Biology Commons^™

Prevalence Of Dirofilaria Immitis In Southern California’S Invasive Aedes Species And Native Culiseta Incidens, Zaina Chaban

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne parasite that causes dog heartworm disease, effecting over 100,000 dogs in the United States each year (CAPC - Parasite Prevalence Maps., 2021). Increased disease reports are commonly attributed to an increase in the local mosquito vector population. Since 2013, dog heartworm disease cases have increased by approximately 21% in the United States as reported by the American Heartworm Society. During the same time, invasive mosquitoes belonging to the genus Aedes have been found in Southern California and spread to other areas. The purpose of our research was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria …

Analysis Of Adult Neural Retina Extracellular Vesicle Release, Rna Transport And Proteomic Cargo, Jason Mighty, Jing Zhou, Alberto Benito-Martin, Sami Sauma, Samer Hanna, Onyekwere Onwumere, Cui Shi, Martin Muntzel, Moira Sauane, Michael Young, Henrik Molina, Dianne Cox, Stephen Redenti

Publications and Research

PURPOSE. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain RNA and protein cargo reflective of the genotype and phenotype of the releasing cell of origin. Adult neural retina EV release, RNA transfer, and proteomic cargo are the focus of this study.

METHODS. Adult wild-type mouse retinae were cultured and released EV diameters and concentrations quantified using Nanosight. Immunogold transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to image EV ultrastructure and marker protein localization. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze retinal cell transcripts present in EVs. Super-resolution microscopy was used to image fluorescent (green) RNA and (red) lipid membrane labeled EVs, released …

Human Impact Overrides Bioclimatic Drivers Of Red Fox Home Range Size Globally, Michael Main, Robert Davis, David Blake, Harriet Mills, Tim Doherty

Research Datasets

Aim Identifying the variables that influence animal home range size is important for understanding the biological requirements of individuals and their social interactions. Given their often broad distributions, carnivores are model organisms for studying range-wide determinants of home range size. Here we test predictions about environmental determinants of home range size for one of the world’s most widely distributed carnivores, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes).

Location Global

Methods We compiled a database of 70 mean home range estimates from 62 studies and four continents, which we analysed according to site-based temperature, precipitation, environmental productivity and human influence …

Hybrid Zone Barriers Comparative Data Set, David L. Field

Research Datasets

Many recent studies have addressed the mechanisms operating during the early stages of speciation, but surprisingly few studies have tested theoretical predictions on the evolution of strong reproductive isolation (RI). To help address this gap, we first undertook a quantitative review of the hybrid zone literature for flowering plants in relation to reproductive barriers. Then, using Populus as an exemplary model group, we analysed genome-wide variation for phylogenetic tree topologies in both early- and late-stage speciation taxa to determine how these patterns may be related to the genomic architecture of RI. Our plant literature survey revealed variation in barrier complexity …

Modelling Mycorrhizal Fungi Dispersal By The Mycophagous Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia Bicolor) [Dataset], Melissa Danks, Natalie Simpson, Todd F. Elliot, C.E. Timothy Paine, Karl Vernes

Research Datasets

Despite the importance of mammal-fungal interactions, tools to estimate the mammal-assisted dispersal distances of fungi are lacking. Many mammals actively consume fungal fruiting bodies, the spores of which remain viable after passage through their digestive tract. Many of these fungi form symbiotic relationships with trees and provide an array of other key ecosystem functions. We present a flexible, general model to predict the distance a mycophagous mammal would disperse fungal spores. We modelled the probability of spore dispersal by combining animal movement data from GPS-telemetry with data on spore gut-retention time. We test this model using an exemplar generalist mycophagist, …

Characterizing The Requirements For The Matricellular Protein, Dccn, In Nervous System Function, Elizabeth L. Catudio Garrett

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The brain is organized as a complex network of specialized neurons that communicate via a combination of electrical and chemical signals. Our brains function to generate movement, control organ function, or direct complex behaviors; all of which requires the ability to regulate the flow of communication between circuits and networks. Work in this thesis addresses two areas of neuron communication: first, how does the release of more than one neurotransmitter from a single neuron impact behavior, and second, are matricellular proteins (MCPs) key contributors to synaptic transmission and neuron function? The conserved CCN family of MCPs have a …

Breastfeeding Practices 2008–2009 Among Chinese Mothers Living In Ireland: A Mixed Methods Study, Qianling Zhou, Katherine Younger, Tanya M. Cassidey, Wenyi Wang, John Kearney

Articles

Background

Migration to another country has a potential influence on breastfeeding practices. A significant difference in breastfeeding rates between Irish nationals and non-nationals has been reported. This study was conducted to explore breastfeeding practices of the Chinese in Ireland, one of the largest Irish ethnic groups, and to explore the influence of living in Ireland on breastfeeding practices. This is the first and the only migration study so far on breastfeeding practices among the Chinese in Ireland.

Methods

A sequential explanatory mixed methods approach was adopted. The first phase was a cross-sectional self-administered retrospective mailed survey, to explore breastfeeding practices …

Deriving Statistical Inference From The Application Of Artificial Neural Networks To Clinical Metabolomics Data, Kevin M. Mendez

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Metabolomics data are complex with a high degree of multicollinearity. As such, multivariate linear projection methods, such as partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) have become standard. Non-linear projections methods, typified by Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) may be more appropriate to model potential nonlinear latent covariance; however, they are not widely used due to difficulty in deriving statistical inference, and thus biological interpretation. Herein, we illustrate the utility of ANNs for clinical metabolomics using publicly available data sets and develop an open framework for deriving and visualising statistical inference from ANNs equivalent to standard PLS-DA methods.

Analysis Of The Impact Of Professional Learning Teams On Teaching Practices And Student Achievement In Biology Using Dufour’S Model, Rowena K. Dawkins

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed-methods study addresses the perceived impact of working in Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) on teaching practices and student achievement in biology. The study replicates Roberts’s (2010) study. Success in biology is important to the nation because it aligns with national efforts to prepare students to compete in global markets. Educators use PLTs to support development of educators and address student educational needs. PLTs share basic functions. Basic functions were defined using DuFour’s (2004) three big ideas of PLCs: ensuring students learn at high levels, promoting a collaborative culture, and focusing on academic results. Biology teachers completed an anonymous online …

First Report Of Molecular Characterization And Phylogeny Of Trichuris Fossor Hall, 1916 (Nematoda: Trichuridae), Malorri R. Hughes, Deborah A. Duffield, Dana K. Howe, Dee Denver

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Because species of Trichuris are morphologically similar and ranges of host preference are variable, using molecular data to evaluate species delineations is essential for properly quantifying biodiversity of and relationships within Trichuridae. Trichuris fossor has been reported from Thomomys spp. (Rodentia: Geomyidae, ‘pocket gophers’) hosts based on morphological features alone. Partial 18S rRNA sequences for specimens identified as T. fossor based on morphology, along with sequences from 26 additional taxa, were used for a phylogenetic analysis. Evolutionary histories were constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. In both analyses, the specimens fell within the Trichuris clade with 100% support and …

Reemergence Of Guadalupe Fur Seals In The U.S. Pacific Northwest: The Epidemiology Of Tranding Events During 2005–2016, Erin D'Agnese, Dyanna M. Lambourn, James Rice, Debbie Duffield, Jessica L. Huggins, Terry Spraker, Stephen A. Raverty, Tetiana Kuzmina, Micheal E. Grigg, Kristin Wilkinson, Multiple Additional Authors

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Guadalupe fur seals (GFS), Arctocephalus philippii townsendi, an U.S. Endangered Species Act threatened pinniped, have recently reappeared in their historic range along the western seaboard of the continental United States. Starting 2005 through 2016, 169 GFSs stranded in Washington and Oregon, involving two designated unusual mortality events. The circumstances surrounding GFS strandings, mortality, and their increased presence in Oregon and Washington were analyzed during this study. Detailed necropsies, histopathology (n = 93), and epidemiological analysis found three main causes of death (COD): emaciation (44%), trauma (29%), and infectious disease (19%) and the factors associated with overall strandings and …

Crossing Boundaries: Steps Toward Measuring Undergraduates' Interdisciplinary Science Understanding, Brie Tripp, Sophia A. Voronoff, Erin Shortlidge

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

A desired outcome of education reform efforts is for undergraduates to effectively integrate knowledge across disciplines in order to evaluate and address real-world issues. Yet there are few assessments designed to measure if and how students think interdisciplinarily. Here, a sample of science faculty were surveyed to understand how they currently assess students’ interdisciplinary science understanding. Results indicate that individual writing-intensive activities are the most frequently used assessment type (69%). To understand how writing assignments can accurately assess students’ ability to think interdisciplinarily, we used a preexisting rubric, designed to measure social science students’ interdisciplinary understanding, to assess writing assignments …

The Utilization Of Eukaryotic Cell Types In Microbiomes For Semen, Vaginal Fluid, And Menstrual Blood Identification Using 18s Rdna, Ines Benaissa

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

The accurate identification of body fluids is vital for crime scene investigation and forensic analysis. While many body fluids can be presumptively identified, there is a lack of confirmatory testing for verification. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if body fluids (menstrual blood, vaginal fluid, and semen) could be differentiated based on their eukaryotic microbial communities. The target area of interest was the V9 hyper-variable region of 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA). The samples were extracted, barcoded using a duel-index strategy, and PCR amplified before undergoing high throughput sequencing using the Illumina Miseq FGx instrument. The samples …

Development Of A Quantitative Pcr (Qpcr) Based Method For Studying Temporal Dna Degradation In Waterlogged Bone, Isis Thornton

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Human activities are often centered around the presence of water, thus it is not surprising that there are many water-related human deaths. Accumulated degree days (ADD), and other aquatic variables may affect DNA retrieval from waterlogged bone. Calcium and collagen in bone can inhibit the PCR necessary to produce an STR profile; the current solution is a time-consuming organic extraction. While there are examples of research on DNA degradation in terrestrial bone over time, there has been little work done on submerged bone samples and they are usually limited to case studies. The major aim of this study was to …

Link Between Energy Investment In Biosynthesis And Cellular Resistance To Oxidative Insult: Test The Cost-Quality Hypothesis In Insects, Taiwo Bolanle Iromini

Masters Theses

“The metabolic cost of growth is the amount of energy invested to fuel the anabolic biochemical reactions of biosynthesis. It has been implicated in the efficiency of farm animals and fishes, thus, increased economic profit. The metabolic cost of growth in the cockroach nymph was reported to be 20-fold higher than that of the painted lady butterfly caterpillar. The cost-quality hypothesis was proposed to explain the extremely low biosynthesis energy cost in painted lady caterpillar when physiological and ecological processes the metabolic growth cost was attributed to could not. In this study, the cost-quality hypothesis was tested.

Midgut cells were …

Evaluation Of The Use Of Alternative Biomarkers As Indicators Of Post-Release Mortality In Blacktip Sharks (Carcharhinus Limbatus), Casey L. Zender

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The release of sharks caught in recreational fisheries or as by-catch in non-target commercial fisheries is generally regarded as a sustainable fishing approach. However, post-release mortality can occur in these fish due to physiological damage sustained during capture. It is important to determine the amount of mortality specifically attributed to capture so losses can be accounted for in population management practices. Previous studies have used electronic tagging and/or measurement of secondary stress indicators in plasma (e.g., pH, levels of lactate, glucose, pCO₂) to estimate rates of post-release mortality. These methods may not always be the best approaches, as …