Digital Commons Network^™

Crab And Lobster Shell Meal Taste Preferences Of Dairy Heifer Calves, Summer R. Pescinski, Peter S. Erickson

Honors Theses and Capstones

Objective: This preference study was conducted to evaluate the palatability of crab shell meal (CM) and lobster shell meal (LM) when added to calf starter for post-weaned dairy heifer calves.

Materials and methods: Six calves were used for a sequential elimination experiment to rank their taste preferences when offered control calf starter, calf starter mixed with 50 g of CM, and calf starter mixed with 50 g of LM.  The calves were kept on the study for a total of 5-d split into two feeding segments.  Preference was determined by calculating the total intake of each treatment …

A Frog, A Toad, And A Salamander Walk Into A Forest: How Timber Harvest And Environmental Conditions Impact Amphibian Species Abundance In The White Mountain National Forest, William T. Brandenburg

Honors Theses and Capstones

Balancing the needs of humans and wildlife is one of the primary goals of conservation. Understanding how species respond to resource extraction is essential to achieve long-term population stability. This is especially relevant for amphibians, which are particularly sensitive to environmental disturbances due to habitat loss and degradation. As such they are often used as indicator species. This study leverages 20-years of amphibian abundance data from surveys in different silvicultural treatments to understand how American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), and red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) respond to changes in forest structure, weather, …

Exploring Biopsychosocial Influences On Hookup Culture And Disrupting Compulsory Behaviors In Emerging Adults: A Multidisciplinary Analysis Of A Contemporary Public Health Concern, Catherine Benjamin

Honors Theses and Capstones

Multidisciplinary analysis, including biology, psychology, and sociology, to better understand the compulsory Hookup Culture that exists as a contemporary public health concern among the age group defined as emerging adults. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnoses are steadily rising in the United States and disproportionately affecting college students. Early socialization and current educational resources that contribute to shame and stigma are discussed to explain how lifestyle and social conditions can act as risk factors for individual health outcomes.

Surveillance Of A Novel Vesivirus Discovered In An Urban Mephitis Mephitis Population, Amanda E. Diggins

Honors Theses and Capstones

Caliciviridae is a family of non-enveloped, positive-sense, single stranded RNA viruses, including eleven defined genera that contain important pathogens of humans and animals. Within the Caliciviridae family, the genus Vesiviridae includes feline calicivirus, a leading cause of upper respiratory disease in cats, and vesicular exanthema of swine virus, a historical disease of domestic swine that has now been implicated in several marine mammal vesicular diseases, one of which has been confirmed zoonotic. Urban landscapes create a unique environment for rapid intra- and interspecies transmission of viruses. Clustered resources attract high-density populations of synanthropic wildlife species, increasing spatial overlap and heightening …

Metabarcoding Ixodes Scapularis To Characterize Feeding Behavior In Comparison To Pathogen Carriage And Geospatial Distribution, Adrianna Kate George

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Perching Behavior In Broilers On Welfare And Production Benefits, Natalie G. Bunn

Honors Theses and Capstones

Broiler chickens are bred for feed efficiency, rapid growth rate, and muscle development. Conventional broiler farms utilize fast-growing breeds that reach market weight rapidly and present welfare concerns. Primarily raised indoors with little enrichment, the genetics and husbandry practices of broilers encourage inactivity and perpetuate health problems such as skeletal deformities, lameness, and pododermatitis. Despite the commonness of these issues, there is little research on the reduction of such health complications through production management. This study investigated methods to promote perching behavior and the effects of riser perch and platform perch utilization in broilers. A mixed flock of slow-growing Gray …

Evaluating The Role Of Power Electronics In Enhancing Renewable Energy And Smart Grid Performance: A Review, Muhammad Irfan Habib

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The review article demonstrates the importance of power electronics in propelling the increase of renewables and increasing the efficiency of contemporary electrical grids. In particular, it highlights the need for bidirectional converters for effective energy management in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems with two-way power transfer. The paper examines the series of complications offered by the significantly large integration of power electronic converter-interfaced renewables, such as those related to system steadiness, power quality, and resignation bottlenecks. Also, it recognizes a mix of new technologies, such as wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), that deliver superior performance …

Design Of An Economic Order Quantity–Based Dashboard For Vaccine Packaging Inventory Management, Hadi Susanto, Susmitha Canny, Alexandra Elizabeth Callistha, Shakira Dwi Purwandari, Naila Davina Aurelia

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Background: Timely availability of vaccine packaging is critical to pharmaceutical supply chain reliability, as packaging materials play a key role in maintaining cold chain integrity during distribution. Inadequate availability of packaging materials can disrupt vaccine delivery even when finished vaccines are ready for shipment. The case company faces frequent delivery delays, insufficient safety stock, and irregular replenishment of vaccine packaging materials, which have jeopardized the organization’s target of achieving a 90% on-time delivery rate.

Objective: To design and evaluate an Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)–based inventory dashboard for vaccine packaging that standardizes ordering decisions and strengthens stock visibility in pharmaceutical distribution …

High Potential, Uneven Uptake: Off-Grid Renewables In Agriculture Across The Global South, Muhamad Setyawan Bahari, Destia Mardhotillah

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Reliable energy access is widely recognized as essential for agricultural development, yet adoption of off-grid renewable energy technologies (RETs) in the Global South remains uneven despite their high potential. While RETs are increasingly promoted as solutions to food insecurity and energy poverty, evidence on what enables or constrains their uptake across agricultural contexts remains fragmented. This study systematically reviews 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2025 using the PRISMA framework and synthesizes findings through a PESTEL lens. The literature has expanded in recent years, reflecting growing policy attention to the energy–agriculture nexus, but remains concentrated in Asia and heavily …

Characterization Of A Coastwide Sheepshead (Archosargus Probatocephalus) Fishery Reveals Increased Fishing Pressure During Spawning Activity In Texas, Ethan T. Getz, Catherine M. Eckert, Charles Downey Iii

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) have been characterized as one of the most vulnerable species to overfishing in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) based on their reproductive strategy of spawning in aggregations. Here, we analyzed fishery—independent and dependent data (1983—2023) collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to assess Sheepshead populations and describe the fishery in Texas. Gill net sampling was used to describe Sheepshead abundance and distribution, while creel survey data and commercial landings were used to determine spatial and temporal characteristics of the fishery and evaluate targeted fishing activity during the spawning season. Sheepshead encountered in gill …

First Record Of Arrhenophagus Chionaspidis Aurivillius (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) Parasitizing White Mango Scale In Kenya: Its Potential Distribution And Prospects In Biocontrol, Francis Obala, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Rehemah Gwokyalya, Shepard Ndlela, Ingo Grass, Georg Petschenka, Sunday Ekesi, Samira A. Mohamed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The white mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is one of the most destructive pests of mango worldwide. Its current management in most of the invaded areas largely depends on the intensive use of chemical insecticides. Biological control using parasitoids represents one of the most effective and environmentally sustainable management options. However, in Kenya, one of Africa's leading mango-producing countries, no effective parasitoid species associated with A. tubercularis had previously been recorded. This study aimed to identify encyrtid parasitoids associated with A. tubercularis in Kenya, and to assess how bioclimatic factors influence their occurrence and habitat suitability. Mango leaves …

Oligonychus Trichardti (Acari: Tetranychidae) Associated With Urochloa Grasses In Kenya: An Integrative Taxonomic Approach, Paula Espitia-Buitrago, Claudia Perea, Lavender A. Odhiambo, Rosa N. Jauregui, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Spider mites represent a significant constraint to improved forage grass adoption in East Africa, particularly affecting Urochloa cultivars that are crucial for addressing the region’s 40% livestock feed gap. This study employed an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular analyses to identify a spider mite species infesting Urochloa interspecific grasses in Kenya. A colony of 80 spider mites was established from symptomatic Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman plants collected from Mbita Point, Kenya, showing characteristic foliar chlorosis and necrotic spots. Morphological examination of 46 slide-mounted specimens using Hoyer’s medium revealed consistent morphotypical features characteristic of Oligonychus (Reckiella) trichardti Meyer, 1974. …

Influence Of Farming Systems (Organic Vs. Conventional) With Crop Rotation And Intercropping On Weed Seedbank In Central Kenya, Obadiah Mwangi, Monicah Mucheru-Muna, Edward Karanja, Michael Kinyua, Peter Bolo, Dominic Mutambu, Martha Musyoka, Edwin Mwangi, Felix Matheri, Nancy Mwende, Tanga Chrysanthus, Noah Adamtey, David Bautze, Unternährer Anouk, Milka Kiboi, Anne Muriuki, Hottensiah Wambui, Job Kihara

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Weed seedbanks are a key driver of long-term weed pressure and are strongly shaped by farming systems, crop rotation, and intercropping. This study evaluated the influence of organic (ORG) and conventional (CONV) farming systems, each managed under high (113–145 kg N·ha⁻¹, 60–83 kg P·ha⁻¹) and low (31–45 kg N·ha⁻¹ and 13–27 kg P·ha⁻¹) fertilization levels, on weed seedbank density, composition, dominance, and diversity in two long-term trials (established in 2007) at Chuka and Thika in the Central Highlands of Kenya. From 2017 to 2019, across six cropping seasons under a three-year rotation, soil …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Hard Coastal Protection Structures For Long-Term Erosion Mitigation, Case Study: Eastern Rosetta Shoreline, Nile Delta, Egypt, Basma Sayed, Ayman Sabry Koraim, Tarek Hemdan Nassrallah, Ahmed Abouelfetouh Abdelaziz, Nada Mansour, Fahmy Salah Fahmy Abdelhaleem

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Coastal erosion threatens densely populated shorelines worldwide. At the Rosetta Promontory (Nile Delta), shoreline retreat has accelerated since the construction of the Aswan High Dam due to reduced fluvial sediment supply. This case study numerically evaluates shoreline response to six hard-protection scenarios along the eastern promontory, combining groins and detached breakwaters, over a 20-year forecast (2022–2042). Offshore wave conditions were transformed to nearshore hydrodynamics using MIKE21 Spectral Wave, and long-term shoreline evolution was simulated with DHI-LITPACK. The numerical models were forced using a 40-year wave dataset derived from the ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis. Results indicate that the configuration with eight detached …

Sustainable Control Of Pests And Striga Weed Through Intensified Push-Pull Technology And Frass-Based Soil Amendments, Evanson R. Omuse, Honest Machekano, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Dennis Beesigamukama, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Samwel O. Ogaji, Sevgan Subramanian, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Crop productivity under African smallholder farming systems is faced by numerous challenges, including insect pests, weeds, low soil fertility, and climate change. Sustainable intensification, such as push-pull (PP) technology and vegetable-integrated push-pull (VIPP) technology, coupled with soil organic amendments such as black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF), can address these agricultural constraints. We investigated the individual and synergistic effects of cropping systems comprising two crops [maize (DK777 variety) and cowpea (KVU27 variety)] and agroecological strategies (PP, VIPP and BSFFF) on the management of pests and Striga weeds and crop productivity in three different geographical areas. Diversified cropping systems (PP and …

Intensified Push-Pull Technology Enhances Above-Ground Arthropod Assemblages And Ecological Balance, Evanson R. Omuse, Honest Machekano, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Bonoukpoe M. Sokame, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Johnson O. Nyasani, Sevgan Subramanian, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Agroecological intensification aims to increase farm productivity, reduce dependency on external inputs, and enhance biodiversity conservation. However, the contribution of recent sustainable agricultural practices to arthropod assemblages and their ecosystem services remains underexplored. Through a 2-year multilocation trial, we investigated the response of above-ground arthropod assemblages and their ecological functions in cowpea and maize grown under monocropping systems and diversified systems (pure and intensified push-pull technologies). Using three sampling methods (visual observations, pitfall traps, sticky traps), a total of 65, 307 arthropod specimens were collected. The most dominant arthropod taxa were Hemiptera (true bugs; 47%), followed by Thysanoptera (thrips; 17%), …

Characterization Of The Genetic Diversity Of Curlyleaf Pondweed (Potamogeton Crispus L.) In The Contiguous United States And Canada And Analysis Of Possible Hybrid Potamogeton Crispus Lineages, Mallory M. Kaiser

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Curlyleaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.) is a prolific invasive species that has spread across the United States and into parts of Canada since its introduction to North America in the 1840s. It causes extensive economic and environmental damage across its invasive range, and its control and eradication are of utmost importance to agricultural, ecological, recreational, and transportational stakeholders. Developments in molecular ecology and invasive management have found that genetic diversity and hybridization of aquatic macrophytes may affect their susceptibility to herbicide treatments, and genotype or lineage identification are important control variables that must be considered in field and …

Psr Impacts Chromatin Condensation During Spermatogenesis In Nasonia Vitripennis, Jacqueline R. Solomon

CMC Senior Theses

Paternal Sex Ratio (PSR) is a supernumerary, selfish B chromosome found in the jewel wasp (Nasonia vitripennis). PSR is transmitted strictly paternally to progeny, and when present, it causes paternal genome elimination (PGE) just after fertilization. Due to the haplo-diploid reproduction of N. vitripennis, this PGE event results in all-male broods of progeny, ~90% of which carry and transmit PSR. Thus, PGE is beneficial for PSR’s transmission.  A previous study showed that PSR induces PGE by expressing a gene called haploidizer during spermatogenesis. Although how haploidizer functions in PGE is unknown, this finding suggests two basic models: that (i) the …

Modulating Oran Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria To Enhance Nitric Oxide Bioavailability As A Therapeutic Target For Atherosclerosis, Donovan C. Davidson

CMC Senior Theses

Atherosclerosis remains the primary driver of global cardiovascular disease, yet clinical interventions are largely restricted to high-cost, invasive procedures only after it has reached a critical stage. Recent research has identified a connection between the oral microbiome and vascular health via the enterosalivary nitrate-nitrite-nitic oxide (NO) pathway. Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria (ONRB) drive the synthesization of NO by reducing dietary nitrate into nitrite, which is then converted into bioavailable NO. NO is a potent vasodilator that maintains endothelial health by suppressing inflammation through inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. However, this pathway is easily compromised by dysbiotic oral …

Fgf Signaling Is Necessary For Newt Lens Regeneration, Leo Alexander Napoleon

Honors Theses and Capstones

The Iberian ribbed newt Pleurodeles waltl can regenerate the lens by transdifferentiating iris pigmented epithelial (IPE) cells into lens epithelial cells (LECs), but the mechanism by which this occurs remains largely uncharacterized. We aim to mechanistically show an early and critical role for FGF signaling by using small molecules to inhibit FGF receptors and observe the histological and intracellular effects. Two inhibitors were found to completely stall lens regeneration. Cell cycle analysis revealed decreased DNA synthesis and uniformly low but unchanged entry to mitosis under signaling inhibition by staining for EdU incorporation and phospho-histone H3 (pH3), respectively. Western blot revealed …

Hyena Den Distribution, Human-Hyena Interactions And Mitigation Strategies In The Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, Katherine Elizabeth Davis Matczak

Honors Theses and Capstones

The Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a prevalent predator across Africa, recognized for their noticeable gait and powerful jaws which enable them to maul and scavenge on prey. Due to human population growth and encroachment onto wildlife territory, the overlap between human settlements and hyena den sites has become a growing concern, particularly regarding livestock predation. Livestock is intrinsic to livelihoods across Africa, with most individuals deriving their livelihoods from pastoralism. This paper provides an evaluation of den proximities to communities, hyena diet preference, human-hyena conflict/attitudes, and mitigation strategies used to protect hyenas, livestock, and the people. Results …

Exploring The Effects Of Voluntary Wheel Running On Inhibitory Control, Ava Prieto

Honors Theses and Capstones

Inhibitory control, a central component of executive function, is the ability to suppress unwanted actions in response to a stimulus (Verbruggen et al., 2014; Verbruggen et al., 2019) and is one of the best indicators of executive task management as well as the ability to prevent unwanted prepotent responses. This capacity is essential for goal specific behavior and for responding flexibly to challenges. The present study examined the effects of voluntary wheel running on inhibitory control in two cohorts of Long-Evans rats using a rodent variant of the canonical stop-signal task. We found that rats with access to an active …

Exploring The Association Between Internal Body Temperature And Metabolic Status In Early Lactation Jersey Cattle, Alexandra Ferreri, Claira Seely

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Impacts Of Wing-Flashing By Northern Mockingbirds On Foraging, Parental Care, And Reproductive Success, Anna R. Starman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Foraging efficiency may be enhanced by flashing patches of white wing and tail feathers and has been documented in several avian species. Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos, NOMO) exhibit this “wing-flashing” (WF) behavior while foraging, during displays, and in response to predators. In NOMOs, WF has been hypothesized to increase foraging success, but previous findings are inconclusive. To further investigate the biological role(s) of WF behavior in NOMOs, the ventral surface of white primary feathers of male NOMOs were artificially darkened, and the foraging and provisioning rates of undarkened (control) males and their mates were compared. While foraging, undarkened …

Perinatal Inflammation And Oxidative Stress Alter Adult Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Motor Behavior, Alexander Young

Honors College Theses

Recent evidence in comparative animal models suggests that early life exposure to elevated inflammation (via LPS exposure) and oxidative stress (via acetaminophen exposure) may synergistically interact to alter typical neurodevelopmental trajectories, resulting in lasting effects on both behavior and gut-brain neurochemistry. The current study observed emotional and motor behaviors and collected fecal-boli to measure Tyrosine (TE) levels in male and female Long-Evans (Rattus norvegicus) rats. Subjects were either treated with [1] saline [2] lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to introduce an inflammatory state, [3] acetaminophen (APAP) to introduce oxidative stress, or [4] a dual-hit of both LPS + APAP on postnatal day (PD) …

Ecological Feedbacks In The Earth System, Eugene J. Murphy, Jessica J. Williams, Isla H. Myers-Smith, Vivienne P. Groner, David M. P. Jacoby, Lester Kwiatkowski, Jess Melbourne-Thomas, Emma Ransome, Cristina Banks-Leite, Laurent Bopp, Marion Gehlen, Eileen E. Hofmann, Babette Hoogakker, Nadine M. Johnston, Yadvinder Malhi, Emma L. Cavan

CCPO Publications

Ecological feedbacks are fundamental features of the Earth system, affecting physical processes and chemical cycles. Our understanding of the interactions underlying these feedbacks at different spatial and temporal scales and the extent to which feedbacks affect Earth system functioning remains limited. Climate change and other anthropogenic pressures are already negatively affecting ecological processes in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. These will most likely be amplified in the coming decades under our current warming and socioeconomic pathways. The knock-on impacts on ecological feedbacks have the potential to cause rapid perturbations to the Earth system, and may significantly impact the structure and …

Cryptic Social Mechanisms And Associated Consequences In The Gouldian Finch, Thomas Mateo

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many species of birds rely on visual displays to communicate information to their conspecifics, but it can be difficult to determine the specific functions of such displays. In the Gouldian Finch and its relatives, the contexts in which the peering display has been witnessed indicate that it has multiple uses in social learning such as song learning and communicating reproductive intent. Two flocks of finches were housed separately at the University of North Florida aviary and observed for several months while nest boxes were placed in each habitat. In both flocks, peering increased during the summer molt, but did not …

Tick Lipocalin Triggers Mammalian Igfbp-3-Mediated Apoptosis In Macrophages And Keratinocytes, Krittika Nandy, P. P. Mahesh, Lichao Liu, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Ticks secrete several molecules, including lipocalins, in their saliva during blood feeding on a vertebrate host. In this study, we provide novel evidence on the role of Ornithodoros turicata americanus tick lipocalin (Otlip) in modulating cytokine expression and in triggering apoptosis in mammalian macrophages and keratinocytes. The cytokine array analysis revealed significantly increased secretion of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) from murine macrophage cell line upon treatment with recombinant Otlip protein (rGST-Otlip) when compared to the secretion noted from cells treated with a control protein (rGST). Similar observation with cytokine protein array analysis was noted when murine macrophages were …

Independent Animal Chiropractic Practice: An Evidence-Based Argument For Autonomy Beyond Veterinary Supervision, Montana Adams

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Animal chiropractic is a growing form of conservative care used to improve mobility, reduce pain, and support neuromusculoskeletal function in animals. Despite evidence suggesting it is both effective and low risk, access remains limited due to inconsistent state regulations. Many jurisdictions require chiropractors to obtain veterinary supervision, referral, or licensure, even when they have completed specialized training and certification in animal chiropractic. This paper evaluates the effectiveness and safety of animal chiropractic while analyzing the impact of current regulatory policies. Research indicates that chiropractic care can improve mobility and reduce spinal conditions in animals when performed by trained professionals. However, …

Mitochondria As Primary Cause Of Neurodegeneration: Evaluating Causality Across Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als), Alzheimer's, And Parkinson’S Diseases, Makenzie G. Johnson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have historically been explained through alternate hypotheses despite shared clinical hallmarks that lead to neuron loss. However, these varying explanations could not account for how disease onset begins among other individual issues. This thesis aims to show that mitochondrial dysfunction is a primary driver of neurodegeneration as well as a unifying mechanism shared between the three diseases. Evidence presented in this thesis will show that many issues can arise in mitochondria including issues with energy production, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), apoptosis activation, and calcium regulation. These issues …