Life Sciences Commons^™

Phenotype Management: A New Approach To Habitat Restoration, Jason V. Watters, Sean C. Lema, Gabrielle A. Nevitt

Biological Sciences

The goal of habitat restoration is to provide environmental conditions that promote the maintenance and growth of target populations. But rarely is it considered how the allocation of resources influences the diversity of phenotypes in these populations. Here we present a framework for considering how habitat restoration can shape the development and expression of phenotypes. We call this approach phenotype management as it entails restoring the resources in a habitat to manage phenotypic diversity. Phenotype management is achieved by manipulating the spatial and temporal distribution of resources to alter the degree of competition among individuals. Differences in competition, in turn, …

Functional And Comparative Genomic Analyses Of An Operon Involved In Fructooligosaccharide Utilization By Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Rodolphe Barrangou, Eric Altermann, Robert Hutkins, Raul J. Cano, Todd Klaenhammer

Biological Sciences

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic organism that displays the ability to use prebiotic compounds such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which stimulate the growth of beneficial commensals in the gastrointestinal tract. However, little is known about the mechanisms and genes involved in FOS utilization by Lactobacillus species. Analysis of the L. acidophilus NCFM genome revealed an msm locus composed of a transcriptional regulator of the LacI family, a four-component ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system, a fructosidase, and a sucrose phosphorylase. Transcriptional analysis of this operon demonstrated that gene expression was induced by sucrose and FOS but not by glucose or fructose, …

Spider And Leafhopper (Erythroneura Spp.) Response To Vineyard Ground Cover, Michael J. Costello, Kent M. Daane

Horticulture and Crop Science

Ground cover is used in some vineyards to improve soil structure and help manage insect pests; previous studies have shown lower leafhopper (Erythroneura spp.) densities on vines grown with ground cover. We undertook a 2-yr study to determine why ground cover is associated with reduced leafhopper densities. Ground cover consisted of a fall-planted cover crop of purple vetch (Vicia benghalensis) and barley (Hordeum vulgare), which senesced in May and was replaced by a complex of resident vegetation comprised primarily of the grasses Echinochloa spp., Digitaria sanguinalis, and Setaria spp., as well as common knotweed …

Determination Of The Sensory Attributes Of Dried Milk Powders And Dairy Ingredients, M. A. Drake, Y. Karagul-Yuceer, K. R. Cadwallader, G. V. Civille, P. S. Tong

Dairy Science

A standardized descriptive language for skim milk powder and dried dairy ingredients was developed. The lexicon was initially identified from a large sample set of dried dairy ingredients (138). A highly trained descriptive panel (n = 14) refined terms and identified references. Dried dairy ingredients (36) were then evaluated using the developed language. Twenty-one descriptors were identified for dried dairy ingredients. Seventeen flavors and tastes were identified in skim milk powders (27) with nine flavors/tastes observed in all skim milk powders. Dried dairy ingredients were differentiated using the language (P

Variation Between Observed And True Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Is Dependent On True Trf Length And Purine Content, Christopher W. Kaplan, Christopher L. Kitts

Biological Sciences

Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) pattern analysis has become a widely used and informative tool for studying microbial communities. Variation between sequence-determined or true TRF length and observed TRF length (TRF drift) has been previously reported and can significantly affect identification of bacterial species using TRF lengths predicted from sequence databases. In this study TRF drift was determined for 21 bacterial species using an ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer. TRF drift was positively correlated with true TRF length and negatively correlated with TRF purine content. This implies that subtle differences in molecular weight, whether from purine content or dye label, can significantly …

Adaptive Differentiation In Response To Water Stress By Edaphic Races Of Lasthenia Californica (Asteraceae), Nishanta Rajakaruna, Gary E. Bradfield, Bruce A. Bohm, Jeanette Whitton

Biological Sciences

Two edaphic races of Lasthenia californica sensu Ornduff (races A and C) grow in parapatry on a serpentine outcrop at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, California. The races occupy distinct edaphic habitats that have different water‐holding capacities. We predict that the two races will show differentiation in reproductive strategies related to their response to water stress. In order to test this hypothesis, we performed a greenhouse experiment to characterize the reaction norms of the two races exposed to a gradient in water availability. We measured the response of five variables to the watering treatments: early survivorship, days to flowering, root/shoot dry …

A Pcr Assay For Specific Detection Of The Pandemic Vibrio Parahaemolyticus O3:K6 Clone From Shellfish, P.S. Marie Yeung, A. Depaola, C. A. Kaysner, K. J. Boor

Biological Sciences

The current standard method for identifying Vibrio parahaemolyticus serotype O3:K6, an emerging pathogen with apparent enhanced virulence characteristics, typically takes 4 to 6 d to complete and requires serotyping. To provide a more rapid strategy, we optimized a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for specific detection of V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6. Of 78 V. parahaemolyticus isolates and other related species; only strains classified into the V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6 clonal group (n = 39) showed positive results in the PCR assay. The assay detected 2.3 cells/PCR reaction and 310 cells/g using bacterial cultures and inoculated oyster samples, respectively. Sensitive and specific detection …

Preparation Of 2s,3s-N-Isobutyl-N-(2-Hydroxy-3-Amino-4-Phenylbutyl)-P-Nitrobenzenesulfonylamide Hydrochloride And Other Derivatives Of 2-Hydroxy-1,3-Diamines, Aslam A. Malik, Hasan Palandoken, Joy A. Stringer, Roland P. Carlson, John Leach, Thomas G. Archibald, Robert G. Miotke

Chemistry and Biochemistry

The present invention provides a new process for the preparation of 2S,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4phenylbutyl)- p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride, wherein this compound is prepared directly from the chloromethylalcohol. Importantly, the process of the present invention results in higher yields of 2S,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2hydroxy -3 -amino -4-phenylbutyl) -pnitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride without sacrificing its purity. The processes of the present inventin can be used to prepare not only the 2S,3S-derivative, but also the 2R,3S-, 2S,2R- and the 2R,3R-derivatives.

Clean, High-Yield Preparation Of S,S- And R,S- Amino Acid Isosteres, Aslam A. Malik, Todd E. Clement, Hasan Palandoken, James Robinson Iii, Joy A. Stringer

Chemistry and Biochemistry

The present invention provides compounds and methods that can be used to convert the intermediate halomethyl ketones (HMKs), e.g., chloromethyl ketones, to the corresponding S,S- and R,S-diastereomers. More particularly, the present invention provides: (1) reduction methods; (2) inversion methods; and (3) methods involving the epoxidation of alkenes. Using the various methods of the present invention, the R,S-epoxide and the intermediary compounds can be prepared reliably, in high yields and in high purity.

Structure-Property Relationships Of Silicone Biofouling-Release Coatings: Effect Of Silicone Network Architecture On Pseudobarnacle Attachment Strengths, Judith Stein, Kathryn Truby, Christina Darkangelo Wood, Michael Takemori, Michael Vallance, Geoffrey Swain, Christopher Kavanagh, Brett Kovach, Michael Schultz, Deborah Wiebe, Eric Holm, Jean Montemarano, Dean Wendt, Celia Smith, Anne Meyer

Biological Sciences

Model silicone foul-release coatings with controlled molecular architecture were evaluated to determine the effect of compositional variables such as filler loading and crosslink density on pseudobarnacle attachment strength. Pseudobarnacle adhesion values correlated with filler loadings in both condensation and hydrosilylation-cured silicones. Variation of crosslink density of hydrosilylation-cured silicones had an insignificant effect on attachment strength. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the mode of failure upon detachment of the pseudobarnacle was dependent upon the crosslink density; samples with high crosslink density failed cohesively within the silicone.

Removal Of Pcr Inhibitors From Soil Dna By Chemical Flocculation, Michael D. Braid, Laura M. Daniels, Christopher L. Kitts

Biological Sciences

Extracting high-purity DNA directly from soil has become essential for the study of microorganisms in environmental samples. However, many soils contain compounds that inhibit enzymes involved in manipulating DNA. In this study, chemical flocculation using multivalent cations was investigated as a potential method for eliminating soil-based inhibitors during the extraction process. The addition of AlNH4(SO4)2 during extraction significantly reduced the co-purification of PCR inhibitors with minimal loss of DNA yield.

Nutrition Treatment For Hiv Wasting: A Prescription For Food As Medicine, Ann Y. Mcdermott, Abby Shevitz, Aviva Must, Susan Harris, Ronenn Roubenoff, Sherwood Gorbach

Kinesiology and Public Health

The optimal nutrition approach for the promotion of weight gain in HIV-infected adults with wasting remains unclear. Previous dietary interventions report minimal success and provide inadequate information regarding the counseling approach, contact time, session format, and issues addressed with the subject. The methods we report were incorporated in a 12-week intervention trial for the reversal of HIV-wasting. Methods: All subjects involved in the intervention trial for the reversal of HIV-wasting received weekly, customized, one-on-one counseling and an oral nutrition supplement (480 kcal/d with 30 g protein). The nutrition aims were to (1) increase caloric intake to surpass daily energy requirements …

Effect Of Pore Size And Temperature On The Factionation Of Buttermilk Using Microfiltration, Pierre Morin, Rafael Jiménez-Flores, Yves Pouliot

Dairy Science

Abstract of paper presented at the 2003 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association & the American Society of Animal Science.

Cheeses From Different Countries Of Latino America, V. Alvarez, Rafael Jiménez-Flores

Dairy Science

Abstract of paper presented at the 2003 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association & the American Society of Animal Science.

Evolution And Plasticity Of Photosynthetic Thermal Tolerance, Specific Leaf Area And Leaf Size: Congeneric Species From Desert And Coastal Environments, Charles A. Knight, David D. Ackerly

Biological Sciences

• We examined whether increased high temperature photosynthetic thermal tolerance (PT), reduced specific leaf area (SLA) and reduced leaf size represent correlated and convergent adaptations for recently diverged Encelia, Salvia, Atriplex and Eriogonumcongeneric species pairs from contrasting thermal and water environments (the Mojave Desert and coastal California). We also studied whether variation in PT is associated with inducible small heat shock protein expression (sHsp).

• Traits were measured in a common environment (CE) and in the field to partition effects of phenotypic plasticity and genetic divergence.

• We found little evidence for convergent adaptation of PT (CE measurements). Field …

When Does A Reproducing Female Viper (Vipera Aspis) ‘Decide’ On Her Litter Size?, Olivier Lourdais, Xavier Bonnet, Richard Shine, Emily N. Taylor

Biological Sciences

Some organisms rely on stored energy to fuel reproductive expenditure (capital breeders) whereas others use energy gained during the reproductive bout itself (income breeders). Most species occupy intermediate positions on this continuum, but few experimental data are available on the timescale over which food intake can affect fecundity. Mark–recapture studies of free-ranging female aspic vipers Vipera aspis have suggested that reproductive output relies not only on the energy in fat bodies accumulated in previous years, but also on food intake immediately before ovulation. A simple experiment was conducted to test this hypothesis, maintaining female snakes in captivity throughout the vitellogenic …

Aerobic Endospore Distribution In A Process To Produce High Phospholipid Ingredients From Commercial Reconstituted Buttermilk, L. Lassonde, Rafael Jiménez-Flores

Dairy Science

Abstract of paper presented at the 2003 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association & the American Society of Animal Science.

Monitoring Spores And Spore-Forming Bacteria Populations In Commercial Skim Milk Powder Production Plants Using Conventional And Molecular Methods, C. Murillo, Chris Kitts, Rafael Jiménez-Flores

Dairy Science

Abstract of paper presented at the 2003 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association & the American Society of Animal Science.

Development Of Endospore-Specific Primers For The Analysis Of Microbial Populations In Milk Powder, M. M. Arendts, Chris Kitts, Rafael Jiménez-Flores

Dairy Science

Abstract of paper presented at the 2003 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association & the American Society of Animal Science.

Small Heat Shock Protein Responses Of A Closely Related Pair Of Desert And Coastal Encelia, Charles A. Knight, David D. Ackerly

Biological Sciences

Evolutionary variation for accumulation of small heat shock protein (sHsp) may contribute to thermal niche differentiation between species. Here we examine temperature and time-course-dependent variation for sHsp accumulation in a recently diverged pair of Encelia raised in a common environment: Encelia farinosa, common in the Mojave desert, and Encelia californica, which is found along the cool coastal bluffs of southern North America. Both species exhibit peak sHsp accumulation at 42^oC. Encelia californica accumulated greater levels of sHsp at temperatures below 42^oC, while E. farinosa had greater levels above 42^oC. Encelia farinosa accumulates …

Assessment Of Fungal Diversity Using Terminal Restriction Fragment (Trf) Pattern Analysis: Comparison Of 18s And Its Ribosomal Regions, N. S. Lord, Christopher W. Kaplan, P. Shank, Christopher L. Kitts, Susan L. Elrod

Biological Sciences

Assessment of fungal diversity in environmental samples is currently a challenge. Several recently developed molecular methods offer new avenues for determining the presence and diversity of fungi in complex microbial communities. Terminal restriction fragment (TRF) pattern analysis was tested as a method for assessing the fungal molecular diversity of a terrestrial microbial community. Community DNA was isolated from sand samples taken from a pilot-scale petroleum-contaminated land treatment unit. PCR amplification was carried out using primers, one of which was fluorescently labeled, designed to hybridize to conserved sequences in the fungal ribosomal small subunit (18S) or the internal transcribed spacer ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 …

Assessment Of Quality Of Life In Obese Individuals, Thomas A. Wadden, Suzanne Phelan

Kinesiology and Public Health

No abstract provided.

High-Temperature Controlled Atmosphere For Post-Harvest Control Of Indian Meal Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) On Preserved Flowers, Jodi A. Sauer, Mark D. Shelton

Office of the Dean (CAFES) Scholarship

High carbon dioxide atmospheres combined with high temperature were effective for controlling Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) pupae. Pupae were exposed to atmospheres of 60, 80, or 98% carbon dioxide (CO₂) in nitrogen (N₂), or 60 or 80% CO₂in air at temperatures of 26.7°C or 32.2°C and 60% RH. Controlled atmosphere treatments at 32.2°C controlled pupae faster than the same treatments at the lower temperature. At both temperatures high CO₂ concentration treatments combined with nitrogen killed pupae faster than high CO₂ concentration treatments combined with air. Exposure to 80% carbon dioxide …

The Role Of Adherence In Mediating The Relationship Between Depression And Health Outcomes, Rena R. Wing, Suzanne Phelan, Deborah Tate

Kinesiology and Public Health

Depression has been linked to poor health outcome in a number of studies; however, the mechanism underlying this relationship has received little attention. This paper explores the possibility that adherence mediates the relationship between depression and outcome. Principal findings regarding the relationship between depression, adherence, and outcome are reviewed. The data suggest that depression is related, at least moderately, to poorer adherence to a variety of treatment components. The relationship between adherence and outcome is more difficult to establish. In addition, current data, albeit limited, do not support the hypothesis that adherence mediates the relationship between depression and outcome. An …

An Assessment Of The Factors That Influence The Promotion And Delivery Of Sport, Fitness, And Health Courses: Contributions Of Marketing To Physical Education, Ketra L. Armstrong, Camille O'Bryant, Carla Costa

Kinesiology and Public Health

The factors that influence students' enrollment in sport, fitness, and health courses, and their evaluation of the quality of service they receive continues to be of interest. A case study exposed a variety of factors influencing the promotion and delivery of sport, fitness. and health courses. While most of the factors identified were only minimally influential, the most prominent reasons for enrolling in sport, fitness, and health courses were related to skill development or enhancement of knowledge about health anti fitness. The "performance of the instructor" received the highest raring relating to course delivery quality, and "improvement in fitness" received …

Nearshore Physical Processes And Bio-Optical Properties In The New York Bight, G. C. Chang, T. D. Dickey, Oscar M. Schofield, A. D. Weidemann, E. Boss, W. S. Pegau, Mark A. Moline, Scott M. Glenn

Biological Sciences

Temporal and spatial variability of physical, biological, and optical properties on scales of minutes to months and meters to ~50 km are examined using an extensive data set collected on the New York Bight continental shelf during the Hyperspectral Coastal Ocean Dynamics Experiment. Measurements from a midshelf mooring and bottom tripod (~25 km offshore, 24 m water depth) and two nearshore profiling nodes (~5 km offshore, 15 m water depth) are utilized to quantify and correlate midshelf and nearshore variability. Towed shipboard undulating profilers and a high-frequency radar (CODAR) array provide complementary spatial data. We show that phytoplankton and dissolved …

Reduced Reproductive Effort In Male Field Crickets Infested With Parasitoid Fly Larvae, Gita R. Kolluru, Marlene Zuk, Mark A. Chappell

Biological Sciences

Some populations of the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus are parasitized by the phonotactic fly Ormia ochracea. Flies locate crickets by their song and deposit larvae onto them. The larvae develop inside the cricket for 1 week before killing the host upon emergence. The reproductive compensation hypothesis predicts that parasitized crickets should increase their reproductive effort during the initial stages of infestation to offset the loss of fitness resulting from their shortened life span. An alternative hypothesis predicts that parasitized crickets will decrease reproduction, either because they are unable to reproduce or because selection acting on the parasitoid favors decreased …

Analysis Of Platelet Activating Factor In The Gravid Reproductive Tracts Of Swine, William E. Plummer

Animal Science

No abstract provided.

The Heat-Shock Response: Its Variation, Regulation And Ecological Importance In Intertidal Gastropods (Genus Tegula), Lars Tomanek

Biological Sciences

The enhanced synthesis of heat-shock proteins (hsps), called the heat-shock (or stress) response, is activated when environmental stress denatures proteins. Hsp synthesis is activated at the upper temperatures of an organism's thermal range and is therefore thought to be critical for enhancing thermal tolerance limits in ectothermic animals. Here I show that the two temperate sister species T. brunnea and T. montereyi that occupy the subtidal and low-intertidal zone differ from the low- to mid-intertidal T. funebralis (and the subtropical mid-intertidal T. rugosa) in (i) heat tolerance, (ii) the onset temperature of their main hsp, hsp70 (70 kDa), (iii) …

Discovering Lactic Acid Bacteria By Genomics, Todd Klaenhammer, Eric Altermann, Fabrizio Arigoni, Alexander Bolotin, Fred Breidt, Jeffrey Broadbent, Raul J. Cano, Stephane Chaillou, Josef Deutscher, Mike Gasson, Maarten Van De Guchte, Jean Guzzo, Axel Hartke, Trevor Hawkins, Pascal Hols, Robert Hutkins, Michiel Kleerebezem, Jan Kok, Oscar Kuipers, Mark Lubbers, Emmanuelle Maguin, Larry Mckay, David Mills, Arjen Nauta, Ross Overbeek, Herman Pel, David Pridmore, Milton Saier, Douwe Van Sinderen, Alexei Sorokin, James Steele, Daniel O'Sullivan, Willem De Vos, Bart Weimer, Monique Zagorec, Roland Siezen

Biological Sciences

This review summarizes a collection of lactic acid bacteria that are now undergoing genomic sequencing and analysis. Summaries are presented on twenty different species, with each overview discussing the organisms fundamental and practical significance, environmental habitat, and its role in fermentation, bioprocessing, or probiotics. For those projects where genome sequence data were available by March 2002, summaries include a listing of key statistics and interesting genomic features. These efforts will revolutionize our molecular view of Gram-positive bacteria, as up to 15 genomes from the low GC content lactic acid bacteria are expected to be available in the public domain by …