Biology Commons^™

Blue Jay Call Profile In Disparate Environments, Daniel A. Gesualdi

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

Many species of birds have been observed to develop higher-pitched calls in urban environments; however local Blue Jays are unstudied (Mockford and Marshall, 2009). The urban environment's high noise pollution imposes a significant fitness challenge; then, the urban Jay calls will be different (higher) than rural Jay(Parris and Schneider, 2009). A series of recordings were taken in rural and urban environments; it was clear that there is a significant increase in maximum and minimum kHz in urban jays than rural jays. These results suggest that blue jays alter their calls to accommodate the environmental factors in urban settings similar to …

Effects Of Environmental Factors On Sensitivity Of Cryptococcus Neoformans To Fluconazole And Amphotericin B, Tyler Carlson, Emily Lupinacci, Katie Moseley, Srikripa Chandrasekaran

Open Access Fund Publications

Cryptococcus neoformans is a leading cause of fungal meningitis in immunocompromized populations. Amphotericin B (AMB) and fluconazole (FLC) are common anticryptococcal agents. AMB treatment leads to severe side-effects. In contrast, FLC-based therapy is relatively safe, although C. neoformans often develops resistance to this drug. C. neoformans must adapt to the challenging environment of the human host. Environmental effects on potency of AMB and FLC and development of drug resistance remain poorly characterized. Here, the effects of nutrients, temperature and antioxidants on susceptibility of C. neoformans towards FLC and AMB were investigated. Limited nutrients led to a decrease and an increase …

A Baseline Documentation Report For The Delta Wind Birds Sky Lake Nature Reserve, Preston T. Perkins, J Hays Dubberly, Michael J. Thomas, Jensine Coggin

Honors Theses

The purpose of this baseline documentation is to conduct a report on our subject property and discuss the findings. A conservation easement is established by upholding a certain standard of a property’s current condition which makes a baseline documentation necessary for an easement to be enacted. Baseline documentation reports are used as a resource to monitor and enforce the legal agreements of the conservation easement. The subject property is currently owned by the Delta Wind Birds organization. In our scenario, this documentation report will serve to aid in the conversion of our subject property into a conservation easement in which …

Corticospinal Excitability During A Perspective Taking Task As Measured By Tms-Induced Motor Evoked Potentials, Elizabeth Murray, Janet Brenya, Katherine Chavarria, Karen J. Kelly, Anjel Fierst, Nathira Ahmad, Caroline Anton, Layla Shaffer, Kairavi Kapila, Logan Driever, Kayla Weaver, Caroline Dial, Maya Crawford, Iso Hartman, Tommy Infantino, Fiona Butler, Abigail Straus, Shakeera L. Walker, Brianna Balugas, Matthew Pardillo, Briana Goncalves, Julian Keenan

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Only by understanding the ability to take a third-person perspective can we begin to elucidate the neural processes responsible for one’s inimitable conscious experience. The current study examined differences in hemispheric laterality during a first-person perspective (1PP) and third-person perspective (3PP) taking task, using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Participants were asked to take either the 1PP or 3PP when identifying the number of spheres in a virtual scene. During this task, single-pulse TMS was delivered to the motor cortex of both the left and right hemispheres of 10 healthy volunteers. Measures of TMS-induced motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) of the contralateral abductor …

(2808) Proposal To Reject The Name Acalypha Supera (Euphorbiaceae), Geoffrey A. Levin, Vernie G. Sagun

Biology Faculty Publications

(2808) Acalypha supera Forssk.; Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.: 162. 1 Oct 1775[Angiosp.: Euphorb.]; nom. utique rej. prop.Typus: non designatus.

(2807) Proposal To Conserve The Name Acalypha Wilkesiana Against A. Tricolor (Euphorbiaceae), Geoffrey A. Levin, Vernie G. Sagun

Biology Faculty Publications

(2807) Acalypha wilkesiana Müll. Arg. in Candolle; Prodr. 15(2):817. Aug (sero) 1866 [Angiosp.: Euphorb.]; nom. cons. prop.Typus: Fiji; [Viti Levu]; Rewa; “Unit. Stat. explor. exped.under Capt. Wilkes” (G-DC barcodes G00324021 &G00324022; isotypi: GH barcode GH00045512; K barcodeK000959008; US Nos. 1944717 & 1944718 [barcodes00096423 & 00096424]).

(=) Acalypha tricolor Veitch ex Mast. in Gard. Chron. 1866:483. 26 Mai 1866; nom rej. prop.Neotypus (hic designatus): “Hort. Veitch; New Hebrides[Vanuatu]”; Jul 1844 (K barcode K001235482).

Crocuta Crocuta (Carnivora: Hyaenidae), Virginia Hayssen, Paula Noonan

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Crocuta crocuta (Erxleben, 1777), the spotted hyena, is a large, widespread, terrestrial carnivore with a female-dominant social system. It ranges from about 17°N to 28°S and lives in diverse habitats from savannas to swamps (but not rain forests) and up to 4,000 m in elevation. As assessed in 2014, C. crocuta is listed as "Least Concern"(LC) by The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species version 2016.1.

The Perceived Differences In Employee Engagement Through Multiple Generations In The Workplace: An Hr Perspective, Ashley Dawson, Tammy Brown

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Total Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Siderophores: Key To Develop Iron Chelators And Tackle Antibiotic Delivery To Gram-Negative Bacteria, .Pratibha Desman

Research Symposium

Siderophores are molecules that act as iron carriers in bacteria. As they sequester iron from the environment and penetrate bacterial cells through active transporters, they can bypass the porin-mediated transportation in Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, conjugating antibiotics that lacks the ability to pass through porins to siderophores and forming “sideromycins” has been proven as a way to battle antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. My research will focus on synthesizing two siderophores, catenulobactin B and talarazine A as well as their analogs and exploring their potential to synthesize sideromycins. These molecules will be synthesized in a modular way and their cytotoxicity, ability …

Oral Roberts University Scorecard Results And The Development Of Sustainable Campus Operations And Sustainability Education, Makayla Stapp

Research Symposium

Colleges have helped shape the future by developing their students into leaders who will address injustice worldwide. One injustice that has received a lot of attention lately is the lack of organizations' concern for the environment. Colleges have an opportunity to demonstrate the importance and rewards that are received while taking care of the environment. Through being transparent with other organizations and having students, faculty, staff involvement, colleges can promote sustainability efforts that will last for generations. For an organization to adequately care for all aspects of the environment, it must analyze how it responds to the triple bottom line- …

Attenuation Of Angiomotin Expression Via Crispr In Triple-Negative Mammary Epithelia, Riley Andrews, William Ranahan, Ph.D.

Research Symposium

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer among women living in the United States, and it is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in either the lobules or ducts of the breast tissue. Additionally, breast cancer accounts for the second highest number of cancer deaths, only trailing behind lung cancer. Current efforts to treat this form of cancer include various combinations of chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation, and endocrine therapy; however, there is still a need for treatments with increased selectivity. Use of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing tool is a method that could be used to directly target cancer cells. This …

2014 Health Demographics Of A Rural Nicaraguan Community, Andrew Guymon, Brianna Mcgowen, Emma Foster

Research Symposium

In December 2014, a team of church members and associated healthcare workers from Owasso First Assembly in Owasso, Oklahoma, provided a free, two-day clinic and health assessment to the rural community of La Ceiba Dudu in Nicaragua. Services included medical exams, basic medications, dental extractions, and over the counter reading glasses. This report is a retrospective review of the patient records documented at that clinic. We analyzed the prevalence of parasites across five age cohorts and searched for correlations between parasite diagnosis and various patient metrics, including BMI, age, and gender. We searched for a relationship between occupants per household …

Gene Annotation Of The Hypothetical Protein-Coding Genes Of Coxiella Burnetii, Jason Salvato, Celestino Velasquez

Research Symposium

Genetic information of organisms and microorganisms has become readily accessible due to advances in genomic sequencing and bioinformatic technology. Despite these advances, there are numerous organisms with genome sequences that have yet to be annotated. Many of these genome sequences require manual annotation, which can uncover hypothetical protein-coding genes. Through the use of publicly available online bioinformatics tools, such as BLAST, T- COFFEE, TMHMM, SignalP, Phobius, and PSORTb, the functions of hypothetical protein- coding genes can be predicted from primary amino acid sequences. Two clusters of properties that aid in determining and predicting the hypothetical genes involve sequence similarity and …

[Squalus Acanthus (Spiny Dogfish Shark)]Jaw, Ally E. Sheehan

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Jaw from Female, [length] 6cm, [width] 5.5 cm [Squalus acanthias (Sping Dogfish shark)]

Fagus Sylvatica (European Beech), #1009, Megan L. Trafford

BIO 140 Arboretum Project

No abstract provided.

Clinical Overview Of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Pots), Sarah Davis, Celestino Velasquez

Research Symposium

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS, is a syndrome of the cardiovascular autonomic system with characteristic symptoms of tachycardia and orthostatic intolerance upon standing. The most commonly seen symptoms in-clinic include weakness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and palpitations upon standing. Other symptoms often reported but not prevalent for every patient are reduced exercise capacity, deconditioning, gastrointestinal disorders, dyspnea, gastrointestinal disorders, and brain fog. POTS affects mainly women (80%) of child-bearing years from ages 10-45. POTS has a 0.2 – 1.0% prevalence in developing countries. POTS is a syndrome and not a disease. It has an onset of symptoms that start after stress …

The Gut-Brain Axis And The Apparent Links To Autism Spectrum Disorders, Macgregor Thomas

Research Symposium

In recent years, researchers have pushed the boundaries of understanding of the human microbiome. Studies have pointed towards the involvement of gut bacteria in human health for decades, but now scientists have begun to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the symbiotic relationship that bacteria have with their hosts. Research shows that gut bacteria can influence an organism's neural and immune system development, behavior, mood, and even neurotransmitter concentrations. Like other systems in the human body, a delicate balance of homeostasis, acting through bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gut, keeps this system in check. Studies show …

Gene Annotation Of The Hypothetical Protein-Coding Genes Of Yersinia Pestis, Bethany Wilkinson, Celestino Velasquez

Research Symposium

Technological advances within the past two decades have allowed researchers the capacity to sequence and analyze any genome. However, while many organisms have had their genomes sequenced, hardly any have been manually interpreted to propose the organism’s hypothetical protein-coding genes’ functions. The primary amino acid sequences of the organism’s genes can be used to offer functions for the organism’s proteins. Online programs such as BLAST, T-COFFEE, MUSCLE, TMHMM, SignalP, Phobius, and PSORTb, identify several properties such as conserved domains, protein families, protein conformations, signal peptides, and transmembrane regions of the sequences. These elements can be examined to provide insight into …

Skin And Allergic Reactions To Stinging Ants, Bees, And Wasps (Insect: Hymenoptera), Hall Reed, Ph.D., Mary Christian Reed, M.D.

Research Symposium

Most encounters with venomous arthropods involve stings from ants, wasps, and bees (Hymenoptera), most of which do not require professional medical treatment. However, Hymenoptera stings represent about a quarter (22%) of the annual 1 million emergency department visits due to noncanine bite and sting injuries in the United States in 2001-2010 (Langley et al., 2014). Many such sting reactions involve non-specific skin reactions involving intense localized pain, redness, itching and formation of a wheal at sting site. Although most sting reactions are not diagnostic of the stinging species, the pustule formation of the sting of the imported fire ant (Solenopsis …

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) Jaw Prep, Olivia Williams, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Jaw from female spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Tilia Cordata (Littleleaf Linden) #1059, Heather Noel Mckee

BIO 140 Arboretum Project

In this paper I studied the Tilia cordata, more commonly known as the Littleleaf Linden, over the course of three months. I included the history and uses of the Linden tree along with its symbolic value in European culture. This tree symbolizes friendship and peace which coincides with the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy.

Synthesis Of A Material For The Sensitive And Selective Sorption Of Perfluorooctanoic Acid, Alicia Loucks, Stephen Hobson

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) Jaw, Jordan Warren, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Jaw from approximately 1 m total length Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias).

Connecting Environment And Phenotype: Deciphering Mechanisms Of Diapause Entry And Exit In The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Erin Monica Davis

Dissertations and Theses

Embryonic development is complex, dynamic, and dependent on environmental factors. Mechanisms of sensing and integrating environmental stimuli are diverse, and understanding these mechanisms in extant species can elucidate how complex phenotypes emerge from genomic information expressed in an environmental context. In Austrofundulus limnaeus, an annual killifish with alternative developmental trajectories, light and temperature are vital factors that determine if an embryo will enter a state of diapause. We hypothesize that embryos of A. limnaeus use the vitamin D₃ signaling pathway as a vehicle to incorporate these ecological signals into their developmental programing. Here we provide evidence of …

Removal Of Antibiotics And Nutrients By Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon Zizanioides) From A Plug Flow Reactor Based Constructed Wetland Model, Saumik Panja, Dibyendu Sarkar, Zhiming Zhang, Rupali Datta

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Overuse of antibiotics has resulted in widespread contamination of the environment and triggered antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria. Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not equipped to remove antibiotics. Effluents from WWTPs are usually the primary source of antibiotics in aquatic environments. There is an urgent need for cost-effective, environment-friendly technologies to address this issue. Along with antibiotics, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) are also present in conventional WWTP effluents at high concentrations, causing environmental problems like eutrophication. In this study, we tested vetiver grass in a plug flow reactor-based constructed wetland model in a greenhouse setup for removing antibiotics ciprofloxacin …

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) Jaw Prep, Matthew B. Edwards, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Jaw from Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Male Longnose Skate (Raja Rhina) Jaw, James A. Moss, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Male Longnose Skate Jaw (Raja rhina). Provided by Dr. David Kerstetter.

Barndoor Skate (Dipturus Laevis) Jaw, Erika M. Carrera, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Jaw from 14.4 cm total length (TL) Barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis), collected from Massachusetts on an unknown date by Jeff Kneebone

Barndoor Skate (Dipturus Laevis) Jaw Prep, Chase Adam Dejarnett, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis) jaw preparation done by Chase DeJarnett and David Kerstetter for the Sharks and Their Relatives course Winter Semester 2021.

The Malina Oceanographic Expedition: How Do Changes In Ice Cover, Permafrost And Uv Radiation Impact Biodiversity And Biogeochemical Fluxes In The Arctic Ocean?, Philippe Massicotte, Rainer M.W. Amon, Antoine David, Sergio Balzano, Simon Bélanger, Ronald Benner, Dominique Boeuf, Annick Bricaud, Flavienne Bruyant, Gwenaëlle Chaillou, Malik Chami, Bruno Charrière, Jing Chen, Hervé Claustre, Pierre Coupel, Nicole Delsaut, David Doxaran, Jens Ehn, Cédric Fichot, Marie-Hélène Forget, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

The MALINA oceanographic campaign was conducted during summer 2009 to investigate the carbon stocks and the processes controlling the carbon fluxes in the Mackenzie River estuary and the Beaufort Sea. During the campaign, an extensive suite of physical, chemical and biological variables were measured across seven shelf-basin transects (south-north) to capture the meridional gradient between the estuary and the open ocean. Key variables such as temperature, absolute salinity, radiance, irradiance, nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll a concentration, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and taxonomy, and carbon stocks and fluxes were routinely measured onboard the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen and from a …