Florida Southern College

The increased presence of Branta canadensis (Canada Geese) in recreational and agricultural spaces has become a human health and veterinary concern since they can vector human and animal pathogens. The goal of this study was to survey Canada Geese in Shelby County, TN, to determine whether these birds are hosting any parasites or bacteria of concern. We used bacterial plating and DNA extraction and amplification to confirm the presence of Escherichia coli in Canada Geese fecal samples. Centrifugal fecal flotation confirmed the presence of the following parasites within geese fecal matter: cestode, trematode, strongylid, and capillarid nematode eggs; coccidia oocysts; and Giardia spp. cysts. Prevalence of potential zoonotic pathogens was very low; therefore, these geese do not seem to be acting as reservoirs for parasites of concern.

This study examined how three affective variables (academic mindset entity beliefs, impostor syndrome, and sense of belonging) interrelate and influence performance in Organic Chemistry II, a second-year STEM course. Data...

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurial decision making is a complex and yet relatively understudied area. Entrepreneurs are likely to use information and knowledge as complex configurations of factors, rather than relying on sources in isolation. This study examines how factors associated with entrepreneurial attention, including number of sources, time spent absorbing information, number of advisors, closeness of advisors, narcissistic autonomy, and business experience, combine to impact decision-making quality. Through interviews with 40 U.S. entrepreneurs in multiple industries, this study finds evidence that the quality of entrepreneurial decision making is configurational in nature and that there are multiple equally effective paths resulting in positive or negative decisions (equifinality). We use our findings to construct a typology of “effective” decision making as perceived by entrepreneurs, highlighting three configurational mechanisms they utilize.

We investigate the occurrence and the persistence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) decoupling when firms are exposed to heterogeneity in shareholder proposal activism, reflected by the different orientation of shareholder activists and the competing nature of their demands. We find that the greater the extent that shareholder proposals blend financial and social logics, the more likely firms are to respond by adopting policies that are not fully implemented in practice. Our results also suggest that decoupling is more persistent among targeted firms that are exposed to heightened heterogeneity in shareholder proposal activism. Our findings suggest that such heterogeneity not only prompts decoupling but also leads to its persistence, contributing to our understanding about why firms may place their legitimacy at risk to respond to shareholder activism, and the conditions that motivate (or inhibit) such behavior. Our study contributes to the symbolic management literature and the ongoing debate on whether and how shareholders impact societal challenges.

This descriptive report explores the implementation of the use of plastinated specimens in a Doctor of Physical Therapy human anatomy curriculum as an alternative to traditional body donor dissection. Plastination, a preservation technique developed in the 1970s, creates durable and flexible specimens that retain detailed anatomical features. The use of plastinated specimens offers significant advantages, including ease of handling, enhanced visibility, and reduced maintenance costs. Feedback from physical therapy students highlighted the benefits of combining lectures with hands-on learning, using plastinated specimens to improve understanding of anatomical structures and functions. The inclusion of camera technology during lab sessions further facilitated students in visualizing complex structures, enhancing learning in small group settings. However, limitations were identified by the faculty, such as a diminished sense of discovery and connection to the human donor compared to full-body donor dissections. Despite these challenges, plastinated specimens provide a time-efficient, cost-effective solution that allows for greater flexibility in human anatomy curriculum design and a valuable teaching method in physical therapy education. Further research is needed to explore the long-term educational impact and emotional engagement of physical therapy faculty and students when using plastinated specimens compared to traditional dissection methods.

Microbes play vital roles in ecological systems, yet their presence and functions within venom environments of venomous organisms remain understudied. Despite the prevalent belief in the sterility of venoms, recent findings reveal diverse microbial communities within venom systems. This review aims to explore the relationships between venoms and microbes, highlighting their potential roles in evolutionary processes, ecological interactions, and therapeutic advancements. Venoms, composed of toxins utilized in hunting or defense, represent a rich source of natural products with applications in drug discovery and therapy, exemplified by FDA-approved venom toxin-derived drugs. Understanding microbial resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial peptides can illuminate coevolutionary processes and guide therapeutic development. Integrating hologenomic evolution and microbial ecology frameworks will facilitate comprehensive research on venom-microbiome interactions, and reveal the evolutionary drivers of venom diversification. Investigating and investing in these relationships promises advancements in understanding evolution, ecology, and biotechnology, with implications for human health and ecological conservation. This review synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies many gaps in literature, and investigates critical unanswered questions in the field of venom microbiology, encouraging ongoing and future collaborative research.

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, a prodrug stimulant, appears to effectively treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. However, an analysis of the treatment effects of the two subscales (inattentiveness and hyperactivity) within the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) has not yet been done to determine if clinical significance may be attributed to either one. Nor has there been a meta-analysis of the individual doses of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. The current meta-analysis utilizes MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, and clinicaltrials.gov to identify peer-reviewed studies. Selected studies were eligible if they met the following criteria: English language, randomized-controlled trials, and utilized the ADHD-RS-IV scale to assess the efficacy of lisdexamfetamine on treating ADHD in either children or adults. The primary studies utilized were published between January 2007 and April 2024. Many of these studies calculate effect sizes based on several dosages pooled together rather than by individual dosages. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the effect sizes for these pooled dosages on the full ADHD-RS-IV scale and its subscales, as well as to calculate effect sizes on the same scales based on the individual dosages. Our main outcome measures are the ADHD-RS-IV scale and its subscales in individual doses and pooled results in both children and adults. Adverse events during treatment were also analyzed based on stratified dosages. Eleven publications met our inclusion criteria. The analyses indicate that compared to placebo, lisdexamfetamine effectively alleviates the symptoms outlined by the ADHD-RS-IV. Moreover, there are no differences in the individual subscales or in the safety profile. Lisdexamfetamine demonstrates efficacy in treating the symptoms of ADHD, but we report that differing dosages did not yield significant differences in ADHD symptom management.

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to designing a Mechatronics, Robotics, and Control (MRC) Lab, using Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE).This work is mainly motivated by the apparent need to train and develop a qualified workforce for the semiconductor industry as highlighted by the CHIPS Act.This work contributes to the enhancement of engineering education by employing MBSE tools that consider the complexity of the system and dynamically adapt to the needs of this, ever-evolving, field.The paper demonstrates the use of No Magic Cameo Systems Modeler software to simulate and evaluate learning objectives and skills under various educational scenarios.These scenarios explore multiple practices for IoT and semiconductor manufacturing and focus on hands-on skills.This work leverages the partnership between academia and industry to ensure that the curriculum stays relevant and dynamically evolves by considering the latest trends in the field.This alignment is critical to equip talent that can immediately contribute to the new Smart Factories driven by Industry 5.0.The paper summarizes the history and evolution of the CHIPS Act, highlighting significant government investment and the rapid growth in the ecosystem around these new technologies.A review of the current demands and challenges faced by the semiconductor industry is also included.More importantly, this work provides a roadmap for academic institutions, to establish laboratories and curricula that are not only in sync with current industry requirements but are also adaptive enough to accommodate future advancements.Adoption and implementation of the presented tools will ensure that the next generation of STEM workers displays a blend of technical skills, soft skills, and digital capabilities needed due to rapid technological advancements and constantly changing work environments of the semiconductor industry.

With growing awareness of the environmental, economic, and social costs associated with food waste, there is a concerted effort on multiple scales to recover the nutrient value of discarded food. These developments are positive, but the rapid movement toward alternatives and the complexity of solving problems located at the intersection of economic, social, and environmental systems also have the potential to produce unanticipated risks. This paper draws upon long-term stakeholder-engaged research throughout New England, with a focus on Maine, to develop a transdisciplinary, systems-based model of the potential social, economic, and environmental risks of food waste nutrient cycling. Our effort is intended to help inform the creation of safe, functional, and environmentally benign circular food systems.