Life Sciences Commons^™

Diel Variations In Abundance Of Viral, Picoplankton, And Nanoplankton In Coastal Waters Of Taiwan In Spring, Patrichka Wei-Yi Chen, Madeline Olivia, Vladimir Mukhanov, Ufimtseva Margarita, Liashko Tatiana, Sakhon Evgenii, Supriyadi Supriyadi, Intan Dwi Puspitasari, Arpita Ghosh, An-Yi Tsai

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The diel variations of viruses (< 0.2 μm), picoplankton (0.2-2 μm; heterotrophic bacteria, Synechococcus spp., and picoeukaryotes), and nanoflagellates (2-20 μm; heterotrophic and pigmented nanoflagellates) were examined for 2 days with approximately 4 h of temporal sampling in the spring of 2024 in coastal surface waters of the subtropical western Pacific. The abundance of bacteria did not follow a consistent diel pattern, and viral abundance was positively correlated with bacterial abundance. Synechococcus spp. was found to grow during the light period and with peak abundance at night, exhibiting a remarkably diel pattern; however, the pattern was opposite in picoeukaryotes. In the size-fractionation experiments, after 32 h of …

New Insights Into Decapod Chemical Communication: A Focus On The Hydrothermal Vent Crab Xenograpsus Testudinatus, Jishnu Panamoly Ayyappan, Mark June S. Consigna, Li-Chun Tseng, Jiang-Shiou Hwang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Chemical communication in decapod crustaceans has been extensively studied for over 150 years, with most of the research focusing on sex pheromones. These crustaceans inhabit chemically complex environments and rely on diverse chemical signals for essential behaviors such as mate recognition, predator avoidance, and social interaction. This review synthesizes key findings from studies on shrimp, crayfish, lobsters, and crabs, the most well-documented taxa in crustacean chemical ecology. Various appendages, including the first and second antennae, mouthparts, and walking legs, are involved in chemosensory detection. Special emphasis is placed on chemical communication in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents (HVs), with …

Apply Cluster Analysis To Improve Interpretation Of Ert Images, Yin-Chun Hung, Yu-Xiang Zhao

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The completeness and accuracy of collecting and investigating geotechnical and marine engineering geological conditions are key to the success or failure of engineering development. Traditional marine engineering and geotechnical surveys often require the assistance of geophysical methods to fully present the geological conditions. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is an advanced geophysical method that produces accurate cross-sections of underground resistivity. Although 2D ERT has been widely used in geotechnical engineering and marine engineering, many uncertainties remain hidden behind the vivid and colorful resistivity profiles. To apply 2D ERT profiles effectively in geotechnical and marine geological surveys and monitoring, it is essential …

Geo-Chemical Fractionations Of Phosphorus In Sediments Of Thuy Trieu Lagoon And Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, Phu H. Le, Ngoc H. Pham, Dung T. Le, Tuan Linh T. Vo, Binh V. Tran, The V. Ho

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The geochemical fractions of phosphorus (P) and its bioavailability in sediments of Thuy Trieu Lagoon and Cam Ranh Bay were investigated. Twenty-four surface sediment samples were collected in the dry season (Jun 2024) and the rainy season (Oct 2024). A sequential extraction procedure was applied to identify the phosphorus (P) fractions in sediments, including Exchangeable P (Ex-P), iron-bound P (Fe-P), aluminum-bound P (Al-P), calcium-bound P (Ca-P), and residual P (Res-P). Total P (TP) ranged from 214.9 to 2365.2 µg.g^-1, and the Ca-P fraction was the dominant chemical form in sediments. Based on the results of Pearson correlation and …

Beyond Basic Needs : Exploring The Antecedents And Outcomes Of Seafarers’ Well-Being, Chian Liou, Cheng Kuo Sung, Kimberly Hsiu-Chin Lee, Jiunn Liang Guo

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Given the importance of seafarers’ mental health and the limited literature on this topic, this study aims to explore the causes and consequences of seafarers’ well-being. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis. Consistent with the predictions of the happy and productive worker thesis, this study found that the more satisfied the seafarers are with the shipping company’s seafarer policy, the higher their well-being tends to be, leading to a more positive work attitude. Interestingly, the study found that a company effect is significantly present in this correlation; that …

Empowering Shipping Management Competence With Artificial Intelligence: A Strategic Approach To External Environmental Volatility, Yu-Kai Huang, Cheng-Hsien Hsieh, Chi-Chang Lin, Yu-Tzu Chang, Yu-Chao Cheng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The shipping industry is undergoing significant transformation with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), yet challenges remain in effectively adopting AI technologies. This study addresses the key concerns influencing AI adoption in shipping management. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) integrated with the PEST model, an evaluation framework was developed to assess AI applications in shipping companies. Based on expert input collected through the Delphi method, four constructs and twelve criteria were identified, with the 'Technological' dimension being the most critical. 'Robustness,' 'Costs,' and 'Data quality' emerged as the top factors affecting AI implementation. The framework offers practical insights for shipping …

Comparative Evaluation Of Deep Learning Models For Predicting Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus Pelamis) Catch Based On Climatic Factors, Peng Ding, Hui Xu, Xin Zhuang, Yan-Lun Wu, Fengyuan Shen, Yujie Xiao, Jiensi Zhulidezi, Wei-Yu Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

To investigate the impact of climatic factors on skipjack tuna catch, this study collected and analyzed annual global skipjack tuna catch data spanning from 1960 to 2021, along with corresponding monthly data for the key indicator of El Nino events (Niño1+2, Niño3, Niño4, and Niño3.4), the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), the North Pacific Index (NPI), and the global sea-air temperature anomaly index (dT). The optimal lag years of climatic factors were identified by selecting the maximum absolute cross- correlation coefficients. Subsequently, the predictive performance of LSTM, BiLSTM, and CNN-BiLSTM models …

Effects Of Train-Ship Direct Transshipment On Container Terminal Operational Efficiency And Energy Consumption: From A Scheduling Perspective, Yiying Du, Yaozong Wang, Zhongzhen Yang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

On-dock rail integration positions terminals as critical hubs for rail-sea transshipment, which necessitates efficient scheduling for rapid container transfers. Given the strict schedules and batch arrival of railway containers, in this study, we propose a train-ship direct transshipment (TSDT) mode to eliminate nonproductive yard rehandling. To comprehensively evaluate the impact of the proposed mode on terminal handling operations, we developed an operational scheduling model for the entire process of the simultaneous loading of yard containers and railway-handling area (RHA) containers. The model comprises two stages. Stage 1 models the pre-reshuffling operations in the yard before loading, and Stage 2 implements …

Key Success Factors In Using The Lifting Method To Construct A Steel Bridge Pylon, Ming-Chao Su, Hui-Ping Tserng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Constructing the inclined steel pylon of cable-stayed bridges is challenging because of the pylon’s height, spatial limitations, and safety concerns. To address these challenges, this study developed a modular lifting method that can enhance the efficiency and precision of pylon construction. The proposed method involves using rotation jigs to temporarily assemble the pylon, horizontal positioning on temporary supports, and synchronized lifting through computer-controlled hydraulic systems. Field implementation on a large-span bridge project revealed that compared with the traditional method, the proposed method resulted in higher welding quality, lower risks associated with great-height operations, and a shorter on-site assembly time. The …

Deep Learning-Based Model For Automated Prediction Of Coastal Changes: A Robust Approach To Environmental Forecasting, Tsair-Fwu Lee, Chu-Ho Chang, Chin-Shiuh Shieh, Chih-Hsien Wu, Jen-Chung Shao, Chien-Liang Chiu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The coastline stands as a critical domain encompassing industry and the environment. The escalating global warming, leading to elevated sea levels and intensified wave-current interactions, has given rise to substantial coastal erosion. This predicament, in conjunction with excessive human development and Taiwan's coastal areas' extreme climatic impact, accentuates the perceptibility of coastal beach alterations. As a result, coastal erosion has emerged as a pressing issue necessitating resolution. Traditional methodologies for assessing coastline changes have conventionally relied on manual measurements. However, owing to the fluctuating distance of coastlines, influenced by tidal patterns, extended measurement processes over several months are susceptible to …

Hydrographic Influences On Seasonal Variations In Zooplankton Communities Of Taiwan Bank (Southern Taiwan Strait), Bor-Shyr Chen, Frank Paolo Jay B. Albarico, Mark Ariel D. Malto, Aiza D. Gabriel, Chiu-Wen Chen, Cheng-Di Dong

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Understanding the factors that control ocean productivity is crucial in fisheries management. Taiwan Bank, located between the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, is a highly productive ecosystem due to upwelling events. The total zooplankton community (holozooplankton and merozooplankton), diversity, seasonal changes, and environmental drivers remain unexplored despite its productivity. This study evaluates the seasonal and vertical environmental dynamics in the Taiwan Bank and their impacts on the zooplankton community structure. We collected zooplankton and basic water parameters in March, July, and September 2017 at 5, 25, and 50 meters. We recorded significant seasonal changes in zooplankton composition and …

Model Performance For Predicting Trends And Analyzing The Impacts Of Sea Surface Temperature Changes In The Gulf Of Thailand, Tanatpong Udomchaipitak, Nathaphon Boonnam

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study focuses on assessing and improving the predictive performance of sea surface temperature (SST) in the Gulf of Thailand under unique environmental challenges. Data from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) were utilized, covering the period from July 1994 to June 2024 at depths ranging from 0 to 30 meters. After cleaning the data using the Interquartile Range (IQR) method, the processed dataset was tested using four models: Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) architectures, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), as well as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Model performance was enhanced by tuning the parameters over …

Racial-Ethnic Differences In The Associations Between Functional Disabilities And Subsequent Depression Among Community-Dwelling Midlife And Older Adults In The Us, Debasree Das Gupta, Uma Kelekar, Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya, Sidney Carl Turner

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: The intersection of race/ethnicity with disability is a critical dimension of mental health outcomes in later ages that remains under-investigated.

Objective: We examined the role of race-ethnicity in moderating the associations between functional disabilities and subsequent depression among Americans 51 and older and stratified into the two age-groups of midlife (51-64) and older adults (≥65).

Methods: Using a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling Americans (≥51; n=7,475) in the 2016-2018 Health and Retirement Study, we conducted bivariate and multivariable regression analyses. Racial-ethnic groups included non-Hispanic (NH) Black, Hispanic, and NH White and a binary (0/1) outcome defined subsequent depression in …

Multimodal Imaging Of Protein-Based Biomaterials For Delivering Chemo-Agent Cargo For Glioblastoma Treatment In A Murine Model, Orin Mishkit

Dissertations and Theses

Protein-based self-assembling biomaterials, known as Thermo-Responsive Assembled Proteins (TRAP), present meaningful potential as drug delivery carriers. These materials enable the controlled, slow release of poorly soluble chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (Dox), while potentially reducing systemic off-target effects. In collaboration with multiple NYU labs, this study evaluated the efficacy of two TRAP variants—TRAP and F-TRAP—as drug delivery carriers in a xenograft mouse model of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

The primary objective was to compare the effectiveness of TRAP-loaded Dox (TRAP-DOX) to free Dox in achieving tumor extravasation and accumulation, facilitating sustained drug release. We hypothesized that the leaky vasculature of GBM …

Explorations Of Dna-Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Interactions To Develop Multiplexed Molecularly Specific Biosensors For Inflammation, Amelia K. Ryan

Dissertations and Theses

Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) are central regulators of immune signaling and key biomarkers of disease, yet existing assays for their detection remain slow, invasive, and lack multiplexing ability. This dissertation advances the development of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) optical nanosensors capable of real-time, multiplexed, and molecularly specific cytokine detection through innovative use of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) interfaces.

First, an IL-6-specific DNA aptamer was employed as both a dispersing agent and recognition probe for SWCNT fluorescence sensing. Sequence modifications, including anchor domains, truncations, and thermally induced refolding, were systematically tested to optimize sensitivity and selectivity. The …

Isolating Confounding Abiotic And Biotic Effects On The Phenotype On Physa Acuta Snails, Ashley M. Bauer

Theses and Dissertations

Organisms match their phenotypes to prevailing environmental conditions leading to habitat specific polymorphisms. Polymorphisms arise from genetic divergence, phenotypic plasticity, or a combination of both processes. I examined the presence of habitat-specific polymorphism in Physa acuta snails collected from three streams and their corresponding downstream reservoir. In lotic systems shells were rotund with larger apertures, while those from lentic systems were more elongate with smaller apertures. In a reciprocal transplant lab experiment that crossed flow regime and crayfish predator cues, I tested for the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed phenotypic differences. I found no evidence for plasticity in relation …

Habitat Loss And Its Behavioral Effects On A Female Gray Hawk In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Of Texas, Usa, Michael T. Stewart, Ashley M. Tanner, Brian A. Millsap, William S. Clark

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Habitat loss is a major threat to wildlife worldwide. While habitat loss is commonly associated with the fragmentation, degradation, or destruction of large tracts of suitable space, habitat loss in urban environments can be much more incremental and nuanced. We tracked an adult female gray hawk (Buteo plagiatus) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, USA, before and after 70% of the trees (7.6 ha) were cleared from the core of the nesting territory. While the hawk’s overall activity budget between within-patch and exploratory movements was unchanged, the hawk undertook substantially longer exploratory movements after the trees …

Evaluating Annual Precipitation Extremes In The Us Great Plains Using Prism Data, Sumiaya Amin Preota, Gaurav Talukdar, Sam Zipper

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Understanding hydroclimatic extremes in the U.S. Great Plains (USGP) is crucial for effective water resource management, resiliency of agricultural systems, and mitigation of climate change impacts. This study examines changing hydroclimatic conditions in the USGP, with a focus on annual-resolution precipitation trends and extremes over the past 119 years (1904–2022) using precipitation data from the gridded PRISM climate dataset. We categorized annual-scale precipitation totals into six categories of hydroclimatic extremes: (1) isolated wet extremes, (2) isolated dry extremes, (3) dry-to-dry recurring extremes, (4) wet-to-wet recurring extremes, (5) dry-to-wet whiplash extremes, and (6) wet-to-dry whiplash extremes. “Recurring” and “whiplash” are both …

Nesting Population Trend Of The Leatherback Sea Turtle In Bocas Del Toro Province And Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama For The Period 2002–2022, Sonia Gutiérrez Parejo, Susan E. Piacenza, Raúl García, Cristina Ordóñez, Roldán A. Valverde

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Sea turtle biologists have made sustained efforts to understand the global status of leatherback sea turtle populations. However, despite progress in assessments, demographics, and ecology, key uncertainties persist in tracking leatherback population trends. Trend analyses have historically focused on nesting beaches, with nest counts providing a widely used index for population abundance. Here, we analysed 20 years of annual nest abundance at four main nesting beaches (Soropta, Bluff, Playa Larga and Chiriquí) in Bocas del Toro province and the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama, which constitute the largest nesting leatherback sea turtle population in Central America. We conducted daily nest counts during …

Interfacing Neural Models: Biocompatibility And Fabrication Of A Flexible, Self-Folding Microelectrode Array, Fernando A. Pesantez Torres

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a formidable challenge in modern medicine, necessitating the development of advanced research tools that can elucidate their complex pathophysiology. Recent advancements in neurodegenerative disease research have led to the development of three-dimensional (3D) neurodegenerative organoids using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). These organoids closely mimic human brain architecture and functionality, providing a valuable tool for understanding complex diseases. Additionally, the ability to generate and study brain organoids consistently and in large quantities holds potential for a controlled in vitro setting and high-throughput drug screening. However, these models are complex systems requiring specialized maintenance, analysis, and manipulation …

Elucidating The Effects Of Environmental And Physiological Conditions On Stem Cell Regulation In Vivo, Nimmy John

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved intercellular signaling pathway that any dysregulation can lead to a variety of human diseases. These diseases are further exacerbated by various environmental, pathological and genetic conditions. Previous studies have shown that these conditions have been known to affect the Notch transcriptional response. However, the molecular mechanisms by which such conditions influence Notch signaling remained largely unknown. Moreover, most Notch studies have relied on in vitro systems and indirect reporters, which can miss the dynamic and contextual nature of Notch signaling. Here, we systematically analyzed the effects of these conditions with single molecule …

Characterization Of Corticotropin Releasing Factor Receptor 2 In Stress-Regulating Regions Of The Mouse Brain, Jennifer J. Lafrican

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Sex differences in the morphology of the brain are thought to underlie the sex differences we see in anxiety and depression, where women are twice as likely to be diagnosed when compared to men. Stress, or a disruption to homeostasis, can exacerbate these mood disorders. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), and its receptors, play an important role in regulating the stress response. Binding of CRF with CRFR2 has been shown to reduce behavioral and neuroendocrine stress responses, yet whether there are sex differences in CRFR2 expressing neurons and stress-induced activation of these neurons in mice is unknown, in part due to …

Doves And Symbiotic Bacteria: Whole-Genome Assembly And Phylogenomic Inference, Mariam Topchyan

Theses and Dissertations

Part 1

I examined a potential source of variation in phylogenetic inference, investigating whether handling single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through different methods during reference-guided genome assembly of pigeon and dove species impacts phylogenetic reconstruction and inference. Specifically, I created a custom consensus base calling tool that handles allelic variation through two different approaches, either ignoring heterozygous sites by denoting them as an ambiguous character “N,” or using a pseudo-random choice between supported base variants. Through reference-guided assembly of 108 dove species, I generated two datasets of alignments using both consensus calling methods, created two trees from both datasets via supermatrix and …

Targeting The Achilles’ Heel Of Lung Cancer Induced By Oncogenic P53, Brandon G. Velasco

Theses and Dissertations

Mutations of the tumor suppressor gene, TP53, are the most prevalent oncogenic mutations in lung cancer, occurring in up to 70% of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The majority of mutations in p53 are missense mutations that cause not only a loss of tumor suppressor function, but also gain of oncogenic functions, like tumorigenicity, immune suppression, and chemoresistance. Previous studies have shown that the depletion of gain-of-function (GOF) p53 or disruption of its ability to transactivate the expression of genes related to oncogenesis eliminates its tumorigenic properties indicating a dependency of human lung cancer cells expressing GOF p53 …

Linking Disturbance & Macrophyte Colonization–Extinction Dynamics To Invasion Success & Community Assembly: Integrating Population, Community, & Landscape Perspectives, Joshua T. Armstrong

Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic plants, macrophytes, are foundational components of freshwater ecosystems, influencing abiotic conditions, providing habitat structure, and shaping biodiversity and community assembly processes. Their role is particularly critical in dynamic systems where disturbance regimes and colonization processes interact to shape community patterns and species distributions. Despite their ecological importance, macrophytes remain underrepresented in theoretical and applied studies of metacommunity dynamics and invasion ecology, especially in natural systems experiencing frequent environmental fluctuations. Here we aim to elucidate how macrophytes influence and respond to spatial and temporal variation in aquatic ecosystems, with a particular focus on colonization-extinction dynamics, invasion success, and community assembly. …

Prevalence Of Insecticide Resistance Gene In Aedes Albopictus Populations Of Central Illinois, Merylann Akinyi Ochieng

Masters Theses

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a significant vector for diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika. Its increasing resistance to insecticides poses a critical challenge for vector control efforts. This study investigates knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) genes, specifically V1016G and F1534C, which are associated with pyrethroid resistance. Aedes albopictus populations from Central Illinois were analyzed using allele-specific PCR techniques to address three primary objectives: (1) determining whether V1016G and F1534C mutations are present in these populations, (2) determining which mutation is more widespread, and (3) investigating how resistance gene …

Enhancing Sunflower Regeneration: Molecular And Genetic Insights From Helianthus Eggertii, Owen West

Masters Theses

In vitro plant regeneration, particularly through organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis, is essential for plant transformation and crop improvement, especially in recalcitrant species like sunflower. In this study, we explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying regeneration in Helianthus eggertii, a wild sunflower species with high regeneration potential. Global gene expression profiling, conducted using Oxford Nanopore sequencing across multiple time points and genotypes, identified sixty-three core differentially expressed genes (DEGs) critical to regeneration. These DEGs are associated with critical biological processes such as cell proliferation, transcriptional regulation, and photosynthesis. Among them, a sunflower WUSCHEL-related homeobox transcription factor (WOX4) showed preferential expression …

Spatiotemporal Variability In Invasive Carp Spawning Activity In Two Midwestern River Basins, Braden A. Whisler

Masters Theses

Across the United States, fisheries managers and agencies continue to battle the spread of invasive bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Although previous research has identified environmental parameters such as temperature and flow to be triggers of spawning activity, many of these studies focus on larger rivers, rarely focusing on the specific thresholds or timing of when a spawning event takes place. I utilized the differing hydrology of the Illinois and Wabash Rivers and their tributaries to examine the differences in environmental parameters needed to trigger bigheaded carp reproduction. Three mainstem sites and three tributaries of both basins were sampled …

Assessing Ecological And Food Web Responses To Small-Scale Stream Restorations In Urban And Agricultural Streams, Sydney Mcandrews

Masters Theses

Urban and agricultural streams across the Midwestern United States are vulnerable to elevated pollution, eutrophication, habitat simplification, and losses of sensitive species. Instream habitat restoration is increasingly used to mitigate the impacts of rapid land-use change. This study synthesizes habitat and biological responses from a 2020 urban stream restoration in the Saline Branch (Urbana, Illinois) and evaluates food web responses from both the Saline Branch and a 2010 restoration in Kickapoo Creek (Charleston, Illinois), an agricultural stream. In the Saline Branch, four years of fish and three years of habitat and macroinvertebrate pre-restoration surveys were compared to three years of …

Allodus Podophylli: The Infection Cycle Of Mayapple Rust, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

This article addresses the parasitic fungus, Allodus podophylli, that causes Mayapple Rust. This disease is extremely common throughout the entire geographic range of Mayap-ple, Podophyllum peltatum, the 2025 VNPS Wildflower of the Year.