Life Sciences Commons^™

Age And Not The Preferred Limb Influences The Kinematic Structure Of Pointing Movements, Kurt W. Kornatz, Brach Poston, George E. Stelmach

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

In goal-directed movements, effective open-loop control reduces the need for feedback-based corrective submovements. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of hand preference and aging on submovements during single-and two-joint pointing movements. A total of 12 young and 12 older right-handed participants performed pointing movements that involved either elbow extension or a combination of elbow extension and horizontal shoulder flexion with their right and left arms to a target. Kinematics were used to separate the movements into their primary and secondary submovements. The older adults exhibited slower movements, used secondary submovements more often, and produced relatively shorter …

Identifying Sinorhizobium Meliloti Genes That Determine Fitness Outcomes, Alexander B. Benedict

Theses and Dissertations

The remarkable metabolic capacity of the soil-dwelling bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is encoded on its three circular replicons: the chromosome and two large megaplasmids, pSymA and pSymB. Despite making up 45% of the genome, the pSymA and pSymB megaplasmids can be cured from S. meliloti. This unique attribute provides an opportunity to study the essentiality of chromosomal genes in the presence or absence of nearly half the genome. By interrogating chromosomal genes via massively parallel transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-seq) in the presence and absence of pSymA and pSymB, we identified 307 genes as being essential for viability regardless of the genomic …

Saprotrophy Among Endophytic Fungi, Emily Marissa Weatherhead

Theses and Dissertations

Endophytic fungi have been found in every terrestrial plant investigated thus far. They can receive nutritional benefits from their host tissues. Two major modes of nutrition for endophytic fungi include biotrophy and saprotrophy. In chapter 1, I set out to determine whether endophytic fungi isolated from Quercus gambelii in Utah, USA were capable of saprotrophy and, if some were, how much variation in saprotrophic ability exists among them. Because saprotrophy requires moisture and, in Utah, moisture is largely unavailable outside winter and early spring, in chapter 2 I set out to determine if any of our isolated endophytic fungi were …

Human Skin Triglycerides Prevent Bed Bug (Cimex Lectularius L.) Arrestment, Sudip Gaire, Zachary C. Devries, Russell Mick, Richard G. Santangelo, Grazia Bottillo, Emanuela Camera, Coby Schal

Entomology Faculty Publications

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have proliferated globally and have become one of the most challenging pests to control indoors. They are nocturnal and use multiple sensory cues to detect and orient towards their human hosts. After feeding, usually on a sleeping human, they return to a shelter on or around the sleeping surface, but not directly on the host. We hypothesized that although human skin odors attract hungry bed bugs, human skin compounds may also prevent arrestment on hosts. We used arrestment assays to test human skin swabs, extracts from human skin swabs, and pure compounds identified from …

Closely Related Gull Species Show Contrasting Foraging Strategies In An Urban Environment, K. A. Lato, D. J. Madigan, R. R. Veit, L. H. Thorne

Publications and Research

The expansion of urban landscapes has both negative and positive effects on wildlife. Understanding how different species respond to urbanization is key to assessing how urban landscapes influence regional wildlife behavior and ecosystem structure. Gulls are often described as strong urban adapters, but few studies have explored species-specific differences in habitat use. Here, we use GPS tracking in conjunction with stable isotope analysis (SIA) to quantify the habitat use and trophic ecology of great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) and herring gulls (L. argentatus) in an urbanized area. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) of foraging locations revealed significant differences in the habitat …

Limited Range-Filling Among Endemic Forest Herbs Of Eastern North America And Its Implications For Conservation With Climate Change, Stephanie K. Erlandson, Jesse Bellemare, David A. Moeller

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Biodiversity hotspots host a high diversity of narrowly distributed endemic species, which are increasingly threatened by climate change. In eastern North America, the highest concentration of plant diversity and endemism occurs in the Southern Appalachian Mountains (SAM). It has been hypothesized that this region served as a refugium during Pleistocene glacial cycles and that postglacial migration northward was dispersal limited. We tested this hypothesis using species distribution models for eight forest herb species. We also quantified the extent to which the geography of suitable habitat shifted away from the current range with climate change. We developed species distribution models for …

Ecological And Morphological Differentiation Among Coi Haplotype Groups In The Plant Parasitic Nematode Species Mesocriconema Xenoplax, Julianne N. Matczyszyn, Timothy Harris, Kirsten S. Powers, Sydney E. Everhart, Thomas O. Powers

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial COI gene reveals distinct haplotype subgroups within the monophyletic and parthenogenetic nematode species, Mesocriconema xenoplax. Biological attributes of these haplotype groups (HG) have not been explored. An analysis of M. xenoplax from 40 North American sites representing both native plant communities and agroecosystems was conducted to identify possible subgroup associations with ecological, physiological, or geographic factors. A dataset of 132 M. xenoplax specimens was used to generate sequences of a 712 bp region of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies recognized seven COI HG (≥99/0.99 posterior probability/bootstrap value). Species delimitation …

Ecological And Morphological Differentiation Among Coi Haplotype Groups In The Plant Parasitic Nematode Species Mesocriconema Xenoplax, Julianne N. Matczyszyn, Timothy Harris, Kirsten S. Powers, Sydney E. Everhart, Tom Powers

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial COI gene reveals distinct haplotype subgroups within the monophyletic and parthenogenetic nematode species, Mesocriconema xenoplax. Biological attributes of these haplotype groups (HG) have not been explored. An analysis of M. xenoplax from 40 North American sites representing both native plant communities and agroecosystems was conducted to identify possible subgroup associations with ecological, physiological, or geographic factors. A dataset of 132 M. xenoplax specimens was used to generate sequences of a 712 bp region of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies recognized seven COI HG (≥99/0.99 posterior probability/bootstrap value). Species …

Mistakes In Difficult Conversations, Allan Vyhnalek

Cornhusker Economics

Farm families that work together across the family tree and across generations seem to encounter difficulty from time to time when separating “family” from “business.” Having clear, consistent, and honest communications will go a long way towards reducing the troubles that can arise in difficult conversations. This article addresses those troubles.

Intake Estimation Of Rams Under Grazing Condition In A Deferred Pastures Of Panicum Coloratum By Two Techniques, C. M. Ferri, M. A. Brizuela, N. P. Stritzler, H. J. Petruzzi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The goal of this study was to quantify the organic matter intake (OMI) of Pampinta rams grazing in a Panicum coloratum cv Verde differed pasture. The OMI was compared by two methods: a) the difference between the forage measured in pre and post-grazing condition, and b) the faecal production:digestibility ratio of the diet, estimated by total faecal gathering, and from the quantity of total faecal N in g per 100 g^-1 of OMI and the concentration of total faecal N, respectively. The OMI estimated by difference between the forage measured in pre and post-grazing was 9 % higher (P …

Estimation Of Organic Matter Digestibility And Intake From Faecal Organic Matter And Daily N Excretion And Concentration, C. M. Ferri, N. P. Stritzler, M. A. Brizuela

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was performed with grazing sheep, to establish: a) if the amount of total faecal N (C; in g 100g^-1 of organic matter intake (OMI)) remains constant at three feeding levels, in four utilisation periods of deferred Panicum coloratum cv. Verde; b) the relationship between C and faecal N fractions, and c) the relationship between faecal daily excretion of OM and N, and OMI. Intake increased (P< 0.01) with utilisation period, and was related (r = - 0.82; P< 0.01) to the protein content of food, the insoluble N fraction (r = -0.49; P< 0.01) and the soluble:insoluble N ratio (r = 0.41; P< 0.01) in faeces. No relation with total N concentration (r = -0.22; P> 0.05) or soluble N fraction (r = -0.02; P> 0.05) in faeces could be found. Daily excretion of OM and N were positively related (R² = 0.93 and 0.96, respectively; …

Effects Of Fertilization And Legume Introduction On The Forage Production Of Brachiaria Decumbens Pastures, M. R. Correa, Tsutomu Kanno, Manuel C. M. Macedo, J. D. G. Santos Junior, L. G. Beretta

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A grazing experiment was conducted to examine the effects of P and K fertilization and legume introduction on the forage production of Brachiaria decumbens (BD) pastures. Amount of biomass, dry matter production and forage quality were evaluated on BD pastures where three treatments were applied: without maintenance fertilizer (BD-N), with maintenance fertilizer (BD-F), and BD and Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Mineirao (SG) mixture with maintenance fertilizer (BD-FL). The fertilizer application increased an annual average of biomass and the contents of P and K in the leaves. On the other hand, the legume introduction had a positive influence on crude protein and …

Alterations In Glycemic Variability, Vascular Health, And Oxidative Stress Following A 12-Week Aerobic Exercise Intervention-A Pilot Study, Joshua R. Sparks, Mark A. Sarzynski, J. Mark Davis, Peter W. Grandjean, Xuewen Wang

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 1334-1353, 2021. The state of being overweight or obese leads to an increased risk of development of cardiometabolic disease. Increases in glycemic variability have been associated with greater induction of oxidative stress and declined vascular health, which may be exacerbated by higher weight status and improved through exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a twelve-week aerobic exercise intervention on continuous glucose monitor (CGM) assessed glucose concentrations and glycemic variability, and biomarkers of vascular health and oxidative stress in overweight or obese adults. Eight adults (Age = 48.9 ± …

Acute Changes In Arterial Function Post High-Intensity Lower Extremity Cycling, Alyssa Weatherholt, William R. Vanwye, Jeffery L. Short, Alyssa A. Andreis, Guoyuan Huang

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(2): 1363-1374, 2021. The purpose of this study was to assess the acute arterial blood flow velocity of the lower extremity (LE) immediately after a bout of high-intensity LE cycling exercise. Twenty-eight healthy males (n = 14) and females (n = 14) aged 20.9 ± 1.7 years participated in this study. All subjects performed a single bout of high-intensity cycling (70% of HRR) for 45 min. The subjects' LE blood flow velocity, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were measured at rest, immediately post-, post-15 min., …

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Does Not Improve The Six Minutes Walk Test Performance In Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomised Pilot Trial, Sarah-Maude Martin, Francois Lalonde, Elise Legault, Paula Ribeiro, Alain Steve Comtois, François Tournoux

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(2): 1354-1362, 2021. Cycles of ischemia and reperfusion induced with a pressure cuff on a skeletal muscle, also know as remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC), appears to improve performance in different time-trial events in healthy individuals. Our primary goal was to assess the effect of RIPC in heart failure (HF) patients’ functional capacity using the six-minute walk test (6MWT). A randomized crossover design comparing RIPC (4 x five-minutes of upper arm ischemia) to the SHAM procedure was done in 15 patients prior to a 6MWT. The primary outcome measure was the total distance walked in a …

Ketone Body Metabolism In The Ischemic Heart, Stephen C. Kolwicz Jr.

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Ketone bodies have been identified as an important, alternative fuel source in heart failure. In addition, the use of ketone bodies as a fuel source has been suggested to be a potential ergogenic aid for endurance exercise performance. These findings have certainly renewed interest in the use of ketogenic diets and exogenous supplementation in an effort to improve overall health and disease. However, given the prevalence of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarctions, these strategies may not be ideal for individuals with coronary artery disease. Although research studies have clearly defined changes in fatty acid and glucose metabolism during ischemia …

Annotated Checklist Of The Bryophytes Observed At The Gordon Natural Area West Chester University, Pa) 2007-2021. Version Ii, Nur Ritter, Noah Long

Gordon Natural Area Baseline Plant Survey Documents

Summary: Data Number of Taxa: 38 Species, in 31 Genera, 24 Families, and 13 Orders.

Description: The bryophytes are an informal group that is composed of three divisions of non-vascular plants: the liverworts, hornworts, and mosses. Of these, the mosses are the most familiar to most people, but the three groups are similar in appearance, and differ only in their reproductive structures. All bryophytes lack specialized tissues for transporting resources (i.e., vascular tissue); hence, they are characteristically small in stature. Additionally, bryophytes do not produce flowers or seeds; rather, reproduction is through spores. Bryophytes have received relatively little investigation at …

Scorpionfish (Scorpaena Porcus) Neurocranium, Erin Porter, Cairone Reft, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Neurocranium preparation of a Scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) by Erin Porter and Cairone Reft for the Biology of Fishes course at Nova Southeastern University taught by Dr. Kerstetter.

Annotated Checklist Of Invertebrate Species Observed At The Gordon Natural Area (West Chester University, Pa) 2007-2021. Version Iii, Nur Ritter

Gordon Natural Area Biodiversity Studies Documents

Description: As with some of the other biotic groups, the research pattern for invertebrates at the GNA might best be described as ‘intermittent.’ Former WCU professor Win Fairchild and his students conducted research on aquatic invertebrates in Plum Run, both inside and outside of the boundaries of the GNA. To date, the only data from that work that we’ve been able to obtain are from the 2007 MS thesis of Danielle DiFederico.

Since that time, the only ‘directed’ invertebrate research at the GNA has been the annual monitoring in Plum Run by the Stroud Water Research Center (SWRC). This research …

Gut Microbiota Composition And Predicted Microbial Metabolic Pathways Of Obesity Prone And Obesity Resistant Outbred Sprague-Dawley Cd Rats May Account For Differences In Their Phenotype, Diana N. Obanda, Michael J. Keenan, Ryan Page, Anne M. Raggio, Christopher Taylor, Brian D. Marx, Rhett W. Stout, Justin Guice, Meng Luo, David A. Welsh, Diana Coulon, Claudia Husseneder

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Like humans, outbred Sprague-Dawley CD rats exhibit a polygenic pattern of inheritance of the obese phenotype and not all individuals exposed to a high calorie intake develop obesity. We hypothesized that differences in gut microbiota composition account for phenotype differences between obese prone (OP) and obese resistant (OR) rats. We studied the gut microbiota composition of OPand OR rats after a high fat (HF) diet and how they respond to fermentation of resistant starch (RS). In phase 1 of the study 28 OP and 28 OR rats were fed a HF diet. In order to determine causal role of microbiota …

Evidence Of Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte) Field-Evolved Resistance To Cry3bb1 + Cry34/ 35ab1 Maize In Nebraska, Jordan D. Reinders, Emily E. Reinders, Emily Robinson, Bryan W. French, Lance J. Meinke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Western corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) field-evolved resistance to transgenic maize expressing the Cry3Bb1 protein derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been confirmed across the United States Corn Belt. Although use of pyramided hybrids expressing Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 has increased in recent years to mitigate existing WCR Bt resistance, susceptibility of Nebraska WCR populations to this rootworm–Bt pyramid has not been assessed. Plant-based bioassays were used to characterize the susceptibility of WCR populations to Cry3Bb1 and Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 maize. Populations were collected from areas of northeastern Nebraska with a history of planting Bt maize that expressed …

Validation Of Reference Genes For Quantitative Pcr In The Forest Pest, Ips Calligraphus, Mary Wallace, Lynne K. Rieske

Entomology Faculty Publications

The six-spined ips, Ips calligraphus, is a North American bark beetle that can exploit most eastern North American Pinus species and can cause mortality. Biotic and abiotic disturbances weaken trees, creating breeding substrate that promotes rapid population growth. Management historically relied on silvicultural practices, but as forests become increasingly stressed, innovative management is needed. Manipulation of the cellular RNA interference (RNAi) pathway to induce gene silencing is an emerging means of insect suppression, and is effective for some bark beetles. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a powerful tool for analysis of gene expression, and is essential for examining RNAi. To …

Intermittent Antibiotic Treatment Accelerated The Development Of Colitis In Il-10 Knockout Mice, Shiyu Li, Yusong Jin, Abigail D. Cox, Dale Lee, Lavanya Reddivari

Department of Food Science Faculty Publications

Many epidemiological studies suggest an association between antibiotic exposure and the development of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. However, the majority of these studies are observational and still the question remains, “Does the specific antibiotic administration regimen play a role in the development of colitis?” This study aimed to compare the possible effects of continuous and intermittent antibiotic exposure on the development of colitis using a colitis-susceptible IL-10 knockout [IL-10–/–] mouse model.

Keratin 1 As A Cell-Surface Receptor In Cancer, Oluseye Ogunnigbagbe, Christopher G. Bunick, Kamaljit Kaur

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Keratins are fibrous proteins that take part in several important cellular functions, including the formation of intermediate filaments. In addition, keratins serve as epithelial cell markers, which has made their role in cancer progression, diagnosis, and treatment an important focus of research. Keratin 1 (K1) is a type II keratin whose structure is comprised of a coiled-coil central domain flanked by flexible, glycine-rich loops in the N- and C-termini. While the structure of cytoplasmic K1 is established, the structure of cell-surface K1 is not known. Several transformed cells, such as cancerous cells and cells that have undergone oxidative stress, display …

Combining Community Wastewater Genomic Surveillance With State Clinical Surveillance: A Framework For Sars-Cov-2 Public Health Practice., Ted Smith, Rochelle H. Holm, Ray Yeager, Joseph B. Moore Iv, Eric C. Rouchka, Kevin J. Sokoloski, Daymond Talley, Vaneet Arora, Sarah Moyer, Aruni Bhatnagar

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Study objective: To garner a framework for combining community wastewater surveillance with state clinical surveillance that influence confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 variants within the community, and recommend how the flow of such research evidence could be expanded and employed for public health response. Design, setting, and participants: This work involved analyzing wastewater samples collected weekly from 17 geographically resolved locations in Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky from February 10 to November 29, 2021. Genomic surveillance and RT-qPCR platforms were used as screening to identify SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, and state clinical surveillance was used for confirmation. Main results: The results demonstrate increased epidemiological value …

Effect Of Five Different Rest Periods On Tiller Regrowth Of Ryegrass, R. W. Coelho, W. R. Ocumpaugh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Five rest periods were imposed from April to May on a mixed pasture of two ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) varieties and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The rest period starting dates were: April 4, April 18, May 2, May 16, and May 30, for rest periods 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The total area allocated to the experiment was 1.1 ha, which was divided into 22 pastures. The experimental design used was a split-plot. Rest period was assigned to the main plot, grass to the subplot and legume to the subsubplot. The pastures were “mob-grazed” by …

Aboveground Standing Crop Of An Ungrazed Elyonurus Muticus Grassland Under Annual Burning In The Pantanal, Brazil, E. L. Cardoso, S. M. A. Crispim, C. A. G. Rodrigues

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was conducted in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, from September 1995 to July 1997. The objective was to evaluate the effect of annual burning on grasses and forbs biomass and standing dead in an ungrazed grassland of Elyonurus muticus. In two areas, one free of burning (control) and another area with annual burning, grasses, forbs aboveground biomass, and standing dead were collected. The experimental design was completely randomized with 10 replications. Burning modified the grasses and forbs biomass dynamics when compared to the area free of burning. After the first burning the grasses …

Contract Grazing Of Young Beef Cattle On Ryegrass In The Southeastern Usa, David I. Bransby

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to evaluate contract grazing (in which the landowner grazes cattle owned by someone else for a specified fee) as an alternative to traditional ownership of the cattle, in order to improve profitability of grazing young beef cattle on annual ryegrass under limited availability of operating capital in the southeastern USA. Production data from a two-year grazing experiment were used as a basis for an economic analysis which assumed market prices for the beef industry in the region. Return/ha over animal and pasture costs was $312.20 for contract grazing, and $477.50 for purchased cattle. However, …

Horses Grazing Management To Promote Distribution Of Lotus Tenuis (Waldst. Et Kit) In A Temperate Grassland, O. E. Ansín

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In a temperate grassland of the Argentine Pampa, the birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus tenuis Waldst. et Kit) distribution was analyzed as a consequence of the grazing method used. In a plot of 40 ha occupied by native grassland an area of 16 ha was implanted with reed canary grass (Phalaris aquatica L.) and L. tenuis. This area was divided into two parts that contained the same pasture and native grassland surfaces, being grazed by horses. One, under continuous grazing and another one, under a controlled grazing. In the continuous grazing the whole year the animals had permanently access …

Mass Spectra Of Mesonic Molecules At Finite Temperature, Arezu Jahanshir, Mohammad Reza Soltani

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

At a finite temperature, exotic hadronic systems, mass spectrum was studied using the quark structure and the radial Schrödinger equation with the Cornell interaction potential representing the hadronic interaction. The projective unitary representation has been used in the study of hadronic ground states in physics. A relativistic bound state's mass spectrum with temperature dependence is shown to have a unique feature. The resulting values are compared to experimental and theoretical values, and the study showed a high level of conformity with additional values wherever feasible.