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Win-Win Ecology: Can Mosses Promote Dudleya Germination To Restore California Quarries?, Kate L. Worrell

Master's Theses

Human actions directly damage habitat for native plants; restoration ecology facilitates successful plant re-establishment in these environments. Open-pit mines leave behind steep, rocky, and nutrient-deficient habitats that are some of the most degraded ecosystems on the planet. Dudleya or ‘live-forevers’— a genus of native California succulent plants that contains many rare, threatened, or endangered species — grow on rocky cliffs and may create a successful reclamation-restoration story. However, Dudleya germination is poorly understood. Much of the literature on Dudleya cites a single field report suggesting that bryophytes facilitate germination, but no previous experiments have evaluated this proposal. In this study, …

Swim Bladder Morphology Influences The Responses Of Nearshore Rockfishes To Barotrauma, Molly K. Alvino

Master's Theses

Rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are ecologically and economically important fishes in the continental shelf and slope regions of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. All species within the Sebastes genus have a buoyancy organ, the swim bladder, which is sensitive to rapid changes in pressure that occur when fish are caught and brought up to the surface. Although all rockfishes have swim bladders, pressure-related injuries (barotrauma) affect rockfish species differently. I determined whether swim bladder morphology can explain differences in barotrauma among semi-pelagic (Blue and Olive rockfish) and benthic (Gopher and Vermilion rockfish) species that occupy different habitat zones. Seven different swim bladder …

The Impacts Of Recreational Infrastructure On Mammal Use Of Riparian Zones In Northern California Regional Parks, Emily A. Matthews

Master's Theses

Public lands have been important for the protection of riparian habitats; however, many public lands are also used for recreation, which can reduce mammal habitat use. Understanding how mammals are affected by recreation in riparian areas can help guide management decisions. The goal of this research is to understand the effect of recreation on mammal use of riparian habitats in two popular East Bay Regional Parks, Charles Lee Tilden and Wildcat Canyon, and to map the extent of that impact. Cameras were deployed in the riparian areas of a high, moderate, and low development site (Alvarado, Tilden, and Wildcat Canyon) …

A Trailside Study Of A Coast Redwood Forest Understory Specis, Trillium Ovatum, In The Santa Cruz Mountains, Mary Yan

Master's Theses

To fully understand one of the world’s greatest terrestrial carbon sinks, the coast redwood forest, a co-occurring species may be the key to unique and accessible opportunities to collectively monitor the health of this important habitat. I investigated the relationship between hiking trails and Trillium ovatum within the redwood forests of three California State Parks. Utilizing quadrats across 115 one-meter plots and 58 10-meter transects, T. ovatum occurrence and abundance were recorded and analyzed with factors including proximity to trails, distance from streams, elevation, slope, canopy cover, duff depth, co-occurring understory species, and tree species dominance. Results indicated a higher …

An Assessment Of Anthropogenic Injuries On White Sharks (Carcharodon Carcharias) In Central California, Kaitlyn Yee

Master's Theses

As human activities increasingly impact marine ecosystems, understanding the effects of anthropogenic activity on white sharks is important for their continued conservation. Human-induced injuries are observed in many shark species. Such injuries have been found to have physiological and ecological impacts. Four sites in Central California off the coasts of Aptos, Año Nuevo Island, Southeast Farallon Island, and Point Reyes are all known areas of white shark aggregation with varying levels of human use and protection. Utilizing a vast video database, this study evaluated the effects of natural and non-natural anthropogenic shark injury types across all locations, age classes, and …

Creatine And Depression In Rodents: A Meta-Analysis, Ruchika S. Tirupachur

Master's Theses

Traditional treatments for major depression are based on the monoamine deficiency hypothesis, and they fail to achieve remission in a substantial portion of patients. Newer evidence suggests the pathophysiology of depression is a more complex story, highlighting a need for research in alternative therapies. Mounting evidence shows a linkage between depression and the supplement creatine monohydrate (CRMH). Research in rodent models suggests that CRMH may both alleviate depressive symptoms and enhance the efficacy of standard antidepressants like SSRIs. The following study describes findings from a combined fixed- and random-effects meta-analysis based on four empirical studies investigating the effect of CRMH …

Investigation Of Trimethylenemethane Cyclopentyl-Annulations As A Strategy To Obtain A Functionalized Angular Triquinane Skeleton †, S. M. Webber, Wade A. Russu

Pacific Faculty Work

The angular triquinane carbocyclic ring system is a component of many natural products found in numerous terrestrial and marine plants. A strategy for the synthesis of functionalized angular triquinanes utilizing two trimethylenemethane (TMM)-based [3+2] cycloaddition reactions is presented. This synthetic strategy employs the intermolecular dyil-trapping reaction to give eventual access to the bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-one system. A subsequent [3+2] cycloaddition with a TMM equivalent provides the angular triquinane carbocyclic framework.

Systematic Review Of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary, And Pancreatic Adverse Events, Malek Shatila, Hao Chi Zhang, Anusha Shirwaikar Thomas, Antonio Pizuorno Machado, Sidra Naz, Nitish Mittal, Christine Catinis, Krishnavathana Varatharajalu, Carolina Colli Cruz, Eric Lu, Deanna Wu, Julie R Brahmer, Franck Carbonnel, Stephen B Hanauer, Bret Lashner, Bryan Schneider, John A Thompson, Michel Obeid, David P Farris, Yinghong Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Gastrointestinal immune-related adverse events (GI irAEs) are common manifestations of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) toxicity. We present a comprehensive systematic review of the incidence, management, and clinical course of irAEs across the entire GI system, including the luminal GI tract, liver, and pancreas. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library were used to conduct this review. All studies pertaining to GI irAEs were included. Both abstracts and full manuscripts were eligible if they included human subjects and were written in the English language. Articles not available in English, animal studies, or research not specific to GI toxicity …

Best Practices For The Naming Of Species, Luis A. Ruedas, Ryan W. Norris, Robert M. Timm

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The process of describing a species has evolved considerably since the modern age of taxonomy was initiated with the publication of the 10th edition of Linnaeus’ Systema Naturæ in 1758. Nevertheless, the basic unit of the taxonomic framework remains the species group (species and subspecies). As a result, it is incumbent upon individuals undertaking species-group descriptions to strive for the highest standards, just as it is for reviewers and editors to hold authors to those same standards. The clear and mounting biodiversity crisis, the increasing proliferation of journals, the multiplication of journals publishing only in electronic format, the decline in …

The Effects Of Full-Body Photo-Editing On Female Body Image, Claire E. Mcelhern

Master's Theses

Over the past decade, the use of photo-based social media sites has seen an exponential increase. Although these sites can be beneficial for connecting with others, the editing and modification of images posted to social media has also produced adverse effects on some who use them. The aim of the present study was to assess whether partaking in a full-body photo-editing task would have a significant effect on weight dissatisfaction, appearance dissatisfaction and body confidence, compared to a control condition. Female college participants were first asked about their general Instagram use, and then were given a baseline Visual Analog Scale …

No Change In Functional Ecology Or Body Size In Response To A Global Climate Event In The Late Maastrichtian Owl Creek Formation, William T. Rizza

Master's Theses

During the last 300 ka of the Maastrichtian, global temperatures increased and decreased by ~2℃, likely caused by a pulse of Deccan volcanism. The Owl Creek Type Section in Mississippi records some portion of the last 400 ka of the Late Maastrichtian. It is expected that marine invertebrates will demonstrate a taxonomic, ecological, or morphological response to rapid temperature change. I anticipate a decrease in taxonomic diversity and shell volume and an increased abundance of low activity-level species, similar to the ecological impacts observed in response to Large Igneous Province eruptions in the geologic record. Clumped isotope paleotemperature reconstruction recovers …

Additional Challenges In Computational Enzymology:The Case Studies Of Qm-Cluster Models Of [Ni,Fe] Hydrogenase And Cytochrome P450, Tejaskumar A. Suhagia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The increasing complexity of enzyme catalysis requires precise and reproducible computational models to understand reaction mechanisms and support advances in drug design and protein engineering. This dissertation focuses on the advancement of enzyme modeling techniques, particularly in cytochrome P450 and hydrogenase enzymes, through the development of the Residue Interaction Network Residue Selector (RINRUS), an automated toolkit that addresses a critical gap in the reproducibility of quantum mechanics (QM)-cluster models. The RINRUS toolkit automates the systematic selection of catalytically relevant residues for QM-cluster model construction by leveraging residue interaction networks (RINs). By integrating the Probe and Arpeggio tools, RINRUS enhances model …

Evidence That Crispr-Cas9 Y537s-Mutant Expressing Breast Cancer Cells Activate Yes-Associated Protein 1 To Driving The Conversion Of Normal Fibroblasts Into Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts, Luca Gelsomino, Amanda Caruso, Emine Tasan, Adele Elisabetta Leonetti, Rocco Malivindi, Giuseppina Daniela Naimo, Francesca Giordano, Salvatore Panza, Guowei Gu, Benedetta Perrone, Cinzia Giordano, Loredana Mauro, Bruno Nardo, Gianfranco Filippelli, Daniela Bonofiglio, Ines Barone, Suzanne A W Fuqua, Stefania Catalano, Sebastiano Andò

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Endocrine therapy (ET) has improved the clinical outcomes of Estrogen receptor alpha-positive (ERɑ +) breast cancer (BC) patients, even though resistance to ET remains a clinical issue. Mutations in the hormone-binding domain of ERɑ represent an acquired intrinsic mechanism of ET resistance. However, the latter also depends on the multiple functional interactions between BC cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we investigated how the most common Y537S-ERɑ mutation may influence the behavior of fibroblasts, the most prominent component of the TME.

METHODS: We conducted coculture experiments with normal human foreskin fibroblasts BJ1-hTERT (NFs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), isolated from …

Oncolytic Virotherapies And Adjuvant Gut Microbiome Therapeutics To Enhance Efficacy Against Malignant Gliomas, Natalie M Meléndez-Vázquez, Candelaria Gomez-Manzano, Filipa Godoy-Vitorino

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor. Current standard-of-care treatments offer limited benefits for patient survival. Virotherapy is emerging as a novel strategy to use oncolytic viruses (OVs) for the treatment of GBM. These engineered and non-engineered viruses infect and lyse cancer cells, causing tumor destruction without harming healthy cells. Recent advances in genetic modifications to OVs have helped improve their targeting capabilities and introduce therapeutic genes, broadening the therapeutic window and minimizing potential side effects. The efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy can be enhanced by combining it with other treatments such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or radiation. Recent studies …

Transitions Into Freezing Environments Linked With Shifts In Phylogenetic Integration Between Vitaceae Leaf Traits, Charles Tomo Parins-Fukuchi, Gregory W. Stull, Jun Wen, Jeremy M. Beaulieu

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Understanding how the intrinsic ability of populations and species to meet shifting selective demands shapes evolutionary patterns over both short and long timescales is a major question in biology. One major axis of evolutionary flexibility can be measured by phenotypic integration and modularity. The strength, scale, and structure of integration may constrain or catalyze evolution in the face of new selective pressures. We analyze a dataset of seven leaf measurements across Vitaceae to examine how correlations in trait divergence are linked to transitions between freezing and nonfreezing habitats. We assess this by applying a custom algorithm to compare the timing …

Vol. 40, No. 7 - Whole No. 256, Eleanor M. Farrell

Mythprint

Mythprint is the monthly bulletin of the Mythopoeic Society, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. To promote these interests, the Society publishes three magazines, maintains a World Wide Web site, and sponsors the annual Mythopoeic Conference and awards for fiction and scholarship, as well as local and written discussion groups.

Identification Of Nitro-Containing Compounds As Potent Inhibitors Of Glioblastoma Stem Cells Via Stat3 Pathway Suppression, Matthew Pate, Roberto Martin, Emma Baker, Blake Hutchins, Marie J. Moreno Hollweg, Sabrin Safar, Kyuree Chang, Eduardo A. Veliz, Steven Vanni, Regina Graham

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Identification of Nitro-Containing Compounds as Potent Inhibitors of Glioblastoma Stem Cells via STAT3 Pathway Suppression Matthew C. Pate1, Roberto Martin2, Emma Baker1, Blake Hutchins1, Maria Moreno Hollweg1, Sabrin Safar1, Kyuree Chang1, Eduardo A. Veliz PhD3, Steven Vanni DO 1,4, Regina M. Graham PhD1 1Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA, 2Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA, 3Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA ,4HCA Florida University Hospital, Davie, FL, USA, Objective: To examine cytotoxic effects of a series of nitro-compounds …

Towards An Ideal Seed Coating, J M. Scott

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Coated pasture seeds have been formulated in the past based largely on "trial and error" with relatively few objective criteria being employed to define desirable formulations, A description of desirable propelties of various layers of seed coatings and of the seeds themselves is presented.

Lolium Endophyte Viability: Effect Of Seed Storage, M P. Rolston, J R. Crush, M D. Hare, K K. Moore

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of seed storage on the endophyte Acremonium lolii in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were evaluated over 7 years. The long• term effects of 4 seed moisture contents (SMC) 8.6-13.1 %: tempemture (ambient, 5, O, -15°C) 'aitd packaging types: calico, polyethylene fi,Jm. 9-140 µm, and aluminium-polyethylene (AIP) on endophyte viability were assess·ed. • Endophyte viability was maintained by lower seed moisture content and low temperatures. In ambient warehouse conditions endophyte viability declined to zero in 12 months in calico bags,' but was maintained for 3 years at 8.6% SMC in AIP: • Endophyte viability was maintained for …

Effect Of Dormancy-Releasing Treatments On Germination Of Bahiagrass Seed, J. Jeffrey Mullahey, D S. Fisher

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Low seed germination and dormant seed in bahiagrass (Paspalum nonatutum Flugge.) necessitate high seeding rates for successful pasture establishment. A study of dormancy-releasing treatments and age of seed on germination of bahiagrass was conducted in an incubator at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center near Immokalee, Florida. Five seed treatments (Crop-Start (Solid Matrix Seed Priming, Kamterter Products Inc., Lincoln, NB), potassium nitrate (KNO3), heat/humidity, palea removed, and a check), 2 cullivars (Pensacola, Tifton 9) of bahiagrass and 2 ages (10 and 16 months) of seed were used. A significant (P<0.05) age ·x treatment interaction occurred for all response variables. Based on total germination at 28 days, % dormant seed and rate of germination, Crop-Start and heat/humidity were consistently the best treatments. Additional research on germination with dormancy-releasing treatments is needed to study the Interaction of seed age and bahiagrass cultivar.

Weed Seed Contamination: Use Of A Seed Testing Database To Identify Processing Limitations, J S. Rowarth, M P. Rolston, A A. Johnson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A computerised database maintained by the Official Seed Testing Station of New Zealand provided the opporlunity to survey weed seed contamination in clover and grass seed-lots. Broad-leaf weeds such as Slierardia arvensis, Stellaria ,nedia and Chenopodium album were the major contaminants in Trifolium repens seed-lots. In grass seed-lots the main contaminants were seeds of other grasses such as Bromus hordaeceus, Vulpia spp. and Holcus lanatus. Weed seeds were found to be a major reason for downgrading or rejection from certification of clover and grass seed-lots in New Zealand; this reflects strict quality control measures.

An Investigation In To The Effect Of Some Factors On The Germination Of Erodium Seeds, Myrna Johnston, Alfredo Olivares, Gladys Fernandez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Erodiurn seeds present variable dormancy in and even within each species. Thus, it is important to know the factors that determine this variation as related to the persistence of its species. E. rnoschatmn and E. rnalacoides seeds were collected at the end of the annual cycle at La Rinconada de Maipli (33°28'S and 7S050'W). Effects of seed sour.ce (collecting in 1986, 1988 and 1990), age (keeping seeds under laboratory conditions) and maternal factors (cutting plants at early flowering) were analysed. Seeds were tested for germination capacity and germination rate at a constant temperature of 15°C on Petri dishes provided with …

Long-Term Seed Dormancy In Poa Pratensis L. Northern Norway, Trygve S. Aamlid, Dagfinn Arntzen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Inadequate gennination has often been obseived when planting Poa pratensis L. cv. Lavang (69°N) in northern Norwegian grasslands. This investigation was intended to elucidate whether this was due lo long­term seed dormancy, Seed-lots grown in different years in northern and southern Norway and stored at O-to•c, were germinated in Jakobsen­type germinators al various combinations of temperature and light. Significant dormancy was expressed at 21 °C even after 10 years of storage. Al this constant temperature, germination was promoted by 8 h fluorescent light compared with darkness and continuous light. Al 21/ I 2°C alternating temperature, seed genninated well irrespective of …

Seed Vigour In Lucerne And White Clover, Y R. Wang, J G. Hampton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Accelerated ageing (AA) was used to assess the seed vigour of 5 lucerne (Medicago sativa L, cv. Wairau) and 8 white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Grasslands Huia) seed-lots. Germination prior to AA ranged from 86-94% and 87-94% for the lucerne and white clover seed-lots respectively. All seed-lots hl\d been harvested in 1988 and were certified either as basic or first generation. Germination after 72 h at 40:t0.5°C (AA test) ranged frcim 31-76% for the lucerne seed­lots and 15-56% for che white clover seed-lots, indicating significant differences in seed.vigour among lots of both species. Time of ageing influenced …

Growing Methods For The Morphological Assessment Of White Clover Cultivars Purity, J G. Hampton, E J. Musukwa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Three growing methods (field sward, field spaced plants, glasshouse plants) were compared for the morphological assessment of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivar purity. Three cerlified (breeders, basic and first generation) seed-lots of cv. Grasslands Kopu and one first generation Kopu seed lot which had been mixed with seed of another cultivnr (10:1) were used to generate data. After analysis of variance (ANOVA), significant (P<0.05) reductions from the breeders seed lot siandnrd for leaf size, stolon number and leaf length/width ratio were recorded for the mixed seed· 101 in nil three growing methods, and for petiole length with the sward method only. With the glasshouse and spaced-plant melhods, slolon numbers of the basic and first generation seed-lots were reduced (P<0.05), while leaf size was lower (P<0.05) for the first generation seed-lot in lhe glasshouse. However, under OECD certification requirements, leaf size of the mixed seed lot was the only characler for which "off types" were detecled. Data coefficients of variation were no greater for the glasshouse method than the required OECD plot-test method.

Importance Of Tropical Pasture Seed Quality And Factors Affecting It In Smallholder Farming System, H F. Chin, C C. Wong

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Most tropical pastures are associated with and confined to smaJlholder animal production in developing countries of the tropics, with the exception of Australia. At present, tropical pasture seeds are very variable and poor in quality, as tropical herbage seed production is relatively new compared with that for temperate systems. Many tropical species are relatively wild and have yet to be domesticated and selected for pasture use, let alone for seed production characteristics. The unfavourable production and storage environment of the wet tropics, coupled with a lack of appropriate technology, also contributes towards poor quality in tropical pasture seeds. In this …

The Benefits Of Seed Quality In Intensive Temperate Forage Systems, Jeffrey J. Steiner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Seed quality has traditionally been considered to consist of two components: physiologic and genetic quality. The benefits of using high quality seeds have been widely documented and are generally not questioned. These henefits came about as a result of a first­generation of seed quality aware11ess which began more than a century ago. In intensive temperate forage production systems, the producer usually has a ready supply of high-quality seeds available for purchase. For the consumer, seed quality is not a major constraint to system productivity, However, many forage producers are not realising all of the potential benefits from using high quality …

New Realities For The Management Of Tussock Grasslands In New Zealand, I.G C. Kerr

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Concerns about the potential demise of the tussock grasslands of the Soulh Island of New Zealand have been well recorded in the scientific and official literature. Little effective action has been taken to arrest the process of land degradation that has occurred during the 125 years of utilisation of !he tussock grasslands for pastoralism. A substantial decline in the pastoral productivity and conservation value of the "unimproved" tussock grasslands has been the result, Much of the cause has been the failure of the administrators and the occupiers of the high country to understand, and act on, the evidence. Occupiers and …

Integration Of Recreation With Pastoral Use And Conservation In The High Country Of South Island, New Zealand, P H. Murray, D M. Robertson, C R. Mason

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Over 3 000 000 ha of the South Island high country is Crown (i.e. Govemmcnt)-owned land, held under pastoral lease or conservation estate. There is increasing pressure from recreationists for access to land under both tenures. Permits from Crown agents, with agreement from land occupiers, are required for commercial recreation. Access for non-commercial recreation on pastoral lease land is generally through direct negotiation with the lessee. Conflicts between high country users are occurring where recreation pressure is greatest. A case study in the Remarkables Range near the mountain resort of Queenstown, shows domination by the primary users (pastoral lessees and …

Tradition And Pastoral Sustainability- An Exercise In The Applied Human Ecology Of Mountain Rangelands, David Pitt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The paper presents the case for regarding some traditional practices and customs as a ba��e for sustainable development in winter cold temperate rangeland pastoralism, The emphasis is on the social forms which maintain a system in which low intensity production, usufruct, kinship dynamics, co-operation, environmentally friendly practices and nomadism are maintained in the face of extreme outside pressures, A typology is elaborated including five situations: independence, coexistence, fluctuation, absorption and interaction. Case studies _are presented from the Middle East, Andes, North Africa, the Alps, the Himalaya and the former Soviet Union. Although these situations are basically historical, or at best …