Life Sciences Commons^™

199946, David W. Kerstetter

PERC Albacore sPAT Data

Datasets (and supporting material) from 4sPAT electronic tags deployed on albacore caught by pelagic longline gear in the western North Atlantic.

From Grain To Malt: Tracking Changes Of Ultra-Low-Gluten Barley Storage Proteins After Malting, Mahya Bahmani, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bos, Mitchell G. Nye-Wood, Malcolm Blundell, Crispin A. Howitt, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major cereal crop produced globally. Hordeins, the major storage proteins in barley, can trigger immune responses leading to celiac disease or symptoms associated with food allergy. Here, proteomics approaches were employed to investigate the proteome level changes of grain and malt from the malting barley cultivar, Sloop, and single-, double- and triple hordein-reduced lines. The triple hordein-reduced line is an ultra-low gluten barley cultivar, Kebari®. Using discovery proteomics, 2,688 and 3,034 proteins in the barley and malt samples were detected respectively. Through the application of targeted proteomics, a significant reduction in the quantity …

Water Loss: A Postharvest Quality Marker In Apple Storage, Mahmood Ul Hasan, Zora Singh, Hafiz M. S. Shah, Jashanpreet Kaur, Andrew Woodward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Apple fruit can be stored for long periods of time, especially with the use of controlled atmosphere storage, but like many fruits and vegetables are susceptible to water loss. Water loss can result in compromised appearance such as skin shriveling, as well as loss of firmness, and reduced saleable weight, which in turn affect the income of growers and other industry stakeholders. Preharvest factors that can influence water loss in apples during the postharvest period include climate, cultivar, fruit size, tree age, orchard practices, and harvest maturity. Postharvest factors such as the storage temperature, relative humidity, storage type, and duration …

Investigation Of Campylobacter Concisus Gastric Epithelial Pathogenicity Using Ags Cells, Christopher Y. M. Luk, Seul A. Lee, Nicholas Naidovski, Fang Liu, Alfred C. Y. Tay, Liang Wang, Stephen Riordan, Li Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Campylobacter concisus is an oral bacterium. Recent studies suggest that C. concisus may be involved in human gastric diseases. The mechanisms, however, by which C. concisus causes human gastric diseases have not been investigated. Here we examined the gastric epithelial pathogenicity of C. concisus using a cell culture model. Six C. concisus strains and the human gastric epithelial cell line AGS cells were used. IL-8 produced by AGS cells after incubation with C. concisus was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and AGS cell apoptosis was determined by caspase 3/7 activities. The effects of C. concisus on actin arrangement in …

Life Cycle Progression Of Chlainomonas Sp.: A Field Study, Honu Pata, Robin Kodner, Ag Camara, Clare Hanneman, Maya Matsumoto, Dan Van Hees

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Every year, there are blooms of algae in snowy alpine environments during the summer snow melts. One environment in particular, the snow-on-lake habitat on Bagley Lake in Mt Baker, has been the subject of study by the Kodner lab for many years. In this habitat, we find the genus Chlainomonas which has bloomed in late spring and early summer annually. Our lab has proposed a life cycle for the genus (Matsumoto et al 2024), and there are many morphologically distinct cell stages found in field collected samples. This study has expanded our understanding the life cycle dynamics by examining the …

Low Spatial Habitat Overlap Of Herbivores In The High Arctic Tundra, Virve Ravolainen, Ingrid M. G. Paulsen, Isabell Eischeid, Jennifer Sorensen Forbey, Eva Fuglei, Tomáš Hájek, Brage B. Hansen, Leif Egil Loe, Petr Macek, Jesper Madsen, Eeva M. Soininen, James D. M. Speed, Audun Stien, Hans Tømmervik, Åshild Ønvik Pedersen

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Herbivores play a crucial role in shaping tundra ecosystems through their effects on vegetation, nutrient cycling, and soil abiotic factors. Understanding their habitat use, co-occurrence, and overlap is therefore essential for informing ecosystem-based management and conservation. In the High Arctic, only a marginal proportion of the land area is vegetated, and climate change is impacting herbivore population sizes and their habitats. In this study, we assessed the spatial habitat overlap of a vertebrate herbivore community based on: 1) regional predictive summer habitat suitability models for the resident Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), resident Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus …

Analysis Of Element Yield, Bacterial Community Structure And The Impact Of Carbon Sources For Bioleaching Rare Earth Elements From High Grade Monazite, Melissa K. Corbett, April Gifford, Nick Fimognari, Elizabeth L. J. Watkin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Rare earth element (REE) recovery from waste streams, mine tailings or recyclable components using bioleaching is gaining traction due to the shortage and security of REE supply as well as the environmental problems that occur from processing and refining. Four heterotrophic microbial species with known phosphate solubilizing capabilities were evaluated for their ability to leach REE from a high-grade monazite when provided with either galactose, fructose or maltose. Supplying fructose resulted in the greatest amount of REE leached from the ore due to the largest amount of organic acid produced. Gluconic acid was the dominant organic acid identified produced by …

Developing Partnerships For Academic Data Science Consulting And Collaboration Units, Marianne Huebner, Laura Bond, Felesia Stukes, Joel Herndon, David J. Edwards, Gina-Maria Pomann

Biomolecular Research Center Publications and Presentations

Data science consulting and collaboration units (DSUs) are core infrastructure for research at universities. Activities span data management, study design, data analysis, data visualization, predictive modelling, preparing reports, manuscript writing and advising on statistical methods and may include an experiential or teaching component. Partnerships are needed for a thriving DSU as an active part of the larger university network. Guidance for identifying, developing and managing successful partnerships for DSUs can be summarized in six rules: (1) align with institutional strategic plans, (2) cultivate partnerships that fit your mission, (3) ensure sustainability and prepare for growth, (4) define clear expectations in …

Assessment Of Novel Plant-Based Fat Efficiency In Comminuted Chicken Meat System, Salma Mohamad Yusop, Shu Jo Lin, Nurkhuzaiah Kamaruzaman, Nurlisa Mohd Azhari

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The composition of fats and oils significantly impacts the flavour, nutrition, and appearance of food. Excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids, primarily found in animal fats, raises the risk of coronary heart disease. To address this, plant-based fats are used as substitutes, with microalgae offering unique nutritional benefits as a fat source. This study evaluates the performance of structured plant-based fats, incorporating microalgae (Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1), as a fat substitute in chicken patties. Four formulations were tested: 0% (control), 5%, 7%, and 10% structured microalgae-based fat. Colour, texture, water-holding capacity, cooking loss, and microstructure in both raw and cooked samples …

Non-Invasive Digital Refractometer To Measure Maturation Of Climacteric Fruits, Jhoorhanah A. Halim, Denni Kurniawan, Dina S. Laila, Allysa Norjemee, Nuur A. L. Nesseruddin, Asrarul A. Noraidi, Beston F. Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Sugar content is a superior quality indicator for the post-harvesting and ripening status of climacteric fruits. Total soluble solids (TSS) represented by °Brix index is a measure of the sugar content. The conventional way to measure TSS is by invasive (IN) technique using manual or digital refractometers. While non-invasive (NIN) infrared refractometer devices have been developed in recent years for various agricultural and food science applications, its accuracy to measure fruit TSS directly is not straightforward, as the device is only dedicated to uses for a specific fruit. This study aims to investigate the suitability of the use of a …

Nanocellulose Synthesized From Sugarcane Bagasse (S. Officinarum) Via Alkaline-Mechanical Process And Its Characterization, Wafiqah Daim, Hiroshi Uyama, Syazana Abdullah Lim

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Nanocellulose is one of many promising materials that have garnered the attention of researchers and industries. In this study, sugarcane bagasse (S. officinarum) was used to synthesize cellulose nanofiber (SB-CNF) via an alkaline-mechanical process. A comprehensive characterization of SB-CNF was conducted to explore its morphology via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic force microscopy (DFM), assess its functional groups using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), analyze its thermal properties through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and lastly, evaluate light absorbance and transmittance using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Our findings revealed that SB-CNF resulted in a highly intertwined nanofiber structure within a nano-scale dimension. …

Nutritional Quality Of Cultured Giant Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium Rosenbergii), Nurul F.M.S. Rizal, Najeebah A. Tashim, Zuhairi Azahari, Aida M. Basri, Tiong H. Lim, Aqilah Junaidi, Suriayati Chuprat, Seno A. Putra, Hanif Fakhrurroja

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Macrobrachium rosenbergii, or the giant freshwater prawn has high market demand due to its exceptional nutritional value for the human diet. Often, most nutritional studies focus on the edible prawn parts, rather than the prawn discarded components. The nutritional evaluation of different prawn parts can provide insights into the nutrient composition and guiding for the development of value-added products. Three groups of prawn samples were collected from 3 different ponds, representing different prawn sizes. The water quality analysis of each pond was also conducted to determine the extent to which it can affect the nutritional composition. The conventional and biochemical …

Rice Farmer’S Perception And Factors Influencing Intention And Attitude On Adoption Of Hybrid Rice, Ahmad Mas'oud Muhd Halimi, Ulaganathan Subramanian

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Rice is considered the staple food of Brunei Darussalam, where most rice is imported from different countries. This poses a risk regarding food security wherein an unwanted event of restricted rice importation, Brunei, may experience difficulties. Hybrid rice cultivation is one of Brunei's best food security options. We studied the farmers' attitudes towards mixed rice farming in Brunei. We divided the farmers into two groups for the purpose of our study. Agriculture cooperative members and non-members. For attitude, perceived ease of use positively impacts attitude significantly for member rice farmers, while perceived usefulness positively impacts attitude for non-member rice farmers. …

Innovative Approaches And Challenges In Brunei's Agricultural Management, Nuramalina Manshor, Ulaganathan Subramanian

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The management and development in agriculture attract agricultural economic science for the pricing, business, farm policy, and financial knowledge. It conjointly draws on plant and animal sciences for soil, seed and fertilizer information, weed control, insect management, and rationing and breeding; agricultural engineering knowledge for farmhouses, vehicles, irrigation, field drying, drainage, and management of erosions; and data on human behavior in Science and Social Science.

Application Of Machine Learning Models In The Capacity Prediction Of Ccfst Columns, Khaled Megahed, Nabil Said Mahmoud, Saad Elden Mostafa Abd-Rabou

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Circular concrete-filled steel tubular (CCFST) columns are widely utilized in structural engineering due to their impressive load-bearing capabilities and ductility. Existing design standards often yield disparate outcomes when applied to structural columns with identical properties, introducing uncertainty for engineering designers. This study introduces an innovative technique to address these challenges using two machine learning (ML) models: Gaussian process regression (GPR) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). These models consider various input variables, including the geometric and material properties of CCFST columns, to estimate the compressive strength. The models undergo training and evaluation using two datasets comprising 1004 axially loaded CCFST columns …

2024 Wheelchair Compendium Of Physical Activities: An Update Of Activity Codes And Energy Expenditure Values, Scott A. Conger, Stephen D. Herrmann, Erik A. Willis, Tom E. Nightingale, Joseph R. Sherman, Barbara E. Ainsworth

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose: This paper presents an update of the 2011 Wheelchair Compendium of Physical Activities designed for wheelchair users and is referred to as the 2024 Wheelchair Compendium. The Wheelchair Compendium aims to curate existing knowledge of the energy expenditure for wheelchair physical activities (PAs).

Methods: A systematic review of the published energy expenditure of PA for wheelchair users was completed between 2011 and May 2023. We added these data to the 2011 Wheelchair Compendium data that was compiled previously in a systematic review through 2011.

Results: A total of 47 studies were included, and 124 different wheelchair PA reported energy …

Ua94/6/18 Stephen Flora Student / Alumni Papers, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Stephen Flora during his years as a student at Western Kentucky University.

Developing Herbal-Based Beverage Fermentation Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae: The Physico-Chemical Properties, Siti Madihah Mohd Don, Mas Munira Rambli, Beston Faiek Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Herbal-based fermented beverages are popular non-dairy products among consumers who seek healthy and immunity-supporting products. Amongst commonly used health supplements that are added to food and beverage would be probiotics, commonly Saccharomyces cerevisiae or yeast. This study aims to determine the physico-chemical properties of fermented beverages at different fermentation periods using lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus DC. Stapf), ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), mint (Mentha), and moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.). This study revealed a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in pH, total soluble solids, and density in most fermented beverages after 24, 36 and 48 hours of fermentation. Low …

Exploring The Impact Of Vented Packaging Configurations On Airflow Patterns And Cooling Consistency For Muskmelons In A Cold Storage Environment, Nur Wafidah Roslan, Namasivayam Navaranjan, Zohrah Sulaiman, Naseem Uddin

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The cooling effect of different vented packaging designs was investigated for packed muskmelons fruits in a commercial cold storage condition. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation and experiments were used. The airflow pattern, heat transfer and temperature profiles were predicted from simulation and analysed. The CFD results reveal an uneven and low efficient airflow distribution inside a commercially used vented packaging (Box A). This resulted slow cooling of the fruits in Box A. Two newly designed packaging (Box B and Box C) showed better airflow distribution around the fruits and cooled them faster than Box A. The design of Box C …

Physicochemical Characterization Of Edible Insect Oils: Insights Into Fatty Acid Composition, Thermal Behavior And Quality Parameters, Eng-Tong Phuah, Yee-Ying Lee, Teck-Kim Tang, Guanghui Li, Shyang-Pei Hong, Syazana Abdullah Lim

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Edible insects are emerging as a sustainable food source due to their high nutritional value. This study employed the three-phase partitioning (TPP) method to extract oils from sago worm (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), superworm (Zophobas morio), and cricket (Acheta domesticus). The study evaluated and compared the physicochemical properties of these insect oils, including iodine value (IV), peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV), acid value (AV), refractive index (RI), thermal behavior, and fatty acid compositions. Results revealed that the sago worm exhibited the highest oil yield (47.8 ± 2.2%) compared to the superworm (23.8 ± 1.4%) and cricket (6.4 ± 0.6%). Cricket oil …

Evaluation Of Physicochemical Properties Of Chicken Sausages Containing Whey Protein Isolate And Guar Gum, Nur Hamizah Hamid, Namasivayam Navaranjan

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The present work aims to evaluate the physicochemical properties and proximate composition of adding whey protein isolate (WPI) and guar gum (GG) as emulsion gels in chicken sausages formulated with different fat percentages. The fat reduction resulted in products having lower moisture content (p

Unlocking Antioxidant Potential: Comparative Analysis Of Sembada 188 And Keladi Rice As Functional Ingredients In Novel Food Production, Mas Munira Rambli, Natasha Azamain, Eng-Tong Phuah

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an essential crop that is a dietary staple for more than half of the world's population. There is currently a movement in consumer behaviour toward healthier food consumption, which is fuelling interest in functional diets like coloured rice. Sembada 188 and Keladi rice are underutilised in Brunei Darussalam and are expected to have functional qualities. A comparison of antioxidant properties between Sembada 188 and Keladi rice was performed in this study. This research produced puffed rice treats prepared by steaming rice, washing, drying for 6-8 hours at 60℃, deep frying for 25 seconds at 180℃, …

Preliminary Study On The Effects Of Vinegar As Pre- Treatment For The Oven-Drying Of Pacific Yellowtail Emperor (Lethrinus Atkinsoni) Fillets, Nurisa A. Suhaili, Rafael S. Jamih, Normina A. Abubakar, Jaro O. Ajik, Merilyn Q. Amlani

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This study aimed to assess the impact of various vinegar compositions used as pre-treatment for Pacific Yellowtail Emperor (PYE) fillets during the oven-drying process, with a focus on moisture content and optimal drying conditions. Two types of commercially available vinegar, Superior Vinegar and Datu Puti Vinegar, were compared, and different drying temperatures were evaluated. The investigation revealed that the drying temperature significantly influenced the moisture content of the dried PYE fillets. Among the tested temperatures (40°C, 60°C, and 80°C), the most favorable outcome in terms of moisture content was achieved when fillets were dried at 80°C for a duration of …

Assessing The Organic Acids-Solubilized Collagen Derived From The Skin Of Unicornfish (Naso Reticulatus Randall, 2011) On Physicochemical And Structural Characteristics: Toward Alternative Source For Industrial Applications, Dayang Fazrianie Harianto, Abdul Aziz Jaziri, Rossita Shapawi, Ruzaidi Azli Mohd Mokhtar, Wan Norhana Md. Noordin, Masmunira Rambli, Nurul Huda

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Converting skin by-product of unicornfish (Naso reticulatus Randall, 2011) into a valuable commodity like collagen is a good strategy to explore alternative sources for land-based animals. Additionally, marine fish collagens are preferable due to their safer and great properties. This project aimed to compare extractability of collagens prepared with three organic acids (i.e., acetic, lactic and citric acids), and their characteristics were also discussed. Collagen extracted with citric acid (CSCUS) (7.10%) had a significantly higher yield (p

Byproducts Of Tropical Marine Processing As A Candidate For Industrial Food Ingredients: An Appraisal On Macro And Micronutrients, Abdul Aziz Jaziri, Hajariah Hasanuddin, Rossita Shapawi, Ruzaidi Azli Mohd Mokhtar, Wan Norhana Md. Noordin, Masmunira Rambli, Nurul Huda

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Tropical marine fish is a main raw material for surimi processing plants, including golden threadfin bream (Nemipterus virgatus Houttuyn, 1782) and swallowtail dwarf monocle bream (Parascolopsis eriomma Jordan & Richardson, 1909). After processing, more than 60% of fish are considered as byproducts (i.e., head, viscera, skin, bones, fins and scale), and tend to discard due to poor-utilization. Hence, this paper aims to evaluate macro- and micro-nutrients derived from golden threadfin bream (GTB) and swallowtail dwarf monocle bream (SDMB). The higher content of protein (25.31 ± 0.81%) was observed in the skin part of GTB, followed by the flesh (21.26 ± …

Kinetic Modelling During Soaking Of Dried Long Grain Paddy Mr297, Jhauharotul Muchlisyiyah, Rosnah Shamsudin, Roseliza Kadir Basha, Radhiah Shukri, Syahmeer How, Masmunira Rambli

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This study aimed to assess the soaking behaviour of MR 297 dried paddy under two conditions: room temperature and hot water soaking at 60°C. The experiment involved soaking dried MR297 paddy samples in water for 0.5 to 8 hours at room temperature and 0.5 to 5 hours for soaking at 60°C. The water absorption of MR 297 behaved differently at two different soaking conditions. The kinetic behaviour of the soaking process was also simulated using established 25 predictive models and incorporating 5 novel models presented in this work. The comparison of all prediction models involved using three statistical measures: the …

Formulation Of Naturally Flavoured Mineral Water With Curcuma Longa, Zumirra Affno, Aida M. Basri, Beston F. Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Natural, organic flavoured beverages have become an increasingly important market in the food industry due to flavour and sensory requirements among consumers. Throughout human history, herbs and spices provide a spectrum of natural food flavouring, which became an eminent component of food preparations worldwide. However, their applications in beverages have not been fully exploited. The main objective of this study is to develop flavoured water formulation based on organic turmeric extracts from flower, leaf, and rhizome parts. We adhered the natural mineral water flavouring integrity at refrigerated storage condition (4oC) for a period of 12 weeks. The flavoured water was …

Development Of Halalan Tayyiban Plant-Based Cheese Formulations, Hasna B. Mazalana, Mas M. Rambli, Syazana A. Lim, Beston F. Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The worldwide cheese production is dominated by animal milk sources with various industrial procedures, including animal rennet. There is a need to diversify the animal-based dairy products into plant-based one, not only to nurture the halalan tayyiban concept for Muslims, but also to accommodate the dietary restriction of some consumers. The objective of this work is to formulate a cheese type derived from plant-based milk with permissible ingredients to create a product for Muslim and non-Muslim consumers. In this study, we explored the use of conventional and non-conventional cheese-making procedures. A total of four experimental formulations (EF1-4) combinations were conducted …

Unveiling The Antioxidant Properties Of Stenochlaena Palustris And Diplazium Esculentum Through Time-Dependent Analysis, Nurnajiihah A. Samad, Hasna B. Mazalan, Hazimah Sharifulazar, Aida M. Basri, Masayoshi Arai

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Medicinal plants are generally known for its health benefits and there has been ongoing research to gather evidence on potential plants that could exhibit antioxidant activities. In this study, we explored underutilised local medicinal plants which are Stenochlaena palustris and Diplazium esculentum, locally known as ‘Lemiding’ and ‘Pakis’, respectively. The aim was to determine the effect of extraction time on phytochemical contents, antioxidant activities and total phenolic content (TPC) of the two plant species. Maceration method was used to extract the compounds from leaves of the plant in distilled water at different durations of extraction i.e. 2 hours, 4 hours, …

Upa-Mediated Polyamidoamine Dendrimer-Based Targeted Gene Delivery System On Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Hsin-Yin Chuang

Masters Theses

"Around 15% of breast cancers are triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is characterized by the absence of three common receptors—ER, PR, and HER2, and therefore do not respond to hormonal or anti-HER2 therapies. It is urgent to explore targeted therapeutic strategies for TNBC due to its poor prognosis and rare effective targeted therapy. In this study, we developed a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer-based targeted gene delivery system—GDP-uPA, to utilize urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) to target uPA receptor (uPAR), which is highly expressed in both TNBC cells and cancer-associated stromal cells. Our results of 1H NMR spectrum, TEM imaging, and MTT assay …