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Articles 151 - 179 of 179
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
A Comparison Of Placental Tissue In The Skinks Eulamprus Tympanum And E. Quoyii, Lauren Yates
A Comparison Of Placental Tissue In The Skinks Eulamprus Tympanum And E. Quoyii, Lauren Yates
Honors Theses
The species Eulamprus tympanum and Eulamprus quoyii are viviparous skinks that are said to have a Type I placenta. This research compared histological characteristics of the oviduct during pregnancy in E. tympanum and E. quoyii and assessed whether structural features are consistent with a Type I placentation. A similarity was seen in both of these species and was not consistent with a Type I placenta. Extreme folding of the uterine tissue was observed in the early stages. An increase in glands around the later stages was observed while there was no change in blood vessel density over the course of …
Effects Of Selenium On The Freshwater Alga Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii With And Without The Proteasome Inhibitor Mg132, E. Patrick Vallentine
Effects Of Selenium On The Freshwater Alga Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii With And Without The Proteasome Inhibitor Mg132, E. Patrick Vallentine
Honors Theses
Selenium is a required nutrient in animal life but has not been shown to be needed in plants. The model plant cell Chlamydomonas reinhardtii may be an exception as it appears to increase its growth rate in the presence of selenium. Because selenium has the same valence state as sulfur it may be incorporated into proteins as the modified amino acid selenocysteine. This incorporation of selenocysteine into protein may disrupt the disulfide bridges that give proteins the correct conformation. Misfolded proteins can wreak havoc on a cell. This stress can be measured through several parameters. Chlorophyll levels, glutathione levels, growth, …
The Influence Of Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Protein Urm1 On Prion Formation, Jacob Beaver
The Influence Of Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Protein Urm1 On Prion Formation, Jacob Beaver
Honors Theses
Prions are infections proteins that are auto-catalyzing (form by altering a regular protein into the structurally different prion form), and are the cause of many common diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (or Mad Cow disease). This experiment tested the effect of three different plasmids, pH317, pER62 and pmp46 on prion formation in both wild-type and Urm1 deletion mutants in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The proposed hypothesis was overexpression of the prion forming protein would increase the frequency of prion formation, as well as yield less sustainable prion amyloids (or prion aggregations) that are easier to …
Distribution And Social Structure Of An Estuarine Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus) Population In Northern South Carolina, Jamie L. Brusa
Distribution And Social Structure Of An Estuarine Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus) Population In Northern South Carolina, Jamie L. Brusa
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Information regarding habitat preference of apex predators may pinpoint areas dense in resources such as prey species. Knowledge of how animals use their habitat can enable the classification and targeted management of important habitat features. This study was conducted to determine the distribution and social structure of an inshore population of bottlenose dolphins within the North Inlet-Winyah Bay estuary in northern South Carolina. Photo-identification surveys were conducted along defined transect routes. Home ranges of individual dolphins were calculated using the minimum convex polygon method and the fixed kernel density method using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Mean group sizes and …
Assessment Of Land Use And Neotropical Herpetofauna Along Steep Gradients Of Elevation In An Ecuadorian Ramsar Wetland Site #1143, Nicholas K. Henke
Assessment Of Land Use And Neotropical Herpetofauna Along Steep Gradients Of Elevation In An Ecuadorian Ramsar Wetland Site #1143, Nicholas K. Henke
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Using a comparative ecological approach, over the course of 18 days at the transition from a particularly wet to dry season in 2010, I assessed herpetofaunal assemblages and related abiotic parameters (i.e., photosynthetically active radiation, specific conductance, temperature and coarse woody debris) between contiguous forest and human impacted areas along three paired transects across the steep elevation gradient at Laguna de Cube, Ramsar site # 1143. Visual encounter surveys were used to capture herpetofauna with species being processed (e.g., weight, digit length, photographed) and identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. After evaluating transect data for pooling (i.e., no significant …
Winter Site Fidelity In Secretive Marsh Sparrows Along The Coast Of South Carolina, Susan M. Shaw
Winter Site Fidelity In Secretive Marsh Sparrows Along The Coast Of South Carolina, Susan M. Shaw
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Salt marshes, which are threatened by sea level rise and development, provide habitat for a distinctive suite of specialized vertebrates, and knowledge of the life histories of salt marsh specialists may help preserve salt marsh fauna in the face of change. I studied wintering site fidelity of Seaside (Ammodramus maritimus), Saltmarsh (A. caudacutus) and Nelson's (A. nelsoni) Sparrows by mist-netting and banding birds at six sites in two salt marshes in South Carolina. I banded 261 sparrows over two winters, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, and recaptured 92. Across-year return rates were high, but significantly different across species: 43% for Seaside, 63% …
Progression Magazine, 2012-2013, Coastal Carolina University
Progression Magazine, 2012-2013, Coastal Carolina University
Progression Magazine
Magazine of the College of Science at Coastal Carolina University.
Relative Stability Of Plant Communities In A South Carolina High Salt Marsh, James O. Luken
Relative Stability Of Plant Communities In A South Carolina High Salt Marsh, James O. Luken
Biology
The high marsh in southeast Atlantic coast salt marshes forms a relatively small but ecologically important transition zone between low marsh and the terrestrial shoreline. However, long-term trend data from high marshes are limited to a few studies. Permanent plots established in a high marsh near Waties Island in northeast South Carolina were measured for plant coverage from 2002-2010. At the beginning and at the end of the study, four groups of plots were identified: mixed indicated by Borrichia frutescens, Distichlis spicata, and Fimbristylis castanea; Juncus indicated by Juncus roemerianus; Salicornia indicated by Salicornia virginica; and Spartina indicated by Spartina …
Long‐Term Outcomes Of Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula) Establishment, James O. Luken
Long‐Term Outcomes Of Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula) Establishment, James O. Luken
Biology
Determining the success or failure of rare plant establishment requires long-term monitoring, but such monitoring is seldom conducted. A 2004 census of Venus flytrap populations created by seeding and transplanting was compared to a similar census in 2010. Of the 18 original populations, three were destroyed by logging operations, 12 decreased and three increased. Venus flytraps face several limitations keeping populations small. Consistent soil moisture and the presence of population remnants improved the long-term management outcomes.
Effects Of Human Bmp-2 On Trans-Differentiation Of Myoblast Cells And Human Rhabdomyosarcoma Using An In Vitro Model System, Shannon Kelly
Effects Of Human Bmp-2 On Trans-Differentiation Of Myoblast Cells And Human Rhabdomyosarcoma Using An In Vitro Model System, Shannon Kelly
Honors Theses
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is an autosomal dominant disease that affects one in every two million persons. It is a disease that stimulates ossification in injured muscle cells. This mutation affects the bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR), which is found on the surface of skeletal muscle cells. When bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) come into contact with these receptors it causes a cascade of events to occur that transform skeletal muscle cells into bone cells. This mutation causes these receptors to remain constitutively activated in the presence of BMP. We compared the effects of human BMP2 on mouse myoblast cells (C2C12) …
The Importance Of Isolated Wetlands As Habitat For Rare And Endangered Species In Comparison To Riparian Wetlands, Hillary K. Ballantine
The Importance Of Isolated Wetlands As Habitat For Rare And Endangered Species In Comparison To Riparian Wetlands, Hillary K. Ballantine
Honors Theses
In this paper, I will review the literature on the factors contributing to the presence of rare or endangered species, the species found in each wetland type and what threatens them, and the views on how to and why we should conserve these habitats. I will also provide data analyses on the importance of isolated wetlands as habitats for rare and endangered species in comparison to riparian wetlands, and present my own views on the topic.
Of Mice And Mozart: Testing Spatial Reasoning And Memory Of Rats, Kaitlin O'Toole
Of Mice And Mozart: Testing Spatial Reasoning And Memory Of Rats, Kaitlin O'Toole
Honors Theses
An increase in spatial-temporal reasoning has been documented in the presence of Mozart's sonata K.448; this enhancement of physical and psychological activities is called the "Mozart Effect" (Hughes 2001). This effect has been recorded in humans and animals alike, and its influence reaches a myriad of applications including calming wild animals to increasing test scores in college students to lowering high blood pressure. Using a cheeseboard apparatus to test spatial reasoning in rats, this experiment recorded the results from maze tasks completed in the presence of sonata K.448 compared to trials completed in silence. Results showed a significant difference between …
Nicotine-Induced Neuroprotection In Drosophila Models Of Parkinson's Disease, Lynsey Deudne
Nicotine-Induced Neuroprotection In Drosophila Models Of Parkinson's Disease, Lynsey Deudne
Honors Theses
Parkinson's disease (PD) causes rigidity, tremors, and posture impairments. There is no cure for this disease and its symptoms intensify with age. In this study, fruit flies were induced with PD using rotenone and the flies in treatment group were provided with food that contained nicotine to determine if nicotine causes neuroprotection and alleviates symptoms of PD. A climbing assay was used to assess the severity of symptoms of PD in the control and experimental groups. The PD induced flies that received nicotine did not show a significant difference in motor ability and therefore did not experience neuroprotection.
Analysis Of The Response Of A Bromeliad, Vriesea Gigantea, Subjected To Drought, Taylor Epley
Analysis Of The Response Of A Bromeliad, Vriesea Gigantea, Subjected To Drought, Taylor Epley
Honors Theses
Drought can quickly alter physiological processes in plants not adapted to such conditions. Epiphytic plants, however, have been noted to have some tolerance to drought, which is evident in their water-holding tanks. Several physiological components were measured to determine if Vriesea gigantea, an epiphytic bromeliad, has drought tolerance. Water content, maximum quantum yield, protein concentration, and protein content were measured and compared between three control plants and three experimental plants, which were subjected to two weeks of no water. Water content showed a significant difference, indicating that the plants were being stressed compared to the control plants. The average maximum …
Progression Magazine, 2011-2012, Coastal Carolina University
Progression Magazine, 2011-2012, Coastal Carolina University
Progression Magazine
Magazine of the College of Science at Coastal Carolina University.
Co-Crystallization And Polymorphism Of Naturally Occurring Peptide Derivatives, Kevin Crowley
Co-Crystallization And Polymorphism Of Naturally Occurring Peptide Derivatives, Kevin Crowley
Bridges: A Journal of Student Research
Carnosine is a dipeptide compound that is found in many dietary supplements and food products. Carnosine has many functions in the body, such as alleviating oxidative stress on tissues by acting as an antioxidant compound. Carnosine, therefore, has important anti-aging properties. Carnosine is also capable of forming protective sequestration structures around heavy metal ions; this process of chelating metals ions in solutions is very beneficial for maintaining the well-being of cells in the body. Thus, carnosine could be useful in pharmaceutical products for creating anti-aging drugs that would reduce tissue stress and promote a healthy cellular environment. I attempted to …
The Involvement Of 26s Proteasome Complex In Selenium Toxicity, Melissa Sabbagh
The Involvement Of 26s Proteasome Complex In Selenium Toxicity, Melissa Sabbagh
Honors Theses
Plants that hyperaccumulate elements like selenium to potentially toxic levels may use proteasome complexes to reduce toxicity. The 26S proteasome complex may be a pathway that these plants take to rid themselves of selenium toxicity by destroying damaged proteins caused by selenium. A method to test this hypothesis is to use a hyperaccumulator of selenium Stanleya pinnata and nonhyperaccumulators Populous tremula and Arabdopsis thaliana to evaluate their proteasome abundance without and with selenium. To compare these species western blots were made to show the differences in proteasome abundance. Also to compare the amount of oxidized and an ubiquinated protein in …
Selectivity Of Prey Capture Based On Prey Size In The Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea Muscipula Ellis), Jessica Humenik
Selectivity Of Prey Capture Based On Prey Size In The Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea Muscipula Ellis), Jessica Humenik
Honors Theses
Venus fly traps (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) are carnivorous plants that live in nutrient poor soils and must digest insects to supplement their diets. When a Venus fly trap captures an insect, the plant's traps do not fully close for several minutes, which may allow small prey to escape. It would be beneficial for the plant to consume a large, nutrient-rich prey item as opposed to a small prey item. We tested the hypothesis that Venus fly traps select larger prey by offering plants small and large crickets. A Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to test significance …
Co-Crystallization And Polymorphism Of Naturally Occurring Peptide Derivatives, Kevin Crowley
Co-Crystallization And Polymorphism Of Naturally Occurring Peptide Derivatives, Kevin Crowley
Honors Theses
Carnosine is a dipeptide compound that is found in many dietary supplements and food products. Carnosine has many functions in the body, such as alleviating oxidative stress on tissues by acting as an antioxidant compound. Carnosine, therefore, has important anti-aging properties. Carnosine is also capable of forming protective sequestration structures around heavy metal ions; this process of chelating metals ions in solutions is very beneficial for maintaining the well-being of cells in the body. Thus, carnosine could be useful in pharmaceutical products for creating anti-aging drugs that would reduce tissue stress and promote a healthy cellular environment. I attempted to …
Lesson Not Learned: Deepwater Horizon Research And Media Coverage Exposes Gaps In Knowledge And Risky Protocol Within The Oil Industry, Lauren Haller
Lesson Not Learned: Deepwater Horizon Research And Media Coverage Exposes Gaps In Knowledge And Risky Protocol Within The Oil Industry, Lauren Haller
Honors Theses
An insatiable thirst for oil has led poorly coordinated, risk-prone megasystems deeper into the ocean in search of new oil reserves. Profit-driven agendas at the corporate level have a top-down effect within these megasystems. Cost-cutting and risk-downplaying leaves the field employees unprepared to handle emergencies. A series of costly mistakes led to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which caused extensive damage to an already fragile ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico. The wealth and political influence of the oil industry overpowers lax regulatory agencies and legislation-even though media and research has exposed frustrating parallels between the Deepwater Horizon …
Recovery Of The Long-Spine Sea Urchin, Diadema Antillarum, In Discovery Bay, Jamaica, 27 Years After Its Mass Mortality, Jessica Keller
Recovery Of The Long-Spine Sea Urchin, Diadema Antillarum, In Discovery Bay, Jamaica, 27 Years After Its Mass Mortality, Jessica Keller
Honors Theses
The long-spined sea urchin, Diadema antillarum, is a well-studied keystone herbivore on Caribbean coral reefs. The sea urchin controls benthic algae populations by grazing on macroalgae. Destruction caused by Hurricane Allen in 1980, along with the mass mortality of this urchin in 1983, greatly impacted Caribbean reef systems. In Discovery Bay, Jamaica, Diadema densities have been heavily studied over the years, allowing a review of their recovery and a prediction of their future. In Discovery Bay, densities were recorded to be up to 9.3 and 13.9 ± 2.8 m-2 at 5 m depth on the forereef before the mass mortality. …
Mitochondrial Dna Inheritance In Bivalves: A Comparative Study Involving The Unique System Of Doubly Uniparental Inheritance, Sarah Heishman
Mitochondrial Dna Inheritance In Bivalves: A Comparative Study Involving The Unique System Of Doubly Uniparental Inheritance, Sarah Heishman
Honors Theses
A comparative study of Doubly Uniparental Inheritance (DUI) in the bivalve mollusks Mytilus edulis and Geukensia demissa has yielded unanticipated results. Around the world, it has been reported that members of the taxonomic family Mytilidae (along with the families of Unionidae and Veneridae) consistently exhibit DUI. However, the hard-to-place Geukensia demissa, which is a member of this family, has had varying reports of its DUI status. Most reports involving G. demissa vary with the location in which it is being studied, which prompts more questions than it answers. Due to many months of unsuccessful DNA purification attempts, sequencing and an …
The Effect Of Xylitol On The Growth Of Three Normal Oral Commensal Or Probiotic Bacteria, Laura Walters
The Effect Of Xylitol On The Growth Of Three Normal Oral Commensal Or Probiotic Bacteria, Laura Walters
Honors Theses
Xylitol is a pentitol often used as a sweetener in products such as chewing gum. It is recommended to prevent dental caries because of its inhibitory effect on the most common etiological agent of caries, Streptococcus mutans. Xylitol inhibits the growth of S. mutans by inhibiting its glycolysis, causing a futile cycle. It also inhibits the adhesion of S. mutans by reducing the expression of the gene gtfB, which causes the secretion of sticky substances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of xylitol on normal oral bacteria, particularly commensal and probiotic strains. The strains tested were …
Microbial Stoichiometry And Homeostasis Of Nutrient Ratios In Fungi, Desiree Leach
Microbial Stoichiometry And Homeostasis Of Nutrient Ratios In Fungi, Desiree Leach
Honors Theses
Stoichiometry is the ratio of elements in a substance or microbial biomass. This paper investigates microbial stoichiometry and the responses of microbes to dissolved nutrient concentrations and ratios. The current work assesses both autrotrophic and heterotrophic responses to nutrient enrichment: autotrophic and heterotrophic states are defined mainly by ecosystem primary production and respiration. In ecosystems dominated by autotrophic microbes, nutrient enrichment can lead to increased biomass and biomass-specific rates of primary production. Heterotrophic ecosystems rely on subsides of organic carbon from outside the system. Their enrichment with N and/or P can accelerate microbial respiration rates and result in carbon losses …
Growth Rate Of Mugil Cephalus From Two Isolated Ponds In Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina, Matthew Vincent
Growth Rate Of Mugil Cephalus From Two Isolated Ponds In Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina, Matthew Vincent
Honors Theses
Measurement of growth of the euryhaline teleost Mugil cephalus is quite common in open ocean settings, but growth rates of M. cephalus in isolated areas is non-existent. Two isolated ponds in Huntington Beach State, Horry County, South Carolina were selected to study the growth rate of M. cephalus; Sandpiper Pond with virtual no hydrologic connection to the ocean and Jetty Pond with adequate hydrologic connection to the ocean were the sites of sample collection. Scales from M. cephalus in both ponds were collected then aged by two readers, where agreeing ages were kept in the dataset. A von Bertalanffy growth …
Identification Of Potentially Pathogenic Yeast Species In Seagull Guano By Molecular Techniques, Tobias L. Banks
Identification Of Potentially Pathogenic Yeast Species In Seagull Guano By Molecular Techniques, Tobias L. Banks
Honors Theses
Although studies have been performed identifying bacteria present in seagull guano, limited studies have been done with fungi, leaving a significant gap in our knowledge of a potentially significant reservoir of human disease. If pathogenic fungi are being deposited by seagulls in their feces then it is possible that the Department of Health might elect to monitor sand, as well as water, for a broad spectrum of disease-causing microbes. Currently only water is tested for the presence of coliform bacteria. It is hypothesized that there are pathogenic yeast-like fungi present in the guano of seagulls, that these fungi are deposited …
Contribution Of Candida Albicans To The Synthesis Of The Volatile Organic Compound Ethanol In Putrefied Bodies, Chelsey Mozingo
Contribution Of Candida Albicans To The Synthesis Of The Volatile Organic Compound Ethanol In Putrefied Bodies, Chelsey Mozingo
Honors Theses
This experiment sought to determine if Candida albicans contributed to the production of the volatile organic compound ethanol in decomposing beef livers. The results this experiment proved to be inconclusive. This experiment showed no correlation between the amount the presence of Candida albicans and the production of the volatile organic compound ethanol based on the standard addition method. This may be indicative that VOC analysis is not an appropriate method for determining time of death based on a quantitative analysis of volatile organic compounds. However, the experimental design most likely needs be altered to accommodate a more accurate method of …
The Ecological Boundaries Of Six Carolina Bays: Community Composition And Ecotone Distribution, Lorrie Laliberte, James O. Luken, John J. Hutchens Jr., Kevin S. Godwin
The Ecological Boundaries Of Six Carolina Bays: Community Composition And Ecotone Distribution, Lorrie Laliberte, James O. Luken, John J. Hutchens Jr., Kevin S. Godwin
Biology
Community and environmental gradients within the ecological boundaries of Carolina bay wetlands may provide important information on the interaction between Carolina bays and associated uplands, and may also provide guidance for improved management. We established twelve 30-m transects on the sloping rims of each of six Carolina bays in northeastern South Carolina to characterize the community gradient, as well as important environmental factors producing this gradient. Mid-points of the transects were placed on jurisdictional wetland boundaries. Hydrology, soil properties, and plant species composition were measured within these transects. On average, transects included an elevation change of 0.6 m that corresponded …
Performance Of Dionaea Muscipula As Influenced By Developing Vegetation, James O. Luken
Performance Of Dionaea Muscipula As Influenced By Developing Vegetation, James O. Luken
Biology
Demography, growth, and flowering of Dionaea muscipula (Venus' fly trap) were studied during three years (2003–2005) following prescribed fire. Data were collected in permanent quadrats where the developing vegetation was either repeatedly clipped or allowed to grow. Clipping increased light availability at the soil surface. Over the study period, seedling establishment and flowering declined with increasing time since the last prescribed burn. Seedling densities did not differ between clipped and control quadrats, although greater numbers of seedlings grew to adult size in control quadrats and this significantly influenced population size-class structure. Clipping had no effect on leaf number or senescence, …