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Full-Text Articles in Biology

Dessication Stress, Steven C. Hand, Michael A. Menze Sep 2007

Dessication Stress, Steven C. Hand, Michael A. Menze

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The threat of desiccation for organisms inhabiting the intertidal zone occurs during emersion at low tides or when organisms are positioned in the high intertidal zone, where wetting occurs primarily by spring tides, storm waves, and spray. Drying due to evaporative water loss is the most common mechanism for dehydration, although during winter in northern temperate regions freezing can also occur, which reduces the liquid water in extracellular fluids and can lead to intracellular dehydration in multicellular organisms. Freezing tolerance has been reported and characterized for a number of intertidal invertebrates, including gastropods such as an air-breathing snail and a …


Floral Biology Of Physaria Ludoviciana (Brassicaceae), A Plant Rare To The Midwest, Ann E. Claerbout, Janice M. Coons, Henry R. Owen, Kenneth R. Robertson Sep 2007

Floral Biology Of Physaria Ludoviciana (Brassicaceae), A Plant Rare To The Midwest, Ann E. Claerbout, Janice M. Coons, Henry R. Owen, Kenneth R. Robertson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Physaria ludoviciana (Brassicaceae) is rare in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Environmental effects on floral development are unclear. Both self-compatibility and self-incompatibility occur within Physaria species. Objectives were to describe flowers, to determine how photoperiod affects flower development, and to predict whether flowers are self-compatible or self-incompatible. For photoperiods, greenhouse-grown plants were placed in either 16 or 8 hr photoperiods. Inflorescences and open flowers were counted weekly. For pollination, flowers were self-pollinated or cross-pollinated. Plants developed inflorescences after 20 and 28 d in long and short days, respectively. Inflorescences/plant increased for both photoperiods throughout the study. In short days, plants produced …


The Distribution Of Apolipoprotein E In Mouse Olfactory Epithelium, Britto P. Nathan, Sreenivas Nannapaneni, Salina Gairhe, Ikemefuna Nwosu, Robert G. Struble Mar 2007

The Distribution Of Apolipoprotein E In Mouse Olfactory Epithelium, Britto P. Nathan, Sreenivas Nannapaneni, Salina Gairhe, Ikemefuna Nwosu, Robert G. Struble

Britto P. Nathan

Previous studies from our laboratory suggest that apolipoprotein (apoE), a lipid transporting protein, facilitates olfactory nerve regeneration. We have shown that apoE is enriched in the olfactory nerve and around the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB). The studies reported herein were undertaken to identify possible sources of apoE in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Immunoblotting results revealed apoE expression in the OE of wild-type (WT) mice, but not in apoE deficient/knockout (KO) mice. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the perikarya and processes of sustentacular (Sus) cells expressed apoE-like immunoreactivity. Minimal neuronal apoE immunostaining was seen, although apoE was observed in the …


The Distribution Of Apolipoprotein E In Mouse Olfactory Epithelium, Britto P. Nathan, Sreenivas Nannapaneni, Salina Gairhe, Ikemefuna Nwosu, Robert G. Struble Mar 2007

The Distribution Of Apolipoprotein E In Mouse Olfactory Epithelium, Britto P. Nathan, Sreenivas Nannapaneni, Salina Gairhe, Ikemefuna Nwosu, Robert G. Struble

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Previous studies from our laboratory suggest that apolipoprotein (apoE), a lipid transporting protein, facilitates olfactory nerve regeneration. We have shown that apoE is enriched in the olfactory nerve and around the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB). The studies reported herein were undertaken to identify possible sources of apoE in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Immunoblotting results revealed apoE expression in the OE of wild-type (WT) mice, but not in apoE deficient/knockout (KO) mice. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the perikarya and processes of sustentacular (Sus) cells expressed apoE-like immunoreactivity. Minimal neuronal apoE immunostaining was seen, although apoE was observed in the …


The Distribution Of Apolipoprotein E In Mouse Olfactory Epithelium, Britto Nathan, Sreenivas Nannapaneni, Salina Gairhe, Ikemefuna Nwosu, Robert Struble Mar 2007

The Distribution Of Apolipoprotein E In Mouse Olfactory Epithelium, Britto Nathan, Sreenivas Nannapaneni, Salina Gairhe, Ikemefuna Nwosu, Robert Struble

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Previous studies from our laboratory suggest that apolipoprotein (apoE), a lipid transporting protein, facilitates olfactory nerve regeneration. We have shown that apoE is enriched in the olfactory nerve and around the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB). The studies reported herein were undertaken to identify possible sources of apoE in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Immunoblotting results revealed apoE expression in the OE of wild-type (WT) mice, but not in apoE deficient/knockout (KO) mice. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the perikarya and processes of sustentacular (Sus) cells expressed apoE-like immunoreactivity. Minimal neuronal apoE immunostaining was seen, although apoE was observed in the …


Native And Exotic Plant Species Exhibit Similar Population Dynamics During Succession, Scott J. Meiners Jan 2007

Native And Exotic Plant Species Exhibit Similar Population Dynamics During Succession, Scott J. Meiners

Scott J. Meiners

A growing body of literature has led to the debate in invasion biology whether exotic species perform within communities differently than native taxa due to inherent advantages. To address this issue, the population dynamics of native and exotic plant species were assessed from a 48-year record of permanent plot data from the Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center (New Jersey, USA) to determine rate of increase, lag time, maximum frequency, and the year of peak frequency. Overall, native and exotic species exhibited very similar population dynamics. Rates of increase and length of lag times were similar between native and exotic taxa but …


Production Of Methanethiol And Volatile Sulfur Compounds By The Archaeon ‘‘Ferroplasma Acidarmanus’’, David J. Baumler, Kai F. Hung, Kwang Cheol Jeong, Charles W. Kaspar Jan 2007

Production Of Methanethiol And Volatile Sulfur Compounds By The Archaeon ‘‘Ferroplasma Acidarmanus’’, David J. Baumler, Kai F. Hung, Kwang Cheol Jeong, Charles W. Kaspar

Kai F. Hung

Acidophiles are typically isolated from sulfaterich ecological niches yet the role of sulfur metabolism in their growth and survival is poorly defined. Studies of heterotrophically grown ‘‘Ferroplasma acidarmanus’’ showed that its growth requires a minimum of 100 mM of a sulfate-containing salt. Headspace gas analyses by GC/ MS determined that the volatile sulfur compound emitted by active ‘‘F. acidarmanus’’ cultures is methanethiol. In ‘‘F. acidarmanus’’ cultures grown either heterotrophically or chemolithotrophically, methanethiol was produced constitutively. Radiotracer studies with 35S-labeled methionine, cysteine, and sulfate showed that all three were used in methanethiol production. Additionally, 3H-labeled methionine was incorporated into methanethiol and …


Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather D. Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David D. Ellis, Shawn D. Mansfield Jan 2007

Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather D. Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David D. Ellis, Shawn D. Mansfield

Thomas Canam

The effects of the over-expression of the Acetobacter xylinum UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) under the control of the tandem repeat Cauliflower Mosaic Virus promoter (2335S) on plant metabolism and growth were investigated in hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Transcript levels, enzyme activity, growth parameters, leaf morphology, structural and soluble carbohydrates, and soluble metabolite levels were quantified in both transgenic and wild-type trees. Transgenic 2335S::UGPase poplar showed impaired growth rates, displaying reduced height growth and stem diameter. Morphologically, 2335S::UGPase trees had elongated axial shoots, and leaves that were substantially smaller in size when compared with wild-type trees at equivalent developmental stages. Biochemical analysis …


Physical Contests For Females In The Japanese Beetle, Popillia Japonica, Paul Switzer, Kipp C. Kruse Jan 2007

Physical Contests For Females In The Japanese Beetle, Popillia Japonica, Paul Switzer, Kipp C. Kruse

Paul V. Switzer

We conducted field observations of physical competition for mates, in which a single male attempts to usurp a female from another male, in male Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae). Physical contests for mates were relatively rare, but when they occurred the challenger male was able to successfully takeover females by dislodging the previously paired resident male in only 18% of contests, suggesting that a substantial prior residency advantage exists in this species. Challenger males that were successful in takeover attempts were significantly larger than the resident male. In contrast, no size pattern was found between intruding males and …


Phylogeny And Geological History Of The Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea), Zhiwei Liu, Michael S. Engel, David A. Grimaldi Jan 2007

Phylogeny And Geological History Of The Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea), Zhiwei Liu, Michael S. Engel, David A. Grimaldi

Zhiwei Liu

The geological history of the wasp superfamily Cynipoidea is reviewed, with the description of various new taxa, being mostly in Late Cretaceous amber from New Jersey and Canada. The various fossil lineages are incorporated into a phylogenetic analysis of the superfamily, and their implications for understanding the evolution of the group are explored. The following new taxa or taxonomic changes are proposed (authorship of all taxa is Liu and Engel): Protimaspidae, new family; Stolamissidae, new family; Stolamissus, new genus; Stolamissus mirabilis, new species; Proliopterinae, new subfamily; Proliopteron, new genus; Proliopteron redactus, new species; Goeraniinae, new subfamily; Goerania, new genus; Goerania …


Additions To The Flora Of Connecticut, Gordon C. Tucker Jan 2007

Additions To The Flora Of Connecticut, Gordon C. Tucker

Gordon C. Tucker

Since the publication of the Connecticut checklist by Dowhan (1979), new state records have continued to appear. These were summarized by Mehrhoff (1995), including some made by Tucker ( 1987, 1991 ). Although geographically distant, the flora of Connecticut has continued to hold my attention since the publication of a flora of the southeastern part of the state (Tucker 1995). Over the past decade, I have made several collections that are new records for the state flora. These new records are reported in this paper, as well as a 1970 collection of Coronilla scorpio ides that was never added to …


Phylogeny And Geological History Of The Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea), Zhiwei Liu, Michael S. Engel, David A. Grimaldi Jan 2007

Phylogeny And Geological History Of The Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea), Zhiwei Liu, Michael S. Engel, David A. Grimaldi

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The geological history of the wasp superfamily Cynipoidea is reviewed, with the description of various new taxa, being mostly in Late Cretaceous amber from New Jersey and Canada. The various fossil lineages are incorporated into a phylogenetic analysis of the superfamily, and their implications for understanding the evolution of the group are explored. The following new taxa or taxonomic changes are proposed (authorship of all taxa is Liu and Engel): Protimaspidae, new family; Stolamissidae, new family; Stolamissus, new genus; Stolamissus mirabilis, new species; Proliopterinae, new subfamily; Proliopteron, new genus; Proliopteron redactus, new species; Goeraniinae, new subfamily; Goerania, new genus; Goerania …


Production Of Methanethiol And Volatile Sulfur Compounds By The Archaeon ‘‘Ferroplasma Acidarmanus’’, David J. Baumler, Kai F. Hung, Kwang Cheol Jeong, Charles W. Kaspar Jan 2007

Production Of Methanethiol And Volatile Sulfur Compounds By The Archaeon ‘‘Ferroplasma Acidarmanus’’, David J. Baumler, Kai F. Hung, Kwang Cheol Jeong, Charles W. Kaspar

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Acidophiles are typically isolated from sulfaterich ecological niches yet the role of sulfur metabolism in their growth and survival is poorly defined. Studies of heterotrophically grown ‘‘Ferroplasma acidarmanus’’ showed that its growth requires a minimum of 100 mM of a sulfate-containing salt. Headspace gas analyses by GC/ MS determined that the volatile sulfur compound emitted by active ‘‘F. acidarmanus’’ cultures is methanethiol. In ‘‘F. acidarmanus’’ cultures grown either heterotrophically or chemolithotrophically, methanethiol was produced constitutively. Radiotracer studies with 35S-labeled methionine, cysteine, and sulfate showed that all three were used in methanethiol production. Additionally, 3H-labeled methionine was incorporated into methanethiol and …


Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David Ellis, Shawn Mansfield Jan 2007

Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David Ellis, Shawn Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The effects of the over-expression of the Acetobacter xylinum UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) under the control of the tandem repeat Cauliflower Mosaic Virus promoter (2335S) on plant metabolism and growth were investigated in hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Transcript levels, enzyme activity, growth parameters, leaf morphology, structural and soluble carbohydrates, and soluble metabolite levels were quantified in both transgenic and wild-type trees. Transgenic 2335S::UGPase poplar showed impaired growth rates, displaying reduced height growth and stem diameter. Morphologically, 2335S::UGPase trees had elongated axial shoots, and leaves that were substantially smaller in size when compared with wild-type trees at equivalent developmental stages. Biochemical analysis …


Alaska At The Crossroads Of Migration: Space-Based Ornithology, Jill Deppe, K Wessels, J Smith Jan 2007

Alaska At The Crossroads Of Migration: Space-Based Ornithology, Jill Deppe, K Wessels, J Smith

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Understanding bird migration on a global scale is one of the most compelling and challenging problems of modern biology. Each year multitudes of migratory birds travel between breeding grounds in Alaska and wintering grounds in the Americas, Asia, and Australia. Here we present the conceptual framework for a spatially explicit, individual-based biophysical migration model driven by dynamic remote sensing observations of atmospheric and land surface conditions to simulate migration routes, timing, energy budgets, and probability of survival. Understanding temporal and spatial patterns of bird migration will provide insight into pressing conservation and human health issues related to this taxonomic group.


Phylogeny And Geological History Of The Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea), Zhiwei Liu, Michael Engel, David Grimaldi Jan 2007

Phylogeny And Geological History Of The Cynipoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea), Zhiwei Liu, Michael Engel, David Grimaldi

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The geological history of the wasp superfamily Cynipoidea is reviewed, with the description of various new taxa, being mostly in Late Cretaceous amber from New Jersey and Canada. The various fossil lineages are incorporated into a phylogenetic analysis of the superfamily, and their implications for understanding the evolution of the group are explored. The following new taxa or taxonomic changes are proposed (authorship of all taxa is Liu and Engel): Protimaspidae, new family; Stolamissidae, new family; Stolamissus, new genus; Stolamissus mirabilis, new species; Proliopterinae, new subfamily; Proliopteron, new genus; Proliopteron redactus, new species; Goeraniinae, new subfamily; Goerania, new genus; Goerania …


Review Of Breeding Field Crops, 5th Ed., Henry R. Owen Jan 2007

Review Of Breeding Field Crops, 5th Ed., Henry R. Owen

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Review Of Dictionary Of Plant Tissue Culture, Henry R. Owen Jan 2007

Review Of Dictionary Of Plant Tissue Culture, Henry R. Owen

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Life Without Water: Expression Of Plant Lea Genes By An Anhydrobiotic Arthropod, Steven C. Hand, Dana Jones, Michael A. Menze, Trudy L. Witt Jan 2007

Life Without Water: Expression Of Plant Lea Genes By An Anhydrobiotic Arthropod, Steven C. Hand, Dana Jones, Michael A. Menze, Trudy L. Witt

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Anhydrobiotic animals protect cellular architecture and metabolic machinery in the dry state, yet the molecular repertoire supporting this profound dehydration tolerance is not fully understood. For the desiccation-tolerant crustacean, Artemia franciscana, we report differential expression of two distinct mRNAs encoding for proteins that share sequence similarities and structural features with late-embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins originally discovered in plants. Bioinformatic analyses support assignment of the LEA proteins from A. franciscana to group 3. This eucoelomate species is the most highly evolved animal for which LEA gene expression has been reported. It is becoming clear that an ensemble of micromolecules and macromolecules …


Native And Exotic Plant Species Exhibit Similar Population Dynamics During Succession, Scott J. Meiners Jan 2007

Native And Exotic Plant Species Exhibit Similar Population Dynamics During Succession, Scott J. Meiners

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

A growing body of literature has led to the debate in invasion biology whether exotic species perform within communities differently than native taxa due to inherent advantages. To address this issue, the population dynamics of native and exotic plant species were assessed from a 48-year record of permanent plot data from the Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center (New Jersey, USA) to determine rate of increase, lag time, maximum frequency, and the year of peak frequency. Overall, native and exotic species exhibited very similar population dynamics. Rates of increase and length of lag times were similar between native and exotic taxa but …


Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather D. Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David D. Ellis, Shawn D. Mansfield Jan 2007

Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather D. Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David D. Ellis, Shawn D. Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The effects of the over-expression of the Acetobacter xylinum UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) under the control of the tandem repeat Cauliflower Mosaic Virus promoter (2335S) on plant metabolism and growth were investigated in hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Transcript levels, enzyme activity, growth parameters, leaf morphology, structural and soluble carbohydrates, and soluble metabolite levels were quantified in both transgenic and wild-type trees. Transgenic 2335S::UGPase poplar showed impaired growth rates, displaying reduced height growth and stem diameter. Morphologically, 2335S::UGPase trees had elongated axial shoots, and leaves that were substantially smaller in size when compared with wild-type trees at equivalent developmental stages. Biochemical analysis …


Physical Contests For Females In The Japanese Beetle, Popillia Japonica, Paul Switzer, Kipp C. Kruse Jan 2007

Physical Contests For Females In The Japanese Beetle, Popillia Japonica, Paul Switzer, Kipp C. Kruse

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We conducted field observations of physical competition for mates, in which a single male attempts to usurp a female from another male, in male Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae). Physical contests for mates were relatively rare, but when they occurred the challenger male was able to successfully takeover females by dislodging the previously paired resident male in only 18% of contests, suggesting that a substantial prior residency advantage exists in this species. Challenger males that were successful in takeover attempts were significantly larger than the resident male. In contrast, no size pattern was found between intruding males and …


Additions To The Flora Of Connecticut, Gordon C. Tucker Jan 2007

Additions To The Flora Of Connecticut, Gordon C. Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Since the publication of the Connecticut checklist by Dowhan (1979), new state records have continued to appear. These were summarized by Mehrhoff (1995), including some made by Tucker ( 1987, 1991 ). Although geographically distant, the flora of Connecticut has continued to hold my attention since the publication of a flora of the southeastern part of the state (Tucker 1995). Over the past decade, I have made several collections that are new records for the state flora. These new records are reported in this paper, as well as a 1970 collection of Coronilla scorpio ides that was never added to …


Physical Contests For Females In The Japanese Beetle, Popillia Japonica, Paul Switzer, Kipp Kruse Jan 2007

Physical Contests For Females In The Japanese Beetle, Popillia Japonica, Paul Switzer, Kipp Kruse

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We conducted field observations of physical competition for mates, in which a single male attempts to usurp a female from another male, in male Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae). Physical contests for mates were relatively rare, but when they occurred the challenger male was able to successfully takeover females by dislodging the previously paired resident male in only 18% of contests, suggesting that a substantial prior residency advantage exists in this species. Challenger males that were successful in takeover attempts were significantly larger than the resident male. In contrast, no size pattern was found between intruding males and …


Native And Exotic Plant Species Exhibit Similar Population Dynamics During Succession, Scott Meiners Jan 2007

Native And Exotic Plant Species Exhibit Similar Population Dynamics During Succession, Scott Meiners

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

A growing body of literature has led to the debate in invasion biology whether exotic species perform within communities differently than native taxa due to inherent advantages. To address this issue, the population dynamics of native and exotic plant species were assessed from a 48-year record of permanent plot data from the Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center (New Jersey, USA) to determine rate of increase, lag time, maximum frequency, and the year of peak frequency. Overall, native and exotic species exhibited very similar population dynamics. Rates of increase and length of lag times were similar between native and exotic taxa but …


Alaska At The Crossroads Of Migration: Space-Based Ornithology, Jill L. Deppe, K Wessels, J A. Smith Jan 2007

Alaska At The Crossroads Of Migration: Space-Based Ornithology, Jill L. Deppe, K Wessels, J A. Smith

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Understanding bird migration on a global scale is one of the most compelling and challenging problems of modern biology. Each year multitudes of migratory birds travel between breeding grounds in Alaska and wintering grounds in the Americas, Asia, and Australia. Here we present the conceptual framework for a spatially explicit, individual-based biophysical migration model driven by dynamic remote sensing observations of atmospheric and land surface conditions to simulate migration routes, timing, energy budgets, and probability of survival. Understanding temporal and spatial patterns of bird migration will provide insight into pressing conservation and human health issues related to this taxonomic group.


Additions To The Flora Of Connecticut, Gordon Tucker Jan 2007

Additions To The Flora Of Connecticut, Gordon Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Since the publication of the Connecticut checklist by Dowhan (1979), new state records have continued to appear. These were summarized by Mehrhoff (1995), including some made by Tucker ( 1987, 1991 ). Although geographically distant, the flora of Connecticut has continued to hold my attention since the publication of a flora of the southeastern part of the state (Tucker 1995). Over the past decade, I have made several collections that are new records for the state flora. These new records are reported in this paper, as well as a 1970 collection of Coronilla scorpio ides that was never added to …


Cell Signaling Pathways In Lps-Mediated Apoptosis Of Dedifferentiated Hepatoma Cells, Michael Ryan Reidy Jan 2007

Cell Signaling Pathways In Lps-Mediated Apoptosis Of Dedifferentiated Hepatoma Cells, Michael Ryan Reidy

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.


Comparison Of Avian Nest Success Among Linear Wooded Habitats In An Agricultural Landscape, Terri J.E. Thompson Jan 2007

Comparison Of Avian Nest Success Among Linear Wooded Habitats In An Agricultural Landscape, Terri J.E. Thompson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.


Mating, Kinship, And Population Structure In Illinois Beaver Populations, Joanne C. Crawford Jan 2007

Mating, Kinship, And Population Structure In Illinois Beaver Populations, Joanne C. Crawford

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.