Life Sciences Commons^™

The Ductuli Efferentes In Macaca Mulatta: Electron Microscopic Evaluation Of Changes After Vasectomy, Loyal Douglas Marsh

Dissertations and Theses

After vasectomy, the passage of sperm antigen through the epithelium of the efferent duct in the rhesus macaque probably results in immune complex deposition. Immune complexes can be visualized in the thickened basement by fluorescence microscopy. Subsequent electron microscopic evaluation, with the appearance of electron-dense deposits in the basement membrane of the efferent ducts, substantiates these findings.

Phytogeography Of South Padre Island, Texas, Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The phytogeographic affinities of the native flora of South Padre Island, Texas, are analyzed and the probable dispersal agent(s) for each species identified. The native flora consists of 99 species and 44% of the species also occur on the adjacent Texas mainland; 28% of the native species have tropical affinities. Only three species have probably dispersed from the island to the mainland. Two species may be endemic to Padre Island and the Tamaulipan barrier islands. Most of the tropical species have reached the island by oceanic drift, but birds are the most important dispersal agent for the native species. Man …

Alternative Male Life Histories In Bluegill Sunfish, Mart Gross, Eric Charnov

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

Male bluegill sunfish are shown to have two alternative mating strategies: cuckoldry or parental care. Cuckolder males first mature at age 2. They follow a developmental sequence of sneaking and then mimicking female behavior to deceptively gain access to spawnings. Males who become parentals (construct nests, attract females, provide brood care) delay maturation until age 7. The parental investment of these males is parasitized by the cuckolders. This system is an example of a truly parasitically dependent mating strategy in vertebrates. A natural selection model is developed to predict the equilibrium frequencies of the two male types. A preliminary test …

Arrangement Of Subunits In Microtubules With 14 Profilaments, George M. Langford

Biology - All Scholarship

The structure of 14-protofilament microtubules reassembled from dogfish shark brain tubulin was analyzed by high resolution electron microscopy and optical diffraction. The simultaneous imaging of the protofilaments from near and far sides of these tubules produces a moiré pattern with a period of approximately 96 nm. Optical diffraction patterns show that the 5-nm spots that arise from the protofilaments for the two sides of the tubule are not coincident but lie off the equator by a distance of 1/192 nm-1. These data provide evidence that in reassembled microtubules containing 14 protofilaments, the protofilaments are tilted 1.5 degrees with respect to …

Diversity And Dynamics Of Indigenous Rhizobium Japonicum Populations, K. Dale Noel, Winston J. Brill

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

A simple method, based upon the separation of cellular proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, has been devised for distinguishing between isolates of Rhizobium japonicum. Eleven laboratory strains, previously classified into five serogroups, were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Groups determined subjectively according to protein patterns matched the serogroups, with one exception. Most strains within serogroups could be distinguished from one another. For studying the ecology of Rhizobium, an important advantage of this technique compared with serology or phage typing is that it discriminates among previously unencountered indigenous bacterial isolates as well as among known laboratory strains. …

Zooplankton Abundance And Diversity In A Hydrilla Infested Central Florida Lake, Don C. Schmitz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Zooplankton abundance, hydrilla biomass, and physicochemical parameters were sampled for one year in a small central Florida lake. Annually, rotifers comprised most of the species collected and were the most abundant zooplankton group. Hydrilla biomass was lowest during winter and spring while orthophosphate and phtoplankton concentrations were highest. Zooplankton densities were highest when hydrilla biomass was low. Small-bodied limnetic herbivores comprised most of the zooplankton during the spring. Zooplanton abundances were lowest during summer and fall and may have been either directly or indirectly related to the hydrilla growth. Factors, such as lower phytoplankton and dissolved oxygen concentrations, possible increased …

Cytologic Characterization Of Human Constitutive Heterochromatin, Timothy Atchison Donlon

Dissertations and Theses

A study was conducted to cytologically map certain subsets of constitutive heterochromatin onto specific portions of human chromosomes. This involved sequentially staining metaphase chromosomes from lymphocytes first with the Centromeric Dot, Giemsa-11, G-banding or Lateral Asymmetry staining techniques, which are cytochemical methods which stain particular chromosomes or chromosomal regions. Then those same metaphase chromosomes were stained using the C-banding technique, a method which is believed to denote constitutive heterochromatin. With the exception of the G-banding technique, areas depicted by the special staining techniques were found to reside only within the areas stained by the C-band technique and are thus believed …

Cellulase Activities Of Soil Fungi, Jacobo Ortega

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The cellulase activities of 8 isolates of fungi obtained from agricultural soils of Hidalgo County, TX were investigated by measuring the changes in the viscosity of a buffered solution of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), produced by the fluids obtained from liquid cultures of these isolates. The change in the viscosity of the reaction mixture incubated at constant temperature (30 C) was measured with Cannon-Fenske routine viscometers. A buffered cellulase solution was used as a control.

Due to the variability that existed among the isolates investigated, it was possible to select active producers of cellulase with the method followed in this investigation. The …

Reproductive And Mutagenic Effects Of 5-Thio-D-Glucose Injections In Male Mice, Mus Musculus, Icr Strain, Mary E. Mcmanaway

Master's Theses

Adult male ICR mice of proven fertility were intraperitoneally injected daily with 60 mg/kg of 5-thio-D-glucose for 28 days. Body weights of treated male mice were unaffected during the experimental period. Relative testicular weights were significantly reduced at 121 days after initial injections in 5-thio treated males, but no significant decrease was observed at 28 days.

Onset of sterility was estimated to occur at approximately 4 weeks and persisted for 5 to 6 weeks after cessation of treatment at which time fertility was restored.

Beginning with the first injections and continuing for 121 days, the males were mated with untreated …

The Effects Of Photoperiod And Melatonin Injections On The Reproductive System Of Male Mice, Mus Musculus, Icr Strain, Margaret Ann Shugart

Master's Theses

The reproductive effects of long (24L:OD), natural (14L:lOD), and short (1L:23D) photoperiods were studied in the male mouse, Mus musculus, ICR strain. One third of the mice in each photoperiodic regimen were sacrificed after 45 days. Half of the remaining mice in each regimen received daily melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyl tryptamine) injections for 45 additional days. Body weights, testicular and accessory sex organ weights were measured and microscopic examinations of the testes were made. Plasma testosterone levels were determined using radioimmunoassay. Other organ (pituitary, kidney, adrenal, thymus, thyroid) weights were also obtained.

Identification Of Fossil Wood From The Specimen Creek Area Of The Gallatin Petrified Forest, Yellowstone National Park, Montana, Tetsuya Yamamoto

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The petrified fossil forests in the Specimen Creek area of Gallatin Petrified Forest contain spectacular petrified tree stumps, trunks and logs in horizontal and vertical positions. These fossils forests are embedded in early middle Eocene volcaniclastic rocks and piled in sequential layers.

One hundred and nineteen fossil wood samples were collected from three selected layers [unit 1, unit 5 and unit 9, (DeBord 1977)] of the sequentially entombed Fossil Forests in the above area, and identified as follows: 3 families, 9 genera, in Gymnosperms; 13 families, 15 genera in Angiosperms.

PINACEAE: Keteleeria*, Larix*, Pinus, Tsuga*

PODOCARPACEAE: Podocarpus

TAXODIACEAE: Glyptostrobus*, Sequoia, …

Ultrastructure & Microtubule Patterns Of A Detached Cellular Oganelle, Peggy Mervine

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In the axopod, the cell appendage of heliozoans, a bundle of microtubules runs the length of the organelle with a lateral pattern depending on the species. In the species under study, Echinosphaerium nucleofilum, these microtubules are arranged in a double spiral pattern. Axopodia can be detached and the purpose of this study was to refine the detachment procedure, work out electron microscopy techniques and scrutinize the detached axopodia for differences from the organelle of a whole organism. Detached axopodia were fixed, embedded, sectioned, observed under the electron microscope and found to be similar in ultrastructure to undetached ones. Thus, …

Cellular Response & Histopathological Studies Of Murine Pyelonephritis Experimentally Induced By Aspergillus Flavus, Anna Hansen

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Five-week-old male BALB/c mice were anesthetized and incised mid-dorsally to expose the fascia over the right kidney. The kidney was then palpated up and an inoculum of 0.05 ml containing approximately 100,000 viable Asperaillus flavus spores in phosphate-buffered saline was injected into the cortex. A second group of mice underwent similar surgical procedures, but were injected with phosphate-buffered saline only into the right kidney. This group was designated the sham-operated control mice. All mice, including controls, were bled for differential blood counts 24 and 48 h after surgical procedures and subsequently on an every-other-day basis for the duration of the …

An Analysis Of Salt Eating In Birds, Kathryn Julia Herson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Interpopulational & Species Comparisons Of The Genus Liquidambar, Diana Duckworth

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Growth patterns under controlled conditions and chemotaxonomic techniques involving protein and flavonoid analysis were used to investigate both interpopulational and species comparisons in the genus Liquidambar. Striking differences in budburstinq patterns after a dormant period were seen when comparing L. styraciflua and L. formosana. The latter species showed earlier initiation of growth. Dormancy patterns of L. styraciflua grown under growth chamber conditions showed a latitudinal cline. Cessation of growth occurred later in a Georgia population under both long and short day experimental periods than populations from Missouri and Kentucky. When grown under controlled conditions, flavonoid patterns from L. …

Attentiveness And Time Budget Of A Pair Of Nesting Wood Storks, E. Scott Clark

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An instantaneous sampling system was used to quantify nest attentiveness and time budget of a pair of Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) nesting at the Moore Creek colony on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in 1977. The amount of time devoted to various activities during each stage of the 4-month reproductive cycle was examined and differences between stages evaluated. During the incubation period an adult was constantly at the nest site and the birds shared equally in the incubation duties. During the first four weeks of the 8-week pre-flight nestling stage, an adult was with the chicks continuously, although the adults …

Influence Of Las Vegas Wash Density Current On Nutrient Availability And Phytoplankton Growth In Lake Mead, John R. Baker, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

Density currents are commonly formed in reservoirs because of temperature or salinity induced density differences between inflowing and receiving waters. Anderson and Pritchard (1951) were among the first to demonstrate this in their investigations of density currents in Lake Mead. They found that the Colorado River formed an underflow in Lake Mead during the winter, an overflow in the spring and an interflow in the summer and fall. Wunderlich and Elder (1973) have since described the hydromechanics of these types of flow patterns, and density currents have been reported for several other large reservoirs (Carmack et al. 1979, Johnson and …

The Effect Of Light Intensity On The Incorporation Of Calcium Into The Carbonate Skeleton In Bossiella Orbigniania, Carol D. Logan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of light intensity on the incorporation of calcium carbonate into the algal skeleton inBossiala orbigniana (Descaisne) Silva (1957) (Corallinaceae) was studied. Calcium-45 labeling of terminal segments under experimental laboratory conditions was used to estimate calcification rate. Plant sections were tested under each of six light intensities ranging between zero (darkness) and 1960 pW^-2cm Calcium incorporation was found to be enhanced in light treatments as compared with dark treatment. Light of intensities ranging from 285 pW cm^-2 to 1960 pW cm^-2gave enhancement effects which were not significantly different from each other. Three alternate …

Relationship Of Tecate Cypress Distribution To Soil Types, David E. Stottlemyer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The Tecate Cypress (Cupressus forbesii Jeps.) is a gymnosperm tree of limited distribution. To determine if soil is an influencing factor in its distribution, the soil characteristics of a Tecate Cypress grove in the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County, California, were compared with soils from neighboring communities and other Tecate Cypress groves. Soil samples were analyzed for texture, saturation percent, pH, and electrical conductivity. Tests were also run for nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc.

Results seem to indicate that the Tecate Cypress soils are: 1) significantly more acidic than the soils …

Macroinvertebrates And Reservoir Discharge: Effects Of The Cave Run Lake On Tailwater Communities, Stephen James Jordan

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Stephen James Jordan on May 2, 1980.

Effects Of Ddt Upon The Hematology And Immunology Of The Goldfish (Carassius Auratus), Maurice G. Zeeman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

DDT can cause hematological and immunological alterations in mammals and birds. Interference with normal hematological and immunological defense systems has been strongly linked to increased incidences of disease and tumors. Fish exposed to pesticides have been noted to be more susceptible to disease. This study examined DDT effects on goldfish hematological and immunological parameters.

Adult goldfish were kept in 250 liter aquaria at 25 ± 1° C. Fish were dosed intraperitoneally with p,p'-DDT in corn oil. Doses ranged from 0 to 500 mg/kg for acute (96 hour) hematology studies to 0 to 50 mg/kg for sub-acute hematology and immunology studies. …

Humoral And Secretory Immunoglobulins Of The Sheepshead, Archosargus Probatocephalus, A Marine Teleost, Craig J. Lobb

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The sheepshead has two readily isolatable humoral immunoglobulins, a 16S tetrameric form and a 6S monomeric form. The 16S tetrameric form is composed of two subpopulations, one being a disulfide linked form (~700,000 daltons) and the other a noncovalently linked population of predominantly disulfide linked dimers (~350,000 daltons). The 6s immunoglobulin (~140,000 daltons) is composed of two noncovalently linked units (~70,000 daltons) each having one heavy and one light chain. The 6S immunoglobulin is antigenically deficient to the 16S immunoglobulin, this deficiency may be due to the heavy chain of the 6s protein lacking a~25,000 dalton segment present in the …

A Comparative Analysis Of Plant Response Parameters : To The Los Angeles Aqueduct Systems In The Mojave Desert, California, Edwin F. Archbold

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A comparative study of the two Los Angeles aqueduct systems was appropriate and feasible because of the 57 year span between construction dates. Although, dealing with complex interactive relationships of a variety of parameters and some unmeasurable aspects, this project attempted to get a closer look at the impacts of man-made constructions in the Mojave Desert.

Land managers and ecologists are particularly interested in answering the questions, how did the Mojave Desert perennial vegetation respond to a utility construction, such as the Los Angeles aqueduct, and what is the intensity of damage to plant cover. The recovery rates for vegetation …

A Floristic Survey Of The Vascular Plants Of Barren County, Kentucky, George Pryor Johnson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A floristic survey was made of the vascular plants of Barren County, Kentucky. A total of 1190 specimens were collected which represent 603 species, 351 genera and 103 families.

The Asteraceae had the largest number of species of any family, a total of 85. The next largest families were Poaceae and Fabaceae, with 54 and 35 species, respectively. The genus Carex was represented by 24 species, the largest number for any genus.

A description and discussion of the vascular flora of specific sites as well as the county in general is given. An annotated list of species is also presented.

A Comparison Of Vitamin A1 & A2 Levels & The Role Of Beta-Carotene & Lutein In The Synthesis Of Vitamin A In Freshwater Fishes, Benjamin Del Tito Jr.

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The objectives of this study were to determine naturally occurring concentrations of vitamin A₁ and A₂ in selected native fishes and, under laboratory conditions, to determine the possible role of beta-carotene and lutein in the synthesis of vitamin A by goldfish. The native fishes were selected to exhibit different feeding habits and were taken from different habitats (stream vs. lake) during different seasons of the year. In the laboratory, two possible precursors, beta-carotene and lutein, were incorporated into the diet to determine the role of these substances in the synthesis of vitamin A.

Species of fish differed in …

An Ichtyhyofaunal Survey Of Three Kentucky Tailwaters, William Robinson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Tailwater fishes of the Green, Barren, and Rough River Lakes, Kentucky, were sampled in the fall of 1978, spring 1979, and summer 1979. Fish per acre estimates were greatest in the fall and least in the spring, while standing crop estimates were similar in the fall and spring but markedly lower in the summer. Cyprinidae was the predominant family represented in the entire study. Rough species comprised the greatest component of biomass in each tailwater, while forage and/or game fish represented the majority of individuals.

Barren River tailwater fishes exhibited the greatest average standing crop estimates, while the greatest variety …

Distribution And Ecology Of Cavernicolous Coleoptera In Bat Cave, Carter County, Kentucky, David Bruce Conn

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by David Bruce Conn on April 28, 1980.

Owen's Vertebral Archetype And Evolutionary Genetics: A Platonic Appreciation, Scott F. Gilbert

Biology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Biological Studies On Some Ghanats Of Iran, Fardin Oliaei

Masters Theses

The present study was undertaken to monitor the quality of drinking water in the ghanats of Tehran during 1978-1979. Four sites were chosen, and various limnological parameters were investigated.

Physical-chemical analyses were evaluated to determine the composition of the water. There was no significant pollution related to chemical-physical parameters.

Planktonic samples were analyzed with the aid of a Sedgewich-Rafter counting cell. A total of 47 genera were found in all four ghanats.

The planktonic population declined dramatically in winter. Mean diversity and equitability of the algae showed no significant level of pollution and degradation in the study areas.

Bacterial content …

Population Ecology Of The Beach Mouse, Peromyscus Polionotus Niveiventris, Douglas Dale Extine

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.