Digital Commons Network^™

Agricultural Responses To Climate Change: A Study Of Adaptive Farming Methods In Kizanda Village, Bailey Smith-Helman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Agriculture is vital to the economic and social systems in Tanzania, composing 30% of the country’s GDP as well as 80% of employment (FAO, 2014). Despite agriculture’s important role, it remains one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. Current trends project global average temperature to increase by 0.8-2.6 degrees Celsius, leaving farmers to face changes in rainfall, soil quality, and new pests and diseases (IPCC, 2007). Farmers will be forced to adapt to the changing climate if they are to sustain their livelihoods and the Tanzanian economy. For these reasons, it is important to understand the types of …

Carbon Sequestration In The Cloud Forest: A Comparative Evaluation Of Aboveground Biomass Carbon Stock Potential In The Río Guajalito Reserve, Elli Mapstone

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere continue to rise at a rapid rate, it is necessary to understand how forests can both contribute to CO₂ levels but also stop them from rising. Carbon sequestration levels in tropical montane cloud forests are a relatively understudied topic. Gathering carbon stock levels is the first step necessary to start a REDD+ project. Carbon stock levels can be studied on a global, regional or local level. This study used the University of Oxford/ Global Ecosystems Monitoring Network (GEM) methodology to examine carbon sequestration levels of aboveground biomass, specifically ground litter, large branches …

Chemical Simulations Of Cyanomethanimine In Interstellar Medium, Matthew T. Webb

Honors Theses

Cyanomethanimine was recently detected in Sagittarius B2, an interstellar cloud known for its rich chemistry. Cyanomethanimine is a proposed intermediate in the interstellar synthesis of adenine. Adenine is crucial in the formation and maintenance of living systems due to its role as a major component in DNA/RNA. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to obtain tangible chemical samples from Sagittarius B2, the interstellar cloud where cyanomethanimine resides, because it is too distant from the Earth. Furthermore, the best method for studying interstellar molecules for now is computer modelling. The objective of the project is to determine the abundance of cyanomethanimine …

Resolving Distinct Molecular Origins For Copper Effects On Pai-1, Joel C. Bucci, Carlee S. Mcclintock, Yuzhuo Chu, Gregory L. Ware, Kayla D. Mcconnell, Joseph P. Emerson, Cynthia B. Peterson

Faculty Publications

© 2017, The Author(s). Components of the fibrinolytic system are subjected to stringent control to maintain proper hemostasis. Central to this regulation is the serpin plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which is responsible for specific and rapid inhibition of fibrinolytic proteases. Active PAI-1 is inherently unstable and readily converts to a latent, inactive form. The binding of vitronectin and other ligands influences stability of active PAI-1. Our laboratory recently observed reciprocal effects on the stability of active PAI-1 in the presence of transition metals, such as copper, depending on the whether vitronectin was also present (Thompson et al. Protein Sci 20:353–365, …

The Statistical Need To Include Phylogeny In Trait-Based Analyses Of Community Composition, Daijiang Li, Anthony R. Ives

Faculty Publications

© 2017 The Authors. Methods in Ecology and Evolution © 2017 British Ecological Society A growing number of studies incorporate functional trait information to analyse patterns and processes of community assembly. These studies of trait–environment relationships generally ignore phylogenetic relationships among species. When functional traits and the residual variation in species distributions among communities have phylogenetic signal, however, analyses ignoring phylogenetic relationships can decrease estimation accuracy and power, inflate type I error rates and lead to potentially false conclusions. Using simulations, we compared estimation accuracy, statistical power and type I error rates of linear mixed models (LMM) and phylogenetic linear …

Operation Damage Control: Exercise Training To Prevent Metabolic Damage From High-Fat Feeding, Timothy D. Allerton, Jacqueline M. Stephens

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Lsu Research Fall 2017, Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College

Research Magazine

LSU Research is published annually by the Office of Research & Economic Development, Louisiana State University.

How Important Is Farm Profitability To Meat Goat Farmers?, Narayan P. Nyaupane, Jeffrey M. Gillespie, Kenneth W. Mcmillin

Faculty Publications

© 2017 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists This study investigates United States meat goat producers’ goal structure and examines whether these goals are consistent with farm profitability. Data were collected using a nationwide mail survey, and 7 potential goals of meat goat farmers were analyzed. Results showed that “maximize profit” and “have family involved in agriculture” were the 2 most important goals, whereas “control weeds/vegetation” and “increase farm size” were the least-ranked goals. Regression results showed that farmer demographics, farm characteristics, economic indicators, and regional variables affected farmer goal structure. Results did not support a correlation between farm profitability …

Binding Of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Ul20 To Godz (Dhhc3) Affects Its Palmitoylation And Is Essential For Infectivity And Proper Targeting And Localization Of Ul20 And Glycoprotein K, Shaohui Wang, Kevin R. Mott, Kolja Wawrowsky, Konstantin G. Kousoulas, Bernhard Luscher, Homayon Ghiasi

Faculty Publications

© 2017 American Society for Microbiology. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) UL20 plays a crucial role in the envelopment of the cytoplasmic virion and its egress. It is a nonglycosylated envelope protein that is regulated as a ±1 gene. Two-hybrid and pulldown assays demonstrated that UL20, but no other HSV-1 gene-encoded proteins, binds specifically to GODZ (also known as DHHC3), a cellular Golgi apparatus-specific Asp-His-His-Cys (DHHC) zinc finger protein. A catalytically inactive dominant-negative GODZ construct significantly reduced HSV-1 replication in vitro and affected the localization of UL20 and glycoprotein K (gK) and their interactions but not glycoprotein C (gC). GODZ …

Rethinking Dalian New International Airport: The Exploration Of A Net-Zero Airport Powered By Tidal Power Energy On An Artificial Island., Xiaofan Jiang

Theses

Fossil fuel is still the number one energy resource in China, and among the fossil fuel, coal is the primary resource to generate electricity and heat during heating days. Fossil fuel will result in global warming, sea level rising, but we may not perceive these because of the relatively subtle changes. Nevertheless, China got the punishment from the natural in recent years, most of the mainland China is experiencing the terrible smog, which gets worse in the winter. The cause of the smog is same to London, a huge amount of coal has been consumed in last few decades. To …

A Near-Global Atmospheric Distribution Of N2o Isotopologues, Peter F. Bernath, Mahdi Yousefi, Eric Buzan, Chris D. Boone

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The distributions of the four most abundant isotopologues and isotopomers (N₂O, ¹⁵NNO, N¹⁵NO, and NN¹⁸O of nitrous oxide have been measured in the Earth's stratosphere by infrared remote sensing with the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) Fourier transform spectrometer. These satellite observations have provided a near-global picture of N₂O isotopic fractionation. The relative abundances of the heavier species increase with altitude and with latitude in the stratosphere as the air becomes older. The heavy isotopologues are enriched by 20-30% in the upper stratosphere and even more over the poles. These observations are …

Effects Of Vacuuming Pervious Concrete On Infiltration Rate, Demetrios E. Maurakis, Eugene G. Maurakis

Virginia Journal of Science

The objectives of this research were twofold: test the infiltration rate of pervious concrete before and after vacuum cleaning and assess infiltration variability over time. Infiltration tests were performed on a 558.2 m2 area of pervious concrete, divided into sixteen 0.35 m2 test areas in a parking area at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia on five dates from November 4-December 30, 2013. Average infiltration rates (avg.= 22.8 and 36.3 L/m²/min) immediately after vacuuming were lower than those (avg.=30.7 and 41.3 L/m²/min) before vacuuming. We hypothesize that the vacuuming lifted materials towards the surface …

The Effects Of Climate On Radial Growth Of Disjunct Northern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis L.) In Virginia, Joshua A. Kincaid

Virginia Journal of Science

Understanding the geographic range and growth of species is essential for effective land management in a landscape affected by anthropogenic activity and climate change.  Climate change is expected to alter the distribution and growth of many tree species in eastern North America, including northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.).  This research examined the effects of climate on radial growth of T. occidentalis in disjunct populations south of its continuous range margin in eastern North America.  A T. occidentalis tree-ring chronology was developed and examined for growth-climate interactions. Mean sensitivity of the T. occidentalis chronology was within the range of …

Fall 2017 Shsp Alumni Connections, New York Medical College

School of Health Sciences and Practice

• M.P.H. Student Brings Passion for Medicine, Public Health and Sports Together in Guyana
• SHSP Students Join LEND at WIHD
• SHSP Hosts Special Public Health Practice Council Meeting
• Center for Long-Term Care Welcomes Notable Physiotherapist and Philanthropist for Special Presentation
• Diane E. Heck, Ph.D., Is Appointed Associate Dean for Research in the School of Health Sciences and Practice
• NYMC Unveils the Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine and Responses to Bioterrorism and Disasters
• SHSP Applauds New Honor Society Inductees
• New York Medical College Receives $3 Million to Establish The Catherine and Vladislav P. Hinterbuchner Professorship and Chair

Fall 2017 Gsbms Alumni Connections, New York Medical College

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

• Ph.D. Candidate Awarded Prestigious NIH Fellowship
• Sixth Annual STAR Student Research Forum Showcases Impressive Summer Investigative Works
• GSBMS Welcomes New Students
• New York Medical College Receives $3 Million to Establish The Catherine and Vladislav P. Hinterbuchner Professorship and Chair
• NYMC Unveils the Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine and Responses to Bioterrorism and Disasters

Modeling Virus Coinfection To Inform Management Of Maize Lethal Necrosis In Kenya, Frank H. Hilker, Linda S. J. Allen, Vrushali A. Bokil, Cheryl J. Briggs, Zhilan Feng, Karen A. Garrett, Louis J. Gross, Frédéric M. Hamelin, Michael J. Jeger, Carrie A. Manore, Alison G. Power, Margaret G. Redinbaugh, Megan A. Rúa, Nik J. Cunniffee

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) has emerged as a serious threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. MLN is caused by coinfection with two viruses, Maize chlorotic mottle virus and a potyvirus, often Sugarcane mosaic virus. To better understand the dynamics of MLN and to provide insight into disease management, we modeled the spread of the viruses causing MLN within and between growing seasons. The model allows for transmission via vectors, soil, and seed, as well as exogenous sources of infection. Following model parameterization, we predict how management affects disease prevalence and crop performance over multiple seasons. Resource-rich farmers with …

Utilizing Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy For Prediction Of Cognitive Workload In Noisy Work Environments, Ryan Gabbard, Mary E. Fendley, Irfaan A. Dar, Rik Warren, Nasser H. Kashou

Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering Faculty Publications

Occupational noise frequently occurs in the work environment in military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. This impacts cognitive performance by acting as a stressor, potentially interfering with the analysts’ decision-making process. We investigated the effects of different noise stimuli on analysts’ performance and workload in anomaly detection by simulating a noisy work environment. We utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to quantify oxy-hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin concentration changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as behavioral measures, which include eye tracking, reaction time, and accuracy rate. We hypothesized that noisy environments would have a negative effect on the participant in …

Undergraduate And Graduate Course Descriptions, 2017 Fall, Wright State University

Course Descriptions

Wright State University undergraduate and graduate course descriptions from Fall 2017.

Proximal Predictors Of Alcohol Use Among Japanese College Students, Staci Wendt, Cynthia Mohr, Mo Wang, Sarah Haverly

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background and Objectives: This study investigated how negative social interactions (e.g., disagreeing with a friend) predicted subsequent drinking behaviors among Japanese college students. Because of social influences on drinking, and cultural norms for maintaining social harmony and making amends in response to social transgressions in Japanese culture, the authors hypothesized that students would consume more alcohol socially following increases in negative social interactions. Drinking refusal self-efficacy and social self-efficacy were also studied as moderators of social drinking.

Methods: Fifty-five college students (79% women) of legal drinking age completed a once-daily Internet survey for 30 days, providing 1195 daily reports …

Lead User Discovery Through Netnography: Transhumanist Subcultures Of Grinders And Biohackers, Brian Lux, Page Bailey, Catalina Reyes

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Industry has already been set as a precedent that lead users are indicators for future products and areas of forming trends. By following where these lead users come from, understanding their motivations and intent of use can help discover new products. In this paper there are two groups under the ideological umbrella of Transhumanism, “Grinders” and “Biohackers” which are fringe groups where we felt there were possible lead users. To study them, we employed the use of the Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology as a framework to gain an understanding of their characteristics and motivations. By doing …

Secondhand Smoke Exposure And Preclinical Markers Of Cardiovascular Risk In Toddlers, Judith A Groner, Hong Huang, Mandar S. Joshi, Nicholas Eastman, Lisa Nicholson, John Anthony Bauer

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Objective: Links between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and cardiovascular disease in adults are well established but seldom reported during childhood. Although rates of smoking have decreased, young children from low-income backgrounds remain likely to be exposed to SHS. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between SHS exposure in young children and several preclinical markers of cardiovascular risk that have been established as relevant to adult populations.

Methods: 139 children, 2–5 years of age, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. SHS exposure was objectively determined by hair nicotine level; a comprehensive panel of clinical markers (AM blood pressure, …

Associative Learning Contributes To The Increased Water Intake Observed After Daily Injections Of Angiotensin Ii, Maggie Postolache, Jessica Santollo, Derek Daniels

Biology Faculty Publications

Daily injections of angiotensin II (AngII) cause a progressive increase of water intake that resembles a classically ascribed non-associative sensitization. Consistent with the presumption that the observed increase in intake was sensitization, we hypothesized that it resulted from a pharmacological interaction between AngII and its receptor. To test this hypothesis, and remove the influence of drinking itself, we implemented a delay in water access after injection of AngII (icv) on four consecutive ‘induction days,’ and then measured intake on the next day (‘test day’) when rats were allowed to drink immediately after AngII. The delay in water access effectively reduced …

Unusual Features Of Non-Dividing Somatic Macronuclei In The Ciliate Class Karyorelictea, Ying Yan, Anna J. Rogers, Feng Gao, Laura A. Katz

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Genome structure and nuclear organization have been intensely studied in model ciliates such as Tetrahymena and Paramecium, yet few studies have focused on nuclear features of other ciliate clades including the class Karyorelictea. In most ciliates, both the somatic macronuclei and germline micronuclei divide during cell division and macronuclear development only occurs after conjugation. However, the macronuclei of Karyorelictea are non-dividing (i.e. division minus (Div−)) and develop anew from micronuclei during each asexual division. As macronuclei age within Karyorelictea, they undergo changes in morphology and DNA content until they are eventually degraded and replaced by newly developed macronuclei. No less …

Louisiana Agriculture Fall, 2017, Lsu Agcenter

Louisiana Agriculture

No abstract provided.

Variation In Seed Size Is Structured By Dispersal Syndrome And Cone Morphology In Conifers And Other Nonflowering Seed Plants, Andrew B. Leslie, Jeremy M. Beaulieu, Sarah Mathews

Faculty Publications

© 2017 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust Seed size varies tremendously in plants and its evolution is influenced by multiple ecological and biological factors that are difficult to disentangle. In this study, we focus on understanding the role of seed dispersal by animals in the evolution of seed size in conifers, the most diverse extant nonflowering seed plant group. Relationships among seed size, dispersal syndrome, climate and cone morphology were analyzed across conifers using quantitative models of character evolution and phylogenetic regression techniques. Dispersal syndrome is a more consistent predictor of seed size within major extant …

Distribution And Female Reproductive State Differences In Orexigenic And Anorexigenic Neurons In The Brain Of The Mouth Brooding African Cichlid Fish, Astatotilapia Burtoni, Danielle T. Porter, David A. Roberts, Karen P. Maruska

Faculty Publications

© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Integration of reproduction and metabolism is necessary for species survival. While the neural circuits controlling energy homeostasis are well-characterized, the signals controlling the relay of nutritional information to the reproductive axis are less understood. The cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni is ideal for studying the neural regulation of feeding and reproduction because females cycle between a feeding gravid state and a period of forced starvation while they brood developing young inside their mouths. To test the hypothesis that candidate neuropeptide-containing neurons known to be involved in feeding and energy homeostasis in mammals show conserved distribution patterns, …

Genetic Analysis Of Virulence In The Pyrenophora Teres F. Teres Population Bb25 × Fgoh04ptt-21, Vaidehi M. Koladia, Jonathan K. Richards, Nathan A. Wyatt, Justin D. Faris, Robert S. Brueggeman, Timothy L. Friesen

Faculty Publications

Pyrenophora teres f. teres is the causal agent of net form net blotch (NFNB) of barley. In order to map the genetics of avirulence/virulence in P. teres f. teres, a fungal population was developed using P. teres f. teres isolates BB25 (Denmark) and FGOH04Ptt-21 (North Dakota, USA) due to these two isolates differing in virulence on several common barley lines. 109 progeny isolates were obtained from the BB25 by FGOH04Ptt-21 cross that were then used for NFNB disease evaluation across eight barley lines, four of which have been used commonly as NFNB differential lines as well as four cultivars commonly …

Lipid Profile, Cardiovascular Disease And Mortality In A Mediterranean High-Risk Population: The Escarval-Risk Study, Domingo Orozco-Beltran, Vicente F. Gil-Guillen, Josep Redon, Jose M. Martin-Moreno, Vicente Pallares-Carratala, Jorge Navarro-Perez, Francisco Valls-Roca, Carlos Sanchis-Domenech, Antonio Fernandez-Gimenez, Ana Perez-Navarro, Vicente Bertomeu-Martinez, Vicente Bertomeu-Gonzalez, Alberto Cordero, Manuel Pascual De La Torre, Jose L. Trillo, Concepcion Carratala-Munuera, Salvador Pita-Fernandez, Ruth Uso, Ramon Durazo-Arvizu, Richard Cooper, Gines Sanz, Jose M. Castellano, Juan F. Ascaso, Rafael Carmena, Maria Tellez-Plaza

Faculty Publications

Introduction: The potential impact of targeting different components of an adverse lipid profile in populations with multiple cardiovascular risk factors is not completely clear. This study aims to assess the association between different components of the standard lipid profile with all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to cardiovascular events in a high-risk population. Methods: This prospective registry included high risk adults over 30 years old free of cardiovascular disease (2008–2012). Diagnosis of hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes mellitus was inclusion criterion. Lipid biomarkers were evaluated. Primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and hospital admission due to coronary heart disease or stroke. We estimated …

Fitness Costs And Inheritance Of Cry2ab2 Resistance In Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Binod Acharya, Graham P. Head, Paula A. Price, Fangneng Huang

Faculty Publications

Cry2Ab2 is a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein expressed in transgenic corn and cotton targeting above-ground lepidopteran pests including the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). The objective of this study was to characterize fitness costs and inheritance of Cry2Ab2 resistance in S. frugiperda. To determine if fitness costs were associated with the resistance, life history parameters (larval survival, growth, development and egg production) of Cry2Ab2-resistant, -susceptible, and two reciprocal F1 colonies of S. frugiperda were assayed on non-toxic diet and non-Bt corn leaf tissue. The results showed that there were no significant differences among the four insect colonies for all …

Characterization Of The Ornithine Hydroxylation Step In Albachelin Biosynthesis, Kendra Bufkin, Pablo Sobrado

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

N-Hydroxylating monooxygenases (NMOs) are involved in siderophore biosynthesis. Siderophores are high affinity iron chelators composed of catechol and hydroxamate functional groups that are synthesized and secreted by microorganisms and plants. Recently, a new siderophore named albachelin was isolated from a culture of Amycolatopsis alba growing under iron-limiting conditions. This work focuses on the expression, purification, and characterization of the NMO, abachelin monooxygenase (AMO) from A. alba. This enzyme was purified and characterized in its holo (FAD-bound) and apo (FAD-free) forms. The apo-AMO could be reconstituted by addition of free FAD. The two forms of AMO hydroxylate ornithine, while lysine increases …