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Problems Of Data Collection For Economic Research In Small Farmer Agriculture: Some Experience In Somalia, Aden Abdullahi Aw-Hassan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this thesis are twofold. The first is to show problems encountered in collecting and analyzing data on small-holder agriculture. The second is to describe the role of data in supporting research and rationalization of alternatives for sustaining agricultural strategies in development.

Data collected from six villages of the Lower Shebelle Region of Somalia are taken as a case study to show the difficulties encountered in procurement and analysis of that data. The thesis discusses data collection methods that ensure gathering adequate data that can be used to undertake production economics and farm management research. The thesis also …

Effect Of Bacterial Inoculant On Alfalfa Haylage: Ensiling Characteristics And Milk Production Response When Fed To Dairy Cows In Early Lactation, Barb Kent

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Third-cutting alfalfa hay harvested at bud stage in each of 2 yrs, treated with a live bacterial inoculant, packed in polyethylene-bonded bags and allowed to ensile. In both years, treated haylage had a lower pH, and a period effect was found for pH and mold count, regardless of treatment. In year 1, there was a period effect found for acid detergent fiber. In year 2, mean lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers (log 10) were significantly higher for treated haylage (9.69 and 10.36) for control and treated haylage, respectively). Regardless of treatment, lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers and water soluble carbohydrates significantly declined through time. …

Nitrogen And Energy Budgets Of Production Ewes On Summer Range In Southwestern Utah, John W. Halpop

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nitrogen (N) and energy budgets for free-roaming ewes were quantified on mountain summer range in southwestern Utah in 1986 and 1987. Diet quality (%N), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and energy were estimated with the use of five esophageally fistulated ewes. Excretion rates of N and energy to feces and urine were measured by total collection from five nonfistualted ewes.

Total intake N(gN/(MBW*d^-1) tracked intraseasonal changes of dietary N percent but was apparently buffered by fluctuations in dry matter intake. In each year, total urine N was closely related to dietary N concentration, r²=0.97 (1986) …

Comparison Of Post-Weaning Performance And Carcass Traits Of Columbia And Cormo Crossbred Lambs, Carl Kim Chapman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thirty-seven Columbia and Cormo Crossbred July-weaned weather lambs were utilized in this study. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate feed efficiency, average daily gain, feed cost per pound of gain, wool growth per day and per pound of grain, and average wool fiber diameter and distribution of fiber population of the wool. Lambs were raised to a uniform market weight of between 115 and 125 pounds and slaughtered to evaluate carcass weight, backfat thickness, loin eye area, internal body fat, leg circumference, dressing percentage, untrimmed wholesale cuts, trimmed retail cuts, and yield and quality grades. Suffok x Cormo/Rambouillet lambs …

Woman's Exponent: Cradle Of Literary Culture Among Early Mormon Women, Alfene Page

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to define and discuss the early Mormon women's newspaper, Woman's Exponent, and its editors in developing a literary culture among Mormon women. Woman's Exponent served as the primary source of research to show through its literature that the women of Utah were encouraged to express themselves freely, and present their way of life to a world that held a grossly distorted view of them. The Exponent provided the forum for skilled writers to polish their craft, and new writers to develop their talents. The literary influence of the Exponent encouraged the women writers …

Gambel Oak For Spanish Goats: A Digestion-Balance Evaluation Of Nutrient Availability, Brian L. Dick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fresh-harvested Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) browse was mixed with chopped alfalfa hay to formulate six diets, varying in oak content at two phenological stages. Diets included juvenile oak (65,80,95%), mature oak (40,80%), and an alfalfa control. Diets were evaluated for goats using a series of total-collection digestion balance trials. Dry matter intake was highest for animals on mature oak diets, and lowest on diets containing a high percentage of juvenile oak, possibly due to differences in diet dry matter content. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and cell wall components was lowest for mature oak diets, and highest for …

Acquisition Of Forgaging Skills By Lambs Eating Grass Or Shrub, Enrique R. Flores

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I studied the acquisition of foraging skills by lambs eating shrub or grass in three experiments. The general approach was to isolate those skills involved in prehending forage from those related to the acceptance of novel foods. Treatment lambs received 15 times more exposure to grass or shrub than did control lambs. Lambs were tested in 2.5 x 2.5 meter monocultures of shrub or grass 5 min/d, on two separate occasions. Height, bulk density and spatial arrangement of plant material were controlled during testing.

In Experiment 1, I studied the acquisition of foraging skills by lambs on monocultures of shrubs. …

A Model Of Energy Expenditure In White-Tailed Jackrabbits (Lepus Townsendii) Based On Integrated Studies Of Energetics And Field Ecology, Gordon L. Rogowitz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to develop a model of energy expenditure in a population of white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii). Field work in southwestern Wyoming during 1985-87 showed that the breeding season commenced at snowmelt and ceased during late- July drought. Adult females reproduced relatively synchronously and produced a mean of three litters annually. Greatest fetal production occurred in the second litter period. Collections indicated a 1:1 sex ratio, few jackrabbits >2 years-old, and a density of 7 animals / km² in the population. Postnatal growth was sigmoidal, culminating in heavier adult females than males. Using …

Nesting And Habitat Parameters For Selected Raptors In The Desert Of Northwestern Utah, David L. Peterson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the effects of habitat parameters, disturbances and predation on the reproductive success of golden eagles (Aguila chrysaetos), ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus) in the desert area southwest of the Great Salt Lake in northwestern Utah.

The prairie falcon was the only species examined that had a normal reproductive output during the study years of 1984-1986. The prairie falcon was better able to utilize the avian prey species which were very difficult for the larger and slower raptor species to capture. During …

Effect Of Fertilization On Woody Plant Chemistry: The Role In Diet Selection By Goats, Amanuel Gobena

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Lack of forage quantity and quality limit livestock production during the dry season in northeast Brazil. Coppice produced following cutting of tree species in this area has the potential to increase forage quantity and quality during the dry season, because trees that coppice retain green foliage throughout most of the dry season. However, the palatability of coppice is often low.

From a theoretical standpoint, woody plants with inherently slow growth rate should be less palatable to herbivores than plants with inherently fast growth rates, because plants that grow slowly allocate more carbon to compounds such as tannins and resins that …

Characterization Of Esterases And Glutathione S-Transferases In A Solitary Bee, Megachile Rotundata (Fab.): Variability, Developmental Multiplicity, Substrate Specificity, And Inhibition, Donald R. Frohlich

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The esterases and glutathione S-transferases of a solitary bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab.) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), the alfalfa leafcutting bee, were characterized by electrophoresis, substrate specificity, and inhibition studies. Comparisons were made between ages, sexes, and life stages for several classes of substrates and their isomers: aromatic, aliphatic, and thio-esters. Two esterases were found to be allozymes and variable between individuals and sexes. Adults typically possess an esterase that hydrolyzes fluorescent substrates, an organophosphate insensitive esterase, and a series of type 'B' esterases that are very sensitive to organophosphate inhibition. Electrophoretic patterns are different between adults and immatures and are probably …

Characterization Of Chemical And Radiation-Induced Dna Damage In The Mdbk Cell Culture System, Jeffrey R. Hincks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A mechanism common to many carcinogens and mutagens is the interaction with cellular DNA. Alkaline elution is a sensitive and commonly used technique to detect cellular DNA damage in the form of DNA single-strand breaks (SSB), DNA-protein cross-links (DPC), and DNA interstrand cross-links (ISC). In the present study, gravity-flow alkaline elution was developed and validated to rapidly detect DNA damage in the MDBK cell culture system by genotoxic agents.

The system was first validated by detecting a dose dependent induction of DNA SSB in cells exposed to 25-1500 rad of X-ray. The assay reliably detected the DNA damage of seven …

Occurrence Of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae In Degraded Rangelands And Physiological Responses Of Six Agropyron Cultivars To Infection, Di Jian Jun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Physiological and morphological responses of six Agropyron cultivars to vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculation were measured in the greenhouse. These included diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid cultivars. Plants had up to 94% infection after three months. The two diploid cultivars (A. cristatum (Fairway) and A. puberulum) had the fastest rate of infection. With VAM infection the two diploid cultivars were significantly reduced in rood biomass and had lower water use efficiency than without infection. Phosphorus concentration of mycorrhizal plants was significantly higher in shoots of four or the six cultivars. Carbon dioxide gas exchange rate, transpiration rate, stomatal resistance …

Fire Frequency And The Vegetal Mosaic Of The Utah State University Experimental Forest, Linda L. Wadleigh-Anhold

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A fire history study conducted for the Utah State University (USU) Experimental Forest using three distinct periods of fire frequency, historic (1700-1855), settlement (1856-1909), and suppression (1910-present), showed a decreased mean fire interval (MFI) during the settlement period and a greatly increased MFI during the suppression era. The difference was attributed to the influx of ignition sources during the settlement of the nearby Cache Valley, located 40 kilometers to the west. The interaction of settlers with the resource during logging and livestock grazing activities encouraged the high MFI and created the vegetal mosaic now observed on the study area.

The …

An Experimental Analysis Of The Two-String Problem, Mary Ann Henneman

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

The two-string problem (Maier, 1931) was used in an analysis of the contribution of experience in problem solving. In the two string problem subjects are shown two strings hanging from the ceiling and are instructed to tie the strings together. The strings are placed apart so that subjects are unable to grasp both strings simultaneously. The solution involves the use of items which are available in the vicinity of the strings. For example, a hammer can be used as a weight to make one string swing. The research comprised three separate experiments. The objective was to investigate environmental contributions, as …

Pastoral Development Strategies In The Sahel And East Africa: Can The Mistakes Be Corrected?, Ahmed Musa Haji Ahmed

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

There is much controversy on the definition given to those people who raise livestock on the natural vegetation. Differences in the degree of their dependence on livestock and livestock products for food, as well as differences in the patterns of their movements, create the controversy. "Pure-pastoralists", "nomadic pastoralists", "semi - pastoralists", "semi-nomadic", "transhumant", and "semisedentary" are but some of the many terms used in the literature to describe them (see, for example, Johnson, 1969; Jacobs, 1965; McGee, 1986; Horowitz, 1981). To avoid much of the confusion created by the use of these terms, we use the definition of pastoralists as …

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 …

Proton Microprobe And Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (Pixe) Analysis For Studies Of Pathological Brain Tissue, K. G. Malmqvist, A. Brun, K. Inamura, E. Martins, L. G. Salford, B. K. Siesjö, U. A. S. Tapper, K. Themner

Scanning Microscopy

Particle Indiced X-ray Emission and proton microprobe analyses have been applied for the investigation of regional elemental distributions in connection with various pathological states in the brain. Malignant brain tumours and adjacent histologically intact tissue removed during surgery were analysed with PIXE. Systematic elemental variations, e.g., for calcium and selenium, were observed in the tumour front. The proton microprobe was applied to study the Ca and K concentrations in various cell strata in hippocampus following transient ischaemia in rat brain. Significant increases in the Ca level occurred in selectively vulnerable cells within 48 h after the ischaemia.

Proceedings--Future Forests Of The Mountain West: A Stand Culture Symposium, U.S. Forest Service

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

Presents best information available about young dynamic western forests and charts the future of forestry in western North America.

Utah Science Vol. 49 No. 1, Spring 1988

Utah Science

2 THE BLUE ORCHARD BEE: AN ALTERNATIVE POLLINATOR OF APPLES P. Torchio The blue orchard bee could be the answer to a threatened honeybee shortage.

10 BEATING THE ODDS-IDENTICAL TWINS FOR CA TILE RESEARCH C. W. Arave, T. D. Bunch, C. H. Mickelsen and D. Purcell Methods of splitting embryos to obtain more identical twin calves will facilitate research and may eventually lead to techniques to clone embryos on a commercial scale.

17 IRON DEFICIENCY IN PLANTS: GENOTYPIC MODIFICATION OF SOIL FERTILITY J. H. Bennett, N. J. Chatterton, P. A. Harrison and W. R. Thornely A review of recent research …

Scanning Electron Microscopy Of The Spermatheca Of Plethodon Larselli (Amphibia: Plethodontidae): Changes In The Surface Morphology Of The Spermathecal Tubule Prior To Ovulation, Christine M. Davitt, John H. Larsen Jr.

Scanning Microscopy

Spermathecae from eight mature female Larch Mountain salamanders (Plethodon larselli) were used to study cellular changes accompanying the administration of ovulation-inducing pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). Animals injected daily with 25 IU of PMSG were sacrificed on day 2 or day 4. Ultrastructural alterations of the spermathecal tubules include an increase in the synthesis and release of product into the lumen and hypertrophy of two epithelial cell types by day 4. One cell type exhibits apocrine blebs and is covered with microvilli; the other contains large spherical vesicles and has only a few, short microvilli on its surface. These changes …

Sem Of Canine Chromosomes: Normal Structure And The Effects Of Whole-Body Irradiation, G. K. Niiro, T. M. Seed

Scanning Microscopy

Canine chromosomes are not only numerous (38 autosomal pairs), but they are small (compared to human chromosomes) and morphologically similar as well. Analysis of the canine karyotype by light microscopy (LM) of banded chromosomes is, thus, difficult, and the literature on the canine karyotype is scanty. In this study, we describe examination of chromosomes from normal and chronically irradiated dogs with the scanning elect ran microscope (SEM). Metaphase chromosomes from bone marrow aspirates were Giemsa-banded with either 0.025% trypsin alone or 0.1% trypsin preceded by 10% H2O2 and prepared for SEM. Examination of chromosomes from normal dogs revealed cylindrical chromosome …

Enamel Structure In Primates: A Review Of Scanning Electron Microscope Studies, L. B. Martin, A. Boyde, F. E. Grine

Scanning Microscopy

Comparative studies of dental enamel microstructure have involved three main areas of enquiry, with structural features having been investigated in relation to developmental mechanisms, function and/or phylogeny. The phylogenetic, or taxonomic aspect has been emphasized in the majority of studies involving the Order Primates, where efforts have focused upon attempts to recognise structural differences among various hierarchical groups.

Studies of primate enamel microstructure by SEM are reviewed here, with emphasis on what has been learned concerning the most suitable preparative techniques that can be employed, and with particular emphasis to the relevance of enamel microstructure in taxonomic analyses of living …

Microscopic Effects Of Predator Digestion On The Surfaces Of Bones And Teeth, John M. Rensberger, Hartmut B. Krentz

Scanning Microscopy

Concentrations of small fossil mammals are frequently encountered in Cenozoic deposits, but the causes for such accumulations have seldom been determined. In many cases the tooth, jaw, and limb fragments appear to be well-preserved under light microscopy, and it is difficult to differentiate damage due to predator digestion from breakage and abrasion due to physical agents. In order to find more specific evidence of predator digestion, we used a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the surface microstructure of bones and teeth consumed by Bubo virginianus (great horned owl) and Canis latrans (coyote), which prey upon similar species. Effects …

Solute Exclusion By Polymer And Protein-Dominated Water: Correlation With Results Of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Nmr) And Calorimetric Studies And Their Significance For The Understanding Of The Physical State Of Water In Living Cells, G. N. Ling

Scanning Microscopy

According to the polarized multilayer (PM) theory of cell water proteins with their back-bones fully extended and their NHCO groups directly exposed to bulk water, polarize water in multilayers. Experimental testing of the theory led to a new understanding of the uniqueness of gelatin, due to its permanently maintained fully extended conformation and its ability to polarize the bulk phase water in multilayers with reduced solubilities for solutes in a size dependent manner ("size rule"). Other models which behave like gelatin are urea-denatured proteins, synthetic polymers like polyethylene oxide (PEO), and polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP), but not native proteins. NMR studies showed …

The Vascularization Of The Peripheral Nerve Of Chicken And Rat, M. A. Konerding, M. Lehmann, M. Blank

Scanning Microscopy

The vascular system of the sciatic nerve of chicken and rats was examined by means of the microcorrosion casting technique and freeze-broken specimens.

The main epineural vessels form two lateral and interfascicular vascular bundles which anastomose with one another and also with the peri -and endoneural plexuses. On epi- and perineural vessels one can find morphological correlates for regulative means such as sphincters. Even the endoneural vessels depict numerous anastomoses.

The proximity of the vessels as well as the great number of anastomoses suggests a considerable compensatory potential with an adaptable perfusion rate in case of a partial breakdown of …

Scanning Electron Microscope Diagnosis Of Wear Patterns Versus Artifacts On Fossil Teeth, Mark F. Teaford

Scanning Microscopy

Recent work with modern mammalian teeth has shown that, during an animal's lifetime, microscopic wear patterns are generally laid down in a regular fashion at specific locations on the teeth. These regularities make it possible to distinguish real dental microwear (resulting from behaviors during life) from artifacts of preservation and preparation (postmortem wear) on fossil teeth. The size, shape, location, and orientation of microscopic wear features can all aid in making such distinctions.

Several types of postmortem wear are identifiable on fossil teeth. Since some of these effects are intimately tied to the taphonomic history of the fossil, some postmortem …

Bioapplication Of Colloidal Gold In Microbiological Immunocytochemistry, Julian E. Beesley

Scanning Microscopy

Microbiological organisms are an ubiquitous group of animals encompassing bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae and fungi. They are adapted for survival in many diverse habitats and exert a profound effect on man and his environment. Colloidal gold electron immunocytochemistry is a useful technique for studying these organisms and may be applied in several ways. The post-embedding technique is used to detect internal antigens, whilst the pre-embedding technique is employed for the detection of external antigens. In contrast the immuno-negative stain technique is applied to detect antigens on structures such as viruses or bacterial pili which may be dried down onto an …

Assessments Of Pulmonary Macrophage Clearance Responses To Inhaled Particulates, David B. Warheit, Mark A. Hartsky

Scanning Microscopy

An integrated bioassay program is being developed to evaluate the toxicity of inhaled particulate materials. The multi-disciplined approach combines studies on lung clearance mechanisms with pulmonary macrophage functional assessments based on cellular biology, biochemical and cytochemical evaluations on lung specimens from exposed animals. To validate this method, animals were exposed to asbestos, iron-treated asbestos, fiberglass, Mt. St. Helens ash or carbonyl iron particles. Deposition patterns, macrophage migration and phagocytosis were monitored in vivo at selected time periods after exposure. Our results showed that chemotactic factor generation by particles in vitro correlated with the corresponding macrophage recruitment responses in vivo. …

Clinical Applications Of Scanning Electron Microscopy And Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis In Dermatology - An Up-Date, Bo Forslind

Scanning Microscopy

Dermatological papers comprising scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis data published 1983 through 1986 in international journals are reviewed, as an update to our 1984 paper on Clinical applications of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis in dermatology. The present paper not only deals with a review of recent publications in this area but also presents the application of microincineration to hair and cryosectioned freeze-dried skin specimens. Examples of the increased contrast obtained in hair cross sections are presented and a discussion on the feasibility of microincineration at analysis of hair and skin cross sections is …