Digital Commons Network^™

Bioaerosol Size As A Potential Determinant Of Airborne E. Coli Viability Under Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation And Ozone Disinfection, Weixing Hao, Yue-Wern Huang, Yang Wang

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and ozone disinfection are crucial methods for mitigating the airborne transmission of pathogenic microorganisms in high-risk settings, particularly with the emergence of respiratory viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza viruses. This study quantitatively investigates the influence of UVGI and ozone on the viability of E. coli in bioaerosols, with a particular focus on how E. coli viability depends on the size of the bioaerosols, a critical factor that determines deposition patterns within the human respiratory system and the evolution of bioaerosols in indoor environments. This study used a controlled small-scale laboratory chamber where E. …

Entomologists Require Ethical Guidance For Compassionate Management Of Delusional Parasitosis Cases, Kathleen Murphy-Hollies, Michael Skvarla, Robin M. Verble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Atmospheric Plasma For Surface Sterilization And Decontamination, Kolawole Adesina, Ta Chun Lin, Yue-Wern Huang, Marek Locmelis, Daoru Frank Han

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Numerous investigations have shown that non-equilibrium discharges at atmospheric pressure, also known as "cold atmospheric plasma" (CAP) are efficient to remove biological contaminants from surfaces of a variety of materials. Recently, CAP has quickly advanced as a technique for microbial cleaning, wound healing, and cancer therapy due to the chemical and biologically active radicals it produces, known collectively as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). This article reviews studies pertaining to one of the atmospheric plasma sources known as Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) which has been widely used to treat materials with microbes for sterilization, disinfection, and decontamination purposes. To …

Comparison Of Energy Budget Of Cockroach Nymph (Hemimetabolous) And Hornworm (Holometabolous) Under Food Restriction, Charles J. Green, Chen Hou

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Animals with different life histories budget their intake energy differently when food availability is low. It has been shown previously that hornworm (larva of Manduca sexta), a holometabolous insect species with a short development stage, prioritizes growth at the price of metabolism under food restriction, but it is unclear how hemimetabolous insect species with a relatively long development period budget their intake energy under food scarcity. Here, we use orange head cockroaches (Eublaberus posticus) to investigate this question. We found that for both species under food restriction, rates of metabolism and growth were suppressed, but the degree of reduction was …

Mesenchymal Stem Cells In The Treatment Of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Erica Lang, Julie A. Semon

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a Disease Caused by Mutations in Different Genes Resulting in Mild, Severe, or Lethal Forms. with No Cure, Researchers Have Investigated the Use of Cell Therapy to Correct the Underlying Molecular Defects of OI. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Are of Particular Interest Because of their Differentiation Capacity, Immunomodulatory Effects, and their Ability to Migrate to Sites of Damage. MSCs Can Be Isolated from Different Sources, Expanded in Culture, and Have Been Shown to Be Safe in Numerous Clinical Applications. This Review Summarizes the Preclinical and Clinical Studies of MSCs in the Treatment of OI. Altogether, the …

Variable Rates Of Hybridization Among Contact Zones Between A Pair Of Topminnow Species, Fundulus Notatus And F. Olivaceus, David D. Duvernell, Naznin S. Remex, Jeffrey T. Miller, Jacob F. Schaefer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pairs of species that exhibit broadly overlapping distributions, and multiple geographically isolated contact zones, provide opportunities to investigate the mechanisms of reproductive isolation. Such naturally replicated systems have demonstrated that hybridization rates can vary substantially among populations, raising important questions about the genetic basis of reproductive isolation. The topminnows, Fundulus notatus and F. olivaceus, are reciprocally monophyletic, and co-occur in drainages throughout much of the central and southern United States. Hybridization rates vary substantially among populations in isolated drainage systems. We employed genome-wide sampling to investigate geographic variation in hybridization, and to assess the possible importance of chromosome fusions to …

Best Practices To Promote Field Science Safety, Kristen Yarincik, Anne Kelly, Terry Mcglynn, Robin M. Verble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Interventions are necessary to address the ongoing epidemic of sexual harassment and assault in field settings. An evidence-based approach to identifying specific interventions will be most effective at promoting the safety of scientists. We present the results of a workshop conducted by experts in field biology and the study of sexual harassment and assault that identified a comprehensive set of best practices for individuals and organizations. These recommendations are grounded in peer-reviewed scholarship and are separated into four topics: culture change, accountability, policy development, and reporting. The resulting report of the workshop recommends 44 practices, categorized by the resources required …

Beyond A Vision For The Future: Tangible Steps To Engage Diverse Participants In Inclusive Field Experiences, Robin M. Verble, Corinne L. Richards-Zawacki, Vanessa K.H. Young

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Synopsis Recent strides toward improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in field biology present a unique opportunity for transdisciplinary exploration of the impacts and state of a topic that has remained hereto largely underexplored and under-discussed in the academic setting. Within current literature, themes of racial and gender inequity, power imbalances, unsafe environments, and underdeveloped infrastructure and resources are widespread. Thus, we organized a symposium that addressed these compelling issues in field biology DEI through a multitude of experiential and academic lenses. This article will orient the reader to the special issue and offer summative goals and outcomes of the …

Cell-Penetrating Peptides For Use In Development Of Transgenic Plants, Betty Revon Liu, Chi Wei Chen, Yue-Wern Huang, Han Jung Lee

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Genetically Modified Plants and Crops Can Contribute to Remarkable Increase in Global Food Supply, with Improved Yield and Resistance to Plant Diseases or Insect Pests. the Development of Biotechnology Introducing Exogenous Nucleic Acids in Transgenic Plants is Important for Plant Health Management. Different Genetic Engineering Methods for DNA Delivery, Such as Biolistic Methods, Agrobacterium Tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation, and Other Physicochemical Methods Have Been Developed to Improve Translocation Across the Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall in Plants. Recently, the Peptide-Based Gene Delivery System, Mediated by Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs), Has Been Regarded as a Promising Non-Viral Tool for Efficient and Stable Gene Transfection …

Scale-Dependent Spatial Ecology Of Paleotropical Leaf Litter Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Lillian Germeroth, Theodore Sumnicht, Robin M. Verble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Grain for Which an Observer Conducts a Study is an Important Determinant of its Outcome. Studies of Ants Have Considered Spatial Grains Spanning from Single Meters to Entire Forest Ecosystems and Found Patterns Related to Nutrient Availability, Leaf Litter Depth, Disturbance, and Forest Composition. Here, We Examine a Bornean Leaf Litter Ant Community at Small (1–4 M) and Large (50–250 M) Spatial Scales and Consider the Differences in Community Structure using Structured 1 M2 Quadrats Sampled Via Leaf Litter Sifting and Berlese Extraction. We Found that Small-Scale Patterns in Ant Abundance and Richness Did Not Spatially Auto correlate within …

Link Between Energy Investment In Biosynthesis And Proteostasis: Testing The Cost–Quality Hypothesis In Insects, Taiwo Iromini, Xiaolong Tang, Kyara N. Holloway, Chen Hou

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Energy Requirement for Biosynthesis Plays an Important Role in an Organism's Life History, as It Determines Growth Rate, and Tradeoffs with the Investment in Somatic Maintenance. This Energetic Trait is Different between Painted Lady (Vanessa Cardui) and Turkestan Cockroach (Blatta Lateralis) Due to the Different Life Histories. Butterfly Caterpillars (Holometabolous) Grow 30-Fold Faster, and the Energy Cost of Biosynthesis is 20 Times Cheaper, Compared to Cockroach Nymphs (Hemimetabolous). We Hypothesize that Physiologically the Difference in the Energy Cost is Partially Attributed to the Differences in Protein Retention and Turnover Rate: Species with Higher Energy Cost May Have a Lower …

Gender, Sexual Orientation, Ethnicity And Socioeconomic Factors Influence How Wildland Firefighters Communicate Their Work Experiences, Miranda Ragland, Jennifer Harrell, Molly Ripper, Seth Pearson, Rachel Granberg, Robin M. Verble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

As Climates Change, Natural Resource Professionals Are Often Working on the Frontlines of Intensifying Environmental Disasters, Acting in Both Scientific and Emergency Response Roles. One Subset of This Group, Wildland Firefighters Often Engage in Multifaceted Careers that Incorporate Elements of Resource Planning, Conservation Management, Community Disaster Relief, and Operational Management. Despite These STEM Roles and Nearly Half (48%) of Them Having Earned at Least a bachelor's degree, usually in a STEM Field, Wildland Firefighters Are Almost Exclusively Lumped with Emergency Responders in the Scientific Literature. We Surveyed 708 Wildland Firefighters with 9 Open Response Questions as Part of a Larger …

Variability Of Hybridization In Topminnows, David D. Duvernell

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pairs of species that exhibit broadly overlapping distributions, and multiple geographically isolated contact zones, provide opportunities to investigate the mechanisms of reproductive isolation. Such naturally replicated systems have demonstrated that hybridization rates can vary substantially among populations, raising important questions about the genetic basis of reproductive isolation. The topminnows, Fundulus notatus and F. olivaceus, are reciprocally monophyletic, and co-occur in drainages throughout much of the central and southern United States. Hybridization rates vary substantially among populations in isolated drainage systems. We employed genome-wide sampling to investigate geographic variation in hybridization, and to assess the possible importance of chromosome fusions …

White Matter Hyperintensity Longitudinal Morphometric Analysis In Association With Alzheimer Disease, Jeremy Fuller Strain, Chia Ling Phuah, Babatunde Adeyemo, Kathleen Cheng, Kyle B. Womack, John Mccarthy, Manu Goyal, Yasheng Chen, Aristeidis Sotiras, Hongyu An, Chengjie Xiong, Andrea Scharf, Catherine Newsom-Stewart, John Carl Morris

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

INTRODUCTION: Vascular damage in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has shown conflicting findings particularly when analyzing longitudinal data. We introduce white matter hyperintensity (WMH) longitudinal morphometric analysis (WLMA) that quantifies WMH expansion as the distance from lesion voxels to a region of interest boundary. METHODS: WMH segmentation maps were derived from 270 longitudinal fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) ADNI images. WLMA was performed on five data driven WMH patterns with distinct spatial distributions. Amyloid accumulation was evaluated with WMH expansion across the five WMH patterns. RESULTS: The preclinical group had significantly greater expansion in the posterior ventricular WM compared to controls. Amyloid significantly …

Study Of Legionella Pneumophila Treatment With Copper In Drinking Water By Single Cell-Icp-Ms, Lei Xu, Austin Sigler, Anna Chernatynskaya, Lindsey Rasmussen, Jingrang Lu, Endalkachew Sahle-Demessie, David J. Westenberg, Hu Yang, Honglan Shi

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Legionella pneumophila is a persistent opportunistic pathogen that poses a significant threat to domestic water systems. Previous studies suggest that copper (Cu) is an effective antimicrobial in water systems. A rapid and sensitive quantification method is desired to optimize the conditions of L. pneumophila treatment by Cu and to better understand the interaction mechanisms between Cu and cells. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive single cell (SC)-ICP-MS method to monitor L. pneumophila cell concentration and track their uptake of Cu. The SC-ICP-MS method showed excellent sensitivity (with a cell concentration detection limit of 1000 cells/mL), accuracy (good agreement …

3d-Printed Hydrogels Dressings With Bioactive Borate Glass For Continuous Hydration And Treatment Of Second-Degree Burns, Fateme Fayyazbakhsh, Michael J. Khayat, Candy Sadler, Delbert Day, Yue-Wern Huang, Ming-Chuan Leu

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent advances in additive manufacturing have led to the development of innovative solutions for tissue regeneration. Hydrogel materials have gained significant attention for burn wound treatment in clinical practice among various advanced dressings due to their soothing and moisturizing activity. However, prolonged healing, pain, and traumatic removal due to the lack of long-term wound hydration are some of the challenges in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds. In this study, 3D-printed dressings were fabricated using gelatin, alginate, and bioactive borate glass (BBG) using an extrusion-based bioprinter. After ionic crosslinking, the 3D-printed dressings were characterized for mechanical properties, degradation rate, hydration …

Pollutants Corrupt Resilience Pathways Of Aging In The Nematode C. Elegans, Andrea Scharf, Annette Limke, Karl Heinz Guehrs, Anna Von Mikecz

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Delaying aging while prolonging health and lifespan is a major goal in aging research. One promising strategy is to focus on reducing negative interventions such as pollution and their accelerating effect on age-related degeneration and disease. Here, we used the short-lived model organism C. elegans to analyze whether two candidate pollutants corrupt general aging pathways. We show that the emergent pollutant silica nanoparticles (NPs) and the classic xenobiotic inorganic mercury reduce lifespan and cause a premature protein aggregation phenotype. Comparative mass spectrometry revealed that increased insolubility of proteins with important functions in proteostasis is a shared phenotype of intrinsic- and …

Pollution — Bring The Field Into The Lab, Anna Von Mikecz, Andrea Scharf

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Letter to the Editor

Bio-Membrane Internalization Mechanisms Of Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptides In Various Species, Betty Revon Liu, Shiow Her Chiou, Yue-Wern Huang, Han Jung Lee

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recently, membrane-active peptides or proteins that include antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), cytolytic proteins, and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have attracted attention due to their potential applications in the biomedical field. Among them, CPPs have been regarded as a potent drug/molecules delivery system. Various cargoes, such as DNAs, RNAs, bioactive proteins/peptides, nanoparticles and drugs, can be carried by CPPs and delivered into cells in either covalent or non-covalent manners. Here, we focused on four arginine-rich CPPs and reviewed the mechanisms that these CPPs used for intracellular uptake across cellular plasma membranes. The varying trans-duction efficiencies of them alone or with cargoes were discussed, …

Local Environmental Variables Are Key Drivers Of Ant Taxonomic And Functional Beta-Diversity In A Mediterranean Dryland, Clara Frasconi Wendt, Ana Ceia-Hasse, Alice Nunes, Robin Verble, Giacomo Santini, Mário Boieiro, Cristina Branquinho

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

The decomposition of beta-diversity (β-diversity) into its replacement (β_repl) and richness (β_rich) components in combination with a taxonomic and functional approach, may help to identify processes driving community composition along environmental gradients. We aimed to understand which abiotic and spatial variables influence ant β-diversity and identify which processes may drive ant β-diversity patterns in Mediterranean drylands by measuring the percentage of variation in ant taxonomic and functional β-diversity explained by local environmental, regional climatic and spatial variables. We found that taxonomic and functional replacement (β_repl) primarily drove patterns in overall β-diversity (β_tot). …

Reproductive Aging In Caenorhabditis Elegans: From Molecules To Ecology, Andrea Scharf, Franziska Pohl, Brian M. Egan, Zuzana Kocsisova, Kerry Kornfeld

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Aging animals display a broad range of progressive degenerative changes, and one of the most fascinating is the decline of female reproductive function. In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, hermaphrodites reach a peak of progeny production on day 2 of adulthood and then display a rapid decline; progeny production typically ends by day 8 of adulthood. Since animals typically survive until day 15 of adulthood, there is a substantial post reproductive lifespan. Here we review the molecular and cellular changes that occur during reproductive aging, including reductions in stem cell number and activity, slowing meiotic progression, diminished Notch signaling, and …

Blood Biomarkers For Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Selective Review Of Unresolved Issues, Daniel B. Hier, Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi, Matthew S. Thimgan, Gayla R. Olbricht, Sima Azizi, Blaine Allen, Bassam A. Hadi, Donald C. Wunsch

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: The use of blood biomarkers after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been widely studied. We have identified eight unresolved issues related to the use of five commonly investigated blood biomarkers: neurofilament light chain, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1, tau, S100B, and glial acidic fibrillary protein. We conducted a focused literature review of unresolved issues in three areas: mode of entry into and exit from the blood, kinetics of blood biomarkers in the blood, and predictive capacity of the blood biomarkers after mTBI.

Findings: Although a disruption of the blood brain barrier has been demonstrated in mild and severe traumatic brain …

Aridity-Driven Shift In Biodiversity-Soil Multifunctionality Relationships, Weigang Hu, Jinzhi Ran, Longwei Dong, Qiajun Du, Mingfei Ji, Shuran Yao, Chen Hou, For Full List Of Authors, Download The Pdf.

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Relationships between biodiversity and multiple ecosystem functions (that is, ecosystem multifunctionality) are context-dependent. Both plant and soil microbial diversity have been reported to regulate ecosystem multifunctionality, but how their relative importance varies along environmental gradients remains poorly understood. Here, we relate plant and microbial diversity to soil multifunctionality across 130 dryland sites along a 4,000 km aridity gradient in northern China. Our results show a strong positive association between plant species richness and soil multifunctionality in less arid regions, whereas microbial diversity, in particular of fungi, is positively associated with multifunctionality in more arid regions. This shift in the relationships …

Neonicotinoids Can Cause Arrested Pupal Ecdysis In Lepidoptera, Niranjana Krishnan, Russell A. Jurenka, Steven P. Bradbury

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recently, we reported a novel mode of action in monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) larvae exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides: arrest in pupal ecdysis following successful larval ecdysis. In this paper, we explore arrested pupal ecdysis in greater detail and propose adverse outcome pathways to explain how neonicotinoids cause this effect. Using imidacloprid as a model compound, we determined that final-instar monarchs, corn earworms (Helicoverpa zea), and wax moths (Galleria mellonella) showed high susceptibility to arrested pupal ecdysis while painted ladies (Vanessa cardui) and red admirals (Vanessa atalanta) showed low susceptibility. Fall …

Evaluating Toxicity Of Varroa Mite (Varroa Destructor)-Active Dsrna To Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Larvae, Niranjana Krishnan, Maura J. Hall, Richard L. Hellmich, Joel R. Coats, Steven P. Bradbury

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are parasitic mites that, combined with other factors, are contributing to high levels of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses. A Varroa-active dsRNA was recently developed to control Varroa mites within honey bee brood cells. This dsRNA has 372 base pairs that are homologous to a sequence region within the Varroa mite calmodulin gene (cam). The Varroa-active dsRNA also shares a 21-base pair match with monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) calmodulin mRNA, raising the possibility of non-target effects if there is environmental exposure. We chronically exposed the entire monarch …

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Life-Stage Risks From Foliar And Seed-Treatment Insecticides, Niranjana Krishnan, Yang Zhang, Melanie E. Aust, Richard L. Hellmich, Joel R. Coats, Steven P. Bradbury

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Conservation of North America's eastern monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) population would require establishment of milkweed (Asclepias spp.) and nectar plants in the agricultural landscapes of the north central United States. A variety of seed-treatment and foliar insecticides are used to manage early- and late-season pests in these landscapes. Thus, there is a need to assess risks of these insecticides to monarch butterfly life stages to inform habitat conservation practices. Chronic and acute dietary toxicity studies were undertaken with larvae and adults, and acute topical bioassays were conducted with eggs, pupae, and adults using 6 representative insecticides: beta-cyfluthrin …

Tuning Polymorphs And Morphology Of Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate: Controlling Factors And Underlying Mechanisms, Maryam Khanjani, David J. Westenberg, Aditya Kumar, Hongyan Ma

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microbially precipitated calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) has drawn broad attention due to its potential applications in various areas, for example, biocementation, medicine, and soil reinforcement. Sporosarcina pasteurii (S. pasteurii), formerly known as Bacillus pasteurii, has been investigated for CaCO₃ biomineralization due to its high ureolytic activity. A high degree of supersaturation with respect to the presence of bacterial cell wall, extracellular polymeric substances, and organic byproducts of bacterial activity plays an important role in the formation and stabilization of CaCO₃ polymorphs. Although microbially induced CaCO₃ and its polymorphs have been investigated broadly, the …

Conservation Risks And Benefits Of Establishing Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Breeding Habitats Close To Maize And Soybean Fields In The North Central United States: A Landscape-Scale Analysis Of The Impact Of Foliar Insecticide On Nonmigratory Monarch Butterfly Populations, Tyler J. Grant, Niranjana Krishnan, Steven P. Bradbury

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Establishing habitat in agricultural landscapes of the north central United States is critical to reversing the decline of North America's eastern monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) population. Insecticide use could create population sinks and threaten recovery. Discouraging habitat establishment within a 38-m zone around crop fields is a suggested risk mitigation measure. In Story County, Iowa, United States, this mitigation would discourage habitat establishment in 84% of roadsides and 38% of noncrop land. It is unclear if the conservation benefits from establishing habitat close to crop fields outweigh suppression of population growth owing to insecticide exposure. Consequently, monarch conservation …

A Food Microbiology Classroom Activity To Draw Connections Between Microbes And Students’ Lives, David J. Westenberg, Jonathan Kopel

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fermented foods have been prepared for millennia and every society around the world has traditional fermented foods and/or beverages that are identified with that culture. This is an excellent opportunity to help students draw connections between their everyday lives and the microbial sciences. At the same time, this is also a great way to encourage cultural awareness and acceptance. This manuscript describes an active learning approach used in a general microbiology course to encourage students to learn about fermented foods from around the world and share their discoveries with their colleagues. As a group we also spend time discussing some …

A Population Dynamics Tipping Point For Aging As A Cause Of Adult Death, Andrea Scharf

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Populations are a fundamental level of biological organization that poses major challenges for analysis. Individual traits that influence development, diapause, reproduction, aging, and lifespan interact in complex ways to determine birth and death. Birth and death drive population dynamics and determine whether a population survives or is doomed for extinction. However, we lack a deep understanding of the relationships between individual traits and population dynamics, a major challenge in the emerging field of ecology-development (eco-devo). Here we establish a laboratory ecosystem using the model organism C. elegans and a computational simulation that realistically models the laboratory ecosystem. We used these …