Life Sciences Commons^™

The Use Of Subjective Ratings Of Perceived Exertion (Rpe) To Estimate Fixed Blood Lactate Concentrations During Incremental Cycle Ergometer Exercise, Keith Robert Scotson

Theses : Honours

Prescription of exercise intensity based on blood lactate concentration has become widely accepted in recent years. The methods used to directly measure blood lactate concentration however, can be costly, time consuming and potentially hazardous to both subject and tester. Recent studies indicate that a strong relationship exists between subjective feelings of strain experienced during exercise and changes in the appearance of blood lactate. This raises the possibility that subjective ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) can be used to simply and effectively estimate and monitor appropriate exercise intensity based on blood lactate concentration. In order to test this theory two groups …

Development And Optimisation Of A Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography Method For The Separation And Identification Of Phenolics From Eucalypt Species, Andrew J. Tromans

Theses : Honours

Several buffers were examined for their ability to separate a complex mixture of phenolic compounds using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC). The phenolic mixture included simple phenols, phenolic acids and coumarins. Of the different buffers examined, 6 mM borate, 10 mM phosphate, 100 mM SDS, pH 8.3 gave the best separation. The ability of organic modifiers, complexation agents such as α cyclodextrin, β cyclodextrin and mixed SDS I Brij 35 micelles to improve the separation and peak retention time reproducibility of the buffer system was investigated. Baseline separation of the 18 phenolics was achieved by the 6 mM borate, 10 …

Phenolic And Lignin Concentration As An Indicator Of Resistance To Phytophthora Cinnamomi In Banksia Species, Sandra Jane Nicoski

Theses : Honours

Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands, a soilborne fungus, is regarded as one of the most devastating pathogens yet recorded in natural ecosystems. The disease, caused by P. cinnamomi, poses an enormous threat to the flora of the southwest. The Proteaceae, in particular, contribute considerably to species richness and provide the fundamental floristic structure of many south-western plant communities. The genus Banksia, a member of the Proteaceae, is very susceptible to disease caused by P. cinnamomi. Three species, namely B. attenuata, B. grandis and B. menziesii. Were established in an aeroponics system under glasshouse conditions. Trials were conducted to optimise growing conditions in …

Microhabitat Use By Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous Tridactylus Gilbertii Gould) In Relation To Vegetation Associations And Ground Cover, S. Vetten

Theses : Honours

Gilbert's potoroo has been rediscovered 120 years after it was believed to have become extinct. In 1994 the presence of Gilbert's potoroo was confirmed at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, near Albany, and since that time the need for a detailed understanding of the biology and behaviour of the species has become urgent. An understanding of the habitat requirements of the species will aid in its recovery from its present critically endangered status and will act as a guide for future management decisions concerning translocations of new populations into other areas. The present study was conducted at Two Peoples Bay …

Effect Of Carbohydrate Source, Auxin And Endogenous Ethylene Upon Root Induction Of Eucalyptus Marginata Donn Ex Sm. In Vitro, Meredith Magaret Fairbanks

Theses : Honours

The utilisation of eucalypts around the world is increasing, mainly through the development of plantations. Clonal propagation has become important in some countries for production of such plantation trees. Micropropagation has been utilised to produce clones of trees selected for specific characteristics such as disease resistance, salt tolerance and fast growth rates. However, a suitable micropropagation protocol for all eucalypts has not been produced. One component of the micropropagation protocol, in which there is considerable difficulty, is the induction of adventitious roots on micropropagated shoots. Of particular interest, is the development of these procedures for Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) that have …

The Effect Of Aging On Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Ben E. Reinking

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Muscle atrophy and decreased strength are an accepted part of aging. While physical inactivity may account for some of these losses, physically active individuals still experience age related reduction in muscle mass and strength. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects that aging has on skeletal muscle regeneration. It is hypothesized that the recovery of muscle mass and force following muscular injury will decrease with age. The anesthetic bupivacaine, a potent myotoxic agent, was injected into the left tibialis anterior (TA) of young, adult, and senescent rats (3, 18, 31 months). The right leg served as an …

Characterization Of The Rnasep Sequence In Chlorobium Limicola, Emily J. Hoeger

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

RNAse P is a ribonucleoprotein involved in cutting out pieces of RNA. Specifically, it is involved in tRNA processing as it makes a single endonucleolytic cleavage in all precursor tRNA's to produce mature 5' ends. The sequence encoding the RNA subunit (rnpB gene) of RNAseP has been previously determined in one strain of Chlorobium limicola. A second strain was obtained from Carolina Biological Supply to test for conservation of sequence characteristics. This second strain was used in a PCR with the primers described in Haas. The amplified rnpB gene sequence appeared to have fewer base· pairs than the Haas …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Aerobic Dance To Water Aerobic Training On Maximal Oxygen Consumption, Terri L. Bedford, Tamara A. Dusterwinkle, Darcy J. Hoppman

Masters Theses

Water aerobics is one mode of exercise that is gaining popularity. Water aerobics allows adults who participate in an exercise program to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this study was to determine if water aerobic training is as effective as land dance aerobic training in improving cardiorespiratory fitness in sedentary healthy adults. Eighteen subjects participated in this study; nine in dance aerobics and nine in water aerobics. Before and after eight weeks of training, subjects performed a graded maximal exercise test on a Schwinn Air-Dyne while maximal oxygen uptake was measured via a Beckman Metabolic Cart. ANCOVA was …

Comparison Of Resistance In Three Breeds Of Cattle Against African Ixodid Ticks, G. Solomon, G. P. Kaaya

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tick resistance in three breeds of cattle, two indigenous breeds (Arssi and Boran) and one Boran × Friesian cross-breed, were compared following natural tick infestations at Abernossa ranch in Ethiopia. The local Arssi breed was found to have the highest tick resistance, followed by the Boran breed, whereas the Boran × Friesian was the least resistant. Over a period of 12 months, from October 1991 to September 1992, a total of 32 897 ticks composed of four genera were collected from the animals. The four most abundant tick species were Amblyomma variegatum (61.7%), Boophilus decoloratus (16%); Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (16.3%) …

Identification Of Major Components Of Larviposition Pheromone From Larvae Of Tsetse Flies Glossina Morsitans Morsitans Westwood And Glossina Morsitans Centralis Machado, R. K. Saini, A. Hassanali, J. Andoke, P. Ahuya, W. P. Ouma

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The presence of pheromones produced by larvae of Glossina morsitans morsitans and G. m. centralis, respectively, which attract gravid females and result in aggregation of pupae, is confirmed. Behavioral experiments indicated that females preferred to larviposit over moist sand conditioned by previously allowing larvae to pupariate in it. Similar results were obtained with filter papers contaminated with the prepupariation excretions of larvae and with volatiles collected from larvae prior to pupariation. n-Pentadecane and n-dodecane were identified as the dominant electrophysiologically active components of the larviposition pheromones of G. m. morsitans and G. m. centralis, respectively, by GC-EAD and GC-MS analysis …

Reproductive Performance And Population Dynamics Of Cowpea Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) On Leaf Extracts Of Resistant And Susceptible Cowpeas, I. Billy Annan, Ward M. Tingey, George A. Schaefers, Kailash N. Saxena

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Membrane feeding studies were conducted to determine the effects of raw juices and chemical extracts of leaves of aphid-resistant (ICV-12) and aphid- susceptible (ICV-1) cultivars of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp.)], on the survival, growth, and reproduction of cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora Koch. Life table and demographic statistics of the cohort population and subsequent generations were estimated. Compared to ICV-1, the leaf juices and chemical extracts of ICV-12 exhibited significant (P ≤ 0.05) adverse effects on aphid survival, growth, and reproduction. Raw leaf juice and ethyl acetate extract of ICV-12 in both water and sucrose significantly (P ≤ 0.05) limited …

Physiological Responses And Central Nervous Projections Of Antennal Olfactory Receptor Neurons In The Adult Desert Locust, Schistocerca Gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae), B. S. Hansson, S. A. Ochieng, X. Grosmaitre S Anton, P. G.N. Njagi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Olfactory receptor neurons present in two morphological sensillum types on the male Schistocerca gregaria antenna were for the first time investigated physiologically when stimulated with behaviourally relevant odours. Neurons present in trichoid/basiconic sensilla showed clear excitatory responses to compounds present in the male-produced aggregation pheromone and also to a plant produced compound. Sensilla could be categorised physiologically according to the responses of their receptor neurons to the tested stimuli. Also receptor neurons present in sensilla coeloconica responded to aggregation pheromone components, but always in an inhibitory fashion. These neurons could, however, be excited by a plant produced compound and by …

Prospects For Biological Control Of Livestock Ticks, Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus And Amblyomma Variegatum, Using The Entomogenous Fungi Beauveria Bassiana And Metarhizium Anisopliae, Godwin P. Kaaya, Esther N. Mwangi, Elizabeth A. Ouna

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Both Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae induced, approximately 30% mortalities in adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus feeding on rabbits while M. anisopliae induced a mortality of 37% in adult Amblyomma variegatum. Both fungal species induced reductions in engorgement weights, fecundity, and egg hatchability in adult A. variegatum. M. anisopliae reduced fecundity by 94% in A. variegatum. Furthermore, B. bassiana reduced egg hatchability to 0%, while 11% of the infected females failed to lay eggs. In Zebu cattle naturally infested, with R. appendiculatus in the field, both B. bassiana and M. anisopliae induced high mortalities ranging from 76-85%, a remarkable reduction in fecundity …

Reproductive Responses Of Iphiseius Degenerans And Neoseiulus Teke (Acari: Phytoseiidae) To Changes In The Density Of The Cassava Green Mite, Mononychellus Tanajoa (Acari: Tetranychidae), F. E. Nwilene, G. Nachman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

We assessed the reproductive responses of adult female Iphiseius degenerans and Neoseiulus teke to increasing density of three stages of their prey, Mononychellus tanajoa, on cassava leaf discs under laboratory conditions. The oviposition rates increased with number of prey consumed per predator per day with a maximum of approximately two eggs per day for I. degenerans and four eggs per day for N. teke. The oviposition rate of N. teke was higher when consuming eggs than other prey stages. Neoseiulus teke was more efficient than I. degenerans in converting consumed prey into egg production. The data were adequately described by …

Suitability Of Graminaceous Weed Species As Host Plants For Rice Leaffolders, Cnaphalocrocis Medinalis And Marasmia Patnalis, Z. R. Khan, M. L.P. Abenes, N. J. Fernandez

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The suitability of 12 graminaceous weeds of ricefields as host plants for two rice leaffolders, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) and Marasmia patnalis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was compared to a susceptible (IR36) and a moderately resistant (TKM6) rice variety in laboratory and greenhouse tests. Although rice was the most preferred host of the two leaffolder species, their responses to the test weeds varied significantly. Cnaphalocrocis medinalis responded better to most of the test weeds than did M. patnalis, suggesting a wider host range for C. medinalis. Third instar larval orientation and settling, and food consumption and assimilation of C. medinalis on Leersia …

1,8-Cineole: An Attractant For The Banana Weevil, Cosmopolites Sordidus, Isaiah O. Ndiege, Willam J. Budenberg, Dalmas O. Otieno, Ahmed Hassanali

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

1,8-Cineole was identified as one of the electrophysiologically active components of the volatiles from banana cultivars susceptible to the banana weevil. It was also shown to be an attractant for the banana weevil Comopolites sordidus in laboratory behavioural bioassays. The resistant cultivar did not contain 1,8-cineole. β-Phellandrene, which exhibited electrophysiological activity, but did not show any attraction to the banana weevil, was found only in the resistant banana cultivar.

Volatile Infochemicals Used In Host And Host Habitat Location By Cotesia Flavipes Cameron And Cotesia Sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Larval Parasitoids Of Stemborers On Graminae, Adele J. Ngi-Song, William A. Overholt, Peter G.N. Njagi, Marcel Dicke, Jonathan N. Ayertey, Wilbert Lwande

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Female Cotesia flavipes Cameron and Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) were attracted to odors in a Y-tube olfactometer from uninfested maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)]. and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach). In dual choice tests. Cotesia flavipes showed a preference for maize over sorghum, while maize and napier grass were equally attractive. In contrast, Cotesia sesamiae preferred volatiles from sorghum and napier grass over those from maize. The two parasitoids were significantly more attracted to maize infested with the stemborers, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), Chilo orichalcociliellus Strand, Sesamia calamistis Hampson, and Busseola fusca (Fuller), than uninfested maize. In dual choice …

Law And Ignorance: Genetic Therapy And The Legal Process, Roger B. Dworkin

Articles by Maurer Faculty

No abstract provided.

Cytokines In Pigs Bred Selectively For High And Low Immune Response [Abstract Only], Jay Reddy, Bruce N. Wilkie, Bonnie A. Mallard, Soren Rosendal

Jay Reddy Publications

Yorkshire pigs have been bred for high (H) and low (L) immune response based on selection for multiple antibody (Ab) and cell mediated immune response traits. High responders have better production and larger litter size when compared with controls and low responders. The ability of high and low line pigs to resist M. hyorhinis infection has been tested. The high responders had more rapid and higher Ab response and the severity of the disease was less, as judged by clinical and postmortem signs. However, arthritis was found to be relatively more severe in high responders. We hypothesized that the immune …

A Gene Correlate Of Geotaxis Near Adh (2-50.1) In Drosophila Melanogaster, Scott F. Stoltenberg, Jerry Hirsch

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

As part of a long-term study (38+ years) to identify genetic correlates of geotaxis in Drosophila melanogaster, the investigators report the results of allozyme-level analyses of 2 lines derived from hybridizing high- and low-selected lines that have evolved stable, extreme expressions of geotaxis. Allelic variation at Adh was associated with geotactic performance in 1 hybrid-derived line, but not in another, after 66 free-mating generations beyond the F₂ generation. A second-chromosome gene correlate of geotaxis may lie within 1 map unit of Adh. Population genetic analyses suggest that there were different selection pressures on the hybrid-derived lines and …

Book Review: Managing Northern Forest Birds, Richard M. Degraaf

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Janet Green's clearly written book goes a long way toward clarifying the ecological issues involved as they apply to the forested regions of Minnesota. Birds and Forests is written as an instructive guide for non-specialists who want to know about the issues involved in ecosystem-based management of forests and wildlife in Minnesota. Green eschews 'wildlife habitat,' which is vague and begs the question, which wildlife? Instead, the focus is on birds because of their diversity, habitat specificity, relative ease of study, and popularity.

Spatial Relationships Among Young Cercocarpus Ledifolius (Curlleaf Mountain Ylahogany), Brad W. Schultz, Robin J. Tausch, Paul T. Tueller

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This study analyzed spatial location patterns of Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. (curlleaf mountain mahogany) plants, classified as current-year seedling, established seedling, juvenile, and immature individuals, at a central Nevada study site. Most current-year seedlings were located in mahogany stands in which large, mature individuals had the greatest abundance. These stands had greater litter cover and a thicker layer of litter than areas with few current- year seedlings. Most established young Cercocarpus were located in adjacent Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (mountain big sagebrush) communities, or in infrequent canopy gaps between relatively few large, mature Cercocarpus. We discuss potential roles of plant litter, …

Comparison Of Two Roadside Survey Procedures For Dwarf Mistletoes On The Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho, Robert L. Mathiasen, James T. Hoffman, John C. Guyon, Linda L. Wadleigh

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Two roadside surveys were conducted for dwarf mistletoes parasitizing lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir on the Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho. One survey used variable-radius plots located less than 150 m from roads. The 2nd survey used variable-radius plots established at 200-m intervals along 1600-m transects run perpendicular to the same roads. Estimates of the incidence (percentage of trees infected and percentage of plots infested) and severity (average dwarf mistletoe rating) for both lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoes were not significantly different for the 2 survey methods. These findings are further evidence that roadside-plot surveys and transect-plot surveys conducted away from …

Western Balsam Bark Beetle, Dryocoetes Confusus Swaine, Flight Periodicity In Northern Utah, E. Matthew Hansen

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The flight periodicity of western balsam bark beetle (Dryocoetes confusus Swaine) in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, was studied during the summer months of 1992, 1993, and 1994. Contents of baited funnel traps were tallied by species up to 3 times weekly. Two main periods of flight activity were observed each year. The first and, generally, largest occurred in early summer soon after flight was initiated for the season. A 2nd period was observed in late summer, generally August. Timing of the 2 periods was influenced by unusually warm or cool weather in each study year. The 1st period had …

Semiochemistry Of Cabbage Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Eurydema And Murgada, Jeffrey R. Aldrich, James W. Avery, Chang-Joo Lee, Jennifer C. Graf, Dawn J. Harrison, Ferdinando Bin

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The semiochemistry of the common North American pest of crucifers, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) (the harlequin bug), and two related European species, Eurydema ventrale L. and E. oleraceum L., was investigated.

Nematode Diversity Of Native Species Of Vitis In California, Luma Al-Banna, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

From 1990 through 1992, nematodes were extracted from soil samples taken from the rhizosphere of native species of grapes from four areas of northern California and two areas of southern California. For comparison, samples from domestic grapes as well as a putative hybrid of Vitis californicaand V. vinifera were also taken. Rhizosoil from California native grapevine contained many more species of nematodes than did soil obtained from cultivated forms of V. vinifera. Taxonomic and trophic diversity was much higher in nematodes from sampling sites from native grapes than in those from grapes maintained in vineyard situations. Ordination methods …

Body Size Evolution Of Oxyurid (Nematoda) Parasites: The Role Of Hosts, Serge Morand, Pierre Legendre, Scott Lyell Gardner, Jean-Pierre Hugot

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Studying the diversification of body size in a taxon of parasites allows comparison of patterns of variation observed in the parasites with patterns found in free-living organisms. The distributions of body size of oxyurid nematodes (obligate parasites of vertebrates and invertebrates) are lognormally right-skewed, except for male oxyurids in invertebrates which show left-skewed distributions. In these parasitic forms, speciose genera do not have the smallest body sizes. Parasite body size is positively correlated with host body size, the largest hosts possessing the largest parasites. This trend is shown to occur within one monophyletic group of oxyurids, those of Old World …

Identification Of Heterorhabditis (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) From California With A New Species Isolated From The Larvae Of The Ghost Moth Hepialis Californicus (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) From The Bodega Bay Natural Reserve, S. Patricia Stock, Donald R. Strong, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Classical taxonomy together with cross-breeding tests and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD's) were used to detect morphological and genetic variation between populations of Heterorhabditis Poinar, 1975 from California. A new species, Heterarhabditis hepialius sp. n., recovered from ghost moth caterpillars (Hepialis califamicus) in Bodega Bay, California, USA is herein described and illustrated. This is the eighth species in the genus Heterarhabditis and is characterized by the morphology of the spicules, gubernaculum, the female's tail, and ratios E and F of the infective juveniles. Information on its bionomics is provided.

French title: Identification d'Heterorhabditis (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) de Californie …

Review Of: Species Diagnostics Protocols: Pcr And Other Nucleic Acid Methods, Edited By J. P. Clapp, Steven A. Nadler

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A wide variety of approaches employing nucleic acids are included in this volume, and most of the protocols take advantage of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify sufficient quantities of DNA for comparison. One chapter (N. Springer et al.) that parasitologists should take special note of concerns the use of fluorescent oligonucleotide probes for the identification of protozoan endosymbionts. Selective hybridization of specifically designed oligonucleotide probes is a method that holds great promise for identification of microscopic organisms. In general, the experimental protocols are sufficiently detailed and organized to be used right at the laboratory bench. Most chapters …

Carmine-Propionic Acid Stain For Elucidation Of Fine Cellular Structure In Nematodes, Alexander V. Khrustalev, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Carmine-propionic acid staining was found to enhance the elucidation of cellular membranes in the esophagus and genital tract and the structure of sperm in strongylate nematodes. This regressive staining technique may also have general utility for differentiation of cellular membranes and nuclear structure in other taxa of parasitic helminths.