Life Sciences Commons^™

A Comparative Study Of Larval Gene Expression Between A Paedomorphic And Metamorphic Species Of Ambystomatid Salamander, Meredith A. Boley

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Ambystoma tigrinum undergoes an obligatory metamorphosis while A. mexicanum fails to metamorphose and exhibits paedomorphosis. While it is clear that salamander paedomorphosis is associated with genetic changes that delay developmental timing, it is not clear when and how these changes manifest during development. It is possible that paedomorphic and metamorphic larvae show equivalent patterns of developmental until late in the larval period, when brain regions become competent to stimulate the release of metamorphic hormones. To test this hypothesis, I compared gene expression patterns between the brains of A. mexicanum and A. t. tigrinum larvae. In support of the developmental equivalence …

Phenotypic And Genotypic Selection For Head Scab Resistance In Wheat, Andres Mateo Agostinelli

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a destructive disease caused by Fusarium graminearum that affects wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Breeding for resistance to FHB is arguably the best way to combat this disease. However, FHB resistance is highly complex and phenotypic screening is difficult. Molecular markers are a promising tool but breeding programs face the challenge of allocating resources in such a way that the optimum balance between phenotypic and genotypic selection is reached.

An F_2:3 population derived from a resistant x susceptible cross was subjected to phenotypic and genotypic selection. For phenotyping, a novel air separation method …

Comparison Of Rope-Wick And Broadcast Treatments For Control Of Canada Thistle And Tall Ironweed, Daisy M. Fryman

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Tall ironweed (Vernonia altissima) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) control in cool season grass pastures was evaluated in 2007 and 2008. Tall ironweed was evaluated in Fayette and Boone Counties, KY and Canada thistle was evaluated at Spindletop Research Farm. Herbicides applied selectively with a rope-wick were compared to a broadcast foliar spray. Treatments were a broadcast treatment, of aminopyralid + 2, 4-D and six rope-wick treatments: aminopyralid at three concentrations, glyphosate, triclopyr and clopyralid at one concentration each. The Boone County location had five broadcast foliar treatments: aminopyralid at three rates, triclopyr + fluroxpyr, and …

The Association Between Alcohol Sales And County Level Economic Growth In Kentucky, Julia Hinkle Rollins

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of using alcohol sales as an indicator of development or lag associated with development in Kentucky counties using summary statistics, shift-share analysis and an econometric model. The summary statistics are used to evaluate possible lines of causality and the Shift-share analysis and econometric model deal the specific characteristics of the county that are assumed to be influenced by the sale of alcohol. Limitations to the county level data were limiting to the time period evaluated in this thesis. As a result, much of the findings were inconclusive as to the relationship between county level economic …

Trinexapac-Ethyl And Overseeding Effects On Shear Strength And Tolerance To Simulated Traffic Of Four Bermudagrass Cultivars Grown On A Sand-Based System, Michael Todd Deaton

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) is often used for athletic fields due to its wear tolerance and recuperative ability. Studies were conducted May 2007 through November 2008 in Lexington, Kentucky. The cultivars ‘Quickstand’, ‘Tifway’, ‘Riviera’, and ‘Yukon’ grown in a sand-based medium were used to investigate differences in wear tolerance and shear strength. Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) was applied at label rates and frequencies or untreated. Overseeding treatments were perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) at 0, 612, and 1225 kg PLS ha^-1. Traffic treatments were applied with a Brinkman traffic simulator 3 d wk-1 August through October. Shear tests …

The Importance Of Nutrition Label Usage In The Context Of Obesity: A Cross-Country Study Of The Usa And Turkey, Emine Bayar

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Obesity, the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and related health problems increase people’s concerns about healthy food consumption. The increased prevalence of obesity is a major concern of societies both in developed and developing countries. Nutrition label usage has been increasing due to the link between diet and health. This study intends to provide a framework for describing profiles of consumers who are more likely to use nutrition labels in USA and Turkey, a developing country with increasing obesity rates in recent years. Empirical results present similarities and differences between consumers’ attributes for food label usage …

Analysis Of The Arabidopsis Polyadenylation Factors Pap1, Cstf64 And Cstf77 And Their Characteristic Inter-Relationship, Amrita Bandyopadhyay

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

3’-end modification by polyadenylation is a ubiquitous feature of almost all eukaryotic mRNA species and is catalyzed by a consortium of enzymes, the polyadenylation factors. Poly(A) polymerase (PAP), the enzyme catalyzing the addition of adenosine residues during the polyadenylation stage, exists in four isoforms within Arabidopsis. In silico and yeast two-hybrid studies showed that PAP1 has unique expression and interaction pattern in Arabidopsis, suggesting non-canonical functions of PAP1. Its exclusive interaction with PAP4 has not been reported in other living systems until now and hints at a difference in polyadenylation in plants with respect to mammals and yeast. …

Effects Of Augmented Real-Time Auditory Feedback On Top-Level Precision Shooting Performance, Stacy Marie Underwood

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This study examined the effects of training with real-time auditory feedback in precision shooting. Top-level shooters (N=9) were randomly assigned to the feedback or nonfeedback group. Each group performed a pre-test, a 4-week training intervention and a post-test. The feedback group was provided with augmented real-time auditory feedback based on postural and rifle barrel stability during training sessions. Increases in performance were measured through changes in postural stability, rifle barrel stability, shot outcome and shot group diameter. Real-time auditory feedback did not increase postural or rifle barrel stability in the feedback group. No meaningful differences were found related to shot …

The Efficacy Of School Wellness Policies In Kentucky, Margaret O'Bryan Murphy

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

With the passage of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, all schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program are required to establish local wellness policies to address childhood obesity. In the state of Kentucky, Senate Bill 172 requires all elementary schools to adopt a local wellness policy addressing competitive foods, healthy choices, and daily physical activity. This study measured federal and state compliance among schools that responded to the 2008 Kentucky School Nutrition Survey. This study analyzed differences in the school nutrition environment among policies based on data from the 2002 and 2008 Kentucky School …

Hip Muscle Strength And Pelvic Obliquity In Collegiate Females During Walking And Stair Descent Tasks, Kelly Rodriguez

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The goals of the pelvis include maintaining the center of mass of the body, assisting in foot clearance and absorb forces from the lower extremities using muscles and ligaments to stabilize the joint. A better understanding of the influence of muscle strength on controlling pelvic obliquity in a healthy population will help in understanding low back pain and overuse lower extremity injuries. Thirteen females (22 ±2 yrs) participated in isokinetic strength testing of the hip abductors, adductors, internal rotators and external rotators on a Biodex dynamometer. The subjects also underwent gait analysis during self selected pace walking and stair descent. …

Florida Panther And Black Bear: A Road And Urban Avoidance/Utilization Analysis And Impacts Of Land Use And Climate Change On Large Carnivore Habitat In Florida, Andrew James Whittle

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Florida is expanding its urban borders into areas of the native habitat. Increased expansion is predicted through the next several decades. Several sections of the state are home to large carnivores, such as Florida panther and black bear, which are important to ecosystem function. Expansion of roads and urban centers will greatly reduce the quality and quantity of carnivore habitat. In this study, I used Euclidean distance analyses and very high frequency (VHF) telemetry points to produce distance categories in which carnivores either have a negative/neutral/positive association with roads and urban centers. The seven black bear populations followed four different …

The Impact Of Perceived Barriers To Export: An Analysis Of Kentucky Agricultural And Food Processing Firms, Kelly A. Davidson

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

As intra-industry trade increases in U.S. agricultural and food processing industries, the historical agricultural trade surplus is tightening. In efforts to maintain the trade surplus a focus has shifted towards the promotion of agricultural and processed food exports among small and medium sized firms. This study intends to identify and evaluate the potential for exports among small to medium sized agricultural and food processing firms in Kentucky through a collection of survey data. The objectives of this thesis are to identify the state’s product marketing opportunities and product specifications for international exports while identifying transaction requirements for potential exports. An …

Influences Of Supplementing A Mannan Oligosaccharide Containing Product To Pig Diets On Sow And Weanling Pig Performance, I-Fen Hung

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effect of supplying mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) to pig diets on both weanling pig and sow performances.

Nursery pigs challenged with LPS to stimulate an immune challenge had increased body temperature and respiratory rate as well as elevated serum cortisol and TNF-α concentration, MOS-supplemented pigs had a lower rectal temperature and respiratory rate which implied that MOS improves some aspect of the immune function of piglets.

MOS supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation had no effect on litter size, but the piglets from MOS-fed sows were heavier at birth …

An Interaction Between Risk Perceptipton And Trust In Response To Food Safety Events Across Products And Regions, And Their Implicaitons For Agribusiness Firms, Jonathan D. Shepherd

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Food safety events receive substantial media coverage and can create devastating economics losses for agribusiness firms. It is unclear what factors influence consumers’ purchasing decisions before or after a food safety event occurs. The objectives of this study is to identify these factors that influence purchasing decisions, determine how consumers respond to hypothetical food safety events, and compare these findings across different products and geographical regions. The data for this research was obtained from two surveys. One survey concerned fresh produce while the second focused on meat products. The SPARTA model, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, is used …

Nutrient And Medication Intake Of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Cristina Elizabeth Hiten

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The incidence of autism continues to rise with no cure or understanding of the cause of the disorder. Approximately one in 150 children will be diagnosed with an (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder although recent prevalence data suggest one in 91. The objective of the study is to assess medicinal intake regarding prescription and nonprescription medications of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and its affect on their nutritional status compared to age, and sex matched healthy children. The study included families of children with autism in which they completed questionnaires and 24‐hour recalls. There were 26 children used within the questionnaire …

The Prevalence Of Nutritional Issues In African American Woment Living In Low-Income Housing, Jessica Renee Coffie

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

African Americans have more disease, disability, and early death than whites. The leading causes of death for African American women are heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. Several reasons for these differences, including racism, poverty, cultural differences, lack of knowledge about the importance of screening or testing to prevent health problems, inability to get to the doctor, or lack of trust in the medical system. Healthy eating habits are less evident among lower class neighborhoods because of the lack of availability and education about healthy foods. Although African Americans have a healthy acceptance of a wider range of …

Influence Of Various Plant Populations On Weed Removal Timing In Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean, Jason Sarver

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Reduced plant population in glyphosate-resistant soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] may influence the critical time of herbicide application. Field studies were conducted in 2007 and 2008 at two locations in Kentucky to determine the effect of four weed control programs on soybean seed yield, seed quality, crop canopy, and weed pressure when planted at three densities - 185,000, 309,000, and 432,000 plants ha^-1. Plots were treated with glyphosate at either 3 weeks after planting (WAP), 5 WAP, 7 WAP, 3 & 7 WAP, representing common weed control protocols within the state. No differences in seed yield were …

Furthering Pharmacological And Physiological Assessment Of The Glutamatergic Receptors At The Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction, Junyoung Lee

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) serve as a model for synaptic physiology. The molecular sequence of the postsynaptic glutamate receptors has been described; however, the pharmacological profile has not been fully elucidated. Despite the postsynaptic molecular sequence used to classify the receptors as a kainate subtype, they do not respond pharmacologically as such. Kainate does not depolarize the muscle, but dampens evoked EPSP amplitudes. Quantal responses show a decreased amplitude and area under the voltage curve indicative of reduced postsynaptic receptor sensitivity to glutamate transmission. ATPA, a kainate receptor agonist, did not mimic kainate’s action. The metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist …

School Lunch Programs And The American Diet: Exploring A Contested Food Terrain, Rebecca Som Castellano

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This study examines the social actors and issues involved in constructing and contesting the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), in order to identify whose interests are involved in shaping an institution which transmits dietary habits and food knowledge to the nation’s children through the mid day meal.

For the historical analysis, I collected data from historical accounts of the NSLP, congressional hearings, laws, and newspaper articles. For the contemporary analysis, I interviewed 15 actors representing organizations key to federal NLSP policy making. To frame my analysis, I utilize a model of power, based on the work of Arts and Van …

Evaluation Of Dietary Alterations That Have Potential To Affect Feed Intake And Feed Preference In Swine, James Seth Monegue

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Feed intake is a key factor affecting pig performance; thus, the objective of these studies was to assess a variety of factors that could potentially affect intake in pigs in different production stages. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of flavor and diet complexity, Appetein™ (an alternative protein source), and graded levels of salt on swine feed intake and feed preference. Two newly developed flavors were used in nursery pig diets. The use of the two flavors did not increase feed intake (P > 0.05). Nursery pigs actually showed a preference for the control diet. Complex diet formulation does increase …

Maternal Antibody Transfer And Meningeal Worm Infection Rates In Kentucky Elk, Willie Elwood Bowling

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Elk (Cervus elaphus) were historically present throughout Kentucky, but were extirpated by the mid 19th century. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources initiated elk reintroduction efforts in 1997, resulting in a self-sustaining population. I designed this project to study the effects of a parasitic nematode, meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis), on Kentucky’s elk herd. I examined potential maternal transfer of P. tenuis antibodies to elk calves, and investigated the relationship between elk habitat use and meningeal worm infection. I captured neonatal elk in 2004-06, fitted them with VHF transmitters, and collected blood samples for an enzyme-linked …

Matrix Geochemistry And Phytophthora Occurrence On Reforested Mine Lands In Appalachia, Kathryn M. Ward

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

At the Bent Mountain surface mine, Pike County, Kentucky, a study has been ongoing since 2005 to assess the influence of various types of loose-graded mine spoils on water quality and forest establishment. Six research plots consist of two replicates of brown weathered sandstone, gray unweathered sandstone, and mixed brown sandstone, gray sandstone, and shale that were emplaced according to Forestry Reclamation Approach criteria. A series of analyses was initiated in 2007 to examine influence of spoil matrix composition on sulfate and carbonate geochemistry of infiltrated waters, as well as to investigate the occurrence of Phytophthora, a group of …

The Effects Of Roads On Space Use And Movements Of Black Bears In Eastern Kentucky, Rebekah A. Jensen

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Kentucky, USA, is the site of recent natural recolonization by the American black bear (Ursus americanus); however, bears are rarely observed outside the Cumberland Mountains along the state‘s southeastern border. I examined the influence of roads in constraining the distribution of this population by altering animal space use and movement. I identified patterns of road avoidance and road crossing using data from Global Positioning System collars worn by 28 adult bears (16M, 12F), and described road mortality trends using 27 roadkill events. Bears avoided roads at the home range and landscape scale, primarily crossed low-traffic roads, and crossed …

Fit Camp A Behavioral Weight Loss Program The Effects Of Self-Monitoring, Social Support, Attendance, And Motivation, Erin Marie Murnan

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Almost half of Americans between 17 and 24 years of age are enrolled in higher education. College is an important life transition period when many young adults establish independence and adopt lasting behavior patterns, especially with regard to diet and physical activity. The first years of college are often associated with weight gain therefore making weight loss and weight gain prevention interventions necessary in this population. Behavioral weight loss programs (BWLP) have shown to be effective in adults, however, to our knowledge, there have been no reports of BWLP focused solely on college-aged young adults. This study compared a 10-week …

Towards Reducing Fungicide Use In The Control Of Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia Homoeocarpa F.T. Bennett) Disease On Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis Stolonifera L.), Kenneth Lee Cropper

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is commonly used on golf course greens and fairways in cool-humid regions but is plagued by numerous fungal diseases, one of which is dollar spot disease (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F. T. Bennett). Dollar spot occurs frequently throughout the growing season requiring biweekly fungicide applications for complete control. The objective of this study was to investigate methods of reducing the number of fungicide applications needed to maintain dollar spot at acceptable levels through dew removal and potential mechanisms of resistance in bentgrass. In the first study, a combination of mowing three times a week and …

A Descriptive Study Of The Diet And Physical Activity Practices Of Overweight And Obese College Students Enrolled In A Weight Loss Program, Laura Brooke Walters

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The effect of weight gain on college students may lead to physical and emotional problems that could continue into adulthood. Identifying behavioral, demographic, and psychological factors that impact college student’s weight status could aid in developing programs to help reduce weight and prevent weight gain in overweight and obese college students. This study evaluated the dietary habits, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics of college students entering a university-sponsored weight loss program. Results suggest that the majority of participants have experienced weight gain in the past year and none have experienced weight loss. The student’s diets tended to include less than …