Digital Commons Network^™

31p Solution Nmr Investigation Of Abasic Dna, Clarissa R. Krimmel

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Base excision repair (BER) mechanisms fix single base lesions in DNA, such as T:G mismatches. During the base excision repair mechanism, an abasic site (AP site) is formed as an intermediate. AP sites are unstable and highly mutagenic; they can stop DNA replication. This research investigates how the conformational properties of abasic sites in DNA affect the binding recognition of enzymes involved in DNA repair mechanisms, including BER. Three different abasic sequences are being analyzed for this research project. A second project looks at the effects of a naturally occurring purine derivative, hypoxanthine, on the DNA backbone. These hypoxanthine lesions …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Modulation Of Heat Stress Responses In Cattle Supplemented With Dietary Ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Shelley A. Curry, Melanie R. White, Ashley A. Hahn, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Heat stress in beef cattle triggers physiological and metabolic disturbances that compromise performance, health, and welfare. In this study, Red Angus heifers exposed to heat stress for 5 days exhibited elevated body temperatures, increased heart and respiration rates, and altered hematological and acid–base parameters. A commercial ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) dietary supplement failed to improve heat stress-reduced ribeye area or red blood cell parameters but did resolve the reduction in blood chloride concentrations, which is consistent with restoration of electrolyte balance and hydration under heat stressed conditions. These results indicate that ω-3 PUFA supplementation offers some …

Further Investigation Of The Effect Of Estrogen On Candida Albicans Filament Growth On Different Liquid Media, Authors

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Heavy Resistance Training On Type Ii Muscle Fibers Throughout Female Reproductive Stages, Lily G. Colberg

Scripps Senior Theses

Type II muscle fibers, also known as fast-twitch muscle fibers, are reliant on aerobic glycolysis and are crucial for high-force contractions, mobility, and rapid movements, such as fast reflexes. Heavy resistance training has been found to increase type II muscle fiber concentration in young, middle-aged, and elderly individuals. However, there have been few studies conducted on female-only sample populations. In women, the impact of heavy resistance training on type II muscle fibers is affected by the progressive decline of estrogen that defines the transition throughout the four female reproductive stages: premenopause, perimenopause, late-transition menopause, and postmenopause. Menopausal estrogen depletion causes …

Antimicrobial Activity Of Violacein Extracted ​ From Janthinobacterium Lividum​, Catherine M. Brownhill-Slatore

Scripps Senior Theses

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been a threat since the discovery of antibiotics. The increased rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has created an immediate need for new antibiotics. Violacein, a purple bisindole pigment produced by Janthinobacterium lividum, has been shown to be a promising new antibiotic. Its efficacy has not been completely demonstrated, and this project aims to further investigate the effectiveness of violacein as an antibiotic. To do this, a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test was conducted. Violacein was grown, extracted, purified, and tested across concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 500.00 µg/mL to cover values well above and below previously cited …

The Presence Of Predators Moderates Evolutionary Responses Of Trinidadian Killifish To A Novel Parasite, Anne E. Christian

Biology Dissertations

The Healthy Herds Hypothesis suggests the idea that prey populations derive a benefit from their predators: predators reduce the exposure of their prey to infectious disease, both by limiting prey population densities and by eliminating sick individuals. Much research has focused on the balancing effect that predators have on ecosystems. There is a current need for research into whether these effects cause evolutionary shifts in prey populations, where strong predation pressure prevents prey species from evolving physiological tolerance or resistance to infectious agents. Parasites especially often have rapid effects on host evolution, due to exploitative interactions.

I seek to address …

The Effects Of A Thiamine Treatment On The Growth, Survival, And Foraging Behavior Of Thiamine-Deficient Michigan Lake Trout (Salvelinus Namaycush), Allie J. Muschong

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The Great Lakes top predator Salvelinus namaycush (lake trout) suffers from Thiamine Deficiency Complex (TDC), which causes neurological problems and inhibits survival in young lake trout. The lake trout population in northern Lake Michigan experiences insufficient natural recruitment, necessitating yearly stocking. Few treatments have been explored, but preliminary studies in a hatchery setting suggest that increasing tissue thiamine promotes survival; thus, we expected a novel thiamine treatment to boost the foraging rate and weight of lake trout fry. We raised the eggs of six wild lake trout pairs, and applied treatments at both the egg stage and the hatch stage. …

A Phosphorylation Study Of Serine-8 And 26 In Two Fragments Of Amyloid Beta, A Peptide Involved In Alzheimer's Disease And Cancer, Colby J. Merrill

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Both cancer and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affect many people in the United States and impact the families of patients suffering from these challenging illnesses. Recently, it has been reported that these two diseases share several key pathophysiological features, and an inverse relationship exists between them. These diseases share several biochemical modulators, most notably the amyloid-beta protein, which affects tissues in both AD and cancer by misfolding and aggregating. Phosphorylation is believed to regulate the aggregation and toxicity of amyloid-beta by altering the protein's shape and charge, thereby changing its interactions with cells. Phosphorylation can also toggle some proteins on and …

Invasion Dynamics, Environmental Conditions, And Community Impacts Of Yellow Sweetclover (Melilotus Officinalis) Across The Northern Great Plains, Sakshi Saraf

Dissertations and Theses

Understanding how environmental conditions and invasion dynamics shape native plant Communities is critical for conserving and managing the semi-arid grasslands of the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Invasive plant species are increasingly altering ecosystem structure and function across this region, yet knowledge gaps remain regarding the drivers of invasion, their spatiotemporal dynamics, and their associations with native plant communities. This dissertation investigates three questions: (1) what environmental conditions are associated with the distribution and abundance of the invasive legume Melilotus officinalis (yellow sweetclover; MEOF), (2) how does MEOF vary across space and time under climatic conditions, and (3) how are environmental …

Forage News [2026-03], University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Glial Cytokine Modulation Improves Sleep And Circadian Disruption In Female Saa Knock-In Mice Of Alzheimer’S-Related Pathology, Teresa Macheda, Margaret R. Hawkins, Carrie E. Johnson, Madison G. Lapid, Haleigh R. Whitlock, Savannah M. Shepard, Makayla F. Cox, Kelly N. Roberts, Leke Bytyqi, Heather M. Hash, Omar A. Abou El-Ezz, Mohammed Abou El-Ezz, Katharina Kohler, Sridhar Sunderam, Bruce F. O'Hara, Linda J. Van Eldik, Michael Paul Murphy, Marilyn J. Duncan, Adam D. Bachstetter

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Introduction: Sleep and circadian disturbances are early Alzheimer's disease (AD) features, yet mechanisms linking amyloid pathology, neuroinflammation, and sex differences remain unclear.

Methods: We longitudinally assessed sleep, circadian rhythms, and cognition in female and male hAPP^SAA knock-in and control mice from 2 to 19 months using piezoelectric monitoring. Aged mice (15 months) received MW151, a glial cytokine inhibitor (2.5 mg/kg, every other day, 6 weeks).

Results: Only females exhibited midlife reductions in light-phase sleep, increased rhythm fragmentation, and reduced rhythm stability, coinciding with selective reversal learning deficits, effects independent of amyloid or cytokine burden. MW151 increased light-phase sleep and …

Generating A Gfp Reporter Via Crispr To Visualize Ssa4 Export, Aara Khairollahi, Rebecca Adams

SPARK Symposium Presentations

In eukaryotic cells, the transport of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is a very regulated process controlled by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). During stress conditions, such as heat shock, most mRNA export is inhibited in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, yet the transcript for SSA4, a gene responsible for refolding denatured essential proteins, is exported. The mechanism behind this selective export remains unknown. To investigate this, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate a reporter strain in which the SSA4 open reading frame was replaced or inserted with green fluorescent protein (GFP). This reporter is designed to produce GFP only under conditions that …

Exploring The Synergistic Effects Of Cisplatin And Curcumin In Osteosarcoma Cells, Ellis Stafford, Alexa Cabral, Andrea Florian Ph.D., Reese Nagy

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly aggressive bone cancer characterized by rapid metastasis, which drastically reduces patient survival rates from 70% in localized cases to 30% upon metastasis. Current treatments combining chemotherapy with cisplatin and surgical intervention are often ineffective against metastatic OS and are associated with significant side effects. Cisplatin targets cancer cells by binding to DNA, disrupting transcription and replication, and inducing apoptosis. To address the challenges associated with current treatments, this study investigates the potential of combining cisplatin with curcumin, the bioactive compound derived from turmeric, as a novel therapeutic approach. Curcumin has shown anticancer properties by inducing …

Ecological Renovation Of Belmont Tennis Courts, Abbie E. Hamilton, Smith David, Darlene Panvini

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Although Belmont works hard to establish adequate green spaces on our campus, there is much work to be done if we want our students and the wildlife around us to maximize their ecosystem services. More specifically, Belmont can strive to implement nature-based solutions for its athletes, who are often competing in highly urbanized facilities. For this project, we have decided to redesign Belmont’s Tennis Courts, improving their design by increasing their green infrastructure. Our new design was created from a biophilic perspective and intends to serve all aspects of the triple bottom line. The new tennis courts will include ecologically …

Hfpo-Da Aquatic Toxicity And Bioaccumulation, Bailey Dawn Rappold

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected globally in environmental media and biota. Legacy compounds PFOA and PFOS have been observed to be toxic and bioaccumulative in low doses and have been removed from production and industrial processes. Replacement PFAS chemicals are less understood and present a gap in current knowledge in their toxicological effects. This research utilized extended chronic toxicity studies to assess the impacts of HFPO-DA, a short chain replacement PFAS, on the standard aquatic toxicology organism Pimephales promelas. Organisms were exposed for 29 to 30 days at environmentally relevant concentrations of the toxicant, 7.8125 ng/L …

Downstream Persistence Of Cyanobacteria In New Jersey's Raritan River Basin, Kyle R. Clonan, Meiyin Wu, Heather Heckathorn, Heather A. Desko, Eric Ernst, Pam Reilly, Bob Schuster, Robert Newby, Annie C. Hurley, Alessandra Rossi

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Few studies have examined cyanobacteria persistence starting from lacustrine cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (HABs) downstream. Multiple lakes and reservoirs within New Jersey's Raritan Basin Water Supply Complex (RBWSC) feature recurrent HABs and discharge water into the Raritan River. As the RBWSC provides drinking water to 1.5 million people, these HABs create drinking water treatment and human health concerns. This study quantitatively reviews the persistence of cyanobacteria communities across the RBWSC from cyanobacteria-dominated lacustrine sources to downstream drinking water and qualitatively assess what, if any, water chemistry parameters influenced the persistence, growth, or decline of cyanobacteria during downstream transport. Statistical tests …

From Fog To Function: An Occupational Therapist's Guide To Evaluating And Treating Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairments, Lauren E. Toner

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Cancer – related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common side effect of cancer treatment that interferes with cancer survivors’ occupational performance, independence, and quality of life. Despite its high prevalence, CRCI remains under recognized and inconsistently addressed within oncology care. About 70% of individuals diagnosed with cancer report cognitive changes during or after treatment, yet many do not receive treatment. Occupational therapists are clinically trained to evaluate and treat functional cognition, activities of daily activities, instrumental activities of daily living, and client centered goals, positioning them as key providers in addressing CRCI. However, limited occupational therapy specific resources have hindered …

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

Jeffrey Stevens Publications

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

A Stable Isotope Comparison Of The Biogenic Carbonate Of Mammalian Tooth Enamel From The Modern Ohio River Valley And Fort Ancient Buffalo Sites, Sara Elizabeth Slack

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values change in response to anthropogenic factors (Ghosh & Brand, 2003). Little is known about the effects of anthropogenic climate and land use change on the ecology of the Ohio River Valley. The goal of this research was to quantify the effects of European colonization on the native ecology of the region. The specific questions of this research were: (1) How have mammalian tooth enamel δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C compositions shifted over time within the Ohio River Valley in response to anthropogenic climate change and vegetation? (2) Are there differences …

Effect Of Environmental Conditions On German Cockroach (Blattella Germanica) Behavior And Survival, Allison Lopina

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) remain one of the most challenging indoor pests to manage, due to resistance to many commonly used insecticides, and necessary contact/interaction with common management tactics. As such, it is critical to fully understand their aggregation, movement, and longevity, such that treatments can be optimally placed to result in maximal efficacy. The first part of this study explored the effects of multiple factors (harborage width, harborage materials, heat, resource-harborage distance) on initial site selection, and how environmental modifications and infestation density impact harborage site switching. The second half of the study aimed to explore the …

Integrated Management Of Diplodia Ear Rot And A Comparison Of Stenocarpella Species Affecting Corn, Luke C. Warner

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Corn is a globally important crop used for food, feed, and ethanol production, but often the grain quality is threatened by Diplodia ear rot, caused by Stenocarpella maydis and Stenocarpella macrospora. Effective management of Diplodia ear rot is difficult to achieve. This study evaluated the efficacy of foliar fungicides, including products listed by the Organic Material Research Institute (OMRI), against S. maydis in vitro and in field settings, as well as comparingthe aggressiveness of the two causal pathogens of Diplodia ear rot. The in vitro assays indicated a wide variation in sensitivity of S. maydis to the fungicide active ingredients, …