University of Georgia

About: University of Georgia is a education organization based out in Athens, Georgia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 41934 authors who have published 93622 publications receiving 3713212 citations. The organization is also known as: UGA & Franklin College.

The method section as conceptual epicenter in constructing social science research reports

Abstract: In this article, the author argues that Method sections in social science research reports, particularly those that employ qualitative methods, often lack sufficient detail to make any results that follow from the analytic method trustworthy. The author provides a brief review of the evolution of the Method section from the 1960s to the present, makes a case for a more robust reporting of research method, and then outlines one way to achieve the end of providing a detailed, specific account of research methods that enable readers to understand unambiguously the means by which data are rendered into results. This consideration includes attention to the reporting of data collection, data reduction, data analysis, and the context of the investigation to make it clear why an illustrative presentation of data supports the claim that it offers.

Abscisic acid induction of cloned cotton late embryogenesis-abundant (Lea) mRNAs.

Abstract: Earlier studies found that cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cotyledons contain several mRNAs which are more abundant during late embryogenesis than in mid-embryogenesis or early germination. They are here termed 'Late embryogenesis-abundant' mRNAs, encoded by Lea loci. Complementary DNA clones for 18 such mRNA sequences, defined at a hybridization criterion of Tm-15°C, were identified in a mature embryo cDNA library by differential cDNA hybridization. At a lower hybridization criterion, some sequence homology was found within several of these cloned Lea mRNA sequences. Each Lea mRNA sequence comprises 0.04-1.3% of mature embryo poly(A)(+) mRNA, a level ten-fold to several hundred-fold higher than in young embryo or 24 h seedling poly(A)(+) mRNA. Of 18 Lea mRNA sequences examined in cultured young embryos, the level of at least 13 are specifically increased by exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), several to a level near that in normal mature embryos. However, the abundance of several of the sequences does not appear to be significantly modulated by ABA. The LEA polypeptides encoded by 10 Lea mRNA sequences were identified by hybrid-arrested translation. They include most of the late embryogenesis-abundant, ABA-inducible, polypeptides previously identified. Preliminary results suggest that many of the individual Lea mRNA sequences are transcribed from 1-3 genes in each of cotton's two subgenomes.

On the meaning and measurement of nestedness of species assemblages.

Abstract: Nestedness of species assemblages occurs when thebiotas of sites with lower numbers of species tend to be subsets of the biotas at richer sites. We develop new quantitative and statistical techniques for measuring, testing, and comparing nestedness, and apply these methods to data from the literature. Significantly nonrandom nestedness was present in all 27 assemblages examined, and tended to be stronger in systems dominated by extinction, such as landbridge islands. Sets of assemblages that were very strongly nested were more likely to have greater species richness on one or a few large sites than on several smaller sites of equivalent total area — that is, to fall toward the “single large” side of the “Single Large Or Several Small” (SLOSS) continuum. Our analysis indicates that nestedness, when quantified as a single number for a presence-absence matrix, measures community-wide differences in incidence (the frequency of occurrence or “distribution” of species). Factors that lead to consistent differences among species in immigration or extinction rates cause strong patterns of nestedness of species assemblages. Nestedness is negatively related to beta diversity: nestedness is low when beta diversity is high, and vice versa. Conservation managers will thus seek to minimize nestedness and the development of nested structure in systems of nature reserves.

Widespread natural variation of DNA methylation within angiosperms.

Abstract: DNA methylation is an important feature of plant epigenomes, involved in the formation of heterochromatin and affecting gene expression. Extensive variation of DNA methylation patterns within a species has been uncovered from studies of natural variation. However, the extent to which DNA methylation varies between flowering plant species is still unclear. To understand the variation in genomic patterning of DNA methylation across flowering plant species, we compared single base resolution DNA methylomes of 34 diverse angiosperm species. By analyzing whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data in a phylogenetic context, it becomes clear that there is extensive variation throughout angiosperms in gene body DNA methylation, euchromatic silencing of transposons and repeats, as well as silencing of heterochromatic transposons. The Brassicaceae have reduced CHG methylation levels and also reduced or loss of CG gene body methylation. The Poaceae are characterized by a lack or reduction of heterochromatic CHH methylation and enrichment of CHH methylation in genic regions. Furthermore, low levels of CHH methylation are observed in a number of species, especially in clonally propagated species. These results reveal the extent of variation in DNA methylation in angiosperms and show that DNA methylation patterns are broadly a reflection of the evolutionary and life histories of plant species.

Enzymatic Approach to Biodiesel Production

Abstract: The need for alternative energy sources that combine environmental friendliness with biodegradability, low toxicity, renewability, and less dependence on petroleum products has never been greater. One such energy source is referred to as biodiesel. This can be produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, microalgal oils, waste products of vegetable oil refinery or animal rendering, and used frying oils. Chemically, they are known as monoalkyl esters of fatty acids. The conventional method for producing biodiesel involves acid and base catalysts to form fatty acid alkyl esters. Downstream processing costs and environmental problems associated with biodiesel production and byproducts recovery have led to the search for alternative production methods and alternative substrates. Enzymatic reactions involving lipases can be an excellent alternative to produce biodiesel through a process commonly referred to alcoholysis, a form of transesterification reaction, or through an interesterification (ester interchange) reaction. Protein engineering can be useful in improving the catalytic efficiency of lipases as biocatalysts for biodiesel production. The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce large quantities of lipases, and the use of immobilized lipases and immobilized whole cells, may lower the overall cost, while presenting less downstream processing problems, to biodiesel production. In addition, the enzymatic approach is environmentally friendly, considered a "green reaction", and needs to be explored for industrial production of biodiesel.