Life Sciences Commons^™

An Experimental Release Of Elk Into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Jennifer Lynn Murrow

Doctoral Dissertations

I conducted 6 years of field work to evaluate the habitat use and population dynamics of an experimental release of elk (Cervus elaphus) into Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Park). Elk exhibited relatively small home ranges (female: 10.4 km² and males: 22.4 km²) and movement distances decreased over time. I calculated survival rates (x = 0.73–0.93) and litter production rates (x = 0.73) for the population. To assess the potential for a long-term elk population, I incorporated those vital rates into the population modeling software Riskman and tested its sensitivity to any given …

Identification And Characterization Of Phenotypically Distinct Aggregates Within Huntingtin-Inducible Pc12 Cell Models, Erica Leann Rowe

Doctoral Dissertations

The role of various polyglutamine (polyGln) aggregated states in the disease mechanism of expanded CAG repeat disorders continues to be a perplexing subject. We are interested in learning more about these species and the relationship between the aggregation pathways. We have developed an innovative staining technique that allows, for the first time, the visualization of small polyGln aggregates, which we refer to as aggregation foci (AF), that are functionally distinguished by their ability to serve as seeds for amyloid growth. The aggregation foci stain should prove useful in the Huntington’s disease research as a tool for the identification of a …

Program, Classroom, And Teachers Characteristics: Their Associations With Classroom Quality In State-Funded Pre-K Classrooms, Mi-Hyang Ryu

Doctoral Dissertations

With data from the NCEDL Multi-State Pre-Kindergarten Study, the relationship between the characteristics of program, classroom, and teachers and classroom quality was examined in this study. Classroom quality was measured by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System and the Emerging Academics Snapshot. The sample consisted of 227 pre-k teachers in state-funded programs from six states. The percentage of children from low-income families in the classroom and the number of children with limited English proficiency (the only two predictive variables that described children’s characteristics) were found to be statistically significant predictors of classroom process quality. These findings were discussed with regard …

A Systematic Study Of Trillium Subgenus Delostylis, Susan B. Farmer

Doctoral Dissertations

This study focused on the systematics of Trillium subg. Delostylis, an enigmatic group endemic to the southeastern United States. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data was used to examine the circumscription and phylogenetic placement of Delostylis. The results of the phylogenetic analysis of data from the ITS, matK, and psbA-trnH sequence data suggested that the circumscription of Delostylis be narrowed to consist of T. persistens, T. catesbaei, and T. pusillum sensu lato. A revised Delostylis was characterized by the presence of a style with three slender stigmatic branches in those plants whose flowers are either white-fading-to-pink …

Construction Of Bacteriophage-Based Bioluminescent Bioreporters For Staphylococcus Aureus And Salmonella Monitoring, Aysu Ozen

Doctoral Dissertations

Construction of two recombinant luxI bacteriophage-based bioluminescent bioreporters was undertaken to develop detection and monitoring systems for Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. These systems take advantage of the high specificity of bacteriophage for their hosts and the Vibrio fischeri lux operon responsible for quorum sensing bioluminescence. The detection system is composed of two elements, a recombinant phage with luxI which is specific for the target pathogen, and an acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-inducible bioreporter cell line carrying the reporter lux genes. The goal of this study was to construct Salmonella- and S. aureus-specific recombinant phages which contain luxI.

The …

Application Of Solid Phase Micro-Extraction With Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry For The Determination Of Geosmin And 2-Methylisoborneol In Processed Navy Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris), Coesha Ancoinette Fairley

Doctoral Dissertations

This investigation was conducted to address the issue of musty bean products. The main objectives of this study were to: (1) identify the source of the musty, off-flavor in processed navy beans, (2) determine and identify the associated off-flavor compounds (geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB)), and (3) isolate the microorganism(s) responsible for production of the compounds.

To confirm the presence of geosmin and 2-MIB in processed baked beans, an automated gas chromatographic method employing solid phase micro-extraction (SPME-GC-MS) was used. Artificially musty baked beans, known musty beans, and raw ingredients (bacon, navy beans, and water) were analyzed. Results of this investigation …

Analysis Of Tourists Attending A Culinary Event: Motivations, Satisfaction, And Behavioral Outcomes, Sylvia Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

The study constructs a causal model of culinary tourist behavior from the theoretical framework of push and pull motivations and related concepts with regard to satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Respondents were distinguished with regards to socio-demographic characteristics, travel behavior, and importance of event attributes. Further, importance-performance hypothetical framework was utilized to measure pull motivations. The study proposed that culinary event attendees’ expenditures, word-of-mouth behavior, and repeat patronage intentions would be related to their overall event satisfaction. Culinary event attendees were segmented on the basis of push motivations. Using factor, cluster, and multiple regression analyses with data collected from an international …

Adiposity Related Protection Of Intestinal Tumorigenesis: Interaction With Dietary Calcium, Shengli Ding

Doctoral Dissertations

Excess adipose tissue is a risk factor for developing colorectal cancer. However, the present studies demonstrate that lack of adipose-derived factor(s), such as adiponectin, due to the substantial loss of body fat on high dairy calcium diet could increase susceptibility to intestinal tumorigenesis. These studies suggest that a minimum amount or threshold level of adipose tissue may be required to significantly attenuate tumorigenesis.

In Apc^Min/+ mice, consumption of high dairy calcium diet exhibited markedly reduced adipose tissue and increased tumor number. Our results showed that the high calcium diet reduced fat pad mass by 65%-82% in Apc^Min/+ (p …

Influences Of Cattle On Community Structure And Pathogen Prevalence In Larval Amphibians On The Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee, Anne Chandler Schmutzer

Masters Theses

There is considerable evidence that amphibians are declining globally due to various anthropogenic stressors. Cattle grazing in wetlands is a stressor that may have negative impacts on amphibians and has not been investigated intensively. Cattle could have a negative effect on larval amphibians by decreasing water quality through deposition of nitrogenous waste. Reduction in water quality also may compromise immune function by inducing stress thus making larvae more susceptible to pathogens. My objective was to quantify differences in amphibian larvae community metrics, water quality, and pathogen prevalence between cattle-access and non-access wetlands. I also measured fish abundance and biomass of …

The Role Of Soluble Fibrin In Lymphocyte And Lak Cell Adherence To And Migration Across Vascular Endothelial Cells: Implications For Immunotherapy And Cancer, Brandy Lee Weidow

Masters Theses

Although conventional therapies for metastatic cancers have made significant progress in recent years, they are relatively nonspecific and have many deleterious side-effects. Recently, novel therapies, including adoptive cellular immune therapies have had sporadic, but spectacular success in cancers such as malignant melanoma and renal cell carcinoma: tumors in which an immune response has been demonstrated. However, other physiological mechanisms, such as blood coagulation inhibit the immune response against cancers. Our previous work has shown that one of these coagulation proteins, soluble fibrin (sFn), inhibits unstimulated and activated lymphocyte adherence to tumor cells by blocking leukocyte integrin (CD11a/CD18) binding to tumor …

Effects Of Long-Term Late Winter Prescribed Fire On Forest Stand Dynamics, Small Mammal Populations, And Habitat Demographics In A Tennessee Oak Barrens, Rebecca L. Stratton

Masters Theses

Stand structure and composition of pyric oak barrens communities were shaped by natural and anthropogenic fire disturbance regimes. Due to fire suppression and land use changes, oak barrens have become rare. In 1963, a study was implemented to evaluate the restorative effects of annual and five year periodic fire on an “oak barrens” hardwood forest at the University of Tennessee Forest Resources Research and Education Center near Tullahoma, TN. The initial study was a randomized block design and analyzed the effects of short-term prescribed fire on hardwood reproduction, herbaceous vegetation, fuel loading, and soil characteristics. Since inception, additional studies of …

Impact Of Imidacloprid And Horticultural Oil On Non–Target Phytophagous And Transient Canopy Insects Associated With Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis (L.) Carrieré, In The Southern Appalachians, Carla Irene Dilling

Masters Theses

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand, is an exotic insect species dramatically reducing populations of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrieré, throughout the eastern United States. Systemic imidacloprid and horticultural oil are the two primary chemicals used to control infestations of the hemlock woolly adelgid. However, the effect of application timing (fall versus spring) and method on the translocation of imidacloprid throughout the canopy in addition to the quantity of imidacloprid translocated is unknown. Also, the potential effect of both imidacloprid and horticultural oil on non-target canopy insects is unknown. A study was initiated to determine the effect of application …

Linkage Analysis Of Caffeine Resistance And Circadian Rhythm In Caffeine-Treated Ddt Resistant And Susceptible Strains Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Chandrashis Bhowmick

Masters Theses

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, many plant products and various drug preparations. It is the most consumed common psychoactive drug around the world. Consumption of caffeine causes several behavioral and physiological responses in humans and other mammals. Caffeine is also known to be an insect repellant and can be used as an insecticide. As observed in mammals, caffeine treatment increases the locomotor activity in insects including Drosophila. However, very little is known about genetic and molecular basis of caffeine sensitivity and action in insects. In the present study, I have used DDT resistant (91-R) and susceptible …

Survey Of Crohn's Diseased Patients' Sera Utilizing The Flow Cytometry Method, Gary Taylor Fielden

Masters Theses

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin that continues to affect millions of people worldwide. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has been a suspected etiological agent of Crohn’s disease for nearly two decades. Recently, our laboratory was able to achieve a test sensitivity of 95.2% (n=21) by using a flow cytometry method (FCM) to detect anti-MAP antibodies in Johne’s diseased cattle. Here we investigate whether FCM can differentiate Crohn’s patients’ antibody titers from healthy human control antibody levels. As a second research goal, we investigated other suspected bacteria and serum-differentiating yeast using the FCM. In brief, …

An Evaluation Of Field Management Practices To Improve Bobwhite Habitat, John P. Gruchy

Masters Theses

Conversion of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) to managed native warm-season grasses (nwsg) and associated forbs benefits many wildlife species that depend on early successional habitat. Planting nwsg, however, may not be necessary depending on the composition of the seedbank. Treatments were implemented in a randomized complete block design with replication during 2003 and 2004 at three study sites across Tennessee to determine the effects of seasonal herbicide applications and disking on tall fescue eradication and resulting vegetation composition and structure. Treatments included: fall glyphosate (2.2 kg ai/ha; Gly-4 2qt/ac); fall glyphosate followed by winter disking; fall imazapic (0.2 …

Factors Influencing Desire For Increased Wildlife Habitat Among Tennessee Farmers And The Economics Of Switchgrass Production, Janet Jones

Masters Theses

In order to keep up with a growing human population, wildlife habitat has had to be relinquished. Modern technology has furthered the abilities of commodity producers but caused a deterioration of the quality and quantity of habitat available for wild animals in many cases. Many species of wildlife have left areas of the state in order to meet their basic needs. In order to increase wildlife numbers, wildlife habitat will have to be reintroduced or managed differently. The first objective of this research is to identify and evaluate the factors associated with a demand for increased wildlife habitat among Tennessee …

Studies On The Mechanisms Of Homolog Pairing And Sister Chromatid Cohesion During Drosophila Male Meiosis, Jian Ma

Masters Theses

Meiosis is a complex process involving one round of DNA replication followed by two rounds of cell divisions. The proper segregation of homologs at meiosis I and sister chromatids during meiosis II is essential for the survival of the offspring. Aberrant chromosome segregation at any stage of meiosis can lead to aneuploidy. Meiotic chromosome segregation without crossing over or chiasmata is a widespread but poorly understand chromosome segregation pathway. In male Drosophila meiosis the absence of recombination in chromosomes makes it easier to identify mutations which influence homologous chromosome pairing and segregation.

Modifier of Mdg4 in Meiosis (MNM), a protein …

Physiological Stress In Native Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) During Episodic Acidification Of Streams In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Keil Jason Neff

Masters Theses

Episodes of stream acidification are suspected to be the primary cause of the extirpation of native southern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from six headwater streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). During periods of increased flow from storm events, stream pH can drop below 5.0 (minimum of 4.0) for 2-days or longer. To provide evidence that native brook trout are impacted by stream acidification, in situ bioassay experiments were conducted. Changes in stream water chemistry and brook trout physiology were determined during a 36-hour acidic episode at three remote headwater stream sites in the Middle Prong of the …

Boiling And Microwaving Effects On Hydrophilic Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Of Frozen Vegetables, Merry Frances Rogers

Masters Theses

Decreased risks of chronic illnesses, such as cancer, occur with increased consumption of dietary antioxidants. Vegetables are a particularly rich source of dietary antioxidants but these are primarily water soluble compounds. This research determined effects of microwaving or boiling on the antioxidant capacities of commercially frozen vegetables. Hydrophilic components were extracted by Acetone/Deionized water/Acetic Acid (700:295:50, v/v) from commercially frozen broccoli, carrots, sweet corn, and sweet peas before and after microwaving for 5 min or boiling for 10 min. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay was employed to determine the antioxidant capacity. Additionally, color and texture analyses were performed. …

Changes In Body Composition And Physical Activity Behavior In A Group Of College Freshmen, Tracy A. Swibas

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: To compare: 1-the physiological profile of former athletes (Ath) and non-athletes (Non-Ath) upon college entrance, 2-PA levels in these groups, and 3-changes in physiological profile and PA level of former Ath and Non-Ath and females and males over the course of freshman year. Sixty-two college freshmen were tested during the initial weeks of the school year and again during the final weeks of the school year; the sample consisted of 32 former Ath (18 females and 14 males) and 30 Non-Ath (19 females and 11 males). METHODS: Body composition (BC) was assessed using the Bod Pod with a conversion …

Clonality And Genetic Diversity Revealed By Aflps In Schisandra Glabra (Brickell) Rheder (Schisandraceae), A Rare Basal Angiosperm, Matthew J. Valente

Masters Theses

Rare species with fragmented distributions often exhibit reduced levels of genetic diversity within populations. However, life history traits such as long lived perennial habit and outcrossing mating system, are associated with high levels of within species genetic variation being partitioned within populations. Schisandra glabra (Schisandraceae) is a rare basal angiosperm with a fragmented distribution across the southeastern US and in a disjunct population in cloudforest of Mexico. The species’ clonal reproduction by rhizomes, confounds the delineation of genetically distinct individuals in the field. The patterns of genetic diversity and clonality in 10 populations of S. glabra were investigated using AFLP …

The Effectiveness Of Polyacrylamide In Reducing Turbidity Caused By High Clay Sediment: A Study Of The Impacts Of Blends, Mixing, And Sediment Concentrations, Kenton Michael Brotherton

Masters Theses

Polyacrylamide was studied for its efficacy in reducing turbidity. The purpose of this research was to determine optimum conditions for 10 blends of PAM to reduce turbidity from construction site runoff. The research was based on 10 different PAM blends, researching concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10 ppm), PAM forms (dry granular or solution), mixing powers (80 and 150 rpm), and mixing times (1 and 2 minutes). The research was conducted in a laboratory setting using a PB-700TM Standard Jar Tester (Phipps and Bird, Richmond, Virginia) with a clay texture sediment source. The claytextured sediment source was researched under two sediment-water …

Ground Cover Management For Conservation Tillage Burley Tobacco, Justin Lee Bryant

Masters Theses

There are several advantages of using conservation tillage management practices for burley tobacco production. These include reduced soil erosion, soil water conservation, and lower input costs. Inconsistent yields in past research and trials have made tobacco producers hesitant in adopting conservation tillage. This research was conducted near Springfield, Tennessee and Greeneville, Tennessee to investigate no-till and strip-till practices with different ground cover management techniques during winter and spring months in an effort to identify appropriate technologies. The first study evaluated cover management in established sod. Conventional tillage tobacco was compared to tobacco transplanted either no-till or strip-till into the following …

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 …

An Examination Of The Education, Credentials, And Functions Of School Food Service Directors In Tennessee Public School Districts, Elizabeth T. Anderson

Masters Theses

Childhood overweight and the associated health consequences have become a significant health problem in the United States and particularly in the state of Tennessee, with 14.8% of U.S. and 20.0% of Tennessee youth’s aged 10-17 currently classified as being overweight (1). Environmental factors play a significant role in the etiology of overweight, and therefore need to be considered in efforts undertaken to address this problem. Schools are one such environment where U.S. children spend a great deal of time, making the school food environment, which includes all foods available in schools (such as foods served in the school meals, a …

Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations To Study The Dynamic And Catalytic Properties Of R67 Dihydrofolate Reductase, Robert F. Beahm

Masters Theses

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF) using NADPH as a cofactor. Since THF is an essential factor for nucleotide biosynthesis, inhibition of this enzyme in bacteria with folate analogs such as trimethoprim results in bacterial cell death. Plasmid encoded R67 DHFR confers resistance to trimethoprim and is both sequentially and structurally unrelated to any known chromosomal version of the enzyme. R67 DHFR is a 34,000 Da. homo-tetramer containing a rare 222 axis of symmetry in the center of its active site pore. The active site pore is contacted by residues belonging to each of …

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 …

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 …

Development Of A Real-Time Pcr Assay For Detection And Quantification Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 In Apple Juice, Nancy Rabalais Detrana

Doctoral Dissertations

Apple cider/juice contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been implicated in several foodborne illness outbreaks, but due to the presence of reaction inhibitors, detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is often difficult. The studies presented in this dissertation were conducted to evaluate techniques to improve detection of E. coli O157:H7 in apple juice using a fluorogenic probe-based real-time PCR assay without prior enrichment. Two commercial DNA extraction and purification procedures, GenEluteTM Bacterial Genomic DNA Kit and PrepMan® Ultra Sample Preparation Reagent, were combined with two real-time PCR chemistries, SYBR® Green I dye and TaqMan® probes for potential use in the …

Job Satisfaction And Work Ethic Among Workers In A Japanese Manufacturing Company Located In The United States, Samuel L. Elkins

Doctoral Dissertations

This correlational and descriptive study synthesizes previous research regarding the impact of work ethic on job satisfaction when moderated by demographics, work dynamics, and occupational choice. Data from a sample of both exempt and non-exempt workers working at a Japanese-owned manufacturing plant was used to explore the relationship between the levels of job-satisfaction and work ethic reported by workers in various job categories and working environments. The sample consisted of 462 individuals who were identified using a stratified sampling of equal size. The study obtained responses from 328 workers through a respondent and non-respondent survey, representing 70% response rate. The …