Life Sciences Commons^™

Cpce Software, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Software

The CPCe (Coral Point Count with Excel extensions) program is a Windows-based software (PC use only) that provides a tool for the determination of coral cover using transect photographs. A specified number of spatially random points are distributed on a transect image and the features underlying the points are user-identified. Coverage statistics are then calculated and the results sent to Excel spreadsheets automatically.

Additionally, CPCe can be used for image calibration and area analysis of benthic features. Excel sheets are automatically generated to summarize the area calculations for each image.

Using CPCe

Using CPCe is simple and straightforward. The main …

Nitrogen Budgets And Nitrogen Use Efficiency As Agricultural Performance Indicators In Lake Victoria Basin, Winnie Ntinyari, Joseph Gweyi-Onyango, Mekonnen Giweta, James Mutegi, Benson Mochoge, Generose Nziguheba, Cargele Masso

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Too little nitrogen (N) is a threat to crop productivity and soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Nitrogen budgets (NB) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are critical tools for assessing N dynamics in agriculture and have received little or no attention in the region. Data were collected from smallholder farmers clustered into two categories, farmers applying and farmers not applying N fertilizers. NB were calculated using the Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS) model approach for field and farm spatial scales. The results showed spatial variabilities in NB and NUE at the field level (maize and rice) across all the …

Immediate And Residual-Effects Of Sole And Intercropped Grain Legumes In Maize Production Systems Under Rain-Fed Conditions Of Northern Tanzania, E. Mugi-Ngenga, L. Bastiaans, N. P.R. Anten, S. Zingore, K. E. Giller

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Intercropping of maize with grain-legume crops predominates on smallholder farms in East Africa. However, the growth and development of crops and their interaction with fertilizer in intercropping systems are not well understood. We sought to answer the questions: (i) what are the effects of fertilizer on the growth and development of maize-pigeonpea and maize-lablab intercropping systems under variable agroecological conditions? (ii) what are the residual effects of two seasons of sole and intercrops of maize, pigeonpea and lablab on a succeeding maize crop? We studied pure stands of maize, long-duration pigeonpea, medium-duration pigeonpea and lablab, and additive intercropping combinations on …

[Tilapia (Oreochromis)] Neurocranium, Kaylee J. Czachorowski, Mackenzie S. Magyar, Haley Minne, David William Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Neurocranium [Oreochromis] by Kaylee Czachorowski, Haley Minne, Mackenzie Magyar

Synthesis Of 1,2,3-Triazole-Thymol Derivatives As Potential Antimicrobial Agents, Justice Kwaku Addo, Ernest Owusu-Ansah, Nicholas T.K.D. Dayie, Xavier Cheseto, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Thymol as a natural biological template can be modified chemically since the hydroxyl group makes it a candidate for structural modification. Thus, this study incorporated the triazole moiety on thymol and the chlorination of thymol moiety to help improve its biological potency. Materials and methods: A series of ten 1,2,3-triazole-thymol derivatives 1–10 were synthesized from thymol, by a click reaction between O-propargyl terminal alkyne of thymol and its chlorothymol with benzyl azide and substituted benzyl azides. Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, GC-MS-EI/CI and LC-ESI-QTOF-MS). The Well diffusion method using Müeller-Hinton agar plates was used …

The Dynamics And Role Of Gender In High-Value Avocado Farming In Kenya, Beatrice Muriithi, Jane Kabubo-Mariara

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

We used two-wave panel data obtained from avocado growers in Murang’a County in Kenya to examine, through the perspective of gender, the dynamics of farmers’ participation in avocado production and marketing organizations (PMOs), and test whether understanding group dynamics is important for analyzing contract farming. Using a multinomial logit (MNL) model, we identify the characteristics of men and women participating in PMOs categorized as early adopters, dis-adopters, late adopters, and non-adopters. We focus on dis-adopters and late adopters because these categories are most often ignored in the literature. Moreover, without considering the dynamics, we verify the influencing factors of PMOs …

Occurrence And Density Of The Stink Bug Antestiopsis Thunbergii Gmelin 1790 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) And Related Egg-Parasitoids In Burundi Coffee Agroecosystems, Jean Mugishawimana, Lucy Kananu Murungi, Soter Ndihokubwayo, Anaclet Nibasumba, Julien Haran, Guillaume David

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Antestiopsis thunbergii is the most important coffee pest in Burundi causing yield losses of up to 30%. The aim of this study was to estimate its occurrence and density and to assess the species diversity of native egg-parasitoids associated to this pest in coffee agroecosystems. Our study was carried out in four coffee growing agro-ecological zones of Burundi namely; the humid west escarpments, the humid central highlands, the sub-humid central highlands and the sub-humid southeastern and northern depressions. In total, 600 coffee trees, randomly selected in 40 coffee plots of 20 communes were investigated at three phenological stages of the …

Immersion In Hot Water As A Phytosanitary Treatment For Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) In Bell Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.), Nelson L. Mwando, Shepard Ndlela, Rainer Meyhöfer, Sevgan Subramanian, Samira A. Mohamed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The False codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta is a major quarantine pest that hampers Capsicum production and trade in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and may need a postharvest treatment to meet quarantine standards of lucrative overseas markets. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of hot water treatment (HWT) as a potential nonchemical quarantine control option against T. leucotreta in bell pepper and its effect on the quality parameters of the peppers. Infested bell pepper harboring different immature stages of T. leucotreta were subjected to a hot water treatment of 50 ± 0.2 °C for eight different time-points to determine heat …

Parasitisation Of Weaver Ants By A Species Of Smicromorpha Girault (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae: Smicromorphinae) And Unequivocal Evidence Of Its Presence In The Afrotropical Region, Robert S. Copeland, Bethelihem Mekonnen, Gerard Delvare

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Smicromorpha Girault (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) is distributed in the old world tropics and subtropics from Australia through New Guinea, Southeast and South Asia. Since its original description in 1913 conclusive evidence of its host has been lacking although it has been collected in association with weaver ants (Oecophylla spp.; Formicidae: Formicinae) either in proximity to ant nests or, on one occasion, reared from one. In this paper we report the presence of Smicromorpha pupae within the gaster of Oecophylla longinoda workers from a nest collected in coastal Kenya. This discovery extends the distribution of Smicromorpha to the Afrotropical Region and demonstrates …

Activational Vs. Organizational Effects Of Sex Steroids And Their Role In The Evolution Of Reproductive Behavior: Looking To Foot-Flagging Frogs And Beyond, Nigel K. Anderson, Sarah E. Goodwin, Eric R. Schuppe, Allexandrya Dawn, Doris Preininger, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Matthew J. Fuxjager

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Sex steroids play an important role in regulation of the vertebrate reproductive phenotype. This is because sex steroids not only activate sexual behaviors that mediate copulation, courtship, and aggression, but they also help guide the development of neural and muscular systems that underlie these traits. Many biologists have therefore described the effects of sex steroid action on reproductive behavior as both “activational” and “organizational,” respectively. Here, we focus on these phenomena from an evolutionary standpoint, highlighting that we know relatively little about the way that organizational effects evolve in the natural world to support the adaptation and diversification of reproductive …

Integrated Management Of Spodoptera Frugiperda 6 Years Post Detection In Africa: A Review, Ghislain T. Tepa-Yotto, Peter Chinwada, Ivan Rwomushana, Georg Goergen, Sevgan Subramanian

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The introduction of fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the African continent has led to paradigm shifts in pest control in maize systems, occasioned by year-round populations. The discovery of resident parasitoid species adapting to the new pest significantly informed decision-making toward avoiding highly hazardous synthetic insecticides to control the pest. A number of biopesticides have shown promise against the fall armyworm, providing a new arsenal for the sustainable management of this invasive pest. However, a few knowledge gaps remain for a fully integrated and sustainable FAW-management approach, particularly on host-resistance potential.

Integrating A Crop Model With A Greenhouse Gas Calculator To Identify Low Carbon Agricultural Intensification Options For Smallholder Farmers In Rural South Africa, Farirai Rusere, Lynn V. Dicks, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Olivier Crespo

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Models that enable the estimation of crop yields and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions concurrently are still lacking. This study develops a biophysical modelling framework encompassing a farm typology, a crop model, and a farm-focused GHG calculator to assess productivity (crop yield) and GHG emissions of crop management practices concurrently. Using this modelling framework, the study developed cropping system scenarios based on the concept of conservation agriculture (CA) to identify and design cropping systems that deliver ecological intensification for different farm types. All farm types were found to be net sources of GHG with cropping system inefficiency across all farm types. …

Larval Exposure To Parasitic Varroa Destructor Mites Triggers Specific Immune Responses In Different Honey Bee Castes And Species, Yu Fang, Abebe Jenberie Wubie, Mao Feng, Chuan Ma, Boris Baer, Jianke Li

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Innate immune systems are key defenses of animals and particularly important in species that lack the sophisticated adaptive immune systems as found in vertebrates. Here, we were interested to quantify variation in innate immune responses of insects in hosts that differ in their parasite susceptibility. To do this, we studied immune responses in honey bees, which can host a remarkable number of different parasites, which are major contributors of declining bee health and colony losses. The most significant parasite of honey bees is the mite Varroa destructor, which has infested the majority of global honey bee populations, and its control …

Data From: Complex Tourism And Season Interactions Contribute To Disparate Physiologies In An Endangered Rock Iguana, Susannah French

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To promote survival and fitness, organisms use a suite of physiological systems to respond to both predictable and unpredictable changes in the environment. These physiological responses are also influenced by changes in life history state. The continued activation of physiological systems stemming from persistent environmental perturbations enable animals to cope with these challenges but may over time lead to significant effects on the health of wildlife. In the present study, we tested how varying environmental perturbations driven by tourism and associated supplemental feeding affects the energetics, corticosterone and immunity of six discrete populations of the northern Bahamian rock iguana (Cyclura …

Blood Chemistry And Biliverdin Differ According To Reproduction And Tourism In A Free-Living Lizard, Susannah French

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Changes in the physiological health of species are an essential indicator of changing conditions and environmental challenges. Reponses to environmental challenges can often induce stress, influence physiology, and change metabolism in organisms. Here we tested blood chemistry parameters indicative of stress and metabolic activity using an i-STAT point-of-care blood analyzer in seven populations of free-ranging rock iguanas exposed to varying levels of tourism and supplemental feeding. We found significant differences in blood chemistry (glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hematocrit, hemoglobin, calcium, potassium, and biliverdin levels) among populations exposed to varying levels of tourism, and also some variation between sexes and reproductive …

Using Scratch Wound Assay To Study The Effect Of Soil Arsenic On Human Keratinocyte Cell Migration Due To Contact Exposure, Manas Warke, Laura De March, Srinivas Kannan, Madeline English, Rohan Sarkar, Rupali Datta, Smitha Rao

Michigan Tech Research Data

The scratch wound assay was performed on Human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells to observe the effect on cell migration due to contact exposure to arsenic-contaminated Immokalee soil. The cell migration was observed through a microscope for 72 h. HaCaT cells were seeded in 48-well plate. On day 3, treatment media was added (n=8). The cells were treated with four concentrations of soil As (45, 225, 450, and 900 mg/kg) and two controls - Negative control (NC; Pure media) and control (C; 0 mg/kg soil As) for 72 h. A scratch was made using a pipette tip. The wound healing was …

Using Scratch Wound Assay To Study The Effect Of Soil Arsenic On Human Dermal Fibroblasts Cell Migration Due To Contact Exposure, Manas Warke, Laura De Marchi, Srinivas Kannan, Madeline English, Rohan Sarkar, Rupali Datta, Smitha Rao

Michigan Tech Research Data

The scratch wound assay was performed on Normal Human Primary Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFa) cells to observe the effect on cell migration due to contact exposure to arsenic-contaminated Immokalee soil. The cell migration was observed through a microscope for 72 h. HDFa cells were seeded in 48-well plate. On day 3, treatment media was added (n=8). The cells were treated with four concentrations of soil As (45, 225, 450, and 900 mg/kg) and two controls - Negative control (NC; Pure media) and control (C; 0 mg/kg soil As) for 72 h. A scratch was made using a pipette tip. The wound …

Metabolites From Trypanosome-Infected Cattle As Sensitive Biomarkers For Animal Trypanosomosis, Merid N. Getahun, John Ngiela, John Mark O. Makwatta, Peter Ahuya, Tawich K. Simon, Samuel K. Kamau, Baldwyn Torto, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Trypanosomes are important global livestock and human pathogens of public health importance. Elucidating the chemical mechanisms of trypanosome-relevant host interactions can enhance the design and development of a novel, next-generation trypanosomosis diagnostics. However, it is unknown how trypanosome infection affects livestock volatile odors. Here, we show that Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax infections induced dihydro-β- ionone and junenol, while abundance of dihydro-α-ionone, phenolics, p-cresol, and 3-propylphenol significantly elevated in cow urine. These biomarkers of trypanosome infection are conserved in cow breath and the urine metabolites of naturally infected cows, regardless of population, diet, or environment differences. Furthermore, treating trypanosome-infected cows …

Microhabitat And Patch Selection Detection From Gps Tracking Collars Of Semi-Free Ranging Mashona Cattle Within A Semi-Arid Environment, C. Gwatirisa, B. T. Mudereri, T. Chitata, C. Mukanga, M. M. Ngwenya, J. V. Muzvondiwa, R. Mugandani, M. Sungirai

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Over the last 30 years, the global positioning system (GPS) tracking collars have significantly enhanced livestock grazing behavior studies. Practices designed to understand and improve livestock grazing distribution can now be accurately and cost-effectively monitored with GPS tracking. The behavior and spatiotemporal microhabitat selection of Mashona cattle relative to the season in a semi-free-range grazing system was evaluated using a low‐cost GPS herd activity monitoring (GPSHAM) collar. The GPSHAM automatically logged the position of the lead cow at 20-second intervals over a 7–hour daily grazing period. Additionally, the GPS data was complemented by visually observing the lead cow during daylight …

Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna Lewini) Jaw, Daria W. Ghegan, Brittney Dreyer, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Jaw prep from Sphyrna lewini (Scalloped Hammerhead) obtained from the NSU Fisheries and Avian Ecology

Sustainable Intensification Of Wheat Production Under Smallholder Farming Systems In Burera, Musanze And Nyamagabe Districts Of Rwanda, Athanase Rusanganwa Cyamweshi, Nsharwasi Léon Nabahungu, Jackson Cirhuza Mirali, Job Kihara, George Oduor, Harrison Rware, Gudeta Weldesemayat Sileshi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The productivity of wheat is low on smallholder farms in Rwanda. Although mineral fertiliser use is being promoted as a sustainable intensification (SI) pathway, little is known about the nutrient use efficiency and profitability of various fertiliser inputs in Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe districts of Rwanda. The objective of this study was to assess the use of combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in wheat production in terms of nutrients management specifically, crop yield, production risk, input use efficiency and economic returns on smallholder farms. The study was conducted in three …

Lepidopterans Of Economic Importance In Cameroon: A Systematic Review, José Ouaba, Timoléon Tchuinkam, Alida Waïmane, Henlay Juma Otieno Magara, Saliou Niassy, Félix Meutchieye

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Lepidoptera represents one of the most abundant and diverse insect groups globally, with more than 178,159 species described in more than 4000 genera. This paper discusses the economic importance of these insects in Cameroon. The work was built on a comprehensive review of 60 relevant published articles from 1955 to 2021. Results show a great diversity of insects of economic importance belonging to the order Lepidoptera, of which 51 are known at the species level, eleven at the genus level, and many others not yet identified. Their economic importance is somehow conflicting, with a mix of harmful and beneficial species. …

Plant Growth And Defense Traits In Sorghum Bicolor’S Response To Chilo Partellus In The Tropics, Adekunle W. Adesanya, Maria Isabel Gomez, Kimberly Morrell, Charles Midega, Zeyaur Khan, André Kessler, Katja Poveda

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In order to meet the increasing demands from an exploding human population, sustainable agriculture relies on the availability of crop varieties with high yields and optimal defenses to pests. However, ample work has suggested that domesticated plants could have reduced defenses at the expense of increased biomass or yield, and these potential trade-offs can vary among plant species and genotypes. Herbivory coping mechanisms such as tolerance and resistance can be expressed differently among plant genotypes, with variable relationships and inherent fitness costs. Knowledge of the connection between growth and defense mechanisms in cultivated plants is still limited, especially in tropical …

Influence Of The Type Of Pollen Diet On The Survival, Body Weight, And Immune Response In The African Honeybee, Michael N.K. Muturi, Joel L. Bargul, H. Michael G. Lattorff

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Pollen nutrition is critical for the development and well-being of the honeybee. Previous studies have compared the effect of pollen and carbohydrate-only diet on honeybee physiology. The effect of a monofloral versus polyfloral diet on the African honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) is poorly understood. This knowledge is critical as diversity-rich habitats are being altered to less diverse environments through increased urbanization and intensified agricultural activities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we report how lowly diverse (LD) and highly diverse (HD) pollen diets influence honeybee life-history traits and physiology. To achieve this, we fed caged bees with the two pollen diets …

Impact Of Invasive Insects On Native Insect Communities, Taiadjana M. Fortuna, Philippe Le Gall, Samir Mezdour, Paul André Calatayud

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Several biophysical factors are leading to the loss of biodiversity, among them the dominance of exotic invasive species on native communities is important. Their dominance can lead to changes in the structure of insect communities, by competing and displacing native species to other crops or habitats. These changes can impact the herbivore's natural enemies in invaded areas by diverging them from suitable herbivores and altering their biological control process. The development of edible insects and derived products at an industrial scale can also have an impact on the local fauna by the risks of spillover and accidental release in nature. …

A Mathematical Model For Biological Field Effect Tranistors, Ryan M. Evans, Seulki Cho, Arvind Ballijepalli, Anthony Kearsley

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Real-Time Interactive Simulation Of Large Bird Flocks: Toward Understanding Murmurations, Maxfield R. Comstock

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Tear-Film Breakup Using Fluorescence Video Recordings, Tobin Driscoll, Richard Braun, Rayanne Luke, Carolyn G. Begley

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Progress In Research On Site-Specific Nutrient Management For Smallholder Farmers In Sub-Saharan Africa, P. Chivenge, S. Zingore, K. S. Ezui, S. Njoroge, M. A. Bunquin, A. Dobermann, K. Saito

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Increasing fertilizer access and use is an essential component for improving crop production and food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, given the heterogeneous nature of smallholder farms, fertilizer application needs to be tailored to specific farming conditions to increase yield, profitability, and nutrient use efficiency. The site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) approach initially developed in the 1990 s for generating field-specific fertilizer recommendations for rice in Asia, has also been introduced to rice, maize and cassava cropping systems in SSA. The SSNM approach has been shown to increase yield, profitability, and nutrient use efficiency. Yield gains of rice and maize …

Lintul-Cassava-Npk: A Simulation Model For Nutrient-Limited Cassava Growth, J. G. Adiele, A. G.T. Schut, K. S. Ezui, K. E. Giller

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

A solid understanding of the dynamics of plant nutrient requirements and uptake from the soil is needed to provide robust fertilizer recommendations, timing of applications and nutrient use efficiency. Our objective was to develop and test the ability of the crop model LINTUL-Cassava-NPK to simulate biomass growth and yield of cassava under nutrient-limited conditions. We used experimental data from six fields located in three different agro-ecologies in Nigeria: Rainforest Zone– Ogoja and Ikom (Cross River), Rainforest Transition Zone – Ekpoma (Edo) and Guinea Savanna Zone – Otukpo (Benue) over two consecutive growing seasons from 2016 to 2018. Nutrient stress in …