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Development Of Safe And Efficacious Live Attenuated Edwardsiella Ictaluri Vaccines Against Enteric Septicemia Of Catfish, Neeti Dahal

Theses and Dissertations

Edwardsiella ictaluri is the causative agent of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), which is the most economically important disease of farm-raised channel catfish. E. ictaluri is considered a facultative intracellular pathogen like other well-known species in the Enterobacteriaceae, and it is capable of surviving inside channel catfish neutrophils and macrophages. Its ability to survive inside neutrophils and macrophages has made the development of an effective vaccine against ESC particularly challenging. The goal is to develop a safe, efficacious live attenuated ESC vaccine that is practical and economically beneficial to catfish producers. In this study, single and combination of mutations in …

Digestibility Of Different Multi-Species Native Warm-Season Grass Mixtures Grown In Varied Harvest Regimen, Janet Moromoke Ogunlade

Theses and Dissertations

Study was conducted to evaluate in vitro digestibility of native warm-season grasses. Three grasses were used: big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium Nash), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans Nash). There were no differences in NDF, ADF, FAT and OM of the three grass species. However, DM, hemicellulose and CP were slightly different in the three grass species. Also, the frequency nested in cutting effects was determined. In vitro dry matter disappearance of big bluestem, little bluestem and indiangrass was evaluated to determine rate of disappearance. The 100 % indiangrass revealed the greatest rate of disappearance for IVDMD and …

Effect Of Dominance In Captive Female White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus), Eric S. Michel

Theses and Dissertations

Factors associated with rank position are poorly understood whereas even fewer studies assessed if benefits were associated with increased rank position when resources were unlimited. I assessed whether age, body mass, size, and testosterone levels were important in rank establishment among 132 captive female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). I also assessed if the benefit metrics of improved body condition, decreased stress level, and earlier parturition date were related to rank position. Deer in each of 9 study pens had a linear hierarchy with a mean h Πof 0.39 (SD = 0.09). Rank position was moderately related to age (P < 0.1) and was strongly related to body mass and size (P < 0.01). There was no relationship between benefit metrics and rank position (P < 0.1). Although increased body mass, size, and age improved rank position there were no benefits associated with increased rank when resources were unlimited.

Evaluating The Use Of Stable Isotopes, Nirs, And Microbial Populations To Detect Dietary Changes In Dairy Calves, Kathryn Marie Cooley

Theses and Dissertations

Three different methods were developed to evaluate nutritional status: stable isotopes, near infra-red reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), and microbial populations. In the first method, hair samples were collected, analyzed, stable isotope content greatly differed (P < 0.01) between pre- and post-weaning samples. The second method used NIRS spectral patterns and analyzed fecal samples, and a difference was found around 2100 to 2250 nm where diets containing milk showed a peak, and non-milk diets showed a plateau. Finally, the third method involved profiling microbial populations from fecal samples as calves experienced dietary shifts. Total anaerobes, enterics, and clostridium were different (P<0.05) from pre to post-weaning states. Total anaerobe samples differed (P < 0.005) from milk, milk-grain diets to grain and grain-hay diets. Total aerobes, streptococci, and clostridium samples differed (P <0.001) from the milk diet to the other diets. In summary, all three methods showed differences when comparing pre- to post-weaning states.

Conversation Of Values: A Community Perspective Of Sustainable Development Criteria Concerning Revitalization Efforts In Jackson, Mississippi, Kenneth Barry White

Theses and Dissertations

Jackson, Mississippi is currently undergoing a revitalization movement in an attempt to revive its blighted downtown core. While physical development is crucial to revival of the downtown landscape, the cultural landscape must also be considered. I hypothesized that developers, business owners, and residents working or living in and around downtown Jackson would report differing desires, positions, and values concerning four elements of sustainable development: cultural, economic, political, and environmental. Ultimately, the hypothesis was refuted according to the quantitative data analysis. However, there were different understandings within the qualitative data where the substance of this research project can be found. These …

Creation Of A Computational Simulation Of Maternal Trauma In Motor Vehicle Accident, Benjamin C. Weed

Theses and Dissertations

Maternal trauma is the leading non-obstetric cause of maternal and fetal death. Because the anatomy of a pregnancy is distinct, and highly transient, the pregnant woman and her fetus are both susceptible to injuries which are not seen in the typical trauma patient. The pregnant uterus, the placenta, and the fetus are all relatively poorly supported, as compared with non-transient abdominal or thoracic organs, which can lead to injuries such as uterine rupture, placental abruption, and fetal trauma or death. The leading cause of maternal trauma is automotive collision, and other common causes include violence, falls, and other accidents. Automotive …

Efficient Classification And Prediction Algorithms For Biomedical Information, Rania M. Kilany

Doctoral Dissertations

Voluminous data sets are being generated on a continual basis in various branches of science and engineering. As a result, the amount of scholarly publications has also increased tremendously. For instance, Pubmed carries millions of abstracts. Pubmed's size keeps growing at a rapid pace. Given such large repositories, one of the challenges for any biologist will be to retrieve the information of interest in a short amount of time. In this research we propose novel solutions for such problems of information retrieval.

One of the goals of this research has been to develop a computational tool that can come up …

Spatio-Temporal Variation In An Ant-Plant Interaction, Kellie M. Kuhn

Doctoral Dissertations

The role of mutualisms in structuring communities is poorly understood, in large part because potential mutualistic interactions are often identified, but rarely quantified. I tested the hypothesis, proposed in 1979, that the interaction between the ant Myrmelachista flavocotea (Formicidae: Formicinae) and its obligate host plants Ocotea atirrensis and O. dendrodaphne (Lauraceae) is a mutualistic interaction. Despite the high abundance of Myrmelachista ants in tropical forests, relatively little is known about them, because of their timid nature and their habit of living inside plants. I used a combination of observations and experiments to analyze the interaction between M. flavocotea and Ocotea …

News Media Framing Of Gay Teen Suicide And Bullying, Averie Alese Greene

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined patterns of framing in newspaper articles that mention gay teen suicide, gay bullying, and the "It Gets Better" campaign. A content analysis of randomly selected newspaper articles from 2009-2011 was performed. After presenting the frequency of content themes, emergent patterns are discussed. The most consistent theme--an evasive frame-- occurred with regard to homophobia, heterosexism, and meaningful solutions to anti-gay bullying. The day-to-day discrimination that LGBTQ people face was rarely addressed; instead, hot-button political topics such as same-sex marriage and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" were presented as signs of social progress. This research shows the importance of media …

Infectious Disease: An Agent-Based Simulation., Iqra Ahmad

Undergraduate Honors Theses

One of the primary reasons for studying infectious diseases is to improve control and ultimately eradicate the infection from the population (Keeling 2008). An agent base model was designed to observe the spread of disease and the effect of vaccination using the program known as StarLogo- TNG. Experiments were designed, not having a particular disease in mind, and simulations were run to determine the effects of different variables on the vaccination process of a certain population. Goals included observation of how infections spread and how vaccination plays a role in various situations such as, root of the infection, population size, …

Discovery Of Bald Cypress Fossil Leaves At The Gray Fossil Site, Tennessee And Their Ecological Significance., Sara Brandon

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study focuses on fossil Taxodium leaves found at the Gray Fossil Site in northeastern Tennessee where many 7-4.5 million year old plants and animals have been recovered. Identification of the leaves is based on comparison of leaf morphology and confirmed by leaf anatomy. The ecological implications of the fossil are discussed to understand the paleoecology and paleoclimate at the Gray site. It is concluded that the fossil plant along with many other plants lived by a large sinkhole lake under a little warmer-than-today’s climate condition.

Effects Of Herbivory As An Ecological Constraint Of Willow Growth At A Restored Riparian Corridor, Jacqueline A. Mccrory

Master's Theses

A critical component of nearly all riparian restoration projects is the rapid successful recovery of native vegetation. The dynamic conditions and diverse biotic community supported by riparian ecosystems can present numerous constraints to restoration efforts. This study investigated stunted growth of arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) cuttings planted along the banks of Redwood Creek as part of the National Park Service’s Muir Beach Restoration Project to restore habitat for special status species in California. Based on observations of deer browsing, as well as signs of extensive biomass removal, I designed a field experiment using exclusionary fencing to test the significance of …

2013 Lynn University Commencement Program - Undergraduate Day Students, Lynn University

Commencement Programs

The commencement program for Lynn University's 2013 Undergraduate Day Students, held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the Count and Countess de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center.

The commencement speaker was Sam Vaghar, Executive Director and Co-founder of The Millenium Campus Network.

The Use Of Summer Cover Crops And Composted Broiler Litter In Fall Organic Vegetable Production, Sarah M. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops and composted broiler litter (CBL) are two organic methods used to improve soils and organic vegetable production. The objectives of this study included determining the extent summer cover crops and CBL alter nutrient availability in soil, determining how summer cover crops and CBL influence fall vegetable crops in organic production systems and identifying which cover crops/ CBL combinations improve fall vegetable crop production best. Four cover crops were tested: sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), sesame (Sesamum indicum), sorghum sudan grass (Sorghum X drummondii) and a sunn hemp + sesame blend, in combination with four composted broiler litter rates: 0, …

Salt Marsh Sediment Biogeochemical Response To The Bp Deepwater Horizon Blowout (Skiff Island, La, And Cat Island, Marsh Point And Saltpan Island, Ms), Calista Lee Guthrie

Theses and Dissertations

The impact of the Deepwater Horizon blowout on coastal wetlands can be understood through investigating carbon loading and microbial activity in salt marsh sediments. Carbon influx causes pore water sulfide to increase in wetland sediment, making it toxic and inhospitable to marsh vegetation. High sulfide levels due to increased microbial activity can lead to plant browning and mortality. Preliminary analyses at Marsh Point, Mississippi indicated that sulfate reducing bacteria are more active in contaminated marsh, producing sulfide concentrations 100x higher than in noncontaminated marsh. Sediment electrode profiles, hydrocarbon contamination, and microbial community profiles were measured at three additional locations to …

Spatial And Temporal Distribution Of Microbial Pathogens In Poultry Litter And The Development Of Microbial Inactivation Constants In Waste Application, Brandy Nicole Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

The increase in production farming, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), garners more investigations on the implications to public health regarding the disposal of the wastes of food production animals. In addition to the vast amount of animal manure produced, human biosolids is another waste residual that must be managed. The research focus was the sustainability of foodborne pathogens in waste products and the variables that manipulate these environments such as moisture, temperature, organic matter and time. The first study was designed to analyze spatial differences in microbial populations in broiler litter by investigating the relationship of intra-house …

Neural Protection In The Central Nervous System Against Nerve Agent Surrogates Using Novel Pyridinium Oximes, Ronald B. Pringle

Theses and Dissertations

Organophosphates (OPs), including nerve agents, target the cholinergic system via inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with subsequent overstimulation resulting in neural damage and potential detrimental long-term effects. The efficacy of novel pyridinium oxime reactivators, created with moieties to increase blood-brain barrier penetration, was tested using highly relevant sarin and VX surrogates. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; an indicator of neural damage) and monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites) were measured in select brain regions via immunohistochemistry and HPLC, respectively. Adult male rats were treated ip with high, sub-lethal doses of surrogates for sarin or VX, nitrophenyl isopropyl methylphosphonate (NIMP) or nitrophenyl …

Nutrient Mitigation Capacity Of Low-Grade Weirs In Agricultural Drainage Ditches, Kent Alexander Littlejohn

Theses and Dissertations

Installation of low-grade weirs in agricultural drainage ditches is being evaluated as an innovative, and cost effective, management practice that decreases nutrient concentrations and loads by increasing water volume and hydraulic residence time of the ditch. Results revealed that weirs significantly increased (P = 0.029) hydraulic residence time (HRT) and ditch water volumes, leading to considerable reductions in outflow water volumes (61%). Furthermore, ditches with weirs achieved greater (P = 0.09) cumulative outflow load reductions (96%) and greater (P = 0.029) concentration reductions during the biogeochemical reduction phase of the experiment. Similarly, field research from Terrace Ditch in Yazoo County, …

Nutritional Profile Of Native Warm-Season Grass Grown As A Mono- Or Multi-Species Pasture, Babatunde Oloyede

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional profile of mono- or multi-species pastures of native warm season grasses. One of four treatments were randomly assigned to Twelve pastures: 1) BG; 2) IG; 3) Mix G; 4) Mix NG. Growing steers (n = 225) were randomly assigned to one of nine pastures. Grass samples were taken from all pastures every 28 days during a four-month period and were analyzed for nutrient composition. Bermudagrass pastures had greater crude protein and ADF, but less NDF concentrations compared with the native warm-season grasses. Crude protein, IVDMD, and NDF IVDMD concentration decreased …

Opportunities, Issues, And Economic Potential Of Wood-Based Bioenergy In Mississippi, Omkar Joshi

Theses and Dissertations

While the southeastern United States, including the state of Mississippi, has a strong natural resource base, woody biomass is not fully utilized to produce bioenergy in this region. This study intended to explore opportunities, issues, and the economic potential of wood-based bioenergy in the state of Mississippi. Realizing the importance of private forest landowner decisions in sustaining a bioenergy feedstock supply, one aim of this study was to understand their choices for preferred harvesting methods of supplying woody biomass for wood-based bioenergy industries. Study results indicated that landowners were interested in optimizing revenue from woody biomass utilization while minimizing damage …

Possible Causes Of Testicular Germ Cell Tumor And Its Association With Male Infertility, Wael Ahmed Badran

Theses and Dissertations

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are thought to arise during early embryogenesis due to the arrest of germ cell differentiation at primordial germ cells (PGCs) or gonocytes. Oxidative stress (OS) is implicated in cancer development as a factor leading to DNA damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) -induced instability occurs as a series of progressive steps. The cell has several defense mechanisms against the deleterious effect of ROS (e.g. antioxidants and DNA repair). When the defense mechanisms are exhausted by increasing OS, DNA damage leads to genomic instability with subsequent mutations that can be transmitted during cell division. On the other …

Isolation, Antibiotic Resistance And Clonal Similarities Of Salmonella Spp. In Catfish And Processing Facilities, Norman N. Arroyo Llantin

Theses and Dissertations

Salmonella spp. is a human pathogen that has been reported in catfish, but with conflicting results. Salmonella spp. was isolated from live catfish, catfish products and the processing environment during catfish production, followed by evaluation of their antibiotic resistance and clonal similarities. Distinction of Salmonella spp. was increased by lowering background microflora with the addition of the antimicrobial novobiocin to the agar media. More than ten Salmonella serotypes were isolated from catfish and catfish products, such as live, chilled fillets, frozen fillets, and conveyor belts in catfish processing facilities. The isolates that were recovered include Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, Barranquilla, Mbadaka, …

Limnological Influence Of Dams Placed In Series Along The Perak River, Malaysia, Zarul Hazrin Hashim

Theses and Dissertations

An 18-month study (July 2009 – December 2010) was conducted to determine the influence of four dams located in series along the Perak River, in Malaysia: Temengor, Bersia, Kenering and Chenderoh dams. The framework for investigation centered around the Serial Discontinuity Concept (SDC) and the Cascading Reservoir Continuum Concept (CRCC). In addition to reservoir, tailwater and riverine reach characteristics, the interacting influences of tributary streams and watersheds were addressed. Variables included in-situ environmental physical parameters, nutrients, seston concentration and transport, and fish assemblage characteristics. In-situ variables, water and seston samples, were recorded/collected monthly from all four reservoirs, their associated riverine …

Characterization, Inheritance, And Marker Identification Of Potential Novel Genes Conditioning Resistance To Multiple Races Of Cercospora Sojina K. Hara Of Soybean (Glycine Max L.), James Brewer Blessitt

Theses and Dissertations

Soybean is an economically important crop. It is a selfertilized species grown on vast contiguous acres. These facts predispose soybean to disease epidemics. Cercospora sojina, causal agent of frogeye leaf spot, has reduced United States soybean productivity 0.3 percent on average per year between 2008 and 2010. Several states have reported the pathogen developing resistance to the strobilurin class of fungicides. To date genetic host resistance has been identified as single dominant genes (Rcs1, Rcs2, and Rcs3). However, the lifespans of Rcs1 and Rcs2 were 10 and 16 years respectively. Currently, the Rcs3 locus has been utilized in all major …

Comparison Of Indigenous And Bio-Augmented Pentachlorophenol (Pcp) Degrading Bacteria For Remediation Of Pcp In Contaminated Groundwater, Vaibhav V. Joshi

Theses and Dissertations

The objective was to compare pentachlorophenol (PCP) degradation in contaminated groundwater by indigenous and bio-augmented (Sphingobium chlorophenolicum and Burkholderia cepacia) PCP degrading bacteria. Indigenous bacteria were identified by cloning and sequencing of 16S rDNA fragments while PCP concentrations were determined by GC-ECD. Gene expression for PCP degrading enzymes: chlorophenol 4-monooxygenase (TftD, B. cepacia) and pentachlorophenol-4-monooxygenase (pcpB, S. chlorophenolicum), was determined by RT-PCR. B. cepacia, a PCP degrading bacteria was identified as dominant indigenous bacteria. PCP concentrations correlated negatively with PCP tolerant bacteria and relative fold gene expression in treatments with air-sparging (phase2) compared to without air-sparging (phase1). PCP concentrations decreased …

Effect Of Fishing Effort On The Catchability Of Largemouth Bass, Matthew Glenn Wegener

Theses and Dissertations

The effect of fishing on the catchability of a population receiving intense angler effort has long been debated but not measured. This study evaluated the effect of fishing effort on catchability of adult largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and determined whether catchability was affected by a period of no fishing. Eight, 0.5-2.0 ha impoundments were fished once a week for 0.4 angler hours per hectare per week during two successive May-October fishing seasons to evaluate whether catch rates differed between populations fished continuously and populations with the fishing season interrupted by a 2-month period of no fishing. Mixed-model analysis indicated effort …

Environmental Impacts Of Formaldehyde Released From And Structural Changes Of Medium Density Fiberboard Disposed In A Simulated Landfill, Min Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Wood waste containing formaldehyde based resins are generated yearly and disposed in landfills or burned. No regulations exist in most states and no studies have been conducted to address formaldehyde emission from wood waste buried in landfills. The objective of this study was to: a) determine the amount of formaldehyde released into air and leachate from MDF disposed in a simulated landfill, b) analyze the environmental impacts of leachate containing formaldehyde, and c) investigate change in chemical and morphological properties of disposed MDF. Sampling of MDF, soil and leachate were conducted for determination of formaldehyde weekly for 56 days by …

Tung Tried: Agricultural Policy And The Fate Of A Gulf South Oilseed Industry, 1902-1969, Whitney Adrienne Snow

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. tung oil industry began as a government experiment in plant diversification but businessmen mistakenly interpreted this interest as an endorsement of domestic production and began growing tung trees in the Gulf South states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The new crop quickly caught the attention of paint, varnish, and ink companies in the northern and Midwestern states and created a buzz among chemurgists like Henry Ford and other industrialists who eagerly expanded tung acreage. With the erection of the first crushing mill in 1928, the tung oil industry began but it did not acquire any …

Understanding The Role Of Personal, Psychosocial And Occupational Factors And Their Interactions On Low Back Pain Severity In Workers, Nirathi Keerthi Govindu

Theses and Dissertations

Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Occupational risk factors have been studied for current ergonomic prevention strategies; however, other underlying mechanisms may exist since not all workers performing the same task develop the same severity. Previous research has identified personal and psychosocial risk factors that also contribute to LBP. Research quantifying the interactive effects of the various personal, psychosocial and occupational factors is limited, along with research on the effect of risk factor combinations on LBP severity. The objectives of this study were to: 1) study the various factors that are known to be involved …

Use Of Biophotonic Models To Monitor Biological Compounds Via The Angiogenic System, Ramey C. Youngblood

Theses and Dissertations

Angiogenesis is a central process to both physiological and pathological aspects of living organisms. Understanding the angiogenic system via the key mediator, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has led to the development of biophotonic models capable of monitoring how this process is programmed. The whole animal model tested here is based on the involvement of angiogenesis in a wound healing environment. This model proved to be functional as a system monitor but lacked the precision to yield significant results between the biological compounds tested (estrogen, methoxychlor, and relaxin). The in vitro model is based on angiogenesis in a cancer environment. …