University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

As herbicide resistance continues to render commonly used rice herbicides ineffective, alternative sites of action are paramount to maintaining yield and producer profitability. Combining a slow-release formulation and a fenclorim seed treatment might allow the safe use of S -metolachlor in rice. Experiments were initiated in 2022 and 2023 near Colt, AR, on a silt loam soil to evaluate crop safety using a capsule suspension (CS) formulation of S -metolachlor and a fenclorim seed treatment in rice. The first experiment assessed the tolerance of two cultivars (Diamond and DG263L) to three rates (0.42, 0.84, 1.68 kg ai ha ⁻¹ ) of a CS S -metolachlor at a delayed preemergence (DPRE) application timing in conjunction with a fenclorim seed treatment. The second experiment evaluated a 1- to 2-leaf (EPOST) application of a CS S -metolachlor at 0.56 and 1.12 kg ai ha ⁻¹ to fenclorim-treated rice. Fenclorim reduced injury and partially protected rice yield when S -metolachlor was applied DPRE at 1.68 kg ai ha ⁻¹ in both years. However, in one year under adverse conditions, rice yields were only 65% and 66% of the nontreated control for fenclorim-treated Diamond and DG263L, respectively. An EPOST application of S -metolachlor at 1.12 kg ai ha ⁻¹ resulted in 44 to 51% visible injury 35 d after treatment. Relative rice yields were 88% and 89% of the nontreated weed-free treatment in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Fenclorim provided enhanced crop safety at both the 0.84 and 1.68 kg ai ha ⁻¹ rates of S -metolachlor. However, the potential for reduced yield can occur when unfavorable conditions occur soon after application. An EPOST application timing of CS S -metolachlor at 0.56 kg ai ha ⁻¹ may be a viable option in rice, but 1.12 kg ai ha ⁻¹ is too high on a silt loam soil, resulting in significant rice injury.

Alloying germanium with tin offers a means to modulate germanium's electronic structure, enabling a greater degree of control over quantum properties such as the retention of the phase or spin of the electron wave. However, the extent to which the presence of high dopant concentrations in GeSn alters these quantum behaviors is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of dopant concentrations on phase coherence through measurements of the weak antilocalization (WAL) effect at temperatures between 30 mK and 10 K in p-GeSn (8%) thin films, which were doped to a series of carrier densities on the order of 10 12 c m − 2. Phase coherence and spin–orbit lengths were extracted from the magnetoconductivities using the 2D Hikami–Larkin–Nagaoka model. Phase coherence lengths peaked at 577, 593, and 737 nm for the low-, mid-, and high-density samples, while upper limits on the spin–orbit lengths of less than 25 nm were relatively independent of carrier density and temperature. The phase coherence lengths increased as the temperature decreased but changed only minimally with carrier density, contrary to common models of temperature-dependent inelastic scattering. Saturation of the phase coherence lengths occurred below 600 mK. Based on these findings, intrinsically generated inelastic scattering mechanisms such as two-level systems or impurity band scattering likely contribute to phase decoherence in these alloys. Our results provide insight into the inelastic scattering mechanisms of GeSn, while suggesting a need for further investigation into phase decoherence mechanisms in doped group-IV alloys.

Digital devices are an ubiquitous part of children’s lives and parents often struggle with how best to support their children growing up in a digital world. This chapter highlights the main conceptualizations of parenting of children and adolescents’ media use, summarizes the current patterns of findings, identifies gaps in the extant research literature, and offers suggestions for supporting both youth’s and parents’ healthy media use. Caregivers have a critical role in supporting children’s and teens’ optimal development, and media provide another context in which parenting is important—from open lines of communication and clear and consistent rules to healthful modeling of media use.

Background The Stay Independent Brochure (SIB) is part of the CDC’s STEADI initiative and is a fall risk screening self-report tool. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Arabic version of the SIB (AR-SIB) and evaluate its psychometric properties among community-dwelling older adults. Methods The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process followed standard guidelines, including forward and backward translation, expert committee review, and pretesting to ensure semantic and conceptual equivalence, clarity, and cultural relevance of the Arabic version of the SIB. Internal consistency was assessed using the Kuder-Richardson formula (KR-20), and test–retest reliability was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1). Convergent validity of the AR-SIB was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (rs) with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and point-biserial correlation coefficients (rpb) with the three key questions. Floor and ceiling effects and the operating characteristic (ROC) curve were also calculated. Results A total of 104 community-dwelling older adults participated in the study. The majority of participants were female (52.9%) and had a mean age of 63.77 ± 4.74 years. The AR-SIB demonstrated good internal consistency with an overall KR-20 of 0.73 and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.96). The AR-SIB showed moderate correlations with the TUG (rs = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.64) and the BBS (rs = -0.56, 95% CI: -0.69 to -0.41), and a high correlation with the three key questions (rpb = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.82). No floor or ceiling effects were observed. The cutoff point of the AR-SIB was determined to be 4.5. Conclusions The AR-SIB is a reliable and valid tool to discriminate falls and screen for fall risk among Arabic-speaking community-dwelling older adults. The AR-SIB can facilitate the implementation of evidence-based fall prevention initiatives tailored to Arabic-speaking older adults.

Objectives This study aims to determine the progression rate, risk factors and timeline for the progression from exposure to active tuberculosis (TB) in a high-risk population. Using a prospective cohort in the Republic of Moldova, we investigated pulmonary TB disease progression among close contacts of patients with TB in a low-burden country with high rates of drug-resistant TB. Methods Close contacts of patients with newly diagnosed TB were recruited and monitored to evaluate for progression rates to active TB. Data collected included demographic information, medical and exposure history, and clinical samples. Follow-up clinical evaluations of close contacts were conducted at regular intervals over at least 24 months to monitor for progression to TB disease. Results The overall incidence rate of TB disease among close contacts was 3.7%. Among the close contacts, 2.3% were identified as progressor cases, developing TB disease more than 30 days after index case treatment initiation. Thirteen (1.3%) were co-prevalent cases, diagnosed within 30 days of index case treatment initiation. Identified risk factors for progression included male sex, active tobacco use, prior TB infection, and frequent, prolonged exposure to index cases. Close contacts with daily exposure of more than eight hours had a significantly higher risk of disease progression (adjusted OR: 4.28, 95% CI: 1.79–10.23). Conclusion The incidence of TB disease among close contacts was consistent with global findings, highlighting the need for enhanced diagnostic tools and targeted interventions to manage TB transmission and progression. These results underscore the importance of contact tracing and progression monitoring in low-burden, high drug-resistant TB settings. Future research should focus on developing a better understanding of factors contributing to the risk for and timeline of TB disease progression, and more precise methods, including biomarkers, to identify individuals at the highest risk for progression from TB exposure to active disease.

Despite continuous discussions on Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) ethics in academia, limited studies examine the perceptions of students or the application of ChatGPT with non-traditional students. We report an exploratory single case of a two-week orientation offered to non-traditional students entering online bachelor’s degree programs. Students that participated in the orientation course completed a survey and a “short research-based reflection paper” using the pre-developed prompt discussing the relationship between academic dishonesty and workplace ethics including the ethical use of Gen AI. Based on open coding of 63 selected essays, we identified four major themes in student reflections on the ethical use of Gen AI: (1) threats to integrity and the learning process; (2) benefits and efficiency; (3) perceived inevitability of Gen AI; and (4) shared responsibility to govern the ethical use of Gen AI in academic life. The purpose of this study was to provide insights to researchers and practitioners in higher education on designing writing activities that can alleviate threats to academic integrity while promoting benefits of Gen AI into the classroom and workplace.

Ancient Native American ancestors (Clovis) have been interpreted as either specialized megafauna hunters or generalist foragers. Supporting data are typically indirect (toolkits, associated fauna) or speculative (models, actualistic experiments). Here, we present stable isotope analyses of the only known Clovis individual, the 18-month-old Anzick child, to directly infer maternal protein diet. Using comparative fauna from this region and period, we find that mammoth was the largest contributor to Clovis diet, followed by elk and bison/camel, while the contribution of small mammals was negligible, broadly consistent with the Clovis zooarchaeological record. When compared with second-order consumers, the Anzick-1 maternal diet is closest to that of scimitar cat, a mammoth specialist. Our findings are consistent with the Clovis megafaunal specialist model, using sophisticated technology and high residential mobility to subsist on the highest ranked prey, an adaptation allowing them to rapidly expand across the Americas south of the Pleistocene ice sheets.

Salmonella serotypes Enteritidis (SE) and Typhimurium are thought to be the most significant serovars in terms of human infections, having the most effects on public health. In addition, chicken products continue to be the main source of illness for humans. The global chicken supply is getting increasingly interconnected, and the infection of SE is spreading globally as a result of breeding stocks that are contaminated being traded internationally. In addition to foodborne transmission, cross-contamination in kitchens or food processing areas and intimate contact with animals or habitats that are contaminated can also transmit SE. The poultry industry has been under constant pressure to reduce or stop using antibiotics in production for more than a decade due to concerns about food safety (including antibiotic resistance and consumer expectations) and the actual effects of pathogen contamination on food safety. Essential oils are well-known for being organic, odorous, volatile substances with potential medicinal benefits that have attracted a lot of interest from scientists, particularly in the chicken sector. This chapter explains Salmonella ser. Enteritidis as a unique foodborne pathogen, provides updates on the use of essential oils as natural antibiotic substitutes in the poultry industry, and discusses the use of Lippia origanoides to lessen the effects of SE in broiler chickens. This plant exhibits a wide range of chemotypes, with the majority having distinct essential oil compositions. Furthermore, it produces essential oils with a wide range of chemical compositions, including the so-called chemotypes of thymol and carvacrol. It is an alternate method of controlling SE in poultry production.

In recent years, the global poultry industry has faced unprecedented challenges in maintaining the health and productivity of poultry flocks, compounded by the escalating concerns surrounding the widespread use of antibiotics. As the industry strives to address these challenges, an innovative and promising alternative has emerged: the use of bacteriophages. This chapter delves into the pivotal role of bacteriophages as a groundbreaking alternative to antibiotics in the poultry industry, exploring their potential to revolutionize disease management, enhance biosecurity, and safeguard both animal and human health. With growing apprehensions regarding antibiotic resistance and its far-reaching implications for public health, there is an urgent need for sustainable and effective alternatives. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically target and infect bacteria, offering a precise and targeted approach to combating bacterial infections in poultry. This chapter sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of the science behind bacteriophages, their mechanisms of action, the potential benefits they bring to the poultry farming landscape, and unfolds the historical context of antibiotic use in the poultry industry, shedding light on the factors that have fuelled the quest for alternative strategies. The focus will then shift to the fundamental characteristics of bacteriophages, illustrating how these viral predators can be harnessed to control bacterial pathogens in poultry production. Furthermore, the chapter will examine key studies and advancements in the field, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and application of bacteriophages in poultry farming.

The demand for biotics as alternatives to antibiotics that promote growth and lessen the use of antimicrobials in poultry farms is fueled by recent worldwide regulations and consumer expectations. Phytogenic substances are becoming increasingly valuable options because many of these natural compounds possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are only less commercialized. The usage of phytogenic substances can also help maintain a balance of healthy microorganisms in the gut, which is beneficial for the digestive system to withstand various chronic stressors, both infectious and non-infectious. Although some phytogenic substances are commercially available, these are typically hampered by inconsistencies in their effectiveness, low bioavailability, and low stability. This chapter discusses the current and potential phytogenic compounds that can exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to improve poultry production and restore intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the main challenges still related to phytogenic products will be discussed.

Maintaining gut health is essential to reduce disease incidence and improve production performance. This chapter focuses on how to enhance production by maintaining intestinal health in chickens. Several components, such as goblet cells, mucin, tight junctions, enterocytes, and Paneth cells, play a significant role in maintaining gut health. They work together to maximize the utilization and acquisition of dietary nutrients, ultimately leading to improved performance. Moreover, this chapter provides insights into the various aspects which is a crucial factor affecting their performance in the field. Moreover, the potential markers to assess gut health will be discussed.

The gut microbiota, a hidden metabolic organ, is the immune system’s largest and most complex part. It is vital to maintaining the host organisms’ health. The gut microbial community comprises hundreds of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, and bacteriophages. Generally, the predominant bacterial phyla in chickens include Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. However, each gut compartment may be a distinct ecosystem for specific microbiota. Additionally, various factors such as animal species, breed, age, nutrition, environment, stocking density, stress, and medication can all influence the delicate composition of gut microbiota. Maintaining animal health and enhancing animal performance requires a focus on microbiota, which provides a mutually beneficial and dynamic interaction. This review focuses on the dynamics and functions of the gut microbiota in chickens.

Stress can trigger inflammation and provoke adverse reactions. In poultry, chronic stress may be caused by various causes, including dysbiosis. Heat stress, mycotoxins, and an oxidized diet can also reduce the animal’s performance and heighten its vulnerability to infections. Heat stress can disrupt gut–tight junctions and generate free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species, which results in increased intestinal permeability, endotoxemia, and systemic inflammation. Historically, the ban on using antibiotics as growth promoters is a practical employed to manage pathological conditions. This situation has prompted the necessity to explore alternative approaches to antimicrobials for the preservation of gut health. This review highlights the key elements that might cause chronic stress in poultry. Additionally, we shed light on the potential negative impacts on animal health and the link between chronic stress and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, which can threaten public health.

The poultry industry faces a critical challenge: antibiotic resistance. Once considered miraculous, antibiotics now breed resilient pathogens, endangering poultry health and global food security. Widespread antibiotic use has created resistant strains, threatening poultry and public health. Peptides, with diverse structures and functions, emerge as promising alternatives for sustainable poultry health. These small yet potent molecules offer a unique approach to disease control, targeting a broad spectrum of pathogens. As short amino acid chains, Peptides possess distinctive properties crucial for combating infectious agents. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) play a central role in defense mechanisms, disrupting microbial membranes. The transition to peptides signifies a paradigm shift in disease control, addressing threats from Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and viruses. Peptides exhibit multifaceted functionalities, tackling resistance concerns and preventing future strains. Peptides offer hope in crisis, with antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and wound-healing capabilities. Their comprehensive approach uniquely targets invaders, disrupting membranes, inhibiting processes, and orchestrating immune responses. This exploration unveils the potential of peptides in mitigating threats from antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Peptides as antibiotic alternatives promise effective and sustainable poultry health management, marking a crucial step toward resilient farming practices.

Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by certain fungi and pose a significant threat to human and animal health through contaminated food and feed. These toxins, primarily produced by Aspergillus, Claviceps, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria fungi, can cause acute or chronic illness. Despite the identification of more than 500 mycotoxins, six major groups (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, and patulin) pose the most significant food safety concerns due to their frequent occurrence. Mycotoxins weaken the immune system, making animals more susceptible to infections and diseases, ultimately impacting their health and performance. These toxins can cause a range of harmful effects, including damage to the liver (hepatotoxic), suppress the immune system (immunotoxic), cause genetic mutations (mutagenic), increase cancer risk (carcinogenic), and disrupt fetal development (teratogenic) in several animal species. Controlling mycotoxin contamination remains a significant global challenge. Even with the implementation of the best practices in agriculture, storage, and processing, their unpredictable presence and exceptional resistance to different treatments pose a permanent threat to food safety. Therefore, this chapter explores the latest advances in anti-mycotoxin strategies for poultry, focusing on innovative approaches to counteract mycotoxin contamination.

Prebiotics, such as inulin and mannan-oligosaccharides, have demonstrated promising outcomes. Prebiotics are non-digestible feed elements that are metabolized by intestinal microbiota members and promote the host’s health. Prebiotics are primarily used to modulate the gut microbiota in a way that benefits the host animal, offering benefits to the intestinal environment as well as the body as a whole. Positive gains in productive metrics, including body weight increase, feed conversion ratio, mortality index, and egg production, have been reported. Additionally, prebiotics have been shown to be successful in lowering the colonization of significant infections. Interestingly, prebiotics are less likely to have adverse effects on the host. In this chapter, we will discuss the main prebiotics used in poultry and their mechanism of action.

Probiotics are “live microbial feed additives that benefit the host by enhancing gut microbial balance” (eubiosis). Probiotics can be bacteria, fungi, or yeasts, and their use in poultry has progressively expanded over the years due to the rising demand for antibiotic alternatives. Although several microorganisms have been assessed to be used as probiotics, certain species can fulfill the assessment criteria such as (i) Resistance to the digestive system conditions (acid and bile), (ii) Ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and triggering pathogen displacement (competitive exclusion), (iii) Inhibition of the growth of potential pathogens by producing antimicrobial metabolites, and (iv) Modulation of the immune system. Indeed, probiotics increase nutrient utilization and performance and reduce foodborne pathogens. Several factors affect the extent, magnitude, and duration of probiotic efficacy, including bacterial species, GIT ecological niche occupancy, metabolic products, rearing conditions, the dose, the frequency of daily administration, timing of administration (before, during, and after a meal), method of delivery (fermented feed, orally via drinking water, in the feed), the viability of the probiotic bacteria, and the duration of administration (short term or longer term). In the present review, we shed light on the mechanism of action of probiotics and their use in poultry. Additionally, we highlight the main challenges and possibilities for overcoming breakdowns of probiotics application.

Weedy rice is a close relative of cultivated rice ( Oryza sativa ) that infests rice fields worldwide and drastically reduces yields. To combat this agricultural pest, rice farmers in the southern US began to grow herbicide‐resistant (HR) rice cultivars in the early 2000s, which permitted the application of herbicides that selectively targeted weedy rice without harming the crop. The widespread adoption of HR rice coincided with increased reliance on hybrid rice cultivars in place of traditional inbred varieties. Although both cultivated and weedy rice are predominantly self‐fertilising, the combined introductions of HR and hybrid rice dramatically altered the opportunities and selective pressure for crop‐weed hybridization and adaptive introgression. In this study, we generated genotyping‐by‐sequencing data for 178 weedy rice samples collected from across the rice growing region of the southern US; these were analysed together with previously published rice and weedy rice genome sequences to determine the recent genomic and population genetic consequences of adaptive introgression and selection for herbicide resistance in US weedy rice populations. We find a reshaped geographical structure of southern US weedy rice as well as purging of crop‐derived alleles in some weed strains of crop‐weed hybrid origin. Furthermore, we uncover evidence that related weedy rice strains have made use of different genetic mechanisms to respond to selection. Lastly, we identify widespread presence of HR alleles in both hybrid‐derived and nonadmixed samples, which further supports an overall picture of weedy rice evolution and adaptation through diverse genetic mechanisms.