The Chemical Signature of Dust in the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed, Idaho

Aeolian or wind-blown sediment redistribution in the northern Great Basin impacts landscape development, soil depths/variations, and wind erosion of semi-arid rangeland surfaces. This study evaluates the importance of aeolian processes for carbonates found in soils and analyzes the organic material (specifically post-fire) in dust deposits to help characterize aeolian processes on soils in Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed (RCEW) southwest of Boise. Researchers hypothesize that the source of calcium found in RCEW soils must be deposited through aeolian mechanisms, because the alternate bedrock source of calcium is inconsistent with corresponding soils. It’s important to understand how calcium is introduced to RCEW soils because soils provide storage for carbon in the form of calcium carbonate. Past dust collections from passive (vertically deposited) dust traps at RCEW are analyzed for elemental and nutrient concentrations, grain size distribution, and organic material concentrations. These analyses will build upon our understanding of calcium contributed to soils by dust and indicate any post-fire signal of organic material. This study is an extension of past research, which observed suspension and deposition of local material following wildfires with increased organic material, particle size, and mass flux. Future research will use new dust capture technology to evaluate horizontal aeolian transport

Gene Duplication and Adaptive Evolution of Digestive Proteases in Drosophila arizonae Female Reproductive Tracts

It frequently has been postulated that intersexual coevolution between the male ejaculate and the female reproductive tract is a driving force in the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins. The dearth of research on female tracts, however, presents a major obstacle to empirical tests of this hypothesis. Here, we employ a comparative EST approach to identify 241 candidate female reproductive proteins in Drosophila arizonae, a repleta group species in which physiological ejaculate–female coevolution has been documented. Thirty-one of these proteins exhibit elevated amino acid substitution rates, making them candidates for molecular coevolution with the male ejaculate. Strikingly, we also discovered 12 unique digestive proteases whose expression is specific to the D. arizonae lower female reproductive tract. These enzymes belong to classes most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of a diverse array of organisms. We show that these proteases are associated with recent, lineage-specific gene duplications in the Drosophila repleta species group, and exhibit strong signatures of positive selection. Observation of adaptive evolution in several female reproductive tract proteins indicates they are active players in the evolution of reproductive tract interactions. Additionally, pervasive gene duplication, adaptive evolution, and rapid acquisition of a novel digestive function by the female reproductive tract points to a novel coevolutionary mechanism of ejaculate–female interaction

Infusing a Cure into the Medical Laboratory Science Program

All students in the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) cohort of 2021 (n=22) participated in a course based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in the fall semester 2019. The 5 basic components for a CURE include: 1) use of multiple scientific practices, 2) the outcome is unknown, 3) there is a broader relevance or importance beyond this classroom experience, 4) collaboration is essential among students and instructors, and 5) iteration is built into the process. Members of this MLS cohort took on the role of primary researcher in an applied research protocol by collecting, analyzing, and reporting data from specimens they collected from residential plumbing determining the incidence of opportunistic mycobacteria present. MLS students assembled the collection kits and then collected specimens from residential plumbing faucets (bathroom sink, bathtub, showerhead, kitchen sink, or laundry room sinks). Each student analyzed the specimens they collected for the presence of opportunistic mycobacteria. Opportunistic mycobacteria are included as one of five different opportunistic plumbing pathogens that can be found in residential plumbing. An Auramine O fluorescent antibody stain, specific for opportunistic mycobacteria, was performed on each specimen. The data for the applied research portion indicated that 7% (n=44) of the specimens collected were positive for opportunistic mycobacteria in the residential plumbing specimens. City water was the water source for all faucets tested and specimens originated from 6 different zip code areas. These same MLS students then reflected on the overall CURE experience as the human subjects involved in this research. Students were asked to complete 4 short anonymous surveys regarding the areas of the IRB process, the collection protocol, the fluorescent staining process, and meeting the objectives of a CURE. The data generated from these reflections indicated students felt they had a better understanding of the IRB process, the collection protocol was efficient, there was agreement that the staining and interpretation of the modified Auramine O fluorescent staining was a positive experience, and that the overall CURE experience met the parameters of a true CURE. This CURE model included all students and provided equal access and an equitable experience as a part of their class participation.https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/urshsc/1002/thumbnail.jp

Placement of Intracoelomic Radiotransmitters and Silicone Passive Sampling Devices in Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens)

Historically, wetland toxin exposure studies have relied on single time point samples from stationary sampling devices. Development of passive sampling devices (PSDs) that can be attached to individual animals within wetland habitats has greatly improved in recent years, presenting an innovative sampling technology that can potentially yield individual-specific, quantifiable data about chemical exposure. In this study, silicone based PSDs were attached to the ventral skin of 20 northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) with polypropylene sutures after radiotransmitters had been surgically implanted into the coleomic cavity. After a short recovery period, frogs were released back into the wetland habitat where they were acquired. The animals were located daily using radiotelemetry to assess how long PSDs would remain attached in the frogs\u27 natural habitat. After one week, PSDs remained on 18 of the original 20 frogs. At two weeks, 17 frogs were recovered and no PSDs remained attached. Although valuable data can be obtained over a short time period, more research will be necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of externally attaching silicone PSDs to northern leopard frogs for time periods longer than 1–2 weeks

Exploring the amphibian exposome in an agricultural landscape using telemetry and passive sampling

This is the first field study of its kind to combine radio telemetry, passive samplers, and pesticide accumulation in tissues to characterize the amphibian exposome as it relates to pesticides. Understanding how habitat drives exposure in individuals (i.e., their exposome), and how that relates to individual health is critical to managing species in an agricultural landscape where pesticide exposure is likely. We followed 72 northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) in two agricultural wetlands for insight into where and when individuals are at high risk of pesticide exposure. Novel passive sampling devices (PSDs) were deployed at sites where telemetered frogs were located, then moved to subsequent locations as frogs were radio-tracked. Pesticide concentration in PSDs varied by habitat and was greatest in agricultural fields where frogs were rarely found. Pesticide concentrations in frogs were greatest in spring when frogs were occupying wetlands compared to late summer when frogs occupied terrestrial habitats. Our results indicate that habitat and time of year influence exposure and accumulation of pesticides in amphibians. Our study illustrates the feasibility of quantifying the amphibian exposome to interpret the role of habitat use in pesticide accumulation in frogs to better manage amphibians in agricultural landscapes

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Heat stress and β-adrenergic agonists alter the adipose transcriptome and fatty acid mobilization in ruminant livestock

Growth and feed efficiency of cattle are improved by supplementation with the beta-adrenergic agonists (βAA), ractopamine hydrochloride (RH; β1AA) or zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH; β2AA) (Elam et al., 2009). βAA supplementation alters adipose deposition by inhibiting fatty acid biosynthesis and promoting lipolysis of stored triacylglycerols into free fatty acids (FFAs) (Johnson et al., 2014). However, β2 adrenoceptors (βAR) desensitize with chronic activation (Re et al., 1997); supplementation is thus limited to the last 20 to 40 d of feeding. The annual economic impact of heat stress (HS) has been estimated to exceed $2.4 billion (St-Pierre et al., 2003). Heat-stressed livestock have reduced growth rates, dry matter intake, and average daily gain (Mitlöhner et al., 2001; St-Pierre et al., 2003). In response to acute stress, signaling pathways for lipolysis of circulating and stored triglycerides are activated, while chronic stress increases lipogenesis and adipogenesis (Campbell et al., 2009; Peckett et al., 2011). In cattle, HS also increases the responsiveness of adipocytes to lipolytic signals, increasing lipolysis (Faylon et al., 2015). The objective of this study was to understand how HS and βAA independently and interactively affect adipose tissue. Prior work identified minimal impact of RH on metabolic properties (Barnes et al., 2019) and on the transcriptome of skeletal muscle (Kubik et al., 2018). We therefore hypothesized that RH may be primarily affecting adipose; specifically, that lipolytic activity is increased due to heat and βAA in an additive fashion. We tested this hypothesis in RH-supplemented lambs and ZH-supplemented cattle exposed to HS for 30 and 21 d, respectively

Abriendo Puertas Expansion Management Model

Abriendo Puertas is a small, education non-profit using parental engagement initiatives to reduce the number of Hispanic student dropouts in Texas. To date, Abriendo Puertas has seen much success - both in recognition by external organizations and in the wide support of its parent participants and volunteers. As such, Abriendo Puertas hopes to expand its program across the state, most notably to the Fort Worth area. The nonprofit is interested in solidifying its current operations in the hope of expanding its impact.Building upon previous research, an Expansion Management Model (EMM) was produced to guide Abriendo Puertas' efforts. Combining research-based best practices, an analysis of the nonprofit's current practices (based primarily on an internal assessment), and a survey of the parents involved with Abriendo Puertas, the EMM includes tailored recommendations to Abriendo Puertas' needs. The Capstone team made four key recommendations: 1. Solidify the organization's mission; 2. Expand and diversify the board of directors; Complete a strategic marketing plan; and Develop a database to track the organization's parent participants and volunteers. The Capstone report includes the final Expansion Management Model, complete with a full set of recommendations, a description of the Assessment Tool and Survey, as well as a demographic analysis identifying possible expansion points within the state of Texas

The clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: Baryon Acoustic Oscillations in the Data Release 9 Spectroscopic Galaxy Sample

We present measurements of galaxy clustering from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS), which is part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III). These use the Data Release 9 (DR9) CMASS sample, which contains 264,283 massive galaxies covering 3275 square degrees with an effective redshift z=0.57 and redshift range 0.43 < z < 0.7. Assuming a concordance Lambda-CDM cosmological model, this sample covers an effective volume of 2.2 Gpc^3, and represents the largest sample of the Universe ever surveyed at this density, n = 3 x 10^-4 h^-3 Mpc^3. We measure the angle-averaged galaxy correlation function and power spectrum, including density-field reconstruction of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) feature. The acoustic features are detected at a significance of 5\sigma in both the correlation function and power spectrum. Combining with the SDSS-II Luminous Red Galaxy Sample, the detection significance increases to 6.7\sigma. Fitting for the position of the acoustic features measures the distance to z=0.57 relative to the sound horizon DV /rs = 13.67 +/- 0.22 at z=0.57. Assuming a fiducial sound horizon of 153.19 Mpc, which matches cosmic microwave background constraints, this corresponds to a distance DV(z=0.57) = 2094 +/- 34 Mpc. At 1.7 per cent, this is the most precise distance constraint ever obtained from a galaxy survey. We place this result alongside previous BAO measurements in a cosmological distance ladder and find excellent agreement with the current supernova measurements. We use these distance measurements to constrain various cosmological models, finding continuing support for a flat Universe with a cosmological constant.Comment: 33 page