Digital Commons Network^™

Sexual Dimorphism, Reproductive Biology, And Growth Patterns Of Sumatran Combtail (Belontia Hasselti, Cuvier 1831) From The Kelekar River, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Muslim Muslim, Edo Saputra, Selly Oktarina, Muhammad Rizky Ariansyah Putra

Baghdad Science Journal

Sexual dimorphism, reproductive biology, and growth patterns are fundamental knowledge in fisheries studies. This study aimed to analyze the sexual dimorphism, reproductive biology, and growth patterns of Belontia hasselti. Samples were collected in the Kelekar River, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Traditional fishing gear, specifically fish traps (``bubu'' and ``pengilar''), was used to catch fish samples. The samples were transported to the Basic Fisheries Laboratory of the Universitas Sriwijaya for collecting study parameters. A total of 100 B. hasselti were used in this study: 56 males (TL: 8.00-13.24 cm, BW: 9.50-37.49 g) and 44 females (TL: 8.00-13.99 cm, BW: 9.00-38.99 g). …

Molecular Detection Of Neospora Caninum In The Placentas And Umbilical Cord Blood Of Women Who Experienced Abortions, Musafer Al-Ardi

Baghdad Science Journal

The relationship between Neosporosis infection in humans and its potential role in causing abortion remains uncertain. This is a molecular analytical cross-sectional study of Neospora caninum in the placentas and umbilical cord blood from aborted women. The results will be compared with molecular examinations of the placentas from several aborted livestock. 157 samples of placentas from aborted cows (58), sheep (51), and goats (48) were collected. In addition, 115 aborted fetal samples of cows (42), sheep (40) and a goat (33) were collected. Also, from aborted women, 45 samples were collected from the placentas and 45 samples of umbilical cord …

Biol A112l Human Anatomy And Physiology Ii Laboratory Syllabus, Kathleen Nevis

Publications

Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory syllabus with links to open access textbook.

Bat Species Acoustic Detections And Mist Net Captures 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025., Laroy Brandt

Faculty Peer-Reviewed Publications

No abstract provided.

Mtdna Analysis Of The Genetic Origin Of Jordanian Indigenous Chickens In Comparison With Ancient, Commercial, And Fancy Breeds, Raed Mahmoud Al-Atiyat

Baghdad Science Journal

Jordan indigenous chickens (JIC) are threatened with extinction since they are crossed with exotic chickens to enhance their low levels of production. The study objective was to investigate the origin, biodiversity, and phylogeographic structure of JIC using mtDNA sequencing in reference to exotic chickens. We sampled 483 males and females by taking a blood spot on an FTA card. We also sampled ancient, commercial, and fancy chickens from Jordan as references. The sampling regions were the main cities and rural areas of the Middle, North and South governorates of Jordan. The extracted DNA from blood samples was sequenced for the …

Distributional Dynamics And Patterns Of Co-Existence In Dung Beetles (Tribe: Onitini) Across Agricultural Landscapes Of Punjab, Pakistan, Takhmina Nazir, Mubashar Hussain

Baghdad Science Journal

Dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) play a crucial role in dung removal and nutrient cycling. We assessed the distributional patterns of diversity of the tribe Onitini across 12 subdivisions in Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sialkot districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Surveys were conducted twice a month with an inter-visit interval of ∼2 weeks by placing three pitfall traps along each 1000 m transect, each spaced ∼330 m apart. Data were collected from nine traps placed along three transects at each location within the subdivisions. Gujrat district demonstrated the highest species richness, recording all 11 species, followed by Sialkot and Gujranwala. Onitis castaneus was …

Impact Of Dissolved Organic Carbon And Temperature On Phytoplankton Biomass In An Outdoor Study, Ruaa Abass Lafta, Mohammed Hamdan

Baghdad Science Journal

Altered environmental conditions in aquatic ecosystems through Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) input and increased temperature influence phytoplankton communities. To assess the impacts of climate change as both single and combined effects of DOC inputs and temperature on phytoplankton growth, we conducted an outdoor experiment including four sets of conditions in triplicate: a) control, b) DOC treatment, c) temperature treatment, and d) DOC and temperature treatment. We added 10 mg/L of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) as a source of DOC. The warming treatment increased the water temperature by 3°C above the control (p-value < 0.05). The DOC treatment significantly affected pH, CO₂, and DOC …

Seed Germination And In Vitro Micropropagation Of Tulipa Gesneriana, Teeba Hassan Abdul-Karim, Sumaya F. Hamad

Baghdad Science Journal

An effective method for the in vitro propagation of Tulipa gesneriana was developed using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Seeds were first cultured on hormone-free MS medium, achieving %90 germination after 30 days. Seedlings were obtained, and flowering stem explants excised from these seedlings were used for callus induction. The best callus formation was obtained on MS medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ1.5mg/L) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D1.5mg/L). Shoot proliferation was most effective on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L benzyladenine (BA) and 0.2 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and bulb formation was promoted by 0.5 mg/L BA, producing 3–4 bulbs per explant, while …

Adsorption And Kinetic Study Of Toxic Dye (Methylene Blue) Removal From Simulated Industrial Wastewater Using Sustainable Material, Zahraa H. Obaid, Jasim M. Salman, Alaa R. Omran, Noor S. Naji

Baghdad Science Journal

Water pollution is a global issue that affects both human health and the environment. The increasing use of the methylene blue (Mb) dye in various industrial applications poses significant risks. The study aimed to use hydrochloric acid-modified Ziziphus Spina Christi powdered leaves (ZSC) as an effective and low-cost adsorbent for removing Mb dye from effluents. Batch experiments were conducted with contact times of 10–180 minutes, initial dye concentrations of 10–60 mg/L, temperatures of 25–60°C, pH values of 5–9, and sorbent dosages of 0.25-2 g per 40 ml of dye solution. The results showed that the highest removal efficiency of Mb …

Ecological Health Risk Assessment Of Some Heavy Metals In Dust From Some Nursery And Primary Schools Of Al-Kut City, Iraq, Wisam Thamer Al-Mayah, Zahraa Zahraw Al-Janabi, Isam Hani Hameed

Baghdad Science Journal

Heavy metals in dust are considered one of the most important environmental consequences of human activities. The objectives of this study are to investigate the ecological risk of heavy metals on human health in the dust of schools in Kut City, Iraq. The dust samples were collected from 25 primary schools and kindergartens. The pH, EC, TDS, and concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Zn, Co, Mn) were measured. The heavy metals were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. The results showed that the …

Land Cover Changes And Distribution Of Carbon Stocks In The Tembawang Agroforestry Area, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Rafdinal Rafdinal, Riza Linda, Adityo Raynaldo, Eko Subrata

Baghdad Science Journal

Tembawang agroforestry represents a traditional forest management system practiced by Dayak communities in Kalimantan and is recognized for its ecological and livelihood functions. This study examines land cover changes and carbon stock distribution in Tembawang agroforestry in Cipta Karya Village, West Kalimantan. The research applied a combination of field surveys and remote sensing using Sentinel satellite imagery from 2019 and 2023. Vegetation data were collected through observation plots to assess species composition, density, and biomass for carbon estimation using allometric equations. A total of 17 tree species were identified across Tembawang and rubber forest areas. Four species showed the highest …

Antagonistic Activities Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exoproducts Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Sirwan M. Muhammed Ameen

Baghdad Science Journal

The rise of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious global health threat and reduces the efficacy of current treatments. The present study investigates the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of exoproducts from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against MRSA. The confirmation of the identities of P.aeruginosa and S.aureus was achieved through the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Using the agar diffusion assay, the cell-free supernatants (PA-CFS) derived from both the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa strain and the reference strain ATCC 27853 demonstrated notable antibacterial activity against MRSA, exhibiting inhibition zones ranging from 28.67 ± 0.33 to 33.33 ± 0.33 mm and …

The Effect Of Spirulina Supplementation Into The Basal Diet On The Productivity And Environmental Cost Of Thin-Tailed Lambs Fattening, Nadlirotun Luthfi, Edy Rianto, Sutaryo Sutaryo, Endang Purbowati, Hasna Fajar Suryani

Baghdad Science Journal

Spirulina platensis is a supplement that has a good impact on the growth performance of lambs, but information about the amount of this substance in feed efficiency and environmental impact is still required to be determined. The study aimed to examine the effect of the supplementation level of Spirulina platensis in the basal diet on the productivity and environmental costs of Thin-tailed lambs fattening. Twenty-four male lambs (aged 4 months; weighing 14.99 kg) were allocated to a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and six replications in each treatment. The treatments were 1) 100% basal diet without Spirulina supplementation (T0); …

Qoe Enhancement For Video Streaming Based On Attention U-Net Model, Iman Kadhum Abbood, Doaa Ayed Mohammed, Israa Hadi Ali, Sarah Abdul-Ridha Abed

Baghdad Science Journal

Video streaming services, including YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon, account for a large portion of global internet traffic. Therefore, the maintenance of high visual quality is very important to user satisfaction and overall Quality of Experience (QoE) for these users. However, fluctuating bandwidth often causes frame drops and motion discontinuities, resulting in visual artifacts and degraded QoE. Although existing video frame interpolation methods attempt to address these challenges, most remain limited in their ability to sustain performance under bandwidth-constrained environments. To overcome these limitations, IncepU-Net has been introduced. IncepU-Net is proposed as an enhanced U-Net architecture that integrates multi-scale inception modules …

Bio 340 Final Project: Effects Of Light Pollution On Bat Activity, Cael Schneider

Biology Student Scholarship

Cael Schneider - Environmental Biology ‘28

Artificial light at night (light pollution) is an increasing consequence of urbanization and can disrupt nocturnal wildlife. Bats are especially susceptible, as they rely on dark skies for navigation, predator avoidance, and foraging. The effects of artificial light may vary among species due to differences in foraging strategies, habitat use, and light tolerance.  Previous research has documented negative effects of artificial light on bat foraging, roosting, breeding, and hibernation. However, some species, such as red bats, may forage near artificial lights where insects are abundant. Species including the big brown bat, hoary bat, and …

Life Histories Of Two Sgcn Procambarus Species In East Texas, Mckenzie A. Adkins

Biology Theses

Within freshwater systems, crayfish play notable roles by shaping habitats and linking food web levels. Yet even with such influence, knowledge about numerous species is incomplete, which hinders protection strategies. Found only in the Neches River basin in eastern Texas, Procambarus nechesae and Procambarus nigrocinctus have different conservation statuses, mainly because data on their life history remains sparse. These two species are not closely related and are analyzed independently in this study. Research into traits tied to survival and environmental preferences was carried out so that informed decisions on conservation efforts can be made for these species. The goal of …

Evaluation Of Enolase1 And Il-9 As Biomarkers To Determine Stratifying Severity Of Vaginal Candidiasis In Iraqi Women, Shams I. Ali, Teeba H. Mohammad

Baghdad Science Journal

Vaginal candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the lower female reproductive tract caused by Candida species. This study aimed to investigate the roles of Enolase 1 and Interleukin-9 in the pathophysiology of vaginal candidiasis and examine their correlations with anthropometric and lipid profile parameters. A total of 120 participants were enrolled, including 80 patients with VC and 40 healthy controls. Patients were classified into Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans groups based on clinical and microbiological criteria. Serum and vaginal secretions levels of ENO-1 and IL-9 were measured using ELISA, while lipid profiles were assessed spectrophotometrically. Both ENO-1 and IL-9 …

Molecular Characterization And Virulence Factors Of Streptococcus Mutans Isolated From Dental Caries In Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Tiba Abed Maarij Al-Ogaidi, Shaymaa Ismael Kadhim Al-Juboori

Baghdad Science Journal

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are particularly susceptible to frequent and uncontrolled dental caries. Streptococcus mutans, a main cause of dental caries, impacts millions each year and presents significant oral health challenges. Although extensively studied, the bacterium's pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, underscoring the need for further research. This study aimed to isolate and analyze the molecular characteristics of Streptococcus mutans in patients with type 2 diabetes. It explored the bacterium's capacity to infect, survive, and endure acidic oral environments. Samples were taken from 50 individuals with both type 2 diabetes and dental caries, 50 with dental plaque, and 20 …

Maternal Genetic Structure Of Iraqi Faili Kurds Revealed Using Whole Mitochondrial Genome Sequencing, Mayyadah Khalid Ibrahim, Suhaili Abu Bakar, Cheah Yoke Kqueen, Majeed Arsheed Sabbah

Baghdad Science Journal

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a commonly utilized genetic marker in determining maternal ancestry because of the hypervariable regions in it, as well as haplogroups, which enable scientists to establish ancestral links among populations. This research involved the analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of 100 Faili Kurd women in different cities in Iraq using the Illumina system. The most common haplogroups were HV14 (53%), H14a (16%), M37e2 (16%), and HV2a1*1 (15%). The pair-wise AMOVA-FST analysis in terms of population revealed that there were various levels of genetic differentiation between Faili Kurds and other populations in Iraq, Iran, and surrounding areas. …

Isolation And Identification Of Airborne Bacteria Within The University Of Baghdad Campus, Iraq By Using 16s Rrna Gene Technique, Shahad Emad Muheisen, Israa Mohsin Jasim, Fouad K. Mashee Al-Ramahi

Baghdad Science Journal

This study aimed to identify and classify airborne bacteria in outdoor air within the campus of the University of Baghdad, Iraq, using the passive sampling technique. Air samples were collected from ten sites and analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique. The results revealed significant seasonal differences in both microbial and particulate matter concentrations. Bacterial concentrations were considerably higher during the wet season, with 3238.6 CFU/m³ compared to the dry season, with 1872.6 CFU/m³. PM2.5 levels averaged 47.58 μg/m³ in the wet season and declined to 11.33 μg/m³ in the dry season, while PM10 …

Cultivating Curiosity Across Academic Audiences: Biology And Evidence-Based Science Communication, Nathan D. Forbes

Whittier Scholars Program

Effective Science Communicators must speak to a variety of audiences, with varying quantities of prior interest and qualities of background knowledge. The purpose of this paper was to engage differing audiences in scientific learning. This was done through a hypothetical newsletter made up for four different segments exploring a variety of topics in biology. Each segment intends to speak to a different audience with a different level of interest and/or educational level. Simplifying or analogizing without sacrificing the statistical basis of this project was of paramount importance. In the two segments targeted towards younger audiences, the primary focus was on …

Tree Resin Effects On Environmental Microbial Growth In Tetramorium Ant Colonies, Abigail Peralta, Emma Crisman

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Wheel-Running As A Window Into The Pten-Ko Neurological Clock, Jake Antosca, Campbell Bridges, Elizabeth Burke, Chris Sama

Biology Student Scholarship

The phosphatase and tensin homolog protein (PTEN) is a critical regulator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which governs cellular growth and metabolic balance. Mutations in the PTEN gene are strongly linked to macrocephaly and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in humans. While PTEN deficiency is known to cause neuronal hypertrophy and metabolic stress, its impact on the< endogenous circadian clock, the internal timing system that regulates daily physiological cycles, remains poorly understood. Proper circadian function is vital for metabolic homeostasis, which may be dysregulated in PTEN-deficient models.

In this poster, we compare PTEN conditional knockout mice with CRE controls to test whether PTEN-related cerebellar dysfunction alters entrainment to a light-dark cycle, free-running period in constant conditions, and food-anticipatory activity in age-matched animals between approximately 130 and …

Life Line Spring 2026, Jonathan Atwood

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

In This Issue:

Greetings and Farewell: Part Deux; Signs for Trees; Passing of Dr. Mary Gahbauer: a Beloved Friend and Colleague; Dr. Lisa Marr Retires; The Department Welcomes Dr. Ann Feke; Dr. Kevin Svitana Retires; Ms. Donna Rhodeback Retires; Tucker Adds Swan Specimen to Otterbein's Collection; An UnbeLEAFable Year for the Otterbein Chapter of Botanical Society of America; Field Geology Course Visits Death Valley and Beyond; Agar Art: An Unexpected Canvas; Dr. Kevin Svitana Wins the Anderson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Groundwater Research; Introducing Opi: A New Face for Zoo and Conservation Ambassador Work; Michael Hoggarth, Professor Emeritus, Wins …

Wooster Magazine: Spring 2026, Caitlin Paynich Stanowick

Wooster Magazine: 2021-2030

The spring 2026 issue of Wooster magazine showcases the enduring value of a liberal arts education in moments of change. Alumni Bill Colvin ’79, Scott Bloom ’94, and Hannah Samuell ’09 share how their Wooster education prepared them to navigate unexpected career paths and professional pivots. Additional features examine the College’s approach to artificial intelligence with an emphasis on learning and ethics, revisit a historic campus debate over teaching evolutionary theory and evidence-based scholarship, and there’s also a Q&A with President Anne McCall on the role of academic freedom in society. Oak Grove features “Why I Play” with baseball infielder …

Biol 454: Developmental Biology (Syllabus), Travis Bailey Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This syllabus was developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Travis Bailey in the spring 2026 semester.

Learning Outcomes-Students will:

• Understand the methods scientist use to explore the genetic, cellular, and tissue control of development.
• Compare and contrast developmental strategies of model organisms.
• Read primary literature critically and explain strengths and weaknesses.
• Test hypotheses with self-designed experimentation, measurement and data collection, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical analysis.
• Relate discoveries from model animals to human conditions.
• Communicate findings orally and in writing.
• Integrate multiple bodies of knowledge with their personal experience by asking meaningful questions about real-world problems
• Apply skills, theories, …

Muscle Transplants: Science Fiction Or Modern Medicine?, Erastus Evans, Mason Kephart, Benjamin Long, Jake Sorensen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

The loss of skeletal muscle from trauma or surgery results in limited regeneration and long-term dysfunction. Muscle transplants replenish lost cellular and structural tissue to improve healing and recovery of strength. Juvenile tissue offers a promising alternative to adult tissue due to the increased satellite cell and myofiber content.

Modern Dna Detection Via Traditional Methods: Conforming Algal Species In Soran Independent Administration, Kurdistan Region Of Iraq, Balkes Haje Rasul, Farhad Hassan Aziz, Janan Jabbar Toma

Baghdad Science Journal

This investigation was conducted on five genetically identified algal species at five sites in the Soran administration, with sampling monthly from March 2024 to January 2025. Accurate species identification is essential for understanding biodiversity, assessing ecosystems, and managing water quality. Traditional morphological identification is standard practice for algal characterization, but these methods are time-consuming and error-prone, especially when dealing with similar-looking species or mixed populations. Modern DNA detection methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA barcoding, improve specificity and sensitivity. This study compares the effectiveness of DNA detection methods with traditional morphological techniques to confirm the presence of five …

Diversity Of Sporous Plants (Bryophyta And Pteridophyta) And Lichens In The Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve Area, West Java, Yusuf Ibrahim, Gurnita Gurnita, Elfina Karima, Iwan Setia Kurniawan

Baghdad Science Journal

The study aims to determine the diversity of terrestrial fern species (pteridophyta) and mosses (bryophyta) in the Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve, West Java. The method used in this study is a qualitative description of the design of the transmission belt. Collected samples were conducted with a purposive sampling method. A lengthy transect line extends approximately 110 meters and comprises up to six quadrants, each measuring 10 by10 meters. The research identified eight types of terrestrial fern, including two in three orders and six families; seven species have been identified with a total of 437 individuals in the form of moss …

Nano Zinc As A Source To Stimulate Calendula Officinalis Callus To Produce The Active Triterpenoid Glycoside, Abdulwadood S.M. Alsoufi, Suha Maher Abed, Sara Q. Suliaman, Anna Szakiel

Baghdad Science Journal

Plants can synthesize a large number of different active compounds and ingredients, which can be influenced under stress conditions. The plant in vitro culture technique is considered a suitable and useful method to propagate and protect the medicinal and herbal plants, and to extract active natural compounds. The main target of this work was to obtain callus of Calendula officinalis explants stimulated by Nano zinc, and then to extract the natural glycosides from callus in vitro culture and apply them against certain bacterial and fungal isolates. The explant of C. officinalis was grown on media containing a mix of hormones, …