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Economics Of Carry-Over Production And Increased Grazing Season Length Due To Range Fertilization, Paul W. Mccormick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper entails the economic and biological interpretation of the response of rangeland grasses to nitrogen fertilization. Six sites throughout Utah received graduated rates of fertilizer. The coefficients of the production function
Y = a + bN - cN²
were identified.

An initial production and a carry-over response were identified on sites receiving greater than ten inches of annual precipitation. Optimum fertilization rates may be identified by equating the marginal physical product to the ratio of the price of nitrogen to the price of the forage.

Forage response to nitrogen is reflected strongly in the early growth response in …

Mercury, Dieldrin, Ddt, Dde, And Pcb Levels In Tissues From Fish And Wildlife In Utah, Fred A. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fish and wildlife were randomly sampled in Utah from pre-selected x areas and analyzed for levels of total mercury, dieldrin, DDT, and DDE. Levels were well within consumptive tolerance or guideline limits except for mercury levels of fish in Willard Bay Reservoir. PCB's were also identified in a large proportion of samples.

None of the chukars, 6 percent of the pheasants, 4 percent of the waterfowl, and none of the fish sampled, excluding Willard Bay Reservoir, were above the 0.5 ppm guideline level for mercury established by the Food and Drug Administration. Seventy-seven percent of the fish sampled from Willard …

Life Cycle, Additions To Biology, And New Hosts Of Apophallus Donicus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) In Oregon, Delbert Niemi

Dissertations and Theses

Apophallus donicus is examined, its life cycle is described, and certain additions are made to its biology.

It is thought, but not proven, that eggs are eaten by the first intermediate host, the local stream snail Flumenicola virens, and the miracidia escape internally. Mother and daughter rediae stages result, the later producing cercariae which are shed into the water. After burrowing just beneath the skin in suckers (Catostomus macrocheilus Girard), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum)), squawfish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis Richardson), blackside dace (Rhinichthys osculus nubilus (Girard)), redside shiners (Richardsonius …

Regulation Of Rabbit Testicular Capsular Motility: Prostaglandins, Sex Steroids, And Sympathomimetic Agents, Rod R. Seeley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Smooth-muscle active compounds were extracted from rat and rabbit testicular homogenates, and from bathing media of rabbit testicular capsular preparations and were tentatively characterized as prostaglandins. The endogenous prostaglandins were responsible for spontaneous testicular capsular contractions in vitro, but were not solely responsible for spontaneous testicular capsular motility in vivo. In this respect, significantly greater concentrations of prostaglandins were extracted from bathing media from spontaneously contracting capsules in vitro than from inactive capsules in vitro or spontaneously contracting capsules in vivo. No significant difference was observed in the amount of prostaglandin extracted from the bathing media of …

Biology Of Mimulus Guttatus In Thermal Areas In Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Barbara Rice

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mimulus guttatus populations in Yellowstone Park were studied in relation to their thermal habitat. Thermal areas have an extra-solar heat source, and are not snow covered in winter. Snow depth on adjacent non thermal soils may exceed 1 meter. The hypothesis that these populations have formed a distinct high temperature tolerant race was tested.

Thermal populations form two categories, based on habitat type: plants on sinter and plants in boggy areas. Plants growing on sinter are dwarfed, with an average height of 5.6 ±. 2.2 cm. They are facultative annuals which germinate in the fall, overwinter as rosettes, and flower …

A Comparison Of The Ecological Life Histories Of Delphinium Occidentale S. Wats. And Delphinium Barbeyi Huth, Jere Randolph Holman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two species of the holartic genus Delphinium (D. occidentale S. Wats. and D. barbeyi Huth) were studied in the field and laboratory to determine the factors influencing the life stage development and distribution of these plants.

Delphinium occidentale, more widely distributed geographically and altitudinally than D. barbeyi, is found as a member of aspen and sagebrush communities. Sites are mesic in early spring but turn xeric by midsummer. Delphinium barbeyi, more limited in distribution geographically and altitudinally, appears to be limited to subalpine sites.

Adult biological properties are similar for both species. Morphological and taxonomic differences …

Studies Of Porphyrin Biosynthesis In Higher Plants, Tsung-Chiang Chen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase which catalyses the formation of coproporphyrinogen from uroporphyrinogen is located in the soluble fraction of tobacco leaves and was purified 72 fold through ammonium sulphate precipitation and calcium phosphate gel adsorption.

Kinetic studies indicated that the apparent Michaelis constant was 1 x 10^-6 for uroporphyrinogen III (pH 6.5; 37° C). Uroporphyrinogen III served as a much better substrate than uroporphyrinogen I under the standard conditions of this study.

Enzyme activity was inhibited by thiol reagents and heavy divalent cations.

Both chloride and fluoride salts inhibited the formation of coproporphyrinogen from uroporphyrinogen.

Enzyme activity was inhibited by several …

Agonistic Behavior And Dominance In Townsend's Chipmunks (Eutamias Townsendii), Paul Evan Sherman

Dissertations and Theses

Agonistic behavior and dominance are described for captive Townsend's chipmunks (Eutamias townsendii). A total of 10,739 encounters was recorded; 6441 (59.9%) were agonistic. Chases (58.5%) and displacements (30.8%) were the predominant agonistic behaviors; threats (6.8%) and fights (4.l%) were relatively rare.

Stable, non-triangular hierarchies were rapidly established in 11 of the 12 groups of chipmunks observed; the presence of individuals of equal rank in some groups precluded strict linearity. Dominance positions did not change within a group, but reversals in rank and changes from equal to dominant-subordinate relationships occurred when the membership of groups was changed. One hierarchy …

Overwinter Mortality Of Trout In Temple Fork Of The Logan River, Daniel Richard Cerven

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives of this study were to determine the mortality rates of trout in Temple Fork of the Logan River during the winter of 1970-1971 and to identify factors related to trout mortality.

Trout in seven 100-m sections of the 7 3-km stream were sampled by electroshocking in October, December, February, and April. Captured trout were weighed measured and tagged or fin-clipped. Scale samples were taken for age determinations and the fish were returned to the creek.

Water temperature, snow cover, and anchor ice were monitored.

Three species of trout were found in Temple Fork: brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. …

Primary Production In A Cache Valley, Utah Farm Pond, J. Kent Summers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Primary production was measured on a 9.5 acre Cache Valley, Utah farm pond from July 1971 to July 1972. Polyethylene film tubes, with lids, were used to confine columns of water for determining dissolved oxygen concentration. Once a week, dissolved oxygen samples were taken at sunset, the following sunrise and sunset. Annual primary production was estimated at 1289 grams oxygen per square meter for two of the four stations, and 927 grams oxygen per square meter for the remaining two stations.

The weekly data was computed at once a month intervals to see if it would be possible to get …

Bacteriophage Φ6: A Lipid-Containing Virus Of Pseudomonas Phaseolicola, Anne K. Vidaver, R. K. Koski, James L. Van Etten

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The purification and properties of a lipid-containing bacteriophage, φ 6, are described. The phage contains a lipid envelope which is probably essential for infection. Infectivity of φ 6 was lost in the presence of organic solvents, sodium deoxycholate, and phospholipase A. The fatty acid composition of the phage lipid was similar to that of the Pseudomonas phaseolicola host cells. The phage was composed of about 25% lipid, 13% RNA, and 62% protein. The buoyant density of φ6 was 1.27 g/ml in cesium chloride. The morphology of φ6 was unusual; it had a polyhedral head of about 60 nm surrounded by …

Analysis Of Hunter Characteristics And Attitudes Relating To Utah Shooting Preserves, John T. Ratti

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper evaluates the present status of Utah shooting preserves with special reference to attitudes and characteristics of hunters using and not using the shooting preserves system. Data were gathered primarily by a mail questionnaire survey.

Compared to non-users, shooting preserve users were more frequently raised in a suburban or city area, better educated, and had higher yearly incomes. Shooting preserve users were commonly employed as professionals or proprietors, while non-users were often employed as craftsmen, proprietors, or operators.

Most shooting preserve hunters hunted after the state game bird season was closed, and were generally satisfied with Utah preserves. Most …

Annual Periodicity In A Free-Living Hibernator, The Uinta Ground Squirrel, Fred L. Knopf

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study documents the timing of seasonal events and associated changes in body weights of Uinta ground squirrels (Spermophilus armatus) that live at three different altitudes. The investigation provides detailed field data for biologists investigating circannual rhythms and hibernation in the laboratory.

Ground squirrels aroused and subsequently emerged from hibernation in an overlapping sequence: adult males first, followed by adult females, yearling females and yearling males. Within limits some climatic condition(s) delayed emergence and increased the overlap in emergence sequence. The duration of seasonal activities above ground averaged about 90 days for adult and yearling squirrels. Juveniles were …

Formation And Control Of Chlorophyll, Solanine Alkaloids, And Sprouts Of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Tubers And Carbonyl Compound Of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.) Fruits, S. J. Jadhav

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Part I. Formation and control of chlorophyll, solanine alkaloids, and sprouts of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers

Incorporation of radioactive carbon from acetic acid-2-¹⁴C (sodium salt), β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaric acid (HMG)-3-¹⁴C, L-leucine-U-¹⁴C, L-alanine-U-¹⁴C, and D-glucose-U-¹⁴C into the predominant glycosidic steroidal alkaloids, ⍺-solanine and ⍺-chaconine of potato sprouts was 4.88, 9.0, 15, 24, and 20 times less than that of mevalonic acid (MVA)=2-¹⁴C (DBED salt), respectively. The efficiency ratio revealed that β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaric acid (HMG)-3-¹⁴C was incorporated via acetate or acetoacetate. The distribution of radioactivity originated from D-glucose-U-^{14 …}

An Evaluation Of Stress Induced Mortality Of Stocked Catchable-Sized Rainbow Trout In Temple Fork Of The Logan River, Robert Earl Gresswell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The level of stress imposed by population pressure, handling and live transportation on planted catchable-sized rainbow trout in a northern Utah stream was examined. Production of adrenocorticotrophin, as measured by interrenal ascorbic acid and serum cortisol levels, did not occur in transported or planted fish.

Dead or moribund fish collected from stream or live boxes comprised 13 percent of the 2,000 fish planted. Aeromonas salmonicida, the causative agent of furunculosis, was isolated from 41 percent of 106 moribund fish sampled. In addition, 39 percent of the samples exhibited bacterial growth other than A. salmonicida. Apparently, handling, transportation, and planting did …

Low Temperature Germination And Seed Coat Thickness In Tomatoes, John M. Green

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This investigation has been shown that the thin seed coat of tomato variety P. I. 341988 is not the factor responsible for its ability to germinate at low temperatures. The results support a previous report that low temperature germinating ability is inherited as a simple recessive. Seed coat thickness appears to be conditioned by two or more gene pairs, with dominance lacking. The maternal parent's genes control seed coat thickness, but the embryo's genes control low temperature germinating ability.

Effect Of Various Nitrogen Sources On The Metabolism Of Miserotoxin In Astragalus Miser Dougl. Ex Hook., Robert Parker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wasatch milkvetch [Astragalus miser Dougl., var. oblongifolius (Rydb.) Cronq.] was highest in miserotoxin, a poisonous nitro compound, when potassium nitrate was used as the nitrogen source in nutrient cultures. Ammonium nitrate, added to Hoagland solutions to provide four and one-half times normal nitrogen, lowered percent miserotoxin in the plants. Plants grew abnormally in the greenhouse, producing little growth and becoming periodically senescent. High greenhouse temperatures, up to 45 C, were probably responsible for the abnormal growth.

Attempts to inoculate and fix nitrogen in Wasatch milkvetch with Rhizobium bacteria were unsuccessful in the greenhouse.

In growth chamber studies, percent miserotoxin …

Effects Of Exercise On Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Of Catchable-Size Hatchery Rainbow Trout, Salmo Gairdneri, Gerlad T. Klar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Effects of exercise and the relative condition of exercised fish were viii evaluated for two strains of rainbow trout. Circular tanks fitted with a paddle were used to continuously exercise the fish and a stamina tunnel was used to evaluate the condition of exercised trout. Trout were exercised continuously at one fish-length per second and one-half fish length per second. Serum LDH activity in Shephard-of-the-Hills (Missouri) rainbow trout acclimated to 10 C increased two fold during the first four days of exercise. Serum LDH activity returned to control levels by the tenth day of exercise. Serum LDH activity in Shephard-of-the-Hills …

Field Measurements Of Photosynthesis And Leaf Growth Rates Of Three Alpine Plant Species, Douglas A. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Leaf photosynthetic measurements using a portable ¹⁴Co₂ field system were carried out and correlative leaf relative growth rates, RGR, were determined at different leaf positions of three alpine plant species throughout the growing season. Initially there was a period of high leaf RGR associated with a period of increasing photosynthetic activity. Following this stage was a long period of no net change in length of the living leaf. During this period, photosynthetic activity generally increased to a maximum level and then decreased steadily. The final ontogenetic stage was a period of negative leaf RGR denoting leaf senescence which …

Trout Movements In A Small Mountain Stream, Thomas Mark Twedt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Five groups of 400 hatchery rainbow trout, (Salmo gairdneri), were stocked in a small, mountain stream at 3-week intervals from June to September, 1972. A fish trap captured any fish moving out of a 500 m study section.

Fish began moving at high levels during the first day of each stocking and continued at high rates for 5-8 days (Early Phase), after which movement decreased to low levels for 6-9 days (Late Phase). Early Phase fish moved primarily at night, possibly due to their disoriented state and high subjectivity to stream conditions. Fish moving during Late Phase did …

The Relationship Of Climatic Factors To Grazing Activities Of Cows On Winter And Spring Ranges, Benton M. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of climatic variations upon the daily activities of grazing cattle. The activities of individual cows on a partially seeded salt desert shrub range were observed and recorded during three grazing periods. Two of the periods were during consecutive winters and the other during the spring. Climatic variations during the second winter period were quantified and compared to changes in the daily activity patterns of the cattle.

Distinctly different daily routines of cattle activities were evident for the winter and spring seasons. In the spring, the cattle grazed, traveled, and drank …

Autecological Life History Studies Of Two Geraniums, Geranium Richardsonii And Geranium Nervosum, Becky Lee Green

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two perennial species of wild geranium (Geranium nervosum Rydb. and G. richardsonii Fisch, and Trautv, [Geraniaceae]) which grow throughout the mountainous regions of western North America were studied to determine the factors influencing the life stage development and distribution of these plants. Attempts were also made to provide some information to assist in the taxonomy of this genus.

Geranium richardsonii is found in wet meadows and along streambanks throughout its distribution. Geranium nervosum frequents rocky hillsides and drier meadows throughout its range.

Seeds of G. nervosum had 65%, germination in the stratification pretreatment. Geranium richardsonii seeds required scarification to …

Habitat Selection By Large Wild Ungulates And Some Aspects Of The Energy Flow In A Sub-Tropical African Savanna Woodland Ecosystem, Stanley M. Hirst

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of habitat selection by large wild ungulates was carried out on a 50 cm² area in the sub-tropical Lowveld region of eastern Transvaal province, South Africa. Estimations were made of herbaceous forage net productivity and ungulate secondary productivity on the same area.

Fourteen vegetation types, varying in composition and structure from open savanna to dense woodland, were delineated by association analysis. Structural and vegetational characteristics which were considered to influence ungulate distribution were measured within each vegetation type.

The study area supported resident populations of seven ungulate species during the wet season; drv season densities were higher …

Cytogenetic Effects Of Vitavax Fungicide On Secale Cereale On Allium Cepa, Jack Ernest Staub

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of Vitavax fungicide (2,3-dihydro-5-carboxanilido-6-methyl-1,4-oxathiin) on meiotic chromosomes of rye (Secale cereale) and mitotic chromosomes of onion (Allium cepa) and rye were observed.

The principal aberrations recorded in pollen mother cells of rye were: 1-4 univalents at metaphase I; sticky bridges at telophase I; and micronuclei and misshapen nuclei at the quartet stage.

The principal aberrations recorded in root tip mitoses in onion and rye were: chromosome fragmentation, disintegration, clumping, aggregation and inhibition of mitosis.

All meiotic phases were significantly affected by 1,000, 5,000,10,000, 33,300, 66,600 ppm Vitavax at the 48, 72, and 96 hour …

Studies On Some Bacteriolytic Bacteria Isolated From An Oxidation Pond, Paul Christian Radich

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

During bacteriological studies of the Logan City Sewage Oxidation Ponds, Logan, Utah, a group of bacteria was discovered which could lyse killed cells of Escherichia coli. The present research effort was an attempt to determine whether two isolates from this earlier study might play a role in the reduction of coliforms and other bacteria in the oxidation ponds. It was also desired to characterize partially the lytic enzymes produced by the two isolates and to determine as far as possible the organisms' identity.

Both isolates were Gram negative rod-shaped organisms with a single polar flagellum. On Cytophaga agar they …

A Seed Demography Model For Finding Optimal Strategies For Desert Annuals, J. Curtis Wilcott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A theoretical investigation of the factors that affect the population dynamics of annual plants growing in deserts was conducted through the use of computer modeling techniques. A series of three models of the yearly life cycle of desert annuals was constructed and their behavior examined. The dissertation centers around the third and most complex model, a computer simulation model with distinguishable seed cohorts in a randomly varying rainfall environment. A typical simulation run was for 80 years and cost $1.00.

The five plant functions were (l} seed losses (mainly predation) as a function of seed age, (2) seed dormancy as …

Incorporation Of Protoporphyrin Ix Into Chlorophyll A And Purification And Properties Of (-) S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine-Magnesium Protoporphyrin Ix Methyltransferase, Jii Shieh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Experiments on the incorporation of ¹⁴C-protoporphyrin IX into chlorophyll indicate that ferrous iron may be involved in reactions between protoporphyrin IX and chlorophyll. Experiments using both health and chlorotic tobacco tissue for incorporation studies show that incorporation of protoporphyrin IX into chlorophyll was activated by Fe²⁺.

S-adenosylmethionine-magnesium protoporphyrin IX methyltransferase (E.C.2.1.1.11) which catalyzes the reaction between S-adenosylmethionine and Mg protoporphyrin IX to form S-adenosylhomocysteine and Mg protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester was demonstrated in barley seedlings. Methyltransferase was found principally in whole chloroplasts and fractions containing mitochondria were disintegrated chloroplasts. Use of detergent Tween 80, precipitation with protamine …

Fish Production And Movements In The Lower Logan River, Utah, Eric P. Bergersen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Following the abatement of domestic sewage pollution xii in the lower Logan River , the fish population was investigated in terms of abundance, growth, fecundity, production, mortality, age class structure, species diversity, distribution and movements during 1970 and 1971.

Three general groupings of fish were identified in the study area on the basis of species composition, abundance and distribution using a cluster analysis technique. These were located in 1) the tributary stream (7-Mile Creek) which previously transported sewage to the river and 2) above and 3) below 7-Mile Creek in the main stream of the Logan River. A "transition" population …

The Effects Of Water Extracts From Juglans Nigra L. On The Germination Of Native Deciduous Tree Species, Orman W. Conrad Jr.

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Orman W. Conrad, Jr. on April 30, 1973.

The Effects Of Chlordane On Pregnant Mice And Their Offspring, Timothy W. Leonard

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Timothy W. Leonard on April 27, 1973.