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Identification Of Dna Markers In Triticum Aestivum-Aegilops Caudata Additions Lines By Randomly Amplified Polymorphic Dna (Rapd) Technology, Ling Wei

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this study was to identify DNA markers for each of six added C-genome chromosomes in Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Alceso'-Aegilops caudata L. addition lines using the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. DNA from Ae. caudata, T. aestivum, amphiploid of T. aestivum X Ae. caudata, and six disomic addition lines of wheat having a pair of Ae. caudata chromosomes was used as the template for the amplification of RAPD markers with a total of 58 random 10-mer oligonucleotide primers. Two primers, OPC-08 and OPJ-16, produced one intense band each from the amphiploid of …

Academic Goals, Achievement, And Age At First Sexual Intercourse: Reciprocal Influences, Paul L. Schvaneveldt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the reciprocal relationship between the age of first sexual intercourse and academic goals and achievement. It was hypothesized that lower educational goals and achievement were likely to be associated with an adolescent who initiated sexual intercourse at a younger age than those with higher educational goals and achievement. It was also hypothesized that initiating sexual activity early would be associated with a decrease in subsequent academic achievement and goals. Possible explanations are that the costs of engaging in sexual intercourse (pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases) may deter adolescents from initiating intercourse. Weak attachment to parents and future …

Relatedness And Autonomy Aspects Of Self-Concept In 8- To 12-Year-Old Children, Cherie Martin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to look at age-associated changes in relatedness and autonomy in 8- to 12-year-olds. A psychosocial and attachment theory perspective was taken to help explain the integration of relatedness and autonomy issues. The influence of gender, parent involvement, and selected demographic variables was also considered. The sample included 94 children . This excluded those with single fathers or stepmothers.

Instruments used were (a) the relatedness, autonomy, and parent involvement portions of the Rochester Assessment Package for Schools (Wellborn & Connell, 1987); (b) an age appropriate revision of the Eriksonian Psychosocial Stage Inventory (Jones & Anderson, …

Maternal Responsivity To A Child With A Disability: A Comparison In Single- And Two-Parent Families, Kristin Bollwinkel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to examine the differences between mothers in single- and two-parent families as they interact with their child with a disability. The sample consisted of 240 children with developmental disabilities and their mothers. Maternal interaction behaviors were measured using the Maternal Behavior Rating Scale. Demographic information, child characteristic measures, and family functioning variables were also considered. Analyses of covariance indicated that there were no differences between interaction behaviors of mothers in single- and two-parent families. However, relationships between income, education, and family cohesion, and the types of interactions displayed between mother and child were found. …

The Effects Of Therapist Gender On Group Therapy For Eating-Disordered Clients, Todd A. Soutor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This present study examined the session-by-session content of group therapy for eating-disordered clients. The main objective of this study was to identify how therapist-client gender match affects group therapy process , regarding the disclosure of important issues relevant to eating-disordered clients. It was hypothesized that the group therapy process for eating-disordered clients would be qualitatively different if therapy was facilitated by a female as opposed to a male therapist. The evaluation of the research question required using an alternating treatments single-subject research design, in which the presentation of treatment conditions was counterbalanced across two therapy groups. The treatments consisted of …

An Investigation Of The Construct Validity Of The Preschool And Kindergarten Behavior Scales, Clarice E. Jentzsch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A relatively recent measure, the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (PKBS), has been developed to measure both problem behavior and social competence in young children. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the construct validity of the PKBS through the application of several validation procedures. Results of the study support construct validity of the PKBS. In a discriminant analysis, the PKBS classified correctly 89.36% of the 94 subjects. A secondary purpose of this study was to examine social-emotional behavior differences between kindergarten students who were divided into different behavioral status groups based on a teacher nomination procedure: a …

Child Care And Parental Beliefs In Korean-American Families, Wanjeong Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean-American families' beliefs about child development and their child-care practices. Questionnaires were distributed and mailed to wives of Korean-American dual-earner families residing in Utah with young children. Incorporated measures were the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA), Maternal Expectations of Child Development, questions on the type of child care and its quality, and the Child Care Satisfaction Scale (CCSS). Seventy-three mothers filled out the questionnaire for 104 children's child-care situations.

Results showed that Korean-American mothers were moderately acculturated and held both American and Korean values concerning the growth and development of children. …

Measuring Nonuse Values For Wilderness Designation In Utah-By Contingent Valuation Method, Van R. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since 1964, when Congress wrote the Wilderness Act, there has been an increasing amount of controversy between opponents and advocates of wilderness. Wilderness areas in Utah are not immune to this controversy. Public policy makers and land managers are in the middle of this debate. They have the responsibility to assess the resource and estimate the benefits and costs associated with creating policy.

This thesis focusses on helping policy makers and land managers recognize a benefit currently not being assessed. Nonuse values are values other than in situ use, where individuals have a value for existence of wilderness or a …

A Functionalist Approach To Emotions, Julien Guillaumot

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

There are at least two ways in which emotions can be conceptualized. The first, and most widespread, one is the cognitive approach which implies the presence of internal processes or psychological mechanisms. The cognitive approach says that emotions are the result of evolutionary processes. The second approach is behaviorological. It states that emotions are learned and are nothing more than behaviorological and physiological events. Both approaches, even if different, have an extremely important effect on our world because they may help make societal decisions and therefore manage our environment in a better way. As we will see, though, authorities do …

The Impact Of A Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic On Wildlife Habitat And Communities In Post-Epidemic Stands Of A Lodgepole Pine Forest In Northern Utah, William E. Stone

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Natural disturbance events influence the patterns and processes in many forest ecosystems. Ecosystem management of coniferous forests in western North America requires the recognition of the importance that natural disturbance regimes have in achieving sustainable resource production and maintaining biological diversity . Mountain pine beetle epidemics have played an historic role in the succession and structure of lodgepole pine forests in this region. Their effects on wildlife habitat and communities are undocumented, but are presumed to be substantial. I sought to quantify these effects in forty 1-ha stands of monotypic, even-aged, mature lodgepole pine forest in northern Utah approximately 3-8 …

Assessing The Relative Utility Of Models Of Vegetation Dynamics For The Management Of Sagebrush Steppe Rangelands, Paul E. Hosten

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The literature, long-term temporal data sets, and spatial data points surrounding livestock watering pints within rangeland communities wearer used to examine common assumptions and concepts used in models of vegetation dynamics. Of the stability concepts examined, the constancy concept was invalidated using long-term relict area data, whereas long-term data following disturbance indicated that sagebrush-dominated areas could be considered as resilient under circumstances examined. Pioshpere as well as relict and post-disturbance data indicated that the individualistic notion of vegetation change was favored. Species showing the most predictability (based on repeatability of abundance curves, and spatial and temporal serial correlations) were sagebrush …

Who's More Cruel, Johnny Or Jenny? Sex Differences In Adults' Perceptions Of Cruelty To Animals By Children, Teresa Michelle Thompson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

As a symptom of Conduct Disorder, cruelty to animals (DSM IV, 1994) is often assessed via parental checklists (e.g., Child Behavior Checklist). However, little information exists on the criteria that adults use to make judgments of cruelty.

Undergraduate Writing In The Sciences: A Case Study, Susan Browning, Jon Bruce Obray

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This research project is an attempt to understand the role of writing in undergraduate science education, including the development of writing's current role in scientific education, the present nature of writing in the scientific disciplines, and its value. With this understanding, we feel it is possible to successfully improve the communication skills of undergraduates students in the scientific disciplines, which in turn will benefit both the scientific community and society itself. A case study of undergraduate writing in the sciences was conducted at Utah State University, both to assess the present attitude of faculty toward this subject and to investigate …

Green River Foodweb: Colorado Squawfish Nursery Habitat Near Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Utah, Linden Hamer Alder

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Effects of fish introductions are relatively well studied in lentic habitats, and apparently range from extremely disruptive to notably benign (Kruegger and May 1991). Though researched less completely, fish introductions may also alter native faunas in lotic habitats. Ptychocheilus lucius, commonly known as the Colorado squawfish (C. squawfish), is a fish species endemic to the Colorado river system. The population is currently experiencing dramatically reduced recruitment successes relative to historical rates. Introduced fishes such as channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and green sunfish are prevalent in the Upper Colorado River. The introduced fish presence is increasingly suspected by researchers as a …

Socio-Cultural Variations In Interactions: A Study Of Children With Disabilities And Their Mothers, Elina O. Alexandrova

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This investigation compared interaction behaviors of African-American and European-American mothers with children who had or were at medical risk for disabilities as measured by Maternal Behavior Rating Scale (MBRS; Mahoney, 1992). The relationships between these mothers' interaction ratings and three groups of independent variables (mother/family demographic characteristics, measures of family functioning, and child characteristics) were also examined. T-tests were used to examine the differences between the two groups. Significant differences were found on SES variables, particularly income. Samples were restricted to those with incomes of $32,500 or less. Analysis of covariance procedures were performed using race and family structure as …

The Relationship Among The Contributing Factors To Anorexia Nervosa, Stephanie S. Plunkett, David Stein

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Anorexia nervosa is now being viewed as a multidimensional disorder in terms of predisposing factors such as genetics, biology, and environment. Results from twin studies suggest that part of a susceptibility to AN may lie in genetic factors (Holland et al., 1984, 1988; Treasure and Holland, 1991). However, the nature of a genetic contribution, if any, remains unclear. Neurochemical alterations have been found to be associated with AN, but it is difficult to assess what role these neurochemical changes play in the etiology of the disorder since they may precipitate, accompany, or follow weight loss (Fava et al., 1989). Abnormal …

Iron-Dithiothreitol Dependent Production Of 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine In Dna, David Allan Cook

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Oxidative damage to DNA in a metal-thiol system was studied. Calf thymus DNA was incubated in an iron(IIl)-dithiothreitol system prepared in various buffers. Damage was measured by monitoring the production of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. DNA oxidation was proportional to the concentration of dithiothreitol (DTT) in HEPES and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) buffers while it was only roughly related to DTT concentration in sodium chloride. Incubation in potassium phosphate buffer produced no damage. The results indicate that hydroxyl radicals may be generated by the iron-OTT system in HEPES, Tris, and sodium chloride, while in the phosphate buffer an iron phosphate complex may be formed which …

Three Practices In Technical Writing: A Portfolio, Alyssa Jean Hambelton

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

My technical/professional writing courses and experiences at Utah State University have taught me the importance of clear accessible writing and layout. As a senior honors student, I wished to practice the readability and accessibility skills I have acquired by creating a portfolio of technical writing projects. This would serve as a helpful instrument of practice for my entry into the technical writing profession. The portfolio includes three different projects: a non-periodic publication (Boise State Classroom Technology Bulletin), a newsletter (EIMCO Carrousel System Operators' Newsletter) and a procedures manual (Petroglyph Magazine Procedures). The written narrative that accompanies this portfolio summarizes the …

Effects Of Antioxidants On Development Of In Vitro Fertilized Bovine Embryos, Bret L. Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Free radicals are short-lived molecules that can cause decreased embryonic development in vitro. Antioxidants are molecules that block free radical formation or guard against their harmful effects. Many studies have linked exposure of media to light and culturing of embryos in high (20%) oxygen concentrations to free radical production. Some of the antioxidants used in culture media are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, zinc (II), ethylenedinitrilo tetraacetic acid (EDTA), mannitol, vitamin E, dimethyl sulfide, and taurine. Most research involving antioxidants and embryonic development has been conducted on non-farm animals, particularly mouse and rabbit. Studies have shown that antioxidants in vitro culture …

Winter Habitat Selection By American Marten (Martes Americana) In Newfoundland: Why Old Growth?, Gary S. Drew

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although the American marten (Martes americana) generally is recognized as an obligate late-seral species, the factors dictating this association are poorly understood. Martens were studied in Newfoundland, Yellowstone National Park, and in a captive setting. As expected, use of habitat types was not proportional to availability P < 0.001). Defoliated and late-seral conifer stands were used more than expected, while all other types indicated expected or less than expected use. Habitat selection by martens was detectable at spatial scales greater than 80 m (P < 0.001).

Newfoundland martens were radio-collared and monitored for diet activity during the winters of 1990 and 1991. A regression of the percent active fixes on temperature had a negative slope (b = -4.45, P = 0.084, n = 12), indicating that martens did not minimize their exposure to low temperatures. A log-linear model suggested …

Ontogenetic Habitat Shift Of Juvenile Bear Lake Sculpin (Cottus Extensus), James R. Ruzycki

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bear Lake sculpin (Cottus extensus) exhibited an ontogenetic habitat shift during their first year of life. Soon after hatching in the littoral zone, the fry swam to the surface where they dispersed throughout the lake. Most juveniles that initially settled in the profundal zone returned to the littoral zone during their first summer. Patterns in the daily growth increments of otoliths confirmed the history of habitat residence and the individual size at the habitat switch. We used this habitat shift to test a μ/g model incorporating a growth rate-mortality risk trade-off. A trade-off occurred in the littoral …

In Vitro Evaluation Of Anti-Eimeria Tenella, Gamont-Specific, Monoclonal Antibodies And Partial Characterization Of Their Target Antigens, Eric Wilson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study represents an effort to interrupt the life cycle of Eimeria tenella, the parasite that causes cecal coccidiosis in chickens, with a panel of 12 gamont-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). To facilitate Mab screening, it was first necessary to develop a cell culture-adapted strain of E. tenella (field strain 80) from primary chicken kidney cells (PCKC) to white Leghorn chickens and back to PCKC. This alternation was repeated through 12 such passages. As a result, we have developed a cell culture-adapted strain of E. tenella that produces over 280% more oocysts in vitro than the original parent strain, and …

Characterization Of An Axial Ligand Substitution In Sperm Whale Myoglobin, Michael J. Chen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Of central importance to the study of heme proteins are the effects imposed by axial ligand(s) on the heme structure and, therefore, on the overall activity of the protein. In this study, we confirm and extend the spectroscopic characterization of a mutated sperm whale myoglobin in which the proximal Histidine is replaced with a Tyrosine residue (MbH93Y). The MbH93Y, as well as wild-type sperm whale myoglobin and horse erythrocyte catalase (HEC), was purified and characterized by optical absorption and x-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopies. Optical absorption spectra of HEC and the metmyoglobin, cyanometmyoglobin, reduced, oxy, and carbon-monoxy forms of both sperm …

Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure And Redox Potential Studies Of Heme-Substituted Horseradish Peroxidase And Myoglobin, Bing He

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Heme-substituted horseradish peroxidases and myoglobins were reconstituted from the apoenzyme using mesoheme and diacetyldeuteroheme. X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the dimensions of the active sites of these heme-substituted proteins, and were compared with those of the proto-hemeproteins. The change in the active-site structure corresponded with the electron withdrawing and donating effects of the different side chains. The oxidation-reduction potentials of Fe⁴⁺/Fe³⁺ couples of the heme-substituted proteins were measured at pH 7 with K₂IrCl₆. The oxidation-reduction potential sequence for compound I/compound II was diacetyldeutero- > proto- > meso- in horseradish peroxidase. The oxidation-reduction potential …

Evaluation Of Lake Fertilization As A Tool To Assist In The Recovery Of The Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus Nerka), Howard P. Gross

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I analyzed lake fertilization (with nitrogen and phosphorus) as a tool to assist in the recovery of the Snake River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the oligotrophic Sawtooth Valley Lakes in southcentral Idaho. These analyses involved monitoring, manipulating, and modelling several aspects of the lakes' primary producer, nutrient, and light parameters.

In Pettit Lake, I evaluated the effects of metalimnetic and epilimnetic fertilization in 330-m³ mesocosms. The metalimnetic treatment was equal to or more effective than the epilimnetic treatment in increasing chlorophyll a, phytoplankton biovolume, and primary productivity, yet caused smaller changes in periphyton growth and …

Disease And Habitat Change As Factors Associated With Mourning Dove Population Decline, William D. Ostrand

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The western mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) population has been declining since 1966. Data collected in 1951-52, in Fillmore, Utah, provided us a baseline for comparison with our study in the same area. Our approach was to determine whether a local population decline had occurred since the original data were collected, assess if trichomoniasis has impacted the local population, determine if changes in habitat structure affect foraging site selection, quantify changes in habitat, identify which habitats doves preferred, ascertain whether doves had responded to habitat change by changing food habits, and assess if changes in habitat were responsible in …

Competitive Interactions Between Two Closely Related Rhizomatous And Caespitose Perennial Grasses Under Varying Conditions, L. David Humphrey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biomass, tiller numbers, flowering, and genet survival were accessed for the rhizomatous Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus and caespitose E. l. ssp. wawawaiensis growing in mixtures with a range of densities of each taxon. Models of aboveground biomass of each taxon as a function of mixed densities were used to calculate competition indices. Tiller numbers and biomass of ssp. lanceolatus were higher than those of the caespitose taxon in the first year, but declined in the second year, while biomass and tiller numbers of ssp. wawawaiensis changed little. All tillers of ssp. wawawaiensis emerged in autumn; tillers of ssp. …

Alteration Of Key Cytokine Levels By Aflatoxin B1 And T-2 Toxin In Male Cd-1 Mice, Raviprakash R. Dugyala

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Aflatoxin B₁ and T-2 toxin are mycotoxins, which produce their immunotoxic effects by affecting nonspecific and acquired immunity in different species. The mechanisms of their immunotoxicity are still obscure. Cytokines are the key signaling molecules during the immune response. In this study, expression of macrophage-produced cytokines Interleukin-lα (IL-lα), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6, and lymphocyte-produced cytokines IL-2, interferon y (IFNy), and IL-3 was measured at the mRNA and protein levels, after in vitro activation with mitogens in AFB₁-and T-2-toxin-exposed mice.

Significant changes in the organ weights, especially in the mice exposed to a high dose of …

Metabolism Of Selected Antiviral Agents In Cells Infected With Drug-Resistant And Wild-Type Strains Of Murine Cytomegalovirus, Kevin M. Okleberry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Resistance of human viral pathogens to various antiviral drugs is a serious medical problem. Two modes of drug resistance in cytomegalovirus infections have been observed, the first being altered (decreased) drug metabolism by the infected cells, and the second reduced sensitivity of the viral deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase enzyme to the active form of the drug. Mice infected with the murine cytomegalovirus have been used extensively as an animal model for the human cytomegalovirus, and drug-resistant strains in this model have been identified. To better understand the mode of drug resistance of the virus, the metabolism of two antiviral drugs, 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine …

Functional Study Of The Structural Vp6 Protein Of Bluetongue Virus, Emiko Hayama

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was undertaken to investigate the structure-function relationship of VP6 protein of bluetongue virus (BTV) using molecular cloning techniques. VP6 is present in small quantities in BTV and its enzymatic activity and role in the viral replication cycle have not been studied. Since the availability of large amounts of purified VP6 is essential for the analysis of VP6, a BTV-11 S3 gene was cloned into a prokaryotic protein expression system. VP6 protein was expressed in large amounts and purified to near homogeneity. A series of C-terminal and internal deletion mutants of S3 gene was constructed and the truncated VP6 …