Life Sciences Commons^™

The Consequences Of Low Energy Availability Related To Relative Energy Deficiency In Male Athletes: A Systematic Review, Lauryn Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

RED-S is a syndrome that stems from low energy availability (LEA) in athletes. It can impact numerous physiological and psychological functions, as well as negatively affect performance. Because RED-S is a relatively new syndrome, there are few studies showing the impact of RED-S on performance and physiological factors. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the consequences of induced LEA in relation to RED-S in male athletes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, Five studies were deemed eligible based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies measured risk of RED-S through body composition, bone …

Physiology Of Human-Equine Interaction During Substance Withdrawal, Molly Marie Friend

Theses and Dissertations

Psychotherapy incorporating equine interaction (PIE) is emerging as an effective treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), but research is limited concerning physiological impacts during substance withdrawal. This study investigated impacts of PIE on salivary cortisol concentrations, heart rate, anxiety, and depression during SUD withdrawal. Heart rate and cortisol concentrations were measured in horses to determine potential human-horse coupling. Saliva samples and heart rates were collected pre and post PIE from residential SUD patients (n=18) and their therapy horses (n=4) during and following the withdrawal period. Participants (n=10) also completed a survey measuring anxiety and depression (P = 0.05). A …

Identifying Barriers To Data Use On U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Operations And Developing Solutions To Improve Cow-Calf Record-Keeping, William Isaac Jumper

Theses and Dissertations

Cattle health and production records (CHPR) are data collected by cattle producers and veterinarians in the form of measurements, observations, counts of events over time, and physiologic attributes that describe individual and group-level health and production. These data are useful to both veterinarians and cattle producers for making evidence-based decisions on cow-calf operations. Currently, there are no uniform, industry-wide methods of capturing and recording CHPR in the U.S. cow-calf industry. Although many cow-calf producers in the U.S. are thought to collect some form of CHPR, it is believed that relatively few are doing so in an electronic manner that facilitates …

Evolution And Epidemiology Of Channel Catfish Virus (Ccv), Arun Venugopalan

Theses and Dissertations

Channel catfish virus disease (CCVD) is the principal viral disease in the United States catfish industry. The CCVD is caused by channel catfish virus (CCV), with mortality reaching up to 100% in fingerlings. CCV is assigned taxonomically to the family Alloherpesviridae, genus Ictalurivirus, species Ictalurid herpesvirus 1 (IcHV-1). To date, virulence, immunogenicity, and genome plasticity of the CCV field isolates have not been investigated. Three genotypes of CCV (IcHV-1A, IcHV-1B, and BCAHV) were identified using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Virulence assessment of three representative isolates of RFLP groups suggests that IcHV-1B (pooled survival [mean ± SE]: 58.3% ± …

The Response Of An Avian Community To Intercropping And Forest Management Practices In A Private Working Pine Forest, Rebecca Doyne Bracken

Theses and Dissertations

Within managed pine forest systems, a plethora of bird species exist throughout the lifecycle of a stand akin to what may be experienced through post-disturbance regeneration in a natural forest system. I sought to address how breeding avian communities shift across time in response to stand aging and forest management, evaluate species-specific responses to stand conditions, investigate the responses of at-risk avian species to forest management, and determine avian non-breeding, over-wintering presence in a managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest. I conducted breeding bird point count and vegetation surveys within five stands of privately owned and managed pine forest in …

The Influence Of Overwatering, Underwatering, And Waterlogging On The Growth Of Kale (Brassica Oleracea Var. Acephala), Skyler R. Brazel

Theses and Dissertations

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted that there will be increases in precipitation and heat-induced drought events globally. Information on kale response to waterlogging is minimal. The purpose of this project was to identify the response of kale to three treatments of water stress: underwatering, overwatering, and waterlogging. Plant pigments analyzed displayed a varied response to underwatering and overwatering, with concentrations changing with maturity but with reductions and no changes, respectively, at full harvest maturity. Glucosinolate concentrations were also influenced by maturity and increased under waterlogging and underwatering but no differences with overwatering. Overall, water stress to any …

Surface Modification Of Wood Using Nano-Sized Titania Particles Coated By Liquid-Precursor Flame Spray Pyrolysis, Ganesh Sedhain

Theses and Dissertations

Wood is a renewable resource and versatile material used in tasks ranging from tools and furniture to advanced engineering structures. Although wood is light, mechanically robust, environmentally friendly, and abundant, some inherent properties of wood, such as degradation due to moisture and UV radiation from sunlight, are less desirable for extended service life and dimensional stability. In this dissertation, a novel surface modification of wood is explored by depositing nano-sized titania particles on wood veneers and cross-laminated timber (CLT) blocks by liquid-precursor flame spray pyrolysis to confer reversible wettability switching and enhanced durability to UV irradiation. The reaction between a …

Role Of Fungal Arv-1 Protein In Sterol Metabolism And Pathogenicity Of The Chestnut Blight Fungus Cryphonectria Parasitica, Soumyadip Kundu

Theses and Dissertations

Intracellular sterol redistribution is an important step in the lipid homeostasis of organisms, a process directly linked to the organizational arrangement in the plasma membrane (PM) of cells. Previous studies in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have demonstrated that the ARV1 (ACAT-related enzyme-2 required for viability 1) protein is a major regulator of sterol transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane, contributing to the structural organization of the PM, rendering it resistant to anti-fungal compounds as well as maintaining ER integrity. This study assessed the significance of ARV1 in the plant pathogenic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (Cparv1) …

Development And Evaluation Of An Automated Tactical Tillage Tool To Control Weeds In Row-Crop Production Systems, Grace Mccormick Friday

Theses and Dissertations

Weed control is an integral part of a successful overall production strategy in row- cropping systems and has the potential to reduce or eliminate yield losses that negatively affect profitability. Timely and correctly selected herbicide applications are the major keys for effective weed control in a majority of instances. However, there are negative factors that contribute to ineffectiveness and weed escape issues that currently lack viable options for management. Sparsely populated late-season weeds that emerge after lay-by herbicide applications and weeds that have become tolerant and resistant to traditional herbicide chemistries are of greatest concern. Historically, these weeds would have …

Physiological And Proteomic Analysis Of Soybean In Response To Drought And Heat Stress, Amandeep Kaur

Theses and Dissertations

Drought and temperature stress are the two most important factors limiting crop productivity. A physiological and proteomic analysis of soybean was performed to investigate the negative impact of these variables. The previous studies reported the beneficial effect of silicon under stress conditions. Silicon supplementation may promote plant growth under drought stress, although the mechanism to alleviate drought stress is uncertain. The proteomic analysis of chloroplast proteins was carried out to study the response of silicon supplementation under drought stress.

Similarly, temperature stress, mainly heat stress, has an adverse effect on soybean plants. The comparative analysis of two soybean cultivars, DS25-1 …

Physiological And Yield Responses Of Soybean Cultivars To Heat And Drought Stresses, Sadikshya Poudel

Theses and Dissertations

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important legume crop often exposed to heat and drought stresses during reproductive and early-seed setting stages, resulting in lower yields and seed quality. Ten soybean cultivars were phenotyped for individual (drought or heat) and combined stress tolerance. Under drought, reduced stomatal conductance and increased canopy temperature significantly reduced seed number (46%) and weight (35%). Heat stress alone reduced seed number (19%) and weight (23%) compared to control. Moreover, a degree increase in daytime temperature above 32 °C during the reproductive stage reduced seed weight by 4% and 7% under well-watered and drought conditions, respectively. …

Molecular Characterization Of Seminal Plasma From Boars With Divergent Sperm Quality, Notsile Hleliwe Dlamini

Theses and Dissertations

Seminal plasma (SP) is the microenvironment of spermatozoa whose composition reflects semen quality and constitutes an excellent source for detecting non-invasive biomarkers. This study characterizes good vs. poor quality semen using seminal extracellular vesicles coupled proteins and miRNA. Fresh boar semen samples were screened, centrifuged, and SP supernatants were collected for near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis. EVs were extracted from SP (SP-EVs), characterized, and those of extremely poor or good sperm quality groups were subjected to proteomics and small RNA sequencing. Significant differences were set for P

Interspecies Differences In Organophosphate Anticholinesterase Inhibition Potency And Reactivation Using Novel Oximes, Katie Elizabeth Strickland

Theses and Dissertations

Organophosphates are insecticides which result in acute adverse signs when exposed at toxic doses by animals and lead to death if left untreated. The current treatment for organophosphate toxicity includes atropine and the federally approved oxime 2-PAM. However, 2-PAM is not very effective at crossing the blood brain barrier which results in prolonged inactivation of acetylcholinesterase, which is the primary target of organophosphates, in the brain even after administration. The novel oximes, Oxime 15 and Oxime 20, are able to cross the blood brain barrier and reactivate the inhibited acetylcholinesterase. In this experiment with six animal species frequently used in …

Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (Idc) In Soybean Through A Cropping System Approach, Katelin Savannah Waldrep

Theses and Dissertations

Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is a frequent problem throughout many areas of the United States where soils are high in calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), including the Blackland Prairie regions of Mississippi. The main objectives of this study were to 1) determine the effects of seven different cropping systems on IDC visual symptomology and grain yield in rainfed soybeans grown in calcareous soils, and 2) evaluate the effects of soil water tension (SWT) on IDC. Rotating soybeans with corn produced significantly higher yields for both tolerant and susceptible soybean varieties. IDC symptomology was worse, and yields were lower in cropping …

Impact Of Daily Sweet Potato Ingestion On Alterations To The Gut Microbiome, Cholesterol, And Exercise Performance, Johneric William Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of the gut microbiome is being explored in relation to multiple facets of health and performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of frequent sweet potato ingestion on alterations of the gut microbiome which might in turn alter cholesterol levels and exercise performance. Thirteen recreationally trained males had fecal and blood samples collected and exercised to fatigue with and without exogenous carbohydrate ingestion prior to and following 42 days of daily sweet potato ingestion. Bacterial communities were extracted from fecal samples and bacterial DNA were sequence. Blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol, low-density …

Genome-Wide Association Study For Agronomic Traits In Bermudagrass (Cynodon Spp.), Lovepreet Singh

Theses and Dissertations

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) breeding and cultivar development is hampered by limited information regarding its genetic and phenotypic diversity. A germplasm collection of 206 bermudagrass accessions from 29 countries was genotyped with high-throughput genotyping-by-sequencing technique. Genomic diversity in this diverse germplasm panel was assessed with multifaceted approaches including population structure, phylogenetic analysis, principal component analysis, and genetic diversity parameters. This study revealed substantial genetic variation in the Cynodon accessions, demonstrating the potential of this germplasm panel for further genetic studies and cultivar development in breeding programs. Another critical issue in turfgrass breeding is the lack of information regarding the genetic …

Evaluation Of Early Maturing Cultivars, Optimal Harvest Timing, And Canopy Reflectance Of Peanut To Maximize Grade And Yield, Joseph Bryan Whittenton

Theses and Dissertations

Peanut digging timing is difficult to predict due to indeterminate growth and peanut pods maturing underground, resulting in the need to research methods that provide consistent measurements, while reducing time and effort for farmers and researchers. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the Maturity Index 1 and Maturity Index 2 in predicting peanut grade, the accuracy of the North Carolina 2 degree day method in predicting peanut yield, and remote sensing vegetative indices sensitivity equivalence (SEq) to peanut Maturity Index 2 and harvest grade (TSMK) for cultivars IPG-914 and Georgia-06G in Mississippi.

Maturity Index 1 and …

Marginal Agricultural Land Identification In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Prakash Tiwari

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified marginal agricultural lands in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley using crop yield predicting models. The Random Forest Regression (RFR) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models were trained and validated using county-level crop yield data, climate data, soil properties, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The RFR model outperformed MLR model in estimating soybean and corn yields, with an index of agreement (d) of 0.98 and 0.96, Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) of 0.88 and 0.93, and root mean square error (RMSE) of 9.34% and 5.84%, respectively. Marginal agricultural lands were estimated to 26,366 hectares using cost and sales …

An Investigation Into Transcription Fidelity And Its Effects On C. Elegans And S. Cerevisiae Health And Longevity, Olivia S. Dinep-Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

mRNA molecules form an intermediate in the transfer of sequences from DNA to ribosomes in order to guide protein production. Errors can be introduced into mRNA, producing aberrant proteins which place a strain on cellular regulatory machinery, causing increased risks of apoptosis, cancer, and decreased fitness. These errors may be introduced due to decreased transcriptional proofreading capabilities, exposure to chemicals, or mistakes in RNA editing machinery. It is important to investigate these causes of transcription errors to better understand the long-neglected area of mRNA fidelity which has such significant impacts on our cellular functions. In this paper, it was determined …

Determining The Importance Of Propagule Pressure And Dispersal Mechanisms For The Establishment And Spread Of Crapemyrtle Bark Scale, Acanthococcus Lagerstroemiae Kuwana (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), Erika Renee Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Non-native scale insects can be economically and ecologically important pests of urban forests. Crapemyrtle bark scale (CMBS), Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae Kuwana (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), is a scale that causes declines in plant vigor for a popular ornamental tree in the southeastern United States, crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.). CMBS has spread rapidly throughout the Southeast and, more recently, into the Middle Atlantic. Despite problems associated with CMBS, important aspects of its ecology, such as the role of propagule pressure in establishment and the relative importance of mechanisms for between-tree dispersal, are not well-understood. We used field and laboratory studies to investigate these aspects of …

Analysis Of Gene Evolution In The Long-Lived Heliconius Butterfly Genus, Leann Ward

Theses and Dissertations

The butterfly genus Heliconius has an unusually long lifespan (six to eight months compared to only several weeks) and the unique ability to feed on pollen. The additional amino acids provided by a pollen diet seem intrinsically tied to longer lifespan in Heliconius. Because of these traits, Heliconius may be a valuable model species for future aging studies. As a preliminary analysis, we investigated differences in gene evolution between Heliconius and seven short-lived butterflies. We observed that the Heliconius genes had significant differences in evolutionary rates, in the direction of selection, and in the amounts of site-specific positive selection compared …

Remote Physiological Monitoring Of The Giant Panda And Red Panda Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy And Machine Learning, Qingyu Sheng

Theses and Dissertations

Appropriate conservation decisions and efforts must be based on real−time and accurate information about wildlife populations. However, it is extremely challenging to monitor the population demography and physiological traits of many threatened and secretive animal species through direct observation and capture. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has the potential to be a remote tool to address questions concerning wildlife physiology and demography by analyzing “signs” of animals without seeing or capturing them. In this dissertation, two species, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) are used as a case study, to demonstrate NIRS’ feasibility …

Synthesis Of Biomass-Based Graphene Nanomaterials For Aqueous Heavy Metal Removal And Cement-Based Composite Property Enhancement, Tharindu N. Karunaratne

Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing biomass such as lignin, bamboo, soybean, corn stalk, rice husk, etc., as a carbon source to produce graphene-based nanomaterials has been reported recently. However, the potential of using such nanomaterials for engineering and environmental applications has not been realized. This dissertation investigates the use of graphene-based nanomaterials synthesized from using biomass as a carbon source for water remediation and cement-based composites’ (CBCs) property enhancement.

The first chapter introduces graphene and graphene-based nanomaterials, as well as the synthesis and application of graphene-based nanomaterials for removing heavy metals in an aqueous solution and for property enhancement in CBCs. The experimental investigation …

Macroecological Patterns Of Frugivorous Fishes’ Diversity (Serrasalmidae) In The Amazon Drainage Basin, Karold Vivianna Coronado Franco

Theses and Dissertations

The Amazon River drainage basin is known as the most biodiverse region in the world. Regarding freshwater fish, this region contains around 15% of the world's fish richness. The fish family Serrasalmidae have a variety of feeding preferences including Pacus (herbivores) and Piranhas (carnivores). Fruit eating fish species are evolutionarily the oldest species in the family and have a mutualistic interaction with flooded forests. Considering the diversity of feeding habits of the Serrasalmidae family, it represents an excellent model to study ecological questions related to factors that influence the spatial distribution of species and factors that contribute to the maintenance …

Macromolecular Crowding On The Formation Of Amyloid Fiber Hydrogel, Rachael Marie Crews

Theses and Dissertations

The aggregation of proteins to form fibrillar deposits is a hallmark of numerous medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Protein monomers aggregate to form amyloid fibers, followed by these fibers further aggregating to form larger structures such as fiber bundles and hydrogels. Previous studies into protein aggregation were mostly done under dilute solutions that poorly reflect the crowded nature of the tissue environment. Can a liquid solution truthfully represent what is going on in a solid tissue? Utilizing lysozyme as a model protein and two different polysaccharides as crowding agents, dextran and hyaluronic acid (HA), the effects of macromolecular crowding …

Crispr-Based Genome Editing Of Caenorhabditis Elegans And Cultured Human Cells, Katie Marie Toperzer

Theses and Dissertations

The fields of genetics and molecular biology have grown exponentially in the knowledge and ability to edit DNA sequences. The discovery of DNA structure in the 1950s and enzymes that are able to make site-specific cuts in the 1970s allowed scientists to harness growth in the field of genetic engineering and develop realistic gene therapies for diseases. In my thesis, I will utilize cutting-edge technology to be the first person at Florida Tech to genetically engineer two different model systems. Using CRISPR, I will study the molecular mechanisms of fertilization by introducing a genetically encoded reporter in C. elegans. Additionally, …

Shortening Of Telomeres Caused By Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides In Hiv-1 Exposed Human Oral Keratinocytes, Daphne Alcala Zúñiga

Theses and Dissertations

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) continues to affect many individuals around the globe. Although people with HIV (PWH) have longer life expectancies because of modern treatments, they continue to exhibit comorbidities that are signs of premature aging compared to healthy individuals. The significance of the oral microbiome during HIV-1 infection has become of interest as chronic inflammatory conditions, such as periodontitis, have shed light on the detrimental effects of chronic inflammation. HIV-1 infection can promote dysbiosis, an imbalance of the oral microbiota, which in turn promotes the growth of opportunistic microorganisms such as P. gingivalis. This overpopulation enhances pathogenicity through …

Factors Influencing The Faunal Recolonization Of Restored Thornscrub Forest Habitats, Audrey J. Hicks

Theses and Dissertations

Tamaulipan thornscrub forests have high ecological and economic value, yet over 90% of these forests have been lost, primarily due to agriculture and urban expansion, and they remain threatened, making them a conservation hotspot. For decades, federal, state, NGO, and corporate entities have been acquiring land and actively or passively restoring these forests, but results have been mixed and seldom monitored. This study characterized and quantified faunal communities of restored thornscrub forest habitats in south Texas and examined the relationships between restored faunal communities and key site characteristics and environmental factors. We surveyed and analyzed mammals, birds, Lepidoptera, and herptiles …

Effect Of Elevated Temperature And Roundup Exposure On Oxidative Stress And Antioxidant Status In The American Oyster, Afsana Chowdhury

Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic organisms are frequently exposed to various environmental stressors. In this study, we observed the short-term (1-week) combined dose-dependent effect of Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, and high temperature (30°C) on the morphology of gills and digestive glands, expression of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70), dinitrophenyl protein (DNP), nitrotyrosine protein (NTP), antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) in tissues of American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Histological analyses showed an increase in mucous production in the gills and digestive glands, hemocyte aggregation in the connective tissues as well as structural change of the lumen in the digestive glands …

Sweet Potato In The Lower Rio Grande Valley: Evaluating Performance Across Several Cultivars, Jon Dale

Theses and Dissertations

In Texas’ subtropical, semiarid Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), citrus and sugarcane cultures have dominated specialty crop production for more than a half-century. However, the future of these high-dollar crops is becoming uncertain with increases in exotic pathogens, intensifying urbanization and the overarching complexities of both climate change and binational governance of Rio Grande Basin waters. For these reasons, the region’s specialty crop sector needs to be ready for alternatives that could benefit both market outlets and reduced input dependencies. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), commercially grown in various similar climates worldwide with limited water resources, could be one …