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Articles 2281 - 2310 of 3160
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Ecology Of Glacial Relict Fishes In South Dakota's Sandhills Region, Eli Felts
Ecology Of Glacial Relict Fishes In South Dakota's Sandhills Region, Eli Felts
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Native stream fish zoogeography has changed substantially across North America during the last century as habitat degradation, stream fragmentation and introductions of nonnative species have led to numerous extinctions, extirpations and altered distributions. Insufficient information regarding imperiled species often results in reactive, rather than proactive, management, and knowledge of species status and ecology is critical in identifying conservation priorities. South Dakota populations of three dace species (northern redbelly dace Chrosomus eos, finescale dace Chrosomus neogaeus, and pearl dace Margariscus margarita) are relict of Pleistocene Glaciation and are isolated from the northern core of their distribution, but little information exists regarding …
The Impact Of School District Size On Wellness Policy Strength, Comprehensiveness, Implementation Status And Barriers In South Dakota Schools, Emily Kranz
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: The purpose of this project was to determine if differences exist in strength, comprehensiveness, perceived implementation, and barriers of school wellness policies between public school districts of varying size in South Dakota. Methods: All public school districts within South Dakota (N=151) were contacted and asked to submit their current wellness policy. The strength and comprehensiveness of each written policy was assessed via WellSAT. An electronic invitation to complete the School Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices Survey was sent to all Kindergarten-12th grade school principals (N=96) to assess perceived policy implementation and barriers. Results: Wellness policies were collected from 70 …
Energy In The Corn Belt: Is Maize Production Sustainable?, Matthew Bernau
Energy In The Corn Belt: Is Maize Production Sustainable?, Matthew Bernau
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Technological and scientific innovation has transformed agricultural production. Corn production methods changed from a sustainable, nutrient recycling production system to one reliant on imported fossil energy inputs. Located in the Western Corn Belt, Union County, South Dakota was chosen as the study area. Changes in production methods are represented by four technological epochs: 1) The Draft Horse Epoch, 1890-1920; 2) The Tractor Epoch, 1920-1950; 3) The Fertilizer Epoch, 1950-1980; and 4) The Biotechnology and Precision Agriculture Epoch, 1980-2010. The energy budget method was used to measure the energy sustainability of corn production. The findings show that the volume of corn …
Protein Kinases: Structure Modeling, Inhibition, And Protein-Protein Interactions, Khaled M. Elokely
Protein Kinases: Structure Modeling, Inhibition, And Protein-Protein Interactions, Khaled M. Elokely
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Human protein kinases belong to a large and diverse enzyme family that contains more than 500 members. Deregulation of protein kinases is associated with many disorders, and this is why protein kinases are attractive targets for drug discovery. Due to the high conservation of the ATP binding pocket among this family, designing specific and/or selective inhibitors against certain member(s) is challenging. Several studies have been conducted on protein kinases to validate them as suitable drug targets. Although there are numerous target-validated protein kinases, the efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors have so far led to only a limited number of …
Male Reproductive Strategies And Mating Displays In The Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris Ocellata), Edward Merrill Hanlon
Male Reproductive Strategies And Mating Displays In The Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris Ocellata), Edward Merrill Hanlon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Animal mating systems are often characterized by intense competition for mates and resources. Despite how comthis conflict is, mating systems exist in which some adult males of breeding age seem to not participate. These apathetic males may be exhibiting alternative reproductive strategies, or simply delaying maturation to conserve resources for future breeding attempts. In populations of the poorly studied, near-threatened Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata), males have been reported to be either "breeding" or "non-breeding," apparently irrespective of age, although empirical data are scarce. This thesis has three main objectives for establishing a better understanding of the Ocellated Turkey's mating system. …
Molecular Considerations In The Design Of Novel Alpha/Beta Hydrolase Inhibitors, Shana Victoria Stoddard
Molecular Considerations In The Design Of Novel Alpha/Beta Hydrolase Inhibitors, Shana Victoria Stoddard
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Alpha/beta hydrolases (ABHs) are a superfamily of hydrolytic enzymes that process a wide variety of substrates. A subfamily of ABHs called carboxylesterases (CEs) are important enzymes that catalyze biological detoxification, hydrolysis of certain pesticides, and metabolism of many esterified drugs. The chemotherapy drug irinotecan used for treatment of colorectal cancer is metabolized to SN-38, the active drug metabolite, by two CE isozymes CES1 (localized in the liver) and CES2 (localized in the small intestines). CES2's ability to activate irinotecan at a faster rate than CES1 creates a localization of activated SN-38 in the gut epithelium, resulting in the dose limiting …
Role Of The Endocannabinoid System In Cardiac Remodeling, Monica Gole
Role Of The Endocannabinoid System In Cardiac Remodeling, Monica Gole
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The endocannabinoid system and CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors have been implicated in cardiac remodeling with CB1 inhibition and CB2 activation reported to be beneficial. However, the role of these receptors in cardiac remodeling secondary to hypertension is not known. Moreover, the functions of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in cardiac ventricular fibroblasts and their downstream fibrotic pathways has not yet been elucidated. This study was designed to determine the temporal myocardial expression pattern of CB1 and CB2 receptors in cardiac remodeling secondary to pressure overload (PO) induced hypertension at 3, 5, 14 and 28 days. The expression of …
An Evaluation Of The Opinions Of School Nutrition Professionals On The New Meal Pattern Being Implemented Through The National School Lunch Program (Nslp) With A Focus On The Fruit And Vegetable Components, Sowjanya Chowdary Chilaka
An Evaluation Of The Opinions Of School Nutrition Professionals On The New Meal Pattern Being Implemented Through The National School Lunch Program (Nslp) With A Focus On The Fruit And Vegetable Components, Sowjanya Chowdary Chilaka
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally supported school meal program. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA), 2010 based on the recommendations by Institute of Medicine (IOM) introduced new meal pattern that comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and these are the major changes made in the past 15 years to school meal programs. The objective of the study was to evaluate the opinions of school nutrition professionals on the new meal pattern being implemented through the NSLP with a focus on fruit and vegetable components. A questionnaire was developed and distributed at strategic locations. …
Phylogeography Of The Malagasy Ant Species Otontomachus Coquereli, Jason Jackson
Phylogeography Of The Malagasy Ant Species Otontomachus Coquereli, Jason Jackson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Madagascar is an extremely diverse and geographically complex area boasting levels of endemism that blatantly raise questions about their origins. There is evidence that these endemics arose via insitu diversification during Madagascar's ~88 million year isolation, even though it was essentially in the middle of Gondwana with ample opportunity to acquire inhabitants. Madagascar's high levels of diversity and endemism make it an ideal location to study speciation, especially considering the evidence that such high levels speciation occurred in Madagascar itself. Several hypotheses have been formulated to relate the complex geography to genetic divergence, and thereby speciation. I explore three hypotheses …
Habitat Use And Feeding Ecology Of Delphinids Inferred From Stable Isotopes And Fatty Acid Signatures, Nicole Browning
Habitat Use And Feeding Ecology Of Delphinids Inferred From Stable Isotopes And Fatty Acid Signatures, Nicole Browning
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Prey availability, directly or indirectly, affects all aspects of a predator’s life history and is a primary factor influencing habitat selection and movements. This is especially true for delphinid species where it has been documented that the behaviors and movements of dolphins are strongly influenced by food availability. Unfortunately, the feeding ecology and habitat use patterns of many of these species are poorly understood. Many methodologies that have been employed to explore these facets of dolphin ecology have limitations and constraints or are logistically infeasible. Stable isotope and fatty acid signature analyses have been used extensively on a wide variety …
Assessing The Effectiveness Of Living Shoreline Restoration And Quantifying Wave Attenuation In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, Jennifer Manis
Assessing The Effectiveness Of Living Shoreline Restoration And Quantifying Wave Attenuation In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, Jennifer Manis
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Coastal counties make up only 17% of the land area in the continental United States, yet 53% of the nation’s population resides in these locations. With sea level rise, erosion, and human disturbances all effecting coastal areas, researchers are working to find strategies to protect and stabilize current and future shorelines. In order to maintain shoreline stability while maintaining intertidal habitat, multipurpose living shorelines have been developed to mimic natural shoreline assemblages while preventing erosion. This project determined the effectiveness of a living shoreline stabilization containing Crassostrea virginica (eastern oyster) and Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) in the field and through …
Physiological Muscle Qualitative Changes In Response To Resistance Training In Older Adults, Tyler Scanlon
Physiological Muscle Qualitative Changes In Response To Resistance Training In Older Adults, Tyler Scanlon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Muscle function is determined by structure and morphology at the architectural level. In response to resistance training, older adults have demonstrated that the neuromuscular system has a substantial adaptability, which may compensate for muscle size and quality and lead to improved functional capacities and higher quality of life. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of six weeks of progressive resistance exercise on muscle morphology and architecture in healthy older adults. METHODS: Twenty- five healthy men and women were randomly assigned to either six weeks of progressive resistance training (RT) (n=13; age = 71.08 ± 6.75, …
Target Validation For Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Therapeutics., Alejandra Guinart
Target Validation For Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Therapeutics., Alejandra Guinart
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a benign tumor disease of the nervous system. Development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas is characteristic of NF2; however patients frequently present schwannomas on other nerves, as well as meningiomas and ependymomas. Currently, there are no drug therapies for NF2. There is an urgent need for development of NF2 therapeutics and this dissertation presents two independent potential therapeutic targets. The disease is caused by mutations in the NF2 gene that encodes a tumor suppressor called merlin. Loss of merlin function is associated with increased activity of Rac and p21-activated kinases (PAK) and deregulation of cytoskeletal organization. …
Characterization Of Innate Immunity In The Female Reproductive Tract For The Prevention Of Hiv Acquisition, Colleen Eade
Characterization Of Innate Immunity In The Female Reproductive Tract For The Prevention Of Hiv Acquisition, Colleen Eade
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects 30 million people worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by HIV, women comprise 60% of the infected population. Heterosexual transmission is a major mode of viral acquisition, mandating further research of the process and prevention of HIV acquisition via the female reproductive tract (FRT). The FRT is a dynamic environment, protected by host immune mechanisms and commensal microbes. The disruption of either of these elements can increase susceptibility to HIV. Accordingly, one common risk factor for HIV acquisition is the microbial shift condition known as bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is characterized by the …
Molecular Regulators Of Post-Golgi Vldl Transport Vesicle (Pg-Vtv) Biogenesis, Aladdin Riad
Molecular Regulators Of Post-Golgi Vldl Transport Vesicle (Pg-Vtv) Biogenesis, Aladdin Riad
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Amongst its numerous functions, the liver is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). VLDL particles play the important role of facilitating the transport of lipids within the aqueous environment of the plasma; yet high plasma concentrations of these particles result in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, while low VLDL secretion from the liver results in hepatic steatosis. VLDL synthesis in the hepatocyte is completed in the Golgi apparatus, which serves as the final site of VLDL maturation prior to its secretion to the bloodstream. The mechanism by which VLDL’s targeted transport to the plasma membrane is …
Identification Of Proteins Regulating Vldl Sorting Into The Vldl Transport Vesicle (Vtv) And Involved In The Biogenesis Of The Vtv, Samata Tiwari
Identification Of Proteins Regulating Vldl Sorting Into The Vldl Transport Vesicle (Vtv) And Involved In The Biogenesis Of The Vtv, Samata Tiwari
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Increased secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), a triglyceride-rich lipoprotein, by the liver causes hypertriglyceridemia, which is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The rate of VLDL-secretion from the liver is determined by its controlled transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi. The ER-to-Golgi transport of newly synthesized VLDL is a complex multi-step process and is mediated by the VLDL transport vesicle (VTV). Once a nascent VLDL particle is synthesized in the lumen of the ER, it triggers the process of VTV-biogenesis and this process requires coat complex II (COPII) proteins that mediate the formation …
Role Of Host Immune Response And Bacterial Autolysin Atl In Human Nasal Colonization By Staphylococcus Aureus, Vanathy Paramanandam
Role Of Host Immune Response And Bacterial Autolysin Atl In Human Nasal Colonization By Staphylococcus Aureus, Vanathy Paramanandam
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a major human pathogen that colonizes the anterior nares in 30% of the human population. Though nasal carriage of SA is a known risk factor for the subsequent spread of SA infections, the dynamics of SA nasal colonization is poorly understood. Our research focuses on understanding the host and bacterial factors that might contribute to the human nasal colonization by SA. In an attempt to elucidate the host response to SA, we performed an autologous human in vivo nasal colonization study, which showed decreased survival rates of SA in hosts who elicited a robust immune response. …
The Effects Of 6-Weeks Of Resistance Training On The Neuromuscular Fatigue Threshold In Older Adults, Nadia Emerson
The Effects Of 6-Weeks Of Resistance Training On The Neuromuscular Fatigue Threshold In Older Adults, Nadia Emerson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Age-related deficits in muscle mass, strength, and function place an increased burden of work on existing skeletal muscle and may lead to early onset of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) during activities of daily living. Resistance exercise (RE) is the proven method for improving neuromuscular function in healthy older adults. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of 6 weeks of RE on the NMF threshold as well as strength and functional performance in older adults. METHODS: Twenty-four older adults were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of RE (EXE; n = 12; age 72 ± 6.3 y; BMI 28.4 kg/m2 ) or control (CONT; …
Individual And Population Responses Of The Caribbean Sponge, Aplysina Cauliformis, To Natural And Anthropogenic Stressors, Cole Gregory Easson
Individual And Population Responses Of The Caribbean Sponge, Aplysina Cauliformis, To Natural And Anthropogenic Stressors, Cole Gregory Easson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Coral reefs are under increasing threat from a diversity of stressors. These reefs have undergone a phase shift from coral-dominated to algal-dominated ecosystems, and in many cases other functional groups such as sponges are now the predominant organisms on many reefs. This dissertation investigated the responses of a combranching sponge, Aplysina cauliformis, to algal contact, eutrophication, hurricanes, and disease. The effects of algal competition, anthropogenic nutrients and a combination of these stressors on A. cauliformis were examined using factorial designed field experiments on Bahamian reefs. These experiments demonstrated a complex interaction between sponge and alga, in which the green alga, …
Bacterial Assemblages And Microbial Enzyme Activity In The Major Tributaries Of The Lower Mississippi River, Justin Millar
Bacterial Assemblages And Microbial Enzyme Activity In The Major Tributaries Of The Lower Mississippi River, Justin Millar
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Spatial variation in the structure and function of bacterial communities is far more complex than previously believed. High throughput sequencing techniques have begun to elucidate the dynamic worldwide patterns of bacterial biogeography; however, there are still many ecosystems for which there is little to no representative data. Currently there are no high throughput-based analyses of bacterial assemblages in large rivers. Rivers form important connections between terrestrial land use and marine biogeochemistry and act as conduits for organisms and allochthonous nutrients. Bacteria dominate carbon cycling and nutrient processing in rivers, and therefore can influence regional and global elemental cycles. This study …
Determination Of Dimer Dissociation Constant Of Neural-Cadherin By Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Xiaoyun Z. Howard
Determination Of Dimer Dissociation Constant Of Neural-Cadherin By Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Xiaoyun Z. Howard
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Benzo[A]Pyrene Effects On Fundulus Heteroclitus Reproductive Endpoints, Frank Booc
Benzo[A]Pyrene Effects On Fundulus Heteroclitus Reproductive Endpoints, Frank Booc
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that modulates aromatase enzyme function and, thus, potentially interrupts normal reproductive function. The aim of this study was to use a fish model, Fundulus heteroclitus, to assess whether BaP exposure adversely impacted reproduction. Adult fish were exposed to waterborne BaP concentrations of (0, 1 or 10 μg/L) for 28 days. Males and females were combined for the second half of the exposure (days 14-28) in order to quantitate egg production and fertilization success. Egg fertilization and subsequent hatching success of F1 embryos was significantly decreased by 10 μg/L BaP. In males, both …
Linking The Functional Diversity Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Species To Soil Carbon And The Genetics Of A Foundational Tree Species, Nicole Marie Hergott
Linking The Functional Diversity Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Species To Soil Carbon And The Genetics Of A Foundational Tree Species, Nicole Marie Hergott
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continues to increase, leading to an enhanced interest in the potential for ecosystems to sequester carbon. Soil could have a high potential to store carbon in these forests, but there is still a great deal to learn about how carbon storage in soils is influenced by ectomycorrhizal fungi. In this symbiosis, the plant host provides the vast majority of C for fungal growth. As a consequence, ECM fungi may provide one of the major pathways for C from trees to soils. Ectomycorrhizal fungal species produce extracellular enzymes that may degrade soil carbon and may differ …
Relating Climate Change To The Nesting Phenology And Nest Environment Of Marine Turtles, Monette Schwoerer
Relating Climate Change To The Nesting Phenology And Nest Environment Of Marine Turtles, Monette Schwoerer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ectotherms (including marine turtles) being especially sensitive to climate, are at risk to the accelerated rate of human-driven climate change. This study addresses two concerns associated with marine turtles and climate change – the relationship between the timing of marine turtle nesting and sea surface temperature; and the concern over the feminization of marine turtle populations due to rising sand temperatures. Previous studies of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) have documented the relationship between sea surface temperatures and nesting phenology. Earlier nesting behaviors in both species have been associated with warmer sea surface temperatures. …
Juvenile Ornamentation: Its Evolution, Genetic Basis, And Variation Across Habitats, Angela Tringali
Juvenile Ornamentation: Its Evolution, Genetic Basis, And Variation Across Habitats, Angela Tringali
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ornamental traits are considered honest advertisements of fitness, and their evolution is usually explained in terms of sexual selection. This explanation remains unsatisfactory in some instances, for example, juvenile birds whose plumage is molted prior to adulthood and breeding. I first evaluate whether juvenile plumage reflectance signals dominance status in the Federally Threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) using a combination of observational and experimental methods. Then I estimate the heritability, non-genetic maternal and environmental effects, and strength of selection on juvenile plumage reflectance using archived feather samples and a pedigree constructed from historical nest records. Finally, I compare plumage reflectance …
Modeling Survival Of Immature Loggerheads (Caretta Caretta) And Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) From 10 Years Of Mark-Recapture Data At The Florida Power And Light St. Lucie Plant, Andrew Sterner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are listed as Threatened and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are listed as Endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act. While green turtle nest production in Florida has increased markedly in recent years, loggerhead nest production has followed a more tenuous path. Reasons for these differences are unknown. Limited demographic information is available for these species of conservation concern. I used Barker models, which incorporated mark-recapture, live-resight and dead recovery data, implemented in Program MARK. These models were used to estimate apparent survival for immature loggerhead (
Disturbance-Based Management And Plant Species Change In Massachusetts Sandplain Heathlands Over The Past Two Decades, Kirsten Martin
Disturbance-Based Management And Plant Species Change In Massachusetts Sandplain Heathlands Over The Past Two Decades, Kirsten Martin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Massachusetts sandplain heathlands are habitats of conservation concern, harboring many rare plant species and providing habitat for animals that depend on openlands. These heathlands are threatened by human development, shrub encroachment in the absence of disturbance, and potentially increasing soil nutrient levels. Sandplain heathlands are managed with prescribed fire, in order to maintain their open structure and maintain species diversity. In order to assess how past management was correlated with species change, I used a data set that spanned twenty years from three different heathlands in Massachusetts. I looked for correlations between management and species change. Correlations between species change …
The Contribution Of Visceral Fat To Positive Insulin Signaling In Ames Dwarf Mice, Vinal Menon
The Contribution Of Visceral Fat To Positive Insulin Signaling In Ames Dwarf Mice, Vinal Menon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ames dwarf (df/df) mice are homozygous for a spontaneous mutation in the prop1 gene due to which there is no development of anterior pituitary cells – somatotrophs, lactotrophs and thyrotrophs, leading to a deficiency of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH). They tend to become obese as they age, but still live longer and healthier lives compared to their wild-type littermates, being very insulin sensitive, showing no signs of diabetes and cancer. These mutant mice also have high circulating levels of anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic adiponectin. Plasma levels of this adipokine usually decrease with an increase in accumulation of …
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Sensitize Pancreatic Cancer Cells To Radiation By Promoting Acidic Ph, Ros, And Jnk Dependent Apoptosis, Melissa Wason
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Sensitize Pancreatic Cancer Cells To Radiation By Promoting Acidic Ph, Ros, And Jnk Dependent Apoptosis, Melissa Wason
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Side effects of radiation therapy (RT) remain the most challenging issue for pancreatic cancer treatment. In this report we determined whether and how cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to RT. CONP pretreatment enhanced radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production preferentially in acidic cell-free solutions as well as acidic human pancreatic cancer cells. In acidic environments, CONPs favor the scavenging of superoxide radical over the hydroxyl peroxide resulting in accumulation of the latter whereas in neutral pH CONPs scavenge both. CONP treatment prior to RT markedly potentiated the cancer cell apoptosis both in culture and in tumors and …
Wetland Diversity In A Disturbance-Maintained Landscape: Effects Of Fire And A Fire Surrogate On Aquatic Amphibian Survival And Species Depauperateness., Joyce Klaus
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Disturbance is one of the central concepts explaining how diversity arises and is perpetuated in ecological time. A good model system for testing hypotheses related to disturbance is the longleaf pine ecosystem in the southeastern U.S. because in this ecosystem frequent, low-severity fires acts as a disturbance that maintains a unique vegetation structure and high species richness. Vegetation structure influences animal distributions; in fire-dependent ecosystems many animals rely on open-structured, fire-maintained vegetation but shrubs and trees encroach into fire-dependent ecosystems where fire has been excluded. Prescribed burning and mechanical removal are commonly used as restoration tools to control encroachment. To …