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Articles 1 - 30 of 38
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Population Genetics Of The Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes Flavipes, In The Southern Appalachian Mountains, Lee Ann Passarella
Population Genetics Of The Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes Flavipes, In The Southern Appalachian Mountains, Lee Ann Passarella
Honors Theses
As an area rich in biodiversity, the Appalachian Mountains are an ideal place for biological research. The pronounced impacts of Pleistocene climatic cycles on forest distributions over time have shaped the evolutionary history of animals that depend on these habitats, underpinning the research that is presented here. The present study on the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, was conducted to better understand the spatial distribution of genetic diversity within and among populations of this species in the context of the aforementioned historical climatic changes in the southern Appalachian Mountain region. I hypothesized that there would be geographically localized, distinct genetic …
The Relationship Of Factors Contributing To Burnout And Grit Among Division I Collegiate Athletes, Mckenzie Cavanaugh Cavanaugh
The Relationship Of Factors Contributing To Burnout And Grit Among Division I Collegiate Athletes, Mckenzie Cavanaugh Cavanaugh
Honors Theses
Within the sports field, one popular interest is burnout among athletes. The objective of this study was to determine the association of risk factors to burnout and grit among Division I collegiate athletes. Seventeen males and twenty-five females (age= 19.88 ± 1.02) participated in this study (football, n = 8; cross country/track n = 1; soccer, n = 1; basketball, n = 2; golf, n = 1; volleyball, n = 13; baseball, n = 5; and rifle, n = 11). A survey and the athlete burnout questionnaire (ABQ) was used to evaluate risk factors of burnout and to assess burnout …
Investigating University Students' Cultural Competency In Relation To Time Spent Abroad, Elizabeth Baylee Edwards
Investigating University Students' Cultural Competency In Relation To Time Spent Abroad, Elizabeth Baylee Edwards
Honors Theses
Background: The world is becoming increasingly interconnected through the globalization of economy, resources, and social interactions, creating an environment where individuals must be able to respect, understand, and work closely with people of different cultures. The purpose of this research was to investigate how traveling abroad affects university students' level of competency in five cultural dimensions. Methods: An electronic survey, designed to evaluate cultural competency, was distributed to 6,000 randomly selected undergraduate students in January, 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate sample profiles. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to determine factors of competency dimensions for global mindedness. A …
Biodiversity And Evolution In The Guiana Shield, South America, Andrew Michael Snyder
Biodiversity And Evolution In The Guiana Shield, South America, Andrew Michael Snyder
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The neotropics are characterized as the most species rich region in the world. Unfortunately, the region's unparalleled biodiversity has not protected it from ongoing threats such as agriculture, mining, logging, oil extraction, and climate change. I studied the biodiversity and evolution of the herpetofauna of South America in order to investigate the influence of historical geological and climatological events in shaping extant neotropical diversity, particularly the Guiana shield. For my research, I set out to explore the processes involved in shaping the remarkable extant diversity using anuran amphibians as models. With my dissertation, I provide a comprehensive review of the …
Impact Of Human Disturbance On The Behavior And Physiology Of The Endangered Ringed Sawback Turtle (Graptemys Oculifera), Jessica Mary Heppard
Impact Of Human Disturbance On The Behavior And Physiology Of The Endangered Ringed Sawback Turtle (Graptemys Oculifera), Jessica Mary Heppard
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Turtles are one of the most threatened taxa worldwide. In addition to direct anthropogenic impacts such as hunting and pollution, unintentional indirect human disturbance affects poikilothermic turtles by disrupting thermoregulatory basking behavior. In this thesis I assess the behavioral and physiologic impacts of high boat traffic, reductions of basking structures, and environmental factors on basking behavior, rates of disturbance, thermoregulation, parasite load, shell condition, and population recruitment in two populations of the endangered ringed sawback (Graptemys oculifera), also known at the ringed map turtle, on the Pearl River outside Jackson, MS. Basking behavior was influenced by availability of basking structures, …
The Effect Of Environmental Perturbations On The Plant Phyllosphere Microbiome, Bram W. Stone
The Effect Of Environmental Perturbations On The Plant Phyllosphere Microbiome, Bram W. Stone
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Applying ecological concepts to microbial communities has proved to be challenging, often revolving around the relative importance of stochastic and deterministic processes applied heterogeneously across the habitat in time or space. The phyllosphere is the aboveground surface of plants on which microbial communities, composed primarily of Bacteria, but also including Archaea and microbial eukaryotes, exist and is characterized by stochastic immigration balanced with strong selective forces. Variation in bacterial community composition was characterized across space and time, with special attention given to the exposure of phyllosphere communities to rain as a plausible mechanism of ecological disturbance. Bacterial communities were characterized …
Evaluation Of Parent Involvement In Families In Transformation (Fit) Wellness Program For Children, Heather Walker
Evaluation Of Parent Involvement In Families In Transformation (Fit) Wellness Program For Children, Heather Walker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
A Comparison Of Energy Expenditure And Prediction Equations During Walking Or Running Corrected For One Mile In Normal Weight And Overweight African American, Asian, And Caucasian Adults And Cross-Validation Of The Equations, Xi Jin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The prevalence of obesity is rapid across the world. Knowledge of the actual energy expenditure (EE) of walking and running can lead to a more precise exercise prescription which may lead to an obesity reduction or avoidance. Limited research has focused on EE during walking and running. Therefore, the aims of this study included developing ethnic based cross validated EE prediction equations for African American, Asian and Caucasian adults, and a multiple regression equation developed that included all three ethnic groups. Also, the energy expenditure among these three ethnic groups was compared. A total of 224 subjects, including 71 Caucasians, …
The Slippery Slope Between Falling And Recovering: An Examination Of Sensory And Somatic Factors Influencing Recovery After A Slip, Samuel J. Wilson
The Slippery Slope Between Falling And Recovering: An Examination Of Sensory And Somatic Factors Influencing Recovery After A Slip, Samuel J. Wilson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Slips and falls account for large rates of injury and mortality in multiple populations. During an unexpected slip, sensory mechanisms are responsible for signaling the slip to the central nervous system, and a series of corrective responses is generated to arrest the slip and prevent a fall. While previous research has examined the corrective responses elicited, the answer of how these systems break down during a fall remains elusive. Purpose: To examine differences in postural control (slip detection), lower extremity corrective responses (slip recovery), and cortical control of the slip recovery response between individuals who fall and those who …
Food Insecurity And Child And Parent/Caretaker Overweight/Obesity In A Rural, Appalachian Mississippi Community, Sydney Antolini
Food Insecurity And Child And Parent/Caretaker Overweight/Obesity In A Rural, Appalachian Mississippi Community, Sydney Antolini
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study examined the differences in parent/caretaker body mass index (BMI) and parent/caretaker-reported child overweight/obesity by food security status in a rural, Appalachian, Mississippi community, as well as the relationship of parent/caretaker BMI and parent/caretaker-reported child overweight/obesity to food security status. A cross-sectional survey of elementary school parents/caretakers recruited at three elementary schools in an economically-distressed Appalachian, Mississippi county was conducted. Parent/caretaker BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Caretaker-reported child overweight/obesity was determined using caretaker report of a medical professional identifying child overweight/obesity within the past year. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 23, 2015) to assess …
Leaping Behavior In Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix): Analysis Of Burst Swimming Speeds, Angle Of Escape, Height, And Distance Of Leaps, Ehlana Stell
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Silver Carp have rapidly expanded their range exploiting vulnerable habitats, disrupting fisheries, and inflicting unknown ecological damage. These fish have continued to spread into the Middle Mississippi River and the Tennessee River Valley and great effort is being expended to prevent Silver Carp from entering the Great Lakes and expanding further into the Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee Rivers. Using boat-mounted cameras, we recorded in situ video of invasive Silver Carp, Hypopthalmichthys molitrix leaps to measure their horizontal distance, height, and angle of escape as well as their burst speed. Video tapes of fish leaps were obtained from populations of …
A Review Of The Serica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) Of Mexico, Canada, And The Western United States, Reese John Worthington
A Review Of The Serica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) Of Mexico, Canada, And The Western United States, Reese John Worthington
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Twenty-two species and subspecies of Serica occur in Mexico. Serica ensenada Saylor, 1948 is recognized as a junior synonym of Serica pilifera Horn, 1894. Two new species, Serica ascia Lago & Worthington and Serica fenestra Lago & Worthington are described from Mexico. Three genera of Sericini are recorded from Canada, Maladera castanea (Arrow), Nipponoserica peregrina (Chapin), and twelve species of Serica. Seventy-seven species and subspecies of Serica occur in the contiguous United States west of the 100th meridian. Eleven new species, Serica berriani Lago & Worthington, Serica cuneiverpa Lago & Worthington, Serica desolaterra Lago & Worthington, Serica katelinae Lago & …
Examining Changes In Bat Swing Kinematics In Various Regions Of The Strike Zone In Collegiate Baseball And Softball Players, Caleb Williams
Examining Changes In Bat Swing Kinematics In Various Regions Of The Strike Zone In Collegiate Baseball And Softball Players, Caleb Williams
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) there are over 50,000 men and women who compete in collegiate baseball and softball. These individuals spend hours improving their ability to swing a bat with the hope of improving his or her batting performance during a game situation typically off a tee in a position of their own choosing. However, during a game situation an athlete may swing a bat through his or her strike zone depending upon the pitch thrown by an opposing pitcher. The strike zone is defined as the space over home plate in a region that is …
Food Insecurity And Physical And Mental Health Of Elementary School Children In A Rural, Appalachian Mississippi Community, Kelsey Reece Dismukes
Food Insecurity And Physical And Mental Health Of Elementary School Children In A Rural, Appalachian Mississippi Community, Kelsey Reece Dismukes
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Household food insecurity has been associated with poor physical health and behavioral and psychological problems in children. This study examined differences in parent/caregiver-perceived child health and parent/caregiver-reported behavioral and psychological problems by food security status of elementary school children (Kindergarten through 6th grade) living in rural, Appalachian Mississippi. This study used a cross-sectional survey of elementary school parents/caregivers recruited at three elementary schools in an economically-distressed Appalachian MS county. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (versions 23, 2015) to assess for differences in HLTH (t-test), BEHAV (Chi Square), and PSYCH (Chi Square) by household food security status. The relationship of …
The Influence Of Self-Prescribed Knee Bracing On Walking In Healthy Adults, Lauren Luginsland
The Influence Of Self-Prescribed Knee Bracing On Walking In Healthy Adults, Lauren Luginsland
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The knee is one of the most commonly loaded anatomical joints in the human body due to maintaining an upright posture. Increased joint loading can lead to various injuries which can either be treated surgically or non-surgically including immobilization by bracing. Numerous studies have looked at functional knee bracing post-operative surgery creating a gap within the literature analyzing non-operative functional knee braces within a healthy population. Commonly prescribed functional knee braces such as the Ossur Rebound® have been prescribed by physicians, but also available over-the-counter for self-prescription to assist with injury prevention, stabilization, and protection. Previous studies have looked at …
The Blood Flow And Perceptual Response To Lower Body Resistance Training With And Without Blood Flow Restriction, Kevin Mattocks
The Blood Flow And Perceptual Response To Lower Body Resistance Training With And Without Blood Flow Restriction, Kevin Mattocks
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The muscular response to low-load resistance exercise in combination with blood flow restriction (BFR) is well studied but less was known about the cardiovascular response. It was also unknown what impact resistance exercise at 15% 1RM with or without BFR would have on the acute and chronic cardiovascular adaptations and how that compared to high load resistance exercise. Examining the perceptual responses across a training program is also important as this may dictate overall compliance to an exercise protocol. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute and chronic cardiovascular changes following very low-load (15% 1RM) resistance exercise …
Development Of A Novel Salivary Cortisol Laboratory Experiment For Undergraduate Physiology Students, Charmin C. Guy
Development Of A Novel Salivary Cortisol Laboratory Experiment For Undergraduate Physiology Students, Charmin C. Guy
Honors Theses
Developing an endocrine-based laboratory exercise for undergraduate students is challenging because of the limitations that are characteristic of endocrine processes. These laboratory exercises often involve invasive methods and expensive biochemical analysis. They are also time consuming because of the slow-acting endocrine responses. A potential endocrine-based exercise that can be completed in 2-3 hours, is non-invasive, and at a low cost is a salivary assay. This assay is not without drawbacks, however, including sample collection outside the laboratory classroom. Cortisol is a hormone that is accessible in saliva and provides some insight into the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA Axis), also known as …
Effects Of Housing Management On Vaccination Success Against Eimeria Infection In Chickens, Louis Wilson Benton
Effects Of Housing Management On Vaccination Success Against Eimeria Infection In Chickens, Louis Wilson Benton
Honors Theses
Coccidiosis is a disease of the gastrointestinal system of commercially raised chickens (Gallus gallus). The infection is caused by multiple parasitic species of the coccidian genus Eimeria. Eimeria proliferate within large poultry houses leading to decreased nutrient absorption, anorexia, and death of the host. Scheduled vaccination with live coccidian oocysts should minimize production losses, but various management factors may contribute to variation in the outcome. I investigated whether by tracking infection cycles in detail it might be possible to improve poultry production. Feces were collected daily from four farms across a two-month period to understand how peaks in oocyst shedding …
Effects Of Point Of Purchase Marketing On Selection Of Vegetables In A University Greek House Foodservice, Shelton Wittenberg
Effects Of Point Of Purchase Marketing On Selection Of Vegetables In A University Greek House Foodservice, Shelton Wittenberg
Honors Theses
Weight gain is common for undergraduate college students because of factors such as body maturation, increased consumption of fast food, and less physical activity. Weight gain may continue after college if diet and exercise habits do not improve, so learning healthy habits during college can contribute to a healthy adulthood. Recent research has reported that weight gain is inversely related to fruit and vegetable consumption. Because a large portion of college students' diets come from on-campus dining options, fruit and vegetable intake may be lacking because many of these venues may not serve these items or serve them in a …
Determination Of The Chromosomal Position Of Three Mutations Using Recombination Mapping In Drosophila Melanogaster, Zane Bryant Coleman
Determination Of The Chromosomal Position Of Three Mutations Using Recombination Mapping In Drosophila Melanogaster, Zane Bryant Coleman
Honors Theses
Genetic screens are performed in order to characterize genes and mutations, often relating to developmental processes. A previous genetic screen performed in Drosophila melanogaster found three mutations on the second chromosome affecting glial cell development: FF12, DD68, and D19. These mutations each disrupted the pattern and expression of reversed polarity (repo), a target gene of the glial fate master regulator, glial cells missing (gcm). Here, I use recombination mapping with phenotypically observable dominant markers to locate the genetic map position of each mutation. This method provides a rapid estimate of the mutations' locations that can then be tested against molecularly-defined …
The Effects Of Footwear On Stride Length In Adolescent Baseball Pitchers, Alexandra Adderholt
The Effects Of Footwear On Stride Length In Adolescent Baseball Pitchers, Alexandra Adderholt
Honors Theses
The baseball pitch is considered one of the most dynamic athletic motions. Due to its complexity, multiple variables are taken into consideration for risk of injury. Previous studies have investigated variables that influence factors of a baseball pitch such as fatigue and stride length; however, footwear has not been considered. This study's objective was to examine whether or not baseball footwear on different surface inclinations altered stride length. Eleven adolescent pitchers (Age: 13.18 ± 1.72 yrs.; Height: 179.01 ± 15.72 cm.; Mass: 61.00 ± 14.66 kg) participated in this study throwing in four shoe-surface conditions: flat ground (FG) x molded …
The Effects Of Acute Exercise And Learning Strategy Implementation On Episodic Memory Performance, Faith A. Harris
The Effects Of Acute Exercise And Learning Strategy Implementation On Episodic Memory Performance, Faith A. Harris
Honors Theses
Over the years, a growing body of research has shown that exercise has beneficial impacts on various types of memory function. However, most of these studies have focused on children or older adults, with less research conducted among young adults, despite research demonstrating that memory function may start to decline in early adulthood. This thesis provides background information regarding the effects of exercise on memory function, as well as different learning-based strategies to help facilitate learning and memory retention. Furthermore, the research I completed for this thesis specifically evaluated the experimental effects of acute exercise, a specific learning strategy (3-R …
Characterizing The Effects Of Mutations In Stm And Ath1 On Floral Organ Development In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Hayden Malone
Characterizing The Effects Of Mutations In Stm And Ath1 On Floral Organ Development In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Hayden Malone
Honors Theses
Understanding the molecular controls involved in plant development is important in understanding plant physiology as a whole, and this knowledge in turn can lead to useful applications in agriculture and industry. This project investigates the roles of two transcription factors, SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) and ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA HOMEOBOX GENE1 (ATH1) in the molecular pathway that creates boundaries between organs in flowers of Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutations in the STM and ATH1 genes prevent formation of basal boundaries between the floral organs and the stem, causing abscission defects in flowers. If the STM and ATH1 genes are also critical for establishing the boundaries …
The Effects Of Mutations In The Ath1 And Stm Genes On Sepal, Petal, And Stamen Abscission In Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants, Hunter L. Roth
The Effects Of Mutations In The Ath1 And Stm Genes On Sepal, Petal, And Stamen Abscission In Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants, Hunter L. Roth
Honors Theses
Floral organ boundaries are areas that allow distinct organs within a flower to differentiate from each other and the underlying stem. Boundary regions are also where abscission zones (AZs) can form, which allow floral organs to abscise, or detach, from the plant. This study takes a look into a pair of genes, ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA HOMEOBOX GENE1 (ATH1) and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM), which code for transcription factors found in Arabidopsis thaliana that are responsible for proper boundary formation and AZ specification. Mutations in one or both of these genes affect AZ formation of specific floral organs. The ATH1 and STM transcription …
Characterizing The Effects Of Stm And Ath1 Mutations On Floral Organ Development In Arabidopsis Thaliana, James Luke Leary
Characterizing The Effects Of Stm And Ath1 Mutations On Floral Organ Development In Arabidopsis Thaliana, James Luke Leary
Honors Theses
The purpose of this project was to explore the function of SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM) and ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA HOMEOBOX GENE1 (ATH1), two transcription factors in Arabidopsis thaliana that play a role in the molecular pathways that establish organ boundaries in flowers. Prior research has shownthat mutations in the STM and ATH1 genes cause defects in the boundaries formed between floral organs and the stem of the plant. My study was designed to investigate whether ATH1 and STM also control the boundaries found between adjacent floral organs. I predicted that stm ath1-3 double mutant flowers would display a significant number of stamen-stamen and …
Fruit Structure In Arabidopsis Thaliana Organ Boundary Mutants, Katelyn Childers
Fruit Structure In Arabidopsis Thaliana Organ Boundary Mutants, Katelyn Childers
Honors Theses
The fruit are an integral plant organ that function to nurture and disperse seeds. Â Using the model species Arabidopsis thaliana, the genetic mechanisms underlying fruit development have been carefully studied. Â The Arabidopsis fruit originates from the female reproductive organ, the gynoecium, which consists of two carpels that develop into the ovary with a style and stigma. Â Proper formation of the fruit relies on a functional floral meristem and on the specification of boundary regions that arise between the carpel walls and a medial replum. Â Two genes known to affect both the development of organ boundaries in …
Purkinje Cell Morphology And Display Complexity In Manakins (Pipridae), Mary Harvey
Purkinje Cell Morphology And Display Complexity In Manakins (Pipridae), Mary Harvey
Honors Theses
Manakins are a suboscine, lekking bird of the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America that perform complex mating displays shaped by sexual selection. The complexity of the mating display varies greatly across species of manakins. Some manakins only perform a limited number of different motor elements, whereas others have elaborate displays that consist of acrobatic movements and mechanical sound production. The complexity of these displays has been found to be positively related to brain weight, brain volume, arcopallium volume, body weight, and tarsus size but shows no relationship to the nucleus rotundus or nucleus taeniae. The volume …
Effects Of Texting On Neck Muscle Activity And Neck Flexion In College Students., Matalgah Haneen
Effects Of Texting On Neck Muscle Activity And Neck Flexion In College Students., Matalgah Haneen
Honors Theses
College students are susceptible to tech neck, a possible musculoskeletal disorder producing neck strain due to texting. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether texting among college students produces any significant effects on the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles and neck flexion. To the best ofmy knowledge, no study in the literature has studies the effects of texting taking into consideration factors specific to college students, such as carrying a backpack and different environments (e.g. stairs, hallways). This justifies my primary aim of examining collegiate factors (i.e. backpack, environment) influence on neck muscle activity and flexion in students …
The Construction And Characterization Of Vaccines Expressing The Pre-Membrane And Glycoprotein E Antigens Of The West Nile Virus, Ryan Johnson
Honors Theses
The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a positive polarity, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae. In this family, there are several globally relevant human pathogens including dengue fever virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), yellow fever virus (YFV), the newly emerging Zika virus, and the West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV, like other Flaviviruses, is spread by an arthropod vector, and can cause West Nile fever and West Nile encephalitis and meningitis, and is now considered to be endemic in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. No vaccine is currently available to prevent WNV infection, …
The Effects Of Acidic Conditions And Tannins On The Survival, Development, And Behavior Of Cope’S Gray Treefrog (Hyla Chrysoscelis), Caleb E. Dodd
The Effects Of Acidic Conditions And Tannins On The Survival, Development, And Behavior Of Cope’S Gray Treefrog (Hyla Chrysoscelis), Caleb E. Dodd
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
As amphibians decline around the world, freshwater acidification resulting from pollutants and acid rain may be a contributor. The ability of organisms to cope with environmental changes is greatly mediated by behavior, and recent studies indicate that anthropogenic acidification impairs behavioral responses by impacting olfactory abilities of aquatic organisms. Responding appropriately to novel stimuli is important for individual performance and survival, and pollutants may cause organisms to behave maladaptively. In this study I sought to: a) determine whether the oviposition site choices of adult female frogs correspond with the pH and tannin conditions that maximize tadpole survival and performance in …