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Steroid Analysis By Ph-Mediated Stacking Mekc, Liliya Bykova Jan 2009

Steroid Analysis By Ph-Mediated Stacking Mekc, Liliya Bykova

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation is based on research that led to the development and application of capillary electrophoresis method for the analysis of sex steroid hormones in the blood or plasma of fish species. The analysis of steroid hormones is essential to reveal chemical compounds that are suspected in endocrine disruption, but it is challenging due to the similarity of the chemical structures of steroids, their low concentrations, and limited volumes of plasma or blood samples in fish available for analysis. There is therefore an acute need to develop reliable accurate and systematic analytical methods applicable for the analysis of structurally similar …


Prenatal Cadmium Exposure Dysregulates Sonic Hedgehog And Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling In The Thymus Resulting In Immunomodulatory Effects, Miranda Leah Hanson Jan 2009

Prenatal Cadmium Exposure Dysregulates Sonic Hedgehog And Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling In The Thymus Resulting In Immunomodulatory Effects, Miranda Leah Hanson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cadmium (Cd) is both an environmental pollutant as well as a component of cigarette smoke. Recent data suggests increased cancer risks and increased mortality in environmentally exposed populations. Although evidence demonstrates that adult exposure to Cd causes changes in the immune system, there are limited reports in the literature of immunomodulatory effects of prenatal exposure to Cd. The sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Wnt/ss-catenin pathways are required for thymocyte maturation. Several studies have demonstrated that Cd exposure affects these pathways in different organ systems. Our experiments were designed to investigate the effect of prenatal Cd exposure on thymocyte development, and to …


A Spatial Optimization Approach To Watershed Water Quality Management: A Case Of The Opequon Watershed, Wilbert Karigomba Jan 2009

A Spatial Optimization Approach To Watershed Water Quality Management: A Case Of The Opequon Watershed, Wilbert Karigomba

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Opequon Creek watershed is located in northern VA and the eastern panhandle of WV. Currently, the main creeks in the watershed do not meet VA or WV state water quality standards for recreational uses and aquatic life. In both states, the creeks are listed as impaired due to high levels of nutrients, bacteria, benthic and biologic impairment. The Opequon Creek is part of the upper Potomac River watershed, and ultimately impacts water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The main aim of this study was to develop a methodology that can be used to reduce nutrient loadings entering the …


Exploring Electron Transfer In Myoglobin-Based Transistors, Debin Li Jan 2009

Exploring Electron Transfer In Myoglobin-Based Transistors, Debin Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Electron transfer in proteins is an issue of fundamental importance in biochemistry. This is especially true for proteins whose functionality relies on redox reactions, which by definition means that electron exchange must take place between the protein and another protein, a cofactor, or the external environment. An important example consists of proteins containing heme groups, where the iron ion in the protoporphyrin ring changes valence state depending on the whether an electron is accepted or given up by the protein. Much experimental work has been carried out since the late 1950s in order to develop an understanding of protein electron …


The Effect Of Attentional Bias On Suggestibility, Elizabeth E. Stacom Jan 2009

The Effect Of Attentional Bias On Suggestibility, Elizabeth E. Stacom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research implies that individuals with high anxiety levels may be more accurate in response to misleading questions when compared to individuals with low anxiety levels (Ridley & Clifford, 2004; Ridley, Clifford, & Keogh, 2002). This effect may be because individuals with high anxiety levels demonstrate an attentional memory bias toward threatening stimuli. The present study investigated whether a high versus low attentional bias affects suggestibility. Seventy participants completed a visual probe task to measure attentional bias. Next, participants were presented with 11 threatening pictures. Each picture was followed by a distractor task. Participants were then asked two misleading and two …


State-Wide Fish Tissue Contaminants Survey And Effects Of Feeding Type, Season And Gender On Fish Tissue Contamination Levels, Kenneth L. Stewart Jan 2009

State-Wide Fish Tissue Contaminants Survey And Effects Of Feeding Type, Season And Gender On Fish Tissue Contamination Levels, Kenneth L. Stewart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fish tissue fillets from benthic, predator, and mixed diet species were collected from 24 different watersheds in West Virginia. Composite samples were prepared from three to six fish fillets collected at each site, and concentrations of the chemical contaminants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury were determined for each composite sample. Differences in contaminant concentrations among three major categories of feeding type (predator, benthic, and mixed diet) were examined. Differences due to species of fish and among watersheds were also examined. Predators had significantly higher mercury concentrations than benthic or mixed diet feeders and benthic feeding fish had significantly higher PCB …


Synovium-Derived Stem Cell-Based Meniscal Reconstruction On Small Intestinal Submucosa, Yunbing Tan Jan 2009

Synovium-Derived Stem Cell-Based Meniscal Reconstruction On Small Intestinal Submucosa, Yunbing Tan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was aimed at investigating the feasibility of co-culturing meniscus cells and synovium-derived stem cells on small intestinal submucosa (SIS) in order to establish an innovative method and further to optimize the culture conditions for engineering in vitro meniscus constructs. First, two groups of individual cells and a co-culture group were mixed with fibrin gel and seeded onto SIS discs, then incubated in a serum-free defined medium for one month. Electron and fluorescent microscopy were utilized to evaluate cell attachment and migration. Through histology, biochemical quantification, real time PCR, and compressive modulus, the co-culture group showed greater cell viability …


The Effect Of Nutrients Upon The Activity Of Sr Proteins, Callee Mcconnell Walsh Jan 2009

The Effect Of Nutrients Upon The Activity Of Sr Proteins, Callee Mcconnell Walsh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

RNA splicing is an important component of gene expression that contributes immensely to the biological complexity of higher eukaryotes. The regulation of splicing by external stimuli, such as nutrients, is poorly understood, however. The experiments contained herein sought to understand how the activity of splicing factors called SR proteins is regulated by insulin and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver using the model mRNA glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). RNA affinity and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that refeeding of rodents stimulates the binding of SR proteins to the splicing regulatory element of G6PD; and this was especially relevant for SRp20. In vitro …


Identification Of Chicken Repeat 1 (Cr1) Elements In Forensically Important Carrion Fly Species And Characterization Of One Such Element Within Sarcophaga Bullata, Michelle Lee Thompson Jan 2009

Identification Of Chicken Repeat 1 (Cr1) Elements In Forensically Important Carrion Fly Species And Characterization Of One Such Element Within Sarcophaga Bullata, Michelle Lee Thompson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Retrotransposons including CR1 (Chicken Repeat 1) elements mobilize in a genome in a way that makes them useful for phylogenetic analysis and species identification. This study was designed to identify lineages of CR1 elements in the genomes of forensically important carrion fly species and to further characterize the one element, Sarcophaga bullata CR1B, though genome walk techniques.;Using conserved oligonucleotide primers, CR1 fragments from several carrion fly taxa were amplified, cloned and sequenced, and the recovered sequences were analyzed to identify different lineages of elements. A variety of retrotransposon families were recovered that exhibit similarity to known retrotransposon families from other …


Detection And Determination Of Degradation And Metabolic Products Of Drugs Of Abuse And Explosives, Melissa Gayton Ely Jan 2009

Detection And Determination Of Degradation And Metabolic Products Of Drugs Of Abuse And Explosives, Melissa Gayton Ely

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Among the different means of decomposition, thermal, environmental, and metabolic degradation play a significant role in how forensic related compounds are analyzed. In the first stage of this research, cocaine and methamphetamine were pyrolyzed utilizing a pyroprobe to detect reported products of pyrolytic/thermal degradation and smoked markers. This simple and rapid method has laid the groundwork for future smoked drug analyses. In the second stage of research, a new focus was developed on detection of explosives in soil from detonated UXO at the West Virginia Maneuver Area. TNT, RDX, HMX, tetryl, and TNT environmental degradation products were analyzed using a …


Novel Methods For Producing Cellulose Nanocrystals From Lignocellulosic Materials And Cellulose Nanocrystals Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites, Paul Busumafi Filson Jan 2009

Novel Methods For Producing Cellulose Nanocrystals From Lignocellulosic Materials And Cellulose Nanocrystals Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites, Paul Busumafi Filson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cellulose nanocrystals (nanofibers) represent a new emerging biological source of reinforcing biofillers. In this dissertation, we report the results of a study to produce cellulose nanocrystals from recycled pulp, hardwood and pine dissolving pulps using maleic acid, ultrasonic-assisted (sono-chemical treatment) and enzyme-mediated hydrolysis followed by fragmentation of cellulose crystallites using ultrasonic treatment. Additionally, the effect of two modes of heating: conventional and microwave, on enzyme-mediated and maleic acid hydrolysis were investigated. Cellulose nanocrystals yields from maleic acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials were lower than that obtained from endoglucanase mediated hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials. Sonochemical treatment of lignocellulosic materials produced both …


Applications Of Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (Uplc) And Tandem Mass Spectrometry For The Detection And Quantification Of Cocaine, Amphetamine, And Opiate Derivatives In Human Meconium, Joshua Adam Gunn Jan 2009

Applications Of Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (Uplc) And Tandem Mass Spectrometry For The Detection And Quantification Of Cocaine, Amphetamine, And Opiate Derivatives In Human Meconium, Joshua Adam Gunn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Development and validation of ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) methodologies for the purpose of detecting and quantifying common drugs of abuse in human meconium specimens is described. Meconium is the first stool passed by a newborn infant. Meconium formation occurs over several months of gestation and subsequent toxicological analysis of the specimens can be useful for identifying drugs and other xenobiotics indicative of prenatal drug exposure.;Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) is an emerging analytical technique which draws upon the principles of chromatography to run separations at higher flow rates for increased speed, while simultaneously achieving superior resolution …


Cellular Mechanisms Responsible For Development Of Sensitivity Of The Bovine Corpus Luteum To Prostaglandin F2 Alpha, Madhusudan P. Goravanahally Jan 2009

Cellular Mechanisms Responsible For Development Of Sensitivity Of The Bovine Corpus Luteum To Prostaglandin F2 Alpha, Madhusudan P. Goravanahally

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2alpha) brings about regression of the bovine corpus luteum (CL). This luteolytic property of PGF 2alpha is used in beef and dairy cattle to synchronize estrus. A limitation of this protocol is an insensitivity of the early CL to luteolytic actions of PGF2alpha. The mechanisms underlying this differential luteal sensitivity are poorly understood. Therefore the main objective of the current study is to understand the cellular mechanism of luteal insensitivity. The developing CL has a maximum number of PGF2alpha receptors; therefore differences in signaling events might be responsible for luteal insensitivity. Hence differential gene expression at two …


Fuzzy Rock Typing: Enhancing Reservoir Simulation And Modeling By Honoring High Resolution Geological Models, Vida Gholami Jan 2009

Fuzzy Rock Typing: Enhancing Reservoir Simulation And Modeling By Honoring High Resolution Geological Models, Vida Gholami

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rock typing is an essential part of building geologic model for an asset. Millions of dollars are invested in logs, core measurements, SCAL studies, and geological interpretation that result in definition of different rock types. Rock types overlap and do not have crisp boundaries.;Upon definition of rock types for a series of geological formations geoscientists use approximation of multiple and overlapping rock types to identify a dominant rock type for any grid block in a reservoir simulation model. This defeats the original purpose of performing detail geological, petrophysical studies as far as reservoir flow models are concerned.;The objective of this …


Investigating Distribution And Treatments For Effective Mechanical And Herbicide Application For Controlling Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus Orbiculatus Thunb.) Vines In An Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Amanda L. Lynch Jan 2009

Investigating Distribution And Treatments For Effective Mechanical And Herbicide Application For Controlling Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus Orbiculatus Thunb.) Vines In An Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Amanda L. Lynch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document discusses two exotic-invasive plant species related research studies that were conducted in an Appalachian hardwood forest in north central West Virginia. The first study characterizes the distribution of oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.) in a timber harvested area in north central West Virginia. Canopy profiles were used to create a visual picture of distribution of C. orbiculatus vines from the forest edge transition to the interior of the forest. In the second study, the efficacy of herbicides triclopyr and glyphosate were tested using basal bark, cut-stump, mechanical cut, and deer fencing to control C. orbiculatus.


Identifying Prognostic Gene-Signatures Using A Network-Based Approach, Swetha Bose Nutakki Jan 2009

Identifying Prognostic Gene-Signatures Using A Network-Based Approach, Swetha Bose Nutakki

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The main objective of this study is to develop a novel network-based methodology to identify prognostic signatures of genes that can predict recurrence in cancer. Feature selection algorithms were used widely for the identification of gene signatures in genome-wide association studies. But most of them do not discover the causal relationships between the features and need to compromise between accuracy and complexity. The network-based techniques take the molecular interactions between pairs of genes in to account and are thus a more efficient means of finding gene signatures, and they are also better in terms of its classification accuracy without compromising …


Insomnia Symptoms, Nightmares And Suicidal Ideation In A University Sample, Michael R. Nadorff Jan 2009

Insomnia Symptoms, Nightmares And Suicidal Ideation In A University Sample, Michael R. Nadorff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Previous research has demonstrated a link between insomnia symptoms, nightmares, and suicidal ideation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether insomnia symptoms and nightmares were related to suicidal ideation independent of each other. Further, the study aimed to determine whether suicidal ideation and nightmares were related with suicidal ideation independent of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The study consisted of 583 undergraduate students at West Virginia University. Results indicated that both nightmares (beta = .054 (SE = .008), p > .01) and insomnia symptoms (beta = .045 (SE = .009), p > .01) were related to suicidal ideation, …


Abnormal Ecg Search In Long-Term Electrocardiographic Recordings From An Animal Model Of Heart Failure, Pisut Raphisak Jan 2009

Abnormal Ecg Search In Long-Term Electrocardiographic Recordings From An Animal Model Of Heart Failure, Pisut Raphisak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Five million Americans suffer from heart failure. Advances in portable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring systems and large data storage space allow the ECG to be recorded continuously for long periods. Long-term monitoring could potentially lead to better diagnosis and treatment if the progression of heart failure could be followed. The challenge is to analyze the sheer mass of data. Manual analysis using the classical methods is impossible. In this dissertation, a framework for analysis of long-term ECG recording and methods for searching an abnormal ECG are presented.;The …


The Roles Of The Phosducin Family Proteins In The Regulation Of Heterotrimeric G Proteins In Vertebrate Photoreceptors, Hongman Song Jan 2009

The Roles Of The Phosducin Family Proteins In The Regulation Of Heterotrimeric G Proteins In Vertebrate Photoreceptors, Hongman Song

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Phosducin (Pdc) and phosducin-like protein 1 (PhLP1) are homologous proteins of the phosducin gene family that specifically interact with heterotrimeric G proteins. Both Pdc and PhLP1 are expressed in photoreceptors, sensory neurons of the retina responsible for acquisition of visual information; however their functions in these cells remains enigmatic. Photoreceptors maintain remarkably high and tightly controlled levels of the heterotrimeric G protein, transducin, utilized by these cells for visual signal transduction. Our central hypothesis was that Pdc and PhLP1 are engaged in the maintenance of transducin homeostasis in the photoreceptors.;To test this hypothesis, we have studied phosphorylation of Pdc, which …


Health Promotion During Midlife: The Influence Of Internal Health Locus Of Control And Future Time Perspective, Sarah T. Stahl Jan 2009

Health Promotion During Midlife: The Influence Of Internal Health Locus Of Control And Future Time Perspective, Sarah T. Stahl

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Health promoting behaviors are typically categorized as behaviors that move individuals towards optimal health while concurrently decreasing one's susceptibility to disease and illness (Becker & Arnold, 2004; Breslow, 1999). When compared to other developmental age periods, less is known about health promotion in midlife (Merrill & Verbrugge, 1999). Thus, the present study examined the relations among demographic variables, future time perspective, internal health locus of control, and middle-aged adults' engagement in health promotion. Data from 109 middle-aged adults between the ages of 40 and 66 were collected via an online survey. Results indicated that the data fit the model poorly …


The Effect Of A Flaxseed-Oil Enhanced Diet On The Shelf Life And Sensory Characteristics Of Farmed Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis), Courtney Anne Simmons Jan 2009

The Effect Of A Flaxseed-Oil Enhanced Diet On The Shelf Life And Sensory Characteristics Of Farmed Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis), Courtney Anne Simmons

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The effect of dietary modification with flaxseed-oil (Flax) enhanced feed on the sensory characteristics and shelf life of brook trout fillets was examined. The diets were composed of a commercial feed supplemented with either fish oil (control diet, CD) or Flax (treatment diet).


Characterizing The Relation Between Depressive Symptoms And Parkinson's Disease In A Sample Of Swedish Twins, Rebecca K. Widoe Jan 2009

Characterizing The Relation Between Depressive Symptoms And Parkinson's Disease In A Sample Of Swedish Twins, Rebecca K. Widoe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Depression commonly co-occurs with Parkinson's disease (PD). Psychosocial stressors and biochemical changes associated with PD have both been implicated in the etiology of depression in PD. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether genetic or environmental influences contribute to the increased risk for depressive symptoms among individuals with PD in a population of twins. Among individuals with PD, 24% endorsed a moderate-severe level of depressive symptoms, and 64% endorsed at least a mild level of depressive symptoms. Case-control results indicated that PD is a significant risk factor for both mild (OR = 3.11, CI = 1.82-5.31) and …


A Faster Algorithm For The Single Source Shortest Path Problem With Few Distinct Positive Lengths, Matthew D. Williamson Jan 2009

A Faster Algorithm For The Single Source Shortest Path Problem With Few Distinct Positive Lengths, Matthew D. Williamson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis proposes an algorithm that involves Dijkstra's algorithm to solve the Single Source Shortest Path Problem in a graph where the length of each edge is positive, and the specific case where there is a distinct number of possible lengths. Given a graph where there are n vertices, m edges, and K distinct edge lengths, the proposed algorithm runs in O(m ) time if nK ≤ 2m and O(m log nKm ) time if nK > 2m. The algorithm is tested and compared with some of the fastest algorithms for the Single Source Shortest Path Problem for graphs with arbitrary …


Functional Analysis Of Arabidopsis Cold Shock Domain Proteins, Yongil Yang Jan 2009

Functional Analysis Of Arabidopsis Cold Shock Domain Proteins, Yongil Yang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

To understand the function of cold shock domain proteins in planta, I analyzed AtCSP3 (At2g17870), which is one of four A&barbelow;rabidopsis t&barbelow;haliana c&barbelow;old s&barbelow;hock domain p&barbelow;roteins (AtCSPs). Taq-Man probe quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis confirmed that AtCSP3 transcripts were expressed dominantly in reproductive and meristematic tissues. The homozygous loss of function mutant atcsp3 displays a distinct phenotype with an overall reduced sized of seedlings, small sized orbicular rosette leaves, and curled leaf blades. Microscopic visualization of cleared leaves revealed a reduction in size and increased circular shape of palisade mesophyll cells in atcsp3 leaves. Image analysis of palisade cell layers indicated …


Functions Of Rx In Early Vertebrate Ocular Development, Brian G. Zamora Jan 2009

Functions Of Rx In Early Vertebrate Ocular Development, Brian G. Zamora

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Patterning of the optic vesicle is a crucial step in early vertebrate eye development that organizes uncommitted optic vesicle cells into distinct distal, dorsal, and proximal regions that will give rise to the neural retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and optic stalk, respectively. Originating from the same sheet of anterior neuroectoderm, uncommitted optic vesicle cells are patterned into neural and non-neural (RPE) retinal domains through the coordinated activities of extrinsic signaling molecules and intrinsic transcription factors. Neural retinal specification is driven by FGF signals emanating from the surface ectoderm and developing lens, while RPE is specified by signals from the …


Development And Commissioning Of A Small Engine Test Cell, Jacob R. Brown Jan 2009

Development And Commissioning Of A Small Engine Test Cell, Jacob R. Brown

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

For the purposes of providing the Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines, and Emissions (CAFEE) of West Virginia University (WVU) with the ability to perform engine dynamometer and emissions testing on small engines in the range of 40 horsepower or less, a new test cell was built and commissioned within the CAFEE annex facility in the Morgantown Industrial Park in Westover, WV. The test cell was designed to be used with existing CAFEE emission testing equipment.;Test cell commissioning demonstrated the ability of the system to properly operate full steady state test cycles, as well as capture steady state continuous gaseous emissions …


The Synthesis Of Tryptophan Derivatives, 2- And/Or 3-Substituted Indoles, Progress Toward Dilemmaones A-C, And Synthetic Studies Towards Fistulosin Via Palladium-Catalyzed Reductive N-Heteroannulation, Christopher Andrew Dacko Jan 2009

The Synthesis Of Tryptophan Derivatives, 2- And/Or 3-Substituted Indoles, Progress Toward Dilemmaones A-C, And Synthetic Studies Towards Fistulosin Via Palladium-Catalyzed Reductive N-Heteroannulation, Christopher Andrew Dacko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Palladium-catalyzed carbon monoxide-mediated reductive N-heteroannulation of o-nitrostyrenes has emerged as a very powerful method for constructing the corresponding indole core. The Soderberg variety of this methodology has been utilized to synthesize several asymmetric tryptophan derivatives along with a collection of 2- and/or 3-substituted indoles. The same protocol has also been employed to make synthetic progress toward the construction of the marine indole alkaloids Dilemmaones A-C. Finally, this versatile cyclization was implemented in studies designed to determine the true structure of the compound isolated by Tomita et al. and given the name "fistulosin".


Ecological Responses Of Streams To Anthropogenic Stressors, And Watershed Cause-Effect Modeling In The Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region Of The United States, Yushun Chen Jan 2009

Ecological Responses Of Streams To Anthropogenic Stressors, And Watershed Cause-Effect Modeling In The Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region Of The United States, Yushun Chen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Urban sprawl and related habitat disturbance and acidic deposition are major anthropogenic stressors in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands region of the United States. Little information is available about the impacts of these stressors and cause-effect relationships between these watershed stressors and stream biotic/abiotic conditions in this region. A 10-year study (1997-2006) in the Lost River watershed and a 6-year study (2002-2007) in a South Branch Potomac River watershed were conducted to assess the impacts of Corridor H highway construction on stream biotic and abiotic conditions. Also, a three-decade study (1980-2006) using data from 5 wet deposition stations and 21 major stream …


Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis In Aspergillus Fumigatus : Association With Sporulation And Clustered Genes Common Among Ergot Fungi, Christine M. Coyle Jan 2009

Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis In Aspergillus Fumigatus : Association With Sporulation And Clustered Genes Common Among Ergot Fungi, Christine M. Coyle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ergot alkaloids, indole-derived mycotoxins, interact with multiple monoamine neurotransmitter receptors and cause disease in exposed individuals. They have been well studied in the ergot fungus, Claviceps purpurea, and have been reported in some closely related grass endophytes, as well as the distantly related opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. A. fumigatus, which sporulates prolifically, produces clavines, specifically festuclavine and fumigaclavines A, B, and C in association with asexual spores and the total mass of alkaloids constitutes over 1% of the spore mass. These alkaloids differ from those of most clavicipitaceous fungi, which consist of different clavines and often more complex lysergic …


The Effects Of Aquaculture Production Noise On The Growth, Hearing, Disease Resistance, And Survival Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) And Methods For Minimizing Noise In Fiberglass Aquaculture Tanks, John W. Davidson Iii Jan 2009

The Effects Of Aquaculture Production Noise On The Growth, Hearing, Disease Resistance, And Survival Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) And Methods For Minimizing Noise In Fiberglass Aquaculture Tanks, John W. Davidson Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Intensive aquaculture systems, particularly recirculating systems, often require noise producing equipment such as pumps, blowers, and filters that inadvertently increase sound levels within the culture environment. These systems are often very effective at culturing healthy, fast growing fish; however, the potential impacts of underwater noise on fish within intensive aquaculture systems have not been evaluated. Limited research suggests that subjecting fish to noise could result in impairment of the auditory system, reduced growth rates, and increased stress. The studies presented within this manuscript were conducted to gain a better understanding of aquaculture production noise and its potential impacts on rainbow …