Life Sciences Commons^™

Detecting And Managing Plant-Parasitic Nematodes On Corn In South Carolina, Jay Crouch, Alex Coleman, Shelby Hammond, Michael T. Plumblee, John Mueller

Corn

No abstract provided.

Introduction To The Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Affecting Row Crops In South Carolina, Jonathan K. Croft, G. Kyle Smith, Jay Crouch, William J. Hardy Iii, Shelby Hammond, John D. Mueller

Introductory Materials

Knowledge of the biology, host range, overwintering habits, damage thresholds, and life cycles of problem nematode species is necessary to optimize the design of effective management schemes. The following is a summary of the relevant facts for the important plant-parasitic nematode species affecting South Carolina row crops.

Symptom Identification And Sampling Methods For Nematodes In South Carolina, Rogan Gibson, Zachary Dantzler, Joe Varn, Shelby Hammond, Hannah Watts Mikell, John Mueller

Introductory Materials

No abstract provided.

Detecting And Managing Plant-Parasitic Nematodes On Grain Sorghum In South Carolina, Alex Coleman, Michael Marshall, Jay Crouch, David Dewitt, Shelby Hammond, John Mueller

Grain Sorghum

Several species of nematodes can infect and reproduce on grain sorghum. However, unlike damage to cotton or soybeans, damage to grain sorghum is often minimal. This is because grain sorghum has a fibrous root system with multiple growing points, allowing it to rapidly compensate for damaged roots. Therefore, it can withstand higher nematode populations before exhibiting reduced plant growth or yield. Symptoms of nematode damage include stunting, nutrient deficiencies, and premature drought stress. Nematodes are not uniformly distributed in a field and symptoms of damage from nematodes are often more common in sandier areas of a field. Symptomatic plants have …

Testing The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis On Anthropogenic Pressure In Central Alabama, Gavin Terrell

Theses

Biodiversity is fundamental to maintaining ecosystem structure and function globally. Prior to the late 20th century, ecological theory generally predicted that biodiversity would be highest in systems experiencing minimal disturbance. However, Joseph H. Connell challenged this view with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH), which posits that species diversity peaks at intermediate levels of disturbance and declines under conditions of both low and high disturbance. Although widely cited, the applicability of the IDH to natural systems remains debated, particularly in the context of anthropogenic disturbances and when diversity is measured beyond species richness alone.

This study evaluated the predictions of the …

Assessing The Influence Of Temperature And Water Level On Gill Disease In Goldfish, Moses Elijah Cadawas, Emmalie Turner, Darlene Panvini

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Gill disease in fish is a strong biological indicator of water quality and environmental stress. These diseases are commonly caused by bacterial or parasitic infections that target gill tissues and can lead to severe physiological impairment and ultimately mortality. Several environmental factors, including water level and temperature, play a critical role in determining fish susceptibility to these infections. Changes in these conditions can act as stressors that weaken immune defenses and promote pathogen proliferation. This study aimed to evaluate the relative impact of environmental stressors on the development of gill-associated disease in Carassius auratus (goldfish) under controlled conditions. Following exposure …

Agronomic Practices For Climate-Resilient Okra Production In Agroecological Systems: A Review, Samuel Mathu Ndungu, Lokeshwar Kesamreddy, Mathieu A.T. Ayenan, Stephen Othim, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Yu Hsiang Liu, Amha Besufkad, Wubetu Bihon Legesse, Eric C. Legba, Judith Honfoga, Lukas Pawera

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Okra is increasingly recognized as a climate-resilient crop within diversified agroecological systems; however, an integrated synthesis of its biophysical, agronomic, and socioeconomic dimensions is lacking. This review consolidates the current knowledge on okra physiology, production ecology, and value chains, with a focus on climate resilience under heat, drought, salinity, pest, and disease pressures. Evidence across regions demonstrates that agroecological practices such as crop diversification, mulching, conservation tillage, integrated pest management, and the use of organic and biological inputs consistently improve soil health, stabilize yields under climatic stress, and reduce dependence on external inputs, although with trade-offs in labor demand and …

Music Listening While Studying And Academic Performance Among College Students With Attention Deficit And Hyperactivity Disorder, Raihan K. Khan, Md Towfiqul Alam, Madalynn Nofplot, Sojib Bin Zaman, Catherine L. Zaman

Faculty Scholarship

Evidence on whether music listening supports academic performance, particularly among students with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), remains mixed. We explored associations between music listening while studying and academic performance (GPA: grade point average) among college students, and to evaluate whether the associations differed by ADHD status. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from college students and conducted linear regression models with self-reported GPA as the dependent variable. Models were adjusted for sex, academic level, college affiliation, primary study location, weekly study hours, and preferred genre of music. A total of 541 students participated. Most of the students were at …

Dietary Influence And Neurodegenerative Disease Risk: Insight From Alzheimer’S And Parkinson’S Disease, Madison Wirt

Honors Projects

As populations age, neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) become significantly more prevalent and impactful on patients and families. Clinical research has suggested a correlation between diet, gut health, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction to the onset and development of specific and severe NDDs, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This research focuses on the relationship behind the gut-brain axis, micronutrient status and how diet influences the development of both AD and PD. Ten randomized, controlled trials were analyzed from the literature to investigate the impact of these factors on the inflammatory, metabolic and antioxidant processes. The studies focused on the use …

Dietary Β-Hydroxybutyrate Sodium Alters Rumen Microbiome And Nutrient Metabolism In The Rumen Epithelium Of Young Goats, Yimin Zhuang, Guanglei Liu, Chuyun Jiang, Mahmoud M. Abdelsattar, Yuze Fu, Ying Li, Naifeng Zhang, Jianmin Chai

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The role of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) includes providing energy, regulating signaling pathways, and ameliorating the gut microbiota in the host, while its nutrient mechanism to improve rumen epithelium development in young ruminants is still unclear. In this study, a total of 12 female Haimen goats with 30 d of age were chosen and divided into two groups. One group was fed with basic diet (CON), and the other group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 6 g d^–1 dietary β-hydroxybutyrate sodium (BHBA-Na). The experimental period was 30 d, and all goats were slaughtered at 60 d of age. …

An Insight Into The Venom Gland Proteome Of The Two-Spined Trap-Jaw Ant, Odontomachus Haematodus, Aaron Morgan

Honors Theses

Ants are ecologically important and highly abundant organisms, playing key roles in many ecosystems. One recently introduced species in the southeastern United States is Odontomachus haematodus (the two-spined trap-jaw ant), a South American native that has often been misidentified, contributing to limited research on its biology and venom composition. This study aimed to provide the first detailed characterization of the venom apparatus and proteome of O. haematodus. Specimens were collected and dissected, and venom-related proteins were extracted and analyzed using SDS-PAGE and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS-ESI). Confocal microscopy was also used to visualize the sting apparatus, including F-actin filaments and …

What Happens After The Program Ends? Maintenance Of Physical Performance And Resistance Exercise Participation Following Exercise Oncology Interventions, Alexander Matthew Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors frequently experience persistent impairments in physical performance that compromise functional independence, quality of life, and long-term health. While supervised exercise programs meaningfully improve physical performance, there is uncertainty regarding the durability of these benefits and the factors that influence long-term participation after programs end. Although exercise oncology programs typically include both aerobic and resistance exercise (RE), participation in RE tends to decline once supervision ends and remains lower than aerobic exercise over time. Therefore, the overarching aims of this dissertation were to: 1) evaluate the sustainability of physical performance improvements following exercise interventions in cancer survivors; 2) …

Fisheries Management Paper No.312: Discussion Paper On Management And Licensing Options For The Charter Industry - Statewide Strategic Review Of Western Australia’S Charter Fishing Sector, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

This consultation paper has been prepared to support the statewide strategic review of Western Australia’s (WA) charter fishing sector, which was initiated as a government commitment.

The paper details issues and proposals relating to the management and licensing framework, development opportunities and representation model for the charter fishing industry. The proposals have been developed in consultation with the Charter Review Working Group. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) now seeks comment from relevant stakeholders on the issues and proposals outlined within this paper.

Comments provided will assist in providing advice and recommendations to the Minister for Fisheries …

Wright State University's Celebration Of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities From Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Wright State University

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

The student abstract booklet is a compilation of abstracts from students' oral and poster presentations at Wright State University's Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities on April 1, 2026.

Start With What They Know: Using Motivational Interviewing To Create A Cooking Class, A Culinary Intervention For Teens (Autistic And Non-Autistic), Gwendolyn S. Tedder

LEND Trainee Presentations

Autistic teens are at greater risk for having heart disease and diabetes as adults. Food particularity, sensory issues, fixed mindset, and anxiety over trying new things can slow down their interest in preparing food for themselves. Nurturing basic cooking skills and gently encouraging trying new foods would provide more nutritional options to teens as they move into adulthood. A cooking class preceded by Motivational Interviewing (MI) developed further interest in preparing food afterward in teens, both autistic and non-autistic, and in trying new foods for autistic teens with food concerns.

Folic Acid–Carbon Dot–Gemcitabine Nanoparticles For Targeted Cancer Drug Delivery, Irfan Huda, Hua Mei

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This project aims to develop a folic acid-attached carbon dot nanoparticle system (FA-CDs-GEM) for the targeted delivery of gemcitabine to cancer cells. While gemcitabine is widely used, its effectiveness is limited because a short in vivo half life and lack of selectivity, which lead to severe side effects. Carbon dots offer a simple and modifiable platform as the drug delivery and bioimaging agent. Conjugation of folic acid to the carbon dots enables selective targeting of cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors. In this study, we synthesized and characterized FA-CD-GEM nanoparticles and developed an HPLC calibration curve of GEM to accurately …

A Test Case For Raccoon Roundworm Anthelmintic Baiting In Western Virginia, Karen Powers, W. Jayme Viers, Carolyn K. Rossmeisl, L Kristen Page

Virginia Journal of Science

As a test case to determine the efficacy of anthelmintic baiting to reduce raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) prevalence in western Virginia, we deployed baits in a mountainous area of Roanoke Co., Virginia that historically was occupied by Allegheny woodrats (Neotoma magister). We deployed anthelmintic baits at 6-wk intervals from August to December 2024 at a density of 100/km². We opportunistically collected raccoon (Procyon lotor) scat in the drop area from August 2024 to May 2025 and found a marked decline in prevalence of raccoon roundworm in the samples. Deeming this a measured …

Production Of Black And Navy Beans In Virginia, Harbans L. Bhardwaj, Satya S. S. Narina Ph.D.

Virginia Journal of Science

An urgent need exists in Virginia and adjoining states to identify crops to replace declining tobacco acreage. Although not traditionally grown in the region, dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have considerable potential as alternative summer crops due to their nutritional benefits and increasing consumer demand. Information on the production potential of these crops in Virginia, however, is not yet available. To remedy this situation, replicated field trials were conducted over three years with six black and four navy bean varieties to characterize grain yields following three row spacings and three planting times. Black beans significantly out-yielded navy beans (2095 …

Enhancing Urban Garden Capacity By Linking Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function, Mary T. Nguyen, Carleen Rauh, Shelby Gresch, Charlotte Correiro, Heidi Elmendorf, Adriane Fugh-Berman, Gina Wimp, Alexandra L. Decandia

Virginia Journal of Science

Urban agriculture broadly describes food and plant cultivation in metropolitan areas. While biodiversity is thought to support ecosystem health and resilience, the relationship between above-ground and below-ground diversity has been understudied in urban green spaces. This study examines plant, animal, bacterial, and fungal diversity across three distinct urban habitats: a turf lawn, a forb garden, and a farming space. Using bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS2 sequencing, soil nutrient analyses, and surveys of vegetation and wildlife, we connect diverse philosophies in urban agriculture to their role in advancing community diversity and ecosystem function. We found that different urban gardens support …

Lingnan Gardeners Newsletter (No. 78) = 彩園通訊 (第78期), Lingnan Gardeners, Centre For Cultural Research And Development, Lingnan University

Lingnan Gardeners Newsletter 嶺南彩園通訊

No abstract provided.

Life Line Spring 2026, Jonathan Atwood

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

In This Issue:

Greetings and Farewell: Part Deux; Signs for Trees; Passing of Dr. Mary Gahbauer: a Beloved Friend and Colleague; Dr. Lisa Marr Retires; The Department Welcomes Dr. Ann Feke; Dr. Kevin Svitana Retires; Ms. Donna Rhodeback Retires; Tucker Adds Swan Specimen to Otterbein's Collection; An UnbeLEAFable Year for the Otterbein Chapter of Botanical Society of America; Field Geology Course Visits Death Valley and Beyond; Agar Art: An Unexpected Canvas; Dr. Kevin Svitana Wins the Anderson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Groundwater Research; Introducing Opi: A New Face for Zoo and Conservation Ambassador Work; Michael Hoggarth, Professor Emeritus, Wins …

Editorial 2026, Maud I. Tenaillon, Laura A. Katz

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Differential Effects Of Veratridine And 5-Fluorouracil On Ubxn2a-Targeted Mortalin And Rictor Proteins In Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Cells, Kate S. Schraufnagel

Honors Thesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in patients with metastatic CRC and/or those who have developed resistance to conventional chemotherapy. There has been a significant rise in early-onset CRC (EOCRC) incidences in patients under age 50. Due to lack of screening, these patients are commonly diagnosed in the later stages where there is a lack of effective therapies. This highlights the need for targeted therapies that address the molecular drivers of tumor progression and treatment resistance. UBXN2A is a tumor suppressor protein that regulates key oncogenic pathways in CRC, including Mortalin-2 (mot-2)-mediated p53 suppression and …

Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests 2025, F. Bourland, J. Gann, B. Lovelady, B. Guest Jr, J. Mcalee, L. Martin, Z. Treadway, C. Henderson

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas. This information helps seed companies establish marketing strategies and assists producers in choosing varieties to plant. These annual evaluations will then facilitate the inclusion of new, improved genetic material in Arkansas cotton production. Adaptation of varieties is determined by evaluating the lines at five University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture research sites (Manila, Keiser, Judd Hill, Marianna, and Rohwer). The tests at Rohwer were abandoned due to undefined …

Evolution As Spatial Projection, Charles H. Smith, Ngoc Nguyen

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

A theory combining explanations for the nature of three-dimensional systems and evolutionary processes is advanced, set to a geometric simulation, and then discussed in the context of several empirical studies bearing on its validity. The concept “evolution” is first discussed, then related to Baruch de Spinoza’s ideas on natural philosophy, including his concept of the conatus. These ideas are then extended by posing the possible existence of a general form of natural systems subsystemization leading to the extended space condition. A geometrical/topological simulation study projecting spatial relations among subsystem structures interpretable through entropy maximization and multidimensional scaling methods is presented, …

Nedd 4 Pyre-Fighters To Extinguish Inflammation: Nedd4l Ubiquitinates Gasdermin D And Gasdermin E To Dampen Pyroptosis, Kailash Gulshan

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Imidacloprid Effects On The Survival And Cutaneous Microbiome Of Northern Leopard Frogs, Evelyn Margaret Osterloo

Honors Thesis

Amphibians are experiencing population declines due to habitat loss, climate change, and diseases, particularly chytridiomycosis caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Protection from this fungal infection stems from the cutaneous microbiome. Pesticides have been shown to affect amphibians in a variety of ways, including reducing survival, locomotor performance, and accumulation in body tissues. Pesticides may also lead to changes in the cutaneous microbiome affecting amphibians who rely on these organisms as an anti-Bd defense mechanism. To investigate the effect of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, Northern Leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) were subjected to sublethal concentrations (control = …

Ellie - Exteroceptive Light Locomotion In Eukaryote-Fungi, Brandon Etwarroo

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Over the past decade, fungal research and its technological applications have expanded across multiple disciplines, including the emerging field of biohybrid systems. This thesis develops and evaluates a wireless, untethered mobile robot controlled by the action potential-like activity generated by Pleurotus ostreatus sporocarps under red, green, and blue optical stimulation. Light is applied to the sporocarps, the resulting electrical responses are recorded, and these signals are transmitted wirelessly to actuate the mobile robot. Both the action potential-like activity patterns and the robot’s movement trajectories were analyzed. The results demonstrate that wireless robotic control mediated by fungal electrophysiology is feasible. Overall, …

First High-Quality Genome Assembly Of Umbelopsis Nana Isolated From Forest Soil, Ryuka Iizuka, Tomohiro Suzuki, Nozomu Watanabe, Javier F. Tabima, David Hibbett, Yoko Katayama, Makoto Yoshida

Biology

Species of the genus Umbelopsis are ubiquitous soil saprotrophic fungi known for their role in ecological nutrient cycling and biotechnological potential in lipid production. Here, we present the genome assembly of Umbelopsis sp. strain THIF13, which is characterized by its capability to produce carbonyl sulfide. Using PacBio Sequel long-read data, a high-quality genome assembly was generated comprising 18 contigs totaling 27.2 Mb, which is larger than other Umbelopsis genomes, with an N50 of 1.77 Mb. Notably, 16 contigs were flanked by telomeric repeats at both ends. The assembly showed high completeness, with 98.1% complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs and 11.15% …

Alabama Prairie Reconstruction: Comparing Management Pathways For A Southeastern Landscape, Cecelia R. Geyer

Theses

Southeastern prairies are highly biodiverse yet increasingly threatened by land-use change, fire suppression, and habitat fragmentation. These disturbance-dependent systems rely on periodic fire and grazing to maintain plant diversity and ecosystem function. This study evaluates prairie restoration strategies by testing predictions from the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis and the Patch Mosaic Burn Hypothesis. The study site was divided into three treatments: prescribed burned only (B), prescribed burned with mowing (BM) to simulate grazing, and an undisturbed control (C). A standardized mix of native plant seeds was broadcast across all treatments. Ecosystem health and function were evaluated using plant community diversity and …