Life Sciences Commons^™

Mathematical Model Of Paper Discoloration By Ink Particles, Zbigniew W. Slotwinski

Masters Theses

The goal of this experiment is to investigate how changes in the size and number of ink particles will affect the final brightness of the filter pad.

It was assumed that any differences in brightness of the used Millipore filters were due to change in the average particle size, given the same mass of ink solids on each filter. However, such simplified interpretation of image analysis proved to be inadequate to solve this complex problem.

The correlation between the particle area, number of particles, and brightness drop was established using an algorithm based on the particle area and the square …

A Study Of Epixylic Bryophyte Ecology On Fraser Fir Logs In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Erica Choberka

Masters Theses

The Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest is experiencing the chaotic conditions of ecosystem destruction resulting from the balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae (Ratz)) infestation. In the present study, I have examined the community structure of bryophytes on fir logs in the high elevation spruce-fir forest of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) to learn about the responses of bryophytes to the sudden change in forest structure.

This study has four primary objectives: 1) to provide an updated list of the epixylic bryophytes on fir logs in the spruce-fir forest of the GS MNP; 2) to compare results with previous …

The Ontogeny Of Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) Social Behavior: Implications For Sociality And Taxonomic Status, Tarren Kay Wagener

Masters Theses

Patterns of behavioral development in closely related North American Canis have been studied extensively. Developmental trends have been used to assess species-typical social organization and taxonomic relationships i wolves (C. lupus), coyotes (C. latrans) and domestic dogs (C. familiaris). Despite its species designation, the taxonomic status of the closely related red wolf (C. rufus) is fiercely debated and a hybrid origin (C. lupus x C. latrans) has been proposed. The objective of the current study therefore was to analyze growth and behavioral development patterns in the red wolf and perform …

Identification Of Multicultural Nutrition Counseling Competencies For Registered Dietitians, Edna Ellen Elizabeth Harris-Davis

Masters Theses

Objective: Research was conducted to develop a model and identify multicultural nutrition counseling competencies for Registered Dietitians

Design: A mail survey was administered followed by a post card reminder and a follow-up survey to non-respondents. The survey consisted of 46 competency items that subjects rated on a Likert scale of 1 to 7 (1=Unessential to 7 -Essential).

Subjects: A stratified random sample was taken from 1300 members of the American Dietetic Association's Public Health Nutrition Practice Group and directors of the Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) and Dietetic Internship (DI) Programs. A total of 604 subjects were selected and mailed …

The Effects Of Cyclodextrin Mediated Lipid Depletion Of The Chloroplast Outer Envelope On The Import Of The Small Subunit Of Ribulose-1, 5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase, Robert George Mynatt

Masters Theses

Chloroplasts have a genome that encodes a minority of proteins necessary for organelle function. The rest are encoded in the plant cell nucleus, translated in the cytosol, and post-translationally imported into the chloroplast. Nuclear encoded chloroplast precursor proteins are made as a precursor which contains an amino-terminal extension known as the transit peptide. Transit peptides are believed to be necessary and sufficient for proper targeting. Several studies have suggested that the initial chloroplast binding interaction is between the transit peptide and the lipids of the chloroplast outer chloroplast envelope. In this study, cyclodextrins are utilized to examine the role of …

Glucose Mediated Effects On Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Expression, Daryl Arkwright

Masters Theses

Circulating high glucose levels are believed to cause oxidative stress which is implicated in a number of pathological conditions such as cancer, aging, and diabetes. Oxidative stress regulates the expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), the key enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway which provides reducing equivalents in the form of NADPH. These reducing equivalents are also required by fatty acid synthase (FAS), the enzyme which catalyzes fatty acid biosynthesis. We examined whether glucose, a known inducer of oxidative stress, could regulate either G6PDH or FAS activity in primary rat hepatocytes. We tested the effects of glucose alone or in combination …

Mechanism By Which Insulin And Its Mimetics, Selenite And Vanadate, Regulate Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Gene Expression, Sanjay M. Jivarj

Masters Theses

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) is a key enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. It controls the carbon flow through this pathway, producing reducing equivalents in the form of NADPH to meet the cellular need for reductive biosynthesis and the maintenance of the cellular redox state. Hepatic expression of G6PDH has been shown to be regulated by hormones, nutrients and some growth factors, however the mechanism by which these factors regulate G6PDH gene expression has not been characterized. Here we investigate the mechanism by which insulin and its mimetics, selenate and vanadate, regulate G6PDH gene expression.

Insulin exerts its tissue specific affect …

Stage-Dependent Expression Of Target-Derived Influences Stimulates Axon Outgrowth In Hirudo Medicinalis, Tina M. Harik

Masters Theses

Our lab has been investigating the development of neuronal phenotype and circuitry in Hirudo medicinalis. Early in embryogenesis the heart excitor (HE) motor neuron selectively extends multiple arbors into the body wall prior to heart tube (HT) formation. HE contact with HT primordium at later stages of development results in remodeling such that arbors are elaborated on the HT, while those in the body wall are retracted. HT-derived cues are necessary for HE remodeling (Jellies, 1995. Am. Zool. 35:529; Jellies and Kopp, 1995. Invert. Neurosci. 1:145). HT and body wall explants were co-cultured to investigate the possible influences of …

Distribution Of Fishes And Changes In Biotic Integrity In The New River, Tennessee, R. Brian Evans

Masters Theses

Electrofishing samples of fishes were obtained from forty-two localities in the New River system, Tennessee during summer and fall 1996. Eight of forty-two species collected represent new records from the New River: Notropis telescopus, Moxostoma macrolepidotum breviceps, M. carinatum, Lepomis auritus, L. gulosus, L. microlophus, Etheostoma cinereum, and Stizostedion vitreum. Temporal changes in the distribution of fishes were detected by comparing historical collection records with fish samples from 1996. Older records were also employed in the compilation of a modified index of biotic integrity (IBI) that was used to assess changes in fish assemblage health during the past twenty …

Characterization Of Swinepox Virus Secretory Polypeptides, Takeshi Shimamura

Masters Theses

Swinepox virus (SPV) is the only known member of the genus Suispoxvirus. SPV causes a mild disease in swine characterized by slight fever, and weight loss, associated with lesions restricted to the skin. There have been few studies on SPV. Other poxviruses, such as vaccinia virus, have been well characterized and the biological activities of their secretory polypeptides have been analyzed. This study describes a major SPV secretory polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 35kDa. Poxvirus encoded polypeptides secreted during infection are known to exhibit immunomodulatory activities. The 35kDa SPV secretory polypeptide was tested.for its ability to inhibit …

The Effect Of Ink Jet Coating Rheology On Screening, Burak Aksoy

Masters Theses

Ink jet coating formulations are becoming of increasing importance due to rapid expansion in digital printing. These coatings have very specific ink absorption requirements, which are fulfilled by using polyvinyl alcohol and silica as binder and pigment, respectively. These coatings have unique rheological behavior and often have problems in industry during the filtering process. In this work, an attempt was made to relate filter blocking to the rheological behavior of the coating. A series of coatings were prepared and their rheological properties characterized. The solids content and pigment selection of the coating were altered in order to adjust the coating …

Effect Of Precalendering On Surface And Printing Properties Of Coated Sheets, Hariharan Venkata-Chinnaswamy

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the effect of different types of precalendering on coated woodfree paper for surface and printing properties as well as coat weight distribution and binder migration.

Precalendering enhanced the gloss and reduced the roughness of the coated paper at all coat weights. In the case of post-calendered papers, any differential effect achieved through various types of precalendering was recovered during post calendering. The final porosity values of precalendered and uncalendered sheets were more dependent on the coat weight at the high coat weights (10-18 g/m² ). At low coat weights the type of precalendering influences the …

A Comparison Between Two Phase System And Single Phase System In Stiff Beveled Blade Coating By Measuring The Blade Forces, Ravi Mohan

Masters Theses

The effect of pigment particle interactions in a two-phase system on blade force is investigated. Three coating colors of 0%, 40% , and 55% solids, of the same high shear viscosity and density, were tested for blade force, blade run-in relationship. The Cylindrical Laboratory Coater was used to blade coat the coating on a polyester film. Blade deflection was measured by placing a probe in direct contact with the back side of the blade. A calibration plot between blade force and blade deflection was then used to determine the actual blade forces. A statistical analysis of the data reveals that …

A Kinematic And Kinetic Analysis Of First, Fourth, And Fifth Positions In The Classical Ballet Method, Mary Sue Hill

Masters Theses

The problem of the study was to compare electromyography (EMG) responses, ground reaction forces, and torques on female college-age dancers' knees in selected positions. Subjects were 18 female dancers, aged 18 to 30 years, with 6 subjects from each of three levels: Ballet Technique I, II, and III. The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis were analyzed in a grande plie in three positions, (1) first, (2) fourth, and (3) fifth, with two phases: (1) eccentric, and (2) concentric. No differences in force or EMG data were found for the concentric phases of the three positions. Significant differences were …

Direct Measurement Of The Water Retention Of Coatings Under Shear, Mohana Sundaram Thiagarajan

Masters Theses

Coating water loss is one of the most critical concerns in coated paper production. The objective of this study was to determine directly the water retention value under dynamic conditions. The effect of shear rate on water transfer was documented for a delaminated clay coating color. The results showed a small change in water transfer at low shear rates, compared to the static condition. But at higher shear rate, the water transfer increased significantly. The water transfer increased with time, reaching an asymptotic limit at 300 seconds. This indicates that at higher retention time, the water transfer rate is reduced …

A Comparison Of Blood Cholesterol Levels And The Intake Of Dietary Trans Fatty Acids In Post-Menopausal Women, Bridget Cartwright

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between dietary trans fatty acids and levels of total serum cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, and the ratio of total serum cholesterol to HDL in apparently healthy post-menopausal women.

Subjects (n = 21) were current members of the Eastern Illinois University Adult Fitness Program. All were moderately active Caucasian women determined to be post-menopausal and not taking hormone replacement therapy or lipid lowering medications. Mean age of the subjects was 69.1 ± 9.1 years.

Dietary intakes were assessed with the use of a multiple day food record and personal …

Heartworm And Lungworms In Illinois' Canids And Their Possible Effect On Coyote Condition And Reproduction, David G. Gregory

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the prevalence of heartworm and lungworms in Illinois' canid species, and the effect that they may have on condition (body weight, kidney fat, marrow fat) and reproduction (placental scars) on coyote populations. A total of 1,150 coyotes (Canis latrans), 2,269 domestic dogs, 47 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and 2 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were examined. Prevalence of heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) averaged 17.8% in coyotes, 3.0% in domestic dogs, 2.0% in red foxes, and 0% in gray foxes. Domestic dogs not receiving any type of prophylactic treatment had a higher prevalence (12.5%) of heartworms than dogs on …

Demographics And Condition Of Coyotes In Illinois, Daniel M. Lloyd

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Brachiacantha (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Of Illinois, Harry Wilson Montgomery Jr.

Masters Theses

The Illinois fauna of Brachiacantha (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is treated in this paper. Seven species were found to occur in Illinois through active collecting and study of specimens from 16 museums and private collections. A key to the identification of adults, descriptions of the adults, habitus photographs and national and state distribution maps are provided. The most commonly collected Illinois species are B. ursina, B. felina, B. quadripunctata quadripunctata and B. decempustulata. Uncommonly collected species are B. dentipes and B. rotunda. Brachiacantha indubitabilis is represented in the Illinois fauna only by the lectotype for the species. Malaise traps, sweep netting, yellow …

A Comparison Of Predation Rates On Real And Artificial Nests Of Grassland Birds, William B. Davison

Masters Theses

I compared rates of predation between real and artificial nests of grassland birds in order to test the impact of nest type, nest position, and egg size on predation rates. I distributed wicker avicultural baskets and realistic grass nests baited with a clay egg and either northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) or house sparrow (Passer domesticus) eggs in four Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands in east-central Illinois. Nest success averaged 86.5% for 12 days of exposure for artificial nests. For real nests, nest success was markedly lower; averaging 39% over the entire nesting cycle and 59% during approximately 12 days of …

Seed Vigor Of Four Isoline Pairs Of Sweet Corn With Two Endosperm Types At Four Temperatures, Ronglin Wang

Masters Theses

Sweet corn (Zea mays L. var rugosa ) is the fourth most important fresh vegetable in the U.S.. Supersweet corn with shrunken-2 endosperm is more popular with consumers than traditional sweet corn with sugary endosperm because sh2 kernels have more sugars and retain this sweet flavor longer than su kernels. However, its acceptance by growers is hindered because of its inferior seed quality and poor seedling vigor, especially when temperature is low.

Seed vigor of four isoline pairs ( C68, Oh43, Il442a and Ia453 ) with two endosperm types ( sh2 and su ) was studied in this investigation. In …

Habitat Selection, Reproductive Success, And Impaling Patterns Of A Migratory Population Of Loggerhead Shrikes, Jeffrey D. Esely Jr.

Masters Theses

I studied habitat selection and reproductive success of a migratory population of Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus migrans) as well as the temporal and spatial patterns of impaling exhibited by this population during the nesting season. The selection of breeding habitat was investigated at different spatial scales. Thirty-eight (67%) of 57 nests were located in osage orange (Maclura pomifera) trees. Shrike territories (area ≤ 200 m from nest site) contained significantly more pasture, fenceline, and perch sites, but less com, alfalfa, and forest than random sites. At larger spatial scales, more grassland was detected within 300 m …

A Systematic Study Of The Native Geum L. Species Of Illinois, Michael B. Wenzel

Masters Theses

A systematic study of the seven species of Geum L. (Rosaceae) native to Illinois including G. aleppicum var. strictum (Aiton) Fernald, G. canadense Jaquin, G. laciniatum Murray var. trichocarpum Fernald, G. rivale Linnaeus, G. triflorum Pursh, G. vernum (Rafinesque) Torrey & Gray, and G. virginianum Linnaeus is presented. Early classification systems are briefly compared, especially regarding the topic of subgenera. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, distribution information including county citations, and identification keys were developed for this study. Two seperate keys, one for floral characters and the second for specimens in fruit are given for greater ease in proper identification.

Two …

The Role Of Bowfin, Amia Calva, In Multiple Species Management Plans, Benjamin Jacob Hausmann

Masters Theses

The major challenge to fisheries managers of the 21st century will be to maintain the diversity, not only of fishing opportunity, but also of traditionally non-game and economically unimportant species. With the relatively recent understanding of the importance of ecosystem level management, attention is being focused on native species that were often ignored or eradicated under past management practices. One such fish that has been largely ignored is the bowfin, Amia calva. Ecological data pertaining to bowfin natural history are limited and to date no attempt has been made to integrate bowfin into fisheries management decisions within the species native …

The Relationship Between Burrowing Behavior Of Native Unionid Bivalves And Infestation By Zebra Mussels, Amy Gries

Masters Theses

Burrowing behavior of unionids was examined as a variable in colonization of unionids by juvenile zebra mussels searching for substrate. For each unionid species represented, zebra mussel densities were compared between a free-living experimental unionid and an immobilized control during each replicate. Of the four species used (Amblema plicata, Quadrula quadrula, Leptodea fragilis and Obliquaria reflexa), only Q. quadrula had a statistically significant difference between zebra mussel densities on the experimental mussels as compared with the controls. When zebra mussel densities on the experimental mussels were compared between species, only the comparison of Q. quadrula and O. reflexa was …

The Effects Of Habitual Physical Activity On Number Of Colds And Incidence Of Cold Symptoms, Katie Lynn Maniatis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to compare frequency of colds and symptoms of upper respiratory infection in college students who have different levels of habitual physical activity. Subjects were Eastern Illinois University students (N=535, aged 18-25). A survey was conducted which included questions inquiring about demographic information, physical activity habits, the number of colds contracted the month before the survey, and symptom number and severity. Data collection occurred between February 12th and March 1st, 1998. This particular time period was chosen for several reasons, including that student stress level should have been lower than at the beginning or end …

A Comparison Of Measures In Physical Fitness And Biological Maturity Between Female Gymnasts And Females Not Involved In Organized Sport, Cara Kokenes

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in physical fitness and biological development between two groups of twelve year old females. One group consisted of idividuals who had been involved in competitive sport for at least two years while the other group was not involved in organized sport. Two groups of 20 subjects were examined in terms of height, weight, flexibility, strength, body composition, maturation, eating attitudes, and cardiorespiratory endurance. The results indicated that the gymnasts were significantly (p<.05) shorter, lighter, stronger in regard to left hand grip strength, lower in percent body fat, less biologically mature, and had greater cardiorespiratory fitness than the non-gymnasts. No significant differences were observed in right hand grip strength or eating attitudes. It was concluded that maturation level as well as gymnastic training played a major role in influencing values obtained through measurements of physical fitness.