Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Providing Novel Feedstuffs To Livestock On Production And Skeletal Muscle Growth, Laura A. Motsinger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As the population increases and available land for food production decreases, it is necessary for livestock producers to continually work towards increasing livestock production efficiency. In livestock operations, feed accounts for the majority of input costs associated with raising livestock. As such, it is necessary to improve growth and production of livestock animals, while also optimizing feed utilization. Different feedstuffs can be included in the diet of livestock animals to maximize growth and production. However, the effects of some of these novel feedstuffs on growth and production of livestock animals has not been elucidated. As such, we investigated the effects …

Effects Of Blue And Green Light On Plant Growth And Development At Low And High Photosynthetic Photon Flux, Michael Chase Snowden

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Research in photobiology dates back over 200 years with studies using primitive light sources. This early research identified photoreceptors and action spectra for specific regions of the light spectrum that are paramount for photosynthesis as well as growth and development that are still topics of interest today.

Photobiological research has become an area of increasing interest since the introduction of light-emitting diodes which allow for evaluating endless combinations of light spectra. Red light-light emitting diodes were the first to be introduced that had an electrical efficiency comparable to existing light sources. The research found that red light alone was not …

Activated Carbon Decreases Invasive Plant Growth By Mediating Plant-Microbe Interactions, Nicole E. Nolan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

To restore lands invaded by dense, non-native vegetation, it may be necessary to develop targeted restoration tools than can remove the mechanism used by these non-native species as a competitive advantage. Activated carbon (AC) is one such tool, with the ability to disrupt the mechanisms of plant to plant communication (allelopathy) and positive plant to microbe communication commonly used by non-native species. Previous studies have shown the success of high concentrations, 1000g/m², of AC in native plant community restoration on a small scale. Here, our goals are twofold: first, to test AC effectiveness in restoring desirable plant communities …

Comparative Ecology Of Narrowly Sympatric Horned Lizards Under Variable Climatic Conditions, Kevin V. Young

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We studied the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma mcallii, and the Sonoran Horned Lizard, P. goodei, in an area of narrow sympatry near Yuma, Arizona, and found they overlapped broadly in use of available food resources, body size, and growth rates. We compared diet (Chapter 2), growth and reproduction (Chapter 3), and survivorship (Chapter 4) of P. mcallii and P. goodei during two years of drought followed by a year of higher-than-average rainfall. We predicted that P. mcallii would be more tolerant of drought conditions than its congener, since P. mcalliiis found only in an extremely arid region while …

Growth And Water Relations Of Native Wheatgrass Populations, Brian P. Bell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Screening populations for development into released plant materials can be done inexpensively and in a timely manner. A common approach has been to quantify the amount of shoot dry mass produced as a surrogate for competitiveness. Besides dry mass production , other morphological characteristics have been employed , but physiological parameters have received less emphasis. Dry mass production may be an important characteristic, but identifying the traits responsible can be just as imperative . Populations with greater drought tolerance may be less impacted by competition for water from weeds, which could lead to greater establishment of desirable grasses on disturbed …

Examination Of The Ecological Differences Between Two Closely Related Endemic Whitefish In Relation To Growth Conditions And Predation Risk, Benjamen M. Kennedy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Benthic Bear Lake whitefish (Prosopium abyssicola) and Bonneville whitefish (P. spilontus) are closely related, yet the extent of ecological separation remains poorly understood. We described their spring and summer distribution and diet in Bear Lake and examined how these were related to environmental growth conditions, and predation risk. In spring and summer, Bonneville whitefish dominated shallower depths (5-30 m), whereas Bear Lake whitefish dominated deeper depths (45-55 m). At intermediate depths (35-40 m), low numbers of both species occurred. Bonneville whitefish ate mostly Chironomidae, whereas Bear Lake whitefish ate mostly Ostracoda. Habitats occupied by Bonneville whitefish …

Nutritional Status And Growth In Infants With Cystic Fibrosis At Diagnosis And At Age Two Years And Six Years, Marianne Rich

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

PURPOSE: A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine if nutritional source of feeding and/or infant age at diagnosis of cystic fibrosis had any effect on nutritional status and subsequent growth accretion. Additionally, an attempt was made to identify predictors for poor growth in patients with undiagnosed cystic fibrosis.

METHODS: Data was collected from medical and clinic charts at Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC), Salt Lake City, Utah, for subjects born between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 200 I, who were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis before 1 year of age. Thirty-one subjects met inclusion parameters. These subjects were divided …

Physiological Importance Of 1,25(Oh)2D3 Membrane-Initiated And Nuclear Actions In Chickens As A Function Of Growth, And Maturation In Male And Female Chickens, Birgitta Larsson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It is well established that l,25(OH)₂D₃ is a major regulator of calcium homeostasis. The steroid exerts its effects on its target organs by two mechanisms, a slow mechanism mediated by nuclear vitamin D receptors (nVDR), and a rapid mechanism mediated by the l,25(OH)₂D₃ membrane-associated rapid response steroid binding protein (l,25D₃-MARRS bp). In this dissertation, the physiological relevance of membrane initiated steroid signaling was investigated by studying the correlation of age in male and female chickens with the magnitude of responses to l,25(OH)₂D₃ in duodena from 7-, 14-, 28-, and …

The Effect Of Buttermilk Fraction Concentrates On Growth And Iron Uptake And Transport By Caco-2 Cell Cultures, Yoo-Hyun Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

To examine the effect of buttermilk fractions on growth, iron transport, and uptake, Caco-2 cells (human colon adenocarcinoma) were grown in a bicameral chamber. The Caco-2 cell culture system is a useful model to study micronutrient utilization in the human enterocyte, because Caco-2 cells continuously differentiate and form a monolayer, which has high polarity, a well-developed brush border, and a tight junction.

Iron bioavailabilty in various milks is very different depending upon milk composition. The fat fraction especially is known to be associated with iron absorption, because the fat fraction has milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), which contains bioactive molecules …

Effect Of Blue Light And Temperature On Leaf Expansion, Stem Elongation, And Growth, Tracy A. O. Dougher

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Short height and high yield per unit energy in controlled environments are essential to the success of a food production system for spaceflight. Temperature and light quality can be manipulated in controlled environments to reduce plant height and increase yield. Although the effects of temperature on height and yield are well studied at ambient CO₂, temperature effects at elevated CO₂ with a hydroponic root zone are not well characterized. We studied soybean yield and height under two lamp types over a broad range of temperatures. Temperature had little effect on yield or height, but lamp type had …

The Effects Of Retinoic Acids On The Angiogenic Growth Factors Produced By Solid Tumors, Lynn C. Burgess

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

These studies investigated the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on angiogenesis. Three human, neoplastic cell lines were used to examine angiogenic promotion and/or inhibition. The cell lines, U-373MG glioblastoma, DU-145 prostate carcinoma, and TCCSUP bladder transitional cell carcinoma, were treated with the following: all-trans, 9-cis, or 13-cis RA, at doses from 0.0001 to 100 μM. Hypoxia was used to assist the expression of the angiogenic phenotype. Conditioned media (CM) were prepared by growing the tumor cells in the presence of RA and hypoxia for 24 hours, and then the CM was transferred to bovine, capillary endothelial …

Ammonium And Nitrate Effects On Growth, Development And Nutrient Uptake Of Hydroponic Wheat, Thomas M. Hooten

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The long-term effects of low and high NH₄⁺/ NO₃^- uptake ratios in a system with rigorous control of pH and nitrogen concentration are poorly understood. In two replicate studies, two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum) were grown to maturity with three NH₄⁺/ NO₃^- ratios in hydroponic solution: 0/100, 25/75, and 85/15%. Nitrogen was controlled at ample levels throughout the 70-d life cycle and pH was controlled at 5.8 ± 0.2. An equimolar ratio of NH₄⁺ to Cl^- was used to facilitate charge balance. Nitrogen consumption …

A Simple Model To Predict Optimal Harvest Time Of Alfalfa Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy, Environmental, Morphological, And Growth Parameters, Jody A. Gale

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Knowledge of relationships between nutrient levels, yield, maturity, and environmental influences on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are necessary to estimate when to harvest alfalfa to maximize quality and yield. Objectives were to document the change in nutrient content, yield, and growth stage of alfalfa grown in Utah as it matures and to develop a simple model to predict optimal harvest date. The study involved three locations in major alfalfa producing regions in Utah. Samples were collected from three commonly grown alfalfa varieties between 26 April and 26 September in 1987. Maximum and minimum levels of crude protein (CP) observed were …

Effect Of Spring Grazing By Cattle On Growth And Survival Of Shrub Seedlings Interplanted In Crested Wheatgrass, Lynn M. Mcconville

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A short duration-high intensity grazing trial was conducted in spring of 1985 to determine whether shrub establishment in crested wheatgrass pastures could be enhanced through spring grazing by cattle, or by fertilization of shrub seedlings. Data was collected on diet selection by cattle during spring grazing, and on subsequent shrub growth and survival. Shrubs studied were transplants of sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, fourwing saltbush, Atriplex canescens, bitterbrush, Purshia tridentata, and one year old bitterbrush seedlings.

Cattle did not browse sagebrush or fourwing saltbush transplants, but utilization of bitterbrush transplants and seedlings averaged 15 and 42 percent, respectively. Shrub …

Growth And Water Relations Of Mountain Big Sagebrush On Reclaimed Mine Soils In Southwestern Wyoming, Alan T. Carpenter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mined-land reclamation practices in shrub-steppe ecosystems can be augmented by planting seedlings of locally dominant shrubs, e.g., mountain big sagebrush. Dispersion pattern could affect sagebrush performance by influencing amounts of windborne snow, soil and litter which accumulate around shrubs and by influencing water withdrawal by roots. Mountain big sagebrush seedlings were planted in plots on a reclaimed coal strip mine in two dispersion patterns: singly and in clumps of four at the same overall density.

Performance of mountain big sagebrush was monitored during two growing seasons. Measures included plant survival, end-of-growing season aboveground biomass, leaf water potential components, soil water …

A Lactic Culture Stimulant Blend From Kluyveromyces Fragilis And Whey, Steven L. Wright

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A buffered growth medium was developed that sustained a significantly greater concentration of various strains of Streptococcus lactis and Streptococcus cremoris than did milk. The active buffering ingredients of this medium were magnesium hydroxide, ammonium and sodium salts of phosphate and citrate. This medium was entitled Lactic Culture Buffered Growth medium (LABGRO) and possessed about 8 times the buffering strength between pH 6.6 and 5.1.

Significant differences in growth and acid production rates were noted among Prt+ and Prt- lactic strains evaluated. Also noted were significant differences in cellular acid production rates. The two Prt- strains having the slowest growth …

Growth Of Targhee And Targhee Crossbred Lambs On Utah Rangelands, Holly Ann George

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Growth data were collected on 1848 Targhee and Targhee crossbred lambs from the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station flock at Cedar City for 1981 and 1982. The study objectives were to establish growth curves for seven lamb genotypes and examine within genotype growth differences among four grazing treatments (sheep alone, sheep and cattle mixed, both continuous and rotation).

Body weights were measured at birth, and at mean ages of 56, 120, and 154 (weaning) days of age. Linear, quadratic, and cubic regressions of weight on age were used to establish growth curves. Among genotype comparisons of entire growth curves were impossible …

Investigations On Improvement Of Acceptability And Evaluation Of The Nutritive Value Of Processed Cabbage And Its Effects On The Tumorigenicity In Mice, Chareonsri Srisangnam

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives of this investigation have been to study the acceptability and nutritive value of processed cabbage and to elucidate the effects of chronic administration of cabbage on the activity of a colon tumorigen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). The organoleptic unacceptability of cabbage in spite of its high nutritional and economic values governed the choice of this cruciferous vegetable for this work.

Cabbage samples were blanched with steam, chemical solutions, and microwaves. Microwave blanching led to a "burnt spot" effect and to a relatively greater loss in weight of the vegetable. Blanching in solution involved boiling of cabbage with a chemical solution …

The Effect Of Various Environmental Factors On The Growth Of A Red Pigmented Dunaliella Species From The Great Salt Lake, Sam Oeun May

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A red, obligately halophilic Dunaliella species believed to be D. salina was isolated from the North Arm of the Great Salt Lake, Utah, and its optimum growth conditions were determined.

The red pigmented Dunaliella species required an optimum NaCl concentration of 10%, temperature 28°C, and an illuminance of 7500 lux. Ammonium carbonate was preferred over potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride. Potassium nitrate was preferred over ammonium chloride. The average division (generation) time under the above conditions was 46.5 hours.

The alga grown in ammonium carbonate showed a lower content of chlorophyll a compared to those grown in potassium nitrate and …

The Influence Of Certain Growth Hormones On Plant Growth At Cold Temperatures, Michael D. Salvesen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of externally applied growth hormones on winter rye (Secale cereale var. cougar). The rye was grown under the snow in a specially prepared tunnel on a mountain side near Logan, Utah. These plants showed a remarkable ability to grow at 0°C. Three growth hormones, kinetin, gibberellic acid (GA), and auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) were externally applied to rye seedlings growing in the tunnel. These seedlings were alter weighed, measured and tested for soluble protein content. The three hormone treatments had no significant effects on the fresh weights or shoot lengths of the …

Photosynthesis, Dark Respiration, And Growth Of Rumex Patientia L. Exposed To Uv-B (280-315 Nm) Irradiance Corresponding To Reduced Atmospheric Ozone Concentrations, William B. Sisson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Net photosynthesis, dark respiration, chlorophyll concentrations and growth were determined for Rumex patientia L. exposed to UV-B radiation corresponding to reduced atmospheric ozone concentrations. The hypothesis of whether reciprocity is maintained in the response of R. patientia to polychromatic UV-B radiation was tested. On the basis of the relationships derived from these studies, a simulation model was developed for the prediction of photosynthesis and growth of R. patientia exposed to UV-B radiation corresponding to any atmospheric ozone reduction.

Photosynthetic rates were found to be depressed after two hours exposure to UV-B irradiance simulating a 0.18 atm·cm ozone column when the …

Some Effects Of The Under Snow Environment On Growth And Carbohydrate Content Of Claytonia Lanceolata Pursh, Bryce D. Bennett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Studies were conducted in a mountain habitat to determine the effects of altered light and temperature upon the natural growth and/or carbohydrate cycles of Claytonia lanceolata during the period of winter snow cover. Treatments included natural control, light exclusion, and temperature alteration by insulation and by heating for a brief period. Monthly measurements were made of soil temperature (upper 12 cm), shoot development, soluble sugar, and soluble starch. The quantity and quality of light penetrating the snow cover was also determined.

About 0.0052% of the available visible light (400-750 nm) penetrated 70 cm of snow and 0.02% penetrated 50 cm …

The Inhibitory Effects Of Tarweed Upon The Germination And Growth Of Seedlings, Glenn F. Carnahan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Extensive areas of potentially productive but depleted range land in the United States are occupied by a weed commonly known aa cluster tarweed (Madia glomerata). Moat attempts at seeding these areas to useful forage plants have resulted in failure. Many of these failures have been attributed to the vigorous competitive growth of tarweed plants. More recent observations of seedings in tarweed areas and laboratory work at the University of Utah indicate that tarweed is not only a strong competitor but may also produce substances which inhibit the germination and growth of other species of plants.

Age And Growth Of The Utah Chub, Gila Atraria (Girard), In Panguitch Lake And Navajo Lake, Utah, From Scales And Opercular Bones, John M. Neuhold

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Previous literature indicates the opercular bone as a useful tool for the determination of age and growth of fish. The reliability and validity of this method is tested for two populations of Utah chub. Age and growth are calculated for 222 Utah chub collected from Panguitch Lake and 212 Utah chub collected from Navajo Lake, southern Utah, in 1952-1953 from both scales and opercular bones. Scales are measured with the aid of a projector. Opercular bones are measured directly. The center of growth of the opercular bone is posterior to the posterior lip of the fulcrum. Correction for curvature is …

The Effect Of Limited Moisture Supply At Various Stages Of Growth On The Development And Production Of Hybrid Corn, Ralph E. Campbell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Corn occupies from 25 to 30 percent of the crop land harvested in the United States. In recent years the acreage devoted to corn in this country has been decidedly greater than that devoted to any other cultivated crop. In 1944 its dollar value exceeded the combined values of wheat, barley, rye, grain sorghums, and cotton.

Although South Dakota lies on the northwestern fringe of the corn belt, the corn crop is one of the most important in that state. Corn production in that area is somewhat unstable because of drought. Corn often fails to reach full maturity before the …

The Opercular Bone As An Indicator Of Age And Growth Of The Carp Cyprinus Carpio Linnaeus, William J. Mcconell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As part of an investigation of the non-game fish resources of Utah, a study of the age and growth rate of the carp was instituted. A preliminary investigation indicated that the opercular method was superior to several other methods of determining age and growth in the carp. Age and growth were calculated from the opercular bones of 330 carp collected at Ogden Bay Refuge in 1950-51. Distances to annuli were measured directly. The relationship between the posterior radius of the opercular bone and the standard length of the carp was curvilinear. Past growth was calculated with a logarithmic nomograph. Expected …

Age And Growth Of The Brown Trout Salmo Trutta Fario Linnaeus In Logan River, Utah, William Sigler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Logan River flowing southwesterly through the mountains of Cache County, Utah is comparatively cold to the mouth of Logan Canyon. The stream is characterized by steep gradient, a high velocity and relatively few pools. A total of 1053 brown trout were examined during the course of this study; 286 were retained for age and growth determinations. The body-scale relationship is L = 40.46 mm. + 0.44185R + 0.01908R² where L equals standard length in millimeters, and R equals scale radius times 80. The relationship of standard length to weight is described by the formula W = 0.000022 L …