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Articles 31 - 60 of 90
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Complex Ciliary Flows Around Stentor Polymorphus In Solutions Of 2% Buttermilk And Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Eliana B. Smithstein
Complex Ciliary Flows Around Stentor Polymorphus In Solutions Of 2% Buttermilk And Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Eliana B. Smithstein
Scripps Senior Theses
Stentor are large, unicellular ciliates of the Heterotricha order. They live in both freshwater and marine habitats and are mostly found in ponds. I studied Stentor polymorphus, which is a species of Stentor only recently discovered to be lab culturable. They range from 0.5-1.5mm in length and are unusual because they live with endosymbiotic algae and are much more likely than other, more widely studied, species of Stentor to form aggregates while they are eating. There are three main components to this thesis: First, I established protocols for keeping a viable S. polymorphus culture, since no protocols had been …
Identification Of Imiquimod As A Potential Combination For Anti-Cd47 Antibodies In Cancer Therapy, Nicole Brittaney Pang
Identification Of Imiquimod As A Potential Combination For Anti-Cd47 Antibodies In Cancer Therapy, Nicole Brittaney Pang
Scripps Senior Theses
The avenues of targeted immunotherapy offers a promise of less toxic treatment options for those battling different forms of cancer. Specifically, the process of hijacking a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer from within versus using external treatments like chemotherapy which is extremely damaging to the patient. One such avenue includes the usage of monoclonal antibodies as an effective modality for immunotherapy. Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47), also known as the ‘don’t eat me signal’, aids in cell proliferation and evasion of phagocytosis and has been found to be a target for stopping tumorigenesis. Previous research has been successful …
Characterizing Changes In The Colonic Epithelium Of Lrig3 Null Mice, Natalie Pedicino
Characterizing Changes In The Colonic Epithelium Of Lrig3 Null Mice, Natalie Pedicino
Scripps Senior Theses
The lining of the colon, or colonic epithelium, is a very dynamic and highly regulated tissue in the human body. Colonic stem cells are a key component of this tissue, and they make up the stem cell niche, which is found at the base of the colonic crypt. Regeneration of the colonic epithelium, which occurs on a weekly basis, is a complex process, and proteins responsible for directing regeneration are still being discovered. Two critical regulatory proteins, Lrig1 and Lrig3, have been shown to modulate the EGFR pathway, a key signaling pathway for growth, differentiation, and regeneration. Data from the …
Shizen Nōhō: Restoring The Relationship Between Food, Nature, And People In Japan, Katharine Graham
Shizen Nōhō: Restoring The Relationship Between Food, Nature, And People In Japan, Katharine Graham
Scripps Senior Theses
In Japan’s postwar era, agriculture has become highly industrialized, involving heavy machinery, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, all in the name of “progress.” Through employing such practices, humans have attempted to improve upon nature’s way of doing things, and in turn have degraded the soil’s fertility, natural ecosystems, and human health. In response to this, Shizen Nōhō has emerged in Japan as an alternative way of cultivating food. Shizen Nōhō practitioners challenge the notion that we need chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery to farm successfully. Rather, they advocate for a way of growing food that functions seamlessly with natural ecosystems. This …
Identification Of Antibiotic Ge37468a From Pseudonocardia Symbionts Of Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis Ants, Krithika Rao
Identification Of Antibiotic Ge37468a From Pseudonocardia Symbionts Of Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis Ants, Krithika Rao
Scripps Senior Theses
In response to the growing rates of antibiotic resistance in human bacterial pathogens, this study explores the natural products involved in the defensive symbiosis between actinobacteria and fungus-growing ants to uncover new potential antibiotics. This study also seeks to understand the function of natural antibiotics in their ecological contexts, especially those involved in defensive symbioses. Defensive symbiosis can be a beneficial platform for discovering useful antibiotics, because antibiotics in these relationships must be able to selectively inhibit enemies without harming hosts, and are therefore likely more specific and less toxic. Pseudonocardia sp. associated with Trachymyrmex septentrionalis ants demonstrated antibiotic activity …
Written In Bone: Damage Patterns In Agonopsis Vulsa Armor, Morgan Stewart
Written In Bone: Damage Patterns In Agonopsis Vulsa Armor, Morgan Stewart
Scripps Senior Theses
Naturally occurring armor has evolved in many different classes of organisms, often in response to predation, although other factors may play a part. In this study, the scales of the benthic armored fish Agonopsis vulsa were examined for damage patterns in order to illuminate the life history and environmental interactions of the fish. Scales from the fish were systematically destroyed in the lab, and observations made from the damaged scales were used to create a categorical damage rating, which was applied to 34 specimens ranging in trunk length from 2.3 cm to 14.2 cm. The specimens were rendered as three-dimensional …
The Role Of Serum Histones In Canine Heat Stroke, Jenna Acutt
The Role Of Serum Histones In Canine Heat Stroke, Jenna Acutt
Scripps Senior Theses
Rising temperatures all over the world has correlated with more frequent heat stroke related injuries and death. This statistic not only applies to humans, but to canines as well, who have similar body temperature thresholds. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum histones, released after cell death from heat stroke, play a role in heat stroke related injuries and death. This proposal aims to determine the severity of the effects caused by serum histone release after heat stroke by exposing selected canine cell lines to cell lysate and purified histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, which have been found to be …
A Composite Review Of The Proposed Molecular Mechanisms And Genetic Components Underlying Parkinson’S Disease, Paige Brodrick
A Composite Review Of The Proposed Molecular Mechanisms And Genetic Components Underlying Parkinson’S Disease, Paige Brodrick
Scripps Senior Theses
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive death of dopaminergic neurons present in the substantia nigra. The clinical presentation of PD includes tremors, slowed movement (bradykinesia), muscle and limb rigidity, and difficulty with walking and balancing. While many environmental factors can affect the onset and progression of the disease, genetic mutations have a large influence. Of the identified PD-linked genetic mutations, mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are one of the most common genetic causes of PD. Located in endosomes, LRRK2 has been shown to play a role in the sorting and endocytosis …
Role Of Managed Marine Areas On The Diversity And Individual Responses Of Rocky Intertidal Shore Grazers In Central Chile, Kathy Liu
Scripps Senior Theses
Many different types of marine benthic herbivores or “grazers” inhabit coastal intertidal zones and play a crucial role in inter- and shallow subtidal ecosystems. Chile has one of the most diverse intertidal zones, but many intertidal grazers are exploited for human consumption. Marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine management and exploitation areas (MEAs) are promising tools for Chile to combat over exploitation of these grazer and other marine resources. This study surveyed the impact of sites with contrasting management on the diversity and abundance of all intertidal grazers and their impact on the size frequency and shell length-body weight allometry …
Relations Among Maternal And Paternal Behavior And Children's Stress Biology, S.K. Jiaming Lin, Stacey N. Doan, John Milton
Relations Among Maternal And Paternal Behavior And Children's Stress Biology, S.K. Jiaming Lin, Stacey N. Doan, John Milton
Scripps Senior Theses
Parenting behavior has been shown to have a wide range of effects, influencing children’s psychological and biological stress outcomes. Most research focuses on maternal parenting behaviors, with few studies observing the effects of paternal behaviors or the influence of both parents on their children. In this study, the relationship between maternal and paternal parenting behaviors was examined in its association to predict children’s cortisol levels. Cultural differences in parenting styles was also observed. American (N=86) and Chinese (N=97) families participated in the study, with parents reporting their behaviors. Children’s cortisol was collected during a stressor task and correlational analysis was …
Investigating Neurogenesis As A Veritable Epigenetic Endophenotype For Alzheimer's Disease, Layne Wells
Investigating Neurogenesis As A Veritable Epigenetic Endophenotype For Alzheimer's Disease, Layne Wells
Scripps Senior Theses
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by progressive amyloid plaque aggregation, neurofibrillary tangles, and cortical tissue death. As the prevalence of AD is projected to climb in coming years, there is a vested interest in identifying endophenotypes by which to improve diagnostics and direct clinical interventions. The risk for complex disorders, such as AD, is influenced by multiple genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Significant strides have been made in identifying genetic variants linked to AD through the genome-wide association study (GWAS). It has been estimated in more recent years, however, that GWAS-identified variants account for limited …
Linking Petal Cell Shape To Pollinator Mode In Mimulus, Emma Bekele
Linking Petal Cell Shape To Pollinator Mode In Mimulus, Emma Bekele
Scripps Senior Theses
Reproduction is essential for all organisms. In plants, reproduction relies on pollination. In addition to large-scale traits such as shape and color, flowers may use traits imperceptible to the naked eye in order to attract pollinators. One such trait may be conical cell shape of petal cells. Previous work has identified conical petal cells as providing a foothold for foraging bees, suggesting that conical cell shape is an adaptation to bee pollination. However, this hypothesis has not been fully tested and requires development of a rigorous methodology for quantifying cell shape. Here, we utilize natural variation in pollinator mode in …
Why Csas Matter: (Re)Localizing For People-Based Food Networks, Gretchen Alexander
Why Csas Matter: (Re)Localizing For People-Based Food Networks, Gretchen Alexander
Scripps Senior Theses
This thesis details the history of Claremont Market Shares, a Community Sourced Agriculture (CSA) project based out of Claremont, California. By using this project as a jumping off point for discussing local food networks, buzzwords such as "organic" and "local" are analyzed and re-defined. I argue for a people-based food network model over the currently popular 'place-based' that prioritizes producer-consumer relationships. The CSA functions as a sustainable model of this ideology.
Evidence-Based Probiotic Intervention For Behavioral And Social Deficits In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Allisen To
Evidence-Based Probiotic Intervention For Behavioral And Social Deficits In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Allisen To
Scripps Senior Theses
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a heterogeneous neurological condition characterized by repetitive and restrictive behaviors and social communication deficits. ASD diagnoses are at a record high, at approximately 1 in 59 children according to the US Center for Disease Control. Currently, there are no available interventions that effectively treat the core symptoms of ASD. All pharmaceutical options address comorbid side effects of ASD but not core deficits and are particularly associated with negative side effects. Additionally, there are economic and geographic barriers that can prevent families of individuals with ASD from seeking or receiving effective interventions. Many of the …
Pollinator Power: Supporting Bees Through Ecoregion Specific Planting Guides, Maya Thomas
Pollinator Power: Supporting Bees Through Ecoregion Specific Planting Guides, Maya Thomas
Scripps Senior Theses
The pollination of flowering crops by bees is an invaluable ecosystem service that supports biodiversity and much of the global agricultural system. Pollinators move pollen between the male structures of a plant to the female structures of a plant of the same species. This fertilizes the female plant, which then produces the next generation. This process also provides the pollinator with the nectar or pollen it needs to survive. While some plants transfer pollen through different means, the majority of plants need help from pollinators to reproduce. Depending on the means of pollination, pollination can be classified as abiotic or …
Crispr Genetic Editing: Paths For Christian Acceptance And Analysis Of In Vivo And In Vitro Efficiency, Mandeep Sandhu
Crispr Genetic Editing: Paths For Christian Acceptance And Analysis Of In Vivo And In Vitro Efficiency, Mandeep Sandhu
Scripps Senior Theses
With advancements in CRISPR-cas9 broadening the potential paths for clinical usage of genetic editing, conversations about genetic editing have grown to outside simply scientific communities and into mainstream conversations. This study focuses specifically on Christian discourse of genetic editing and locates four major tensions for many Christians when they think about genetic editing: beginning of life, Creator-human relationship, imago Dei, and stewardship. With these major concerns in mind, I identify epigenetics, somatic cell genetic editing, and in vivo genetic editing research as important research paths to pursue as they can potentially produce techniques that more Christian individuals would feel comfortable …
The Effect Of The Chromoshadow Domains Of Hhp1, Hpl1, And Hpl2 On Heterochromatin Protein Localization In Tetrahymena Thermophila, Claire Bagnani
The Effect Of The Chromoshadow Domains Of Hhp1, Hpl1, And Hpl2 On Heterochromatin Protein Localization In Tetrahymena Thermophila, Claire Bagnani
Scripps Senior Theses
In the nucleus, post-translational modifications on histone N-terminal tails can determine how local DNA is packaged. In one case, T. thermophila proteins Hhp1, Hpl1, and Hpl2, all related to the Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) family, are associated with heterochromatin and thus gene silencing. They may do this by binding to trimethylated lysine 9 and lysine 27, located on the tail of histone H3. One distinct region of these proteins, the chromodomain (CD), may bind these marks, while another region, the chromoshadow domain (CSD) homodimerizes to interact with other proteins. This study explores what effect, if any, the CSD has on …
Menageries Multiple: An Introduction To Zoological Multiplicity In The Modern American Zoo, Emily D. Gratke
Menageries Multiple: An Introduction To Zoological Multiplicity In The Modern American Zoo, Emily D. Gratke
Scripps Senior Theses
American zoological parks have been sites of intense consumer and scholar interest since their origination in the 20th century. Today, zoos reside at a tenacious hub of ideologies, practices, and priorities contributed to by various stakeholder groups. I propose that the foundational cause of this tension is zoological multiplicity: the theory that through human practices and perceptions, animals can embody multiple identities. Via an exploration of zoological multiplicity in American zoos with specific focus on zoo management, zoogoer, and animal activist stakeholder groups, this project proposes the widespread acknowledgment and understanding of zoological multiplicity as a method to improve animal …
Using Linear Mixed Models To Analyze Native And Non-Native Species Abundances In Coastal Sage Scrub, Kaylee Anderson
Using Linear Mixed Models To Analyze Native And Non-Native Species Abundances In Coastal Sage Scrub, Kaylee Anderson
Scripps Senior Theses
Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) is a low scrubland plant community native to the coasts of California, housing many threatened and endangered species. Due to the invasion of non-native plants, many areas of CSS have type converted to annual grasslands and the fire frequency has accelerated; fire in turn, may facilitate further invasion, leading to a loss of biodiversity. While many studies document post-fire succession in these communities, pre-fire data are rarely available for comparison, especially data on seedling emergence. I analyzed post-fire recovery of a type-converted grassland community, comparing seedling emergence data for the first and third year after fire …
Analyzing The Safety And Efficacy Of Fecal Microbiota Transplantations For Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Clostridium Difficile Infection As A Reference, Cassie Chan
Scripps Senior Theses
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the process by which fecal suspension from a healthy individual is transferred into the gastrointestinal tract of another individual in an attempt to cure certain diseases. This transplantation process has been accredited as being a potential remedy for a growing number of diseases that have been associated with gut microbial imbalances. Interest in FMT has largely been driven by the science community’s increasing interest in the gut microbiome and its role in potentially regulating a multitude of different functions and processes within the human body. One disease that has been found to respond exceptionally well …
Antibiotic Efficacy And Interaction In Escherichia Coli During Varying Nutrient Conditions, Kristina K. Millar
Antibiotic Efficacy And Interaction In Escherichia Coli During Varying Nutrient Conditions, Kristina K. Millar
Scripps Senior Theses
Due to the recent rise in antibiotic resistant pathogens, and the difficulties surrounding the quest for new antibiotics, many researchers have started revisiting antibiotic interactions in hopes of finding new treatment options. The primary outcome of this project was to examine the efficacy of concomitant antibiotic use under varying nutrient conditions, to identify variations in antibiotic interactions. Antibiotic interactions were studied, utilizing E. coli as a model bacterial system, grown in four different media types. E. coli cultures were treated with streptomycin, tobramycin, erythromycin, and amikacin individually and in a pairwise fashion at varying doses. We found that at least …
Are Coloring Books Really Just For Kids? Investigating Possible Effects Of Specific Pattern Coloring On Conceptual, Physiological And Behavioral Aspects Of Anxiety, Hannah Taylor
Scripps Senior Theses
This study examined the role of specific pattern coloring, such as coloring books for adults, on conceptual, behavioral and physiological measures of anxiety. Undergraduate female students (n = 8) had ECG electrodes and a respiration belt attached and completed the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at five time points; at baseline, after an initial autobiographical anxiety induction, following a passive relaxation condition, after a repeat induction and then after a coloring condition. The participants were randomly split into a control and experimental group; the control group free colored while the experimental group colored in a mandala pattern. Participants had the …
The Relationship Between Vagal Tone, A Marker Of Parasympathetic Activity, And Pro-Social Behavior, Emily A. Goodlin
The Relationship Between Vagal Tone, A Marker Of Parasympathetic Activity, And Pro-Social Behavior, Emily A. Goodlin
Scripps Senior Theses
Vagal tone, a measure of parasympathetic activity via the vagus nerve, is known to be associated with positive emotion because it promotes social engagement and self-soothing behavior. Heart rate variability (HRV), especially high frequency oscillation, is a direct measure of vagal tone, and has been used in previous studies to test the correlation between vagal tone and positive emotion. This study aims to determine if the two major oscillations of heart rate variability, high frequency (HF-HRV) and low frequency (LF-HRV) can predict pro-social behavior, which is classified as giving donations to charities. Baseline LF- and HF-HRV levels were recorded, and …
Developing A Gene Editing System To Study Haplodiploidy In The Jewel Wasp, Nasonia Vitripennis, Emily A. Muller
Developing A Gene Editing System To Study Haplodiploidy In The Jewel Wasp, Nasonia Vitripennis, Emily A. Muller
Scripps Senior Theses
Hymenopteran insects, which include all ants, bees and wasps, reproduce through a poorly understood form of reproduction known as haplodiploidy. A promising experimental system for understanding this developmental process is the jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis. A critical aspect of using Nasonia as a model is establishing an effective means for editing specific genes of interest so that their functions can be studied through genetic means. For my thesis research, I performed a pilot study of the gene editing method known as CRISPR in Nasonia. I targeted the single heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) gene present in the Nasonia genome …
Investigating The Influence Of Chd1 On Gene Expression In Drosophila Melanogaster Using Position Effect Variegation, Phuongngan Thi Bui
Investigating The Influence Of Chd1 On Gene Expression In Drosophila Melanogaster Using Position Effect Variegation, Phuongngan Thi Bui
Scripps Senior Theses
Position Effect Variegation (PEV) is the mosaic expression of a gene that has been moved out of its optimal environment and into a different area on the chromosome. Changing a gene’s environment may have profound effects on its eligibility for proper expression, which is a complicated process regulated by many factors. The PEV phenomenon is used as an assay to study gene expression as regulated by chromatin structure. In this study, the Drosophila melanogaster white gene was used as a reporter to study the various effects of CHD1, a chromatin regulating factor, on PEV gene expression. Inspired by preliminary data …
Time Frequency Analysis Of Neural Oscillations In Multi-Attribute Decision-Making, Iris Lieuw
Time Frequency Analysis Of Neural Oscillations In Multi-Attribute Decision-Making, Iris Lieuw
Scripps Senior Theses
In our daily lives, we often make decisions that require the use of self-control, weighing trade-offs between various attributes: for example, selecting a food based on its health rather than its taste. Previous research suggests that re-weighting attributes may rely on selective attention, associated with decreased neural oscillations over posterior brain regions in the alpha (8-12 Hz) frequency range. Here, we utilized the high temporal resolution and whole-brain coverage of electroencephalography (EEG) to test this hypothesis in data collected from hungry human subjects exercising dietary self-control. Prior analysis of this data has found time-locked neural activity associated with each food’s …
Effect Of The Acute Stress Response On Foraging Behavior In Mountain White-Crowned Sparrows, Zonotrichia Leucophrys, Sarah C. Osborne
Effect Of The Acute Stress Response On Foraging Behavior In Mountain White-Crowned Sparrows, Zonotrichia Leucophrys, Sarah C. Osborne
Scripps Senior Theses
Free-living vertebrates likely encounter many stressors throughout their lifetime, from fighting off a predator to coping with unpredictable weather. As a result, vertebrates will mount an acute response to the stressors. Here, we outline previous research conducted in behavioral endocrinology and stress physiology as it relates to our research. We then discuss our study with white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) in Tioga Pass Meadow, in which we examined how the acute stress response affects foraging behavior 24 hours after a stressor. In birds that underwent a stress series, we found there to be a significant 57% decrease in foraging …
An Examination Of El Niño's And Agricultural Runoff's Effect On Harmful Algal Blooms And California Sea Lion (Zalophus Californianus) Health In Monterey Bay, Nadine Lafeber
Scripps Senior Theses
An increase in marine mammal stranding and die-off events has been observed along the California coast. The exact cause to explain for these recent events is unknown, but El Niño and harmful algal blooms are established sources for temporary decreases in marine mammal health. To determine whether El Niño could be causing and amplifying harmful algal blooms, particularly in Monterey Bay where they occur frequently, data was analyzed from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. Data analysis focused on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), because they have the largest data set and are directly affected by harmful …
Biodynamic Agriculture: A Valuable Alternative To The Industrial Farming System, Eden K. Olsen
Biodynamic Agriculture: A Valuable Alternative To The Industrial Farming System, Eden K. Olsen
Scripps Senior Theses
Since the Scientific and Industrial revolutions, advancing technologies and cutting-edge science have enabled our society to continually promote a growing global economy. Industrial growth has increasingly become a top priority for most governments, notably in the agricultural realm. The advances towards agricultural industrialization began in the 17th century and escalated during the Green Revolution, which examined the possibility of using synthetic fertilizers and mechanization in farming to decrease labor and improve yields. Although seen as economically beneficial, the shift from an agrarian lifestyle to industrial farming has created an ecological, economic, and ideological crisis to our modern world. This …
Urban Farm And Community Garden Hybrid Models: A Case Study Of The Huerta Del Valle Community Garden, Leah Hochberg
Urban Farm And Community Garden Hybrid Models: A Case Study Of The Huerta Del Valle Community Garden, Leah Hochberg
Scripps Senior Theses
This study examines models of community gardens and urban farms and determined a successful hybrid model for future implementation at the Huerta del Valle Community Garden. This was accomplished through analyzing the unique benefits and drawbacks of community gardens and urban farms as defined by the author, and then determining the components of each model that would maximize Huerta del Valle’s social and economic potential. Community gardens are defined in this thesis as places where community members can grow their own food in individual plots, and these spaces often contribute to community building, hands-on gardening education, and improved food access. …