Digital Commons Network^™

Functional And Comparative Genomics Of The C.Sojina- Soybean Interaction, Alejandra Maria Vargas Oyuela

LSU Master's Theses

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS), caused by Cercospora sojina, is a significant foliar disease of soybean (Glycine max) and is responsible for substantial yield losses worldwide. While management strategies rely on host resistance and fungicide applications, the emergence of new virulent races and fungicide-resistant isolates necessitates a deeper understanding of C. sojina host interactions and genomic variability. Here, we employed comparative and functional genomic approaches to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying the C. sojina-soybean interaction. A dual RNA sequencing approach was used to identify transcriptomic changes in G. max cultivars Blackhawk (susceptible) and Davis (resistant) across multiple …

162 - Examining The Involvement Of P27 And P57 In Clobetasol Induced Quiescence In The Vulvar Cancer Cell Line, Umscv-4., Claudia Marsello

GREAT Day Posters

Quiescence is a reversible cellular state where a cell exits the cell cycle and ceases replication in response to stress. Cells can re-enter the cycle once the stress is alleviated. Emerging evidence suggests that cells in a quiescent state may contribute to the long-term dormancy of cancer cells. Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a rare form of female genital cancer, and while its treatment and diagnosis remain poorly understood, ultrapotent topical corticosteroids like clobetasol are commonly used to treat vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS), a skin condition that can precede vulvar cancer development. Our studies show that a subpopulation of …

179 - Chromosome Assembly Factor 1b In Zebrafish Retinal Development, Stephen Welsch, Dan Coffee, Zachary Gilly, Thadar Noe, Olivia Gibeault

GREAT Day Posters

Zebrafish possess the ability to regenerate body parts such as the heart, fins, pancreas, brain, spinal cord, kidneys, and retina. When zebrafish retinal damage occurs, Müller glia divide and create neuronal precursor cells, which go on to become replacement retinal neurons. This allows zebrafish to recover from retinal damage. However, mutant zebrafish cannot fully develop and regenerate retinal cells. In particular, the good effort (gef) mutant allele of the chaf1b gene is characterized by a period of normal development, followed by cell death in highly proliferative developing tissues, including the retina, brain, and pectoral fins. The gef mutant retinal cells …

181 - Investigating The Role Of Flexible Loop Mutations In Malate Dehydrogenase: Structural And Kinetic Impacts On Enzyme Catalysis, Jay Glass, Andrew Mcfadden, Harshdeep Singh

GREAT Day Posters

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) plays an essential role in metabolism by catalyzing the reversible conversion of malate to oxaloacetate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This reaction, which also generates NADH, is critical to metabolic homeostasis across species. Although the general structure and function of MDH are well-characterized, the contribution of its conserved “flexible loop” region to substrate binding and catalysis remains insufficiently understood. In this project, we investigated how point mutations within this loop affect enzymatic activity in Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) glycosomal MDH (wgMDH), a model system with a well-characterized expression protocol and sequence. We introduced four site-directed mutations—R130A, R130E, R124K, …

198 - Genetic Variation And Endosymbiont Incidence In The Introduced Ant-Mimicking Spider, Myrmarachne Formicaria, Milo Miller, Brooke Sikora, Brenna Dunn

GREAT Day Posters

We examined the genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of the ant-mimicking jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria, a spider native to Eurasia whose presence in North America has expanded over the past several decades. Non-native populations often exhibit reduced genetic diversity, so patterns in genetic diversity may help demystify their number of and source of introduction events. Prior sequence analysis of several mitochondrial genes revealed little genetic variation within M. formicaria across most European and North American populations. One of this study’s aims was to sequence two nuclear genes, 28S rRNA and Histone H3, to expand the number of genetic loci available for …

Existence Of Maximal And Minimal Weak Solutions And Dinite Difference Approximations For Elliptic Systems With Nonlinear Boundary Conditions, S. Bandyopadhyay, T. Lewis, Nsoki Mavinga

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Works

We establish the existence of maximal and minimal weak solutions between ordered pairs of weak sub- and super-solutions for a coupled system of elliptic equations with quasimonotone nonlinearities on the boundary. We also formulate a finite difference method to approximate the solutions and establish the existence of maximal and minimal approximations between ordered pairs of discrete sub- and super-solutions. Monotone iterations are formulated for constructing the maximal and minimal solutions when the nonlinearity is monotone. Numerical simulations are used to explore existence, nonexistence, uniqueness and non-uniqueness properties of positive solutions. When the nonlinearities do not satisfy the monotonicity condition, we …

Characterization Of A Drosophila Crc 3-Hit Model Using Genetic Approaches, Sydney E. Anderson

Honors Theses

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, resulting in the deaths of over 50,000 people every year (American Cancer Society, 2023). The similarities shared between mammal and Drosophila melanogaster anatomy within the intestinal tract make Drosophila a great model for studying colorectal cancer. This study will investigate tumor characteristics of a Drosophila CRC model generated by modulating three genes within the key Hippo pathway to create a 3-hit model: p53, RasV12, and APC. The gene combination in the 3-hit model closely emulates how CRC presents in humans and is therefore important to …

Step-Rate Manipulation For Improved Running Economy At A Performance, Noah Clemens

Honors Theses

The relationship between step rate (SR) and oxygen consumption (VO2) is non-linear, with an individual’s optimal SR minimizing VO2. Prior studies suggest highly trained runners do not self-select this optimal SR, though most research has focused on submaximal speeds. This study assessed whether highly trained male distance runners self-optimize SR at a performance pace. Twelve participants (22.5 ± 3.7 years) completed nine 4-minute treadmill trials at 4.96 m/s. The first trial was self-paced; remaining trials were metronome-cued (170–200 steps/min). VO2 was plotted against SR and modeled with a second-order polynomial to estimate optimal SR. Four participants were excluded due to …

021 - Inquiry-Based Dinosaur Trackway Lab For Eighth-Grade Students Focused On Identification, Diet, And Speed, Ashley Smith, Renee Dilaura

GREAT Day Posters

Imprinted dinosaur trackways from the Cretaceous provide insight into dinosaurs' movement, diet, and social behavior. This study develops a 40-minute lab for eighth-grade students to incorporate inquiry-based learning, promoting insight into the history of Earth. Using trackway data from Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas, from Google Earth Pro, students examine footprints cut to scale to collect data on dinosaur diet, speed, and behavior. Based on the provided models and background information within the attached lesson plan, students will be asked to determine that theropods had narrow, three-toed prints, while sauropods had wider, rounded impressions. Students will count that bipedal dinosaurs …

207 - Mutations In The Reverse Transcriptase And Thumb Of R2bm Proteins And Their Impact On Nucleic Acid Binding, Michaela Cawley, Jordyn Farner, Meghan Geraghty

GREAT Day Posters

Have you ever wondered what causes diseases like hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, or even cancer? The culprit may be lying in your genome: Transposable Elements (TEs) are genetic elements that replicate and move positions within a genome. Almost half of the human genome is comprised of TEs, with 17% being a specific type of TE called Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINEs), which insert via Target Primed Reverse Transcription (TPRT). Studying these elements will lead to a greater understanding of both genome dynamics and genetic delivery tools. This study uses the R2 LINE element from Bombyx mori (R2Bm) which has an Open …

224 - Understanding The Influence Of Different Intermediate Filaments On The Morphology Of The Vulvar Cancer Cell Line, A431d., Avinash Gopal, Sara Mongelli, Abby Stevenson, Trinity Trojanowski

GREAT Day Posters

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSSC) is a rare yet aggressive cancer, primarily affecting women over 60, with early stages often masked by vulvar lichen sclerosis (VLS). VLS is typically treated with ultrapotent corticosteroids like clobetasol. Our previous work showed that clobetasol treatment of A431 vulvar cancer cells leads to a loss of the cell-cell junction protein E-cadherin and a gain of the intermediate filament protein vimentin. These changes are associated with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process linked to cancer progression and the acquisition of a more aggressive phenotype. Interestingly, A431D cells, derived from clobetasol-treated A431 cells, do not lose …

University Philharmonic Orchestra & Mixed Chamber Ensembles

Bailey School of Music Concert Programs

Nancy Conley, Conductor

God’S Got Me:The Intersection Of Faith And Mental Healing, Bre'anna Coleman

Honors Theses

Due to the lack of healthcare accessibility and other factors within the Mississippi Delta, faith and the church is often utilized within African American communities in the area as a form of mental wellness. The Intersection of Faith and Mental Healing was a photo voice methodology project that highlighted how faith and mental healing intersect and impact African Americans within the Mississippi Delta. Through three prompts, six participants discussed mental health and how faith, location, and their identities shaped their views of mental wellness. Five participants were male with one female participant. Their ages ranged from eighteen to sixty five …

Analysis Of Skeletal Trauma: Examining Current And Potential, Maia Stevenson

D.U.Quark

Skeletal trauma is an important component of death investigations which is often discovered through postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) scanning. The analysis of skeletal trauma is a key process in the medicolegal field which could provide information on the cause and manner of death of the individual. Though PMCT provides useful imaging data for discovery, there is a lack of reliable technological tools for analyzation of such data. More definitive skeletal reconstruction tools and injury mechanism categorization tools would increase the efficiency of the post-mortem examination process. This review observes the current methods of discovering skeletal trauma through PMCT and surveys …

Aliases And Archetypes: A Spy's Dilemma In Tomás Nevinson, Silke Mckay Schnebly

Theses and Dissertations

Tomás Nevinson is the last novel by Javier Marías. The themes of betrayal, deceit, and doubt that are apparent in his other works continue here as well. The meandering and philosophical narration guides the reader through Tomás' quest for self-discovery. This article uses literary onomastics (the study of names, their meanings and origins) to peel back the layers of the various characters in order to reveal the archetypes they represent. Through analyzing the names in Tomás Nevinson, the reader may come to recognize the archetypes associated with the novel's characters while also recognizing how Tomás interacts with archetypal others in …

Assessing Innovations In Wildlife Monitoring: Estimating Abundance And Inferring Parturition Of Ungulates With Technology, Elicia Cotcher

Theses and Dissertations

Enhancements in technology are creating opportunities for novel methods of wildlife monitoring. Traditional methods of wildlife monitoring are often costly or time-consuming, and new technological advancements such as remote cameras and GPS collars are creating opportunities for exploration as these technologies become more accessible and reliable. We sought to assess the efficacy of two novel methods of ungulate monitoring. The first is an abundance estimation method using remote cameras termed Instantaneous Sampling (IS). IS seeks to estimate abundance using time lapsed remote cameras on a population of unmarked individuals. Our goal was to compare IS estimations against the true observed …

Exploring Ddr2’S Role In Caf Extracellular Matrix Production And Tumor Progression, Favour Ayomide Akinjiyan

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Ovarian cancer has poor survival outcomes particularly for advanced stage, metastatic disease. Metastasis is promoted by interactions of stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), with tumor cells. CAFs play a key role in tumor progression by remodeling the TME and extracellular matrix (ECM) to result in a more permissive environment for tumor progression. It has been shown that fibroblasts, in particular myofibroblasts, utilize metabolism to support ECM remodeling. However, the intricate mechanisms by which CAFs support collagen production and tumor progression are poorly understood. In this study, we show that the fibrillar collagen receptor, …

Central Habits Of Highly Effective Tutors: Hospitable Practice, Rhetorical Listening, And Emotional Validation In The Writing Center, Edward A. English

The Writing Center Journal

This article explores hospitality as a theoretical framework for valuing emotional engagement and rhetorical listening in writing center consultations, challenging traditional views that prioritize rationality and detachment. Anchored in a university writing center, the study investigates how writing tutors engage with writers, adopting hospitality as a core principle. Semi-structured postconsultation interviews and a focus group allowed tutors to reflect collaboratively on their application of the hospitality framework. Thematic analysis with in vivo coding ensured participants’ voices remained central to the findings. By examining the lived experiences of tutors, the study highlights the dynamic relationship between emotional and rational responses in …

Efficiency’S Role In Irrigation And Nitrogen Use, Matt Stockton, Shannon Sand

Cornhusker Economics

Summary

The WNIPI is a purely physical measure of I and N efficiency and was developed to determine efficiency winners in several TAPS contests. DRIN is a powerful tool in measuring the effectiveness of the dollars spent on I and N. It is a ratio of dollars returned as revenue in terms of dollars spent. The third measure, NRIN, is an overall measure of economic gain. It is the difference in money spent on I and N versus the revenue taken in and measures the volume of net returns. Both DRIN and the NRIN measure dollar effectiveness dependent on the …

Innovations In Sample Handling Automation To Increase Accessibility Of Sample-Limited Proteomics, Nathaniel Ben Axtell

Theses and Dissertations

Innovation is the vehicle that drives scientific research forward in virtually every field. Advances in genome sequencing propelled the human genome project to completion in 2003 and set the stage for the era of proteomics. Now decades of innovation in liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) have improved sensitivity sufficiently to enable single-cell proteomics and other sample-limited studies. Single-cell proteomics reveal patterns of gene expression that are often obscured by bulk-scale proteomics, leading to the identification of new protein biomarker candidates. Sensitive targeted proteomics is the key to successful translation of low-abundance protein assays into clinical applications. With a …

012 - Second-Generation Biofuel Production From Rice Husks: Quantification Of Glucose Utilizing Dinitrosalicylic Acid Analysis, Omar Mohamed, Dylan Herstek, Marshall Mclure

GREAT Day Posters

For decades, dependence on fossil fuels has led to excessive greenhouse gas emissions, significantly advancing global warming. Greenhouse gases trap heat within Earth’s atmosphere, ultimately preventing its escape into space and intensifying climate change. As concerns over climate change grow, the search for renewable energy alternatives has become increasingly more urgent. Biomass energy presents a promising and sustainable resolution. First-generation biofuels, derived from carb-rich crops (rice and potatoes), pose challenges due to their competition with food supplies, increasing prices globally. To address this issue, researchers have turned to second-generation biofuels, which utilize lignocellulosic materials-inedible structural parts of plants-as a renewable …

040 - Hearing Fresh(Water) Voices: Exploring Pond Soundscapes In Western New York, Bryan Armpriest, Katelyn Stancliffe, Anna Tessier, Maya Tucci, Kristina Hannam

GREAT Day Posters

Organisms can create sound for many different reasons, and as such, soundscapes (the collection of all sounds in a habitat) can tell us about the biotic activity in an environment based on the quantity and characteristics of sounds being produced. Freshwater soundscapes are generally understudied compared to terrestrial soundscapes. A wide variety of species are active and vocalize in freshwater environments, and studying patterns within these soundscapes can give insight on broader ecosystem health. We explored diel and seasonal patterns in a pond in Western NY by applying the acoustic diversity index (ADI) to underwater recordings from April and July …

046 - Synthesis And Analysis Of A Ytterbium- And Thulium-Codoped Upconverting Dicalcium Phosphate Cement For Potential Use As A Bone Defect Filler, Milo Miller, Trinity Trojanowski

GREAT Day Posters

We synthesized and characterized a ytterbium- and thulium-codoped dicalcium phosphate cement with potential therapeutic applications. Critical bone fractures pose a significant challenge to healthcare, often requiring invasive autografting due to a lack of effective alternatives. Calcium phosphate cements have arisen as a possible alternative, as they mimic the chemical composition of bones and promote healing. Among calcium phosphate cements, dicalcium phosphate cements, particularly monetite, are advantaged in resorption rate and osteoinductivity. The mechanical properties of monetite, however, pose an issue for its implementation as a bone replacement material. Recent research explores rare earth metal doping as a means to enhance …

095 - Compost To Carbon: Boosting Wetland Restoration With Soil Amendments, Eliza Dawes, Pippa De Jong, Joelle Chang

GREAT Day Posters

Wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, but widespread destruction has led to a significant loss in these services. In response, created wetlands have been implemented to offset these impacts, yet they often lack the ecological function of natural wetlands. One proposed method to improve restoration outcomes is the addition of soil amendments to accelerate succession. This study evaluates whether five years of leaf litter compost additions have improved soil characteristics in a created wetland. Soil samples were collected in Fall 2024 from the Mill Seat Wetland Restoration Area in Riga, NY, and analyzed for soil moisture (SM), soil organic matter (SOM), …

096 - Personality, Morphology, And Intraspecific Interactions In The Ant-Mimicking Spider, Myrmarachne Formicaria, Theodore Charlap, Colton Judd

GREAT Day Posters

The Eurasian ant-mimicking spider Myrmarachne formicaria (Salticidae) is a relatively new arrival to North America and has spread throughout the Great Lakes region. M. formicaria has evolved remarkable ant-like appearances and behaviors, alongside enlarged chelicerae (jaws) in males. These chelicerae may be critical in competitive interactions as they spread them during confrontations with other males. The outcomes of these encounters could significantly impact courtship success. Our study aims to explore three main questions: (1) Do M. formicaria exhibit consistent variation in behavior that could be characterized as differences in personality? (2) If these spiders do exhibit consistent personalities, are these …

173 - Isolation & Rna Sequencing Of An N. Crassa Fsd-1 Dna Binding Domain Mutant Strain, Sophia Bahm, Leila Doerrer

GREAT Day Posters

Neurospora crassa is a model filamentous fungus that is widely used in a variety of genetics research. It is a reproductively versatile organism, with the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. N. crassa leaves many questions unanswered in regards to its mating behaviors. Specifically, we focus on how the transcription factor fsd-1 regulates mating behaviors of this fungus. Expression of fsd-1 allows for successful mating whereas strains with a deletion of fsd-1 (Δfsd-1) are functionally sterile. The focus of this study is the isolation of RNA from a mutant strain of Neurospora crassa containing a variant of the fsd-1 …

175 - Investigating G Quadruplex Interactions In Oncogenes Using Benzothiazoles, Benzoquinone, And Benzoxazoles, Hope Mirabito, Christopher Bulan

GREAT Day Posters

G-quadruplex (G4) DNA has become of increasing interest to the scientific community as anticancer therapies. This intrigue is due mainly to the fact that G4 DNA represents viable targets to inhibit the telomerase enzyme and to block the expression of cancer promoting oncogenes such as c-MYC, RAS and BCL-2. This makes G4 DNA a viable target for anticancer therapeutics to treat previously “undruggable” genes targets. Inspired by natural products, researchers have synthesized benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles, heterocyclic compounds that have been shown to exhibit a broad range of anti-cancer, anti-pathogenic, anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tubercular bioactivity. The benzothiazole core represents a versatile …

184 - Characterization Of Cytosolic Malate Dehydrogenase Of Trypanosoma Brucei, Grace Sutherland, Varuni Jamburuthugoda, Ellis Bell

GREAT Day Posters

The malate dehydrogenase (MDH) enzyme is found in a multitude of organisms functioning in the last step of the TCA cycle. MDH conducts the two-way reaction of malate and NAD+ to oxaloacetate and NADH (1). In humans, there are two major isoforms, cytosolic and mitochondrial. Deeper understanding of the MDH enzyme can expand treatments for parasitic diseases such as African Sleeping disease caused by T.brucei infection. Regulation of parasitic MDH gives the ability to limit the success of infection by inhibiting the protein’s ability to function (2). Since MDH can be controlled through competitive inhibition, drug discovery for T.brucei is …

206 - Identities And Nesting Patterns Of Cavity-Nesting Bees And Wasps, Julia Lingenfelter, Sophia Stang, Carly Wick

GREAT Day Posters

Cavity-nesting bees and wasps lay eggs in hollow stems or other pre-made cavities and provision their larvae with food to overwinter until their emergence in spring. To observe nesting patterns, we placed nesting boxes containing “bee tubes” made of hollow reeds in five locations around the SUNY Geneseo campus. We photographed the tubes once a week over the summer, as the tubes were gradually sealed off by insects to form larval cells. We noted the type of material used to fill the tubes and analyzed the trends in the phenology and site preferences of the various fill types using the …

216 - Location Of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling In The Regenerating Zebrafish Retina., Adam Snyder

GREAT Day Posters

The Sonic Hedgehog protein (Shh) is required in the cell cycle for development and regeneration in zebrafish eyes. This is because it controls how cells differentiate into specialized cell types. The gene, ptch2, is also important due to it being a component of the Shh signaling. The retina needs to replace photoreceptors, a specific cell type of the retina, after it is damaged by light. It is unknown which retinal cells produce Shh. To detect which cells that express the shh and ptch2 mRNA, we plan to perform in situ hybridization using antisense probes on regenerating retinal sections and compare …