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Host And Habitat Preferences, Life History, Pathogenicity And Population Regulation In Species Of Protocalliphora Hough (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Terry Lee Whitworth

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The host, habitat preferences, and life histories of species of Protocalliphora were investigated in northern Utah. The effect of species of Protocalliphora on blood levels (hematocrit and hemoglobin) and weight gains of nestling birds also was studied.

A total of 1,819 bird nests were examined, representing 68 bird species from 10 habitats. Forty-eight percent (869) of the nests of 51 bird species found were infested. Eighteen species of Protocalliphora, including 11 undescribed, were collected.

Birds experiencing a high rate of infestation included most colonial nesters (such as bank swallows and yellow-headed blackbirds), cavity nesters (such as starlings and tree swallows, …

Some Effects Of Mechanical Deboning On The Composition And The Bioavailability Of Protein And Iron In Turkey Frame Meat, Lowell C. Allred

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Meat was obtained from a single daily lot of turkey frames by mechanically deboning with a Beehive AU 4171 deboner and by hand deboning. The meat was analyzed for protein, fat, moisture, ash, iron, calcium, and 19 amino acids. Mechanically deboned turkey had 68 percent more ash, 74 percent more iron, and nine times more calcium than the hand deboned turkey meat. Other constituents were about equal in the two products. Protein bioavailability tests, including protein efficiency ratio, biological value, net protein utilization, and nitrogen efficiency for growth, did not reveal significant differences between mechanically deboned and hand deboned turkey. …

Heat Stability Of Residual Milk Clotting Enzymes In Cheese Whey, James Winter Duersch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Eliminating calcium chloride and replacing whole casein with k-casein eliminated clouding and sharpened diffusion boundaries in casein-agar gels used for the estimation of residual milk clotting enzymes in curd and whey. It also eliminated the need for a highly purified calcium-free agar. The substrate contained .54 percent k-casein, 3.6 percent sodium acetate, .73 percent bacto-agar and 95.13 percent water. The pH was adjusted to 5.9 with .1N hydrochloric acid.

Proteases derived from Mucor pusillus var Lindt, Mucor Miehei and Endothia parasitica, as well as rennet, procine and bovine pepsins were used at recommended levels to set milk for …

The Role Of Zinc In Insulin Metabolism In The Pancreas Of The Rat, Chih-Chi Liaw

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A series of in vitro trials have been conducted to determine what relationship exists between zinc and the insulin mechanism.

There were no significant differences of the zinc contents in total pancreases excised from the rats thirty minutes after the intraperitoneal glucose dose or from the non-dosed controls. When pancreases were cut into three pieces, and treated in three ways: Incubated without glucose (IWG) followed by isolation of the islets; incubated with glucose (IWG) followed by isolation of the islets; islets were isolated, then incubated with glucose (IWG). The zinc content in the islets was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the first group than the others.

The insulin …

A Longitudinal Study, Part Iii: The Relationship Of Weight, Health Status, Diet And Anxiety To Serum Cholesterol Levels In Adults, Kristine S. Saunders

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Over an 18-year period, beginning in 1955, a group of subjects has been studied six times to determine if any relationship exists among serum cholesterol levels, body weight, health status, diet quality and stress or anxiety. For the first four test periods, extending through ages 7 to 16 years, there were 321 subjects. Later, in 1968, 86 of the original 321 subjects, now aged 19-22 years, were able to participate in a follow-up study. The 1974 study was able to involve 30 of the original 321 subjects now aged 26-29 years. Findings show that from approximately the fifteenth year onward …

Quantitation Of Aliphatic Aldehydes In Rancid Turkey Meat Using A Substituted Hydrazone, Stanley J. Andrews

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many objective chemical tests have attempted to correlate with organoleptic evaluation of oxidative rancidity. Major chemical tests used to detect oxidative rancidity of lipids measure nonvolatile high molecular weight carbonylic substances which make no considerable contribution to rancid flavors. High molecular weight carbonyls are present at much greater concentrations than volatile low molecular weight carbonyls. Peroxides and other unknown substances also react in these chemical tests to give at best an empirical evaluation. A 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone chemical test is proposed which corrected some deficiencies of earlier procedures, and was correlated with organoleptic evaluation of rancid turkey samples. The proposed test …

Nesting Ecology Of The Redhead Duck On Knudson Marsh, Utah, Thomas Claud Michot

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Redhead duck (Aythya americana) nesting and habitat change was studied in Knudson Marsh, Utah, in 1974 and 1975, and compared with earlier studies from 1950 and 1955 on the same marsh. Water conditions in 1975 were found to be similar to those in 1950, both years of favorable habitat, yet there was a decline in numbers of redheads from 500 pairs in 1950 to 50 pairs in 1975. The number of nests found also declined from 151 in 1950 to 49 in 1975. Water conditions were poor in 1955 and slightly more favorable in 1974, but there was …

Ecological Management Of The Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee, Megachile Pacifica (Panzer), With Emphasis On Diapause Induction, Ron M. Bitner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction in the alfalfa leafcutter bee, Megachile pacifica (Panzer) (=M. rotundata Auct.), were studied during the summers of 1972, 1973 and 1974, The influence of photoperiod and temperature on mortality, rate of development and incidence of diapause was measured during the developmental stages of this insect. The aim of this research was to assess the potential for manipulation of the number of generations of this bee per season so as to develop a practical and ecologically-sound method of management,

Eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of M. pacifica were subjected to regimens …

Feeding Behavior Of Pen Reared Mule Deer Under Winter Range Conditions, Michael A. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the feeding responses of mule deer to a system of spring livestock grazing. The specific purposes were 1) to determine botanical composition of diets selected by mule deer on a winter range subjected to previous spring grazing by sheep compared to one with no sheep grazing and 2) to develop a basis for predicting selection of individual plants by deer, based on physical characteristics of the plants and the species and physical proximity of associated plants.

The study was conducted within the framework of a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments. Variables controlled for each unit …

Photosynthesis, Dark Respiration, And Growth Of Rumex Patientia L. Exposed To Uv-B (280-315 Nm) Irradiance Corresponding To Reduced Atmospheric Ozone Concentrations, William B. Sisson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Net photosynthesis, dark respiration, chlorophyll concentrations and growth were determined for Rumex patientia L. exposed to UV-B radiation corresponding to reduced atmospheric ozone concentrations. The hypothesis of whether reciprocity is maintained in the response of R. patientia to polychromatic UV-B radiation was tested. On the basis of the relationships derived from these studies, a simulation model was developed for the prediction of photosynthesis and growth of R. patientia exposed to UV-B radiation corresponding to any atmospheric ozone reduction.

Photosynthetic rates were found to be depressed after two hours exposure to UV-B irradiance simulating a 0.18 atm·cm ozone column when the …

Seasonal Patterns Of Photosynthesis And Respiration In Atriplex Confertifolia And Ceratoides Lanata, Richard S. White

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Net photosynthesis and dark respiration studies were conducted on Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. and Frem.) S. Wats and Ceratoides lanata (Pursh) J.T. Howell under field and laboratory conditions. These woody species are commonly found in salt desert shrub communities of the Intermountain West. During these investigations, the effects of air temperature, plant moisture stress, soil water potential, irradiation, and plant phenological status were examined with respect to their influence on carbon dioxide (CO₂) exchange.

Intensive field studies were carried out between April and October. This interval corresponded to the major period of physiological activity in both species. The factors …

Productivity Of Two Utah Deer Herds As Related To Nutrition, Clarence Leon Pack

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of mule deer occupying deer management units 53 and 54 in south central Utah was conducted from August, 1971 to May, 1974 to determine food habits, caloric requirements, dietary nutritional levels, and productivity. Transects, fecal analyses, weight data, classification counts, and forage analyses were used to accomplish these objectives.

Food habits of deer on the two units were similar, except for higher use of scrub oak on unit 53 and higher use of snowberry on unit 54.

Deer on unit 54 were significantly larger than those on unit 53. Thus, their caloric requirements also were significantly higher.

Deer …

Evaluation Of The Nutritional Needs Of The Elderly Residents In Southwestern Utah, Sharon Fisher

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biochemical composition of blood and urine and estimated nutrient intake were used to evaluate the nutritional status of 187 fasting, ambulatory elderly residents of five southwestern Utah communities in the spring of 1975. Nutritional assessments included 17 biochemical and 23 dietary parameters. Measurements were also taken of height, weight, and blood pressure.

Mean energy intakes were lower than the RDA for both men and women (1965 ± 527 Kcal and 1513 ± 371 Kcal, respectively), although a majority of the participants were above ideal weight. Cholesterol values above 250 mg/lOO ml of blood were found in 38 percent of the …

Population Dynamics And Age Determination For Five Utah Deer Herds, David L. Beall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ages of 213 deer killed during the 1972 hunting season were determined by: (1) eruption-replacement and wear criteria in the field: (2) employing the tooth eruption-replacement and wear criteria under optimum laboratory conditions; and by (3) cementum-annulation counts. Incisors collected for cementum-annulation counts were decalcified in 5 percent nitric acid, sections 16-18 microns were cut on a cryostat and stained in hematoxylin for 18 ± 2 minutes. Age determinations by cementum-annulation counts showed 87 percent agreement with the results obtained by eruption-replacement and wear criteria in the laboratory.

Survival rates were estimated from the age distribution of 740 teeth aged …

An Economic Analysis Of Management Alternatives For Utah Cattle Ranches And Potential Effects On Beef Production, David B. Hewlett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The high feed grain prices of the last few years and the resulting high prices for heavy feeder cattle relative to lightweight feeder calves may provide economic incentives to market cattle from rangelands as yearlings. A majority of the economic studies investigating the profitability of retained ownership of beef calves to sell as yearlings have used a budgeting technique to compare a straight cow-yearling operation retaining all calves, to a straight cow-calf operation selling all calves. In this study linear programming was used to develop an optimum combination of various livestock marketing alternatives for maximizing net ranch income.

Two typical …

Relationships Between Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna And Selected Coniferous Forest Habitat Types On The North Slope Of The Uinta Mountains, David S. Winn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives were (1) to relate terrestrial vertebrate responses to the management practices used for lodgepole pine forests within the Barometer Watershed, Mountain View Ranger District, Wasatch National Forest, Utah. (2) To correlate terrestrial vertebrate densities or frequencies with community types, edge, major forest stand structures, and (3) to propose management plans to manipulate densities of major vertebrate species in a predetermined manner.

The study was conducted between 1973-1975 and provides a detailed description of forest vegetation for 53 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands. For each of these stands, a complete summary is provided of tree populations, coverage, …

The Horse Population Of Utah And Its Impact, Scott Stewart Mckendrick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

PART I

The horse numbers of Utah had not been accurately counted since the early 1960's. It was estimated that horse and pony numbers were reaching heights as recorded before the age of tractors and automobiles. Horsemen in Utah were asking for financial assistance for public horse facilities from the Utah legislature. The first part of this study was to survey the horse population to determine an accurate count of Utah horses.

PART II

In order to be satisfied that the horse industry deserved the spending of public funds, it was necessary to know the economic contribution of the horse …

Food-Searching Behavior Of Free-Living Ferruginous Hawks: Factors Affecting The Use Of Hunting Methods And Hunting Sites, James Stuart Wakeley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Food-searching behavior of two adult male Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) was studied by direct observation in Curlew Valley, Utah-Idaho, during the nesting seasons of 1974 and 1975. This paper analyzes the effects of vegetation type, prey distribution, cover density, previous experience, and time and energy budgets upon the predators' choice of hunting methods and hunting sites.

Both hawks hunted actively throughout the day (0600 to 2100 hours MDT). Male 1 (1974) and Male 2 (1975) captured an average of 8.7 ± 2.0 and 9.0 ± 1.5 prey items per day, respectively, during the 4-wk observation period in each …

Socioecology Of The Vicuna, William L. Franklin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The social organization of the vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) and its relationship to the environment were studied at the Pampa Galeras National Vicuna Reserve in southern Peru from May 1968 to April 1971. Behavioral data were collected on groups within a grid of 12.4 km² during 3,800 hours of observation. The vicuna's alpine grassland environment was characterized by greatly fluctuating and freezing temperatures, light precipitation, high evaporation, wind, short growing seasons, shallow and infertile soils and low plant production. Vicuna habitat quality was dependent upon high producing, preferred vegetation types and close access to permanent water and a …

Forage Selection And Nutrition Of Sheep And Goats Grazing In The Tunisian Pre-Sahara, Rudolfo Ricardo Griego

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nomadic pastoralism has been the traditional method of utilizing grazing resources in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa. However, increased sedentarization accompanied by growing human and animal populations during the past two decades is thought to be accelerating the desertification process, or desert expansion. The specific interactions of the grazing animal with this process has been speculated upon but not studied in detail. A comparative study was initiated during the spring grazing season of 1974 to determine sheep and goat nutritional and production responses, as well as patterns of vegetative selection and utilization under the pastoral system currently employed in …

Food Interactions Between Utah Prairie Dogs And Cattle, Dennis Crocker-Bedford

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the food interactions between Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parvidens, Allen) and cattle (Bos taurus). During 1974 and 1975, three prairie dog colonies near Panguitch, Utah, were studied intensely: "Oldfield" was chosen to represent colonies near fields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa); "Lowercrested" was chosen to represent colonies below 2,200 meters above sea level (a.s.l.) which were not near alfalfa, and "Uppercrested" was chosen to represent colonies above 2,200 meters a.s.l. which have been planted with crested wheatgrass.

Visual observations were made of Utah prairie dogs to determine their diets. Livetrapping of prairie …

The Effect Of Urea On The Sedimentation Coefficient Of The Curly Top Virus Dimer, Allen H. Smith

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to investigate the effect of increasing concentrations of urea on the sedimentation rate of the curly top virus dimer as measured by ultracentrifugation techniques. In general, urea causes the breaking of hydrogen bonds in macromolecules--in the case of the virus, increased concentrations of urea should cause changes in the configuration of the virus and may possibly cause a separation of the dimer into monomers. From previous centrifugation studies, we know that the dimer has a characteristic sedimentation coefficient(S) of about 80 Svedbergs; the monomer has an S value of about 55 Svedberg units. Increased …