Life Sciences Commons^™

Investigation Of The Effect Of Senescence On Daily Activity Patterns In Male Octopus Insularis, Mariam Steinblatt

Theses and Dissertations

Senescent male octopuses often show comparatively increased activity. We observed daily activity for an adult male Octopus insularis. The subject's diurnal behavior was marked movement or stationary to observe differences. Movement increased over 26 days, but the difference was non-significant. The observation period was likely short, and the subject already senescent.

Methods For Drone Trajectory Analysis Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Jillian D. Bliss

Theses and Dissertations

With the increase in the use of UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) for marine mammal research, there is a need for the development of methods of analysis to transform UAS high resolution video into quantitative data. This study sought to develop a preliminary method of analysis that would quantify and present a way to visualize the dynamics and relative spatial distribution and changes in distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the waters of Turneffe Atoll, Belize. This approach employs a previously developed video tracking program ‘Keypoint Tracking’ that enables manual tracking of individual dolphins and the creation of …

Nup211 Plays An Important Role In Regulating Mrna Export And Stress Response, Ayana Ikenouchi

Theses and Dissertations

Nup211 is a nuclear pore basket component in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and roles in the gating functions of NPCs. Using RT-qPCR, I found that in nup211-shutoff cells, the transcript levels of genes in mRNA export and stress-response pathways were significantly changed, suggesting nup211 is involved in regulating stress response pathways.

Quantifying Aboveground Biomass In A Tropical Forest Using A Lidar Waveform Weighted Allometric Model, Alejandro Rojas

Theses and Dissertations

Our knowledge of the distribution and amount of terrestrial above ground biomass (AGB) has increased using lidar technology. Recent advancements in satellite lidar has enabled global mapping of forest biomass and structure. However, there are large biases in satellite lidar estimates which impacts our understanding of carbon dynamics, particularly in tropical forests.

Ni-Meister et al. (2022) developed a lidar full waveform weighted height-based allometric model which produced very good results in temperate deciduous/conifer forest in the continental US. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this biomass model in an African tropical forest using the Land Vegetation and Ice …

The Role Of Nest Location On The Reproductive Success Of Piping Plovers Breeding At Rockaway Beach, New York, Clara I.D. Arndtsen

Theses and Dissertations

The study’s goal was to learn what aspects of the piping plover experience affect reproductive outcomes at Rockaway Beach Endangered Species Nesting Area. Nest location was found to help predict reproductive success. Nests further from American oystercatcher nests were likely to fledge more chicks. Reproductive success was low in 2021.

Assessing The Utility Of The Pmm And Mmc Indices Among Extant Hominoid Genera, Julie A. Strain

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis set out to incorporate extant hominoid genera into an analysis of PMM and MMC to assess utility in phylogeny and predicting known taxonomic groups. Based on previous claims, we expect PMM/pmm and MMC/mmc to perform better than M1/m1 shape and size, our baseline for success, but they do not.

Bodyverse, Colin B. Stilwell

Theses and Dissertations

This paper supports the MFA dance thesis film BodyVerse. Exploring the intertwining relationship of body systems with the natural world, it brings somatic principles such as Body Mind Centering and dance improvisation together with film legacies and digital platforms.

Nm-Rs Au Naturale: Investigations Into Simulating A Natural Environment, Jenna Pantophlet

Theses and Dissertations

Naked Mole-rats (NM-Rs) have been studied in laboratories for decades due to their unique behavior and physiology. However, due to the scope and complexity of the NM-R’s natural subterranean tunneling system, it has been difficult to replicate in the laboratory environment. From a researcher’s perspective, optimal housing is cost- and space-efficient and easily cleaned. On the other hand, optimal animal welfare and husbandry encourages the most biologically relevant enclosure to evoke the fullest range of an animal's behavioral repertoire. While there is an abundance of works centered on the biomedical potential of these odd rodents (Buffenstein et al, 2012; Delaney …

Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4e (Eif4e) In Complex With Eif4e Binding Protein 1 (4e-Bp1) Binds With Higher Affinity To M7gpppn Cap Of A Subset Of Human Mrnas, Izza F. Nawaz

Theses and Dissertations

Fluorescence anisotropy binding assays were used to analyze the binding of eIF4E in complex with 4E-BP1 onto the 5’ m7G cap of a subset of mRNA that are known to carry cap-independent translation. These studies suggest that 4E-BP1 increases eIF4E binding affinity to 5’cap of both FGF-9 and HIF-1𝝰.

Behavioral And Physiological Effects Of Heavy Metals On Fish: A Review And Preliminary Results, Diana V. Morales

Theses and Dissertations

Pollution, specifically heavy metal pollution, in various bodies of water has been a significant issue for decades. Research has been conducted on heavy metals and their effects on the environment, larger fish species, and humans since the 1970s (Skidmore, 1964; Adeniyi et al., 2007; Adeosun et al., 2015; Bawuro et al., 2018). It is known that zinc is a neurotoxin in some species and causes harm to the environment. It is also known that it causes harm to people if it is ingested or if they are exposed to it for long periods of time (Mahurpawar, 2015; Mizuno and Kawahara, …

Behavioral Patterns Of Goldfish (Carassius Auratus) Exploring A “Fish Tower”, Sasha Prasad-Shreckengast

Theses and Dissertations

Fish are held in captivity at some of the highest numbers of any taxa, but their curiosity is rarely studied. With this study, we set the groundwork to investigate the presence and nature of curiosity in goldfish (Carassius auratus) via novel free-choice exploration opportunities by creating a “fish tower."

Pushing It To The Limit: Determining Asian Elephant (Elephas Maximus) Olfactory Sensitivity And Discrimination Through A Behavioral Choice Task, Matthew S. Rudolph

Theses and Dissertations

Elephants have shown remarkable olfactory capabilities. Their sense of smell impacts their foraging choices, behavior, and ultimately, survival. Being able to detect a target odor can allow elephants to locate specific resources, identify threats, and find receptive conspecifics. Previous studies have shown that elephants can consistently detect target odors, but have not identified the limits of this detection. Thus, to investigate the extent of elephants’ odor detection capabilities, we tested Asian elephants in a two-step odor discrimination task. First, we investigated whether elephants could detect odors at varying levels of dilution after a training procedure, and then whether they could …

Mucinomics: A Bioinformatic Analysis Of Snail Mucins, And Their Function, Maxwell B. Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis outlines the current research on secreted snail mucus, highlighting the potential of this biopolymer, and also demonstrates a research strategy to fulfill the unmet need of examining the hierarchical structures that lead to the enormous biological and chemical diversity of snail mucus genes.

Uncovering Potential Biofilm Modulators, Liliana Margent

Theses and Dissertations

Biofilms have negative and positive impacts depending on the context they develop. In this work, I optimized a biofilm assay to evaluate the effect of three different types of compounds indole derivatives, 2,5 Diketopiperazines, and 12-hydroxystearic acid on the biofilm formation of E. coli.

Some (Im)Material Girls, Living In (Im)Material Worlds, With Seeds, Stars, And Shit, Matthew Weiderspon

Theses and Dissertations

This writing situates material and gestural vocabularies cultivated in my artwork in relation to my lived experience; primarily my rural upbringing in Colorado. Scattered floor dispersals, calling sounds, and bodily movements desire reconsiderations of hope in precarity through a disorientation of place, association, scale, and language.

Pre- And Post-Partum Observations Of Signature Whistle Characteristics Of The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus), Robert Dutchen

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes whistle usage in an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin during birth. Findings show the mother produces two predominant whistle contours. Congruities between the whistles were compared and showed that the type 1 contour bears structural similarity to the first component of the type 2 contour, indicating combinatorial whistle construction.

Investigating Social Preferences In A High Fission-Fusion Society Of Black And White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia Variegata), Patricia A. Adamo

Theses and Dissertations

Wild lemur primates were tested for social preferences across behaviors. Study found highly conservative social preferences that were very consistent across all behavioral states, despite high fission fusion traits common of lemur groups. This finding lays the foundation for using nearest-neighbor as a proxy of social preference for future endeavors.

Influence Of Group Change On Scent Marking In A Wild Population Of Verreaux’S Sifaka (Propithecus Verreauxi), Julia C. Dickerson

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed scent marking rates of wild Verreaux’s sifaka during dispersals to investigate the impact of group changes on olfactory communication. Our results indicate that scent marking is affected by changes in group structure, but other methods of communication likely play a larger role in mediating group membership changes.

Body States Of Asian Elephants Within And Around Protected Areas In The Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi, Thailand, Caitlyn Thai

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers are becoming increasingly aware that studying a species’ landscape of fear or, more broadly, their emotional states, can better inform cognitive questions about how animals navigate their environments. Vigilance behaviors are one way to determine how certain species perceive and respond to risky situations. Due to rapid environmental change, large animals such as elephants are experiencing risky encounters with humans more often than ever before. This study aims to investigate Asian elephants’ expressions of body states and how they might regulate their behavior based on perceived environmental risk or change. Specifically, we investigated the behavioral responses of Asian elephants …

Design Of Fibril Forming Collagen Mimetic Peptides: Heterotrimers And Nucleation Domains, Sally Tan

Theses and Dissertations

This paper attempts to design collagen mimetic peptides where the triple-helical region mimics that of human Type I Collagen. With consideration for chain selection and chain register, we utilize the NC2 domain of heterotrimeric Type IX Collagen as a nucleation domain for triple-helix folding.

Exploring Behavioral Flexibility, Problem-Solving, And Innovation In Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus), Amanda Puitiza

Theses and Dissertations

Asian elephants encounter and adapt to changing environments by problem-solving and innovating. In this study, we assessed behavioral measures, such as persistence and motivation, to determine potential predictors of problem-solving success. This is the first examination of problem-solving in elephants with a multi-solution puzzle box.

Variation In Personality Among Semi-Wild Myanmar Timber Elephants, Sateesh Venkatesh

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines two personality traits: exploration and neophobia, which could influence human-elephant conflicts. Thirty-one semi-wild elephants were tested over two trials using a custom novel puzzle tube containing three tasks and three rewards. Our studies show that elephants do vary significantly between individuals in both exploration and neophobia.

Tracing The Human-Avian Relationship In Iceland, Melanie Sua

Theses and Dissertations

An in-depth investigation explores the history of birds in Iceland and the interaction between birds and humans from the 9th through the 19th century, with the help of archaeological evidence, traditional and historical materials.

Assessment Of Wild Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur Catta) Populations In Southwestern Madagascar With Implications For The Illegal Pet Trade, Samantha D. Calkins

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate population estimates are critical to inform conservation management of species. Incomplete sampling can lead to population underestimates and lacking conservation efforts. Population surveys are important for assessing human and animal welfare to allow for targeted conservation action. Recent ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) surveys have led researchers to conclude that L. catta populations are crashing. This has generated much attention and alarm, but may also be based on incomplete information. To better understand population dynamics, more thorough sampling is needed. Here, we survey five such sites to reassess the presence and abundance of L. catta in these locations. …

Analysis Of Olfactory Mrna Cap Modifications Using Rnaseh And Lc-Ms, Ilinca M. Giosan

Theses and Dissertations

In the olfactory system, olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) express odorant receptors (ORs) in a singular fashion through unknown mechanisms. Published data supports the notion that singularity is achieved, in part, through a modification the mRNA strand, perhaps in its 5’cap region. This theoretical study aims to test this 5’cap hypothesis.

Snow-Albedo Feedback In Northern Alaska: How Vegetation Influences Snowmelt, Lucas C. Reckhaus

Theses and Dissertations

This paper investigates how the snow-albedo feedback mechanism of the arctic is changing in response to rising climate temperatures. Specifically, the interplay of vegetation and snowmelt, and how these two variables can be correlated. This has the potential to refine climate modelling of the spring transition season. Research was conducted at the ecoregion scale in northern Alaska from 2000 to 2020. Each ecoregion is defined by distinct topographic and ecological conditions, allowing for meaningful contrast between the patterns of spring albedo transition across surface conditions and vegetation types. The five most northerly ecoregions of Alaska are chosen as they encompass …

Cytotoxic Analysis Of Old Drugs: New Drugs For Alzheimer’S Disease, Sebastian Yumiseba

Theses and Dissertations

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the CNS and constitute about 10% of all cells in the CNS. They have a vital role in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis as either cytotoxic or neuroprotective. Recent efforts are being put into repurposing drugs to target the microglia to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Effect Of Non-Muscle Myosin Ii Inhibition On Epigenetics During Oligodendrocyte Development, Amr Almaktari

Theses and Dissertations

Non-Muscle Myosin II (NMII) is a mechanosensitive motor protein implicated in oligodendrocyte (OL) development. The inhibition of NMII is known to promote OL development and maturation. This project found that NMII inhibition does not affect oligodendrocyte development by altering their epigenetic profile.

Pvt1 Exon 9 A Regulator Of Claudin Expression In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Fayola Levine

Theses and Dissertations

Claudin low triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst clinical outcomes in comparison to other breast cancer subtypes. The underlying molecular mechanisms associated with the aberrant expression of claudins are not well understood. The transcript from PVT1 exon 9 is a regulator of claudin expression, and migration, in TNBC.

Expression Analyses Of Hippocampal And Cortical Proteins In A Rat Model For Alzheimer’S Disease, Rangon Islam

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has no cure. Using a rat AD model, we identified aberrantly expressed proteins during pre-pathology as potential biomarkers. The expression of certain biomarkers was reversed by diazoxide, a repurposed hypertension drug. These results suggest that drug repurposing at an early stage of AD has therapeutic potential.