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A Comparison Of Diploid And Triploid Eastern Oysters For Aquaculture Production Under Extreme Temperatures And Salinities, Joshua H. Kim

LSU Master's Theses

Off-bottom aquaculture of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) is a nascent industry that is increasingly supported by the use of triploid oysters, which grow faster than diploids. Despite their growth advantage, elevated triploid mortality compared to diploids under high temperature, low salinity, or a combination of these conditions challenge consistent triploid production. Identifying the environmental thresholds at which differential triploid mortality occurs and predicting its economic impact are important to informing decision-making in oyster aquaculture. The goal of this thesis was to compare the biological and economic performance of diploid and triploid oysters under high temperature and low salinity conditions. …

Maximizing Legged Accelerations: A Matter Of Force, Time, And Gravity, Lance Brooks

Applied Physiology and Wellness Theses and Dissertations

Sprint running accelerations require runners to apply surface forces that: support body weight by pushing downward, accelerate the body horizontally by pushing backward, and align the direction of the push with the body’s mass center to maintain balance and posture, which imposes an upper limit on the average forward acceleration force equal to the average gravitational force (1.0 G) acting on the runner. This expectation arises from the mechanical constraints imposed by the need to generate sufficient vertical force to support body weight against gravity while simultaneously producing horizontal force to accelerate forward and aligning the push through the center …

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 …

Effect Of Short-Term Exposure To Pesticide Mixture On Tissue Architecture, Body Fluid Conditions, Nitrative Stress And Osmoregulation Of American Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica, Asif Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

Pesticides are used widely to control weeds and pests in agricultural settings but harm non-target aquatic organisms. We examined the effect of short-term exposure (one week) to pesticide mixtures (low dose: 0.5 μg/L Roundup®, 0.5 μg/L 2,4-D, and 0.4 μg/L atrazine; high dose: 1 μg/L Roundup®, 1 μg/L 2,4-D, and 0.8 μg/L atrazine) on American oyster (Crassostrea virginica, an important shellfish and seafood species) under controlled laboratory conditions. Histological analyses demonstrated the atrophy in oysters' gills, digestive glands, and connective tissue. The protein concentrations and glucose levels dropped significantly in the high-dose treatment. The number of hemocytes in connective tissue …

Educating Anesthesia Providers On The Physiological Effects And Anesthesia Implications Of Cannabis, Carmel Loud

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

In the U.S., currently 37 states have legalized cannabis for medicinal use prescribed by qualified medical professionals (National Conference of State Legislatures [NCSL], 2022). In 2012, the legalization of recreational cannabis began; as of 2022, 19 states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana (NCSL, 2022). This project aimed to optimize care for patients using cannabis by increasing anesthesia provider knowledge about cannabis. The project's aim was accomplished through a thorough review of the current medical literature and implementation of education to anesthesia providers about the physiological effects and anesthesia implications of cannabis. Thirteen CRNAs took a pre- and post-quiz …

Survival Strategies In Arid Environments: Exploring Desert Adaptations In Peromyscus Eremicus, Danielle Blumstein

Doctoral Dissertations

Desert environments pose extreme challenges for organisms, necessitating the evolution of specialized physiological, biochemical, and genomic mechanisms for survival. My research focuses on the cactus mouse (Peromyscus eremicus), exploring real time long term physiological changes and multi-tissue transcriptomics. The advent of both modern metabolic and sequencing technologies has revolutionized our approach to studying whole organismal responses on a fine scale, offering the ability to analyze changes during environmental fluctuations. However, these methods bring a new viewpoint that has highlighted our lack of understanding of the associated biology. My Ph.D. research takes an interdisciplinary approach, summarizing the interaction between metabolism and …

Dissecting The Tissue-Specific Contributions To Seizures, Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction, And Sudden Death In The Kv1.1 Mouse Model Of Epilepsy Using Conditional Knockout Approaches, Kelsey Paulhus

Biological Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), the primary cause of mortality in epilepsy, remains poorly understood. Studies suggest seizures may trigger dangerous signals affecting the heart and lungs leading to collapse and death. The Kv1.1 deficiency mouse model mirrors clinical SUDEP cases, showing spontaneous seizures, cardiorespiratory issues, and premature death. However, this model lacks regional specificity in Kv1.1 deletion, hindering insights into SUDEP’s mechanisms and anatomical substrates.

This dissertation employs three distinct conditional knockout (cKO) techniques to investigate the individual roles for the forebrain, brainstem, and heart in SUDEP related phenotypes. The findings reveal that the forebrain alone can trigger …

Physiological Responses Of The American Lobster Cardiovascular System To Neuropeptide Sgrnflrfamide (Sgrn), Andre Eden

Honors Projects

During every second of a human’s life, the cardiovascular system is modulated by factors both intrinsic and extrinsic to the physiology of the heart. We can uncover new insights regarding the nature of our system through investigations of similar systems in other model species. One example materializes itself in the form of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) whose single-chambered heart finds resemblance to the function and anatomy to that of humans. The lobster heart is powered by the cardiac ganglion (CG), a group of neurons that drive contractions of surrounding heart muscles, known as the myocardium. Both the …

Sex Differences In The Effects Of Cortisol On Muscle Characteristics: A Meta-Analysis, Natalie Bitetti

CMC Senior Theses

Background: Cortisol plays a central role in both muscle breakdown and growth. These effects are highly dependent on dose and interactions with other hormones. It is known that men and women show considerable differences in their muscle structure and physiology, which are largely driven by hormonal differences. Cortisol release patterns may also vary between the sexes, with current research showing considerable disagreement. The interplay between cortisol and muscle, two highly variable and sexually dimorphic factors, may prove to have different effects in males versus females.

Objective: This meta-analysis integrates existing research on sex differences in cortisol-muscle physiology with existing research …

Comparing Ionoregulation And Modes Of Nitrogen Excretion Across The Life Cycle Of Parasitic And Non-Parasitic Lamprey Species, Shannon Davidson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

Ionoregulation and nitrogenous waste (N-waste) metabolism in fishes has been extensively documented in teleosts and elasmobranchs, but less so in lampreys (Petromizontiformes). All lamprey species undergo metamorphosis which drastically changes their physiology and modes of feeding. However, differences in ionoregulatory mechanisms due to anadromous versus non anadromous life history strategies emerge following metamorphosis in different lamprey species. Furthermore, some species, such as anadromous juvenile sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), are parasitic and migrate to seawater (SW) to ingest blood protein from host fishes, while juveniles of freshwater (FW), non-parasitic species, such as the American brook lamprey …

Impacts Of Environmental Stressors On Native South Dakota Amphibian Physiology And Survival, Danielle Jean Galvin

Dissertations and Theses

Amphibian populations around the world are declining, with some of the most likely drivers behind these declines including emerging infectious diseases and environmental contaminants. To address major gaps in the current literature, I sought to evaluate the effect of two major environmental stressors on various aspects of amphibian physiology: emerging infectious diseases and environmental contaminants. Emerging infectious diseases of amphibians include fungal, viral, and parasitic pathogens which have expanded in host range, either geographically or in competent host species. Environmental contaminants include chemicals which may be naturally occurring in the environment, or which may be introduced to the environment, often …

The Physiological Effects Of Acute And Ramp Hypoxic Exposure During Simulated Flight Tasks, Jasmin Renee Jenkins

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of hypoxia at simulated altitudes of FiO2 15.4% (8000’ equivalent), FiO2 13.2% (12,000’ equivalent), and a Ramp Hypoxic exposure on perceived workload, cardiovascular activity, electrodermal activity, oximetry, and flight simulator performance. A total of 17 participants (10 female & 7 males; mean ± SEM, age 24.82±1.6 yrs, BMI 25.87±1.0 who were apparently healthy, asymptomatic, and physically active performed 3 flight tasks using a video game head-mounted display (HMD) flight simulator while exposed to simulated altitudes of Normoxia, FiO2 15.4%, FiO2 13.2% and a Ramp Hypoxic Exposure (breathing at 8,000 …

Investigating The Salinity Tolerance Of The Swordtail (Xiphophorus Hellerii), Alexandra Megan Krak

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

The swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii, is a freshwater fish species native to Mexico and Central America and is commonly used in the tropical aquarium trade. Swordtails have been shown to have limited survival in 6 ‰ salinity (Nanda et al., 2016), suggesting they may have a greater salinity tolerance than previously expected. Using a gradual acclimation method, we examined the salinity tolerance and swim performance of this species. Freshwater-reared female swordtails were housed in 29-gallon aquaria. A control group was held in freshwater throughout the experiment. For the experimental group, the salinity was increased by 2 ‰ every week until 30 …

Impact Of Soil Moisture Stress At Different Phases Of Corn Growth And Development, Ranadheer Reddy Vennam

Theses and Dissertations

Suboptimal soil moisture during the growing season often limits growth and yield potential of corn. This study aimed to assess the impact of varying soil moisture regimes on corn growth at different growth phases involving vegetative, flowering, and grain-filling stages. Exposure to moisture stress (80% of the control) during the vegetative stage resulted in a 65% reduction in stomatal conductance and increased the canopy temperature by 5 ^oC, which led to a substantial decrease in total dry matter (56%). Moisture stress-induced reductions in silk length (19%) and fresh weight (34%), negatively affected kernel number (53%), and weight (54%). Unlike …

The Influence Of Temperature, Prey Availability, And Population Of Origin On Ectotherm Energetics, Allison R. Litmer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Climate change poses threats to organisms regarding direct and indirect effects of warming temperatures. Laboratory studies and predictive models are useful for understanding how temperature influences organisms, and the future of species’ life history and persistence. This dissertation expands upon current approaches to thermal studies and climate models, while investigating effects of warming nighttime temperature and altered prey availability on individuals and populations. Lizards in the genus Sceloporus were used as model organisms, as they are broadly distributed with thermally sensitive physiologies. The first dissertation chapter conducted meta-analyses to examine temperature-induced changes in food consumption, activity, and life history. Prominent …

Acute Responses To Combined Accentuated Eccentric Loading And Rest Redistribution, Sungwon Chae

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation was 2 parts of investigations of various acute responses to high-volume combined accentuated eccentric loading and rest redistribution (AEL + RR). Resistance-trained men (n = 12, 25.6 ± 4.4 years, 1.77 ± 0.06 m, 81.7 ± 11.4 kg) completed a back squat (BS) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and weight releaser familiarization session. Three BS exercise conditions (sets × repetitions × eccentric/concentric loading) comprised AEL + RR 5: 3 × (5 × 2) × 110/60%, AEL + RR 2: 3 × (2 × 5) × 110/60%, and traditional sets (TS): 3 × (1 × 10) × 60/60% 1RM. The …

Comparing Four Indices Of Physiological Stress In An Urban-Adapted Songbird Between Urban And Rural Habitats, Rachel Kaplan

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Birds show tremendous variation in the extent to which different species tolerate life in urban habitats, yet it remains unclear why some species thrive while others cannot. My work explores possible phenotypes that make an urban-adapted species, the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), so successful in both rural and urban areas. Literature on stress-urbanization relationship remains highly equivocal partly due to an array of different study systems being compared as well as to key methodological differences. The present study quantified metrics of both acute stress (i.e., stress-induced corticosterone and breath rate) and chronic stress (i.e., baseline corticosterone and total …

Identification And Assessment Of Fixed Versus Growth Mindsets In Human And Anatomy Physiology Undergraduate Students, Jayanti Shukla

Honors Theses

Fixed mindsets and growth mindsets are present in individual’s attitudes, affecting their motivations to complete responsibilities or overcome challenges. In this study, we aim to identify and assess the mindsets of undergraduate students partaking in the Human Anatomy and Physiology (HAP) undergraduate course at the University of Mississippi, the gateway course being well-known for its difficulty and being described as “daunting” to many allied-health majors. By utilizing Carol Dweck’s growth mindset model, we are interested in determining whether students possess a “fixed” mindset versus a “growth” mindset, in conjunction to assessing their classroom performance correlating with that demonstrated mindset. An …

Eco-Interoception: What Plants, Fungi And Protista Have Taught My Body, Sara Riley Dotterer

Art Theses and Dissertations

To me, ecology is the relational, full-body awareness that I am made up of and deeply connected to everything around me; and for better or worse, this is reciprocal. I form ecotones, an ecological transitional zone between two ecosystems, with the world around me. I use this ecotonal lens to blur binaries and dissolve boundaries between me and the world “outside my body.” During my Masters of Fine Arts at Southern Methodist University, I have continuously explored and represented the lives of various more-than-human species outside of my body, including plants, fungi and protista through an ecotonal lens. Although these …

Comparative Energetics Of Mammalian Thermoregulatory Physiology, Ana M. Breit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Endothermy allows species to decouple body temperature from environmental
temperatures but does not equate to endothermic species maintaining those constant temperatures. Instead, heterothermy fluctuating body temperatures, both in and outside of torpor is common and allows endotherms to expand the limits of thermoneutrality. Thermolability is likely to be more common in the tropics and subtropics, where species live within or above their thermoneutral zone. My dissertation research focused on the heterothermic-homeothermic continuum, specifically quantifying where on the continuum different species fall at certain times and why those species have evolved to be at those points. I quantified the thermal profile …

Impacts Of Dietary Restriction On A Drosophila Model Of Werner Syndrome, Eileen Sember

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses

Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in premature aging and occurs in 1 in 1,000,0000 to 1 in 10,000,000 people. In humans, WS is the result of mutations that render the WRN gene, that contains a helicase and an exonuclease domain, non-functional. Currently, there is no cure for WS in humans, making dietary and lifestyle interventions attractive for increasing the quality and longevity of lives. Diet restriction (DR) has been shown to extend the lifespan of several model organisms, including Drosophila melanogaster, making it a strong candidate for WS treatment. In this thesis, mutant flies …

We Travel Together: Examining The Drivers And Functions Of Animal Movement In Biotic Seed Dispersal, Binod Borah

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Plants and frugivorous animals exist in mutually beneficial relations, as these animals feed on fruits, ingest the seeds, and carry them away from the parent trees. Such dispersion of seeds over space helps them colonize new habitats, escape high mortality rates near their parent trees, and avoid competition with conspecifics. Therefore, seed dispersing animal movement can be critical for the persistence of plant populations. Yet what drives such seed disperser movement is often less understood and how it affects seed dispersal is little explored. In my dissertation, I investigate multiple drivers of seed disperser movement, link movement to potential seed …

Ars, Virtus, Impetus: Gladiatorial Training And Roman Legionaries, Daniel Porter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In 105 BCE, the Roman consul Publius Rutilius Rufus employed gladiatorial training for his legionaries. This thesis examines the physiological and psychological consequences of this style of training on the human body in an effort to understand why these particular soldiers were so effective. I used experiential testing alongside primary and secondary source research to examine how this process better prepared Roman troops for engaging in actual combat.

Nutritional Ecology Of The Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon Piscivorus Leucostoma), Jason Ortega

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nutritional ecology aims to understand the factors that shape the diets of animals, how these ingested meals are processed, and how the assimilated nutrients are used to shape an organism’s interactions with its environment. As environmental parameters are altered due to anthropogenic changes, the availability and quality of prey may be altered. The alteration of the nutritional landscape can be devastating to nutritional specialists, yet generalist predators may be able to cope with these changes. The western cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma) is a unique semiaquatic pitviper that can both forage along the land-water interface and in upland habitat when faced …

Oxygen Consumption In Highly Skilled Baseball Pitchers, Jesse Clingman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to describe the physiological demands of highly skilled baseball pitchers during pitching, along with pitch metrics. Three junior college and three professional (n = 6) baseball pitchers participated in this study. Participants completed a graded exercise test (GXT) to volitional exhaustion to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and estimated body fat percentage, height, and body mass were measured on day one of testing. Next, participants faced live batters on a baseball field while wearing a portable metabolic analyzer (Cosmed K5) to measure respiratory gases including oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide produced (VCO2) …

The Effect Of Golf Bag Load Carriage On Lower Body Force Expenditure, Ryan Collins-Smith

Honors College Theses

Golf is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide and as one of the most difficult sports to excel at, every area of improvement is important. Load carriage, lower body force production, and perceived exertion are keys to improving. The purpose of this project was to investigate the influence of a variety of golf bag load carriage styles on vertical jump performance and perceived exertion. The different modes of golf bag load carriage were no golf bag (1), single-strap golf bag (2), double-strap golf bag above sacrum height (3), double-strap golf bag below sacrum height (4), and push cart for …

Friend Or Foe? The Role Of Transforming Growth Factor-Β (Tgfβ) Signaling In Calcineurin Inhibitor-Induced Renal Damage, Adaku Uwe

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

With its incorporation into clinical practice in the early 1980s, the class of pharmacological agents known as calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) quickly became the cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy post-organ transplantation. However, its use is limited by irreversible kidney damage in the form of renal fibrosis. The molecular mechanism by which CNIs induce renal fibrosis remains to be better understood, and to date, there are no specific therapeutic strategies to mitigate this damage. This dilemma presents a critical need to explain mechanisms by which CNIs cause renal damage. Kidneys of patients on chronic CNI therapy show increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine …

Female Middle Aged Rats Showed Increased Recovery From A Focal Demyelination With Drug Combination : Changes In Dcx And Nfkb Suggest Increased Oligodendrocytes Production, Andrew James Smith

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis affect millions of people around the globe, and promising treatments to counter its progress have been studied extensively. In our study, we used Dawley rats and tested them using the Montoya Staircase test to evaluate their ability to use their forelimbs. After training, surgery was performed using lysolecithin to induce focal demyelination on the rats. After the surgery a drug combination of fluoxetine, ibuprofen, and ascorbic acid was used on injured rats and they were then retested on the Montoya Staircase test. They were then sacrificed and were stained for doublecortin (DCX) and nuclear …

Tracking The Progression Of Defects At The Neuromuscular Junction In Huntington's Disease, Katherine A. Trittschuh

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic disorder associated with progressive cognitive and motor decline. Recent studies in HD models suggest primary peripheral pathologies arise independent of changes in the central nervous system. Our lab found defects in skeletal muscle occurring early in the progression of disease in transgenic R6/2 HD mice, resulting in membrane hyperexcitability. Additionally, there is evidence of decreased quantal content in late-stage R6/2 mice. Here, we investigate pre-synaptic and post-synaptic function at single neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) to make direct comparisons of disease progression in the muscle membrane and motor nerve terminal. We hypothesize that muscle membrane defects …

Periodic Paralysis : Pursuing A Protocol, Kirsten Denman

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis is an autosomal dominant disease of skeletal muscle in which patients experience episodes of weakness. There is currently no highly effective therapy. A mouse model has been created to study the disease to better understand the physiological changes leading to weakness and to develop novel treatments. However, the work done with the mouse model has used ever-changing protocols and the data produced have been insufficient to answer key questions and bring treatments closer to clinical trials. I evaluated factors of temperature, insulin, potassium concentrations, and length of protocol or exercise, to develop a protocol that reproducibly triggers …