Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Hydroperiod On Metamorphosis In Rana Sphenocephala, Travis J. Ryan, Christopher T. Winne

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Hydroperiod, the time a temporary pond holds water, is an important factor influencing recruitment in amphibian populations and structuring amphibian communities. We conducted an experiment to test the effect of hydroperiod on metamorphic traits of the southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala), a common amphibian in the southeastern United States. We reared larval R. sphenocephala in artificial ponds at a density of 32 larvae per tank (initial volume = approximately 650 liter). We dried the tanks according to natural patterns, using three different hydroperiods (60, 75 and 90 d). Experimental hydroperiods had a significant effect on the number of …

Determining The Termination Percentage Of Heart Rate Maximum For Submaximal Testing, Julia A. Valentour

Legacy ETDs

BACKGROUND: In the Fourth Edition of the American College of Sports Medicine's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (1991). the protocol for the ACSM's submaximal bike test was to terminate the test at 65-70% of the age predicted maximal heart rate. In the Fifth Edition, this was changed to 85% of the age-predicted maximal heart rate.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to find out, by using the ACSM submaximal cycle ergometer test (see Appendix A) if the 85% heart rate maximum termination provides a more accurate estimate of maximal aerobic capacity than the 70% heart rate maximum termination. …

An Investigation Of Captive Florida Manatee (Trichecus Manatus Latirostris) Behavior And Social Interactions, Jennifer Sadler Young

Legacy ETDs

Human impacts such as pollution, habitat alteration, and boating have caused many injuries and deaths of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manutus latirostris. Rehabilitation centers have been established in Florida to help return sick or injured manatees back to the wild. Manatees that are released back to the wild after undergoing rehabilitation in captivity might lose some of their abilities to survive in the wild. A factor that might alter behavior in captive individuals was examined by determining if length of time spent in captivity influenced the behavior of manatees during rehabilitation. Even though all facilities follow similar guidelines, invariable …

The Prevalence Of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiae In Ixodes Scapularis Ticks In Southeastern Georgia, Heather Anne Merten

Legacy ETDs

Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is a newly emerging, tick-borne zoonosis in North America. The agent that causes HGE is very similar to Ehrlichia phagocytophilia and Ehrlichia equi, but has yet to be classified as a separate species.

This study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence rate of HGE infection in blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) in insular and mainland sites in southeastern Georgia using nested PCR techniques. Four locations were studied representing 2 barrier islands and 2 mainland sites. We hypothesized that areas that have low levels of human disturbance and are somewhat isolated will …

Effects Of Collection, Transport, And Redeployment Methods On Natural Mortality Of Rangia Cuneata (Mactridae) Used In Biomonitoring Studies, Eugene G. Maurakis, David V. Grimes, William C. Gretes

Virginia Journal of Science

Sporadic, high mortality in test populations of wedge clams (Rangia cuneata) has limited the potential for using this otherwise desirable test organism in biomonitoring studies. To determine whether high mortality was due to ontogenic or experimental variables, a two-phased study was conducted. In phase I, mortality of collected and re-deployed wedge clams, subjected to varying transport conditions, was determined at 7, 14, 21 and 60 days re-deployment. The use of three transport times (1, 2, 3 hr.), two vehicle conditions (open, closed) and three transport treatments (open, closed, iced containers) yielded 18 test groups. Individual test group mortalities …

An Examination Of The First Sediment Cores From Mountain Lake, Giles County, Virginia, For Diatoms And Pollen, Jon C. Cawley, Bruce C. Parker, Terry L. Hufford

Virginia Journal of Science

Mountain Lake, Virginia is a small, unique, oligotrophic, subalpine ecosystem in the southern Appalachians. Its geology, origin, climate, and history have influenced its morphometry, and therefore its sedimentology and algal flora. Radiocarbon dates establish specific Mountain Lake sediment ages at 1800, 4100, and 6100 years BP. Sediment core analysis suggests at least 6 prolonged periods when Mountain Lake probably was nearly dry or very small in size. These individual low-water periods (at approximately 100, 400, 900, 1200, 1800 and 4100 years BP) are evidenced by changes in diatom and pollen content, sedimentary erosion features, and the presence of wood fragments, …

Spawning Behavior In Hemitremia Flammea (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae), Eugene G. Maurakis, Ray Katula, William Roston

Virginia Journal of Science

Spawning behavior in Hemitremia flammea (Flame chub) is described from observations made in the field and laboratory. Spawning in the field occurred over clean gravel (size range=18-25 mm) at water temperatures from 12.8-14.4 C. Spawning in the laboratory occurred over clean gravel (11.3 mm) at water temperatures from 18.3-20 C. Males often pursued females and nudged their vents with their snouts. When the female settled to the substrate, a male moved forward and aligned himself alongside her body. Then the female moved slightly forward accompanied by the male and the pair vibrated their caudal peduncles and tails. The spawn ended …

Invasion Of Mouse Fibroblasts And Macrophages By Human Isolates Of Agrobacterium, Karmon Leigh Kriechbaum

Honors Theses

In the past few decades there has been growing evidence that species of Agrobacterium can be opportunistic animal pathogens. One of these species is Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which for years has been studied as a plant pathogen. The results of one published experiment suggested that an Agrobacterium toxin could kill mice (12). Other strong evidence for Agrobacterium as an opportunistic human pathogen is the over fifty published clinical cases in which humans were infected by Agrobacterium species (3, 13-25). In almost all of these cases the patient was immunocompromised in some way and they often had an invasive procedure such as …

Exploration Of Federal Sport Policy On Youth Elite Sport In Canada: A Case Study Of Gymnastics Canada Gymnastique, Laura Misener

Kinesiology Publications

A case study of Gymnastics Canada Gymnastique aided in creating a contemporary framework for youth sport policy development. Youth involved in elite sport are in a subsidiary position to those who control the sport environment, and therefore are in need of certain levels of protection. High performance youth athletes may be subject to numerous problems such as competitive anxiety, disrupted family life, and excessive physiological and psychological stress. In order to explore these issues in relation to federal sport policy, the following sub-problems were identified: (a) What are the process(es), legitimation(s) (rationale) and attribution(s) (strategies for action) of federal government …

Orientation In Complex Odor Landscapes: Spatial Arrangement Of Odor Sources Influences Crayfish Food Finding Efficiency In Artificial Streams, Troy Keller

Faculty Bibliography

Fluid dynamics has been shown to alter ecologically important behaviors of aquatic organisms orienting to distant chemical sources. Because the fluid dynamics and chemical plumes change across hydraulic environments, it is unclear which of these factors influence orientation behavior more. This study examined how alterations in chemical signal structure, through changes in source spatial arrangement, affect chemically mediated search behavior. Microelectrochemical measurements of tracer molecules revealed that source arrangement significantly alters the downstream fine-scale structure of chemical plumes. Flume hydrodynamic characterizations (as measured with laser Doppler velocimetry) also differed among source arrangements; however, differences were minor and existed only at …

Effect Of Animal Grouping On Feeding Behavior And Intake Of Dairy Cattle, R. J. Grant, J. L. Albright

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Although data are scarce, it is clear that grouping strategy can have a significant impact on the feeding behavior and feed intake of dairy cattle. Feed intake is controlled by ruminoreticular fill and physiological mechanisms, but grouping is a component of the cow’s feeding environment that can modulate intake as a result of its impact on cow comfort, competition for feed and other resources, and herd health. Social dominance and competition for feed impact feeding behavior and proper grouping strategy will minimize the negative impact of excessive competition on intake and enhance beneficial effects of group feeding such as social …

Maximal Replacement Of Forage And Concentrate With A New Wet Corn Milling Product For Lactating Dairy Cows, K. Buddugari, R. J. Grant

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments were conducted to determine the maximal amount of concentrate and forage that could be replaced with a new wet corn milling product. The corn milling product contained 23.1% crude protein, 9.9% ruminally undegradable protein, 13.7% acid detergent fiber, 40.3% neutral detergent fiber, and 2.6% ether extract (% of dry matter; DM). In experiment 1, 16 Holstein cows were assigned to one of four diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. The four diets contained 54.3% forage (alfalfa:corn silages, 1:1 DM basis) with the wet corn milling product replacing 0, 50, 75, or …

Atresia Revisited: Two Basic Patterns Of Atresia Of Bovine Antral Follicles, H. F. Irving-Rodgers, I. L. Van Wezel, M. L. Mussard, J. E. Kinder, R. J. Rodgers

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Our observations of bovine follicles indicated that the original histological classifications of atresia were inaccurate. A detailed histological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of antral follicles from bovine ovaries collected from an abattoir and from animals whose large follicles had been monitored by ultrasonography was conducted to investigate this further. Nidogen and CD68 were immunolocalized to observe the follicular basal lamina and macrophages, respectively. In randomly collected ovaries, approximately one quarter of all antral follicles were undergoing antral atresia, as designated in this study. Antral atresia was characterized by early destruction of the layers of the membrana granulosa closest to the …

Selenoprotein Oxidoreductase With Specificity For Thioredoxin And Glutathione Systems, Qi-An Sun, Leo Kirnarsky, Simon Sherman, Vadim N. Gladyshev

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Thioredoxin (Trx) and glutathione (GSH) systems are considered to be two major redox systems in animal cells. They are reduced by NADPH via Trx reductase (TR) or oxidized GSH (GSSG) reductase and further supply electrons for deoxyribonucleotide synthesis, antioxidant defense, and redox regulation of signal transduction, transcription, cell growth, and apoptosis. We cloned and characterized a pyridine nucleotide disulfide oxidoreductase, Trx and GSSG reductase (TGR), that exhibits specificity for both redox systems. This enzyme contains a selenocysteine residue encoded by the TGA codon. TGR can reduce Trx, GSSG, and a GSH-linked disulfide in in vitro assays. This unusual substrate specificity …

The Cia5 Gene Controls Formation Of The Carbon Concentrating Mechanism In Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Youbin Xiang, Jun Zhang, Donald P. Weeks

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells shifted from high concentrations (5%) of CO2 to low, ambient levels (0.03%) rapidly increase transcription of mRNAs from several CO₂-responsive genes. Simultaneously, they develop a functional carbon concentrating mechanism that allows the cells to greatly increase internal levels of CO₂ and HCO₃. The cia5 mutant is defective in all of these phenotypes. A newly isolated gene, designated Cia5, restores transformed cia5 cells to the phenotype of wild-type cells. The 6,481-bp gene produces a 5.1-kb mRNA that is present constitutively in light in high and low CO₂ both in …

Managing N Inputs And The Effect On N Losses Following Excretion In Open-Dirt Feedlots In Nebraska, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Feedlot nutrition will play an important role in meeting environmental challenges of beef cattle feedlots. Nutritionists are continually refining protein requirements and recently adopted a new, metabolizable protein (MP) system to more efficiently use N and allow more accurate diet formulation. Protein requirements vary by animal age and weight during the finishing period. Our hypothesis was that formulating diets with the MP system would decrease N inputs leading to decreased excretion and losses. Comparing industry average diets (13.5% CP) to phase-fed diets formulated to not exceed MP requirements decreased N inputs by 10 to 20% for calves and yearlings without …

Nutritional Methods To Decrease N Losses From Open-Dirt Feedlots In Nebraska, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Nitrogen losses from cattle feedlots are a concern due to loss of valuable N and enrichment of the atmospheric N pool. Nutritional methods to decrease losses would have economic and environmental benefit. One method to decrease N losses is by increasing carbon on the pen surface. From a management perspective, feeding a diet that will increase carbon may be the most cost effective. Therefore, three experiments evaluated feeding corn bran (less digestible than corn) at either 0, 15, or 30% of the diet. The 15 and 30% bran diets increase organic matter (carbon) excretion by approximately 0.5 and 1.0 kg/steer/d, …

Locomotor Activity, Core Body Temperature, And Circadian Rhythms In Mice Selected For High Or Low Heat Loss, M. R. Mousel, Walter W. Stroup, Merlyn K. Nielsen

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Daily locomotor activity, core body temperature, and their circadian rhythms were measured in lines of mice selected for high (MH) or low (ML) heat loss and unselected controls (MC). Lines were created by selecting for 16 generations in each of three replicates. Collection of locomotor activity and core temperature data spanned Generations 20 and 21 for a total of 352 mice. Physical activity and core body temperature data were accumulated using implanted transmitters and continuous automated collection. Measurement for each animal was for 3 d. Activity was recorded for each half hour and then averaged for the day; temperature was …

Candidate Gene Analysis For Loci Affecting Litter Size And Ovulation Rate In Swine, R. C. Linville, Daniel Pomp, R. K. Johnson, M. F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A candidate gene approach was used to determine whether specific loci explain responses in ovulation rate (OR) and number of fully formed (FF), live (NBA), stillborn, and mummified pigs at birth observed in two lines selected for ovulation rate and litter size compared with a randomly selected control line. Line IOL was selected for an index of OR and embryonic survival for eight generations, followed by eight generations of two-stage selection for OR and litter size. Line C was selected at random for 16 generations. Line COL, derived from line C at Generation 8, underwent eight generations of two-stage selection. …

Estimating Forage Protein Degradation In The Rumen, Terry J. Klopfenstein, R. A. Mass, K. W. Creighton, H. H. Patterson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Forage proteins are degraded rapidly by rumen microorganisms and therefore supply relatively small quantities of undegraded intake protein (UIP). Growing cattle with high metabolizable protein requirements and lactating beef and dairy cows respond to UIP supplementation when fed high-forage diets, even though degradable intake protein (DIP) is adequate. This observation suggests that an accurate estimate of forage UIP is needed to establish optimal supplementation conditions. Microbial protein must be quantitated in duodenal or in situ residue samples to accurately measure forage UIP. Purines commonly are used as a microbial protein marker. Recent reports suggested that the original purine procedure generates …

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (Cla), Body Fat, And Apoptosis, Jess L. Miner, C. Cederberg, Merlyn K. Nielsen, Xiaoli Chen, Clifton Baile

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine if consumption of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by mice could induce apoptosis in adipose tissue. Other objectives were to determine the influence of feeding mice CLA for ≤2 weeks on body fat, energy expenditure, and feed intake.

Research Methods and Procedures: A mixture of CLA isomers (predominantly c9,t11 and t10,c12) was included in the AIN-93G diet at 0, 1, and 2%, and fed to mice for 12 days (Trial 1), or was included at 2% and fed to mice for 0, 5, and 14 days (Trial 2). Feed intake …

Use Of Intra-Uterine Insemination Of Pigs: Pros, Cons & Economics, Donald G. Levis, Scott Burroughs, Sara Williams

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Reproductive performance is a major concern for pork producers because the financial stability of a pork enterprise that produces piglets is substantially influenced by fecundity index (FI) for number of piglets born alive (FI = farrowing rate x litter size born alive). It is well known that farrowing rate and litter size are affected by numerous factors. A new reproductive technique that pork producers are hearing and reading about is intra-uterine insemination. Intra-uterine insemination is the process of placing spermatozoa directly into the uterine body instead of the cervix as traditionally done. The uterine body is located between the cervix …

Switching Feedlot Dietary Fiber Level For Cattle Fed In Winter, T. L. Mader, M. S. Davis, J. M. Dahlquist, A. M. Parkhurst

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Four feeding regimens were evaluated in two different outside facilities [tree windbreak provided (SP) vs no wind protection provided (NP)] over two winter seasons. Feeding regimens were 1) 7.5% (DM basis) alfalfa hay (AH) diet (Low- Low); 2) 15% (DM basis) AH diet switched to a 7.5% (DM basis) AH diet under cold stress conditions (High-Low); 3) 7.5% (DM basis) AH diet switched to a 15% (DM basis) AH diet under cold stress conditions (Low-High); and 4) 15% (DM basis) AH diet (High-High). For feeding regimens High-Low and Low- High, cold stress was determined by use of a model, based …

Human Herpesvirus 8 Can Be Transmitted Through Blood In Drug Addicts, Carlos Sosa, Jorge Benetucci, Colleen Hanna, Laura Sieczkowski, Gabriel Deluchi, Ana Maria Canizal, Hamakwa Mantina, Winslow Klaskala, Marianna Baum, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Human Herpes virus type-8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence was studied in a population of HIV positive intravenous drug users (IVDUs) from Argentina. Analysis of this population also indirectly made it possible to study HHV-8 blood transmission, because these individuals frequently engage in needle sharing behavior and are capable of acquiring a broad array of blood borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B/C virus. The seroprevalence of HHV-8 in IVDUs was compared to a group of non-IVDUs and HIV negative individuals. Of the 223 individuals tested, 13.45% were HHV-8 positive, 16.99% in the IVDUs group, and 5.71% in the non-IVDUs. Among HIV positive IVDUs, 25/144 …

Origin And Conservation Genetics Of Threatened Ute Ladies’-Tresses, Spiranthes Diluvialis (Orchidaceae), Allen L. Szalanski, Gerry Steinauer, Richard Bischof, Jessica Lynn Petersen

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The Ute ladies’-tresses, Spiranthes diluvialis, is listed as a threatened orchid in west-central United States by the Federal government. Information on its origin and patterns of genetic variation is needed to develop effective conservation strategies for this species. DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to evaluate genetic variation and structure of 23 populations of S. diluvialis. In addition, four congeneric species were analyzed to determine possible origins of the putative allotetraploid S. diluvialis. DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA …

Pb1667 Control Of Vole Damage In No-Till Soybeans, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Voles are a problem for farmers using minimum and no-till technologies for soybean production, because voles feed on soybeans from the time they are established until they are harvested. This problem is expected to increase as land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is returned to row crops. Retaining established cover through no-till farming decreases erosion, improves water quality, increases wildlife habitat and conserves moisture when compared to conventional tillage practices. However, voles that have established colonies and flourished beneath the cover established under CRP, crop residue or hay crops can devastate crop plantings. Significant stand reductions have been …

Pb1664-Castrating Beef Calves, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Animals/Livestock

Castration is removal of the testicles of a male animal. Castration of your bull calves is an easy procedure to perform. Several techniques can be used and all can be mastered by the cattle producer. Feeder steers sell for more than bulls and the difference will pay for the costs associated with the practice several times over. Based on Tennessee livestock auction market reports, 500-pound steer calves sell for $25 more per head than bulls of comparable quality. All male Tennessee feeder calves should be sold as steers.

Pb1644-Guidelines For Developing And Implementing A Poultry Nutrient Plan, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Animals/Livestock

Poultry litter (manure) is an excellent source of plant nutrients and can be a part of most farm nutrient management programs. The term poultry “litter” applies to all dry forms of poultry manure regardless of the presence or absence of any type of bedding material. Currently there are no poultry liquid manure handling systems (lagoons) in Tennessee.

When using poultry litter as a plant nutrient source, a nutrient management plan should be developed to match crop nutritional requirements with nutrients available in the litter. Also, using best management practices outlined in the nutrient management plan will help prevent any surface …

Protein Targeting And Translocation, Barry D. Bruce, D.A. Phoenix

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology

No abstract provided.

Optical Remote Sensing Techniques In Biological Oceanography, W. Paul Bissett, Oscar Schofield, Curtis D. Mobley, Michael F. Crowley, Mark A. Moline

Biological Sciences

No abstract provided.