Life Sciences Commons^™

Differences In Quality Of Care By Insurance Plan: A Fee-For-Service Vs. Health Maintenance Organization Comparison, Pamela Driggers Silcox

Doctoral Dissertations

The history of health insurance in the United States has perpetuated and enabled a health care industry that has been rewarded for increased spending rather than cost control. With the original plan setting no spending limit on health care providers, fee-for service reimbursement provided greater incentive to spend than to contain costs. Attempts to control the soaring costs of health care services have given rise to managed care insurance plans that base reimbursement on health outcome data. Given that the birth of managed care includes stringent reimbursement guidelines and ensuing controversy over services provided or not provided, this study sought …

A Qualitative Investigation Of Polish Consumers’ Retail Experiences During The Transitional Period: 1989-2001, Heesun Seo

Doctoral Dissertations

The general objective of this dissertation is to investigate the most current phenomenon in the Polish retail environment and the recent Polish consumers’ retail experience. Specifically, by examining information search behavior, shopping behavior, and post-purchase behavior, themes emerged in terms of how the changes in the retail environment influenced the patronage and consumption behavior of Polish consumers. An exploratory research approach is used to conduct this research due to the lack of existing knowledge on Polish consumers and the ever-changing nature of the market environment in Poland. Moreover, qualitative research method with naturalistic inquiry was used to present the Polish …

Habitat Use, Distribution And Conservation Status Of The Mikado Pheasant (Syrmaticus Mikado) In Taiwan, Cara Lin Bridgman

Doctoral Dissertations

To evaluate the conservation status of Taiwan’s mikado pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado (Phasianidae), I test the similarity of preferred habitat to primary and secondary forest, develop models of habitat availability within Taiwan, and examine population trends within two locations inside Yushan National Park. The characteristics of locations with pheasant activity were most similar to secondary forest: high shrub stem counts and low canopy and leaf litter coverage. None of these variables were applicable to geographic informationsystems analysis. To the known extent of range and area of occupancy, I compared a model based on the habitats described in field guides. This model …

Using Remote Sensing And Geographic Information Systems To Define Conservation Priorities, Clinton N. Jenkins

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation discusses several techniques of combining ecology and technology, specifically satellite images and geographic information systems, to define conservation priorities and answer conservation questions. They include single species approaches (chapters 2 and 3), global approaches (chapter 4), and regional approaches (chapters 5 and 6).

Chapters 2 and 3 concern the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus mirabilis maritimus). This sparrow, and its habitat, is legally protected under the United States Endangered Species Act. Chapter 2 quantitatively demonstrates that poor water management is threatening the habitat of this sparrow and by consequence its survival. Chapter 3 describes formal testing …

Colonization History And Alternative Community States In Experimental Microcosms, Craig Richard Zimmermann

Doctoral Dissertations

Using s suite of disparate experimental systems, three tests of the effect of variation in community history on community states were performed. The first test explored the effect of species invasion order on the structure and invasibility in soil microbial communities. Microcosm communities were assembled by augmenting an existing soil community with sequential introductions of three bacterial strains under three alternative sequences. Assembled communities were then probed with a genetically engineered bioremediative bacterium to test the relative vulnerability of these communities to this strain. Results indicated that variation in invasion order resulted in the production of alternative community states with …

How Mothers Make Decisions For Feeding Young Children: A Grounded Theory Approach, Dana Rae Cox

Doctoral Dissertations

In this study a theory of how mothers make decisions about feeding their young children aged 3 to 5 years was developed using the grounded theory technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 married mothers of children aged 3 to 5 to determine their mealtime practices and feelings about mealtimes. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using the grounded theory technique to build a theory from the data (interviews).

Analyses of mothers’ interviews indicated that mothers in this study formed expectations for 5 distinct stages of feeding decisions based on their experiences. The five stages …

Time Series Analysis Of Bat Ultrasound Signals, Xu Cui

Masters Theses

The general objectives of this study are to develop new methods to analyze ultrasound signals recorded during field observations of bats, and relate these to bat biology. In particular, I investigate methods to determine whether or not sound pulses produced by multiple bats are independent of each other when the bats are searching for food in the same environment. Four models are proposed to explain the time series of recorded signals and it is found that the Poisson model, which assumes pulses are independent, fits the data best. A computer program, BatCount was developed as part of this study, to …

Insects Associated With Southern Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora L.) In East Tennessee, Christopher Thomas Werle

Masters Theses

No comprehensive studies have been conducted to assess the insect fauna associated with southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora L. Thus, a two-year study was initiated in 2000 to: 1) determine the richness and abundance of insect species associated with southern magnolia in East Tennessee, 2) compare the insect fauna collected from upper and lower tree canopy levels during 2001, 3) compare the insect fauna collected from pitfall traps and malaise traps at two sites, 4) compare the floral insect visitors of southern magnolia, and 5) develop a species database for future studies.

The insect fauna associated with southern magnolia was evaluated …

Ultrasound And Microwave Assisted Extraction Of Soybean Oil, Haizhou Li

Masters Theses

Soybeans, one of the world’s leading cash crops, contain appropriately 20% lipid. Currently, soybean oil is the principal vegetable oil used in the U.S. and the world market, totaling 29% of the world vegetable oil production in 2001. Development of extraction technology that could increase oil yield would thus significantly enhance the profitability of the soybean industry and reduce processing costs significantly. It has been shown that both ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted extraction methods can enhance extraction of phytochemicals from plant sources while reducing processing time and solvent consumption. However, little is known about how ultrasound and microwave can affect the …

Composition Of The Coleoptera And Associated Insects Collected By Canopy Fogging Of Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra L.) Trees In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park And The University Of Tennessee Arboretum, Danny D. Trieff

Masters Theses

Oak forests dominate the forested landscape of Tennessee. These forests are vital to the economic and environmental health of the state. Northern red oak (NRO) trees, Quercus rubra L., are crucial components of these forests. Information regarding the status of coleopteran diversity associated with NRO is scattered and fragmented within the literature. Because of this, the insect fauna on NRO was assessed at three sites (Bee Tree Ridge, Mount Sterling, and Rich Mountain) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM), and at one site at The University of Tennessee Arboretum (UT arboretum) by using the fogging method. These four …

Role Of Dietary Calcium In Modulation Of Adiposity, Xuemei Geng

Masters Theses

We previously demonstrated a regulatory role for intracellular Ca²⁺([Ca²⁺]i) in human and murine adipocyte metabolism, with increased [Ca²⁺]i coordinately stimulating lipogenesis and inhibiting lipolysis, thereby expanding adipocyte lipid mass. More recently, we reported that 1∝, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1∝, 25-(OH)₂-D₃] stimulates adipocyte membrane vitamin D receptor (mVDR)-mediated Ca²⁺ influx, resulting in a similar Ca²⁺-mediated modulation of adipocyte lipid metabolism. 1∝, 25-(OH)₂-D₃ also exerts an inhibitory effect on adipocyte uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) mRNA and protein levels via the nuclear vitamin D receptor (nVDR), independent …

Effects Of Beauveria Bassiana Mycelia And Metabolites Incorporated Into Synthetic Diet And Fed To Larval Helicoverpa Zea; And Detection Of Endophytic Beauveria Bassiana In Tomato Plants Using Pcr And Its Primers, Brian Michael Leckie

Masters Theses

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin is an entomopathogenic deuteromycete that has been used in biological control of insect pests. Recent studies have revealed that B. bassiana is an endophyte of corn plants, and that plants colonized by the fungus had a reduction in tunneling from the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). In addition to corn, B. bassiana has been observed to grow endophytically in potato plants. Beauveria bassiana may also have the ability to colonize closely related plants and potentially reduce insect feeding on them.

This study has three objectives. The first was to evaluate the effect of …

Modification Of Protein Structure And Functionality Using High-Intensity Ultrasound, Demet Güzey

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high intensity ultrasound on the adsorption kinetics of proteins. Protein solutions (3x10^-4 M ) were treated with ultrasound at power intensity levels ranging from 5 to 35 Wcm^-2 and at temperatures ranging from 20 to 85 ^oC with treatment times ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. Also, the effect of pulsing versus continuous application on the ultrasound treatment was evaluated. Surface activity (adsorption and coverage) of proteins was investigated using a drop shape analysis tensiometer. The study consisted of three major parts.

The results of the …

Post-Processing Pasteurization Of Packaged Frankfurters For Control Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Charlene Belles

Masters Theses

Contamination of processed frankfurters with Listeria monocytogenes occurs between the removal of the casing and the packaging steps. Every year, this contamination causes numerous recalls and several cases of listeriosis. The purpose of this study was to combine a lactic acid treatment and the application of post-packaging steam to reduce L. monocytogenes populations on vacuum packaged, refrigerated mixed meat frankfurters. Changes in color and texture of frankfurters after treatment were also monitored.

In Part I of the study, frankfurters were inoculated with a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes (log 7 CFU/frankfurter). After 24 hours, the surface of the frankfurter was …

Investigation Of Biochemical Mechanisms Associated With Insulin Resistance In The Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, To-Yu Huang

Doctoral Dissertations

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a heterogeneous disease arising from metabolic defects in insulin secretion and insulin action. The inability of insulin to trigger full metabolic responses results in impaired glucose transport, which elicits compensatory hyperinsulinemia with increased lipogenesis. In order to identify the molecular defects responsible for insulin resistance, we have investigated three different model systems: the ability of sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) ligands to modify insulin regulated events in cultured rodent adipocytes; the ability of agouti and/or agouti related polypeptide (AGRP) to modify insulin regulated events; and the regulation of the activity and amount of the HNF-1a transcription …

Monographic Studies In The Genus Polyporus (Basidiomycotina), Dirk Krueger

Doctoral Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation research was an examination of the homobasidiomycete genus Polyporus as currently circumscribed. Emphasis was on addressing the genus by a variety of tools appropriate to modern monographic studies, without producing another worldwide monograph. In addition to morphological examination, which traditionally was the basis of all fungal systematics, mating experiments with monokaryotic cultures, and contemporary phylogenetic tools were used.

For P. alveolaris, P. arcularius, P. badius, P. brumalis, P. ciliatus, P. dictyopus, P. guianensis, P. melanopus, P. tubaeformis, P. tuberaster, P. tricholoma, P. umbellatus, and …

Molecular, Genetic, And Functional Analysis Of Ptr3p, A Novel Protein Involved In Amino Acid And Dipeptide Regulation Of Di/Tri-Peptide Transport System In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Vanny Narita

Doctoral Dissertations

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae utilizes nutrient sensor activity at the plasma membrane to regulate growth. Amino acids are sensed by the membrane protein Ssy1p, and a signal is transduced to the novel intracellular regulatory protein Ptr3p. This leads to an upregulation of the expression of amino acid permease genes and PTR2, the gene encoding the di/tri-peptide transporter Ptr2p. Using a reporter gene assay, this study found that various amino acids induced PTR2 expression to different levels. Peptide and amino acid induction required Ptr3p, while Ssy1p was required for amino acid induction, but not peptide induction. Ptr3p-mediated, amino acid/dipeptide-induced expression …

Status Of The Black Bear In Southwestern Alabama, Andrew Sean Edwards

Masters Theses

Black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) once were abundant throughout Alabama (Hall 1981), but today sightings of bears are common only in the extreme southwestern portion of the state. The objectives of my study were to determine the distribution of black bears in southwestern Alabama, estimate basic demographic parameters, and evaluate their habitat needs. To determine bear distribution I established and monitored 168 bait stations within the study area from 1998 to 2000. Baits were checked for bear activity at approximately weekly intervals. In areas where bear presence was detected I trapped from 22 October--20 November 1998, 22 June--4 …

Development And Impact Of Geocoris Punctipes (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) On Selected Pests Of Greenhouse Ornamentals, Nicole D. Pendleton

Masters Theses

The big-eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), a generalist insect predator common in several agricultural systems, is explored as a biological control agent against pests of ornamentals in greenhouses. This research consists of three components: 1) Evaluation of development and survival of the predator (egg through adulthood) when reared on six diets, including greenhouse pests, a combination of greenhouse pests and plant material, and a meat-based artificial diet that has been developed for G.punctipes, 2) Assessment of predation rates of mass-reared big-eyed bugs by investigating the number of prey (three prey species common to greenhouse and ornamental crops) …

Artomyces Pyxidatus (Auriscalpiaceae, Fungi) In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Individuals And Populations, Shannon M. Tieken

Masters Theses

Artomyces pyxidatus is a North-temperate saprophytic coral fungus found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Collections from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were used in this study to define the size of an individual and elucidate gene flow between three locations within the park (Greenbrier, Sugarlands, Cataloochee). Molecular techniques were used to determine the relationships between populations and among individuals. Two inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers amplified segments of DNA scattered throughout the genome and together produced 26 variable bands. ISSR analysis appeared to be a reliable technique for defining individuals, but should be used in conjunction with other …

Ruffed Grouse Nesting Ecology And Brood Habitat In Western North Carolina, Jennifer L. Fettinger

Masters Theses

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) population densities are lower in the southern Appalachians compared to more northern parts of grouse range. Southern forests lack an aspen (Populus spp.) forest component, which provides year-round habitat in the North. The absence of aspen and low productivity have been cited as possible causes for low grouse densities in the southern Appalachians. In addition, habitat quality in the eastern United States may be decreasing as forests mature. These factors contribute to concerns that the region may be experiencing long-term ruffed grouse population declines. Productivity and breeding habitat must be characterized to foster …

Using A Geographical Information System Approach To Assess Sea Ice Impacts On A Productive Benthic System In The Northern Bering Sea, Jaclyn Leigh Clement

Masters Theses

Physical, hydrochemical, and biological data were collected during three research cruises from winter through spring in the northern Bering Sea. In addition, seasonal ice cover data were used to evaluate the relationship between ice and specific biological processes. Ice-water-biotic interactions were investigated and possible relationships defined. Data collected during late winter indicate low levels of water column production and benthic respiration. However, spring measurements made during and just after icemelt indicate a time of high water column production and benthic respiration. Interannual variation in the spatial and temporal distribution of sea ice affects the timing of seasonal processes, particularly the …

Evaluation Of Carfentanil And Xylazine For Immobilization Of White-Tailed Deer, Bradley F. Miller

Masters Theses

From October 2001 until January 2002 captive wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) held at the University of Georgia Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources Whitehall Deer Research Facility were immobilized with a combination of carfentanil (carfentanil citrate) and xylazine (xylazine hydrochloride) to 1) determine and evaluate an optimum and safe dose for carfentanil/xylazine in white-tailed deer and 2) compare immobilization parameters and physiological effects of carfentanil/xylazine to Telazol®/xylazine. Animals were given intramuscular injections of 10 mg of xylazine and one of four different levels of carfentanil 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg. A carfentanil dose of 1.2 …

The Effects Of Raw Soybeans, T-2 Mycotoxin And Their Interaction On The Performance, Immunocompetence, And Reproduction Of Bobwhite Quail (Colineus Virginianus), Clarivel Hernandez-Bobonis

Masters Theses

These experiments were conducted to determine if there is a negative effect of raw soybeans, T-2 toxin and their interaction on performance, immunocompetence and reproduction of bobwhite quail. Birds were fed diets, containing 0, 20, 40 or 60% raw soybeans and orally dosed with 0, 9 or 12 mg T-2 toxin per kg body weight. Mortality, food consumption and body weight gain were recorded for performance analysis. Birds were bled seven days before first T-2 toxin treatment, 24 hours after each treatment and two weeks after last treatment. Total white blood cells (WBC) and percentage WBC were counted from this …

An Analysis Of Consumer Support For Environmental Certification Of Hardwood Products, Pornpat Wiwattarangkul

Masters Theses

Environmental wood certification programs could play an important role in conserving forests across countries such that several studies on the feasibility of certification programs have been conducted. The main focus areas of this study are in the state of Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The first objective of this study is to assess consumers’ support and willingness to pay a premium for certified hardwood products. The second objective is to examine how income, demographics and attitudes about the environment, and scope of certification may influence support and willingness to pay a premium for certified hardwood products. Next, the study wants to examine …

Light And Water Induced Morphological Changes In Arabidopsis Thaliana (L.) Heynh. Plasticity And Selection, Anna Maria Kolodynska

Doctoral Dissertations

Phenotypic plasticity, the effect of plastic traits on fitness, and the stability of genetic variance-covariance matrices were investigated in an artificial population of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to environmental stress. These questions were also investigated in a selection experiment, where plants were subjected to selection on reproductive fitness (fruit production) under flooded and non-flooded water regimes.

Forty-seven accessions of early flowering A. thaliana were grown in laboratory conditions and were subjected to environmental stress such as low and medium light intensity, flooded and non-flooded water regimes, and a factorial arrangement of these light and water stresses. In addition, soft selection …

Interactions Among Introduced Ungulates, Plants, And Pollinators: A Field Study In The Temperate Forest Of The Southern Andes, Diego P. Vazquez

Doctoral Dissertations

Introduced mammalian herbivores can significantly affect ecosystems. I studied the effects of introduced ungulates on plant-pollinator interactions in the temperate forest of the southern Andes. Introduced mammalian herbivores, including ungulates, are a major conservation problem in this biome. I conducted field studies in eight forested sites where Nothofagus dombeyii was the dominant canopy tree. I described the interactions between fifteen common, insect-pollinated understory plants. I used these data to address two main questions. The first one is whether the susceptibility of plants and pollinators to disturbance by introduced ungulates is related to their degree of interaction specialization and interaction asymmetry. …

Roosting Ecology Of The Grey-Headed Flying Fox: Spatial Dispersion In A Summer Camp, Jennifer L. Holmes

Masters Theses

A colony of Grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia was studied over a ten-week period before, during and after the mating season to assess spatial distribution of individuals, specifically investigating age and sex segregation. Ground censusing techniques were used to determine weekly estimates of the numbers of bats in the colony and numbers of bats within each tree. Surveys were used to document sexes and ages of bats occupying each tree. Unlike Nelson’s (1965) findings, the social structure of the colony was based not on mating strategies of individual bats but …

First-Year Changes In Oak Regeneration, Understory Competitors, And Resource Levels In Response To Two Overstory Treatments And Prescribed Burning At Chuck Swan State Forest, Samuel Wayne Jackson

Masters Theses

Oaks (Quercus spp.) are highly valuable as sources of forest products, in promoting recreation, and in providing food and habitat for wildlife. Oak regeneration has significantly declined over the past century in many regions of the eastern United States. This has led to increased concern with respect to the maintenance of oakdominated ecosystems on the landscape in the future. It is currently thought that oaks are being out competed by species that either grow faster or are more tolerant of shade than oaks. Many of these competitors are more sensitive to fire than oak, and it is thought …

Abundance And Density Of Florida Black Bears In Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge And Osceola National Forest, Steven T. Dobey

Masters Theses

The Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) exists as 7 relatively disjunct populations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and possibly Mississippi. In 1974, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission listed the Florida black bear as threatened statewide because of habitat loss and illegal killing. Although the species has not been afforded federal protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently involved in a lawsuit over this issue. Although a judge's decision is still pending in the case, the earlier ruling by the USFWS could be reversed and the Florida black bear would be granted federal protection as …