Life Sciences Commons^™

Standard-Level Herbivory In An Old-Growth Conifer Forest Canopy, David C. Shaw, Kristina A. Ernest, H. Bruce Rinker, Margaret D. Lowman

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Herbivory is an important ecological process in forest canopies but is difficult to measure, especially for whole stands. We used the Wind River Canopy Crane in Washington State to access 101 randomly-located sample points throughout the forest canopy. This provided a relatively quick and convenient way to estimate herbivory for a whole stand. The overall level of herbivory was estimated at 1.6% of leaf area. The distribution was strongly skewed to the lower canopy where broad-leafed species experienced higher levels of herbivory. Herbivory averaged 0.3% in conifers and 13.5% in broad-leafed species. Fully half of the sample points had no …

Reproduction, Embryonic Development, And Maternal Transfer Of Contaminants In The Amphibian Gastrophryne Carolinensis, William Alexander Hopkins, Sarah Elizabeth Durant, Brandon Patrick Staub, Christopher Lee Rowe, Brian Phillip Jackson

Dartmouth Scholarship

Although many amphibian populations around the world are declining at alarming rates, the cause of most declines remains unknown. Environmental contamination is one of several factors implicated in declines and may have particularly important effects on sensitive developmental stages. Despite the severe effects of maternal transfer of contaminants on early development in other vertebrate lineages, no studies have examined the effects of maternal transfer of contaminants on reproduction or development in amphibians. We examined maternal transfer of contaminants in eastern narrow-mouth toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis) collected from a reference site and near a coal-burning power plant. Adult toads inhabiting …

Technique And Performance Level Comparisons Of Male And Female Hammer Throwers, Suzanne M. Konz

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was two-fold: 1) what the hammer throwing technique differences between sexes are and 2) what technique parameters help determine throw distance. The performances of the top 16 male and female throwers at the 2003 World Athletic Final and the top 13 male and female throwers from the 2003 USA Track and Field Nationals were examined. Video was captured using three Canon 60 Hz cameras. The best throws of each athlete were digitized and analyzed using the Peak Motus 8.2 motion analysis system. T-tests revealed that athlete mass, athlete height, velocity at release, timing components, and …

Expression And Function Of Alpha3 And Beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunits In Hek-293 Cells, Nathan W. Steinhafel

Theses and Dissertations

Single-cell real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to characterize the mRNA expression of rat neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits α3 and β2 in CA1 hippocampus stratum radiatum and stratum oriens interneurons. α3β2 co-expression was detected in 43% of interneurons analyzed. The nAChR subtype α3β2 was transiently expressed in cells derived from the human embryonic kidney cell line 293 at mRNA levels found in the CA1. The functional properties of α3β2 in HEK-293 cells were characterized by whole-cell patch clamping using acetylcholine (ACh) as an agonist. The kinetics of α3β2 channels were further analyzed by altering the level of α3 DNA …

Brain Stimulation Reward Is Integrated By A Network Of Electrically-Coupled Gaba Neurons, Matthew Brian Lassen

Theses and Dissertations

Although it is well-established that animals will self-stimulate electric current to various diverse brain structures, the neural substrate of brain stimulation reward (BSR) has eluded identification since its discovery more than a half-century ago. We show that GABA neurons in the midbrain, hypothalamus and thalamus express connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions and couple electrically with dopamine application or by stimulation of the internal capsule (IC), which also supports self-stimulation. The threshold for responding for self-stimulation of the IC is the threshold for coupling between these GABA neurons, the degree of responding for IC ICSS is proportional to the magnitude of electrical …

Evolution In Neotropical Herpetofauna: Species Boundaries In High Andean Frogs And Evolutionary Genetics In The Lava Lizard Genus Microlophus (Squamata: Tropiduridae): A History Of Colonization And Dispersal, Edgar Benavides

Theses and Dissertations

In this collection of papers I have summarized my investigations into the field of evolutionary genetics and more specifically into patterns of biodiversity and evolutionary processes. The lizards (and frogs) studied here share common features in that they are largely present in unique environments, which are also regions that are biologically understudied. Most of these taxa show high degrees of endemism, interesting natural history characteristics, and each group manifests distinctive adaptations of general evolutionary interest. My work in the genus Telmatobius has been a progressive approach that began in my MS program, and it first focused on alpha taxonomy, morphological …

Long-Term Evaluation Of Liquid Vs. Granular Nitrogen Fertilization On Creeping Bentgrass [Agrostis Stoloniferous L. Var. Palustris Huds.] And Hybrid Bermudagrass [Cynodon Dactylon (L.) Pers. X C. Transvaalensis Burtt-Davy] Performance, Frederick Totten

All Dissertations

Limited turfgrass research comparing the efficiency of foliar to granular fertilizers exists. To expand upon previous research and to determine advantages and disadvantages between dry and liquid fertilizers applied to turf, research was conducted at Clemson University to compare the efficiency of three nitrogen (N) carriers (100% granular, 100% liquid, and 50% granular + 50% liquid) using N rates ranging from 98 to 390 kg ha-1 on growth and performance of creeping bentgrass and ultra-dwarf bermudagrass.

Studies were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to evaluate liquid and/or granular N fertilization on turfgrass quality, clipping yield, and root biomass of `L-93` …

Thatch Control, Winter Painting, And Plant Growth Regulator Management On Golf Course Putting Greens, Steven Long

All Theses

No abstract provided.

Identifying Economic Indicators For Ecosystem-Based Management:, Scott Norris

Publications

In America and across the world, the use of ecosystem-based management is

increasing. One of the primary challenges faced in using this method of management is the integration of economic data and environmental information. This report explores the use of a new tool for integrating economic data, ecosystem-based economic indicators, in a case study of Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, an estuarine environment located in Monterey County, CA. Research and literature reviews were used to detail the economic activities of the area, in order to identify possible indicators,criteria for evaluating the indicators, and potential sources of indicator data. After …

The Role Of Natural And Sexual Selection In The Origin And Maintenance Of Divergence Within And Between The Mexican Sailfin Mollies, Poecilia Velifera And P. Petenensis, Shala Hankison

All Dissertations

Understanding speciation remains a holy grail of evolutionary biology. One useful approach is studying the evolutionary mechanisms important in population divergence to infer the mechanisms important in speciation. This method is especially useful when closely related species can be compared to determine whether intraspecific differences parallel interspecific differences. I studied population divergence in two species of Mexican sailfin mollies, Poecilia velifera and P. petenensis. These closely related species are particularly useful for this type of study, as they live in habitats that may differ in the importance of natural selection. In addition, these species may differ in the importance …

Evidence That Talin Alternative Splice Variants From Ciona Intestinalis Have Different Roles In Cell Adhesion, Richard H. Singiser, Richard O. Mccann

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Talins are large, modular cytoskeletal proteins found in animals and amoebozoans such as Dictyostelium discoideum. Since the identification of a second talin gene in vertebrates, it has become increasingly clear that vertebrate Talin1 and Talin2 have non-redundant roles as essential links between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton in distinct plasma membrane-associated adhesion complexes. The conserved C-terminal I/LWEQ module is important for talin function. This structural element mediates the interaction of talins with F-actin. The I/LWEQ module also targets mammalian Talin1 to focal adhesion complexes, which are dynamic multicomponent assemblies required for cell adhesion and cell motility. Although Talin1 is …

Use Of Hidden Markov Models For Qtl Mapping, Karl W. Broman

Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers

An important aspect of the QTL mapping problem is the treatment of missing genotype data. If complete genotype data were available, QTL mapping would reduce to the problem of model selection in linear regression. However, in the consideration of loci in the intervals between the available genetic markers, genotype data is inherently missing. Even at the typed genetic markers, genotype data is seldom complete, as a result of failures in the genotyping assays or for the sake of economy (for example, in the case of selective genotyping, where only individuals with extreme phenotypes are genotyped). We discuss the use of …

Small Grains And Field Peas: 2007 Variety Recommendations (2006 Crop Performance Results), Cooperative Extension Service, South Dakota State University

SDSU Extension Circulars

Variety selection is a fundamental element in a sound crop production program. This report contains variety recommendations, descriptions, and yield data for the spring-seeded small grains – hard red spring wheat, oat, and barley, along with the fall-seeded small grain –hard red winter wheat. Key factors in variety selection include yield, yield stability, maturity, straw strength, height, test weight, quality, and disease resistance. Yield is an important factor; however, a variety with good disease resistance, straw strength, and high grain quality may be more profitable in some cases than the highest yielding variety. Disease resistance information is based on reactions …

Forage Adaptability Trials For Forage And Seed Production In Bolivia; Effect Of 5 Herbicides On 7 Native Utah Forbs, Joshua C. Voss

Theses and Dissertations

The harsh environmental and poor economic conditions of the Bolivian Altiplano require intervention to assist many of those that live there to become economically self-sufficient. We attempted to find introduced dry season reserve forage grasses that could produce enough biomass to be useful as feed for livestock, and that could also produce enough seed to distribute to farmers. While some of the grasses produced reasonable amounts of biomass, none produced seed in quantities that would be even close to being economically viable. The most likely cause of this is that the timing of resources that the grasses need to flower …

Eliminating Listeria Monocytogenes In Packed Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products By Combining In-Package Pasteurization With Nisin And/Or Lysozyme, Sunil Mangalassary

All Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes is a significant food-borne pathogen particularly associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products which can grow and multiply at refrigeration temperatures. In-package pasteurization is an effective post-lethality intervention to reduce microbial contamination of RTE meat products. Enhancing the efficiency of in-package pasteurization is vital in reducing the L. monocytogenes population as well as in preserving the quality of the meat product. The first section of the dissertation research evaluated the effect of product thickness on the surface heating rate and final surface temperature during in-package pasteurization of vacuum-packaged bologna. Three thicknesses (4, 12, and 20 mm), corresponding …

Identification Of The Rassf3 Gene As A Potential Tumor Suppressor Responsible For The Resistance To Mammary Tumor Development In Mmtv/Neu Transgenic Mice, Isabelle Jacquemart

All Dissertations

The MMTV/neu transgenic mouse line is a well-documented animal model for studying HER2/neu-related breast cancer. It has been reported that a small percentage, approximately 20%, of the virgin female MMTV/neu mice seems resistant to the development of mammary gland adenoma, despite the overexpression of the neu oncogene.
To identify the factors that are responsible for the tumor resistance in these MMTV/neu female transgenic mice, comparative genetic profiling was used to screen the alterations in gene expression in the mammary gland. A novel gene named the RAS Association domain (RalGDS/AF-6) Family 3 (Rassf3), which belongs to a family of RAS effectors …

Synthesis And Optical Properties Of Four Oligothiophene-Ruthenium Complexes And Synthesis Of A Bidentate Ligand For C-F Bond Activation, Joseph S. Bair

Theses and Dissertations

Photovoltaic cells and fluorescence sensing are two important areas of research in chemistry. The combination of photon-activated electron donors with electron acceptors provides a strong platform for the study of optical devices. A series of four oligothiophene-ruthenium complexes has been synthesized. Variation in oligothiophene length and bipyridine substitution allowed comparison of these variables on electronic properties. The longer oligothiophenes display lower energy absorption and emission compared to the shorter ones. Aromatic conjugation appears more complete with para-, rather than meta-, substitution. Oligothiophenes and Ru(bpy)32+ are highly fluorescent individually, but fluorescence is quenched when connected. Bonds of carbon to fluorine are …

The Role Of Wnt Signaling In Development Of The Ophthalmic Trigeminal Placode., Rhonda Nicole Lassiter

Theses and Dissertations

Cranial placodes are ectodermal regions that contribute extensively to the vertebrate peripheral nervous system. The development of the ophthalmic trigeminal (opV) placode, which gives rise only to sensory neurons of the ophthalmic lobe of the trigeminal ganglion, is a well-studied model of sensory neuron development. While key differentiation processes have been characterized at the tissue and cellular levels, the molecules governing opV placode development have not been well described. This study identifies the canonical Wnt signaling pathway as a regulator of opV trigeminal placode development. Introducing dominant-negative TCF and dominant-active β-catenin expression constructs by in ovo electroporation, we have manipulated …

Effects Of Telephone Weight Loss Coaching On Body Composition In Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study, Amy Jensen Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine the extent to which coaching over the telephone is an effective method in promoting the loss of body weight and body fat percentage. Research Methods and Procedures: Over a period of four months, in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study, 120 overweight and obese (BMI 25-35 kg/m²) adults either received telephone coaching or no coaching. In addition, each participant was randomly assigned to take a supplement or placebo daily. Body weight and body fat percentage were measured at baseline, two months, and four months. Body weight was measured on an electronic scale and body fat percentage was …

Development Of Polymer Monoliths For The Analysis Of Peptides And Proteins, Binghe Gu

Theses and Dissertations

Several novel polymer monoliths for the analysis of peptides and proteins were synthesized using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) as crosslinker. Photo-initiated copolymerization of polyethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate and PEGDA yielded an inert monolith that could be used for size exclusion liquid chromatography of peptides and proteins. This macroscopically uniform monolith did not shrink or swell in either water or tetrahydrofuran. More importantly, it was found to resist adsorption of both acidic and basic proteins in aqueous buffer without any organic solvent additives. A strong cation-exchange polymer monolith was synthesized by copolymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and PEGDA. A ternary …

Phylogeny Of Family Limnephilidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) With Emphasis On Tribe Limnephilini (Subfamily Limnephilinae), Tatyana Vshivkova

All Dissertations

Morphological characters of adults and immature stages of Limnephilidae were analyzed with modern phylogenetic techniques, including traditionally used characters and some that have been poorly investigated or never studied. For the first time, monophyly is inferred for the following nominotypical taxa: superfamily Limnephiloidea, family Limnephilidae, subfamily Limnephilinae, tribe Limnephilini, and Limnephilus sensu stricto. Some other higher taxa are distinguished based on high bootstrap support, unreversed synapomorphies, and/or topography, including a new family-group category for Trichoptera, 'Branch,' more inclusive than the family category and less inclusive than the superfamily category. These new taxa in Limnephiloidea are as follows: Brachycentrida New Branch …

Intsormil’S Global Impact: A Revolution In West African Sorghum Production, Intsormil

INTSORMIL Impacts and Bulletins

Sorghum and pearl millet are the staple grains for millions of people around the world, especially those residing in the semiarid margins of agricultural sustainability. For this reason, INTSORMIL has been working in the semiarid regions of Africa and Central America where it has been helping sorghum and millet farmers achieve the status of surplus grain production and the economic, social and health benefits thus provided. What impact has INTSORMIL had on the lives of these sorghum and millet farmers?

To determine the global impact of the USAID funded INTSORMIL program, Battelle, an independent agency, was chosen to conduct an …

Influence Of Ph And Heat Treatment Of Whey On The Functional Properties Of Whey Protein Concentrates In Yoghurt, Isabelle Sodini, Jerry Mattas, Phillip S. Tong

Dairy Science

Our aim was to investigate how two conditions of whey processing, pH and heat treatment, affect the physical properties of stirred yoghurts fortified to 45 g protein kg⁻¹ with whey protein concentrates (WPC). Cheddar whey was heated at pH 6.4 or pH 5.8 at 72 °C for 15 s, eventually heated further at 82 or 88 °C for 78 s, ultrafiltered, and spray dried. Resulting WPC contained 38% protein; the denaturation level of the whey protein was 10–53%. There were significant (P

Molecular Screening Of Azoreductase Gene And Its Activity In Human Intestinal Bacteria, Syndia S. Todd

McCabe Thesis Collection

The intestinal microflora are capable of performing a wide variety of metabolic transformations. "The intestinal bacteria can enhance the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract, protect against pathogenic, maintain the vital chemical balance of the gastrointestinal system, and produce needed vitamins and hormones" (http;//www.upwardquest.com/crit2.html). Some of the products of this metabolism have been associated with carcinogenic processes, such as cancer, tumor formation, gastrointestinal disease, and infections. The ability of human intestinal microbes to interact with metabolites directly or after recirculation may contribute toward different toxicological disorders and disease.

The purpose of this study is to characterize and isolate the azoreductase …

Microarray Analysis Of Late-Season Velvetleaf (Abutilon Theophrasti) Effect On Corn, David P. Horvath, Robert Gulden, Sharon A. Clay

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Microarray analysis was used to identify changes in gene expression in corn leaves collected from plants at the V11–14 growth stage that resulted from competition with velvetleaf. The plants were grown in field plots under adequate N (addition of 220 kg N ha¹) and irrigation to minimize N and water stress. Consequently, only differences resulting from competition for micronutrients, light, and perhaps allelopathic stress were anticipated. Genes involved in carbon and nitrogen utilization, photosynthesis, growth and development, oxidative stress, signal transduction, responses to auxin and ethylene, and zinc transport were repressed in corn growing in competition with velvetleaf. …

Signaling Through The Trail Receptor Dr5/Fadd Pathway Plays A Role In The Apoptosis Associated With Skeletal Myoblast Differentiation, J. O'Flaherty, Y. Mei, M. Freer, C. M. Weyman

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

Apoptosis rather than differentiation is a physiological process during myogenesis and muscle regeneration. When cultured myoblasts were induced to differentiate, we detected an increase in caspase 8 activity. Pharmacological inhibition of caspase 8 activity decreased apoptosis. Expression of a dominant-negative mutant of the adapter protein FADD also abrogated apoptosis, implicating a death ligand pathway. Treatment with TRAIL, but not Fas, induced apoptosis in these myoblasts. Accordingly, treatment with a soluble TRAIL decoy receptor or expression of a dominant-negative mutant of the TRAIL receptor DR5 abrogated apoptosis. While TRAIL expression levels remained unaltered in apoptotic myoblasts, DR5 expression levels increased. Finally, …

Communicator, Dec. 2006, San Jose State University, Department Of Kinesiology

Communicator (Kinesiology)

Volume 19, Issue 2

Effects Of Training And Experience On Repeatable And Reliable Assessment Of Beef Cattle Body Condition Scores, Pete Burmeister

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In recent years, body condition scores (BCS) have been included in Expected Progeny differences (EPD) calculations for maintenance energy. This experiment was designed to identify the acuteness at which technicians of different skill levels can correctly quantify BCS in beef cattle. Thirteen students enrolled in agriculture at Western Kentucky University were assigned to three experimental technician groups based on training level. Five members of the colligate livestock judging team with extensive cattle backgrounds were BCS trained and assigned to the experienced level, four students were BCS trained by the WKU livestock judging coach and assigned to the trained level, and …

A Comparative Study Of The Fractionation Of Regular Buttermilk And Whey Buttermilk By Microfiltration, Pierre Morin, Yves Pouliot, Rafael Jiménez-Flores

Dairy Science

The use of a ceramic microfiltration (MF) membrane for the fractionation of buttermilk and whey buttermilk obtained from pilot scale churning of cream and whey cream from industrial sources has been studied. Whey buttermilk contained comparable amounts of phospholipids compared to regular buttermilk but its protein content was lower due to the absence of caseins. However, it was found that lipid content of whey cream did vary significantly between lots resulting in important variations in the fat content of whey buttermilk. A twofold MF concentration of regular buttermilk doubled its phospholipids content whereas that of whey buttermilk was increased by …

Improved Monitoring Of Habs Using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (Auv), Ian C. Robbins, G. J. Kirkpatrick, Shelley M. Blackwell, J. Hillier, Charles A. Knight, Mark A. Moline

Biological Sciences

Blooms of toxic algae are increasing in magnitude and frequency around the globe, causing extensive economic and environmental impacts. On the west coast of Florida, blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (Davis) have been documented annually for the last 30 years causing respiratory irritation in humans, fish kills, and toxin bioaccumulation in shellfish beds. As a result, methods need to be established to monitor and predict bloom formation and transport to mitigate their harmful effects on the surrounding ecosystems and local communities. In the past, monitoring and mitigation efforts have relied on visual confirmation of water discoloration, fish kills, …