Life Sciences Commons^™

Plaster Creek Stewards – Urban Habitat Restoration With Green Team, Jia Luchs, Clare Doss, Rachel Warners, David Warners, Deanna Geelhoed

Summer Research

We worked alongside the high school students of the Green Team with our mentor Rachel Warners on various Plaster Creek Projects. We joined PCS in restoring our watershed through native landscaping, meeting community leaders, learning about environmental injustice, hearing about careers in the environmental field, and learning in the classroom about watershed ecology and reconciliation. A key focus of our work is to develop personal relationships with the students and to be an open and relatable resource of what college life is like and our vocational journeys to get there. During our days together we learned about each other’s diverse …

Dr. Laurie L. Consaul Herbarium (Uwo), Lauren H. Rego

Community Engaged Learning Final Projects

Along with the provided databased species, students scanned 257 specimens within the physical herbarium at Wester.

Decolorization Of Synthetic Textile Dyes By Fungal Endophytes Isolated From The Leaves Of Philippine Mangrove (Avicennia Marina), Steve P. Obanan, Resureccion B. Sadaba, Pamela Alva-Gatchalian, Annabelle V. Cadiz, Evelyn M. Basilio, Dennis B. Bela-Ong

Biology Faculty Publications

Textile dyes in wastewater can be harmful pollutants when released into the environment without treatment. Biodegradation of textile dye effluents by different microbes, including fungi, has become popular as an alternative to physicochemical methods. The mangrove Avicennia marina is known to harbor endophytic fungi which have the potential to carry out dye degradation. Therefore, this study assessed the ability to decolorize synthetic dyes of endophytic fungi isolated from the leaves of A. marina. Of the nine fungal endophytes, Aspergillus niger, Syncephalastrum racemosum and Penicillium citrinum exhibited the highest mycelial growths in solid media, while all endophytes adsorbed Congo red. Through …

Mississippi Sandhill Crane Conservation Update 2017–2019, Scott G. Hereford, Angela J. Dedrickson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

To manage crane habitat on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge during 2017-2019, 5,822 ha were treated with prescribed burns, 648 ha of woody vegetation were removed, 97 ha of invasive plants were chemically treated, and 1.2 ha of crops were planted. Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) use responded to habitat treatment; 348 of 349 VHF radio locations were in treated areas. There were 316 target predators removed. Eighteen captive-reared juveniles were acclimated and released. We detected an average of 38 nests per year, including a record 40 nests in 2019. Fifteen chicks fledged in 2019, …

Twenty-Year Status Of The Eastern Migratory Whooping Crane Reintroduction, Hillary L. Thompson, Nicole M. Gordon, Darby P. Bolt, Jadine R. Lee, Eva K. Szyszkoski

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Since the 10-year status update in 2011, the first parent-reared whooping cranes (Grus americana) were released in the Eastern Migratory Population, the ultralight program (UL) ended, and cranes were released at new sites in eastern Wisconsin. During 2011-2020, 117 captive-reared whooping cranes were released; 75 costume-reared (35 in UL and 40 in the Direct Autumn Release program) and 42 parent-reared. There were no significant differences in 1- or 3-year survival rates based on rearing technique or release site. The population size remained at about 100 cranes during 2010-2018 but then decreased during 2018-2020 due to a reduced number …

Drivers Of Annual Fledging In The Mississippi Sandhill Crane Population 1991–2018, Henry W. Woolley, Scott G. Hereford, Jerome J. Howard

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We studied trends in nesting, number of chicks fledged annually, and their environmental and biotic drivers in the wild population of Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) on Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge during 1991-2018. Population size, number of nests, and number of chicks fledged annually increased slowly but significantly over the course of the study. Increases in population size were related to both number of wild-reared chicks fledged annually and number of captive-reared chicks released each year, but wild-reared chicks had significantly higher survivorship than captive-reared chicks. Hurricanes transiently raised mortality rates but only Hurricane Katrina …

The Impact Of Marking On Cranes: An Issue Paper, Anne E. Lacy, Barry K. Hartup, David A. Brandt

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

As crane researchers and conservationists, our overarching objective is to learn and gather information about our study subjects while doing as little harm as possible. New technologies may be emerging too rapidly for researchers to assess the effectiveness or potential adverse effects of the devices, despite the ease and increasing accuracy of the information they provide. Researchers need to be able to gather information to answer various questions in a way that balances ethics and expense. With marking of cranes as a focal point, we discuss issues surrounding crane research based on various techniques, some health issues that are a …

Effects Of Vegetation In A Water Budget, Case Study At Christ Church, Adrian Joseph Poh, Julie Wildschut

Summer Research

Stormwater runoff is an increasing problem in developing cities and nations Solution: Detention Ponds, Rain Gardens & Permeable parking lots Detention Ponds detain water and release water at a controlled rate which reduces stormwater runoff, but discussions of increasing the effectiveness of a detention pond by incorporating green infrastructure is often in consideration. This research aims to study the effects of having a fully vegetative detention pond with varying native plant species

The Electronic Structure Of Atoms: A New Approach, Jackson Ross, Krista Zogg, Katherine Selvaggio, Roger Dekock

Summer Research

No abstract provided.

Kinase-Catalyzed Labeling To Identify Kinase-Substrate Pairs Using Γ-Phosphate Modified Atp Analogs, Rachel Beltman

Wayne State University Dissertations

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are responsible for a variety of cellular processes. One such PTM is protein phosphorylation, which is catalyzed by kinases. Kinase enzymes play important roles in cellular signaling pathways, but dysregulation of kinase-mediated events results in the formation of diseases, which make kinases favorable drug targets. To uncover the role kinases play in the development of diseases, kinase-mediated cellular events need to be better understood. The current gap in the field is the lack of tools available to identify the kinase that is responsible for specific phosphorylation events within the cell. To improve the gap in the field, …

Small G- Protein Regulators Of Islet Beta Cell Function, Suhadinie Sameera Gamage

Wayne State University Dissertations

Defects in insulin secretion from pancreatic islet beta- cells leads to long term complications such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mechanism and regulation of glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) as well as factors contributing to pancreatic islet beta-cell demise are yet poorly understood. Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), a small G- protein is involved in GSIS as well as in culminating dysfunction under metabolic stress. Cycling of Rac1 between its inactive and active form is considered a vital event in glucose stimulated insulin secretion. This conversion is made possible by …

The Casnr L.I.N.K.S. Newsletter: Learning Innovation Network For K-12 Schools, Edition 1, January 2022, Bailey Feit, Tammy Mittelstet

CASNR L.I.N.K.S. Newsletter

The purpose of this L.I.N.K.S. newsletter is to provide a monthly update of opportunities and resources for K-12 schools to connect with the University of Nebraska's CASNR Food, Energy, Water, and Societal Systems (FEWS²) programs and partners.

This edition includes:

Link to classroom resources for all levels

Eye on new curriculum

Teacher opportunities

List of new partnerships

Ask an expert

Student experiences

Investigating The Antibacterial Activity Of Novel Metal Complexes Against Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens, Megan O'Shaughnessy

Theses, Doctoral

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the serious global health challenges of our time. There is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic agents to overcome AMR, preferably through alternative mechanistic pathways from conventional treatments. Interdisciplinary research in inorganic medicinal chemistry with biology is advancing the knowledge and implementation of transition metal complexes for therapy and is offering a realistic alternative to traditional antibiotics. Metal complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands have demonstrated promising therapeutic capabilities with diverse biological activity. Consequently, there has been a resurgence in research of these complexes as possible alternatives or adjuvants to established antimicrobial clinical therapeutics. …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Western Rock Lobster Resource : Workshop Procedure And Outcomes, R Stoklosa

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Drones In Agriculture, Jason P. De Koff, Priya Saini

Extension Publications

No abstract provided.

Black Fly Survey Of A Whooping Crane Reintroduction Area In Eastern Wisconsin, Richard P. Urbanek, Peter H. Adler

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Nest desertion due to harassment by black flies (Simulium annulus and S. johannseni) during incubation has been a major factor inhibiting success of the reintroduced Eastern Migratory Population of whooping cranes (Grus americana). To avoid this problem, which was prevalent in the core reintroduction area in central Wisconsin, the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership changed the primary reintroduction area to eastern Wisconsin in 2011. However, a 2010 assessment of black flies in that area had concentrated predominantly on the southern portion of the new area. In 2017-2018, we collected the first samples of black flies in …

Ephemeroptera Culturing Methods: Development Of Culturing And Rearing Methodology And High Sulfate Simulated Mine Effluent Toxicity Test Using Field Collected Water, Daniel Edward Brady

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Ephemeroptera taxa are not frequently used in toxicity testing; however, some mayfly taxa may be more sensitive to aquatic pollutants than standard test organisms used to determine anthropogenic effects on aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, some standard test organisms are not native to the Appalachian region and may not be truly reflective of the effects on native organisms. With mayflies not being the typical test organism, there is not a great deal of literature on culturing methods for this organism. For a standard acute toxicity test, there must be 80% survival within the control organisms for the test to be considered viable. …

Native Seed Scoop, Winter 2022, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

Native Seed Scoop

Contents:

--- Events
--- What's Your Scoop?
--- New TPC Seed Collections
--- Conservation Program News
--- Three Iowa Native Seed Growers
--- Research Scoop
--- Native Plant Awareness, Outreach, and Marketing
--- Tallgrass Prairie Center 2021 Highlights
--- In Memorium

Rurality And Its Effects On Prenatal Care In Southcentral Kentucky, Kylee Eilers

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Despite ongoing efforts to increase positive healthcare outcomes for prenatal care in rural Kentucky, there continues to be limited access to adequate and quality resources. Research questions for this research project explored the prenatal care resources for Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren counties, compared healthcare disparities that exist in those counties with other rural regions of Kentucky, and identified limitations of such prenatal care resources in successfully achieving positive care outcomes. In addition to evaluation of applicable online resources through organizations local to the region, some healthcare professional and representatives were interviewed to find …

The Quest To Identify A New Virus Disease Of Sunflower From Nebraska, Robert M. Harveson, Maher Al Rwahnih, California Department Of Food And Agriculture, Alex Karasev, Tom J. Gulya, Jeff Bradshaw

Panhandle Research and Extension Center

Between 2010 and 2018, sunflower plants exhibiting virus-like symptoms, including stunting, mottling, and chlorotic ringspots on leaves, were observed from commercial fields and research plots from four sites within three distinct counties of western Nebraska (Box Butte, Kimball, and Scotts Bluff). Near identical symptoms from field samples were reproduced on seedlings mechanically in the greenhouse on multiple occasions, confirming the presence of a sap-transmissible virus from each site. Symptomatic greenhouse-inoculated plants from the 2010 and 2011 Box Butte samples tested negative for sunflower mosaic virus (SuMV), sunflower chlorotic mottle virus (SuCMoV), and all potyviruses in general by ELISA and RT-PCR. …

Developing An Injury Severity To Yield Loss Relationship For Soybean Gall Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Mitchell L. Helton, Nicholas A. Tinsley, Anthony J. Mcmechan, Erin W. Hodgson

Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center

Soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a newly identified pest confirmed on soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabales: Fabaceae). To date, soybean gall midge has been found in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri, and has caused severe economic loss to commercial fields since 2018. Much is still unknown about this pest, so research efforts have been focused on biology and management. Larvae feed on the inside of the stem just above the soil line and are difficult to access and time-consuming to sample. In order to accelerate nondestructive sampling efforts, we developed an injury rating …

Cicer Arietinum - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum). Chickpeas are a widely cultivated annual pulse crop used for human consumption and as animal feed. They have been cultivated for thousands of years in the Middle East and most likely were first domesticated in what is now modern-day Turkey. There are two groups, the desi and kabuli types, which are differentiated …

Citrus Reticulata - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Mandarin are part of the Citrus genus of small evergreen flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae. They are native to South China and Japan in East Asia, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. Mandarin is an important horticultural crop which is widely cultivated around the world. The Western Australian citrus …

Helianthus Annuus - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a summer-growing plant native to North America and now grown over large areas throughout the USA, Eastern Europe, China and South America. It has also been grown for many years both under irrigation, and in summer rainfall areas of Australia (Queensland and New South Wales). Sunflower seed is …

Lolium Rigidum - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum). Annual ryegrass (Wimmera ryegrass) is a temperate annual grass which is widely naturalized in south-western Australia. In irrigated experiments in northern Western Australia (WA) annual ryegrass produced high-quality feed but had modest productivity over winter under subtropical conditions and as such does not appear to be a viable forage option (Moore …

Medicago Orbicularis - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Button medic (Medicago orbicularis). Button medic is a temperate annual pasture legume native to the Mediterranean region, which is adapted to well drained, alkaline sandy loam soils (pHwater > 6.5) in low rainfall (AAR > 275mm) temperate cropping zones. Used as a self-regenerating autumn-to-spring growing annual pasture (Howie et al. 2007). A very minor pasture species if …

Passiflora Edulis - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Passionfruit (Passiflora edulis). Passiflora edulis, commonly known as passionfruit, is a perennial vine species of passionflower native to southern Brazil through Paraguay and northern Argentina. It is cultivated commercially in Hawaii, Australia, South Africa, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia for the sweet, seedy fruit. In Western Australia (WA) passionfruit has been grown commercially in …

Vicia Villosa - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Woolly pod vetch (Vicia villosa). Woolly pod vetch is a self-regenerating annual type of vetch native to some of Europe and western Asia. It is adapted to a wide range of soil types, especially well-drained soils, but does not tolerate waterlogging. The seed (grain) can cause toxicity and even death of livestock. Woolly pod vetch …

Metabolic Synergy Between Human Symbionts Bacteroides And Methanobrevibacter, Jennie L. Catlett, Sean Carr, Mikaela Cashman, Megan D. Smith, Mary Walter, Zahmeeth Sakkaff, Christine A. Kelley, Massimiliano Pierobon, Myra B. Cohen, Nicole R. Buan

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

ABSTRACT Trophic interactions between microbes are postulated to determine whether a host microbiome is healthy or causes predisposition to disease. Two abundant taxa, the Gram-negative heterotrophic bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and the methanogenic archaeon Methanobrevibacter smithii, are proposed to have a synergistic metabolic relationship. Both organisms play vital roles in human gut health; B. thetaiotaomicron assists the host by fermenting dietary polysaccharides, whereas M. smithii consumes end-stage fermentation products and is hypothesized to relieve feedback inhibition of upstream microbes such as B. thetaiotaomicron. To study their metabolic interactions, we defined and optimized a coculture system and used software testing …

A Comparative Analysis Of Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Efforts In India And Mongolia Through Data Visualization, Paridhi Latawa, Sadhana Kumar, Udeshna Srimal, Rachana Tanksali, Edward Ning '23, Ajay Macherla, Haily Nguyen, Kristina Lian, Joy Jiang, Julia Ding, Daniel Stewart

External Student Research Opportunities

COVID-19 vaccine allocation efforts have posed challenges and offered opportunities to alleviate the ongoing pandemic. Nations have employed varying approaches for COVID-19 vaccine distribution; in particular, Mongolia and India have differed in approaches to vaccine allocation efforts. As of June 2021, Mongolia has vaccinated more than 60% of its population, whereas India has only vaccinated about 7.5%. This disparity highlights the need for the present study, which utilizes a mixed-method approach to examine the two countries' vaccine distribution strategies and COVID-19 containment policies from January to July 2021. The study has three major components: 1) policy analysis to highlight core …