Life Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating Variety- And Market-Class-Specific Effects Of Dietary Pulses On Human Health, Jiayu Tang

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

While pulses are globally recognized for their high levels of dietary fibers, protein, and polyphenols, research often focuses on characterizing the physiological effects of a single variety. This approach overlooks the substantial genetic and compositional diversity that exists across pulse varieties and individual market classes, which can differ extensively in nutrient content and structure. These compositional differences have the potential to produce distinct physiological and microbial responses in humans, yet variety- and market-class-specific effects remain poorly characterized.

This thesis uses two complementary research methodologies to investigate the health-relevant effects of different pulse varieties and market classes, providing foundational knowledge to …

A Remarkable Diversity Of Syngnathid Fishes In A Highly Modified Large Coastal Embayment In The Southeastern Indian Ocean, Glenn I. Moore, Jenelle A. Ritchie, Georgia M. Nester, Glenn A. Hyndes, Alan J. Kendrick

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Southern Australia supports a high diversity of fishes in the family Syngnathidae, which is recognised as globally threatened, facing threats from coastal development, over-exploitation and bycatch. In southwestern Australia, Cockburn Sound houses a large industrial port and naval defence assets with plans to substantially expand the port facilities but also sits within a recognised syngnathid ‘hotspot’. Using a broad array of data sources, including historical museum vouchers, published records, historical and contemporary observations from notebooks and diving surveys, historical and contemporary trawl surveys, citizen science observations and environmental DNA, we compiled 4839 records of syngnathid fishes from the embayment. Twenty-one …

Loss Of Palmitoylation Impacts The Interaction Between The Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (Oatp) 1b1 And Oatp1b3., Cecilia E. Villanueva, Whitney M. Nolte, Priscilla Flores-Ascencio, Bruno Hagenbuch

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and OATP1B3 are hepatic transporters that mediate the uptake of numerous therapeutics like antibiotics and statins. Various post-translational modifications, eg, phosphorylation and glycosylation, have been shown to impact OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 function and localization. S-palmitoylation (also known as S-acylation or palmitoylation) is a reversible post-translational modification that adds palmitic acid (C16:0) to cysteine residues and can influence a protein's function, localization, and protein-protein interactions. In this study, we investigated and characterized palmitoylation in OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Using site-directed mutagenesis and acyl-resin-assisted capture assays, residue Cys24 was identified as the palmitoylation site for both …

Effects Of Soil Contamination On The Efficacy Of Antimicrobial Washes For Contaminated In-Shell Pecans, Erin Ramsay

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A study was done to evaluate the survival of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) on directly and soil-inoculated in-shell pecans over a 28-day period, determine STEC reductions after treatment with individual and sequential antimicrobial washes on direct and soil-inoculated in-shell pecans, and determine the cross-contamination potential of the spent pecan washes after a treatment. Pecans were directly and soil-inoculated with an STEC cocktail (O157:H7, O157:NM, O121, and O26). Direct inoculation was achieved by spraying the STEC cocktail on the pecans and homogenizing by hand for 2 min. For the soil-inoculation method, autoclaved pecan tree orchard soil was sprayed with the …

Alternative Methods To Improve Livestock Performance While Grazing Low-Quality Forages., Ivan Raynard Thomas Jr

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Stocker cattle producers in the southeastern part of the U.S. heavily depend on traditional forages such as bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon] pastures during the warm season for grazing. Summer annual forages offer stocker cattle operations a valuable alternative source of forage. These forages have high yield potential and can help extend the grazing season. This is particularly beneficial during the summer months when traditional forage sources may be limited. Warm-season annual grasses may experience a decrease in crude protein concentrations during late summer and early fall. As a result, it may be necessary to find alternative sources of crude protein or …

Evaluation Of A High Protein Low Oligosaccharide Soybean Meal In Poultry Production, Kasey Matusik

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of feeding a high protein, low oligosaccharide soybean meal to optimize poultry nutrition by the effects of feeding the soybean meal to roosters, broiler chickens, and turkeys. Two research objectives were evaluated to determine whether high protein, low oligosaccharide soybean meal would have increased nutritional value. The first objective assessed the metabolizable energy (ME) content of a high protein, low oligosaccharide soybean meal compared to a conventional soybean meal. Using roosters, broiler chickens, and turkey poults, three bioassays were conducted to evaluate the ME of the soybean meal. Results demonstrated …

Organic-Complexed Or Inorganic Trace Mineral Tub Supplementation: Impacts On Productivity And Reproductive Outcomes In Beef Cows And Heifers, Jacy Riddle

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of these experiments was to investigate the effects of organic-complexed or inorganic trace minerals (copper, cobalt, manganese, and zinc) on cow reproductive performance, suckling calf growth, as well as heifer development and reproductive outcomes utilizing free-choice tub supplementation. In lactating cows, treatments consisted of molasses-based tub supplementation containing either complexed or inorganic trace minerals, with an additional pre-breeding drench administered only to cows receiving complexed minerals. The drench contained complexed or organic copper, cobalt, manganese, and zinc. Supplementation began approximately 6 weeks prior to fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) and continued until bull removal (d 105). In weaned replacement …

Valorization Of Rice Bran For Functional Film Fabrication Using Cold Plasma For Food Packaging And Biomedical Applications, Saydul Md Safwa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Over the past few years, conventional plastic packaging materials have become increasingly concerned with their environmental impact. Therefore, the demand for bioplastics has been increasing significantly over the years. Rice milling, a process that modifies paddy rice into edible rice, generates by-products such as rice bran. Rice bran has cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and protein, which makes it a potential material for bioplastic fabrication. However, like most biodegradable films, rice bran films fall short when it comes to practical packaging applications. They often lack the strength, flexibility, moisture resistance, and barrier performance needed to compete with synthetic plastics. Most importantly, …

Seasonality Of Bovine Respiratory Disease Incidence, Nasal Temperatures, And The Nasal Microbiome In Receiving Beef Cattle: Understanding The Risk Of The Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex, Robin Ashley Cheek

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) has persistently been the leading cause of morbidity of beef cattle in the United States. Season has been directly associated with respiratory disease incidence and is likely a proxy for weather conditions, which vary by geographical location. The nose is one of the first points of contact between the outside environment and inside the body. The nasal microbiome and its relationship with BRD have been heavily studied within beef cattle, but there are not yet any studies to determine if the environment within the nasal cavity has a role to play in this mechanism. This dissertation …

Soilless Substrates As A Critical Control Point For Mitigating Food Safety Risks Within Hydroponic Leaf Lettuce Production, Eric Nuertey Tetteh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The effect of hydroponic soilless substrates and microbial biocontrol agents on the persistence of foodborne pathogens in indoor lettuce production is variable depending on substrate type, pathogen species, and biocontrol formulation. This study addressed key gaps by first characterizing the ability of different substrates to support Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes survival and then evaluating the ability of pine biochar and Bacillus subtilis to suppress pathogen persistence in selected substrates under controlled conditions. In the first experiment, the persistence of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes was evaluated in four soilless substrates: rockwool (RW), low density foam (LDF), peat moss (PM) and coco …

Characterization Of River Cane Morphology, Density And Biomass In Sun And Shade In Stream Riparian Zones In Northwest Arkansas, Emily Shy-Anne Carter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

River cane, or Arundinaria gigantea Walter (Muhl.), ecosystems serve as ecological and cultural keystones, offering wildlife habitat, streambank stabilization, and construction/craft material for Native groups who utilize river cane. However, these ecosystems have declined substantially because of overgrazing, land conversion, and fire suppression, resulting in reduced patch size and culm morphology. Historically widespread across floodplains and riparian zones, canebrakes, or monotypic forests of river cane, have been restricted to small fragments. This study evaluated how canopy cover influences light availability, culm morphology, density, and biomass of river cane across eight riparian sites in Northwest Arkansas to inform restoration efforts. Light …

Recent Advances In Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Kinases (Pipks) And Their Inhibitors, Mengxia Sun, Jian Hu, Xuefei Huang

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

Phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs) are an important class of enzymes in humans, which produce lipid signaling molecules playing central roles in pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infection. Consequently, they are attracting increasing attention as drug targets for disease treatment. This review summarizes the functions of the PIPK family enzymes and highlights recent efforts on designing novel inhibitors against PIPKs. These advances are extensively discussed to stimulate interest in this field and promote further development of highly potent and selective inhibitors for innovative therapeutic applications.

Antioxidant And Anti-Hemolytic Capacities Of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Leaves, Achwaa Chbib, Malak Mezher, Mohamad Nasser, Akram Hijazi, Mahmoud I. Khalil

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The effects of medicinal plants on the prevention of many diseases are due to their chemical composition. Eucalyptus camaldulensis (E. camaldulensis) is a native tree in Australia. Its extracts and essential oils (EOs) are applicable in the domains of pharmaceuticals and medicine. This work determined the anti-hemolytic and antioxidant capacities of the ethanolic (EE), methanolic (ME), and aqueous (AE) extracts from the leaves of Lebanese E. camaldulensis.  The leaves of E. camaldulensis were extracted with ethanol, methanol, and water solvent. Qualitative phytochemical analyses were applied to reveal the compounds of these extracts. The Folin-Ciocalteau and Aluminum chloride …

Afforestation Strategies In Semi-Arid Mediterranean Ecosystems: Experimental Evidence From Chmistar, Lebanon, Ahmad Saker, Mohammad Saleh, Wael Mostafa, Safaa Baydoun, Jamilah Borjac, Dalia El-Badan

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The success rate of broadleaf tree growth in semi-arid Mediterranean environments is reduced in afforestation operations constrained by water scarcity, shallow soil depth, and intense competition from herbaceous vegetation. This study, conducted between 2022 and 2024 in Chmistar, East Lebanon, using a completely randomized block design, aimed to evaluate the impact of three planting broadleaf trees techniques (traditional digging pits , hoedad tools, and auger digging) and four effective vegetation control (herbicide application, mowing,  mulching, and no control) on the early growth of three native broadleaf tree species (Pistacia palaestina, Quercus calliprinos, and Quercus infectoria ).

The …

Analysis Of Priority Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Using The Paho-Adapted Hanlon Method In Bogor City In 2024, Sonia Annisa Br Ketaren, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, Bai Kusnadi

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) remain a major public health challenge despite substantial progress in immunization programs. In Indonesia, routine immunization coverage has shown a post-pandemic recovery trend; however, disparities in access to health services and surveillance quality persist across regions. This study aimed to determine priority VPD problems in Bogor City and identify factors contributing to the highest-ranked disease. A mixed-methods study was conducted in Bogor City from October 2024 to January 2025. Quantitative prioritization was performed using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)-adapted Hanlon method across eight VPDs. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants and analyzed …

Lesson-3 On Mni Wiconi (Water Is Life): Analyzing Evidence And Communicating Solutions (Community Stewardship), Reycel Jugo, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Students analyze the data collected from their filter tests, construct an evidence-based argument for their most effective design, and communicate their solution to a “community council” (the class), connecting their technological solution back to community well-being. In the final lesson, students will analyze their data, draw conclusions, and communicate their findings. They will present their improved water filter designs to the class, acting as consultants for the fictional community.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Scenario: Students are now ready to present their final water filter prototypes and a summary of their findings to a “community council” (the rest of the class). They …

The Deep Darkness Microbiome: Functional And Taxonomic Diversity In An Oligotrophic Temperate Cave, Philips O. Akinwole, Nina G. Shaffer '25, Emma E.C. Jacobs '25, Zoe Green '27, Thi Doan '27, Crimson Hickman '28, Kaija M. Carr '25, Kenneth L. Brown

Biology Faculty publications

Many subterranean ecosystems are chronically energy limited, yet the mechanisms governing microbial community assembly and metabolic function under extreme carbon scarcity remain poorly resolved. We combined 16S rRNA gene sequencing with community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) to examine how physicochemical gradients regulate microbial diversity and carbon-use strategies across a surface-subsurface transition into the Deep Darkness zone of Indiana Caverns. Progressive isolation from surface inputs resulted in sharp declines in microbial biomass, total organic carbon, and nitrogen, accompanied by increased water content and C:N ratios, indicating strong attenuation of allochthonous organic matter and intensified resource filtering. Microbial communities spanned 42 bacterial phyla, …

The Development Of An In Silico Vaccine Design-Based E-Module To Improve Students' Biological Literacy, Qairinasherin Qwine Ferendi, Rusdi Rusdi, Hanum Isfaeni

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Low levels of biological literacy among students, particularly in biotechnology, highlight the need for innovative digital learning media that facilitate meaningful and contextual learning experiences. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an interactive biotechnology e-module based on in silico vaccine design to improve students’ biological literacy. The study employed Educational Design Research (EDR) using the Hannafin and Peck model, which consists of three phases: needs assessment, development, and implementation. The participants included 73 tenth-grade science students and one biology teacher from SMAN 68 Jakarta, Indonesia. The e-module was developed using Canva and Heyzine to create an interactive flipbook integrating …

Principal Leadership As A Predictor Of Teacher Performance: Evidence From An Indonesian Elementary School, Irminapinem Pinem, Antonius Remigius Abi, Hamela Sari Sitompul

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Teacher performance is a critical determinant of educational quality and student achievement, making the identification of factors that influence teacher effectiveness an important area of educational research. Among these factors, principal leadership has been recognized as a key organizational variable that shapes teachers’ professional practices and instructional performance. This study aimed to examine the relationship between principal leadership and teacher performance at State Elementary School Raya Kahean, Simalungun Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a quantitative correlational research design involving 52 teachers selected through total sampling. Data were collected using two structured questionnaires measuring principal leadership and teacher performance. The principal …

Lesson-1 On Mni Wiconi (Water Is Life): Understanding The Problem Of Water Contamination, Reycel Jugo, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Students investigate a scenario of water contamination in a fictional community. They define the engineering problem of dirty water and explore the cultural and ecological significance of water through the lens of indigenous principles. This lesson introduces students to the concept of water contamination and the need for purification, grounding the learning in a real-world problem and connecting to Indigenous knowledge about the land and water.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Scenario: Students receive a letter from a fictional community whose water source has become cloudy and is making people sick. They are tasked with becoming “Water Engineers” to investigate the …

Lesson-2 On Mni Wiconi (Water Is Life): Designing And Testing Solutions (Water Filtration), Reycel Jugo, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Students apply the engineering design process to build, test, and refine a simple water filter prototype. This hands-on experiential learning activity focuses on the properties of filtering materials and iterative problem-solving.  In this lesson, students will apply the engineering design process to build and test their own simple water filters. They will use their newfound knowledge to begin developing a practical solution to the problem presented in Lesson 1 - Mni Wiconi: A Water Engineering Challenge for 4th Graders.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Scenario: Having identified the problem, students are now tasked with designing and building a prototype water filter …

Developing Biodegradable Packaging Films And Beads From Agricultural Residues, Sandeep Paudel, Santosh Rijal, Srinivas Janaswamy, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Agricultural waste is produced in large amounts worldwide. These are often discarded despite being valuable sources of cellulose and renewable, biodegradable products. At the same time, rising environmental concerns about petroleum-based plastic packaging have created demand for sustainable alternatives. Introducing K-12 students to biodegradable packaging materials developed from agricultural waste can enhance understanding of sustainability, basic materials science, and circular bioeconomy concepts while encouraging interest in STEM fields. Another concern is the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in drinking water, which can pose serious risks to human health. Traditional coagulation agents, such as ferric and aluminum salts, are less effective …

Association Of Household Economic Status And Birth Order With Stunting Among Children Aged 24-35 Months: Malawi Mics 2019–20, Sibongire B. Ngoma, Asri C. Adisasmita, Renti Mahkota, Septyana Choirunisa, Melisa Nyamukondiwa

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Stunting remains a major public health concern in Malawi, with a national prevalence of 35.5% among children under five. However, evidence on the independent and combined effects of household economic status and birth order on stunting among Malawian children aged 24-35 months remains limited. This study aimed to examine the independent and combined association of household economic status and birth order with stunting among children aged 24-35 months in Malawi. A secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional 2019-20 Malawi Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) was conducted, and the final sample comprised 2,764 children aged 24-35 months with complete data. Stunting …

Comparing The Effects Of Project-Based Learning, Inquiry Learning, And Conventional Instruction On Students' Learning Motivation In Biology, Yeyen Angraini, Irwandi Irwandi, Jayanti Syahfitri

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Learning motivation is an important factor influencing students’ engagement, persistence, and success in Biology learning. However, classroom instruction at the senior high school level is often dominated by teacher-centered approaches, which may limit students’ active participation and motivational development. This study aimed to compare students’ learning motivation across Project-Based Learning (PjBL), Inquiry Learning, and conventional instructional approaches in Biology learning. The study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest approach involving three groups. Participants consisted of 85 Grade XI students from SMA Negeri 1 Talang Padang, South Sumatra, distributed across three classes: PjBL (n = 28), Inquiry (n = …

A Review On Nanoparticles: Classification And Roles In Plant Systems, Muhammad Junaid Zafar, Muhammad Shafiq, Muhammad Azeem Rana

Journal of Bioresource Management

Nanotechnology has been a new paradigm of the twenty-first century with several good breakthroughs. These tiny particles, known for their outstanding qualities, are enjoying an increasing influence in many research fields concerning foodstuff, cosmetics, electronics, and pharmacology. Synthesis of nanoparticles includes utilizing chemical processes with reducing agents, alongside employing physical techniques such as top-down and bottom-up approaches for NP formation. The biological approach, known as green synthesis, utilizes plant extracts to ensure increased safety. Biological methods also involve bacteria and fungi, known as the major sources of nanoparticles. It is acknowledged as the most effective and environmentally conscious approach, attributed …

Economic Performance And Technical Efficiency Of “Small-Scale” Vegetable Production In Ido Local Government Area Of Oyo State, Nigeria, Taiye Oluwasola Babatunde, Oluyemisi Omowunmi Babatunde

Journal of Bioresource Management

A study was carried out to examine the economic performance of small-scale vegetable farmers and how effectively they are using their resources in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. The study involved eighty vegetable farmers who were chosen randomly, and information was gathered from them using structured questionnaires. Different tools such as budget analysis, linear regression, frequency distribution, percentages, and the stochastic frontier production function were used to examine the data that was collected. The results indicated that about 41.3 % of the farmers were between the ages of 41 and 50. Most of the people who answered were …

Crispr/Cas9-Based Genome Editing: Understanding Differences In Dna Repair Pathways, Profiles, And Outcomes, Samuel Effah, Shirley Barrera, Nahia Urturi Ortiz, Will Dampier, Michael Nonnemacher, Brian Wigdahl

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Over a decade of advances in Clustered Regularly Interspersed Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based technologies have culminated in the first-ever FDA-approved CRISPR/Cas-based therapy. Aside from this approved therapy for sickle cell anemia, several CRISPR/Cas-based therapies are currently under development or testing for a range of chronic diseases, including viral diseases like human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, genetic diseases like familial hypercholesterolemia, and cancer. The success of these therapies hinges on the effective delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 components to target regions, efficient Cas endonuclease editing, repair profiles generated, and their resulting outcomes. Here, we discuss the …

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles And Clinical Dynamics Of Listeriosis In Small Ruminants: A One Health Review, Muhammad Aqeel, Pervez Ahmed Khoso, Amjad Hussain Mirani, Dildar Hussain Kalhoro, Abdul Ahad Soomro

Journal of Bioresource Management

Although the incidence of listeriosis is much lower in small ruminants, it has implications for food safety, herd health and appropriate antibiotic usage as well as zoonotic potential. Both have been reported to be robust pathogens and Listeria monocytogenes is generally recognized as the most common etiologic agent, but in ovine or caprine abortion it should be included as a significant differential diagnosis. This is a narrative one health review that summarizes status of the information published to date on the epidemiology and clinical signs of infection, resistance patterns found and diagnosis and prevention methods employed in small ruminant populations. …

Essential And Non-Essential Amino Acid Composition Of Hilsa (Tenualosa Ilisha) Fish In Different Fishing Regions Of Bangladesh, Mohajira Begum, Md. Moshfekus Saleh-E-In, Md. Zia Uddin Al Mamun, Umma Fatema Shahjadee, Farha Matin Juliana, Md. Sabir Hossain

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822), is one of the favourite and popular tropical fish in the people of South-East Asia due to its delicious taste and flavour. This study investigates the comprehensive amino acid profiles of various fishing locations of Bangladesh to assess the protein quality and nutritional values. Fourteen free amino acids were identified from the six riverine locations of Bangladesh. The total free amino acid (TAA) contents were ranged from 11.60 g/100 g in Cox's Bazar to 13,40 g/100 g in Kirtonkhola for raw fish. In the case of smoked treated, the TAA ranged from 14.01 g/100 g …

Operational Risk Assessment Of Ship To Shore Petroleum Transfer Using Fuzzy Rule-Based Bayesian Networks, Ayman F. Alghanmi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Petroleum ports represent critical infrastructure in global energy supply chains, where operational risks during ship-to-shore transfer operations can lead to catastrophic consequences including environmental damage and human casualties. Despite rigorous safety protocols, these facilities remain vulnerable to operational hazards in dynamic maritime environments. This research aimed to develop and apply a hybrid Fuzzy Rule-Based Bayesian Reasoning (FRBBR) model to identify, evaluate, and prioritize operational hazards during crude oil transfer operations at petroleum port berths, with a case study conducted in Saudi Arabia, addressing the challenge of risk assessment where historical data is limited.
The research employed a mixed-methods approach combining …