Life Sciences Commons^™

Structural And Functional Studies Of The Tryptophan Operon Of Bacillus Pumilus, Miriam V. Rivas

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The nucleotide sequence of the trpE, trpD, and 5’trpC genes of the Bacillus pumilus tryptophan operon was determined for a comparative evaluation. DNA comparisons to the tryptophan operon of a related species, Bacillus subtilis, showed 66% base homology. The overlapping of translational start and stop signals indicate that, similar to Escherichia coli, the trpE, trpD, and trpC genes of the B.pumilus trp operon are translationally coupled. The values for amino acid identity between the two Bacilli showed 68, 62, and 65% for trpE, trpD and 5’trpC genes, respectively. Charge related residues …

The Effect Of Downhill Running Training On 200m And 2000m Running Performance, Jacquilyn L. Gallagher

Masters Theses

Downhill running as a method of training for improved running performance is an option which has rarely been explored. The purpose of this study was to explore the idea that downhill interval training may be an effective form of improving efficiency and thus, performance time, in 200m and 2000m level running by producing increases in both stride length (SL) and stride frequency (SF).

To test this hypothesis, twelve fit male subjects were divided into two training groups, downhill (D) and level (L), matched on the basis of a 2000m time trial performance and VO_2max. The dependant variables of …

Factors Influencing Distribution And Abundance Of The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus Migrans) In South-Central Illinois, Eric Lantz Smith

Masters Theses

The loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is listed as a threatened species in Illinois as a result of population declines that have occurred since approximately 1900. Although Graber et al. (1973) reported that this species had been largely extirpated from the northern two-thirds of Illinois by 1965, there has been no research on shrike distribution or abundance in the state since that time. Consequently, a roadside survey was completed in 32 south-central Illinois counties to delineate the abundance of loggerhead shrikes in the study area and attempt to relate their abundance to land-use patterns among counties surveyed.

Two hundred and eleven …

A Preliminary Study Of The Effect Or Impairment Of The Vomeronasal Organ On The Recovery From Reproductive Inhibition In Prairie Deer Mice From Laboratory Populations, Tama Elaine Cathers

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Contaminant Accumulation In Hard And Soft Shell Blue Crabs From An Urban Subestuary, Robert F. Mothershead

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Muscle and hepatopancreas of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), collected from the Elizabeth River, Virginia, contained residues of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs}, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides. Analytical procedures involved dichloromethane extraction of lyophilized tissue, followed by molecular size and polarity-based purification of the extract. capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and electrolytic conductivity detection was used for quantitation and tentative identification of the xenobiotic compounds. Mass spectrometry was used for confirmation of these identities. Contaminant concentrations were greater in hepatopancreas than in muscle in crabs from every site examined. Hepatopancreas PAH burdens were as high as 11 mg/kg …

Nutrient Standing Stocks And Partitioning In A Forested Coastal Plain Watershed: Groundwater, Stream And Marsh Creek, Sandra A. Hartenstine

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

The Use And Acceptability Of Lupin Seed And Sprout As A Food Ingredient, Pam Yates

Theses : Honours

This study set out to determine whether germination improved the biochemical and sensory properties of lupins and whether an accept able food could be made from the sprout . The lupin seed, (L. anqustifolius cv . Gungurru), was sprouted using a commercial sprouter for up to 6 days. The seeds were soaked for 24h, then germinated in the dark at 20°C. The sprouts were used in each part of the study: Biochemical Analysis and Sensory Evaluation, Food Product Development and Consumer Market Survey. Many biochemical changes occurred especially in the soaking and early germination stages; including increases in protein (6%) …

Mechanisms Controlling Tolerance Of Lettuce Seed To High Temperatures At Germination And Emergence, Margaret A. Mnichowicz

Masters Theses

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seed germination is inhibited when temperatures are higher than 25-30 C. The extent of this thermodormancy is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Lettuce seed of four seedlots of "Empire" produced in the summers and winters of two years were sown in the field in late summer and early fall at Yuma, AZ to determine stand establishment with high soil temperatures. The seedlots produced in the summer had higher percent field emergence than those produced in the winter. Also, seed of these four seedlots were germinated in petri dishes in a growth chamber at 20, …

The Effect Of Various Plant Growth Regulators On Rough Turf At Coles County Airport, Jay C. A. Harnack

Masters Theses

A field test was conducted to determine the effectiveness of various concentrations of selected plant growth regulators. All PGR's were applied at various rates and combinations on rough turf at Coles County Airport, Charleston, Illinois.

The dominant grasses in the test site were bluegrass (Poa pratensis Huds.) and fescue (Poa pratensis L.).

The plant growth regulators were evaluated at regular intervals for the reduction of biomass, reduction of height, seedhead suppression, and color relative to control.

One third ounce per acre Escort in combination with 4 ounces per acre Embark was the most effective in reducing biomass accumulation followed by …

Factors Affecting Parental Investment Strategies In Male Waterbugs, Scott Kight

Masters Theses

Male giant waterbugs (Belostoma flumineum Say) brood eggs oviposited on their dorsi by conspecific females. Preliminary observations indicate that viable egg pads are sometimes discarded before hatching. Theory predicts that such behavior should occur only if costs incurred by brooding exceed benefits of hatching the egg pad. The amount of paternal investment per pad should be similar for both large and small pad sizes, but as egg pads become smaller, investment per egg increases. Thus, smaller pads should be more likely to be discarded unhatched than larger ones. Similarly, egg pads containing inviable eggs should also be more frequently …

Multivariate Analysis Of The Carex Brevior Group In Iowa, Scott C. Zager

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In Iowa, the most troublesome sedges to identify are Carex brevior, C. festucacea, C. molesta, C. normalis, C. tenera, and C. tenera var. echinodes. These taxa form the C. brevior group--part of an even larger aggregate of species associated with C. straminea. Their morphological features are indistinct and intergrade into one another. Botanists have had difficulty classifying members of this aggregate for nearly 200 years. Some authors have viewed the taxa as separate species, others as polymorphic forms of a single species. Much of the contention has centered upon the variation of taxonomic characters used to delimit and distinguish species. …

Factors Affecting Survival Of Early Life Stages Of Striped Bass, John Clarke Mcgovern

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In 1988 laboratory presentations, bay anchovy, and Atlantic menhaden tested positive as potential predators. Consumption of striped bass larvae by bay anchovy increased at higher prey densities to a maximum of 42 larvae/h at prey densities of 1,650/m&\sp3&. Examination of 229 stomachs of bay anchovy collected during peak spawning in 1988 and 1989 provided direct evidence of predation on striped bass eggs and larvae. The relationship between patterns of survival inferred from the back-calculation of juvenile hatchdates were compared with data sets describing predator and prey fields, egg production, food abundance, and changing environmental conditions during the 1988 and 1989 …

Monooxygenase Induction And Lethality As Endpoints In Aquatic Toxicology, Daniel W. Sved

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Spot, Leiostomus xanthurus, were exposed to suspended sediments (&\approx&20 mg/L) contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in a laboratory flow-through system to evaluate the applicability of hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) induction as an indicator of PAH exposure. PAH sources tested were coal-tar creosote (CTC), a low molecular weight fraction of creosote (LMWF), and a high molecular weight fraction of creosote (HMWF). A standard 96-h acute toxicity test was conducted to ensure that PAH concentrations tested in induction studies were sub-acutely toxic. The 96-h LC50 for spot was 1740 &\mu&g PAH/L (95% confidence interval = 1480-2060 &\mu&g PAH/L). The lowest concentration …

Ecology Of Estuarine Fish Assemblages In Patos Lagoon, Brazil (32 Degrees S), And York River, Usa (37 Degrees N), With Review Of Zoogeography Of Fishes In Western Atlantic Warm-Temperate And Tropical Estuaries, Joao P. Vieira

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The first two chapters of this study examine faunal composition and latitudinal patterns in diversity of fishes in warm-temperate and tropical estuarine waters of the western Atlantic from La Plata River (35&\sp\circ&S), Argentina, to Chesapeake Bay (37&\sp\circ&N), USA (33 faunal reports). Species distributions generally corresponded with previously recognized marine zoogeographic regions, and cluster analyses also showed that faunal similarity among estuarine sampling sites was related to the type of sampling gear used and to the type of habitat that was sampled in each estuary. The total number of fish species reported is positively related to the size of the area …

Sediment Inorganic Nitrogen Stocks And Root-Rhizome Ammonium Uptake By Eelgrass (Zostera Marina L) In The Lower Chesapeake Bay, Christopher P. Buzzelli

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Contrasts Between Tidal Freshwater And Estuarine Phytoplankton Growth On Intracellular And Recycled Nutrient Pools Over A Summer-Winter Seasonal Transition, Dean Douglas Kindler

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Technique To Quantify Lipids In Bivalve Larvae Crassostrea Virginica Gmelin, Using Nile Red And Epiflourescence Microscopy, Laura Liliana Castell Perez

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Interactions Between Temperature And Tributlytin (Tbt) Toxicity To The Estuarine Mysid, Mysidopsis Bahia, Prentiss H. Balcom

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Meristics And Morphometrics Between Two Strains Of Pond Cultured Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis), Steven Gornak

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

The Market Medicinal Plants Of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Michael S. Nicholson

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to record the popular uses of various medicinal plants gathered in the vicinity of Monterrey, Mexico.

Two hundred medicinal plant specimens were collected from 11 hierberias of two mercados and two additional medicinal plant sources. Included is a total of 92 species in 86 genera of 50 plant families.

The plant vendors at the hierberias were interviewed to determine the folk uses of the plants. The reports were reviewed in the literature for comparison with previously published citations. Collections are retained in the Ethnobotanical Herbarium, Room 107, Klehm Hall, Eastern Illinois University along …

Long Range Organization Of Alphoid Sequence On Human Chromosome 21, Malini Chawla

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Between Physiological And Perceived Exertion During Maximal And Submaximal Treadmill Exercise At Three Menstrual Cycle Phases, Kathleen M. Mccune

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in physiological and subjective perceived exertion levels at maximal and submaximal treadmill exercise between three phases of the menstrual cycle in eumennorheic women.

Nine females of varying fitness levels were subjects in the study. None of the subjects were using oral contraception or hormone altering medications at the time of the study.

The subjects performed three separate maximal graded exercise tests (GXT) using the Balke protocol. During each GXT, oxygen uptake (VO₂), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory quotient (RQ), rate of perceived exertion, and total time …

How Potassium Affects Emergence Of Five Supersweet Corn (Zea Mays L. Var. Rugosa) Cultivars With Low Temperatures, Nombasa Tsengwa

Masters Theses

Supersweet types of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var rugosa) are sensitive to low temperature during emergence and thus have difficulty in establishing stands in early spring. This study investigated how banded potash affected establishment of five supersweet cultivars of sweet corn in fields and growth chambers.

In the field, sweet corn cultivars were planted near Urbana, Il on April 18 and July 22, 1991 with three levels of potash (0, 45 and 90 kg/ha) banded at planting. Several parameters of growth and development were measured approximately 2, 4 and 6 weeks after planting. No significant effect of potash was …

Filamentous Fungi Present In The External Mucus Of Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma Cepedianum), Kenneth C. Stetina

Masters Theses

The mucus layers of 30 gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) from the Lake Charleston side channel reservoir were sampled to identify what fungi or fungal spores were present. The fish sampled had a mean length of 171 mm, a mean weight of 41 g, and a mean age of 2.1 years. Hemp seed, fish scale, and polycell-gel substrates were examined, and four genera of fungi were identified. Fusarium was most frequently encountered, followed by Pythium, Allomyces, and Saprolegnia, respectively. Older fish (2.5 and 3.5 yrs) had a greater diversity of associated fungi than did younger fish (1.5 yrs), probably due to …

The Bryophytes Of Knox County, Illinois, Kurtis J. Cecil

Masters Theses

Field and herbarium studies conducted over an eleven month period found 84 taxa of bryophytes in Knox County. Included in this list are one hornwort (Class Anthocerotae), 15 liverworts (Class Hepaticae), and 68 mosses (Class Musci). Eighty-two species are new county records. Six previously unreported taxa produced during herbarium studies and one previous report were not relocated in the field. An annotated list provides collection data, location of voucher, and frequency of those species located in Knox County. A presettlement vegetation map is included to illustrate the location of collection sites.

Improving Swimming Economy Of Novice, Adult, Female Swimmers By Training On A Väsa Swim Trainer, Loreen K. Mattson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if the swimming economy of novice, adult, female swimmers can be increased by training on a Väsa Swim Trainer. Economy of swimming was defined as either: 1) decreased submaximal oxygen consumption (VO₂); 2) decreased oxygen consumption per given distance (VO₂/d); 3) decrease ratio of arm stroke cycles per given distance to swimming velocity (ASI); and 4) decrease submaximal heart rate (HR).

Eight females between the age of 35 to 60 years, mean age 50.4, who were considered to be novice swimmers (average 45.7 meter lap time greater than …

Direct Immunofluorescence Detection Of Giardia Spp. In Selected Mammals In Central Illinois, Using Anti-Giardia Polyclonal And Monoclonal Antibodies, Jeanette Aba Ackon Brown

Masters Theses

Giardia species occur in many kinds of mammals, and some of these hosts have been postulated as potential reservoirs for human infections. A study was initiated in fall 1990 to determine the distribution and frequency of giardiasis in populations of selected wild animals in 12 counties in Illinois. Fecal samples from 64 white-tailed deer, 13 coyotes, 9 muskrats, 6 raccoons, and 5 badgers were examined for the presence of Giardia spp. and specifically for G. lamblia. Anti-Giardia lamblia cysts polyclonal (PAb) and monoclonal (MAb), FITC-labeled antibody solutions were used for the direct immunofluorescence detection of Giardia cysts in …

Reproductive Insularity In A Migratory Sparrow: A Field Study Of Lincoln's Sparrow Populations In Southern California, Cin Greyhaven

Theses Digitization Project

Melospiza lincolnii -- San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountain ranges -- migrational return -- Dispersal - Morphometric analysis.

Cloning And Immunogenicity Of A Chlamydia Trachomatis 36 Kilodalton Recombinant Gene Product In Escherichia Coli, Hector Rivera

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Phenology And Bionomics Of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) In Glynn County, Georgia, Lisa M. Westberry

Legacy ETDs

Seasonal abundance and population densities of Culicoides species from sites in Glynn County, Georgia were surveyed using 15 New Jersey light traps during a 9-month period from April-December 1990. Environmental effects on the abundances were also analyzed. The three primary species present were: Culicoides furens (Poey), C. hollensis Mellander & Brues, and C. melleus (Coguillett). C. furens were collected year round, but predominantly during the summer. C. hollensis had a bimodal abundance (spring and fall) . C. melleus also had a bimodal abundance (late summer and fall).

Larval habitats of the primary species were identified …