ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Matthew Murphy is an author on ‘ Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly’, published in JEB. Matthew conducted the research described in this article while a PhD Student in Erica Westerman's lab at University of Arkansas, USA. Andrew is now an ORISE Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Erin Scully at the USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research investigating the physical and social environments that affect the evolution and development of insect sensory systems.

CASE NAME: White v. Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, et al ., No. 4:25‐CV‐00702 (E.D. Ark. 12/09/25).

Social determinants of health and hospitalization risk in heart failure: A Retrospective analysis

Professor Robert T. Robbins, a distinguished nematologist and longtime Editorial Board Member of the Russian Journal of Nematology passed away at age 84. Born in Kansas, he overcame childhood polio and developed a strong work ethic, excelling academically and athletically before earning degrees from Kansas State University and a Ph.D. in Nematology from North Carolina State University. He began his professional career with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and later spent four decades at the University of Arkansas as a leading researcher, teacher, and mentor. Renowned for his expertise in nematode taxonomy and biology, particularly Longidoridae and plant-parasitic nematodes affecting soybean, he authored over 150 scientific papers and described numerous new species and genera. Professor Robbins was internationally respected, collaborating widely and receiving many honors, including being named a Fellow of the Society of Nematologists in 2006. Retiring in 2019 as Professor Emeritus, he regarded his students and their success as his greatest legacy. Professor Robbins also maintained close and fruitful collaborations with Russian nematologists. His support and guidance were instrumental in the establishment of the Russian Journal of Nematology, where he served as a dedicated Editorial Board Member since its inception. The Russian Society of Nematologists and the editors of the Russian Journal of Nematology express their deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Carolyn Robbins, and his son. Professor Robbins will be remembered not only for his scientific achievements but also for his kindness, mentorship, and lifelong dedication to advancing the science of Nematology.

The Arkansas Naloxone Education and Training (ANET) program, based at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, was developed to address the urgent need for opioid-overdose prevention across the state. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), ANET uses a train-the-trainer model to equip health care professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to deliver naloxone education in their local settings. In its first year, the program launched a three-module curriculum, accredited for continuing education, of health care professionals and delivered using an academic detailing teaching strategy, prioritized recruitment from counties through a needs assessment including the highest rates of opioids dispensed and of overdose deaths, and implemented a comprehensive evaluation plan that is grounded in an evidence-based framework that facilitates continuous evaluation and improvement (ie, RE-AIM framework-Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance). Knowledge and attitudes were assessed before and after health care professionals completed the training program. All trainers received technical support and outreach materials. The program also fostered strategic statewide partnerships to support recruitment, implementation, and community engagement. ANET is embedded within an academic medical center and aligned with continuing professional development infrastructure, offering a replicable model for community-centered overdose prevention. Lessons learned during the program's implementation underscore its potential to inform future design, delivery, and sustainability of similar interventions.

The widespread use of social media has dramatically changed how people see higher education and altered how institutions share their mission and image. While colleges and universities have increasingly added social media platforms into their marketing plans, the real effectiveness of these efforts has not been thoroughly studied. Traditional advertising methods once allowed institutions to gauge impact through direct responses, but today’s social media metrics are much more complex and less clear. This study examined how much higher education marketing professionals use and assess social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and WhatsApp, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative case study, semi-structured interviews, and institutional documents were used to understand current practices and opinions. Participants included individuals managing marketing and social media at four-year, non-profit colleges and universities around the U.S., including Duke University, Princeton University, Eastern Washington University, the University of Arkansas, and Yale University School of Medicine. Additionally, six Facebook pages of well-ranked U.S. universities were analyzed to see how they communicate their identity. The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected social media activity, leading to greater reliance on digital communication but also exposing staffing and resource challenges. Because social media continues to evolve and the pandemic situation evolves, the study suggests that future research will provide helpful insights into long-term changes in social media use by higher education institutions.

Futuring is an exercise in thinking about, picturing possible outcomes in, and planning for the future. In design, futuring is a deeply fraught process shaped by who is in the room, the tools used, and the belief systems that are reinforced. The feminist cultural studies scholar Sarah Kember asserts that futurism is problematic in its adherence to technology-driven visions that play out a limited dualism of utopias and dystopias (1). Utopian thinking, especially, has been criticized as well-intentioned but naive attempts to solve complex social problems with simplistic technological solutions (2). Feminist utopian thinking, however, reconstructs the idea of a radically better future without attempting to define it, viewing utopianism as an activity rather than a completed image. It holds “multiple possible futures-in-process" (3). It is emergent and contingent rather than comprehensive (4). This paper shares the account of a project called Utopian Nightmares, facilitated with undergraduate and graduate students in the Design + Feminism course at the University of Arkansas in spring 2024. Students experimented with the application of feminist utopias to generate speculative design concepts in response to a need or a situation in their imagined future. The future they envision could be plausible, possible, preferable, or none of the above. With the understanding that one person's utopia might be someone else's nightmare, students engaged with Donna Haraway’s definition of irony: “the tension of holding incompatible things together because both or all are necessary or true; Irony is about humor and serious play" (5). The 18 unique projects were presented as posters that explored varying issues such as the political system, AI, local food systems, habitation of other planets, and the singularity. Their proposals represent multiple possible futures-in-process that enact critical making as a means to reconsider the role of design in addressing our collective liberation.

Early diagnosis and personalized intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children can potentially improve developmental outcomes, though current methods often lack scalability and adaptability. This study introduces an integrated system combining a deep neural network (DNN) and a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) reinforcement learning framework for early ASD detection and adaptive psychosocial intervention. The DNN, trained and validated on diverse datasets spanning toddlers to adolescents (sourced from the University of Arkansas, Vaishnavi Sirigiri, and Afarin Bargrizan), achieved a predictive accuracy of 96.98% with precision (97.65%), recall (96.74%), and ROC AUC (99.75%) on the test sets, demonstrating superior performance compared to traditional models like Random Forest and Logistic Regression. Key features, such as Qchat-10-Score and ethnicity, were identified using multi-strategy selection (LASSO, Random Forest). Building on these predictions, the DDPG-based intervention system simulated personalized strategies over 12 monthly cycles using virtual data to optimize intervention type, frequency, and intensity, resulting in observed improvements of up to 25% in social skills, up to 30% reduction in behavioral issues, and up to 20% improvement in emotional stability, with a reduction in high-risk ASD cases from 65 to 25% in the simulated cohort. This system offers a promising, data-driven approach to ASD management, enhancing early screening and tailoring interventions to individual needs.

As electrification advances across various industries, the need for multi-chip power modules (MCPMs) with higher power densities continues to grow. These modules play a crucial role in power electronics applications such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, and industrial automation, where efficiency and compact designs are paramount. However, MCPMs are exposed to increasingly harsh operational environments—featuring high temperatures, mechanical stresses, and heavy electrical loads—making long-term reliability a critical concern. Failures in MCPMs can result in significant system downtimes, reduced energy efficiency, and safety risks, particularly in critical sectors like transportation and energy. To address these challenges, layout optimization becomes essential. PowerSynth, an in-house design automation tool developed at the University of Arkansas, focuses on reducing loop inductance and predicting maximum junction temperatures in MCPMs [1]. However, while effective in optimizing key parameters, PowerSynth does not fully evaluate the reliability of wire interconnections, which are essential for long-term performance [1]. To bridge this gap, we developed the Layout Reliability Tool (LAREL), which integrates with PowerSynth to automate the extraction of MCPM component stress and temperature data from ParaPower [2], excluding wire interconnections. LAREL extends PowerSynth’s capabilities by assessing wire bonds and interconnection points through detailed data on stress and temperature [3]. This assessment helps evaluate critical factors such as electromigration and mechanical stress, both of which are crucial to MCPM reliability [3]. The process of optimal layout identification with LAREL occurs in two stages. In the first stage, LAREL evaluates each layout based on maximum wire inductance and minimum wire lifetime, providing a clear comparison of layouts for further refinement. By incorporating electromigration-stress models and industry-standard wire inductance calculations (JESD 59) [3][4], LAREL allows designers to effectively rank MCPM configurations, ensuring the selection of the most reliable layouts for continued optimization. In the second stage, LAREL utilizes user-defined wire feature ranges to generate a wider spectrum of design variations. Monte-Carlo sampling is employed to explore both discrete and continuous values within these ranges [2]. The generated values feed into a multi-objective optimization algorithm, Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm 2 (SPEA2) [5], which refines wire interconnection designs to balance competing objectives such as reducing wire inductance while enhancing wire lifetime. This process generates an optimal Pareto front, guiding the selection of the best layout in terms of both performance and reliability. Although the tool’s evaluation in this study focused on reliability and inductance, LAREL’s flexibility allows for the use of user-defined failure or performance models, making it adaptable for other specific application needs. By incorporating reliability metrics in both the layout selection and detailed optimization phases, LAREL enables a holistic evaluation of MCPMs under operational stresses. Its automated workflow—from layout extraction to reliability evaluation and re-optimization—provides a faster, more reliable design process for MCPMs. The significance of this work lies in bridging the gap between layout optimization and reliability evaluation, empowering designers to make informed decisions about MCPM layouts and interconnections [1]. As power densification remains a critical goal, LAREL’s automated, multi-faceted approach ensures next-generation MCPMs meet stringent reliability and performance demands, advancing the future of power electronics.

Malignant tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with high morbidity and mortality, requiring prompt and coordinated multidisciplinary care. Although adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is a standard component of treatment that improves survival, delays in initiating RT remain common and may negatively impact patient outcomes. This study investigates patient-related factors contributing to delayed adjuvant RT in individuals with high-grade gliomas (HGGs) and brain metastases (BMs) treated at a tertiary care center in Arkansas. Electronic medical records (EMR) were retrospectively reviewed for patients diagnosed with HGGs and BMs who sought medical treatment at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) from 2019 to 2022. Statistical analysis included evaluation of the association of sociodemographic and clinical variables with radiotherapy status, using multivariable logistic regression and survival analysis. Our sample included 219 patients diagnosed with HGGs or BMs who were treated at UAMS. Out of the 219 patients, 72.1% (n=158) patients received adjuvant RT treatment. In this group, 102 patients underwent timely RT treatment while 53 received delayed treatment. The timing of radiation was not available for 3 patients. Our analysis revealed an association between the Charlson Comorbidities Index (CCI) and RT timing status, suggesting a higher probability of receiving late RT with a higher CCI score (P=0.048). In addition, patients who received delayed RT also had a significantly longer interval between surgery and RT treatment compared with patients with timed adjuvant RT (P<0.0001 for both). We found that patients with a higher CCI score suggested an increased probability of experiencing delayed RT.

A total solar eclipse covered much of the USA in 2024. Ahead of the eclipse, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock began preparing to host an event for the campus and community to watch this phenomenon. During the planning process, Marketing and Communications (MarComm) recognised the potential to use the eclipse to secure national media placement for the university. By employing five key strategies of taking a unique approach, preparing media experts, using the website early, incorporating video and dreaming big, the MarComm team garnered more than 320 media mentions and 3.5 billion media impressions and secured multiple national placements. This article is also included in The Business &amp; Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.

Cytomegalovirus reactivation in teclistamab-treated multiple myeloma patients: Clinical outcomes and risk factors

Background: Accurate estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is vital in cardiology practice for diagnostic, prognostic, and management decisions. The biplane Simpson method is the standard but can be subject to limitations, particularly in cases of poor image quality or when subjective interpretation is involved. This study aims to evaluate whether LVEF can be reliably estimated using simpler apical four-chamber views without the need for complex calculations.Methods: A retrospective review of 260 echocardiographic studies from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences database was conducted. LVEF was calculated using the Simpson’s biplane method and compared with longitudinal apical LV length measurements in systole and diastole. Statistical analyses, including regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, were used to determine the relationship between LVEF and apical LV lengths.Results: Patients were divided into two groups based on LVEF values (>50% normal, <50% reduced). Longitudinal apical LV length measurements demonstrated significant differences between the groups. Delta changes in LV length (>14 cm) showed high sensitivity (94.2%) and specificity (95.7%) in identifying normal LVEF. ROC analysis revealed that end-systolic lengths ≤7.3 cm could predict normal LVEF with good accuracy.Conclusions: Simple measurements of longitudinal apical LV length changes between systole and diastole can serve as a reliable surrogate for LVEF, offering a rapid bedside alternative to the biplane Simpson method. These findings highlight the potential for streamlining LVEF estimation, particularly in settings where time and resources are limited.

Power electronic modules form the basis of grid modernization H. Alan Mantooth, Distinguished Professor at the University of Arkansas, guides us through power electronic modules, which form the basis of grid modernization. For the past 25 years, the University of Arkansas Power Group (UAPG) and its collaborators have advanced the field in power electronics packaging research, development, and commercialization. Formed in 1991 under DARPA funding, the High-Density Electronics Center (HiDEC) at the University of Arkansas has been at the forefront of electronics packaging for almost 35 years. For the majority of that time, there has been an intense effort on packaging power semiconductor devices into what is commonly known as power modules.

Prioritizing skeletal muscle health for successful aging Kevin A. Murach, Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas, talks us through prioritizing skeletal muscle health for successful aging, beginning with a primer on skeletal muscle aging. They are also secretory organs that communicate throughout the body via secreted factors, crucial for thermoregulation (e.g., shivering), storage depots for amino acids, and a metabolic sink for carbohydrates and fat. Healthy skeletal muscle is essential for whole-body health throughout the lifespan and is a major factor in the proportion of life spent in good health (a.k.a. healthspan).

Study ObjectivesSleep as a construct in the postpartum period and its perceived importance to postpartum patients remain largely under explored. The aim of this concept elicitation study was to develop a conceptual framework for postpartum sleep based on the key themes (domains and subdomains) identified. Secondary aims were to determine the frequency of discussion of individual domains/subdomains among participants and provide exemplar patient quotes for the most frequently discussed subdomains.MethodsThis study received Institutional Review Board approval from Stanford Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients, partners and multidisciplinary experts until thematic saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio recorded and professionally transcribed and de-identified. Thematic codes (domains and subdomains of postpartum sleep) were derived from review of interview transcripts. Iterative thematic analysis of transcripts with constant comparison across cases was conducted systematically by ≥2 analysts. All transcripts were coded in Nvivo software and qualitatively analyzed to report frequency of domain/subdomain discussion and to identify exemplar patient quotes for individual subdomains.ResultsInterviews were conducted with 42 patients, 13 multidisciplinary experts, and 6 partners over a total of 20 h. Median interval between delivery and interview for the recruited postpartum women was 8 weeks (interquartile range 6–10 weeks, range 3–52 weeks). Analysis of all 61 participant interviews resulted in derivation of 10 domains (psychological, pharmacological, non-pharmacological, sleep interference, medical factors, feeding of neonate, sleep disruption, social factors, societal and cultural factors, and infant related factors) and 85 subdomains related to the construct of postpartum sleep. The three most frequently discussed domains were sleep disruption, non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep, and medical factors related to sleep. The top 10 most frequently discussed subdomains were breast feeding/feeding, maternal awakenings, social support, childbirth experience, infant sleep routine, day time sleep, infant care (bottles, milk, diapers), sleep arrangements, chronotype, and nighttime sleep.ConclusionsThis study provides a conceptual framework based on 10 domains and 85 subdomains, which can be used to comprehensively describe and study the complex construct of postpartum sleep. These findings can be used to counsel patients regarding postpartum sleep experiences, facilitate patient discussion in the postnatal period when assessing postpartum sleep experiences, guide development of new measures, and assess content validity of existing sleep measures.Statement of SignificanceDespite the recognized impact of sleep on maternal and infant health outcomes, postpartum sleep experience remains poorly conceptualized in clinical research and practice. This study is the first to develop a comprehensive, patient-informed conceptual framework capturing the multidimensional nature of postpartum sleep through 10 domains and 85 subdomains. By integrating insights from postpartum patients, their partners, and multidisciplinary experts, the framework provides a robust foundation for the development of new postpartum sleep measures and evaluation of sleep-related interventions, patient education, and clinical assessments. These findings offer critical direction for future research and practice aimed at improving postpartum sleep health and, in turn, maternal well-being.

Outcomes Related to the Use of Intrauterine Devices Inserted Immediately After Birth.

Abstract Corresponding Author Olivia Coppens, Undergraduate, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; Telephone: 501-650-4113, E-mail: ocoppens@uark.edu Alternate Corresponding Author Holly Maples, Pharm.D.; 1 Children’s Way, Slot 208; Telephone: 501-658-6796, E-mail: maplesholly@uams.edu Acknowledgements Jeff and Kathy Lewis Sanders Distinguished Chair in Pediatrics Endowment. Conflict of Interest None. Background Handshake rounds have been found to have a positive impact on provider prescribing of antibiotics in the inpatient setting. Third generation cephalosporins are commonly utilized to treat pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) despite amoxicillin or ampicillin being the preferred treatment. Overutilization of third generation cephalosporins is known to increase antimicrobial resistance. Health disparities including race have also been found to impact antibiotic choice. This study aims to evaluate the impact of implementing Handshake Rounds on the treatment of pediatric CAP and to determine risk factors that impact antibiotic selection. Methods A retrospective chart review of inpatient general pediatric patients who received an antibiotic prescription for the treatment of CAP was done for both Arkansas Children’s Little Rock (ACLR) and Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2024. Handshake rounds were implemented in September 2023 on the ACLR campus only and included both a pediatric ID physician and pharmacist. For inclusion criteria, the patient had to receive ≥1 antibiotic for CAP and had to be &amp;gt;3 months to &amp;lt;19 years of age. Intensive care, oncology, patients with a history of CAP, and patients who were immuno-compromised were excluded. Data collected included vaccination status, zip code, allergies, race, payor status, sex, weight, antibiotic choice, number of doses given, healthcare provider, and hospital location. Data was analyzed descriptively and statistically via Wizard 2.0 Version 2.0.14. The results were summarized into percentages and chi-square statistical test was used on the categorical data with p&amp;lt;.05 being significant. Results A total of 1269 patients were included from both ACLR and ACNW with 629 pre-implementation (411 from ACLR and 218 from ACNW) and 640 post-implementation (393 from ACLR and 247 from ACNW). No differences found by sex or payor status. White patients had more antibiotic allergy reports (10%) than black (3.4%)(p&amp;lt;.001). Pre-handshake rounds, 42.5% vs 42.9% of patients received amoxicillin/ampicillin, while 31.8% vs 17.9% received a 3rd generation cephalosporin at ACLR vs ACNW respectively. Post-handshake rounds, 47.5% vs 43.6% of patients received amoxicillin/ampicillin, while 25.5% vs 15.8% of patients received a 3rd generation cephalosporin at ACLR vs ACNW. The decrease in 3rd generation cephalosporin usage was significant (p=.014) in ACLR with no significant change in ACNW (p=.453). However, ACNW baseline utilization of third generation cephalosporins were significantly less than ACLR (15.8% vs 25.5%; p&amp;lt;.001). At ACLR, no difference was found by race pre- implementation (p=.334) for antibiotic selection. However, post- implementation black patients were less likely to receive a 3rd generation (16.4%) than white (27.7%) or other (30.6%) (p=.016) and more likely to receive amoxicillin/ampicillin (59.3%) than white (43.1%) or other (45.9%) (p=.005). Conclusion After the implementation of handshake rounds at ACLR, significant improvement in prescribing first line antibiotics was noted with interesting finding of the significant impact on the black population more than the white. Differences in allergy reporting by race was also noted. Further study is warranted to better understand the impact of handshake rounds on antibiotic utilization by race.

In 2019, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) embarked on a 10-year journey toward an ambitious vision to become the healthiest state in the region. The strategic plan, christened UAMS Vision 2029, outlining how that and other goals would be achieved, has been carefully tracked and monitored since it was launched. In this article, the authors describe how UAMS is executing on the plan; share progress and lessons learned through specific examples and model processes; and provide guidance and practical advice to health care leaders on strategy execution and monitoring.

Stemphylium leaf spot (SLP), caused by Stemphylium vesicarium, has emerged as an increasing threat to spinach production in the United States, with widespread outbreaks reported across major spinach-growing regions over the past two decades. The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate global USDA spinach germplasm collections and commercial cultivars for resistance to S. vesicarium; (2) perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genomic regions associated with resistance; and (3) conduct genomic prediction (GP) to enhance selection accuracy. A total of 311 diverse spinach genotypes, including USDA germplasm accessions and commercial cultivars, were evaluated under greenhouse conditions at the University of Arkansas using the S. vesicarium isolate Sb-1-St001 from 2019 to 2021. The panel exhibited a wide range of disease responses. GWAS using disease severity index (DSI) values and whole-genome resequencing (WGR)-based SNP markers identified four SNPs—SOVchr1_127757911 (127,757,911 bp, Chr1), SOVchr2_21962694 (21,962,694 bp, Chr2), SOVchr4_114674293 (114,674,293 bp, Chr4), and SOVchr5_37417509 (37,417,509 bp, Chr5)—that were significantly associated with DSI for SLP resistance. Genomic prediction of DSI was performed using seven GP models across nine randomly selected SNP datasets and two GWAS-derived SNP sets. The GWAS-derived marker sets produced higher prediction accuracies in cross-population prediction, with r-values of 0.45 and 0.51 for the 4- and 18-SNP sets, respectively. These results underscore the potential of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) to accelerate the development of spinach cultivars resistant to Stemphylium leaf spot.