies pathways linking specific ACEs to distinct criminalized behaviors, highlighting how early adversity increases the likelihood of justice-system involvement. An overview of state-level ACEs legislative efforts and policies to strengthen advocacy is provided. Successful interventions mitigating long-term effects of ACEs on incarceration are identified. The study concludes by outlining evidence-based avenues for future research. This research design is a literature review of available information from 1990 to 2025.

This project carries significant broad impacts for students, the university, and society. By advancing a deeper understanding of ACEs as a preventable public health and social systems issue, it supports efforts to design more equitable, trauma-informed environments. The findings could inform state policy, strengthen community-based prevention initiatives, and drive future research. This could contribute to long-term reductions in violence, incarceration, health disparities, and intergenerational adversity.

The project builds upon the university’s role as a leader in research that can be applied to real world situations, creating evidence-based systems change. The research is broadly applicable to numerous disciplines, including public health, social work, psychology, administration, education, and law. It provides knowledge for designing interventions at individual, relational, organizational, and structural levels. This project enhanced my professional development by deepening my expertise of ACEs and systems-level analysis. It strengthened skills in conceptual synthesis, policy translation, and community-engaged scholarship.

Among the highest empirically reported doubly labeled water (DLW) derived total energy expenditure (TEE) and water turnover (rH2O) values occur during 161km (100-mile) ultra-endurance events. TEE and rH2O of ultra-endurance events surpassing 161km present an anomalous physiological stressor to further detail human endurance limits. PURPOSE: To quantify TEE and rH2O during a multi-day ultra-endurance event. METHODS: Two runners (female [R1], male [R2]) completed 322 km following DLW (2H218O) consumption. Urinary isotopic elimination rates were used to calculate TEE and rH2O. Race-provided GPS monitors measured duration, moving time, and non-activity time. RESULTS: R1 finished in 73.6h (50.3h moving, 23.3h resting) at an overall average speed of 1.3 m·s-1. In-race TEE for R1 was 123.9 MJ (29,376 kcals) and 35.5 MJ·d-1 (8,408 kcals·d-1, 5.6x basal metabolic rate [BMR]) when expressed as a 24h rate. In-race rH2O for R1 was 35.21 L (10.08 L.d-1). R2 finished in 89.9h (43.0h moving, 46.9h resting) at an overall average speed of 1.0 m·s-1. In-race TEE for R2 was 164.2 MJ (38,909 kcals) and 41.1 MJ·d-1 (9,737 kcals·d-1, 5.0x BMR) when expressed as a 24h rate. In-race rH2O for R2 was 47.50 L (11.89 L.d-1). CONCLUSIONS: Multi-day ultra-endurance events are an exceptional feat of human endurance as evidenced by large overall TEE and rH2O. However, the non-activity time (non-ambulation, sleep) inherent to multi-day ultra-endurance events may dilute 24h TEE when compared to 161km distances. Though elevated, rH2O may vary by environmental conditions. Thus, the metabolic ceiling of sustained human endurance will depend on event and conditions specifics.

Introduction. Evaluating the impacts and outcomes of interventions is a priority in the field of public health. However, participatory evaluation approaches, especially those able to demonstrate impacts of community-based interventions (which are often complex and intended to address multiple social ecological levels of change), are scarce. Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) is a novel participatory qualitative evaluation method that can be used for this purpose. This presentation describes the application of REM to evaluate impacts of a fall prevention intervention within the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Health Department. Methods. This evaluation took place within an ongoing community-based participatory research collaboration between CSKT Health and the University of Montana. The REM evaluation was conducted in-person, using the standard process of (1) Appreciate Inquiry; (2) Reporting; (3) Interactive Group Reflection; and (4) Mind Mapping. Results. Participants (N=12) were CSKT Health personnel and UM research support staff. Participants completed REM steps 1-4 during a two-hour session, and yielded eight primary areas of change across multiple social-ecological levels (e.g., age friendly spaces, social connectedness, community organization collaboration, knowledge sharing). Findings also included 12 sub-themes, connected to 38 unique outcomes. At completion, a visually displayed concept map of impacts, evidence, and relationships between impacts and outcomes was yielded.  Conclusion. REM is a promising, accessible, and economical tool to disseminate and make visible the multiple impacts of community-based interventions.

Valgus Extension Overload Injury in a Professional Baseball Pitcher: A Case Report

Walsh, R, Moody, VJ, University of Montana

Background: Baseball has one of the highest incidences of injury to the elbow as it is most vulnerable during the late cocking phase of throwing. Throwing creates an abutment of the olecranon into the olecranon fossa, leading to valgus extension overload (VEO).  These stresses cause a tensile force upon the elbow, which may lead to cartilaginous degeneration, loose bodies, and many other pathologies.

Patient:  A 22-year-old male professional league baseball pitcher, diagnosed with valgus extension overload, with associated triceps tendinopathy and stress reaction of the olecranon. Pain was associated with the end ranges of both elbow flexion and extension. The athlete was removed from play as evaluated by the athletic trainer. Imaging was obtained, and VEO was diagnosed and affirmed by both a PT and the physician.

Intervention or Treatment: Imaging included radiographs (x-ray), diagnostic ultrasound (DU), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These revealed a stress reaction of 5mm on the olecranon. Additionally, triceps tendinopathy was diagnosed, paired with the valgus extension overload. The athlete was withheld from throwing for 6 weeks for healing and to reduce stress on the elbow. Rehabilitation exercises were prescribed, and the shoulder and abdominal muscles were targeted. Then a 5-week-long throwing progression occurred, and the athlete returned to one inning pitched.

Outcomes: This athlete was able to return to a live at-bat situation 10 weeks after the injury date and was able to reach speeds within 10 mph of his peak velocity prior to injury. The athlete was able to return to maximal effort from the mound with little to no discomfort.

Clinical Bottom Line: Many overhead athletes are at risk for this type of injury, and it’s important to have the right precautions taken so that further injury does not occur. Appropriate imaging and rest for healing, and being able to have a strong return to sport.

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