Life Sciences Commons^™

In Silico Identification Of Small Molecule Agonist Binding Sites On Kcc2, Kenyon Mitchell, Alfred Amendolara, Ruth Hunter, Jaden Miner, Andrew Payne

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Potassium-Chloride Cotransporter 2 (KCC2) is a neuronal membrane protein specific to the central nervous system. It is responsible for removing Cl- ions from the intracellular space, maintaining a normal Cl- gradient essential for proper function at inhibitory synapses. Dysregulation causes an upward shift in the Cl- reversal potential resulting in a hyperexcitable state of the postsynaptic neuron. Existing literature indicates that KCC2 may be involved in the addiction pathway of a variety of drugs of abuse, including opioids and alcohol. This makes KCC2 an attractive potential drug target when treating substance use disorders. A novel direct KCC2 agonist, VU0500469, …

An Interdisciplinary Experience, Reyna Vergara, Michael Dodson

OUR Assignment Repository

This proposal showcases the success of an interdisciplinary approach. It provides an overview of a project titled: "Cacao and Chocolate: A Powerful Legacy." It took place during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2023. The project aimed to explore the rich and multifaceted legacy of cacao and chocolate in Latin America, incorporating perspectives from various academic disciplines, including public history, chemistry, Spanish language, graphic design, culinary arts, and family science. The interdisciplinary nature of the project highlights the power of collaboration in research and education, serving as a model for integrating diverse fields of study.

The project was divided into two main …

Exploring The Use Of Trauma-Informed Care Practices In Extension, Caitlin O'Brien, Martie Gillen

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

A content analysis of 63 land-grant Extension university websites was conducted to examine the promotion of trauma-informed care (TIC) through the sharing of resources, providing instructive webinars and/or in-person events, and offering comprehensive programs. While many Extension universities are sharing resources, only nine universities (14%) featured robust TIC Extension programs, and 40% shared no TIC information. Additionally, we found no indication of internal education programs across the universities on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and TIC practices for Extension faculty and staff. These findings highlight opportunities to increase efforts with the public as well as internally within Extension.

Nourishtank: An Innovative Program On Solving Hunger, Palak Gupta, Ashley Sullivan, Kristin Hoch, Lea Palmer, Jocelin Gibson, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Heidi Leblanc

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

NourishTank, a Shark Tank-style event, saw students propose food and nutrition insecurity solutions. Twenty-eight students formed 11 teams, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. The winning idea, 'Farm2Fork Gone Mobile,' earned $1,000 toward their proposed project. NourishTank, through partnerships and media, highlights student-driven efforts combating food insecurity and raising awareness.

Providing Pest Management Education For Home Gardeners In Utah, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

In January 2024, Utah State University (USU) Extension's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program launched a three-part class series targeting Utah's home gardeners. The goal was to enhance their abilities in identifying and managing insect and plant diseases. With over 200 participants, the series notably increased the knowledge of attendees. This initiative aligns with the USU Extension IPM program's mission to promote sustainable pest management practices across Utah, evidencing its commitment to environmental stewardship and community education.

Technology To Support Aging In Place: The Perspective Of Caregivers, Sophie Meng

Capstone Research Posters

As the world population ages, more older adults prefer to age in a place which offers them better life qualities and autonomy but demands increased commitments of caregivers. The development of technology can be great aid in daily lives yet significant gaps persist in supporting older adults with impaired cognition aging in place. This study aimed to explore the perspective of caregivers on technology when assisting cognition impaired older adults at home. It sought to understand the needs of the caregivers in this context. The study also briefly addressed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in caregiving, considering its growing use. Five caregivers …

Effect And Mechanisms Of Conifer And Broadleaf Mixtures On The Soil Characteristics In Limestone Mountains, Xueping Zhang, Yuhua Ma, Songling Fu, Jingjing Qian, Qi Zhu, Chun Feng, Zihao Li, Wenhao Zhu, Han Chen

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

In the restoration process of limestone mountain ecosystem, the interaction mechanism, between vegetation and soil are the core scientific issues for a better understanding of ecological restoration and ecosystem stability. Based on this, four types of 30 year old artificial forest communities with different coniferous and broad-leaved mixed ratios (0-20 %, 20 - 50 %, 50 – 80 %, 80 – 100 %) in typical limestone mountainous areas of the northern subtropical region are used as research objects to measure understory vegetation diversity, litter, and fine root characteristics. The impact of different mixing ratios on understory vegetation restoration and soil …

In-Silico Analysis For Structural And Functional Characterization Of Phosphorus-Starvation Tolerance 1 (Pstol1) Gene, Quratulain Mehdi Khan, Muhammad Aqeel, Maryam Murtaza, Wajya Ajmal, Muhammad Uzair, Sajid Fiaz, Kotb A. Attia, Asmaa M. Abushady, Itoh Kimiko, Muhammad Ramzan Khan, Ghulam Muhammad Ali

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

As an important macro element for all living cells, phosphorus is essential in agricultural production systems as well and is required in large quantities by elite varieties of crops to maintain yields. Approximately 70% of worldwide cultivated land suffers from phosphorous deficiency, and it has recently been estimated that worldwide phosphorous resources will be shattered by the end of this century thus increasing the demand for crops to be more efficient in their P usage. A greater understanding of how plants can maintain yield with lower phosphorous availability is highly desirable to both breeders and farmers, therefore, significant to develop …

Unraveling The Impact Of Seed Fatty Acid Profiles On Spinach Seed Germination Under Temperature Stress, Mustafa Kaşka, Haluk Çağlar Kaymak

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Limited knowledge exists regarding the fatty acid profiles of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) seeds and their correlation with germination. This study aims to address this gap by thoroughly investigating these profiles and their relationship with seed germination. Therefore, the objectives include assessing how different temperatures influence seed germination in spinach cultivars, identifying tolerant cultivar(s) to temperature stress during germination, and exploring the relationship between fatty acid profiles and seed germination under varying temperature conditions. Nine spinach cultivars (‘Matador-1, 2, and 3’, ‘Ranchero F1’, ‘Aras F1’, ‘El Tajin’, ‘El Real’, ‘Catrina F1’ and ‘Poyraz F1’) were used as seed material. The …

Multi-Node Temperature Monitoring Method For Digital Agricultural Planting Based On Wireless Sensor Network, Pei Wang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Abstract: In order to monitor the temperature of agricultural planting in time and avoid reducing the yield and quality of crops due to excessive temperature fluctuation, a multi-node temperature monitoring method of digital agricultural planting based on wireless sensor network is proposed. Firstly, the wireless sensor network structure in agricultural digital temperature monitoring is designed, and the overall structure of digital agricultural planting multi-node temperature monitoring is designed by combining it with the upper computer to collect agricultural planting temperature data. Secondly, the characteristics of agricultural planting temperature data are extracted, and the data are transmitted to the upper computer …

Study On Heavy Metal Content Calculation And Agricultural Potential Based On Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Image Processing, Xiangyu Shan, Fei Dou, Shuangquan Gao, Chuanping Liu, Cangbai Li

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Soil is the main influencing factor for plant growth, reproduction, and distribution. With the acceleration of industrialization and the intensification of human activities, the problem of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soil is becoming increasingly prominent. Heavy metals in soil are toxic and easily absorbed by plants, and consuming contaminated crops poses a great threat to human health. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the content of heavy metals (HMs for short here) in soil. Hyperspectral Remote Sensing (HRS for short here) has great application prospects in obtaining quantitative information of soil organic matter, minerals and other components due to …

Intelligent Food Packaging Design Based On Visual Communication And Multimedia Technology, Yumian Liu, Zekun Wang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Intelligent food packaging has labels that cover a vast amount of information, but some labels may pop up a lot of information after scanning, which can easily cause interface confusion, and there may be a lack of single display channels, resulting in long search times for consumers. The aim of smart food packaging design research based on visual communication and multimedia technologies is to explore and develop innovative methods to improve the attractiveness, functionality and interaction with consumers of food packaging. These all can directly affect consumers’ purchasing intention. This article was based on visual communication and multimedia technology for …

Chitosan Application Improves Yield And Quality Of Rocket (Eruca Sativa), Ayşe Özkan, Hali̇me Ünlü

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of chitosan application on the yield and quality of rockets. “Bengi” rocket variety was used as a plant material and chitosan was applied to leaves at four different doses (0 (control)–75–150–300 ppm). The results revealed that the yield values varied between 1691–1914 g m-2, plant height between 24.33–27.92 cm, and leaf width between 4.56–5.71 cm among the applications. The total dry matter, chlorophyll, total phenolics, vitamin C, and antiradical activity values were determined to range between 7.71% and 8.68%, 34.15 and 36.68 SPAD, 104.67 and 180.84 mg 100 g–1, 126.63 and 143.51 …

Clonal Selection In Mincane Hazelnut (Coryllus Avellana L.) Cultivar In Akçakoca District Of Düzce Province, Hülya Ünver

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Türkiye has dominated world hazelnut production for a long time and one of the most important hazelnut growing areas in the Black Sea region is Düzce province. Agriculture plays an important role in Düzce economy and hazelnut orchards occupy 45% of total agricultural areas. Mincane hazelnut cultivar widely grown in Akçakoca and shows variability particularly for nut characteristics. Thus, this study was aimed to select promising clones with superior features from the population of the Mincane hazelnut cultivar. In the selection study, some important nut characteristics were examined. According to a modified weighted ranking method results, 7 Mincane hazelnut clones …

Enhancing Grain Yield, Oil Content, Fatty Acid Composition And Changes In Antioxidant Properties Of Camelina Using Wi-Fi Radiation, Maryam Khashayarfard, Sedigheh Arbabian, Danial Kahrizi, Fariba Sharifnia

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Exposure to electromagnetic radiation (ER) with radio frequency is one of the environment's most common and fastest-growing human factors. Therefore, due to the increasing global growth of telecommunication towers and Wi-Fi waves, the possibility of positive or negative effects of Wi-Fi electromagnetic waves (WEW) is essential for the quality and quantity parameters of plants. An experiment was was carried out during the years 2020-2021 at the Research Farm of Tarbiat Modares University to investigate the effect of WEW on the grain yield, fatty acid composition (FA), oil content and antioxidant properties of camelina. Seeds were exposed to Wi-Fi electromagnetic radiation …

Genetic Analysis Of Seed Yield And Some Traits In Cowpea Using Diallel Analysis, Christelle Jou-Nteufa, Ercan Ceyhan

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Cowpea is an essential economic crop in underdeveloped and developing countries mainly grown by small farmers. In terms of seed yield and some agricultural characteristics, this study was carried out to determine the genetic structures and the general and specific adaptability of the genotypes. The trial, which included F1 hybrids and parents, was established under Konya ecological conditions with 3 replications in 2020 in the “Random Blocks Trial” design. Based on the results of the preliminary analysis of variance, it was determined that there was sufficient variation in the hybrid populations formed in terms of all traits examined. Nonadditive and …

Antioxidant Properties And Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Potency Of Viscum Album L. Extracts: Experimental And Computational Insights, Bilal Akyüz, Bülent Şengül

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study systematically investigates the antioxidant capacity and inhibitory impact of Viscum album L. plant extracts on the aldose reductase (AR) enzyme through a combined approach of in vitro and in silico methods. Various sections derived from distinct plant parts were examined, revealing potent inhibitory potential. Notably, the methanol extract sourced from the plant's stem displayed remarkable efficacy with an IC50 value of 0.156 µM. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity analyses were conducted, highlighting variations across plant parts and solvent types. Qualitative and quantitative phenolic compounds content in the extracts was also elucidated by LC-MS/MS analysis and it was …

Tools For Biomolecular Modeling And Simulation, Xin Yang

Mathematics Theses and Dissertations

Electrostatic interactions play a pivotal role in understanding biomolecular systems, influencing their structural stability and functional dynamics. The Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation, a prevalent implicit solvent model that treats the solvent as a continuum while describes the mobile ions using the Boltzmann distribution, has become a standard tool for detailed investigations into biomolecular electrostatics. There are two primary methodologies: grid-based finite difference or finite element methods and body-fitted boundary element methods. This dissertation focuses on developing fast and accurate PB solvers, leveraging both methodologies, to meet diverse scientific needs and overcome various obstacles in the field.

2024 Disease Management At A Glance, Sai Sree Uppala, Martha Sylvia

Cranberry Chart Book - Management Guide

No abstract provided.

2024 Nutrition Management At A Glance, Peter Jeranyama

Cranberry Chart Book - Management Guide

No abstract provided.

2024 Insect Management At A Glance, Anne Averill, Martha Sylvia

Cranberry Chart Book - Management Guide

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of The Growth Of Listeria In Plant-Based Beverages, Klaudia Bartula, Sambou Biagui, Máire Begley, Michael Callanan

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether the content of sugar, protein, fat, or fibre in commercially available and specially formulated plant-based beverages (oat, soya and pea) influences the growth rates of Listeria. Beverages were inoculated with a strain cocktail of Listeria (approximately 1 × 103 CFU/mL), and the data demonstrated that Listeria could proliferate in all tested beverages. Moreover, varying concentrations of naturally occurring or added sugar (0–3.3%), protein (3.3–5%), fat (1.1–3.5%) and added fibre (0–1.5%) did not have a statistically significant (p > 0.05) impact on the growth rates of Listeria in the tested …

Transcriptional Dynamics During Rhodococcus Erythropolis Infection With Phage Wc1, Dana Willner, Sudip Paudel, Andrew D. Halleran, Grace E. Solini, Veronica Gray, Margaret Saha

Arts & Sciences Articles

Background

Belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum, members of the Rhodococcus genus thrive in soil, water, and even intracellularly. While most species are non-pathogenic, several cause respiratory disease in animals and, more rarely, in humans. Over 100 phages that infect Rhodococcus species have been isolated but despite their importance for Rhodococcus ecology and biotechnology applications, little is known regarding the molecular genetic interactions between phage and host during infection. To address this need, we report RNA-Seq analysis of a novel Rhodococcus erythopolis phage, WC1, analyzing both the phage and host transcriptome at various stages throughout the infection process.

Results

By five …

Balancing Agriculture And Wildlife: The Impact Of Elk And Deer Grazing On Farming And Ranching Lands, Ethan Gilliam, Anna Gilliam, Jody Gale

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

This article examines producers' perceptions of elk and deer grazing on their lands through a survey conducted at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) National Conference. With 140 complete responses, the study underscores the varying impacts of elk/deer grazing. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced collaboration between agricultural stakeholders and wildlife management authorities to address wildlife grazing impacts effectively. These findings also address the critical opinion of producers toward wildlife inside and outside of their private operations, as well as the interactions between producers and wildlife authorities.

Non-Native Rhizophora Mangle As Sinks For Coastal Contamination On Moloka’I, Hawai’I, Geoffrey Szafranski, Elise F. Granek, Michelle L. Hladik, Mia Hackett

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Coastal mangrove forests provide a suite of environmental services, including sequestration of anthropogenic contamination. Yet, research lags on the environmental fate and potential human health risks of mangrove-sequestered contaminants in the context of mangrove removal for development and range shifts due to climate change. To address this, we conducted a study on Moloka'i, Hawai'i, comparing microplastic and pesticide contamination in coastal compartments both at areas modified by non-native red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) and unmodified, open coastline. Sediment, porewater, and mangrove plant tissues were collected to quantify microplastic and pesticide concentrations across ecosystem type. Average microplastics were similar between …

Monarch Science Observer, Volume 18, College Of Sciences, Old Dominion University

College of Sciences Newsletter

Spring 2024, issue of Monarch Science Observer, ODU Colleges of Sciences Newsletter.

Effects Of Wind Turbine Noise On Songbird Behavior During Nonbreeding Season, Yael Lehnardt, Jesse R. Barber, Oded Berger-Tal

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Anthropogenic noise is one of the fastest growing, globally widespread pollutants, affecting countless species worldwide. Despite accumulating evidence of the negative impacts of wind turbines on wildlife, little is known about how the noise they generate affects ecological systems. Songbirds may be susceptible to noise pollution due to their reliance on vocal communication and thus, in this field study, we examined how songbirds are affected by wind turbine noise. We broadcasted noise produced by one wind turbine in a migratory stopover site during the nonbreeding season. Throughout the study, we repeatedly monitored the acoustic environment and songbird community before, during, …

Adherent-Invasive Escherichia Coli (Aiec) Promotes Mild Colitis In The C57bl/6 Il-10 Ko Mouse Model Of Crohn's Disease, Sarah Sm Zaw

Senior Theses

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10 KO) mice are crucial in CD research. Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is a subgroup of E. coli. In one study, IL-10 KO mice colonized with AIEC developed colitis in the distal colon compared to wild-type (WT) mice. I investigated how AIEC NC101 WT affects colitis severity in IL-10 KO mice of the C57BL/6 genetic background. Similar results in both genotypes would enhance mouse strain accessibility. Germ-free C57BL6 IL-10 KO mice were divided into groups: colonized with AIEC NC101 for 12, 15, or 18 weeks, or kept germ-free. Histopathological …

Characterization Of Rna Binding Proteins Regulating Axonal Localization Of Prenyl-Cdc42 Mrna, Ashley I. Loomis

Senior Theses

Following traumatic injury, axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) can spontaneously regenerate, albeit rather slowly. This regeneration requires messenger RNA (mRNA)-localization into and translation within the axons. One such mRNA originates from the CDC42 gene, which produces two mRNA splice variants: Prenyl-CDC42 and Palm-CDC42 encoding mRNAs. CDC42 promotes axon growth and regeneration by regulating actin filament polymerization in growth cones of axons. This plays an important role to support nerve regeneration in humans. The prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA is found in both central nervous system (CNS) and PNS axons, where it can be locally translated into CDC42 protein, which is subsequently …

Bioaerosol Size As A Potential Determinant Of Airborne E. Coli Viability Under Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation And Ozone Disinfection, Weixing Hao, Yue-Wern Huang, Yang Wang

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and ozone disinfection are crucial methods for mitigating the airborne transmission of pathogenic microorganisms in high-risk settings, particularly with the emergence of respiratory viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza viruses. This study quantitatively investigates the influence of UVGI and ozone on the viability of E. coli in bioaerosols, with a particular focus on how E. coli viability depends on the size of the bioaerosols, a critical factor that determines deposition patterns within the human respiratory system and the evolution of bioaerosols in indoor environments. This study used a controlled small-scale laboratory chamber where E. …