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Item type: Item , Purification and Functional Characterization of PlyN74 Endolysin for Antibacterial Applications(2026) Costello, Emily; Rodriguez, Nathalie; Gunasekara, Ravindu; O'Hara, JessicaAntibiotic resistance is a growing problem in the medical field, which requires the development of alternative medicines to treat patients with bacterial infections. Bacteriophage endolysin proteins such as N74 have been shown to target Bacillus cereus as well as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). This study aims to characterize the effectiveness of N74 at facilitating lysis of Bacillus cereus and how lysis can be augmented through use of endolysins plyG and P56, in conjunction with N74. A recombinant version of the N74 protein with a 6x-HIS tag was overexpressed and purified from E. coli using sonication and Ni-NTA columns. We used a BCA assay to measure protein concentration. tested the activity of the protein by conducting spectrophotometric lysis assays and log-fold killing assays were used to characterize the lytic activity of N74 against B.cereus. Our results show that PlyN74 is indeed an effective protein to lyse B. cereus. The BCA assay was successful in showing that N74 was purified and the SDS-PAGE showed the proper band size in the gel. The log-fold killing assays showed a decrease in bacterial growth. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of PlyN74 at lysing Bacillus cereus and characterized the effects of endolysins PlyG and P56 on lysis when used alongside PlyN74. While previous studies have shown that endolysins that lyse Bacillus cereus have been able to lyse Bacillus anthracis, further testing is required to determine the effectiveness of PlyN74 on Bacillus anthracis. The results will ultimately aid in the discovery of new alternatives to antibiotics.Item type: Item , Preparing for Organizational Policy-Crafting Around genAI Usage(2026-09-08) Williams-Pierce, Caro; Ashwathanarayana, Samarth; Nathan, Mitchell J.Currently, various educational organizations have cobbled together a wide variety of generative AI (genAI) use policies, to govern the ways in which students are permitted to use these advanced tools during their learning. The best way forward is not yet known, and the forking paths are complex. In this piece, we propose flexible but unified principles for guiding educators and learners in the determining and communicating the appropriate uses of genAI. We have developed these principles specifically for post-secondary institutions and programs, as we work and teach at the university level; however, we consider these principles broadly applicable across educational organizations. Given that the field of genAI is rapidly moving, and that education is - as always - at the forefront of how those changes impact and involve society, simply keeping up with what is happening is a Herculean task. Therefore, we begin by describing some past and current approaches to using genAI in schools, so that the lay of the land is established. We then offer a flexible and unified approach to policy and classification of how genAI can be used for educational purposes. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for how educators can think about the benefits and risks of genAI in their classrooms.Item type: Item , Introduction to Guilford Woods(2026-08-28) Prince, Stephen D.The Woods and its Creek occupy about 15 acres to the west of Guilford Drive and south of Campus Drive. At this time, approximately 13 acres are owned by the University and 4.5 acres by a commercial Company. Smaller parts are owned by four places of worship and some private houses that back onto the main area of Woods. Most of these have some woodland similar to the UMD area. The Woods have diverse forest habitats that support high biodiversity. About 172 species have been found so far, but the entire biodiversity is not known. The current lists include birds (e.g., pileated woodpeckers, barred owls, red-shouldered hawks), mammals (e.g., bats, raccoons, deer, foxes), reptiles and amphibians, many insects and arthropods, shrubs and herbaceous plants, many fungi, and at least 26 species of native trees. The Creek has aquatic insects and other small invertebrates typical of the “flashy” flow of urban waterways. A recent survey discovered a species of small carnivorous worm in the Creek that is new to science. Some of the larger “specimen” trees are mapped on a 2019 Natural Resource Inventory. Few species are invasive aliens. Simple management can control some more troublesome aliens such as English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle and Wisteria, although lesser celandine remains a problem. The Woods provide many important benefits including education, research opportunities, and recreation.Item type: Item , Approaches to Punishment: Examining Stigma as a Mediator Between Empathy and Retributive and Restorative Justice Orientations(2026) Azam, Eman; Taylor, TerrillThe U.S. leads incarceration rates per capita across the globe, underscoring the need to better understand factors that influence support for punitive attitudes. Prior research has demonstrated that factors such as causal attribution style influence justice orientations, however, there is mixed evidence on the influence of cognitive factors. This study examined the relationship between empathy and restorative and retributive justice orientations, with the role of stigma as a mediator. Data were collected from an online sample of n = 421 participants who read a vignette depicting a violent-crime scenario and completed various measures. Data was analyzed through EIV regression models which produced mixed results. In the first model, there was a significant positive relationship between empathy and stigma (a = .2212, p = .0004) and stigma and retributive attitudes (b = .1399, p = .0180), but there was a negative and nonsignificant relationship between empathy and retributive orientations (c = −.1026, p = .0522). Stigma was a significant mediator in this model, ab = .0309, 95% CI [.0051, .0689]. In the second model, there was a significant and positive relationship between empathy and restorative orientations (c = .2028, p = .0002), but no statistically significant correlation between stigma and restorative orientations (b = -.0158, p = .7631). Stigma was not a significant mediator in this model, ab= -.0037, 95% CI [-.0295, .0212]. The results suggest that greater empathy is linked to increased perceptions of stigma, which in turn are associated with stronger support for retributive attitudes—effectively offsetting empathy’s potential protective influence. Additionally, stigma did not appear to influence restorative orientations, while empathy had a direct impact. Limitations and implications are discussed.Item type: Item , Building Community Through College Park Parkrun(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2026/05) Levine, Samantha; Sellers, Ann; Sinobad, Marco; Velthuis, Adrian; Walker, John; Walls, Samuel; Stillwell, JamesThis report presents the findings and recommendations of a semester-long community engagement project conducted through the PALS program in partnership with College Park Parkrun. The project explored how participation in community-based initiatives can foster connection, belonging, and meaning. Drawing on course frameworks and insights from The Power of Meaning by Emily Smith, our group examined how Parkrun contributes to four key pillars of meaning: belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence. These pillars provided a lens for understanding how individuals experience community engagement beyond surface-level participation. Through observational visits, participant engagement, and reflection, our group found that Parkrun successfully fosters belonging and shared purpose among regular participants. Overall, this project demonstrates that intentional community engagement can create lasting social impact by fostering deeper human connection and meaning. To expand its impact, we recommend increasing outreach and strengthening community partnerships.