Digital Commons Network^™

Chinese Tallow Long-Term Impact On Stand Dynamics In A Bottomland Hardwood Forest Following Vegetation Management, Nicklaus R. Langlois

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) is an invasive tree known to have negative impacts on bottomland hardwood forests. Chinese tallow is proficient in reproducing and surviving in bottomland hardwood forests because it is more flood and shade tolerant than most native trees. The long-term effectiveness of Chinese tallow control is an important topic to research as only a few long-term studies of Chinese tallow control have been conducted. A 10-year re-measurement of 22 paired plots installed in 2012 on the Pineywoods Mitigation Bank near Diboll, Texas following herbicide treatments examined Chinese tallow and native tree stand structure. Each …

An Examination Of The Physical And Technical Demands Of The Competitive Season For Ncaa Division I Male Soccer Players, Emmanuel Espinoza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the physical and technical demands of collegiate NCAA D-I male soccer players over the course of a competitive season. The following are the major findings of the dissertation:

Study 1 – GPS normative data was calculated by position using data from 5 seasons (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022). GPS data was compared by position for 5 different GPS-derived metrics. No statistically significant differences were found in any field or lab testing data by position. Statistically significant relationships were found between physical match performance variables of TD and SPR with both YYIRT-1 and …

Enriching The Pcos Lifestyle, Callie Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting approximately 4 – 20% of women worldwide. It is associated with insulin resistance, fertility problems, and an increased susceptibility to chronic conditions through multiple inflammatory pathways. Women with PCOS are also at increased risk for disordered eating. The Mediterranean diet is associated with decreased inflammation and risk of chronic conditions, and intuitive eating principles are associated with decreased disordered eating patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine if a six-week nutrition education workshop incorporating information and skills related to both the Mediterranean lifestyle and intuitive eating principles can improve …

Furthering Ascidian Taxonomy Using Molecular Biology, Nicholas Gulnick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ascidians are our closest invertebrate relatives and comprise nearly 3,000 species separated into three orders: Aplousobranchia (most speciose), Stolidobranchia, and Phlebobranchia (least speciose). Ascidians can be classified as either solitary or colonial organisms. Species delimitation using morphological characters alone has had varied results. Well known, widely distributed, morphological species have turned out to be catch all species comprised of several cryptic species. Molecular markers can help mitigate some of the issues presented by strictly using morphological observations, including resolving the status of cryptic species, and accessing the expert knowledge required to identify a species. By incorporating molecular markers and pairing …

Neuroinflammation In Alzheimer’S Disease Mouse Brain Following Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Lujain Almuhanna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a common form of head injury, with mild TBIs (mTBIs) making up 75-90% of the TBI severity scale. It’s been suggested that repetitive mild TBIs (rmTBIs) may enhance effects of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). With dementia linking TBI and AD together, we investigated the memory hub of the brain - the hippocampus. Astrocytes and microglia are two glial cells that respond to neuroinflammation and therefore imaged in hippocampal regions of the 3xTg-AD mouse brain. We hypothesized that AD brain pathology (i.e., neuroinflammation) would be accelerated in 3xTg-AD mice following rmTBIs early in life. Analyses revealed that …

Evidence Of Climatic Influence On Subsistence Strategies At Sage Hen Springs, Nevada, Andrew Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Models of settlement patterns in the northwest Great Basin describe a decrease in residential mobility, intensified use of upland spring ecozones, and an increase in diet breadth during the Middle and Late Archaic. Here, I present data collected from the Sage Hen Springs site in northwestern Nevada during a Phase II testing project conducted by the BLM and an analysis of these data focusing on patterns of subsistence and mobility strategies throughout the Archaic. Results of this analysis support existing models of lifeways in the northwest Great Basin at the small scale and point to climatic factors as influences on …

The Aquatic Microbial Environment Shapes The Gut Microbiota, Brain, And Behavior Of Larval Amphibians, Kyle Emerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microbial communities comprising bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists live within and on the surfaces of animal hosts. These microbial communities exist in symbiosis with the host, and heavily influence host physiology, development, health, and fitness. Gut-dwelling microbes (i.e., gut microbiota) contribute to host neurodevelopment through a bidirectional Microbiota-Gut-Brain (MGB) axis. Evidence of the MGB axis has been primarily derived from studies that use germ-free (GF) models, which commonly display altered neurophysiology and behavior compared to conventionally raised counterparts. Almost all studies of the MGB axis have used mammalian models in a biomedical framework, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the role …

Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Dromedarian camel, Camelus dromedarius, is native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the Sultanate of Oman. These camels are used for food, milk, as well as show and racing competitions. Despite their economic and cultural importance research on camels in Oman is limited. The goal of this study was to examine their genomic variation, relationship with camels in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and to determine if selective breeding has led to the establishment of distinct breeds in Oman. Information was compiled from multiple sources to produce a comprehensive review on the breeding, management, economic and cultural use, …

Full Annual Cycle Analysis Of American Woodcock (Scolopax Minor) Distribution, Habitat Use, And Migration Ecology, Liam A. Berigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The widespread availability of satellite tracking devices has made it possible to track individual migratory birds throughout the full annual cycle, examining how distribution and habitat use change between seasons and regions while also describing the characteristics of migratory movements. We used these devices to examine the full annual cycle ecology of American Woodcock (Scolopax minor; hereinafter woodcock), an early successional habitat specialist whose populations are declining throughout their range in eastern North America. We used these data to develop a multi-season distribution model for woodcock management in Pennsylvania, demonstrating the importance of considering habitat use across multiple …

Towards A Pleasurable Food Experience: Influencing People's Liking, Taste Perceptions, And Mediated Emotions Using Augmented Flavor Experiences, Meetha Nesam James Ravindran Santhakumar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The multisensory nature of food and beverage flavors plays an integral role in our everyday lives. While eating is primarily for survival, individuals seek pleasure in their eating experiences through diverse means. Prior research has acknowledged that the experience of flavor is inherently multisensory, engaging the five basic senses (taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing) and integrating additional sensory inputs(temperature, humidity, spatial smell, lighting, and even the visual and tactile characteristics of cutlery). To enhance the pleasure of consuming food and beverages, individuals consider various perceptual and cognitive factors, including the pleasure derived from taste sensations, overall hedonic liking of …

Chemical Composition, Food Safety And Quality Characteristics Of Birch Syrup In Comparison To Maple Syrup, Djeneba Diarra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Birch syrup has gained popularity in the market due to its distinctive flavor, natural origin, potential health benefits, and culinary versatility with a wide range of applications. Birch syrup has been attracting attention recently because it has been presented as a unique alternative to one of the most used sweeteners, maple syrup. Apart from the similar production process and artisanal appeal, both syrups have important distinctions such as flavor, chemical composition, and other characteristics that make them unique. Because of its high consumption and economic impact, maple syrup has been extensively studied to check various factors and aspects such as …

Irrigation Strategies And Precipitation Scenario Effects On Wild Blueberries, Ali Bello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. and V. myrtilloides Mitchx.) are now under increasing variations in climate conditions (Chen et al., 2022; Fernandez et al., 2020; Tasnim et al., 2021). High temperature and changes in rainfall patterns associated with climate change have direct effects on soil moisture regimes, and therefore wild blueberry crops. Over the last century, climate change in Maine (U.S.A) has been characterized by less frequent and more intense precipitation and warming temperatures. Extreme rainfall events are increasingly affecting the structure and functions of wild blueberries. Changes in precipitation patterns are influencing plant growth, physiology and edaphic conditions of …

The Molecular Detection Of Sphaerulina Vaccinii: A Leaf Spot Pathogen Of Lowbush Blueberry, Zoe Colwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sphaerulina vaccinii is a fungal leaf spot pathogen of lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium, causing Sphaerulina leaf spot. Infection by this pathogen results in symptoms of dark lesions on the leaves and stems in either of the crop cycle years. Severe infection by this pathogen is thought to result in decreased fruit retention and yield. As wild blueberries are central to Maine’s economy, reliable disease identification is essential for using suitable management strategies to control disease. Molecular-based methods for pathogen differentiation have been used efficiently to identify fungal pathogens in economically important crops. To develop a molecular-based method to identify …

Implementing Innovative Conservation Tools: Lessons Learned From Maine's Vernal Pool Special Area Management Plan, Megan E. Leach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Maine’s Vernal Pool Special Area Management Plan (VP SAMP) is an innovative conservation tool that balances local economic development with the conservation of vernal pools, small ephemeral wetlands that occur predominantly on private lands. The VP SAMP, collaboratively developed by researchers and practitioners, is a locally based tool that uses an in-lieu fee mechanism to conserve vernal pools in rural areas while directing development to designated growth areas. Although the VP SAMP has been adopted by two Maine municipalities, full implementation has yet to be completed, highlighting the need to look beyond the creation of the VP SAMP tool to …

Boundaries, Learning, And Collective Action: A Socio-Ecological Analysis Of Fisheries In The Gulf Of Maine And The North Atlantic, Anne Cj Hayden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua has been subject to commercial exploitation since the thirteenth century. An analysis of cod fisheries over space and time reveals a pattern of serial depletion that reflects the cross-scale interaction of fish population structure, economic incentives, developments in fishing technology, and government efforts to limit access to fishing areas. The meta-population structure of cod populations allows overharvesting, even when strict but broadscale controls are in place. Three case studies illustrate a pattern of fish population depletion followed by expansion of fishing activity that repeats at a range of scales. Sustainable use of a commons, rare among …

Interactions Between Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) And Pathogenic Bacteria In Culled Potato Waste, Matthew A. Moyet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation is to investigate the feasibility and safety of rearing black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) on culled potato waste in the presence of pathogens. World food and feed supplies remain insufficient while the demand for alternative protein sources is steadily increasing. Recycling organic waste into ingredients of animal feeds using black soldier larvae, which are omnivorous saprotrophs native to North America, is a rapidly emerging technology that shows great promise for creating circular agricultural systems. To optimize this technology on an industrial scale, assessment of rearing conditions on different feeding substrates and the …

Investigating The Characteristics Of Bacteria Isolated From The Sea Scallop (Placopecten Magellanicus) Larvae And Tanks, Ayodeji Olaniyi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Placopecten magellanicus, also known as the Atlantic deep-sea scallop, is a valuable marine species on North America's northeastern coast. Although adult scallops can be successfully bred in hatcheries, a perplexing and destructive event takes place during the last two weeks of larval development: a sudden and severe mortality event that causes a drastic decline in populations, with some reports suggesting that survival from egg to competent larva can sometimes be reduced to as low as 1-10% during a span of 48 hours. The precise reasons for larval mortality in sea scallops remain unclear. Prior studies have investigated infections in …

Characterizing The Neuronal Signaling Required For Muscle-Specific And Whole Body Enhanced Proteostasis Effects Of Low Mrna Translation, Marissa N. Ruzga

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the study of aging, there is a common paradigm that organisms allocate energy between surviving stressful conditions and growth/reproduction (Masoro, 2000). Driving mechanisms that favor the former extend lifespan and protect against cellular stress in different animal systems, including C. elegans. Dietary restriction is one such environmental stressor, which leads to downregulation of the energy-intensive process of mRNA translation (Karol, 2009; Tavernarakis, 2008). When knocked down in adulthood, IFG-1, a component of translation regulation, also protects against cellular stress. Protective effects of low translation appear to be orchestrated by certain tissues in C. elegans, namely neurons and …

Haiku And Human Anatomy: Investigating Students' Experience With Creative Writing To Learn Structure And Function In An Undergraduate Biology Course, Alexandra M. Ryan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biology education research has identified needs and new approaches that have informed several reform movements to enrich learning, prepare students to be biologically literate citizens, and give them the skills to pursue a career in science if they choose. The Vision and Change report published in 2011 identified a need for change in undergraduate biology education due to the fast paced nature of the field of biology and outdated traditional methods of biology education that cannot keep up with societal needs. The Vision and Change report outlines five core concepts and competencies that educators should include in their undergraduate biology …

Lipid Production And Biofuel Yield From Wood Hydrolysates Using Oleaginous Yeast “Cutaneotrichosporon Curvatus”, Stephanie Ossai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The conversion of forest bioproducts into biofuel precursors aligns with the United Nations' sustainable development goals of enhancing the world's energy mix and achieving net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases on a global scale by the year 2050. At the core of this study is the chemical pre-conditioning of white pine wood chips to produce hydrolysates rich in hemicelluloses, a vital step towards leveraging the biochemical pathways that convert polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin into valuable biofuels. This study explores the use of hydrolysate from the chemical preconditioning system of pine wood chips for microbial oil production. The current study …

Spatial And Demographic Variations In Apparent Annual Survival Of Golden-Winged Warblers: A Range-Wide Investigation, Emily Filiberti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is a Nearctic-Neotropical migratory songbird that has experienced over 70% population loss since the 1960s. While primary drivers of decline are unclear, habitat loss and hybridization with the genetically similar Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) are likely causes. This species breeds in two geographically allopatric regions, the Great Lakes and the Appalachian Mountains. These two populations are experiencing different rates of decline, with the Appalachian Mountain population facing steeper decline than the Great Lakes. Due to pronounced range-wide population decline, Golden-winged Warbler is currently under review for protection under the Endangered Species Act, however information pertaining …

Exploring Crop Management Impacts To Soil Health In Maine Potato Production, Katherine A. Ashley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The potato, Solanum tuberosum, was first brought to Maine in the mid-1700’s and has remained economically important since. In 2023, Maine was the ninth largest US producer with a total production of over two billion pounds. However, potato production can be impactful to soil health as the result of crop management practices. The effects of different management factors in potato production (rotation length, variety selection, use of non-grain rotation crops, green manure rotations, chemical fumigation, and compost amendment) were evaluated over four years. No differences were found in the first year of potato planting, but significant differences in soil health …

Mechanistic Study Of Photochemical And Advanced Oxidation Processes For Degradation Of Pharmaceuticals In Water, Melissa J. Chisholm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are contaminants in water worldwide and the effects of the accumulation of these contaminants in the environment are a growing concern. Current water treatment methods involve chlorination and chloramination, which have the potential to create chlorinated by-products that are possibly more harmful than the starting material that was the target of decomposition. Alternative methods to chlorination are advanced oxidation processes (AOP). Previous studies of AOPs often focused on the rate at which the target compound is removed, but neglect to evaluate the by-products.

The compounds of interest in this study were chosen because of …

Notch Signaling Regulates Perivascular Adipose Tissue Functions, Chenhao Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High fat diet (HFD) can contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in humans, and diabetes is a major risk factor for CVD. The comorbidity of these two metabolic disorders indicates shared mechanisms of pathology. As a component of the vasculature, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) regulates vasoreactivity and contributes to obesity-related vascular pathologies, such as atherosclerosis, through paracrine signaling. The Notch pathway plays fundamental roles in cell fate decisions and growth, and is involved in adipocyte metabolic homeostasis. Previous studies have shown that constitutive Notch signaling in adipose tissue promotes pathological conversion of aortic PVAT in mice fed a control …

Silvicultural Treatments Affect Adult Coquillettidia Perturbans (Diptera: Culicidae) Abundance In A Managed Forest, Alyssa Marini

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mosquito-borne diseases are a serious public health concern worldwide. There are many important mosquito vector species inhabiting forested ecosystems; timber harvesting may play a role in altering the abundance of vector species. Timber harvesting is an activity within the broader field of silviculture. Silvicultural treatments are defined as a plan that combines specific harvesting, regeneration, and tending methods to improve the conditions of the forest stand. Utilizing forest management techniques can influence mosquito vectors by reducing their population and transmission risk to humans. Additionally, silvicultural treatments can alter the diversity or abundance of adult mosquito species through a variety of …

Comparative Analysis Of Aboveground Monitoring Tools To Support Greenhouse Gas Reporting: A Belize Case Study, Sylvia Noralez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The challenges associated with accurate carbon reporting, particularly in tropical regions, stem from limited reference data and spatial heterogeneity. Remote sensing systems play a crucial role in carbon accounting by providing comprehensive and spatially explicit information on forest biomass and carbon stocks over large areas. These systems utilize advanced methodologies to estimate biomass and monitor changes, integrating data from multiple sources to capture the complexities of ecosystem processes accurately. Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) supports developing countries with carbon reporting by facilitating access to satellite data and promoting collaboration among space agencies and international organizations. Google Earth Engine (GEE) …

Predicting Larval Dispersal And Population Connectivity Of Sea Scallops (Placopecten Magellanicus) On The Maine Coast Through An Individual-Based Model, Kelsey M. Ward

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A hydrodynamic model of the coastal currents in the Gulf of Maine has been adapted to include an individual-based scallop larval development and behaviors module and used to estimate sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) larval dispersal along the eastern Maine coast. Larvae are released along the coastline out to a 40 m isobath during September and October, and dispersal is driven using the hydrodynamical model result for the region from 2014 through 2017. The origins of particles that “settle” in focal areas, such as Blue Hill Bay, Jericho Bay, and Narraguagus Bay, are determined from model runs, and the …

Understanding The Effects Of Ocean Warming And Acidification On The Growth Of Marine Phytoplankton, Drajad Sarwo Seto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere, caused by human activities, has led to a rise in global temperature and an increase in surface ocean temperature. Moreover, the amount of CO₂ exchanged between the atmosphere and the ocean's surface alters the water's chemistry, decreasing pH. This phenomenon is known as ocean acidification (OA). The growth of marine phytoplankton is affected by environmental conditions, and the changes in ocean temperature and acidity are expected to impact their growth, ultimately affecting primary productivity in the ocean.

In my thesis, I explore how the growth of marine phytoplankton, including coastal diatoms, …

Exploring Available Information On The Gut-Brain Axis And Alzheimer’S Disease For Clinicians Making Dietary Recommendations: A Scoping Review, Megan Gibson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that requires interprofessional collaboration. Pharmacological options are currently ineffective, increasing the need for preventative strategies to combat the rise of AD. Considerations of gut-targeted interventions have increased as a key component in the prevention of AD, based on the understanding that the state of the gut microbiome can impact cognitive function through the pathway known as the gut-brain axis.

Methods: This scoping review explored information on the gut-brain axis in persons with AD. A comprehensive search was conducted in November 2023. Forty reviews and 13 human studies were analyzed.

Results: There …

The Influence Of Researcher Disturbance On Raccoon Predation Of American Alligator Nests, Clarissa Tuten

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are a dominant predator of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests in the southeastern United States, using a combination of olfactory, visual, and tactile cues to identify nest locations. Studies on alligator nesting ecology typically require researchers to create paths through marsh habitat, potentially introducing visual and olfactory cues raccoons may use to locate nests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of human visitation to alligator nests on the frequency of raccoon nest predation at two sites in coastal South Carolina, Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (TYWC) and Santee Coastal Reserve (SCR). We hypothesized that …