Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons^™

Passive Chlorination: Providing Clean Drinking Water To Rural Ecuadorian Communities, C.D. Tatko, Kyle Borror

Summer Research

In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly 1.7 million deaths worldwide were caused by unclean water. The risk of death is elevated for young children, for which the second cause of death worldwide is diarrheal disease, which is largely caused by microbes; these microbes, when unaddressed, can proliferate in drinking water. Health risks are further elevated in rural communities, which often lack access to the technology necessary to treat water for microbial contamination. This can be seen in Ecuador, in which only 52.8% of rural households have access to safe drinking water.

It Turned Into A Bioblitz: Urban Data Collection For Building Scientific Literacy And Environmental Connection, Kelly O'Donnell, Lisa Brundage

Publications and Research

In 2013, Macaulay Honors College redesigned its required science curriculum to focus on scientific literacy skills rather than content. Central to this shift was inclusion of a data collection event, a BioBlitz, to provide students with the basis for their own semester-long research projects. Students are teamed with naturalists in an urban green space to find as many species as they can in 24 h and to contribute to a global biodiversity database via the app iNaturalist. We have learned two important lessons: (1) developing an interdisciplinary curriculum with a high degree of experiential learning is more successful when both …

Orb-Web Spider Argiope (Araneidae) As Indigenous Arrow Poison Of G/Ui And G//Ana San Hunters In The Kalahari, Tharina L. Bird, Smith Moeti, Robert K. Hitchcock, Melinda C. Kelly, Lefang L. Chobolo, Nonofo Gotcha, Kgosi K. Moatlhodi, Leungo D. Mukoka, Emmanuel K. Sekopo, Caroline Simmrita Chaboo

University of Nebraska State Museum: Staff and Affiliates, Publications

Hunting has been crucial in early human evolution. Some San (Bushmen) of southern Africa still practice their indigenous hunting. The use of poisons is one remarkable aspect of their bow-and-arrow hunting but the sources, taxonomic identifications of species used, and recipes, are not well documented. This study reports on fieldwork to investigate recent indigenous hunting practices of G/ui and G//ana San communities in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), Botswana. Here we discuss their use of spider poison. The hunters use the contents of the opisthosoma (‘abdomen’) of a spider as sole ingredient of the arrow poison and discard the …

Evaluating The Influence Of Concurrently Available Non-Drug Reinforcers On Drug Reinforcement Using Sophisticated Preclinical Models Of Substance Use Disorder, Madison M. Marcus

Theses and Dissertations

The maladaptive allocation of behavior towards cocaine and away from other concurrently available non-drug reinforcers (e.g., family, health, work, etc.) is a key characteristic of cocaine use disorder (CUD) that is embedded into multiple diagnostic criteria for CUD. Accordingly, basic research conducted in a drug-vs-food “choice” context has improved our fundamental knowledge of the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of drug reinforcement. However, to date, these preclinical studies have only been conducted with food as the alternative reinforcer. The extent to which other non-drug reinforcers compete with cocaine-taking behavior is unknown. The studies in this dissertation establish two sophisticated discrete-trial cocaine-vs-alternative …

Determining Species-Specific False-Positive Rates Using Visual And Auditory Cues: A Case Study With Sagebrush Steppe Songbirds, Amelia K. Evavold

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Errors in wildlife field data threaten to bias resulting abundance and occupancy estimates if not properly accounted for or minimized. Methods to account for false-positive errors in wildlife data have not been as thoroughly developed as those for false-negative errors despite false-positives being present across diverse wildlife taxa and study systems. The calibration method to account for false-positives involves assessing the field detection method to determine how often false-positive errors occur in the field data. Rates can then be incorporated into estimations based on the field data to improve estimation accuracy. This study presents an application of the calibration approach …

Evaluation Of Autonomous Recording Unit Performance In Detecting Black-Billed Cuckoos, Jenna L. Asnault

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Black-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) are classified as a species of concern in Montana and have declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Cuckoos are challenging to study, as they do not move or call frequently in the presence of people. This makes researching and managing these birds difficult. Autonomous acoustic survey methods offer the potential to be more effective than traditional avian survey methods. Autonomous recording units (ARUs) are small, programmable, relatively inexpensive acoustic detectors, and have been used in several other studies. Cuckoos, however, nest and perch in dense riparian vegetation, potentially limiting the detection capabilities of …

A Growth Model For Arctica Islandica: The Performance Of Tanaka And The Temptation Of Von Bertalanffy—Can The Two Coexist?, John M. Klinck, Eric N. Powell, Kathleen M. Hemeon, Jillian R. Sower, Daniel R. Hennen

CCPO Publications

Organisms increase in size over time (age) due to excess assimilation over metabolic (respiration) energy demands. Most organisms reach a maximum size with increasing age as gain and loss balance. The von Bertalanffy length-at-age relationship, which is commonly used in fishery assessment calculations, imposes such a maximum size. However, some fished species, such as ocean quahogs, Arctica islandica, are long lived and continue to grow at old age. The Tanaka age-at-length relationship has continued growth at old age, but is rarely used in stock assessment models. A modified form of the von Bertalanffy model is presented, which mimics the …

Comparative Hptlc Study For Simultaneous Determination Of Ivabradine And Metoprolol Using Uv And Fluorescence Detectors, Mohamed Rizk, Shereen Mowaka, Mariam Mohamed, Maha Abou El-Alamin

Pharmacy

New, simple, accurate, sensitive and validated high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method coupled with UV absorbance mode and fluorescence (FL) detectors which were used for simultaneous determination of ivabradine (IVA) and metoprolol (MET) in their bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form using TLC silica 60 F254 plates and non-fluorescent TLC silica gel 60 plates. The developing system was chloroform: methanol: formic acid: ammonia (8.5:1.5:0.2:0.1, v/v). Desnitometric analysis in UV absorbance mode was set at λ = 275 nm. While, fluorescence mode was performed with excitation at 260 nm for quantitative simultaneous determination of IVA and MET using optical filter K320. …

Characterizing Cellular Injury And Inflammation With Aldob-/-Mouse Model Of Mafld, Andy Rashid

All Master's Theses

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects 1 in 3 people in the US and is a healthcare burden on the order of billions of dollars. MAFLD is characterized by pathological lipid accumulation in the liver, excess production of triglycerides and cholesterol, and export of LDL particles that raise serum lipid levels. These metabolic perturbations can lead to the development of liver fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Diagnosing MAFLD prior to fibrosis is crucial for successful intervention and prevention of advanced liver disease and other metabolic complications. Fructose-1Phospahte (F1P) accumulation from fructose overconsumption can drive hepatic lipogenesis and MAFLD progression. …

Effects Of Social Context On Salivary Cortisol And Attention In Tufted Capuchins (Cebus [Sapajus] Apella), Andrew Desana

Master’s Theses

Social context alters cognitive performance, but the mechanisms for this remain unclear. One possibility is that stressors associated with social contexts mediate changes in cognitive performance by influencing attention. We conducted two experiments to investigate how social context affects performance on an attention task in capuchin monkeys (Cebus [Sapajus] apella). We additionally validated and measured physiological stress through salivary cortisol. In experiment one, capuchins were exposed to three conditions where they were either isolated or paired with an affiliative or agonistic social partner separated by a barrier. In experiment two, subjects received affiliative and agonistic conditions without barriers to allow …

The Effects Of Sex On Zebrafish Bone Metabolism, Simon Bagatto

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

I investigated the effects of diet and sex on zebrafish bone metabolism. Zebrafish were subjected to either a high-calorie or low-calorie diet over a five-week period. After this diet, zebrafish scales were used to measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) enzyme activity with a fluorescent substrate. The enzyme activities were markers of the osteoblasts (ALP) and the osteoclasts (TRAP). These data were compared among sex and diet of the zebrafish using a repeated measures ANOVA statistical test. I also measured the number of resorption lacunae per scale (another indicator of osteoclast activity). The results showed higher TRAP …

Investigating The Roles Of Platelet Bioenergetics In Hemostasis And Thrombosis, Kanakanagavalli Shravani Prakhya

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Platelets use a series of energy-dependent processes to mediate hemostasis, yet it is unclear which metabolic fuels/pathways are critical for platelet function. Platelets are metabolically flexible, switching between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) depending on oxygen tension and substrate availability. The deletion of GLUT1 and GLUT3 together revealed an essential role in platelet function and hemostasis. To study platelet bioenergetics, we used clot contraction. We created a sensitive and inexpensive method to simultaneously assess clot contraction kinetics to directly compare and define the effects of different treatments or genetic manipulations on platelet function.

Since the pharmacological inhibitors cannot be used …

Modeling The Bidirectional Relationship Between Shared-Patient Physician Networks And Patient Longitudinal Treatment Patterns: Application To Physician Risky-Prescribing, Xin Ran

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Risky-prescribing is a pressing public health concern in the United States. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics (sedative-hypnotics) are three commonly-prescribed but potentially risky drug groups, prescribed alone or in combination. Physician shared-patient networks provide a unique perspective in studying physician network characteristics and structures, as well as their association with the delivery of health care. Understanding how physician shared-patient networks are related to their prescribing may inform network-based interventions targeting risky-prescribing, which is yet to be fully studied.

We investigated patient receipt of risky prescriptions and physician risky-prescribing intensity through the scope of shared-patient networks. We used retrospective Medicare insurance …

A Critical Look At Wild Pig Elimination: Myths And Facts, Kim M. Pepin, Travis L. Guerrant, Jeremiah L. Psiropoulos, Jeanine T. Neskey, John M. Tomeček, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Janean L. Romines

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are abundant and widely distributed in the United States. They damage crops and pastures, predate livestock and sensitive species, impact ecosystem functions, and damage personal property. To address these issues, some states in the United States are seeking complete elimination. A frequently asked question by stakeholders is: “What portion of the population needs to be removed annually to reach elimination?” The number 70% is widely touted as the answer. There is little scientific evidence to support that this percent annual removal would be needed to achieve elimination, yet 70% has now become a standard …

An Automatic System To Evaluate Bait Station Visitation By Brown Treesnakes And Mongooses, Robert T. Sugihara, William C. Pitt, Are R. Berentsen, Francis L. Benevides Jr.

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Understanding the temporal, spatial, and behavioral patterns of the free-ranging target species in response to candidate baits and baiting strategies is important to ensure control success. This information can also assist in the development and deployment of feeding stations and can exclude non-target species while constituting effective bait delivery and control strategies for certain invasive animals, especially at environmentally sensitive sites. We used passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in conjunction with very-high frequency radio-telemetry to remotely record bait station visitations and evaluate bait attractiveness in separate field research studies of brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Andersen Air Force …

Effectiveness Of Citizen Engagement In A State Agency Egg-Oiling Program To Reduce Urban Canada Goose Populations And Conflicts, Charles H. Cope, Tom F. Bidrowski, Jon P. Beckmann

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In many cases, urban environments create high-quality habitat for wildlife that may allow species to form commensal relationships with humans. Positive impacts of urban environments (e.g., high-quality nesting habitat) may enhance survival and/or increased fecundity. One species that has shown the ability to form commensal relationships with humans in urban environments is Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Canada goose populations have continued to rebound in Kansas, USA, and across the Great Plains, such that the estimated resident population in Wichita, Kansas, grew from 0 to >5,000 resident geese and the over-winter population increased from 1,600 in 1997 to >18,000 …

Epithelial Membrane Protein 3 (Emp3b) Is A Novel Regulator Of Sympathetic Nervous System Development In Zebrafish., Jessica M. White

Theses and Dissertations

Notable progress has been made in understanding the development of the neural crest (NC). Neural crest cells (NCCs) can be divided into 4-5 subpopulations. A major lineage among trunk NC derivatives are sympathoadrenal (SA) cells, which give rise to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Trunk NCCs follow a ventromedial migration pathway where signals derived from the dorsal aorta instruct migrating NCCs to a SA cell fate. Defects in NC development can result in syndromes known as neurocristopathies. Neuroblastoma is one of the most common forms of pediatric cancer affecting nearly 800 infants each year in the United States (Takita et …

The Impact Of Hiv-1 Tat And Morphine On Spatial Distribution Of Drugs In The Brain., Austin M. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Despite combination antiretroviral therapy effectively suppressing HIV within the periphery, the central nervous system (CNS) remains affected by the virus. Approximately half of people living with HIV will experience HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) or neuroHIV. Concurrent opioid use exacerbates neuroHIV by promoting neuroinflammation, viral replication, and potentially altering the antiretroviral concentrations within the brain.

Using a transgenic mouse that expresses the HIV-1 Tat protein, we examined the effects of Tat and morphine on antiretroviral accumulation and distribution and the effects of Tat on morphine accumulation within the brain using infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization with mass spectrometry imaging (IR-MALDESI-MSI). …

Genetic Evaluation Of The Current Distribution And Possible Diffrentations Between Lasiurus Borealis And Lasiurus Frantzii In Southwestern North America, Zeinab M. Haidar

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Several recent accounts of overlap and historic misidentifications regarding two species of the genus Lasiurus, Western red bat (Lasiurus frantzii) and Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis), have cast doubt on our understanding of their distribution, assumed spatial allopatry, and interactions in the United States Southwest. With the use of morphometrics and genetic sequencing, utilizing tissue collected from specimens throughout California and adjoining states, we have reassessed the current distribution, best practices for field identification, and genetic differentiation between both species. Appropriate species classification by region was achieved utilizing mitochondrial DNA, targeting the cytochrome c oxidase …

Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) System In Health And Disease., Daniella Munezero

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cells rely on heat shock proteins (HSP) to facilitate and regulate the folding of the substrate proteins into their native state, and degradation if misfolding cannot be prevented. HSP90, a member of the HSP family, is a potential target for treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Unfortunately, several clinical trials for cancer treatment have been discontinued due to cell toxicity accompanying HSP90 inhibition. HSP90 has four distinct but structurally similar paralogs. HSP90 inhibitors target all the paralogs despite increasing proof of functional differences among the paralogs. Understanding the in vivo function of HSP90 and the role played by each paralog …