bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survey of the Prevalence and Diversity of Intestinal Parasites Through Scat Analysis of Canids at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Authors: Kindlin Lana R. , Kindlin Craig M. , Stewart Richard L. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
The increased spread of Echinococcus multilocularis into novel areas has created a need for early detection and monitoring of parasites within wild canid populations. In order to survey the prevalence and relative intensity of helminthes in wild canid populations, coyote, red fox and gray fox scat samples were collected during February and March 2012 at Letterkenny Army Depot, in south central Pennsylvania, USA. Using standard fecal flotation, 13 different parasites were identified in 75 fecal samples, of which 40% of coyote (n=35) and 72.5% (n=40) of fox samples contained evidence of at least one parasite. This represents 8 new species now known to parasitize coyotes and foxes in Letterkenny Army Depot when compared with previous published research. Eleven of the 13 parasites identified were shared between coyotes and foxes. Fox samples had a higher prevalence of parasitism than did coyote samples; however, the relative intensity of parasitism was greater in coyote samples. While parasitism with Taenia sp., Capillaria sp., Isospora sp., Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Strongyloides stercoralis and Uncinaria stenocephala is likely detrimental, we did not identify Echinococcus sp. or other zoonotic parasites. We recommend continued surveillance for parasites found within wild canids through standard fecal flotation techniques as well as molecular and specific DNA analyses.
Analysis of the Impact of Acid Mine Drainage on Bacterial Populations in the Upper Tioga Watershed
Authors: Honey Whitney , Yenilaitus Tracey , Kagle Jeanne 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
The Upper Tioga Watershed (UTW) in northern Pennsylvania is exposed to acid mine drainage (AMD), resulting in decreased population sizes and diversity of macrobiota. Few studies thus far, however, have assessed the impact of AMD on the microbial communities in streams receiving AMD. Using taxonomic (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP)) and metabolic (Biolog EcoPlates) analyses, bacterial biodiversity and community structure in AMD-impacted and non-impacted sites of the UTW were compared. The results indicate that bacterial communities in sediments of streams receiving AMD differ from those at a non-impacted site and are less diverse. Analysis of T-RFLP patterns and metabolic patterns from Biolog EcoPlates revealed two main clusters of community similarity among the sites. The pattern suggests that the bacterial communities may be more resistant to negative effects of AMD than macroscopic organisms. One AMD-impacted site is dominated by one taxonomic group, putatively identified as Beijerinckiaceae.
Occurrence of the Giant Kidney Worm (Dioctophyma renale) in Long-Tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) from Pennsylvania
Authors: Kauffman James C. , Harle Kimberly K. , Swallow Matthew J. , Huffman Jane E. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Three adult giant kidney worms (Dioctophyma renale) were found in the right kidneys of two male long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata) from Pike County, Pennsylvania. At necropsy, both weasels showed no clinical signs of decreased fitness. The right kidneys of both animals were enlarged and contained nematodes. This is the first described infection of long-tailed weasels by giant kidney worms in Pennsylvania. A more thorough investigation of long-tailed weasels across their range is recommended to determine prevalence rates of this parasite and potential impacts on weasel populations.
Middle Creek Water Assessment Using Water Quality Index (WQI)
Authors: Lachhab Ahmed , Beren Matthew , Zuidervliet Brian 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Water quality Index (WQI) provides a single value to express overall quality of water which is calculated based on a number of measurable parameters. WQI was calculated based on 10 parameters that were determined during the period between June and July of 2012 and July of 2013 in an effort to assess the water quality of Middle Creek (MC) (Snyder, CO. PA). The Middle Creek (MC) is a 2nd order tributary stream flowing into Penn's Creek before joining the Susquehanna River. In this study, eleven sites were selected along MC between the head waters and its confluence with Penn's Creek. Physical properties were measured in the field, and grab-samples were tested for P, NO2−, NO3−, NH3, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS). The Composite WQI for all sites along MC was calculated to be 89.71, indicating that MC is in good condition regarding water quality and is capable of buffering nutrient and chemical runoff. Results have shown that certain parameters, such as temperature (T°), COD or BOD, can be used as proxies for predicting the WQI. Due to good correlation with WQI values, T°, COD or BOD can be used to assess water quality within a short period of time. In this study, T° and COD were found to give the best forecasting parameters, followed by BOD. The relationships found between WQI and these three parameters, allow for a simple test to provide an adequate assessment of the water quality of a given stream system.
Factors Influencing Walleye (Sander vitreus) Year Class Strength in the Upper Susquehanna River
Authors: Wnuk Robert T. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Age-0 Walleye were monitored in the upper Susquehanna River from 1995 through 2010. I used these data to examine factors that influenced year class strength and to construct a predictive model. Mean river flow in May demonstrated the strongest relationship with year class strength (r2 = 0.57). A model consisting of May flow, June flow, and July air temperature explained 86.7% of the variation in the data from 1995 through 2006. This model successfully predicted Walleye year class strength for data from 2007 through 2010 (mean prediction error = 13.1/hr).
Native Americans in the Susquehanna River Valley: An Archaeological Summary
Authors: Minderhout David J. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTNative Americans have lived in the Susquehanna River Valley for at least 10,000 years. Archaeological research along the banks of the river has discovered a rich prehistory stretching from the Paleoindian era through the Archaic and Woodland periods up to and through early contact with Europeans. This paper summarizes the major environmental changes that affected the cultural evolution of Native Americans over this long time span and the technological innovations that occurred. Because the same areas in which Native Americans made their camps or villages have also been desirable areas for subsequent European settlement and industrial development, the archaeological record is incomplete and a number of questions remain unanswered and require additional research. Among them are the origins of various archaeological cultures; the size of native populations at in various time periods; and why agriculture/horticulture was so late in developing along the river. A brief discussion of Native American migrations and relocation in the Contact Period is included. Attention is also given to the emergence of organizations over the last two decades in the river basin which claim native descent.
Water Quality Assessment of the Lower West Branch – Susquehanna River: Focus on Sewage Treatment
Authors: Zimmerman Melvin C. , Dooley Lynette 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTThe object of this study was to describe and determine the water quality of the Lower West Branch of the Susquehanna River between Lock Haven and Sunbury. Sites were selected in relation to location of sewage treatment plants along this stretch of river. Water chemistry data (pH, alkalinity, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, orthophosphorus, total phosphorus, total dissolved solids, and turbidity) are presented from 2005 to 2013. Macroinvertebrate kick samples were collected from sample sites in the summer of 2013. These data were subjected to the EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol II (RBA-Family Level), Hillsenhoff Biotic Index and Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index in an attempt to describe water quality. All nine of the sewage treatment plants in this section of the river have made improvements to address discharge and combined sewer overflows (CSO's) concerns in the last decade. The overall quality of the water appears to have improved as a number of Chesapeake Bay Initiatives on sewage treatment plants has taken place. Noticeable success of the new standards for sewage treatment plants that have been or are currently being upgraded will need continued monitoring to demonstrate overall water quality improvements.
Effects of Transport on Fecal Glucocorticoid Levels in Captive-Bred Cotton-Top Tamarins (Sanguinus oedipus)
Authors: Keller Karen L. , Fritz R. Scott , Zoubek Carlie M. , Kennedy Erica H. , Cronin Katherine A. , Rothwell Emily S. , Serfass Thomas L. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
The relocation of animals can induce stress when animals are placed in novel environmental conditions. The movement of captive animals among facilities is common, especially for non-human primates used in research. The stress response begins with the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which results in the release of glucocorticoid hormones (GC), which at chronic levels could lead to deleterious physiological effects. There is a substantial body of data concerning GC levels and reproduction, and rank and aggression in primates. However, the effect of transport has received much less attention. Fecal samples from eight (four male and four female) captive-bred cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) were collected at four different time points (two pre-transport and two post-transport). The fecal samples were analyzed using an immunoassay to determine GC levels. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that GC levels differed among transport times (p = 0.009), but not between sexes (p = 0.963). Five of the eight tamarins exhibited an increase in GC levels after transport. Seven of the eight tamarins exhibited a decrease in GC levels from three to six days post-transport to three weeks post-transport. Most values returned to pre- transport levels after three weeks. The results indicate that these tamarins experienced elevated GC levels following transport, but these increases were of short duration. This outcome would suggest that the negative effects of elevated GC levels were also of short duration.
Fatal Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in a Black Bear Cub
Authors: Huffman Jane E. , Roscoe Douglas E. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
A black bear (Ursus americanus) cub with signs of neurological disease was captured in West Milford, NJ. The animal died in captivity and was examined because of suspected rabies. At necropsy, the lungs were reddened and noncollapsed and had multiple pale round foci. Foci of necrosis were associated with Toxoplasma gondii cysts and tachyzoites in several organs. Rabies antigen was not detected.
Comparision of Growth Among Different Age Classes of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Populations in Two Impoundents in Northwest Pennsylvania
Authors: Enright Michael , Brenner Fred J. , Cassano Larissa , Beyer-Kramer Katherine R. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
The length of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), as determined from scale samples, was calculated based on the formula Ln = (Sn/S)L. Ln is length in the nth year, Sn is the length of the annulus in the nth year, S is the total scale length and L is the total length of the fish at capture. These values were compared for two impoundments, Lake Latonka and Lake Wilhelm in northwestern Pennsylvania. The weight (Wo) of fish at capture was compared with the estimated weight (We) based on a regression equation We = aln and the length-weight relationship We = ln. Fish in both Lake Latonka and Lake Wilhelm exhibited a significant length-weight correlation, except for the 0+ age class in Lake Latonka. There was a significant correlation between the expected and observed weight in both impoundments. During the first year, largemouth bass in Lake Latonka, exceeded the growth of largemouth bass in Lake Wilhelm, but in succeeding years the growth of fish in Lake Wilhelm exceeded that of fish in Lake Latonka. This difference may be the result of food availability.
Effect of Road Proximity on Reproductive Effort and Movement Patterns of the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)
Authors: Engberg Katherine E. , Rothenberger Megan B. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Nearly half of the amphibian species in northeastern North America rely on vernal pools as their primary breeding habitat. The problem is that, because vernal pools are small and isolated, they are often left unmonitored and unprotected. A primary threat to both amphibians and vernal pools is habitat destruction and fragmentation, but our knowledge of the species-specific impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on all phases of the amphibian life cycle are still rudimentary. The wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) was the focus of this research because it is considered the most common vernal pool indicator in Pennsylvania. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of road proximity on vernal pool hydrology and water chemistry, reproductive effort of wood frogs (i.e., numbers of egg masses deposited), and upland movement patterns of wood frogs. These parameters were compared between three isolated pools (&gt; 1000 m from the nearest road) and two pools in a fragmented habitat (&lt; 100 m from two roads) within a Pennsylvania state park. This study indicates that, although road proximity did not have a significant effect on vernal pool water chemistry and egg mass abundance was greater in the fragmented location, habitat fragmentation by roads did have a significant effect on the movement patterns of wood frogs in surrounding terrestrial habitat. At the isolated site where there were no barriers to movement, wood frogs were distributed randomly around the pools. However, wood frogs in the fragmented location were trapped at a lower frequency near roads than expected by chance, indicating that the presence of roads may reduce the amount of upland habitat utilized by adult wood frogs. Although this was a small and localized study, the results indicate the challenging nature of conserving species with complex life cycles in human dominated landscapes and highlight the importance of considering life-cycle and species-specific habitat requirements when designing vernal pool conservation plans.
Optimization of Cell Culture Conditions for the Earthworm Eisenia hortensis: a Study Investigating the Effects of Media, Carbon Dioxide, Temperature, Serum, and Anti-Fungal Agents
Authors: Fuller-Espie Sheryl L. , Harris Darcy R. , Daly Jennifer H. , Jakeman Juliann M. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for culturing coelomocytes (leukocytelike cells) from the annelid Eisenia hortensis. It was of particular interest to determine if CO2 could be omitted to permit more wide-spread use of earthworms in cell biology curricula using standard incubators. Two different types of media, DMEM and SFX-Insect Media, were used at varying conditions including: temperature, serum concentration, antimycotic concentration, CO2, and time. Cell viability was measured using propidium iodide and flow cytometry in addition to analysis of forward and side light scatter properties. It was found that the coelomocytes of E. hortensis exhibit the highest level of cell viability when cultured with DMEM supplemented with 10% newborn calf serum at 25 °C. Longer incubations showed lower cell death when CO2 was provided, but CO2 could be omitted for shorter periods of culture without significant loss of cell viability providing 10 mM HEPES was included in the culture medium. It was also observed that SFX-Insect Medium was a suitable alternative to DMEM and was used without the need for 5% CO2, but a minimum of 5% serum needed to be included. The toxicity of amphotericin B was tested and 0.875 μg/ml in DMEM and SFX-Insect Medium did not compromise cell viability. This information shows that earthworms can be cultured easily without the need for a CO2 incubator, thus simplifying laboratory conditions and minimizing costs associated with using earthworms for cell biology curricula and research purposes.
Re-Analysis of Breeding Bird Density in Eastern Pennsylvania Woodlots
Authors: Mancke Ralph G. , Gavin Thomas A. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTPreviously, we developed statistical models for the densities of 36 breeding bird species occurring in 176 woodlots in eastern Pennsylvania, USA. Here, we present a re-analysis of the same data after eliminating many highly correlated variables (|r| &gt; 0.5), decreasing our number of candidate models from thousands to 12, and correcting a statistical error that we had made previously. Our distance-to-edge variable was a measure of depth in the woodlot that depended on distances to 4 woodlot edges. We could not use our area variable because of its very high correlation with our distance-to-edge variable. Our isolation variable was not highly correlated with either our distance-to-edge or area variable. Two other key variables related to buildings at the woodlot edges. As previously, our models were nonlinear, and we used bootstrapped data sets to help ascertain the best model for each species. We determined that 3 species were forest-interior species, and 2 of these also responded negatively to increasing isolation. We found 3 edge species, plus 2 modified edge species that occurred only at suburban or urban edges; both of the latter are known to nest on buildings. Our results agreed well but were conservative compared to an extensive literature. However, they did not agree well with our previous analysis. In particular, we were not able to confirm our previous conclusion that buildings near the edges of woodlots were important to many bird species in eastern Pennsylvania, USA.
An Inexpensive and Mobile See-Through Tunnel for Collecting Bird Flight Performance Data in the Field
Authors: Corbin Clay E. , Pallis Kenneth E. , Gray Brandan L. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Flight performance data for flying animals are valuable for estimating energetic budgets and may be necessary for testing hypotheses of optimal foraging, predator-prey response, and physiological demand. However, measuring the flight performance of birds, particularly in the field, may be expensive and time consuming. Additionally, depending on the level of biological scale or the particular research question, apparatuses such as laboratory-bound wind tunnels may be inappropriate. We offer a see-through tent as an inexpensive alternative for certain situations where the goal is simply to constrain the flight path of a bird for videography. Data on acceleration and morphology were sampled from birds in an old-field habitat in central Pennsylvania, USA and demonstrate the utility of the apparatus.
The Use of a Brine Shrimp Assay to Detect Bioactivity in the Endophyte-Infected Grass, Agrostis hyemalis
Authors: Kolbeck Matthew K. , Tintjer Tammy E. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Endophytic fungi of grasses in the genus Epichloë produce protective alkaloids that are known to deter herbivory. In addition to direct measurement of alkaloids, various feeding tests are used to assess bioactivity. Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) assays have been used to detect bioactivity in plants and fungi, including endophytic fungi of medicinal plants. We tested the utility of a brine shrimp assay to detect bioactivity in the endophyte-infected (symbiotic) grass Agrostis hyemalis. We exposed brine shrimp larvae (nauplii) to whole plant aqueous extracts as well as to fermentation cultures of the isolated fungus and observed nauplii survival after 24 hours. Whole plant extracts of symbiotic grasses reduced survival, compared to brine shrimp survival in the extracts of grass lacking the endophyte. Furthermore the effect of symbiotic grass extracts was dose-dependent, with reduced survival in the higher concentration compared to lower. These results suggest that the brine shrimp assay detects bioactivity of endophyte-produced toxins. This short-term assay is simple, inexpensive, requires no specialized equipment, is suitable for student research projects, and could potentially serve as an initial screening of symbiotic grasses for alkaloid production.
Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in New Jersey
Authors: Chern Kacie , Bird Meaghan , Frey Kaitlyn , Huffman Jane E. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTInformation on the role that American black bears (Ursus americanus) play in hosting ticks and tick-borne pathogens is limited. In this study, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, and blood were collected from black bears (U. americanus) in northwestern New Jersey in the summer of 2015. D. variabilis was collected from more bears and in greater abundance overall. Two hundred and fifty-six adult D. variabilis from 18 bears were tested for Francisella tularensis and Rickettsia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One to five ticks were pooled into 69 groups according to sex, species, life stage, and individual host. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 6 of 69 D. variabilis pools (8.6%). All D. variabilis were negative for F. tularensis. Twenty-nine I. scapularis (23 adults and 6 nymphs) were collected from 11 bears and were subsequently pooled into 14 groups in the same manner. Fourteen pools of I. scapularis from the bears were screened for Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella spp. by PCR. B. burgdorferi was detected in 3 of 14 pools of I. scapularis (21.4%), Babesia spp. in 2 of 14 (14.2%), A. phagocytophilum in 1 of 14 (7.1%), and Bartonella spp. in 2 of 14 (14.2%). Fourteen bear blood samples were tested for F. tularensis, Rickettsia spp., B. burgdorferi, Babesia spp., A. phagocytophilum, and Bartonella spp. by PCR. One of 14 bear blood samples was positive for Babesia spp. (7.1%). None of the 14 bear blood samples were positive for F. tularensis, Rickettsia spp., B. burgdorferi, A. phagocytophilum, or Bartonella spp. Although Babesia spp. were detected in black bear blood, it remains unclear whether or not this pathogen can be transmitted from infected bears to uninfected ticks. The number of studies on this relationship is limited and these findings warrant further investigation of the black bear's potential role as a reservoir.
The First British Edition of Nathaniel Hawthorne's “Feathertop” inHome Circle(1852)
Authors: Basdeo Stephen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis article is an introduction to the publication of the first British edition of Nathaniel Hawthorne's “Feathertop” in Home Circle in 1852. Hawthorne scholars have previously been unaware of the appearance of “Feathertop” in this magazine. However, a commentary on the appearance of Hawthorne's work in this little-known periodical reveals, even though no correspondence survives, Hawthorne's hitherto-unknown connections to the world of nineteenth-century British popular fiction.