Digital Commons Network^™

The Maya Defensive Earthworks And Agricultural Land Use Of Tikal, Ryan Sweetwood, Dr. Richard Terry

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Concurrent with the settlement surveys and excavations, Soil scientist from Brigham Young University and from Guatemala examined 62 soil profiles and collected soil samples for analysis at the Brigham Young University soil and plant analysis laboratory. The samples are currently being characterized for physical and chemical properties at the laboratory. Stable carbon isotopes will be analyzed to investigate the extent of ancient maize agriculture in the areas inside and outside the earthwork, using methods recently applied in several parts of the Maya Lowlands (Jensen 2003; Jensen et al. nd; Webb et al., nd; Webb, Henry, and Healy 2004). The soil …

Overcoming Anthropogenic Impediments Of Reintroduced Bighorn Sheep Populations In North-Central Utah, Loren Chase

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) were historically abundant in many places in Utah, however, when the area was settled, humans brought with them many causes for bighorn extermination. Unregulated hunting, competition for resources by livestock, reduced water availability, reduce range quantity, home range encroachment, and the lungworm/pneumonia complex are all major reasons as to why the bighorns are threatened in the western states (Enk 2001, Karpowitz and Stewart 2000, Smith et al. 1988, Smith and Flinders 1992). The first two problems were handled at the socio-political level, by managing people rather than wildlife. However water scarcity persists, urban sprawl continues to …

The Grizzly, September 26, 2013, Sabrina Mcgettigan, Mary Deliberti, Briana Mullan, Deana Harley, Amanda Frekot, Vivek Reddy, Shawn Hartigan, Olivia Z. Schultz, Jordan Ostrum, Adebayo Adeyemo, Briana Keane, Atticus Graven, Bethany Mitchell, Austin Fox, David Rogers

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Courtyard Pilot Program Extended • "Much Ado" About UC Drama • Extern Program • Marks Discusses Online Education • Live Music at Reimert • Community Yard Sale This Weekend • New Film Professor Joins the Campus • Enactus Prepares for a New Year • Opinion: Make the Most of Your Ursinus Years; School Spirit Should Extend Beyond Campus • Senior Spotlight: Jenna Stover • Topic of Injuries Overshadowing Football Season • Family Day Roundup

The Daily Egyptian, September 26, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

September 2013

No abstract provided.

The Tethering Complex Hops Catalyzes Assembly Of The Soluble Snare Vam7 Into Fusogenic Trans-Snare Complexes, Michael Zick, William Wickner

Dartmouth Scholarship

The fusion of yeast vacuolar membranes depends on the disassembly of cis–soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes and the subsequent reassembly of new SNARE complexes in trans. The disassembly of cis-SNARE complexes by Sec17/Sec18p releases the soluble SNARE Vam7p from vacuolar membranes. Consequently, Vam7p needs to be recruited to the membrane at future sites of fusion to allow the formation of trans-SNARE complexes. The multisubunit tethering homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) complex, which is essential for the fusion of vacuolar membranes, was previously shown to have direct affinity for Vam7p. The …

Mutations That Matter

News Releases

No abstract provided.

The Daily Gamecock, Friday, September 27, 2013, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

September

No abstract provided.

The Diamond, September 26, 2013, Dordt College

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: President's New House More Hospitable; Workstudy Wage Raised 25 Cents
• News: AGILE Project Kick-Off; 24-Hour Run Raises Awareness and Encouragement; $12 Million Phase One Construction On Schedule; A Drinking Party?; Dordt Calls Fire Department Numerous Times Each Year
• Features: Should Professors Pray Before Class?; Students Without Borders Goes Global
• Arts and Entertainment: Will You "Tip Toe" on Out of the Movie Theatre? An "Insidious 2" Review; Dordt Theatre to Perform School for Scandal
• Sports: New Junior Varsity Coach No Stranger to Dordt Program; Cross Country Teams Receiving National Attention
• Opinion: Friend Indeed; …

The Parthenon, September 26, 2013, Bishop Nash

The Parthenon

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, is published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly Thursday during the summer. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content.

Solvent Dependency Of The Uv-Vis Spectrum Of Indenoisoquinolines: Role Of Keto-Oxygens As Polarity Interaction Probes., Andrea Coletta, Silvia Castelli, Giovanni Chillemi, Nico Sanna, Mark S. Cushman, Yves Pommier, Alessandro Desideri

Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Faculty Publications

Indenoisoquinolines are the most promising non-campthotecins topoisomerase IB inhibitors. We present an integrated experimental/computational investigation of the UV-Vis spectra of the IQNs parental compound (NSC314622) and two of its derivatives (NSC724998 and NSC725776) currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials. In all the three compounds a similar dependence of the relative absorption intensities at 270 nm and 290 nm on solvent polarity is found. The keto-oxygens in positions 5 and 11 of the molecular scaffold of the molecule are the principal chromophores involved in this dependence. Protic interactions on these sites are also found to give rise to absorptions at wavelengthsolution, …

The Montclarion, September 26, 2013, The Montclarion

The Montclarion

Student Newspaper of Montclair State University

The Cowl - V.78 - N.4 - Sep 26, 2013

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Volume 78 - No. 4 - September 26, 2013. 28 pages.

The Colby Echo (2013-09-26), Colby College

The Colby Echo

Published by the students of Colby College since 1877, The Colby Echo is the weekly, editorially independent student-run newspaper of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Published monthly, 1877-1886; semi-monthly, 1886-1897; and weekly, during the academic year, 1898-present.

Fast Quantitative Real-Time Pcr-Based Screening For Common Chromosomal Aneuploidies In Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Charlotte D'Hulst, Irena Parvanova, Delia Tomoiaga, Maria L. Sapar, Paul Feinstein

Publications and Research

Chromosomal integrity has been known for many years to affect the ability of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to contribute to the germline of chimeric mice. Abnormal chromosomes are generally detected by standard cytogenetic karyotyping. However, this method is expensive, time consuming, and often omitted prior to blastocyst injection, consequently reducing the frequency of mESC-derived offspring. Here, we show a fast, accurate, and inexpensive screen for identifying the two most common aneuploidies (Trisomy 8 and loss of chromosome Y) in genetically manipulated mESCs using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Screening against these two aneuploidies significantly increases the fraction of normal mESC …

Erick Reece Christensen, Erick Reece Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the past semester I have made chimeric molecules using the chemokine MEC and human IgG3.

Reconstructing The Phylogeographic History Of The Chilea Catfish (Trichomycterus Areolatus), Andre Bennin, Dr. Jerald B. Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The current geographic distribution of Chilean freshwater fishes has likely been shaped by several abiotic factors, including fragmentation caused by the Pacific Ocean, glaciers that covered the entire southern part of Chile during the Pleistocene Epoch, and orogenic and volcanic activity. Exactly how these factors have impacted population histories of Chilean freshwater fishes remains unknown. In this project, we examined the phylogeographic history of the freshwater catfish Trichomycterus areolatus, a species native to Chile that occurs across most of the latitudinal range of this country (Fig. 1). Given the distribution and ubiquity of this species, we anticipate that the results …

Establishing Isotopic Patterns Among Rock Pools, Heather Semon, Kent Hatch

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Isotopic analysis with natural markers has been applied to tracking the migration of birds and butterflies as well as many other species over large geographic scales.1-4 We wanted to zoom in on a much smaller scale and determine whether stable isotopes could be used to track the small-scale dispersal of insects among rock pools and tenajas (a series of rock pools in a drainage).5 Stable isotopes have been used to study aquatic invertebrate dispersal and metapopulation dynamics by artificially spiking water sources with 15N-enriched NH4Cl. 6,7 However, it is not known how this chemical may have altered the ecology of …

Evolution Of Thrips (Thysanoptera) Phylogenetic Patterns And Mitochondrial Genome Evolution, Mark Terry, Dr. Michael Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Thysanoptera (thrips) is an order of insects currently comprised of 7400 species, 1200 genus-groups, and nine living families with three fossil families (Mound, 2005). Two major suborders are recognized in Thysanoptera: Tubulifera (thrips with abdominal segment 10 tubular in shape) and Terebrantia (thrips with abdominal segment 10 subdivided ventrally).

Geneworkshop: A Dynamic, Developing Environment For Biologists, Computer Scientists, And Bioinformaticians, Joshua Sailsbery, Dr. David Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The GeneWorkshop project had one goal, to enable biologists to better utilize bioinformatic tools. Generally, bioinformatic tools have a large learning curve and are not very robust as to the data they accept. In order to meet these criteria, GeneWorkshop was separated into two main objectives. The first objective was the obtaining and maintaining of genetic data. The second objective was interpreting and implementing various bioinformatic software packages.

Conservation Genetics Of Mexican Deer Mice, Melina C. Walden, Dr. Duke S. Rogers

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the field of biology, the job of documenting, describing, and defining the species of the world is a critical, yet overwhelming task. By focusing research in a specific area of interest, however, scientists work to contribute one small piece at a time to the much larger puzzle. In researching the biological relationships between the Mexican deer mice Peromyscus megalops and P. melanurus, my project contributes to one of the primary goals of biology.

In Quest Of Scientific Literacy And Civic Engagement: Innovations In Biology 100, Timothy Larsen, Dr. Gary M. Booth

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Scientific literacy is increasingly becoming a concern for citizens and consumers in a scientifically and medically advancing world. Service-Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, and Concept Mapping have been implemented as a means of helping students to adopt deeper approaches to learning. It is the goal of my mentor, Dr. Gary Booth, to use these instructional methods to better prepare BYU students to participate as informed citizens and consumers in society.

Cheatgrass, Scott A. Davis, Dr. Bruce Roundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The invasion of non-native species, mainly cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), into our rangelands, especially following the destruction caused by wildfires, has made it necessary to find viable options for the restoration of native plant species to these areas. The aim of this project was to determine whether or not it was possible to create models for the germination and seminal root growth of a suite of species using heat accumulation. By creating these models, we hoped to be able to discover other native species that not only compete with cheatgrass by establishing early, but provide a good food source for native …

Population Structure Of The Cuttlefish Sepia Officinalis From The North Atlantic-Mediterranean Region, Mark Joseph Nolte, Dr. Keith Crandall, Marcos Pérez-Losada

Journal of Undergraduate Research

An understanding of the relatedness of a population of organisms, or their phylogeny, combined with knowledge of that population’s geographical distribution, can illuminate which geographic forces and events may have played a role in forming the “family tree” of that organism. Therefore past speciation events and the incipient stages of speciation can be discerned when phylogenetic and geographic information is merged. This process, broadly known as the practice of phylogeography or biogeography, is important because it permits researchers to visualize the evolutionary interplay between environment and organism. Additionally, an understanding of an organism’s population structure, or family tree, enables scientists …

Correctly Assigning Dna Barcodes To Organisms, James B. Finlay, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson suggested that what makes humans unique is our innate need for closeness to other forms of life. This “biophilia” has been evident since recorded history and was brought to the forefront of science with Darwin’s famous writings about the origin of species. Since that time there has been a major thrust to categorize all life into groups and subgroups in a field known as taxonomy. There are an estimated 10-15 million extant species (Hammond, 1992) on the earth. Taxonomists have classified roughly 1.6 million of these organisms (Wilson, 1992), indicating that much work needs to …

The Significance Of Isotopic Ratios In Migratory Pathways, Rachel Hart, Kent Hatch

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Stable isotope research is an important asset in securing the migratory paths of birds. By matching elemental isotopic ratios in different parts of a bird’s body to the water it drinks, important stopover sites may be conserved and the biological phenomenon of migration may be preserved. Thus far, such research among migratory birds has suggested a positive correlation between certain elemental isotopic ratios found in water sources and those in the composition of bird feathers. Hydrogen (δD) and oxygen (18O and 16O) isotopes have been examined in scientific literature but have not been tested thoroughly, as there are still many …

Phylogeny Of Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Deciphering Patterns Of Host Shift, Matthew Moulton, Dr. Michael F. Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nitidulids are a moderately diverse family of beetles, but the evolution of their feeding specializations was poorly understood. They are important in agroecosystems as pests of fruit crops, stored grains, honey production, biocontrol of aphids and scale insects, and transmission of plant viral pathogens. The phylogeny produced helped answer questions pertaining to the evolution of nitidulid host specialization, and provided insights into the diversification of this group. I conducted the first subfamilial phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data. Specific goals were: (1) Perform a phylogenetic analysis using molecular data from eight genes; 2) Use the phylogeny to infer the ancestral …

A New Species Of Blackish Deer Mouse, Jared B. Lee, Dr. Duke S. Rogers

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biodiversity is a hallmark of our planet. We can see this everyday in the various habitats and environments that we live in, from the desert in Utah to the lush rain forests of South America. These great ecosystems provide a diversity of life in plants and animals. Biologists study and classify these organisms to better understand how this world came into being. All the time new species are being described and discovered in areas throughout the world. In this research project, we used traditional and modern techniques to better understand the diversity and variation in populations of a rodent in …

Patterns Of Genetic Diversity In The Galapagos Archipelago: Identifying And Preserving Evolutionary Processes, Rebecca Baum, Dr. Jack W. Sites

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Galapagos Archipelago, located 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador, arose 1-5 million years ago by the eruption of underwater volcanoes. It consists of 13 larger islands, 6 smaller islands, and numerous islets. The Archipelago is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, yet very little is known about its “hotspots” of genetic diversity or the processes that generate this diversity. The identification of areas of high genetic diversity provides information not only about lizards but also other native species. This information can be used to prioritize conservation efforts such as non-native (i.e. cats, rats, goats) species …

Matrixgen: Customized Amino Acid Change Matrices To Study Protein Family Evolution, John J. Bowers, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Background: Algorithms for aligning protein and DNA sequences are dependent upon the scoring matrix used to generate accurate alignments. Most alignment applications offer only a few choices for such scoring matrices (typically PAM and BLOSUM series matrices).

Creating A Geographic Information System For Nematology, Levi Hilton, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A geographic information system (GIS) is a powerful tool for correlating information that has a spatial component. This technique has been used in many different ways from organizing major corporations and services to building intricate maps. We used a GIS to help determine if there was a certain type of soil that can be correlated to specific nematode species which are used as organic pesticides in agriculture.