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Minimal And Contributing Sequence Determinants Of The Cis-Acting Locus Of Transfer (Clt) Of Streptomycete Plasmid Pij101 Occur Within An Intrinsically Curved Plasmid Region, M. J. Ducote, S. Prakash, G. S. Pettis

Faculty Publications

Efficient interbacterial transfer of streptomycete plasmid pIJ101 requires the pIJ101 tra gene, as well as a cis-acting plasmid function known as clt. Here we show that the minimal pIJ101 clt locus consists of a sequence no greater than 54 bp in size that includes essential inverted-repeat and direct-repeat sequences and is located in close proximity to the 3′ end of the korB regulatory gene. Evidence that sequences extending beyond the minimal locus and into the korB open reading frame influence clt transfer function and demonstration that clt-korB sequences are intrinsically curved raise the possibility that higher-order structuring of DNA and …

The Faculty Notebook, December 2000, Provost's Office

Faculty Notebook

The Faculty Notebook is published periodically by the Office of the Provost at Gettysburg College to bring to the attention of the campus community accomplishments and activities of academic interest. Faculty are encouraged to submit materials for consideration for publication to the Associate Provost for Faculty Development. Copies of this publication are available at the Office of the Provost.

Can Principals’ Personality Traits Predict Their Risk-Taking: Uncertainty And Success Orientation As They Relate To Risk Propensity, Bruce A. Evans

Dissertations

This exploratory investigation compared the personality traits uncertainty orientation and success orientation of Michigan principals with their risk-taking propensities. The personality traits were correlated individually with the risk-taking of principals and both traits were combined to examine their additive effect. The principals' personality traits and their risk-taking were also compared by gender.

One-third o f the public school principals in Michigan were chosen and targeted as subjects for study. The study concluded a significant positive correlation between uncertainty orientation and success orientation existed. The Pearson coefficient was r = 0.39. However the alpha level was a = 0.003. The findings …

A Gene Expression Screen Identifies Earli1 As A Novel Vernalization-Responsive Gene In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Richard K. Wilkosz, Michael Schläppi

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Vernalization promotes early flowering in late ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. The mechanisms of vernalization are poorly understood. A subtractive hybridization approach was used to isolate vernalization-responsive genes from a late-flowering ecotype of Arabidopsis thaliana based on the premise that transcript levels of such genes would increase with cold treatment and remain high even after removal of the vernalization stimulus. EARLI1 is the first Arabidopsis gene shown to be stably activated by vernalization. The abundance of its RNA is progressively elevated by vernalization and remains high for at least 20 days at room temperature. The basal level of EARLI1 RNA …

Time-Varying System Identification Using Modulating Functions And Spline Models With Application To Bio-Processes, Sridhar Ungarala, Tomas B. Co

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Time dependent parameters are frequently encountered in many real processes which need to be monitored for process modeling, control and supervision purposes. Modulating functions methods are especially suitable for this task because they use the original continuous-time differential equations and avoid differentiation of noisy signals. Among the many versions of the method available, Pearson–Lee method offers a computationally efficient alternative. In this paper, Pearson–Lee method is generalized for non-stationary continuous-time systems and the on-line version is developed. The time dependent parameters are modeled as polynomial splines inside a moving data window and recursion formulae using shifting properties of …

The New Hampshire, Vol. 90 [91], No. 23 (Dec. 1, 2000), The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Print Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire. This volume was printed as 90, but it is the 91st volume in the series. This was corrected in pencil.

An Enhancer Trap Line Associated With A D-Class Cyclin Gene In Arabidopsis, Kankshita Swaminathan, Yingzhen Yang, Natasha Grotz, Lauren Campisi, Thomas Jack

Dartmouth Scholarship

In yeast and animals, cyclins have been demonstrated to be important regulators of cell cycle progression. In recent years, a large number of A-, B-, and D-class cyclins have been isolated from a variety of plant species. One class of cyclins, the D-class cyclins, is important for progression through G1 phase of the cell cycle. In Arabidopsis, four D-class cyclins have been isolated and characterized (CYCLIN-D1;1, CYCLIN-D2;1,CYCLIN-D3;1, and CYCLIN-D4;1). In this report we describe the characterization of a fifth D-class cyclin gene,CYCLIN-D3;2 (CYCD3;2), from Arabidopsis. An enhancer trap line, line 5580, …

Vytis, Volume 86, Issue 10 (December 2000), Knights Of Lithuania

Vytis: The Newsletter of the Knights of Lithuania

Newsletter of the Knights of Lithuania national organization (United States); digitized and made available with the permission of the organization. Content may be protected by copyright.

Species Index To Volume 71, 2000, Tennessee Ornithological Society

The Migrant - Tennessee Ornithological Society

No abstract provided.

Water Current, Volume 32, No. 6, December 2000

Water Current Newsletter

Lake Classification Project Could Establish National Water Quality Ranking Procedure
From the Director: Profiling the Individuals and Efforts That Comprise the Water Center; Faculty Members Named to Administrative Posts
Meet the Faculty: David M. Admiraal; John C. Holz
Quality-Assessed Groundwater Pesticide Data Available Online
Groundwater Guardians
Pesticides Discovered in Ogallala Aquifer According to Recent USGS Study
Spring Semester Water Resources Seminar: Social Sciences Affect on Allocation of Water and Natural Resources
Nominations Solicited for 2001 Nebraska Water Conference
Water News Briefs
Congratulations to Our Winners
Avoid Fall Irrigation
TGF National Award Recipients
Our New Look
Watch Us on the Web …

Allosteric Tuning Of Ruthenium 2,2’-Bipyridyl Luminescent Sensor Systems, Daqing Gan

Masters Theses

A series of new ruthenium bipyridyl crown supramolecular sensor systems containing two binding sites were synthesized. The crystal structure and photophysical properties of the developed sensor systems were thoroughly studied using x-ray, nuclear magnetic resonance and photoscopy methods. It turned out that the chelation of transition metal on the remote sites of the bipyridyl crown ligands greatly reduced the reactivity of the crown cavity. It is believed that the chelation of transition metal on the nitrogen atoms forces the bipyridyl function towards coplanarity and restricts the conformational freedom of the crown ring. The conformational rigidity in turn influences the binding …

Cadmium Induced Gene Expression And Signal Transduction Pathway, Daisuke Maki

Masters Theses

Cells respond to cadmium (Cd), a common environmental contaminate, by potentially decreasing reduced intracellular glutathione, as well as, increasing the expression of several antioxidant genes. One of these antioxidant genes, glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), is the rate limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. This pathway produces NADPH which is used for maintenance of reduced glutathione so, it is hypothesized that Cd should increase G6PDH expression. In this study, we demonstrate that Cd increases the level of G6PDH mRNA in primary rat hepatocytes in culture. In the presence of the antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Trolox, or glutathione monoethyl ester an attenuation …

Role Of Dopamine D4 Receptor In The Genomic And Behavioral Effects Of Psychostimulants: Relevance To Schizophrenia, Bina Garimella

Masters Theses

The role of dopamine D4 receptors in the induction and expression of behavioral sensitization to amphetamine, cocaine and PCP was investigated in this study. Behavioral changes and genomic responses accompanying sensitization were examined using a highly selective D4 receptor antagonist, PNU-101387G. Induction and expression of behavioral sensitization to cocaine was blocked by PNU-101387G. However, the D4 antagonist did not modulate the induction and expression of behavioral sensitization to PCP. Neuroadaptive genomic responses accompanying acute and chronic effects of amphetamine and their modulation by PNU-101387G was examined by looking at alterations in the expression of two immediate-early genes: c-fos and NGFI-A. …

Professional Expertise Of Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Lori Ann Madaus Lemorie

Masters Theses

Occupational therapists are increasingly practicing in community-based settings. Due to changes in the health care system, the need for defining roles, and explaining what a profession can contribute to health care has been highlighted. The major goal of this study was to identify job roles, job skills, and professional expertise of community-based therapists. The Community Practice Project survey was mailed to 200 AOTA registered community-based therapists. A response rate of 42% was achieved. The results provided a profile of the typical community-based therapist. Principal roles, job skills, and areas of professional expertise were also identified. The adequacy of educational preparation …

The Catholic Mind: Culture, Philosophy, And Responsibility In Higher Education, William A. Frank

Journal of Catholic Education

This article argues that any quest to establish or strengthen Catholic identity in educational institutions is ultimately a question of philosophical foundations. The author discusses the importance and fragility of culture as it applies to Catholic though and analyzes the philosophical components necessary for sustaining a dominant cultural ethos. This article concludes with a tentative formulation of four responsibilities of professors in Catholic institutions of higher learning.

Soundings 2000-12-01 (V.13 No.22), N/A N/A

Soundings

No abstract provided.

The Echo: December 1, 2000, Taylor University

2000-2001 (Volume 88)

‘Film2k’ presents itself as an Oscar-worthy event – New twists added to traditional Christmas banquet – TU employee dedicates herself to ‘newborns in need’ – MCC sponsors culture-conscious Christmas event – Griffin’s five-day forecast – World News – National News – State News – Piercings and tattoos no longer signs of rebellion – Seniors dread the upcoming job search – Celebrating Christ’s birth with consumerism – Sleep deprivation drives students to caffeine – What do you want on your tombstone? – SAC coffeehouses misrepresent students’ tastes – New release shatters expectations – Vinnie’s Ratings – Arena rock makes its resurrection …

Improving The Simulation Of A Waterflooding Recovery Process Using Artificial Neural Networks, Edison Gil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The waterflood performance of the dual five-spot pilot project in the Stringtown oil field, situated in West Virginia, has been studied. A numerical simulator, called BOAST98, was used for the simulation purposes, after developing a reservoir description.;The producing horizon in the field is the Upper Devonian Gordon sandstone, which is characterized by severe heterogeneity due to the depositional environment. Using available core and log data and geological analysis, a reservoir characterization study was done. A preliminary reservoir description based on log porosity-core permeability correlation was improved by developing Artificial Neural Networks (A.N.N.), which incorporates geophysical well log information. These A.N.N.'s …

Carbon Products From Coal Liquefaction Fractions, Lizbeth Laureano-Perez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Processes for coal conversion are being evaluated for the development of carbon-product precursors. In the present work, coal hydrogenation is being considered as a procedure for tailoring the properties of the precursors for specific carbon products. The object of this project is to assess and evaluate such coal-derived materials for use as precursors for the production of carbon products. Coal liquefaction samples are made under various processing conditions, e.g. temperature, pressure, solvent. Softening points, ash content and coking values of the samples are determined at WVU by ASTM methods. These samples were also examined for coke microstructure and mesophase formation. …

Predicting A Detailed Permeability Profile From Minipermeameter Measurements And Well Log Data, Shawn D. Nines

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Permeability, along with the porosity, comprises one of the two most important properties in petroleum engineering with respect producing hydrocarbon fluids.;It is standard practice in the petroleum industry to determine permeability in one of two ways. These are pressure transient testing and core analysis. Both methods are expensive in their own ways. This research focuses on a way to minimize or limit the need for both of these testing procedures.;The purpose of this research was to utilize well log data, mainly gamma ray and density, Minipermeameter values, and basic information such as depth and spatial coordinates to predict permeability in …

Hazardous Materials Database, Veena Vadiala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Handling and disposal of a retired object can be a major component of its Life Cycle Cost. Often, during dismantling of a retired object many hazardous materials are released. Disposal of hazardous materials also need to comply with various federal regulations. Agencies like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set these safety regulations. It is possible to apply generic exposure and release controls to protect workers from hazardous materials. For the most cost effective hazard controls it is necessary first to identify the materials and their properties of primary concern. There is a need …

West Virginians' Perceptions And Use Of Complementary Medicine, Joshua David Blevins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine how West Virginian's perceive and use complementary medicine. The first objective was to determine the frequency of respondents who had used at least one complementary therapy in the last year. The second objective was to determine the most commonly used complementary therapies among respondents. The third objective was to examine the demographic characteristics of respondents who used complementary therapies. The fourth objective was to determine if certain types of medical problems led to complementary medicine use among respondents. The fifth objective was to show the percentage of users who informed their physician …

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis ) Abundance In Forested Headwater Streams With Emphasis On Fine Sediment, James Philip Hakala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The influence and relative importance of fine sediment on wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) population size was assessed. Brook trout production in headwater streams was inversely proportional to substrate permeability in one of two years, suggesting substrate composition influenced production. Results suggest the critical fine sediment size for brook trout in this study, is between 0.063 mm and 1.0 mm. Further, fine sediment (<0.063 mm) should not exceed 0.6--1.0% of spawning substrate, or negative population effects may be incurred. Under normal flow conditions, fine sediment was a principal determinant of juvenile trout abundance relative to other physical and biological factors. Adult trout abundance was principally a function of stream discharge, and is potentially further influenced by fine sediment impacts on juvenile recruitment. Spatially restricted food resources, created by drought-induced low flows in year 2 of the study, are believed to have over-powered mechanisms influencing trout abundance under normal flows.

Diversity Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi On Two Reclaimed Surface Mines Differing In Soil Properties, Betsy S. Kurnik

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

I analyzed community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi on white pine (Pinus strobus) on two reclaimed surface mines in eastern Ohio. One site was acidic and metal-stressed, the other was alkaline. Completely different community composition was found on the two sites by PCR/ITS/RFLP analyses of field collected mycorrhizae. However, Shannon-Wiener index values indicated that the two communities were equally diverse. A population of isolates of one species common to both sites was obtained from trap cultures planted with white pine. The identity of this species as Wilcoxina mikolae was established through DNA sequencing of the ITS region. The W. mikolae populations …

Evaluation Of Maternal Serum Triple Screen As An Identifier Of Trisomy 21 Pregnancy, Jonnie Ann Lane

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Maternal serum triple screen is used to identify women less than 35 years of age who are at an increased risk of having a fetus with Down syndrome. The screen identifies 5% of women tested as being at an increased risk but only 2--3% of these women actually have a fetus with chromosome abnormalities, indicating a high false positive rate. Medical records for 900 cases referred for maternal serum triple screen and maternal age were reviewed. The percentages of abnormal karyotypes in the two populations were not significantly different from each other or the expected value. While 3% of all …

Subjective Norms, Attitudes, Body Mass Indices, And Self Esteem As Influences On Women's Body Image Behavior, Amy Martha Rogers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate associations between perception of body image among women and their body image behaviors. A study was needed to determine the extent to which subjective norms, attitudes, beliefs, Body Mass Index, and self esteem were associated with body image behaviors. The target population in this study was female students at West Virginia University. Data collection was facilitated through an anonymous mailed questionnaire sent to 400 female students at West Virginia University. Components of Theory of Reasoned Action were used to develop a questionnaire. Questions assessed participants' attitudes and beliefs, subjective norms, and outcomes …

Evaluation Of Survival And Recovery Characteristics Of Bifidobacteria As Indicators Of Fecal Pollution Of Water, John Elmer Ravenscroft Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The examination of aquatic environments for bacterial indicator organisms has proven to be a useful and well-established practice for the purpose of monitoring microbiological water quality. An ideal indicator of fecal pollution should be present in sufficient density to allow detection, present simultaneous with pathogen(s), incapable of aftergrowth in external aquatic environments, easy to enumerate, and exclusively of fecal origin. Unfortunately, none of the indicator organisms presently in use today meet all of these requirements. Bifidobacteria show promise as indicators of fecal pollution in water with the additional ability of potentially distinguishing between fecal pollution of human and animal origin. …

Mycorrhizal Roles In Broomsedge Plants Under Phosphorus Limitation And Aluminum Toxicity, Jianchang Ning

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examined roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, of which Glomus clarum is the primary species, in broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) plants under limited Pi and elevated Al conditions in four studies. The inoculum originated from an acidic coal-mining site in Morgantown, WV. The inoculum of Glomus clarum from INVAM collection, which originated from an alkaline coal-mining site in WV, was also used in two of the studies. Plants were grown in an acid-washed sand culture system with a modified Hoagland's nutrient solution in a growth chamber.;Mycorrhizal fungal colonization pronouncedly enhanced growth of broomsedge plants under limited Pi and/or elevated Al …

Characterization Of The Airway Epithelial Bioelectric Mechanisms Associated With The Effects Of Epithelium-Derived Relaxing Factor In Guinea Pig-Isolated Trachea, Richard Alan Johnston

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In response to elevated serosal or mucosal tonicity, guinea-pig tracheal epithelium releases the non-nitric oxide, non-prostanoid, epithelium-derived relaxing factor (EpDRF), which subsequently diffuses to the underlying airway smooth muscle to initiate relaxation. Hypertonicity-induced smooth muscle relaxation via EpDRF involves epithelial Na+ and Cl- channels and is preceded by a depolarization of the transepithelial potential difference (Vms). By utilizing two different experimental systems, this study sought to characterize further the airway epithelial bioelectric mechanisms associated with the effects of EpDRF in guinea-pig isolated trachea.;First, this study attempted to elucidate which epithelial ion channels and/or transporters are involved in the depolarization of …

Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry For The Analysis Of Proteins And Small Molecules, Gregg A. Pratt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this document methods for the analysis of proteins and small molecules by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) are discussed. Section I contains an introduction to ESI-MS, including a brief history of mass spectrometry, a discussion of the current theories developed to explain the mechanisms at work during the electrospray process, and an explanation of Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (IT-MS), the type of mass analyzer used for the studies outlined in subsequent chapters.;Section II is devoted to the analysis of proteins by ESI-MS. Chapter 2 gives an overview of protein structure and reviews previous work in the area of protein …