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Full-Text Articles in Biology

Metabolomics Of Mammalian And Cellular Models Of Aging, Nathan Gonzales Duval Jan 2016

Metabolomics Of Mammalian And Cellular Models Of Aging, Nathan Gonzales Duval

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aging is often associated with impaired cognition and a progressive loss of organ function over time accompanied by an increased susceptibility for many disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), heart disease, osteoporosis, type II diabetes, and many forms of cancer. With a rapidly aging population, the negative impacts of aging and age-related disorders is a major cause of increased human suffering both for affected individuals and for families and caregivers. Metabolic changes are also apparent in normal aging, but may increase in magnitude or nature with accompanying disease states or with accelerated aging. Thus, studying aging in a …

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Nemo No More? Spatial Demographic And Population Genetic Analyses Of The Two-Band Anemonefish, Amphiprion Bicinctus, In The Gulf Of Eilat, Red Sea, Jacob Seth Howell Jan 2016

Nemo No More? Spatial Demographic And Population Genetic Analyses Of The Two-Band Anemonefish, Amphiprion Bicinctus, In The Gulf Of Eilat, Red Sea, Jacob Seth Howell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anemonefishes' obligatory mutualism with sea anemones dictates their occurrence on coral reefs. I examined spatial distribution, settlement, habitat usage, and survival patterns of the two-band anemonefish, Amphiprion bicinctus. In a 300 X 30 m study site off the coast of Israel in the Gulf of Eilat, fish and anemone populations were monitored for 13 censuses from October 1996 to August 1997. Based on size, anemonefish were categorized as adults, juveniles, or settlers. Settlers tended to cluster together but displayed significantly dispersed distributions in relation to adult individual fish and breeding pairs. Adult and juvenile anemonefish associated more with, and exhibited …

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Stress, Sexual Signaling, And Alternative Mating Tactics In Male Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Sarah Crocker-Buta Jan 2016

Stress, Sexual Signaling, And Alternative Mating Tactics In Male Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Sarah Crocker-Buta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how the endocrine stress response mediates the expression of courtship signals and alternative mating tactics in male green treefrogs, Hyla cinerea. Males of this species produce acoustic signals that stimulate production of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) in vocal competitors, suggesting a role of CORT in intrasexual competition. I predicted that modulation of CORT level during intraspecific contests plays a pivotal role in regulating the expression of male courtship signals and behavior. Consistent with this prediction, CORT administration to calling males, simulating CORT production during male vocal contests, decreased attractiveness by compromising energetic investment in vocalization, increasing …

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Pasture Management, The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis Invicta) And Dung Beetle Mediated Ecosystem Services, Christen Steele Jan 2016

Pasture Management, The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis Invicta) And Dung Beetle Mediated Ecosystem Services, Christen Steele

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Grazing animals in Florida deposit over 20 million metric tons of dung per year, making dung a significant non-point source of pollution (extrapolated from Fincher, 1981). Degradation of this dung occurs naturally, primarily due to a diverse group of beetles (Order Coleoptera) primarily in the families Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae(hereafter dung beetles). Dung that is not degraded becomes a non-point source of pollutants and may be leached into water bodies. Additionally, dung provides an incubation site for the pests and parasites of both humans and livestock. Thus, as dung beetles consume and degrade dung, they provide a multitude of ecosystem services …

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Habitat Distribution And Abundance Of Crayfishes In Two Florida Spring-Fed Rivers, Tiffani Manteuffel Jan 2016

Habitat Distribution And Abundance Of Crayfishes In Two Florida Spring-Fed Rivers, Tiffani Manteuffel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Crayfish are an economically and ecologically important invertebrate, however, research on crayfish in native habitats is patchy at best, including in Florida, even though the Southeastern U.S. is one of the most speciose areas globally. This study investigated patterns of abundance and habitat distribution of two crayfishes (Procambarus paeninsulanus and P. fallax) in two Florida spring-fed rivers (Wakulla River and Silver River, respectively). Study sites were surveyed once each season from April 2015 to March 2016 with baited minnow traps checked every other day, four times each survey. Habitat and environmental parameters evaluated included dominant vegetation or bottom type, percent …

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From Pet To Pest? The Potential Global Range And Food Web Effects Of A Generalist Carnivore, Hannah Bevan Jan 2016

From Pet To Pest? The Potential Global Range And Food Web Effects Of A Generalist Carnivore, Hannah Bevan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Nile monitor lizard [Varanus niloticus (Linnaeus, 1766)] is a generalist carnivore, native to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile River but now established in North America as a result of the pet trade. Once introduced, they are a potential invasive threat to native wildlife. Here, I create ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) to predict the global distribution of this generalist carnivore given current and future climate conditions. I then quantify the monitor's potential effects on 85 food webs representing >900 different species within the projected regions based on stomach content data. Climate, vegetation, and elevation data are used for 507 …

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Role Of Kruppel-Like Factor 8 (Klf8) In Cancer And Cardiomyopathy, Satadru Lahiri Jan 2016

Role Of Kruppel-Like Factor 8 (Klf8) In Cancer And Cardiomyopathy, Satadru Lahiri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are two most fatal diseases causing innumerable death each year. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these diseases is critical for developing proper therapeutic approach. Kruppel-like factor 8 (KLF8) is a member of Kruppel-like family transcription factors that is overexpressed in many types of cancers. There is no report on role of KLF8 in cardiovascular diseases to date. KLF8 transcriptionally activates or represses a host of target genes to promote cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial to mesenchymal transition during tumor progression. Studies proposed in this thesis identified a novel posttranslational modification of KLF8 essential for its …

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Transforming The Aquatic Urban Landscape: Nutrient Status And Management Of Stormwater Basins, Lindsay Skovira Jan 2016

Transforming The Aquatic Urban Landscape: Nutrient Status And Management Of Stormwater Basins, Lindsay Skovira

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization is a largely irreversible anthropogenic change that degrades environmental quality, including aquatic ecosystems. Stormwater ponds are a popular best management practice (BMP) to mitigate the effects of urban land use on downstream water bodies and contribute significantly to the total area of aquatic ecosystems in some urban watersheds. My research investigated the distribution of stormwater ponds and examined how different urban land uses influenced biophysicochemical conditions and management of those ponds in a rapidly developing suburban watershed in the Econlockhatchee River basin in Florida, USA. I evaluated limnological and ecological parameters in randomly-selected ponds distributed among three urban land-use …

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Pyroglutamylated Amyloid Beta Peptides Enhance Non-Fibrillogenic Aggregation Of The Unmodified Peptide, Gregory Goldblatt Jan 2016

Pyroglutamylated Amyloid Beta Peptides Enhance Non-Fibrillogenic Aggregation Of The Unmodified Peptide, Gregory Goldblatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is accompanied by abnormal extracellular deposition of amyloid b (Ab) peptide. This has led to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, causatively relating Ab with AD. While Ab deposits assume a fibrillar cross-b structure, prefibrillar oligomers of Ab have been identified as the main cytotoxic agents in AD. Pyroglutamylated amyloid beta (AbpE) peptides are N-terminally truncated and pyroglutamylated (at Glu3 or Glu11) Ab molecules that display enhanced cytotoxicity and represent up to 50% of total Ab in AD brains. AbpE significantly enhances the toxicity of unmodified Ab by an unknown mechanism. Although in situ Ab populations are heterogeneous, the …

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Macgillivray's Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus Maritimus Macgillivraii) Breeding Biology & Population Density At Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, Yianni P. Laskaris Jan 2016

Macgillivray's Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus Maritimus Macgillivraii) Breeding Biology & Population Density At Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, Yianni P. Laskaris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

MacGillivray's Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus macgillivraii) is a coastal marsh species sensitive to habitat alteration and threatened by coastal wetland loss. Data on seaside sparrow distribution, breeding success, and critical habitats are lacking in South Carolina. To better understand the demographics and incubation behavior of the species, I monitored breeding success, densities, song output, and presence of predators at three 7-hectare plots at the densest known population in the state. I also placed temperature data-loggers in a subset of nests to discern any links between incubation behavior and nest fate. Densities varied from a low of 5 birds/ha in a …

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Flying Under The Lidar: Relating Forest Structure To Bat Community Diversity, Anna Schneider Swanson Jan 2016

Flying Under The Lidar: Relating Forest Structure To Bat Community Diversity, Anna Schneider Swanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bats are important to many ecological processes such as pollination, insect (and by proxy, disease) control, and seed dispersal and can be used to monitor ecosystem health. However, they are facing unprecedented extinction risks from habitat degradation as well as pressures from pathogens (e.g., white-nose syndrome) and wind turbines. LiDAR allows ecologists to measure structural variables of forested landscapes with increased precision and accuracy at broader spatial scales than previously possible. This study used airborne LiDAR to classify forest habitat/canopy structure at the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station (OSBS) in north central Florida. LiDAR data were acquired by the National Ecological Observatory …

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Characterization Of Sbip68: A Putative Tobacco Glucosyltransferase Protein And Its Role In Plant Defense Mechanisms, Abdulkareem O. Odesina Dec 2015

Characterization Of Sbip68: A Putative Tobacco Glucosyltransferase Protein And Its Role In Plant Defense Mechanisms, Abdulkareem O. Odesina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plant secondary metabolites are essential for normal growth and development in plants ultimately affecting crop yield. They play roles ranging from appearance of the plants to defending against pathogen attack and herbivory. They have been used by humans for medicinal and recreational purposes amongst others. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the transfer of sugars from donor substrates to acceptors. Glucosyltransferases are a specific type of glycosyltransferases known to transfer glucose molecules from a glucose donor to a glucose acceptor (aglycone) producing the corresponding glucose secondary metabolite or glycone, in this case glucosides. It was hypothesized that SBIP68, a tobacco putative glucosyltransferase-like protein glucosylated …

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Influence Of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Isolated From “Amabere Amaruranu” Cultured Milk On Adipogenesis, Justin E. Kotala Dec 2015

Influence Of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Isolated From “Amabere Amaruranu” Cultured Milk On Adipogenesis, Justin E. Kotala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was performed to test the in vitro effects of a Lactobacillus rhamnosus isolate from “amabere amaruranu”, a traditional Kenyan cultured milk, on 3T3-L1 and Caco-2 cell lines. Cultures of fully mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with bacterial isolate cell extract (CE), filtered spent broth (FSB) from overnight bacterial culture, or with a PBS control. Expression levels of PPAR³1 and 2, C/EBP±, and ATGL proteins in 3T3-L1 cells were upregulated by FSB treatment. CE treatment did not affect protein expression levels. Expression of MTTP and SREBP-1c proteins in Caco-2 cells showed no change with either treatment. Optical density measurements …

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Breeding Bird Census To Compare Long-Term Changes In The Avifauna Of The Spruce-Fir Forest On Mount Guyot, Great Smoky Mountains National Park 1967-2015, Kevin C. Brooks Dec 2015

Breeding Bird Census To Compare Long-Term Changes In The Avifauna Of The Spruce-Fir Forest On Mount Guyot, Great Smoky Mountains National Park 1967-2015, Kevin C. Brooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The high-elevation forests of the Southern Appalachian Mountains have been impacted and rearranged by a tiny introduced pest from Europe, known as the Balsam Woolly Adelgid (Adelges piceaea), creating a concern for conservation. Breeding bird censuses, along with botanical surveys, have been conducted periodically on an established 60-acre plot since 1967 on the virgin forested slopes of Mount Guyot, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with the last census being completed in 2015. Breeding bird populations are shown to rise and fall in response to the forest’s changes over the last 48 years. Comparisons are made between all studies in order …

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Metabolic Profiles Of Household Pseudomonas Species Groups., Ogochukwu S. Onyiri Aug 2015

Metabolic Profiles Of Household Pseudomonas Species Groups., Ogochukwu S. Onyiri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resources influence the distribution, behavior, growth and reproduction of bacterial species. Understanding how closely related species utilize resources will shed light on the ecological traits or principles that shape biogeographic patterns and promote coexistence of species. Twelve Pseudomonas strains isolated from a single human home and PA01, the standard laboratory strain were evaluated in Luria Bertani media to understand whether their growth traits are influenced by their species group and/or their environment of isolation. Total growth, growth rate, early cumulative area under the growth curve (CUC) over 48 hours and viability (viable bacteria count per ml) at 24 and 48 …

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Effects Of Different Agricultural Management Systems On Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity, Community Structure, And Ecosystem Services., Charles Bradford Gottshall Aug 2015

Effects Of Different Agricultural Management Systems On Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity, Community Structure, And Ecosystem Services., Charles Bradford Gottshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Disturbances associated with row-crop agricultural management systems include mechanical (tillage and cultivation) and chemical (fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides) inputs and are often co-occurring. Many soil microbes are sensitive to these disturbances, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), important plant mutualists in agricultural systems. AMF associate with many crop plants and provide direct benefits through root pathogen protection, drought resistance, nutrient acquisition and uptake, as well as contribute to ecosystem services by improving overall soil fertility. Examining how different row-crop management system disturbances affect the AMF community is important for understanding and enhancing benefits provided by these important mutualists, and key to …

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Do Hydrocarbon And Salinity Disturbance Affect Marine Meiofauna Diversity And Community Structure?, Kyle Edward Anderson May 2015

Do Hydrocarbon And Salinity Disturbance Affect Marine Meiofauna Diversity And Community Structure?, Kyle Edward Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Coastal areas around the world are subjected to numerous disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic. Coastal meiofauna are an ecologically important group of organisms that may be sensitive to disturbance and especially useful as indicators of habitat status following anthropogenic disturbances. In this research, I compared the effects of five different intensity levels of hydrocarbon contamination, salinity reduction, and random non-disturbance diversity manipulation on communities of marine meiofauna communities in a microcosm experiment. While I did find the expected negative relationship between intensity and morphogroup diversity in the random treatment, the hydrocarbon and salinity disturbance treatments had no effects on overall …

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Characterization Of Putative Exbb And Exbd Leads To The Identification Of A Potential Tol-Pal System In Rhizobium Leguminosarum Atcc 14479, Valeria Barisic May 2015

Characterization Of Putative Exbb And Exbd Leads To The Identification Of A Potential Tol-Pal System In Rhizobium Leguminosarum Atcc 14479, Valeria Barisic

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rhizobium leguminosarum is a Gram negative nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium. Due to the limited bioavailability of iron, bacteria utilize siderophores that scavenge and bind available iron. The transport of iron-siderophore complexes is achieved by the TonB-ExbB-ExbD complex. We have previously shown that a functional TonB protein is necessary for iron transport by creating ΔtonB mutants and assessing their growth and 55Fe-siderophore transport ability. We attempted to identify and characterize the roles of putative exbB and exbD genes using a similar approach. Growth curves and sequence analyses suggest putative exbB and exbD may be the tolpal-associated genes tolQ and tolR. Phenotypic and …

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The Evolution And Ecology Of Individual Specializations Amongst A Group Of Dietary Generalists., Carl S. Cloyed May 2015

The Evolution And Ecology Of Individual Specializations Amongst A Group Of Dietary Generalists., Carl S. Cloyed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines individual diet specializations (IS) in a group of ecologically similar and evolutionarily related frogs and toads. Individual specialization is known to have widespread ecological and evolutionary effects. In an initial literature review (Chapter 2) I build a comprehensive theoretical framework showing how different types of population diversity can help, halt, or hinder sympatric speciation. I argue that IS can be maintained indefinitely in populations yet fail to lead to speciation because it is influenced by ecological conditions that may change. Additionally, IS can potentially aid niche partitioning among similar species, increasing species coexistence and resulting in less …

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Next-Gen Transcriptomics Reveals Variable Gene Expression In Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia K279a When Grown In Co-Culture With Pseudomonas Aeruginosa 2192., David Jensen 1984- May 2015

Next-Gen Transcriptomics Reveals Variable Gene Expression In Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia K279a When Grown In Co-Culture With Pseudomonas Aeruginosa 2192., David Jensen 1984-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We are constantly surrounded by bacteria, many of which are found in cohabitation with other species in the same niches. These organisms can be particularly problematic when they infect the human body. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is of significant concern because of the frequency that those suffering from this autosomal recessive disease have in colonization by these infectious agents. Affecting more than 30,000 people in the U.S. alone. CF is due to a genetic mutation that causes a thick mucosal buildup in luminal surfaces. This viscous mucus creates a cultivation site for complex respiratory biofilms. Complications of CF include paralysis of …

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Regulation Of Synaptogenesis By The Mirna Pathway And Fmr/P Bodies, Jacqueline Rochelle Furlong Jan 2015

Regulation Of Synaptogenesis By The Mirna Pathway And Fmr/P Bodies, Jacqueline Rochelle Furlong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA is facilitated by different mechanisms, such as microRNA (miRNA) induced gene silencing or fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) mediated repression either independent of or acting through cytoplasmic RNA Processing bodies (P bodies). DPTP99A, Lar, and Wg have known functions during synaptogenesis and may be targets of miR-8. Here, we provide evidence that miR-8 regulates DPTP99A in vitro. Non-endogenous miR-8 expressed using an UAS driver regulates Lar. Endogenous miR-8 may regulate DPTP99A in vivo. Here we show that FMRP is capable of colocalizing with the P body components: DCP1, HPat, and Me31B, but not …

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Negative Effects Of Commycorrhizal Networks And Roots On Upland Oak Seedlings In Open-Canopy Woodlands And Closed-Canopy Forests, William Chase Bailey Jan 2015

Negative Effects Of Commycorrhizal Networks And Roots On Upland Oak Seedlings In Open-Canopy Woodlands And Closed-Canopy Forests, William Chase Bailey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

After extensive logging and fire suppression many oak dominated woodlands or forests are in danger of being replaced by a mix of non-pyrogenic and shade tolerant tree species that benefit from fire suppression. Successful advanced regeneration by oaks in forests and woodlands depends both on the persistence of seedlings in the shade and growth within canopy gaps. Through the sharing of carbon and/or water between adults and seedlings, connection to a commycorrhizal network potentially provides a mechanism by which oak seedlings could persist in shade and/or grow rapidly in dry soils within canopy gaps. A study was conducted to determine …

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The Effects Of Clinorotation In The Host Plant, Medicago Truncatula, And Its Microbial Symbionts, Ariel Dauzart Jan 2015

The Effects Of Clinorotation In The Host Plant, Medicago Truncatula, And Its Microbial Symbionts, Ariel Dauzart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research was to understand mutualistic relationships between plants and endophytic microbes under the influence of an altered gravity vector. Understanding the outcome of the plant-microbe symbiosis in altered gravity is vital to developing life support systems for long distance space travel and colonization of other planets. This research utilized the model tripartite relationship among Medicago truncatula–Sinorhizobium meliloti–Rhizophagus irregularis. Plants were inoculated with rhizobial bacteria (S. meliloti), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (R. irregularis), both microbes, or none (microbial control), and placed on a rotating clinostat for 28 d. Vertical and horizontal static controls were also performed. Plant development …

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Cytokine Dynamics, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Neuroinflammation In Chronic Constriction Injury Rat Model, Kiran Vasudeva Jan 2015

Cytokine Dynamics, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Neuroinflammation In Chronic Constriction Injury Rat Model, Kiran Vasudeva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic neuropathic pain is a serious, worldwide health problem leading to life-long treatment and the possibility of significant disability. In this study, neuropathic pain was modeled using the chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats. The CCI rats exhibited hypersensitivity (typical neuropathic pain symptom) to mechanical stimulation of the affected paw 11 days post-surgery, at a time when sham surgery animals did not. It is known that immune cells play a role in the development of neuropathic pain and to further explore the relationship between neuropathic pain and immune cells, we hypothesized that the infiltration of immune cells into the affected …

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Systems Biology Approach To Understanding The Control Of Glucose Metabolism In Healthy And Apoptotic Neurons, Hoda Gebril Jan 2015

Systems Biology Approach To Understanding The Control Of Glucose Metabolism In Healthy And Apoptotic Neurons, Hoda Gebril

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in sculpting the developing central nervous system (CNS) but can, under certain conditions, contribute to neurodegeneration in the mature CNS. Metabolic disturbances have long been associated with apoptosis-inducing agents, however, the mechanism underlying such changes remains controversial. In this study, our hypotheses was that decreased ATP turnover may bring about other metabolic changes in apoptotic neurons. Accordingly, change in metabolic reactions other than ATP turnover may not be important in the study of apoptotic mechanism. In a living cell, metabolic reactions are highly connected and thus are highly sensitive to kinetic change in one or …

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Characterizing The Innate Immunity In The Hawaiian Coral Montipora Capitata, Melinda S. Ansley Jan 2015

Characterizing The Innate Immunity In The Hawaiian Coral Montipora Capitata, Melinda S. Ansley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems in the world; however, they are quickly diminishing due to natural and anthropogenic stressors, including disease. Corals possess innate immune responses that aid in protection against these stressors. In several coral species, immune responses are inducible in response to stress. Montipora capitata is a predominant coral in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. This coral occurs in two color morphs, orange and red, and is susceptible to the tissue loss disease Montipora white syndrome (MWS). MWS disease prevalence within Kaneohe Bay varies, with lower prevalence in the North than South Bay and with orange …

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Genetic Structure And Demographic Analysis Of Key Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus Clavium), Vicki Villanova Jan 2015

Genetic Structure And Demographic Analysis Of Key Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus Clavium), Vicki Villanova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent improvements in genetic analyses have paved the way in using molecular data to answer questions regarding evolutionary history, genetic structure, and demography. Key deer are a federally endangered subspecies assumed to be genetically unique (based on one allozyme study), homogeneous, and have a female-biased population of approximately 900 deer. I used 985bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 12 microsatellite loci to test two hypotheses: 1) if the Moser Channel is a barrier to gene flow, I should expect that Key deer are differentiated and have reduced diversity compared to mainland deer and (2) if isolation on islands …

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A Binary Approach For Selective Recognition Of Nucleic Acids And Proteins, Evan Cornett Jan 2015

A Binary Approach For Selective Recognition Of Nucleic Acids And Proteins, Evan Cornett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The design of probes for the selective recognition of biopolymers (nucleic acids and proteins) is a fundamental task for studying, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Traditional methods utilize a single component (small molecule or oligonucleotide) that binds directly to the target biopolymer. However, many biopolymers are unable to be targeted with this approach. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to explore a new, binary approach for designing probes. The binary approach requires two components that cooperatively bind to the target, triggering a recognition event. The requisite binding of two-components allows the probes to have excellent selectivity and modularity. The binary …

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A High-Content Multiplexed Screening Platform For The Evaluation And Manipulation Of Force And Fatigue Of Adult Derived Skeletal Muscle Myotubes In Defined Serum-Free Medium, Christopher Mcaleer Jan 2015

A High-Content Multiplexed Screening Platform For The Evaluation And Manipulation Of Force And Fatigue Of Adult Derived Skeletal Muscle Myotubes In Defined Serum-Free Medium, Christopher Mcaleer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The overall focus of this project has two parts: First, was to develop a protocol utilizing serum-free media formulations and defined plating and culture techniques to create functional in vitro myotubes derived from adult skeletal muscle satellite cells. The second was to manipulate the inherent muscle parameters such as force output and fatigue of these myotubes by employing exercise regimes or by small molecule application. The importance of serum-free medium use for in vitro cultures is becoming increasingly important in creating functional systems that can be validated for drug testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also, the study …

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The Effect Of Landscape Variables On Adult Mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae)Diversity And Behavior, Caitlyn Debevec Jan 2015

The Effect Of Landscape Variables On Adult Mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae)Diversity And Behavior, Caitlyn Debevec

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diseases vectored by mosquitoes cause millions of deaths each year. In modern times Florida*s disease risk has been reduced due to efforts to lessen the prevalence of mosquitoes through habitat modification of non-adults. With emerging diseases (i.e. Dengue and Chikunguya) encroaching into Florida from the Caribbean, this traditional approach may not be enough. Alternatively, we can better understand the ecology of how disease works in an ecosystem. One possible way is through the Dilution Effect, which states that the more species that are in a system the lower the chance for zoonosis. This project models mosquito diversity across regions, land …

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