Life Sciences Commons^™

Study The Effects Of Formaldehyde And Xylene Vapor On Lung And Testicular Tissue With Sperm Morphology Of Adult Albino Rats, Trefa F. Ismail, Galawezh O. Othman, Naznaz H. Othman, Ban A. Hassan

Polytechnic Journal

Formalin is widely used chemical substance in industry and medicine (as tissue fixative and disinfectant). It contains reactive molecules which have been known for its cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, xylene used in histological techniques during preparation of tissue and has different toxic effects on tissues. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of formaldehyde and xylene inhalation on albino rat’s lung and testes. Fifteen adult male rats were used in this study; the rats were divided randomly into three groups (A, B, and C). Group (A) comprises the control group, whereas the rats in the Group (B) were exposed …

Green Synthesis Of Bioactive Cuo@Fe3o4@Walnut Shell Nanocomposite Using Crataegus Azarolus Var. Aronia L. Extract And Its Antivasoconstrictive Action On Rat’S Aortic Smooth Muscle, Sarbast A. Mahmud

Polytechnic Journal

The antioxidant potential of Crataegus azarolus Var. aronia aqueous extract was used as reducing and stabilizing media to the green synthesis of bioactive CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell nanocomposite (NCs). The ability of the plant extract as bioreducing medium was proved using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. While, the structural identification of synthesized CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell NCs was proved using the scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, elemental mapping, and point analysis. Then, the antivasoconstriction effects of CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell NCs (5*10−2 mg/ml) and (1*10−1 mg/ml) on rats isolated thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells were studied. Green synthesized CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell NCs showed effective antivasoconstriction …

Genetic Diversity Among Ten Maize Genotypes Using Simple Sequence Repeat Dna Markers, Sebar D. Abdulazeez, Sakar A. Kakarash, Namam B. Ismael

Polytechnic Journal

Genetic diversity among ten maize genotypes (seven inbred lines and three testers) was investigated using ten simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Primers (bnlg128, bnlg1839, Umc1117, bnlg1144, and bnlg1152) generated the highest number of bands (4 bands) for inbred lines while the primer bnlg128 showing the highest number of bands (3 bands) for testers. The primer bnlg128 shows the highest effective number of alleles (ne) for inbred lines and testers. Among the studied primer bnlg1839 in inbred lines and primer bnlg128 in testers showed the maximum polymorphism information content (PIC) and the greatest diversity. Using UPGMA cluster analysis, the seven inbred lines …

Green Synthesis Of Bioactive Cuo@Fe3o4@Walnut Shell Nanocomposite Using Crataegus Azarolus Var. Aronia L. Extract And Its Antivasoconstrictive Action On Rat’S Aortic Smooth Muscle, Sarbast A. Mahmud

Polytechnic Journal

The antioxidant potential of Crataegus azarolus Var. aronia aqueous extract was used as reducing and stabilizing media to the green synthesis of bioactive CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell nanocomposite (NCs). The ability of the plant extract as bioreducing medium was proved using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. While, the structural identification of synthesized CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell NCs was proved using the scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, elemental mapping, and point analysis. Then, the antivasoconstriction effects of CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell NCs (5*10−2 mg/ml) and (1*10−1 mg/ml) on rats isolated thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells were studied. Green synthesized CuO@Fe3O4@Walnut shell NCs showed effective antivasoconstriction …

Study The Effects Of Formaldehyde And Xylene Vapor On Lung And Testicular Tissue With Sperm Morphology Of Adult Albino Rats, Trefa F. Ismail, Galawezh O. Othman, Naznaz H. Othman, Ban A. Hassan

Polytechnic Journal

Formalin is widely used chemical substance in industry and medicine (as tissue fixative and disinfectant). It contains reactive molecules which have been known for its cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, xylene used in histological techniques during preparation of tissue and has different toxic effects on tissues. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of formaldehyde and xylene inhalation on albino rat’s lung and testes. Fifteen adult male rats were used in this study; the rats were divided randomly into three groups (A, B, and C). Group (A) comprises the control group, whereas the rats in the Group (B) were exposed …

Rapid Production And Purification Of Dye-Loaded Liposomes By Electrodialysis-Driven Depletion, Gamid Abatchev, Andrew Bogard, Zoe Hutchinson, Jason Ward, Daniel Fologea

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Liposomes are spherical-shaped vesicles that enclose an aqueous milieu surrounded by bilayer or multilayer membranes formed by self-assembly of lipid molecules. They are intensively exploited as either model membranes for fundamental studies or as vehicles for delivery of active substances in vivo and in vitro. Irrespective of the method adopted for production of loaded liposomes, obtaining the final purified product is often achieved by employing multiple, time consuming steps. To alleviate this problem, we propose a simplified approach for concomitant production and purification of loaded liposomes by exploiting the Electrodialysis-Driven Depletion of charged molecules from solutions. Our investigations show that …

The Presence Of Transposable Elements In Actinopterygii, The Ray Finned Fish, Matthew Rock

Biology Student Scholarship

Purpose: My project developed after I was introduced to the idea of horizontal gene transfer in various species. I wanted to further understand one of the largest known mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer, SINE and LINE elements. This project is centered around the analysis of Transposable Elements in various Actinopterygii populations. Transposable Elements are extremely common in The Ray Finned Fish, however analysis of their frequency and position has yet to be done in a majority of the class. I plan to identify their presence in three groups of Ray Finned Fish – Atlantic Killifish, African Cichlids, and Guppies – …

The Effect Of Circadian Phase Shifts On Cellular Respiration In Wild Type And Flies With Mutant Circadian Genes, Shannon Maguire, Michael Yarrows, Kathryn Donohue

Biology Student Scholarship

Shannon Maguire ’22, Major: Biology
Michael Yarrows ’22, Majors: Biology and Health Policy and Management
Kathryn Donohue ’22, Majors: Biology and Spanish

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pamelas Snodgrass-Belt, Biology

Over the past semester, our team’s research has focused on circadian rhythms in wild type and mutant flies. Circadian rhythms, our body’s internal clock, are the biological processes which regulate the sleep/wake cycle as well as other physiological rhythms in all living organisms. Following a 24-hour light/dark cycle, circadian rhythms influence eating habits, physical activity, and metabolism. An organism’s circadian rhythms can be disrupted by an offset light/dark cycle, food availability, or …

Construction And Analysis Of Three Multi-Partite Synthetic Microbial Communities, Alexander J. Lazzara, Jacob K. Fanning

Honors Theses

Microbial Communities are of interest to molecular biologists hoping to understand the nature of metabolic interactions between co-existing, or possibly mutualistic, organisms. These interactions are ubiquitous in nature, but understanding the molecular mechanisms involved remains challenging and not well understood. Here, we design three tri-partite microbial circuits based on possible interactions among involved microbes, which are discussed and may suggest mutualistic interactions. Carbon and nitrogen molecular pathways and the intracellular metabolism of each microbe is discussed. We present minimal growth media that will ensure that organisms utilize available resources, which may originate from metabolic processes in neighboring microbes, simulating a …

Pectin And Alginate Extraction To Treat Liquid Cafo Manure, Clare Sunderman

Honors Projects

For this project, various extraction methods were used to extract pectin from Pastinaca Sativa and alginate from Macrocystis. These extractions were then dried and used in treating 250mL of manure along with a CaCl₂ or FeCl₃ coagulant. It was found that CaCl₂ was not as effective as FeCl₃ in coagulating manure. But the results obtained suggest that pectin and alginate obtained with a simpler extraction method is just as effective as the highly purified and refined pectin and alginate produced for the food industry, in the treatment of CAFO manure. The liquid portion of the …

Infectious Diseases In A Warming World: Using A Modified Sir Model To Investigate The Incidence Rates Of Lyme Disease In The New England Area, Carly Sullivan

Honors Projects in Science and Technology

The effects of climate change are global and unprecedented in scale. Public health is likely to suffer as a result of the warming climate, and one particular risk is the increase in the occurrence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in different regions across the world. The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact of rising temperatures on the incidence rates of Lyme disease in the New England area. Following a review of the existing literature relating to the impact of climate factors on VBDs, an SIR model modified for temperature conditions will be utilized to produce several simulated scenarios. …

Stuck In Hot Water: Environmental Conditions Affecting Mysid Populations, Kristian Tomasic, Lauren Flynn, Jordan Pagliuca

Biology Student Scholarship

Kristian Tomasic ’21, Biology major
Lauren Flynn ’21, Biology major
Jordan Pagliuca ’21, Biology and Mathematics major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo

Computational Modeling, Energy State Calculations, And Determination Of The Barriers To Rotation Of Atropisomeric Β-Carbolines, Lorenzo Battistoni

Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Scholarship

Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Seann Mulcahy

Axially chiral molecules that have high barriers to rotation about a single bond are called atropisomers. This project aims to expand information on atropisomeric β-carbolines by utilizing computational chemistry to generate energy profiles and determine the barriers to rotation of a library of atropisomeric β-carboline compounds using the program Spartan. Various substituents on the atropisomeric β-carboline scaffold can impact steric strain, electronic effects, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the molecule. These factors can impede bond rotation. We will be able to determine which atropisomeric β-carbolines are the best suited to synthesize experimentally using …

An Investigation Of K2 Mycobacteriophage Lysin A Proteins, Ethan Dionne

Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Scholarship

Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kathleen Cornely, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Elbow Motion In Walking Alligators, Thao Pham, Luciana Emmanuelli, Megan Rowlings, Nina Pitre

Biology Student Scholarship

Thao Pham ’21, Biology
Megan Rowlings ’21, Biology
Nina Pitre ’22, Biology
Luciana Emmanuelli ’23, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Baier, Biology

Crocodylia regularly use a “high-walk” during terrestrial locomotion unlike other non-mammals, thus drawing interest from both biomechanical and evolutionary research communities. Here, we employ the highly accurate XROMM (X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology) method to measure joint motion between the three forelimb bones (humerus, ulna, and radius) of alligators performing high-walks on a treadmill. This method literally “re-animates” bone motion by combining bi-planar X-ray video with digital bone models from CT scans in the animation program Maya (Autodesk).

The Big Picture: Consolidating National Government And Cites Records Of Animal Trade In The Philippines From 1975 To 2019, Ronald Allan L. Cruz, Catherine Genevieve B. Lagunzad

Biology Faculty Publications

The Philippines has exceptionally high biodiversity but is also a hotspot. It is a recognized source; destination; and transit point for the global wildlife trade; which drives biodiversity loss. There is an abundance of data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on the Philippines; but this data has not been assessed for historical trends. Confiscation data reflecting the illegal trade is scarcer; coming from recent (2008 onward) records of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ___ Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). CITES data …

Sciadopitys Verticillata (Japanese Umbrella Pine), #1065-1067, Grace C. Kubat

BIO 140 Arboretum Project

Over the course of the 2021 spring semester, I observed a grove of Japanese Umbrella Pines. These trees are a part of the University's arboretum. In addition to making weekly observations, I researched the cultural significance of the Umbrella Pines. My research will hopefully contribute to future projects regarding the trees and help to enrich the University's arboretum project.

Density Dependent Growth Of Pseudomonas Fluorescens In The Presence And Absence Of C. Elegans Predation In Liquid Media, Jack Landmann

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to understand the predator-prey relationship between C. elegans worms and P. fluorescens bacteria in liquid media. We were aiming to create a predation model of the relationship between these two species.

This study was performed through three experiments. Using 96-well plates, we were able to measure the change in optical density (OD) of these wells and calculate the growth rate. This growth rate was then graphed and analyzed. The first experiment contained P. fluorescens and KB liquid media, this study demonstrated that the bacterial population has a carrying capacity. We were also able to …

Fagus Sylvatica (European Beech), #1009, Megan L. Trafford

BIO 140 Arboretum Project

No abstract provided.

Tilia Cordata (Littleleaf Linden) #1059, Heather Noel Mckee

BIO 140 Arboretum Project

In this paper I studied the Tilia cordata, more commonly known as the Littleleaf Linden, over the course of three months. I included the history and uses of the Linden tree along with its symbolic value in European culture. This tree symbolizes friendship and peace which coincides with the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy.

Zoo And Aquarium Animal Welfare, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Morphological And Biological Variation Of The Self Progeny Of Pennisetum Purpureum, Chenglong Ding, Hongru Gu, Nengxiang Xu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Black Apollo Of Science: The Life Of Ernest Everett Just - Summarizing Timeline, Sumitography And Concept Poster, Lillie R. Jenkins

Perkins Faculty Research and Special Events

This two-part chronology is based on Kenneth R. Manning’s biography, Black Apollo of Science: The Life of Ernest Everett Just (1983). Like other such timelines, this one details Just’s life and pioneering research work. Additionally, and distinctively, this timetable lays out Just’s pioneering fund-seeking and his work mentoring African American female co-researchers (Part 1). A sumitography featuring the United States Postal Service’s postage stamp (1996) recognizes Just’s innovative thinking in biology (Part 2). Following this logic, the author includes a proof-of-concept poster commending E.E. Just’s work as a forward-thinking administrator. This timeline summarizes, chronicles, and aims to re-frame Just’s …

Cyclic Fluctuations Of Zooplankton Dynamics In A Tidal Salt-Marsh Basin, Jamaal Jacobs

Senior Theses

Zooplankton are pelagic aquatic animals that are limited in their movements by the water currents around them and are major links in aquatic food webs between primary producers and higher trophic levels. Their populations are temporally and spatially variable, as they are sensitive to changes in salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. This is especially true in highly dynamic environments, like estuaries, where environmental conditions are highly variable across seasonal and daily cycles. In order to examine the variability in zooplankton populations across a tidal cycle, we collected zooplankton samples from North Inlet Estuary at 30-minute intervals over a half tidal …

Comparing Expression Of Green Fluorescent Protein (Gfp) With Different Plasmids, Tinsae Alem, Charles Curbeam, Mackenzie Woody

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

How do different plasmids carrying different promoters affect the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expression? If the appropriate promoter is not used within the bacterias, then the bacterias will not be able to survive and glow.

Techniques Learned By Students To Determine Which Agar Coated Plates Will Show Bacterial Growth And Glow., Lilly Rogers, Hannah Spencer

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The process in which students conducted a series of experiments to find if agar plates would produce the GFP gene.

The Transformation Of E. Coli Using The Pglo Plasmid, Hailee Banks, Kira Edens

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The experiment was based on taking E. coli and transforming those cells using pGLO plasmid. It was questioned whether colonies will grow after genetic modification using GFP and if so, will the colonies present a fluorescent green glow. With the consideration of GFP and pGLO being normally associated with each other, it was hypothesized that the colonies will present a fluorescent green glow after using biotechnology processes. This experimental process undergone various steps to successfully verify the presence of GFP and then transform the E. coli. PCR amplicon via gel electrophoresis, purification of amplicon sequence, and transformation using agar plates …

Encouraging Public Outreach And Education To Drive Covid-19 Vaccination In Farmville, Grace Freeman, Marcia Lanasa, Mitchell Sharry

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

As part of our Biology Capstone, we have created a white paper to communicate the importance of public outreach and education regarding the current COVID-19 vaccines to the Farmville Town Council. Previous research has shown that available vaccinations help to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and highlights the importance of widespread community vaccination. Our recommendation to the Farmville Town Council is to create an educational campaign to encourage vaccination within the Farmville community.

Which Weather And Water Conditions Affect The Biodiversity And Abundance Of Macroinvertebrates The Most?, Alyssa Oppedisano, Phil Anderson, Val Phillips

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Macroinvertebrates are important biological monitors that play a valuable role in the metabolism of freshwater food chains. Previous studies have suggested that conditions such as dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, precipitation, and air temperature can affect the abundance of macroinvertebrates which can in turn affect the health of freshwater ecosystems. This research aimed to find the relationship between macroinvertebrate biodiversity and various environmental conditions in freshwater ecosystems. Weather data was taken from a weather station at Lancer Park and water data was taken on-site at Wilson stream, both locations in Farmville, Virginia. Sample collection and identification occurred twice a week …

Transformation Of E. Coli And Regulation Of Gfp In Pglo, Melanie Rowland, Emily Edwards

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Research Question: Will the presence of pGLO plasmid containing GFP gene produce glowing cells?  Hypothesis: In the presence of pGLO plasmid containing GFP gene, the production of glowing cells will occur.