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Faculty Publications

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Defining Parental Resistance: The Social Determinants Of Measles Vaccine Hesitancy, Michael C. Goates, M. Lelinneth B. Novilla, Mallory Showalter, L. Kirsten Novilla, Russell Doria, Michael Dang, Tyler Leffler, Katelyn Aldridge Feb 2020

Defining Parental Resistance: The Social Determinants Of Measles Vaccine Hesitancy, Michael C. Goates, M. Lelinneth B. Novilla, Mallory Showalter, L. Kirsten Novilla, Russell Doria, Michael Dang, Tyler Leffler, Katelyn Aldridge

Faculty Publications

The increase in vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks has caused great alarm to the public health community. In recent years, VPD outbreaks have occurred across the globe in both developed and developing countries. Particularly troubling has been the resurgence of diseases formerly eradicated through years of concerted vaccination and other public health campaigns. Higher vaccination exemption rates have been implicated in the resurgence of VPDs. This is particularly evident in the United States where measles outbreaks reached 1,250 individual cases in 2019 alone, the most confirmed cases since 1992. Central to the discussion about measles resurgence is a better understanding of …


Model Sensitivity To Topographic Uncertainty In Meso- And Microtidal Marshes, Karim Alizad, Stephen C. Medeiros, Madeline R. Foster-Martinez, Scott C. Hagen Feb 2020

Model Sensitivity To Topographic Uncertainty In Meso- And Microtidal Marshes, Karim Alizad, Stephen C. Medeiros, Madeline R. Foster-Martinez, Scott C. Hagen

Faculty Publications

Light detection and ranging (Lidar) derived digital elevation models are widely used in modeling coastal marsh systems. However, the topographic error in these models can affect simulations of marsh coverage and characteristics. We investigated the relevance and impact of this error in micro- and mesotidal systems. Lidar-derived and RTK-adjusted topography were each used in a dynamic marsh model, and the resulting marsh coverages were examined. For two microtidal sites (Apalachicola, FL, USA, and Grand Bay, MS, USA) using solely lidar-derived topography, the model produced Cohen Kappa values of 0.1 for both estuaries when compared with National Wetland Inventory data indicating …


Cysteine Dioxygenase Enzyme Activity And Gene Expression In The Dimorphic Pathogenic Fungus Histoplasma Capsulatum Is In Both The Mold And Yeast Morphotypes And Exhibits Substantial Strain Variation, Melissa Adams, Glen Shearer Feb 2020

Cysteine Dioxygenase Enzyme Activity And Gene Expression In The Dimorphic Pathogenic Fungus Histoplasma Capsulatum Is In Both The Mold And Yeast Morphotypes And Exhibits Substantial Strain Variation, Melissa Adams, Glen Shearer

Faculty Publications

In the dimorphism (mold/yeast) Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) literature are reports that yeast (the so-called pathogenic form) uniquely expresses a cysteine dioxygenase (CDO, approx. 10,500 dal) activity which the mold morphotype (the so-called saprophytic soil form) does not express (C.F., Kumar et al., Biochem 22, 762, 1983). This yeast-specific CDO activity is postulated to play a critical role in the mold-to-yeast shift. A number of years ago, our lab isolated the gene encoding the Hc cysteine dioxygenase (CDO1, Genbank accession AY804144) and noted significant expression in the mold morphotype of several Histoplasma strains and also determined that the predicted protein would …


Respiration By The Opportunistic Spionid Polychaete Streblospio Gynobranchiata During Adjustment To And Recovery From Moderate Hypoxia, Alyssa D. Bennett, Chet F. Rakocinski Feb 2020

Respiration By The Opportunistic Spionid Polychaete Streblospio Gynobranchiata During Adjustment To And Recovery From Moderate Hypoxia, Alyssa D. Bennett, Chet F. Rakocinski

Faculty Publications

Understanding the capacity of estuarine organisms to acclimate to stressful conditions provides insights into how communities cope within fluctuating environments. The opportunistic spionid polychaete, Streblospio gynobranchiata Rice and Levin, 1998, regularly experiences intermittent moderate hypoxia within shallow sedimentary habitats. To better understand fine-scale adjustments by this opportunistic species to short-term moderate hypoxia, the aerobic respiration response of three size classes was examined over a 12 h period and after 24 h of exposure to moderate hypoxia (i.e., 20% air saturation) at 25 °C. In addition, the capacity to resume standard respiration was examined over a 12 h period following a …


Developing A Fanbase In Niche Sport Markets: An Examination Of Nhl Fandom And Social Sustainability In The Sunbelt, Brandon Mastromartino, Tyreal Y. Qian, Jerred J. Wang, James J. Zhang Feb 2020

Developing A Fanbase In Niche Sport Markets: An Examination Of Nhl Fandom And Social Sustainability In The Sunbelt, Brandon Mastromartino, Tyreal Y. Qian, Jerred J. Wang, James J. Zhang

Faculty Publications

In the modern day sport marketplace, professional sport teams face tough competition to build and sustain a viable fan base. This study sought to address three research questions: (a) what are the factors that contribute to the socialization of sports fans in niche sport markets? (b) How do team-led and fan-led initiatives work to socialize fans? Finally, (c) to what extent do the socialization factors affect identify as a sports fan for a niche sport and overall fan consumption behavior? A questionnaire was administered to 535 NHL fans and data were analyzed through conducting an Exploratory Factor Analysis, Exploratory Factor …


Exposure To Oil And Hypoxia Results In Alterations Of Immune Transcriptional Patterns In Developing Sheepshead Minnows (Cyprinodon Variegatus), Maria L. Rodgers, Danielle Simning, Maria S. Sepúlveda, Sylvain De Guise, Thijs Bosker, Robert J. Griffitt Feb 2020

Exposure To Oil And Hypoxia Results In Alterations Of Immune Transcriptional Patterns In Developing Sheepshead Minnows (Cyprinodon Variegatus), Maria L. Rodgers, Danielle Simning, Maria S. Sepúlveda, Sylvain De Guise, Thijs Bosker, Robert J. Griffitt

Faculty Publications

The area and timing of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill highlight the need to study oil and hypoxia exposure in early life stage fishes. Though critical to health, little research has targeted the effect of oil and hypoxia exposure on developing immune systems. To this end, we exposed sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) at three early life stages: embryonic; post-hatch; and post-larval, to a high energy water accommodated fraction (HEWAF) of oil, hypoxia, or both for 48 hours. We performed RNAseq to understand how exposures alter expression of immune transcripts and pathways. Under control conditions, the embryonic to post-hatch …


Practitioner Perceptions Regarding The Practices Of Soccer Substitutes, Samuel P. Hills, Jon N. Radcliffe, Martin J. Barwood, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Carlton B. Cooke, Mark Russell Feb 2020

Practitioner Perceptions Regarding The Practices Of Soccer Substitutes, Samuel P. Hills, Jon N. Radcliffe, Martin J. Barwood, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Carlton B. Cooke, Mark Russell

Faculty Publications

Despite empirical observations suggesting that practitioners value the use of substitutions during soccer match-play, limited research has sought to substantiate such claims. This study used online surveys to assess the perceptions of practitioners within professional soccer about the use and practices of substitutes. Thirty-three practitioners completed one of two surveys (each requiring both open and closed questions to be answered), depending upon whether their primary role related mostly to tactical (‘tactical practitioners’; n = 7) or physical (‘physical practitioners’; n = 26) aspects of player/team management. Thematic content analysis of responses identified four higher-order themes: ‘impact of substitutions’, ‘planning and …


Recombination And Gene Loss Occur Simultaneously During Bacterial Horizontal Gene Transfer, Bert Ely Jan 2020

Recombination And Gene Loss Occur Simultaneously During Bacterial Horizontal Gene Transfer, Bert Ely

Faculty Publications

Bacteria can acquire new genes by incorporating environmental DNA into their genomes, yet genome sizes stay relatively constant. In nature, gene acquisition is a rare event so it is difficult to observe. However, the Caulobacter crescentus CB2A genome contains 114 insertions of genetic material from the closely-related NA1000 strain, providing a unique opportunity to analyze the horizontal transfer of genetic material. Analyses of these insertions led to a new model that involves preferential recombination at non-homologous regions that are flanked by regions of homology and does not involve any mutational processes. The net result is the replacement of segments of …


Phylogenetic Afficity Of Genolopa (Digenea: Monorchiidae) With Descriptions Of Two New Species, Apryle J. Panyi, Stephen S. Curran, Robin M. Overstreet Jan 2020

Phylogenetic Afficity Of Genolopa (Digenea: Monorchiidae) With Descriptions Of Two New Species, Apryle J. Panyi, Stephen S. Curran, Robin M. Overstreet

Faculty Publications

The validity of Genolopa Linton, 1910 has been controversial because the observation of presently recognized critical diagnostic morphological features (spines in the genital atrium and a bipartite, anteriorly spined terminal organ) were omitted from the original diagnosis, and these features were not universally appreciated as important diagnostic features until 2008. Modern taxonomists have been further challenged by inappropriate fixation techniques that have resulted in various interpretations of morphological features. Consequently, named species in the genus have fluctuated among other monorchiid genera depending on various interpretations by taxonomists, and a modern consensus on classifying these species is lacking. This study …


Functional And Transcriptomic Characterization Of Cisplatin-Resistant Ags And Mkn-28 Gastric Cancer Cell Lines, Barbara Mora-Lagos, Irene Cartas-Espinel, Ismael Riquelme, Alyssa C. Parker, Stephen R. Piccolo, Tamara Viscarra, Maria Elena Reyes, Louise Zanella, Kurt Buchegger, Carmen Ili, Priscilla Brebi Jan 2020

Functional And Transcriptomic Characterization Of Cisplatin-Resistant Ags And Mkn-28 Gastric Cancer Cell Lines, Barbara Mora-Lagos, Irene Cartas-Espinel, Ismael Riquelme, Alyssa C. Parker, Stephen R. Piccolo, Tamara Viscarra, Maria Elena Reyes, Louise Zanella, Kurt Buchegger, Carmen Ili, Priscilla Brebi

Faculty Publications

Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant cancer-related cause of death worldwide. The most used chemotherapeutic regimen in GC is based on platinum drugs such as cisplatin (CDDP). However, CDDP resistance reduces advanced GC survival. In vitro drug-resistant cell model would help in the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying this drug-resistance phenomenon. The aim of this study was to characterize new models of CDDP-resistant GC cell lines (AGS R-CDDP and MKN-28 R-CDDP) obtained through a stepwise increasing drug doses method, in order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying chemoresistance as well as identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of GC. …


A Transcriptional Regulatory System Of The S. Cerevisiae Ole1 Gene Responds To Fatty Acid Species And Intracellular Amount, And Not Simply Membrane Status, Marshall Willey, Matthew Ochs, Clara Schriemer, Virginia Mcdonough Jan 2020

A Transcriptional Regulatory System Of The S. Cerevisiae Ole1 Gene Responds To Fatty Acid Species And Intracellular Amount, And Not Simply Membrane Status, Marshall Willey, Matthew Ochs, Clara Schriemer, Virginia Mcdonough

Faculty Publications

We examined the effects of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) species and their concentration on the expression of OLE1, which encodes the stearoyl CoA desaturase, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We controlled the amount of UFA taken up by the cell by varying the concentration of tergitol in the medium. When cultured with 1 mM fatty acid in 0.1% tergitol, cells took up much more fatty acid than when cultured with the same concentration of fatty acid at 1% tergitol, although the amount incorporated was dependent on UFA species. For each fatty acid tested, we found that the higher uptake (0.1% tergitol condition) …


An Artificial Habitat Increases The Reproductive Fitness Of A Range-Shifting Species Within A Newly Colonized Ecosystem, Zachary J. Cannizzo, Susan Q. Lang, Bryan Benitez-Nelson, Blaine D. Griffen Jan 2020

An Artificial Habitat Increases The Reproductive Fitness Of A Range-Shifting Species Within A Newly Colonized Ecosystem, Zachary J. Cannizzo, Susan Q. Lang, Bryan Benitez-Nelson, Blaine D. Griffen

Faculty Publications

When a range-shifting species colonizes an ecosystem it has not previously inhabited, it may experience suboptimal conditions that challenge its continued persistence and expansion. Some impacts may be partially mitigated by artificial habitat analogues: artificial habitats that more closely resemble a species' historic ecosystem than the surrounding habitat. If conditions provided by such habitats increase reproductive success, they could be vital to the expansion and persistence of range-shifting species. We investigated the reproduction of the mangrove tree crab Aratus pisonii in its historic mangrove habitat, the suboptimal colonized salt marsh ecosystem, and on docks within the marsh, an artificial mangrove …


Diverse Approaches To Predicting Drug-Induced Liver Injury Using Gene-Expression Profiles, G. Rex Sumsion, Michael S. Bradshaw Iii, Jeremy T. Beales, Emi Ford, Griffin R. G. Caryotakis, Daniel J. Garrett, Emily D. Lebaron, Ifeanyichukwu O. Nwosu, Stephen R. Piccolo Jan 2020

Diverse Approaches To Predicting Drug-Induced Liver Injury Using Gene-Expression Profiles, G. Rex Sumsion, Michael S. Bradshaw Iii, Jeremy T. Beales, Emi Ford, Griffin R. G. Caryotakis, Daniel J. Garrett, Emily D. Lebaron, Ifeanyichukwu O. Nwosu, Stephen R. Piccolo

Faculty Publications

Background

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a serious concern during drug development and the treatment of human disease. The ability to accurately predict DILI risk could yield significant improvements in drug attrition rates during drug development, in drug withdrawal rates, and in treatment outcomes. In this paper, we outline our approach to predicting DILI risk using gene-expression data from Build 02 of the Connectivity Map (CMap) as part of the 2018 Critical Assessment of Massive Data Analysis CMap Drug Safety Challenge.

Results

First, we used seven classification algorithms independently to predict DILI based on gene-expression values for two cell lines. …


Ground Contact Time Imbalances Strongly Related To Impaired Running Economy, Dustin P. Joubert, Nicholas A. Guerra, Eric J. Jones, Erica G. Knowles, Aaron D. Piper Jan 2020

Ground Contact Time Imbalances Strongly Related To Impaired Running Economy, Dustin P. Joubert, Nicholas A. Guerra, Eric J. Jones, Erica G. Knowles, Aaron D. Piper

Faculty Publications

Running economy (RE) is defined as the oxygen consumption (VO2) or caloric unit cost required to move at a specific velocity and is an important performance marker. Ground contact time (GCT) has been associated with RE; however, it has not been established how GCT imbalances between feet impact RE. Purpose: Determine the relationship between cadence, GCT, and GCT imbalances and RE. Methods: 11 NCAA Division I distance runners (7 male) completed a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine lactate threshold (LT) and VO2max. Body composition was also assessed via DEXA. Subjects ran with a heart rate monitor capable …


Comparison Of Post-Activation Potentiating Stimuli On Jump And Sprint Performance, Aaron D. Piper, Dustin P. Joubert, Eric J. Jones, Malcom T. Whitehead Jan 2020

Comparison Of Post-Activation Potentiating Stimuli On Jump And Sprint Performance, Aaron D. Piper, Dustin P. Joubert, Eric J. Jones, Malcom T. Whitehead

Faculty Publications

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a phenomenon characterized by improved muscle performance based on the previous contractile activity of the muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different potentiating stimuli on jump and sprint performance in 13 resistance trained, college-aged men and women. After determining back squat 1 repetition max, subjects returned for testing on separate days to complete one of four interventions (dynamic resistance, weighted plyometric, isometric, or control) in a randomized order. A standardized warmup was performed, followed by a baseline countermovement jump (CMJ) and 20m sprint. Following warm-up and baseline measurements, subjects performed …


Light Emitting Diode (Led) Color And Broiler Growth: Effect Of Supplementing Blue/Green Led To White Led Light On Broiler Growth, Stress, And Welfare, Jill R. Nelson, Joey L. Bray, Juliette Delabbio, Gregory S. Archer Jan 2020

Light Emitting Diode (Led) Color And Broiler Growth: Effect Of Supplementing Blue/Green Led To White Led Light On Broiler Growth, Stress, And Welfare, Jill R. Nelson, Joey L. Bray, Juliette Delabbio, Gregory S. Archer

Faculty Publications

Light emitting diode (LED) lighting provides an affordable lighting option for use in commercial poultry production. However, more information is needed to understand the effects of LED color on broiler welfare and growth. Five consecutive flocks (1 in summer, 1 in fall, 2 in winter, and 1 in spring) of straight run Ross 708 × Ross 708 broilers were reared in commercial type barns for 45 D. For white only (WO) treatment, birds were reared under white LED only (Agrishift MLB). For white supplemented (WS) treatment, birds were reared under white LED (Agrishift MLB) in the center aisle, with supplemental …


Comparison Of An Intermittent, Short-Dawn/Dusk Photoperiod With An Increasing, Long-Dawn/Dusk Photoperiod On Broiler Growth, Stress, And Welfare, Jill R. Nelson, Joey L. Bray, Juliette Delabbio, Gregory S. Archer Jan 2020

Comparison Of An Intermittent, Short-Dawn/Dusk Photoperiod With An Increasing, Long-Dawn/Dusk Photoperiod On Broiler Growth, Stress, And Welfare, Jill R. Nelson, Joey L. Bray, Juliette Delabbio, Gregory S. Archer

Faculty Publications

Photoperiod has been shown to significantly affect broiler performance. However, the effects of the traditional 1-min dimming period on broiler growth and welfare are unclear. In this study, 4 consecutive trials were conducted to compare the effects of an intermittent, short-dawn/dusk photoperiod (ISD) to an increasing, long-dawn/dusk photoperiod (ILD) on broiler growth, stress, and welfare. Straight run day-of-hatch Ross 708 × Ross 708 broilers were placed in 1 of 4 commercial broiler barns (2 b of 26,200 birds each per treatment) and grown to 45 D of age. The photoperiod in the ISD treatment consisted of 24L:0D day 0 to …


The Effect Of Sodium Chloride On Hybrid Taxodium Selections, Anna Koonce, Edward Bush, David Creech Jan 2020

The Effect Of Sodium Chloride On Hybrid Taxodium Selections, Anna Koonce, Edward Bush, David Creech

Faculty Publications

Saltwater intrusion is a major cause of coastal erosion. New hybrid bald cypress species have been shown to exhibit salinity tolerance compared to native bald cypress species. Planting these hybrids, or Nanjing Bot Garden genotype (NBG), trees where their roots can stabilize soil and preserve land may reduce coastal erosion in areas subjected to saltwater intrusion. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether or not selected bald cypress NBG genotype tree species survive better than native bald cypress trees in areas inundated with saline water. Leaves were harvested, dried and analyzed for their elemental concentration. NBG genotype trees …


Comparing Canopy Metric Estimations Using Three Conifer Species In The Netherlands, Alan Duncan Hibler, Brian P. Oswald, Nienke Brouwer, Ester Willemsen, Hans M. Williams Jan 2020

Comparing Canopy Metric Estimations Using Three Conifer Species In The Netherlands, Alan Duncan Hibler, Brian P. Oswald, Nienke Brouwer, Ester Willemsen, Hans M. Williams

Faculty Publications

A growing concern associated with fire in The Netherlands is estimating the spread of wildfire, however often the data needed to estimate canopy fires are lacking. The primary parameter required is canopy bulk density (CBD), which requires estimations of canopy gap fraction and leaf area index (LAI). The accuracy of three indirect methods of estimating CBD (a densiometer, hemispherical canopy photographs (HCP), and a LI-COR LAI 2200c plant canopy analyzer) was compared for three common tree species in the Netherlands [Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco)]. No …


Bias And Misrepresentation Of Science Undermines Productive Discourse On Animal Welfare Policy: A Case Study, Kelly Jaakkola, Jason N. Bruck, Richard C. Connor, Stephen H. Montgomery, Stephanie L. King Jan 2020

Bias And Misrepresentation Of Science Undermines Productive Discourse On Animal Welfare Policy: A Case Study, Kelly Jaakkola, Jason N. Bruck, Richard C. Connor, Stephen H. Montgomery, Stephanie L. King

Faculty Publications

Reliable scientific knowledge is crucial for informing legislative, regulatory, and policy decisions in a variety of areas. To that end, scientific reviews of topical issues can be invaluable tools for informing productive discourse and decision-making, assuming these reviews represent the target body of scientific knowledge as completely, accurately, and objectively as possible. Unfortunately, not all reviews live up to this standard. As a case in point, Marino et al.’s review regarding the welfare of killer whales in captivity contains methodological flaws and misrepresentations of the scientific literature, including problematic referencing, overinterpretation of the data, misleading word choice, and biased argumentation. …


Can The Fut 2 Gene Variant Have An Effect On The Body Weight Of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery? - Preliminary, Exploratory Study, Natalia Komorniak, Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, Armen Nalian, Wiktoria Wardziukiewicz, Karolina Skoniecznaa-Zydecka, Daniel Styburski, Joanna Palma, Bartosz Kowalewski, Krzysztof Kaseja, Ewa Stachowska Jan 2020

Can The Fut 2 Gene Variant Have An Effect On The Body Weight Of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery? - Preliminary, Exploratory Study, Natalia Komorniak, Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, Armen Nalian, Wiktoria Wardziukiewicz, Karolina Skoniecznaa-Zydecka, Daniel Styburski, Joanna Palma, Bartosz Kowalewski, Krzysztof Kaseja, Ewa Stachowska

Faculty Publications

Background: The FUT2 gene (Se gene) encoding the enzyme α-1,2-L-fucosyltransferase 2 seems to have a significant effect on the number and type of bacteria colonizing the intestines. Methods: In a group of 19 patients after bariatric surgery, the polymorphism (rs601338) of FUT2 gene was analyzed in combination with body mass reduction, intestinal microbiome (16S RNA sequencing), and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) measurements in stools. Results: Among the secretors (Se/Se polymorphism of the FUT2 gene rs601338, carriers of GG variant), correlations between waist-hip ratio (WHR) and propionate content and an increase in Prevotella, Escherichia, Shigella, and Bacteroides were observed. On …


Electrophysiological And Motor Responses To Chemosensory Stimuli In Isolated Cephalopod Arms, Kaitlyn E. Fouke, Heather J. Rhodes Jan 2020

Electrophysiological And Motor Responses To Chemosensory Stimuli In Isolated Cephalopod Arms, Kaitlyn E. Fouke, Heather J. Rhodes

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


An Integrated Method For Coding Trees, Measuring Tree Diameter, And Estimating Tree Positions, Linhao Sun, Luming Fang, Yuhi Weng, Siqing Zheng Jan 2020

An Integrated Method For Coding Trees, Measuring Tree Diameter, And Estimating Tree Positions, Linhao Sun, Luming Fang, Yuhi Weng, Siqing Zheng

Faculty Publications

Accurately measuring tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and estimating tree positions in a sample plot are important in tree mensuration. The main aims of this paper include (1) developing a new, integrated device that can identify trees using the quick response (QR) code technique to record tree identifications, measure DBH, and estimate tree positions concurrently; (2) designing an innovative algorithm to measure DBH using only two angle sensors, which is simple and can reduce the impact of eccentric stems on DBH measures; and (3) designing an algorithm to estimate the position of the tree by combining ultra-wide band (UWB) …


Activity Level-Predation Risk Tradeoff In A Tadpole Guild: Implications For Community Organization Along The Hydroperiod Gradient, Nicholas C. Schiwitz, Christopher M. Schalk, Daniel Saenz Jan 2020

Activity Level-Predation Risk Tradeoff In A Tadpole Guild: Implications For Community Organization Along The Hydroperiod Gradient, Nicholas C. Schiwitz, Christopher M. Schalk, Daniel Saenz

Faculty Publications

Increasing activity levels permit greater food intake for use towards growth and reproduction, consequently increasing predation risk via increased detection. Larval anurans are models to examine activity level-predation risk tradeoffs, as they occupy a variety of lentic habitats that impose constraints on the distribution and abundance of species. Ephemeral ponds have a low abundance and diversity of predators and as a result tadpole species tend to have high foraging rates for rapid development. Permanent ponds generally possess a greater diversity and abundance of predators and tadpoles inhabiting these locations tend to have low activity rates or chemical defenses to minimize …


Modeling Early Responses Of Loblolly Pine Growth To Thinning In The Western Gulf Coastal Plain Region, Yuhi Weng, J. Grogan, Dean W. Coble Jan 2020

Modeling Early Responses Of Loblolly Pine Growth To Thinning In The Western Gulf Coastal Plain Region, Yuhi Weng, J. Grogan, Dean W. Coble

Faculty Publications

Growth response to thinning has long been a research topic of interest in forest science. This study presents the first 3–4 years of response of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) growth to thinning at different intensities. Data were collected from the East Texas Pine Research Project’s region-wide loblolly pine thinning study, which covers a wide variety of stand conditions. Four treatments, light, moderate, and heavy thinning, respectively having 370, 555, and 740 residual trees per hectare after thinning, and an unthinned control, were included. Individual tree diameter at breast height (dbh) and total height were recorded annually for the …


Integration Of Citygreen Landscape Ecological Analysis Into A Capstone Environmental Science Course, David L. Kulhavy, Daniel R. Unger, Reid Viegut, I-Kuai Hung, Yanli Zhang Jan 2020

Integration Of Citygreen Landscape Ecological Analysis Into A Capstone Environmental Science Course, David L. Kulhavy, Daniel R. Unger, Reid Viegut, I-Kuai Hung, Yanli Zhang

Faculty Publications

CITYgreen Geographic Information Systems software was used to develop a campus wide cover type map for Stephen F. Austin State University in an environmental science landscape ecology course. The finding indicated an equal division of forest cover type compared to impervious surface of buildings and paved surface. Once the classification was completed, students chose an area for reforestation identified in CITYgreen, while raising funds for the purchase of trees for the project. Before completing the project, students reviewed tenets of landscape ecology, civic ecology education, and benefits of urban forestry. At the completion of the project, students reviewed service-learning aspects …


Vitamin D3 Supplementation And Stress Fractures In High-Risk Collegiate Athletes - A Pilot Study, Kevin Williams, Christian Askew, Christopher Mazoue, Jeffrey Guy, Toni M. Torres-Mcgehee, J Benjamin Jackson Iii Jan 2020

Vitamin D3 Supplementation And Stress Fractures In High-Risk Collegiate Athletes - A Pilot Study, Kevin Williams, Christian Askew, Christopher Mazoue, Jeffrey Guy, Toni M. Torres-Mcgehee, J Benjamin Jackson Iii

Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D is paramount to bone health and little is known about vitamin D's role in the prevention of stress fractures in high-risk athletes. This study consists of a prospective, cross-sectional analysis accompanied by a retrospective review for control comparison of vitamin D3 supplementation in high-risk athletes. Our hypothesis is that supplemental vitamin D3 treatment will decrease the occurrence of stress fractures in high-risk collegiate athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 118 NCAA Division I athletes were recruited from 6 high-risk collegiate teams. Blood draws in August and February established baseline 25(OH)D levels. Subjects with serum 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL were supplemented with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3/week for 8 weeks. Treated subjects were re-tested to ensure serum 25(OH)D levels rose to sufficient status. All enrolled subjects were monitored for the development of stress fractures. A 5-year retrospective chart review of athletes from the same sports teams was conducted to determine the incidence of any reported stress fractures in the past. RESULTS: Prospective: 112 of the 118 enrolled subjects were tested in August. Sixty-one demonstrated vitamin D sufficiency (40.2 ng/mL ±8.28) and 51 were either insufficient or deficient (22.7 ng/mL ±4.89). Of the 118 enrolled subjects, 104 were tested in February. Fifty-six demonstrated vitamin D sufficiency (40.7 ng/mL ±9.47) and 48 were insufficient or deficient (21.6 ng/mL ±5.87). Two stress fractures were diagnosed amongst our cohort of 118 student athletes (1.69%). Retrospective: 34 stress fractures were diagnosed in 453 subjects from 01/2010-05/2015 (7.51%). Amongst our athletic teams, the cross-country team specifically demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in stress fracture incidence (p<0.05). We also found a statistically significant reduction in stress fracture incidence amongst the current overall cohort compared to our retrospective cohort (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In our population, almost half of the tested athletes proved to be vitamin D deficient. Hypovitaminosis D was prevalent throughout the winter months compared with the summer. With vitamin D3 supplementation, the stress fracture rate in our overall cohort demonstrated a statistically significant decrease from 7.51% to 1.65% (p=0.009).


Acid Hydrolysis-Based Sugarcane Bagasse Biorefining For Levulinic Acid Production: Dynamic Mechanistic Modeling Under Varying Operating Conditions, Emília S. Lopes, Julio C.J. Gariboti, Luis H.Z. Feistel, Elmer Ccopa Rivera, Rubens Mac Iel Filho, Laura P. Tovar Jan 2020

Acid Hydrolysis-Based Sugarcane Bagasse Biorefining For Levulinic Acid Production: Dynamic Mechanistic Modeling Under Varying Operating Conditions, Emília S. Lopes, Julio C.J. Gariboti, Luis H.Z. Feistel, Elmer Ccopa Rivera, Rubens Mac Iel Filho, Laura P. Tovar

Faculty Publications

© 2020, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. The study on the lignocellulosic material conversion into bio-based platform chemicals, such as levulinic acid (LA), is one of the most promising routes to promote the development of advanced biorefineries. In this work, a dynamic mechanistic model is developed to simulate the LA production from lignocellulosic material. A wide operating range is used to estimate the parameters of the reaction kinetics. Because multi-parameter estimation problem is complex, a genetic algorithm-based optimization procedure is used to determine the optimum parameters values. Measurements are obtained for various reaction times (0 - 45 min) temperatures (150 - 200 …


Innovating Federalism In The Life Sciences, Myrisha S. Lewis Jan 2020

Innovating Federalism In The Life Sciences, Myrisha S. Lewis

Faculty Publications

This Article challenges the view that the US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has exclusive Jurisdiction over life sciences innovations. Many current and forthcoming life sciences innovations are "innovative therapies" such as gene editing, gene therapy, and regenerative stem cell treatments, which are actually "hybrids" of state and federal Jurisdiction. Thus, both state and federal Jurisdiction coexist: federal Jurisdiction exists to the extent that these medical innovations use drugs or biologics, but state Jurisdiction exists to the extent that these innovations are procedures regulated by states as the practice of medicine.

This Article argues that the regulation of numerous current …


Use Of Multiple Stream Temperature Logger Models Can Alter Conclusions, Robin M. Rotman, Joanna B. Whittier, Jacob T. Westhoff, Craig P. Paukert Jan 2020

Use Of Multiple Stream Temperature Logger Models Can Alter Conclusions, Robin M. Rotman, Joanna B. Whittier, Jacob T. Westhoff, Craig P. Paukert

Faculty Publications

Remote temperature loggers are often used to measure water temperatures for ecological studies and by regulatory agencies to determine whether water quality standards are being maintained. Equipment specifications are often given a cursory review in the methods; however, the effect of temperature logger model is rarely addressed in the discussion. In a laboratory environment, we compared measurements from three models of temperature loggers at 5 to 40 °C to better understand the utility of these devices. Mean water temperatures recorded by logger models differed statistically even for those with similar accuracy specifications, but were still within manufacturer accuracy specifications. Maximum …