MRI/RUI: Acquisition of Controlled Environment Growth Chambers

Slippery Rock大学的John V.H.康斯特布尔博士、曾傑瑞·G·切梅列夫斯基博士和M·迪尼古拉院长获得了一笔赠款，用于购买四个受控环境植物生长室。所要求的暗室包括对温度和照明的控制，并将按照下面的说明进行配置，以最大限度地提高所有用户的效用。第一对燃烧室的配置包括高光输出选项，该选项提供约四分之三的完整太阳高度的照明，通过连接的加湿和除湿系统控制湿度，以及使用二氧化碳喷射和集成红外气体分析仪控制二氧化碳浓度。第二对燃烧室的配置与上面的相同，但缺乏高光输出选项和对二氧化碳的控制。收购这些实验室将扩大约翰·V·H·康斯特布尔、曾傑瑞·G·切梅列夫斯基和生物系院长M·德尼古拉未来的研究努力。成长实验室还将扩大滑石城大学在课堂、实验室和独立教员监督的学生研究方面卓越本科教育的主要使命。这些研究室将根据调查人员的主要研究兴趣，为要研究的各种项目提供能力。所有拟议研究的目的都是为了加强我们对生物系统中的机制关系的理解。康斯特布尔博士的研究解决了二氧化碳浓度升高时硝酸盐与碳同化之间的机制关系，这将增强我们对植物对二氧化碳浓度升高的长期生长反应的预测能力。Chmielewski博士的研究发展了对杂草和非杂草紫荆物种生殖进化趋势的理解。DeNicola博士的研究试图根据生长形式和潜在的定植分类群建立底栖藻类演替的预测模型；以及(Ii)确定酸性矿山排水(AMD)对底栖藻类群落结构和初级生产力的影响，以便改进受AMD影响的溪流的修复工作。

A grant has been awarded to Drs. John V.H. Constable, Jerry G. Chmielewski, and Dean M. DeNicola at Slippery Rock University to purchase four controlled environment plant growth chambers. The requested chambers include control over temperature and illumination and will be configured as described below to maximize utility for all users. The configuration of the first pair of chambers includes a high light output option that provides illumination to approximately three-fourths of full sun level, control over humidity through linked humidification and dehumidification systems, and the control of CO2 concentration using CO2 injection and an integrated infrared gas analyzer. The configuration of the second pair of chambers are identical to those above, but lack the high light output option and control over CO2. Acquisition of these chambers will expand the future research efforts of John V.H. Constable; Jerry G. Chmielewski; and Dean M. DeNicola in the Department of Biology. The growth chambers will also expand Slippery Rock University's primary mission of excellence in undergraduate education in the classroom, the laboratory and independent faculty-supervised student research. The chambers will provide the capability for a diverse array of projects to be studied according to the primary research interests of the investigators. The goals of all proposed studies are to enhance our understanding of mechanistic relationships in biological systems. Dr. Constable's studies address the mechanistic relationship between nitrate and carbon assimilation at elevated CO2 that will enhance our predictive ability on the long-term growth response of vegetation to elevated CO2. Dr. Chmielewski's studies develop the understanding of evolutionary trends in reproduction between weedy and non-weedy aster species. Dr. DeNicola's investigations seek to build a predictive model of benthic algal succession based on growth form and potential colonizing taxa; and (ii) the determination of the effects of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) on benthic algal community structure and primary production in order to improve remediation efforts in AMD impacted streams.