bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aaron Nard, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV, 26074. The effects of Justicia americana removal on macroinvertebrate communities in two northern West Virginia Creeks.
Authors: Nard Aaron David , Khan Tanya , Wood James , Ferguson Devyn , Huffman Madison , Colvin Michaela
Published: May 2022

Macroinvertebrate taxa have traditionally served as indicators of water quality because of their sensitivity to anthropogenic impacts. In order to measure the prevalence of these taxa, biomass calculations can be performed that elucidate the biotic life present in freshwater ecosystems.In the current study, the relationship between macroinvertebrate biomass and the presence or absence of the American water willow, Justicia americana, was investigated. This study was performed on three sites in both Wheeling and Buffalo Creek containing large beds of this aquatic angiosperm. Buffalo Creek’s watershed is largely rural and undeveloped while Wheeling Creek’s watershed consists of forest, agriculture and substantial urban development. Each site contained a treatment subplot where Justicia was removed by cutting the stems at the ground, while Justicia in the control plot was left uncut. Three sub-samples of macroinvertebrates were collected from treatment and control plots along with weekly water chemistry readings. Macroinvertebrate organisms greater than 1mm were identified and length-mass regression were used to calculate the biomass in each plot.Preliminary analysis indicates that total macroinvertebrate biomass between control and treatment sites of the same creek was not significantly different but there were notable differences in total Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) biomass between treatment and control. Additionally, Buffalo creek had higher total macroinvertebrate biomass compared with Wheeling Creek. Overall, this data indicates that macroinvertebrate response to the removal of Justicia can vary between macroinvertebrate taxa, and that response to Justicia removal may depend on land use within the watershed.
Automating parameter change and data virtualization for simulations of a combinational cancer therapy
Authors: YAO YITIAN , BURNS CHRISTIAN , Wang Zhijun , Wang Qing , Klinke DAVID J.
Published: May 2022

The excel importer software is a tool used in the simulations of investigation of sensitivity analysis and treatment strategies for a tumor growth model in response to an immune-chemotherapy. Prior to this software, manual entry of data was required to generate results from each experimental simulation. A prevalent issue that was found while analyzing experimental results is that human error is capable of misconstruing trends represented by the model. This software seeks to increases the speed and accuracy of recordings, furthermore improving the efficiency and throughput of the experimental simulator. The excel importer is largely responsible for organizing input data to be fed into a template that compares solutions of the impulsive ordinary differential equations (IODE) model to published experimental data. The output of each experiment is then automatically formatted for to display results graphically. The project was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence and the Research Challenge Fund through a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Division of Science and Research.
How to use R to generate Violin Plots to assist in sensitivity analysis of a cancer model
Authors: CRUTCHLEY BRIAN , Wang Zhijun , Wang Qing , Klinke DAVID J.
Published: May 2022

When you collect large amounts of data during research, it increasingly becomes more difficult to graph manually using simple graphing tools such as Microsoft Excel, especially when multiple variables and result sets are involved. For example, graphing 10,000 points on a graph is easily accomplished in excel. However, if you have 10 spreadsheets worth of data, with each one containing a different testing result, it becomes difficult to integrate them into each other and create visualizations for data. The remedy to this is to use one of the many graphing programs and/or statistical languages available. This project explores the usage of the R project for statistical computing to create graphs for complex data sets by using R to import a large collection of data and generate various graphs using the data. The violin plots can be used to investigate how the change of each parameter value can affect the tumor growth pattern using a cancer model. The project was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence and the NSF S-STEM grant DUE – 1259713.
Osteological Analysis of Indian Black Market Human Remains
Authors: Seccurro Daria Laine
Published: May 2022

When human skeletal remains are discovered, there is initially little knowledge or explanation of their background. Executing a thorough osteological analysis of human skeletal remains can identify unknown information and provide new knowledge. Skeletal remains purchased from India until 1985 are believed to stem from a “legal” grave-robbing bone trade. A set of human remains housed at WVWC’s human anatomy lab, purchased in the early 1960s, display an “Origin India” sticker. Due to the origination, we decided to analyze the human remains. The purpose of this study is to conduct a complete osteological analysis on this set of human remains. Data were collected using Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains and The Human Bone Manual. Specific bony features and abnormalities found during the analysis were compared to the given scientific norms to establish pathology. Preliminary anthropometric assessments show lumbosacral scoliosis. The remains appear to belong to a young adult (15-20) but age is difficult to infer due to post mortem alteration of the epiphyses. There is evidence of a potential calcium deficiency, which also affects epiphyseal fusion, which can alter age approximation. Sex appears ambiguous which supports the young age, but leaning male, based on the pubic symphysis and ventral arc. Bone remodeling around the sternum indicates fracture with complete healing. The tibiae show bowing; all articulations appear gracile, though some long bones show early osteoarthritis. Due to this controversial analysis, future research warrants a detailed computed tomography scan.
Treatment strategy for non-responders and partial-responders based on a calibrated cancer model in response to an immuno-chemotherapy
Authors: JARRELL BRENDAN , Wang Zhijun , Wang Qing , Klinke DAVID J.
Published: May 2022

It has been demonstrated through recent findings that chemotherapy treatments which utilize the combined Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and chemotherapy agent Oxaliplatin (OXP) effectively combat metastasized colorectal cancer in lab mice. To explore the effects of various treatment strategies on tumor control, we conducted simulation experiments based on a calibrated mathematical model using ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The experiments presented in this work focused on treatment effects of a group of non-responders and partial-responders who survived two treatment cycles of combined OXP and IL12 therapy and did not responded or partially responded to the third treatment cycle using the same treatment protocol, respectively. Impulses reflecting dose and frequency change of IL12 and/or OXP were specifically manipulated and results were analyzed for differences in effects of IL-12 strength, OXP dose size, OXP treatment cycles, and overall number of treatment cycles on tumor growth. The results of the 30 different parameter sets evaluated show that increases in the size of the dose of administered OXP and an increase in the frequency of OXP treatment cycles significantly lowered tumor volume in partial responders over the span of 720 days. For non-responders, on the other hand, the results tended to be miniscule. While increases in the frequency of OXP treatment cycles and the number of treatment cycles overall did step down the tumor volume on a median scale of the 30 parameter sets, these effects were small and sometimes insignificant. The project was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence and the Research Challenge Fund through a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Division of Science and Research.
Stability analysis of the high-tumor equilibrium of a tumor growth model in response to combination therapy involving 4-1BB and IL-12
Authors: Yao Yitian , Wang Zhijun , Wang Qing , Klinke DAVID J.
Published: May 2022

Stability Analysis provides a useful tool to potentially help explore efficient treatment strategies of tumor growth models in response to combination therapies. The control of tumor growth can be realized by stabilizing the tumor free equilibrium and destabilizing the high tumor equilibrium of a tumor growth model subject to anti4-1BB and IL-12 combination therapy.  In this project, we calculate the high-tumor equilibrium of a system of 16-equation impulsive ODE (ordinary differential equation) model which describes how a combination therapy involving 4-1BB and IL-12 affects tumor growth. We investigated the stability of the high tumor equilibrium of the tumor growth model using the signs of eigenvalues of Jacobian matrix of the linearized system evaluated at the equilibrium. This project was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence and the Research Challenge Fund through a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Division of Science and Research.
Oscillating vs Accelerative Trends of Premixed Flame Propagation in Open Obstructed Channels
Authors: ADEBIYI ABDULAFEEZ AKINOLA , CATHRENO AMANDA , RIDGEWAY ELIZABETH , AKKERMAN V’YACHESLAV
Published: May 2022

Due to a flame-generated jet-flow along a centreline, premixed flames accelerate extremely fast and may even trigger a detonation when propagating in a semi-open obstructed channel (one end of the channel is closed; a flame is ignited at this end, and it moves towards the open extreme). However, industrial and laboratory pipes often have both ends open, with a flame ignited at one of them, which is also the case in the present work. Specifically, flame propagation through a “tooth-brush” of obstacles, in-built in an open channel, is studied by means of the computational simulations of reacting flow equations, with fully-compressible hydrodynamics, transport properties and Arrhenius chemical kinetics. The parametric study includes various blockage ratios, spacing between the obstacles, and thermal expansion ratios. Depending on these parameters, either flame oscillations, or acceleration, or their sequence are observed. While the oscillations are generally inherent to relatively narrow channels, in wider ones, the accelerative trend eventually dominates over the oscillations. All these trends differ conceptually from ultrafast acceleration in semi-open channels, where the entire flame-generated flow is pushed towards a single exit, while with two extremes open, this flow is distributed between the upstream and downstream ones, thereby moderating flame propagation. The flame oscillations are essentially nonlinear; the oscillation period grows with the blockage ratio but decreases with the thermal expansion. In fact, these oscillations can be treated as fluctuations around quasi-steady solution, thereby supporting the recent experiments, modelling and theory of premixed flames in open obstructed channels, which all yielded steady or quasi-steady flame propagation prior to the onset of fast flame acceleration.
Genetic diversity and morphological variation in a vulnerable WV native orchid, Corallorhiza bentleyi
Authors: Fama Nicole
Published: May 2022

Corallorhiza bentleyi, commonly known as Bentley’s coralroot, is an orchid species endemic to five counties along the West Virginia/Virginia border. It was described in the 1990s, is known from only about 10 populations, and is both geographically restricted and locally rare. Patterns of genetic diversity and fungal host specificity for this orchid are poorly understood; such knowledge will be crucial to help maintain the long term stability of this species. We took a three-fold approach to quantify diversity among populations of Corallorhiza bentleyi. Nuclear microsatellite and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were developed to quantify genetic variation within C. bentleyi. The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was sequenced to assess the degree of specificity between the orchids and their ectomycorrhizal fungal hosts. Floral morphometrics and principal components analysis were used to analyze morphological diversity among all individuals sampled. Although low levels of genetic diversity were found among sequenced microsatellite regions, floral morphological measurements showed some distinction between populations at the county level. Corallorhiza bentleyi appears to associate with a single species of fungus, T. fuscocinerea, meaning that its survival is linked to that of this single species. Preliminary data from dominant ISSR banding patterns have revealed evidence of genetic variation between C. bentleyi populations, and among individuals within populations. The ultimate goal of this research is to obtain more information concerning genetic diversity, relationships with its fungal host, and environmental requirements in order to influence management of C. bentleyi populations and their habitats in southern Appalachia.
Microbial substrate utilization in soils of two WV watersheds with different vegetation structures.
Authors: Jimenez Esquilin Aida E , Harris Zachary , Duncan Caleb
Published: May 2022

A West Virginia watershed planted with Picea abies (Norway spruce) in 1973 shows evidence that the coniferous stand has altered streamflow, N dynamics, and the soil organic layer in the watershed after 45 years. Microbial populations related to the N cycle have been studied extensively, but the metabolic versatility of microbial communities in the soil under the coniferous stand is still not well understood. We hypothesized that changes in vegetation structure would parallel changes in carbon utilization patterns of the microbial communities. Soil samples were collected under the Norway spruce stand and compared to a control watershed with a species composition of a typical WV hardwood forest. We collected composite soil samples along a 10 m transect and between the two sides of the weir at both watersheds and used community level physiological profiling to examine the microbial community utilization of carbon sources. Principal component analysis of the substrate data shows evidence that the microbial communities in the soils under the coniferous stand are functionally distinct. Communities in soils under Norway spruce showed 31% more degradation of cellobiose and 35% more degradation of amino acids than the communities under the Hardwoods soil (p <0.001). We also measured Nitrification by most probable number of Nitrosomonas and the results show that nitrification was significantly lower under the spruce stand (p=0.039). These results point at a possible change in the nutrient cycling in the soils under Norway spruce that may have implications for the biogeochemistry of the soil.
A vanishing forest at the bottom of the river: the ecology of Podostemum ceratophyllum
Authors: Wood James
Published: May 2022

Podostemum ceratophyllum Michx., an algae-like flowering plant commonly called hornleaf riverweed, is native to the Appalachian and Piedmont regions of North America. Podostemum grows underwater attached to rocks and stable substrates in fast flowing rivers and stream. The plant increases structural complexity in benthic habitats and is associated with increases in macroinvertebrate biomass and fish abundance. Functionally Podostemum sequesters nutrients and metals from the water column and allows them to be transferred into the food web. Podostemum can grow and spread relatively quickly, occupying large portions of the benthic surface in suitable locations. The plant can also achieve a substantial biomass, over 1000 mg m2, but herbivory on the plant can also be intense when consumers gain access to the plant. While Podostemum is an important component of many eastern rivers, records on where Podostemum occurs are incomplete and anecdotal evidence indicates the plant has been declining across its range. Currently, seven states (CT, KY, ME, NY, OH, PA, RI) list Podostemum as threatened, endangered, historical, or a species of special concern, but surprisingly little is known about plant’s habitat requirements or how changes in water chemistry affect Podostemum growth and survival. Here we discuss the current understanding of the ecology of Podostemum, interactions between the plant and other organisms, and how changes in water chemistry and water velocity can influence the growth and survival of this aquatic macrophyte.
Development of magnetic solder for improved solder joints formed in microgravity.
Authors: GRAVES IV JOSEPH , PORTILLO SIERRA , SWAUGER BRYAN , KUHLMAN JOHN , DUNKLE AARON
Published: May 2022

Manned space exploration depends heavily on reliable spacecraft hardware and electronics. On Earth, several common techniques for repairing these electronics exist, primarily via replacing a failed component via soldering. However, in space, microgravity reduces solder joint strength. A solder joint is the term for the connection between an electronic component and a circuit board.      This project is exploring use of magnetic solder pastes to remove flux vapor bubbles that form in solder joints. These bubbles and voids weaken the joint strength, and reduce electrical conductivity of the joint. This impacts functionality of circuits and electrical components onboard the spacecraft. With funding from NASA USIP award NNX16AL83A, soldering experiments will be performed aboard a Zero-Gravity aircraft. The team of eleven undergraduate students, one graduate assistant, and one faculty advisor will test several soldering methods (including hand-soldering, induction heating, and reflow ovens) in microgravity in the presence of a magnetic field, and compare the strength and voidage of the resulting solder joints. Void percentages in preliminary research ranged from 4% to 35%, with higher voidage seen for joints soldered in microgravity.      Results from these experiments will provide valuable insight on repairing electronics in microgravity conditions. If the team successfully develops a magnetic solder paste that reduces joint voidage, future space missions may no longer need to carry spare electronic boards aboard spacecraft. Enabling inflight electronics repair will be crucial for future space missions, by reducing both the launch mass and mission cost, as well as extending the life of long-term missions.
Applying an Xbox Kinect to the Two-Compartment Model of Body Composition
Authors: Fulks Rachel Elaine , Henson Kristy , Popovich Greg
Published: May 2022

Body composition is an important determinant of health status and a useful statistic in clinical and research settings. Current two-compartment methods used to determine body composition are hydrodensitometry, air displacement plethysomography (BodPod), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). These options are expensive, and inconvenient. The purpose of this study is to test the reliability and validity of an Xbox Kinect V1 when applied to the two-compartment model of human body composition. We hypothesize that the Xbox Kinect can capture an individual’s volume and thus calculate percent body fat. 3D scanning took place in Skanect, then scans were exported to Blender to calculate the volume. Participants wore form-fitting clothing and stood in a standardized position during scanning. A complete 360-degree 3D model of the subject was captured. The Siri equation was used to convert body density to body fat percentage. To determine accuracy of this method, skinfold caliper body fat estimates were compared to the 3D scanning results.  A regression was run on the data, resulting in a R2 value of 0.004 and a variance of 1. Preliminary results indicate that the subjects were successfully captured as a 3D image but had a higher body fat percentage than indicated by the skinfold calipers. The Xbox Kinect suffers from common 3D scanner limitations. These limitations are corrected with a skilled operator. Our research indicates the need of a percent error algorithm added to the scanner volume to correct this over-estimated body fat percentage.
Prey Selection in the Queen snake, Regina septemvittata, in Streams of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, U.S.A.
Authors: Meyer Dan T , Henderson Elijah J , Loughman Zachary J
Published: May 2022

Regina septemvittata (Queen snake) is a semi-aquatic snake occurring throughout central and eastern North America that exhibits extreme dietary specialization, feeding almost exclusively on freshly molted crayfishes. Though it is known R. septemvittata forage on crayfishes, little is understood about prey preferences at the species and genus level. Because different crayfish species have varying life history patterns, and molting frequency is allied to life history attributes, it is not clear whether there is a preference based on crayfish species or prey availability based on molt state. To determine if R. septemvittata has preferences for species, we surveyed four streams in the northern panhandle of West Virginia for R. septemvittata and completed seasonal life history studies on crayfish species occurring in those streams from March through October 2018. Over the collecting season 101 Queen snakes were captured. From these, we recovered 24 prey samples that were subsequently identified using either polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or visual identification. Monthly crayfish sampling was used to determine molting frequency of the two available prey species in the study streams: Cambarus carinirostris and Faxonius obscurus. Preliminary results seem to indicate that freshly molted crayfish availability dictates foraging behavior in R. septemvittata, and a lack of specialization at the taxonomic level occurs in this species.
Rediscription and Circumscription of the Acuminate Crayfish, Cambarus acuminatus Faxon, 1884
Authors: Delekta Emmy M , Williams Bronwyn W , Loughman Zachary J
Published: May 2022

Cambarus acuminatus was described by Walter Faxon in 1884 from three specimens collected in the Saluda River in northwestern South Carolina, USA; a form II male and two females. The types have since disappeared or deteriorated so as to be taxonomically useless. Cambarus acuminatus sensu lato has been acknowledged to comprise a species complex known as Cambarus sp. C. This complex ranges across much of the Piedmont Plateau and Coastal Plain from central South Carolina to Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania. Because C. acuminatus lacks taxonomically useful type material and a detailed description, taxonomic reassessment and revision of this species complex has been problematic. For these reasons, we redescribed C. acuminatus based on modern standards for astacoidean crayfishes and provide a revised circumscription of the species. This lays the groundwork necessary for future taxonomic and phylogenetic work involving the C. sp. C complex.
Identifying Habitat Utilization and Movement of a Federally Endangered Narrow Endemic Crayfish Species, Cambarus veteranus (Guyandotte River crayfish) via Radio Telemetry
Authors: Sadecky Nicole Marie , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

The movement and habitat selection of the federally endangered crayfish Cambarus veteranus (Guyandotte River Crayfish) was investigated via radio telemetry. The project was initiated to determine the feasibility and success of tracking a federally endangered Appalachian crayfish. Tracking occurred in the Clear Fork drainage of the Guyandotte River, Wyoming County, West Virginia, during the summer of 2018.  Transmitters weighing 1.2 g were affixed to the ventral side of the right chela of five C. veteranus individuals and were released at their point of capture. Individuals were tracked three times daily for three consecutive days followed by a 6 day non-interaction period. Following the non-interaction period, animals were then tracked once daily every 2 – 3 days for approximately 4 weeks. When an individual was located, the total distance traveled and the micro/macrohabitat type was noted. Water depth, water temperature, current velocity, and distance to the nearest bank were also measured at each individual’s position.  Our preliminary results provided interesting insight about the ecology and movement of C. veteranus and showed far greater movement for C. veteranus than expected, with a single crayfish moving over 480 m. Differences in movement behavior was observed between tracked males and females with males moving more frequently and traveling further than females. Although nighttime tracking was not completed, it was assumed that the majority of movement occurred during the night. Of the five crayfish tracked, four were retrieved at the completion of the study. No crayfish appeared to be harmed or impeded by the transmitters.
Life History of an Imperiled Appalachian Crayfish Species, Cambarus callainus (Big Sandy Crayfish)
Authors: Vopal Christopher
Published: May 2022

In 2016, a species of crayfish endemic to Central Appalachia, Cambarus callainus (Big Sandy Crayfish), was listed by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to limited and declining range caused by various anthropogenic activities, especially those causing stream sedimentation. Cambarus callainus was recently described and was formerly considered to represent the Big Sandy River populations of Cambarus veteranus (Guyandotte River Crayfish), a species which was listed as endangered under the ESA by USFWS in 2016. A limited picture of the life history of C. callainus has been pieced together from surveys conducted over the past decade, as well as from specimens from historic collections. A more complete life history analysis of C. callainus is needed, one which follows the same populations a consecutive year, which will better aid state and federal agencies in formulating effective conservation strategies. A twelve-month life history of C. callainus began in March 2018, following two populations. One population in the Dry Fork watershed at War, WV; and the other population in the Russell Fork watershed at Haysi & Davenport, VA. The project also examines the community composition and interplay with three syntopic stream crayfish species: Faxonius cristavarius (Spiny Stream Crayfish), Cambarus hatfieldi (Tug Valley Crayfish), and Cambarus theepiensis (Coalfields Crayfish).
Defining broad scale habitat associates for an imperiled crayfish, Cambarus veteranus
Authors: Tidmore Eric , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

The Guyandotte River Crayfish (Cambarus veteranus) is a federally protected species of crayfish known from two streams within the Upper Guyandotte river basin in West Virginia. The entire known range of C. veteranus is represented by two disjunct populations and as such an assessment of broad and fine-scale habitat associates is warranted. The goal of this study was to utilize maximum entropy modelling (Maxent) to predict broad scale habitat associates for C. veteranus and to create a map of detection probability for every stream reach within the basin. Occurrence records from a 2015 survey of the Upper Guyandotte were used to create the models. Environmental variables used in the models included stream order, elevation, landcover, and presence of mining activities. The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.975 showing the model had high predictive accuracy. Stream order had the highest variable contribution and permutation importance. The model predicted that C. veteranus prefers 4th and 5th order streams. Ground validation will be completed to further test the accuracy of the models.
Determination of the Feeding Schedule to Achieve Growth Optimization in Juvenile Snakes: A Case Study
Authors: Hoselton Colleen , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

Feeding schedules are an important aspect of any husbandry regime for animals in human care. While frequently debated for endothermic animals, ectotherms, especially snakes, often suffer from stagnated animal husbandry practices. To rectify this issue, we investigated the impact of food presentation frequency, as well as food amount per presentation on the growth of one-year-old and newborn Corn Snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and newborn False Water Cobras (Hydrodynastes gigas) in human care.   Three cohorts, each composed of siblings, were split into two treatment groups for the experiment. Each snake was fed two prey items representing less than 5% of their mass, approximately three days apart over a 15 week period. All animals were weighed weekly in grams. Treatment 1 received both prey items on the same day while treatment 2 received one prey item a day for 2 consecutive days. Over a 7 day period each individual consumed the same amount of food.   The goal of this study was to test the impact of energy allocation on digestion and to determine if the digestion of a single large meal resulted in a loss of energy allocation for growth. Results indicated that there was not a major difference in growth between treatments, suggesting that energy allocated for digesting large amounts of prey did not result in a loss of energy allocation for growth.
Aggregation patterns of sensory sensillae in the food canal and cibarium of the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans.
Authors: Setser Emily , Humbert Austin , Joy James , Rio Rita
Published: May 2022

Mouthparts of hematophagous vectors enable the transfer of blood and pathogens from and to their hosts. Here we describe aggregation patterns of basiconic and setiform sensillae in the food canal and cibarium of the medically significant tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood. Mean body length of females was significantly greater than males. Mean lengths of the food canal and cibarium were also significantly greater in females than males, even when correcting for the greater body lengths of females, but there was no significant difference in total number of sensillae in the food canal or cibarium between the sexes. A pair of basiconic (campaniform) sensillae was consistently present in the food canal of every individual, but numbers of setiform sensillae in the canal of both females and males varied from 53 to 74. No basiconic sensillae were observed in the cibarium proper of any individual, but four minute conical basicones embedded in a sclerotized plate at the posterior edge of the cibarial wall were observed. The number of setiform sensillae in the cibarium varied from 5 to 12 in females and 7 to 11 in males. Setiform and basiconic sensillae were significantly aggregated in the proximal-most (i.e., nearest the head) food canal region of both sexes, whereas setiforms were significantly aggregated in the mid regions of the cibarium. Sensilla aggregation patterns in tsetse flies are very different from those documented for tabanid flies indicating potential differences in monitoring blood flow between these two groups of hematophagous feeders.
Substrate Specificity of Wood-Decay Fungi Native to the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
Authors: Palmer Hunter L , Beverlin Allison C , Robertson Laura S
Published: May 2022

While some wood-decay fungi are pathogens that can cause harm to desirable trees, wood-decay fungi provide a vital service in the break-down of dead trees and recycling of nutrients.  In addition, some wood-decay fungi are edible, some have reported medical uses, and some may be useful for bioremediation.  This study is a preliminary investigation of the growth properties of native wood-decay fungi in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.  We collected wild wood-decay fungi, identified the species by gross morphology and DNA sequencing, and then investigated growth on solid culture medium containing sawdust from different species of tree.  Wild-collected fruiting bodies were butt-cultured on Potato-Dextrose Agar.  Initial cultures were heavily contaminated with bacteria and other fungi.  To reduce contamination, we used a combination of surface sterilization and multiple passages.  Species collected included Auricularia fuscosuccinea (Wood Ear), Trametes sanguinea (aka  Pycnoporus sanguineus), Cerrena unicolor (Mossy Maze Polypore), and Hericium erinaceum (Lion’s Mane). Fungi were grown on solid culture medium containing sawdust from Honey Locust, Box Elder, Mulberry, Hickory, Red Oak, Walnut, Heart Pine, and Pine.  Heart Pine sawdust inhibited growth of all fungi tested.  T. sanguinea  formed spores on Mulberry sawdust, but not on any other sawdust tested.  A. fuscosuccinea, T. sanguinea, and C. unicolor sporulated on all species of sawdust.  H. erinaceum did not grow well on dextrose media without sawdust.
Assessing accuracy of 3D scanning on fingerprint identification
Authors: Smith Amanda Dawn , Henson Kristy
Published: May 2022

Fingerprints have unique ridge characteristics that can be an important part in criminal investigations and can help match individuals to a crime. Common methods of fingerprint extraction contaminate evidence and can damage the fingerprints that are present. The purpose of this study is to test the capability of 3D scanning and digitizing fingerprints using an Xbox 360 Kinect V1. Using a 3D scanner to extract fingerprints can be cheaper and potentially less invasive than the common extraction methods used today. An Xbox Kinect V1 and the 3D scanning program Skanect was used to obtain the 3D scans. Scans were collected using various techniques: directly from volunteers’ hands, dusted latent fingerprints left on objects of different surfaces, and plastic fingerprints left in clay. Once the object was scanned, post-processing included adding the original color overlay back to the object to increase the detail of the scanned items. Preliminary results show that the Kinect was able to digitize all surfaces scanned. Dusted latent prints appeared in the scans but no unique identifying characteristics of the fingerprints were able to be examined. The Kinect V1 is not advanced enough to obtain the complete detail of the fingerprints left on the objects or to show any ridge detail on the scans of the volunteers. This research has potential but a more advanced scanner is warranted to capture the unique ridge characteristics on fingerprints.
Role of Francisella lipoprotein A (FlpA) in Francisella tularensis susceptibility to resazomycins
Authors: Rice Morgan , Teaff Noah , Primerano Donald , Denvir James , Schmitt Deanna
Published: May 2022

Francisella tularensis is classified by the CDC as a Category A bioterrorism agent because of its ease of aerosolization, low infection dose, and high mortality rate. Inhalation of as few as one bacterium is sufficient to cause an acute pneumonia that is lethal in up to 60% of individuals if left untreated. Therefore, the intentional release of antibiotic-resistant strains of F. tularensis would be disastrous and new therapeutics targeting this bacterium must be developed to make our nation safer against a potential terror attack. We have identified a family of resazurin-based compounds called resazomycins that exhibit robust antimicrobial activity against select Gram-negative bacteria, including F. tularensis. The mechanism of action of these antibiotics is not known. To identify potential targets of resazomycins, we performed a high throughput screen to identify resistant isolates and then performed whole genome sequencing on each isolate. Multiple F. tularensis isolates had a mutation in the gene FTL_0073 which encodes for Francisella lipoprotein A (FlpA). Based on the localization of FlpA to the outer membrane, we hypothesize that this protein could be a target of resazomycins or may play a role in uptake of this antibiotic. To address these two hypotheses, we are currently working to generate a flpA disruption and null deletion mutant using standard molecular genetic techniques. Once the mutants are generated, we will first confirm the sensitivity of the flpA mutants to resazomycins. Then, we will test the mutant for defects in uptake of resazomycins. Understanding the role of flpA in resazomycin susceptibility would facilitate further development of these compounds as potential treatments for tularemia.
Expression and purification of AtRALF1 from Escherichia coli
Authors: Lanham Benjamin T , Gilkerson Jonathan
Published: May 2022

Rapid Alakalinization Factors (RALFs) are a family of plant specific peptide growth factors involved in myriad plant processes including growth, development, and response to stresses. These secreted peptides are genetically encoded and processed into an active form from a larger pre-pro-peptide. The active forms are ~5 kDa and have two disulfide bridges.  Here we report our attempts to express the active form of AtRALF1 (At1g02900) from the soluble fractions of two different expression strains of E. coli, Origami 2 (DE3) and SHuffleT7 pLysY.  Both of these strains are commercially available and genetically altered for expression of proteins with disulfide bonds. Expression of these peptides is challenging because misfolded disulfides or other structural issues result in insoluble peptides. We sought to optimize expression conditions to bulk purify HIS(6x)-AtRALF1 by cobalt column chromatography. Under most conditions the peptide was insoluble.  However, at 25oC around 50% of total HIS(6x)-AtRALF1 was soluble in Origami cells. As controls, we expressed mutated versions with alterations in the conserved YISY motif which are physiologically inactive.  Surprisingly, these mutant versions were 100% soluble in most conditions tested.  All versions of HIS(6x)-AtRALF1 were observed to migrate ~12 kDa in SDS-PAGE gels although their predicted molecular weights is ~8 kDa. Treatment under strong reducing conditions had no effect on this migration pattern.  We conclude that AtRALF1’s insolubility issues could be more related to a structure in the YISY motif than to the formation of disulfide bonds.
Lipoprotein sorting as a potential target of resazomycins, a novel family of antibiotics
Authors: Selmon-Miller Isaiah Michael
Published: May 2022

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection has increased, promoting a global health concern. The significance of this resistance pertains to the limitation it places on effective and available microbial agents, resulting in a predicament worsened by the small number of antimicrobial agents introduced over the last couple of years. Therefore, new antibiotics must be developed with unique targets that are not susceptible to rapid antimicrobial resistance. With this stated, it is known that the Lol system is responsible for transporting lipoproteins to the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria which play essential roles in a wide variety of bacterial physiological processes. We have identified a novel family of compounds, resazomycins, which exhibit antimicrobial activity against select Gram-negative bacteria including the human pathogens Francisella tularensis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A common feature of resazomycin-sensitive bacteria is possession of a unique lipoprotein sorting system, LolDF. This complex differs from the LolCDE sorting complex found in most Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli that are resistant to resazomycins. We sought to determine whether LolDF is the target of resazomycins by cloning the genes that encode the E. coli LolCDE transporter into an F. tularensis plasmid and then electroporated this plasmid into an attenuated F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) to see if these would render the bacterium resistant to resazomycins. Thus far, LolCDE-expressing LVS exhibits no difference in susceptibility to resazomycins compared to wild-type LVS. Therefore, we are investigating the role of other F. tularensis genes insusceptibility to resazomycins.
Investigating the physicochemical niche of the macrophyte Podostemum ceratophyllum Michx. (Hornleaf riverweed)
Authors: Canfield Samuel , Wood James
Published: May 2022

Podostemum ceratophyllum Michx. (Podostemaceae), henceforth known as Podostemum, is an angiosperm that inhabits mid-order montane and piedmont rivers in eastern North America. Podostemum, a “foundation species,” strongly influences stream ecosystems by increasing substrate habitat heterogeneity for macroinvertebrates and fishes, sequestering water column nutrients, and contributing to food webs.Currently, NatureServe reports Podostemum is critically imperiled to vulnerable (S1 to S3) in 15 of the 26 US states it occurs in, and seven state populations are unranked/under review.  Stream degradation, including excessive sedimentation, hydrological alterations, and acute water chemistry fluctuations are postulated to impact Podostemum’s survival negatively; however, the physical and chemical environment that supports Podostemum requires additional investigation to improve habitat degradation evaluations. In response, the primary study objective was to identify physicochemical conditions associated with Podostemum ceratophyllum.Podostemum percent cover and stem length, as well as eleven physicochemical characteristics, were collected from fourteen sites in nine West Virginia (S1) mid-order rivers. These data were analyzed using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (R package: MCMCglmm) hierarchical modeling to incorporate sampling site as a grouping variable.Percent cover and stem length exhibited significant positive and negative associations with substrate size and canopy cover, respectively. Additionally, both percent cover and stem length were positively correlated with the interaction between flow velocity and water depth. Relationships between Podostemum and chemical predictors were inconclusive due to low sample sizes. Subsequently, long-term physicochemical studies would further elucidate Podostemum niche requirements. The research was supported by the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium and West Liberty University.
Effect of Oxygen Concentration on Susceptibility of Neisseria Species to Resazomycins
Authors: Kitts Jaclyn
Published: May 2022

A growing number of human pathogens are becoming resistant to most common antibiotics. Each year, antibiotic-resistant infections are responsible for 23,000 deaths in the United States and billions of dollars in health care costs. To prevent the loss of additional lives from once “curable” diseases, new antibiotics must be developed. We recently identified a novel family of resazurin-based compounds, resazomycins, which exhibit antimicrobial activity against various Neisseria species including the human pathogen N. gonorrhoeae in vitro. However, when these compounds were tested in a mouse model of gonorrhea, few resazomycins exhibited any therapeutic effect. These differences in in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacy may be due to differences in oxygen concentration. Most mammalian tissues exist at oxygen concentrations well below atmospheric levels, typically 3-5% instead of 20%. Therefore, we hypothesized that decreased oxygen levels may confer resistance to resazomycins. To test this hypothesis, we cultivated the avirulent Neisseria strain, N.sicca, under atmospheric (20%) and physiologic (2-3%) oxygen conditions and then measured the susceptibility of the bacteria to various resazomycins. To date, more N. sicca growth was observed following exposure to resazurin and resorufin under physiologic oxygen than atmospheric oxygen suggesting oxygen levels effect susceptibility to resazomycins. Further investigation is needed to determine the precise mechanism by which N. sicca is becoming resistant to resazomycins under low oxygen conditions.
System Administration and Database Administration in Cloud Computing Era
Authors: Liao Weidong , Ashiq Annus , Guzide Osman
Published: May 2022

The ever-changing nature of IT demands a changing role for both system administrators and database administrators. Being system admin personnel will require more knowledge, broader skillset, and more tools on hand to be able to adapt to the cloud computing culture. The cloud computing has changed the way for IT Operations. The future system administrator will thus have to help configure, implement and manage the applications that run on cloud platforms.   The same thing happens to database administrators as well. The role of DBAs will shift to cloud DBAs, and adding to their responsibilities will manage the cloud based database and NoSQL databases in serverless settings. Cloud DBAs will have to deal with data protection and play a key role in providing data compatibility across the cloud platforms and maybe migrating data storage from one cloud service provider to another. In short DBAs role moved from tactical infrastructure caretakers towards a more strategic role of being an advisor for other developers.   In this poster, we describe changes of roles of system administrators and database administrators in the era of cloud computing.
4G and 5G Architecture Contrast
Authors: Guzide Osman
Published: May 2022

Savannah Felix, Christopher Foy, Osman Guzide (Faculty Advisor), Weidong Liao (Faculty Advisor), Department of Computer Science, Mathematics and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. 4G and 5G Architecture ContrastWe have conducted an in-depth research about the 5G architecture and contrasted it with the 4G architecture with intention to demonstrate what drastic changes have occurred and what similar grounds they have. While contrasting the architectures, we have also examined the similarity of their technological aspects as to why certain aspects are still chosen to advance the existing technology now. The main goal for this research is to study more specifically at the architecture to gain better understanding of the connectivity of the technology and introduce some layers of the 5G framework. In addition, we intend to provide our perspectives regarding to what capabilities and improvements the technology can theoretically undergo given that 5G is still under active development at this time.
Dry and Ash Free Dry Mass to Length Relationships and Salinity Stress Response of Rock Crayfish (Cambarus carinirostris) and Allegheny Crayfish (Faxonius obscurus)
Authors: Shanor Addie , Wood James , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

Increasing population size and road density has lead to a dramatic increase in salt application during the cold months over the last few decades in the northeastern United States. As a result, salinity levels of freshwater streams are rising at a rapid rate. This increase in salinity has led to habitat degradation in aquatic ecosystems and a harmful effect on the health of freshwater organisms. The purpose of this project is to explore the impact of increased salinity levels on the stress levels of two common native crayfish species, the Rock Crayfish (C. carinirostris) and the Allegheny Crayfish (Faxonius obscurus), by measuring the change in respiration through the tracking of dissolved oxygen levels. This will be accomplished through the use of a respiration chamber containing various concentrations of salt solutions made from common road salt deicer. Respiration rate will be corrected for crayfish ash free dry mass and regressed against salinity. Crayfish responses to salinity may be indicative of how other freshwater macroinvertebrates react to increased salinity levels. The specimens will be dried, and their dry masses will be collected. They will be ashed to create regression equations to convert between various morphometric measurements, dry mass, and ash free dry mass. The morphometric measurements that produce the most accurate regression equation will be determined.