Digital Commons Network^™

Ecology And Sympatric Relations Of Crevice Salamanders In Randolph County, West Virginia, Jayme Linn Waldron

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

By implementing a mark-recapture study, I investigated the ecology of three species of sympatric plethodontid salamanders (Aneides aeneus, Desmognathus ochrophaeus, and Plethodon glutinosus) on rock outcrops in the Westvaco Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest, Randolph County, West Virginia. By examining activity patterns, vertical stratification, and habitat preference for A. aeneus, D. ochrophaeus, and P. glutinosus, I attempted to offer some insight into how these sympatric species avoid competition on small, isolated rock outcrops. Twenty-one surveys, both nocturnal and diurnal, were performed between 11 May and 17 October, 1999. During this time, 89 salamanders, encompassing five species ( …

Changes Among Ohio River Fish Populations Due To Water Quality Improvements And High-Lift Dams, Benjamin Lowman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Fish populations in the Ohio River have been monitored extensively by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), along with state and Federal agencies, for over 40 years. The population data, collected via lock chamber rotenone surveys, showed that many species of Ohio River fish have demonstrated marked increases in abundance since these studies began. These trends in population density, both gradual and sharp, are likely associated with water quality improvements and the construction of high-lift dams. Pearson-r correlation through linear regression analyses showed 23 species or 42% of populations examined exhibit significant density increases from 1957 to 1998. …

Whole Animal And Cellular Strategies In The Regulation Of Bone Mass In The Rat, Weidong Geng

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In order to determine the strategies in regulation of bone mass in the rat and better understand the pathophysiological mechanism of the postmenopausal osteoporosis, a series of studies were conducted at the whole animal and cellular level. At the whole animal level, female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (Ovx) or sham-operated (control) at 18 weeks and the entire skeleton obtained at 24 weeks (baseline) or after an additional 31 day (28 week) interval on a normal (1.0%) or deficient (0.02%) calcium diet. Ovx rats on the normal calcium diet showed a 42% increase in whole body bone resorption and a 70% …

Mitochondrial 16s Rrna Gene As A Tool For Scorpion Systematics, Mark D. Barker

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The use of morphological analysis in the classification and phylogeny of scorpions often has led to confusion and controversy. In order to clarify these problems other character sets should be considered for analysis. One such tool is the use of molecular comparisons between organisms. This study used a section of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. This technique was applied to investigate four scorpion genera belonging to three families: Hadruru, Anuroctonus (luridae), Euscorpius (Euscorpiidae), and Centruroides (Buthidae). Total DNA was extracted with a standard phenol/chloroform method; a gene of interest was amplified using PCR; and resulting DNA sequence analysis was …

Single-Cell, Real-Time Measurements Of Extracellular Oxygen And Proton Fluxes From Spirogyra Grevilleana, D. M. Porterfield, P. J.S. Smith

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

We have adapted the self-referencing microelectrode technique to allow sensitive and noninvasive measurement of oxygen fluxes around single cells. The self-referencing technique is based on the translational movement of a selective microelectrode through the gradient next to the cell wall or membrane. The electrode is moved at a known frequency and between known points. The differential electrode output values are converted into a directional measurement of flux by the Fick equation. By coupling the newly developed oxygen-selective self-referencing electrochemical microelectrode (SREM-O2) system with self-referencing ion-selective proton measurements (SRIS-H+) we have characterized oxygen and proton fluxes from a single cell of …

Raccoons As Potential Vectors Of Radionuclide Contamination To Human Food Chains From A Nuclear Industrial Site, Karen F. Gaines, Christine G. Lord, C. Shane Boring, I. Lehr Brisbin Jr., Michael Gochfeld, Joanna Burger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Although the raccoon (Procyon lotor) is commonly harvested and consumed throughout the southeastern United States, little is known regarding the fate and effects of environmental pollutants to this species, and the potential for it to act as a contaminant vector to humans or other predators. Muscle and liver tissues were collected from 76 raccoons from locations on and near the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina and analyzed for radiocesium (137Cs). Raccoons were trapped from areas near a former reactor cooling reservoir known to be contaminated from former nuclear production activities, a stream drainage system also …

Additive And Nonadditive Effects Of Herbivory And Competition On Tree Seedling Mortality, Growth, And Allocation, Scott J. Meiners, Steven N. Handel

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The interaction between simulated cotyledon herbivory and interspecific competition was studied in a greenhouse experiment using two species of trees, Acer rubrum and Quercus palustris, which commonly invade abandoned agricultural fields. Herbivory treatments were applied as a gradient of cotyledon removal for A. rubrum with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of cotyledon tissue removed. Cotyledons from Q. palustris were clipped and removed (control, early, and late removal) to create a gradient of seed reserve availability. The competition treatment consisted of plugs of old-field vegetation that filled the pots with perennial cover. Mortality of seedlings was higher with competition. There …

Predation Of Juvenile Acipenser Fulvescens By Micropterus Punctulatus And Ictalurus Punctatus, Mark Sandoval

Capstone Research Projects

The predation of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, by spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus, and channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, was investigated under artificial conditions. Experiments were conducted in a 27,600-liter tank at the Southeast Aquatic Research Institute. Spotted bass were provided bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, as a potential food source during the first four days of each experiment, and lake sturgeon were provided as a potential food source during the latter four days of each experiment. Channel catfish were given either chow or lake sturgeon separately or chow and lake sturgeon concurrently as food sources. Spotted bass consumed 85 bluegill (x = 6.87 …

The Chattanooga Procedure: A New Technique Used For Anterior Multi-Level Cervical Fusions, Elizabeth Van Horn, Scott D. Hodges, S. Craig Humphreys, Jason Eck, Laurie Covington, Joseph E.D. Peterson

Capstone Research Projects

STUDY DESIGN: A preliminary assessment of anterior cervical fusion performed with interbody cage and DOC plate.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and evaluate the efficacy and safety of the "Chattanooga Procedure", a modified technique in achieving anterior cervical fusion.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Anterior cervical fusion with interbody bone graft and anterior plating is connnonly performed. Unfortunately, the plate has been reported to shield the graft from loading thus reducing fusion rates. The use of interbody fusion cages has been effective in the lumbar spine and has gained acceptance in the cervical spine.

METHODS:. Twenty-five patients received "The Chattanooga Procedure" between 7/24/98 …

Use Of Bradford And Quantigold Assays In Determining Protein Content In Water Samples, Kati A. Chaffin

Capstone Research Projects

Water samples from seven different sites at the Amnicola marsh in Chattanooga, TN, were analyzed for the amount of protein present. Four sets of samples were concentrated using three methods--one using an ultrafiltration cell, one using a lyophilizer, and two utilizing a household food dehydrator. Two protein assays, the Bradford assay and the Quantigold assay (two sets of samples each), were used to determine the amount of protein present by measuring the absorbance of light at 595 nm. These data were compared with data from the standard curves of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to estimate the amount of protein in …

Additive And Nonadditive Effects Of Herbivory And Competition On Tree Seedling Mortality, Growth, And Allocation, Scott Meiners, Steven Handel

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The interaction between simulated cotyledon herbivory and interspecific competition was studied in a greenhouse experiment using two species of trees, Acer rubrum and Quercus palustris, which commonly invade abandoned agricultural fields. Herbivory treatments were applied as a gradient of cotyledon removal for A. rubrum with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of cotyledon tissue removed. Cotyledons from Q. palustris were clipped and removed (control, early, and late removal) to create a gradient of seed reserve availability. The competition treatment consisted of plugs of old-field vegetation that filled the pots with perennial cover. Mortality of seedlings was higher with competition. There …

The Effects Of Drought On Foraging Habitat Selection Of Breeding Wood Storks In Coastal Georgia, Karen F. Gaines, A. Lawrence Bryan Jr., Philip M. Dixon

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Foraging habitat use by Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) during the breeding season was studied for three coastal colonies during a drought year and compared to habitat use during normal rainfall years. Information on the distribution of wetland habitat types was derived using U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland In- ventory (NWI) data within a Geographic Information System (GIS). Foraging locations were obtained by following storks from their colonies in a fixed-winged aircraft. Differences in hydrologic condition and, the resulting prey availability in coastal zone freshwater wetlands greatly affected foraging habitat use and breeding success of the three stork colonies. …

Season And Distance From Forest - Old Field Edge Affect Seed Predation By White-Footed Mice, Scott J. Meiners, James T. Mccormick

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We studied the spatial pattern of seed predation across a forest-old field edge in both fall and winter to assess the potential for seed predators to influence plant spatial patterns. We used a 100 x 100 m grid that began 30 m inside the forest and extended 60 m into the old field. Inside this grid we placed seed stations at regular 10 m intervals and monitored seed removal. Seed predation varied significantly across the edge gradient in both fall and winter with the highest rate of seed removal at the edge in both trials. The spatial pattern of seed …

Metals And Metallothionein In The Liver Of Raccoons: Utility For Environmental Assessment And Monitoring, Joanna Burger, Christine G. Lord, Edward J. Yurkow, Lynn Mcgrath, Karen F. Gaines, I. Lehr Brisbin Jr., Michael Gochfeld

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The relationship between metallothionein levels and concentrations of several metals and radionuclides was examined in liver tissues of raccoons (Procyon lotor, n = 47) from the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina to determine the applicability of metallothioneins as an initial screening device for exposure assessment in free-living mammals and environmental monitoring. Using a fluorescent marker and a cell sorter to measure metallothionein, a significant positive correlation was found across animals between levels of metallothioneins and concentrations of selenium (Pearson’s r = .30) , mercury (Pearson’s r = .31) , and copper (Pearson’s r = .30) in …

Characterization Of Chimeric Lipopolysaccharides From Escherichia Coli Strain Jm109 Transformed With Lipooligosaccharide Synthesis Genes (Lsg) From Haemophilus Influenzae, Nancy J. Phillips, T. J. Miller, J. J. Engstrom, William Melaugh, R. Mclaughlin, M A. Apicella, B W. Gibson

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Previously, we reported the expression of chimeric lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in Escherichia coli strain JM109 (a K-12 strain) transformed with plasmids containing Haemophilus influenzae lipooligosaccharide synthesis genes (lsg) (Abu Kwaik, Y., McLaughlin, R. E., Apicella, M. A., and Spinola, S. M. (1991) Mol. Microbiol. 5, 2475–2480). In this current study, we have analyzed the O-deacylated LPS and free oligosaccharides from three transformants (designated pGEMLOS-4, pGEMLOS- 5, and pGEMLOS-7) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, electrospray ionization, and tandem mass spectrometry techniques, along with composition and linkage analyses. These data show that the chimeric LPS consist of the complete E. coli LPS core …

Incomplete Cd8 + T Lymphocyte Differentiation As A Mechanism For Subdominant Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses To A Viral Antigen, Juliet V. Spencer, Thomas J. Braciale

Biology Faculty Publications

CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognize antigen in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Class I epitopes have been classified as dominant or subdominant depending on the magnitude of the CTL response to the epitope. In this report, we have examined the in vitro memory CTL response of H-2^d haplotype murine CD8⁺ T lymphocytes specific for a dominant and subdominant epitope of influenza hemagglutinin using activation marker expression and staining with soluble tetrameric MHC–peptide complexes. Immune CD8⁺ T lymphocytes specific for the dominant HA204-210 epitope give rise to CTL effectors that display …

Energy Metabolism In Uncoupling Protein 3 Gene Knockout Mice, A. Vidal-Puig, D. Grujic, C. Zhang, T. Hagen, O. Boss, Y. Ido, A. Szczepanik, Jennifer Wade, V. Mootha, R. Cortright, D. M. Muoio, B. B. Lowell

Biology Faculty Publications

Uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is a member of the mitochondrial anion carrier superfamily. Based upon its high homology with UCP1 and its restricted tissue distribution to skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue, UCP3 has been suggested to play important roles in regulating energy expenditure, body weight, and thermoregulation. Other postulated roles for UCP3 include regulation of fatty acid metabolism, adaptive responses to acute exercise and starvation, and prevention of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. To address these questions, we have generated mice lacking UCP3 (UCP3 knockout (KO) mice). Here, we provide evidence that skeletal muscle mitochondria lacking UCP3 are more …

Expression Of Human Α2-Adrenergic Receptors In Adipose Tissue Of Β3-Adrenergic Receptor-Deficient Mice Promotes Diet-Induced Obesity, P. Valet, D. Grujic, Jennifer Wade, M. Ito, M. C. Zingaretti, V. Soloveva, S. R. Ross, R. A. Graves, S. Cinti, M. Lafontan, B. B. Lowell

Biology Faculty Publications

Catecholamines play an important role in controlling white adipose tissue function and development. β- and α2-adrenergic receptors (ARs) couple positively and negatively, respectively, to adenylyl cyclase and are co-expressed in human adipocytes. Previous studies have demonstrated increased adipocyte α2/β-AR balance in obesity, and it has been proposed that increased α2-ARs in adipose tissue with or without decreased β-ARs may contribute mechanistically to the development of increased fat mass. To critically test this hypothesis, adipocyte α2/β-AR balance was genetically manipulated in mice. Human α2A-ARs were transgenically expressed in the adipose tissue of mice that were either homozygous (−/−) or heterozygous (+/−) …

Predation Rates On Real And Artificial Nests Of Grassland Birds, William B. Davison, Eric K. Bollinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We estimated nesting success at real and artificial nests of grassland birds to test the influence of nest type, nest position, and egg size on predation rates. We distributed wicker nests and realistic woven-grass nests baited with a clay egg and either a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) egg or a House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) egg in four grasslands that were part of the Conservation Reserve Program in east-central Illinois. Nesting success averaged 86.5% for 12 days of exposure for artificial nests. For real nests, nesting success was markedly lower, averaging 39% over the entire nesting cycle and 59% during approximately …

Time Course And Magnitude Of Synthesis Of Heat-Shock Proteins In Congeneric Marine Snails (Genus Tegula) From Different Tidal Heights, Lars Tomanek, George N. Somero

Biological Sciences

The time course and magnitude of the heat-shock response in relation to severity of thermal stress are important, yet poorly understood, aspects of thermotolerance. We examined patterns of protein synthesis in congeneric marine snails (genus Tegula) that occur at different heights along the subtidal to intertidal gradient after a thermal exposure (30°C for 2.5 h, followed by 50 h recovery at 13°C) that induced the heat-shock response. We monitored the kinetics and magnitudes of protein synthesis by quantifying incorporation of ³⁵S-labeled methionine and cysteine into newly synthesized proteins and observed synthesis of putative heat-shock proteins (hsp’s) of size …

Energetic Dynamics And Anuran Breeding Phenology: Insights From A Dynamic Game, Shannon J. Mccauley, Sarah S. Bouchard, Brian J. Farina, Kavita Isvaran, Suhel Quader, Daniel W. Wood, Colette M. St. Mary

Biological Sciences

We designed a dynamic optimization model to examine anuran-breeding phenologies. We evaluated the fitness consequences for males adopting one of four alternative strategies: calling, satelliting, foraging, or hiding. Various factors potentially influence male behavior, including energy reserves, predation risk, cost of calling, probability of finding food, distribution of male energy states in the population, and probability of surviving to another breeding season. We manipulated these parameters to determine how strongly each affects breeding phenology and chorus structure. Manipulating parameters related to the energetic costs and benefits of individual decisions, we generated the three basic patterns of anuran breeding phenology: explosive, …

Optical Fractionation Of Chlorophyll And Primary Production For Coastal Waters Of The Southern Ocean, Mark A. Moline, Barbara B. Prezelin

Biological Sciences

Our objective was to quantify the potential variability in remotely sensed chlorophyll a (Chl a) and primary productivity in coastal waters of the Southern Ocean. From data collected throughout the springs/summers of 1991–1994, we calculated the proportion of water column Chl a and primary productivity within the upper optical attenuation length (K⁻¹ _par) and the satellite-weighted depth. The temporal variability was resolved every 2–3 days and was observed to be greater within years than between years. Three-year averages (n=223) revealed that 10.2 ± 3.6% of total Chl a and 14.8 ± 6.5% of production occurred …

The Global Decline Of Reptiles, Deja’ Vu Amphibians, J. Whitfield Gibbons, David E. Scott, Travis J. Ryan, Kurt A. Buhlmann, Tracey D. Tiuberville, Brian S. Metts, Judith L. Greene, Tony Mills, Yale Leiden, Sean Poppy, Christopher T. Winne

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Reptile species are declining on a global scale. Six significant threats to reptile populations are habitat loss and degradation, introduced invasive species, environmental pollution, disease, unsustainable use, and global climate change.

Reflections Of A Naturalist: Papers Honoring Professor Eugene D. Fleharty, Jerry R. Choate

Fort Hays Studies Series

Science and academia tend to be dominated by persons who are utterly brilliant, or who are proficient at self-promotion, or who are willing to sacrifice their personal lives and work twice as hard as their peers, or who exhibit some combination of these attributes. Occasionally, however, someone comes along who is just "ordinary" compared with academic overachievers but whose accomplishments far exceed reasonable expectations. Eugene D. Fleharty is such a person. Although he is extraordinarily bright, few would describe him as utterly brilliant. He has never been inclined to "toot his own horn" or otherwise promote himself. And, although he …

A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study Of The Infection Of Water Oak (Quercus Nigra) By Taphrina Caerulescens, Josephine Taylor, Dale O. Birdwell

Faculty Publications

The fungal pathogen Taphrina caerulescens was isolated from leaves of water oak (Quercus nigra) exhibiting symptoms of oak leaf blister. Healthy leaves were inoculated with a suspension of cells from pure culture in order to examine the infection process. Scanning electron microscopy was used to monitor budding of T. caerulescens cells, formation of germ tubes, and indirect penetration of leaf tissue through stomata, which occurred within 48 h post-inoculation. Direct penetration was not observed.

Home Ranges Of Rat Snakes (Colubridae: Elaphe) In Different Habitats, Stephen J. Mullin, William H. N. Gutzke, Gary D. Zenitsky, Robert J. Cooper

Faculty Publications

Based on our findings, we suggest that rat snakes represent not only a major predator of kites, but also of other canopy and mid-story nesting species in the southeastern United States. For example, rat snakes are the most dominant snake nest predator of bird nests throughout the Southeast (DeGregorio et al. 2014) and are skilled tree climbers that often occupy arboreal habitats (Jackson 1976, Keller and Heske 2000, Sperry et al. 2009), particularly in bottomland forests (Mullin et al. 2000, Carfagno and Weatherhead 2009). Thus, the role of rat snakes as predators of nests above the understory is likely underappreciated …

Binding Of Urate And Caffeine To Hemocyanin Of The Lobster Homarus Vulgaris (E.) As Studied By Isothermal Titration Calorimetry †, Michael A. Menze, Nadja Hellmann, Heinz Decker, Manfred K. Grieshaber

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Hemocyanin serves as an oxygen carrier in the hemolymph of the European lobster Homarus Vulgaris. The oxygen binding behavior of the pigment is modulated by metabolic effectors such as lactate and urate. Urate and caffeine binding to 12-meric hemocyanin (H. Vulgaris) was studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Binding isotherms were determined for fully oxygenated hemocyanin between pH 7.55 and 8.15. No pH dependence of the binding parameters could be found for either effector. Since the magnitude of the Bohr effect depends on the urate concentration, the absence of any pH dependence of urate and caffeine binding to oxygenated hemocyanin …

Foraging Ecology Of The Endangered Wood Stork Recorded In The Stable Isotope Signature Of Feathers, Christopher S. Romanek, Karen F. Gaines, A. L. Bryan Jr., I. L. Brisbin Jr.

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Down feathers and regurgitant were collected from nestling wood storks (Mycteria americana) from two inland and two coastal breeding colonies in Georgia. The stable isotopic ratios of carbon ( 13 C/12 C) and nitrogen ( 15N/ 14N) in these materials were analyzed to gain insights into the natal origins of juvenile storks and the foraging activities of adults. Down feathers differed in δ 13 C between inland and coastal colonies, having average isotopic values that reflected the sources of carbon fixed in biomass at the base of the food web. Feathers from the inland colonies differed between colonies in δ …

Sagina (Caryophyllaceae) In Illinois: An Update, Gordon C. Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Sagina (Caryophyllaceae) In Illinois: An Update, Gordon Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.