Digital Commons Network^™

Optimal Design Of An Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Systems With Battery Storage For Rural Electrification Of Academic Community In Ibogun Campus, Nigeria, Ayodeji Akinsoji Okubanjo, Alexander Okandeji, Ignatius Kema Okakwu, Benjamin Akinloye, Abisola Olayiwola

Mansoura Engineering Journal

In an era where the debate on climate action has evolved from mere awareness to urgent implementation, energy-efficient management strategies are crucial. The energy mix, combined with optimal design of hybrid renewable energy systems, is a potential option to limit the increase in demand for fossil fuels and the climate issue. As a result, this study proposes an optimal design of hybrid renewable systems using technoeconomic criteria to meet load demand in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Olabisi Onabanjo University. The model combines an off-grid energy alternative with a battery storage system. The primary goal is to …

Optimum Design Of Three-Phase Wound Rotor Induction Machine Using Giant Trevally Optimizer Technique, D. El-Hassanein, Abd Al Rahman Amin, Eid Gouda, Mohamed F. Kotb

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Conventional sizing methods for electric machines often result in large dimensions, excessive weight, even when following correct design principles. In this paper promising Giant Trevally Optimizer “GTO” is employed as a swarm intelligence-based optimization algorithm inspired by the social behavior of giant trevally, to design a three-phase wound rotor induction machine “3WRIM”. The optimization process targets four key objectives: maximizing efficiency , and minimizing weight per kilowatt “ ”, temperature rise , and the no-load current to phase current ratio . These objectives are optimized both simultaneously and individually while adhering to a set of practical design constraints. To validate …

Bird Watching In Chitral, Sehba Akhter

Institute for Educational Development Pakistan (IED-PK) Archives

This booklet comprises brief information about different species of thrush birds found in Chitral, identified by different researchers and field guides. The sources used include Helm Field Guide, Birds of Pakistan by Richard Grimmett, Tom Roberts, Tim Inskipp, and The Birds of Pakistan by T.J Roberts. This booklet aims to help the people of Chitral know about the birds they see every day.

Copula-Based Bayesian Model For Detecting Differential Gene Expression, Prasansha Liyanaarachchi, N. Rao Chaganty

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Deoxyribonucleic acid, more commonly known as DNA, is a fundamental genetic material in all living organisms, containing thousands of genes, but only a subset exhibit differential expression and play a crucial role in diseases. Microarray technology has revolutionized the study of gene expression, with two primary types available for expression analysis: spotted cDNA arrays and oligonucleotide arrays. This research focuses on the statistical analysis of data from spotted cDNA microarrays. Numerous models have been developed to identify differentially expressed genes based on the red and green fluorescence intensities measured using these arrays. We propose a novel approach using a Gaussian …

Practical Experimental Microbiology: Laboratory Manual, Rivka Levron

Open Touro Created

2025

Microbiology, especially the laboratory component, is a highly practical and useful course for students pursuing many career options. While a number of excellent microbiology laboratory manuals are available, many are more suitable for a full-year course in microbiology or for more advanced studies.

Microbiology Experimental Laboratory Manual is comprehensive in teaching students basic microbiological techniques, i.e., how to grow and stain bacteria, how to identify bacteria and fungi, and means of identifying different species of bacteria microscopically. Further experiments enable students to identify the most effective soap/detergent from those readily available; to discover which spices have the most anti-bacterial …

Assessing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community Composition And Diversity Across A Land-Use Gradient In Eastern Washington Prairies, Katherine I. Cole

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are key to healthy, functioning terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Associating with over 80% of all extant land plants, they play a pivotal role in nutrient cycling, and contribute to overall plant health. Given their significance to terrestrial ecosystems, AMF have a crucial role to play in the successful restoration of Eastern Washington’s native prairies. However, AMF community composition is significantly altered by the commercial agricultural practices used extensively in this region for over 100 years. The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Prairie Restoration Project aims to restore ~120 acres of farmland to native prairie. This research provides insight …

Identifying Notch-Regulated Genes Using A Specific Notch Signaling Inhibitor, Hammed Gafar

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Bone remodeling is a dynamic process that requires a balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts to maintain skeletal integrity. Disruptions to this equilibrium can lead to pathological conditions such as osteoporosis. Osteoclasts originate from macrophages, and their differentiation is regulated by several signaling pathways, notably the notch signaling pathway. Gamma-secretase, an enzyme crucial for initiating notch signaling, can be inhibited by DAPT. However, DAPT also targets non-Notch substrates, complicating the identification of genes specifically regulated by Notch. To address this limitation, this study employed IMR-1A, a selective Notch pathway inhibitor that disrupts the assembly of …

Investigating The Relationships Between Biotic And Abiotic Factors Affecting Migratory Behavior In Westslope Cutthroat Trout Within The Pend Oreille System, Garrett M. Duncan

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Salmonids express several different life histories from migrating to oceans and back or staying in their natal streams as a resident. Migratory individuals are a vital part of the overall success of populations due to the potential for increased genetic diversity and increased fecundity they offer over resident individuals. This research was completed in three basins including Priest River, Pack River, and Lightning Creek which are all connected to the Pend Oreille Basin and are important producers of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi). Thirty-nine sites were sampled between the three basins. Results were compared between these tributaries that have …

The Seasonality And Community Composition Of Mosquitoes At Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Jonathan Becerra

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Characterizing mosquito species composition and seasonal dynamics is fundamental to understanding how mosquito communities change across time and space. This study examined the structure, temporal patterns, and spatial variation of the mosquito community at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) using three years of CDC light-trap data (2017–2019). We applied multiple complementary analytical approaches—including presence/absence and CPUE models, annual and species-specific generalized additive models (GAMs), peak-timing ANOVA, and multivariate analyses (NMDS, PERMANOVA, and indicator species analysis)—to quantify species-level seasonality, phenological staggering, and community-level patterns across years and between two sampling locations (Gate and Headquarters). Across all model families, species identity and …

Cholesterol Modulation Of Bk Currents And Cerebral Artery Diameter Via Channel-Forming Alpha-Subunit, Elizabeth Schneider

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Voltage- and calcium-gated, large conductance potassium channels (BK; MaxiK) are ubiquitously expressed and subsequently mediate numerous physiological processes. Cholesterol is consumed in high amounts with the diet and accumulates in cellular membranes when plasma levels become elevated. Cholesterol is a known inhibitor of BK channels and is suspected of contribution to many pathophysiological issues via its interaction with these channels. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive cholesterol inhibition of BK channels remain largely unexplored. This dissertation hypothesized that cholesterol inhibits BK currents via binding to specific amino acid(s) of the channel-forming alpha subunit, and involving distinct modifications of channel gating. …

Sars-Cov-2 Variants Of Concern: Biological Implications Of Immunogenicity And Comorbidity, Jacob Nichols

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

When coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in human populations in late 2019, there was nothing known about the virus, SARS-CoV-2, besides that it had a high degree of similarity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The prior published research on these viruses set a strong foundation for the research approaches needed to quickly stand-up medical countermeasures for treatment of COVID-19. However, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) soon revealed a high propensity to evolve new variants that could engage host cell receptors with greater affinity and escape host immunity. With each wave …

Characterization Of Novel Hantaviruses In Paraguay, Ifebuche Nnamani

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The genus Orthohantavirus, is a group of tripartite, negative-sense RNA viruses of which some members are the etiologic agents for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or orthohantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the Old and New Worlds, respectively. Sampling of wild rodents for these viruses has increased our knowledge of their host range and continues to lead to the discovery of new orthohantaviruses species and strains. HFRS and HPS have case fatality rates of up to 15% and 40%, respectively. And in some years, morbidity rates of up to 100,000 cases can be reached, globally. The epidemiological evidence of human-to-human …

Taiwanese Attitudes On The Formosan Black Bear And Potential Impacts On Conservation Outcomes, Madison Lin

Honors Theses

The Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) is an endangered subspecies of the Asiatic black bear endemic to Taiwan. The largest mammal on the island, the Formosan black bear is also the country’s official tourism mascot and unofficial national animal. Sightings of the bear are rare, yet cartoon depictions of the bear in media, transportation, and advertisements are prevalent. Understanding how this media presence impacts public attitudes towards the bear, and subsequently, how these attitudes are impacting conservation outcomes, is an under-researched aspect of its conservation. I interviewed 36 people at three locations in Taiwan to understand Taiwanese …

Swatting Flies: Biting Insects As Non-Invasive Samplers For Mammalian Population Genomics, Anubhab Khan, Ryan Carter, Chengetai D. Mpamhanga, Daniel Masiga, Manun Channumsin, Marc Ciosi, Oliva Manangwa, Furaha Mramba, Umer Zeeshan Ijaz, Harriet Auty, Barbara K. Mable

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Advances in next-generation sequencing have allowed the use of DNA obtained from unusual sources for wildlife studies. However, these samples have been used predominantly to sequence mitochondrial DNA for species identification while population genetics analyses have been rare. Since next-generation sequencing allows indiscriminate detection of all DNA fragments in a sample, technically it should be possible to sequence whole genomes of animals from environmental samples. Here we used a blood-feeding insect, tsetse fly, to target whole genome sequences of wild animals. Using pools of flies, we compared the ability to recover genomic data from hosts using the short-read sequencing (Illumina) …

Host-Associated Beneficial Gut Microbiota Boosts Induced Immunity And Limits Immune Deployment Costs In Bumblebees, Austin C. Calhoun, Teni Shosanya, Brenna K. Long, Jade K. Rehberger, Ben M. Sadd

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

1. Ecological immunology posits that variation in host resistance to infection may be attributed partly to the ecological and evolutionary costs of immunity. While the deployment of immune defence is necessary to combat pathogenic infection, hosts pay energetic and other costs for activation.
2. Host-associated beneficial microbiota have been shown to affect multiple host traits, including immunity, but how interactions with these microbial communities may mitigate the costs of immune activation remains an open question. For apid bees, including eusocial bumblebees, core members of the adult gut microbiota contribute to a variety of fitness-relevant traits and provide a key ecological and evolutionary …

Physiological Conditions Of Barn Owl (Tyto Furcata) Nestlings As Indicators Of Habitat Quality Within The Wine-Growing Region Of Napa Valley, Christian Cortez

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The global environmental impacts of increasing agricultural demand a transition to sustainable farming practices, including the use of integrated pest management to decrease reliance on harmful pesticides. Vineyard managers in Napa Valley, California, have implemented this strategy by establishing nest boxes that attract barn owls (Tyto furcata) which, in turn, provide an ecosystem service by removing rodent pests. Studies in this system have found uncultivated landcover to be positively associated with distributional and demographic measures of habitat quality for barn owls, but individual measures have not been thoroughly explored. I examined three physiological conditions of barn owl nestlings …

Just Keep Swimming: Outmigration Survival Of Upper Klamath Basin Juvenile Chinook Salmon, James M. Whelan

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The removal of four impassable hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River provides salmonids with the opportunity to recolonize their historic range in the upper Klamath River watershed. However, successful reestablishment of salmon populations requires juvenile salmon born in Oregon's upper tributaries to safely migrate downstream through the river's upper reaches. This stretch of the Klamath River, immediately downstream of Upper Klamath Lake, presents multiple migration challenges, including two flow-control dams not scheduled for removal (Link River Dam and Keno Dam), significant water diversions, and water quality issues. To evaluate these challenges, I conducted experimental releases of radio-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon …

Exploring The Placebo Effect On The Cortisol Stress Response, Povheng Yam

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The placebo effect is well-studied on pain perception and is often observed to have a pain-reducing effect in patients. A few studies suggest that the placebo effect can influence physiological changes in people. To date, not many studies have examined the placebo effect on stress; thus, the current study explored the placebo effect on participants’ cortisol stress response and self-reported stress while undergoing a modified acute stress task, the Sing-a-Song Stress Test (SSST). The current study includes 44 participants (22 in the control group and 22 in the treatment group). A deceptive stress-reducing tincture (filled with water) was used as …

Variation In The Timing And Duration Of Rough-Skinned Newt (Taricha Granulosa) Larval Period In The Center Of Their Geographic Range (Humboldt County, California), Emmery R. Parker

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa) occur along the Pacific coast of the U.S. from central California to southwestern Alaska at elevations from zero to 2,800 m. Across that range, the timing and duration of various life history events (i.e., hatching, metamorphosis, breeding, and oviposition) are largely unknown, although general trends have been observed in a few locales. Larval life stages are particularly important for determining amphibian population persistence, but there have been no formal studies describing the larval period of rough-skinned newts. Using minnow-trap and dip net surveys at nine lentic sites in northern Humboldt County, California (elevations 400 …

Examining The Effects Of Songbird Nest Boxes And Habitat On Avian And Arthropod Communities In A Vineyard Ecosystem, Eleanor Macdonald

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Agricultural expansion threatens biodiversity, but integrating insectivorous birds into vineyard ecosystems may support both conservation and ecosystem services. We tested how nest boxes and habitat composition influence avian and arthropod communities in Napa Valley vineyards using a before-after, control-impact experiment across 20 sites. During the 2023-2024 breeding seasons we conducted avian point counts, sampled key pest and beneficial arthropods, and collected fecal samples from adult and nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) to detect vineyard pest DNA. Nest boxes significantly increased swallow and bluebird abundance within one year; swallow responses were strongest …

Recovery Of Verbal Working Memory Depends On Left Hemisphere White Matter Tracts, Randi C Martin, Junhua Ding, Ali I Alwani, Steve H Fung, Tatiana T Schnur

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Researchers propose that the recovery of language function following stroke depends on the recruitment of perilesional regions in the left hemisphere and/or homologous regions in the right hemisphere. Many investigations of recovery focus on changes in gray matter regions, whereas relatively few examine white matter tracts and none address the role of these tracts in the recovery of verbal working memory. The present study addressed these gaps, examining the role of left versus right hemisphere tracts in the longitudinal recovery of phonological and semantic working memory. For 24 individuals with left hemisphere stroke, we assessed working memory performance within 1 …

Wnt7a, Naomi M Calhoun, Richard R Behringer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

WNT7A regulates numerous developmental processes. It can activate canonical and non-canonical signaling depending on context. It is expressed in the developing central nervous system, limb buds, reproductive organs, and other tissues. Spontaneous and targeted Wnt7a mutations in mouse models resulted in abnormal limbs, defects in male and female reproductive tract organs, infertility, and defects in cerebellar axon remodeling. In zebrafish, wnt7aa mutants exhibited neurogenesis and angiogenesis defects in the central nervous system. In humans, recessive WNT7A missense and nonsense mutations resulted in severe limb and pelvic bone defects. Alterations in WNT7A expression correlated with multiple types of cancer.

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Leukocyte Infiltration Profiles At The Site Of Intradermal Injection Of Silikon-1000 In Scleroderma-Prone Ucd200/206 And Healthy White Leghorn Chickens, Katee L. Johnson, Jossie M. Santamaria, Chrysta N. Beck, Gisela F. Erf

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Intradermal injections of silicone-based fillers for the face and body may cause chronic inflammation and fibrotic reactions in some individuals. Chickens from the UCD 200/206 White Leghorn (WL) line spontaneously develop a fibrotic autoimmune disease known as scleroderma/systemic sclerosis (SSc). Using the SSc-prone UCD and healthy WL chickens, a longitudinal study was conducted to examine the cellular inflammatory responses to intradermal (i.d.) injections of sterile SILIKON-1000. Specifically, the pulp (a skin derivative) of growing feathers (GFs) was i.d. injected with sterile SILIKON-1000 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as injection control (8 and 3 birds/line, respectively; 10 µL/GF; 20 GFs/bird). Two GFs …

Biological Control Of Ticks In Domestic Environments: Modeling The Potential Impact Of Entomopathogenic Fungi On The Transmission Of East Coast Fever In Cattle, Joseph Wang Ang A. Oundo, Nienke Hartemink, Mart C.M. De Jong, Constantianus J.M. Koenraadt, Shewit Kalayou, Daniel Masiga, Quirine Ten Bosch

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Biological control of ticks using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) is a highly desired alternative to chemical acaricides for the control of tick-borne pathogens. For Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ICIPE 7, one of these EPFs, efficacy against multiple tick species has been demonstrated in laboratory and field settings. However, we currently have little quantitative understanding of how EPFs can impact transmission. We developed a deterministic model of tick–host–pathogen interactions to explore how the effects of EPF on Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks may impact the transmission dynamics of East Coast fever (ECF) in cattle populations. We parameterized the multi-faceted effects of EPFs on tick dynamics …

Nutritional And Antioxidant Properties Of Two Species Of Edible Scarab Beetles (Cetonia Aurata And Oryctes Rhinoceros), S. S. Mwanza, C. M. Mudalungu, N. M. Kimani, H. O. Mokaya, B. O. Ochieng, S. Juma, C. M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Edible scarab beetles are important repositories for nutritive and bioactive compounds, but this information remains largely unexplored. This study explored the nutritional and therapeutic properties of two edible scarab beetles from three different locations (Embu, Murangâa and Nairobi Counties) in Kenya. Morphological and molecular characterization of the wild collected larvae revealed two important edible beetle species (Cetonia aurata L. and Oryctes rhinoceros L.). The larvae of both species are excellent source of crude proteins (44% for O. rhinoceros and 63% for C. aurata). The larvae of O. rhinoceros were rich in minerals, particularly calcium (15.75-22.65 mg/g) and potassium (13.62-22.88 mg/g). …

Effects Of Insect Meals On Fish Digestibility, Blood Parameters, And Economic Performance: A Meta-Analysis, M. A. Aaqillah-Amr, A. Hidir, M. Ikhwanuddin, N. A. Fatan, R. Muhammad-Rahimi, S. Ning-Shahira, R. G.N. Siankhe, G. W. Vandenberg, C. M. Tanga, R. Yossa

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This review examines the use of insect meal (IM) as a substitute for fishmeal (FM) in fish feeds within the past decade. While global interest in this alternative is growing, research on its effects on fish digestibility, blood parameters, and economic performance has been limited. Meta-analysis on the apparent digestibility coefficient revealed a negative effect summary on dry matter (0.92) and crude lipid (0.51), although the difference between the two groups was relatively minor. However, a positive effect summary was reported in the apparent digestibility of crude protein (0.12), suggesting a potential advantage in the utilization of protein by fish …

Effects Of A Diet Supplemented With A Blend Of Protected Organic Acids And Essential Oilson Growth Performance And Cecal Microbiota Composition In Broilers, Mehmet Akan, Kadi̇r Serdar Di̇ker, Serdar Özlü, Murat Çelebi̇, Seyyi̇de Sariçam İnce, Barişhan Doğan, Okan Eli̇bol

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Organic acids (OAs) and essential oils (EOs) have several positive effects on the gut microbiota of broilers. In this study, weaimed to determine the efficacy of a blend of protected OAs and EOs [P(OA+EO)] on the growth performance and cecal microbiota ofbroiler chickens. A total of 160 Ross 308 broiler chickens, including 80 male and 80 female birds, all 1 day old, were randomly distributedbetween the control group (basal diet) and the treatment group [basal diet + 300 g/t P(OA+EO)] according to an 8-pen arrangementwith 4 replicates of 20 birds. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed consumption (FC), …

The Genomic Landscape Of Hermetia Illucens: Exploring The Potential Of The Black Soldier Fly Through Molecular Insights, Peter Muchina, Johnson Kinyua, Fathiya Khamis, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Grum Gebreyesus, Zexi Cai, Goutam Sahana

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Abstract The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, has garnered significant attention recently due to its potential applications in waste management, animal feed production, frass fertilizer production, and biotechnology. Despite its numerous advantages, genomic resources for BSF remain limited, underscoring the necessity for continued genomic exploration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the genomic landscape of BSF, emphasizing the critical role of genomics in understanding its biology and optimizing its applications. We highlighted recent advancements in BSF genome sequencing, transcriptomic and proteomic studies, and the characterization of the gut microbiome, revealing its implications for BSF health and production efficiency. …

Morphometric Characterization Of Invasive Diaphorina Citri Infesting Citrus And Orange Jasmine In Ghana, Kodwo Dadzie Ninsin, Maxwell Kelvin Billah, Bernard Agyeman Boateng, Jonathan Osei-Owusu, Fred Kormla Ablormeti, Samuel Opuni-Basoa, Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor, George Edusei, Steve B.S. Baleba, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Morphometric analysis plays a crucial role in the accurate identification and classification of insect pests, which is essential for implementing effective management strategies. The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama; Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive species and a known vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and ‘Ca. Liberibacter americanus,’ the bacterial pathogens associated with Huanglongbing (HLB), has recently emerged as a pest of concern in Ghana. Despite its significance, little is known about the biological traits of field populations in the region. In this study, we examined morphometric variation in D. citri populations infesting citrus and orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) across different …