Life Sciences Commons^™

Peach Fruit Quality Analysis In Relation To Organic And Conventional Cultivation Techniques, Varun Chandra Koneru

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The USA is the third major world producer of peaches but consumption has decreased over the last two decades. Consumers have cited mealy texture, fruit browning and lack of sweetness as some undesirable characteristics in peaches, which may be related to the decline. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effect of farm management practices on fruit quality. Physical parameters (color, firmness and size), volatiles and metabolite data was collected.
Sensory evaluation indicated transitional organic peaches were liked the best and organically grown peaches were least liked. All the treatments were significantly different from each other and consumers …

Utilizing Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Analysis In Determining Parentage Of Cattle, Nicole M. Elbert

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Parentage identification within cattle herds is an important aspect of record keeping. It is essential for accurate registration within a purebred association and decision making for production purposes, such as replacement heifer and sire selection. Methods used to identify parentage have evolved from utilizing blood protein antigens, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and microsatellites to the current technology of analyzing DNA profiles for differing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this preliminary study we analyzed genotype data from 1,066 samples obtained from various cattle breeds. These breeds included Holstein, Angus, Hereford, Irish Black, Jersey, Red Angus, Limousine, Charolais, Brown Swiss and …

Analysis Of An Inkjet Printed Strip Assay For Pregnancy Test In Cattle, Alexandra Windley Kelley

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Using commercially available antibodies, we created a modified ELISA strip assay to determine pregnancy in cattle. The anti‐progesterone antibody was printed on small membrane strips via an Inkjet printer. The strips were subsequently analyzed using varying concentrations of progesterone. The objective of this study was to assess this novel antibody printing process and to determine the binding activity of the anti‐progesterone antibody. The long‐term objective is to develop a pen-side pregnancy test that would cost less than $1.00. In this specific study, it was determined that the anti‐progesterone antibody used did not provide adequate sensitivity for visualization required for pen‐side …

Classification Of Vegetation And Analysis Of Its Recent Trends At Camp Williams, Utah Using Remote Sensing And Geographic Information System Techniques, Thomas G. Van Niel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Current vegetation classes were generated from remotely sensed data to provide coarse-level information for an ecosystem management plan developed at Camp Williams, Utah. Vegetation trend from 1973 - 1993 was also examined via satellite imagery. The data set consisted of Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) images from July or August of 1973, 1975, 1980, 1988, and 1993.

Two approaches were used to detect vegetation change. The first approach determined overall and cover type trend from standard digital image differencing of soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) images. The second approach used an unsupervised classification of a composite SAVI image …

Does Competition Drive Community Structure? An Analysis Of Grasshopper Competition, H. Joseph Lachowski

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

lnterspecific competition has been broadly defined as a negative-negative relationship between species that share a limiting resource. The impact of competition on ecological communities is a widely debated topic (Schoener 1982). Thus community structure is very complex and, in addition to competition, can be influenced by many factors, including climate, disease, parasites, and predation (Hairston et al. 1960; Stower & Greathead 1969; Wiens 1977). The importance of competition depends upon the importance of other processes (Welden & Slauson 1986).

An Analysis Of Institutional Approaches For Management Of Common Rangeland Resources In Sub-Saharan Africa, Mohale Gabriel Sekoto

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

The purpose of this report is to address the issues that are relevant to the management of common rangeland resources in Sub-Saharan Africa. I feel that the issues presented here are among some of those which are important and need to be considered in order to understand the kind of performance perceived about the efforts to develop the range and livestock in pastoral societies. In this report, three case studies have been reviewed, regarding institutional approaches tried to manage common rangelands. These case studies are about group ranches in Kajiado District, Kenya and in Upper Volta and the Sehlabathebe Grazing …

A Market Analysis For Adult Outdoor Education In Five Western States, Karla Joy Vanderzanden

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Organizations that offer Outdoor Education programs for adults are concerned with how to best attract people to their programs. Effective program design begins with a clear understanding of the people to be served. A marketing orientation--meeting the needs of participants--has begun to pervade non-profit management; specific information on the adult market for Outdoor Education remains limited. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize segments based upon the benefits people seek from such an experience. Secondly, this analysis describes current programs 1n a five state region and identifies discrepancies between available and needed services.

A mail survey of …

An Economic Analysis Of Food Policy In The Ivory Coast, Yao Prao Felix

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ivory Coast covers an area of 124,000 square miles with reasonable rainfall for food crops production. But besides what has been called the economic "miracle," the country relies on increasing food imports (rice, wheat, meat, and milk products). At the same time, the country's earnings from the major export commodities are shrinking. So the primary objective was to identify the main causes and circumstances that have resulted in reductions in food production. The major hypothesis was that the present situation is simply the result of policies that have favored cash crops relative to good products. A formal treatment and an …

A Linear Programming Analysis Of Several Determinants Of Profit On A Simulated Northern Utah Dairy Farm, Jay Dee Atwood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of the study was to analyze several determinants of profit on a simulated northern Utah dairy farm. A linear programming model was developed to accomplish this. Optimal conditions on the farm were estimated and then other model applications were made to evaluate the importance of milk price, cropland ownership, and corn silage production and feeding. The significance of cow quality also was estimated.

Optimal conditions on the farm gave rates of return to capital between savings rates and loan rates obtainable at a financial institution. Marginal values derived for land did not support the current asking price of …

An Economic Analysis Of Prairie Dog Control, Alan Robert Collins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Prairie dog control was found to be economically feasible on the Conata basin in South Dakota with future annual maintenance control to prevent re-invasions. The large difference between the present net worth values of the two viewpoints ($2587 for the U.S. Forest Service acting as an agent of the sovereign and $109,011 for the ranchers) was due to the added costs of environmental considerations included in the U.S. Forest Service control program, but assumed not to be included in control by ranchers. In order for prairie dog control to remain economically feasible, annual maintenance control for the U.S. Forest Service …

Economic Analysis Of Long-Term Management Strategies For Two Sizes Of Utah Cattle Ranches, Roger E. Banner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Utah cattle ranchers realize relatively little profit from ranch ownership and management. This study represents an attempt to identify ranch management strategies that produce more profit over time than do conventional strategies.

To identify optimum management strategies for the long term, analyses of ranches under both normal and adverse ranch operation conditions using the COPLAN linear programming model were made for strategy comparison. To depict these ranch business environmental conditions, production levels were estimated from available biological data and price levels were estimated by indexing 1977 ranch product prices (the most current budget data available for Utah). The variability of …

A Rapid And Specific Gas Chromatographic Analysis For Cysteine-S-Sulfonate To Determine The Distribution Of Sulfite In Mammalian Plasma, Joseph Don Debethizy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It has been shown in previous studies that when sulfite is absorbed by rabbits via either inhalation of SO₂ or oral exposure to sulfite, the hydrated form, bisulfite, interacts with plasma disulfides where it is suspected to be in the form, cysteine-S-sulfonate. A rapid and specific gas chromatographic analysis procedure for cysteine-S-sulfonate has been developed to better study the distribution of sulfite in biological systems. Sulfonated proteins are enzymatically hydrolyzed to ensure stability of the acid labile S-sulfonate disulfide. The hydrolysate is then applied to a 6 cm cation-exchange column and eluted with 0.1 N HCl which elutes the …

An Analysis Of Farm Land Use Changes Related To Inheritance Taxes, Estate Planning, And Sale For Retirement In Selected Utah Counties During 1971-1975, Randall Nolan Parker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Because of increasing rural land values, potential estate problems have been created for farm owners. This study was conducted to analyze land use changes when the farm owner dies. Land use changes and factors related to use change for estates subjected to probate court during 1971-1975, in the selected Utah counties, are described in this thesis.

County records were searched for information pertaining to farm estates probaged in six Utah counties. Individuals handling the affairs of the estates were contacted by mail. Questionnaires returned were used in the analysis and are the basis for the conclusions of this study.

General …

A Description And Analysis Of Behavior Patterns Among Uinta Ground Squirrels, Thomas Earl Morse

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research describes and analyzes the behavior of free-living Uinta ground squirrels (Spermophilus armatus) temporally, spatially and with reference to differences in sex, age, population density and habitat. In addition, the relationships between local meteorological parameters and time spent above ground are described and analyzed.

The frequency of eight behaviors, feeding, moving, encounters, upright, motionless, grooming, nest gathering and calling, among ground squirrels was found to be labile, varying in frequency with time of day, period of the season, sex, age, population density and habitat, and varying in spatial distribution within the home range.

The dominant behavior, feeding, …

An Economic Analysis Of Sprinkling For Bloom Delay And Freeze Protection Of Apples In Farmington, Utah, Jay Val Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The major purpose of this study is to analyze the economic feasibility of bloom delay by sprinkling as a means of protecting delicious apples from frost. The framework of this study is based on decision making theory under uncertainty. It demonstrates the usefulness of the Bayesian approach to determine optimum action to take in face of uncertain climatic conditions. The economic analysis was conducted for Farmington, Utah, where significant relationships were found between the end of winter rest (end of chill-unit accumulation) and time of full bloom of red delicious apples.

A posteriori probabilities for the state of nature were …

Market Structure Analysis Of Fertilizer Distribution In Utah, John C. Welty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to ascertain the contribution of various structural variables to a growing, efficient system of fertilizer distribution in the state of Utah. A questionnaire to survey the fertilizer distributors was used as a source of data. Information was obtained about structural changes in a five-year period, 1965 to 1970. A multiple regression program was used to synthesize these data to determine which variables were most significant and how much they contributed to an increase in total value of fertilizer sales. While empirical data were obtained only for structural dimensions of the industry, marketing theory was …

An Analysis Of The Competitive Position Of Cattle Finishing In Utah And Selected Western States, 1969, Stephen L. Olsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Utah's cattle feeding industry was described by using both secondary and primary data. The primary data were collected through use of a personal interview survey.

Primary data were also collected in Idaho, while secondary data were used for Arizona, California and Colorado.

Intrastate analysis of feeding costs showed definite cost savings were achieved in all states through economies of size.

Interstate analysis of feeding costs showed Utah's larger capacity feedlots to be very competitive with larger capacity lots in other states.

1968 prices for both slaughter and feeder cattle were computed for each state. Prices in Utah were slightly lower …

An Economic Analysis Of Range Improvements On Saddle Creek Allotment And Curlew National Grasslands--With Special Consideration On The Effects Of Improvements On Wildlife Management, Jerry Russell Meyers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Range improvements for livestock were analyzed for the Curlew National Grassland and Saddle Creek Allotment. Increases in aum's which were a result of range improvements were calculated and valued at $4.00 each. Internal rates of return for both study areas were computed with a 15-year project life span for estimated grazing capacity and permitted grazing. Rate of return was then set at 10 percent to calculate project life span for both permitted grazing and estimated grazing capacity for the two areas.

Effects of range improvements for livestock on wildlife habitat were studied. Due to a lack of quantitative data, values …

Analysis Of Long-Term Streamflow Patterns On Two Davis County Experimental Watersheds In Utah, Stephen P. Glasser

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The influence of aspect on water yield variability over a long period, 1936-1964, was studied at two small, mountainous watersheds within the Davis County Experimental Watershed near Farmington, Utah.

North-facing Miller Creek is densely vegetated by a conifer-aspen forest and mountain brush. Miller Creek's yield was more variable for daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual flows than yields from south-west facing Halfway Creek which is covered by mountain brush. Differences between watersheds in annual yield and snowmelt season runoff were nonsignificant.

The snowmelt runoff season extended for an average of 65 days on both watersheds, but it began 24 days earlier …

Demographic Analysis Of A Northern Utah Black-Tailed Jackrabbit Population, Jack E. Gross

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this report is to describe (1) the demographic pattern of a black-tailed jackrabbit (Lopus californicus) population in 450-square-mile Curlow Valley, northern Utah and southern Idaho, during the period April, 1962 through March, 1965; and (2) the methodology developed to obtain the data on which the description is based. The research discussed here occupied the first 3 years of a projected, long-range study of the population ecology of the species in this area with special attention to the mechanics and causes of short-term fluctuations.

An Analysis Of The Activities Of Agricultural Credit Corporation In Jordan, Akram M. Steitieh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since 1950, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan includes the area currently called East Jordan (previously called the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan) and West Jordan, or the parts of Palestine held by the Arabs following the Arab-Israeli War in 1948.

A Critical Appraisal Of Methods Of Sucrose Analysis In Sugar Beets, Homer M. Lebaron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although the parent of the present sugar beet was probably known and used before the building of the pyramid of Cheops (22), it was as recent as 210 years ago that Marggraf obtained the first crystalized sucrose from the root. It was 40 years later before Achard claimed its potentialities as an efficient industry. The product rapidly passed from the status of a luxury to a vital necessity, until today sugar beet production receives some protection or preference in every country where sugar beets are grown.