Life Sciences Commons^™

Global Patterns Of Freshwater Species Diversity, Threat And Cross-Taxon Congruence, Ben Collen Phd, Felix Whitton Phd, Ellie E. Dyer, Jonathan E.M. Baillie Phd, Neil Cumberlidge, William Darwall, Caroline Pollack, Nadia Richman Phd, Anne-Marie Soulsby, Monica Bohm Phd

Journal Articles

Aim Global-scale studies are required to identify broad-scale patterns in the distributions of species, to evaluate the processes that determine diversity and to determine how similar or different these patterns and processes are among different groups of freshwater species. Broad-scale patterns of spatial variation in species distribution are central to many fundamental questions in macroecology and conservation biology. We aimed to evaluate how congruent three commonly used metrics of diversity were among taxa for six groups of freshwater species.

Location Global.

Methods We compiled geographical range data on 7083 freshwater species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, crabs and crayfish to …

Protective Effect Of Deferiprone On 7-Ketocholesterol Formation In Hemin-Induced Ldl Oxidation, Usa Suwannasual, Thitima Pengsuparp, Rataya Luechapudiporn

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Hemin (iron (III)-protoporphyrin IX) is found that it is elevated in the plasma of thalassemic patients and is a possible cause of oxidative stress-promoting atherosclerosis. Deferiprone (L1), an iron chelator, can prevent free radical formation catalyze...

Development And Validation Of Rp-Hplc Method For Analysis And Stability Study Of 8-Carboxyphenyl-2'-Deoxyguanosine And 8-Bromo-2'-Deoxyguanosine, Kulwadee Sawatpaiboontawee, Panutsaya Sermthaveesub, Panuwat Sangsirimongkolying, Patratorn Kunakorntham, Sudarat Thongborriboon, Bodin Tuesuwan, Vorasit Vongsutilers

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Modifications on C8 position of purine base have been studied for their effects on B-DNA to Z-DNA conversion. The 8-bromo and 8-carboxyphenyl adduct are among the most potent Z-DNA facil tators and hence arc aimed to be utilized for Z-DNA based probe lor...

Grains Highlights 2013 / 2014, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Grain and other field crops published reports

DAFWA strives to support growers and agribusiness with relevant and timely information, tools and services to make better business decisions.

Implementing Green Roofs On Movie Theaters And Shopping Centers: Business Cases In Profitable Sustainability, Ryan J. Miller

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis presents the business case for installing green roofs on movie theaters and shopping centers. These businesses can then derive increased profits from the environmental benefits of reduced energy use and increased stormwater retention. After presenting the basic design and benefits of a green roof, the thesis develops stand-alone business plans for a movie theater and shopping center. The author finds that green roofs are a profitable sustainability solution for the commercial enterprise.

Wetlands And Greenhouse Gas Fluxes: Causes And Effects Of Climate Change – A Meta-Analysis, Robert E. Ventura

Pomona Senior Theses

Climate change is one of the largest problems facing this generation. Anthropogenically caused increases of greenhouse gas emissions is a significant culprit to this problem. Although the obvious problems such as cars, industry, and urbanism garnish a significant amount of the criticism, natural sources such as wetlands are also beginning to contribute to this issue. This is becoming increasingly significant as wetlands shift from being sinks of greenhouse gases to becoming sources as various anthropogenic impacts, including global warming itself, begin to affect the health of the wetlands. The aim of this project is to look at four common types …

Depredation Of Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin) Nests In North Inlet, Sc: Nest Predator Community And The Cues Used By Raccoons To Locate Nests, Samuel Al Buzuleciu Ii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Predation on diamondback terrapin eggs has been studied in several terrapin populations across their broad geographic range; however, nest predators have not been studied in South Carolina. Objectives of this project were two-fold: first, identify predators of diamondback terrapin eggs in North Inlet, SC; and second, determine the source of olfactory cue(s) used by raccoons to locate terrapin nests. Terrapin nest predators were identified using a combination of camera traps, visual surveys and trackboards. Raccoons were dominant nest predators and depredated 347 of 349 (combined natural and simulated) terrapin nests during the 2013 nesting season. We identified the source of …

Assessment Of Bryophyte Communities Along The Waccamaw River, Sc, Christine Elizabeth Raczka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to determine the bryophyte communities present along the Waccamaw River, South Carolina and determine if there are any environmental constraints affecting bryophyte diversity. Another aspect of this study was to determine if bryophyte communities are bioindicators for dissolved inorganic nutrients in the Waccamaw River. A total of 1050 bryophyte specimens were collected over the course of the study. Twelve genera were identified and consisted of thirteen moss species and one liverwort species. The bryophyte species were collected at seven sites along the Waccamw River in a nested sampling design which assessed the bryophytes growing …

The Reproductive Ecology Of Two Sympatric Demersal Fishes: The Naked Goby Gobiosoma Bosc And Striped Blenny Chasmodes Bosquianus, Rachel M. Tremont

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The naked goby (Gobiosoma bosc) and striped blenny (Chasmodes bosquianus) are sympatric oyster reef fishes within temperate estuaries. The reproductive biology and early life history of these fishes were described during two consecutive spawning seasons from 2012-2013 in North Inlet, SC. The naked goby and striped blenny spawning seasons lasted for 21 weeks and 30 weeks, respectively, for 2012 and 2013. The naked goby spawning season began 3 weeks later than the striped blenny spawning season for both years. The temporal offset in the start of their spawning seasons may reduce competition for nest habitat between the two species. Naked …

The Effects Of Non-Native Species On Two Life-Stages Of The Eastern Oyster Crassostrea Virginica, Wei Yuan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since their recent introductions into Florida waters, three nonnative species [Perna viridis Linnaeus, 1758 (Asian green mussel), Mytella charruana d'Orbigny, 1846 (charru mussel) and Megabalanus coccopoma Darwin, 1854 (pink titan acorn barnacle)] have expanded both north and south along the Atlantic coast. Very little research has been done to understand how these nonnative species interact with the native eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin, 1791), which is a keystone species that provides important ecological services and economic benefits. To test the potential effects of P. viridis, M. charruana and M. coccopoma on C. virginica, I addressed the following questions: 1a) Does …

Testing The Fertility And Allelopathic Abilities Of Arctotheca Prostrata (Salisb.) Britten (Asteraceae, Arctotideae), A South African Plant Species That Has Naturalized In California, Jordy Veit

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Arctotheca prostrata is a perennial plant species native to South Africa that reproduces vegetatively by long runners. In South Africa it also reproduces sexually, producing fruits with fertile seeds. The species was brought to California to serve as a ground cover but fruits had not been reported. Historically, it has been said to be infertile. This study tested the fertility of A. prostrata in California by crossing plants from California with each other and with plants grown from imported South African seeds. Pollen viability was tested and morphological measures were made on heads, leaves, and pollen. Mean Californian and South …

Relationships Between Isolating Land Use And Amphibian Populations In Sub-Boreal Peatlands Of The Midwestern United States, Jeana Rose Albers

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Successful conservation efforts of amphibians depend on the knowledge of habitat preferences because the biggest threat to amphibian populations is considered to be habitat loss. Sub-boreal peatlands in the Midwest may be a refuge for amphibian populations, but little is known about the flora and fauna of these peatlands. My study examined amphibian species richness and species diversity in 17 sub-boreal peatlands in Minnesota and Wisconsin in 2011 and 2012. I assessed the relationship between land use of lands adjacent to peatlands and use of those peatlands by amphibian populations at three spatial scales by examining landscapes surrounding peatlands in …

High Fat Diet Increased Serum Glutamate Dehydrogenase More Than Chronic Acetaminophen Dosing In Female Mice, Elizabeth Ruth Behmer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This laboratory study examined the effects of acetaminophen overdose in normal fed and high-fat fed female mice. Forty female mice were placed on normal and high-fat diets at 4 weeks old. When the mice were significantly different in weight (between 6 and 9 months old), half the mice were dosed with acetaminophen. These mice were daily given an overdose of acetaminophen for 14 days. The dose used was 300 mg/kg mouse (LD50 = 338 mg/kg). The control group was given 10 µl water/g mouse. Levels of serum glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) were measured to indicate liver damage. GDH is released from …

Modulation Of Cholera Toxin Structure And Function By Host Proteins, Helen Burress

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cholera toxin (CT) moves from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where the catalytic CTA1 subunit separates from the holotoxin and unfolds due to its intrinsic thermal instability. Unfolded CTA1 then moves through an ER translocon pore to reach its cytosolic target. Due to the instability of CTA1, it must be actively refolded in the cytosol to achieve the proper conformation for modification of its G protein target. The cytosolic heat shock protein Hsp90 is involved with the ER-to-cytosol translocation of CTA1, yet the mechanistic role of Hsp90 in CTA1 translocation remains unknown. Potential post-translocation roles for Hsp90 …

Federal V. State Effectiveness: An Analysis Of The Endangered Species Act And Current Potential Attempts At Reform, Nicholas Primo

Pepperdine Policy Review

In November 2013, several Congressional leaders drafted a new bill to reform the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). While the Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act (ESMSDA) was the first major attempt at updating the crucial U.S. environmental policy in decades, it also inflamed environmentalist defenders of the original bill. More importantly, it raised several questions as to whether state or federal-oriented approaches to endangered species protection and environmental policy more broadly is ultimately more effective. This article analyzes the original 1973 ESA, followed by an analysis of the ESMSDA currently being considered. It will discuss the various strengths and …

Non-Additive Toxicity Of Bi-Metal Mixtures To Fathead Minnows, Natalie Rae Lynch

Master's Theses

Much research has been conducted to assess the toxicity of metals to aquatic organisms. Most of the research has focused on the toxicity of individual metals. Recently, attention has been paid to metal mixture toxicity because metals are usually present as mixtures in contaminated environments. The literature review indicates that metal mixtures may be additive, synergistic, or antagonistic to freshwater species. However, the data is not consistent and is dependent on the metal and organisms. The goal of this research is to use a systematic experimental design to characterize the toxicity of Cu, Zn, Cd and Ni mixtures to Pimephales …

Electrochemotherapy: From The Drawing Board Into Medical Practice, Damijan Miklavčič, Barbara Mali, Bor Kos, Richard Heller, Gregor Serša

Bioelectrics Publications

Electrochemotherapy is a local treatment of cancer employing electric pulses to improve transmembrane transfer of cytotoxic drugs. In this paper we discuss electrochemotherapy from the perspective of biomedical engineering and review the steps needed to move such a treatment from initial prototypes into clinical practice. In the paper also basic theory of electrochemotherapy and preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo are briefly reviewed. Following this we present a short review of recent clinical publications and discuss implementation of electrochemotherapy into standard of care for treatment of skin tumors, and use of electrochemotherapy for other targets such as head and …

Gene Electrotransfer Enhanced By Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields, Sigi Guo, Diane L. Jackson, Niculina I. Burcus, Yeong-Jer Chen, Shu Xiao, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

The impact of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) on gene electrotransfer has not been clearly demonstrated in previous studies. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of nsPEFs on the delivery of plasmids encoding luciferase or green fluorescent protein and subsequent expression in HACAT keratinocyte cells. Delivery was performed using millisecond electric pulses (msEPs) with or without nsPEFs. In contrast to reports in the literature, we discovered that gene expression was significantly increased up to 40-fold by applying nsPEFs to cells first followed by one msEP but not in the opposite order. We demonstrated that the effect of nsPEFs …

Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase Ii Overexpression Attenuates Lps-Mediated Lung Leak In Acute Lung Injury, Saurabh Aggarwal, Christine M. Gross, Sanjiv Kumar, Christiana Dimitropoulou, Shruti Sharma, Boris A. Gorshkov, Supriya Sridhar, Qing Lu, Natalia V. Bogatcheva, Agnieszka J. Jezierska-Drutel, Rudolf Lucas, John D. Catravas, Stephen M. Black

Bioelectrics Publications

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe hypoxemic respiratory insufficiency associated with lung leak, diffuse alveolar damage, inflammation, and loss of lung function. Decreased dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity and increases in asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), together with exaggerated oxidative/nitrative stress, contributes to the development of ALI in mice exposed to LPS. Whether restoring DDAH function and suppressing ADMA levels can effectively ameliorate vascular hyperpermeability and lung injury in ALI is unknown, and was the focus of this study. In human lung microvascular endothelial cells, DDAH II overexpression prevented the LPS-dependent increase in ADMA, superoxide, peroxynitrite, and protein nitration. DDAH II also attenuated …

A Potential Mechanism For Extracellular Matrix Induction Of Breast Cancer Cell Normality, Robert D. Bruno, Gilbert H. Smith

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

Extracellular matrix proteins from embryonic mesenchyme have a normalizing effect on cancer cells in vitro and slow tumor growth in vivo. This concept is suggestive of a new method for controlling the growth and spread of existing cancer cells in situ and indicates the possibility that extracellular proteins and/or embryonic mesenchymal fibroblasts may represent a fertile subject for study of new anti-cancer treatments.

Effects Of Globalization On The Use Of The Mediterranean Diet In Spain, Jacob J. Mcgee

Honors Theses

Spain is known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and incredible foods. The Mediterranean diet of Spain is praised for its health benefits, but recently it appears that the population has begun to turn away from their original diet. Studies have shown that the Spanish have been experiencing a constant culture change due to globalization since the 1950s when the General Francisco Franco allowed the technocrats to have some control over the government. With a new economic policy, new people and their new ideas flooded the country bring with them their cultures. These cultures influenced the Spanish life changing many …

Investigation Of Bax Vdac Interactions And Their Relationship Regarding Apoptosis In Drosophila Melanogaster, John Sullivan

Honors Theses

Cell mediated death, or apoptosis, is a critical biological process that once fully understood could unlock a potentially new understanding of the mechanisms of both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The general mechanism of apoptosis includes cytochrome c being released from the mitochondrial membrane through a channel created by an activated pro-apoptotic BH123 protein. Once the cytochrome c leaves the mitochondrial membrane it goes on to ultimately activate a caspase cascade, which results in cell apoptosis. Similar to BH123 channels, VDACs (voltage-dependent anion channels) are also pore-forming proteins that regulate the intake and output of metabolites from the mitochondrial intermembrane space …

Influence Of Whole-Body Vibration On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Cecilia Drennen

Honors Theses

Exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Whole body vibration (WBV) may be a method that can be implemented to allow a subject suffering from DOMS to recover more quickly. The purpose of this study was to determine if WBV aids in managing symptoms of EIMD over a recovery period of 72 hours and to determine the effects of WBV on jumping performance following exercise-induced muscle damage. Measurements of performance like vertical jump height, peak-Z force, and pain pressure threshold were recorded. Twenty-seven recreationally trained females participated, and were damaged by performance of the eccentric …

Dna-Based Species Identification And Population Genetics Of The Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes Flavipes, In The Southern Appalachian Mountains, Benjamin Collins

Honors Theses

This study investigates the distribution patterns of Reticulitermes flavipes, an important recycler of nutrients and well-known destroyer of man-made structures, in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. As a precursor to this work, it was first necessary to distinguish the target species from other co-occurring termite species. To combat this problem, a modified Polymerase Chain Reaction- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay that uses a 384-bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) gene was designed. To test the accuracy of this tool, predictions made from using this method were compared to predictions made by genetic sequencing. This modified PCR-RFLP …

Preliminary Investigations Into The Population Genetics Of The Horned Passalus Beetle, Odontotaenius Disjunctus (Coleoptera), In Forests Of The Southeastern United States, Rachel Yi

Honors Theses

As a major hotspot of biodiversity, the Appalachian Mountains have been a source of great interest for ecologists in many ways. The mountains' north-south orientation, varying degrees of elevation and environmental conditions, and historical cycles of glacial encroachment have been thought to contribute to this unusual level of population variation. As such, population genetic studies of species have been a growing area of investigation. Phylogeography, the study of how historical processes could lead to current geographic distributions of individuals and populations of a species, is a particularly prominent direction. The focus of this study examines the horned passalus and its …

Evaluation Of Microbial Diversity Present In Herbal Supplements As Revealed By Pcr-Based 16s Sequence Analysis, Stephen Stone

Honors Theses

Over the last few decades people have become more aware of their general wellness and have turned towards alternative measures to ensure good health. One of these alternative measures, the herbal supplement market, has risen significantly in recent years, even though there is no conclusive research that points to the effectiveness of herbal supplements. Also, because of sparse regulation from the FDA, there are many questions related to the efficacy, composition, processing methods, and, consequently, safety of these supplements. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial composition of herbal supplements in an attempt to identify potential targets …

Attempts To Determine The Community Structure Of Archaea In Major Tributaries Of The Mississippi River, Thomas Douglas Bateman

Honors Theses

Archaea were once thought to be limited to extreme environments, but it has now been established that they are found in diverse ecosystems worldwide. Archaea may possess distinctive properties that affect biogeochemical processes, which makes understanding their distribution crucial in determining their effect on these processes. Little research has been done on the ecology of Archaea in rivers, and this study represents the first attempt to gain an understanding of the diversity of Archaea within major tributaries of the Mississippi River. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of archaeal DNA and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to examine community …

Simulated Diabetes Testing Experiment Using Artificially Manipulated Livestock Blood, Hollie E. Ables

Honors Theses

Due to the prevalence of diabetes and lack of simple endocrine experiments, a laboratory protocol was developed in order to increase student knowledge of the disease and the diabetic testing process. In this paper, we present the protocol for manipulating the glucose concentration of commercially available bovine blood. The bovine blood was manipulated using Ringer's solution to which glucose was added, and six samples were prepared (pre-prandial and postprandial, normal; pre-prandial and postprandial, pre-diabetic; pre-prandial and postprandial, diabetic). This laboratory exercise provides a physical, hands-on student activity that highlights pancreatic endocrinology and the results of pancreatic malfunction. The laboratory exercise …

Bacteria Con Leche: Bacterial Populations And Antibiotic Resistance Within Conventional, Usda Organic, And Local Milk, Kristen M. Wilson

Honors Theses

Concerns over food production and processing, along with increasing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and antibiotic resistant infections have led many consumers to seek alternative food sources in the organic and local food markets. This study compared conventional, USDA certified organic, and local farmer's market milk types to determine whether there is any noticeable benefit to purchasing organic or locally harvested milk in terms of their bacterial populations and level of antibiotic resistance. Samples from various milk types were plated on Tryptic Soy Agar and Milk Agar plates to enumerate bacteria, and the cultivated bacteria tested for resistance to the antibiotics …

Understanding The Karoo: Investigating The Function Of A Copulation Call In Female Wild Turkeys Meleagris Gallopavo, Callie Grey

Honors Theses

Even with the vast amount of research regarding mating vocalizations and their adaptive functions, the copulation call of female wild turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo, has yet to be described. The purpose of this study was to describe this novel call, referred to as karoo and to test three hypotheses for its function. Previously collected data in the form of video tapes and data sheets provided the basis of this study. Dr. Richard Buchholz conducted experimental trials in 2008 and 2009. Male behavioral data was recorded on the videos. The videos and the data sheets were used to collect female behavioral data. …