Digital Commons Network^™

Unveiling Motivations Behind First-Generation Farming, Lucas D. Kisiel

Senior Honors Projects

In the contemporary era, traditional farming practices have

faded as industrialization reshaped agricultural landscapes.

However, a noteworthy phenomenon has emerged: individuals

willingly embrace farming, even without familial legacy. This

project aims to delve into the personal incentives driving

individuals towards farming careers. Specifically, it seeks to

shed light on the challenges encountered during farm

establishment and subsequent endeavors. By focusing on first-

generation farmers, this study explores personal motivations

that influence career choices in farming without the pressures

of familial tradition. For some, it's a quest for fulfillment, a

departure from the monotony of office work to engage in

something …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 30. Wallace A Theist? Part I., Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823−1913) has been portrayed as a ‘theist’ on a large number of occasions from his own time on to the present. In this, the first of a two part work, this assessment is questioned. In part one, the matter of Wallace’s personal philosophy and spiritual orientation is explored, the conclusion being that Wallace was a lifelong agnostic who can hardly be aligned with theism.

Case Of Human Orthohantavirus Infection, Michigan, Usa, 2021, Samuel M Goodfellow, Robert A Nofchissey, Dustin Arsnoe, Chunyan Ye, Seonghyeon Lee, Jieun Park, Won-Keun Kim, Kartik Chandran, Shannon L M Whitmer, John D Klena, Jonathan W Dyal, Trevor Shoemaker, Diana Riner, Mary Grace Stobierski, Kimberly Signs, Steven B Bradfute

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Orthohantaviruses cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome; most cases occur in the southwest region of the United States. We discuss a clinical case of orthohantavirus infection in a 65-year-old woman in Michigan and the phylogeographic link of partial viral fragments from the patient and rodents captured near the presumed site of infection.

Varecia Rubra (Red Ruffed Lemur) Diel Activity And Calling At Andranobe, Masoala National Park, Madagascar, Hannah Elena Hilden-Reid

Dissertations and Theses

With respect to the natural variation in abiotic and biotic conditions present between daytime and nighttime periods, many animal species show evolutionary adaptations specialized for diurnality, nocturnality, or crepuscularity. Biologists have traditionally viewed categorizations of this kind as fixed within taxonomic groups, emphasizing how intricately species’ survival is contingent on the ability to adapt to low light, high light, or twilight conditions. However, movement away from such distinct temporal niche categories began within chronobiological studies following the discovery of more flexible patterns of activity in numerous taxa during the late 1970s. This shift generated increased interest in elucidating the complex …

Effects Of Diminazene Aceturate On Drosophila Melanogaster: A Lipidomic Analysis, Gabriela Suarez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pesticides are agents designed to eradicate living organisms to preserve agricultural needs.¹ Today the most commonly used pesticides are termed “modern pesticides”, they are characterized by lower lipophilicity and limited stability, making them less time persistent in the environment. Among these modern pesticides are organophosphorus, urea, phenoxy alkanoic, triazine, chloroacetanilide, and glyphosate-based pesticides.² The issue faced with most of these pesticides is that they affect more than just the targeted pest and pose a danger to not only humans, but also entire ecosystems.^1,3,4 While there are many different types of pesticides, insecticides show the most variance and …

Prioritizing Indigenous Participation And Compensation In Research, Amanda Sabin

Journal of Critical Global Issues

Throughout history, the dynamic between colonial entities and indigenous groups has been characterized by exploitation and power imbalance. Indigenous knowledge has the potential to positively impact the world, through medicinal breakthroughs, radical approaches to sustainability, cultural heritage, systems of learning and adaptation, and more. Particularly in the context of research, fields like anthropology, botany and pharmacology serve to benefit from indigenous knowledge, but these interactions cannot continue to be based on extraction at the cost of indigenous communities. This work will discuss the future of relationships between researchers and indigenous communities; how this power dynamic must be transformed into an …

Toxicity And Risk Of Biopesticides To Insect Pollinators In Urban And Agricultural Landscapes, Joshua Chavana, Neelendra K. Joshi

Entomology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pollinators play important roles in providing pollination services, maintaining biodiversity, and boosting crop production. Even though pollinators are essential to the environment and agriculture, their decline has been noted across multiple studies in the recent past. Both natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to their decline. Much of the focus has been placed on climate change, habitat loss, pests and pathogens, and synthetic pesticides, but relatively little is known about the effects of biopesticides. Biopesticides are biological control agents derived from living organisms and are classified into three groups: microbial, biochemical, and plant-incorporated protectant-based products. Biopesticides are formulated similarly to …

A Flexible Inventory Of Survey Items For Environmental Concepts Generated Via Special Attention To Content Validity And Item Response Theory, John A. Vucetich, Jeremy T. Bruskotter, Benjamin Ghasemi, Claire E. Rapp, Michael Paul Nelson, Kristina M. Slagle

Michigan Tech Publications

We demonstrate how many important measures of belief about the environmental suffer from poor content validity and inadequate conceptual breadth (dimensionality). We used scholarship in environmental science and philosophy to propose a list of 13 environmental concepts that can be held as beliefs. After precisely articulating the concepts, we developed 85 trial survey items that emphasized content validity for each concept. The concepts’ breadth and the items’ content validity were aided by scrutiny from 17 knowledgeable critics. We administered the trial items to 449 residents of the United States and used item response theory to reduce the 85 trial items …

Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention Of Women In Stem, Kira Carter, Jane Kelley, Jason Vasser-Elong, Rc Patterson

Dissertations

Our co-authored research ‘Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention for Women as STEM Majors’ analyzed factors that contributed to the retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T). Women make up half of the US population, and while careers in (STEM) are an integral part of the US economy, women are underrepresented in these career fields. The purpose of our dissertation is to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM majors. Our methodology included homogeneous sampling to collect qualitative data. More specifically, we consulted with academic advisors and …

Functional Epas1/ Hif2a Missense Variant Is Associated With Hematocrit In Andean Highlanders, Elijah S Lawrence, Wanjun Gu, Ryan J Bohlender, Cecilia Anza-Ramirez, Amy M Cole, James J Yu, Hao Hu, Erica C Heinrich, Katie A O'Brien, Carlos A Vasquez, Quinn T Cowan, Patrick T Bruck, Kysha Mercader, Mona Alotaibi, Tao Long, James E Hall, Esteban A Moya, Marco A Bauk, Jennifer J Reeves, Mitchell C Kong, Rany M Salem, Gustavo Vizcardo-Galindo, Jose-Luis Macarlupu, Rómulo Figueroa-Mujíca, Daniela Bermudez, Noemi Corante, Eduardo Gaio, Keolu P Fox, Veikko Salomaa, Aki S Havulinna, Andrew J Murray, Atul Malhotra, Frank L Powel, Mohit Jain, Alexis C Komor, Gianpiero L Cavalleri, Chad D Huff, Francisco C Villafuerte, Tatum S Simonson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hypoxia-inducible factor pathway genes are linked to adaptation in both human and nonhuman highland species. EPAS1, a notable target of hypoxia adaptation, is associated with relatively lower hemoglobin concentration in Tibetans. We provide evidence for an association between an adaptive EPAS1 variant (rs570553380) and the same phenotype of relatively low hematocrit in Andean highlanders. This Andean-specific missense variant is present at a modest frequency in Andeans and absent in other human populations and vertebrate species except the coelacanth. CRISPR-base-edited human cells with this variant exhibit shifts in hypoxia-regulated gene expression, while metabolomic analyses reveal both genotype and phenotype associations …

The Santa Clara, 2024-02-02, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

Recovering Ancient Dna Using The Polymerase Chain Reaction, Rose Jennings

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Investigations into aDNA offer a window into the past that modern DNA and paleontological studies alone cannot provide and help address the evolution and connections between hominids, domestication timelines, the analysis of populations over time, and general diversity. Progress in aDNA research has been inherently technology-driven, with modern molecular biology methods, such as the inventions of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), substantially increasing the analysis possibilities of aDNA. My research this semester has taken me along two parallel paths of investigation: literary research into aDNA and practical exposure to the laboratory techniques used in its analysis. …

Comparing Effects Of Atrazine Exposure On Neuroendocrine Molecular Targets At Two Developmental Exposure Periods In The Zebrafish, Jenna Swihart

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

The Santa Clara, 2024-01-19, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

Proceedings Of The 23rd International Conference Of Public Health Sciences

Journal of Health Research

Chulalongkorn University aims to be a prominent national institution with global recognition. Its primary focus is on producing knowledge and innovation that are crucial for the creative and sustainable development of Thai society. To achieve this vision, the university consistently provides support to all of its faculties, institutes, colleges, and other entities in carrying out a range of academic activities, including in-class teaching, research, and conferences, such as the one we are gathered for today. With a primary focus on graduate-level teaching in the field of public health and public health sciences, the College of Public Health Sciences is a …

Can Wildlife Mortality On A Local Road Tell Something General? An Answer From A Protected Area In South-Western Romania, Diana Cupşa, Severus Daniel Covaciu Marcov, Robert Liviu Mihai Rengle, Amalia Raluca Dumbrava, Sára Ferenti, Adriana Petruş Vancea

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Between June 2020 and May 2021, we studied the fauna road mortality on a recently asphalted local road in a protected area in southwestern Romania (Iron Gates Natural Park–IGNP). Despite our expectation of reduced road mortality because of the very low traffic (3.97 cars/hour), numerous animals belonging to a high number of taxa were killed. Animals were killed throughout the entire year, even amphibians in the winter months, which normally should hibernate in that period. Road mortality differences between periods and sectors were obvious. Plant assemblages near the road influence the composition and intensity of road mortality. Diverse habitats near …

Changes In Adult Well-Being And Economic Inequalities: An Exploratory Observational Longitudinal Study (2002–2010) Of Micro-Level Trends Among Tsimane’, A Small-Scale Rural Society Of Indigenous People In The Bolivian Amazon, Ricardo Godoy, Jonathan Bauchet, Jere R. Behrman, Tomás Huanca, William R. Leonard, Victoria Reyes-García, Asher Rosinger, Susan Tanner, Eduardo A. Undurraga, Ariela Zycherman

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Knowing what happens over time to the lifeways of people in contemporary small-scale non-industrial societies of the rural Global South matters because it helps assess changes in the quality of life of underrepresented groups. It has been hard to answer the question because longitudinal information is rarely collected in such settings. A longitudinal dataset of nine years (2002–2010) from a horticultural-foraging society of Indigenous People in the Bolivian Amazon (Tsimane’) is used for an exploratory analysis of micro-level trends in indicators of well-being and economic inequalities. We selected 13 Tsimane’ villages (from ∼ 100) that varied in proximity to town …

The Comparison Of Different Wetland Fish Assemblages Over Time, Robert Edward Adelstein

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services. Historically, we have drained and filled 73% of wetlands for agricultural use throughout the United States from the 1780s to the 1980s (Dahl, 1990). A nationwide focus on restoring wetlands has since occurred. Literature on restored/mitigated wetlands is rife with examples that do and do not support the same ecosystem services as natural wetlands (Langston, 1997; Meil, 2014). Restoration of wetlands occurred at the Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area (GBWMA) over several decades. Various sections of the wetland were classified by age, water depth, and vegetation. One hypothesis was that differences in fish assemblage would …

The Impact Of Isolation From Other Members Of The Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur Simus) Species On The Behavior Of A Lone Greater Bamboo Lemur In Ranomafana National Park, Marissa N. Mccandless, Alex Casamassima, Sophie Thomas

Undergraduate Research (Journal)

Across Madagascar, many lemur species are declining in number due to deforestation perpetuated by slash and burn agriculture. Ranomafana National Park hosts 12 unique lemur species, one of which has a local population of just a single individual- the Greater Bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus). Being extremely social beings, we theorize that isolation from members of one’s species will change behavioral patterns. To test this hypothesis, we used focal animal sampling to record the behavior of the Greater Bamboo lemur for about 40 hours over a five day period. We compared our results to behavioral data collected of lemurs in a …

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Reilly Miller

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Habitat loss due to deforestation is a primary threat to global biodiversity. Clearing tropical rainforests for agriculture leads to forest fragmentation. Forest fragments contain fewer large trees and provide lower food availability for primates compared to continuous forests. Mantled howler monkeys inhabit the increasingly fragmented rainforests of Central and South America and may need to alter their activity and spatial cohesion to mitigate competition and preserve energy in fragments where there is lower quality food. We compared howler monkey activity and spatial cohesion across a small forest fragment (La Suerte Biological Research Station, LSBRS) and a large, continuous forest (La …

Unveiling The Past: A Comparative Demographic Analysis Of The Black Population In Columbus, Georgia With Other Contemporaneous Data (1700'S To Present), Torie Hartis, Michael Newbrey, Jennifer Newbrey

CSU Tower Day

No abstract provided.

Power Centres: A Collaborative Development Proposal For Addressing Poverty And Related Challenges In Rural Communities In Kenya, Kennedy Okello Miruka, Kennedy Okello Miruka

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

In Homa Bay County, Kenya, a community-led development initiative called the Power Centre is transforming the fight against poverty and powerlessness. Grounded in principles of decolonization and participatory action, this project addresses the root causes of marginalization by empowering residents of Kokal Village to become active agents of change. Through a robust mixed-methods research approach, the project identifies systemic challenges and leverages existing social networks to build a sustainable, locally-owned model for development. The Power Centre implements a three-pronged strategy, focusing on increasing community participation, strengthening existing groups, and fostering collaborative networks to weave a robust support system. By addressing …

Bone Traces And Modifications From Feeding By Dermestes Maculatus, B. V. Adams, Leon G. Higley

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

That Dermestes maculatus feeding can leave marks on bones is established in the literature - that D. maculatus routinely mark bones is not. Our results here, exposing fleshed bones to D. maculatus adults and immatures for almost two months after complete tissue removal, indicate that under natural conditions D. maculatus do not feed on bones. The key issue seems to be the ability of D. maculatus to seek new food sources versus being confined (and eventually starving) on bones. In a natural setting, once a food supply is exhausted, D. maculatus would seek new food …

Probable Extirpation Of The Jackrabbit (Lepus Californicus) From Arkansas, D.B. Sasse

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) was first documented in Arkansas during the modern era in Franklin County in 1927. Over the next few decades records were reported from multiple counties in northwest Arkansas and the species was locally common in Benton, Crawford, and Washington counties in the 1950s. The last Arkansas record documented in the scientific literature was from 1968 and since then there have only been three credible reports, with the last being from the late 1980s. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission solicited reports of jackrabbits from the public and failed to find evidence of them from a …

Exploring Ecological Drivers Of Evolution Of The Brain, Cognition, And Behavior, Meghan Korte

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Evolutionary theory proposes that increases in brain size confer cognitive and behavioral benefits that offset the expensive investment in brain tissue. However, few studies have examined the relationship between brain size, cognition, and behavior within species. The majority of research has focused on cross-species comparisons, thus there is a need for empirical research within species examining how contrasting ecological pressures select for cognitive and behavioral benefits and how these may evolve in tandem with changes in brain size. My dissertation addresses this gap by examining: 1) Whether selection on brain size is linked to improvements in cognitive ability; 2) How …

Program And Proceedings: Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2024, 144th Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program

Aeronautics and Space Science

Aeronautics and Space Science Poster Session

Anthropology: Humans Past and Present

Maiben Lecture: "Platte Basin Timelapse: A Watershed in Motion," Grant Reiner

Applied Science and Technology

Biological Sciences

Biomedical Sciences

Chemistry

Earh Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Physics

Science Education

Biomedical Versus Ayurvedic Traditions: The Triumph Of Indian Medicine In A Postcolonial World, Emma Jones

BYU Asian Studies Student Journal

The importance of a full understanding of Ayurvedic medicine and other traditional practices. By recognizing how Ayurvedic medicine was disparaged during the colonial period by the Western world, explaining the significance of social determinants of health within the context of Ayurvedic medicine, and acknowledging the importance of spiritual and mental health on physical health as understood today. During the colonial period in India, changes came in many forms, not the least of which was the dismissal of a century’s old medical tradition that had contributed to the health of millions of South Asians. This health tradition is focused on prevention …

Calliphoridae Of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Andrew Meeds

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

This project aimed to establish a baseline understanding of the blow fly fauna of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (OPCNM). Blow flies are the most commonly used insect in criminal investigations due to their tendency to be the earliest to locate and colonize remains. By understanding their distributions and patterns of seasonality, forensic entomologists can determine which species are most likely to colonize remains and identify which species may require further study. An 11-month comparison between fresh and aged chicken liver-baited traps improves understanding of primary and secondary colonizers in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and offers insights into effective …

Field Guide To Common Forensically Important Insects Of Oregon, Dakota Hufford

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Purpose, Scope and Structure of the Guide

This guide aims to serve as a semi-comprehensive resource for anyone interested in forensic entomology within the state of Oregon in the United States. This resource is intended to fill a gap in existing available forensic entomology educational materials by providing identifying information on the primary groups of insects involved in decomposition processes and forensic investigations in Oregon. It is useful for a diverse group of people including students, educators, forensic professionals, and laypeople with an interest in entomology. Therefore, the intended audience ranges from interested amateurs and curious observers, to educators and …

The Standing Of Anger: Insights From The Debate(S) On Constructed Emotion, Andrew Holzer

CMC Senior Theses

In her book, Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, Justice, Martha Nussbaum argues that anger is inherently flawed because it fundamentally contains the desire for payback. To support her argument, she posits specific metaphysical claims about the nature of emotions like anger. This thesis is an extended critique of her metaphysical foundation from the perspective of empirical research in the neuroscience of emotion. The first reason to dispute this picture is descriptive; this view of anger is based on an outdated version of cognitive appraisal theory, which sees emotions as triggered directly by static moments of cognitive appraisal. The second …