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Articles 361 - 390 of 498
Full-Text Articles in Biology
An Examination Of Microbial Populations In Different Brands And Flavors Of Ice Cream, Madeline Campbell
An Examination Of Microbial Populations In Different Brands And Flavors Of Ice Cream, Madeline Campbell
Honors Theses
Outbreaks of foodborne illness are of concern to many Americans. While pasteurization of ingredients and freezing eliminates most microbiological hazards, ice cream can act as a vehicle for pathogen transmission and be a cause of foodborne disease. This study examined the bacterial content of seven nationally distributed brands of ice cream and one local farmer's market brand. The aims of the study were to (1) determine if there was a higher bacterial content in chocolate and strawberry ice cream compared to vanilla ice cream, potentially because of more ingredients and more opportunities for bacterial contamination in those flavors, and (2) …
Muscle Fatigue Resistance Via Energy Drink Consumption — Assessment Of Pre- And Post- Experiment Participant Feedback, Mary Kathleen Robbins
Muscle Fatigue Resistance Via Energy Drink Consumption — Assessment Of Pre- And Post- Experiment Participant Feedback, Mary Kathleen Robbins
Honors Theses
Energy drink consumption poses a health risk among college students, and long-term health implications are unclear. Because energy drinks are classified as dietary supplements, the FDA is not responsible for proving consumption is safe for the consumer. This research project studies the consumption of an energy drink and an energy bean's effect on muscle fatigue using a grip force transducer, subjective perceptions of the participants after consumption across the two trials, and subjects' opinion of energy drinks after the conclusion of the experiment. All subjects, ages 18-24 and regular users of caffeine, were recruited through email at the University of …
Understanding The Implications Of Climate Change For Birds Of The Family Phasianidae: Incorporating Fleshy Structures Into Models Of Heat Dissipation Capacity, Megan L. Smith
Honors Theses
Though widespread acceptance of global warming has generated a plethora of studies evaluating the potential responses of species to increased temperatures, until recently, species and genus-specific studies were not common and for many taxa such studies have yet to be completed. One particularly understudied group in this regard is the avian order Galliformes. In this study, I focus on the tribe Phasianidae. Furthermore, most studies evaluating the potential range changes of species in response to a changing climate fail to account for the ability of organisms to adapt to the changing climatic conditions, either via plastic adaptations or genetic adaptations. …
The Effects Of Acoustic Signals On The Endocrine Physiology Of Female Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Melissa Paige Dent
The Effects Of Acoustic Signals On The Endocrine Physiology Of Female Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Melissa Paige Dent
Honors Theses
The vocalizations of male H. cinerea stimulate cortisol production in male receivers during close-range interactions. In many vertebrate species, males and females possess similar sensory neuroendocrine pathways, suggesting that acoustic signals may also stimulate CORT production in females. Males of this species would potentially benefit from stimulating CORT production in females because elevated CORT levels significantly decrease the strength of female preferences for energetically costly calls (i.e., calls produced at rapid rates). The primary objective of my honors research was to assess how the acoustic signals produced by male green treefrogs, Hyla cinerea, influence the endocrine physiology of female signal …
Oxygen Saturation During A Simulation Dive Response: Development Of An Experimental Protocol For An Undergraduate Physiology Laboratory, Michael S. Pergola
Oxygen Saturation During A Simulation Dive Response: Development Of An Experimental Protocol For An Undergraduate Physiology Laboratory, Michael S. Pergola
Honors Theses
There are issues concerning the amount of learning that actually takes place in the laboratory environment, and whether or not it is worth the investment of money, resources, and time. A laboratory protocol was designed to examine the human dive response, with the goals of generating multiple robust variables, creating a truly integrative laboratory experiment and improving lab education. The objectives of this exercise were to promote critical thinking, maximize collaboration, minimize social loafing and student engagement, promote critical thinking, and meet as many of the National Science Foundation's core competencies and assess effectiveness in achieving these objectives. The dive …
The Effects Of Testosterone On Calling Behavior In Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Brandon Bunol
The Effects Of Testosterone On Calling Behavior In Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Brandon Bunol
Honors Theses
Circulating androgen levels can have a profound effect on the expression of elaborate male traits and courtship behaviors that are important in attracting females. For example, elevated androgens are necessary for the expression of vocal displays used by male anurans (frogs and toads) to attract mates. However, the nature of the relationship between androgen levels and the extent, or magnitude, of vocalization in male anurans is unclear. For example, androgens may have a threshold effect on vocalization wherein elevation in androgens is required for vocal expression, but elevations above threshold do not mediate an increase in the magnitude or extent …
Does This Have Gluten? Comparison Of Gluten-Free And Unrestricted Diets In Intestinal Bacterial Populations And Diversity, Bradshaw Hammond
Does This Have Gluten? Comparison Of Gluten-Free And Unrestricted Diets In Intestinal Bacterial Populations And Diversity, Bradshaw Hammond
Honors Theses
As different diets continue to grow in popularity within the United States, the effect of these diets upon bacteria in the intestines is only beginning to be understood. This study focused on the effect that a shift to a gluten-free diet has on the human gut microbiome. Three genetically close subjects were selected for observation over a six month time period. One subject observed a consistent gluten-free diet. A second subject started on an unrestrictive diet, switched to a gluten-free diet for three months, then returned to an unrestricted diet for an additional three months. The third subject left an …
Paper-Based Biosensor For Colorimetric Detection Of Psa Biomarker, Alyson Drew
Paper-Based Biosensor For Colorimetric Detection Of Psa Biomarker, Alyson Drew
Honors Theses
Prostate cancer is commonly screened in the bloodstream by detection of excess PSA, prostate-specific antigen which is a protein in the prostate produces in large quantities when cancerous tumors are present. In order to facilitate inexpensive and disposable detection, diagnostic tools have begun to be created out of paper and wax which wick solutions through channels based on their hydrophobicity. George M. Whitesides, who pioneered the majority of this work, designed a paper-based LFD, lateral flow device, effective for detecting liver function which we are modifying to detect PSA. In this paper, we designed an oPAD, origami paper analytical device, …
Androgen Mediation Of Elaborate Male Traits: The Effects Of Dihydrotestosterone Administration On Vocal Quality In Male Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Thor M. Goodfellow
Androgen Mediation Of Elaborate Male Traits: The Effects Of Dihydrotestosterone Administration On Vocal Quality In Male Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Thor M. Goodfellow
Honors Theses
Elevated androgen levels are well known to mediate the expression of male courtship behaviors and elaborate traits, but whether androgens act via threshold or graded effects is less clear. Models linking elaborate male traits to the endocrine system often assume that androgens have a graded effect on the magnitude or extent of elaborate male traits and that female preference for more elaborate male traits thus drives concordant directional selection on circulating androgen levels. To test this hypothesis, I examined the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) administration on the quality of advertisement calls produced by male Hyla cinerea. Advertisement calls are an …
Sandy Symbionts: How Tree Identity Shapes Ectomycorrhizal Fungus In Sand Pine, John Culbertson
Sandy Symbionts: How Tree Identity Shapes Ectomycorrhizal Fungus In Sand Pine, John Culbertson
Honors Theses
The purpose of my thesis was to investigate the structure and composition of the ectomycorrhizal (EMC) fungal communities of sand pine (Pinus clausa var. immuginata). Root tips were sampled from four trees located within Eglin Air Force Base. Colonization was shown to differ significantly based on tree identity. Abundance, species diversity, and the ratio of ECM fungi to pathogenic fungi did not differ significantly based on tree identity. A total of 35 ECM operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were shown to colonize the four trees. Helotiales4, Lactarius2, and Cenococcum geophilum were found to be the most abundant OTUs, while Lactarius1 was …
Not Got Milk? The Effect On The Gut Microbiome Of Removing Dairy From The Diet, Patrick Tyler Stovall
Not Got Milk? The Effect On The Gut Microbiome Of Removing Dairy From The Diet, Patrick Tyler Stovall
Honors Theses
The human gut contains a highly diverse set of bacteria that perform a wide range of duties that include much more than just nutrient acquisition. However, the composition of this community is subject to change, with diet, age and lifestyle playing roles in the development and maintenance of the gut microbiota. This study compared the bacterial composition of the human gut when consuming a normal diet versus a dairy-free diet. Samples were taken from a single subject during three periods: 1) control (normal) diet, 2) dairy-free diet, and 3) a return to normal diet. Gut bacterial communities were identified and …
A Translational Study Of The Correlation Between Low Birth Weight, Hypertension, And Kidney Function Using A Rat Model, Marcus Daniels
A Translational Study Of The Correlation Between Low Birth Weight, Hypertension, And Kidney Function Using A Rat Model, Marcus Daniels
Honors Theses
We studied the correlation between low birth weight, hypertension, and kidney function using a rat model. There is a strong correlation between these three phenomena especially in the Southeastern United States and in non-White populations. We hypothesized that the anti-hypertensive drugs Reserpine and Hydralazine would prevent hypertension and improve renal function in low birth weight rats. We used a rat model created by Dr. Barbara Alexander in this study. Pregnant rats were subjected to Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure surgery. Silver clips were placed on the abdominal aorta and uterine arteries approximately two weeks after fertilization in order to restrict blood …
Phylogeography Of The Australian Common Froglet, Crinia Signifera, Rosetta C. Williams
Phylogeography Of The Australian Common Froglet, Crinia Signifera, Rosetta C. Williams
Honors Theses
Australia is an ancient continent with equally antiquated fauna. Crinia signifera, the Australian common froglet, is one of Australia's oldest species and has a geographic range covering much of the southeastern coast of Australia and much of Tasmania. Such broad dispersal makes C. signifera susceptible to genetic variation due to changes in the landscape. While many have studied the morphology of C. signifera, few have studied its phylogeographic history. In this study I compared mitochondrial DNA clades to nuclear DNA clades to analyze the role geography plays on genetic variation. I hypothesized that (i) sympatric nuclear clades and subclades would …
Effects Of Soil Environment On Abundance, Diversity And Community Structure Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi In Pinus Radiata, Sarah C. Steele
Effects Of Soil Environment On Abundance, Diversity And Community Structure Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi In Pinus Radiata, Sarah C. Steele
Honors Theses
Balanced and sustained nutrient cycles are critical to the success of the world's forest ecosystems. Research has shown ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) play a vital role in regulating these systems, as they store and mobilize cycled nutrients for the trees they colonize. Not all species of ECM allocate essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon) to their host with the same efficiency. Studies have shown the soil environment is important for determining fungal distribution. To better understand the ECM fungal community of Pinus radiata, I explored the effects of soil characteristics (percent silt, percent clay, percent sand and soil water content) on …
Role Of Il-17 In Cd8+ T Cell Mediated Clearance Of West Nile Virus, Jordan E. Lowery
Role Of Il-17 In Cd8+ T Cell Mediated Clearance Of West Nile Virus, Jordan E. Lowery
Honors Theses
West Nile virus (WNV), a positive sense single stranded RNA flavivirus, is prevalent in many countries worldwide and is a growing threat in the United States. Some patients infected with WNV develop severe neuroinvasive disease including meningitis or encephalitis which may lead to death. The recently characterized cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases, neuroinflammatory conditions, and immune responses to various microbial infections. Previous research has indicated that a known contributor to IL-17 production, interleukin-23, is produced in response to WNV infection, but the role of IL-17 during WNV infection has not been studied before. This study …
Regulation Of Gene Expression In Karenia Brevis, Skylar C. Rodgers
Regulation Of Gene Expression In Karenia Brevis, Skylar C. Rodgers
Honors Theses
Karenia brevis is species of dinoflagellate responsible for most of the harmful algal blooms that occur in the Gulf of Mexico. These blooms can be detrimental to the environment and the economy of a coastal region due to the brevetoxins produced by Karenia brevis. Currently, the cause of these blooms, as well as the mechanisms of associated toxin production, are unknown. Efforts to characterize Karenia brevis at a molecular level are ongoing. However, based on genomic findings, researchers have hypothesized that regulation of gene expression occurs post-transcriptionally. In many organisms, non-coding RNAs, such as natural antisense transcripts (NATs), play …
Differences In Consumption Rates Between Juvenile And Adult Laccophilus Fasciatus Rufus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) On Larval Culex Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae), Carmen E. Bofill
Honors Theses
With the increase of global temperature and human populations, prevalence of vector-borne diseases is becoming an issue for public health. Over the years these vectors have been notorious for developing resistance to human regulated insecticides. Thus, other forms of control, including the use of natural predators, have become an important topic in research. Research on member of the family of predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidae) and their predatory ability to decrease aquatic mosquito larvae populations has been of recent interest. The purpose of this study is to 1) quantify consumption rates of the dytiscid Laccophilus fasciatus rufus juvenile and adults on …
The Effect Of Regional And Seasonal Variability In Wastewater Microbial Community Structure On The Biodegradability Of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids, Steven Aiello
Honors Theses
Biodegradability is an important consideration in the design of novel chemicals. At the end of their function, chemicals should break down into harmless degradation products to avoid toxic effects as a result of environmental persistence. To test the biodegradability potential of novel chemicals, a protocol designed by the Organisation for Economic and Cooperative Development (OECD) is used. This protocol states that in a mixture of the chemical of interest, a microbial inoculate, and mineral media, 70% of the chemical must degrade within a 10-day window of a 28-day experiment in order to be considered readily biodegradable. The protocol states that …
Walk-Training Increases Expression Of Gdnf In Pectoralis Muscle But Not Diaphragm From Mouse, Erin Donovan
Walk-Training Increases Expression Of Gdnf In Pectoralis Muscle But Not Diaphragm From Mouse, Erin Donovan
Honors Theses
Neurotrophic factors are proteins that play an important role in the development and maintenance of neurons. Recent studies have shown that neurotrophic factors may hold promise for treating damage to the nervous system caused by trauma or diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is expressed in skeletal muscles and affects peripheral motor neurons. Results of previous studies have demonstrated that exercise can increase GDNF content in skeletal muscle of rat. The goal of the current study was to examine whether expression of GDNF in skeletal muscle of mouse is also regulated …
Identifying The Dna Sequence Requirements For A Synergistic Interaction Between Two Cis-Regulatory Elements, Kaitlyn R. Francis
Identifying The Dna Sequence Requirements For A Synergistic Interaction Between Two Cis-Regulatory Elements, Kaitlyn R. Francis
Honors Theses
My thesis research studies the genetic material that is the blue print to make animal life. In animals, a key type of genetic material is sequences collectively referred to as cis-regulatory elements (CREs). These sequences control the expression of genes; more specifically they instruct when to turn “ON” or “OFF” the production of a gene’s functional product. My research investigates the interaction between the two CREs, the Anterior Element and the Dimorphic Element of the fruit fly species Drosophila melanogaster. These two CREs act synergistically to produce a pattern of expression for the bab1 and bab2 genes that differs …
Novel Neuroprotective Function Of Apical-Basal Polarity Gene Crumbs In Amyloid Beta 42 (Aβ42) Mediated Neurodegeneration, Andrew Steffensmeier
Novel Neuroprotective Function Of Apical-Basal Polarity Gene Crumbs In Amyloid Beta 42 (Aβ42) Mediated Neurodegeneration, Andrew Steffensmeier
Honors Theses
Alzheimer’s disease (AD, OMIM: 104300), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no cure to date, is caused by the generation of amyloid-beta-42 (Aβ42) aggregates that trigger neuronal cell death by unknown mechanism(s). We have developed a transgenic Drosophila eye model where misexpression of human Aβ42 results in AD like neuropathology in the neural retina. We have identified an apical-basal polarity gene crumbs (crb) as a genetic modifier of Aβ42-mediated-neuropathology. Misexpression of Aβ42 caused upregulation of Crb expression, whereas, downregulation of Crb either by RNAi or null allele approach rescued the Aβ42-mediated-neurodegeneration. Co-expression of full length Crb with Aβ42 increased severity …
The Role Of The Arista On Lucilia Sericata In Sensing Wind And Airflow, Relative Humidity And Volatile Compounds, Alexandra Elaine Jacob
The Role Of The Arista On Lucilia Sericata In Sensing Wind And Airflow, Relative Humidity And Volatile Compounds, Alexandra Elaine Jacob
Honors Theses
Lucilia sericata is a species of blow fly that has important applications in the fields of forensic entomology and medicine. L. sericata is one of the first organisms that arrives at decaying carrion in response to decay odors released by the carrion. The attraction stimuli are presumably the decay volatiles, but wind flow, and humidity may also influence the blow fly resource-oriented behavior. This fly species has feather-like structures known as arista that project from the antenna. The function of these structures is not completely understood, however they may play a role in sensing airflow and wind, humidity, and volatile …
Red Light Green Light: A Novel Approach To Studying The Interaction Between Enhancers And Gene Promoters, Jordan E. Vellky
Red Light Green Light: A Novel Approach To Studying The Interaction Between Enhancers And Gene Promoters, Jordan E. Vellky
Honors Theses
The human genome consists of over 3 billion base pairs, but only about 2% of this extensive supply of genetic information is recognized as a functional protein coding sequence. The remaining 98% was once considered to be “junk DNA” that lacked functional elements. Recently, this assumption has been replaced by an understanding that the non-coding genome contains many functional elements involved in gene regulation. These elements include promoters, or the region where gene expression is initiated, and enhancers, which communicate to promoters information about the cells in a body and when a specific gene’s expression should be ON or OFF. …
Determining The Transcription Factor Genes Populating A Fruit Fly Pigmentation Gene Network And Their Regulatory Connections, Samantha Stringer
Determining The Transcription Factor Genes Populating A Fruit Fly Pigmentation Gene Network And Their Regulatory Connections, Samantha Stringer
Honors Theses
Morphological traits for organisms result from the concerted action of numerous genes that are interconnected into a gene network at the level of transcriptional regulation. In each network, transcription factors control the spatial, temporal, and even sex-specific patterns of gene transcription. To better understand how a gene network operates during development, I investigated the network controlling a male-specific pattern of Drosophila melanogaster abdominal pigmentation. Using RNA interference, I reduced the expression of 558 transcription factor genes to identify those needed for normal pigmentation by the occurrence of aberrant pigmentation patterns. From this, I identified 28 genes, which include several that …
Impact Of Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii) Leachate On Culex Pipiens Life History Attributes, Lauren Shewhart
Impact Of Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii) Leachate On Culex Pipiens Life History Attributes, Lauren Shewhart
Honors Theses
The purpose of this study was to look at the impact of a highly invasive plant, Lonicera maackii, on the primary vector of West Nile Virus in the Eastern United States, Culex pipiens. Three different assays using two different microcosms experiments were conducted to determine the rate of survivorship, pupation, emergence, and larval growth of mosquito larvae in native (Platanus occidentalis and Acer saccharum) and invasive (L. maackii leaf and flower) leachates. It was found that L. maackii has the potential to increase mosquito populations due to the fast decaying nature of its leaves and …
Examination Of Host Range Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Phages Ut1, Sn-T, And Pev2 For Treatment Of Bacterial Biofilms In Fuels, Kathleen M. Sellick
Examination Of Host Range Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Phages Ut1, Sn-T, And Pev2 For Treatment Of Bacterial Biofilms In Fuels, Kathleen M. Sellick
Honors Theses
Biofilms are slimy substances made up of bacteria that attach to surfaces. Biofilms can be found in humans (lung of Cystic Fibrosis patients), natural settings (rocks in streams) and man-made environments (medical devices, pipelines). Biofilms are also found in aviation fuel tanks, causing physical issues such as clogging in fuel lines and changing the chemical makeup of the fuel via bacterial metabolism. Bacterial viruses, known as bacteriophage, show potential for reducing biofilms through phage therapy. The goal is to find a phage or combination of phage with a broad host range that would be most effective in reducing the biofilms …
Epinephrine Regulates Aquaglyceroporin Hc-3 Expression And Subcellular Localization In Cultured Erythrocytes From The Freeze-Tolerant Treefrog, Hyla Chrysoscelis, Connor J. Ratycz
Epinephrine Regulates Aquaglyceroporin Hc-3 Expression And Subcellular Localization In Cultured Erythrocytes From The Freeze-Tolerant Treefrog, Hyla Chrysoscelis, Connor J. Ratycz
Honors Theses
Cope’s gray treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis, accumulates and distributes glycerol as a cryoprotectant in anticipation of freezing. Transmembrane glycerol and water flux in H. chysoscelis erythrocytes likely occurs through HC-3, an ortholog of mammalian aquaporin 3. HC-3 protein is in higher abundance and is preferentially localized to the plasma membrane in RBCs from cold-acclimated treefrogs as compared to warmacclimated animals. It is hypothesized that neuroendocrine agonists via receptor mediated second messenger pathways integrate signals derived from fasting, dehydration, diurnal, and/or temperature changes during cold-acclimation to regulate HC-3 expression as part of the mechanism of freeze tolerance. In this study, cultured …
Host-Specialization Of Bartonella In Flea Vectors Collected From Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Mark D. Massaro
Host-Specialization Of Bartonella In Flea Vectors Collected From Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Mark D. Massaro
Honors Theses
At least 22 species of Bartonella bacteria have been named and many are associated with one of a list of potential mammalian reservoirs and arthropod vectors. One example of such a system is the parasitism of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) of the Western U.S. by Oropyslla hirsuta and Pulex simulans fleas. These vectors are thought to maintain B. washoensis infection in these mammals, but little is known about their role in the specialization of this strain to this reservoir. We found that the more specialist O. hirsuta fleas were much more likely to be infected with B. washoensis than …
The Effects Of Adrenergic Antagonists On Spatial Memory In The Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia Guttata), Taylor Williams
The Effects Of Adrenergic Antagonists On Spatial Memory In The Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia Guttata), Taylor Williams
Honors Theses
The adrenergic system appears to be involved in the consolidation and reconsolidation of hippocampally dependent spatial memories in mammals. Based on connectivity, cell types, ontogeny and receptor distribution, the avian hippocampus is thought to be a homolog to the mammalian hippocampus. The adrenergic system appears to be fairly conserved but may show some species specializations. To determine if the adrenergic system plays a role in spatial learning and memory in birds, we used a series of experiments to investigate the role of α- and β-adrenergic receptors on spatial navigation and memory in an avian species, zebra finches, using the Day …
Parasitism And Feather Reflectance In Mourning Doves (Zenaida Macroura), Wesley Youngblood
Parasitism And Feather Reflectance In Mourning Doves (Zenaida Macroura), Wesley Youngblood
Honors Theses
The theory of sexual selection has proven to be an important factor in understanding the mechanisms behind the evolution of secondary sexual traits. The Hamilton and Zuk (1982) hypothesis of parasite-mediated sexual selection postulates that birds evolved ornamentation to indicate parasite resistance to potential mates. My research explores the relationship between parasite load and plumage coloration in hunter-harvested mourning doves. Plumage from seven body areas was collected, ectoparasites were quantified and blood smears made so that intracellular hematozoan parasites could be quantified. Tarsometatarsi were measured, and the testes of males were collected to determine any effects of parasite load on …