Quantification of DNA Products Using Ion-Pair Reverse Phase Liquid Chromatography

The transcription of DNA via RNA polymerases is a fundamental process in cellular systems. In eukaryotic cells, we observe transcription in the nucleus (via genomic DNA) as well as in the mitochondria (via mitochondrial DNA). There are many tools available to investigate nuclear transcription; however, few tools exist to study mitochondrial transcription even though the mitochondrial DNA encodes several essential proteins. Recently an in vitro transcription system using purified mitochondrial transcription proteins, including the mitochondrial RNA polymerase, and linear mitochondrial DNA templates has been developed. Quantitative analysis of the DNA templates can be done via ion-pair reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP HPLC), a high-resolution technique in separating DNA based on size. Using IP-RP HPLC our aim is to assess the lower limits of separation, and our quantification method is based on measuring peak area and the peak height

Examining the Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Executive Functioning and Brain Plasticity

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are exposures to experiences such as maltreatment, household dysfunction, and other traumatic or stressful events occurring in the first 18 years of life. Exposure to ACEs in childhood, a critical time for development, have been found to have enduring, negative effects on physical and mental health across the life course. Specifically, ACEs may influence the neurotransmitter systems in the brain and alter brain function leading to behaviour changes that can be observed in adulthood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a brain plasticity factor involved in creating and maintaining connections and pathways in the brain. Pathways that utilize executive function (EF), higher order cognitive responses, may be influenced by exposure to ACEs. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between ACEs and EF and to examine whether BDNF helped to explain that relationship. The current study conducted a cross-sectional analysis that used data from the Niagara Longitudinal Heart Study which was a follow up study conducted out of Brock University. The final sample size for the current analysis was n=236. Retrospective reporting of ACEs was collected using the Childhood Trust Events Survey. The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function Adult Version (BRIEF-A) was used to measure everyday EF and included the Inhibit and the Working Memory clinical measures and three composite measures, the Behaviour Regulation Index, Metacognition Index, and the Global Executive Composite. Finally, serum BDNF was used as a measure of current plasticity. The relationship between ACEs and BDNF was non-significant and therefore no indirect effects were explored. There was a significant relationship between accumulation of ACEs and all EF measures, and this effect was similar across males and females. The current study adds to the literature finding that accumulation of ACEs was associated with low EF clinical and composite scores in young adulthood

The effect of leadership programs on engagement

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that collegiate leadership programs offered through Leadership Rowan had on student levels of engagement at Rowan University. This study sought to find a connection between participation in leadership programs and higher levels of engagement as well as evidence of applied leadership skills as a result of their engagement. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) was used to develop a measurement instrument to quantify student engagement. The survey was distributed to undergraduate students who engaged in the leadership Rowan Leadership Certificates at the Silver and Gold Levels. The conclusions revealed that participants in the leadership programs were identified as highly engaged students. Data revealed a high measure of activities and abilities that are attributed to leadership values as outlined by the programmatic theoretical framework. It also revealed that students were able to articulate the ways in which they acted in diverse leadership positions in their everyday life. Findings are consistent with previous research and provide more knowledge on the effectiveness of leadership programs as co-curricular educational opportunities

The Biomechanics of Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) Underwater Walking on Smooth and Rough Substrates

In nature, salamanders adapted to terrestrial and aquatic environments as well as varying substrate conditions in their habitats. Discovering more about the effects of substrate types on the kinematic measurements of underwater walking can offer us with more information regarding biological principles and limb evolution. A previous study conducted on the same salamander subjects led us to believe that a rough substrate such as gravel will provide the salamander with better traction and grip to thrust forward for walking underwater compared to a smooth substrate. Therefore, a rougher substrate is expected to have resulting kinematics that will differ significantly from underwater walking on a smooth surface. This project studied the biomechanics of underwater walking of the model organism, Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). The goal of the experiment was to analyze and collect data on the general locomotion and kinematic measurements while the salamander walked while submerged underwater. In order to obtain the information, two synchronized GoPros were used to film high speed videos of the strides of the salamanders at a lateral and dorsal viewpoint. Their unrestricted, voluntary strides were captured on both smooth and rough surfaces that provide a different expanse of traction. After filming was completed, each video was trimmed and compressed using VirtualDub. Then, the MATLAB digitizing module DLTdv5 was used to track multiple anatomical points among each salamander’s body. For each frame the x and y coordinate of five landmark anatomical features were tracked for both the horizontal and vertical video. The y coordinate of the dorsal perspective provided the estimated “z” coordinate for a more accurate analysis of any existing angled strides. Based on the 2-D trends of the digitized points, a custom MATLAB code was produced in order to extract information about their overall gait cycle and therefore the individual strides. This research will help us better piece together the evolutionary changes from underwater to terrestrial locomotion and understand how these fundamental biomechanical principles apply to other organisms. The average salamander stride duration, duty factor, stride length, stride velocity, minimum foot velocity, maximum foot velocity, foot slip distance, minimum potential kinetic and potential energy, and maximum potential and kinetic energy were used as kinetic markers to compare the effects of substrate type on the kinematics of underwater walking. After statistical analysis it was determined that there were significant differences existing between two salamanders on gravel and sand substrate for the following variables: minimum kinetic energy, average velocity, average velocity in body lengths, stride duration, and stride length in body lengths. For the very first time the change in potential and kinetic energy throughout a stride of a salamander while underwater walking was able to be calculated. This current study presented statistical evidence which confirmed that the kinematics of underwater walking of a salamander differs to some degree between smooth and rough substrates

Blackleg of Potato

Sparks, Adam and Megan Kennelly, Blackleg of Potato, Manhattan, Kansas, Kansas State University, August 2008

Bacterial ring rot of potato

Adam Sparks and Megan Kennelly, Bacterial Ring Rot of Potato, Kansas State University, August 2008

Common Scab of Potato

Sparks, Adam, Common Scab of Potato, Manhattan, Kansas, Kansas State University, May 2008

The Evolution of the Galaxy Cluster Luminosity-Temperature Relation

We analyzed the luminosity-temperature (L-T) relation for 2 samples of galaxy clusters which have all been observed by the ASCA satellite. We used 32 high redshift clusters (0.3<z<0.6), 53 low redshift clusters (z<0.3), and also the combination of the low and high redshift datasets. We assumed a power law relation between the bolometric luminosity of the galaxy cluster and its integrated temperature and redshift (L_{bol,44}=C*T^alpha*(1+z)^A). The results are consistent, independent of cosmology, with previous estimates of L$\sim$T$^3$ found by other authors. We observed weak or zero evolution.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, 11 figures, GIF forma

Bruxism in awake dogs as a clinical sign of forebrain disease: 4 cases

BACKGROUND: Bruxism is a repetitive masticatory muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth, or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible, or both. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether bruxism in awake dogs could be associated with brain lesions. ANIMALS: Four dogs with episodic bruxism in the awake state. METHODS: Observational retrospective single‐center case series. Inclusion criteria were dogs examined between 2010 and 2021 with episodic bruxism as a presenting complaint or observed during the examination or hospitalization, complete medical records and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography of the brain. Bruxism during epileptic seizures as oroalimentary automatism was an exclusion criterion. RESULTS: Four dogs met the inclusion criteria. Two dogs had bruxism while awake as a presenting complaint, whereas in the remaining 2 it was a clinical finding. All dogs had neuroanatomical localization consistent with a forebrain lesion, with diencephalic involvement in 3/4. The diagnostic evaluation was consistent with neoplasia (n = 2) and meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (n = 2), in 1 case accompanied by corpus callosum abnormality affecting the forebrain, in 3 dogs advanced imaging findings were suggestive of increased intracranial pressure. All dogs were euthanized. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our results suggest that the presence of bruxism in the awake state associated with other neurological deficits might indicate a forebrain lesion

Stroke-related Effects on Maximal Dynamic Hip Flexor Fatigability and Functional Implications

Introduction: Stroke-related changes in maximal dynamic hip flexor muscle fatigability may be more relevant functionally than isometric hip flexor fatigability. Methods: Ten chronic stroke survivors performed 5 sets of 30 hip flexion maximal dynamic voluntary contractions (MDVC). A maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) was performed before and after completion of the dynamic contractions. Both the paretic and nonparetic legs were tested. Results: Reduction in hip flexion MDVC torque in the paretic leg (44.7%) was larger than the nonparetic leg (31.7%). The paretic leg had a larger reduction in rectus femoris EMG (28.9%) between the first and last set of MDVCs than the nonparetic leg (7.4%). Reduction in paretic leg MDVC torque was correlated with self-selected walking speed (r2 = 0.43), while reduction in MIVC torque was not (r2 = 0.11). Conclusions: Reductions in maximal dynamic torque of paretic hip flexors may be a better predictor of walking function than reductions in maximal isometric contractions