Digital Commons Network^™

Differential Gene Expression In A Louisiana Strain Of Microalgae, John Joseph Tate

LSU Master's Theses

Considerable interest in alternative energy has stimulated research in biofuels, particularly microalgal biofuels. In particular, strains of algae that accumulate lipids to be used for biofuels must be adapted to outdoor growth and resistant to invasive species. Differential gene expression in a Louisiana algae/cyanobacteria co-culture consisting of approximately 97% Chlorella vulgaris and 3% Leptolyngbya sp. possessing these traits was examined. Possible reasons for the enhanced growth of the co-culture relative to a Chlorella monoculture were reviewed, including cyanobacterial symbiosis and chemicals produced by cyanobacteria or bacteria that could influence the growth of Chlorella. The co-culture and Chlorella monoculture were cultivated …

Integrated Management Of The Red Imported Fire Ant In Pastures, William Sullivan Hilbun

LSU Master's Theses

The effects and interactions of chemical, cultural, and biological control of red imported fire ant (RIFA) populations were evaluated in two replicated studies in pastures. The first study was conducted from 2005 through 2007 in Washington parish, Louisiana (WP) where the biological control Psuedacteon tricupsis phorid flies were present and at the LSU AgCenter St. Gabriel Research Station in St. Gabriel, Louisiana (SG) where Psuedacteon tricuspis flies were absent. The second study was conducted from May 2009 to May 2010 at St. Gabriel in the presence of phorid flies. In both studies, RIFA population indices in sites treated with methoprene …

The Effect Of Disinfectants, Cleaning, And Drying Practices On Oriental Rugs Flooded With Contaminated River Water: Public Health And Policy Implications, Daniel Bernazzani

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Oriental rugs contaminated with Category 3 floodwater potentially harbor environmental bacteria known to be human pathogens. River water inoculated with three species of gram positive and gram negative environmental bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were used to assess the effectiveness of disinfectant type, cleaning methodology and drying practices by examining the survival rates of bacteria. Rug sections were immersed for one hour in contaminated water, saturated in one of three EPA registered disinfectant products (Phenol, Quaternary chloride, and Thyme oil) or tap water as a control, followed by cleaning and drying. The results showed that all disinfectants reduced …

Voices Of Adoptees: Stories And Experiences Within Schools, Elizabeth S. Donalds

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Adoption is an emotional topic for many families. Today there are between 5-7 million adoptees in the United States alone, and 40% of U.S. adults report considering adoption as a way to form families. With so many children being adopted, therapists who work with children in the public schools need to be educated about the ways in which adoption can affect those involved in the family of adoption. Unfortunately, there is little information about adoption available to professionals working in schools. The following research helps us understand the experiences of the adopted child in schools, as told by adult adoptees. …

Misconceptions In Science Education, Angela Francis

Graduate Research Papers

Like many science teachers today, I am a constructivist. I believe that students need to be active constructors of their own knowledge. I also understand that, prior to entering my classroom, students have had innumerable experiences that have led them to develop their own unique understanding of the natural world. This reality has certain advantages and disadvantages. One critical disadvantage is that students' prior knowledge and common-sense understandings about science can be at odds with the nature of science that is generally accepted within the scientific community. In order to be an effective teacher, I must identify and understand the …

Forensic Science: An Applied Chemistry Single Semester Course, Theresa A. Theis

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Exploring New Roles Of Classroom Teachers In Iowa Communities Experiencing Rapid Ethnic Diversification, Cindy R. Lewis

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Non-English speakers are currently the fastest growing population group in Iowa schools. Immigrant and refugee families are choosing in record numbers to make Iowa their home. Across the state, newcomers are added daily to classroom rosters, and teachers are challenged to meet the unique social, emotional, and educational needs of students.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how selected teachers in classrooms across Iowa have responded personally and professionally to an evolving socio-political climate. The study examined how professional roles have been redefined and how teachers have responded to the changes. Three research questions guided this qualitative …

Positive Portrayal Of Family In Children's Books With Homosexual Characters, Amanda Skellenger

Graduate Research Papers

In today's highly diverse society, it is important to include information in children's education reflecting the diversity they will encounter in their lives. Family is an important aspect in the lives of all children as well as being a diverse aspect of society; it is important that all family structures have adequate representation in a school curriculum (Chapman, 1999). The first article in the American Library Association's (ALA) Library Bill of Rights (1996) states "books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not …

Program Design Considerations For A 8-Week After-School Program Focused On Social And Personal Development And Physical Fitness, Lawrence Daniel

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research paper is to describe the Carver Stars After- School Program and review factors considered in the design of an eight week long after-school program to enhance physical activity and increase academic performance in youth. This paper will present the goals and outcomes of the program, details of program design, and components of a successful after- school program. In addition, theories for behavior change will be reviewed. Finally, the process for evaluation will be presented. The information in this paper is to be shared with recreational programmers and fellow program directors with similar interest in program …

The Relationship Between Absolute Strength, Relative Strength And Body Mass On Depth Jump Performance In Females, Erin Lynn Brocka

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of body mass and absolute leg strength on depth jump performance in college-aged females at a drop height of 45 cm.

Black-Woman Identity Centrality And Interference: An Examination Of Political Efficacy And Policy Attitudes, Alexandra Ghara

LSU Master's Theses

While much of the recent literature centers on a discussion of the “inner conflict” experienced by black women, political scientists have not measured this identity conflict or its political consequences. In this article I fill this gap in the literature by employing a black-woman identity interference scale (Settles 2006) to test whether black women experience particular difficulty aligning their racial and gender interests, and how identity conflict affects their political efficacy (internal political efficacy, external political efficacy, and group political efficacy) and policy attitudes. I find that while black women’s political efficacy is only affect by their race consciousness, their …

Pretesting In Science: Effect On Unit Test Scores, Mary Catherine Johnson

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT This study examines the effect that pretesting has on unit test scores in a high school Biology I classroom. The experimental classes were given a pretest before four units of curriculum and then taught the concepts of these units with a traditional lecture based methodology. Their unit test scores were compared to a control class that did not take pretests before the units. In addition, the End of Course (EOC) test scores of the control and experimental classes were compared to determine if pretesting improved transfer of knowledge to a different type of test. Pretesting did not cause a …

Characterization Of The Promoter And Insulator Activities Of The Scs' Insulator, Yu Ge

LSU Master's Theses

Eukaryotic gene expression is regulated by regulatory elements. Insulators are one class of regulatory sequences. They can prevent heterochromatin from spreading into euchromatin, block distal enhancer activity, or both. Insulators function by recruiting several associated proteins. The scs’ insulator, which is located at one end of the 87A7 hsp 70 locus, is bound by BEAF. In the Drosophila genome, more than 85 % of BEAF binding sites are found within 300 bp of transcription start sites, suggesting BEAF may be involved in promoter function. Based on previous insulator position effect assays, two sequences were found to be necessary for full …

Hepatoprotective Effect Of Vitamins C And E Against Gasoline Vapor-Induced Liver Injury In Male Rats, Friday Effiong Uboh, Patrick Ekong Ebong, Henry Dan Akpan, Itoro Friday Usoh

Turkish Journal of Biology

The protective effect of vitamins C and E against gasoline vapor-induced liver injury was investigated in rats. Liver injury was assessed from the activities of liver function diagnostic indices including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (\gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, total serum protein (TSP), albumin concentrations, and the histological architectures of the liver tissues of the experimental animals. The results showed that gasoline vapors caused a significant (P = 0.05) higher than that of vitamin C. The results of our study suggest a protective effect of vitamin C and vitamin E against gasoline vapor-induced liver …

Fatty Acid Composition Of The Seeds Of Some Species Of Peucedanum (Kral Otu) From Turkey, Nükhet Akpinar, Sali̇h Görgün, Hüseyi̇n Aşkin Akpulat, Mehmet Ali̇ Akpinar, Apdurahman Aktümsek, Ali̇ Emre Akpinar

Turkish Journal of Biology

The fatty acid compositions of the seeds of Peucedanum ruthenicum, Peucedanum chryseum, Peucedanum palimbioides, Peucedanum obtusifolium, and Peucedanum zedelmeierianum were investigated by gas chromatography (GC). The main fatty acids in the species were found to be palmitic acid (C 16:0, 5.78%-14.68%), oleic acid (C 18:1 \omega-9, 31.28%-68.06%), and linoleic acid (C 18:2 \omega-6, 15.99%-33.74%). Trace amounts of cis-vaccenic acid (C 18:1 \omega-7, 0.82%-1.40%) were found in the seed oils of all of the species investigated.

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Bioactive Compounds From Discarded Mushroom Beds, Svsssl Hima Bindu Nidadavolu, Ram Prasad Metuku, Samatha Burra, Rajitha Byram, Singara Charya Maringanti

Turkish Journal of Biology

Discarded dried button, dried oyster, and fresh button mushroom beds were examined for their bioactive compounds and industrial enzymes. Levels of reducing sugars and total sugars were high in all mushroom beds. Carboxymethyl cellulase activity was higher (920 µg/mL) in the dried oyster mushroom bed extract. Schizophyllum commune, Fomitopsis feei, Trametes gibbosa, and Trametes elegans were grown on direct mushroom bed extract, 0.2% glucose-containing mushroom bed extract, and common production medium for determination of growth and lignolytic activities. Since lignolytic activities were high with the direct mushroom bed extract, this medium was further diluted to 1:1 and 1:2 ratios and …

Thermostable \Alpha-Amylase From Moderately Halophilic Halomonas Sp. Aad21, Kami̇l Serkan Uzyol, Berna Sariyar Akbulut, Azi̇z Akin Deni̇zci̇, Di̇lek Kazan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The moderately halophilic Halomonas sp. strain AAD21, which produces extracellular thermostable \alpha-amylase, was isolated from the Çamaltı Saltern area located in İzmir, Turkey. NaCl, carbon, and nitrogen sources in the growth medium were optimized to enhance \alpha-amylase yield. The highest enzyme yield was measured in the presence of 20% NaCl with peptone as the nitrogen and starch as the carbon sources in the fermentation broth. This microorganism was also found to utilize waste potato peel as a carbon source for \alpha-amylase production. Concentrations of carbon and nitrogen sources were optimized using a statistical approach, and \alpha-amylase activity increased from 4.07 …

Deletion Of Polyphosphate Kinase Gene (Ppk)Has A Stimulatory Effect On Actinorhodin Production By Streptomyces Coelicolor A3(2), İrem Yalim Camci, Tuğrul Doruk, Ümmehan Avi̇can, Sedef Tunca Gedi̇k

Turkish Journal of Biology

Polyphosphate, which is synthesized by the enzyme polyP kinase (PPK), is an important energy and phosphate storage polymer that plays a crucial role in the regulation of adaptive responses of cells to physical and chemical stresses. In this work, the polyphosphate kinase gene (ppk) of Streptomyces coelicolor was deleted, and the effect of this mutation on actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin biosynthesis was investigated. Deletion of the ppk gene had a stimulatory effect on actinorhodin production; the mutant strain produced about 5 times more antibiotic compared to the wild type strain at 120 h of growth. There was no difference in undecylprodigiosin …

Calcium Oxalate Crystal Types In Three Oak Species (Quercus L.) In Turkey, Bedri̇ Serdar, Hati̇ce Demi̇ray

Turkish Journal of Biology

Crystal types from 3 oak species representing 3 different sections of the genus Quercus were identified. Crystals were studied with scanning electron microscopy after localisation by light microscopy. The crystals were composed of calcium oxalate silicates as whewellite (calcium oxalate monohydrate) composites. In Quercus macranthera Fisch. et Mey. subsp. syspirensis (C.Koch) Menitsky (İspir oak) from the white oaks (section Quercus: Leucobalanus), whewellite and trihydrated weddellites coexisted. Axial parenchyma cells included 30 crystal chains with walls as chambers in uniseriate ray cells; some cells had many crystals without any chambers and were small. Long thin crystals were found adherent to the …

Optimization Of The Process Parameters For The Utilization Of Orange Peel To Produce Polygalacturonase By Solid-State Fermentation From An Aspergillus Sojae Mutant Strain, Hande Demi̇r, Ni̇han Göğüş, Canan Tari, Doreen Heerd, Marcelo Fernandez Lahore

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effect of orange peel concentration, HCl concentration, incubation time and temperature, and inoculum size on the spore count and activity of polygalacturonase (PG) enzyme produced from Aspergillus sojae M3 by solid-state fermentation was screened using 2^k factorial design. Orange peel and HCl concentrations and incubation time were significant factors affecting the responses. Optimum conditions favoring both PG and spore production from Aspergillus sojae M3 were determined as 2% orange peel and 50 mM HCl concentrations at 22 °C and 4.3 days of incubation. An overlay plot was constructed for use as a practical chart for production of high enzyme …

Induction Of Salt-Tolerant Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Mutants With Gamma Irradiation And Characterization Of Genetic Variations Via Rapd-Pcr Analysis, Orkun Yaycili, Sema Ali̇kamanoğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Salt-tolerant mutants of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. 'Marfona') were obtained via gamma irradiation. Node explants of the Marfona potato plant were treated with various dosages of gamma irradiation, and the M_1V_2 and M_1V_3 clonal generations were developed. Selection of salt-tolerant mutants was accomplished by in vitro selection media containing 50, 100, and 125 mM NaCl. Molecular-level differences between the control and mutant plants were elucidated using RAPD-PCR method, and the polymorphism rate according to the selected primers was calculated as 89.66%. Genetic distances between the controls and mutants were also calculated, and related dendrograms were produced. On average the mutants …

Cloning And Sequencing Of Coat Protein Gene Of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus Isolated From Squash And Muskmelon In Turkey, Meryem Özer, Hi̇kmet Murat Si̇pahi̇oğlu, Mustafa Usta, Hakan Fi̇dan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The coat protein (CP) genes of the genomic RNA of 2 severe Turkish isolates of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) from squash and muskmelon [ZYMV-Adana (Ad) and ZYMV-Ahlat (Ah), respectively] were cloned, and their complete nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acids were determined. The analysis revealed that both Turkish ZYMV-CP genes contained 837 nucleotides encoded for a CP of about 31.2 kDa. Phylogenetic trees based on nucleic acid sequences were constructed by the neighbor joining and unweighted pair group mean arithmetic (UPGMA) methods with 100 bootstrap replicates. A high degree of homology was detected between the 2 Turkish isolates on …

Genotoxic And Mutagenic Effects Of Aqueous Extract From Aerial Parts Of Achillea Teretifolia, Di̇lek Akyil, Sedat Oktay, Recep Li̇man, Yasi̇n Eren, Muhsi̇n Konuk

Turkish Journal of Biology

Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of aqueous extract from aerial parts of Achillea teretifolia (At-ext) were investigated using both Allium cepa root meristematic cells and a short-term mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium with TA98 and TA100 strains in the presence or absence of S9 mix, respectively. In the Allium tests, EC_{50} value was determined as 50 g/L, and 0.5 × EC_{50}, EC_{50}, and 2 × EC_{50} concentrations of At-ext were applied to onion tuber roots. Methyl methane sulfonate (MMS, 10 ppm) and distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The mitotic index (MI) increased in all concentrations in …

Antioxidant Enzymes And Gst Activity In Natural Populations Of Holandriana Holandrii From The Bosna River, Jelena Vrankovic, Svetlana Labus-Blagojevic, Bela Csanyi, Jarmila Makovinska, Olga Cvetkovic, Zoran Gacic, Dusko Blagojevic, Momir Paunovic

Turkish Journal of Biology

Specimens of the freshwater snail Holandriana holandrii affected by different levels of contamination were collected from 3 sites within the Bosna River Basin, i.e. Visoko, Doboj, and Modrica. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were investigated in order to understand their variation with respect to the pollution status of the sampling locations. The results revealed a significant increase in CAT, GPx, and GST activities in the snails collected from Modrica, suggesting that the animals at this location are exposed to a higher level of oxidative …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Dats Suppresses Invasion Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines By Reducing Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Via Pi3k/Akt, Jian Bin Yang, Dong Yi Wei, Zhi Yan Wu, Su Hua Xu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) are the most common type of oral cancers, and high morbidity and mortality are largely attributable to late-stage diagnosis. Despite significant advances in therapeutic strategies, the 5-year survival rate still remains low. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), an oil-soluble organosulfur compound of garlic, was recently reported for its anticancer effect on several types of cancer cells in vitro; however, these anticancer effects are still unknown in human OSCC cells. In the present study, the effects of DATS on OSCC cell invasion in vitro were investigated. Human OSCC cell lines (HSC-2 and Ca9-22 cells) were treated with DATS …

A Comparative Study On The Fatty Acid Composition Of The Oils From Five Bupleurum Species Collected From Turkey, Hati̇ce Taner Saraçoğlu, Gökhan Zengi̇n, Mehtap Akin, Apdurahman Aktümsek

Turkish Journal of Biology

The oil content and fatty acid compositions of 5 Bupleurum species (B. intermedium, B. lancifolium, B. croceum, B. rotundifolium, and B. cappadocicum) were determined. Their oil contents ranged from 2.87% to 4.20%. Gas chromatography (GC) was used for the fatty acid composition. Twenty-one fatty acids were identified and quantified by GC. Oleic acid (C18:1) accounted for more than 50% of the total fatty acids in 3 of the Bupleurum species (B. intermedium, B. lancifolium, and B. rotundifolium). The total unsaturated fatty acid contents varied from 67.28% in B. cappadocicum to 87.06% in B. rotundifolium. The total saturated fatty acids represent …

Genetic Variability In Grapevine Virus A From Vitis Vinifera L. × Vitis Labrusca L. In Sichuan, China, Jianhui Wang, Dehui Xi, Jianjun Liu, Keling Chen, Hongwen Li, Xiao Liu, Shu Yuan, Sezai̇ Erci̇şli̇, Honghui Lin

Turkish Journal of Biology

Grapevine virus A (GVA) has a quasispecies nature and is closely associated with the rugose-wood disease complex of Vitis vinifera L. In the different growing regions of table grape in Sichuan, southwest China, the incidence of GVA infection was found to be 16.9% by ELISA detection among 178 grape plants (Vitis vinifera L. × Vitis labrusca L.). The results of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of a total of 139 plasmids, cloned from 15 GVA isolates, suggested that the GVA isolates contained highly divergent variants. The plasmids from each GVA isolate that …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.