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(Woolly) Monkey Business Pre Release Behavioral Assessment Of A Semi-Wild Lagothrix Lagotricha Poeppigii Troop In The Ecuadorian Amazon., Peyton Munroe

Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii are labelled as endangered with a decreasing population trend by the IUCN. Woolly monkeys are primarily frugivores and play an important role in seed dispersal in their territories. Their presence in an ecosystem supports plant growth significantly and their decreasing population presents a further risk of loss of biodiversity for the Ecuadorian Amazon.In this study a semi-wild troop of Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii, woolly monkeys, on Sumak Allpa island were assessed for their slated translocation to Limoncocha Biological Reserve in December. There are few guidelines for primate reintroductions that have been proven to predict success. As such, this …

Pollinator Networks In Ecosystems Edges: Structural Differences And The Role Of Vegetation Characteristics In The Ecuadorian Chocó, Megan Kamper

Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Because of the importance of pollination for both natural ecosystems and the global food system, many studies have been conducted to understand plant-pollinator networks and how they respond to disturbances. This study compared network structures of edge areas of three habitats in the Ecuadorian Chocó-Andino región: a road, river, and forest and evaluated correlations between vegetation characteristics and pollinator richness. In each site, plant species and floral abundance were recorded along a 50m transect. Each flowering plant was observed for five minutes for insect visitors and data was used to construct bipartite networks. Results show that, as is characteristic of …

Hunting For Ecosystem Health: Cursorial Spiders As Bioindicators Of Anthropogenic Disturbance In The Ecuadorian Upper Amazonía, Jacob Cummings

Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Cursorial spiders are members of the Araneae order that actively hunt prey instead of using primarily web-based methods. Not only is this group incredibly diverse, but they are also incredibly sensitive to habitat changes and anthropogenic disturbance as a result of their role as widespread predators to arthropods. Consequently , they are widely regarded as effective bioindicators of ecosystem health, allowing land managers to more easily monitor a spaces’ conservation status and health. Despite this, Araneae do not frequently find themselves the focus of study when compared to other taxa, necessitating further research. This study surveyed Araneae -specifically of the …

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #67 April 2025

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

President's message, Deb VanOverbeke

Student awards: Outstanding Junior Lara Arnold, Outstanding Senior Emily Eilers, Graduate Award Caitlin Ross

Dues and membership information

Faculty awards: Research Award Samodha Fernando, Teaching Award Gary Sullivan, Extension Awards Jenny Nixon and Bijesh Maharjan, Award of Merit Mike Boehm

Gamma Sigma Delta committees 2025

Foundation fund information

New members inducted

In memoriam: Dorothy "Dotti" Mott Callahan (May 4, 1942-August 12, 2023); Frank Michael Zoz (November 5, 1936-December 9, 2023); Duane Calvin Acker (March 13, 1931-December 13, 2024); John C. Owens (1944-2024); Duane A. Olson (July 17, 1935-January 5, 2025); Roger W. Mandingo (April 21, 1939-January …

Focal Adhesion Genes And Proteins Are Differentially Expressed Across Cell Types In Down Syndrome, Brian Yoon

Senior Theses

Down syndrome (DS), caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, leads to widespread gene expression changes through mechanisms such as transcriptional dysregulation and altered protein interactions. These disruptions contribute to a range of clinical features, including impaired wound healing, immune dysfunction, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This study focused on how DS affects fibroblast morphology and motility—processes critical for tissue repair and brain development. Using quantitative immunocytochemistry and image analysis, we found that DS fibroblasts displayed a broader, less polarized shape, with increased cell perimeter and reduced aspect ratio. However, levels of key adhesion proteins like vinculin, FAK, and β-actin were …

Early Motor And Language Development In Infants At Elevated Likelihood For Autism, Natalie C. Deal

Senior Theses

During the early stages of infant development, various emerging skills set the foundation for more complex abilities. One such connection is the development of motor skills, which play a crucial role in influencing language outcomes later in the infants' first year. Although these developmental cascades are well understood in typically-developing populations, less is known about the cascade in infants at elevated likelihood for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many infants who are later diagnosed with ASD have motor delays or language delays, suggesting that the cascade from motor to language may not be typical in this population. Additionally, little is known …

Ctsc Gene Correlation With Dental Disease Periodontitis, Elaine Vanterpool, Misiel Garcia

Student Posters

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory and non-communicable disease that poses a major public health challenge worldwide. In the United States alone, approximately 50% of adults are affected by this condition. It results from bacterial infection and dental plaque buildup, leading to gum inflammation, bleeding, bone loss, and, if left untreated, tooth loss. Beyond its effects on oral health, periodontitis is linked to systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, making it a significant health concern. Treatment involves professional dental care, including oral hygiene education, deep cleaning of root surfaces, and reducing risk factors like smoking. In addition to environmental …

Composition, Diversity, And Abundance Of Algal Grazers At Five Reef Sites Around Isla El Porvenir, Guna Yala, Eleftheria Ellie Fithian

Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation

Coral reefs along the Caribbean coast of Panamá have experienced a phase shift from coral dominance to macroalgae dominance in the past half century. The increase in algal coverage and ensuing coral degradation is thought to be associated with the 1983/1984 mass mortality event that decimated populations of the keystone herbivore Diadema antillarum. The algal phase shift has been exacerbated by the overfishing of herbivorous Caribbean reef fish. Since the 1983 die-off event, there has been some indication that small herbivorous fish and short-spined urchin species, which can evade fishing pressure, are now the most significant algal grazers in reef …

Marine Animalia Diversity And Coral Reef Condition At Big Creek Beach And Boca Del Drago, Bocas Del Toro, Panamá: A Decade Of Change, Lucy Cornett

Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation

As the oceans’ largest biological structure, coral reefs provide vital ecosystem services, including coastline production, food production, tourism, and preservation of biodiversity. The calm waters provided by the Bocas del Toro archipelago protection from the Caribbeans Sea promotes many coral reefs because of the calmer waters caused by protection from the Caribbean Sea. While many reefs are present, increases in tourism and other anthropogenic threats make monitoring the health of these coral reefs and the diversity of marine organisms of the utmost importance. This study examines the percent substrate cover and the diversity and density marine organisms of two coral …

Increasing Diversity In The Genetic Counseling Profession: Determining Effective Career Education Strategies For Underrepresented Youth, Bryel Marie Frasch

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic counseling is a professional career path that is lacking in diversity, and diversity in healthcare has been shown to improve health outcomes. Studies suggest student engagement as a way to increase diversity, as early knowledge of genetic counseling increases the likelihood of considering it as a career and is especially true for racial or ethnic minoritized students. This study focused on educating high school students underrepresented in genetic counseling about the career and exploring the effectiveness of two different types of education methods (video vs in-person) to give valuable information for future outreach efforts. Upward Bound and Federal TRIO …

Assessing Bioactivity Of Green Leaf Volatiles In Various Plant Systems, Fallon S. Tomlin

Senior Theses

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are chemical compounds essential in plant communication. Plants emit these volatiles due to abiotic and biotic stressors and, when perceived, these GLVs activate defense responses. Though GLVs play an important role in plant survival, it is still unknown where they localize, how they are perceived, and what structural factors influence perception. To elucidate these structural determinants, we tested the bioactivity of (Z)-3-fatty alcohols with four to nine carbons. Through root growth inhibition assays with tomato (Solanum peruvianum) seedlings, we found that (Z)-3-octenol and (Z)-3-nonenol were more bioactive than (Z)-3 hexenol and (Z)-3-heptenol. Thus, higher bioactivity was …

Search, The Jackson Laboratory

Search Magazine

No abstract provided.

Louisiana Agricultural Magazine, Spring 2025

Louisiana Agriculture

Growing fruits and pecans is a part of Louisiana’s agricultural heritage. Citrus trees have been planted here for three centuries, and the state is famous for strawberries. Pecans and mayhaws are native to the state, and they are beloved by Louisianans. Some of these fruits have become industries worth millions of dollars, while others have become popular for home production.

This issue of Louisiana Agriculture focuses on the efforts of LSU AgCenter Extension experts working to foster home fruit production and support the fruit and pecan industry in Louisiana. Through their research and extension programs, they provide homeowners and commercial …

Ecological Restoration And Ecosystem Memory Of Wildlife Forage And Understory Diversity In A Young Pine Monoculture Plantation In Central-Interior British Columbia, Julia Claire Bizon

Aspen Bibliography

Ecological restoration has recently taken center stage in the rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems to improve multifunctionality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat conservation. The research summarized herein assessed the efficacy of variable stand density thinning (200, 400, and 600 stems/ha) and artificial canopy gaps (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ha in size) as potential restoration treatments to enhance wildlife forage and native biodiversity in a young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Wats.) forest in central-interior British Columbia. Field data collection was conducted from May-August, 2023 to assess the early response (1-3 years post-treatment) of the forest …

Adipocyte-Derived Cchamide-1, Eiger, Growth-Blocking Peptide 3, And Unpaired 2 Regulate Drosophila Melanogaster Oogenesis, Chad Simmons, Isaiah Williams, Tancia Bradshaw, Alissa R. Armstrong

Faculty Publications

In addition to energy storage, adipose tissue communication to other organs plays a key role in regulating organismal physiology. While the link between adipose tissue dysfunction and pathophysiology, including diabetes, chronic inflammation, and infertility, is clear, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these associations have not been fully described. We use Drosophila melanogaster as a model to better understand how adipose tissue communicates to the ovary. In this study, we utilized D. melanogaster’s robust genetic toolkit to examine the role of five adipokines known to control larval growth during development, CCHamide-1, CCHamide-2, eiger, Growth-blocking peptide 3, and unpaired 2 in regulating …

Training The Brain For Better Aging, Abby Martin

Honors Projects

Aging is associated with natural changes in brain function, but certain interventions can help sustain cognitive health and mitigate risks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This presentation explores the significance of brain fitness as a non-pharmacological approach to enhancing cognitive function. It covers the normal aging process of the brain, key indicators of abnormal aging, and the impact of Alzheimer’s disease, including genetic predispositions and current treatment limitations. Emphasis is placed on brain training exercises, such as puzzles, board games, video games, and nostalgia-based activities, which have been shown to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the role …

Outreach & Dna-Based Monitoring Facilitate 3-Fold Reduction In Seafood Mislabeling In Los Angeles Over 10 Years, Demian A. Willette, Kelli Andrade, Ben Fitzpatrick, Kesterlyn Wilson

Biology Faculty Works

Awareness and intervention can reduce fraudulent labeling in seafood. Using a 10-year longitudinal study approach, DNA-based monitoring data reveals a lower sushi mislabeling in Los Angeles restaurants over time. This is in part attributed to implemented recommendations by restaurants of a local academia-industry-government outreach initiative launched in 2018, The Los Angeles Seafood Monitoring Project. We found mislabeling was 3-fold lower among project-partnering restaurants than other restaurants. This difference was statistically significant, illustrating the combination of project partnering and implementation of recommendations was most impactful on reducing mislabeling rates. Lastly, the study period includes the COVID19 global pandemic, which additional monitoring …

Food For Thought: The Impact Of The Gut-Brain Axis On Mental Health, Emily S. Miiller

Honors Thesis

Research regarding the role of the human microbiome has grown over the years as professionals develop a better understanding of the gut-brain axis. New studies and expanding knowledge on the relationship between the nervous system and gut microbiome promote a deeper understanding of the impact of diet on mental health. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance between the gut and the brain. Incorporating nutritional modulators, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins, is crucial for supporting the gut-brain axis by influencing neurotransmitter production, managing inflammation, and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. On the other hand, …

74/2 | Hellenistic Nysa-Scythopolis: The Finds And Conclusions, Gabriel Mazor,, Walid Atrash, Débora Sandhaus

IAA Reports—Monograph Series of the Israel Antiquities Authority

This is the fifth volume of publications of the Bet She’an Archaeological Project, describing the large-scale IAA excavations at the site of Bet She’an–ancient Nysa-Scythopolis, during 1986–2002. Bet She’an V: Hellenistic Nysa-Scythopolis is the second volume presenting the full excavation report of the IAA excavations at Tel Iẓṭabba, conducted between 1991 and 1994. The first volume in this series, Bet She’an IV (IAA Reports 62), focused on two corpora of finds: stamped amphora handles and sealings. The current volume, Bet She’an V, is comprised of two parts (IAA Reports 74/1, 74/2) dedicated to the stratigraphy, architecture and finds from the …

Climate And Crop Modeling For New England Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation, Madeline K. Wolfe

Geography Undergraduate Senior Theses

As climate change brings increased temperatures and precipitation variability to New England, it is imperative to understand the ways that farmers make decisions about agricultural climate change adaptation for their corn farms. Dairy farming is the largest agricultural industry in New England, with corn being a primary crop to feed these cattle. This project seeks to understand how climate modeling and crop modeling are and are not useful for these corn farm decisions, and contributes research about what types of information are useful and available to farmers making adaptation decisions. Crop modeling over New England reveals that corn farming in …

Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests 2024, F. Bourland, J. Gann, B. Lovelady, B. Guest Jr., J. Mcalee, L. Martin, Z. Treadway, C. Henderson

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas. This information helps seed companies establish marketing strategies and assists producers in choosing varieties to plant. These annual evaluations will then facilitate the inclusion of new, improved genetic material in Arkansas cotton production. Adaptation of varieties is determined by evaluating the lines at five University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture research sites (Manila, Keiser, Judd Hill, Marianna, and Rohwer). The 2024 tests at Keiser were adversely affected …

Differentiation Stage Predicts Radiosensitivity In Mesenchymal-Like Pancreatic Cancer, Tingshi Su, Xinjian Yu, Mojtaba Hoseini-Ghahfarokhi, David B Flint, Scott J Bright, Joana I D S Antunes, David K J Martinus, Mandira Manandhar, Mariam Ben Kacem, Poliana C Marinello, Eurico J G Pereira, Hua-Sheng Chiu, Uwe Titt, David R Grosshans, Jan Schuemann, Henning Willers, Harald Paganetti, Pavel Sumazin, Gabriel O Sawakuchi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: To derive a genomic classifier to predict radiosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cell lines and patients with pancreatic cancer to allow genomic-guided radiation therapy.

Methods and materials: We collected a comprehensive data set of full clonogenic cell survival curves of 45 pancreatic cancer cell lines irradiated with clinical photon and proton beams. We derived classifiers based on data from human embryonic and fetal pancreas single-cell RNA-sequencing to distinguish between epithelial and mesenchymal cells and to predict pancreas cell-line differentiation stage. Independent testing was done with an embryonic mouse pancreas single-cell RNA-sequencing data set. We then used bulk RNA-seq profiles from …

Automated Plant Morphological Assessment And Microbial Community Monitoring In Simulated Lunar Regolith, Collin R. Topolski

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Upcoming lunar bases will need to leverage in-situ resources to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce mission costs. One key challenge is food production, which could be addressed by growing crops in lunar regolith-based substrates. However, lunar regolith lacks essential nutrients, requiring organic amendments to support continuous plant cultivation. This study examined the impact of manure-amended lunar regolith simulant on Mizuna mustard growth while assessing microbial community diversity and functionality. To support this effort, a custom software pipeline utilizing an open-source library, PlantCV, was developed to automatically track plant leaf area and height via image analysis. Results indicated that amended rhizosphere …

Cultivating Community And Commerce: A Summary Of The Statewide Social And Economic Impacts Of Utah Farmers Markets, Jaclyn Pace, Bryn Watkins, Roslynn Mccann, Steven Price

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Data collected from six markets throughout the market seasons between 2023 and 2024 highlights the transformative impact of Utah’s farmers’ markets on the state’s economy, health, and sense of community. According to market patrons, Utah’s farmers' markets are vital economic and social hubs supporting local agriculture, small businesses, and community well-being.

Is Less More, Or More Better? Behavioral Insights From Bottlenose Dolphins During Dolphin Interaction Programs, Megan E. Davis, Alicia Virthe, Heather Manitzas Hill, Kathleen Dudzinski, Michelle Samm, Buck Lyman, Kelly Flaherty Clark, Todd Robeck

Posters - 2025

This poster was created for the 5th annual Research Showcase. From the poster:

Using video recordings collected during randomly selected human-dolphin interaction programs (2022-2023), 19 target dolphins were assessed for their behavioral repertoire, correct and incorrect responses to trainer/guest-given cues, and the total number of unique requested behaviors.

Demographic Clinical Trial Diversity Assessment Methods: Use Of Real-World Data, Hua Chen, Nnadozie Emechebe, Sudeep Karve, Leon Raskin, Jailene Leal, Ning Cheng, Wendy Sebby, Kim Ribeiro, Samuel Crawford

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Diversity in clinical trials is defined by the inclusion of clinical trial participants from various demographic groups that are representative of the broader population impacted by a disease state. Diversity in clinical trials is critical in identifying potential differences in safety and efficacy of treatments across races, ethnicities, ages, sexes, or other variables. In the United States, clinical trial diversity is often benchmarked against US Census data, which may limit the representativeness of patient demographics in clinical trials. Disease-specific, demographic estimates from real-world data (RWD) can facilitate benchmarking of clinical trials, support trial enrollment and the development of trial diversity …

Novel Approaches To Analyze Consumer Behavior And Policies To Promote Sustainable Consumption, Bhagyashree Katare, Xuejian Wang, Shuoli Zhao, Jacqueline Yenerall

Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Technological advancements, such as online grocery shopping, have significantly transformed consumer retail environments and experiences. Effectively studying consumer behavior in these new environments requires the use of novel methodological approaches, which will also aid in developing interventions to encourage sustainable consumption. This paper begins by providing an overview of the current literature on novel approaches to analyzing consumer behavior, then provides an empirical application by examining consumer decision-making pathways within an online grocery shopping platform. Specifically, the paper focuses on exploring the consumers’ digital footprints, such as page visits, product additions and removals, and interactions with information labels to identify …

Genetics Education Booklets Designed For Individuals With Intellectual Disability: Perspectives From Adults With Intellectual Disability And Genetic Counselors, Audrey Hyun Sook Parrott

Theses and Dissertations

Visual aid tools have been consistently suggested across literature aimed at identifying methods of improving health and genetics services for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Aids written in plain language are suggested most often. The study intends to gain perspectives from adults with ID (AWID) and genetic counselors (GCs) on Easy Read genetics educational booklets designed for individuals with mild ID. We anticipate that GCs will find the booklets to be useful and accurate, and that AWID will find the booklets to be helpful to their understanding and comprehensible. The AWID were assessed via a self-reported survey, cognitively adapted for …

An Exploratory Study Of Disclosure Of X-Linked Conditions Between Mothers And Daughters, Madge Isabella Stuhlreyer

Theses and Dissertations

Carriers of X-linked conditions, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, face unique challenges regarding their experiences navigating the healthcare system and understanding implications of their carrier status. Studies show that mothers are known to be the main communicators of genetic information within their families, but in families affected with X-linked conditions, communication between mothers and daughters are hindered by factors such as lack of knowledge about the condition and reproductive implications, lack of emotional support, anxiety, and uncertainty about how to initiate these conversations. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivations behind mothers' decisions to initiate conversations with their …

Barriers In Receiving A Diagnosis Of Sanfilippo Syndrome: Perceptions From Healthcare Providers And Caregivers, Cassidy Lena

Theses and Dissertations

Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III) is a rare, degenerative condition characterized by symptoms impacting neurological functioning, behavior, and quality of life. Diagnosis is often not made until three to six years of age, but comprehensive and effective symptom management have been reported to optimize patient longevity. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to diagnosis and the corresponding impact on patients. This study surveyed healthcare providers and caregivers of individuals with Sanfilippo syndrome. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to assess provider knowledge and comfortability in managing Sanfilippo syndrome. Additionally, it explored caregiver perspectives on healthcare system navigation, …