bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol and Drug induced Neuronal Stem Cell Losses.
Authors: Shockley Kylie , Anthony Bruce 
Published: May 2022

Kylie Shockley and Bruce ANTHONY, Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon WV, 26201.Alcohol and Drug induced Neuronal Stem Cell Losses. Alcoholism and drug addiction have become a nationwide epidemic causing substantial increases in overdose deaths and decreased quality of life. Alcohol consumption by pregnant woman leads to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and similar development miscues are evident from various drugs of abuse. Alcohol and drugs of abuse has been shown to reduce proliferation and increase DNA damage through both oxidative stress and alterations in cell cycle progress in both embryonic and adult stem cell populations. Cell losses from protein expressional changes at the G1/S phase checkpoint, and induces oxidative damage, thus hindering early S-phase progression through altered DNA synthesis. There is little understanding of the extent of DNA damage or the mechanism used to induce cell death. While p53 has been suspected to be a link between cell cycle and apoptotic pathways, CHK1/2 and Cdc25 could be a p53 independent connection between the damaged cell cycle and increased apoptosis seen upon alcohol and methamphetamine exposure. Research sponsored by WV-INBRE grant P20GM103434.
Embryonic Neuronal Stemm Cell Differentiation is Drastically Effected by Single Doses of Alcohol and Methamphetamine
Authors: Mitchell William Collin , Anthony Bruce 
Published: May 2022

The objective of this study is to examine population size and differentiation of embryonic neuronal stem cells prior to and after exposure to addictive drugs and alcohol. Prior to differentiation, E14 mouse neuronal stem cells were exposed to methamphetamine, one dose of alcohol (400ug/dL), or two doses of alcohol. The cells were then allowed to differentiate for 4 days, then examined using DAPI (nuclear), anti- oligodendrocyte marker 04, mouse anti-beta 3 tubulin 9 (Neurons), and anti- GFAP antigen (astrocytes). The cells were counted to determine the total number of cells and those with marker expression for each cell type compared to controls. Exposure to both alcohol and methamphetamine caused a large decrease in both stem cell populations and differentiation of neurons. Glial cell populations remained unaffected. Methamphetamine exposure resulted in a drastic increase of un-differentiated stem cells. The results support that consumption of alcohol and methamphetamine does affect population size and differentiation of neuronal stem cells.
Aqueous Metal Ion Extraction: Manganese (II), Nickel (II), Copper (II), and Zinc
Authors: Stone David 
Published: May 2022

Water discharged as result of coal mining activity, referred to as acid mine drainage (AMD), is acidic and laced with metal ions; such as those of iron, manganese, and aluminum. A common technique of removing pollutant metal ions from water is precipitation, which involves the formation of insoluble metal compounds that fall out of solution. We are proposing the extraction of metal ions from aqueous solution by complexation utilizing monoamine-, diamine-, and triamine-functionalized silica gels. The [M2+]i(0.01 M) were determined by complexometric titration using the disodium salt of EDTA with indicators Eriochrome Black T (Mn2+ and Zn2+) and Murexide (Cu2+ and Ni2+). The ligands: monoamine, diamine, and triamine; were then added in varying metal ion : ligand (M:L) ratios. After stirring and filtering the solutions, the [M2+]f was determined by complexometric titration. Metal ion extraction of over 90% for Mn2+ and Zn2+has been achieved utilizing monoamine-, diamine-, and triamine-functionalized silica gels, and up to ≈100% extraction for Cu2+ and Ni2+ using monoamine functionalized silica gel. We also investigated the possibility of recovering the extracted Mn2+ ions from previous trials using nitric acid and regenerating the diamine functionalized silica gel using sodium hydroxide. A 70 % recovery of the Mn2+ was achieved. This research was supported in part by WV NSF EPSCoR and NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.