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The Actin-Severing Protein Cofilin Is Downstream Of Neuregulin Signaling And Is Essential For Schwann Cell Myelination, Nicklaus Sparrow, Maria Elisa Manetti, Marga Bott, Tiffany Fabianac, Alejandra Petrilli, Margaret Longest Bates, Mary Bartlett Bunge, Stephen Lambert, Cristina Fernandez-Valle Jan 2012

The Actin-Severing Protein Cofilin Is Downstream Of Neuregulin Signaling And Is Essential For Schwann Cell Myelination, Nicklaus Sparrow, Maria Elisa Manetti, Marga Bott, Tiffany Fabianac, Alejandra Petrilli, Margaret Longest Bates, Mary Bartlett Bunge, Stephen Lambert, Cristina Fernandez-Valle

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Myelination is a complex process requiring coordination of directional motility and an increase in glial cell size to generate a multilamellar myelin sheath. Regulation of actin dynamics during myelination is poorly understood. However, it is known that myelin thickness is related to the abundance of neuregulin-1 (NRG1) expressed on the axon surface. Here we identify cofilin1, an actin depolymerizing and severing protein, as a downstream target of NRG1 signaling in rat Schwann cells (SCs). In isolated SCs, NRG1 promotes dephosphorylation of cofilin1 and its upstream regulators, LIM kinase (LIMK) and Slingshot-1 phosphatase (SSH1), leading to cofilin1 activation and recruitment to …

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Investigating Gender Differences In Student Preferences For And Achievement With Educational Games, Damon A. Regan Jan 2012

Investigating Gender Differences In Student Preferences For And Achievement With Educational Games, Damon A. Regan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the choice behavior and achievement of male and female high school students who are given an option of taking a 36 week American History course in either a game-based format or a web-based format. It was hypothesized that (a) males would enroll more frequently in the game-based course than females, (b) there would be no significant difference in achievement between males and females in the game-based course or across course formats, and (c) there would be no significant interaction between gender and the selection of course format. The study consisted of a …

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Affective Response Of African American And European American Students To Portrayals Of Cross-Racial Relationships On Television, Earl S. Mowatt Jan 2012

Affective Response Of African American And European American Students To Portrayals Of Cross-Racial Relationships On Television, Earl S. Mowatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Race is a potent discourse within the world of pop culture, particularly in television where viewers are witnessing more racial diversity in scripted shows. However, show creators must maintain standards that emphasize distinct social roles among characters in order to appeal to large heterogeneous audiences. These roles tend to be characterizations of racial stereotypes that often lead to biased opinions and inaccurate perceptions of minority groups. Previous studies detail that racial biases in media adversely shape public opinions about African Americans and depress the desire for racial integration. This seems somewhat confounding since the shift in programming towards racial diversity …

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Genetic Engineering As Literary Praxis: A Study In Contemporary Literature, Taylor Evans Jan 2012

Genetic Engineering As Literary Praxis: A Study In Contemporary Literature, Taylor Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis considers the understudied issue of genetic engineering as it has been deployed in the literature of the late 20th century. With reference to the concept of the enlightened gender hybridity of Cyborg theory and an eye to ecocritical implications, I read four texts: Joan Slonczewski's 1986 science fiction novel A Door Into Ocean, Octavia Butler's science fiction trilogy Lilith's Brood – originally released between 1987 and 1989 as Xenogenesis – Simon Mawer's 1997 literary novel Mendel's Dwarf, and the first two books in Margaret Atwood's speculative fiction MaddAddam series: 2003's Oryx and Crake and 2009's The Year Of …

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A Production And Cost Modeling Methodology Of 2nd Generation Biofuel In The United States, David A. Poole Jan 2012

A Production And Cost Modeling Methodology Of 2nd Generation Biofuel In The United States, David A. Poole

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of biofuels in the United States has increased dramatically in the last few years. The largest source of feedstock for ethanol to date has been corn. However, corn is also a vitally important food crop and is used commonly as feed for cattle and other livestock. To prevent further diversion of an important food crop to production of ethanol, there is great interest in developing commercial-scale technologies to make ethanol from non-food crops, or other suitable plant material. This is commonly referred to as biomass. A review is made of lignocellulosic sources being considered as feedstocks to produce …

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The Next "Killer" Algae? Assessing And Mitigating Invasion Risk For Aquarium Strains Of The Marine Macroalgal Genus Chaetomorpha, Rachel Odom Jan 2012

The Next "Killer" Algae? Assessing And Mitigating Invasion Risk For Aquarium Strains Of The Marine Macroalgal Genus Chaetomorpha, Rachel Odom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biological invasions threaten the ecological integrity of natural ecosystems. Anthropogenic introductions of non-native species can displace native flora and fauna, altering community compositions and disrupting ecosystem services. One often-overlooked vector for such introductions is the release of aquarium organisms into aquatic ecosystems. Following detrimental aquarium-release invasions by the "killer alga" Caulerpa taxifolia, aquarium hobbyists and professions began promoting the use of other genera of macroalgae as "safe" alternatives. The most popular of these marine aquarium macroalgae, the genus Chaetomorpha, is analyzed here for invasion risk. Mitigation strategies are also evaluated. I found that the propensity for reproduction by vegetative fragmentation …

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Factors Limiting Native Species Establishment On Former Agricultural Lands, Annalisa M. Weiler-Lazarz Jan 2012

Factors Limiting Native Species Establishment On Former Agricultural Lands, Annalisa M. Weiler-Lazarz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Restoration of abandoned, nonnative species-dominated agricultural lands provides opportunities for conserving declining shrubland and grassland ecosystems. Land-use legacies, such as elevated soil fertility and pH from agricultural amendments, often persist for years and can favor nonnative species at the expense of native species. Understanding the factors that limit native species establishment on abandoned agricultural lands can provide important insights for restoration and conservation of native species on human-modified lands. I conducted two field experiments on abandoned agricultural lands: a former pasture on Martha’s Vineyard, MA and a former citrus grove at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) in Titusville, FL. …

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Feature Issue Introduction: Specialty Optical Fibers, J. Ballato, A. F. Abouraddy Jan 2012

Feature Issue Introduction: Specialty Optical Fibers, J. Ballato, A. F. Abouraddy

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

"For groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication." With this citation, the Nobel Committee bestowed the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics to Dr. Charles Kao and validated the global importance of optical fibers. That said, technological demands march on and the applications in which optical fibers are employed continue to expand. Further, both existing and emerging applications are requiring greater performance and functionality, beyond those associated with telecommunications, from the enabling optical fibers; and so it is timely to offer this special issue that compiles recent advances in specialty optical fibers.

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Superparamagnetic Nanocomposites Templated With Pyrazole-Containing Diblock Copolymers, Sanchita Biswas, Kevin D. Belfield, Ritesh K. Das, Siddhartha Ghosh, Arthur F. Hebard Jan 2012

Superparamagnetic Nanocomposites Templated With Pyrazole-Containing Diblock Copolymers, Sanchita Biswas, Kevin D. Belfield, Ritesh K. Das, Siddhartha Ghosh, Arthur F. Hebard

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Monodisperse maghemite nanoparticles, templated in novel, well-defined pyrazole-containing norbornene-based block copolymers, provided a superparamagnetic nanocomposite with high saturation magnetization at room temperature under an applied magnetic field. The synthesis of the polymer nanocomposites and physical, morphological, and magnetic chracaterization of the nanocomposites are reported. Micelle-encapsulated superparamagnetic nanocomposites were generated for dispersal in aqueous medium. Their stability in water in the presence of a magnetic field was investigated as was their morphology and cell viability, strongly suggesting the potential of these superparamagnetic polymer-based nanocomposites in certain biomedical imaging and associated applications.

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Mgmt Inhibition Restores Er Alpha Functional Sensitivity To Antiestrogen Therapy, George C. Bobustuc, Joshua S. Smith, Sreeram Maddipatla, Sheila Jeudy, Arati Limaye, Beth Isley, Maria-Lourdes M. Caparas, Susan M. Constantino, Nikita Shah, Cheryl H. Baker, Kalkunte S. Srivenugopal, Said Baida, Santhi D. Konduri Jan 2012

Mgmt Inhibition Restores Er Alpha Functional Sensitivity To Antiestrogen Therapy, George C. Bobustuc, Joshua S. Smith, Sreeram Maddipatla, Sheila Jeudy, Arati Limaye, Beth Isley, Maria-Lourdes M. Caparas, Susan M. Constantino, Nikita Shah, Cheryl H. Baker, Kalkunte S. Srivenugopal, Said Baida, Santhi D. Konduri

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Antiestrogen therapy resistance remains a huge stumbling block in the treatment of breast cancer. We have found significant elevation of O-6 methylguanine DNA methyl transferase (MGMT) expression in a small sample of consecutive patients who have failed tamoxifen treatment. Here, we show that tamoxifen resistance is accompanied by upregulation of MGMT. Further we show that administration of the MGMT inhibitor, O-6-benzylguanine (BG), at nontoxic doses, leads to restoration of a favorable estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) phosphorylation phenotype (high p-ER alpha Ser167/low p-ER alpha Ser118), which has been reported to correlate with sensitivity to endocrine therapy and improved survival. We …

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Were Multiple Stressors A 'Perfect Storm' For Northern Gulf Of Mexico Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In 2011?, Ruth H. Carmichael, William M. Graham, Allen Aven, Graham Worthy, Stephan Howden Jan 2012

Were Multiple Stressors A 'Perfect Storm' For Northern Gulf Of Mexico Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In 2011?, Ruth H. Carmichael, William M. Graham, Allen Aven, Graham Worthy, Stephan Howden

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

An unusual number of near term and neonatal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) mortalities occurred in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) in 2011, during the first calving season after two well documented environmental perturbations; sustained cold weather in 2010 and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWHOS). Preceding the stranding event, large volumes of cold freshwater entered the nGOM due to unusually large snowmelt on the adjacent watershed, providing a third potential stressor. We consider the possibility that this extreme cold and freshwater event contributed to the pattern of perinatal dolphin strandings along the nGOM coast. During the 4-month period starting …

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Robust Quantification Of Polymerase Chain Reactions Using Global Fitting, Ana C. Carr, Sean D. Moore Jan 2012

Robust Quantification Of Polymerase Chain Reactions Using Global Fitting, Ana C. Carr, Sean D. Moore

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: Quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) are used to monitor relative changes in very small amounts of DNA. One drawback to qPCR is reproducibility: measuring the same sample multiple times can yield data that is so noisy that important differences can be dismissed. Numerous analytical methods have been employed that can extract the relative template abundance between samples. However, each method is sensitive to baseline assignment and to the unique shape profiles of individual reactions, which gives rise to increased variance stemming from the analytical procedure itself. Principal Findings: We developed a simple mathematical model that accurately describes the entire …

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Inferring Foraging Areas Of Nesting Loggerhead Turtles Using Satellite Telemetry And Stable Isotopes, Simona A. Ceriani, James D. Roth, Daniel R. Evans, John F. Weishampel, Llewellyn M. Ehrhart Jan 2012

Inferring Foraging Areas Of Nesting Loggerhead Turtles Using Satellite Telemetry And Stable Isotopes, Simona A. Ceriani, James D. Roth, Daniel R. Evans, John F. Weishampel, Llewellyn M. Ehrhart

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

In recent years, the use of intrinsic markers such as stable isotopes to link breeding and foraging grounds of migratory species has increased. Nevertheless, several assumptions still must be tested to interpret isotopic patterns found in the marine realm. We used a combination of satellite telemetry and stable isotope analysis to (i) identify key foraging grounds used by female loggerheads nesting in Florida and (ii) examine the relationship between stable isotope ratios and post-nesting migration destinations. We collected tissue samples for stable isotope analysis from 14 females equipped with satellite tags and an additional 57 untracked nesting females. Telemetry identified …

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Enhanced Optical Limiting In Nanosized Mixed Zinc Ferrites, Panit Chantharasupawong, Reji Philip, Tamio Endo, Jayan Thomas Jan 2012

Enhanced Optical Limiting In Nanosized Mixed Zinc Ferrites, Panit Chantharasupawong, Reji Philip, Tamio Endo, Jayan Thomas

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Optical limiting performance of zinc ferrite, nickel zinc ferrite, and copper zinc ferrite nanoparticles is investigated at 532 nm using 5 nanosecond laser pulses. Enhanced optical limiting is observed in the mixed zinc ferrites, which is attributed to the relative longevity of self-trapped charge transfer states. Samples exhibit absorption saturation followed by a rapid onset of optical limiting as the input fluence is increased. This is advantageous in applications where detector sensitivity should be retained at the maximum value until the input fluence approaches the detector damage regime. The Z-scan results are compared to those measured in C-60.

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Geospatial Revolution And Remote Sensing Lidar In Mesoamerican Archaeology, Arlen F. Chase, Diane Z. Chase, Christopher T. Fisher, Stephen J. Leisz, John F. Weishampel Jan 2012

Geospatial Revolution And Remote Sensing Lidar In Mesoamerican Archaeology, Arlen F. Chase, Diane Z. Chase, Christopher T. Fisher, Stephen J. Leisz, John F. Weishampel

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The application of light detection and ranging (LiDAR), a laser-based remote-sensing technology that is capable of penetrating overlying vegetation and forest canopies, is generating a fundamental shift in Mesoamerican archaeology and has the potential to transform research in forested areas world-wide. Much as radiocarbon dating that half a century ago moved archaeology forward by grounding archaeological remains in time, LiDAR is proving to be a catalyst for an improved spatial understanding of the past. With LiDAR, ancient societies can be contextualized within a fully defined landscape. Interpretations about the scale and organization of densely forested sites no longer are constrained …

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Nadph Oxidase 1 Mediates Alpha-Synucleinopathy In Parkinson's Disease, Ana Clara Cristóvão, Subhrangshu Guhathakurta, Eugene Bok, Goun Je, Seung Don Yoo, Dong-Hee Choi, Yoon-Seong Kim Jan 2012

Nadph Oxidase 1 Mediates Alpha-Synucleinopathy In Parkinson's Disease, Ana Clara Cristóvão, Subhrangshu Guhathakurta, Eugene Bok, Goun Je, Seung Don Yoo, Dong-Hee Choi, Yoon-Seong Kim

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Accumulation of misfolded alpha-synuclein is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanism contributing to alpha-synuclein aggregation and its further toxicity to dopaminergic neurons. Since oxidative stress can increase the expression and aggregation levels of alpha-synuclein, NADPH oxidases (Noxs), which are responsible for reactive oxygen species generation, could be major players in alpha-synucleinopathy. Previously, we demonstrated that Nox1 is expressed in dopaminergic neurons of the PD animal models as well as postmortem brain tissue of PD patients, and is responsible for oxidative stress and subsequent neuronal degeneration. Here, using paraquat (PQ)-based in vitro and …

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Identification And Characterization Of Bacterial Vaginosis-Associated Pathogens Using A Comprehensive Cervical-Vaginal Epithelial Coculture Assay, Colleen R. Eade, Camila Diaz, Matthew P. Wood, Kathryn Anastos, Bruce K. Patterson, Phalguni Gupta, Amy L. Cole, Alexander M. Cole Jan 2012

Identification And Characterization Of Bacterial Vaginosis-Associated Pathogens Using A Comprehensive Cervical-Vaginal Epithelial Coculture Assay, Colleen R. Eade, Camila Diaz, Matthew P. Wood, Kathryn Anastos, Bruce K. Patterson, Phalguni Gupta, Amy L. Cole, Alexander M. Cole

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most commonly treated female reproductive tract affliction, characterized by the displacement of healthy lactobacilli by an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. BV can contribute to pathogenic inflammation, preterm birth, and susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. As the bacteria responsible for BV pathogenicity and their interactions with host immunity are not understood, we sought to evaluate the effects of BV-associated bacteria on reproductive epithelia. Here we have characterized the interaction between BV-associated bacteria and the female reproductive tract by measuring cytokine and defensin induction in three types of FRT epithelial cells following bacterial inoculation. Four BV-associated bacteria …

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Rafts, Nanoparticles And Neural Disease, Vishal Gulati, Ron Wallace Jan 2012

Rafts, Nanoparticles And Neural Disease, Vishal Gulati, Ron Wallace

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

This review examines the role of membrane rafts in neural disease as a rationale for drug targeting utilizing lipid-based nanoparticles. The article begins with an overview of methodological issues involving the existence, sizes, and lifetimes of rafts, and then examines raft function in the etiologies of three major neural diseases-epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease-selected as promising candidates for raft-based therapeutics. Raft-targeting drug delivery systems involving liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles are then examined in detail.

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Oxidative Lipid Modification Of Nicastrin Enhances Amyloidogenic ?-Secretase Activity In Alzheimer's Disease, A-Ryeong Gwon, Jong-Sung Park, Thiruma V. Arumugam, Yong-Kook Kwon, Sic L. Chan, Seol-Hee Kim, Sang-Ha Baik, Sunghee Yang, Young-Kwang Yun, Yuri Choi, Saerom Kim, Sung-Chun Tang, Dong-Hoon Hyun, Aiwu Cheng, Charles E. Dann Iii, Michel Bernier, Jaewon Lee, William R. Markesbery, Mark P. Mattson, Dong-Gyu Jo Jan 2012

Oxidative Lipid Modification Of Nicastrin Enhances Amyloidogenic ?-Secretase Activity In Alzheimer's Disease, A-Ryeong Gwon, Jong-Sung Park, Thiruma V. Arumugam, Yong-Kook Kwon, Sic L. Chan, Seol-Hee Kim, Sang-Ha Baik, Sunghee Yang, Young-Kwang Yun, Yuri Choi, Saerom Kim, Sung-Chun Tang, Dong-Hoon Hyun, Aiwu Cheng, Charles E. Dann Iii, Michel Bernier, Jaewon Lee, William R. Markesbery, Mark P. Mattson, Dong-Gyu Jo

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The cause of elevated level of amyloid beta-peptide (A beta 42) in common late-onset sporadic [Alzheimers disease (AD)] has not been established. Here, we show that the membrane lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is associated with amyloid and neurodegenerative pathologies in AD and that it enhances ?-secretase activity and A beta 42 production in neurons. The ?-secretase substrate receptor, nicastrin, was found to be modified by HNE in cultured neurons and in brain specimens from patients with AD, in which HNEnicastrin levels were found to be correlated with increased ?-secretase activity and A beta plaque burden. Furthermore, HNE modification of …

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Beta-Microseminoprotein Endows Post Coital Seminal Plasma With Potent Candidacidal Activity By A Calcium- And Ph-Dependent Mechanism, Anneli M. L. Edstrom Hagerwall, Victoria Rydengard, Per Fernlund, Matthias Morgelin, Maria Baumgarten, Alexander M. Cole, Martin Malmsten, Birthe B. Kragelund, Ole E. Sorensen Jan 2012

Beta-Microseminoprotein Endows Post Coital Seminal Plasma With Potent Candidacidal Activity By A Calcium- And Ph-Dependent Mechanism, Anneli M. L. Edstrom Hagerwall, Victoria Rydengard, Per Fernlund, Matthias Morgelin, Maria Baumgarten, Alexander M. Cole, Martin Malmsten, Birthe B. Kragelund, Ole E. Sorensen

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The innate immune factors controlling Candida albicans are mostly unknown. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is common in women and affects approximately 70-75% of all women at least once. Despite the propensity of Candida to colonize the vagina, transmission of Candida albicans following sexual intercourse is very rare. This prompted us to investigate whether the post coital vaginal milieu contained factors active against C. albicans. By CFU assays, we found prominent candidacidal activity of post coital seminal plasma at both neutral and the acid vaginal pH. In contrast, normal seminal plasma did not display candidacidal activity prior to acidification. By antifungal gel overlay …

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Efficacy Of Phosphatidic Acid Ingestion On Lean Body Mass, Muscle Thickness And Strength Gains In Resistance-Trained Men, Jay R. Hoffman, Jeffrey R. Stout, David R. Williams, Adam J. Wells, Maren S. Fragala, Gerald T. Mangine, Adam M. Gonzalez, Nadia S. Emerson, William P. Mccormack, Tyler C. Scanlon, Martin Purpura, Ralf Jäger Jan 2012

Efficacy Of Phosphatidic Acid Ingestion On Lean Body Mass, Muscle Thickness And Strength Gains In Resistance-Trained Men, Jay R. Hoffman, Jeffrey R. Stout, David R. Williams, Adam J. Wells, Maren S. Fragala, Gerald T. Mangine, Adam M. Gonzalez, Nadia S. Emerson, William P. Mccormack, Tyler C. Scanlon, Martin Purpura, Ralf Jäger

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: Phosphatidic acid (PA) has been reported to activate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and is thought to enhance the anabolic effects of resistance training. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine if oral phosphatidic acid administration can enhance strength, muscle thickness and lean tissue accruement during an 8-week resistance training program. Methods: Sixteen resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to a group that either consumed 750 mg of PA (n = 7, 23.1 +/- 4.4 y; 176.7 +/- 6.7 cm; 86.5 +/- 21.2 kg) or a placebo (PL, n = 9, 22.5 +/- 2.0 y; …

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Developing A Nanoparticle Test For Prostate Cancer Scoring, Qun Huo, Sally A. Litherland, Shannon Sullivan, Hillari Hallquist, David A. Decker, Inoel Rivera-Ramirez Jan 2012

Developing A Nanoparticle Test For Prostate Cancer Scoring, Qun Huo, Sally A. Litherland, Shannon Sullivan, Hillari Hallquist, David A. Decker, Inoel Rivera-Ramirez

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: Over-diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has been a major problem in prostate cancer care and management. Currently the most relevant prognostic factor to predict a patient's risk of death due to prostate cancer is the Gleason score of the biopsied tissue samples. However, pathological analysis is subjective, and the Gleason score is only a qualitative estimate of the cancer malignancy. Molecular biomarkers and diagnostic tests that can accurately predict prostate tumor aggressiveness are rather limited. Method: We report here for the first time the development of a nanoparticle test that not only can distinguish prostate cancer from normal …

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Unifying Model Of Driven Polymer Translocation, T. Ikonen, A. Bhattacharya, T. Ala-Nissila, W. Sung Jan 2012

Unifying Model Of Driven Polymer Translocation, T. Ikonen, A. Bhattacharya, T. Ala-Nissila, W. Sung

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

We present a Brownian dynamics model of driven polymer translocation, in which nonequilibrium memory effects arising from tension propagation (TP) along the cis side subchain are incorporated as a time-dependent friction. To solve the effective friction, we develop a finite chain length TP formalism, based on the idea suggested by Sakaue [Phys. Rev. E 76, 021803 (2007)]. We validate the model by numerical comparisons with high-accuracy molecular dynamics simulations, showing excellent agreement in a wide range of parameters. Our results show that the dynamics of driven translocation is dominated by the nonequilibrium TP along the cis side subchain. Furthermore, by …

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Influence Of Non-Universal Effects On Dynamical Scaling In Driven Polymer Translocation, T. Ikonen, A. Bhattacharya, T. Ala-Nissila, W. Sung Jan 2012

Influence Of Non-Universal Effects On Dynamical Scaling In Driven Polymer Translocation, T. Ikonen, A. Bhattacharya, T. Ala-Nissila, W. Sung

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

We study the dynamics of driven polymer translocation using both molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and a theoretical model based on the non-equilibrium tension propagation on the cis side subchain. We present theoretical and numerical evidence that the non-universal behavior observed in experiments and simulations are due to finite chain length effects that persist well beyond the relevant experimental and simulation regimes. In particular, we consider the influence of the pore-polymer interactions and show that they give a major contribution to the non-universal effects. In addition, we present comparisons between the theory and MD simulations for several quantities, showing extremely good …

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Monocropping Cultures Into Ruin: The Loss Of Food Varieties And Cultural Diversity, Peter J. Jacques, Jessica Racine Jacques Jan 2012

Monocropping Cultures Into Ruin: The Loss Of Food Varieties And Cultural Diversity, Peter J. Jacques, Jessica Racine Jacques

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The loss of genetic diversity of thousands of plants and crops has been well documented at least since the 1970s, and has been understood as a result of epistemological and political economic conditions of the Green Revolution. The political economic arrangement of the Green Revolution, alongside a post-war focus on economies of scale and export-oriented growth, replace high-yield single varieties of crops for a diverse array of varieties that may not have the same yield, but may be able to resist pests, disease, and changing climatic conditions. Also, the harvest does not flow in all directions equally: Whereas small holder …

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Borrelia Burgdorferi Harbors A Transport System Essential For Purine Salvage And Mammalian Infection, Sunny Jain, Selina Sutchu, Patricia A. Rosa, Rebecca Bryam, Mollie W. Jewett Jan 2012

Borrelia Burgdorferi Harbors A Transport System Essential For Purine Salvage And Mammalian Infection, Sunny Jain, Selina Sutchu, Patricia A. Rosa, Rebecca Bryam, Mollie W. Jewett

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Borrelia burgdorferi is the tick-borne bacterium that causes the multistage inflammatory disease Lyme disease. B. burgdorferi has a reduced genome and lacks the enzymes required for de novo synthesis of purines for synthesis of RNA and DNA. Therefore, this obligate pathogen is dependent upon the tick vector and mammalian host environments for salvage of purine bases for nucleic acid biosynthesis. This pathway is vital for B. burgdorferi survival throughout its infectious cycle, as key enzymes in the purine salvage pathway are essential for the ability of the spirochete to infect mice and critical for spirochete replication in the tick. The …

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Exploring Behaviors Of Stochastic Differential Equation Models Of Biological Systems Using Change Of Measures, Sumit Kumar Jha, Christopher James Langmead Jan 2012

Exploring Behaviors Of Stochastic Differential Equation Models Of Biological Systems Using Change Of Measures, Sumit Kumar Jha, Christopher James Langmead

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Stochastic Differential Equations (SDE) are often used to model the stochastic dynamics of biological systems. Unfortunately, rare but biologically interesting behaviors (e. g., oncogenesis) can be difficult to observe in stochastic models. Consequently, the analysis of behaviors of SDE models using numerical simulations can be challenging. We introduce a method for solving the following problem: given a SDE model and a high-level behavioral specification about the dynamics of the model, algorithmically decide whether the model satisfies the specification. While there are a number of techniques for addressing this problem for discrete-state stochastic models, the analysis of SDE and other continuous-state …

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Pinellia Ternata Agglutinin Expression In Chloroplasts Confers Broad Spectrum Resistance Against Aphid, Whitefly, Lepidopteran Insects, Bacterial And Viral Pathogens, Shuangxia Jin, Xianlong Zhang, Henry Daniell Jan 2012

Pinellia Ternata Agglutinin Expression In Chloroplasts Confers Broad Spectrum Resistance Against Aphid, Whitefly, Lepidopteran Insects, Bacterial And Viral Pathogens, Shuangxia Jin, Xianlong Zhang, Henry Daniell

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Broad spectrum protection against different insects and pathogens requires multigene engineering. However, such broad spectrum protection against biotic stress is provided by a single protein in some medicinal plants. Therefore, tobacco chloroplasts were transformed with the agglutinin gene from Pinellia ternata (pta), a widely cultivated Chinese medicinal herb. Pinellia ternata agglutinin (PTA) was expressed up to 9.2% of total soluble protein in mature leaves. Purified PTA showed similar hemagglutination activity as snowdrop lectin. Artificial diet with purified PTA from transplastomic plants showed marked and broad insecticidal activity. In planta bioassays conducted with T0 or T1 generation PTA lines showed that …

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Identification Of Components Of The Host Type Ia Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Pathway That Promote Internalization Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Shahanawaz Jiwani, Yi Wang, Georgina C. Dowd, Antonella Gianfelice, Phannipha Pichestapong, Balramakrishna Gavicherla, Neyda Vanbennekom, Keith Ireton Jan 2012

Identification Of Components Of The Host Type Ia Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Pathway That Promote Internalization Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Shahanawaz Jiwani, Yi Wang, Georgina C. Dowd, Antonella Gianfelice, Phannipha Pichestapong, Balramakrishna Gavicherla, Neyda Vanbennekom, Keith Ireton

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes causes food-borne illnesses resulting in gastroenteritis, meningitis, or abortion. Listeria promotes its internalization into some human cells through binding of the bacterial surface protein InlB to the host receptor tyrosine kinase Met. The interaction of InlB with the Met receptor stimulates host signaling pathways that promote cell surface changes driving bacterial uptake. One human signaling protein that plays a critical role in Listeria entry is type IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). The molecular mechanism by which PI 3-kinase promotes bacterial internalization is not understood. Here we perform an RNA interference (RNAi)-based screen to identify components …

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Rapid And Sensitive Detection Of An Intracellular Pathogen In Human Peripheral Leukocytes With Hybridizing Magnetic Relaxation Nanosensors, Charalambos Kaittanis, Hamza Boukhriss, Santimukul Santra, Saleh A. Naser, J. Manuel Perez Jan 2012

Rapid And Sensitive Detection Of An Intracellular Pathogen In Human Peripheral Leukocytes With Hybridizing Magnetic Relaxation Nanosensors, Charalambos Kaittanis, Hamza Boukhriss, Santimukul Santra, Saleh A. Naser, J. Manuel Perez

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Bacterial infections are still a major global healthcare problem. The quick and sensitive detection of pathogens responsible for these infections would facilitate correct diagnosis of the disease and expedite treatment. Of major importance are intracellular slow-growing pathogens that reside within peripheral leukocytes, evading recognition by the immune system and detection by traditional culture methods. Herein, we report the use of hybridizing magnetic nanosensors (hMRS) for the detection of an intracellular pathogen, Mycobacterium avium spp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The hMRS are designed to bind to a unique genomic sequence found in the MAP genome, causing significant changes in the sample's magnetic resonance …

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