Biology Commons^™

Glutamate Receptors At The Zebrafish Neuromuscular Junction, Trenton Randall

Honors College Theses

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, but at the neuromuscular junction, that role is taken by acetylcholine. However, during embryonic development, non-cholinergic receptors, including those for glutamate, are also present at the NMJ, which are not maintained unless used. These receptors can still form functional circuits, as evidenced by a process called neurotransmitter respecification, in which a neuron changes which neurotransmitter it releases, and is accompanied by the upregulation of the corresponding receptor by the muscle. This process has been observed in frogs and in rats. We predict that zebrafish also exhibit this neurotransmitter plasticity. To assess …

The Challenges Of Diet Generalism In A Microbial Predator, Dictyostelium Discoideum, Shreenidhi Perukkaranai Madabhushi

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Organisms vary widely in their diet breadth, ranging from specialists that feed on few resources to generalists that feed on many. Specialists have honed their ability to catch and process specific prey, but generalists must deal with prey that differ in nutritional quality and defensive mechanisms. Have generalist predators overcome costs associated with consuming multiple prey species or do they experience costly trade-offs when handling different prey? Generalist predators also live in environments that vary in the type and abundance of prey species. How do generalists navigate this variation in prey abundance and profitability and seek out their preferred prey? …

Trend And Awareness Of E-Cigarettes Among Students In A Private College In Sabah Malaysia, Vitalis Ronald Eden, Hazrina Hamid, Sreemoy Das, Regidor Iii Dioso

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Objective: This study aims to investigate the trend and awareness of e-cigarette use among students in a private college located in Sabah, Malaysia. Research Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a private college in Sabah. A self-administered questionnaire was adapted and distributed to 300 randomly selected students regardless of their e-cigarettes vaping status. IBM SPSS Statistic 27 was utilized to analysed accumulated data. Results: A-245 students participated in the study with a response rate of 81.6%. Majority of the respondent were female (69.8%), Bumiputera Sabah (72.2%), Diploma students (90%) aged 22-25 years’ old. The study revealed that almost all …

Survey And Comparative Analysis Of Pollinator Diversity, Abundance, And Foraging Activity Of Diptera And Hymenoptera In Selected Habitats Of South Texas, Melissa Villarreal

Theses and Dissertations

With the declining bee population, non-bee pollinators can serve as an alternative source for pollination. Diptera is a potential source of untapped pollinator resources based on their abundance and visitation rate, but they are understudied in the field of pollination ecology. This study aimed to characterize the pollinator community in selected areas of South Texas. It focused on the Diptera and Hymenoptera families to compare their diversity, relative abundance, foraging behaviors, environmental influences, and vegetation associations. Active sampling and line transect were used in the survey to sample the Hymenoptera and Diptera communities to their family taxonomic rank. Statistical analyses …

An In-Depth Investigation Into Yersinia Pestis Phages: Isolating A Yersinia Pestis Phage From Soil And Constructing A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis Of Known Yersinia Pestis Phages, Jacqueline Chavez

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague, has become increasingly resistant to many antibiotics; therefore, alternatives such as phage therapy are necessary. Phage therapy uses combinations of bacteriophages or phages, which are viruses that only infect bacteria. However, phages—especially Y. pestis phages —are severely understudied. Thus, this research has sought to specifically isolate a phage from soil that infects Y. pestis. There were 146 samples that were collected from across the US, focusing on those with reported cases of plague. These samples were enriched with Y. pestis to maximize the amount of potential phage that target Y. pestis. …

Red Grouper (Epinephelus Morio) Neurocranium, David Ferreiro

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

No abstract provided.

Comparing Metabolism And Hypoxia Tolerance Of Native And Non-Native Florida Freshwater Fishes In Climate Change Scenarios, Benjamin A. Share

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

As climate change brings rising water temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations to freshwater bodies, it has become increasingly important to understand how this will affect ecosystems with established non-native or invasive species. Fishes of the family Cichlidae are the most pervasive non-native fishes in the Everglades and may increase their range further north under a changing climate. To better understand potential invasibility and competition with native fishes, the metabolism and hypoxia tolerance of non-native Blue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus was compared to native Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus when acclimated across a range of seasonal and projected temperatures. Intermittent-flow respirometry was …

High-Severity Wildfires Alter Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Assemblage Structure In Montane Coniferous Forests And Grasslands In The Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, Usa, Jonathan Knudsen, Robert Parmenter, Theodore Sumnicht, Robin M. Verble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

High-severity wildfires create heterogeneous patterns of vegetation across burned landscapes. While these spatial patterns are well-documented, less is known about the short- and long-term effects of large-scale high-severity wildfires on insect community assemblages and dynamics. Ants are bottom-up indicators of ecosystem health and function that are sensitive to disturbance and fill a variety of roles in their ecosystems, including altering soil chemistry, dispersing seeds, and serving as a key food resource for many species, including the federally endangered Jemez Mountain salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus). We examined the post-fire effects of the 2011 Las Conchas Wildfire on ant communities in the Valles …

Unravelling Large-Scale Patterns And Drivers Of Biodiversity In Dry Rivers, Arnaud Foulquier, Thibault Datry, Roland Corti, Daniel Von Schiller, Klement Tockner, Rachel Stubbington, Mark O. Gessner, Frederic Boyer, Marc Ohlmann, Wilfried Thuiller, Delphine Rioux, Christian Miquel, Ricardo Albarino, Daniel C. Allen, Florian Altermatt, Maria Isabel Arce, Shai Arnon, Damien Banas, Andy Banegas-Medina, Erin Beller, Melanie L. Blanchette, Joanna Blessing, Iola Goncalves Boechat, Kate Boersma, Michael Bogan, Nuria Bonada, Nick Bond, Katherine Brintrup, Andreas Bruder, Ryan Burrows, Tommaso Cancellario, Cristina Canhoto, Stephanie Carlson, Nuria Cid, Julien Cornut, Michael Danger, Bianca De Freitas Terra, Anna Maria De Girolamo, Ruben Del Campo, Veronica Diaz Villanueva, Fiona Dyer, Arturo Elosegi, Catherine Febria, Ricardo Figueroa Jara, Brian Four, Sarig Gafny, Rosa Gomez, Lluis Gomez-Gener, Simone Guareschi, Bjorn Gucker, Jason Hwan, J. Iwan Jones, Patrick S. Kubheka, Alex Laini, Simone Daniela Langhans, Bertrand Launay, Guillaume Le Goff, Catherine Leigh, Chelsea Little, Stefan Lorenz, Jonathan Marshall, Eduardo J. Martin Sanz, Angus Mcintosh, Clara Mendoza-Lera, Elisabeth I. Meyer, Marko Milisa, Musa C. Mlambo, Manuela Morias, Nabor Moya, Peter Negus, Dev Niyogi, Iluminada Pagan, Athina Papatheodoulou, Giuseppe Pappagallo, Isabel Pardo, Petr Paril, Steffen U. Pauls, Marek Polasek, Pablo Rodriguez-Lozano, Robert J. Rolls, Maria Mar Sanchez-Montoya, Ana Savic, Oleksandra Shumilova, Kandikere R. Sridhar, Alisha Steward, Amina Taleb, Avi Uzan, Yefrin Valladares, Ross Vander Vorste, Nathan J. Waltham, Dominik H. Zak, Annamaria Zoppini

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

More than half of the world’s rivers dry up periodically, but our understanding of the biological communities in dry riverbeds remains limited. Specifically, the roles of dispersal, environmental filtering and biotic interactions in driving biodiversity in dry rivers are poorly understood. Here, we conduct a large-scale coordinated survey of patterns and drivers of biodiversity in dry riverbeds. We focus on eight major taxa, including microorganisms, invertebrates and plants: Algae, Archaea, Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Arthropods, Nematodes and Streptophyta. We use environmental DNA metabarcoding to assess biodiversity in dry sediments collected over a 1-year period from 84 non-perennial rivers across 19 countries …

Relationship Between Capsule Production And Biofilm Formation By Mannheimia Haemolytica, And Establishment Of A Poly-Species Biofilm With Other Pasteurellaceae, Yue-Jia Lee, Dianjun Cao, Bindu Subhadra, Cristina De Castro, Immacolata Speciale, Thomas J. Inzana

Faculty Publications - Biological Sciences

Mannheimia haemolytica is one of the bacterial agents responsible for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The capability of M. haemolytica to form a biofilm may contribute to the development of chronic BRD infection by making the bacteria more resistant to host innate immunity and antibiotics. To improve therapy and prevent BRD, a greater understanding of the association between M. haemolytica surface components and biofilm formation is needed. M. haemolytica strain 619 (wild-type) made a poorly adherent, low-biomass biofilm. To examine the relationship between capsule and biofilm formation, a capsule-deficient mutant of wild-type M. haemolytica was obtained following mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate …

The Impacts Of Seasonality And Nutrient Loading On Microcystis Bloom Development In Wall Pond, Alyssa Antolak

Bridges: A Journal of Student Research

The harmful cyanobacteria Microcystis dominates eutrophic freshwater systems globally. Eutrophication leading to nitrogen and phosphorus loading into aquatic systems is increasing bloom propagation and shifting diatom/dinoflagellate dominated systems to cyanobacteria dominated systems. Understanding seasonal variability and environmental parameters combined with nutrient loading will allow for better understanding of what factors are influencing Microcystis blooms. Biweekly plankton samples and environmental parameters were collected from Wall Pond on campus from spring 2022-spring 2023. Results show that yearly plankton samples shifted from Microcystis dominated in the early summer to diatom dominated in the late summer-early fall, then back to Microcystis dominated in late …

Are Rising Seas Pushing Ghost Crabs Out Of Their Comfort Zone?, Finn Gillette

Bridges: A Journal of Student Research

Ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) can be found on sandy beaches bordering the western Atlantic Ocean. These semiterrestrial crustaceans are often found between the swash zone and the dunes on beaches. Dunes are critical refuges for ghost crabs during storms and extreme tide events. This makes them a useful indicator species for monitoring the effects of global warming-induced sea level rise on beach biota, as their distribution patterns among beach zones may correlate with shifts found in other species. Beach surveys conducted from 2015 onward assessed the population density of ghost crabs on beaches of Horry and Georgetown counties in South …

Environmental Health Of Wildland Firefighters: A Scoping Review, M. Bryan Held, Miranda Rose Ragland, Sage Wood, Amelia Pearson, Seth Wayne Pearson, Olivia Chenevert, Rachel Marie Granberg, Robin M. Verble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Wildland firefighters are likely to experience heightened risks to safety, health, and overall well-being as changing climates increase the frequency and intensity of exposure to natural hazards. Working at the intersection of natural resource management and emergency response, wildland firefighters have multidimensional careers that often incorporate elements from disparate fields to accomplish the tasks of suppressing and preventing wildfires. Thus, they have distinctly different job duties than other firefighters (e.g., structural firefighters) and experience environmental health risks that are unique to their work. We conducted a systematic scoping review of scientific literature that addresses wildland firefighter environmental health. Our …

(R2108) Global Asymptotic Stability Analysis Of Discrete Time Population Model With Allee Effect Through Lyapunov Function, Govind Jha, Neeraj Kumar, Sarita Jha

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This study explores the idea of stability analysis by using Lyapunov functions in discrete time population models; this work focuses on the nth generation. Further, this investigation aims to extend global stability concepts to discrete-time models and considers the influence of the Allee effect on population dynamics. Mathematical formulations and specific modelling approaches are utilized to investigate the behavior of the population system. The results reveal a larger range of stability in comparison to previous findings, emphasizing the effectiveness of the Lyapunov function approach. Specifically highlighted here are the extension of global stability concepts to the nth generation providing insights …

Elucidating The Mechanism Of Interleukin-17a Signaling In The Pathogenesis Of West Nile Virus, Farzana Nazneen

Dissertations

West Nile Virus (WNV), a neurotropic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes, is a leading cause of viral encephalitis in the United States and remains a significant public health concern. Unfortunately, no vaccine or therapeutic intervention is available against WNV infection. Previous studies, including ours, demonstrated that interleukin-17A (IL-17A) signaling increases the cytotoxic potential of CD8⁺ T cells to facilitate WNV and parasite clearance; however, the molecular mechanism is not understood. IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC) is an obligatory co-receptor with IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) for signaling induced by IL-17A, IL-17A/F, and IL-17F. In this study, we found that IL-17RC deficient ( …

Minimizing Take Of Threatened Rattlesnakes And Optimizing Project Review In Se Nebraska, Shaun Dunn, Dan Fogell, Colleen Rothe-Groleau

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The western massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) and the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) are protected under Nebraska Statute 37-801-811 and listed as threatened species. These species occur in the right-of-way (ROW) along several roads in Jefferson, Gage, Pawnee, and Richardson Counties which necessitates the need for added Environmental Review (ER) from Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) staff and onsite surveys prior and during maintenance and construction to roadways. This project sought to minimize ER time, staff time, and increase the knowledge of these species in southeast Nebraska by:

1. Identifying precise locations of western massasauga brumation sites;
2. Mapping travel …

Effect Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Hbot) On The Proportion Of Splenic Leukocytes During Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Hetvi Patel

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can accelerate the regeneration of skeletal muscle after injury and improve overall recovery. Certain cells of the spleen are increased during muscle regeneration; however, the effect of HBOT on splenic cells during muscle regeneration is not well understood. In other experimental models, HBOT proliferates the proportion of splenic cells. In this study, eight male and nine female mice sustaining crush muscle injuries underwent HBOT at 1.5 atmospheres absolute for 60 min or normobaric hyperoxia (100% O₂) for 60 min within 2-6 hours of injury for 4 days. The mice were then euthanized at 4- …

Analyzing Head Morphology Trends With Increasing Population Density In A Jamaican Lizard Species, Lillian Durand

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Anolis lizards are model organisms for studying natural selection and evolutionary processes. One trait that is hypothesized to be advantageous for males is head size, as larger heads lead to stronger bite forces and increased likelihood in outcompeting other males for mates. To better understand how linked head size and intraspecific competition are, the head morphology of male A. lineatopus was analyzed among Jamaican populations with varying levels of population density. Population densities were determined using standardized plot surveys and mark resight models. Head dimensions and body condition for individual lizards were measured at each site. My study found that …

Quantitative Analysis Of Protective Effect Of Resveratrol Against Nanoplastic-Induced Oxidative Stress, Bryan Gustafson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Nanoplastics and microplastics are a growing ecological and health concern due to their widespread prevalence. The effects of these microscopic particles in biological systems primarily relate to their potential to produce reactive oxygen species and interactive effects with other cytotoxic agents. Of particular interest in this work is the effect on mammalian intestinal cells, due to the regular unintentional ingestion of micro- and nanoplastics in the normal western diet. In this study, Caco-2 cells were cultured and exposed to polystyrene particles in vitro as a simple model of the human digestive endothelium.

Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, has been …

Soil Organic Matter Processes From The Treetops To The Clay Particle: The Role Of Climate, Minerals, And Organic Matter Chemistry In Soil Carbon Accumulation And Stability, Jessica G. Murray

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Soils store more carbon than plants and the atmosphere, yet release ten times more carbon dioxide (CO₂) to the atmosphere than human activities each year. Small shifts in the balance of soil carbon storage and soil carbon emissions could make climate change less severe, by acting as a sink for the carbon plants pull from the atmosphere, or make climate change worse, by releasing even more planet-warming greenhouse gases. The processes governing whether soils store or release carbon depend on tiny soil microorganisms which convert plant carbon to soil organic matter, releasing CO₂ in the process. In …

Immune Variation Across Different Contexts In Non-Model Systems, Kwanho Claudia Ki

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The immune system is important to an animal’s survival against disease-causing agents and physical injuries. Accordingly, many resources are required to maintain and activate the immune system (such as energy). However, as these resources also need to be shared with other important systems of the body, the portion of resources that can be allotted to the immune system is variable. Thus, many different factors may alter how well the immune system operates. My dissertation sought to understand what sorts of factors can lead to changes in the immune system. Reptiles are known to have a very robust immune system. Therefore, …

Evaluating The Current State Of Evolution Acceptance Instruments: A Research Coordination Network Meeting Report, M. Elizabeth Barnes, Rahmi Q. Aini, James P. Collins, Ryan D.P. Dunk, Emily A. Holt, Jamie Jensen, Joanna R. Klein, Taya Misheva, Louis S. Nadelson, Michael J. Reiss, William L. Romine, Andrew Shtulman, Amanda L. Townley, Jason R. Wiles, Yi Zheng, Sara E. Brownell

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Hundreds of studies have explored student evolution acceptance because evolution is a core concept of biology that many undergraduate biology students struggle to accept. However, this construct of “evolution acceptance” has been defined and measured in various ways, which has led to inconsistencies across studies and difficulties in comparing results from different studies. Many studies and essays have offered evaluations and perspectives of evolution acceptance instruments, but publications with a focus on consensus building across research teams is still needed. Further, little attention has been paid to how evolution acceptance instruments may be interpreted differently by students with varied religious …

Interspecific Selection In A Diverse Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, Megan A. Rúa, Jason D. Hoeksema

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Coevolution describes evolutionary change in which two or more interacting species reciprocally drive each other’s evolution, potentially resulting in trait diversification and ecological speciation. Much progress has been made in analysis of its dynamics and consequences, but relatively little is understood about how coevolution works in multispecies interactions, i.e., those with diverse suites of species on one or both sides of an interaction. Interactions among plant hosts and their mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) may provide an ecologically unique arena to examine the nature of selection in multispecies interactions. Using native genotypes of Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), we performed a common …

Transcription Factor Expression Landscape In Drosophila Embryonic Cell Lines, Robert A. Drewell, Daniel Klonaros, Jacqueline Dresch

Biology

Background: Transcription factor (TF) proteins are a key component of the gene regulatory networks that control cellular fates and function. TFs bind DNA regulatory elements in a sequence-specific manner and modulate target gene expression through combinatorial interactions with each other, cofactors, and chromatin-modifying proteins. Large-scale studies over the last two decades have helped shed light on the complex network of TFs that regulate development in Drosophila melanogaster. Results: Here, we present a detailed characterization of expression of all known and predicted Drosophila TFs in two well-established embryonic cell lines, Kc167 and S2 cells. Using deep coverage RNA sequencing approaches we …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

A Multiplex Metabolomic Approach For Quality Control Of Spirulina Supplement And Its Allied Microalgae (Amphora & Chlorella) Assisted By Chemometrics And Molecular Networking, Nesrine Hegazi, Amira R. Khattab, Hamada H. Saad, Bishoy Abib, Mohamed A. Farag

Faculty Journal Articles

Microalgae species are of economic importance regarded as “green gold” being rich in bioactive compounds. Spirulina and Chlorella are the most popular microalgal species and are marketed as healthy food supplements. At the same time, Amphora holds potential as a source of healthy lipids and essential fatty acids. Yet, there are considerable variations in their reported chemical composition, and less is known about their compositional differences. A multiplexed metabolomic approach was adopted for the quality control (QC) of Spirulina supplements and to compare its constitutive metabolome to Chlorella and Amphora. The adopted protocol comprised gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), ultra-high performance …

Evaluating Corn, Tall Fescue And Canola Growth On Sediments Dredged From The Lorain Harbor, Maureen E. Roddy, Emily Kalhert, Corry T. Platt, Ashley N. Julian, Megan A. Rúa

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Soil degradation is a worldwide problem, causing the declining performance of many plant species. Recently, the application of sediments dredged from aquatic waterways has received attention for their potential as an organic amendment to revive degraded agricultural soils. In Ohio, dredged sediment research has largely focused on the success of corn (Zea mays) or soybean (Glycine max) following the application of dredged sediments from the Toledo Harbor, neglecting the potential for dredged sediments from the other eight harbors and waterways to change plant performance as well as failing to quantify benefits for other commonly grown crops in the region. In …

Evaluating The Success Of A Relocated Mussel Community In The Lower Sulphur River, Texas, Rachel M. Leicher

Biology Theses

Conservation efforts to preserve freshwater mussel communities have become more common as these animals become increasingly threatened by their changing habitats. As humans continue to shape and change the world around them, aquatic species living in modified and disturbed water systems can be negatively impacted leading to decline of the ecosystem. During disturbance events involving a stream, river, or pond, the relocation of affected mussel beds is becoming more widespread. Although there are few of these studies, many of those that have been conducted are seen as successful in relocating and conserving their mussel communities. This study focuses on detection …

Effect Of Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems On Soil Properties And Microbial Diversity In Soybean Production, Namita Sinha, Brett R. Rushing, Aniruddha Acharya, Shankar Gaapathi Shanmugam

Faculty Publications - Biological Sciences

Integrated crop and livestock systems (ICLSs) have been considered an important management-based decision to improve soil health by carbon sequestration. A two-year study (2019–2021) at CPBES in Newton, MS, was conducted to evaluate the effect of an ICLS on soil microbial diversity in the southeastern region of the USA, representing agroclimatic conditions that are warm and humid. Amplicons targeting bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal ITS2 regions were sequenced. Taxonomic assignment and characterization of microbial diversity were performed using QIIME2®. Soil fungal diversity pattern showed significant difference (alpha diversity, p = 0.031 in 2020 and beta diversity, p = 0.037 …

Analysis Of An Outdoor Pilot-Scale Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor For Power Optimization, Ash-Enhanced Productivity, And Nutrient Uptake, Peter F. Jeppesen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Outdoor testing of a rotating algae biofilm reactor (RABR) was performed to see how well it could remove nutrients from water and produce algae. By adjusting the operation settings, we found the lowest power needed to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. The lowest power values needed were 1.36 kWh per kilogram of nitrogen and 20.1 kWh per kilogram of phosphorus. The algae production rate reached a maximum of 7.09 grams per square meter per day. Detailed analysis showed that the reactor worked like a continuous flow system, and the performance was influenced by factors including light and temperature. The results also …