Life Sciences Commons^™

Bayesian Prediction Of Event Times Using Mixture Model For Blinded Randomized Controlled Trials, Jingyan Fu, Dan Zhao, Donia Skanji, Hua Liu, Rui Sammi Tang, Ying Yuan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Accurate prediction of key milestone dates, such as the timing of interim and final analyses, is crucial in event-driven clinical trials with time-to-event endpoints. These predictions facilitate timely decision-making, enhance strategic planning and optimize resource allocation while minimizing patient exposure to potentially ineffective or harmful therapies. Existing methods for predicting event timing in blinded randomized clinical trials (RCTs) typically assume identical time-to-event distributions for the treatment and control arms, implying no treatment effect. This assumption fails when the treatment is more effective than the control, which is often the very outcome the trial seeks to detect, leading to biased predictions. …

Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette Acceptability Among Adult Men And Women Who Smoke Combustible Cigarettes, Jason D Robinson, Yong Cui, Maher Karam-Hage, Janice A Blalock, Sanjay Shete, George Kypriotakis, Peiying Yang, Paul M Cinciripini

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: The U.S. electronic cigarette marketplace is diverse and has evolved rapidly. To provide a standardized research model, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse developed the Standard Research E-Cigarette (SREC). This study characterized potential gender differences in product use, acceptability, reinforcement, and nicotine dependence symptoms when switching from combustible cigarettes (CCs) to nicotine and placebo SRECs.

Method: In total, 169 adults (82 women) who smoke were enrolled in this all-remote randomized double-blind crossover trial. During Weeks 1-2, participants used their usual brand cigarettes (UBCs). During Weeks 3-4 and 5-6, they were instructed to use the tobacco-flavored SREC (either nicotine …

A Person-Centered Approach To Digital Health Technologies For Cancer Prevention: Qualitative Findings On Use Of Technology-Based Interventions In Houston, Texas, Preena Loomba, Scherezade Mama, Thuan Le, Stacy Mitchell, Elizabeth Dominguez, Karen Basen-Engquist, Larkin L Strong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and obesity are significant, yet preventable contributors to morbidity and mortality among adults. This qualitative study examined internet access and technology use, and barriers and facilitators to engaging in digital cancer prevention programs.

Methods: We conducted 30-60-min semi-structured interviews of Hispanic adults (n = 12) and cancer survivors (n = 10) from two lifestyle intervention trials (September 2021-April 2022) in Houston, Texas, who transitioned from in-person to virtual delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews examined in-person versus virtual experiences and were thematically analyzed.

Results: Participants (95 % women, mean age for Hispanic adults …

Fludarabine Lymphodepletion Exposure Is Associated With Toxicities After Idecabtagene-Vicleucel In Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Real-World Experience From The Us Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium, Karen Sweiss, Charlotte Wagner, Eric Anto, Tom Greene, Ryan Sun, Rebecca Gonzalez, Omar Castaneda Puglianini, Ciara Freeman, Filip Ionescu, Krina Patel, Christopher Ferreri, Mahmoud Gaballa, Leyla Shune, Joseph Mcguirk, Surbhi Sidana, Vanna Hovanky, Jack Khouri, Shahzad Raza, Faiz Anwer, Danai Dima, Hamza Hashmi, James Davis, Aimaz Afrough, Gurbakhash Kaur, Larry Anderson, Peter Forsberg, Megan Herr, Doris K Hansen, Mehmet Hakan Kocoglu, Douglas Sborov

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) is a BCMA-directed CAR-T associated with high response rates in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), yet responses are not durable and most patients experience toxicities. Fludarabine (Flu) is a key component of lymphodepletion but exhibits significant pharmacokinetic (PK) variability.

Objective: Given Flu exposure (AUC) predicts outcomes after CD19-directed CAR-T, we hypothesized it would predict outcomes after ide-cel. Our objective was to determine the association between fludarabine AUC and clinical outcomes after standard-of-care (SOC) ide-cel.

Study design: RRMM patients receiving ide-cel from 10 US Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium centers were retrospectively analyzed. A population PK approach using cumulative …

Forecasting Chemoradiation Response Midtreatment For High-Grade Gliomas Through Patient-Specific Biology-Based Modeling, David A Hormuth, Maguy Farhat, Bikash Panthi, Holly Langshaw, Mihir D Shanker, Wasif Talpur, Sara Thrower, Jodi Goldman, Sophia Ty, Calliope Custer, Jeanne Kowalski, Thomas E Yankeelov, Caroline Chung

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The entire course of radiation therapy (RT) for high-grade glioma (HGG) is currently derived from pre-RT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although it is possible to adapt RT during the course of treatment, it is often guided only by anatomical changes to the tumor. This study seeks to determine if a biology-based mathematical model, parameterized by patient-specific, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) data, can accurately forecast HGG response during RT.

Methods and materials: Twenty one patients with HGG planned for 6 weeks of concurrent RT and chemotherapy were imaged weekly with mpMRI during RT and at 1, 2, and 3 months post-RT. …

Benthic Infaunal Responses To Shoreline Restoration, Jessica Lauren Cline

Theses and Dissertations

In the age of increasing urban coastal sprawl, natural shorelines are being replaced by hard armoring structures, which result in the loss of valuable ecosystem services. Hybrid living shorelines, areas that include limited and less intensive armoring strategies paired with the integration of plants and other natural materials, present an opportunity to marry the need for more aggressive stabilization with the continued preservation of ecosystem functions and biological communities. This project uses benthic infauna to evaluate the success of a living shoreline installation in Palm Bay, Florida. The deployment features experimental treatments of breakwaters and red mangroves to explore how …

Establishing Procedures For Primary Human Myoblast Cell Culture, Erica Duffy

Biomedical Engineering

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) affects an estimated 200 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of amputation in the United States. PAD is characterized by atherosclerotic narrowing of arteries, resulting in ischemia from reduced blood flow to distal tissues. Although surgical and percutaneous interventions can restore perfusion, fewer than 50% of patients experience sustained benefit, highlighting the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. One promising approach is promoting arteriogenesis, the growth and outward remodeling of pre-existing collateral vessels that improve blood flow around the occluded arteries. Arteriogenesis is regulated by regenerative, M2-polarized macrophages, making macrophage polarization a key therapeutic target. …

Effect Of Planting Date, Insecticide Efficacy, And Hail Injury On Soybean Gall Midge (Resseliella Maxima Gagné) Infestation In Soybean, Natasha Hiromi Umezu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a recently described and economically significant pest of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in the Midwestern United States. Since its identification in 2019, this species has become widespread and is now associated with substantial yield losses in parts of the region. Prior to its formal description, orange larvae were observed in soybean associated with plants damaged by hail, suggesting that plant injury may influence infestation. Given the pest’s economic importance, understanding the role of hail injury and developing effective, integrated management strategies are critical for mitigating its impact.

Field studies were conducted to …

Infochemicals For The Management Of Thysanoptera, Nanadagopal Bakthavatsalam, Kesavan Subaharan, Anjenappa Raghavendra, Sevgan Subramaniam

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Infochemicals, classified as pheromone, kairomone, allomone, synomone and apneumone, play significant role in insect communication. Unlike Lepidoptera, Thysanoptera utilize male produced aggregation pheromone for their communication. Neryl (S)-2-methybutanoate, (R) lavandulyl acetate, (+) R-lavandulyl 3 methyl-butenoate, dodecyl acetate and tetradecyl acetate are the compounds identified as aggregation pheromones for several species. Pheromone lures placed in blue or yellow or white sticky traps are effective in capturing adults of Frankliniella, Thrips, Megalurothips and Odonothrips. Decyl acetate and dodecyl acetate along with other volatile chemicals have been identified as alarm pheromones for many Thysanoptera. Push-Pull technology using alarm pheromone and aggregation pheromone or …

When Thermal Risk Indices Work And When They Don't: A Case Study Of Two Maize Insect Pests, Komi Mensah Agboka, Frank Thomas Ndjomatchoua, Luca Rossini, Ritter A. Guimapi, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The biological life cycle of terrestrial arthropods, using temperature as the primary driving factor has a large interest for insect pests in agriculture, forestry, urban ecosystems, as constitutes the basics for the development of mathematical models for decision making. A recent study proposed a physiologically-based risk index (RI) which finds large applications in the definition of risk maps; however, further case studies are needed to better explore its strengths and limitations. This study aims to extend this knowledge by presenting an application of the RI on two economically significant pests: the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda and the stem borer Busseola …

Fungicidal Management Of Spring Dead Spot Using Improved Modeling And Application Strategies, Michael Vincent Battaglia

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Spring dead spot (SDS) is a destructive disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon Rich. spp.) in parts of the world that experience winter dormancy. Fungicides are often necessary to properly manage SDS, and significant research has been conducted to improve fungicidal effectiveness. Several studies were conducted with the objectives of improving fungicide application timing, method of fungicide application, and long-term fungicidal efficiency. In the fungicide application study, a cooling degree-day (CDD) model based on soil temperatures was developed. The CDD model showed that isofetamid was highly effective against SDS during a wide application window in autumn, while tebuconazole was inconsistently effective and …

Enzymatic Depletion Of Adenosine To Potentiate Cancer Immunotherapy., Omar Sadi Sarkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, but many patients still do not respond well. To improve therapeutic outcomes, chemotherapy is often combined with immunotherapy, as chemotherapy is known to promote immunogenicity. However, many patients develop resistance to this combination therapy, and the reasons behind it are not fully understood. In this study, we explored how platinum-based chemotherapy, specifically cisplatin, affects tumor signaling to create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). We found cisplatin triggers ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-mediated DNA damage signaling and induces higher expression of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) via a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediated pathway. We speculate DNA …

Exposure To Pm2.5 And Aging., Daniel Chris Gomes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inhalation of fine airborne particulate matter (PM_2.5) is an environmental risk factor for numerous health disorders, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While several studies have shown that PM_2.5 exposure can induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation, the underlying mechanisms that translate these effects into systemic pathology remain poorly understood. Some recent studies have shown that PM_2.5 exposure can lead to telomere shortening in leukocytes, but the generality of this outcome and contribution to endothelial dysfunction has not yet been fully explored. We hypothesized that PM_2.5inhalation accelerates cellular aging and senescence in both circulating peripheral …

Characterizing Hexavalent Chromium Neurotoxicity Across Laboratory Models., Samuel Thomas Vielee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and potent toxicant. Exposure to Cr(VI) in drinking water is primarily associated with cancers, inflammation, and hepatotoxicity; however, recent studies have identified Cr(VI) as a neurotoxicant in rodent and cell culture models. The literature suggest chromium accumulates in the brain, induces widespread neurodegeneration, and alters rodent behaviors. Despite these data, we lack a detailed and consistent assessments of Cr(VI) neurotoxicity across models, and interactions between aging and Cr(VI) neurotoxicity are not reported in the literature. In this dissertation, we characterize Cr(VI) neurotoxicity across 3 laboratory models: Sprague-Dawley rats, Caenorhabditis elegans, and …

The Ecology Of Arthropod Rain In A Tropical Forest., Andrew Robert Seiler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tropical forests are structured by complex vertical linkages and nutrient exchanges between canopy and understory habitats. These linkages include the downward flux of organisms, the movement of canopy fauna, and the recycling of nutrients through litter and organic matter deposition. This dissertation investigates arthropod rain and its role in connecting the canopy and forest floor processes in a lowland tropical forest in Panama. Chapter 2 quantifies “arthropod rain”, the fall of canopy arthropods into the understory. Using pan and pole traps, I measured the composition, abundance, and biomass of arthropods falling from the canopy and assessed environmental drivers of the …

Assessing Native Tallgrass Prairie Species As Main Roadside Vegetation In Arkansas, Sarah Paschal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tallgrass prairies are among the most endangered ecosystems in North America, with Arkansas having lost over 99% of its native grasslands. This research evaluated the potential for using native tallgrass prairie species in Arkansas roadside vegetation. Two field experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2024. The first assessed seven native seed mixtures at three roadside locations (Clarksville, Huntsville, and Newport). Seed mixture composition significantly influenced establishment outcomes, with early-establishing forbs such as black-eyed Susan, partridge pea, and Illinois bundleflower performing well, though establishment varied by location. A second trial compared planting date (Autumn, Winter, Spring) and planting method (broadcast, drill …

Hyperspectral Indicators And Characterization Of Glyphosate-Induced Stress In Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium Album L.), Mario Andrés Soto Valencia

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hyperspectral sensing enables detection of herbicide stress in weeds, but practical use requires strategies for redundancy control, rating variability management, and evaluator bias mitigation. This thesis evaluates common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) under glyphosate exposure, aiming to identify key wavelengths, construct vegetation indices, and improve injury modeling. Greenhouse experiments used dimensionality reduction methods (principal component analysis, Relief F, Bayesian discriminant analysis) to isolate 34 unique wavelengths from about 3,200 bands. Calibration data were collected 14 days after treatment (DAT) to support wavelength selection and model development, while data from 27 DAT were used for independent validation. Class comparisons across six statistically …

Broiler Responsiveness To Dietary Amino Acid Density In A Commercial Setting, Virginia Slick

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The majority of research assessing the amino acid responsiveness in broilers has been conducted in experimental designs utilizing pens that contain 12 to 25 birds with high replication. While this trial design is beneficial as a way to perform high replications with multiple treatments in a way that is both economically and spatially feasible, it may not accurately translate to a rearing environment more similar to that of commercial open floor housing. This research was conducted to determine if the effects of lysine driven amino acid density diets that have been found in the traditional floor pen setting correlate to …

Maximizing Horizontal Transmission Through Mating: Increased Mating Frequency And Mating Competitiveness Associated With Microsporidia Mb-Infected Anopheles Arabiensis Males, Tracy Maina, Aclaine Shisia, Joseph Gichuhi, Joel L. Bargul, Jeremy K. Herren, Tullu Bukhari

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Microsporidia MB is a naturally occurring symbiont in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes that inhibits the development of Plasmodium. It is transmitted both vertically and horizontally, enabling its spread within mosquito populations. Currently, mating is the only known mechanism for horizontal transmission. Understanding the factors that influence Microsporidia MB transmission during mating is crucial for developing a malaria transmission-blocking strategy based on this symbiont. Methods: The effect of mosquito age on Microsporidia MB transmission was determined through mating bioassays between infected and uninfected Anopheles arabiensis males and females in three age groups: 3–4 days, 7–8 days, and 10–11 days. Mating bioassays …

Population Genomics Of Pacific Herring Spawning Aggregations In The Eastern Bering Sea, Sydney A. Almgren

Fisheries

Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) is a critical forage fish to the marine environment, economy, and culture of Alaska. However, despite the importance of Pacific herring in Alaska and throughout the North Pacific, knowledge gaps exist for foundational genomic characteristics of the species, including genetic population structure and the basis of genetic sex determination. In this thesis, I addressed these knowledge gaps using low coverage, whole genome sequencing. I assessed population structure and genetic diversity across seven sampling sites and found three genetic populations: Unalaska, the farthest south sampling location, Kotzebue, the farthest north, and a third group unassociated with geographic …

Microinjection, Gene Knockdown, And Crispr-Mediated Gene Knock-In In The Hard Coral, Astrangia Poculata, Jacob F. Warner, Ryan Besemer, Alicia Schickle, Erin Borbee, Isabella V. Changsut, Koty H. Sharp, Leslie S. Babonis

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Cnidarians have become valuable models for understanding many aspects of developmental biology including the evolution of body plan diversity, novel cell type specification, and regeneration. Most of our understanding of gene function during early development in cnidarians comes from a small number of experimental systems including Hydra and the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. Few molecular tools have been developed for use in hard corals, limiting our understanding of this diverse and ecologically important clade. Here, we report the development of a suite of tools for manipulating and analyzing gene expression during early development in the northern star coral, Astrangia poculata. …

Gene Expression Reveals The Pancreas Of Aselli As A Critical Organ For Plasma Cell Differentiation In The Eurasian Common Shrew, William R. Thomas, Cecilia Baldoni, Tanya M. Lama, Yuanyuan Zeng, Angelique P. Corthals, Dominik Von Elverfeldt, John Nieland, Dina K.N. Dechmann, Liliana M. Dávalos

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Almost all mammals rely on the thymus and bone marrow to generate and differentiate B and T cells essential for adaptive immunity. A few members of the family Soricidae, or true shrews within Eulipotyphla, have also evolved an enlarged pancreas of Aselli, a kidney-sized organ hypothesized to serve this primary immune role, and whose gene expression profile is unknown. Results: Here we introduce transcriptomes of juvenile Eurasian common shrews (Sorex araneus, family Soricidae) pancreas of Aselli. We compare these to those of the shrew spleen and chick bursa of Fabricius, an analogous, bird-specific organ, and explore differential expression overlaps …

Tracing The Journey Of Dissolved Organic Matter: From Leaf Litter Photodegradation To Microbial Processing In Tropical Streams, Samantha Nicole Sullivan

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a major reservoir of organic carbon in aquatic ecosystems and plays a central role in global carbon cycling through its transformation and remineralization to carbon dioxide (CO₂). As DOM moves from terrestrial environments into streams and rivers, its chemical composition is altered by a combination of microbial and photochemical oxidation processes that regulate both its reactivity and its persistence during transport. However, the molecular mechanisms governing these oxidative transitions, particularly in tropical ecosystems characterized by strong hydrologic seasonality and substantial inputs of plant-derived material, remain insufficiently resolved. This dissertation integrates ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, optical characterization, …

Margalefidinium Polykrikoides Group Iii Va, Usa Strain Growth And Sac-Like Pellicle Cyst Dynamics, Eduardo Pérez Vega

OES Theses and Dissertations

Margalefidinium polykrikoides is a harmful cosmopolitan dinoflagellate that blooms in coastal waters. The effect of temperature and salinity on the growth of M. polykrikoides VA strain was examined using microscopy and growth models. M. polykrikoides Group III VA strain grew better at warmer temperatures and lower salinities than M. polykrikoides Group III NY strain, Group I Korea strain, and Japan strain (unknown group). Modelers need to use the temperature and salinity growth responses from M. polykrikoides Group III VA strain to better simulate and predict M. polykrikoides blooms in the Chesapeake Bay.

Dinoflagellates produce cysts as a strategy to withstand …

Expression, Purification And Characterization Of Full Length Tdp-43, Danya Abouzaid

Honors Theses

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a 43 kDa RNA-binding protein linked to several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer’s disease. 5-7,28,30,33 Studying full-length TDP-43 has been difficult because of its intrinsic instability and tendency to aggregate.19,25,28,33,36 In this study, we focused on overcoming the difficulties to express full-length TDP-43 in E. coli recombinantly. We focused on expressing full-length TDP-43 as a fusion construct with a maltose-binding protein (MBP) to improve solubility and stability. Our strategy was to purify TDP-43-MBP fusion and make biomolecular condensates with RNA before cleaving the tag with thrombin protease. …

Investigating The Cardiovascular And Autonomic Responses To Energy Drink Consumption: The Role Of Energy And Calorie Content, Sophia Schmidt

Honors Theses

Energy drinks (EDs) are among the most consumed functional beverages, often marketed to enhance focus, alertness, and physical performance. Despite their popularity, the combined cardiovascular and autonomic effects of caffeine and sugar during exercise remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute cardiovascular, metabolic, and autonomic responses to sugar-sweetened (ED-S), non-nutritive sweetened (ED-NNS), and placebo beverages during submaximal cycling in healthy young males.

Nine male participants (age 22.2 ± 2.4 yrs; BMI 26.2 ± 2.9 kg/m²) completed three experimental visits in a randomized, repeated-measures design. Each visit involved ingestion of one drink (ED-S, ED-NNS, or …

De Novo Genome Assembly, Annotation, And Characterization Of Chemosensory Genes In The Camel Ked (Hippobosca Camelina), Fredrick Kebaso, Souleymane Diallo, Caleb Kibet, Suhaila Hashim, John Mark O. Makwatta, Merid Getahun, Dennis Getange, Jean Baka Domelevo Entfellner, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Hippobosca camelina (camel ked) is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that infests camels. Hematophagy inflicts painful bites leading to myiasis, anemia and pathogen transmission such as Candidatus Anaplasma camelii. A genome assembly for this biting flies is currently unavailable, limiting understanding of its genetics, including the chemosensory system.

Results: The assembly size for Hippobosca camelina female is 135.6 Mb with 17.08% repeated regions, an N50 of 1.2 Mb, a total of 2,182 contigs, a GC content of 33.5% and compleasm (Busco) completeness of 95.38% with the diptera_odb10 lineage (S:95.83%, 3148, D:0.30%, 10, F:0.30%, 10, I:0.00%, 0, M:3.56%, 117, N:3285) …

Techno-Functional Properties Of Protein-Rich Flours From Different Species Of Edible Insects As Affected By Drying Methods, K. B.Yisa Njowe, K. G. Duodu, M. N. Emmambux

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Food-based ingredients from insects can circumvent the challenging disgust factor of consuming edible insects as food. The functional properties of dried edible insect flour could guide the use of edible insects as food ingredients in familiar foods. This study investigated the effect of freeze drying, oven drying, sun drying, solar cabinet drying, boiled before either sun drying or solar cabinet drying techniques on the functional properties of protein-rich flours from edible grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars. The Nitrogen solubility indices (NSI), water solubility indices (WSI) and β-sheets for all boiled solar-dried grasshopper, cricket, and caterpillar protein concentrates decreased compared to the …

The Dissemination Potential Of Microsporidia Mb In Anopheles Arabiensis Mosquitoes Is Modulated By Temperature, Fidel Gabriel Otieno, Priscille Barreaux, Affognon Steeven Belvinos, Edward Edmond Makhulu, Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Anne Wambui Wairimu, Stancy Mandere Omboye, Cynthia Nyambura King’Ori, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Anthony Kebira Nyamache, Jeremy Keith Herren

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Microsporidia MB, a vertically transmitted endosymbiont of Anopheles mosquitoes, shows strong potential as a malaria control agent due to its ability to inhibit Plasmodium development within the mosquito host. To support its deployment in malaria transmission reduction strategies, it is critical to understand how environmental factors, particularly temperature, influence its infection dynamics. In this study, we investigated the impact of four temperature regimes (22 °C, 27 °C, 32 °C, and 37 °C) on Microsporidia MB prevalence and infection intensity by rearing mosquito larvae under controlled laboratory conditions. Our results demonstrate that elevated temperatures, especially 32 °C, significantly enhance both larval …

Phenology And Seed Treatment Impacts Surface Defenses And Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Growth In Rice (Oryza Sativa), Devi Balakrishnan, Jessica Ayala, Alejandro Vasquez, Nick Bateman, Rupesh Kariyat

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered as the most important staple food crop in the world, feeding half of the global population. One of the emerging concerns in rice is the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW), a highly polyphagous insect herbivore. Although FAW has been well studied across many host systems, rice-FAW interactions-including the effects of phenology and seed treatment-are less understood. In this study, we examined the response of FAW to rice under a thiamethoxam seed treatment across three different phenological stages (V5: tillering; V11: maximum tillering; R3: panicle exsertion). We used four commonly grown cultivars in USA, exposed …