Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
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Cellular and molecular activities of IP6 in disease prevention and therapy
No full textIP6 (phytic acid) is a naturally occurring compound in plant seeds and grains. It is a poly-phosphorylated inositol derivative that has been shown to exhibit many biological activities that accrue benefits in health and diseases (cancer, diabetes, renal lithiasis, cardiovascular diseases, etc.). IP6 has been shown to have several cellular and molecular activities associated with its potential role in disease prevention. These activities include anti-oxidant properties, chelation of metal ions, inhibition of inflammation, modulation of cell signaling pathways, and modulation of the activities of enzymes and hormones that are involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Studies have shown that IP6 has anti-oxidant properties and can scavenge free radicals known to cause cellular damage and contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases, as well as diabetes mellitus. It has also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties that may modulate immune responses geared towards the prevention of inflammatory conditions. Moreover, IP6 exhibits anti-cancer properties through the induction of cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell growth. Additionally, it has been shown to have anti-mutagenic properties, which reduce the risk of malignancies by preventing DNA damage and mutations. IP6 has also been reported to have a potential role in bone health. It inhibits bone resorption and promotes bone formation, which may help in the prevention of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Overall, IP6’s cellular and molecular activities make it a promising candidate for disease prevention. As reported in many studies, its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties support its inclusion as a dietary supplement that may protect against the development of chronic diseases. However, further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of action of this dynamic molecule and its derivatives and determine the optimal doses and appropriate delivery methods for effective therapeutic use.Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi supported the publication of this manuscript
Developing comparative indices, valuation of nitrogen bioextraction ecosystem services, and scenario modeling to support decision-making in the Texas oyster mariculture industry
No full textA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Coastal and Marine System Science.This dissertation aims to develop information that supports decision-making surrounding oyster aquaculture in Texas. Each chapter presents a different product, valuation, or modeling approach that addresses concerns or management of oyster aquaculture.
The first research chapter developed a four-part index composed of production, policy, and economic attributes related to oyster aquaculture in the U.S. Data used in this index was derived from two studies comparing GIS tools and policy attributes of American aquaculture, and two more sections using both qualitative and quantitative data were developed as part of this study. The results of this index found that the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and New England regions have the greatest number of resource and policy attributes to facilitate and support oyster aquaculture. Among policy attributes, Texas differed from other U.S. states as lease transferability and applicant guides are not found in the state. Additionally, publicly available GIS map viewers, which are currently in development, can assist in decision-making.
The second research chapter in this dissertation focused on nitrogen bioextraction as an ecosystem service provided by cultivated oysters. First, eutrophication screening was performed using the Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status (ASSETS) model, with results indicating that Copano Bay is a candidate for eutrophication treatment based upon high levels of expression of influencing factors. Nitrogen estimates were found using Farm Aquaculture Resource Modeling (FARM), with a representative 7-acre farm capable of removing around 4,400 -6,500 lbs. of nitrogen from the water through assimilation into tissue and shell, based upon different environmental extremes in Copano Bay. A valuation model using five wastewater treatment plant (WWTPs) with two cost estimates were used to derive a monetary range of nitrogen bioextraction. The potential monetary range in value from 212,887 (based on various levels of WWTP efficiencies), depending on environmental growing conditions. This represents 32.69 per pound of removed nitrogen, a valuable ecosystem service that will expand with subsequent leases as oyster aquaculture expands in Texas.
The final research chapter utilized the FARM model to simulate oyster farming under different environmental and cultivation scenarios. Historically, some risks, such as hurricanes, low salinity events, or Vibrio outbreaks, have occurred more often in summer, which may be mitigated by planning seeding and harvest dates to avoid warmer months. Model results indicate that persistent low salinity, such as that found in Copano Bay in 2010, can delay harvests due to poor growth that extends past the simulated 270-day grow-out cycle. Seeding of oysters during periods of moderate temperatures in April resulted in faster growth rates than in January or October. Increasing initial oyster stocking densities from 200 to 250 oysters m-2 resulted in ≤ 1% decrease in oyster length. Triploid oysters grew slightly slower (4-5%) than diploids, based upon 270-day crop cycles. Chlorophyll a did not appear to be a limiting factor for oyster growth, even using a high oyster stocking density scenario of up to 1,000 oysters m-2. Salinity was the most apparent factor influencing oyster growth in scenario modeling; understanding freshwater inflow is among the most critical factors for long-term aquaculture siting.
Together, the results from this dissertation can be used to inform policy, understand ecosystem service value, and demonstrate the utility of scenario modeling to evaluate cultivation strategies that mitigate risk with predictable harvests.Physical and Environmental SciencesCollege of Scienc
Icthyoplanktonic vertical distribution & ingress in the Aransas Pass inlet system
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology.In the Coastal Bend region of Texas desalination plants have been proposed as a solution to water usage problems. These plants take in brackish/marine water and dispose of brine, which in coastal inlets would create a plume of water with higher salinity and temperature. Desalination plants could impact estuarine dependent fishes whose larvae pass through the inlets on their way to nursery habitat. In this study I sample the Aransas Pass Inlet system, in the vicinity of one of the proposed desalination plans, during day and night and during both incoming and outgoing tides at three different depth strata, to provide data on larval assemblages in the channel. Results showed that larval were greatest in the deepest stratum and during nighttime hours. Key spawning months for several important families were also confirmed. Briny discharge may adversely affect larval development and survival depending on sensitivity to abrupt changes in salinity and temperature, which differs by species and developmental stage. Currently there are no specific regulations addressing desalination plant discharge, but this research suggests those regulations should limit the location and timing of discharge to mitigate potential negative impacts on local ichthyofauna.Life SciencesCollege of Scienc
Planting the Seed: The process of directing and producing a new ensemble-driven adaptation of a classical work, The Pliant Girls
No full textCollege of Liberal Arts; Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas OldhamAfter half a year of work, this Project of Excellence showcases the process and product of producing and directing a new adaptation of a classical play that examines current political and social issues in our society. Through the annual TAMU-CC Department of Theatre and Dance Seed Project, Harper Caroline Lee has created a fully student-directed and designed production of The Pliant Girls. Written by Meghan Brown, The Pliant Girls is a modern feminist retelling of The Supplicants, the story of fifty bloodstained brides seeking refuge after murdering their husbands on their wedding night. Utilizing The Pliant Girls, Harper Caroline Lee examines the importance of productions highlighting social and political issues to enact change, while promoting the effort to create spaces where underrepresented voices can be heard
A Women living in the brush
No full textA woman taking up residence in the brush in the Vattman community in Kleberg county captured by Walrave
Corpus Christi high school Big Band
No full textCorpus Christi high school Big Band pictured with their insturment
Open external resources for Experimental Psychology/Research Methods in Psychology
Get PDFComplied in Spring 2023. List of Open External Resources for Experimental Psychology/Research Methods in Psychology
A look into the diversity of culturable bacterial root endophytes in Batis maritima
Get PDFCollege of Science, Life Sciences, Honors Program; Faculty Mentor: Dr. Candice LumibaoPlants are known to associate and interact with diverse microbes, including those that colonize and live within their root tissues (endophytes), that perform key functional roles for the plants, such as salinity and drought tolerance. A variety of biotic (e.g., plant host abundance) and abiotic factors (e.g., soil pH) can influence to a varying degree, the rates and patterns of endophyte colonization on roots of plants; however, current knowledge is still limited, especially for coastal marsh plants. We investigated the relative influences of biotic and abiotic factors that shape the fine-scale diversity patterns of bacterial root endophyte colonization communities associated with the coastal marsh succulent plant Batis maritima (saltwort) using a culture-based approach. We set up five experimental blocks, each containing four plots: 90% B. maritima, 50% B. maritima with woody plants, i.e., mangrove, 50% B. maritima without woody plants, and 10% B. maritima dominated. For each plot, we collected three plant samples and measured environmental factors such as pH, salinity, and light availability. For each sample, we cultured bacterial endophytes, then extracted, amplified, and sequenced their DNA for identification. We expect that salinity and host plant abundance will influence the diversity of bacterial root endophyte communities. Additionally, the presence of woody plants and plant communities with a higher diversity will harbor a high endophytic diversity. In contrast to our expectations, our preliminary results indicate that the plots without woody plants yield the highest number of culturable bacterial growth (72.67%). Plots with low B. maritima abundance (10%) has the smallest number of growing bacterial cultures (53.33%). Our project gives insight into what host plant diversity, abundance, and local environmental processes influence plant-microbe colonization and distribution in coastal marshes
Optimization of the fluted force-feed seeder meter with the helical roller using the discrete element method and response surface analysis
Get PDFThe seed metering process of a fluted force-feed seeder was simulated using the Discrete Element Method and its parameters optimized using the Box–Behnken Design of Experiments and the Response Surface Method. The rotational speed of the feed roller, the lead (helix) angle of the flutes, and the number of flutes were the independent variables, while the response value was the seeding uniformity index. Two regression models were investigated, and the following conclusions drawn. For the flute lead angle between 0 and 10 degrees, and the number of flutes between 10 and 14, it was found that the number of flutes and the lead angle influenced the seeding performance the most, with the order of importance being the (i) number of flutes, (ii) lead angle and (iii) roller speed. For the flute lead angle between 5 and 15 degrees, and the number of flutes between 12 and 16, it was found that the roller speed and the number of flutes influenced the seeding performance the most, with the order of importance being the (i) roller speed, (ii) number of flutes and (iii) flute lead angle. The two regression models were then minimized for the seeding uniformity index and the corresponding optima verified experimentally on a conveyor belt test stand fitted with an image recognition system.This work was supported in part by the Gansu Provincial University Industry Support Plan (2022CYZC-42), the Public Welfare Industry (Agriculture) Scientific Research Project (201503124) and the Modern Silk Road Cold and Drought Agricultural Technology Support Project (GSLK-2022-12)
The dynamic impacts of monetary policy uncertainty shocks
No full textThis paper assesses whether the impact of monetary policy uncertainty on the U.S. economy has changed over time. Estimating a Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressive model on U.S. data from 1985Q1 to 2022Q3, we find that uncertainty shocks have larger negative effects on output during the COVID-19 recession than during other periods. However, financial market variables, such as stock prices and dividends, responded more significantly to uncertainty shocks during the Asian crisis of the late 1990s, the IT bubble of the 2000s, and the Great Recession. We then develop a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium model with monetary policy uncertainty. Based on the calibrated model, we conduct several counterfactual exercises to demonstrate that the effects of uncertainty shocks depend on the state of the economy, which is consistent with the empirical evidence. These findings provide new insights into the time-varying nature of the impact of economic uncertainty