Digital Commons Network^™

Survey And Identification Of Entomopathogenic Fungi In Millipede Species In Coastal Georgia, Kristin L. Campbell Bailey

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Entomopathogenic fungi are well-known, species-specific pathogens of a wide diversity of insects that infect, manipulate, and kill their insect hosts to complete their life cycle. Recently in Savannah, Georgia, millipedes belonging to the genus Eurymerodesmus were observed exhibiting pre-death climbing behaviors associated with pathogenic fungal infection. Dying millipedes summited vegetation and subsequently died in elevated positions along edge habitat transitioning a recreational field and forest. Upon inspection, fungal structures found emerging from dead millipedes anatomically resembled Arthrophaga myriapodina, which is the first documented entomophthoralean fungus to infect millipedes. The goal of this research was to obtain species-level identification of the …

Evaluating Impacts Of Footpaths On Resiliency Of Restored Dunes At Tybee Island, Georgia, Skyler J. Fox

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Sand dunes provide critical ecosystem services including storm protection by acting as natural barriers. However, these systems are threatened by human disturbance, particularly pedestrian traffic occurring at footpaths that damages dune vegetation. Vegetation is essential to dune growth and stability, as dune plants trap and bind sand. When trampled, dunes become more vulnerable to erosion and less effective at providing coastal protection. On Tybee Island, Georgia—a popular tourist destination—a vegetated dune was constructed in 2020 to enhance storm protection. This study assessed how footpaths impact dune resiliency and aimed to inform management strategies. I evaluated: (1) how characteristics of vegetation, …

Assessment And Health Benefit Of Vitamin C Using A549 Cell, Yetunde Adepoju

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vital micronutrient recognized for its antioxidant capacity and essential bodily functions, such as collagen formation, neurotransmitter activity, and regulation of the immune system. This study explores how vitamin C can protect and potentially heal cells under oxidative stress and inflammation, using A549 cells, a human lung epithelial cell line, as the model system. The cells were exposed to varying concentrations of vitamin C dissolved in water, DMSO, and 5% DMSO. To assess the outcome, cell viability was measured with an MTT assay. In addition, the expression of key genes related to oxidative stress and …

Dickkopf1(Dkk1): A Novel Endogenous Ligand To Prime Nlrp3 Inflammasome Via Tlr4, Theingi Aung

Theses and Dissertations

Dickkopf1(DKK1) is a quintessential Wnt antagonist and immunomodulator in various inflammatory diseases. The underlying molecular mechanisms of DKK1-mediated immunomodulation remain elusive. Here, we identified TLR4 as a new receptor for DKK1 to activate NFκΒ pathway-mediated gene expression and pyroptosis via NLRP3 inflammasome in human and mouse macrophages.

DKK1 employed TLR4 to initiate NFκB signaling cascade via MyD88. MyD88-TAK1-NFκΒ pathway activation by DKK1 increased HIF1α, NFκB, and NLRP3 protein expression levels, leading to pyroptosis. Unlike LPS, DKK1 did not induce IRAK4 phosphorylation, while the interaction between MyD88 and IRAK4 was maintained for downstream signaling activation. DKK1 did not induce IRF3 phosphorylation …

Comparative Study Of Single Imputation Techniques For The Prediction Of Missing Dairy Data, Ahmed M. Gad Prof, Ahmed Abdelhakim Ahmed Mr, Eman Manaa Prof, Basant Shafik Dr, Sakr Mostafa Prof

Business Administration

Dairy farm records are a crucial component of effective livestock business management. Record analysis allows a farm’s owner to make informed decisions. Incomplete records are less useful for data analysis, so it's important to handle missing values correctly. This study compares different imputation methods for handling missing values in a dataset of dairy records comprising 997 records collected from 234 cows between 2012 and 2022. The dataset was screened against records with missing values and then deleted, resulting in 858 observations from 200 animals. There were missing values in two variables, with a missing percentage of 13.9%: days in milk …

Helminth Parasites Of Galápagos Mammals: A New Cestode Of The Genus Raillietina From The Endemic Rice Rat Nesoryzomys Swarthi And A Summary Of Parasites From Both Endemic And Invasive Rodents, Scott Lyell Gardner, Emma K. Chesley, Michael C. Friedle, Altangerel Tsogtsaikhan Dursahinhan

Scott L. Gardner Publications

In this first report of endoparasites from endemic land-mammals of the Galápagos Islands, we describe a new species of cestode of the genus Raillietina (Cyclophyllidea: Davaineidae) from a species of Nesoryzomys and summarize the extent of helminth parasitism in both oryzomyine endemics and introduced species of Rattus. Up to the current time, no helminth parasites have been reported from rodents of the Galápagos, and little work has yet been done describing and synthesizing Galápagos parasite diversity. In historical times, several species of autochthonous rodents have occupied the islands including: Nesoryzomys narboroughi Heller 1904, N. fernandinae Hutterer and Hirsch …

Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Genes Impact Agronomic Performance, Flavor, Milling, And Baking Traits In Soft Red Winter Wheat, Joyce Morris

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is an economically devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) causing low yields and poor quality. FHB, caused by Fusarium graminearum, disrupts the grain filling phase and results in bleached spikes and shriveled seeds. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungal pathogen when it infects the plant; DON is harmful when consumed by humans and causes feed rejection in livestock. Using FHB resistant varieties and timely applications of fungicides is the optimum strategy for management of this disease. However, there has been little research focusing on the impact of FHB resistance genes …

Influence Of Industrial Hemp On Soil Health Parameters In A Kentucky Cropping System, Jack T. Eaker

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Industrial hemp (fiber, floral, and grain: Cannabis sativa L.) legalization has prompted research into its incorporation into agronomic rotations and impacts on agroecosystem services such as nutrient dynamics. This study quantified the effects of integrating grain and fiber hemp on soil health, hypothesizing hemp would positively impact soil health due to its taproot, reported C benefits, and nutrient requirements. Conducted in Kentucky at two locations, a completely randomized block design included six crop rotation treatments, with soil cores collected at initiation (2020) and post three growing seasons (2023). Soil parameters analyzed included particulate organic matter, short-term CO2 mineralization, water-extractable organic …

Can I Actually Write This? Neuroscience Of Self-Doubt And Anxiety, Issachar Lopez

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

Pain, Pain, Go Away!, Jolien Kusi

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

You're A Legacy! Understanding Intergenerational Trauma And Epigenetics, Kiersten Hoffmann

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

A Jiggle To Help The Wiggle, Juliette Lowe

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

Kenyon College Neuroscience Department Faculty And Staff

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

Numerical Simulation Of The Fracture Resistance Of A Flame Deflector Under Impact And High Temperature By Using The Extended Finite-Element Method, Guangzhong Liu, Yuqing Feng, Tong Lin, Zhixin Xiong, Zhenting Chen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

During the launch of rockets at sea, the flame deflector of the launch platform is subject to transient impact loads and high temperatures, which can result in the fracturing of the flame deflector, thereby endangering the platform and launch safety. In this study, dynamic crack propagation in a flame deflector under the aforementioned conditions was numerically investigated using the extended finite-element method (XFEM). The bulk of the flame deflector was modeled using shell elements, the local area in which the crack evolves was modeled using solid elements, and discontinuities were modeled using enrichment functions in the XFEM. The degrees of …

Application Of Genetic Algorithm In Container Vessel Stowage Planning With Carbon Tax Considerations, Ming-Feng Yang, Wei-Hao Su, Ko-Meng Hu, Yu-Hsuan Li

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study developed a method for optimizing stowage planning for container vessels, a crucial aspect of international trade logistics. Over 80% of global trade depends on containerized transportation; thus, effective stowage planning is essential for minimizing transportation costs and enhancing operational efficiency. In the proposed hybrid optimization approach, integer programming is combined with a genetic algorithm to generate optimal stowage plans. The key factors considered in this method include load capacity limits, stacking constraints, and carbon tax regulations. The proposed method involves maximizing space utilization while minimizing logistics costs, with particular emphasis on reducing port dwell times. The findings of …

Research On Multi-Ship Collision Avoidance Decision-Making Based On Improved Velocity Obstacle Method Using Dynamic Elliptical Ship Domains, Tang Xinwei, Li Weifeng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The velocity obstacle method offers collision avoidance solutions for critical multi-ship encounter scenarios. This thesis introduces a Reciprocal Velocity Obstacle (RVO) approach based on dynamic elliptical ship domains for multi-ship collision avoidance. Initially, the concept of dynamic elliptical ship domains is presented, building upon the original static elliptical ship domain Velocity Obstacle (VO) method. Subsequently, multi-ship encounter scenarios are simulated in both virtual environments and real nautical charts, comparing the two methods. The analysis results demonstrate the improved method's excellent performance in both cases, underscoring its advantages. This research provides more effective collision avoidance strategies for multi-ship encounters.

Exploring The Red Sea Crisis’S Supply Chain Disruption Impacts On The Shipping Industry, Po-Hsing Tseng, Nick Pilcher

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Since October 7, 2023, the Houthi militia in Yemen has continuously attacked Israel and its nearby ships in the Red Sea. This crisis has impacted on global ship operations, freight rates, and shipping networks, since this conflict seriously affects the international trade between Europe and Asia and brings many unpredictable butterfly effects (e.g. supply chain disruption, and high transportation costs in shipping and air cargo). This papero explores its impact on the supply chain and suggests potential solutions;, and to consider perceptions on who should be responsible for the crisis, and who will actually shoulder the responsibility for the crisis. …

Dna Barcoding In Species Identification Of Flying Fish (Exocoetidae) And Halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae) Larvae: A Comparative Study Of The Database Over A Decade, Hui-Ling Ko, Kwang-Tsao Shao, Ching-Yi Chen, Yen-Wei Chang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The families Exocoetidae and Hemiramphidae comprise migratory species, whose identification based on their external morphological characteristics can be challenging because of their similarities. DNA barcoding has been used in taxonomic and evolutionary studies to address these issues. The morphological characteristics of fish larvae change rapidly and often lack distinctive features, posing a challenge for species-level identification. This study used DNA barcoding to identify flying fish and half-beaked larvae. Using plankton nets, sampling was conducted seasonally between 2010 and 2013 in Nanwan, Taiwan. A total of 903 individuals were collected, of which 111 were identified as flying and half-beaked fish based …

Subsurface Origin Of Tex86 Signals Revealed By Cross-Seasonal Gdgt Distributions In Suspended Particulate And Sediment Samples From The Southern East China Sea, Hung-Lin Tsai, Da-Chen Lin

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The TetraEther indeX of 86 carbon atoms (TEX₈₆) proxy, which is based on isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (isoGDGTs) produced by Thaumarchaeota in marine environments, is widely used to reconstruct past sea surface temperatures (SSTs). However, evidence suggests that this proxy often instead reflects subsurface conditions, particularly in dynamic marginal seas. Therefore, we conducted a cross-seasonal study of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) distributions in the southern East China Sea (ECS), which is characterized by strong monsoonal and current-driven hydrographic variability. We analyzed surface sediments and the high-resolution vertical profiles of suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from 2016 …

The Current Status And Challenges Of Efforts To Generate Blue Carbon Credits In Okinawa Prefecture, Takashi Tamura, Wei-Chung Chen, Takafumi Sasaki

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In Okinawa Prefecture, the Mozuku aquaculture industry is keen on establishing Blue Carbon Credits. This enthusiasm stems from various perspectives, including climate change mitigation, improvement of fishing grounds, industry maintenance, and enhancement of fishing ground surveillance functions. However, the industry faces several challenges. One significant challenge is the lack of a clear remaining coefficient for Mozuku, which complicates the creation of credits. Additionally, there is a shortage of manpower within the fisheries cooperative, further exacerbating the problem. To address these challenges, it is crucial to secure human resources that can promote system understanding and establish a financial base for undertaking …

New Insights Into Decapod Chemical Communication: A Focus On The Hydrothermal Vent Crab Xenograpsus Testudinatus, Jishnu Panamoly Ayyappan, Mark June S. Consigna, Li-Chun Tseng, Jiang-Shiou Hwang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Chemical communication in decapod crustaceans has been extensively studied for over 150 years, with most of the research focusing on sex pheromones. These crustaceans inhabit chemically complex environments and rely on diverse chemical signals for essential behaviors such as mate recognition, predator avoidance, and social interaction. This review synthesizes key findings from studies on shrimp, crayfish, lobsters, and crabs, the most well-documented taxa in crustacean chemical ecology. Various appendages, including the first and second antennae, mouthparts, and walking legs, are involved in chemosensory detection. Special emphasis is placed on chemical communication in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents (HVs), with …

Apply Cluster Analysis To Improve Interpretation Of Ert Images, Yin-Chun Hung, Yu-Xiang Zhao

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The completeness and accuracy of collecting and investigating geotechnical and marine engineering geological conditions are key to the success or failure of engineering development. Traditional marine engineering and geotechnical surveys often require the assistance of geophysical methods to fully present the geological conditions. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is an advanced geophysical method that produces accurate cross-sections of underground resistivity. Although 2D ERT has been widely used in geotechnical engineering and marine engineering, many uncertainties remain hidden behind the vivid and colorful resistivity profiles. To apply 2D ERT profiles effectively in geotechnical and marine geological surveys and monitoring, it is essential …

Geo-Chemical Fractionations Of Phosphorus In Sediments Of Thuy Trieu Lagoon And Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, Phu H. Le, Ngoc H. Pham, Dung T. Le, Tuan Linh T. Vo, Binh V. Tran, The V. Ho

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The geochemical fractions of phosphorus (P) and its bioavailability in sediments of Thuy Trieu Lagoon and Cam Ranh Bay were investigated. Twenty-four surface sediment samples were collected in the dry season (Jun 2024) and the rainy season (Oct 2024). A sequential extraction procedure was applied to identify the phosphorus (P) fractions in sediments, including Exchangeable P (Ex-P), iron-bound P (Fe-P), aluminum-bound P (Al-P), calcium-bound P (Ca-P), and residual P (Res-P). Total P (TP) ranged from 214.9 to 2365.2 µg.g^-1, and the Ca-P fraction was the dominant chemical form in sediments. Based on the results of Pearson correlation and …

Beyond Basic Needs : Exploring The Antecedents And Outcomes Of Seafarers’ Well-Being, Chian Liou, Cheng Kuo Sung, Kimberly Hsiu-Chin Lee, Jiunn Liang Guo

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Given the importance of seafarers’ mental health and the limited literature on this topic, this study aims to explore the causes and consequences of seafarers’ well-being. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis. Consistent with the predictions of the happy and productive worker thesis, this study found that the more satisfied the seafarers are with the shipping company’s seafarer policy, the higher their well-being tends to be, leading to a more positive work attitude. Interestingly, the study found that a company effect is significantly present in this correlation; that …

Empowering Shipping Management Competence With Artificial Intelligence: A Strategic Approach To External Environmental Volatility, Yu-Kai Huang, Cheng-Hsien Hsieh, Chi-Chang Lin, Yu-Tzu Chang, Yu-Chao Cheng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The shipping industry is undergoing significant transformation with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), yet challenges remain in effectively adopting AI technologies. This study addresses the key concerns influencing AI adoption in shipping management. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) integrated with the PEST model, an evaluation framework was developed to assess AI applications in shipping companies. Based on expert input collected through the Delphi method, four constructs and twelve criteria were identified, with the 'Technological' dimension being the most critical. 'Robustness,' 'Costs,' and 'Data quality' emerged as the top factors affecting AI implementation. The framework offers practical insights for shipping …

Comparative Evaluation Of Deep Learning Models For Predicting Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus Pelamis) Catch Based On Climatic Factors, Peng Ding, Hui Xu, Xin Zhuang, Yan-Lun Wu, Fengyuan Shen, Yujie Xiao, Jiensi Zhulidezi, Wei-Yu Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

To investigate the impact of climatic factors on skipjack tuna catch, this study collected and analyzed annual global skipjack tuna catch data spanning from 1960 to 2021, along with corresponding monthly data for the key indicator of El Nino events (Niño1+2, Niño3, Niño4, and Niño3.4), the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), the North Pacific Index (NPI), and the global sea-air temperature anomaly index (dT). The optimal lag years of climatic factors were identified by selecting the maximum absolute cross- correlation coefficients. Subsequently, the predictive performance of LSTM, BiLSTM, and CNN-BiLSTM models …

Key Success Factors In Using The Lifting Method To Construct A Steel Bridge Pylon, Ming-Chao Su, Hui-Ping Tserng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Constructing the inclined steel pylon of cable-stayed bridges is challenging because of the pylon’s height, spatial limitations, and safety concerns. To address these challenges, this study developed a modular lifting method that can enhance the efficiency and precision of pylon construction. The proposed method involves using rotation jigs to temporarily assemble the pylon, horizontal positioning on temporary supports, and synchronized lifting through computer-controlled hydraulic systems. Field implementation on a large-span bridge project revealed that compared with the traditional method, the proposed method resulted in higher welding quality, lower risks associated with great-height operations, and a shorter on-site assembly time. The …

Deep Learning-Based Model For Automated Prediction Of Coastal Changes: A Robust Approach To Environmental Forecasting, Tsair-Fwu Lee, Chu-Ho Chang, Chin-Shiuh Shieh, Chih-Hsien Wu, Jen-Chung Shao, Chien-Liang Chiu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The coastline stands as a critical domain encompassing industry and the environment. The escalating global warming, leading to elevated sea levels and intensified wave-current interactions, has given rise to substantial coastal erosion. This predicament, in conjunction with excessive human development and Taiwan's coastal areas' extreme climatic impact, accentuates the perceptibility of coastal beach alterations. As a result, coastal erosion has emerged as a pressing issue necessitating resolution. Traditional methodologies for assessing coastline changes have conventionally relied on manual measurements. However, owing to the fluctuating distance of coastlines, influenced by tidal patterns, extended measurement processes over several months are susceptible to …

Model Performance For Predicting Trends And Analyzing The Impacts Of Sea Surface Temperature Changes In The Gulf Of Thailand, Tanatpong Udomchaipitak, Nathaphon Boonnam

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study focuses on assessing and improving the predictive performance of sea surface temperature (SST) in the Gulf of Thailand under unique environmental challenges. Data from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) were utilized, covering the period from July 1994 to June 2024 at depths ranging from 0 to 30 meters. After cleaning the data using the Interquartile Range (IQR) method, the processed dataset was tested using four models: Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) architectures, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), as well as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Model performance was enhanced by tuning the parameters over …

Multimodal Imaging Of Protein-Based Biomaterials For Delivering Chemo-Agent Cargo For Glioblastoma Treatment In A Murine Model, Orin Mishkit

Dissertations and Theses

Protein-based self-assembling biomaterials, known as Thermo-Responsive Assembled Proteins (TRAP), present meaningful potential as drug delivery carriers. These materials enable the controlled, slow release of poorly soluble chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (Dox), while potentially reducing systemic off-target effects. In collaboration with multiple NYU labs, this study evaluated the efficacy of two TRAP variants—TRAP and F-TRAP—as drug delivery carriers in a xenograft mouse model of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

The primary objective was to compare the effectiveness of TRAP-loaded Dox (TRAP-DOX) to free Dox in achieving tumor extravasation and accumulation, facilitating sustained drug release. We hypothesized that the leaky vasculature of GBM …