Life Sciences Commons^™

Fossil History Of Billfishes (Xiphioidei), Harry L. Fierstine

Biological Sciences

This review characterizes each of the five extinct and extant families of billfishes and discusses the relevant literature. Families include: Hemingwayidae (monotypic; late Paleocene, Turkmenistan), Blochiidae (1 genus, 2 species; middle Eocene, Italy), Palaeorhynchidae (4 genera, ca. 22 species; early Eocene-possibly early Miocene, Europe, Iran, Russia, U.S.A.), Xiphiidae that includes the subfamilies Xiphiorhynchinae (1 genus, 9 species; early Eocene-late Oligocene, Egypt, Europe, U.S.A.) and Xiphiinae (monotypic; middle Miocene-present, world-wide temperate- tropical seas), and the Istiophoridae (3 genera, 13 species; middle Miocene-present; world-wide temperate-tropical seas). Billfishes first appeared in the region of the ancient Tethys Sea (or Paratethys), except for the …

Using Latent Effects To Determine The Ecological Importance Of Dissolved Organic Matter To Marine Invertebrates, Dean E. Wendt, Collin H. Johnson

Biological Sciences

The uptake and utilization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) by marine invertebrates is a field that has received significant attention over the past 100 years. Although it is well established that DOM is taken up by marine invertebrates, the extent to which it contributes to an animal's survival, growth, and reproduction (that is, the ecological benefits) remains largely unknown. Previous work seeking to demonstrate the putative ecological benefits of DOM uptake have examined them within a single life stage of an animal. Moreover, most of the benefits are demonstrated through indirect approaches by examining (1) mass balance, or (2) making …

Factors That Influence Elastomeric Coating Performance: The Effect Of Coating Thickness On Basal Plate Morphology, Growth And Critical Removal Stress Of The Barnacle Balanus Amphitrite, D. E. Wendt, G. L. Kowalke, J. Kim, I. L. Singer

Biological Sciences

Silicone coatings are currently the most effective non-toxic fouling release surfaces. Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to the performance of silicone coatings is necessary to further improve their design. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of coating thickness on basal plate morphology, growth, and critical removal stress of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. Barnacles were grown on silicone coatings of three thicknesses (0.2, 0.5 and 2 mm). Atypical (“cupped”) basal plate morphology was observed on all surfaces, although there was no relationship between coating thickness and i) the proportion of individuals with the atypical morphology, or …

Interspecific Variation In Patterns Of Adhesion Of Marine Fouling To Silicone Surfaces, Eric R. Holm, Christopher J. Kavanagh, Anne E. Meyer, Deborah Wiebe, Brian T. Nedved, Dean Wendt, Celia M. Smith, Michael G. Hadfield, Geoff Swain, Christina D. Wood, Kathryn Truby, Judith Stein, Jean Montemarano

Biological Sciences

The adhesion of six fouling organisms: the barnacle Balanus eburneus, the gastropod mollusc Crepidula fornicata, the bivalve molluscs Crassostrea virginica and Ostrea/Dendrostrea spp., and the serpulid tubeworms Hydroides dianthus and H. elegans, to 12 silicone fouling-release surfaces was examined. Removal stress (adhesion strength) varied among the fouling species and among the surfaces. Principal component analysis of the removal stress data revealed that the fouling species fell into two distinct groups, one comprising the bivalve molluscs and tubeworms, and the other the barnacle and the gastropod mollusc. None of the silicone materials generated a minimum in removal stress …

Lassen Volcanic National Park Small Vertebrate Inventory Project: Preliminary Results 2000-2004, John D. Perrine

Biological Sciences

Biologists at Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California conducted an inventory of non-flying small mammals, amphibians and reptiles from 2000 through 2004. The four primary habitat types in the park (brush, forest, riparian and subalpine) were each sampled at one high elevation and one mid-elevation site in the park. Each of the eight sites was sampled for four six-day periods between June and September each year using a combination of pitfall, Sherman and Tomahawk traps, coverboards and unbaited automatic camera stations. This effort yielded 12,150 captures and 776 photo detections. A total of 649 voucher specimens, representing 19 mammal, …

The Ball Lightning Conundrum, William D. Stansfield

Biological Sciences

The article focuses on the issue regarding the existence of ball lightning. The phenomenon regarding its existence is a reality accepted by most scientists, but how it is formed and maintained has yet to be fully explained. According to the author the rarity of ball lightning and the ease with which some of its characteristics can be confused with other Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) that makes it unlikely to be the source of all but a few UFO reports.

The Enigma Of Coral Castle, William D. Stansfield

Biological Sciences

The article discusses the mystery of how Coral Castle near Miami, Florida was built. It is believed that the castle was built by a single man using only simple hand tools. The man who said to built the castle was Latvia-born Edward Leedskalnin. How he supported himself and paid for the land and tools for building a castle is an important part of the mystery.

Dynamic Modeling Of Microclimate And Environmental Control Strategies In A Greenhouse Coupled With A Heat Pump System, Ilhami Yildiz, D. P. Stombaugh

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a dynamic simulation model to be employed in accurate prediction of microclimate in a greenhouse as a function of dynamic environmental factors. The model has options to evaluate the effects of location, time of the year, orientation, single and double polyethylene glazings, conventional and heat pump heating and cooling systems, open and confined greenhouse systems, CO₂ enrichment, variable shading, and the use of night curtains. Conventional gas furnace and evaporative cooling, respectively, provided heating and cooling in the conventional system. In the heat pump systems, gas-fired heat pump units …

Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Growth Under Low-Iron Conditions And Survival Under High-Magnesium Conditions, Chia-Hsin Ju, P.S. Marie Yeung, Jessica Oesterling, Daniel A. Seigerman, Kathryn J. Boor

Biological Sciences

Since 1996, Vibrio parahaemoiyticus serotype 03:K6 and closely related strains have been associated with an increased incidence of V. parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis worldwide, suggesting the emergence of strains with enhanced abilities to cause disease. One hypothesis for the recent emergence of V. porahaemolyticus 03:K6 and related strains is an enhanced capacity for environmental survival relative to other strains, which might result in increased human exposure to these organisms. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that survival or growth characteristics of clinical V. parahaemolyticus isolates differ from those of nonclinical isolates under different environmental conditions. Twenty- six …

Rockfish Resources Of The South Central California Coast: Analysis Of The Resource From Partyboat Data, 1980-2005, John Stephens, Dean Wendt, Debra Wilson-Vandenberg, Jay Carroll, Royden Nakamura, Erin Nakada, Steven Reinecke, Jono Wilson

Biological Sciences

Rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) have historically comprised a large proportion of catches in the nearshore recreational fishery in California, but declining populations of some species have led to increasingly restrictive management of the resource. This report summarizes new and existing data on rockfishes of the south central coast of California. In 2003, the California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo placed observers on commercial passenger fishing vessels (partyboats) from the region. By the end of 2005, we had observed catches from 258 trips (8,839 fisher hours). We appended these data to partyboat catch statistics collected by the California Department of …

Characterizing The Resident, Fermentative Microbial Consortium In The Hindgut Of The Temperate-Zone Herbivorous Fish, Hermosilla Azurea (Teleostei: Kyphosidae), Pat M. Fidopiastis, Daniel J. Bezdek, Michael H. Horn, Judith S. Kandel

Biological Sciences

The zebraperch, Hermosilla azurea Jenkins and Evermann, a warm-temperate marine fish species with a strictly macroalgal diet, has a relatively long digestive tract with an enlarged hindgut and an associated blind caecum (HC). In zebraperch sampled off Santa Catalina Island, California (33°19′42′′N; 118°18′37′′W) in years 1995 through 2001, direct cell counts, gut epithelium assessment of bacterial attachment, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analyses verified that the zebraperch HC possesses a dense and morphologically diverse, fermentative microbiota. Bacterial cell counts and morphological diversity were significantly higher in HC contents compared to anterior gut regions, suggesting that microbial populations were growing along …

Select Listeria Monocytogenes Subtypes Commonly Found In Foods Carry Distinct Nonsense Mutations In Inla, Leading To Expression Of Truncated And Secreted Internalin A, And Are Associated With A Reduced Invasion Phenotype For Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells, K. K. Nightingale, K. Windham, K. E. Martin, M. Yeung, M. Wiedmann

Biological Sciences

The surface protein internalin A (InlA) contributes to the invasion of human intestinal epithelial cells by Listeria monocytogenes. Screening of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from human clinical cases (n=46), foods (n=118), and healthy animals (n=58) in the United States revealed mutations in inlA leading to premature stop codons (PMSCs) in L. monocytogenes ribotypes DUP-1052A and DUP-16635A (PMSC mutation type 1), DUP-1025A and DUP-1031A (PMSC mutation type 2), and DUP-1046B and DUP-1062A (PMSC mutation type 3). While all DUP-1046B, DUP-1062A, DUP-16635A, and DUP-1031A isolates (n=76) contained inlA PMSCs, ribotypes DUP-1052A and DUP-1025A ( …

Cd4+ Cell Count, Viral Load, And Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Use Are Independent Predictors Of Body Composition Alterations In Hiv-Infected Adults: A Longitudinal Study, Ann Y. Mcdermott, Norma Terrin, Christine Wanke, Sally Skinner, Eric Tchetgen, Abby H. Shevitz

Kinesiology and Public Health

To understand the concurrent effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the immune system, and antiretroviral therapy on body composition alterations, we examined annualized composition changes in HIV-infected adults who were receiving stable antiretroviral therapy.

Process For The Preparation Of Citalopram Intermediate, Aslam A. Malik, Hasan Palandoken, Joy A. Stringer, Dershing Huang, Antonio Romero, Olivier Dapremont

Chemistry and Biochemistry

The present invention provides, inter alia, a novel process for the preparation of Citalopram, a known antidepressant.

Mypyramid.Gov, Ann Y. Mcdermott

Kinesiology and Public Health

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has un-unveiled a new symbol and an interactive "food guidance system" called "MyPyramid: Steps to a Healthier You," which replaces the 13-year-old Food Guide Pyramid. The new program aims to support the eating and physical activity habits necessary to promote health and prevent such common diseases as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Over the past few decades, population-specific scientific evidence of the effects of nutrition, activity, and body weight on health outcomes has become available. The scientific literature allowed the formulation of new and more detailed recommendations. The USDA's new system …

Performance Of Binary-Encounter-Bethe (Beb) Theory For Electron-Impact Ionization Cross Sections Of Molecules Containing Heavy Elements (Z > 10), Gregory E. Scott, Karl K. Irikura

Chemistry and Biochemistry

The binary-encounter-Bethe (BEB) theory developed by Kim and coworkers has been successful for computing electron-impact ionization cross sections of many molecules. However, some recent publications have stated that BEB theory performs poorly for molecules that contain heavier elements such as chlorine and sulfur. We have found that the BEB calculations in those publications were performed incorrectly. When performed correctly, BEB predictions are as good for heavy-element molecules as for light-element molecules. We recommended recently that an alternative, less-confusing procedure be used for molecules that contain heavier elements. The alternative procedure, based upon effective core potentials (ECPs), does not require explicit …

Carotenoid Availability Affects The Development Of A Colour-Based Mate Preference And The Sensory Bias To Which It Is Genetically Linked, Gregory F. Grether, Gita R. Kolluru, F. Helen Rodd, Jennifer De La Cerda, Kaori Shimazaki

Biological Sciences

Regardless of their origins, mate preferences should, in theory, be shaped by their benefits in a mating context. Here we show that the female preference for carotenoid colouration in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) exhibits a phenotypically plastic response to carotenoid availability, confirming a key prediction of sexual selection theory. Earlier work indicated that this mate preference is genetically linked to, and may be derived from, a sensory bias that occurs in both sexes: attraction to orange objects. The original function of this sensory bias is unknown, but it may help guppies find orange-coloured fruits in the rainforest streams of …

Correlates Of Soy Food Consumption In Women At Increased Risk For Breast Cancer, Carolyn Y. Fang, Marilyn Tseng, Mary B. Daly

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objectives The objectives of the present study were to examine sociodemographic correlates of soy food consumption among women at increased risk of breast cancer, describe factors influencing soy food consumption or nonconsumption, and identify women’s sources of information about soy foods. Design A cross-sectional, self-report survey was used to assess frequency of and factors influencing soy food consumption. Soy food intake was reported for the past year. Subjects/setting Participants were 452 women with family histories of breast cancer who were enrolled in a cancer risk assessment program. Statistical analyses performed Comparisons between consumers and nonconsumers of soy foods were performed …

Obesity In Women, Suzanne Phelan, Rena R. Wing

Kinesiology and Public Health

No abstract provided.

A Facile Synthesis Of (Tert-Alkoxy)Amines, Hasan Palandoken, Chris M. Bocian, Michelle R. Mccombs, Michael H. Nantz

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Tertiary alcohols react with stoichiometric BF₃·Et₂O and N-hydroxyphthalimide to yield N-alkoxyphthalimides. Subsequent hydrazinolyses afford the title compounds.

Two-Dimensional Gel Analysis Of The Heat-Shock Response In Marine Snails (Genus Tegula): Interspecific Variation In Protein Expression And Acclimation Ability, Lars Tomanek

Biological Sciences

The degree to which temperature acclimation modifies the acute synthesis of the entire heat-shock protein (Hsp) complement is still unknown, but it may constitute an important mechanism for understanding the differences in acclimation ability among closely related ectothermic species that occupy widely varying thermal environments. In general, eurythermal (heat-tolerant) species modify physiological function in response to an increase in acclimation temperature to a greater extent than stenothermal (heat-sensitive) species. In the present work I used ³⁵S-labelled amino acids and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to test this assumption for how acclimation affects acute Hsp expression (referred to as phenotypic plasticity) in …

The Clearance Of Protein-Bound Solutes By Hemofiltration And Hemodiafiltration, Timothy W. Meyer, Jason L. Walther, Maria Enrica Pagtalunan, Andres W. Martinez, Ali Torkamani, Patrick D. Fong, Natalie S. Recht, Channing R. Robertson, Thomas H. Hostetter

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Background. Hemofiltration in the form of continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) is increasingly used to treat acute renal failure. Compared to hemodialysis, hemofiltration provides high clearances for large solutes but its effect on protein-bound solutes has been largely ignored.

Methods. Standard clinical systems were used to remove test solutes from a reservoir containing artificial plasma. Clearances of the protein-bound solutes phenol red (C_PR) and indican (C_IN) were compared to clearances of urea (C_UREA) during hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration. A mathematical model was developed to predict clearances from values for plasma flow Q_p, …

Genetic Analysis Of Two Bile Salt Hydrolase Activities In Lactobacillus Acidophilus Ncfm, Olivia Mcauliffe, Raul J. Cano, Todd R. Klaenhammer

Biological Sciences

Two genes, bshA and bshB, encoding bile salt hydrolase enzymes (EC 3.5.1.24) were identified in the genome sequence of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM. Targeted inactivation of these genes via chromosomal insertion of an integration vector demonstrated different substrate specificities for these two enzymes.

Elevated Levels Of Trace Elements In Cores Of Otoliths And Their Potential For Use As Natural Tags, Benjamin I. Ruttenberg, Scott L. Hamilton, Michael J.H. Hickford, Georges L. Paradis, Michael S. Sheehy, Julie D. Standish, Ofer Ben-Tzvi, Robert R. Warner

Biological Sciences

Variation in the chemical composition of fish otoliths has been used in recent years to address a range of ecological questions, including levels of stock mixing, variation in habitat use, and rates of larval exchange. While some of these questions have been answered with varying success, the degree to which discrete populations are connected via larval exchange remains unknown. To identify larval sources using natural variation in otolith chemistry, we must distinguish and measure the chemical composition of the otolith core, the portion of the otolith formed at the spawning site. Using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), …

Patterns, Causes And Consequences Of Regional Variation In The Ecology And Life History Of A Reef Fish, Benjamin I. Ruttenberg, Alison J. Haupt, Angel I. Chiriboga, Robert R. Warner

Biological Sciences

Many species vary in their ecology across their geographic ranges in response to gradients in environmental conditions. Such variation, which can influence life history traits and subsequent demography of populations, usually occurs over large spatial scales. However, describing and understanding the causes of such variation is difficult precisely because it occurs over such large spatial scales. In this study, we document spatial variation in the ecology of a common reef fish, Stegastes beebei, in the Gala´pagos Islands and test a number of potential causal mechanisms. The pattern resembles that seen in latitudinal variation: individuals are larger, occur in higher densities, …

Structure And Development Of Pitch Canker Infected Monterey Pine Stands At Año Nuevo, California, Douglas D. Piirto, Sauli Valkonen

Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences

The sustainability of indigenous Monterey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don)at Ano Nuevo stands in the central coast of California was examined. The foremost management objective in these stands is to establish and maintain stand structures that ensure a sustainable presence of the species in terms of uneven-aged management. The major threats are the proliferation of shade-tolerant tree species and the pitch canker ( Fusarium circinatum) disease. The study was based on data from 17 systematically placed sample plots, measured once, in one stand with a very high degree of variation in stand structure and species composition. The results …

Adaptive Sampling Of Phytoplankton Responses To Episodic Physical Forcing In The Nearshore Coastal Ocean, Mark A. Moline

Biological Sciences

The original proposal focused on the linkages between in-water physical, biological and optical dynamics and to assess the degree to which remote sensing could be applied. These areas were approached during the 2001 sampling season and with follow on studies, as part of the extension of the grant through the PECASE award, there are three specific areas of work that have evolved from these original efforts. The first is a further examination of the coherence between convergence zones, general current patterns and spatial distribution of in-water biological signals (phytoplankton). The second is a remote sensing focus, attempting to define the …

Proliferation Zones In The Salmon Telencephalon And Evidence For Environmental Influence On Proliferation Rate, Sean C. Lema, Mark J. Hodges, Michael P. Marchetti, Gabrielle A. Nevitt

Biological Sciences

Cell proliferation occurs in the brain of fish throughout life. This mitotic activity contributes new neurons to some brain subdivisions, suggesting potential for plasticity in neural development. Recently we found that the telencephalon in salmonids (salmon, trout) is significantly reduced in fish reared in hatcheries compared to wild fish, and that these differences resulted in part from rearing conditions. Here, we describe localized areas of cell proliferation in the telencephalon of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and begin to explore whether mitotic activity in these areas is sensitive to environmental conditions. Using the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) cell birthdating technique, …

The National Weight Control Registry: Is It Useful In Helping Deal With Our Obesity Epidemic?, James O. Hill, Holly Wyatt, Suzanne Phelan, Rena Wing

Kinesiology and Public Health

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) consists of over 4800 individuals who have been successful in long-term weight loss maintenance. The purpose of establishing the NWCR was to identify the common characteristics of those who succeed in long-term weight loss maintenance. We found very little similarity in how these individuals lost weight but some common behaviors in how they are keeping their weight off. To maintain their weight loss NWCR participants report eating a relatively low-fat diet, eating breakfast almost every day, weighing themselves regularly, and engaging in high levels (about 1 hour/day) of physical activity. Because this is not …

Comparison Of Intakes Of Us Chinese Women Based On Food Frequency And 24-Hour Recall Data, Marilyn Tseng, Teresita Hernandez

Kinesiology and Public Health

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare dietary reports from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for US Chinese women with 24-hour recall estimates. The subjects were 56 women recruited through organizations in Philadelphia’s Chinese community. Spearman correlations were used to describe FFQ estimates of food servings per month and nutrient intake per day vs estimates from three 24-hour recalls over 1 month. On average, women reported at least weekly consumption of 28 of 96 FFQ food items. The three most frequently consumed were rice (38 times/month), tea (29 times/ month), and dark green, leafy vegetables (18 times/ month). …