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The Effects Of A 10-Week Judo Program On Cortisol And Stress In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Justine Renziehausen
The Effects Of A 10-Week Judo Program On Cortisol And Stress In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Justine Renziehausen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have increased levels of stress, leading to dysregulated production of cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol have numerous known adverse health consequences, and therefore, interventions should be established to help attenuate cortisol production. As judo combines physical activity and mindfulness practice, it may aid in stress reduction and decreased levels of cortisol. Purpose: To examine the effects of a 10-week judo program on stress reactions and salivary cortisol levels in youth with ASD. Methods: 20 children with ASD participated in the 10-week judo program. Changes in acute (before and after one judo session) …
A Mixed-Methods Approach To Understanding The Relationship Between Mental Toughness And The Effect Of Music On Exercise Performance, Kayla Baker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Previous research has investigated the use of music as an ergogenic aid for exercise performance; however, the effect of music on exercise may differ between individuals of varying levels of mental toughness (MT). Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating effect of MT on the effect of listening to music during exercise. Methods: The current study used a counter-balanced design, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. Thirty-one recreationally-active individuals (22.13 ± 2.11 yrs, 1.73 ± .10 m, 75.68 ± 14.67 kg, 42.89 ± 5.31 mL·kg·min-1; 65.5% males) were recruited for this study. Participants completed an initial visit to …
Pine, Aphids, And Parasitoid Wasps: Patterns Of Cospeciation And Host Switches In A Tri-Trophic System, Amber Bass
Pine, Aphids, And Parasitoid Wasps: Patterns Of Cospeciation And Host Switches In A Tri-Trophic System, Amber Bass
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ecological interactions may drive speciation events, and the processes that drive these speciation events can leave behind patterns in the phylogenies of interacting taxa. These patterns have been studied extensively in herbivores and host plants, as well as parasites and their hosts, but rarely in tri-trophic systems. Here, we examine three closely related groups of interacting taxa, including parasitoid wasps (Pauesia), aphid herbivores (Cinara), and pine trees (Pinus) to determine if the patterns between each interacting taxa indicate that cospeciation or host switches are more dominant. We create phylogenies of Cinara and Pauesia in the southeastern United States using ddRADseq …
Do Per-Capita Impact Or Abundance Dominate The Impact Of An Invader? Interactions Among Neighboring Species In Context-Dependent Competition, Haoyu Li
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Evaluating relative species competitive strength is a central question in community ecology, with strong implications for invasion ecology. Models assessing invader success consider three components: distribution, abundance and per-capita impact. However, relative strength and interactions among these factors remain unclear when applying to specific invasion scenarios. We hypothesized that performance of native and non-native species will vary as a function of direct and indirect effects at different abundances and scales. We conducted a replacement experiment between two dominant grasses in subtropical grasslands (the native Axonopus fissifolius and the non-native Paspalum notatum) in central Florida, USA. Thirty fenced plots (1 m …
Noninvasive Myographical Assessments Following Unaccustomed Resistance Exercise, Carleigh Boone
Noninvasive Myographical Assessments Following Unaccustomed Resistance Exercise, Carleigh Boone
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Traditionally, post-exercise muscular alterations have been examined using invasive techniques that lack the ability to single out individual muscle groups. Sonomyography, tensiomyography, and electrical impedance myography allow for noninvasive skeletal muscle assessment. This project aimed to examine changes in muscle contractility and composition that occur in the early stages of recovery following unaccustomed exercise. METHODS: Twenty-one untrained adults (21.9 ± 1.9 y) performed exercise – 10 × 10 maximal eccentric knee extensions – with their nondominant leg. For each repetition, participants moved through 90° range of motion at 90°•s-1 with a passive return to the start position. Each set was …
The Effects Of Dynamic Versus Isometric Postactivation Potentiation On Collegiate Female Rowers, Idan Harat
The Effects Of Dynamic Versus Isometric Postactivation Potentiation On Collegiate Female Rowers, Idan Harat
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Post-activation potentiation (PAP) has been shown to improve acute power-based performance, and the potential to enhance rowing performance. To examine PAP effects with rowing performance, 40 collegiate female rowers performed isometric potentiating (ISO), dynamic potentiating (DYN) and typical control (CON) warm-up protocols, after which they completed a three-minute all-out test (3MT) to evaluate their total distance, peak power, mean power, critical power, anaerobic working capacity (W') and stroke rate. Fifteen-second splits for distance and mean power were also analyzed. The PAP protocols were performed on a rowing ergometer, in a movement pattern that simulated rowing. ISO consisted of 5 × …
The Impact Of Judo On Aggressive Behaviors In Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paola Rivera
The Impact Of Judo On Aggressive Behaviors In Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paola Rivera
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week judo program on lifestyle habits and behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHODS: Participants included 25 children (ages 8-17), with a formal diagnosis of ASD. The sample participated in an 8-week judo program (45 minutes, 1x week), with measures taken at baseline and at the end of the 8-weeks. In order to assess activity levels and sleep quality, participants were instructed to wear Actigraph GT9X Accelerometers for 7 days and nights. In order to assess behavioral changes, parents were given the ABC survey to fill …
Zika Virus-Induced Lysis Of Cervical Cancer Cells, Harini Krishnapura
Zika Virus-Induced Lysis Of Cervical Cancer Cells, Harini Krishnapura
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women with an estimated 570,000 new cases globally in 2018. Treatment of advanced cervical cancer is often unsuccessful leading to high cancer-related mortality rates, especially in under-resourced countries. Recently, a possible role for the cell surface glycoprotein CD24 in host cell specificity of Zika virus was reported. As an extension of this work, Zika viruses have been proposed as oncolytic therapy for the treatment of neuroblastoma and other CD24 positive tumors. To determine the permissiveness of cervical cancer cells to Zika virus infection and its association with CD24, we assessed cytopathic …
Effects Of Rest Position On Ultrasound-Derived Morphological Characteristics Of The Vastus Lateralis And Lower-Body Force Production, Alyssa Varanoske
Effects Of Rest Position On Ultrasound-Derived Morphological Characteristics Of The Vastus Lateralis And Lower-Body Force Production, Alyssa Varanoske
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound assessment of the lower body typically encompasses 10-15 minutes of supine rest prior to examination because of the potential influence of gravitational fluid shifts on tissue size and composition. However, examination of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle requires individuals to lay in the lateral recumbent position, and this change in position may influence muscle morphological characteristics and their ability to predict muscle function. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of rest position on ultrasound-derived morphological characteristics of the VL and to determine whether or not rest position affects the relationships between muscle morphological …
Biogeochemical Effects Of Sea Level Rise-Induced Transitions Within Coastal Wetlands, Havalend Steinmuller
Biogeochemical Effects Of Sea Level Rise-Induced Transitions Within Coastal Wetlands, Havalend Steinmuller
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
As sea level rise (SLR) affects coastal wetlands, ecosystem responses can include vertical accretion, landward transgression, or submergence. Sea level rise-induced transitions can alter key biogeochemical transformations within wetland soils, impacting the ability of these systems to provide ecosystem services, specifically carbon (C) storage and water quality regulation. Through a series of complementary laboratory and field-based studies, biogeochemical responses to salinity, vegetation shifts, and submergence were investigated. Changes in nutrient dynamics associated with saltwater intrusion were evaluated by artificially adding saline water to different freshwater wetland soil types, indicating that potential exports of critical nutrients (forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and …
Biochemical Characterization Of Rv2633c From Mycobacterium Tuberculosis And The Effects Of Mutagenesis On Iron Binding, Kyle Strickland
Biochemical Characterization Of Rv2633c From Mycobacterium Tuberculosis And The Effects Of Mutagenesis On Iron Binding, Kyle Strickland
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a pathogenic bacterium that is the causative agent of the disease Tuberculosis (TB). TB kills an estimated 1.8 million people annually and roughly one third of the world's population carries Mtb in a dormant state. Drug resistant Mtb strains are on the rise, thus a new method of combating this disease is paramount. Mtb survival inside of macrophages requires overcoming various stressors such as; iron restriction, reactive oxygen species, and hypoxic conditions. Mtb employs the use of catalases, nitric oxide reductase, superoxide dismutase, and siderophores to aid in survival. These functions have also been found in …
Exploring Multi-Scale Variation Of Fish Community Diversity In A Dynamic Coastal Estuary, Brittany Troast
Exploring Multi-Scale Variation Of Fish Community Diversity In A Dynamic Coastal Estuary, Brittany Troast
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Examining diversity over multiple spatial and temporal scales affords the opportunity to develop a mechanistic understanding of the factors influencing community diversity dynamics, and how these may shift in a changing world. This thesis first examines multi-decadal fish community diversity metrics across a coastal biogeographic transition zone to quantify changes in species assemblages, assess relationships between fish community diversity and the abiotic environment, and capture potential shifts in the location of a putative biogeographic break. Results of this chapter indicate not only a change in fish community composition, but also a shift in the location of the biogeographic transition zone. …
Assessing The Effects Of Habitat And Manatee Exclusion Devices On Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus) Movement Patterns In Estuarine Impoundments, Steven Baker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Integrate-Transfer-Launch (ITL) complex impoundments located within the Kennedy Space Center security zone are known spawning sites for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). However, recent construction of manatee exclusion bollards around culverts leading into these impoundments may impede movement to and from this critical habitat. The goals of this study were to: 1) utilize passive acoustic telemetry to document patterns of red drum movement and habitat use within and around the ITL impoundments to assess how manatee exclusion bollards and environmental conditions may impact movement of red drum; and 2) explore red drum movement in response to environmental disturbance, specifically a …
Understanding Sediment Biogeochemistry And The Role Of Juvenile Oysters On Recently Restored Eastern Oyster Reefs, Bryan Locher
Understanding Sediment Biogeochemistry And The Role Of Juvenile Oysters On Recently Restored Eastern Oyster Reefs, Bryan Locher
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In recent decades, goals for the restoration of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations along the eastern coast of the United States have shifted from increasing harvestable oyster fisheries to enhancing the range of ecosystem services provided by oyster reefs. By filtering large volumes of water and releasing nutrient-rich feces and pseudofeces, oysters can locally enhance sediment biogeochemical cycling compared to that of unstructured benthic environments. An ongoing restoration program in Mosquito Lagoon, FL was leveraged to assess the immediate impacts ( < 1 year) of restoration on sediment biogeochemical properties of oyster reefs. The first study measured both short-term and long-term pools of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus on dead, natural and restored reefs periodically over one year. The second study investigated one of the contributions to sediment nutrient pools by comparing feeding and feces/pseudofeces nutrient content of juvenile and older oysters. Results show that inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus pools can change within weeks after restoration and total nutrient pools by 6 months post-restoration. Restored reefs experienced a 136 % increase in ammonium, 78 % increase in total nitrogen, 46 % increase in total phosphorus, and 75 % increase in organic matter concentrations after 12 months of restoration. These nutrient increases were all positively correlated with oyster density, shell length and reef height measured on each reef. When standardized to grams of dry tissue weight, juvenile oysters showed significantly higher rates of chlorophyll-a removal, release of ammonium, and biodeposits with higher concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, nitrite + nitrate, and ammonium. The short-term changes to biogeochemical cycling on eastern oyster reefs within the first year of restoration are important to managers seeking to monitor ecosystem service recovery and overall coastal ecosystem health.
Molecular Basis Of Membrane Pore Formation By Amyloid Beta Peptide, Nabin Kandel
Molecular Basis Of Membrane Pore Formation By Amyloid Beta Peptide, Nabin Kandel
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects around 50 million people worldwide and causes cognitive decline, brain atrophy and death. Despite extensive basic and clinical studies and drug development efforts, currently no effective treatments are available for AD. The amyloid β (Aβ) peptide is neurotoxic and is tightly associated with AD pathology, but the molecular mechanism of its action remains unclear. There are various forms of Aβ in the brain, ranging from the full length Aβ1-42 to shorter peptides, such as a strongly toxic Aβ25-35 fragment. The Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis (ACH) postulated that extracellular Aβ deposits cause the …
Business In The Estuary, Party In The Sea: Migration Patterns Of Striped Mullet (Mugil Cephalus) Within The Indian River Lagoon Complex, Olivia Myers
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Commercial and recreational environmental enterprises in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida supply nearly 10,000 jobs and produce $1.6 billion dollars a year in revenue. These waters contain iconic species of sportfish, including red drum, snook, and sea trout, as well as their lower trophic level prey such as snapper and mullet. Striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) are both commercially valuable as well as an indicator species for overall ecosystem health. From September to December, mullet in the IRL undergo an annual migration from their inshore foraging habitats to oceanic spawning sites. However, their actual migratory pathways remain unknown. To address …
Selenium Vs. Sulfur: Investigating The Substrate Specificity Of A Selenocysteine Lyase, Michael Johnstone
Selenium Vs. Sulfur: Investigating The Substrate Specificity Of A Selenocysteine Lyase, Michael Johnstone
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Selenium is a vital micronutrient in many organisms. While traces are required for survival, excess amounts are toxic; thus, selenium can be regarded as a biological "double-edged sword". Selenium is chemically similar to the essential element sulfur, but curiously, evolution has selected the former over the latter for a subset of oxidoreductases. Enzymes involved in sulfur metabolism are less discriminate in terms of preventing selenium incorporation; however, its specific incorporation into selenoproteins reveals a highly discriminate process that is not completely understood. In this work, we add knowledge to the mechanism for selenium-over-sulfur specificity in hopes of further understanding the …
Seascape Genetics And Rehabilitation Efficiency In The Florida Manatee, Madison Hall
Seascape Genetics And Rehabilitation Efficiency In The Florida Manatee, Madison Hall
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) was recently downlisted federally from "endangered" to "threatened" despite acknowledgments of remaining threats to long term population persistence. Challenges to future manatee conservation include, but are not limited to, increases in frequency of harmful algal blooms, intensifying anthropogenic disturbance, and loss of warm-water habitat. The goals of this dissertation were 1) to assess threats to the manatee via a comprehensive, long-term (1973-2016), retrospective analysis of the manatee rescue and rehabilitation partnership (MRRP) and 2) to use seascape genetics analysis to examine whether abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic seascape variables could significantly describe genetic distance patterns …
The Ecology Of Central Florida's Thief Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis), Leo Ohyama
The Ecology Of Central Florida's Thief Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis), Leo Ohyama
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Thief ants of the genus Solenopsis are a diverse group of ants that are found in ant communities throughout the world. They have long been purported to practice lestobiosis, an interaction between small and larger-bodied ants, where small ants cryptically tunnel into larger-bodied ant nests within the subterranean environment and steal brood or eggs for consumption. Thief ants are extremely small, measuring 1-2 mm in length and many of the species within this group practice a subterranean life history, where they live the entirety of their lives exclusively belowground. Due to these key characteristics, the ecology and natural history of …
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 Inhibits Pyroptotic Cell Death In Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Of Atherosclerotic Apolipoprotein E -/- Mice, Kaley Garner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Atherosclerosis (ATH) is an inflammation-mediated disease in which cell death underlies the formation of lesions along the intima layer of vascular walls resulting in vessel narrowing, decreased blood flow, and increased risk of lesion rupture leading to myocardial infarction and stroke. The current study was undertaken to investigate whether inflammation in ATH can induce pyroptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC's). We therefore hypothesized that pyroptosis occurs and is inhibited by bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7). We examined SMC pyroptosis at acute (D5) and midstage (D28) following disturbed flow-induced hemodynamic injury to the vascular wall using our partial left carotid …
Metabolic Effects Of 17a-Estradiol Are Growth Hormone Independent And Sex Specific, Silvana Sidhom
Metabolic Effects Of 17a-Estradiol Are Growth Hormone Independent And Sex Specific, Silvana Sidhom
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Aging is a major risk factor for metabolic syndromes and type two diabetes. With growing elderly populations worldwide and increasing incidence of age-related diseases there is a great need to develop pharmacological interventions that would delay aging and protect from age-related diseases. 17-alpha estradiol (17α-E2) is an epimer of the primary female sex hormone estradiol and has been shown to extend lifespan and downregulate markers of age-related metabolic dysfunction in male mice. Because 17α-E2 does not induce feminization in males it holds potential as a novel therapeutic in humans for age-related metabolic dysfunction. Importantly, we have previously shown that 17α-E2 …
Atp Induced Molecular Disassembly Of Cytolethal Distending Toxin's B/C Heterodimer, George Huhn
Atp Induced Molecular Disassembly Of Cytolethal Distending Toxin's B/C Heterodimer, George Huhn
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is a virulence factor produced by many Gram-negative bacteria, including Haemophilus ducreyi. This fastidious pathogen is the causative agent of genital cancroid. CDT is a heterotrimeric toxin with an AB2 structure consisting of a cell-binding "B" domain (CdtA + CdtC) and a catalytic "A" domain (CdtB) that has DNase activity. This toxin assembles in the bacterial periplasm that lacks ATP and is secreted into the extracellular environment. After cell binding, CDT is internalized by endocytosis and travels through the endosomes and Golgi before arriving in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). CdtA is lost from the holotoxin before …
Tumor-Targeted Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles With Encapsulated Iron And Its Biomedical Application For In Vitro Killing Of Melanoma Cell Lines Through Ferroptosis Assisted Chemodynamic Therapy (Cdt), Khalaf Jasim
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Melanoma represents one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of skin cancer, with annually rising incidences throughout the world. Although chemotherapy modalities remain the mainstay of treatment, the therapeutic potential of chemotherapy typically is hampered by multidrug resistance (MDR) and nonspecific drug distribution that causes side-effects. To surmount such limitations, novel nanoformulations of low band-gap poly ({4,8-bis [(2-ethylhexyl) oxy] benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b?] dithiophene-2,6-diyl}{3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl) carbonyl] thieno [3,4-b] thiophenediyl}) (PTB7) and poly [2,1,3-benzothiadiazole- 4,7- diyl [4,4-bis (2-ethylhexyl)- 4H-cyclopenta [2,1-b:3,4-b'] dithiophene-2,6-diyl]] (PCPDTBT) were fabricated by a reprecipitation method. These conjugated polymer nanoparticles were functionalized with the polypeptide endothelin-3 (EDN3-CPNPs) to target melanoma. The …
Modeling Disease Impact Of Vibrio-Phage Interactions, Christopher Botelho
Modeling Disease Impact Of Vibrio-Phage Interactions, Christopher Botelho
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Since the work of John Snow, scientists and medical professionals have understood that individuals develop cholera by means of consuming contaminated water. Despite the knowledge of cholera's route of infection, many countries have experienced and still experience endemic cholera. Cholera is caused by the Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) bacterium and presents with acute diarrhea and vomiting. If untreated, infected individuals may die due to dehydration. Cholera is a disease that most commonly affects countries with poor infrastructure and water sanitation. Despite efforts to control cholera in such countries, the disease persists. One such example is Haiti which has been experiencing …
Hydrodynamic Limitations And The Effects Of Living Shoreline Stabilization On Mangrove Recruitment Along Florida Coastlines, Christian Pilato
Hydrodynamic Limitations And The Effects Of Living Shoreline Stabilization On Mangrove Recruitment Along Florida Coastlines, Christian Pilato
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The recruitment success of mangroves is influenced by a variety of factors, including propagule availability, desiccation, herbivory, and hydraulic habitat limitations. Hydrodynamic forces (waves and currents) act as obstacles to mangrove recruitment, restricting the successful colonization of mangrove species. We evaluated the biological and physical limitations to mangrove recruitment through monthly shoreline surveys and lateral pull-tests. Surveys followed mangroves from propagule release through recruitment along the shorelines of De Soto National Memorial (Bradenton, FL), capturing differences in propagule availability and recruitment along natural areas and across differing forms of shoreline stabilization ("living shorelines" and revetments). Propagule densities were highest along …
Ultrasound Measured Flexor Muscle Thickness In The Forearms Of Rock Climbers, Michael Marsala
Ultrasound Measured Flexor Muscle Thickness In The Forearms Of Rock Climbers, Michael Marsala
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
PURPOSE: To examine differences in the forearms of rock climbers using ultrasound to measure the muscle thickness of the finger flexors. METHODS: A total of 33 participants were recruited, 22 climbers (22.23 years; 68% male) and 11 controls (21.8; 55% male). Climbers provided self-reported ratings of their climbing ability, skill level, and preferred mode of climbing (e.g. sport climbing vs. bouldering). Anthropometric measures, including body fat percentage, were measured in all participants. Ultrasound measurements were taken with the participant lying on their back on a padded table with their dominant hand supinated. Muscle thickness measurements were taken at the forearm …
Development Of A Functional Testing Platform For The Sensory Segment Of The Neuromuscular Reflex Arc, Alisha Colon
Development Of A Functional Testing Platform For The Sensory Segment Of The Neuromuscular Reflex Arc, Alisha Colon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Investigations of human biology and disease have been hindered by the use of animal models. The information obtained from such studies often results in clinically irrelevant results and drug trial failures. Additionally, several governing bodies have been formulating legislation to move away from animal models and toward more ethical and efficient testing platforms for drug discovery and cosmetic research. As an answer to these issues, "body-on-a-chip" systems have been a rapidly developing field which easily recapitulates in vivo functionality, providing a more relevant, repeatable, and ethical testing platform to better predict biology. These systems can be used as human-based testing …
Fear And Loathing In The Super Organism: Foraging Strategy Doesn't Change Forager Response In A Landscape Of Fear., Philip Schadegg
Fear And Loathing In The Super Organism: Foraging Strategy Doesn't Change Forager Response In A Landscape Of Fear., Philip Schadegg
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Understanding how predators impact keystone species, like ants, is very important for our understanding of ecology because of ants' importance in shaping community dynamics and ecosystem functions. In this thesis I present research investigating the role of the ant-specialized spider Anasaitis canosa in influencing the foraging behavior of four ant species (Formica pallidefulva, Odontomachus ruginodis, Pheidole obscurithorax & Solenopsis invicta). Collectively, these four species use foraging strategies exhibited by most ants. I conducted two experiments to quantify the impacts of spider predation on ant prey. The first used forty colonies of four ant species to investigate how A. canosa changed …
Determining Differential Effects Of Interleukin-2 On Innate And Adaptive Immune Cells In Lymphoid Organs And The Gastrointestinal Tract, Ayushi Singh
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a pleiotropic cytokine demonstrated to be effective in treating cancer. However, the clinical use of IL-2 can be associated with severe side effects including gastrointestinal toxicity (GT). Similar GT symptoms are observed in inflammatory diseases such as CD (CD). Interestingly mounting evidence indicates a role for IL-2 in CD, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Indeed, studies on the in-vivo activities of IL-2 have mostly focused on secondary lymphoid organs and immune cells associated with them. Very few studies have addressed how IL-2 signals impact populations of immune cells in the gut. Here, we aim to identify …
Variation In Prospecting Behavior And Drivers Of Post-Fire Habitat Preference Among Juvenile Florida Scrub-Jays, David Sherer
Variation In Prospecting Behavior And Drivers Of Post-Fire Habitat Preference Among Juvenile Florida Scrub-Jays, David Sherer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens, FLSJ; federally Threatened) are cooperatively breeding birds endemic to Florida and dependent on fire-maintained xeric oak scrub. FLSJs are year-round residents, highly territorial, and rarely disperse far from their natal territory. Lifetime reproductive success is highest among individuals breeding in early-successional habitat, usually less than 9 to 10 years post-fire. However, because scrub burns infrequently such early-successional, high-quality habitat is extremely limited and competition for it as breeding space is likely intense. Because some birds live long enough to experience habitat succession, FLSJs also occupy later-successional overgrown scrub, even though both survival and fecundity decline. Although …