Digital Commons Network^™

Identification Of Genes That Maintain Behavioral And Structural Plasticity During Sleep Loss, Laurent Seugnet, Stephane Dissel, Matthew S. Thimgan, Lijuan Cao, Paul J. Shaw

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Although patients with primary insomnia experience sleep disruption, they are able to maintain normal performance on a variety of cognitive tasks. This observation suggests that insomnia may be a condition where predisposing factors simultaneously increase the risk for insomnia and also mitigate against the deleterious consequences of waking. To gain insight into processes that might regulate sleep and buffer neuronal circuits during sleep loss, we manipulated three genes, fat facet (faf), highwire (hiw) and the GABA receptor Resistance to dieldrin (Rdl), that were differentially modulated in a Drosophila model of insomnia. Our results indicate …

The Influence Of Natural Sounds On California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus Beecheyi) Vigilance And Predator Detection, Christopher M. Garvin, My-Lan T. Le, Clinton D. Francis

STAR Program Research Presentations

Many animals rely on the acoustical environment for functions spanning mate attraction, navigation and predator and prey detection. However, recent research suggests that the context of the acoustic environment can greatly influence the propagation and reception of acoustic signals and cues, potentially interfering with the ability of animals to perceive important environmental cues. Here, we sought to determine whether natural sounds influence vigilance and predator detection in the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi). In a manipulative field experiment, we measured squirrel vigilance behavior under three conditions: playback of river rapid noise, playback of cicada chorus noise and a control, unmanipulated …

Investigating The Role Of Regulation In Resilience Of Microbial Communities Under Fluctuating Environmental Conditions, Asaad Ahmed, Serdar Turkarslan

STAR Program Research Presentations

Gene regulatory networks are thought to be a vital contribution to microbial resilience in a fluctuating environment. Known gene regulatory networks were utilized to elucidate how the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibro vulgaris regulates its survival in its relative fluctuating environment while evolving to form a symbiotic relationship with the archaeal organism, Methanococcus maripaludis. By using transposon gene knockout methods to form transcription factor mutants in Desulfovibro vulgaris, the effect on the regulatory network is observed when the bacteria is co-cultured with Methanococcus maripaludis. Transferring methods to simulate fluctuating environments were used to induce transcription of regulatory genes. To measure the extent …

Differential Growth In Santa Rosa Island’S Restoration, Marisol Gonzalez, Ken G. Niessen, Morgan A. Eales, Kathryn Mceachern

STAR Program Research Presentations

Restoration biology is a relatively new branch of biology and many restoration practices, while transferable, require some degree of tweaking. This is because the same plant ecosystem might be at different levels of ecological ruin and heavily influenced by everything from soil quality, to mountain aspect and sunshine levels, to fog-interception rates. Additionally, different plants of the same ecosystem might respond differently to varying treatments. The plants of this study are located on Santa Rosa Island, off the coast of Santa Barbara in Southern California. For the restoration at Soledad Ridge, the treatments include three combinations of drip-irrigation lines, erosion-control …

Is Dna Available For Analysis In Convict Fry, Convict Wrigglers, Dead And/Or Preserved Fish?, Yasamin Haider

STAR Program Research Presentations

A coastwide bloom of the toxigenic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia in 2015 resulted in the largest reCryptoheros septemfasciatus is a species of cichlid fish (family Cichlidae) that varies phenotypically from population to population. We do not know the relatedness of the different populations of C. septemfasciatus in the many geographically close rivers of northern Costa Rica. To determine this, we will ultimately need to collect many fish and/or tissues at many sites in the wild. It is critical that we know whether we are able to obtain DNA from various tissues (e.g fin clips) and/or from fish fry. I assisted in creating …

Synthesis Of Ms-Labile Crosslinker To Determine Protein- Protein Interaction Networks In Various Biological Systems Using Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry, Parisa Tavakoli-Dehaghi, Isil Hamdemir, Jie Luo, Jeff Ranish

STAR Program Research Presentations

The purpose of this research is to synthesize a crossinker that is MS-labile and that produces fragments under MS (mass spectrometry) conditions that allows masses of the peptides determined by the name of LXR-SEB (Labile Crosslinker Reagent-Succinic Ethanolamine Biotin). The samples were prepared in a wet lab at the Institute for Systems Biology, tested using crosslinking MS methods, and finally purified using FPLC (Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography). The results were further analyzed by myself and my mentor, Dr. Isil Hamdemir. The final results showed that we did successfully obtain pure tEB and LXR-Amine, however, SEB was not obtained in the …

Comparative Analysis Of Zero-Order Hillslope Carbon And Nitrogen Heterogeneity Using Solid And Liquid Samples, Corinne K. Webb, Ed Hunt, Eunice Villasenor, Katerina Dontsova

STAR Program Research Presentations

The Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) at Biosphere 2 near Tucson, AZ is a unique and singular experimental setup in which scientists are able to tackle large-scale earth science questions involving soil formation, nutrient cycling, and chemical weathering in a way that is unavailable in true Earth systems. Three identical zero-order 330 m^2 drainage basins are each filled with 330 m^3 of ground basaltic tephra with a loamy sand texture sourced from northern Arizona for its capacity for carbon sequestration. To obtain information on accumulation of carbon/nitrogen on LEO slopes as a result of biological and abiotic processes, six soil cores …

Diversity, Distribution And Dynamics Of Larval Cephalopods Off Northern California, Anacena Zander, Eric P. Bjorkstedt

STAR Program Research Presentations

Cephalopods are the fastest growing invertebrate, often putting on 3- 5 % of their body weight each day. Due to the nature of their diet, their body mass can be up to 80% protein, offering humans an easy and fast source of protein. This offers fisheries a new option to explore. The main problem behind wild-catching Cephalopods, is the issue of where they are. This study examined retrospective larval Cephalopod samples collected from 2009-2017 to examine trends in the diversity and distribution of the larvae. Notably, some of the collected data was taken during the warm water event that started …

Chemical Gardens: The Effects Of Organic Compounds On Inorganic Precipitates, Michelle R. Hooks, Laura M. Barge, Paul Webster

STAR Program Research Presentations

Chemical gardens are inorganic, self-organizing precipitates that form when metal salts are added to a solution of another precipitating ion, e.g. adding iron (II) chloride crystals to sodium silicate solutions. The self-assembly of these inorganic membranes, the maintenance of gradients across them, and the effects of organic compounds on their mineralogy / morphology are of particular interest in understanding similar geological structures at hydrothermal systems in Earth’s early oceans, as well as in putative hydrothermal vents elsewhere in our solar system (such as on Saturn’s moon, Enceladus). Chemical gardens provide a method of recreating these geological “hydrothermal chimneys” which are …

Andrews University Spiritual Master Plan, Andrews University

Public Documents

The Spiritual Master Plan of the University correlates with the University’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Initiative four “To ensure the strength of the spiritual heart of the campus.” The plan is founded within the recognition of a great controversy and the truth of God's plan for reconciliation. The Creator pursues His Creation and invites us into intimate relationship with himself. His pursuit of us invites us, in free will, to open the door to Him. In responding to God’s invitation, allowing His work in our life and following His way we gain a clear understanding of who God is, we live …

Storying Gendered Violence: Indigenous Understandings Of The Interconnectedness Of Violence, Josie Nelson

Social Justice and Community Engagement

The research and scholarship of gendered violence on university campuses is growing; however, there is currently limited to no research exploring the experiences of Indigenous peoples, particularly women and two-spirit, non-binary and transgender students. To advance the knowledge of the interconnectedness of violence, I conducted two focus groups with six Indigenous women staff at Wilfrid Laurier University. This research, informed by Indigenous feminism and storytelling methodologies, shares their understandings of how colonial and gendered violence cannot be understood independent from one another. Participants also provide insight into the needed supports on campus for Indigenous students who have experienced gendered violence. …

Teachers Supporting Students Affected By Trauma, Madeleine Smyth

Social Justice and Community Engagement

Although many people would like to think of childhood as a relatively peaceful and happy time, research has indicated that for many children this is far from the case. One study in the United States has estimated that 26% of children will witness or experience a trauma-causing event before they enter kindergarten. Trauma can have a serious impact on a child’s learning and overall classroom experience. Teachers and other school staff can play an important role in recognizing and responding to students presenting with symptoms of trauma in the classroom and mitigating possible adverse impacts on their education. A qualitative …

Minimum Houses For Minimum Wages: Are Tiny Houses A Solution For Low-Wage Workers?, Edward Sauve

Social Justice and Community Engagement

No abstract provided.

Chimpanzees In Court: Limited Legal Personhood Recognition For Standing To Challenge Captivity And Abuse, Davidson Anestal

Alumni Works

No abstract provided.

Springtail (Collembola) Abundance In Trichoderma-Enhanced And Conventional Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea L.) Plots In Sariaya, Quezon, Philippines, Marnelli P. Sotto-Alviola, Ireneo L. Lit Jr., Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Virginia C. Cuevas

Journal Article

The effect of Trichoderma-based biofertilizer applied to cabbage farms on the abundance of collembolans in cabbage farms was assessed, this being the first study conducted on this subject. Emphasis was given on collembolans mainly because they include fungivores and share the same ecological requirements with Trichoderma. Farmer’s field experiments were conducted in Barangays Mamala 1 (Site 1) and Sampaloc 1 (Site 2) in Sariaya Quezon to determine possible differences in abundance between Trichoderma-enhanced and conventional cabbage plots. Soil samples were collected at 20, 40 and 60 days after planting (DAP) from both sites and run through Berlese-Tullgren …

Biology Of A Philippine Population Of Toxorhynchites Splendens (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Culicidae: Toxorhynchitinae) Under Laboratory Conditions With Aedes Aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae: Culicinae) As Prey, Justine Bennette H. Millado, Augusto C. Sumalde, Loinda R. Baldrias, Jessamyn R. Adorada, Barbara L. Caoili

Journal Article

A local population of Toxorhynchites splendens (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Culicidae: Toxorhynchitinae) from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), University of the Philippines Los Banos, was observed under laboratory conditions to gather basic data on its biology. Immature stages are briefly described highlighting key characters that differentiate larval instars. Egg incubation and developmental period were shorter in males (1.77 ± 0.35, 36.16 ± 15.57) than in females (1.87 ± 0.26, 38.30 ± 16.23). Males also live shorter (12.9 ± 10.44) than females (18.38 ± 14.76). The number of preys, Aedes aegypti larvae, offered to T. splendens larvae was positively correlated …

Molecular Marker-Based Detection Of Primary Bacterial Endosymbiont Associated With The Coconut Scale Insects, Aspidiotus Destructor Signoret And Aspidiotus Rigidus Reyne (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Jillian E. Timple, Romnick A. Latina, Barbara L. Caoili

Journal Article

The primary endosymbionts associated with coconut scale insects (CSI), Aspidiotus rigidus and A. destructor, were detected using the 16S rRNA. Sequences of this gene were sourced from A. destructor and A. rigidus populations from different geographical locations namely, Orani, Bataan; Cagbalate 1 and Cagbalete 2, Mauban, Quezon; Sampaloc, Quezon; and Tranca, Bay, Laguna. Results revealed variation between the primary endosymbiont associated with the Aspidiotus species, but not among the primary endosymbionts associated within each CSI species. GenBank mining using BLAST revealed 98% to 99% similarity of the endosymbionts of A. destructor and A. rigidus, respectively, with Candidatus Uzinura diaspidicola (GenBank …

The Liaison Connection Issue 10, University Of Denver, University Libraries

The Liaison Connection

Fall 2017 issue of the Library Liaison Advisory Group newsletter from the University of Denver, University Libraries. The newsletter provides information about library collections, services, and research instruction.

Daily Announcements October 2017, Wofford College. Office Of Marketing And Communications

Communications Office Daily Announcements

No abstract provided.

College Of Science And Mathematics Newsletter, Fall 2017, College Of Science And Mathematics, Wright State University

College of Science and Mathematics Newsletters

This 6 page newsletter discusses various happenings within the College of Science and Mathematics. It begins with a letter from the dean, and continues on with news, events, alumni news, and other community news.

News On The Prairie, October 2017, Office Of Auxiliary Services And Marketing

News on the Prairie

C-Store Survey Preliminary Results; REAL Talk Pt. 2

Jasper Skulls And Memento Mori, Kathleen C. Paul

Wonders of Nature and Artifice

The jasper skulls in this Curiosity Cabinet sit on the scale atop the touch-ables table. Jasper, a type of impure silica usually a reddish color, is commonly carved for small sculptures, as we see in the skulls.

The reddish tones of both skulls match the overall tone of the cabinet nicely, as well as complimenting the rich medium blue of the walls. Thematically, skulls perfectly align with other objects in the cabinet.

A ubiquitous theme of curiosity cabinets in the 16th and 17th century is the inevitability of death. Symbols of this notion in art work are known as …

Gettysburg: Our College's Magazine Fall 2017, Communications & Marketing

Gettysburg: Our College’s Magazine

From the President Janet Morgan Riggs '77

Table of Contents

Closing the Internship Gap (Neil Fisher '82 and Jennifer Fisher Bryant '82)

Prof Notes: Salma Monani

Making Music for the Movies (Allison Geatches '09)

The 411: Sarah Wendt '90

Alumni Association Honors Great Work (John A. Hohneker '81, Inga Holl Musselman '82, MacGregor Jones '67, Sarah Hitch Burdi '87, Troy M. Cassel '02, Frederick D. Reimer '07, Kimberly Wojcik '02, Alan Manning '02)

Change in the Chaplaincy (Rev. Dr. Kristin Largen)

Snapshots

Technology, Race, and Comic Books (Xavier Harding '12)

Gettysburgreat: The Campaign for our College …

Formal Performance Guarantees For An Approach To Human In The Loop Robot Missions, Damian Lyons, Ron Arkin, Shu Jiang, Matt O'Brien, Feng Tang, Peng Tang

Faculty Publications

Abstract— A key challenge in the automatic verification of robot mission software, especially critical mission software, is to be able to effectively model the performance of a human operator and factor that into the formal performance guarantees for the mission. We present a novel approach to modelling the skill level of the operator and integrating it into automatic verification using a linear Gaussians model parameterized by experimental calibration. Our approach allows us to model different skill levels directly in terms of the behavior of the lumped, robot plus operator, system.

Using MissionLab and VIPARS (a behavior-based robot mission verification …

Hermeneutic Philosophies Of Social Science: Introduction, Babette Babich

Articles and Chapters in Academic Book Collections

No abstract provided.

Regulation Of Voltage-Gated K+ Currents In Motor Neurons: Activity-Dependence And Neuromodulation, Dalia Salloum

Dissertations

Neuronal output is shaped by extrinsic modulation as well as modulation of intrinsic properties of individual neurons, mediated by activity-dependent changes in the expression levels of voltage-gated ionic currents. Activity-dependent regulation of ionic currents is a mechanism by which electrical output of a neuron feeds back onto the expression of its own ion channels to alter cellular excitability in response to stimuli. Neurons alter their intrinsic properties to achieve long lasting changes involved in development, learning and memory formation and vital functions of organ systems such as locomotion and digestion. At the same time, plasticity of neuronal excitability driven by …

An Artificial Neural Network Model For Predicting Freeway Work Zone Delays With Big Data, Bo Du

Dissertations

Lane closures due to road reconstruction and maintenance have resulted in a major source of non-recurring congestion on freeways. It is extremely important to accurately quantify the associated mobility impact so that a cost-effective work zone schedule and an efficient traffic management plan can be developed. Therefore, the development of a sound model for predicting delays or road users is desirable.

A comprehensive literature review on existing work zone delay prediction models (i.e., deterministic queuing model and shock wave model) is conducted in this study, which explores the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of different modeling approaches. The performance of those …

Public Perceptions Of The Functions Of Natural And Engineered Infrastructure In Coastal Hazards Mitigation: The Cases Of Two Communities In The Raritan Bayshore, New Jersey, Jaime D. Ewalt Gray

Dissertations

Emerging United States (U.S.) federal policies call for more comprehensive integration of both engineered and natural infrastructure in mitigating coastal hazards. For such policies to be effectively implemented, the mitigation functions of and relationship between natural infrastructure and engineered infrastructure must be understood and their integrated use accepted by affected actors, especially residents living in at-risk coastal communities. Little is known about public perceptions of the functions of engineered and natural infrastructure in coastal hazard mitigation and the interactions between these two types of infrastructure. This study analyzes perceptions based on semi-structured interviews of 14 residents in Laurence Harbor, Middlesex …

Formulation And Dissolution Of Polymer Strip Films For The Delivery Of Poorly Water-Soluble Drug Nanoparticles, Scott Matthew Krull

Dissertations

Polymer films have emerged as a promising platform for delivery of pharmaceutical products in recent years due to simplified processing, greater flexibility, and improved patient compliance over traditional solid dosage forms. However, the large majority of efforts have focused on incorporation of water-soluble drugs. The objective of this dissertation is to explore the robustness and versatility of the strip film platform for delivery of poorly water-soluble drug nanoparticles to ultimately develop a predictive model for drug release from such films.

The robustness of the polymer strip film platform to successfully deliver a variety of poorly water-soluble drug nanoparticles without the …

Field Induced Assembly Of Particulate Systems, Kinnari Shah

Dissertations

The primary focus of the first part of this dissertation is to study the AC field-driven assembly of monodisperse silica and glass particles on liquid - liquid interface and forming a liquid film of uniform thickness having arrangement of particles on it. This liquid film with arrangement of regular particles can be converted into a solid film by curing top UV curable liquid. Here, electric field is used as a tool to facilitate AC field-driven assembly. The work describes the assembly of different size of regular particles and effective development of solid film.

It is also shown that particles of …