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Complex Biological (complex + biological)
Terms modified by Complex Biological Selected AbstractsEffects of Habitat Fragmentation on Effective Dispersal of Florida Scrub-JaysCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010AURÉLIE COULON Aphelocoma c,rulescens; dispersión; flujo génico; fragmentación Abstract:,Studies comparing dispersal in fragmented versus unfragmented landscapes show that habitat fragmentation alters the dispersal behavior of many species. We used two complementary approaches to explore Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma c,rulescens) dispersal in relation to landscape fragmentation. First, we compared dispersal distances of color-marked individuals in intensively monitored continuous and fragmented landscapes. Second, we estimated effective dispersal relative to the degree of fragmentation (as inferred from two landscape indexes: proportion of study site covered with Florida Scrub-Jay habitat and mean distance to nearest habitat patch within each study site) by comparing genetic isolation-by-distance regressions among 13 study sites having a range of landscape structures. Among color-banded individuals, dispersal distances were greater in fragmented versus continuous landscapes, a result consistent with other studies. Nevertheless, genetic analyses revealed that effective dispersal decreases as the proportion of habitat in the landscape decreases. These results suggest that although individual Florida Scrub-Jays may disperse farther as fragmentation increases, those that do so are less successful as breeders than those that disperse short distances. Our study highlights the importance of combining observational data with genetic inferences when evaluating the complex biological and life-history implications of dispersal. Resumen:,Estudios que comparan la dispersión en paisajes fragmentados versus no fragmentados muestran que la fragmentación del hábitat altera la conducta de dispersión de muchas especies. Utilizamos dos métodos complementarios para explorar la dispersión de Aphelocoma c,rulescens en relación con la fragmentación del paisaje. Primero, comparamos las distancias de dispersión de individuos marcados con color en paisajes continuos y fragmentados monitoreados intensivamente. Segundo, estimamos la dispersión efectiva en relación con el grado de fragmentación (inferida a partir de dos índices del paisaje: proporción del sitio de estudio cubierta con hábitat para A. c,rulescens y la distancia promedio al parche más cercano en cada sitio de estudio) mediante la comparación de regresiones de aislamiento genético por distancia entre 13 sitios de estudio con una gama de estructuras de paisaje. Entre los individuos marcados con color, las distancias de dispersión fueron mayores en los paisajes fragmentados versus los continuos, un resultado consistente con otros estudios. Sin embargo, los análisis genéticos revelaron que la dispersión efectiva decrece a medida que decrece la proporción de hábitat en el paisaje. Estos resultados sugieren que aunque individuos de A. c,rulescens pueden dispersarse más lejos a medida que incrementa la fragmentación, aquellos que lo hacen son reproductores menos exitosos que los que se dispersan a corta distancia. Nuestro estudio resalta la importancia de combinar datos observacionales con inferencias genéticas cuando se evalúan las complejas implicaciones de la dispersión sobre la biología y la historia natural. [source] Nanobiomaterials and Nanoanalysis: Opportunities for Improving the Science to Benefit Biomedical Technologies,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 5 2008W. Grainger Abstract Nanomaterials advocated for biomedical applications must exhibit well-controlled surface properties to achieve optimum performance in complex biological or physiological fluids. Dispersed materials with extremely high specific surface areas require as extensive characterization as their macroscale biomaterials analogues. However, current literature is replete with many examples of nanophase materials, most notably nanoparticles, with little emphasis placed on reporting rigorous surface analysis or characterization, or in formal implementation of surface property standards needed to validate structure-property relationships for biomedical applications. Correlations of nanophase surface properties with their stability, toxicity and biodistributions are essential for in vivo applications. Surface contamination is likely, given their processing conditions and interfacial energies. Leaching adventitious adsorbates from high surface area nanomaterials is a possible toxicity mechanism. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), long known as a ubiquitous contaminant in clean room conditions, chemical synthesis and microfabrication, remains a likely culprit in nanosystems fabrication, especially in synthesis, soft lithography and contact molding methods. New standards and expectations for analyzing the interfacial properties of nanoparticles and nano-fabricated technologies are required. Surface science analytical rigor similar to that applied to biomedical devices, nanophases in microelectronics and heterogeneous catalysts should serve as a model for nanomaterials characterization in biomedical technologies. [source] Networks for recognition of biomolecules: molecular imprinting and micropatterning poly(ethylene glycol)- Containing films,POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 10-12 2002Mark E. Byrne Abstract Engineering the molecular design of biomaterials by controlling recognition and specificity is the first step in coordinating and duplicating complex biological and physiological processes. Studies of protein binding domains reveal molecular architectures with specific chemical moieties that provide a framework for selective recognition of target biomolecules in aqueous environment. By matching functionality and positioning of chemical residues, we have been successful in designing biomimetic polymer networks that specifically bind biomolecules in aqueous environments. Our work addresses the preparation, behavior, and dynamics of the three-dimensional structure of biomimetic polymers for selective recognition via non-covalent complexation. In particular, the synthesis and characterization of recognitive gels for the macromolecular recognition of D -glucose is highlighted. Novel copolymer networks containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and functional monomers such as acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and acrylamide were synthesized in dimethyl sulfoxide (polar, aprotic solvent) and water (polar, protic solvent) via UV-free radical polymerization. Polymers were characterized by single and competitive equilibrium and kinetic binding studies, single and competitive fluorescent and confocal microscopy studies, dynamic network swelling studies, and ATR-FTIR. Results qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrate effective glucose-binding polymers in aqueous solvent. Owing to the presence of template, the imprinting process resulted in a more macroporous structure as exhibited by dynamic swelling experiments and confocal microscopy. Polymerization kinetic studies suggest that the template molecule has more than a dilution effect on the polymerization, and the effect of the template is related strongly to the rate of propagation. In addition, PEG containing networks were micropatterned to fabricate microstructures, which would be the basis for micro-diagnostic and tissue engineering devices. Utilizing photolithography techniques, polymer micropatterns of a variety of shapes and dimensions have been created on polymer and silicon substrates using UV free-radical polymerizations with strict spatial control. Micropatterns were characterized using optical microscopy, SEM, and profilometry. The processes and analytical techniques presented are applicable to other stimuli-sensitive and recognitive networks for biomolecules, in which hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, or ionic contributions will direct recognition. Further developments are expected to have direct impact on applications such as analyte controlled and modulated drug and protein delivery, drug and biological elimination, drug targeting, tissue engineering, and micro- or nano-devices. This work is supported by NSF Grant DGE-99-72770. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The 6th East Midlands Proteomics Workshop supported by the BSPR and BMSS 14 November 2007, Nottingham, UKPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 9 2008Robert Layfield Dr. Abstract Now in its 6th year, the East Midlands Proteomics workshop held in November 2007 brought together over 200 scientists with a common interest in proteomic techniques and their application to complex biological and biomedical problems. For the first time, this meeting was jointly supported by the British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) and British Mass Spectrometry Society (BMSS). [source] |