Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons^™

Informing Management Of American Shad (Alosa Sapidissima) In The Carolinas: Evaluating Novel Fish Passage Approaches And Acoustic Tracking Methods, Margaret Gaither

All Theses

Acoustic telemetry is a valuable tool for fisheries scientists to study the movements and migratory behaviors of aquatic organisms. A critical assumption of this method is that tagged fish exhibit similar behaviors and survival rates as their untagged counterparts. To investigate this, we conducted a 12-week laboratory study on adult American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) using gastroesophageal insertion of acoustic transmitters. We implanted 80 fish with dummy transmitters and monitored tag retention and survival. Our analysis, employing a mixed effects Cox’s proportional hazards model, revealed no significant differences in survival between tagged and control fish, regardless of sex. Additionally, …

Production Objectives And Trait Preferences Of Smallholder Farmers In The Philippines: Implications For Designing Breeding Schemes Utilizing Indigenous Swine Genetics, Joy Banayo, Kathlyn Louise Manese, Kaito Furusho, Madeline Kingan, Justine Ayomen, Marcelino Saliw-An, Karina Marie Nicolas, Kayvin Joel Petipit, Dorothy Pagbilao, Vea Roven Arellano, Rene Santiago, Flomella Caguicla, Arnolfo Monleon, Giselle Perlas, Giselle Perlas, Rea Palma Ortego, Sharon Singzon, Agapita Salces, Takahiro Yamagata

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Profit maximization is not the only production objective in farming. For smallholder farms worldwide, family sustenance often takes priority, with production being viewed more as savings-oriented than market-oriented. Furthermore, market pressures can lead to the mismanagement of indigenous livestock resources, increasing their risk of genetic erosion. To ensure the long-term conservation of the Philippine native pig, this study aimed to determine the various types of native pig farmers and define the intervention strategies for each type. A total of 432 native pig farmers representing seven provinces in the Philippines (Benguet, Kalinga, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Marinduque, and Eastern Samar; n …

The Role Of Wt1 In Müllerian Duct Development, Jace Aloway

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

WT1 is a zinc finger transcription factor widely expressed in the urogenital system. Human mutations of WT1 lead to pediatric nephroblastoma as well as frequent differences of sex development (DSDs). Previous studies have suggested that WT1 acts as an activator for Amhr2, a necessary component of typical male differentiation. We used the mouse as a model to investigate the role of WT1 in sex development, where we deleted Wt1 in the Müllerian duct (MD) mesenchyme using a novel conditional null reporter allele, Wt1 flox-RFP. This allele utilizes the Cre-lox system to delete exons 8 and 9 of Wt1 …

Dog Sniffing Biomechanic Responses In An Odor Detection Test Of Odorants With Differing Physical Properties, Lydia Burnett, Nicholas Hebdon, Pete A. Stevens, Monica Moljo, Lindsay D. Waldrop, Lauryn Degreeff

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Dogs are utilized in forensic science for their extensive scent detection capabilities. They are often considered the “gold standard” in field detection for targets such as illicit drugs and explosives. Despite their prevalence in the field, relatively little is known about how dogs interact with and transport volatile organic compounds through their olfactory system. In this study, two groups of dogs were utilized – Sport detection dogs (n=19) that participate in the National Association of Canine Scent Work and have achieved advanced standing through training and successful search competitions and law enforcement explosive detection dogs (n=8) which were included for …

A Protocol For Immunostaining Of Macrophages In Whole-Mount Mouse Cornea, Conjunctiva, And Lacrimal Gland, Saleh Alfuraih, Dhruv Patel, Wonsuk Choi, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Rais Ansari, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The healthy lacrimal functional unit contains a resident macrophage population. Here, we present a protocol for immunofluorescent staining of macrophage markers, CD11b, F4/80, and CD206, in whole-mount mouse cornea, conjunctiva, and 50-μM-thick lacrimal gland section. We describe steps for dissection, fixation, permeabilization, and blocking. We then detail procedures for the detection and spatial localization of macrophages through immunostaining and confocal imaging. This approach circumvents the need to obtain thin tissue sections and acquire macrophage images from each tissue section.

Addressing Barriers To Post-Graduate Research Training In Low Resource Settings: An Innovative Approach In An Institution Of Higher Learning In Kenya, Eunice Muthoni, Rosebella Iseme, Roselyter Riang’A, James Orwa, Ken Njenga, Anthony Ngugi

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Numerous barriers hinder health research training in Post-Graduate Medical Education Programs, especially in developing countries. Research training is pivotal for medical residency, providing essential knowledge and skills for dissertation completion, fostering evidence-based medical practice, and nurturing future independent clinical researchers. A holistic approach to research education is imperative to surmount these barriers. We describe here a dissertation-centric research curriculum, delivered longitudinally, an innovative strategy undertaken by Aga Khan University's Medical College in East Africa (AKU-MCEA) to deliver postgraduate research.

Methods: A review of AKU-MCEA post-graduate research methods curriculum was conducted based on implementing Departments' experience, institutional policies, and residency …

Limits Of Longwood's Electron Microscope: A Study In Biological Imaging, Rachel Danzitz, Bjoern Ch. Ludwar

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

This study evaluates the imaging capabilities and limitations of the Hitachi TM4000II Plus Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and its Scanning Transmission adapter in biological imaging. A variety of specimens, including protozoans (e.g., Volvox and nematodes), bacteria (e.g., Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli), tissue samples, and blood, were analyzed. While the SEM effectively imaged protozoans and bacteria, its ability to visualize viruses was deemed impractical. Despite claims of magnification up to 100,000x, clarity significantly decreased beyond 5,000x. The transmission adapter proved functional but challenging to operate consistently. The study highlights the microscope's limitations in producing high-clarity, …

Oxidative Stress Responses In Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants To Uv-B Irradiation, Bolaji Olalere

Theses

The depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer has led to increased levels of harmful UV-B radiation reaching the Earth's surface, posing significant challenges for plant health and development. This study investigates the oxidative stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana when exposed to UV-B irradiation. Arabidopsis thaliana, a well-established model organism, is particularly sensitive to UV-B, making it ideal for understanding the effects of UV-B-induced oxidative stress. UV-B radiation, a mutagenic component of sunlight, disrupts key metabolic, molecular, and developmental processes, leading to DNA damage, impaired metabolism, and morphological changes. This research aims to explore how UV-B exposure affects the activities of …

Growth And Mobility Of Physella Acuta Under Individual And Combined Acetaminophen And Salinity Exposure, Rhea Wilder, Jason Doll, Daniel Elias

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Global climate change, driven by rapid population growth and anthropogenic activities, presents an urgent challenge to aquatic ecosystems. Salinity intrusion threatens water quality and availability for human and wildlife populations. At the same time, due to the demand for pharmaceuticals, these pollutants are increasingly detected in freshwater environments, with acetaminophen being one of the most prevalent. This research analyzed the individual and combined effects of salinity (2.5 g/L) and acetaminophen (488 μg/L) on Physella acuta. Overall, we observed reduced snail movement under elevated salinity and no effects on growth or movement with acetaminophen alone or in combination with salinity. …

Louisiana Graduate Network In Applied Evolution (Lagniappe): 2023-2024 End-Year Report, Kristina Little, Samuel B. Robison, Bret Blackmon, Andrew R. Burns

Reports

The Louisiana Graduate Network in Applied Evolution (hereinafter; LAGNiAppE) was funded by a grant awarded through the National Science Foundation (NSF 22-506), as part of the Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in Biological Sciences (RaMP) grant program. The LAGNiAppE program provides training and mentorship to cohorts of recent college graduates from underrepresented groups interested in advancing their knowledge and research skills in evolutionary biology. Social Research and Evaluation Center (SREC) at Louisiana State University conducted the evaluation of LAGNiAppE, assessing program implementation and impact. The evaluation team at SREC employed a mixed methods design that included online surveys for scholars …

Boar Sperm Performance In Polystyrene Transport Cool Box Under Various Storage Conditions And Holding Times [Rsearch Note], Santiago T. Peña Jr., Bianca Therese P. Ymas, Mark Edd B. Janier, Heherson A. Luza

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

When transporting highly valuable boar semen samples over long distances, it is crucial to ensure that boar semen is stored ideally at approximately 15 – 17°C to minimize the impact of cold shock and oxidative damage on sperm quality. This study evaluated the performance of a commercially available semen and embryo polystyrene transport cool box, BotuFLEX®, in preserving the quality of extended boar semen under different storage conditions and holding times. Boar ejaculates were extended at 1:1 or 1:3 using a commercial mid-term extender, stored in a BotuFLEX® semen cool box, and examined 24 vs. 48 h thereafter (Experiment 1; …

The Effect Of Acute Social Isolation On Neural Molecular Responses In Components Of The Social Decision-Making Network, Patricia C. Lopes, Madeleine Chang, Faith Holloway, Biola Fatusin, Sachin Patel, Chandler Siemonsma, Morgan Kindel

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Prolonged or chronic social isolation has pronounced effects on animals, ranging from altered stress responses, increased anxiety and aggressive behaviour, and even increased mortality. The effects of shorter periods of isolation are much less well researched; however, short periods of isolation are used routinely for testing animal behaviour and physiology. Here, we studied how a 3 h period of isolation from a cagemate affected neural gene expression in three brain regions that contain important components of the social decision-making network, the hypothalamus, the nucleus taeniae of the amygdala, and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, using a gregarious bird …

Stress Granule Formation Helps To Mitigate Neurodegeneration, M. Rebecca Glineburg, Evrim Yildirim, Nicolas Gomez, Genesis Rodriguez, Jaclyn Pak, Xingli Li, Christopher Altheim, Jacob Waksmacki, Gerald M. Mcinerney, Sami J. Barmada, Peter K. Todd

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Cellular stress pathways that inhibit translation initiation lead to transient formation of cytoplasmic RNA/protein complexes known as stress granules. Many of the proteins found within stress granules and the dynamics of stress granule formation and dissolution are implicated in neurodegenerative disease. Whether stress granule formation is protective or harmful in neurodegenerative conditions is not known. To address this, we took advantage of the alphavirus protein nsP3, which selectively binds dimers of the central stress granule nucleator protein G3BP and markedly reduces stress granule formation without directly impacting the protein translational inhibitory pathways that trigger stress granule formation. In Drosophila and …

Measurement Reliability For Intentions To Change Behavior, Emily Schlichtig

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It is common for researchers to ask participants to associate probabilities with words, often using tools like the Likert scale to measure behavioral intentions and attitudes. However, it remains unclear what specific probabilities participants assign to the response options on a Likert scale, how much variation exists across these options, and whether these probabilities differ across various behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to explore the numeric probabilities that participants associate with different Likert scale points, to understand their perception of the variation at each point, and to compare these perceptions across three behaviors: eating more vegetables, exercising more, …

Assessment Of American Tannin-Free Grain Sorghum As Feedstuff For Poultry: Nutrient Composition, Amino Acid Digestibility And Bird Performance, Santiago Sasia

All Dissertations

Given the rising cost of poultry diets, alternative ingredients like sorghum are crucial for maximizing returns without compromising product quality. Sorghum's drought tolerance and adaptability, along with its nutritional profile, make it a viable corn substitute. This dissertation examines the nutrient composition, amino acid digestibility, and performance of poultry fed with American tannin-free grain sorghum. Chapter II evaluates the impact of sorghum-based diets, with or without phytase superdosing, on broiler performance, including body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Results indicate that sorghum can replace corn without adverse effects on broiler performance. Chapter III explores the partial …

The Value Of Using Validated Competency-Based Assessments Across The Career Span Of An Athletic Trainer, Matthew Drescher, Lindsey Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

No abstract provided.

The Development, Implementation, And Value Of The Athletic Training Milestones For Assessing Progressive Clinical Behaviors, Hollie Walusz, Eric Sauers, Mark Laursen, Forrest Pecha

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

No abstract provided.

Standardized Patient Evaluation Tool: A Valid Measure Of The Core Competencies, Lindsey E. Eberman, Jessica Edler Nye

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

No abstract provided.

Perceptions And Use Of The Athletic Training Milestones In Education: A Report From The Aate Research Network, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Barton E. Anderson, Julie M. Cavallario, Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Lindsey E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The Athletic Training Milestones (AT Milestones) were developed as an evaluation tool to capture the breadth and depth of athletic training knowledge, skills, and behavior. However, it is unclear whether athletic training programs are implementing this tool or how they are implementing it to gauge the clinical progression of students or residents in athletic training. We aimed to explore the perceptions and use of the AT Milestones among educators in athletic training programs. We used a cross-sectional, web- based survey with open-ended questions to collect data from athletic training programs on if and how they implement the AT Milestones at …

Microplastic Accumulation In The Marsh Periwinkle (Littoraria Irrorata), Sarah Keaton, Hannah Lukhard, Eli Windy, Manar Hasan

DePaul Discoveries

Contamination of oceans by microplastics (mm) currently poses a major threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Recent attention towards this issue has raised questions about the extent to which microplastics have accumulated in the environment, and has led to an increase in studies on the effects of microplastics in various organisms. However, levels of contamination in protected natural areas are still largely unexplored, yet can offer an important empirical perspective on the issue. In addition, little is known about the potential effects of microplastics on behavior in the field. This research was conducted within the protected ACE Basin National …