Washington State University

About: Washington State University is a education organization based out in Pullman, Washington, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 26947 authors who have published 57736 publications receiving 2341509 citations. The organization is also known as: WSU & Wazzu.

An Analytic Model for Description of Temperature Dependent Rate Phenomena in Arthropods

Abstract: A new description of temperature-dependent, rate phenomena was deduced to describe developmental time and ovipositional data for the McDaniel spider mite, Tetranychus mcdanieli McGregor. The derived equation accounted for asymmetry about optimum temperature and was of particular utility for description of systems operating at or above optimum temperatures. Ovipositional and developmental rate functions were used in a temperature-driven, discrete-time, simulation model describing McDaniel spider mite population dynamics. Temperature dependence of the instantaneous population growth rate was determined by fitting the derived rate-temperature function to data generated through simulation at various fixed temperatures. The functional relationship of important population parameters to temperature provided the mechanism for inclusion of phenological effects on mite populations in a synoptic apple pest management model. Two derived functions were fit to several published rate-temperature data sets. Adequacy of description (as indicated by R2 values) indicated general applicability of both functions for description of temperature-controlled, biological processes. Further, it was concluded that the singular perturbation method of matched asymptotes has potentially wide application in ecology, and an Appendix detailing the application of this method is included.

Soil microbial diversity and the sustainability of agricultural soils

Abstract: Many world ecosystems are in various states of decline evidenced by erosion, low productivity, and poor water quality caused by forest clearing, intensive agricultural production, and continued use of land resources for purposes that are not sustainable. The biological diversity of these systems is being altered. Little research has been conducted to quantify the beneficial relationships between microbial diversity, soil and plant quality, and ecosystem sustainability. Ecosystem functioning is governed largely by soil microbial dynamics. Differences in microbial properties and activities of soils have been reported but are restricted to general ecological enumeration methods or activity levels, which are limited in their ability to describe a particular ecosystem. Microbial populations and their responses to stresses have been traditionally studied at the process level, in terms of total numbers of microorganisms, biomass, respiration rates, and enzyme activities, with little attention being paid to responses at the community or the organismal levels. These process level measurements, although critical to understanding the ecosystem, may be insensitive to community level changes due to the redundancy of these functions. As microbial communities comprise complex interactions between diverse organisms, they should be studied as such, and not as a “black box” into which inputs are entered and outputs are received at measured rates. Microbial communities and their processes need to be examined in relation to not only the individuals that comprise the community, but the effect of perturbations or environmental stresses on those communities.

Randomized trial of intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder.

Abstract: Young children with pervasive developmental disorder were randomly assigned to intensive treatment or parent training. The intensive treatment group (7 with autism, 8 with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified—NOS) averaged 24.52 hours per week of individual treatment for one year, gradually reducing hours over the next 1 to 2 years. The parent training group (7 with autism, 6 with pervasive developmental disorder NOS) received 3 to 9 months of parent training. The groups appeared similar at intake on all measures; however, at follow-up the intensive treatment group outperformed the parent training group on measures of intelligence, visual-spatial skills, language, and academics, though not adaptive functioning or behavior problems. Children with pervasive developmental disorder NOS may have gained more than those with autism.

The Giant Protein Titin: A Major Player in Myocardial Mechanics, Signaling, and Disease

Abstract: The sarcomere contains, in addition to thin and thick filaments, a filament composed of the giant protein titin (also known as connectin). Titin molecules anchor in the Z-disc and extend to the M-line region of the sarcomere. The majority of titin’s I-band region functions as a molecular spring. This spring maintains the precise structural arrangement of thick and thin filaments, and gives rise to passive muscle stiffness; an important determinant of diastolic filling. Earlier work on titin has been reviewed before. In this study, our main focus is on recent findings vis-a-vis titin’s molecular spring segments in cardiac titins, including the discovery of fetal cardiac isoforms with novel spring elements. We also discuss new insights regarding the role of titin as a biomechanical sensor and signaling molecule. We will end with focusing on the rapidly growing knowledge regarding titinopathies.