Life Sciences Commons^™

Glucose Mediated Effects On Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Expression, Daryl Arkwright

Masters Theses

Circulating high glucose levels are believed to cause oxidative stress which is implicated in a number of pathological conditions such as cancer, aging, and diabetes. Oxidative stress regulates the expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), the key enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway which provides reducing equivalents in the form of NADPH. These reducing equivalents are also required by fatty acid synthase (FAS), the enzyme which catalyzes fatty acid biosynthesis. We examined whether glucose, a known inducer of oxidative stress, could regulate either G6PDH or FAS activity in primary rat hepatocytes. We tested the effects of glucose alone or in combination …

A Comparison Between Two Phase System And Single Phase System In Stiff Beveled Blade Coating By Measuring The Blade Forces, Ravi Mohan

Masters Theses

The effect of pigment particle interactions in a two-phase system on blade force is investigated. Three coating colors of 0%, 40% , and 55% solids, of the same high shear viscosity and density, were tested for blade force, blade run-in relationship. The Cylindrical Laboratory Coater was used to blade coat the coating on a polyester film. Blade deflection was measured by placing a probe in direct contact with the back side of the blade. A calibration plot between blade force and blade deflection was then used to determine the actual blade forces. A statistical analysis of the data reveals that …

A Kinematic And Kinetic Analysis Of First, Fourth, And Fifth Positions In The Classical Ballet Method, Mary Sue Hill

Masters Theses

The problem of the study was to compare electromyography (EMG) responses, ground reaction forces, and torques on female college-age dancers' knees in selected positions. Subjects were 18 female dancers, aged 18 to 30 years, with 6 subjects from each of three levels: Ballet Technique I, II, and III. The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis were analyzed in a grande plie in three positions, (1) first, (2) fourth, and (3) fifth, with two phases: (1) eccentric, and (2) concentric. No differences in force or EMG data were found for the concentric phases of the three positions. Significant differences were …

The Effect Of Ink Jet Coating Rheology On Screening, Burak Aksoy

Masters Theses

Ink jet coating formulations are becoming of increasing importance due to rapid expansion in digital printing. These coatings have very specific ink absorption requirements, which are fulfilled by using polyvinyl alcohol and silica as binder and pigment, respectively. These coatings have unique rheological behavior and often have problems in industry during the filtering process. In this work, an attempt was made to relate filter blocking to the rheological behavior of the coating. A series of coatings were prepared and their rheological properties characterized. The solids content and pigment selection of the coating were altered in order to adjust the coating …

Direct Measurement Of The Water Retention Of Coatings Under Shear, Mohana Sundaram Thiagarajan

Masters Theses

Coating water loss is one of the most critical concerns in coated paper production. The objective of this study was to determine directly the water retention value under dynamic conditions. The effect of shear rate on water transfer was documented for a delaminated clay coating color. The results showed a small change in water transfer at low shear rates, compared to the static condition. But at higher shear rate, the water transfer increased significantly. The water transfer increased with time, reaching an asymptotic limit at 300 seconds. This indicates that at higher retention time, the water transfer rate is reduced …

Characterization Of Swinepox Virus Secretory Polypeptides, Takeshi Shimamura

Masters Theses

Swinepox virus (SPV) is the only known member of the genus Suispoxvirus. SPV causes a mild disease in swine characterized by slight fever, and weight loss, associated with lesions restricted to the skin. There have been few studies on SPV. Other poxviruses, such as vaccinia virus, have been well characterized and the biological activities of their secretory polypeptides have been analyzed. This study describes a major SPV secretory polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 35kDa. Poxvirus encoded polypeptides secreted during infection are known to exhibit immunomodulatory activities. The 35kDa SPV secretory polypeptide was tested.for its ability to inhibit …

Effect Of Precalendering On Surface And Printing Properties Of Coated Sheets, Hariharan Venkata-Chinnaswamy

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the effect of different types of precalendering on coated woodfree paper for surface and printing properties as well as coat weight distribution and binder migration.

Precalendering enhanced the gloss and reduced the roughness of the coated paper at all coat weights. In the case of post-calendered papers, any differential effect achieved through various types of precalendering was recovered during post calendering. The final porosity values of precalendered and uncalendered sheets were more dependent on the coat weight at the high coat weights (10-18 g/m² ). At low coat weights the type of precalendering influences the …

The Effects Of Habitual Physical Activity On Number Of Colds And Incidence Of Cold Symptoms, Katie Lynn Maniatis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to compare frequency of colds and symptoms of upper respiratory infection in college students who have different levels of habitual physical activity. Subjects were Eastern Illinois University students (N=535, aged 18-25). A survey was conducted which included questions inquiring about demographic information, physical activity habits, the number of colds contracted the month before the survey, and symptom number and severity. Data collection occurred between February 12th and March 1st, 1998. This particular time period was chosen for several reasons, including that student stress level should have been lower than at the beginning or end …

Demographics And Condition Of Coyotes In Illinois, Daniel M. Lloyd

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Seed Vigor Of Four Isoline Pairs Of Sweet Corn With Two Endosperm Types At Four Temperatures, Ronglin Wang

Masters Theses

Sweet corn (Zea mays L. var rugosa ) is the fourth most important fresh vegetable in the U.S.. Supersweet corn with shrunken-2 endosperm is more popular with consumers than traditional sweet corn with sugary endosperm because sh2 kernels have more sugars and retain this sweet flavor longer than su kernels. However, its acceptance by growers is hindered because of its inferior seed quality and poor seedling vigor, especially when temperature is low.

Seed vigor of four isoline pairs ( C68, Oh43, Il442a and Ia453 ) with two endosperm types ( sh2 and su ) was studied in this investigation. In …

The Role Of Bowfin, Amia Calva, In Multiple Species Management Plans, Benjamin Jacob Hausmann

Masters Theses

The major challenge to fisheries managers of the 21st century will be to maintain the diversity, not only of fishing opportunity, but also of traditionally non-game and economically unimportant species. With the relatively recent understanding of the importance of ecosystem level management, attention is being focused on native species that were often ignored or eradicated under past management practices. One such fish that has been largely ignored is the bowfin, Amia calva. Ecological data pertaining to bowfin natural history are limited and to date no attempt has been made to integrate bowfin into fisheries management decisions within the species native …

A Systematic Study Of The Native Geum L. Species Of Illinois, Michael B. Wenzel

Masters Theses

A systematic study of the seven species of Geum L. (Rosaceae) native to Illinois including G. aleppicum var. strictum (Aiton) Fernald, G. canadense Jaquin, G. laciniatum Murray var. trichocarpum Fernald, G. rivale Linnaeus, G. triflorum Pursh, G. vernum (Rafinesque) Torrey & Gray, and G. virginianum Linnaeus is presented. Early classification systems are briefly compared, especially regarding the topic of subgenera. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, distribution information including county citations, and identification keys were developed for this study. Two seperate keys, one for floral characters and the second for specimens in fruit are given for greater ease in proper identification.

Two …

The Relationship Between Burrowing Behavior Of Native Unionid Bivalves And Infestation By Zebra Mussels, Amy Gries

Masters Theses

Burrowing behavior of unionids was examined as a variable in colonization of unionids by juvenile zebra mussels searching for substrate. For each unionid species represented, zebra mussel densities were compared between a free-living experimental unionid and an immobilized control during each replicate. Of the four species used (Amblema plicata, Quadrula quadrula, Leptodea fragilis and Obliquaria reflexa), only Q. quadrula had a statistically significant difference between zebra mussel densities on the experimental mussels as compared with the controls. When zebra mussel densities on the experimental mussels were compared between species, only the comparison of Q. quadrula and O. reflexa was …

A Comparison Of Measures In Physical Fitness And Biological Maturity Between Female Gymnasts And Females Not Involved In Organized Sport, Cara Kokenes

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in physical fitness and biological development between two groups of twelve year old females. One group consisted of idividuals who had been involved in competitive sport for at least two years while the other group was not involved in organized sport. Two groups of 20 subjects were examined in terms of height, weight, flexibility, strength, body composition, maturation, eating attitudes, and cardiorespiratory endurance. The results indicated that the gymnasts were significantly (p<.05) shorter, lighter, stronger in regard to left hand grip strength, lower in percent body fat, less biologically mature, and had greater cardiorespiratory fitness than the non-gymnasts. No significant differences were observed in right hand grip strength or eating attitudes. It was concluded that maturation level as well as gymnastic training played a major role in influencing values obtained through measurements of physical fitness.

Habitat Selection, Reproductive Success, And Impaling Patterns Of A Migratory Population Of Loggerhead Shrikes, Jeffrey D. Esely Jr.

Masters Theses

I studied habitat selection and reproductive success of a migratory population of Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus migrans) as well as the temporal and spatial patterns of impaling exhibited by this population during the nesting season. The selection of breeding habitat was investigated at different spatial scales. Thirty-eight (67%) of 57 nests were located in osage orange (Maclura pomifera) trees. Shrike territories (area ≤ 200 m from nest site) contained significantly more pasture, fenceline, and perch sites, but less com, alfalfa, and forest than random sites. At larger spatial scales, more grassland was detected within 300 m …

A Comparison Of Blood Cholesterol Levels And The Intake Of Dietary Trans Fatty Acids In Post-Menopausal Women, Bridget Cartwright

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between dietary trans fatty acids and levels of total serum cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, and the ratio of total serum cholesterol to HDL in apparently healthy post-menopausal women.

Subjects (n = 21) were current members of the Eastern Illinois University Adult Fitness Program. All were moderately active Caucasian women determined to be post-menopausal and not taking hormone replacement therapy or lipid lowering medications. Mean age of the subjects was 69.1 ± 9.1 years.

Dietary intakes were assessed with the use of a multiple day food record and personal …

The Brachiacantha (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Of Illinois, Harry Wilson Montgomery Jr.

Masters Theses

The Illinois fauna of Brachiacantha (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is treated in this paper. Seven species were found to occur in Illinois through active collecting and study of specimens from 16 museums and private collections. A key to the identification of adults, descriptions of the adults, habitus photographs and national and state distribution maps are provided. The most commonly collected Illinois species are B. ursina, B. felina, B. quadripunctata quadripunctata and B. decempustulata. Uncommonly collected species are B. dentipes and B. rotunda. Brachiacantha indubitabilis is represented in the Illinois fauna only by the lectotype for the species. Malaise traps, sweep netting, yellow …

A Comparison Of Predation Rates On Real And Artificial Nests Of Grassland Birds, William B. Davison

Masters Theses

I compared rates of predation between real and artificial nests of grassland birds in order to test the impact of nest type, nest position, and egg size on predation rates. I distributed wicker avicultural baskets and realistic grass nests baited with a clay egg and either northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) or house sparrow (Passer domesticus) eggs in four Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands in east-central Illinois. Nest success averaged 86.5% for 12 days of exposure for artificial nests. For real nests, nest success was markedly lower; averaging 39% over the entire nesting cycle and 59% during approximately 12 days of …

Heartworm And Lungworms In Illinois' Canids And Their Possible Effect On Coyote Condition And Reproduction, David G. Gregory

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the prevalence of heartworm and lungworms in Illinois' canid species, and the effect that they may have on condition (body weight, kidney fat, marrow fat) and reproduction (placental scars) on coyote populations. A total of 1,150 coyotes (Canis latrans), 2,269 domestic dogs, 47 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and 2 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were examined. Prevalence of heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) averaged 17.8% in coyotes, 3.0% in domestic dogs, 2.0% in red foxes, and 0% in gray foxes. Domestic dogs not receiving any type of prophylactic treatment had a higher prevalence (12.5%) of heartworms than dogs on …

Effect Of Insulin And Vanadate On Sre-Mediated C-Fos Expression And Jnk Activation, Francisco J. Berguido

Masters Theses

Insulin mimetics are compounds that mimic the action of insulin in the body and are currently being studied as possible therapeutic agents against diabetes. Vanadium has been identified as an element with insulin-like properties with regard to metabolic processes such as lowering blood glucose levels. Few studies have implicated vanadium in mitogenic actions such as cell growth and differentiation. We studied the action of vanadate on the expression of the insulin-induced SRE, a cis-element of the well-characterized mitogenic gene c-fos. We measured this expression by means of a plasmid containing the reporter gene luciferase linked to the sequences from c-fos …

Isolation And Characterization Of Cadmium Hypertolerant Mutants Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Santiago Xavier Navarro

Masters Theses

Cadmium is an environmental pollutant which accumulates by deposition from anthropogenic activities. Plants readily take-up cadmium from soil and is concentrated in shoot tissues. Plant and animal systems are affected detrimentally by the exposure to cadmium and are known to produce metal binding peptides as part of detoxification mechanisms. In an attempt to find alternative methods of soil cleanup, efforts are being undertaken to isolate heavy metal accumulating plants. Alternatively, to reduce the accumulation of cadmium in food, plants that exclude heavy metals are also being sought. The objective of this project was to isolate mutants which can be used …

The Effect Of Drying And Rewetting On Single Fiber Flexibility For Chemical And Mechanical Pulps, Mark E. Dulemba

Masters Theses

Over the years, various attempts have been made to develop methods to measure fiber flexibility. In the course of developing test methods for fiber flexibility, various studies have been performed that measure the flexibilities of different wood pulps.

In this study, never-dried individual thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and bleached kraft fibers were mounted on the tip of a glass tube submerged in water and deflected by water flow. The deflection of the individual fibers was measured using a microscope and image analysis software. The fibers were then dried, rewetted, and the deflection was measured_again. This drying and rewetting cycle was repeated …

The Repulping Of Wet-Strength Paperboard, Angelo N. Melchiorre

Masters Theses

Beverage carrier paperboard containing the polyamide wet-strength resin is one type of fiber that is presently landfilled. In this study, it was repulped at a 15% consistency and a pH of 10 at 150° F. in a z-bar mixer. Hydrogen peroxide (HP), ammonium perswulfate (AP), sodium persulfate (SP) and dimethyldioxirane (DMD) were used during repulping. The HP was added at 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0%, based on O.D. weight of the fiber. The remaining chemicals were added at the same oxidation equivalent. During repulping, the pulp was screened using a Britt Jar to determine percent yield over time. Samples were taken …

Activation Of Signal Proteins By Insulin And Selenate In Primary Rat Hepatocytes, Ginny Lynn Garlock

Masters Theses

Insulin has a wide range of metabolic and mitogenic effects in cells. The mechanism of insulin action in controlling these events is not well understood, but involves, at least in part, a complex phosphorylation cascade. Selenate has been shown to mimic insulin on several metabolic processes, including the regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) gene expression. Its mechanism of action, however, is not known. To investigate the mechanisms of insulin and selenate action on the regulation of G6PDH, signal proteins from primary rat hepatocytes were first studied. Insulin and sodium selenate similarly increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of the β-subunit of the insulin …

The Role Of Free Radicals In The Plant's Response To Pathogen Attack In Tobacco, Phillip L. Peters

Masters Theses

Previous studies have implicated the involvement of free radicals, specifically reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a key component in plant response to pathogen attack. In this study we examined the effect free radical scavenging compounds have on lesion area, salicylic acid levels, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in response to inoculation with Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), a viral pathogen. Hydroponically grown Nicotiana tabacum (Xanthi nc) were pretreated with one of two antioxidants, either purpurogallin (PPG) or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Antioxidants were supplied to the plant via the root system and the leaves were subsequently challenged by inoculation with theTMV. Leaf material …

Effect Of Wire Gauge, Web Speed, And Coating Solids On Leveling Of Streaks In Rod Coating, Mukhtar A. Khan

Masters Theses

The behavior of coatings and their study is becoming more important in proportion to additional use of coated paper. Good coating is key to enhance print quality. Blade coating is quite common, but rod coating is coming back for the advantages it has over blade coating. The process of rod coating is simpler and maintenance is easier. Coatings at low solids can be applied with ease and the impurities are washed away by rod rotation. The surface profile of coating is a potential concern, due to streaks in the machine direction. If the coating is immobilized before the streaks heal, …

Influence Of Metal Ions On Brightness Reversion Of Mechanical And Tmp Pulps, Ajay K. Jain

Masters Theses

High-yield mechanical pulps possess high opacity, bulk, compressibility, and excellent printing properties as well. But these pulps are still not suitable for producing high-grade papers because of discoloration. The brightness with age may be due to the presence of lignin, hemicellulose (and even cellulose), resins, metal ions, and additives such as rosin, alum, starch, and other polymers.

This study includes the effects of different metal ions on brightness stability of wood, thermomechanical pulps, chemithermomechanical pulps, and alkaline peroxide mechanical pulps. Also studied were the influences of metal ions on bleached pulps towards brightness loss. The metal ions selected for this …

Adaptive Significance Of Re-Nesting Following Nest Abandonment In The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila Caerulea), Melissa Nicole Helton

Masters Theses

We studied the adaptive significance of nest abandonment and re-nesting in the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) in east-central Illinois from 1995 through 1997. This Neotropical migrant is widely distributed and highly persistent in re-nesting following nest abandonment. Nest abandonment may be a response to brood parasitism, predation or other nest disturbances. We studied the nesting behavior of gnatcatchers and investigated the cues which may elicit nest abandonment. We monitored 57 pairs of gnatcatchers which built a total of 98 nests. Twenty pairs successfully fledged a total of 63 young and overall nest success was only 8.5%. Daily mortality rates for …

Life History Characteristics Of Daphnia Lumholtzi And Its Susceptibility To An Invertebrate Predator, Eden L. Rawski

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Biological Species Concepts In Eastern North American Populations Of Lentinellus Ursinus, Andrew N. Miller

Masters Theses

As part of a biosystematic study of the Lentinellus ursinus species complex, field and herbarium specimens from North America, Central America, and Europe were examined. Single basidiospore isolates from basidiomata collected in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Costa Rica, and Austria were crossed in all possible combinations to determine the mating system operating in each population. All populations exhibited bifactorial or tetrapolar mating systems. Tester strains were then crossed to identify intercompatible populations and to determine if morphological species in the L. ursinus species complex are congruent with biological species. Three biological species were recognized …