Biology Commons^™

The Epistemic Status Of Moral Conceptual Truths, Kara D. Boschert

Theses

Evolutionary debunking arguments assume that morality could, conceptually speaking, be about anything. A response to this contention is that there are some moral conceptual truths which counter assertions that we could be in error about basic moral truths. According to proponents of moral conceptual truths, some things, by definition, cannot count as moral. Putative moral conceptual truths, such as “stealing is wrong,” are thought to enjoy a privileged epistemic status because anyone who denies them forfeits their ability to engage in competent moral reasoning. This paper explores whether moral conceptual truths can offer a satisfactory response to the debunkers’ premise …

Impaired Social Behavior In Mice With Tyrosinemia Typel I Is Associated With Hypermyelination Of The Cerebral Cortex, Marissa E. Moore

Research Horizons Day Posters

No abstract provided.

Novel Indices To Quantify Freeze Tolerance In Amphibians, Jolene R. Rearick

Biology ETDs

We propose Freeze Endurance (F_end) as a new measure of the ability of amphibians to tolerate internal freezing, allowing integration of time and temperature to describe each freeze event. Use of freeze endurance as a descriptor allows direct comparison between individuals, populations, and species, and may be scaled by body size, or other characteristics, to determine if abilities to survive freezing are significantly different between groups. Thermal limit examinations have long suffered from lack of comparability between publications due to differing endpoints, measurements, equipment, and organism availability, despite the value of information yielded by such studies to understanding …

Novel Approaches To Exploring Silk Use Evolution In Spiders, Rachael Elaina Alfaro

Biology ETDs

Spider silk is enigmatic, and web structure, design, and adult morphology of the spinning apparatus of spiders once informed how systematists approached the spider phylogeny. The orb-web and adaptation of viscous silk was considered a key innovation leading to rapid diversification of spiders. However, the advent of molecular techniques including recent phylogenomics studies, overturned this major paradigm in spider evolution. Clades once considered monophyletic are no more. The orb-web is not a pinnacle of evolution, and the former sister group, using cribellate silk (loops of fibrils combed from a specialized silk plate on the abdomen), is now sister to the …

Characterization Of A Neuroprotective Retinal Synapse After Inducing Glaucoma In Long Evans Rats, Cynthia A. Cooley-Themm

Research and Creative Activities Poster Day

Glaucoma is a group of degenerative retinal diseases characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons leading to irreversible loss of vision. Neuroprotection has been defined as any intervention that prevents optic nerve damage or RGC death. The neurotransmitter, acetycholine (ACh), has been linked to neuroprotection against excitotoxic cell death and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Results from our lab have demonstrated that ACh provides neuroprotection against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in isolated pig and rat RGCs in vitro. Additional studies using an in vivo rat model of glaucoma have shown that intravitreal injections or …

Application Of A Household-Based Molecular Xenomonitoring Strategy To Evaluate The Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program In Tamil Nadu, India, Swaminathan Subramanian, Purushothaman Jambulingam, Brian K. Chu, Candasamy Sadanandane, Venkatesan Vasuki, Adinarayanan Srividya, Mohamed S. Mohideen Abdulkader, Kaliannagounder Krishnamoorthy, Harikishan K. Raju, Sandra J. Laney, Steven A. Williams, Ralph H. Henderson

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the world’s foremost debilitating infectious diseases with nearly 800 million people at risk of infection. Given that LF is a mosquito-borne disease, the use of molecular xenomonitoring (MX) to detect parasite DNA/RNA in mosquitoes can serve as a valuable tool for LF monitoring and evaluation, particularly in Culexvector areas. We investigated using MX in a low-level prevalence district of Tamil Nadu, India by applying a household-based sampling strategy to determine trap location sites. Two independent mosquito samples were collected in each of a higher human infection hotspot area (sites with community microfilaria prevalence �1%) …

Top Paper Panel, Rozen Gilerman, Daisy Jaimez, Alexander J. Harper, Lindy Winter

Collin College Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Student Research Conference

Panel Chair: Kerry Byrnes-Loinette

Papers presented:

"Quantifying apoptosis induced by the fusion of EWS-FLI1 by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Lableing (TUNEL) using the zebrafish model" by Rozen Gilerman

"How Economic Indicators Influence Mexican Immigration, and Mexican Immigration Success, in the United States" by Daisy Jaimez

"The Electric Spacecraft Propulsion System" by Alexander J. Harper

Abstract: Spacecraft propulsion systems play a pivotal role in the modern Aerospace Industry as they are responsible for allowing craft to move and navigate and therefore operate as they are intended to. While chemical systems are more well known, electric propulsion systems …

Improved Supervised Classification Of Accelerometry Data To Distinguish Behaviors Of Soaring Birds, Maitreyi Sur, Srisarguru Sridhar

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soaring birds can balance the energetic costs of movement by switching between flapping, soaring and gliding flight. Accelerometers can allow quantification of flight behavior and thus a context to interpret these energetic costs. However, models to interpret accelerometry data are still being developed, rarely trained with supervised datasets, and difficult to apply. We collected accelerometry data at 140Hz from a trained golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) whose flight we recorded with video that we used to characterize behavior. We applied two forms of supervised classifications, random forest (RF) models and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) models. The KNN model was substantially …

With Or Without Nutrients, Sponges Are Boring: The Effects Of Eutrophication On Bioerosion, Amber D. Stubler, John M. Carroll, Christopher M. Finelli

Biology: Faculty Presentations

Eutrophication, largely due to coastal development and human activities, is an ongoing issue for coastal ecosystems. Excess nutrients can impact ecosystem processes, promote the occurrence of algal blooms, and decrease the overall water quality. One process that may be impacted by eutrophication is the biological breakdown of carbonate material, or bioerosion. Correlative evidence suggests that bioeroding sponges increase in size and abundance along nutrient gradients, leading to increased bioerosion rates. However, there have been no experimental studies investigating the direct effects of increased nutrients on sponge bioerosion rates. To determine whether sponge bioerosion of carbonate material is enhanced under eutrophied …

Not A Fun Threesome: The Prevalence, Impact And Interaction Of Boring Sponges And Pea Crabs On Oysters, John M. Carroll, Jessica C. Watts, Christopher M. Finelli, Daphne Munroe

Biology: Faculty Presentations

The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, provides a number of ecosystem services and is an important commercial fishery species along US East and Gulf Coasts. Unfortunately, their populations have declined dramatically, due to overharvest, habitat loss, and disease. As both oyster restoration efforts and aquaculture of oysters continues to increase throughout their range, it is important to consider the impacts of a number of potential oyster pests, including the boring sponge Cliona spp. and the pea crab Zaops (Pinnotheres) ostreum on oyster populations. Both of these pests have been demonstrated to reduce oyster growth, condition, and in some instances, reproductive output. …

Bay Scallops: The High Resolution Canary In The Highly-Fertilized Coal Mine, Jessica L. Carlton, Lorie E. Williams, John M. Carroll, Steve T. Tettelbach, Bradley J. Peterson, Aswani K. Volety, Elizabeth S. Darrow

Biology: Faculty Presentations

As human populations increase in watersheds, the Peconic Bay estuary (NY) has experienced increased nitrogen (N) loads, resulting in eutrophication. Stable isotopes can be used as indicators of anthropogenic N sources such as wastewater and fertilizer, and potentially be used to track source-specific N inputs through time. We hypothesized that Peconic Bay scallops (Argopecten irridians) could be proxies for these environmental changes through assimilation of organic matter from surrounding water into their soft tissue and shells. We examined nitrogen stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N) from whole soft tissue and shell of scallops collected throughout the Peconic. A strong correlation was …

Restoration By Transplantation: Using A Filter-Feeding Gastropod, Crepidula Fornicata, To Rehabilitate Great South Bay, New York: Preliminary Surveys, Nicole L. Kleinas, Bradley J. Peterson, Stephen T. Tettelbach, John M. Carroll

Biology: Faculty Presentations

Coastal biogenic habitats provide a plethora of ecosystem services that enhance the commercial and recreational value of the system. Specifically, shellfish beds play a critical role in improving water quality, creating complex habitat for other commercial species, and serving as a trophic resource for surrounding nutrient-poor habitats. Great South Bay, New York, was historically one of the most productive estuaries in the nation, yet commercial shellfisheries have collapsed here due to overharvest. These filter-feeding shellfish species, in particular hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria, once provided important ecosystem services, including top-down control of phytoplankton blooms. Overharvest of clams has led to …

Determining The Role Of The N- And C- Terminin In Localizing Tcl.Rhoj To Cellular Membranes, Brooke Tader

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for BSU Honors Program

Dark-Adapted Fluorescence And Stomatal Conductance After Dcmu (3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-Dimethylurea)) Exposure On Malva Parviflora Plants, Piueti Maka, Mia Bryant, Isabelle Sarwono

Featured Research

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the disturbance effect of indirect exposure to DCMU (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea), a popular herbicide, on dark adapted fluorescence and stomatal conductance in Malva parviflora plants. We utilized a test site exposed to sunlight and free from other external interference. Two main apparatuses were used to collect data; stomatal conductance was measured by a leaf porometer, and dark-adapted fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was measured using a Pulse Modulated Fluorometer. Our data yielded significant comparison results for dark-adapted fluorescence (P0.05). Additionally, observations six days after disturbance showed a drastic presence of hollyhock rust (Puccinia malvacearum) and …

Photoprotection Adaptiveness In Native (Lupinus 
Succulentus) And Invasive (Malva Parviflora) Heliotropic Plants, Joseph Davidson, Cameron Juarez, Collin Scott

Featured Research

Addressed here is the question of whether invasive heliotropic plants can adapt better than native heliotropic plants, to conditions in which their solar tracking capabilities are hindered. In order to test this, a heliotropic species native to Southern California (Lupinus succulentus) was compared to a weedy heliotropic species invasive to Southern California (Malva parviflora). We hypothesized that the photoprotection mechanisms of M. parviflora would adapt better to being restrained as it is an invasive species and it was more abundant in the area. Values of Fv’/Fm’ and qN were measured in order to compare the efficacy …

Reflectance, Transmittance, And Absorbance Values In Salvia Apiana
 Result In Better Performance Than Salvia Mellifera In Drought- Like Conditions, Haley Bekins, Caroline Boone, Kristen Hardin

Featured Research

Salvia apiana, due to the physically lighter color and thickness of the leaves, will have higher reflectance values, lower transmittance values, and lower absorbance values than Salvia mellifera. These measurements exemplify characteristics of a better adapted species for droughts, and then the absorption values can be used to calculate more information on the species like ERT. We measured transmittance and reflectance of six leaves from randomly selected plants of both species through the use of an integrating sphere. After obtaining the R and T value of each plant, we calculated the leaf absorbance,α. This was done by using the …

A Comparative Study Of Adults Vs. Resprouts’ Stomatal Conductance And Xylem Water Potential In Malosma Laurina, Lauren Dam, Brinna Lee, Sarah Dahlberg, Stephen Davis

Featured Research

The purpose of this study is to compare the stomatal conductance and xylem water potential between adults and resprouts of Malosma laurina growing at the Drescher Campus at Pepperdine University. Our data suggest that stomatal conductance and xylem water potential of adult and resprout M. laurina are not significantly different (p = 0.09312, p = 0.7064 respectively), implying that M. laurina at that study site has had sufficient time to recover from the drought due to the increased levels of rainfall.

A Comparison Of Photoprotection In C3 Plants Between A Native And An Invasive Species, T. Cao, M. Field, K. Godon

Featured Research

Now more so than ever with the increasing demands placed upon plant species as a direct result of climate change, competition between native and invasive species determines which species are able to survive and reproduce. Biologically the two species, native and invasive, carry out the same functions yet it is in how they carry out said functions that they differ. Prior to the commencement of the study the belief was held that the invasive species (here Avena) would contain increased photoprotection than the native species (here Elymus) for it to possess a competitive advantage. Testing of the stated hypothesis including …

Comparative Fitness Of Transplanted Nassella Pulchra: A Study Of Native And Invasive Grasses, Grace Palmer, Yash Pandey, Isabelle Panos

Featured Research

Previous study of the fitness of California, perennial N. pulchra was conducted at the transplant garden on the Drescher campus of Pepperdine University in the spring of 2016. A follow up study was conducted to understand how the recent increase in rainfall has affected the comparative health of N. pulchra in the transplant garden and in the wild, as well as the health of the invasive, annual grass A. fatua. The height, water potential, photoprotection, and stomatal conductance were measured in transplant N. pulchra, wild N. pulchra, and the competing A. fatua. It was hypothesized that A. fatua …

Solar Tracking Fitness In Native Lupulinus Succulentus Vs. Non-Native Malva Sylvestris, Kathryn Maidlow, Logan Scott

Featured Research

For this experiment, we hypothesized, that while both native and non-native species use solar tracking, the native species Lupulinus succulentus (bluebonnet) will solar track to increase light levels with low leaf temperatures; however, the non-native species Malva sylvestris (cheeseweed) will solar track to increase light levels with an elevated leaf temperature over the native species. Solar tracking was also hypothesized as a significant benefit to each plant species, thus we assumed that if a leaf was prevented from solar tracking that we would see a difference between the solar trackers and non-solar trackers of each species. We decided to use …

Development Of Site Fidelity In The Nocturnal Amblypygid, Phrynus Marginemaculatus, Jacob M. Graving, Verner P. Bingman, Eileen Hebets, Daniel D. Wiegmann

Eileen Hebets Publications

Amblypygids are capable of navigation in the complex terrain of rainforests in near complete darkness. Path integration is unnecessary for successful homing, and the alternative mechanisms by which they navigate have yet to be elucidated. Here, our aims were to determine whether the amblypygid Phrynus marginemaculatus could be trained to reliably return to a target shelter in a laboratory arena—indicating goal recognition—and to document changes in behavior associated with the development of fidelity. We recorded nocturnal movements and space use by individuals over five nights in an arena in which subjects were provided with two shelters that differed in quality. …

The Ethical Viability Of In Vitro Fertilization, Jack Hamilton

Dialogue & Nexus

In vitro fertilization is considered from multiple ethical positions and whether or not it is limited to disease prevention or used for genetic enhancement. The first can be in line with most ethical theories provided time and resources are allowed for the technology to be provided for all. The latter seems to devalue humans and remove compassion for the disenfranchised.

A Political Theology Of Ecological Action: Liberation Of The Poor Through Democratic Stewardship Of Creation, Zach Snyder

Dialogue & Nexus

In the United States, many popular forms of evangelical Christianity hold a deep skepticism and antipathy toward ecological activism for reasons ranging from political interests to eschatology. In this paper I will present a legitimate model for the role of the Christian faith in ecological action that is developed by considering and synthesizing the work of two theologians, Leonardo Boff and Christopher Southgate. The contributions from each of these authors are centered on the call to care for creation as a response to their respective areas of emphasis: the suffering and striving of the poor and marginalized in the case …

Downward Mobility: Rediscovering A Narrative Of Justice, Josh Smith

Dialogue & Nexus

In this paper, social justice is defined by examining key perspectives of what it is from philosophy, theology, and biology. We will note where it is absent in order to discover what people deserve in a society governed by social justice. All of this will be evaluated in light of the Carmen Christi, the Hymn of Christ from Philippians 2. The example of Christ’s self-emptying (kenotic) refusal to consider equality with God (harpagmos) a thing to be grasped provides a crucial framework that enables us to emulate self-sacrificial altruism.

The Gift Of Soul, Cory Holt

Dialogue & Nexus

An evaluation of biblical concepts of the soul in light of neuroscience reveals that it is not something that we possess but is a gift from God. Using the concept of forms, emergence, and supervenience, I will show that Greek concepts of dualism, where the soul is an added entity to a body, are untenable in light of both the biblical witness and neuroscience.

Categorizing The Complexity Of The Origin Of Consciousness, Lydia Brown

Dialogue & Nexus

I propose a four-category Cartesian spectrum that contains most, if not all, the extant theories of the origin of consciousness. This spectrum consists of four broad philosophical descriptions that help us organize the various theories of consciousness along lines of non-divine to divine (aka naturalism to non-naturalism) and along the lines of continuous to discontinuous (aka non-interventionist to interventionist). I give examples of each, ultimately favoring Nagel’s view of Discontinuous Divine Influence (aka interventionist non-naturalism).

A Darwinian Look At Atonement Theory, A. Rachel Ritchie

Dialogue & Nexus

After presenting various atonement theories, especially in light of evolutionary explanation, I conducted a brief survey among students to determine their level of theological understanding and scientific literacy. Based on this data, I conclude that students are given a poor education in theology. This paucity of wisdom needs to be mitigated. I offer some suggestions for rectifying this lacuna.

Evolution And The Fall, Andrew Tate

Dialogue & Nexus

Within Christianity, there are a spectrum of beliefs regarding the function and mode of baptism, what constitutes original sin (or in what form it exists), modes of worship, gender roles (or if they even exist). I will argue here that despite varying dogmas and ideologies one consistent position over two millennia is that Jesus, as the Son of God, came to the earth, died on a cross, and was raised from the grave. Following this is the belief that in some way through these actions, either natural or supernatural, he has given humanity the opportunity to be redeemed. Through this …

Miracles, Divine Action, And The Christian Perspective, Colton Mccoy

Dialogue & Nexus

After exploring various definitions for miracle and its characteristics in Christian thought, I will consider modes of action for carrying out such events in light of an overarching position that ‘miracle’ must be defined in relation to a higher purpose. Determining what this purpose is presents greater concerns than either definitions of miracle or mechanisms of divine action in carrying out miracles.

The Great Divide: Disbanding The Borders Between Ethical Issues Of Environmentalism, World Hunger And Food Safety, Jennifer Acuff

Dialogue & Nexus

Various groups work toward correcting social injustices including alleviating world hunger. The command to care for Creation as God’s image bearers indicates that humans have a responsibility to restore Earth and its resources at all times. And yet, we must balance this environmental care with compassion for the hungry. Unfortunately, many popular ‘green’ or ‘organic’ methods of doing so may prevent efficiency in feeding the world. In this paper, I will examine world hunger, environmentalism, and the surrounding ethics through a lens of scientific data, practicality, social justice, and Christianity.