Environmental Counseling As A Proposed Discipline And Its Associated Implications And Uses, Alexandria Rion

Honors Projects

Individuals interact with their environment daily, and whether they realize it or not, these interactions can impact their health. Understanding the health impacts associated with the environment is important to human health at both an individual and population level. I am proposing a new field of environmental counseling that would incorporate principles from a variety of practices into one comprehensive discipline that can be used to promote public health. By studying populations that have had negative environmental exposures and looking at their outcomes, I was able to apply principles of environmental counseling to help determine if it would in fact …

Investigating How Caffeine Affects Perceived Exertion And To What Extent Young Adults Consumers Are Aware Of The Active Ingredients, Brianna Richter

Honors Projects

BACKGROUND: Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world, often used to increase energy and alertness. From morning coffee to pre-workout and energy drinks, caffeine has become a daily staple for students, athletes, and working professionals. In recent years, caffeine consumption has increased significantly, with the energy drink and pre-workout industries rapidly expanding. Research has been conducted on the effects of caffeine; however, there is limited research examining how consumer awareness of caffeine products and their additional active ingredients influence perceived exertion and exercise in young adults. PURPOSE: This study investigated the perceived effect of …

2026 - The Thirtieth Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the 30th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 22-24, 2026. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

Program And Proceedings, The Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2026: 146th Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Thirty-Sixth Annual Meeting

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program and abstracts of the proceedings for the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 136th annual meeting, 2025

Sessions

Aeronautics and Space Science

Anthropology

Biological and Medical Sciences

Earth Sciences

Ecology, Sustainability, and Environmental Science

Physics and Engineering

General Poster Session

2026 Maiben Lecture: Shifting Extremes: Understanding Nebraska’s Changing Climate and Preparing for What Lies Ahead, Deborah Bathke

2026 Friends of Science Awards: Julie Shaffer and Irina Filina

2026 C. Bertrand and Marian Othmer Schultz Colleaguate Schoalrship Award: Piper Ryschon and Bryce Reeson

In Memoriam: Paul Royster

Ethnicity, Culture, And The Epidemiology Of Eating Disorders, Rebecca Atwell

Honors Theses

This systematic literature review addresses the research question: How does culture affect eating disorders? It examines the role of ethnicity and culture in shaping the prevalence, symptom presentation, and treatment of eating disorders across diverse populations. Although eating disorders have traditionally been studied in Western, predominantly White populations, growing evidence suggests that cultural norms, ethnic identity, globalization, and exposure to Western ideals significantly influence both the development and expression of disordered eating behaviors. Twenty peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 were included. These studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO and selected …

The Pam-1 Aminopeptidase Does Not Protect Against Ptl-1 Mediated Neurodegeneration In C. Elegans., Ethan E. Schuff

Honors College Theses

Debilitating neurodegenerative conditions are increasingly prevalent in our aging population, yet treatment options remain limited. Though neurodegenerative diseases vary in pathophysiology and clinical manifestations, these diseases are related to one another in that many involve misfolded proteins. Tau is a member of the microtubule-stabilizing MAPT/MAP2/MAP4 family, and misfolded tau proteins form the neurotoxic aggregates called neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Designing a study to elucidate the neurotoxic role of tau is difficult because other MAPs may have compensatory mechanisms which confound study data. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) …

Multi-Strain Assessment Of Quorum Sensing In Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Jacqueline Krueger

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Quorum sensing (QS) allows microbial populations to coordinate phenotypic switching, selecting for specific behaviors that are only beneficial when expressed at high cell densities (HCD, >106 cells/mL) rather than low cell densities (LCD, < 106 cells/mL)

A Continuous Viral Vaccine Biomanufacturing Platform Utilizing Multiple Bioreactor Configurations, Justin Sargunas, Bradley Priem, Dylan Carman, Taravat Sarvari, Natalie Nold, Vaishali Sharma, Andrew Pekosz, Caryn Heldt, Michael Betenbaugh

Michigan Tech Publications

Scalable, continuous biomanufacturing processes have grown in importance to meet demand for smaller bioreactor sizes, lowered production costs, and improved quality attribute consistency. The Sf9/recombinant baculovirus (rBV) expression system demonstrates promise for virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine and gene therapy production. Here, we present a continuous rBV platform integrating an infection plug flow reactor (PFR) between stirred tank growth (gCSTR) and production (pCSTR) bioreactors. Cell expansion in the gCSTR included a ramp-up stage followed by continuous growth, reaching a steady state of 5×10 cells/mL and >90% viability. Péclet number-fit tracer studies confirmed near-ideal plug flow in the PFR, yielding a 10 …

Investigating The Synergistic Effects Of Mental And Physical Exhaustion On Learning And Attention In Emergency First Responders: An Eye-Tracking Study, Kayla Page

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Exhaustion is known to impair cognitive functioning and performance, yet its effects on learning during video-based instruction among first responders and military service members remain underexplored. This study examined how mental, physical, and combined exhaustion independently influence learning outcomes and visual attention in a physically active sample drawn from military, public safety, and emergency service roles. Visual attention was measured utilizing eye tracking, focusing on fixation duration (FD) and fixation rate (FR). Participants completed instructional tasks under each exhaustion condition, allowing comparison of learning and gaze behavior across fatigue states. Results indicated that mental and physical exhaustion were associated …

Characterization Of Bacteria In Cattle Specimens, Jacob D. Hanson, Josie M. Tieskoetter

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Cattle nasal cavities provide a favorable environment for microbial colonization and can habit a wide population of bacteria, including opportunistic and pathogenic species. The objective of this research was to isolate, characterize, and identify bacteria present is nasal swap specimen collected from multiple calves. Samples were cultured and analyzed using selective and differential media, Gram staining, spore staining, and a range of biochemical assays. Several bacterial species were identified including the genus Corynebacterium and Streptococcus while some isolates could not be identified using classical biochemical methods alone. These results demonstrate that calf nasal specimens commonly contain diverse bacterial populations, some …

Three Bacterial Endophytes Enhanced Plant Growth And Yield And Reduced The Severity Of Phytophthora Capsici In Bell Pepper And Tomato Plants In The Field, Daniel Ambachew, Margaret T. Mmbaga Mmbaga, Richard Hall, Peter Eyegheleme, Mustapha Olawuni, Jamille Robinson, Emily Rotich

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Naturally abundant endophytes colonize plants internally without causing harm to their host plants. Endophytes are likely to occupy the same ecological niches as phytopathogens and thus have a high potential to be effective biological control agents. Their demonstrated ability to suppress more than one plant pathogen suggests that they can offer a viable alternative to chemical fungicides and a strategy for decreasing the inoculum potential of soil-borne pathogens. Some biocontrol endophytes are also known to improve soil health and the overall health of plants. However, the results in greenhouse studies do not always translate to consistent field efficacy. In this …

Quantification Of Mouse Tracheal Epithelial Cell Differentiation With Cilia Defects, Olivia V. Allen

Honors Thesis

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects 1 in every 7,500 live births. PCD results from motile cilia defects, impairing mucociliary clearance and causing chronic respiratory infections. Our lab studies include three PCD mouse lines — bgh (Spef2), nm1054 (Cfap221), and Cfap54^gt/gt (Cfap54). Prior transcriptomic data led us to hypothesize that PCD mutant mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTECs) exhibit reduced differentiation into ciliated cells. MTECs from the trachea of the Wild Type (WT) and the PCD mutant mouse lines were cultured at an Air Liquid Interface (ALI) to start …

Effects Of Menstrual Cycle Phases On Muscular Strength And Ligament Laxity, Nicole Waldo Johnson

2026 Student Academic Showcase

Female participation in sport continues to increase, yet women remain largely underrepresented in research. Due to hormonal differences, additional research is needed to understand how menstrual cycle (MC) phases influence performance and injury risk. Females experience higher incidences of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, which may be influenced by hormonal fluctuations. The purpose of this study is to examine how MC phases and changes affect muscular strength and ligament laxity at the knee. Muscular strength and ligament laxity will be tested twice during the MC: once during the early follicular phase (EFP) and the second set are to be collected …

The Effects Of Oleuropein In Olive Leaf Extract Alone Or Combined With Calcitriol On The Viability And Migration Of Human Endometrial Cells In Vitro, Katelyn Devereaux

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide and is commonly associated with pelvic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Current management strategies, including hormonal therapies and surgical intervention, often provide only temporary relief and are associated with recurrence and adverse effects. These limitations highlight the need for alternative, non-hormonal therapeutic approaches that target underlying inflammatory and cellular mechanisms of disease progression.

This study evaluated the effects of oleuropein, contained within an olive leaf extract, and calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, on cellular viability and migration in immortalized human endometriotic epithelial (12Z) …

Effects Of Music Tempo And Genre On Attention Mediated By Arousal, Ethan Moore, Kenneth Diaz, Emily Faenza, Jenna Gomez-Nieto, Crismar Ramos Marti

Neuroscience Program Student Scholarship

This study investigates how music genre and tempo influence attention mediated by arousal. The Yerkes-Dodson law tells us that high arousal increases performance levels on simple tasks. We hypothesized that higher arousal levels will enhance performance on an hour-long Lexical Decision Task. Thirty-six participants were categorized into six groups: Country, Jazz, or Metronome at high and low tempos. Attention was measured using accuracy, response times, and event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded via EEG. By controlling for verbal proficiency through TOWRE assessments, we aim to uncover the neural mechanisms linking musical components to cognitive processing.

Exercise As A Non-Pharmacological Intervention For The Prevention And Delay Of Alzheimer’S Disease And Dementia, Eden Culver

Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias are rapidly increasing public health concerns due to aging populations and rising life expectancy. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration associated with amyloid-β plaques, tau neurofibrillary tangles, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal loss, leading to impairments in memory, cognition, and daily functioning. Because there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, identifying effective non-pharmacological prevention strategies is essential. This paper examines the role of physical exercise as a preventive and protective intervention for delaying the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Current research demonstrates that exercise supports brain health through several …

Scientific Research In Cuba: A General Analysis With A Special Focus On Energy, Agriculture And Technology, Henri Dou, Pierre Fournie

International Journal of Islands Research

An analysis of science in Cuba is carried out using data from the OpenAlex database. Examples are developed: agriculture, rice, technology in relation to the current situation: national food supply, energy and medicine. The predominance of research in biology and medicine and the low commitment in the fields of agriculture, energy, medicinal plants and technology are highlighted. Various development schemes are proposed. The conclusion is that research must be directed towards strategic areas: food and energy, must be less dispersed and that technology must be better taken into account. Three proposals are made: the development of a chemical analysis platform …

​Functional Characterization Of Stmtpsl Terpene Synthase-Like Genes And Their Role In Pathogen Resistance In Selaginella Tamariscina, Zhijie He, Bo Bi

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The biological activity and function of microbial terpene synthase-like genes from Selaginella tamariscina (StMTPSL) were investigated using molecular and biochemical approaches. After isolating and amplifying StMTPSL genes (StMTPSL1-StMTPSL6), both native and site-directed mutant forms were expressed in tobacco via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The resulting transgenic plants had increased expression of StMTPSL genes, enhanced monoterpene production (as confirmed by GC-MS), and significantly improved resistance to Pseudomonas syringae infection compared to nontransgenic controls. These results show that StMTPSL genes are functionally active in plants and contribute to pathogen resistance through elevated terpene biosynthesis. This study provides new insights into the role of MTPSL …

Effect Of Some Organic Fertilizers On Yield And Quality Of Olive Oil In Semiarid Conditions, İshak Bayyi̇ği̇t, Ebru Sakar

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This two-year field experiment evaluated the effects of different organic fertilizers on olive oil quality of the Gemlik cultivar grown under semiarid conditions in Mardin, Türkiye. Treatments of olive pomace (P1: 4, P2: 8, P3: 12 kg tree⁻¹), leonardite (L1: 1.5, L2: 3.0, L3: 4.5 kg tree⁻¹), and vermicompost (SG1: 3, SG2: 6, SG3: 9 kg tree⁻¹) were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Oils were analyzed for free acidity (FA), peroxide value, and phenolic profile using high-pressure liquid chromatography. FA ranged from 0.27% to 0.42% (as oleic acid), remaining well below the International Olive Council …

Studies On The Contribution Of Osh6 To The Functions Of Late Endosomes, William King

Theses and Dissertations

The late endosome (LE) is a hub organelle connecting endocytic, biosynthetic, exocytotic, and autophagic vesicle traffic pathways. Malfunctions of LEs are associated with multiple age dependent diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite this significance, how cells refurbish lipids and proteins to LEs to maintain their sustained activities are not clear. Previous studies in the model organism budding yeast show that up-regulation of a lipid transporter Osh6 (PERG6-OSH6) accumulates phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) on the trans-Golgi network. It also promotes vacuole fusion and maintains the robustness of vacuoles in aged cells. Since LEs are the organelle between the TGN and vacuoles in …

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Mediated Plasmid Dna Delivery In The Model Monocot Brachypodium Distachyon, Kaya İşleyen Bi̇lge, Bahar Soğutmaz Özdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Plant genetic engineering is a valuable approach for improving stress tolerance, crop productivity, and quality traits. However, its progress is limited by the drawbacks of traditional transformation methods. Commonly used techniques, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and biolistics, are restricted by genotype dependency, lengthy tissue culture steps, and low efficiency, particularly in monocot species. Therefore, the development of alternative gene delivery strategies remains an ongoing research focus in plant biotechnology. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems have recently gained attention due to their physiochemical properties, biocompatibility, and potential for alternative gene delivery approaches in plant systems.Materials and methods: We investigated the use of …

Combinatorial Effect Of Epirubicin And 5-Fluorouracil In The Treatment Of Temozolomide-Resistant Glioblastoma Cells, Mehrsa Bayat, Muhli̇s Akman, Türker Kiliç, Ti̇muçi̇n Avşar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of brain tumor characterized by rapid proliferation and invasiveness. It is associated with a poor prognosis due to acquired resistance to temozolomide (TMZ). In this study, we investigated whether a combination of epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and TMZ could improve TMZ sensitivity in resistant GBM cells and help overcome resistance.Materials and methods: TMZ resistance was established in the U87MG cell line. The MTT assay was used to measure cell viability. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry. RNA-seq was used to evaluate genomic changes based on treatment with drugs …

Comparative Evaluation Of Curd Enriched With Essential Oils Derived From Dill, Caraway, And Cumin, Hafize Fidan, Toncho Kolev, Denis Dervish, Ivayla Dincheva, Ira Taneva, Serkan Yilmaz, Yusuf Şavşatli, Albena Stoyanova

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Curd cheese is a traditional dairy product that, in recent years, has increasingly been supplemented with various functional additives aimed at enhancing its aroma and flavor profile, improving overall quality, and extending shelf-life. The objective of the present study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of changes in selected physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory parameters of curd cheese enriched with 0.01% essential oils derived from dill (Anethum graveolens L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), and caraway (Carum carvi L.) fruits. Fatty acid profiling revealed a reduction in saturated fatty acids and an increase in oleic and linoleic acids in essential oil-enriched curds …

Deep Learning Technology In Multimodal Remote Sensing Data Fusion To Analyze Crop Growth And Economic Forecast, Tianlong Jiang, Ziyang Liu, Li Sun

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This paper integrated multimodal remote sensing (RS) data with deep learning to develop a maize growth analysis and income prediction model based on CNN (Convolutional Neural Network)-Attention and Bi-LSTM (Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory). Utilsing Landsat 8, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-1 satellite data, the CNN-Attention network extracts vegetation features such as NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index), EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index), and canopy density for corn growth stage identification and prediction. The study combined these features with meteorological, soil, and market data and fed them into a Bi-LSTM model for time series analysis to forecast corn income. The method achieved 98.3% accuracy in …

Long-Term Tillage And Straw Returning Practices Enhance Soil Humus Composition, Carbon Sequestration, And Ecological–Economic Benefits, Kai Wang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

While straw return is widely promoted, its specific effects on soil humus composition, structure, and ecological functions are not fully understood. This study investigates the long-term impacts of different straw types and farming practices on humus composition, carbon sequestration, and ecological–economic benefits. In Hunan Province’s paddy fields, six soils with 5–30-year farming histories were selected. Treatments included a blank control, corn straw return, and rice straw return, each replicated three times. Humus structure was analyzed via infrared spectroscopy, component contents were determined by alkali extraction, and a carbon footprint model assessed emissions. Ecological economic analysis integrated soil carbon pool dynamics, …

Silicon-Mediated Enhancement Of Wheat Tolerance To Drought Stress: A Comparative Study Of Antioxidant Activity, Photosynthesis, Secondary Metabolites, And Yield, Abida Kausar, Rida Yasmeen, Shahid Iqbal, Muhammad Bilal Hafeez, Asif Mukhtiar, Sadia Azeem, Ali Raza, Samreen Nazeer, Muhammad Zubair Akram, Muhammad Kamran, Fahd Rasul, Noreen Zahra

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Drought stress (DS) is a major constraint on optimal plant growth and yield. Agricultural researchers have been actively exploring fertilizers that can enhance crop production under DS conditions. Silicon (Si) application has emerged as a promising strategy for managing DS in various crops. This study investigated the potential of Si soil drenching to mitigate the adverse effects of varying levels of DS (at 100%, 70%, and 40% field capacity) in wheat. Two varieties (Ujala-2016 and FSD-2008) were used to evaluate the influence of Si (2.5 mM) on antioxidant activity, oxidative burst, secondary metabolites, growth, and yield. The results indicated that …

Ultrasound-Assisted Enzymatic Extraction Improves The Antiinflammatory Activity Of Red Dragon Fruit Peel Pectin, Bao Le, Seung Hwan Yang, Hoang Dang Khoa Ta

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by excessive immune activation, primarily mediated by nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines. This condition encompasses ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which significantly impair patients’ quality of life and pose persistent challenges in clinical management. Pectin, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls, has shown promise in reducing inflammation. Materials and methods: In this study, pectin was extracted from red dragon fruit peel using two methods: ultrasound-assisted extraction and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction. The structural characteristics and antiinflammatory effects of the extracted pectin were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 …

Modulating Microtubule Stability Via Α-Tubulin Acetylation Partially Restores Golgi Fragmentation In Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Peli̇n Zobaroğlu Özer, Memet Gözüböyük, Özge Çeti̇n, Niko Hensel, Güzi̇n Emecen, Adam Malik, Melissa Bowerman, Peter Claus, Hayat Erdem Yurter, Gamze Bora Akoğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN deficiency leads to perturbations of the cytoskeleton, including microtubules, which are mainly involved in motilityrelated cellular processes. However, the molecular mechanisms of microtubule dysregulation in SMA remain elusive. Alpha (α)-tubulin is a structural component of microtubules, and its posttranslational modifications affect microtubule dynamics. Here, we aimed to investigate α-tubulin acetylation and related molecular mechanisms in SMA. Materials and methods: Two different SMA mouse models, the Drosophila melanogaster model and patient-derived fibroblasts, were used in the study. Western blot and …

Ankrd2 May Alleviate Denervation-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy By Inhibiting Inflammation, Yalin Zhang, Lin Zhang, Li Li, Liqin Zhang, Li Zeng, Jiaying Qiu, Zhengrong Xi, Wenwen Wang

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Sciatic nerve injury causes a loss of skeletal muscle innervation, reduced motor function, and eventual muscle atrophy. Inflammation and increased protein degradation are key factors contributing to muscle atrophy. Inflammation is activated early during muscle atrophy and can be modulated by various factors. However, the precise role of inflammation in denervation-induced muscle atrophy remains unclear. Materials and methods: Transcriptome sequencing was used to determine that the inflammatory response occurs early during denervation-induced muscle atrophy. RT-qPCR validation of several inflammatory factors showed rapid upregulation at early stages, followed by gradual downregulation. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis of differentially expressed genes …

Unusual Rna Polymerase Ii Patterns In Meiotic Prophase I In Nannospalax Xanthodon: Insights Into Chromatin, Telomeres, And Sex Chromosomes, Sergey N. Matveevsky, Ferhat Matur, Faruk Çolak, Andrei Kandaurov, Mustafa Sözen, Svetlana V. Pavlova, Oxana Kolomiets

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background: Meiotic transcription is a highly regulated process involving stage-specific chromatin remodeling and dynamic RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) activity. Nevertheless, our current understanding is largely based on classical model organisms, while many nonmodel mammals remain unexplored. This study investigates the transcriptional dynamics and chromatin features during meiotic prophase I in Nannospalax xanthodon, a subterranean blind mole rat species with extensive intraspecific karyotype variation.Materials and methods: Using immunofluorescence, we analyzed synapsis and transcriptional activity in spermatocyte nuclei of two geographically distant N. xanthodon males, detecting SYCP3, CREST, γH2AFX, and phosphorylated RNAPII (Ser5, Ser2). Telomereassociated proteins RAP1 and TERT were also examined …