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2011

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Scorpions In The Modern Cuban Culture: An Introductory Iconography, Luis F. De Armas Aug 2011

Scorpions In The Modern Cuban Culture: An Introductory Iconography, Luis F. De Armas

Euscorpius

Some graphic examples of the role of scorpions in the present-day culture of Cuba are presented. They include tattoos, jewels, carpets, caps, and drawings by children, among other objects of personal or social usage. Increased use of this arachnid as a cultural element among Cuban people during last 50 years seems to be directly related with globalization, mostly through the TV and movies.

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On Fabre’S Traces: An Important Contributor To The Knowledge Of Buthus Occitanus (Amoreux, 1789), Marco Colombo Aug 2011

On Fabre’S Traces: An Important Contributor To The Knowledge Of Buthus Occitanus (Amoreux, 1789), Marco Colombo

Euscorpius

Jean-Henri Casimir Fabre (1823–1915) has probably been one of the most important entomologists of the world in the last two centuries, leaving to posterity a huge amount of manuscripts and books. The Languedoc yellow scorpion, Buthus occitanus (Amoreaux, 1789), has been one of his objects of study: many of its behaviours, including the famous “promenade a deux”, have been described by the careful eye of the French entomologist, giving an interesting contribution to modern scorpiology

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The First Record Of The Family Euscorpiidae (Arachnida: Scorpiones) From Central China, With A Key Of Chinese Species Of The Genus Scorpiops, Zhi-Yong Di, Ya-Wen He, Zhi-Jian Cao, Ying-Liang Wu, Wen-Xin Li Aug 2011

The First Record Of The Family Euscorpiidae (Arachnida: Scorpiones) From Central China, With A Key Of Chinese Species Of The Genus Scorpiops, Zhi-Yong Di, Ya-Wen He, Zhi-Jian Cao, Ying-Liang Wu, Wen-Xin Li

Euscorpius

The genus Scorpiops (Euscorpiidae) is recorded for the first time in Central China. Two immature specimens of a form belonging to Scorpiops hardwickii (Gervais, 1843) “complex” were collected from Huzhaoshan Mountains in Hubei Province. A discussion of Chinese species of genus Scorpiops is provided, as well as a key of Scorpiops from China.

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Scorpions In Ancient Egypt, Hisham K. El-Hennawy Aug 2011

Scorpions In Ancient Egypt, Hisham K. El-Hennawy

Euscorpius

The ancient Egyptians knew the scorpion and its toxicity, and venerated it since pre-dynastic era. They used the scorpion as a king's name, a name of a nome (county), and a symbol to their goddess, Serqet, that protects the body and the viscera of the dead, and that accompanies them in their journey to the afterlife. They had medical prescriptions and magical spells to heal the stings. Since the 5th dynasty, the title of a “Follower of Serket” was given to clever physicians. Scorpions are most famously depicted on Horus Cippus, a talisman featuring Horus the Child holding in his …

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Pectine Development In Scorpion Embryos And First And Second Instars, Roger D. Farley Aug 2011

Pectine Development In Scorpion Embryos And First And Second Instars, Roger D. Farley

Euscorpius

The pectines are complex sensory organs that extend from the ventral surface of the anterior opisthosoma (mesosoma) in all extant scorpions and nearly all the fossil scorpions that have been examined. The pectines are synapomorphic for the Order Scorpiones. In this investigation, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the development of the pectines in representatives from five scorpion families. In the more basal families (e.g., Vaejovidae) with apoikogenic development, the pectines start to develop early with enlargement of the limb buds on the third opisthosomal segment. The primordial pectines become elongate lobes attached to the ventro-lateral surface …

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The First Record Of Upper Permian And Lower Triassic Scorpions From Russia (Chelicerata: Scorpiones), Victor Fet, Dmitry E. Shcherbakov, Michael E. Soleglad Aug 2011

The First Record Of Upper Permian And Lower Triassic Scorpions From Russia (Chelicerata: Scorpiones), Victor Fet, Dmitry E. Shcherbakov, Michael E. Soleglad

Euscorpius

Several small fragments of fossil scorpions are reported from two localities in Vologda Province, Russia, representing the Upper Permian (Severodvinian, correlated to Wuchiapingian) (Isady) and Lower Triassic just above the Permian-Triassic boundary (Induan) (Nedubrovo). Most observed structures are not diagnostic at genus or family level. The Isady leg fragment possesses ungues (claws), which are both denticulated and setaceous, and resembles a Carboniferous Eobuthus sp. (Eobuthidae). It is the latest record of this type of ungues, which are known in some Paleozoic scorpions (extinct suborder Mesoscorpiones); all extant scorpions have smooth claws without denticulation or setation.

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In Situ Infrared Videography Of Sand Scorpion Nighttime Surface Activity, Douglas D. Gaffin Aug 2011

In Situ Infrared Videography Of Sand Scorpion Nighttime Surface Activity, Douglas D. Gaffin

Euscorpius

Sand scorpions make burrows from which they emerge at night to seek mates and prey. Previous ecological studies have documented scorpion activities on the sand surface. Few studies, however, have videotaped scorpion movements in the context of understanding their sensory neurobiology. Our objective is to understand which signals guide scorpions as they emerge from and return to their burrows. Candidate stimuli include chemical trails, footsteps, celestial patterns, geomagnetic cues, humidity and/or temperature gradients, distinctive scents from the burrow, seismic echolocation, memory, or landmark orientation. We videotaped scorpions to learn whether they return to their burrows by the same path they …

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Further Considerations On The Species Of The Genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891 From Africa, With Description Of Three New Species (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço, Elise-Anne Leguin Aug 2011

Further Considerations On The Species Of The Genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891 From Africa, With Description Of Three New Species (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço, Elise-Anne Leguin

Euscorpius

New considerations are proposed regarding the African species of the genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891. Two species, Orthochirus aristidis (Simon, 1882) and Orthochirus innesi Simon, 1910 have been the subject of several publications in the past decades; however, doubts remain about their exact identity and range of geographical distribution. In this note, their taxonomic status is reinvestigated. The type material is revised and the lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for O. aristidis. Revised diagnoses and illustrations are proposed for both species, and these are confirmed as valid. Three new species are described from Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania. The total number …

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Polymorphism And Hybridization In Species Of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço, Eric Ythier, Mark Stockmann, John L. Cloudsley-Thompson Aug 2011

Polymorphism And Hybridization In Species Of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço, Eric Ythier, Mark Stockmann, John L. Cloudsley-Thompson

Euscorpius

A new and well documented case of hybridization among scorpions is presented. It was obtained under laboratory conditions between Hottentotta jayakari (Pocock) and Hottentotta salei (Vachon) specimens of which had been collected in the northern and southern regions of Oman. Hybrids were successfully produced not only from F0 males and females, but also from F1 males and females, thereby attesting to the fact that the first generation obtained (F1), was completely fertile. Both F1 and F2 broods were composed of dark and pale morphs, indicating that the juveniles could inherit either one or …

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Redescription Of Tityus Pictus Pocock, 1893 And Tityus Smithii Pocock, 1893, With Notes On The Tityus Species From The Lesser Antilles (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel Aug 2011

Redescription Of Tityus Pictus Pocock, 1893 And Tityus Smithii Pocock, 1893, With Notes On The Tityus Species From The Lesser Antilles (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel

Euscorpius

In the present paper, the taxonomic status of Tityus pictus Pocock, 1893 and all of its junior synonyms is revised. Tityus smithii Pocock, 1893 is restored as a valid species, and the subspecies Tityus smithii microdon Pocock, 1893 (currently T. pictus microdon) is regarded as its junior synonym. Both T. pictus and T. smithii are redescribed, supplementary information on their morphological variability are given, and their geographical distribution is up- dated, including a new locality record for the latter. Also, the taxonomic position and relationships of all Lesser Antillean species of the genus are clarified: it is demonstrated that …

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Using Professional Certification Criteria To Assess Occupational Safety Curricula In Degree Programs Investigating Accreditation, Todd William Loushine, Robert G. Feyen Aug 2011

Using Professional Certification Criteria To Assess Occupational Safety Curricula In Degree Programs Investigating Accreditation, Todd William Loushine, Robert G. Feyen

Higher Learning Research Communications

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate a novel assessment method developed to determine if the curriculum from two separate safety degree programs provided sufficient opportunity for students to obtain the knowledge required for professional practice in occupational safety. The method relies on the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) examination blueprints. In the graduate program case study, over 88% of the BCSP criteria were met through an explicit means and up to 64% through assignments or better. Aggregating criteria into respective subject areas showed that the curriculum covered anywhere from 58% to 100% of the items within each …

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Frank W. Hale Jr. Aug 2011

Frank W. Hale Jr.

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

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You Only Live Twice: The Representation Of The Afterlife In Film, Amanda Joy Shapiro Aug 2011

You Only Live Twice: The Representation Of The Afterlife In Film, Amanda Joy Shapiro

Open Access Theses

The objective of this thesis is to examine and analyze the presentation of spaces, figures, and the processes of judgment in afterlife films. American and foreign titles as well as television series are assessed as afterlife films by two criteria: (1) A character has clinically died yet continues to exist and (2) a living character finds his or her self in an afterlife space. Films with characters that have near-death experiences (NDEs) are included in relation to the above three qualities. After screening nearly one hundred and thirty titles, I have found there is a basic formula structure that has …

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Assessment Of South Florida's Bonefish Stock, Michael F. Larkin Aug 2011

Assessment Of South Florida's Bonefish Stock, Michael F. Larkin

Open Access Dissertations

Florida’s recreational bonefish fishery generates substantial economic benefits to the region; however, the resource has never been adequately assessed to determine standard benchmarks for sustainability. The situation offered a unique opportunity to address unresolved issues in sustainability for a valuable recreational fishery that is almost exclusively catch and release. The goal of this dissertation was three-fold: (1) to develop a comprehensive framework for conducting rigorous stock assessments on recreational catch-and-release fisheries; (2) to apply these methods to the Florida bonefish fishery to compare results against internationally-recognized sustainable fishery benchmarks; and, (3) provide recommendations for longer-term assessment strategies and management efforts. …

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Commencement Convocation Program, Usf, August 6, 2011, University Of South Florida Aug 2011

Commencement Convocation Program, Usf, August 6, 2011, University Of South Florida

USF Graduation and Convocation Programs

King O'Neal Scholars - Nadine Allan-Vaught, Sue Gibbs, Kelsey Henretta, Gabriel Lonsberry, Helmut Mehlhorn, Felicia Walker, and Allison Zangari; Outstanding Graduate - Emily Tocci

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Oxidative Transformation Of Antimicrobial Compounds By Ferric-Modified Montmorillonite, Chamindu Liyanapatirana Aug 2011

Oxidative Transformation Of Antimicrobial Compounds By Ferric-Modified Montmorillonite, Chamindu Liyanapatirana

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of wide spectrum antimicrobial agents triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) in the environment has become a concern due to the adverse impact on the environment. Montmorillonite, a widely distributed clay mineral in the natural environment, has been used as an obstacle in landfills to avoid contamination of soil and water by contaminants in leachates due to its high surface area, cation exchange capacity, and abundance. The research reported here focuses on understanding the abiotic oxidative transformation of TCS and TCC by Fe(III)-modified montmorillonite. The overall objectives of this work were: 1) to investigate TCS and TCC oxidative transformation …

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Biomechanical Comparison Of Three Methods For Internal Fixation Of Femoral Neck Fractures In Dogs, Stephen Cory Fisher Aug 2011

Biomechanical Comparison Of Three Methods For Internal Fixation Of Femoral Neck Fractures In Dogs, Stephen Cory Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

Research evaluating the surgical repair of femoral neck fractures in dogs is limited. This study evaluated the in vitro mechanical properties of canine femoral neck fractures stabilized with two medium Orthofix® Partially-threaded Kirschner Wires (Orthofix pins), a 2.7 mm cortical bone screw placed in lag fashion with anti-rotational Kirschner wire (K-wire), and three 1.1 mm divergent K-wires. This study compared the mean compressive pressure, compressive force and area of compression created by the insertion the Orthofix pins and a 2.7 mm cortical bone screw placed in lag fashion. Monotonic testing was used to quantify mechanical strength and pressure sensitive film …

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A Three-Dimensional Heat And Mass Transport Model For A Tree Within A Forest, Jerrell Ray Ballard Aug 2011

A Three-Dimensional Heat And Mass Transport Model For A Tree Within A Forest, Jerrell Ray Ballard

Theses and Dissertations

A three-dimensional computational tool was developed that simulates the heat and mass transfer interaction in a soil-root-stem system (SRSS) for a tree in a seasonally varying deciduous forest. The development of the SRSS model involved the modification and coupling of existing heat and mass transport tools to reproduce the three-dimensional diurnal internal and external temperatures, internal fluid distribution, and heat flow in the soil, roots, and stems. The model also required the development of a parallel Monte-Carlo algorithm to simulate the solar and environmental radiation regime consisting of sky and forest radiative effects surrounding the tree. The SRSS was tested, …

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Structure Property Relations And Finite Element Analysis Of Ram Horns: A Pathway To Energy Absorbent Bio-Inspired Designs, M W (Michael Wesley) Trim Aug 2011

Structure Property Relations And Finite Element Analysis Of Ram Horns: A Pathway To Energy Absorbent Bio-Inspired Designs, M W (Michael Wesley) Trim

Theses and Dissertations

A recently emerging engineering design approach entails studying the brilliant design solutions found in nature with an aim to develop design strategies that mimic the remarkable efficiency found in biological systems. This novel engineering approach is referred to as bio-inspired design. In this context, the present study quantifies the structure-property relations in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) horn keratin, qualitatively characterizes the effects of a tapered spiral geometry (the same form as in a ram’s horn) on pressure wave and impulse mitigation, describes the stress attenuation capabilities and features of a ram’s head, and compares the structures and mechanical properties of …

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Traumatic Brain Injury: Modeling And Simulation Of The Brain At Large Deformation, Raj Prabhu Aug 2011

Traumatic Brain Injury: Modeling And Simulation Of The Brain At Large Deformation, Raj Prabhu

Theses and Dissertations

The brain is a complex organ and its response to the mechanical loads at all strain rates has been nonlinear and inelastic in nature. Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) high strain rate compressive tests conducted on porcine brain samples showed a strain rate dependent inelastic mechanical behavior. Finite Element (FE) modeling of the SHPB setup in ABAQUS/Explicit, using a specific constitutive model (MSU TP Ver. 1.1) for the brain, showed non-uniform stress state during tissue deformation. Song et al.’s assertion of using annular samples for negating inertial effects was also tested. FE simulation results showed that the use of cylindrical or …

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Effectiveness Of Crop Reflectance Sensors On Detection Of Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Growth And Nitrogen Status, Tyson Brant Raper Aug 2011

Effectiveness Of Crop Reflectance Sensors On Detection Of Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Growth And Nitrogen Status, Tyson Brant Raper

Theses and Dissertations

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) reflectance has potential to drive variable rate N (VRN) applications, but more precise definitions of relationships between sensor-observed reflectance, plant height, and N status are necessary. The objectives of this study were to define effectiveness and relationships between three commercially available sensors, and examine relationships of wavelengths and indices obtained by a spectrometer to plant height and N status. Field trials were conducted during 2008-2010 growing seasons at Mississippi State, MS. Fertilizer N rates ranged from 0-135 kg N ha-1 to establish growth differences. Sensor effects were significant, but sensors monitoring Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) …

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Centrarchid Assemblages In Oxbow Lakes Of The Mississippi Alluvial Valley With Perspectives For Fisheries Management, Ted Joseph Alfermann Aug 2011

Centrarchid Assemblages In Oxbow Lakes Of The Mississippi Alluvial Valley With Perspectives For Fisheries Management, Ted Joseph Alfermann

Theses and Dissertations

Surrounding land-use and in-lake data were collected to determine environmental variables influential in structuring centrarchid assemblages in oxbow lakes of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) and to suggest environmental manipulation strategies that may improve the fisheries of these systems. I sampled 53 oxbow lakes using boat electrofishing and land-use data were summarized using ArcView GIS. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling separated centrarchids according to water quality tolerance. Centrarchid composition was related to land-use, water clarity, maximum depth, connectivity, primary productivity, and physicochemistry as determined by Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates. Canonical Correspondence Analysis rejected the null hypothesis of no relationship between land-use …

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Characterization Of Tissue Mimicking Materials For Testing Of Microwave Medical Devices, Mary Virginia Dancsisin Aug 2011

Characterization Of Tissue Mimicking Materials For Testing Of Microwave Medical Devices, Mary Virginia Dancsisin

Theses and Dissertations

The driving force behind this thesis was the need for developing tissue mimicking materials that can mimic the dielectric properties of various biological soft tissues to aid in the development and testing of electromagnetic medical devices. Materials that can mimic the dielectric properties of human skin, adipose, muscle, malignant and healthy fibroglandular tissue, liver, pancreas, and kidney within the frequency range of 500 MHz to 20 GHz have been characterized and tested. The tissue mimicking materials are used to construct biological phantoms for studies that involve the investigation of wireless medical telemetry and a microwave breast cancer detection device.

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Classes Of Reaction Diffusion Equations With Nonlinear Boundary Conditions, Jerome Goddard Aug 2011

Classes Of Reaction Diffusion Equations With Nonlinear Boundary Conditions, Jerome Goddard

Theses and Dissertations

We study positive solutions to classes of steady state reaction diffusion equations that arise naturally in applications. In particular, we study models arising from population dynamics and combustion theory. The main focus of this dissertation is the mathematical analysis of a challenging new class of problems when a certain nonlinear boundary condition is satisfied. In particular, we establish existence and multiplicity results by making use of the Quadrature method, the method of sub-super solutions, and degree theory. The results in this dissertation provide a significant contribution towards the analysis of elliptic boundary value problems with nonlinear boundary conditions.

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Community Interactions And Water As Drivers Of Soil Microbial Communities, Madhavi Latha Kakumanu Aug 2011

Community Interactions And Water As Drivers Of Soil Microbial Communities, Madhavi Latha Kakumanu

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the response of soil microbial communities to various environmental stresses is of current interest, because of their pivotal role in nutrient cycling, soil organic matter mineralization and influence on plant growth. Determining the affect of several biotic and abiotic factors on soil microbial communities is the overall objective of the study. The specific goals are to determine 1) the response of microbial communities to water deficit in soil and 2) how the presence of a rich biotic community determines the direction of microbial community development in cultures. Both goals are novel and unique contributions to understanding microbial ecology in …

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Effects Of In-Situ Biosparging On Pentachlorophenol (Pcp) Degradation And Bacterial Communities In Pcp, Carrlet Elizabeth Stokes Aug 2011

Effects Of In-Situ Biosparging On Pentachlorophenol (Pcp) Degradation And Bacterial Communities In Pcp, Carrlet Elizabeth Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of in-situ biosparging on pentachlorophenol (PCP) degradation and bacterial communities in PCP contaminated groundwater. Bacteria were identified by sequencing the 16s rDNA fragment from DNA extracted from groundwater cultures and comparing those sequences to a database using a basic local alignment search tool, BLAST. The PCP-degraders Burkholderia cepacia and Flavobacterium (Sphingobium) chlorophenolicum were identified in multiple wells, as were the 4-chlorophenol degrader Herbaspirillum sp., and the common soil bacteria Pseudomonas sp., Aquaspirillum sp., and Rhodocista sp., among others. Numerous bacterial samples also appeared in the results as “uncultured”. Bacterial community changes were observed using terminal …

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Development Of Computational Tools And Resources For Systems Biology Of Bacterial Pathogens, Ranjit Kumar Aug 2011

Development Of Computational Tools And Resources For Systems Biology Of Bacterial Pathogens, Ranjit Kumar

Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial pathogens are a major cause of diseases in human, agricultural plants and farm animals. Even after decades of research they remain a challenge to health care as they are known to rapidly evolve and develop resistance to the existing drugs. Systems biology is an emerging area of research where all of the components of the system, their interactions, and the dynamics can be studied in a comprehensive, quantitative, and integrative fashion to generate predictive models. When applied to bacterial pathogenesis, systems biology approaches will help identify potential novel molecular targets for drug discovery. A pre-requisite for conducting systems analysis …

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A Study Of Structural Integrity Of Type A (I) Lantibiotics Via Chemical Modification And Mutagenesis, Shawanda Wilson-Stanford Aug 2011

A Study Of Structural Integrity Of Type A (I) Lantibiotics Via Chemical Modification And Mutagenesis, Shawanda Wilson-Stanford

Theses and Dissertations

Lantibiotics like mutacin 1140 are receiving a considerable amount of attention because of their broad spectrum of activity, high potency, low immunogenicity, and good structural stability. Mutacin 1140 is produced by Streptococcus mutans JH1140 and is a type A (I) lantibiotic. Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized bacteriocins that undergo post-translational modifications to form lanthionine or β-methyllanthionine rings as well as 2, 3-didehydroalanine (Dha), 2, 3-didehydrobutyrine (Dhb), and S-amino vinyl-D-cysteine (AviCys). Their mode of action is pore formation and/or abduction of lipid II from the site of new cell wall synthesis. In order to gain further knowledge of both the structural integrity …

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Epigenetic Regulations In Cell Wall Degradation And Regeneration In Oryza Sativa, Feng Tan Aug 2011

Epigenetic Regulations In Cell Wall Degradation And Regeneration In Oryza Sativa, Feng Tan

Theses and Dissertations

It is well known that chromatin components are key players in establishing and maintaining spatial and temporal gene expression in plants, however, little is known about the epigenetic regulation on cell wall degradation and regeneration. This study aimed to 1) investigate the global proteome and phosphoproteome of rice chromatin, and 2) characterize changes in chromatin components and chromatin structure associated with cell wall degradation and regeneration, and 3) characterize the differentially regulated proteins and eventually explore the mechanism. In this dissertation, we examine proteins copurified with chromatin using both 2-DE gel and shotgun approaches from rice (Oryza sativa) suspension cells. …

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Estimating Wildlife Viewing Recreational Demand And Consumer Surplus, James Cory Mingie Aug 2011

Estimating Wildlife Viewing Recreational Demand And Consumer Surplus, James Cory Mingie

Theses and Dissertations

Motivated by the increasing popularity of wildlife viewing and a growing emphasis on management for nontimber outputs, wildlife viewing demand was assessed. Specific objectives included determining factors affecting participation and frequency of use, and furthermore, deriving 2006 nationwide wildlife viewing consumer surplus estimates. With the travel cost method as the theoretical basis, the empirical estimation method employed was a two-step sample selection model that included a probit first step and a negative binomial second step. Consumer surplus per trip estimates ranged from $215.23 to $739.07 while aggregate national estimates ranged from $44.5 billion to $185.1 billion. Results reveal that age, …

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