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Empirical Analysis Of The Str Profiles Resulting From Conceptual Mixtures, David R. Paoletti, Travis E. Doom, Carissa M. Krane, Michael L. Raymer, Dan E. Krane

Biology Faculty Publications

Samples containing DNA from two or more individuals can be difficult to interpret. Even ascertaining the number of contributors can be challenging and associated uncertainties can have dramatic effects on the interpretation of testing results. Using an FBI genotypes dataset, containing complete genotype information from the 13 Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) loci for 959 individuals, all possible mixtures of three individuals were exhaustively and empirically computed. Allele sharing between pairs of individuals in the original dataset, a randomized dataset and datasets of generated cousins and siblings was evaluated as were the number of loci that were necessary to reliably …

Wound Debridement With 25 Khz Ultrasound, Margaret Mccarty Stanisic, Barbara Provo, David L. Larson, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Several methods of wound debridement are described in the literature and are available to health care providers who specialize in wound management. Methods include the use of sharp surgical instruments; mechanical methods, such as whirlpool and pulsed lavage with suction; proteolytic and collagenolytic enzymes; autolysis; and sterile fly larvae (maggots). The use of surgical debridement is generally considered the most efficient method when performed by a skilled physician, who may in one session use his or her discretion to excise some viable tissue along with necrotic tissue in the wound. Sharp debridement performed in a clinical setting is a less …

Effects Of Gramicidin-A On The Adsorption Of Phospholipids To The Air–Water Interface, Samares C. Biswas, Shankar B. Rananavare, Stephen B. Hall

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Prior studies suggest that the hydrophobic surfactant proteins, SP-B and SP-C, promote adsorption of the lipids in pulmonary surfactant to an air–water interface by stabilizing a negatively curved rate-limiting structure that is intermediate between bilayer vesicles and the surface film. This model predicts that other peptides capable of stabilizing negative curvature should also promote lipid adsorption. Previous reports have shown that under appropriate conditions, gramicidin-A (GrA) induces dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC), but not dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), to form the negatively curved hexagonal-II (HII) phase. The studies reported here determined if GrA would produce the same effects on adsorption of DMPC and …

The Case For Selection At Ccr5-Δ32, Pardis Sabeti, Emily C. Walsh, Stephen F. Schaffner, Patrick Varilly, Ben Fry, Holli Hutcheson, Mike Cullen, Tarjei S. Mikkelsen, Jessica Roy, Nick Patterson, Richard Cooper, David Reich, David Altshuler, Stephen J. O'Brien, Eric S. Lander

Biology Faculty Articles

The C-C chemokine receptor 5, 32 base-pair deletion (CCR5-Δ32) allele confers strong resistance to infection by the AIDS virus HIV. Previous studies have suggested that CCR5-Δ32 arose within the past 1,000 y and rose to its present high frequency (5%–14%) in Europe as a result of strong positive selection, perhaps by such selective agents as the bubonic plague or smallpox during the Middle Ages. This hypothesis was based on several lines of evidence, including the absence of the allele outside of Europe and long-range linkage disequilibrium at the locus. We reevaluated this evidence with the benefit …

The Western-Islamic “Clash Of Civilizations”: The Inadvertent Contribution Of The Bush Presidency, Dennis J. D. Sandole

Peace and Conflict Studies

This article argues that policies of the Bush administration since 11 September 2001, have had -- perhaps inadvertently -- the effect of generating "facts on the ground" that have led to the self-fulfilling realization of realities corresponding to Samuel Huntington's contentious concept of the "clash of civilizations" in relations between the Western and Islamic “worlds”.

One of the significant indicators of this phenomenon has been the counterproductive, self-defeating impact of the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq on the "war on terror," with all available information, even from the CIA and other U.S. governmental sources, agreeing that the presence of …

Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Nov 2005, Sfa Gardens, Stephen F. Austin State University

SFA Gardens Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Disease Resistance Conferred By The Expression Of A Gene Encoding A Synthetic Peptide In Transgenic Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Plants, Kanniah Rajasekaran, Jeffrey W. Cary, Jesse M. Jaynes, Thomas E. Cleveland

Faculty Articles

Fertile, transgenic cotton plants expressing the synthetic antimicrobial peptide, D4E1, were produced through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR products and Southern blots confirmed integration of the D4E1 gene, while RT-PCR of cotton RNA confirmed the presence of D4E1 transcripts. In vitro assays with crude leaf protein extracts from T0 and T1 plants confirmed that D4E1 was expressed at sufficient levels to inhibit the growth of Fusarium verticillioides and Verticillium dahliae compared to extracts from negative control plants transformed with pBI-d35SΩ-uidA-nos (CGUS). Although in vitro assays did not show control of pre-germinated spores of Aspergillus flavus, bioassays with cotton …

Spatially Disjunct Effects Of Co‐Occurring Competition And Facilitation, Ian A. Dickie

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Little is known of the co‐occurrence and implications of competitive and facilitative interactions within sites. Here we show spatially disjunct competition and facilitation at forest edges, with beneficial influences of trees on seedling growth via increased ectomycorrhizal infection apparent from 12 to 20 m while closer to trees seedling growth is negatively correlated with canopy closure. As a result, seedling growth is maximized at intermediate distances. Facilitative interactions were nonlinear: being within 15.7 m of a tree maximized seedling mycorrhizal infection; while competitive effects were correlated with canopy closure, which was related to distance and generally scales with density. These …

Modulation Of Tyramine Signaling By Osmolality In An Insect Secretory Epithelium, Edward M. Blumenthal

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The control of water balance in multicellular organisms depends on absorptive and secretory processes across epithelia. This study concerns the effects of osmolality on the function of the Malpighian tubules (MTs), a major component of the insect excretory system. Previous work has shown that the biogenic amine tyramine increases transepithelial chloride conductance and urine secretion in Drosophila MTs. This study demonstrates that the response of MTs to tyramine, as measured by the depolarization of the transepithelial potential (TEP), is modulated by the osmolality of the surrounding medium. An increase in osmolality caused decreased tyramine sensitivity, whereas a decrease in osmolality …

Annual Report To The Pastoral Lands Board Of Western Australia: 2004 / 2005 Financial Year, Rod Williams, Philip Thomas

Natural resources published reports

The Department of Agriculture Western Australia has prepared this Annual Report for the financial year 2004 – 2005. The format is consistent with the previous two years, and now encapsulates enhanced detail and a broader range of headings within the report.

The Department of Agriculture’s services to the Board are outlined and environmental indicators are presented at the regional and property scales. New information being presented to the Board in this report includes Pastoral Lease property transfers, an explanation of the emerging Natural Resource Management program in the rangelands, the Australian Collaborative Rangeland Information System (ACRIS), an introduction to Carnarvon …

Contributions Of Heterosis And Epistasis To Hybrid Fitness, Mitchell B. Cruzan

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Early-generation hybrid fitness is difficult to interpret because heterosis can obscure the effects of hybrid breakdown. We used controlled reciprocal crosses and common garden experiments to distinguish between effects of heterosis and nuclear and cytonuclear epistasis among morphotypes and advanced-generation hybrid derivative populations in the Piriqueta caroliniana (Turneraceae) plant complex. Seed germination, growth, and sexual reproduction of first-generation hybrids, inbred parental lines, and outbred parental lines were compared under field conditions. Average vegetative performance was greater for hybrids than for inbred lines, and firstseason growth was similar for hybrids and outbred parental lines. Hybrid survival surpassed that of inbred lines …

Rate Response Assessment From Various Granular Vrt Applicators, John P. Fulton, Scott A. Shearer, Stephen F. Higgins, Matthew J. Darr, Timothy S. Stombaugh

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Variable-rate technology (VRT) adds complexity to application equipment, thereby confounding the assessment of applicator performance. The intent of this investigation was to assess the rate response of various VRT granular applicators: two spinner spreaders (A and B), and two pneumatic applicators (C and D). Variable-rate (VR) tests were conducted to quantify the rate response characteristics (delay and transition times) for the applicators. A sigmoidal function was used to model the rate response for five of the six tests. Applicator A exhibited a linear response during decreasing rate changes. Results indicated that only applicator B demonstrated consistent delay and transition times, …

Ecological Costs And Benefits Of Defenses In Nectar, Lynn S. Adler, Rebecca E. Irwin

Dartmouth Scholarship

The nectar of many plant species contains defensive compounds that have been hypothesized to benefit plants through a variety of mechanisms. However, the relationship between nectar defenses and plant fitness has not been established for any species. We experimentally manipulated gelsemine, the principal alkaloid of Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), in nectar to determine its effect on pollinator visitation, nectar robber visitation, and male and female plant reproduction. We found that nectar robbers and most pollinators probed fewer flowers and spent less time per flower on plants with high compared to low nectar alkaloids. High alkaloids decreased the donation of fluorescent …

The Presidency And The Meaning Of Citizenship·, Malinda L. Seymore

BYU Law Review

No abstract provided.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 03 - November 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about a UMass-sponsored debate on ethnic media issues related to the at-large Boston City Council race, Nursing faculty studies of motherhood, a talk by South African anti-apartheid leader Ahmed Kathrada, the establishment of the Urban Cultural History Center, and other news from UMass Boston.

Gender: Kosova’S Other Challenge, Richard Beilock, Ymer Havolli

Journal of International Women's Studies

The extent of differences in roles between the genders in Kosova is examined. Kosovar men, on average, devote 57 percent of their non-rest time to earned income activities (i.e., agriculture, other self-employed, and hired), and only 4 percent to housekeeping. In very sharp contrast, Kosovar women, on average, devote 14 percent of their time to earned income activities and a staggering 65 percent to housekeeping. There are considerable differences across Kosova’s ethnic groups, with much less rigid gender roles among ethnic Serbians than is true for ethnic Albanians. It is argued that rigidly defined gender roles result in significant inefficiencies …

Influences Of Global Human Trafficking Issues On Nigeria: A Gender Perspective, Chineze J. Onyejekwe

Journal of International Women's Studies

This paper focuses on the socio-economic conditions that force women and girls into the human trafficking industry. Poverty is shown to be one of the major root causes of this phenomenon. The relationship between poverty and other socio-economic issues such as crime, corruption, illiteracy and HIV/AIDS are discussed. The government’s efforts at tackling these problems are analyzed, and further preventive measures also discussed.

The Bug Stops Here: Force Protection And Emerging Infectious Diseases, Donald F. Thompson, Joel L. Swerdlow, Cheryl Loeb

Defense and Technology Papers

The purpose of this paper is to review important lessons that have been learned in the past, and to revisit the older but proven principles of force protection that are in danger of being forgotten in today’s technology-focused military environment. It provides a series of case studies that analyze health threats to each regional combatant command and presents both tactical and strategic recommendations that will better prepare the entire DoD for future outbreaks.

Development Of Biological Reference Conditions Of Wadeable Streams In The Major Ecoregions And Subecoregions Of Georgia, Duncan L. Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

One bioassessment tool available to resource managers to indicate NPS impairment of wadeable streams and rivers are multi-metric invertebrate indices. Such indices are assembled from metrics in broad categories that represent different aspects of community structure and function (e.g. richness, composition, tolerance/intolerance, feeding group, and habit). Indices must incorporate suites of metrics that are ecologically relevant, quantifiable, non-redundant, and that best individually discriminate between reference sites and impaired sites. More than 240 wadeable streams in Georgia were sampled during the September thru February index period using RBP protocols during three successive sample seasons (1999-2003). Ecoregional reference (minimally impaired) sites, as …

Effect Of Chronic Hyperoxic Exposure On Duroquinone Reduction In Adult Rat Lungs, Said H. Audi, Robert D. Bongard, Gary S. Krenz, David A. Rickaby, Steven Thomas Haworth, Jessica Eisenhauer, David L. Roerig, Marilyn P. Merker

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays a dominant role in the reduction of the quinone compound 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (duroquinone, DQ) to durohydroquinone (DQH₂) on passage through the rat lung. Exposure of adult rats to 85% O₂ for ≥7 days stimulates adaptation to the otherwise lethal effects of >95% O₂. The objective of this study was to examine whether exposure of adult rats to hyperoxia affected lung NQO1 activity as measured by the rate of DQ reduction on passage through the lung. We measured DQH₂ appearance in the venous effluent during DQ infusion at different concentrations into …

The Role Of Size And Defensive Compounds In Mate Choice By Nyssodesmus Python (Polydesmida: Platyrhacidae), November 2005, Mercedes Burns

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Large mates are preferred in a variety of species, presumably because larger size typically confers greater fitness. In chemically protected species, mates may prefer more toxic partners for the same reason. The common forest millipede Nyssodesmus python displays sexual dimorphism in body size and also produces a defensive compound containing hydrogen cyanide, making it an organism well suited to an experiment on mate preferences highlighting both size and presence of defense compounds. Here, 32 mate choice experiments showed a statistically significant preference between both sexes for larger mates; however, preference for mates with differing hydrogen cyanide ranks (based on a …

Mycorrhizal Fungi In Aerial And Terrestrial Roots Of An Epiphytic And Two Terrestrial Species Of Orchidaceae, November 2005, Derren A.R. Eaton

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Very little is known about the mycorrhizal relationships of Costa Rican orchids, and even less is known about differences in the presence of mycorrhizae between aerial and substrate roots. All orchids require mycorrhizal symbionts during their germination stage, but few studies have examined mycorrhizal relationships in adult orchids. Aerial and substrate roots from three closely related species of Orchidaceae (two terrestrial and one epiphytic) were collected and examined for the presence of mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi were found in 45 of 51 individuals. The epiphytic species exhibited a much lower occurrence of mycorrhizae in its aerial roots than the two …

Extra Extrafloral Nectaries And Anti-Herbivory Protection In Inga Sierrae (Fabaceae: Mimosaceae), November 2005, Camryn Pennington

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in plants are known to attract insects such as ants and wasps that drink nectar and in turn protect the plant from herbivores (Bentley 1977). In this study, ten year old Inga sierrae (Fabaceae: Mimosaceae) trees planted on a fallow pasture at 1535 m in Monteverde, Costa Rica have been observed to have extra EFNs on their leaflets in addition to the normal three located on the rachis between the leaflet pairs. The leaves of 20 trees were sampled to determine the local distribution of EFN number. Percent herbivory was determined for leaves with a varying number …

Database Of The Macrofungi Of The Monteverde Reserve, November 2005, Corey Rogers

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Fungi serve important roles in natural systems and have strong economic and social consequences for human populations. A database of the macrofungi of the Monteverde Reserve was created to ease identification and facilitate research on local macrofungi. The database includes 30 species, with 18 families and 22 genera represented. The database was organized in a system of nested folders, providing both morphological and taxonomic keys. Information files were created for each species, including digital photographs of specimens and spore prints (when applicable), and taxonomic, microhabitat, growth, and morphological data. This database provides a structure for future cataloguing and identification, with …

Effect Of Herbivory On Succession Of Forest Light Gaps, November 2005, Toby Jacobs

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Effects of herbivory have been seen to vary according to the particular growth form of a plant and its habitat. The idea that these factors can interact to determine the nature of gap succession has been suggested but has not yet been thoroughly explored. Leaves of pioneer, understory, and canopy plants were collected and analyzed to quantify herbivory levels on each growth form. Herbivory was found to be higher in gaps (p = 0.0015), and this was true to varying degrees with respect to growth forms and single families. Results suggest that herbivory is not the main factor influencing instantaneous …

Community Composition And Diversity Of Lichens Along A Disturbance Gradient In San Luis, Costa Rica, November 2005, Sarah Hosford

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

This research was conducted to better understand lichen morphology and diversity in different habitats in San Luis, Costa Rica. Lichens on trees in adjacent pasture, forest edge, and mature forest areas were identified to morphospecies and the species richness, diversity and total coverage per tree was compared across habitats. Eighteen different morphospecies were found across all three habitats. The forest trees had the lowest species richness and diversity, while the forest edge and the pasture had the highest.

Community Composition Coleopteran’S At Two Different Elevational Ranges, November 2005, Carrington Dahmer

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

The order Coleoptera is the most diverse among animals, composing 70-80% of all described animals in the world. (White 1983) Even though this order is the most described in the world, there is still very little known about their composition in the canopy. Diversity and abundance of the canopy was investigated along elevational ranges attempting to find whether the increase in elevation played a factor in the Coleopteran composition within the canopy. Beetles were sampled at two different elevations in the Monteverde cloud forest at La Estación Biológica, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Diversity was found to be highest at the low …

Development Of The Liver During The Fetal Period, Soner Albay, Mehmet A. Malas, Esra Cetin, Neslihan Cankara, Nermin Karahan

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the development of the liver in human fetuses aged between 9-40 weeks. METHODS: We studied 121 human fetuses (62 males, 59 females) with no external anomalies aged between 9-40 postmenstrual weeks during 2003-2004 in Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. The fetuses were divided into four groups as 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters and full term fetuses. We measured fetal weight, length, width, thickness, and volume of the liver. We established localization of the liver and its relation with the neighboring structures, its ligaments, and size of itself and its lobes, shapes of the liver and the localization …

Prostitution In Bangladesh: An Empirical Profile Of Sex Workers, Akm Ahsan Ullah

Journal of International Women's Studies

The paper explores the profile of the Sex Workers (SW) in Bangladesh; and the ordeals faced by them. 221 randomly selected respondents from three categories of sex workers (Hotel, brothel and floating) were interviewed using both close and open-ended questionnaire. Data show that child prostitution is quite prevalent. A higher percentage of sex workers were married compared with the singles. HSWs (Homosexual Sex Workers), on an average, entertain seven clients and BSWs (Bisexual Sex Workers) 15 clients per day. The highest percentage of child prostitutes was prevalent among the FSWs (Female Sex Workers). Hotel sex working is an emerging direction …

Medicare Part D Resources For The Health Professional, Joseph A. Woelfel

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.