Other Life Sciences Commons^™

Jackfruit Peel Valorization Through An Integrated Biorefinery Approach, Rohil Kumar K Mr

Theses and Dissertations

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) peel (JFP), an abundantly available lignocellulosic biomass, remains largely underutilized despite being rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. In India, approximately 13,460 hectares are under jackfruit cultivation, with Panruti in Tamil Nadu as a major production zone. The discarded peel often contributes to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The present study emphasizes sustainable valorization of JFP through an integrated biorefinery framework for generating value-added bioproducts.

Major biopolymers, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin were extracted and fractionated, followed by detailed physicochemical characterization using FTIR, NMR, XRD, SEM, TGA, DSC, GPC, and BET analyses. Pectin extraction with …

Multiscale Modelling Of Eg5: Structural Insights Into Microtubule Interactions, Atp Hydrolysis, And Allosteric Inhibition Mechanisms, Soundarya Priya Alexandar Ms

Theses and Dissertations

The mitotic kinesin EG5 is essential for spindle bipolarity and accurate chromosome segregation during cell division, making it a validated anti-cancer target. Unlike conventional microtubule-targeting agents, EG5 inhibitors offer mitosis-specific action, reducing neurotoxicity. Although inhibitors targeting EG5’s allosteric site-I have been extensively studied, mechanistic insights into inhibition at site-II, and their combined effects, remain underexplored. This thesis systematically investigates the structural and dynamic mechanisms underlying EG5 function and its inhibition using an integrative computational approach.

Conformational analysis, coarse-grained dynamics, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, and protein network analysis were performed on EG5 motor domain structures and EG5-microtubule complexes. Results show that …

The Role Of Gsk-3Α Inhibition In Attenuating Lps-Induced Inflammation In Raw 264.7 Cells, Oluwaseyi Oyewole

Theses and Dissertations

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), an enzyme that modulates glucose metabolism, has been recognized as an essential target in major inflammatory diseases based on its great specificity in substrate recognition. GSK-3β has been connected to cancer, obesity, liver diseases, and neurological diseases. Nonetheless, the other GSK-3 isoform, GSK-3α, is much less studied. Previous studies from our laboratory showed that inhibiting GSK-3α potentially confers an anti-inflammatory response when tested on microglia. However, little has been documented regarding the exact mechanism by which GSK-3α exerts its effect. One of the potential mechanisms involving its anti-inflammatory effect could be partially attributed to activating the …

Investigating The Thermodynamic Properties Of Fat10 And Fat10ylated Proteins, Aravind R

Theses and Dissertations

Degradation of proteins by the proteasome is crucial in regulating protein levels in the cell. Post-translational modifications, such as ubiquitylation and Fat10ylation, trigger proteasomal degradation of the substrate proteins. While ubiquitylation orchestrates multiple cellular processes, Fat10ylation is primarily involved in the inflammatory response. Unlike ubiquitin, recycled upon substrate degradation, Fat10 is degraded along with its substrate. Although the thermodynamic properties of the substrate are critical for effective proteasomal degradation, they remain poorly understood for the Fat10-proteasome pathway.

Here, we demonstrate that Fat10 exhibits markedly lower thermodynamic stability and faster unfolding kinetics compared to ubiquitin. This is due to the absence …

Investigating The Impact Of Climate Change On Evapotranspiration Using Modeling, Faten Waheed

Theses and Dissertations

The available water resources are at risk due to climate change and the increasing water demand. Evapotranspiration is a very important element in water cycle. Evapotranspiration is perceived as a linking mechanism between the surface of the land and the atmosphere. Therefore, investing appropriate approaches to estimate evapotranspiration and the implication of climate change on evapotranspiration and available water resources are of great importance for better water management and food security. Penman-Monteith (PM) equation is considered as one of the most widely used equation for estimating ETo. It is also one of the most complex energy balance equations requiring detailed …

Investigating Ammonium Toxicity In The Performance Of Recirculating Periphytic Algal Wastewater Treatment Systems, Oluchuku Richie Ochonogor

Theses and Dissertations

Freshwater nutrient enrichment from wastewater facilities and other sources can lead to freshwater eutrophication, a threat to global aquatic ecosystems. Mechanical and chemical ways to curb this threat are either too expensive or not sustainable, and thus, not feasible. Compared to mechanical and other methods, sustainable, inexpensive biological methods (for example, algal treatment systems) have therefore been developed for the removal of excess nutrients from wastewater. By design, secondary waste treatment facilities (WWTF) remove organics and solids and lower oxygen demanding substances; however, they may not remove enough nutrients to protect freshwater ecosystems in all cases. While algae-based biological methods …

Optimizing Z/R Relationship For Radar-Based Precipitation Estimates, Jalon Gary

Theses and Dissertations

Z/R relationship is a power law relationship between radar reflectivity (Z) and rainfall rate (R). The relationship is expressed as Z = aRb where a and b are correlated with drop size distribution (DSD) and vary across locations. Using a Z/R relationship to translate radar reflectivity to rainfall rate can allow for real-time precipitation monitoring with a high temporal and spatial resolution. A dataset of 12 cases in Georgia from December 2021 to November 2022 was examined using the Georgia Weather Network rain gauge system and the KFFC radar to optimize the best Z/R relationship for each case. Radar-based precipitation …

Hypothalamic Manipulation Of The Anuran Hpg Axis: Alternative Hormones And A Non-Invasive Administration Route For Amphibian Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Art), Erin Michelle Saylor

Theses and Dissertations

Amidst the amphibian extinction crisis, in situ and ex situ amphibian species conservation initiatives utilize assisted reproductive technologies for optimal genetic management of captive and wild populations. Development of effective, simple, low-cost methods for obtaining gametes for artificial fertilization, sperm biobanking, or natural breeding alleviates obstacles for institutions or programs to apply reproductive technologies. Objectives herein include investigating the efficacy of alternative hormones for inducing spermiation, an alternative hormone administration route for inducing ovulation, exploring the physiological effects of hormone therapy, and utilizing sperm from deceased animals for biobanking.

Vegetation And Nutritional Changes Over 20 Years Of White-Tailed Deer Exclusion, Gabrielle Nicole Ripa

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge of the impacts of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter deer) as dominant herbivores throughout the Southeastern United States of America is lacking. To address this, three paired experimental units of exclosures and controls were constructed in 2000 on three Wildlife Management Areas across Mississippi within the ecoregions of the Upper Coastal Plain, Lower Coastal Plain, and the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Vegetation was sampled in the summers of 2000, 2005, and 2021 including vegetation structure, canopy coverage, basal area, and species composition. Additionally, in 2005 and 2021, biomass was sampled to determine potential impacts on nutritional carrying capacity. Among the …

Chronic Adolescent Stress As A Predictive Factor For The Risk Of Developing Ptsd-Like Symptoms In Adulthood, Grace K. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a stress and trauma based psychological disorder that is defined by the DSM-IV as an anxiety disorder that affects approximately 7.8% of people in the United States. PTSD is when those who suffer a traumatic event have intense and distressing feelings, emotions, and memories for a prolonged period of time after the event. A prominent feature of PTSD is the impaired ability to properly extinguish a fear response after a dangerous trigger or stressor is no longer present, also known as safety learning. Stressors are threats perceived within the environment that activate a response within the …

Modeling Vegetation Effects On Barrier Island Evolution, Eric W. Schoen

Theses and Dissertations

Barrier islands play a significant role in protecting coastlines and harboring coastal habitats. In an effort to study and better understand the evolution of barrier island systems, a cellular model capturing various meteorological and environmental processes is proposed. Erosion due to wind, gravity, and marine processes are coupled with plant population effects. We demonstrate the inhibition of plant cover on sediment mobility, island migration, and erosion in the presence of sea level rise.

Dna Analysis And The Postmortem Submersion Interval From The Microbiome Of Waterlogged Sus Scrofa Skeletal Remains, Claire Cartozzo

Theses and Dissertations

Following water-related deaths, soft tissue on victims’ remains may be entirely absent after a temperature dependent period of time. Due to their physical and chemical components, which protect them from environmental deterioration and biological attack, bones preserve DNA for longer periods of time. Therefore, the ability to both identify an individual and estimate the postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) may depend on DNA obtained from skeletal remains. The goals of the dissertation were to examine differences in both the degradation of skeletal DNA and the microbiome inhabiting bone in freshwater aquatic environments (e.g., Henley Lake and the James River). At each …

On The Scattering Of Topographically Modified Semidiurnal Kelvin Waves Into Internal Waves, Tianyi Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Semidiurnal tides propagate along continental shelves as a Kelvin wave mode. On wide continental shelves, the shelf topography modifies the Kelvin wave mode into a hybrid Kelvin-edge wave (HKEW), with features of a zero mode edge wave. Its free surface structure and alongshore energy flux concentrate on the shelf, and are sensitive to changes in the shelf width. When a propagating HKEW encounters an alongshore change of shelf width, the adjustment of wave structures results in the scattering of the incident wave into other wave modes, including barotropic and baroclinic Poincaré waves radiating offshore. These dynamics are studied using the …

An Investigation Of The Succination Of The Selenoproteins Thioredoxin Reductase And Glutathione Peroxidase, Scott Lanci

Theses and Dissertations

We have identified the irreversible protein modification S-(2-succino)cysteine, a product of the Kreb’s cycle intermediate fumarate reacting with the thiol group of cysteine (Cys) residues, also termed succination. Succination is increased in adipose tissue of diabetic mice in vivo and in adipocytes matured in high glucose medium (25 mM) in vitro. Selenocysteine (Sec) is a less common but highly conserved amino acid that has major functions in redox chemistry. Sec possesses a lower pKa (~5.4) and is much more reactive in comparison to Cys. This project aimed to determine if succination occurred on Sec residues in two selenoproteins that play …

Investigation Of Succinated Protein Turnover By Autophagy, Lydia Proctor

Theses and Dissertations

Background. Diabetes is a widespread public health concern that alters the metabolism of adipocytes through high glucose stress and hormonal dysregulation. Under diabetic conditions there are excess nutrients available and subsequently an accumulation of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates such as fumarate. Fumarate can irreversibly react with protein cysteine residues to form S-2-succinocysteine (2SC, protein succination). Succinated proteins can be turned over by autophagy, a mechanism of removing damaged proteins and organelles that have accumulated due to metabolic stress.

Purpose. The basal flux through autophagy in adipocytes matured in non-diabetic and diabetic conditions was examined to determine the turnover of succinated …

Tumor Suppressor P53 Response To Uv Light In Normal Human Keratinocyte Strains From Different Individuals, Fadi Farooq Abboodi

Theses and Dissertations

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative factor in variety of diseases ranging from simple pathologic conditions to malignant ones like cervical cancer in which HPV is the primary cause in more than 90% of cases. HPV is also associated with other tumors like head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the percentage of association varies according to the anatomical site, reaching its highest level (65%) in the oropharyngeal region. HPV proteins E6 and E7 are responsible for the transforming potential of the virus. The principal action of E6 is targeting the tumor suppressor protein p53 for degradation, while E7 …

Mislabeling Of Commercial Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) Products In Spain, Joshua Helgoe

Theses and Dissertations

The mislabeling of commercial fish products is a pervasive, worldwide problem. Most consumers of seafood are unaware this issue directly affects them and can even have negative impacts on their health. Mislabeling occurs when a product’s label is inconsistent with its content. Although mislabeling can be unintentional, deliberate mislabeling is a more common trend to increase profits and/or bypass fishing regulations - a form of economic fraud. Unfortunately, oversight, enforcement, and research are vastly insufficient in relation to the global scale of the problem. In order to add to the small knowledge base on European mislabeling rates, determine if overfished …

Proof-Of-Concept Of Environmental Dna Tools For Atlantic Sturgeon Management, Jameson Hinkle

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, Mitchell) is an anadromous species that spawns in tidal freshwater rivers from Canada to Florida. Overfishing, river sedimentation and alteration of the river bottom have decreased Atlantic Sturgeon populations, and NOAA lists the species as endangered. Ecologists sometimes find it difficult to locate individuals of a species that is rare, endangered or invasive. The need for methods less invasive that can create more resolution of cryptic species presence is necessary. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a non-invasive means of detecting rare, endangered, or invasive species by isolating nuclear or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the …

The Effect Of 3d Collagen Scaffolds On Regulating Cellular Responses, Chad Simmons

Theses and Dissertations

Epithelial cells, as well as other differentiated cell types, remodel surrounding collagen in vitro, to self organize into 3D structures. When placed on-top or inside of a collagen hydrogel, cells organize into a toroid or spheroid form. It is not clearly understood how these cell types modulate surrounding collagen to form 3D shapes. The goal of this project was to determine if cell type, collagen type, or cell placement are factors that can alter how cells reorganize and remodel collagen hydrogels. We hypothesize that the positioning, cell type and the type of collagen they are in contact with affect the …

Dispersal: A Multidisciplinary Investigation Of Plant Life, Alexandra E. Arzt

Theses and Dissertations

Using plants as a basis for exploring the interstices between the human and nonhuman, this thesis investigates ideas of awareness, intelligence, deep time, animism, and the fluctuating human perception of the agency of Nature. It outlines environmental art practices since the 1950s involving vegetal life. In addition, the paper provides a critical analysis of plant perception of Jakob von Uexküll’s work and theories of vital materialism and “critical plant studies” while noting recent studies in plant neurobiology. In my work, plants become active participants via their movement, seeding, and smell. This study takes the form of imitation, purposeful symbiosis, anthropomorphism, …

Differential Gene Expression Patterns In Hpv-Positive And Hpv-Negative Oropharyngeal Carcinomas, Swati Tomar

Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck (HN) cancer is the fifth most prevalent malignancy worldwide with 90% of them categorized as squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Carcinomas of the oropharynx, pharynx and the oral cavity, comprise a subset of HNSCC and are referred to as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). Up to 60% of OPSCC and 25% of HNSCC are positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), primarily HPV16. HPV positive and HPV negative OPSCC’s are molecularly and biologically distinct with differences in risk factors, age of presentation and clinical behavior. The precise molecular signatures of each have been well studied with respect to gene …