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Som Loss And Soil Quality In The Clear Creek, Ia, A. N. Thanos Papanicolaou, Christopher G. Wilson, Ozan Abaci, Mohamed Elhakeem, Mary Skopec

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The Clear Creek, IA Experimental Watershed (CCEW), which drains to the Iowa River, experiences severe surface erosion due to a combination of high slopes, erodible soils, and extensive agriculture. Concurrent with soil loss is the removal of Soil Organic Matter (SOM). High values of SOM have been related to soil quality; therefore, excessive SOM loss corresponds to degrading soil health. Soil quality assessments are important tools for evaluating management practices in agricultural systems; however, it is difficult to measure soil quality directly at the watershed scale because it varies with a number of site-specific soil characteristics. The coupling of soil …

2009 We Are '09, Northern University High School

Malcolm Price Laboratory School Yearbooks

The student yearbook of the Northern University High School, part of the Malcolm Price Laboratory School of the University of Northern Iowa.

Iowa Academy Of Science 121st Annual Meeting [2009]: Advance Program, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contains information about the schedule and presentations for the 2009 annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science.

Proceedings Of The 121st Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Program, 2009], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Welcome from our Campus Host --- 3
Program Summary/Timeline --- 4
General Session Presentations --- 6
Symposia Presentations --- 9
Special Events --- 12
Awards Luncheon --- 13
President's Banquet --- 13
ESTA Awards Banquet --- 13
IAS Annual Business Meeting --- 14
Iowa Junior Academy of Science --- 16
Field Trips --- 17
Senior Poster Program --- 19
Section Meeting Programs and Oral Presentations (Alphabetical by Section) --- 24
Abstracts (by Section) --- 31
Author Index --- 65

Challenges For The Modern Science In Its Descend Towards Nano Scale, Vuk Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The current rise in the interest in physical phenomena at nano spatial scale is described hereby as a natural consequence of the scientific progress in manipulation with matter with an ever higher sensitivity. The reason behind arising of the entirely new field of nanoscience is that the properties of nanostructured materials may significantly differ from their bulk counterparts and cannot be predicted by extrapolations of the size-dependent properties displayed by materials composed of microsized particles. It is also argued that although a material can comprise critical boundaries at the nano scale, this does not mean that it will inevitably exhibit …

Assessing Aspen Using Remote Sensing, Randy Hamilton, Kevin Megown, Jeff Dibenedetto, Dale Bartos, Anne Mikeck

Aspen Bibliography

Large areas of aspen (Populus tremuloides) have disappeared and continue to disappear from western forests due to successional decline and sudden aspen decline (SAD). This loss of aspen ecosystems negatively impacts watersheds, wildlife, plants, and recreation. Much can still be done to restore aspen if timely and appropriate action is taken. However, land managers often lack fundamental information on the location, quantity, and status of aspen stands. This information is needed to plan, implement, and defend aspen restoration activities, but it is often difficult and costly to obtain. Advances in remote sensing technologies can provide cost-effective ways to obtain spatial …

2009 Report : A Multi-Refuge Program To Evaluate The Effect Of Ungulate Browsing On Habitat, Richard B. Keigley, Jeffrey Warren, Wayne J. King

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

The Guinea Pig Ileum Lacks The Direct, High-Potency, M2-Muscarinic, Contractile Mechanism Of The Mouse Ileum, Michael T. Griffin, Minoru Matsui, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Frederick J. Ehlert

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

We explored whether the M2 muscarinic receptor in the guinea pig ileum elicits a highly potent, direct-contractile response, like that from the M3 muscarinic receptor knockout mouse. First, we characterized the irreversible receptor-blocking activity of 4-DAMP mustard in ileum from muscarinic receptor knockout mice to verify its M3 selectivity. Then, we used 4-DAMP mustard to inactivate M3 responses in the guinea pig ileum to attempt to reveal direct, M2 receptor-mediated contractions. The muscarinic agonist, oxotremorine-M, elicited potent contractions in ileum from wild-type, M2 receptor knockout, and M3 receptor knockout mice characterized by negative log EC50 (pEC50) values ± SEM of …

Holiday Shores Stormwater Retrofitting Project, Stormwater Academy

BMP Trains Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Delayed Arrivals In Aviation Law, Peter A. Mclaucglan, Anacarolina Estaba Herrera, Nikeyla Johnson

Transportation Law Journal

No abstract provided.

A Preliminary Study Of Human Amniotic Membrane As A Potential Chondrocyte Carrier, L. Boo, S. Sofiah, L. Selvaratnam, C.C. Tai, Belinda Pingguan-Murphy, Tunku Kamarul

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using processed human amniotic membrane (HAM) to support the attachment and proliferation of chondrocytes in vitro which in turn can be utilised as a cell delivery vehicle in tissue engineering applications. Methods: Fresh HAM obtained from patients undergoing routine elective caesarean sections was harvested, processed and dried using either freeze drying (FD) or air drying (AD) methods prior to sterilisation by gamma irradiation. Isolated, processed and characterised rabbit autologous chondrocytes were seeded on processed HAM and cultured for up to three weeks. Cell attachment and proliferation were examined qualitatively using inverted brightfield microscopy. Results: …

Analysis Of Parameters For Fatty Acid Methyl Esters Production From Refined Palm Oil For Use As Biodiesel In The Single- And Two-Stage Processes, Zul Ilham

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

In the present study, the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for use as biodiesel from the alkaline transesterification of refined palm oil (RPO) was found to occur optimally using a molar RPO (triglyceride) to methanol ratio of 1:6, in the presence of 1% NaOH (catalyst) in methanol (w/v), at 60ºC, in 30 min and with vigorous mixing. Comparing performance of the reaction that was carried out in the single- and two-stage processes showed that the single-stage process was more superior to the latter as it was faster, easier, required less handling procedure and produced higher yield of FAME. …

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Associated With Pig Carcasses In Malaysia, H.C. Chin, M.A. Marwi, R. Hashim, N.A. Abdullah, C.C. Dhang, J. Jeffery, H. Kurahashi, B. Omar

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

An observational study was conducted in an oil palm plantation in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia on August until September 2007 to note the decomposition process of pigs and their related faunal succession. We collected six species of ants (Formicidae) from 3 subfamilies: Formicinae (Oecophylla smaragdina and Anoplolepis gracilipes), Myrmicinae (Tetramorium sp. and Pheidologeton sp.) and Ponerinae (Odontoponera sp. and Diacamma sp.) that were associated with pig carcasses placed on the ground. Oecophylla smaragdina, Pheidologeton sp. and Tetramorium sp. were found on a partially burnt pig carcass whereas the other species were recovered from unburned pig carcass. These ants predated on …

Attenuation Of Hydrogen Peroxide And Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power Serum Levels In Colorectal Cancer Patients With Intestinal Parasitic Infection, S. Chandramathi, K.G. Suresh, Z.B. Anita, Umah Rani Kuppusamy

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Background: This study assessed several common oxidative indices in subjects infected with intestinal parasites, as well as in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients both with and without intestinal parasites. Method: Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were measured, as were plasma levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), all according to established methods. The presence of intestinal parasites was confirmed by stool examination. Results: All intestinal parasiteinfected subjects and CRC patients showed the presence of oxidative stress. Thirtysix percent of the CRC patients had intestinal parasitic infections. The levels of H2O2 and FRAP in …

Catena-Poly Triphenyltin(Iv) -Mu-2- (3,5-Di-Tert-Butyl-4-Hydroxybenzyl) Sulfanyl Acetato-Kappa O-2:O ', S.M. Lee, W.T. Robinson, Hapipah Mohd Ali, K.M. Lo

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The title compound, [Sn(C6H5)(3)(C17H25O3S)](n), comprises two symmetry-independent five-coordinated triphenyltin molecules which are linked by carboxylate bridges into a polymeric chain. The Sn-IV atom is in a distorted trans-C3SnO2 trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The presence of two bulky tert-butyl groups on the benzene ring prevents any hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the hydroxyl substituents.

Characterisation Of Chitosan Solubilised In Aqueous Formic And Acetic Acids, E.A. El-Hefian, A.H. Yahaya, M. Misran

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The intrinsic viscosity of chitosan (MW 7.9 x 10(5) g mol(-1)) having a high degree of deacetylation and solubilised in aqueous formic and acetic acids was determined at room temperature. Contact angle and conductivity of the chitosan solutions were also studied. The values of critical coagulation concentration (CCC) were then obtained from the plots of contact angle or conductivity versus concentration.

Characteristics Of A Dielectric Barrier Discharge In Atmospheric Air, C.K. Lai, O.H. Chin, Kwai Lin Thong

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Parallel plate dielectric barrier discharges consisting of two electrodes with glass (εr = 7.5) and alumina (εr = 9.0) as the dielectric barrier were constructed. The system is powered by a variable 20 kV high voltage supply which is capable of delivering unipolar voltage pulses at frequency of 0.1–2.5 kHz and sinusoidal voltages at 6.5 kHz and above. At atmospheric pressure, the discharges exhibit either diffuse or filamentary appearance depending on parameters which include the series capacitance established by the electrodes with the dielectric barrier and varying air gap, dielectric material, and frequency of the supply voltages. This DBD system …

Characterization Of Multidrug Resistant Esbl-Producing Escherichia Coli Isolates From Hospitals In Malaysia, K. Lim, R. Yasin, C. Yeo, S. Puthucheary, Kwai Lin Thong

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The emergence of Escherichia coli that produce extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and are multidrug resistant (MDR) poses antibiotic management problems. Forty-seven E. coli isolates from various public hospitals in Malaysia were studied. All isolates were sensitive to imipenem whereas 36 were MDR (resistant to 2 or more classes of antibiotics). PCR detection using gene-specific primers showed that 87.5% of the ESBL-producing E. coli harbored the blaTEM gene. Other ESBL-encoding genes detected were blaOXA, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M. Integron-encoded integrases were detected in 55.3% of isolates, with class 1 integron-encoded intI1 integrase being the majority. Amplification and sequence analysis of the 5'CS …

Cloning And Expression Of A Vi Mimotope Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhi Through Nucleotide-Nucleotide Hybridization Approach.L, Kek Heng Chua, B. Kee, Kwai Lin Thong

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

A recombinant His-Vi protein of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi was successfully constructed and cloned into an expression vector through a nucleotide-nucleotide hybridization approach. After transformation of the construct into Escherichia coli, the recombinant His-Vi protein with a size of approximately 4 kDa was successfully produced and proven by Western blot analysis. This recombinant protein can be used to detect specific anti-Vi antibody produced by typhoid patients. Overall, the His-Vi recombinant protein could serve as a potential diagnostic reagent to detect S. Typhi infection in an individual.

Concentration Measurement And Evaluation Of Mobility Of Heavy Metals Of Zayandeh-Rood River Sediments, Keivan Nemati, Nor Kartini Abu Bakar, Mhd Radzi Abas, Elham Sobhanzadeh

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Metallic contaminants associated with sediments showed various behaviours depending on physicochemical conditions. Zayandeh-rood is one of the most important rivers of the centre of Iran. It sources from Zagros Mountains in Charmahal Bakhtiari province and flowing about 350 km, ends to the Gavkhooni marsh in the east of Isfahan. So far, many researches have been conducted to measure the concentration of heavy metals in the environmental samples all over the world and for this purpose, different methods have been proposed. Although several reports have been released concerning the amount of heavy metals concentrations in the air, water or food stuffs, …

Crystallization And Preliminary Structural Studies Of Champedak Galactose-Binding Lectin, M. Gabrielsen, A. Riboldi-Tunnicliffe, P.S. Abdul-Rahman, E. Mohamed, W.I.W. Ibrahim, Onn Haji Hashim, N.W. Isaacs, R.J. Cogdell

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Galactose-binding lectin from champedak (Artocarpus integer) consists of two chains: alpha and beta (133 and 21 amino acids, respectively). It has been shown to recognize and bind to carbohydrates involved in IgA and C1 inhibitor molecules. The protein was purified and crystallized at 293 K. Crystals were observed in two space groups, P2(1) and P2(1)2(1)2, and diffracted to 1.65 and 2.6 angstrom, respectively.

Effects Of Cultivation Techniques And Processing On Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activities Of Hericium Erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. Extracts, K.H. Wong, V. Sabaratnam, N. Abdullah, U.R. Kuppusamy, M. Naidu

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Hericium erinaceus, a temperate mushroom, is currently cultivated in Malaysia. As cultivation and processing conditions may affect the medicinal properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of locally grown H. erinaceus have been investigated. The fruitbodies that were fresh, oven-dried or freeze-dried were extracted with methanol. Their properties were compared to those exhibited by mycelium extract of the same mushroom. Various extracts of H. erinaceus inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria but not of the tested fungus. Mycelium extract contained the highest total phenolic content and the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The fresh fruitbody extract showed the most potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl …

Elevated Levels Of Urinary Hydrogen Peroxide, Advanced Oxidative Protein Product (Aopp) And Malondialdehyde In Humans Infected With Intestinal Parasites, S. Chandramathi, K. Suresh, Z.B. Anita, U.R. Kuppusamy

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Oxidative stress has been implicated as an important pathogenic factor in the pathophysiology Of various life-threatening diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It occurs when the production of free radicals (generated during aerobic metabolism, inflammation, and infections) overcome the antioxidant defences in the body. Although previous Studies have implied that oxidative stress is present in serum of patients with parasitic infection there have been no Studies confirming oxidative stress levels in the Malaysian population infected with intestinal parasites. Three biochemical assays namely hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), lipid peroxidation (LP) and advanced oxidative protein product (AOPP) assays Were carried out …

Evaluation Of Pressure Changes For Capillary And Fishbone Valves In Lab-On-Cd Systems, J. Peyman, A. Akbar Nozari, N. Soin, F. Ibrahim

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

This paper describes an investigation in Capillary and Fishbone valves as controlling medium of liquid flow for microdevices and diagnosis methods like Enzymed Linked Immonusorbent Assays (ELISA). Numerical simulation by MATLAB programming was employed to predict the pressure gradient at the Capillary valve expansion part and Fishbone valve section. The analysis results of pressure gradient versus channel width values depicted that an increase in the width of channel leads to a decrease in the pressure gradient. While an increase in Surface tension raises up the required pressure gradient for both valves. Pressure gradient sensitivity to contact angle between liquid and …

F2-Isoprostanes As Novel Biomarkers For Type 2 Diabetes: A Review, Subramanian Kaviarasan, Sekaran Muniandy, Rajes Qvist, Ikram Shah Ismail

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated as one of the major underlying mechanisms behind many acute and chronic diseases. However, the measurement of free radicals or their end products is complicated. Isoprostanes, derived from the non-enzymatic peroxidation of arachidonic acid are now considered to be reliable biomarkers of oxidant stress in the human body. Isoprostanes are involved in many of the human diseases such as type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes elevated levels of F-2-Isoprostanes (F-2-IsoPs) have been observed. The measurement of bioactive F-2-IsoPs levels offers a unique noninvasive analytical tool to study the role of free radicals in …

Field Effectiveness Of Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (Bti) Against Aedes (Stegomyia) Aegypti (Linnaeus) In Ornamental Ceramic Containers With Common Aquatic Plants, C.C. Dhang, L.H. Lim, N.W. Ahmad, S. Benjamin, L.K. Weng, D.A.A. Rahim, E.S. Safian, Mohd Sofian-Azirun

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of larvaciding using a Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) formulation (VectoBac WG) against Aedes aegypti larvae in earthen jars containing aquatic plants. Aquatic plants commonly used for landscaping, Pistia stratiotes (L.) (Liliopsida: Araceae) and Sagittaria sp. (Liliopsida: Alismataceae) were placed inside earthen jars filled with 50 L tap water. All earthen jars were treated with Bti formulation at 8g/1000L. Untreated jars with and without aquatic plants were also set up as controls. Fifty laboratory-bred 2nd instar larvae were introduced into each earthen jar. All earthen jars were observed daily. Number of adults emerged …

Hazards Identification At Bus Interchanges In Kuala Lumpur, Che Rosmani Che Hassan, Mahar Diana Hamid, Norazlin Dzulkifly, Noor Zalina Mahmood

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Bus is one of the main alternatives of mass public transportation in Kuala Lumpur as it is cheaper and has better coverage area than its counterparts such as Light Rapid Train (LRT) and commuter train. Thousands of people use the bus interchanges around Kuala Lumpur to reach their destinations. In this paper, hazards at these bus interchanges are identified to prevent or, at least to minimize the number of accidents that might occur as well as to reduce health problem. Five bus interchanges were selected for this research; the Hentian Puduraya, Klang Bus Stand, Hentian Putra, Mydin Bus Stand and …

Interface Pressure Profile Analysis For Patellar Tendon-Bearing Socket And Hydrostatic Socket, E.K. Moo, Noor Azuan Abu Osman, Belinda Pingguan-Murphy, Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas, W.D. Spence, S.E. Solomonidis

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Conventionally, patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) sockets, which need high dexterity of prosthetist, are widely used. Lack of chartered and experienced prosthetist has often led to painful experience of wearing prosthesis and this will in turn deter the patients to wear the prosthesis, which will further aggravate stump shrinkage. Thus, the hydrostatic socket which demands relatively lower level of fabricating skill is proposed to replace the PTB socket in order to produce the equivalent, if not better, quality of support to the amputee patients. Both sockets' pressure profiles are studied and compared using finite element analysis (FEA) software. Three-dimensional models of both …

Isolation And Characterization Of A Replication-Competent Molecular Clone Of An Hiv-1 Circulating Recombinant Form (Crf3301b), K.K. Tee, S. Kusagawa, X.J. Li, N. Onogi, M. Isogai, S. Hase, R. Uenishi, H.N. Liao, A. Kamarulzaman, Y. Takebe

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

A growing number of emerging HIV-1 recombinants classified as circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) have been identified in Southeast Asia in recent years, establishing a molecular diversity of increasing complexity in the region. Here, we constructed a replication-competent HIV-1 clone for CRF3301B (designated p05MYKL045.1), a newly identified recombinant comprised of CRF01AE and subtype B. p05MYKL045.1 was reconstituted by cloning of the near full-length HIV-1 sequence from a newly-diagnosed individual presumably infected heterosexually in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The chimeric clone, which contains the 59 LTR (long terminal repeat) region of p93JP-NH1 (a previously isolated CRF01AE infectious clone), showed robust viral replication in …

Isolation, Detection And Genomic Differentiation Of Escherichia Coli From Aquatic Environments In Kelantan, Malaysia, A. Rathi, Kwai Lin Thong, V.C. Chong

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The main aims of this study were to isolate and detect the presence of pathogenic E. coli in selected aquatic environments in Bachok, Kelantan, as well as to determine the presence of their virulence genes and the genomic diversity among the isolates. Fifty water samples from various aquatic environments of Bachok, Kelantan were examined for total coliform and pathogenic E. coli. The presence of total coliform was significantly correlated to E. coli (p<0.05). Among the putative E. coli, 176 isolates retrieved from selective media, 116 (66) from 29 water samples were positive for biochemical tests and harbored the phoA gene, which is the housekeeping gene for E. coli. A hexaplex PCR was performed to detect six virulence genes in pathogenic E. coli such as heatstable toxin 1 (ST1), heat-labile toxin 1 (LT1), heat-labile toxin 2 (LT2), verotoxin1 (VT1), verotoxin 2 (VT2) and attachment and effacement (eaeA). Isolates from only one sample harbored the ETEC as the isolates were positive for the LT1-heat labile toxin. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that only ETEC isolates was resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The rest of E. coli isolates were susceptible to the tested antibiotics. The analysis of genomic diversity of 116 E. coli isolates by Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic (REP)-PCR generated 27 patterns (F=0.26-1.0). The REP-PCR profiles were reproducible and the multiple DNA fingerprints showed that the E. coli isolates were genetically diverse. A dendrogram generated by the UPGMA algorithm showed 4 clusters of E. coli isolates based on 80 similarity. Overall, REP-PCR generated high genetic variability within the E. coli isolates. REP-PCR is a promising molecular method for determining the genomic diversity of environmental E. coli strains.