Life Sciences Commons^™

Thatch Control, Winter Painting, And Plant Growth Regulator Management On Golf Course Putting Greens, Steven Long

All Theses

No abstract provided.

Brain Stimulation Reward Is Integrated By A Network Of Electrically-Coupled Gaba Neurons, Matthew Brian Lassen

Theses and Dissertations

Although it is well-established that animals will self-stimulate electric current to various diverse brain structures, the neural substrate of brain stimulation reward (BSR) has eluded identification since its discovery more than a half-century ago. We show that GABA neurons in the midbrain, hypothalamus and thalamus express connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions and couple electrically with dopamine application or by stimulation of the internal capsule (IC), which also supports self-stimulation. The threshold for responding for self-stimulation of the IC is the threshold for coupling between these GABA neurons, the degree of responding for IC ICSS is proportional to the magnitude of electrical …

Evolution In Neotropical Herpetofauna: Species Boundaries In High Andean Frogs And Evolutionary Genetics In The Lava Lizard Genus Microlophus (Squamata: Tropiduridae): A History Of Colonization And Dispersal, Edgar Benavides

Theses and Dissertations

In this collection of papers I have summarized my investigations into the field of evolutionary genetics and more specifically into patterns of biodiversity and evolutionary processes. The lizards (and frogs) studied here share common features in that they are largely present in unique environments, which are also regions that are biologically understudied. Most of these taxa show high degrees of endemism, interesting natural history characteristics, and each group manifests distinctive adaptations of general evolutionary interest. My work in the genus Telmatobius has been a progressive approach that began in my MS program, and it first focused on alpha taxonomy, morphological …

Identifying Economic Indicators For Ecosystem-Based Management:, Scott Norris

Publications

In America and across the world, the use of ecosystem-based management is

increasing. One of the primary challenges faced in using this method of management is the integration of economic data and environmental information. This report explores the use of a new tool for integrating economic data, ecosystem-based economic indicators, in a case study of Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, an estuarine environment located in Monterey County, CA. Research and literature reviews were used to detail the economic activities of the area, in order to identify possible indicators,criteria for evaluating the indicators, and potential sources of indicator data. After …

Living In A Land Of Fire, R. J. Whelan, P. Kanowski, M. Gill, A. Andersen

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Fires are an inherent part of the Australian environment. They cannot be prevented, but the risks they pose — to life, health, property and infrastructure, production systems, and to environment values — can be minimised through systematic evaluation and strategic planning and management. Fires have a fundamental and irreplaceable role in sustaining many of Australia’s natural ecosystems and ecological processes, and they are a valuable tool for achieving many land management objectives. However, if they are too frequent or too infrequent, too severe or too mild, or mistimed, they can erode ecosystem ‘health’ and biodiversity and compromise other land management …

Evidence That Talin Alternative Splice Variants From Ciona Intestinalis Have Different Roles In Cell Adhesion, Richard H. Singiser, Richard O. Mccann

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Talins are large, modular cytoskeletal proteins found in animals and amoebozoans such as Dictyostelium discoideum. Since the identification of a second talin gene in vertebrates, it has become increasingly clear that vertebrate Talin1 and Talin2 have non-redundant roles as essential links between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton in distinct plasma membrane-associated adhesion complexes. The conserved C-terminal I/LWEQ module is important for talin function. This structural element mediates the interaction of talins with F-actin. The I/LWEQ module also targets mammalian Talin1 to focal adhesion complexes, which are dynamic multicomponent assemblies required for cell adhesion and cell motility. Although Talin1 is …

The Role Of Natural And Sexual Selection In The Origin And Maintenance Of Divergence Within And Between The Mexican Sailfin Mollies, Poecilia Velifera And P. Petenensis, Shala Hankison

All Dissertations

Understanding speciation remains a holy grail of evolutionary biology. One useful approach is studying the evolutionary mechanisms important in population divergence to infer the mechanisms important in speciation. This method is especially useful when closely related species can be compared to determine whether intraspecific differences parallel interspecific differences. I studied population divergence in two species of Mexican sailfin mollies, Poecilia velifera and P. petenensis. These closely related species are particularly useful for this type of study, as they live in habitats that may differ in the importance of natural selection. In addition, these species may differ in the importance …

Small Grains And Field Peas: 2007 Variety Recommendations (2006 Crop Performance Results), Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota State University

SDSU Extension Circulars

Variety selection is a fundamental element in a sound crop production program. This report contains variety recommendations, descriptions, and yield data for the spring-seeded small grains – hard red spring wheat, oat, and barley, along with the fall-seeded small grain –hard red winter wheat. Key factors in variety selection include yield, yield stability, maturity, straw strength, height, test weight, quality, and disease resistance. Yield is an important factor; however, a variety with good disease resistance, straw strength, and high grain quality may be more profitable in some cases than the highest yielding variety. Disease resistance information is based on reactions …

Use Of Hidden Markov Models For Qtl Mapping, Karl W. Broman

Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers

An important aspect of the QTL mapping problem is the treatment of missing genotype data. If complete genotype data were available, QTL mapping would reduce to the problem of model selection in linear regression. However, in the consideration of loci in the intervals between the available genetic markers, genotype data is inherently missing. Even at the typed genetic markers, genotype data is seldom complete, as a result of failures in the genotyping assays or for the sake of economy (for example, in the case of selective genotyping, where only individuals with extreme phenotypes are genotyped). We discuss the use of …

Eliminating Listeria Monocytogenes In Packed Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products By Combining In-Package Pasteurization With Nisin And/Or Lysozyme, Sunil Mangalassary

All Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes is a significant food-borne pathogen particularly associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products which can grow and multiply at refrigeration temperatures. In-package pasteurization is an effective post-lethality intervention to reduce microbial contamination of RTE meat products. Enhancing the efficiency of in-package pasteurization is vital in reducing the L. monocytogenes population as well as in preserving the quality of the meat product. The first section of the dissertation research evaluated the effect of product thickness on the surface heating rate and final surface temperature during in-package pasteurization of vacuum-packaged bologna. Three thicknesses (4, 12, and 20 mm), corresponding …

Identification Of The Rassf3 Gene As A Potential Tumor Suppressor Responsible For The Resistance To Mammary Tumor Development In Mmtv/Neu Transgenic Mice, Isabelle Jacquemart

All Dissertations

The MMTV/neu transgenic mouse line is a well-documented animal model for studying HER2/neu-related breast cancer. It has been reported that a small percentage, approximately 20%, of the virgin female MMTV/neu mice seems resistant to the development of mammary gland adenoma, despite the overexpression of the neu oncogene.
To identify the factors that are responsible for the tumor resistance in these MMTV/neu female transgenic mice, comparative genetic profiling was used to screen the alterations in gene expression in the mammary gland. A novel gene named the RAS Association domain (RalGDS/AF-6) Family 3 (Rassf3), which belongs to a family of RAS effectors …

Forage Adaptability Trials For Forage And Seed Production In Bolivia; Effect Of 5 Herbicides On 7 Native Utah Forbs, Joshua C. Voss

Theses and Dissertations

The harsh environmental and poor economic conditions of the Bolivian Altiplano require intervention to assist many of those that live there to become economically self-sufficient. We attempted to find introduced dry season reserve forage grasses that could produce enough biomass to be useful as feed for livestock, and that could also produce enough seed to distribute to farmers. While some of the grasses produced reasonable amounts of biomass, none produced seed in quantities that would be even close to being economically viable. The most likely cause of this is that the timing of resources that the grasses need to flower …

Homologous Neurons And Their Locomotor Functions In Nudibranch Molluscs, James M. Newcomb

Biology Dissertations

These studies compare neurotransmitter localization and the behavioral functions of homologous neurons in nudibranch molluscs to determine the types of changes that might underlie the evolution of species-specific behaviors. Serotonin (5-HT) immunohistochemistry in eleven nudibranch species indicated that certain groups of 5 HT-immunoreactive neurons, such as the Cerebral Serotonergic Posterior (CeSP) cluster, are present in all species. However, the locations and numbers of many other 5 HT-immunoreactive neurons were variable. Thus, particular parts of the serotonergic system have changed during the evolution of nudibranchs. To test whether the functions of homologous neurons are phylogenetically variable, comparisons were made in species …

Linking Bioturbation And Sensory Biology: Chemoreception Mechanisms In Deposit-Feeding Polychaetes, Sara M. Lindsay, Paul Rawson

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

Soft-sediment benthic habitats are ubiquitous in the marine environment and typically feature macrofaunal assemblages that include large numbers of deposit-feeding invertebrates such as polychaetes, bivalves, gastropods, crustaceans, holothurians, and hemichordates. Via their feeding, modulated in part by chemoreception, these organisms have profound effects on the ecology, biology, geology, and chemistry of their habitats. Very little is known, however, concerning the physiology and molecular biology of chemoreception in deposit feeders.

This research is a comprehensive investigation of the sensory mechanisms coordinating chemoreception in deposit feeding spionid polychaetes. It directly addresses this lack of information and will therefore have a significant impact …

Septal Infusions Of The H-Channel Blocker Zd7288 Impair Spontaneous Alternation But Not Inhibitory Avoidance, Ramata Sissoko Cisse

Biology Theses

It is well established that the septo-hippocampal system is involved in memory. The medial septum is connected to the hippocampus via the fimbria fornix, which consists mostly of acetylcholine and ã-aminobutyric acid (GABA) projection neurons. The contributions of the cholinergic projection to memory have been studied extensively; whereas, the role of the GABAergic projection is not well characterized. The present experiment tested whether septal infusions of the selective H-channel blocker ZD7288 would impair spontaneous alternation (SA) and continuous multiple inhibitory avoidance (CMIA). Fifteen minutes prior to assessing SA or CMIA, different groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were given septal infusions …

Isolation And Characterization Of The Y32g9a.8 Promoter In C. Elegans, Rebecca Joy Schlisner

Biology Theses

The over-expression of Down syndrome cell adhesion molecules (DSCAMs) is partially responsible for the mental retardation associated with Down syndrome. Previous work in our lab showed that a DSCAM homolog in C. elegans, Y32G9A.8, is expressed at all developmental stages and appears to be crucial for survival. In an effort to map the expression pattern, I used the Genome Sciences Centre’s primer design program (http://elegans.bcgsc.bc.ca/gfp_primers/) to design a GFP promoter fusion product that was used to monitor gene expression. The results indicate that Y32G9A.8 is expressed in the animal’s gut, suggesting that it may function in the worm’s innate immune …

The Role Of S7, A Subunit Of The 19s Proteasome, In The Transcriptional Regulation Of Mhc Ii., Dawson Gerhardt

Biology Theses

Induction of an adaptive, or antigen specific, immune response is critical for eliminating most infections. Pathogen clearance is accomplished primarily, by the actions of CD4+ T cells through their ability to recognize foreign antigens presented at the cell surface by major histocompatibility class II (MHC II) molecules. Consequently, the capacity to regulate expression of MHC molecules is essential to control the adaptive immune response. MHC molecules are regulated at the level of transcription by a master regulator, the class II transcriptional activator, CIITA. Thus, the expression of MHC II is directly related to proper CIITA activity. This thesis focuses on …

An Integrative Analysis Of Reproduction And Stress In Free-Living Male Cottonmouths, Agkistrodon Piscivorus, Sean Patrick Graham

Biology Theses

I conducted an integrative field study on male cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), a common pitviper of the southeastern United States, to investigate the evolution of contrasting mating patterns in North American pitvipers (bimodal and unimodal annual patterns) and resolve conflicting information about the pattern exhibited by the cottonmouth. I determined a unimodal late summer peak of testosterone (T) and a muted unimodal seasonal cycle of the sexual segment of the kidney (a secondary sexual characteristic), both of which were correlated with the single peak of spermatogenesis in late summer. I also conducted a study to determine diel and seasonal variation of …

Phylogeny Of Family Limnephilidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) With Emphasis On Tribe Limnephilini (Subfamily Limnephilinae), Tatyana Vshivkova

All Dissertations

Morphological characters of adults and immature stages of Limnephilidae were analyzed with modern phylogenetic techniques, including traditionally used characters and some that have been poorly investigated or never studied. For the first time, monophyly is inferred for the following nominotypical taxa: superfamily Limnephiloidea, family Limnephilidae, subfamily Limnephilinae, tribe Limnephilini, and Limnephilus sensu stricto. Some other higher taxa are distinguished based on high bootstrap support, unreversed synapomorphies, and/or topography, including a new family-group category for Trichoptera, 'Branch,' more inclusive than the family category and less inclusive than the superfamily category. These new taxa in Limnephiloidea are as follows: Brachycentrida New Branch …

Development Of Polymer Monoliths For The Analysis Of Peptides And Proteins, Binghe Gu

Theses and Dissertations

Several novel polymer monoliths for the analysis of peptides and proteins were synthesized using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) as crosslinker. Photo-initiated copolymerization of polyethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate and PEGDA yielded an inert monolith that could be used for size exclusion liquid chromatography of peptides and proteins. This macroscopically uniform monolith did not shrink or swell in either water or tetrahydrofuran. More importantly, it was found to resist adsorption of both acidic and basic proteins in aqueous buffer without any organic solvent additives. A strong cation-exchange polymer monolith was synthesized by copolymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and PEGDA. A ternary …

The Role Of Wnt Signaling In Development Of The Ophthalmic Trigeminal Placode., Rhonda Nicole Lassiter

Theses and Dissertations

Cranial placodes are ectodermal regions that contribute extensively to the vertebrate peripheral nervous system. The development of the ophthalmic trigeminal (opV) placode, which gives rise only to sensory neurons of the ophthalmic lobe of the trigeminal ganglion, is a well-studied model of sensory neuron development. While key differentiation processes have been characterized at the tissue and cellular levels, the molecules governing opV placode development have not been well described. This study identifies the canonical Wnt signaling pathway as a regulator of opV trigeminal placode development. Introducing dominant-negative TCF and dominant-active β-catenin expression constructs by in ovo electroporation, we have manipulated …

Investigation Into The Mechanism(S) Which Permit The High-Rate, Degradation Of Pahs And Related Petroleum Hydrocarbons In Sequencing Batch Reactors By Attached Cells In A Controlled Mixed Bacterial Community., Emad Ibraheim Hussein

Biology Dissertations

A stable mixed culture, deposited as ATCC 55644, previously shown to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons at relatively high concentrations was used as the source of inoculum. This culture was grown in Stanier’s minimal media, either in the presence of different concentrations of naphthalene, nitrobenzene and toluene (NNT) or naphthalene and toluene (NT) as the sole source of C and/or N. Results showed that the majority of the strains isolated from the mixed culture were able to grow in the presence of NNT or NT. A total of 20 different isolates were isolated from the mixed culture. Individual isolates were grown in …

Synthesis And Optical Properties Of Four Oligothiophene-Ruthenium Complexes And Synthesis Of A Bidentate Ligand For C-F Bond Activation, Joseph S. Bair

Theses and Dissertations

Photovoltaic cells and fluorescence sensing are two important areas of research in chemistry. The combination of photon-activated electron donors with electron acceptors provides a strong platform for the study of optical devices. A series of four oligothiophene-ruthenium complexes has been synthesized. Variation in oligothiophene length and bipyridine substitution allowed comparison of these variables on electronic properties. The longer oligothiophenes display lower energy absorption and emission compared to the shorter ones. Aromatic conjugation appears more complete with para-, rather than meta-, substitution. Oligothiophenes and Ru(bpy)32+ are highly fluorescent individually, but fluorescence is quenched when connected. Bonds of carbon to fluorine are …

Effects Of Telephone Weight Loss Coaching On Body Composition In Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study, Amy Jensen Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine the extent to which coaching over the telephone is an effective method in promoting the loss of body weight and body fat percentage. Research Methods and Procedures: Over a period of four months, in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study, 120 overweight and obese (BMI 25-35 kg/m²) adults either received telephone coaching or no coaching. In addition, each participant was randomly assigned to take a supplement or placebo daily. Body weight and body fat percentage were measured at baseline, two months, and four months. Body weight was measured on an electronic scale and body fat percentage was …

The Role Of Ecological Interactions In Polymicrobial Biofilms And Their Contribution To Multiple Antibiotic Resistance, Heather Adele O'Connell

Biology Dissertations

The primary objectives of this research were to demonstrate that: 1.) antibiotic resistant bacteria can promote the survival of antibiotic sensitive organisms when grown simultaneously as biofilms in antibiotics, 2.) community-level multiple antibiotic resistance of polymicrobial consortia can lead to biofilm formation despite the presence of multiple antibiotics, and 3.) biofilms may benefit plasmid retention and heterologous protein production in the absence of selective pressure. Quantitative analyses of confocal data showed that ampicillin resistant organisms supported populations of ampicillin sensitive organisms in steady state ampicillin concentrations 13 times greater than that which would inhibit sensitive cells inoculated alone. The rate …

Intsormil’S Global Impact: A Revolution In West African Sorghum Production, Intsormil

INTSORMIL Impacts and Bulletins

Sorghum and pearl millet are the staple grains for millions of people around the world, especially those residing in the semiarid margins of agricultural sustainability. For this reason, INTSORMIL has been working in the semiarid regions of Africa and Central America where it has been helping sorghum and millet farmers achieve the status of surplus grain production and the economic, social and health benefits thus provided. What impact has INTSORMIL had on the lives of these sorghum and millet farmers?

To determine the global impact of the USAID funded INTSORMIL program, Battelle, an independent agency, was chosen to conduct an …

The Tangled Web Of Community Ecology: Making Sense Of Complex Data, Monica Lynn Beals

Doctoral Dissertations

Ecological communities are governed by complicated processes that give rise to observable patterns. Making sense of these patterns, much less inferring the underlying processes, has proved challenging for several reasons. Manipulative experiments in natural communities may not be feasible due to large numbers of variables, lack of adequate replication, or the risk of undesirable consequences (e.g., introducing an invasive species). The multivariate nature of ecological datasets presents analytical problems as well; many statistical techniques familiar to ecologists have difficulty handling large numbers of potentially collinear variables. I present results from three studies of spider communities in which I employ a …

Avian Community Ecology: Patterns Of Co-Occurrence, Nestedness, And Morphology, Michael David Collins

Doctoral Dissertations

A central tenet of the competition paradigm is that community structure is governed by deterministic rules. The competition paradigm pervades nearly all subdisciplines and extends to the broadest, deepest questions in ecology. To determine whether patterns of co-occurrence, nestedness, and morphology in avian communities are consistent with a competition hypothesis, I use null models to compare observed patterns to patterns expected in the absence of competition.

I use presence-absence matrices of birds in three archipelagoes to test whether species exhibit exclusive distributions. Congeneric birds co-occur significantly less frequently than predicted in two archipelagoes, consistent with a competition hypothesis. However, when …

Studies On Cytochrome P450 Genes In Drosophila Melanogaster: Relationship Between Over Expression And Ddt Resistance, And Xenobiotic Induction, Srilalitha Kuruganti

Doctoral Dissertations

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), are involved in the metabolism of a diverse group of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. In insects, CYPs are involved in conferring resistance against insecticides. In Drosophila, the expression of Cyp6a2, Cyp6a8, Cyp6g1, Cyp6w1 and Cyp12d1 is higher in the resistant compared to susceptible strains. Recent study by Daborn et al (2002, Science, 297, 2253-2256) showed that Cyp6g1 alone can confer resistance phenotype. The aim of my first objective was to re- examine this claim and second to examine the effect of common xenobiotic compounds on the transcriptome of Drosophila.

In first objective, six strains …

An Integrated Experimental And Computational Approach To Proteomics: Scaling From High Resolution Qualitative Analysis To Quantitative Measurements With Confidence Evaluation, Chongle Pan

Doctoral Dissertations

As a component of systems biology, proteomics aims to characterize the entire protein complement of an organism, including qualitative identification of protein types and quantitative measurement of protein abundance changes as a function of different cellular states. This dissertation presents an integrated experimental and computational approach to improve proteomic measurements, including qualitative measurements using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) and quantitative measurements with statistically derived confidence evaluation.

Although FT-ICR-MS provides high-performance mass measurements, its potential has not yet been fully explored for proteomics applications. A novel tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for FT-ICR-MS to obtain sequence …