Digital Commons Network^™

Emerald Bowfin Amia Ocellicauda Ecology In Three Minnesota Lakes: Abundance, Age Analysis, Diet Composition, And Stable Isotope Food Web, Griffin Blegen

Biology Graduate Theses

The Emerald Bowfin Amia ocellicauda is a predatory fish species native to Minnesota that has often been discriminated against. This research expands ecological knowledge of Bowfin in Minnesota and provides population data to guide future management. Bowfin were sampled in the spring of 2024 and 2025 and a multi-census mark–recapture model was used to estimate abundance in three lakes. Estimated populations were 196 individuals in Little Toad Lake (95% CI: 116, 242) or 4.4 fish/littoral ha (95% CI: 2.7,5.7), 657 in Lake Sarah (95% CI: 436, 1014) or 4.2 fish/littoral ha (95% CI: 3.0, 6.7), and 612 in Gun Lake …

Regulation Of Zygotic Genome Activation By The Nucleocytoplasmic Ratio, Lily Acker, Hui Chen

Faculty Publications

During early development, embryos undergo the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), when control of development shifts from maternal factors to the newly activated zygotic genome. Decades of studies in various model organisms suggest that the nucleocytoplasmic (N/C) ratio is a key regulator of zygotic genome activation (ZGA), though this relationship is more nuanced in some organisms than others. Changing the nuclear content, nucleus size or cell size has been shown to shift the timing of ZGA. Mechanistically, the N/C ratio is linked to fundamental cellular processes that regulate genome activities, including nuclear import, repressor titration, activator accumulation, cell cycle lengthening, and chromatin …

What Is Alive? Students’ Conceptions Of The Traits That Unite Living Organisms, Jeremy L. Hsu, Meredith A. Dorner, Kate Hill

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Biology is the study of life, but students often hold misconceptions about what it means to be alive, with children often associating life with movement. These misconceptions can lead to biases in what students think is alive, with younger children often not thinking of plants as living given their lack of discernable movement. Despite this past work, there have been no prior studies that we are aware of that have examined how students in introductory biology conceptualize what it means to be alive. Here, we draw upon a fortuitous dataset collected from an in-class activity done on the first day …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 151 - Response To 2025 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Brett Crisafulli, Emily A. Fisher, Matias Braccini, Rubie Evans-Powell, Fabian I. Trinnie, Ainslie Denham, S. A. Hesp

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Consistent with national trends, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is transitioning to the globally recognised Stock Synthesis (SS) platform to support more robust, transparent, and internationally aligned assessments. To ensure this transition remains scientifically sound, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review in 2025, following a previous review in 2024. The 2025 review was conducted by Professor André Punt and focused on integrated models for three key WA fish stocks: red emperor in the Kimberley, WA dhufish in the southern West Coast Bioregion, and sandbar shark at the statewide level. This publication summarises the findings and recommendations …

Targeting Hypothalamic Oxidative Stress And Neuroinflammation: A Novel Neuroprotective Role For Annona Muricata Seed Extract In Aluminium- Induced Alzheimer-Like Neurodegeneration, O. A Bamgbose, O. D Akanji, P. B Fakunle, D. O Taiwo-Ola, K. O Odubela, E. O Olayemi, B. A Akanbi, B. M David

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder involving oxidative stress and neuroinflammation beyond classical hippocampal pathology. The hypothalamus, a key regulator of metabolic and neuroendocrine homeostasis, remains comparatively underexplored in experimental AD models. This study investigated the effects of aqueous Annona muricata seed extract (SSE) on hypothalamic oxidative injury in an aluminium chloride (AlCl₃)-induced Alzheimer's disease–like model in Wistar rats. Adult Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 5): control, AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg), SSE alone (200 mg/kg), AlCl₃ + SSE, and AlCl₃ + donepezil (10 …

Spiny Dogfish (Sqaulus Acanthias) Jaw, Courtney R. Schober, Sophia R. Oliveira, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Leaf Droppage Delayed In Sugar Maple Trees On An Urban To Rural Gradient, Isabella S. Bastien, Isabella Bastien

The Cardinal Edge

This study investigates the timing of leaf abscission in Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) trees along an urban-to-rural gradient in Louisville, Kentucky, to determine how proximity to urban environments influences leaf drop. We hypothesized that urban trees would retain their leaves longer than suburban or rural trees due to environmental stressors and tested this using weekly leaf collection and canopy cover measurements from three locations—urban, suburban, and rural. Results showed that urban trees exhibited delayed leaf drop and slower canopy opening compared to suburban and rural trees. These findings suggest that urban stressors significantly alter tree phenology, which may signal underlying …

Asimina Triloba (L.) Dunal: The Complete Story Of America’S Forgotten Fruit, Autumn M. Howard

The Cardinal Edge

Asimina triloba, commonly known as the pawpaw, is a unique and historically significant native fruit tree of the eastern United States. This research paper explores the taxonomy, botanical description, distribution, habitat requirements, ecological interactions, economic importance, and reproductive biology of A. triloba. The species is distinguished by its tropical-flavored fruits, adaptation to temperate climates, and reliance on clonal reproduction and specific insect pollinators. While offering promising opportunities for sustainable agriculture and riparian restoration, A. triloba faces challenges related to limited seed dispersal, susceptibility to certain pests and diseases, and the presence of neurotoxic compounds. Despite its historical importance …

Cannibalism, Predation, And Refuges Of Juvenile Blue Crabsfrom A 37–Year Experiment, Anson H. Hines, Margaret A. Kramer, Kimberly D. Richie, L. David Smith, Robert Aguilar, Matthew B. Ogburn, Eric G. Johnson, Gregory M. Ruiz

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

This 37-y record (1989–2025) of field experiments tested seasonal and annual variation in predation on juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in a representative mesohaline site of Chesapeake Bay, USA, where the species is a dominant epibenthic predator and major fishery. We used replicated sets of individually tethered crabs to provide a relative index of lethal and sublethal predation rates on intermolt individuals as a function of size and habitats. Cannibalism by large adult crabs accounted for>97% of predation of juvenile crabs; predation by fish was not observed; and mortality from physiological stress was rare (< 1%). Sampling by depth showed that juveniles occurred in nearshore shallows, while adults were in deeper water. Cannibalism was also depth-dependent: Rates were high at 75 cm depth; intermediate at 40cm; and lowest at 15 cm shallows, which provided partial refuge. Cannibalism was size-dependent: 30 to 50 mm juveniles experienced high rates of predation; 90 to 110mm preadults had low rates; and >120 mm adults …

The Sortee Guidelines For Data And Code Quality Control In Ecology And Evolutionary Biology, Joel L. Pick, Bethany J. Allen, Benedicte Bachelot, Kevin R. Bairos-Novak, Jack A. Brand, Barbara Class, Tad Dallas, Pietro B. D'Amelio, Erola Fenollosa, Esteban Fernández-Juricic, Dylan G. Gomes, Matthew J. Grainger, Thomas Guillemaud, John Christian, Ruby Krasnow, Malgorzata Lagisz, Sebastian Lequime, Daniel S. Maynard, Shinichi Nakagawa, Rose E. O'Dea, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

Open data and code are crucial to increasing transparency and reproducibility, and in building trust in scientific research. However, despite an increasing number of journals in ecology and evolutionary biology mandating for data and code to be archived alongside published articles, the amount and quality of archived data and code, and subsequent reproducibility of results, has remained worryingly low. As a result, a handful of journals have recruited dedicated data editors, whose role is to help authors increase the overall quality of archived data and code. There is, however, a general lack of consensus around what a data editor should …

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo Cuvier) Jaw, Nicholas D. Burchett, Jade Mells, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Blue Shark (Prionace Glauca) Jaw, Nicholas D. Burchett, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Synergistic Microbiome-Peptidome Therapeutics: Exploring Lactobacillus Reuteri Dsmz 17648 And Stem Cell-Derived Peptides For Immunomodulation And Tissue Repair Across Diseases, Hasan M. Agha, Mohammed A. Abdalqader, Abdullah Asad Siddiqui, Shafiq Aazmi, Jantson Hoh, Oh Chin Kin Michelle, Sabaa M. Agha, Amjad Abdulhadi Mohammed, Muneer Mohammed Saleh Alsayadi

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Chronic inflammatory and degenerative disorders are driven by interconnected immune dysregulation, metabolic instability, epithelial barrier disruption, and impaired tissue repair, limiting the durability of conventional single-target therapies. The global rise in chronic inflammatory, metabolic, and age-related degenerative diseases underscores an urgent need for multi-dimensional therapeutic strategies that move beyond isolated molecular targets. Despite rapid advances in microbiome science and regenerative medicine, these fields have largely evolved in parallel, with limited integration at the translational level. Emerging evidence identifies the gut microbiome as a central regulator of systemic immunometabolic homeostasis through microbial metabolites, barrier integrity modulation, and immune-cell education. In parallel, …

Polyherbal Phytochemicals As Multi-Target Inhibitors Of Key Breast Cancer Proteins: A Computational Approach, Nadia Wahyuningsih, Nashi Widodo, Sri Rahayu, Muhaimin Rifa’I

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Breast cancer is a primary worldwide health concern, and conventional therapies often cause side effects. This study was performed to investigate the therapeutic potential of a polyherbal formulation containing Curcuma longa, Phyllanthus niruri, Ziziphus mauritiana, Nigella sativa, and Annona muricata as multi-target inhibitors against breast cancer protein targets using molecular docking and molecular dynamics in silico approach. Bioactive compounds were analyzed using Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to identify the extract's phytochemicals. The compounds were examined for drug-likeness, membrane permeability, bioactivity, and toxicity. The inhibitory ability against the proto-oncogene pathway, which is commonly dysregulated and mutated in breast cancer, …

Cis-Regulatory Evolution Of Wnt Family Genes Contributes To A Morphological Difference Between Silkworm Species, Kenta Tomihara, Ana Pinharanda, Young Mi Kwon, Andrew M. Taverner, Laura S. Kors, Matthew L. Aardema, Julia C. Holder, Lin Poyraz, Takashi Kiuchi, Peter Andolfatto

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Closely related species often exhibit distinct morphologies that can contribute to species-specific adaptations and reproductive isolation. One example is Lepidopteran caterpillar appendages, such as the “caudal horn” of Bombycoidea moths, which have evolved substantial morphological diversity among species in this group. Using interspecific crosses, we identify the genetic basis of the caudal horn size difference between Bombyx mori and its closest relative Bombyx mandarina. The three largest of eight QTL account for one third the mean horn length difference between the species. The largest of these, on chromosome 4, encompasses a conserved Wnt family gene cluster, key upstream regulators …

Waste-To-Energy Innovations And Advances In Hydrothermal Carbonization, Microwave, And Pyrolysis Processes: A Review, Ali Mohammed Saleh, Noah Mohammed Saleh, Mahmod A. Abdulqader, Hadi Hamdi Mahdi, Jafar Keighobadi, Omar K. Ahmed, Khalil Farhan Yassin, Azil Bahari Bin Alias, Omar Abed Habeeb, Ibrahim Awad Mohammed

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

The accelerating global generation of municipal solid waste, coupled with escalating energy demands, presents one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Conventional waste disposal pathways, such as landfilling and incineration, exacerbate environmental degradation and resource loss. In response, thermochemical technologies—specifically hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), microwave-assisted processing, and pyrolysis—have emerged as promising strategies for waste valorization and renewable energy recovery. This review critically examines recent advancements in these technologies, emphasizing their roles in converting diverse waste streams into high-value energy carriers and carbon-rich materials. Comparative analysis reveals that HTC operates efficiently under subcritical water conditions, producing hydrochar with …

Stemflow Dynamics In The Jamari National Forest (Brazilian Amazon): Ii. Solute Concentrations And Flux Dynamics, Jeferson Alberto De Lima, John T. Van Stan Ii, Karolina Lewińska, Agnieszka Dradrach, Jakub Ceglarek, Kelly Cristina Tonello

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

Trees can redirect large volumes of rainwater to the base of their stems. This stemflow not only redistributes water but also channels canopy-derived solutes to the forest floor. Building on research showing canopy geometry and bark properties govern stemflow volumes, we examined how those same traits modulate the biogeochemical side of this flux. Over a 12-month period in Jamari National Forest (Brazil), we quantified stemflow volume and solute chemistry for 19 trees grouped by diameter at breast height (D: < 10, 10-20 and > 20 cm), crown area (CA: < 30, 30-60 and > 60 m(2)) and bark texture (smooth, fissured and rough). Small-stemmed, smooth-barked trees produced the greatest stemflow …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 150 - Response To 2024 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Rubie Evans-Powell, S. A. Hesp, Ainslie Denham, Emily A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, Fabian I. Trinnie, Brett Crisafulli

Fisheries Occasional Publications

In Western Australia (WA), stock assessments for key demersal species, including snapper and red emperor, have traditionally used bespoke integrated models developed in-house by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). In line with other Australian jurisdictions, DPIRD is transitioning to Stock Synthesis (SS) as its primary platform for integrated stock assessments of WA finfish. To support this transition, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review of recent integrated models applied to three demersal stocks. This publication responds to recommendations from Professor André Punt (University of Washington and CSIRO) in his 2024 review, which examined assessments for Pilbara red …

Demography And Dispersal Influence The Relationship Between Habitat Suitability And Population Density, Cleber Ten Caten, Tad Dallas

Faculty Publications

A central goal of ecology is to understand spatial patterns of species densities. Habitat suitability estimates from species distribution models (SDMs) could be used to represent species density and overcome the scarcity of density data. However, there is mixed evidence that habitat suitability is a reliable descriptor of density, and it is suggested that local dynamics affect the relationship between habitat suitability and density. We simulated population dynamics for 200 virtual species considering different combinations of factors (demographic stochasticity, dispersal, and intraspecific competition) that affect population sizes and SDMs were trained using different sets of environmental predictors to evaluate when …

Evolutionary Conservation Of Midline Axon Guidance Activity Between Drosophila And Tribolium Frazzled, Piyasi Ghosh, Benjamin C. Wadsworth, Logan Terry, Timothy A. Evans

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The regulation of midline crossing of axons is of fundamental importance for the proper development of nervous system connectivity in bilaterian animals. A number of conserved axon guidance signaling pathways coordinate to attract or repel axons at the nervous system midline to ensure the proper regulation of midline crossing. The attractive Netrin-Frazzled/DCC (Net-Fra) signaling pathway is widely conserved among bilaterians, but it is not clear whether the mechanisms by which Net and Fra promote midline crossing are also conserved. In Drosophila, Fra can promote midline crossing via Netrin-dependent and Netrin-independent mechanisms, by acting as a canonical midline attractive receptor and …

Trophic Structure And Mercury Bioaccumulation In Walleye And Yellow Perch In The Upper And Lower Red Lake Basins, Marissa Pribyl

Biology Graduate Theses

Mercury is a persistent global contaminant that biomagnifies through aquatic food webs, with dietary and environmental factors serving as the primary drivers of accumulation in fishes. Trophic structure and methylmercury dynamics in Walleye (ogaa; Sander vitreus) and Yellow Perch (asaawens; Perca flavescens) were investigated in the Upper and Lower Red Lake basins in Red Lake, Minnesota, during 2024-2025. Diets of Walleye and Yellow Perch were assessed through stomach dissections, and tissue samples from both species were analyzed for total mercury concentrations. Additional analyses included shiners (gigoozens; Notropis spp., Hudsonius spp.) along with a variety of freshwater fish and …

Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae) Chondocranium, Morgan Indyk, Sarah Hendricks, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Ant Queens Divide Tasks Among Themselves To Maximize Efficiency In Multi-Queen Colonies, Ian Brush

Research on Capitol Hill

Before workers arrive, founding queens must sustain the colony on their own. In single-queen colonies, one queen performs all necessary tasks. In contrast, when several queens co-found a colony, their contributions often differ: some queens invest more in egg-laying, while others devote more effort to brood care or nest maintenance.

We Can Use Coyotes As A Model To Understand How Social Loss Alters The Brain, Rebekah Rowe

Research on Capitol Hill

While we understand some factors that increase psychological distress for grieving individuals, little is known about this biological basis.

Selenium-Thioredoxin Axis Contributes To Ferroptosis Resistance In Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Arslan Amer, Micah Olamide Idowu, Aqsa Ahsan, Alyssa A. Abbas, Tahiyat Alothaim, Xiaohu Tang

Michigan Tech Publications

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) shows substantial heterogeneity in cysteine dependence and ferroptosis sensitivity. We identify two PDAC subtypes distinguished by EMT status: mesenchymal-like cells are highly cysteine-dependent and rapidly undergo ferroptosis upon cystine deprivation or system xc⁻ inhibition, whereas epithelial-type cells are ferroptosis-resistant. Selenium supplementation protects cells from erastin-induced ferroptosis, and this protection persists even when intracellular glutathione (GSH) is depleted, supporting an additional GPX4-independent protective mechanism. Sepp1 knockdown does not alter sensitivity, indicating that selenium’s protective effect is independent of Sepp1. Instead, epithelial-type cells rely on both cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin reductases (TrxR1 and TrxR2) to maintain ferroptosis …

Recent Advances In The Pharmacological Properties Of Scutellarin: Mechanistic Insights And Therapeutic Potential, Hind A. Satar, Emad Yousif, Ahmed Ahmed, Muna Bufaroosha

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Scutellarin, a flavonoid glycoside primarily derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, has garnered increasing scientific interest for its multifaceted pharmacological properties. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of scutellarin's therapeutic effects, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and anticancer activities. Emphasis is placed on elucidating its molecular mechanisms of action, such as modulation of the NF-κB, Nrf2, and PI3K/Akt pathways, and its role in regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Additionally, we discuss formulation innovations, including nanoparticle and liposomal delivery systems, aimed at overcoming scutellarin's poor oral bioavailability and enhancing therapeutic performance. Key limitations in current research …

Molecular Detection Of Genes Encoded For Biofilm Formation In Bacteria Isolated From The Oral Cavity Of Patients, Tebarek Al-Taei, Ali A. Al-Hisnawi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: A biofilm is a collection of the microbial cells attached to the surface that are encased in a matrix of extracellular polymers. Biofilm formation creates a physical and chemical barrier that prevents antibiotics from reaching bacterial cells, resulting in treatment failure and reinfection. The present study aimed to investigate the biofilm formation in bacteria isolated from the oral cavity of patients.

Methods: In this study, 150 bacterial isolates were obtained from tooth and gum surface swabs of male and female patients of different ages who visited specialized centers and dental clinics in Babylon City after they were clinically diagnosed …

Structural And Mechanical Properties Facilitate Shock Wave Damping By Helmet-Like Orbital Hoods In Snapping Shrimp, Mia Kazel, Rebekah E. Cammack, Alexandra C.N. Kingston, Ahmed A. Alshareef, Tarek Shazly, Daniel Isaac Speiser

Faculty Publications

Snapping shrimp damp the shock waves they produce and use as weapons with a helmet-like structure termed the orbital hood. Here, we ask how structural and material properties contribute to shock wave damping by orbital hoods in Alpheus heterochaelis. Using tensile mechanical testing, we find orbital hoods are approximately half as stiff as carapace and have twice the capacity for viscous energy dissipation. Microstructural features probably contribute to tissue-specific mechanical properties: the endocuticles of orbital hoods have almost twice as many lamellae as those of carapaces despite being half as thick, suggesting a mechanism for enhanced material mobility underlying …

Discovery Of Horsfieldia Macrothyrsa Bioactives With Cytotoxic Effects On Breast Cancer Cells Through In Vitro And Docking Analyses, Megawati Megawati, Akhmad Darmawan, Agus Budiawan Naro Putra, Kartika Dyah Palupi, Marissa Angelina, Ahmad Randy, Siska Andrina Kusumastuti, Faris Hermawan, Sumi Hudiyono

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and biological activities of Horsfieldia macrothyrsa leaves to identify their bioactive compounds. Methanol extracts were fractionated using n-hexane and ethyl acetate, followed by silica gel column chromatography with a stepwise polarity gradient. From 100 g of powdered leaves, three major    compounds were successfully isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction: 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-1-one (1), sesamin (2), and β-sitosterol (3). Their chemical structures were confirmed using UV, IR, LC–MS/MS, and NMR  spectroscopy. Biological activities of the fractions and isolates were evaluated through DPPH antioxidant assays, α-glucosidase inhibition for antidiabetic activity, MTT …

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus Leucas) Jaw, Roman Devlin, Jade A. Mells, Rileigh Gonzalez, Nicholas D. Burchett, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.