Life Sciences Commons^™

Studies On The Macropores Structure Of Grassland's Soil, K Sato, K Tokunaga

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The purpose of this study is to examine the structure of macroporous soils which allows better aeration, water reten­tion and drainage. Previous investigations of macroporous soils have dealt with drainage (McIntyre and Sleeman, 1982), void forms (Tippkotter, 1983; Walker and Trudgill, 1983) and X-ray radiography (Rogaar, H. and R.A.H. Thiadens, 1975). Analyses of these studies have not proved sucessful to explain the effect of the soil structure as regards water retention and drainage. Therefore, the present study was designed to deter­mine the structure of macroporous soils by use of soft X-ray radiography and soil physical properties. Tokunaga et al.,(1984, 1986, …

Study Of Some Factors That Influence Upon P Fertilization On Pastures From Red Ferralitic Soil, Marta Hernandez, A R. Mesa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The importance of P for vegetal nutrition has been a topic of study for several workers. However, results obtained have not always been positive using P fertilizer due to some factors such as the content of this nutrient in the soil and its fixation capacity. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the response of guinea grass cv. Likoni and buffel grass cv. Biloela to P fertil­ization. These pastures were selected due to their favourable behaviour and the different levels of exigency to P that they pre­sent.

An International Perspective Of Dairying In New Zealand, M Murphy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

It is often said that the New Zealand dairy industry is the most low­cost efficient industry of the main dairy industries world wide. I am certainly not going to put a case against the New Zealand dairy industry today but I am going to look at it from a slightly different perspective to Ireland. Is the industry low cost, efficient? How do you measure that? I nm going to give a personal view on some of the strengths and weaknesses. I am going to suggest that there are some surprising weaknesses in an otherwise extremely efficient industry and I am …

Factors Influencing The Availability Of Soil Cobalt And Its Uptake By Herbage, J E. Paterson, D A. Klessa, A Macpherson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Severe cobalt (Co) deficiency is now rare in Scotland but subclinical deficiency, although difficult to diagnose, is com­monly thought to be reducing the profitability of many sheep and beef farms (COSAC/SARI, 1982). By understanding the factors which determine herbage Co content and Co availablity to ruminants, areas at risk may be predicted and preventative measures taken. To this end, a series of field and laboratory experiments were investigated:

Co adsorption and desorption characteristic of soils. Effects of fertiliser N on herbage Co content. Response of pasture and grazing ruminants to applied Co fertiliser.

Variations Saisonnieres De La Croissance D'Une Prairie De Setaria Anceps En Guadeloupe, P Cruz, O Sobesky

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

La production des cultures fourrageres en zones tropicales est frequemment modifiee par des effets saisonniers. Le deficit hydrique, la photoperiode et la temperature peuvent etre a l'origine de ces variations mais seulement le premier facteur peut etre controle a l'echelle d'une parcelle. L'effet de la photo­periode est bien connu sur des plantes stoloniferes comme le Pangola, lequel reduit fortement sa croissance pendant la saison de jours courts (Salette, 1971; Cruz et al., 1989). Parmi certaines plantes a talles (Crespo, 1986) des variations plus fai­bles sont rapportees mais sans faire la part de l'effet des basses temperatures. L'objectif de ce travail …

Relationships Between Root Morphology And Nutrient Uptake In Winter-Flooded Mediterranean Grasslands, A J. Hernandez, J Pastor

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

One of the functions of roots directly related to the environ­ment is that of uptake. However, since legume are worse competitors than grasses for nutrients and water, root mor­phology may be an important factor in this competition in grassland systems. This has been very interesting for the study of the dynamics of flooded pastures in West-Central Spain. Their main root characteristics were studied in a previous paper (Hernandez and Pastor, 1988). Now we intend to approach the knowledge of the relationships between root morphology and nutrient uptake.

Effect Of Soil Moisture On The Growth And Development Of Seedlings Of Some Grass Species, J Jargiello, Wanda Harkot

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Soil moisture in the upper layer is one of the fundamental factors favouring successful grass seeding. In our country, especially difficult conditions of germination and growth of seedlings can be observed on muck-peat soils, particularly on those of degraded, easily drying muck (Kowalczyk and Okruszko, 1973). Studies ofRoguska-Wasilewska (1960) point out that the grass ventilation system is not the same in all the species, which differentiates their resistance to soil overdrying. The aim of the studies was to determine the effect of muck­peat soil moisture in its upper layer on some morphological features of seedlings of some grass species and …

The Above Ground And Root Production Of Grass On Different Soils, Sophia Toth

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The total DM production of grass involves the above ground and root yields. The special literature mainly focuses on utiliza­ble grass yields while details of root production are less avail­able. The latter data show that grass annually produces large amounts of root improving the soil characteristics thereby. Very few results are available of the DM yield of grass on different soils under uniform ecological conditions. In Hungary soils under grass show a fairly diversified pic­ture, ranging from sands to heavy clay soils (solonchak, solonetz). In our experiment we investigated the effects of different soils and fertilization on the total DM …

Response Of Forage Oats To Nitrogen Fertilizer In High And Low Fertility Soils, N Moreira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage oats are used extensively as whole-crop in rainfed areas of Portugal as is traditional in Mediterranean areas. They are cropped with minimum inputs, and increasingly in mixtures with annual legumes such as Vivia sativa (Moreira, 1989). In addition to the fact that relatively low yields are obtained in these conditions, the oats harvested during grain filling have a very low crude protein content, which severely limits their nutritive value (Eagles et al., 1979; Abreu et al., 1982). The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on whole-crop forage oats in terms of dry­matter …

Lowering Cocksfoot Yields Caused By Manganese Toxicity And Molybdenum Deficiency Caused By Acidifying Effect Of Ammonium Nitrate Application, H Gembrazewski, Urszula Sienkiewicz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the case of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivation in monoculture or its domination as a result of high N level further regrowth yields decrease is often observed. This situ­ation also takes place on fertile soils and during years with good precipitation amounts. Similarly in pot experiments with optimal water and nutrients-N.P.K.-supply, this phenomenon also takes place. According to many research works, N application systemati­cally acidifies the treated soil. In Poland 60 % of soils are acid ones (pHKcl < 5,6). Sandy soils dominating in Poland are poor organic matter and they possess low buffering capacity. They are not resistant to acidifying effect of nitrogen fertilization which, besides bio­logical oldering of plants, can be the reason of yields lowering in further harvests. Lowering of soil reaction strongly effects micronutrients availability to plants to which its insufficiency or surplus is harmful. The problem of Mn toxicity and Mo insufficiency on acid soils is often discussed. The aim of the present research is to investigate the influence of increasing rates of commonly used N source - ammonium nitrate - on the yield and chemical composition of cocksfoot.

Rendement Des Prairies Dans Les Marais De L'Ouest De La France. Diagnostic Des Insuffisances Minerales, Y Pons, E Lafon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Situes sur la cote atlantique entre la Vilaine au Nord et la Gironde au Sud, !es Marais de l'Ouest s'etendent sur 250 000 ha environ. Ils resultent du comblement d'un golfe marin par des alluvions fluviomarines argileuses. La prairie est la production obligatoire lorsque !es contraintes hydrauliques ne sont pas maitrisables ou lorsque le cout d'amenagement est prohibitif. C'est le cas d'une part des marais "mouilles" qui sont soumis aux crues des rivieres (sols tourbeux et argileux) et d'autre part des marais desseches lorsque !es sols sont sodiques et done tres instables. L'objectif de l'etude est d'expliquer !es ecarts de …

Perceived Changes In Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Stress During The Pandemic Predict Current Levels Of These Same Variables, Gretchen E. Elsey, Jessica L. Smith-Ricketts, David Kohan, Andrew Lepp, Jacob E. Barkley

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 306-315, 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions placed on daily life may have negatively impacted overall physical and psychological health as well as health behaviors such as decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior. It is important to understand if these potential changes during the pandemic may be predictive of current health behaviors where pandemic-related restrictions are no longer being implemented. This study aimed to assess the relationships between perceived changes in physical activity, sitting, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic to current measures of these same variables. In April 2022, participants …

Thermal Carbonization Of Biomass Wood Dust And Algae Wastes Via Microwave-Assisted H3Po4: Desirability Function And Statistical Optimization For Methylene Blue Dye Removal, Raja Razuan Raja Derisa, Hazierul F. Awang, Muhammad Hakim Azman, Intan Nur Hidayah Abdul Rashid, Ahmad Hapiz, Ruihong Wu, Abdallah Reghioua, Zaher Mundher Yaseen, Lee D. Wilson

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

This research utilized a carbonization procedure via microwave irradiation assisted by H₃PO₄ to generate a cost-effective adsorbent (CWDAG) from wood dust (WD) and algal (AG) biomass. The resulting CWDAG adsorbent was characterized for its methylene blue (MB) dye adsorption properties. The activation process employs 800 W microwave radiation for 15 min under a nitrogen gas (99.99%) atmosphere. Multiple techniques were employed to study the physicochemical properties of CWDAG, such as FTIR, XRD, FSEM-EDX, pH_pzc, and BET. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the three important parameters of adsorption, as follows: A: CWDAG dosage …

Chimeric Cd40 Polypeptides And Methods Of Use In Immunotherapy, Eric Tran, Myungkyu Jang, Timothy A Erickson

Technology Transfer - Patents

No abstract provided.

A Tale Of Too Many Trees: A Conundrum For Phylogenetic Regression, Richard Adams, Jennifer Roa Lozano, Mataya Duncan, Jack Green, Raquel Assis, Michael Degiorgio

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Just exactly which tree(s) should we assume when testing evolutionary hypotheses? This question has plagued comparative biologists for decades. Though all phylogenetic comparative methods require input trees, we seldom know with certainty whether even a perfectly estimated tree (if this is possible in practice) is appropriate for our studied traits. Yet, we also know that phylogenetic conflict is ubiquitous in modern comparative biology, and we are still learning about its dangers when testing evolutionary hypotheses. Here, we investigate the consequences of tree-trait mismatch for phylogenetic regression in the presence of gene tree-species tree conflict. Our simulation experiments reveal excessively high …

Mechanisms Of Macrophage Metabolic Activation And Paracrine Wnt Signaling In The Pathogenesis Of Systemic Sclerosis, Emily Ann Morris

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. We have previously shown that macrophages (MØs) play a critical role in its pathogenesis; however, the mechanisms driving MØ activation in SSc remain poorly understood. This dissertation investigates the molecular signaling pathways and biochemical mechanisms underlying profibrotic MØ activity in SSc.

First, I identify a novel MØ-specific effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), the standard-of-care treatment for SSc. While MMF is a well characterized lymphostatic, my findings demonstrate that its active metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA), is also capable of directly inhibiting myeloid viability and profibrotic MØ activation by suppressing de …

Cardiometabolic Benefits Of A Non-Industrialized-Type Diet Are Linked To Gut Microbiome Modulation, Fuyong Li, Anissa M. Armet, Katri Korpela, Junhong Liu, Rodrigo Margain Quevedo, Francesco Asnicar, Benjamin Seethaler, Tianna B. S. Rusnak, Janis L. Cole, Zhihong Zhang, Shuang Zhao, Adele Gagnon, Edward C. Deehan, Joao F. Mota, Jeffrey A. Bakal, Russell Greiner, Dan Knights, Nicola Segata, Stephan C. Bischoff, Laurie Mereu, Andrea M. Haqq, Catherine J. Field, Liang Li, Carla M. Prado, Jens Walter

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Industrialization adversely affects the gut microbiome and predisposes individuals to chronic non-communicable diseases. We tested a microbiome restoration strategy comprising a diet that recapitulated key characteristics of non-industrialized dietary patterns (restore diet) and a bacterium rarely found in industrialized microbiomes (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) in a randomized controlled feeding trial in healthy Canadian adults. The restore diet, despite reducing gut microbiome diversity, enhanced the persistence of L. reuteri strain from rural Papua New Guinea (PB-W1) and redressed several microbiome features altered by industrialization. The diet also beneficially altered microbiota-derived plasma metabolites implicated in the etiology of chronic non-communicable diseases. Considerable …

A Role For The Actin Cytoskeleton And Plastin-3 In Osteoblast Mineralization And Mechanosensation, Samantha Meagan Chin

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The great diversity in actin network architectures and dynamics is exploited by cells to drive fundamental biological processes including cell migration, intracellular trafficking, and cell division. One such system that relies on the actin cytoskeleton to fulfill its physiological function are osteoblasts, which are mesenchymal lineage bone cells that promote bone formation through depositing a collagen scaffold and subsequently promoting mineralization of this matrix. A number of factors are known to drive osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblast cells including extracellular matrix cues such as substrate stiffness, which are primarily detected via mechanosensitive machinery linked to the actin cytoskeleton. Disruptions to β-actin, …

Drbioright 20: An Llm-Powered Bioinformatics Chatbot For Large-Scale Cancer Functional Proteomics Analysis, Wei Liu, Jun Li, Yitao Tang, Yining Zhao, Chaozhong Liu, Meiyi Song, Zhenlin Ju, Shwetha V Kumar, Yiling Lu, Rehan Akbani, Gordon B Mills, Han Liang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Functional proteomics provides critical insights into cancer mechanisms, facilitating the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We have developed a comprehensive cancer functional proteomics resource using reverse phase protein arrays, incorporating data from nearly 8000 patient samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas and approximately 900 samples from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia. Our dataset includes a curated panel of nearly 500 high-quality antibodies, covering all major cancer hallmark pathways. To enhance the accessibility and analytic power of this resource, we introduce DrBioRight 2.0 ( https://drbioright.org ), an intuitive bioinformatic platform powered by state-of-the-art large language models. DrBioRight enables researchers …

Structure-Function Relationship Of Ash1l And Histone H3k36 And H3k4 Methylation, Kendra R Vann, Rajal Sharma, Chih-Chao Hsu, Maeva Devoucoux, Adam H Tencer, Lei Zeng, Kevin Lin, Li Zhu, Qin Li, Catherine Lachance, Ruben Rosas Ospina, Qiong Tong, Ka Lung Cheung, Shuai Yang, Soumi Biswas, Hongwen Xuan, Jovylyn Gatchalian, Lorena Alamillo, Jianlong Wang, Suk Min Jang, Brianna J Klein, Yue Lu, Patricia Ernst, Brian D Strahl, Scott B Rothbart, Martin J Walsh, Michael L Cleary, Jacques Côté, Xiaobing Shi, Ming-Ming Zhou, Tatiana G Kutateladze

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The histone H3K36-specific methyltransferase ASH1L plays a critical role in development and is frequently dysregulated in human diseases, particularly cancer. Here, we report on the biological functions of the C-terminal region of ASH1L encompassing a bromodomain (ASH1LBD), a plant homeodomain (ASH1LPHD) finger, and a bromo-adjacent homology (ASH1LBAH) domain, structurally characterize these domains, describe their mechanisms of action, and explore functional crosstalk between them. We find that ASH1LPHD recognizes H3K4me2/3, whereas the neighboring ASH1LBD and ASH1LBAH have DNA binding activities. The DNA binding function of ASH1LBAH is a driving force for the association of ASH1L with the linker DNA in the …

Pspc1 Exerts An Oncogenic Role In Aml By Regulating A Leukemic Transcription Program In Cooperation With Pu1, Juyeong Hong, Pinpin Sui, Ying Li, Kerryn Y Xu, Ji-Hoon Lee, Juan Wang, Shi Chen, Peng Zhang, Noah Wingate, Asra Noor, Yaxia Yuan, Robert Hromas, Hongwei Zhou, Karina Hamamoto, Rui Su, C Cameron Yin, Fengxi Ye, Andrés E Quesada, Jianjun Chen, Suming Huang, Daohong Zhou, M James You, Feng-Chun Yang, Jianlong Wang, Mingjiang Xu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematopoietic malignancy characterized by the blockage of myeloid cell differentiation and uncontrolled proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Here, we show that paraspeckle component 1 (PSPC1) is aberrantly overexpressed and associated with poor survival in AML patients. Using human AML cells and mouse models, we demonstrate that PSPC1 is not required for normal hematopoiesis, but it is critical and essential for AML cells to maintain their leukemic characteristics. PSPC1 loss induces robust differentiation, suppresses proliferation, and abolishes leukemogenesis in diverse AML cells. Mechanistically, PSPC1 exerts a pro-leukemia effect by regulating a unique leukemic transcription …

Identification Of Genes Associated With Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Susceptibility Through A Transcriptome-Wide Association Study, Emilio Ugalde-Morales, Rona Wilf, John Pluta, Alexander Ploner, Mengyao Fan, Mohammad Damra, Katja K Aben, Lynn Anson-Cartwright, Chu Chen, Victoria K Cortessis, Siamak Daneshmand, Alberto Ferlin, Marija Gamulin, Jourik A Gietema, Anna Gonzalez-Niera, Tom Grotmol, Robert J Hamilton, Mark Harland, Trine B Haugen, Russ Hauser, Michelle A T Hildebrandt, Robert Karlsson, Lambertus A Kiemeney, Jung Kim, Davor Lessel, Ragnhild A Lothe, Chey Loveday, Stephen J Chanock, Katherine A Mcglynn, Coby Meijer, Kevin T Nead, Jeremie Nsengimana, Maja Popovic, Thorunn Rafnar, Lorenzo Richiardi, Maria S Rocca, Stephen M Schwartz, Rolf I Skotheim, Kari Stefansson, Douglas R Stewart, Clare Turnbull, David J Vaughn, Sofia B Winge, Tongzhang Zheng, Alvaro N Monteiro, Kristian Almstrup, Peter A Kanetsky, Katherine L Nathanson, Fredrik Wiklund, Testicular Cancer Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs) have the potential to identify susceptibility genes associated with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). We conducted a comprehensive TGCT TWAS by integrating genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data with predicted expression models from normal testis, TGCT tissues, and a cross-tissue panel that encompasses shared regulatory features across 22 normal tissues, including the testis. Gene associations were evaluated while accounting for variant-level effects from GWASs, followed by fine-mapping analyses in regions exhibiting multiple TWAS signals, and finally supplemented by colocalization analysis. Expression and protein patterns of identified TWAS genes were further examined in relevant tissues. Our analysis …

Biological Infections Associated With Wearing Cosmetic Contact Lenses: Risks, Pathogens, And Preventative Measures: Mini Review, Lina M. Shaker, Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Cosmetic contact lenses are increasingly favored worldwide for their ability to enhance or alter aesthetic appearance. However, their use carries a higher risk of ocular infections, particularly when proper hygiene practices are neglected. This narrative review explores the biological and clinical aspects of infections associated with cosmetic lens usage, with a focus on pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Acanthamoeba. Key factors influencing infection susceptibility include microbial adhesion, biofilm formation, reduced oxygen permeability, and the effects of cosmetic pigments. The review further evaluates the role of lens material properties, including advancements in antimicrobial materials, …

Methylene Blue Dye Removal From Aqueous Solution Using Activated Carbon Prepared From Corn Cob Stem: Kinetics, Isotherms And Mechanism Studies, Gopi Narasimha Murthy, Uttam Kumar Sahu

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

In this study, a waste-to-wealth work has been proposed where activated carbon was synthesized from waste corn cob stems and used for methylene blue (MB) dye removal. Corn cob stems activated carbon (CCSAC) had been prepared in microwave technique using H₃PO₄ as an activating agent where the impregnation ratio of corn cob stems to H₃PO₄ was 1:4. Then CCSAC characterized by FTIR, BET, XRD, SEM, EDS, and Raman spectroscopy. The CCSAC showed the mesoporous with a good surface area of 54.61 m²/g. Around 150 mg adsorbent dose, 120 min contact time, pH …

Assessing The Biological Impacts And Health Risks Of Uv Radiation In The Context Of Sustainable Development Goals: Review, Ruaa H. Abbas, Lina M. Shaker

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, while essential for certain biological processes, presents significant risks to human health and ecosystems. Increased UV exposure, driven by ozone depletion and climate change, heightens threats such as DNA damage, skin cancer, immune suppression, and eye disorders, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. Additionally, UV radiation disrupts marine and terrestrial ecosystems, impacting biodiversity and productivity, relevant to SDGs 14 and 15. This review evaluates the health and environmental impacts of UV radiation and highlights recent advancements in UV monitoring technology. Key findings reveal substantial evidence linking UV exposure to accelerated skin …

A Look In The Fast Lane, Joseph Mceachon

Osmosis Magazine

An Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Leary, M.D., Emergency Medicine, Richmond Emergency Physicians Inc.

Challenges Associated With Organ Transplants, George Qiao

Osmosis Magazine

In 1954, the first successful kidney transplant was performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray. Since then, organ transplantation has served as a life-saving operation, as it replaces a failed organ with a healthy and functioning organ. Recent decades have experienced great success for organ transplants due to advancement in the surgical industry as well as the availability of immunosuppressive drugs that fight against organ rejection.

Conservation In A Developing Country, Melanie Lippert

Osmosis Magazine

Amour Mohammad started farming in Pemba Island, Tanzania in 1994 and soon became an icon for sustainable land management on the island. Climate change has caused droughts, salt water intrusion into farms, and nutrient runoff from the land in Pemba. Despite this, Mohammad viewed climate change not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to be innovative.

Phage Therapy: A Fresh Look At Last Century's Candidate For Fighting Bacteria, Savannah Del Cid

Osmosis Magazine

Humanity has fought infectious bacteria for ages, but it wasn't until recently that humans began to distil chemicals from nature to fight bacteria, which we know as antibiotics. At first, bacteria were easily treated with antibiotics, such as the well-known penicillin. However, the improper and overuse of antibiotics over the decades has created the perfect environment for mutated bacteria to thrive despite antibiotic treatments. This has become a major concern for doctors and patients because the need to utilize methods beyond the pharmaceutical has not become widely apparent until now.

A Biologically Modified World, Maxim Ermoshkin

Osmosis Magazine

The field of synthetic biology has received more attention in the last decade to become a leading emerging technology. The field merges engineering concepts with the study and manipulation of biology. Synthetic biology fosters new solutions to biological problems by reconstructing biological phenomena as well as creating entirely new organisms. Venture capitalists and governments have dramatically increased investment and funding in this field because of its potential in reimagining how medicine, energy, and food are developed.