Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Biology (16)
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (14)
- Plant Sciences (14)
- Cell and Developmental Biology (10)
- Biodiversity (7)
-
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (7)
- Animal Sciences (6)
- Medicine and Health Sciences (6)
- Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology (6)
- Behavior and Ethology (5)
- Botany (5)
- Plant Biology (5)
- Zoology (4)
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology (3)
- Cell Biology (3)
- Developmental Biology (3)
- Laboratory and Basic Science Research (3)
- Marine Biology (3)
- Nutrition (3)
- Plant Pathology (3)
- Applied Mathematics (2)
- Biochemistry (2)
- Chemistry (2)
- Data Science (2)
- Diseases (2)
- Genetics and Genomics (2)
- Human and Clinical Nutrition (2)
- Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (2)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (2)
- Keyword
-
- Biology (6)
- Chaparral (5)
- Botryosphaeria dothidea (3)
- Conservation (3)
- Drought (3)
-
- Ecology (3)
- Freshwater ecosystems (3)
- Anatomy (2)
- Behavioral ecology (2)
- Biodiversity (2)
- Dieback (2)
- Ferns (2)
- Hydraulic conductance (2)
- Invasive species (2)
- Mathematics (2)
- Medicinal plants (2)
- Morphology (2)
- Nanoparticles (2)
- Rhus ovata (2)
- Tick (2)
- Aggression (1)
- Alarm cues (1)
- Algal productivity (1)
- Amphibian Skin Secretions (1)
- Amphibian health (1)
- Amphibians (1)
- Anatomical variation (1)
- Angiogenesis (1)
- Angiogenesis Lymphangiogenesis Cell Survival (1)
- Antibacterial Compounds (1)
- Publication Year
- File Type
Articles 1 - 30 of 53
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Mathematically Modeling How Trapping Regimes That Target Specific Crayfish Life Stages Impact Removal Efficacy, Rini Pattison
Mathematically Modeling How Trapping Regimes That Target Specific Crayfish Life Stages Impact Removal Efficacy, Rini Pattison
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is an invasive species introduced into several streams within the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) in Southern California. Crayfish predation decimates native aquatic species. Thus, the Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) and Environmental Restoration Group have worked to remove crayfish through regular trapping in Malibu Creek.
To aid conservation efforts, former SURB students William Milligan and Dev Patel developed mathematical models of crayfish removal efficacy. Milligan created a differential equation model of how crayfish removal affects local newt populations. Patel expanded Milligan’s crayfish model by creating a discrete model of the crayfish life cycle that newly …
Coomassie Brilliant Blue Dye As A Method For Analyzing Fracture Markings In Bone, Abigail Hoffmeister, David Harutunyan, Matthew Aizawa, Everett Baker, Brandon Mendoza, Chase Freeman, Siran Iskanian
Coomassie Brilliant Blue Dye As A Method For Analyzing Fracture Markings In Bone, Abigail Hoffmeister, David Harutunyan, Matthew Aizawa, Everett Baker, Brandon Mendoza, Chase Freeman, Siran Iskanian
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Coomassie Brilliant Blue Dye is a dye commonly used to stain proteins. Because of its ability to adhere to proteins, this research has focused on perfecting a method of dyeing a fractured flat bone in order to most accurately observe and analyze fracture markings within the trabecular layer. Stereoscopic microscopy was the chosen technique of analysis for this research because of its proven effectiveness in glass and ceramic fractography to observe varying depths. In order to most effectively apply stereoscopic microscopy to this research, the following variables were manipulated to maximize color contrast in the trabecular layer in order to …
Drone Imagery Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge Effects On Coastal Primary Productivity On Coral Reefs In Maunalua Bay, Hawai'i, Lulu Wang, Florybeth Flores La Valle, Grace Kim
Drone Imagery Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge Effects On Coastal Primary Productivity On Coral Reefs In Maunalua Bay, Hawai'i, Lulu Wang, Florybeth Flores La Valle, Grace Kim
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) plays a crucial role in coastal ecosystems, especially coral reefs, by introducing terrestrial nutrients and freshwater, significantly affecting the primary productivity of coastal ecosystems and potentially altering ecological balances. La Valle et al. (2023) emphasized the importance of SGD in nutrient distribution and algal productivity, highlighting the need for comprehensive understanding and management strategies in the face of increasing nutrient runoff due to land use changes due to increased population. To better understand the impact, our experiments utilize remote sensing and data science by using a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone with a thermal imaging camera …
A Tick's Quest: The Effects Of Climatic Stress On Host-Seeking Behavior Of Wild Ticks, Lawson Trimmell, Peter Briggs, Javier Monzón
A Tick's Quest: The Effects Of Climatic Stress On Host-Seeking Behavior Of Wild Ticks, Lawson Trimmell, Peter Briggs, Javier Monzón
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
The Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) is one of the most epidemiologically relevant tick species in the United States and is experiencing a range expansion. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of climatic stress on the behavior and physiology of the Lone Star Tick at the expansion front. We hypothesized that there are differences in survivorship, questing (host-seeking) behavior, and dehydration tolerance based on sex or geographic origin. We also predicted that ticks increase their host-seeking behavior as they approach death due to dehydration stress. We collected adult ticks from six sites across Oklahoma and New York/New Jersey. We …
Effectiveness Of Frog Skin Secretions Against Uv-B Radiation, Connor Mcgaha, Kinkade Mcmurray, Lee B. Kats
Effectiveness Of Frog Skin Secretions Against Uv-B Radiation, Connor Mcgaha, Kinkade Mcmurray, Lee B. Kats
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
As an increasing number of their species face possible extinction, amphibian populations have been steadily declining over the past decades (IUCN). While various factors have been suggested or proven to be partially responsible for this reduction, increased ultraviolet B radiation (UVBR) appears to be one of the more prominent explanations, especially when considering the continual thinning of the Earth’s ozone layer due to anthropogenic climate change. However, it has also been discovered that skin secretions, which are reported to function as a component of amphibians’ innate immune systems, may have an effect on UVBR (Cramp and Franklin). With this in …
Deep Learning Can Be Used To Classify And Segment Plant Cell Types In Xylem Tissue, Reem Al Dabagh, Benjamin Shin, Sean Wu, Fabien Scalzo, Helen Holmlund, Jessica Lee, Chris Ghim, Samuel Fitzgerald, Marinna Grijalva
Deep Learning Can Be Used To Classify And Segment Plant Cell Types In Xylem Tissue, Reem Al Dabagh, Benjamin Shin, Sean Wu, Fabien Scalzo, Helen Holmlund, Jessica Lee, Chris Ghim, Samuel Fitzgerald, Marinna Grijalva
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Studies of plant anatomical traits are essential for understanding plant physiological adaptations to stressful environments. For example, shrubs in the chaparral ecosystem of southern California have adapted various xylem anatomical traits that help them survive drought and freezing. Previous studies have shown that xylem conduits with a narrow diameter allows certain chaparral shrub species to survive temperatures as low as -12 C. Other studies have shown that increased cell wall thickness of fibers surrounding xylem vessels improves resistance to water stress-induced embolism formation. Historically, these studies on xylem anatomical traits have relied on hand measurements of cells in light micrographs, …
Checking For Ticks: Analyzing The Efficiency Of Different Tick Collection Methods, Peter Briggs, Lawson Trimmell, Javier Monzón
Checking For Ticks: Analyzing The Efficiency Of Different Tick Collection Methods, Peter Briggs, Lawson Trimmell, Javier Monzón
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Ticks are the most important arthropod disease vectors in both North America and Europe. Field collection of wild ticks is vital for research on the ecology of vector-borne diseases. Dragging and trapping are the two most common methods for collecting wild ticks. Dragging involves a researcher pulling a canvas through a field to collect ticks searching for a host, while trapping exploits ticks’ natural attraction to carbon dioxide to lure them onto a canvas where they get caught on tape. Our study aimed to evaluate which of these two methods is more effective. We chose six sites across three states, …
The Effect Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge On Greenhouse Gas Production On A Coral Reef In Maunalua Bay, Hi, Kylie Nichols
The Effect Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge On Greenhouse Gas Production On A Coral Reef In Maunalua Bay, Hi, Kylie Nichols
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
THE EFFECT OF SUBMARINE GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN MAUNALUA BAY, HI
Authors: Kylie Nichols, Dr. Carmella Vizza, Dr. Florybeth La Valle
Abstract: In the urban coastal environments of Honolulu, Hawai’i, water high in inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia, often becomes further enriched by human activity. This water seeps into the ocean by mode of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD).
We hypothesize that SGD influences greenhouse gas (GHG) production in coastal systems at a measurable rate and is overlooked as a significant source of methane emissions. Marshes and wetlands are the largest contributors to methane production …
Effects On Primary Endothelial Cells When Exposed To Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic, David Guzman
Effects On Primary Endothelial Cells When Exposed To Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic, David Guzman
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
As the use of plastics becomes more predominant in our environment, the interactions between nanoplastics and the human body have increased dramatically. One of the most common and prevalent plastics is polyethylene, and more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Tissue exposure to nanoplastics occurs through surface contact upon ingestion or inhalation where nanoplastics can pass readily through the epithelial layer. Directly beneath gut and lung epithelia is the endothelial layer of capillaries. Very little is known about the interactions between polyethylene and human cells, with no information currently available on its effects with the endothelial layer. Our previous research showed that …
Heterospecific Anural Eavesdropping Cues, Lucia C. Maldonado, Hayley Lunn, Max Sprute, Andrew Wang, Ripley Conklin, Nolan Gentile, Conor Kramer, Lee Kats
Heterospecific Anural Eavesdropping Cues, Lucia C. Maldonado, Hayley Lunn, Max Sprute, Andrew Wang, Ripley Conklin, Nolan Gentile, Conor Kramer, Lee Kats
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
The ability to communicate within species is a trait utilized by every organism. Using cues conspecifically creates a better chance of survival for other members of the species and increases fitness overall. However, using cues heterospecifically also poses a great advantage as animals can eavesdrop on cues released by another species. Previous studies have recorded that eavesdropping is beneficial to prey species, such as squirrels reacting to bird calls and tadpoles reacting to visual and chemical cues to avoid predation. We asked how one local and one exotic species of frog would respond to cues emitted by another local species …
Using California Harmful Algae Risk Mapping To Predict Sea Lion Strandings, Florybeth La Valle, Sydney Socquet
Using California Harmful Algae Risk Mapping To Predict Sea Lion Strandings, Florybeth La Valle, Sydney Socquet
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Domoic acid (DA) is a toxin produced by marine diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia (Pn) and bioaccumulates in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). DA toxicosis can cause neurological issues and death, and the rate at which Z. californianus become stranded due to this condition has been increasing since it was first diagnosed in a marine mammal in 1998. We compared geotemporal data of sea lion strandings with data from the California Harmful Algae Risk Mapping (C-HARM) Model to analyze patterns that may indicate when and where a sea lion stranding due to DA toxicosis will occur. C-HARM geographically visualizes the …
Deep Learning Can Be Used To Classify And Segment Plant Cell Types In Xylem Tissue, Sean Wu, Reem Al Dabagh, Fabien Scalzo, Helen Irene Holmlund
Deep Learning Can Be Used To Classify And Segment Plant Cell Types In Xylem Tissue, Sean Wu, Reem Al Dabagh, Fabien Scalzo, Helen Irene Holmlund
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Studies of plant anatomical traits are essential for understanding plant physiological adaptations to stressful environments. For example, shrubs in the chaparral ecosystem of southern California have adapted various xylem anatomical traits that help them survive drought and freezing. Previous studies have shown that xylem conduits with a narrow diameter allows certain chaparral shrub species to survive temperatures as low as -12 C. Other studies have shown that increased cell wall thickness of fibers surrounding xylem vessels improves resistance to water stress-induced embolism formation. Historically, these studies on xylem anatomical traits have relied on hand measurements of cells in light micrographs, …
Effect Of Soil Microbes On The Growth Of Two Santa Monica Mountain Fern Species During Early Gametophyte Development, Chase Kerstein, Kaitlin Gartrell, Donna Nofziger
Effect Of Soil Microbes On The Growth Of Two Santa Monica Mountain Fern Species During Early Gametophyte Development, Chase Kerstein, Kaitlin Gartrell, Donna Nofziger
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
The fern life cycle alternates between two distinct phases: a diploid sporophyte phase and a haploid gametophyte phase. The mature gametophyte is an independent, single-cell layer structure that is photosynthetic. Much of the research on the early development of gametophytes takes place in sterile conditions while research into the effects of the soil microbiome on gametophyte development has not been well characterized. This study examines the interaction between the soil microbiome and early development of two Santa Monica Mountain fern species, Woodwardia fimbriata (Wf) found in riparian streams and Dryopteris arguta (Da) which grow in the chaparral understory. Spores from …
Human Adaptation And Morphological Variation: Expanding Diversity In Anatomy Curriculum, Jordan Cass, Cooker Storm
Human Adaptation And Morphological Variation: Expanding Diversity In Anatomy Curriculum, Jordan Cass, Cooker Storm
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Introduction: The recent upturn in our nation’s socio-political conversation has fueled interest in ensuring that college curricula is diverse and inclusive. Because human anatomy is ubiquitous across colleges, it may be a valuable avenue to purposefully incorporate topics of diversity in a way that positively impacts our socio-cultural relationships. Providing students with a scientific understanding of our visible differences may mitigate subconscious bias when we see others who have different features. Purpose: We investigated the biogeographical factors that contribute to the morphological variability of the face, hair, and body size; with the secondary aim of developing diverse and …
Substrate Type Affects The Drying Speed And Desiccation Tolerance Of Fern Gametophytes, Jordyn D. Regier, Mayra J. Hernandez, Camille K. Sicangco, Stephen D. Davis, Helen I. Holmlund
Substrate Type Affects The Drying Speed And Desiccation Tolerance Of Fern Gametophytes, Jordyn D. Regier, Mayra J. Hernandez, Camille K. Sicangco, Stephen D. Davis, Helen I. Holmlund
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Although most ferns require abundant water to thrive, some ferns can survive in habitats with limited water. Previous studies have examined the adaptations that allow xeric ferns to thrive in mediterranean-type ecosystems such as southern California. However, the large fern sporophyte only represents one stage of the fern life cycle; the independent gametophyte phase must also survive water stress, including the six-month summer drought periods of the Santa Monica Mountains. Some fern gametophytes have been reported to be desiccation tolerant (capable of recovery from near-complete drying), and this trait is believed to be dependent on the plant’s drying speed. In …
Developmental Staging And Morphological Comparisons Of Four Fern Gametophyte Species From The Santa Monica Mountains, Tristan Furlong
Developmental Staging And Morphological Comparisons Of Four Fern Gametophyte Species From The Santa Monica Mountains, Tristan Furlong
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
The fern life cycle alternates between two distinct phases: a diploid sporophyte phase consisting of the “adult” fern, and a haploid gametophyte phase. Early events and changes in gametophyte development can have considerable consequences in the morphologies of these different fern species and may facilitate the various adaptive strategies employed by the gametophytes in their different habitats. This study investigates early developmental events in the gametophytes of four different fern species found in the Santa Monica Mountains, Adiantum jordanii (chaparral understory, summer deciduous sporophyte), Woodwardia fimbriata (riparian stream), Dryopteris arguta (chaparral understory, evergreen), and Pentagramma triangularis (chaparral understory, resurrection sporophyte). …
The Effect Of Lumbar Support On Holding Shoulder Electromyography And Trunk Kinematics In Collegiate Violinists, Lauren Elizabeth Lee, Kevin Enstrom, Michael T. Soucy
The Effect Of Lumbar Support On Holding Shoulder Electromyography And Trunk Kinematics In Collegiate Violinists, Lauren Elizabeth Lee, Kevin Enstrom, Michael T. Soucy
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Instrument-specific holding mechanics in violinists likely contribute to a high incidence of playing related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). The inclusion of a lumbar support while playing may alleviate potential risks for PRMDs. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of lumbar support on left holding shoulder musculature electromyography (EMG) activity and thigh, trunk, and hip kinematics. METHODS: Eleven (6 F; 5 M) collegiate musicians (19.5±1.3 years, 1.71±0.1 m, 68.1±7.7 kg, playing experience: 10.0±3.9 years, weekly playing time: 14.1±8.2 hours) gave voluntary informed consent and performed Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G Major (JS Bach, BWV 1007) with and without a lumbar support. …
Decline In Amphibian Health In Local Stream, Elyse Vetter, Elise Dearment, Colton Russell, Audrey Fontes, Lee Kats
Decline In Amphibian Health In Local Stream, Elyse Vetter, Elise Dearment, Colton Russell, Audrey Fontes, Lee Kats
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Many local streams of the Santa Monica Mountains are populated by the native California Newt, Taricha torosa, a species of special concern. Arroyo Sequit is one of these streams, the upper and lower portions of which are split by a culvert and the Mulholland Highway. This stream and the surrounding areas burned during the Woolsey fire of 2018. Since the fire, construction has been ongoing in and around the stream. Two years post-fire (during the summer of 2020) significantly more newts were found in the stream than years prior. A large proportion of these newts were unhealthy in appearance, …
Conspecific Aggression Of Invasive Crayfish, P. Clarkii, In Response To Chemical Cues, Elyse Vetter, Elise Dearment, Audrey Fontes, Gary Bucciarelli, Lee Kats
Conspecific Aggression Of Invasive Crayfish, P. Clarkii, In Response To Chemical Cues, Elyse Vetter, Elise Dearment, Audrey Fontes, Gary Bucciarelli, Lee Kats
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, have caused vast damage to the stream ecosystem of the Santa Monica Mountains, following their invasive introduction. Through their extensive eating habits, high levels of aggression, and responsiveness to environmental stimuli, P. clarkii have a tremendous impact on the success of native species in the Santa Monica Mountains. With exposure to chemical cues, crayfish are able to perceive threats and react accordingly. To determine the extent of such chemoreception, pairs of P. clarkii were tested in the laboratory for conspecific aggression in the presence of native newt, native frog, and conspecific alarm cues. The …
The Effect Of A Single Dose Of Beetroot Juice On Speed, Strength, And Power In Healthy Recreationally Active Females., Maya A. Hammer, Ryan Kenney, Katie Price, Chandler Riley, Alyssa Riley, Courtney Merrill, Adam Pennell, Rachel Tan
The Effect Of A Single Dose Of Beetroot Juice On Speed, Strength, And Power In Healthy Recreationally Active Females., Maya A. Hammer, Ryan Kenney, Katie Price, Chandler Riley, Alyssa Riley, Courtney Merrill, Adam Pennell, Rachel Tan
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR) improves muscle contraction which is relevant for intense intermittent-type sports. However, few studies have examined the effect of BR ingestion on performance using sport-specific exercise protocols. Moreover, there is a scarcity of research that include female participants which limits real world application given that females potentially have different responses to BR ingestion. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of BR supplementation on speed, acceleration, strength and power before and after fatigue in females. In a double-blind, randomized crossover design, 15 recreationally active females consumed BR and nitrate-depleted placebo juice (PL) ~2.5 …
The Effects Of Symbiote Ostracods On Invasive Crayfish Behavior, Audrey Fontes, Elyse Vetter, Gary Bucciarelli, Lee Kats
The Effects Of Symbiote Ostracods On Invasive Crayfish Behavior, Audrey Fontes, Elyse Vetter, Gary Bucciarelli, Lee Kats
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Invasive crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, are known to negatively impact the biodiversity of Santa Monica Mountain streams. Small symbiotes, ostracods, live on Procambarus clarkii in some local streams. However, their effect on the behaviour of invasive crayfish is unknown. We used an aqueous chlorobutanol solution to remove ostracods from crayfish. We paired control crayfish with those that had ostracods removed and scored aggressive interactions. Crayfish without ostracods were found to be significantly more aggressive towards crayfish with ostracods. When we compared feeding behavior, we found that crayfish without ostracods consumed food more quickly than control crayfish. We again subjected crayfish …
The Effects Of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice Supplementation On Nonverbal Executive Function In Healthy Recreationally Active Females, Chandler F. Riley, Alyssa Riley, Maya A. Hammer, Ryan Kenney, Katie Price, Courtney Merrill, Adam Pennell, Rachel Tan
The Effects Of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice Supplementation On Nonverbal Executive Function In Healthy Recreationally Active Females, Chandler F. Riley, Alyssa Riley, Maya A. Hammer, Ryan Kenney, Katie Price, Courtney Merrill, Adam Pennell, Rachel Tan
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR) supplementation has been reported to preserve executive function (i.e. decision making and reaction time) before and after a simulated soccer match in recreationally active males, which may be due to enhanced cerebral blood flow. However, the literature examining the physiological response following BR ingestion in females is scarce, which hampers the extrapolation of results since physiological sex-differences may exist. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess if BR ingestion influenced executive function in an unfatigued and fatigued state in healthy recreationally active females. In a double-blind, randomized crossover design, 20 females consumed 140 mL …
Arterial Distribution Of The Human Aorta: An Examination Of The Evolutionary, Developmental, And Physiological Bases Of Asymmetry., Brandon Oddo, Cooker Storm
Arterial Distribution Of The Human Aorta: An Examination Of The Evolutionary, Developmental, And Physiological Bases Of Asymmetry., Brandon Oddo, Cooker Storm
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
The study of anatomy contends that “form follows function”; a disciplinary theme purporting that anatomical structures (i.e., cells, tissues, and organs) have a shape that serves its proper function. With this in mind, it is unclear why human arterial distribution off the aortic arch is asymmetrical, while the corresponding venous anatomy is symmetrical. We investigated the evolutionary, developmental, and physiological bases for the asymmetry of aortic arch branches in humans. First, we investigated the cardiovascular anatomy of ancestral species to determine if, and at what level, anatomical divergence (from aortic symmetry to asymmetry) occurs. Second, we examined the formation of …
Ultrafine Carbon Nanoparticles Activate Inflammasome Signaling And Cell Death In Murine Macrophages, Alexander Soloniuk, Hadley Lamascus, Jay Brewster, John Mann
Ultrafine Carbon Nanoparticles Activate Inflammasome Signaling And Cell Death In Murine Macrophages, Alexander Soloniuk, Hadley Lamascus, Jay Brewster, John Mann
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Carbon black (CB) is the primary nanoparticulate component of air pollution from fossil fuel combustion. This work examines the cellular impact of ultrafine carbon (carbon black, CB) nanoparticles, that range in size down to 30 nm, upon murine macrophages. The size analysis of the carbon black nanoparticles was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. RAW246.7 macrophage cells were exposed to CB doses ranging from 50 – 200 ug/ml in complete media. Analysis of cell survival over time revealed elevated rates of significant nuclear degradation and cell lifting after 48 hours of exposure, and in …
Does The Fungal Pathogen (Botryosphaeria Dothidea) Exceed The Dehydration Tolerance Of Its Chaparral Host?, Cristian M. Garcia
Does The Fungal Pathogen (Botryosphaeria Dothidea) Exceed The Dehydration Tolerance Of Its Chaparral Host?, Cristian M. Garcia
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
We tested the hypothesis that an opportunistic endophytic fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea that frequently infects and causes dieback in several different species of chaparral shrubs in the Santa Monica Mountains continues to elongate and grow in host tissues at dehydration levels that exceed host survival. This was done by collecting several large branches from the field from three dominant species of co-occurring chaparral shrubs, Malosma laurina, Ceanothus spinosus, and Ceanothus megacarpus. We allowed branches to dehydrate at increasing lengths of time, from a few days to one week, in an air-conditioned laboratory, then sealed in plastic bags to allow tissuewater equilibration, …
Investigation Of Antimicrobial Properties Of Rhus Ovata Extracts, Sydney T. Adams
Investigation Of Antimicrobial Properties Of Rhus Ovata Extracts, Sydney T. Adams
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Native peoples of Southern California historically used a variety of local plants as remedies for illnesses. Chaparral species such as Rhus ovata (sugar bush) were widely available and were used to ease headaches, coughs and chest pains, and colds. In light of the historical importance of this plant and other chaparral species, recent fungal pathogen-induced diebacks of Malosma laurina, a species closely related to R. ovata, have raised questions regarding the innate defenses of these plants against fungal pathogens. We attempted to scientifically evaluate the traditional medicinal use of R. ovata and its antifungal resistance by testing two …
Mechanism Of Nitric Oxide Induced Sympatholysis In Rat Soleus Feed Arteries, Madelyn Whitaker, Jeffrey Jasperse, Tanner Heckle
Mechanism Of Nitric Oxide Induced Sympatholysis In Rat Soleus Feed Arteries, Madelyn Whitaker, Jeffrey Jasperse, Tanner Heckle
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
During exercise, the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) binds to arterial adrenergic receptors to cause vasoconstriction, yet arteries and arterioles constrict less to sympathetic stimulation in contracting compared to resting skeletal muscle (sympatholysis). Previous evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) can be sympatholytic, but the mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that NO causes sympatholysis in rat soleus muscle feed arteries, that NO is released from vascular endothelial cells by increased shear stress, and that NO acts through a guanylyl cyclase intracellular signaling pathway. Soleus feed arteries (n = 12 per group) were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats and cannulated on two glass …
Changes In The Proliferation And Gene Expression Of Huvecs In Response To Treatment With Plant Secondary Metabolites, Caleigh Howard
Changes In The Proliferation And Gene Expression Of Huvecs In Response To Treatment With Plant Secondary Metabolites, Caleigh Howard
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Medicinal plants have historically been a valuable source of new drugs, and Southern California possesses a rich collection of native plants which have been used as medicines by native people groups for thousands of years. Angiogenesis is the biological process of new blood-vessel growth from endothelial cells. It is an essential part of the wound-healing process, and increased angiogenesis has also been implicated in the growth of some types of cancerous tumors. In this study, extracts of the Southern Californian native plants Red shanks (Adenostoma sparsifolium) and the alkaloid extract of Jimson weed (Datura wrightii) were …
The Effect Of Physical Stress Signals On Conspecific Interactions In Green-And-Black Poison Frogs (Dendrobates Auratus), Gabriella E. Chan, Maxwell A. Kenyon, Summer Ngo, Lee B. Kats
The Effect Of Physical Stress Signals On Conspecific Interactions In Green-And-Black Poison Frogs (Dendrobates Auratus), Gabriella E. Chan, Maxwell A. Kenyon, Summer Ngo, Lee B. Kats
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Amphibian declines have been a major focus of the scientific community for nearly three decades. Many studies describe the leading causes of amphibian decline related to disease, with chytridiomycosis as the most notable example. However, little is known about behavioral conspecific interactions among ill or stressed amphibians, particularly neotropical species. Previous observational research on poison frogs determined that stressed Dendrobates auratus flip onto their backs in a reaction that is similar to fainting in other species. In this study, we examine conspecific interactions of green-and-black poison frogs (D. auratus) with “healthy” and “sick” model frogs, in order to …
Uvb Avoidance In Dendrobates Azereus Tadpoles, Matthew Sturtevant, Lee Kats, Agustin Vargas, Arthur Garnica
Uvb Avoidance In Dendrobates Azereus Tadpoles, Matthew Sturtevant, Lee Kats, Agustin Vargas, Arthur Garnica
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Most frogs are nocturnal, but dart frogs (Dendrobatidae) are diurnal and lack scales or hair that would protect them from UVB rays. Previous studies have demonstrated that adult dart frogs avoid UVB light. The purpose of this experiment was to test whether dart frog larvae would avoid UVB light when compared to local nocturnal treefrog larvae. For the experiment we used tadpoles of Dendrobates azureus and Pseudacris regilla. The tadpoles were put in tubs with a submerged shelter and exposed to 3 lighting conditions: UVB, no light and visible light. The tadpoles were exposed to only one lighting condition …