Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Chronic And Acute Y-Hydroxybutyrate Administration On Mass And The Release Of Growth Hormone And Corticosterone, Eric C. Goshorn

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Eric C. Goshorn on December 10, 1998.

Inorganic Fertilization Of Walleye (Stizostedion Vitreum) Hatchery Ponds, Roderick J. Middleton

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Roderick J. Middleton on December 2, 1998.

Control Of Food Intake And Expression Of Hunger In The Northern Water Snake, Nerodia Sipedon (L.), Paul Timothy Andreadis

Doctoral Dissertations

Most of what is known about the control and expression of appetite comes from studies of laboratory rodents. Such animals, which take small, frequent meals, are located at one end of a spectrum of feeding frequencies. The theme of the present work was to explore appetite in an animal that takes relatively large meals at long intervals. I studied some of the factors that control food intake and influence the expression of hunger in Northern water snakes, Nerodia sipedon; Serpentes: Colubridae). Subjects were collected in streams in eastern Tennessee, especially the Little River in Blount County.

In order to …

A Population Genetics Study Of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, Stanley Zane Guffey

Doctoral Dissertations

Observations of anglers and naturalists, and the findings of molecular genetics, indicate that native Southern Appalachian brook trout populations comprise a distinct lineage of Salvelinus fontinalis. In this century, the stream mileage inhabited by the region's only native salmonid has been reduced by 70-80%. Attempts to restore declining populations by stocking have eroded the genetic integrity of many remaining native populations through hybridization with hatchery strains. In this study I review the decline and current status of brook trout in the Southern Appalachians (Part I), document the genetic structure of populations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Part II), …

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Demand For Pork In The United States (1966-1996), Raven Nicole Matthews-Pillette

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

The following study examines the trend in the demand for pork over the years from 1966 to 1996. The effect of pork price is used to quantitatively determine own-price influence in pork demand. The price of beef and chicken are used to measure the effects of these known substitutes on the demand for pork. Bread price is used as a complementary influence on pork demand. Finally, income and tastes and preferences are used to quantitatively measure their respective influence on the consumption of pork meat. Results showed that out of the prices of pork, 6eef, chicken, and bread; income; and …

Factors Influencing Venom Expenditure During Defensive Bites By Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) And Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Viridis, Crotalus Atrox), Shelton Scott Herbert

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although the quantity of venom expended when biting is an important aspect of the natural history of snakes, little is known regarding the quantities of venom expended during bites. Recent studies have shown that rattlesnakes appear capable of selectively allocating their venom reserves during predatory strikes, metering more venom into certain prey types and less into others. Despite much speculation, the quantities of venom expended during defensive bites are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence venom expenditure during defensive bites by cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), western rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) and western diamondbacks …

For Shade And Comfort: Ornamental Plants In Nineteenth- Century Midwestern Domestic Landscapes, Cheryl Lyon-Jenness

Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the extent and type of ornamental plant use in nineteenth-century Midwestern domestic landscapes, considers reasons for expanded horticultural interest between 1850 and 1880, and explores the significance of ornamental plants as part of Midwestern material culture.

Content analysis of over seven hundred lithographic images of homes and homegrounds from three southeastern Michigan counties, combined with demographic information, confirmed widespread ornamental plant use among an economically and culturally diverse group of Midwesterners by the 1870s. A number of cultural trends encouraged this expanded horticultural interest Exploration of readily available midnineteenth- century newspapers, magazines, and advice manuals revealed that …

Identification Of Multicultural Nutrition Counseling Competencies For Registered Dietitians, Edna Ellen Elizabeth Harris-Davis

Masters Theses

Objective: Research was conducted to develop a model and identify multicultural nutrition counseling competencies for Registered Dietitians

Design: A mail survey was administered followed by a post card reminder and a follow-up survey to non-respondents. The survey consisted of 46 competency items that subjects rated on a Likert scale of 1 to 7 (1=Unessential to 7 -Essential).

Subjects: A stratified random sample was taken from 1300 members of the American Dietetic Association's Public Health Nutrition Practice Group and directors of the Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) and Dietetic Internship (DI) Programs. A total of 604 subjects were selected and mailed …

Mathematical Model Of Paper Discoloration By Ink Particles, Zbigniew W. Slotwinski

Masters Theses

The goal of this experiment is to investigate how changes in the size and number of ink particles will affect the final brightness of the filter pad.

It was assumed that any differences in brightness of the used Millipore filters were due to change in the average particle size, given the same mass of ink solids on each filter. However, such simplified interpretation of image analysis proved to be inadequate to solve this complex problem.

The correlation between the particle area, number of particles, and brightness drop was established using an algorithm based on the particle area and the square …

Experiments To Maximize Growth In Captive Florida Pompano (Trachinotus Carolinus), Brian J. Hicks

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) are highly prized food and sport fish indigenous to coastal areas of the southeastern United States. A commercially valuable fishery has historically existed in the Gulf of Mexico and on the South Atlantic seaboard. Efforts to economically culture Florida pompano in a captive environment were only partially successful. Four experiments were performed to explore the physical and environmental requirements of Florida pompano and other closely related species in the Family (Carangidae):

Experiment #1- Semi-natural spawning was induced with newly developed hormonal implants. to initiate and sustain semi-natural spawning in captive Florida pompano. Fish collected from the …

Biochemistry Of Hemolysin Toxin Activation By Fatty Acylation: Characterization Of An Internal Protein Acyltransferase, Michael S. Trent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hemolysin toxin produced and secreted by pathogenic Escherichia coli is one of a family of cytolytic, structurally homologous protein toxins known as RTX (repeats in toxin) toxins. RTX toxins are products of a gene cluster, CABD . The A gene product, nontoxic hemolysin (proHlyA) is made toxic by post-translational fatty acylation of two internal lysine residues. HlyC, C gene product, is essential for acylation, and acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) is the acyl donor. HlyB and HlyD are involved in secretion of the toxin. HlyC was thought to serve as an internal protein acyltransferase and remained uncharacterized until now. ProHlyA and …

The Ontogeny Of Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) Social Behavior: Implications For Sociality And Taxonomic Status, Tarren Kay Wagener

Masters Theses

Patterns of behavioral development in closely related North American Canis have been studied extensively. Developmental trends have been used to assess species-typical social organization and taxonomic relationships i wolves (C. lupus), coyotes (C. latrans) and domestic dogs (C. familiaris). Despite its species designation, the taxonomic status of the closely related red wolf (C. rufus) is fiercely debated and a hybrid origin (C. lupus x C. latrans) has been proposed. The objective of the current study therefore was to analyze growth and behavioral development patterns in the red wolf and perform …

A Study Of Epixylic Bryophyte Ecology On Fraser Fir Logs In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Erica Choberka

Masters Theses

The Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest is experiencing the chaotic conditions of ecosystem destruction resulting from the balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae (Ratz)) infestation. In the present study, I have examined the community structure of bryophytes on fir logs in the high elevation spruce-fir forest of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) to learn about the responses of bryophytes to the sudden change in forest structure.

This study has four primary objectives: 1) to provide an updated list of the epixylic bryophytes on fir logs in the spruce-fir forest of the GS MNP; 2) to compare results with previous …

Analysis Of Protein And Rna Interactions Of The Hiv-1 Rev Protein, John Francis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The HIV-1 Rev protein enters the nucleus via it’s nuclear localization sequence/RNA binding domain and interacts with a ≈234 nt region of viral RNA, termed the Rev Response Element (RRE), which is located in the env region of unspliced and singly-spliced HIV-1 mRNA. The Rev nuclear export sequence (NES) then mediates translocation of the viral transcript to the cytoplasm, allowing for translation of viral structural genes and active virion formation. We report identification of two yeast nucleopore proteins, NUP49 and NUP100, that have been found to interact with Rev in vivo using the yeast two-hybrid system. NUP49 and NUP100 contain …

The Role Of Gap Junctions In Congenital Diseases Of The Heart, Scott Henry Britz-Cunningham

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Gap junctions are thought to have a crucial role in the synchronized contraction of the heart and in embryonic development. Connexin43, the major protein of gap junctions in the heart, is targeted by several protein kinases that regulate myocardial cell-cell coupling. We hypothesized that mutations altering sites critical to this regulation would lead to functional or developmental abnormalities of the heart.

Methods. Connexin43 DNA from 25 normal subjects and 30 children with a variety of congenital heart diseases was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Mutant DNA was expressed in cell culture and examined for its effect …

Genetic Variation In Chrysopsis Floridana Small, The Endangered Florida Golden Aster, As Revealed By Random Amplification For Polymorphism Detection (Rapd), Laurie Lysle Walker Markham

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chrysopsis fioridana Small (Asteraceae) is a federally endangered plant endemic to the Tampa Bay area of west central Florida. It is confined to the sand pine scrub community, growing in open, sunny, and sandy areas or in disturbed areas at the edges of scrub. As a means ofassessing the genetic variability ofthis species, eight populations in Hillsborough County were compared with a seed stock collection housed at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales using random amplification for polymorphism detection (RAPD). The objectives of this study were to (I) describe the overall genetic variation among and within populations and subpopulations of …

The Effect Of A Sheet Tension Controller On The Productivity Of A Papermachine, Timothy J. Rummel

Honors Theses

This thesis proposal outlines a project in which the efficiency of a papermachine is increased by controlling the tension through the dryer section. The controlled tension is expected to reduce wet end breaks and to decrease the steam demand of the dryer section. The experiment will be run by placing a laser positioning sensor above the open draw of a papermachine and monitoring the position of the draw until an optimum height of the paper has been determined. Then an automatic drive controller will be connected to the wet end drive to maintain a constant draw height and the machine …

Increased Glutathione Metabolic Defense Capabilities In Cultured Alzheimer's Diseased Lymphoblast Cell Lines, Collin M. Shaw

Dissertations and Theses

The hypothesis to be tested states that the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves elevated levels of oxidative stress, resulting in elevated levels of cellular oxidative defense mechanisms. If the premise is true, than AD pathologically afflicted cells should have a higher demand for glutathione (GSH) as an innate oxidative defense mechanism hence; greater GSH concentrations, increased GSH resynthesis capabilities, and increased levels of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CNase). Alzheimer diseased and age matched control lymphoblast cells, obtained from OHSU's Oregon Brain Aging Study, were cultured, and GSH biochemistry was subsequently evaluated. GSH was depleted by exposing cells to the GSH depleting …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Flexibility, Tanya Marie Schramm

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between flexibility and physical activity levels. Subjects included 128 male (n=64) and female (n=64) volunteers, 19 to 55 years of age. All subjects completed a physical activity questionnaire (which differentiated between work, sport, leisure and total physical activity) and a series of five flexibility tests. Four of the five flexibility tests were completed with the use of a goniometer which measured shoulder flexion, hip flexion, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion. The sit and reach test was used to assess hamstring­ lumbar flexibility. After analyzing the data by using …

Vegetation Analysis: A Graphical Analysis Of Plant Succession In Desert Communities Affected By Fire, Jeff Lantow

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Mojave Desert is affected by fire every year. With each fire comes the removal of old growth and, in its place, new growth – consisting primarily of those species which thrive in disturbed areas. The focus of my research is to look at plant communities that have been disturbed by fire, and examine the successional pathway of these disturbed environments. The seven environments I analyzed were burned within the last twenty years and are found in the Coleogyne ramosissima ecotone throughout the Spring Mountain range near Las Vegas, Nevada. The data was collected with randomly chosen circle plots in …

Water Conservation In The Las Vegas Valley, Judith M. Keir

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis deals primarily with residential use of water in the Las Vegas Valley, an arid climate located in the Mojave Desert, and whether the education of people living here has any bearing on whether or not they conserve water. Many of the residents of the Las Vegas Valley have moved from other areas of the country, and perhaps are not aware of the fact that there is a limited supply of water available to the Valley. I believe that people are not necessarily wasteful, and that they would want to conserve water, if they were aware that conservation and …

Changes In Small Mammal Community Attributes Associated With Increasing Pine Stand Age In Managed Pine Plantations In Southeastern Virginia, James Douglas Dolan

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Loblolly pine plantations were examined at different ages to identify small mammal community attributes in relation to the succession of the plant community. Forest floor and understory plant communities were characterized. Small mammals were collected by Fitch (live) traps and pitfall traps in four age classes during five seasons of study. Fitch live traps and pitfall traps were used in conjunction with one another to obtain the most accurate depiction of the small mammal community. Fitch traps accounted for 65 % of small mammal captures and 7 of 9 species captured. Small mammal abundance and biomass declined with increasing stand …

The Effects Of Exposure To Extremely Low-Amplitude, Low-Frequency Electric Fields On Skeletal Tissue, In Vitro, Robert James Fitzsimmons

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In vivo experiments have demonstrated (a) that transient electrical potentials are induced in impact-loaded bone, and (b) that bone formation is increased in response to electrical stimulation. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that, in response to mechanical loading, mechanical energy in bone is transduced into biologically relevant electrical energy. In order to study the mechanism through which electric fields may increase bone formation, a model system was developed were bone cells or bone organ cultures were exposed to a capacitively-coupled electric field of low frequency (8-25 Hz) and extremely low amplitude (estimated 10^-7 V/cm in the culture medium) for …

Localization Of Sodium, Potassium-Adenosine Triphosphatase In The Cerebral Cortex Of Developing Rats, Maki Ujiie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Active transport via Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase plays an important role in establishing and maintaining proper ionic gradient across all mammalian cell membranes. A strict regulation of Na⁺, and K⁺ ion levels is especially important in excitable cells such as neurons and myocytes. Inhibition of the enzyme is associated with several pathological conditions and has serious detrimental effects on cerebral cortical cells. Yet the enzyme appears to be limited in amount and distribution in newborn rats. In this study, Na_⁺, K⁺- ATPase expression and distribution in early postnatal rats were studied …

Characterization Of Metal-Regulated Genes In Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Melanie Pearson

Honors Theses

One side effect of today's industrialized world is increased levels of heavy metals in the environment. Many of these metals are necessary for biological function as trace elements, but at higher concentrations are toxic. Other metals, such as cadmium, are not beneficial at any level, and have only deleterious effects on living organisms. Cadmium is primarily thought to interfere with normal biological function of proteins. Human exposure to cadmium appears to primarily damage the kidneys, but may also affect the liver, lungs, immune system, and central nervous system. Bacteria, however, have developed several methods for handling toxic heavy metals: cation …

Comparison Of The Emg Activity Of The Supraspinatus And Infraspinatus Muscles During Various Closed Chain Exercises, I-Chen Lin

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Advantages of closed chain exercises used in the lower extremity have been well documented. However, the effects of closed chain exercises on the upper extremities have not been studied very much. Thus, the purpose of this research is to analyze the EMG activity of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and compare the relative amounts of activities by performing different isotonic closed chain exercises and an open chain exercise in normal subjects. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles in 1 o healthy subjects were studied with fine wire, intramuscular, electromyographic electrodes while performing 5 closed chain exercises and a D2. open chain …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Toxicity Of Cocaine And Its Metabolites In The Human Umbilical Artery, Tessa L. Long

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An in vitro model was used to assess the effect of cocaine and its metabolites on the umbilical artery. Objectives were to pharmacologically confirm the presence of adrenergic innervation using tyramine, evaluate the ability of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, norcocaine and cocaethylene to potentiate vasoconstriction by serotonin and norepinephrine, examine the ability of ketanserin to block the enhanced vasoconstriction produced by cocaine, and determine displacement of 3 H-ketanserin by serotonin, norepinephrine, tyramine and mianserin. The vasoconstrictive effect of tyramine (100 μM) was enhanced in the presence of cocaine by 257%. Vasoconstrictive effects of serotonin and norepinephrine were significantly enhanced by cocaine by …

The Effects Of Cyclodextrin Mediated Lipid Depletion Of The Chloroplast Outer Envelope On The Import Of The Small Subunit Of Ribulose-1, 5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase, Robert George Mynatt

Masters Theses

Chloroplasts have a genome that encodes a minority of proteins necessary for organelle function. The rest are encoded in the plant cell nucleus, translated in the cytosol, and post-translationally imported into the chloroplast. Nuclear encoded chloroplast precursor proteins are made as a precursor which contains an amino-terminal extension known as the transit peptide. Transit peptides are believed to be necessary and sufficient for proper targeting. Several studies have suggested that the initial chloroplast binding interaction is between the transit peptide and the lipids of the chloroplast outer chloroplast envelope. In this study, cyclodextrins are utilized to examine the role of …

The Effect Of Exercise Training On Cardiovascular Dynamics In The Diabetic Rat, Nicole Marie Griffith

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Nicole Marie Griffith on July 24, 1998.

Translation Of Random Transcripts Generated By Tdt: Potential Use In Polysome Peptide Libraries, Michael Lane Spencer

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Michael Lane Spencer on July 22, 1998.