Life Sciences Commons^™

Buyer And Grower Perceptions Of Liner Quality And Associated Production Costs Of Nursery Liner Stock, Andrew H. Jeffers

Masters Theses

Liner production is a key segment in the nursery industry. Due to a lack of specific of quality standards by governing industry organizations as well as a lack of general consensus among growers of perceived liner quality, a conjoint analysis study was developed to determine buyer and grower preferences for nursery liner product features during point-of-purchase decisions. The study used a visual survey using six variables (first order lateral roots (FOLR), price, region of production, and height, canopy density and caliper uniformity) with varying levels yielding a 3 x 3 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. …

Investigating The Oligomerization Of Vitronectin, Yacynth Ruwansara

Masters Theses

Vitronectin is a multi-functional glycoprotein that is present in the plasma and extra-cellular matrix of eukaryotes. It is capable of binding a wide variety of structurally different ligands, including plasminogen activators, plasminogen activator-inhibitors, proteases, cell surface receptors and components of the extra-cellular matrix. Vitronectin exists in two conformations – as a monomer in circulation, and as a multimer in the extracellular matrix. The pathway by which vitronectin undergoes the transition from monomer to multimer is not well characterized, but this laboratory has put forward evidence to suggest that the binding of vitronectin with plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), facilitates higher …

Evolution Of The Set Of Signal Transduction Proteins In 10 Species Of Shewanella, Harold Arthur Shanafield

Masters Theses

The recent completion of the sequencing of several species of the Shewanella genus provides a unique opportunity for comparative genomics studies. We chose the first 10 fully sequenced Shewanella genomes to investigate the evolution of signal transduction proteins (ST). ST is a universal and highly regulated system, and as a very well-studied system provides an excellent starting point for investigation. Furthermore, Shewanella have been shown to have a large number of two-component systems and diguanylate cyclases relative to their genome size. In this study we investigate the evolution of signal transduction across several Shewanella strains by utilizing a domainlevel approach …

Characterization Of The Metallohistin Cdna Agnt84 And Pteris Vittata Tissue Culture For Phytoremediation, Blake Lee Joyce

Masters Theses

Contamination of soils with toxic metals such as arsenic and cadmium has become a major environmental and human health risk. Phytoremediation provides a method to remove contaminants from soils that is not only economically viable but also environmentally sound. Metallohistins are proteins that have the capability to bind divalent metal ions such as Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺. In this study, a concatemer sequence was designed to try to increase the presence of metal-binding proteins in transgenic plants. Two methods to increase translational efficiency of the metallohistin protein were used: …

Roles, Perceptions, And Control Of Infant Feeding Among Low-Income Fathers In East Tennessee, Kristen Erika Anderson

Masters Theses

INTRODUCTION: Introduction of solid foods before the recommended age of 4-6 months is a common practice in the United States, and appears to be especially prevalent among infants who are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Currently, little is known about how fathers influence early infant feeding decisions, outside of the decision to breast- or formulafeed. The purpose of this study was to explore how fathers perceive the role they play in feeding and caring for their infants. METHODS: Participants were 21 male-caregivers, who were fathers or partners of the mothers …

Tissue Culture And Recombinant Dna Technology: Developing Protocols For Potentially Higher Yielding Switchgrass Cultivars, Stephen Michael Foulk

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis project was to, firstly, establish and optimize protocols for high-throughput callus induction and plant regeneration for the new, higher yielding switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars NSL and SL93. Secondly, to subclone the complementary DNA (cDNA) of the anthocyanin transcription factor, C1, from pBECKS.red into pUC18 and pBSL15 for downstream use.

For the first part of this project the cultivars, NF/GA992, NF/GA993, NSL, and SL93, were tested for callus induction by plating whole dehusked caryopses on callus induction media (CIM) containing 8.5uM of the auxin dicamba. NF/GA992 responded best to the treatment with 44% of …

Effect Of First, Second And Third Chromosome On The Promoter Activity Of Cyp6a8 Gene Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Anirban Mukherjee

Masters Theses

The mechanism of insect CYP gene regulation is largely unknown. In the present investigation, I used Drosophila as a model insect to understand the role of X, 2^nd and 3^rd chromosomes on the promoter activity of Cyp6a8 gene. Two reporter transgenic strains, 0.8luc110 H-ry and 0.8luc14, carrying 0.8luc-A8 reporter transgene (chimera of 0.8-kb upstream DNA of Cyp6a8 and the firefly luciferase gene) on the 2^nd and 3^rd chromosomes of ry⁵⁰⁶, respectively were used. The X, 2^nd and 3^rd chromosomes of these two transgenic lines were replaced with corresponding chromosomes from DDT-resistant 91-R …

Characterization Of Vitronectin And Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 1: Insights Into Metal Binding, And Production Of Reagents To Facilitate Structural Studies, Cynthia Lee Brown

Masters Theses

Vitronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in regulation of such processes as hemostasis, cell migration, immunity, and tumor metastasis. Many of its functions require interaction with various binding partners. One such partner, plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 (PAI-1), belongs to the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily of proteins. PAI-1 helps regulate hemostasis by affecting blood clot breakdown, and helps regulate cell migration and tissue remodeling by affecting extracellular matrix digestion. Our laboratory is pursuing structural information on vitronectin and the complex formed between vitronectin and PAI-1. To this end, the work presented in this thesis focuses on two aims: characterizing the …

Novel Method For Recovery Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 From Beef Surfaces, Matthew Adam Becher

Masters Theses

A study was conducted to compare the efficiency of detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL 933 on external beef trim by commercial recovery systems based upon of the Microbial-Vac System (M-Vac) and excision sampling. Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL 933 was cultured in tryptic soy broth for 24 hr at 37°C and transferred for three consecutive days before diluting and spot inoculating onto a 684 cm² piece of beef trim (10 CFU/684 cm²). Beef trim was sampled with the M-Vac by passing the sampling head over the entire surface area in a vertical sampling pattern. The sampling head …

Impacts Of A 4-Lane Highway On The Spatial Ecology Of American Black Bears And The Effectiveness Of Wildlife Underpasses In Eastern North Carolina, Matthew Flanders Mccollister

Masters Theses

From 2001 through 2005, the North Carolina Department of Transportation rerouted and upgraded a section of U.S. Highway 64 in Washington County to a 4-lane divided highway. This new roadway included 3 wildlife underpasses with adjacent wildlife fencing to mitigate the effects of the highway on wildlife, in particular American black bears (Ursus americanus). From 2000 to 2001, the University of Tennessee conducted research on the spatial ecology and population demographics of the black bear population at the new highway site and on a nearby control area of similar habitat composition. From 2006 to 2007, after highway construction, …

The Status Of Table Mountain Pine (Pinus Pungens) Stands On The Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, Amy Louise Morgan

Masters Theses

Table Mountain pine (Pinus pungens Lamb.)(TMP) is a threatened species, endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains. The status of TMP following the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman) outbreak of 1999–2001 is unknown. This study focuses on stands of the Cherokee National Forest (CNF) in eastern Tennessee that had a TMP component in the 1994 Continuous Inventory of Stand Condition (CISC) data. This project has two parts: an inventory of the 1994 stands as well as a case study of cost comparison of release treatments for a young overstocked stand. The objective of the inventory was to visit …

“Intervention Strategies To Enhance The Safety Of Ready-To-Eat Meat Products By Plant Essential Oils, Chayapa Techathuvanan

Masters Theses

Components of plant essential oil (PEO) extracts are known to have antimicrobial properties. However, their antimicrobial efficacy in food systems is low due to their hydrophobic nature and association with other food components. Incorporation of PEO components into an appropriate carrier may offer a potential solution to improve their activity in food systems. This study was conducted to determine the effect of PEO components (thymol, eugenol, linalool, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde) incorporated into zein coating on inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on a ready-to-eat meat model, frankfurters (hot dogs). Hot dogs were inoculated with 7 log CFU/sample and dipped into prepared PEO-zein …

Characterizing Strength And Fracture Of Wood Micropillars Under Uniaxial Compression, Xinan Zhang

Masters Theses

The structure of the actual wood cell wall is very complex and it consists of several layers. Some research has been done to measure the mechanical properties of wood cell wall. For example, the hardness and modulus of wood cell wall was estimated using a nanoindentation test. But the mechanical contribution of wood cell wall is not fully understood and documented in the literature. Understanding the micro mechanical properties of the wood cell wall are paramount because of the potential for applications in cellulose nano-composites research and development.

The focus of this research was to investigate the essential of the …

Nesting Success And Population Densities Of Grassland Birds In The Breeding And Wintering Seasons In Tennessee And Kentucky, Daniel Matthew Hinnebusch

Masters Theses

Grassland and shrub/scrub breeding birds have experienced severe population declines since the beginning of the Breeding Bird Survey in 1966 (Sauer et al. 2007). Habitat loss and degradation are likely the primary causes of decline (Herkert 1994, Warner 1994, Johnson and Igl 2001). Partners in Flight (PIF) continental population objectives call for managers to increase populations by up to 100% for several of the species found in the Big Barrens, north-central Tennessee and south-central Kentucky, such as Dickcissel (Spiza americana), Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii), and Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor; Rich et al. 2004).

The …

Interactions Between Alfalfa Mosaic Virus And Soybean Mosaic Virus In Soybean, Martha Maria Malapi-Nelson

Masters Theses

Viral synergism occurs when two or more unrelated viruses simultaneously infect the same plant and the multiplication of one of the viruses is enhanced. This is generally associated with no change(s) in multiplication of the other viruses involved. Synergism also results in intensification of symptoms. In mixed-infection, viruses may also interact in an antagonistic manner, where one virus suppresses the replication or accumulation of another virus. This phenomenon is uncommon, and only two cases have been reported where the coat protein (CP) accumulation of one of the viruses has decreased. A number of synergistic interactions studied involve viruses belonging to …

Effects Of Environmental Heterogeneity In A Host-Parasite Coevolutionary Chase, Barry D. Derennaux

Masters Theses

Species-species interactions are ubiquitous and it is thought that selection is very strong in many of these interactions, resulting in reciprocal evolution by natural selection. In antagonistic coevolution, one species benefits at the cost of another, resulting in a system where selection favors the strengthening of the interaction in one species, and acts to reduce the interaction in the other species. Previous theoretical work in homogeneous systems has identified a wide range of possible behaviors (including limit cycles, heteroclinic cycles, and equilibria) as well as explored how parameters effect local adaptation in species. Here we explore how heterogeneous systems and …

Dietary Creatine Induces Pse-Like Broiler Meat, Amy Paulette Chandler

Masters Theses

Consumer demand for chicken breast meat has led poultry breeders to emphasize selection for high breast muscle yield, resulting in contemporary broilers that grow rapidly with heavy muscling. Genetic selection for fast growth and high yield has increased the incidence of PSE-like meat that occurs when low muscle glycogen levels decrease quickly resulting in lactic acid build-up, rapid pH decline, and early rigor mortis onset. Preliminary research in our laboratory suggests that dietary inclusion of creatine in broiler diets may reduce the incidence of Pale, Soft, and Exudative (PSE) like meat. We hypothesized that creatine supplementation in broiler diets increases …

Estimating The Economic Feasibility Of Heating Tennessee Broiler Houses With Solar Energy- A Two County Analysis, Matthew Austin Brown

Masters Theses

Due to rising energy costs, renewable energy sources have become an increasingly important national issue. The rising cost of fuel coupled with the increased environmental awareness of carbon emissions has led to renewed research in renewable energy sources. The agricultural sector, especially broiler production, is an energy intensive industry. Poultry production (broilers and layers) is also the largest confined animal enterprise in Tennessee (Warren 2002). Furthermore, the increasing cost of heating fuel and electricity has put a financial strain on Tennessee broiler producers (Brown 2007; Railey 2007). Finding alternative sources of energy is important to the future financial performance of …

Landowner Decisions And Motivations On The Tennessee Northern Cumberland Plateau: Willingness To Participate In Government Assistance Programs And Reasons For Owning Woodland, Brandon Russell Kaetzel

Masters Theses

The Tennessee northern Cumberland Plateau is a region rich in history and biodiversity that is currently being faced with increased immigration of retirees and new landowners. This influx of people will lead to parcelization of large tracts of forestland, decreases in timber and water quality, and loss of wildlife and biodiversity. For these reasons it is important that the practice of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) be adopted in the region. SFM is a tool that can be used to increase biodiversity, improve timber quality, and help to sustain the regional economy. This thesis provides results from two different models that …

The Effects Of Treefall Gap Disturbances On Litter Ant Assemblages In A Tropical Montane Cloud Forest, Margaret Patrick

Masters Theses

In this study, we considered the effects of treefall gap disturbances on leaf litter ant assemblages in a Neotropical montane cloud forest. We asked a series of questions: (1) Do species richness, number of workers, and assemblage composition of leaf litter ants differ between treefall gaps and adjacent intact forests? (2) Do leaf litter ant assemblages become more similar to the assemblages in adjacent forest as gaps age? (3) What abiotic and biotic factors are correlated with ant species richness, and does the relative importance of these factors differ between gap and intact forest sites? To address these questions we …

Effect Of Pod Maturity And Plant Spacing On Isoflavone Content And Harvest Force Of Edible Soybeans [Glycine Max (L.) Merrill], Allison E. Stewart

Masters Theses

In recent years consumer interest in edamame increased in part due to reported health benefits associated with vegetable soybeans. Consequently, interest in soybean production has increased steadily. This research consists of three related studies. A spacing and planting date study was performed to compare four soybean lines. This experiment utilized four plant spacings and three planting dates. The lines were grown at the Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville, TN in 2005 and 2006. Seeds were harvested at the R6 and R8 reproductive stages. Samples were analyzed by HPLC for isoflavone content. Data from the R6 harvest confirmed previously …

Mechanisms Of Calcium-Induced Firmness In Fruits, Vegetables, And Mushrooms, Xiaoyun Deng

Masters Theses

Six fractions from mushrooms (MFs), as cytoplasmic proteins (F1), cell membrane proteins (F2), alkali-soluble cell wall glucans (F3a), cell wall proteins (F3b), cell wall beta-glucans (F4a), and chitin (F4b) and five fractions from both apples (AFs) and cucumbers (CFs), as cytoplasmic proteins (F1), cell membrane proteins (F2), cell wall proteins (F3), pectic substances (F4), and cellulose (F5) were extracted and analyzed for their neutral carbohydrates, proteins, aminosugar material, soluble phenolics, and pectic substances. The dominant compounds consisted of the following: proteins in MF1, proteins and neutral polysaccharides in MF2, neutral polysaccharides in MF3a, neutral polysaccharides in MF3b, neutral polysaccharides and …

Effect Of Calendering Of Flexographically Printed Silver Flake Ink, Sujay Pandkar

Masters Theses

Interest in the printed electronics is increasing on a day-to-day basis. To utilize the concept of printed electronics on a wider range, printed circuit needs to perform more and more efficiently. The simplest printed circuit components include conductive traces, which can function as interconnects or contact electrodes. There are still some limitations to the conductivity of printed traces. Previous results showed an improvement in the conductivity of printed traces with a post cure treatment of 4 hours at 105°C. The present research explores a different approach towards improving conductivity using a post calendering treatment on-line.

The effects of calendering temperature, …

Cerulean Warbler ( Dendroica Cerulea Breeding Ecology And Habitat Selection, Initial Response To Forest Management, And Association With Anthropogenic Disturbances In The Cumberland Mountains Of Tennessee, Tiffany Ahren Beachy

Masters Theses

The objectives of this research were to (1) assess the pre-treatment conditions on Royal Blue and Sundquist Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in terms of Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) habitat selection, territory density, and nest survival, (2) summarize the initial response of cerulean nest-site habitat selection, territory density, and nest survival to silvicultural treatments, and (3) to examine the relationship between anthropogenic disturbances and cerulean abundance and occurrence in the Cumberland Mountains.

Cerulean Warblers consistently selected territories and nest sites that differed from the available habitat in 2005 and 2006. Specifically, ceruleans on Royal Blue tended to choose areas …

Identification And Management Of Moss And Phytopathogenic Algae Common On Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens, Steven Michael Borst

Masters Theses

Taxonomic traits were utilized to identify problematic moss species common to golf course putting greens. Three predominant species of moss were identified on two golf course putting greens located in East Tennessee. Bryum argenteum, Amblystegium serpens and Entodon seductrix were identified on creeping bentgrass putting greens. Green house studies were initiated to investigate all three moss species control with carfentrazone and mancozeb. Utilizing digital image analysis investigations concluded carfentrazone controlled all three moss species greater than mancozeb. Sequential carfentrazone applications controlled all three moss species greater than single applications. Moss recovery and regrowth was observed with carfentrazone.

Field studies …

Determinants Of Liberian Farmgate Cocoa Prices, Alicia English

Masters Theses

In an effort to increase growth, employment and diversify farmer portfolios and exports in Liberia, the government is currently focused on opportunities in smallholder tree crops. Smallholder cocoa has the potential to benefit a wide population of farmers by increasing income opportunities and adding to overall household food security. However, the government must contend with a chaotic buyer driven marketplace with limited access to financial and physical capital and relatively little incentive to enhance production capacity and ensure quality. This research describes the characteristics of Liberian cocoa producing and marketing households in order to give context to smallholder marketing decisions …

Tall Fescue Based Forage Systems Supplemented With Winter Annuals For Stocker Cattle, Brian Thomas Campbell

Masters Theses

A four year study (2004-2007) was conducted at Highland Rim Research and Education Center near Springfield, TN to compare tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb.) forage systems in which rye (Secale cereale L.)/ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was used to supply additional high quality forage to stocker cattle. Twelve 1.2-ha pastures were assigned to two cool-season forages and two forage systems with three replicate pastures each. Cool-season forage treatments were: (1) endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) ‘Kentucky-31’ tall fescue and (2) ‘Jesup MaxQ’™ tall fescue. The two forage systems were: (1) stockpiled tall fescue, supplemental feed (a blend of …

Waterbird Responses To Drawdown Of Two East Tennessee River Valley Reservoirs, John William Laux

Masters Theses

Waterbirds rely on stopover sites in the interior United States to meet the energetic demands associated with migration. Mudflats exposed during annual drawdowns of reservoirs in the Tennessee River Valley (TRV) provide stopover habitat for thousands of migratory waterbirds. Timing of drawdowns may significantly affect waterbird use of TRV mudflats. Thus, I quantified the impacts of drawdown date for Douglas (1 August) and Chickamauga (1 October) Reservoirs on mudflat acreage and characteristics, food availability, and waterbird use. I also quantified waterbird activities on TRV mudflats to determine their functional role to migratory waterbirds. From August 2005/06 – January 2006/07, I …

Disordered Eating Behavior Frequency And Body Mass Index Comparison Among Racially Diverse Sorority Women: The Strong Bodies And Strong Minds Unite Sisters! Study, Leah M. Kittle

Masters Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the frequency of disordered eating behaviors (DEB) among primarily Caucasian and primarily Minority sorority women. A secondary purpose was to describe weight status of sorority women by comparing Body Mass Index (BMI) categories, using guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among the two sorority groups.

Method: Sorority women (primarily Caucasian, n=291; primarily Minority, n=44) completed an online survey designed to assess lifestyle habits, body image, and eating attitudes. We focused upon differences in Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) global and subscale scores and BMI scores, calculated …

Comparison Of Underwater Video Mapping And Pebble Count Measurements In Determining Stream Channel Substrate, Joshua S. Rogers

Masters Theses

GPS videography has been used to capture substrate data with post-processing efforts being made to characterize streambed particle distributions. Advantages of this method include less field time, minimal streambed disturbance, convenience of post-field processing, and digitally stored data which can be used with GIS when geo-referenced. The question being asked is ‘what are the drawbacks of this method and how accurate are the data.’

Current video mapping techniques were used to capture stream channel substrate footage in three distinct float patterns. All data were geo-referenced by embedding geographical coordinates to each frame during recording. Post-processing of the video data included …