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Relationship Between A Proxy Of Prenatal Testosterone (2d:4d) And Determinants Of Endurance Running Performance, Simon D. Holzapfel

Online Theses and Dissertations

Low ratios of the length of the second finger to the length of the fourth finger in the right (right 2D:4D) and the left hand (left 2D:4D) have been linked to high prenatal testosterone concentrations. Low R-L 2D:4D (subtracting left 2D:4D from right 2D:4D) has been associated with high androgen sensitivity as indicated by low numbers of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) triplet repeats on exon-1 of the androgen receptor gene. Endurance training has led to higher increases in maximal oxygen uptake capacity (VO2max) in men with relatively low numbers of CAG triplet repeats, suggesting a relationship between R-L 2D:4D and VO2max. Moreover, …

Assessment Of Motility And Hemolytic Activity In Clinical Isolates Of Acinetobacter Baumannii From University Of Kentucky Hospital, Lexington, Ky, Amber R. Stanton

Online Theses and Dissertations

Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen rising in notoriety worldwide due to outbreaks linked to multi-drug resistant strains. Research is currently focused on identifying virulence factors, which may contribute to increased ability to cause human disease, such as hemolytic activity and surface motility. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of these two virulent traits in clinical isolates. Forty-eight clinical isolates were recovered from University of Kentucky hospital in Lexington, KY. No hemolytic activity was observed for any of the isolates. Evidence of surface motility was observed in 13 isolates. The brand and concentration of media used allowed …

Habitat Associations Of Stream-Dwelling Salamanders At Multiple Spatial Scales In Central Kentucky Headwaters., John Mark Yeiser

Online Theses and Dissertations

Headwater stream systems are productive habitats that are often at risk of human perturbation, and it is crucial that ecologists understand natural patterns and processes within these ecosystems. Using a multi-scale approach, I investigated factors influencing habitat associations of Ambystoma barbouri (streamside salamander) and Eurycea cirrigera (southern two-lined salamander) in a relatively undisturbed stream network in central Kentucky. I used likelihood ratio G-tests to identify associations between species and mesohabitat types (i.e., runs, riffles, and pools). I used second order Akaike's Information Criterion (AICc) model selection to predict patterns of presence and abundance throughout headwater reaches. Fine-scale abiotic …

Relationship Between Personality And Exercise Motivation In Weight Loss, Leanna Beth Bowles

Online Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has investigated the relationship between motivation and personality in relation to exercise participation, while the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between these two factors in relation to weight loss. Weight and fitness scores were measured initially and at 15 month follow-up. Participants completed personality and motivation inventories at follow-up. Contrary to the hypothesis, external motivation was positively correlated with weight loss; a finding that could be due to the program design or unique to weight loss. Neuroticism was positively correlated with external motivation and negatively correlated with identified regulation. Improved fitness score was negatively …

Effects Of Thermal Acclimation On The Critical Thermal Maxima Of The Tropical Cockroaches: Blaptica Dubia, Eublaberus Posticus And Blaberus Discoidalis (Blaberidae), Lauren Michelle Goode

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Critical Thermal Maxima (CTMax) is a measure of upper thermal tolerance. The physiological response upon reaching CTMax is similar across taxa, making CTMax useful in comparative studies. The CTMax defines the ecological lethal temperature of an organism and has been used to predict the effects of global climate change. CTMax was determined for adults and first instar nymphs of three species of tropical cockroaches: Blaptica dubia, Eublaberus posticus, and Blaberus discoidalis. Adult cockroaches were acclimated to temperatures of 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 31°C and 37°C for a period of seven days. Blaptica dubia was the only species to survive …

Perceptions Of Athletic Training Services Of Japanese Collegiate Student Athletes, Jun Matsuno

Online Theses and Dissertations

Context: Athletic training is an international field. Athletes' perception or satisfaction of the services is important to improve and maintain the quality of athletic training services. This concept is important inside and outside of the United States. Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate the perception that Japanese collegiate athletes have in regard to athletic training services. Design: An online survey was conducted to student athletes in one Japanese University that provides athletic training services to selected intercollegiate sports teams by BOC certified athletic trainers. Setting: Japanese collegiate athletic training environment. Patients or Other Participants: A total of …

Breeding Biology Of Chuck-Will's-Widows: Incubation, Brooding, And Provisioning Behavior And Characteristics Of Nest Sites, Ryan Sean O'Connor

Online Theses and Dissertations

Chuck-will's-widows (Antrostomus carolinensis) are cryptically colored grounding-nesting nightars that breed throughout much of the eastern United States, primarily in mixed-forest habitat. Because of their cryptic plumage and nocturnal habits, little is known about their behavior, particularly their breeding and nesting behavior. Thus, my objectives were to: (1) quantify patterns of incubation behavior (e.g., on bouts vs. off bouts) and the respective roles of males and females, (2) quantify the brooding and provisioning behavior of males and females, and, (3) compare the characteristics of nest sites and randomly selected unused sites to determine those features important in nest site selection.

My …

Population Distribution And Abundance Of The Blackfin Sucker (Thoburnia Atripinnis) In The Upper Barren River System, Kentucky And Tennessee., Cory Daniel Stringfield

Online Theses and Dissertations

The blackfin sucker (Thoburnia atripinnis) is a relatively small species of fish (~155mm) endemic to the headwaters of the Barren River System (UBR) in Kentucky and Tennessee. Due to its isolated distribution and relatively small geographic inhabitance, the blackfin sucker is considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in Kentucky by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. In addition, it is included in Tennessee's list of rare wildlife as a Species of Special Concern. This study focused on determining the distribution and abundance of the blackfin sucker in those tributaries that comprise the UBR system, as well …

Winter Behavior And Ecology Of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis): Home Ranges, Habitat Use, And Effect Of Weather On Foraging Behavior, Todd J. Weinkam

Online Theses and Dissertations

Eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are widespread across eastern North America, but populations appear to be susceptible to extreme winter weather. Declines in population following cold winters in states like Kentucky suggest the need to better understand winter-specific habitat requirements and behavioral responses to inclement weather. My objectives were to 1) describe the size and habitat composition of the home ranges of wintering bluebirds, and 2) examine the effects of weather (i.e., temperature, wind speed, and snow presence) on habitat occupancy, group size, and foraging behavior. My study was conducted at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, …

Assessment Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Pathogens Responsible For Causing Bovine Mastitis In Kentucky, Erica Denise West

Online Theses and Dissertations

Bovine mastitis is most significant disease seen in dairy farms worldwide, resulting in the largest profit loss of any other disease affecting dairy cows. The aim of this thesis was to determine the predominant species responsible for bovine mastitis in a subset of ten Kentucky dairy herds, and to assess the presence of antibiotic resistance in these pathogens. In this study, 308 milk samples were obtained from cow's selected based on their recent somatic cell count. Samples positive for growth were identified using the gram stain and various biochemical tests. After identification, resistance to 11 antimicrobial agents was assessed using …

Wintering White-Throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia Albicollis): Home Ranges, Aggression And Corticosterone, Marissa Ann Buschow

Online Theses and Dissertations

White-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) are songbirds that spend the non-breeding season in southeastern North America, where they form philopatric territorial flocks. Flocks exhibit dominance hierarchies, with dominance rank associated with an individual's age and prior residence in the territory. Although social behaviors within flocks are well studied, few studies have described winter home ranges. I tagged white-throated sparrows (n = 12) in Madison County, Kentucky, with 0.9-g radio transmitters during the winter of 2010-2011. Locations were entered into ArcGIS and home range sizes were estimated with 50% and 95% kernel analysis for individuals with at least five locations. Mean core …

Validation Of Kentucky Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method (Ky-Wram) Metrics Using Macroinvertebrate Communities Of Forested Depressional Wetlands, Britney Yvonne Garrison

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Kentucky Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method (KY-WRAM) is currently being developed by the collaborative efforts of the Kentucky Division of Water and Eastern Kentucky University as a tool to measure the function and condition of wetlands. To ensure the rapid assessment method properly evaluates wetland condition, the KY-WRAM needs to be validated by comparison to intensive biological data. This project initiated such a comparison using macroinvertebrate communities. Macroinvertebrates play a critical role in wetland ecosystem functioning, thus it is imperative to have an understanding of the macroinvertebrate community responses to degradation of wetlands. Whereas indices of wetland invertebrate communities have …

Facultative Adjustment Of Pre-Fledging Mass Recession By Nestling Chimney Swifts (Chaetura Pelagica), Sagan Brianne Goodpaster

Online Theses and Dissertations

In species that are susceptible to mass-dependent flight costs, particularly seabirds and aerial insectivores, mass recession is a crucial aspect of the nestling period, ensuring fledglings will have an appropriate wing loading. My objectives were to determine if mass recession by Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) nestlings is intrinsically controlled or facultatively adjusted by nestlings, and if mass recession is driven by changes in parental behavior (i.e., reduced provisioning rates) or nestling behavior (i.e., reduced solicitation of feedings). Nestling swifts (N = 69) were divided into three groups: controls, half-weighted, or weighted. Half-weighted and weighted nestlings had 0.6-0.7-g or 1.2-1.3-g lead …

Effects Of Variation In Hunger Levels On Begging Behavior Of Nestlings And The Provsioning Behavior Of Male And Female Eastern Phoebes, Christopher Adam Heist

Online Theses and Dissertations

Nestling birds solicit food from their parents using conspicuous vocalizations and visual begging displays and there is considerable empirical evidence suggesting that nestling begging represents honest signals of need, and that adults use these signals to determine provisioning rates. Less is known about how males and females may differ in their response to changes in nestling begging behavior as a result of variation in hunger levels, or how nestling begging and adult provisioning may be influenced by brood number (i.e., first versus second broods).

To examine these parent-offspring interactions, I first manipulated hunger levels of whole broods of nestling Eastern …