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A Case Study In Wetlands Conservation: Identifying Best Management Practices For Landowner Stewardship, Allison M. Bredbenner Dec 2011

A Case Study In Wetlands Conservation: Identifying Best Management Practices For Landowner Stewardship, Allison M. Bredbenner

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This research explores wetlands conservation techniques employed by private landowners owning 1,000 or more acres who were recipients of an Environmental Law Institute National Wetlands Award. Study of private landowner stewardship is timely and important because in the United States, 75 percent of all wetlands are under private ownership. Given that wetlands provide a suite of valuable ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood abatement, and carbon storage, their conservation is critical to a healthy environment and productive economy. To accomplish this research, landowner files were processed into a digital archive and sub-categorized for research purposes. Telephone interviews were conducted …


A Technology Assessment Of On-Farm Renewable Energy Carbon Mitigation Strategies, Laura Kossey Dec 2011

A Technology Assessment Of On-Farm Renewable Energy Carbon Mitigation Strategies, Laura Kossey

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This project explores whether the Shenandoah Valley can achieve its 25x.25 (25% from renewable energies by 2025) goals on farms in the agricultural sector. Solar photovoltaic electric power production was assessed to be the most feasible renewable energy technology for such farms. After a review of the barriers to the adoption of renewable energy by agricultural operations, estimations of the potential rates of adoption and energy output using US data from the US Census of Agriculture were calculated. Multiple scenarios were explored, including the ¡°maximum theoretical¡± contribution of renewable energy to the agricultural sector as well as scenarios of farm …


The Role Of The Nascent Polypeptide-Associated Complex In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Paul T. Arsenovic Dec 2011

The Role Of The Nascent Polypeptide-Associated Complex In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Paul T. Arsenovic

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) is a highly conserved protein complex known to play an important role in the development of metazoan organisms, but its molecular function is not well understood. Recent evidence from experiments using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model supported the hypothesis that the NAC is either a chaperone or a component of the cytosolic chaperone network that interacts with nascent peptides emerging from the ribosome. We tested this model in C. elegans and found that the homologues of the NAC , icd-1 and icd-2, behave like chaperones in the worm. Lack of icd-1 or icd-2 altered the worms …


A Bioaugmentation Approach To The Prevention Of Chytridiomycosis, Carly Muletz May 2011

A Bioaugmentation Approach To The Prevention Of Chytridiomycosis, Carly Muletz

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Symbiosis is defined as two species living together. This association between organisms is present at all taxonomic levels making it a ubiquitious phenomenon in ecology and evolution. I studied symbiosis among three species: a mutualistic bacterium, a parasitic fungus and an amphibian host. The first goal of my research was to examine how the mutualistic bacteria of amphibians’ skin are acquired. I demonstrated that a cutaneous mutualistic bacterial species, Janthinobacterium lividum, was transmitted environmentally, via soil, to the skin of an amphibian species, Plethodon cinereus. These results indicate that amphibians’ mutualistic bacteria can be acquired from the environment. Based upon …


The Effects Of Sr2w-1 Supplementation On High-Intensity Cycling Performance And Lactate Metabolism, Kevin A. Murach May 2011

The Effects Of Sr2w-1 Supplementation On High-Intensity Cycling Performance And Lactate Metabolism, Kevin A. Murach

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of SR2W-1 herbal supplementation on cycling performance, muscle and blood lactate, and various physiological parameters including blood glucose, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), oxygen consumption (VO2), expired ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and femoral artery blood flow. Methods: Seven recreational cyclists (Age: 26.7 ± 9.8 yrs, Height: 172.5 ± 13.3 cm, Weight:67.1 ± 10.7 kg, and VO2max: 59.5 ± 11 mL/kg/min) performed 20-min of steady-state cycling (~85% VO2max, 212.1 ± 25.0 W) followed by three 1-min high intensity intervals at VO2max workload (272.9 ± 26.9) …


Volume Of Physical Activity And Hemostatic Variables In Pregnant Women, Christine Nicewonger May 2011

Volume Of Physical Activity And Hemostatic Variables In Pregnant Women, Christine Nicewonger

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between blood coagulation and fibrinolytic potential and physical activity. Physical activity levels to predict blood coagulation and fibrinolytic potential were also examined. Methods: Twenty-three pregnant women, aged 19-34 yrs, had a fasted blood draw between 6 and 10 a.m. analyzed for tPA antigen, tPA activity, PAI-1 antigen, and vWF antigen. Trimester specific volume of leisure time physical activity was assessed by the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ) and converted to METmin/wk. Based on MAQ results, women were grouped as meeting (“active”) or not meeting (“sedentary”) physical activity recommendations established by American College of Obstetrics and …


Comparison Of Carotid, Brachial, And Popliteal Intima Media Thickness Among Sedentary And Physically Active Subjects Between 40 And 60 Years Old, Amanda Robinson May 2011

Comparison Of Carotid, Brachial, And Popliteal Intima Media Thickness Among Sedentary And Physically Active Subjects Between 40 And 60 Years Old, Amanda Robinson

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of long term versus recent training on intima-media thickness (IMT) and if this effect is localized in the vascular beds of the tissues directly involved in the activity. Thirty-four male subjects (aged 49.69 ± 6.48 years) were recruited and divided into the following groups: sedentary (SE), recent aerobic exercisers (RE) or long-term aerobic exercisers (LE). Carotid, brachial, and popliteal artery IMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Diet, physical activity, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured as well. Carotid IMT was not significant (p=0.974) between the groups, with SE values …


The Relationship Between Physical Activity Recommendations And Diabetes Risk Factors In Pregnant Women, Kelly Mattran May 2011

The Relationship Between Physical Activity Recommendations And Diabetes Risk Factors In Pregnant Women, Kelly Mattran

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

BACKGROUND: Changes in maternal insulin sensitivity throughout pregnancy may help supply nutrients to a growing fetus; however, the changes may concomitantly increase the mother and child’s risk for diabetes and chronic diseases. Regular physical activity (PA) positively impacts precursors for diabetes, but the impact of PA throughout gestation is less studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between meeting PA recommendations and diabetes risk in pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 23 pregnant women were recruited for participation. Venous blood samples, questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and hip/waist circumferences) were ascertained during a single session. …


The Effects Of Sr2w-1 Supplementation On Cycling Performance And Muscle Fatigue, Tara Ali Ata May 2011

The Effects Of Sr2w-1 Supplementation On Cycling Performance And Muscle Fatigue, Tara Ali Ata

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential effects of SR2W-1 supplementation on cycling performance, central fatigue, and a variety of physiological parameters, including blood lactate, blood pH, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), oxygen consumption (VO2), expired ventilation (VE), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Methods: Five recreational cyclists (38 ± 8 yr, 168.4 ± 4.3 cm, 68.8 ± 5.6 kg, and 54.4 ± 2.6 mL/kg/min) performed 20-min of steady-state cycling (~85% VO2max) followed by three 1-min high intensity intervals at VO2max with 30-sec active recovery periods at 100 W, 15-min passive recovery period, and a …


Spatial And Temporal Diffusion Of Agricultural Best Management Practice Adoption In The South Fork Shenandoah River Watershed., Megan Renee Bauer May 2011

Spatial And Temporal Diffusion Of Agricultural Best Management Practice Adoption In The South Fork Shenandoah River Watershed., Megan Renee Bauer

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This research visualizes, describes, and analyzes the unique spatial and temporal diffusion of agricultural best management practices adopted within the South Fork Shenandoah River Watershed during the twenty year period from 1989 to 2008. The Shenandoah River is a tributary of the Potomac River, which in turn flows directly into the Chesapeake Bay. The findings and research presented here could aid policy makers, conservation technicians, and Soil and Water Conservation District agents to better plan promotions and funding for cost share BMPs. This research identifies motivations and influential forces that are inherent in the BMPs, in the social system, and …


Effect Of Diet Induced Weight Loss And Exercise On Hscreactive Protein In Sedentary Postmenopausal Women, Jennifer Donnelly May 2011

Effect Of Diet Induced Weight Loss And Exercise On Hscreactive Protein In Sedentary Postmenopausal Women, Jennifer Donnelly

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as increased body fat, dyslipidemia, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are intensified in postmenopausal women. CRP has been reported as an independent indicator of risk for cardiovascular events. CRP is affected by multiple factors such as age, race, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity level. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an exercise intervention on traditional (BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference, physical activity level) and non-traditional (CRP) risk factors for cardiovascular disease to a dietary intervention program in sedentary, postmenopausal women. Twenty apparently healthy postmenopausal …


Variation In The Branching Pattern Of The Four Major Caudal Vessels Emerging From The External Carotid Artery, Sara B. Heltzel May 2011

Variation In The Branching Pattern Of The Four Major Caudal Vessels Emerging From The External Carotid Artery, Sara B. Heltzel

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The branching pattern of vessels emerging from the external carotid artery (ECA) displays considerable variation. Knowledge of this variation is of particular interest to clinicians. There are few reports in the literature assessing these differences with regard to sex and sidedness (i.e., branching patterns of the right vs. left neck). The objective of this study was to assess the origin of the four primary caudal branches of the external carotid artery: the superior thyroid (STA), lingual (LA), facial (FA), and occipital (OA) arteries, in addition to the level of common carotid artery bifurcation (CB), with regard to sex, and side. …


Influence Of Estradiol And Exercise On Foot Laxity, Ankle Laxity, And Plantar Loading In College Athletes, Kristina Teri Silke May 2011

Influence Of Estradiol And Exercise On Foot Laxity, Ankle Laxity, And Plantar Loading In College Athletes, Kristina Teri Silke

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

As female participation in athletics has increased, it has become apparent that sex differences exist in sports-related injury types and frequencies. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of exercise and the sex hormone estradiol on sex differences in foot and ankle laxity and plantar pressure. We measured serum estradiol, pre- and post-fatigue ankle and toe laxity, and pre- and post-fatigue plantar pressure in 47 subjects (34 female, 13 male) once a week for 12 weeks. We compared laxity and plantar pressure in females not using oral contraceptive (NOC) to females using oral contraceptives (OC) and males. …


Ontogeny Of Postcranial Morphology And Locomotor Behavior In Propithecus Verreauxi Coquereli And Lemur Catta, Stephanie Ann Wolf May 2011

Ontogeny Of Postcranial Morphology And Locomotor Behavior In Propithecus Verreauxi Coquereli And Lemur Catta, Stephanie Ann Wolf

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Despite living under the same environmental pressures and sympatrically in many cases, Propithecus verreauxi and Lemur catta have evolved very different strategies for survival in stochastic environmental conditions. P. verreauxi show slow somatic growth, low maternal investment, and rapid dental growth while L. catta show faster somatic growth, high maternal investment, and slower dental growth. P. v. coquereli are highly specialized for vertical clinging and leaping (VCL) among lemurs, while L. catta, the most terrestrial of lemurs, use a wider variety of locomotor types including quadrupedalism, climbing, and leaping. P. v. coquereli have unusually long legs and muscular thighs while …


The Genetic Influence On The Placebo Effect Specific To Exercise Performance, Jennifer Wu May 2011

The Genetic Influence On The Placebo Effect Specific To Exercise Performance, Jennifer Wu

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Placebo treatments can be used to elicit many different physiological responses; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible remain unclear. Recent research has shown the possibility of a genetic influence on the placebo response in patients with mood disorders. In this study, we attempted to establish a similar relationship in healthy college-aged students. Force production was measured by isometric knee extension of the quadriceps muscles using maximum voluntary contractions (MVC). Subjects were given placebo treatments disguised as an undisclosed sports supplement with the information that the supplement was previously shown to provide immediate strength improvements following ingestion. Subject DNA was genotyped for …


Concurrent Aerobic Exercise Interferes With The Satellite Cell Response To Acute Resistance Exercise In Mhc I Muscle Fibers, Lyle W. Babcock May 2011

Concurrent Aerobic Exercise Interferes With The Satellite Cell Response To Acute Resistance Exercise In Mhc I Muscle Fibers, Lyle W. Babcock

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Purpose: Concurrent training attenuates hypertrophy compared to resistance training alone, and does so in a fiber-type specific manner. The mechanism responsible for this ‘interference’ is unclear, and satellite cell physiology, an important hypertrophic factor, has not been examined within this context. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to assess the fiber-type specific satellite cell response to acute resistance, aerobic and concurrent exercise. Methods: Eight recreationally active college-aged males (23±1 yrs, 83.4±3.6 kg, 181±2 cm, and 48.5±1.6 ml/kg/min) performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions with a fourth set ≥ 10 repetitions at 75% of 1RM for both unilateral leg extensions …


A Poultry All-Hazard Threat, Vulnerability, And Capability Assessment With Rockingham County Fire Rescue., Daniel Robert Dales May 2011

A Poultry All-Hazard Threat, Vulnerability, And Capability Assessment With Rockingham County Fire Rescue., Daniel Robert Dales

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Agriculture is argued to be one of our most critical infrastructures and is vital to human health and survivability. Agriculture is economically important in Virginia as it provides over 350,000 jobs and generates $55 billion annually (Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services). This high criticality lends to significant areas of vulnerability in each sector of agriculture. Rockingham County is of particular importance as the top agriculturally producing county in the state and is ranked 5th in the nation for poultry sales (2007 Census of Agriculture). The desire to uphold this high production calls for a need to better understand …


Interleukin-3 Promotes Susceptibility In A Mouse Model Of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Bryan Lewis Saunders May 2011

Interleukin-3 Promotes Susceptibility In A Mouse Model Of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Bryan Lewis Saunders

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a vector-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, is one of the most important neglected infectious diseases worldwide. Currently, 10 million people in 82 (mostly developing) countries are infected. Those infected develop ulcerative skin lesions on exposed parts of the body, causing serious disability and permanent scarring. All mice are susceptible to infection with Leishmania major, however, the outcome of infection is different depending on the mouse strain. For example, resistant C57BL/6 mice develop lesions, which like in humans, ultimately heal. In contrast, lesions in susceptible BALB/c mice progressively worsen, ultimately resulting in …


A Taxonomic Revision Of The Endemic Members Of Varronia P. Br. (Cordiaceae) In The Galápagos Islands, Julia Kathryn Stutzman May 2011

A Taxonomic Revision Of The Endemic Members Of Varronia P. Br. (Cordiaceae) In The Galápagos Islands, Julia Kathryn Stutzman

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The Galápagos Islands have long been an arena for biological diversity, scientific discovery, and conservation. Accurate identification and documentation of the flora of the Galápagos continue to aid conservation efforts. The purpose of this study was to conduct a taxonomic revision of the endemic members genus Varronia (Cordiaceae) on the Islands: V. revoluta (Hook. f.) Andersson, V. leucophlyctis (Hook. f.) Andersson, V. canescens Andersson, and V. scouleri (Hook. f.) Andersson. Taxonomic uncertainty among these species has resulted in difficult evaluation of their potential for conservation status by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The present taxonomic study concludes …