Life Sciences Commons^™

Aggregation Behavior Of Aplomyiopsis Xylota (Diptera: Tachinidae), Frank J. Messina

Biology Faculty Publications

The tachinid A. xylota is a common parasitoid of larvae of Trirhabda virgata and T. borealis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in central New York [USA]. Flies aggregated on herbaceous vegetation along the borders between old fields and more shaded habitats (shrubby fields or woodlots). Aggregations comprised from less than 100 to a few thousand individuals, almost all of which were male. Males continuously perched and moved about in sun flecks on the vegetation and frequently grappled with each other. In the old field adjacent to the primary aggregation site, the tachinid sex ratio was strongly skewed toward females. Aggregations of A. xylota …

The Yellowjackets Of America North Of Mexico, Roger D. Akre, Albert Greene, John F. Macdonald, Peter J. Landolt, Harry G. Davis

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This volume is a compendium of data on the pestiferous vespines (hornets and yellowjackets) of the United States and Canada. Sections cover taxonomy, biology, economic and medical importance, and control. Illustrated keys are included for rapid identification of species, and a glossary defines many of the unusual terms used in the text.

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 …

Seasonal Temperature Preference Of Adult Mountain Whitefish, Prosopium Williamsoni, Jean M. Ihnat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Temperatures selected seasonally by adult mountain whitefish were measured in the laboratory in a horizontal gradient. Final preferendum estimates, based on acute (3-hour) preference tests conducted with fish acclimated to 5, 10, and 15 C each season, were 17.7 C (pre-spawning), 11.9 C (post-spawning), 9.9 C (winter), and 16.3 C (spring). Seasonal influence on temperature selection was evident on the basis of differences in final preferenda, covariance analysis of responses of laboratory-acclimated fish, and temperature selection by fish held at ambient river temperatures. Post-spawning and winter groups selected lower temperatures than did pre-spawning and spring groups. Pre-spawning fish selected temperatures …

Higher Plant Acclimation To Solar Ultraviolet-B Radiation, Ronald Robberecht

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Plant acclimation to natural and intensified solar UV-B irradiance was investigated in three species, Oenothera stricta Ledeb., Rumex obtusifolius L., and R. patientia L. The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the relationship between plant sensitivity and epidermal UV attenuation, (2) the effect of phenotypic changes in the leaf epidermis, resulting from UV-B exposure, on plant sensitivity to UV radiation, and (3) the plasticity of these changes in the epidermis leading to plant acclimation to UVB radiation.

Epidermal UV transmittance was found to differ in magnitude and spectral distribution among the three species examined in this study. Epidermal …

Some Morphological And Chemical Responses Of Blackbrush (Coleogyne Ramosissima) To Goat Browsing: Influences On Dietary Blackbrush Selection By Goats And Cattle, Frederick D. Provenza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Domestic goats were used to modify the growth form of blackbrush, a spinescent shrub occurring in nearly monospecific stands on several million hectares of rangeland in the southwestern United States. The objective of this research was to evaluate goat browsing as a means of improving these rangelands for cattle. Winter goat browsing stimulated spring twig growth from basal and axillary buds which resulted in increased production.

Twig production by heavily browsed plants (>95 percent removal of current season's twigs) was a function of precipitation, soil depth, branch location on the plant, and period of rest after browsing. As precipitation …

The Transport And Intracellular Distribution Of Iron In The Basidiomycete, Ustilago Sphaerogena, Charles W. Passavant

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The transport and intracellular distribution of iron in Ustilago sphaerogena via the native siderochrome ferrichrome A has been examined. Evidence is presented which suggests the involvement of deferriferrichrome in iron transport when the metal is supplied to the cell as ferrichrome A. This process requires both oxygen and ATP synthesis and may require a transmembrane electrochemical gradient. Once inside the cell, iron derived from ferrichrome A is rapidly distributed, with a major fraction found in the mitochondria, presumably as heme.

The kinetics of ferrichrome and ferrichrome A uptake have also been investigated. The Km of transport of ferrichrome was …

The Roles Of Mechanical Stress And Ethylene In Clinostat-Induced Leaf Epinasty And Gravitropic Response Of Dicot Shoots, Raymond M. Wheeler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG) and silver thiosulfate, antagonists of ethylene biosynthesis and action in plants, both delayed onset of leaf epinasty in Xanthium strumarium L. (cocklebur) plants rotated on horizontal clinostats. Xanthium plants mechanically stressed by continuous horizontal or vertical shaking, or continuous twisting back and forth, did not develop any significant epinasty, while plants inverted every 20 minutes (upside down half the time) did develop epinasty. From this it appears that clinostat-induced epinasty is a result of gravity compensation rather than mechanical stress.

Treatment of Xanthium, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (tomato), and Ricinus communis L. (castor bean) …

Biphenyl Hydroxylation By Vole Hepatic Microsomes, Moheb H. Makary

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Metabolism of biphenyl by meadow voles (Microtus montanus) liver microsomes was studied by gas liquid chromatography. The microsomal biphenyl hydroxylation of Swiss Webster mice (outbred) was also investigated to provide a species comparison. 4-hydroxybiphenyl (major metabolite), 3-hydroxy biphenyl (minor) and smaller amounts of 2-hydroxybiphenyl were identified as metabolites of biphenyl incubated with vole liver microsomes. Liver microsomes from Swiss mice formed 4-hydroxy biphenyl (major metabolite) and almost equal amounts of 2- and 3-hydroxy biphenyl (minor metabolite). The amount of the hydroxy biphenyls formed by vole liver microsomes was considerably less per milligram of microsomal protein than for mice. …

The Interactions Of Electrical Conductivity, Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Water Volume And Rhizobial Strain On Phaseolus Vulgaris L., David A. Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the interactive effects of water salinity, volume of water applied at each irrigation, sodium adsorption ratio and rhizobial strain upon 15 plant growth parameters of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Four levels of water salinity (EC_W 0.4, 3.0, 6.0, or 9.0 mmho/cm), three levels of water volume (200, 400, or 800 ml per pot), three levels of SAR (4, 16, or 64) and three strains of Rhizobium phaseoli (K-17, K-47, or K-52) were used. The treatments were replicated with all possible combinations. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, multiple comparisons, and path coefficient …

Vitamin A And Vitamin E Status Of Persons On Hemodialysis, Kathleen S. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study was designed to assess the vitamin A and vitamin E status of persons receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Blood samples from thirty persons receiving hemodialysis, as well as age and sex-matched controls, were analyzed for vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotene using a spectrofluorometric assay for vitamins A and E, and a spectrophotometric assay for carotene. Dietary intakes of vitamins A and E were estimated via verbal questioning. Samples of dialysate were also studied. Results of the investigation showed significantly elevated vitamin A, normal vitamin E, and decreased carotene levels in persons with renal failure receiving maintenance hemodialysis, when compared …

Diversity And Production Of Herbaceous Vegetation In A Northern Utah Subalpine Chronosequence, Gary A. Reese

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Successional trends in herbaceous plant production and diversity were studied in an age sequence of sites, i.e. chronosequence, inferred to represent a meadow to aspen to fir to spruce-fir sere. Primary production was observed to decrease in a linear fashion with successional development. Three components of diversity; richness, heterogeneity, and equitability or evenness, each had low early successional values, reaching maximum diversity in mid-succession, and declining to intermediate levels with maturity. The magnitude of these trends varied greatly, depending on the methods used to determine plant dominance. Characteristics of various dominance indices and their applicability to this study were examined. …

Effect Of Toxaphene On Collagen Synthesis In Fish Tissue: Organ Culture Studies And Prolyl Hydroxylase Activity Assay, Charles Franklin Luke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Toxaphene is reported to cause defects in the collagen of fish. Chronic exposure to toxhaphene weakens the backbone of fish by decreasing the amount of collagen and usually increasing the amount of calcium in the bone which results in a more brittle and fragile bone.

We investigated the possible direct action of toxaphene on collagen synthesis by exposing vertebral and swim bladder organ cultures obtained from unexposed rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fingerlings to the same lot of toxaphene found to cause this defect in vivio. Collagen produced by these organ cultures was measured by: (1) total ^{3 …}

Fall Regrowth Of Crested Wheatgrass And Fourwing Saltbush, Noor Mohammad

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

During 1980-81, studies with crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) and fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) were conducted in controlled environment growth chambers as well as under field conditions to achieve the following objectives:

1. To determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the water use efficiency.

2. To determine the effects of various temperature, water stress and nitrogen treatments on the productivity, nitrogen content and carbohydrate reserves.

3. To determine the effects of N fertilization on fall and spring regrowth.

Crested wheatgrass and fourwing saltbush plants were maintained in three growth chambers for 60 days under three temperature …

Effect Of Rain Leaching On Chemical Composition Of Alfalfa Hay, Mercedes M. Garcia De Hernandez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Yield and chemical changes of second-cutting alfalfa hay treated with artificial rain were determined in a 2 x 3 x 2 factorial experiment. Factors were 2 stages of maturity (1 = late vegetative; 2 = early bloom), 3 levels of artificial rain applied (1 = no rain; 2 =low or approximately 5 mm; 3 = high or approximately 20 mm), and 2 times of applying artificial rain (1 = when drying forage was 40-60% dry matter; 2 = when drying forage was 60-75% dry matter). Thirty samples of alfalfa were collected at the 2 stages of maturity when the alfalfa …

Natural Pastures Of The Macquarie Region Of New South Wales: Their Origin, Composition And Management, David Leslie Michaelk

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two experiments were conducted in the semi-arid (400 millimeter annual rainfall) Macquarie region of New South Wales, Australia, at the Trangie Agricultural Research Station (31° 59'S; 147° S7'E), to examine (a) the way botanical parameters can be used to separate grazing and climatic impacts on range vegetation, and (b) how this delineation affects application of range science tenets (site, condition and trend) to different pasture types.

Two range sites were studied: Site 1, a light soil type, was dominated by annual grasses, legumes and forbs, whereas perennial grasses (mainly Chloris acieularis and Chloris truncata) dominated the heavy soils of …

Examination Of The Effect Of Physical Exercise On Metabolic Control In Type I Insulin-Dependent Youth With Diabetes Mellitus, Gayle Ann Brazzi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

There is evidence for the importance of physical exercise balanced with diet and insulin therapy in the treatment and control of Type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Recent attention in the literature has focused on the once neglected component of treatment--exercise. A well-controlled exercise state is generally believed to be beneficial for the individual with diabetes. Limited studies are available on the effect of exercise on long-term metabolic control. Before exercise levels can be professionally prescribed for a given population of youth with diabetes, current exercise patterns should be evaluated as to the effect on long-term metabolic control.

It is the …

Location Value Of Milk, Martin K. Beutler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Due to the growth of milk marketing areas in the Intermountain West, a study was made to determine the most advantageous allocation of producer milk to twelve selected processing demand areas and to calculate location differentials between these same markets. A theoretical determination of location differentials and of the allocation of milk supply areas to processing centers were made using supply-push and demand-pull price alignment models developed by Associated Milk Producers, Inc., for the months of November 1979 and June 1980. Grade A producer mil k from the six member cooperatives of Western Dairymen' s Cooperative, Inc., was used in …

An Economic Analysis Of Farm Flock Sheep Production In Utah, Ken Beck

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic aspects of farm flock sheep production in Utah. Using 1979 as a base year, costs and returns were calculated from data obtained from twenty- six Utah farms. Characteristics that typify the states· farm flock sheep production, at this writing, with regard to: 1) the farm flock producers and 2) the farm flock enterprise, were presented.

Various models were dev eloped and examined using Multiple Regression and Linear Programming analytical techniques. Multiple Regression was us ed to estimate the effects that different variables had on the profitability of the sheep enterprise. …

Alterations In Rat Brain Norepinephrine And Dopamine Levels And Synthesis Rates In Response To Five Neurotoxic Chemicals: Acrylamide, 2,5-Hexanedione, Tri-O-Tolyl Phosphate, Leptophos, And Methyl Mercuric Chloride, Charles N. Aldous

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Acrylamide, 2,5-hexanedione, Tri-o-tolyl phosphate and leptophos belong to three fundamentally different chemical classes but all four chemicals cause central-peripheral distal axonopathy. Some of these compounds have been shown to alter brain steady state levels of neurotransmitters or to inhibit the activities of adenosine triphosphatases which are involved in the uptake and storage of biogenic amines. Tests were performed to determine alterations in steady state levels of rat brain norepinephrine and dopamine in response to doses of the above chemicals and of the central nervous system toxin, methyl mercuric chloride sufficient to cause ataxia. Catecholamine synthesis rate constant estimations were performed. …

The Economic Impact Of Potential Changes In Federal Grazing Policies On Ranchers In Wayne County, Utah, Kib Elden Jacobson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to select an area in Utah that was predominantly livestock oriented which used federal lands for livestock grazing, and to develop model ranches exemplifying the typical live-stock operation in the area. These model ranches were then used in a Budget Generator Program (BG) and a Linear Programming framework (LP) to simulate reductions of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% reductions of BLM land usage. The results were then used to determine income changes, herd size changes, and resource usage in the models as the reductions took place.

The area chosen was Wayne County, Utah because …

An Economic Analysis Of The Akkar Plain Project, E. Douglas Chard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to determine the economic feasibility of the Akkar Plain Agricultural Development Project. Data were collected at representative villages throughout the Akkar Plain in Syria. The data were used to establish the economic setting at the present time on the Akkar Plain and to establish a basis for determining the economic justification for the future planned developments. Methodology used was a farm budget analysis of a before development and after development situation. Internal rate of return and benefit/cost ratio were the measures used to determine economic feasibility. The paper discusses previous work completed, the development …

Models For Estimating Energy And Protein Utilization For Feeds, Muhammad Fadel Wardeh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Data on the proximate nutrient content of feedstuffs, digestibility and energy utilization available from the International Feedstuffs Institute (Utah State University) were used to develop mathematical models for estimating energy and protein utilization of five classes of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals.

Classes of feedstuffs were subdivided into more related subclasses. Furthermore, data from all feeds were pooled together then subgrouped into more related subgroups in an attempt to gain high precision in prediction of digestible proximate nutrients and TDN from a single chemical entity by the use of simple regression models (Y = bo + b₁x …

Stream Insect Production As A Function Of Alkalinity And Detritus Processing, Thomas G. Osborn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study was conducted to determine if aquatic insect production was significantly different between high and low alkalinity mountain streams and if any differences were associated with food availability factors. The major objectives included determining: (1) if annual production differences occur between high and low alkalinity streams; (2) if processing rates of terrestrial detritus differs between high and low alkalinity streams; (3) if detrital processing rates are related to stream insect productivities; (4) if primary productivity varies between high and low alkalinity streams; (5) if toxic effects or micronutrient limitations exist in high or low alkalinity streams that could limit …

Influence Of Lipophilicity On The Accumulation And Distribution Of Halogenated Phenols And A Pyridinol As Metabolites Of Pesticides In The Rat, Assed A. Attumi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Exposure to halogenated phenols and pyridinols is of increasing concern because of their wide use and distribution. This research was initiated to determine the distribution, accumulation, and depletion of a group of halogenated phenols and a pyridinol in selected tissues of male weanling rats at different time intervals following a single oral dose of 0.33 or 1.66 m moles per kg body weight. The halogenated phenols and pyridinol were distributed differently in every tissue sampled following their administration, even though the amount administered was the same in each case. The concentrations in tissue were found in the order: 2,4,5-trichlorophenol > 4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenol …

The Effect Of Parent Involvement In A Nutrition Education Program For Primary Grade Pupils, Barbara A. Kirks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three schools were matched for socioeconomic data, location, and quality. Students in kindergarten through grade three in two schools received nutrition education; the third school was the control. Of the two treatment schools, one was randomly assigned to receive parent as well as student education in nutrition. Three-hundred and seventy cognitive scores, 168 affective scores, and 100 plate-waste analyses were collected in both pretest and posttest phases. At the end of the four-month treatment period, 24-hour food frequency recalls were collected for 151 children.

Students at the school where both parents and their children were involved had higher dietary quality …

Fertility And Saline Water Management Interactions On Plant Growth And Nitrogen Fixation In Phaseolus, Robin R. Drysdale Rodriguez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A greenhouse study was conducted involving interactive effects on bean yield of three levels of irrigation water salinity, three frequencies of irrigation water app li cation, two level s of nitrogen, and seven levels of phosphorus fertilization to determine if the effects of adverse saline conditions or water stress could be overcome by fertility and/or saline water management.

Dry matter and bean yields were reduced with decreasing irrigation frequency (2 days to 8 days) and increasing salinity of irrigation water (0.5 mmho/cm to 8.0 mmho/cm). At low salinity levels (0.5 mmho/cm) dry matter production and the number of pods per …

An Interregional Study Of Kenya's Livestock Sector Using Linear Programming, Zakayo Joseph Mwangi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The major purpose of this study was to determine the least-cost method of producing red meat in Kenya. Linear programming was used in the study. A simulated reduction of grazing land available in one of the settlement areas was carried out to indicate what effect this had on the overall regional production pattern of meat in the country.

Kenya was divided into eleven livestock producing and consuming regions. 1979 was used as the base year, and the demand projection was based on the 1979 population. Input and output coefficients, livestock unit requirements, and market prices were developed. A linear programming …

An Investigation Of The Rework Defect In Process Cheese, Patricia Ramirez Baca

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of time that processed cheese was held ex- posed to heat alone or with agitation, the level of rework cheese, and the type and level of emulsifying salt were evaluated by determining finess of emulsion based on scanning electron microscopy measurements, meltability, and rheological measurements using a Universal Testing Machine.

Process cheese held in the cooker at 82°C for up to 4o minutes became less meltable and more firm and the emulsion became finer while that held at 82°C outside of the cooker without agitation was only slightly affected. Loss of meltability and increased firmness associated with pro-longed …

Effect Of Atmospheric Oxidation On Bioavailability Of Meat Iron And Liver Weights In Rats, Kathleen M. Cardon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Iron bioavailability of diets containing oxidized turkey and oxidized beef meat was investigated in two experiments. In both studies male, weanling rats were made anemic by consumption of a low iron diet and bleeding. The experimental diets were prepared so that meat was the only source of iron. Hemoglobin regeneration served as the basis for measuring iron utilization. In experiment 1, lyophilized, uncooked turkey meat was allowed to oxidize at 20-22°C for 0, 48, 96, 144, 216, or 264 hours and then fed to the rats. The length of oxidation time of the turkey meat did not significantly affect the …