Life Sciences Commons^™

Low-Head Dam Removal Increases Functional Diversity Of Stream Fish Assemblages, Adam Christopher Jones

Masters Theses

Despite the growing number of dam removals to date, very few have been studied to understand their impacts on stream fish communities. Despite being the most common type of dam in the U.S., an even smaller proportion of studies focus on the impacts of low-head dam removals, instead, focusing on the impacts of removal of larger dams. In this study, two previously impounded Illinois rivers were monitored to assess the impacts of low-head dam removal on the functional assemblage of stream fishes. This was accomplished by aggregating fishes into habitat and reproductive guilds, relating community changes to habitat, environmental metrics, …

Cloning Of Root-Specific Promoters In Helianthus Annuus And Populus Trichocarpa, Jacob Murphy

Masters Theses

Tissue-specific promoters are a valuable tool in plant biotechnology because they allow for precise spatial control of transgene expression. To identify root-specific promoters in sunflower (Helianthus annuus), sunflower RNA sequence (RNA-seq) data were screened in silico by Pavlidis Template Matching (PTM) with a root-specific template. Eight root-specific genes were identified in sunflower. The 2.5kbp promoter regions of six of these root-specific sunflower genes (HaTOR1L3, HaGOXL3A, HaGOXL3B, HaAPA1, HaPOE1, and HaMOP10) were successfully cloned as well as the 3kbp promoter regions of four root-specific genes previously identified in poplar (Populus trichocarpa …

Beetle Diversity In Temperate Deciduous Forests With Different Management History In Central Illinois, Syue Ru Chien

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

2021 Celebration Of Scholarship, Creativity, And Engagement, Todd Bruns, Beth Heldebrandt

Programs

At this annual celebration, we, as a shared community, are pleased that the important work of faculty continues and evolves as faculty have broadened and redefined the boundaries of scholarship, creativity, and innovation throughout the COVID, late-COVID, and soon-to-be post-COVID eras. While we are pleased to return to more familiar campus-based traditions, functions, and activities, the experiences of 2020-2021 have contributed to the development of new forms and strategies for scholarship and creativity that reflect the core principles of faculty life and ensure that student learning remains central to the mission of Eastern Illinois University.

For that reason, our faculty, …

Learn Grow Eat, Laura Dolezal, Arianne Kozeluh, Rachel Mannen

Health Fair: Tools & Lessons for K-12

No abstract provided.

Dietetic Internship Student Handbook Of Policies And Procedures, Nutrition And Dietetics

College of Health and Human Services Handbooks

Spring 2021

Genome-Wide Characterization Of Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain Genes In Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.), Saleh M. Aljurbua

Masters Theses

Lateral Organ Boundaries (LBD) gene family encodes transcription factors found only in plants with essential roles in growth, development, and response to biotic and abiotic factors. The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., Asteraceae family) LBD genes were studied using different in silico and phylogenetic approaches including four major steps: gene identification, phylogenic analysis, structural analysis, and expression analysis. Sixty-four sunflower LBD genes (HaLBDs) were identified using query search of all Arabidopsis LBD genes against sunflower genome (version r1.2) followed by LBD domain sequence verification. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using MEGA-X program. The identified genes were phylogenetically classified into two main …

Effects Of Emerging Contaminants On Centrarchidae And Catostomidae In Midwestern Rivers: A Multiple Biomarker Approach, Camden Garret Nix

Masters Theses

Natural habitats of fish are gradually declining due to land use and pollution caused by industrial wastes, intensive agriculture and contamination from sewage systems. The United States has 14,780 wastewater treatment facilities that discharge effluent into navigable waters, and in some cases these discharge waters represent a considerable proportion of the water system flow. These activities make it critical to discern the effects of pollutants that are entering our waterways at a consistent rate, such as 17β-estradiol (E2) and nickel, on aquatic organisms. To determine the effects of 17β-estradiol on endocrine disruption in fish, Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) …

Effects Of Wastewater Effluent On Fish Fin Morphology Of Larval Fathead Minnows (Pimephales Promelas) And Swimming Performance Of Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus Bubalus), Seth Michael Bogue

Masters Theses

The Sangamon River flows across central Illinois and is mostly free flowing except in the city of Decatur where it is impounded to form Lake Decatur. The Sanitary District of Decatur (SDD) is located approximately three miles downstream of the Lake Decatur dam. For a significant portion of the year, the stretch of the Sangamon River downstream of SDD is dominated by effluent due to limited discharge from the Lake Decatur dam. This has resulted in heavy nutrient loading, most notably phosphorus, and elevated levels of nickel and other compounds in the downstream section of the river. Smallmouth buffalo ( …

Genetic Relatedness Can Alter The Strength Of Plant-Soil Feedbacks, Kelly M. Clark

Masters Theses

Intraspecific variation may play a key role in understanding the relationships between plants and their interactions with soil microbial communities. The effects that soil-microbes have on individuals can venerate variation across individuals in their responsiveness. I explored how relatedness alters plant-soil feedbacks in established Solidago altissima clones grown in a common garden. Seedlings of known parentage were inoculated with soils from the maternal, paternal, or unrelated clones and compared to autoclaved control inocula. I found that the soil inocula generated from S. altissima had an overall negative effect of seedling biomass. Furthermore, seedlings inoculated with maternal or paternal soils experienced …

The Relationship Between Relative Muscular Strength And Joint Mobility In Firefighters, Samuel C. Nozicka

Masters Theses

Firefighters job requirements consist of running upstairs, climbing ladders, ceiling breach and pull, carrying equipment, forcible entry, dragging hoses, raising ladders, and rescue of patrons all while wearing heavy protective equipment that limits their mobility (Park et al., 2015). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between relative strength and mobility within the population of firefighters. The subjects were volunteers consisting of twelve male firefighter ranging in age from 25-52 with the mean age of 37.7 ± 7.7 years. Leighton Flexometer was used to measure joint range of motion (ROM) in different active movement patterns (Leighton, 1966). …

The Gene Expression Patterns Of Phanerochaete Chrysosporium And Trametes Versicolor On Diverse Lignocellulosic Feedstocks, Noor Osama Alabbasi

Masters Theses

Plant biomass is considered to be an important future starting material for fuels and chemicals, thereby decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels. While direct combustion continues to be a source of fuel, the generation of liquid fuels from plant biomass for transportation has proven to be challenging. Among the limiting factors for conversion of this material to biofuels is the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulose, the primary component of non-starch plant biomass. A strategy to overcome this dilemma is to directly or indirectly use the enzymes from white-rot fungi, which have evolved a unique ability to deconstruct lignocellulose. However, the biochemical …

Immediate Response Of Black Basses To Dam Removal Is Determined By Habitat Preference, Reuben Frey

Masters Theses

Dams affect the abundance of fish species in lotic systems by altering flow regime and available physical habitat. Removal of dams may mitigate these effects and generate a change in species abundance and fish community structure. Understanding the effects of dam removal on gamefish species is essential in making management decisions. I investigated how populations of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), Spotted Bass (M. punctulatus), and Largemouth Bass (M. salmoides) were affected by the presence and removal of two low-head dams in a Midwestern river system. I used data collected during fall and spring from …

Development Of Fluorescence Microscopy Approaches To Study Subcellular Protein Transport And Enzymatic Activity, Anchal Singh

Masters Theses

Understanding the subcellular localization of proteins and their activity is important in understanding their normal function in eukaryotic cells. Fluorescence cellular imaging techniques can selectively and sensitively visualize subcellular biochemistry. Using this approach, two different methods were employed in this thesis. The first focused on studying protein import into peroxisome and the other on monitoring the activity of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized enzyme, human carboxylesterase 1 (CES1).

Peroxisomes are mainly known as the center for long chain fatty acid b-oxidation as well as the production and detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. Proteins which are needed in the peroxisomes are encoded in …

Xylan-Derived Carbon Nutrient Acquisition By Caulobacter Crescentus, Rhoda Ekuama Inkoom

Masters Theses

Bacterial decomposition of xylan and uptake of xylan-derived carbon compounds require a combination of enzymes, proteins, and complex molecular mechanisms. Bacteria have evolved molecular mechanisms for its utilization depending on its environment and source of xylan. Caulobacter crescentus, a Gram-negative bacterium which lives in an aquatic oligotrophic environment, exhibits asymmetric division which is an adaptive feature for its nutrient poor habitat. Although aromatic hydrocarbon and cellulose-derived mono-, di- and oligosaccharide utilization has been reported in literature, its xylan-derived carbon compound utilization is yet to be characterized. In this study, C. crescentus utilizes xylan-derived monomers arabinose, xylose and acetate as …

Flexibility: The Forgotten Component Of Fitness: Eccentric Exercise Vs. Static Stretching To Improve Flexibility, Zach Cox

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research is to assess the effects of eccentric exercise as well as static stretching on flexibility following a six-week training intervention. It also compared the effects to those of a static stretching program. The hypothesis is that eccentric training will show larger enhancements in flexibility in sagittal plane movements of the hips and knees in comparison to a static stretching program. Training sessions were done three days per week and had a 24-hour rest period minimum between them. The exercises for the eccentric group were as follows: standing hip extension, standing split, straight leg lowering, and …

Chemical Diversity And Antimicrobial Properties Of Spike-Rush Species And Related Genera (Genus Eleocharis, Family Cyperaceae), Yiru Zhang

Masters Theses

The focus of this research was to explore the chemical diversity and antimicrobial properties of Eleocharis dulcis. By using methanol as a solvent to extract phytochemicals, qualitative comparisons were made between HPLC chromatograms from Eleocharis species and other genera. Meanwhile, this study also examined the antimicrobial properties of phytochemicals extracted from various tissues of Eleocharis dulcis in two different solvents (water or methanol) against two Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) using a disc diffusion assay. The results suggested that the extracts had limited antimicrobial properties at up to 100 …

2020 Celebration Of Scholarship, Creativity, And Engagement, Todd Bruns, Beth Heldebrandt

Programs

The 2020-2021 academic year is truly extraordinary and higher education’s new, hopefully temporary, normal began on rather short notice in Spring 2020. While our environment has changed, we, as a shared community, are pleased that the important work of faculty continues and evolves as faculty broaden and redefine the boundaries of scholarship, creativity, and innovation in accelerating hybrid and remote environments. And, as new forms and strategies for scholarship and creativity emerge, the core principles of faculty life and student learning remain central to the mission of Eastern Illinois University.

For that reason, our faculty, department chairs, college deans, the …

A Perspective On Changes Across The U.S. Corn Belt, Eric Hunt, Hannah Birge, Christopher Laingen, Mark Licht, Justin Mcmechan, William Baule, Tom Connor

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Osborne, Ethan - Covid-19 Journal, Ethan Osborne

Personal Journals

EIU student Ethan Osborne recounts in detail the experience and frustration of living at home and working on his family farm in the early months of the pandemic, March-May 2020. He also details his observations of and feelings about the news coverage of the pandemic as well as the disregard (particularly by young people) for shelter in place mandates.

The Effects Of Gall Formation Due To Gall-Inducing Insects On Solidago Altissima’S Stem Height, Sarah Mummel

2020 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity

Gall-inducing insects are an old evolutionary member of our world, but little is known about their impact on goldenrod, Solidago altissima’s growth and development. We tested the relationship between gall diameter and stem height and the effects of gall presence on stem height. We sampled 20 random 1m² plots along a 30 meter long transect in a goldenrod field to find rosette and ball galls growing upon goldenrod. This transect was one of five other parallel transects, totaling approximately 150 m² of land. We measured heights of galled plants, heights of healthy nearby plants, and the diameter …

Didactic Program In Dietetics, Student Handbook Of Policies And Procedures, Nutrition And Dietetics

College of Health and Human Services Handbooks

No abstract provided.

Fine, Elaine - Covid-19 Journal, Elaine Fine

Personal Journals

COVID Diary submitted by Charleston/Coles County, IL resident and musician, Elaine Fine

Dam Effects On Freshwater Mussel Growth And Recruitment In A Midwestern Stream, Taylor Lyndon Fagin

Masters Theses

There have been many studies that examine the negative impact of dams on freshwater mussel populations. However, recent studies suggest that some dams may create more suitable growing conditions immediately below some dams. This study’s main objectives were to 1) document where faster growth of mussels is found in relation to the Charleston Dam, 2) determine if sites with faster growth have higher recruitment and 3) investigate which water quality variable(s) could be correlated with faster growth. Live Corbicula sp. were set in cages in multiple sites at varying distances from the dam and shells of two native mussel species …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Growing-Season Burns And Dormant-Season Burns On Vegetation Structure And Grassland Bird Diversity In East-Central Illinois Prairies, Joseph Lee Boise

Masters Theses

For managed grasslands, prescribed burns are a method to manage species composition by preventing crowding by bunch grasses and woody encroachment. While dormant-season (spring) burns are routinely performed, managers have recently introduced growing-season (late summer/fall) burns to prairies in east-central Illinois. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dormant-season and growingseason burns on vegetation structure and associated avian diversity. Specifically, objectives were to determine if: (1) Growing-season burns increase bird diversity or density of rare/declining species relative to dormant season burns; (2) Growing-season burns cause more bare ground to open and reduce litter and woody species …

Transcriptome Analysis Of Neuro-2a Cells Treated With Asiatic And Madecassic Acid, Fatimah M. Alqam

Masters Theses

Traditional herbal medicine is ingrained as a source of therapeutic compounds to medicate various diseases. The family Araliaceae (Ginseng family) is rich in traditional medicine species, such as Centella asiatica (CA). For many centuries, CA has been used by the indigenous Indian and Chinese in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine, respectively, to improve intelligence, learning, memory, and cognitive performance. Previous studies on cell culture and animal models supported the beneficial effects of CA on the nervous system. However, the exact composition of CA extract and its molecular mechanism that leads to neuroprotection is still unclear. We examined the effect of asiatic …

Effects Of Chemical Variation On Competition And Insect Communities Across Solidago Altissima Genotypes, Bryan Scott Foster Ii

Masters Theses

Individuals within a plant species can differ greatly from one another, especially regarding the range of chemical compounds produced. However, the functions of many of these chemicals are unknown, but likely include defenses against herbivores, attractants for pollinators and seed dispersers, as well as mechanisms for resource competition. To assess the effects of foliar chemical composition on interspecific plant competition and insect communities, I conducted a common garden and greenhouse experiment using 24 genotypes of the allelopathic species Solidago altissima for which the foliar chemistry had been characterized. Using these data and chemical profiles of S. altissima, I linked …

Is Context Dependency Imperative To Understanding The Impacts Of Invasive Plants?, Brendan B. Haile

Masters Theses

Introduced exotic species have a tendency to become invasive and impact local biological communities. Invasions often impact community attributes such as cover and species richness, but these factors may also regulate patterns of invasion. In such cases, impacts may be dependent on the invasion context. We used data from the Buell-Small Succession Study, a long-term permanent plot study in the piedmont region of New Jersey, to document context dependency in invasion. To do this, we analyzed the factors that affected the colonization and growth of four invasive species, Alliaria petiolata, Lonicera japonica, Microstegium vimineum and Rosa multiflora, as well …

Investigation Of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase Ii Roles In The Folate Cycle Dependent Reproduction And Development Of Caenorhabditis Elegans, Jessica M. Derham

Masters Theses

Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a transmembrane, zinc metallopeptidase that is expressed in a wide range of organisms, including roundworms, mice, and humans. In humans, GCPII is primarily expressed in the prostate, kidneys, small intestine, and central nervous system. Within the small intestine, the expected function of GCPII is to aid in the absorption of dietary folate from the intestinal lumen. GCPII cleaves excess glutamates from folate to yield monoglutamated folate which is then readily transported into the enterocyte. Folate can then be used through the one carbon metabolic cycle for the synthesis of nucleotides, conversion of homocysteine to methionine, …

Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Chemical Tools To Study Peroxisomal Import, Jhalak N. Timilsena

Masters Theses

Peroxisomes are dynamic and interconnected single lipid membrane bound organelles found in the eukaryotic cells which are involved in various biochemical processes including the b-oxidation of very long chain and branched chain fatty acids, metabolism of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and reduction of hydrogen peroxide among others. These organelles are known to host numerous proteins and enzymes depending on the cellular environment. All of the proteins needed in the peroxisomes are encoded in the nucleus and synthesized in the cytosol which are then transported to the peroxisomes with the help of a sophisticated protein-transport machinery. Pex5 is one of …