Biological introductions may considerably alter the composition and community dynamics of invaded areas thereby changing many ecosystem processes including productivity, decomposition, nutrient cycling and hydrology. The effects on native species may be obscured by a lack of information on distribution and abundance patterns. The Japanese eelgrass, Zostera japonica, was introduced...
The toxicity of a group of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) was investigated using embryonic zebrafish. An immediate goal was to determine the relative toxicity of these compounds and to explore the toxicity mechanisms. It is thought that some OPAHs cause toxicity by binding and activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor...
The ritualized courtship of the Red-legged salamander, Plethodon shermani, has been studied extensively. Males and females possess brightly colored red legs, but little is known about the implications of this coloration on mate choice. An alternative hypothesis is that coloration may be used as a warning signal to predators. Animals...
Evidence-based interventions are considered to be the most successful interventions used in public health. They have the research to support their potential success when implemented by an organization. Evidence-based interventions are created and tested, then are implemented by a variety of organizations in various geographic locations, including non-profit organizations, public...
This item is a powerpoint presentation of an HHMI research project conducted during the summer of 2011 by Kyle Ireton, in partnership with Dr. Fredrick Stormshak. The objective of this study was to identify whether the myristoylated alanine-rich c kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein is phosphorylated in vivo, in response to...
This project calculates the melting temperature as a function of pressure for a system defined by the Lennard-Jones 12-6 potential using molecular dynamic simulations. In a single atomistic simulation, the initial conditions are manipulated such that both a liquid and solid phase exist when thermal equilibrium is reached. Phase coexistence...
This project developed techniques and methods to measure single molecule conductance. Break gap junctions, used to measure electrical properties of single molecules, were explored. A Hewlett Packard mechanical nano-press was determined to be insufficient for creating a stable gap in which to conduct experiments. To avoid electromigration and bond annihilation...
Intensity beam profiles of a 633 nm laser off a super-polished glass surface were captured using surface polarization reflection. Profile capture can be difficult due to the relative intensities of molecular reflection versus macro reflection. Surface polarization reflection uses parallel polarized light incident at Brewster’s angle to extinguish macro reflection....
We previously reported that inhibition of the Na⁺ translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NQR), either by chemical inhibition or mutation, increased toxT transcription in Vibrio cholerae. In this study, we revealed that the nqr mutant strain showed similar phenotypes as the Escherichia coli NADH dehydrogenase I (nuo) mutant strain (e.g. growth defect...
Cryopreservation depends on the equilibration of cells with high concentration of cryoprotective agents (CPAs). However, the addition of CPAs can induce damages to the cells. One of the damages is due to too much shrinkage or swell of the cell volume which lead to the cell death during the addition...
The detection of mammalian FMO’s is important in the understanding of active FMO 2.1 and its role in metabolizing drugs to treat tuberculosis. Refinement of an absolute quantification (AQUA) mass spectrometry method is needed to be able to quantify the different FMO isoforms present in mammalian tissue. We are doing...
The purpose of this study was to compare the fine and gross motor skills of young children with and without autism. Within the Children and Youth with Disabilities Lab, the Movement Intervention for Young Children with Autism project seeks to create effective interventions to improve the fine and gross motor...
This project investigated transient photoconductivity in organic donor-acceptor (D-A) systems, where a flourinated anthradithiophene, ADT-TES-F, acts as the donor. Various acceptor molecules were used, with different sidegroups, and different HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) and LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energy level offsets relative to the acceptor. Thin film composites...
During mitosis, sister chromatids are separated by the action of the mitotic spindle. The mitotic spindle attaches to chromosomes at centromeres through a protein complex called the kinetochore. While ~100 proteins have been identified at kinetochores and centromeres, the function of most is poorly understood.
The centromere protein, CENP-T (Centromere...
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) seed yields in Oregon are significantly reduced by the Clover Root Borer (CRB), Hylastinus obscurus. Since the CRB develops in clover roots and only emerges above ground briefly to mate and disperse, insecticides are ineffective for its control. In contrast, biological control may have potential as...
"Red-sided garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, from Manitoba, Canada are known to be hosts to trematodes, Alaria sp., in their population. Alaria sp. have been located in the tail tissue of the snakes. The non-reproductive stage of these obligate endoparasites, known as a mesocercaria, is trophically acquired by garter snakes....