Digital Commons Network^™

Microbial Functional Capacity Among Natural And Created Wetlands In Ohio, Usa, Eric J. Saas

Master's Theses and Capstones

Natural depressional wetlands carry out important functions related to C and N cycling, yet the ability of created wetlands to functionally replace natural wetlands in this capacity is not well understood. My objective was to apply the catabolic response profile (CRP) method to evaluate the functional capacity of the soil microbial community in a series of 15 freshwater depressional wetlands: five naturally-occurring wetlands and 10 created wetlands from 1 to 39 years old. I amended sediment samples with 20 labile carbon sources, and samples were analyzed for CO2 and CH4 efflux following a 4-hr incubation under either aerobic or anaerobic …

Transient Changes In Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity, Thermotolerance, And Heat Shock Protein Expression Following Brief, Hyperthermia In An In Vitro Model, Courtney Klein

Master's Theses and Capstones

Hyperthermia is being studied as a means of disrupting blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. An in vitro BBB model was exposed to 10 s of 45, 48, or 51°C, or 5 s of 54°C, and TEER was used to assess integrity. Loss of BBB integrity increased as temperature increased (r = 0.88, P<0.0001). Thermotolerance was examined by applying a second hyperthermia to models 24 h afterward. Models demonstrated thermotolerance, indicated by less loss (P<0.001) of integrity compared to controls. The degree of thermotolerance increased as pre-conditioning temperature increased (r = 0.42, P<0.0001). Hsp27 and Hsp70 were analyzed by Western blot to examine their contribution to this thermotolerance. Hsp27 was not changed (P>0.10) by the pre-conditioning heat treatments. Hsp70 expression increased (P<0.05) in response to pre-conditioning for 5 s at 54°C. This thermotolerance cannot be explained by changes in Hsp27 (r = 0.17, P>0.10) and Hsp70 (r = -0.17, P>0.10).

Status, Distribution And Broad Scale Habitat Features Associated With Remnant Populations Of New England Cottontails (Sylvilagus Transitionalis ), Jeffrey P. Tash

Master's Theses and Capstones

Since 1960 the range occupied by New England cottontails (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis) in the northeastern United States has declined dramatically. Populations in some regions are known to be vulnerable to extirpation, but little was known about the status of populations in most areas. A range-wide survey of NEC was conducted from 2000 to 2004 to determine the current distribution and status of remnant populations. Because NEC are sympatric with eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) throughout much of their historic range, identity of resident lagomorphs was based on DNA either extracted from tissue of live-captures or from …

Consequences Of Fine-Scale Heterogeneity On Predictions Of The Carbon Cycle Using Lidar Data And A Height-Structured Ecosystem Model, R Quinn Thomas

Master's Theses and Capstones

To more accurately predict carbon stocks and fluxes in forests, it is important to measure fine-scale heterogeneity in ecosystem structure across the landscape, and incorporate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed heterogeneity in ecosystem models. This study used large-footprint lidar and a height-structured ecosystem model to estimate carbon stocks and fluxes at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF). At HBEF elevation gradients yield a decline in aboveground carbon stock, due to changes in net growth rates and disturbance at higher elevations. Lidar and a height structured ecosystem model can accurately quantified aboveground carbon stocks. Estimates of aboveground carbon fluxes depended …

Gaca Regulation Of Luminescence In The Symbiotic Bacterium Vibrio Fischeri, Alicia Eve Ballok

Master's Theses and Capstones

The symbiosis of Euprymna scolopes and Vibrio fischeri depends on the ability of the bacterium to colonize the squid and produce light. GacA is an activator of symbiosis phenotypes including luminescence though it is not understood how GacA functions. My hypothesis, based on other bacterial models, is that GacA activates expression of CsrBs, functional RNAs, which sequester and repress a translational repressor, CsrA. I approached this question with mutagenesis and complementation techniques. We found mutation of CsrA or addition of a CsrB in trans could complement the GacA mutant for symbiosis and luminescence phenotypes. The inability of other luminescence regulators …

Influence Of Watershed Suburbanization On Leaf Litter Decomposition And Microbial Activity In Four Streams In Southeastern New Hampshire, Anna Bourakovsky

Master's Theses and Capstones

Rapid suburbanization has caused major land use transformation in New Hampshire, and contributed significantly to nitrogen (N) enrichment in aquatic ecosystems. However, we do not understand how increased nitrogen concentration in lotic environments affects key ecosystem-level processes such as decomposition. In this study, I measured the rate of in-stream leaf litter decomposition in four basins along a suburbanization gradient located in the Lamprey and Oyster River watersheds in southeastern New Hampshire. Basins varied in population density from 24 to 289 people km-2, and in-stream nitrate concentrations from 0.02 to 1.0 mg L-1 as N. A fine-mesh litter bag technique was …

The Effect Of Cyanobacteria And Their Chemical Cues On The Surface Area Of The Third Thoracic Limb Of Daphnia, Warren Travis Godkin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Changes in the filter appendage surface area (FSA) of Daphnia in response to cyanobacteria were examined in an effort to learn more about the relationship between Daphnia and extracellular cues exuded by cyanobacteria. The filtering appendage areas of two strains of D. pulex were measured after feeding on high and low concentrations of a mixture of Nanochloropsis spp. and toxic Microcystis aeruginosa for one generation. Daphnia were also raised in a filtrate of this same M. aeruginosa and given high and low concentrations of food to determine the cause of increased FSA in the presence of cyanobacteria: low amounts of …

Developing A Kalman Filter Approach To Home Range Estimation: Applied To The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Thynnus), Daniel Badger

Master's Theses and Capstones

Accurate estimation of an animal's home range, or utilization distribution, is of great importance to understanding the animal's role in the ecosystem, and for effective population management. Current methods for home range estimation often do not incorporate uncertainty in the observations of monitored animals. Given days without observations, they also have the potential to omit migration corridors when describing important habitat. Here the Extended Kalman filter is modified to return daily predicted geolocations, creating a most probable estimation of the true path the observed animal followed. Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods were used to map the uncertainty in this path …

Fungal Glycosphingolipids: Characterization Of Structures And Interactions With Plant Defensins, Jis Joe

Master's Theses and Capstones

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) play important roles in many fundamental biological processes like activation of signal transduction pathways, immune responses, and cell-cell interactions. Recent reports imply that fungal GSLs are important targets for the antifungal action of plant defensins. In order to study intermolecular interactions of GSLs, it is crucial to know their structures in detail. This thesis consists of two projects in which fungal GSLs of biological and biomedical significance are studied. In the first project, we have completed the structural characterization of acidic GSLs from S. cerevisiae using NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The second project of …

Field Efficiency And Bias Of Several Methods For Downed Wood And Snag Inventory In Western North American Forests, Robert Scott Kenning

Master's Theses and Capstones

Coarse woody debris (CWD)---downed forest wood and snags---has been afforded increasing attention in the past decade as studies illuminate the role of dead wood in the study of global carbon cycling, wildlife, forest fire, and soil ecology. Accordingly, the need for efficient sampling methods of CWD has grown. This study compares the field efficiency and bias of seven traditional and novel sampling techniques. Methods were tested in 14 forest stands across 3 broad study regions---alpine and ponderosa forests in Colorado and coastal rainforest in British Columbia.

For sampling downed wood volume, perpendicular distance sampling (PDS) proves to be the most …

Investigation Of Cyanidin And Pelargonidin Contents In The Genus Fragaria L, Lise Bouchard Mahoney

Master's Theses and Capstones

Cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa ) fruit contain primarily pelargonidin and little cyanidin. The antioxidant potential of cyanidin is reportedly twice that of pelargonidin. A High Performance Liquid Chromatography method was developed to assay fruit anthocyanidin content in 87 Fragaria accessions, including wild diploids and octoploids, cultivars, and two segregating populations. A cyanidin to pelargonidin ratio (CPRatio) greater than one was found only in diploids Fragaria vesca ssp. americana (confirming a previous report), F. viridis, and F. iinumae, and in three wild octoploid accessions: all F. chiloensis. The highest cyanidin contents were found in diploid F. viridis and in F. …

The Identification, Characterization, And Expression Of Truncated Hemoglobin Genes In The Nitrogen-Fixing Actinorhizal Symbiont Frankia, James Michael Niemann

Master's Theses and Capstones

Using a molecular approach (PCR), a group II truncated hemoglobin (trHb) gene was identified in several diverse isolates of Frankia. An analysis of three draft genome sequences for Frankia isolates EAN1pec, Ccl3, and ACN14a also revealed the presence of second trHb, homologous to group I trHbs. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Frankia trHb genes were grouped based on their respective genotype and clustered closest to Mycobacterium trHb genes.

Frankia strain Ccl3 was grown under a variety of environmental stimuli to evaluate the expression of trHbN and trHbO genes. Nitrogen status did not affect expression of either gene, while oxidative stress …

Controls On Denitrification In A Northeastern Coastal Suburban Riparian Zone, Katherine Traer

Master's Theses and Capstones

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) inputs in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems can alter groundwater N cycling, which affects N fluxes in surface water and coastal environments. Increased N inputs can decrease the overall health of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems as well as pose serious human health threats. It is well documented that riparian zones can reduce N fluxes to surface water bodies as well as coastal environments. Recently, it has been determined that riparian denitrification potential is largely influenced by hydrogeologic characteristics.

Hydrogeologic characteristics and groundwater physical properties and chemical constituents were evaluated in the James Farm well field located in Lee, …

Sexual Compatibility And Seed Germination In Nolana Species, Amy C. Douglas

Master's Theses and Capstones

Nolana L.f. is a large, diverse genus in the Solanaceae endemic to coastal deserts of Peru and Chile. Large showy flowers and drought tolerance give Nolana great potential for breeding and cultivar development for the ornamental plant industry. As a precursor to breeding efforts, studies of floral development, sexual compatibility, and seed germination were conducted involving eight Nolana species (N. adansonii, K aticoana, N. elegans, N. humijusa, N. ivaniana, N. laxa, N. plicata, N. rupicola) cultivated at UNH.

Stigma receptivity and pollen viability were evaluated at a range of stages of flower development. Floral development keys were developed to provide …

Software Tools For Comparing Genomic Sequence, Morel Henley

Master's Theses and Capstones

We describe three software tools related to research in comparative genomics, a growing research area that explores the variation within and between organisms. We developed a set of tools that explore sequence similarity and differences in genomes. Two of these tools are specifically aimed at examining DNA sequence data from two or more genomes: (1) The Magenta's OPUS tool compares genomic sequences to identify shared or unique segments between closely related species. This tool looks for functional similarities and differences in genomic data by classifying sequences into groups based on genomic categories: Orthologs, Paralogs, and Unique Sequence. (2) The DSNP …

Invasion Of Transition Hardwood Forests By Exotic Rhamnus Frangula: Chronology And Site Requirements, Hanna S. Wingard

Master's Theses and Capstones

The invasion chronology and site requirements of the exotic, invasive shrub, glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), were studied within intact transition hardwood---hemlock---white pine forests in Durham, NH. Data were collected from 63 plots (7 sites with 9 plots each). Within sites, plots were arranged over a topographic gradient with 3 plots in each of 3 topographic positions (upper, middle, and lower slope). From each plot, information on soil nutrients and texture, soil moisture, overstory community composition, and canopy openness was collected. Densities of R. frangula in two size classes (≥1 m in height, <1 m in height) within each plot were calculated. Morphological data (height, diameter at stem base, number of live and dead stems, and age) were collected from each individual ≥1 m tall. R. frangula invaded these intact, closed-canopy forests over 30 years ago and the invasion has continued, with population density increasing over time. Nominal logistic regression suggested that site, topographic position, and overstory community type played a role in whether or not R. frangula was present in a plot. Plots on upper slopes dominated by Tsuga canadensis were less likely to become invaded than other plots. Multiple linear regression showed that density of R. frangula (≥1 m) increased with time since invasion and increasing soil quality. Density of R. frangula (<1 m) was positively influenced by time since invasion, canopy openness, and density of R. frangula (≥1 m). Multiple regressions also showed that mean age and age of oldest R. frangula per plot were higher in plots with higher soil moisture content. Size of R. frangula individuals (i.e. height, diameter) generally increased with mean age of stems. The results show that successional, transition hardwood forests can be invaded by R. frangula and should not be overlooked when managing against this species. Special attention should be given to low topographic positions and areas with rich soils, while upland areas with dense hemlock canopy are much less likely to experience heavy invasion by R. frangula..

Can Plant Competition And Diversity Reduce The Success Of Exotic Phragmites Australis Invading A Salt Marsh?, Christopher R. Peter

Master's Theses and Capstones

The rapid proliferation of invasive Phragmites australis in New England has challenged resource managers to curb its expansion and reduce the loss of functional salt marsh. The interactive effects of sediment elevation, nutrient additions and community structure (plant competition and diversity) on the success and health of Phragmites were examined within a salt marsh in Hampton, NH. Along with four native halophytes, Phragmites was transplanted to vegetation plots (0.09 m2) comprising three community structure types (Phragmites alone, PA+1sp., PA+4spp.). Plots were arranged across elevation and nutrient enrichment gradients. Elevation and fertilization had no effect on Phragmites success, likely due to …

Constitutive Expression Of Jagged-1 In 3t3-L1 Preadipocytes Suppresses Adipogenesis And Adipose Tissue Development, Jennifer Allen

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Notch signaling pathway regulates adipogenesis. To determine specific effects the Notch ligand Jagged-1 has on the regulation of adipogenesis, we transfected 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with either a constitutively expressed full-length human Jagged-1 construct or an empty vector control. These cells were grown in conditions promoting differentiation and then evaluated for lipid accumulation and gene expression. To test the role of Jagged-1 in adipose tissue development in vivo, transfected cells were examined for their ability to form fat pads after injection into nude mice. In vitro, cells constitutively expressing Jagged-1 accumulated less lipid and exhibited a delay in adipocyte protein expression. …

Development Of A Numerical Model To Predict Impact Forces On A North Atlantic Right Whale During Collision With A Vessel, Jason J. Raymond

Master's Theses and Capstones

The North Atlantic right whale is under a great deal of public and private concern due to their endangered status and shrinking numbers. Of the 40 animals examined post-mortem (1970-2006), 21 deaths (52.5%) were caused by vessel-whale collision injuries, such as skull fractures. Several methods have been proposed to help reduce the number of fatalities. One such method is to place restrictions on ship speed within right whale critical habitats. However, no quantitative data exist regarding the effect of reduced vessel speed on the likelihood of fatality. The objective of this study is to develop a numerical model of the …

Nest Guarding And Aggression In The Red-Backed Salamander, Plethodon Cinereus, Jan Tornick

Master's Theses and Capstones

Several environmental factors and endocrine mechanisms were examined which may affect the intensity of aggression displayed by female red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) during nest guarding. In a set of behavioral experiments, female were challenged by conspecific intruders during egg guarding and intensity of aggression was scored. Four variables were examined: (1) clutch age, (2) clutch size, (3) sex of intruder, and (4) body size of the attendant. In a second set of experiments, tissue samples were taken from challenged and unchallenged brooding females to compare testosterone (T) titers. A novel non-lethal technique was developed for extraction and assay of T …

Impact Of Predation And Hunting On Eastern Cottontail Rabbits At Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts, Kelly M. Boland

Master's Theses and Capstones

In areas that experience environmental seasonality, wildlife populations may undergo annual declines until the capacity of the environment is reached. The degree to which hunting may influence these populations depends on whether hunting mortality is additional to natural mortality (additive) or if natural mortality decreases as hunting increases (hunting is a compensatory mortality). To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS) initiated an examination of the current rabbit hunting program in 2004. Because of the lack of current information of rabbit hunting within CCNS, the primary objective of this study was to …

Behavioral Biology, The Rational Actor Model, And The New Feminist Agenda, Naomi R. Cahn, June Carbone

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In this paper, we will incorporate gender consciousness into critiques of the rational actor model by revisiting Carol Gilligan's account of moral development. Economics itself, led by the insights that have come from game theory, is reexamining trust, altruism, reciprocity and empathy. Behavioral economics, defined as "the combination of psychology and economics that investigates what happens in markets in which some of the agents display human limitations and complications," further explores the implications of a more robust conception of human motivation. We argue that the most likely source for a comprehensive theory will come from the integration of behavioral economics …

Community College Students' Plant Biodiversity Learning Experience In An Introductory Biology Course: Exploring The Value Added By Using A Cd-Rom To Develop Inquiry Lessons, Sandra M. Guzman-Rodriguez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the value added to standard textbook-based instruction of plant biodiversity by the use of the exemplary interactive CD-ROM, Conserving Earth’s Biodiversity. This CD-ROM features renowned conservation figure E.O. Wilson. The setting of the research was an introductory biology course in a rural public community college in the Deep South. Six participants were purposively selected to represent three levels of achievement and two groups, the CD-ROM group (exposed to CD-ROM in addition to the textbook) and the textbook group (only course textbook). Students experienced lecture-based, textual, virtual, and real experiences, and examined their ability to understand biodiversity-related concepts …

Biology And Management Of Plodia Interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) In Stored Products, S. Mohandass, F. H. Arthur, K. Y. Zhu, James E. Throne

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), the Indian meal moth, is a world-wide insect pest of stored-products and processed food commodities. It can infest a variety of products and is perhaps the most economically important insect pest of processed food. In this review, we summarize the biology of P. interpunctella, discuss oviposition and development in relation to temperature, environment and food source, examine studies involving sampling and detection, describe various aspects of integrated control, summarize the current knowledge regarding management of P. interpunctella, and address potential areas for new research. The use of reduced-risk insecticides, non-chemical control, targeted pest management through …

Evaluation Of A Putative Entomopathogenic Caenorhabditis (Nematoda: Rhabditid) And Associated Serratia (Proteobacteria: Enterobacteriaceae), Kaitlin M. Bonner

Master's Theses and Capstones

A major goal of modern biology is to extend our understanding of biological systems investigated in the laboratory to their ecological and evolutionary context. With extensive understanding of the function, development and genetics of C. elegans, exploring the link between this laboratory model and the environment in which this system evolved would be very interesting because very little is known about the natural history of this premier model organism.

A new strain of Caenorhabditis briggsae (SoAf) with an associated bacterium, Serratia sp. SCBI, has been isolated from South Africa using common entomopathogenic nematode trapping methods. This study taxonomically identified and …

Chemical Defenses: From Compounds To Communities, Valerie J. Paul, Koty H. Sharp

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Marine natural products play critical roles in the chemical defense of many marine organisms and in some cases can influence the community structure of entire ecosystems. Although many marine natural products have been studied for biomedical activity, yielding important information about their biochemical effects and mechanisms of action, much less is known about ecological functions. The way in which marine consumers perceive chemical defenses can influence their health and survival and determine whether some natural products persist through a food chain. This article focuses on selected marine natural products, including okadaic acid, brevetoxins, lyngbyatoxin A, caulerpenyne, bryostatins, and isocyano terpenes, …

The Role Of B2-Glycoprotein I In Homeostatis, Frederic Lin

Doctoral

B2-glycoprotein I (B2GPI) is a phospholipid-binding protein of 326 amino acids found in plasma at a concentration of approx. 180 ug/ml. It has a sequence of positively charged amino acids located at the carboxy terminus that mediates anionic phospholipid binding. B2GPI is suspected to have a role in inhibition of thrombosis. This suspicion is reinforced by the observation that B2GPI is the major target for autoantibodies in the antiphospholipid syndrome. However, little is known about circulating levels of the protein in common thrombotic diseases of inflammation. In the first part of this thesis, we developed a sensitive sandwich-direct ELISA for …

Increasing Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D As A Possible Deterrent To The Onset Of Multiple Sclerosis, Nicholas J. Perretti

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

Malaria : Quantitative Analysis Of Sporozoite Production And Movement Into Mosquito Salivary Glands, Gabriel W. Garman

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Mathematical Study Of Two Retroviruses, Hiv And Htlv-I, Dana Ali Baxley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, we examine epidemiological models of two different retroviruses, which infect the human body. The two viruses under study are HIV or the human immunodefiency virus and HTLV-I, which is the human T lymphotropic virus type I. A retrovirus is a virus, which injects its RNA into the host, rather than it's DNA. We will study each of the different mathematical models for each of the viruses separately. Then we use MATLAB-SIMULINK to analyze the models by studying the reproductive numbers in each case and the disease progression by examining the graphs. In Chapter 1, we mention basic …