Life Sciences Commons^™

Identification Of Rickettsia Prowazekii Methionine Aminopeptidase Inhibitors And Development Of Thermal Shift Assays For Burkholderia Pseudomallei Ispf And Sars-Cov-2 3cl Protease, Ishpriya Sharma

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

There is a crucial need for new antibacterial agents to combat the increase in antibiotic resistance. Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAp) is an enzyme that removes the amino-terminal methionine residue from newly synthesized proteins, an important step in the maturation of proteins. As such, MetAp is a target for the development of antibacterial and anticancer agents. One such bacterial target is Rickettsia prowazekii (Rp), the causative agent of epidemic typhus. To discover new inhibitors of RpMetAp1, the MMV Malaria Box, which is a collection of 400 compounds with drug-like and probe-like compounds, was screened using a high throughput fluorescence-based RpMetAp1 enzyme inhibition …

Wpa News 122 (2023), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (Winter 2023), number 122

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Foreword: Symbiotic Perspectives On The Processes Of Biology And Art, Scott F. Gilbert

Biology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Process Epistemologies For The Careful Interplay Of Art And Biology: An Afterword, S. R. Gilbert, Scott F. Gilbert

Biology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Rnai-Mediated Gene Silencing In The Exotic Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, Xyleborus Glabratus, And Insect-Fungal Interactions Within The Laurel Wilt Complex, Morgan Christine Knutsen

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Laurel wilt disease (LWD) is a lethal vascular disease impacting lauraceous hosts caused by Harringtonia lauricola, the fungal symbiont of the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus Eichoff) (RAB) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). LWD has caused tree mortality throughout the southeastern United States and is continuing to spread into new regions. Current management methods have not been successful in preventing spread, warranting investigation into innovative techniques including RNA interference (RNAi).

Elongation factor-1 alpha (ef1a) and actin (act) were established as stably expressed reference genes after exposing beetles to different photoperiod, temperature, and dsRNA exposure. After RAB oral …

Linking Previous Experiences To Behavior And Health In The Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera), Rebecca R. Westwick

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

An organism’s ability to respond to changing conditions can be vital to its success. Indeed, plasticity is a common feature of living organisms. Much of the research in this area, though, has focused on effects caused by environmental conditions. What has received relatively less attention is how social experiences and broader features of an organism’s social environment can lead to long-lasting changes in health and behavior. This knowledge gap exists despite the well-documented existence of health and behavioral effects after social interactions in certain taxa such as humans.

Social insects such as honey bees provide an excellent opportunity to better …

Epigenetic Regulation Of Insect Development, Yaoyu Jiao

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Insects undergo a series of distinct life stages such as egg, larva and pupa to develop into mature adults capable of reproduction throughout their life cycle. In the larval stage, insects experience the fastest growth with voracious feeding and multiple cuticle shedding resulting in hundreds-of-fold increasing of size. During metamorphosis, insects stop increasing body size but go through dramatic tissue transformation, developing wings and other adult features. The characteristic mode of insect development, especially the metamorphosis, makes insects the most successful group of animals on the earth. However, the epigenetic mechanisms behind insect development remain elusive. Studying the epigenetic regulation …

Community Cultivation: Understanding The Value Of The Partnership Between Garden City Harvest And Missoula County Public Schools, Lyris Daker

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

No abstract provided.

Methods For Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Of Biomphalaria Glabrata Nf-Κb, Marissa A. Zintel

Lawrence University Honors Projects

Biomphalaria glabrata is a species of freshwater snail that is an intermediate host to the parasite Schistosoma mansoni, a causative agent of human schistosomiasis. Substantial research has focused on the B. glabrata immune system, but progress is restricted by the limited molecular tools available for molluscan organisms. While many studies have described the anti-parasitic defenses of B. glabrata, the initiation and regulation of these defenses remain unclear. One important immune regulator, well known in both human and Drosophila immunology, is nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Research has shown that B. glabrata NF-κB transcripts are upregulated in response to …

Gangliogenesis And Embryonic Development In Biomphalaria Glabrata, Subhiksha Srinivasan

Lawrence University Honors Projects

Biomphalaria glabrata is an intermediate host for a parasitic species, Schistosoma mansoni, which can infect humans causing schistosomiasis. The majority of research conducted on these snails focuses on host-parasite relationships. Thus, very little is known regarding their nervous system, especially during embryonic and juvenile development. This project aims to investigate the transition from the embryonic nervous system consisting of a network of neurons to a developed ganglionic nervous system consisting of a separation between clusters of nerve cell bodies, or ganglia, and connectives. To investigate when this process, known as gangliogenesis, occurs, immunofluorescence is used to visualize the serotonergic nervous …

Parental Instincts: The Neurological And Biological Factors Associated With Parenthood, Jared Reeder

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The following project involves a systematic review of the scientific literature on neural and biological changes of mothers and fathers in parenthood. Until very recently, little scientific research was devoted to studying how bearing children affects a man or woman’s long-term biology. Over the last twenty years, studies of neuroplastic changes in new mothers show specific neural mechanisms responsible for altering the behaviors of mothers during and after pregnancy. These changes in neuroplasticity alter behavior in such a way that led to mothers requiring less sleep and being more prone to hearing the cries of their children. In addition to …

Contents 41(1–2)

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

No abstract provided.

Forty Years Of Change In Piute Cypress (Hesperocyparis Nevadensis), A Rare California Tree, After Frequent Fire And Drought, Amarina Wuenschel, Jim A. Bartel, Alexis Bernal

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

Piute cypress (Hesperocyparis nevadensis) is a rare cypress species endemic to the Lake Isabella region in the southern Sierra Nevada in California. Piute cypress groves have not been quantitatively studied in the last 40 years and with recent fires (some in short succession) and observed mortality, we had questions surrounding conditions in groves recovering from fire compared to other groves with no recorded fire histories. Piute cypress rarely survive fire and are obligate seeders with serotinous cones and, as such, require sufficient time after fire to grow to reproductive maturity to be able to withstand future fire. We …

Livestock Management In 2023 - 2024, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

Parts of WA have experienced below average rainfall resulting in feed limitations, with below average rainfall also predicted for the coming months. The feed shortage has been further compounded by limited slaughter space and reduced market prices for sheep.

Sheep industry economist, John Young, of Farming Systems Analysis Service was commissioned to look at the economics of some key decisions this season, taking into account current seasonal and market conditions.

WA sheep producers need to have plans in place early to monitor stock condition and make decisions about which classes of stock to keep. This will also include the feed …

How Do I Grow Tedera?, Daniel Real

Animal production and livestock published reports

The issue:

Livestock producers are faced with climate variability challenges and rising input costs while trying to maximise livestock productivity and profitability.

The impact:

Traditional or older pasture systems can limit production due to poor performance in dry periods or shorter production windows.

The opportunity:

Tedera is a resilient legume pasture that can fill feed gaps at a lower cost while offering livestock productivity gains.

Tedera: A Guide To Growing And Utilising This Perennial Pasture Legume, Daniel Real

Animal production and livestock published reports

The commercial release of a new pasture species is a rare and, potentially, important event. In the case of tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata) we have a novel perennial pasture legume with characteristics which set it apart from anything currently available to growers in Australia or internationally.

Specifically, it is a drought-tolerant, highly productive perennial pasture with the capacity to provide nutritious forage, especially when other feed sources are scarce. Its reaction to drought is in contrast with the few successful perennial legumes available for Mediterranean climatic zones, such as lucerne, as it retains green leaves when water stressed, allowing …

Nutritional & Colorectal Health, Tariq A. Alam, Brittany R. Rice, Sara B. Police

Journal of Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences

Kentucky has the highest incidence and mortality rate of all site cancers, and Kentuckians residing in the Appalachian region often have worse outcomes, where cancer is a leading cause of death. Focusing on colorectal cancer (CRC) specifically, Kentucky ranks first nationwide for incidence (50 cases per 100,000 people) and fifth for mortality (about 17 deaths per 100,000 people). The Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program increased screening rates and reduced mortality since its launch. Yet, CRC remains a leading cause of death for Kentuckians. Risk factors for CRC include increasing age as well as a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) …

Modelling Pollinator And Nonpollinator Selection On Flower Colour Variation, Brigitte Tenhumberg, Agnes S. Dellinger, Stacey D. Smith

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

1. Flower colour variation is ubiquitous within and between populations, which is why it has long been a focal point for studies of natural selection. This body of work has uncovered a wide range of selective agents, including pollinators, herbivores, and various abiotic factors. Nevertheless, we lack an integrative framework for predicting the phenotypic outcome in terms of floral pigmentation when these forces act collectively and often in opposition. 2. We here present such a framework through a model that incorporates selection on pigmentation at the vegetative phase (i.e., through survival to reproduction) and at the flowering phase (i.e., on …

Environmental Toxicants And Human B Cells: Insights From Crispr Editing And Genomic Sequencing, Clayton Allex-Buckner

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The human immunoglobulin heavy chain gene locus (IGH) has two 3 prime regulatory regions (3’IGHRR), each containing three enhancers (hs3, hs1.2, hs4). In animal models, the 3’IghRR regulates IgH expression and class switch recombination (CSR) to different Ig isotypes. The 3’IGHRR hs1.2 enhancer in humans is polymorphic in that an invariant sequence (IS) can be repeated one to four times in tandem. The hs1.2 polymorphism is of interest due to its association with several human autoimmune disorders and its potential sensitivity to exogenous substances such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin). In mouse models, TCDD inhibits the hs1.2 enhancer and 3’IghRR …

Regulation Of Erk3 By Kras Signalling And Its Role In The Growth Of Lung Adenocarcinoma (Luad) Cells, Shreya Akunapuram

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Extracellular signal related kinase 3 (ERK3) is one of the atypical mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK). It is expressed ubiquitously and plays a role in a variety of cellular processes, including cell growth and differentiation. ERK3’s role in promoting migration and invasion in various cancers has been well established. ERK3 is upregulated in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and has been shown to promote NSCLC tumor growth and progression. However, the regulation of ERK3 in lung cancers remains largely unclear. A recent study indicates that ERK3 phosphorylation at S189, an indicator of ERK3 activity, is upregulated by KRAS in NSCLCs. …

Xeroderma Pigmentosum Type A Deficiency Results In Increased Generation Of Microvesicle Particles In Response To Ultraviolet B Radiation And Solar Simulated Light Via Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Signaling Pathway, Pranali Sushil Manjrekar

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Increased vulnerability to the DNA-damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a hallmark of the uncommon genetic disorder Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP). The Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) route uses the DNA Damage Recognition and Repair component XPA to identify and get rid of damaged DNA segments. Although the solar UVB (290-320 nm) radiation is necessary for humans to produce vitamin D, it may also induce erythema and inflammatory reactions, and in some pathological situations, such as XPA deficiency, results in increased UV responses (photosensitivity). Our group has previously shown, using cell lines and mice, that increased synthesis of the lipid mediator …

The Effects Of Dexamethasone Administration On Physiological, Behavioral, And Production Parameters In Dairy Cows After A Difficult Calving, Turner H. Swartz, Dana Bryant, Hollie Schramm, Allison Duncan, Robin White, Cynthia Wood, Christina Petersson-Wolfe

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Dairy cows are predisposed to diseases during the postpartum period. Dystocia has been associated with increased risk for disease, which is likely the result of increased tissue trauma and stress during the prolonged parturition. To attenuate the inflammatory response seen in dystocic animals and improve well-being, we assessed the effects of a glucocorticoid, dexamethasone administered within 12 h after calving. Dystocia was defined as a difficult birth resulting in a prolonged calving (≥70 min after the amniotic sac appears) and was monitored through 3 video cameras in the close-up dry-cow pen. Cows meeting the dystocia definition were randomly …

Evaluation Of Reticuloruminal Temperature For The Prediction Of Clinical Mastitis In Dairy Cows Challenged With Streptococcus Uberis, Zelmer Rodriguez, Quinn K. Kolar, Kirby C. Krogstad, Turner H. Swartz, Llkyu Yoon, Barry J. Bradford, Pamela L. Ruegg

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Automated monitoring devices have become increasingly utilized in the dairy industry, especially for monitoring or predicting disease status. While multiple automated monitoring devices have been developed for the prediction of clinical mastitis (CM), limitations in performance or applicability remain. The aims of this study were to (1) detect variations in reticuloruminal temperature (RRT) relative to an experimental intramammary challenge with Streptococcus uberis and (2) evaluate alerts generated automatically based on variation in RRT to predict initial signs of CM in the challenged cows based on severity of clinical signs and the concentration of bacteria (cfu/mL) in the infected quarter separately. …

The Physiological And Psychological Performance Effects Of Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplements In Females During Resistance Training, Mariah L. Snyder

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

In recent years, the use of supplements to aid resistance training performance has increased, particularly through the consumption of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS). However, limited research exists regarding the efficacy of MIPS on physiological and psychological performance in resistance-trained females.

PURPOSE: To determine the physiological and psychological performance effects of MIPS compared to a placebo and caffeine-only supplement in resistance-trained females.

METHODS: Resistance-trained females (n=10) volunteered for the study. One-repetition maximum (1RM) was established at baseline for leg press (LP) and bench press (BP). A within-groups, double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced design was used to assign the four supplement drinks (i.e., …

The Impact Of Single-Gendered Versus Coeducational Physical Education Settings On Female Adolescent Body Image And Self-Esteem: Resisting The Weight Of Body Image And Self-Esteem Issues In Adolescence, Jamison H. Stockslager

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Resistance training is related to disease prevention, improved health, and positive psychosocial well-being in adults and adolescents. Further, resistance training is positively associated with body image and self-esteem. However, most adolescents do not meet activity guidelines, particularly for resistance training. Schools play an essential role for increasing physical activity. Little is known about the effects of different classroom formats for resistance training, i.e., single-gendered versus coeducational, on body image and self-esteem in female adolescents.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of single-gendered versus coeducational resistance training on body image and self-esteem in adolescent females. METHODS: High school females (n = 30) …

Laboratory Bioassays Of A Native Arkansas Isolate Of Metarhizium Robertsii (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) And The Biopesticide Met52® For The Control Of Amblyomma Americanum (Anactinotrichidea [=Parasitoformes]: Ixodidae)., Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is the predominant human-biting tick in Arkansas and a vector of multiple pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Increasing concerns over acaricide resistance and environmental contamination have prompted evaluation of alternative control strategies. We assessed the pathogenicity of a native Arkansas isolate of Metarhizium robertsii (Savoy P10N1) against laboratory-reared adult and nymphal A. americanum under controlled conditions. Ticks were immersed in a conidial suspension (1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml) and monitored for mortality and fungal sporulation for 77 days post-inoculation. Cumulative mortality followed a time-dependent logistic pattern, with significant fungal-induced mortality beginning at 14 …

Measuring How Kinetochore-Microtubule Detachment Contributes To Chromosome Movement And The Correction Of Attachment Errors, Melissa K. Parks

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The goal of mitosis is to achieve faithful chromosome segregation; ensuring that the daughter cells inherit equal numbers of chromosomes. This is vital to cell health and viability and if mis-regulated can result in birth defects and disease such as cancer. There are many intricately regulated processes that occur throughout mitosis to achieve proper chromosome segregation, and one such example is the dynamic attachments formed between cytoskeletal structures, known as microtubules, and chromosomes, the carriers of genetic material. These attachments occur at structures called kinetochores, and the microtubules attached here are referred to as kinetochore-microtubules (k-MTs). These k-MTs are inherently …

Context-Dependent Data-Envelopment-Analysis-Based Efficiency Evaluation Of Coastal Ports In China Based On Social Network Analysis, Yu Yu, Dai-Peng Ma, Guo-Ya Gan

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

An emerging trend in performance evaluation is combining social network analysis methods with data envelopment analysis (DEA) models and using network centrality methods to distinguish DEA results. One study employed an input-oriented variable-returns-to-scale DEA model to address referent decision-making units and the corresponding lambda values to construct a network. This study referenced the literature and improved on the use of DEA weight sets to construct a network. We employed a context-dependent DEA model to delineate multiple effective frontier planes, aggregate the reference set relationships on each frontier plane to construct a network relationship matrix, and assess the influences of the …

Research On Improving The Salary Structure Of Port State Control Officers In Taiwan, Te-Yi Chang, Wen-Chih Ho, Chung-Ping Liu, Yung-Wei Chen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The implementation of port state control (PSC) has been challenging in Taiwan due to the lack of port state control officers (PSCOs), and foreign ships berthing at ports in Taiwan that cannot be effectively inspected. PSCOs of Taiwan are subordinate to the public service system and restrained by the number of personnel by the Executive Yuan. Compared with similar professions, their salaries are significantly different from those of the industry, making recruiting and retaining PSCOs a difficult task. Accordingly, this study improved the salary structure of PSCOs by conducting field interviews with existing PSCOs in Taiwan and applying the Fuzzy-AHP …

Numerical Analysis Of Silencer With A Coiled Tube And Straight Perforated Tube Using Fem, Min-Chie Chiu, Ho-Chih Cheng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Marine diesel engine is essential on a ship, but emits extremely loud noise harmful to human hearing. Therefore, it is mandatory to use silencers to reduce the venting noise of the marine diesel engine. An advanced silencer with a new acoustical element of a curved tube, along with perforated holes, is presented to suppress the noise wave. To predict the silencer's acoustical performance for high-order waves, a finite element model was built using COMSOL. The influence of the silencer's noise reduction ability was investigated by exploring sensitivity using acoustical simulations on COMSOL, regarding the silencer's geometric factors. The results proved …