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Articles 421 - 450 of 2421

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Plant Nutrient Quality Impacts Survival And Reproductive Fitness Of The Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti, Vincent Odhiambo Nyasembe, David Poumo Tchouassi, Martha Njeri Muturi, Christian W.W. Pirk, Catherine L. Sole, Baldwyn Torto Dec 2021

Plant Nutrient Quality Impacts Survival And Reproductive Fitness Of The Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti, Vincent Odhiambo Nyasembe, David Poumo Tchouassi, Martha Njeri Muturi, Christian W.W. Pirk, Catherine L. Sole, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: In a recent study using DNA barcoding, we identified the plants fed upon by four Afro-tropical mosquito species that vector dengue, malaria, and Rift Valley fever. Herein, we have expanded on this study by investigating the role of three of the plants, Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae), Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae), and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae), on the survival, fecundity, and egg viability of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods: We tested these effects using females that received (i) an initial three rations of blood meals and (ii) no blood meal at all. Two controls were included: age-matched females fed on glucose solution …


Transcriptomic Response Of Anopheles Gambiae Sensu Stricto Mosquito Larvae To Curry Tree (Murraya Koenigii) Phytochemicals, Clarence M. Mang’Era, Fathiya M. Khamis, Erick O. Awuoche, Ahmed Hassanali, Fidelis Levi Odhiambo Ombura, Paul O. Mireji Dec 2021

Transcriptomic Response Of Anopheles Gambiae Sensu Stricto Mosquito Larvae To Curry Tree (Murraya Koenigii) Phytochemicals, Clarence M. Mang’Era, Fathiya M. Khamis, Erick O. Awuoche, Ahmed Hassanali, Fidelis Levi Odhiambo Ombura, Paul O. Mireji

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Insect growth regulators (IGRs) can control insect vector populations by disrupting growth and development in juvenile stages of the vectors. We previously identified and described the curry tree (Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng) phytochemical leaf extract composition (neplanocin A, 3-(1-naphthyl)-l-alanine, lumiflavine, terezine C, agelaspongin and murrayazolinol), which disrupted growth and development in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto mosquito larvae by inducing morphogenetic abnormalities, reducing locomotion and delaying pupation in the mosquito. Here, we attempted to establish the transcriptional process in the larvae that underpins these phenotypes in the mosquito. Methods: We first exposed third-fourth instar larvae of the mosquito to the …


Tile Fish (Lopholatilus Villarii) Neurocranium, Maeya C. Yeatman, Sebastian K. Chan, David W. Kerstetter Nov 2021

Tile Fish (Lopholatilus Villarii) Neurocranium, Maeya C. Yeatman, Sebastian K. Chan, David W. Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from 12 cm total length (TL) Tile fish (Lopholatilus villarii), collected from Foodtown on 10/22/2021 by Maeya Yeatman and Sebastian Chan


Snook Neurocranium Scan Mello & Glanzmann, Christopher F. Glanzmann, Madison A. Mello Nov 2021

Snook Neurocranium Scan Mello & Glanzmann, Christopher F. Glanzmann, Madison A. Mello

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

This file is a 3D scan of a Snook Neurocranium. Snook head provided by DR. Kerstetter and scan performed by Chris Glanzmann and Madison Mello. Medium detail scan with a simplification ratio of 50.


Earthworm And Soil Data For Ottawa National Forest, Blair Orr Nov 2021

Earthworm And Soil Data For Ottawa National Forest, Blair Orr

Michigan Tech Research Data

Two types of analysis were run.

I. Probability of finding L. terrestris in habitat types of the Ottawa National Forests.

Abstract: Parts of the Ottawa National Forest (ONF) provide suitable habitat for invasive earthworms. Extensive earthworm invasion is a relatively recent event on the ONF and this study captures the current state of the earthworm invasion through a four-stage invasive species distribution model (iSDM). The random distribution of earthworms indicates early colonization by earthworms which is moderated by habitat (forest type, soil group, and drainage class). CART modeling was used to determine probability of earthworm invasion. The CART model had …


Prevalence Of Trypanosome Species In Cattle Near Ruma National Park, Lambwe Valley, Kenya: An Update From The Historical Focus For African Trypanosomosis, Shewit Kalayou, Michael Nyang Anga Okal, Peter Otieno Odhiambo, Kawira Mathenge, Daniel Ochieng Gamba, Edward Kariuki, Francis Mcodimba, Daniel Masiga Nov 2021

Prevalence Of Trypanosome Species In Cattle Near Ruma National Park, Lambwe Valley, Kenya: An Update From The Historical Focus For African Trypanosomosis, Shewit Kalayou, Michael Nyang Anga Okal, Peter Otieno Odhiambo, Kawira Mathenge, Daniel Ochieng Gamba, Edward Kariuki, Francis Mcodimba, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The effective control of diseases in areas shared with wildlife depends on the validity of the epidemiologic parameters that guide interventions. Epidemiologic data on animal trypanosomosis in Lambwe valley are decades old, and the recent suspected outbreaks of the disease in the valley necessitate the urgent bridging of this data gap. This cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis, identified risk factors, and investigated the occurrence of species with zoonotic potential in Lambwe valley. The area is ~324 km2, of which 120 km2 is the Ruma National Park. Blood was sampled from the jugular and marginal ear veins of …


Virulence And Horizontal Transmission Of Metarhizium Anisopliae By The Adults Of The Greenhouse Whitefly Trialeurodes Vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) And The Efficacy Of Oil Formulations Against Its Nymphs, Vongai M. Paradza, Fathiya M. Khamis, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Sevgan Subramanian, Komivi S. Akutse Nov 2021

Virulence And Horizontal Transmission Of Metarhizium Anisopliae By The Adults Of The Greenhouse Whitefly Trialeurodes Vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) And The Efficacy Of Oil Formulations Against Its Nymphs, Vongai M. Paradza, Fathiya M. Khamis, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Sevgan Subramanian, Komivi S. Akutse

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The pathogenicity of dry conidia and fungal suspensions of 16 entomopathogenic fungal isolates (10 Metarhizium anisopliae and six Beauveria bassiana) was evaluated against adults and second instar nymphs of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum respectively. All the tested isolates were pathogenic to T. vaporariorum and caused mortality of 45–93% against the adults and 24–89% against the nymphs. However, M. anisopliae strains showed higher virulence to both developmental stages as compared to B. bassiana strains. The three most virulent isolates that caused high mortalities in adults were M. anisopliae ICIPE 18, ICIPE 62 and ICIPE 69, with cumulative mortalities of 82, …


Mating Frequency Of Female False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Trade-Off Between Fecundity And Longevity, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Shepard Ndlela, Abdullah M. Mkiga, Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed Nov 2021

Mating Frequency Of Female False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Trade-Off Between Fecundity And Longevity, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Shepard Ndlela, Abdullah M. Mkiga, Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a polyphagous insect pest native to sub-Saharan Africa. The larvae burrow into the fruit and feed on the pulp, thus inflicting huge direct (yield) and indirect losses (markets). Nevertheless, little is known about the mating frequency, behavior, and trade-off between fecundity and longevity of this pest. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of mating status and frequency on fecundity, fertility, and female longevity of T. leucotreta; evaluate the trade-off between the female fecundity and longevity, and evaluate the spermatophore degradation in the bursa copulatrix. The first mating occurred 13 h on average …


Socioeconomic And Health Impacts Of Fall Armyworm In Ethiopia, Zewdu Abro, Emily Kimathi, Hugo De Groote, Tadele Tefera, Subramanian Sevgan, Saliou Niassy, Menale Kassie Nov 2021

Socioeconomic And Health Impacts Of Fall Armyworm In Ethiopia, Zewdu Abro, Emily Kimathi, Hugo De Groote, Tadele Tefera, Subramanian Sevgan, Saliou Niassy, Menale Kassie

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Since 2016, fall armyworm (FAW) has threatened sub-Saharan ‘Africa’s fragile food systems and economic performance. Yet, there is limited evidence on this transboundary pest’s economic and food security impacts in the region. Additionally, the health and environmental consequences of the insecticides being used to control FAW have not been studied. This paper presents evidence on the impacts of FAW on maize production, food security, and human and environmental health. We use a combination of an agroecology-based community survey and nationally representative data from an agricultural household survey to achieve our objectives. The results indicate that the pest causes an average …


Pollinator Supplementation Mitigates Pollination Deficits In Smallholder Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) Production Systems In Kenya, Rose Nyakemiso Sagwe, Marcell K. Peters, Thomas Dubois, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, H. Michael G. Lattorff Nov 2021

Pollinator Supplementation Mitigates Pollination Deficits In Smallholder Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) Production Systems In Kenya, Rose Nyakemiso Sagwe, Marcell K. Peters, Thomas Dubois, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, H. Michael G. Lattorff

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a major horticultural crop that relies on insect mediated pollination. In avocado production, a knowledge gap exists as to the importance of insect pollination, especially in East African smallholder farms. In this study, conducted in a leading smallholder avocado production region in Kenya, we assessed the dependence of avocado fruit set on insect pollination and whether current smallholder production systems suffer from a deficit in pollination services. Furthermore, we assessed if supplementation with colonies of the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) to farms mitigated potential pollination deficits. Our results revealed a very high reliance …


Efficiencies Of Stationary Sampling Tools For The Tsetse Fly Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes In Western Kenya, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Catherine L. Sole, Christian W.W. Pirk, Daniel K. Masiga, Abdullahi A. Yusuf Nov 2021

Efficiencies Of Stationary Sampling Tools For The Tsetse Fly Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes In Western Kenya, Njelembo J. Mbewe, Catherine L. Sole, Christian W.W. Pirk, Daniel K. Masiga, Abdullahi A. Yusuf

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Monitoring the effectiveness of tsetse fly control interventions that aim to reduce transmission of African trypanosomiasis requires highly efficient sampling tools that can catch flies at low densities. The sticky small target (StS-target) has previously been shown to be more effective in sampling Glossina fuscipes fuscipes compared to the biconical trap. However, its efficiency in terms of the proportion of flies it catches out of those that visit it has not been reported. Furthermore, there are no reports on whether tsetse samples caught using the StS-target can be used for subsequent processes such as molecular tests. In this study, we …


Perennial Legume Intercrops Provide Multiple Belowground Ecosystem Services In Smallholder Farming Systems, Laurie E. Drinkwater, Charles A.O. Midega, Rachel Awuor, Dickens Nyagol, Zeyaur R. Khan Oct 2021

Perennial Legume Intercrops Provide Multiple Belowground Ecosystem Services In Smallholder Farming Systems, Laurie E. Drinkwater, Charles A.O. Midega, Rachel Awuor, Dickens Nyagol, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Soil degradation is a major underlying cause of poverty and malnutrition in smallholder agrarian communities across the globe. Legume diversification, through polyculture or intercropping, is a strategy that increases yields and income while improving family nutrition. However, the potential for these legume-cereal intercrops to restore soil functions in smallholder fields remains uncertain, with many studies failing to detect increases in soil organic matter (SOM). In sub-Saharan Africa, smallholders typically grow maize either intercropped with short-lived annual food legumes or as a monoculture. Recently, a novel maize system which includes perennial legumes in the genus Desmodium as intercrops, known as “push-pull” …


Water Chemistry And Aquatic Vegetation Data From Les Cheneaux Islands, Northern Lake Huron, Michigan, Usa, 2016-2018, Colin Brooks, Amy Marcarelli, Casey Huckins, Amanda Grimm Oct 2021

Water Chemistry And Aquatic Vegetation Data From Les Cheneaux Islands, Northern Lake Huron, Michigan, Usa, 2016-2018, Colin Brooks, Amy Marcarelli, Casey Huckins, Amanda Grimm

Michigan Tech Research Data

Remote sensing approaches that could identify species of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and measure their extent in lake littoral zones would greatly enhance their study and management, especially if they can provide faster or more accurate results than traditional field methods. Remote sensing with multispectral sensors can provide this capability, but SAV identification with this technology must address the challenges of light extinction in aquatic environments where chlorophyll, dissolved organic carbon, and suspended minerals can affect water clarity and the strength of the sensed light signal. Here, we present environmental data collected to support a study using an unmanned aerial …


Beyond Sperm And Male Accessory Gland Proteins: Exploring Insect Reproductive Metabolomes, Francesca Scolari, Fathiya M. Khamis, Diana Pérez-Staples Oct 2021

Beyond Sperm And Male Accessory Gland Proteins: Exploring Insect Reproductive Metabolomes, Francesca Scolari, Fathiya M. Khamis, Diana Pérez-Staples

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Insect seminal fluid, the non-sperm component of the ejaculate, comprises a variegated set of molecules, including, but not limited to, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, salts, hormones, nucleic acids, and vitamins. The identity and functional role of seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) have been widely investigated, in multiple species. However, most of the other small molecules in insect ejaculates remain uncharacterized. Metabolomics is currently adopted to deepen our understanding of complex biological processes and in the last 15years has been applied to answer different physiological questions. Technological advances in high-throughput methods for metabolite identification such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) …


Data From: Silica Induction Of Diverse Inflammatory Proteome In Lungs Of Lupus-Prone Mice Quelled By Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation, James Pestka, Lichchavi D. Rajasinghe, Abby D. Benninghoff Oct 2021

Data From: Silica Induction Of Diverse Inflammatory Proteome In Lungs Of Lupus-Prone Mice Quelled By Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation, James Pestka, Lichchavi D. Rajasinghe, Abby D. Benninghoff

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Repeated short-term intranasal instillation of lupus-prone mice with to crystalline silica (cSiO2) induces inflammatory gene expression and ectopic lymphoid neogenesis in the lung, leading to early onset of systemic autoimmunity and rapid progression to glomerulonephritis. These responses are suppressed by dietary supplementation with the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Here, we tested the hypothesis that dietary DHA supplementation suppresses cSiO2-induced inflammatory proteins in bronchoalveolar alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma of lupus-prone mice. Archived tissue fluid samples were used from a prior investigation in which 6 wk-old lupus-prone female NZBWF1 mice were fed isocaloric diets containing 0 or …


Integration Of Invasive Tree, Black Locust, Into Agro-Ecological Flower Visitor Networks Induces Competition For Pollination Services, Gerald Chikowore, Sandy Lynn Steenhuisen, Reyard Mutamiswa, Grant D. Martin, Frank Chidawanyika Oct 2021

Integration Of Invasive Tree, Black Locust, Into Agro-Ecological Flower Visitor Networks Induces Competition For Pollination Services, Gerald Chikowore, Sandy Lynn Steenhuisen, Reyard Mutamiswa, Grant D. Martin, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Invasion of ecosystems by alien species is a global concern. Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae) is one such species which impacts on native diversity and ecosystem functioning. We assessed how R. pseudoacacia affects flower visitation by arthropods in commercial apple orchards in eastern Free State, South Africa. We used paired observations to compare the abundance and diversity of flower visitors and their interactions with the two plant species. Our results showed that R. pseudoacacia flowers attract African honey bees (Apis mellifera) more than apple flowers. However, flower visitation by Diptera, particularly March flies (Bibionidae) was higher in apple flowers. Arthropods of …


Neurotoxic Zanthoxylum Chalybeum Root Constituents Invoke Mosquito Larval Growth Retardation Through Ecdysteroidogenic Cyp450s Transcriptional Perturbations, Jackson M. Muema, Joel L. Bargul, James M. Mutunga, Meshack A. Obonyo, George O. Asudi, Sospeter N. Njeru Oct 2021

Neurotoxic Zanthoxylum Chalybeum Root Constituents Invoke Mosquito Larval Growth Retardation Through Ecdysteroidogenic Cyp450s Transcriptional Perturbations, Jackson M. Muema, Joel L. Bargul, James M. Mutunga, Meshack A. Obonyo, George O. Asudi, Sospeter N. Njeru

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Intracellular effects exerted by phytochemicals eliciting insect growth-retarding responses during vector control intervention remain largely underexplored. We studied the effects of Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. (Rutaceae) (ZCE) root derivatives against malaria (Anopheles gambiae) and arbovirus vector (Aedes aegypti) larvae to decipher possible molecular targets. We report dose-dependent biphasic effects on larval response, with transient exposure to ZCE and its bioactive fraction (ZCFr.5) inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, inducing larval lethality and growth retardation at sublethal doses. Half-maximal lethal concentrations (LC50) for ZCE against An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti larvae after 24-h exposure were 9.00 ppm and 12.26 ppm, respectively. The active fraction …


Odor Composition Of Field Versus Laboratory Desert Locust Populations, Baldwyn Torto, Hillary Kirwa, Ruth Kihika, Saliou Niassy Oct 2021

Odor Composition Of Field Versus Laboratory Desert Locust Populations, Baldwyn Torto, Hillary Kirwa, Ruth Kihika, Saliou Niassy

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Olfaction plays an important role in the behavioural ecology of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera:Acrididae). Different locust life stages and sexes use olfactory cues for different behaviours such as grouping, mating, oviposition, feeding, maturation and gregarization, which can be exploited for management of the desert locust. However, the full spectrum of the chemistry of volatiles released by the desert locust remains unknown. Here, we compared the volatile emissions of different life stages of a natural wild population reared in the laboratory for one generation with those of a population that has been reared in the laboratory for seven generations. …


Effect Of Moisture Stress On The Development Of False Codling Moth Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) On Two Tomato Varieties, Esther Museo Patrick, Irene Koomen, Shepard Ndlela, John Mwibanda Wesonga Oct 2021

Effect Of Moisture Stress On The Development Of False Codling Moth Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) On Two Tomato Varieties, Esther Museo Patrick, Irene Koomen, Shepard Ndlela, John Mwibanda Wesonga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

False codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) is a pest native to sub-Saharan Africa infesting over 100 plant species including tomato. Its survival and performance are influenced by changes in precipitation and stress-related biochemical changes in the host plant. Water availability for agricultural production continues to decline due to climate change affecting drought-sensitive crops like tomatoes. Little is known on host plant–insect interactions of T. leucotreta and tomato as influenced by moisture stress. Hence, our study tested the impact of different water holding capacities (WHC) (40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, and 90%) of plant growing media on the growth of Anna F1 …


Long-Term Maize-Desmodium Intercropping Shifts Structure And Composition Of Soil Microbiome With Stronger Impact On Fungal Communities, Aneth David Mwakilili, Kilaza Samson Mwaikono, Sebastian Larsson Herrera, Charles A.O. Midega, Francis Magingo, Beatrix Alsanius, Teun Dekker, Sylvester Leonard Lyantagaye Oct 2021

Long-Term Maize-Desmodium Intercropping Shifts Structure And Composition Of Soil Microbiome With Stronger Impact On Fungal Communities, Aneth David Mwakilili, Kilaza Samson Mwaikono, Sebastian Larsson Herrera, Charles A.O. Midega, Francis Magingo, Beatrix Alsanius, Teun Dekker, Sylvester Leonard Lyantagaye

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Purpose: Push–pull is an intercropping technology that is rapidly spreading among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The technology intercrops cereals with Desmodium to fight off stem borers, eliminate parasitic weeds, and improve soil fertility and yields of cereals. The above-ground components of push–pull cropping have been well investigated. However, the impact of the technology on the soil microbiome and the subsequent role of the microbiome on diverse ecosystem benefits are unknown. Here we describe the soil microbiome associated with maize—Desmodium intercropping in push–pull farming in comparison to long-term maize monoculture. Methods: Soil samples were collected from long-term maize—Desmodium intercropping and …


Functional Land Cover Scale For Three Insect Pests With Contrasting Dispersal Strategies In A Fragmented Coffee-Based Landscape In Central Kenya, Gladys Mosomtai, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Régis Babin, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, John Odindi, Onisimo Mutanga, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Tobias Landmann, Guillaume David Oct 2021

Functional Land Cover Scale For Three Insect Pests With Contrasting Dispersal Strategies In A Fragmented Coffee-Based Landscape In Central Kenya, Gladys Mosomtai, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Régis Babin, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, John Odindi, Onisimo Mutanga, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Tobias Landmann, Guillaume David

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In the Eastern Africa highlands, the gradual transformation of natural ecosystems to smallholding coffee-based agrosystems has resulted in more fragmented landscapes. Major pests of coffee find appropriate living conditions leading to high infestation rates and the need for smallholder farmers to implement pest control measures. This study aims to understand the influence of landscapes on the ecology of three major coffee pests: the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, and the Antestia bugs Antestiopsis thunbergii (ABT) and A. facetoides (ABF). The study was conducted on a typical smallholder coffee-based landscape in central Kenya. The pest abundance was assessed monthly for …


Mitochondrial Genomes Reveal Diverse Lineages Of Diaphorina Citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psyllidae) In Kenya And La Réunion, Yanjing Wang, Susan Halbert, Samira Mohamed, Hélène Delatte, Bernard Reynaud, George A.C. Beattie, Paul Holford, Jinming Lu, Yijing Cen Oct 2021

Mitochondrial Genomes Reveal Diverse Lineages Of Diaphorina Citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psyllidae) In Kenya And La Réunion, Yanjing Wang, Susan Halbert, Samira Mohamed, Hélène Delatte, Bernard Reynaud, George A.C. Beattie, Paul Holford, Jinming Lu, Yijing Cen

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a major threat to citrus production worldwide, as it transmits ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, the pathogen associated with the devastating Asian form of huanglongbing. The psyllid has spread widely from its native South Asia during the past 300 years, most recently to Africa. We report the first population genomic analyses of D. citri in Kenya and La Réunion based on next-generation sequencing of their mitochondrial genomes. We analyzed mitochondrial sequences of 264 D. citri individuals to establish genetic relationships among accessions from D. citri populations from Asia, North America and Africa. Haplotype network analysis …


Model Application Of Entomopathogenic Fungi As Alternatives To Chemical Pesticides: Prospects, Challenges, And Insights For Next-Generation Sustainable Agriculture, Bamisope Steve Bamisile, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Junaid Ali Siddiqui, Yijuan Xu Sep 2021

Model Application Of Entomopathogenic Fungi As Alternatives To Chemical Pesticides: Prospects, Challenges, And Insights For Next-Generation Sustainable Agriculture, Bamisope Steve Bamisile, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Junaid Ali Siddiqui, Yijuan Xu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In the past few decades, the control of pests and diseases of cultivated plants using natural and biological measures has drawn increasing attention in the quest to reduce the level of dependence on chemical products for agricultural production. The use of living organisms, predators, parasitoids, and microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, has proven to be a viable and sustainable pest management technique. Among the aforementioned, fungi, most importantly the insect-pathogenic species, have been in use for more than 150years. These include the most popular strains belonging to the genera Beauveria, Metarhizium, Isaria, Hirsutella, and Lecanicillium. Their application is …


Loren Haarsma - When Did Sin Begin?, Loren Haarsma Sep 2021

Loren Haarsma - When Did Sin Begin?, Loren Haarsma

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Patrick Hamilton speaks to Calvin University Professor, Loren Haarsma, about the origins of sin and various ways to make sense of the doctrine of original sin in light of evolutionary origins. Other topics of conversation include psychology, free will and the theology of Saint Augustine.


Charity-And Project-Based Service Learning Models Increase Public Service Motivation Outcomes Among Dietetic Students In A Community Nutrition Course, Lauren Dinour, Jennifer Kuscin Sep 2021

Charity-And Project-Based Service Learning Models Increase Public Service Motivation Outcomes Among Dietetic Students In A Community Nutrition Course, Lauren Dinour, Jennifer Kuscin

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective:

To determine whether dietetic students would report a change in their public service motivation (PSM) following a community nutrition service learning (SL) course, and whether the SL model (charity v. project) influences this change differently.

Design:

Using a pretest–posttest, nonequivalent groups quasi-experimental design, this study compared students’ PSM at the beginning and end of a 15-week college-level course. PSM and four component dimensions (attraction to public policy, commitment to public interest, compassion and self-sacrifice) were measured via electronic survey using the PSM scale. Average PSM scores were compared between and within the charity and project groups using independent samples …


On The Human Appropriation Of Wetland Primary Production, James A. Cloern, Samuel M. Safran, Lydia Smith Vaughn, April Robinson, Alison A. Whipple, Katharyn E. Boyer, Judith Z. Drexler, Robert J. Naiman, James L. Pinckney, Emily R. Howe, Elizabeth A. Canuel, J. Letitia Grenier Sep 2021

On The Human Appropriation Of Wetland Primary Production, James A. Cloern, Samuel M. Safran, Lydia Smith Vaughn, April Robinson, Alison A. Whipple, Katharyn E. Boyer, Judith Z. Drexler, Robert J. Naiman, James L. Pinckney, Emily R. Howe, Elizabeth A. Canuel, J. Letitia Grenier

Faculty Publications

Humans are changing the Earth's surface at an accelerating pace, with significant consequences for ecosystems and their biodiversity. Landscape transformation has far-reaching implications including reduced net primary production (NPP) available to support ecosystems, reduced energy supplies to consumers, and disruption of ecosystem services such as carbon storage. Anthropogenic activities have reduced global NPP available to terrestrial ecosystems by nearly 25%, but the loss of NPP from wetland ecosystems is unknown. We used a simple approach to estimate aquatic NPP from measured habitat areas and habitat-specific areal productivity in the largest wetland complex on the USA west coast, comparing historical and …


Evaluating Livestock Farmers Knowledge, Beliefs, And Management Of Arboviral Diseases In Kenya: A Multivariate Fractional Probit Approach, Paul Nyamweya Nyangau, Jonathan Makau Nzuma, Patrick Irungu, Menale Kassie Sep 2021

Evaluating Livestock Farmers Knowledge, Beliefs, And Management Of Arboviral Diseases In Kenya: A Multivariate Fractional Probit Approach, Paul Nyamweya Nyangau, Jonathan Makau Nzuma, Patrick Irungu, Menale Kassie

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Globally, arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) infections continue to pose substantial threats to public health and economic development, especially in developing countries. In Kenya, although arboviral diseases (ADs) are largely endemic, little is known about the factors influencing livestock farmers’ knowledge, beliefs, and management (KBM) of the three major ADs: Rift Valley fever (RVF), dengue fever and chikungunya fever. This study evaluates the drivers of livestock farmers’ KBM of ADs from a sample of 629 respondents selected using a three-stage sampling procedure in Kenya’s three hotspot counties of Baringo, Kwale, and Kilifi. A multivariate fractional probit model was used to assess the …


Paenibacillus Polymyxa Causes Yellow Withered Spot Disease In Dracaena Trifasciata In The South Of China, Baochun Lai, Yongwen Lin, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Ruiqing Dai Sep 2021

Paenibacillus Polymyxa Causes Yellow Withered Spot Disease In Dracaena Trifasciata In The South Of China, Baochun Lai, Yongwen Lin, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Ruiqing Dai

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mother-in-law’s tongue, Dracaena (Sansevieria) trifasciata S. is an ornamental houseplant of Asparagaceae family and native to tropical western Africa and southern Asia. Following a yellow withered spot symptom observed on up to one third of D. trifasciata plants at the field, a new bacterium pathogen was discovered for the first time in South of China. This pathogen was isolated from the early irregular yellow spot and its pathogenicity to the host plant was confirmed through artificial infection. Through both morphological characteristics and molecular DNA sequences using 16S rDNA and three housekeeping genes, the pathogen was identified and characterized as Paenibacillus …


Estimating Maize Lethal Necrosis (Mln) Severity In Kenya Using Multispectral High-Resolution Data, Kyalo Richard, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Sevgan Subramanian, Johnson O. Nyasani, Michael Thiel, Hossein J. Jozani, Christian Borgemeister, Bester T. Mudereri, Tobias Landmann Sep 2021

Estimating Maize Lethal Necrosis (Mln) Severity In Kenya Using Multispectral High-Resolution Data, Kyalo Richard, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Sevgan Subramanian, Johnson O. Nyasani, Michael Thiel, Hossein J. Jozani, Christian Borgemeister, Bester T. Mudereri, Tobias Landmann

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Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is a severe disease in maize that significantly reduces yields by up to 90% in maize-growing regions such as Kenya and other countries in Africa. The disease causes chlorotic mottling of leaves and severe stunting which leads to plant death. The spread of MLN in the maize-growing regions of Kenya has intensified since the first outbreak was reported in September 2011. In this study, the RapidEye (5 m) imagery was combined with field-based data of MLN severity to map three MLN severity levels in Bomet County, Kenya. Two RapidEye images were acquired during maize stem elongation …


Advances In Insects For Food And Feed, James Peter Egonyu, John Kinyuru, Forkwa Fombong, Jeremiah Ng’Ang’A, Yusuf Abdullahi Ahmed, Saliou Niassy Sep 2021

Advances In Insects For Food And Feed, James Peter Egonyu, John Kinyuru, Forkwa Fombong, Jeremiah Ng’Ang’A, Yusuf Abdullahi Ahmed, Saliou Niassy

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This Special Issue presents the outcomes from the 23rd African Association of Insect Scientists' Conference held in Cote D’Ivoire, in connection with similar initiatives within and outside Africa. Over 65 scientific papers from several countries, worldwide, were submitted, of which about 40 were accepted and published. The issue focused on new advances in the value chain of edible insects in Africa and beyond. An innovative light-emitting diode technology for mass harvesting of edible grasshopper has been developed. The nutrient composition of insects such as the desert locust has been evaluated. Organic waste streams have been found to affect insect productivity …