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Vertebrate Animal Pest Control, Usu Extension

All Current Publications

Vertebrate pest control deals with animals possessing a backbone. Vertebrate pests include any vertebrate, native or introduced, domestic or wild, which affects human health, well-being, or conflicts in some way with human activities. This conflict can be either real or perceived.

Vitamin E Deficiency As A Model Of Precocious Brain Aging: Assessment By X-Ray Microanalysis And Morphometry, Carlo Bertoni-Freddari, Patrizia Fattoretti, Ugo Caselli, Roberta Paoloni, William Meier-Ruge

Scanning Microscopy

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a known biological antioxidant able to quench the lipid peroxidation chain and to protect the cellular structures (e.g., plasma membranes) from the attack of free radicals which are reported to play a primary role in aging. To assess whether the absence of α-tocopherol from the diet of young laboratory animals may be considered a reliable model of precocious brain aging, intracellular ionic content of brain cortex pyramidal cells, ultrastructural features of synaptic contact zones, synaptic mitochondria and perykarial mitochondria positive to the succlillc dehydrogenase (SDH) histochemical reaction with copper ferrocyanide have been investigated by X-ray microanalysis …

High Resolution Electron Microscopy Of The Interface Between Dental Calculus And Denture Resin, Yoshihiko Hayashi

Scanning Microscopy

Dental calculus may grow on the denture surface. In order to demonstrate the mechanism of deposition, the interface between calculus and denture resin was investigated using a high resolution electron microscope. Ultrathin sections were also used for electron diffraction of selected areas to reveal any mineral phase.

The mineral layers without mineralized bacteria adjacent to the denture surface revealed a marked variation in thickness and crystal shape. Three types of crystal shape were observed at the junction: needle-like, rod-like and plate-like crystals. High resolution electron microscopy (HREM) showed that both rod-like and plate-like crystals were an aggregation of fine crystallites. …

The Influence Of 5-Fluorouracil On The Endothelium In Small Arteries. An Electron Microscopic Study In Rabbits, M. Cwikiel, B. Zhang, J. Eskilsson, J. B. Wieslander, M. Albertsson

Scanning Microscopy

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used antineoplastic agent. 5-FU induced cardiotoxicity is a still relatively unknown side-effect of this drug. This phenomenon could be due to a direct cytotoxic effect on the endothelial cells. We tested this hypothesis in an experimental study in rabbits, by scanning or transmission electron microscopic evaluation of endothelium in small arteries (the central artery of the ear) after in vivo treatment with 5-FU. Both local and systemic effects of 5-FU on endothelium were studied 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after intra-arterial or intraperitoneal treatment. Perfusion fixation at physiological pressure and temperature was used in …

Cathodoluminescence Contrast Of Localized Defects Part I. Numerical Model For Simulation, K. L. Pey, D. S. H. Chan, J. C. H. Phang

Scanning Microscopy

A three-dimensional model has been developed for cathodoluminescence contrast of localized defects in semiconductors. The numerical model incorporates electron-solid interaction effects, charge transport phenomena and optical losses. Electron-solid interaction is modelled by a Monte Carlo method. Three-dimensional continuity equation and derivative boundary conditions are discretized by a central-difference quotients scheme. Localized defects are represented by regions of enhanced non-radiative recombination. The discretized linear difference equations of the boundary value problem are solved by the successive-over-relaxation method. A method for avoiding the divergence problem during the successive-over-relaxation calculation is illustrated. The solutions of the model are compared with the analytical results …

Cathodoluminescence Contrast Of Localized Defects Part Ii. Defect Investigation, K. L. Pey, J. C. H. Phang, D. S. H. Chan

Scanning Microscopy

Cathodoluminescence contrast from defects with different geometrical and electronic properties have been studied using the numerical model developed in Part I. The contrast of a localized subsurface defect exhibits a maxima at a specific beam energy E_max which corresponds to the depth of the defect. The contrast of a dis-location which intersects the top surface perpendicularly is a decreasing function of beam energy. The differences in the image profiles of the two different kinds of defects allow the two types of imperfections to be distinguished. In addition, the resolution of a subsurface defect at beam energies lower than E …

Apoptosis Induced By Microtubule Disrupting Drugs In Normal Murine Thymocytes In Vitro, Vladimir Bumbaširević, Andjelija Škaro-Milić, Aleksandar Mirčić, Bogdan Djuričić

Scanning Microscopy

Disruption of cytoplasmic and spindle microtubules by colchicine or nocodazole increases mitotic index, but it also enhances apoptosis in isolated mouse thymocytes; the apoptotic index exceeds 20% after 4 hours of incubation with either drug (5% in controls). Apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation, and was blocked by calcium chelators and inhibitors of protein synthesis. The apoptotic effect of microtubule disrupting drugs (MOD) was directed to interphase thymocytes and was independent on MOD action on mitotic cells. However, cell death of mitotically arrested cells showed ultrastructural changes similar in many aspects to apoptosis.

Optical Microscopy And Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging Of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Droplets And Clusters On Mica, D. O. Henderson, M. A. George, A. Burger, R. Mu, Zhiyu Hu, G. C. Huston

Scanning Microscopy

Optical and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to image 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on a cleaved mica (001) surface. The vapor deposition of TNT resulted in ellipsoidal drop formation on the mica surface. The growth rate of the drop diameter was found to be linear with vapor dosing time while the drop density followed a 1/r² dependence, where r is the length of the major axis of the ellipsoid, for increasing dosing times. TNT platelets surrounded by a region depleted of drops were observed after 8 hours of dosing. The depleted region is attributed to a 10% shrinkage for liquid-solid …

The Effect Of Arf-Excimer Laser Irradiation Of The Human Enamel Surface On The Bond Strength Of Orthodontic Appliances, U. Stratmann, K. Schaarschmidt, M. Schürenberg, U. Ehmer

Scanning Microscopy

This study investigated enamel laser conditioning as an alternative to acid etching in bracket therapy. In preliminary experiments optimal laser parameters for achieving a bond strength of 6-10 N/mm² were defined. Enamel surface morphology was assessed and the ablation depth was measured on serial enamel sections. Thirty human molars were exposed to 193 nm ArF-excimer laser radiation (energy density: 260 mJ/cm²) by single pulse application of 23 nanoseconds. Thirty molars were etched with phosphoric acid (37%) for 60 seconds. The brackets from the treated molars and 30 untreated molars were debonded vertically for tensile bond strength measurement. …

Insights, Spring, 1995, Utah State University

Discovery Magazine

Bi-annual alumni newsletter for the College of Science of Utah State University in Logan.

A Phylogeny Of The Genus Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae): Restriction Site Analysis Of Pcr-Amplified Chloroplast And Nuclear Dna, Karen Zak Lanoue

Biology

Amaranthus is a genus containing approximately 60 species, of which three are cultivated because their seeds exhibit a high protein content compared to the traditional monocot grains. Many wild Amaranthus species possess agriculturally desirable traits like drought and salt tolerance, and pathogen resistance. A phylogenetic tree of the genus Amaranthus was constructed in order to elucidate the relationships between the wild and cultivated Amaranthus species for breeding purposes in order to establish amaranth as a valuable alternative dry-land crop. Our tree was based upon restriction site analysis of two chloroplast DNA regions and a nuclear DNA region. The chloroplast regions …

Habitat Structure Analyses Of Northern Goshawk, Accipiter Gentilis Atricapillus, And Northern Spotted Owl, Strix Occidentalis Caurina, Nesting Stands In The Eastern Cascades, Leslie J. Rissler

Biology

I conducted several habitat analyses that describe the striking similarity in habitat resource use of nesting Northern Goshawks, Accipiter gentilis atricapillus, and Northern Spotted Owls, Strix occidentalis caurina. The theoretical context of my work was the Compression Hypothesis described by Schoener in 1974, which proposed that the primary ecological dimension to show effects of competition in the first nonevolutionary stages of species overlap is habitat (vs. time and food dimensions). The study was conducted in the southern Cascades of northern California and southern Oregon, east of the Cascade crest. I conducted both understory and overstory analyses of forest structure. The …

Effects Of Flaming Gorge Dam Hydropower Operations On Flow And Stage In The Green River, Utah And Colorado, S.C.L Yin, United States Department Of Energy, Environmental Assessment Division, Argonne National Laboratory, J.J. Mccoy, S.C. Palmer

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

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Artificial And Pea Aphid Honeydew On Bathyplectes Curculionis (Thomson), A Parasitoid Of The Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera Postica (Gyllenhal), Staci England

Biology

The larval endoparasitoid, Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson), is a major enemy of the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), which is the most serious pest of alfalfa in North America. The effectiveness of B. curculionis as a biological control agent may be influenced by the availability of adult food sources. One potential source of carbohydrates, aphid honeydew, has been shown to increase fecundity and longevity in some parasitic Hymenoptera. Pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), are often present in Utah alfalfa agricultural systems and their honeydew may act as a food source for B. curculionis. Laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate the …

Introgression Between Colorado River Cutthroat Trout And Rainbow Trout In An Isolated Drainage System, Catherine M. Bischoff

Biology

Fishes of the western United States, in particular native salmonids, are at risk of extinction as a result of human activities. One major threat to native fishes is hybridization with exotic species introduced by humans. Enzyme electrophoresis was used to determine the degree of hybridization between native Colorado River cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus) and introduced rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in ten streams located across five drainages on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains in Utah, USA. To assess the level of hybridization in each individual, I constructed a hybrid index using 10 diagnostic loci …

Expression Of Hamster Retinoic Acid Receptor Β2 And Β4 During Development And The Effect Of Retinoic Acid, Dolores Diaz

Biology

The retinoic acid receptors (RARs) constitute a group of nuclear proteins that belong to the steroid and thyroid-hormone receptor superfamily. They act as ligand-inducible transcriptional regulatory factors and provide a model for the molecular mechanism of action of retinoids (vitamin A derivatives). The objective of this study was to identify one or more isoforms of the retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) in hamster embryos, and to study their expression during development and after retinoic acid (RA) treatment. Total RNA was extracted from a 12-day-old hamster embryo, reverse transcribed and tailed with dGTP. The resulting cDNA was subjected to anchored-polymerase chain …

Gene Regulation In Maize Silk During Pollen Tube Growth, Chalapathi Rao V. Koka

Biology

The objective of this research was to evaluate whether genes encoding certain classes of cell wall protein and pathogenesis-related protein are regulated in response to pollen tube growth, in maize silk. In Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from maize silk at different time periods after pollination, there was an increase in the transcripts for extensin, a cell wall protein. However, there was an increase in transcripts for mock pollinated samples, albeit to a lesser extent, indicating that there is a wound response as well. In contrast, PR-4, a pathogenesis-related protein gene, was induced only 24 hr after pollination, …

Reproduction Of The Rare, Riparian Orchid Spiranthes Diluvialis: Pollination Ecology, Variations In Reproductive Success, And Implications For Conservation, Sedonia D. Sipes

Biology

I examined the reproductive biology and pollination of Ute lady's tresses, Spiranthes diluvialis Sheviak, a rare orchid from Colorado and Utah. S. diluvialis exhibits a mixed-mating system. Outcrossing is promoted by protandrous flowers and by acropetal movement of long-tongued bees (predominantly bumblebees) on inflorescences. However, male and female phases overlap, and flowers are fully self-compatible. No autogamous or agamospermous seed set was observed, indicating a pollinator is required for reproduction. Fruit set and pollinia removal varied greatly within and between flowering seasons. I found evidence for both resource and pollinator limitation of fruit set, and suggest that the limiting factor …

Post-Fire Succession And Disturbance Interactions On An Intermountain Subalpine Spruce-Fir Forest, Christopher A. Dicus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Four general post-fire successional pathways leading to a climax Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry)/subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa [Hook] Nutt.) forest were identified operating on the T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest in northern Utah. These included initial colonization by seral quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), seral lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), colonization by lodgepole pine followed by a low intensity surface fire, and immediate colonization by late successional Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir.

Post-fire establishment of the late successional species occurred earliest in the Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir pathway followed by the lodgepole pine and lodgepole pine ground fire pathways, and …

Plant Community Changes Over 54 Years Within The Great Basin Experimental Range, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Scott C. Walker, David K. Mann, E. Durant Mcarthur

Aspen Bibliography

Plant community changes and natural succession over time impact forage values, watershed quality, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem dynamics. Comparisons were made between a vegetation map of community types completed in 1937 by the U.S. Forest Service, and vegetation maps compiled in 1990 of the same areas by satellite imagery, and through 1991 areal photo interpretation combined with ground truthing. The study area includes nearly all of the drainage in Ephraim Canyon located in central Utah which consists of 6,027 acres (2,439 ha). Elevation ranges from 6,600 to 10,400 feet (2,040 to 3,210 m). Vegetation types ranged from pinyon-juniper woodland through …

Effects Of Homogenization And Ultra-High Temperature Processing On The Properties Of Whole Milk Concentrated By A Multiple-Membrane Separation System, Chien-Ti Chang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three different concentrated whole milks (2.5x, 2.75x, and 3.0x) were produced by mixing equal parts of ultrafiltration retentate of whole milk and reverse osmosis retentate of the UF milk permeate. The concentrated whole milks were ultra-high temperature processed by direct steam injection (140.6°C) followed by flash cooling and two-stage homogenization pressures (2500/500 psi, 3500/700 psi, or 4500/900 psi). The milk concentrates were packaged aseptically and stored at room temperature. On the other hand, the milk concentrates produced by the RO single membrane system with the same concentration levels served as the control. Physicochemical properties of the milks were surveyed every …

Meta-Analysis Of Home Visiting Research With Low-Income Families: Client, Intervention, And Outcome Characteristics, Christopher H. Morris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Leaders in the field of home visiting and family support research have indicated that the inclusion of home visiting in comprehensive services for low-income families with young children can play a key role in improving a wide variety of outcomes for at-risk children and their families. These recommendations have been based in part on selected empirical findings from the home visiting literature. However, synthesis of empirical findings has proven difficult, due to the heterogeneity of this population and the diverse applications of home visiting as a service delivery strategy.

The present meta-analysis examined a representative sample of the peer-reviewed literature …

Associations Of Armillaria Root Disease In Jack Pine With Arceuthobium Americanum, Elizabeth G. Hebertson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Relationships between jack pine dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum Nutt. ex Engelm.) and Armillaria root disease (Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink) were examined to determine how these two disease agents contribute to jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) decline and mortality in the Belair Provincial Forest, Manitoba, Canada. The incidence and extent of Armillaria root disease was strongly related to tree vigor. Dwarf mistletoe infection did not affect either the incidence of Armillaria or the mean percentage of root system colonization within vigorous, declining, and dead classes of trees. However, field observations and other analyses indicate that dwarf mistletoe was …

Lake Evaporation: A Model Study, Jumah Amayreh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Reliable evaporation data are an essential requirement in any water and/or energy budget studies. This includes operation and management of both urban and agricultural water resources. Evaporation from large, open water surfaces such as lakes and reservoirs may influence many agricultural and irrigation decisions. In this study evaporation from Bear Lake in the states of Idaho and Utah was measured using advanced research instruments (Bowen Ratio and Eddy Correlation). Actual over-lake evaporation and weather data measurements were used to understand the mechanism of evaporation in the lake, determine lake-related parameters (such as roughness lengths, heat storage, net radiation, etc.), and …

Adolescent Leisure-Time Activity And Problem Behavior: The Integration Of Three Major Explanatory Theories As A New, Gail B. Yost

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescence has in recent decades gained attention as being salient for study of social trends. Increases in youth social problems are seen nationally, statewide, and locally. They include substance abuse, precocious sexual activity, related consequences of pregnancy and STDs, suicide and depression, truancy, running away, crime against property, and violent crime against persons.

This study integrates three major explanatory theories of adolescent behavior into a macro-synthesis. R. Jesser's Problem Behavior Theory emphasizes how problem behaviors do not occur singularly, nor do they justify unique prevention methods. T. Hirschi's Social Control Theory describes how adolescents with little or no attachment to …

Effects Of Graded Levels Of Dietary Lasalocid On Performance Of Holstein Cows During Early Lactation, Dennis E. Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to one of three dietary levels of lasalocid· 0, 180, or 360 mg/hd/d in a completely randomized design Cows were assigned to treatments 1 wk postcalving and remained on treatment until 11 wk postcalving Basal diets were composed of ground corn, alfalfa hay, alfalfa haylage, corn silage, and soybean meal, fortified with vitamins and minerals as needed. All ingredients were ground and fed as a total mixed ration Daily rations were fed in two equal portions at 0500 and I 700 h at a rate to allow a 5- 10% refusal. Daily measurements included …

The Effects Of Feeding Chelated Metal Proteinates On Milk Production And Reproductive Performance In Holstein Dairy Cows, Ben James Hardcastle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-two primiparous Holstein heifers were allocated to one of two treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) basal ration plus 226.8 g inorganic mineral supplement (control); and 2) basal ration plus 226.8 g inorganic mineral and metal proteinate supplement (50:50). Individual heifer performance was measured during the final 10 weeks of the prepartum period. Feed intake and refusals were recorded daily. Individual heifer body weights recorded weekly did not differ significantly. Blood samples taken at 4-week intervals did not differ in plasma concentration between treatments. Calf birth weights for control heifers were not significantly higher than calves from the treatment heifers.

The …

Use Of Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor As An Adjunct In Antifungal Chemotherapy In Various Animal Model Systems, Lindi Farrell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The growing neutropenic patient population provides an ideal target for opportunistic fungal infections. Several effective antifungal drugs are toxic at high doses and contraindicated for long-term treatment. Recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) has been shown to increase neutrophilic numbers and functions, thus providing enhanced host defense. Improved efficacy by using rhG-CSF in conjunction with various antifungal agents was the primary focus of these studies. Use of rhG-CSF in a murine model of vaginal candidiasis did not reduce vaginal colony counts, or improve vaginal histophathology scores. Administration of rhG-CSF in a murine model of pulmonary aspergillosis improved survival, clinical …

Fire Occurrence, Behavior And The Effect Of Fire On Deer Mouse Density In Oakbrush At Camp Williams National Guard Base, Utah, Joel E. Godfrey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fire occurrence and behavior were determined by collecting and analyzing fuel, weather, and fire history data. Fuel plots were used to measure average fuel loading by vegetation type and integrated with weather to make worst-case fire behavior predictions. A fire history was developed using oakbrush (Quercus gambelli Nutt.) sprouts to determine age and the Global Positioning System (GPS) for mapping the burned areas. Average fuel loading was highest in the oakbrush fuel type with 16.8 t/ha, then juniper (Juniperus osteosperma Torrey) with 6.72 t/ha, and the lowest was in sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) with 4.93 t/ha. Fire behavior predictions were …

Behavioral Characteristics Affect Habitat Selection Of Domestic Ruminants, Cody B. Scott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I evaluated some of the factors affecting livestock distribution by conducting experimental (Chapters II and III) and observational (Chapter IV) studies. In Chapter II, I described the effect of locations of familiar foods and social interactions on choice of feeding location by lambs. Lambs were exposed to a pasture as subgroups of strangers and companions with different dietary habits (i.e., three lambs that preferred milo with three lambs that preferred wheat). Milo was placed on one end and wheat on the other, about 100 m apart. Strangers typically fed in different locations, reflecting dietary preferences. Conversely, companions fed in both …