Life Sciences Commons^™

Complete Genome Sequences Of Two Genotype A2 Small Ruminant Lentiviruses Isolated From Infected U.S. Sheep, Aspen M. Workman, Aaron M. Dickey, Michael P. Heaton, Michael L. Clawson, Timothy P.L. Smith

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

Two distinct subgroups of genotype A2 small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) have been identified in the United States that infect sheep with specific host trans- membrane protein 154 (TMEM154) diplotypes. Here, we report the first two com- plete genome sequences of SRLV strains infecting U.S. sheep belonging to genotype A2, subgroups 1 and 2.

Exploring The Use Of Free Bioinformatics Modules In An Introductory Biochemistry Course, Charlsey Dodgen, Uzezi Uwerosuo, Chulhee Kang, Cathy Lee

Georgia Journal of Science

Although bioinformatics, the use of computational science to study biology, has become imperative in many areas of the biological sciences and related career paths, introductory biochemistry courses may disregard practical knowledge on bioinformatics. For this reason, we merged a hands-on activity module into an undergraduate biochemistry course in two ways. First, we incorporated bioinformatics modules for building phylogenetic trees by aligning the active sites of 10 chosen related α-amylase enzymes using freely available data. Secondly, we chose three of those 10 α-amylase enzymes to compare the 3D structure of their active sites. This module gives the students an opportunity to …

Hairy Root Transgene Expression Analysis Of A Secretory Peroxidase (Pvpox1) From Common Bean Infected By Fusarium Wilt, Renfeng Xue, Xingbo Wu, Yingjie Wang, Yan Zhuang, Jian Chen, Jing Wu, Weide Ge, Lanfen Wang, Shumin Wang, Matthew W. Blair

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Plant peroxidases (POXs) are one of the most important redox enzymes in the defense responses. However, the large number of different plant POX genes makes it necessary to carefully confirm the function of each paralogous POX gene in specific tissues and disease interactions. Fusarium wilt is a devastating disease of common bean caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli. In this study, we evaluated a peroxidase gene, PvPOX1, from a resistant common bean genotype, CAAS260205 and provided direct evidence for PvPOX1’s role in resistance by transforming the resistant allele into a susceptible common bean genotype, BRB130, via hairy root transformation …

Effect Of Organic, Inorganic Fertilizers And Plant Spacing On The Growth And Yield Of Cabbage, Md Ashraful Islam, Golam Ferdous, Ayasha Akter, Md Mokter Hossain, Dilip Nandwani

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The impact of chemical farming and the negative consequences on the environment and human health in Bangladesh are on the rise. Organic farming is gaining attention and increasing globally because it is eco-friendly, safe and has benefits for human health. A field study was conducted at the horticulture farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, to evaluate the growth and yield performance of cabbage cv. Atlas—70 using organic and inorganic fertilizers in various plant spacing arrangements. Two factor experiments were conducted on plant spacings of 60 cm × 40 cm (S1), 60 cm × 50 cm (S2) and 60 cm …

Data Loggers In Artificial Eggs Reveal That Egg-Turning Behavior Varies On Multiple Ecological Scales In Seabirds, Corey Clatterbuck, Lindsay Young, Eric Vanderwerf, Alexander Naiman, Geoff Bower, Scott A. Shaffer

Faculty Publications, Biological Sciences

In most avian species, egg-turning behavior during incubation is vital for proper embryonic development and hatching success. However, changes in turning behaviors are rarely studied across different temporal scales (e.g., day–night or across incubation phases), though the timing of incubation behaviors affects reproductive success. We used data loggers encapsulated in artificial eggs to measure turning rates and angle changes of eggs in Western Gull Larus occidentalis and Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis nests. We examined diurnal and daily cycles in egg-turning behaviors across early, middle, and late incubation phases. Our results indicate that (1) egg-turning behaviors remain similar throughout incubation, resulting …

Presence/Absence And Density Data For Epipelagic Tows From 48 Stations In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico From R/V Blazing Seven Cruises Lf2015a And Lf2015b June 2015 And July 2015, Jay R. Rooker, R.J. David Wells

DEEPEND Datasets

Larval catch data after the oil spill is being used to improve our understanding of the causes of temporal variability as it relates to the Deep Water Horizon oil spill (DWHOS). Bongo and neuston net tows were conducted at 48 stations in both June and July, 2015 in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cruise data collected at each site included latitude/longitude, date, time and environmental data (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen). The occurrence and density of selected epipelagic (e.g., billfishes, tunas, dolphinfishes, flyingfishes) and deep pelagic (e.g., lanternfishes, bristlemouths, marine hatchetfishes) fish larvae were quantified and are being used to extend …

Another Look At Pyrroloiminoquinone Alkaloids-Perspectives On Their Therapeutic Potential From Known Structures And Semisynthetic Analogues., Sheng Lin, Erin P. Mccauley, Nicholas Lorig-Roach, Karen Tenney, Cassandra N. Naphen, Ai-Mei Yang, Tyler A. Johnson, Thalia Hernadez, Ramandeep Rattan, Frederick A. Valeriote, Phillip Crews

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Faculty Scholarship

This study began with the goal of identifying constituents from Zyzzya fuliginosa extracts that showed selectivity in our primary cytotoxicity screen against the PANC-1 tumor cell line. During the course of this project, which focused on six Z. fuliginosa samples collected from various regions of the Indo-Pacific, known compounds were obtained consisting of nine makaluvamine and three damirone analogues. Four new acetylated derivatives were also prepared. High-accuracy electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HAESI-MS) m/z ions produced through MS² runs were obtained and interpreted to provide a rapid way for dereplicating isomers containing a pyrrolo[4,3,2-de]quinoline core. In vitro human pancreas/duct epithelioid …

Distribution And Condition Of Stony Corals In The Veracruz Reef System National Park: A Management Perspective, Mauricio López Padierna

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The Veracruz Reef System (VRS) is located in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. It is comprised of 28 coral reefs in various stages of development and conservation. They are protected under the Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park created in 1992. There are many threats to the reefs of the VRS, including the Port and city of Veracruz, which hosts half a million inhabitants and Mexico’s oldest active port. The inhabitants of Veracruz have used reef resources for thousands of years, as evidenced in archaeological sites on Sacrificios island, and constructions throughout the city, most notably in the San …

GabaB Receptor Attenuation Of GabaA Currents In Neurons Of The Mammalian Central Nervous System, Wen Shen, Changlong Nan, Peter T. Nelson, Harris Ripps, Malcolm M. Slaughter

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Faculty Publications

Ionotropic receptors are tightly regulated by second messenger systems and are often present along with their metabotropic counterparts on a neuron's plasma membrane. This leads to the hypothesis that the two receptor subtypes can interact, and indeed this has been observed in excitatory glutamate and inhibitory GABA receptors. In both systems the metabotropic pathway augments the ionotropic receptor response. However, we have found that the metabotropic GABA_B receptor can suppress the ionotropic GABA_A receptor current, in both the in vitro mouse retina and in human amygdala membrane fractions. Expression of amygdala membrane microdomains in Xenopus oocytes by microtransplantation …

Relationships Between Root Pathogen Resistance, Abundance And Expression Of Pseudomonas Antimicrobial Genes, And Soil Properties In Representative Swiss Agricultural Soils, Nicola Imperiali, Francesca Dennert, Jana Schneider, Titouan Laessle, Christelle Velatta, Marie Fesselet, Michele Wyler, Fabio Mascher, Olga Mavrodi, Dmitri Mavrodi, Monika Maurhofer, Christoph Keel

Faculty Publications

Strains of Pseudomonas that produce antimicrobial metabolites and control soilborne plant diseases have often been isolated from soils defined as disease-suppressive, i.e., soils, in which specific plant pathogens are present, but plants show no or reduced disease symptoms. Moreover, it is assumed that pseudomonads producing antimicrobial compounds such as 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) or phenazines (PHZ) contribute to the specific disease resistance of suppressive soils. However, pseudomonads producing antimicrobial metabolites are also present in soils that are conducive to disease. Currently, it is still unknown whether and to which extent the abundance of antimicrobials-producing pseudomonads is related to the general disease resistance …

A Reexamination The Freshwater Mussels (Family Unionidae) In Lower Big Walnut Creek, Kierra M. Lathrop

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Freshwater mussels (family Unionidae) have become increasingly rare as the threats to water quality, habitat quality, and other aquatic animals, which the mussels depend on, have increased. The absence of mussels can provide evidence that one of these factors is insufficient. Lower Big Walnut Creek (BWC) is known to support a diverse community of mussels but they are unevenly distributed throughout the creek with abundance, density, and richness being high in the upper section, very low in the midsection, and intermediate in the lower section. It has been suggested water quality nor symbiotic fish host communities are responsible for this …

Type Specimens Of Hawaiian Land Snails In The Smithsonian Institution, Natural Museum Of Natural History, With Lectotype Designations., Kenneth Hayes

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

Yeung, Norine W., Robert H. Cowie, Kenneth A. Hayes, and Ellen E. Strong. Type Specimens of HawaiianLand Snails in the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, with Lectotype Designations.Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, number 647, vi + 34 pages, 11 figures, 2017. — Pacific islandland snail faunas are among the most threatened faunas in the world, having suffered a higher rate of extinctionthan any other major animal group. The Hawaiian land snails are among the most species-rich and mostseverely affected of these faunas, yet the current status of most of the Hawaiian species is unknown. Most ofthe major taxonomic studies …

Cross-Modal Attention Influences Auditory Contrast Sensitivity: Decreasing Visual Load Improves Auditory Thresholds For Amplitude- And Frequency-Modulated Sounds, Vivian M. Ciaramitaro, Hiu Mei Chow, Luke G. Eglington

Dartmouth Scholarship

We used a cross-modal dual task to examine how changing visual-task demands influenced auditory processing, namely auditory thresholds for amplitude- and frequency-modulated sounds. Observers had to attend to two consecutive intervals of sounds and report which interval contained the auditory stimulus that was modulated in amplitude (Experiment 1) or frequency (Experiment 2). During auditory-stimulus presentation, observers simultaneously attended to a rapid sequential visual presentation—two consecutive intervals of streams of visual letters—and had to report which interval contained a particular color (low load, demanding less attentional resources) or, in separate blocks of trials, which interval contained more of a target letter …

Unique Synergistic Formulation Of Curcumin, Epicatechin Gallate And Resveratrol, Tricurin, Suppresses Hpv E6, Eliminates Hpv+ Cancer Cells, And Inhibits Tumor Progression, Sumit Mukherjee, Priya Ranjan Debata, Rahman Hussaini, Kaushiki Chatterjee, Juliet N. E. Baidoo, Samay Sampat, Anita Szerszen, Joseph P. Navarra, Jimmie Fata, Elena Severinova, Probal Banerjee, Mario R. Castellanos

Publications and Research

Curcumin (from curry) (C) is highly potent against cervical cancer cells (CCC), but poor bioavailability has limited its clinical use. Similar natural polyphenols resveratrol (from grapes) (R), and epicatechin gallate (from green tea) (E) also display activity against CCC. By treating CCC (HeLa) with C, E, or R, or combinations of these compounds, we computed combination indices and observed a strong synergism among C, E, and R at the unique molar ratio 4:1:12.5. This combination, named as TriCurin, rapidly down regulated HPV18 E6 and NF-kB expression while concomitantly inducing the tumor suppressor protein p53 in HeLa cells. In the mouse …

The Phenology Of Sand Crabs, Lepidopa Benedicti (Decapoda: Albuneidae), Zen Faulkes

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Albuneid sand crabs are widespread on sandy beaches around the world, but because they conceal themselves by digging in sand and are often found at low densities, little is known about their basic biology. Lepidopa species were collected from the beaches of South Padre Island, Texas, on the western coast of Gulf of Mexico, a location that had previously been suggested to act as a population sink. The site contained Lepidopa benedicti and L. websteri, although the latter was extremely rare (collected three times in 5 years). There was significant variation in abundance across the year, with higher densities …

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, Charlotte Narjes

Cornhusker Economics

The inaugural Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference (CEC) will be held April 19-20 in McCook, Nebraska.

What Is It? The CEC Conference is an opportunity to educate communities on the various tools and resources available to assist them in helping entrepreneurs grow and prosper in their communities. Presenters are found locally, regionally and from other states to share how they found success in a variety of aspects of building the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

One of the unique aspects of the CEC Conference is that it is not held in a conference setting. Breakout sessions are embedded in shops and venues throughout the …

Matlab Micro-Symposium, Mathworks

Science Seminar Series

Join us to learn how your colleagues and peers are crossing boundaries and using MATLAB in their work in areas such as chemistry, biology, pharmacy and bioengineering!

We will have four faculty speakers who will share their MATLAB uses in teaching, projects and research.

This will be followed by a coffee break that includes:

• Poster session with faculty and student projects using MATLAB
• The opportunity to talk to the MathWorks team about the tools they provide – learn about what’s new and ask your questions here!
• An opportunity to network with your fellow Pacific colleagues from other departments!

MATLAB is …

Assessing Productivity In Prairie Biomass Feedstocks With Different Levels Of Diversity, Alyssa Williams, Mark E. Sherrard

Research in the Capitol

High-diversity mixtures of tallgrass prairie vegetation provide many ecosystem services and could be effective biomass feedstocks for marginal farmland in Iowa. In this study, we measured productivity in four prairie biomass feedstocks with different diversity: 1, 5, 16, and 32 species. Each feedstock was replicated four times on three soil types (48 research plots, 0.33 – 0.56 ha each). For the past seven years, we have monitored productivity in these feedstocks by harvesting tissue from randomly selected quadrats. In addition to continuing the productivity survey, we examined the efficacy of remote sensing (NDVI) and leaf area index (LAI) imaging for …

Detection Of Presumptive Pathogens In Ground Beef From Supermarket And Farmers' Market Sources, Paige L. Stanley, Taylor A. Winslow, Indiren Pillay

Georgia Journal of Science

This study investigates whether specific pathogens are more prevalent in retail meat sold by supermarkets compared to locally sourced markets. Ground beef samples were obtained from conventional ‘big box’ supermarkets and from local, farmers’ markets and examined for the presence of two pathogens, Escherichia coli O157,H7 and Salmonella. For the detection of E. coli O157,H7, homogenized meat samples were enriched overnight in modified EC medium with novobiocin. The enriched cultures were selected onto MacConkey agar with sorbitol, cefixime and tellurite. Presumptive positive colonies were subcultured onto tryptic soy agar with yeast extract and further tested for positive indole and motility, …

Proteome Dynamics During Postnatal Mouse Corpus Callosum Development., Alexander I Son, Xiaoqin Fu, Fumikazu Suto, Judy S Liu, Kazue Hashimoto-Torii, Masaaki Torii

Pharmacology and Physiology Faculty Publications

Formation of cortical connections requires the precise coordination of numerous discrete phases. This is particularly significant with regard to the corpus callosum, whose development undergoes several dynamic stages including the crossing of axon projections, elimination of exuberant projections, and myelination of established tracts. To comprehensively characterize the molecular events in this dynamic process, we set to determine the distinct temporal expression of proteins regulating the formation of the corpus callosum and their respective developmental functions. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic profiling was performed on early postnatal mouse corpus callosi, for which limited evidence has been obtained previously, using stable isotope of labeled …

Gene 33/Mig6 Regulates Apoptosis And The Dna Damage Response Through Independent Mechanisms, Cen Li, Soyoung Park, Leonard M. Eisenberg, Hong Zhao, Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, Dazhong Xu

NYMC Faculty Posters

Gene 33 (Mig6, ERRFI1) is an inducible adaptor/scaffold protein whose expression can be induced by both stress and mitogenic signals. It contains multiple domains for protein-protein interaction and is involved in a broad spectrum of cellular functions. Gene 33 promotes apoptosis in a cell type-dependent manner. A recent study has linked Gene 33 to the DNA damage response (DDR) induced by hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. Here we show that Gene 33 induces apoptosis via both c-Abl/p73 and EGFR/AKT-dependent pathways in lung epithelial and lung carcinoma cells. Ectopic expression of Gene 33 also triggers DDR in an ATM-dependent fashion and through pathways …

Compensatory Changes In Cyp Expression In Three Different Toxicology Mouse Models: Car-Null, Cyp3a-Null, And Cyp2b9/10/13-Null Mice, Ramiya Kumar, Linda C. Mota, Elizabeth J. Litoff, John P. Rooney, W. Tyler Boswell, Elliott Courter, Charles M. Henderson, Juan P. Hernandez, J. Christopher Corton, David D. Moore, William S. Baldwin

Publications

Targeted mutant models are common in mechanistic toxicology experiments investigating the absorption, metabolism, distribution, or elimination (ADME) of chemicals from individuals. Key models include those for xenosensing transcription factors and cytochrome P450s (CYP). Here we investigated changes in transcript levels, protein expression, and steroid hydroxylation of several xenobiotic detoxifying CYPs in constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)-null and two CYP-null mouse models that have subfamily members regulated by CAR; the Cyp3a-null and a newly described Cyp2b9/10/13-null mouse model. Compensatory changes in CYP expression that occur in these models may also occur in polymorphic humans, or may complicate interpretation of ADME studies performed …

Study On Catalytic Behaviors Of Rhizopus Chinensis Lipase Under Synergic Action Of High Pressure And Temperature, Chen Gang, Miao Ming, Jiang Bo, Feng Biao

Food and Machinery

The effects of pressure and temperature on the activity and the stability of Rhizopus chinensis lipase during high hydrostatic pressure treatment were studied. Based on the two-state model, the thermal denaturation of the enzyme was investigated and the isokineticity diagram was obtained. Within 0.1～200.0 MPa the enzyme activity increased with the pressure and the maximum activity was achieved at 200 MPa, which was 116% of that at atmospheric pressure. The activity began to decrease at pressure above 200 MPa and this tendency accelerated upon the pressure superior to 400 MPa. The high pressure treatment did not modify the optimal temperature …

Research Of Bound Aromas Based On Acid Hydrolysis In Glutinous And Non-Glutinous Sorghums, Lu Jiahui, Fan Wenlai, Xu Yan

Food and Machinery

In order to explore the effect of glutinous and non-glutinous sorghums on Chinese liquor’s quality, the SPE column was used for adsorbing bound precursors, and then, which were hydrolyzed by acid to release volatile compounds. The HS-SPME coupled with GC-MS was employed to identify and quantify sorghums’ bound aroma compounds. 21 kinds of aroma compounds were detected in two sorghums, including 5 alcohols, 7 aldehydes and ketones, 5 aromatic compounds, 3 terpenoids and 1 furan. Among these, 3 volatiles were identified tentatively. The total content of glutinous and non-glutinous sorghums’ bound aromas was 7 192 μg/kg and 6 922 μg/kg. …

Characterization Of Carboxymethyl Modified Cellulose Nanocrystal From Sweet Potato Residue, Ma Xiaohan, Liu Xiong, Guo Ting, Zhao Dan, Tian Junqing, Zhao Tiantian

Food and Machinery

With sweet potato residue as raw material, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were achieved through ultrasonic-assisted acid method. Carboxymethyl cellulose nanocrystals (N-CMCs) were produced by carboxymethylation of CNCs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the N-CMCs were still typical spherical nano particles and slightly larger with a uniform diameter ranging from 30 nm to 50 nm. They were more loosely packed than the CNCs and had a porous surface structure. The crystallinity index of the N-CMCs (52.83%) was lower than that of CNCs (73.27%), whereas the thermal stability of the former was higher. N-CMCs could be used as an excellent food additive, …

Determination Of Organic Selenium In Food By Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Gong Liang, Xiong Jun, Yu Yigang

Food and Machinery

A method was established to direct determination of organic selenium in food. The organic selenium was extracted by adding cyclohexane in aqueous solution with pH value of 7.0, and the content of organic selenium was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave digestion. In the best test conditions, the limit of detection and quantification were 0.45 μg/kg and 1.5 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 93.5% to 103.0%. The method has many advantages such as simple operation, high precision, wide linear range and so on, and can be used for accurate determination of selenium in food. So it …

Study On Electromagnetic Shielding Of Temperature Sensor Which Measures The Temperature Of Powder Food In High Frequency Electrothermal Sterilization Equipment, Tao Yi, Cai Jianrong, Zhang Shiqing, Sun Li, Li Xin

Food and Machinery

One kind of heat treatment machine for powder material was designed to use the metal screw impellor inside the sterilization chamber as the heating component connected to high frequency electricity. As strong magnetic field was generated during the process, the accuracy of temperature at critical control point (CCP) of the material measured by platinum resistor would be influenced, and this entailed the electromagnetic shielding (EM shielding). Based on both theoretical analysis and virtual simulation, our research was intended to design the shielding device. The relationships between the shielding effectiveness and the relative permeability, relative conductivity and thickness of different materials …

Numerical Simulation Of Agitating Valve And Structureoptimization Based On Fluent, Zhan Minmin, Yu Jinghu, Dai Xin

Food and Machinery

The method of computational fluid dynamics with RNG κ-ε turbulence model and Eulerian multiphase flow model was used to the simulation of solid-liquid two-phase feed mixer. Distribution of fluid field and volume fraction of solid-phase were analyzed in the stirred tank of horizontal mixer under the effect of agitator blade with different installing space of mixing blades and various lengths of mixing arms. Based on the results, the appropriate structure parameters could be selected and the simulation also provides theoretical basis for the optimizing design.

Study Of Mixing Effect Of Solid Powder In Horizontal Plant-Size Twin-Shaft Paddle Mixer, Huang Zhaoxia, Wu Xiaochun, Chen Qiaohong

Food and Machinery

The contrast mixing experiments of easy-clean, plant-scale twin-shaft paddle mixer and V-type mixer with one over ten thousand of the tracer were carried out. The results showed that the coefficient of variation of horizontal twin-shaft paddle mixer was under 3% after 180 s mixing, while that of V-type mixer was under 4% after 20～25 min mixing. However, the different characteristics of materials should be considered in the design of this equipment.

Development Of An Electromagnetic Double Row Of Chain Equipment For Recycling And Cleaning Of Plates, Yu Jianwu, Wen Cheng, Hu Qifeng, Shen Xiang, Li Xin

Food and Machinery

In order to solve low collection efficiency and low automation existing in present plates collection equipments, an electromagnetic double row of chain equipment for recycling and cleaning of plates is proposed. Diners place plates on the electromagnetic adsorption module, then plates with different models and materials is cleaned up and collected through automatic adsorbing, cleaning, stacking, and calculating stages. The equipment has good practicability and economy which design with compact structure and simple operation. The maximum speed of equipment is 240 pieces /min, the speed and pressure can be adjusted according to actual need. Equipments do not contact ort during …