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Conservation And Restoration Of The Pinus Palustris Ecosystem, Frank S. Gilliam, William J. Platt

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

The well-documented decline of the Pinus palustris ecosystem has resulted from several anthropogenic influences, such as forest clearing (e.g. pine plantation forestry, agriculture) and urban development, both of which are closely related to increases in human populations. Other impacts have arisen from alterations in disturbance regimes responsible for maintaining the structure and function of these ecosystems. Restoration and management of degraded pine savanna ecosystems is critical. Identification of ecological processes that determine the structure and function of the intact system are important because successful restoration efforts should be based on sound scientific understanding. In this paper, we introduce this special …

From One To Metaphor: Toward An Understanding Of Pa’Ikwené (Palikur) Mathematics, Alan Passes

Tipití: Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America

This article addresses an aspect of Pa’ikwené knowledge called púkúha, which means both “to understand” and “to count.” It explores the indigenous numerology and the close relationship,no less imaginative than empirical,between mathematics and linguistics that is not always apparent in non-oral societies such as ours. The Pa’ikwené mathematical system is conceptually inventive and lexically profuse, some numerals having over two hundred different forms in current usage thanks to an intensive, affix-based process of morphemic transformations. Thereby, a number word can belong to twenty-one numerical classes relating to five distinct semantic categories incorporating diverse discrete states or qualities (male/female, concrete/abstract, …

Bororo Funerals: Images Of The Refacement Of The World, Sylvia Caiuby Novaes

Tipití: Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America

In this article I analyze Bororo funerals as moments of defacement and refacement. Death triggers a series of transformations that involve the dead person, the corpse itself, the soul, the making of the deceased’s representative, and the relationships among the living. All these transformations—which are the object of public secrecy—take place during the various rituals that compose the funerary cycle. The text is accompanied by a selection of photographs taken during thirty years of field research among the Bororo Indians of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in order to illustrate Bororo funerals as moments of re-creation of the world, following the theoretical …

The Shoot-Specific Expression Of Γ-Glutamylcysteine Synthetase Directs The Long-Distance Transport Of Thiol-Peptides To Roots Conferring Tolerance To Mercury And Arsenic, Yujing Li, Om Parkash Dankher, Laura Carreira, Aaron P. Smith, Richard B. Meagher

Faculty Publications

Thiol-peptides synthesized as intermediates in phytochelatin (PC) biosynthesis confer cellular tolerance to toxic elements like arsenic, mercury and cadmium, but little is known about their long-distance transport between plant organs. A modified bacterial γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (ECS) gene, S1pt::ECS, was expressed in the shoots of the ECS-deficient, heavy-metal-sensitive cad2-1 mutant of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). S1pt::ECS directed strong ECS protein expression in the shoots, but no ECS was detected in the roots of transgenic plant lines. The S1pt::ECS gene restored full mercury tolerance and partial cadmium tolerance to the mutant and enhanced arsenate tolerance significantly beyond wild-type levels. After arsenic treatment, the …

Comparing Tropical Forest Tree Size Distributions With The Predictions Of Metabolic Ecology And Equilibrium Models, Helene C. Muller-Landau, Richard S. Condit, Kyle E. Harms, Christian O. Marks, Sean C. Thomas, Sarayudh Bunyavejchewin, George Chuyong, Leonardo Co, Stuart Davies, Robin Foster, Savitri Gunatilleke, Nimal Gunatilleke, Terese Hart, Stephen P. Hubbell, Akira Itoh, Abd Rahman Kassim, David Kenfack, James V. Lafrankie, Daniel Lagunzad, Hua Seng Lee, Elizabeth Losos, Jean Remy Makana, Tatsuhiro Ohkubo, Cristian Samper, Raman Sukumar, I. Fang Sun, M. N. Nur Supardi, Sylvester Tan, Duncan Thomas, Jill Thompson, Renato Valencia, Martha Isabel Vallejo, Gorky Villa Muñoz

Faculty Publications

Tropical forests vary substantially in the densities of trees of different sizes and thus in above-ground biomass and carbon stores. However, these tree size distributions show fundamental similarities suggestive of underlying general principles. The theory of metabolic ecology predicts that tree abundances will scale as the -2 power of diameter. Demographic equilibrium theory explains tree abundances in terms of the scaling of growth and mortality. We use demographic equilibrium theory to derive analytic predictions for tree size distributions corresponding to different growth and mortality functions. We test both sets of predictions using data from 14 large-scale tropical forest plots encompassing …

Testing Metabolic Ecology Theory For Allometric Scaling Of Tree Size, Growth And Mortality In Tropical Forests, Helene C. Muller-Landau, Richard S. Condit, Jerome Chave, Sean C. Thomas, Stephanie A. Bohlman, Sarayudh Bunyavejchewin, Stuart Davies, Robin Foster, Savitri Gunatilleke, Nimal Gunatilleke, Kyle E. Harms, Terese Hart, Stephen P. Hubbell, Akira Itoh, Abd Rahman Kassim, James V. Lafrankie, Hua Seng Lee, Elizabeth Losos, Jean Remy Makana, Tatsuhiro Ohkubo, Raman Sukumar, I. Fang Sun, M. N. Nur Supardi, Sylvester Tan, Jill Thompson, Renato Valencia, Gorky Villa Muñoz, Christopher Wills, Takuo Yamakura, George Chuyong, Handanakere Shivaramaiah Dattaraja, Shameema Esufali, Pamela Hall

Faculty Publications

The theory of metabolic ecology predicts specific relationships among tree stem diameter, biomass, height, growth and mortality. As demographic rates are important to estimates of carbon fluxes in forests, this theory might offer important insights into the global carbon budget, and deserves careful assessment. We assembled data from 10 old-growth tropical forests encompassing censuses of 367 ha and > 1.7 million trees to test the theory's predictions. We also developed a set of alternative predictions that retained some assumptions of metabolic ecology while also considering how availability of a key limiting resource, light, changes with tree size. Our results show that …

A Comprehensive Catalog Of Human Krab-Associated Zinc Finger Genes: Insights Into The Evolutionary History Of A Large Family Of Transcriptional Repressors, Stuart Huntley, Daniel M. Baggott, Aaron T. Hamilton, Mary Tran-Gyamfi, Shan Yang, Joomyeong Kim, Laurie Gordon, Elbert Branscomb, Lisa Stubbs

Faculty Publications

Krüppel-type zinc finger (ZNF) motifs are prevalent components of transcription factor proteins in all eukaryotes. KRAB-ZNF proteins, in which a potent repressor domain is attached to a tandem array of DNA-binding zinc-finger motifs, are specific to tetrapod vertebrates and represent the largest class of ZNF proteins in mammals. To define the full repertoire of human KRAB-ZNF proteins, we searched the genome sequence for key motifs and then constructed and manually curated gene models incorporating those sequences. The resulting gene catalog contains 423 KRAB-ZNF protein-coding loci, yielding alternative transcripts that altogether predict at least 742 structurally distinct proteins. Active rounds of …

Modelling Responses Of Pine Savannas To Climate Change And Large-Scale Disturbance, Brian Beckage, Louis J. Gross, William J. Platt

Faculty Publications

Global warming can potentially influence ecological communities through altered disturbance regimes in addition to increased temperatures. We investigate the response of pine savannas in the southeastern United States to global warming using a simple Lotka-Volterra competition model together with predicted changes to fire and hurricane disturbance regimes with global climate change. In the southeastern United States, decreased frequency of both fires and hurricanes with global warming will shift pine savannas toward a forested state. A CO2 fertilization effect that increases the growth rate of tree populations will also push southeastern landscapes from open savannas towards closed forests. Transient dynamics associated …

Natural Disturbances And The Physiognomy Of Pine Savannas: A Phenomenological Model, Frank S. Gilliam, William J. Platt, Robert K. Peet

Faculty Publications

Question: The decline of the Pinus palustris ecosystems has resulted from anthropogenic influences, such as conversion to pine plantation forestry, agriculture and land development, all of which are closely related to increases in human populations. Other effects, however, have arisen from alterations in disturbance regimes that maintain the structure and function of these ecosystems. How have alterations of the disturbance regime altered the physiognomy of 'old-growth' stands, and what are the implications for ecosystem conservation and restoration? Methods: In contrast to models that emphasize close interactions among the vertically complex strata, we develop a conceptual phenomenological model for the physiognomic …

Conservation And Restoration Of The Pinus Palustris Ecosystem, Frank S. Gilliam, William J. Platt

Faculty Publications

The well-documented decline of the Pinus palustris ecosystem has resulted from several anthropogenic influences, such as forest clearing (e.g. pine plantation forestry, agriculture) and urban development, both of which are closely related to increases in human populations. Other impacts have arisen from alterations in disturbance regimes responsible for maintaining the structure and function of these ecosystems. Restoration and management of degraded pine savanna ecosystems is critical. Identification of ecological processes that determine the structure and function of the intact system are important because successful restoration efforts should be based on sound scientific understanding. In this paper, we introduce this special …

Pine Savanna Overstorey Influences On Ground-Cover Biodiversity, William J. Platt, Susan M. Carr, Matthew Reilly, Jean Fahr

Faculty Publications

Question: Does the overstorey of pine savannas influence plant species biodiversity in the ground cover? Location: Camp Whispering Pines (30°41' N; 90°29' W), eastern Louisiana (USA). Methods: We used ecologically sensitive restoration logging to remove patches of Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) in a second-growth loess plain Pinus palustris savanna managed using frequent lightning season fires. Five years later, we measured numbers of vascular plant species and transmitted light in replicated 100-m2 plots. Treatments involved three different overstorey conditions: no overstorey for 5 years, no overstorey for several decades, and overstorey pines present for decades. Results: Both recent and long-term openings …

Characterization Of A Branchial Epithelial Calcium Channel (Ecac) In Freshwater Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss), A. Shahsavarani, B. Mcneill, F. Galvez, C. M. Wood, G. G. Goss, P. P. Hwang, S. F. Perry

Faculty Publications

The entry of calcium (Ca2+) through an apical membrane epithelial calcium channel (ECaC) is thought to a key step in piscine branchial Ca2+ uptake. In mammals, ECaC is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) gene family of which two sub-families have been identified, TRPV5 and TPRV6. In the present study we have identified a single rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) ECaC (rtECaC) that is similar to the mammalian TRPV5 and TRPV6. Phylogenetic analysis of the protein sequence suggests that an ancestral form of the mammalian genes diverged from those in the lower vertebrates prior to the gene duplication event …

Sauria Sines: Novel Short Interspersed Retroposable Elements That Are Widespread In Reptile Genomes, Oliver Piskurek, Christopher C. Austin, Norihiro Okada

Faculty Publications

SINEs are short interspersed retrotransposable elements that invade new genomic sites. Their retrotransposition depends on reverse transcriptase and endonuclease activities encoded by partner LINEs (long interspersed elements). Recent genomic research has demonstrated that retroposons account for at least 40% of the human genome. Hitherto, more than 30 families of SINEs have been characterized in mammalian genomes, comprising ∼4600 extant species; the distribution and extent of SINEs in reptilian genomes, however, are poorly documented. With more than 7400 species of lizards and snakes, Squamata constitutes the largest and most diverse group of living reptiles. We have discovered and characterized a novel …

Comparing The Direct And Community-Mediated Effects Of Disturbance On Plant Population Dynamics: Flooding, Herbivory And Mimulus Guttatus, Bret D. Elderd, Dan F. Doak

Faculty Publications

Competition, trophic interactions and abiotic disturbances play important roles in governing plant population dynamics, yet few studies have addressed their relative contributions or interacting effects. We used Life Table Response Experiment (LTRE) analysis, coupled with stochastic analyses, to examine how a major abiotic disturbance, flooding, influences the fitness and population growth of a common riparian plant, Mimulus guttatus, and how this effect compares and interacts with that exerted by herbivory. We also extended LTRE analysis to include nested factors, which enabled us to examine differences across experimental sites. These spatial contributions to changes in population growth rate, λ, were compared …

Mid-Season Prediction Of Wheat-Grain Yield Potential Using Plant, Soil, And Sensor Measurements, K. Girma, K. L. Martin, R. H. Anderson, D. B. Arnall, K. D. Brixey, M. A. Casillas, B. Chung, B. C. Dobey, S. K. Kamenidou, S. K. Kariuki, E. E. Katsalirou, J. C. Morris, J. Q. Moss, C. T. Rohla, B. J. Sudbury, B. S. Tubana, W. R. Raun

Faculty Publications

The components that define cereal-grain yield potential have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to collect many differing biological measurements from a long-term winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) study in an attempt to better define yield potential. Four treatments were sampled that annually received 0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha-1 at fixed rates of phosphorus (P) (30 kg ha-1) and potassium (K) (37 kg ha -1). Mid-season measurements of leaf color, chlorophyll, normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), plant height, canopy temperature, tiller density, plant density, soil moisture, soil NH4-N, NO3-N, organic carbon (C), total …

University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 2006 - 2007, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2006 - 2007, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Entry Level Graphic Design Students: Influences Of Sketching On The Development Of Creativity, Elizabeth A. Becker

Theses and Dissertations

Artists and designers typically utilized sketching for brainstorming because it provides them with a means to transfer their initial ideas from their head onto paper or a computer. Sketching is regarding by research in the field of design to be an essential part of the design process and is believed to be related to creativity and innovation in design. This study explored the role sketching played in the development of graphic design student's creativity. Participants in this study were recruited from six different sections of entry-level, graphic design courses. Their experiences, perceptions of creativity, and attitudes, bout sketching in graphic …

Perceptions And Reflections On Sexual Harassment In Jamaica, Jimmy Tindigarukayo

Journal of International Women's Studies

Within the context of gender inequality that pertains to the Caribbean region generally, this study examines and analyzes two surveys on sexual harassment in Jamaica. The first survey was conducted in June/July 1999 by the Committee against Sexual Harassment at the Workplace, intended to solicit information from public sector employees on their perception and opinions on sexual harassment at work place. The second survey was conducted among 44 organization in Jamaica during the month of January 2005 by the author, in association with the Bureau of Women’s Affairs of the Government of Jamaica, intended to attain three objectives: to ascertain …

To Marry A Dog, June Leavitt

Journal of International Women's Studies

I was the photographer/ journalist on an international medical education team, sponsored by The Center for Asian and International Bioethics of Ben Gurion University of the Negev that went to Kadalur, in Tamil Nadu, India to teach rural Untouchable women basic mother and child health care. Two violations of human rights which came to my attention, one an Untouchable child’s, and one an Untouchable widow’s are the focus of this documented photographic essay which explores the historical, social and religious roots of the repression of the Untouchables of India today.

Though male Untouchables are certainly victims of this oppression, female …

Comparison Of Some Simple Estimators Of The Lognormal Parameters Based On Censored Samples, Baklizi Ayman, Mohammed Al-Haj Ebrahem

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Point estimation of the parameters of the lognormal distribution with censored data is considered. The often employed maximum likelihood estimator does not exist in closed form and iterative methods that require very good starting points are needed. In this article, some techniques of finding closed form estimators to this situation are presented and extended. An extensive simulation study is carried out to investigate and compare the performance of these techniques. The results show that some of them are highly efficient as compared with the maximum likelihood estimator.

Statistical Pronouncements V, Jmasm Editors

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

No abstract provided.

End Matter, Jmasm Editors

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

No abstract provided.

Resisting Deep Capture: The Commercial Speech Doctrine And Junk-Food Advertising To Children, David Yosifon

Faculty Publications

The present Article is more precisely dedicated to analyzing, from a critical realist perspective, the wisdom and constitutional viability of one possible policy response to the obesity crisis: a ban on junk-food advertising to children.

This Article seeks not only to show that an effective junk-food advertising ban could pass constitutional scrutiny, but also to demonstrate, through the rigor of a constitutional analysis, the wisdom of such an approach to this substantial social problem. Simultaneously, my purpose is to show, in the context of a difficult First Amendment question, that the critical realist approach to legal theory is capable of …

Relevance Of Spirituality To Mental Health Nursing; A Literature Review, Pamela S. Walls

Theses and Dissertations

This independent study is being done to review what clment literature states about s_μirtuality and spiritual care giving within the role of mental health nursing. A review of literature including articles from the past six years and classic articles was be peformed. The information is compared and contrasted to determine the extent of the relevance of spi rituality to present day mental health nursing and to examine the implications for psychiatric mental health nursing practice. Nurses are expected to deliver insightful, holistic and effective care. Many patients in mental health settings have concerns or needs related to spiritual or religious …

A Critical Analysis Of The International Business Degree At The University Of Rhode Island 2002-2006, Brett Glowacki

Senior Honors Projects

International business is a growing field. Corporations worldwide are seeking individuals with language and cross-cultural experience to complement their business skills. It is the job of colleges and universities to prepare students to enter the workforce with as solid an education as those institutions are capable of giving. After holding various internships, an on campus job, and studying abroad, I have come to the conclusion that the University of Rhode Island can do a better job of preparing its international business students for the corporate world. This report critically analyzes the International Business Degree at URI based upon first-hand experience. …

Toward Synthesizing A Selective Dopamine Binding Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agent, Judy Lau

Senior Honors Projects

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic methodology used to provide a two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure, especially the brain and spinal cord. Magnetic resonance contrast agents are usually injected into necessary parts of the body prior to imaging to increase the differences between different tissues or between normal and abnormal tissue, making it easier for a radiologist or doctor to interpret the image that is taken. The development of new and more efficient, effective, and selective contrast agents for various biological processes or chemicals is a growing field of research and study. My project allowed …

May 1, 2006 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Explorations Of Self: A Philosophical Inquiry, Meredith Rathbun

Senior Honors Projects

Asking “Who am I?” seems to be something that everybody ponders. This concept of “I”—what is it? We all have an individual and unique “I”—something that has been with each of us since birth, something that has changed and grown, but also stayed the same in many ways. My question “What is The Self?” is imperative. What is it that experiences life, if not The Self? When a 99-year-old man watches his last sunset, reflecting on his life, what inside of him is doing that reflecting? As you read my ideas on this page, what inside of you is processing …

Biolojam – The Educational Comic, Stacey Barrie

Senior Honors Projects

BioloJam is a biology comic aimed towards 7th and 8th grade students. The goal of the project was to create an educational resource that students would find entertaining and enlightening. The project is available on the web and is free to use for educational purposes by teachers, students, and parents. There are two comics: the larger, more complicated “Cell Breakout” and the smaller, more conversational “Giraffic Park.” In Cell Breakout, the three heroes are trapped inside a video game in a plant cell, and learn all about cell functions as they try to escape. In Giraffic Park, the trio are …