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Spatial Distribution Of The Common Loon (Gavia Immer) In New Hampshire, Mark W. Brennan

Doctoral Dissertations

The Common Loon (Gavia immer) is located in many portions of North America. By the early 1970's the Common Loon population in New Hampshire had experienced a dramatic decline in historic numbers. In 1975, the Audubon Society of New Hampshire recognized this problem and established the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC). The intent was to collect information regarding the presence or absence of loons and loon productivity, and, educate the public regarding loon ecology and preservation. This dissertation represents the work completed to fulfill the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Natural Resources Management at the University of New …

An Evaluation Of Supplemental Methionine Sources For Lactating Dairy Cows, Ryan S. Ordway

Doctoral Dissertations

The most effective method for increasing supplies of MP-Met to dairy cows to increase milk protein production is to feed rumen-protected Met ( RP-Met) products; however, not all RP-Met products are absorbed by the dairy cow in the same manner. Universally acceptable methods must be developed to determine the efficacy of different RP-Met products.

The first study was designed to compare the feeding of two sources of supplementary Met beginning 21 d prepartum and continuing for 140 d postpartum. The results indicated that feeding both sources of RPMet to periparturient dairy cows is effective in increasing milk protein production; however, …

Characterization Of The Major Extrapallial Fluid Protein Of The Mollusc, Mytilus Edulis: Implications For Function, Yan Yin

Doctoral Dissertations

The major protein component of the extrapallial (EP) fluid of the mollusc Mytilus edulis, named the EP protein, has been previously isolated and partially characterized. It has been proposed to play an important role in shell mineralization because of its intriguing property of Ca2+ -binding induced self-assembly.

This dissertation reports on the characterization of the primary structure of the EP protein by RT-PCR and cDNA sequencing methods. The EP protein is comprised of 213 amino acids post cleavage of a signal peptide of 23 amino acids, and is rich in His, Glu and Asp residues. The consensus site of N-glycosylation …

Wood And Soil-Atmosphere Carbon Dioxide Fluxes From A Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Evilene C. Lopes

Doctoral Dissertations

Carbon cycling in tropical rainforests is an important component of the global carbon budget. A better understanding of controlling mechanisms and magnitude of CO2 sources from tropical forests will improve our ability to predict future impacts of climate changes. The research presented in this dissertation has focused on determining the magnitude and characteristics of the CO2 flux from tropical wood and soil surfaces.

Stem CO2 fluxes were measured in a tropical moist forest at Tapajos National Forest (TNF) in Brazil and in a tropical wet forest at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica (LS) using infrared gas analysis methods. …