bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tick Surveillance in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Authors: Prochaska Theresa Ann , Loughman Zachary J
Published: May 2022

THERESA A. PROCHASKA, Dept. of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV, 26074, and ZACHARY J. LOUGHMAN, Dept. of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV, 26074. Tick surveillance in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. The number of tick-borne disease cases are increasing each year in West Virginia.  Current data on ticks and tick-borne pathogens present in the northern panhandle of West Virginia is limited.  To ascertain what is the tick fauna in the northern panhandle, an active surveillance study was conducted in four counties: Marshall, Ohio, Brooke and Hancock counties.  Ticks were collected via drag sampling June 2020 through December 2020.  2,365 ticks were collected. Ixodes scapularis (89.2%, n=2,109), Dermacentor variabilis (2.8%, n=66), Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (4.6%, n=109) and Haemaphysalis longicornis (3.4%, n=81) were collected in at least one of the four counties.  Haemaphysalis longicornis, not previously found in the northern panhandle, has two new county records in the state of West Virginia.  Tick-borne pathogens, including those causing Lyme disease and Tularemia, may be present in associated tick species collected in the northern panhandle.  Additional research is being conducted to determine which pathogenic strains are present.
The Role of bone marrow-derived dendritic Cells in a stressed beta2 adrenergic receptor knockout male mice during Chlamydia muridarum lung infection.
Authors: Goins Katelyn Brooke , Belay Tesfaye
Published: May 2022

Recent studies have shown that Chlamydia muridarum causes a lung infection that resembles pneumonia of C. trachomatis in humans. However, the mechanism(s) of the infection is/are not well defined. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a significant role in protection against Chlamydia genital infections, but their role during stressful conditions is unknown.  This study is to examine the role of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in beta2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) knockout (KO) male mice during C. muridarum lung infection. We hypothesized that the lack of β2-AR leads to decreased organ load of C. muridarum in mice lung infection. We also hypothesized that BMDCS from β2-AR KO mice restored the normal function of cytokine production and served as an antigen-presenting activity to CD4+T cells. Stressed and non-stressed C57BL/6J wildtype (WT) and β2-AR gene knockout mice will be infected. Lysates of lungs will be tested for isolation of C. muridarum. Cells will be for Differentiation and proliferation of BMDCs will be performed to detect cytokine production. Results should correspond to our working hypothesis, which includes the lack of (β2-AR) leads to decreased organ load of C. muridarum in lung infection.  Results will show significant differences between stressed 2-AR KO and stressed of WT. Moreover, increased protective cytokine production in stressed 2-AR KO compared to decreased cytokines production in stressed WT will be observed. Our findings may suggest that mice lacking b2 AR have reverted to protective cytokine production to reduce infection, and the function of BMDCs as antigen-presenting cells will be restored in KO mice.
Using Machine Learning to Predict Classes of Astronomical Data
Authors: Null Nicolas , Kibler Tyler , Lowe Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

Machine learning in a nutshell is training a machine using tons of data. The machine will then create a model that it can use to predict future outputs to data that it has not seen before. This can be accomplished using many different approaches. Some are geography based plotting inputs in space and grouping them to predict their outputs. Other machine learning algorithms create complex neural networks which predict the outputs. There are so many ways to solve this problem, and the resulting performance of the model depends on what method and parameters chosen to train it.   During our research this semester, we have been working with data on the astronomical object called a pulsar. Pulsars are very far away and are typically discovered by radio telescopes rather than optical telescopes. This means scientists must manually go through all the data received by radio waves to see if they have found a pulsar. Our goal is to train a machine to do that sorting for us. We accomplished this by using a dataset with over 17,000 datapoints that were a mix of pulsar and non-pulsar data. We trained many different machine learning models such as logistic regression, artificial neural networks, K-means, Decision tree (maximizing each one’s parameters) to come up with a model that is over 90% accurate at identifying if a given set of inputs is a pulsar or not. The project is supported by First2 Network and XSEDE Empower grant.
Constructing a high throughput novel microfluidic slide for in vivo imaging of larval zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Authors: Orell Jesse , Parnell Dakota James , Coleman Austin , Russell Chandler , Walters James
Published: May 2022

Larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) are optically transparent up to fourteen days post fertilization (dpf) and have high synteny with Homo sapiens which makes them viable research models for the study of metabolic and physiological processes at a unicellular level. Preceding methods to image zebrafish larvae have been limited to single larvae and long-term imaging has been a challenge. The aim of this study is to design a micro-fluidic slide for mounting larvae that greatly extends the duration of time for in vivo imaging, while supplying selected drugs, modified/selected diets, and fresh embryo media. Fluorescently labeled material can be custom made or are commercially available. Examples are high fat diets spiked with fluorescently conjugated lipids such as BODIPY or fluorescent polystyrene beads. To improve upon our pervious chip design, we used the Zeiss Discovery V8 microscope to re-image five seven-dpf larvae in order to adjust the measurements of the chamber to properly accommodate an average seven-dpf larvae. The newest prototype slide is currently under testing to determine effectiveness and efficiency with fluorescent polystyrene beads to visualize consumption of a diet delivered while the larvae is in the microfluidic chip. We expect to record the transit of the beads through the intestine of the treated larvae. This work was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence and NIH Grant P20GM103434 awarded to Bluefield State College and the McNair Scholars Program.
SIENA MCGOVERN*, JORDAN GIBSON*, EMILY YOUNG, and DEANNA M. SCHMITT, Department of Biological Sciences, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV 26074. Stability of resazurin in solution and in bacterial growth media.
Authors: Gibson Jordan Faith , McGovern Siena , Young Emily , Schmitt Deanna
Published: May 2022

Resazurin has been identified as a novel antibiotic against the human pathogens, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Francisella tularensis. During routine antibiotic susceptibility assays, variations in in vitro efficacy of resazurin have been noted, particularly in the minimal inhibitor concentration (MIC). The stability of this compound in aqueous solution is not known therefore, we hypothesize degradation of the antibiotic occurs during prolonged storage resulting in inconsistent MIC measurements. To test this hypothesis, solutions of resazurin at 22mM (5.5 mg/ml) were stored at 4°C for up to three months. At different time points, these solutions were then used in broth microdilution assays to determine the MIC of resazurin. The average MIC of resazurin was measured to be 0.69 µg/ml, only varying by a factor of two over the three-month period.   Next, we sought to measure the stability of resazurin in chocolate agar, growth media commonly used for the cultivation of N. gonorrhoeae and F. tularensis. Here, we prepared chocolate agar plates supplement with increasing concentrations of resazurin and stored these plates for up to three months prior to performing standard agar dilution assays to determine the MIC.  The MIC of resazurin in chocolate agar was 2-4 fold higher than the MIC calculated in broth with more variability observed. Based on this data, nutrient media composition influences the efficacy of resazurin, however, resazurin appears to be stable in aqueous solution and in bacterial growth media for up to three months. Further investigation is needed to determine what factors in the nutrient media limit the efficacy of resazurin.
Specific microhabitat utilization and resource partitioning of the federally protected species of crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) Cambarus callainus and the sympatric Cambarid species Cambarus hatfieldi
Authors: Scott Katie , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

Following the description of Cambarus callainus, a range-wide survey was completed to determine the current distribution and conservation status for the species, resulting in federal protection enforced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. While significant efforts evaluating physiochemical and physical habitat associations for C. callainus have been completed, a more specific analysis of microhabitat utilization, habitat preference, resource partitioning, and movement patterns remains incomplete. We aim to resolve these unknowns for C. callainus as well as the sympatric species Cambarus hatfieldi byobserving potential species interactions regarding habitat preference and individual movement patterns, assessed via radiotelemetry. Ten adult C. callainus individuals at each of two selected sites will be fitted with transmitters, as well as ten adult C. hatfieldi individuals from a single collection site. Tracking will occur hourly over the course of ten days of varying lunar luminosity during the summer and repeated the following year. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index forms and hydrology datawill be documented for observed microhabitat. Efforts will also include attempting to locate young of the year and determine movement patterns within the stream, as that has not yet been observed and would be beneficial to designing and implementing appropriate conservation protocols.
Preliminary Analysis of Morphometric Data for an Ongoing Autecological Study of the Northern Watersnake, Nerodia sipedon sipedon, in a West Virginia stream.
Authors: Ringhiser Brian , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

The northern watersnake, Nerodia sipedon, is a natricid ubiquitous across aquatic habitats of the eastern United States and is often found in high abundance. The prevalence of N. sipedon has garnered extensive research, much of which concerns its reproduction. However, thorough, long-term studies on the biology and ecology of N. sipedon in stream ecosystems, especially within Appalachia, are lacking. The purpose of this study is to analyze autecological data from ongoing research on a N. sipedon sipedon population within Short Creek, a rural stream in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Morphometric, dietary, thermal, habitat and movement data were recorded for each capture. This analysis primarily focuses on morphometric data in an attempt identify any potential variation from data collected in past studies concerning different habitats. Future research will use neonate morphometrics as baseline data for growth estimations, employ mark-recapture data to estimate a population size, and build upon the established data set.
Temperature-induced alteration of the extracellular matrix in the tropical sea anemone, Exaiptasia pallida
Authors: Hays Logan , McGeeney Dalton , Sawyer Sara
Published: May 2022

Coral bleaching results from the loss of the endosymbiotic dinoflagellate the cells of coral.  The symbionts provide photosynthetic products for nourishment of the coral, and loss of the symbiont can result in death of the coral.  Many stressors can cause coral bleaching, but we are focusing on the effect of increased water temperature in this research because of rising oceanic temperatures.  We are how investigating how increased temperature affects the extracellular matrix (ECM) using the tropical sea anemone, Exaiptasia pallida as our model organism, since this anemone has similar physiological characteristics and similar symbionts as coral. Research on the effects of a heat-shock (from 25°C to 30°C) in anemones embedded, sectioned, and then stained with the  Russel-Movat Pentachrome stain showed that the mesoglea of the anemone, was altered after a 12 hour heat-shock compared to control anemones. To confirm these findings, staining with an additional ECM stain, Masson’s Trichrome, will be conducted. Additionally, we are investigating how alteration in the ECM because of increased temperature affects apoptosis to determine if there is a positive correlation between temperature-induced changes in the ECM and loss of cells through apoptosis. Results from these experiments will help us better understand the timing and consequences of temperature-induced breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis.
A Behavioral Study of Lacunicambarus thomai in a Field
Authors: Diehl Kaine
Published: May 2022

Crayfish respond rapidly to environmental changes, this responsiveness to environmental changes makes them good detectors for degradation in the environment. Contaminants in the environment may influence crayfish by making them absent in what would be prime habitat. It may also affect the population densities of areas by decreasing the number of individuals in area that superficially look like prime habitat. This study was conducted on Lacunicambarus thomai in a field setting to gather information on the life history of a primary burrowing species of crayfish. Some pre-existing information on the behavior and parts of the life history of Lacunicambarus thomai were incomplete and, in some cases, incorrect. The data showed that what was perceived to be a fully nocturnal species or spends most of its time underground may not necessarily true. Findings of this study conflicted on multiple instances with the previously believed notions. This project provides a better understanding of the life history of a primary burrowing crayfish species: the life history of primary burrowing crayfish has been less than stream dwelling species. This could lead to more studies being conducted on other species to obtain a better understanding of this elusive type of crayfish. The results of this study could be used to get a baseline of the basic life history of these animals as well as other types of burrowing crayfish species.
A combinatorial anti-CTLA antibody and radiation therapy on metastatic lung cancer
Authors: KOUADIO JEAN-EMMANUEL , Wang Qing
Published: May 2022

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is an inhibitory receptor that regulates T-cell activation and transmits signals that suppress T-cell activation and proliferation through the depletion of CD8+ T cells.  Antibodies targeting CTLA-4 can selectively deplete regulatory T cells by antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity mechanisms. However, CTLA-4 as a single treatment is not effective for against immunogenic diseases like metastatic cancers. Radiation therapy (RT) on the other hand is a longstanding pillar of cancer treatment, historically utilized to treat a discrete target and provide local tumor control. Recent studies demonstrated that RT is synergistic with anti-CTLA antibody and enhanced systemic anti-tumor responses. In order to better understand the effect of the combination therapy, we developed an impulsive ODE model to describe the interaction between tumor cells and the immune system. The model variables were coupled with published experimental data. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive simulation platform to improve cancer management by manipulating dose and fractionation schedule of the combination therapy. This project is supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence.
Teaching nutrition concepts using pop culture: why zombies crave brains.
Authors: Popovich Greg Edward , Henson Kristy
Published: May 2022

Recently, the allure of zombie culture has found its way into innovative teaching of biology and medical courses. In the current example, zombies are used to facilitate understanding of applied nutritional biochemistry.   Our purpose is to evaluate the benefit of incorporating zombie lore into the delivery of a lecture on the inflammatory cascade as it relates to the essential fatty acids. We hypothesize that given the popularity of zombies and dystopian/apocalyptic environments, that intertwining nutritional concepts with these scenarios will enhance interest and attention, hence improving learning.   The presentations were offered in nutrition or anatomy and physiology. The class compositions represented a breadth of majors. This audience was selected to assure minimal baseline knowledge on the topic of essential fatty acids and thusly maximize potential learning effect. Half of the students received a normal (i.e., non-zombie) lecture while half received the same information but as it relates to zombies and a zombie apocalypse. Learning was assessed using a five-question pre-test and post-test. Content-related questions were multiple choice with four options each.   Preliminary findings were as follows: the pooled pre-test average for both groups was 34%; the post-test average was 90%. The mean score increase pre- versus post-test in both groups was dramatic and comparable (57% non-zombie vs 51% zombie). The vast majority of students (approximately 75%) in both groups indicated a moderate or higher level of interest in zombies. Following testing of additional groups, further analysis will test for significance between groups and correlations based upon basic demographics and interest in nutrition and zombie lore.
PdpC, a Type Six Secretion System Substrate, is Required for Erythrocyte Invasion in Francisella tularensis LVS
Authors: Cantlay Stuart , Horzempa Joseph , Kaftanic Christian
Published: May 2022

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. The F. tularensis type six secretion system (T6SS) is required for phagolysosomal escape and invasion of erythrocytes.  An effector of the T6SS, PdpC, is required for phagosomal escape and we wanted to test if PdpC was also required for erythrocyte invasion. We constructed a pdpC-null mutant in the live vaccine strain, F. tularensis LVS. The pdpC-null strain is required for invasion of both human and sheep erythrocytes and reintroduction of a copy of pdpC, in trans, rescues this phenotype. Differential Immuno-Fluorescence Microscopy (DIFM) showed that the pdpC-null strain is affected in attachment as well as invasion. Further, a fluorescently labelled pdpC-null strain of F. tularensis LVS was unable to proliferate in THP-1 human peripheral blood monocyte cells. Finally, we constructed a fluorescent fusion of pdpC to emgfp and the resulting PdpC-EmGFP fusion protein localizes as discrete foci in a subset of broth cultured F. tularensis LVS cells. Our results confirm previous observations that PdpC is required for infection and virulence in phagocytic host cells and are the first description of an effector of the Type Six Secretion System that is required for erythrocyte invasion. The pdpC-emgfp strain will be a useful tool to further characterize the role of PdpC in both macrophage infection and red blood cell invasion. (This research was made possible by NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium Training Grant #NNX15A101H and by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence).
Spatial dynamics of an invasive earthworm (Amynthas sp.) in West Liberty University’s campus woods community.
Authors: Ake Jason , Butcher Loyd , Dann Jeremiah
Published: May 2022

Asian pheretimoid earthworms (Amynthas sp.) have been reported in the hardwood forests of the eastern United States with increasing frequency. These invasions can have highly negative ecosystem-wide impacts. Amynthas sp. are prolific breeders capable of reaching high densities in forest soils. They consume large quantities of leaf litter, disturbing natural soil horizons, draining available nutrients and damaging plant communities. In the summer and fall of 2021, population surveys were conducted in an area of West Liberty University’s campus woods community known to be infested with pheretimoid worms. Spatial dynamics were examined using SADIE analysis. It was found that Amynthas sp. showed a trend towards aggregation in both the summer and fall, with a more evident trend towards aggregation in the fall. An analysis of spatial association showed that the distributions between consecutive samples were positively associated. This indicates stability of aggregations over short timescales in both summer and fall. Understanding the population dynamics of Amynthas sp. and their interactions with native communities will aid in the development of management strategies to prevent the spread of this invasive and reduce the disturbance of native forest ecosystems.
NSF S-STEM Program - Supporting Undergraduate Cohorts of Career-Ready Engineering and Science Scholars (SUCCESS) Project at WVU Tech – Year 1 updates
Authors: Hatipoglu Kenan , Rai Sanish , Panta Yogendra
Published: May 2022

The goal of the SUCCESS project is to recruit, retain, and graduate low-income STEM students with high motivation and entrepreneurial mindset that will increase the likelihood of employment in technology-based businesses and/or the creation of technology-based start-up ventures in the region. The program will contribute to society by increasing the number of career-ready STEM graduates from low-income and underrepresented populations and strengthening the pipeline of qualified engineers and scientists, improving the home state, the Appalachian region, and the U.S. economic competitiveness. So far, the project provided scholarships to eight (8) student “scholars” for the cohort in year 1. We are currently in the process of recruiting new students for the second cohort in year 2. Faculty mentors from Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) departments are regularly meeting with the scholars to ensure they are making good progress to achieve student success. To facilitate early introduction to research, entrepreneurship, and STEM careers, the scholars were assigned to industrial mentors, encouraged to attend and get involved with campus activities including career fairs, student organizations, senior design seminars, and entrepreneurship courses. SUCCESS team is regularly collecting and analyzing feedback from scholars to ensure that the necessary improvements are implemented. Every semester, scholars’ feedback is collected through pre-, mid- and post- surveys. These surveys provide insights on scholars’ course/program performance, career updates, and also the level of persistence towards their program of study and entrepreneurship minor. This project is funded by NSF DUE S-STEM Program from 2021-2026.
Screening for Antibacterial Activity of Chemical Extracts from Puerto Rican Plants.
Authors: Beatty Emma , Schmitt Deanna , Young Emily , Hall Mackenzie , McGovern Sienna , Ospina Claudia
Published: May 2022

Antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s most urgent public health threats. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 2.8 million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection each year, and more than 35,000 people die in the United States from these infections. The development of new antibiotics is essential to combat this crisis and prevent the loss of additional lives. Natural products have historically been an essential source for the discovery of novel antibacterial agents. Furthermore, several studies have shown Puerto Rican plant extracts possess biologically active compounds. Therefore, we sought to determine whether extracts derived from Puerto Rican plants have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Using a broth microdilution assay, we screened thirteen extracts generated from different plant species for antibacterial activity. Each extract was tested against the ESKAPE pathogens, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp, which are known to exhibit multidrug resistance. All extracts tested thus far were ineffective at inhibiting bacterial growth with the exception of the Bucida buceras leaf extract which showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity against E. faecalis, K. pneumoniae, and E. aerogenes. We are currently validating the antimicrobial activity of B. buceras extract through other antibiotic susceptibility assays. Here, we have shown that Puerto Rican plants have potential as a source of novel antimicrobial agents.
Role of FTL_0895 in Francisella tularensis Susceptibility to Resazurin.
Authors: Kelly Claire , Young Emily , Gibson Jordan , McGovern Siena , Beatty Emma , Soulder Kendall , Rice Justin , Percifield Ryan , Primerano Donald , Garrison Nicole , Schmitt Deanna
Published: May 2022

Resistance to antibiotic treatments coupled with the decline in antibiotic discovery has resulted in a steady increase in deaths caused by once “curable” bacterial infections. Developing new drugs is crucial to prevent more loss of life in the future. We discovered the compound resazurin exhibits antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria including Francisella tularensis (Ft), however, certain strains of Ft have developed resistance to resazurin. Understanding how Ft develops resistance to resazurin will help with defining the mechanism by which resazurin elicits its antimicrobial effect. Whole genome sequencing of resazurin-resistant (Rzr) Ft LVS mutants revealed four mutations found in 93% of the isolates sequenced. Three mutations were within the coding regions of FTL_0421, FTL_0895, and FTL_1504 and the other mutation was 50 bp upstream of FTL_0445, likely disrupting expression of this gene. The focus of my project was to explore the role of FTL_0895 in resazurin susceptibility. To confirm this gene plays a role in the reduced susceptibility of the Rzr strains to resazurin, we cloned the wild-type copy of FTL_0895 into the Francisella vector pABST which contains the robust groE promotor of Ft. The resulting plasmid will be electroporated into one of the Rzr mutants and we will test the susceptibility of the complemented strain to resazurin, using time kill and agar dilution assays. If the susceptibility of the complemented strain to resazurin is restored, then it can be determined that FTL_0895 is a potential target of resazurin.
Synchronizing the Teaching Resources of Energy Conservation Principle in Mechanical Engineering Courses
Authors: Panta Yogendra M , Church William
Published: May 2022

The conservation of energy, the conservation of mass, and the conservation of momentum are three fundamental concepts (or laws) of physics that are regularly reviewed in several undergraduate engineering courses. Mechanical energies in the form of kinetic and potential forms are the most easily understood forms of energy in engineering dynamics courses. Fluid flow energies related to pressure, velocity, elevation, fluid friction, pump, and turbine are covered in a fluid mechanics course. In a thermodynamics course, the first law deals with heat transfer and work done that causes a change of internal energy in a system. Aerospace engineers normally simplify a thermodynamic analysis by using intensive variables also called specific variables. In all these courses, the conservation of energy states that the amount of energy remains constant, that means that energy is neither created nor destroyed but transferable from one form to another, keeping the total energy same within a fixed domain.

In several instances, students are either misunderstood or unclear about energy and its conservation concepts, however those very concepts are reviewed over and over in multiple courses. Through an integrative teaching approach that maps the smooth flow of energy and its conservation concepts in several undergraduate mechanical engineering courses, we are relating our shared teaching resources of the energy conservation principle. In this session, we present our pilot study on the synchronization of resources teaching the energy conservation principle in a sequence of undergraduate courses and our mitigation plan to clear up students’ misunderstanding on the energy conservation.
Particle Focus in Prep Chem
Authors: Ratcliff Betsy
Published: May 2022

WVU students who do not meet the pre-requisites for first semester general chemistry (Chem 115) are placed in prep chem (Chem 110). A minimum grade of C- in Chem 110 is the effective pre-requisite to Chem 115. For decades, an expectation that the same collection of assessments would be administered to all Chem 110 students obligated our instructors were to follow a relatively uniform course presentation across all sections. This practice was justified by our data that indicated Chem 110 “graduates” passed first semester general chemistry at the same rate as those entering directly. Unfortunately, the Chem 110 pass rate was consistently low. In an effort to boost prep chem student success, we developed an alternative prep chem course pedagogy. This course possesses a strong focus on presenting and testing students’ understanding of the particulate nature of matter.  Our premise was that particulate understanding was a more meaningful focus to carry forward to future chemistry courses than our prior emphasis on significant figures. The content was reduced and new assessment questions were written to target and test a single topic at a time. Graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants facilitated in-class problem-solving using both Socrative and Chem101 online platforms. We report on initial prep chem class data in the preparatory chemistry course and student success in the subsequent first-semester general chemistry course.
Identifying Positive Cases in an Avian Model of Induced-Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Hill Tyler , Racine Holly
Published: May 2022

Thyrotoxicosis is a condition of excess circulating thyroid hormones. Maternal thyrotoxicosis has been related to the development of craniosynostosis (CS) in approximately 3% of births. CS occurs when the cranial sutures of the skull fuse prematurely. However, the mechanism for thyroid hormone-induced CS in those cases is unclear. Currently, we are establishing an avian model of thyroxine-induced CS to study these mechanisms. Two groups of fertilized chicken eggs were injected with saline or 25 ng T4 (thyroxine) on embryonic days 11 and 15 and collected on 19 prior to hatching. Data were collected from each group including: body mass and length, tibia and femur length, liver and heart mass, and circulating T4 concentrations. Our study aimed to characterize all possible physiological changes associated with our treatment and determine the subset of positive cases. Following thyroxine exposure, 19-day old embryos were 4% shorter (p<0.05) with a corresponding 8% decrease in tibia length (p<0.01) and 9% decrease in femur length (p<0.01) compared to the controls. Measured T4 concentrations were 88% higher in serum samples following thyroxine-exposure compared to the controls (p<0.01). Body, heart, and liver mass were not different between groups. We were then able to isolate positive cases from correlation plots based on clustering observed in anticipated regions. In conclusion these results support that there is a subset of samples within the treatment group that display the expected phenotypes. It is in this subgroup of data that our focus can be shifted to study the mechanism of thyroxine-induced CS.

Acknowledgment of NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium (Grant #80NSSC20M0055) and the Genomics Core Facility and WV-INBRE (NIH grant P20GM103434).
Rediscovery of the Spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus) in the Middle and Upper Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania.
Authors: Krochmal Jimmy , Loughman Zachary , Diehl Kaine , Graham Zackary , Lieb Dave
Published: May 2022

The first state-wide survey of crayfishes in Pennsylvania was completed in 1905 by Dr. Ortmann of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. One species, the Spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus), was determined to be endemic to the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Potomac River Basins of Pennsylvania. Since the Ortmann survey in 1905, additional surveys have returned with other species. Due to landscape alteration (urbanization and agriculture) and the presence of invasive crayfish, the current distribution and conservation status of F. limosus is unknown. We have completed surveys at both historic records and new sites through the upper portion of the Susquehanna River Basin. Each site was standardized with a sampling effort of ten seine hauls distributed to target all available habitats. All crayfish collected were identified to species and curated into the West Liberty University Astacology Collection. A qualitative habitat evaluation index score (QHEI) was generated at every site and water quality data was collected using a YSI Pro 1030 data sonde. Thus far, 312 sites have been surveyed. Unexpectedly, we did find F. limosus in the Lackawanna River, a tributary of the upper Susquehanna River. All other historic sites returned either invasive F. rusticus or native F. obscurus. The absence of F. limosus at historic locations indicates a decline in range, which likely warrants state-level protection for this species.
Analysis of the effects of UVB radiation on bone density and behavior of hatchling false water cobras, Hydrodynastes gigas.
Authors: Gemberling Alison , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

In herpetoculture, there is debate as to whether ultraviolet-B, UVB, lighting is required for providing adequate welfare for snakes in human care.  Many believe this supplemental lighting is unnecessary and is not utilized by the snakes, stating that snakes survive and breed in its absence.  Previous studies using pythons and corn snakes have demonstrated that offering UVB lighting appears to have a significant effect on their physiology.  These studies focused on the increase of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in the blood after UVB exposure.  In the present study, false water cobras, Hydrodynastes gigas, were chosen because they are active, diurnal snakes and are therefore more likely to seek out UVB in the wild in comparison with other fossorial snakes.  The level of UVB that will be provided is based on the tropical climate of the range for H. gigas.  Twelve hatchling H. gigas will be divided into two groups with Arcadia T5 14% UVB lights provided for one group and LED lights provided for the other.  The behavior of the snakes will be monitored through video recording to determine the effects of UVB lighting on basking behavior and total time exposed to the UVB lighting.  To identify physiological effects, radiographs will be taken to determine any change in bone density.  This study aims to find if offering UVB lighting promotes basking behavior and affects bone density in H. gigas.  The results of this study can be used to further increase welfare standards for snakes in captivity.
Assessing the Effect of Diet on Reproductive Output, Nutritional and Health Status in Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi)
Authors: Jackson Peyton , Bogan James , Dierenfeld Ellen , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

The federally threatened eastern indigo snake (EIS; Drymarchon couperi) is an active ophiophagus snake native to the southeastern United States. The Orianne Society built the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation (OCIC) to establish a captive breeding and head-start program in collaboration with other conservation-focused organizations. EIS are housed in indoor or outdoor enclosures and given whole prey diets rotating between domestic rodents, chicks, and freshwater fish. While outdoor enclosures alleviated a drop in female fecundity associated with indoor enclosures, there are still concerns regarding the occurrence of dystocia in the OCIC’s colony, where females are unable to finish laying a clutch of eggs. A retrospective study by Bogan et al. (2021) identified virgin breeding as one contributing factor, but recent studies on elephants and swine indicate that the nutritional status of an animal could correlate with reproductive health and output. We aim to assess baseline levels of fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E) and minerals of EIS consuming mixed whole prey diets and develop a diet that replicates the nutritional profile of free-range EIS diets. We hypothesize that consumption of lower fat, higher vitamin A and E diets will improve reproductive output and health status compared with snakes fed high-fat, commercially bred rodents.
Epigean Crayfishes of the Greenbrier River Drainage, West Virginia
Authors: Shanor Addie R. , De Vries Caitlin N. , Whitson Taylor R. , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

Although the distribution and status of West Virginia’s crayfishes has received more attention since the publication of Jezerinac et al.’s monograph of the state fauna in 1995, the crayfishes of the Greenbrier River Drainage have been neglected. Conservation concerns for imperiled crayfish fauna have increased in recent years. However, in order to form effective managements plans, a thorough understanding of the distribution and conservation status of a region's fauna is necessary. In order to establish this understanding of crayfish fauna within the Greenbrier River Drainage, the West Liberty University Crayfish Conservation Laboratory performed surveys during the summers of 2008 and 2009 within the drainage. These efforts have revealed new information regarding the distribution, life history, natural history, taxonomy, and conservation status of the complete assemblage of epigean crayfish species found in the Greenbrier River Drainage: Cambarus appalachiensis, C. carinirostris, C. chasmodactylus, C. smilax, Faxonius cristavarius, F. obscurus, F. sanbornii, and F. virilis. This novel information regarding the distribution and life history of the epigean crayfishes present within the drainage can be used to combat the major conservation threats affecting the native crayfish within the drainage including nonnative crayfishes, land-use practices, and pollutants.
Prey and Predator Behavioral Interactions with a Primary Burrowing Crayfish (Lacunicambarus thomai)
Authors: Diehl Kaine
Published: May 2022

Burrowing crayfish represent a small, specialized group of crayfish that inhabit self-made terrestrial burrows. Primary burrowing crayfish depend upon their burrows for protection, respiration, rearing of young, food storage, and thermoregulation. Burrowing crayfish tend to stay in proximity to or around their burrows causing them to be elusive lifestyle and consequently poorly documented. All crayfish are opportunistic generalists regarding food and have been recorded eating detritus, periphyton, and small invertebrates. Due to their stygobitic lifestyle, food resources are also limited to what is near their burrow, which commonly includes vegetation as well as smaller invertebrates. The predatory behaviors of burrowing crayfish has been studied and observed in abundance in epigean crayfish, however, it has been rare and few studies have been conducted on this behavior in burrowing species. This study utilized 24-h surveillance of a burrowing crayfish species, the Little Brown Mud Bug (Lacunicambarus thomai). A total of 633 H of videos were recorded of 6 different crayfish at varying times for each individual. Predatory behaviors were observed on several organisms including ants, worms, spiders, and dragonfly naiads. Gut analysis was performed on 23 L. thomai from 4 separate populations confirming the findings of the video footage that, in all populations, both animal and vegetation were being consumed. This study suggested that a sit-and-wait predation behavior may be a far more common foraging behavior in burrowing crayfish than previously observed.
Quantifiable Water Chemistry Trends in Streams Degraded by Acid Mine Drainage
Authors: Graebe David , Wood James
Published: May 2022

Surface coal mining has been a major economic force in the Appalachian region for hundreds of years. Surface coal mining leads to runoff known as acid mine drainage (AMD) which infiltrates and severely degrades freshwater streams. Acid mine drainage impacted streams often see a marked decrease in biodiversity especially Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT taxa) which are intolerant to pollution. We researched the water quality in four streams. Two downstream mines were impacted by AMD while the other two served as control or unimpaired sites. Water chemistry of all four streams was measured including sulfate, iron, and magnesium using a YSI 9500 photometer. The pH of each stream was measured using a YSI Quatro meter. We found elevated levels of sulfate and iron in the impaired streams while magnesium levels varied across sites. The pH tended to be lower in the impaired streams but remained fairly alkaline ( pH > 5). These data are useful for understanding the chemistry of impaired streams and how freshwater macroinvertebrates may respond to these chemical parameters. Additionally these data aid in remediation efforts which may be dependent on specific water chemistry.
In a Degraded Stream, Increased Salt Concentration is Correlated with Decreased EPT Diversity
Authors: Fonner Montana , Gebhardt Cassidy , Ritchea-Yoho Mycah , Wood James , Wood James
Published: May 2022

Many streams in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia are biologically impaired due to historical and concurrent anthropogenic activities, including mining, agriculture, and urbanization. These activities alter water chemistry which affects the benthic macroinvertebrate communities. While taxa like Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT taxa) are sensitive to water pollution, other taxa like tipulids, beetles, and chironomid midges are more pollution tolerant. However, responses to specific chemical pollutants are taxa specific and even some EPT are relatively pollution tolerant. We investigated how increases in chloride (Cl) and specific conductance (SPC) affected the macroinvertebrate community in a stream already heavily impacted by mining, urbanization and agriculture. Five upstream sampling sites were placed in a degraded stream above the outfall of an active coal mine, while five additional sites were placed downstream of the discharge. Water chemistry was measured in each site, and macroinvertebrates were collected with kick nets,  leaf packs and a visual collection of unique habitats following the Stream Monitoring Information Exchange (SMIE) protocol. We found that temperature, SPC, and Cl were significantly higher downstream of the mine outfall with SPC and Cl more than doubling. SMIE water quality scores and whole community Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index scores were not significantly different between upstream and downstream sites but EPT diversity was significantly higher upstream of the mine. This data helps determine taxa specific responses to changes in water chemistry, specifically SPC and Cl, and highlights how streams already afflicted with  poor water quality can lose additional taxa when the concentrations of salts increases.
Establishing water and crayfish community baselines for streams harboring the federally threatened Big Sandy Crayfish (Cambarus callainus)
Authors: De Vries Caitlin , Whitson Taylor , Loughman Zachary
Published: May 2022

Coal slurry, one of the main pollutants created from coal mining, can spill from retention ponds and end up in aquatic ecosystems, potentially harming aquatic life. An area especially affected by this issue due to the heavy presence of coal mining is the central Appalachian coalfields. Aquatic life native to the coalfields where spills occur serve as a source of take for two federally listed crayfish: threatened Cambarus callainus and endangered Cambarus veteranus. Although this is a prominent issue, no baseline physiochemical data exists for streams harboring C. callainus. The main goal of this effort was to establish physiochemical and biological baselines of coalfields streams by measuring common water quality parameters and the crayfish community for one year at historic/current C. callainus sites. Results indicated there were not strong correlations between any chemical driver and total crayfish or crayfish species presence/absence. This data will be used to generate a response protocol to coal slurry spills to aid coalfields crayfish and other aquatic taxa in the future.
FORTY-YEARS OF FIELD NOTES THE CHEAT MOUNTAIN SALAMANDER (PLETHODON NETTINGI)
Authors: Pauley Thomas Kyle
Published: May 2022

In the following pages, I describe 40 years of field observations on the Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi), a federally threatened species.  This is not a research paper in that I do not attempt to analyze data, but rather it is a means to share information I have collected during my time in the field with this species.  Cheat Mountain Salamanders are found in just five counties in the high elevations of the Allegheny Mountains in eastern West Virginia.  I have searched over 1,300 sites in these five counties and determined that its range extends from Blackwater River Canyon (Tucker County) in the north to Thorny Flat (Pocahontas County) in the south, a linear distance of about 92 km.  Within this range, I observed over 2,000 Cheat Mountain Salamanders in 81 populations.  Data collected in these 81 populations include habitat characteristics, elevational ranges, mountain aspects, cover objects, food items, sympatric species, syntopic events, phenology, reproduction, conservation issues, and status of populations.  It is my hope that information presented herein will be useful to biologists who will be studying this species in future years.
Frequência de comorbidades em crianças com paralisia cerebral de diferentes níveis de função motora grossa
Authors: Araújo Aline , Ramos de Souza Isabela Paula , Cardoso de Freitas Maria Caroline , Nascimento Santos Ribeiro Simone , Vale Gonçalves Rejane
Published: May 2022

ResumoIntrodução: A paralisia cerebral (PC) é uma desordem predominantemente motora, no entanto, pode estar associada a outras disfunções, que também impactam a funcionalidade das crianças. Objetivo: Documentar a frequência das comorbidades em crianças com PC nos diferentes níveis do Sistema de Classificação da Função Motora Grossa (GMFCS). Métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo, de corte transversal. Foram coletados dados de 70 crianças com diagnóstico de PC, que recebiam tratamento fisioterapêutico em Belo Horizonte e na região metropolitana, por meio de entrevistas, e realizada análise descritiva e quantitativa. Resultados: As comorbidades mais frequentes foram as limitações do uso das mãos e dos braços, deficiências de continência urinária e fecal, deficiências da voz e da fala, deficiências de comportamento limitação para andar e epilepsia. Um número maior de comorbidades foi encontrado em crianças com maior comprometimento da função motora grossa. Conclusão: Profissionais da saúde devem observar com atenção a ocorrência das comorbidades na PC, proporcionando intervenções para preveni-las ou tratá-las, melhorando a funcionalidade desses indivíduos.