Mitochondrial Efficiency: Bridging Early-Life Environment And Organismal Performance,
2026
Bucknell University
Mitochondrial Efficiency: Bridging Early-Life Environment And Organismal Performance, Kayla E. Lichtner
Master’s Theses
Mitochondria operate at the forefront of organismal-environmental interactions. Despite remarkable diversity in mitochondrial function both within and among species, all mitochondria serve a universal role in facilitating the flow of energy between organisms and their environment. Energetic efficiency, the way in which organisms assimilate and transform environmental substrate into physiological currency, is a major determinant of organismal performance. Although previous studies have shown that early-life environment can have lasting effects on metabolism, the underlying mechanisms driving the emergence of mitochondrial phenotypic variation remain poorly understood. Leach’s storm-petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous) provide a valuable opportunity to investigate longitudinal hypotheses of …
Hybridization And Introgression In Marine Invertebrates: Population Genomics Of Phymactis Papillosa And Asterias Sea Stars,
2026
CUNY City College
Hybridization And Introgression In Marine Invertebrates: Population Genomics Of Phymactis Papillosa And Asterias Sea Stars, Christopher J. Dookie
Dissertations and Theses
Hybridization and introgression are evolutionary significant processes in marine invertebrates (Sanford & Kelly,2011) yet genome-wide investigations of gene flow in these taxa remain limited relative to vertebrate systems (Marchi et al., 2021). This thesis presents genomic analyses of hybridization and introgression in two marine invertebrates occupying contrasting oceanographic settings and characterized by contrasting genomic datasets: restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) SNP data for the eastern Pacific sea anemone Phymactis papillosa and whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for the North Atlantic sea stars Asterias rubens and Asterias forbesi. For each system, I applied coalescent-based species tree inference using CASTER (Zhang …
Modulating Oran Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria To Enhance Nitric Oxide Bioavailability As A Therapeutic Target For Atherosclerosis,
2026
Claremont McKenna College
Modulating Oran Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria To Enhance Nitric Oxide Bioavailability As A Therapeutic Target For Atherosclerosis, Donovan C. Davidson
CMC Senior Theses
Atherosclerosis remains the primary driver of global cardiovascular disease, yet clinical interventions are largely restricted to high-cost, invasive procedures only after it has reached a critical stage. Recent research has identified a connection between the oral microbiome and vascular health via the enterosalivary nitrate-nitrite-nitic oxide (NO) pathway. Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria (ONRB) drive the synthesization of NO by reducing dietary nitrate into nitrite, which is then converted into bioavailable NO. NO is a potent vasodilator that maintains endothelial health by suppressing inflammation through inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. However, this pathway is easily compromised by dysbiotic oral …
Sex In Plants: Birth, Death, And Trying To Survive In Changing Climates,
2026
VCU
Sex In Plants: Birth, Death, And Trying To Survive In Changing Climates, Elena M. Meyer
Theses and Dissertations
Plant mating systems are key determinants of fitness. Angiosperms exhibit a wide variety of reproductive strategies, including self-fertilization (or selfing), outcrossing, and mixed mating. It has been estimated that up to 43% of plant species are capable of selfing, and selfing has been hypothesized to provide reproductive assurance where opportunities for mating may be limited, such as in marginal environments. However, questions regarding the overall distribution of selfing rates across angiosperms, the maintenance of mixed mating in the face of inbreeding depression, and the impact of self-fertilization on diversification rates remain incompletely resolved. Here, we explore the dynamics of self-fertilization …
An Exploratory Analysis Of The Role Of Sex In Load Carriage,
2026
The University Of Montana
An Exploratory Analysis Of The Role Of Sex In Load Carriage, Rachel E. Perez, Dustin R. Slivka, Brent C. Ruby
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Axially loaded weight may impose a metabolic demand equivalent to that of fat mass (FM) during load carriage. Males (M) typically have a lower body fat percentage than females (F), resulting in metabolic demand differences during load carriage that may be mitigated by accounting for FM in pack loads. PURPOSE: To determine whether normalizing pack load to FM equalizes metabolic cost across sexes during load carriage. METHODS: Twenty-eight participants (14M, 23 ± 5 y, 1.81 ± 0.07 m, 78.7 ± 10.0 kg, 12.7 ± 5.4% body fat, VO2peak 4.18 ± 0.54 L·min-1; 14F, 22 ± 4 …
Analysis Of Alternative Oxidase In Non-Angiosperm Plants,
2026
Wilfrid Laurier University
Analysis Of Alternative Oxidase In Non-Angiosperm Plants, Anissa M. Francis
Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)
Alternative oxidase (AOX) is a mitochondrial terminal oxidase that provides an alternative pathway for electron transport, allowing plants to maintain respiratory flexibility under environmental stress conditions. While AOX has been extensively studied in angiosperms (flowering plants), little is known about its distribution and conservation in non-angiosperms. Based on gaps identified in the literature, this thesis investigated the distribution of AOX across non-angiosperm plant lineages. Although AOX is present in many green algae and is therefore considered to be an ancient protein that originated before the existence of non-angiosperm plants, it remains unclear whether the protein is uniformly distributed across these …
A New Dioecious Bush Tomato, Solanum Nectarifolium (Solanaceae), From The Northern Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia, With Reassessment Of S. Ossicruentum And A Change In The Circumscription Of S. Dioicum,
2025
Bucknell University
A New Dioecious Bush Tomato, Solanum Nectarifolium (Solanaceae), From The Northern Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia, With Reassessment Of S. Ossicruentum And A Change In The Circumscription Of S. Dioicum, Christopher T. Martine, Kym Brennan, Jason T. Cantley, Aiden Webb, Geoffrey Newton
Faculty Journal Articles
A new species of functionally dioecious bush tomato from the “Solanum dioicum + S. echinatum group” of Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum is described. Solanum nectarifolium Martine & Brennan, sp. nov., is a member of the taxonomically challenging Solanum dioicum W.Fitzg. species complex in Australia and differs from other species in the group by the presence of prominent and conspicuous extrafloral nectaries on the abaxial leaf surfaces, a tinge of purple on the new growth and young fruiting calyces, and curved prickles on young stems. Although fairly well represented in herbarium collections, this new taxon has historically been treated as a …
The Effect Of Diet On Hydrogen Sulfide Tolerance Of Extremophile Fishes,
2025
University of Missouri-St. Louis
The Effect Of Diet On Hydrogen Sulfide Tolerance Of Extremophile Fishes, Kyliyah Walker, Michael Tobler, Bethany Williams
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Poecilia mexicana are a species of live-bearing fish that have adapted to surviving in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) abundant waters. Sites that are high in toxic H2S are also characterized by low levels of oxygen, making any organism that inhabits these tough conditions to be deemed extremophiles. Tolerance of these multiple stressors is impacted by numerous external environmental factors. The question being addressed in this study is if diet affects how well these fish tolerate H2S. I used 80 laboratory-bred female P. mexicana originating from two sulfidic and non-sulfidic population. Half of the fish from …
Investigating Factors That Affect Total Ige Antibody Levels Of A Canine Population In Louisville, Ky,
2025
Bellarmine University
Investigating Factors That Affect Total Ige Antibody Levels Of A Canine Population In Louisville, Ky, Iris N. Gillespie
Undergraduate Theses
Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a genetically predisposed condition that causes inflammatory and pruritic (itchy) skin reactions in response to environmental and food allergens. The main purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between pollen counts and total canine IgE antibody levels of dogs living in Louisville, KY. Additionally, data is analyzed to look for trends documented in previous studies related to the impacts of sex, age, and allergic symptoms on total IgE count. In collaboration with the Downtown Animal Hospital, blood samples were drawn from 16 dogs at one point in February (when pollen …
Impacts Of Halophila Stipulacea Invasion On Organic Matter Dynamics In Thalassia Testudinum Dominated Seagrass Meadows, Puerto Rico,
2025
Kennesaw State University
Impacts Of Halophila Stipulacea Invasion On Organic Matter Dynamics In Thalassia Testudinum Dominated Seagrass Meadows, Puerto Rico, Jonathan D. Herald
Master's Theses
Halophila stipulacea (Forsskål & Niebuhr) is a tropical seagrass native to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean. In 2002, invasive populations of H. stipulacea were identified in the Caribbean Sea where it now forms large meadows, displaces native seagrasses, alters invertebrate and fish communities, and potentially affects organic matter dynamics in invaded meadows. This study investigated differences in organic matter dynamics between meadows of H. stipulacea and native Thalassia testudinum within the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR) on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. From March 2023-March 2024, sampling was conducted across four sites to investigate …
Requirement Of Prepiilin Peptidase Activity For Variovorax Paradoxus Eps Flp/Fap Pilus Assembly,
2025
California State University - San Bernardino
Requirement Of Prepiilin Peptidase Activity For Variovorax Paradoxus Eps Flp/Fap Pilus Assembly, Jenny L. Lanthripp
Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations
Variovorax paradoxus is a Gram-negative aerobic bacterium present in both soil and the human oral microbiome. This species contributes to biotransformation of xenobiotics and promotes plant growth. Interestingly, although the genome of strain EPS lacks the flagellum operon annotated in strain S110, the microbe remains motile, and flagella can be observed microscopically. To investigate this unexpected phenotype, motility mutants were enriched from a Tn5 mutant library using a liquid culture settling strategy. A total of 122 isolates were screened for motility defects, and 57 exhibited significantly reduced motility compared to the wild type. Rescue cloning revealed that over 60% of …
[Kyda] The Behavioral Spillover Effect: Modeling Behavioral Interdependencies In Multi-Pathogen Dynamics,
2025
Virginia Tech
[Kyda] The Behavioral Spillover Effect: Modeling Behavioral Interdependencies In Multi-Pathogen Dynamics, Leah Lejeune, Omar Saucedo, Lauren M. Childs, Navid Ghaffarzadegan
Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research
No abstract provided.
Extraction And Optimization Of Flavonoids From Elaeagnus Pungens Thunb And Its Potential Impact On Blood Plasma Cholesterol In A Mouse Model,
2025
Anhui Agricultural University
Extraction And Optimization Of Flavonoids From Elaeagnus Pungens Thunb And Its Potential Impact On Blood Plasma Cholesterol In A Mouse Model, Qunqing Lu, Haozhe Liu, Xinxin Zhang, Nourhan Nassar, Ibrar Khan, Haji Gul, Zaigui Wang
The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Elaeagnus pungens Thunb is a significant source of flavonoids with biological function. This study aims to develop orthogonal tests and alkali alcohol extraction methods for extracting flavonoids from leaves of E. pungens. The levels of factors in the orthogonal test were determined by pre-experiment, and the physiological efficacy was verified by the in vivo test. The results indicated that the optimal extraction yield was 4.07% when the solid-to-liquid ratio was 1:40, the concentration of ethanol was 60%, the extraction temperature was 80℃, and the extraction time was five h. The alkalialcohol extraction results demonstrated that the extraction yield of …
The Effects Of Plastic Mulch And Irrigation On Hemp Chemistry And Leaf Endophytes,
2025
University of Louisville and Santa Rosa Junior College
The Effects Of Plastic Mulch And Irrigation On Hemp Chemistry And Leaf Endophytes, Allison Rietman, Connor Morozumi, Robert C. Pearce, Natalie Christian
Journal of Agricultural Hemp Research
As an emerging crop, cultivation techniques for industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are still being developed and optimized. For example, irrigation and plastic mulching are some management practices that have been touted for their benefits in improving crop quality. Both techniques ensure ample water availability, which has often been attributed to improving hemp cannabinoid and terpene composition. In this study, we examined how supplemental irrigation implemented in a plastic mulch system influenced the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of one cultivar of CBD hemp, Lifter. We grew industrial hemp in field with plastic mulch and applied regular irrigation to one group …
Assessing Expected Cover Of Invasive Flora Species Near Corridor Features By Distance,
2025
Jacksonville State University
Assessing Expected Cover Of Invasive Flora Species Near Corridor Features By Distance, Joshua G. Logan
Theses
Fragmentation of landscapes has been a growing topic of interest within scientific literature over the past several decades, as the way we as humans affect our planet becomes more apparent as the years go on. As humans, we have shaped the land and what it contains in immeasurable ways, erasing or forever altering entire natural ecosystems. Chief among the drivers altering these ecosystems is the fragmentation of landscapes, which can have all kinds of effects on natural ecosystems, from limiting nutrient transport to providing easier access for invasives to permeate throughout a landscape. Corridors are significant areas of interest regarding …
The Inherent Values Of Observation And Description: A Case Study In The Spiny Solanums Of Australia,
2025
Bucknell University
The Inherent Values Of Observation And Description: A Case Study In The Spiny Solanums Of Australia, Christopher T. Martine
Faculty Journal Articles
The basic exploratory effort of doing descriptive biology is an avenue by which we can deepen our knowledge about taxa and the natural phenomena that drive their diversification. As Conniff (2011) wrote in The species seekers, “we still live in the great age of discovery”, and much like that historically recognized period of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries there remains today a distinct need for the sort of work that might have been attributable to the naturalists of that time. The careful observation of how organisms go about their lives, including how they interact with one another …
Evaluating The Environmental Determinants Of Tadpole Mouthpart Deformities,
2025
University of Dayton
Evaluating The Environmental Determinants Of Tadpole Mouthpart Deformities, Nicholas J. Canfield
Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025
Amphibians are among the most threatened group of animals on the planet, with over 40% of living species facing an extinction risk. These organisms are highly sensitive to environmental change due to their highly permeable skin and complex life cycle that exposes them to stressors in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Amphibian populations that are closely monitored can serve as valuable bioindicators of environmental health because they typically respond rapidly to habitat degradation, decreased water quality, and changes in climate. Tadpoles in particular may act as a “canary in a coal mine” for aquatic ecosystems because they easily develop anatomical …
Trophic Roles And Climate-Driven Vulnerability For Benthic Invertebrates At Artificial Reefs In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico,
2025
University of New Orleans
Trophic Roles And Climate-Driven Vulnerability For Benthic Invertebrates At Artificial Reefs In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Amanda Kirkland
LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations
Artificial reefs are deployed to enhance marine habitats and fisheries, yet their role in supporting secondary production and their vulnerability to climate stressors remain understudied. This dissertation investigates the trophic ecology and climate sensitivity of benthic invertebrates at artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Chapter 1 assessed reef food webs using stable isotopes from fishes, invertebrates, and primary producers across six reefs and two seasons. Mixing models showed that most fishes rely on benthic reef carbon, while suspension feeders consume plankton and sediment microphytobenthos. Isotopic niche analysis revealed functional diversity and seasonal shifts in δ¹³C and δ³⁴S, though …
Investigating The Impact Of Psychoactive Plant Alkaloids On Bumblebee Behavior,
2025
East Tennessee State University
Investigating The Impact Of Psychoactive Plant Alkaloids On Bumblebee Behavior, Skylar Mathieson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The relationship between plants and their pollinators is often framed as a food-for-service exchange in which plants provide pollinators with nutrients in exchange for transport of their gametes. However, in addition to essential nutrients, many floral rewards (nectar, pollen) also contain defensive toxins such as alkaloids, with largely unexplored consequences for plant-pollinator interactions. I investigated how three psychoactive and addictive plant alkaloids — caffeine, nicotine, and morphine — affect foraging behavior in generalist bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) using robotic flowers. Each of these chemicals affected pollinator foraging behavior, influencing the number and duration of their visits to flowers in …
Evolutionary Biomechanics In Cetartiodactyla: Impacts Of Ecological Shifts On Bone Material Properties And Control Surface Morphology,
2025
Clemson University
Evolutionary Biomechanics In Cetartiodactyla: Impacts Of Ecological Shifts On Bone Material Properties And Control Surface Morphology, Danielle S. Adams
All Dissertations
Extreme ecological transitions expose organisms to novel selective pressures that can reshape morphology and performance. This dissertation investigates how the transition from land to water has influenced form and material properties in cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), a clade that has undergone dramatic morphological and physiological adaptations to a fully aquatic lifestyle. I integrate comparative morphology, material property testing, and phylogenetic analyses, to explore how ecological demands, particularly related to foraging mode and prey detection, have shaped multiple aspects of cetacean morphology and function. Using nanoindentation and microCT, I measured elastic modulus and bone density of the skull and mandible …
