Biology Commons^™

Ad Fontes: Divergence-Time Estimation And The Age Of Angiosperms, Stephen A. Smith, Jeremy M. Beaulieu

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Accurate divergence times are essential for interpreting and understanding the context in which lineages have evolved. Over the past several decades, debates have surrounded the discrepancies between the inferred molecular ages of crown angiosperms, often estimated from the Late Jurassic into the Permian, and the fossil record, placing angiosperms in the Early Cretaceous. That crown angiosperms could have emerged as early as the Permian or even the Triassic would have major implications for the paleoecological context of the origin of one of the most consequential clades in the tree of life. Here, we argue, and demonstrate through simulations, that the …

The Divergent Responses Of Salinity Generalists To Hyposaline Stress Provide Insights Into The Colonisation Of Freshwaters By Diatoms, Kathryn J. Judy, Eveline Pinseel, Kala M. Downey, Jeffrey A. Lewis, Andrew J. Alverson

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Environmental transitions, such as the salinity divide separating marine and fresh waters, shape biodiversity over both shallow and deep timescales, opening up new niches and creating opportunities for accelerated speciation and adaptive radiation. Understanding the genetics of environmental adaptation is central to understanding how organisms colonise and subsequently diversify in new habitats. We used time-resolved transcriptomics to contrast the hyposalinity stress responses of two diatoms. Skeletonema marinoi has deep marine ancestry but has recently invaded brackish waters. Cyclotella cryptica has deep freshwater ancestry and can withstand a much broader salinity range. Skeletonema marinoi is less adept at mitigating even mild …

Effects Of Retinal Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone On Reproductive Behavior And Retinal Activity In The Cichlid Fish, Astatotilapia Burtoni, Chase Anselmo

LSU Master's Theses

Many animals use visual signals to evade predators, forage for food, and communicate with conspecifics. Some animals that shift into and out of breeding stages, such as fish, can modulate their visual sensitivity to better adapt to changing internal and external conditions. Previous work in our lab demonstrated that females of the cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni have improved visual sensitivity when they enter reproductive readiness. However, little is known about how fish and vertebrates more broadly modulate visual sensitivity across their reproductive cycle. We hypothesized that the hormone and neuromodulator gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) could modulate visual sensitivity because GnRH is …

Significance Of Color Dimorphism In Female Florida Scrub Lizards, Dylan F. Styers, Lance D. Mcbrayer

Honors College Theses

Color dimorphism refers to the variation in color, color frequency, and physical traits between male and female individuals of the same species. It manifests in most dioecious species, presenting as differences in size, color, marking, and behavioral sexual characteristics. Sceloporus woodi, the Florida scrub lizard, is a species endemic to Florida that exhibits color dimorphism, particularity in size, and coloration of secondary sex characteristics. Despite the significance of color dimorphism in the social structure and sexual selection in these lizards, little is known about the factors that are correlated to sexual secondary characteristics present in females. This study explored the …

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Aggregate Formation In The Cystic Fibrosis Airway, Alexa D. Gannon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial aggregates are observed in both natural and artificial environments. In the context of disease, aggregates have been isolated from both chronic and acute infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) aggregates contribute significantly to chronic infections, particularly in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Unlike the large biofilm structures observed in vitro, Pa in CF sputum forms smaller aggregates (~10-1000 cells), and the mechanisms behind their formation remain underexplored. This study aims to identify genes essential and unique to Pa aggregate formation in a synthetic CF sputum media (SCFM2). We cultured Pa strain PAO1 in SCFM2 and LB, both with …

Evaluating Uv-Protective Low-Emissivity Window Films: Implications For Thermal And Visual Comfort In Luminous Office Buildings, Lina M. Shaker

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

This review article explores the integration of thin window films and solar energy systems to enhance thermal comfort in luminous office buildings. Luminous office buildings, which prioritize natural lighting, often face challenges in maintaining thermal comfort for occupants. By integrating solar energy systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems, with thin window films, it is possible to optimize thermal comfort while harnessing sustainable energy sources. Thin window films act as a barrier against solar radiation, reducing heat gain while allowing therapeutic blue light (400-520nm) transmission. The advantages of thin window films include improved thermal insulation, glare reduction, and …

Photoluminescence Intensity Enhancement And Stability In Cdte/Sio2 Quantum Dots Through Water Molecule Adsorption And Trap Passivation, Daniil S. Daibagya, Ivan A. Zakharchuk, Sergei A. Ambrozevich, Mikhail S. Smirnov, Anna V. Osadchenko, Oleg V. Ovchinnikov, Alexandr S. Selyukov

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The study of the luminescence photostability for colloidal nanocrystals is an important task since the understanding of the corresponding physical processes advances new electronic devices based on semiconductor nanoparticles as well as other important applications such as biomarkers. In this paper, we provide the first study and comprehensive analysis of the photostability of the luminescent properties for colloidal CdTe/SiO₂ core/shell quantum dots prepared by an aqueous-based method. The quantum dots were exposed to continuous laser radiation during two time intervals with prolonged break in between. The photoluminescence intensity of the quantum dots increased over time under continuous laser irradiation. …

Removal Of Selenium Ions From Contaminated Aqueous Solutions By Adsorption Using Lemon Peels As A Non-Conventional Medium, Alanood A. Alsarayreh, Suha Anwer Ibrahim, Salem Jawad Alhamd, Thekra Atta Ibrahim, Mohammed Nsaif Abbas

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The disposal of heavy metals from various activities has become a pervasive issue. The investigation of sustain-able, low-cost adsorbents for the remediation of these hazardous pollutants has been widely disregarded. This research emphasizes the recovery of selenium ions from contaminated water using lemon peels as a cost-effective adsorbent. The adsorption was explored in a batch unit under various operational parameters, including initial selenium concentration (1-90 ppm), pH (1-11), agitation speed (100-500 rpm), adsorbent dose (0.4-5.5 g), contact time (5-180 minutes), and temperature (25-55 °C). The BET surface area of the lemon peels was found to be 27.86 m²/g before adsorption …

Cannabinoid-Inspired Inhibitors Of The Sars-Cov-2 Coronavirus 2′ -O-Methyltransferase (2′ -O-Mtase) Non-Structural Protein (Nsp10–16), Menny M. Benjamin, George S. Hanna, Cody F. Dickinson, Yeun-Mun Choo, Xiaojuan Wang, Jessica A. Downs-Bowen, Ramyani De, Tamara R. Mcbrayer, Raymond F. Schinazi, Sarah E. Nielson, Joan M. Hevel, Pankaj Pandey, Robert J. Doerksen, Danyelle M. Townsend, Jie Zhang, Zhiwei Ye, Scott Wyer, Lucas Bialousow, Mark T. Hamann

Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Research

The design and synthesis of antiviral compounds were guided by computationally predicted data against highly conserved non-structural proteins (Nsps) of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Chromenephenylmethanone-1 (CPM-1), a novel biphenylpyran (BPP), was selected from a unique natural product library based on in silico docking scores to coronavirus Nsps with high specificity to the methyltransferase protein (2′ -O-MTase, Nsp10–16), which is responsible for viral mRNA maturation and host innate immune response evasion. To target the 2′ -O-MTase, CPM-1, along with intermediate BPP regioisomers, tetrahydrophenylmethanones (TPMs), were synthesized and structurally validated via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data and DP4+ structure …

Rictor, A Mtorc2 Protein, Regulates Lymphatic Valve Formation And Maintenance Through The Akt-Foxo1 Signaling Axis, Richa Banerjee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The lymphatic vasculature maintains tissue fluid homeostasis by absorbing interstitial fluid to form lymph and transporting it back to the bloodstream. Collecting lymphatic vessels have lymphatic valves (LVs) that prevent the retrograde flow of lymph generated by hydrostatic pressure from the blood vasculature. Backflow and accumulation of lymph leads to a lymphatic pathology called lymphedema. This implicates the involvement of defective LVs in the pathogenesis of lymphedema and warrants the study of lymphatic valve development and maintenance. The LVs are formed through a process called mechanotransduction which signals through the intracellular PI3K-AKT pathway in lymphatic endothelial cells. However, the activation …

Treatment Modifications And Development For Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, Sarah Hurt

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a pediatric lysosomal storage disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the α-L-iduronidase (IDUA) gene that lead to the loss of a functional form of IDUA enzyme. Loss of this necessary enzyme leads to pathogenic accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in lysosomes, leading to cellular distention and dysfunction. IDUA is necessary in every cell of the body and, as a result, a loss of function leads to clinical manifestations of the disease such as developmental delay, cardiac dysfunction, bone disease (dysostosis multiplex), upper respiratory complications, and premature death. A range of severity occurs, with Hurler …

Treatment Modifications And Development For Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, Sarah Hurt

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a pediatric lysosomal storage disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the α-L-iduronidase (IDUA) gene that lead to the loss of a functional form of IDUA enzyme. Loss of this necessary enzyme leads to pathogenic accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in lysosomes, leading to cellular distention and dysfunction. IDUA is necessary in every cell of the body and, as a result, a loss of function leads to clinical manifestations of the disease such as developmental delay, cardiac dysfunction, bone disease (dysostosis multiplex), upper respiratory complications, and premature death. A range of severity occurs, with Hurler …

Diversity Of Gill Cichlidogyrus Spp. (Monopisthocotylean) Infecting Coptodon Zillii (Gervais, 1848) From Lake Naivasha, Kenya, Nehemiah M Rindoria

Polytechnic Journal

Monopisthocotyleans of the genus Cichlidogyrus are ectoparasites which infest on skin, fins and gills of most teleosts in both capture fisheries and aquaculture. These parasites are often unnoticed, yet they cause damages to the organs they affect thereby increasing susceptibility of the fish to secondary infections. A total of fifty specimens of the introduced Redbelly tilapia Coptodon zillii (Gervais, 1848) were collected between November 2014 and April 2015 from Lake Naivasha, Kenya, and studied with the aim of collecting and identifying the gill monopisthocotyleans. Standard methods of parasitological examination were used in the identification of gill monopisthocotyla species. The collected …

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Gc-Ms), Computational Analysis, And In Vitro Effect Of Essential Oils From Two Aromatic Plants, Bubonium Graveolens And Launaea Arborescens Growing In Southwest Algeria Against Potato Cyst Nematodes, Souad Ziane, Chaouki Selles, Khaldun M. Al Azzam, Bounoua Nadia, Belal O. Al-Najjar, Ali Al-Samydai, Obada A. Sibai, El-Sayed Negim

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The study tested the nematicidal effects of essential oils from Bubonium graveolens and Launaea arborescens on the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiens. The chemical composition of the essential oils was analyzed using GC-MS. To determine the concentration that killed 50% of the nematode population (LC50), five concentrations of the essential oils were applied to the tested organisms. The effects of essential oils on the hatching of cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis sp.) eggs in vitro demonstrated a wide variety of effects ranging from no impact to mild, moderate, and strong effects, which increased dramatically with exposure duration and concentration. All the …

Broken Su(3) Description Of Energy Levels And Decay Properties In Gadolinium Isotopes (A=156-160), Fahmi Sh. Radhi, Amir Abdul Ameer Mohammed Ali Dr., Ali H. Al-Musawi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study presents an in-depth examination of the energy levels and decay properties of Gadolinium (Gd) isotopes with mass numbers (A=156-160), utilizing the Interacting Boson Model-1 (IBM-1) within a broken SU(3) symmetry framework. Through this approach, we systematically calculated and analyzed the energy spectra, B(E2) transition probabilities, quadrupole moments, and potential energy surface (PES) which provided valuable insights into the shape and collective behavior of nuclei, as well as the decay properties of the selected Gd isotopes. The broken SU(3) symmetries provide a good description to the isotopes under study. This comprehensive analysis enhances the understanding of the nuclear structure …

Skin Microbiome: Current Target For Cosmeceuticals, Priyanka Kakkar, Neeraj Wadhwa

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Skin acts as a barrier to the external environment and perform various functions like maintaining internal homeostasis, sensations to touch based stimuli, vitamin D production and defence against foreign pathogens, prevent dehydration. Skin has its own diverse microbiota like bacteria, virus, fungi that is collectively called as skin microbiome. Skin microbiome balance is disturbed (condition called dysbiosis) by both internal and external factors which lead to skin problems like acne, psoriasis, dandruff. It is important to maintain the healthy skin ecosystem. Cosmeceuticals i.e., combination of cosmetic and pharmaceuticals, is a recent trend in the skin care industry where we add …

Core Concepts: Views From Physiology And Neuroscience, Jennifer E. Schaefer, Joel Michael

Biology Faculty Publications

Core concepts are “big ideas” that are central to a discipline, provide frameworks of understanding for disciplinary content, and aid student transfer of learning. Core concept lists have been developed for increasing numbers of higher education STEM disciplines. This mini-review uses physiology and neuroscience core concepts as examples to inform core concept pedagogies in these and other disciplines. The article reviews the development of physiology and neuroscience core concepts and compares the resulting concept lists. It then provides suggestions or “lessons learned” for educators and researchers who wish to utilize core concept pedagogies or who wish to develop core concepts …

Metabolic Compensation Associated With Digestion In Response To The Latitudinal Thermal Environment Across Populations Of The Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus Consobrinus), Benjamin D. Haussmann, Tiffany Hegdahl, Travis R. Robbins

Biology Faculty Publications

Environmental temperatures directly affect physiological rates in ectotherms by constraining the possible body temperatures they can achieve, with physiological processes slowing as temperatures decrease and accelerating as temperatures increase. As environmental constraints increase, as they do northward along the latitudinal thermal gradient, organisms must adapt to compensate for the slower physiological processes or decreased opportunity time. Evolving faster general metabolic rates is one adaptive response posited by the metabolic cold adaptation (MCA) hypothesis. Here we test the MCA hypothesis by examining metabolism of prairie lizard populations across the latitudinal thermal gradient. Our results show that populations from cooler environments have …

Mutation In Prkra Results In Cerebellar Abnormality And Reduced Elf2Α Phosphorylation In A Model Of Dyt-Prkra, Samuel B. Burnett, Allison M. Culver, Tricia A. Simon, Taylor Rowson, Kenneth Frederick, Kristina Palmer, Stephen A. Murray, Shannon W. Davis

Faculty Publications

Variants in the PRKRA gene, which encodes PACT, cause the early-onset primary dystonia DYT-PRKRA, a movement disorder associated with disruption of coordinated muscle movements. PACT and its murine homolog RAX activate protein kinase R (PKR; also known as EIF2AK2) by a direct interaction in response to cellular stressors to mediate phosphorylation of the α subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α). Mice homozygous for a naturally arisen, recessively inherited frameshift mutation, Prkra^lear-5J, exhibit progressive dystonia. In the present study, we investigated the biochemical and developmental consequences of the Prkra^lear-5J mutation. Our results indicated that the …

Road Signs Detection Using Ssd Mobilenetv2, Zahraa Salah Dhaif, Nidhal K. El Abbadi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

One of the most critical challenges for self-driving vehicles is accurately identifying traffic signs, which are essential for self-navigation and decision-making. Systems for the detection and recognition of road signs play a crucial role in this process by providing vital information for the vehicle's decision-making. This study proposes an approach for road sign identification and recognition utilising the TensorFlow Object Detection API and the SSD MobileNet V2 FPN Lite model.

In this proposal, we combine the efficiency and accuracy of SSD with the lightweight architecture of MobileNet to achieve excellent performance in object detection benchmarks while maintaining a small model …

Phosphorylation-Driven Epichaperome Assembly Is A Regulator Of Cellular Adaptability And Proliferation., Tanaya Roychowdhury, Seth W Mcnutt, Chiranjeevi Pasala, Hieu Nguyen, Daniel T Thornton, Sahil Sharma, Luke Botticelli, Chander S Digwal, Suhasini Joshi, Nan Yang, Palak Panchal, Souparna Chakrabarty, Sadik Bay, Vladimir Markov, Charlene Kwong, Jeanine Lisanti, Sun Young Chung, Stephen D Ginsberg, Pengrong Yan, Elisa De Stanchina, Adriana Corben, Shanu Modi, Mary Alpaugh, Giorgio Colombo, Hediye Erdjument-Bromage, Thomas A Neubert, Robert J Chalkley, Peter R Baker, Alma L Burlingame, Anna Rodina, Gabriela Chiosis, Feixia Chu

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

The intricate network of protein-chaperone interactions is crucial for maintaining cellular function. Recent discoveries have unveiled the existence of specialized chaperone assemblies, known as epichaperomes, which serve as scaffolding platforms that orchestrate the reconfiguration of protein-protein interaction networks, thereby enhancing cellular adaptability and proliferation. This study explores the structural and regulatory aspects of epichaperomes, with a particular focus on the role of post-translational modifications (PTMs) in their formation and function. A key finding is the identification of specific PTMs on HSP90, particularly at residues Ser226 and Ser255 within an intrinsically disordered region, as critical determinants of epichaperome assembly. Our data …

Antimetastatic Effect Of Nanodiamond-Conjugated Quercetin Against Colon Cancer: An In Vivo Study, Firli Rahmah Primula Dewi, Sephia Tiara Marviella, Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih, A'Liyatur Rosyidah, Vuanghao Lim, Lionel Lian Aun In, Amy Yi Hsan Saik, Bimaji Ariyogo, Mee Lee Looi

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Quercetin (Q) is a compound that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the colon; however, to do so, a high dose is needed, requiring a drug delivery system to target cancer endothelial cells directly. This study investigates the potency of nanodiamond-conjugated quercetin (NDQ) as an anticancer drug against colon cancer in Rattus norvegicus induced by N-methyl N-Nitrosourea (MNU). Materials and methods: This study is experimental-based and was designed using a six-group treatment method, namely normal control (KN: not treated by MNU, nanodiamond (ND), or Q); negative control (K–: treated by MNU); positive control (K+: treated by MNU …

Disappearance Of Cdc14 From The Daughter Spindle Pole Body Requires Glc7-Bud14, İdi̇l Kirdök, Ayşe Koca Çaydaşi

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The conserved phosphatase Cdc14 facilitates mitotic exit in budding yeast by counteracting mitotic Cyclin Dependent Kinase activity. Cdc14 is kept in the nucleolus until anaphase-onset, when its released transiently into the nucleoplasm. In late-anaphase, Cdc14 is fully released into the cytoplasm upon activation of the Mitotic Exit Network (MEN) to trigger mitotic exit. Cdc14 also localizes to yeast Spindle Pole Bodies (SPB) in anaphase and dephosphorylates key targets that resides at SPBs to license SPB duplication and prime the MEN. Protein Phosphatase 1 (Glc7) with its regulatory-subunit Bud14 is another phosphatase that plays a key role in spatiotemporal control …

Correction Of Griscelli Syndrome Type 2 Causing Mutations In The Rab27a Gene With Crispr/Cas9, Özgür Doğuş Erol, Şi̇mal Şenocak, Burcu Özçi̇men, Gülen Güney Esken, Hasan Basri̇ Kiliç, Yusuf Çeti̇n Kocaefe, Niek Peter Van Til, Fatima Aerts Kaya

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aimGriscelli Syndrome Type 2 (GS-2) is a rare, inherited immune deficiency caused by a mutation in the RAB27A gene. Current treatment consists of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Lack of suitable donors warrants the development of alternative treatment strategies, including gene therapy. The development of mutation-specific CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology has opened the way for custom designed gene correction of patient-derived stem cells. Here, we aimed to custom design CRISPR/Cas9 constructs and test their efficiency of homology directed repair (HDR) on the correction of exon 3 and exon 7 mutations in the RAB27A gene of GS-2 patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) …

Delivery Of Bikdd Proapoptotic Gene In Peptide-18 Targeted Poly(2-Oxazoline)-Dope Nanoliposomes For Breast Cancer Models, Zeynep Büşra Bolat, Ayça Ece Nezi̇r, Ongun Mehmet Saka, Itir Ebru Zemheri̇, Sevgi̇ Gülyüz, Umut Uğur Özköse, Özgür Yilmaz, Asuman Bozkir, Di̇lek Telci̇, Fi̇kretti̇n Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type and the major cause of death in females worldwide. For effective breast cancer treatment, systems with promising delivery of anticancer agents is an important strategy. Peptide 18 (P18), a tumor homing peptide, shows high binding affinity towards breast cancer cells. Nanoliposomes are known to have enhanced accumulation ability in tumors with longer systemic circulation. Poly (2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) polymers conjugated with DOPE were used to prepare PEtOx-DOPE nanoliposomes. BikDD is a mutant form of Bik gene, a member of the BH3-only proapoptotic genes, mimics the constitutively phosphorylated form of the gene. To the …

Pterostilbene Suppresses Head And Neck Cancer Cell Proliferation Via Induction Of Apoptosis, Tali̇h Özdaş, Si̇bel Özdaş, İpek Canatar, Erdem Kaypak

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most prevalent causes of death worldwide, and the discovery of anticancer agents for its prevention is very important. Pterostilbene (PS) is a trans-stilbene reported to be beneficial in managing various cancers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and anti-migrative effect of PS on HEp-2, SCC-90, SCC-9, FaDu and Detroit-551 cell lines. Materials and Methods: MTT and live/dead assays were employed to assess cell-viability, while cell migration test was performed to evaluate wound healing capacity. The mRNA, protein and intracellular expression level of CASP-3, BAX …

Optical Imaging And Gene Transfection Potential Of Linear Polyethylenimine Coated Ag2s Near-Infrared Quantum Dots, Altay Savalan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aimApplication of biocompatible heavy metal free and cationic Ag2S NIR QDs, which are highly luminesce in the medical range (700-900 nm), as a non-viral gene delivery system paves the way to overcome the auto-fluorescence and easily track the delivery of the genes in real time as it happens.Materials and methodsHere, the newly developed small and colloidally stable 2-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped Ag2S aqueous quantum dots electrostatically complexed with linear polyethyleneimine (LPEI) (Ag2S@2MPA/LPEI) was investigated for the first time both as a strong fluorescent probe and as a non-viral gene delivery vector for the highest tracking of the system and delivery of …

Elucidating The Heterogeneity And Epigenetic Determinants Of Memory-Like Natural Killer Cell Differentiation, Jennifer Tran

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that are a first line of defense against virally infected or malignant cells. Their ability to recognize and kill target cells is controlled by engagement of inhibitory, activating, and cytokine receptors. This leads to release of granules that contain perforin and granzymes, expression of death receptor ligands, and production of cytokines and chemokines. An effective NK cell response results in target cell death, along with changes in the nearby cellular microenvironment to promote immunity. As such NK cells play an essential role in tumor immunosurveillance, and there is an inverse correlation between …

Elucidating The Heterogeneity And Epigenetic Determinants Of Memory-Like Natural Killer Cell Differentiation, Jennifer Tran

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that are a first line of defense against virally infected or malignant cells. Their ability to recognize and kill target cells is controlled by engagement of inhibitory, activating, and cytokine receptors. This leads to release of granules that contain perforin and granzymes, expression of death receptor ligands, and production of cytokines and chemokines. An effective NK cell response results in target cell death, along with changes in the nearby cellular microenvironment to promote immunity. As such NK cells play an essential role in tumor immunosurveillance, and there is an inverse correlation between …

Intelligrader: A Framework For Automatic Short Answer Grading, Inconsistency Check And Feedback In Educational Context - Conception, Implementation And Evaluation, Paradesi Sree Lakshmi, Jay B. Simha, Rajeev Ranjan

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Automatic Short Answer Grading (ASAG), an escalating realm in natural language understanding, constitutes a focal point of research within the broader field of learning analytics. Over time, many ASAG solutions have been proposed to address the difficulties in teaching. However, no work addressed three crucial aspects of evaluation together, i.e., i) automatic evaluation of brief subjective/descriptive answers written in English, ii) identifying the evaluation inconsistency, and iii) provision of providing feedback about inconsistent evaluation to the evaluator. The current work proposes IntelliGrader, a comprehensive ASAG system that addresses the above-mentioned issues. Automated grading is accomplished through a model answer-based approach. …