Browsing Biology by Type"Doctoral Dissertation"
Now showing items 1-20 of 52
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A Biopsychosocial Examination of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Health Outcomes
(East Carolina University, 2015)Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world accounting for 17.3 million deaths annually. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was developed 13 years ago to treat people suffering from ... -
Adaptation in a Changing World: Evolutionary mechanisms of salt tolerance in a coastal amphibian
(East Carolina University, 2018-07-20)In order to predict evolutionary outcomes of environmental change on populations in nature, we need an improved understanding of the biological mechanisms that affect whether organisms will adapt to a changed environment. ... -
ARE ALL FISH NURSERIES EQUAL? DETERMINING HOW FOOD WEB DYNAMICS AFFECT FISH NURSERY HABITAT
(East Carolina University, 2018-07-23)The fish nursery habitat concept has been used to define important habitat for larval and juvenile fish throughout coastal and estuarine areas. Nursery habitat has been defined as an area that produces more fish biomass, ... -
Are Marine Migrations of Striped Bass Genetically Pre-determined? : An investigation of Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River Striped Bass Migratory Patterns
(East Carolina University, 2010)Striped bass, Morone saxatilis, is one of the most thoroughly studied anadromous fish species in the United States, with records governing the management of the species dating back to the late 1600s. However, management ... -
Bacteria of a feather floc together: Microbial interactions and function within iron-oxidizing bacterial communities
(East Carolina University, 2021-05-03)The microaerophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria are highly charismatic, forming bright orange structures called iron mats in low flow creeks and streams, in road-side ditches, and marshes. Yet, the study of the microbial ... -
Behavioral and genetic divergence among wild and domesticated populations of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
(East Carolina University, 2017-07-18)Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) have been the subject of extensive neurological and behavioral research having served as the dominant model for vocal learning over half a century. Learned vocal communication, or vocal ... -
Characterization of Pgrmcs and mPRs in oocyte maturation and ovulation in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
(East Carolina University, 2020-06-22)It is well known that progestins initiate important reproductive processes such as oocyte maturation and ovulation in vertebrates. Progestins exert functions through binding to progestin receptors. At least three families ... -
Citizen Science: Is It Worth Your Time?
(East Carolina University, 2015-12-17)This dissertation investigated citizen science, a tool that connects the public to the scientific community through research-based projects and education campaigns. Benefits include volunteers adding data to long-term data ... -
Color Pattern Evolution in the Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): Functional, Mechanistic and Synthetic Approaches
(East Carolina University, 2022-07-19)Studies of animal color patterns have provided important insights into the nature of evolution and adaptation. Coloration may be the target of multiple evolutionary processes, including natural selection, intersexual ... -
Color Pattern Evolution in the Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): Functional, Mechanistic and Synthetic Approaches
(East Carolina University, 2022-07-19)Studies of animal color patterns have provided important insights into the nature of evolution and adaptation. Coloration may be the target of multiple evolutionary processes, including natural selection, intersexual ... -
Conservation and Immunogenomics of the Endangered White-winged Duck
(East Carolina University, 2023-05-02)White-winged Wood Ducks (WWD) are an endangered species native to southeast Asia. Efforts to conserve the species via captive breeding have been hindered because captive populations appear to be highly susceptible to avian ... -
Delination of Coastal Shark Habitat within North Carolina Waters Using Acoustic Telemetry, Fisher-Independent Surveys, and Local Ecological Knowledge
(East Carolina University, 2016-07-20)Knowledge of shark habitat preferences and use patterns is important to effectively manage shark fisheries and account for interactions between sharks and species targeted by other fishery management or conservation efforts. ... -
DETECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE AMPHIBIAN FUNGAL DISEASE CHYTRIDIOMYCOSIS IN PERUVIAN AMPHIBIANS
(East Carolina University, 2012)Chytridiomycosis is an amphibian disease caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd;Longcore et al. 1999). This disease has been identified by the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan as one of the main ... -
Determining the role of the steroid hormone ecdysone in critical stages of Drosophila melanogaster early oogenesis
(East Carolina University, 2019-11-27)Reproductive function in many organisms, including Drosophila melanogaster, is controlled by steroid hormones. The main steroid hormone in Drosophila is ecdysone, which is structurally and functionally similar to estrogen. ... -
Development of Computational Tools and Resources for Cotton microRNA Analysis
(East Carolina University, 2014)MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an extensive class of small regulatory RNAs which regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional levels. miRNAs target genes for mRNA cleavage or translation inhibition based on the complementary ... -
EFFECTS OF A REVERSE OSMOSIS-WATER TREATMENT PLANT BRINY CONCENTRATE DISCHARGED INTO AN ESTUARY.
(East Carolina University, 2010)Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plants (RO-WTPs) create potable water and a briny concentrate that must be disposed; often it is discharged into nearby surface waters. Currently, there is no published research to examine ... -
Effects of Land Use Change on Juvenile Fishes, Blue Crab, and Brown Shrimp Abundance in the Estuarine Nursery Habitats of North Carolina
(East Carolina University, 2011)The U.S. coastal region is home to more than half of the American population. Also, the coastal counties' population is growing much faster than that of inland counties. With a high density and an increasing population, ... -
Environmental Development of the External Genitalia
(East Carolina University, 2018-07-24)Hypospadias is one of the most common birth defects in the world. The incidence of hypospadias has nearly doubled over the past 50 years and now occurs on average in 1 in 125 male newborns each year. Hypospadias is a ... -
Evaluating The Essential Functions Of The Replication Factor Mcm10 In Drosophila Melanogaster
(East Carolina University, 2015)Often referred to as miraculous, life as we know depends not upon miracles but on a series of highly orchestrated and regulated biochemical processes collectively known as the cell cycle. It is through these series of ... -
Evolution of olfactory receptors in birds
(East Carolina University, 2022-12-05)Olfaction is an evolutionary ancient sensation, and is the perception and interpretation of chemical stimuli from surrounding air or water. Olfaction is an essential sensory modality for nearly all animals, and is used to ...