Life Sciences Commons^™

Exploiting Fission Yeast Genetic Interaction Data To Identify Disease-Specific Drug Targets For Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Ashyad Rayhan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited genetic disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2. Their respective gene products regulate the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which serves as an activator of cellular proliferation, metabolism, and cell survival. Orthologs of the TSC1 and TSC2 genes exist in a wide range of organisms, including the commonly used and genetically tractable model eukaryote, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. To better understand the functional roles of S. pombe tsc1 and tsc2, I exploited recent advances in genetic interaction biology to identify and characterize genes that modulate the phenotypic …

Ablation Of An Ovarian Tumor Family Deubiquitinase Exposes The Underlying Regulation Governing The Plasticity Of Cell Cycle Progression In Toxoplasma Gondii, Animesh Dhara, Rodrigo De Paula Baptista, Jessica C. Kissinger, Ernest Charles Snow, Anthony P. Sinai

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

The Toxoplasma genome encodes the capacity for distinct architectures underlying cell cycle progression in a life cycle stage-dependent manner. Replication in intermediate hosts occurs by endodyogeny, whereas a hybrid of schizogony and endopolygeny occurs in the gut of the definitive feline host. Here, we characterize the consequence of the loss of a cell cycle-regulated ovarian tumor (OTU family) deubiquitinase, OTUD3A of Toxoplasma gondii (TgOTUD3A; TGGT1_258780), in T. gondii tachyzoites. Rather than the mutation being detrimental, mutant parasites exhibited a fitness advantage, outcompeting the wild type. This phenotype was due to roughly one-third of TgOTUD3A-knockout (TgOTUD3A-KO) tachyzoites exhibiting deviations from endodyogeny …

Physiological And Biomechanical Responses Of Highly Trained Distance Runners To Lower-Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Running, Kyle Barnes, Jessica N. Janecke

Funded Articles

Background: As a way to train at faster running speeds, add training volume, prevent injury, or rehabilitate after an injury, lower-body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPT) have become increasingly commonplace among athletes. However, there are conflicting evidence and a paucity of data describing the physiological and biomechanical responses to LBPPT running in highly trained or elite caliber runners at the running speeds they habitually train at, which are considerably faster than those of recreational runners. Furthermore, data is lacking regarding female runners’ responses to LBPPT running. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the physiological and biomechanical responses to LBPPT …

Temperature Effects On An Axon’S Ability To Maintain Phasing Of A Rhythmic Motor System, Marissa Elaine Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

The precise timing of action potentials generated in the nervous system is crucial for generating adequate behavior. Once generated, action potentials travel along axons towards the neurons or muscles they innervate. Axons are also responsible for preserving the temporal fidelity of the generated action potentials. One challenge axons face is that they can be of considerable length, and exposed to changes in internal and external conditions. Temperature fluctuations, for example, affect the ion channels that generate and propagate action potentials causing changes in action potential speed. It is unclear if, and how, the timing of action potentials can be preserved …

A Comparison Of Water Potential, Photosynthetic Rate, Electron Transport Rate, And Stomatal Conductance Between Native Malosma Laurina And Exotic Schinus Molle, Karagan L. Smith, Agatha C. Heng, Viridiana Hernandez-Lopez, Stephen D. Davis

Biology

Schinus molle is a relatively new invasive chaparral shrub in the Santa Monica Mountains and has only recently been observed to displace native shrubs like Malosma laurina. To investigate the probable cause of S. molle’s competitive displacement of M. laurina, we compared their water status, photosynthetic rates, electron transport rates, and stomatal conductance to water vapor diffusion during the fall months of 2016. We hypothesized that S. molle would physiologically outperform M. laurina indicated by higher photosynthetic rates, electron transport rates, stomatal conductance rates, and less negative water potential. We found that there was no significant difference between dry …

No Evidence For Trace Metal Limitation On Anaerobic Carbon Mineralization In Three Peatland Soils, Jason K. Keller, Jillian Wade

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Peatlands store roughly one-third of the terrestrial soil carbon and release the potent greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) to the atmosphere, making these wetlands among the most important ecosystems in the global carbon cycle. Despite their importance, the controls of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and CH₄ within peatlands are not well understood. It is known, however, that the enzymes responsible for CH₄ production require cobalt, iron and nickel, and there is a growing appreciation for the potential role of trace metal limitation in anaerobic decomposition. To explore the possibility of …

Genetic Algorithm Based Solution In Pwm Converter Switching For Voltage Source Inverter Feeding An Induction Motor Drive, Jegathesan V.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This paper presents an efficient and reliable Genetic Algorithm based solution for Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) switching pattern. This method eliminates considerable amount of lower order line voltage harmonics in Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) inverter. Determination of pulse pattern for the elimination of some lower order harmonics of a PWM inverter necessitates solving a system of nonlinear transcendental equations. Genetic Algorithm is used to solve nonlinear transcendental equations for PWM-SHE. Many methods are available to eliminate the higher order harmonics and it can be easily removed. But the greatest challenge is to eliminate the lower order harmonics and this is …

Electrochemical Model Of Euglena Sanguinea Ehrenberg Stimulated With Multi-Level Electromagnetic Fields, Packamwongsang K., Noppanakeepong S., Naranong N., Phaewbang P., Pleuksananon P., Packamwongsang W.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This research aimed at studying the property of Euglena Sanguinea Ehrenberg (E. sanguinea) before and after being stimulated by multi-level electromagnetic fields (MLEM). After the stimulation, it was found that physical properties were changed, i.e., cell membrane and components deformed. Main biochemical compositions were changed in accordance with new electrochemical equation which was estimated from FTIR bands. Moreover, the estimated electrical results before and after being stimulated, i.e., impedance and complex relative permittivity of main biochemical compositions from extraction, were then measured, simulated, and compared by means of Cole-Cole plot technique which yielded the statistic correlation 0.89 at 95% confidence …

Measurment Of Bending Properties Of Rhizophora Tropical Wood, Hamdan Sinin, Hasan Mahbub, Nohe Yoann

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The Young’s modulus, load at the yield point and proportional limit stress from the compression bending (cb) test were compared with the four point bending tests (4pb). The theoretical Young’s modulus are larger than the real reading for 5mm and 10mm thick specimens, except for 200mm long specimens due to specimen nonlinearity. The experimental results for the short specimens are slightly high compared to the theory due to uniaxial compression in both tensile and compressive planes. Since the additional deflection produced by the shearing force and the stress concentration at the loading point was smaller with the compression bending test …

The Study Of Tissue-Specific Dna Methylation As A Method For The Epigenetic Discrimination Of Forensic Samples, Joana Ap Antunes

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In forensic sciences, the serological methods used to determine which body fluid was collected from the crime scene are merely presumptive or labor intensive since they rely on protein detection or on microscopic identification of cells. Given that certain forensic cases may need the precise identification of a body fluid to determine criminal contact, such is the example of a suspected sexual assault of a minor; certainty in the body fluid of origin may depict a precise picture of the events. The identification of loci that show differences in methylation according to the tissue of origin can aid forensic analysts …

Influence Of Temperature On The Performance Of Photovoltaic Polycrystalline Silicon Module In The Bruneian Climate, Malik A. Q., Ming Lim Chee, Sheng Tan Kha, Blundell M.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The influence of working temperature for a polysilicon module has been investigated in Brunei Darussalam for a period of two years. The rise in temperature produces thermal agitation which not only increases the dark current but also enhances the losses of free carriers in a polycrystalline module. The efficiency and the output power decreases with an increase in the working temperature. A maximum decline in the output power of 97% has been measured under a dominated diffused radiation environment. The temperature coefficients have been obtained and equations are developed to evaluate the change in the rating of module at any …

Caenorhabditis Elegans Dbl-1/Bmp Regulates Lipid Accumulation Via Interaction With Insulin Signaling, James F. Clark, Michael Meade, Gehan Ranepura, David H. Hall, Cathy Savage-Dunn

Publications and Research

Metabolic homeostasis is coordinately controlled by diverse inputs. Understanding these regulatory networks is vital to combating metabolic disorders. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a powerful, genetically tractable model system for the discovery of lipid regulatory mechanisms. Here we introduce DBL-1, the C. elegans homolog of bone morphogenetic protein 2/4 (BMP2/4), as a significant regulator of lipid homeostasis. We used neutral lipid staining and a lipid droplet marker to demonstrate that both increases and decreases in DBL-1/BMP signaling result in reduced lipid stores and lipid droplet count. We find that lipid droplet size, however, correlates positively with the level …

List Of The Lepidoptera Of Black Sturgeon Lake, Northwestern Ontario, And Dates Of Adult Occurrence, C. J. Sanders

The Great Lakes Entomologist

From May to September each year from 1960 through 1968, a collection of Lepidoptera was made at Black Sturgeon Lake, northwestern Ontario, from speci­ mens captured in a light trap and from specimens netted during the day. A total of 564 species was recorded from 70 families. A list of the species with dates of capture is presented.

Acorns As Breeding Sites For Chymomyza Amoena (Loew) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) In Virginia And Michigan, Henretta Trent Band

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Chymomyza amoena is the only chymomyzid fly emerging from white oak acorns in Virginia. An average of 2-3 adult flies emerged from a single acorn in July while emergence declined to 0.4 adults/acorns in September. In fall, Drosophila melanogaster was also present. The incidence of drosophilid (Drosophila, Chymomyza) larvae in parasitized acorns in Virginia (400/0) in autumn was significantly greater than in Michigan (14%). The Chymomyza larvae present in the parasitized acorns in Michigan most likely were C. amoena, from the known adaptation of this species in Michigan to frass-breeding.

Geographic Distribution Of Siphonaptera Collected From Small Mammals On Lake Michigan Islands, William C. Scharf

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The distribution of ten flea species collected from five small mammal host species on 13 Lake Michigan islands is described. Four new eastern and southern records for Hystrichopsylla dippiei Rothschild are given. Speculative suggestions are made regarding dispersal routes of some of the small mammal host species, and the distribution of flea species from Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis LeConte is dis- cussed in the context of island biogeography theory.

Host Plant Suitability And A Test Of The Feeding Specialization Hypothesis Using Papilio Cresphontes (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), J. Mark Scriber, Robert V. Dowell

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The concept that host plant favorites would be used for more rapid and/or efficient growth of the "locally adapted" individuals was tested in a preliminary way using the giant swallowtail butterfly, Papilio cresphontes. Populations feeding only on northern prickly ash, Zanthoxylum americanum (from Wisconsin), primarily (or exclusively) on hoptree, Ptelea trifoliata (in Ohio) and on lime prickly ash, Z. fagara, or Citrus, (in Florida) were compared on alternate hosts and on their actual local hosts under controlled environmental conditions. While the results with final instar larvae generally support the feeding specialization hypothesis with regard to more rapid …

Acrobasis Shoot Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Infestation-Tree Height Link In A Young Black Walnut Plantation, George Rink, Barbara C. Weber, D. Michael Baines, David T. Funk

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Acrobasis shoot moth infestations were evaluated in a young black walnut progeny test for 4 years, from ages 3 to 6. Infestation levels were greatest on the largest trees in the fourth and fifth year after plantation establishment, and were declining by the sixth year. Acrobasis infestation appears to be a problem primarily on young trees less than 2.5 m in height. There was no evidence for genetic resistance to Acrobasis infestation in black walnut.

No Intersexual Differences In Host Size And Species Usage In Spalangia Endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), B. H. King

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Spalangia endius were collected from fly pupae, primarily house fly and stable fly, from a poultry house in Indiana. Male and female wasps did not differ within and across host species in host size usage. Also, despite stable fly pupae being significantly smaller than house fly pupae, the proportion of male wasps emerging from the two host species was similar.

Acoustic Signals Of Graminella Nigrifrons (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), S. E. Heady, L. R. Nault

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The deltocephaline leafhopper, Graminella nigrifrons, produces low intensity sub- strate transmitted vibrations (signals) to facilitate location of virgin females by males during courtship. In the laboratory, signals produced on maize leaves were received by a phonographic cartridge, amplified, and analyzed on an oscillograph and sonograph. Male calls, that are produced spontaneously, are complex, consisting of three consecutive sections. Section 1 consists of ca. 3 sec of irregular clicks. Section 2 has ca. 4 sec of repeated phrases consisting of a continuous series of 0.4 sec chirps and a roll. Section 3 consists of ca. 5 sec of an intermittent …

Light Trap Records Of Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) In Wisconsin, 1984-1987, Robert A. Dahl, Daniel L. Mahr

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Phyllophaga adults (June beetles) were surveyed from 1984 through 1987 at five locations in Wisconsin using black light traps. Data were collected at each location for three consecutive years. A total of 9,259 specimens representing 13 species were collected during the survey. Species captured, sex ratios, and flight periods for abundant species were recorded for each location. Species abundance differed from previous surveys of Phyllophaga in Wisconsin. Possible reasons for observed shifts in species abundance are discussed.

A Further Note On Glenosticta Pictifrons (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) In Michigan, Mark F. O'Brien

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

In a previous paper (O'Brien 1989) I listed a single record of G/enostielia pietjfrons (Smith) from Michigan. The female specimen was from the E.S. George Reserve in Livingston Co., and I stated that it was the only record from the George Reserve.

Occurrences Of Eumorpha Fasciata, Hyles Gallii, Sphinx Franckii And S. Vashti (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) In Illinois, Everett D. Cashatt, George L. Godfrey, James R. Wiker

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A recent survey of private and institutional collections in Illinois and surrounding states has provided specific information on the occurrences of four species of sphingids within Illinois: Eumorpha fasciata, Hyles gallii, Sphinx franckii, and S. vashti. Geographical and phenological data for these species are provided.

Determination Of Frequency And Distribution Of Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Biotypes In The Northeastern Soft Wheat Region, B. H. Chen, J. E. Foster, P. L. Taylor, J. E. Araya, C. Kudagamage

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Fifteen collections of Hessian flies from the northern soft winter wheat region of the United States were used to determine the composition and frequency of biotypes. The wheat cultivars 'Seneca' (H7Hs), 'Monon' (H3), 'Knox 62' (~, H7Hg), and 'Abe' (Hs) were used as differentials. Biotypes J and L replaced biotype B as the prevalent biotype in Indiana, since wheat cultivars having the Hs and the H6 genes have been grown. Biotype GP, the least virulent of any Hessian fly biotypes, was still present in New York indicating that wheat cuItivars with no genes for resistance are still being grown there. …

Life Cycles Of Leuctra Duplicata And Ostrocerca Prolongata In An Intermittent Streamlet In Quebec (Plecoptera: Leuctridae And Nemouridae), P. P. Harper

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Large populations of Ostrocerca prolongata and Leuctra duplicata developed in a small intermittent stream in the foothills of the Laurentian Highlands of Quebec. Both species were univoltine in 1974-1975. Ostrocerca prolongata started emerging in mid-to late May. followed by L. duplicata about 2 weeks later. The emergence periods lasted 3-4 weeks with similar patterns in both sexes. Ostrocerca prolongata laid its eggs before the stream dried up in early July. while L. duplicata oviposited just afterward. The eggs of both species did not hatch before October when flow had resumed; the prolonged incubation was due to a diapause in Ostrocerca …

Ecology And Host Associations Of Histiogaster Arborsignis (Acari: Acaridae) In The Great Lakes Region, Particularly In The Huron Mountains Of Northern Michigan, Barry M. Oconnor

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Histiogaster arborsignis is recorded from subcortical habitats and fungal fruiting bodies in the Huron Mountains of northern Michigan. Deutonymphs were collected from 15 species of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera. Additional host and locality records for this species are provided from other areas in the Great Lakes region.

Siphonaptera Records And Host Associations From The Central And Eastern Upper Peninsula Of Michigan, William C. Scharf, Patrick E. Lederle, Thomas A. Allan

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Fleas were collected from birds and mammals over a five year period in four upper peninsula counties. Identified specimens were compared to published records of distribution for the parasite species and its host species, and only those records which are new county distributions for host or parasite are listed. Four new host records for Michigan, four new flea distribution records for the upper peninsula, and 26 new county records are listed.

The Thimbleberry Gallmaker, Diastrophus Kincaidii, (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), In The Great Lakes Region, Kenneth J. Kraft, Frederic H. Erbisch

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Diastrophus kinccddii, a gall wasp previously known only from California and the Pacific Northwest, is reported from the Great Lakes Region. It is present on thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus, in three counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michi- gan and in Duluth, Minnesota. It may have arrived on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan within the past ten years. Information about its biology, distribu- tion, and abundance is presented.

Use Of A Monitoring System To Evaluate Pesticide Efficacy And Residual Activity Against Two Pine Root Weevils, Hylobius Pales And Pachylobius Picivorus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), In Christmas Tree Farms, Lynne K. Rieske, Kenneth F. Raffa

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Hylobius pales, the pales weevil, and Pachylobius picivorus, the pitch-eating weevil, comprise part of a weevil complex which affects plantation pine production in the Lake States. Common control practices on Christmas tree farms include calendar applications of persistent insecticides. The resulting environmental risks could be minimized by repeating applications only when needed. A sampling method using ethanol-and turpentine-baited pitfall traps was used here to assess the efficacy and monitor persistence of chemical sprays. Trap catch in lindane-treated field plots and untreated controls were compared over two years. Unsprayed controls had significantly higher weevil populations than treated plots. Spray efficacy …

Abundance And Identification Of The Leafmining Guild On Apple In The Mid-Atlantic States, M. W. Brown

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The leafmining guild on apple in the northeastern United States was studied from 1983 to 1988. Ten species of leafminers, all Lepidoptera, were encountered during the sampling. Phyllonorycter spp. (P. blancardella and P. crataegella) were the most ubiquitous and most abundant throughout the region. Lyonetia speculella was also abundant in both managed and unmanaged orchards, indicating a potential to become a pest. Bucculatrix pomiloliella and Coptodisca splendorilerella were abundant in unmanaged orchards, but were only rarely found in managed orchards. Coleophora serratella, Stigmella pomivorella, Parornix geminatella, Tischeria malifoliella, and Recurvaria nanella were also found. A key to …

Occurrence Of Helophorus Grandis (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) In North-Central Wisconsin, William L. Hilsenhoff

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Two males of the Palaearctic Helophorus grandis were collected in northern Wisconsin, constituting a significant westward extension of its previous range in eastern Ontario, eastern New York, and areas farther east.