Digital Commons Network^™

Antioxidant Defenses In Three Vesper Bats(Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) During Hibernation, Ekaterina Antonova, Viktor Ilyukha, Svetlana Sergina, Evgeniy Khizhkin, Vladimir Belkin, Alina Yakimova, Artem Morozov

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Hibernation of bats is characterized by considerable changes in the oxygen supply during the torpor-arousal cycles. The purpose of this study was to examine the antioxidant defenses in tissues of the hibernating bats ( Eptesicus nilssonii , Myotis brandtii , and Plecotus auritus ), attempting to relate the tissue antioxidant protection with the ecophysiological characteristics of the studied species. We found that the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the heart and the catalase activity in the skeletal muscle were higher in E. nilssonii than in P. auritus and in M. brandtii. In comparison with studied hibernating bats, P. auritus had …

Cytogenetic Characteristic Of The Caucasian Pygmy Shrew (Sorex Volnuchini) And Levant Mole (Talpa Levantis) (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla) In Northern Anatolia, Turkey, Ahmet Yesari̇ Selçuk, Haluk Kefeli̇oğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The karyotype of the Caucasian pygmy shrew (Sorex volnuchini) consists of 2n = 40 NFa = 54. The X chromosome is metacentric and the Y chromosome is large acrocentric. In the chromosome set, there are six metacentric/submetacentric, one large subtelocentric, one small metacentric, and 11 acrocentric autosomal chromosome pairs. C-negative and C-positive heterochromatin band regions are determined in the karyotype. NORs were localized in the secondary constriction in autosomal pair no. 17 of Sorex volnuchini. The diploid number of the Levant mole (Talpa levantis) is 2n = 34, NFa = 64. The X chromosome is medium size and metacentric. The …

A New Species Of The Genus Camponotus (Mayr) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) From Turkey, Celal Karaman, Kadri̇ Kiran, Volkan Aksoy, Yilmaz Çamlitepe

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A new species, Camponotus praegracilis Karaman et Kiran sp. nov. is described; it is a member of the subgenus Tanaemyrmex, from the most species-rich ant genus in Turkey. Some biological notes for the new species are also given. Diagnostic characters of the new species, distinguishing the new species from the most similar species, are also described.

Mitochondrial Evidence Indicates A Shallow Phylogeographic Structurefor Jaculus Blanfordi (Murray, 1884) Populations (Rodentia: Dipodidae), Ekaterina Melnikova, Morteza Naderi

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Our study was performed on the phylogeographic structure of Blanford's jerboa (Jaculus blanfordi (Murray, 1884)) collected from nine localities in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan and was based on mitochondrial evidence indicating a slight phylogeographic divergence among the populations. We aimed to amplify two frequently used mitochondrial markers, cytochrome b (cyt b) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) fragments, from 33 specimens obtained from the abovementioned countries. Our phylogeographic analyses uncovered two distinct groups, thus supporting the presence of two subspecies: J. b. blanfordi in Iran and J. b. turcmenicus in northern Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Finally, we discuss the intraspecies …

Frequency Of Colistin And Fosfomycin Resistance In Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Salima Qamar, Najma Shaheen, Sadia Shakoor, Joveria Farooqi, Kauser Jabeen, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Introduction:
Management of infections with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is challenging. In recent times, agents such as colistin and fosfomycin have been used in combination with other antibiotics to treat such infections. In this study, we aim to seek frequency of colistin and fosfomycin resistance in CRE from Pakistan.
Methods:
This study was conducted at clinical laboratories, Aga Khan University Hospital. In total, 251 CRE were included in the study. Colistin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were performed using broth microdilution (BMD) method and VITEK 2 system, whereas fosfomycin susceptibility was performed using Kirby-Bauer method. MIC50 and MIC90 were calculated for colistin …

Ecological Connectivity Of Kimberley Marine Communities. Synthesis Report Of Project 1.1.3 Prepared For The Kimberley Marine Research Program, Zoe Richards, Oliver Berry, Jim Underwood, Kathryn Mcmahon, Mike Travers, Glenn Moore, Udhi Hernawan, Joseph Dibattista, Richard Evans, James Gilmour

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The overarching objective of KMRP Project 1.1.3 (Ecological Connectivity of Kimberley Marine Communities) was to provide the first estimates of ecological connectivity across multiple spatial scales for a suite of model/priority marine organisms in the Kimberley. More specifically, this project aimed to provide species-specific estimates of realised connectivity at a reef-scale ( < 1 > km), inter-reef scale (1-100 km) and inter-region scale (100 + km) through genetic analyses of seven key animals and plants with contrasting dispersive life histories that are representative of common taxa.

Illness As Teacher: Learning From Illness, Joanne Yoo

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This article is a conceptual exploration into the value of illness, bodies and embodied practice in teacher education. It draws on my reflections and practitioner accounts of poor health to investigate the potential to learn from illness. I position myself in this discussion as a non-tenured academic who experiences the challenges of her uncertain work environment through her body. I examine the functionalist approaches that devalues the body and explain how the disruptions triggered by illness can enable individuals to create more authentic professional narratives. This paper explores the author’s growing awareness of illness, its impact and learning opportunities. Finally, …

Reining In Internet-Age Expansion Of Exemption 7(C): Towards A Tort Law Approach For Ferreting Out Legitimate Privacy Concerns And Unwarranted Intrusions Under Foia, Clay Calvert, Austin Vining, Sebastian Zarate

SMU Law Review

Using the July 2016 federal appellate court decision in Detroit Free Press, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Justice as an analytical springboard, this article explores the expansion of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Exemption 7(C) in the Internet era. In Detroit Free Press, the Sixth Circuit recognized a privacy interest in mug shots under Exemption 7(C). The practical impact of the decision is to uphold the general policy of the U.S. Marshals Service not to release mug shots. This article illustrates the yawning gap between tort law, which this article argues would deny recovery for the Internet posting of …

An In Vivo Evaluation Of Pulmonary Immune Response And Toxicity Following Combined Respiratory Exposure To Crystalline Silica And Diesel Particulate Matter, Breanne Yingling Farris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Crystalline silica (SIL) and diesel particulate matter (DPM) are each well-recognized for their potential to cause pulmonary toxicity following inhalation. However, these particulates have also been identified as coexisting in mixtures of respirable aerosols at a variety of industrial settings: mining, oil and gas extraction, construction, road construction, tunneling, excavation, foundry, and sandblasting. In order to characterize the potential for increased pulmonary health effects when these particulates are inhaled in a mixture, a battery of acute and subacute in vivo exposure studies were conducted. The current studies examined co-exposure to SIL and DPM at doses that were derived from field …

Black-Legged Tick Distributions, Small Mammal Abundances, Mast Production, And Vegetative Influences On Lyme Disease Apparent Prevalence On Fort Drum Military Installation, New York, Samantha R. Fino

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Lyme disease is the most common infectious disease spread by black-legged ticks in the Northern Hemisphere. Lyme disease is a vector-borne zoonotic disease typically caused by bacterial spirochetes of the species Borrelia burgdorferi. The primary vector of Lyme disease in the Midwestern and eastern United States is Ixodes scapularis, the deer or black-legged tick. Although there are several preventative measures against ticks that carry Lyme disease, such as public education regarding personal protection (e.g., wearing light colored clothing, tucking pants into socks, wearing repellent, promptly inspecting oneself to remove ticks, getting pets vaccinated) and recommended control measures, it is important …

Micro-Ct Evaluation Of A Novel Technique Used For The Removal Of Single Cone Obturated Mesial Roots Of Mandibular First Molars Filled With Bioceramic Sealer And Bioceramic Coated Gutta Percha Vs Traditional Gutta Percha, Ernest Stephen Fragale Ii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two new to the market 3-dimensional serpentine shaped nickel titanium rotary files, XP Shaper and TRUShape, as primary retreatment files for the removal of filling of material from mesial roots of mandibular first molars filled with bioceramic sealer and two different types of gutta percha, bioceramic coated and traditional non-coated cones.;Materials and methods: 40 mesial roots of mandibular first molars were prepared and divided into four groups (n = 10). 20 specimens were obturated with single cones of traditional non-coated gutta percha (TGP), EndoSequence Gutta Percha, and 20 …

Spread Of False News Stories On Facebook: An Assessment Of Credibility Cues And Personality, Lacie Geary

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study used a 2 x 2 method to examine the effectiveness of credibility cues on Facebook and how the personality traits neuroticism and openness impact sharing behaviors across cues of different shapes and colors. Findings suggested the color red increased cue noticeability, however, overall a low number of participants noticed any of the four varying cues across conditions, indicating that the fast-paced scrolling nature of online mediums prevents users from noticing credibility cues. Future research should examine the differences in pace of scrolling and information intake across different generations. This information might be useful to media outlets to help …

Bobcat Population Ecology In West Virginia, Stephanie Michelle Landry

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are a popular furbearer and game species throughout their range in North America, where they serve as a top predator in many of their ecosystems. However, bobcat populations across their range declined during the 1800s and early 1900s due to overharvest. Overharvest and habitat loss in Europe also affected the Iberian lynx ( L. pardinus), resulting in the listing of all Lynx spp. under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 1977. Bobcats were listed under Appendix II, which required that state management agencies monitor their bobcat populations for stability. Since their listing, bobcat populations …

Philosophical Approaches To Compositional Technique In Isang Yun's Works For Solo Flute, Mirim Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As modern composers draw on an ever-widening source of inspiration from musical traditions and practices around the world, the music of twentieth-century Korean composers deserves greater recognition and increased performance within Western culture. This is especially true of the works of Korean-German composer Isang Yun (1917-1995), a prolific composer whose output is largely unknown in Korea. This research paper will examines selected works for solo flute by Yun with particular attention to Sori (1988).;Isang Yun studied composition under Tony Aubin (1907-1981) and Pierre Revel (1901-1984) at the Paris Conservatory from 1956-1957. He also studied in West Berlin at the Musikhochschule …

Microbial Quality And Pathogen Decontamination Strategies For Locally-Grown, Fresh Produce From West Virginia And Kentucky, Ka Wang Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality/safety of fresh produce from farmers' markets (FM) and assess the post-harvest washing practice with antimicrobials to inactivate Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh produce. In study I, 212 produce samples were tested for the presence of Salmonella and Listeria spp. using modified FDA-BAM methods. Aerobic plate counts (APCs), total coliforms (TCCs), and yeast/molds were analyzed on petri-films. Among the 212 samples, the APCs, TCCs, and yeast/molds were 3.72-5.63, 3.67-5.47, and 3.07-4.13 log CFU/g, respectively, with spinach containing the highest (P<0.05) populations. Among all tested samples, Salmonella enterica spp. enterica was detected on 18.6% of spinach, 10.9% of tomatoes, 18.5% of peppers, and 56.3% of cantaloupes, which is much higher than previous reported. Only 3.78% of the samples were confirmed for Listeria spp., and 50% of them were identified as L. monocytogenes, based on multiplex PCR results. Due to the high percentage of pathogens detected on the farmers' marker produce, an evaluation of post-harvest produce washing with various antimicrobials was conducted in study II. Specifically, spinach, tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers were inoculated with S. Typhimurium and Tennessee or L. monocytogenes and washed in tap water, vinegar water (10%), lactic acid (5%), a lactic and citric acid blend (2.5%), and sodium hypochlorite (200 ppm) for 30 sec or unwashed. Vinegar water (10%) showed better (P<0.05) reduction of S. Typhimurium and Tennessee on tomatoes and cucumbers, and L. monocytogenes on tomatoes and peppers than tap water. The three antimicrobials reached an additional reduction level of 0.9 to 2.7 (S. Typhimurium and Tennessee) and 0.2 to 1.4 log CFU/g ( L. monocytogenes) compared to tap water. Lactic acid caused the greatest (P<0.05) reduction of S. Typhimurium and Tennessee on spinach and green peppers, and sodium hypochlorite showed the great (P<0.05) reduction of L. monocytogenes on cucumbers. The results supplied important information for FM vendors to develop post-harvest protocols to control foodborne pathogens.

Investigation Of A Neural Network Approach In Modeling And Diagnostics Of An Engine-Out Nox Sensor, Zackery S. Layhew

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this study was to develop a method for fault detection of an engine-out oxides of nitrogen (NOx) sensor. The aim of the developed method was not only to isolate a fault with the NOx sensor, but to also diagnose faults in other engine subsystems that may result in higher engine-out NOx production. The developed fault diagnostics are aimed at providing reliable, accurate determinations of sensor output, in-lieu of physical sensors.;The data for the development of numerical models in this study was derived from in-use emissions data of a 2014 Freightliner equipped with a 2013 Cummins ISX15 engine. …

Historical Phenology Of West Virginia: 130 Years Of Spring Avian Migration And Wildflower Blooming, Lori M. Petrauski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Phenology, or the study of biological cycles in relation to the seasons, is a useful approach to study climate change and its effects on species. Analyzing historical records of phenology can give clues to understanding the future of ecosystems in relation to climate change. Specifically, using untapped sources of historical phenological data such as museum specimens, journals written by nature-minded citizens, and dated photographs can expand our temporal range of phenology data and provide a baseline with which to compare current phenology observations.;There is no central database for historical phenology data in West Virginia and there has been little research …

Long-Term Evaluation Of Permanent Seeding And Mulching Practices, Marissa A. Poultney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Vegetation cover is required on disturbed land resulting from construction activities. The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) specifications for seeding and mulching currently includes seed mixtures that contain species that are considered highly invasive by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). This work evaluated the use of experimental seed mixtures at roadside locations by considering two major objectives: i) evaluating long-term performance of experimental mixtures over multiple growing seasons, and ii) investigating sediment yield from vegetation cover practice.;First, vegetation growth and persistence from four small-scale field plots were monitored through the second and third growing seasons. The …

The Use Of Concentration Of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (Amh) As An Indicator Of Reproductive Performance In Livestock Species, Adam Karl Russell Redhead

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reproductive success is essential for high levels of animal productivity. Low fertility has been identified as one of the main constraints hindering the productivity of livestock systems. To address this problem, several tools such as genomic selection and assisted reproductive techniques (ART) have been implemented. Two of the more common ART used to improve reproductive performance are artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET). The success of these methods is highly dependent on individual animal characteristics; therefore the ability to select animals that provide high levels of reproductive success is essential. The size of the ovarian antral follicular population (AFP) …

Development Of Techniques For Assessment Of Population Characteristics Of The Federally Endangered Diamond Darter, Austin A. Rizzo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Population monitoring is an essential component of endangered species recovery programs. One species for which monitoring is needed is the federally endangered Diamond Darter Crystallaria cincotta. This species was placed on the Endangered Species List in 2013 because of its small range and population size, and because of continued anthropogenic threats to the species' habitat. The Diamond Darter is believed to occur only within the lower 50 rkm of the Elk River in West Virginia. Museum specimens indicate the Diamond Darter was once distributed throughout the Ohio River Basin, but it is now likely extirpated from the Muskingum River, the …

Growing Community Gardens In The Mountain State, Mary Ryan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Community gardening is being used to address food inequality as an alternative food network. Most literature looks at community gardening in urban contexts. Less is known about community gardening in rural areas. My research was able to address how community gardening contributes to food sovereignty in WV and how garden leaders help contribute to this access to food sovereignty. Through a survey of 19 community gardens across West Virginia I show the organization and use of these gardens. Through interviews with 11 of those gardens, I was able to learn about how garden leaders' frame their gardens' goals and importance …

The Potential Impact Of Art Therapy Approaches In An Alternative Learning School Setting In Urban West Virginia, Brianna Saddler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Now more than ever American adolescents are suffering from severe anxiety (Lewis, 2017). In the past, over-achieving students were those parents least worried about when it came to experiencing anxiety but now studies show these students are just as likely to experience anxiety as those learners considered to be underachievers. The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader how art therapy approaches embedded into daily lesson plans could be used in alternative learning school settings to help students deal with anxiety. Through my own experiences as a practicing art teacher in both general education art classrooms and alternative …

A Conductor's Perspective On Stravinsky's "Danse Sacrale" From "Le Sacre Du Printemps": Evaluation Of Revisions, Analysis And Considerations For Conducting, Hanjin Sa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The final dance, Danse sacrale from the ballet Le Sacre du printemps by Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) presents various challenges for conductors: both textual and technical. For the textual challenges, this research paper focuses on the comparative studies of various revisions, the early sketchbook, and the autograph full score. The study of correspondence between Stravinsky and the early conductors of Le Sacre (Pierre Monteux and Ernest Ansermet) also offers important clues for solving the puzzle with which Stravinsky himself had struggled for decades.;Both the 1943-revised version and Nicholas Slonimsky's re-barring of the Danse sacrale will be closely examined. Despite Stravinsky's wish …

Sir Frederick Jackson: The Explorer And The Governor, Levi Houston Sanders

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis is a study of Sir Frederick Jackson, an early British explorer and administrator between 1880 and 1917 focusing on three main facets of his career those being his early days as an explorer, his administration in Kenya, and then his governorship of Uganda. Within these three main focal points, various important historical topics such as the Uganda Railway, the Maasai Move, and the planter and peasant dilemma in Uganda are discussed in relation to Jackson's position at that moment of his career in order to shed some light on Jackson and the early colonial period in Africa.

Mursamacin: A Novel Class Of Antibiotics From Soil-Dwelling Roundworms Of Central Kenya That Inhibits Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Ryan Musumba Awori, Peter Njenga Ng'ang'a, Lorine Nanjala Nyongesa, Nelson Onzere Amugune, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also called " superbugs", can at worst retrogress modern medicine to an era where even sore throats resulted in death. A solution is the development of novel types of antibiotics from untapped natural sources. Yet, no new class of antibiotic has been developed in clinical medicine in the last 30 years. Here, bacteria from insect-killing Steinernema roundworms found in the soils of Central Kenya were isolated and subjected to specific molecular identification. These were then assayed for production of antibiotic compounds with potential to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. The bacteria were identified as Xenorhabdus griffiniae and produced …

Formative Evaluation Of A Web-Based Multimedia Intervention To Support Learning Of Statistics, Natalya Koehler, Ana-Paula Correia, Nimet Alpay, Carolyn Levally

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Variations In Video Game Play Habits And Beliefs Over Time, John Adam Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Psychological research about the consequences of playing video games has grown exponentially, correlating to the exponential growth of the video game industry. In the past decade, a major impetus has related to the concept of video game addiction, pathological gaming, or Internet Gaming Disorder. While the presence of this problem is widely accepted and there is growing knowledge about the factors contributing to its development and perpetuation, there is minimal research speaking to intervention. The primary purpose of the present study was to identify a potential pathway to educate members of the gaming community about pathological gaming, with the hope …

Regulating Cumulative Risk, Sanne H. Knudsen

Articles

This Article proceeds in four parts. Part I describes how cumulative risk assessments tackle the real-world exposure problems that lie at the heart of public health. It shows how risk science has evolved and why policy, not science, lags behind. Part II then examines why key public health concerns cannot be answered through information disclosure or consumer choice models alone.

Having established that regulatory drivers are needed, Part III begins to examine how to move forward. It does so by looking backward and examining how TSCA and FIFRA have failed historically to provide this critical public health focus despite room …

Give It To Me, I'M Worth It: The Need To Amend Georgia's Record Restriction Statute To Provide Ex-Offenders With A Second Chance In The Employment Sector, Bonita A. Huggins

Georgia Law Review

In the era of mass criminalization, where over 70
million Americans and almost four million Georgians
have a criminal record, the collateral consequences that
accompany criminal records have become barriers to
employment for many ex-offenders trying to reenter the
workforce. Blanket exclusionary hiring policies that
apply to all individuals with a record regardless of the
nature of the offense or time since its commission have
left a portion of the population with little to no
opportunity to act as productive, contributing members
of society.
Georgia's current statutory scheme built to alleviate
the effects of the collateral consequences of a criminal …

Amphetamine Exposure During Embryogenesis Leads To Long-Term And Transgenerational Increase In Behavioral Response And Decrease In Dopamine Uptake, Talus J. Mccowan

Theses and Dissertations

Amphetamine (AMPH) is widely prescribed for the treatment of ADHD and a highly abused substance in society, yet little is known about the long-term effects of the drug. Here, we used Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to establish a model for the long-term and transgenerational effects of AMPH exposure on behavior. Furthermore, experiments were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms of AMPH that were altered by embryonic AMPH exposure.

C. elegans have a well characterized behavioral response to AMPH known as Swimming Induced Paralysis (SWIP). For the SWIP test, animals are placed in fluid, which normally induces a thrashing behavior. However, …