Life Sciences Commons^™

Community Ecology Of Bats In Southern Lower Michigan, With Emphasis On Roost Selection By Myotis, Lisa Winhold

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

I studied the roosting niche of three sympatric species of Myotis (little brown bat, M. lucifugus; northern bat, M. septentrionalis; and Indiana bat, M. sodalis) and examined changes in composition of the entire bat community in southern Lower Michigan over long periods. Little brown bats roosted in buildings, whereas northern and Indiana bats used trees. Northern and Indiana bats differed primarily in species of tree used, whether the tree was living or dead, and use of cavities or loose bark. There were no differences among species in composition of landscapes surrounding roosts. I also netted bats during 2004–2006 and compared …

Comparison Of Quality Of Life In Diabetics Using Insulin Injection Therapy Versus Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy, Katie Michele Reynolds

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of insulin delivered via multiple injections or by infusion via a pump on the quality of life in adult insulin-dependent diabetics. Four parameters, namely hemoglobin A1C (3 month average blood sugar levels), self-reported healthy eating habits demonstrated by consumption of 3 meals/3 snacks everyday, frequency of exercise of daily 30 min or longer duration and opinion of quality of life, were evaluated in patients receiving either insulin injections or infusion.

Pump users reported enhanced eating and exercise behaviors and feeling in good health, compared with patients receiving injections. In contrast, …

Preference And Performance Of The Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis Baptisiae) On Its Native Host Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia Tinctoria) And On The Introduced Plant Crown Vetch (Securigera Varia), Susan D. Mcmahon

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly (Erynnis baptisiae) shifted from its native host plant Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) to the introduced plant Crown Vetch (Securigera varia). This study examined the effects of this host shift by comparing butterfly preference (larval feeding and female oviposition) and performance (pupal weight and pupation success) of two distinct butterfly populations, on both native and introduced plants. Caterpillars reared on the native plant had significantly greater pupal weight regardless of the population origin. Larval feeding preference was significantly affected by the plant fed upon; larvae from both populations strongly …

The Relative Retrotransposition Efficiencies Of Human And Mouse Short Interspersed Dna Elements (Sines) In A Hela Cell Culture Assay, Joseph Adam Katakowski

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Short interspersed DNA elements (SINEs) and long interspersed DNA elements (LINEs) represent two families of transposable elements (TEs) within mammalian genomes. About 45% of the human genome consists of TE derived sequences. SINEs do not encode protein, so they cannot be autonomously propagated and require additional cellular machinery, most likely LINE proteins (ORF1p and ORF2p), for their mobilization, which has been supported by a cell culture-based retrotransposition assay. SINEs are ancestrally derived from either the 7SL RNA gene or from various tRNA genes. Sequence data support the co-evolution of some tRNA-derived SINEs with LINEs. This study involved testing whether or …

The Association Of Whole Grain Ontakes With The Metabolic Syndrome: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study Of Aging (Blsa), Janice Eileen Maras

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Whole grains and their nutrient components have an important protective effect on the metabolic syndrome. Studies are needed to examine their bioactive components in relation to diet and the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Our objective was to examine the associations between dietary intakes of whole grains and the metabolic syndrome.

Design: The study subjects were 1516 healthy men and women participating in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Dietary information was collected with 7-day food records, and estimates of whole grain intake were obtained from a newly developed database.

Results: A total of 17% (n = 251) of subjects met …

Dynamics Of Cicrobial Communities Associated With Typha Angustifolia (Cattail) Litter In A Wetland Ecosystem: Effects Of Litter Manipulations On Microbial Decay Processes, Andrew John Foley

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Quantification of microbial processes involved in plant decomposition is important in understanding energy flow and nutrient recycling in wetlands. Prior studies examining emergent plant decomposition have often used litter that had been prematurely harvested (senescent) and/or manipulated (oven-dried). I examined the effects of litter manipulations on microbial decay dynamics associated with litter of the emergent macrophyte Typha angustifolia. Plant litter was harvested after senescence and after a period of standing-dead decay. This collected litter was either air-dried or oven-dried, placed into fine mesh (1 mm) litterbags, and submerged in the wetland. Litterbags were retrieved periodically and analyzed for microbial biomass, …

A Putative Approach For Influencing Stomatal Density By Over-Expressing Nadp-Dependent Malic Enzyme In Arabidopsis, Michael M. Gabor

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Stomata are leaf structures critical for plant survival because they modulate the rate of transpiration. This study will examine a possible mode for regulating stomatal density by over-expressing NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME), which is thought to deplete the counter-anion pool in Arabidopsis thaliana guard cells. It was hypothesized that over-expressing NADP-ME in Arabidopsis will elevate stomatal density. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to determine if any differences exist in numbers of stomatal complexes among transgenic lines and wild-type Arabidopsis. The results indicated a significant increase in stomatal numbers among some transgenic plant lines relative to the wild-type. Second, a series …

Student Perceptions Of The Shift From Soft Drink Vending Machines To Milk Vending Machines In Schools, Jillian B. Trapini

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Soft drink vending machines are available in many schools across the nation. Some schools have recently removed soft drink vending machines and replaced them with milk vending machines. The purpose of this study was to investigate high school students’ (n = 84) perceptions of the shift from soft drink vending machines to milk vending machines in schools.

Students in this survey had an understanding of the importance of drinking milk, and students generally felt that purchasing milk from the lunch line was more convenient than from the vending machine. Students felt that the vending machine might contain warm, out of …

Influence Of Physical Training On Knee Valgus Motion And Physical Performance Abilities Among Adole[S]Cent Female Basketball Players, Shauhen Charles Tahrebandi

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The intent of this study was to determine if high school female basketball players participating in a physical training intervention (including a warm-up and plyometric, jump, flexibility, and strength training) would decrease valgus motion at the knee joint upon impact of a jump landing task. In addition, another aim of the investigation was to determine if the training routine would enhance physical performance factors associated with specific basketball skills (e.g., vertical jump and agility).

Twenty high school female basketball players, (experimental group n = 8, mean = 14.2 yrs; control group n = 12, mean = 14.3 yrs) were recruited …