Life Sciences Commons^™

Improving The Accuracy Of The Vo2 Max Prediction Obtained From Submaxial Ymca Testing, Lindsay Parson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) is the best criterion measure for aerobic fitness and the prescription of exercise intensity for programs designed to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness. There are two ways of obtaining VO2 max: maximal tests, which require subjects to exercise to the point of volitional exhaustion and provide the most accurate measure; and submaximal tests, which are less physically strenuous but have lower accuracy. A popular submaximal protocol is the YMCA bike test. Steady state heart rate (HR) is measured at multiple submaximal workloads and extrapolated to the subject's estimated maximal HR (220-age). The VO2 corresponding to the estimated …

Compost As A Growth Substrate For Woody Ornamental Nursery Production, Jaime Crocker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Peat is an expensive, environmentally nonrenewable component of media used to grow woody ornamental trees. Leaf compost from the city of Bowling Green is an inexpensive renewable resource that was substituted for peat in soil-less container media. Seeds of three commercially important tree species, Koelreuteria paniculata (goldenraintree), Quercus alba (white oak), and Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) were grown in 473 mL bottomless milk containers for 150 days, then repotted to 3785 mL pots for 90 days. Media ratios were 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1 parts commercial media to leaf compost from the Western Kentucky University Agricultural Research Center in …

Effects Of Management And Population Size On Genetic Diversity Of Eggert's Sunflower (Helianthus Eggertii; Asteraceae), John Howard Starnes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Helianthus eggertii (Asteraceae) is a federally threatened sunflower species that typically grows between open woods and barrens. This species has both sexual and asexual modes of reproduction, which can influence the amount of genetic diversity present within and among populations. Maintaining genetic diversity is one of the primary objectives in managing threatened species or populations. Fire and population size may influence genetic diversity. Two Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Markers (873 and MAO) were used to characterize many important genetic parameters of 17 populations in 2003 and four populations in 2004. This information was used to assess the effectiveness of different conservation …

Influence Of Poultry Litter On Dark Tobacco Growth And Soil Nutrient Availability, Jason Simmons

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Due to the relatively high value of dark tobacco compared with fertilizer costs, nitrogen is recommended at levels as high as 338 kg ha"1. Such rates of inorganic fertilizers increase the osmotic pressure of the soil solution and soil acidity, often causing reduced stands, Mn toxicity, Mo and Ca deficiencies, and reduced yield and quality of the cured leaf (Sims et al., 1984). Poultry litter utilized as a nutrient source is an inexpensive alternative to this dilemma due to its relatively neutral or alkaline composition. However, due the amount of chloride present in poultry litter, the University of Kentucky advises …

Black And White: Structural And Functional Aspects Of Dermal Chromatophores Of The Marbled Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus Marmoratus), James Swan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The skin of reptiles is a complex organ with many sensory, regulatory and behavioral functions. Desert reptiles face a suite of challenges as their skin contacts hot-dry environmental surfaces. The marbled whiptail lizard, Cnemidophorus marmoratus (Lacertilia: Teiidae), is found in hot deserts of southeastern New Mexico and western Texas and is often above ground during the hottest times of the day. When active, these lizards encounter a broad range and intensity of visible and infrared wavelengths. The role of the integument in temperature regulation, although poorly understood, is critically important for these diurnal animals. Albedo, coloration, pattern, and in some …

A Method Based On Conserved Multiple Amino Acid Properties To Predict Amino Acid Substitutions Which Maintain The Protein Structure, Avinash M. Baktula

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A METHOD BASED ON CONSERVED MULTIPLE AMINO ACID PROPERTIES TO PREDICT AMINO ACID SUBSTITUTIONS WHICH MAINTAIN THE PROTEIN STRUCTURE Avinash M. Baktula September 16, 2004 1-117 Directed by: Claire A. Rinehart, Doug McElroy and Sigrid Jacobshagen Department of Biology Western Kentucky University Proteins often contain several domains, each with a distinct structure. Such domains have evolved as units that, when combined in various arrangements, produce proteins of unique structure. This study was conducted to identify amino acid substitutions that don’t change structure. Amino acid properties which were conserved in proteins with identical structures were used to predict a set of …

Estimation Of Microbial Diversity In Poultry Litter Using Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism And Isolation Of Phosphate Accumulating Bacteria From Poultry Litter, Yoganand Vadari

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The contamination of fresh water by phosphates in poultry litter results in substantial eutrophication of fresh water causing fish kills and other types of environmental damage. The poultry indus try in Kentucky is expanding rapidly. The number of broilers is increasing as more poultry farms are established in the state producing waste that needs disposal. Investigations were made to study the possibility of using microorganisms normally found in poultry litter to sequester phosphate, thereby delaying phosphate runoff after litter is applied to croplands. Little is known, however, about the microflora of poultry litter. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of 16S …

Development Of A Gene Transfer System In Clostridium Scindens Vpi 12708, Rashmi Ramasubbaiah

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Clostridium scindens VPI 12708 (previously known as Eubacterium sp. VPI 12708) is a bile-acid dehydroxylating bacterium originally isolated from the feces of a colon cancer patient. Many genes required for bile acid 7-a dehydroxylation are found on a large bile acid inducible operon (bai) that has been extensively studied. However the bai promoter, which directs expression of the bai operon, has yet to be characterized due, in part, to a lack of a functional genetic transfer system for this strain. A spontaneous rifampinresistant Clostridium scindens VPI 12708 mutant was used as a recipient to determine the efficacy of conjugation as …

An Isotopic Examination Of Cave, Spring And Epigean Trophic Structures In Mammoth Cave National Park, Zacchaeus Greg Compson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

AN ISOTOPIC EXAMINATION OF CAVE, SPRING AND EPIGEAN TROPHIC STRUCTURES IN MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK

Name: Zacchaeus Greg Compson Date: October 15, 2004 Pages: 56

Directed by: Philip Lienesch, Doug McElroy, Michael Stokes and Richard Bowker

Department of Biology Western Kentucky University

Abstract

High-water events in the Green River result in flow-reversals which flush native and introduced fishes into Mammoth Cave, posing threats to indigenous cave fauna. However, little is known about the trophic interactions between cave and epigean aquatic systems or their connectivity via natural springs. The purpose of this study was to use stable isotopes of C and …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Impacts Of Environmental Education On The Teaching Process And On Student Learning, Angela Nicole Castelli

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF THE IMPACTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ON THE TEACHING PROCESS AND ON STUDENT LEARNING Angela Nicole Castelli December 2004 (48) Directed by: Terry L. Wilson, Steve L. Spencer, and Raymond A. Poff Department of Physical Education and Recreation Western Kentucky University The Mammoth Cave National Park Environmental Education Partnership (EEP) has worked with schools and teachers to provide the students with curriculum-based environmental education programs on a regular basis throughout the school year. Because of this environmental education partnership, this study addresses the following questions: What are teacher perceptions of the impacts of environmental education on student learning …

Identification Of Phosphorylase Kinase Alpha Subunit Binding Partners In Skeletal Muscle, Soleil Archila

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

IDENTIFICATION OF PHOSPHORYLASE KINASE ALPHA SUBUNIT BINDING PARTNERS IN SKELETAL MUSCLE Soleil Archila August 2004 67 Pages Directed by: Nancy A. Rice, Sigrid Jacobshagen, and Claire A. Rinehart Department of Biology Western Kentucky University Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) integrates neural, hormonal, and metabolic signals in skeletal muscle to tightly regulate glycogen breakdown and energy production. Structurally, PhK is among the largest and most complex kinases known with a stoichiometry of (αβγδ)4 and a mass of 1.3x106 Da. The catalytic γ subunit is allosterically controlled through alterations in quaternary structure initiated by the regulatory α, β and δ subunits. In this study …