Life Sciences Commons^™

Maximize Muscle Mechanical Output During The Stretch-Shortening Cycle--The Contribution Of Preactivation And Stretch Load, Mianfang Ruan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

It is well documented that the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), the most common muscle behavior, enhances muscle mechanical output. Stretch load and muscle preactivation level have been suggested as the two important factors regulating mechanical output. The purpose of this series studies is to systematically examine influences of the preactivation and the stretch load on muscle mechanical output during SSC. In the First study, a two dimensional lower extremity dynamic model was used to evaluate the influence of the approach on mechanical output. The peak summed power during the push-off phase demonstrated a quadratic trend across heights and appeared to be …

Liability, Institutions, And Determinants Of Landowner Access Policies For Fee-Based Recreation On Private Lands, James Emery Henderson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Landowners in the Lower Mississippi Valley or Delta may be willing to consider alternative land uses for some acreage, particularly for marginal agricultural lands. Recreational hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching opportunities on private land for public use may be a possible way to provide income to landowners and restore marginal lands as a contributor to the local economy. Previous studies have identified that landowners often chose not to engage in recreational leasing due to liability concerns. Thus, an institutional change that reduces liability risk to landowners may increase the amount of private land available for public recreation and reduce transaction …

The Influence Of Controllability On College Women's Efficacy And Attributions In Physical Activity, Julie Franks Gill

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

There is evidence that individuals’ attributional patterns are important determinants of behavior. Controllability had been identified as an influential dimension of causal attributions. When individuals believe their actions have an effect, or control, on the outcome of an event, they are more likely to engage in a behavior. Contingency of feedback can be used to manipulate perceptions of controllability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of controllability on causal attributions, efficacy, and performance in an exercise setting, using a design that accounts for explanatory styles. It was hypothesized that non-contingent outcomes on an initial task would …

Quantification Of Muscle Fatigue In Cerebal Palsy And Its Relationship To Impairments And Function, Noelle G. Moreau

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Three experiments were designed to explore the measurement of muscle fatigue in people with cerebral palsy (CP). The four aims were to 1) develop a feasible and reliable isokinetic protocol to assess muscle fatigue of the knee flexors and extensors in this population, 2) determine if muscle fatigue of the knee flexors and extensors in people with CP differs from subjects without a motor disorder, 3) determine whether muscle fatigue is related to functional measures of activity and participation, and 4) investigate possible contributing factors of muscle fatigue. Results show that muscle fatigue can be reliably assessed through an isokinetic …

Self-Control Of Learning Multiple Motor Skills, Wilbur Fong Wah Wu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Learning is commonly referred to as a “two-way street” between the learner and instructor. Until recently, learning has been studied using a “one-way” approach in which numerous studies have explored learning in situations where the experimenter or instructor shapes the practice environment. A number motor learning studies have shown the effectiveness of the learners’ abilities to control various aspects within their learning environment. Studies on augmented feedback (Chiviacowsky & Wulf, 2002; Janelle, Kim, & Singer, 1995), observational learning (Wulf, Raupach, & Pfeiffer, 2005), and physical assistance devices (Wulf & Toole, 1999) have found that learning is enhanced when individuals are …

Culture-Independent Identification Of Gut Bacteria In Fourth-Instar Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta Buren, Larvae, Albert Hon-Yu Lee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Red imported fire ants (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, are medical, urban, and agricultural pests from South America. Fourth-instar larvae are used by the colony to digest solid food and then regurgitate it for consumption by workers and queens. Larvae are an ideal source of investigations of obligate endosymbiotic bacteria possibly involved in nutrient distributions. I attempted to first identify what bacteria species are in the guts of larvae followed by antibiotic and microscopy work to further study their roles in the ants. The composition of the bacterial community in fire ant larvae was described with culture-independent methods utilizing 16S rDNA …

Drivers Of Liking And Effects Of Corn Hybrics On Quality Of Corn Tortilla, Jose Andres Herrera Corredor

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Corn tortilla, an ancient staple food of Mexico and Central America, is still the base food in those countries and has also become more popular in other countries with high Hispanic population. However, mechanization of corn tortilla production has modified the original sensory attributes to new standards that meet manufacturer’s requirements. The first part of this study attempted to determine the sensory attributes that drive consumer’s decision on the acceptability and purchase intent of the corn tortilla available in the Mexican market. The findings may help manufacturers to improve the processing of tortilla and develop products with ethnic authenticity. Overall …

Analysis Of The Impact Of Fish Imports On Domestic Crawfish Prices And Economic Welfare Using Inverse Demand Systems, Young-Jae Lee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study is mainly intended to determine quantitatively the economic effects of crawfish imports on the domestic crawfish industry. Inverse demand systems are used to estimate the price and scale flexibility as an indicator for the effects of imports on crawfish domestic price. A variety of algebraic forms for empirical consumer allocation models have been developed. Economic theory, however, does not provide the necessary fundamental criteria to choose ex ante among the alternative specifications. Bartern (1993) and Brown, Lee, and Seale (1995) examined a family of inverse demand systems, showing that the integrated demand system, in its own right, has …

Assessing Physical Function In Bilateral And Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients., Tiina Tuulia Garrison

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The general objective of this dissertation was to investigate physical function in osteoarthritis (OA) and total knee replacement (TKA) patients. First, a validation study was performed to evaluate the validity of the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP10) test in knee OA awaiting TKA. The CS-PFP10 scores were compared to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC), The Knee Society’s Clinical Rating System (KSS), and the Short Form 36-item health survey (SF-36) physical function scores. It was hypothesized that at least moderate associations between the CS-PFP10 test scores and the WOMAC, KSS, and SF-36 scores in TKA candidates …

Growth Of Mc3t3-El Pre-Osteoblasts On Borate Containing Glasses & Growth Of Osteoblastic Cells On 13-93 Glass Scaffolds, Agatha Dwilewicz

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

Three borate-based glasses, compositions designated 1B, 2B, and 3B, with B₂0₃ levels of 15, 31, and 46 mole percent (Table 1), respectively, were tested for their effects on the growth of MC3T3-El mouse pre-osteoblastic cells under physiological fluid conditions. Silicate type 45S5 glass was used as a control for comparison. Independently, the biocompatibility of recently developed silicate-based porous 13-93 bioactive glass scaffolds was tested; Saos-2 human osteosarcoma cell line was used. Tests performed for the two studies included: contact assays of cell growth at the glass interface, chemical analysis of borate released into the culture medium, quantitative …

2007 Weed Science Research Report – Green Section, Ndsu Weed Science, Dept. Of Plant Sciences

Plant Sciences Weed Science Reports

The Weed Science team at North Dakota State University conduct field research in the State of North Dakota. This specific document reports on field research conducted in 2007. It includes work on small grains and the management of several weeds in North Dakota.

2007 Weed Science Research Report – Yellow Section, Ndsu Weed Science, Dept. Of Plant Sciences

Plant Sciences Weed Science Reports

The Weed Science team at North Dakota State University conduct field research in the State of North Dakota. This specific document reports on field research conducted in 2007. It includes work on several minor crops and the management of several weeds in North Dakota.

The Extent Of Interaction Between The Scallop And Prawn Fleets In The Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery, John Dickson

Theses : Honours

The Shark Bay Managed Scallop Fishery is Western Australia's most important scallop fishery with an annual value of between $2 and $58 million. In addition to this the fishery is an important source of regional employment with approximately 160 skippers and crew employed during the 2005 season. Two separate fleets are permitted to fish for scallops in this fishery, the first consisting of dedicated scallop fishing vessels (Class A licences) and the second of prawn fishing vessels (Class B licences) that are allowed to take scallops under a catch sharing arrangement. Concerns exist over the interactions between these two fleets …

The Value Of Oil Mallee Plantations And Revegetated Farm Land In The Southern Wheatbelt Region Of Western Australia For The Conservation Of The Western Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus Concinnus), Marie Short

Theses : Honours

Revegetation has the potential to enhance conservation of wildlife in rural environments, but few studies have tested whether the proposed benefits are realized. It is important to understand the role played by farm tree plantations in the landscape and how the potential biodiversity benefits may be enhanced without interfering with economic goals (Lamb, 1998). The adoption of oil mallee farming systems across the agricultural zone in south-west Western Australia is resulting in large areas of farmland being planted to native perennial tree species (Smith, 2004). While not planted for their conservation benefit, oil mallee systems may nonetheless enhance biodiversity. The …

Landholder Information For The Safe Use And Management Of Strychnine For Wild Dog Traps, Renee Donovan, David Goodall

Biosecurity published reports

Farmnote 33/2003 - Guide to the safe use of strychnine for jawed traps is included.

Strychnine is a highly poisonous substance that is used in Western Australia for the control of Wild Dogs and Emus. Its use is restricted by law.

This manual outlines your roles and responsibilities for using and managing Strychnine for Wild Dog control. In particular, this manual outlines the essential information you need to know in regard to:

• The legislative requirements for Strychnine control in Western Australia
• The properties and mode of action of Strychnine « How to lodge an application to use Strychnine
• How to …

Assessment Of Key Parameters To Achieve Bacteria Transformability In E. Coli And A. Tumefaciens, Zach Regelin

Honors Program Theses

ln this project, growth and transformability of E. coli and A. tumefaciens were investigated. The growth of the bacterial species was monitored under different key parameters including: the strain of the bacteria, the inoculum source (a fresh plate or frozen glycerol stock), and the media type. Growth was monitored by measuring the optical density (OD). Using E. coli strains Dh5a and CdB\ it was determined that the strain, the media type, and the amount of inoculum had a great effect on the growth but the source of the inoculum had little effect. For A. tumefaciens, the strain and the media …

Cell Cycle Analysis Of Atrazine-Treated Human Fibroblast Cells Using Flow Cytometry, Andrea L. Austin

Honors Program Theses

Atrazine is the most frequently used triazine herbicide in the United States. Studies have shown an association between herbicide exposure and increased levels of DNA damage, reproductive and endocrine problems, and an increased risk for certain cancers. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEP A) has set a maximum allowable limit at 3 parts per billion (ppb ). Previous work from our lab has shown decreased cell proliferation of normal human fibroblasts after low-level atrazine exposure for 72 hours at 0.8-100 ppb without a corresponding increase in apoptosis or necrosis.

The objective of the current study is to determine a …

Microbiological Enhancement Of Phosphorus Sequestration In Iron-Enriched Sediments, Lindsay Marie Sandersfeld

Honors Program Theses

An overabundance of phosphorus, primarily due to agricultural run off, is the source of increases in unwanted algae in Iowa's surface waters. Oxidized iron found in mine tailings will sequester phosphorus in sediments and prevent it from entering surface waters. Therefore, adding mine tailings to wetlands is a cheap and easy way to eliminate phosphorus pollution. This phosphorus removal process is enhanced by a microbial component that biochemically solubilizes iron tailings which allows them to efficiently react with free phosphorus in the water. The purpose of this project was to characterize the microbial component in this process. Ferric citrate medium …

America's Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie Activity Guide, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

K-12 Curriculum Supplements

This book is a K-12 curriculum supplement developed by the Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa to accompany the film, America's Lost Landscape. The activity guide was used in the educators' workshop held at the University of of Northern Iowa in fall 2007.

Proceedings Of The 119th Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Program, 2007], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Welcome from the Executive Director --- 3
Program Summary/Timeline --- 4
Iowa Junior Academy of Science --- 6
General Session Presentations --- 7
Symposia Presentations --- 10
Senior Poster Program --- 14
Awards Luncheon --- 16
President's Banquet --- 16
IAS Annual Business Meeting --- 17
2006-2007 Officers and Volunteers --- 18
Notes --- 19
Field Trips --- 20
Section Meeting Programs and Oral Presentations (Alphabetical by Section) --- 22
Abstracts (by Section) --- 27
Author Index --- 53

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V03n1, Winter 2007, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--New IAS Membership Brochure

--Evolution and Intelligent Design Conference

--REAP-CEP Program Funds Project WET

--National Outstanding New Biology Teacher

--119th Annual Meeting

--Financial Statements 2007

--Expedition Iowa

--A Message from Our President

--IAS Section Update

--Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science Update

--Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award

Food As Media In Contemporary Art And The Role Of The Conservator, Erica Boyd

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

Examination Of Post-Translational Modifications And Associate Proteins Of Pcbp1 In Neuronal Cells, Ying-Chih Lin

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 8 2007, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Design Of A Bioreactor To Study The Role Of Red Blood Cells In The Transport Of Nitric Oxide In The Microcirculation, Nupura Bhise, Mahendra Kavdia

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in physiological functions like vasodilation, neurotransmission, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. The endothelium-derived NO diffuses into the vascular lumen where it interacts with flowing blood as well as the smooth muscles where it modulates vascular tone. However, uncertainty exists on how NO escapes the rapid scavenging by hemoglobin (Hb) and reaches smooth muscles. Several proposed hypotheses include 1) a reduced reaction rate of NO with Hb contained inside red blood cells (RBCs) and 2) NO preservation in the bound form of s-nitrosohemoglobin or nitrite. The mechanism and magnitude of reduction of NO reaction …

Are Botanists Becoming The Dinosaurs Of Biology In The 21st Century?, Dennis W. Woodland

Faculty Publications

The number of botany students, botany classes, botany departments in universities and botanists attending conventions has been declining over many years in North America. This is part of a general trend throughout the field of organismal biology, not just botany. The history leading up to the situation today in North America, is discussed and reasons are given for this trend over the last century of time. Seven ways to keep botany a viable occupation are discussed otherwise botany, in the 21st century, may go the way of the dinosaur. © 2007.

Antibacterial Activity Of Apis Mellifera L. Propolis Collected In Three Regions Of Kenya, Elliud M. Muli, J. M. Maingi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The present study aimed at investigating the susceptibility of the microorganisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis to ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) from three regions of Kenya (Taita, Tana and Samburu). Propolis was extracted using four different concentrations of ethanol: pure, 70%, 50%, and 30%. Ethanol (70%) and Streptomycin were used as controls. The agar diffusion method using filter paper disks was employed. Antibacterial activity was determined as an equivalent of the inhibition zones diameters (in millimeters) after incubation at 37°C for 24h. Significant differences in the antibacterial activities of propolis were observed among …

Environmental Abundance Of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) Larval Habitats On Land Cover Change Sites In Karima Village, Mwea Rice Scheme, Kenya, Benjamin G. Jacob, Ephantus Muturi, Patrick Halbig, Joseph Mwangangi, R. K. Wanjogu, Enock Mpanga, Jose Funes, Josephat Shililu, John Githure, James L. Regens, Robert J. Novak

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

A study was carried out at Karima Village in the Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme in Kenya to assess the impact of rice husbandry and associated land cover change for mosquito larval abundance. A multi-temporal, land use land cover (LULC) classification dataset incorporating distributions of Anopheles arabiensis aquatic larval habitats was produced in ERDAS Imagine version 8.7 using combined images from IKONOS at 4m spatial resolution from 2005 and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)™ classification data at 30-meters spatial resolution from 1988 for Karima. Of 207 larval habitats sampled, most were either canals (53.4%) or paddies (45.9%), and only one habitat was …

Mosquito Larval Habitats In A Semiarid Ecosystem In Eritrea: Impact Of Larval Habitat Management On Anopheles Arabiensis Population, Josephat Shililu, Charles Mbogo, Tewolde Ghebremeskel, John Githure, Robert Novak

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This study investigated the impact of larval management and the temporal variation in larval productivity in Eritrea, a semiarid ecosystem. Results of this study show that mosquito breeding persists throughout the year mainly in stream bed pools. Anopheles arabiensis production in the ephemeral natural aquatic habitats such the streambed pools was high throughout the year and negatively associated with rainfall (r = -0.288, P = 0.047). High densities of An. arabiensis larvae were also recorded from canals and drainage channels at wells and communal water supply points. The numerous water supply locations and wells help sustain malaria transmission by serving …

Nutrient Contents Of Pride Of Barbados (Caesalpinia Pulcherrima Linn.) Seeds, A. A. Yusuf, B. M. Mofio, A. B. Ahmed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Physical parameters and nutrient contents of the whole seeds and seed nuts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima L. were determined using gravimetric, Spectrophotometric and titrimetric method of analyses. Organic matter was high in both whole seeds and seed nuts 93.78-95.50 %, followed by dry matter 90.95-92.70 %. Crude protein was between 42.97-48.08%, carbohydrate was found to be 18.30-39.10%, crude fibre was between 5.98-9.06 %, crude lipid 5.65-6.0 %, and moisture content was between 7.30-9.05 % in whole seeds and seed nuts respectively. Abundance of mineral elements in whole seeds and seed nuts of C. pulcherrima were found to be in the order: …