Life Sciences Commons^™

Epigenetic History Of An Arabidopsis Trans-Silencer Locus And A Test For Relay Of Trans-Silencing Activity, Huaxia Qin, Albrecht G. Von Arnim

Plant Sciences Publications and Other Works

Background

Meiotically heritable epimutations affecting transgene expression are not well understood, even and in particular in the plant model species, Arabidopsis thaliana. The Arabidopsis trans-silencer locus, C73, which encodes a fusion protein between the repressor of photomorphogenesis, COP1, and green fluorescent protein (GFP-COP1), heritably modifies the expression pattern and cop1-like cosuppression phenotypes of multiple GFP-COP1 target loci by transcriptional gene silencing.

Results

Here we describe three additional features of trans-silencing by the C73 locus. First, the silencing phenotype of C73 and of similar complex loci was acquired epigenetically over the course of no more than two plant …

Differences In Quality Of Care By Insurance Plan: A Fee-For-Service Vs. Health Maintenance Organization Comparison, Pamela Driggers Silcox

Doctoral Dissertations

The history of health insurance in the United States has perpetuated and enabled a health care industry that has been rewarded for increased spending rather than cost control. With the original plan setting no spending limit on health care providers, fee-for service reimbursement provided greater incentive to spend than to contain costs. Attempts to control the soaring costs of health care services have given rise to managed care insurance plans that base reimbursement on health outcome data. Given that the birth of managed care includes stringent reimbursement guidelines and ensuing controversy over services provided or not provided, this study sought …

A Qualitative Investigation Of Polish Consumers’ Retail Experiences During The Transitional Period: 1989-2001, Heesun Seo

Doctoral Dissertations

The general objective of this dissertation is to investigate the most current phenomenon in the Polish retail environment and the recent Polish consumers’ retail experience. Specifically, by examining information search behavior, shopping behavior, and post-purchase behavior, themes emerged in terms of how the changes in the retail environment influenced the patronage and consumption behavior of Polish consumers. An exploratory research approach is used to conduct this research due to the lack of existing knowledge on Polish consumers and the ever-changing nature of the market environment in Poland. Moreover, qualitative research method with naturalistic inquiry was used to present the Polish …

Habitat Use, Distribution And Conservation Status Of The Mikado Pheasant (Syrmaticus Mikado) In Taiwan, Cara Lin Bridgman

Doctoral Dissertations

To evaluate the conservation status of Taiwan’s mikado pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado (Phasianidae), I test the similarity of preferred habitat to primary and secondary forest, develop models of habitat availability within Taiwan, and examine population trends within two locations inside Yushan National Park. The characteristics of locations with pheasant activity were most similar to secondary forest: high shrub stem counts and low canopy and leaf litter coverage. None of these variables were applicable to geographic informationsystems analysis. To the known extent of range and area of occupancy, I compared a model based on the habitats described in field guides. This model …

Using Remote Sensing And Geographic Information Systems To Define Conservation Priorities, Clinton N. Jenkins

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation discusses several techniques of combining ecology and technology, specifically satellite images and geographic information systems, to define conservation priorities and answer conservation questions. They include single species approaches (chapters 2 and 3), global approaches (chapter 4), and regional approaches (chapters 5 and 6).

Chapters 2 and 3 concern the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus mirabilis maritimus). This sparrow, and its habitat, is legally protected under the United States Endangered Species Act. Chapter 2 quantitatively demonstrates that poor water management is threatening the habitat of this sparrow and by consequence its survival. Chapter 3 describes formal testing …

Colonization History And Alternative Community States In Experimental Microcosms, Craig Richard Zimmermann

Doctoral Dissertations

Using s suite of disparate experimental systems, three tests of the effect of variation in community history on community states were performed. The first test explored the effect of species invasion order on the structure and invasibility in soil microbial communities. Microcosm communities were assembled by augmenting an existing soil community with sequential introductions of three bacterial strains under three alternative sequences. Assembled communities were then probed with a genetically engineered bioremediative bacterium to test the relative vulnerability of these communities to this strain. Results indicated that variation in invasion order resulted in the production of alternative community states with …

Sp341-H-Boxelder Bugs And Red-Shouldered Bugs, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Boxelder bugs, Boisea trivittata (Say), are a nuisance, especially during the cool autumn months when they cluster in large numbers on the sides of trees, houses and other structures. This pest enters buildings through cracks and openings and spends the winter hibernating behind exterior siding and in attics, soffits, wall voids, window/door casings and similar protected areas. Boxelder bugs may also take refuge in soil and leaf litter next to foundations. With the onset of warmer weather in late winter and spring, these bugs become active and emerge from their overwintering sites. As they attempt to escape to their natural …

How Mothers Make Decisions For Feeding Young Children: A Grounded Theory Approach, Dana Rae Cox

Doctoral Dissertations

In this study a theory of how mothers make decisions about feeding their young children aged 3 to 5 years was developed using the grounded theory technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 married mothers of children aged 3 to 5 to determine their mealtime practices and feelings about mealtimes. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using the grounded theory technique to build a theory from the data (interviews).

Analyses of mothers’ interviews indicated that mothers in this study formed expectations for 5 distinct stages of feeding decisions based on their experiences. The five stages …

Post-Processing Pasteurization Of Packaged Frankfurters For Control Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Charlene Belles

Masters Theses

Contamination of processed frankfurters with Listeria monocytogenes occurs between the removal of the casing and the packaging steps. Every year, this contamination causes numerous recalls and several cases of listeriosis. The purpose of this study was to combine a lactic acid treatment and the application of post-packaging steam to reduce L. monocytogenes populations on vacuum packaged, refrigerated mixed meat frankfurters. Changes in color and texture of frankfurters after treatment were also monitored.

In Part I of the study, frankfurters were inoculated with a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes (log 7 CFU/frankfurter). After 24 hours, the surface of the frankfurter was …

Time Series Analysis Of Bat Ultrasound Signals, Xu Cui

Masters Theses

The general objectives of this study are to develop new methods to analyze ultrasound signals recorded during field observations of bats, and relate these to bat biology. In particular, I investigate methods to determine whether or not sound pulses produced by multiple bats are independent of each other when the bats are searching for food in the same environment. Four models are proposed to explain the time series of recorded signals and it is found that the Poisson model, which assumes pulses are independent, fits the data best. A computer program, BatCount was developed as part of this study, to …

Insects Associated With Southern Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora L.) In East Tennessee, Christopher Thomas Werle

Masters Theses

No comprehensive studies have been conducted to assess the insect fauna associated with southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora L. Thus, a two-year study was initiated in 2000 to: 1) determine the richness and abundance of insect species associated with southern magnolia in East Tennessee, 2) compare the insect fauna collected from upper and lower tree canopy levels during 2001, 3) compare the insect fauna collected from pitfall traps and malaise traps at two sites, 4) compare the floral insect visitors of southern magnolia, and 5) develop a species database for future studies.

The insect fauna associated with southern magnolia was evaluated …

Ultrasound And Microwave Assisted Extraction Of Soybean Oil, Haizhou Li

Masters Theses

Soybeans, one of the world’s leading cash crops, contain appropriately 20% lipid. Currently, soybean oil is the principal vegetable oil used in the U.S. and the world market, totaling 29% of the world vegetable oil production in 2001. Development of extraction technology that could increase oil yield would thus significantly enhance the profitability of the soybean industry and reduce processing costs significantly. It has been shown that both ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted extraction methods can enhance extraction of phytochemicals from plant sources while reducing processing time and solvent consumption. However, little is known about how ultrasound and microwave can affect the …

Composition Of The Coleoptera And Associated Insects Collected By Canopy Fogging Of Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra L.) Trees In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park And The University Of Tennessee Arboretum, Danny D. Trieff

Masters Theses

Oak forests dominate the forested landscape of Tennessee. These forests are vital to the economic and environmental health of the state. Northern red oak (NRO) trees, Quercus rubra L., are crucial components of these forests. Information regarding the status of coleopteran diversity associated with NRO is scattered and fragmented within the literature. Because of this, the insect fauna on NRO was assessed at three sites (Bee Tree Ridge, Mount Sterling, and Rich Mountain) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM), and at one site at The University of Tennessee Arboretum (UT arboretum) by using the fogging method. These four …

Modification Of Protein Structure And Functionality Using High-Intensity Ultrasound, Demet Güzey

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high intensity ultrasound on the adsorption kinetics of proteins. Protein solutions (3x10^-4 M ) were treated with ultrasound at power intensity levels ranging from 5 to 35 Wcm^-2 and at temperatures ranging from 20 to 85 ^oC with treatment times ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. Also, the effect of pulsing versus continuous application on the ultrasound treatment was evaluated. Surface activity (adsorption and coverage) of proteins was investigated using a drop shape analysis tensiometer. The study consisted of three major parts.

The results of the …

Role Of Dietary Calcium In Modulation Of Adiposity, Xuemei Geng

Masters Theses

We previously demonstrated a regulatory role for intracellular Ca²⁺([Ca²⁺]i) in human and murine adipocyte metabolism, with increased [Ca²⁺]i coordinately stimulating lipogenesis and inhibiting lipolysis, thereby expanding adipocyte lipid mass. More recently, we reported that 1∝, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1∝, 25-(OH)₂-D₃] stimulates adipocyte membrane vitamin D receptor (mVDR)-mediated Ca²⁺ influx, resulting in a similar Ca²⁺-mediated modulation of adipocyte lipid metabolism. 1∝, 25-(OH)₂-D₃ also exerts an inhibitory effect on adipocyte uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) mRNA and protein levels via the nuclear vitamin D receptor (nVDR), independent …

Effects Of Beauveria Bassiana Mycelia And Metabolites Incorporated Into Synthetic Diet And Fed To Larval Helicoverpa Zea; And Detection Of Endophytic Beauveria Bassiana In Tomato Plants Using Pcr And Its Primers, Brian Michael Leckie

Masters Theses

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin is an entomopathogenic deuteromycete that has been used in biological control of insect pests. Recent studies have revealed that B. bassiana is an endophyte of corn plants, and that plants colonized by the fungus had a reduction in tunneling from the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). In addition to corn, B. bassiana has been observed to grow endophytically in potato plants. Beauveria bassiana may also have the ability to colonize closely related plants and potentially reduce insect feeding on them.

This study has three objectives. The first was to evaluate the effect of …

Front Matter, Southeastern Fishes Council

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

No abstract provided.

News And Notes, Southeastern Fishes Council

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

No abstract provided.

The Rediscovery Of The Mississippi Silverside, Menidia Audens, In The Pearl River Drainage In Mississippi And Louisiana, Royal D. Suttkus, Bruce A. Thompson

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Sp307-J-Landscaping With Fruit, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Fruit and nut crops may be valuable additions to the landscape if proper attention is paid to crop selection, site preparation and cultural practices following planting. By adequately addressing these points, an edible landscape may become a reality. The following guidelines will assist you in determining which fruit and nut crops to use and where to plant them to meet your landscape objectives.

Cutting Edge: Persistent Viral Infection Prevents Tolerance Induction And Escapes Immune Control Following Cd28/Cd40 Blockade-Based Regimen, Thandi M. Onami, M. A. Williams, A. B. Adams, M. M. Durham, T. C. Pearson, R. Ahmed, C. P. Larsen

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

A continuing concern with CD28 and/or CD40 blockade-based strategies to induce tolerance and mixed chimerism is their potential to disrupt protective immunity to preexisting infections. In this report, we find that preexisting persistent infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13 prevents the induction of tolerance, mixed chimerism, and donor-reactive T cell deletion. Mice continue to be refractory to tolerance induction even after viremia has been resolved and virus is present only at very low levels in peripheral tissues. Conversely, we find that the full tolerance regimen, or costimulation blockade alone, specifically inhibits already ongoing antiviral immune responses, leading to …

Number 44 (November 2002), Southern Fishes Council

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

(November 2002) - Seasonal, diel and spawning habitat of the rare muscadine darter (Percina sp.) in the Conasauga River, Georgia. By Carol E. Johnston, Kevin J. Kleiner, and Steven J. Herrington

The rediscovery of the Mississippi silverside, Menidia audens, in the Pearl River draninage in Mississippi and Louisiana. By Royal D. Suttkus and Bruce A. Thompson

News and Notes

Seasonal, Diel, And Spawning Habitat Of The Rare Muscadine Darter (Percina Sp.) In The Conasauga River, Georgia, Carol E. Johnston, Kevin J. Kleiner, Steven J. Herrington

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Pb1721 Irrigation Cost Analysis Handbook, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension

Field & Commercial Crops

Irrigation is a risk management tool. The risk of yield reduction due to drought is minimized with irrigation, because moisture can be added to the soil to match the water requirements of the crop. Irrigation is also a major capital investment. The yield produced under irrigation must be sufÞ cient to produce a positive return on the investment.

This handbook is intended to assist users in determining the economics of investing in irrigation at their location. All irrigation systems are unique. Many factors are used to estimate the cost of irrigation, and each of these factors will vary with location. …

Short Communication: Relationship Between Body Growth And Mammary Development In Dairy Heifers, L F. Silva, M J. Vandehaar, Brian K. Whitlock, R P. Radcliff, H A. Tucker

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Large Animal Clinical Sciences

Our objective was to determine if prepubertal rate of body weight (BW) gain, independent of diet, was related to mammary development of dairy heifers. Data from two studies recently conducted at Michigan State University were used to identify factors, within a dietary treatment group, that would account for variation in first lactation milk production or amount of mammary parenchymal DNA at the time of puberty. Factors analyzed for variation in milk production during first lactation were: postpartum BW, prepubertal BW gain, gestational BW gain, postpartum BW gain, body condition score (BCS) at breeding, and BCS at calving. Factors analyzed for …

Fine Mapping In Tomato Using Microsynteny With The Arabidopsis Genome: The Diageotropica (Dgt) Locus, Kwangchul Oh, Kristine Hardeman, Maria G. Ivanchenko, Mary Ellard-Ivey, Andreas Nebenfüh, Tj White, Terri L. Lomax

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- General Biology

Background

The Arabidopsis thaliana genome sequence provides a catalog of reference genes applicable to comparative microsynteny analysis of other species, facilitating map-based cloning in economically important crops. We have applied such an analysis to the tomato expressed sequence tag (EST) database to expedite high-resolution mapping of the Diageotropica (Dgt) gene within the distal end of chromosome 1 in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum).

Results

A BLAST search of the Arabidopsis database with nucleotide sequences of markers that flank the tomato dgt locus revealed regions of microsynteny between the distal end of chromosome 1 in tomato, two regions of …

Investigation Of Biochemical Mechanisms Associated With Insulin Resistance In The Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, To-Yu Huang

Doctoral Dissertations

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a heterogeneous disease arising from metabolic defects in insulin secretion and insulin action. The inability of insulin to trigger full metabolic responses results in impaired glucose transport, which elicits compensatory hyperinsulinemia with increased lipogenesis. In order to identify the molecular defects responsible for insulin resistance, we have investigated three different model systems: the ability of sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) ligands to modify insulin regulated events in cultured rodent adipocytes; the ability of agouti and/or agouti related polypeptide (AGRP) to modify insulin regulated events; and the regulation of the activity and amount of the HNF-1a transcription …

Monographic Studies In The Genus Polyporus (Basidiomycotina), Dirk Krueger

Doctoral Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation research was an examination of the homobasidiomycete genus Polyporus as currently circumscribed. Emphasis was on addressing the genus by a variety of tools appropriate to modern monographic studies, without producing another worldwide monograph. In addition to morphological examination, which traditionally was the basis of all fungal systematics, mating experiments with monokaryotic cultures, and contemporary phylogenetic tools were used.

For P. alveolaris, P. arcularius, P. badius, P. brumalis, P. ciliatus, P. dictyopus, P. guianensis, P. melanopus, P. tubaeformis, P. tuberaster, P. tricholoma, P. umbellatus, and …

Molecular, Genetic, And Functional Analysis Of Ptr3p, A Novel Protein Involved In Amino Acid And Dipeptide Regulation Of Di/Tri-Peptide Transport System In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Vanny Narita

Doctoral Dissertations

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae utilizes nutrient sensor activity at the plasma membrane to regulate growth. Amino acids are sensed by the membrane protein Ssy1p, and a signal is transduced to the novel intracellular regulatory protein Ptr3p. This leads to an upregulation of the expression of amino acid permease genes and PTR2, the gene encoding the di/tri-peptide transporter Ptr2p. Using a reporter gene assay, this study found that various amino acids induced PTR2 expression to different levels. Peptide and amino acid induction required Ptr3p, while Ssy1p was required for amino acid induction, but not peptide induction. Ptr3p-mediated, amino acid/dipeptide-induced expression …

Molecular Cloning And Characterization Of A Novel Mouse Macrophage C-Type Lectin, Mmgl2, Which Has A Distinct Carbohydrate Specificity From Mmgl1, Thandi M. Onami, M. Tsuiji, M. Fujimori, Y. Ohashi, N. Higashi, S. M. Hendrick, T. Irimura

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

A novel mouse macrophage galactose-type C-type lectin 2 (mMGL2) was identified by BLAST analysis of expressed sequence tags. The sequence of mMGL2 is highly homologous to the mMGL, which should now be called mMGL1. The open reading frame of mMGL2 contains a sequence corresponding to a type II transmembrane protein with 332 amino acids having a single extracellular C-type lectin domain. The 3'-untranslated region included long terminal repeats of mouse early transposon. The Mgl2 gene was cloned from a 129/SvJ mouse genomic library and sequenced. The gene spans 7,136 base pairs and consists of 10 exons, which is similar to …