Life Sciences Commons^™

Acknowledgements, Editorial Team

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Artist Statement, Zarina Mason

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Editor, Ana Tyulmenkova

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Hope College Department Of Biology: The First 50+ Years, Christopher C. Barney

Faculty Publications

The Hope College Department of Biology was founded in 1899 with the appointment of the first Professor of Biology at Hope, Samuel Mast. During the first 50+ years of the Biology Department, there were eight total faculty members in the department, including Frances Koeman, the first female faculty member in the natural sciences. Four faculty members, Mast, Frank Patterson, Oscar Thompson, and Teunis Vergeer were primarily responsible for developing the department’s curriculum and programs, with Mast and Vergeer also carrying out published research. The department was housed primarily in Van Raalte Hall and the Science Building (now Lubbers Hall) for …

Deconstructing Systemic Sclerosis Heterogeneity: From Patient Subtypes To Pathogenic Fibroblasts, Rezvan Parvizi

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

This thesis advances heterogeneity as the central barrier both to interpreting therapeutic response and to identifying the molecular regulators that drive fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In SSc, heterogeneity is manifest at every level at which the disease can be measured: clinically, in the variable extent of skin and organ involvement; molecularly, in the distinct gene-expression programs that distinguish otherwise comparable patients; and cellularly, in the diverse fibroblast populations from which the fibrotic signal ultimately arises.

Leveraging longitudinal skin transcriptomics from a large cohort treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), the first study demonstrates that intrinsic molecular subtypes are dynamic rather …

Purdue University Extension Program Evaluation Professional Development Pilot Study To Assess Evaluation Competencies Among Educators, Mariah K. Awan, Rama Radhakrishna, Hui-Hui Wang

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

For the first part of this study, we conducted a descriptive research study with Purdue Extension educators to determine their evaluation competencies and their perceived level of importance for evaluation activities. We also asked about their competence in evaluation methods. For part two, we interviewed Purdue Extension administrators about their perceptions of Program Evaluation as a whole within Indiana Extension. The interview protocol questions were related to perceived roles of administrators, perceived strengths and opportunities for Purdue Extension Program Evaluation efforts, evaluation knowledge needed by educators, and possible future evaluation directions for Purdue Extension. We found that educators indicated mid-level …

Working Out Loud Resilience In Cooperative Extension: Results From An Internal Pilot Program, Lyndi M. Buckingham-Schutt, Debra Sellers, Barbara Dunn Swanson, Jody Catherine Gatewood

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study evaluates Working Out Loud (WOL) Resilience, a program designed to enhance resilience through peer-to-peer learning, targeting social isolation and self-determination. The WOL Resilience pilot program, delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach facilitators, included 29 participants and 5 facilitators over 8 weeks. Participants engaged in weekly sessions focusing on 8 resilience attributes. Evaluation included baseline, midpoint, and post surveys; facilitator feedback forms; and interviews. Results showed improvements in resilience attributes from baseline to post-program and indicated high program acceptability and positive behavioral changes. The peer-to-peer learning model proved beneficial for participants and feasible for delivery through Extension …

Needs Assessment For Evaluation Competencies Among Extension And Outreach Professionals, Mariah K. Awan, Hui-Hui Wang, Rama Radhakrishna

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

We conducted an extensive literature review to develop an assessment tool with both quantitative and qualitative items that can be used to conduct a statewide needs assessment of professional development needs in program evaluation for Extension educators and similar non-profit organizations. This tool can be used to identify priority topics for evaluating professional development trainings and materials. It can be easily distributed via Qualtrics. The results of the literature review and the needs assessment survey instrument are shared.

Agricultural Extension Agents’ Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Social Media In Extension Work, Howard M. Wallace Ii, K. S. U. Jayaratne, Wendy Warner, Dara Bloom, Julia Mckeown

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Social media enables Extension agents to reach a large group of clients efficiently. However, research on agricultural Extension agents’ perceptions about social media use in Extension work is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of agricultural Extension agents regarding the use of social media in Extension work. This was a descriptive research study conducted online. Findings confirmed that agricultural Extension agents in North Carolina State find social media helpful in Extension work, such as for the distribution of information to their clients and extending its reach to a larger audience. Extension agents perceive that using …

Geomapping With Python: An Innovative Data Visualization Technique, Tirna Purkait, Dipti Dev

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

Making Digital Connections: Extension Educators’ Perceptions And Use Of Qr Codes, Kobina D. Fanyinkah, Jefferson D. Miller, Casandra Cox, Will Doss

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

While Extension educators recognize the potential of digital tools for outreach, there are still barriers to adoption, effective implementation, and acceptance. The goal of this study was to evaluate Extension educators’ perceptions concerning quick-reponse (QR) codes in outreach activities, including their effectiveness, integration, and barriers faced when using them. The study used a qualitative approach in the form of semi-structured interviews of twelve Extension professionals purposely sampled from the Ozark region of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Participants perceived the effective use of the technology to be related to their target clients’ age and technological proficiency. Additionally, Extension professionals reported …

Perspectives Of Scholars, Families, And Advisors On 360-Degree Video Technology In Graduate Education, Oluwatobi A. Mogbojuri, Bridget A. Walsh, Matthew Aguirre

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study explored the experiences of scholars in creating and sharing 360-degree videos, as well as the perspectives of families and advisors who viewed the videos. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted online using a videoconferencing platform. Perspectives from 20 participants (15 scholars, three advisors, and two family members) were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three primary themes were identified: (1) barriers to 360-degree video use, (2) perspective shifts and limited change, and (3) storytelling and scholar visibility. Findings suggest that 360-degree video technology may be an innovative tool for enhancing recruitment and retention, especially for historically marginalized groups, through …

78 | Paneas V: Paneion Excavations 1988–1993; Part I, Zvi Uri Ma‘Oz

IAA Reports—Monograph Series of the Israel Antiquities Authority

This volume is the first of two presenting the results of the excavations conducted at Paneas by Z.U. Ma'oz in the area that housed the sanctuary of Pan (Paneion) established in the Roman period. It presents the archaeological remains uncovered at the site, shedding light on activity prior to the establishment of Paneion, the construction and use of the sanctuary, and the continued human presence after the Roman period, when the site ceased to function as a cultic compound. The chapters include an introduction to the excavations, a discussion of the site's name and identification, geological aspects, the stratigraphy of …

Exploring Immune Priming In The Species Exaiptasia Diaphana, Torrence Campos

Biology Theses

Vibrio coralliilyticus is a pathogen that infects various coral species across several reef ecosystems and causes mortality within a span of a few days. With increasing temperatures, the pathogen becomes more virulent towards coral. Probiotics such as MCH1-7 have previously been used to treat infected corals before and after exposure to V. coralliilyticus. In this study, we will be using a species of sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana in place of coral to evaluate the effects of two V. coralliilyticus strains ATCC BAA-450 and OFT6-21. It was determined that BAA-450 was more virulent. It led to immediate stress and higher mortality. …

Nebraska And The Midwest Agtech Ecosystem: Benchmarking Innovation Investment And Translation Gaps, Ankit Chandra, Ishani Lal, Brennan Costello

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Agricultural innovation is central to the sustainable transformation of food systems, yet the capital that finances it is unevenly distributed relative to where food is produced. This paper develops a diagnostic framework for measuring this mismatch and applies it across the U.S. Midwest from 2021 to 2025, with particular emphasis on Nebraska's structural position within this landscape. Drawing on venture capital deal-flow data, 17 stakeholder interviews, and a novel strength-weakness-opportunity-gap (SWOG) ecosystem mapping methodology, we document $736 million in tracked Midwest AgTech funding across eight states (Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota). We introduce three …

Gender Differences In Streaming Service Adoption And Cancellation During Covid-19, Dylan Lewis

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

For over a decade, the rise of subscription-based entertainment models has appeared inevitable. This trend became even more apparent when the world went into lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. During this time, many people began reevaluating how they allocated their discretionary income for day-to-day purchases as the future looked bleak. The purpose of this study was to examine people’s preferences between subscription-based models and one-time purchases. To do this, a 12-question survey was conducted, and data were collected through Amazon Mechanical Turk, yielding over 195 responses. The results indicate a statistically significant relationship between age and the use …

Copyright, Editorial Team

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Biographies, Editorial Team

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents, Editorial Team

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Genome-Wide Cline Analysis Identifies New Locus Contributing To A Barrier To Gene Flow Across An Antirrhinum Hybrid Zone, David L. Field, Sean Stankowski, Taylor Reiter, Jitka Polechova, Desmond Bradley, Daniel M. Richardson, Annabel Whibley, Arka Pal, Daria Shipilina, Louis Boell, Melinda Pickup, Yongbiao Xue, Enrico Coen, Nicholas Barton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Identification of the genomic regions that contribute to reproductive isolation and how they interact is a major goal of evolutionary genetics. Much effort has focused on locating candidate genes and potential barrier loci by scanning genomes for regions of excess differentiation (FST). An alternative, and perhaps more robust approach, is to scan for genomic regions exhibiting steep clines in allele frequency across a hybrid zone. We develop a computationally efficient method for approximating cline parameters for large number of loci, and apply it to genomic data from across a hybrid zone between flower colour varieties of Antirrhinum majus (A. m. …

Investigating Culicoides Diversity, Distribution, And Behavior In Arkansas, Cassandra Steele

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are globally important vectors of pathogens affecting livestock and wildlife. In the United States (US), transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) results in economic losses and periodic mortality events of wild and domestic ruminants. Culicoides sonorensis is the confirmed vector of BTV and EHDV in the western regions of the US, however this species is uncommon throughout much of the eastern and southeastern US, where hemorrhagic diseases remain endemic. There are likely other putative vector species responsible for pathogen transmission. This research investigated Culicoides diversity, distribution, …

Using Zebrafish To Investigate The Innate Immune Response To R132h Mutant Glioma, Mikaela L. Fairbanks

All NMU Master's Theses

Gliomas are the most commonly occurring brain tumor found in adults. The most dominant mutation found in glioma is in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene. IDH converts isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), but the mutated form of it will take α-KG and further convert it into D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2-HG). Mutated IDH1 glioma (mIDH1) produces a higher concentration of D-2-HG than the wild-type IDH1 glioblastoma (wtIDH1). These mIDH1 tumors tend to have a better prognosis, growing slower and having less inflammation than the wtIDH1 counterpart, potentially due to the increased D-2-HG. However, the effects of mIDH1 and D-2-HG on the innate immune …

Assessing The Relationship Between The Degree Of Static And Dynamic Quadricep Angle And Kinetic Asymmetry Index % In Females During The Follicular Phase Of Menstruation, Madeline Grace Poirier

All NMU Master's Theses

The quadriceps angle (q-angle) quantifies lateral pull on the knee. Females have greater static and dynamic q-angles due to anatomical factors including a wider pelvis and more lateral tibial tuberosity, which may influence ACL injury risk. The kinetic asymmetry index (KAI %) measures limb-to-limb differences in ground reaction force (GRF) impulses during dynamic tasks including countermovement jumps (CMJs), with values > 10% linked to injury risk. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, fluctuating hormones increase joint laxity, further heightening biomechanical vulnerability in females.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between static and dynamic q-angle and KAI % in active, …

Developing Solvent-Based Recycling Methods At Ambient Conditions To Regenerate Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether And Recover Metal Oxides From Epoxy Nanocomposites, Heaven Smith

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Research Publications

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Fungicide Programs For Grapevine Disease Management And Fungicide Sensitivity Monitoring, Abraham Ahumada

Master's Theses

Grapevine diseases, such as powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot, require repeated fungicide applications to maintain fruit quality and reduce yield losses. However, fungicide performance can vary among products, application programs, disease pressure, and pathogen sensitivity. This thesis evaluated fungicide programs for control of powdery mildew in ‘Chardonnay’ grapes and assessed fungicide sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea isolates collected from California vineyards.

Powdery mildew, caused by the fungal pathogen Erysiphe necator, is a major threat to the production of Vitis vinifera grapes worldwide. Because powdery mildew management relies heavily on fungicide applications, field evaluations are needed to compare the efficacy …

Birds Of A Tether Flock Together: Examining Centromere Tethering And Chromosome Segregation In Caulobacter Crescentus, Jake Dwyer, Simon Kruczak, Rodrigo Arana-Garrido, Paola Mera

MICRO-CCS student projects

Introduction:

Chromosome segregation is essential for all domains of life. Caulobacter crescentus is a key model for studying this process. It divides asymmetrically into two morphologically distinct cells. Proteins can be seen directly with fluorescent tags.

Research done on Caulobacter can apply to many different bacteria. The ParABS system is integral to chromosome segregation in Caulobacter.

ParS – DNA sequence on the chromosome

ParB – CTP-binding protein that specifically recognizes parS

ParA – ATP-binding protein that non-specifically binds DNA and provides the force for segregation.

PopZ – Polar tethering protein via interactions with ParB.

TipN - Polar protein that …

Has Plant Domestication Compromised Plant Defensive Chemistry? Aphid Induced Stress In Tomatoes, Nhi Do, Satinderpal Kaur, Minxing Zhu, Esther N. Ngumbi

MICRO-CCS student projects

Tomato plants have natural defensive mechanisms.

Direct: Phenolics are secondary metabolites that can protect the plant by intoxicating the herbivores and/or producing strong repulsive odors.

Indirect: VOCs, Volatile Organic Chemicals, are gas phase signals that attract the predators of the attacking herbivore to the plant.

Domestication of plants may chemically alter these defenses by prioritizing fruit production over defensive traits.

We hypothesize that wild/ancient tomato plants would have a greater quantity of volatiles and increased concentration of leaf total phenolics compared to cultivated tomatoes during aphid herbivory.

How Does High-Oil Sorghum Change Potential Extracellular Enzyme Activity Across Soil Depth Profiles Under Drought Conditions?, Krystal Monique Role, Rounak Patra, Wendy Yang

MICRO-CCS student projects

Transgenic oil sorghum reallocates photosynthate-carbon (C) into vegetative lipids, accumulating nonstructural lipids in both shoot and root tissues. Altered plant C allocation and root lipid accumulation may shift root exudate chemistry, belowground C inputs, and microbial nutrient demand throughout the soil profile. While aboveground productivity in high-oil sorghum is well-characterized, its belowground impacts on soil microbial enzyme activity and exchangeable cation dynamics, especially across soil horizons under drought stress remain unknown.

Project objective was to find out how transgenic high oil sorghum (Tx-HO1) influences CNP acquiring extracellular enzyme activities and soil exchangeable cation dynamics across soil horizons under drought and …

Investigation Of Biological Denitrification Inhibition By Specific Anthocyanins, Kristin Palazzo, Holly Anderson, Aislinn Geedey, Angela Kent

MICRO-CCS student projects

Nitrogen fertilizers are applied to corn fields to support high crop yields, but some nitrogen is lost through microbial denitrification, producing nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. Some plants produce certain flavonoids that can suppress microbial denitrification, a trait known as biological denitrification inhibition (BDI). Maize produces flavonoids in the form of anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), the major anthocyanin produced by maize.

The goals of this project were to determine whether C3G:

is produced in maize roots

inhibits microbial denitrification

Recovering Plasmid-Id Barcoded Strains Of Sinorhizobium Meliloti From A Native Soil Microbiome, Kenny Sacks, Hannah Murray, Katy Heath

MICRO-CCS student projects

Introduction

Legume-Rhizobia Mutualism: Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth. Plants can’t produce nitrogenous compounds. Rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen gas into bioavailable forms. Rhizobia form a nutrient exchange mutualism with leguminous plants.

Project description

Can our bacteria persist within the rhizosphere and into the nodule when faced with native microbial competitors? The Medicago-Sinorhizobium mutualism is used as a model system. Survival of strains post competition is difficult to measure due to identical 16S rRNA sequences and similar marker genes. Plasmid-ID barcoding sequences may provide a way of testing strains against a community.