Digital Commons Network^™

Combustion By-Products And Their Health Effects: Summary Of The 16th International Congress, Angela Violi, Stephania Cormier, Brian Gullett, Stina Jansson, Slawo Lomnicki, Chloe Luyet, Andreas Mayer, Ralf Zimmermann

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

The 16th International Congress on Combustion By-Products and their Health Effects (PIC2019) was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from July 10 to 12, 2019. For the last 28 years, this conference has served as an interdisciplinary platform for the discussion of the formation, environmental fate, health effects, policy, and remediation of combustion by-products. The technical areas for PIC2019 included mobile and stationary sources in urban environments, open fires, in- door air pollution, and halogenated pollutants. The congress was sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the U.S. EPA, the School of Public Health at the University of …

Estrogen, Brain Structure, And Cognition In Postmenopausal Women, Christina P. Boyle, Cyrus A. Raji, Kirk I. Erickson, Oscar L. Lopez, James T. Becker, H. Michael Gach, Lewis H. Kuller, William Longstreth, Owen T. Carmichael, Brandalyn C. Riedel, Paul M. Thompson

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Declining estrogen levels before, during, and after menopause can affect memory and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Undesirable side effects of hormone variations emphasize a role for hormone therapy (HT) where possible benefits include a delay in the onset of dementia—yet findings are inconsistent. Effects of HT may be mediated by estrogen receptors found throughout the brain. Effects may also depend on lifestyle factors, timing of use, and genetic risk. We studied the impact of self-reported HT use on brain volume in 562 elderly women (71–94 years) with mixed cognitive status while adjusting for aforementioned factors. Covariate-adjusted voxelwise linear regression analyses …

Eat Clean And Safe Food: A Food-Based Dietary Guideline For The Elderly In South Africa, Makenzie Miller, Wilna Oldewage-Theron, Carin Napier

Faculty Publications

As the population of elderly individuals in South Africa (SA) grows, there is a need to promote the continued health of these persons as they progress through the life cycle. Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) for the SA elderly were developed to address this need. These thirteen guidelines for the elderly collectively offer a basis of health practices that the elderly can follow to ensure that they are taking the right steps toward maintaining their health. While the guideline ‘Eat clean and safe food’ is not included in the current SA FBDGs, this recommendation is of particular importance to the …

Food And Beverages Promoting Elderly Health: Six Food-Based Dietary Guidelines To Plan Good Mixed Meals For Elderly South Africans, Sanjoy Saha, Upasana Mukherjee, Makenzie Miller, Li Ling Peng, Carin Napier, Heleen Grobbelaar, Wilna Oldewage-Theron

Faculty Publications

Studies have shown that the elderly are at a higher risk of developing malnutrition due to physiological and pathological changes. Several studies have confirmed that older South Africans have insufficient dietary diversity, resulting in nutritional deficiencies. Furthermore, poor and uninformed dietary choices are associated with the development of several diseases and increased mortality. Following the Elderly Food Based Dietary Guidelines (EFBDGs) related to promoting elderly health could ensure that the elderly have an adequate intake of nutritious foods. This paper provides an overview of six FBDGs relating to promoting health and is based on the South African Food Based Dietary …

Effects Of Immersion In Fermented Tea Liquid And Steam Treatments On Physicochemical Properties And Ginsenoside Profiles Of Korean Ginseng, Peerarat Doungtip, Kyung Tack Kim, Hee Do Hong, Shin Eun Ju, Jae Woong Choi, Thanyaporn Siriwoharn, Witoon Prinyawiwatkul, Sujinda Sriwattana

Faculty Publications

The study was performed to investigate some changes in physicochemical characteristics and ginsenoside profiles of Korean ginseng after being subjected to immersion in fermented tea liquid (FTL) [at a ratio of ginseng powder: FTL; 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8, w/w] and steam treatments (with and/or without steam). The ratio at 1:4 w/w showed the highest yield of bioactive components and was, therefore, selected to evaluate the effects of steam conditions [temperatures (60, 80, and 100°C) and times (1, 2, and 3 hr)]. The sample treated with FTL, regardless of the steam treatment, had darker color and higher antioxidant activity (IC50 for …

Solopreneur Digital Ecosystems: Genesis, Lineage And Preliminary Categorization, Gabriele Piccoli, Biagio Palese, Joaquin Rodriguez

Faculty Publications

This paper traces the genesis and lineage of solopreneur digital ecosystems. These ecosystems, fostered by a digital environment that is infrastructural, combinatorial and servitized, are enabling the rise to prominence of the solopreneur. We theorize solopreneur digital ecosystems as the latest incarnation of systems beyond firm control, with digital platforms and digital marketplaces as their principal enablers. In an effort to compare them from the perspective of the solopreneur, we categorize solopreneur digital ecosystems on three dimensions: algorithmic control, commoditization, and lock-in. Our work contributes a framework that solopreneurs can use to identify ecosystems in which they can optimally invest …

Solopreneur Digital Ecosystems: Genesis, Lineage And Preliminary Categorization, Gabriele Piccoli, Biagio Palese, Joaquin Rodriguez

Faculty Publications

This paper traces the genesis and lineage of solopreneur digital ecosystems. These ecosystems, fostered by a digital environment that is infrastructural, combinatorial and servitized, are enabling the rise to prominence of the solopreneur. We theorize solopreneur digital ecosystems as the latest incarnation of systems beyond firm control, with digital platforms and digital marketplaces as their principal enablers. In an effort to compare them from the perspective of the solopreneur, we categorize solopreneur digital ecosystems on three dimensions: algorithmic control, commoditization, and lock-in. Our work contributes a framework that solopreneurs can use to identify ecosystems in which they can optimally invest …

Gge Biplot Projection In Adaptability And Stability Inference Of Soybean In An Agricultural Center Paraná, Brazil1, Kadson Emmanuel Frutuoso Silva, Júlio César Dovale, Roberto Fritsche-Neto, Jean Newton Marques

Faculty Publications

The state of Paraná is among the main producers of soybeans not only in Brazil, but in the World. However, it presents considerable edaphoclimatic variation throughout its area. This is one of the main causes genotype-by-environment interactions, hindering the selective process as well as the recommendation of cultivars in the state. Therefore, the objective of this study was: (i) to identify the environment that make it possible to represent the conditions of the state of Paraná, in order to facilitate the selection and recommendation of cultivars in future breeding programs; (2) to identify soybean inbres lines stable and adapted to …

Virtual Reality As A Versatile Tool For Research, Dissemination And Mediation In The Humanities, Paul François, Jeffrey Leichman, Florent Laroche, Françoise Rubellin

Faculty Publications

The VESPACE project aims to revive an evening of theatre at the Foire Saint-Germain in Paris in the 18th century, by recreating spaces, atmospheres and theatrical entertainment in virtual reality. The venues of this fair have disappeared without leaving any archaeological traces, so their digital reconstruction requires fusing many different sources, including the expertise of historians, as well as of historians of theatre and literature. In this article, we present how we have used video game creation tools to enable the use of virtual reality in three key research stages in the human sciences, and particularly, in history or archaeology: …

Marine Vehicles Localization Using Grid Cells For Path Integration, Ignacio Carlucho, Manuel F. Bailey, Mariano De Paula, Corina Barbalata

Faculty Publications

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are platforms used for research and exploration of marine environments. However, these types of vehicles face many challenges that hinder their widespread use in the industry. One of the main limitations is obtaining accurate position estimation, due to the lack of GPS signal underwater. This estimation is usually done with Kalman filters. However, new developments in the neuroscience field have shed light on the mechanisms by which mammals are able to obtain a reliable estimation of their current position based on external and internal motion cues. A new type of neuron, called Grid cells, has been …

The Evolution Of A Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot, M G. Harvey, G A. Bravo, S Claramunt, A M. Cuervo, M G. Harvey, J Battilana, G F. Seeholzer, J S. Mckay, B C. O'Meara, B C. Faircloth, S V. Edwards, J Perez-Eman, R G. Moyle, F H. Sheldon, A Aleixo, B T. Smith, R T. Chesser, L F. Silveira, J Cracraft, R T. Brumfield, E P. Derryberry

Faculty Publications

The tropics are the source of most biodiversity yet inadequate sampling obscures answers to fundamental questions about how this diversity evolves. We leveraged samples assembled over decades of fieldwork to study diversification of the largest tropical bird radiation, the suboscine passerines. Our phylogeny, estimated using data from 2389 genomic regions in 1940 individuals of 1287 species, reveals that peak suboscine species diversity in the Neotropics is not associated with high recent speciation rates but rather with the gradual accumulation of species over time. Paradoxically, the highest speciation rates are in lineages from regions with low species diversity, which are generally …

Camkiiα-Positive Interneurons Identified Via A Microrna-Based Viral Gene Targeting Strategy, Marianna K. Keaveney, Bahar Rahsepar, Hua-An Tseng, Fernando R. Fernandez, Rebecca A. Mount, Tina Ta, John A. White, Jim Berg, Xue Han

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Geographic Patterns And Environmental Correlates Of Phylogenetic Relatedness And Diversity For Freshwater Fish Assemblages In North America, Hong Qian, Yong Cao, Daijiang Li, Cindy Chu, Brody Sandel, Xianli Wang

Faculty Publications

© 2020 The Authors. Ecography published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Society Oikos The tropical niche conservatism hypothesis suggests that most groups should be most phylogenetically clustered in cold, dry environments. This idea has been well-tested in plants and some animal groups, but not for fishes. We assess the geographic patterns of freshwater fish phylogenetic structure and investigate the relationships between these patterns and environmental variables across North America and within two biogeographic realms. Phylogenetic relatedness and diversity of 360 freshwater fish assemblages across North America were quantified with three metrics based on a well-dated …

Calorie Restriction For Enhanced Longevity: The Role Of Novel Dietary Strategies In The Present Obesogenic Environment, James L. Dorling, Corby K. Martin, Leanne M. Redman

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Calorie restriction (CR) is a potent modulator of longevity in multiple species. A growing body of evidence shows that sustained periods of CR without malnutrition improves risk factors involved in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders in humans. Innovative dietary strategies such as intermittent fasting and protein restriction have recently emerged as alternative approaches that improve markers of aging. Some of these newer strategies might provide benefits for healthy aging with little to no CR and therefore, compared to traditional CR, may be easier to follow. Further to providing an update of CR studies …

Qcm Sensor Arrays, Electroanalytical Techniques And Nir Spectroscopy Coupled To Multivariate Analysis For Quality Assessment Of Food Products, Raw Materials, Ingredients And Foodborne Pathogen Detection: Challenges And Breakthroughs†, David K. Bwambok, Noureen Siraj, Samantha Macchi, Nathaniel E. Larm, Gary A. Baker, Rocío L. Pérez, Caitlan E. Ayala, Charuksha Walgama, David Pollard, Jason D. Rodriguez, Souvik Banerjee, Brianda Elzey, Isiah M. Warner, Sayo O. Fakayode

Faculty Publications

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Quality checks, assessments, and the assurance of food products, raw materials, and food ingredients is critically important to ensure the safeguard of foods of high quality for safety and public health. Nevertheless, quality checks, assessments, and the assurance of food products along distribution and supply chains is impacted by various challenges. For instance, the development of portable, sensitive, low-cost, and robust instrumentation that is capable of real-time, accurate, and sensitive analysis, quality checks, assessments, and the assurance of food products in the field and/or in the production line in a food …

The Effect Of Summer Drought On The Predictability Of Local Extinctions In A Butterfly Metapopulation, Erik Van Bergen, Tad Dallas, Michelle F. Dileo, Aapo Kahilainen, Anniina L.K. Mattila, Miska Luoto, Marjo Saastamoinen

Faculty Publications

© 2020 The Authors. Conservation Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology The ecological impacts of extreme climatic events on population dynamics and community composition are profound and predominantly negative. Using extensive data of an ecological model system, we tested whether predictions from ecological models remain robust when environmental conditions are outside the bounds of observation. We observed a 10-fold demographic decline of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) metapopulation on the Åland islands, Finland in the summer of 2018 and used climatic and satellite data to demonstrate that this year was an anomaly …

17Β-Estradiol Promotes Acute Refeeding In Hungry Mice Via Membrane-Initiated Erα Signaling, Kaifan Yu, Yanlin He, Ilirjana Hyseni, Zhou Pei, Yongjie Yang, Pingwen Xu, Xing Cai, Hesong Liu, Na Qu, Hailan Liu, Yang He, Meng Yu, Chen Liang, Tingting Yang, Julia Wang, Pierre Gourdy, Jean Francois Arnal, Francoise Lenfant, Yong Xu, Chunmei Wang

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Objective: Estrogen protects animals from obesity through estrogen receptor α (ERα), partially by inhibiting overeating in animals fed ad libitum. However, the effects of estrogen on feeding behavior in hungry animals remain unclear. In this study, we examined the roles of 17β-estradiol (E2) and ERα in the regulation of feeding in hungry female animals and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Wild-type female mice with surgical depletion of endogenous estrogens were used to examine the effects of E2 supplementation on acute refeeding behavior after starvation. ERα-C451A mutant mice deficient in membrane-bound ERα activity and ERα-AF20 mutant mice lacking ERα transcriptional activity …

Estrogen Receptor-Α Expressing Neurons In The Ventrolateral Vmh Regulate Glucose Balance, Yanlin He, Pingwen Xu, Chunmei Wang, Yan Xia, Meng Yu, Yongjie Yang, Kaifan Yu, Xing Cai, Na Qu, Kenji Saito, Julia Wang, Ilirjana Hyseni, Matthew Robertson, Badrajee Piyarathna, Min Gao, Sohaib A. Khan, Feng Liu, Rui Chen, Cristian Coarfa, Zhongming Zhao, Qingchun Tong, Zheng Sun, Yong Xu

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Brain glucose-sensing neurons detect glucose fluctuations and prevent severe hypoglycemia, but mechanisms mediating functions of these glucose-sensing neurons are unclear. Here we report that estrogen receptor-α (ERα)-expressing neurons in the ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (vlVMH) can sense glucose fluctuations, being glucose-inhibited neurons (GI-ERαvlVMH) or glucose-excited neurons (GE-ERαvlVMH). Hypoglycemia activates GI-ERαvlVMH neurons via the anoctamin 4 channel, and inhibits GE-ERαvlVMH neurons through opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. Further, we show that GI-ERαvlVMH neurons preferentially project to the medioposterior arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (mpARH) and GE-ERαvlVMH neurons preferentially project to the dorsal Raphe nuclei (DRN). Activation of ERαvlVMH …

Estrogen-Sensitive Medial Preoptic Area Neurons Coordinate Torpor In Mice, Zhi Zhang, Fernando M.C.V. Reis, Yanlin He, Jae W. Park, Johnathon R. Divittorio, Nilla Sivakumar, J. Edward Van Veen, Sandra Maesta-Pereira, Michael Shum, India Nichols, Megan G. Massa, Shawn Anderson, Ketema Paul, Marc Liesa, Olujimi A. Ajijola, Yong Xu, Avishek Adhikari, Stephanie M. Correa

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Homeotherms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite changing environments. During energy deficiency, some species can cease to defend their body temperature and enter a hypothermic and hypometabolic state known as torpor. Recent advances have revealed the medial preoptic area (MPA) as a key site for the regulation of torpor in mice. The MPA is estrogen-sensitive and estrogens also have potent effects on both temperature and metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that estrogen-sensitive neurons in the MPA can coordinate hypothermia and hypometabolism in mice. Selectively activating estrogen-sensitive MPA neurons was sufficient to drive a coordinated depression of metabolic rate and body …

Genetic Determinants For Agronomic And Yield-Related Traits Localized On A Gbs-Snp Linkage Map From A Japonica X Indica Cross In Rice, Teresa B. De Leon, Rajat Pruthi, Babitha Jampala, Anna H. Borjas, Prasanta K. Subudhi

Faculty Publications

Rice is an important cereal for human consumption. Identification of QTLs for important agronomic traits with high resolution is essential to the identification of genes and marker-assisted breeding to improve rice productivity. A genotyping by sequencing (GBS)-based high-resolution SNP linkage developed in a recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population of a japonica (Bengal) × indica (Pokkali) cross was used for QTL analysis of traits such as days to heading, plant height, panicle length, flag leaf length, 1000 kernel weight, number of unfilled grains, number of filled grains, grain width, grain length, and awns using interval mapping and inclusive composite interval mapping …

Zinc Finger Transcription Factor Zbtb16 Coordinates The Response To Energy Deficit In The Mouse Hypothalamus, Helia Cheng, Schuyler J. Pablico, Jisu Lee, Ji Suk Chang, Sangho Yu

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

The central nervous system controls feeding behavior and energy expenditure in response to various internal and external stimuli to maintain energy balance. Here we report that the newly identified transcription factor zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (Zbtb16) is induced by energy deficit in the paraventricular (PVH) and arcuate (ARC) nuclei of the hypothalamus via glucocorticoid (GC) signaling. In the PVH, Zbtb16 is expressed in the anterior half of the PVH and co-expressed with many neuronal markers such as corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh), oxytocin (Oxt), arginine vasopressin (Avp), and nitric oxide synthase 1 (Nos1). Knockdown (KD) of …

Sleep Extension: A Potential Target For Obesity Treatment, Kristin K. Hoddy, Kaitlin S. Potts, Lydia A. Bazzano, John P. Kirwan

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Purpose of Review: Sleep and obesity share a bidirectional relationship, and weight loss has been shown to enhance sleep. Aiming to extend sleep on its own or as part of a lifestyle intervention may attenuate health consequences of short sleep. This review highlights several sleep extension approaches, discusses feasibility of each, and summarizes findings relevant to obesity. Recent Findings: Sleep extension in response to experimental sleep restriction demonstrates partial rescue of cardiometabolic dysfunction in some but not all studies. Adequate sleep on a nightly basis may be necessary for optimal health. While initial sleep extension interventions in habitually short sleepers …

Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Triggers A Senescence-Like Phenotype In Human White Preadipocytes, Katarzyna Polonis, Christiane Becari, C. Anwar A. Chahal, Yuebo Zhang, Alina M. Allen, Todd A. Kellogg, Virend K. Somers, Prachi Singh

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder associated with obesity. Emerging evidence suggest that OSA increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality partly via accelerating the process of cellular aging. Thus, we sought to examine the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH), a hallmark of OSA, on senescence in human white preadipocytes. We demonstrate that chronic IH is associated with an increased generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species along with increased prevalence of cells with nuclear localization of γH2AX & p16. A higher prevalence of cells positive for senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity was also evident with chronic IH exposure. …

Spread Of Pathological Tau Proteins Through Communicating Neurons In Human Alzheimer's Disease, Jacob W. Vogel, Yasser Iturria-Medina, Olof T. Strandberg, Ruben Smith, Elizabeth Levitis, Alan C. Evans, Oskar Hansson, Michael Weiner, Paul Aisen, Ronald Petersen, Clifford R. Jack, William Jagust, John Q. Trojanowki, Arthur W. Toga, Laurel Beckett, Robert C. Green, Andrew J. Saykin, John Morris, Leslie M. Shaw, Enchi Liu, Tom Montine, Ronald G. Thomas, Michael Donohue, Michael Donohue, Sarah Walter, Devon Gessert, Tamie Sather, Gus Jiminez, Danielle Harvey, Matthew Bernstein, Nick Fox, Paul Thompson, Norbert Schuff, Charles Decarli

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Tau is a hallmark pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, and animal models have suggested that tau spreads from cell to cell through neuronal connections, facilitated by β-amyloid (Aβ). We test this hypothesis in humans using an epidemic spreading model (ESM) to simulate tau spread, and compare these simulations to observed patterns measured using tau-PET in 312 individuals along Alzheimer’s disease continuum. Up to 70% of the variance in the overall spatial pattern of tau can be explained by our model. Surprisingly, the ESM predicts the spatial patterns of tau irrespective of whether brain Aβ is present, but regions with greater Aβ …

Fam222a Encodes A Protein Which Accumulates In Plaques In Alzheimer’S Disease, Tingxiang Yan, Jingjing Liang, Ju Gao, Luwen Wang, Hisashi Fujioka, Michael W. Weiner, Norbert Schuff, Howard J. Rosen, Bruce L. Miller, David Perry, Paul Aisen, Paul Aisen, Arthur W. Toga, Gustavo Jimenez, Michael Donohue, Devon Gessert, Kelly Harless, Jennifer Salazar, Yuliana Cabrera, Sarah Walter, Lindsey Hergesheimer, Karen Crawford, Scott Neu, Lon S. Schneider, Sonia Pawluczyk, Mauricio Becerra, Liberty Teodoro, Bryan M. Spann, Ronald Petersen, Clifford R. Jack, Matthew Bernstein, Bret Borowski, Jeff Gunter, Matt Senjem

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid plaques and progressive cerebral atrophy. Here, we report FAM222A as a putative brain atrophy susceptibility gene. Our cross-phenotype association analysis of imaging genetics indicates a potential link between FAM222A and AD-related regional brain atrophy. The protein encoded by FAM222A is predominantly expressed in the CNS and is increased in brains of patients with AD and in an AD mouse model. It accumulates within amyloid deposits, physically interacts with amyloid-β (Aβ) via its N-terminal Aβ binding domain, and facilitates Aβ aggregation. Intracerebroventricular infusion or forced expression of this protein exacerbates neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction …

Muscadine Or Amla Extracts Standardized To Ellagic Acid Content Ameliorate Glucolipotoxicity Associated Β-Cell Dysfunction Via Inhibition Of Il-1Β And Improved Insulin Secretion, Srikanth Earpina, Karen Mcdonough, Millicent Yeboah-Awudzi, Kristina J. Cook, Sita Aggarwal, Jack N. Losso

Faculty Publications

Glucolipotocixity induces IL-1 β secretion which impairs pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion. Ellagic acid and urolithin A have strong anti-inflammatory effect on cells. Muscadine and amla are very good sources of ellagic acid. The present study examined the effect of ellagic acid, ellagic acid-rich muscadine or amla extract, or urolothin A on inflammation in β cells under glucolipotoxic conditions. Rat NIT-1 β cells were incubated in glucolipotoxic conditions (33.3 mM glucose, 250 μM palmitic acid or 33.3 mM glucose + 250 μM palmitic acid with or without ellagic acid, ellagic acid-rich muscadine or amla extracts standardized to its ellagic acid content, …

Exceptional Sulfur And Iron Isotope Enrichment In Millimetre-Sized, Early Palaeozoic Animal Burrows, Dario Harazim, Joonas J. Virtasalo, Kathryn C. Denommee, Nicolas Thiemeyer, Yann Lahaye, Martin J. Whitehouse

Faculty Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). Pyrite-δ34S and -δ56Fe isotopes represent highly sensitive diagnostic paleoenvironmental proxies that express high variability at the bed (< 10 mm) scale that has so far defied explanation by a single formative process. This study reveals for the first time the paleoenvironmental context of exceptionally enriched pyrite-δ34S and -δ56Fe in bioturbated, storm-reworked mudstones of an early Ordovician storm-dominated delta (Tremadocian Beach Formation, Bell Island Group, Newfoundland). Very few studies provide insight into the low-temperature sulfur and iron cycling from bioturbated muddy settings for time periods prior to the evolution of deep soil horizons on land. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) analyses performed on Beach Formation muddy storm event beds reveal spatially distinct δ34S and δ56Fe values in: (a) tubular biogenic structures and trails (δ34S ~ +40‰; δ56Fe ~ −0.5‰), (b) silt-filled Planolites burrows (δ34S ~ +40‰; δ56Fe ~ +0.5 to + 2.1‰), and (c) non-bioturbated mudstone (δ34S ~ +35‰; δ56Fe ~ +0.5‰). δ34S values of well above + 40.0‰ indicate at least some pyrite precipitation in the presence of a 34S-depleted pore water sulfide reservoir, via closed system (Raleigh-type) fractionation. The preferential enrichment of 56Fe in Planolites burrows is best explained via microbially-driven liberation of Fe(II) from solid iron parent phases and precipitation from a depleted 54Fe dissolved Fe(II) reservoir. Rigorous sedimentological analysis represents a gateway to critically test the paleoenvironmental models describing the formation of a wide range of mudstones and elucidates the origins of variability in the global stable S and Fe isotope record.

The Effects Of In Utero Exposure To Aerosols Generated By Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems In Neonatal And Adult Offspring, Kerin M. Cahill

LSU Master's Theses

Recently, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have become increasingly popular alternatives to cigarette smoking and are perceived as “safe” substitutes. The effects that these devices have on healthy adult lungs are still not fully understood, much less the effects on vulnerable populations such as expectant mothers and neonates. In an effort to better understand the potentially detrimental outcomes that gestational usage may have on both mothers and offspring, we conducted mouse studies on in utero exposures to both, third generation (“box mod”) ENDS aerosols and fourth generation (“pod mod”) JUUL aerosols. In exposures using the box mod device, in utero …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Boron Toxicity Tolerance In Plants, Guannan Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Boron toxicity is a worldwide agricultural problem that limits crop productivity and quality. However, our understanding on the genetic responses and adaption mechanisms to boron toxicity in plants is very limited. To address this gap in our knowledge, I compared boron stress-sensitive model, Arabidopsis thaliana and its stress-adapted relative Schrenkiella parvula to study how plants respond and adapt to excess boron at physiological, genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic levels.

The overall project goal involved integration of multi-omics datasets to develop genome to phenome interpretations. To achieve this, I developed a python package, GOMCL, to facilitate the extraction of biologically meaningful information …

Structure And Dynamics Of Phospholipid Vesicles And The Dependence On Nanoscale Interactions With Molecules Of Varying Complexity, Lakshapathy Widanelage Judith Upeka De Mel

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, molecular interactions and changes imposed by nano-scale structures on phospholipid vesicles were investigated. 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) were used as the model system. Understanding changes of the bilayer structure, interfacial properties, lipid dynamics, and self-assembly, allows bridging relationships between biological cell membrane structure and dynamics to cellular functionalities. For example, membrane curvature changes are linked to membrane protein functions, although the exact mechanisms of control are not yet understood. Moreover, the knowledge gained from vesicle models allows exploring novel strategies for drug delivery applications. To achieve this, DOPC LUVs were synthesized and characterized by a …