Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Curricular Change On Student Learning And Well-Being In Biomedical And Clinical Education, Rachel Jalaire Tomco Novak

Theses and Dissertations

The implementation of curriculum change, and innovative pedagogical theory, can help educators and administrators in higher education further the learning gains of students in the sciences. But the introduction of new methods of teaching, or curricular restructuring, can be interpreted by students differently, potentially affecting students' emotional states as well as their relationships with peers. To support not only the learning of students, but also their emotional and social well-being, pedagogical and curricular theory should be enacted in ways that take into consideration the full scope of the student experience. In this dissertation, the implementation of curriculum and pedagogical theory, …

Understanding The Microbial Biogeography Of Ancient Human Dentitions To Guide Study Design And Interpretation, Zandra Fagernäs, Domingo C. Salazar-Garcia, Maria Hadar Uriarte, Azucena Avilés Fernández, Amanda G. Henry, Joaquín Lomba Maurandi, Andrew T. Ozga, Irina M. Velsko, Christina Warinner

Biology Faculty Articles

The oral cavity is a heterogeneous environment, varying in factors such as pH, oxygen levels, and salivary flow. These factors affect the microbial community composition and distribution of species in dental plaque, but it is not known how well these patterns are reflected in archaeological dental calculus. In most archaeological studies, a single sample of dental calculus is studied per individual and is assumed to represent the entire oral cavity. However, it is not known if this sampling strategy introduces biases into studies of the ancient oral microbiome. Here, we present the results of a shotgun metagenomic study of a …

Albumin Knockout Mice Exhibit Reduced Plasma Free Fatty Acid Concentration And Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity, Afsoun Abdollahi, Brianna N. Dowden, Kimberly K. Buhman, Alyssa S. Zembroski, Gregory C. Henderson

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Circulating albumin is expected to play a significant role in the trafficking of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) between tissues, such as FFA transfer from adipose tissue to the liver. However, it was not yet known how disrupting FFA binding to albumin in circulation would alter lipid metabolism and any resulting impacts upon control of glycemia. To improve understanding of metabolic control, we aimed to determine whether lack of serum albumin would decrease plasma FFA, hepatic lipid storage, whole body substrate oxidation, and glucose metabolism. Male and female homozygous albumin knockout mice and C57BL/6J wild type controls, each on a …

The Impact Of Radiation Dose To Heart Substructures On Major Coronary Events And Patient Survival After Chemoradiation Therapy For Esophageal Cancer, Xin Wang, Nicolas L Palaskas, Brian P Hobbs, Jun-Ichi Abe, Kevin T Nead, Joerg Hermann, Steven H Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Simple Summary

Whether it is necessary to evaluate the radiation exposure of cardiac substructures when making radiotherapy plans is one of the current research hotspots. In this cohort study of 355 patients with esophageal cancer, the radiation dose to key coronary substructures such as the left anterior descending artery V30_Gy and mean left main coronary artery was closely associated with major coronary events and overall patient survival, and showed better predictive value than the mean heart dose or heart V30_Gy recommended by current guidelines. Our findings suggest that, in addition to the whole heart, key coronary substructures should …

Conventional Therapies Deplete Brain-Infiltrating Adaptive Immune Cells In A Mouse Model Of Group 3 Medulloblastoma Implicating Myeloid Cells As Favorable Immunotherapy Targets, Zahra Abbas, Courtney George, Mathew Ancliffe, Meegan Howlett, Anya C. Jones, Mani Kuchibhotla, Robert J. Wechsler-Reya, Nicholas G. Gottardo, Raelene Endersby

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Medulloblastoma is the most common childhood brain cancer. Mainstay treatments of radiation and chemotherapy have not changed in decades and new treatment approaches are crucial for the improvement of clinical outcomes. To date, immunotherapies for medulloblastoma have been unsuccessful, and studies investigating the immune microenvironment of the disease and the impact of current therapies are limited. Preclinical models that recapitulate both the disease and immune environment are essential for understanding immune-tumor interactions and to aid the identification of new and effective immunotherapies. Using an immune-competent mouse model of aggressive Myc-driven medulloblastoma, we characterized the brain immune microenvironment and changes induced …

Effective Dose Fractionation Schemes Of Radiotherapy For Prostate Cancer, Jose Alvarez, Kathleen M. Storey, Pavitra Kannan, Heyrim Cho

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Radiation therapy remains as one of the main cancer treatment modalities. Typical regimens for radiotherapy comprise a constant dose administered on weekdays, and no radiation on weekends. In this paper, we examine adaptive dosages of radiation treatment strategies for heterogeneous tumors using a dynamical system model that consist of radiation-resistant and parental populations with unique interactive properties, namely, PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines. We show that stronger doses of radiation given in longer time intervals, while keeping the overall dosage the same, are effective in PC3 cell lines, but not in DU145 cell lines. In addition, we tested …

Conservation Status Assessment Of The Egg-Mimic Darter (Percidae: Etheostoma Pseudovulatum) Using A Multi-Faceted Approach, Zachary L. Wolf, John W. Johansen, Rebecca E. Blanton

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

The imperiled Egg-mimic Darter (Etheostoma pseudovulatum) is a headwater-adapted fish restricted to an area less than 1000 km² in Tennessee. It is found in only six tributaries of the Duck River and the large, mainstem of this system may act as a barrier to dispersal, restricting population connectivity. The only status assessment of this species was over two decades ago; genetic diversity and the degree of population connectivity have never been evaluated. We conducted a conservation status assessment using a multi-faceted approach to better inform conservation management plans, including examining its current distribution, assessing habitat quality, estimating …

A Rulebook For Peptide Control Of Legume–Microbe Endosymbioses, Sonali Roy, Lena Maria Müller

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Plants engage in mutually beneficial relationships with microbes, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, for optimized nutrient acquisition. In return, the microbial symbionts receive photosynthetic carbon from the plant. Both symbioses are regulated by the plant nutrient status, indicating the existence of signaling pathways that allow the host to fine-tune its interactions with the beneficial microbes depending on its nutrient requirements. Peptide hormones coordinate a plethora of developmental and physiological processes and, recently, various peptide families have gained special attention as systemic and local regulators of plant–microbe interactions and nutrient homeostasis. In this review, we identify five 'rules' …

Wildlife Tracking Nrs 432, Michael Cerbo

Collection Development Reports and Documents

No abstract provided.

Wildlife Tracking Nrs 432x, Michael Cerbo

Collection Development Reports and Documents

No abstract provided.

Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Fire On Saipan, Cnmi, Ilan E. Bubb, Zachary B. Williams

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Sediment core studies from Saipan suggest that fires did not play a prominent role in the disturbance regime of the Mariana Islands and have increased in frequency since human settlement around 4,000 years ago. On Saipan fires are understood to interrupt the pattern of succession leading to the degradation of native limestone forests, the proliferation of grasslands and the eventual creation of badlands. Little baseline data regarding the spatial and temporal patterns of fire on Saipan exist to create effective Fire Management Plans. This project uses Landsat 8 images from April 2013 to July 2020 and the Normalized Burn Ratio …

The Nebraska Ranch Practicum, Jay Parsons, Travis Mulliniks, Troy Walz

Cornhusker Economics

The Nebraska Ranch Practicum is a multi-disciplinary, hands-on educational program designed to give participants the skills and education needed to succeed in today's ranching industry. The Practicum was established in 1999 as a “three-season” program designed to integrate information producers encounter throughout the beef production year into a framework for decision making. The Practicum seeks to improve decision-making skills, enhance stewardship of natural resources, improve skills critical for evaluation of ranching enterprises, and enhance ranch sustainability.

Combating Fungal Pathogens (Helminthosporium Solani, Pythium Ultimum) With Secondary Metabolites Of Streptomyces Bacteria, Erik W. Kemp

Theses and Dissertations

Fungal diseases, Pythium ultimum (Pythium leak) and Helminthosporium solani (silver scurf) have detrimental effects on potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum) quality and yield. Tubers are the world’s fourth largest agricultural food crop and are crucial for feeding a growing population. Bacteria from the genus Streptomyces are known for producing a wide variety of secondary metabolites with antifungal properties. Isolates of Streptomyces have recently shown inhibitory effects towards P. ultimum and H. solani in Petri dish assays. These data suggest that Streptomyces may work as a biocontrol to protect tubers from P. ultimum and H. solani. We tested talc-based powder formulas for …

The Transcription Factor Vpxlnr Is Required For The Growth, Development, And Virulence Of The Fungal Pathogen Valsa Pyri, Feng He, Alex-Machio Kange, Jie Yang, Jiaxin Xiao, Rongbo Wang, Lu Yang, Yifan Jia, Zhengqing Fu, Yancun Zhao, Fengquan Liu

Faculty Publications

Pears (Pyrus sp.) are widely cultivated in China, and their yield accounts for more than 60% of global pear production. The fungal pathogen Valsa pyri is a major causal agent of pear canker disease, which results in enormous losses of pear production in northern China. In this study, we characterized a Zn₂Cys₆ transcription factor that contains one GAL4 domain and a fungal-trans domain, which are present in VpxlnR. The vpxlnR gene expression was upregulated in the invasion stage of V. pyri. To investigate its functions, we constructed gene deletion mutants and complementary strains. We observed …

Cetacean Strandings In The Us Pacific Northwest 2000–2019 Reveal Potential Linkages To Oceanographic Variability, Amanda J. Warlick, Jessica L. Huggins, Dyanna M. Lambourn, Deborah A. Duffield, Dalin Nichole D'Alessandro, James M. Rice, John Calambokidis, M. Bradley Hanson, Joseph K. Gaydos, Multiple Additional Authors

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Studying patterns in marine mammal stranding cases can provide insight into changes in population health, abundance, and distribution. Cetaceans along the United States West coast strand for a wide variety of reasons, including disease, injury, and poor nutritional status, all of which may be caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Examining the potential drivers of these stranding cases can reveal how populations respond to changes in their habitat, notably oceanographic variability and anthropogenic activities. In this study, we aim to synthesize recent patterns in 1,819 cetacean strandings across 26 species in the Pacific Northwest from 2000 to 2019 to …

The Faith, Activity, And Nutrition (Fan) Dissemination And Implementation Study: Changes In And Maintenance Of Organizational Practices Over 24 Months In A Statewide Initiative, Sarah Wilcox Phd, Kelsey R. Day, Ruth P. Saunders, Danielle E. Jake-Schoffman, Andrew T. Kaczynski, Jessica Stucker, Caroline G. Dunn, John Bernhart Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Background

Few studies have examined the impact of ecological health promotion interventions on organizational practices over time, especially in faith-based settings. This statewide dissemination and implementation study examined change in organizational practices and their predictors across a 24-month period, as well as maintenance of change.

Methods

Using a pre-post quasi-experimental design, church coordinators from 92 United Methodist Churches in South Carolina (42% predominantly African American congregations) completed surveys at baseline, and immediate, 12-, and 24-months post-training regarding physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) organizational practices consistent with the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program (opportunities, policies, pastor support, messages) …

No-Till Farming And Greenhouse Gas Fluxes: Insights From Literature And Experimental Data, S. J. Ruis, H. Blanco-Canqui, P. J. Jasa, V. L. Jin

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Tillage intensity may differently impact gaseous losses of C and N to the atmosphere, but data from long-term experiments are relatively few. Yet, this information is needed to better understand C and N losses and gains in agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to determine how tillage intensity affects soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes (CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄) by comparing experimental data from moldboard plow (MP), chisel plow (CP), double disk (DD), and no-till (NT) soils after 38–40 yr of management in a rainfed corn (Zea mays L.)- soybean (Glycine …

Lee Isaac Chung, Minari (2020): Having An Amerikorean Life, Nagehan Uzuner

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

Minari by Lee Isaac Chung is a drama which chronicles the life of a Korean family who moves to the USA during 1980s in pursuit for a better life. The acculturation process is experienced differently by family members. Children are mostly bored with their new life in the rural area of Arkansas while their mother, Monica, is terrified of living in a mobile home which is made of a truck trailer in the middle of nowhere. Meanwhile, the grandmother joins the family from Korea to take care of the kids with a more positive approach dealing with their struggles. The …

Chapter 19 - Bacteria, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Volume 2: Bryological Interaction

Explore the contents of Bryophyte Ecology, Volume 2, Chapter 19 - Bacteria by clicking the links above. For the Contents section of this ebook, as well as Volumes 1 through 5, please visit the Bryophyte Ecology Main Page.

Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists.

The Unexpected Influence On Talent From Air Pollution, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

CUHK research shows air pollution in China is driving educated and skilled company executives to move away from highly polluted areas, hampering the performance of firms located there

Center For Grassland Studies, March 2022

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

Contents

New Course: Research Experiences in Grasslands by Dan Uden

Center for Grassland Studies Policy Advisory Committee

Director’s Column by Jerry Volesky (Interim Director)

Educational Trunk to Focus on Grasslands by Cheryl Dunn

Form a Team and Grab Your Clubs by Scott Holly

Collaborative Adaptive Management for the Barta Brothers Ranch by Craig Allen

Nebraska Range Short Course, June 20-23

Registration Opens for 2022 Nebraska Ranch Practicum by Troy Walz

Nebraska Sandhills Rates as World’s Most Intact Prairie by Scott Schrage

Nebraska Youth Range Camp, June 6-9, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Curtis, Nebraska

The Role Of Leaf Decomposition In Macroinvertebrate Colonization, Bethany Mabel Lian Schorr, Kevin Geedey

Independent Research Projects

Decomposition plays an important ecological role in carbon and nutrient cycling that supply food and energy resources to food webs. This study investigates the potential role that leaf decomposition of different leaf species may play in macroinvertebrate assemblages in upper Midwest streams. We hypothesized that the different decomposition rates experienced with different leaf species and in different streams would have an effect on invertebrate colonization due to the variance in nutrient availability. Due to altered fire regimes and other influences, forests are experiencing declines in fire-adapted, heliophytic species such as oaks and compositional shifts toward shade-tolerant, mesophytic species such as …

Male And Female Victims Experience Different Types Of Sexual Assault, Carolyn Allen, Samuel Payne, Julie Valentine

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

Intro:

• Sexual assault kits (SAKs) contain forensic evidence and are collected following an assault
• Most research on SAK processing has been done with combined male and female assaults
• 10% of victims are male
• There is lots of research on female victims, but very little research on male victims

Polymer Coated Urea Microplastics: Sweet Corn, Benjamin T. Geary, C. J. Seely, B. G. Hopkins

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

• Polymer Coated Urea (PCU) is beneficial for providing the food, fuel, and fiber needed for the nearly 8 billion people on earth.

• Microplastics, from a wide range of waste materials, pollute water bodies.

• One potential source of microplastics are from PCU fertilizers if the coatings are transported overland into water bodies.

• Various agricultural application methods vary in potential for surface runoff.

Objective • Determine the microplastic concentrations from runoff water for strip injection, surface unincorporated, and broadcast incorporated application in sweet corn.

Low-Cost Prosthetic Feet For Underserved Populations: A Comparison Of Gait Analysis And Mechanical Stiffness, Kaleigh Renninger, Brevin Banks, Dustin A. Bruening

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

• Lower limb loss is an ongoing cause of disability throughout the world.
• Despite advancements in prosthetic technologies, there are numerous underserved populations in need of effective low-cost prosthetic foot options.

In-Class Evolution Discussions Change Bible Interpretation, Jessica Abele

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

Conflict between religion and evolution is a major barrier for religious biology students. Educators have been working to increase evolution acceptance by using a variety of methods (e.g., increasing evolution knowledge, addressing creationism in class, etc.) with little success. However, recent research shows using a reconciliatory approach to evolution and religion increases evolution acceptance while overall religiosity is unaffected (Lindsay et al., 2019).

Genes Critical For Flagellar Motility In Agrobacterium Fabrum, Audrey Memmott, Joel Griffitts

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

The flagellum contains 24 structural proteins that are vital for bacterial motility and virulence (Liu). Additionally, these structural proteins must be assembled in the correct order and orientation for a bacterium to be motile via its flagellum (Armitage). Our current knowledge regarding the flagellum is limited, however, because the majority of it comes from studies focused on Escherichia coli. To increase existing knowledge regarding the flagellum and the genes vital for its functionality, we attempted to define all the genes vital for flagellar motility in A. fabrum by analyzing motility when specific genes are disrupted.

Dietary And Energetic Trends Of The Invasive Asian Shore Crab, Tanner Reese, Blaine D. Griffen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

The Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus , is an invasive crab species that lives on the East Coast of the United States. It has become an important part of its invaded ecosystems and their energetic interactions. We studied this species’ energetics to better understand how they vary across season and latitude.

• The ratio of gut width to carapace width (“standardized gut size”) is indicative of long term diet quality in crabs (a larger gut corresponds to a lower average diet quality) (Griffen & Mosblack 2011)
• We measured standardized gut size and gut energy content to examine how this species’ diet …

The Effects Of Exercise On Inflammatory Biomarkers Over A 36-H Fast, Austin F. Duersch, Bruce W. Bailey, Landon S. Deru, Jacob Coleman, Hunter Chamberlain, Spencer Cleverly

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

Diet-induced chronic inflammation has become a popular point of discussion over recent years in lifestyle medicine as studies have uncovered the effects that inflammation markers have on chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Each time we eat, an immune response is stimulated resulting in increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers.1,2 Interventions to help lower inflammation could help promote longevity and decrease risk of chronic diseases. This study assessed the impact of an acute 36h fast with and without exercise at the beginning on inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, C-peptide, GIP, MCP-1, and TNF-alpha.

Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening According To Health Professional Counseling And Age In The United States, Seth A. Otto, Ray M. Merrill

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2022

To determine the prevalence of PSA testing in men according to age, reasons for undergoing testing, and whether a discussion about harms and benefits took place with a doctor prior to testing.