Life Sciences Commons^™

Aerobic Exercise And Scaffolds With Hierarchical Porosity Synergistically Promote Functional Recovery Post Volumetric Muscle Loss, Christina Zhu, Karina Skylar, Yori Endo, Mohamadmahdi Samandari,, Mehran Karvar, Azadeh Mostafavi, Jacob Quint, Chiara Rioldi, Wojciech Swieszkowski, Joshua Mauney, Shailesh Agarwal, Ali Tamayol, Indranil Sinha

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is a composite loss of skeletal muscle tissue (greater than 20%) that heals with minimal muscle regeneration, substantial fibrosis, and subsequent functional deficits. Standard treatment, involving free functional muscle transfer and physical therapy, cannot restore full muscle function following VML. Tissue engineered scaffolds, 3D structural templates that mimic native extracellular matrix, are promising to enhance functional muscle formation and recovery. Bioprinted 3D scaffolds are engineered using bioinks, created from scaffolding material, cells, and growth factors, to replicate skeletal muscle architecture with precise control over their spatial deposition. METHODS: The present study evaluates a 3D-printed foam-like scaffold …

Infection Of Feral Phenotype Swine With Japanese Encephalitis Virus, So Lee Park, Yan-Jang S. Huang, Amy C. Lyons, Victoria B. Ayers, Susan M. Hettenbach, D. Scott Mcvey, Leela E. Noronha, Kenneth R. Burton, Stephen Higgs, Dana L. Vanlandingham

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus and the leading cause of pediatric encephalitis in the Asian Pacific region. The transmission cycle primarily involves Culex spp. mosquitoes and Ardeid birds, with domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) being the source of infectious viruses for the spillover of JEV from the natural endemic transmission cycle into the human population. Although many studies have concluded that domestic pigs play an important role in the transmission cycle of JEV, and infection of humans, the role of feral pigs in the transmission of JEV remains unclear. Since domestic and …

Detection Of Sars-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibodies In Retropharyngeal Lymph Node Exudates Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) From Nebraska, Usa, Korakrit Poonsuk, Duan S. Loy, Rachael Birn, Bryan Buss, Matthew Donahue, Todd Nordeen, Kylie Sinclair, Luke Meduna, Bruce Brodersen, John Dustin Loy

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Disease surveillance testing for emerging zoonotic pathogens in wildlife is a key component in understanding the epidemiology of these agents and potential risk to human populations. Recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in humans, and subsequent detection of this virus in wildlife, highlights the need for developing new One Health surveillance strategies. We used lymph node exudate, a sample type that is routinely collected in hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (WTD, Odocoileus virginianus) for surveillance of chronic wasting disease, to assess anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. A total of 132 pairs of retropharyngeal lymph nodes collected from Nebraska WTD harvested in Nebraska, US, in 2019 …

Early-Phase Drive To The Precursor Pool: Chloroviruses Dive Into The Deep End Of Nucleotide Metabolism, David Dunigan, Irina Agarkova, Ahmed Esmael, Sophie Alvarez, James L. Van Etten

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Viruses face many challenges on their road to successful replication, and they meet those challenges by reprogramming the intracellular environment. Two major issues challenging Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1, genus Chlorovirus, family Phycodnaviridae) at the level of DNA replication are (i) the host cell has a DNA G+C content of 66%, while the virus is 40%; and (ii) the initial quantity of DNA in the haploid host cell is approximately 50 fg, yet the virus will make approximately 350 fg of DNA within hours of infection to produce approximately 1000 virions per cell. Thus, the quality and quantity of …

The Persistence And Stabilization Of Auxiliary Genes In The Human Skin Virome, Ema H. Graham, Wesley A. Tom, Alison C. Neujahr, Michael Adamowicz, Jennifer Clarke, Joshua R. Herr, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Background The human skin contains a diverse microbiome that provides protective functions against environmental pathogens. Studies have demonstrated that bacteriophages modulate bacterial community composition and facilitate the transfer of host-specific genes, potentially influencing host cellular functions. However, little is known about the human skin virome and its role in human health. Especially, how viral-host relationships influence skin microbiome structure and function is poorly understood.

Results Population dynamics and genetic diversity of bacteriophage communities in viral metagenomic data collected from three anatomical skin locations from 60 subjects at five different time points revealed that cutaneous bacteriophage populations are mainly composed of …

Diagnosing Neurocysticercosis In Skeletonized Human Remains Of Forensic Importance, John O. Obafunwa, Karl Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

Neurocysticercosis is endemic in many parts of the underdeveloped and developing countries, with continuous presence in developed countries due to the influx of migrants from regions where the diseases are endemic. Neuroimaging, anatomic pathological techniques, immunodiagnostic tests, clinical examination and epidemiologic considerations will easily provide the diagnosis. However, physicians in developed countries are perhaps progressively missing the diagnosis, and need to re-acquaint themselves with the condition and acquire a high suspicion index. The authors present a medicolegal case where the forensic team made a conclusion of neurocysticercosis (among other diagnoses), following post mortem examination of a largely skeletonized and mummified …

Documenting The Presence Of Chagas Disease In Prehistoric North America: Applying The Stockholm Paradigm To Archaeoparasitology, Part Ii, Karl J. Reinhard, Daniel R. Brooks, Aida Romera Barbera, T. Michael Fink

Karl Reinhard Publications

The DAMA protocol (Document, Assess, Monitor, Act) is the applied aspect of the Stockholm Paradigm. Evidence from archaeology and history of medicine has a demonstrated value in documenting infection risk for specific study areas. Bioarchaeological remains and historical documents show vivid examples of pathology related to the Chagas disease life cycle. The science of archaeology defines the lifestyles that created risk of triatomine kissing bug infestations and trypanosome protozoa infections. Paleogenetics, in the form of molecular analyses of Trypanosoma cruzi, elucidate the temporal origins of genetic variants and adaptation to human environments. We illustrate how these fields reveal the risk …

Exploring The Evolution Of Trypanosoma Cruzi And The Emergence Of Chagas Disease In The Context Of Environmental Change: Applying The Stockholm Paradigm To Archaeoparasitology, Part I, Aida Romera Barbera, Daniel R. Brooks, T. Michael Fink, Karl J. Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

The Stockholm Paradigm is an evolutionary synthesis that explains the emergence of novel pathogens in the context of environmental disturbances. Considering the urgent climate change situation, anticipation stands as key to prevent and mitigate the effects that climate change can have in the emergence of pathogens. However, the success of preventive measures is hindered by a limited knowledge of the interplaying dynamics between biology, environment, and culture leading to emerging infectious diseases. For many decades, bioarchaeologists have been gathering data on past human-environment interactions, therefore contributing to the conversation. Archaeoparasitology, at the intersection between pathology, bioarchaeology, and biology, is uniquely …

Site-Specific Incidence Rate Of Blastocystis Hominis And Its Association With Childhood Malnutrition: Findings From A Multi-Country Birth Cohort Study, Barbie Zaman Wahid, Ahshanul Haque, Amran Gazi, Shah Mohammad Fahim, Abu Syed Golam Faruque, Mustafa Mahfuz, Tahmeed Ahmed

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

In this study, we investigated the potential association between the burden of asymptomatic Blastocystis spp. (Blastocystis hominis) infection and nutritional status among children under 2 years of age using the data collected from 1,715 children from eight distinct geographic locations, including Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Peru, Tanzania, Pakistan, Nepal, and South Africa. Childhood stunting, wasting, and underweight were the outcome variables, and B. hominis infection was the exposure variable of this present study. The presence of B. hominis in nondiarrheal stools was evaluated by TaqMan Array Cards. Site-specific incidence rates were estimated using Poisson regression, and multiple generalized estimating …

The Paradox Of Child Poverty And Welfare, Tirna Purkait

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The United States confronts persistent child welfare issues rooted in poverty. The age-old debate vacillates between advocating personal responsibility and bolstering social safety nets. Current welfare programs, aiming to mitigate child poverty, often fall short given the deep nexus of poverty and child maltreatment. This paper probes the intricate ties between child poverty and welfare, emphasizing state legislative variances, inherent system paradoxes, and potential policy enhancements. Exploring historical contexts, existing societal frameworks, and future reforms, this research emphasizes the urgency for all-encompassing solutions. These should tackle poverty’s core while fortifying child welfare, safeguarding the well-being of forthcoming American generations.

Antimalarial Chemoprophylaxis For Forest Goers In Southeast Asia: An Open-Label, Individually Randomised Controlled Trial, Rupam Tripura, Lorenz Von Seidlin, Siv Sovannaroth, Thomas J. Peto, James J. Callery, Meas Sokha, Mom Ean, Chhouen Heng, Franca Conradis-Jansen, Wanassanan Madmanee, Pimnara Peerawaranun, Naomi Waithira, Panarasri Khonputsa, Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal, Kulchada Pongsoipetch, Paphapisa Chotthanawathit, Ung Soviet, Christopher Pell, Jureeporn Duanguppama, Huy Rekol, Joel Tarning, Mallika Imwong, Mavuto Mukaka, Nicholas J. White, Arjen M. Dondorp, Richard J. Maude

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

Summary

Background

Malaria in the eastern Greater Mekong subregion has declined to historic lows. Countries in the Greater Mekong subregion are accelerating malaria elimination in the context of increasing antimalarial drug resistance. Infections are now increasingly concentrated in remote, forested foci. No intervention has yet shown satisfactory efficacy against forest-acquired malaria. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of malaria chemoprophylaxis among forest goers in Cambodia.

Methods

We conducted an open-label, individually randomized controlled trial in Cambodia, which recruited participants aged 16–65 years staying overnight in forests. Participants were randomly allocated 1:1 to antimalarial chemoprophylaxis, a 3-day …

Worldwide Host Associations Of The Tick Genus Ixodes Suggest Relationships Based On Environmental Sharing Rather Than On Co-Phylogenetic Events, Agustín Estrada-Peña, Alberto A. Guglielmone, Santiago Nava

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

Abstract

Background

This study aims to capture how ticks of the genus Ixodes gained their hosts using network constructs. We propose two alternative hypotheses, namely, an ecological background (ticks and hosts sharing environmentally available conditions) and a phylogenetic one, in which both partners co-evolved, adapting to existing environmental conditions after the association took place.

Methods

We used network constructs linking all the known pairs of associations between each species and stage of ticks with families and orders of hosts. Faith’s phylogenetic diversity was used to evaluate the phylogenetic distance of the hosts of each species and changes occurring in the …

Dna Transfer And Persistence On Non-Porous Surfaces Submerged In Spring Water [Preliminary Study], Morgan L.. Korzik, Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul, Michael S. Adamowicz, David San Pietro

Forensic Science: Faculty Publications

Submerged items are often thought to lack evidentiary value. However, previous studies have shown the ability to recover DNA from submerged porous items for upwards of six weeks. The crevices or interweaving fibers in porous items are thought to protect DNA from being washed away. It is hypothesized that, because non-porous surfaces do not have the same traits that might aid in DNA retention, then DNA quantities and the number of donor alleles recovered would decrease over longer submersion periods. Additionally, it is hypothesized that DNA quantity and the number of alleles would be negatively affected by flow conditions. Neat …

Identifying Spatial Heterogeneity In And Potential Biological Consequences Of River Thermal Environments, Keith Jeffrey Fritschie

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Temperature is a nearly ubiquitous driver of ecological and evolutionary processes, especially for organisms whose body temperature changes with the environment. The overarching biological importance of environmental temperature and increased availability of temperature datasets have led to its inclusion in spatially continuous models of species’ performance, abundance, and distribution. However, variation in both environmental temperature and animal behavior at finer scales than captured by these models may reduce the accuracy of their scientific conclusions and conservation recommendations. Here I contribute to an improved understanding of thermal variability in river systems and its potential biological consequences for an iconic coldwater species, …

Airborne Sound And Substrate-Borne Vibration In Orthopteran Communication, Ciara E. Kernan

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The challenge of attracting and locating potential mates has driven the evolution of diverse mate-finding signaling systems. These systems can be complex, with multiple signals or signal components spread across different sensory modalities. When multiple modalities are combined in one communication system, features of each can be important to individual fitness; over evolutionary time, these can shape investment in different parts of a signal repertoire. One group of animals that commonly uses multiple signal modalities is Orthoptera. Cricket and katydid species within this order often produce airborne sound calls to advertise to potential mates. Many also produce substrate-borne vibrational signals. …

Interactomics And Targeted Protein Degradation For Kinase Substrate Discovery, Juan C. Mercado Del Valle

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Reversible phosphorylation is one of the most important post translational modifications that has allowed us as a species to quickly adapt to changing molecular environments due to external stimulation. This process is only capable through the activity of kinases to carry out the targeting of specific substrates defined by their recognition motif allowing for selective phosphorylation and activation and inactivation of distinct pathways as well as other changes that permit cell survival. By being so important for the maintenance of the cells disruption often leads to worsening of the cells, leading to various diseases like cancer, immunological and neurodegenerative disorders. …

Mitochondrial Division: Synergizing In Mitochondrial Divisome, Ao Liu

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Mitochondria are the energy factories of the cell. The dynamic nature of cells demands routine changes in mitochondrial morphology by fusion and division. The dynamin GTPase Drp1 is a central mitochondrial division protein, driving constriction of the outer mitochondrial membrane via oligomerization. At least four regulatory factors control Drp1 activity on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM): 1) receptor proteins (Mff, MiD49, MiD51, and Fis1); 2) actin filaments; 3) the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin (CL); and 4) Drp1 post-translational modifications, of which two phosphorylation sites (S579 and S600) are the most well studied. However, the molecular mechanism of how these factors work …

Job Stress Management In Forest Administration Chief Officers In Turkey, İlker Akyüz

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Employees in all sectors are constantly under stress. This stress can be a result of job, organization and environmental factors. In addition, stress can have certain negative consequences and individuals use different methods to cope with them. In this study, the symptoms of stress and the stressors to which forest administration chief officers are subjected and their strategies for overcoming the stress were investigated. The research was designed as a field study and was conducted using via questionnaire. The study?s sample consists of forest administration chiefs in Turkey. Four hundred and forty survey forms were assessed and all the statistical …

Analysis Of Morphological And Pomological Features Of Apricot In The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Of Azerbaijan, Ami̇na Raki̇da

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is grown across a wide geographical area and has been cultivated in Azerbaijan for more than three thousand years. The purpose of the study was to characterize the apricot varieties and forms collected from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. Fourty-four apricot varieties and forms were studied according to 10 (phenological, pomological, morphological) parameters. A wide variation was found between yield, total soluble solids and fruit weight among varieties and forms. Fruits of the most of apricot varieties and forms were small, only two of them-Hampa and Limon Erik 2-had a fruit weight more than …

Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis Reveals Changes In Metabolome Profile In Triticosecale Seeds Based On Harvesting Time, Nadezhda Chikida, Mayya Razgonova, Lubov Bekish, Alexander Mikhailovich Zakharenko, Kirill Golokhvast

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Triticosecale "Bilinda" (cultivar was bred in the laboratories of the Leningrad Research Agriculture Institute, Branch of Russian Potato Research Centre, Leningrad Province) contains a large number of polyphenolic compounds which are biologically active components. The purpose of this work was to conduct a comparative metabolomic study of extracts of Triticosecale cultivar "Bilinda" seeds harvested at different stages of maturation. To identify target analytes in extracts HPLC was used in combination with an ion trap. The results showed the presence of 93 target compounds corresponding to Triticosecale. In addition to the reported polyphenol constituents, 28 polyphenols were newly annotated in …

Investigation Of The Effects Of Pesticides On 'Jonagold' Apple (Malus X Domestica) Polyphenol Oxidase Enzyme Activity, Cengi̇z Çesko, Sami̇ Gashi̇, Gülnur Arabaci, Hati̇ce Palüzar, Berat Durmi̇shi̇, Era Bruçi̇, Fjolla Vllasali̇u, Nedi̇m Özdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

this study, the effects of a number of commonly used pesticides on the activity of the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme from pesticide-free and pesticide-applied 'Jonagold' apples were comparatively evaluated. Substrates 4-methylcatechol, pyrocatechol, pyrogallol and L-tyrosine were used to determine the substrate specificity of the PPO enzyme obtained from apple. According to the results, on the contrary, PPO enzyme from 'Jonagold' apple did not show any activity against L-tyrosine substrate which is a monophenolic substrate, the enzyme had high affinity against 4-methylcatechol, pyrocatechol and pyrogallol which are di and tri phenolic substrates. K_m values of PPO enzyme obtained from pesticide-free …

Alleviating Effects Of Salicylic Acid Spray On Stage-Based Growth And Antioxidative Defense System In Two Drought-Stressed Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Cultivars, Asma ., Iqbal Hussain, Muhammad Yasin Ashraf, Muhammad Hamzah Saleem, Muhammad Arslan Ashraf, Baber Ali, Aisha Shereen, Ghulam Farid, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ubaidullah Shirazi, Ammara Saleem, Yasser S. Mostafa, Mohamed Hashem, Ghulam Yasin

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Approximately 33% of the arable land around the world is vulnerable to drought, which is a very serious issue affecting the yield and productivity of cereal crops. Two contrasting rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes, HTT-138 (drought tolerant) and (HTT-39 droughtsensitive), under various levels of water treatments, i.e. control flooded (CF) as recommended for rice (control), control saturated (CS) 100% field capacity (FC), 80% FC, and 60% FC without or with foliar spray (100 mg L^-1) of salicylic acid (SA) evaluated to enhance the yield for food security. The results showed that leaf gas exchange parameters, water use …

Technical Evaluation Of Transplanters' Performance For Potted Seedlings, Davut Karayel, Murad Çanakci, Mehmet Topakci, Ali̇ Aktaş, Hakdan Aytem, Zi̇ta Kriauciuniene

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This research was conducted to evaluate the performance of disc, carrousel and dibble-type transplanters for potted tomato and watermelon seedlings in field conditions. Intra row distance, transplantation depth, the gripping force of seedlings to the soil, vertical position, damage of seedling and seedling survival rate were determined to evaluate performance of transplanters. The disc and carrousel-type transplanters place the seedlings into furrow and the dibble-type transplanter places the seedlings into the holes. According to field experiment results, distribution uniformity of intra row distance of dibble and carrousel-type transplanters were very well with the coefficient of variations between 3.52% and 5.55%. …

Standardization Of Vigour Test To Predict Field Emergence And Difference Of Seed Vigour Among Lentils (Lens Culinaris L.) Seed Lots, Negar Ebrahim Pour Mokhtari

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Selecting seeds with high vigour eminently affects initial plant growth and determines plant stand. Various tests including electrical conductivity (EC), radicle emergence counts (RE), and standard germination (SG) tests were used to assess the vigour of eleven lentils (Lens culinaris L.) seed lots. Lentil seed lots with over 75% normal germination, were germinated with the use of an ISTA standard germination test. The radicle emergence (2 mm) was tallied at constant intervals from 24-120 h. The seed lots were sown in the fields and 40 days after sowing, the final seedling emergence was evaluated. The standard germination test demonstrated …

Comparison Of Bioactive Compounds Of Continental And Mediterranean Pomegranate Fruits And Its Application In Urban Gardening, Radenka Kolarov, Mirjana Ljubojevic, Jovana Sucur Elez, Mirjana Adakalic, Biljana Lazovic, Dejan Prvulovic, Sezai̇ Erci̇şli̇, Djordje Malencic

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

With the significant increase in population in cities, the necessity of growing safe and functional food is of great importance. Pomegranate fruit has many valuable antioxidant properties. The subject of study was the pomegranate from the continental region (Sremski Karlovci, Serbia) and the Mediterranean region (Bar, Montenegro). We compared biochemically active compounds in genotypes from both locations. The analysis performed included total phenolics, tannins, flavonoid contents, proanthocyanidins, pigments chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, as well as carotenoids. Analysis of vitamin C, titratable acidity, pH value, and total sugars were also performed. Two antioxidant tests were also conducted, including DPPH and …

Assessment Of Genetic Variability And Genetic Parameters Of Morphological And Agro-Physiological Traits In Camelina Sativa (L.), Farshad Fallah, Danial Kahrizi, Abbas Rezaeizad, Alireza Zebarjadi, Leila Zarei, Hülya Doğan

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The present investigation was done to evaluate genetic variability and estimation of genetic parameters of morphological and agro-physiological traits in Camelina sativa (L.) using biometrical genetic techniques. For this purpose, 136 Camelina doubled haploid line genotypes were assessed in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates in the Field Research, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, during the 2014-2015 cropping season. The results of the analysis of variance showed significant differences between the genotypes for all studied traits. High estimates of genetic gain and broad-sense heritability were observed for the number of pods per plant, the number of pods per main …

Determination Of Some Quality Properties And Antimicrobial Activities Of Kombucha Tea Prepared With Different Berries, Oktay Tomar

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Kombucha is a slightly sweet, acidic, carbonated, fermented beverage obtained by fermenting sugared tea (Camellia sinesis) with symbiotic bacteria. In the present study, kombucha was produced from black tea (Camellia sinensis), black grape (Vitis labrusca), black mulberry (Morus nigra), and rosehip (Rosa canina) fruits. Its physicochemical, microbiological, sensory properties and antimicrobial effects were investigated. During the fermentation, pH, Brix (%), viscosity, total antioxidant, and phenolic substance values decreased (p < 0.05). Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB) and yeast/mold, Lactococcus/Streptococcus counts decreased, while the osmophilic yeast, acetic acid, and lactic acid bacterial counts increased (p < 0.05). The samples produced using black mulberry had the highest antibacterial activity (26.58 mm zone diameter), lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (0.012 mg·L$^{-1}$), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) (0.008 mg·L$^{-1}$) on Staphylococcus aureus. The highest …

Teaching Agroecology: Preparing Students For Navigating Uncharted Territory, Charles A. Francis, Steve Gliessman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Agroecologists understand that farming and food systems are more complex than the aggregation of their components. This realization drives our choices of learning strategies and activities that will prepare students for complexity and uncertainty. Our quest for a just, sustainable, and nutritious food system adequate to equitably serve everyone on the planet today and into the future is an enormous challenge. An undertaking of this magnitude will be met only with major adjustments informed by thoughtful teaching and practicing problem solving skills through a new educational lens. The principles of agroecology help us focus this lens on the wicked problems …

Soil And Compost Tea: A New Restoration Technique?, Carol E. Day

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Historically, prairie restorations have lacked the plant diversity seen in remnant prairies. Most restoration practices focus on reestablishing the plant community but overlook the soil microbial community even though microbes are critical to habitat functioning. Developing techniques that increase soil microbes in prairie restorations is critical to ensuring diverse restored habitats. We compared how microbial communities differed between remnant and restored prairie sites. We also investigated if soil and compost teas could be used to reintroduce microbes to restored prairie soil and if the teas affected native plant establishment. We found significant differences in the levels of bacterial taxa between …

Investigating Sources Of Microplastics And Effects Of Plastic Pollution On Biofilm Function In The Huron River, Sadie Baker

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Plastics are a global environmental threat due to mass production and the many unknowns regarding the long-term effects of plastic pollution in the environment. Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, and they have become ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems. MPs enter aquatic ecosystems through non-point sources such as urbanization, runoff, or atmospheric fallout or through point-sources such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To determine MP sources in the Huron River, we evaluated MP load (MPs/day) upstream and downstream from urban centers (Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti) and the Ann Arbor WWTP. The average MP load among sample …