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The Responses Of Ecologically Dissimilar Populations Of The Water Snake, Natrix Sipedon Sipedon To Surface Extracts Of Prey Species, With Observations On Feeding And Defense Behaviors, Doris Gove

Masters Theses

Observations of defensive and feeding behavior of Natrix sipedon were made in the field and in the lab. Crypticity, mimicry of poisonous snakes, striking, production of cloacal secretion and tail autonomy were defensive behaviors discussed. Feeding behaviors discussed were hunting, catching prey and tongue-flicking.

Experiments were performed on the responses of snakes from ecologically dissimilar populations of N. sipedon to surface extracts of local prey species. The populations were: (1) a laboratory-reared litter of ten one-year-old snakes; (2) six wild-caught snakes from Sterchi's fish hatchery in north Knoxville, Tennessee; and (3) six wild-caught and eight newborn snakes (a litter) from …

Developing An Off-Farm Agricultural Education Program, Oliver Springs, Tennessee, Austin C. Ingram

Masters Theses

Purpose The purpose of the study was to ascertain what skills and attitudes are needed for employment in off-farm occupations in the Oliver Springs High School area. Method A survey form was developed by the investigator and information was secured by personal interview from agricultural businesses in the Oliver Springs High School area. Summary 1. Off-farm agricultural cooperative training stations exist in the Oliver Springs school area. 2. The participating employers felt a degree of competency was needed in thirteen general business skills, seventeen agri-cultural mechanical skills, thirteen animal science skills and six teen crop and soil science skills. Twenty-six …

Factors Related To 4-H Membership Status Of Ninth And Tenth Grade Boys In Greene County, Tennessee, Joseph Paul Mcclure

Masters Theses

This descriptive study was concerned with the problem of decreased 4-H Club enrollment among senior 4-H Club youth in Tennessee. Data were collected from all ninth and tenth grade boys in Greene County, Tennessee, who were present on the day the group interviews were con-ducted in each school. A total of 308 interview schedules was judged to be accurate and was used in the analysis. For purposes of analysis, data from the 308 boys were classified into two groups according to their 4-H Club membership status: (1) boys who were 4-H Club members at the time of the 1970 interview …

Management Practices Of Selected Cotton Producers In Limestone County, Alabama, Fletcher M. Patterson

Masters Theses

Sixty randomly selected cotton producers in Limestone County were interviewed in 1971 for the purposes of (1) characterizing those in different cotton yield groups, (2) determining which practices were being used by those in different yield groups, and (3) identifying some of the factors influencing the farmers to use or not to use the 12 practices studied. Cotton producers represented four yield cate-gories based on pounds of lint cotton produced per acre in 1969-1970 and main comparisons were made between highest and lowest groups. Findings disclosed that the 60 cotton producers in the county in 1970 had the following characteristics: …

An Analysis Of The Cost Differences Between An Advertised And Instore Market Basket By Type And Location Of Retail Grocery Firms In The Knoxville Smsa, Dwight E. Phillips

Masters Theses

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the relative "price image" position by type of firm and by location in the Knoxville Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area as reflected through advertised prices, (2) to determine if the image projected through advertising reflects the true price position of the firm, and (3) to determine the degree of homogeneity of pricing practices within each type of firm, area and the giving of trading stamps. Two sets of data were obtained: an average instore market basket using shelf prices collected from March through June, 1971, and an aver-age advertised market basket collected …

Age, Diet, And Temperature Effects On Magnesium Behavior In Rats, Mohan C. Sanwal

Masters Theses

Recent recognition of hypomagnesemia and a condition in ruminant animals called "grass tetany" has augmented investigations of factors affecting the behavior or meta-bolism of magnesium. In the present study an attempt was made to interrelate body magnesium with ambient temperatures, age and selected dietary factors, using 96 young and old male rats. Results indicated that rats maintained at 3°C consumed more feed than those maintained at 23°C. Serum-Protein bound iodine (PBI) values in rats receiving low iodine diet decreased in cold, and both serum magnesium and PBI levels decreased in rats on the high potassium diet, irrespective of temperature. Tissue …

Relationship Between Union County, Tennessee Homemakers' Practice Adoption Scores On Budgeting And Record Keeping Practices And Selected Personal And Family Characteristics, Anne Sims Hobt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between Union County, Tennessee homemakers' use of recommended budgeting and record keeping practices and their selected personal and family characteristics. Eighty-six homemakers were included in the study. The sample was a stratified random selection made from a list of families served by the three post offices in the county. The interview schedule was designed to gather information concerning the homemakers' 11 personal and family characteristics and their use of 13 budgeting and record keeping practices. Interviews were conducted during the fall of 1970. The independent variables were the 11 personal …

The Relationship Between Fluctuations In Hemlines And Stock Market Averages From 1921 To 1971, Mary Ann Mabry

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to study selected economic factors underlying the fluctuations of hemlines and stock market averages from 1921 to 1971, and to determine any effect of these fluctuations on the upper and middle classes of society who wore these hum lengths. Hypotheses were:

1. There will be a relationship between fluctuations in hemlines and stock market averages from 1921 to 1971 which will be affected by prevalent economic factors operant at the time.

2. A study of hemline fluctuations of both the upper and middle classes from 1921 to 1971 will reveal a time lag between …

Placental Transfer And Maternal-Fetal Utilization Of Manganese By Third Trimester Pregnant Heifers, Boyce P. Wanamaker

Masters Theses

Although manganese has been demonstrated to be required for normal life processes, little information is available on the placental transfer and maternal-fetal utilization of this mineral in the bovine. Nine pregnant and three non-pregnant heifers were used in this study. They were dosed with a tracer level of radio-manganese for blood balance and subsequent placental transfer and maternal-fetal manganese utilization studies. Results of this study suggested total blood radio-manganese levels to drop from 14% of the administered dose at 3 hours to 1.8% after 144 hours. Blood clearance studies indicated that equilibrium between red cells and plasma was reached 38 …

The Brame-Bennett House Of Clinton, Louisiana: A Study Of Greek Revival Domestic Architecture, Debra Van Ricketts

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Critique Of Robert S. Hartman's 'Four Axiological Proofs Of The Infinite Value Of Man', Raymond M. Pruitt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine Professor Robert S. Hartman's notion that the individual human person is of infinite value. In a recent paper he attempts to establish his concept by arguments which are founded upon four axiological definitions of man: epistemological, logical, ontological, and teleological.

The thesis is concerned with the validity of the arguments, their applicability to the existing human person, and whether or not Professor Hartman has made unwarranted assumptions.

I conclude that his arguments tend to be circular, and there are too many assumptions. I believe he has made a good case for the …

Growth Parameters In The Quarter Horse, James C. Heird

Masters Theses

Various body measurements were collected on 136 horses from 22 leading Quarter Horse farms in the Southeast. Offspring, ranging in age from one month to maturity, from 43 stallions were included in the study. Factors developed by Cunningham and Fowler (1961) were used to adjust each measurement to a mature-equivalent, sex-constant basis. Several horses were measured twice at six months interval and coefficients of intra-class correlation between the two adjusted measurements ranged from .454 to .987. The mean values for all measurements at each age, except for width of chest, were larger for males than for females. Average mature values …

Factors Related To Level Of Living For Residents In An East Tennessee County, John R. Anania

Masters Theses

Data from 531 married couples residing in Hamblen County, Tennessee, surveyed in 1968, were examined to delineate socioeconomic factors related to standard of living. Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between 13 socioeconomic characteristics and a 16 item level of living index. Because of the use of dummy variables to measure several socioeconomic characteristics, a total of 2k items were coded. The model containing 2k socioeconomic items was reduced to nine items assessing six characteristics. The results indicated that total income of family, educational attainment of wife, age of husband and professional occupation of husband had significant …

The Allelopathic Influences Of Sassafras Albidum In Old Field Succession In Tennessee, Robert Edward Gant

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to study the mechanism that allows Sassafras albidum to maintain itself in relatively pure stands through many successional stages. Sassafras albidum is a common woody member of the old field community in Tennessee, invading in the early seral stages and surviving into the mature forest. Compounds known to be inhibitory to plant growth have been isolated from sassafras by other investigators. The presence of these terpenoid compounds in various organs of this plant suggests the existence of a possible allelopathic interference mechanism.

A survey of the internal and external herbaceous ground cover revealed the …

Factors Affecting The Economic Growth Of Grade A Dairy Farms, Ingram Bass Howard

Masters Theses

Additional knowledge Is needed of the process of farm firm growth used by dairy operators to accumulate owned capital. The objectives of this study were: (1) to ascertain characteristics, goals, and attitudes of Grade A dairy farmers to provide a framework for farm size and financial growth analysis, (2) to determine sources and characteristics of farm credit used by Grade A dairy farmers to acquire capital for selected loan purposes and operating expenses, and (3) to relate goals and attitudes of Grade A dairy farmers to farm size and financial growth and determine those factors which are associated with farm …

The Effects Of Additions Of Urea And Sulfate Sulfur To Corn Silage At Varying Stages Of Maturity Used For The Production Of Market Beef Heifers In Tennessee, Dalie T. Thomas

Masters Theses

One hundred and twenty medium grade heifers were involved in a three-year study of the production of market beef heifers fed urea, limestone and/or sulfur treated corn silage cut at various stages of maturity. The heifers were full fed silage for approximately 116 days and then full fed grain for approximately 74 days or until they reached a condition grade of low good to average good. Each year 40 heifers were uniformly lotted into eight lots on the basis of weight and type and condition grades. The heifers were fed four treatments with two lots per treatment and 28 day …

Effect Of Level Of Feeding And Age Upon Feed Digestibility, Ray C. Jordan

Masters Theses

A digestion trial was conducted to study the effect of age and level of feeding on the digestibility of feed. The 36 Holstein heifers used were part of a growth experiment in which an attempt was made to calculate the total digestible nutrients (TON) required to obtain 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 pounds average daily gain (low, medium, high). The digestibility values were determined by either the total collection or chromic oxide indicator method, using a diet of two parts hay to one part grain mixture. Feed allowances were based on average TON values of corn (75%) and hay (50%). Three …

Factors Related To 4-H Membership Status And Selected Characteristics Of Ninth Grade Girls In Blount County, Tennessee, Ruby Nell Jeter

Masters Theses

This study was concerned with the problem of decreasing 4-H enrollment among senior 4-H youth in Blount County, Tennessee. Data were collected from all ninth grade girls in Blount County, Tennessee, who were present on the day the group interviews were conducted in each of five schools. A total of 246 interview schedules was judged to be accurate and all 246 were used in the analysis. For purposes of analysis, data from the 246 girls were classified into two groups according to the 4-H membership status of the interviewees: (1) girls who were 4-H Club members at the time of …

The Relationship Between Production Level And Reproductive Efficiency In Dairy Cattle, Charles R. Mosley

Masters Theses

Nine measures of production and four measures of reproductive efficiency were compared and analyzed on 453 cows over a five-year period from 1963 to 1968. The purpose was to ascertain the effect of production level on reproductive efficiency. Data were analyzed by correlation and regression analysis and analysis of variance. Correlation analysis revealed a small positive correlation between most production and reproductive traits. Regression analysis revealed that the influence of 120-day FCM on days to conception tended to be linear and was signi-ficant at all age levels with the exception of five-year-olds. The analysis of variance also confirmed that milk …

Effects Of Soil Moisture On A No-Tillage Planter's Operation, Ludwrick E. Brown

Masters Theses

A study was made to determine the effects of soil-moisture and planting speed on the number of emerged corn plants when compared to the theoretical rate for no-tillage planting. Response factors, (e.g., soil cover and compaction index above, in, and below the seed zone, loca-tion of the seed below the original soil profile, and seed spacing), were measured as indicators of the planter's performance in placing the seed in a suitable environment for germination. The study showed that there was a significant difference in the number of emerged plants due to moisture of the soil and speed of planting. The …

Comparison Of Models For Estimating Homeostasis In Agronomic Species, Edward David Baldwin

Masters Theses

The results of five models which have been proposed for estimat-ing a cultivar's stability were compared using vegetative yield in alfalfa and grain yield in wheats The five models compared were those proposed by Plaisted and Peterson, Plaisted, Wricke, Finley and Wilkinson, and Eberhart and Russell. The models were compared across 15 environments and five cultivars of alfalfa and 11 environments and 11 strains of wheat. Upon completion of data analyses rankings were made for stability under each of the proposed models. A comparison of the stability rankings from each model indicated that three models resulted in similar rankings. The …

Seasonal Patterns Of Reproduction And Body Condition In Prairie Voles (Microtus Ochrogaster) On The Cumberland Plateau, William Hart Baker

Masters Theses

The study was conducted within the 675.5 square mile area of Cumberland County, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau. The objects of this study were: (1) to determine reproductive patterns of popu-lations of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) on the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee, and (2) to determine fluctuations in body fat and adrenal size and weight in relation to seasonal changes and reproduc-tive status. Animals were collected by kill-trapping on sites within Cumber-land County that supported moderate to high densities of prairie vole populations. An apparent decline in breeding of males was manifested by: (a) a decline in testicular weight, (b) a …

Knowledge And Attitude Toward The Use Of Credit By Farmers In West Tennessee, Ralph William Barnett

Masters Theses

The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine West Tennessee farmers' attitudes toward short-term and long-term credit, and credit in general, and (2) to compare the socio-economic character-istics of the farmer to his attitudes about credit. The data was obtained from a sample of 150 farmers in six counties of West Tennessee. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the variables which were hypothesized to have an effect upon the farmers' attitude toward credit. One regression equation was developed for each of the four types of credit attitudes. The short-term credit attitude equation showed that …

Changes Made, Needed And Proposed In The Vocational Agriculture Curriculum In Tennessee Since The Enactment Of The 1968 Vocational Education Amendments, W. Paul Dixon

Masters Theses

Data were collected from the regional supervisors of agricultural education and selected teachers of vocational agri-culture through a mailed questionnaire. All of the supervisors and 80.76 percent of the teachers responded to the study. Findings of the study indicated the following: 1. Teachers of vocational agriculture definitely considered it their responsibility to initiate curricular changes. 2. The offering of specialized courses in agricultural mechanics was definitely the most effective curricula change instituted by teachers of vocational agriculture. This change in specialized course offerings followed in the given order by plant science, animal science, landscaping, small gasoline engines, green-house management and …

A Preliminary Evaluation Of Natural And Artificial Hardwood Regeneration On Ames Plantation In West Tennessee, Michael L. Countess

Masters Theses

In coordination with a timber harvest in 1967 natural and arti-ficial hardwood regeneration studies were established at Ames Plantation in West Tennessee. The artificial regeneration study entailed the establishment of cherrybark oak, yellow-poplar, and black walnut plantations. Loblolly pine was also planted to provide on site comparison of pine and hard-wood seedling performance. The natural regeneration study evaluated reproduction plots following three types of cutting. A clearcut was utilized throughout the stand; additionally a clearcut with cleaning in advance regeneration was applied to some study plots. Other reproduction cuttings included clearcutting plots containing no advance regeneration and coppice methods. Measurements …

Some Significant Beef Production Practices Of Two Selected Beef Producer Groups In Claiborne County, Tennessee, James Hughes Barnes

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were to: 1) determine the character-istics of the Claiborne County cow-calf producers, their farms and their beef herds and to compare the participants and nonparticipants in the graded feeder calf sales; 2) determine which research-verified practices the Claiborne County cow-calf producers, participants and nonparticipants, were using, and 3) identify some of the factors that influenced them to adopt or reject the practices. A total of 38 beef producers was randomly selected, a sample of 19 participants and one of a like number, 19, nonparticipants. These were interviewed for the purpose of collecting data for the …

A National Look At Important Curricular Aspects Of Agricultural Education, Fred B. Gregg

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to determine the situation on a national basis relative to important curricular aspects of agricul-tural education on the secondary level. Data were collected from state supervisors of agricultural educa-tion through a mailed questionnaire. A respondence of 76 percent was received. Production agriculture, even though declining in curricular emphasis, composed the single largest element of curriculum; and sub-ject matter areas such as horticulture, agri-business, farm power and machinery, forestry, conservation, natural resources, and cooperative work experience were receiving increased emphasis. Emphasis during the 70's was expected to be heavily directed to-ward subject matter areas which have …

The Effects Of Initial Subcutaneous Fat Thickness And Grade Of Feeder Heifers Upon Subsequent Feedlot Performance, Carcass Grade And Yield, Irby Jackson Harrell

Masters Theses

A study to determine the effects of initial subcutaneous fat thickness and grade of feeder heifers upon subsequent feedlot per-formance, carcass grade and yield, was conducted at the University of Tennessee's Blount Farm at Knoxville. The experiment involved 180 feeder heifers weighing from 420 to 615 pounds, purchased from graded feeder calf sales in the East Tennessee area. Grades represented were Choice, Good and Medium. The grades were based on Tennessee Department of Agriculture grading standards. Breeds represented were 141 Hereford, 29 Angus and 10 Hereford-Angus crosses. The average daily ration during the 140 day roughage phase was com silage, …

The Classification Of Second Homes: A Proposed System Based On An Inventory And Selected Analysis Of Second Homes In Sevier County, Tennessee, David Ridgway Mosena

Masters Theses

Second homes, primarily used as vacation housing, have substantially increased in number in the United States over the past ten years. They differ from primary dwelling units in physical design, types of tenancy, types of occupants, and in the pattern and intensity of their use. Since second home growth may have both positive and negative effects on the economic, social, physical, and environmental character of a particular area, local and regional planning agencies must take them into consideration.

The purpose of this study was to construct a classification system for second homes in order to facilitate the collection and analysis …

Distribution Of The Fishes Of The Hiwaaee River System-Ecological And Taxonomic Considerations, Robert Knapp Hitch

Masters Theses

This paper summarizes the results of seventy-two collections made by the author along Georgia and Tennessee portions of the Hiwassee River. The more interesting species are listed and possible habitat preferences shown by these species are noted.

A discussion of the distribution of fishes within the various tributaries of the Hiwassee is presented, as are possible reasons for the absence of fishes from certain tributary systems.

The problems associated with the taxonomy of the species of the Genera Cottus and Hypentelium are also examined.

The results of this research indicate some of the possible effects of the isolation of the …