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The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Oil Identification Of Harp Seal And Other Select Marine Mammals, Meghan Pinedo, Deborah A. Duffield, Dalin N. D’Alessandro, Erin R. Price, Edgard O. Espinoza

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Because of the rich omega-3 fatty acids content, harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) oil is a popular supplement that is packaged as pills in Canada and sold for medicinal purposes, although this practice is banned in the United States. Due to US regulations, it is important to be able to distinguish between fish oil and seal oil, but the taxonomic determination of oils provenance has been a difficult problem to solve. In this study, Direct Analysis in Real Time time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART TOFMS) was used to analyze the chemotypes of blubber samples collected from seven species of …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No.147 - Aquaculture Development Zones – Policy Position Relating To Permitted Alternative Species, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The purpose of this policy is to set out considerations relevant to the assessment of aquaculture proposals within Aquaculture Development Zones (ADZ) for species distinct from the group of species for which the ADZ was initially established (Alternative Species).

Population-Level Immunologic Variation In Wild Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus), Anika M. Wohlleben, Javier F. Tabima, Néva P. Meyer, Natalie C. Steinel

Biology

Wild organisms are regularly exposed to a wide range of parasites, requiring the management of an effective immune response while avoiding immunopathology. Currently, our knowledge of immunoparasitology primarily derives from controlled laboratory studies, neglecting the genetic and environmental diversity that contribute to immune phenotypes observed in wild populations. To gain insight into the immunologic variability in natural settings, we examined differences in immune gene expression of two Alaskan stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations with varying susceptibility to infection by the cestode Schistocephalus solidus. Between these two populations, we found distinct immune gene expression patterns at the population level in response to …

Tango2 Deficiency Disease Is Predominantly Caused By A Lipid Imbalance, Michael Sacher, Jay Deloriea, Mahsa Mehranfar, Cody Casey, Aaliya Naaz, Samuel J. Mackenzie, Chiara Gamberi

Biology

TANGO2 deficiency disease (TDD) is a rare genetic disorder estimated to affect ∼8000 individuals worldwide. It causes neurodegeneration often accompanied by potentially lethal metabolic crises that are triggered by diet or illness. Recent work has demonstrated distinct lipid imbalances in multiple model systems either depleted for or devoid of the TANGO2 protein, including human cells, fruit flies and zebrafish. Importantly, vitamin B5 supplementation has been shown to rescue TANGO2 deficiency-associated defects in flies and human cells. The notion that vitamin B5 is needed for synthesis of the lipid precursor coenzyme A (CoA) corroborates the hypothesis that key aspects of TDD …

Development Of Platinum(Iv)-Gold(I)-Based Anticancer Agents, Javier E. Lopez-Hernandez

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Heterometallic compounds have emerged as prospective multitarget anticancer drugs. These species may display improved efficacy and physicochemical properties compared to the individual metallic fragments, while helping combat drug resistance by exerting effects on multiple pathways. In this thesis we describe the synthesis of new bi- and tri-metallic compounds based on platinum(IV) compounds containing FDA-approved platinum agents, and gold(I) derivatives with known anticancer properties. We demonstrate their toxicity and selectivity against a small panel of renal, bladder, ovarian, and breast cancer cell lines, as well as their synergistic effects. We have selected a trinuclear PtAu₂compound containing the Pt(IV) core …

Structural Heterogeneity Predicts Ecological Resistance And Resilience To Wildfire In Arid Shrublands, Andrii Zaiats, Megan E. Cattau, David S. Pilliod, Rongsong Liu, Patricia Kaye T. Dumandan, Ahmad Hojatimalekshah, Donna M. Delparte, T. Trevor Caughlin

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Context Dynamic feedbacks between physical structure and ecological function drive ecosystem productivity, resilience, and biodiversity maintenance. Detailed maps of canopy structure enable comprehensive evaluations of structure–function relationships. However, these relationships are scale-dependent, and identifying relevant spatial scales to link structure to function remains challenging.

Objectives We identified optimal scales to relate structure heterogeneity to ecological resistance, measured as the impacts of wildfire on canopy structure, and ecological resilience, measured as native shrub recruitment. We further investigated whether structural heterogeneity can aid spatial predictions of shrub recruitment.

Methods Using high-resolution imagery from unoccupied aerial systems (UAS), we mapped structural heterogeneity across …

Male Song Structure Predicts Offspring Recruitment To The Breeding Population In A Migratory Bird, Rachael A. Disciullo, Anna M. Forsman, Robert R. Fitak, John Hunt, Pirmin Nietlisbach, Charles F. Thompson, Scott K. Sakaluk

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Bird song is a classic example of a sexually selected trait, but much of the work relating individual song components to fitness has not accounted for song typically being composed of multiple, often-correlated components, necessitating a multivariate approach. We explored the role of sexual selection in shaping the complex male song of house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) by simultaneously relating its multiple components to fitness using multivariate selection analysis, which is widely used in insect and anuran studies but not in birds. The analysis revealed significant variation in the form and strength of selection acting on song across different …

(R2071) Global Stability Analysis Of Chikv Dynamics Model With Adaptive Immunity And Distributed Time Delays, Taofeek O. Alade, Samson Olaniyi, Hassan A. Idris, Yaqoob Al Rahbi, Mohammad Alnegga

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

The application of mathematical biology and dynamical systems has proven to be an effective approach for studying viral infection models. To contribute to this research, our paper proposes a new CHIKV model that takes into account an adaptive immune response and distributed time delays, which accurately reflects the time lag between initial viral contacts and the production of new active CHIKV particles. By analyzing the model’s qualitative behavior, we establish a biological threshold number that can predict whether CHIKV will be cleared from or persist in the body. We demonstrate the global stability of both CHIKV-present and CHIKV-free steady states …

The Value Of Support: Stem Intervention Programs Impact Student Persistence And Belonging., Erin E. Shortlidge, Mackenzie J. Gray, Suzanne Estes, Emma C. Goodwin

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

In response to unwaveringly high attrition from STEM pathways, STEM Intervention Programs (SIPs) support STEM students in effort to increase retention. Using mixed methods (survey and focus groups), we studied students at one university who were either supported or unsupported by SIPs to understand how students may differ in experiences believed to contribute to STEM persistence. We evaluated: sense of belonging, scientific self-efficacy, scientific community values, scientific identity, and STEM involvement. The enrollment status of students two and a half years postsurvey was also tracked. SIP students reported significantly higher science identity and sense of belonging and were more involved …

Root Nodules Of Red Alder (Alnus Rubra) And Sitka Alder (Alnus Viridis Ssp. Sinuata) Are Inhabited By Taxonomically Diverse Cultivable Microbial Endophytes, Robyn Dove, Emily R. Wolfe, Nathan U. Stewart, Abigail Coleman, Sara Herrejon Chavez, Daniel J. Ballhorn

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The root nodules of actinorhizal plants are home to nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbionts, known as Frankia, along with a small percentage of other microorganisms. These include fungal endophytes and non-Frankia bacteria. The taxonomic and functional diversity of the microbial consortia within these root nodules is not well understood. In this study, we surveyed and analyzed the cultivable, non-Frankia fungal and bacterial endophytes of root nodules from red and Sitka alder trees that grow together. We examined their taxonomic diversity, co-occurrence, differences between hosts, and potential functional roles. For the first time, we are reporting numerous fungal endophytes of alder root nodules. …

Evolution And Adaptation To Temperature In Thermotogota, Anne Amelia Farrell

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Life thrives across incredibly diverse environmental conditions, yet most organisms are restricted to growing within a narrow range around their optimum growth temperature (OGT). The evolutionary events leading to changes in OGT are poorly understood, and it is uncertain if specific genes are required to thrive at a particular temperature. The bacterial phylum Thermotogota is an excellent model for the evolution of OGT. It comprises mesophilic, thermophilic, and hyperthermophilic members that collectively grow between 20°C and 90°C.

In this work, I analyze the history of OGT in the Thermotogota phylum and show how horizontal gene transfer contributes to the evolution …

Draft Genomes Of Two Enterobacter Hormaechei Strains Isolated From Catheterized Urine Samples From Females Experiencing Overactive Bladder Symptoms, Helen Appleberry, Richa Patel, Kanishka Singh, Alan J. Wolfe, Catherine Putonti, Alex Kula

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

In this study, we present the draft genome of two Enterobacter hormaechei strains isolated from catheterized urine specimens from females with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Through the sequencing of these E. hormaechei strains, we aim to better understand its presence and putative role in OAB in the female urinary tract.

Effects Of Food Supplementation And Helminth Removal On Space Use And Spatial Overlap In Wild Rodent Populations, Janine Mistrick, Jasmin S.M. Veitch, Shannon M. Kitchen, Samuel Clague, Brent C. Newman, Richard J. Hall, Sarah A. Budischak, Kristian M. Forbes, Megan E. Craft

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

• Animal space use and spatial overlap can have important consequences for population-level processes such as social interactions and pathogen transmission. Identifying how environmental variability and inter-individual variation affect spatial patterns and in turn influence interactions in animal populations is a priority for the study of animal behaviour and disease ecology. Environmental food availability and macroparasite infection are common drivers of variation, but there are few experimental studies investigating how they affect spatial patterns of wildlife.
• Bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) are a tractable study system to investigate spatial patterns of wildlife and are amenable to experimental manipulations. We conducted …

The Unexpected Influence Of Legacy Conspecific Density Dependence, Lukas J. Magee, Joseph A. Lamanna, Amy T. Wolf, Robert W. Howe, Yuanming Lu, Denis Valle, Daniel J. B. Smith, Robert Bagchi, David Bauman, Daniel J. Johnson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

When plants die, neighbours escape competition. Living conspecifics could disproportionately benefit because they are freed from negative intraspecific processes; however, if the negative effects of past conspecific neighbours persist, other species might be advantaged, and diversity might be maintained through legacy effects. We examined legacy effects in a mapped forest by modelling the survival of 37,212 trees of 23 species using four neighbourhood properties: living conspecific, living heterospecific, legacy conspecific (dead conspecifics) and legacy heterospecific densities. Legacy conspecific effects proved nearly four times stronger than living conspecific effects; changes in annual survival associated with legacy conspecific density were 1.5% greater …

Bacillary Angiomatosis In A Patient With Hiv And Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection, Ibeth P Caceres, Angelique Ruml, Rubi Montejano, Omid Jalali, Theodore Rosen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Bartonella is a genus of arthropod-borne bacterial pathogens that typically cause persistent infections of erythrocytes and endothelial cells in mammalian hosts. The species that primarily infect humans are Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana. Depending on immune status, the clinical presentation of B. henselae may differ, manifesting as cat-scratch disease in immunocompetent individuals or bacillary angiomatosis (BA) and peliosis in immunocompromised patients. The cutaneous manifestations of BA are typically characterized by occasionally painful, angiomatous papules and nodules, often with a chronic, persistent course. Herein, we present a case of biopsy-confirmed B. henselae infection in a 32-year-old HIV-positive female with acquired immunodeficiency …

Myocardial Infarction Suppresses Protein Synthesis And Causes Decoupling Of Transcription And Translation, Shijie Liu, Vaibhav Deshmukh, Fangfei Wang, Jie Liang, Jenna Cusick, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Gene expression involves transcription, translation, and mRNA and protein degradation. Advanced RNA sequencing measures mRNA levels for cell state assessment, but mRNA level does not fully reflect protein level. Identifying heart cell proteomes and their stress response is crucial. Using a cardiomyocyte-specific mouse model, we tracked protein synthesis after myocardial infarction. Our results showed that myocardial infarction suppresses protein synthesis and unveils a decoupling of translation and transcription regulation in cardiomyocytes.

Humanism Rounds: A Multifaceted "Back To Bedside" Initiative To Improve Meaning At Work For Internal Medicine Residents, Jennifer M Kaplan, Suchi Agrawal, Disha Kumar, Ann Xu, Kristen A Staggers, Anna G Symmes, Reina U Styskel, Brett Styskel, Anoop Agrawal, Stacey R Rose

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

INTRODUCTION: Burnout is an increasingly prevalent problem among resident physicians. To address this problem, the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) created the Back to Bedside initiative, supporting resident-driven projects focused on increasing direct interactions with patients. In 2017, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) Internal Medicine Residency received a Back to Bedside grant to develop and implement “Humanism Rounds,” a multifaceted program which sought to promote personal connections between residents and patients and foster reflection about patients’ non-clinical stories, with the hopes of reducing burnout and increasing residents’ sense of meaning at work.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2018 and …

Studies On The Corrosion Of Bronze Artifacts From Sarouq Al-Hadid And Al-Qusais Archeological Sites In Dubai, Uae, Zainab Ali Salmin

Theses

This thesis compares the status of bronze artefacts from two archaeological sites in Dubai (UAE): the Sarouq Al-Hadid site (Stone Age to Early Islamic Period) and the Al- Qusais site (Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age). The main objective of this research is to understand the two sites' environment and their influence on the corrosion of archaeological bronze artifacts found at the sites. This study uses mCed methods to comprehensively understand the corrosion behavior of bronze objects, depending on their burial environment. The two different sites presented different soil types and rates of corrosivity on the buried bronze artifacts, …

Germination And Seedling Growth Of Native Uae Plant Species: The Combined Effects Of Elevated Co2 And Temperature, Nour Elhouda Debouza

Dissertations

Understanding how indigenous plant species respond to arid environmental stressors is critical for biodiversity preservation and the development of sustainable agricultural practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study investigated the morphological and physiological aspects of the germination and early growth stages, along with the adaptation strategies of three indigenous plant species—Senna italica, Prosopis cineraria, and Tephrosia nubica. The controlled chamber experiments aimed to subject the three selected indigenous species to elevated CO2 (400 ppm ambient to 800 ppm) and temperature (35°C ambient to 50°C) for simulating future atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature scenarios. …

Produced Water Management From Production Sites In The State Of Kuwait, Feras Adel Alsalem

Dissertations

Extraction of crude oil also produces large volumes of water, termed produced water (PW). PW is by far the most significant by-product in the process of extracting hydrocarbons from the subsurface. Consequently, managing PW has become a great concern to oil and gas producers. The increasing amounts of PW and more stringent environmental and safety regulations in regard to PW make more efficient treatment methods necessary, where sustainable long-term solutions for PW management need to be provided. The focus of this study is on PW from onshore operations as the majority of the oil and gas extraction operations (upstream processes) …

Diversity, Distribution, And Determinants Of Bacterial Communities In Arctic Soil, Amna Khaleefa Alhemeiri

Theses

Arctic soils host diverse bacterial communities crucial for ecosystem functioning and nutrient cycling. Understanding the factors shaping their diversity and distribution is essential to assess ecosystem responses to climate warming. This study aimed to assess and compare bacterial diversity and community structure between high- and sub-arctic ecosystems and explore the environmental and climatic factors determining their distribution. We collected 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence data from 999 samples of high- and sub-arctic soils. All the data was pre-processed and quality-controlled using a similar bioinformatics methodology, followed by statistical analyses including alpha and beta diversity assessments, and volatility analysis using QIIME2. …

Functional Characterization Of Potato Arp1 Gene Encoding Auxin-Repressed Protein, Sara Ali Alneyadi

Theses

Auxin-repressed proteins (ARPs) are conserved in higher plants and are involved in plant growth and development by controlling gene expression. ARP1 has been studied for its role in biotic stress response, but its role in abiotic stress response remains unclear. In this study, transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing potato (S. tuberosum) ARP1 were evaluated for their salinity stress response. By gradually increasing NaCl concentrations from 0 to 200mM, plants were subjected to high salinity stress. As compared to wild-type (WT) control plants under stressed conditions, the ARP1 transgenic plants demonstrated improved height and root length and higher chlorophyll content. Under …

The Anticancer Activity Of A Novel 8-Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives Against 5-Fluorouracil Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells, Mazoun Talal Al Azzani

Theses

Cancer is a global health crisis for which 20 million new cases were diagnosed in 2022 alone, with 9.3 million cancer-related deaths. Nearly 900,000 deaths were due to colorectal cancer (CRC), which is the third leading cause of cancer related mortality. In the United Arab Emirates, 550 new cases of CRC were reported in 2022. A major clinical challenge with CRC treatment is the development of resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-based chemotherapy regimens, which are the standard treatment for CRC. In the present study, the anticancer activity of two novel 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) derivatives AS45 and AS47 was examined against 5FU-sensitive (HCT116) …

Synthesis Of Dyes Sulfamidazole: Characterization, Evaluation, Molecular Docking And Global Descriptors By Density Functional Theory (Dft)., Athra G. Sager, Jawad Kadhim Abaies, Zeena R. Katoof

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In the present work, novel azo compounds of sulfamidazole were created via the reaction of diazonium salt of sulfamidazole with several aromatic molecules including (resorcinol, 2-nitro phenol, 3-nitro phenol, and 4-nitro phenol)) (Z1–Z4). The new compounds (Z1-Z4) were identified using FTIR, ¹HNMR techniques, in addition to melting point measurements. The biological activity of compounds (Z1-Z4) was studied against four kinds of bacteria including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. The findings showed that all compounds (Z1-Z4) were active against the examined bacteria. Theoretical studies of the antibacterial ability of the prepared compound against DNA gyrase enzyme …

Using Rapid Protein Degradation To Determine The Effect Of Runx1 Loss-Of- Function On Dna Damage Accumulation And Repair., Jackriel Pina Morales

Theses and Dissertations

Germline mutations in RUNX1 are associated with familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to myeloid malignancy (RUNX1-FPDMM), in which patients present with low platelet counts,excessive bleeding and bruising, and an increased risk of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)/Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) development throughout their lifetime. To understand how these loss-of-function mutations in RUNX1 drive predispose to malignancy, it is important to develop a detailed understanding of the molecular basis of RUNX1 function. While RUNX1 is a transcription factor, preliminary data from our group and work from others suggests that RUNX1 also interacts with proteins that are critical for DNA damage …

Long-Term Post-Fire Succession Of Reptiles In An Urban Remnant In South-Western Australia, Robert A. Davis, Michael D. Craig

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Reptile responses to fire may differ between remnants and contiguous vegetation but this is poorly understood. Aims: We aimed to explore long-term (≤15 years) post-fire responses of reptiles in an urban Banksia woodland remnant. Methods: We trapped reptiles for 10 nights in November and December each year between 2009 and 2023 inclusive (except 2014 and 2019) to estimate relative abundance. We used mixed models to explore differences between unburnt and burnt sites and changes in both over time. Key results and conclusions: The reptile community showed short-term negative responses to fire, but communities had returned to their pre-fire state …

Draft Genome Sequences Of Three Lactobacillus Crispatus Strains, Isolated From The Female Urinary Tract, Cerena Sedano, Natalie Stegman, Maria Steiling, Briana Jackson, Catherine Putonti

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Lactobacillus crispatus is a frequent member of the female urogenital microbiota. Here, we present the draft genome assemblies of three L. crispatus strains: UMB4356, UMB5661, and UMB6244. All strains were isolated from voided urine samples from females with type 2 diabetes.

The Biology Of The Facultative Halophyte Atriplex Patula L., Richard Stalter, Robert I. Lonard

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Atriplex patula L. is a facultative halophyte that tolerates low to moderate levels of salinity and occurs on the margins of coastal salt marshes, roadsides, in agricultural fields, and in other areas where disturbance has occurred. The genus Atriplex L. is represented by about 250 species globally and has recently been included in the family Amaranthaceae subfamily Chenopodioidae. Atriplex patula was possibly introduced in North America from Europe, Asia or North Africa in the 18th century. Because the stems and leaves accumulate and store heavy metal pollutants, A. patula has been suggested for use in habitat remediation.

Novel In Situ Synthesis Of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles In Epoxy Network: Kinetics, Composite Mechanical And Dielectric Properties, Elena Bobina, Maxim Danilaev, Safaa.M.R.H. Hussein, Sergey Karandashov, Vladimir Kuklin, Ivan Lounev, Konstantin Faizullin

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

>Mechanical properties of polymer composites with dispersed nanoparticles (CDNP) depend on interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. Strength of polymer composites significantly decreases when there is no interaction between dispersed nanoparticles and the polymer. This limits the application of functional polymer composites with dispersed nanoparticles. In this study, CDNP based on ED-20 epoxy resin with dispersed copper oxide nanoparticles was obtained.These nanoparticles were synthesized in epoxy resin before curing: the nanoparticles were obtained by decomposition of copper hydroxide by heating its solution in ED-20 resin.The kinetics of copper oxide nanoparticles formation in CDNP samples were studied using two …