Life Sciences Commons^™

Preserving The Legacy Of Jens Jensen Landscapes: A Historical Assessment Of His Knoxville Van Deventer Garden, Terumi Watson

Masters Theses

The former Van Deventer garden (1924) in Knoxville, Tennessee is one of the rare masterpieces designed by the landscape artist Jens Jensen (1860-1951), who was a distinctive pioneer in the history of American landscape architecture. Very few of his major works survive in the Midwest which was the center of his career, and his residential designs are especially threatened by urban sprawl and land development in modern society. This historic Knoxville garden has been quietly surviving over 80 years through a few private ownerships, and Jensen’s landscape is slowly diminishing as invasive species are fast to colonize in the native …

Modulatory Efferent Morphology And Target Allocation With Co-Innervating Leech Motor Neurons, James Melchior

Masters Theses

The leech, Hirudo, has two efferents that converge upon the heart tube (HT) muscle; the segmentally iterated heart excitor motor neurons (HE), and the modulatory heart accessory neurons (HA). Using intracellular dye injections and antibody labeling, we were able to visualize and distinguish the morphologies of these two efferents. We found that HA(5) provides dense coverage of the anterior segments of heart tube muscle and extends along the HT into the posterior segments 6 and 7, while HA(6) projects centrally for several segments before extending into the periphery. HA(5) and HA(6) homologs show little or no overlap on HT …

Stress And Eating Behaviors: A Systematic Review, Jessica L. Sieber

Masters Theses

Background: The effects of psychological stress on eating behaviors either through psychological/social influences (i.e. comfort foods, learned behaviors) or psychoneuroendocrine pathways have been studied for many years; however, a review of current research is lacking. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review of the relationship between stress and eating behaviors with a concentration on how stress and eating behaviors are measured.

Methods: PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed English-language human studies published between 1966 and March 2006. Keywords and subject headings used were: stress, eating, feeding behaviors, food habits, energy intake, diet, …

Development, Stability, And Molecular Mechanisms Of Macrolide Resistance In Campylobacter Jejuni, Dave Bryson Caldwell

Masters Theses

Previous studies on macrolide resistance in Campylobacter were primarily focused on the isolates from various origins using in vitro systems. In this study, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to examine the development, stability, and genetic basis of macrolide resistance in C. jejuni. All in vitro and in vivo selected Ery^R mutants were derived from the same parent strain C. jejuni NCTC 11168. To determine if long-term exposure of low-level Ery^R C. jejuni to low-dose tylosin selects for high-level Ery^R mutants (MIC > 512 μg/ml), two low-level Ery^R mutants (MIC = 32 or …

Developing A Technique For Evaluating Weed-Specific Mapping Systems, Philip Brooks Allen

Masters Theses

Federal regulation and public awareness of agricultural chemical use have fueled precision agriculture research for the last decade. An extensive body of research on potential reduction of herbicide inputs by automated patch-spraying or site-specific management has developed. Two dominant methods have developed for site-specific application of herbicide. Map-based systems use predefined application maps to direct herbicide application and sensor-based systems use real-time weed sensors to identify and treat weeds as the sprayer moves through the field. Weed maps, generated for map-based application of herbicide are beneficial for out-of-field decision-making but are labor intensive to create and sensitive to many types …

Effects Of Combinations Of Cropping Sequences And Biocovers On Yield Of Glyphosate-Tolerant Corn, Soybean, And Cotton Under No-Till, Jennifer Elizabeth Noe

Masters Theses

No-till acreage is increasing in the United States as producers begin to recognize the environmental and economic benefits of this management system. Although the potential to receive carbon credits or payments for maintaining or initiating no-till may encourage producers to employ these practices, crop yields will be a factor in management decisions. Our objective was to examine the effects of combinations of cropping sequences and winter biocovers upon glyphosate-tolerant corn, cotton, and soybean yields under long-term no-tillage at two locations in Tennessee. Research was conducted during the first four-year phase (2002-2005) of a two-phase agronomic systems study (2002-2009) at the …

Heat-Induced Perturbations During Oocyte Maturation Carry Over To Increase Susceptibility Of Preattachment Embryos To Heat Stress, Amber Nicole Bogart

Masters Theses

Objectives were to 1) examine effects of heat stress on maturing oocytes to alter the ability of resulting embryos to develop after fertilization, 2) evaluate blastocyst development of compact morulae derived from control or heatstressed oocytes after culture at 38.5°C or 41.0°C, and 3) evaluate effects of heat stress on compact morulae to alter sex ratio. Culture of cumulus oocytes at 41.0°C did not alter ability of presumptive zygotes (PZ) to cleave; however, the proportion of embryos that cleaved to the 8- to 16-cell stage was lower (P = 0.01). Also, the proportion of 8- to 16-cell embryos derived from …

Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Simulium Jenningsi Species-Group (Diptera: Simuliidae), Elizabeth Ann Alexander

Masters Theses

A molecular phylogenetic investigation was undertaken to identify species within the morphologically homogeneous Simulium jenningsi species group, a pestiferous group of 22 species of black flies restricted to the Nearctic region. Several species in this group have well documented medical and veterinary importance, most notably S. luggeri and S. jenningsi. Unfortunately, females are monomorphic, a conundrum given their pest status. The objective of this study was to examine the utility of molecular data in species identification, with obvious application to identification of pest females. Towards this end, we sequenced approximately 2 kilobases of sequence data from the mitochondrial (Cox …

A Revision Of Tomoceridae (Insecta: Collembola) In Great Smoky Mountains National Park And Southern Appalachians Using Morphological And Molecular Approaches, Kelly Lynn Felderhoff

Masters Theses

Large, heavily scaled tomocerid springtails (Collembola) are abundant in eastern forests, and are important components of the detrital food web. The genus Pogonognathellus predominates in the southern Appalachians While a number of well-delimited tomocerid species have been described, others have vague morphological boundaries and appear to be species complexes. Before this study began in 2005, four species were known to occur in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and the surrounding Appalachians (P. bidentatus, dubius, elongatus, flavescens). Also occurring throughout the area is Tomocerus lamellifera, a widespread and distinctive species. The goals of this project were to …

Possible Strategies To Increase Ovulatory Follicle Size And Reduce Time To Ovulation In Lactating Dairy Cows, Julio Omar Giordano

Masters Theses

Specific objectives of this study were to examine growth response of the dominant follicle (DF) after administration of Folltropin-V (FSH and LH) at onset of luteolysis and investigate use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for decreasing ovulation time in lactating Holstein cows. On day 8 or 9 of a synchronized cycle, cows (n = 35) received an EAZI-BREED CIDR plus 100 μg of GnRH. CIDRs were removed 7 days later and cows were administered 500 μg cloprostenol. Concurrently, cows were randomly allocated to receive either 80 mg Folltropin-V (FSH, n = 19) or 4 mL of sterile saline (SAL, …

The Use Of Horticulture Therapy Techniques With Four Comprehensive Development Classroom Students In Four High School Horticulture Classes, Jamie Lynn Mundy

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore people-plant interactions and discover the affects of using horticulture therapy techniques with four comprehensive development classroom (CDC) students in four high school horticulture classes. The central research question addressed during the study was, “How do horticulture therapy techniques affect cognitive abilities, emotional behaviors, and social behaviors of CDC students in high school horticulture classes?”

The researcher used a total of three different instruments in order to measure various capabilities of each child. These three quantitative instruments utilized during the study consisted of a General Horticulture Knowledge Test, an Emotions Face Test, and …

Horticultural Therapy In Tennessee, Jenny Cecilia Pfeffer

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was conducted to identify the existing HT programs in Tennessee and to locate the types of institutions, staff, activities, and clientele involved in those programs. Horticulture as a therapeutic medium is increasing rapidly, especially in the U.S., and there is a significant need to compile information about available programs in Tennessee. The Web-Survey of Horticultural Therapy Programs in Tennessee was developed and used in spring 2007 to survey members of the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Tennessee Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the Tennessee Master Gardeners; the Manager of Knoxville Sertoma Center Greenhouse; …

Impacts Of Two Introduced Ladybeetles, Coccinella Septempunctata And Harmonia Axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), On Native Coccinellid Species At Mount St. Helens, Washington And In Southwestern Virginia, Catherine Marie Sheehy

Masters Theses

To assess changes in coccinellid communities subsequent to the introduction of two non-native species, Coccinella septempunctata and Harmonia axyridis, ladybird numbers were monitored over a 20 year period at Mt. Saint Helens, Washington and in three years between 1996 and 2004 in southwestern Virginia. Surveys conducted at Mt. Saint Helens included pre- and post- invasion years for both non-natives. At Mt. Saint Helens, C. septempunctata and H. axyridis both increased in abundance, accompanied by declining numbers of the native ladybird Adalia bipunctata at one of the two Washington sites and of the native ladybird Coccinella transversoguttata at both sites. …

The Role Of Soluble Fibrin In Lymphocyte And Lak Cell Adherence To And Migration Across Vascular Endothelial Cells: Implications For Immunotherapy And Cancer, Brandy Lee Weidow

Masters Theses

Although conventional therapies for metastatic cancers have made significant progress in recent years, they are relatively nonspecific and have many deleterious side-effects. Recently, novel therapies, including adoptive cellular immune therapies have had sporadic, but spectacular success in cancers such as malignant melanoma and renal cell carcinoma: tumors in which an immune response has been demonstrated. However, other physiological mechanisms, such as blood coagulation inhibit the immune response against cancers. Our previous work has shown that one of these coagulation proteins, soluble fibrin (sFn), inhibits unstimulated and activated lymphocyte adherence to tumor cells by blocking leukocyte integrin (CD11a/CD18) binding to tumor …

An Evaluation Of Field Management Practices To Improve Bobwhite Habitat, John P. Gruchy

Masters Theses

Conversion of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) to managed native warm-season grasses (nwsg) and associated forbs benefits many wildlife species that depend on early successional habitat. Planting nwsg, however, may not be necessary depending on the composition of the seedbank. Treatments were implemented in a randomized complete block design with replication during 2003 and 2004 at three study sites across Tennessee to determine the effects of seasonal herbicide applications and disking on tall fescue eradication and resulting vegetation composition and structure. Treatments included: fall glyphosate (2.2 kg ai/ha; Gly-4 2qt/ac); fall glyphosate followed by winter disking; fall imazapic (0.2 …

Influences Of Cattle On Community Structure And Pathogen Prevalence In Larval Amphibians On The Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee, Anne Chandler Schmutzer

Masters Theses

There is considerable evidence that amphibians are declining globally due to various anthropogenic stressors. Cattle grazing in wetlands is a stressor that may have negative impacts on amphibians and has not been investigated intensively. Cattle could have a negative effect on larval amphibians by decreasing water quality through deposition of nitrogenous waste. Reduction in water quality also may compromise immune function by inducing stress thus making larvae more susceptible to pathogens. My objective was to quantify differences in amphibian larvae community metrics, water quality, and pathogen prevalence between cattle-access and non-access wetlands. I also measured fish abundance and biomass of …

Natural Resources In The Northern Cumberlands: A Determination Of Residents Values, Cynthia Liane Longmire

Masters Theses

In the process of governance, political power has often become the primary tool for influencing decisions. Objective information about policy values and interests regarding natural resources and their use and conservation is often incomplete, biased or simply not available. Democratic governance requires that natural resource agencies, public officials, natural resource stakeholders, and the public at large have a good understanding of these values and interests. The values and interests of residents of Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan, and Scott counties in Tennessee regarding scarce natural resources are identified and analyzed in this thesis. This region of Tennessee has experienced increased interest in …

Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations To Study The Dynamic And Catalytic Properties Of R67 Dihydrofolate Reductase, Robert F. Beahm

Masters Theses

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF) using NADPH as a cofactor. Since THF is an essential factor for nucleotide biosynthesis, inhibition of this enzyme in bacteria with folate analogs such as trimethoprim results in bacterial cell death. Plasmid encoded R67 DHFR confers resistance to trimethoprim and is both sequentially and structurally unrelated to any known chromosomal version of the enzyme. R67 DHFR is a 34,000 Da. homo-tetramer containing a rare 222 axis of symmetry in the center of its active site pore. The active site pore is contacted by residues belonging to each of …

Survey Of Crohn's Diseased Patients' Sera Utilizing The Flow Cytometry Method, Gary Taylor Fielden

Masters Theses

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin that continues to affect millions of people worldwide. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has been a suspected etiological agent of Crohn’s disease for nearly two decades. Recently, our laboratory was able to achieve a test sensitivity of 95.2% (n=21) by using a flow cytometry method (FCM) to detect anti-MAP antibodies in Johne’s diseased cattle. Here we investigate whether FCM can differentiate Crohn’s patients’ antibody titers from healthy human control antibody levels. As a second research goal, we investigated other suspected bacteria and serum-differentiating yeast using the FCM. In brief, …

Changes In Body Composition And Physical Activity Behavior In A Group Of College Freshmen, Tracy A. Swibas

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: To compare: 1-the physiological profile of former athletes (Ath) and non-athletes (Non-Ath) upon college entrance, 2-PA levels in these groups, and 3-changes in physiological profile and PA level of former Ath and Non-Ath and females and males over the course of freshman year. Sixty-two college freshmen were tested during the initial weeks of the school year and again during the final weeks of the school year; the sample consisted of 32 former Ath (18 females and 14 males) and 30 Non-Ath (19 females and 11 males). METHODS: Body composition (BC) was assessed using the Bod Pod with a conversion …

Factors Influencing Desire For Increased Wildlife Habitat Among Tennessee Farmers And The Economics Of Switchgrass Production, Janet Jones

Masters Theses

In order to keep up with a growing human population, wildlife habitat has had to be relinquished. Modern technology has furthered the abilities of commodity producers but caused a deterioration of the quality and quantity of habitat available for wild animals in many cases. Many species of wildlife have left areas of the state in order to meet their basic needs. In order to increase wildlife numbers, wildlife habitat will have to be reintroduced or managed differently. The first objective of this research is to identify and evaluate the factors associated with a demand for increased wildlife habitat among Tennessee …

Physiological Stress In Native Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) During Episodic Acidification Of Streams In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Keil Jason Neff

Masters Theses

Episodes of stream acidification are suspected to be the primary cause of the extirpation of native southern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from six headwater streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). During periods of increased flow from storm events, stream pH can drop below 5.0 (minimum of 4.0) for 2-days or longer. To provide evidence that native brook trout are impacted by stream acidification, in situ bioassay experiments were conducted. Changes in stream water chemistry and brook trout physiology were determined during a 36-hour acidic episode at three remote headwater stream sites in the Middle Prong of the …

The Effectiveness Of Polyacrylamide In Reducing Turbidity Caused By High Clay Sediment: A Study Of The Impacts Of Blends, Mixing, And Sediment Concentrations, Kenton Michael Brotherton

Masters Theses

Polyacrylamide was studied for its efficacy in reducing turbidity. The purpose of this research was to determine optimum conditions for 10 blends of PAM to reduce turbidity from construction site runoff. The research was based on 10 different PAM blends, researching concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10 ppm), PAM forms (dry granular or solution), mixing powers (80 and 150 rpm), and mixing times (1 and 2 minutes). The research was conducted in a laboratory setting using a PB-700TM Standard Jar Tester (Phipps and Bird, Richmond, Virginia) with a clay texture sediment source. The claytextured sediment source was researched under two sediment-water …

Influences Of Cattle On Postmetamorphic Amphibians On The Cumberland Plateau, Elizabeth Carrie Burton

Masters Theses

Global decline of amphibian populations has been linked to various anthropogenic stressors. Recent studies have quantified the influences of cropland agriculture and deforestation; however, few have examined the impacts of allowing cattle access in wetlands on resident amphibians. I compared four wetlands exposed to cattle grazing for >10 years against four wetlands that had not been grazed for >10 years, at the University of Tennessee Plateau Research and Education Center. At each wetland I measured species richness, diversity, and species-specific relative abundance of postmetamorphic amphibians captured in pitfall traps and during breeding call surveys, amphibian egg mass abundance, shoreline vegetation …

An Examination Of The Education, Credentials, And Functions Of School Food Service Directors In Tennessee Public School Districts, Elizabeth T. Anderson

Masters Theses

Childhood overweight and the associated health consequences have become a significant health problem in the United States and particularly in the state of Tennessee, with 14.8% of U.S. and 20.0% of Tennessee youth’s aged 10-17 currently classified as being overweight (1). Environmental factors play a significant role in the etiology of overweight, and therefore need to be considered in efforts undertaken to address this problem. Schools are one such environment where U.S. children spend a great deal of time, making the school food environment, which includes all foods available in schools (such as foods served in the school meals, a …

Impact Of Imidacloprid And Horticultural Oil On Non–Target Phytophagous And Transient Canopy Insects Associated With Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis (L.) Carrieré, In The Southern Appalachians, Carla Irene Dilling

Masters Theses

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand, is an exotic insect species dramatically reducing populations of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrieré, throughout the eastern United States. Systemic imidacloprid and horticultural oil are the two primary chemicals used to control infestations of the hemlock woolly adelgid. However, the effect of application timing (fall versus spring) and method on the translocation of imidacloprid throughout the canopy in addition to the quantity of imidacloprid translocated is unknown. Also, the potential effect of both imidacloprid and horticultural oil on non-target canopy insects is unknown. A study was initiated to determine the effect of application …

Linkage Analysis Of Caffeine Resistance And Circadian Rhythm In Caffeine-Treated Ddt Resistant And Susceptible Strains Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Chandrashis Bhowmick

Masters Theses

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, many plant products and various drug preparations. It is the most consumed common psychoactive drug around the world. Consumption of caffeine causes several behavioral and physiological responses in humans and other mammals. Caffeine is also known to be an insect repellant and can be used as an insecticide. As observed in mammals, caffeine treatment increases the locomotor activity in insects including Drosophila. However, very little is known about genetic and molecular basis of caffeine sensitivity and action in insects. In the present study, I have used DDT resistant (91-R) and susceptible …

Studies On The Mechanisms Of Homolog Pairing And Sister Chromatid Cohesion During Drosophila Male Meiosis, Jian Ma

Masters Theses

Meiosis is a complex process involving one round of DNA replication followed by two rounds of cell divisions. The proper segregation of homologs at meiosis I and sister chromatids during meiosis II is essential for the survival of the offspring. Aberrant chromosome segregation at any stage of meiosis can lead to aneuploidy. Meiotic chromosome segregation without crossing over or chiasmata is a widespread but poorly understand chromosome segregation pathway. In male Drosophila meiosis the absence of recombination in chromosomes makes it easier to identify mutations which influence homologous chromosome pairing and segregation.

Modifier of Mdg4 in Meiosis (MNM), a protein …

Boiling And Microwaving Effects On Hydrophilic Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Of Frozen Vegetables, Merry Frances Rogers

Masters Theses

Decreased risks of chronic illnesses, such as cancer, occur with increased consumption of dietary antioxidants. Vegetables are a particularly rich source of dietary antioxidants but these are primarily water soluble compounds. This research determined effects of microwaving or boiling on the antioxidant capacities of commercially frozen vegetables. Hydrophilic components were extracted by Acetone/Deionized water/Acetic Acid (700:295:50, v/v) from commercially frozen broccoli, carrots, sweet corn, and sweet peas before and after microwaving for 5 min or boiling for 10 min. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay was employed to determine the antioxidant capacity. Additionally, color and texture analyses were performed. …

Effects Of Long-Term Late Winter Prescribed Fire On Forest Stand Dynamics, Small Mammal Populations, And Habitat Demographics In A Tennessee Oak Barrens, Rebecca L. Stratton

Masters Theses

Stand structure and composition of pyric oak barrens communities were shaped by natural and anthropogenic fire disturbance regimes. Due to fire suppression and land use changes, oak barrens have become rare. In 1963, a study was implemented to evaluate the restorative effects of annual and five year periodic fire on an “oak barrens” hardwood forest at the University of Tennessee Forest Resources Research and Education Center near Tullahoma, TN. The initial study was a randomized block design and analyzed the effects of short-term prescribed fire on hardwood reproduction, herbaceous vegetation, fuel loading, and soil characteristics. Since inception, additional studies of …