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2012

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Articles 1 - 30 of 1224

Full-Text Articles in Biology

Bmp Planning To Address Urban Runoff: Plaster Creek Watershed Sustain Pilot, Tetra Tech, Inc. Dec 2012

Bmp Planning To Address Urban Runoff: Plaster Creek Watershed Sustain Pilot, Tetra Tech, Inc.

Watershed Reports

The Plaster Creek watershed is tributary to the Grand River in west Michigan. Plaster Creek is one of several impaired streams in this area, located in metropolitan Grand Rapids. There are several listed impairments for the Creek including 1) other indigenous aquatic life and wildlife, 2) warm water fishery, and 3) total and partial body contact recreation. Total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies were completed in 2002 for biota and E. coli to address the listed impairments. In 2008, a watershed management plan (WMP) was developed which outlines an implementation plan for water quality improvement in the watershed. This pilot …

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Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Technology: A Powerful, Generic, Facile And Cost Effective Alternative For Enantio-Recognition And Separation: A Glance At Advances And Applications, Jyn Philip, Dms Mosha Dec 2012

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Technology: A Powerful, Generic, Facile And Cost Effective Alternative For Enantio-Recognition And Separation: A Glance At Advances And Applications, Jyn Philip, Dms Mosha

Tanzania Journal of Science

The emerging Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) technology has yielded proof of concept, harnessing nature’s fundamentals to yield recognition receptor mimics from the miniaturized basics, borrowing on the ground rules, but conveniently avoiding the complexity, fragility, instability, costs and ethics of animal based bio-affinity matrices. Thus, the impact of bio-sciences on the future of technology is not via direct use of the molecules, but rather the lessons learned. Molecular imprinting is a powerful specialty representing the generic, cost effective and facile alternative for preparation of synthetic custom-tailored receptors. It achieves this via creation of specific selective recognition sites for a pre-determined …

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New Glucopyranosylglyceryl-N-Octenyl Adipate And Bioactivity Of Retro And Condensed Chalcones From Toussaintia Orientalis, Ss Nyandoro, Mhh , Nkunya, Cc Josepha, Jo Odalo, I Sattler Dec 2012

New Glucopyranosylglyceryl-N-Octenyl Adipate And Bioactivity Of Retro And Condensed Chalcones From Toussaintia Orientalis, Ss Nyandoro, Mhh , Nkunya, Cc Josepha, Jo Odalo, I Sattler

Tanzania Journal of Science

1-(3-β-D-Glucopyranosylglycer-2-yl)-6-N-(oct-2-enyl)-adipate, [orientalin, 1] was isolated as a new metabolite from the polar leaf extracts of Toussaintia orientalis Verdc (Annonaceae), together with the glycoflavonoids afzelin and quercitrin, and the indolidinoids toussaintines A-C. The reversed chalcones 2-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxychalcone (2) and 2-hydroxy-3,4,6- trimethoxydihydrochalcone (3), the condensed chalcone (+)-6a,12a-dihydro-6-phenyl-7-styryl- 6H,7H-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-][l]benzopyran (4), and mixtures of known triterpenoids and steroids were isolated from the less polar extracts of the root and stem bark of the same plant. The structures were established upon detailed analysis of spectroscopic data and other physical parameters. The chalcones exhibited antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity at varying efficacy levels, the reversed chalcone …

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Composition Of Non Volatile Oils And Antimicrobial Activities Of Extracts From Monanthotaxis Discolor, And An Undescribed Uvariondedron Species, Ds Parmena, Ca Mgina, Cc Joseph Dec 2012

Composition Of Non Volatile Oils And Antimicrobial Activities Of Extracts From Monanthotaxis Discolor, And An Undescribed Uvariondedron Species, Ds Parmena, Ca Mgina, Cc Joseph

Tanzania Journal of Science

The chemical compositions of non volatile oil extracts from two Annoneceous plant species Monanthotaxis discolor and an undescribed Uvariodendron species which are endemic to Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania were determined by GC-MS. The biological activities of extracts and fractionated samples were also determined. Both methanol and dichloromethane extracts of the root bark of M. discolor showed mild antimicrobial activity and had positive brine shrimp test (BST). The BST test for dichloromethane extract of M. discolor root bark were LC50 41.794 μg/ml and that of methanol extract showed LC50 13.560 μg/ml. The petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of root bark of …

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Activity Of Enzyme Trypsin Immobilized Onto Macroporous Poly(Epoxy-Acrylamide) Cryogel, W Johnson, Ymm Makame Dec 2012

Activity Of Enzyme Trypsin Immobilized Onto Macroporous Poly(Epoxy-Acrylamide) Cryogel, W Johnson, Ymm Makame

Tanzania Journal of Science

Bovine pancreatic trypsin has been covalently immobilized onto monolithic polyacrylamide cryogels with epoxy functionality (Epoxy-MPAAGs). The covalent immobilization of trypsin onto Epoxy-MPAAGs was achieved through incorporation of ethylenediamine-glutaraldehyde spacers on the cryogels’ surfaces. The immobilization yield and the influence of pH and temperature conditions on the activity of the immobilized trypsin were assessed by using the hydrolysis of a low molecular weight substrate, N-α-benzoyl-D, L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA). Optimal pH and temperature values of 9 and 50 °C, respectively, were established for both the immobilized trypsin and the free trypsin. Activity measurements from the native trypsin before immobilization and the residual free …

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Electrochemical Behaviour Of Environmentally Friendly Inhibitor Of Aloe Secundiflora Extract In Corrosion Control Of Carbon Steel In Soft Water Media, J Mutasingwa, J Buchweishaija, Jeg Mdoe Dec 2012

Electrochemical Behaviour Of Environmentally Friendly Inhibitor Of Aloe Secundiflora Extract In Corrosion Control Of Carbon Steel In Soft Water Media, J Mutasingwa, J Buchweishaija, Jeg Mdoe

Tanzania Journal of Science

Electrochemical behaviour of Aloe secundiflora on carbon steel corrosion control in neutral and aerated soft water solutions have been investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization techniques. The investigation was performed at different inhibitor concentrations under static and dynamic conditions using a Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE). The impedance and polarization results revealed that A. Secundiflora could be a potential corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel undergoing corrosion in fresh water medium. It was found that Aloe secundiflora reduces the electrochemical processes taking place on carbon steel undergoing corrosion. The inhibitor efficiency increases with increase in A. Secundiflora concentration and gradually …

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Historical And Contemporary Dna Indicate Fisher Decline And Isolation Occurred Prior To The European Settlement Of California, Jody M. Tucker, Michael K. Schwartz, Richard L. Truex, Kristine L. Pilgrim, Fred W. Allendorf Dec 2012

Historical And Contemporary Dna Indicate Fisher Decline And Isolation Occurred Prior To The European Settlement Of California, Jody M. Tucker, Michael K. Schwartz, Richard L. Truex, Kristine L. Pilgrim, Fred W. Allendorf

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Establishing if species contractions were the result of natural phenomena or human induced landscape changes is essential for managing natural populations. Fishers (Martes pennanti) in California occur in two geographically and genetically isolated populations in the northwestern mountains and southern Sierra Nevada. Their isolation is hypothesized to have resulted from a decline in abundance and distribution associated with European settlement in the 1800s. However, there is little evidence to establish that fisher occupied the area between the two extant populations at that time. We analyzed 10 microsatelliteloci from 275 contemporary and 21 historical fisher samples (1880-1920) to evaluate the demographic …

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Chronic Stress Elevates Telomerase Activity In Rats, Annaliese K. Beery, Jue Lin, Joshua S. Biddle, Darlene D. Francis, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Elissa S. Epel Dec 2012

Chronic Stress Elevates Telomerase Activity In Rats, Annaliese K. Beery, Jue Lin, Joshua S. Biddle, Darlene D. Francis, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Elissa S. Epel

Neuroscience: Faculty Publications

The enzyme telomerase lengthens telomeres—protective structures containing repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends. Telomere shortening is associated with diseases of ageing in mammals. Chronic stress has been related to shorter immune-cell telomeres, but telomerase activity under stress may be low, permitting telomere loss, or high, partially attenuating it. We developed an experimental model to examine the impacts of extended unpredictable stress on telomerase activity in male rats. Telomerase activity was 54 per cent higher in stressed rats than in controls, and associated with stress-related physiological and behavioural outcomes. This significant increase suggests a potential mechanism for resilience to stress-related replicative …

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Liana Abundance, Diversity, And Distribution On Barro Colorado Island, Panama, Stefan A. Schnitzer, Scott A. Mangan, James W. Dalling, Claire Baldeck, Stephen P. Hubbell, Alicia Ledo, Helene C. Muller-Laudau, Michael F. Tobin, Salomón Aguilar, David Brassfield, Andres Hernandez, Suzanne Lao, Rolando Perez, Oldemar Valdes, Suzanne R. Yorke Dec 2012

Liana Abundance, Diversity, And Distribution On Barro Colorado Island, Panama, Stefan A. Schnitzer, Scott A. Mangan, James W. Dalling, Claire Baldeck, Stephen P. Hubbell, Alicia Ledo, Helene C. Muller-Laudau, Michael F. Tobin, Salomón Aguilar, David Brassfield, Andres Hernandez, Suzanne Lao, Rolando Perez, Oldemar Valdes, Suzanne R. Yorke

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Lianas are a key component of tropical forests; however, most surveys are too small to accurately quantify liana community composition, diversity, abundance, and spatial distribution – critical components for measuring the contribution of lianas to forest processes. In 2007, we tagged, mapped, measured the diameter, and identified all lianas ≥1 cm rooted in a 50-ha plot on Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI). We calculated liana density, basal area, and species richness for both independently rooted lianas and all rooted liana stems (genets plus clones). We compared spatial aggregation patterns of liana and tree species, and among liana species that varied …

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Local Filters Limit Species Diversity, But Species Pools Determine Composition, Tara K. Rajaniemi, Deborah E. Goldberg, Roy Turkington, Andrew R. Dyer Dec 2012

Local Filters Limit Species Diversity, But Species Pools Determine Composition, Tara K. Rajaniemi, Deborah E. Goldberg, Roy Turkington, Andrew R. Dyer

Faculty Publications

In a series of three experiments, we tested for effects of species pools, resource stress, and species interactions on four aspects of community structure: species richness, evenness, species composition, and functional group composition. We also examined whether the impacts of species interactions on the community varied with resource availability or species pool. Communities of sand dune annuals grew from seed bank samples collected from two sites in three different years, so that the species pool differed at two levels: the source site and the year of seed bank collection. Communities experienced one of three irrigation treatments and a range of …

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Tuning Of Alternative Splicing - Switch From Proto-Oncogene To Tumor Suppressor, Aleksandra Shchelkunova, Boris Ermolinsky, Meghan Boyle, Ivan Mendez, Michael Lehker, Karen S. Martirosyan, Alexander V. Kazanksy Dec 2012

Tuning Of Alternative Splicing - Switch From Proto-Oncogene To Tumor Suppressor, Aleksandra Shchelkunova, Boris Ermolinsky, Meghan Boyle, Ivan Mendez, Michael Lehker, Karen S. Martirosyan, Alexander V. Kazanksy

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

STAT5B, a specific member of the STAT family, is intimately associated with prostate tumor progression. While the full form of STAT5B is thought to promote tumor progression, a naturally occurring truncated isoform acts as a tumor suppressor. We previously demonstrated that truncated STAT5 is generated by insertion of an alternatively spliced exon and results in the introduction of an early termination codon. Present approaches targeting STAT proteins based on inhibition of functional domains of STAT's, such as DNA-binding, cooperative binding (protein-protein interaction), dimerization and phosphorylation will halt the action of the entire gene, both the proto-oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions …

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Vegf And Angiopoietin-1 Exert Opposing Effects On Cell Junctions By Regulating The Rho Gef Syx, Siu P. Ngok, Rory Geyer, Miaoliang Liu, Antonis Kourtidis, Sudesh Agrawal, Chuanshen Wu, Himabindu Reddy Seerapu, Laura J. Lewis-Tuffin, Karen L. Moodie, Deborah Huveldt, Ruth Marx, Jay M. Baraban, Peter Storz, Arie Horowitz, Panos Z. Anastasiadis Dec 2012

Vegf And Angiopoietin-1 Exert Opposing Effects On Cell Junctions By Regulating The Rho Gef Syx, Siu P. Ngok, Rory Geyer, Miaoliang Liu, Antonis Kourtidis, Sudesh Agrawal, Chuanshen Wu, Himabindu Reddy Seerapu, Laura J. Lewis-Tuffin, Karen L. Moodie, Deborah Huveldt, Ruth Marx, Jay M. Baraban, Peter Storz, Arie Horowitz, Panos Z. Anastasiadis

Dartmouth Scholarship

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Ang1 (Angiopoietin-1) have opposing effects on vascular permeability, but the molecular basis of these effects is not fully known. We report in this paper that VEGF and Ang1 regulate endothelial cell (EC) junctions by determining the localization of the RhoA-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor Syx. Syx was recruited to junctions by members of the Crumbs polarity complex and promoted junction integrity by activating Diaphanous. VEGF caused translocation of Syx from cell junctions, promoting junction disassembly, whereas Ang1 maintained Syx at the junctions, inducing junction stabilization. The VEGF-induced translocation of Syx from EC junctions was …

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What's That Hooting Sound? A Survey On Novel Sound Producing Mechanisms In Chameleons, Keyana Boka Dec 2012

What's That Hooting Sound? A Survey On Novel Sound Producing Mechanisms In Chameleons, Keyana Boka

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This research project seeks to study how chameleons generate low frequency vibrations, some audible and some not. The mechanism responsible for this 'hoot' is unknown. A modified tracheal appendage we termed “the resonator” has been hypothesized as the potential source of this sound. An anatomical survey was conducted on various chameleon species including, Chameleo melleri (Meller), Chamaeleo pardalis (Ambanja, Nosy Be, Panther, Sambava), Furcifer rhinoceratus, Chamaeleo dilepis (Flapneck), Chamaeleo rudis (Side-striped), Chamaeleo calyptratus (Veiled), Chamaeleo jacksonii (Jackson’s), Chamaeleo quadricornicus (4-horned), Chamaeleo quilensis (Flapneck), Chamaeleo senegalensis (Senegal), Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus (giant Jackson’s), and Rhampholean brevicaudatus (Pygmy). Each chameleon was dissected …

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Reduced Translocation Of Cadmium From Roots Is Associated With Increased Production Of Phytochelatins And Their Precursors, Mst. Fardausi Akhter, Brian Mcgarvey, Sheila Macfie Dec 2012

Reduced Translocation Of Cadmium From Roots Is Associated With Increased Production Of Phytochelatins And Their Precursors, Mst. Fardausi Akhter, Brian Mcgarvey, Sheila Macfie

Biology Publications

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element and its environmental concentrations are approaching toxic levels, especially in some agricultural soils. Understanding how and where Cd is stored in plants is important for ensuring food safety. In this study, we examined two plant species that differ in the distribution of Cd among roots and leaves. Lettuce and barley were grown in nutrient solution under two conditions: chronic (4 weeks) exposure to a low, environmentally relevant concentration (1.0 μM) of Cd and acute (1 h) exposure to a high concentration (5.0 mM) of Cd. Seedlings grown in solution containing 1.0 μM CdCl …

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The Debate On Marine Mammals In Captivity, Lorna C. Scribner Dec 2012

The Debate On Marine Mammals In Captivity, Lorna C. Scribner

Honors Theses

Are marine mammal species better off today because of captivity? Is captivity ethical and should it be continued? As this debate grows stronger, both of these sides of the argument offer substantial evidence in their favor. In this paper, I discuss data for both sides and evaluate the justifications of marine mammal captivity. Ideally, no matter the outcome, this research will educate the public on influential factors of wild and captive populations.

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A Comparison Of Placental Tissue In The Skinks Eulamprus Tympanum And E. Quoyii, Lauren Yates Dec 2012

A Comparison Of Placental Tissue In The Skinks Eulamprus Tympanum And E. Quoyii, Lauren Yates

Honors Theses

The species Eulamprus tympanum and Eulamprus quoyii are viviparous skinks that are said to have a Type I placenta. This research compared histological characteristics of the oviduct during pregnancy in E. tympanum and E. quoyii and assessed whether structural features are consistent with a Type I placentation. A similarity was seen in both of these species and was not consistent with a Type I placenta. Extreme folding of the uterine tissue was observed in the early stages. An increase in glands around the later stages was observed while there was no change in blood vessel density over the course of …

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Quantifying Acclimation Levels Of Mimus Polyglottos In The Presence Of People, Jordan Rutherford Dec 2012

Quantifying Acclimation Levels Of Mimus Polyglottos In The Presence Of People, Jordan Rutherford

Honors Theses

The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a common bird species found in North America that in the past 150 years has expanded its distribution north. It is now commonly seen in urban and suburban areas were at one point, it was rarely seen outside of rural and forested areas. For the study, I observed northern mockingbirds at nine different sites over a period of a month between September and October 2012. After the study, I determined that there is a negative relationship between the number of people in the surrounding area and the distance when the birds flew away.

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The Lyme Disease Spirochete In Tick Species Collected From Warren County, Kentucky, Cheryl C. Onwu Dec 2012

The Lyme Disease Spirochete In Tick Species Collected From Warren County, Kentucky, Cheryl C. Onwu

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The overall goal of this present study was to determine the prevalence of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, in south central Kentucky. A survey of ticks collected from a single location in Warren County, Kentucky was conducted between the months of April and June, 2010. A total of 293 ticks were collected. Three species were identified: 264 (91.7 %) of the ticks were Amblyoma americanum, 18 (6.6%) were Dermacentor variabilis, and 1 (0.35%) was Ixodes scapularis. The ten remaining ticks were immature nymphs and could not be identified. After identifying the species and sex of …

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Lipophilic And Hydrophilic Quantitative Analysis Of Antioxidant Activity In Tomatoes And Tomato Products, Anna Tran Dinh Dec 2012

Lipophilic And Hydrophilic Quantitative Analysis Of Antioxidant Activity In Tomatoes And Tomato Products, Anna Tran Dinh

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The amount of antioxidants present in food varies depending on environmental conditions in which produce was grown and how products were processed prior to consumption. It would, therefore, be useful to quantify antioxidant activities in these foods. This study focused on quantitative analysis of antioxidant activities in commercially produced whole tomatoes and processed tomato products. For commercially processed tomatoes, diced tomatoes had total antioxidant activities (TAA) ranging from 1.243 to 2.243 μmol TE/g fresh weight (fw), juice 1.573 to 6.86 μmol TE/g fw, paste 6.3 to 13.248 μmol TE/g fw, sauce 1.62 to 3.168 μmol TE/g fw, and soup 1.073 …

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The Influence Of Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Protein Urm1 On Prion Formation, Jacob Beaver Dec 2012

The Influence Of Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Protein Urm1 On Prion Formation, Jacob Beaver

Honors Theses

Prions are infections proteins that are auto-catalyzing (form by altering a regular protein into the structurally different prion form), and are the cause of many common diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (or Mad Cow disease). This experiment tested the effect of three different plasmids, pH317, pER62 and pmp46 on prion formation in both wild-type and Urm1 deletion mutants in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The proposed hypothesis was overexpression of the prion forming protein would increase the frequency of prion formation, as well as yield less sustainable prion amyloids (or prion aggregations) that are easier to …

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Differences In Food Availability For Venus Flytraps In Resident And Restored Populations, J. Mason Truluck Dec 2012

Differences In Food Availability For Venus Flytraps In Resident And Restored Populations, J. Mason Truluck

Honors Theses

Expanding on a previous two-year study of resident and restored populations of Venus flytraps in Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve, the arthropod populations at resident and restored sites were sampled and compared to determine if there was a significant difference between them. Fourteen orders of invertebrates were collected from the sites, with the most numerous being Collembola (springtails) and Hymenoptera of the Family Formicidae (ants). There was no significant difference between the sample groups, though two of the traps from the restored sites were unusable. This study suggests that the arthropod population size and composition does not differ between the …

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Effects Of Selenium On The Freshwater Alga Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii With And Without The Proteasome Inhibitor Mg132, E. Patrick Vallentine Dec 2012

Effects Of Selenium On The Freshwater Alga Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii With And Without The Proteasome Inhibitor Mg132, E. Patrick Vallentine

Honors Theses

Selenium is a required nutrient in animal life but has not been shown to be needed in plants. The model plant cell Chlamydomonas reinhardtii may be an exception as it appears to increase its growth rate in the presence of selenium. Because selenium has the same valence state as sulfur it may be incorporated into proteins as the modified amino acid selenocysteine. This incorporation of selenocysteine into protein may disrupt the disulfide bridges that give proteins the correct conformation. Misfolded proteins can wreak havoc on a cell. This stress can be measured through several parameters. Chlorophyll levels, glutathione levels, growth, …

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Comparing Biology Grades Based On Instructional Delivery And Instructor At A Community College: Face-To-Face Course Versus Online Course., Amanda Rosenzweig Dec 2012

Comparing Biology Grades Based On Instructional Delivery And Instructor At A Community College: Face-To-Face Course Versus Online Course., Amanda Rosenzweig

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Through distance learning, the community college system has been able to serve more students by providing educational opportunities to students who would otherwise be unable to attend college. The community college of focus in the study increased its online enrollments and online course offerings due to the growth of overall enrollment. The need and purpose of the study is to address if there is a difference in students’ grades between face-to-face and online biology related courses and if there are differences in grades between face-to-face and online biology courses taught by different instructors and the same instructor. The study also …

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Crystal Structure Of Aura Virus Capsid Protease And Its Complex With Dioxane: New Insights Into Capsid-Glycoprotein Molecular Contacts., Megha Aggarwal, Satya Tapas, Preeti, Anjul Siwach, Pravindra Kumar, Richard J. Kuhn, Shailly Tomar Dec 2012

Crystal Structure Of Aura Virus Capsid Protease And Its Complex With Dioxane: New Insights Into Capsid-Glycoprotein Molecular Contacts., Megha Aggarwal, Satya Tapas, Preeti, Anjul Siwach, Pravindra Kumar, Richard J. Kuhn, Shailly Tomar

Department of Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The nucleocapsid core interaction with endodomains of glycoproteins plays a critical role in the alphavirus life cycle that is essential to virus budding. Recent cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies provide structural insights into key interactions between capsid protein (CP) and trans-membrane glycoproteins E1 and E2. CP possesses a chymotrypsin-like fold with a hydrophobic pocket at the surface responsible for interaction with glycoproteins. In the present study, crystal structures of the protease domain of CP from Aura virus and its complex with dioxane were determined at 1.81 and 1.98 Å resolution respectively. Due to the absence of crystal structures, homology models of …

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Traversing Swanton Road, 10th Ed., James A. West Dec 2012

Traversing Swanton Road, 10th Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over the past 140+ years, has not necessarily diminished the biodiversity and perhaps parallels the naturally disruptive but biologically energizing processes (fire, flooding, landslides and erosion), which have also been historically documented for the area for +60 years. This is an early edition of an extensive document by James A. West. Please visit the …

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A Tree Theory Case Study In Steinernema, Camille Eileen Finlinson Porter Dec 2012

A Tree Theory Case Study In Steinernema, Camille Eileen Finlinson Porter

Theses and Dissertations

It is widely assumed that current phylogenetic methods are fairly accurate at recovering the evolutionary relationships among different species, but evaluating the relative success of this enterprise is a difficult task. This study addresses some fundamental questions associated with generating phylogenetic trees. The complete genomes of five species of Steinernema were sequenced and assembled. Genes were predicted in AUGUSTUS and orthologous genes were found from those data using OrthoMCL. I aligned 3890 genes in MAFFT and eliminated poorly aligned positions with GBlocks. I created individual trees for each gene as well as a supermatrix tree in PAUP*, using a closely …

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Characterization Of Sterile Tassel Silky Earl: A Homeotic B-Class Gene Involved In Specification Of Floral Organ Identity In Zea Mays, Steven Keith Williams Dec 2012

Characterization Of Sterile Tassel Silky Earl: A Homeotic B-Class Gene Involved In Specification Of Floral Organ Identity In Zea Mays, Steven Keith Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Specification of floral organ identity in angiosperm flowers is accomplished by the coordinated activity of A-, B-, C-, and E-class MADS-box genes. In the eudicots, B-class genes specify petal and stamen identity. This eudicot B-class function depends on the simultaneous expression of genes from two paralogous B-class lineages (the DEFICIENS/APETALA3 lineage and the GLOBOSA/PISTILLATA lineage). Proteins produced by genes from these two lineages interact as obligate heterodimers and together regulate the transcription of various downstream targets. These obligate heterodimers also positively regulate the transcription of the B-class genes themselves, thereby mediating a unique B-class autoregulatory feedback loop. There is compelling …

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Coexistence Of Sympatric Taxa Of Chamaecrista Section Xerocalyx: Addressing The Interplay Between Morphology And Biotic Interactions, Beatriz Baker-Méio Dec 2012

Coexistence Of Sympatric Taxa Of Chamaecrista Section Xerocalyx: Addressing The Interplay Between Morphology And Biotic Interactions, Beatriz Baker-Méio

Dissertations

Animal-plant interactions may prevent gene flow and promote divergent selection among closely related plants, ultimately leading to formation of new species. This may be the case for Chamaecrista sect. Xerocalyx, in which two or more of the 24 varieties often are encountered in the same area, with marked morphological and phenological differences among them. Over a broad geographical range, however, the morphological gaps among varieties disappear. Several biotic interactions contribute to the fitness of Chamaecrista species. Their flowers are pollinated by bees, and herbivores attack their leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. In addition, all species produce extrafloral nectar, which …

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Winter Site Fidelity In Secretive Marsh Sparrows Along The Coast Of South Carolina, Susan M. Shaw Dec 2012

Winter Site Fidelity In Secretive Marsh Sparrows Along The Coast Of South Carolina, Susan M. Shaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Salt marshes, which are threatened by sea level rise and development, provide habitat for a distinctive suite of specialized vertebrates, and knowledge of the life histories of salt marsh specialists may help preserve salt marsh fauna in the face of change. I studied wintering site fidelity of Seaside (Ammodramus maritimus), Saltmarsh (A. caudacutus) and Nelson's (A. nelsoni) Sparrows by mist-netting and banding birds at six sites in two salt marshes in South Carolina. I banded 261 sparrows over two winters, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, and recaptured 92. Across-year return rates were high, but significantly different across species: 43% for Seaside, 63% …

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A Hunter Virus That Targets Both Infected Cells And Hiv Free Virions: Implications For Therapy, Cody Greer, Gisela García-Ramos Dec 2012

A Hunter Virus That Targets Both Infected Cells And Hiv Free Virions: Implications For Therapy, Cody Greer, Gisela García-Ramos

Biology Faculty Publications

The design of 'hunter' viruses aimed at destroying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected cells is an active area of research that has produced promising results in vitro. Hunters are designed to target exposed viral envelope proteins in the membranes of infected cells, but there is evidence that the hunter may also target envelope proteins of free HIV, inducing virus-virus fusion. In order to predict the effects of this fusion on therapy outcomes and determine whether fusion ability is advantageous for hunter virus design, we have constructed a model to account for the possibility of hunter-HIV fusion. The study was based …

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