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The Prey Of Common Barn Owls (Tyto Alba) In Dry Limestone Scrub Forest Of Southern Jamaica, Donald A. Mcfarlane, Kimball L. Garrett

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

A collection of common barn-owl (Tyto alba Scopoli) pellets from caves on the Portland Ridge of Jamaica reveals that whereas introduced rodents constitute approximately 90% of the total prey, bats and birds are also frequent prey items. Of the bats, frugivorous species predominate with Ariteus flavescens Gray and Artibeus jamaicensis Leach accounting for the largest portion of the bat prey. Insectivorous bats are markedly under-represented with respect to the known diversity of insectivorous species in the habitat.

Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee Report To The Minister For Fisheries., Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee

Fisheries Management Papers

The total catch of about 12.1 million kilograms for the 1987/88 season, based on processor returns, was an increase of 44% on the 1986/87 season. This very high catch, the third highest on record, resulted from an above average perulus settlement in 1983/84 and a "flow-on" of fast growing animals stemming from the expected high recruitment in 1988/990 caught as "reds" in 1987/88.

The Committee has identified five major elements related to the state of the rock lobster fishery upon which management advice is considered.

a) The undersize fraction of the population.

b) The "whites" which provide a significant proportion …

Expression Of Holo And Apo Forms Of Spinach Acyl Carrier Protein-I In Leaves Of Transgenic Tobacco Plants, M. A. Post-Beittenmiller, Katherine M. Schmid, J. B. Ohlrogge

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Acyl carrier protein (ACP) is a chloroplast-localized cofactor of fatty acid synthesis, desaturation, and acyl transfer. We have transformed tobacco with a chimeric gene consisting of the tobacco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase promoter and transit peptide and the sequence encoding the mature spinach ACP-I. Spinach ACP-I was expressed in the transformed plants at levels twofold to threefold higher than the endogenous tobacco ACPs as determined by protein immunoblots and assays of ACP in leaf extracts. In addition to these elevated levels of the holo form, there were high levels of apoACP-I, a form lacking the 4'-phosphopantetheine prosthetic group and not previously detected …

The Drosophila Female-Specific Sex-Determination Gene, Sex-Lethal, Has Stage-, Tissue-, And Sex-Specific Rnas Suggesting Multiple Modes Of Regulation, Helen K. Salz, Eleanor M. Maine, Linda N. Keyes, Mark E. Samuels, Thomas W. Cline, Paul Schedl

Biology - All Scholarship

For proper sexual development of females, the Sex-lethal (Sxl) gene must be activated early in development and remain on during the rest of the life cycle. Conversely, in males, Sxl must remain functionally off through development. Here, we show that the Sxl transcription unit spans a DNA segment of greater than 20 kb and encodes at least 10 distinct, but overlapping, RNA species. These RNAs range in size from 4.4 to 1.7 kb and exhibit sex, stage, and tissue specificity. Six RNAs, three female specific and three male specific, are first detected by midembryogenesis and persist through the adult stage: …

A Field Study Using The Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) To Screen For Brugia Microfilariae In Human And Animal Blood, Janet Glover, Steven A. Williams, Susanne Szabo, David Landry, Larry A. Mcreynolds, Taniawati Supali, Felix Partono

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Blood samples from 43 humans and 14 cats with Brugia microfilariae were analyzed in a field study in Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia. The study used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to compare the sensitivity of radioactive and biotinylated species-specific oligonuleotide probes. The cloning char- acterization of the Hha I repeat DNA family found in filarial parasites of the genus Brugia, and the development of species-specific probes for B.malayi and B.pahangi based on these repeats has been described elsewhere (PNAS USA 83: 797-801); Mol.Biochem. Parasitol. 28: 163-170). The use of radioisotopes for labelling DNA probes is both expensive and inconvenient. To replace …

Residual Influence Of Macronutrient Enrichment On The Aquatic Food Web Of An Okefenokee Swamp Abandoned Bird Rookery, J. Douglas Oliver, Steven A. Schoenberg

Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present evidence for residual nutrient enrichment of diverse components of a blackwater marsh, by a biotic component of the ecosystem itself. Thousands of nesting white ibis (Eudocimus albus) that foraged over a 20-km radius fertilized a rookery with guano within Okefenokee Swamp. Georgia. USA. One to two yr after the birds abandoned it. this marsh showed continued enrichment effects. Elevated available phosphorus in sediments, as measured by equilibrium phosphate concentration, contributed to enhanced biomass of phytoplankton in the overlying water column. Planktivorous fish were greater in biomass than at reference sites. Experimental phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization of enclosures at …

Regulatory Cell Biology Of Growth Hormone And Prolactin In The Cow Mammary Gland, David Andrew Walkup

Master's Theses

Prolactin (PRL) acts directly on milk secretory cell nuclei to stimulate lactation in rats. In the cow, PRL has been detected in Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, and secretory vesicle subcellular fractions of mammary gland , but not nuclear fractions. However, growth hormone {GH) is the galactopoeitic hormone in cows, not PRL. The possibility of GH acting directly on the cow milk secretory cells, and PRL acting on their nuclei was investigated using an immunocytochemical method. PRL and GH were detected in endoplasmic reticular and Golgi apparatus regions of the milk secretory cells, as well as, on nuclear and fat globule …

Effect Of Swim Exercise Training On Human Muscle Fiber Function, Robert H. Fitts, D. L. Costill, P. R. Gardetto

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

This study examined the effect of a typical collegiate swim-training program and an intensified 10-day training period on the peak tension (P_o), negative log molar Ca²⁺ concentration (pCa)-force, and maximal shortening speed (V_max) of the slow-twitch type I and fast-twitch type II fibers of the deltoid muscle. Over a 10-wk period, the swimmers averaged 4,266 ± 264 m/day swimming intermittent bouts of front crawl, kicking, or pulling. The training program induced an almost twofold increase in the mitochondrial marker enzyme citrate synthase. P_o of the single fibers was not altered by either the training …

Use Of Solid-Phase Resins In Pesticide Monitoring, Jenny Bittinger

Honors Theses

The feasibility of using solid-phase resins for monitoring concentrations of pesticides in water was examined. Efforts were made to ascertain relationships between concentrations of a pesticide (methoxychlor) in water and on a resin (AXD-2) under laboratory conditions. Solutions of pesticide in water were drawn through columns of resin. Methylene Chloride was used to absorb the pesticide from the resin. Gas chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometry were used to measure concentrations of pesticide.

Amino Acids And N-Acetyl-Aspartyl-Glutamate As Neurotransmitter Candidates In The Monkey Retinogeniculate Pathways, Ricardo A. Molinar-Rode

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) receives chemically identified inputs from brain stem structures, the thalamus and visual cortex. The identity of the neurotransmitter(s) in the retinal input, however, is unknown.

To investigate the possibility that some amino acids and certain dipeptides, such as N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG), fulfill this function, changes in their concentration were measured in the optic tract, parvocellular and magno-cellular segments of the LGNd, superior colliculus and visual cortex of six monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), seven days after right optic tractotomy. The LGNd was studied also in two additional macaques, three months after occipital lobectomy. Tissue was frozen within five …

Seasonal Distribution Of The Ichthyofauna Of Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Alamo, Texas, Matthew Albert Ciomperlik

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study investigated the small aquatic ecosystems of Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, located in a predominantly agricultural area of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Fishes and water quality data were collected for 13 months to determine the status of fish populations and the factors which influence their distributions on the refuge.

Sixteen fish species were collected during the study, however, more than 20 species are known to inhabit the Rio Grande in the vicinity of the refuge. Water source played a major role in influencing fish species richness in these aquatic ecosystems. Diverted river water offered the best …

Elaphe Bairdi (Baird’S Rat Snake): Drinking Behavior., Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

On 13 February 1988. at 1600 h. a captive-bred (hatched July 1985) male Elaphe bairdi (TL.136.9 cm, SVL .. 89.54 cm). maintained in a 50.5 x 25 x 30 cm terrerium was accidently splashed with water. As beads of water on the snake's head rolled down to the upper labial sceles. swallowing was observed. The water on the labial scales was drawn Into the mouth while It was closed. This behavior lasted 42 sec. This behavior was repeated 23 out of 24 trials conducted during the next 24 days. The duration of swallowing wes 9-62 sec (avg 35.8, N = …

Seasonal Trailing Behavior And Corticosterone Levels In Male Red-Sided Garter Snakes (Thamnophis Sirtalis Parietalis), Pamela Kay Thinesen

Dissertations and Theses

Mechanisms of how red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) travel up to 18 km from summer feeding sites to hibernation dens are not understood. In this study, monthly and seasonal trailing behavior were investigated to determine whether red-sided garter snakes prefer to follow trails of snakes from the same den (den-mates) versus trails made by other conspecifics (non-den-mates). Snakes from five different hibernacula in Manitoba, Canada, were involved in the study. Eighteen were adults and 15 were subadults. Subadult red-sided garter snakes do not return to hibernacula until their second year of life, so their trailing behavior was of interest …

The Use Of Scanning Electron Microscopy For Investigations Into The Three Dimensional Organisation Of The Interphase Nucleus, T. D. Allen, P. M. O'Connor

Scanning Microscopy

In an attempt to elucidate three dimensional information on the organisation of the nucleus, nuclei have been extracted from ascites tumour cells or tissue culture cells by a variety of biochemical techniques, and prepared for high resolution scanning electron microscopy using an osmium-thiocarbo-hydrazide infiltration procedure which has previously proved successful for analysis of chromosome structure. Nuclei were prefixed with either Methanol-Acetic acid, glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde and then extracted by a variety of detergents with the aim of a 'biochemical dissection' of their outer elements to allow surface visualisation of the nuclear lamina. Continued extraction removed all aspects of the nuclear …

Isolation & Characterization Of Dna Polymerase Alpha And Gamma From Turnips (Brassica Rapa) And Etiolated Soybeans (Glycine Max), Donna Hill

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

DNA polymerase alpha, the enzyme involved in nuclear DMA replication, and DNA polymerase gamma, the enzyme involved in organellular DNA replication, were isolated and purified from soybean and turnip. The enzymes were characterized following ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAF-cellulcse, phosphocelluloca, and hydroxylapatite chromatography, and by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein banct were electropluted and the enzymes characterized using kinetic studies and sensitivity to divalent cations and inhibitors. Molecular weight and subunit composition studies indicated a molecular weight for the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase alpha in soybean and turnip to be 46kDa. DNA polymeraqe gamma was composed of a catalytic subunit …

The Formation And Function Of Dnase I Hypersensitive Sites In The Process Of Gene Activation, Sarah C.R. Elgin

Biology Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Receptor Localization And Distribution On Normal And Diabetic Cells By Electron Microscopy, Vance L. Kincaid

Masters Theses

The objective of this research was to evaluate receptor localization and distribution on normal and diabetic cells by electron microscopic analysis.

To achieve this objective, gold-adsorbed and ferritin-conjugated macromolecules were used to determine the location and concentration of specific receptor binding sites on the cells surfaces. To facilitate the use of these ultra-structural histocytochemical markers, normal and diabetic Chinese hamster and other nondiabetic cells were either grown in vitro on ultra thin plastic films or embedded in Lowicryl K4M and pre- or post-labelled with these marker molecules.

Analysis of the data obtained from electron micrographs of these labelled cells was …

Stimulation Of Collagen Formation In The Intestinal Anastomosis By Low Dose He-Ne Laser, David T. Yew, Winnie W. Y. Li, K. M. Pang, Y. C. Mok, C. Au

Scanning Microscopy

The effect of low dose He-Ne laser on the healing of intestinal anastomosis was studied in the albino rat. A small piece of jejunum was removed from each rat and the ends sutured back with a simple interrupted pattern. In the experimental animal, the anastomosis was Irradiated through an optic fiber with a He-Ne laser (1 mW) for 15 minutes whereas in the control animal, the anastomosis was not irradiated. The differences between the two groups were compared by histology, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and autoradiography 3 and 7 days after operation. The laser treated experimental animals demonstrated …

Trypanosoma Lewisi: Effects Of Trace Metal Contaminants On Immunological Responses, Yvonne Hogan, Clarence Lee

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

The effects of trace metal contaminants (lead, cadmium, and mercury) on the immunologic responses of rats infected with Trypanosoma lewisi were investigated to determine whether chronic exposures to subclinical levels of these metals have adverse effects on the host's ability to respond to an infective agent.Earlier and higher levels of parasitemia were detected in animals exposed to cadmium, lead, and mercury. The variability in length of trypanosome cells in metal-exposed animals became constant at a later time and persisted for a longer time, indicating a delay in antibody synthesis. Serum levels of IgG and IgM were increased in infected animals …

Anion-Exchange Chromatography Of The Murine Estrogen Receptor: Ionic Forms Of Receptor Under Different States Of Activation, Gregory Craft

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Gregory Craft on August 5, 1988.

Effects Of Indomethacin On Prostaglandin E2 In 7,12-Dimethybenz (A) Anthracene Induced Mammary Tumorigenisis In Rats Fed Different Levels Of Polyunsaturated Fat, Candace Sue Smith

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Masters of Science in Biology by Candace Sue Smith on August 5, 1988.

A Reverse Genetics Approach For Studying Histone H4 Structure-Function Relationships In Yeast, Michael J. Bonaduce

Master's Theses

A previously constructed mutation of the histone H4 gene has been the subject of a detailed analysis. The mutation involves an H4 gene encoding two amino acid changes which substitute aspartic acid for glycine at positions 13 and 42 of the polypeptide. These substitutions result in a nonfunctional H4 protein when assayed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast, an analysis of an amino terminal deletion of amino acids 3-26 results in a functional H4 protein. Physical biochemistry studies identify the sites of histone-histone interactions between residues 38-102 of histone H4, the same area in which position 42 resides. The question being …

Sodium/Proton Exchange In The Gills Of Three Species Of Crabs : Libinia Dubia, Callinectes Sapidus, And Menippe Mercenaria, Nicholas J. Maiolo

Master's Theses

Na+/H+ exchange was studied in plasma membrane vesicles from gills of three species of crabs: Callinectes sapidus (blue crab), Libinia dubia (spider crab), and Menippe mercenaria (stone crab). Spider crabs and stone crabs were acclimated to full (35ppt) seawater, while blue crabs were acclimated to both dilute (5ppt) and full strength seawater. Membrane vesicles were prepared by sucrose density centrifugation. Na+/H+ exchange was analyzed using acridine orange fluorescence. Male C. sapidus showed the most exchange activity (per g gill tissue), followed by M. mercenaria, female C. sapidus and Libinia dubia. No difference in exchange activity was evident when blue crabs …

Clinical Applications Of Electron Microscopy In The Analysis Of Collagenous Biomaterials, Arthur J. Wasserman, Charles J. Doillon, Alvin I. Glasgold, Y. Pedro Kato, David Christiansen, Azam Rizvi, Eric Wong, Jack Goldstein, Frederick H. Silver

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy are of clinical value in assessing the interaction between biomaterials and ingrowing tissues. Ultrastructural information allows the clinician and biomaterials specialist to determine events occurring during wound healing and the biocompatibility of prosthetic devices. This paper reviews some of the experimental and clinical studies done in our laboratory on the use of natural and reconstituted collagen as replacements for connective tissues. Consideration is given to collagen flakes used for the treatment of dermal ulcers, a collagen fiber prosthesis used for tendon and ligament replacement, the effects of chemical preservatives on cartilage used for replacement of …

Effect Of Fluoride And Cobalt On Forming Enamel: Scanning Electron Microscope And X-Ray Microanalysis Study, S. H. Ashrafi, D. R. Eisenmann, A. E. Zaki, R. Liss

Scanning Microscopy

The forming surfaces of enamel of rat incisors were examined by scanning electron microscope one hour after injection of either 5 mg/100 g body weight of sodium fluoride or 12 mg/100 g body weight of cobalt chloride. The cell debris from the surfaces of the separated incisors was either gently wiped off with soft facial tissues or chemically removed by treating with NaOH, NaOCl or trypsin. Best results to remove cell debris were obtained from 0.25% trypsin treatment.

SEM studies revealed that the surface of the normal secretory enamel was characteristic in appearance with well-developed smooth prism outlines. In fluoride …

Scanning Electron Microscopic Autoradiography Of Lung, K. E. Lauhala, C. L. Sanders, K. E. Mcdonald

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) autoradiography of the lung is being used to determine the distribution of inhaled, alpha particle-emitting, plutonium dioxide particles. SEM autoradiography provides high visual impact views of alpha activity. Particles irradiating the bronchiolar epithelium were detected both on the bronchiolar surface and in peribronchiolar alveoli. The technique is being used to obtain quantitative data on the clearance rates of plutonium particles from bronchi and bronchioles.

An Electron Microscopic Study Of Hemopoietic Tissues In The Course Of Lewis Lung Carcinoma, Cheryl Hardy, Yuzhi Wang, Bettye Collier, Mehdi Tavassoli

Scanning Microscopy

Lewis lung carcinoma of C57Bl/6 mice causes a progressive anemia with reticulocytosis and splenomegaly, metastasizes to lungs, liver, and kidneys but does not invade hemopoietic tissues. The cause of this anemia is uncertain. We studied the structure of spleen and bone marrow in these tumor hosts by light and electron microscopy. Splenic congestion of the red pulp with numerous erythropoietic islands and marrow hyperplasia characterized the hemopoietic tissues of these mice, which, when coupled with other hematological parameters suggested a hemolytic condition. However, the erythropoietic response appeared to be in part ineffective as evidenced by phagocytosis of immature as well …

Radar And Visual Observations Of Autumnal (Southward) Shorebird Migration On Guam, Timothy C. Williams , '64, J. M. Williams

Biology Faculty Works

Several species of shorebirds migrate between eastern Asia and the southern Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand. Observations made from Guam (13°25′N, 144°45′E) during autumn 1983 indicate that a significant number of birds take a direct route over the western Pacific Ocean. Radar observations and ground counts of migrants on Guam showed two periods of autumnal migratory activity. The first, largely adult birds, was in August and September. The second, largely juveniles, was in late September and October. Radar indicated that large numbers of birds passed over the island to the south with no evidence of compensation for drift by …

Comparative Analysis Of The Effects Of Visual And Auditory Stimuli On Avian Mobbing Behavior, C. Ray Chandler, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Both visual and auditory stimuli elicit avian mobbing behavior, but there is little comparative information on their isolated and additive effects. Using three combinations of two experimental stimuli (mount and tape of an Eastern Screech-Owl, Otus asio) we tested the effects of stimuli on the frequency, intensity, and duration of avian mobbing behavior. Of 169 mount-only trials, only 11 (6.5%) were successful in attracting birds. Tape-only (n = 169) and mount-and-tape (n = 170) were equally successful in attracting birds (approximately 85% of all trials), but mount-and-tape trials were more likely to initiate mobbing behavior. Birds responding …

Basis Of The Structure And Development Of Mammalian Enamel As Seen By Scanning Electron Microscopy, A. Boyde, M. Fortelius, K. S. Lester, L. B. Martin

Scanning Microscopy

Mature enamel is the most mineralized of mammalian tissues, contains the least water and therefore does not present problems of shrinkage on preparation for SEM. However, the developing enamel is highly hydrated and presents severe problems in preparation.

The structure of enamel is determined by the activity of its individual formative cells and their group behaviour. The peculiar, unequal secretion of matrix at the distal pole of the ameloblast leads to the presence of characteristically shaped pits in the surface of the formative tissue. Crystals grow in a special relationship to this surface. Sharp changes in orientation of the surface …