Biology Commons^™

Group Characteristics Influence Distribution Patterns Of Off-Road Vehicle Recreation Within A Complex Trail System In Southwest Idaho, Eric Frey, Kathryn Demps, Ben Pauli, Julie A. Heath

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Recreation on public lands is growing and is increasingly recognized as an ecosystem service providing improved health, connection to nature, and social time while also disturbing and degrading ecosystems. Human impacts must be managed, but often managers have little information about the factors that affect recreation patterns. We combined data from global positioning system receivers to record off-road vehicle (ORV) travel with a pretrip survey to determine how group characteristics, site experience, site knowledge, and motivation are associated with ORV trip patterns on public lands in southwest Idaho. Spatial and temporal extent and distribution could summarize most variation in ORV …

A Survey Of Three-Dimensional Sound And Its Applications, Andrew Topping

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This research project seeks to develop a foundation of knowledge about three-dimensional sound (3-D sound) and its utilization across various media. Topics covered include the techniques by which 3-D sound is accomplished, its departures from the standard paradigm of stereophonic audio, the range of creative and engineering considerations within 3-D contexts and examinations of existing 3-D audio applications.

In Vivo Structure-Function Analysis Of Drosophila Robo1, An Axon Guidance Receptor Critical For Midline Repulsive Signaling In The Embryonic Central Nervous System, Haley Brown

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The repellant ligand Slit and its Roundabout (Robo) family receptors regulate many aspects of axon guidance in bilaterians, including midline crossing of axons during development of the embryonic CNS. Slit proteins are produced by midline cells and signal through Robo receptors expressed on the surface of axonal growth cones to repel axons from the midline. Disruption of Slit-Robo signaling causes ectopic midline crossing phenotypes in the CNS of a broad range of animals, including insects and vertebrates.

Drosophila Robo1 has a conserved ectodomain structure of five immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domains plus three fibronectin (FN) repeats. By utilizing a genomic rescue construct …

Enhanced Production Of Pro-Il-1Βeta Contributes To Immunopathology During The Coinfection Of Influenza A Virus And Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Angeline E. Rodriguez

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Viral bacterial coinfections are known to cause severe pneumonia, especially in the elderly and in pediatric patients. Antibiotics like β-Lactams kill the bacteria but fail to improve symptoms suggesting a faulty immune system may play an important role in the disease. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is an important immune signaling cytokine responsible for inflammation. It exists as an inactive precursor that can be activated by caspase-1 containing inflammasomes (multi-protein complex). Influenza A virus (IAV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) activate the inflammasome through the NOD-like receptor protein NLRP3 and/or AIM2. Previous reports in mice indicate that IL-1β levels are dramatically …

Swimming Rhythm Generation In The Caudal Hindbrain Of The Lamprey, James T. Buchanan

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The spinal cord has been well established as the site of generation of the locomotor rhythm in vertebrates, but studies have suggested that the caudal hindbrain in larval fish and amphibians can also generate locomotor rhythms. Here, we investigated whether the caudal hindbrain of the adult lamprey (Petromyzon marinus and Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) has the ability to generate the swimming rhythm. The hindbrain-spinal cord transition zone of the lamprey contains a bilateral column of somatic motoneurons that project via the spino-occipital (S-O) nerves to several muscles of the head. In the brainstem-spinal cord-muscle preparation, these muscles were found to …

Dextran Hydrogels By Crosslinking With Amino Acid Diamines And Their Viscoelastic Properties, Naphtali O'Connor, Andrei Jitianu, G Nunez, Quentin Picard, Madeline Wong, D Akpatsu, Adam Negrin, Rajendra Ghardbaran, D Lugo, S Shaker, Mihaela Jitianu, Stephen Redenti

Publications and Research

Amine functionalized polysaccharide hydrogels such as those based on chitosan are widely examined as biomaterials. Here we set out to develop a facile procedure for developing such hydrogels by crosslinking dextran with amino acid diamines. The dextran-amino acid gels were formed by the addition of the amino acid diamines to a dextran and epichlorohydrin solution once it became homogeneous. This was demonstrated with three amino acid diamines, lysine, lysine methyl ester, and cystine dimethyl ester. Hydrogel networks with albumin entrapped were also demonstrated. These hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, rotational rheometry, swelling studies and cell biocompatibility analysis. These hydrogels …

Circadian Orchestration Of Symbiotic Genes In Photosynthetic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria, Dylan Parks

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Rhizobia have long been known for their symbiotic association with the roots of legumes where they perform nitrogen fixation in specialized organs called nodules. The photosynthetic strains of Bradyrhizobia are of particular interest because they possess both photosynthetic and nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Sequencing and analysis of the genomes of Bradyrhizobium sp. ORS278, Bradyrhizobium sp. BTAi1, and a novel strain, Bradyrhizobium oligotrophicum BO-1 have revealed that they do not contain the canonical nod genes which encode nodulation factors (NF) that initiate symbiosis. The NF-independent symbiotic pathway has been proposed for the relationship between the photosynthetic Bradyrhizobia and semi-aquatic Aeschynomene legumes. This symbiotic …

Using Integrated Approaches To Study The Systematics Of Scincid Lizards In The Lower Sunda Shelf, Panupong Thammachoti

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Scincid lizards are one of the most diverse group of squamate reptiles, found from tropical to temperate habitats worldwide. In the tropical rain forests of Java, Sumatra, and other parts of the Sunda Shelf biological hotspot a higher diversity of these lizards is expected, particularly in comparison to adjacent terrains. Lack of exploration and cryptic diversity of skinks in these areas might amount for the disproportionate low numbers. Recently, large-scale herpetological exploration of Java and Sumatra has been done as a collaboration between the University of Texas at Arlington, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, and Brawijaya University. Large numbers of …

Relationship Between Food Intake And Expression Of O-Linked N-Acetylglucosamine Transferase Messenger Rna In Channel Catfish, Oaklee Abernathy

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Food intake regulation is a complex neural process that involves the coordination of multiple mechanisms. O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) is a neural nutrient sensor that aids in regulating satiety in mammals. Compared to mammals, little is known about function and regulation of OGT expression in fish. It was hypothesized changes in food intake are associated with changes in OGT expression in channel catfish. The objectives of this study were to examine tissue distribution of OGT mRNA and determine the possible relationship between food intake and OGT mRNA in channel catfish. Screening of the catfish genome database yielded four highly homologous …

Spatial Ecology Of The Western Massasauga (Sisturus Tergeminus) In A Large Interior Wetland, Joshua Mead

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Insight into the spatial ecology of a population of animals provides information valuable to the management and conservation of a species. Reptiles are facing global declines, with 1 in 5 species currently threatened with extinction. For cryptic taxa such as snakes, radio-telemetry allows for individuals to be reliably located on a consistent basis. I used radio-telemetry to investigate the spatial ecology of the Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) at Cheyenne Bottoms in Barton County, Kansas. Eighteen individuals (12 male and 6 female) were implanted with very high frequency (VHF) radio transmitters during 2016-2017 and tracked twice weekly from July to November …

An Aerial Perspective: Using Unmanned Aerial Systems To Predict Presence Of Lesser Earless Lizards (Holbrookia Maculata), Sean Rogers

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Implementation of unmanned aerial system (UAS) in conservation biology has allowed researchers to extend their surveying range for monitoring wildlife. Wildlife biologists have started using UAS technology for detecting large species (i.e. elk, manatees) within their surveying range and monitoring changes and disturbance in the landscape. Despite this technological advancement, there are few studies that target smaller species (reptiles, rodents, amphibians) for UAS surveys. The primary reason for this is that these organisms are simply too small for detection for aerial surveying. However, certain species are restricted in their range because they have specific environmental requirements, and the target for …

Reproductive Effort And Lipid Dynamics Of The Emerald Shiner (Notropis Atherinoides) In The Upper Niagara River, New York, Christopher A. Osborne

Biology Theses

Life history theory predicts that reproductive characteristics of organisms will be shaped by biotic and abiotic factors to maximize their overall fitness. In this study, I investigated how growth, reproductive effort, and lipid dynamics vary ontogenetically and seasonally for emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides) in the upper Niagara River. Growth rates were highest in age 2 shiners and lower in age 1 and age 3 individuals. Evidence of reproduction was found beginning at age 1, and reproductive investment as measured by ovarian lipid content was lowest in age 1 and age 2 individuals and greatest in age 3 fish. …

Ph Sensitivity Of Connexin 50 Hemichannels: H95 And Beyond, Leah Volk

Biology Theses

Gap junction channels formed by connexin proteins are critical for the health and function of the vertebrate lens. It is important to understand how these channels are affected by pH because a pH gradient exists in lens tissue. Intracellular pH (pH_i) is a regulator of gap junction coupling, and different connexins show different sensitivities to pH_i. A “Particle-Receptor” model for pH-dependent channel closure involves the intramolecular interaction between the cytoplasmic tail of the connexin and a region near the mouth of the channel dependent on a highly conserved histidine residue at position 95. While this model …

The Role Of Rck/P54 Enzymatic Activity During Hepatitis C Infection, Rachel E. Eager

Biological Sciences

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected 30,500 people in the United States alone in 2014. As a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, the HCV genome facilitates translation and replication of the virus within the host cell. During infection, HCV subverts numerous host proteins to aid in viral production. One such protein is DDX6, a DEAD-box helicase that is associated with the decapping complex and microRNA Induced Silencing Complex (miRISC). Previous studies in our lab have shown that DDX6 is required for HCV expression. Specifically, DDX6 modulates the interaction of miR-122 with the HCV 5’ UTR and promotes stability and replication of the …

Development Of A Rapid Small-Scale Purification Method For The Quantitation Of Heparin-Like Glycosaminoglycans From Cell Culture Media, Marina Danielle Infantado

Biological Sciences

Heparin is an anticoagulant medicinally used to inhibit blood clotting. It is commonly administered to patients requiring surgery or kidney dialysis. Presently, it is produced from animal tissues, but a recent contamination crisis pointed to the need for a safer source of the drug. Our project seeks to develop a rapid, inexpensive, high-throughput assay to quantitate the production of heparin and other glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from cultured mammalian cells. In order to quantitate heparin from cell culture media, a purification method is needed to separate GAGs from interfering constituents in the media. We developed a purification protocol that absorbs Pluronic and …

One-Step Cellular Micro-Rna Detection With Programmable Dna Nanoswitches, Molly F. Macisaac

Biological Sciences

MicroRNAs play important roles in gene regulation. Additionally, differential expression of specific microRNAs have been correlated with a wide range of diseases. Sensitive and selective detection of microRNAs is thus important for enabling their use as biomarkers, drugs, or drug targets. Current detection techniques such as northern blotting and quantitative real-time PCR require skilled personnel and expensive equipment to execute complex and time consuming assays. Here we develop and validate a one-step, non-enzymatic microRNA detection assay using DNA nanoswitches programmed to recognize and bind a specific microRNA. Binding induces a loop in the structure, allowing the target microRNA to be …

Effects Of Zinc On Cognition, Anthony Piche

Biological Sciences

Insulin resistance is the defining symptom of type 2 diabetes and a key risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Work from our lab and others has shown that insulin is a key component of brain pathways mediating cognition; specifically, mechanisms that transduce hippocampal memory processing. In the hippocampus, insulin regulates glucose metabolism through translocation of the glucose transporter GluT4 and modulates several other molecular cascades. Studies where insulin is studied as a cognitive modulator have generally used a formulation that contains zinc to stabilize insulin. However, zinc itself modulates molecular signaling pathways including AKT and GSK3β, which are both downstream of …

Genetic Variation Of Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis Septentrionalis) Populations In Nebraska, Michael Palandri, Jeremy White

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The objective of this experiment was to determine genetic variation between Nebraska populations of Northern Long-eared Bats (Myotis septentrionalis) and to relate this variation to White-Nose Syndrome resistance. We hypothesized that these populations would show variation due to spatial separation and a lack of intermittent hibernacula. Wing tissue samples were collected from different areas in Nebraska including Ponca State Park, Fontenelle Forest, Elm Creek, and Larrabee Creek. A total of 31 specimens were caught between these locations. Mitochondrial DNA was extracted, amplified, and run on a gel using 6 samples from Ponca State Park. The gel from the …

Cddo-Me Attenuates Inflammation In Healthy And Systemic Sclerosis Macrophages, Saemi Han, Rajan Bhandari, Patricia A. Pioli

Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters 2018

No abstract provided.

Predicting Mercury Levels In Freshwater Fish Through Biotic And Abiotic Factors: A Case Study Of Nantucket Island, Callum Hoyt Backstrom, Celia Y. Chen, Kate Buckman

Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters 2018

No abstract provided.

Harris's "Created To Live: Becoming The Answer For An Abortion-Free Community" (Book Review), Deborah Mcconkey

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Evaluating In Situ Grazing Patterns Of Lytechinus Variegatus And Their Effects On Seagrass Beds Of Thalassia Testudinum, Adrianna Parson

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

The sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus is a known grazer of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum, and has been known to denude vast stands of seagrass beds at high densities. Outside of these denudation events, the effects of sea urchins on seagrass are poorly understood. This study examines the effects of L. variegatus on T. testudinum in situ, to understand how sea urchins are affecting seagrasses in situ. Results indicate that urchins were found in the offshore portion of the seagrass bed at densities up to 4 urchins/m². Changes in temperature and sediment size in the bay indicate …

The Role And Contribution Of Saprotrophic Fungi During Standing Litter Decomposition Of Two Perennial Grass Species, Schizachyrium Scoparium And Schizachyrium Tenerum, Matthew Lodato

Master's Theses

In terrestrial ecosystems, most of the plant biomass produced enters the detrital pool, where microbial decomposers colonize, enzymatically degrade, and assimilate plant litter carbon and nutrients in amounts sufficient to bring about the decomposition of plant litter. Here, I estimated the biomass and production of fungi and microbial respiration associated with decaying Schizachyrium scoparium and Schizachyrium tenerum leaf litter, and constructed a partial organic matter budget estimating C flow into and through fungal decomposers. Significant losses in S. scoparium (57%) and S. tenerum (68%) leaf mass was observed during litter decomposition along with concomitant increases in fungal biomass, which reached …

Salve Regina Arboretum Ten Year Plan To Reach Level Iii Accreditation, Jameson Chace, Helen Papp, Allyson Gilbert, Madeline Lark, Kyle Mcguire, Krysta Tsangarides, Madisen Archibald, Meghan Beals, Mackenzie Begley, Meagan Clickner, Makayla B. Cormier, Erin H. Donovan, Paige Dostie, Luke A. Gagnon, Micaela Griffin, Dana Johnson, Kunsang C. Lama, Kyle A. Macleod, Shannon A. Miller, Megan Moschetti, Amanda Munoz, Jennifer O'Connell, Erin O'Neill, Emily A. Riley, Alejandro C. Rojas, Ryan T. Senecal, Delaney A. Smith, Nicholas J. Sousa, Karolyne N. Stimpson, Sabrina Vieira, Mckenzie R. Wood

BIO 255 Conservation Biology

The Salve Regina University Arboretum, located in Newport, Rhode Island is currently registered as a Level II arboretum and is intertwined with the city of Newport Arboretum. The university now has intentions to reach Level III status, as part of a ten-year plan. This plan was developed by the students of the Spring 2018 BIO 255: Conservation Biology course, instructed by Dr. Jameson Chace, Associate Professor of biology at Salve Regina University. As part of a curriculum geared towards civic engagement, the class focused on creating and optimizing strategies that can be applied to the ten-year plan. These strategies were …

Neuropsychiatric Aspects Of Near-Death Experience, Jerod Buchta, Mir Saleem

Biology Faculty Articles

Throughout human history, there have been numerous reports of a baffling process when individuals have come to the brink of death. This process, referred to as near death experiences (NDEs), cause an individual to experience events that even the most advanced science can still not answer. This review serves as a reference for the factors, phenomenology, and measurement techniques for near death experiences as well as summarizing these experiences in certain conditions, such as cardiac arrest and admission of anesthetics. Discussed are the theories, effects, analyses of specific processes involved pertaining to experiences of those who walked along the edge …

Internal Validation Of Strmix™ – A Multi Laboratory Response To Pcast, Jo-Anne Bright, Rebecca Richards, Maarten Kruijver, Hannah Kelly, Catherine Mcgovern, Alan Magee, Andrew Mcwhorter, Anne Cieko, Brian Peck, Chase Baumgartner, Christina Buettner, Scott Mcwilliams, Claire Mckenna, Colin Gallacher, Ben Mallinder, Darren Wright, Deven Johnson, Dorothy Catella, Eugene Lien, Craig O'Connor, George Duncan, Jason Bundy, Jillian Echard, John Lowe, Joshua Stewart, Kathleen Corrado, Sheila Gentile, Marla Kaplan, Michelle Hassler, Naomi Mcdonald, Paul Hulme, Rachel H. Oefelein, Shawn Montpetit, Melissa Strong, Sarah Noel, Simon Malsom, Steven Myers, Susan Welti, Tamyra Moretti, Teresa Mcmahon, Thomas Grill, Tim Kalafut, Mary Margaret Greer-Ritzheimer, Vickie Beamer, Duncan A. Taylor, John S. Buckleton

Biology Faculty Articles

We report a large compilation of the internal validations of the probabilistic genotyping software STRmix™. Thirty one laboratories contributed data resulting in 2825 mixtures comprising three to six donors and a wide range of multiplex, equipment, mixture proportions and templates. Previously reported trends in the LR were confirmed including less discriminatory LRs occurring both for donors and non-donors at low template (for the donor in question) and at high contributor number. We were unable to isolate an effect of allelic sharing. Any apparent effect appears to be largely confounded with increased contributor number.

Periodontitis In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Simran Agarwal, Deepthi Gangaram, Mir Saleem

Biology Faculty Articles

Periodontitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease that is characterized by swollen gums, degradation of jaw structure, and potentially tooth loss. Like Periodontitis, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is also highly prevalent and largely multifactorial. Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which higher than normal blood glucose levels cannot be properly maintained as the body’s normal mechanism of maintaining proper blood glucose levels, the release of insulin from pancreatic islet β-cells, becomes ineffective. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the relationship between the incidences of Periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes. The risk that Type 2 Diabetes poses for …

The Role Of Merlin And Apicobasal Polarity In Endometrial Development And Homeostasis, Erin Lopez

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Apicobasal polarity and cell adhesion are necessary for the proper formation and organization of epithelial tissues. Merlin couples cell polarity and adhesion through correct localization of the polarity protein Par3 and maturation of apical junctions. Merlin and Par3 are necessary for the development and homeostasis of highly regenerative tissues like the epidermis. The continual repopulation of the endometrium after each menstrual cycle requires a constant reorganization of cell polarity and adhesion. The endometrium consists of a luminal epithelium that postnatally gives rise to the distinct glandular epithelium. Endometrial glands are necessary to secrete nutrients for the pre-implantation embryo. In addition, …

Changes In The Microbial Community Of Lubomirskia Baicalensis Affected By Red Sponge Disease, Colin Rorex

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lake Baikal is the oldest known lake and a unique ecosystem, home to several species of fresh water sponge. A disease outbreak affecting the dominant species, Lubormirskia baialensis, was recently reported. The cause of the disease has not been determined but one of the current hypothesis is that the increase in methane concentration is correlated to the disease outbreak. This pilot study characterized the microbiomes of sick and healthy sponges through the use of 16S rRNA sequencing. Sick sponge microbiomes shared a conserved group of taxa while the healthy sponge microbiomes had greater diversity. Indicator species analysis identified two significant …

Building The Full Annual Cycle Picture For Long-Billed Curlews: Correlates Of Nest Success In The Breeding Grounds And Spatial Distribution And Site Fidelity In The Wintering Grounds, Stephanie E. Coates

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Migratory birds face threats throughout the annual cycle, and cumulative effects from linkages between the breeding and non-breeding grounds may impact species at the population level. Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus) are a migratory shorebird of conservation concern associated with grasslands that show breeding population declines at some regional and local scales. Curlews exhibit high site fidelity to breeding territories, but also spend approximately 75% of the year on the wintering grounds. Therefore, localized population declines could indicate localized threats, in the breeding or wintering grounds. However, little information is available regarding the spatial distribution of curlews on the …