Colorado Research Articles

IRMS based evidence passes the test

At the two latest FIRMS (The Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Network Ltd) conferences, presentations were made describing the status of IRMS based evidence in criminal proceedings [S. Doyle, T. Chau and J. Howa, IRMS based evidence passes the ‘test’ (aided by FIRMS) – an important milestone, in: 8th FIRMS Conference, 2022; J. Ehleringer, J. Howa and T. Chau, Stable isotope evidence in the U.S. courts, in: 7th FIRMS Conference, 2019].One of those cases was of particular significance in that it established the admissibility of IRMS (isotope ratio mass spectrometry) based expert testimony having satisfied the US Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE)702 ‘Testimony by Expert Witnesses’ in the State of Colorado. While specific to the State of Colorado and the particulars of the case, the admissibility of IRMS based evidence in other cases might be supported by such a ruling.This paper provides the detail of the process by which IRMS based evidence was found to be admissible and in so doing also provides practical guidance on how to satisfy FRE 702 and meet a Daubert challenge. It also highlights the role of approval by the FIRMS Network of both practitioners and their methods in support of admissibility [The FIRMS Network Ltd., FIRMS Approved Practitioners, [Online]. Available: https://www.forensic-isotopes.org/fafp.html [Accessed 11 May 2023].].

Weighed and Measured: Making Way for a Diverse Children’s Collection in a Research University Library during a Reorganization

In 2021, librarians at Colorado State University Libraries seized the opportunity to serve the university community’s educational and personal needs through the creation of a sub-collection of children’s books. Through the curation of awards and notable book lists for children’s books, the collection was born out of a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice principles. After a review of the literature, this article outlines how the authors identified award-winning and notable titles to launch the collection, saved the collection in the middle of a reorganization, assessed the diversity of the new collection, and ensured the collection’s continual development as a vital resource for the university community moving forward. This article provides a starting point for academic librarians looking to ground a new or existing children’s collection in diversity and inclusion principles, even when lacking devoted personnel, extensive monetary support, or building space for the collection.

The Effect of Coastline Concavity on Maximum Storm Surge Height along the US Gulf Coast

Storm surge is the most dangerous component of landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs). The growing coastal population highlights the importance of research regarding the atmospheric and geographic factors influencing the maximum storm surge height (MSSH). To date, few studies have investigated the influence of coastline concavity. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that TCs making landfall on a concave coastline will have a higher MSSH than TCs making landfall on a convex coastline. The Colorado State University extended best track dataset includes the radius of 34 kt winds (R34), landfall minimum mean sea level pressure (MSLP), landfall maximum sustained winds, and forward speed of TCs. The storm surge database for the US Gulf Coast provides the location and MSSH for TCs impacting the U.S. Gulf Coast. From this, eleven TCs that meet specific criteria and represent the larger population of Atlantic TCs are selected. The adjusted degree of coastline concavity (ADoC) is calculated for each TC using the law of cosines and 50, 100, and 200 km radius buffers around the point of MSSH. A Mann Whitney U test does not indicate any significant differences between the mean MSSH of TCs making landfall on each coastline type. Additionally, results from a simple linear regression F-test suggest that none of the included parameters have a significant influence on MSSH despite the findings of previous research. Still, the Spearman’s Rho correlation values suggest a weak positive relationship between the ADoC and MSSH. This relationship is significant at the 100 and 200 km buffers, which is consistent with the hypothesis. Results are limited by the small sample size. Future research should use a larger dataset and investigate how each individual storm characteristic affects MSSH. KEYWORDS: Tropical Cyclones; Hurricanes; Storm Surge; Coastal Geography; Coastline Concavity; Gulf of Mexico; Law of Cosines

Phenomic versus genomic prediction—A comparison of prediction accuracies for grain yield in hard winter wheat lines

AbstractCommon bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key component of global diets, but the genetic improvement of wheat is not keeping pace with the growing demands of the world's population. To increase efficiency and reduce costs, breeding programs are rapidly adopting the use of unoccupied aerial vehicles to conduct high‐throughput spectral analyses. This study examined the effectiveness of multispectral indices in predicting grain yield compared to genomic prediction. Multispectral data were collected on advanced generation yield nursery trials during the 2019–2021 growing seasons in the Colorado State University Wheat Breeding Program. Genome‐wide genotyping was performed on these advanced generations and all plots were harvested to measure grain yield. Two methods were used to predict grain yield: genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) generated by a genomic best linear unbiased prediction (gBLUP) model and phenomic phenotypic estimates (PPEs) using only spectral indices via multiple linear regression (MLR), k‐nearest neighbors (KNNs), and random forest (RF) models. In cross‐validation, PPEs produced by MLR, KNN, and RF models had higher prediction accuracy () than GEBVs produced by gBLUP ( ). In leave‐one‐year‐out forward validation using only multispectral data for 2020 and 2021, PPEs from MLR and KNN models had higher prediction accuracy of grain yield than GEBVs of those same lines. These findings suggest that a limited number of spectra may produce PPEs that are more accurate than or equivalently accurate as GEBVs derived from gBLUP, and this method should be evaluated in earlier development material where sequencing is not feasible.

Spanish for Veterinarians Part 2: A Survey Gauging Student Perspectives on a Profession-Specific Language Learning Experience.

This article describes the distribution and results of a survey that was disseminated among students enrolled in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs in the United States. It is a critical component to a substantial effort being undertaken at Colorado State University (CSU) to overhaul their current Spanish for Veterinarians offerings (outlined and discussed in Spanish for Veterinarians Part 1: An Approach to Weaving Spanish Language Education into DVM Curricula) into a cohesive Spanish language program that offers consistent synchronous exposure to the language and guided practice over several semesters of instruction. The information obtained in this survey informs on veterinary student interest in and availability to engage in Spanish coursework created specifically for the veterinary field, as well as students' previous Spanish language learning experience. Additionally, it investigates the reasons motivating students' desire to participate in a Spanish for Veterinarians program, and their expectations and perspectives about receiving credit and paying for enrollment. It also includes students' online learning preferences and overall suggestions for optimal engagement in a Spanish language learning experience offered during DVM School. The anonymous results indicated that most respondents had taken Spanish only in high school, followed by those with one or two college-level courses. Interest in learning Spanish for the veterinary field is high and most students are willing to dedicate 2 to 4 hours weekly to language learning. This information guides curricular design decisions for a new Spanish for Veterinarians program that is currently being developed at CSU.

Marijuana legalization and racial disparities in prison incarceration in Colorado and Washington State: a quasi-experimental study

Marijuana legalization and racial disparities in prison incarceration in Colorado and Washington State: a quasi-experimental study

A Translational Approach to Increase Pulse Intake and Promote Public Health through Developing an Extension Bean Toolkit.

Practical, affordable solutions need to be implemented to address global challenges confronting human and environmental health. Despite a myriad of benefits for people and the planet, beans and other pulses (e.g., chickpeas, cowpeas, dry peas, lentils) are under-consumed. To better understand consumer concerns and interests, a Food Habits Survey was conducted and the findings were incorporated into the Colorado State University Extension Bean Toolkit. Guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model, the toolkit included informational social media posts, cooking guidance, and an online class. A convenience sample of participants was recruited through Extension and university networks. After class participation, significant gains in knowledge of pulse nutrition, versatility, and cooking were observed, with an average increase of 1.5 points on a 5-point Likert scale (p < 0.001). Moreover, participants (n = 86) perceived a greater importance of motivators (e.g., nutrition, versatility, environmental benefits) and found barriers (e.g., flatulence, long cooking times, unfamiliarity) to be less discouraging. Most participants reported an intention to eat more pulses, and among those who completed the 1-month follow-up survey, pulse intake frequency increased (p = 0.004). Emphasizing motivating factors while simultaneously mitigating barriers to consumption can help reverse insufficient intake and promote healthy behavior change. Leveraging Extension or similar networks is one way to adopt a translational approach to better reach the public with this information.

Examining Associations Between Cannabis Use Disorder and Measures of Weekly and Within-Day Cannabis Frequency, Quantity, and Potency in College Students.

Background: College student cannabis use has increased significantly in recent years, and individuals aged 18-25 are at elevated risk for development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). While weekly cannabis use frequency is a commonly used measure of cannabis consumption, there is increasing scientific interest in exploring more nuanced measures of cannabis use. Currently, limited research exists examining the clinical utility of cannabis quantity, within-day frequency, and potency variables. Methods: We used cross-sectional survey data from a sample of 617 undergraduate students in the state of Colorado. A two-part model-building approach was leveraged to examine whether within-session cannabis quantity and within-day cannabis use frequency were associated with odds of experiencing any CUD symptoms and total number of CUD symptoms endorsed. We also examined whether cannabis flower potency was associated with odds of experiencing any CUD symptoms and total number of CUD symptoms endorsed among a subset (N=288) of the sample who reported knowledge of the cannabinoid content of their most frequently used products. Results: Weekly flower use frequency (odds ratio [OR]=1.27, p<0.001) and weekly concentrate use frequency (OR=1.10, p=0.044) were positively associated with increased odds of experiencing any CUD symptoms, but cannabis quantity and within-day frequency variables were not. In addition, no association was found between flower potency and odds of endorsing any CUD symptoms. Among individuals endorsing at least one symptom, weekly flower use frequency (incident rate ratio [IRR]=1.06, p<0.001) was positively associated with total symptom count, but weekly concentrate use frequency, cannabis quantity variables, and within-day frequency variables were not. Among individuals endorsing symptoms, a positive association was found between flower potency and total symptom count (IRR=1.01, p=0.008). Conclusion: Current methods of assessing within-session cannabis quantity and within-day cannabis use frequency may lack clinical utility in examining college student CUD symptoms over and above weekly cannabis use frequency. Cannabis flower potency may prove useful in assessment of CUD symptom severity, but further research is warranted.

Modeling compound hydrologic disturbances in the Rio Grande Headwaters

AbstractIn recent decades, the western United States (U.S.) has experienced increasing magnitudes and frequencies of natural land cover disturbances that impact water budget partitioning. Post‐disturbance hydrologic response is often variable at the stream outlet and is difficult to detect and quantify with traditional before–after control–impact studies. This study uses a modified version of the U.S. Geological Survey's Monthly Water Balance Model (MWBM) to simulate and separate the hydrologic response to several forest disturbances, including (1) wildfire, (2) forest conversion (subalpine to mid‐elevation forest) and (3) a climate that is hotter and drier than present in the Rio Grande Headwaters (RGH) in Colorado, U.S. (this climate scenario was derived from an ensemble of climate scenarios from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phases 3 and 5, which were selected based on water stress potential in the state of Colorado). We leverage historic post‐disturbance vegetation data in the RGH to add quantitative vegetation representation to the MWBM, then modeled synthetic future (2021–2050) streamflow scenarios as both single and compound disturbances. Relative to a baseline scenario, modeled scenarios predict several changes to average annual water trends over the final simulation decade (2041–2050); (1) decreases in average annual water yield under a hot and dry climate (−14%), except during the rising limb of annual snowmelt; (2) increases in average annual water yield (+32%) and peak runoff under a fire simulation; and (3) increases in average annual water yield (+24%) along with earlier and higher peak runoff under compound (fire + hot/dry) conditions. These findings show the strengths of hydrologic models in separating compound disturbance signals at the stream outlet and a need for quantitative vegetation representation within models to adequately represent dynamic disturbance conditions.

Inter-observer reliability of three feline pain scales used in clinical practice.

The present study aimed to evaluate the inter-observer reliability of three feline pain scales commonly used in clinical practice. Twenty cats undergoing elective neutering surgery were assessed both pre- and postoperatively by three independent assessors (a board-certified anaesthetist, a veterinary anaesthesia nurse and a final-year veterinary student) using three different pain scales: the Glasgow Feline Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS - Feline), the Colorado State University Feline Acute Pain Scale (CSU - FAPS) and the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS). Reliability statistics was used to evaluate the level of agreement between assessors. Twenty-seven groups of paired observations were evaluated, of which 16 (59%) showed fair agreement, eight (30%) showed none to slight agreement and the remaining three (11%) showed moderate agreement based on Cohen's weighted kappa statistics. Based on Cronbach's alpha statistics, 12 (44%) of the 27 groups of observations showed moderate reliability, 12 (44%) showed poor reliability and the remaining three (11%) showed good reliability. No scale was superior to the others in terms of inter-rater reliability (P = 0.179); however, the pair composed of the final-year veterinary student and anaesthesia nurse showed better agreement than the two other pairs of assessors, both of which included the board-certified anaesthetist (P = 0.015). Despite the usefulness of behavioural pain scales as clinical tools, their users should bear in mind their limitations, particularly the intrinsic subjectivity and potential variability of outcome between assessors with different backgrounds and level of expertise.

Innovation, teamwork, and global awareness characterize Colorado State University DVM training.

Innovation, teamwork, and global awareness characterize Colorado State University DVM training.

Cultural awareness for veterinarians working with LatinX livestock caretakers

Work done by Colorado State University researchers has high­lighted the human-animal bond that exists on dairy and other livestock operations, and the perceptions of animal caretakers regarding animal health and euthanasia decisions. There is a clear need for culturally responsive training to better prepare animal caretakers to make end-of-life decisions in a timely manner while reducing the emotional burden associated with euthanasia decision making. While veterinarians are well po­sitioned to provide leadership in health management and end-of-life decision-making processes, they are seldom involved in the creation and facilitation of training programs for livestock caretakers. Cultural differences that may limit effective com­munication and training can be overcome by engaging live­stock caretakers with approaches proven effective in both re­search and practice settings.

Mixed Potential Electrochemical Sensors for Natural Gas Leak Detection – Field Testing of Portable Sensor Package

According to the EPA, methane (CH4) emissions from oil and gas infrastructure accounted for 211 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2020 [1]. Actual emissions may exceed this by a factor of three [2]. Current natural gas leak detection technologies largely consist of optical sensors such as IR spectrometers [3]. Optical sensors have high sensitivity, but the high cost and fragility of these sensors limit practical applications and continuous monitoring in the field. Mixed potential electrochemical sensors (MPES) are low cost, robust, selective and sensitive, making them a viable option for continuous natural gas leak detection [4]. While we have previously reported on the development of these sensors for natural gas detection in the laboratory, it is necessary to evaluate how these sensors perform in relevant environments.The MPES device consists of La0.87Sr0.13CrO3 (LSC), indium tin oxide (ITO, In2O3 90 wt%, SnO2 10 wt%), and Au sensing electrodes with a Pt pseudo-reference electrode, bridged by 3 mol% YSZ solid electrolyte. A low ionic conductivity magnesia stabilized zirconia (MSZ) substrate is used to enhance sensitivity with a demonstrated limit of detection (LOD) of < 40 ppm. The sensor is integrated with an internet of things (IoT) data collection and transmission package developed by SensorComm Technologies.Field testing was performed at Colorado State University’s Methane Emission Technology Evaluation Center (METEC). The sensors’ capability of detecting buried pipeline leaks was investigated by varying the leak rate from 7.2 SLPM to 37 SLPM, lateral sensor distance from 0 meters to 3 meters, and vertical distance from 0 meters to 0.28 meters (Figure 1). Machine learning methods were applied to a training dataset collected in the laboratory to quantify the CH4 concentration. These results serve as a first demonstration that a low-cost mixed potential electrochemical sensor system can successfully detect underground pipeline emissions and quantify CH4 concentrations that are in agreement with previously published results [6] collected using more complex and costly methods.

Seasons, stress, salience, and support for cooperative groundwater management

AbstractCooperative management of shared groundwater resources in the High Plains region of the United States is critical to support sustainable agricultural‐based economies. This research uses a repeat‐sample survey of agricultural producers in the states of Colorado and Nebraska to analyze how seasonal changes and variation in stress and salience influence support for groundwater management. We find that support for groundwater management tends to be lower in the fall, when agricultural producers are engaged in harvest activities. The results also reveal that changes in the salience of commodity prices and water availability can drive changes in support for groundwater management.

Collaborative governance in forestry issues: A bibliometric analysis with VOS viewer software using Scopus database

This study aims to analyse scientific literature on collaborative governance in forestry issues published from 2001 to 2022. To ensure paper quality, the study will use VOSviewer software to visualise the bibliometric analysis from Scopus Database. Bibliometric analysis was used to analyse 72 papers about collaborative governance in forestry issues. VOSviewer software visualised publishing trends, country/institution/author contributions, journal distribution, highly cited articles, bibliographic coupling analysis, and keyword analysis. According to the study, collaborative governance in forestry publications has increased considerably in the last decade. Most research on this issue comes from the US, Canada, and Australia. Colorado State campus was the study's most affiliated campus, followed by Saskatchewan and Oregon. This study was published in Land Use Policy, Society and Natural Resources, and Ecology and Society. The combination of bibliographies and keyword concurrency networks showed that collaborative governance in forestry issues is closely linked to sustainable development, environmental governance, and forest governance. The study finds that collaborative governance in forestry issues needs more research, especially with collaborative governance as a framework. The bibliometric analysis provides a complete overview of publishing trends, country/institution/author contributions, journal distribution and highly cited articles, bibliographic coupling analysis, and keyword analysis in this field. Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in collaborative governance in forestry may profit from the study. The results may identify key contributors, influential journals, and critical study areas linked to this topic.

Translational research at Colorado State University: capitalizing on collaboration.

Translational research at Colorado State University: capitalizing on collaboration.

Abstract P2038: Role Of The Microtubule Network In Right Ventricle Passive Viscoelasticity With Pulmonary Hypertension Development

Microtubule (MT) polymerization is a key contributor to myocardium viscoelasticity, which describes elastic and viscous resistance under stress and impacts the contractile function. MT de- or hyper-polymerization has been shown to decrease or increase healthy cardiomyocyte viscoelasticity, but the responses of hypertrophied cells to these modifications are unknown. Moreover, the ventricular free wall is a complex tissue composed of myofibers, collagen and vasculature, and it exhibits anisotropic mechanical behavior. To fully understand the role of MT in the tissue-level anisotropic viscoelasticity of myocardium, we investigated the responses of healthy and failing rat right ventricles (RV) to alterations in MT network. All procedures were approved by Colorado State University IACUC. Adult male rats were treated with monocrotaline to induce pulmonary hypertension and RV failure. After euthanasia, the RV free wall underwent equibiaxial stress relaxation in intact state (baseline) and under the treatment of colchicine and deuterium oxide (D 2 O) to remove and enhance MT network, respectively. Viscoelastic parameters were quantified as previously described. As expected, the diseased RV had greater viscoelasticity than the healthy RV. Depolymerization of MT in healthy RVs reduced tissue viscosity (relaxation rate) and elasticity (relaxation modulus), and the changes were more significant in the longitudinal (outflow tract) direction. MT hyper-polymerization increased tissue elasticity and decreased viscosity, with the changes stronger in the circumferential direction. In diseased RVs, MT depolymerization reduced viscosity in both directions and elasticity only in the circumferential direction. However, MT hyper-polymerization unexpectedly decreased tissue elasticity and tended to decrease viscosity, as well. The altered MT polymerization dynamics after D 2 O treatment in a fibrotic environment may explain these heterogeneous responses This is the first report of distinct impacts of MT polymerization on the tissue mechanical behavior between the hypertrophied and healthy myocardium. The exact molecular mechanisms involving MT polymerization dynamics and the interactions with collagen await further investigation.

Design, construction, and preliminary hydraulic evaluation of a model rock ramp fishway

AbstractObjectiveNew fish passage structures are frequently designed using information gained from existing structures, particularly those that have been shown to allow passage of the target species. However, this process rarely involves a preinstallation design and testing phase. Developing an apparatus that allows rapid and relatively low‐cost testing of potential fish passage structure designs prior to field installations could reduce the reliance on a “build it, monitor it, does it work?” approach.MethodsTo meet this need, we developed an indoor research flume at Colorado State University’s Foothills Fisheries Laboratory that housed a full‐scale experimental rock ramp fishway.ResultThe slope of the flume can be adjusted (0–10%) and integrates a set of four PIT tag antennas to allow fine‐resolution tracking of fish movements in the fishway. The flume can deliver variable flows (up to 0.082 m3/s) of 9–25°C water. Lessons learned during the design, construction, and initial operation of the flume are presented here.ConclusionThe basic system could be adapted for similar studies in other regions and provides a robust and flexible infrastructure that could be modified for other evaluations of instream structures in lotic systems.

Boris Carl Kondratieff, a Lifetime of Scholarship and Service to Aquatic Entomology

It is with great sadness that I share with you the death of Dr. Boris Carl Kondratieff (30 April 1954 to 14 August 2022) (Fig. 1). Boris was a 35 year employee of Colorado State University (CSU). He served as Director of the C. P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity, a collection of nearly 3.5 million specimens, most of which were amassed after his hire in 1986. He taught many courses at CSU and they were nearly always filled to capacity. Boris served as advisor for some 50 master’s and PhD students. He was highly sought after for graduate committees. His students conducted many high-quality research projects on the taxonomy, biogeography, and ecology of aquatic insects. In later years he collaborated with such luminaries of aquatic ecology as N. LeRoy Poff and James V. Ward, both of CSU.

Community Forums as Amplifiers of Communities' Voices: Isolated Communities in Puerto Rico.

Social determinants of health contribute to health disparities and inequities. We conducted a community forum on the topic of isolation with the objectives of (1) identifying and prioritizing key health-related issues needing attention in isolated communities in Puerto Rico; (2) developing strategies in terms of Policies, Programs, and Practices to address the community priorities we identified. We used the triangulation method for qualitative data, integrating the Colorado State University's Tri-ethnic Center Model and the Delphi Technique for a better understanding of community health needs and priorities. The five community health-related priorities identified in the community forum were: (1) access to health services (physical and mental); (2) older adults; (3) access to basic services; (4) preparedness for future disasters/emergencies; and (5) COVID-19 and access to vaccination. The Alliance Leaders and Advisory Boards understand that we will work with the priorities of preparedness for future natural disasters/emergencies and COVID-19 and access to vaccination. Fifteen strategies were developed for these priorities and were grouped into five areas that require more attention in order to reduce health disparities. Isolated communities in Puerto Rico present an intersectionality of factors that affect a wide range of health-related risks and outcomes.