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Biology

2012

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Why Snails? How Gastropods Improve Our Understanding Of Ecological Disturbance, Christopher P. Bloch Dec 2012

Why Snails? How Gastropods Improve Our Understanding Of Ecological Disturbance, Christopher P. Bloch

Bridgewater Review

The concept of equilibrium - the idea that a perturbed system will tend to return to its original state - is the basis for many foundational theories in ecology. Yet, the spatial and temporal dynamics of ecosystems are strongly influenced by disturbance. If a particular disturbance greatly alters local climatic conditions, gastropods should be among the first organisms to show a measurable response. The effects of human alteration of habitats (for example, conversion of forest to agriculture) have much longer-lasting effects than those of natural disturbances.


Effect Of Rising Temperature Due To Ozone Depletion On The Dynamics Of A Prey-Predator System: A Mathematical Model, O. P. Misra, Preety Kalra Dec 2012

Effect Of Rising Temperature Due To Ozone Depletion On The Dynamics Of A Prey-Predator System: A Mathematical Model, O. P. Misra, Preety Kalra

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

It is well recognized that the greenhouse gas such as Chlorofluoro Carbon (CFC) is responsible directly or indirectly for the increase in the average global temperature of the Earth. The presence of CFC is responsible for the depletion of ozone concentration in the atmosphere due to which the heat accompanied with the sun rays are less absorbed causing increase in the atmospheric temperature of the Earth. The increase in the temperature level directly or indirectly affects the dynamics of interacting species systems. Therefore, in this paper a mathematical model is proposed and analyzed using stability theory to asses the effects …


Heavy Metal Chemistry Of Sediments In Caves Of The Springfield Plateau, Missouri-Arkansas-Oklahoma: A Link To Subterranean Biodiversity, Travis M. Doughty, Aaron W. Johnson Sep 2012

Heavy Metal Chemistry Of Sediments In Caves Of The Springfield Plateau, Missouri-Arkansas-Oklahoma: A Link To Subterranean Biodiversity, Travis M. Doughty, Aaron W. Johnson

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

We used X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to compare the heavy metal chemistry of sediments in caves in rural and urban areas to the chemistry of sediments from a control cave in a relatively undisturbed watershed in the Springfield (MO) Plateau. Sediment from Smallin Cave near Ozark, MO, the control cave, has the smallest peak sizes for Zn and Mn and a moderately-sized Pb peak. Sediment from the rural cave exhibited larger peaks of Zn and Mn and a smaller Pb peak. Sediment from the urban cave had the largest Zn, Mn and Pb peaks. Interestingly, smaller peak sizes appear to correlate …


Modeling The Effect Of Environmental Factors On The Spread Of Bacterial Disease In An Economically Structured Population, Ram Naresh, Surabhi Pandey Jun 2012

Modeling The Effect Of Environmental Factors On The Spread Of Bacterial Disease In An Economically Structured Population, Ram Naresh, Surabhi Pandey

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

We have proposed and analyzed a nonlinear mathematical model for the spread of bacterial disease in an economically structured population (rich and poor) including the role of vaccination. It is assumed that rich susceptible get infected through direct contact with infectives in the same class and with infectives from the poor class who work as service providers in the houses of rich people, living in much cleaner environment. The susceptible in the poor class are assumed to become infected through direct contact with infectives in the same class as well as by bacteria present in their own environment, degraded due …


A Mathematical Study On The Dynamics Of An Eco-Epidemiological Model In The Presence Of Delay, T. K. Kar, Prasanta K. Mondal Jun 2012

A Mathematical Study On The Dynamics Of An Eco-Epidemiological Model In The Presence Of Delay, T. K. Kar, Prasanta K. Mondal

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In the present work a mathematical model of the prey-predator system with disease in the prey is proposed. The basic model is then modified by the introduction of time delay. The stability of the boundary and endemic equilibria are discussed. The stability and bifurcation analysis of the resulting delay differential equation model is studied and ranges of the delay inducing stability as well as the instability for the system are found. Using the normal form theory and center manifold argument, we derive the methodical formulae for determining the bifurcation direction and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solution. Some numerical …


Natural Selection And Moral Sentiment: Evolutionary Biology's Challenge To Moral Philosophy, Charles W. Wright May 2012

Natural Selection And Moral Sentiment: Evolutionary Biology's Challenge To Moral Philosophy, Charles W. Wright

Headwaters

No abstract provided.


But What Is It That You Actually Do? (What It's Really Like Working In The Lab), Michael Reagan May 2012

But What Is It That You Actually Do? (What It's Really Like Working In The Lab), Michael Reagan

Headwaters

No abstract provided.


Section Abstracts: Natural History And Biodiversity Apr 2012

Section Abstracts: Natural History And Biodiversity

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Natural History and Biodiversity Section for the 90th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 23-25, 2012, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia.


Section Abstracts: Biology With Microbiology And Molecular Biology Apr 2012

Section Abstracts: Biology With Microbiology And Molecular Biology

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Biology with Microbiology and Molecular Biology Section for the 90th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 23-25, 2015, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia.


The Chicken Challenge – What Contemporary Studies Of Fowl Mean For Science And Ethics, Carolynn L. Smith, Jane Johnson Feb 2012

The Chicken Challenge – What Contemporary Studies Of Fowl Mean For Science And Ethics, Carolynn L. Smith, Jane Johnson

Between the Species

Studies with captive fowl have revealed that they possess greater cognitive capacities than previously thought. We now know that fowl have sophisticated cognitive and communicative skills, which had hitherto been associated only with certain primates. Several theories have been advanced to explain the evolution of such complex behavior. Central to these theories is the enlargement of the brain in species with greater mental capacities. Fowl present us with a conundrum, however, because they show the behaviors anticipated by the theories but do not have the expected changes in the brain. Consequently fowl present two challenges of interest to us here. …


Scas Officers And Council Members 2011 - 2012 Jan 2012

Scas Officers And Council Members 2011 - 2012

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.


Current Theories On The Human Sex Ratio, Yisroel Cofsky Jan 2012

Current Theories On The Human Sex Ratio, Yisroel Cofsky

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The human sex ratio is skewed toward males, and this is the subject of much research. A review of some of the theories currently available was conducted, searching and analyzing the current scientific literature. Suggestions to explain the ratio include unequal proportions of X and Y sperm, the effect of maternal diet, maternal testosterone levels, and the natural fluctuations in the consistency of the cervical mucus. Although the difference in X/Y sperm proportions does not adequately explain all the data, the other theories do seem to explain the greater percentage of male births. However, there is still not enough information …


Full Issue: Volume 6, Number 1 Jan 2012

Full Issue: Volume 6, Number 1

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

No abstract provided.


Full Issue: Volume 5, Issue 2 Jan 2012

Full Issue: Volume 5, Issue 2

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

No abstract provided.


Occam's Razor Vol. 2 - Full (2012) Jan 2012

Occam's Razor Vol. 2 - Full (2012)

Occam's Razor

No abstract provided.


Purification And Characterization Of Endoxylanase Xln-2 From Aspergillus Niger B03, Georgi Dobrev, Boriana Zhekova Jan 2012

Purification And Characterization Of Endoxylanase Xln-2 From Aspergillus Niger B03, Georgi Dobrev, Boriana Zhekova

Turkish Journal of Biology

An extracellular multiple form of endoxylanase was isolated from the xylanolytic complex of Aspergillus niger B03. The enzyme was purified to a homogenous form using ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. It was a nonglycosylated protein with a molecular weight of 20,000 Da as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and 21,000 Da as determined by gel filtration. The optimal pH for the enzyme action was 5.0 and the optimal temperature was 55 °C. Endoxylanase stability was significantly improved in the presence of glycerol and sorbitol. The enzyme activity was activated by Mn^{2+} and Co^{2+}, and it was …


Comparison Of Three Yarrowia Lipolytica Strains For Lipase Production: Nbrc 1658, Ifo 1195, And A Local Strain, Özgür Kebabci, Ni̇lüfer Ci̇hangi̇r Jan 2012

Comparison Of Three Yarrowia Lipolytica Strains For Lipase Production: Nbrc 1658, Ifo 1195, And A Local Strain, Özgür Kebabci, Ni̇lüfer Ci̇hangi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

Lipase production was examined with 3 strains of Yarrowia lipolytica: NBRC 1658, IFO 1195, and a local strain. All strains were obtained from Hacettepe University's Department of Food Engineering. The addition of nitrogen and carbon sources and the effects of initial pH and temperature parameters were studied. For all 3 strains, the growth temperature range was 20-40 °C, and maximum growth was determined at 30 °C. The initial pH range was 6-9 for growth and 3-6 for lipase production. Maximum growth results were detected as follows: Y. lipolytica NBRC 1658 at 30 °C and pH 8, Y. lipolytica IFO 1195 …


Prevalence Of The Ivs1(+1)G->A And 35delg Mutations In The Gjb2 Gene Of Turkish Patients With Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss, Tüzün Arik Biyikli Jan 2012

Prevalence Of The Ivs1(+1)G->A And 35delg Mutations In The Gjb2 Gene Of Turkish Patients With Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss, Tüzün Arik Biyikli

Turkish Journal of Biology

GJB2 encodes connexin 26, a gap junction protein that is assumed to be a component of the potassium recycling pathway in the inner ear. Loss or malfunction of these gap junctions, as might be reflected by mutations in GJB2, may disrupt potassium movement from the hair cells through the supporting cell network to the endolymph, leading to hearing impairment. One mutation, the deletion of 1 guanosine residue from a stretch of 6 between nucleotide positions 30 and 35 (35delG) at codon 10, is the most common deafness-causing allelic variant of GJB2 in sporadic patients and autosomal recessive families. Mutations in …


Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbes And Their Occurrence In The Rhizospheres Of Piper Betel In Karnataka, India, Padmavathi Tallapragada, Usha Seshachala Jan 2012

Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbes And Their Occurrence In The Rhizospheres Of Piper Betel In Karnataka, India, Padmavathi Tallapragada, Usha Seshachala

Turkish Journal of Biology

Low phosphate solubility is one of the most important factors limiting the plant growth in Indian soils. Many microorganisms can enhance phosphate solubility, but little is known about the magnitude of their phosphorus-solubilizing ability. The native populations of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and fungi were studied in different rhizospheric soil samples obtained from betel vine plants (Piper betel L.) in order to compare the results. The present study focuses on the phosphate-solubilizing capacity of bacteria and fungi in rhizospheric soil samples obtained from betel vine plants, revealing the dominance of Aspergillus species (26.1 mm) as major phosphate solubilizers, along with Bacillus subtilis …


Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Different Extracts From Three Salvia Species, Eli̇f Çadirci, Hali̇s Süleyman, Peri̇han Gürbüz, Ayşe Uz, Zühal Güvenalp, Lütfi̇ye Ömür Demi̇rezer Jan 2012

Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Different Extracts From Three Salvia Species, Eli̇f Çadirci, Hali̇s Süleyman, Peri̇han Gürbüz, Ayşe Uz, Zühal Güvenalp, Lütfi̇ye Ömür Demi̇rezer

Turkish Journal of Biology

Salvia L. species have been used for the treatment of various inflammatory ailments in traditional medicine. In order to evaluate this ethnobotanical information, water, methanol, n-butanol, acetone, and chloroform extracts from 3 Salvia species (S. fruticosa, S. verticillata, and S. trichoclada) were screened for their anti-inflammatory activity using in vivo experimental models in rats. For this purpose a carrageenan-induced inflammatory paw edema model was used. All extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities; however, n-butanol extract of Salvia fruticosa (syn. S. triloba), which is known as Turkish sage, was found to be the most active. It can be expected that the active flavonoids, …


Protective Effects Of \Beta-Carotene And Silymarin On Human Lymphocytes, Erkan Yurtcu, Ezgi̇ Kasapoğlu, Feri̇de İffet Şahi̇n Jan 2012

Protective Effects Of \Beta-Carotene And Silymarin On Human Lymphocytes, Erkan Yurtcu, Ezgi̇ Kasapoğlu, Feri̇de İffet Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

Beta-carotene and silymarin have antioxidant properties against oxidative damage and are used as dietary supplements. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effects of \beta-carotene and silymarin on healthy human lymphocytes exposed to L-arginine-induced oxidative damage. Study samples were lymphocyte cultures set up from venous blood obtained from 6 healthy individuals (3 males and 3 females). Oxidative DNA damage was induced by L-arginine. \beta-Carotene and silymarin were added to the cultures as antioxidants to observe their protective effects, if any. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) was used to evaluate DNA damage. While L-arginine generated genotoxic damage in …


Folk Medicines In The Villages Of Ilıca District (Erzurum, Turkey), Ufuk Özgen, Yusuf Kaya, Peter Houghton Jan 2012

Folk Medicines In The Villages Of Ilıca District (Erzurum, Turkey), Ufuk Özgen, Yusuf Kaya, Peter Houghton

Turkish Journal of Biology

The villages of Ilıca District in Erzurum Province, Turkey, were surveyed in terms of plants and animals used traditionally for medicinal purposes. Plants were compiled according to their families, botanical names, local names, usages, and applications. A total of 70 plant species belonging to 29 families are used by village people to treat a wide range of complaints, such as hemorrhoids, urinary system infections, stomach disorders, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, rheumatism, and jaundice. In addition, 3 animal species are used for the treatment of some diseases. The collected data were compared with those formerly recorded.


Cytotoxic And Antibacterial Activities Of Leaf Extracts Of Astragalus Gombiformis Pomel (Fabaceae) Growing Wild In Tunisia, Hassen Teyeb, Nahla Zanina, Mohamed Neffati, Wahiba Douki, Mohamed Fadhel Najjar Jan 2012

Cytotoxic And Antibacterial Activities Of Leaf Extracts Of Astragalus Gombiformis Pomel (Fabaceae) Growing Wild In Tunisia, Hassen Teyeb, Nahla Zanina, Mohamed Neffati, Wahiba Douki, Mohamed Fadhel Najjar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Many species of the genus Astragalus have been long used in folk medicine because of their biological properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of extracts from the leaves of wild Astragalus gombiformis Pomel. Antibacterial activity was assayed against several common human pathogenic bacterial strains using the paper disk-agar diffusion method. Cytotoxicity was measured against human lung carcinoma cells using the colorimetric MTT assay. The strongest cytotoxic activity against the human A549 lung epithelial carcinoma cell line was detected for dichloromethane extracts at IC_{50} = 85 ± 21.7 µg/mL. The best incubation time …


Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Properties Of Artemisia L. Species From Western Anatolia, Şüra Baykan Erel, Gottfried Reznicek, Serdar Gökhan Şenol, Nefi̇se Ülkü Karabay Yavaşoğlu, Si̇bel Konyalioğlu, Ahmet Ulvi̇ Zeybek Jan 2012

Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Properties Of Artemisia L. Species From Western Anatolia, Şüra Baykan Erel, Gottfried Reznicek, Serdar Gökhan Şenol, Nefi̇se Ülkü Karabay Yavaşoğlu, Si̇bel Konyalioğlu, Ahmet Ulvi̇ Zeybek

Turkish Journal of Biology

Artemisia L. taxa (A. absinthium L., A. arborescens L., A. campestris L., A. scoparia Waldst. & Kit., A. santonicum L., and A. vulgaris L.) naturally distributed through western and southwestern Turkey were chosen as experimental materials in this study. Essential oils of the aerial parts of these Artemisia species were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major components were identified as sabinene in A. absinthium (17.56%), camphor in A. arborescens (33.39%), 1,2-dehydro acenaphthylene in A. campestris and A. scoparia (20.71% and 11.80%, respectively), and \alpha-thujone in A. vulgaris and A. santonicum (56.13% and 39.46%, respectively). Essential …


Antimicrobial Activity Of Poplar Propolis On Mutans Streptococci And Caries Development In Rats, Soley Arslan, Si̇bel Si̇li̇ci̇, Duygu Perçi̇n, Ayşe Nedret Koç, Özgür Er Jan 2012

Antimicrobial Activity Of Poplar Propolis On Mutans Streptococci And Caries Development In Rats, Soley Arslan, Si̇bel Si̇li̇ci̇, Duygu Perçi̇n, Ayşe Nedret Koç, Özgür Er

Turkish Journal of Biology

The influence of the different extracts of propolis and chlorhexidine on mutans streptococci and the development of dental caries in rats was examined in this study. Specifically, the antimicrobial effects of propolis extracts (including ethanol, methanol, chloroform, hexane, propylene glycol, and ethyl acetate) on Streptococcus mutans UA159 and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 were studied. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration were determined using the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards broth macrodilution method. In the animal study, the rats were infected with S. sobrinus and fed a cariogenic diet. They were treated topically twice a day with both ethanol extract …


Determination Of Mutagenic Potencies Of Aqueous Extracts Of Thermopsis Turcica By Ames Test, Recep Li̇man, Yasi̇n Eren, Di̇lek Akyil, Muhsi̇n Konuk Jan 2012

Determination Of Mutagenic Potencies Of Aqueous Extracts Of Thermopsis Turcica By Ames Test, Recep Li̇man, Yasi̇n Eren, Di̇lek Akyil, Muhsi̇n Konuk

Turkish Journal of Biology

Thermopsis turcica is an endemic species of Turkey popularly known as Eber Sarısı or Piyam; it is a member of the Thermopsis genus, which contains plants considered to be medicinal throughout the world. In this study, the mutagenic effect of aqueous extracts obtained from the leaves, root, stem, and flowers of T. turcica were evaluated by the Ames test, using Salmonella typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102 strains with and without an S9 activation system. The results obtained were analyzed statistically using SPSS for Windows, and the Mann-Whitney test was performed for comparisons. The results showed that all of the …


Changes In Seed Reserve Composition During Germination And Initial Seedling Development Of Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.), Muhammet Tonguç, Ruzi̇ye Elkoyunu, Sabri̇ Erbaş, Yaşar Karakurt Jan 2012

Changes In Seed Reserve Composition During Germination And Initial Seedling Development Of Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.), Muhammet Tonguç, Ruzi̇ye Elkoyunu, Sabri̇ Erbaş, Yaşar Karakurt

Turkish Journal of Biology

The present study was carried out to determine the changes in some reserve molecules of safflower seeds during germination and early seedling growth. The seeds of 2 safflower cultivars were used as plant material (Dinçer 5-118 and Montola 2000). Seeds were germinated for 72 h and observations were taken every 12 h throughout the study. Changes in total oil content (%), total protein content (%), total soluble sugar contents (TSS, mg g^{-1}), and reducing sugar contents (RS, mg g^{-1}) were determined for each cultivar during germination and seedling growth. The oil content of the cultivars decreased from 54.7% and 57.4% …


The Growth And Reproduction Of White Bream (Blicca Bjoerkna L. 1758) In An Oligo-Mesotrophic Lake In Northwest Anatolia (Sapanca, Turkey), Hacer Canan Okgerman, Mahmut Elp, Si̇bel Atasağun Jan 2012

The Growth And Reproduction Of White Bream (Blicca Bjoerkna L. 1758) In An Oligo-Mesotrophic Lake In Northwest Anatolia (Sapanca, Turkey), Hacer Canan Okgerman, Mahmut Elp, Si̇bel Atasağun

Turkish Journal of Biology

Growth parameters and the reproduction period of white bream (Blicca bjoerkna L. 1758) sampled from Sapanca Lake were determined monthly between November 2000 and October 2001. Three hundred and fifty white bream specimens caught ranged in age from 1^+ to 9^+ years, and the majority of the samples consisted of individuals of the 5^+-year-old age group. The von Bertalanffy equation was determined as Lt = 22.169 (1 - exp {-0.215[t + 0.986]}), Ø': 2.02 for males and Lt = 31.917 (1 - exp {-0.122[t + 1.087]}), Ø': 2.10 for females. The length-weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0046 TL …


The Effects Of Seasonal Variation On The Fatty Acid Composition Of Total Lipid, Phospholipid, And Triacylglycerol In The Dorsal Muscle Of Capoeta Trutta Found In The Tigris River (Turkey), Eli̇f İpek Satar, Ersi̇n Uysal, Erhan Ünlü, Mehmet Başhan, Ali̇ Satar Jan 2012

The Effects Of Seasonal Variation On The Fatty Acid Composition Of Total Lipid, Phospholipid, And Triacylglycerol In The Dorsal Muscle Of Capoeta Trutta Found In The Tigris River (Turkey), Eli̇f İpek Satar, Ersi̇n Uysal, Erhan Ünlü, Mehmet Başhan, Ali̇ Satar

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of seasonal variation on the fatty acid composition of total lipid, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid in the dorsal muscle of Capoeta trutta were assessed by gas chromatographic method. A total of 18 different fatty acids were determined in the composition of C. trutta. The variations in fatty acid composition of total lipid, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid were recorded throughout the seasons. The total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were the most important groups of total lipid. Total saturated fatty acid (SFA) and total MUFA were seen to increase from spring to summer while total PUFA decreased …


Phylogenetic Characterization, Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, And Mechanisms Of Resistance In Bacteria Isolates From A Poultry Waste-Polluted River, Southwestern Nigeria, Olawale Olufemi Adelowo, Obasola Ezekiel Fagade Jan 2012

Phylogenetic Characterization, Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, And Mechanisms Of Resistance In Bacteria Isolates From A Poultry Waste-Polluted River, Southwestern Nigeria, Olawale Olufemi Adelowo, Obasola Ezekiel Fagade

Turkish Journal of Biology

Bacteria resistance to antibiotics has become a worldwide problem impacted partly by antibiotics use in livestock production. The present study investigated the pattern and mechanisms of resistance in 21 bacteria species isolated from a river used as a waste-dump by a poultry farm in Ogbomoso, southwestern Nigeria. Bacteria were isolated on nutrient agar supplemented with 50 µg/mL of tetracycline, their identities were determined by PCR amplification, and sequencing of their 16s rRNA genes and their susceptibility to 6 antimicrobials determined by broth dilution. The molecular basis of resistance among the isolates was also investigated by the PCR amplification of class …