Life Sciences Commons^™

The Determinants Of Agriculture Growth In China, 1978-89, Jiefei Qiu

Masters Theses

Agriculture growth in China during the first dozen years of the economic reform could be attributed to an increase in inputs, technological progress, and institutional innovation. This paper introduces a couple of measurements for technological change and institutional reform, which include the imported capital for advanced technology, the number of high school graduates for improved human capital and the size of the free market for price reform. The study examines the effects of education, foreign capital, and price reform in rural China using data for both agriculture and farming over the period of 1978-89. Descriptions are made regarding the changes …

Comparisons Of Genetic Variance And Physiological Responses In Two Populations Of Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia Affinis, Brett Egger

Masters Theses

The study was conducted to determine the effects of lowered genetic variance in the Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) on the physiological parameters of critical thermal maximum and minimum pH. Mosquitofish were obtained from two small central Illinois ponds, Lost Pond and Shadow Pond, by seines and dip nets. Once caught, fish were returned to the laboratory and acclimated for a minimum of five days at a temperature of 27°C and a pH of 8.25. At the beginning of each experimental run, fish were subjected to the physiological experiments for determination of critical thermal maximum and minimum pH, and then measured …

Roost Site Selection Of The Red Bat (Lasiurus Borealis), Kenneth J. Mager

Masters Theses

I monitored the roosting activity and evaluated roost site selection of red bats (Lasiurus borealis) at study sites in Coles County during the summer of 1996. Red bats were mist-netted and radio transmitters were affixed to 12 individuals. A total of 105 transmitter-days were recorded with 75 roost locations identified. The roost types consisted of eight different species of trees, prairie grass, and residential structures but the vast majority of roosts (92%) were in large, deciduous trees. The height of the roosts ranged from 0.5 to 21.4 m, but 54.7% were between 5-10 m. Movement between consecutive roosts ranged from …

Environmental Requirements For Sporocarp Germination In Marsileaceae, Kevin J. Kruep

Masters Theses

Experiments were conducted on sporocarps of Marsilea quadrifolia L. to determine whether temperature had any influence on the length of the reproductive period and initial sperm emergence from microgametophytes. Data were then compared to results of similar studies undertaken with the species M. vestita Hooker and Greville to determine whether there was any variation between them. A slight variation was recorded, ranging from 1 to 1.5 hours for initial emergence.

An additional set of experiments was performed with 58 year old sporocarps and approximately two-year-old sporocarps of M. quadrifolia. A difference of 2-6.5 hours for initial sperm emergence occurred between …

Relationships Between Habitat Variables And Biotic Integrity Of The Embarras River Basin, Ann Marie Hogan

Masters Theses

In agricultural watersheds, channelization and the conversion of native vegetation into agricultural crops contribute to a loss or simplification of near-stream vegetation and a reduction in the complexity of the physical stream environment. Since changes to near-stream vegetation can have a significant effect on the stream biological community, this study investigated the relationship between a habitat quality index and stream fish assessment indices used to evaluate stream quality. Fish data and stream habitat quality data were collected from 13 sampling localities associated with the Embarras River basin. Habitat quality was measured using the Stream Habitat Assessment Procedure (SHAP), while stream …

The Effects Of Habitat Fragmentation And Factors Influencing Nest Box Use On The Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys Volans) In Southern Illinois, Catherine J. Woodworth

Masters Theses

I studied the effects of habitat :fragmentation on the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) in 30 forest fragments in southern Illinois. The fragments ranged in size from 6 ha to 5264 ha, and had varying degrees of isolation. I placed 10 nest boxes in each habitat fragment and checked them monthly. I captured southern flying squirrels in 24 of the 30 fragments, and found evidence of squirrels (i.e., nests and feeding stations) in 4 additional fragments. Thus, only 2 fragments did not show any evidence of squirrel use suggesting that the southern flying squirrel may not be particularly …

Transfer Of Immunity Against Hymenolepis Diminuta Parasites In Mice, Jerome F. Atta-Fynn

Masters Theses

The potential transfer of resistance against the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, from adult BALB/c mice to their young, was tested by comparing the worm burdens of 24 experimentally infected pups from previously infected females to 14 experimentally infected pups from uninfected females. The mean number of worms recovered, mean weight of recovered worms and frequency of mice pups with eggs of the parasite in their feces were significantly lower in infected pups from infected mothers than in infected pups from uninfected mothers. The lower worm burden observed in the infected pups from infected mothers suggested that the resistance to …

A Study Of The Lichens At Rocky Branch Nature Preserve, Clark County, Illinois, Eric B. Grunder

Masters Theses

In 1971, a graduate student at Eastern Illinois University, James E. Wiedman, studied the lichen flora of Rocky Branch Nature Preserve, Clark County, Illinois. During his study he collected, identified, and recorded a total of 64 lichen species. Since 1971, Rocky Branch Nature Preserve has experienced a dramatic increase in use by people and a concomittant decline in the quality of lichen habitats. In order to assess the decline of suitable lichen habitats and the reduction of lichen species a second study of the lichens at Rocky Branch Nature Preserve was undertaken. As part of this study, ten habitat sites …

Strength Properties Of Steam Exploded Laser Printed Papers, Dhamodharan Srinivasan

Masters Theses

The mam objective of this study was to investigate the effect of steam explosion pulping on the strength properties of recycled fibers. The properties considered were zerospan tensile strength, tensile breaking length, tensile stretch, tensile energy absorption, scott bond and pentosan content. This study also examined the important operating parameters that affect the properties. Laser printed waste paper was pulped by the steam explosion process. The experiments were statistically modeled to cover the various process variables. Chemical addition, residence time, pressure, and dispersant level were varied during the steam explosion experiments. Chemical addition was kept at four levels and other …

Expression And Regulation Properties Of Pseudomonas L-Arabinose Utilization Plasmids, Mary E. Barecki

Masters Theses

The L-arabinose utilization pathway in Pseudomonas fluorescens is a unique metabolic pathway. In Pseudomonas, L-arabinose is converted to the end product α-ketogluterate and does not involve phosphorylated intermediates. This differs from the well studied L-arabinose pathway found in Escherichia coli which contains phosphorylated intermediates.

The enzymes of the L-arabinose pathway have been shown to be induced in the presence of L-arabinose in P. saccharophila. The current study determined regulatory properties of previously cloned chromosomal fragments of P. fluorescens which confer an L-arabinose positive phenotype to the surrogate host, Pseudomonas putida. Cells of P. putida containing plasmids pPZ221, …

The Effects Of Benzo(A)Pyrene And Dimethylbenzanthracene On Cultured Porcine Aortic Endothelial Function, Michelle Lynn Kagey

Masters Theses

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are environmental contaminants which have been shown to initiate and promote atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis in various animal species. These findings have been based primarily on the increase in incidence and size of smooth muscle cell tumors in these animals were exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) or dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). The endothelium has also been identified as an important mediator in vascular disease and atherogenesis, although the endothelial response to these PAHs has not been investigated. Thus, the focus of this study was on characterization of the endothelial response to BaP and DMBA. Concentration/response relationships for these chemicals were examined, …

Expression Of Α4Β1 Integrin On Tissue Eosinophils In The August Rat, John C. Phipps

Masters Theses

The integrin α4β1 is expressed on a wide variety of peripheral leukocytes, and functions in recruitment of these cells to sites of inflammaiton. We infected august (AUG) rats with the helminth parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and later used leukocytes from the peritoneum of the sensitized animals and antibodies against α4β1 integrin to localize that adhesion molecule on the cell surfaces after antigen challenge. We found that after antigen challenge, eosinophils, monocytes, and small lymphocytes, but not mast cells, expressed α4β1 integrin if the animals had been previously infected, but cells from uninfected animals did not show expression of this molecule. Our …

The Flora And Ecology Of Seidman Park, Kent County, Michigan, Pamela J. Laureto

Masters Theses

A floristic study of Seidman Park, Kent County, Michigan was performed. The study identified 521 vascular plants belonging to 96 families and 284 genera. The plant communities of Seidman Park were delimited by identification of dominant species and observation of the physical environment. It was believed that communities existed within the upland forest that could not be identified by observation alone. The use of Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) ordination techniques identified three communities within the upland forest. These were a xeric community, a dry-mesic community and a nutrient-rich community. Three sub-communities of the dry-mesic community were also identified.

The Effects Of Fines, Drying Intensity And Recycling On Pulp And Paper Properties, Chiranjiv K. Singh

Masters Theses

The effects of fines level, drying intensity and recycling on pulp and paper properties of bleached softwood kraft were evaluated graphically and statistically.

Fiber fines (100-mesh) were mixed in proportions of 0, 10, 20, 40% with the long fiber fraction. These pulps were tested for fiber length distribution. Handsheets prepared from these pulps were dried at low (air dry) and high (220°F, 4.25 min) drying intensities. These handsheets were recycled and new handsheets were dried at the above drying levels.

Water retention values increased with increasing level of fines for virgin pulp. Recycling resulted in a 20% decrease in water …

The Factors Influencing Electrographic Toner Flotation, Udaykumar Ratilal Raval

Masters Theses

Conventional deinking is the process of removing the ink from usable paper fiber. Electrographic toners are hydrophobic in nature because they have negligible negative charge. A study of the effect of fundamental properties leading to electrographic toner flotation in presence of free fibers has not been reported.

Flotation deinking of fused "sharp" toner fraction below 300 micron in the presence of free fibers was performed in the Hallimond tube. Cationic (Dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide - DTAB) and anionic (Sodium dodecyl sulfate - SDS) surfactants having similar molecular weights were used at two concentration levels and two pH levels. The effect of …

The Effect Of Manganese Peroxidase On Peroxide Bleaching Of High Yield Pulps, Cyril Vusani Simelane

Masters Theses

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of adding a pretreatment stage in conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching of high yield pulps. To achieve this, three main variables considered crucial in the effectiveness of manganese peroxidase on the oxidation of lignin substructures, were chosen to evaluate the effect of this enzyme on high yield pulps. The responses to evaluate this effect were brightness, brightness reversion, pulp viscosity, and yield. Other properties included opacity, scattering and absorption coefficients, and the Hunter Lab values.

The pulps were bleached using two sequences Q(MnP), and Q(MnP)QP, to assess the effect of …

The Effect Of Age And Recycling On Paper Quality, Zhuang Wu

Masters Theses

The effects of recycling paper that has undergone aging for different periods on paper and fiber properties like strength, weighted average fiber length, and water retention value were investigated in this study. Old Newspapers (ONP) with different periods of natural aging (between 1 to 10 months) were recycled repeatedly for up to six times. Another goal was the study of aging effects on paper properties using accelerated aging at high temperatures (105±2) °C. Four different aging times (24, 48, 72, and 144 hours) were employed.

The results showed that naturally aged ONP loses little in strength properties up to 7 …

The Effect Of Wet End Operations On Sizing Loss In Alkaline Papers, Suresh B. Cherukuri

Masters Theses

Changes in wet end of alkaline papermaking affect the size development as well as sizing loss. These changes include pH, alkalinity and type of filler used. Precipitated and ground varieties of carbonate fillers and the alkalinity associated with · them are believed to be the causes for the gradual sizing loss in alkaline papers due the accelerated hydrolysis reaction of sizing chemicals at higher alkalinity.

Precipitated and ground calcium carbonate fillers are used as fillers and compared to non carbonate filler such as kaolin clay for their response to size development and sizing loss at lower and higher alkalinity ranges …

The Role Of Nitric Oxide In The Modulation Of The Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Interactions During Ischemia And Reperfusion, Fernando López-Neblina

Masters Theses

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in several metabolic pathways and physiological phenomena. The role of NO in inflammation after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is controversial. The early phases of inflammation include the leukocyte-endothelial (L/EC) cell interactions which have been divided in rolling, activation, adhesion and migration.

The first experiment was to demonstrate the role of NO in a model of renal I/R. We demonstrated that exogenous NO improves survival and renal function tests after renal I/R, while endogenous NO does not appear to be an important contributor to renal I/R. We also demonstrated that NO modulate the infiltration of neutrophils …

Effects Of Insulin And Insulin-Mimetics On Mrna Levels Of C-Fos And C-Jun In Primary Rat Hepatocytes In Culture, Guangmin Li

Masters Theses

Insulin is capable of regulating cellular and metabolic processes as well as gene expression. Selenate and vanadate are two compounds that have been found to mimic the action of insulin in several tissue and cell types. cFos and cJun are the products of immediate early responsive genes c-fos and c-jun. They are members of the family of the AP-1 (Activator Protein-1) transcription factors. AP-1 transcription factors bind as cJun.cJun homodimer or cJun.cFos heterodimer to the TRE found in the promoter regions of several genes. AP-1 is characterized by its ability to alter gene expression in response to various peptide …

Ecology And Community Relationships Of The River Cooter, Pseudemys Concinna In A Southern Illinois Backwater, Michael J. Dreslik

Masters Theses

In Illinois the River cooter, Pseudemys concinna, is an enigmatic endangered species. Even throughout its range, ecological studies on the River cooter are rare. During 1994 and 1995 I quantified the: growth rates and trends, population size and structure and dietary habits of a population from floodplain lake in Gallatin county, Illinois. Population estimation (Schnabel method) predicted 136 individuals at a density of 4.6 turtles/ha with a biomass of 3.6 Kg/ha. The sex ratio is slightly male biased (1:1.14). From back-calculated growth data, the von Bertalanffy growth model (Fabens' method) estimates males with a higher growth rate (k) and …

The Effects Of Group Selection On The Characteristics And Use Of Cavity Trees And Snags, Mary Lynn Lambert

Masters Theses

I studied the effects of group selection tree harvest on the availability, composition, and use of cavity trees, snags and cavities in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas. Sixteen plots dominated by oaks and hickories that were 70-102 years old were surveyed prior to harvest. Tree species, diameter, height and number of visible cavities were recorded. In addition, 192 cavity trees were marked for wildlife observations during the summer and winter. Subsequently, plots were harvested by commercial contractors to either 15 or 19 m²/ha basal area, using either free or structural control thinning methods. A complete survey of …

The Relationship Of Catalase Activity To The Trade-Off Between Reproduction And Lifespan In The Giant Waterbug, Belostoma Flumineum, Matthew R. Gilg

Masters Theses

Senescence is the process by which organisms age and ultimately die. Life history theory suggests that the allocation of energy into growth and reproduction is necessarily associated with a decrease in energy available for the maintenance of the soma. Many studies have shown that early or increased rates of reproduction are often correlated with a decrease in longevity, but few studies have investigated physiological correlates to this event. Catalase is an enzyme involved in the removal of oxygen free radicals implicated in damaging cellular components that contribute to senescence. A decrease in catalase activity with age could increase the organism's …

Electromyographic Comparison Of Internal And External Obliques Using A Modified Version Of Kendall's Strength Test Positions For Upper And Lower Abdominals, Rebecca A. Currier, Margie L. Johnson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the activity of the internal obliques (upper abdominals) versus the external obliques (lower abdominals) during a modified version of Kendall's upper and lower abdominal strength tests using surface electromyography on adults. The study was not correlated to Kendall's theory due to the necessity to have the internal oblique electrode placed on the anterior abdomen. Twenty-four women and sixteen men participated in the study. All subjects were taught two positions ("easy" and "hard") for both abdominal tests and performed eight trials. A normalized ratio was generated by dividing one "hard" trial by the …

Growth Of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, And Channel Catfish In Relation To Fish Abundances, Food Availability, And Other Limnological Variables, Sean P. Callahan

Masters Theses

Bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish are widely distributed and popular sports species. We assessed growth of sympatric populations of these species in 14 reservoirs throughout Illinois, and attempted to relate growth to environmental factors. Principal components analysis (PCA) classified the lakes using 20 morphometric and limnological variables. We examined growth rate relationships with the principal components, via correlations, and also developed simple and multiple regression models using individual variables. Using size-specific growth for two size classes, percent littoral zone of a lake was correlated with growth of both channel catfish (300 and 450 mm) and small bluegill (50 mm). …

Physiological Responses Among Power Air Ball, Spri Tube, And Arm Movement During Step Aerobics, Lisa Dallas

Masters Theses

This study compared caloric expenditure between three step aerobic dance routines (STEP) using the same arm movements; one without any upper body resistive exercise product (ARM), one with a 2 lb. Power Air Ball (BALL), and one with a Spri Tube (TUBE). Twenty-seven college aged females familiar with step aerobics volunteered to be subjects. Maximal oxygen uptake was measured using the Bruce protocol. A 55 minute video was followed for each of the STEP routines to control for arm and leg movement. The order of the STEP routines was randomly assigned. An Aerosport TEEM 100 gas analyzer calculated and recorded …

Mechanistic Studies On Malate Dehydrogenase From Escherichia Coli, S. Kirk Wright

Masters Theses

Kinetic studies and chemical modification studies were performed on malate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli (eMDH). Chemical modification studies using diethylpyrocarbonate and iodoacetic acid, along with log V/K profiles indicate that one ionizing group with a pK_a between 7.9 and 8.5 acts as a general acid/base in the catalytic mechanism. Log V profiles suggest that malate binds to the correctly protonated form of the enzyme. These results imply that a histidine residue is required for catalysis.

A primary deuterium kinetic isotope effect of 1.43 (±0.14) was observed on V/K using malate-2-d, while no isotope effect was measured on V_{max …}

The Influence Of Environmental Ph And Bicarbonate Concentration On The Excretion Of Nitrogenous Waste Products In Two Species Of Freshwater Teleost, Paul D. Fabsits

Masters Theses

The catabolism of amino acids derived from dietary protein results in the production of ammonia and bicarbonate ion, waste products that an animal must eliminate. Often, animals excrete a nitrogenous waste product that is correlated with water availability: Freshwater fish, living where water is abundant, usually excrete ammonia while terrestrial animals excrete urea or uric acid. Recent studies report that fish inhabiting alkaline waters (pH 10) characterized by high bicarbonate concentrations do not excrete ammonia, instead synthesize urea, an energetically expensive process. The conversion to urea excretion by a normally ammonotelic animal is likely to be stimulated by a specific …

Physical Condition And Reproductive Success Of White-Tailed Deer At Fort Chaffee, Ar: A Five-Year Study, Donald A. Phillips

Masters Theses

A baseline study conducted in 1991 demonstrated that the resident white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas was in poor condition, with below average reproductive success, body weight, and antler size, and above average parasite load compared to other regional deer populations. Consequently, a management program was initiated in 1991 which included: (1) neutralizing acidic soils, (2) prescribed burning, (3) planting supplemental food plots, and (4) liberalizing the harvest of female adults from the population. The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in the health and reproductive success of the herd as this program was implemented. …

Parental Investment In The Red-Eared Slider Turtle, Trachemys Scripta, Michael D. Marlen

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to determine egg and hatchling components of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta). In addition, energy components transferred from egg to hatchling were used to determine the level of parental investment in embryogenesis and hatchling care. Eggs of the red-eared slider, collected from central Illinois ponds, were obtained by inducing gravid females to lay by an injection of oxytocin. Egg and hatchling lipids were extracted with petroleum ether while egg and hatchling protein content was determined using the micro-Kjeldahl procedure. Eggs averaged 70.7% water by mass, and dry mass of whole eggs and egg yolks averaged 2.4g …