Digital Commons Network^™

Sampling Techniques For Research And Management Of Cichlid Species In Lentic Systems, Jason Matthew Bies

Theses and Dissertations

Introduced cichlid species are increasingly more common in tropical freshwater systems and expanding in range, often with negative consequences to receiving systems. To better understand, monitor, and manage these populations, improved cichlid sampling protocols are required. The goal of this study was to (1) evaluate diel electrofishing and gill netting sampling catch efficiency, and (2) compare two non-lethal methods for extracting stomach contents from Butterfly Peacock Bass Cichla ocellaris. This study suggests that electrofishing, particularly at night, may be a more appropriate gear for sampling cichlid species in the littoral zone of reservoirs, as gill nets were more time intensive, …

Complete Genome Sequence Of A Colistin-Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli Sequence Type 131 Fimh22 Strain Harboring Mcr-1 On An Inchi2 Plasmid, Isolated In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Majed F. Alghoribi, Michel Doumith, Mathew Upton, Johani Sm Al, Maha Alzayer, Neil Woodford, Matthew J. Ellington, Hanan H. Balkhy

School of Biomedical Sciences

ABSTRACT We report the complete genome sequence of a colistin-resistant strain of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, isolated in January 2013 at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The isolate (named SA186) was sequence type 131 (ST131) and belonged to serotype O25b-H4 and clade B (fimH22).

Med12 Mutations Promote Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Through Hyperactivated Gli3/Shh Signalling, Soundharrya Muthukumar

Theses & Dissertations

When cells of the prostate gland start growing uncontrollably, it results in cancer due to genetic aberrations. The development and progression of prostate cancer depend on androgenic stimulation. Although prostate cancer is temporarily treated by depriving a tumor of androgen, the patient relapses getting a castration-resistant form of the disease called castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). CRPC can specifically develop through crosstalk of androgen receptor signalling pathways. One such pathway that is of specific interest in this paper is the MED12 regulated SHH signalling pathway. The mediator is a signal processor that helps in the transduction of gene-specific transcription factors to …

A New Prenylated Isoflavonoid From Limonium Leptophyllum, Asset Dizamatova, Kamila Zhumanova, Galiya E. Zhusupova, Aizhan I. Zhussupova, Radhakrishnan Srivedavyasasri, Mohamed A. Ibrahim, Samir A. Ross

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2019. Purpose: Cannabidiol (CBD), active component of plant Cannabis sativa, has anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially help treat diabetic retinopathy-induced pain and inflammation. However, CBD is a lipophilic molecule making its topical delivery to back of the eye challenging. This study aims at improving ocular penetration of CBD by means of analog derivatization. Methods: Analogs were designed using various ligands, such as amino acids (AAs) and dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and their combinations. Select analogs were screened in vitro with respect to their stability in ocular tissue homogenates. Based on in vitro stability, analogs …

A Gradient Of Pollination Specialization In Three Species Of Bolivian Centropogon, Laura Lagomarsino, Nathan Muchhala

Biology Department Faculty Works

PremiseClosely related plant species with overlapping ranges often experience competition for pollination services. Such competition can select for divergence in floral traits that attract pollinators or determine pollen placement. While most species in Centropogon(Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae) have flowers that suggest adaptation to bat or hummingbird pollination, actual pollinators are rarely documented, and a few species have a mix of traits from both pollination syndromes. We studied the pollination biology of a “mixed‐syndrome” species and its co‐occurring congeners to examine the relationship between floral traits and visitation patterns for Centropogon.Methods Fieldwork at two sites in Bolivian cloud forests involved filming floral visitors, …

Mathematical Model Investigating The Effects Of Neurostimulation Therapies On Neural Functioning: Comparing The Effects Of Neuromodulation Techniques On Ion Channel Gating And Ionic Flux Using Finite Element Analysis, Kaia Lindberg

Mathematics Theses

Neurostimulation therapies demonstrate success as a medical intervention for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Despite promising results from these treatments, the influence of an electric current on ion concentrations and subsequent transmembrane voltage is unclear. This project focuses on developing a unique cellular-level mathematical model of neurostimulation to better understand its e↵ects on neuronal electrodynamics. The mathematical model presented here integrates the Poisson-Nernst-Planck system of PDEs and Hodgkin-Huxley based ODEs to model the e↵ects of this neurotherapy on transmembrane voltage, ion channel gating, and ionic mobility. This system is decoupled using the Gauss-Seidel method and …

A Gradient Of Pollination Specialization In Three Species Of Bolivian Centropogon, Laura P. Lagomarsino, Nathan Muchhala

Faculty Publications

© 2019 Botanical Society of America Premise: Closely related plant species with overlapping ranges often experience competition for pollination services. Such competition can select for divergence in floral traits that attract pollinators or determine pollen placement. While most species in Centropogon (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae) have flowers that suggest adaptation to bat or hummingbird pollination, actual pollinators are rarely documented, and a few species have a mix of traits from both pollination syndromes. We studied the pollination biology of a “mixed-syndrome” species and its co-occurring congeners to examine the relationship between floral traits and visitation patterns for Centropogon. Methods: Fieldwork at two …

Saturated Hydrocarbon Analysis Of Liberty State Park Soils, Matthew Chi-Hymn Cheung

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Contaminated soils have been a concern in New Jersey since the Industrial Revolution (Gallagher, 2008). One site in particular has a variety of contaminants and is near the coast of Jersey City in Liberty State Park. Liberty State Park has been impacted by three significant changes. It was first a wetland in the 1600s, then became a New York dump site, and finally a railyard for the Central Railroad of New Jersey (Stanislaw, 2013). The whole land mass has mixed contaminants, including trace elements, heavy metals, organic wastes, and organic compounds. Currently, most of the state park has been dredged …

Ecometric Estimation Of Present And Past Climate Of North America Using Crown Heights Of Rodents And Lagomorphs: With Application To The Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum, Julia Schap

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Continental scale studies on ungulate crown heights in relation to climate and habitat changes have revealed a correlation between increasing hypsodonty and a shift to more arid environments. Small mammals have been shown to adapt to changing habitats millions of years earlier than larger mammals. In this study I examined fossil localities throughout the last 37 Ma across North America. Diversity of rodents and lagomorphs were analyzed through this time period, with examination of community structure characterized by relative percentages of taxa with different crown heights. Overall, a decrease in precipitation and temperature was found across North America from 37 …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of 1,2,4-Oxadiazolidinones: The Search For A Potential Non-Β-Lactam Β-Lactamase Inhibitors., Chimdi Eke Kalu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

β-lactam antibiotics have been the most widely used drug of choice to combat infectious disease caused by bacteria. Unfortunately, their effectiveness is drastically threatened by bacterial β-lactamases. β-lactamases is responsible for the resistance to most antibiotic drugs. For decades, β-lactam β-lactamases inhibitors have been used to reduce bacterial resistance; however, in this study 1,2,4-oxadiazolidinone derivatives as a non-β-lactam β-lactamases inhibitor against TEM-1 and P99 β-lactamases. The significance of oxadiazolidinone is the prominent five-membered ring scaffold in its structure, which is configurationally stable and present in other biologically active compounds such as linezolid and avibactam. Oxadiazolidinones were synthesized by treating nitrones …

Umsl Magazine - Spring 2019, University Of Missouri-St. Louis

UMSL Magazine and other UMSL Magazines

The University of Missouri–St. Louis publishes UMSL Magazine for alumni and friends. The magazine highlights excellence at the university. Circulation is 105,000, and the magazine is released twice a year.

Miami-Dade Task Force: A Content Analysis Of How Coastal Communities View Sea Level Rise As A Threat, Francisco Alvaro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sea level rise (SLR) has become a serious threat for coastal communities in recent years. Many communities, including South Florida, are already having the security of their daily lives impacted as climate change causes SLR and other environmental impacts to worsen. This study reviews the Miami-Dade Sea Level Rise Task Force Report to determine how this coastal county government views SLR as a threat. Using mixed content analysis to analyze the report qualitatively and quantitatively, the Task Force's recommendations are categorized based on their focus on security, infrastructure, economics, and the environment. One finds the concerns of the people to …

Isolation, Analysis, And Partial Characterization Of An Inhibitor Of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Natania Paul

Undergraduate Honors Theses

There is an emerging threat of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains that are resistant to all antibiotics. Because of this, the purpose of this research is to isolate, analyze, and partially characterize a new inhibitor(s) of N. gonorrhoeae. Since there is an unknown molecule secreted by Candida albicans that inhibits N. gonorrhoeae, this molecule can be partially characterized using ¹H NMR Spectroscopy to assist in the development of a new antibiotic compound. It was hypothesized that quorum-sensing molecules, trans, trans- farnesol, tyrosol, phenylethyl alcohol, and tryptophol, could be possible candidates for the inhibitor. Because of this, ¹H …

Engineering The Rod Of Asclepius – A Biochemical Investigation Of Snake Venom Components And Their Application As Potential Cancer Treatments, Noel Pena

Senior Honors Theses

In the wild, venom is crucial to many snakes’ success as predators. While antivenin research focuses on combatting venoms’ abilities to disrupt physiological processes, new studies are attempting to manipulate these same abilities into anticancer therapies. Given the diversity of neurotoxins, hemotoxins, cytotoxins, and others, every new discovery and development within snake venom research adds to the knowledge base and broadens applicational opportunities. Cancer-related venom research isolates various components, manipulates their interaction with target cancer cell lines, and evaluates how their natural biochemical activity counteracts mechanisms that are integral to tumor development. Several more promising components, namely disintegrins, lectins, oxidases, …

Age-Related Tick Infestation Patterns In Springtime Migratory Passerines, Matthew Dunning

Honors Theses

To test the hypothesis that younger migrants are more prone to arrive at stopover sites on the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico with ticks than adult migrants, 2177 migratory passerines were screened for ticks at Gulf Coast sites in Texas and Louisiana. Fifty eight (2.7%) were infested with ticks with 28 (1.3%) being young birds and 30 (1.4%) being adult birds. The body condition of the birds was assessed to determine if tick infestation had negative consequences and if the severity of consequences varied between ages. I found no relationship of age with the prevalence of a tick …

All For One And One For All: The Emergent Intelligence Of Ant Colonies, Kristen Pitts

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

Design And Synthesis Of 5-Oxo-Ete Receptor Antagonists; And Synthesis Of Neuroprostanes As A Biomarker For The Diagnosis Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Rui Wang

Theses and Dissertations

1) 5-Oxo-ETE (7, Scheme 1) is the most potent eosinophil chemoattractant among all lipid mediators and it can also stimulate a late-phase asthma attack. It is formed by the biotransformation of arachidonic acid (AA, 1, Figure 1). 5-Oxo-ETE (7) elicits eosinophil migration both in vitro and in vivo when injected intradermally in humans, acting via the highly selective OXE receptor (OXE-R). Our group postulated that a selective OXE-R antagonist might be a useful therapeutic agent in late phase asthma. As a result, the first and only series of OXE receptor antagonists which are structural mimics of 5-oxo-ETE (7) have been …

Investigations And Analysis Of Dynamical And Steady State Properties Of Chemical Reaction Systems, Diego Ortega Hernandez

Master's Theses

In this paper, we investigate results from chemical reaction network theory and a list of techniques to test for the reaction-coordinates dynamical system to have a partial order induced by a positive orthant cone. A successful result from one of these tests guarantees mono-stationarity (and indeed convergence). We also investigate a recently published algorithmic and computational approach to determine whether a reaction network establishes mono- or multi-stationarity. We test new reactions that have not been previously introduced in the literature for mono- or multi-stationarity using this approach. This includes the two-site phosphorylation reaction network and a modified double phosphorylation reaction …

Genomic Signatures Of Extensive Inbreeding In Isle Royale Wolves, A Population On The Threshold Of Extinction, Jacqueline A. Robinson, Jannikke Raikkonen, Leah Vucetich, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, Kirk Lohmueller, Robert Wayne

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The observation that small isolated populations often suffer reduced fitness from inbreeding depression has guided conservation theory and practice for decades. However, investigating the genome-wide dynamics associated with inbreeding depression in natural populations is only now feasible with relatively inexpensive sequencing technology and annotated reference genomes. To characterize the genome-wide effects of intense inbreeding and isolation, we performed whole-genome sequencing and morphological analysis of an iconic inbred population, the gray wolves (Canis lupus) of Isle Royale. Through population genetic simulations and comparison with wolf genomes from a variety of demographic histories, we find evidence that severe inbreeding depression …

Synthetic Methods And Biological Applications Of Nitrogen Heterocycles To Compounds Of Biological Interest., Jarrid Ronnebaum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thalidomide analogues were synthesized utilizing optimized click conditions from 3-azidoglutarimide and an array of arylacetylenes or N-ethynyl/N-propargyl phthalimide derivatives. The intermediate, 3-azidoglutarimde, was pivotal and yielded a new and scalable synthesis. The reaction conditions utilized a copper sulfate/sodium ascorbate system in aqueous tetrahydrofuran to propagate the dipolar cycloaddition reactions between the azidoglutarimide and the alkynyl coupling partners. The first explored substrates were substituted arylalkynes to optimize the click reaction. Arylalkynes selected were to exhibit similar electron deficient rings to mimic phthalimide. Along with the synthesis of click thalidomide analogues, click analogue of the antiangiogenic and more potent …

2c Patent Law Session. Second Medical Use/Plausibility, John Richards, Robert Burrows, Klaus Grabinski, Lennie Hoffmann, Takeshi Maeda, John Pegram, Laura Whiting, Kevin J. Mcgough

27th Annual Intellectual Property Law & Policy Conference (2019)

No abstract provided.

Taxonomy And The History Of Science: A Critical Analysis Of Four Historic Publications, Christopher M. Rogers

KSU Journey Honors College Capstones and Theses

The history of taxonomy is not usually taught in modern biology classes, but it is necessary to understand the history of classification and science as a whole in order to better understand the processes of classification and thinking that are commonly taught at the college level. Through the exploration of the difficulties of publishing, Linnaeus' Species Plantarum, and three pre-Linnaean works from Pliny the Elder, Nehemiah Grew, and Rembert Dodoens, I have found that the history of the sciences has been largely distorted. The distortion appears to be of many factors, including the replacement of ideas, censorship from scholarly …

Artificial Intelligence In The Context Of Human Consciousness, Hannah Defries

Senior Honors Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be defined as the ability of a machine to learn and make decisions based on acquired information. AI’s development has incited rampant public speculation regarding the singularity theory: a futuristic phase in which intelligent machines are capable of creating increasingly intelligent systems. Its implications, combined with the close relationship between humanity and their machines, make achieving understanding both natural and artificial intelligence imperative. Researchers are continuing to discover natural processes responsible for essential human skills like decision-making, understanding language, and performing multiple processes simultaneously. Artificial intelligence attempts to simulate these functions through techniques like artificial neural …

Characterizing The Role Of The Actin-Binding Protein, Tmd-1/Tropomodulin In C. Elegans Excretory Cell Morphogenesis, Samantha Smith

Proceedings of GREAT Day

Tropomodulins are proteins widely expressed in all complex animals that help to regulate the shape of cells by modifying the cytoskeletal filament actin. C. elegans worms lacking the tropomodulin TMD-1 show defects in development of the excretory cell, which acts as a kidney for the worm. The excretory cell extends four canals out from the cell body so that the entire cell looks like a great letter H stretching the length of the worm. In tmd-1 mutants, canals extend partially or not at all, and develop a dramatic crinkled appearance. The mechanism for this interference is unknown; however several possibilities …

Application Of The Picoloyl Group In Carbohydrate Chemistry, Michael Mannino

Dissertations

Stereocontrol of glycosylation reactions is a constant struggle in the field of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry. The application of the picoloyl (Pico) substituent can offer numerous stereocontrolling avenues. The most popular application is the Hydrogen-bond-mediated Aglycone Delivery (HAD) method that provides excellent selectivity in the glycosylation of a variety of sugar substrates. The HAD method relies on the formation of an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the nitrogen atom of the Pico substituent on the glycosyl donor with the hydroxyl group of the glycosyl acceptor. This interaction provides a facial preference for the nucleophilic attack and hence provides powerful stereocontrol for the …

The Potential Of Marine Microbes, Flora And Fauna In Drug Discovery, Santana Alexa Lavonia Thomas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Natural products are chemical compounds synthesized by a living organism. These compounds have been utilized by humans from ancient times to the present for their pharmacological and biological activities. Terrestrial organisms are considered a lucrative source of bioactive compounds and chemical diversity. Within the past 60 years, the marine environment has presented its potential as a validated source for structural diversity and biologically active compounds. Technology has given access from shallow waters down to the abyssal plane for exploration and investigation of the inhabitants. Marine organisms have displayed their benefits in the pharmaceutical industry with the approval of several marine-derived …

High-Performance Reductive Strategies For Big Data From Lc-Ms/Ms Proteomics, Muaaz Gul Awan

Dissertations

Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics utilizes high performance liquid chromatography in tandem with high-throughput mass spectrometers. These experiments can produce MS data sets with astonishing speed and volume that can easily reach peta-scale level, creating storage and computational problems for large-scale systems biology studies. Each spectrum output by a mass spectrometer may consist of thousands of peaks, which must all be processed to deduce the corresponding peptide. However, only a small percentage of peaks in a spectrum are useful for further processing, as most of the peaks are either noise or are not useful. Our experiments have shown that 90 to …

Relative Importance Of Ions And Particles In Silver Nanoparticle Uptake And Accumulation In Keystone Estuarine Organisms; Prorocentrum Minimum And Crassostrea Virginica, Shelby Victoria Butz

Theses and Dissertations

In marine systems, silver is regarded as being one of the most toxic and readily accumulated metals, and is known to be taken up and accumulate within marine invertebrates, fish, phytoplankton and seaweeds. Reported open ocean concentrations of silver range from 0.1 – 2 ng L-1 while silver concentrations in coastal waters are typically 5 to 10 times higher than open ocean values (0.1 - 50 ng L-1). The determination of silver in marine and coastal waters presents several challenges including low concentrations and matrix complexity of seawater, which creates interferences and other challenges for many instrumental techniques creating a …

Structural Studies Of Dna Repeats Implicated In Cancer, Deondre Jordan , '19

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

DNA replication is an essential process for the survival of all organisms. Errors can occur during the process that leads to replication stress, which can promote genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer. The Brown lab conducted a genome wide study to identify sites and sequences linked to replication stress. Tandem DNA repeats comprised the sequences identified in this study. One particular DNA repeat (CAGAGG)ₙ stood out due to being highly associated with replication stress. Repeats such as (CAGAGG)ₙ are believed to fold into fold into intramolecular structures that physically block DNA polymerase during replication. Understanding the structures of these problematic …

Comparison Of Mini-Spectrophotometer And Conventional Spectrophotometers Efficiency For Determination Of Protein And Albumin, Natpasit Chaianantakul, Kanchaporn Wutthi, Nattanit Kamput, Tippawan Sungkapong, Nuttawan Pramanpol, Watcharapon Pummara

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: Since conventional spectrophotometer is typical large, complex, expensive, and not suitable of infield analysis, therefore a recent portable Mini-spectrophotometer with light emitting diode (LED) light source and microwell has been developed. This prototype has basic principle assay as a conventional spectrophotometer. However, there is no validation study for this prototype. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the efficiency of Mini-spectrophotometer and conventional spectrophotometers for detection of protein and albumin.

Method: The efficiency evaluation included Within-run, Between-run, and %Recovery. Comparison study was performed by comparing with Shimadzu and CECIL spectrophotometer.

Result: For protein determination, Within-run precision was …