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Using A Geographical Information System Approach To Assess Sea Ice Impacts On A Productive Benthic System In The Northern Bering Sea, Jaclyn Leigh Clement

Masters Theses

Physical, hydrochemical, and biological data were collected during three research cruises from winter through spring in the northern Bering Sea. In addition, seasonal ice cover data were used to evaluate the relationship between ice and specific biological processes. Ice-water-biotic interactions were investigated and possible relationships defined. Data collected during late winter indicate low levels of water column production and benthic respiration. However, spring measurements made during and just after icemelt indicate a time of high water column production and benthic respiration. Interannual variation in the spatial and temporal distribution of sea ice affects the timing of seasonal processes, particularly the …

Ruffed Grouse Nesting Ecology And Brood Habitat In Western North Carolina, Jennifer L. Fettinger

Masters Theses

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) population densities are lower in the southern Appalachians compared to more northern parts of grouse range. Southern forests lack an aspen (Populus spp.) forest component, which provides year-round habitat in the North. The absence of aspen and low productivity have been cited as possible causes for low grouse densities in the southern Appalachians. In addition, habitat quality in the eastern United States may be decreasing as forests mature. These factors contribute to concerns that the region may be experiencing long-term ruffed grouse population declines. Productivity and breeding habitat must be characterized to foster …

The Effects Of Raw Soybeans, T-2 Mycotoxin And Their Interaction On The Performance, Immunocompetence, And Reproduction Of Bobwhite Quail (Colineus Virginianus), Clarivel Hernandez-Bobonis

Masters Theses

These experiments were conducted to determine if there is a negative effect of raw soybeans, T-2 toxin and their interaction on performance, immunocompetence and reproduction of bobwhite quail. Birds were fed diets, containing 0, 20, 40 or 60% raw soybeans and orally dosed with 0, 9 or 12 mg T-2 toxin per kg body weight. Mortality, food consumption and body weight gain were recorded for performance analysis. Birds were bled seven days before first T-2 toxin treatment, 24 hours after each treatment and two weeks after last treatment. Total white blood cells (WBC) and percentage WBC were counted from this …

An Analysis Of Consumer Support For Environmental Certification Of Hardwood Products, Pornpat Wiwattarangkul

Masters Theses

Environmental wood certification programs could play an important role in conserving forests across countries such that several studies on the feasibility of certification programs have been conducted. The main focus areas of this study are in the state of Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The first objective of this study is to assess consumers’ support and willingness to pay a premium for certified hardwood products. The second objective is to examine how income, demographics and attitudes about the environment, and scope of certification may influence support and willingness to pay a premium for certified hardwood products. Next, the study wants to examine …

Evaluation Of Carfentanil And Xylazine For Immobilization Of White-Tailed Deer, Bradley F. Miller

Masters Theses

From October 2001 until January 2002 captive wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) held at the University of Georgia Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources Whitehall Deer Research Facility were immobilized with a combination of carfentanil (carfentanil citrate) and xylazine (xylazine hydrochloride) to 1) determine and evaluate an optimum and safe dose for carfentanil/xylazine in white-tailed deer and 2) compare immobilization parameters and physiological effects of carfentanil/xylazine to Telazol®/xylazine. Animals were given intramuscular injections of 10 mg of xylazine and one of four different levels of carfentanil 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg. A carfentanil dose of 1.2 …

Development And Impact Of Geocoris Punctipes (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) On Selected Pests Of Greenhouse Ornamentals, Nicole D. Pendleton

Masters Theses

The big-eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), a generalist insect predator common in several agricultural systems, is explored as a biological control agent against pests of ornamentals in greenhouses. This research consists of three components: 1) Evaluation of development and survival of the predator (egg through adulthood) when reared on six diets, including greenhouse pests, a combination of greenhouse pests and plant material, and a meat-based artificial diet that has been developed for G.punctipes, 2) Assessment of predation rates of mass-reared big-eyed bugs by investigating the number of prey (three prey species common to greenhouse and ornamental crops) …

Artomyces Pyxidatus (Auriscalpiaceae, Fungi) In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Individuals And Populations, Shannon M. Tieken

Masters Theses

Artomyces pyxidatus is a North-temperate saprophytic coral fungus found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Collections from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were used in this study to define the size of an individual and elucidate gene flow between three locations within the park (Greenbrier, Sugarlands, Cataloochee). Molecular techniques were used to determine the relationships between populations and among individuals. Two inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers amplified segments of DNA scattered throughout the genome and together produced 26 variable bands. ISSR analysis appeared to be a reliable technique for defining individuals, but should be used in conjunction with other …

Fine Root Vitality And Its Application In A Minirhizotron Study Of A Co2 Enrichment In A Florida Scrub Oak Ecosystem, Brandon Todd Herbert

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Minirhizotron images are assigned color codes to approximate the age of individual roots in situ. Triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) has been used to measure the vitality of plant tissue by detecting dehydrogenase activity. TTC was used to assess the vitality of root tissue by color in a scrub oak ecosystem at Kennedy Space Center in central Florida. Roots were excavated, sorted into four color classes and stained with TTC. The product of the reduction of TTC by dehydrogenase enzyme, formazan, was extracted and its absorbance recorded using a spectrophotometer. A significant difference (p2 enrichment being conducted on a scrub oak …

Long Term Residual Effects Of A Nutrient Addition On A Barrier Island Dune Ecosystem, Susan M. Heyel

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

In 1991, 150 m² were fertilized with nitrogen on three dunes on Hog Island, part of the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research site, to examine plant community response to nitrogen addition. In 2000, the fertilized plots continued to exhibit a positive growth response. This study sampled the aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and nutrient content of the experimental plots to examine the long- term patterns of nitrogen retention in a nitrogen limited system. Aboveground and belowground biomass was significantly greater in the fertilized plots than in the control plots. Aboveground biomass exhibited was significantly greater in control and …

Involvement Of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, Pdgf Receptor Signaling, Focal Adhesion Kinase And Src In Pressure-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Hypertrophy, Darian Clark Rice

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Elevated blood pressure is associated with varying degrees of arterial remodeling. The mechanisms by which extracellular mechanical stress is converted into intracellular alterations in signal transduction and gene expression have yet to be fully elucidated. Our goal was to investigate the early events in the vascular smooth muscle response to acute hypertension and to identify mediators involved in long-term hypertensive remodeling.

In the acute phase of hypertension we targeted cell surface integrin and growth factor receptors thought to be mechanically sensitive. The signaling molecules FAK, Src and ERK-MAPK are known to be triggered by integrin engagement and growth factor receptor …

The Effects Of A 10-Week Exercise Program On Physiological Variables And Quality Of Life In Type 2 Diabetes, David Robb Holton

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between psychological and physiological parameters before and after a 10-week, aerobic training study of sedentary diabetic individuals and sedentary controls. Tests measuring physiological parameters (interstitial NO, blood flow, lactate threshold, VO₂ peak and glycosylated hemoglobin) and a quality of life survey were completed before and after training. Nine previously sedentary diabetic (DE, diabetic exerciser) and 10 control sedentary subjects (CE, control exerciser) engaged in 10 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise. A non-training diabetic group (DS, diabetic sedentary, n=12) and a non-training control group (CS, control sedentary, n=I0) were also …

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Generation Of Sequence Diversity On Plasmids, Qingbei Zhang

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Qingbei Zhang on June 19, 2002.

Microleakage Of Various Restorative Materials Used For Preventive Resin Restorations, Jenny Chung Lee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: This research was designed to compare the microleakage of various restorative materials used for preventive resin restorations and two methods of cavity preparation. The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare microleakage of four different restorative materials using two different type of preparation methods (bur and air particle abrasion) and (2) whether the use of a pit and fissure sealant over the restoration decreases microleakage.

Methods: One hundred and twenty eight, permanent human molars were randomly divided into four groups and restored with four restorative materials. Each group had been randomly divided into two subgroups. The teeth in …

Secular Women Activism And Neo-Patriachy: The Case Of Egypt, Rasha S Mansour

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of Potential Habitat Corridors And Landscape Ecology For Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca Fascicularis) On Bali, Indonesia, Mark Warren Southern

All Master's Theses

The relationship between Balinese long-tailed macaques, Bali's cultural settings, and Bali's physical settings was studied. A Geographical Information System (GIS) database was developed and analyzed to determine if forest corridors exist on Bali that may provide habitat connectivity between 42 Balinese long-tailed macaque troops. The GIS database was also analyzed to determine if the landscape type that has the highest percentage of overlap with the 42 Balinese long-tailed macaque home range sites is forest. The results indicate that connectivity between troops located within Bali's western region is significantly higher than that for troops located in Bali's eastern region. The results …

Inducible Gene Expression In Cell Cultures And In Microencapsulated Cells, Yong Yu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The mifepristone-regulated transcriptional activation system provides a means to exogenously control gene expression in transformed mammalian cells in a temporal and spatial fashion. Such a promoter activation system consists of three components: The first of these is a steroidal inducer drug, mifepristone. This drug binds to the second component, a chimeric transcription factor complex, consisting of the mutant human progesterone receptor fused to the yeast GAL4 DNA-binding domain and the Herpes simplex virus protein VP 16 activation domain. The third component is a synthetic promoter, consisting of a series of GAL4 recognition sequences upstream of the adenovirus major late E1B …

Striatal Dopamine Release By Serotonergic Terminals In The Dopamine-Depleted Rat, Kristi Suzanne Rau

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Parkinson’s disease (PD) results from severe dopamine (DA) neuron loss within the substantia nigra pars compacta. In an effort to replace the diminished DA levels, L-dopa, the precursor of DA, is administered. Although the most commonly prescribed medication, the site(s) where L-dopa is converted to DA is not well understood. Three likely striatal sites meeting the requirement of amino acid decarboxylase presence include remaining dopaminergic neurons, serotonergic terminals, and striatal intemeurons.

Studies have shown that serotonin (5-HT) neurons are capable of DA synthesis following exogenous L-dopa administration. In addition, striatal hyperinnervation by serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) axon terminals occurs …

Mechanisms Of Autoantigen Cleavage During Cell Death, Xiwei Wu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Specific intracellular autoantigens targeted by autoantibodies in systemic autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases undergo posttranslational modifications, such as cleavage, during cell death that could potentially enhance their immunogenicity. In light of the increasing interest in the immunological consequences of defective clearance of apoptotic cells, we explored whether autoantigens cleaved during apoptosis undergo an additional wave of proteolysis as apoptosis progresses to secondary necrosis in the absence of phagocytosis. Jurkat T cells treated with different apoptosis inducers underwent a rapid apoptosis that gradually progressed to secondary necrosis. During the initial apoptotic stages, several nuclear autoantigens, including PARP, Topo I, and LEDGF/p75 …

The Effect Of Butyrate Feeding On Skeletal Muscle And Adipose Tissue Glucose Uptake, Sean Eric Thatcher

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Sean Eric Thatcher on May 31, 2002.

The Effects Of Egg Positioning On Broiler Breeder Eggs During Incubation On Hatchability And Chick Weight, Brian Tyler Thompson

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Research Protocol For The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus): Mirage Click Collection Study, Adrienne M. Cardwell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Past research on dolphin echolocation has shown that dolphins can adaptively control the frequency and amplitude of echolocation clicks. The degree to which click production is controlled and the relationship between click variation and echolocation task remains uncertain. This thesis describes a research protocol for studying the adaptive control of dolphin echolocation. The protocol builds on past studies to investigate the manner in which the spectral characteristics of clicks and the overall number of clicks produce for a given task vary in relation to the type of task being performed.

Communicator-In-Chief: Presidential Use Of Television Past, Present, And Future, Jenna Wasson

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to determine how television has changed as a communication medium for presidents over the past half century. An evaluation of the evolving ways presidents use television to communicate with and to build support from the American people has been conducted. Presidential communication strategies have been identified by drawing primarily from primary sources written by presidents and White House staff. Television technology and the television audience have changed over the years. Presidents have taken a more pro-active, aggressive role in their efforts to harness television for their own purposes. Why have these changes occurred? What impact have these …

The Effects Of Albumen Removal On Broiler Breeder Eggs Prior To Incubation On Hatchability And Chick Weight, Charles Sutcliffe

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Mannose And Lipopolysaccharide Receptors On The Surface Of Granular Hemocytes From The Crayfish Procambarus Clarkii., Gelu Dobrescu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Procambarus clarkii hemocytes have been shown to bind to both LPS and a mannose containing neoglycoprotein conjugated to fluorescent probes. A decrease in the observed number of fluorescent hemocytes indirectly indicated that the binding of FITC-LPS to these cells is impaired by initial incubation with LPS. Prior treatment of hemocytes with horseradish peroxidase, a mannose rich glycoprotein, decreased their capacity to bind mannose. Mannan had no inhibitory effect on the binding of either ligand. Mixed hemocytes and hemocyte subpopulations separated by buoyant density were incubated with both ligands and revealed that a subpopulation of granular hemocytes bound both LPS and …

Marine Interstitial Tardigrades And Other Meiofauna Of Huntington Beach, South Carolina., Michael Scott Gaugler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

At Huntington Beach, SC meiofauna distribution was investigated. The purpose of the study was to determine tardigrade species present and any significant differences in the distribution pattern. Meiofauna were analyzed to determine if there were significant differences in their distribution patterns in relation to abiotic variables.

Cores were taken in the intertidal zone along three elevations. Each core was divided into depth samples and was processed to remove meiofauna. Each taxon (>1500 specimens) and tardigrades was statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA to compare distribution patterns.

There were eighteen taxa identified and an estimated 330,338 specimens. The seven dominant taxa …

A Prospective Design Identifying Etiological Risk Factors Associated With Mtss And Stress Fractures In Female Intercollegiate Athletes., Michael H. Blackburn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The identification of risk factors associated with overuse injuries, specifically Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) and Tibial Stress Fractures (TSF), may help professionals with management and prevention of these injuries. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with MTSS and TSF in female intercollegiate athletes. This study used a mulitifactorial, prospective design for 13-26 weeks. Thirty-nine Division I intercollegiate female student-athletes in volleyball, soccer, and track were examined. Anatomical, physiological (eating disorder and menstrual history), and training (duration and recovery time) characteristics were examined as possible risk factors. Only two injuries were reported during the study; …

An Experimental Approach To Teaching The Concept Of Functional Diversity., Cory Mckelvey Stanley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study tested an experimental approach to use in teaching the concept of functional diversity. The project culminated in a laboratory exercise for use in high schools.

Experimental design consisted of representatives of three functional groups of plants, (legumes, grasses, and forbs), planted singly, and in two, or three species combinations. Legumes were represented by Trifolium repens and Medicago lupulina, grasses were represented by Cynodon dactylon and Festuca rubra, and forbs were represented by Helianthus annus and Raphanus sativa.

Plants were grown inside a controlled growth chamber. During the growth phase, measurements were taken to highlight temporal …

The Modulation And Cross-Talk Between Stat 5 And Socs-3 In Insulin And Growth Hormone Signaling In 3t3-L1 Adipocytes., David James Story

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Light And Water Induced Morphological Changes In Arabidopsis Thaliana (L.) Heynh. Plasticity And Selection, Anna Maria Kolodynska

Doctoral Dissertations

Phenotypic plasticity, the effect of plastic traits on fitness, and the stability of genetic variance-covariance matrices were investigated in an artificial population of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to environmental stress. These questions were also investigated in a selection experiment, where plants were subjected to selection on reproductive fitness (fruit production) under flooded and non-flooded water regimes.

Forty-seven accessions of early flowering A. thaliana were grown in laboratory conditions and were subjected to environmental stress such as low and medium light intensity, flooded and non-flooded water regimes, and a factorial arrangement of these light and water stresses. In addition, soft selection …

Interactions Among Introduced Ungulates, Plants, And Pollinators: A Field Study In The Temperate Forest Of The Southern Andes, Diego P. Vazquez

Doctoral Dissertations

Introduced mammalian herbivores can significantly affect ecosystems. I studied the effects of introduced ungulates on plant-pollinator interactions in the temperate forest of the southern Andes. Introduced mammalian herbivores, including ungulates, are a major conservation problem in this biome. I conducted field studies in eight forested sites where Nothofagus dombeyii was the dominant canopy tree. I described the interactions between fifteen common, insect-pollinated understory plants. I used these data to address two main questions. The first one is whether the susceptibility of plants and pollinators to disturbance by introduced ungulates is related to their degree of interaction specialization and interaction asymmetry. …