Life Sciences Commons^™

Constraints On Patterns Of Abundance And Aggregation In Biological Systems, Kenneth J. Locey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Understanding the mechanisms that structure biological systems is a primary goal of biology. My research shows that the biological structure is constrained in important ways by general variables such as the number of base pairs in a genome and the number of individuals and species in a community. I used a combination of macroecology, bioinformatics, statistics, mathematics, and advanced computing to pursue my research and published several peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and open-source software as a result.

I was funded through a combination of fellowships and scholarships awarded by the Utah State University School of Graduate Studies, College of Science, and …

Optimizing Systems For Cold-Climate Strawberry Production, Tiffany L. Maughan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Producing fruits and vegetables in the Intermountain West can be challenging due a short growing season, extreme temperatures, and limited availability of irrigation water. This is particularly true of strawberries, where commercial production is limited due to late fall and early spring frosts that shorten the growing season. With the increasing demand for local produce as urban populations grow and as consumer buying habits change, growers are looking for ways to overcome these climatic challenges. High tunnels are one option growers can use. High tunnels are similar to greenhouses, but less expensive to construct and to maintain. Another way to …

Characterization Of The Hydrogen Peroxide Stress Responses Of Bifidobacterium Longum And Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis, Taylor S. Oberg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Probiotics are living organisms which exert a beneficial health effect when consumed in sufficient numbers. Consumer interest in probiotics has increased dramatically in recent years prompting an increase in production and development of functional foods. One major problem is the decreased viability of probiotic bacteria during functional food production and storage and subsequent digestion due to environmental stresses. The most common probiotic strains belong to the genus Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Due to the anaerobic nature of these bacteria, they lack the required defense mechanisms for oxidative stress inherent in aerobic microorganisms. This study examined the oxidative stress responses of …

Winter Waterbird Ecology On The Great Salt Lake, Utah, And Interactions With Commercial Harvest Of Brine Shrimp Cysts, Anthony J. Roberts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Interactions among commercial fisheries and birds have been studied in open ocean ecosystems and at aquaculture facilities. On the Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, USA, a commercial harvest of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) eggs (i.e. cysts) occurs annually during fall and winter. Coinciding with commercial harvest is the use of the GSL by millions of waterbirds which has the potential to result in conflict among industry and birds. The objectives of my research were to examine fall and winter ecology of birds using the GSL and interactions with the brine shrimp cyst harvest. I examined the influence of temperature and …

Effect Of Predator Removal On Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Ecology In The Bighorn Basin Conservation Area Of Wyoming, Elizabeth Kari Orning

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The decline of greater sage-grouse distribution and population densities across western North America has led conservation, research, and management objectives to focus efforts on understanding sage-grouse populations across their range. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of direct and indirect predation effects on hen survival and nest success of sage-grouse. The project was conducted in Hot Springs and Park Counties in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming. The study had three main objectives: 1) obtain and quantify the types and impacts of predators on sage-grouse hen survival and nest success, 2) compare the effect predator removals …

Investigating The Importance Of The N-Terminal Negative Residues In Human Prmt1, Brooke Siler

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Many essential physiological pathways, such as cell proliferation, gene expression, and cardiovascular health are regulated by Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) through methylation of arginine residues in protein substrates. Understanding how PRMTs interact with their substrates is pivotal to understanding the biological role of these enzymes, and fundamental to the goal of identifying possible sites to be inhibited through drug therapy. Natural variations in the N-terminus of the PRMTl enzymes and data collected in our lab suggest that the N-terminus is important for activity and/or the binding of protein substrates. Preliminary data collected had led us to hypothesize that the negatively …

Determination Of The Expression Patterns Of Bovine Non-Classical Major Histocompatibility Complex (Mhc) Class I Proteins, Parveen Parasar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This project was funded by the United States of Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds research aimed at improving production and animal health. The aim of this study was to advance knowledge of maternal immune tolerance to the fetus and mechanisms bovine non-classical MHC class I proteins employ to interact with immune cells and render them inert towards the fetus.

A fetus is a tissue graft inside the mother’s uterus yet must be accepted by the mother to maintain a successful pregnancy. Reproductive insufficiency and pregnancy failure are major causes of production loss in cattle, especially in cloned animals. Knowledge …

Influence Of Mountain Pine Beetle On Fuels, Foliar Fuel Moisture Content, And Litter And Volatile Terpenes In Whitebark Pine, Chelsea Toone

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) has caused extensive tree mortality in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm) forests. Previous studies conducted in various conifer forests have shown that fine surface fuels are significantly altered during a bark beetle outbreak. Bark beetle activity in conifer stands has also been shown to alter foliar fuel moisture content and chemistry over the course of the bark beetle rotation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes to fine surface fuels, foliar fuel moisture and chemistry and litter chemistry in and under whitebark pine trees infested by mountain pine beetle. Fuels …

Selected Neuropharmacology Of Resurgence, Adam D. Pyszczynski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The reemergence of problem behavior (i.e., relapse) is a key concern in most behavioral interventions. Resurgence refers to the reappearance of a previously rewarded behavior when reward for an alternative behavior is also discontinued. It is especially relevant to the reappearance of problem behavior because many behavioral interventions discontinue reward for aberrant behavior while simultaneously rewarding an appropriate response.

Understanding the underlying neuropharmacology of behavioral phenomena such as resurgence is important because it helps elucidate the neural processes at the root of such behavior, and also has implications for pharmacotherapies. Existing information about the neuropharmacology of resurgence is scarce, but …

The Ecology And Genetics Of Schoenoplectus Maritimus, An Important Emergent Macrophyte, Across Diverse Hydrologic Conditions—Implications For Restoration, Amanda Clare Sweetman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wetlands in the Intermountain West are typically dominated by large monotypic stands of emergent wetland plants, are highly productive, and support millions of migratory birds as important stops along the Pacific Flyway. In systems with low species diversity, such as these, diversity within a species (intraspecific diversity) can play an important role in population fitness and ecosystem functioning and can impact restoration success. Our research was designed to inform future restoration and management activities by studying the pattern of diversity within and among natural plant populations, and by studying how hydrology and plant materials used in restoration (source and diversity …

Presence And Function Of Tetrodotoxin In Terrestrial Vertebrates And Invertebrates, Amber N. Stokes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin found in a variety of species. This toxin has long been of concern to human health as it is found in puffer fish, which are a delicacy in Japan. Since the distribution of this toxin is so great, there are many questions regarding the evolution and ecology of organisms that have TTX. My research has focused on further investigating three topics with this research: production, predation, and identification of novel TTX bearing taxa. In order to perform this research I first refined a Competitive Inhibition Enzymatic Immunoassay methodology to quantify levels of TTX in …

Modeling Habitat Use Of A Fringe Greater Sage-Grouse Population At Multiple Spatial Scales, Anya Cheyenne Burnett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) are a prominent bird species of sagebrush-dominated landscapes across the western United States. Over the past 15 years, sage-grouse have gained international attention due to decreasing population trends despite management efforts. In 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated this species as warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act, but the listing was precluded by other species at higher conservation risk. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation have been implicated as primary sources of declines in sage-grouse distribution and abundance. The Bald Hills population in southwestern Utah occupies an area with …

Assessment Of Consumer Motivations To Attend Farmers' Markets, Their Preferences, And Their Willingness To Pay For Differentiated Fresh Produce: Three Essays, Jean Dominique Gumirakiza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this public abstract is to present research objectives, societal benefits, and costs associated with this dissertation. This dissertation is one the outcomes of a three-year $155,450.86 project whose number is UTA01008. Kynda Curtis, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Economics proposed the project to assess consumer demand and purchase motivations for differentiated produce across direct marketing outlets. In general, this dissertation seeks to analyze consumer primary motivations for attending farmers’ markets, their preferences, and their willingness to pay for differentiated fresh produce. To accomplish this task, we develop three essays.

Specific objectives for the first essay are to …

Utilizing Remote Sensing And Geospatial Techniques To Determine Detection Probabilities Of Large Mammals, Patricia A. Terletzky-Gese

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Whether a species is rare and requires protection or is overabundant and needs control, an accurate estimate of population size is essential for the development of conservation plans and management goals. Wildlife science has traditionally relied on human observers in airplanes, helicopter, or ground vehicles to count the number of individuals seen during wildlife surveys. However, these traditional surveys of wildlife require significant resources, are difficult to conduct quickly and safely over remote and/or extensive locations, are disruptive to the studied species, and are prone to significant error due to unobserved or missed animals and multiple counts of single animals. …

A Review Of Apomixis And Differential Expression Analyses Using Microarrays, Jonathan Harris Cardwell

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Apomixis is a complex trait of great interest to the agricultural community, as it has the potential to fix hybrid vigor in many agriculturally significant crops. Although apomixis has been studied extensively morphologically, the genetic and epigenetic factors responsible for apomixis are still very poorly understood. As no apomictic species has been sequenced and annotated, various low-cost tools and techniques are being utilized to begin profiling the trait. These include cross-species microarrays using probe masking, which deletes information from array probes that do not hybridize to the genomic DNA of the cross species. Despite their limitations, these tools are providing …

Common Raven Density And Greater Sage-Grouse Nesting Success In Southern Wyoming: Potential Conservation And Management Implications, Jonathan B. Dinkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Declines in the distribution and abundance of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter "sage-grouse") in western North America over the past century have been severe. The goal of my research was to increase the understanding of factors influencing where sage-grouse hens placed their nests, how common ravens (Corvus corax: hereafter "raven") impacted sage-grouse nest success, and whether high raptor densities negatively impacted hen survival of sage-grouse. I compared raven and raptor densities at sage-grouse nest and brood locations to available habitat. I also assessed how sage-grouse positioned their nests and broods relative to proximity to man-made structures, …

Climate Change And Plant Demography In The Sagebrush Steppe, Aldo Compagnoni

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We used demographic methods to address one of the main challenges facing ecological science: forecasting the effect of climate change on plant communities. Ecological forecasts will be crucial to inform long-term planning in wildland management and demographic methods are ideal to quantify changes in plant abundance. We carried out our research in the sagebrush steppe, one of the most extensive plant ecosystems of Western North America. Our research intended to inform ecological forecasts on an exotic invader, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Moreover, we investigated the general question asking: to what degree competition among plants influences the outcome of ecological …

Items To Be Included In A Food Safety Handbook For Artisan Cheese Makers, David A. Irish

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Current written resources for artisan cheese makers include topics concerning cheese history, cheese recipes, budget planning, culture selection, processing parameters, and only limited discussion of food safety associated with cheese manufacturing. Most often food safety discussions center on HACCP, which typically are not included in artisan cheese operation planning. Recent changes in the regulatory landscape, including the Food Safety Modernization Act, make this information timely and needed. This research is designed to identify and collect a majority of topical ideas that should be included in a Food Safety Handbook for Artisan Cheese Makers. Where possible, expansion of the ideas has …

Effect Of Step Rate On Foot Strike Pattern And Running Economy In Novice Runners, Janae Lynn Richardson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Purpose—The objective was to examine if step rates ±5% or ±10% of a novice runner's preferred step rate (SR) is sufficient enough to shift a novice runner’s foot strike pattern (FSP) (rear-foot, mid-foot, forefoot) and whether these SR changes produce changes in the rate of submaximal oxygen consumption (VO2). Methods—Foot strike angle (FSA) was recorded using sagittal plane video images and VO2 was measured for novice runners while running on a treadmill at a constant speed during increased and decreased (±5% and ±10%) SR conditions. Foot strike angle was used to predict strike index (SI) (predicted strike index = [FSA …

An Online Customer Service Survey To Determine Current Levels Of Customer Satisfaction At A Crossfit Gym, Sarah Lewis

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

A study was conducted by researchers from Utah State University at Northland Strength and Conditioning/Combat CrossFit to determine the customer satisfaction levels at a CrossFit gym in Liberty, Missouri. A survey was created and sent to current and previous members and responses were analyzed for trends and areas of strengths and weaknesses in the business. Of 194 surveys sent, 67 (35%) were returned. Data was analyzed using the survey administration platform provided by Constant Contact and also by Excel spreadsheet and statistical analyses.

Several areas of improvement were identified, including advertising opportunities with exterior signage, offering more classes or different …

The Effect Of Implementing A Weight Loss Program On Participant Attendance, Club Usage, And Gym Membership Attrition, Stephanie Bonkemeyer Haymond

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the effect of a weight loss program on individual participant attendance, total club usage and membership attrition. This retrospective study involved a fitness gym located in Utah County, Utah with a total membership of 1,100. The number of clients participating in the weight loss program between December 2011 and May 2012 was 36 (32 females and 4 males). A total of 11 clients were analyzed for the individual attendance data as this analysis was limited to only those clients who were gym members one year prior to the implementation of the …

The Relationship Of Bulbous Bluegrass And Big Sagebrush In Utah, Jason D. Cox

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The increase in abundance and distribution of bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) has been a concern of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Very little research has been conducted to analyze the invasiveness of bulbous bluegrass in the Intermountain West. This study used data from 1982 to 2012 at range trend study sites across the state of Utah to investigate trends in bulbous bluegrass abundance, range expansion, and co-occurrence with big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). This study addressed the question of whether the increase of bulbous bluegrass correlates with changes in sagebrush …

Sustainable Outdoor Recreation And The Forest Service: Agency Culture, Response To Change And Implications For The Future, Noelle L. Meier

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

As a product of the Progressive Reform movement of the early 20th century, the Forest Service was created to be a scientific, well-organized, ethical and efficient new form of government. In over a century of service, the agency retains many proud traits and traditions along such lines, but it has been noted as being technocratic and overly rigid in its emphasis on the biophysical sciences, analysis and administrative procedures, and lacking agility in the socio-political aspects of natural resource management. While the agency has endeavored to better integrate the social sciences and improve its policies toward meaningful public involvement, issues …

A Data-Intensive Assessment Of The Species Abundance Distribution, Elita Baldridge

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One of the most commonly observed patterns in ecology is the fact that at most locations there are a large number of relatively rare species, composed of only a few individuals per species, and a small number of relatively common species. This pattern of commonness and rarity is quantified by the species abundance distribution. As one of the most commonly observed patterns in ecology, it has been studied intensively for over 100 years.

A major emphasis of this research has been developing models to try to understand the forces that generate such a general pattern. As a result, there are …

The Effect Of Daily Released-Time Religious Education On Academic Achievement, Trace W. Hansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Various methods, programs, and efforts to educate students in effective and efficient ways have been employed and studied for many years in the United States. Many teachers, administrators, and communities seek to gain a better understanding of and implement programs that will help achieve the academic goals of their respective organizations. Previous research indicates a correlation between some types of classes, programs, and characteristics of students and their academic achievement. Data indicating academic information for three hundred and fifty suburban secondary school students were collected and analyzed to support or refute previous research in this area of study. Grade point …

Roads And The Reproductive Ecology Of Hesperidanthus Suffrutescens, An Endangered Shrub, Matthew B. Lewis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We studied the pollination ecology of the endangered Utah desert shrub, shrubby reed-mustard (Hesperidanthus suffrutescens). We also studied the impacts that dust from unpaved roads has on successful reproduction. In addition, we looked at the relationship between the total number of plants, the spacing of plants, and reproduction. We found that shrubby reed-mustard requires pollinators for successful pollination. Pollinators include many small native bees from the genera Andrena, Dialictus, and Halictus. Additionally, we found that reproduction of shrubby reed-mustard is limited, possibly due to scarcity of these bees. We found that dust from the road …

Evaluation Of The Tgf-Ss Inhibitor Repsox On The Expression Of Pluripotency Pathways In Murine And Bovine Cells, Davin M. Larsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Embryonic stem cells are cells which are isolated from early stage embryos and have the theoretical ability to become any adult cell type in the body. In the past few years much research has focused on the use of embryonic stem cells for clinical applications in the treatment of degenerative diseases. Consequently they are a promising tool in the treatment of diseases such as Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and could potentially be used in the repair of permanently damaged tissue. However, since these cells are isolated from early stage embryos their successful isolation often results in the destruction of the …

Evaluating Integrated Weed Management: Russian Knapweed Control With Goat Grazing And Aminopyralid, Clarke G. Alder

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Invasion of natural communities by introduced plants is considered one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. Weeds in rangelands cause an estimated loss of $2 billion per year in the United States. These costs include losses in forage quality and yield, grazing interference, animal poisoning, lowering land values, depleting soil water and resources available to native plants, increasing costs of managing livestock, and impacts on wildlife habitat and forage. Integrated weed management (IWM) is a way for land managers such as farmers, ranchers, and government agencies to control invasive weeds. IWM uses several different control methods working in conjunction to …

Evaluating Eriogonum Corymbosum Tolerance To Frequent Irrigation And Evaluating Its Significant Morphological Variations For Potential Cultivars, Graham C. Hunter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Eriogonum corymbosum (Lacy Buckwheat) is an attractive subshrub species native to low rainfall areas of the Colorado Plateau and suitable for low water landscapes in the Intermountain West (IMW). Low water use landscapes can contribute to water conservation in arid climates; developing a palette of plants that are both attractive and drought tolerant can promote the acceptance of low water use landscapes as an alternative to the traditional bluegrass landscapes of the IMW. In 2007 a strip plot design containing four repetitions with four randomly assigned plants each of Eriogonum corymbosum, Eriogonum thompsoniae, and the control species Cornus …

Analysis Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Panels For Bovine Dna Identification, Kimberly A. Blanchard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have great power in resolving questions of unknown parentage on ranches or dairies where errors could have been made in pedigree record keeping or when such records were simply not kept. Currently a panel of 88 SNPs based on a panel originally created by USDA-MARC is commercially available from the company Fluidigm^®. Our objective was to determine whether or not the number of SNPs could be reduced to form a smaller, more cost-efficient parentage-testing panel. A smaller panel would be beneficial to farmers and researchers alike in the reduction of time spent running and …