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Mitochondria In Local Control Of Programmed Cell Killing & Resilience, Rashna Sharmin

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Specialized cells are commonplace and defined by different compartments. Organelle transport across cell compartments is critical for cell function, as in morphologically complex neurons. Specialized cells can undergo programmed elimination, an essential facet of normal development. My central thesis question asks how intracellular transport of mitochondria, the cell’s energy producers, regulate fated elimination of complex cells. I explored this using the specialized tail-spike cell (TSC) of the roundworm C. elegans. The TSC dies embryonically through the novel ‘tripartite’ developmental killing program, Compartmentalized Cell Elimination (CCE).  In my study, I defined and characterized events at the CCE initiation compartment of the …

Protecting Wetlands In The State Of Texas: Assessing Gaps In Regulations, Knowledge, And Professional Roles And Responsibilities, Grace A. Moy

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses

Wetlands rank among earth's most productive ecosystems, providing crucial ecological services such as hydrological regulation, water purification, and habitat support (US EPA, 2015). In Texas, however, rapid urbanization, inconsistent policy enforcement, and the absence of statewide protection frameworks of hastened wetland degradation (Brody & Kang, 2011). Without a robust state regulatory framework (Environmental Law Institute [ELI], 2020), these ecosystems face increasing threats from development and hydrological disturbances.

This thesis aims to identify regulatory and knowledge deficiencies that influence Texas’ current wetland protection status and to offer targeted professional recommendations for landscape architecture professionals to address these shortcomings in future public …

The Ecological Consequences Of Horizontal Transmission Of Symbionts, Bibek Singh Parajuli

Biology Dissertations

Most multicellular organisms depend on their microbial symbionts for various functions, such as digestion, nutrient supplementation, pesticide degradation, and defense. While many insects acquire their symbionts vertically from their parents, thousands of species of true bugs (Hemiptera) across different families acquire their microbial symbiont, Caballeronia, from the environment each generation. Acquiring symbionts from the environment (horizontal transmission) has various ecological consequences for the host. In this study, I used the bug-Caballeronia model 1) to understand whether the free-living symbionts benefit from association with multicellular hosts, 2) to evaluate whether host specialization on symbiont strains varies across taxonomic levels, …

Effects Of Fermented Soybean Products On The Human Gut Microbiome, Microbial Metabolism, And Host Physiology, Shannon Moncier

Biology Dissertations

Fermented soybean products (FSPs) contain soybean-derived substrates, fermentation-associated microorganisms, and bioactive compounds that may interact with the human gut microbiome and host physiology. However, despite the growing interest in FSPs, longitudinal human studies specifically evaluating traditional Korean-FSPs (K-FSPs), particularly among United States-based populations, remain limited. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of three K-FSPs, including Cheonggukjang, Gochujang, and Doenjang, on host physiological responses, gut microbial community structure, predicted microbial functional potential, and fecal butyrate responses in healthy adults. Three independent dietary intervention cohorts were conducted using FSP formulations produced either by traditional artisan methods (Product A) …

Identifying Relevant Covariates In Rna-Seq Analysis By Pseudo-Variable Augmentation, Yet Nguyen, Dan Nettleton

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology allows for the identification of differentially expressed genes, which are genes whose mean transcript abundance levels vary across conditions. In practice, RNA-seq datasets often include covariates that are of primary interest in addition to a set of covariates that are subject to selection. Some of these covariates may be relevant to gene expression levels, while others may be irrelevant. Ignoring relevant covariates or attempting to adjust for the effect of irrelevant covariates can compromise the identification of differentially expressed genes. To address this issue, we propose a variable selection method that uses pseudo-variables to control the expected …

Investigation Of Genx Exposure To Pathways Associated With Colorectal Cancer Risk, Emily J. Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants widely detected in drinking water and food sources, resulting in chronic human exposure. Among these compounds, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), commonly known as GenX, has been introduced as a short-chain replacement for legacy PFAS such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Although GenX is believed to be a safer alternative, emerging research suggests it can still affect human health.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, highlighting the need to better understand environmental …

Uncovering The Mechanism Of Reep2-Mediated Emt-Driven Membrane Trafficking In Lung Adenocarcinoma, Kevin Fulp

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Membrane trafficking is frequently disrupted during cancer progression, and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Currently, no effective drugs target dysregulated membrane trafficking for cancer treatment. Recent evidence has demonstrated that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) employs a membrane trafficking program to coordinate cancer cell invasion and immunosuppression. To further dissect the pro-tumorigenic membrane trafficking program, we initiated an in vivo CRISPRi screen to assess more than 2,000 membrane trafficking-related genes in a syngeneic mouse LUAD model. We identified REEP2, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) shaping protein, as a novel regulator of EMT-driven membrane trafficking. High REEP2 expression is …

Reep2-Driven Pro-Metastatic Secretion Promotes Lung Cancer Progression, Oluwafunminiyi E. Obaleye

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Membrane trafficking plays a critical role in cellular function and is frequently dysregulated in cancer to promote metastasis. In lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activating transcription factor, ZEB1, drives a pro-metastatic membrane trafficking program; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) in vivo screen of 2,099 membrane trafficking regulators in a syngeneic mouse model of EMT-driven LUAD, we identified REEP2 — an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) shaping protein — as a critical regulator of tumor progression. REEP2 mRNA expression correlates with poor prognosis, EMT signatures, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in LUAD patients. …

Remediation Impacts Metal Concentrations And Metal Tolerant Bacteria In Soils Of The Missouri Tri-State Mining District, Ophelia R. Pettington

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

After over 100 years of Zn and Pb mining in the Tri-State mining district (TSMD), former mines continue to be sources of metals. Metal contaminated soils can be remediated using plant-microbe interactions. Plants manipulate their microbiome and recruit microbes to increase metal tolerance. Remediating bacteria are site-specific and identifying native microbes can accelerate remediation efforts. Studies relating microbes and metal concentrations in remediated areas in the TSMD are scarce. I collected root and bulk zone soils associated with Andropogon virginicus from remediated and non-remediated sites in Webb City, MO. I used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to evaluate the bacterial …

Assessing The Impact Of Local–State Revenue Shares And Property Tax Structure On Effective Farmland Tax Rates: Panel Evidence From Seven Midwestern States, 2009–2022, Imtiaz Amin Chy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Property taxes are the primary revenue instrument of local governments in the United States, yet the burdens they impose are distributed unevenly. Farmland, because it cannot be relocated, often absorbs a disproportionate share. This paper examines two related questions: what fiscal factors determine how heavily agricultural land is taxed, and do those tax rates capitalize into farmland asset values? Using an annual panel of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin from 2009 to 2022, we first document how each state allocates property tax revenue across four major spending categories (education, public welfare, health, and utilities) finding that all …

The Effect Of Different Nutrient Concentrations For Hydroponically Grown Pothos, Keaton Roether

A with Honors Projects

An experiment where Pothos plants are grown in three different solutions of water, NPK diluted into water, tap water, and distilled water. Data is recorded for multiple weeks and is then compiled into a comprehensible lab report of a minimum of 1000 words with graphs and data.

Ion-Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors For Toxic Metal-Ion Detection In Water: Coordination Chemistry, Transduction Strategies, And Environmental Applications, Ghita Yammouri, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Toxic metal contamination in aquatic environments remains a persistent threat to human health and ecosystems. Yet, the high cost, infrastructure demands, and centralized nature of conventional analytical methods constrain routine monitoring. Ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs), a subclass of molecularly imprinted polymers, have emerged as promising synthetic recognition materials for metal-ion sensing because they generate coordination-defined binding sites with high selectivity, chemical stability, low cost, and reusability. This review summarizes recent advances in Ion-imprinted polymer (IIP)-based sensing technologies for toxic metal-ion detection in water from 2016 to 2026. It examines the fundamental recognition chemistry of IIPs, major synthesis strategies used to generate …

Crispr-Cas9: Transforming Biomedical Technology Through Gene Editing, Zaina Issa

A with Honors Projects

The research paper describe the gene editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and the implications of its use in different fields, including medicine and agriculture.

The Neuroprotective And Synergistic Effects Of Carbamoylated Erythropoietin And Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 In Alzheimer's Disease, Morgan Jean Rothschadl

Dissertations and Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prominent neurodegenerative disease characterized by a decline in cognitive functioning. While current FDA-approved therapeutics exist, they fall short in creating significant and long-lasting improvements to cognition. A newer approach using neurotrophic factors has shown promising effects on improving cognition in clinical trials. Neurotrophic factors are secreted proteins that have multimodal effects in the brain, including supporting cell survival and functioning. Two neurotrophic factors of interest are carbamoylated erythropoietin (CEPO) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and the goal of this study was to understand the synergistic and neuroprotective effects of CEPO and IGF-1 in AD. We …

Avian Use Of Early Successional Riparian Forest Along The Missouri River: What Do We Lose By Managing For Plovers And Terns?, Stephanie Nefas

Dissertations and Theses

Riparian ecosystems provide habitat for birds throughout their annual cycle, yet flow regulation along major rivers like the Missouri River has reduced early successional riparian forests. Following historic flooding in 2011, set-aside areas within the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) were established to allow natural riparian vegetation succession on newly created sandbars. I evaluated the value of these early successional forests for birds over three breeding seasons (2018–2020) and four migration periods (2020–2021). During migration, standardized point counts documented 7,462 individual birds representing 114 species across 828 surveys. Avian diversity was positively correlated with vertical habitat complexity, with the canopy …

Forage News [2026-04], University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2026-02], University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2026-01], University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Long Acting Beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists Reverse Diabetic Nephropathy And Liver Steatosis In Murine Models Of Diabetes And Are Associated With Protection In Retrospective Human Studies, Brennan Winkler

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 13.9% of men and 14.3% of women worldwide, a total of approximately 828 million people. Patients with diabetes are at risk of several complications including diabetic nephropathy (DN) and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). These diseases eventually lead to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and liver failure requiring dialysis and organ transplantation. In addition, diabetes exacerbates disease severity of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common potentially lethal genetic disease to affect humans with a prevalence of 1 in 500-1000. Therefore, a therapeutic approach that can attenuate organ damage and restore function in patients with DM, …

The Impact Of The Different Vdac Isoforms On Hbv Replication And Hbx Localization, Cody Mcumber

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Despite the availability of a preventative vaccine, there are approximately 254 million people living with a chronic HBV infection. There are 9 known HBV genotypes, each with their own clinical impacts and manifestation in infected patients. HBx is the only regulatory protein encoded by the HBV genome and is required for efficient viral replication. HBx has many effects in infected hepatocytes besides known effects on HBV replication, such as localization to the mitochondria. HBx is also known to have impacts on mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial permeability …

Effect Of Feeding Whole Soybeans, Roasted Soybeans, Or Distillers Grains In Silage-Based Growing Beef Diets, Melissa K. Bausch, Rebecca Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Pablo L. Loza, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

An individual feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding raw whole soybeans (WSB), roasted whole (RSB) soybeans or distillers grains (MDGS) at three inclusions (7%, 14%, or 21% of diet dry matter) on growing performance, compared to a common control diet (0%) with urea. The greater inclusions of roasted soybeans or distillers grains increased gain and efficiency in growing cattle. Cattle fed the 21% inclusion of roasted soybeans were the most efficient, likely due to the protected protein increasing rumen undegradable protein content, and the additional energy from the higher levels of fat and …

Effect Of An Accelerated Adaptation Protocol On Performance And Health Of Feedlot Steers Drenched With Lactipro, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Samuel E. Loy, Isaque F. Vicci, Mark Corrigan, Braden C. Troyer, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A finishing study evaluated the effects of an accelerated adaptation protocol in conjunction with Lactipro on performance and health of steers. Five adaptation programs were evaluated with steers adapted to a finishing diet in 21, 14, 7, or 0 days. An additional accelerated adaptation program provided intensive feed delivery with 0-d adaptation. Cattle assigned to the 21-d and 0-d adaptations gained faster and consequently had greater HCW compared to the 7-d and 14-d adaptation, resulting in a quadratic response for ADG and HCW. The 0-d adaptation with intensive feed delivery had similar ADG and HCW compared to …

Effects Of Feeding Raw Soybeans Or Roasted Soybeans To Feedlot Steers, Melissa K. Bausch, Jim C. Macdonald, Pablo L. Loza, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study compared feeding raw or roasted soybeans, soybean meal, or distillers grains to a dry-rolled corn with urea control on finishing cattle performance and carcass traits. Cattle fed roasted soybeans had improved marbling and gained more weight over the feeding period than cattle fed whole soybeans. Feed conversion was improved in the steers fed the roasted and whole soybean containing diets over steers that consumed the distillers grains diet. Cattle fed soybean meal and distillers grains had similar performance and carcass characteristics in this experiment. Cattle fed soybeans, soybean meal, or distillers had better gains …

Effect Of Using Either Synovex Primer Or Synovex Choice Compared To Not Implanting On The Performance Of Growing Steers, Sawyer D. Starrett, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Pedro Henrique Jota Fernandes, Dirk Burken, Jessica L. Sperber, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 120-day winter-growing study utilized 576 head of steers to evaluate three dry lot implant strategies on the growth of steers. The three implanting strategies included a non-implanted control, Synovex® Primer™, or Synovex Choice®. While on harvested corn residue fields, steers were supplemented with 4 lb Sweet Bran and 0.375 lb of a vitamin and mineral package. The targeted gain for the non-implanted control was 1.25 lb/d. Both Synovex Primer and Synovex Choice increased ADG over the non-implanted control cattle by 7.5% and 12.7%, respectively. Additionally, Synovex Choice had a 4.8% increase in ADG over Synovex Primer. …

Evaluation Of Ferappease Administered At Arrival And Time Of Reimplant On Feedlot Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Yearling Beef Steers, Carsten L. Loseke, Galen E. Erickson, Jessica L. Sperber

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Cattle experience stress in the feedlot during handling events such as initial processing and reimplant that can negatively impact morbidity and mortality, feedlot performance, and carcass outcomes. Application of a maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) marketed as FerAppease (FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals) has been hypothesized to mitigate stress in cattle. A commercial feedlot study compared the effectiveness of FerAppease applied in 10mL doses to yearling native beef steers at initial processing and reimplant to a placebo product on cattle performance, morbidity and mortality parameters, and carcass traits. Steers administered FerAppease tended to have improved feed conversion on …

Effect Of Feed Access Time On Feedlot Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Feeding Behavior And Ruminal Ph, Carsten L. Loseke, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Josh R. Benton, Keara O'Reilly, Galen E. C. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Bunk management is crucial for modern feedlots, and understanding the ideal time to target a slick bunk is important. A feedlot study compared the effect of providing finishing cattle with 12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 hours of access to feed on performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behavior, and ruminal pH. As access time to feed increased, feed intake and day-to-day variation of feed intake increased linearly, while gain and feed conversion were unchanged. Cattle with greater access time to feed spent more time per day at the bunk, and consumed feed more slowly. A cubic effect on …

Evaluation Of Lysoforte Extend On Rumen Fermentation Parameters, Rumen And Total Tract Digestion, And Fatty Acid Digestion, Anna Kobza, Dalton Anderson, Jerilyn Hergenreder, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Supplemental fat fed in finishing diets in recent years has generally increased in price. This digestibility study evaluated LYSOFORTE Extend, a lysophospholipid based nutritional emulsifier, in beef finishing diets containing tallow or corn oil. Five ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were used in a 5 × 5 Latin Square design. Treatments followed a 2 × 2 +1 factorial: 1) No Oil (negative control), 2) Corn Oil (3.5%), 3) Tallow (3.5%), 4) Corn Oil + LFE (8 g/d), and 5) Tallow + LFE (8 g/d). Cattle fed the negative control diet had greater dry matter intake than cattle …

Evaluation Of Renergy On Finishing Steer Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, And Liver Abscess Prevalence And Severity, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Jeff Heldt, Pablo L. Loza, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study evaluated the effects of Renergy™ (Selko USA) and Rumensin® (Elanco Animal Health) on growth performance, carcass traits, and liver abscess severity in finishing beef cattle. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, cattle were fed one of four diets: control (no additive), Renergy, Rumensin, or both additives combined. A significant interaction between Renergy and Rumensin was observed for feed conversion, with a tendency for interaction in dry matter intake (DMI). Cattle fed Renergy tended to have lower DMI and lower average daily gain, though DMI did not differ between cattle fed both additives and …

Evaluation Of Enteric Methane From Cattle Adapted Using Ramp Vs. A Traditional Forage Program Stepped Up To Different Finishing Diets, Jack T. Fort, Isaque F. Vicci, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Maggie E. Youngers, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 93-day finishing experiment evaluated feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair NE) during diet adaptation and finishing diet containing 20% Sweet Bran compared to a traditional adaptation program using forage with a finishing diet without Sweet Bran on methane and carbon dioxide production, animal performance and carcass characteristics in beef steers. Cattle were measured using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify the production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of adaptation and 1 time during finishing diet. Feeding RAMP did not significantly reduce methane but did reduce the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide during …

Evaluation Of Enteric Methane From Cattle Adapted To The Same Finishing Diet Using Ramp Versus Forage, Jack T. Fort, Isaque F. Vicci, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Maggie E. Youngers, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 139-day finishing experiment evaluating the effects of feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair NE) during diet adaptation compared to a traditional forage program on methane and carbon dioxide emissions was done to corroborate a previous study (2025 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 55-58). Cattle were measured using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify the production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of adaptation and 1 time during a common finishing diet. Feeding RAMP had no statistical reduction in methane or carbon dioxide production during step 1. When cattle were fed the same finishing …