Life Sciences Commons^™

The Last Plant Standing - Ecosystem Assessment And Response To Human Disturbance In The Gordon Natural Area, West Chester University, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Katie Mohn, Frank Mcsherry, Rob Stabs, Michael Mcgeehin, Kristen Noble

Gordon Natural Area Forest Restoration Project Documents

No abstract provided.

Development And Characterization Of Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Tanapox Virus, Michael Franz

Masters Theses

The initial symptoms of a Tanapoxvirus (TPV) infection are indistinguishable from smallpox, which is caused by variola virus (VV). In the post-9/11 area, reagents that can quickly differentiate a TPV infection from smallpox are very desirable, but currently unavailable. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed specifically against TPV can be used for this purpose. Six mAbs were developed and characterized that specifically bind to TPV infected owl monkey kidney (OMK) cells, but not uninfected cells. The apparent molecular mass of the TPV protein(s) recognized by 5 mAbs were calculated using the Western blot technique. One mAb demonstrated no binding using the Western …

The Effect Of Topical Fluorides On The Microleakage Of Sealants, N. Jared Nation

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible microleakage found in two groups of sealants; a group bonded with a dentin bonding agent (DBA), and a group bonded without a DBA after exposure to a variety of topical fluorides.

Materials and Methods: Extracted, human molars were placed into 8 groups. Half of the groups contained sealants that were bonded with a DBA and the other remaining groups of sealants were bonded without a DBA. There were two control groups, one that had sealants bonded with a DBA and the other had sealants bonded without a DBA, but …

P14arf : A P53-Independent Tumor Suppressor, Monte W. Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many genetic alterations at the CDKN2A locus on human chromosome 9 have been shown to be at least partially responsible for transformation of cells to a cancerous phenotype. This locus encodes two proteins, p16 and p14, that play a pivotal role in tumor surveillance.

Breakdowns in the p14 pathway have been estimated to be present in approximately 40% of human cancers and only recently have its binding partners and effects begun to be defined. Its interaction with the p53 pathway, which is estimated to be inactivated or mutated in 50% of all cancers, makes it difficult to determine its own …

Enterotoxin B Subunit Lectins As Adjuvants For Improvement Of Mucosal Vaccine, Nak-Won Choi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In comparison with whole organism vaccines, subunit vaccines may be safer for immunization but may lack sufficient immunogenicity to provide complete immunity to the pathogen. To resolve this problem, bacterial and plant enterotoxin B subunit adjuvants containing a variety of receptor-binding properties were used to enhance the immunogenicity of rotavirus subunit vaccines. Enterotoxin B subunit adjuvants were employed to enhance protection against virus infection. Pentameric cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), shiga toxin-1 B subunit (STB) and monomeric ricin toxin B subunit (RTB) molecules were genetically linked to a 90 amino acid peptide from the simian rotavirus (SA11) nonstructural protein NSP4 …

2003 Coastal Illicit Connection Identification And Elimination Grant Project, Jeffrey Marcoux

PREP Reports & Publications

This final report describes a grant program funded by NHEP and administered by DES. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NHEP and DES created a grant program to provide assistance to coastal communities to identify and eliminate illicit discharges into the storm drain system. A total of $80,000 was made available for assisting municipalities with illicit discharge correction and storm sewer mapping projects. DES issued a request for proposals (RFP), chose grant recipients, and managed the grant agreements. This report provides details on the illicit discharge detection and elimination projects completed by Dover, Somersworth, and Hampton. The deadline for completion …

Monitoring Heart Rate In Drosophila Larvae By Various Approaches, Sameera Dasari, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Monitoring Carbon Dioxide Production By Drosophila Larvae, Robin L. Cooper, D. Nicholas Mcletchie

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Rene Weber, Rene Weber, Institute Of Child Nutrition. Child Nutrition Archives.

Oral History Project (all interviews)

Rene Weber became Director of Lunch Program for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1978, after working as a teacher for eleven years, and remained in this position for 22.5 years, starting with five schools and ending with 119. An active member of both the Ohio School Food Service Association and American School Food Service Association, she served as Legislative Chair for Ohio for eighteen years and three terms on the National Advisory Council for the USDA.

Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Annual Progress Report, 2004, Agricultural Experiment Station

Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports

This report contains 30 crop and livestock research and demonstration summaries of projects conducted at Southeast Research Farm in 2004. This year’s cattle report describes a project that compares feeding dried distillers grains to other oilseed supplements for wintering cows on ground corn stalks. Our crop reports show results of the many weed control projects that were conducted here as well as variety trial results and breeder evaluations for oat, corn, soybean, and forages. Several soil fertility research projects focused on strip/zone till, amending soils with gypsum, nutrient management associated with livestock manure, fertilizer placement, and other topics. Insects, soybean …

Abomasal Parasites In Wild Sympatric Cervids, Red Deer, Cervus Elaphus, And Fallow Deer, Dama Dama, From Three Localities Across Central And Western Spain: Relationship To Host Density And Park Management, Mónica Santín-Durán, José M. Alunda, Eric P. Hoberg, Concepción De La Fuente

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A survey of abomasal parasites in cervids from Central Spain was conducted at three sites, Quintos de Mora (Toledo), Maluéñez de Arriba (Cáceres), and La Herguijuela (Cáceres). Commonly occurring helminths belonged to three polymorphic species of the Ostertagiinae: Spiculopteragia asymmetrica/S. quadrispiculata, Ostertagia leptospicularis/O. kolchida, and O. drozdzi/O. ryjikovi. Trichostrongylus axei was found in very few cases. Ostertagia drozdzi/O. ryjikovi and the minor male morphotype, S. quadrispiculata, are reported for the first time in red deer from Spain. The three ostertagiine species are also reported for the first time …

Bronchial Airway Epithelial Cell Denudation In The Pathogenesis Of Asthma: The Role Of Il-4 And Il-13, Gail Ramirez-Icaza

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Asthma is characterized by infiltration and shedding of the bronchial epithelium. The Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 are involved in the cellular recruitment and infiltration seen in asthma. The effects ofIL-4 and IL-13 on cell-matrix interactions, gap formation, increased monolayer permeability and epithelial shedding are unknown. Experiments described in this report test the hypothesis that bronchial airway epithelial cells (BAEC) express paxillin, a structural focal adhesion protein, and down-regulation of paxillin by Th2 cytokines lead to BAEC hyperpermeability. Furthermore, the hypothesis that the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 could down-regulate the adherens junction proteins Pcatenin and E-cadherin in BAEC, and …

Monitoring Activity Of Drosophila Larvae: Impedance & Video Microscopy Measures, Ann Simone Cooper, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Soil Biota Facilitate Exotic Acer Invasions In Europe And North America, Kurt O. Reinhart, Ragan M. Callaway

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The primary hypothesis for successful exotic plant invasions is that the invaders have escaped the specialist consumers that control them (Enemy Release Hypothesis). However, few studies have rigorously tested this assertion with biogeographical experiments or considered the effects of soil organisms. We tested the Enemy Release Hypothesis and the enhanced role of mutualisms by comparing density patterns of the North American Acer negundo and European A. platanoides trees in their native and nonnative ranges. Invaders that have escaped their natural enemies are predicted to attain greater densities in nonnative than native ranges. To determine whether interactions with soil biota could …

Loss Of Enemy Resistance Among Introduced Populations Of St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum), John L. Maron, Montserrat Vilà, John Arnason

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability (EICA) hypothesis predicts that introduced plants should lose enemy resistance and in turn evolve increased size or fecundity. We tested the first prediction of this hypothesis by growing introduced North American and native European genotypes of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in common gardens in the state of Washington, USA, and in Girona, Spain. In both gardens we measured levels of hypericin and pseudohypericin (and in Washington, hypericide)— compounds known to be toxic to generalist pathogens and herbivores. In a third common garden, in Spain, we experimentally manipulated native pathogen pressure (by …

Buffalograss Germplasm Resistance To Blissus Occiduus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), Osman Gulsen, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Robert C. Shearman, P. Stephen Baenziger, Donald J. Lee, Frederick P. Baxendale

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Plant germplasm collections may offer genetic variability useful in identifying insect resistance. The goal of this project was to evaluate buffalograss genotypes [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] for resistance to the chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), and to relate resistance to ploidy level, chinch bug number, and pubescence. Forty-eight buffalograss genotypes from diverse geographic locations were evaluated in replicated studies under greenhouse conditions. Of the genotypes studied, four were highly resistant, 22 were moderately resistant, 19 were moderately susceptible, and three were highly susceptible to chinch bug damage. The mean number of chinch bugs was significantly different among …

Bergmann's Clines In Ectotherms: Illustrating A Life-History Perspective With Sceloporine Lizards, Michael J. Angilletta Jr., Peter H. Niewiarowski, Arthur E. Dunham, Adam D. Leache, Warren P. Porter

Biology Faculty Research

The generality and causes of Bergmann's rule have been debated vigorously in the last few years, but Bergmann's clines are rarely explained in the context of life-history theory. We used both traditional and phylogenetic comparative analyses to explore the causes of latitudinal and thermal clines in the body size of the eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). The proximate mechanism for larger body sizes in colder environments is delayed maturation, which results in a greater fecundity but a lower survival to maturity. Life-history theory predicts that a higher survivorship of juveniles in colder environments can favor the evolution of a Bergmann's …

Arkansas Animal Science Department Report 2004, Zelpha B. Johnson, D. Wayne Kellogg

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Naocl, Ca(Oh)2, Mta And Mtad On Root Dentin Fracture Resistance, Sunil Ilapogu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Various materials are used for the treatment of immature teeth that have been subjected to trauma or decay. It is not well established what effect these materials may have on the immature root dentin. A concern would be the resistance to fracture of the remaining root dentin. The purpose of this study was to compare the resistance of fracture of bovine teeth treated with sodium hypochlorite, calcium hydroxide, gray MTA and gray MTA in conjunction with MTAD after certain periods of time. One hundred and ninety five freshly extracted, intact bovine incisors were prepared using a modified Haapasalo and Orstavik …

Association Of Dc-Sign Promoter Polymorphism With Increased Risk For Parenteral, But Not Mucosal, Acquisition Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection, Maureen P. Martin, Michael M. Lederman, Holli B. Hutcheson, James J. Goedert, George W. Nelson, Yvette Van Kooyk, Roger Detels, Susan Buchbinder, Keith Hoots, David Vlahov, Stephen J. O'Brien, Mary Carrington

Biology Faculty Articles

There is considerable debate about the fundamental mechanisms that underlie and restrict acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. In light of recent studies demonstrating the ability of C type lectins to facilitate infection with HIV-1, we explored the potential relationship between polymorphisms in the DC-SIGN promoter and risk for acquisition of HIV-1 according to route of infection. Using samples obtained from 1,611 European-American participants at risk for parenteral (n = 713) or mucosal (n = 898) infection, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the DC-SIGN promoter using single-strand conformation polymorphism. Individuals at risk for parenterally acquired …

Phylogeography And Genetic Ancestry Of Tigers (Panthera Tigris), Shu-Jin Luo, Jae-Heup Kim, Warren E. Johnson, Joelle Van Der Walt, Janice S. Martenson, Naoya Yuhki, Dale Miquelle, Olga Uphyrkina, John M. Goodrich, Howard Quigley, R. Tilson, Gerald Brady, Paolo Martelli, Vellayan Subramaniam, Charles Mcdougal, Sun Hean, Shi-Qiang Huang, Wenshi Pan, Ullas K. Karanth, Melvin Sunquist, James L. D. Smith, Stephen J. O'Brien

Biology Faculty Articles

Eight traditional subspecies of tiger (Panthera tigris), of which three recently became extinct, are commonly recognized on the basis of geographic isolation and morphological characteristics. To investigate the species' evolutionary history and to establish objective methods for subspecies recognition, voucher specimens of blood, skin, hair, and/or skin biopsies from 134 tigers with verified geographic origins or heritage across the whole distribution range were examined for three molecular markers: (1) 4.0 kb of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence; (2) allele variation in the nuclear major histocompatibility complex class II DRB gene; and (3) composite nuclear microsatellite genotypes based on 30 loci. Relatively …

Pineywoods Native Plant Center News, December 2004, Sfa Gardens, Stephen F. Austin State University

SFA Gardens Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Arkansas Soybean Performance Tests 2004, D. G. Dombek, D. K. Ahrent, R. D. Bond, I. L. Eldridge

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

No abstract provided.

Muscle Vibration's Effect On The Threshold Frequency Of An Electrically Induced Muscle Cramp, Joshua D. Williamson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of muscle vibration on the threshold frequency of an electrically-induced muscle cramp of the flexor hallucis brevis. Design and setting: This study used a 2 x 2 factorial design study. The independent variables consisted of treatment ( control and vibration) and time (pretest and post-test). The dependent variable was the threshold frequency of an electrically induced muscle cramp. Subjects: 16 healthy individuals, aged 21.6 ± 8.0 years, free from any lower extremity neurological, muscular, or vascular pathology were used in this study. Methods: Subjects reported on three consecutive days …

Using Distributed Network Systems To Model Perception With An Artificial Neural Network, Tide Kansona Takizala

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is difficult to be certain about brain functioning. Until now, most efforts to understand brain computations have only been conducted on a stand alone computer. In order to recreate the brain accurately, members of the Institute of Cognitive Computing Technology (ICCT) were interested in finding out whether or not a biological process could be simulated on a Distributed Artificial Neural Network (DANN). The goal of this investigation was to implement visual perception on a network of computers and compare the computations of the network with those of a human brain. The distributed network was developed as a Local Area …

The Ecology And Relationships Of Chiropteran Ectoparasitic Communities Of Indiana, Christopher Michael Ritzi

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ectoparasites of bats are an important and largely unstudied area of mammalian ecology. The structure of ectoparasitic communities on bats, and their interactions with their hosts, may help in the understanding of roosting ecology, pa1iurition, and other aspects of host natural history. In this study, a vigorous survey of the ectoparasitic fauna of the bats ofindiana was undertaken, to determine if changes in species composition has occurred over the past 30 years. This survey resulted in the recovery of 51,980 parasites of 13 families from 2,816 host individuals of l O species, documenting 16 new host records and 14 …

The Long Term Effects Of Short-Wave Diathermy And Long-Duration Static Stretch On Hamstring Flexibility, Daniel Joseph Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To compare changes in hamstring flexibility from treatments of pulsed short- wave diathermy and prolonged stretch versus sham diathermy and prolonged stretch and control and to observe how long those changes last.

Background: Heat and stretch techniques have been touted for years. To date, the effect of short-wave diathermy and hamstring stretching has not been thoroughly studied. Because diathermy heats a large area and penetrates deep into the muscle, use of this device prior to or during hamstring stretching may increase flexibility and these gains may last longer.

Study Design: A randomized, counterbalanced 3x2x6 repeated measures design. The 3 …

Phosphorylation Of Skeletal Muscle Acetyl-Coa Carboxylase By Ampk Enhances Palmitoyl-Coa Inhibition, Dustin S. Rubink

Theses and Dissertations

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) catalyzes the formation of malnoyl-CoA, which in turn controls the rate of fatty acid metabolism. ACC beta or 2 has been shown to be localized on the mitochondria in close proximity to carnintine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT-1), the enzyme responsible for the influx of acyl-CoA into the matrix where beta oxidation takes place. CPT-1 is inhibited by malonyl-CoA produced by ACC. It has been well documented that AMP activated kinase (AMPK) when activated phosphorylates and inactivates ACC. ACC is controlled allosterically by citrate, which activates, and by palmitoyl-COA, which inhibits. In this study, we asked the question, …

Tracking The Sea-Level Signature Of The 8.2 Ka Cooling Event: New Constraints From The Mississippi Delta, Torbjörn E. Törnqvist, Scott J. Bick, Juan L. Gonzalez, Klaas Van Der Borg, Arie F. M. De Jong

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The ever increasing need for accurate predictions of global environmental change under greenhouse conditions has sparked immense interest in an abrupt, century‐scale cooling around 8200 years ago, with a focal point in the North Atlantic and with hemispheric teleconnections. Despite considerable progress in the unraveling of this striking feature, including a conceivable driving mechanism (rapid drainage of proglacial Lake Agassiz/Ojibway and a resulting reduced strength of North Atlantic thermohaline circulation), several key questions remain unanswered. One salient aspect concerns the total amount of freshwater released during this catastrophic event, likely echoed by a near‐instantaneous eustatic sea‐level rise. So far, no …

A New Species Of The Genus Actium (Coleoptera : Staphylinidae : Pselaphinae) From Boreal Oldgrowth Forests Of Quebec, Canada, Donald S. Chandler, Pierre Paquin

New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station Publications

A new species, Actium abitibiense Chandler et Paquin sp. nov., is described and is associated with old-growth boreal forests in western Quebec.