Life Sciences Commons^™

Growth And Condition Of American Alligators (Alligator Mississippiensis) In An Inland Wetland Of East Texas (Abstract), David T. Saalfeld, Warren C. Conway

Faculty Publications

Since removal from the endangered species list, Alligator mississippi-ensis (American Alligator) populations have recovered to allow regulated harvest throughout most of their range. However, harvest/population management is com- plicated since alligators are long-lived, reach sexual maturity at a minimum size rather than age, and experience differential growth rates depending on geographic location, growing season length, local environmental conditions, habitat, and population density. To date, few data exist on age, sex, growth, and size structure of inland alligator populations. In this study, alligator growth rate and condition were quantified through an intensive mark-recapture study conducted at Angelina-Neches/Dam B Wildlife Management …

Survival Of Longleaf And Loblolly Pines Planted At Two Spacings In An East Texas Bahiagrass Silvopasture, Brian P. Oswald, Kenneth W. Farrish, Micah-John Beierle

Faculty Publications

The practice of combining intensive timber and forage production on the same site, a silvopasture system, offers landowners the potential for diversification of income. The establishment of such a system in a pasture setting offers unique challenges compared with traditional timber or forage systems. In 2003, a silvopasture demonstration was established south of Carthage, Texas, in a pasture dominated by bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum). Four replications of treatments composed of open pasture, longleaf (Pinus palustris) and loblolly (Pinus taeda) pine planted at a traditional spacing, and longleaf and loblolly pine planted at a silvopasture spacing were established. Due to high mortality …

Watershed Forest Management Information System (Wfmis), Yanli Zhang, P. K. Barten

Faculty Publications

Maintenance of a sustainable clean water supply is critical for our future. However, watershed degradation is a common phenomenon around the world that leads to poor water quality. In order to protect water resources, the Watershed Forest Management Information System (WFMIS), was developed as an extension of ArcGIS® and is described in this paper. There are three submodels to address nonpoint source pollution mitigation, road system management, and silvicultural operations, respectively. The Watershed Management Priority Indices (WMPI) is a zoning approach to prioritize critical areas for conservation and restoration management. It meets the critical need to spatially differentiate land cover …

Multitemporal Analysis Using Landsat Thematic Mapper (Tm) Bands For Forest Cover Classification In East Texas, Jason Grogan, I-Kuai Hung, James Kroll

Faculty Publications

Land cover maps have been produced using satellite imagery to monitor forest resources since the launch of Landsat 1. Research has shown that stacking leaf-on and leaf-off imagery (combining two separate images into one image for processing) may improve classification accuracy. It is assumed that the combination of data will aid in differentiation between forest types. In this study we explored potential benefits of using multidate imagery versus single-date imagery for operational forest cover classification as part of an annual remote sensing forest inventory system. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery was used to classify land cover into four classes. Six …

Sexual Selection And Alternative Reproductive Tactics In Cyprinodon Elegans, Jennifer M. Gumm

Faculty Publications

In systems with alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs), males have discrete behaviors and morphologies that allow them to optimize their reproductive success in relation to others in the population. Males with different phenotypes directly compete with one another for mates, providing unique opportunities for studying social interactions within a species. Using the Comanche Springs pupfish, Cyprinodonelegans, a species with three alternative reproductive tactics, I examine how male behaviors and social interactions influence the reproductive success of each tactic.

Previous studies suggest that large territorial males have high reproductive success, while satellite males and female mimics must intrude into territories in order …

2c Dna Content Values In Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae) [Abstract], Donald B. Pratt, Shalini N. Jhangiani, Robert J. Wiggers

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Development And Characterization Of Microsatellite Markers For The Grain Amaranths [Abstract], Melanie A. Mallory, Rozaura V. Hall, Andrea R. Mcnabb, Donald B. Pratt, Eric N. Jellen, Peter J. Maughan

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Pison Menkei, A New Crabronid Wasp In Dominican Amber, Daniel J. Bennett, Michael S. Engel

Faculty Publications

A new crabronid wasp species, Pison menkei sp. n., is described and figured from a single female preserved in Early Miocene (Burdigalian) Dominican amber. The fossil is herein distinguished from extant and extinct congeners and regarded as an isolated species removed from modern Neotropical species groups. It is the seventh named fossil Pison and the second from Dominican amber.

Rapid Detection Of Avian Eimeria Species Using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis, Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, A. Syvyk, I. Teplova, M. E. Hume, A. Nalian

Faculty Publications

A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) assay was developed to rapidly discriminate species of avian Eimeria. Amplification by PCR of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (approximately 1,600 nucleotides) with Eimeria genus-specific primers followed by cloning and sequencing allowed us to carry out phylogenetic analyses and identify clone sequences to species level in most cases. Clones were subsequently used to amplify a smaller fragment (approximately 120 nucleotides) suitable for DGGE. The fragments were separated on denaturing gradient gel and bands with unique migration distances were mixed to obtain an identification ladder. The identification ladder and PCR products obtained from …

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis As A Tool To Determine Batch Similarity Of Probiotic Cultures Of Porcine Cecal Bacteria, Michael Hume, Charles M. Scanlan, Roger B. Harvey, Kathleen Andrews, James D. Snodgrass, Armen Nalian, Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, David Nisbet

Faculty Publications

A continuous-flow porcine cecal bacterial culture has been used experimentally as treatment against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in weanling pigs. Periodically, the cultures must be started from frozen stock. Our results indicate that denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis can be applied as an indirect indication of culture similarity for each new batch generated from frozen stock.

Assessing Osteoporosis Learning Needs And Preferences Of Exercise Physiologists, P D. Sollis, C J. Cisar

Faculty Publications

Research has revealed substantial knowledge deficits regarding osteoporosis among various healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and physical therapists. However, no previous studies have addressed the levels of knowledge regarding osteoporosis among exercise physiologists working in a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation setting. It is essential that exercise physiologists have a thorough understanding of osteoporosis so they can ensure client safety and provide accurate information to the client and support group. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the levels of knowledge about osteoporosis among exercise physiologists working with clients who are at high risk for fragility fractures. Ninety-six exercise physiologists (female …

The N-Terminus Of Apolipoprotein A-V Adopts A Helix-Bundle Molecular Architecture, Kasuen Wong, J. A. Beckstead, D. Lee, P. M.M. Weers, E. Guigard, C. M. Kay, R. O. Ryan

Faculty Publications

Previous studies of recombinant full-length human apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V) provided evidence of the presence of two independently folded structural domains. Computer-assisted sequence analysis and limited proteolysis studies identified an N-terminal fragment as a candidate for one of the domains. C-Terminal truncation variants in this size range, apoA-V(1-146) and apoA-V(1-169), were expressed in Escherichia coli and isolated. Unlike full-length apoA-V or apoA-V(1-169), apoA-V(1-146) was soluble in neutral-pH buffer in the absence of lipid. Sedimentation equilibrium analysis yielded a weight-average molecular weight of 18811, indicating apoA-V(1-146) exists as a monomer in solution. Guanidine HCl denaturation experiments at pH 3.0 yielded a one-step …

The Mental, Emotional, And Bodily Toughness Inventory (Mebtough) [Survey Instrument], Mick G. Mack, Brian G. Ragan

Faculty Publications

The MeBTough is a 43-item, self-report measure of mental toughness. This one-dimensional scale assesses the mental, emotional, and physical (bodily) dimensions of toughness based on the writings of Loehr (1994). Respondents are asked to indicate how often they experience each item on a 4-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (Almost Never) to 4 (Almost Always). Nine of the items are designed to be reverse-scored. Responses to the 43 items are then summed to obtain a total score that can range from 43 to 172. Higher MeBTough scores indicate higher levels of mental toughness.

Evaluating Forest Harvesting To Reduce Its Hydrologic Impact With A Spatial Decision Support System, Yanli Zhang, P. K. Barten, Ramanathan Sugumaran

Faculty Publications

Timber harvesting changes the condition of forest ecosystems, which are a major influence on the characteristics of headwater streams. Such characteristics include the quantity and timing of base flow and storm flow, concentrations of sediment and dissolved nutrients, water temperature, and the stability of the stream channels. This paper explores previous studies dealing with the relationship between timber harvesting and its hydrologic effects, especially long term water yield increase. The watershed disturbance threshold theory is raised and investigated in detail. The development and evaluation of a spatial decision support system, the Harvest Schedule Review System (HSRS), is then described. The …

Effect Of Micronutrient Fortification On Nutritional And Other Properties Of Nixtamal Tortillas, K. E. Burton, Frost M. Steele, Laura K. Jefferies, Oscar A. Pike, Michael L. Dunn

Faculty Publications

Nixtamalization is the process of steeping dried corn in hot water with calcium hydroxide (lime) with subsequent removal of all or most of the pericarp through washing. The resulting product is called nixtamal. Approximately 60% of corn tortillas in Mexico are produced from nixtamal, with the remainder prepared from nixtamalized corn flour. Nixtamal was fortified with micronutrient premix containing iron, zinc, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. Premix composition followed a proposed Mexican regulation for corn flour fortification, adjusted for moisture. Effects of premix on masa adhesiveness, hardness, and pH, as well as tortilla sensory properties, stretchability, rollability, and color …

Factors Influencing The Distribution Of Overwintered Bullfrog Tadpoles (Rana Catesbeiana) In Two Small Ponds, S. E. Hargis, M.-K. Harr, C. J. Henderson, W. J. Kim, Geoffrey R. Smith

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Diet And Sexual Dimorphism Of The Desert Iguana, Dipsosaurus Dorsalis, From Sonora, Mexico, C. J. Dibble, Geoffrey R. Smith, J. A. Lemos-Espinal

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Comparative Diet Of Three Sympatric Sceloporus In The Semiarid Zapotitlan Valley, Mexico, V. Hugo Serrano-Cardozo, J. A. Lemos-Espinal, Geoffrey R. Smith

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.