Digital Commons Network^™

Final Project Report, Ankur Jain

CTEDD Final Project Reports - Archive

No abstract provided.

Final Project Report, Sean J. Barbeau, Robert Bertini

CTEDD Final Project Reports - Archive

No abstract provided.

Highly...Logical: Remedial Pre-Algebra (Grade 9), Andrew Sanchez, Amy R. Thomson

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This 11 week (50 minute daily periods) remedial unit on Pre-Algebra is intended for struggling 9th grade students in a regular Algebra I class. The unit reteaches Pre-Algebra foundational knowledge and skills in greater detail than the normal review in Algebra I, with the hope that it will 1. help struggling Algebra I students to bridge and overcome gaps in their previous knowledge, 2. help them increase understanding and mastery to become more competent, fluent, and confident in the base skills they will need for Algebra I and beyond, and 3. help them to be more successful not only in …

Simple Analytics Of The Impact Of Terror Generation On Attacker–Defender Interactions, Timothy Matthews, Aniruddha Bagchi, Joao Ricardo Faria

Economics, Finance & Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

A simple Attacker-Defender interaction is analyzed, in which a single terrorist (denoted T) may attack a single target in the homeland of a government/state (denoted G). The interaction is modelled as a one-shot sequential move game in which G first chooses how heavily to defend the target, after which T chooses whether or not to stage an attack. T’s benefit from a successful attack is allowed to be increasing in the quantity of resources that G allocates to defense. In the context of terrorism, that assumption has multiple reasonable interpretations, including situations in which: (i) citizens of the target country …

Host Species And Site Of Collection Shape The Microbiota Of Rift Valley Fever Vectors In Kenya, David P. Tchouassi, Ephantus J. Muturi, Samwel O. Arum, Chang Hyun Kim, Christopher J. Fields, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The composition and structure of microbial communities associated with mosquitoes remain poorly understood despite their important role in host biology and potential to be harnessed as novel strategies for mosquito-borne disease control. We employed MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene amplicons to characterize the bacterial flora of field-collected populations of Aedes mcintoshi and Aedes ochraceus, the primary vectors of Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus in Kenya. Proteobacteria (53.5%), Firmicutes (22.0%) and Actinobacteria (10.0%) were the most abundant bacterial phyla accounting for 85.5% of the total sequences. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling plots based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarities revealed a clear grouping of …

Caterpillar-Induced Plant Volatiles Attract Conspecific And Heterospecific Adults For Oviposition Within A Community Of Lepidopteran Stemborers On Maize Plant, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Eric Siaw Ntiri, Peter Ahuya, Baldwyn Torto, Bruno Pierre Le Ru, Dora Chao Kilalo, Gerald Juma, Paul André Calatayud

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Olfactory cues may influence host plant preferences for oviposition of female moths within a community of stemborers that utilise the same resource. This study aimed to evaluate plant preferences for oviposition of gravid females of noctuid stemborers, Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis, and the crambid Chilo partellus for uninfested maize plants and plants infested by conspecific or heterospecific larvae. The involvement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by uninfested and maize plants infested by conspecific or heterospecific larvae on moth orientation was studied in Y-tube olfactometer assays and in the field. All gravid female moths significantly preferred VOCs emitted by …

Greek Mythology: Understanding The Allusions, Heather M. Patillo

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit focuses on basic Greek myths beginning with the 12 Olympians. It includes myths about creation and stories about heroes. Students explore the elements of myths as well as the purpose of myths. This exploration leads students into the study of Greek mythical allusions, what they are and how they impact literature and everyday life. By the end of the unit, students should understand how Greek myths impact literature and everyday life.

Glial Bridge Development: 26 Hpf, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Glial Bridge

No abstract provided.

Glial Bridge Development: 24 Hpf, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Glial Bridge

No abstract provided.

Glial Bridge Development: 30 Hpf, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Glial Bridge

No abstract provided.

Glial Bridge Development: 28 Hpf, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Glial Bridge

No abstract provided.

Slit1a Rescue: Role Of Slit1a, Hss1a, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Role of slit1a

No abstract provided.

Slit1a Rescue: Role Of Slit1a, Hss1ayot, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Role of slit1a

No abstract provided.

Slit1a Rescue: Role Of Slit1a, Non-Hss1ayot, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Role of slit1a

No abstract provided.

Slit1a Rescue: Role Of Slit1a, Wt, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Role of slit1a

No abstract provided.

Validation Experiment: Wild Type, Raw, Gfap, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Validation Experiment

No abstract provided.

Validation Experiment: Wild Type, Psi, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Validation Experiment

No abstract provided.

Glial Bridge Development: 22 Hpf, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Glial Bridge

No abstract provided.

Validation Experiment: Wild Type, Probability, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Validation Experiment

No abstract provided.

Validation Experiment: Wild Type, Raw, At, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Validation Experiment

No abstract provided.

Validation Experiment: You-Too, Probability, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Validation Experiment

No abstract provided.

Validation Experiment: You-Too, Psi, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Validation Experiment

No abstract provided.

Validation Experiment: You-Too, Raw, Barresi Lab, Smith College

Validation Experiment

No abstract provided.

Modern Functional Reach Test Kit, Julia Y. List

Biomedical Engineering

The Functional Reach Test (FRT) is a measure of flexibility, often used in physical and occupational therapy to measure mobility. Currently, the FRT is conducted in a specific location, usually the rehabilitation center, and is highly dependent on the operator. Part of this is in order to ensure the test is performed properly by approval of an expert, but also to ensure safety for patients with limited motion. We created a universal portable Reach Test Kit that will ensure consistency with measurements while maintaining patient privacy and safety.

We focused on stability and mobility for our design. This is because …

Mosquito Microevolution Drives Plasmodium Falciparum Dynamics, Markus Gildenhard, Evans K. Rono, Assetou Diarra, Anne Boissière, Priscila Bascunan, Paola Carrillo-Bustamante, Djeneba Camara, Hanne Krüger, Modibo Mariko, Ramata Mariko, Paul Mireji, Sandrine E. Nsango, Julien Pompon, Yara Reis, Martin K. Rono, Pamela B. Seda, Janis Thailayil, Alou Traorè, Cynthia V. Yapto, Parfait Awono-Ambene, Roch K. Dabiré, Abdulaye Diabaté, Daniel Masiga, Flaminia Catteruccia, Isabelle Morlais, Mouctar Diallo, Djibril Sangare, Elena A. Levashina

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Malaria, a major cause of child mortality in Africa, is engendered by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes. Fitness of Plasmodium parasites is closely linked to the ecology and evolution of its anopheline vector. However, whether the genetic structure of vector populations impacts malaria transmission remains unknown. Here, we describe a partitioning of the African malaria vectors into generalists and specialists that evolve along ecological boundaries. We next identify the contribution of mosquito species to Plasmodium abundance using Granger causality tests for time-series data collected over two rainy seasons in Mali. We find that mosquito microevolution, defined by …

From Best Fit Technologies To Best Fit Scaling: Incorporating And Evaluating Factors Affecting The Adoption Of Grain Legumes In Sub-Saharan Africa, Andrew Farrow, Esther Ronner, Greta J. Van Den Brand, Stephen K. Boahen, Wilson Leonardo, Endalkachew Wolde-Meskel, Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, Regis Chikowo, Fredrick Baijukya, Peter Ebanyat, Emmanuel A. Sangodele, Jean Marie Sanginga, Speciose Kantengwa, Lloyd Phiphira, Paul Woomer, Theresa Ampadu-Boakye, Edward Baars, Fred Kanampiu, Bernard Vanlauwe, Kenneth E. Giller

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The success of scaling out depends on a clear understanding of the factors that affect adoption of grain legumes and account for the dynamism of those factors across heterogeneous contexts of sub-Saharan Africa. We reviewed literature on adoption of grain legumes and other technologies in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries. Our review enabled us to define broad factors affecting different components of the scaling out programme of N2Africa and the scales at which those factors were important. We identified three strategies for managing those factors in the N2Africa scaling out programme: (i) testing different technologies and practices; (ii) evaluating …

Zebra Skin Odor Repels The Savannah Tsetse Fly, Glossina Pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae), Olabimpe Y. Olaide, David P. Tchouassi, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk, Daniel K. Masiga, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background African trypanosomosis, primarily transmitted by tsetse flies, remains a serious public health and economic challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions employing natural repellents from non-preferred hosts of tsetse flies represent a promising management approach. Although zebras have been identified as non-preferred hosts of tsetse flies, the basis for this repellency is poorly understood. We hypothesized that zebra skin odors contribute to their avoidance by tsetse flies. Methodology/Principal findings We evaluated the effect of crude zebra skin odors on catches of wild savannah tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes Austen, 1903) using unbaited Ngu traps compared to the traps baited with two known …

Theileriosis In Mountain Bongo Repatriated To Kenya: A Clinical And Molecular Investigation, Richard P. Bishop, David O. Odongo, Thomas T. Dolan, Rosemary B. Dolan, Robert A. Skilton, Paul D. Sayer

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mountain bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros isaaci) from Kenya were exported to zoological institutions in North America and Europe in the 1970s and 1980s. In the following 20-30 years bongo numbers declined in Kenya and the Mountain Bongo Repatriation Project was launched. This resulted in 18 adult bongo, descendants of the original translocated bongo, being repatriated from the United States to Kenya in 2004. These newly arrived bongo were inadvertently exposed to heavy tick infestation on release in a conservancy on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Mortality and morbidity occurred during the third week after arrival. Theileria sp. infection was apparent from …

Field Evaluation Of The Impact Of Sahlbergella Singularis Haglund Infestations On The Productivity Of Different Theobroma Cacao L. Genotypes In The Southern Cameroon, R. J. Mahob, R. Feudjio Thiomela, L. Dibog, R. Babin, Y. G. Fotso Toguem, H. Mahot, L. Baleba, P. A. Owona Dongo, C. F. Bilong Bilong

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mirids (Sahbergella singularis and/or Distantiella theobroma) are the major pests of cacao farms in Africa. Cocoa production losses due to these species have been widely documented in West Africa. However, their impact on cocoa production is unknown in Central Africa, especially in Cameroon. Moreover, no data are available on the threshold level of fruits tolerance to mirid attacks. For these reasons, we assessed the effect of S. singularis on the productivity of ten cacao genotypes as well as the threshold number of the lethal feeding punctures to fruits under a randomized experimental design. Observations were made on three categories of …

Population Dynamics Of The Diamondback Moth And Its Parasitoids In Zimbabwe, Rudo Sithole, Casper Nyamukondiwa, Peter Chinwada, Bernhard Lohr

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Temporal population dynamics of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) and its parasitoids were studied for a continuous 13-months period at two sites in Zimbabwe, vis Henderson and Mutoko. Our results showed that mean DBM numbers of 2.2 and 2.9 per plant for Henderson and Mutoko, respectively were not significantly different (p = 0.12). At Henderson, the DBM numbers achieved a pre-winter peak in February and a post-winter peak in October, while at Mutoko the pre-winter and post-winter peaks were reached a month earlier, in January and September, respectively. A total of four parasitoid species, comprising Cotesia vestalis, Oomyzus …