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Articles 1 - 21 of 21
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Quality Change And Thermal Inactivation Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 In Non-Intact Beef And Veal Patties By Double Pan-Broiling, Kawang Li
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ECOH) may translocate from meat surfaces to internal tissues during grinding processes. This study evaluated the inactivation of ECOH in ground beef and veal by cooking to various internal temperatures (55°C, 62.5°C, 71.1°C, and 76°C). Grounded beef/veal were inoculated with 6 log ECOH and prepared into patties, stored aerobically (4°C, 4 -days) before double-pan-broiling to the internal temperatures mentioned above with a three-minute rest. Samples’ color were monitored, which changed significantly during storage and cooking. Pathogen concentration was measured by plating the homogenized sample on TSA and McConkey agar. The pathogen population was below detectable limit when …
Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter (Winter 2014), Cheryl Stevens, Dean
Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter (Winter 2014), Cheryl Stevens, Dean
Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications
No abstract provided.
Interactions Of Exyra Ridingsii, Riding's Pitcherplant Looper Moth And Sarracenia Flava , The Yellow Pitcher Plant, Christine A Ricci
Interactions Of Exyra Ridingsii, Riding's Pitcherplant Looper Moth And Sarracenia Flava , The Yellow Pitcher Plant, Christine A Ricci
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
1. Exyra ridingsii is a host specific moth that spends its entire immature life cycle in the fire dependent Sarracenia flava pitcher plant. Sarracenia flava requires acidic, moist soil that undergoes frequent burns. 2. Habitat selection and the effects of fire as well as other habitat characteristics were examined for E. ridingsii during this study. 3. For this study, five sites in the Croatan National Forest were surveyed four times each year for two years. Only one site had no disturbances since 2009; the remaining four sites were evenly split with two having had burns occur in them and two …
Trophic Dynamic Interactions In A Temperate Karst River, Elizabeth Malloy
Trophic Dynamic Interactions In A Temperate Karst River, Elizabeth Malloy
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Surface streams in karst landscapes are often characterized by high nutrient levels due to incomplete filtration through series of innumerable, below-ground conduits. Seasonal growth of the filamentous alga, Cladophora, is typically associated with nutrient-rich waters. This research compared macroinvertebrate food web structure between riverine reaches with contrasting underlying karst topography, nutrient levels, and Cladophora cover during summer 2012 and autumn 2013. Recent work in these reaches found a high correlation between Cladophora cover and nutrient content, particularly nitrate. Four questions were addressed during this study: 1. Do longitudinal trends in algal and consumer δ13C values relate to decreased DIC availability …
Landscape Genetics Of The Endangered California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma Californiense) In The Los Vaqueros Watershed, Ryan Neal Vincent
Landscape Genetics Of The Endangered California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma Californiense) In The Los Vaqueros Watershed, Ryan Neal Vincent
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Genetic diversity is essential for maintaining healthy biological systems, and dispersal-mediated gene flow increases genetic diversity by introducing new alleles to a gene pool. Populations that frequently experience gene flow will show characteristic similarities in allele frequencies. Measuring genetic diversity among many populations across a landscape has proven to be a powerful approach for assessing the ways that habitat discontinuities may affect patterns of gene flow, and in turn, influence allele frequencies and population dynamics. This study examines the landscape-level population genetic structure of the California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense, within the Los Vaqueros Watershed of Contra Costa County, …
Functional And Expression Analysis Of A Novel Basement Membrane Degrader In Drosophila Melanogaster, Christopher J. Fields
Functional And Expression Analysis Of A Novel Basement Membrane Degrader In Drosophila Melanogaster, Christopher J. Fields
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
SNUTS is a protein coding gene present in Drosophila melanogaster whose product contains conserved domains that are present in a range of eukaryotic organisms. The SNUTS protein is made up of four domains, two Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM) domain, and two Plant Homeodomains (PHD). The biological function of SNUTS or the various domains is largely unknown. One study demonstrated that SNUTS was important for proper development of the stem cell niche. In the present study data from both overexpression and downregulation of Snuts and the resulting phenotypes are presented. Data supporting potential mechanisms resulting in the phenotype are also presented. …
Efficacy Of An Electronic Scarecrow On 4 Mammalian Crop-Raiders In Limpopo Province, South Africa, Merrie Renee Richardson
Efficacy Of An Electronic Scarecrow On 4 Mammalian Crop-Raiders In Limpopo Province, South Africa, Merrie Renee Richardson
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
In South Africa, 2 primate species, Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), and 2 nocturnal mammals, Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), are among many species of crop raiders. Currently, cost-effective, non-lethal solutions are lacking. From June through December 2012, I installed novel electronic scarecrows on two commercial citrus orchards and a private reserve and used video-recording remote cameras to assess cropraiders’ reactions to them in Limpopo Province, South Africa. I used focal animal sampling data from treatment and control group animals to examine differences in activity …
Melanin As An Oto-Protective Pigment In Two Fish Species: Poecilia Latipinna And Cyprinus Carpio , Bethany N. Coffey
Melanin As An Oto-Protective Pigment In Two Fish Species: Poecilia Latipinna And Cyprinus Carpio , Bethany N. Coffey
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Melanin is the dark pigment found in most organisms that gives color to the skin, hair, feathers, and eyes of vertebrates. While melanin is known to also be present in the stria vascularis of the mammalian cochlea, its function in the inner ear is still unknown. Some previous studies have indicated that melanin may serve to protect the mammalian ear from hearing loss. Minimal previous research on melanin within the inner ears of fishes has been conducted. In this study, the melanin levels in the inner ears of different color morphs of two fish species (Poecilia latipinna and Cyprinus …
Characterization Of A Mutant Bacteriophage That Overcomes An Antitermination Defect In E. Coli Rna, Kimberly Baugh
Characterization Of A Mutant Bacteriophage That Overcomes An Antitermination Defect In E. Coli Rna, Kimberly Baugh
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Mutations in the highly conserved zinc-binding domain of the β’ subunit of E.coli RNA polymerase prevent the growth of phage that use a unique RNA-based mechanism of transcription antitermination. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of a mutant phage that overcomes this block. The genome of the mutant only differs from the parental phage by 2 nucleotides. Close inspection of the sequences surrounding the mutation suggested that a new promoter had been created. This was confirmed by cloning the potential promoter sequences into a promoter probe expression vector. We hypothesize that the new promoter permits the expression of phage …
Examining Human Perception Of Elephants And Large Trees For Insights Into Conservation Of An African Savanna Ecosystem, Adam Edge
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
In savanna ecosystems, African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and large trees such as marula (Sclerocarya birreaand) and knobthorn (Acacia nigrescens) have ecological and human value; however, elephants have a large impact on favored trees, motivating the need for ecological conservation strategies. This study examined the perceptions of tourists and residents towards elephants, large trees, and other relevant factors for management purposes. In the Associated Private Nature Reserves, South Africa, a survey was distributed to tourists and residents to determine perceptions of elephants of different age classes, group sizes and sex, and toward savanna habitat impacted …
Correlation Of Environmental Risks With The Prevalence Of Essential Hypertension And Chronic Cardiac Disease In Kasigau, Kenya, Addie Dodson
Correlation Of Environmental Risks With The Prevalence Of Essential Hypertension And Chronic Cardiac Disease In Kasigau, Kenya, Addie Dodson
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) that is the leading cause of death across the world. In developing nations, like Kenya, the prevalence of NCDs like CVD are on the rise. Hypertension is the major risk factor for CVD and can be influenced by various environmental risk factors, like physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and alcohol use. Though these are known factors that can affect blood pressure in developed nations, research over the prevalence of essential hypertension (EH) in developing countries is low. In an area in southeast Kenya known as Kasigau, there is a high …
The Reaction Of Platinum Triamine Complex With Different Dna And Protein Complexes, Morgan Gruner
The Reaction Of Platinum Triamine Complex With Different Dna And Protein Complexes, Morgan Gruner
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
The platinum compound Cl [Chloro[N,N-diethyldiethylenetriamine] Platinum(II) Chloride] was synthesized and reacted with N-acetylmethionine (N-AcMet) and guanosine 5’-monophosphate (5’-GMP). Previous experiments show that N-AcMet reacts kinetically faster with the central platinum atom and that 5’-GMP bonds slower yet stronger. When Cl was reacted with N-AcMet the N-AcMet displaced the chloride ion as expected. When Cl was reacted with 5’-GMP the 5’-GMP binds to the chloride ion and the reaction is finished. Yet, when 5’-GMP was added in the solution already containing N-AcMet, the N-AcMet was not displaced as predicted. Through 1H NMR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry we observed that …
The Isolation And Characterization Of Tirotheta9, A Novel A4 Mycobacterium Phage, Sarah Schrader
The Isolation And Characterization Of Tirotheta9, A Novel A4 Mycobacterium Phage, Sarah Schrader
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Bacteriophages are the most abundant biological entities on earth, yet relatively few have been characterized. In this project, a novel bacteriophage was isolated from the environment, characterized, and compared with others in the databases. Mycobacterium smegmatis, a harmless soil bacterium, served as the host and facilitated the enrichment and recovery of mycobacteriophages. A single phage type was purified to homogeneity and named TiroTheta9 (TT9). Electron microscopy revealed that the phage particles have icosahedral heads 58 ± 2 nm in diameter and tails 174 ± 5 nm in length. The TT9 genomic DNA was purified and sequenced using 454 pyrosequencing …
Allelic Variability In The Cyp11b2 C344t Single Nucleotide Polymorphism From A Cohort Of East Africans, Spencer Wright
Allelic Variability In The Cyp11b2 C344t Single Nucleotide Polymorphism From A Cohort Of East Africans, Spencer Wright
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Non-communicable disease (NCD), in particular cardiovascular disease, is a significant problem in developing countries. Essential hypertensions (EH) is a leading risk factor for vascular disease and while managing EH in developing countries is considered a high global priority, few studies exist from third world populations. From a cohort of Kenyans living in the Kasigau region, we have investigated the allele frequency of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) previously reported to correlate with salt-sensitive EH. The SNP being investigated is aldosterone synthase CYP11B2 C344T (rs1799998), a polymorphism in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The C344T polymorphism is located in the promoter region …
Identification And Characterization Of Microbial Contaminants And Associated Bacterial Viruses In Bioethanol Production Facilities To Suggest A Potential Alternative To Antibiotic Treatment, Charles Austin Coomer
Identification And Characterization Of Microbial Contaminants And Associated Bacterial Viruses In Bioethanol Production Facilities To Suggest A Potential Alternative To Antibiotic Treatment, Charles Austin Coomer
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
In recent years, bioethanol has received worldwide interest as a bioenergy source. This interest has stimulated the production of substantial quantities of ethanol annually. However, the inability to produce bioethanol under sterile conditions plagues the industry, resulting in frequent microbial contamination. Bacterial contamination is one of the more challenging problems facing the bioethanol industry because contaminants drastically lower ethanol yield. Conventional methods of antibiotic application to eradicate bacterial contaminants are expensive and prohibitive. A more sustainable approach to control bacterial contamination of industrial ethanol fermentation systems is to use bacteriophages (phage). The goal of this research was to create a …
Wire Netting Reduces African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) Impact To Selected Large Trees In South Africa, Kelly Derham
Wire Netting Reduces African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) Impact To Selected Large Trees In South Africa, Kelly Derham
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are ecosystem engineers in that they substantially alter the environment through their unique foraging and feeding habits. At high densities, elephants potentially have negative impacts on the environment, specifically to large trees. Because of this, recent increases of elephants in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) on the Western Boundary of Kruger National Park, South Africa have caused concern regarding the health of several species of tree. My objective was to assess the effectiveness of wrapping protective wire netting around the trunk of the tree in preventing and reducing bark stripping by elephants. 2,668 …
Level Of Uv-B Radiation Influences The Effects Of Glyphosate-Based Herbicide On Fitness Of The Spotted Salamander, Nicholas A. Levis
Level Of Uv-B Radiation Influences The Effects Of Glyphosate-Based Herbicide On Fitness Of The Spotted Salamander, Nicholas A. Levis
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Numerous causes have been implicated in contributing to amphibian population declines since the 1980's, with habitat modification, ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) and environmental contaminants (such as glyphosate-based herbicide) being among the most common. This study identifies the effects of a generic glyphosate-based herbicide (GLY- 4 Plus) on mortality, immune function, body condition, and morphological plasticity of larvae of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) under conditions that reflect open and closed canopy light regimes. Larval salamander responses to glyphosate-based herbicide varied depending on UV-B conditions. In general, it appears that an open canopy (i.e. greater UV-B exposure) may confer fitness benefits. In …
[Sabbatical Report], Lawrence Alan Alice
[Sabbatical Report], Lawrence Alan Alice
Sabbatical Reports
My goals as proposed were to: 1) increase resolution and support for a chloroplast DNA phylogeny by acquiring more sequence data, 2) generate a robust nuclear DNA phylogeny by sequencing several single-copy genes, 3) use flow cytometry to estimate DNA quantity per cell (i.e., ploidy level) in R. ursinus and NCGR specimens of unknown ploidy level, 4) identify highly variable DNA microsatellite (or simple-sequence repeats) regions to assess genetic diversity in R. bartonianus and test species boundaries, and 5) prepare and submit manuscripts if sufficient data have been generated.
Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter (Spring 2014), Cheryl Stevens, Dean
Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter (Spring 2014), Cheryl Stevens, Dean
Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications
No abstract provided.
Assessing Perceived And Documented Crop Damage In A Tanzanian Village Impacted By Human-Elephant Conflict (Hec), Rebekah R. Hoffmeier-Karimi, Bruce A. Schulte
Assessing Perceived And Documented Crop Damage In A Tanzanian Village Impacted By Human-Elephant Conflict (Hec), Rebekah R. Hoffmeier-Karimi, Bruce A. Schulte
Biology Faculty Publications
In sub-Saharan Africa human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a growing conservation issue and human-elephant conflict (HEC) is of special concern. Crop loss to wildlife comprises a main component of HWC. Deterrent methods for crop loss are numerous and such schemes could be more effective by an improved understanding of how farmers’ perceptions align with actual causes of crop loss. Our objective was to compare the perception by farmers of the causes and extent of crop damage to the measured crop damage in fields of maize (Zea mays) using different deterrent methods. We interviewed agriculturalists in the farming village of Miti Mirefu …
Impacts Of Environmental Pressures On The Reproductive Physiology Of Subpopulations Of Black Rhinoceros (Diceros Bicornis Bicornis) In Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa, Elizabeth Freeman, Jordana Meyer, Jed Bird, John Adendorff, Bruce A. Schulte, Rachel Santymire
Impacts Of Environmental Pressures On The Reproductive Physiology Of Subpopulations Of Black Rhinoceros (Diceros Bicornis Bicornis) In Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa, Elizabeth Freeman, Jordana Meyer, Jed Bird, John Adendorff, Bruce A. Schulte, Rachel Santymire
Biology Faculty Publications
Black rhinoceros are an icon for international conservation, yet little is known about their physiology due to their secretive nature. To overcome these challenges, non-invasive methods were used to monitor rhinoceros in two sections of Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa, namely Addo and Nyathi. These sections were separated by a public road, and the numbers of elephants, predators and tourists were higher in Addo. Faecal samples (n = 231) were collected (from July 2007 to November 2010) from known individuals and analysed for progestagen and androgen metabolite (FPM and FAM, respectively) concentrations. As biotic factors could impact reproduction, …