Life Sciences Commons^™

Competitive Interaction In Plant Populations Exposed To Enhanced Uv-B Radiation, Fred M. Fox

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Competitive balance and changes in individual plant growth parameters of eight pairs of plant species exposed to enhanced UV-B irradiation were determined under field conditions simulating ozone reductions of about 0.08 atm·cm. The levels of irradiance represented ozone decreases of about 25-30 percent from approximate ambient ozone concentrations for high solar altitudes on clear days during the study. A method for calculating and statistically analyzing relative crowding coefficients was developed and used to evaluate the competitive status of the species pairs sown in a modified replacement series. The effect of UV-B irradiance was generally detrimental to plant growth, and was …

Aspects Of The Life History Of Three Catostomids Native To The Upper Colorado River Basin, Charles W. Mcada

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The distribution, abundance and life history were studied for three catostomids -- the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), the flannel-mouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), and the bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus) -- all native to the upper Colorado River basin. The razorback sucker has declined in abundance due to man's impact upon the system and it has been recommended that this species be listed as ''threatened" on the U. S. Department of the Interior's list of Threatened or Endangered species [Personal corrmunication, G. C. Kobetich, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Las Vegas, Nevada]. During this investigation, …

Seed And Cone Insects Associated With Pinus Monophylla Torr. And Frem., Michael James Jenkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Dissection and rearing studies of second-year cones disclosed six species of insects associated with the seeds and cones of singleleaf pinyon pine. Those most commonly encountered were: Dioryctria sp. probably albovittella Hulst, Conophthorus monophyllae Hopkins and Pineus coloradensis Gillette. The three remaining species were of lesser importance. These included the gall midge, Asynapta sp., a minor cone pest and two parasites, one of C. monophyllae, Acerocephala atroviolacea Crawford and an unidentified parasite of Dioryctria, of the family Ichneumonidae.

D. sp. probably albovittella was regarded as the major insect destroying cones and seeds of P. monophylla in …

Resource Partitioning In The North American Gallinules In Southern Texas, William W. Reagan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Data on the Common and Purple Gallinules at the Welder Wildlife Foundation in South Texas indicated that resource partitioning between the two birds occurred. The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare differences in daily activities; (2) to investigate nesting habits; and (3) to measure physical characteristics of the two birds.

Three methods of resource partitioning were utilized by the two gallinules. (1) Common Gallinules selected open water associated with sparse panicum and paspalum grasses while Purple Gallinules selected dense panicum and paspalum grasses. (2) Common Gallinules during migration and throughout the season shifted gradually from a sparse panicum …

A Preliminary Investigation Of The Lipid Of Halophilic Bacteria As A Food Additive, Neil F. Collins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining workable quantities of the unusual ether-linked phosphatidyl glycerophosphate of halophilic bacteria through batch culture of Halobacterium halobium. Once isolated and purified, physical, emulsification, and toxicological properties of the lipid were evaluated with respect to its use as a nonnutritive lipid substitute or an emulsifier by the food industry. These evaluations included physical descriptions, melting properties, hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) determination, and oral and intraperitoneal administration of the lipid to laboratory mice.

Fine Structural Aspects Of The Developing Eye Of The Honey Bee, Judith Susan Eisen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The post-embryonic development of the compound eye of the worker honey bee was investigated with the light and electron microscopes. The cells of the optic primordium were reorganized into preommatidial cell clusters during the late third and early fourth larval instars. Each cluster contained nine prospective retinula cells, the ninth was centrally located and shorter than the other eight; four prospective cone cells; and an undetennined number of prospective pigment cells.

Rhabdomere development began in the eight peripherally located retinula cells just prior to pupation. Following pupation, each ommatidium elongated. During ommatidial elongation, the short ninth retinula cell moved from …

Genetic Control Of Spermiogenesis In Drosophila Melanogaster: The Effects Of Abnormal Association Of Centrosome And Nucleus In Mutant Ms(1)6s, Douglas Lee Habliston

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mutant ms(l)6S of Drosophila melanogaster is characterized by a spectrum of abnormalities of spermatid differentiation. Included in these are failure of the basal body to make normal attachment to the nucleus, failure of acrosomes to develop, and lack of a normal pupulation of perinuclear microtubules. There is also a failure of normal chromatin condensation and nuclear elongation. The mitochondria do not form a normaI nebenkern, but nevertheless fuse, elongate, and develop paracrystalline bodies. The number of normal axonemes is markedly reduced as a result of the failure of some centrioles to form basal bodies. All of these aberrations can be …

Infrared Imagery Scanning Systems For Censusing Big Game, Peter S. Goldberg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The primary objective of this study was to explore the potential of an airborne infrared scanner for the census of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and elk (Cervus canadensis) in the Intermountain West. Flight altitude was varied in hopes of achieving species separation, and ground studies were conducted, using a hand-held radiometer and captive deer, to find the optimum time of morning to census. The problems and potentialities of infrared imagery scanning systems for censusing big game are discussed and compared to visual aerial census methods.

Distribution And Habitat Characteristics Of The Kit Fox (Vulpes Macrotis) In Utah, John C. Mcgrew

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The distribution of the kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) in Utah was studied from 1974 to 1976. A variety of methods were used, but a questionnaire sent annually to state and federal agencies, combined with interviews of field personnel of these agencies, was found to be the most valuable. Kit foxes occur in western Utah and Washington County as previously reported. In addition, range extensions were noted in central Utah, and in Carbon, Emery, Grand, Wayne, and Garfield counties in east-central Utah. These range extensions total approximately 4,600-square miles (12,000-square kilometers). The kit fox probably also inhabits San Juan …

Identification Of Products Arising From The Metabolism Of Cis-And Trans-Chlordane By Rat Liver Microsomes In Vitro: Outline Of A Possible Metabolic Pathway, Alan Arthur Brimfield

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The metabolism of pure cis- and trans- chlordane was studied in vitro. Microsomal preparations from the livers of male rats induced with cis- or trans-chlordane in feed for ten days were used to metabolize the pure compound corresponding to the inducer. Subsequent extraction, column fractionation and combined gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy resulted in the characterization of four compounds not previously reported from an in vitro system.

In addition to the substrate, trans-chlordane extracts contained species with the following molecular weights and empirical formulae: m/e 370, C₁₀ H₅ Cl₇ , heptachlor; m/e 352, C₁₀ H₆ OCl …

Increased Calf Production And Returns From Improved Range And Livestock Management On A Northern Utah Ranch, Michael H. Ralphs

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The operating costs for farms and ranches in the United States have increased 81 percent between 1970 and 1976. Calf prices over this same period have fluctuated dramatically and have fallen from a high of $58/cwt in 1973 to a low of $26/cwt in 1975. Since 1973, the increasing operating costs have exceeded the returns gene rated by the low calf prices and have left operators in a negative financial position. This case study has shown that the operator has increased both the scale and efficiency of his operation through improved lives tock husbandry and range improvements, yet has been …

Autoecology Of The Ruderal Weed Heterotheca Grandiflora With Emphasis On Germination Dimorphism, Stephan Dexter Flint

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Weedy species, as they occupy diverse and unpredictable environments, are expected to possess considerable variability in numerous characteristics, including germination. The visually dimorphic achenes of Heterotheca grandiflora Nutt. (Asteraceae) were tested for potentially adaptive differences in their germination, the establishment of the resulting seedlings, and the relative production of the two achene types.

Achenes produced by the disc florets are adapted for dispersal and rapid germination while the ray florets produce smaller achenes lacking a dispersal mechanism, but possessing a more sophisticated physiological system capable of regulating germination. Ray achene germination rates were significantly influenced by different soil surfaces while …

An Evaluation Of Using In-Field Evaporation Pans To Schedule Irrigation On Potatoes, Michael J. Tremblay

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research project was undertaken to determine if an evaporation pan would accurately predict evapotranspiration when placed in an actual irrigated field situation. Two potato fields in Southern Idaho with different micro-climates and soil types were used in this study. The in-field evaporation pan method was compared with the gravimetric method and the Jensen-Haise and modified-Penman climatic methods. Yield and quality responses were evaluated by varying the amount of sprinkler-applied water so that three distinct moisture regimes were evaluated. It was also necessary to evaluate recent crop coefficient (K_c) curves on potatoes to see if the K_{c …}

Spawning Biology Of Channel Catfish Ictalurus Punctatus (Rafinesque) In Willard Bay Reservoir, Utah, Stuart Terry Shipman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted on Willard Bay Reservoir, Utah, during the summers of 1972 and 1973, to study the spawning biology of the channel catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus), and to evaluate potential reproduction for this species in the reservoir. Potential reproduction was evaluated through examination of available natural habitat and use of artificial habitat provided for this study.

Channel catfish were found to mature by the end of their fourth year and spawn from mid-June through August. A total of 12 nesting channel catfish were observed along 15, 0.8 kilometer (0.5 mile) sections of dike. Ten of these 12 …

Density And Diversity Responses Of Summer Bird Populations To The Structure Of Aspen And Spruce-Fir Communities On The Wasatch Plateau, Utah, Janet Lee Young

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sixteen stands representing a range of structural variation in aspen, mixed aspen-conifer, and spruce-fir communities of the Wasatch Plateau, Utah, were censused by the sample count method. The stands were classified as eleven community types based on the understory dominants or indicator species and the cover types. Fifty bird species were recorded during the two seasons; thirty-two occurred in aspen cover, forty-four in mixed aspen-conifer cover, and twenty-two in spruce-fir.

Comparisons of the composition and density of bird populations were made between uniform stands of a single life form and more structurally complex stands of either single or mixed life …

Toxicological And Biochemical Investigations Of Alpha-Chaconine In Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L. ) Tubers: Physiologic Disposition And Tissue Binding, And Inhibition Of Tissue Cholinesterases And Isoenzymes, Sydney Obodoechina Alozie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The distribution, absorption, metabolism and tissue binding of radioactivity were studied in hamsters after oral and intraperitoneal administration of alpha-chaconine- (³H). The material was well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and nearly 22 percent of the label was excreted via urine and feces in 7 days. The excretion was higher in urine (21 percent) than in feces ( < 1 percent). Tissue concentrations of radioactivity peaked at 12 hours following oral administration, with the highest concentrations found in lungs, liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas, with heart and brain containing moderate amounts. Concentrations of radioactivity in tissues following intraperitoneal administration were significantly higher than those observed after oral treatment. Excretion of chloroform-soluble products in the feces was 10 times higher than that of the chloroform-insoluble metabolites after both oral and intraperitoneal administration. In the urine, the activity was predominantly in the chloroform-insoluble form and the chloroform-soluble metabolites were relatively minor in amounts (0.27, 0.85, and 2.45 percent versus 0.005, 0.14 and 0.19 percent of dose for 12, 24 and 72 hours, respectively). After 7 days, the chloroform-soluble metabolites in urine increased to 20 percent of the excreted radioactivity, while the amount of chloroform-insoluble metabolites was less than 1 percent. Subcellular distribution of the labeled compound indicated the highest concentration of radioactivity in the nuclear and microsomal fractions of brain, liver and heart tissues. A small amount of radioactivity, shown by a minor peak, was also observed in the fractions between the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions on a sucrose gradient. Binding of radioactivity was observed in brain, testes, kidney, lung, liver and heart. All of the label in the brain appeared to be in the bound form. The results indicated that alpha-chaconine is slowly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration, and persists in various tissues, much of it in bound (non-extractable) form (in nuclear and microsomal fractions).

Excretion of alpha-chaconine- (3H) and its metabolites was investigated after oral and intraperitoneal administration in hamsters. The separation of the glycoalkaloid and its metabolites in feces and urine was accomplished by thin-layer chromatography. An increase in the concentration of excreted …

Effects Of Livestock Grazing On Infiltration And Erosion Rates Measured On Chained And Unchained Pinyon-Juniper Sites In Southeastern Utah, Frank E. Busby Jr.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the effects of livestock grazing and periods of rest from grazing on infiltration and erosion rates of unchained woodland; chained, debris-in-place; and chained, debris-windrowed pinyon-juniper sites; and 2) utilize these measurements in developing guidelines for grazing management of pinyon-juniper rangelands that protect or improve the hydrologic condition of the watershed. The study was conducted on sandy loam soils in southeastern Utah during the summers of 1971 and 1972.

Runoff and erosion were artificially induced from small plots by simulating rainfall with the Rocky Mountain infiltrometer. Infiltration rates, erosion rates, and selected …

Reducing Soil Crusting To Enhance Sesame Seedling Emergence, Gustavo Campero

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In Venezuela rainfall-induced crust is the main problem in obtaining adequate stands of sesame (Sesamwn indicum L.) The effectiveness of seven commercially available soil conditioners to prevent soil crusting and their influence on sesame seedling emergence was tested on Parlo silt loam. The chemicals were sprayed on the soil surface at different rates and dilutions . The rates were established to give about the same treatment cost.

Two chemicals: a polyvinyl alcohol (Elvanol 71-30) and an anionic asphalt emulsion (Humofina B-2864) gave the greatest increase in sesame seedling emergence. Thereafter, the two chemicals were tested on two Utah …

The Influence Of Certain Growth Hormones On Plant Growth At Cold Temperatures, Michael D. Salvesen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of externally applied growth hormones on winter rye (Secale cereale var. cougar). The rye was grown under the snow in a specially prepared tunnel on a mountain side near Logan, Utah. These plants showed a remarkable ability to grow at 0°C. Three growth hormones, kinetin, gibberellic acid (GA), and auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) were externally applied to rye seedlings growing in the tunnel. These seedlings were alter weighed, measured and tested for soluble protein content. The three hormone treatments had no significant effects on the fresh weights or shoot lengths of the …

Characteristics And Genesis Of The Payson And Trenton Soils, Hakeem T. Saif

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It is necessary to study the genesis of the Payson and Trenton polypedons in northern Utah to understand why the Payson polypedon is an Alfisol, while the Trenton polypedon is a Mollisol. Even though the soil-forming factors appear similar, the soils differ at the order level. Two pedons, one belonging to the Payson polypedons and the other belonging to the Trenton polypedon, have been described and sampled by genetic horizons. Both pedons have essentially the same climate, slope, age, elevation, and are developed on the parent material of Lake Bonneville sediments.

The differences in physical, chemical and mineralogical properties among …

Energy Usage Trends, Energy-Food Conversion Efficiency, And Relative Energy Efficiency Of Primary Crop Agriculture, Estimated From Energy-Nutrient Conversion Ratios In Mexico, India, United States, And Japan, Gerald L. Blight

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Energy-nutrient conversion ratios, as a measure of relative agricultural efficiency for Mexico, India, in the United States, and Japan between 1951 and 1974, were calculated for protein, B-vitamins, calcium, iron and food energy production. Estimates from the different nutrient ratios showed a range in percent change of production efficiency over the twenty-four year period. Indian estimates were the most consistent with only a 7 percent variability. Japan (23 percent), United States (42 percent), and Mexico (43 percent) each showed greater variability in their efficiency estimate ranges from aggregate energy-nutrient conversion ratios. Japan was the only country for which negative trends …

A Field Study In The Use Of Dietary And Urinary Variables In Determining Osteoporosis In Elderly People, Jane Steger Osborn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three-day dietary records were analyzed for nutrient content and 24 hour urine samples were analyzed for calcium, phosphorous, total nitrogen, and free alpha-amino nitrogen for 210 elderly people. Dietaries and urine samples were collected twice, October and March at five month intervals, for each subject. Increases were found in both dietary intake and urinary components October to March. Based on a criteria of high dietary protein, low dietary calcium, high urinary nitrogen and low calcium, 23 subjects were selected as osteoporotic and and 25 were selected as non-osteoporotic. This method of prediction was not supported by radiological evaluations.

Bone density …

A Process Incorporating Ultrafiltration Concentrated Whey Solids Into Cheese For Increased Cheese Yield, Rodney Jay Brown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A process which incorporates whey sol ids, primarily protein, into cheese to increase cheese yield and eliminate whey handling problems was evaluated. Whey was concentrated by ultrafiltration to levels of 9.8 to 20.3 percent total solids (4.3 to 7.1 percent protein), heated at 70 C for 30 minutes and added to cheese milk with the coagulating enzyme.

Increase in cheese yield, on the basis of 39 percent moisture, for 10 pairs of samples was 4.0 ± 2.8 (S.D.) percent. This increase was significant at alpha less than 0.001. Moisture and protein content increased while fat content decreased. Setting time and …

The Affect Of The Placement Of Food On The Tray And The Scheduling Of Playtime On Plate Waste And Nutrient Intake By Elementary School Children, Elise Walton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For three weeks the plate waste from the students at the Edith Bowen Laboratory School was collected. The students were divided into three units by grade; Unit I, kindergarten and first grade, Unit II, second and third grade; and Unit III, fourth through sixth grade. The total waste of the individual menu items in the three units was weighed to determine the total waste of each food item for the unit. In each unit individual food items from three control trays weighed together, and an average serving portion for the item in each of the three units was obtained.

The …

A Self-Instructional, Multi-Media Approach To Facilitate The Teaching Of The Index Of Nutritional Quality, Claudia Kay Probart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A review of the literature dealing with nutrition education established the following: (a) that there is a need for nutrition education at the elementary school level; (b) that elementary teachers do not always have the background or motivation to meet this need for nutrition education; and (c) that new educational methods that are easier to understand and more highly motivating are needed.

The Index of Nutritional Quantity (INQ), a nutrient density concept, was developed at Utah State University to answer the need for easily understood and motivating nutrition information. The INQ method of nutrition education has been used and considered …

Two Generational Study On The Effect Of Different Levels Of Fluoride On Rat Bone And Teeth, Madhav Prasad Upadhyay

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of different levels of fluoride in drinking water on different parameters of femurs and incisors of female rats were studied. Rats and their offspring, before and after weaning, were used for the study. Mother rats received 0, 1 and 5 ppm fluoride in drinking water. After weaning, the offspring were given the following treatments: 0-0, 0-1, 0-5, 1-0, 1-1, 1-5, 5-0, 5-1 and 5-5; the first number indicating fluoride level of mother's water during mating, pregnancy and lactation and the second number indicating the fluoride level of water given to the offspring. Femurs and top and bottom incisors …

The Influence Of Various Factors On Nitrogen Balance And Protein Quality Measured In Adult Human Beings, Arthur John Wittwer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of nitrogen intake, nitrogen source, calorie intake, body weight, adaptation time, research group and sex on the nitrogen balance of human adults was investigated. Data from studies reported in the literature were combined and analyzed statistically by multiple regression techniques. Analyses were made separately for six sources of nitrogen: egg, beef, rice, corn, wheat and wheat gluten.

Nitrogen intake, caloric intake and body weight exerted significant effects on nitrogen balance (5% level of confidence) for six, three and two of the six nitrogen sources, respectively. Other variables were not significant at the 5% level. Although differences were not …

The Effect Of Sagebrush Reduction Practices On Sharp-Tailed Grouse Use In Southeastern Idaho, Barry Anthony Mcardle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of vegetation-manipulative practices on habitat use by sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus) were studied during the period 1974-1975 in Curlew National Grasslands, Oneida County, Idaho. Vegetational transects were run twice each month during the growing season of May-August, 1974-1975, to assess vegetational differences between treatments. Transects were run to estimate sharp-tailed grouse use on the eight study areas twice monthly. Vegetational plots were used at each sharp-tailed grouse observation site to determine correlates of vegetation types and grouse use. Chained areas were used heaviest by grouse during the study period suggesting that chaining created the most …

A Comparison Of Dewpoint And Psychrometric Mode In Leaf Water Potential Measurements, Gladys Durand-Campero

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Leaf water potential of two maize plants (Zea mays L.) two chlorophytum plants (Chlorophytwn capense, Kuntze), a schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla) and one aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), were measured under laboratory conditions with aluminum block in situ leaf hygrometers and with stainless steel single junction chamber hygrometer using excised entire leaves. Plants were subjected to a drying cycle. The hygrometers were controlled with a dewpoint microvoltmeter and all readouts were recorded on a chart recorder. A typical reading and control schedule included 20 second cooling before a first psychrometric reading allowing the output to …

Subtle Teratogenic Effects Of Locoweed In Rats, Benjamin K. Nelson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Locoweed, a well-known teratogenic plant affecting livestock, is prevalent in mountain regions of the Western United States. Two common species (Astragalus lentiginosus and A. wootoni), administered to pregnant rats, induced behavioral deviations in their offspring. Treated mothers consumed less feed and gained less wieght during gestation than controls when gavaged locoweed at the rate of 1 gram whole plant per day on days 7 through 17 of gestation. A. lentiginosus reduced pup weight at birth (13% less than controls) and this weight reduction (as much as 29% less than controls) continued at least four weeks. A. lentiginosus also …