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Papers by Mariele Courtois

Research paper thumbnail of Book Review: Charles E. Curran, Diverse Voices in Modern US Moral Theology

Journal of Moral Theology, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Review of Maureen Junker-Kenny, “Approaches to Theological Ethics: Sources, Traditions, Visions”

Journal of Moral Theology, Jan 25, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Book Review: Charles E. Curran, Diverse Voices in Modern US Moral Theology

Research paper thumbnail of Feeding ecology of the African lion (Panthera leo) in Amboseli National Park, Kenya and comparison to other populations

Predators play a vital role in ecosystem dynamics. Thus, it is important to study the diet and fe... more Predators play a vital role in ecosystem dynamics. Thus, it is important to study the diet and feeding habits of predators to understand interspecific interactions and to gain insight for wildlife conservation. The African lion (Panthera leo) is an important predator in many African ecosystems, but the continental population has been declining for decades. This necessitates understanding this species’ feeding ecology across populations and habitats. Overall, lions exhibit a catholic diet that varies across populations and can include a wide range of prey species. In this study, we utilize observational behavioral data collected on lions in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park from 2003 to 2005 to investigate feeding ecology in this population. To our knowledge, this is the first study of this lion population. All observed occurrences of lion feedings were recorded in the field by observers who searched the study area daily around dawn and dusk. For each instance of feeding, we determined, whenever possible, the prey species and whether the prey was hunted or scavenged by lions. We found that the most common prey item for Amboseli lions was wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus; 52.6% of kills), followed by zebra (Equus burchelli; 36.8%) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer; 10.5%). We used Jacob’s index of selectivity (D) to evaluate whether a prey species was preferred, avoided, or consumed in proportion to availability. Although wildebeest (D = 0.03) and buffalo (D = 0.25) were consumed in proportion to availability, Amboseli lions showed a preference for zebra (D = 0.38) and an avoidance for Thompson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) (D = -1). For each observation of lions, the group size and composition (sexes and age classes) were determined, and each observation was categorized as either a feeding session or a non-feeding session, depending on whether food was present. We found that the number of lions present was significantly higher at sessions in which lions were feeding compared to those in which they were not feeding. This effect seemed to be driven by larger numbers of adult female lions and cubs at feeding sessions. These results will contribute to understanding lion feeding ecology across populations and developing conservation strategies

Research paper thumbnail of Preliminary Report: A survey of aggressive behaviors in the American coot (Fulica americana) at Ballona Wetlands, California

BIOS, 2016

BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting... more BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research.

Research paper thumbnail of Whole genome comparison of a large collection of mycobacteriophages reveals a continuum of phage genetic diversity

eLife, 2015

The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic... more The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic information shows that phage genomes are mosaic, and the genetic architecture of phage populations remains ill-defined. To understand the population structure of phages infecting a single host strain, we isolated, sequenced, and compared 627 phages of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Their genetic diversity is considerable, and there are 28 distinct genomic types (clusters) with related nucleotide sequences. However, amino acid sequence comparisons show pervasive genomic mosaicism, and quantification of inter-cluster and intra-cluster relatedness reveals a continuum of genetic diversity, albeit with uneven representation of different phages. Furthermore, rarefaction analysis shows that the mycobacteriophage population is not closed, and there is a constant influx of genes from other sources. Phage isolation and analysis was performed by a large consortium of academic institutions, illustrating ...

Research paper thumbnail of Whole genome comparison of a large collection of mycobacteriophages reveals a continuum of phage genetic diversity

eLife, 2015

The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic... more The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic information shows that phage genomes are mosaic, and the genetic architecture of phage populations remains ill-defined. To understand the population structure of phages infecting a single host strain, we isolated, sequenced, and compared 627 phages of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Their genetic diversity is considerable, and there are 28 distinct genomic types (clusters) with related nucleotide sequences. However, amino acid sequence comparisons show pervasive genomic mosaicism, and quantification of inter-cluster and intra-cluster relatedness reveals a continuum of genetic diversity, albeit with uneven representation of different phages. Furthermore, rarefaction analysis shows that the mycobacteriophage population is not closed, and there is a constant influx of genes from other sources. Phage isolation and analysis was performed by a large consortium of academic institutions, illustrating the substantial benefits of a disseminated, structured program involving large numbers of freshman undergraduates in scientific discovery.

Research paper thumbnail of Unlike Diamonds, Defibrillators Aren’t Forever: Why It Is Sometimes Ethical to Deactivate Cardiac Implantable Electrical Devices

Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics

Research paper thumbnail of Why the Common-Sense Distinction between Killing and Allowing-to-Die Is So Easy to Grasp but So Hard to Explain

Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics

Research paper thumbnail of Preliminary Report: A survey of aggressive behaviors in the American coot (Fulica americana) at Ballona Wetlands, California

Understanding interspecific and intraspecific aggression is important for wildlife management and... more Understanding interspecific and intraspecific aggression is important for wildlife management and sustainability of populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is a difference in number of occurrences of interspecific aggression between American coots (Fulica americana) and mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and intraspecific aggression among American coots in the Ballona wetland habitat of Southern California. Trends in literature describe coots as highly aggressive toward other coots year-round and toward other bird species during the breeding season. Because we conducted observations outside the breeding season, we hypothesized that more instances of intraspecific aggression would be observed. We found a significant difference between the number of occurrences of interspecific and intraspecific aggression based on four behaviors specific for American coots: charging, paired display, splattering, and churning. There were more instances of intraspecific aggressive encounters than interspecific aggressive encounters, which indicate the interacting species at Ballona are not competing for resources and their respective niches may not overlap.

Books by Mariele Courtois

Research paper thumbnail of Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations (Theological Investigations of Artificial Intelligence)

What does it mean to consider the world of AI through a Christian lens? Rapid developments in AI ... more What does it mean to consider the world of AI through a Christian lens? Rapid developments in AI continue to reshape society, raising new ethical questions and challenging our understanding of the human person. Encountering Artificial Intelligence draws on Pope Francis’ discussion of a culture of encounter and broader themes in Catholic social thought in order to examine how current AI applications affect human relationships in various social spheres and offers concrete recommendations for better implementation. The document also explores questions regarding personhood, consciousness, and the kinds of relationships humans might have with even the most advanced AI. Through these discussions, the document investigates the theoretical and practical challenges to interpersonal encounter raised by the age of AI.

The lead authors for this volume were Matthew J. Gaudet, Noreen Herzfeld, Paul Scherz, and Jordan Wales; and the contributing authors were Nathan Colaner, Jeremiah Coogan, Mariele Courtois, Brian Cutter, David E. DeCosse, Justin Charles Gable, OP, Brian Patrick Green, James Kintz, Cory Andrew Labrecque, Catherine Moon, Anselm Ramelow, OP, John P. Slattery, Margarita Vega, Luis G. Vera, Andrea Vicini, SJ, and Warren von Eschenbach.

The AI Research Group is a group of North American theologians, philosophers, and ethicists who have come together at the invitation of the Vatican Centre for Digital Culture, under the auspices of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, to discuss the current and future issues that the continued development of artificial intelligence poses for life and society as we know it. This book is the result of the collaborative efforts of these scholars from 2020 to 2023.

Research paper thumbnail of Book Review: Charles E. Curran, Diverse Voices in Modern US Moral Theology

Journal of Moral Theology, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Review of Maureen Junker-Kenny, “Approaches to Theological Ethics: Sources, Traditions, Visions”

Journal of Moral Theology, Jan 25, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Book Review: Charles E. Curran, Diverse Voices in Modern US Moral Theology

Research paper thumbnail of Feeding ecology of the African lion (Panthera leo) in Amboseli National Park, Kenya and comparison to other populations

Predators play a vital role in ecosystem dynamics. Thus, it is important to study the diet and fe... more Predators play a vital role in ecosystem dynamics. Thus, it is important to study the diet and feeding habits of predators to understand interspecific interactions and to gain insight for wildlife conservation. The African lion (Panthera leo) is an important predator in many African ecosystems, but the continental population has been declining for decades. This necessitates understanding this species’ feeding ecology across populations and habitats. Overall, lions exhibit a catholic diet that varies across populations and can include a wide range of prey species. In this study, we utilize observational behavioral data collected on lions in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park from 2003 to 2005 to investigate feeding ecology in this population. To our knowledge, this is the first study of this lion population. All observed occurrences of lion feedings were recorded in the field by observers who searched the study area daily around dawn and dusk. For each instance of feeding, we determined, whenever possible, the prey species and whether the prey was hunted or scavenged by lions. We found that the most common prey item for Amboseli lions was wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus; 52.6% of kills), followed by zebra (Equus burchelli; 36.8%) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer; 10.5%). We used Jacob’s index of selectivity (D) to evaluate whether a prey species was preferred, avoided, or consumed in proportion to availability. Although wildebeest (D = 0.03) and buffalo (D = 0.25) were consumed in proportion to availability, Amboseli lions showed a preference for zebra (D = 0.38) and an avoidance for Thompson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) (D = -1). For each observation of lions, the group size and composition (sexes and age classes) were determined, and each observation was categorized as either a feeding session or a non-feeding session, depending on whether food was present. We found that the number of lions present was significantly higher at sessions in which lions were feeding compared to those in which they were not feeding. This effect seemed to be driven by larger numbers of adult female lions and cubs at feeding sessions. These results will contribute to understanding lion feeding ecology across populations and developing conservation strategies

Research paper thumbnail of Preliminary Report: A survey of aggressive behaviors in the American coot (Fulica americana) at Ballona Wetlands, California

BIOS, 2016

BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting... more BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research.

Research paper thumbnail of Whole genome comparison of a large collection of mycobacteriophages reveals a continuum of phage genetic diversity

eLife, 2015

The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic... more The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic information shows that phage genomes are mosaic, and the genetic architecture of phage populations remains ill-defined. To understand the population structure of phages infecting a single host strain, we isolated, sequenced, and compared 627 phages of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Their genetic diversity is considerable, and there are 28 distinct genomic types (clusters) with related nucleotide sequences. However, amino acid sequence comparisons show pervasive genomic mosaicism, and quantification of inter-cluster and intra-cluster relatedness reveals a continuum of genetic diversity, albeit with uneven representation of different phages. Furthermore, rarefaction analysis shows that the mycobacteriophage population is not closed, and there is a constant influx of genes from other sources. Phage isolation and analysis was performed by a large consortium of academic institutions, illustrating ...

Research paper thumbnail of Whole genome comparison of a large collection of mycobacteriophages reveals a continuum of phage genetic diversity

eLife, 2015

The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic... more The bacteriophage population is large, dynamic, ancient, and genetically diverse. Limited genomic information shows that phage genomes are mosaic, and the genetic architecture of phage populations remains ill-defined. To understand the population structure of phages infecting a single host strain, we isolated, sequenced, and compared 627 phages of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Their genetic diversity is considerable, and there are 28 distinct genomic types (clusters) with related nucleotide sequences. However, amino acid sequence comparisons show pervasive genomic mosaicism, and quantification of inter-cluster and intra-cluster relatedness reveals a continuum of genetic diversity, albeit with uneven representation of different phages. Furthermore, rarefaction analysis shows that the mycobacteriophage population is not closed, and there is a constant influx of genes from other sources. Phage isolation and analysis was performed by a large consortium of academic institutions, illustrating the substantial benefits of a disseminated, structured program involving large numbers of freshman undergraduates in scientific discovery.

Research paper thumbnail of Unlike Diamonds, Defibrillators Aren’t Forever: Why It Is Sometimes Ethical to Deactivate Cardiac Implantable Electrical Devices

Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics

Research paper thumbnail of Why the Common-Sense Distinction between Killing and Allowing-to-Die Is So Easy to Grasp but So Hard to Explain

Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics

Research paper thumbnail of Preliminary Report: A survey of aggressive behaviors in the American coot (Fulica americana) at Ballona Wetlands, California

Understanding interspecific and intraspecific aggression is important for wildlife management and... more Understanding interspecific and intraspecific aggression is important for wildlife management and sustainability of populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is a difference in number of occurrences of interspecific aggression between American coots (Fulica americana) and mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and intraspecific aggression among American coots in the Ballona wetland habitat of Southern California. Trends in literature describe coots as highly aggressive toward other coots year-round and toward other bird species during the breeding season. Because we conducted observations outside the breeding season, we hypothesized that more instances of intraspecific aggression would be observed. We found a significant difference between the number of occurrences of interspecific and intraspecific aggression based on four behaviors specific for American coots: charging, paired display, splattering, and churning. There were more instances of intraspecific aggressive encounters than interspecific aggressive encounters, which indicate the interacting species at Ballona are not competing for resources and their respective niches may not overlap.

Research paper thumbnail of Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations (Theological Investigations of Artificial Intelligence)

What does it mean to consider the world of AI through a Christian lens? Rapid developments in AI ... more What does it mean to consider the world of AI through a Christian lens? Rapid developments in AI continue to reshape society, raising new ethical questions and challenging our understanding of the human person. Encountering Artificial Intelligence draws on Pope Francis’ discussion of a culture of encounter and broader themes in Catholic social thought in order to examine how current AI applications affect human relationships in various social spheres and offers concrete recommendations for better implementation. The document also explores questions regarding personhood, consciousness, and the kinds of relationships humans might have with even the most advanced AI. Through these discussions, the document investigates the theoretical and practical challenges to interpersonal encounter raised by the age of AI.

The lead authors for this volume were Matthew J. Gaudet, Noreen Herzfeld, Paul Scherz, and Jordan Wales; and the contributing authors were Nathan Colaner, Jeremiah Coogan, Mariele Courtois, Brian Cutter, David E. DeCosse, Justin Charles Gable, OP, Brian Patrick Green, James Kintz, Cory Andrew Labrecque, Catherine Moon, Anselm Ramelow, OP, John P. Slattery, Margarita Vega, Luis G. Vera, Andrea Vicini, SJ, and Warren von Eschenbach.

The AI Research Group is a group of North American theologians, philosophers, and ethicists who have come together at the invitation of the Vatican Centre for Digital Culture, under the auspices of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, to discuss the current and future issues that the continued development of artificial intelligence poses for life and society as we know it. This book is the result of the collaborative efforts of these scholars from 2020 to 2023.