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Elucidating Collagen Degradation Synergy Between Col G And Col H From Hathewaya (Clostridium) Histolytica And Identifying Novel Structural Features In Hpt And Rec Domains From Vars Histidine Kinase In V. Alginolyticus, Perry Caviness

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this research the mechanisms by which Hathewaya (Clostridia) histolytica collagenases are secreted and work together to degrade collagens are investigated. While H. histolytica collagenases Col G and Col H have similar multi-domain structures the difference in number of and orientation of the domains hint that the two target different regions in collagen. Study small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to give a low-resolution envelope of full-length Col G and Col H and Col G/Col H non-catalytic domains bound to a collagen-like peptide (mini-collagen). SAXS derived envelopes along with structural information was used to tease out the mechanisms by …

Phenotypic Switching Of Bacterial Cells In Extreme Environments, Sudip Nepal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A large number of terrestrial microbial lives thrive in extremes of environmental conditions, including extremes of pressure, temperature, salinity, pH, and a combination of them. For example, all the marine biomass thrive at high hydrostatic pressure depending on depth. The temperature in the ocean can be very high near the hydrothermal vents and salinity and pH depends on the composition of salt in the surrounding areas. On the surface, hot springs, lakes and geysers provide high temperature conditions, while many places are permafrost regions with subzero temperatures. There is an emerging body of work on the viability, genomics, and metagenomics …

Analysis Of The Facilitative Interaction Between Batis Maritima And Avicennia Germinans As A Mangrove Restoration Strategy, Javier R. Navarro

Theses and Dissertations

The multiple experiments conducted in an Avicennia germinans forest in Laguna Vista, TX was focused on determining if facilitation theory could explain the behavior observed between the herbaceous halophyte Batis maritima and A. germinans. I hypnotized that a positive interaction exists but through which mechanisms of facilitation I did not know. The overarching theme of the study is the presence or absence of B. maritima. Facilitation theory tells us that positive interactions are most often found under stressful conditions such as those on the coastal tidal flat of the Laguna Madre. Locally B. maritima has been found to …

A Survey Of Dairy-Goat Keeping In Zanzibar, Tiffanie Stone, Charles A. Francis, L. O. Eik

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Dairy goats with improved genetics for milk production were recently introduced onto small-scale farms in Zanzibar through governmental and non-governmental projects. These projects were meant to support small-scale farmers by improving both income and household nutrition through milk production. No follow up had been conducted to understand what effects dairy goat keeping had on these small-scale farms, or how they could be improved. A survey of 193 dairy goat farmers in Zanzibar was conducted, including 30% and 60% of all dairy goat farmers on Unguja and Pemba, the two largest islands, respectively. The objective was to understand the impact keeping …

Bayesian Zero-Inflated Model For Ordinal Data, Huizhong Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Datasets with a relatively large number of zeros is commonly seen in medical applications. Although models like Zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) model are proposed for counts data, there is still some issues with ordinal data which have excess zeros. In this paper, we developed a Bayesian approach to accommodate the excess zero in ordinal data. Intellectual disability (ID), also known as mental retardation (MR), is a disability characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of the learning necessary skills for daily life. A person with intellectual disability has intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors limitations. Intellectual disability is a …

Rice Fortification By Parboiling In Limited-Water Soaking To Alleviate Mineral And Vitamin Deficiency, Annegret Jannasch

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fortification of rice by parboiling is considered a potential alternative to currently available fortification technologies to produce rice with higher mineral and vitamin content significantly contributing to nutrient intake in populations with high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies. Higher nutrient retention rates and improved sensory characteristics are advantages of fortified parboiled rice compared to fortified rice obtained by currently used fortification technologies including dusting, coating, and extrusion. However, conventional parboiling processes employ excess water that presents an environmental hazard if discarded without treatment. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate a limited-water soaking method for the fortification of rice …

Pattern Of Health Behavior And Its Association With Self-Rated Health: Evidence From The 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System In The United States, Linh Nguyen, Mamunur Rashid, M. Mazharul Islam

Student Research

Aim: To improve public health services, we need to keep policymakers updated with health-related issues. This study (1) examines the recent pattern of physical activities, smoking, alcohol consumption, and SRH, and (2) investigates the association between the behaviors and SRH status among US citizens.

Method: We extracted data from the latest state-based survey of the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which provides a nationally representative sample of 437,436 American adults. We analyzed the data, mainly employing chi-square tests and logistic regression models.

Results: Physical inactivity and smoking are more common among participants with lower education and household income. …

Potential Adoption Of Integrated Pest Management Strategy For Suppression Of Mango Fruit Flies In East Africa: An Ex Ante And Ex Post Analysis In Ethiopia And Kenya, Beatrice W. Muriithi, Nancy G. Gathogo, Gracious M. Diiro, Samira A. Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

To sustain agricultural development in Africa, innovative strategies for addressing a myriad of biotic and abiotic constraints facing the agricultural systems must be established. One current biotic stress is the mango infesting fruit flies. In the effort to contain the widely spreading and damaging invasive species of tephritid fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) (Hendel), an area-wide integrated pest management (IPM) program is being promoted in the horticultural sub-sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Such a new technology in which farmers have limited information before commercialization may have diffusion paths that are different from the often-assumed sigmoid (or “s”) shaped curve. We apply the …

Perceptions Of A Small Midwestern Food Cooperative: A Case Study, Rebecca Forsythe

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to illuminate how individuals form perceptions of cooperatives, specifically of Green Top Grocery, a cooperative located in Bloomington Illinois, using the Bourdieu-sian habitus and notions of capital as a frame. Green Top Grocery suffers from fiscal instability since they opened in 2017. They also struggle to gain support of lower income individuals, a key demographic they sought to help since their inception based on their stated values. By conducting qualitative interviews of three sample groups: Green Top Grocery board members and leadership, local food access experts, and West Bloomington residents, and non-participant observations, this …

Variability Of Selected Mineral Contents In Marine Fish From Local Markets In Tanzania, Stella Shija, Matobola Mihale, Daniel Shilla

Tanzania Journal of Science

Mineral contents (K, Na, Ca and Mg) in selected marine fish species (Alectis ciliaris, Lethrinus harak, Rastrelliger kanagurta and Siganus canaliculatus) from local fish markets were analysed in wet and dry seasons. The processing methods (frying and boiling) were also assessed for their influence on the mineral contents. Samples were randomly collected from Tanga, Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam and Mtwara seaports, analysed using established methods and determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Mean mineral contents in individual and all analysed fish species were high during dry season compared to wet season except Ca and the difference was statistically significant …

Long‐Term Cattle Grazing Affected Specific Leaf Area And Its Components In Two Range Plant Species, Xuejun Dong, Paul Nyren, Bob Patton, Brian Kreft, Anne Nyren

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Leaf Traits Can Be Used To Predict Rates Of Litter Decomposition, Marc Rosenfield, Jennifer L. Funk, Jason K. Keller, Catrina Clausen, Kimberlee Cyphers

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Strong relationships exist between litter chemistry traits and rates of litter decomposition. However, leaf traits are more commonly found in online trait databases than litter traits and fewer studies have examined how well leaf traits predict litter decomposition rates. Furthermore, while bulk leaf nitrogen (N) content is known to regulate litter decomposition, few studies have explored the importance of N biochemistry fractions, such as protein and amino acid concentration. Here, we decomposed green leaves and naturally senesced leaf litter of nine species representing a wide range of leaf functional traits. We evaluated the ability of traits associated with leaf and …

Developing Alternatives To Protect Domestic Sheep From Predation In South Africa, David L. Bergman, Nico L. Avenant, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Eddie Steenkamp

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

South Africa has approximately 8,000 commercial small livestock farms and 5,800 communal/subsistence farmers throughout the country. Reported rates of small livestock loss to predation range from 3-13% and 0.5-19% from communal farming areas. A range of predators exist on the African continent, but in southern Africa major livestock losses are primarily due to black-backed jackal and caracal. South Africans have been managing caracals and jackals for over 300 years with no elimination of predation. During the aforementioned time frame, producers have used and/or developed a number of techniques including lethal, nonlethal, and integrated predator damage management to address predation losses. …

Prediction Of Feed Utilization Performance In Clarias Gariepinus Using Multiple Linear Regression In Machine Learning, Adekunle Oluwatosin Familusi

Journal of Bioresource Management

Machine learning models can be used to make predictions about nutrient utilization performance index using available proximate analysis data on feed composition. Data from similar experiments on nutrient utilization performance was used to fit a multiple linear regression model for the prediction of four performance indexes. The Specific Growth Rate and percentage inclusion with strength of 0.57 was noted along with a negative relationship between protein efficiency and protein content. A negative relationship between Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) at NFE content ≥25 % was observed. PER was predicted with 85 % accuracy, while Weight Gain …

Electrochemical Oxidation Of Metal Chromium In Odium Hydroxide Aqueous Solution, Ping Han, Hai-Tao Feng, Ya-Ping Dong, Sen Tian, Bo Zhang, Wu Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Ferrochrome electrolysis technology is a novel method for preparing sodium chromate (Na₂CrO₄). Although the method performs well at soft reaction conditions, controllable process, environmentally friendly production process, etc., the electrochemical oxidation process of metal chromium in NaOH aqueous electrolyte is still unclear. At present, there are few research articles about specific electrochemical oxidation of metal chromium in NaOH aqueous electrolyte. It is, therefore, meaningful to carry out the research in electrochemical oxidation mechanism of chromium. The electrochemical oxidation of metal chromium in 0.01 mol·L^-1 ~ 10 mol·L^-1 NaOH aqueous electrolytes at 20 °C was …

A Simple And Sensitive Aptamer-Based Electrochmical Sensor For Determination Of Aflatoxin B1, Bing Liu, Yao-Shuai Zhao, Yue Qin, Yi Wang, Yan-Jie Zhu, Shuo Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Aflatoxin B1 has attracted much attention because of its high toxicity and carcinogenicity, which has become a great concern in food safety. Based on the principle of specific binding between Aflatoxin B1 and its aptamer, an aptamer-based electrochemical sensor had been designed and developed for the determination of minor Aflatoxin B1 contained in grain. The mesoporous carbons were first modified on the surface of the working electrode, and then the gold nanoparticles were on-site electrodeposited at a constant potential. Each modified electrode was characteritised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). As a result, the surface area …

Effects Of Atriplex Canescens On Planted Areas In Iran, M. A. Zare Chahouki, Mohammad Jafari, Hossein Azarnivand, M. Shafi Zadeh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Changes Of Proline Content In Leaves Of Two Alfalfa Cultivars With Different Salt Tolerance Undersalt Stress, Xiaoshan Wang, Jianguo Han, Yanjing Su

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Quantifying The Environmental Impacts Of Cookstove Transitions A Societal Exergy Analysis Based Model Of Energy Consumption And Forest Stocks In Honduras, Noah Ver Beek, Elvin Vindel, Matthew K. Heun, Paul E. Brockway

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Unsustainable consumption of biofuels contributes to deforestation and climate change, while household air pollution from burning solid biofuels in homes results in millions of premature deaths globally every year. Honduras, like many low and medium Human Development Index countries, depends on primary solid biofuels for more than 30% of its primary energy supply (as of 2013). We conducted a societal exergy analysis and developed a forest stock model for Honduras for 1971–2013 and used the results to model an energy transition from traditional wood stoves to either improved efficiency wood cookstoves or modern fuel cookstoves (using Electricity or Liquefied petroleum …

Quantifying The Environmental Impacts Of Cookstove Transitions: A Societal Exergy Analysis Based Model Of Energy Consumption And Forest Stocks In Honduras, Noah Ver Beek, Elvin Vindel, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Paul E. Brockway

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Unsustainable consumption of biofuels contributes to deforestation and climate change, while household air pollution from burning solid biofuels in homes results in millions of premature deaths globally every year. Honduras, like many low and medium Human Development Index countries, depends on primary solid biofuels for more than 30% of its primary energy supply (as of 2013). We conducted a societal exergy analysis and developed a forest stock model for Honduras for 1971–2013 and used the results to model an energy transition from traditional wood stoves to either improved efficiency wood cookstoves or modern fuel cookstoves (using Electricity or Liquefied petroleum …

Study On Leaf Production Of Alfalfa At Different Planting Densities, Z. F. Wang, A. K. Xu, H. Z. Yu, Y. C. Zhou

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Dynamic Change Of Production And Botanical Composition In Trifolium Repens And Perennial Grass Mixtures Over 20 Years In The Karst Region, Southwest China, Yuansu Wang, Fuzeng Hong, Qingrong Wa, Alan Mcdermott

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Dynamics Of Reproductive Allocation Of Reproductive Tillers In Stipa Baicalansis Populations On The Songnen Plains, China, Tiezhi Wang, Yunfei Yang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Heavy Metals In The Arctic: Distribution And Enrichment Of Five Metals In Alaskan Soils, Clarice R. Perryman, Jochen Wirsing, Kathryn A. Bennett, Owen Brennick, Apryl L. Perry, Nicole Williamson, Jessica G. Ernakovich

Faculty Publications

Metal contamination of food and water resources is a known public health issue in Arctic and sub-Arctic communities due to the proximity of many communities to mining and drilling sites. In addition, permafrost thaw may release heavy metals sequestered in previously frozen soils, potentially contaminating food and water resources by increasing the concentration of metals in freshwater, plants, and wildlife. Here we assess the enrichment of selected heavy metals in Alaskan soils by synthesizing publicly available data of soil metal concentrations. We analyzed data of soil concentrations of arsenic, chromium, mercury, nickel, and lead from over 1,000 samples available through …

The Effect Of Soil Ph On Phosphorus Content Of Clover Pasture, David Weaver, Robert Summers, David Rogers, Peta Richards

Resource management technical reports

Testing of pasture soils from 2009 to 2018, as part of DPIRD’s Whole Farm Nutrient Mapping (WFNM) project in the coastal catchments of south-west Western Australia (WA), indicated that soil pH was so low it could be limiting plant access to nutrients. Observations by some farmers who had been involved in the soil testing were that lime application had not increased pasture production, even when pH_Ca (pH measured in calcium chloride) tests indicated that phosphorus (P) should become more available by increasing soil pH. Farmers also wanted to know if they needed to apply more P than soil testing …

The Strawberry Rhizosphere Microbiome: Role On Plant Health And Nutrition, Eric Michael Boyd

Master's Theses

Microbial-root associations are important to help plants cope with abiotic and biotic stressors. Managing these interactions offers an opportunity for improving the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. By characterizing the bacterial and archaeal community (via 16S rRNA sequencing) associated with the bulk and rhizosphere soil of sixteen strawberry cultivars in two controlled field studies, we explored the relationships between the soil microbiome and plant resistance to two soilborne fungal pathogens of strawberry (Verticillium dahliae and Macrophomina phaseolina). Overall, the plants had a distinctive rhizosphere microbiome relative to the bulk soil, with higher abundances of known beneficial bacteria …

Exploring Opportunities For A New Community Garden In Santa Fe Springs, Camille Kelem

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Metals And Non-Metals In The Indian Oil Sardine (Sardinella Longiceps) In The Northern United Arab Emirates, Shaima Malik

Biology Theses

The marine ecosystems of the world are especially susceptible to pollution arising from anthropogenic sources. The Arabian Gulf ecosystem is a partially enclosed hypersaline system with increasing levels of pollution arising from ongoing development in the region. Marine biota are expected to be influenced by pollutants and levels of trace elements in marine species could be indicative of increasing pollution. Bioaccumulation of 19 elements (As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, V, Zn) in 120 specimens of Indian oil sardines (Sardinella longiceps) purchased from local fish markets of …

Effect Of Pecan Variety And The Method Of Extraction On The Antimicrobial Activity Of Pecan Shell Extracts Against Different Foodborne Pathogens And Their Efficacy On Food Matrices, Veerachandra K. Yemmireddy, Cameron Cason, Juan Moreira, Achyut Adhikari

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The shells of pecans are a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential inhibitory activity against various pathogenic microorganisms. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of pecan shell extracts as effected by the type of cultivar and the method of extraction against various foodborne bacterial pathogens. Defatted shell powders of 19 different pecan cultivars were subjected to aqueous and ethanolic extraction (1:20 w/v) procedures, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of lyophilized pecan shell extracts dissolved in deionized water containing 5% DMSO (v/v) were determined against multiple strains of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and …

Biological Control Of Sudden Decline Disease Of Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) In The United Arab Emirates, Khawla Juma Saif Zeail Alwahshi

Theses

Date palm orchards suffer from serious diseases, including sudden decline syndrome (SDS). The fungal pathogen Fusarium solani was associated with SDS on date palm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Application of Cidely® Top (difenoconazole and cyflufenamid) significantly inhibited the fungal mycelial growth In vitro and reduced SDS development on date palm seedlings pre-inoculated with F. solani under greenhouse conditions. This is the first report confirming that the chemical fungicide Cidely® Top is strongly effective against SDS on date palm. Fungal pathogens not only inhibit plant growth directly but also induce the plant to synthesize stress ethylene. Much of the …