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Practical Considerations For Conducting Canine Behavioral Science, Lucrezia Lonardo, Madeline H. Pelgrim, Jeffrey R. Stevens

Jeffrey Stevens Publications

Research on behavior in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) has increased rapidly recently due to the interest in them as pets, working dogs, and model species for understanding evolution, domestication, and even human health. This interest in canine behavioral science has resulted in the creation of dozens of dog lab worldwide, with more starting every year. Our aim here is to review practical issues that potential dog researchers might consider when deciding how to set up a dog lab and conduct research in canine behavioral science. We hope that this can offer a path forward in promoting high-quality, cutting-edge …

Music, Eeg And Stress: Connections Between Music And Electroencephalographic Patterns And The Mediation Of Physiological And Psychological Stress, Alexa Warren

Behavioral Neuroscience Honors Papers

The interrelation between music and the brain is an evolving interdisciplinary interest within neuroscience research. Relying on the capacity of music to elicit emotional and physical responses, as well as scientific principles like entrainment, this area of research explores the potential for utilizing targeted music as a holistic non-pharmacological therapeutic intervention. This is often executed via musical entrainment, which is the basis for this study. Utilizing a complex, yet elegant design, this research incorporates a cross disciplinary approach into a randomized controlled study bridging science and the arts. The purpose of this study is to expand this body of knowledge …

Temporal Avoidance By Gray Foxes Reflects Growing Pressure From Expanding Coyotes In The Neotropics, Madison Odenbach

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are rapidly expanding their range towards South America, potentially threatening the world’s highest canid diversity residing on that continent. A better understanding of their interactions with native species is needed to anticipate potential competitive impacts. In Costa Rica, native gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) likely occupy a similar niche to the coyote newcomer, yet little data exists on their interactions in tropical ecosystems. We hypothesized the two species separate temporally to minimize the potential for competition in our study area, given preliminary data suggesting high spatial overlap (57.1% of coyote-detected sites overlap with fox-detected …

Winter 2026, Humayun Islam

PMI Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Advancing Lipidomics Through Fluoroalcohol-Induced Multiphase Fractionation And Orthogonal Lc×Lc–Ms Detection, Md Al Amin

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Comprehensive characterization of the lipidome remains a significant analytical challenge due to the immense structural diversity, wide dynamic range, and complex physicochemical continuum of lipid species. Conventional extraction methods, such as those by Bligh–Dyer and Folch, and one-dimensional liquid chromatography (1D-LC) often fail to resolve this complexity, leading to chromatographic overlap, severe ion suppression, and limited coverage of low-abundance or highly hydrophobic species. This dissertation addresses these bottlenecks by establishing a separation-driven analytical framework that integrates novel fluoroalcohol-induced multiphase systems (FAiTPS) with orthogonal multidimensional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC×LC–MS).

The core of this research is the development and physicochemical characterization of …

Influences On Student College-Major Decision And Satisfaction Rate Among Students In The School Of Agriculture, Danielle Shafer

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence students to choose agriculture majors and agriculture careers and measure the level of satisfaction with their major based on these influences. There are many factors that influence students to choose a major in college and college-major satisfaction. These influences and satisfaction with major may have an impact on a student’s decision to choose a college career path. Some of the influences mentioned in studies are family, friends, educators, extension programs, clubs, financial, and recruitment efforts. The degree to which each of these influence students may depend on the …

Felt Ambivalence Weakens The Attitude-Intention Pathway For Regular Leisure-Time Physical Activity In Chinese Adolescents: A Three-Wavee Prospective Study, Yaogang Han, Yubing Wang, Pan Li, Guohua Zheng

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: Favorable attitudes toward regular leisure-time physical activity may not always translate into intention if adolescents feel ambivalent about the behavior. This study tested whether felt ambivalence weakens the prospective attitude–intention association and the indirect effect of attitude on later behavior through intention. Methods: Chinese adolescents (N = 1714; Grades 7–12; mean age = 15.0 years) completed a three-wave survey at approximately two-week intervals. Wave 1 assessed attitudes toward regular leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, felt ambivalence, and physical activity habit; Wave 2 assessed intention; and Wave 3 assessed leisure-time physical activity. Moderated mediation was tested in a structural equation model …

Development Of The Core Lit Apparatus For Seaweed Hatcheries (Clash) Bioreactor Using A Germplasm Approach, Phillip O. Tahimic

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In comparison to the Asian aquaculture industry, the United States has minimal seaweed production. There are several drivers of the limited industry in the US, such as regulatory constraints and limited market demand, but the ability to scale is a considerable barrier to commercialization. One possible solution is the development of land-based systems that integrate bioreactors, which utilize fewer resources and do not wholly rely on an oceanic flow-through system. This study assessed the application of a modular bioreactor, known as Core Lit Apparatus for Seaweed Hatcheries (CLASH), as a nursery system and open-source project designed to expand land-based seaweed …

Metabolic Reprogramming Following Mitochondrial Transfer Between Idh2-Mutant Chondrosarcoma Cells And A Normal B-Cell Line, Caleb Wyckoff, Christopher Osgood, Ellen Jing, Michael Stacey

Bioelectrics Publications

Background/Objectives: Chondrosarcoma, glioblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and cholangiocarcinoma cancers all contain mutations in the gene isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2). The mutant IDH2 enzyme metabolizes alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) into the potent oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D2HG) in the mitochondria of these cancers, leading to altered cellular metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial transfer between cancer and recipient cells represents an important form of intercellular communication that may influence cellular metabolism. The presence of intercellular TNTs between IDH2-mutant chondrosarcoma cells motivated an investigation into mitochondria-associated physiological changes occurring during an intercellular exchange with immune cells. A mitochondrial transfer is a two-way …

Short Term Trends In Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities Downstream Of Iron Gate Dam Before And During Klamath Dam Removal, Rosa Cox

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Dam removals are increasingly being used to restore connectivity and ecological function to rivers degraded by impoundments, yet the short-term ecological impacts of large-scale dam removals remain poorly understood. In 2023-2024, four hydroelectric dams were removed from the Klamath River in Northern California and southern Oregon, mobilizing large volumes of fine sediments stored in reservoirs.  This study evaluated short-term trends in benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) communities within the first ~90 km downstream of the Klamath dam removal project reach by comparing benthic kick net, invertebrate drift, and juvenile salmonid diet samples before (2022-2023) and during (2024) dam removal at paired mainstem …

Bacterial Community Function In Pitcher Plant Leaves As An Experimental And Mathematical Model Of Functional Dynamics, Amelia Jackson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This work looks at two different sites with differing abiotic factors in measures of altitude, temperature and precipitation. The site with higher altitude, larger temperature range, and lower precipitation, located in Plumas National Forest (Quincy, CA), had a flat BEF trend that suggests functional redundancy The site with lower altitude, more moderate temperatures, and higher precipitation located in Six Rivers National Forest (Gasquet, CA), also had a flat BEF trend. These abiotic factors could correlate to the significantly different bacterial compositions between sites. The second portion of this work is modeling the host antagonist relationship between Eyxra moths and their …

Vegetation Species And Bed Position May Drive Epifaunal But Not Nekton Habitat Use In Estuarine Submerged Vegetation In The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama, Steven Vroljik, Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, Ashley Mcdonald, Zoey Hendrickson, Bethany Kiley, Anna Reimer, Sierra Robertson, Samantha Smith, Edward Sullivan, Charles Martin

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) supports nekton and epifaunal macroinvertebrates, sustaining food webs and ecosystem services in estuaries. Invasive SAV can alter these dynamics by displacing native vegetation and restructuring communities. In Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta (MTD), Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is rapidly expanding and outcompeting native wild celery (Vallisneria americana). This study compared nekton and epifaunal assemblages between M. spicatum and V. americana, focusing on edge versus interior positions. Nekton surveys identified 22 taxa (M. spicatum, n = 13; V. americana, n = 18), but assemblages did not differ significantly between vegetation types …

Beyond Ssris: Omega-3 Fatty Acids And The Neurobiology Of Impulsivity In Borderline Personality Disorder, Sujean Doo

Scripps Senior Theses

Impulsivity is a central and clinically significant dimension of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and is strongly associated with self-harm, aggression, and suicide risk. Despite its prognostic importance, pharmacologic management of impulsivity in BPD remains inconsistent. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed; however, randomized controlled trials demonstrate limited efficacy for impulsive-aggression, and some patients experience a paradoxical behavioral activation. Meta-analytic and systematic reviews further suggest that mood stabilizers and second-generation antipsychotics may outperform antidepressants, yet no specific medication is indicated to target impulsive behavioral dyscontrol.

This thesis synthesizes findings from systematic reviews, randomized trials, and neuroimaging research to evaluate …

A Field Test Of The Role Of Biofluorescence In Territorial Salamanders, Kasey Watterson, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson, Carl Anthony

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Biofluorescence is recognized as an important form of visual communication, yet its function remains largely untested in many terrestrial species. In Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), fluorescence of the postcloacal gland is a sexually dimorphic trait most strongly expressed in males. Because fluorescence can be displayed during territorial contests, we hypothesized that fluorescence in male P. cinereus would be positively related to resource holding potential (RHP) of territorial residents in the field. To test this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between fluorescence and two separate variables: body condition (as a proxy for RHP) and territory quality (the expected payoff from …

Climate Change And Species Interactions Jointly Shape Migration Timing And Growth At A Critical Ontogenetic Transition In Juvenile Sockeye Salmon, Margaret E. Veatch

Honors Theses

Climate change is shifting the timing of biological events globally, but the mechanisms linking environmental variation to phenological changes are poorly understood in many systems, particularly those where individuals undergo ontogenetic habitat shifts. Here, I examined the join influence of climate-driven environmental variability and species interactions migration timing and body size at migration in juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Lake Aleknagik, Alaska, using a multi-decadal dataset (1967–2024). Migration timing varied widely among years and was best explained by a combination of ice-out phenology, epilimnetic temperature, and fish densities in littoral habitats. Juvenile sockeye salmon migrated earlier in …

A Hybrid Object Detection And Temporal Attention Framework For Intelligent Video Surveillance, Sudheer Reddy Bandi, Eswari Vanaparthi, Yakshini Edapalli, Roshan Kavuri

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The rapid growth of urban areas has greatly heightened the need for smart video surveillance systems that can automatically process extensive amounts of CCTV footage. Traditional surveillance methods largely depend on human monitoring, which is not only inefficient but also susceptible to human mistakes, especially in intricate and crowded environments. To tackle these issues, this paper introduces a combined object detection and temporal attention for intelligent video surveillance that concurrently analyzes spatial and temporal data from video streams. The proposed system analyzes real-time CCTV footage utilising a multi-pathway frame extraction technique that includes slow, fast, and full-frame sampling to capture …

Long-Term Compositional Shifts In The Fish Community Of The Wabash River, Olivia R. Wertman

Masters Theses

There is concern about declining biodiversity in the world today and an increasing need to monitor biodiversity through collecting data and gauging changes occurring in biodiversity over time. Large river fish communities are one area of particular interest due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. One program seeking to address this is the Long-Term Survey and Assessment of Large River Fishes, LTEF, which monitors fish populations in the large rivers of Illinois. In this study, I assessed changes in the fish community of the lower 322 km of the Wabash River from 2010-2025 using annual direct current boat electrofishing surveys …

Testing The Influence Of Increased Predation On The Evolution Of Morphological Coloration Plasticity In Trinidadian Killifish (Anablepsoides Hartii), Alyssa M. Laux

Biology Theses

The ability to camouflage is a widespread trait in both vertebrates and invertebrates that enhances survival in risky environments. The ability of organisms to respond to shifts in environmental conditions and change color is a conspicuous example of camouflage. Such coloration plasticity can occur rapidly (seconds to minutes) versus longer periods of time (days to months). There are numerous examples of physiological coloration plasticity (short-term) and morphological coloration plasticity (long-term). Yet, there are few tests of the conditions that drive the evolution of physiological vs. morphological coloration plasticity. In this study we use Trinidadian killifish (Anablepsoides hartii) as …

Soil Respiration Drivers And Challenges In A Changing Environment, Olivia Rae Haas

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This study aims to understand post agricultural forested soils (sandy loam, silt loam, and loam) and the influences that drive carbon sequestration and soil respiration flux. Duke Farms in Hillsborough NJ, has historically been utilized as an agricultural zone for farming a variety of crops. Currently the area is protected with a focus on environmental conservation and restoration of the land. This includes getting a better understanding of the forested portions of the property. Understanding the quality of forested areas is vital as they have the potential to act as a carbon sink which can mitigate the effects of climate …

A Machine Learning–Based Framework For Traffic Classification And Threshold-Based Load Management In 5g Network Slicing, Safi Ibrahim, Younis S. Younis, Kamal S. Hamza, Mohamed M. Ashour

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study proposes a machine learning–based framework that applies machine learning techniques to improve the efficiency of 5G network slicing through automated traffic classification and threshold-based load management . The proposed model optimizes resource allocation among the three standardized 5G slice types: enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC). Two supervised learning algorithms—K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM)—are trained using Quality of Service (QoS) parameters such as packet delay, loss rate, and Quality Class Identifier (QCI). Experimental evaluations were conducted on two large-scale datasets containing over 400,000 traffic instances, demonstrating that the …

Photovoice Exploration Of Afghan Refugee Background Women's Food-Related Well-Being, Eileen C. Lindemann

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

More than 117,000 Afghans have been relocated to the United States following the U.S. military withdrawal in August 2021. Research indicates that Afghan refugees resettled in the U.S. are at increased risk of psychological distress, with Afghan women particularly susceptible compared with Afghan men, and diet-related chronic disease. However, research also shows that traditional food and eating customs foster cultural identity, social support, integration, and well-being. The purpose of this study was to collaboratively explore the food-related well-being and daily life contexts of resettled refugee participants through the photovoice method, a participatory research strategy in which participants photograph aspects of …

A Review Of Mockingbird Song, Jacqueline Milander

Student Theses

The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is known for its large repertoire and highly versatile song patterns.  It is a frequent mimic that is thought to continue learning sounds from its environment for the duration of its life.  Utilizing available song studies, this is a comprehensive review of northern mockingbird song, including learning, mimicry, repertoires, song dependence on seasonal cyclicity, and song function, particularly interspecific territoriality. While much discussion has surrounded the idea that northern mockingbirds engage in interspecific territoriality and that vocal mimicry functions in intersexual selection, this review provides new insight into the possibility that latitudinal differences among populations …

Characterization Of The Effects Of Atp On Primary Brainstem Glial Cells, Donovan J. Aardema Faigh

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Migraine and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) are debilitating orofacial pain disorders that negatively impact one’s quality of life. These disorders are characterized by elevated levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and activation of central nervous system glial cells that promote and maintain central sensitization and enhance pain signaling in response to inflammatory stimuli. The goal of my study was to characterize the effects of the pro-inflammatory signaling molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on intracellular calcium levels, mRNA levels, and protein expression in astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes to better understand the role of ATP in promoting central sensitization. To address this goal, primary …

United States Mainstream Meat Market Entry: An Analysis On Speciality Goat Meat Products, Madison Raye Schmitz

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Understanding consumers' perspectives and motivations is key when looking into making goat meat more accepted in the mainstream meat market. Previous research has shown there is a demand for goat meat from different populations in the US. Consumers also care more about the quality of the food they purchase. Understanding that goat meat has lower cholesterol and is leaner than other red meat is important to incorporating goat meat in niche consumer markets. Providing consumers with a product that is familiar to them is more acceptable than giving consumers a cut of meat they are unfamiliar with. Standard products like …

Exploring Factors Mediating White-Nose Syndrome In Little Brown Bats, Carly R. Trujillo

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) has experienced drastic population declines across North America due to the recent disease white-nose syndrome (WNS). Previous studies have identified putatively adaptive alleles (PAAs) that may give individuals a greater likelihood of survival. However, there could be geographic-specific adaptation, creating different adaptive landscapes. Additionally, there may be energetic trade-offs between disease survival and reproductive output, and it is not clear what the long-term survival outcomes for the species may be as a result. Long-term evolutionary outcomes are unclear because this species has a lifespan exceeding the arrival of WNS and is difficult …

The Effect Of Sex On A-To-I Editing In Skeletal Muscle During Inflammation, Skyler Lee

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is a post-transcriptional mechanism mediated by ADAR enzymes that can alter RNA sequence, protein function, and gene regulation. Because ADAR1 is upregulated during inflammation and plays a critical role in innate immunity, previous studies investigated the effects of acute inflammation on RNA editing in male and female mice. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation, and RNA editing levels were examined in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. While editing levels in the heart and brain remained unchanged, skeletal muscle exhibited tissue- and sex-specific differences in editing. In this thesis, LPS treatment affected selective editing, increasing …

Evolution Of A Novel Neuronal Sex-Specifically Spliced Gene In Mosquitoes, Yael Norohasimbola Tsitohay

Student Theses and Dissertations

Female mosquitoes from many species require a blood meal from an animal host as a protein source for egg development and successful reproduction. The majority of mosquito species are generalists in their host preference, feeding on a range of animals including mammals, birds, and amphibians. However, a small fraction of mosquito species have evolved a preference for human hosts. These species are mainly found in the genera Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles, and they have created a global health crisis due to their ability to transmit deadly human pathogens including dengue virus, Zika virus, West Nile Virus, and …

Reproductive Success Is Secured By A Rapidly-Evolving Short Peptide In Female Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes, Priyanka Lakhiani

Student Theses and Dissertations

The mosquito lineage spans hundreds of millions of years of evolution, and this period has honed the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, into a precise and expert predator. While nectar and plant-derived carbohydrates are sufficient sources of nutrition to maintain energy and metabolism, female mosquitoes must acquire multiple ingredients to successfully reproduce and produce offspring. Healthy, motile sperm from a conspecific male and a complete blood meal from a human host are required for females to develop viable eggs, and thus ensure species survival. What are the internal mechanisms that coordinate the acquisition of these key elements with the maturation, …

Structural And Functional Studies Of The Sars-Cov-2 Niran Domain, Gabriel I. Small

Student Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic was a dramatically disruptive event, wreaking devastation across the globe and radically impacting nearly every facet of human life. For the first time, a significant amount of global money and attention was directed at coronavirus (CoV) research, propelling the field to the forefront of biomedical research. This allowed for the rapid development of a suite of vaccines and antivirals targeting SARS-CoV-2 that aided in ameliorating the effects of the pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 was the third CoV zoonosis of the 21st century and is now endemic. Global understanding of the threats posed by CoVs circulating among animals in the …

Investigations Into Why Human (But Not Mouse) Ku70/80 Is Essential Reveal A Role For Human Ku70/80 In Ribosome Biogenesis, George Zakusilo

Student Theses and Dissertations

The requirement of Ku70/80 for ribosome biogenesis in higher primates explains otherwise perplexing essential nature of this double-strand break (DSB) repair factor. We have ruled out telomere protection or DSB repair as the essential function ofKu70/80. Instead, unbiased genome-wide analyses pointed to a role in ribosome biogenesis. Human Ku70/80, but not mouse Ku70/80 is enriched in the nucleolus at the Dense Fibrillar Component (DFC) periphery, likely via co-evolved protein-protein interactions with nucleolar factors. Consistent with its localization in the nucleolus, human Ku70/80 null cells exhibit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing defect and consequent shutdown of protein synthesis offer a direct explanation …