Life Sciences Commons^™

The Plant Structure Ontology, A Unified Vocabulary Of Anatomy And Morphology Of A Flowering Plant, Katica Ilic, Elizabeth A. Kellogg, Pankaj Jaiswal, Felipe Zapata, Peter F. Stevens, Leszek P. Vincent, Shulamit Avraham, Leonore Reiser, Anuradha Pujar, Martin M. Sachs, Noah T. Whitman, Susan R. Mccouch, Mary L. Schaeffer, Doreen H. Ware, Lincoln D. Stein, Seung Y. Rhee

Peter Stevens

Cadherin-2 Participates In The Morphogenesis Of The Zebrafish Inner Ear, Sherry Babb-Clendenon, Yu-Chi Shen, Qin Liu, Katharyn E. Turner, M. Susan Mills, Greg W. Cook, Caroline A. Miller, Vincent H. Gattone Ii, Kate F. Barald, James A. Marrs

Qin Liu

Molecular mechanisms that control inner ear morphogenesis from the placode to the three-dimensional functional organ are not well understood. We hypothesize that cell-cell adhesion, mediated by cadherin molecules, contributes significantly to various stages of inner ear formation. Cadherin-2 (Cdh2) function during otic vesicle morphogenesis was investigated by examining morpholino antisense oligonucleotide knockdown and glass onion (glo) ( Cdh2 mutant) zebrafish embryos. Placode formation, vesicle cavitation and specification occurred normally, but morphogenesis of the otic vesicle was affected by Cdh2 deficiency: semicircular canals were reduced or absent. Phalloidin staining of the hair cell stereocillia demonstrated that cadherin-2 (cdh2) loss-of-function did not …

Peritrophic Membrane Of The Penaeid Shrimp, Sicyonia Ingentis; Structure, Formation And Permeability., Gary Martin

Gary Martin

Peritrophic membranes (PTMs) are secreted acellular layers that separate ingested materials from the gut epithelium in a variety of invertebrates. In insects and crustaceans, PTMs are produced in the midgut trunk (MGT, or intestine), but the MGT in decapod crustaceans, unlike that of insects, is not involved with digestion or absorption of food. We demonstrate that the PTM in the penaeid shrimp Sicyonia ingentis is similar to that in other crustaceans that have been studied and is primarily composed of chitin. The lectin WGA binds only to the PTM and glycocalyx along the microvilli of the midgut cells, which is …

Quantitative Profiling Of Arabidopsis Polar Glycerolipids In Response To Phosphorus Starvation. Roles Of Phospholipases Dζ1 And Dζ2 In Phosphatidylcholine Hydrolysis And Digalactosyldiacylglycerol Accumulation In Phosphorus-Starved Plants, Xuemin Wang, Maoyin Li, Ruth Welti

Xuemin (Sam) Wang

The Localized Dynamics Of A Ca2+Channel (30-Minute Talk), Borbala Mazzag, Christoper Tignanelli, Gregory D. Smith

Borbala Mazzag

No abstract provided.

Unraveling The Mechanical Properties Of Composite Silk Threads Spun By Cribellate Orb-Weaving Spiders, Todd Blackledge, Cheryl Hayashi

Todd A. Blackledge

Orb-web weaving spiders depend upon the mechanical performance of capture threads to absorb the energy of flying prey. Most orb-weavers spin wet capture threads with core fibers of flagelliform silk. These threads are extremely compliant and extensible due to the folding of their constituent proteins into molecular nanosprings and hydration by a surrounding coating of aqueous glue. In contrast, other orb-weavers use cribellate capture threads, which are composite structures consisting of core fibers of pseudoflagelliform silk surrounded by a matrix of fine dry cribellar fibrils. Based on phylogenetic evidence, cribellate capture threads predate the use of viscid capture threads. To …

Evaluating The Monophyly Of Eulimnadia And The Limnadiinae (Branchiopoda : Spinicaudata) Using Dna Sequences, W. R. Hoeh, N. D. Smallwood, D. M. Senyo, E. G. Chapman, Stephen C. Weeks

Stephen C. Weeks

The evolutionary relationships among the six nominal genera within the spinicaudate clam shrimp family Limnadiidae, as well as the validity of the limnadiid genus Eulimnadia, have been much debated in the literature with little consensus emerging. The lack of resolution on these topics impedes evaluations of limnadiid biodiversity, phylogeny, and character evolution. To address these issues, we used Bayesian and parsimony methods to analyze DNA sequences from three genetic loci (28S, 12S, cytb) that were obtained from representatives of five nominal limnadiid genera and one undescribed limnadiid species. These analyses confirm the monophyly of Eulimnadia and the most taxonomically inclusive …

Homeland Security: Engaging The Frontlines - Symposium Proceedings, George H. Baker, Cheryl J. Elliott

George H Baker

The rise of the American homeland security endeavor under the leadership of the new Department of Homeland Security has been heralded by several major national strategy documents. These documents have served to organize efforts at top levels within the government and industry. However, the national strategy guidance is not getting to many organizations and people at the grass-roots level who can make the most difference in preventing attacks, protecting systems, and recovering from catastrophic events, viz. the general citizenry, private infrastructure owners, and local governments. To better understand grass-roots issues and solutions, James Madison University, in cooperation with the Federal …

A Subset Of Mer1p-Dependent Introns Requires Bud13p For Splicing Activation And Nuclear Retention, Marc Spingola, Frederick W. Scherrer Jr

Marc Spingola

Phylogeography Of The Flag Cabrilla Epinephelus Labriformis (Serranidae): Implications For The Biogeography Of The Tropical Eastern Pacific And The Early Stages Of Speciation In A Marine Shore Fish, Mathew T. Craig, Phillip A. Hastings, Daniel J. Pondella Ii, D. Ross Robertson, Jorge A. Rosales-Casián

Daniel Pondella

To examine the role of previously described biogeographical boundaries in shaping phylogeographical relationships within and among two putative eastern Pacific sibling species, the flag cabrilla, Epinephelus labriformis and the Clipperton grouper, Epinephelus clippertonensis (Serranidae).

Rapid Signaling At The Plasma Membrane By A Nuclear Receptor For Thyroid Hormone, Hemayet Ullah

Hemayet Ullah

Littoral Benthic Marcroinvertebrates Under Contrasting Drawdown In A Reservoir And A Natural Lake, Paula Furey, Rick N. Nordin, Asit Mazumder

Paula Furey

No abstract provided.

Longitudinal Changes In Visual Acuity In Keratoconus, Larry J. Davis, Kenneth B. Schechtman, Brad S. Wilson, Carol E. Rosenstiel, Colleen H. Riley, David P. Libassi, Ralph E. Gundel, Louis Rosenberg, Mae O. Gordon, Karla Zadnik

Larry Davis

Double Knockouts Of Phospholipases Dζ1 And Dζ2 In Arabidopsis Affect Root Elongation During Phosphate-Limited Growth But Do Not Affect Root Hair Patterning, Xuemin Wang, Maoyin Li, Chunbo Qin, Ruth Welti

Xuemin (Sam) Wang

Variation In The Innate And Acquired Arms Of The Immune System Among Five Shorebird Species, Luisa Mendes, Theunis Piersma, Dennis Hasselquist, Kevin D. Matson, Robert E. Ricklefs

Robert Ricklefs

The Scent Of Danger: Tetrodotoxin (Ttx) As An Olfactory Cue Of Predation Risk, Richard Zimmer, Daniel Schar, Ryan Ferrer, Patrick Krug, Lee Kats, William Michel

Lee Kats

Larvae of the California newt (Taricha torosa) exhibit striking predator- avoidance behavior, escaping to refuges in response to a chemical cue from cannibalistic adults. In laboratory flow-tank experiments, stream water collected near free-ranging adults induced hiding responses in 100% of the larvae tested. Solutions prepared by bathing adults (in field and laboratory) also evoked strong hiding behaviors. Insensitive to adult feeding status (fed or starved), and clearly not an excretory product, the chemical cue was released from adult skin (i.e., in swabs of adult backs, sides, and bellies). Tetrodotoxin (TTX) was found in skin swabs of adults and in bathwater …

Purple Loosestrife On The Susquehanna River’S West Branch: Distribution And Environmental Correlates, E. Ketterer, Warren Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.

Disarming The Paradox Of Sublethal-Plant Defense Against Insects: Trirhabda Virgata Larval Development Time And Leaf Tissue Loss On Solidago Altissima, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, R.J. Fox

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.

Fecundity, Reproductive Ecology, And Influence Of Precipitation On Clutch Size In The Western Slimy Salamander (Plethodon Albagula), Joseph Milanovich

Joseph Milanovich

We investigated the reproductive ecology of the western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula) in an abandoned mine shaft in the Ouachita National Forest of south-central Arkansas. The mine habitat provided an opportunity to observe nesting behavior, quantify reproductive output, and evaluate the influence of precipitation on fecundity for a population of P. albagula that utilize this particular mine shaft to brood and defend egg clutches. We collected reproductive data on 372 clutches between 1982 and 2004. There was no relationship between the number of eggs per egg clutch versus egg size; snout–vent length, body mass, and tail length were not correlated …

First Record Of Macrolabis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) In America: A New Inquiline Species From Dasineura Folliculi Galls On Goldenrods, Warren Abrahamson, N. Dorchin, E.R. Scott

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.

Photosensitizers As Novel Compounds In Apoptosis Research, N.K. Mak, M.L. Lung, C.K. Chang, K.N. Leung

Professor MAK, Nai Ki

No abstract provided.

Development And Characterization Of Ruthenium-Substituted Porphyrins, Mark Nielsen

Mark G. Nielsen

Nielsen, M. G. (Co-Principal), Swavey, S. M. (Principal), Hong, Y. (Principal), Masthay, M. B. (Co-Principal), Robinson, J. B. (Co-Principal), "Development and Characterization of Ruthenium-substituted Porphyrins," Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Program American Association for the Advancement of Science/Merck Pharmaceuticals, $60,000.00 (2006 - 2009). We created an interdisciplinary, undergraduate research program to develop and test porphyrin-based photodynamic therapies. I am responsible for DNA-based assays of porphyrin cleavage activity, and development of the Drosophila IR model.

Edaphic Environment, Gall Midges, And Goldenrod Clonal Expansion In A Mid-Successional Old Field, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, K. Landis

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.

Endothelial Cell Cortactin Coordinates Icam-1 Clustering And Actin Cytoskeleton Remodeling During Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Adhesion And Transmigration, Jennifer Kowalski

Jennifer Kowalski

Endothelial cell ICAM-1 interacts with leukocyte beta2 integrins to mediate adhesion and transmit outside-in signals that facilitate leukocyte transmigration. ICAM-1 redistribution and clustering appear necessary for leukocyte transmigration, but the mechanisms controlling ICAM-1 redistribution and clustering have not been identified. We recently reported that Src kinase phosphorylation of endothelial cortactin regulates polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) transmigration. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that the Src family kinase-cortactin pathway mediates association of ICAM-1 with the actin cytoskeleton and that this association is required for ICAM-1 clustering and leukocyte transmigration. Cross-linking ICAM-1 induced cytoskeletal remodeling and a decrease in ICAM-1 lateral mobility, …

Longevity And Breeding Pool Fidelity In The California Newt (Taricha Torosa): A Long-Term Study Using Pit Tagging, T. Watters, Lee Kats

Lee Kats

No abstract provided.

Costs And Benefits Of Gregarious Feeding In The Meadow Spittlebug, Philaenus Spumarius, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, D.L. Kieffer

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.

Post-Fire Canopy Recovery In Two Fire-Adapted Palms, Serenoa Repens And Sabal Etonia (Arecaceae), Warren Abrahamson, C.R. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.

Ecology Of Marine Fishes : California And Adjacent Waters, Larry Allen, Daniel Pondella, Michael Horn

Daniel Pondella

Fundamental ideas in marine ecology have emerged from the study of marine fishes. This unique, authoritative, and accessible reference, compiled by 35 luminary ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and ichthyologists, provides the first-ever synthesis and interpretation of the large, often daunting, body of information on the ecology of marine fishes. Comprehensive and generously illustrated, this volume focuses on the fauna of the eastern pacific, paying particular attention to the California coast, which is among the most diverse and best studied of all marine ecosystems.

Tailor-Made Composite Functions As Tools In Model Choice: The Case Of Sigmoidal Vs Bi-Linear Growth Profiles, Winfried Peters, Tobias Baskin

Winfried S. Peters

Scrub Hickory: A Florida Endemic, Warren Abrahamson, J.N. Layne

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.