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Ultrastructural Investigations On Spore Germination In The Fern Woodwardia Virginica (L.) Smith, James Mccurry

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This investigation represents the first electron microscopic study of spore germination in the fern Woodwardia virginica (L.) Smith. Samples of fern spores were induced into synchronous division by a dark, red light and white light sequence and examined for the early events of germination. During early germination the nucleus, which was located in a central position, assumed a pointed trailing end and a broadened amoeboid proximal face while migrating to a proximal position in the spore. At this time the nucleus became spherical, and chromosomes began to condense even before the disruption of the nuclear envelope. Chloroplastid and mitochondrial structure …

Comparison Of Grouping Methods For Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci, Renee Smith

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A total of 198 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci were Lancefield grouped by the conventional nonserological method and the Phadebact Co-agglutination method. These two methods were then compared to the Lancefield precipitin test. The Phadebact Co-agglutination method and the non - serological method '.ere evaluated as to their sensitivity, accuracy, and suitability as methods for serogrouping betahemolytic streptococci in clinical laboratories. Due to the difference in their grouping ability only Lancefield Groups A and B could be directly compared. There was a 100 percent agreement between both of these methods for the Lancefield grouns A and B, and there were three …

Ua66/6/2 Alumni Newsletter, Wku Biology

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Biology department highlighting students, faculty and alumni activities.

The Impact Of Performance Testing On Production Selection, Ross A. Jacobson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Performance testing data from a registered herd of Hereford cattle in Northern Utah for the years 1974 through 1980 were analyzed in this study. The cattle consisted of a spring calving herd, approximately 440 cows, and a fall calving herd, approximately 120 cows. Five weaning traits (weaning weight, weight per day of age, 205-day weaning weight, 205-dat adjusted weaning weight, weaning index) and four yearling traits (yearling weight, average daily gain, 365-day adjusted yearling weight, yearling index) were computed on the offspring from both herds, for the years mentioned, to test the influence of a performance testing program on the …

The Pathogenicity Of Blue-Stain Fungi On Lodgepole Pines Attacked By Mountain Pine Beetle, Richard Grant Ballard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the western regions of North America, mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk., infestations take a tremendous toll of pines , especially lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.. Mass attack by the beetles is a devastating event for the trees. As well as girdling the tree, a massive inoculation of blue stain fungus "complex" (composed of several species of Ceratocystis, numerous yeasts and other mycelial fungi) is made beneath the bark. These fungi colonize and destroy the parenchyma tissue system of the host sapwood, primarily the ray parenchyma and resin duct epithelium.

A blue stain is produced …

Efficacy Of Denning In Alleviating Coyote Depredations Upon Domestic Sheep, James A. Till

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bands of domestic sheep lambing on the open range in south central Wyoming were monitored for predator losses prior to and following coyote (Canis latrans) removals. Experimental treatments, including 1) no removal (control), 2) removal of 2 adults and their pups, and 3) removal of pups only, were replicated 15 times each. Number of predation incidents (events) was reduced 98.2% by removing adults and pups. The number of sheep killed was reduced by 98.8%. Removing only litters of pups resulted in a decrease of 87.7% total kills decreased 91.6%. in predation incidents, while Overall, 23 of 30 predation …

Improved Fermentation Process For Producing Methane From Cheese Whey, Abdulraman Y. Awad

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two methods of single-stage fermentation were used to produce methane from whey. The first method involved batch fermentation in which the pH was automatically controlled at 7.0. In addition to pH control, the second method was characterized by introducing the substrate continuously into the fermenter along with dilution water to keep the organic acids at a non-toxic level.

The first method did not improve the production of methane compared to the batch fermentation in which a pH control system was not used (41). However, the second method showed that the concentration of organic acids has a major effect on limiting …

Evaluation Of Heme And Free Iron Binding Agents As Substitutes For Sodium Nitrite In Cured Meat, Farzaneh Vahabzadeh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) gases, alone or with oxalate, phytate, or ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) were tested for antibotulinal activity as substitutes for sodium nitrite in ground pork inoculated with spores of Clostridium botulinum, then abused by storage at 277°C. Nitric oxide with 250 ppm oxalate or phytate was most inhibitory, while NO alone was as effective as 156 ppm sodium nitrite for inhibition of gas and botulinal toxin production in the meat system. All swollen samples contained very low levels of residual nitrite, but nitroso heme and soluble iron content did not change compared with unswollen samples …

Pharmacokinetic Assessment Of The Influence Of Dietary Fiber On The Absorption And Disposition Of Selected Model Xenobiotics As It Relates To Colon Cancer, Joseph Donald Debethizy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Selected drugs are being utilized as models of putative colon carcinogens in a study of the influence of major types of dietary fiber upon drug pharmacokinetics. Adult, male Wistar rats were pretreated with standardized, isocaloric hydrated gelatin diets containing no fiber or 15% (w/w) cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose (metamucil), or pectin for 30 days. An additional group was fed lab chow ad libitum as a reference control.

The pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen, FD & C Red No. 2 and mirex were examined following oral administration in three separate experiments. Among fiber types, pectin and hemicellulose (Metamucil) caused higher peak plasma concentrations of …

Plant Spacing: A Size Sensitive Model With Implications For Competition, Robert L. Bayn Jr.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An algorithm is presented which partitions space among mapped plants according to their relative sizes and positions using one of eight rules for locating boundaries between individuals. The performance of those rules is examined using several natural and artificial data sets with diverse measures of individual size. The relative performance of the rules was the same for all natural data sets examined. The best rule, as measured by a high correlation between individual size and assigned space, placed the boundary at a distance between neighbors proportional to the relative sizes of neighbors as long as a maximum distance (also a …

Toxicologic Effects Of Extracts Of Cestrum Parqui L'Héritier In Mice, Tomás A. López

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cestrum parqui L'Héritier is a Solanaceous weed of wide distribution throughout the world. It causes poisoning of animals, particularly cattle and sheep, and constitutes a serious problem for animal production in some countries.

The present study was undertaken to develop a biological test for the detection of toxicity of extracts obtained from the plant. This test will be utilized to assess the toxicity of extracts obtained from the plant in future studies.

The plant is known to induce poisoning in laboratory animals, but there are no precise references on doses to be utilized and of appropriate routes of dosing. Oral …

The Characterization Of Carbamate Resistance In The Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa Decemlineata (Say), In Comparison With The House Fly, Musca Domestica (L), Randy L. Rose

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Resistant and susceptible populations of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), and the house fly, Musca domestica (L), were compared with respect to carbofuran and carbaryl toxicity in the presence and absence of the synergist, piperonyl butoxide. Resistance levels of the New Jersey population when compared with the susceptible Logan population by topical application of carbaryl and carbofuran were > 833 and 820, respectively. A resistance level of 583 was determined from carbofuran bioassays of Rutgers and NAIDM house flies. Similar levels of resistance development between these species suggests the possibility that similar resistance mechanisms may be involved.

Utilization of …

A Revision Of The North American Species In The Genus Euodynerus (Hymenoptera: Eumenidae), Ali Shallan Moalif

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-eight species of Euodynerus Dalla Torre are recognized from the Nearctic Region, of which one is Holarctic. Literature on the biology of fourteen species is reviewed and new biological information discussed for four species. The phylogenetic relationships of the genus Euodynerus to other genera and the classification and relationships of the species of Euodynerus are discussed. Seven subgenera are recognized of which four are new: Euodynerus, Pareuodynerus Bluethgen, Leucodynerus Bohart, Annodynerus new subgenus, Gonodynerus n. subgenus, Holodynerus n. subgenus and Plecodynerus n. subgenus. Their comparative morphology, phylogeny, and distrubution are discussed. Larval instars of E. hidalgo (Saussure), E. scutellaris …

Reproductive Behavioral And Physiological Traits In Domestic, Wild, And Hybrid Ovis, Kara-Lynn Crocker-Bedford

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was part of a program to develop new genotypes of sheep (Ovis spp.) and goats (Capra spp.) which are more useful for food and fiber production. The study examined the influence of domestication on behavioral and physiological traits of ewes and lambs, the influence of a single or twin offspring on ewe and lamb behaviors, and general relationships between ewes and lambs during the lambs' first month of life.

Domestication has caused the intensities of observed traits to diverge greatly from the tendencies shown by wild populations. Domestication has produced increases in measurements associated with maternal …

Cougar Predation And Ecological Energetics In Southern Utah, Bruce Bennet Ackerman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Diet of cougars (Felis concolor) was studied from December 1978 to August 1981, on a 4500 km2 study area near Escalante, Utah. Prey eaten was determined from analysis of 112 animals consumed as prey, and from 239 cougar scats. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were the major prey item, comprising 81% of biomass consumed. Lagomorphs, large rodents, and smaller predators were also important components. Cattle comprised <1% of the diet, although commonly grazed on the cougar's summer range. Adult male and juvenile (<1yr) mule deer were killed more often than expected, in fall (P<0.10) and in winter (P<0.005). Cougars were a major cause of mortality of adult deer (41% of all adult female deaths, 35% of male), but only 6% of mortality of juveniles. Selection of prey seemed to be a function of prey vulnerability, rather than one of active choice by the predator.

Motion-sensitive radio-transmitters were placed on 15 cougars, from 3 months to 7-9 years of age. Three parameters of the radio signal were used to determine activity levels during 6843 …

Scanning Electron Microscopic (Sem) Studies On Range Grasses And Their Resistance To Black Grass Bugs, Yun-Hwa Ling

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Large populations of black grass bugs, Labops hesperius Uhler, have been observed on extensive acreages of range lands. These bugs cause severe damage to the range grasses, lowering their palatability and productivity. This study was to determine whether morphological differences among breeding lines of grass species or interspecific hybrids could be correlated with the feeding behavior of black grass bugs. If so, plant breeders should be able to develop resistant cultivars. To explore this possibility, cultivars and synthetics of range grasses, representing the genera, Agropyron, Dactylis, Phalaris and Poa, were exposed to different instar stages (II and …

Muskrat Population Levels And Vegetation Utilization: A Basis For An Index, Thomas R. Mccabe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are associated with marshlands throughout North America. Their impact on marsh vegetation is well documented. In recent years, research pertaining to marsh ecosystems has emphasized the role of interspersion of marsh vegetation to higher faunal diversity and productivity. Muskrats can provide a natural control of aquatic emergents if managed properly. Experimentation at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Utah, has attempted to ascertain whether vegetation-utilization index could be used for determining muskrat population levels and to evaluate the impact of muskrats on their primary food resource, Olney's bulrush (Scirpus americanus).

Three known populations of …

Nutrient Requirements Of Ruminants In Developing Countries, Leonard C. Kearl

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This book was assembled using the latest information for compiling the nutrient requirements of sheep, goats, cattle and water buffalo. Because of the complexity of the interactions between an animal, its diet, its physiological state, and the environment; the values depicting the nutrient requirements are estimates and not absolutes. These values, however, are considered to be adequate to meet the minimum requirements of healthy animals maintained in a thermoneutral environment.

The mean energy and protein values used in the nutrient tables were arrived at from combining values found in the literature and those provided in personal communication with animal nutritionists …

Number 12 (May 1982), Southern Fishes Council

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

New Records, Distribution and Status of Ten Rare Fishes in the Tradewater and Lower Green River, Kentucky. By M.L. Warren and R.R. Cicerello, 8 pp.

New Records, Distribution, And Status Of Ten Rare Fishes In The Tradewater And Lower Green Rivers, Kentucky, Melvin L. Warren Jr., Ronald R. Cicerello

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Osmotic Stress On Sodium, Potassium, And Chloride Metabolism In The Mongolian Gerbil, Meriones Unguiculatus, Mark William Hagood

Master's Theses

The effects of osmotic stress on sodium, potassium, and chloride metabolism and the physiological mechanisms governing these ions were studied in the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus. Animals were subjected to dietary regimens ranging from sodium-free to high-sodium diets for sixty days. Results indicate the gerbils were not physiologically stressed by the imposed diets. Apparently the animals regulate ion metabolism via intrarenal mechanisms and pituitary antidiuretic hormone while behavior and adrenal cortical activity are insignificant.

The Whales Of Cape Cod, John C. Jahoda

Bridgewater Review

In recent years, public concern for marine mammals has resulted in the rediscovery of our native New England whales. However, this time instead of hunting them for their oil, whale bone and flesh, we follow whales to learn more about the ecology and behavior of these, the largest of all mammals. Growing public interest in whales has resulted in several successful whale watching enterprises through which large numbers of people have a unique and unforgettable opportunity to view whales up close. Public trips have done more than allow large number of people to see whales. They have contributed to a …

The Isolation And Characterization Of A Novel Iron Protein From Desulfovibrio Gigas, Alan Kay Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The isolation, purification, and partial characterization of a novel iron-containing protein from the sulfate-reducing anaerobic bacterium, Desulfovibrio gigas, is described. The highly insoluble protein was isolated from the cell debris following osmotic shock of the bacteria. The insoluble fraction consistently contained about 90% of the cell-associated iron. This protein was treated with acid, chelating agents, detergents and proteases in order to study their effect on the iron solubility. The results of elemental analysis of a crude protein preparation were 5.3% iron, 2.9% sulfur and 11 .9% nitrogen. An independent colorimetric iron analysis showed 6.4% iron. The iron could be …

Influence Of Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density On Uv-Binduced Photoinhibition In Soybean Leaves: Comparison Of Preconditioning And Concomitant Light Treatments, Charles W. Warner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Previous studies indicate that the degree of UV-Binduced photosynthetic inhibition may be highly dependent upon the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD, total quantum flux in the waveband 400-700 nm) incident on a plant. This study illustrates that Essex soybean leaves (Glycine max) preconditioned under high PPFD suffered less UV-B-induced photoinhibition than when preconditioned under low PPFD. However, sensitivity to UV-B increased when soybean leaves received high-PPFD as a concomitant treatment.

The relative msgnitude of UV-B-induced damage was similar for both light-limited and light-saturated photosynthesis. This probably indicates that UV-B is inhibiting fundamentally different photosynthetic processes.

Soybean leaves preconditioned …

Tonsil Cell Products Which Modify In Vitro Proliferation Of Blood Lymphocytes, Thomas W. Hodge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human palatine tonsil lymphocytes, when compared to peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), were in an activated state even though there was no in vitro stimulation. When these tonsil lymphocytes were cultured in the absence of serum and polyclonal mitogens or antigens, the supernatant fluid often inhibited the proliferative response of target PBL to con A. The extent of this suppression ranged from 22% to 84%, and target cell viability was 90% or greater. There was no evidence for the presence of immunoglobulins or (alpha)2-macroglobulin in whole supernatant fluids. The suppressor was partially denatured at 80(DEGREES)C and was rendered completely inactive upon …

Purification Of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate By Density Gradient Centrifugation In Sodium Bromide, Kenneth W. Nickerson

Papers in Microbiology

Fractionation of fully sporulated cultures of Bacillus thuringiensis by density gradient centrifugation in NaBr produced two bands which were identified as poly- β -hydroxybutyrate. This technique generated high yields of membranebound and unbound granules of exceptional purity and degree of polymerization.

Integrated Pest Management In Rice Culture, Che Salmah Md Rawi

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Rice, the staple diet of over half of the world population, is grown on about 124 million hectares and occupies almost one fifth of the total world cereal acreage. It is essentially tropical but has also been classified as a subtropical crop. Rich has been cultivated as far nother as 49° latitude and as far south as 35° and is grown from sea level to an altitude of 3,000 meters.

Assay, Purification, And Characterization Of A Pantetheine Hydrolyzing Enzyme From Pig Kidney, Carl Thomas Wittwer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A microsomal glycoprotein hydrolyzing pantetheine to pantothenate and cysteamine has been solubilized and purified to homogeneity as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate electrophoresis. Four rapid, independent assays of pantetheine hydrolysis are described and compared along with a method for localizing enzymatic activity on polyacrylamide gels. The enzyme is solubilized on exposure to butanol and purified by heat treatment, (NH4)₂SO₄ fractionation, hydrophobic chromatography, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The glycoprotein, purified 5600-fold in 22% yield, has a specific activity of 14 μmoles pantothenate produced/min/mg of protein, 35 times that previously reported. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 9.0-9.5 and a …

Estimating Esterase And Monooxygenase Detoxication By Bioassay, Electrophoresis And Metabolic Studies In Pea Aphid, Acrythosiphon Pisum (Harris) Populations (Homoptera: Aphididae), Deifalla H. Al-Rajhi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The role of esterases and monooxygenase in the detoxication vii processes of field populations of pea aphids was studied in relation to seasonal changes, developmental stage, and treatment with DEF and piperonyl butoxide. LCSO values for 12 hour exposure periods in glass vials ra nged from 0.04-2.3 micrograms / vial and 820-4871 J.Jg/vial for paraoxon and carbaryl, respectively. Topical bioassays showed the adults to be more tolerant to paraoxon (LDSO of 1. 4-12.3 ng/aphid) toxicity than nymphs (LDSO of 0.13-4. 7 ng/aphid).

Treatment with DEF® (S,S.S-tributylphosphorotrithioate) enhanced paraoxon toxicity against the pea aphid whereas piperonyl butoxide had little …

Effect Of Three Methods Of Processing Barley On Intake And Production Of Lactating Cows, Carlos Garcia Jauregui

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-four lactating cows were randomly assigned to three treatments within eight each 3 x 3 latin squares with three periods of 21 days duration. Three processing treatments of barley were 1) steam-rolled, 2) ground (fine), and 3) soak-rolled (soaked in water for appr. 24 hours, rolled, and fed within 48 hours). All rations were fed ad libitum and were comprised of 24% alfalfa hay, 16% corn silage, 35.5% barley, 12% whole cottonseed, 12% wheat bran, 0.3% salt, and 0.3% dicalcium phosphate on a dry matter (DM) basis. Electronic doors were used to collect individual feed intake data. Rations and feces …