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Articles 421 - 450 of 4790

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Book Review: National Title: The Unlikely Tale Of The Naib Tournament, Chad R. Carlson Jan 2012

Book Review: National Title: The Unlikely Tale Of The Naib Tournament, Chad R. Carlson

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

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Sequencing And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Wsp Gene Of Wolbachia In Three Geographic Populations Of An Oak Gall Wasp, Andricus Mairei (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), From Hunan, South China, Xiao-Hui Yang, Dao-Hong Zhu, Zhiwei Liu, Ling Zhao Jan 2012

Sequencing And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Wsp Gene Of Wolbachia In Three Geographic Populations Of An Oak Gall Wasp, Andricus Mairei (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), From Hunan, South China, Xiao-Hui Yang, Dao-Hong Zhu, Zhiwei Liu, Ling Zhao

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

To understand the effects of Wolbachia in Andricus mairei Kieffer , an oak gall wasp ( Cynipini, Cynipidae) that forms clusters of up to 30 monothalamous galls in the catkins of Quercus glandulifera var. brevipetiolata Nakai, we examined the presence and infection frequency of Wolbachia in three widely separated geographic populations of A. mairei in Hunan Province, South China, using polymerase chain reaction and sequence determination of the wsp gene of Wolbachia from the three populations. Our survey results showed that Wolbachia infection rates were unusually high in the three test populations : 100% for the male wasps from all …

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Seed Biology Of Physaria Ludoviciana (Silvery Bladderpod; Brassicaceae ), An Endangered Species In Sand Prairies Of The Midwest, Marissa C. Grant, Ann E. Claerbout, Janice M. Coons, Henry R. Owen Jan 2012

Seed Biology Of Physaria Ludoviciana (Silvery Bladderpod; Brassicaceae ), An Endangered Species In Sand Prairies Of The Midwest, Marissa C. Grant, Ann E. Claerbout, Janice M. Coons, Henry R. Owen

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Physaria ludoviciana (Nuttal) O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz (silvery bladderpod) is a state endangered species in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, the eastern edge of its range. Our goal was to investigate its seed biology (production, dispersal, seed bank longevity, afterripening, seed longevity after storage using germination and emergence, and seedling establishment). This information will be useful for conservation efforts of this endangered species. Over a ten-year period, various seed biology parameters were measured. Infructescences were counted to estimate seed production with 110–744 seeds per reproductive plant. Soil samples were collected at various distances to estimate dispersal where seeds dispersed less than a …

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Using Comparative Genomics For Inquiry-Based Learning To Dissect Virulence Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 And Yersinia Pestis, David Baumler, Lois Banta, Kai Hung, Jodi Schwarz, Eric Cabot, Jeremy Glasner, Nicole Perna Jan 2012

Using Comparative Genomics For Inquiry-Based Learning To Dissect Virulence Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 And Yersinia Pestis, David Baumler, Lois Banta, Kai Hung, Jodi Schwarz, Eric Cabot, Jeremy Glasner, Nicole Perna

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Genomics and bioinformatics are topics of increasing interest in undergraduate biological science curricula. Many existing exercises focus on gene annotation and analysis of a single genome. In this paper, we present two educational modules designed to enable students to learn and apply fundamental concepts in comparative genomics using examples related to bacterial pathogenesis. Students first examine alignments of genomes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains isolated from three food-poisoning outbreaks using the multiple-genome alignment tool Mauve. Students investigate conservation of virulence factors using the Mauve viewer and by browsing annotations available at the A Systematic Annotation Package for Community Analysis of …

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Isolation And Characterization Of Galactinol Synthases From Hybrid Poplar, Faride Unda, Thomas Canam, Lindsay Preston, Shawn Mansfield Jan 2012

Isolation And Characterization Of Galactinol Synthases From Hybrid Poplar, Faride Unda, Thomas Canam, Lindsay Preston, Shawn Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) serve as transport carbohydrates in the phloem, storage compounds in sink tissues, and putative biological agents to combat both abiotic and biotic stress in several plant species. To investigate further the functional roles of this class of compounds in trees, two cDNAs encoding galactinol synthase (GolS, EC 2.4.1.123), which catalyses the first step in the biosynthesis of RFOs, were identified and cloned from hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Phylogenetic analyses of the Populus GolS isoforms with other known GolS proteins suggested a putative role for these enzymes during biotic or abiotic stress in hybrid poplar. …

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Seed Biology Of Physaria Ludoviciana (Silvery Bladderpod; Brassicaceae ), An Endangered Species In Sand Prairies Of The Midwest, Marissa Grant, Ann Claerbout, Janice Coons, Henry Owen Jan 2012

Seed Biology Of Physaria Ludoviciana (Silvery Bladderpod; Brassicaceae ), An Endangered Species In Sand Prairies Of The Midwest, Marissa Grant, Ann Claerbout, Janice Coons, Henry Owen

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Physaria ludoviciana (Nuttal) O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz (silvery bladderpod) is a state endangered species in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, the eastern edge of its range. Our goal was to investigate its seed biology (production, dispersal, seed bank longevity, afterripening, seed longevity after storage using germination and emergence, and seedling establishment). This information will be useful for conservation efforts of this endangered species. Over a ten-year period, various seed biology parameters were measured. Infructescences were counted to estimate seed production with 110–744 seeds per reproductive plant. Soil samples were collected at various distances to estimate dispersal where seeds dispersed less than a …

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Effects Of Hot Water On Breaking Seed Dormancy Of The Endangered Kankakee Mallow (Iliamna Remota Greene (Malvaceae), April Mcdonnell, Marissa Grant, Janice Coons Jan 2012

Effects Of Hot Water On Breaking Seed Dormancy Of The Endangered Kankakee Mallow (Iliamna Remota Greene (Malvaceae), April Mcdonnell, Marissa Grant, Janice Coons

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Iliamna remota Greene (Kankakee mallow, Malvaceae) is listed as endangered in Illinois and is endemic to Langham Island in the Kankakee River, Kankakee County, Illinois. Information on ways to break seed dormancy of I. remota would be useful for restoration and management. The purpose of this study was to determine if hot water at different temperatures and for different lengths of time would break seed dormancy. Seeds were dipped for 60 seconds into water at 70, 80, 90 or 100 degrees C with 22 degrees C dips as a control. In another trial, seeds were dipped into 80 degrees C …

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Comparison Of Nutritive Value, Cost, Viscosity And Acceptability Among Developed Oral Nutritional Supplements And Commercially-Prepared Supplements, Melanie Burns, Christa Huxel, Kathleen O'Rourke, Linda Simpson Jan 2012

Comparison Of Nutritive Value, Cost, Viscosity And Acceptability Among Developed Oral Nutritional Supplements And Commercially-Prepared Supplements, Melanie Burns, Christa Huxel, Kathleen O'Rourke, Linda Simpson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

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Size Assortment In Mixed-Species Groups Of Juvenile-Phase Striped Parrotfish (Scarus Iserti) In The Bahamas, Paul Switzer, Daniel Quinn Jan 2012

Size Assortment In Mixed-Species Groups Of Juvenile-Phase Striped Parrotfish (Scarus Iserti) In The Bahamas, Paul Switzer, Daniel Quinn

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Striped parrotfish (Scarus iserti) often form heterospecific groups with other reef fishes. In this study, we examined the species and body size composition of these groups on reefs in The Bahamas. Groups averaged approximately 4 S. iserti and 2 associated species, with surgeonfish (Acanthurus chirurgus and A. bahianus), slippery dick (Halichoeres bivittatus), and bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) as the most common associates. Fewer groups than expected had only 1 associate; groups with 3 or more associates were more common than expected. Both the S. iserti and associated species tended to be closely sizematched within a group, perhaps due to benefits …

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Demographics And Seasonal Abundance Of Sportfish In Three Thermal Habitats Of Coffeen Lake, Anthony Paul Porreca Jan 2012

Demographics And Seasonal Abundance Of Sportfish In Three Thermal Habitats Of Coffeen Lake, Anthony Paul Porreca

Masters Theses

Power generating facilities across Illinois provide electricity to residents of the state, while at the same time offering desirable open water fishing lakes that can be used by anglers during the winter season when other reservoirs are not accessible. Coffeen Lake represents one of the best power cooling fisheries in the state and boasts both excellent largemouth bass and channel catfish populations. The reservoir supplies water to a power station with a generating capacity of 945 megawatts of electricity, with 73% of the surface water affected by heated discharge and a cooling loop covering 4.1 miles. Sampling sport fish species …

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The Effect Of An Oral Carbohydrate Rinse On Shorter-Endurance Exercise Program, Morgan Esh Jan 2012

The Effect Of An Oral Carbohydrate Rinse On Shorter-Endurance Exercise Program, Morgan Esh

Masters Theses

Research has suggested that orally rinsing with a carbohydrate solution can improve shorter-endurance exercise performance (Carter, Jeukendrup, & Jones, 2004; Chambers, Bridge, & Jones, 2009; Pottier, Bouckaert, Roels, & Derave, 2009; Rollo, Williams, & Nevill, 2011). The purpose of this study was to determine if a carbohydrate mouth rinse improves a 30 minute running distance compared to a non-carbohydrate mouth rinse in females ages 18 to 25 years. Eight female recreational runners performed two experimental rinse-trials the morning after an overnight fast. Participants performed each 30 minute treadmill run at a Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 14 and …

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Population Demographics Of White Crappie In Three Illinois Reservoirs, Candice Marie Miller Jan 2012

Population Demographics Of White Crappie In Three Illinois Reservoirs, Candice Marie Miller

Masters Theses

Crappie provide important sport-fisheries throughout the United States. Because of the propensity of this species to display growth stunting, an assessment of crappie population demographics is needed in Midwestern reservoirs. I assessed the population demographics of white crappie, Pomoxis annularis, in three Illinois reservoirs. Samples were collected by three-phase AC boat electrofishing. All crappie were weighed, measured, and the otolith and scale samples were removed for age estimation. Relative density, as measured by catch per unit of effort (CPUE; fish/hour), was different at Lake Mattoon (0.53±0.15), Lake Charleston Side Channel Reservoir (1.17±0.15), and Paradise Lake (1.04±0.18). Size structure of white …

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Desiccation Tolerance In Insect Cells, John Marcus Anderson Jan 2012

Desiccation Tolerance In Insect Cells, John Marcus Anderson

Masters Theses

In anhydrobiotic animals a reoccurring strategy to survive water stress involves the accumulation of low molecular weight solutes (e.g., trehalose) and highly hydrophilic macromolecules [e.g., late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins]. We utilized two different water-stress models (spin-drying, and hyperosmotic dehydration) to investigate the impact of transgenic expression of a trehalose transporter [BT003466 (TRET)] and of a group 1 LEA protein [ACX81198 variant (LEA1)] on membrane integrity in cell lines from Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-21) and Drosophila melanogaster (Kc167), respectively. Kc167 cells were challenged with sucrose or trehalose concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 mM supplemented in standard culture medium. Significant inhibition …

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Feeding Behavior Of Nestling Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis) In East-Central Illinois, Amanda Lamb Jan 2012

Feeding Behavior Of Nestling Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis) In East-Central Illinois, Amanda Lamb

Masters Theses

I observed feeding of nestlings in Eastern Bluebirds in nest boxes in east-central Illinois. Provisioning rate of males and females were compared and early observation periods (younger nestlings) were compared with late observation periods (older nestlings). I also compared the average food size brought to the nestlings by males and females and during early and late observations. No significant differences were found between average food sizes throughout the study. In addition, food size was not significantly correlated with mean nestling weights within a brood. However, males had significantly fewer confirmed feedings than females for the last observation period. In addition, …

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Linking The Colonization Rate Of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (Vam) To Species Dynamics In Succession, Jie Luo Jan 2012

Linking The Colonization Rate Of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (Vam) To Species Dynamics In Succession, Jie Luo

Masters Theses

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (YAM) are the most common mycorrhizal fungi that form symbiotic associations with plant species. They form hyphae, vesicles and arbuscules which expand root surface area and exchange nutrients within root cells. Greater abundance of YAM can result in more nutrient uptake and disease resistance to the host plant. While mycorrhizae are often important to the growth and reproduction of individual species, their role in regulating plant community dynamics is less clear. Previous research has shown that YAM are tightly related to plant traits such as relative growth rate, foliar N and P concentrations, and responses to soil …

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Effects Of Apolipoprotein E, Sex, And Estrogen On The Neuroplasticity Of Olfactory Receptor Neurons In Mice Following Olfactory Bulbectomy, John P. Boyce Iii Jan 2012

Effects Of Apolipoprotein E, Sex, And Estrogen On The Neuroplasticity Of Olfactory Receptor Neurons In Mice Following Olfactory Bulbectomy, John P. Boyce Iii

Masters Theses

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is well studied for its role in cholesterol transportation and metabolizing lipoproteins. ApoE is found in the olfactory system especially in the olfactory nerve and glomeruli of the olfactory bulb. Studies from our laboratory indicate that apoE is a required component for timely regeneration and olfactory receptor neuron maturation. The mechanism for which apoE contributes to neuron function and developing late onset Alzheimer's disease is still being studied. A mutant form of apoE (apoE 4) is believed to be a prominent genetic risk factor for this neurodegenerative disease. Over sixty percent of Alzheimer's disease patients in the …

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Effect Of Reservoir Discharge And Sanitary Effluent On An Urban Stream, Daniel Hiatt Jan 2012

Effect Of Reservoir Discharge And Sanitary Effluent On An Urban Stream, Daniel Hiatt

Masters Theses

Eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems may occur from several sources, primarily from anthropogenic inputs. Excess nutrient deposition can result in eutrophication and community compositional shifts in organisms located in impacted ecosystems. In the Sangamon River located outside Decatur, IL, discharge from the local reservoir, which receives inputs from both a city landscape and agricultural landscape and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). These may result in a large influx of nutrients into this system. Increased nutrient levels have the potential to shift benthic periphyton, and macroinvertebrate communities and cause extinction of low tolerance native species. To examine the impacts of inputs for …

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Social Identity Theory In Campus Recreation: Examining Organizational And Exercise Identification Among Recreation Center Users, Kiel Emberton Jan 2012

Social Identity Theory In Campus Recreation: Examining Organizational And Exercise Identification Among Recreation Center Users, Kiel Emberton

Masters Theses

Social identity theory is often used in commercial settings to provide a basis for psychographic market segmentation. This usage has led to the development of organization identification in traditional business settings. Campus recreation is unique in that the primary product of consumption is exercise. In describing exercise behavior, social identity theory has been applied to explain the unique psychological attachments exercisers have to their exercise behavior. This application of social identity theory created the exercise identity construct. The purpose of this study was to examine social identity theory in campus recreation. Specifically, this study investigated the correlation between frequency of …

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Whatchu Breathin'?: Sick Building Syndrome And Seasonal Occurrence Of Fungi, Jessica Stapleton Jan 2012

Whatchu Breathin'?: Sick Building Syndrome And Seasonal Occurrence Of Fungi, Jessica Stapleton

Masters Theses

This study was designed to evaluate the presence of sick building syndrome in a classroom at Unity High School (Mendon, Illinois) and contrast differences in the number of fungal spores per cubic meter of air in different rooms in the building and between seasons. Air and surface samples were taken to analyze the number of fungal spores per cubic meter and to evaluate generic fungal diversity. Factors influencing the number of fungal spores per cubic meter and genera of fungal isolates were year-round temperature control in the classroom and the presence or absence of students. Some of the fungi isolated …

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Bioavailability, Bioaccumulation, And Trophic Transfer Of Trace Metals In The Tims Branch-Steed Pond Tributary, Paul Gethyn Edwards Jan 2012

Bioavailability, Bioaccumulation, And Trophic Transfer Of Trace Metals In The Tims Branch-Steed Pond Tributary, Paul Gethyn Edwards

Masters Theses

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) is a 777 km2 former nuclear weapon material production and current research facility located along the Savannah River in west-central South Carolina. In 1954, direct environmental discharges were released from "M-Area", a fuel and aluminum-clad Uranium (U) nuclear reactor target manufacturing facility through a drainage ditch into the Tims Branch-Steed Pond water system. The wastewater discharges released into Tims Branch contained large volumes of inorganic wastes including depleted and natural U, aluminum (Al), and Nickel (Ni) along with smaller quantities of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and …

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Egg Recognition And Cowbird Egg Ejection Behavior In The American Robin (Turdus Migratorius), Allison Karlien Lang Jan 2012

Egg Recognition And Cowbird Egg Ejection Behavior In The American Robin (Turdus Migratorius), Allison Karlien Lang

Masters Theses

American Robins (Turdus migratorius) typically eject parasitic cowbird eggs from their nests. In order to successfully remove parasitic eggs, robins must first be able to differentiate between their own and foreign eggs and then remove the unwanted egg(s). This study addressed these behaviors. A robin's ability to recognize its own eggs was tested by adding artificial cowbird eggs to robin nests at various parasite-tohost egg ratios which created three treatments: (1) a majority of robin eggs in the nest, (2) an equal number of robin and cowbird eggs, and (3) a majority of cowbird eggs. At 89% of nests (51 …

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Comparison Of Silver Carp Population Demographics In An Impounded And A Free Flowing River, Jason G. Stuck Jan 2012

Comparison Of Silver Carp Population Demographics In An Impounded And A Free Flowing River, Jason G. Stuck

Masters Theses

The silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, is an invasive species that has received increased attention due to the proximity of the population in the Illinois River to the economically important Great Lakes and the species ability to dominate the aquatic biomass of an ecosystem. We sought to assess the population demographics of silver carp on two different river ecosystems, the Illinois River and Wabash River. The Illinois River is channelized and dammed for commercial barges, whereas the Wabash River is the longest free flowing river east of the Mississippi River and is still connected to its natural flood plain. Silver carp …

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Degradation Of Atrazine By White Rot And Soil Fungi, Gerald Presley Dec 2011

Degradation Of Atrazine By White Rot And Soil Fungi, Gerald Presley

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The widespread use of atrazine in agriculture has lead to an abundance of this toxic chemical in the environment. Fungi that have the ability to degrade atrazine into less toxic products have been identified and used in the remediation of atrazine. In this study atrazine degradation in a defined liquid media was characterized in a diverse group of white rot basidiomycete and deuteromycete soil fungi. Atrazine did not have an effect on fungal growth although each species produced a different amount of biomass in culture. Statistical analysis showed that biomass production was an important factor in determining the amount of …

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Teaching Ethnobotany In China, Gordon C. Tucker Nov 2011

Teaching Ethnobotany In China, Gordon C. Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

China has a rich and well documented tradition and diverse usage of plants. China provides examples of the incorporation of plant derived drugs in medicine. The diverse usage of plants is also reflected in the many kinds of Chinese food that are consumed by people of various nations around the world. China is one of the "cradles" of agriculture, the birth place of the cultivation of many important crops, including rice, millet, soybeans, and water chestnuts, and is the only undisrupted major ancient civilization in the world. Some plants find use in almost every aspect of Chinese life, such as …

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Naias Marina All., Gordon C. Tucker Oct 2011

Naias Marina All., Gordon C. Tucker

Specimens by Name

No abstract provided.

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Acer Negundo L., Loy R. Phillippe Oct 2011

Acer Negundo L., Loy R. Phillippe

Specimens by Name

No abstract provided.

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Phyla Lanceolata (Michx.) Greene, John E. Ebinger Oct 2011

Phyla Lanceolata (Michx.) Greene, John E. Ebinger

Specimens by Name

No abstract provided.

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Vitis Vulpina L., John E. Ebinger Oct 2011

Vitis Vulpina L., John E. Ebinger

Specimens by Name

No abstract provided.

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Categorical Shortcomings: Application, Adjudication, And Contextual Descriptions Of Game Rules, Chad R. Carlson, John Gleaves Oct 2011

Categorical Shortcomings: Application, Adjudication, And Contextual Descriptions Of Game Rules, Chad R. Carlson, John Gleaves

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

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Vitis Riparia Michx., Gordon C. Tucker Sep 2011

Vitis Riparia Michx., Gordon C. Tucker

Specimens by Name

No abstract provided.

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