Life Sciences Commons^™

Vegetation Analysis Of Three Zones Of Belmont Prairie, Dupage County, Illinois, Susan Eckert Ruta

Masters Theses

Belmont Prairie is located in Downers Grove, DuPage County, Illinois, and is one of the few preserves of a native tall grass prairie. It is located in the Morainal section of the Northeastern Morainal Division, and harbors over 100 species of native prairie plants which are typical of the community type. Three vegetation zones were sampled for species composition and both frequency and relative frequency. These areas are as follows: Dry mesic upland area, sedge meadow, and transitional area.

The upland dry mesic zone had diverse vegetation including forb and grass species such as Parthenium integrifolium, Silphium laciniatum, …

Noncompetitive Effects Of Morning Glory On Growth Of Soybeans, D. R. La Bonte

Masters Theses

Competitive effects of weed infestations in soybean fields can severely reduce yields. Noncompetitive factors (allelopathy) may also be involved. Soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Asgrow A 3127 mid group 3) show a marked reduction in growth due to root exudation, leaf leachate and total plant extracts from white-flowered morning glory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.).

Residual Phytotoxicity Of Mon-097 In Sludge Enriched Soils, Jennifer A. Woods

Masters Theses

Aerobically and anaerobically digested sludges were added to soil at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, and 10% (v/v). Dry weights of Avena sativa var. Noble plants, harvested 28 days after planting, were greater with increased sludge concentrations. Plant dry weights were consistently greater with aerobically than with anaerobically digested sludge. MON-097, an acetanilide herbicide, was applied to these soil/sludge mixtures at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 ppm. Residual phytotoxicity of MON-097 was not significantly affected by sludge concentration. These results suggest that increased concentrations of sludge in the soil do not contribute to detoxification …

Raw Water Quality In The New Charleston, Illinois Pump Storage Reservoir, Kevin G. Lookis

Masters Theses

Charleston, Illinois, a city located in east-central Illinois, recently implemented a new concept in a raw water system. Due to storage capacity-sedimentation problems in the old Lake Charleston-Embarras River raw water supply, the Charleston Pump Storage Reservoir was constructed. The new system involved building a dike separating the Lake Charleston impoundment from the Embarras River. Water to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir can now be selectively pumped into the impoundment from the river.

Raw water quality in the reservoir was monitored on a weekly basis for a full year from August, 1981 to August, 1982. The levels of …

Some Effects Of Simulated Acid Rain On Cool Season Turfgrasses, Robert C. Morrow

Masters Theses

Six varieties of cool season turfgrasses were exposed to simulated acid rainfall with treatments consisting of a sulfuric acid solution, a nitric acid solution, and a 50-50 mixture of both. Each solution was used to make "acid rain" of pHs 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, and 1.5.

Height measurements showed decreases in growth throughout the experiment for all treatments except the nitric and 50-50 acid treatments at pHs of 2.0 and 1.5, which maintain fairly constant growth. Analysis of nitrate, phosphorous, and potassium levels in the soil indicated heavy leaching of the nitrates and potassium from most soil samples, which probably account …

Autumn Olive Reproduction In Three Illinois State Parks, James Daniel Nestleroad

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of The Surface Polysaccharides Of R. Trifolii Su843 And Its Sym Plasmid Alterated Mutants, Jauh-Lin Duh

Masters Theses

The Rhizobium trifolii polysaccharides from SU843 and mutants--HC843(pBR1AN), HC843, 8002--in which the sym plasmid is replaced, absent, or mutated by transposon Tn5 were isolated. The surface polysaccharides of genetically altered mutants were compared quantitatively and qualitatively with one another and with the parent strain. The interpretation of these results is discussed in relation to the function of Rhizobium surface polysaccharides in the symbiotic process. The symbiotic ability of SU843 and mutant strains is as follows: (a) SU843, nod⁺, fix⁺; (b) mutant 8002, roa⁺ (still attaches to root hair), hac^-, nod^-; (c) …

Observed Changes In The Largemouth Bass Population Since Construction Of A New Pump Storage Reservoir At Charleston, Illinois, Lawrence B. Durham

Masters Theses

Lake Charleston, Illinois was electrofished to determine the status of the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, Lacepede) population after its reconstruction into a pump storage reservoir. The changes observed were an increased rate of growth of the initial year class, increased average growth increment of older bass, and a more abundant bass population. Factors which may have influenced increased growth were decreased turbidity, alkalinity, and increased water level. There is a possibility the increase in water level led to an increase in terrestrial invertebrates as a food source, and increased spawning substrate and cover due to submerged terrestrial vegetation. …

The Relationship Between Whole Brain Catecholamine Depletion In Carassius Auratus And The Exposure To Inescapable Shock In A Learned Helplessness Paradigm, Roderick J. Misunis

Masters Theses

Learned helplessness is a psychological concept that describes the subsequent escape-avoidance behavior of experimental subjects who are exposed to uncontrollable stressors. Subjects after treatment are unable to respond in situations where escape is possible. Two major theorists, Seligman and Weiss, have proposed explanations concerning the phenomena. Seligman feels that the subject is unable to respond due to the fact that the exposure to an uncontrollable stressor has caused him to learn to be "helpless". Weiss feels that the inability to respond can best be described by alterations in the subject's brain neurochemistry, specifically the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This paper is an …

The Effect Of Repeated Spermiation On Sperm Density In The American Toad (Bufo Americanus), Michael A. Kriz

Masters Theses

Bufo americanus (American toad) responds to LH-RF injections by releasing sperm into the cloaca. An ANOVA test (repeated measures) was used to determine that spermiation number and body size but not frequency of injection affected sperm density. The affects of body size on sperm density were that large toads produced the highest sperm densities, followed by the medium and then the small toads. Sperm density decreased with repeated spermiations which could correlate with the explosive breeding pattern of the American toad.

Factors Influencing Reforestation Of Surface Mined Lands In Southern Illinois, Jill R. Medland

Masters Theses

Studies of surface coal mined lands have focused primarily on older lands mined prior to the enactment of reclamation legislation. Current laws will require extensive grading, soil replacement and revegetation. In order to more effectively reforest these lands, I have evaluated sites planted to woody species during the past decade.

The vegetational characteristics, as well as both avaian and small mammal populations of several reclaimed surface mined areas, differing in age and reclamation procedures, were compared. Success of planted trees ranged from 50 to 91% and survival varied with the species planted. There was no relationship between tree survival and …

Parental Foraging In Chipping Sparrows (Spizella Passerina), Dora Elisa Perez

Masters Theses

During the breeding season of 1982, the population of Chipping Sparrows ( Spizella passerina) that inhabits the Western Michigan University's campus was chosen to study the use of foliage and other foraging sites. Three pairs were selected to be observed intensively.

During the time the female is foraging and when the male is either foraging or in territorial advertisement activities both sexes choose needleleaf trees out of proportion to their availability.

It is also likely that in the later stages of caring for young, when food demands were highest, the birds become less selective and forage on needleleaf trees as …

Movement Ecology And Habitat Utilization Of Black Bears In Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, Charles Rene Villarrubia

Masters Theses

Forty-five captures of 28 black bears (Ursus americanus) were made in Cherokee National Forest (CNF), Tennessee between June 1978 and December 1979. Twenty-two bears were fitted with radio-collars.

Bears exhibited a crepuscular activity pattern which was modified seasonally. Higher levels of activity during the day in summer and at night in fall is attributed to bears feeding on available berry and acorn crops. Females with cubs were the most active sex-age group; this is likely related to the high energy demands of raising cubs.

Larger home ranges of males (30.1 km²) than females (11.6 km^{2 …}

The Breakfast And Snacking Patterns Of East Tennessee Adolescents, Janie M. Ezell

Masters Theses

Breakfast and snacking patterns and the effects of selected factors on these eating occasions were examined for 225 east Tennessee adolescents. Factors selected for examination included gender, regions (metropolitan vs. rural), mothers' employment, presence of a father in the household, number of children in the household, fathers' education, mothers' education, and who prepared breakfast. Twenty-four- hour food records and written questionnaires were collected from selected 15-18 year old adolescents attending four metropolitan and three rural high schools. Energy and nutrient intakes were evaluated for breakfast and snacks. As measures of overall quality, nutrient intakes per 1000 kilocalories and a dietary …

Recipe Design And Management In A Nutritional Data Base System, Robert G. Trenary

Masters Theses

The Nutritional Data Base System (NDBS) is an interactive information system which provides the user the ability to create and process menus, recipes and food items. Three primary program modules are thus indicated along with modules to translate user requests and process file and directory information. A discussion of standard data base concepts and an application of these concepts to the processing of recipes in the NDBS system is presented. Future possible expansions are suggested and other similar information systems are discussed.

A Histopathological Study Of The Effect Of Ethylnitrosourea On Ha(Icr) Mice Testes, Mildred Rodriguez

Masters Theses

Ethylnitrosourea (ENU) is very strongly mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic in mice. In the present study ENU was used to induce germ cell damage in the mouse testis. Mice were given single injections of vehicle, 50, 100, or 200 milligrams of ENU per kilogram of body weight and killed at various times over a fifteen week period. Microscopic examination of the testes showed that extensive killing of spermatogonial cells and therefore maturation depletion had occurred in the seminiferous tubules. The histopathology was dose dependent and the testicular weight decreased with an increasing ENU concentration.

Biochemical, Hematological, And Pathological Observations Of Black Bears In The Smoky Mountains, William Joseph Cook

Masters Theses

Selected tissues were collected from black bears in the Smoky Mountains between May 1976 and September 1980. Information related to the pathology of bears was accumulated and analyzed. Specimens were obtained from 290 bears.

Pathological studies included whole blood and serum biochemical parameters, a parasitic and infectious disease survey and gross and histological evaluation of tissues obtained from post mortem examinations. Whole blood specimens were analyzed for percent cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (HGB), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count, estimated sedimentation rate (ESR), and reticulocyte count. Calculations were determined for erythrocytes including mean cell …

Direct Marketing In East Tennessee: A Study Of The Bradley County Farmers' Market, Jon Traunfeld

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were to analyze the growth, structure and operation of the Bradley County Farmers' Market and to determine the factors contributing to the Market's success. Grower and consumer surveys were used to profile participants and isolate problems and suggestions for market improvement.

The Market's success was attributed to a wide range of factors: (1) technical assistance provided by the Extension Service, (2) a growing middle-class population in Cleveland, (3) preference by residents for fresh, locally-grown products, (4) a large number of retired, part-time and small-scale farmers in the area and (5) the location and special qualities …

Factors Affecting Food-Related Behaviors Of Adolescents, Nancy N. Salvetti

Masters Theses

Adolescents' evening meal patterns and the effects of the following factors on adolescents' eating behavior were investigated: gender, region (metropolitan or rural), mothers' employment, who prepared the evening meal, teens' employment, nutrition attitudes, and nutrition knowledge. A sample of 229 adolescents 16-18 years of age from four metropolitan and three rural high schools in East Tennessee completed 24-hour food records, written questionnaires, and nutrition attitude/knowledge tests in spring 1980. Additional data were collected from nine high schools in the Knoxville area in spring 1981. A paired sample of 74 adolescents working on the day of the survey and 74 nonworking …

The Use Of Sodium Bicarbonate In Complete Rations For Lactating Cows, Brian C. Bogart

Masters Theses

Sixty-two Holstein cows were assigned to respective treatments of a randomized complete block design three days postpartum. Complete rations, formulated to meet NRC requirement, were fed during the first 112 days of lactation. Diets contained, on an as-fed basis, 75% corn silage and 25% pelleted concentrate (CS:PC) or (CS:PC) + .5% feed grade sodium bicarbonate added as a percent of the total ration (CS:PC+). In addition, each cow received 5 lb of alfalfa-grass hay daily (as fed).

Data collected weekly included milk yield (1b/d), milk fat (percent), 4% fat corrected milk (1b/d), ration dry matter intake (percent of body weight), …

The Quality Of Turkey As Affected By Ovens Of Varying Energy Costs, Marsha Mcneil

Masters Theses

Energy conserving cooking procedures have been of recent interest to the consumer and the researcher. The introduction of convection and microwave ovens for consumers has been credited with potential energy savings. Therefore, an investigation was designed to compare the energy consumption of conventional, convection, and microwave ovens as boneless turkey roasts were cooked. Turkey was chosen because its consumption is increasing and it is a time and energy demanding muscle food to cook. The quality of the cooked roasts was evaluated by objective tests, an experienced sensory panel, and a consumer sensory panel.

The microwave oven cooked significantly faster (P …

Recyclable Materials In Food Service Facilities And Energy Recovery Possibilities, Mary E. Kopp

Masters Theses

An identification of recyclable materials in food service facilities with potential energy recovery possibilities was determined by a mail questionnaire and on-site observations/interviews of food service facilities. Thirteen hospital food service departments, twenty-four restaurants, and eighteen combined hospital food services and restaurants responded to the questionnaire entitled, Current Energy Practices and Possibilities for Recycling of Materials in Food Service Facilities. Five facilities--two hospital food service departments and three restaurants--participated in the observations to examine actual practices of energy recovery through recycling processes. A second purpose of the study was focused on identifying the recycling method with approximate costs and benefits. …

Longitudinal Examination Of The Incidence Of Obesity In Adolescent Females, Carol A. Costello

Masters Theses

The persistence and incidence of obesity was investigated in 61 black and 29 white females residing in Knox County, Tennessee. These girls were 16.0 ± 0.5 years of age and had been previously studied at 9, 10, 11, and 14 years of age. Data collected on these girls and 40 additional 12- and 14-year-old girls included height, weight, triceps circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, 24-hour dietary recalls, and an activity recall. A questionnaire concerned with attitudes toward physical activity was devised, pilot tested, and administered. An obesity index was devised from height, weight, and triceps measurements of the girls with the …

Activity Patterns, Movement Ecology, And Habitat Utilization Of Black Bears In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, Howard B. Quigley

Masters Theses

Radio-collars were fitted on 22 black bears captured on a 155 km² study area in the northwest portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, between June 1978 and December 1979.

Activity monitors in radio-collars indicated that bears exhibited crepuscular daily patterns of activity which were modified seasonally; activity was highest during the day in all seasons but night time activity was highest during fall. Most seasonal variations in diet patterns of activity are attributed to changes in foraging patterns. Monthly activity levels were lowest in the postdenning months of April and May and the predenning months of …

Prognostic Nutritional Index: Its Usefulness As A Predictor Of Clinical Course, Elizabeth Fenn Lowe

Masters Theses

It is of great consequence to be able to predict an individual's risk of clinical complication during hospitalization. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), which is based upon one's nutritional status, is a method that has been developed for this purpose. The PNI equation is comprised of the following indicators of nutritional status: serum albumin level, serum transferrin level, triceps skinfold thickness, and delayed hypersensitivity. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of PNI in predicting clinical course.

The sample was composed of 328 subjects who had been admitted to medical or surgical services of the Veterans Administration Medical Center, …

Glycosaminoglycans Of Normal And Diabetic Human Plasma, Gloria Badiner

Masters Theses

Diabetic complications in nnn-insulin dependent tissues have led < researchers to investigate causitive parameters at the biochemical level. The purpose of this project was to measure glycosaminoglycans in diabetic and normal human plasma and to investigate any changes in glycosaminoglycan content for possible roles in diabetic complications.

Glycosaminoglycan content was measured by three methods; the alcian blue assay, protein-bound hexosamine, and total glycosaminoglycan isolate methods. Results show IDDM plasma to have significantly increased levels of glycosaminoglycans as assayed by the alcian blue test and protein-bound hexosamine. The total glycosaminoglycan isolate method did not correlate with either of the two other methods. No difference was demonstrated between normal and NIDDM plasma glycosamino glycan content.

The protein-bound hexosamine and the alcian blue assays correlate with age and type of diabetes. No differences between the sexes were demonstrated. Of particular interest are …

Analogues Of Steffimycinone, David Wayne Elrod

Masters Theses

Several analogues of Steffimycinone - an anthracycline antitumor antibiotic - have been prepared. Modifications were made at C-7 and C-10 of the non-aromatic A ring portion of the anthracycline nucleus. Compounds with nitrogen substituents were prepared. The synthesis of these compounds is discussed as well as their antitumor activity. The unsuccessful approaches to several other analogues are also discussed.

High-Density Lipoprotein Status Of Adolescent Females And Its Relation To Diet And Selected Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Marilyn Julie Bush

Masters Theses

A sample of 78 black and white female subjects, age 16 ± 0.5 years, was evaluated for plasma concentrations of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the relationship of these concentrations to dietary variables and selected cardiovascular risk factors. Blood samples were drawn from fasted subjects. A heparin-Mn²⁺ solution was used to precipitate non-high-density Apo-B associated lipoproteins in the plasma, and the resultant supernatant fluid was analyzed for high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol by direct determination. Total cholesterol was also measured in plasma by a direct determination method. Nutrient intake was assessed by 24-hour dietary recall. Anthropometric variables evaluated in relation to HDL-C included …

Seasonal Movements Of White-Tailed Deer In East-Central Illinois, James E. Chelsvig

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of The Chemical Variants Of The Cladonia Pyxidata-Chlorophaea Complex In East-Central Illinois And Northern Michigan, Cheryl A. Cunningham

Masters Theses

This study was one of comparison of chemical variant of the Cladonia pyxidata-chlorophaea complex of east-central Illinois and northern Michigan. A total of 150 collections were made from Coles, Clark, and Lawrence counties in Illinois, and a separate collection of 58 samples was taken from Cheboygan and Emmet counties in Michigan.

Collection sites in Clark county were, Rocky Branch Nature Preserve, near Clarksville, and privately owned land near Martinsville. From Coles county, collections were made at the Stone Quarry Prairie, Lakeview Park, Lincoln Log Cabin State Park, Walker’s Ford, Lakeview Park hill prairie, and a hill prairie north of the …