Other Life Sciences Commons^™

Morphological And Molecular Systematics Of Resupinatus (Basidiomycota), Jennifer Mcdonald

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Cyphelloid fungi are, compared to their gilled relatives, poorly studied and understood. Within the tribe Resupinateae (which includes the genera Resupinatus, Stigmatolemma, Aphyllotus and Stromatocyphella), little is known about the evolution of the cyphelloid fruit body form. How many times has this reduced morphology evolved within the group? Do all cyphelloid members that are currently treated in this group belong there? Are there other described species of cyphelloid fungi currently treated in other genera that belong within the Resupinateae? This study presents phylogenies of the cyphelloid and small lamellate members of the Resupinateae based on rDNA …

Executive Function Predictors Of Children's Talk, Jacqlyne D. Weber

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Relatively few studies have investigated the relationship between executive functioning (EF) and language development, and even fewer have researched hot and cool EF as a predictor language development. This study is an investigation into the relationship between EF and language development in preschool aged children. More specifically, the ability for hot or cool EF to predict language, this will be the focus of the study. It was found that hot EF was a better predictor of language development in preschool aged children.

Molecular Mechanisms Linking Amino Acid (Leucine) Deprivation To Igfbp-1 Hyperphosphorylation In Fetal Growth Restriction, Niyati M. Malkani

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In this study, we explore the molecular mechanisms linking amino acid (leucine) deprivation to IGFBP-1 hyperphosphorylation in vitro. During pregnancy, a maladaptive fetal response to in utero amino acid deprivation leads to Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR). FGR infants display elevated phosphorylated IGFBP-1, which is associated with decreased IGF-I bioavailability. Leucine deprivation inhibits mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and stimulates the amino acid response (AAR). Using HepG2 cells, a model for fetal hepatocytes, we demonstrate that in leucine deprivation, the AAR modulates total and phosphorylated IGFBP-1 while mTOR mediates total IGFBP-1 secretion only. We also reveal that protein kinases …

Using Network Models To Predict Steelhead Abundance, Middle Fork John Day, Or, Monica R. Blanchard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It is important in the management of threatened and endangered species to have informed population estimates. Population estimates are used to gage whether or not recovery goals are being met. When assessing Pacific salmonids this assessment involves sampling a small subset of the population and then scaling up to estimate larger populations units. This is complicated by the fact that fish populations are not evenly distributed along river systems but respond to fluctuating physical and biological stream properties. We used rapid assessment survey methods and the River Styles classification to explore fish-habitat relationships. River Styles is a classification system that …

An Overview Of Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis In Utah, With A Focus On Boreal Toads And Their Changing Conservation Status, Samantha A. Beirne

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The Boreal Toad (Anaxyrus boreas) has disappeared from a large portion of its range in southern Utah and it has been questioned whether Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd, also known as chytrid) has played a role in its disappearance. The role of chytrid in range contraction of Boreal Toads and other amphibians in Utah is unknown. The primary objective of this project is to determine if any historic Boreal Toad specimens have chytrid to determine its arrival in Utah. If any old specimens test positive, the secondary goal of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between …

Geographic Distribution And Genetic Diversity Of Bakernema Inaequale, Kimberly Joanna Noce Whitlock

Masters Theses

Plant-parasitic nematodes of the family Criconematidae (ring nematodes) are distributed worldwide. Although several species are significant pathogens of turf and fruit crops, they reach their greatest diversity in natural systems. Ring nematodes are an important component of various soil habitats, and several criconematid species often are present in a soil sample. One of the most distinctive ring nematodes is the heavily fringed Bakernema inaequale, endemic to eastern North America. This nematode has been found as far north as Ontario, Canada, and up to the present, as far south as Grundy County, Tennessee. This research focused on determining the geographic …

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, …

Hitchhiking Bats On The Great Lakes Of North America, Saska E.H. Lohi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Bats can act as potential vectors for various zoonotic diseases and other pathogens. Therefore their interactions with people should be examined to mitigate potential risks. Bats are small flying mammals and hide in small crevices during daylight hours, making them difficult to observe. Consequently, they have a capacity to “hitchhike” on ships to be dispersed over large distances.

This study focused on anthropogenic unintentional bat translocations, i.e. hitchhiking bats. The study area is the Great Lakes region in North America. Using a web-based questionnaire survey, I asked the public about the frequency of bat-human encounters on ships, their nature, and …

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 …