Life Sciences Commons^™

Depaul Discoveries Volume 15 Cover Art, Dina Khdair

DePaul Discoveries

No abstract provided.

Vertebrate Diversity In Cave Systems Of Colombia: An Approach Based On Environmental Dna Metabarcoding Analysis, Rita Daniela Martinelli Marín, Carlos Andres Lasso, Francesco Sauro, Susana Josefina Caballero

International Journal of Speleology

There is currently limited knowledge of the biological communities inhabiting cave ecosystems in South America. This study examines the vertebrate community composition of 21 caves across diverse subterranean ecosystems in Colombia using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. Water was collected from water bodies inside caves and subterranean systems in six of the eight speleological regions of Colombia in eight departments. Water was filtered manually through a 0.8 m pore size filter and preserved with Longmire solution. A 170-base pair (bp) fragment of the 12s mitochondrial gene specific for vertebrate identification was amplified by PCR and sequenced by Illumina (metabarcoding). Data corresponding …

Campus Food Recovery: Balancing Sustainability And Student Needs, Scott T. Taylor Jr., Wenhao Zhang, Robin B. Dipietro, Mary Stein, Junehee Kwon

ICHRIE Research Reports

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a food recovery program at a large university on food waste reduction and food insecurity mitigation. The primary goal of the food recovery program was two-fold: to help provide ready-to-eat meals for students facing food insecurity and to help the campus food service provider minimize post-production food waste. Thus, food was recovered from multiple dining outlets on a large university campus in the southeast United States. To ensure a valid comparison between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, a 3-month period during the spring semesters in 2023 and 2024 was …

Comparable Outcomes, Divergent Learning Pathways: Comparing Metacognitive Reflection And Practice Problems In Organic Chemistry, Jitendra D. Belani

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Organic Chemistry I presents significant challenges for students, requiring both conceptual understanding and effective study strategies. Two commonly used approaches to support learning are structured practice problems and metacognitive reflection activities; however, these strategies are rarely compared directly within the same course context. In this study, students enrolled in a postbaccalaureate Organic Chemistry I course (n = 31) were randomly assigned to one of two low-stakes interventions: weekly practice problem sets or structured reflection surveys focused on study strategies. Student performance was evaluated using three midterm examinations, a cumulative final exam, and overall course grades, along with measures of participation. …

A New Species Of The Genus Heracleum From Türkiye: H. Papilionaceum (Apiaceae: Tordyliaea​), Mehmet Sağiroğlu, Mardiya Sabdani̇, Bariş Bani̇, Hayri̇ Duman

Turkish Journal of Botany

A new species, Heracleumpapilionaceum (Apiaceae: Tordylieae), is described and illustrated from the Elmacık Mountains, Bolu Province, northwestern Türkiye. Morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal (nr)DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences placed the new species close to H. apiifolium and H. munzurense. Comparative morphological and fruit anatomical data, images, and a distribution map are provided. An International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment is also presented, supporting its classification as Critically Endangered.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Steens Mountain Cushion Buckwheat (Eriogonum Ovalifolium Var. Rubidum), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Steens Mountain Cushion Buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium var. rubidum) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Optimized Immunoprecipitation Identifies Candidate Proteins Associated With Eyespot Protein Eye2 In Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii ​, Esra Öztürk, Telsa Mittelmeier, Carol Dieckmann, Atakan Sukatar

Turkish Journal of Botany

​The EYE2 protein is essential for eyespot assembly and localization in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its function remain poorly understood. In this study, we present a systematic evaluation and optimization of an immunoprecipitation (IP)-based workflow for isolating EYE2 and its associated protein complexes. Key methodological variables including strain selection, flagella removal, and detergent concentration were compared using western blotting to determine optimal extraction conditions. The combination of the cell wall-deficient cw15 strain, 4% digitonin extraction, and pH shock-mediated deflagellation significantly enhanced IP specificity and reproducibility. Using this optimized protocol, EYE2 and its potential interaction partners were isolated …

Influence Of A New Nanoensemble Of Graphene Oxide And Indole-3-Acetic Acid On The Morphophysiological, Biochemical, And Ultrastructural Characteristics Of Upland Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.), Nurlan Amrahov, Ulviyya Hasanova, Aliyeva Gunel, Aghazada Goncha, Fuad Rzayev, Eldar Gasimov, Aliyeva Solmaz, Lala Gahramanli, Elvin Ibrahimli, Ruhangiz Mammadova, Zarema Gakhramanova, Cem Bayram, Goncha Eyvazova, Si̇bel Hasanova, Ziyaddin Mammadov

Turkish Journal of Botany

​The exogenous application of phytohormones plays a crucial role in the activation of adaptive mechanisms in plants under both normal and stress conditions. Therefore, the present study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanoensembles based on indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and graphene oxide (GO) nanolayers. The surface of GO synthesized by the modified Hummer method was noncovalently functionalized with IAA molecules. The structure and morphological properties of the prepared materials were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The IAA and IAA+GO nanoensemble enhanced the morphological parameters, lateral root formation, catalase and peroxidase …

Erginia (Asteraceae: Cichorieae: Crepidinae), A New Genus Accommodating Chondrilla Spinosa, An Orphan Species Of Localized Distribution In Southeastern Anatolia, Murat Erdem Güzel, Kami̇l Coşkunçelebi̇, Serdar Makbul, Mutlu Gültepe, Zeynepnur Alemdağ, Norbert Kilian

Turkish Journal of Botany

The new genus Erginia is established to accommodate Chondrilla spinosa, a species of previously uncertain systematic placement, with a highly localized distribution in Southeastern Anatolia (Türkiye) on alpine screes along two mountain ridges. Although there has been general agreement that the species is a member of the subtribe Crepidinae in its wider sense, including the Chondrillinae, its placement in Chondrilla is based on the superficial resemblance of its achene features, which also do not match any other known genus, and no molecular phylogenetic analysis had clarified its sister group. In this study, we produce additional micro- and macromorphological as well …

Integrative Data Inform The Taxonomy Of Salix: A Case Study Of S. Purpurea L. Subsp. Leucodermis Yalt. (Salicaceae) From Türkiye, Peli̇n Acar, Yasi̇n Kaya, Dudu Özlem Mavi̇ İdman, Irina V. Belyaeva

Turkish Journal of Botany

The study of endemic species provides valuable perspectives on evolutionary history and future targets for their conservation. Salix purpurea L. subsp. leucodermis Yalt., which is endemic to Sandras Mountain in Türkiye, was analysed using morphological, anatomical, and genomic methods. This study presents the first draft short-read sequence of S. purpurea subsp. leucodermis, providing preliminary genomic evidence of differentiation from related taxa. This study also revealed a specific combination of anatomical features (prominent calcium oxalate crystals and amphistomatous leaves) and morphological characteristics (striated wood, glabrous buds, absence of stipules) that differentiate the taxon in question from the closely related species S. …

What Are Vestigial Structures? Evidence For Evolution Explained, Ryan Bebej

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Evolution wasn’t something we talked about very much in my home or church when I was growing up.

Yet somehow, I came to believe that evolution wasn’t compatible with Christian faith. At the time that seemed okay, because I had heard that the evidence for evolution wasn’t very strong anyway.

That all began to change when I started studying biology in college. In different classes, I encountered some of the compelling evidence for evolution and common descent.

Vestigial structures were one of the topics that came up often in biology textbooks about these topics.

Today, biologists point to …

Water-Driven Reactivation Of Photosystem Ii In Plagiochasma Appendiculatum, Vineet Soni, Upma Bhatt, Yashwant Sompura

Turkish Journal of Botany

Plagiochasma appendiculatum, a desiccation-tolerant liverwort, offers a unique system for unraveling the biophysical dynamics of photosynthetic recovery upon rehydration. This study employed high-resolution chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics to clarify the sequential reactivation of photosystem II (PSII) during the desiccation-to-rehydration transition. Upon desiccation, the OJIP transient collapsed into a linear trace, indicating complete photochemical arrest and inactivation of PSII reaction centers (RCs). Rehydration triggered a biphasic recovery, including an initial rapid phase (0–30 min) marked by sharp increases in F0 and Fm , indicative of PSII–LHCII supercomplex reassembly and thylakoid membrane restoration, followed by a stabilization phase (30–125 min) wherein …

Longitudinal Patterns In Stygobiont Distribution In The Hyporheic Zone Of The Karst Spring-Fed San Marcos River, Texas, Usa, Kenneth Sparks, Benjamin F. Schwartz, Safra Altman, Kathryn E. Perez, Zoey B. Chanin, Caroline Mierzejewski, Benjamin T. Hutchins

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Groundwater-obligate taxa (stygobionts) exhibit variable degrees of habitat specialization, ranging from those restricted to single micro-habitats to generalists occurring in a broad range of habitat types. The karstic Edwards Aquifer is the most biodiverse and well-studied groundwater habitat in the continental United States, but some Edwards Aquifer-associated species also occupy the hyporheic zone of rivers downstream from karst. The goals of this research were to 1) assess the potential of the off-karst hyporheic zone as habitat for ‘karst’ species and 2) to determine how stygobiont richness, diversity, and abundance related to distance from karst in the hyporheic zone of a …

Effects Of Calcium And Magnesium Ions On Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) Chromosome Structure Visualized Using Light And Scanning Elec​Tron Microscopes, Andi Salamah, Fitri Amalia Nurchasanah, Vycka Fikriyani Fairuz, Astari Dwiranti

Turkish Journal of Botany

Divalent cations, particularly calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), are essential for maintaining chromosomal architecture, yet their roles in plants remain poorly characterized. This study investigated the effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on the chromosomal structure of wheat (Triticum aestivum, 2n = 6x = 42), a widely used model in plant cytogenetics. Root-tip chromosomes were isolated enzymatically and treated with BAPTA (a Ca2+-specific chelator), EDTA (a broad cation chelator), and buffer solutions containing either 5 mM Mg2+ (XBE5) or no Mg2+ (XBE). Chromosomes were stained with aceto-orcein for light microscopy and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microscopic observations revealed that …

Systematic Implications Of Seed Morphology In Oxytropis (Galegeae: Fabaceae) From Pakistan, Amjad Khan, Amir Sultan, Raees Khan, Rozina Rozina, Shahab Ali, Ali Bagheri, Rifat Ullah Khan, Abdul Samad Mumtaz, Tariq Ullah, Ghalia Saleem Aljeddani, Hasil Khan

Turkish Journal of Botany

Oxytropis is a taxonomically challenging genus within the tribe Galegeae of the family Fabaceae. Despite its systematic importance, the seed morphology of Oxytropis has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we examined the seed morphology of 18 Oxytropis species representing 10 sections from the Pakistan, with the aim of evaluating the diagnostic value of seed traits using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The current investigation revealed two distinct seed shapes, namely cordiform and prolonged reniform, across the studied taxa. Seed length ranged from 1.75 mm in O. crassiuscula to 2.3 mm in O. duthieana, while seed width varied …

Unveiling The Diversity Within Salvia Caespitosa Sensu Lato (Lamiaceae): Three New “Hidden” Endemic Species From Türkiye​, Ferhat Celep, Musa Doğan, Gali̇p Akaydin, Ahmet Kahraman, Ersi̇n Karabacak, Ömer Çeçen, Meti̇n Armağan, Chun-Lei Xiang, Bryan T. Drew

Turkish Journal of Botany

Documenting species, particularly those that are threatened or endangered, is fundamental to biodiversity conservation. However, many taxa remain scientifically unrecognized, being either undiscovered or unpublished. While some plants can be easily recognized as new species, other identifications are obscured by morphological, taxonomic, and nomenclatural complexity. Detecting cryptic or “hidden” species is therefore essential to understanding biodiversity and plant evolution. Our revisionary studies on Salvia demonstrate that the morphologically complex Salvia caespitosa is not a single species but instead comprises at least four distinct species, three with narrow distributions. This conclusion is supported by integrative evidence from extensive field studies, herbarium …

Tails From The Isle Of Devils: Two New Records Of Non-Native Invasive Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) Successfully Intercepted In Bermuda, Including The First Record Of Caraboctonidae, Danniella Sherwood, Mark Outerbridge, Struan R. Smith, Jenny Gosling, Myles Darrell

Euscorpius

Hadruroides sp. (Scorpiones: Caraboctonidae) is newly recorded as a successfully intercepted non-native invasive species in Bermuda, based on examination of a desiccated and damaged immature female specimen. A second record of an intercepted Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is reported based on examination of an adult male.

Strategy For Linear Range Broadening Of Elisa Based On Antibody Synergistic Combination, Guo Cuili, Peng Juan, Lai Weihua, Xing Keyu, Gan Bei

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To broaden the linear range of ELISA for deoxynivalenol detection. [Methods] This paper obtains three antibodies with different sensitivities via mouse immunization, cell fusion and screening, ascites preparation, and antibody purification. By optimizing the working concentration and composition ratio of the antibody synergistic combination, the optimal antibody synergistic combination ratio is applied to ELISA to determine the linear range. [Results] The optimal reaction conditions for the ic-ELISA based on synergistic antibodies are as follows: the optimal working concentrations of the coating antigen and antibody are 0.3 and 0.1 μg/mL, respectively. The linear range of the synergistic antibody is obviously …

Interactive Mechanism Of Food Packaging Design And Children's Health Consciousness, Yang Qian

Food and Machinery

Food packaging can establish an “entertainment–knowledge–action” interactive closed-loop mechanism for children, effectively guiding them to practice healthy behaviors, overcoming the low efficiency of conventional text- and image-based instruction, and continuously strengthening their health awareness. At present, interactive design for cultivating children’s health awareness through food packaging is constrained by superficial forms of interaction, insufficient integration of entertainment functions, fragmented system construction, and the absence of educational mechanisms in the implementation stage. The “entertainment–knowledge–action” closed-loop design can specifically address the limitations of traditional packaging, including fragmented interaction, superficial cognition, and weak behavioral guidance. Specifically, entertainment serves as the entry point by …

Effects Of Pretreatment Methods On Volatile Compounds And Active Ingredients In Flaxseed Oil, Zhu Lijun, Chen Fengzhen, Zhang Chengshuang, Zhao Baoyi, Meng Lingjun

Food and Machinery

[Objective] This paper aims to investigate the effects of microwave and roasting pretreatment methods on volatile compounds and active ingredients in flaxseed oil. [Methods] Flaxseeds were pretreated by microwave (720 W, 2–8 min) and roasting (140–200 ℃, 30 min), and then flaxseed oil was prepared by cold pressing. Using untreated cold-pressed flaxseed oil as a control, the differences in volatile compounds were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) and an electronic nose. Additionally, the contents of tocopherols, phytosterols, and total phenolics were determined. [Results] A total of 72 volatile compounds are identified by HS-GC-IMS analysis, including aldehydes (20 …

Advances In The Application Of Electroencephalography In Food Sensory Science, Li Wenbin, Hou Xiaoyi, Deng Na, Leng Tuo, Fu Haohua, Wang Jianhui

Food and Machinery

Traditional sensory evaluation of food is affected by subjectivity and other factors, resulting in significant limitations. Electroencephalography (EEG), owing to its advantages of high temporal resolution, non-invasiveness, and real-time dynamic monitoring, offers an objective neurophysiological perspective and analytical approach to address this issue, effectively advancing food science research from subjective descriptions to objective neural decoding. This paper systematically reviews the applications of EEG in food flavor recognition and prediction, objective evaluation of food quality, and analysis of food nutrition and consumer behavior. In light of the current state of technological development, it is proposed that multimodal technology integration and machine …

Intelligent Detection Method For Food Packaging Defects Based On Improved U-Net And Machine Vision, Qi Guohong, Zhang Jing, Li Lili

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To address the issues of weak generalization, insufficient accuracy, and poor anti-interference ability in existing intelligent detection methods for food packaging defects. [Methods] On the basis of the intelligent sorting system for food packaging defects, a method for intelligent detection of food packaging defects is proposed, which combines machine vision and an improved U-Net model. By introducing a multi-scale residual convolution module into the convolution module, the method reduces the computational complexity of the model and improves the training effect. By integrating channel attention, spatial attention, and multi-scale attention, a lightweight hybrid attention module is constructed to achieve the …

Consumer Judgment, Choice, And Meaning-Making In Food Packaging Design From The Perspective Of Consumption Alienation, Guo Jingzhi, Xu Ming

Food and Machinery

In the context of contemporary food consumption, food packaging has gradually shifted from a tool for product protection and information transmission to an important cognitive interface that influences consumer perception, judgment, and choice. Existing studies in this field mainly focus on functional optimization, behavioral guidance, and cultural expression, while insufficient attention has been paid to how packaging design affects consumer cognitive processes. This paper introduces the theoretical perspective of consumption alienation and employs literature analysis and comparative case studies to construct a three-layer analytical framework of “judgment–choice–meaning.” Furthermore, it proposes a regression-based analytical pathway centered on comprehensibility, choice support, and …

Prediction Model Of Green Grape Water Loss Rate Based On Multi-Model Soft Voting Fusion, Fan Gai, Jing Min, Ji Feng, Ma Maosen, Yao Xiaomin

Food and Machinery

[Objective] This study aims to achieve rapid and non-destructive detection of the water loss rate in green grapes, control losses, and ensure quality. Based on an LED-induced fluorescence spectroscopy system, a prediction method combining collected spectral data with a multi-model soft voting fusion approach was proposed for green grape water loss rate estimation. [Methods] Spectral data from 100 green grape samples were collected. Preprocessing was performed using multivariate scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variate transformation (SNV), normalization, and Savitzky–Golay (SG) filtering. Feature wavelength selection was carried out using the successive projections algorithm. Based on this, prediction models for the green …

Screening Of Weizmannia Coagulans With High Stress Tolerance, Xiao Xue, Yu Wendi, Hu Yuanliang, Zhang Xicai, Yu Xiang

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To isolate and screen novel Weizmannia coagulans strains with high stress tolerance. [Methods] Using commercially fermented pickle brine as the sample, W. coagulans strains were isolated, purified, and identified by selective culture medium methods, morphological observation, physiological and biochemical characterization, and 16S rDNA sequencing. Taking survival rate as the evaluation index, the stress tolerance of the isolated strains and three laboratory-preserved W. coagulans strains was determined under high-temperature (80–100 ℃), acidic (pH 2.0–3.0), and bile salt (0.1%–0.5%) conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to comprehensively assess the stress tolerance of the tested strains. [Results] Two W. coagulans strains, …

Effect Of Extraction Methods On Emulsifying Properties Of Corn Fiber Gum, Wu Chenglong, Ren Ying, Li Xingguo, Tang Leiming, Sun Xiaohong

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the influence of three extraction methods (alkaline, enzymatic, and acidic) on the emulsification characteristics of corn fiber gum (CFG). [Methods] Corn bran was used as the raw material, and CFG was extracted using sodium hydroxide, xylanase, and formic–acetic acid–water solutions. The changes in particle size, zeta potential, rheological properties, creaming index, appearance, and microstructure of CFG emulsions were measured. [Results] All three CFG emulsions exhibited shear-thinning behavior, with viscosities decreasing as the shear rate increased. The enzymatically extracted CFG emulsion had the highest viscosity, best gel properties, smallest particle size [(751.6 ± 22.5) nm], highest absolute zeta …

Evaluation And Improvement Of Method For Uncertainty In The Determination Of Lead In Tea By Icp-Ms, Sun Yingze

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To evaluate the uncertainty in the determination of lead in tea by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and to improve the method so as to enhance the quality of the analytical results. [Methods] Based on the mathematical model and the experimental procedure, the sources of uncertainty components were analyzed and combined. [Results] When the lead content in tea was 0.346 mg/kg, the expanded uncertainty was 0.026 mg/kg at a 95% confidence level (k = 2). After method improvement, the combined relative standard uncertainty decreased from 0.038 to 0.019, and the expanded uncertainty decreased from 0.026 mg/kg to 0.013 mg/kg. …

Quantitative Analysis Of Sorghum Starch Using Machine Learning And Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Li Ke, Ouyang Runkun, Dai Yijie, Li Jie, Hou Aixiang, Yang Yu, Li Zongjun

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To establish a model for the rapid quantification of sorghum starch based on near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms. [Methods] Brewing sorghum was used as the raw material. Near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectra were collected using a near-infrared spectrometer. The Isolation Forest algorithm was employed to remove outlier samples and optimize the dataset. Subsequently, multiple preprocessing methods and regression models were compared using various modeling software to analyze and establish a quantitative model for sorghum starch. [Results] After preprocessing with the Isolation Forest algorithm, the partial least squares regression (PLSR) model exhibited the best performance, with a coefficient of determination …

An Ai-Driven Safety Traceability And Monitoring System For Food Cold Chain, Zeng Xiaoqing, Zhang Yuyue, Xie Wenqing, Zhou Jianhua

Food and Machinery

Targeting the three major obstacles—information fragmentation, delayed risk response, and ambiguous accountability—in food cold chain safety governance, this study constructs an integrated cold chain safety traceability and monitoring system centered on artificial intelligence technology and incorporating the Internet of Things and blockchain. On the basis of a comprehensive risk analysis of the entire food cold chain process, and drawing on theoretical frameworks including supply chain resilience theory, information asymmetry theory, HACCP, and ISO 22000 food safety standards, this study designs a system architecture organized around five functional modules: multi-source data collection and traceability, dynamic food quality assessment, risk prediction and …

Terminal Control Method Of Parallel Food Sorting Robot With Multi-Algorithm Fusion, He Qing, Wu Tianfeng, Zhao Yini

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To address the problems of low trajectory tracking accuracy, delayed dynamic response, poor adaptability to external disturbances, and difficulty in meeting the requirements of high-speed and high-precision food sorting in the existing end-effector control of parallel food sorting robots. [Methods] A food sorting system based on a DELTA parallel robot was developed, and an end-effector control strategy integrating an improved whale optimization algorithm, adaptive fuzzy control, and nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode control was designed. Adaptive fuzzy control was used to adjust the output gain in real time to enhance controller tracking accuracy. The improved whale optimization algorithm was …