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Characterization Of The Natural Enemy Community, With Emphasis On Entomopathogens, For Management Of Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera) In West Central Nebraska, Camila Oliveira-Hofman

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae),the western corn rootworm (WCR), is a major pest of corn (Zea mays L.) in the United States and Europe. WCR management options comprise mainly transgenic hybrids, insecticide applications and crop rotation. WCR is highly adaptable to management practices and field-evolved resistance to transgenic corn, insecticides and crop rotation in the United States Corn Belt has been reported. Therefore, the motivation for this project was to look into alternative options for WCR management. The goal of this dissertation is to characterize the natural enemies from irrigated commercial cornfields in Nebraska and examine their …

Gut Symbiont Viability In Honey Bees Exposed To Agrochemical Stressors, Bryant Justin Gabriel

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The honey bee gut microbiome is essential for protecting this pollinator against abiotic and biotic stressors, including the prevention of harmful gut parasites and pathogens. Previous studies have not only demonstrated a linkage of bee gut dysbiosis to increased immunodeficiencies and pathogen sensitivities, but also report the maladaptation of the gut microbiome in bees exposed to agricultural and apicultural chemistries. There are few techniques available that allow for a simple and reliable analysis of the relative proportions of live and dead gut microbes in bees exposed to these chemistries. Previous techniques for measuring gut symbiont dysbiosis are temporally limited by …

Distribution And Habitat Association Of The Northern Long-Eared Bat, Zachary A. Warren

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Because of white-nose syndrome, the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) is experiencing rapid population declines across the majority of its range. This decline has prompted increased regulatory protection and thus an increased need for effective habitat management strategies. Insight into the species habitat associations, however, is a prior necessity to ensure management practices are biologically relevant. Understanding these relationships requires a holistic approach that addresses the multiple ways in which the species is interacting with its environment. The objective of my thesis was to address these relationships following a multi-scale approach that assessed the factors associated with roost …

A Comparison Of Vnir And Mir Spectroscopy For Predicting Various Soil Properties, Joshua R. Gates

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Soil plays an important role in our daily lives, namely producing food, cleaning water and storing carbon. The ability to rapidly and cost-effectively quantify the various components of soils can help us understand and better manage this important resource. This study aims to compare the ability of visible near-infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to quickly and accurately predict various important soil properties (electrical conductivity, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable cations, phosphorus, carbon, beta-glucosidase enzyme activity and nitrogen). Prediction models were developed using partial least squares regression (PLSR) techniques. Three different calibration sampling methods were tested along with …

Effects Of Toxic Fescue Exposure On Vaginal Microbial Communities Of Crossbred Beef Cows, Abby Ratton

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The consumption of toxic fescue by beef cattle results in several adverse physiological effects such as reduced reproductive success, severe vasoconstriction resulting in hoof sloughing, low body condition scores, hyperthermia, decreased prolactin levels, and reduced hair shedding. The purpose of this study is to characterize bacterial community of the reproductive tract as a potential predictor for toxin exposure. One-hundred fall-calving crossbred cows were allocated to graze Toxic (Toxic: n=50) or Novel (Novel: n= 50) fescue pastures for five months (March-August). Treatments were blocked by sire breed (Charolais or Hereford) and by parity (first, second, third). Animals rotated pastures biweekly and …

Room Temperature Operation Of Quantum Cascade Lasers Monolithically Integrated Onto A Lattice-Mismatched Substrate, Rowel Go

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) are semiconductor devices that, currently, have been observed to emit radiation from ~ 2.6 μm to 250 μm (1 to 100 terahertz range of frequencies.) They have established themselves as the laser of choice for spectroscopic gas sensing in the mid-wavelength infrared (3-8 μm) and long-wavelength infrared (8-15 μm) region. In the 4-12 μm wavelength region, the highest performing QCL devices, in terms of wall-plug efficiency and continuous wave operation, are indium phosphide (InP) based. The ultimate goal is to incorporate this InP-based QCL technology to silicon (Si) substrate since most opto-electronics are Si-based. The main …

The Potential For Indirect Negative Effects Of Exotic Insect Species On A Liverwort, Bazzania Trilobata (Lepidoziaceae), Mediated By The Decline Of A Foundation Tree Species, Tsuga Canadensis (Pinaceae), Michelle R. Jackson, Jesse Bellemare

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

In many ecological communities, the effects of exotic species are likely to extend beyond their direct interactions with natives, due to indirect effects. This dynamic might be particularly consequential in cases where invasive insects or other exotic herbivores target foundation plant species in the communities they invade. In this study at a site in western Massachusetts, we used experimental transplants to gauge the potential effects of a decline in the evergreen conifer Tsuga canadensis due to ongoing spread of two exotic insect pests on a liverwort, Bazzania trilobata, whose distribution is closely linked to dense stands of this conifer in …

Sex Differences In Balance Measures And Chronic Low Back Pain In Older Adults, Kelley Bevers

Psychology Theses - Archive

The older adult population is growing at a rapid pace, with the US Census Bureau estimating older adults to comprise of 20% of the overall population by 2020. Now, more than ever, we must parse out differences within this group to target their specific needs, particularly those concerning potential injury and pain. Older adults face unique challenges surrounding their ability to manage pain conditions, such as increased fall risk, increased medication use, decreased physical ability, and multimorbidities. As such, uncovering the most effective and cost-effective strategies for mobility and maintenance are of vital importance. Previous research indicates there are sex …

Mindfulness And Expressive Arts Therapies In Cancer Care, Maria Lacreta

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper considers the efficacy of utilizing Expressive Arts Therapies as a primary intervention in addressing the psychosocial needs of patients in cancer treatment and recovery. Significant evidence shows that a cancer diagnosis, current treatment protocols and the recovery process incur wide-ranging symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. At the same time, research is also beginning to demonstrate a remarkable potential for cancer patients to develop post-traumatic growth, if given the opportunity to integrate their experience. Particularly in the post treatment phase, cancer patients report feelings of hopelessness and emotional despair, but are able to process and account …

Assessment Of Granulovirus, Spinosad, And Mating Disruption For Controlling Cydia Pomonella L. [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae] In Organic Coastal California Apple Orchards, Raven Lukehart

Master's Theses

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella[Lepidoptera: Tortricidae], is a major entomological pest of apples, pears, and walnuts cross the world (Pajac et al. 2016). Female codling moths lay eggs on the apple exocarp and larvae burrow within the fruit causing economic losses to fruit growers.Organic apple orchards in San Luis Obispo, CA currently have three codling moth, Cydia pomonella,control options commercially available including granulovirus (CpVG), spinosad, and mating disruption. In field tests on apple (Malus), we compare percent fruit injury between treatments of granulovirus (2.43 oz/ha Cyd-X® organically approved, Certis USA, Columbia MD), spinosad (4.05 oz/ha Entrust® Naturalyte® …

Computational Modeling Of Nonlinear Behavior In Orthopaedics, Kyle Snethen

All Dissertations

Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures performed in the USA and is projected to exceed 4.3 million by 2030. Although TKR surgery has a success rate of 95% at 10 years for most TKR designs, revision surgery still occurs approximately once for every ten primary TKR surgeries. Failure modes in TKR involve the interplay between implant mechanical performance and surrounding biological tissues. The orthopaedic community has turned to computational modeling as an effective tool to analyze these complex interactions and improve patient outcomes. The objective of these studies was to utilize a combined computational …

Bacteria-Mediated Delivery Of Mazf Mrna Into Cancer Cells For Induction Of Apoptosis, Maryam Saffarian Abbas Zadeh

All Dissertations

Programmed cell death (PCD), an active process that leads to cell suicide, is a critical mechanism in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In eukaryotes, apoptosis, a well-characterized form of PCD, is a gene-directed program that can be inhibited by some oncogenic mutations, resulting in the development of cancer. Toxin-antitoxin (TA) is one example of an intracellular death program that is present in almost all bacteria and comprises a stable toxin and a labile antitoxin that blocks the lethal function of the toxin. MazEF, one of the best studied bacterial PCD systems, includes a toxin, namely, MazF that cleaves mRNAs at ACA sequences …

An Investigation Of Sub-Meter Skill In Stem And Non-Stem Undergraduate Students, Laura A. Tingin

Masters Theses

This study designed a nationally-relevant, valid, and reliable survey that measures STEM and Non-STEM undergraduate student familiarity with sub-meter metric scale and common sub-meter sized science objects. The instrument assesses scalar relationship and scalar magnitude, as explained by Cheek, LaDue, and Shipley (2017). The instrument development was based on an existing Scale of Objects Questionnaire (SOQ) instrument created by Tretter, Jones, Andre, Negishi, & Minogue (2006a) which was modified to be nationally relevant and in an electronic format in two phases: online survey development and undergraduate pilot testing. Online survey development was framed in the tailored design method described by …

Comparison Of A Modified And Traditional Rapid Infiltration Basin For Treatment And Control Of Nutrients In Wastewater Effluent, Jessica Cormier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rapid infiltration basins (RIB) have been historically used in Florida for groundwater recharge, effluent disposal, or a combination of both. However, this technique has proven ineffective in providing nitrogen control unless the RIB is modified in some manner. In this study, a traditional RIB was compared to a modified RIB constructed with manufactured biosorption activated media (BAM) to evaluate nitrate removal from reclaimed water. The RIBs are used for reclaimed and excess storm water disposal. Few, if any, studies have been published where BAM-modified RIBs have been used for this purpose. In this work, a mixture of clay, tire crumb, …

Application Of Nano-Plasmonics For Sers Bio-Detection And Photocatalysis In The Same Platform, Muhammad R. Shattique

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Nano-biological systems interfacing nano-structured solid surfaces with biological compounds such as oligonucleotides or proteins are highly regarded as enabling materials for biosensing and biocatalysis applications. In particular, nanostructures of noble metals such as gold or silver, when exposed to light, exhibit a phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance. When a proper metal nanostructure (plasmonic substrate) is exposed to light, very efficient absorption of incoming photons is possible, resulting in a buildup of localized high-energy regions, or “hot-spots”, where energetic carriers or “hot carriers” can be created. These hot-carriers can be used to catalyze desired chemical transformations in materials located nearby. …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Applications Of Ammonium/Phosphonium Chitosan Derivatives For Investigative Dna Interactions, Quinton Kirk Wyatt

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Chitosan is examined as a non-viral vector capable of efficient gene delivery due to its favorable properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and is non-toxic to mammalian cells. Cell modifications and vector permeability are enhanced in non-viral vectors that incorporate electrostatic interactions. This work synthesizes cationic (N⁺, P⁺) chitosan derivatives, to enhance electrostatic interactions towards nucleotides, using amide coupling agents EDC and HOBt. The final chitosan derivatives will bear cationic functional groups (N⁺, P⁺) with various alkyl groups (Me, Et, Pr, Ph) to examine their affinities to nucleotides and antifungal properties. mPEG grafted …

Development Of Rapid, Homogeneous Assay For Investigating Isopeptide Bond Formation Using Fluorescence Polarization/Depolarization Measurements, Samuel Patricc Kasson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Autocatalytic intramolecular isopeptide bonds have been found in nature in certain gram-positive bacterial pilus structures. Recently, splitting of these domains that are capable of autocatalytic intramolecular isopeptide bond formation have been applied to create stable, selective, bio-orthogonal Catcher/Tag systems. The CnaB2 domain found in the FbaB pilus structure of Streptococcus pyogenes, has yielded the Catcher/Tag, Protein/Peptide systems termed SpyCatchter and SpyTag. Recent study has focused on tag optimization, stability and bio-orthogonality evaluation, along with applications in bioconjugation. I have recombinantly expressed SpyCatcher and SpyTag-fused proteins in E.coli, and conjugated them to fluorescent probes in order for use in fluorescence polarization/depolarization …

Effects Of Neem On Plasmatocyte Counts In Galleria Mellonella Larvae, Michael Anthony Fenske

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has been called the tree of the 21^st century, due to its many beneficial properties. This research studies the effects of neem products on plasmatocytes of Galleria mellonella larvae challenged by injections of Sumi ink. Counts of circulating plasmatocytes increased in response to the ink within 4 hours. Concurrent injections of neem essential oil reversed this process in a dose-dependent manner. Methanolic extracts of neem essential oil had similar effects on counts of circulating plasmatocytes mobilized by ink injections. Aqueous extracts from neem bark did not have effects on plasmatocyte counts. Comparative …

Immune Function And Metabolism Of Hibernating North American Bats With White-Nose Syndrome, Briana Nicole Anderson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

White-nose syndrome (WNS) causes substantial mortality in certain species of hibernating North American bats. The responsible agent is Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), a fungus which causes physiological complications such as increased arousals and energy depletion during the hibernation season. Tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) and northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) suffer extensive WNS mortality, while gray bats (Myotis grisescens) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) are infected, but mortality is rarely observed. It is hypothesized that there is a difference in immune responses and/or hibernation metabolism between these bat species, resulting in this …

The Identification Of Interspecific Hybrids Between Jaeger 70 X Vignoles Grapes Using Ssr Markers, Carl William Knuckles Iv

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Jaeger 70 cultivar is an interspecific hybrid of Vitis linececumii x Vitis rupestris, with an interesting past. It was created by Hermann Jaeger of Neosho, MO, who is most notable for saving the French wine industry by developing phylloxera resistant rootstocks in the mid-1800s. Traditionally the Jaeger 70 variety has been grafted to French wine grape cultivars to impart disease resistance and cold hardiness while retaining desirable wine characteristics. One interesting characteristic of Jaeger 70 is that it is a female-only plant, allowing for many interesting areas of study. Vitis interspecific hybrid Vignoles, is a cold hardy cultivar of largely …

Nutrient Transport And Storage In A Karst Spring-Reservoir System During Baseflow, Missouri Ozarks, Heather A. Moule

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Urban and agricultural land uses are important sources of nitrogen and phosphorus which, if in excess, can cause eutrophication in lakes and rivers. There have been few studies of nutrient transport and storage in karst spring and reservoir connected stream systems draining the Missouri Ozarks. This study aims to link the baseflow nutrient contributions of Sanders Spring to downstream reservoir outflow and the Headwaters South Dry Sac River Watershed in Springfield, Missouri. Water samples were collected seasonally and analyzed for total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and several other water quality parameters. Discharge was also monitored to calculate water and …

Learning Chemistry In English: Challenges Faced By Non-Native English Speakers, Arwa A. Alshehri

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Every year many international students come to study in the United States. In addition to all the challenges associated with coming to a new country, non-native English speakers (NNES) face the additional challenge of having to learn their content in English. Therefore, in this project, I recruited NNES participants from general chemistry courses since preliminary inquiries indicated that they have the largest enrollments. Because there were relatively few students at MSU who are non-native English speakers studying chemistry, I used a case study design to be able to extract generalizations from an in-depth study of a few individuals. The aim …

(Don’T) Stand By Me: Social Regulation Of Response To Threat In Interracial Dyads, Carmelita Sharonique Foster

Dissertations

A number of factors contribute to retention among college students, including social support and feelings of belonging (Rayle & Chung, 2007). Although college campuses are among the most racially diverse settings in our segregated society (Fischer, 2011), students differ in their perception of the racial climate on campus (Chavous, 2005). Social Baseline Theory (SBT) proposes that human functioning under stress is dependent on adequate social support and that, at baseline, biological systems are adapted to operate interdependently rather than independently (Hughes, Crowell, Uyeji, & Coan, 2012). Specifically, the substantial empirical support for SBT shows that stressful situations are less toxic …

Screen Printed Moisture Sensor On Barrier Coated Sbs Board: The Characterizations Of The Hemicellulose-Based Biofilms And Their Applications For Smart Packaging, Ruoxi Ma

Dissertations

Fiber-based packaging materials have many advantages over their petroleum-based plastic competitors, such as sustainability, recyclability and stiffness/weight ratio. However, the poor barrier properties and sensitivity towards moisture are the main challenges for their extended use. Therefore, there has been a need to provide a biodegradable and biocompatible biopolymer packaging material with improved barrier properties for food and pharmaceutical packaging. Also, the moisture loss/gain problem causes a lot of waste every year. Therefore, there is a need of better tracking and sensing methods attached to the package in order to control the moisture level along the supply chain. To accomplish these …

Assessment Of Melanocyte-Specific Primary And Memory Autoimmune Responses In Vitiligo-Prone Smyth And Vitiligo-Susceptible, Non-Expressing Brown Line Chickens, Daniel Morales Falcon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Vitiligo is an acquired de-pigmentation disorder characterized by the post-natal loss of epidermal melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) resulting in the appearance of white patches in the skin. The Smyth line of chicken is the only model for vitiligo that shares all the characteristics of the human condition including: spontaneous post-natal loss of melanocytes, interactions between genetic, environmental and immunological factors and associations with other autoimmune diseases. In addition, an avian model for vitiligo has the added benefit of an easily accessible target tissue (a growing feather) that allows for the repeated sampling of an individual and thus the continuous monitoring of …

The Effects Of Enhanced Flows On Community Structure And Ecosystem Functioning In A Montane Utah River System, Joshua A. Epperly

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Due to growing human demands for freshwater within the last century, manmade flow alterations are now a common characteristic of rivers worldwide. Alterations to the volume and timing of flows in rivers are known to negatively impact aquatic biodiversity, biological productivity and ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling. While previous research has focused on the effects of flow reductions and spates, there is a lack of knowledge on how high flows across longer timespans (i.e. ‘enhanced flows’) impact the structure of river communities and the integrity of ecosystem functions.

The Utah Reclamation, Mitigation and Conservation Commission has expressed interest in …

Sex Differences In Poisonings Among Older Adults: An Analysis Of The Toxicology Investigators Consortium (Toxic) Registry, 2010 To 2016., Gillian A. Beauchamp Md, Jennifer L. Carey Md, Tyler Adams Bs, Amy Wier, Manuel F. Colón Bs, Matthew D. Cook Do, Robert D. Cannon Do, Kenneth D. Katz Md, Marna R. Greenberg Do, Mph, Facep

Department of Emergency Medicine

PURPOSE: Adults aged >65 years are susceptible to intentional and unintentional poisoning, with contributing factors that include polypharmacy, comorbidity, susceptibility to medication error, and gaps in research. Although toxicologists are often tasked with managing and preventing poisoning among older adults, little is known about sex differences in these poisonings. The aim of this study was to review sex differences in poisonings among older adults managed at the bedside by medical toxicologists.

METHODS: All case subjects aged >65 years in the Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) registry between January 2010 and December 2016 were reviewed. Data included reasons for exposure and consultation, …

The Population Ecology And Behavior Of The Cave Salamander, Eurycea Lucifuga (Rafinesque, 1822)., Joseph Gavin Bradley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Cave Salamander, Eurycea lucifuga (Rafinesque, 1822), is a little-known species, yet a common inhabitant of caves in the eastern United States. Salamanders are often important components of ecological communities and ecosystems, influencing critical processes such as nutrient cycling and community composition through their predation on invertebrates. Cave-dwelling salamanders such as E. lucifuga may thus appreciably influence the relatively simple ecosystems and communities of caves. Any such influence may be particularly important because these habitats and the organisms that reside in them are often of conservation concern. I used non-invasive methods to study the demographics, movements, and habitat selection of …

Evaporation Depth Controls The Relationship Between Soil Water Mobility And Soil Water Isotopic Composition, John Byars Shuler

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies of plant water uptake assume that soil water isotopic composition can be used to infer soil water mobility. However, the strength of the relationship between mobility and isotopic composition remains poorly constrained. In addition, many ecohydrologic investigations are restricted by low sampling frequencies and insufficient soil moisture and matric potential data to support assumptions of soil water mobility. We sampled bulk soil water every 14 to 21 days in hillslope and riparian profiles during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons in a semi-arid watershed outside Boise, ID. We collected twig samples of four tree and shrub species concurrently. …

Utilizing Satellite Fusion Methods To Assess Vegetation Phenology In A Semi-Arid Ecosystem, Megan Gallagher

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Dryland ecosystems cover over 40% of the Earth’s surface, and are highly heterogeneous systems dependent upon rainfall and temperature. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have caused considerable shifts in vegetation and fire regimes, leading to desertification, habitat loss, and the spread of invasive species. Modern public satellite imagery is unable to detect fine temporal and spatial changes that occur in drylands. These ecosystems can have rapid phenological changes, and the heterogeneity of the ground cover is unable to be identified at course pixel sizes (e.g. 250 m). We develop a system that uses data from multiple satellites to model finer …