Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Brigham Young University

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 4861 - 4890 of 10994

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Phylogeny Of Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Deciphering Patterns Of Host Shift, Matthew Moulton, Dr. Michael F. Whiting Sep 2013

Phylogeny Of Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Deciphering Patterns Of Host Shift, Matthew Moulton, Dr. Michael F. Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nitidulids are a moderately diverse family of beetles, but the evolution of their feeding specializations was poorly understood. They are important in agroecosystems as pests of fruit crops, stored grains, honey production, biocontrol of aphids and scale insects, and transmission of plant viral pathogens. The phylogeny produced helped answer questions pertaining to the evolution of nitidulid host specialization, and provided insights into the diversification of this group. I conducted the first subfamilial phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data. Specific goals were: (1) Perform a phylogenetic analysis using molecular data from eight genes; 2) Use the phylogeny to infer the ancestral …

Go to article

A New Species Of Blackish Deer Mouse, Jared B. Lee, Dr. Duke S. Rogers Sep 2013

A New Species Of Blackish Deer Mouse, Jared B. Lee, Dr. Duke S. Rogers

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biodiversity is a hallmark of our planet. We can see this everyday in the various habitats and environments that we live in, from the desert in Utah to the lush rain forests of South America. These great ecosystems provide a diversity of life in plants and animals. Biologists study and classify these organisms to better understand how this world came into being. All the time new species are being described and discovered in areas throughout the world. In this research project, we used traditional and modern techniques to better understand the diversity and variation in populations of a rodent in …

Go to article

Patterns Of Genetic Diversity In The Galapagos Archipelago: Identifying And Preserving Evolutionary Processes, Rebecca Baum, Dr. Jack W. Sites Sep 2013

Patterns Of Genetic Diversity In The Galapagos Archipelago: Identifying And Preserving Evolutionary Processes, Rebecca Baum, Dr. Jack W. Sites

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Galapagos Archipelago, located 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador, arose 1-5 million years ago by the eruption of underwater volcanoes. It consists of 13 larger islands, 6 smaller islands, and numerous islets. The Archipelago is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, yet very little is known about its “hotspots” of genetic diversity or the processes that generate this diversity. The identification of areas of high genetic diversity provides information not only about lizards but also other native species. This information can be used to prioritize conservation efforts such as non-native (i.e. cats, rats, goats) species …

Go to article

Matrixgen: Customized Amino Acid Change Matrices To Study Protein Family Evolution, John J. Bowers, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Sep 2013

Matrixgen: Customized Amino Acid Change Matrices To Study Protein Family Evolution, John J. Bowers, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Background: Algorithms for aligning protein and DNA sequences are dependent upon the scoring matrix used to generate accurate alignments. Most alignment applications offer only a few choices for such scoring matrices (typically PAM and BLOSUM series matrices).

Go to article

Creating A Geographic Information System For Nematology, Levi Hilton, Dr. Byron Adams Sep 2013

Creating A Geographic Information System For Nematology, Levi Hilton, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A geographic information system (GIS) is a powerful tool for correlating information that has a spatial component. This technique has been used in many different ways from organizing major corporations and services to building intricate maps. We used a GIS to help determine if there was a certain type of soil that can be correlated to specific nematode species which are used as organic pesticides in agriculture.

Go to article

A Mitochondrial Phylogenetic Analysis Of Sculpin (Genus Cottus) In Montana Based On The Nadh Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 Gene, Andrew Moffat, R. Paul Evans Sep 2013

A Mitochondrial Phylogenetic Analysis Of Sculpin (Genus Cottus) In Montana Based On The Nadh Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 Gene, Andrew Moffat, R. Paul Evans

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to investigate the distribution and phylogenetic status of Cottus (sculpins) species populations in Montana relative to other species in western North America using the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) gene in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This study of the ND4 gene in sculpin could possibly provide additional insight into the historical timing of fish invasion events and provide the phylogenetic status of species in the genus Cottus. Although the distribution of aquatic vertebrates in western North America has been interpreted relative to late Pleistocene events, genetic studies of cutthroat trout have not supported that mechanism …

Go to article

Induced Modulation Of Membrane Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Possibilities For Chemotherapeutic Intervention In Cancer, Christopher Trimble, Dr. Byron Murray Sep 2013

Induced Modulation Of Membrane Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Possibilities For Chemotherapeutic Intervention In Cancer, Christopher Trimble, Dr. Byron Murray

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Polyunsaturated fatty acids have several integral functions in the human body. In addition to playing essential structural, metabolic, and cell-signaling roles, fatty acids may be involved in the onset of cancer. The fatty acid profile of a cell, which is defined as the relative ratios of individual fatty acids as compared to the entire cellular fatty acid content, is known to play a direct role in controlling gene expression and the protection of cells from oxidative damage caused by bodily inflammatory responses. It is known that cancer cells have modulated membrane fatty acid profiles, differing gene expression, and increased inflammatory …

Go to article

Effects Of Inbreeding On The Fecundity And Heat Tolerance Of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora, John Chaston, Dr. Byron J. Adams Sep 2013

Effects Of Inbreeding On The Fecundity And Heat Tolerance Of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora, John Chaston, Dr. Byron J. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biological control using predators, parasitoids, or pathogens can be an effective alternative to the use of chemical pesticides for management of insect pests because the agents of biological control are generally not harmful to humans, the environment, or non-target organisms (1). One problem with using biological control agents, however, is that their success in suppressing pest populations often depends on fitness, including ecological compatibility with the pest, searching and dispersal capacity, and reproductive capacity (1). When mass-produced for commercial purposes the agent may lose these biocontrol traits from genetic processes including drift, inbreeding, or inadvertent selection (4) or from non-genetic …

Go to article

Intracellular Localization Of A Novel Bmp-2 Variant Protein Involved In Col11a2 Regulation, Carolina M. Montaño, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater Sep 2013

Intracellular Localization Of A Novel Bmp-2 Variant Protein Involved In Col11a2 Regulation, Carolina M. Montaño, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that is found in many parts of the skeleton and covers the joint surfaces of bones. It consists of an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) that is produced and maintained by chondrocytes. This ECM includes type II, IX and XI collagens. Collagen XI plays a critical role in regulating fibril diameter and cartilage development. This heterotrimeric molecule consists of three chains—α1(XI), α2(XI), and α3(XI)—encoded by three distinct genes, Col11a1, Col11a2, and Col2a1, respectively.1 While expression of the α1(XI) and α3(XI) subunits is found in other tissues, the expression of the α2(XI) is restricted to …

Go to article

Identification Of Unknown Hydrocarbon-Decomposing Microbes Of The Great Salt Lake Petroleum Seep, Eric Barker, Dr. Alan Harker Sep 2013

Identification Of Unknown Hydrocarbon-Decomposing Microbes Of The Great Salt Lake Petroleum Seep, Eric Barker, Dr. Alan Harker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biodegradation of hydrocarbons (petroleum and oil like substances) has long been an issue of interest to microbiologists. The process is one in which microorganisms naturally break down oil or petroleum for their benefit as a source of carbon and energy. There is a wide range of practical uses in society for which such oil degrading capabilities could be used (such as natural oil spill cleanup). However the scope of this technology’s potential usefulness has been greatly restricted as thus far no microorganisms have been shown to have the capacity to biodegrade hydrocarbons in a hypersaline (extremely salty) environment, a condition …

Go to article

Interim Report Mutations In The Wnt/Pcp Signaling Pathway And Neural Tube Closure Defects, Nathan Hawley, Dr. Jeff Barrow Sep 2013

Interim Report Mutations In The Wnt/Pcp Signaling Pathway And Neural Tube Closure Defects, Nathan Hawley, Dr. Jeff Barrow

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Thus far in our study of the Wnt/PCP Signaling Pathway we have collected some intriguing data.

Go to article

Affects Of Ergosterol On Nystatin Binding To Artificial Cell Membranes, Quinn Bahm, Dr. John Bell Sep 2013

Affects Of Ergosterol On Nystatin Binding To Artificial Cell Membranes, Quinn Bahm, Dr. John Bell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The phospholipids that make up the cell membrane change in order and liquidity with temperature and sterol concentration. This change in phase can be recognized by using a fluorescent probe called nystatin. Nystatin is currently used pharmaceutically as a fungicide; it forms channels in membranes with ergosterol allowing water and ions to rush inside and rupture the fungal cell. Nystatin is assumed to bind to the membrane differently in the presence of cholesterol, as is the case with humans than in the presence of ergosterol, thus allowing the drug to destroy fungal cells while accumulating harmlessly on the surface of …

Go to article

Tumor-Associated Macrophage Interaction With The Tumor Microenvironment, Heather Aamodt, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Sep 2013

Tumor-Associated Macrophage Interaction With The Tumor Microenvironment, Heather Aamodt, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Oncologists currently use chemotherapy and radiation to treat many cancers. The goal of both these treatments is to target cancerous cells without killing too many healthy ones. Both radiation and chemotherapy induce a form of cell death called apoptosis in an attempt to eliminate the body of a tumor. Current studies suggest that when tumor-associated macrophages ingest apoptotic cell debris, they fail to secrete pro-inflammatory mediators that would help clear the invader – whether a pathogen or a tumor – from the body. Ruptured necrotic cells, however, induce a strong inflammatory response that augments immune function. If macrophage engulfment of …

Go to article

Lipids And Vesicular Fusion (The Doorway To My Future), Brady Atwood, Dr. Dixon J. Woodbury Sep 2013

Lipids And Vesicular Fusion (The Doorway To My Future), Brady Atwood, Dr. Dixon J. Woodbury

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Exocytosis is the process by which a cell excretes intracellular substances into an extracellular space. Cells perform this by storing these substances in lipid membrane enclosed spheres called vesicles. These vesicles are brought to the inside surface of the cellular membrane where they are docked and primed for release upon the appropriate signal. When the signal occurs the vesicles fuse to the membrane releasing the stored material into the space around the cell. This is especially relevant in neuroscience as this is the process by which neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft which then go on to stimulate/inhibit another …

Go to article

Sensor-Driven Hierarchical Path Planning For Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Canonical Tasks And Sensors, Spencer James Clark Sep 2013

Sensor-Driven Hierarchical Path Planning For Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Canonical Tasks And Sensors, Spencer James Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly becoming economical platforms for carrying a variety of sensors. Building flight plans that place sensors properly, temporally and spatially, is difficult. The goal of sensor-driven planning is to automatically generate flight plans based on desired sensor placement and temporal constraints. We propose a simple taxonomy of UAV-enabled sensors, identify a set of generic sensor tasks, and argue that many real-world tasks can be represented by the taxonomy. We present a hierarchical sensor-driven flight planning system capable of generating 2D flights that satisfy desired sensor placement and complex timing and dependency constraints. The system makes …

Go to article

The Role Of Phob In The Phosphate Signaling Pathway, Eliza H. Norcross, Dr. William R. Mccleary Sep 2013

The Role Of Phob In The Phosphate Signaling Pathway, Eliza H. Norcross, Dr. William R. Mccleary

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Every living cell requires a means of sensing its environment and responding appropriately. Even a single cell needs to coordinate its functions to survive. One way cells process environmental stimuli is through signal transduction pathways. Types of signaling used in bacteria include two component systems. “Two component” refers to the two parts of the system, a histidine kinase and a response regulator. The bacterium E. coli uses a two component system called the phosphate signaling pathway to sense and respond to varying levels of phosphate in the environment.

Go to article

A Hairy Tale Analysis Of Adobe-Embedded Hair From Arrowhead Hill, Escalante, Utah, Bradley A. Newbold, Dr. Joel Janetski Sep 2013

A Hairy Tale Analysis Of Adobe-Embedded Hair From Arrowhead Hill, Escalante, Utah, Bradley A. Newbold, Dr. Joel Janetski

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the Spring Term of 2004, the BYU Archaeological Field School excavated a portion of Arrowhead Hill, a Formative (or early agricultural) Period site a few miles west of Escalante, Utah. Two intriguing finds were made during that field season: two pit-house structures of varying style situated within a few meters of each other and multiple large, deep, spherical underground pits. Diagnostic characteristics of Formative Period pit-houses are, among others, the style of structure construction and the style and type of ceramic vessels recovered on or near the original floor of the structure. From this, it was concluded that one …

Go to article

Birth Methods And The Incidence Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome-Sids, Luiz H. Meneghin, Dr. Debra Hobbins Sep 2013

Birth Methods And The Incidence Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome-Sids, Luiz H. Meneghin, Dr. Debra Hobbins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also called crib death, refers to the sudden, unexpected death of any infant or young child in whom a postmortem examination fails to demonstrate a cause for death. It is the greatest single cause of death among infants between 1 week and 1 year of age.1 Many studies have identified risk factors associated with SIDS (low birth weight, preterm delivery, maternal smoking, winter months, positioning during sleep, male gender, etc.), however, no studies were found regarding the method of birth and the incidence of SIDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation …

Go to article

Cytokine Regulation Of Adrenal Secretion Of Dehydroepiandrosterone (Dhea), Edward C. Miner, Dr. Allan M. Judd Sep 2013

Cytokine Regulation Of Adrenal Secretion Of Dehydroepiandrosterone (Dhea), Edward C. Miner, Dr. Allan M. Judd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The adrenal cortex releases aldosterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) into the blood stream. The regulation of aldosterone and cortisol release by the adrenal gland is well studied. In contrast, little is known about the regulation of DHEA secretion. Since low plasma levels of DHEA are associated with the aging process, rheumatoid arthritis, and disease progression in HIV-infected individuals, it is medically significant to determine the mechanism of DHEA release from the adrenal gland.

Go to article

Relatedness And The Symbolic Substance Of Kinship Among The K’Iche’, Stephen Brady, Dr. Janis Nuckolls Sep 2013

Relatedness And The Symbolic Substance Of Kinship Among The K’Iche’, Stephen Brady, Dr. Janis Nuckolls

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Kinship studies was a central concern of socio-cultural anthropology for decades. The centrality of kinship within the discipline was due to the traditional anthropological practice of studying social structure among small-scale societies. Social anthropologists found that kinship provides people with an effective form of organization in the absence of a state. In many small-scale societies, descent determines the economic, political, religious, and social position of individuals. By the second half of the twentieth century kinship studies faced a rapid decline within social anthropology, in part because some anthropologists found that kinship studies were based on Western presuppositions about the biogenetic …

Go to article

The Adrenal Cortex Cell Line H295r Releases Interleukin-6, Timothy E. Lindsay, Dr. Allan M. Judd Sep 2013

The Adrenal Cortex Cell Line H295r Releases Interleukin-6, Timothy E. Lindsay, Dr. Allan M. Judd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Up to this point, the study of adrenal glands has utilized mostly rat and bovine models. However, in the research of human physiology, human models are preferable to animal models. But human adrenal glands are difficult to obtain, and when they are obtained, experiments often have limited sample sizes. In addition, human adrenal glands available for research are often functionally altered by disease. Also, donors with healthy adrenal glands may be administered multiple pharmacological agents which modify adrenal functions. These obstacles show how a model that provides an unlimited quantity of tissue with consistent secretion patterns would take precedent over …

Go to article

Traditional Healing Practice, Tyler Gibb Sep 2013

Traditional Healing Practice, Tyler Gibb

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Traditional primitive healing practices often involve medicines or treatments derived from plants or animals obtained from the local geographical region. The use of insects or closely related arthropods in primitive herbal medications is common. The practice of using arthropods in traditional healing practices was investigated among the culturally rich Ashanti healers in the village of Mampong in Ghana, West Africa. The Ashanti Tribe in Central Ghana is located in an area of lush vegetation and diverse arthropod fauna. The ‘folk-logic’, including cultural, biological, historical, religious, and environmental factors, that influences medical insect use was investigated. Significant factors influencing insect use …

Go to article

Design Of Compliant Prosthetic Ankle Joints Using A Kinematic Model, Jason M. Wiersdorf, Robert Robins, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell, Robert H. Todd Sep 2013

Design Of Compliant Prosthetic Ankle Joints Using A Kinematic Model, Jason M. Wiersdorf, Robert Robins, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell, Robert H. Todd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The complex system of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons in the human ankle allow it to withstand high compression impacts, to move in multiple degrees of freedom, and to transfer energy from the leg to the foot while walking or running.

Go to article

Winter Activity Of Bats In Cache, Juab And Utah Counties, Utah, Benjamin T. Jones, Dr. Duke S. Rogers Sep 2013

Winter Activity Of Bats In Cache, Juab And Utah Counties, Utah, Benjamin T. Jones, Dr. Duke S. Rogers

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Historically, studies of bat activity have been conducted during spring, summer and fall when migratory bats are most abundant and non-migratory bats are most active. Due to the high energy expenditure required to maintain body temperatures sufficient for flight (Fenton, 1992) and the low availability of aerial insects, (Whitaker and Rissler, 1992) activity levels decline markedly with the onset of winter and the corresponding fall in temperatures. Non-migratory bats conserve energy by hibernating through the winter. However, in previous winter surveys conducted in Southern Utah, five of sixteen species know to occur in that area were netted. (Hasenyager, 1980) Bats …

Go to article

Phylogenetic Analyses Of The Geographic Origin Of Stlv-I And Htlv-I With Extensive Sequence Sampling: Evidence For An African Origin With Subsequent Separate Viral Evolution In Asia And Africa, Chris R. Kelsey, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Sep 2013

Phylogenetic Analyses Of The Geographic Origin Of Stlv-I And Htlv-I With Extensive Sequence Sampling: Evidence For An African Origin With Subsequent Separate Viral Evolution In Asia And Africa, Chris R. Kelsey, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a retrovirus believed to be the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-I -associated myelopathy/ tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV-I is a member of a related group of retroviruses, known collectively as primate T-cell lymphotropic viruses (PTLV) which also include human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) and the simian T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (STLV-I). In an attempt to better understand phylogenetic relationships among geographically diverse strains of PTLV-I, and in the process gain more insight into the geographic origin of STLV-I and HTLV-I, a comprehensive study involving multiple …

Go to article

Pediatric Study To Determine The Extent Of Parasympathetic Reinnervation To The Human Heart Post Transplant, Aaron W. Jones, R. Paul Evans Sep 2013

Pediatric Study To Determine The Extent Of Parasympathetic Reinnervation To The Human Heart Post Transplant, Aaron W. Jones, R. Paul Evans

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Until recently, it had been assumed that following cardiac transplantation, nerve impulses to the heart were permanently disconnected. Within the past few years, multiple studies prompted by patient complaints, observations, and simple curiosity have proven the surprising fact that the accelerator (or sympathetic) nerves to the heart almost always regrow.1 Furthermore, in a large segment of the recipient population, the same is found for the sensory nerves which relay pain and oxygen supply status of the heart to the brain.2 These discoveries have led scientists worldwide on the search for evidence of the regrowth of the decelerator (or parasympathetic) nerves …

Go to article

Identifying Sheep Parentage By Polymorphic Genetic Markers In Suffolk Sheep, Jennifer A. Jerman, Robert L. Park Sep 2013

Identifying Sheep Parentage By Polymorphic Genetic Markers In Suffolk Sheep, Jennifer A. Jerman, Robert L. Park

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Polymorphic genetic markers aid in parentage testing among individuals of the same breed. Suffolk sheep randomly mate and the need for accurate, reliable, and rapid testing for resolution of such mating is mandatory for the animals’ record and further genetic production. Therefore, it is necessary to identify such matings of individuals.

Go to article

The Effects Of Bryostatin I On The Progression Of Papillomavirus Dna-Induced Tumors, David J. Hoopes, Dr. Richard Robison, Dr. Beverly Roeder Sep 2013

The Effects Of Bryostatin I On The Progression Of Papillomavirus Dna-Induced Tumors, David J. Hoopes, Dr. Richard Robison, Dr. Beverly Roeder

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The bryostatins are a unique family of at least 13 naturally occurring macrocyclic lactones which have demonstrated considerable anti-neoplastic activity. Bryostatin 1 was isolated by G. R. Pettit from the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina. B. neritina is a colonial filter-feeder commonly know as a sea-mat or false coral and often grows on the docks, rocks and ships of the Pacific Ocean.1

Go to article

Terrain Following In Unmanned Air Vehicles Using Optic Flow Sensors, Blake Barber, Dr. Tim Mclain Sep 2013

Terrain Following In Unmanned Air Vehicles Using Optic Flow Sensors, Blake Barber, Dr. Tim Mclain

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A key enabling technology that will allow the U.S. Military to maintain information superiority in the 21st century is the development and implementation of Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) technology. Especially critical to the support of the small special operations units conducting the asymmetric warfare of the 21st century will be the development of mini and micro UAV technology. Mini and micro UAV technology will enable foot soldiers to hand launch and recover small, robust reconnaissance aircraft capable of providing real-time video surveillance and real-time target acquisition. These capabilities will allow soldiers to have the full situational awareness they need for …

Go to article

Use Of Solid-Phase Extraction To Enrich Protein Biomarkers Of Disease From Blood Serum, Peter F. Mclean, Dr Craig Thulin Sep 2013

Use Of Solid-Phase Extraction To Enrich Protein Biomarkers Of Disease From Blood Serum, Peter F. Mclean, Dr Craig Thulin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biomarkers in blood serum are the keys needed for the early detection of several types of cancer, complications of pregnancy, and potentially many other diseases, to allow time for successful treatment. Blood serum is ideal because itp comes in contact with all parts of the body, its sampling is minimally invasive, and it is easily prepared with high reproducibility. There is a problem, however, that prevents the development and wide-scale utilization of this treasure chest of biological information. Pure blood serum is complex and cluttered with high-abundance non-target proteins which makes examination of the low-abundance and low-molecular weight potential biomarkers …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last