Life Sciences Commons^™

Influences Of Cattle On Postmetamorphic Amphibians On The Cumberland Plateau, Elizabeth Carrie Burton

Masters Theses

Global decline of amphibian populations has been linked to various anthropogenic stressors. Recent studies have quantified the influences of cropland agriculture and deforestation; however, few have examined the impacts of allowing cattle access in wetlands on resident amphibians. I compared four wetlands exposed to cattle grazing for >10 years against four wetlands that had not been grazed for >10 years, at the University of Tennessee Plateau Research and Education Center. At each wetland I measured species richness, diversity, and species-specific relative abundance of postmetamorphic amphibians captured in pitfall traps and during breeding call surveys, amphibian egg mass abundance, shoreline vegetation …

Natural Resources In The Northern Cumberlands: A Determination Of Residents Values, Cynthia Liane Longmire

Masters Theses

In the process of governance, political power has often become the primary tool for influencing decisions. Objective information about policy values and interests regarding natural resources and their use and conservation is often incomplete, biased or simply not available. Democratic governance requires that natural resource agencies, public officials, natural resource stakeholders, and the public at large have a good understanding of these values and interests. The values and interests of residents of Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan, and Scott counties in Tennessee regarding scarce natural resources are identified and analyzed in this thesis. This region of Tennessee has experienced increased interest in …

Potential Impacts Of Meeting Renewable Portfolio And Fuel Standards On The Economy Of Tennessee, Kateryna Goychuk

Masters Theses

The primary objective of this study was to estimate how adopting a Renewable Portfolio (RPS) and Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) would impact the economy of the State of Tennessee. This was accomplished by 1) developing representative state level RPS and RFS scenarios, 2) projecting Tennessee’s renewable energy capacity requirements under these scenarios, 3) identifying representative technologies and associated costs for renewable energy generation, and 4) evaluating decreases in economic activity in non-renewable technologies, such as coal or petroleum, in the state. The economic (output, employment, value-added) impacts were obtained using the IMPLAN, input-output model. Results showed that under the assumptions …

Cross Platforms Display Calibration And Profiling Mac Os And Windows, Reem El Asaleh

Masters Theses

The monitor is an important part in many digital applications including graphic design, digital photography and prepress proofing. In fact, designers and prepress personnel rely on their monitor for good color decision for a printed job.

The aim of this research is to achieve a consistent color across platform using the same hardware (CPU, monitor video controller, etc.). Also to describe the main issue that affects the accuracy of monitor profiles. ICC profiles were generated for monitor in Windows and Mac OS platform using GretagMacbeth ProfileMaker Pro version 5.0 and X-Rite MonacoPROFILER ICC profiling softwares. In the laboratory environment, we …

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Deinking And Dew Waxing, Suraboon Hoontrakool

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this project is to study how the supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) fluid can be used to extract sticky compounds and commercial printing inks. This study will focus on the upscale unit operation that Western Michigan University had recently installed supercritical fluid extraction system. This also includes determination of extraction efficiency, optimizing operating condition, the effect of ScCO₂ on the fiber tensile strength for recycling paper after the sticky compounds are removed and the effect of ScCO₂ to the fiber physical strength property at different temperatures.

The investigation of supercritical fluid extraction equipment …

Embryology Of Manekia Naranjoana (Piperaceae) And Its Implications For The Origin Of The Sixteen-Nucleate Female Gametophyte In Piperales, Tatiana Arias-Garzón

Masters Theses

Piperaceae is unique among Piperales because it is the only tetrasporic group in the order and a great deal of diversity in the ontogenetic trajectories of the female gametophyte is found in its genera. The evolutionary developmental origin of the sixteen-nucleate female gametophyte remains unclear in the family until now. In Piperaceae, Manekia has been identified as sister to Zippelia, and this clade is sister to core Piperaceae (Piper, Peperomia). This research is the first attempt to understand the development of the female gametophyte of Manekia naranjoana in order to provide critical data on the origin of …

Determination Of Plant Spacing And Time Of Planting In The Production Of Edamame Soybeans For Optimal Yield And Seed Isoflavone Content In Tennessee, Debra Jean Strouse Carpenter

Masters Theses

The objectives of this study are three-fold: to determine the within row plant spacing and time of planting that will produce optimal yields and seed isoflavone content, to explore the feasibility of incorporating edamame soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] in a double-cropping system with strawberries [Fragaria X ananassa], and to study the potential as an edamame soybean of newly identified line TN03-349. Line TN03-349 was planted into raised, plasticulture, irrigated strawberry beds at the University of Tennessee’s East Tennessee Research and Education Center. Five within-row spacings were used (0.08m, 0.15m, 0.30m, 0.60m, and 1.20m) in 2004 …

Life History Of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges Tsugae Annand, On Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis (L.) Carriere, In The Southern Appalachians And Assessment Of Egg Releases Of Sasajiscymnus Tsugae (Sasaji And Mcclure) For Its Management, Isaac K. Deal

Masters Theses

Studies were conducted in 2005 and 2006 at Baxter Orchard, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee to optimize survival of Sasajiscymnus tsugae (St) (Sasaji and McClure) released as eggs on eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere, for biological control of Adelges tsugae (HWA) Annand. Studies investigated annual abundance and seasonality of HWA lifestages, weekly field and laboratory survival of St, and survival of St egg cohorts of various ages and densities. HWA was determined to be bivoltine on eastern hemlock in Tennessee with an aestivation period between July and October. Lifestages preferred as food by St were present from …

Geographic And Temporal Diversification Patterns In The Barcheek Darter Species Group, Phillip Ray Hollingsworth Jr.

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate geographic and temporal diversification patterns in the barcheek darter species group. Specifically, my two questions were “Is there geographical structure of alleles or haplotypes within currently recognized species that is suggestive of unrecognized, or cryptic, species diversity within the clade?” (geographic diversification pattern) and “How old are inter- and intraspecific divergence events in the evolutionary history of the clade?” (temporal diversification pattern). A three gene dataset from 159 barcheek individuals of two mitochondrial coding regions, cyt b and ND2, along with a nuclear intron, S7, was analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian phylogentic …

Calcium, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, And Branched Chain Amino Acids Contribute To The Anti-Obesity Effects Of Milk, Anna C. Herweyer

Masters Theses

Dietary calcium exerts an anti-obesity effect, and dairy exerts about twice the activity as supplemental calcium. Milk contains angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and a high concentration of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), both of which may contribute to an anti-obesity effect through effects on lipid metabolism and muscle protein synthesis, respectively. To test this hypothesis, aP2-agouti transgenic mice were maintained for 6 weeks on an obesigenic soy based diet and then randomized into an ad libitum control group and energy restricted (70% of ad lib) diets containing soy protein (0.4% Ca), non-fat dry milk (NFDM; 1.2% Ca) or …

A Study Of Cyfip1 Gene At The L7rl1 Locus In Mouse Chromosome 7, Ling Li

Masters Theses

The large-scale mouse mutagenesis experiments conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory using mouse specific-locus test (SLT) have generated numerous radiation- or ENU-induced mutations. A series of mutations were mapped near the p gene, one of the seven marker loci in mouse chromosome 7. Complementation analyses with a panel of p deletions have defined a number of “functional units”, among which is l7Rl1, a ~300kb region corresponding to human chromosome 11p14-p15 and containing four genes (from centromere to telomere): tubulin gamma associated protein 5 (Tubgcp5), Cytoplasmic fragile X mental retardation syndrome 1 homolog (FMR1) interacting protein 1 (Cyfip1), non-imprinted in …

Genetic Manipulation Of Auxin And Ethylene Production To Alter The Growth And Development Of Populus, Joo Young Kim

Masters Theses

Populus is one of the most important tree species for pulp, paper, wood products, and more recently for biomass energy. The increasing need for wood and decreasing land area for forest trees demand the development of fast-growing trees with desirable quality. This experiment was conducted to alter poplar growth and development by manipulating endogenous auxin and ethylene levels through genetic transformation.

Since auxin stimulates vascular differentiation and wood formation, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthetic gene,iaaM, driven by a vascular specific promoter, glycine-rich protein promoter (GRP), was inserted into a hybrid aspen (P. canescens x P. grandidentata) to increase the endogenous …

The Effects Of Acute Ethanol Treatment On The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus In Adult Male Mice, Charles Andrew Mangrum

Masters Theses

Light is the primary entraining signal for the mammalian circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Light entering the eye leads to release of glutamate directly onto SCN neurons where it binds to N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors initiating a cascade of cellular processes that ultimately modulates clock phase. SCN neurons show a 24-hour rhythm in neuronal activity that peaks in the middle of the day when isolated in a brain slice preparation. Treatments that phase-shift the SCN clock in vivo have been shown similarly to shift this rhythm of neuronal activity in vitro. Here, I have investigated …

Ground Reaction Force Characteristics Associated With Modified Short-Leg Walkers, Maria Sherlene Keefer

Masters Theses

Background. Although short-leg walkers are often used in the treatment of lower extremity injuries, little is known about the effect that the short-leg walker has on gait characteristics. The purpose of this study was to examine two different short-leg walkers and how heel height differences in the walker and shoe side may affect ground reaction forces (GRFs) and the effects of heel height modification in walker and/or shoe side on GRFs in walking.

Methods. A force platform was used to collect ground reaction force data on 10 healthy participants. Five trials in each of six conditions were performed …

Physical Activity Levels Of College Freshman: Comparison Of Surveys With Objective Measures Of Physical Activity, Lois Amber Mcmahan

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: This study compared measures of physical activity (PA) taken from the 7- day Physical Activity Recall (PAR) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) with those obtained from the NL 2000 (NL) and Lifecorder (LC) accelerometers in entering, college freshmen.

METHODS: 47 males and 64 females (overall age =18.5±.3 yrs, wt. = 68.7±14.4 kg, and BMI = 23.7 ±4.9) volunteered and signed an informed consent form. All subjects wore the NL for 7 days, and half wore the LC as well. After the 7 days the subjects completed the PAR and IPAQ.

RESULTS: There was a strong agreement between …

Relationship Of Intracellular Signaling Pathways With Migration In Bovine Neutrophils With Different Cxcr1+777 Genotypes, Angela Pollock Loughery

Masters Theses

Prior research in our lab has demonstrated a significant association between the incidence of subclinical mastitis and neutrophil functions with polymorphisms of the CXCR1 gene in Holstein dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the specificity of the response relative to CXCR1 and potential involvement of intracellular signaling pathways. Migration was evaluated in cows of both homozygous genotypes (n=7 each) in response to high and low doses of interleukin-8 (IL -8; specific for CXCR1 and CXCR2), epithelial neutrophil activating peptide (ENA-78; specific for CXCR2) or zymosan activated sera (ZAS; complement receptors). Cows with a GG genotype had …

Supplementation Of Energy And Glucomannan To Alleviate Tall Fescue Toxicosis, Rodney Lynn Mills

Masters Theses

An 84 d randomized block design using 96 beef calves (238.8 + 20.1 kg) in each of two years was used to assess the efficacy of energy supplementation and glucomannan (MTB) to alleviate tall fescue toxicosis. Groups of four calves were randomly assigned to 24 endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures (1.23 + 0.06 ha). Pastures of calves were randomly assigned to treatments: unsupplemented (CON), supplemented with soybean hulls (SH) at 0.33% BW (DM basis; LO), supplemented with SH at 0.66% BW (DM basis; HI), LO plus 20 g·hd^-1·d^-1 MTB-100® (LO-MTB), HI plus 20 g·hd^-1·d^-1 MTB-100® …

Captive Propagation Of Tangerine Darters For Re-Introduction In The Pigeon River, Tennessee, Craig Lee Phillips

Masters Theses

The Pigeon River suffered major water quality degradation from 1908 through the 1980’s from paper mill effluent which resulted in the extirpation of many native fish species. Mill modifications have cleaned the effluent to the degree where some native species are recolonizing many areas of the river. In 2001, the Pigeon River Restoration Project was initiated to re-introduce native non-game species which have been unable to return of their own accord. In addition to relocation of selected suitable species, captive production of the tangerine darter (Percina aurantiaca) has been attempted since current translocation methods have proven impractical due …

Color And Mechanical Properties Of Chitosan Films During Storage, Gagan Rajpal

Masters Theses

Chitosan, a deacetylated product of chitin, is a copolymer of 2-amino-2-deoxy-D glucopyranose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D glucopyranose. Chitosan has many functional properties and has various applications in food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, cosmetic industries. However, little is known about the fate of chitosan and its films during prolonged storage. Although it has been reported that chitosan films treated with dry heat or saturated steam became brown, data available on physical characterization of chitosan films is still conflicting.

This study was conducted to determine chemical stability and mechanical properties of chitosan films as affected by (1) type of acid used for film preparation (acetic, lactic, …

The Influence Of Different Ground Cover Treatments On The Growth Of Outplanted Seedlings On Remined Sites In Eastern Tennessee, John J. Rizza

Masters Theses

There is growing interest in the reforestation of surface mined lands for the production of valuable forest products and creation of quality wildlife habitat. These objectives can be met by planting native woody and herbaceous species on reclaimed surface mines. However, in this region, many of the common ground cover species used to reduce erosion, compete aggressively with tree seedlings, preventing successful establishment. A research project was designed with two main objectives: to investigate the growth and survival of tree seedlings across different herbaceous ground cover treatments, and to identify the relationship between the growth and function of tree seedlings …

Cultural Control Methods That Effect The Development And Spread Of Corynespora Cassiicola (Berk. & Curt.) Wei On African Violet (Saintpaulia Ionantha Wendl.), Hillary Dawn Ross

Masters Theses

In recent years, a large commercial grower of African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.) in middle Tennessee has experienced epidemics of Corynespora leaf spot caused by Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & Curt.) Wei (Alan Windham, personal communication). Symptoms of Corynespora leaf spot include rapidly expanding circular lesions on the surface of the leaves and petioles. The disease occurs in propagation material and mature plants of S. ionantha which result in thousands of plants being discarded daily. The objectives of this research were to: 1) determine if irrigation methods affected disease severity, 2) to determine if fungicidal spray intervals could be extended …

Validation Of A Three Dimensional Motion Capture System For Use In Identifying Characteristics Of The Running Walk, Paul Roberson

Masters Theses

Validation of a Three Dimensional Motion Capture System for Use in Identifying Characteristics of the Running Walk

A three-dimensional (3-D) motion capture system was adapted for use in characterizing the biomechanics of the Running Walk, a stepping gait of the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) breed. Registered TWH (n = 4) were ridden through an arrangement of high-speed digital cameras at the walk (W) and running walk (RW). Infrared reflective markers (65 per horse) were used to track body segments and joint centers. Five trials per gait per horse were recorded. A dynamic 3-D model was created and used to label …

Rate And Timing Of Nitrogen Fertilizer In Burley Tobacco, Michael Randall Waynick

Masters Theses

Our objectives in this study were to evaluate the state recommendations for nitrogen, determine the effects of nitrogen on tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA), yield and quality, determine efficient nitrogen rates and evaluate the pre sidedress nitrate test (PSNT) as an indicator of nitrogen needs in burley tobacco. This study had nine nitrogen rates, in a split plot design with four replications. Main plots consisted of preplant nitrogen: 89.6, 179.2 and 268.8 kg/ha. Sub plots consisted of sidedress nitrogen: 0, 52 and 112 kg/ha. Soil nitrate-N was determined using the PSNT, with samples taken to a depth of 0.15 m three …

Physiologic Changes Occurring During A 592-Mile Hike On The Appalachian Trail, Patricia Gayle Williams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess physiologic changes during a 592-mile hike of the Appalachian Trail. The participants included 2 physically active nonsmoking male adults, 23 and 26 years of age. The participants were both experienced backpackers attempting a 592-mile northbound hike of the AT in the summer of 2006. Participants were tested before and after hiking. Participants underwent the following tests: resting BP, resting HR, height and weight, body fat, BMD, lactate threshold, VO_2peak, maximal HR, curl-ups, push-ups, and sit-and-reach. Although the hike was ended prematurely after 474 miles, many changes were observed. Body mass, body …

Validity Of The Crouter 2-Regression Model For Predicting Energy Expenditure: Transitions From Rest To Activity, Erin E. Kuffel

Masters Theses

The Crouter 2-regression model (15) is a new approach for predicting MET values. However, the Crouter 2-regression model may misclassify walking/jogging during transition periods (i.e. during the first and last minute of the activity) due to the high coefficient of variation resulting in an overestimation of MET values. Purpose: The purpose was to examine the Crouter 2-regression model for predicting MET values during transitions from rest to activity and back to rest. It was hypothesized that starting a walking bout partway through a minute will lead to a misclassification, due to the high coefficient of variation, and therefore over-predict MET …

Borate Autocasting: Kinetics Model And Effect Of Carbon Dioxide On Reaction Rate, Ali Zuhair Fadhel

Masters Theses

Borate autocausticizing is a promising approach to the operational and environmental improvement of Kraft pulping and its chemical recovery. Its advantages include partial or total elimination of the lime cycle, pulp strength improvement, and energy savings. Borate autocausticizing involves the use of an amphoteric salt, sodium metaborate, to de-carbonize sodium carbonate and produces trisodium borate, the reaction occurs at high temperatures. Tran and Cameron (1999) suggest that the reaction follows the path below.

NaBO₂ + Na₂CO₃ → Na₃BO₃ + CO₂

This thesis systematically analyzes the reaction kinetics of borate autocausticizing. The uniqueness …

Antimicrobial Activities Of Aldehydes And Ketones Produced During Rapid Volatilization Of Biogenic Oils, Aruna Lamba

Masters Theses

"The overall objective of the research presented in this thesis was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of commercially available neat compounds in order to validate the analytes which were found in the smoke generated during rapid volatilization of biogenic oil esters and mineral oils. To attain this objective various analytes were selected from the analytical data provided for the smoke, and neat compounds were purchased. A special desiccator was designed to conduct experiments. Simultaneously vapor phase concentration of the neat compounds was determined to establish relation between neat compounds and the analytes found in smoke. Other part of the thesis …

Screening New Cytokinesis Genes And Investigation Of Regulation Of Hof1 In Cytokinesis, Jung Eun Park

Masters Theses

"In 1996, a complete sequence of the budding yeast genome was completed and numerous studies begun to discover the function of genes. A primary concern of this study was to identify genes that may function in cytokinesis. Seven candidate genes were chosen, which were previously shown to localize to the bud neck, the site of cytokinesis, or interact with a protein that is involved in cytokinesis. Six of those uncharacterized genes, YHR149C, YLR187W, YOL070C, YMR124W, YPL158C, and YOR304C-A, were identified by data generated by GFP tagging of the yeast proteome. Data from a large-scale two-hybrid screen was used to identify …

Cell Signaling Pathways In Lps-Mediated Apoptosis Of Dedifferentiated Hepatoma Cells, Michael Ryan Reidy

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Long Term Population Dynamics For Rosa Multiflora In A Successional System, Stephen Eugene Banasiak

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.