Life Sciences Commons^™

Characterization Of An Axial Ligand Substitution In Sperm Whale Myoglobin, Michael J. Chen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Of central importance to the study of heme proteins are the effects imposed by axial ligand(s) on the heme structure and, therefore, on the overall activity of the protein. In this study, we confirm and extend the spectroscopic characterization of a mutated sperm whale myoglobin in which the proximal Histidine is replaced with a Tyrosine residue (MbH93Y). The MbH93Y, as well as wild-type sperm whale myoglobin and horse erythrocyte catalase (HEC), was purified and characterized by optical absorption and x-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopies. Optical absorption spectra of HEC and the metmyoglobin, cyanometmyoglobin, reduced, oxy, and carbon-monoxy forms of both sperm …

Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure And Redox Potential Studies Of Heme-Substituted Horseradish Peroxidase And Myoglobin, Bing He

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Heme-substituted horseradish peroxidases and myoglobins were reconstituted from the apoenzyme using mesoheme and diacetyldeuteroheme. X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the dimensions of the active sites of these heme-substituted proteins, and were compared with those of the proto-hemeproteins. The change in the active-site structure corresponded with the electron withdrawing and donating effects of the different side chains. The oxidation-reduction potentials of Fe⁴⁺/Fe³⁺ couples of the heme-substituted proteins were measured at pH 7 with K₂IrCl₆. The oxidation-reduction potential sequence for compound I/compound II was diacetyldeutero- > proto- > meso- in horseradish peroxidase. The oxidation-reduction potential …

Associations Of Armillaria Root Disease In Jack Pine With Arceuthobium Americanum, Elizabeth G. Hebertson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Relationships between jack pine dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum Nutt. ex Engelm.) and Armillaria root disease (Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink) were examined to determine how these two disease agents contribute to jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) decline and mortality in the Belair Provincial Forest, Manitoba, Canada. The incidence and extent of Armillaria root disease was strongly related to tree vigor. Dwarf mistletoe infection did not affect either the incidence of Armillaria or the mean percentage of root system colonization within vigorous, declining, and dead classes of trees. However, field observations and other analyses indicate that dwarf mistletoe was …

Post-Fire Succession And Disturbance Interactions On An Intermountain Subalpine Spruce-Fir Forest, Christopher A. Dicus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Four general post-fire successional pathways leading to a climax Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry)/subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa [Hook] Nutt.) forest were identified operating on the T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest in northern Utah. These included initial colonization by seral quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), seral lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), colonization by lodgepole pine followed by a low intensity surface fire, and immediate colonization by late successional Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir.

Post-fire establishment of the late successional species occurred earliest in the Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir pathway followed by the lodgepole pine and lodgepole pine ground fire pathways, and …

Disease And Habitat Change As Factors Associated With Mourning Dove Population Decline, William D. Ostrand

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The western mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) population has been declining since 1966. Data collected in 1951-52, in Fillmore, Utah, provided us a baseline for comparison with our study in the same area. Our approach was to determine whether a local population decline had occurred since the original data were collected, assess if trichomoniasis has impacted the local population, determine if changes in habitat structure affect foraging site selection, quantify changes in habitat, identify which habitats doves preferred, ascertain whether doves had responded to habitat change by changing food habits, and assess if changes in habitat were responsible in …

Behavioral Characteristics Affect Habitat Selection Of Domestic Ruminants, Cody B. Scott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I evaluated some of the factors affecting livestock distribution by conducting experimental (Chapters II and III) and observational (Chapter IV) studies. In Chapter II, I described the effect of locations of familiar foods and social interactions on choice of feeding location by lambs. Lambs were exposed to a pasture as subgroups of strangers and companions with different dietary habits (i.e., three lambs that preferred milo with three lambs that preferred wheat). Milo was placed on one end and wheat on the other, about 100 m apart. Strangers typically fed in different locations, reflecting dietary preferences. Conversely, companions fed in both …

Competitive Interactions Between Two Closely Related Rhizomatous And Caespitose Perennial Grasses Under Varying Conditions, L. David Humphrey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biomass, tiller numbers, flowering, and genet survival were accessed for the rhizomatous Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus and caespitose E. l. ssp. wawawaiensis growing in mixtures with a range of densities of each taxon. Models of aboveground biomass of each taxon as a function of mixed densities were used to calculate competition indices. Tiller numbers and biomass of ssp. lanceolatus were higher than those of the caespitose taxon in the first year, but declined in the second year, while biomass and tiller numbers of ssp. wawawaiensis changed little. All tillers of ssp. wawawaiensis emerged in autumn; tillers of ssp. …

Ontogenetic Habitat Shift Of Juvenile Bear Lake Sculpin (Cottus Extensus), James R. Ruzycki

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bear Lake sculpin (Cottus extensus) exhibited an ontogenetic habitat shift during their first year of life. Soon after hatching in the littoral zone, the fry swam to the surface where they dispersed throughout the lake. Most juveniles that initially settled in the profundal zone returned to the littoral zone during their first summer. Patterns in the daily growth increments of otoliths confirmed the history of habitat residence and the individual size at the habitat switch. We used this habitat shift to test a μ/g model incorporating a growth rate-mortality risk trade-off. A trade-off occurred in the littoral …

Identification Of Dna Markers In Triticum Aestivum-Aegilops Caudata Additions Lines By Randomly Amplified Polymorphic Dna (Rapd) Technology, Ling Wei

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this study was to identify DNA markers for each of six added C-genome chromosomes in Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Alceso'-Aegilops caudata L. addition lines using the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. DNA from Ae. caudata, T. aestivum, amphiploid of T. aestivum X Ae. caudata, and six disomic addition lines of wheat having a pair of Ae. caudata chromosomes was used as the template for the amplification of RAPD markers with a total of 58 random 10-mer oligonucleotide primers. Two primers, OPC-08 and OPJ-16, produced one intense band each from the amphiploid of …

Alteration Of Key Cytokine Levels By Aflatoxin B1 And T-2 Toxin In Male Cd-1 Mice, Raviprakash R. Dugyala

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Aflatoxin B₁ and T-2 toxin are mycotoxins, which produce their immunotoxic effects by affecting nonspecific and acquired immunity in different species. The mechanisms of their immunotoxicity are still obscure. Cytokines are the key signaling molecules during the immune response. In this study, expression of macrophage-produced cytokines Interleukin-lα (IL-lα), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6, and lymphocyte-produced cytokines IL-2, interferon y (IFNy), and IL-3 was measured at the mRNA and protein levels, after in vitro activation with mitogens in AFB₁-and T-2-toxin-exposed mice.

Significant changes in the organ weights, especially in the mice exposed to a high dose of …

In Vitro Evaluation Of Anti-Eimeria Tenella, Gamont-Specific, Monoclonal Antibodies And Partial Characterization Of Their Target Antigens, Eric Wilson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study represents an effort to interrupt the life cycle of Eimeria tenella, the parasite that causes cecal coccidiosis in chickens, with a panel of 12 gamont-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). To facilitate Mab screening, it was first necessary to develop a cell culture-adapted strain of E. tenella (field strain 80) from primary chicken kidney cells (PCKC) to white Leghorn chickens and back to PCKC. This alternation was repeated through 12 such passages. As a result, we have developed a cell culture-adapted strain of E. tenella that produces over 280% more oocysts in vitro than the original parent strain, and …

Evaluation Of Milk Production In Western Whiteface And Navajo-Churro Ewes, Marla Faye Brindley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Western Whiteface and Navajo-Churro Ewes, two types of sheep present in the Intermountain West, were compared for their milk production ability. Amount of milk produced per individual and the group milk composition were analyzed for butterfat, lactose, somatic cell count, protein, calcium, and phosphorous.

Ewes were fed ad libitum alfalfa hay and had access to free-choice grain while in the milking parlor. Lambs were weaned at 35 d of age and removed to another holding area and placed on creep feed . Ewes were milked for 90 d following the weaning of the lambs.

Western Whiteface ewes had a much …

Effects Of Graded Levels Of Dietary Lasalocid On Performance Of Holstein Cows During Early Lactation, Dennis E. Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to one of three dietary levels of lasalocid· 0, 180, or 360 mg/hd/d in a completely randomized design Cows were assigned to treatments 1 wk postcalving and remained on treatment until 11 wk postcalving Basal diets were composed of ground corn, alfalfa hay, alfalfa haylage, corn silage, and soybean meal, fortified with vitamins and minerals as needed. All ingredients were ground and fed as a total mixed ration Daily rations were fed in two equal portions at 0500 and I 700 h at a rate to allow a 5- 10% refusal. Daily measurements included …

Effects Of Antioxidants On Development Of In Vitro Fertilized Bovine Embryos, Bret L. Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Free radicals are short-lived molecules that can cause decreased embryonic development in vitro. Antioxidants are molecules that block free radical formation or guard against their harmful effects. Many studies have linked exposure of media to light and culturing of embryos in high (20%) oxygen concentrations to free radical production. Some of the antioxidants used in culture media are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, zinc (II), ethylenedinitrilo tetraacetic acid (EDTA), mannitol, vitamin E, dimethyl sulfide, and taurine. Most research involving antioxidants and embryonic development has been conducted on non-farm animals, particularly mouse and rabbit. Studies have shown that antioxidants in vitro culture …