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Articles 1 - 23 of 23
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Exploring Pedagogical Approaches: A Comparative Analysis Of Information Delivery Methods In Fish Dissection Instruction, Kiara Smidt
Honors Projects
The Covid-19 pandemic prompted a global shift to remote work and education, challenging traditional teaching methods. This research explores the effectiveness of audiovisual versus visual-only guides in teaching perch dissection anatomy, safety, and procedure. The study involves a cross-sectional experiment with students from an Introduction to Biology course at Bowling Green State University. Participants were divided into groups using either a video or a written guide, and their knowledge was assessed before and after the dissection. Results calculated through a Student’s t-test indicate no significant difference in overall effectiveness between the two methods, apart from labeling an anatomy diagram and …
Exploring The Longitudinal Effects: Non-Traditional Pedagogies And Practical Learning On Biology Education And Medical Understanding, Thomas Ziebro
Exploring The Longitudinal Effects: Non-Traditional Pedagogies And Practical Learning On Biology Education And Medical Understanding, Thomas Ziebro
Honors Projects
Medical disinformation is becoming a rampant problem in the United States, and the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted it. There have been attempts to fight the problem at the source through fact verification. These attempts have been unsuccessful. This paper investigates the efficacy of non-traditional pedagogies and the correlation between them and an individual perceived and practical ability to understand their primary care provider. The purpose of this research was to establish whether non-traditional pedagogies at the secondary and post-secondary level are more effective than traditional lecture-based instruction. The research was conducted through an anonymous cross-sectional survey which included questions about educational …
An Analysis On The Capacity Of Visual Art To Promote Conservation Efforts, Devi Bell
An Analysis On The Capacity Of Visual Art To Promote Conservation Efforts, Devi Bell
Honors Projects
In recent decades, we have become more aware of the ways in which anthropogenic actions are harming Earth’s climate, ecosystems, and overall stability. Scientists generally agree on the urgency of our situation, yet the public may find difficulty in comprehending the multitude of information on it. This study aims to educate the public on biodiversity loss and related ecological issues in Ohio by discussing these topics through the medium of visual art. Five pieces involving different scientific subject matter and art mediums were created and displayed for participants to view. Participants completed two surveys, one before viewing the art and …
Comparison Of Globalfiler Pcr Amplification Inhibition Due To Humic Acid And Canine Dna, Mckinzie Bundy
Comparison Of Globalfiler Pcr Amplification Inhibition Due To Humic Acid And Canine Dna, Mckinzie Bundy
Honors Projects
To obtain a DNA profile from a crime scene sample, the DNA must undergo amplification through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR process can be inhibited by factors that increase DNase I activity or by factors that interfere with Taq polymerase binding to the DNA. This study compares inhibition to the PCR process caused by dog DNA with inhibition caused by humic acid. The GlobalFiler PCR Amplification Kit was tested using mixtures of dog DNA and human control DNA and mixtures of humic acid and human control DNA. The profiles obtained from these mixtures were then analyzed for instances …
Aeromonas Phage Research And The Public Health Impact Of Antibiotics In Aquaculture Workers, Madelyn Merchant
Aeromonas Phage Research And The Public Health Impact Of Antibiotics In Aquaculture Workers, Madelyn Merchant
Honors Projects
One of the most common fish diseases in aquaculture is Aeromonas infection. The most common way to treat this infection is through antibiotics. The bacteria in the fish can become antibiotic-resistant and perpetuate the disease. The diseases in fish create a huge financial loss and the industry loses $6 billion per year due to diseases in fish. An alternative to antibiotics is bacteriophage which causes less environmental degradation and is better for human gut flora. In aquaculture there have been examples of aquaculture workers becoming sick from the water in aquaculture ponds as well as from people eating the fish. …
Bci Validation: Yfiler Plus Kit Validation, Chloe Koon
Bci Validation: Yfiler Plus Kit Validation, Chloe Koon
Honors Projects
In order to have access and use the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), it is required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Quality Assurance Standards (FBI-QAS) for Forensic DNA Units to complete comprehensive validation studies on all equipment, materials, and methods used in the process of DNA analysis. This study continues validation previous done within the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). YFiler Plus is a DNA amplification kit that is used in cases where it is most useful to examine only male DNA profile(s) within a sample by amplifying loci only on the Y-Chromosome. Components of this study include …
Pectin And Alginate Extraction To Treat Liquid Cafo Manure, Clare Sunderman
Pectin And Alginate Extraction To Treat Liquid Cafo Manure, Clare Sunderman
Honors Projects
For this project, various extraction methods were used to extract pectin from Pastinaca Sativa and alginate from Macrocystis. These extractions were then dried and used in treating 250mL of manure along with a CaCl2 or FeCl3 coagulant. It was found that CaCl2 was not as effective as FeCl3 in coagulating manure. But the results obtained suggest that pectin and alginate obtained with a simpler extraction method is just as effective as the highly purified and refined pectin and alginate produced for the food industry, in the treatment of CAFO manure. The liquid portion of the …
Microhabitats In An Urban Greenspace: Function In The Beauty, Kalie Schultz
Microhabitats In An Urban Greenspace: Function In The Beauty, Kalie Schultz
Honors Projects
This project combines science with art, with a focus on microhabitats in a unique natural space in an urban area. It is set in the Highlands Nature Preserve and the mediums used are photography and digital illustration. The goal of the project is to bring the viewer in from a wide, landscape perspective into a more close and detailed perspective of the multiple microhabitats that exist in the nature preserve. It shows how beauty can be hiding in plain sight for anyone to see if they look close enough. It also aims to show how the beauty is not just …
Detecting Aggregated Superoxide-Dismutase Protein Using Aggregate Specific Antibodies, Helen Magana
Detecting Aggregated Superoxide-Dismutase Protein Using Aggregate Specific Antibodies, Helen Magana
Honors Projects
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is neurodegenerative disease characterized by late-onset, loss of motor neurons, paralysis, and eventual death. SOD1 is a free radical scavenger that normally resides in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and intermembrane space of the mitochondria. Mutations in SOD1, a ubiquitously expressed free-radical scavenger, are one cause of ALS. Degeneration of motor neurons is thought to be triggered by aggregation of mutant SOD1 followed by propagation to adjacent cells though cell-cell contacts. Here, we present immunohistochemical findings on tissues of a Drosophila melanogaster expressing mutant dsod1 alleles at the endogenous locus. Aggregate-specific antibodies were used to assess the presence of …
Newall Glacier Nucleic Acid Analysis, Shannon Turner
Newall Glacier Nucleic Acid Analysis, Shannon Turner
Honors Projects
The Newall Glacier is located in Antarctica between Mount Newall and Mount Weyant, at approximately 77°30′S, 162°50′E. Having existed for millions of years, and being rarely touched by human populations, glaciers are a major source of information on climate and life in the past. During the past 5 decades, a multi-country team of scientists have collaborated to drill into many of Antarctica’s glaciers and ice fields, removing ice cores for scientific investigation. The ice core section chosen for this project was drilled from the Newall Glacier in 1988 and its depth was from 100.670 to 101.000 m. The purpose of …
A Teachable Unit On Soft Corals With Instructional Method Variances, Emily Breech
A Teachable Unit On Soft Corals With Instructional Method Variances, Emily Breech
Honors Projects
The soft coral Sinularia flexibilis contains an aqueous alcohol extract that has shown antineoplastic activity against lymphocytic leukemia (Weinheimer and Matson, 1977). It also has other biological properties that work as antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory agents, and cytotoxicity activities (Kamel and Slattery, 2005). There is much research on the effects of flow rate on growth and morphology (Khalesi, Beeftink, & Wijffels, 2007) and the effects of light-dependency on growth rate (Khalesi, Beeftink, & Wijffels, 2009). The purpose of this student project was to further research on S. flexibilis, as well as incorporate that research into evaluating the effects of lecture-based teaching …
Haplotyping Small Hive Beetle (Aethina Tumida) Reveals Na1 And Na2 Distribution In Rhode Island Apis Mellifera Hives, Katelyn St. George
Haplotyping Small Hive Beetle (Aethina Tumida) Reveals Na1 And Na2 Distribution In Rhode Island Apis Mellifera Hives, Katelyn St. George
Honors Projects
The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a parasite of honeybee hives (Apis mellifera) and native to South Africa. Invasive in North America since 1996, the species has spread to hives throughout the continent, including many in Rhode Island and nearby states. To better understand migration patterns for this invasive species, we haplotyped small hive beetles (SHB) based on mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Part 1 (COI) gene sequences. To analyze spatial and temporal haplotype distribution, we mapped haplotype data along with previously analyzed population numbers using ArcGIS. All identified beetles fell into one of two previously described haplotypes, either NA1 or …
Creating A Drosophila Sod1 Mutant Through Homologous Recombination, Saman Nayyab Stilwell
Creating A Drosophila Sod1 Mutant Through Homologous Recombination, Saman Nayyab Stilwell
Honors Projects
This works describes the creation and partial phenotypic analysis of a point mutation within the endogenous Drosophila sod gene. The sodS111C allele was generated through a process of mutagenesis and homologous recombination in vivo. SodS111C stocks were created to analyze the mutation’s influence on protein aggregation, if any. We were able to test the effects of this mutant by assessing the function of the protein using genetic assays. To examine the effect of sodS111C on the second chromosome in the presence of sodG85R on the third chromosome appropriate genetic crosses were performed and it was determined that there was no …
Cimrf Suppression Of Endogenous Tissue Developments In Ciona Intestinalis Embryos, Emmanuel Kofi Asieidu
Cimrf Suppression Of Endogenous Tissue Developments In Ciona Intestinalis Embryos, Emmanuel Kofi Asieidu
Honors Projects
Trans-differentiation of non-muscle tissue to muscle tissue is a well-established property of vertebrate myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). For instance the vertebrate MRF, MyoD, has been shown to convert nonmuscle cells to muscle cells. During this trans-differentiation, however, endogenous gene activity of the nonmuscle cells is down regulated. To test if this property is also found in invertebrate MRFs our lab has developed a system to analyze the ability of the MRF of Ciona intestinalis, CiMRF, to suppress endogenous gene activity during trans-differentiation. We did this by misexpressing CiMRF in the notochord and endoderm of Ciona embryos, two nonmuscle …
Intraspecific Variation In Leaf Traits Across An Environmental Gradient In The Cape Floristic Provence Of South Africa, Bruce H. Ramos
Intraspecific Variation In Leaf Traits Across An Environmental Gradient In The Cape Floristic Provence Of South Africa, Bruce H. Ramos
Honors Projects
Intraspecific variability has been an overlooked and under-investigated driving force behind biodiversity. Both interspecific and intraspecific variability contribute to species community assembly, and the South African Cape Floristic Region (CFR), as an area of remarkable biodiversity, provides the perfect opportunity to the latter. The objective of this research is to study intraspecific variability in leaf traits across three biomes that span rainfall and temperature gradients, and to assess the partitioning of that variability across biomes, across shrubs within biomes, and within shrubs of four focal species - Rushia intricata, Aridaria noctiflorum, Diospyros austro-africana and Chrysocoma ciliata. All …
Effects Of Early Experience And Plasticity On Neuronal Morphology Within The Prefrontal Cortex In A Rodent Model Of Hypoxia-Ischemia, Zarah M. Melendez
Effects Of Early Experience And Plasticity On Neuronal Morphology Within The Prefrontal Cortex In A Rodent Model Of Hypoxia-Ischemia, Zarah M. Melendez
Honors Projects
Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is low oxygenation to the brain paired with low blood supply that can disrupt normal patterns of brain development. HI injury is characterized by many long-term cognitive and behavioral deficits including working memory. Neuronal plasticity due to early sensory or learning experience has been suggested to facilitate recovery of function after neonatal brain injury. Plasticity is the ability for the nervous system, more specifically neurons, and their synapses to modify their function and morphology due to experiences, which in turn correlate with changes in behavior. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of neonatal …
Examining Escherichia Coli Plasmid Gene Expression In Vibrio Species B-18, Roberto Ramirez
Examining Escherichia Coli Plasmid Gene Expression In Vibrio Species B-18, Roberto Ramirez
Honors Projects
The goal of this experiment was to determine if lower temperatures could serve to induce runaway replication for the expression of the lacZ gene in Vibrio species B-18 carrying a different runaway replication vector, pJM9487. One experiment compares β-galactosidase activity in cells incubated at 35, 37, and 39°C while the second experiment examines the enzyme levels for cells incubated at either a low temperature or a high temperature in the presence and absence of the chemical inducer used for the promoter (ptrp) that controls the expression of the lacZ gene on this plasmid.
Effects Of Hypoxia-Ischemia And Anti-Inflammatory Prophylactic Treatment On Cortical And Hippocampal Volumes In The Developing Rat Brain, Llian Mabardi
Honors Projects
Very low body weight as a result of premature birth is a common problem all around the world. Many of these infants have medical issues that arise as a direct result of their very low body weight. One of the biggest issues is a lack of oxygen, which is also known as hypoxia. Hypoxia and ischemia (lack of blood flow) are a problem at any age, but they can be especially devastating to infants who have not undergone critical periods of brain development. Hypoxia-ischemia (or HI) can cause problems that start as inflammation and end with large-scale cell death in …
Ufd2a Isoforms With Vsp/P97 And Its Ibmpfd Mutants, Amanda St. Germain
Ufd2a Isoforms With Vsp/P97 And Its Ibmpfd Mutants, Amanda St. Germain
Honors Projects
Using the Yeast2Hybrid system, the binding affinities between Ufd2a variants and VCP/p97 mutants were analyzed. Several VCP/p97 mutants are associated with Inclusion body myositis in association of Paget's disease of the bone and fronto temperal dementia (IMBPFD). It was found that Ufd2a bound strongest to the VCP disease causing mutant A232E. It was also determined that the muscle specific isoform of Ufd2a, Ufd2a III, did not interact with VCP/p97.
Species Vs. Height As Predictors Of Increased Growth Rate In New England Canopy Trees, Kiely Schultz
Species Vs. Height As Predictors Of Increased Growth Rate In New England Canopy Trees, Kiely Schultz
Honors Projects
As part of a larger study on the effect of an experimentally-created gap within a forest on adult canopy trees, focuses on the possible effect of tree height versus type of species on radial growth response to gap creation. Sample includes fifty trees within four transects next to a gap in the Yale-Myers Experimental Forest in Connecticut, with results showing that type of species affects radial growth response.
Localization Of Ufd2a Transcripts In Adult And Fry Zebrafish, Serena J. Kankash
Localization Of Ufd2a Transcripts In Adult And Fry Zebrafish, Serena J. Kankash
Honors Projects
Examines the spacio-temporal expression of the three alternative splice forms of UFD2A in zebrafish to further understanding of UFD2A's role in muscle development
Expression Of Three Novel Alternative Splice Forms Of Ufd2a During Zebrafish Development, Nicole Gadbois
Expression Of Three Novel Alternative Splice Forms Of Ufd2a During Zebrafish Development, Nicole Gadbois
Honors Projects
Ufd2a is a ubiquitylation enzyme that is involved in protein degradation, cell division, and apoptosis signaling. Data has shown that cardiac and skeletal muscle cells of adult rodents and humans express alternatively spliced isoforms of Ufd2a. Ufd2a I (exons 1-6, 8-27) has been found to be expressed in murine myoblasts, but, upon differentiation, myotubes began to express Ufd2a II (includes exon 7), followed by Ufd2a III (includes exon 7a). Since zebrafish are an ideal in vivo model organism, this study examines the spatial-temporal expression patterning of Ufd2a and its isoforms in zebrafish embyros during development.
A Tale Of Two Investigations In Molecular Biology: The Use Of Pcr Technology To Identify Bacteria Containing Genes For Pha Synthesis And The Antibiotic Sensitivity Profile Of Vibrio Species B-18, Diana B. Lizarazo
Honors Projects
The Vibrio species, B-18, produces PHA, a bacterial storage material with application as a biodegradable plastic. Phase one of this project aimed at determining if PCR technology could be used to find other bacteria that produce a similar type of PHA. Results showed that the primer sets utilized were not able to identify bacteria with PHA genes. Phase two hoped to discover if it would be possible to introduce Escherichia coli plasmids into B-18 using electroporation. Results demonstrated that electroporation was not useful for introducing plasmids into B-18.