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Title: Evaluation of potential therapeutics for non-small cell lung cancer using 3D tumor spheroid models
Creator: Stoub, Hayden Eric
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: The development of novel and improved therapies for cancers requires robust means of investigation that both effectively recapitulate tumor biology while also utilizing resources efficiently. 3D tissue culture methods, namely spheroids and organoids, have emerged as an effective bridge between conventional in vitro methods and in vivo animal models in cancer research. This thesis provides background into lung cancer and the current landscape of 3D in vitro models of cancer, as well as...
Show moreThe development of novel and improved therapies for cancers requires robust means of investigation that both effectively recapitulate tumor biology while also utilizing resources efficiently. 3D tissue culture methods, namely spheroids and organoids, have emerged as an effective bridge between conventional in vitro methods and in vivo animal models in cancer research. This thesis provides background into lung cancer and the current landscape of 3D in vitro models of cancer, as well as detailing two studies in which multicellular tumor spheroids were used to investigate the therapeutic potential of candidate compounds. The first study uses an NCI-H358 multicellular tumor spheroid to investigate three compounds: Apigenin, a plant derived flavonoid; MSU42011, a novel retinoid x receptor (RXR) agonist; and CEP-1347, a mixed lineage kinase (MLK) inhibitor. It was found that Apigenin alone decreased the viability of spheroids, and that the combination of Apigenin and CEP-1347 synergistically decreased viability and increased cell death within the spheroids.The second study uses a murine lung adenocarcinoma tumor spheroid model to investigate the effects of MSU-71, a novel inhibitor of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2) pathway, on macrophage-induced invasion and migration. This compound blocked both migration in conventional experiments along with spheroid invasion, indicating its potential efficacy in preventing LUAD progression. This study also adapted the spheroid invasion model for use in multiple human LUAD cell lines and THP-1 conditioned medium. The findings presented herein demonstrate the versatility and value of 3D tumor spheroid models in the cancer drug development field.
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Title: MAPPING THE TAU PROTEIN INTERACTOME USING THE BIOID2 IN SITU LABELLING APPROACH
Creator: Atwa, Ahmed
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Pathological inclusions composed of tau protein are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as tauopathies, of which the most common is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Tau is most well-known as a microtubule-associated protein involved in regulating microtubule dynamics, but accumulating evidence suggests tau is involved in many biological functions. Deciphering the tau protein interactome is critical for better understating the physiological and pathological roles of tau. This...
Show morePathological inclusions composed of tau protein are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as tauopathies, of which the most common is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Tau is most well-known as a microtubule-associated protein involved in regulating microtubule dynamics, but accumulating evidence suggests tau is involved in many biological functions. Deciphering the tau protein interactome is critical for better understating the physiological and pathological roles of tau. This work aimed to identify tau interacting partners using the in situ protein labelling BioID2 method by creating fusion proteins between full-length human tau and either BioID2 on the N-terminus (BioID2-Tau) or C-terminus (Tau-BioID2). A total of 372 proteins were identified, of which 269 interacted with Tau-BioID2, 169 with BioID2-Tau, and 66 proteins overlapped between both tau proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) cellular component analysis mapped protein interactions in the mitochondria, cytoskeleton, dendrites, nucleus, synaptic vesicles, and the ribonucleoprotein complex. While GO molecular function pathways identified proteins involved in RNA binding, translation regulation, ubiquitin ligase activity, kinase binding, mitochondrial oxidoreductase, and peroxidase activity. KEGG pathway analysis identified proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including AD, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thus, this approach can identify members of the tau interactome via in situ labeling, that may help shed light on tau’s functional roles and provide novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Title: VICTIMIZATION AND FEAR OF CRIME AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Creator: Manz, Maxwell Thomas
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: This study examined the association between demographic characteristics such as race, sexual orientation, and gender identity and the experience of victimization and fear of crime on a college campus among a sample of undergraduate college students. Using a combination of random and purposive sampling techniques, a sample of 312 students from a large midwestern university provided information on their victimization experiences and feelings of safety while on campus. Bivariate measures of...
Show moreThis study examined the association between demographic characteristics such as race, sexual orientation, and gender identity and the experience of victimization and fear of crime on a college campus among a sample of undergraduate college students. Using a combination of random and purposive sampling techniques, a sample of 312 students from a large midwestern university provided information on their victimization experiences and feelings of safety while on campus. Bivariate measures of association suggested the student victimization prevalence rate was statistically significantly different based on gender identity and sexual orientation but not race. Fear of victimization was only statistically significantly different when looking at gender identity but not sexual orientation or race. Multivariable models, which controlled for time on campus and other demographic characteristics found that being a cisgender women increased the odds of having been victimized, as was having spent more time in college. After controlling for a host of demographic characteristics, fear of crime was higher for cisgender women and those that report a non-binary identity than it was for cisgender males, and those that were victimized on campus previously reported higher fear than those that reported no prior victimization.
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Title: BRANCHED CHAIN AMINO ACIDS OR BRANCHED CHAIN KETO ACIDS IMPROVED HEPATIC METABOLISM AND PRODUCTION IN EARLY LACTATION DAIRY COWS
Creator: Gallagher, Kristen R.
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Early lactation dairy cows undergo metabolic adaptations at the time of parturition and onset of lactation, increasing their risk of hepatic lipidosis. Effects of branched chain amino acids and branched chain keto-acids in early lactation were determined in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, primary bovine liver cells enriched with hepatocytes (PLEH) were exposed to media mimicking the circulating environment of early lactation cows without (FA) and with (BCKA) branched chin keto acid for 72h....
Show moreEarly lactation dairy cows undergo metabolic adaptations at the time of parturition and onset of lactation, increasing their risk of hepatic lipidosis. Effects of branched chain amino acids and branched chain keto-acids in early lactation were determined in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, primary bovine liver cells enriched with hepatocytes (PLEH) were exposed to media mimicking the circulating environment of early lactation cows without (FA) and with (BCKA) branched chin keto acid for 72h. The BCKA effectively decreased intracellular triglyceride accumulation in PLEH compared to FA. Expression of genes controlling lipid metabolism, such as decreased lipid uptake, increased β oxidation, increased antioxidant response, decreased apoptosis, and a recorded decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential was identified in the BCKA treatment. In the 2nd experiment, 36 multiparous dairy cows were enrolled on a randomized block design and were treated from 1 -21 days postpartum, with 1 of 3 abomasally infused treatments; 1) saline (CON); 2) BCAA, including 67 g valine, 50 g leucine, and 34 g isoleucine; and 3) BCKA, including 77 g ketovaline, 57 g ketoleucine, and 39 g ketoisoleucine. No alterations to body weight, body condition and dry matter intake were recorded between treatments. The BCAA infused cows produced increased milk, fat, and lactose yield relative to the CON. Abomasal infusion of BCKA decreased liver triglyceride compared to CON. In conclusion, branched chain keto-acids alter hepatic lipid metabolism and decreased hepatic triglyceride accumulation while branched chain amino acids alter milk production.
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Title: INVESTIGATION OF THE FUNGI AFFECTING MICHIGAN CHESTNUT CULTIVARS AND THE EFFECT OF STORAGE CONDITIONS ON CHESTNUT DECAY DEVELOPMENT
Creator: Watson, Alexandra Marie Vierra
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Species of the Castanea genus (chestnuts) are used in the production of chestnut fruit (nuts). This edible product is incorporated into various food products and has become popular among consumers with demand and consumption increasing. Few fungal pathogens are reported to cause nut decay and negatively impact nut production. To identify the fungal species affecting the yield and postharvest quality of nuts, 1,814 samples from 11 Michigan orchards were collected and assessed. Rot symptoms...
Show moreSpecies of the Castanea genus (chestnuts) are used in the production of chestnut fruit (nuts). This edible product is incorporated into various food products and has become popular among consumers with demand and consumption increasing. Few fungal pathogens are reported to cause nut decay and negatively impact nut production. To identify the fungal species affecting the yield and postharvest quality of nuts, 1,814 samples from 11 Michigan orchards were collected and assessed. Rot symptoms were observed from 16% of the samples with 20 fungal species isolated from nut kernels. Gnomoniopsis sp. 1 was most frequently isolated, while Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi was associated with severe disease symptoms. Seven species were evaluated for pathogenicity and two were confirmed as nut rot pathogens. While the other species are known to cause rot, they were not significantly different from the control. To evaluate the effect of cold storage on disease development, nuts from the cultivars Labor Day, Colossal, and Benton Harbor were inoculated with G. smithogilvyi, the pathogen that causes brown rot on chestnut. Following inoculation, the nuts were stored for various periods of time at 4 °C in three experiments conducted from 2019 to 2021. The cultivar Colossal was most susceptible to brown rot and cold storage treatments suppressed rot symptoms. Cultivar susceptibility, the pathogens that cause rot of nuts, and postharvest storage conditions should be considered in the development of IPM strategies.
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Title: EXPLORING THE EXTENT OF THE MARKET FOR U.S. MUSHROOM PRODUCTION EXPANSION
Creator: Pudasainee, Aastha
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: This study focuses on U.S. consumer preferences for common mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), specialty mushrooms, and morels (Morchella spp.). It analyses consumer preferences for mushrooms by demographic group at national and regional scales. Instead of focusing on the entire U.S. mushroom market, prior studies have focused on consumer preferences and market segments for organic, genetically modified, and local mushrooms, dealing with one or few types of mushrooms. Previous studies discuss a...
Show moreThis study focuses on U.S. consumer preferences for common mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), specialty mushrooms, and morels (Morchella spp.). It analyses consumer preferences for mushrooms by demographic group at national and regional scales. Instead of focusing on the entire U.S. mushroom market, prior studies have focused on consumer preferences and market segments for organic, genetically modified, and local mushrooms, dealing with one or few types of mushrooms. Previous studies discuss a few aspects of the wild supply chain, but the potential for niche mushrooms remains understudied. I pay special attention to wild mushrooms and their supply chain, as they are increasingly popular, though only a few edible mushrooms are successfully cultivated. I conducted a nationwide online of primary shoppers in U.S. households. My descriptive statistical analysis suggests that with better information on potential buyers, mushrooms could be an important enterprise for growers. As nearly half of U.S. households purchase mushrooms in a typical year at a restaurant or to be consumed at home (49.0%), versus only (31.6%) who do not, there is great potential to expand the market. If new mushroom species can be cultivated in the U.S., specialty mushroom producers may wish to target the 18 to 24 age group nationally, the 55 to 64 age group in the West, African Americans from the South, and higher income and educated purchasers nationally. The value added by this study is that consumer preferences of morels versus other specialty mushrooms were analyzed to know its market extent which can help to assess the potential market segments, the scope of cultivation expansion, and preferences for additional wild mushroom species like morels.
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Title: THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MICHIGAN’S HARD CIDER INDUSTRY
Creator: Oishi, Kazi
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: This research investigates the economic contributions of Michigan’s growing hard cider industry while accounting for demand changes for its substitute products which are beer, wine, hard seltzer, and mixed drinks. Pooling responses across those instructed to consider on premise and off premise consumption, our discrete choice experiment (DCE) reveals average consumer willingness to pay for a 12 oz unit of hard cider to be $6.98, with an additional $1.41 when it is locally produced. The...
Show moreThis research investigates the economic contributions of Michigan’s growing hard cider industry while accounting for demand changes for its substitute products which are beer, wine, hard seltzer, and mixed drinks. Pooling responses across those instructed to consider on premise and off premise consumption, our discrete choice experiment (DCE) reveals average consumer willingness to pay for a 12 oz unit of hard cider to be $6.98, with an additional $1.41 when it is locally produced. The Michigan cider value-chain is identified and assessed to estimate the economic contribution of in-state cider production and sales. Supply chain modeling is facilitated using a modified regional social account matrix depicting local supply chains of hard cider production. We estimate that the gross economic impact of Michigan’s hard cider production on the state’s economy is $35.1 million in terms of additional Gross State Product. Should in-state cider demand increase in response to, for example, a concerted marketing effort, the expected economic impact will be moderated by substitution, or reduced sales of competing products. Using substitutability insight from the DCE model, we find that a doubling of Michigan cider sales will result in a net economic impact of $30.2 million to Michigan’s Gross State Product. This work is the first estimate to our knowledge of the economic contribution or impact of the budding hard cider industry. While few consumer demand studies on hard ciders have been completed, this report also applies a DCE model to establish willingness to pay benchmarks, including that of local branding, with the additional novelty of incorporating the model results in the economic contribution analysis. The findings have implications for local stakeholders as well as state policymakers.
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Title: LAKE HURON SALMON FISHERIES VALUATION AND ATLANTIC SALMON POPULATION ASSESSMENT
Creator: Zink, Matthew
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Because fishery yield for Lake Huron is currently less than half the lake’s specified target level, some agencies with management authority for the lake have considered stocking to enhance recreational fishing opportunities. In 2010, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) expanded stocking of Atlantic salmon in Lake Huron to enhance fishing opportunities. Currently, there is uncertainty about the population this stocking effort has produced or the extent that recreational anglers...
Show moreBecause fishery yield for Lake Huron is currently less than half the lake’s specified target level, some agencies with management authority for the lake have considered stocking to enhance recreational fishing opportunities. In 2010, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) expanded stocking of Atlantic salmon in Lake Huron to enhance fishing opportunities. Currently, there is uncertainty about the population this stocking effort has produced or the extent that recreational anglers may value Atlantic salmon versus other salmonids. I surveyed anglers that purchased a 2019 Michigan fishing license to collect salmon fishing trip data for Lake Huron and to ask contingency behavior questions to determine how angler fishing effort might change given changes in expected salmonid catch rates. I additionally fit a statistical catch-at-age model to harvest data from Michigan jurisdictional waters to estimate Atlantic salmon population dynamics and abundance. Based on survey responses, an increase in the catch rate of one fish per 100 hours was estimated to increase the total number of trips to Lake Huron by 13.9 (Chinook salmon), 13.2 (Atlantic salmon), 8.6 (steelhead), 4.5 (coho salmon), and 0.3% (lake trout). This equated to relative values of $38.67, $37.04, $24.40, $12.83, and $0.31 for the species, respectively. The estimated total abundance of Atlantic salmon in 2019 was 392,000 fish, with a peak abundance of approximately 406,000 fish in 2018. Although these results will aid fishery managers evaluate potential stocking options for the lake, I encourage stocking decisions be made collaboratively with input from multiple Lake Huron stakeholder groups.
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Title: PERCEPTIONS OF VOICE PRODUCTION IN HEALTHY FEMALES IN REGARDS TO AGE AND PROFESSIONALISM : AS QUANTIFIED BY ACOUSTIC AND PERCEPTUAL MEASURES
Creator: Nizami, Hafsaah Fatima
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: PURPOSE: This study aims to research the perception of voice as it relates to aging and professionalism in an individual. The production of voice varies in accordance with various factors. These variations often provide an insight into a listener’s perceptions of a speaker’s vocal characteristics and these perceptions may vary across settings. METHODS: This study required four components. The first component required college aged participants to rate perceptions of age and health in regards...
Show morePURPOSE: This study aims to research the perception of voice as it relates to aging and professionalism in an individual. The production of voice varies in accordance with various factors. These variations often provide an insight into a listener’s perceptions of a speaker’s vocal characteristics and these perceptions may vary across settings. METHODS: This study required four components. The first component required college aged participants to rate perceptions of age and health in regards to young and old female vocalists. The second section required college aged participants to rate professionalism in regards to young and old female vocalists. Speech Professionals were asked to participate in the third component of this study, in which they rated listeners among the GRBAS scale. The last component required a quantification of results using a standard acoustic measure like cepstral peak prominence. RESULTS: Strong positive correlations were found between estimated age and actual age, strong negative correlations were found between older women and professionalism; moderately positive correlations were found between younger women and professionalism; moderate to strong correlation was found between age and GRBAS; and moderate negative correlations were found between age and CPPS. DISCUSSION: The following results were found: College-aged students were able to distinguish between the younger and older females. Older women were perceived as less professional. As age increases, GRBAS scores also increase. As age increases, CPPS ratings will decrease. CONCLUSION: Further research may require completion of surveys in a controlled environment, and inclusion of pitch-related measures as they relate to the workplace. Keywords: Aging voice, biological sex differences, perception of voice, professional voice, acoustic measures
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Title: LAKE TYPE AND CONNECTIVITY PREDICT ZEBRA MUSSEL (DREISSENA POLYMORPHA) PRESENCE
Creator: Matuszak, Danielle
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Studies that differentiate between lake type or origin, i.e., natural lakes and reservoirs, or that focus solely on reservoirs are rare, especially at broad scales. These facts lead to reservoirs being less well understood compared to natural lakes. It is known that adding dams/impoundments alters the flow regime of the original water body and changes surface water connectivity. However, the impact of these alterations on invasive species dispersal is widely unknown. Reservoirs are also...
Show moreStudies that differentiate between lake type or origin, i.e., natural lakes and reservoirs, or that focus solely on reservoirs are rare, especially at broad scales. These facts lead to reservoirs being less well understood compared to natural lakes. It is known that adding dams/impoundments alters the flow regime of the original water body and changes surface water connectivity. However, the impact of these alterations on invasive species dispersal is widely unknown. Reservoirs are also thought to have higher levels of human disturbance, which can provide opportunities for non-native species such as the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) to invade and establish. Surface water connections allow zebra mussel larvae to flow from one waterbody to another. Additionally, trailering of recreational boats among lakes can promote overland dispersal of zebra mussels through live wells and boating equipment. Although such connectivity promotes zebra mussel spread, we do not yet know how zebra mussels vary according to lake type nor the relative roles of surface and human connectivity and lake type. Taking a data-intensive approach at the macroscale, we ask: Are zebra mussels more common in reservoirs than in natural lakes? How does surface water and human connectivity influence the presence of zebra mussels in reservoirs and natural lakes? To answer these questions, we used 907 lakes within a 17-U.S. state extent and data from a variety of sources. Water quality, surface water connectivity, and human disturbance data were from the LAke multi-scaled GeOSpatial and temporal (LAGOS) database, public lake access sites were from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and zebra mussel presence data were from the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. We characterized surface water connectivity using six unique lake connectivity classes. We characterized human connectivity two ways: watershed road densities measured in meters per hectare and, for a 3-state subset of the study extent, the presence of public access sites on lakes. We characterized surface water connectivity using a lake connectivity classification based on lake and stream inflow(s)/outflow(s). Using logistic multiple regressions and controlling for region and lake chlorophyll a concentrations, we found that a higher proportion of reservoirs have zebra mussels compared to natural lakes for the 17-state extent. At this same spatial extent, we found that more highly connected lakes, both by humans and surface waters, were more likely to have zebra mussels present, regardless of lake type. Finally, at the 3-state extent, lakes with a public access site were more likely to have zebra mussels than those without, regardless of lake type. We conclude that not all ‘lakes’ are equally likely to have zebra mussels present and that both surface water and human connectivity are important predictors of zebra mussel presence. This study improves the understanding of how natural lakes and reservoirs differ and the extent to which reservoirs disproportionately harbor the invasive zebra mussel, which can improve management and prevention. For example, these results suggest that legislation and management focused on uninvaded reservoirs that are highly connected may help slow the spread of this invasive species.
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Title: Emotions and Teaching Practices
Creator: Brown, Danielle Denise
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: This thesis is an autoethnography which explores the relationship between the emotions and teaching practices of a novice language teacher throughout one semester of teaching. It addresses two questions: (a) What emotions related to teaching were experienced throughout that semester? and (b) How did those emotions affect their teaching practices? Reflective journaling was practiced to document emotions experienced throughout the semester. An analysis of reflective journal entries revealed...
Show moreThis thesis is an autoethnography which explores the relationship between the emotions and teaching practices of a novice language teacher throughout one semester of teaching. It addresses two questions: (a) What emotions related to teaching were experienced throughout that semester? and (b) How did those emotions affect their teaching practices? Reflective journaling was practiced to document emotions experienced throughout the semester. An analysis of reflective journal entries revealed five emotions that affected the instructor’s teaching practices: fear, guilt, shame, exhaustion, and joy. These five emotions were found to affect the instructor’s teaching practices in a variety of ways, with some effects being more positive or negative than others. The refined model of teacher emotion (Chen, 2021) is used to describe the antecedents and consequences of each emotion.
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Title: THE POETIC-MUSICAL INTERTEXTUAL RHETORIC OF THE POLISH BRETHREN’S LITURGY
Creator: Wieczorek Villas Boas, Felipe Pedro
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: This thesis explores the main source of liturgical music of the Polish Brethren, a publication entitled Psalmy Niektóre Króla Dawida (1610 and 1625). The three Chapters contained in this thesis give a broad overview of PNKD and a detailed case study of some of its most relevant works. Although important sources mention some of the names of composers who contributed with the melodies contained in PNKD, the issue of determining the origins of most of its melodies is still largely unstudied....
Show moreThis thesis explores the main source of liturgical music of the Polish Brethren, a publication entitled Psalmy Niektóre Króla Dawida (1610 and 1625). The three Chapters contained in this thesis give a broad overview of PNKD and a detailed case study of some of its most relevant works. Although important sources mention some of the names of composers who contributed with the melodies contained in PNKD, the issue of determining the origins of most of its melodies is still largely unstudied. This thesis shows that a significant portion of the melodies found in PNKD are also featured in earlier Calvinist publications from Poland and abroad, as well as in earlier works published by the Polish Brethren themselves. A central theme in this thesis is the frequent use of melodic borrowings as a recurring feature of PNKD. As my statistical analysis shows, most of the works found in the Polish Brethren’s psalter do not contain melodies, thus depending entirely on the melodies of other works from within PNKD in order to be performed. Some of these borrowings create complex intertextual juxtapositions that involve, at times, more than three or four different texts. These juxtapositions were planned deliberately and served as a rhetorical tool, as the Polish Brethren likely created PNKD with the intent of providing not only spiritual commentary on the scriptures, but also political and philosophical critique of the status quo. The textual juxtaposition of psalms in many ways relates to some of the core values of the group as well as to political issues faced by the movement in Poland, which is why studying these intertextual connections is an important step towards understanding how these communities thought and acted.
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Title: VARIATION IN POLLINATOR VISITATION AMONG CULTIVARS OF MARIGOLD, PORTULACA, AND BIDENS
Creator: Browning, Adam
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: The decline in pollinator populations has been documented worldwide in recent years with many researchers focusing on the matter. Many people are interested in ornamental annuals they can plant in their garden to better support pollinators and have many varieties and cultivars to choose from. However, there is a lack of research behind what specific cultivars of ornamental annuals are attractive to pollinators. We sampled pollinators visiting six cultivars of Tagetes spp. (marigold), eight...
Show moreThe decline in pollinator populations has been documented worldwide in recent years with many researchers focusing on the matter. Many people are interested in ornamental annuals they can plant in their garden to better support pollinators and have many varieties and cultivars to choose from. However, there is a lack of research behind what specific cultivars of ornamental annuals are attractive to pollinators. We sampled pollinators visiting six cultivars of Tagetes spp. (marigold), eight cultivars of Portulaca spp. and ten cultivars Bidens spp. separately for two years to evaluate each cultivars relative pollinator attractiveness among each annual. Pollinators collected were categorized into four groups, Apis mellifera, Bombus impatiens, Wild Bees and Syrphids, to show the proportion of different pollinator visitors to each cultivar. There was significant variation among individual cultivar pollinator visitation rates found for each annual, with some cultivars having over double the visitation rate of others. We also evaluated nectar production and nectar quality of two selected Portulaca spp. and Bidens spp. cultivars based on first-year pollinator visitation data collected as a means of showing a possible reason for varying pollinator visitation among cultivars. Our results show clear pollinator preferences for certain cultivars, and that nectar production and nectar quality may be a driving influence. This research will better inform entomologists, horticulturalists, growers, and educators which of the selected cultivars of Tagetes spp. (marigold), Portulaca spp. and Bidens spp. have higher pollinator visitation, and that cultivar differences should be considered when labeling a plant as ‘pollinator-friendly’.
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Title: 2B4 IS A CHECKPOINT MOLECULE FOR iNKT CELL ANTI-TUMOR RESPONSE
Creator: Bahal, Devika Naresh
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are robust cytotoxic effectors and immune modulators, which makes them ideal candidates for cancer immunotherapy. However, the use of iNKTs for cellular therapy against cancer has been limited due to their transient response in pre-clinical trials. Although TCR-CD1d interactions are generally required for iNKT cell cytotoxicity, the receptors and signaling mechanisms that co-operate with the TCR to promote maximal anti-tumor responses are poorly...
Show moreInvariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are robust cytotoxic effectors and immune modulators, which makes them ideal candidates for cancer immunotherapy. However, the use of iNKTs for cellular therapy against cancer has been limited due to their transient response in pre-clinical trials. Although TCR-CD1d interactions are generally required for iNKT cell cytotoxicity, the receptors and signaling mechanisms that co-operate with the TCR to promote maximal anti-tumor responses are poorly understood. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms that regulate anti-tumor responses is critical for the development of effective iNKT-based therapies. Our efforts have shown that 2B4, a SLAM receptor, when expressed on iNKTs reduces their cytotoxic response against lymphoma cells. Surprisingly, 2B4 is not expressed on resting iNKTs but gets rapidly upregulated via stimulation through the TCR. 2B4 has two isoforms, which are splice variants of each other, of which the inhibitory long form is predominantly expressed in activated iNKTs. Our data show that 2B4 is a checkpoint molecule and has an inhibitory role in iNKT cell cytotoxicity. Indeed, when we overexpressed 2B4 in an iNKT cell hybridoma, the killing capacity of the iNKT cell line was abrogated. Moreover, 2B4 can be converted to a potent activating receptor by swapping its intracellular domains with proline motifs, which drastically augments tumor cell lysis. Taken together, this study highlights the important role of 2B4 in iNKT cell cytolysis and broadens the knowledge of immunoregulatory receptors in iNKT cells for future applications in cancer therapy.
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Title: THE PRODUCTION OF SPECTACLE : VERBAL AND VISUAL ELEMENTS IN SHAKESPEARE’S ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
Creator: Lockwood, Gabrielle W.
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: As Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra was first staged, much of Renaissance Europe was engaging in a debate around artistic production. Painting and poetry were set against each other to determine which could produce the best representation of nature or surpass it altogether. What we see with theater, however, is that it occupies a unique position in the world of artistic production because it is capable of presenting the two, seemingly opposite forms of representation: the verbal and the...
Show moreAs Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra was first staged, much of Renaissance Europe was engaging in a debate around artistic production. Painting and poetry were set against each other to determine which could produce the best representation of nature or surpass it altogether. What we see with theater, however, is that it occupies a unique position in the world of artistic production because it is capable of presenting the two, seemingly opposite forms of representation: the verbal and the visual. Examining the discourse around art production in early modern England reveals how the construction of Antony and Cleopatra’s famous scenes reflects debates around representational mediums. Shakespeare’s interchange between verbal and visual representation produces shifting characterization of the play’s iconic figures. Since the two mediums work simultaneously to produce different images, the characters are often paradoxical and unpredictable. From here, it is possible to trace how Antony and Cleopatra’s distinctive characterization has become a cornerstone of its legacy. By looking at the production history of the play, it is apparent that its critical reception relies on a production’s awareness of shifting artistic mediums, complex representational choices, and paradoxical figures.
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Title: MANIPULATING PHOTON FLUX DENSITY, PHOTON SPECTRUM, AND PHOTOPERIOD TO IMPROVE THE GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION OF SPECIALTY CUT FLOWERS
Creator: Spall, Caleb Edward
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Year-round demand for locally sourced specialty cut flowers continues to increase in the U.S., but growers in northern regions cannot produce them outdoors or in high-tunnels year-round due to poor environmental conditions during the winter and early spring. Thus, they must use greenhouses to maintain a proper lighting environment to capitalize on demand during these seasons. Our objectives for Expts. 1 and 2 were to a) determine how photoperiod influences morphology of marigold ‘Xochi’ ...
Show moreYear-round demand for locally sourced specialty cut flowers continues to increase in the U.S., but growers in northern regions cannot produce them outdoors or in high-tunnels year-round due to poor environmental conditions during the winter and early spring. Thus, they must use greenhouses to maintain a proper lighting environment to capitalize on demand during these seasons. Our objectives for Expts. 1 and 2 were to a) determine how photoperiod influences morphology of marigold ‘Xochi’ (Tagetes erecta), witchgrass ‘Frosted Explosion’ (Panicum capillare), and dianthus ‘Amazon Rose Magic’ and ‘Amazon Neon Cherry’ (Dianthus barbatus interspecific) young and finished plants, and b) quantify how photoperiod and daily light integral (DLI) influence floral initiation and quality of witchgrass and dianthus. For Expt. 3, we sought to quantify how supplemental radiation quality influences floral initiation and finished quality of three long-day specialty cut flowers. Marigold was harvestable when young plants were grown under photoperiods ≥11 h or a 4-h NI, and finished under 12-h photoperiods. Witchgrass was harvestable when young plants were grown under photoperiods ≥14 h or a 4-h NI, and finished under photoperiods ≥14 h. Dianthus was harvestable when young and finished plants were grown under 9- to 16-h photoperiods, or a 4-h NI. Additionally, cut flowers should be grown under a DLI of ≥10 mol·m–2·d–1. Godetia, snapdragon, and stock cut flowers should be grown under supplemental light with a spectrum similar to B20R85FR15 or a broad spectrum, for desirable crop quality and minimal developmental, visibility, and energy tradeoffs.
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Title: OBSERVATIONS OF ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE DURING A LOW INTENSITY SURFACE FIRE
Creator: Seitz, Joseph Patrick-Thayer
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Ambient atmospheric environment affects the growth and spread of wildland fires, whereas heat and moisture release from the fires and the reduction of the surface drag in the burned areas can significantly alter local atmospheric conditions. Previous studies have investigated this interaction between the fire and the surrounding atmosphere, but the majority of these experiments collected in-situ data at the fire-atmosphere interface using only a few instrumented towers in typically a large...
Show moreAmbient atmospheric environment affects the growth and spread of wildland fires, whereas heat and moisture release from the fires and the reduction of the surface drag in the burned areas can significantly alter local atmospheric conditions. Previous studies have investigated this interaction between the fire and the surrounding atmosphere, but the majority of these experiments collected in-situ data at the fire-atmosphere interface using only a few instrumented towers in typically a large burn plot of at least a few acres or several thousand square meters. This study reports results from a recent prescribed surface fire experiment conducted on a small, densely instrumented burn plot of one hundred square meters (10 m by 10 m). The fuel in the burn plot was pine needles with a fuel loading of about 0.5 kg m-2 and fuel moisture of 5.5%. At the time of the burn, the ambient wind speed at the fuel bed level was about 2 m s-1. In-situ meteorological observations were collected using a 4 by 4 array of three-dimensional sonic anemometers mounted on four trusses at 2.5 m right above the fuel bed level. The analysis of the 10-Hz velocity and temperature data from the 16 sonic anemometers focuses on fire-induced atmospheric turbulence. By comparing the observations collected before, during and after the fire, the study reveals how the fire can alter the heat and momentum exchanges between the combustion zone and the atmosphere above. Besides confirming some of the general findings about fire-induced turbulence from previous studies, the results reveal the existence of substantial heterogeneity in the fire-atmosphere interactions across the burn plot. Even for a plot as small as this, the perturbations of the fire to the ambient atmosphere depends strongly on the downwind distance from the initial fire line and the specific position relative to the fire front. This key finding further highlights the necessity for fire behavior models to have 1-2 m grid spacing to resolve the heterogeneities and capture fire-atmosphere interactions that are relevant to turbulence. The results also have important implications for modeling smoke dispersion, as atmospheric dispersion characteristics in the vicinity of a wildland fire are directly affected by fire-induced turbulence.
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Title: INVESTIGATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE AS A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR BACTERIAL CANKER OF SWEET CHERRY
Creator: Lauwers, Erin M.
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Bacterial canker of sweet cherry trees, caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (PSS), is an economically important disease in Michigan and effective disease management is not available. For these reasons, bacteriophages (phages) are being investigated as a potential biological control of bacterial canker. A cocktail of Pseudomonas bacteriophage was tested as a biological control in Michigan sweet cherry orchards during bloom in 2021 and 2022. Populations of antibiotic-marked...
Show moreBacterial canker of sweet cherry trees, caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (PSS), is an economically important disease in Michigan and effective disease management is not available. For these reasons, bacteriophages (phages) are being investigated as a potential biological control of bacterial canker. A cocktail of Pseudomonas bacteriophage was tested as a biological control in Michigan sweet cherry orchards during bloom in 2021 and 2022. Populations of antibiotic-marked pathogenic PSS strains were tracked for the duration of the flowering period. Establishment of PSS populations greater than 5 log10 CFU g-1 flowers were detected on all water treated flowers during the experiment. In one field replicate on sweet cherry variety ‘Benton’, the PSS population on flowers treated with the phage cocktail was lower (P<0.05) 48 hrs after treatment. Environmental conditions during this field experiment were different compared to the other replicates including higher precipitation, higher relative humidity, and lower Daily Light Integral. These observations could indicate conditions in which phage may be an effective biological control. It also corroborates the need for reducing phage degradation by UV in the field. Kaolin clay was tested as a protectant against UV irradiation in vitro and in vivo. A rate of 4.8 mg ml-1 kaolin clay was shown to effectively protect phage from UV degradation in vitro but was not observed when the phage cocktail was supplemented with kaolin clay in the field. This work gives us a better understanding of the potential of phage as a biological control of bacterial canker under field conditions.
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Title: EXPLORING STERILE INSECT TECHNIQUE FOR MANAGEMENT OF CODLING MOTH IN MICHIGAN
Creator: Andrews, Megan Abigail
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: The use of sterile insect technique (SIT) for codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) management has been proven successful at suppressing wild populations, allowing for the reduction of insecticide applications. Most of this research has occurred in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, United States. In this thesis, I demonstrate how this tool might be utilized in Michigan apple orchards. I first looked at how male and female C. pomonella respond to traps baited with different chemical cues in...
Show moreThe use of sterile insect technique (SIT) for codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) management has been proven successful at suppressing wild populations, allowing for the reduction of insecticide applications. Most of this research has occurred in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, United States. In this thesis, I demonstrate how this tool might be utilized in Michigan apple orchards. I first looked at how male and female C. pomonella respond to traps baited with different chemical cues in Michigan compared to Washington in a 2-year study. I found a difference in the sex ratios of recaptured codling moths between the two states, demonstrating that lure performance is different based upon regional differences. In addition to monitoring traps, I investigated how to apply sterile insect technique in Michigan where a farm-scale approach is necessary due to the relatively small size of orchards in this region. I compared the timing of releases during the season (1st generation, 2nd generation, or season long) in addition to the rate of moths released (half or full rate). The full rate released for first generation or season long had consistently low wild male moth captures throughout the season. Finally, we tested the method of the release (self-released, released in the canopy, or released on the ground) and found that there was no significant difference between the release methods tested. These results can inform future development of codling moth management programs for Michigan apple orchards that include the sterile insect release.
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Title: Spontaneously Occurring Clonal Hematopoiesis in the Canine
Creator: Sebastian, Kimberley
Date: 2022
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is a clinical entity of aging humans that is characterized by cancer-associated mutations in white blood cells, without evidence of overt neoplasia. CHIP has been associated with an increased risk of hematologic cancers, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. We hypothesized that somatic mutations in specific genes associated with human CHIP would be detectable in the blood of aged dogs not known to have hematologic disorders....
Show moreClonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is a clinical entity of aging humans that is characterized by cancer-associated mutations in white blood cells, without evidence of overt neoplasia. CHIP has been associated with an increased risk of hematologic cancers, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. We hypothesized that somatic mutations in specific genes associated with human CHIP would be detectable in the blood of aged dogs not known to have hematologic disorders. DNA from paired germline and whole blood samples from 93 geriatric canine patients affected by solid cancer were subjected to targeted next generation sequencing. Impact of the variants was predicted using Polymorphism Phenotyping version 2 software (PolyPhen-2, Harvard). Clinical and demographic data were extracted from medical records. Somatic variants were detected in peripheral blood of four (4.3 %) female dogs aged 12-15 years. Affected genes were ASXL1, KIT, SF3B1, TET2, RUNX1, and PPM1D. The variant in PPM1D was a nonsense mutation, while the other five variants were single nucleotide non-synonymous variants in protein coding regions of the genes. The single nucleotide variants in KIT and SF3B1 were predicted to be benign, while the variants in ASXL1, TET2, and RUNX1 were predicted to be damaging. A mutant RUNX1 cell line was designed and constructed with CRISPR technology, and the mutant cells had an increased growth rate compared to controls. These results support the presence of variants in CHIP-associated genes in geriatric canids similar to those observed in people, and the dog represents the first species in which the genetic lesion of CHIP has been documented. Further investigations are needed to confirm the association of this genetic lesion with clinical outcomes.
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