Life Sciences Commons^™

Persistent Spatial Structuring Of Coastal Ocean Acidification In The California Current System, F. Chan, J. A. Barth, C. A. Blanchette, R. H. Byrne, F. Chavez, O. Cheriton, R. A. Feely, G. Friederich, B. Gaylord, T. Gouhier, S. Hacker, T. Hill, G. Hofmann, M. A. Mcmanus, B. A. Menge, K. J. Nielsen, A. Russell, E. Sanford, J. Sevadjian, L. Washburn

Marine Science Faculty Publications

The near-term progression of ocean acidification (OA) is projected to bring about sharp changes in the chemistry of coastal upwelling ecosystems. The distribution of OA exposure across these early-impact systems, however, is highly uncertain and limits our understanding of whether and how spatial management actions can be deployed to ameliorate future impacts. Through a novel coastal OA observing network, we have uncovered a remarkably persistent spatial mosaic in the penetration of acidified waters into ecologically-important nearshore habitats across 1,000 km of the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. In the most severe exposure hotspots, suboptimal conditions for calcifying organisms encompassed up …

Monitoring Biodiversity Change Through Effective Global Coordination, Laetitia M. Navarro, Néstor Fernández, Carlos Guerra, Rob Guralnick, W Daniel Kissling, Maria Cecilia Londoño, Frank Muller-Karger, Eren Turak, Patricia Balvanera, Mark J. Costello, Aurelie Delavaud, Gy El Serafy, Simon Ferrier, Ilse Geijzendorffer, Gary N. Geller, Walter Jetz, Eun-Shik Kim, Hyejin Kim, Corinne S. Martin, Melodie A. Mcgeoch, Tuyeni H. Mwampamba, Jeanne L. Nel, Emily Nicholson, Nathalie Pettorelli, Michael E. Schaepman, Andrew Skidmore, Isabel Sousa Pinto, Sheila Vergara, Petteri Vihervaara, Haigen Xu, Tetsukazu Yahara, Mike Gill, Henrique M. Pereira

Marine Science Faculty Publications

The ability to monitor changes in biodiversity, and their societal impact, is critical to conserving species and managing ecosystems. While emerging technologies increase the breadth and reach of data acquisition, monitoring efforts are still spatially and temporally fragmented, and taxonomically biased. Appropriate long-term information remains therefore limited. The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) aims to provide a general framework for biodiversity monitoring to support decision-makers. Here, we discuss the coordinated observing system adopted by GEO BON, and review challenges and advances in its implementation, focusing on two interconnected core components — the Essential Biodiversity Variables as …

Local And Regional Stressors Interact To Drive A Salinization-Induced Outbreak Of Predators On Oyster Reefs, David L. Kimbro, J. Wilson White, Hanna Tillotson, Nikkie Cox, Megan Christopher, Owen Stokes-Cawley, Samantha Yuan, Timothy J. Pusack, Christopher D. Stallings

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Predator outbreaks are predicted to increasingly decimate economically and ecologically important prey populations because global climate change and food-web modifications frequently facilitate predators and stress prey. Natural systems are organized hierarchically, with processes operating at multiple scales giving rise to patterns of biodiversity, so predicting and managing outbreaks requires a framework that accounts for the effects of both local and regional stressors. Here, we used the comparative experimental approach to investigate whether the collapse of a nationally important oyster fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Apalachicola Bay, Florida) could have been (1) caused proximally by a predator outbreak and (2) …

Sub-Ice Shelf Sediment Geochronology Utilizing Novel Radiocarbon Methodology For Highly Detrital Sediments, C. Subt, H. I. Yoon, K. C. Yoo, J. I. Lee, A. Leventer, Eugene W. Domack, Brad E. Rosenheim

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Sub-ice shelf sediments near Larsen C ice shelf (LIS-C) show fine-scale rhythmic laminations that could provide a near-continuous seasonal-resolution record of regional ice mass changes. Despite the great potential of these sediments, a dependable Late Quaternary chronology is difficult to generate, rendering the record incomplete. As with many marginal Antarctic sediments, in the absence of preserved carbonate microfossils, the reliability of radiocarbon chronologies depends on presence of high proportions of autochthonous organic carbon with minimized detrital organic carbon. Consequently, acid insoluble organic (AIO) ¹⁴C dating works best where high productivity drives high sediment accumulation rates, but can be problematic …

Nearshore Sediment Thickness, Fire Island, New York, Stanley D. Locker, Jennifer L. Miselis, Noreen A. Buster, Cheryl J. Hapke, Heidi M. Wadman, Jesse E. Mcninch, Arnell S. Forde, Chelsea A. Stalk

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Investigations of coastal change at Fire Island, New York (N.Y.), sought to characterize sediment budgets and determine geologic framework controls on coastal processes. Nearshore sediment thickness is critical for assessing coastal system sediment availability, but it is largely unquantified due to the difficulty of conducting geological or geophysical surveys across the nearshore. This study used an amphibious vessel to acquire chirp subbottom profiles. These profiles were used to characterize nearshore geology and provide an assessment of nearshore sediment volume. Two resulting sediment-thickness maps are provided: total Holocene sediment thickness and the thickness of the active shoreface. The Holocene sediment section …

Carbon Regeneration In The Cariaco Basin, Venezuela, Arístides Marquez, Andrew Dale, Luis Troccoli Ghinaglia, Fabiola López Monroy, William Senior, Aida Ríos, Frank Muller Karger, Yrene Astor, Ramón Varela

Marine Science Faculty Publications

The carbon regeneration in the water column of the Cariaco Basin (Venezuela) was investigated using a regression model of total alkalinity (TA) and the concentration of total inorganic carbon (TCO₂). Primary productivity (PP) was determined from the inorganic carbon fraction assimilated by phytoplankton and the variation of the 22 and 23ºC isotherm was used as an indicator of coastal upwelling. The results indicate that CO₂ levels were lowest (1962 µmol/kg) at the surface and increased to 2451 µmol/kg below the oxic-anoxic redox interface. The vertical regeneration distribution of carbon was dominated (82%) by organic carbon originating from …

Colonizing The Mníšoše (Missouri River): Devastating Effects Of The Pick-Sloan Plan, Selena Olvera

Sustainable RIVER

No abstract provided.

Research On Alleculinae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Alleculinae) Intugai Forests Of The Almaty Region In Kazakhstan Using Window Traps, Oto Nakladal, Vladimir Novak, Yuliya Kolesnichenko

Turkish Journal of Zoology

We used 140 passive flight interception window traps for survey of alleculines in tugai forests of the Almaty region in Kazakhstan. Traps were set on Fraxinus sogdiana (Bunge, 1854), Populus diversifolia (Schrenk, 1842), P. pruinosa (Schrenk, 1845), and Elaeagnus angustifolia (Linnaeus, 1753), which are the main tree species of tugai forests. Two species of alleculines were captured: Mycetochara flavipes (Fabricius, 1792) and Steneryx dejeani (Faldermann, 1836). Mycetochara flavipes significantly prefers areas of the tugai forests with dominancy of Elaeagnus angustifolia. Faunistic data for both species are given. Mycetochara flavipes was recorded as a new species and genus for the territory …

Fates Of Ovules In Groundplum Milk-Vetch (Astragalus Crassicarpus Nutt.) In South Dakota, Arvid Boe, Paul J. Johnson

Native Plant Focused Publications

Groundplum milk-vetch (Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt.) is a native legume found on gravelly to sandy prairie uplands throughout central North America. The large and fleshy fruits, or pods, of this species were consumed by indigenous people and European settlers, and are cached by rodents. Our previous research on native legumes of the northern Great Plains indicated seed predation by insects, notably bruchid beetles belonging to the genus Acanthoscelides Schilsky, was a dominant factor determining viable seed production in natural and artificial plant assemblages. However, although we have studied the reproductive biology of several species of Astragalus L., none had fleshy pods. …

Temporal Changes In Sphingolipids And Systemic Insulin Sensitivity During The Transition From Gestation To Lactation, J. Eduardo Rico, Sina Saed Samii, Alice T. Mathews, Jacqueline Lovett, Norman J. Haughey, Joseph W. Mcfadden

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Reduced insulin action develops naturally during the peripartum to ensure maternal nutrient delivery to the fetus and neonate. However, increased insulin resistance can facilitate excessive lipolysis which in turn promotes metabolic disease in overweight dairy cattle. Increased fatty acid availability favors the accumulation of the sphingolipid ceramide and is implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, however, the relationship between sphingolipid metabolism and insulin resistance during the peripartum remains largely unknown. Our objectives were to characterize temporal responses in plasma and tissue sphingolipids in lean and overweight peripartal cows and to establish the relationships between sphingolipid supply and lipolysis, hepatic …

Dream Of A Conducive Learning Environment: One Dreem For All Medical Students!, Rehana Rehman, Kulsoom Ghias, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Mehwish Hussain, Faiza Alam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To compare students' response assessed by Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure on the basis of the year of study, gender and pre-medical educational background.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan, from June 2014 to March 2015, and comprised medical students. The average scores of Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure scales and subscales were compared between gender and educational background. Responses were also compared on the basis of year of study.Results: Of the 416 participants, 184 (44%) were males and 232 (56%) were females. There were 100 (24%) students in the …

A New Model For Phd Elective Course, H R. Ahmad, Satwat Hashmi, M H. Mahmood

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Retrotransposons Are The Major Contributors To The Expansion Of The Drosophila Ananassae Muller F Element, William Leung, Sarah C. R. Elgin, Adam Haberman

Biology: Faculty Scholarship

The discordance between genome size and the complexity of eukaryotes can partly be attributed to differences in repeat density. The Muller F element (~5.2 Mb) is the smallest chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster, but it is substantially larger (>18.7 Mb) in Drosophila ananassae. To identify the major contributors to the expansion of the F element and to assess their impact, we improved the genome sequence and annotated the genes in a 1.4 Mb region of the D. ananassae F element, and a 1.7 Mb region from the D element for comparison. We find that transposons (particularly LTR and LINE retrotransposons) …

Evolution Of Protein Complexes In Bacterial Species, Shwetha Hara Sridhar, Wedad Albalawi, Peter Uetz

UROP Posters

Protein complexes are composed of two or more associated polypeptide chains that may have different functions. Protein complexes play a critical role for all processes in life and are considered as highly conserved in evolution. In previous studies, protein complexes from E. coli or Mycoplasma pneumoniae have been characterized experimentally, revealing that a typical bacterial cell has on the order of 500 protein complexes. Using gene homology (orthology), these experimentally-observed complexes can be used to predict protein complexes across many species of bacteria. Surprisingly, the majority of protein complexes is not conserved, demonstrating an unexpected evolutionary flexibility.

The current research …

Meta-Analysis Of The Origin Of Bimaturism In Orangutan Males, Mina Adnan

UROP Posters

Unlike any other primate species, orangutans exhibit extraordinary sexual differences in their facial morphology. Two different strategies are available for males that reach sexual maturity: either become fully “flanged” and develop secondary sexual characteristics, which is knownto be only developed by the dominant male, or remain “unflanged” and not develop secondary sexual characteristics. The mechanism for how this bimaturism evolved and how occurs is poorly understood, but both flanged and unflanged males are reproductively successful.

This project explores the physiological mechanism behind bimaturismin orangutan males; namely, are there genetic differences between flanged and unflanged males such that the strategy is …

Separation Of Blood Mixtures Using Fluorescently Labeled Antibodies, Christopher Ehrhardt, Dani Jabado, Emily Brocato

UROP Posters

Identifying and analyzing biological mixture samples at a crime scene are of paramount concern for forensic scientists, especially if that type of evidence contains only one cell type. The presence of multiple contributors in a biological evidence sample reduces the probative value of DNA evidence and can sometimes lead to its eventual loss of value. As such, this study was performed in an attempt to examine and evaluate flow cytometry analysis as a means to separate blood mixture samples labeled with fluorescent antibodies. Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) antibodies were specifically targeted and bound to HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) markers present on …

Improvement In Self-Assessed Knowledge And Changes In Farming System Practices Of Climate Field School Graduates In Bicol, Philippines, Ruth Anne T. Ruelos, Macrina G. Umali, Therese R. Olviga, Rubelyn S. Villa, Eliel Severino V. Jacobo, Merylyne M. Paunlagui, Agnes C. Rola

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

Rainfed lowland and upland farmers have less access to new technologies especially those that would reduce their vulnerability to climate change. In the Philippines, the Philippine Rice Research Institute developed a package of technology called “Palayamanan” that is suited to rainfed sites. This paper presents the results of the study that disseminated the Palayamanan technology through the climate field school (CFS) in rainfed areas in Bicol. Thirty-eight farmers from two barangays of Pamplona, Camarines Sur, and 78 farmers from three barangays of Milagros, Masbate were the respondents. A five-point scale was used to self-assess farmers’ knowledge on topics discussed in …

Interview With Ted Lorensen, Ted Lorensen, Lloyd Chapman, James B. Knight, Michael Rupp

People and the Land: An Oral History of Oregon’s Statewide Land Use Planning Program

Ted Lorensen was interviewed by Michael Rupp, Lloyd Chapman, and Jim Knight on October 20, 2017, in Portland, Oregon.

Lorensen was an Assistant State Forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry. He was instrumental in assisting DLCD in amending Statewide Planning Goal 4 (Forest Lands) and establishing land use rules for forest lands.

Coupling Ecological And Social Network Models To Assess “Transmission” And “Contagion” Of An Aquatic Invasive Species, Danielle Haak, Brian D. Fath, Valery E. Forbes, Dustin R. Martin, Kevin L. Pope

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

Network analysis is used to address diverse ecological, social, economic, and epidemiological questions, but few efforts have been made to combine these field-specific analyses into interdisciplinary approaches that effectively address how complex systems are interdependent and connected to one another. Identifying and understanding these cross-boundary connections improves natural resource management and promotes proactive, rather than reactive, decisions. This research had two main objectives; first, adapt the framework and approach of infectious disease network modeling so that it may be applied to the socio-ecological problem of spreading aquatic invasive species, and second, use this new coupled model to simulate the spread …

Experiment Versus Analogy In The Search For Animal Sentience, Geoffrey Hall

Animal Sentience

Deciding between rival accounts of an instance of an animal’s behavior can frequently be achieved by experimental tests of different predictions made by the alternatives. When, however, one (or both) of the alternatives is expressed in terms of the mental state of the animal, an experimental test to distinguish them can be hard to find. Although it is unsatisfactory in many ways, it may be necessary to fall back on argument from analogy with human behavior and experience.

Cognitive Continuity In Cognitive Dissonance, David R. Brodbeck, Madeleine I. R. Brodbeck

Animal Sentience

Zentall’s (2016) model of cognitive dissonance is compatible with cognitive continuity between humans and nonhumans. It may help explain cognitive dissonance-like behavior in many species, including humans. It is also consistent with Tinbergen’s (1963) ‘four whys’ in ethological explanation.

Investigating Medicinally Important Portein-Protein And Protein-Ligand Interactions : A Computational Approach, Cooper Ashley Taylor

Honors Theses

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and computational chemistry allow for an atomistic understanding of protein-protein and protein-ligand binding motifs. Through the use of MD, medicinally relevant complexes can be examined in detail unattainable by experimental methods. Within this work, systems pertinent to both Alzheimer’s Disease and HIV-1 are probed and thoroughly sampled to help elucidate potential therapeutic pathways. We used molecular dynamics and free energy estimations to gauge the affinity for the binary and ternary complexes of KLC1, APP and JIP1, three proteins all believed to be involved in the propagation of Alzheimer’s Disease. Two areas of thought exist suggesting that …

Biomechanics Of Concussion: The Importance Of Neck Tension, Ron Jadischke

Wayne State University Dissertations

Linear and angular velocity and acceleration of the head are typically correlated to concussion. Despite improvements in helmet performance to reduce accelerations, a corresponding reduction in the incidence of concussion has not occurred (National Football League [NFL] 1996 – present).

There is compelling research that forces on and deformation to the brain stem are related to concussion. The brain stem is the center of control for respiration, blood pressure and heart rate and is the root of most cranial nerves. Injury to the brain stem is consistent with most symptoms of concussion reported in the National Football League and the …

Biofidelity Assessment Of 6-Year-Old Anthropometric Test Devices (Atds) And Scaling Laws In Lateral Impact, Jennifer Yaek

Wayne State University Dissertations

There is a clear need to further develop the design and biofidelity of the 6-Year-Old ATDs for future child safety research and child occupant protection in side impacts. Due to the scarcity of pediatric PMHS impact testing, specifically in the lateral direction, alternative means of obtaining relevant data for pediatric models need to be considered.

In this first portion of this study, assessment of the mechanical behavior and biofidelity of existing 6-Year-Old ATDs in lateral impact were performed. None of the three 6-year-old ATDs (HIII, Q6, and Q6s) tested were found to be considered good tools for assessing side impact …

Evaluation Of Childhood Exposure To Lead In Community Water Systems In Maine, Nicholas Flavin

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

The concentration of lead in Maine’s public drinking water was evaluated from 4,700 first-draw water samples collected from 358 Maine Community Water systems. Samples collected from 2012-2015 were obtained by request from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (MeCDC)’s Drinking Water Program.

Exposure and physiological uptake of lead can be mathematically modelled or predicted based on the amount of lead in “background” sources of contaminated media such as soil, dust, water, air or dietary items; the better the characterization of lead in these media, the better the exposure predictions. To assess childhood lead exposure, EPA recommends using the …

Floristic Inventory Of Woollen’S Gardens Nature Preserve, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, Usa, With Quantitative Vegetation Sampling Of Permanent Plots In 2003 And 2016, Rebecca W. Dolan, Marcia E. Moore

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Urban forest fragments face challenges to habitat quality due to small size, isolation from larger natural areas, and close association with anthropogenic disturbance. Monitoring changes in vegetation can inform management practices targeted at preserving biodiversity in the face of these threats. Woollen’s Gardens is a high-quality mesic upland forest preserve in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, with a beechmaple older-growth forest and a significant display of showy spring wildflowers. The entire preserve was inventoried and quantitative vegetation analysis along seven 100 m transects was conducted in 2003 and again in 2016 to track changes. Data from both years document …

Leveling The Playing Field: Assessment Of Gross Motor Skills In Low Socioeconomic Children To Their Higher Socioeconomic Counterparts, Megan M. Adkins, Matthew Bice, Danae Dinkel, John P. Rech

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Fundamental movements (FM) of children influence the willingness to engage in physical activity (PA). Thus, proper FM skills are the foundation for a lifespan of PA. Objective: This study examined what factors may affect children’s PA in relation to FM pattern capabilities. Methods: The study examined the influence of SES when three low-income schools were provided additional PA opportunities on days PE was not taught. FM patterns in relation to object control (OC) and locomotor skill (LC) development were evaluated on K (n = 871), 1st (n = 893), and 2nd graders (n = 829) using the Test of …

Clinical Measures And Their Contribution To Dysfunction In Individuals With Patellar Tendinopathy, Hyunjae Jeon, Melanie L. Mcgrath, Neal Grandgenett, Adam B. Rosen

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Context: Patellar tendinopathy is prevalent in physically active populations and it affects their quality of living, performance of activity, and may contribute to the early cessation of their athletic careers. A number of previous studies have identified contributing factors for patellar tendinopathy however their contributions to self-reported dysfunction remain unclear.
Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if strength, flexibility, and various lower extremity static alignments contributed to self-reported function and influence the severity of patellar tendinopathy.
Design: Cross sectional research design.
Setting: University Laboratory.
Participants: 30 participants with patellar tendinopathy volunteered for this study (age: 23.4±3.6 years, …

Myeloperoxidase-Mediated Protein Lysine Oxidation Generates 2- Aminoadipic Acid And Lysine Nitrile In Vivo, Hongqiao Lin, Bruce S. Levison, Jennifer A. Buffa, Ying Huang, Xiaoming Fu, Zeneng Wang, Valentin Gogonea, Joseph A. Didonato, Stanley L. Hazen

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Recent studies reveal 2-aminoadipic acid (2-AAA) is both elevated in subjects at risk for diabetes and mechanistically linked to glucose homeostasis. Prior studies also suggest enrichment of protein-bound 2-AAA as an oxidative post-translational modification of lysyl residues in tissues associated with degenerative diseases of aging. While in vitro studies suggest redox active transition metals or myeloperoxidase (MPO) generated hypochlorous acid (HOCl) may produce protein-bound 2-AAA, the mechanism(s) responsible for generation of 2- AAA during inflammatory diseases are unknown. In initial studies we observed that traditional acid- or basecatalyzed protein hydrolysis methods previously employed to measure tissue 2-AAA can artificially generate …

Transcriptomic And Bioinformatics Analysis Of The Early Time-Course Of The Response To Prostaglandin F2 Alpha In The Bovine Corpus Luteum, Heather Talbott, Xiaoying Hou, Fang Qiu, Pan Zhang, Chittibabu Guda, Fang Yu, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Cheng Wang, Andrea S. Cupp, John S. Davis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

RNA expression analysis was performed on the corpus luteum tissue at five time points after prostaglandin F2 alpha treatment of midcycle cows using an Affymetrix Bovine Gene v1 Array. The normalized linear microarray data was uploaded to the NCBI GEO repository (GSE94069). Subsequent statistical analysis determined differentially expressed transcripts ± 1.5-fold change from saline control with P ≤ 0.05. Gene ontology of differentially expressed transcripts was annotated by DAVID and Panther. Physiological characteristics of the study animals are presented in a figure. Bioinformatic analysis by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was curated, compiled, and presented in tables. A dataset comparison with similar …