Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Environmental And Anthropogenic Gradients On Fish Beta Diversity In Central Appalachian Streams, Alanna Kaylee Lowther Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding the environmental and spatial drivers of community composition is essential for conserving freshwater biodiversity. We examined how environmental gradients, land cover, and spatial structure influence fish beta diversity in wadeable streams across West Virginia, USA. We quantified total beta diversity and partitioned it into species replacement and richness difference components and used local contributions to beta diversity (LCBD) to identify compositionally unique sites. Community–environment relationships were evaluated with distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA), and a beta regression GLMM was used to test how elevation, slope, land cover, and stream order (factor) predicted LCBD while accounting for spatial structure (dbMEMs) and …

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 …

Analysis Of The Microbiome Of Amblyomma Americanum In The Statesboro Region, Ella Zierdt, Lorenza Beati, Mary Humphrey, Saviour Dralabu

Honors College Theses

The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is the most common tick in Georgia. It is mainly known as an Ehrlichia spp. vector, but its microbiome can be diverse, depending on geography, developmental stage, and season. Little is known about bacterial diversity in ticks from the southeastern U.S. A Nanopore MinION sequencer was used for a preliminary analysis of the bacterial microbiome in A. americanum from the Statesboro region. DNA was extracted from 39 nymphs, 35 males, and 39 females. DNA samples were pooled by month of collection and life stage/sex, amplified with barcoded 16SrDNA primers, and sequenced. Approx. 77% …

Disparities In Breast Cancer Detection Modalities And Outcomes Among Geriatric Female Cancer Patients, Zhaoli Liu, Mathilda Nicot-Cartsonis, Biai D E Digbeu, Daoqi Gao, Sharon H Giordano, Yong-Fang Kuo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study examined racial and geographic disparities in breast cancer detection modalities (screening-, diagnostic-, or non-mammography) with cancer stage and mortality. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare linkage data for geriatric women. Cancers detected through screening and diagnostic mammography had 43 % (95 % CI, 39 %-46 %, p < .0001) and 31 % (95 % CI, 27 %-35 %, p < .0001) lower all-cause mortality, and 49 % (95 % CI, 41 %-54 %, p < .0001) and 37 % (95 % CI, 32 %-43 %, p < .0001) lower cancer-specific mortality, respectively, compared to non-mammography-detected breast cancers. Patients from rural areas were 17 % (95 % CI, 1.06 - 1.29) more likely to be diagnosed with mid- (p = .0023) and advanced stage (p = .003) cancers compared to their urban counterparts. Racial or geographic disparities in cancer detection modalities with associated mortality no longer exist after adjusting for covariates. Healthcare professionals can leverage these findings to promote rural cancer health equity.

Effectiveness And Acceptability Of Ventilation Modifications In Healthcare Facilities, Liberia 2022–2023, Ronan F Arthur, Ashley Styczynski, Krithika Srinivasan, Amos Tandanpolie, Philip Bemah, Ethan Bell, Jason R Andrews, Tom Baer, Jorge L Salinas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of ventilation interventions in naturally ventilated hospitals in Liberia.

Design: Difference-in-differences analysis of pre- and post-air changes per hour of intervention and control spaces.

Setting: Hospitals in Bong and Montserrado Counties, Liberia.

Participants: Seventy patient care spaces were evaluated at baseline. Six spaces underwent physical intervention modifications, while 2 spaces were assessed for indirect effects and 2 others used as controls. Healthcare workers were interviewed to assess ventilation knowledge and acceptability.

Interventions: Ventilation interventions included the installation of window screens, louvered doors and windows, and wind turbines.

Methods: We measured carbon dioxide levels …

Genetic Diversity And Population Structure Of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) From The Usda-Grin Germplasm Collection, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Hanan Mohammedsaeed Alkabkabi, Kenani Chiwina, Qun Luo, Kai-Shu Ling, Yuejun Qu, Renjie Du, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

The genetic diversity and population structure of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were investigated to support breeding strategies and germplasm conservation. A total of 276 accessions from the USDA-GRIN collection were analyzed using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping by sequencing (GBS). After stringent filtering, 5162 high-quality polymorphic SNPs were retained for analysis. Population structure analysis revealed three distinct genetic groups (Q1, Q2, and Q3) among the accessions. Accessions from the USA, Asia, and Central and South America were assigned to all three groups, while accessions from Europe and Oceania were predominantly clustered within Q2. Genetic diversity indices, including major allele frequency, …

Seagrasses Are Most Vulnerable To Marine Heatwaves In Tropical Zones: Local-Scale And Broad Climatic Zone Variation In Thermal Tolerances, Nicole Said, Chanelle Webster, Simone Strydom, Natasha Dunham, Matthew P. Adams, Kathryn Mcmahon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Under a changing climate, it is imperative that we understand how species may respond to temperature impacts, which can differ among populations of the same species due to local drivers. Thermal tolerance data, which can be used to assess an organism's upper thermal limits, is valuable to identify species and/or populations' susceptibility to thermal stress. This study assessed the variation in thermal tolerance of six seagrass species at both broad latitudinal (c. 500–1000 km) and local scales (c. 25 km). Photosynthesis–temperature curves (15–45°C) were conducted, by measuring oxygen in closed incubation chambers, and thermal optima (Topt) was extracted. We found …

Comparing Microct Staining And Scanning Methodology For Brain Studies In Various Sizes Of Spiders, Vanessa Penna-Gonçalves, Nikolas J. Willmott, Michael B.J. Kelly, Jay R. Black, Elizabeth C. Lowe, Marie E. Herberstein

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recent advances in microCT are facilitating the investigation of microstructures in spiders and insects leading to an increased number of studies investigating their neuroanatomy. Although microCT is a powerful tool, its effectiveness depends on appropriate tissue preparation and scan settings, particularly for soft, non-sclerotized tissues, such as muscles, organs, and neural tissues. As the application of microCT in spiders is only in its infancy, published protocols are often difficult to implement due to substantial size variation of the specimens. The present study was initiated to determine how to account for this variation. Our work builds on previous methods using microCT …

Volumetric Comparison Of Overall Brain And Neuropil Size Between Social And Non-Social Spiders: Exploring The Social Brain Hypothesis, Vanessa Penna-Gonçalves, Donald James Mclean, Nikolas J. Willmott, Michael B.J. Kelly, Jay R. Black, Elizabeth C. Lowe, Marie E. Herberstein

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The social brain hypothesis predicts that the relative size of specific brain regions is driven by the cognitive capacity required to manage complex (social) situations. Spiders are intriguing models to test this hypothesis, as sociality is rare in this usually solitary and aggressive group. Here, we used microCT to compare the central nervous system and brain volumes between social and solitary females of the species in two taxonomic groups, huntsman and crab spiders. Overall, we found no difference in relative CNS and brain volume between social and solitary species. However, social huntsman spiders Delena cancerides had larger arcuate and mushroom …

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. …

Annual Diversity Of Honey Bee Pollen Sources In Two Pumpkin Growing Landscapes, Machakos County, Kenya, Marystella W. Nang’Oni, Muo Kasina, Rebecca Karanja, Mary M. Guantai, Rahab N. Kinyanjui, Evanson R. Omuse, Michael H.G. Lattorff, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Marian Adan, Samira A. Mohamed, Thomas Dubois

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Multi-floral foraging sources for honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) have been threatened by landscape changes and unsustainable farming practices. In East Africa, the biodiversity of forage resources that could support honey bees, especially in agricultural lands, remains least explored. This study investigated pollen diversity for honey bees in Yatta and Masinga Sub-counties in Machakos County, Kenya. Honey bee hives were installed on eight pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ex Lam) farms (one hive per farm) in two varying landscape vegetation classes (low and medium) based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Pollen traps were installed at the hive entrance and pollen …

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 …

Environmental And Spatial Drivers Of Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes Maliger) Growth In The Northeast Pacific Ocean From California To Alaska, Claire E. Stuart

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) are a nearshore fishery species found across the Northeast Pacific Ocean, but recent stock assessments have identified a research gap for biological growth parameters, particularly for the southern end of their range. Age-length data compiled from California to Alaska (n=34,396) was used to generate extended von Bertalanffy models with spatial, biological, and environmental covariates, specifically region, sex, depth, and an upwelling index. The objectives of this study were to explore how 1) spatial and 2) environmental covariates affect model parameters L_∞, k, and t₀. Four total models were developed: …

Spatial Analysis Of American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) Distribution And Ecology In Kentucky’S Federal Lands, Jacob Raymond Pease

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic factors have been the cause of the decline of tree species across the globe. From unsustainable logging and development to disease and improper management, threats to forests have taken their toll. The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once an integral basal tree species in Appalachian forests, but chestnut blight drove the species to functional extinction by the mid-1900s. The recent creation of genetically modified chestnuts gives hope for future restoration of the species throughout its historical range. Despite blight resistance, effective restoration will require optimal site selection for finding and planting chestnuts, which will maximize limited resources. …

Wildlife Distribution Mapping And Analysis In Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, Using Site And Satellite Imagery Data, Pinho Joaquim Munhequeira Mr

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

One of Mozambique's most important conservation sites, Gorongosa National Park has seen critical ecological changes over the past several decades resulting from climate variability, habitat loss, and political instability. This research integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing to examine the relationship between vegetation dynamics and wildlife population, and distribution. The main goals of this study are to evaluate the spatial distribution of particular wildlife species: buffalo (Syncerus caffer), elephant (Loxodonta africana), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), and zebra (Equus quagga), and determine the impact of vegetation density and land cover on their …

Identifying The Impacts Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes On Ecosystem Services From A Geospatial Perspective In Albany County, Kyaw Khaung Thant Zin

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Ecosystem services encompass the broad array of direct and indirect advantages that people derive from nature and its ecosystems. Considering accelerating environmental change and degradation, recognizing the importance of these services is more crucial than ever, as they illustrate the many ways in which healthy ecosystems sustain human life. However, these services are diminishing at a rapid and unprecedented rate, raising global concern over both the transformations taking place and their root causes. Among the leading threats, land-use change stands out as a particularly significant one, influenced by a variety of driving factors. Albany County, New York, characterized by its …

Risk Factors Of Covid-19 Mortality, Ellie Wolff

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

This paper investigates the relationship between key health demographics and COVID-19 mortality while focusing on identifying both physiological and genetic factors that contribute to variations in mortality rates. Specifically, it examines how pre-existing conditions—such as sex, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity—interact with COVID-19 pathophysiology to influence patient outcomes. While previous research has highlighted demographic disparities in hospital mortality rates, this study aims to establish a causal, mechanistic link between these health factors and COVID-19 severity. Methods to extract and analyze data included literature review using existing studies such as peer-reviewed articles and reports from PubMed, CDC, etc. By analyzing …

Multi-Sensor Data Fusion And Gis-Drastic Integration For Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment With Rainfall Consideration, Wu Jiazhe, Dai Xinrui, Su Yangcheng, Zheng Xiangtian, Bushra Ghaffar, Rabiya Nasir, Ahsan Jamil, Zeeshan Zafar, Mohammad Suhail Meer, M. Abdullah-Al-Wadud, Rahila Naseer, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In many areas of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater is the primary source of fresh water, and it supplies around one-third of the world's fresh water. Agriculture is the primary economic sector on the coast in the southern district (Nowshera). More food productivity is required due to the expanding population and diminishing agricultural lands, which increases the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in farming. The current study was conducted in northwestern parts of Pakistan to evaluate the impacts of the frequent use of pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural fields. Nine hydrogeological parameters were considered, and …

Composite Volume Learning Media Based On Augmented Reality To Enhance Students’ Visual-Spatial Intelligence, Ria Kurniawati, Susiswo Susiswo, Syamsul Hadi

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Augmented Reality (AR) technology, a three-dimensional visual tool that integrates virtual objects or environments into real-world displays in real time (Azuma et al., 2001), is particularly useful for grasping complex concepts such as the composite volume of solids, which often confuses students when they need to decompose solids into their individual components. While previous research has predominantly focused on the introduction of solids, spatial nets, and the volume of singular shapes, this study aims to develop composite volume learning media based on AR to enhance students’ visual-spatial intelligence in a valid, practical, and effective manner, aligning with their concrete operational …

Students’ Concept Maps Profile On Environmental Pollution Material During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sunarni Sunarni, Sri Widoretno, Puguh Karyanto, Bowo Sugiharto, Sri Dwiastuti, Chandra Adi Prabowo

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

The study investigates the performance of students in constructing Concept Maps (CM) related to environmental pollution material during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data reveals that the overall achievement in CM construction was suboptimal, with no component reaching more than half of its maximum potential. The highest achievement was recorded in the valid relationship component, which attained 9.75% of its maximum possible score. This was followed by the hierarchy component, achieving 7.34%, and the branching component at 3.42%. The pattern component ranked fourth with 1.31%, closely followed by the example component at 1.30%. The lowest performance was observed in the crosslink …

Economic Analysis And Profitability Of Honey Production And Marketing In Cross River State, Nigeria, Joseph A. Ugbe, Tee T.N., Ancha P.U

Journal of Bioresource Management

The significance of honey in the socio-economic livelihoods of rural and semi-urban populations is paramount, as it tackles issues such as unemployment, income, and ecosystem preservation. The decrease in the timber industry has caused numerous individuals who rely on forests for their income to be without jobs, making it difficult to find other ways to make a living. This study examines the economic analysis and profitability of honey production and marketing in Cross River State, Nigeria, over 5 years (2017-2021) for sustainable forest management. Six hundred and eighty-four (684) respondents were selected from three ecological zones in the state using …

Tourism Carrying Capacity At Petungkriyono Forest And Its Supporting Areas, Nurwidya Ambarwati

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Supported by a variety of diversity and landscapes, the development of tourism in the Petungkriyono area is growing rapidly. Optimizing ecotourism services in the Petungkriyono forest without disrupting the ecosystem and damaging the environment can be done by limiting the number of visitors at tourism sites. This study aims to find out information about the tourism capacity of some tourist attractions in the local forest. This study uses the Cifuentes model to predict the maximum number of visitor capacities that can be accommodated in a tourist attraction called Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and Effective Carrying Capacity …

Spatial Segregation And Socioeconomic Disparities In Urban Land Use Patterns, Intan Lestari, Hayati Sari Hasibuan, Vevin Syoviawati Ardiwijaya

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Jakarta, a city that has continued to develop, is marked by the growth of population in Jakarta. This growth has been accompanied by an increasing demand for land, resulting in spatial segregation. Some areas have large expanses of land, while others are densely populated and cramped. The purpose of this study is to analyze spatial segregation in the Penjaringan and Pluit Subdistricts of North Jakarta. The research employs a qualitative descriptive analysis method, spatial analysis using Moran's and Getis-Ord Gi*, and a literature review enriched with interviews. The research findings indicate clear spatial segregation between Pluit and Penjaringan, divided into …

Impact Of Urban Development On Uv Exposure: A Clustering And Machine Learning Assessment, Taufik Roni Sahroni Mr., Verdi Yasin, Lulut Alfaris, Reza Ariefka, Ruben Cornelius Siagian, Mohammad Alfin Karim, Nana Rahdiana, Ade Suhara

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

The relocation of Indonesia's capital city is anticipated to promote inclusive economic growth while embracing cultural diversity. However, this transition may affect ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure patterns. The study investigated variations in UV exposure in the IKN region, focusing on urban development factors such as land use and population density that affect public health, sun protection, and skin cancer prevention. The research hypothesized that UV radiation is significantly correlated with these factors. UV Index data from 2010-2023, a hierarchical clustering method, identifies complex data patterns without determining the number of clusters. XGBoost, a machine learning model, was used for handling …

Road Safety Assessment For Accident And Non-Accident Cases Supporting Sustainable Development Goals 2030, Brian Nararya Nugraha, Sekar Warangi Nurcahyati, Hizkia Adhikaratma, Martha Leni Siregar

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Halving the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents is one target of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, which is still a challenging problem in Indonesia. However, the majority of research on this topic uses accident-based methods, which limits the safety analysis. Two road safety assessment methods are used to close the gap, with the addition of non-accident-based methods such as Road Safety Audits (RSA). The Margonda Raya Road, which is categorised as a traffic accident blackspot, was selected for the case study. For this, a field survey of the road segment is carried out. To minimise …

Visualizing Parcel-Level Lead Risk Using An Exterior Housing-Based Index., Neal J. Wilson, Ryan Allenbrand, Elizabeth Friedman, Kevin Kennedy, Amy Roberts, Stephen Simon

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Pediatric lead poisoning remains a persistent public health problem. Children in the US spend the preponderance of their time at home; thus, housing is an important social determinant of health. Improving health outcomes derived from housing-based sources involves differentiating the risks posed by the existing housing stock. In this paper, we developed a parcel-level lead risk index (LRI) based on external housing conditions and the year of home construction. The purpose of this study was to introduce a housing-based lead risk index (LRI), developed using retrospective data, to estimate parcel-by-parcel variation in housing-based lead risk. We described how the LRI …

From The Ocean To Our Kitchen Table: Anthropogenic Particles In The Edible Tissue Of U.S.. West Coast Seafood Species, Summer D. Traylor, Elise F. Granek, Marilyn Duncan, Susanne Brander

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Microplastics (MPs) and other anthropogenic particles (APs) are pervasive environmental contaminants found throughout marine and aquatic environments. We quantified APs in the edible tissue of black rockfish, lingcod, Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, Pacific lamprey, and pink shrimp, comparing AP burdens across trophic levels and between vessel-retrieved and retail-purchased individuals. Edible tissue was digested and analyzed under a microscope, and a subset of suspected APs was identified using spectroscopy (μFTIR). Anthropogenic particles were found in 180 of 182 individuals. Finfish contained 0.02–1.08 AP/g of muscle tissue. In pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani), the average AP/g was 10.68 for vessel-retrieved and …

Characterizing The Francisella Tularensis Universal Stress Protein, Benjamin Girardo

Theses & Dissertations

Francisella tularensis is an extremely virulent pathogen responsible for the zoonotic disease tularemia. F. tularensis employs various defense mechanisms to survive and persist under diverse environmental and host-induced stress conditions. Despite its significance, the full spectrum of stress factors that enable F. tularensis persistence remain inadequately understood. In many bacterial species, universal stress proteins (Usp) play a crucial role in managing adverse conditions. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Usp in F. tularensis as a means of clarifying the stress response mechanisms of this pathogen. The F. tularensis Usp is encoded by a single, highly …

Microplastics In The Mix: Types And Retention Of Microplastics Within A Mixed Species Seagrass Meadow In The Tamar Estuary, Ida S. Kreuze

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Microplastic pollution in coastal systems is becoming increasingly prevalent and a commonly discussed topic in science and the media. Seagrass beds have been identified as highly vulnerable environments to microplastic pollution due to their nature as traps for particulate matter in the water column, and their role in habitat production and blue carbon storage makes them of high conservation concern. This study examined a mixed species seagrass bed in the Tamar Estuary in Plymouth Sound, composed of Nanozostera noltei and a morphology of Zostera marina, to identify how seagrass shoot density and sediment particle size impacted the number and …

Re-Indigenizing And Collaboratively Tending Urban Greenspaces, Divinity Nnenne Adewale

University Honors Theses

This work details the active process of land tending with the intention of re-Indigenization in the Pacific Northwest at several Portland sites; The Native American Student Community Center, PSU Oak Savanna, and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Land tending is an intuitive process, one rooted in love and respect for life of all forms as well as becoming the perpetual student; land tending is not a skill to be mastered, only practiced. Unlike environmental management, tending cannot be done separate from the earth, in a classroom or otherwise. Connections are what tending is built on top of: the foundation; effort …