Ho, Ka Chai. / Thesis submitted in: November 2006. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-145). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Molecular phylogeny of Metanephrops --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Identification of Nephropidae using DNA barcodes --- p.3 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Molecular phylogenetic studies of crustaceans --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Molecular phylogeny and reasons of using molecular markers in phylogenetic studies --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Characteristics of animal mitochondrial genome --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Examples of crustacean phylogenetic studies derived from mitochondrial DNA --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Identification of species based on DNA barcode --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Traditional taxonomy and its current practice --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Needs for DNA barcode --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Molecular identification based on DNA barcodes --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3 --- Taxonomy of Nephropidae --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Classification and phylogenetic relationship of Nephropidae --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Classification and distribution of Metanephrops --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Evolutionary history of Metanephrops --- p.36 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Molecular Phylogeny of Metanephrops --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Species studied and sample collection --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- DNA extraction --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Amplification of mitochondrial genes --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Nucleotide sequencing --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.4.1 --- Asymmetric PCR --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.4.2 --- Purification of asymmetric PCR products --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Sequence alignment --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Phylogenetic analyses --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- PCR products of 16S rRNA and COI genes --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Nucleotide composition of 16S rRNA gene alignments --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Nucleotide composition of COI gene alignments --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Intraspecific and interspecific genetic variation --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Phylogenetic analysis based on COI gene sequences --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Phylogenetic analysis based on combined data set --- p.74 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.80 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Interspecific genetic divergence --- p.80 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Monophyly of the four species groups --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Phylogenetic relationship in Metanephrops --- p.84 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Evolutionary history of Metanephrops --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Molecular Identification of Nephropidae --- p.92 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Species studied and sample collection --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- DNA extraction --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Amplification of genes --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- PCR profiles for mitochondrial genes --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Nucleotide sequencing --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Purification of asymmetric PCR products --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Sequence alignment --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Cluster analysis --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Graphical summary of species similarity --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- Testing of molecular identification system in Nephropidae --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- PCR products and sequence alignments of 16S rRNA and COI genes --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Species identification for clawed lobsters --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- 16S rRNA profile --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- COI profile --- p.108 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.116 / General Conclusion --- p.124 / Literature Cited --- p.127 / Appendices --- p.146

Past sightings of red-tailed (Cercopithecus ascanius) x blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) hybrids in Uganda indicates the potential for hybridization between C. Ascanius and C. mitis individuals. Apart from Gombe Stream National Park, there is no of evidence suggestive of C. ascanius x C. mitis monkey hybridization at investigated East African locations. Phylogenetic analysis was examined using Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data of twelve C. mitis stuhlmanni samples (from two populations) in Kibale National Park (KNP), Uganda to test for any evidence of hybridization. Strict mono- phylogeny among two new C. mitis haplotypes were detected. Genetic diversity measurements support neither interspecific or intraspecific hybridization among C. mitis individuals from populations within Kibale National Park. To intensify the implications of this study further examination should include an increase in sample size(s), mtDNA comparison of C. mitis subspecies from additional populations at East African locations, and assessment of nuclear and genomic DNA. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A diversidade da seqüência do DNA de oito populações de Octopus cf. vulgaris da costa brasileira e de uma população de Octopus vulgaris proveniente de Portugal foi investigada pelo uso do gene Citocromo oxidase subunidade I (COI) do DNA mitocondrial. Aproximadamente 600 pb do gene COImt foram amplificados por meio dos primers LCO1490 e HCO2198, purificados e seqüenciados. As seqüências foram alinhadas pelo método Clustal W. A árvore filogenética gerada pelo alinhamento das seqüências do COImt revelou dois conjuntos principais, formando clados monofiléticos sustentados por bootstraps superiores a 93%. Um clado contendo os indivíduos provenientes das regiões Sudeste e Sul, similares aos haplótipos de Portugal, que são classificados como Octopus vulgaris, e outro conjunto formado pelos indivíduos coletados em várias localidades das regiões Norte e Nordeste. O nível de diferenciação genética encontrado sugere a presença de duas espécies de Octopus. Quanto à estruturação populacional, os resultados encontrados pelo uso do DNA nuclear e do DNA mitocondrial indicam que as populações estão estruturadas geneticamente. / The diversity of the sequence of the DNA of eight vulgaris populations of Octopus cf. vulgaris of the Brazilian coast and a population of Octopus vulgaris proceeding from Portugal was investigated by the use of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Approximately 600 bp of the mitochondrial COI gene were amplified by means of primers LCO1490 and HCO2198, purified and sequenced. The sequences were lined up by the ClustalW method. The phylogenetic tree generated by the alignment of the sequences of the COI revealed two main sets, forming monophyletic supported by bootstraps 93%. A clade containing the individuals proceeding from the Southeastern and South regions similar to the haplotypes of Portugal, which are classified as Octopus vulgaris, and another set formed by the individuals collected in several places of the North and Northeast regions. The level of the found genetic differentiation suggests the presence of two species of Octopus. As far as the population structure is concerned, the results found by the use of the nuclear DNA and the mitochondrial DNA indicates that the populations are genetically structured.

A diversidade da seqüência do DNA de oito populações de Octopus cf. vulgaris da costa brasileira e de uma população de Octopus vulgaris proveniente de Portugal foi investigada pelo uso do gene Citocromo oxidase subunidade I (COI) do DNA mitocondrial. Aproximadamente 600 pb do gene COImt foram amplificados por meio dos primers LCO1490 e HCO2198, purificados e seqüenciados. As seqüências foram alinhadas pelo método Clustal W. A árvore filogenética gerada pelo alinhamento das seqüências do COImt revelou dois conjuntos principais, formando clados monofiléticos sustentados por bootstraps superiores a 93%. Um clado contendo os indivíduos provenientes das regiões Sudeste e Sul, similares aos haplótipos de Portugal, que são classificados como Octopus vulgaris, e outro conjunto formado pelos indivíduos coletados em várias localidades das regiões Norte e Nordeste. O nível de diferenciação genética encontrado sugere a presença de duas espécies de Octopus. Quanto à estruturação populacional, os resultados encontrados pelo uso do DNA nuclear e do DNA mitocondrial indicam que as populações estão estruturadas geneticamente. / The diversity of the sequence of the DNA of eight vulgaris populations of Octopus cf. vulgaris of the Brazilian coast and a population of Octopus vulgaris proceeding from Portugal was investigated by the use of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Approximately 600 bp of the mitochondrial COI gene were amplified by means of primers LCO1490 and HCO2198, purified and sequenced. The sequences were lined up by the ClustalW method. The phylogenetic tree generated by the alignment of the sequences of the COI revealed two main sets, forming monophyletic supported by bootstraps 93%. A clade containing the individuals proceeding from the Southeastern and South regions similar to the haplotypes of Portugal, which are classified as Octopus vulgaris, and another set formed by the individuals collected in several places of the North and Northeast regions. The level of the found genetic differentiation suggests the presence of two species of Octopus. As far as the population structure is concerned, the results found by the use of the nuclear DNA and the mitochondrial DNA indicates that the populations are genetically structured.

The purpose of this experiment was to examine changes in strength and power measures accompanying traditional and ballistic training during in-season competition. Fourteen collegiate women volleyball players were trained for 11 weeks with periodized traditional and ballistic resistance training. There was a 5% decrease (p<0.05) in approach jump and reach height during the traditional training period (pre to mid), and a 5% increase (p<0.05) during the ballistic training period (mid to post), but values were not different from pre to post. There were significant decreases (p<0.05) in contact time during drop jumps (15% mid to post) and minimum dip height in countermovement jumps (7% mid to post and 16% pre to post) during ballistic training. Traditional resistance training displayed significant decreases in speed related measures, while ballistic training displayed significant increases in these same variables. A combination of traditional and ballistic training can maintain jump height over the competitive season. / Department of Biology

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Analyses of tobacco products and their usage are well-researched and have implications in analytical chemistry, forensic science, toxicology, and medicine. As such, analytical methods must be developed to extract compounds of interest from tobacco products and biological specimens in order to determine tobacco exposure. In 2009, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. released a line of dissolvable tobacco products that are marketed as a smoking alternative. The dissolvables were extracted and prepared by ultrasonic extractions, derivatization, and headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) with analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results show that the compounds present are nicotine, flavoring compounds, humectants and binders. Humectant concentrations vary among different tobacco types depending on the intended use. Humectants were quantified in various tobacco types by GC and “splitting” the column flow between a flame ionization detector (FID) and an MS using a microfluidic splitter in order to gain advantage from the MS’s selectivity. The results demonstrated excellent correlation between FID and MS and show that MS provides a higher level of selectivity and ensures peak purity. Chemometrics was also used to distinguish products by tobacco type. Hair is a common type of evidence in forensic investigations, and it is often subjected to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Preliminary data was gathered on potential “lifestyle” markers for smoking status as well as any indications of subject age, gender, or race by investigating the organic “waste” produced during a mtDNA extraction procedure. The normally discarded organic fractions were analyzed by GC-MS and various lipids and fatty acids were detected. At this point, a total vaporization-SPME (TV-SPME) method was theorized, developed, and optimized for the specific determination of nicotine and its metabolite, cotinine. The theory of TV-SPME is to completely vaporize an organic extract which will eliminate the partitioning between the sample and the headspace, thereby simplifying the thermodynamic equilibrium. Parameters such as sample volume, incubation temperature, and extraction time were optimized to achieve the maximum analyte signal. Response surface methodology (RSM) is a statistical model that is very useful in predicting and determining optimum values for variables to ensure the ideal response. RSM was used to optimize the technique of TV-SPME for the analysis of nicotine and cotinine. Lastly, quantitation of nicotine and cotinine in human hair typically requires large sample sizes and extensive extraction procedures. Hence, a method using small sample sizes and a simple alkaline digestion followed by TV-SPME-GC-MS has been developed. Hair samples were collected from anonymous volunteers and nicotine and cotinine were identified and quantitated in the hair of tobacco users.