Digital Commons Network^™

Spatiotemporal Variation In Space Use By Eastern Wild Turkeys In Mississippi, Ryo Ogawa

Theses and Dissertations

Spatiotemporal variation in animal space use is critical for understanding how individual animals respond to changes in resource availability across space and time. My study was aimed to: 1) determine functional responses of habitat selection by eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) across 7 study sites in Mississippi; and 2) determine the effect of temporal vegetation variation on order-II habitat selection by wild turkeys over 12 years. I developed resource selection functions using radio telemetry location data. Individual-specific coefficients of order-III habitat selection for forest were related inversely to forest availability in meta-regressions. Yearly coefficients of order-II habitat selection for …

Sperm Genetic And Epigenetic Mechanisms Regulating Male Fertility, Naseer Ahmad Kutchy

Theses and Dissertations

Male fertility, ability to fertilize and activate the egg and support early embryo development, is crucial for mammalian reproduction and development. Testis specific histone 2B (TH2B) of sperm, protamines (PRM1/2), and posttranslational modifications of histone 3 (H3K27me3 and H3k27ac) are involved in spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, molecular and cellular mechanisms by which TH2B regulates histone to protamine replacement is poorly defined. Immunocytochemistry, western blotting, flow cytometry, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and bioinformatic approaches were applied to analyze sperm from Holstein bulls with different in vivo fertility. Results from the immunocytochemistry experiments showed that while TH2B and H3K27me3 were localized …

Role Of Rap1a In Age/Rage-Mediated Signaling In Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Jia Zhao

Theses and Dissertations

Type II diabetes mellitus (TIIDM) causes multiple complications under chronic hyperglycemia. Long term persistent exposure to elevated glucose conditions is considered one of the major factors for diabetic complications. Pathologically, mechanical and biochemical stimuli will induce a signaling cascade in cardiac fibroblasts, which causes myocardial fibrosis and leading to ventricular stiffness. Non-enzymatically, high levels of glucose can react with long-lived proteins, such as collagen to form advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs have been shown to be associated with many of the diabetic cardiovascular complications due to their interaction with the receptor for AGE (RAGE). AGE/RAGE activation stimulates the secretion of …

In Vitro And In Vivo Effects Of An Encapsulated Butyric Acid And A Lactic Acid Producing Bacteria Used Alone Or In Combination, Dana Kristen Dittoe

Theses and Dissertations

Lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) and organic acids have been proposed as effective alternatives to antibiotics, however there is limited literature concerning their combination. Thus, the objective of this thesis was to investigate the effects of LAB, encapsulated butyric acid (EBA), and their combination. Under challenged conditions, the in vitro study demonstrated that both EBA and LAB were capable of reducing pathogen proliferation over time, with greater efficacy at lower initial concentration. However, EBA demonstrated a greater effectiveness on pathogen reduction. Under challenged conditions, the results of the in vivo study indicated that birds fed LAB performed comparatively to that …

Incorporating Fermented By-Products Of Lactobacillus Diolivorans Sp. In Food Grade Coatings Designed For Inhibition Of Tyrophagus Putrescentiae On Dry-Cured Hams, Hector Asis Portillo

Theses and Dissertations

Distillate solutions that were derived from concentrated ferment were incorporated into either a carrageenan (CG) and propylene glycol alginate (PGA) gum blend or into a CG, PGA, and xanthan gum (XG) blend. Distillate treatments were compared against a 10% propylene glycol treatment, a gum only control, and negative control using three hams that were cut into 2.5 cm thick slices and then cut into 2.5×2.5×2.5cm cubes (n=50) that were dipped into solutions prior to conducting mite bioassays. Coated and control ham cubes were inoculated with 20 adult mites from the species T. putrescentiae (Schrank), and incubated for 2 and 3 …

The Characterization Of Zebrafish Natural Killer Cells And Their Role In Immunological Memory, Preeti Judith Muire

Theses and Dissertations

Rag1-/- mutant zebrafish lack lymphocytes and were used to study the basis of acquired protective immunity in the absence of lymphocytes to the intracellular bacterium Edwardsiella ictaluri. This study morphologically identified and quantified lymphocyte like cells (LLCs) present in the liver, kidney and spleen of these fish. LLCs included Natural Killer (NK) cells and non-specific cytotoxic cells (NCCs) and were discriminated by size, and by the presence of cytoplasmic granules. The antibodies anti-NITR9, anti-NCCRP-1 (5C6) and anti-MPEG-1 were used to evaluate these cell populations by flow cytometry. Gene expression profiles in these tissues were evaluated after the Rag1-/- mutants were …

The Defense Response Of Glycine Max To Heterodera Glycines And Macrophomina Phaseolina, Bisho Ram Lawaju

Theses and Dissertations

The understanding of plant defense response in plant-pathogen interaction provides useful information to combat the disease. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, and charcoal rot causing fungus, Macrophomina phaseolina, are major pathogens of soybean, Glycine max, and infestation with SCN has found to aggravate the fungal disease severity. The gene expression analysis in resistant and susceptible interactions between H. glycines and G. max has identified some candidate resistance genes and signaling pathways but they are yet to be fully characterized. This dissertation aims to characterize one such gene, Conserved Oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex. The COG complex is important in structural …

The Effect Of Controlling Temperature And Relative Humidity On Tyrophagus Putrescentiae (Schrank) (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) Infestations On Dry Cured Hams Treated In Food Grade Ingredient Infused Nets, Jasmine Deneen Hendrix

Theses and Dissertations

Since methyl bromide is an ozone depleting substance, there is a significant need to find effective alternative compounds to control mite infestations on dry cured hams. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the most effective relative humidity and/or temperature to minimize mite reproduction and mold growth on dry cured hams in untreated and food grade ingredient infused nets. Mites on ham slices in untreated nets were reduced from the initial inoculum level of 50 mites per ham slice when exposed to 85% RH at 24, 28, and 32°C. Results indicated that hams should be stored at 85% …

Transcriptome-Wide Prevalence Of Selection Among Wild Populations Of Helianthus Annuus (Common Sunflower), Michael Emmett Kartje

Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, I used transcriptomic data to elucidate the role of selection in maintaining genetic cohesion and promoting divergence among wild populations of the annual sunflower Helianthus annuus. I observed that nearly half of the loci displaying high levels of population structure (44%) show allele frequency spectrum skew consistent with recent exposure to natural selection. Among transcriptomic regions at which allele frequency divergence is lowest, fewer loci maintain strong signals of selection (34%). Additionally, I find evidence supporting the maintenance of evolutionarily complex haplotype structure within populations at loci showing high levels of among-population allele frequency divergence.

Wastewater Remediation Using Modified Biochars, Griffin Allen Burk

Theses and Dissertations

Water polluted by metals and phosphates can be hazardous to both the environment and human health. The aim of this study was used to improve understanding of the adsorption properties of low-cost, green adsorbents for removal of pollutants from aqueous solution. Biochar was used as an adsorbent, which was produced from the gasification of pine wood waste and the fast pyrolysis of Douglas fir. Biochar is a bio-renewable product that can easily be modified, and the cost is lower compared to other adsorbents like activated carbon. The gasifier produced biochar was modified by coating the biochar surface with chitosan. Douglas …

Listeria Monocytogenes Response To Sublethal Sodium Hypochlorite Induced Oxidative Stress On Its Biofilm Forming Ability And Antibiotic Resistance, Mohit Bansal

Theses and Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes response to oxidative stress by sublethal sodium hypochlorite was investigated in this study. Continuous exposure of sublethal chlorine influenced biofilm formation and stress adaptation (homologous and heterologous) in L. monocytogenes. The biofilm forming ability of oxidative stress adapted and control cells were investigated on polystyrene surface at 22°C and 37°C. The oxidative stress adapted cells were found to form less biofilm in the presence of chlorine (p < 0.10) when compared to non-treated control cells at both the temperatures. In addition, the biofilm forming ability of L. monocytogenes was reduced significantly at higher sublethal chlorine concentrations (p < 0.10). In conclusion, oxidative stress adapted L. monocytogenes has developed tolerance to chlorine and some of the antibiotics. However, oxidative stress those cells did demonstrate an antibiofilm effect. This demonstrates that oxidative stress reduces L. monocytogenes biofilm formation but can also increase antibiotic resistance.

Understanding Molecular Mechanisms Of Host-Edwardsiella Ictaluri Interaction, Nawar Hadi Al-Janabi

Theses and Dissertations

Catfish, the "king" of the U.S. aquaculture, is threatened by a severe, systemic bacterial disease known as enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). This disease causes high mortality and massive economic losses in cultured channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in the United States. E. ictaluri penetrates catfish intestinal epithelia quickly and establishes a systemic infection rapidly. However, our knowledge on catfish intestine and E. ictaluri interaction is very limited. In Particular, catfish intestinal immune responses and virulence genes needed by E. ictaluri to evade host defenses are not well understood. Hence, our long-term goal is to identify the molecular mechanisms of E. …

Dry Ingredient Dispenser, Group S, 2017, Nick Caywood, Noelle T. Wojciechowsi

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

We wanted to come up with a way to automate the process of measuring and dispensing dry ingredients for baking.

Making Sense With Manipulatives: Developing Mathematical Experiences For Early Childhood Teachers, Cara E. Furman

Education and Culture

This paper is premised on the fact that math can be an important tool in helping people make sense of the world. Math offers a unique and particular lens, helping people to focus on a range of characteristics from shape and amount to the relationship between the general and the particular. To promote math as a tool for making sense, early childhood math instruction ought to teach it in a manner that helps children make sense of mathematical concepts.

Specifically, I argue here that manipulatives are often brought into the early childhood classroom to promote “hands-on” learning without facilitating making …

The Mindfulness Practice, Aesthetic Experience, And Creative Democracy, Kyle A. Greenwalt, Cuong H. Nguyen

Education and Culture

In this paper, we explore the degree to which the Buddhist mindfulness practice and the habits of democratic citizenship can be reconstructed in light of each other. We ask what mindfulness is, seeking to first understand it in its Buddhist context. Then we turn to the work of John Dewey in order to seek possibilities for mutual reconstruction. Finally, we ask how we can reconcile mindful acceptance of the present with the ameliorative habits of the democratic citizen—and what this might mean for a reconstructed progressive education practice.

John Dewey And Citizen Politics: How Democracy Can Survive Artificial Intelligence And The Credo Of Efficiency, Harry C. Boyte

Education and Culture

No abstract provided.

Learning Better Font Slicing Strategies From Data, Quan Wang, Yiran Mao

Defensive Publications Series

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to serving font files in topical subsets. In particular, in some implementations, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can include or otherwise leverage one or more machine-learned models to predict topic labels of characters in a font based on a corpus of characters or glyphs.

Machine-Learning For Optimization Of Software Parameters, Etienne J. Membrives

Defensive Publications Series

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to optimizing tuning parameters in a computing system and/or software application using machine learning. In particular, in some implementations, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can include or otherwise leverage one or more machine-learned models to predict an optimal value for tuning parameters based on metrics provided by a developer. As examples, such metrics may be related to an amount of user engagement, latency associated with the application, or efficiency of executing the software application.

Human Movement Detection In Wi-Fi Mesh Networks, Zhifeng Cai, Yu Wen

Defensive Publications Series

Wireless networks, including mesh networks, can not only transmit information among various network devices but can also monitor changes or variations in the transmission signals used to communicate the information. Monitoring changes or variations in transmission signals can indicate presence, motion, lack of motion, or other characteristics about the physical space in which the wireless network operates without the need for additional equipment or dedicated devices.

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xii. Pandinurus Hangarale Sp. N. (Scorpionidae) From Somaliland And A Review Of Type Locality And True Distribution Of Pandinurus Smithi (Pocock, 1897), František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, Tomáš Mazuch, Ahmed Ibrahim Awale, Jana Štundlová, František Šťáhlavský

Euscorpius

Pandinurus hangarale sp. n. from Somaliland is described and fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as its habitat. Hemispermatophore of P. hangarale sp. n. is illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we also describe the karyotype of P. hangarale sp. n. (2n=120). Known localities of Pandinurus smithi (Pocock, 1897) are compiled; the type locality is not in Somaliland but in Ethiopia (Turfa) and in reality it is probably an endemic of Ethiopia.

Assessing Preservation Priorities Of Caves And Karst Areas Using The Frequency Of Endemic Cave-Dwelling Species, Eugen Nitzu, Marius Vlaicu, Andrei Giurginca, Ioana N. Meleg, Ionut Popa, Augustin Nae, Ştefan Baba

International Journal of Speleology

Endemic and rare species as bioindicators of habitat vulnerability were used to develop protection and management plans for biotope prioritization (mainly islands habitats, lava tubes or groundwaters). Due to their narrow distribution, the endemic species (species confined to a restricted geographic area) are more susceptible to ecological disequilibrium and habitat loss than the widespread ones. Consequently, endemics become endangered in the context of ecological disturbance caused by anthropogenic pressure, making them suitable candidates to assess environmental preservation needs. Taking into consideration that most of the stygobitic and troglobitic species are endemic and confined to specific karst areas, based on their …

Bioluminescent Sensing Systems For Cytokines And Cancer Biomarker Detection, Xiaowen Yu

Open Access Dissertations

Bioluminescence is the generation of light through a natural oxidation chemical reaction, thus eliminating the need for an external light source which eliminates background fluorescence. This results in higher signal-to-noise ratio when compared to fluorescence, making it suitable for use as a label in ultra-sensitive detection applications. Herein, a multiplexed assay to measure three analytes simultaneously in a single solution by employing the variants of the photoprotein aequorin (AEQ) has been demonstrated. Aequorin, natively found in jellyfish Aequorea victoria, can emit a flash-type light at 469 nm with a half-life around 0.5-1 s after the binding of calcium ions (Ca2+). …

Survey Of Trap Contents Of Four Species Of Bladderworts (Utricularia) From Harlow Lake In Marquette, Mi., Jenna Happach

Conspectus Borealis

No abstract provided.

The Five Hundred And Forty-Fourth Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee: Curricular Proposals, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

December 7, 2017, James Madison University

The Breeze, 2010-2019

The Breeze is the student newspaper of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Educational Policies Committee Agenda, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Course approvals
• Program proposals
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee

Educational Policies Committee Minutes, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Subcommittee Reports
• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Course Approvals
• Program Proposals
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee

V. 85, Iss. 10, December 7, 2017

Archway (1946-2020)

No abstract provided.

Bone Marrow Myeloid Cells Regulate Myeloid-Biased Hematopoietic Stem Cells Via A Histamine-Dependent Feedback Loop, Xiaowei Chen, Huan Deng, Michael J. Churchill, Larry L. Luchsinger, Xing Du, Timothy H. Chu, Richard A. Friedman, Moritz Middelhoff, Hongxu Ding, Yagnesh H. Tailor, Alexander L.E. Wang, Haibo Liu, Zhengchuan Niu, Hongshan Wang, Zhenyu Jiang, Simon Renders, Siu Hong Ho, Spandan V. Shah, Pavel Tishchenko, Wenju Chang, Theresa C. Swayne, Laura Munteanu, Andrea Califano, Ryota Takahashi, Karan K. Nagar, Bernhard W. Renz, Daniel L. Worthley, C. Benedikt Westphalen, Yoku Hayakawa

Paediatrics Publications

Myeloid-biased hematopoietic stem cells (MB-HSCs) play critical roles in recovery from injury, but little is known about how they are regulated within the bone marrow niche. Here we describe an auto-/paracrine physiologic circuit that controls quiescence of MB-HSCs and hematopoietic progenitors marked by histidine decarboxylase (Hdc). Committed Hdc+ myeloid cells lie in close anatomical proximity to MB-HSCs and produce histamine, which activates the H2 receptor on MB-HSCs to promote their quiescence and self-renewal. Depleting histamine-producing cells enforces cell cycle entry, induces loss of serial transplant capacity, and sensitizes animals to chemotherapeutic injury. Increasing demand for myeloid cells via lipopolysaccharide (LPS) …

Glycolytic Requirement For Nk Cell Cytotoxicity And Cytomegalovirus Control, Annelise Y. Mah, Armin Rashidi, Molly P. Keppel, Nermina Saucier, Emily K. Moore, Joshua B. Alinger, Sandeep K. Tripathy, Sandeep K. Agarwal, Emily K. Jeng, Hing C. Wong, Jeffrey S. Miller, Todd A. Fehniger, Emily M. Mace, Anthony R. French, Megan A. Cooper

Open Access Publications

NK cell activation has been shown to be metabolically regulated in vitro; however, the role of metabolism during in vivo NK cell responses to infection is unknown. We examined the role of glycolysis in NK cell function during murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection and the ability of IL-15 to prime NK cells during CMV infection. The glucose metabolism inhibitor 2-deoxy-ᴅ-glucose (2DG) impaired both mouse and human NK cell cytotoxicity following priming in vitro. Similarly, MCMV-infected mice treated with 2DG had impaired clearance of NK-specific targets in vivo, which was associated with higher viral burden and susceptibility to infection on the C57BL/6 …