Life Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of Blue Catfish Populations In Four Midwestern Power Cooling Reservoirs, Tyler Joseph Murray

Masters Theses

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are the largest catfish in North America and as such angler desire for trophy fisheries have grown in addition to harvest fisheries. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has stocked Blue Catfish into several reservoirs in the state including four that have powerplants that utilize the water for cooling and discharge it back into the reservoir at increased temperatures. This study explored the potential impacts of these warm water effluents on Blue Catfish population demographics, as well as whether management changes need to be implemented in these systems. I sampled Powerton, LaSalle, Springfield, …

Soils From Different Solidago Altissima Clones Mediate Intraspecific Interactions In Schizachyrium Scoparium, Sarah Alharbi

Masters Theses

While previous studies have examined plant intraspecific competition and soil microbial effects separately, fewer studies have investigated how these factors interact, particularly in the context of genotype-specific soil conditioning effects. Plant-soil feedbacks can significantly alter interspecific competitive outcomes, yet few studies have examined how local variation in soil conditioning influences plant responses to density-dependent competition. I investigated how soil inocula derived from four Solidago altissima clones that were previously shown to differ in their soil conditioning effects (Foster et al., 2022) affected the growth and root traits of Schizachyrium scoparium across a gradient of intraspecific competition (1, 2, or 4 …

Barriers To Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among College Students, Ben Andrew Winfield

Masters Theses

Obesity is an increasing problem worldwide. In general, people eat more and exercise less, with a lot of individuals not meeting World Health Organization recommendation of 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity weekly. At times, individuals may face barriers which prevent or inhibit their ability to participate in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), exercise completed in one’s free time. These barriers are known as leisure constraints and are comprised of three categories: intrapersonal, feelings and psychological aspects; interpersonal, relationship aspects; and structural, physical aspects. Body image, the perception individuals have about their bodies and …

Optimization Of Transformation And Regeneration In The Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus), Sara M. Kilar

Masters Theses

In addition to their value as prized ornamentals, sunflowers are important crop species due to the nutritional value and high oil content of the seeds. Sunflower oil is a significant contributor to global seed oil production, which can be used as a food additive and cooking agent as well as a raw material for biodiesel production. While traditional breeding efforts have led to the development of many unique cultivars, genetically modified variations have proven more difficult due to the recalcitrance of sunflower plants to genetic transformation. As a result, facile and efficient transformation methods for sunflowers have the potential to …

Influence Of Thermophilic Biofilms On Proliferation Of Opportunistic Pathogens In Domestic Water Systems, Olajumoke Akinbami

Masters Theses

Domestic hot-water systems quietly grow biofilms under elevated temperatures that can serve as shelter to Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens. Although focus has been placed on microbes in domestic systems, there has been no clear conclusion on the mechanism of survival and persistence of opportunistic pathogens despite various disinfection strategies. In this study, we determined the distinction between showerhead and drip-flow biofilms at the whole-community level and analyzed the coexistence of thermotolerant organisms with opportunistic genera, such as Legionella. We sampled eight showerheads and simulated four biofilm samples in the laboratory using the drip-flow biofilm reactor.

We observed a strong …

Native Freshwater Mussel Communities In The Lower Grand River, Michigan: Assessing Tributary Confluence Effects And Updating Survey Information, Grayson L. Kosak

Masters Theses

Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are ecosystem engineers and keystone species vital to stream ecosystems yet represent the most imperiled group of freshwater fauna. Conservation of unionids necessitates further understanding how assemblages interact with watershed features. This study investigates mussel occupancy, distribution, and assemblage structure upstream and downstream of tributary confluences in the lower Grand River, Michigan, alongside updated surveys of the unionid community with comparisons to previous assessments conducted by Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) in 2002–2003. Unionid density, richness, and diversity were greater upstream of confluences. No significant distance-gradient effects were observed. Assemblage structure differed between upstream and downstream reaches …

Effects Of Microplastic Biofilms On An Anthropogenically Impacted Suburban Lake, Paris M. Velasquez

Masters Theses

Plastics have been observed in every location on the planet, and their prevalence in the environment is due in part to their strong resistance to degradation. Inland lakes are susceptible to plastic pollution by highway runoff, which contains plastic fragments of brake pads, car tires, litter, and road paint. These plastics eventually enter freshwater environments and degrade into microplastics (

Using Phylogenomics And Herbarium Specimens To Evaluate Relationships In The Plant Genus Aneilema, Family Commelinaceae., Allan Sampao Loinyio

Masters Theses

The genus Aneilema, with approximately 65 species in seven sections, is one of the largest genera in the Commelinaceae. It is mostly distributed across Australia, Madagascar, and Africa, but one species occurs in South America. Early molecular phylogenetic analyses based on a few chloroplast genes and a small number of species have supported the monophyly of the genus with the inclusion of Rhopalephora, which was nested within Aneilema. This study used the Angiosperms353 gene set to investigate the evolutionary and taxonomic relationships within the genus and its close relatives. Through molecular phylogenetic analyses of 35 Aneilema species …

Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Metabolism In Sinorhizobium Meliloti, Enish Pathak

Masters Theses

Lanthanides, also known as rare earth elements, were thought to be biologically inert. However, the recent discovery of XoxF, a lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase, shed new light on the roles of lanthanides in biology. Lanthanide-dependent methanol metabolism was even found in bacterial genera that previously have not been described as methylotrophs, including Sinorhizobium. A homolog of the xoxF gene was found to be present in Sinorhizobium meliloti. S. meliloti is a soil bacterium that undergoes a symbiotic relationship with alfalfa plants by fixing atmospheric nitrogen within root nodules. While many studies on lanthanide-dependent methylotrophy have been performed mainly in the model …

Naturify 2300, Yarina Yiwei Dai

Masters Theses

In my art practice, I explore the interplay between human desires to manipulate and anthropomorphize nature, as seen in the technological augmentation of plants and living entities. This investigation delves into how this intersection, alongside empathy towards these creations, contributes to fears of uncontrollability and the risks of addiction and excessive dependence on technology.

Bioengineering and genetic modification have cultivated unprecedented developments, allowing humans to manipulate the fundamental building blocks of life. My research speculates on this technology further, modifying the genetic code of organisms and creating bioengineered wearable entities with enhanced traits or entirely new functionalities. The primary objective …

Dietary Probiotic Supplement Attenuates Methamphetamine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference In Female Sprague-Dawley Rats, Kristen Powell

Masters Theses

Substance use disorders (SUD) represent a global public health crisis with limited effective treatment options. Recent findings implicate the gut microbiome and gut/brain axis in the pathophysiology of SUDs. Several preclinical studies have established that psychostimulants alter gut microbiome composition, but no published studies have assessed behavioral effects of dietary probiotic supplements on drug-induced behavioral changes. This study utilized rodent conditioned place preference (CPP) as a behavioral index of conditioned drug reward to determine if a dietary probiotic supplement alters the behavioral effects of (+)-methamphetamine (METH). Fifty-four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive either a standard rodent …

Sircling The Cquare, Latika Balachander

Masters Theses

As we journey into an increasingly virtual and intangible reality, is there an opportunity for our tactile fabrics to journey with, and even reorient us? Can they exist in our future worlds to remind us of the value of current traditional, low-tech practices that we may soon forget?

Referencing the fundamental fabric languages of knitted and woven structures, this collection of garments, that I term “Earthsuits,” embody the stages of metamorphosis as we adjust to a new phase of our perceptive reality. With an emphasis on circling, we loop through virtual squares like screens and pixels, to the circles of …

From One Nature To Another, Sarah Mann

Masters Theses

Lichen‭, ‬fungi‭, ‬and soil each represent a microcosm of nature‭. ‬They are all quintessential examples of complex symbiosis‭, ‬yet they are often treated as lifeless materials‭. ‬But what if we took a moment to connect with each one on a daily basis‭ - ‬would that impact the way we envision the future‭? ‬

For most of us‭, ‬our homes won’t be radically changing any time soon‭; ‬therefore‭, ‬From One Nature to‭ ‬Another‭ ‬invites us to bring these entities inside and‭ ‬reflect on their possibilities as collaborators‭. ‬Each piece was carefully researched and designed to‭ ‬provide the correct atmospheric …

How Will Climate Change-Induced Increases In Wildfire Frequency Affect Soil Bacterial Communities?, Bahar Saadaie Saadaie Jahromi

Masters Theses

In the face of global climate change, wildfires are expected to become more common, significantly impacting soil bacterial communities. This research investigates how increased fire frequency (shorter fire return intervals) affects these communities and whether impacts depend on the aboveground tree species. Soil samples were collected in 2022 from under four tree species, Populus grandidentata, Acer rubrum, Quercus rubra, and Pinus strobus, across plots that experienced fire in 1998, 1980, 1948, and 1911, with additional samples from 2017 burn plot that did not yet have trees growing. Soil moisture, temperature, pH, total carbon and nitrogen contents, and the C:N ratio …

Operation Shark: Addressing The Negative Portrayal Of Sharks In Media, Michael R. O'Shea

Masters Theses

Sharks are some of the most well adapted and effective animals in the animal kingdom. Unfortunately, they are also some of the most feared. For many people the word shark evokes images of vicious attacks like those seen in movies such as Jaws. Sharks have also been negatively portrayed in the media. This negative portrayal of sharks has led to misconceptions about sharks that have damaged their populations. Efforts have been made to raise awareness and fight common misconceptions of sharks. However, many people still hold on to the incorrect ideas they have about sharks. This thesis will examine the …

Habitat Suitability For Age-0 Lake Sturgeon In The Grand River, Benjamin D. Gunnett

Masters Theses

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) are a state-threatened species in Michigan and have become a focus for conservation. The lower Grand River is home to a remnant population of lake sturgeon between the 6th Street dam in downtown Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan. There has been limited research on age-0 lake sturgeon habitat use in low-gradient and more turbid rivers. To address this deficit, we developed a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) for age-0 lake sturgeon based on prior literature in the Great Lakes. A HSI combines parameters representing in-stream habitat characteristics to score habitat suitability on a scale of 0-1, 0 …

Maize Production In Ghana: A Case Study Of Asante Akim North Municipality, Vincent Osei

Masters Theses

In spite of the numerous benefits of maize production in Ghana, its production is faced with a lot of challenges leading to production losses. Asante Akim North Municipality is one of the largest maize-producing areas in Ghana. However, studies on maize and its production in this municipality are under-researched, hence the need for this study. The main objective of the study is to analyze a 10-year (2013-2022) production trend of maize in Asante Akim North Municipality to identify factors affecting maize production in the municipality, so as to seek pragmatic measures to help improve maize yields in the municipality and …

The Correlates Of Neurobiology And Lived Experiences Of Music-Induced Bonding, Empathy, And Shared Flow, Ashley Marie Sherwood

Masters Theses

An alarming decline in mental health and increase in addiction and substance use disorders over the last few decades have generated increased interest in exploring how improved social health in the community could be a protective factor against mental health crises. Interventions which increase perceived emotional synchrony and shared flow may positively impact the social fabric of society. This paper examines the relationship between self-reported perceptions of emotional synchrony and shared flow and changes in measures of cortisol, dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin in blood samples following musical improvisation, with a review of relevant literature also presented. Vasopressin was found to …

Diaphragmatic Breathing Influences Recovery Metrics After Aerobic Exercise, Trace L. Cruz

Masters Theses

Recovery from aerobic exercise is multifaceted and highly complex. Recovery includes cellular repair, substrate availability, autonomic nervous system status, and many other factors that comprise homeostasis. The present study is designed to assess the influence of diaphragmatic breathing after aerobic exercise to exhaustion. Diaphragmatic breathing is deep rhythmical breathing that is known to influence the autonomic nervous system, specifically through cranial nerve X (Vagus nerve). Subjects (n=12, age = 22.3±1.15 years old, height = 67.882.17 inches, weight =154.4515.20 pounds, BF% = 15.785.43). Performed four VO2max tests on two different days (2 each day). On each day, subjects performed a 20:00 …

Headstarting Eastern Box Turtles In Southwest Michigan: Implications For Growth, Survival, And Spatial Ecology, Faith C. Kuzma

Masters Theses

Turtles and tortoises are one of the most endangered groups of animals in the world as anthropogenic activities like overexploitation, collection for the pet trade, and habitat loss and fragmentation have caused dramatic population declines in recent years. As a result, proactive conservation techniques are being increasingly implemented to facilitate population recovery. Headstarting is a popular chelonian conservation technique that aims to reduce vulnerability and increase survival of juvenile turtles. While headstarting has been a valuable tool for many species, there is increasing evidence that species-specific influences impact its success. In this study, we headstarted four annual cohorts of eastern …

Differential Tail Autotomy Between Two Genetic Clades Of A Woodland Salamander, Plethodon Cinereus, Ryan Mayer

Masters Theses

Following the retreat of glaciers in North America, a wide diversity of organisms rapidly migrated into previously uninhabited regions, including animals with limited dispersal abilities such as amphibians. I wanted to better understand the strategies that salamanders use to aid in their dispersal abilities and to understand if patterns of post-glacial range expansion affect phenotypic traits such as anti-predator strategies. In this study, I used existing phylogeographic evidence of clade membership as a framework to examine whether red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) differed in tail autotomy behavior at the range edge versus the range core, and across the geographic range of …

Examining Quantitative Honest Signaling In Aposematic Traits Of The Green And Black Poison Frog Dendrobates Auratus From Costa Rica, Katherine Porras-Brenes

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Global Synthesis Of The Relative Impacts Of Habitat Amount, Fragmentation, And Matrix Quality On Forest Biodiversity, Antoinette Esposito

Masters Theses

Aim To assess the relative impact of different landscape variables on species richness and to determine whether species richness declines more rapidly below an extinction threshold of remaining habitat. The results of this study will help to better inform future conservation strategies. Location Global Time period 1997 – 2013 Major taxa studied Amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles Methods Data from 71 studies published in the global BioFrag database were used to determine species richness across multiple landscapes and biomes. The Hansen dataset was used to collect data on habitat amount (forest area), fragmentation (patch density), and matrix quality (mean …

A Comparative Study Of Biocrusts On Gypsum And Non-Gypsum Soils In The Northern Chihuahuan And Eastern Mojave Deserts, Usa: Biocrust Mosses Respond To Soil, Environmental, And Climatic Conditions, Katelyn Gobbie

Masters Theses

Biological soil crust communities (biocrusts) growing on gypsum soils have been well- documented for their prolific appearance and rich diversity of lichens and bryophytes. However, studies characterizing gypsum biocrusts have primarily occurred outside of the U.S., most of which lack comparisons to other soil types. We conducted intensive field surveys to evaluate the cover and frequency of biocrust functional groups and moss species on gypsum and non-gypsum soils in the U.S. regions with the most extensive gypsum outcrops, the northern Chihuahuan and eastern Mojave Deserts. We employed canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to relate the observed differences in biocrust abundance and …

A Multivariate Analysis Of Phytoplankton Assemblages And Environmental Variables In Chautauqua Lake, New York, Emily Palmer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Do The Sexually Dimorphic Biofluorescent Glands Of Plethodon Cinereus Function In Mate Choice And Are They Seasonally Regulated By Photoperiod?, Sam C. Moody-Wynn

Masters Theses

The novel biofluorescent glands of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus), have been shown to be sexually dimorphic where males have larger and greater numbers of glands than females. Interestingly, a seasonal pattern of increased numbers of fluorescent glands, which mirrors the peak in testosterone levels, has been described. Currently, the function and regulation of the fluorescent glands is unknown. I predicted that the glands function as a form of male ornamentation used in intersexual communication, and perhaps act as an honest signal of male quality. Even though the fluorescent glands are located on the underside of the tail, there …

Estimating Daily Growth Of Age-0 Channel Catfish In A Free-Flowing, Commercially Exploited Midwestern River, Kaleb B. Wood

Masters Theses

The larval stage in fishes is an important stage in the life history, as their survival dictates the ability of the population to sustain itself as an adult population. While there is a plethora of information available for juvenile and adult life stages of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), very little is understood about their larval life stage. This study sought to determine overall density, growth rates, and size structure of cohorts of age-0 Channel Catfish during a study year on the Wabash River. In 2018, I sampled age-0 Channel Catfish using a benthic trawl from May to September. …

Influence Of Seeding Strategy On Insect Communities Within Utility Lands, Kylee E. Nissen

Masters Theses

Pollinator populations are in decline globally due to anthropogenic changes, particularly in areas affected by agricultural expansion and urbanization. Utility lands - managed to prevent tall vegetation encroachment - represent an opportunity to establish native grasslands and support pollinator communities. This study investigates how different seeding strategies used by utility companies influence pollinator community composition within a 15-acre electric right-of-way (ROW) outside St. Louis, Illinois. Despite the logical benefits of native seeding to pollinators, utility companies are often hesitant to do this, often favoring seeding to turf. Seeded in late 2021, the site incorporates randomized plots with turfgrass seeding (no …

Using Community Science To Monitor Eastern Box Turtles And Engage Public In Conservation, Sarah Zoppa

Masters Theses

The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina; EBT) is a charismatic species with populations in decline due to habitat loss, disease, and other anthropogenic factors. However, due to their cryptic nature, studying an EBT population can be a difficult and intensive process. To investigate EBT populations in Coles County, Illinois, we used a combination of community science and computer-based pattern analysis to develop an approach to tracking individual turtles. Citizen volunteers submitted photos of encountered eastern box turtle carapaces for shell pattern analysis along with GPS coordinates of the encounter. We have received 220 submissions from 47 community volunteers. …

Nocturnal Behavior Of Communally Roosting American Crows (Corvus Brachyrhynchos), Caitlin M. Mrowiec

Masters Theses

During the winter months in Charleston, Illinois, thousands of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) gather together each night to roost. While aspects of this impressive sight have been studied elsewhere, there is very limited information on how crows behave at night. Additionally, the mechanics and origins of communal roosting are not especially well understood, and the behaviors involved are not always consistently described. This study sought to provide a more complete assessment of crow communal roosting after sunset. I collected data between 2018 and 2020 by locating communal roosts and conducting continuous observations for 4 hours after sunset, with additional checks …