Life Sciences Commons^™

The Nested Embryonic Dorsal Domains Of Bmp-Target Genes Are Not Scaled To Size During The Evolution Of Drosophila Species, Juan Sebastian Chahda, Priscilla Ambrosi, Claudia M. Mizutani

Faculty Scholarship

Egg size is a fast-evolving trait among Drosophilids expected to change the spatial distribution of morphogens that pattern the embryonic axes. Here we asked whether the patterning of the dorsal region of the embryo by the Decapentaplegic/Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 (DPP/BMP-4) gradient is scaled among Drosophila species with different egg sizes. This region specifies the extra-embryonic tissue amnioserosa and the ectoderm. We find that the entire dorsal region scales with embryo size, but the gene expression patterns regulated by DPP are not proportional, suggesting that the DPP gradient is differentially scaled during evolution. To further test whether the DPP gradient can …

Program And Proceedings: Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2022, 142nd Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Thirty-Second Annual Meeting, April 22, 2022

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program

Aeronautics and Space Science

Anthropology

Applied Science and Technology

Biological Sciences

Biomedical Sciences

Chemistry

Earth Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Physics

2022 Maiben Lecture: Dan Sitzman

2022 Friend of Science Award: Julie Sigmon and Chris Schaben

Exploring The Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol Use, And Obsessive Compulsive Disorder In The Hca Animal Model, Erick Alvarado, Ayanna Bailey, Sabrina Blank, Lindsey Boltz, Corine Lafrenier, Molly Poel

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

An estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some point during their lifetime. While the prevalence of bipolar disorder is similar among males and females, it is becoming increasingly obvious that symptoms and comorbidities of the disorder can vary widely between men and women. Recent research has shown that men diagnosed with bipolar disorder are more likely to exhibit alcohol use disorders and obsessive compulsive behaviors while women have a higher incidence of panic disorder comorbidity. In order to develop effective treatment for the disorder, it is important to use an animal model that reflects these sex-dependent differences. …

Early Prenatal Exposure To Homocysteic Acid Leads To Alterations In Behavior And Gene Expression That Are Consistent With Bipolar Disorder, Kelly Bosis, Gabriella Taylor, Anna Lunderberg, Stephanie Simko

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

We have previously demonstrated that early post-natal exposure of rat pups to the NMDA receptor agonist, homocysteic acid (HCA) from P3-P21 leads to the development of mixed manic/depressive behaviors following puberty. The manic behaviors are effectively reversed by lithium treatment, and the depressive behaviors are reversed by acute ketamine treatment. Thus, HCA appears to induce a bipolar-like phenotype in rats. The goal of this study was to determine whether HCA exposure also induces gene expression changes that are consistent with a bipolar phenotype. Microarray analyses were performed on tissue obtained from the prefrontal cortices of saline- and HCA-treated rats at …

The Effects Of Anthropogenic Disturbances On The Auditory Processing Of The House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus), Linda Nduwimana, Emma Yonker, Sarah Grimes, Suihnem Mawi, Eliza Lewis

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

Animal communication involves a sender producing a signal (e.g., vocalizations) that travels through the environment before being detected by a receiver. Although we know how senders can vary in signal production, relatively little is known about how receivers process these signals. The recent increase in urbanization can further complicate receiver sensory processing as anthropogenic activities (e.g., noise pollution) affects the way birds communicate. This study aims to investigate the influence of urbanization on the auditory processing system of house sparrows (Passer domesticus). House sparrows are an ideal model because they inhabit urban areas and rely on vocal cues from …

Effect Of Caffeine Supplementation On Tennis Serve Velocity And Accuracy During Simulated Match Play, Colton Kloote, Dane Christensen, Tyler Koran, Danielle Mitchell, Grant Barrett

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

The purpose of this study is to determine the acute effects of caffeine ingestion on serve velocity and accuracy in collegiate tennis players during simulated match play. Previous research has shown some effect of caffeine on serve performance in later stages of a simulated match, but little research has been completed on the acute effects of caffeine in a shorter match. Further, there is limited research on realistic tennis play involving serves interspersed with rallies. Participants will include 8 male and female tennis players from the Hope College tennis team. The study will incorporate a double-blind design. Each participant will …

Examining The Relationship Between Heart Rate And Perceived Exertion During A Division Iii Women’S Basketball Season, Natalie Hoffman, Taylor Vines, Mikayla Roman

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

BACKGROUND: “Internal load” represents the physiological and psychological stress experienced by athletes during training and competition. The ability to accurately monitor and assess an athlete’s internal load can be valuable for both training purposes and injury prevention. Advances in wearable technology provide the ability to objectively quantify an athlete’s internal load via the continuous measurement of heart rate (HR). This HR data can be used to determine an athlete’s training impulse (TRIMP) which is a validated measure of internal load. An athlete’s ability to self-monitor their perceived exertion during practice (sRPE) might also prove helpful in assessing internal load. However, …

The Comparison Of Physiological Demands In Experienced Climbers When Climbing Top Rope Versus Lead Rope, Natalie Hoffman, Emma Johnson, John Riordan, Lindsay Lane

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

Rock climbing is an up and coming sport that was recently added to the Summer Olympics. There are different variations of rock climbing and this study focused on the comparison between lead rope and top rope. Previous research has compared the physiological demands while climbing routes at different inclines. Additionally, many studies have observed changes in heart rate while climbing, but few have studied breathing rate and caloric expenditure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses (heart rate, respiratory rate and caloric expenditure) and rate of perceived exertion of experienced rock climbers when climbing top …

The Psychological And Physical Effects Of Power Posing On Running Performance, Anna Cole, Emma Cole, Alyssa Klaver, Erin Kloostra, Alison Plasman

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

Extant literature suggests that body positioning prior to a high stakes event can influence performance (Cuddy et. al, 2012). Participants who performed a high-power pose (an open and expansive position of dominance) before a mock job interview were rated significantly higher on perceived confidence by the interviewer when compared to the participants performing a low power pose (a closed and constricted body position). Participants who engaged in the higher power pose reported higher feelings of preparedness and self-confidence. As a result, these individuals tended to have stronger presentation and speech quality. High power posing has also been found to decrease …

Effects Of A Four-Week Stretching Program On Shoulder Range Of Motion And Throwing Velocity Among Collegiate Baseball Players, Keaton Hamilton, Arinn King, Julia Lalain, Gracie Devore, Mical Knafel

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

Chronic static stretching programs have been reported to increase shoulder range of motion (ROM), but no study has examined how this increase may affect throwing velocity in overhead athletes. It was hypothesized that a 4-week stretching program would increase the ROM of the glenohumeral joint and also increase throwing velocity among collegiate baseball players. Baseline shoulder ROM and overhand throwing velocity were assessed before participants were matched into either a control group (CON, n=7) or an experimental group (STRETCH, n=8). The STRETCH group then performed two sets of two stretches (the cross-body stretch and the sleeper stretch), 30 seconds each, …

Sex Differences In Hormone-Modulated Neuroplasticity In The Songbird (Serinus Canarius), Paige A. Massa, Elianna E. Sandman, Anders P. Bogard, Matthew Czmer

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

In temperate zone species such as canaries (Serinus canaria) the neural circuitry regulating song behavior undergoes well-defined changes across the seasons. In males, increased daylengths in spring initiates an increase in gonadal volumes and circulating testosterone driving marked changes in brain morphology and song frequency. Females given exogenous testosterone in adulthood also demonstrate male-like changes in brain morphology and song behavior. More specifically, the telencephalic nucleus HVC (acronym is proper name), a key nucleus for song production, undergoes well-defined seasonal changes in neuroplasticity with a high rate of neurogenesis mediating marked changes in HVC volume. Much is known about the …

Peer Relationships, Social Media Use, And Sport Commitment, Julia Dawson

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

Extant work suggests peers play a vital role in shaping athletes’ positive and negative sporting experiences. Recent descriptive work has explored the importance of peers in sport by examining friendship quality and relevant motivation constructs (Weiss & Smith, 2002). Although evidence suggests quality sport friendship can foster sport participation, limited work has examined social interactions through social media. The primary purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive account of social media use and satisfaction among youth sport athletes. A secondary purpose was to examine social media use and satisfaction as predictors of sport friendship quality dimensions (positive friendship …

Notes On Eastern North American Lepidoptera, Harry Pavulaan, Annette Allor

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

New natural history elements and distribution records of several North American butterflies are reported. While diversity and distribution of butterflies in the eastern United States is commonly believed to be fully known, the findings presented here show that much is yet to be learned of our butterfly fauna.

Includes:

1. Pages 1-9

Celastrina ladon and C. neglecta (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) Are Distinct Species Differentiated Primarily by a Diagnostic Wing Scale Structure, Voltinism, and Host Tolerance of Cornus florida.by Harry Pavulaan (International Lepidoptera Survey)

Abstract. With continued confusion of the two species by naturalists, Celastrina neglecta (W. H. Edwards) is here …

The Effect Of Serotonin On Males’ Neural And Behavioral Mechanisms To Female Ultrasonic Vocalizations And Urine In The House Mouse (Mus Musculus), Madisyn Kovacs

21st Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2022)

Animals communicate with multimodal signals (e.g., a mix of auditory, visual, or olfactory information) spanning several modalities; these signals may provide receivers with more complete information to allow for more accurate behavioral decisions. Past research suggests that serotonin plays a role in encoding multimodal social information (e.g., social partner presence) during communication events. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, no experiments have explicitly tested this hypothesis. 5-HTP, a precursor for serotonin, has been shown to increase serotonin in a region of the auditory midbrain, and is affected by social context. In our experiment, we asked the question: Does an increase in 5-HTP …

Assessing Environmental Factors That Influence Cyanobacterial Blooms In Skinn Lake, Kloe Atwood

Honors Projects

Global lakes are experiencing an increase in toxic algal blooms that can be damaging to the environment. These blooms are caused by cyanobacteria, specifically a species called Planktothrix. Skinn Lake, in Ohio, is a location of a cyanobacterial bloom that is mainly populated by Planktothrix rubescens. This lake was further examined to identify the major toxin-producing bacteria and identify environmental microbes surrounding the bloom. When the data was examined it was found that the microbiomes of the lake greatly differed between the winter (bloom) months and the summer (non-bloom) months. This difference can be viewed within the nutrient analysis from …

The Effects Of Increasing Ocean Temperatures On The Survivorship Of A Subtropical Population Of The Sea Urchin Arbacia Punctulata, Rhianna Clemons

Undergraduate Theses

Most sea urchin species have critical ecological roles in their ecosystems, such as keystone grazers. There is an increasing need to understand the impacts of rising temperatures on species that are vital to the health of their environments. Studies have shown that increasing temperatures may significantly negatively affect several important biological processes including reproduction, development, and excretion in many species including sea urchins. However, very little is known about the sea urchin species Arbacia punctulata. In this study, individuals were exposed to 21˚C (control, n = 12) and 27˚C (experimental, n = 12) for seven days, and survivorship was …

The Effects Of A Short Term Mindfulness Meditation Intervention On Arousal, Perceived Exertion, And Affective Responses To High Intensity Interval Exercise, Macy Berghoff

Undergraduate Theses

Purpose: To determine the effects of a 2 week mindfulness meditation intervention on felt arousal state, perceived exertion, and post exercise affective states in response high intensity interval exercise. Methods: Participants (N = 17, 20.3 ± 1.2 yr) completed baseline exercise testing and were then randomly assigned to a mindfulness meditation treatment group (MF) or a reading active control group (RC). Participants completed two weeks (70 total minutes) of their assigned intervention, then completed the same exercise testing protocol at post testing. Outcome variables assessed were: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Felt Arousal State (FAS), and 7 …

Mov 300: Kinesiology Oer Curation, Chealsye Bowley

Curated OER Collections

This OER curation is an annotated bibliography of prospective OER for the GVSU course MOV 300: Kinesiology, assembled by request from the instructor.

The Effect Of Estrogen On Gdnf Production Of Skeletal Muscle In Vitro, Hope Welter

Honors Theses

As life expectancy continues to rise, the number of people over age 65 in the U.S. is increasing. An aging population brings with it impacts on the national health system and associated economic expenditures. As individuals age, the skeletomuscular system suffers reduced function due to disease or conditions such as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterized by muscular atrophy resulting from reduced muscle innervation. Exercise has been linked to prevention of sarcopenia, a suspected result of increased production of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). GDNF promotes neuronal survival, regeneration, and the formation of neuromuscular junctions. Therefore, treatments like exercise that increase …

Literature Review On Outer Hair Cell Regeneration And Potential Hearing Restoration, Serena Karlov

Honors Theses

The cochlea is the portion of the inner ear responsible for hearing, containing both the organ of Corti and auditory hair cells. Sound wave vibrations mechanically bend the stereocilia on the three rows of outer hair cells and one row of inner hair cells. These hair cells transduce this mechanical energy into electrical impulses that are relayed from the auditory nerve to the brain, where sounds are processed. In this review I provide an overview of inner ear anatomy, ear physiology, and auditory transduction. I then move on to specifically focus on the importance of outer hair cells, their regeneration, …

Assemblage Composition And Vertical Distributions Of Deep-Sea Anglerfishes (Suborder: Ceratioidei) Of The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Kimberly S. Schmutz

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The bathypelagic zone, despite being the largest cumulative ecosystem on the planet, represents the largest data gap in biological oceanography. In a deep environment with no solar light and pressures so high that survival is impossible for most marine organisms, some species have been able to adapt and overcome these challenges to radiate into diverse and successful taxa. Among the most notable of these successful taxa are the deep-sea anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei). Ceratioid anglerfishes possess unique adaptations such as a symbiotic bioluminescent lure (females) and extreme dwarfism (males) that make them a particularly interesting group to study. Despite this research …

Examining The Perspectives And Experiences Of Nutrition Educators Working With Clients In Substance Use Recovery Settings, Cora Teets, Paula Plonski, Omolola Adedokun, Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Substance use disorder (SUD) is one of the most detrimental health, social, and economic problems in the United States. Limited studies suggest providing tailored nutrition education during SUD treatment correlates with positive recovery outcomes. The University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program conducted two focus group sessions to explore and determine educators’ instructional and programmatic needs who deliver nutrition education to clients in substance use recovery throughout Kentucky. The study team identified four emerging themes and several subthemes related to Nutrition Education Program educators working with clientele in recovery. The four emerging themes included: (1) current experiences working with the audience, …

Unifying Multi-State Efforts Through A Nationally Coordinated Extension Diabetes Program, Laura Balis, Shari Gallup, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Julie Buck, Pam Daniels, Dan Remley, Lisa Graves, Margaret Jenkins, Gayle Price

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

The Cooperative Extension System translates research to practice and “brings the University to the people” throughout the U.S. However, the system suffers from program duplication and is challenged to scale-out effective programs. One program, Dining with Diabetes (DWD), stands out for its dissemination to multiple states. DWD is a community-based program aimed at improving diabetes management, nutrition, and physical activity behaviors. DWD was coordinated through a national working group and implemented by state Extension systems. A pragmatic, quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the national coordination model and the overall impact of DWD. Four states reported data …

Synthesis Of Zinc Oxide Nanorodes By Hydrothermal Method At Low Temperature, Shamsiddin Urolov, Novruz Nurolliyev, Sardor Eshboboyev, Sirojiddin Rakhmatov

Scientific reports of Bukhara State University

Annotation. Today, the need for energy is the most pressing and urgent need in the world. Therefore, scientific approaches in the world place great emphasis on energy. Alternative energy sources play a key role in electricity generation. Nuclear power plants and thermal power plants are harmful in terms of safety and emissions to nature. To solve such problems, it is preferable to use alternative energy sources. Methods. In this article, it is necessary to obtain a semiconductor crystal material to generate alternative energy. In order to obtain such a semiconductor crystalline material, the main task in the article is to …

Metabolism, Cognition, And Male Coloration In Eastern Mosquitofish, Katelyn Ashleigh Giltner

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Long Noncoding Rna Zfp36l2-As Functions As A Metabolic Modulator To Regulate Muscle Development., Bolin Cai, Manting Ma, Jing Zhang, Shaofen Kong, Zhen Zhou, Zhenhui Li, Bahareldin Ali Abdalla, Haiping Xu, Xiquan Zhang, Raman Akinyanju Lawal, Qinghua Nie

Faculty Research 2022

Skeletal muscle is the largest metabolic organ in the body, and its metabolic flexibility is essential for maintaining systemic energy homeostasis. Metabolic inflexibility in muscles is a dominant cause of various metabolic disorders, impeding muscle development. In our previous study, we found lncRNA ZFP36L2-AS (for "ZFP36L2-antisense transcript") is specifically enriched in skeletal muscle. Here, we report that ZFP36L2-AS is upregulated during myogenic differentiation, and highly expressed in breast and leg muscle. In vitro, ZFP36L2-AS inhibits myoblast proliferation but promotes myoblast differentiation. In vivo, ZFP36L2-AS facilitates intramuscular fat deposition, as well as activates fast-twitch muscle phenotype and induces muscle atrophy. Mechanistically, …

Food For Thought: The Relationship Between Nutrition And Academic Performance, Sarah Freeman

Honors Projects in Science and Technology

Nutrition has been shown to impact the level of cognitive function in individuals. Through the analysis of nutritional diets, this new research will aim to uncover the impact that diet has on cognitive function of Bryant University students by analyzing their ability to perform on a variety of cognitive assessments. This study will provide recommendations to students at Bryant University on what they should eat so they can perform their best academically. This research will also investigate whether Bryant University is offering the best food for students to eat setting them up for success.

Roles Of Phospholipase Dε In Arabidopsis And Soybean Response To Nitrogen Deficiency, Shuaibing Yao

Dissertations

Phospholipase D (PLD) hydrolyzes phospholipids to produce phosphatidic acid (PA) and plays important roles in plant growth, development, and stress response. Of 12 PLDs in Arabidopsis, PLDε is involved in nitrogen response in Arabidopsis and canola, but the mechanism remained elusive. This study was undertaken to investigate how PLDε mediates plant response to nitrogen availability. Nitrogen deficiency induces an increase in PLDε transcript and protein levels and an increased association with intracellular membranes. PLDε interacts with autophagy-related protein 8e (ATG8e), and two of the four predicted ATG8-interacting motifs in PLDε are required for PLDε-ATG8e interactions. PLDε hydrolyzes phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) conjugated …

Coming Face-To-Face With The Influence Of Priming And Attentional Bias On Perception Of Emotional Faces, Alyssa Stephens, Carole Scherling Phd

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Unconscious emotional facial priming may affect subsequent actions, thoughts, and feelings in individuals (LeMoult et al., 2012). Previous work has shown that positive and negative emotional priming leads to subsequent judgments of neutral faces as positive and negative, respectively (Fazio et al., 1986). Further, emotional engagement levels of approach (ex. happiness, anger) and withdrawal (ex: sadness) elicit different affective responses (Lang, 1977). The current study subliminally primed participants with a 3x4 image matrix, either presenting 12 positive approach (happy), negative approach (angry), or negative withdrawal (sad) faces for 200 ms. Each matrix was followed by a single neutral face image …

Generating Improved Rna Localization Reporters Using The U1hp-U1a System, Ryan Dannemiller, Rebecca Adams Phd

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Generating Improved RNA Localization Reporters Using the U1hp-U1A System

Ryan Dannemiller, Rebecca Adams, PhD. Belmont University, Nashville, TN.

Messenger mRNA (mRNA) is genetic material that is used to bridge between DNA in the nucleus and protein-making machinery in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. The processes of transcription and translation are physically separated, so the localization of mRNA dictates whether the encoded protein can be generated. In order to observe the localization of specific transcripts in response to stimuli, tools are needed to track location of mRNA. For example, in response to heat shock and ethanol stress, most mRNA is retained …