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Articles 1 - 30 of 51
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
The Algz/R Two-Component System Is Responsible For Attenuation Of Virulence In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Danielle A. Williams
The Algz/R Two-Component System Is Responsible For Attenuation Of Virulence In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Danielle A. Williams
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen. Many P. aeruginosa virulence factors are regulated by the AlgZ/R two component system. AlgZ is the sensor histidine kinase which phosphorylates AlgR, the response regulator. AlgR activates transcription of different gene targets based upon its phosphorylation state. The genes that encode AlgZ and AlgR are transcribed in an operon. While regulation of algR expression has been well studied, regulation of algZ expression has not. Using a pilW mutant in concert with algZTF-lacZ transcriptional fusion, we conducted a transposon mutagenesis to identify algZ regulators. We identified an unknown autoregulatory loop. The type …
Examining The Understanding Of Inquiry-Based Learning And Teaching Among Undergraduate Teachers And Students, Maren Hudson
Examining The Understanding Of Inquiry-Based Learning And Teaching Among Undergraduate Teachers And Students, Maren Hudson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
One of the main aims of inquiry is to engage students as active, not passive, participants in science. The purpose of this study is to describe science educators’ and students’ views about inquiry-based instruction in order to better understand and improve implementation of evidence-based teaching strategies. Inquiry-based techniques have been shown to improve student understanding of scientific concepts, yet, there continue to be challenges in implementing these techniques. This research project utilizes Q Methodology, a research method that captures both common and disparate measures of subjectivity, to identify commonalities and defining viewpoints about inquiry-based teaching and learning. Three significantly different …
A Study Of Salmonid Growth In Two Southern Appalachian Headwater Streams, Joshua Argo
A Study Of Salmonid Growth In Two Southern Appalachian Headwater Streams, Joshua Argo
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study sampled salmonid populations in two headwater streams in East Tennessee, Briar Creek and Left Prong Hampton Creek. Length and weight data were used to calculate the growth of these populations to determine if significant variation exists between isolated brook trout populations. Slope comparisons concluded that there was a difference in growth between brook trout populations of these streams (p
Regulation Of Haplid Phenotypes In Ustilago Maydis By Ammonium Transporters And Components Of The B Mating Locus., Rena Margaret Wallen
Regulation Of Haplid Phenotypes In Ustilago Maydis By Ammonium Transporters And Components Of The B Mating Locus., Rena Margaret Wallen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Fungi that can switch from budding to a filamentous infectious state have evolved mating type loci. Ustilago maydis, the maize pathogen, must mate with compatible partners possessing different alleles at two mating type loci for successful host infection. The a locus encodes pheromones and receptors, while the b locus encodes subunits of a heterodimeric transcription factor that regulates expression of virulence genes. Mating is triggered by environmental signals, including nutrient deprivation. My goal was to determine the fate of nitrogen starved haploid cells without a compatible mating partner. On solid low ammonium media, wild-type U. maydis filaments. I examined …
Enemy Exacerbation: Effects Of Predator Stress On Sulfate Lethality In Freshwater Amphipods (Gammarus Minus), Trevor Chapman
Enemy Exacerbation: Effects Of Predator Stress On Sulfate Lethality In Freshwater Amphipods (Gammarus Minus), Trevor Chapman
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Predator cues can influence how aquatic organisms respond to anthropogenic contaminants. This study examined the effects of predator cues on behavior, metabolic rate, and sulfate (as Na2SO4) toxicity in amphipods (Gammarus minus). Predator cues included alarm cue (macerated conspecifics) and kairomone from mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). Amphipods decreased activity and increased time in refuge when exposed to alarm cue, and increased time in refuge when exposed to kairomone. While median lethal concentrations (96-h LC50) were not influenced by predator cues, analysis of dose response curves indicated that kairomone exposure increased amphipod …
Effects Of Acute Sepsis On Renal Structure And Sympathetic Innervation In Mice, Tuqa Alkhateeb
Effects Of Acute Sepsis On Renal Structure And Sympathetic Innervation In Mice, Tuqa Alkhateeb
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Sympathetic nerves are important for renal physiology and sepsis pathophysiology. A recent study showed sprouting of sympathetic nerves in spleen of septic mice. This study was done to test if renal sprouting of sympathetic nerves also happens and to investigate renal morphology in septic mice. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to induce sepsis and kidneys were removed for evaluation. Bowman’s space was diminished with cortical bubble cells present suggestive of acute renal pathology, however, renal function was unchanged. Acute sepsis did not affect either renal sympathetic innervation or non-neuronal cholinergic cells. Mouse kidneys had more epinephrine (EPI) than …
Divergent Responses Of Larval And Juvenile Blue Mussels To Low Salinity Exposure, Melissa A. May
Divergent Responses Of Larval And Juvenile Blue Mussels To Low Salinity Exposure, Melissa A. May
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In this study, we compared the osmotic stress response of larval and juvenile blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) at the transcriptomic, metabolomic, and whole organism levels. Blue mussels inhabit coastal areas, where they face climate-induced reductions in nearshore salinity. Despite their ecological and economic importance, scientists do not fully understand the underlying transcriptomic and cellular mechanisms of the osmotic stress response in blue mussels or how the ability to respond to stress changes throughout development. Blue mussels spend the first weeks of life developing through several larval stages in the plankton. These early life history stages are more vulnerable …
Measuring Fertilization In Populations Of Sea Scallop (Placopecten Magellanicus): Developing And Testing Methods In The Laboratory And Field, Skylar Bayer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Most marine organisms are broadcast spawners, releasing their sperm and eggs into the water column. Methods of measuring in situ fertilization have proven successful with a few model species, which are reviewed in my introductory chapter. However, many commercially exploited species, such as the sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus, have been neglected. Sea scallop populations have greatly increased from fishing closures, but the mechanism behind this response is uncertain, particularly in regard to fertilization. In this dissertation I developed a methodology of measuring fertilization success and spawning events of P. magellanicus, tested it in laboratory and field settings, and …
Age Structure Response Of Principal Groundfish To Marine Protected Areas In New England, Julian Chawarski
Age Structure Response Of Principal Groundfish To Marine Protected Areas In New England, Julian Chawarski
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinnus) were once dominant species in the New England fisheries economy, together accounting for over half of the landings value of groundfish. Over the last several decades, all three species have experienced dramatic shifts in spawning stock biomass (SSB) with current estimates for cod stocks at 3% and 7% of target biomass (Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stocks, respectively), a strong contrast to haddock stocks that are nearly fully recovered (NEFSC 2014, 2017). As principally demersal species, they are easily targeted by …
Effects Of Predatory Cues On Copper Sensitivity And Metabolic Rate In Gambusia Affinis, Melissa N. Campbell
Effects Of Predatory Cues On Copper Sensitivity And Metabolic Rate In Gambusia Affinis, Melissa N. Campbell
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organisms living in aquatic environments are subject to a number of stressors from natural (temperature, predation, food availability) and anthropogenic origins (pesticides, metals, etc). Natural stressors may amplify the effects of contaminants and increase an organism’s sensitivity to them. Understanding the impact of these combined factors is therefore essential for the practical management of contaminants. This study sought to examine how predatory cues affect copper tolerance in the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. The influence of predatory cues on fish metabolic rate was also evaluated to gain insight on any interactive effects between the natural stressor and copper. Alarm cues, chemicals released …
Development Of An Active-Learning Lesson That Targets Student Understanding Of Population Growth In Ecology, Elizabeth Trenckmann
Development Of An Active-Learning Lesson That Targets Student Understanding Of Population Growth In Ecology, Elizabeth Trenckmann
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Integrating quantitative literacy skills into the undergraduate biology curriculum has been advocated as a way to better reflect the tools and practices used by scientists. One area where students often need and can develop quantitative skills is population ecology, and previous studies have shown that students often have conceptual difficulties in this area. The focus of this thesis project was to explore student thinking about population ecology and develop an in-class active-learning lesson that incorporates quantitative skills for use in large-enrollment undergraduate biology courses. The development of this lesson was guided by in depth reviews of literature, textbooks, and online …
Vegetation Community Changes In Two National Forests In The Pineywoods, East Texas, Trisha L. Williams
Vegetation Community Changes In Two National Forests In The Pineywoods, East Texas, Trisha L. Williams
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Despite extensive research into forest succession, little research has been directed to long-term studies. The fundamental properties of succession remain unclear and further research into terrestrial vegetation and an accounting of drivers in specific ecosystem types is required. This study addresses change in plant communities from five ecosystem types in two east Texas National Forests over a 20-year period. An analysis of 30 sample stands yields results due to various ecosystem drivers of vegetation change and uncovers plant community responses in multiple ecosystem types over this period. This research provided three key results: 1) that vegetation composition change occurs more …
Range-Wide Prevalence And Impacts Of Pseudocercosporella Inconspicua On Lilium Grayi And An Assessment Of L. Superbum And L. Michauxii As Reservoirs, Cindy L. Barrett
Range-Wide Prevalence And Impacts Of Pseudocercosporella Inconspicua On Lilium Grayi And An Assessment Of L. Superbum And L. Michauxii As Reservoirs, Cindy L. Barrett
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lilium grayi (Gray’s Lily), a southern Appalachian endemic species, is threatened by a Lilium-specific fungal pathogen, Pseudocercosporella inconspicua. The disease is characterized by tan lesions that can cause early senescence, while also lowering seed production and viability. This project tested for P. inconspicua conidia and accessed health at nine locations. The disease was present and ubiquitous across the range of L. grayi. Through identification of P. inconspicua conidia in the field, L. superbum (Turk’s Cap Lily) was identified as an additional host, while L. michauxii (Michaux’s Lily) was disease-free. However, infection was inducible in both species. With …
Inclusive Teaching Strategies: An Evaluation Of Course Structure And Summative Assessment In Introductory Biology, Oluwaseun O. Agboola
Inclusive Teaching Strategies: An Evaluation Of Course Structure And Summative Assessment In Introductory Biology, Oluwaseun O. Agboola
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Several active learning strategies have been used when increasing the structure of a course as increasing course structure has been known to improve student learning in introductory STEM courses. Much has been studied on the value of frequent formative assessment; however, few studies have evaluated the effective modes of delivering summative assessment. This study examines the use of summative assessment as an inclusive teaching practice to improve first generation college student success in introductory biology and also uses faculty surveys to find out how instructors structure their introductory biology course and why they are structured that way. Final exams were …
Social Dynamics, Network Structure, And Information Diffusion In Fish Shoals., Matthew Jerome Hasenjager
Social Dynamics, Network Structure, And Information Diffusion In Fish Shoals., Matthew Jerome Hasenjager
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Animal populations are often highly structured, with individuals differing in terms of whom they interact with and how frequently they do so. The resulting pattern of relationships constitutes a population’s social network. In this dissertation, I examine how environmental variation can shape social networks and influence information flow within them. In Chapter I, I review the history of social network analysis in animal behavior research, and discuss recent insights generated by network approaches in behavioral ecology. I focus on the fields of: social learning, collective behavior, animal personalities, and cooperation. Animal network studies are often criticized for a lack of …
Function Of The Enterobactin Operon Of A. Actinomycetemcomitans In The Presence Of Catecholmines And Iron., Taylor Johnson
Function Of The Enterobactin Operon Of A. Actinomycetemcomitans In The Presence Of Catecholmines And Iron., Taylor Johnson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) possesses a two-component system, QseBC, which is key in biofilm formation/virulence and is activated in the presence of iron-catecholamine complexes. Aa does not synthesize enterobactin, a catechol-based siderophore, yet possesses the machinery for recognition and uptake. We hypothesize that Aa is able to acquire iron by catecholamine mediation through the enterobactin receptor/transporter. Methods: By insertional mutation, we attempted to delete the enterobactin permease from the genome using suicide vector pJT1. A growth curve of truncated mutant ΔfepA was also conducted to observe growth in the presence of iron and catecholamines. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA …
Climate Change And The Evolution Of Insect Immune Function, Danae Perry
Climate Change And The Evolution Of Insect Immune Function, Danae Perry
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Insects are ectothermic organisms that have physiological, behavioral and life-history traits directly influenced by their environment. Investigations have shown that many insects use melanin to permanently darken their cuticles in cooler or drier climates to improve thermoregulation and desiccation resistance. Melanin is a major component of pathogen defense in insects. This suggests that environmentally driven adaptive changes in cuticular melanin may non-adaptively shape insect immune function. This hypothesis has been referred to as climate-related Cuticle Dependent Immune Investment (climate-related CDII). Climate-related CDII also suggests that a warming climate could lead to the evolution of a weakened melanin-based immune response due …
Advanced Castes At The Outset Of Eusociality In Wasps (Vespidae), Patrick Piekarski
Advanced Castes At The Outset Of Eusociality In Wasps (Vespidae), Patrick Piekarski
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A dominating and widespread view is that evolutionary change is gradual and waits upon mutation. Likewise, it is thought that workers and queens of eusocial insects diverged gradually and stepwise. That is, rudimentary castes preceded advanced castes. This paradigm hinges on eusociality having evolved once in Vespidae, and primitively eusocial paper wasps lacking ontogenetic caste biasing (differentiation of castes during larval development). Using a phylogenomic approach this study shows strong evidence for two origins of eusociality in vespid wasps, wherein one origin is likely characterized by the sudden appearance of castes with physiological, and perhaps even morphological, differences established before …
Plasticity Of Central And Peripheral Nervous System: Effects Of Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation (Ogd) And Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (Cih), Jin Chen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) channels are permeable to Na+ and Ca2+ and are widely expressed in the brain. In this study, we investigated the role of TRPC6 following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). We found that TRPC6 expression was increased in wild type (WT) mice cortical neurons following I/R and in primary neurons with OGD, and that deletion of TRPC6 reduced the I/R-induced brain infarct in mice and the OGD- /neurotoxin-induced neuronal death. Using live-cell imaging to examine intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i), we found that OGD induced a significant higher increase in glutamate-evoked Ca2+ influx compared to …
The Behavior Of Humans And Wildlife With Respect To Roads: Insights For Mitigation And Management, Molly Grace
The Behavior Of Humans And Wildlife With Respect To Roads: Insights For Mitigation And Management, Molly Grace
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Road ecology is the study of how roads and wildlife interact. Traditionally, road ecologists have primarily focused on one effect of roads: roadkill. Though roadkill can have devastating effects on wildlife populations, roads have sub-lethal impacts that are gaining more and more attention from the scientific community. These sub-lethal impacts include noise, light, and chemical pollution as well as altered habitat structure, which can all influence animal behavior. In this dissertation, I applied a behavioral ecology framework to study specific lethal and sub-lethal road effects with the goal of improving mitigation efforts. In Chapters 1 and 2, I evaluated how …
A Major Dna Double Strand Repair Pathway And Cancer-Associated Circulating Proteins Are Effecters Of Epigenetic Revision., Brittany Allen
A Major Dna Double Strand Repair Pathway And Cancer-Associated Circulating Proteins Are Effecters Of Epigenetic Revision., Brittany Allen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
DNA methylation is a vital epigenetic process that acts as a major control mechanism for gene expression. In addition to its essential role in many normal cellular processes, it is also implicated in a wide variety of disease states and processes including cancer. Along with genetic mutations, aberrant DNA methylation patterns, specifically the inappropriate DNA methylation or demethylation of CpG residues, may activate oncogenes or suppress tumor suppressor genes, respectively. These changes can generate or facilitate the progression of tumorigenesis and tend to accumulate throughout the development of cancer. Although they play such a major role in cancer and in …
A Chemical And Genetic Approach To Study The Polyamine Transport System In Drosophila, Minpei Wang
A Chemical And Genetic Approach To Study The Polyamine Transport System In Drosophila, Minpei Wang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Polyamines are small cationic molecules that play important roles in most vital cellular processes including cell growth and proliferation, regulation of chromatin structure, translation and programmed cell death. Cellular polyamine pools are maintained by a balance between biosynthesis and transport (export and import). Increased polyamine biosynthesis activity and an active transport system are characteristics of many cancer cell lines, and polyamine depletion has been shown to be a viable anticancer strategy. Polyamine levels can be depleted by α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of the key polyamine biosynthesis enzyme ornithine decarboxylase. However, malignant cells often circumvent DFMO therapy by up-regulating polyamine import; …
Go With The Flow: Patterns Of Connectivity In Low Dispersal Coral Reef Gobies (Coryphopterus Spp.) Throughout The Western Atlantic, Daniel Volk
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Gene flow is an integral biological process that can mediate speciation. While many consider the ocean to be an open environment, there are many barriers that limit gene flow, particularly in the western Atlantic. I analyzed data from two widespread, coral reef fishes, the bridled goby (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum) and sand-canyon goby (C. venezuelae), throughout their range in the western Atlantic. Using two genetic datasets, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and genomic SNPs, I investigated the evolutionary history of these species and inferred the location and strength of putative barriers. My results suggest that several unique lineages have genetically diverged from one another …
The Paths Less Traveled: Movement Of Gopher Tortoises Along Roads And Railways, Rhett Rautsaw
The Paths Less Traveled: Movement Of Gopher Tortoises Along Roads And Railways, Rhett Rautsaw
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Urbanization and an expanding human population have led to a large degree of habitat destruction and fragmentation. These, in turn, reduce biodiversity and wildlife population sizes on a global scale. Transportation infrastructure, such as roads and railways, are some of the largest contributors to habitat fragmentation. Roads are well-established to negatively impact wildlife, but some studies suggest a potential use in habitat connectivity by functioning as wildlife corridors to connect distant populations. Railways are similarly known to impact wildlife by increasing mortality rates as well as provide unique risks such as electrocution and entrapment when compared to roads. However, the …
Mucking About: Hydrologic Regime And Soil Carbon Storage In Restored Subtropical Wetlands, Alicia Huber
Mucking About: Hydrologic Regime And Soil Carbon Storage In Restored Subtropical Wetlands, Alicia Huber
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Wetlands are extremely important ecosystems that have declined drastically worldwide, continue to be lost, and are threatened globally. They perform a number of important ecosystem services such as flood control, provide habitat for many species, and have aesthetic and recreational value. Wetlands are also important to the global carbon (C) cycle. Wetland soils are especially effective C sinks because they have high primary productivity and low decomposition rates due to flooded, anoxic conditions. Increased recognition of wetlands' value has led to more ecological and hydrological restoration of degraded wetlands to mitigate the effects of wetland destruction. Hydrological restoration, which attempts …
Using Biomarkers To Assess The Migratory Ecology And Reproduction Of The Florida Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas), Ryan Chabot
Using Biomarkers To Assess The Migratory Ecology And Reproduction Of The Florida Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas), Ryan Chabot
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Migratory connectivity between breeding and foraging areas is a vital component of the ecology of a diverse collection of marine vertebrates. Habitat quality, composition, and resource availability at these locations have direct ramifications for individual fitness. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a long-lived, highly migratory species of conservation concern. Important green turtle nesting habitat in Florida is protected, but more information is needed to identify foraging habitats and the influence these habitats have on reproduction. Here, I used stable isotope analysis of δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S and satellite telemetry validation to determine the number of putative foraging areas used …
Cross-Continental Insights Into Jaguar (Panthera Onca) Ecology And Conservation, Joe Figel
Cross-Continental Insights Into Jaguar (Panthera Onca) Ecology And Conservation, Joe Figel
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a widely distributed large carnivore and the focal species of a range-wide connectivity initiative known as the jaguar conservation network (JCN). Comprised of ~83 Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs) and ~75 corridors from northern Mexico to Argentina, the JCN functions as a conduit for jaguar movement and gene flow. Key linkages in the network are imperiled by human population growth, large-scale agriculture, highway expansion, and other infrastructural development. Labeled "corridors of concern," these vulnerable linkages are imperative to the maintenance of connectivity and genetic diversity throughout jaguar distribution. I take a multi-faceted approach to analyze conservation …
The Spatial Ecology Of The Southern Copperhead In A Fragmented And Non-Fragmented Habitat, Megan Veronica Novak
The Spatial Ecology Of The Southern Copperhead In A Fragmented And Non-Fragmented Habitat, Megan Veronica Novak
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Habitat fragmentation may alter the spatial ecology of organisms inhabiting the fragmented landscape by limiting the area of habitat available and altering microhabitat features. I quantified and compared movement of southern copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) in a fragmented and non-fragmented habitat to determine the effects of habitat fragmentation on the spatial ecology of the southern copperhead. Effective distance moved by each individual was measured by the use of thread bobbins attached via medical tape to the posterior quarter of the snake. Straight-line distance moved and occupied area were calculated with the GPS coordinates recorded at each snake sighting. Straight-line distance …
Surveillance Of Emerging Livestock Viruses, Faten A. Okda
Surveillance Of Emerging Livestock Viruses, Faten A. Okda
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Accurate and rapid diagnostic tests are essential for the management and control of emerging infectious diseases. Therefore, the overall goals of studies presented in this dissertation were to provide improved diagnostic and surveillance capabilities for several emerging viral diseases impacting the livestock industry and to provide insight into appropriate control strategies. Recent, severe outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Asia and North America highlighted the need for well-validated diagnostic tests for identification of PEDV infected animals and evaluation of their immune status. PEDV was first detected in the U.S. in May 2013 and another swine coronavirus, porcine deltacoronavirus …
Identification Of Physiological And Morphological Traits Governing High Water Use Efficiency In Alfalfa, Krishna Ghimire
Identification Of Physiological And Morphological Traits Governing High Water Use Efficiency In Alfalfa, Krishna Ghimire
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Alfalfa is an important forage crop worldwide. Being deep-rooted, N2-fixing and high yielding, alfalfa has great economic, ecological and nutritional benefits. While alfalfa is a high yielding crop, its high productivity depends on irrigation water in many areas and consumes the greatest amount of water among all the major crops. With a growing demand for water resources due to an increase in human population and industrial water use, plus frequent drought due to climate change, irrigation water has become increasingly scarce and expensive. To sustain high production of alfalfa with limited water resource, alfalfa cultivars with improved water use efficiency …