Life Sciences Commons^™

Uncovering Adaptive Versus Acclimatized Alterations In Standard Metabolic Rate In Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus Nebulosus), Tood A. Leadley, Anne Mcleod, Timothy B. Johnson, Daniel D. Heath, Ken G. Drouillard

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

Standard metabolic rates (SMR) were measured in Brown Bullheads collected from two locations of the Detroit River, North America, representative of highly contaminated and uncontaminated areas. Measurements of SMR were completed within 10 d of fish collections (acute trials), for fish held in a common pond environment for 1 year (clearance trials) and for F1 generation fish raised in the pond environment (F1 study). SMRs were significantly higher (26%) in fish from the contaminated area during acute trials. Both populations showed large decreases in SMR (49 to 52 %) following clearance, however, differences between populations were still evident. There were …

Α-Tocopherol Is Well Designed To Protect Polyunsaturated Phospholipids: Md Simulations, Xiaoling Leng, Jacob J. Kinnun, Drew Marquardt, Mikel Ghefli, Norbert Kučerka, John Katsaras, Jeffrey Atkinson, Thad A. Harroun, Scott E. Feller, Stephen R. Wassall

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

The presumptive function for alpha-tocopherol (αtoc) in membranes is to protect polyunsaturated lipids against oxidation. Although the chemistry of the process is well established, the role played by molecular structure that we address here with atomistic molecular-dynamics simulations remains controversial. The simulations were run in the constant particle NPT ensemble on hydrated lipid bilayers composed of SDPC (1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoylphosphatidylcholine, 18:0-22:6PC) and SOPC (1-stearoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine, 18:0-18:1PC) in the presence of 20 mol % αtoc at 37°C. SDPC with SA (stearic acid) for the sn-1 chain and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) for the sn-2 chain is representative of polyunsaturated phospholipids, while SOPC with OA (oleic …

Construct Validity Of Social Impact Scales For Sport Events, Marijke Taks, Littlejohn Meagan, Laura Wiood, Ryan Snelgrove

Human Kinetics Publications

This study tests the construct validity of two different social impact scales by comparing the perceived social impact of a non-mega sport event for the same group of respondents. To date, several theories have underpinned the development of various social impact scales, and there is a need for more robust and unified measurement tools. Data were collected from 626 residents in the context of the 2014 Ontario Summer Games (OSG). Event attendees (29%) and non-event attendees (71%) completed a questionnaire (electronically or on paper) which included 17 social impact items, reflecting two previously developed social impact scales (SIS-A consisting of …

Multi-Functionality And Occupations Of Sport And Physical Activity Professionals In Spain, Antonio Campos-Izquierdo, María Dolores González-Rivera, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

Increased attention to the multiple benefits attributed to sport and physical activity in recent years, has boosted the sport industry and related employment opportunities. Sport and physical activity (SPA) professionals are central in delivering the core services in this sector. This paper analyses the key functions of Spanish SPA professionals in order to reveal the range of opportunities and to strengthen their position in a tapering labour market in Spain.

Face-to-face interviews based on a standardized questionnaire were conducted with 2500 SPA professionals, who were active in 1797 sports facilities across the country. Functions and multi-functionality were analyzed based on …

The Power Of Physiology In Changing Landscapes: Considerations For The Continued Integration Of Conservation And Physiology, Christine L. Madliger, Oliver P. Love

Integrative Biology Publications

The growing field of conservation physiology applies a diversity of physiological traits (e.g., immunological, metabolic, endocrine, and nutritional traits) to understand and predict organismal, population, and ecosystem responses to environmental change and stressors. Although the discipline of conservation physiology is gaining momentum, there is still a pressing need to better translate knowledge from physiology into real-world tools. The goal of this symposium, "Physiology in Changing Landscapes: An Integrative Perspective for Conservation Biology", was to highlight that many current investigations in ecological, evolutionary, and comparative physiology are necessary for understanding the applicability of physiological measures for conservation goals, particularly in the …

A Comparison Of The Bioaccumulation Potential Of Mercury And Polychlorinated Biphenyls In Goldfish (Carassius Auratus), Jiajia Li, Ken G. Drouillard, Brian Braunfireun, Douglass G. Haffner

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

Both mercury (Hg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) demonstrate food web biomagnification in aquatic ecosystems, yet their toxicokinetics have not been simultaneously contrasted within a common fish species. This study quantifies uptake and elimination rates of Hg and PCBs in goldfish. Fish were exposed to contaminated food containing PCBs and Hg to determine dietary chemical assimilation efficiencies (AEs) and elimination coefficients (k_tot). To test first-order kinetics, three exposure regimes were established by varying the proportion of contaminated fish incorporated into the food. Dietary AEs were 98 ± 10, 75 ± 12, and 40 ± 9% for MeHg, THg, and …

Neutron Scattering At The Intersection Of Heart Health Science And Biophysics, Drew Marquardt, Richard J. Alsop, Maikel C. Rheinstädter, Thad A. Harroun

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

There is an urgent quest for improved heart health. Here, we review how neutron radiation can provide insight into the molecular basis of heart health. Lower cholesterol, a daily intake of aspirin and supplemental vitamin E are argued to all improve heart health. However, the mechanisms behind these common regimens, and others, are not entirely understood. It is not clear why a daily intake of aspirin can help some people with heart disease, and the benefits of vitamin E in the treatment of reperfusion injury have been heavily debated. The molecular impact of cholesterol in the body is still a …

Asymmetric Lipid Membranes: Towards More Realistic Model Systems, Drew Marquardt, Barbara Geier, Georg Pabst

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

Despite the ubiquity of transbilayer asymmetry in natural cell membranes, the vast majority of existing research has utilized chemically well-defined symmetric liposomes, where the inner and outer bilayer leaflets have the same composition. Here, we review various aspects of asymmetry in nature and in model systems in anticipation for the next phase of model membrane studies.

Close Proximity Detection Interference With Acoustic Telemetry: The Importance Of Considering Tag Power Output In Low Ambient Noise Environments, Steven Thomas Kessel, Nigel Edward Hussey, Dale Mitchell Webber, Samuel Harvey Gruber, Joy Michelle Young, Malcolm John Smale, Aaron T. Fisk

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

When employing acoustic telemetry to study aquatic species, understanding the functional dynamics of the monitoring system is essential for effective study design, data interpretation, and analysis. Typically, researchers are concerned with maximum effective detection range and consequently tend to employ the largest most powerful tags the study species can carry without considerable energetic burden. In ideal acoustic conditions of low ambient noise environments, low attenuation, and reflective structure, higher powered tags can be detected at larger distances from the receiver, but they can also be subject to the phenomenon ‘Close Proximity Detection Interference’ (CPDI). This occurs when reflective barriers, such …

Rats Anticipate Damaged Rungs On The Elevated Ladder: Applications For Rodent Models Of Parkinson's Disease, Daniel Lopatin, Nicole Caputo, Chelsey Damphousse, Siyaram Pandey, Jerome Cohen

Psychology Publications

The present study examined rats' ability to anticipate undetectable wider gaps between rungs produced when they stepped on and dislodged damaged rungs while they traversed a slightly inclined elevated ladder. Rats in the first of three experiments reduced running speeds when they encountered four evenly spaced damaged rungs either always placed on the first or second half of the ladder (the break-a-way (BW) phase) but quickly recovered to their baseline (BL) levels when damaged rungs where replaced with intact rungs (the recovery phase). Rats previously exposed to damaged rungs over the first half of the ladder increased their speeds above …

Chemical Cues And Pheromones In The Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus), Tyler J. Buchinger, Michael J. Siefkes, Barbara S. Zielinski, Cory O. Brant, Weiming Li

Biological Sciences Publications

Chemical cues and pheromones guide decisions in organisms throughout the animal kingdom. The neurobiology, function, and evolution of olfaction are particularly well described in insects, and resulting concepts have driven novel approaches to pest control. However, aside from several exceptions, the olfactory biology of vertebrates remains poorly understood. One exception is the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which relies heavily upon olfaction during reproduction. Here, we provide a broad review of the chemical cues and pheromones used by the sea lamprey during reproduction, including overviews of the sea lamprey olfactory system, chemical cues and pheromones, and potential applications to population management. …

Close Proximity Detection Interference With Acoustic Telemetry: The Importance Of Considering Tag Power Output In Low Ambient Noise Environments, S. T. Kessel, N. E. Hussey, D. M. Webber, S. H. Gruber, J. M. Young, M. J. Smale, A. T. Fisk

Biological Sciences Publications

No abstract provided.

Divergence Thresholds And Divergent Biodiversity Estimates: Can Metabarcoding Reliably Describe Zooplankton Communities?, Emily A. Brown, Frederic J.J. Chain, Teresa J. Crease, Hugh J. Macisaac, Melania E. Cristescu

Biological Sciences Publications

DNA metabarcoding is a promising method for describing communities and estimating biodiversity. This approach uses high-throughput sequencing of targeted markers to identify species in a complex sample. By convention, sequences are clustered at a predefined sequence divergence threshold (often 3%) into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that serve as a proxy for species. However, variable levels of interspecific marker variation across taxonomic groups make clustering sequences from a phylogenetically diverse dataset into OTUs at a uniform threshold problematic. In this study, we use mock zooplankton communities to evaluate the accuracy of species richness estimates when following conventional protocols to cluster hypervariable …

Exploring Seascape Genetics And Kinship In The Reef Sponge Stylissa Carteri In The Red Sea, E. C. Giles, P. Saenz-Agudelo, N. E. Hussey, T. Ravasi, M. L. Berumen

Biological Sciences Publications

No abstract provided.

Mid-Winter Temperatures, Not Spring Temperatures, Predict Breeding Phenology In The European Starling Sturnus Vulgaris, Tony D. Williams, Sophie Bourgeon, Allison Cornell, Laramie Ferguson, Melinda Fowler, Raime B. Fronstin, Oliver P. Love

Biological Sciences Publications

In many species, empirical data suggest that temperatures less than 1 month before breeding strongly influence laying date, consistent with predictions that short lag times between cue and response are more reliable, decreasing the chance of mismatch with prey. Here we show in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) that mid-winter temperature ca 50–90 days before laying (8 January–22 February) strongly (r2 = 0.89) predicts annual variation in laying date. Mid-winter temperature also correlated highly with relative clutch size: birds laid later, but laid larger clutches, in years when mid-winter temperatures were lower. Despite a high degree of breeding synchrony (mean laying …

Rating Impacts In A Multi-Stressor World: A Quantitative Assessment Of 50 Stressors Affecting The Great Lakes, Sigrid D.P. Smith, P. B. Mcintyre, Benjamin S. Halpern, Roger M. Cooke, Adrienne L. Marino, Gregory L. Boyer, Andy Buchsbaum, G. A. Burton, Linda M. Campbell, Jan Ciborowski, Jan J. H., Patrick J. Doran, Dana M. Infante, Lucinda B. Johnson, Jennifer G. Read, Joan B. Rose, Edward S. Rutherford, Alan D. Steinman, Allan J. David

Biological Sciences Publications

No abstract provided.

Toward Accurate Molecular Identification Of Species In Complex Environmental Samples: Testing The Performance Of Sequence Filtering And Clustering Methods, Jullien M. Flynn, Emily A. Brown, Frederic J.J. Chain, Hugh J. Macisaac, Melania E. Cristescu

Biological Sciences Publications

Metabarcoding has the potential to become a rapid, sensitive, and effective approach for identifying species in complex environmental samples. Accurate molecular identification of species depends on the ability to generate operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that correspond to biological species. Due to the sometimes enormous estimates of biodiversity using this method, there is a great need to test the efficacy of data analysis methods used to derive OTUs. Here, we evaluate the performance of various methods for clustering length variable 18S amplicons from complex samples into OTUs using a mock community and a natural community of zooplankton species. We compare analytic …

Unreliable Quantitation Of Species Abundance Based On High-Throughput Sequencing Data Of Zooplankton Communities, Changsen Sun, Yan Zhao, Li, Haitao Li, Haitao, Yanhong Dong, Hugh J. Macisaac, Aibin Zhan

Biological Sciences Publications

No abstract provided.

Pcb Food Web Dynamics Quantify Nutrient And Energy Flow In Aquatic Ecosystems, Anne M. Mcleod, Gord Paterson, Ken G. Drouillard, Douglas G. Haffner

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

Measuring in situ nutrient and energy flows in spatially and temporally complex aquatic ecosystems represents a major ecological challenge. Food web structure, energy and nutrient budgets are difficult to measure, and it is becoming more important to quantify both energy and nutrient flow to determine how food web processes and structure are being modified by multiple stressors. We propose that polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners represent an ideal tracer to quantify in situ energy and nutrient flow between trophic levels. Here, we demonstrate how an understanding of PCB congener bioaccumulation dynamics provides multiple direct measurements of energy and nutrient flow in …

Substrate-Assisted And Enzymatic Pretransfer Editing Of Nonstandard Amino Acids By Methionyl-Trna Synthetase, Grant B. Fortowsky, Daniel J. Simard, Mohamed M. Aboelnga, James W. Gauld

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are cen- tral to a number of physiological processes, including protein biosynthesis. In particular, they activate and then transfer their corresponding amino acid to the cognate tRNA. This is achieved with a generally remarkably high fidelity by editing against incorrect standard and nonstandard amino acids. Using docking, molecular dynamics (MD), and hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics methods, we have inves- tigated mechanisms by which methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) may edit against the highly toxic, noncognate, amino acids homocysteine (Hcy) and its oxygen analogue, homo- serine (Hse). Substrate-assisted editing of Hcy-AMP in which its own phosphate acts as the mechanistic …

Aspirin Inhibits Formation Of Cholesterol Rafts In Fluid Lipid Membranes, Richard J. Alsop, Laura Toppozini, Drew Marquardt, Norbert Kučerka, Thad A. Harroun, Maikel C. Rheinstädter

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a high affinity for phospholipid membranes, altering their structure and biophysical properties. Aspirin has been shown to partition into the lipid head groups, thereby increasing membrane fluidity. Cholesterol is another well known mediator of membrane fluidity, in turn increasing membrane stiffness. As well, cholesterol is believed to distribute unevenly within lipid membranes leading to the formation of lipid rafts or plaques. In many studies, aspirin has increased positive outcomes for patients with high cholesterol. We are interested if these effects may be, at least partially, the result of a non-specific interaction between aspirin …

Hierarchical Analysis Of Genetic Structure In The Habitat-Specialist Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta Pellucida), Robert Ginson, Ryan P. Walter, Nicholas E. Mandrak, Courtney L. Beneteau, Daniel D. Heath

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

Quantifying spatial genetic structure can reveal the relative influences of contemporary and historic factors underlying localized and regional patterns of genetic diversity and gene flow - important considerations for the development of effective conservation efforts. Using 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci, we characterize genetic variation among populations across the range of the Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), a small riverine percid that is highly dependent on sandy substrate microhabitats. We tested for fine scale, regional, and historic patterns of genetic structure. As expected, significant differentiation was detected among rivers within drainages and among drainages. At finer scales, an unexpected lack of …

Benefits Of Turbid River Plume Habitat For Lake Erie Yellow Perch (Perca Flavescens) Recruitment Determined By Juvenile To Larval Genotype Assignment, Lucia B. Carreon-Martinez, Ryan P. Walter, Timothy B. Johnson, Stuart A. Ludsin, Daniel D. Heath

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

Nutrient-rich, turbid river plumes that are common to large lakes and coastal marine ecosystems have been hypothesized to benefit survival of fish during early life stages by increasing food availability and (or) reducing vulnerability to visual predators. However, evidence that river plumes truly benefit the recruitment process remains meager for both freshwater and marine fishes. Here, we use genotype assignment between juvenile and larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from western Lake Erie to estimate and compare recruitment to the age-0 juvenile stage for larvae residing inside the highly turbid, south-shore Maumee River plume versus those occupying the less turbid, more …

Particle Backtracking Improves Breeding Subpopulation Discrimination And Natal-Source Identification In Mixed Populations, Michael E. Fraker, Eric J. Anderson, Reed M. Brodnik, Lucia Carreon-Martinez, Kristen M. Devanna, Brian J. Fryer, Daniel D. Heath, Julie M. Reichert, Stuart A. Ludsin

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

We provide a novel method to improve the use of natural tagging approaches for subpopulation discrimination and source-origin identification in aquatic and terrestrial animals with a passive dispersive phase. Our method integrates observed site-referenced biological information on individuals in mixed populations with a particle-tracking model to retrace likely dispersal histories prior to capture (i.e., particle backtracking). To illustrate and test our approach, we focus on western Lake Erie's yellow perch (Perca flavescens) population during 2006-2007, using microsatellite DNA and otolith microchemistry from larvae and juveniles as natural tags. Particle backtracking showed that not all larvae collected near a presumed hatching …

Effect Of Cod: So42- Ratio, Hrt And Linoleic Acid Concentration On Mesophilic Sulfate Reduction: Reactor Performance And Microbial Population Dynamics, Chungman Moon, Rajesh Singh, Sathyanarayan S. Veeravalli, Saravanan R. Shanmugam, Subba Rao Chaganti, Jerald A. Lalman, Daniel D. Heath

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

Biological sulfate (SO42-) reduction was examined in anaerobic sequential batch reactors (ASBRs) operated under different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) ranging from 12 to 36 h and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)/SO42- ratios of 2.4, 1.6 and 0.8. Competition between SO42- reducing bacteria (SRBs), methane producing archaea (MPAs) and homoacetogens (HACs) was examined in controls and cultures treated with linoleic acid (LA). The ASBR performance was influenced by the COD/SO42- ratio in control cultures with a SO42- reduction of 87% at a COD/SO42- ratio of 0.8. At a 12 h HRT, in both control and LA treated cultures, greater than 75% SO42- …

The Effects Of Inbreeding On Sperm Quality Traits In Captive-Bred Lake Trout, Salvelinus Namaycush (Walbaum, 1972), K. Johnson, Ian A.E. Butts, J. L. Smith, C. C. Wilson, Trevor E. Pitcher

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

The effects of inbreeding in both captive and wild-caught species and populations have been reported to affect a wide variety of life history traits. Recently, the effects of inbreeding on reproductive traits such as sperm quality have become a subject of particular interest for conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, and management of captive populations. This study investigated the effects of inbreeding on sperm quality in a captive population of experimentally inbred and outbred lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush. It was found for moderately to highly inbred males (males with half-sib and full-sib parents, respectively), that sperm quality traits (velocity, motility, linearity, longevity, …

Impacts And Strategic Outcomes From Non-Mega Sport Events For Local Communities, Marijke Taks, Laurence Chalip, B. Christine Green

Human Kinetics Publications

The staging of sport events directly impacts the quality of life of people living in the host communities. Sport events are temporal and can trigger a variety of short- or long-term, positive or negative impacts, which lead to positive or negative outcomes, and if sustained, these outcomes have been called ‘legacies.’ Impacts may result from strategic planning, but more often than not there is scant strategic planning for event outcomes, so impacts are typically haphazard and unplanned (albeit hoped for). Strategic planning for event outcomes (aka: leveraging) differs from mere legacy planning because it focuses attention on the means to …

A Theoretical Comparison Of The Economic Impact Of Large And Small Events, Nola Agha, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

In response to the increasing debate on the relative worth of small events compared to large events, we create a theoretical model to determine whether smaller events are more likely to create positive economic impact. First, event size and city size are redefined as continuums of resources. The concepts of event resource demand (ERD) and city resource supply (CRS) are introduced, allowing for a joint analysis of supply and demand. When local economic conditions are brought into the analysis, the framework determines how a city resource deficiency or surplus affects the economic impact of an event. This resource-based approach assists …

Mid-Winter Temperatures, Not Spring Temperatures, Predict Breeding Phenology In The European Starling Sturnus Vulgaris, Tony D. Williams, Sophie Bourgeon, Allison Cornell, Laramie Ferguson, Melinda Fowler, Raime B. Fronstin, Oliver P. Love

Integrative Biology Publications

In many species, empirical data suggest that temperatures less than 1 month before breeding strongly influence laying date, consistent with predictions that short lag times between cue and response are more reliable, decreasing the chance of mismatch with prey. Here we show in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) that mid-winter temperature ca 50–90 days before laying (8 January–22 February) strongly (r2 =0.89) predicts annual variation in laying date. Mid-winter temperature also correlated highly with relative clutch size: birds laid later, but laid larger clutches, in years when mid-winter temperatures were lower. Despite a high degree of breeding synchrony (mean laying date …