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Articles 3091 - 3120 of 255685

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Characterization Of Snrk1 Signaling In Rice Growth, Reproduction, And Stress Responses Using Phenotypic And Omics Analysis, Maria Clara Faria-Bates May 2026

Characterization Of Snrk1 Signaling In Rice Growth, Reproduction, And Stress Responses Using Phenotypic And Omics Analysis, Maria Clara Faria-Bates

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

SnRK1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase belonging to the SNF1/AMPK family that is composed of a catalytic subunit (α) and two regulatory subunits (β and βγ), and it has a major role in adjusting growth in response to the energy status. SnRK1 phosphorylates and alters the activities of enzymes involved in metabolism and regulates gene expression by altering the activity of chromatin-remodeling enzymes or transcription factors. Rice contains three functional paralogs of SnRK1α: OsSnRK1αA (Os05g0530500), OsSnRK1αB (Os8g0484600), and OsSnRK1αC (Os03g0289100). Although SnRK1 is known to play a central role in plant growth and stress responses, the functional specialization of …

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Bats And Bacteria: Infection Dynamics At The Human-Wildlife Interface, Isabella Katherine Deanglis May 2026

Bats And Bacteria: Infection Dynamics At The Human-Wildlife Interface, Isabella Katherine Deanglis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the second most diverse mammalian order, bats host an array of pathogens, some of which are known to infect humans. Synanthropic bats share spaces with humans, resulting in bat-borne pathogen exposure. While most bat-borne disease research has focused on viral pathogens, bats host numerous bacterial pathogens with zoonotic potential. By integrating a global meta-analysis with field studies in Sub-Saharan Africa, I characterize the structural attributes that facilitate shared interfaces, the bacterial pathogens present in synanthropic bats of rural Kenya, and the physiological and environmental dynamics influencing odds of infection in these synanthropic bats. Finally, I evaluate the clinical relevance …

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A Survey Of The Collembola Of The Buffalo National River Park, Emma Renee Critchfield May 2026

A Survey Of The Collembola Of The Buffalo National River Park, Emma Renee Critchfield

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Collembola are a neglected and understudied class with few recent U.S surveys. The aim of this thesis was to survey the Buffalo National River for Collembola and create a catalogue of all known species in the state of Arkansas, USA. Leaf litter, mosses, rotting wood, fungi and malaise trap samples were taken from 13 locations within the Buffalo National River park. In total, 14 families, 34 genera and 59 species were identified from 22,028 collected specimens. Of those, 31 species represent new state records. This survey also validates malaise traps as useful tools for Collembola sampling. The malaise trap samples, …

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Unveiling Factors Influencing Extract Yield From Milled Rice In Brewing, Matthew Aitkens May 2026

Unveiling Factors Influencing Extract Yield From Milled Rice In Brewing, Matthew Aitkens

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) presents a locally sourced, climate-resistant starch source for the brewing industry. As barley faces increased uncertainty due to rising temperatures, Arkansas-grown rice offers a more stable and cost-effective alternative starch source. However, the use of milled adjunct rice by brewers has remained limited, largely due to knowledge gaps about cultivar-specific properties relative to brewing. Chapter 1 provides an overview of rice as a brewing adjunct, reviewing the physiochemical properties important to brewing success. These properties include kernel size, kernel breakage, amylose content, and gelatinization temperature. Mashing strategies for multiple different brewing layouts are overviewed, showing practical …

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Validation Of Rice Tissue Sampling For In-Season Nutrient Management Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium, Tanner Smith May 2026

Validation Of Rice Tissue Sampling For In-Season Nutrient Management Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium, Tanner Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the 3 most important nutrients involved in rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and development. Tissue sampling has been proven to be a potential tool to provide inseason information about plant nutrient concentrations at specified timings and growth stages. With increased interest in tissue sampling and improving nutrient management effectiveness, more information is needed to validate plant tissue concentrations at which additional fertilizer inputs may be warranted. Experiments were conducted in 2024 and 2025 at the Rice Research and Extension Center (RREC) near Stuttgart, Ark.; Pine Tree Research Station (PTRS) near Colt, Ark.; …

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Lumbopelvic Kinematics And Muscular Co-Contractions In Walking Prior To And Immediately Following A Bout Of Prolonged Standing., Stephanie Cotariu May 2026

Lumbopelvic Kinematics And Muscular Co-Contractions In Walking Prior To And Immediately Following A Bout Of Prolonged Standing., Stephanie Cotariu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Prolonged standing is a common daily activity in a wide array of occupations, and approximately 44% of sample populations develop low back pain (LBP) during prolonged standing. Prolonged standing-induced LBP developers (“Pain Developers”) are three times more likely to develop clinical LBP and can therefore be considered a pre-clinical LBP population. Changes in typical gait have been observed in LBP patients, and walking has been hypothesized as being protective or preventive against LBP development. However, it is unknown whether Pain Developers exhibit similar kinematic adaptations to chronic LBP patients during common daily activities, such as walking. The exact muscular …

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Assessment Of The Quality, Practicality, And Economic Viability Of Malted Rice, Bernardo Pontes Guimaraes May 2026

Assessment Of The Quality, Practicality, And Economic Viability Of Malted Rice, Bernardo Pontes Guimaraes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Climate change threatens the global supply of malting barley, creating a need for sustainable, climate-resilient alternative grains for the brewing industries. This dissertation investigated the chemical, sensorial, practical, and economic viability of using rice as a malting material. First, the malting and brewing qualities of 20 rice samples were evaluated. Results indicated malted rice (MR) had good malting and brewing qualities, including adequate levels of free amino nitrogen (FAN), high amyloglucosidase and limit dextrinase activities. Furthermore, pigmented rice varieties displayed a novel reddish-purple wort color. To identify rice cultivars suited for malting and brewing, the relationship between starch chemistry and …

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Descriptive Comparative Analysis Of Bacteriophage And Auxiliary Metabolic Gene Diversity In Marine And Wastewater Environments, Andrew Crawford May 2026

Descriptive Comparative Analysis Of Bacteriophage And Auxiliary Metabolic Gene Diversity In Marine And Wastewater Environments, Andrew Crawford

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and play a role in bacterial evolution. Through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), phages integrate parts of their genomes into their bacterial hosts. While the molecular mechanisms of this process are well understood, the evolutionary impacts remain less certain. One evolutionary explanation is that auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) modulate host gene expression to favor phage reproduction or improve the host’s survival. AMG can persist in hosts' or phages' genomes across future generations, altering their contributions to the ecosystem and posing a concern for human and environmental health. The objective of this project is to …

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Mitogenomic And Physiological Comparison Between Wild And Domesticated Congeners, Nicholas Enriquez May 2026

Mitogenomic And Physiological Comparison Between Wild And Domesticated Congeners, Nicholas Enriquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Domestication is a process in which wild populations are morphologically and/or behaviorally manipulated through selective breeding to become optimized for living in captivity. Consequently, many traits become quickly and significantly diverged from their ancestral, wild lineages, a process known as part of domestication syndrome. Captive breeding of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) was one of the last major successful domestication events resulting in dozens of recognized breeds today. Many breeds were optimized for either ornamental or agricultural purposes (i.e., meat and/or egg production), but the game-farm mallard was specifically bred for sport hunting. In North America, the use of game-farm mallards to …

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Development Of A High-Throughput Framework For Studying Choice-Movement Dynamics In Freely Moving Rats Across Motivational And Pharmacological States, Atanu Giri May 2026

Development Of A High-Throughput Framework For Studying Choice-Movement Dynamics In Freely Moving Rats Across Motivational And Pharmacological States, Atanu Giri

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis develops and applies high-throughput behavioral assays and analysis pipelines to study how external contingencies and internal state shape rodent decision-making. First, it introduces RECORD (Reward-Cost in Rodent Decision-making), a modular platform that combines 3D-printed arenas, microcontroller-based control, and closed-loop trial structure to deliver graded rewards and costs in a foraging-like environment. RECORD supports scalable data collection across multiple arenas and a software stack for parsing, databasing, and extracting spatiotemporal behavioral features and psychometric choice functions. Using this framework, the thesis quantifies how animals integrate sucrose reward magnitude with aversive light cost, revealing structured individual differences and sex-dependent movement …

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Diacylglycerol Kinase Eta As A Novel Target In Nras Mutant Melanoma, Haley P. Wilson, Casey D. Stefanski, Signe Caksa, Glenn L. Mersky, Scott D. Varney, Jelan I. Haj, Dan A. Erkes, Timothy J. Purwin, Vivian Chua, Andrew E. Aplin May 2026

Diacylglycerol Kinase Eta As A Novel Target In Nras Mutant Melanoma, Haley P. Wilson, Casey D. Stefanski, Signe Caksa, Glenn L. Mersky, Scott D. Varney, Jelan I. Haj, Dan A. Erkes, Timothy J. Purwin, Vivian Chua, Andrew E. Aplin

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

NRAS mutations occur in 10%-30% of cutaneous melanomas and are associated with high tumor mutational burden. Mutant NRAS signaling drives aberrant cell growth and proliferation, in part, through activation of the RAF-MEK-ERK1/2 kinase pathway; however, targeted therapies to this pathway have limited effectiveness in patients with NRAS mutant melanoma. The role of other targetable signaling pathways in NRAS mutant melanoma is poorly characterized. Here, we demonstrated that one isoform of diacylglycerol kinase, diacylglycerol kinase eta (DGKη), a lipid signaling regulator, was highly expressed in NRAS mutant melanoma patient samples. Knockdown of DGKH in NRAS mutant melanoma cell lines resulted in …

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Twenty-Four-Hour Intermittent Fasting Extends Lifespan At The Expense Of Fecundity In Daphnia, Meridith L. Smith May 2026

Twenty-Four-Hour Intermittent Fasting Extends Lifespan At The Expense Of Fecundity In Daphnia, Meridith L. Smith

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Dietary restriction (DR) is a well-established intervention for extending lifespan, yet the specific efficacy of intermittent fasting (IF) and its associated trade-offs remain under-explored in many Daphnia magna. This study investigated the effects of three IF intervals—2h, 24h, and 48h—on the longevity and fecundity of two clones of Daphnia. We hypothesized that longer fasting intervals would significantly extend lifespan at the cost of reproductive output, consistent with the disposable soma theory of resource allocation.
Our results demonstrate that 24h IF significantly increased longevity relative to ad libitum controls, even outperforming caloric restriction (CR) by reducing late-life mortality. In …

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Unravelling Taxonomic Complexity In Elusive Cetaceans: Mitogenome Insights Into Evolutionary History And Cryptic Diversity Of Bryde's Whales, Dominique Paynee, Paulette Bloomer, Gwenith Penry, Simon Elwen, Ada Natoli, Vaisakh Dhanalakshmy, Thyago Cardoso, Els Vermeulen May 2026

Unravelling Taxonomic Complexity In Elusive Cetaceans: Mitogenome Insights Into Evolutionary History And Cryptic Diversity Of Bryde's Whales, Dominique Paynee, Paulette Bloomer, Gwenith Penry, Simon Elwen, Ada Natoli, Vaisakh Dhanalakshmy, Thyago Cardoso, Els Vermeulen

All Works

Cetaceans, despite their ability to cross wide distances, enabling mostly high levels of gene flow, can develop unique genetic lineages driven by variations in life-history traits, diverse migratory routes and local adaptation, complicating taxonomy and delineation of conservation units. Comprehensive genetic data are essential to overcome the challenges of obtaining suitable sample sizes from wild cetaceans while untangling cryptic species diversity. The Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) has a complicated discovery and taxonomic history that hinders accurate conservation assessments. In southern Africa, two populations are recognised: the inshore (SAi) and the offshore southeast Atlantic population (SEA). This study examines their phylogenetic …

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Conventional Vs. Regenerative Apple Orchard Management In Michigan, Anthony Poynter May 2026

Conventional Vs. Regenerative Apple Orchard Management In Michigan, Anthony Poynter

Masters Theses

This study compares the variables and outcomes of a conventional apple orchard and a regenerative apple orchard production system in Kent County, Michigan. The premise is that conventional agriculture relies on high-input systems characterized by synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, while regenerative agriculture focuses on long-term soil health, biodiversity, and ecological processes. These differences are important as soil degradation, nutrient loss, and environmental impacts are becoming too significant to ignore. Most research on alternative ways to farm, such as regenerative practices, is focused on annual crops, while perennial orchard systems, especially in the Great Lakes region, have gained limited …

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Changing Dynamics Of Microbial Communities At A Hydrocarbon Contaminated Site And Methanogenic Interactions With Iron Minerals, Jakob Sell May 2026

Changing Dynamics Of Microbial Communities At A Hydrocarbon Contaminated Site And Methanogenic Interactions With Iron Minerals, Jakob Sell

Masters Theses

Microbial life is not only ubiquitous but also plays a critical role in the geochemical makeup of our planet. While researchers have long studied easily culturable aerobic microbes, the influence of anaerobic life on soils and mineral cycling is less understood. Notably, knowledge about interactions between anaerobic microbes and inorganic elements such as iron has progressed with the discovery that magnetite influences how anaerobic archaea carry out methanogenesis. To better understand anaerobic bacterial metabolisms and how they interact with minerals and subsurface hydrocarbons, we extracted 16S rRNA genes from two adjacent subsurface petroleum plumes, sequenced the DNA, and analyzed it …

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2nd Place Research Paper: Shaping The Ape: Storytelling, Cultural Reflection, And Boundary Negotiation In Human-Ape Zoo Encounters, Abigail Bond Halling May 2026

2nd Place Research Paper: Shaping The Ape: Storytelling, Cultural Reflection, And Boundary Negotiation In Human-Ape Zoo Encounters, Abigail Bond Halling

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

The typical Western zoo functions as a unique environment in which animals are frequently positioned as subjects of education and entertainment through the medium of storytelling. In this sense, the zoological institution can also be read as an extension of popular Western constructions surrounding nonhuman animals, particularly those who are symbolically charged characters in our collective imaginary– the great apes. Given the morphological, behavioral, and psychological similarities between humans and other great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans), nonhuman great ape enclosures at the Western zoo become spaces where humans are most radically confronted with navigating the boundaries of the “human-animal …

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Recovery Timeframe Is A Critical Component In Preserving Carbon Stocks In Disturbed Tropical Seagrass Meadows, Taylor Renee Condron, Timothy M. Smith, Paul H. York, Nicholas J. Murray, Pere Masque, Michael A. Rasheed May 2026

Recovery Timeframe Is A Critical Component In Preserving Carbon Stocks In Disturbed Tropical Seagrass Meadows, Taylor Renee Condron, Timothy M. Smith, Paul H. York, Nicholas J. Murray, Pere Masque, Michael A. Rasheed

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass meadows, though covering a small percentage of the ocean floor, play a critical role in marine carbon sequestration. However, the mechanisms behind this role remain uncertain due to challenges in mapping seagrass extent and flux, accounting for spatial variation in carbon storage, and incorporating site-specific histories. This study investigates the effects of short-term (≤10 years) seagrass loss on sediment carbon stocks within a large seagrass meadow in the Great Barrier Reef region. Using remote sensing data to construct a seagrass recovery timeline, combined with field sampling and assessments of ecological factors, we found higher sediment organic carbon in areas …

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From Time-Series Generation And Model Selection To Transfer Learning: A Review And Comparative Analysis Of Pixel-Wise Approaches For Large-Scale Crop Mapping, Judy Long, Tao Liu, Sean Alexander Woznicki, Miljana Marković, Oskar Marko, Molly Sears May 2026

From Time-Series Generation And Model Selection To Transfer Learning: A Review And Comparative Analysis Of Pixel-Wise Approaches For Large-Scale Crop Mapping, Judy Long, Tao Liu, Sean Alexander Woznicki, Miljana Marković, Oskar Marko, Molly Sears

Michigan Tech Publications

Accurate and timely large-scale crop mapping is essential for crop management and food security. Over the past decade, a wide range of pixel-wise crop classification approaches have emerged for workflow elements including image preprocessing, sampling methods, feature selection, model architectures, and transfer learning strategies. To guide users in constructing robust workflows, we reviewed methods for supervised and transfer-learning-based workflow elements and propose selecting a crop-mapping workflow based on target-site sample size and domain shift from a sample-abundant source site. To comprehensively evaluate the reviewed approaches, we systematically analyzed how different time-series construction strategies, training sample sizes, variable sets, model architectures, …

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Solvent-Dependent Proteome Profiling In Edible Mushrooms (Hypsizygus Marmoreus And Agaricus Bisporus), Tanvir Ahmed, O'Lone, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Kenneth U. Agbo, Netsanet Shiferaw Terefe, Michelle L. Colgrave May 2026

Solvent-Dependent Proteome Profiling In Edible Mushrooms (Hypsizygus Marmoreus And Agaricus Bisporus), Tanvir Ahmed, O'Lone, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Kenneth U. Agbo, Netsanet Shiferaw Terefe, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study compared five solvents - urea, carbonate-bicarbonate, citrate, phosphate, and water - for their ability to extract proteins from beech (BM) (Hypsizygus marmoreus) and Swiss brown (SB) (Agaricus bisporus) mushrooms. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatics, we found that urea produced the highest total protein identifications by data-dependent acquisition at 1% false discovery rate (FDR): BM: 1739, SB: 1907; and by data-independent acquisition: BM: 1969, SB: 2172 proteins, especially enriching cytosolic and ribosomal proteins. Carbonate-bicarbonate favoured the extraction of metabolic and translational proteins, while citrate targeted extracellular and membrane-associated proteins related to cell wall dynamics. Phosphate-enriched catalytically active proteins, …

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Replacing Exams With Project-Based Assignments, Patrick Hiesl Apr 2026

Replacing Exams With Project-Based Assignments, Patrick Hiesl

Land-Grant Press — Teaching Section

This brief provides an example of project-based learning that was applied to the FOR 3410 – Wood Procurement Practices in the Forest Industry undergraduate course. After teaching this course for 4 years, it was determined that project-based learning aligned well with the learning outcomes and activities the students would encounter in their professional careers, resulting in better student engagement in the course and higher retention of the concepts.

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A Two-Phase Hippocampal Code Linking Time And Distance Estimation To Action, Raphael Heldman Apr 2026

A Two-Phase Hippocampal Code Linking Time And Distance Estimation To Action, Raphael Heldman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

A critical component of spatial navigation is the ability to estimate elapsed time or distance traveled. How the brain generates such estimates and links them to behavior remains unclear. In this thesis, we identify a previously unrecognized population coding strategy for time or distance in hippocampal CA1, a region critical for navigation and memory. Using novel behavioral paradigms in head-fixed mice combined with electrophysiological recordings, we show that this code is carried by two functionally distinct subpopulations of pyramidal neurons, termed PyrUp and PyrDown, whose firing rates evolve in opposite directions during navigation. Both populations exhibit a common two-phase dynamic: …

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Food Fortification Strategies To Address Micronutrient Deficiencies In Cambodia: A Scoping Review Of Policy Implementation, Industry Capacity, And Public Health Outcomes, Sokha Yem, Sreypeov Tun, Sokunthea Kem Apr 2026

Food Fortification Strategies To Address Micronutrient Deficiencies In Cambodia: A Scoping Review Of Policy Implementation, Industry Capacity, And Public Health Outcomes, Sokha Yem, Sreypeov Tun, Sokunthea Kem

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies remain a major public health challenge in Cambodia, with iron deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency disorders, zinc deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency disproportionately affecting women of reproductive age and children under five. Food fortification—the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients to commonly consumed foods—has been widely recognised as a cost-effective population-level intervention to address nutritional gaps. Objective: To systematically map and synthesise existing evidence on food fortification strategies in Cambodia, focusing on policy implementation, industry production capacity and compliance, regulatory enforcement, and public health outcomes. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and …

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The Delivery Dilemma: Unintended Consequences Of Cesarean Sections, Cecilia Odegard, Ellie Rose Piette Apr 2026

The Delivery Dilemma: Unintended Consequences Of Cesarean Sections, Cecilia Odegard, Ellie Rose Piette

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Cesarean sections (C-sections) are a major surgical procedure intended to minimize the rate of maternal and infant mortality due to complications during birth. While they were originally intended to only be performed when medically necessary, rates of non-medically indicated C-sections have increased significantly. This poster examines the unintended consequences (UICs) that are associated with C-section delivery, focusing on both short-term and long-term effects. A major focus is how C-sections disrupt early microbial exposure during birth, which plays an important role in the development of the infant gut microbiome and immune system. Research has shown that infants born via C- section …

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Nonenzymatic Glycation Of Human Serum Albumin Affects Its Structure, Properties, And Binding Interactions With Silver Nanoparticles, Monica Fairchild, Megan Kirk, Collin Kray Apr 2026

Nonenzymatic Glycation Of Human Serum Albumin Affects Its Structure, Properties, And Binding Interactions With Silver Nanoparticles, Monica Fairchild, Megan Kirk, Collin Kray

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Most nanoparticles (1-100 nm), upon contact with proteins, form a “protein corona” which can alter the structure and function of proteins. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in blood plasma and acts as a major transport protein for numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. In healthy individuals, 1-10% HSA is found in a glycated state, but significantly higher levels of glycated HSA (30% or more) are found in Diabetic individuals. This project investigates the effects of glycation on the structure, enzymatic activity, and antioxidant capacity of HSA and its binding interactions with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a variety …

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Mechanistic Insights Into Enterolactone-Mediated Glut4-Dependent Glucose Uptake, Merritt Smith Apr 2026

Mechanistic Insights Into Enterolactone-Mediated Glut4-Dependent Glucose Uptake, Merritt Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with approximately 25% of healthcare expenditures directed toward its management and associated metabolic complications. In response to the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies, recent research has focused on bioactive compounds derived from dietary sources. In light of that, we identified the plant lignan matairesinol (MA) and its gut-derived metabolite, enterolactone (ENL), as agents capable of enhancing glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes. These results suggest that enterolactone may represent a promising dietary supplement for improving glycemic control in patients with …

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Psychedelic Research In The Modern Day: Good Or Bad?, Shane Miller Apr 2026

Psychedelic Research In The Modern Day: Good Or Bad?, Shane Miller

Mechanical Engineering Student Research

This work is about the usage/safety of psychedelic substances, and I explain whether they are good or bad in terms of other drugs, such as alcohol.

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Analysis Of The Flavonoid Composition Of Honey Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Bryce Phillips Apr 2026

Analysis Of The Flavonoid Composition Of Honey Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Bryce Phillips

Honors Theses

Honey is a naturally occurring substance that has a complex composition including compounds such as flavonoids, that contribute to potential health benefits. Quantitative analysis of flavonoids in honey can be challenging due to their similar structural characteristics, matrix effects, and chromatographic peak separation issues. This study aimed to establish calibration curves for five flavonoids–kaempferol, luteolin, chrysin, myricetin, and quercetin– to estimate their concentrations in five honey samples from varying geographic origins. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to isolate the flavonoids from honey. High Performance Liquid Chromatography was utilized to establish calibration curves and analyze honey samples. The calibration curves assembled demonstrated …

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Climate Change-Related Effects On Carbon Emissions And Net Ammonification Across Lowland To Upland Soils From A High-Latitude Coastal Ecosystem, Jenna M. Ross, Karen H. Beard, Katharine C. Kelsey, Matteo Petit Bon, A. Joshua Leffler Apr 2026

Climate Change-Related Effects On Carbon Emissions And Net Ammonification Across Lowland To Upland Soils From A High-Latitude Coastal Ecosystem, Jenna M. Ross, Karen H. Beard, Katharine C. Kelsey, Matteo Petit Bon, A. Joshua Leffler

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Warming, sea-level rise, and changing herbivory patterns are affecting ecosystem processes in northern coastal soils, including carbon and nitrogen cycling, although their combined effects are poorly understood. We studied the impact of these changes in a full-factorial microcosm experiment using four distinct soil types from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of western Alaska. Soil was collected from three coastal wetlands, which differ in flooding frequency and use by migratory geese, and one rarely-flooded upland tundra used by geese in late summer. Microcosms containing these soils were incubated for 16 weeks at 10°C or 18°C, with or without three short-term floods, and with …

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Survival Of The Fittest: Extremophilic Actinomycetes As The Future Of Antibiotic Treatment, Kyley Nelson, Ben Reddan Apr 2026

Survival Of The Fittest: Extremophilic Actinomycetes As The Future Of Antibiotic Treatment, Kyley Nelson, Ben Reddan

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The antibiotic resistance crisis is an emerging global health threat. In 2019 alone, 1.27 million deaths were attributed to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and researchers predict the problem will worsen without intervention. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a primary model for this crisis because it utilizes genomic adaptations to bypass β-lactam antibiotics. Although temperate actinomycetes have historically provided the majority of clinical antibiotics, recent bioprospecting has revealed that extremophilic actinomycetes represent a critical untapped resource. These organisms exhibit several adaptations to thrive in extreme environments, which results in the production of novel secondary metabolites and resilient extracellular enzymes. This literature review …

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Beyond The Brain: Environmental Forces Driving Α-Synuclein Misfolding And Toxic Aggregation In Parkinson's Disease, Emily Mccarthy Apr 2026

Beyond The Brain: Environmental Forces Driving Α-Synuclein Misfolding And Toxic Aggregation In Parkinson's Disease, Emily Mccarthy

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an advanced neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the proliferation of protein aggregates within the brain. This capstone thesis investigates the unique biochemical environment of the gastrointestinal tract and whether it contributes to the formation of distinctive α-Synuclein (αSyn) aggregates affecting PD. Key promoters of αSyn aggregation include genetic mutations, oxidative stress, post-translational modifications, interactions with metal ions, and dopamine (DA) oxidation. These factors result in diverse structures such as oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, which result in unique functional outcomes, with oligomeric conformations leading to the highest level of neuronal toxicity. Evidence …

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