Digital Commons Network^™

A Trio Of Sigma Factors Control Hormogonium Development In Nostoc Punctiforme, Alfonso Gonzalez Jr.

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis, and for many species, nitrogen fixation, giving cyanobacteria an important role in global carbon and nitrogen cycles. Furthermore, multicellular filamentous cyanobacteria are developmentally complex, capable of differentiation into different cell types, including cells capable of nitrogen fixation and cells for motility, making them an ideal platform for studying development, as well as for practical use in biotechnology. Understanding how developmental programmes are activated require an understanding of the role of alternative sigma factors, which are required for transcriptional activation in bacteria. In order to investigate the gene regulatory network and to determine the …

Learning Human Anatomy Using Ara Mobile Application, Samia Loucif, Murad Al-Rajab, Reem Salem, Abdullah Hesham, Doaa Mahely, Mhd Alaa Ajlouni

All Works

© 2019 University of Bahrain. All rights reserved. Smartphones with mobile applications have become part of everyday life, as they transformed the ways people manage their tasks. Many fields and sectors are using mobile applications to facilitate their services. Education is an important field that can utilize the various features of mobile applications to assist students and educators. Students are learning several subjects and concepts in schools, including biology. With traditional teaching methods, students may face difficulties in grasping knowledge about human anatomy. This can affect the teaching effectiveness, students' learning process, their engagement in class, and their academic performance. …

Amplification Dynamics Of Platy-1 Retrotransposons In The Cebidae Platyrrhine Lineage, J. M. Storer, J. R. Mierl, S. A. Brantley, B. Threeton, Y. Sukharutski, L. C. Rewerts, C. P. St. Romain, M. M. Foreman, J. N. Baker, J. A. Walker, J. D. Orkin, A. D. Melin, Kimberley A. Phillips, M. K. Konkel, M. A. Batzer

Psychology Faculty Research

Platy-1 elements are Platyrrhine-specific, short interspersed elements (SINEs) originally discovered in the Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset) genome. To date, only the marmoset genome has been analyzed for Platy-1 repeat content. Here, we report full-length Platy-1 insertions in other New World monkey (NWM) genomes (Saimiri boliviensis, squirrel monkey; Cebus imitator, capuchin monkey; and Aotus nancymaae, owl monkey) and analyze the amplification dynamics of lineage-specific Platy-1 insertions. A relatively small number of full-length and lineage-specific Platy-1 elements were found in the squirrel, capuchin, and owl monkey genomes compared to the marmoset genome. In addition, only a few older …

The Impact Of Undergraduate Research Experiences On The Development Of Biology Students’ Domain Knowledge, Domain Interest, And Career Aspirations, Amy Haddock Keagy

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Federal and state agencies in the United States have pressured institutions in higher education to increase the number of graduates in STEM disciplines and supply an educated workforce for the increasing shortages in the STEM economy. Undergraduate research experience is one potential mechanism for supporting retention and student success within STEM disciplines. Most evaluations of the impact of undergraduate research to this point have been qualitative research studies. The purpose of this study was to use a quantitative model to examine domain knowledge, domain interest, and career aspirations in undergraduate biology majors and how participation in research experiences may impact …

Bovine Mammary Gland Biopsy Techniques, Veridiana L. Daley, Charles Dye, Sophie H. Bogers, R. Michael Akers, Francisco C. Rodriguez, John P. Cant, John Doelman, Peter Yoder, Karan Kumar, Dane Webster, Mark D. Hanigan

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Bovine mammary gland biopsies allow researchers to collect tissue samples to study cell biology including gene expression, histological analysis, signaling pathways, and protein translation. This article describes two techniques for biopsy of the bovine mammary gland (MG). Three healthy Holstein dairy cows were the subjects. Before biopsies, cows were milked and subsequently restrained in a cattle chute. An analgesic (flunixin meglumine, 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg of body weight) was administered via jugular intravenous [IV] injection 15-20 min prior to biopsy. For standing sedation, xylazine hydrochloride (0.01-0.05 mg/kg of body weight) was injected via the coccygeal vessels 5-10 min before the …

Externality In Hegel's Philosophy Of Nature, Martin Krahn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The topic of my dissertation is the metaphysics of laws of nature in Hegel’s philosophy of nature. I argue that Hegel differentiates laws of nature from norms of culture through a concept of “externality,” according to which the universals or laws of nature stand outside of, apart from, independent from their particulars. He contrasts this with norms of culture, where the universals are internal to the particulars, such that in culture the particular events or actions shape the norms, whereas in nature, the laws remain the same through their independence from the particular events. I then address the consequences this …

Finding The Bad Actor: Challenges In Identifying Toxic Constituents In Botanical Dietary Supplements, Georgia Roberts, Dale R. Gardner, Paul Foster, Paul C. Howard, Edmund Lui, Larry Walker, Richard B. Van Breemen, Scott Auerbach, Cynthia Rider

Faculty and Student Publications (Open Access)

No abstract provided.

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals, Jamie Greenwood

Children's Book and Media Review

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals includes an introduction and four chapters, titled “Meet the Platypus,” “What Do Platypuses Look Like,” “Where Do Platypuses Live,” “Platypus Hunting Behavior,” and “The Life Cycle of Platypuses.” Each chapter opens with factual information on the chapter’s individual subject. The information is brief, to the point, easy to understand, and captivating. In each chapter the author compares a platypus with a similar animal and with a dissimilar animal. The end of the book provides a chart that lists the similar and dissimilar traits between platypuses and all the other animals with which it was previously compared.

Using Clay Models To Measure Seasonal Predation On Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders, Emma Perry

Honors Program Theses and Projects

One of the many gaps we have in our knowledge of salamanders is that of predation. Most studies suggest that salamanders are eaten mainly by birds and snakes, but there are still several unanswered questions: What other types of animals tend to prey on salamanders? Is there any difference in predator type during different times of the year? In order to answer these questions, I studied predation on one particular species of salamander, Plethodon cinereus (eastern red-backed salamander). Models of the two primary color morphs of P. cinereus (striped and unstriped) were created using impressionable clay to determine types and …

Science Comics: Sharks: Nature's Perfect Hunter, Olivia Hales

Children's Book and Media Review

Science Comics: Sharks: Nature’s Perfect Hunter is a brief yet in depth exploration of sharks with topics ranging from shark biology to behavior, evolution to biodiversity, and even folklore. The facts are woven into a story featuring a marine biologist. Sharks are helpfully compared and contrasted to each other, animals, and humans, emphasizing their stunning diversity and unique adaptations. Scientific explanations of how a shark’s body works are illustrated in great detail.

Schinus Molle: Anatomy Of Leaves And Stems, Chemical Composition And Insecticidal Activities Of Volatile Oil Against Bed Bug (Cimex Lectularius), Cms Collaboration, J. G. Acosta, S. Oliveros

Faculty and Student Publications (Open Access)

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Online Homework, Time On Homework, Gender, And Metacognition In Improving Student Achievement In Undergraduate Biology Courses, Donald Bishop Cook Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to address a gap in the literature to determine whether a relationship exists between use of online homework and student achievement in undergraduate biology courses. Previous studies have examined other STEM courses, but few have considered biology. The purpose of the study was to determine whether homework grades in online homework systems can predict student achievement in introductory undergraduate biology courses. This study utilized a correlational analysis by multiple regression using archival data to determine whether final course grades in undergraduate biology courses can be predicted by grades on online homework, time spent on online homework, gender, …

Sex Determination By Morphological Measurements Of Young Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes Chrysocome) During The Crèche Phase, Virginia Morandini, Miguel Ferrer, Lynelle Perry, Marc Bechard

Raptor Research Center Publications and Presentations

To provide an easy and reliable work tool to identify the sex of Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) chicks, we weighed and measured 95 nestlings in the crèche phase during 24-31 January 2017 on the Falkland Islands, Argentina. Sex was subsequently determined using DNA analyses of blood from the same individuals. Significant differences were found in bill length (exposed culmen), bill depth and width, flipper length, and diagonal tarsus, but stepwise discriminant analysis showed bill length to be the best predictor for sex determination. Our model correctly classified 82.7% of males and 90.2% of females (overall correct classification 86.2%). …

Midguts, Microbes, And Mosquitoes: An Analysis Of The Microbiomes Of Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus, Flor Alicia Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Experiment 1: Mosquito microbiomes are influenced by the environment and diets of mosquitoes. There is great variability within and among mosquito populations with few microbe inhabitants being well established among mosquitoes of similar species and environments. By understanding the potential variation in midgut microbiomes in lab and wild populations, we may assess the effect that microbiomes have on vector competency.

Experiment 2: Mosquito midgut microbes are essential for development and may influence the vector competency. Native and non-native strains of the midgut inhabitant, Cedecea, were introduced to laboratory colonies of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to help elucidate …

Molecular Fossils From Phytoplankton Reveal Secular Pco2 Trend Over The Phanerozoic, Caitlyn R. Witkowski, Johan W. H. Weijers, Brian S. Blais, Stefan Schouten, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté

Science and Technology Department Faculty Journal Articles

Past changes in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (PCO2) have had a major impact on earth system dynamics; yet, reconstructing secular trends of past PCO2 remains a prevalent challenge in paleoclimate studies. The current long-term PCO2reconstructions rely largely on the compilation of many different proxies, often with discrepancies among proxies, particularly for periods older than 100 million years (Ma). Here, we reconstructed Phanerozoic PCO2 from a single proxy: the stable carbon isotopic fractionation associated with photosynthesis (Ɛp) that increases as PCO2 increases. This concept has been widely applied to alkenones, but here, we …

Ms In Cytopathology, Joanna Burkhardt

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Microbiomes, Biofilms And Bacterial Communities Cmb 420x, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Gwu Undergraduate Research Scholar Studies Mushroom And Fungus Species Along Broad River, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

As a hunter and fisherman, Luke Gazak ’18 respects the environment. The Holly Springs, N.C., native’s love for the outdoors and observing plants and animals led him to pursue a biology degree at Gardner-Webb University. In the future, he’d like to teach in a university setting, sharing his knowledge with students and conducting research that encourages environmental responsibility.

Communicating Science Through Data Visualization Bio 230g, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Techniques In Medicinal Chemistry And Molecular Biology Bps 451, Joanna Burkhardt

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Environmental Health And Saafety For Scientists Bps 357x, Joanna Burkhardt

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Epigenetic Regulation Of Two X-Linked, Autism Candidate Genes: X-Linked Lymphocyte Regulated 3b And Transketolase-Like 1, Glenn W. Milton

Doctoral Dissertations

According to the CDC the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in males compared to females is approximately 5:1. Skuse et al. hypothesized that imprinted genes on the X chromosome could account for this sex bias. Genomic imprinting is defined as differential gene expression dependent upon the parental origin of the allele. While genomic imprinting on autosomes has been well classified, no imprinting mechanism on the sex chromosomes has been discovered. This work presents an investigation into the regulation of expression governing the imprinted locus of X-Linked Lymphocyte Regulated 3b/4b/4c (Xlr3/4), and closely linked ASD candidate gene, Transketolase-Like …

Assessing The Impacts Of Library Instruction Sessions On Knowledge Acquisition And Retention In Biology Undergraduates, Aditi Bandyopadhyay

Upstate New York Science Librarians Conference

This study assessed the effectiveness of one-shot library instruction sessions on knowledge acquisition and retention in Biology undergraduate students. In early Spring 2018 semester, the students enrolled in six sessions of Bio 112 at Adelphi University attended library instruction classes to learn about scientific literature. One-shot library instruction sessions were conducted to teach students in each section how to identify research, review and popular science magazine articles. A post-instruction test was conducted in late April and early May, 2018, to determine whether the students retained information from library instruction classes. The responses from both pre- and post-instruction sessions were compared …

Seminar In Biological Sciences Bio 266x, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Evolution On Laboratory Sublines Of Myxococcus Xanthus Dk1622, Mackenzie Ryan, Francesca Scribano, Kimberly Murphy

Celebration of Learning

Microbes have served as effective models for studying evolution because of their ability to be easily replicated, stored, and manipulated. Myxococcus xanthus is a soil bacterium that has served as a model organism in many laboratories. The unique social and motile behaviors exhibited by this bacterium make it ideal for phenotypic assays. A wild-type strain of M. xanthus, DK1622, has been distributed to laboratories across the United States and therefore we now have DK1622 sublines. The genomes of a number of these sublines have been sequenced and their social and motile phenotypes have been analyzed. When nine of these sublines …

Candy Dna Activity, Michelle Valkanas

Outreach Materials

This activity introduces participants to DNA by building strands of DNA using gummy bears as nucleotide bases and Twizzlers as the sugar-phosphate backbone.

Density Rainbows, Michelle Valkanas

Outreach Materials

Density Rainbows is a hands-on activity that allows participants to explore density. Using household liquids (e.g.honey, dish soap, oil, etc.), participants layer a container with liquids from most dense to least dense. For an added layer of fun, participants can drop different solid items into the rainbow to see where they stop (i.e. how their density compares).

Lifelines Fall 2018, Southern Adventist University

Lifelines - Biology Department Newsletter

The Fall 2018 issue of Lifelines features articles on the pre-medical academic summer camp, task force work at Madison Academy, an alumni spotlight, the new Nature and Revelation podcast, and the arrival of MCAT test prep.

Illuminating Endocrine Evolution: The Power And Potential Of Large-Scale Comparative Analyses, Maren N. Vitousek, Michele A. Johnson, Jerry F. Husak

Biology Faculty Research

Hormones are central mediators of genotype–phenotype and organism–environment interactions. Despite these important functions, the role of selection in shaping hormonal mediators of phenotype remains poorly understood. Thanks to decades of work by endocrinologists, circulating hormone levels have been measured in a diversity of organisms. Variation in other endocrine traits and mediators (e.g., receptor expression and binding globulins), and the hormonal response to standardized challenges (e.g., restraint, pharmacological challenges) are also increasingly measured in both captive and free-living populations. Large-scale comparative analyses of the multitude of available endocrine data represent a particularly promising approach to addressing the function and evolution of …

Principles Of Biology I & Ii (Ghc), Kimberly Subacz, Jacqueline Belwood, Karin Bennedsen, Lisa Branson, Tom Harnden, Sharryse Henderson, Mark Knauss

Biological Sciences Grants Collections

This Grants Collection for Principles of Biology I & II was created under a Round Eleven ALG Textbook Transformation Grant.

Affordable Learning Georgia Grants Collections are intended to provide faculty with the frameworks to quickly implement or revise the same materials as a Textbook Transformation Grants team, along with the aims and lessons learned from project teams during the implementation process.

Documents are in .pdf format, with a separate .docx (Word) version available for download. Each collection contains the following materials:

• Linked Syllabus
• Initial Proposal
• Final Report