Bat Species Diversity And Habitat Use Assessment With Focus On Endangered Indiana Bats In The Wright State University Woods,
2019
Wright State University
Bat Species Diversity And Habitat Use Assessment With Focus On Endangered Indiana Bats In The Wright State University Woods, Megan R. Rude
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
The goals of my thesis are to: 1) identify species of bats in Wright State University’s (WSU) campus woods via acoustic surveys to compare to detections from previous years (Chapter 1) (2) analyze occupancy and detection probabilities of Indiana bats in different areas throughout the woods (Chapter 1), and 3) create an acoustical approach to analyze habitat use through bat social calls (Chapter 2). In Chapter 1, I conducted stationary acoustic surveys in the Wright State University woods in hydric (riparian), edge, and old growth habitats to record bat vocalizations. The WSU woods have a diverse bat community as ten …
Nutrient Flux From Aquatic To Terrestrial Invertebrate Communities Across A Lakeside Ecotone,
2019
Wright State University
Nutrient Flux From Aquatic To Terrestrial Invertebrate Communities Across A Lakeside Ecotone, Hosanna B. Loreaux
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
In this study, I examined how the spatiotemporal distribution of spider webs and diet changed in a lake riparian zone with increasing distance from an aquatic resource. I surveyed twenty, one-hundred meter transects along the perimeters of Sanford and Escanaba lakes (Wisconsin). Overall, spider web abundance was highest near the lakes and decreased moving into the adjacent forest. Horizontal orb webs, vertical orb webs, and mesh webs showed strong negative relationships with distance from the lakes. Aquatic insects composed an average 36-64% of spider diet for all spider families throughout the riparian zone, suggesting that some spider families are selecting …
Impact Of Seasonal And Host-Related Factors On The Intestinal Microbiome And Cestode Community Of Sorex Cinereus And Sorex Monticola,
2019
Georgia Southern University
Impact Of Seasonal And Host-Related Factors On The Intestinal Microbiome And Cestode Community Of Sorex Cinereus And Sorex Monticola, Katelyn D. Cranmer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The intestinal microbiome of mammals plays a significant role in host health and response to environmental stimuli and can include both beneficial native bacteria as well as parasitic worms. In this study, I examined the intestinal cestode and bacterial communities of two closely related species of shrew, Sorex monticola and Sorex cinereus, over a six month period in 2016. Specimens were collected approximately every three weeks from May to October from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Cowles, New Mexico. A total of 79 shrews were prepared with the gastrointestinal tracts removed and flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen. An additional …
Inflammation Of The Taste Sensory System: Cyclophosphamide And Amifostine,
2019
University of Vermont
Inflammation Of The Taste Sensory System: Cyclophosphamide And Amifostine, Anish Ali Sarkar
Graduate College Dissertations and Theses
Chemotherapeutics are used extensively to treat cancer patients and often induce adverse effects, including taste dysfunctions. Disturbances in taste are detrimental to the overall well-being of cancer patients, causing malnutrition and weight loss that aggravate their condition even further. Inflammation due to an infection of the taste sensory system as previously shown, has detrimental effects on the taste sensation. Our study focused on if chemotherapy induced an inflammatory response in the taste buds using cyclophosphamide (CYP), a pro-drug. Once metabolized by the P450 enzyme complex, its primary metabolite functions as an alkylating agent, involved in inhibiting cell replication cycle and …
Assessing The Prevalence Of Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Enterica From Stream Sediment And Poultry Litter In The Shenandoah Valley Of Virginia,
2019
James Madison University
Assessing The Prevalence Of Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Enterica From Stream Sediment And Poultry Litter In The Shenandoah Valley Of Virginia, Noah Greenman
Masters Theses, 2010-2019
Multidrug resistant Salmonella enterica present in stream sediment and poultry litter represent a critical health concern. A small number of S. enterica serotypes are responsible for most lab-confirmed infections in the US each year. To assess the prevalence of these significant strains, we isolated 88 S. enterica from stream sediment and poultry litter. Sequence data for all isolates were generated using an Illumina® sequencing platform, with long-reads for some isolates from the Oxford Nanopore MinION™ used in a hybrid genome assembly approach. Isolates were typed according to their serotype and multi-locus sequence type using SeqSero/SISTR and Enterobase respectively. Antibiotic resistance …
Population And Breeding Ecology Of Sagebrush Steppe Songbirds,
2019
University of Montana
Population And Breeding Ecology Of Sagebrush Steppe Songbirds, Kayla Ann Ruth
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Sagebrush steppe is one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Domestic livestock grazing is the dominant land use of sagebrush steppe across the west. Rest-rotation grazing systems can be a conservation management tool, most recently, by the Natural Resource Conservation Service - Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI). The goal of SGI is to encourage private landowners to use a livestock grazing regime that maintains or improves habitat for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), as well as improve rangeland productivity. Songbirds are biological indicators that can assess the health of sagebrush steppe. Avian adult density estimates are often used …
A Rapid And Accurate Minion-Based Workflow For Tracking Species Biodiversity In The Field,
2019
Ateneo de Manila University
A Rapid And Accurate Minion-Based Workflow For Tracking Species Biodiversity In The Field, Hendrik Freitag, Simone Maestri, Emanuela Cosentino, Marta Paterno, Jhoana M. Garces, Luca Marcolungo, Massimiliano Alfano, Iva Njunjić, Menno Schilthuizen, Ferry Slik, Michele Menegon, Marzia Rossato, Massimo Delledonne
Biology Faculty Publications
Genetic markers (DNA barcodes) are often used to support and confirm species identification. Barcode sequences can be generated in the field using portable systems based on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION sequencer. However, to achieve a broader application, current proof-of-principle workflows for on-site barcoding analysis must be standardized to ensure a reliable and robust performance under suboptimal field conditions without increasing costs. Here, we demonstrate the implementation of a new on-site workflow for DNA extraction, PCR-based barcoding, and the generation of consensus sequences. The portable laboratory features inexpensive instruments that can be carried as hand luggage and uses standard …
Examining The Effects Of Fadrozole, An Aromatase Inhibitor, On Testosterone And Estrogen Production Of Domestic Chicken Embryos (Gallus Gallus),
2019
Bucknell University
Examining The Effects Of Fadrozole, An Aromatase Inhibitor, On Testosterone And Estrogen Production Of Domestic Chicken Embryos (Gallus Gallus), Abby E. Joseph
Honors Theses
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is responsible for the production of the hormones testosterone and estradiol, and testosterone is thought to contribute to regulation of the axis through a negative feedback mechanism. Regulation by negative feedback involves the product of a pathway turning off that pathway when enough product is made. However, because the enzyme P450 aromatase converts testosterone to estradiol, estradiol may also contribute to regulation of the HPG axis and other phenomena that have been attributed to testosterone, like the inhibition of immune function. Previous studies have injected birds with an aromatase inhibitor (presumably reducing estradiol production) and shown …
The Role Of The Age/Rage Signaling Pathway In Cardiac Fibroblast Migration,
2019
University of Mississippi
The Role Of The Age/Rage Signaling Pathway In Cardiac Fibroblast Migration, Mallory B. Harmon
Honors Theses
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States with around 30 million who suffer from diabetes and 84 million who are considered pre-diabetic. Diabetic individuals are at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease due to a stiffening of the left ventricle, which is thought to occur through fibroblast “activation” mediated by increased AGE/RAGE signaling. Advanced glycated end products (AGEs) accumulate within the body overtime and are accelerated under hyperglycemic conditions, and AGEs exert their effects by binding to their receptor (RAGE). Fibroblast “activation” is marked by elevated levels of α-smooth muscle actin expression and …
The Developmental And Behavioral Effects Of Early Life Stage Cannabinoid Exposure,
2019
University of Mississippi
The Developmental And Behavioral Effects Of Early Life Stage Cannabinoid Exposure, Mariegene E. Almand
Honors Theses
As of 2019, marijuana legalization and decriminalization is sweeping the globe. Patients are increasingly using cannabis-derived compounds including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) for treatment of diseases as diverse as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. Furthermore, mothers are claiming that CBD oil decreases uncomfortable pregnancy side effects. While the adverse effects of chronic cannabinoid use and of cannabinoids on pregnancy have been previously investigated, the exact function of the endocannabinoid system, and its primary receptors, cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, involved in producing these outcomes is still unclear. In this study, two strains of zebrafish embryos, namely fli and cnr2-/- …
Plant Hormone Signaling Lab Module,
2019
The University of Akron
Plant Hormone Signaling Lab Module, Olivia Snyder
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Course material for universities constantly needs updating and refinement. One area that required new material at The University of Akron was the Principles of Biology II course, specifically in the laboratory section. A new laboratory module was created and centered around hormone signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. Brassinosteroid mutants were used to show students the event hormones had on plants. Students were to test root lengths by completing growth plate analysis.
Healthcare Practices Related To Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome,
2019
University of Mississippi
Healthcare Practices Related To Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Muriel Mikayla Johnson
Honors Theses
The incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is abounding in hospitals across the nation due to the recent surge in opioid abuse. This thesis explores the variation in protocols and guidelines used by healthcare practitioners concerning NAS. This study consisted of a literature review as well as observations and interviews with healthcare practitioners in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). The literature review revealed there has been a greater increase in NAS among rural areas, and there is currently no national standardized protocol for the treatment of NAS. Field notes taken during the interviews and observations confirmed the literature in that …
The Effects Of Retrieval Strategy On A Collaborative Reconstruction Task,
2019
University of Mississippi
The Effects Of Retrieval Strategy On A Collaborative Reconstruction Task, Amanda M. Bullock
Honors Theses
The purpose of the present experiment was to explore the effects of using various retrieval strategies on a collaborative reconstruction task. More specifically, we sought to determine the extent to which the Retrieval Strategy Disruption Hypothesis (RSD) could explain the effects of collaborative inhibition on such tasks. Collaborative inhibition is observed when collaborative group performance is lower than the pooled performance of an identical number of individuals working alone (nominal groups). The RSD hypothesis suggests that one group member’s output disrupts another group member’s idiosyncratic retrieval strategy leading to poorer performance relative to individuals working alone. In the present study, …
Effects Of Kanglaite, An Anticancer Herbal Medicine, On Breast Cancer Cell Metabolism,
2019
University of Mississippi
Effects Of Kanglaite, An Anticancer Herbal Medicine, On Breast Cancer Cell Metabolism, Sarah A. Hillhouse
Honors Theses
Kanglaite (KLT) is an anticancer herbal medicine developed in China that consists of mainly fatty acid triglycerides from Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. mayuen (Roman.) Stapf. In this study, we analyzed the effects of KLT on normal versus breast cancer cell metabolism using the C2C12, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Each cell line was divided into controls (n=3), cells with 1 μM of rotenone (n=2), or cells 0.3%, 1%, and 1.72% KLT concentrations. Cells were cultured in serum containing regular FCS and serum containing charcoal-stripped FCS in order to examine the full effects of KLT on the cell. Cell energy phenotype …
Fungal-Algal Speed Dating: Exploring Symbiotic Potential Of Fungal-Algal Cocultures,
2019
University of Mississippi
Fungal-Algal Speed Dating: Exploring Symbiotic Potential Of Fungal-Algal Cocultures, Natalie S. Williams
Honors Theses
Symbiotic relationships are widely studied phenomena in the biological world. Of particular interest are the ubiquitous relationships that exist between fungi and photoautotrophs. While much is known about the commonly occurring interactions that persist between fungi and a wide range of terrestrial plants, we are interested in exploring the symbiotic capacity between fungi and earlier diverging lineages of the plant kingdom, notably green algae. We developed an experiment to allow for a medium-throughput analysis of fungal-algal interactions using three model green algae: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella vulgaris, and Penium margaritaceum. With numerous replicated assays, these algae were individually paired with a …
Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of A Recombinant Simian Varicella Virus Vaccine Expressing Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Envelope And Capsid Proteins,
2019
University of Mississippi
Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of A Recombinant Simian Varicella Virus Vaccine Expressing Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Envelope And Capsid Proteins, Thomas G. Wichman
Honors Theses
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects CD4+ T-lymphocytes, which when left untreated, later develops into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Up to 25,000 people die every week from AIDS infection, making HIV and AIDS research a very high priority for virologists. While highly researched by scholars around the world, no person has been able to develop a successful vaccine, as the retroviral nature of the virus and its high mutation rate make vaccine development incredibly difficult. However, recombinant genetic technology will hopefully allow the revolutionization of vaccines which have already proven effective in immunization. The already developed varicella-zoster …
Canis Lupus (Gray Wolf) Pup Survival In Yellowstone National Park,
2019
University of Montana, Missoula
Canis Lupus (Gray Wolf) Pup Survival In Yellowstone National Park, Anne Marie Jehle
Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts
The aim of this study was to describe gray wolf (Canis lupus) pup survival rates throughout the summer months in Yellowstone National Park. Understanding pup survival has implications for trends in pack and population age structure, cooperative breeding ecology and other breeding tendencies, social hierarchies, and population fitness, among other elements of species-specific population ecology. A general understanding of trends in pup survival is also relevant to state and federal land that allow gray wolf harvest. Understanding such trends and survival ecology gives managers and biologists the opportunity to evaluate gray wolf populations at a more comprehensive level and implement …
Characterization Of Chromosomal Translocations In A Group Of Killifish Species By Using Genome-Wide High-Density Snp Mapping Approach,
2019
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Characterization Of Chromosomal Translocations In A Group Of Killifish Species By Using Genome-Wide High-Density Snp Mapping Approach, Naznin Sultana Remex
Masters Theses
"The role of chromosomal rearrangements in reproductive isolation and introgression between species is poorly understood. In heterozygous form, rearrangements may directly interrupt meiotic progression leading to partial sterility/subfertility (underdominance) or may suppress local meiotic segregation (recombination suppression). Such unbalanced meiotic segregation may also result in reproductive isolation and play roles as a driving force of speciation. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the pattern of chromosomal rearrangements in two closely related killifish species in the genus Fundulus (F. notatus, and F. olivaceus) by constructing genetic linkage maps using high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) …
Bird Window Strikes On A College Campus: Mortality Estimates And Possible Mitigation,
2019
Georgia Southern University
Bird Window Strikes On A College Campus: Mortality Estimates And Possible Mitigation, Antarius D. Mclain
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Understanding the impact that human development has on wildlife populations is essential to preserving biodiversity. Bird populations are a good indicator of anthropogenic threats because they are sensitive to environmental change. Window strikes are a major source of mortality for bird populations. Studies have begun to monitor factors that cause window strikes and estimate the amount of birds killed annually by strikes. However, these estimates can be greatly affected by site dependent variables and scavenging of carcasses. My study addresses this issue by answering four questions: First, how many birds are killed annually on campus? Second, what factors complicate making …
White-Nose Syndrome And Immune Responses In A Resistant Bat Species (Eptesicus Fuscus),
2019
Missouri State University
White-Nose Syndrome And Immune Responses In A Resistant Bat Species (Eptesicus Fuscus), Keslie Skye Naffa
MSU Graduate Theses
White-nose syndrome (WNS) has had a large negative impact on bat populations across eastern North America since its arrival in 2006. Bats affected by WNS appear to die of starvation, possibly due to the increased arousals during hibernation when there is no food present to replace the energy used to arouse. During hibernation, the bat’s immune system should be suppressed. However, once a bat of a susceptible species is exposed to the fungus that causes WNS, Psuedogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the immune system seems to respond, potentially causing an elevation in metabolic rate, which may cause the bat to …
