Life Sciences Commons^™

A Kin-Selection Model Of Fairness In Heterogeneous Populations, Geoff Wild, Veronica J. Flear, Graham J. Thompson

Biology Publications

Humans and other primates exhibit pro-social preferences for fairness. These preferences are thought to be reinforced by strong reciprocity, a policy that rewards fair actors and punishes unfair ones. Theories of fairness based on strong reciprocity have been criticized for overlooking the importance of individual differences in socially heterogeneous populations. Here, we explore the evolution of fairness in a heterogeneous population. We analyse the Ultimatum Game in cases where players’ roles in the game are determined by their status. Importantly, our model allows for non-random pairing of players, and so we also explore the role played by kin selection in …

Polygenic Scores Ignore Development And Epigenetics, Dramatically Reducing Their Value, David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

Polygenic scores cannot elucidate the mechanisms that produce behavioral phenotypes (including “intelligence”). Therefore, they are unlikely to yield helpful interventions. Moreover, they are poor predictors of individuals’ developmental outcomes. Burt’s critique is well-supported by the details of molecular biology. Specifically, experiences affect epigenetic factors that influence phenotypes via how the genome functions, a fact that lends support to Burt’s conclusions.

Molecular And Systemic Epigenetic Inheritance: Integrating Development, Genetics, And Evolution, Robert Lickliter, David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

Currently, a central problem for theoretical biology is the integration of development with genetics and evolutionary theory. Through the late 20^th century, biologists held that animals resemble their ancestors strictly because of the transgenerational transmission of DNA. This view effectively wrote development out of evolutionary biology. However, many molecular and developmental biologists now understand that phenotypes—anatomical, physiological, and behavioral traits—are not determined by genes (i.e., DNA segments) alone; instead, they emerge epigenetically from developmental processes involving co-acting genetic factors, environmental factors, molecular epigenetic factors, and other non-genetic factors within organisms’ bodies. This insight forces a rethinking of biological inheritance. …

What Taking Development Seriously Means For Evolutionary Theory, David C. Witherington, Robert Lickliter, David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

Proponents of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) emphasize the critical role that organisms and their development play in the process of evolution. This framework explicitly rejects the genocentric focus that once dominated interpretations of the Modern Synthesis in evolutionary theory. In place of genocentrism, EES highlights processes like niche construction, developmental constraint, and extragenetic inheritance as central to any understanding of evolutionary process. However, much more is at stake in adopting the EES than simply moving beyond the gene-dominant viewpoint of the Modern Synthesis. The EES, in fact, represents a fundamental challenge to the core of classic Darwinism itself by …

Osteological Identification And Morphological Comparison Of Extant Sciurids, Amber Kalinowski, Mateusz Wosik

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Bone elements can reveal varying characteristics for each rodent, so it is best to analyze overlapping elements between and among taxa when drawing comparative conclusions.

Fossorial animals present robust skeletons, strong scapular girdles, short fore- and hind limbs, and prominent attachment sites for muscles. In an animal that is primarily cursorial it is expected to see a slimmer forelimb because the need for strong limbs to deal with biochemical strains is not present.

Using a sample of Marmota monax (groundhog) and Tamias striatus (chipmunk), two common taxa found in northeastern Pennsylvania, we can examine the locomotory modes of these closely …

Duckweed In Wastewater Management: Species Comparison Of Spirodela Polyrhiza And Lemna Minuta, Lindsey Chepalonis

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Wastewater is any liquid or water-carried waste accrued from sanitary operations. This waste contains toxins that must be purified, as they pose an environmental and public health hazard. Specifically, this risk is high in developing countries. Aquatic plants can be used to purify wastewater. Duckweed is a free-floating aquatic plant with over 37 species, but Lemna minor is typically used for wastewater management. This research focuses on finding different species to use in wastewater management. Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna minuta chlorophyll concentration and frond increase were compared with Lemna minor. The species were maintained in varying concentrations of Hoagland’s solution …

Differences In The Spectral Output Of Single- And Double-Ended High-Pressure-Sodium Lamps, Jun Liu, Bruce Bugbee

Photobiology

High pressure sodium lamps have a low fraction of blue photons, and this fraction is reduced from 3.6% to 2.6% in the newer style double-ended bulbs. About half of the photons in the “blue” region (400 to 499 nm) are between 491 and 499 nm. These photons have low biological activity for cryptochrome activation.

The Healthcare Experiences Of African Americans With A Dual Diagnosis Of Hiv/Aids And A Nutrition-Related Chronic Disease: A Pilot Study, Meena Mahadevan, Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Valerie Kwong

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

For HIV-positive African Americans, the mistrust of medical providers due to anticipation of unequal treatment care, prejudice, and bias can become a major deterrent to medication and treatment adherence. Although programs and services incorporate strategies to improve patient–provider relationships, a deeper understanding of their healthcare experiences, especially among those with a dual diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and a nutrition-related chronic disease, is lacking. This qualitative study aimed to address this gap by conducting focus groups with participants who identified themselves as being African American, and having a dual diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, and a chronic disease. Content analysis generated several major themes, …

Floating Arms Activity Plan, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

Voluntary vs. involuntary muscle movement

Chemistry And Public Policy: Equipping Advocates, Herbert R. Fynewever, I. Bos, C. Demlow, G. Fulkerson

Summer Research

No abstract provided.

Impact Of The Flexibility Of A Hydroxy Group Of Coumarins To Its Quantum Yield, Yejin Chung, Mark Muyskens

Summer Research

Coumarin is an organic, bioactive (anti-tumor, antioxidant) molecule that has a structure of a bicyclic benzene and pyrone ring. The monohydroxy-substituted coumarins only differ in the location of hydroxy group location but carry radically different photophysical properties such as wavelength of absorption, excitation, emission, and quantum yield.

The hydroxy groups in coumarins have different flexibility in rotating based on their locations. Ranked by quantum yield: 7-hydroxycoumarin (7HC) > 6HC> 5HC > 8HC. The flexibility of coumarins were studied in relation to the quantum yield.

Virtues In Community, Gretchen Olson, Joshua Parkhurst, Dr. Julie Yonker

Summer Research

This project consisted of three different arms: (systematic review of literature, analyzing existing data from two studies, and faculty and staff interviews).

1. Learn more how virtues are thought about and implemented in education, did an extensive systematic review of literature.

2. Examine data from virtue intervention in Psychology course, ran statistical tests using Jamovi to analyze this data.

3. Conduct faculty and staff interviews of those using virtue practice pedagogy, gathered information on different virtue practices at Calvin.

Multilevel Selection On Social Network Traits Differs Between Sexes In Experimental Populations Of Forked Fungus Beetles, R. A. Costello, P. A. Cook, E. D. Brodie Iii, Vincent A. Formica

Biology Faculty Works

Both individual and group behavior can influence individual fitness, but multilevel selection is rarely quantified on social behaviors. Social networks provide a unique opportunity to study multilevel selection on social behaviors, as they describe complex social traits and patterns of interaction at both the individual and group levels. In this study, we used contextual analysis to measure the consequences of both individual network position and group network structure on individual fitness in experimental populations of forked fungus beetles (Bolitotherus cornutus) with two different resource distributions. We found that males with high individual connectivity (strength) and centrality (betweenness) had …

Beer-Spoilage Bacterial Strains In Large And Small Corporations In Breweries, Darlene A. Villalobos Cazares, Xena Pastor-Nuila, Ernesto Acosta, Johana Cruz-Lopez

Humboldt Journal of Microbiology

Bacteria-spoilage strains are the root cause of unwanted flavors and unaesthetic appearances of beer. This accidental introduction of bacteria is causing economic loss to businesses and is affecting the health and loyalty of the breweries' consumers. The two most studied strains are from the genera Pediococcus and Lactobacillus are a result of either primary or secondary contamination from the production process. Craft beers, such as Hazy Beers, produced by small-scale breweries are more prone to spoilage than commercial beers produced by large-scale breweries. The goal of this study is to test for the presence of bacteria-spoilage strains in small-scale breweries …

Rabbit Anatomy: A Brief Photographic Atlas And Dissection Guide - Part Ii: Cardiovascular System (Third Edition), Soma Mukhopadhyay, Lisa Ruggiero Wagner

Rabbit Anatomy: A Brief Photographic Atlas and Dissection Guide

No abstract provided.

The Molecular Regulators, Pathways, And Environmental Impacts Of White Flowers, Sagheer Ahmad, Zaibun Nisa, Muhammad Zeeshan Munir, Muhammad Imran, Shaista Nosheen, Kai Zhao

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

White flowers are an important element of natural beauty, although they are thought of colorless. Anthocyanins are the major compounds responsible for a variety of pigments in flowers. White flowers surely lack pigmented anthocyanins and other compounds, but there are regulatory mechanisms that hinder the deposition of color pigments in white flowers. Moreover, there are also some compounds that deposit to instigate white appearance and the genetic regulators control the biosynthesis and deposition of such compounds. Experts have shown that fluctuation in the equilibrium of FLS and DFR genes determines the degree of accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonols in the …

A Concise Study On Essential Parameters For The Sustainability Of Lagoon Waters In Terms Of Scientific Literature, Shuraik Kader, Morufu Olalekan Raimi, Velibor Spalevic, Austin-Asomeji Iyingiala, Raheem Waliyat Bukola, Lizny Jaufer, Talib E. Butt

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Agriculture encompasses both plant growing (agronomy, horticulture, and forestry) and animal husbandry. Aquaculture is the aquatic embodiment of agriculture. Lagoons are the main sources of aquaculture in various countries around the world which especially yield shrimp, finfish, macrophytes, and mollusk. Agricultural effluents are highly affecting the lagoon water quality parameters in Sri Lanka since most of the agricultural farmlands in the country are on coastal landmasses. It leads to the increased risks of lagoon water contamination. Therefore, it is essential to identify the water quality parameters affected by anthropogenic agricultural activities and establish their threshold limits for ensuring the sustainability …

Genetic Diversity, Heritability, Correlation Coefficient, And Path Analysis Of Forage Yield Components In Iranian Phalaris Aquatica L. Genotypes, Reza Mohammadi, Alireza Pourmohammad, Mohammad Bagher Hassanpouraghdam, Serap Di̇ler

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Twenty-six selected genotypes of Phalaris aquatica L. from Iranian germplasm were evaluated to evaluate the genetic diversity of some agromorphological characteristics. Each selected genotype was cloned and planted as spaced single plants according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in 2016 and 2017. Large and significant (p < 0.01) differences among genotypes were found for all traits. The estimates of broad sense heritability were low to high (h$^{2}$$_{b}$ = 0.16 - 0.75) for studied traits. High heritability estimates for dry matter yield (DMY) indicate a sufficient genetic variability for further improvement. There was the highest heritability rate and genetic advance for plant height and DMY. Selection for traits with high heritability and genetic advance can be successful. The dry matter yield cut 1 (DMY1) correlation with the number of days to flowering, number of days to pollination, plant height, and crown diameter cut 2 was positive and significant. In stepwise multiple linear regression, the plant height, number of stems per plant, and spike length explained more than 84% of the total variation of DMY1. The plant height was the most crucial component of DMY1. The path analysis showed that plant height positively affected DMY1 (0.83). The highest negative indirect effects on DMY1 were observed for plant height via the number of stems per plant (-0.238). Axes 1 and 2 of the principal coordinate analysis explained 40.94% and 18.48% of the variation, respectively, and, although not entirely separated, general groupings can be determined. In factor analysis, component 1 was positively associated with the traits dry matter yield cut 2 (DMY2) (0.855), dry matter yield (0.821), and plant height (0.755). Therefore, the first component can be called the biomass component. Finally, selection would be more effective in improving forage yield based on yield components. In conclusion, the results indicated appropriate genetic variability in the studied genotypes. However, the studied genotypes will deliver a valuable germplasm to employ in breeding programs for forage cultivar production. This progress is crucial in introducing these selected genotypes to develop a core collection of Phalaris aquatica germplasm in Iran.

Influence Of Cultivar And Fertilization Treatment On Bioactive Content Of Some Apple (Malus Domestica Borkh.) Cultivars, Dzevad Lavic, Mirjana Radovic, Jasmina Aliman, Nedim Badzak, Mirko Kulina, Alisa Hadziabulic, Gülçe İlhan, Crina Mureşan, Romi̇na Alina Marc

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The paper presents the chemical composition of the fruits of three apple cultivars (Jonagold Decosta, Red Idared and Gala Schnitzer Schniga) fertilized with three treatment: T$_{1}$ (control-without fertilization); T$_{2}$ (300 kg/ha NPK (6:18:36) + 150 kg/ha N (calcium ammonium nitrate-CAN)) and T3 (foliar nutrition-mixture organic-mineral fertilizer commercially named 'FitoFert Kristal' (0.6%) (10:40:10) + 'FitoFert Kristal' (0.6%) (20:20:20) + 'FoliFetril Ca' (0.5%) (N:Ca) in Bosnia and Herzegovina during two years (2020-2021). Significant differences of contents of soluble solids, total sugars, inverted sugars, sucrose, total phenolic content, content of flavonoids and antioxidant activity were found among cultivar/treatment combinations, cultivars, treatments and years. …

Combined Effects Of Biochar And Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Pseudomonas Putida Tsau1 On Plant Growth, Nutrient Uptake Of Wheat, And Soil Enzyme Activities, Dilfuza Egamberdieva, Burak Alaylar, Jakhongir Alimov, Zafarjon Jabbarov, Sonoko Bellingrath Kimura

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Many studies indicate the favorable effect of biochar on soil quality and plant fitness. A few studies on the biochar interactions with rhizosphere bacteria and their impact on plant development and nutrient acquisition have been reported. In this study, pot experiments in a glasshouse were performed to figure out the interactive effect of plant beneficial bacteria Pseudomonas putida TSAU6 and biochar amendment on the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth, nutrient uptake, and soil biological activity. The results demonstrated that root and shoot dry biomass of wheat grown in soil mixed with biochar and combined with P. putida TSAU1 were …

Comparative Growth, Hydraulic Conductivity, And Sap Flow Responses Of Seedlings Of Two Pyrus Species To Drought Stress, Sheng Yang, Bin Xie, Liulin Li

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting the advancement of the pear industry in the arid and semiarid regions of China. Currently, the production of pear seedlings mainly depends on the grafting propagation of rootstocks from Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge and Pyrus calleryana Decne. However, limited information is available on the drought stress potential of these rootstocks. Here, we conducted pot experiments with controlled watering conditions on both rootstocks' seedlings and compared their growth, plant hydraulic conductivity, and stem sap flow velocity. Both rootstocks' seedlings were challenged with three drought regimes i.e. light (LD), moderate (MD), and heavy (HD) …

Effect Of Row Spacing Under Maize-Soybean Relay Intercropping System On Yield, Competition, And Economic Returns, Muhammad Hayder Bin Khalid, Liang Cui, Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Ali Raza, Adeel Anwar, Zaheer Ahmed, Abdul Waheed, Amjad Saeed, Waqas Ahmed, Muhammad Jawad Babar, Shakeel Ahmad, Rezwan Tariq, Muhammad Maroof Ajmal, Ali Ahsan Bajwa, Hülya Doğan

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Interrow spacing of intercrop species directly affects yield and competition indices such as land equivalent ratio of intercropping. The objectives of this research were to analyze (i) the maize and soybean yields under different spatial arrangements in maize-soybean relay strip intercropping (MSR) and (ii) the interspecies competition to provide a basis for optimization of rowspacing in MSR. The field trial was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at the Research Farm of the Sichuan Agricultural University in Ya'an to determine the impacts of various interrow planting distances on yield and competition indices in cereal (maize crop)-legume (soybean crop) relay strip intercropping. …

Segregation Of Apple Cultivars On The Basis Of Main Fruit Physical And Chemical Properties And Antioxidant Activity, Tomo Milosevic, Nebojsa Milosevic, Nemanja Miletic

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study aims to analyze the essential physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of 25 apple commercial cultivars grown in Serbia during 2019 and 2020 in order to segregate the apples with the best size, shape, and also nutritious and health promoting values. The results showed that 'Morens Jonagore' and 'Red Boscop' had similar and the highest fruit weight (FW) whereas 'Golden Delicious', 'Hired', 'Red Chief' , and 'Morens Jonagored' had the highest and similar fruit length (L). The lowest both these values were found in 'Akane'. 'Red Boscop' had the highest fruit diameter (D), whereas the lowest had 'Galaxy'. Twenty-two …

Timber Talk, Vol. 61, No. 1, March 2023

Timber Talk: Nebraska Forest Industry Newsletter

Timber Talk, Vol. 61, No. 1, March 2023

Dataset For Manuscript: Comparing Performance Of Spectral Image Analysis Approaches For Detection Of Cellular Signals In Time-Lapse Hyperspectral Imaging Fluorescence Excitation-Scanning Microscopy, Silas J. Leavesley

BioImaging and BioSystems Research

The dataset contains raw and processed hyperspectral timelapse image data that are described in the manuscript:

Parker, M., Annamdevula, N. S., Pleshinger, D., Ijaz, Z., Jalkh, J., Penn, R., Deshpande, D., Rich, T. C. & Leavesley, S. J. Comparing Performance of Spectral Image Analysis Approaches for Detection of Cellular Signals in Time-Lapse Hyperspectral Imaging Fluorescence Excitation-Scanning Microscopy. Bioengineering 10, 642 (2023).

Analysis Of A Cathepsin Protease In Normal Development And Tumor Metastasis In Drosophila Melanogaster, Lindsey Fannin

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Cysteine cathepsins are an important class of fifteen proteases with involvement in normal development and tumor progression. To better understand their contribution to these processes, the cathepsin L protease in Drosophila melanogaster was studied. In part one of this project, the role of this cathepsin in the normal development of Drosophila wings was analyzed. The GAL4/UAS-system and RNAi were used to downregulate this cathepsin in various regions of the wing and progeny were inspected for phenotypic irregularities. An abnormal phenotype of curved wings was found and hypothesized to be a result of apoptosis. Further experimentation will be required to prove …

Integrated Vs. Specialized Farming Systems For Sustainable Food Production: Comparative Analysis Of Systems’ Technical Efficiency In Nebraska, Maroua Afi, Jay Parsons

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Complementarities between crops and livestock production have the potential to increase input use efficiency and maintain a diversified livelihood. This paper uses non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) to assess the technical efficiency (TE) of integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) compared to specialized cropping and specialized livestock systems in the state of Nebraska, in the central United States. We classify each county of Nebraska into one of three systems according to their dominant agricultural production revenues. We use DEA to measure the TE of each county compared, first, to a group production frontier (in-system comparison) and second, to a metafrontier (cross-system comparison). …

Measuring And Preliminary Modeling Of Drift Interception By Plant Species, Jonnie B. Dunne, Shanique L. Grant, Jeffrey A. Golus, Jeffrey W. Perine, Stefan Wolf, Michael Winchell, T. Mark Ledson, Ian Whenham

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Currently, the concept of plant capture efficiency is not quantitatively considered in the evaluation of off-target drift for the purposes of pesticide risk assessment in the United States. For on-target pesticide applications, canopy capture efficiency is managed by optimizing formulations or tank-mixing with adjuvants to maximize retention of spray droplets. These efforts take into consideration the fact that plant species have diverse morphology and surface characteristics, and as such will retain varying levels of applied pesticides. This work aims to combine plant surface wettability potential, spray droplet characteristics, and plant morphology into describing the plant capture efficiency of drifted spray …

Rabbit Anatomy: A Brief Photographic Atlas And Dissection Guide - Part I: Muscular System (Third Edition), Soma Mukhopadhyay, Lisa Ruggiero Wagner

Rabbit Anatomy: A Brief Photographic Atlas and Dissection Guide

No abstract provided.

Fair Domestic Allocation Of Monkeypox Virus Countermeasures, Govind C. Persad, R. J. Leland, Trygve Ottersen, Henry S. Richardson, Carla Saenz, G. Owen Schaefer, Ezekiel J. Emanuel

Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship

Countermeasures for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), primarily vaccines, have been in limited supply in many countries during outbreaks. Equitable allocation of scarce resources during public health emergencies is a complex challenge. Identifying the objectives and core values for the allocation of mpox countermeasures, using those values to provide guidance for priority groups and prioritisation tiers, and optimising allocation implementation are important. The fundamental values for the allocation of mpox countermeasures are: preventing death and illness; reducing the association between death or illness and unjust disparities; prioritising those who prevent harm or mitigate disparities; recognising contributions to combating an outbreak; …