Digital Commons Network^™

Movement And Habitat Use Of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus Clarki Utah): A Case Study In The Temple Fork Watershed, Ryan L. Lokteff

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Movement patterns and habitat use of Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki Utah) in tributaries of the Logan River watershed are greatly affected by habitat alterations created by North American Beaver (Castor canadensis). Evaluation of cutthroat trout habitat use in these watersheds is also complicated by biotic interactions with invasive brown trout (Salmo trutta) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). My objectives in this thesis were to 1.) Evaluate the passage of beaver dams by each trout species in the Temple Fork watershed and 2.) Evaluate the habitat use of cutthroat trout in the presence …

Effects Of Animal Science Agricultural Education Course Completion On Urban High School Students' Career Choice, Kristina Gowans

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study focused on testing the effects of agricultural education on urban high school students’ career choices. It looked into how students view agriculture, how they perceive their peers view agriculture, how their demographics are related to career choice, and if their career choice was changed to a different career upon completion of the study. The study showed a positive relationship between completing an agricultural education class in animal science and interest in going into an agricultural career. Further, females in the study were more likely to choose an agricultural career. After the completion of a school-based agricultural education program, …

Structural Change Of The Western United States Alfalfa Hay Market And Its Effect On The Western United States Dairy Industry, Joseph Patrick Cann

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alfalfa is the fourth largest commodity grown in the Western U.S., representing 20% of the crop acreage over the past twenty years. In the last five years alfalfa hay price has doubled from what it was previously, indicating a possible structural change in the market. This research project was completed to test for this structural change using econometric analysis of the important demand components of alfalfa price. In addition to this, simulations of an average Utah dairy were completed to examine which ratio of forage crops provided the highest economic return to the operation.

To analyze the structural change of …

The Role Of Trpm5 In Dietary Fat Preference, Intake, And Body Composition, Dulce M. Minaya

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We recently showed a critical role of Trpm5 in the transduction pathway for long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, I have begun to investigate dietary fat preference and the propensity to develop dietary-induced obesity in Trpm5^-/- mice. My preliminary data shows that in male mice placed on a high fat diet, Trpm5^-/- mice did not enhance their caloric intake as observed in wild type mice. Most surprisingly, however, was that I did not observe the same differences in between female mice, which posits a potential gender effect of this pathway on dietary fat intake. Also, …

Activated Carbon Decreases Invasive Plant Growth By Mediating Plant-Microbe Interactions, Nicole E. Nolan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

To restore lands invaded by dense, non-native vegetation, it may be necessary to develop targeted restoration tools than can remove the mechanism used by these non-native species as a competitive advantage. Activated carbon (AC) is one such tool, with the ability to disrupt the mechanisms of plant to plant communication (allelopathy) and positive plant to microbe communication commonly used by non-native species. Previous studies have shown the success of high concentrations, 1000g/m², of AC in native plant community restoration on a small scale. Here, our goals are twofold: first, to test AC effectiveness in restoring desirable plant communities …

Producing An Ovine Model Of Cystic Fibrosis, Kira Perry Morgado

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease that significantly affects quality of life and lifespan. There are currently no effective animal models of CF that mimic the human disease state. This prevents the development of pharmaceutical treatments for patients. Sheep have been considered for a useful animal model because of their size, life expectancy, and similarities in their anatomy and physiology. In order to generate a sheep transgenic model to study CF we have produced two Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene targeting DNA vectors containing large regions of homology to the CFTR gene in sheep. One of …

Ghrelin Concentrations In Milk And Plasma Of Dairy Cows During Early Lactation, Sameer M. Alhojaily

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ghrelin is a hormone produced mainly by the cells lining the gastric mucosa. Ghrelin was first extracted from human and rat stomachs, and identified as an endogenous stimulator of growth hormone release. Ghrelin is synthesized and produced in several tissues, but the gastric mucosa remains the major source of circulating ghrelin. Besides growth hormone release, ghrelin stimulates appetite and plays some major roles in different organs. In several studies, ghrelin was described as a hormone with multiple functions and diverse biological actions. Ghrelin exists in two major forms, active ghrelin and inactive ghrelin, and only the active from binds to …

The Role Of Obesity, Diabetes, And Hypertension In Cleft Lip And Cleft Palate Birth Defects, Hebah Alawi Kutbi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are birth defects characterized by immediately recognizable disruption of normal facial structure caused by abnormal facial development during the first six to eight weeks of gestation, causing a cleft in the lip or the palate. OFCs are among the most common structural birth defects and a public health problem. Some studies have found that maternal obesity, diabetes, hypertension, or the underlying metabolic abnormalities known as the metabolic syndrome, might be associated with the risk of OFCs, though other studies have been inconsistent. Data of mothers who have had children with OFCs were compared to those of children …

Foraging Ecology Of Cougars In The Pryor Mountains Of Wyoming And Montana, Linsey Blake

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We conducted this study to better understand the impact of cougar (Puma concolor) predation in the Pryor Mountains of Wyoming and Montana. Managers of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range were concerned that cougars were having a negative impact upon a small, isolated Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) population and were hoping predation might be limiting a feral horse population (Equus caballus) that was in excess of the Appropriate Management Level set by the Bureau of Land Management. Wildlife tourism brings revenue to the park …

Biogeochemistry Of Selenium In Pariette Wetlands, Utah, Colleen P. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Pariette Wetlands was constructed to provide wildlife habitat in an arid environment. Elevated levels of selenium (Se) have been detected in water, soil, and biota. Selenium concentrations have ranged from below detection limit to four times the water quality criterium limit. Here we report on three interrelated research topics: 1) selenium mass balance and flux in water, 2) selenium accumulation, concentration and volatilization of water and plant tissues; and 3) selenium sorption by upland and wetlands soils.

1) Mass balance and mass water flux of selenium for the Pariette Wetlands were studied. A comparison of inlet and outlet …

Old Roots: Place-Making And Hybrid Landscapes Of Refugee Urban Farmers, Missy Ward-Lambert

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research project was designed to analyze the relevance of place and the physical environment to the adjustment processes of refugees. This dissertation contains the results of qualitative research with a group of 30 refugee urban farmers living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Seventeen of these individuals—from Burundi, Sudan, Bhutan, the Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Cuba—participated in interviews and a photography project focused on their experiences with agriculture in their home countries and since their arrival in Utah. The results of the research show the connection between the refugees’ work as farmers and their …

Channel Adjustment And Channel-Floodplain Sediment Exchange In The Root River, Southeastern Minnesota, Michael A. Souffront Alcántara

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A better understanding of transport and deposition of fine sediment in alluvial rivers, including their floodplains, is essential for improved understanding of sediment budgets and prediction of river morphological changes. Previous work in the Root River indicates that channel-floodplain sediment exchange exerts strong control on the sediment flux of this system. In addition, improvements in agricultural practices and increases in high and low flows during the past five decades have led us to believe that sediment sources in the Root River may be shifting from uplands to near-channel sources. This thesis estimated the total amount of fine sediment contributed to …

Influence Of Stand Composition On Soil Organic Carbon Stabilization And Biochemistry In Aspen And Conifer Forests Of Utah, Mercedes Román Dobarco

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Social concern about climate change and the elevated level of atmospheric CO2 demands understanding carbon (C) storage and dynamics in forest soils, especially since soils are the largest C reservoir in terrestrial ecosystems, storing two thirds of total C. Quacking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is an iconic species in western United States that offers multiple ecosystem services, such as habitat and forage for wildlife and cattle, biodiversity, water yield, and C storage. A decline in quaking aspen cover has been documented during the last decades, possibly due to fire suppression and ungulate browsing. A shift from aspen- to conifer-dominated …

The Impact Of Participation In The Food Dudes Healthy Eating Program On Dietary Habits In Fourth And Fifth Grade Students In Cache County Utah After One Year, Amanda B. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescents are not meeting the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables (FV). The Food Dudes Healthy Eating Program (FD), developed by researchers in the UK, has previously been shown to increase lunch time and overall FV intake in elementary school aged children. The aim of this study was to test if participation in the FD program during late elementary school could prevent decreases in FV intake and increases in junk food intake during the transition from elementary school into middle school.

A decrease in average lunchtime FV intake was seen at the beginning of the transition into middle school. …

Stability Of W1/O/W2 Double Emulsion Made With Milk Fat And A Simplified Make Procedure And Its Use In Reduced-Fat Cheese, Daniel Bradley Clayton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As overweight and obesity numbers continue to climb around the world, consumers continue to search for reduced-fat alternatives to foods they often consume. Given that cheese is naturally high in fat, this is one food that is often targeted for fat reduction. However, as fat plays an important functional role in the texture of cheese by breaking up the continuous protein matrix, reduced-fat products tend to be very chewy and rubbery compared to their full-fat counterparts.

My study aimed at producing a reduced-fat cheese with improved texture compared to other reduced-fat cheese products by incorporating a double emulsion into the …

Evaluating Process- And Constraint-Based Approaches For Modeling Macroecological Patterns, Xiao Xiao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Macroecological patterns, such as the highly uneven distribution of individuals among species and the monotonic increase of species richness with area, exist across ecological systems despite major differences in the biology of different species and locations. These patterns capture the general structure of ecological communities, and allow relatively accurate predictions to be made with limited information for under-studied systems. This is particularly important given ongoing climate change and loss of biodiversity. Understanding the mechanisms behind these patterns has both scientific and practical merits.

I explore two conceptually different approaches that have been proposed as explanations for ecological patterns – the …

Ringtail Distribution, Dermatoglyphics, And Diet In Zion National Park, Utah, Adrian Argie Roadman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Current scientific knowledge of the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is limited, thus impeding appropriate management decisions. Ringtails in Zion National Park, Utah, are rarely seen, but are involved in increasing occurrences of negative interactions with park visitors and employees such as food theft and denning in buildings, interactions which are harmful to both parties. To manage this conflict, an update to the general knowledge about the status of the population is required as the only previous study on ringtails in this area was conducted in the 1960s. Using noninvasive techniques provides dependable large-scale population information. I used two noninvasive detection methods …

Effects Of Condensed Tannins On The Toxicity Of Fireweed (Senecio Madagascariensis) To Cattle, Carolyn L. Wong

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) is a noxious and invasive weed affecting pastures in Hawaii, Australia, and South America. Fireweed contains compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to most grazing mammals. Toxic effects to cattle include irreversible damage to liver cells, hardening of the liver, and loss of liver function, which may lead to jaundice, swelling, and the accumulation of fluids in the stomach and other physiological malfunctions. External effects include rough appearance, diarrhea, low energy and dullness, photosensitization, and abnormal behavior, many of which can lead to death. Fireweed also can reduce pasture productivity by as much as …

American Bison Ecology And Bison-Cattle Interactions In An Isolated Montane Environment, Dustin H. Ranglack

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As bison are considered to be ecologically extinct, and negative interactions between bison and cattle are perceived to limit bison restoration and cattle production, I designed a series of studies to test for potential competition between bison (Bison bison) and cattle (Bos taurus) for forage on the Henry Mountains in southern Utah. These studies provide insight into key information gaps previously identified by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), Bureau of Land Management, and the local grazing association. The results indicate that bison and cattle are not strong competitors for forage on the Henry Mountains. …

Use Of A Net Rate Of Energy Intake Model To Examine Differences In Juvenile Steelhead (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Densities And The Energetic Implications Of Restoration, C. Eric Wall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Fish and Wildlife Program mitigates for impacts of hydroelectric dams on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin (CRB). Considering the sizable investments in mitigation and the diversity of stream habitats within the CRB, there has been a pointed effort to develop and identify meaningful metrics relating to fish populations and trends in their habitat across the CRB. The Integrated Status and Effectiveness Monitoring Program (ISEMP) was developed in 2003 specifically for this purpose, and is tasked with developing and testing strategies for determining the status and trend of salmonid populations and …

Distribution And Drivers Of A Widespread, Invasive Wetland Grass, Phragmites Australis, In Great Salt Lake Wetlands, Arin Lexine Long

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Non-native invasive plant species can often have negative effects on native ecosystems, such as altered nutrient cycling, decreased habitat for wildlife, and outcompeting native plants. Around the Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, the invasive wetland grass Phragmites australis has become abundant in wetlands around the lake. Phragmites is replacing many native wetland plants provide important waterfowl habitat around the GSL. For successful management of Phragmites in GSL wetlands, it is important to know the current distribution of Phragmites, as well as areas that might be vulnerable to future invasion by Phragmites. To do this, we used multispectral aerial …

Effects Of Processing And Packaging Modifications On The Quality And Shelf Life In Meats, Abdulla Khan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Shelf life of foods, mainly meat and meat products, is affected by its physical and chemical properties like color, pH, water holding capacity etc. In developed countries
food losses occur at production, retail and consumer levels with meat commodities accounting for 41% of the total loss in US during 2008. These losses are because of
spoilage due to inappropriate packaging, improper storage conditions, food wastage, and lack of consumer awareness. By focusing on shelf life and quality issues at the production level, we can overcome some of the major problems faced by the food manufacturers.

Active packaging is an innovative …

Effects Of Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids On Colorectal Cancer And The Development Of The Total Western Diet-2, Sara Kellen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Western diet is commonly consumed by industrialized societies and characterized by an increased consumption of vegetable oils rich in omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids. This results in a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids in the diet. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are believed to induce a pro-inflammatory response in the body. Therefore, this change in PUFA concentration and/or ratio of n-6:n-3 in the Western diet may contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Five identical diets, varying only in PUFA concentration and n-6:n-3 ratio, were fed to mice dosed with a carcinogen and an inflammatory accent (AOM+DSS). …

Factors Affecting The Toxic Cyanobacteria Nodularia Spumigena In Farmington Bay Of Great Salt Lake, Utah, B. Eric Mcculley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Farmington Bay of Great Salt Lake receives a significant amount of the nutrient-polluted runoff from Salt Lake and Davis Counties, Utah. This nutrient-laden runoff has led to seasonal blooms of blue-green algae, Nodularia spumigena, which produce a toxin called nodularin that has been shown to be toxic to aquatic organisms, birds, and mammals. Nodularia spumigena are the most common algae found in Farmington Bay. This study focused on understanding the physical and chemical factors controlling the growth of Nodularia spumigena in order to improve our knowledge about how nutrients impact algae in the Great Salt Lake. The salinity of …

Physiological Impacts And Lactational Performance Of Dairy Cows Fed Brown Midrib Corn Silage During Dry Period Through Early To Midlactation, Alexandra Windley Kelley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Developing solutions to the metabolic stress experienced by cows during the transition period is very important because it can negatively influence lactational performance. The objectives were to: 1) compare physiological changes through body weight (BW) and concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and 2) evaluate feed intake, milk production, and energy balance (EB) of cows fed brown midrib corn silage (BMRCS)-based diets when compared with conventional corn silage (CCS)-based diets during the transition. At 4 wk prior to parturition, 40 dry multiparous Holstein cows …

Factors Influencing The Successful Regeneration Of Aspen In Southern Utah, Usa, Justin M. Britton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study addresses critical issues and concerns relating to aspen forest management across the Intermountain West. These concerns have been raised due to the declining condition of aspen forests. As a result, aspen decline has been a topic of interest among academics and popular media outlets alike in recent years due to the economical and ecological value of aspen. Some land managers and management agencies have used forest management techniques as a means to deal with this issue. These management techniques are designed to stimulate the reproduction of aspen in order to provide a bank of seedlings and saplings for …

Nitrogen Cycling In The Rhizosphere Of Cheatgrass And Crested Wheatgrass: Contributions Of Root Exudates And Senescence, Kendalynn A. Morris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cheatgrass is an invasive weed that has come to dominate large areas of the western United States. Once an ecosystem has been converted to a cheatgrass monoculture, it is extremely difficult to restore native vegetation. Cheatgrass negatively impacts wildlife and increases wildfire frequency and intensity. Understanding how cheatgrass so effectively invades western ecosystems is essential to turning the tide of invasion. One possible key to cheatgrass’ success is alteration of soil nutrient cycling. The goal of this study is to explore how nitrogen (N) may accumulate in cheatgrass soils via redistribution of N within soil N pools. To accomplish this …

The Triad Trial: Online Education For Coaches On The Prevention Of The Female Athlete Triad, Megan Jane Ostler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

High school coaches play a huge role in establishing a healthy environment for their athletes and often students. The coach‐athlete relationship has proven to be a strong and useful bond in prevention of adverse behaviors of athletes or in prevention of health problems such as concussions. The female athlete triad (triad) is a common health problem among female athletes. Many high school coaches are unaware of the triad or the serious health and performance consequences for their athletes. The triad is a syndrome marked by 3 interrelated adverse effects: decreased energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density.

The …

Biophysically-Based Measurement Of Plant Water Status Using Canopy Temperature, Christopher K. Parry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Precision irrigation scheduling is one approach that can conserve water by supplying crops with the minimum amount of water needed for sufficient vegetative growth and final crop yield. Improved methods for irrigation scheduling are needed for arid regions that rely mainly on irrigation for crop water needs, and humid regions that supplement water received from precipitation with added irrigation. Methods that directly determine plant physiological responses to water availability have potential to be significantly more sensitive and accurate than indirect approaches like soil moisture measurement. Stomatal conductance is a rapid physiological response to leaf water potential.

Stomatal conductance in single …

The Role Of Vegetation Structure, Composition, And Nutrition In Greater Sage-Grouse Ecology In Northwestern Utah, Brian R. Wing

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) is the largest grouse species in North America and an indicator species for the condition of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems. The Box Elder Sage-Grouse Management Area (SGMA) in northwestern Utah encompasses one of the state’s largest sage-grouse populations.

To fill knowledge gaps regarding the population inhabiting the Raft River subunit of the Box Elder SGMA, I captured, radio-marked, and monitored 123 (68 female, 55 male) sage-grouse from January 2012 through December 2013. My purpose was to describe how the seasonal movements, survival, and reproductive rates of this sage-grouse population …