Browsing BIO Theses by Title
Now showing items 1-20 of 98
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Abundance of nifH genes in urban, agricultural, and pristine prairie streams exposed to different levels of nitrogen loading
(2007-05)Ecosystem processes drive biogeochemical cycles that influence input and losses of nutrients in the biosphere. Through human activities the environment has been highly enriched with nutrients, especially nitrogen. In most ... -
Amphibian larvae distribution amongst intermittent stream pools in the Flint Hills covaries with vegetation and fish colonization
(Wichita State University, 2021-05)Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts and precipitation events. The connectivity and hydroperiod among stream pools are expected to change due to these climatic events, therefore ... -
An injectable hydrogel for nucleus pulposus regeneration
(Wichita State University, 2015-05)Intervertebral discs within the human spine act as shock absorbers between each of the vertebrae in the spinal column. As people age, disc cells are constantly subjugated to degenerating stress by various mechanical and ... -
Analysis of aggregation behavior of Xenopus Laevis tadpoles in relation to sibling rearing condition and presence of a predator cue
(Wichita State University, 2008-08)Differential effects on behavior of a focal tadpole subjected either to the absence or presence of a predator cue were examined when the focal animal was in the presence of conspecific tadpoles differing in relatedness and ... -
Analysis of oligosaccharyltransferase isoform function in human follicle stimulating hormone via siRNA knockdown
(Wichita State University, 2013-12)Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone with two subunits, alpha and beta, and is required for gamete development. FSH is now known to exist as a ratio of two glycoforms that varies during the menstrual ... -
Antimicrobial synergy between cranberry and manuka honey against dental caries bacteria
(Wichita State University, 2019-05)Dental caries is caused by dental plaque, which is a community of micro-organisms embedded in an extracellular polymer matrix as a biofilm on the tooth surface. Natural products that are widely accessible could be used as ... -
Application of a global screening method to probe the role of epigenetics in an experimental model of DES-induced, estrogen-dependent uterine cancer
(Wichita State University, 2011-07)Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen, was widely administered to pregnant women between 1947 and 1971 on account of a misconception that it could prevent miscarriages. Due to the wide use of this estrogen-mimicking ... -
Causes of variation in damage by folivores: The roles of ecosystem productivity and habitat complexity
(Wichita State University, 2009-05)Understanding the causes of variation in herbivore damage among individual plants is important because it may lead to strategies for increasing damage to invasive weeds, thereby, reducing their population growth. My ... -
Characterization of the bacterial community on the feathers of wild dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis)
(Wichita State University, 2013-05)Wild birds rely on plumage for protection, reproductive display, and flight. Alterations to feather structure or color by symbiotic microbes may reduce survival and reproductive fitness. Feathers are waxy oligotrophic ... -
Characterizing bacterial growth in eutectic and saturated salt solutions relevant to mars
(Wichita State University, 2017-07)Although Mars is a hyperarid environment that poses many challenges to any potential inhabitants, liquid water is available. Many believe this liquid water is formed by the deliquescence of hygroscopic salts. Upon absorbing ... -
Comparative demography and behavioral comparison of the blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila cerulea) and the cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea)
(Wichita State University, 2013-05)The Neotropical-migratory Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) is one of North America's strongest declining songbirds. Alterations of breeding ground habitat are a potential primary cause of decline, versus wintering and ... -
Cross-timbers oak woodland regeneration as a function of woodland age, canopy gap size, and deer herbivory
(Wichita State University, 2017-12)Oak woodlands and forests in much of eastern North America are undergoing a decline as a result of changes in disturbance regimes and herbivore populations. This conservation concern has stimulated research focusing on oak ... -
Culture-independent molecular phylogenetic analysis of microbial communities living at saturating levels of magnesium sulfate
(Wichita State University, 2014-12)Athalassohaline epsomite lakes in the northwestern plains of North America contain high concentrations of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). Hot Lake located outside of Oroville, WA is one such lake in which the MgSO4 precipitates ... -
Dark grown chlorella kessleri fed corn, sorghum and lignocellulosic hydrosylates for algal biodiesel production
(Wichita State University, 2013-07)Biodiesel production by microalgae is typically driven by photosynthetic light harvesting. Production in open ponds is hampered by high water requirements and contamination. Photobioreactor are highly engineered systems ... -
Demographic structure and genetic variability of Platte thistle (Cirsium canescens asteraceae) in central and peripheral populations
(Wichita State University, 2014-12)Understanding spatial variation in the structures and dynamics of species’ populations has long been a focus in ecology. Species abundance is a function of both frequency (whether the species is present at a site) and ... -
Developing a human patient “avatar” system particularly relevant to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
(Wichita State University, 2022-07)Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks sixth among the major causes of fatalities worldwide. With greater than 600,000 incidences reported annually, cancer scientists need to devise more effective therapeutic ... -
Developing QPCR assay to quantify disease severity in Medicago truncatula due to Macrophomina phaseolina infection
(Wichita State University, 2017-07)Macrophomina phaseolina (M. phaseolina) is a soil-borne necrotrophic fungus that causes charcoal rot disease. The pathogen has very wide host range (up to 500 plant species) and affects seed quality, plant growth and yield. ... -
Developing scarab beetle identification tools for Hawaii and the Pacific
(Wichita State University, 2016-05)The last decade has seen the arrival of a number of pest scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to the state of Hawaii and the US territory of Guam. Despite the arrival of such injurious species as the coconut rhinoceros beetle ... -
Developmental expression of GCNF during organ maturity
(Wichita State University, 2010-05)Without a ligand, Germ Cell Nuclear Factor (GCNF) binds to and represses genes. Targets include Oct4 (involved in the pluripotency of embryonic and germ cells), CRIPTO-1 (found in undifferentiated stem cells), and reproductive ... -
Differential expression at the proteomic level of stem-cell markers and other gene markers in high-grade serous vs. other subtypes of ovarian cancer.
(Wichita State University, 2017-07)Ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal neoplasm and the fifth leading cause of death in women due to gynecological malignancies. It is estimated that there are 225,000 new cases diagnosed and 140,000 deaths occurring annually ...