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Characterization Of The Plasmid Dgp1 From The Cellular Slime Mold Dictyostelium Giganteum, Yizhong Yin

Biology

While nuclear-associated DNA plasmids are very rare in eukaryotic organisms, cellular slime molds of the genus Dicytostelium harbor many of them. The Dgp1 plasmid is one carried by Dictyostelium giganteum strain DG6.1. A restriction endonuclease site map of Dgp1 has been produced. The GC content of the restriction site sequences was found to be 42%, which closely matches the typical GC content of Dictyostelium coding sequences. Micrococcal nuclease digestion demonstrated that this plasmid has a typical Dictyostelium chromatin structure indicating its nuclear location. The stability of the Dgp1 DNA sequence when cloned in several Escherichia coli vectors as well as …

The Biosystematics Of Thinopyrum (Triticeae: Gramineae), James K. Jarvie

Biology

Thinopyrum sensu Dewey is a genomically defined genus of the perennial Triticeae consisting of sect. Thinopyrum, originally based on the J genome, sect. Lophopyrum, originally based on the E genome, and sect. Trichophorae, based on an EES genome constitution. The relationships among its taxa are complex. This has led to a variety of classifications being proposed, based primarily on morphological or genomic data. The major cause of disagreement between the two types of classification is the genomic similarity but morphological dissimilarity between sect. Thinopyrum and sect. Lophopyrum. The goal of my research was to clarify the …

Relative Seed Preferences Of The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus Maniculatus): Field And Laboratory Observations, Krista Anne Maguire

Biology

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted during the 1989 growing season to examine the seed preferences of two geographically distinct deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) populations. Of the ten seed species offered, balsam root (Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh)Nutt.), Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides (R. & S.) Ricker), millet (Panicurn miliaceum L.), and antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.) seeds were more preferred than big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. & Frems.) Watts.), wild rye (Elymus cinereus Scribn. & Merr.), western wheat grass (Pascopyrum smithii …

Utah State University Commencement, 1990 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

Ninety-Seventh Annual Commencement of Utah State University

Characterization Of The Polymerase Products Of The Dsrna Of Cryphonectria Parasitica, Pam Kazmierczak

Biology

Cryphonectria parasitica is the fungal pathogen that causes chestnut blight. Hypovirulent variants of this fungus have been isolated, and this phenotype has been shown to be associated with a cytoplasmically transmissible doublestranded RNA (dsRNA). The dsRNA is not encapsidated but is contained within membranous vesicles of fungal origin. These vesicles contain an RNA polymerase activity which produces both single ( ssRNA) and dsRNA products. In the study reported here, the strandedness of the dsRNA in vitro products of the polymerase was determined by hybridization to plus and minus copies of a 194-base-pair fragment from the homopolymer end of the dsRNA …

Applying Resource Based Competition Models To Variable Environments, Linda C. Abbott

Biology

Competition for resources can influence patterns of species abundance. Disturbances can alter the outcome of competition, and affect species diversity. In this study, a competition experiment was designed to quantify the effects of disturbance intensity and frequency on the outcome of algal competition for phosphorus. The disturbance chosen was an intermittently supplied limiting resource, phosphorus. The two algal species used represented divergent life history strategies. Pediastrum, a colonial, green alga, is adapted to exploit periods of high phosphorus concentration, while Staurastrum is the superior competitor in phosphorus poor environments. The competition experiment included five treatments that received phosphorus pulses …

The Development And Evaluation Of Procedures For Recovering Polioviruses And Reoviruses From Culinary Waters Using Electropositively Charged Filters, Kum-Jae Park

Biology

Viruses may be concentrated from culinary water by adsorption to filters. The quantification of these adsorbed viruses requires that they first be eluted from the filters. The elution of poliovirus and reovirus from charge-modified filters was studied in this work. This report describes the effect of varying the pH and composition of several different elution buffers upon the efficiency of virus elution from Virozorb 1 MDS filters. Presumably, the attraction between the virus and the filter media is through ionic interaction or hydrogen bonding or both. To neutralize ionic attraction forces, elution buffer pH was varied so that both the …

National Survey Of Degreed Mental Health Workers Providing Services To American Indian Populations: Identification Of Preferred Theoretical Orientations And Treatment Modalities, Michelle M. Tangimana

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Previous surveys of mental health professionals regarding theoretical orientation and the use of various treatment modalities provided valuable information concerning the nature of mental health delivery but primarily focused on professionals providing services to dominant-culture clientele. The present study focused on those degreed workers whose primary clientele were American Indian. Questionnaires were returned by 140 mental health workers who are American Psychological Association (APA) members of American Indian descent, members of the Society of Indian Psychologists (SIP), employees of the Indian Health Service (IHS), and graduate psychology students. Questionnaire responses were analyzed in terms of orientation and treatment modality for …

Time Use And Attitudes Among Siblings: A Comparison In Families Of Children With And Without Down Syndrome, Glenna C. Boyce

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Time use, attitudes, and perceptions of 120 siblings, aged 10 to 17, of children with and without Down syndrome were compared. Time use was compared in 10 composite and 14 focused categories. Overall, the findings evidenced marked similarities between groups in time use. Siblings of children in both groups spent similar amounts of time performing household duties, shopping, sleeping, eating, playing, participating in sports, and watching TV. The siblings of children with Down syndrome did differ from the comparison group in their school attendance. They also spent less time in social activities and more time in child care and working …

An Experimental Analysis Of Higher-Order Stimulus Control In Humans, Michael B. Gatch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation explored sane effects of context on the development of stimulus classes and the transfer of stimulus functions to novel stimuli. The research was also intended to demonstrate the utility of current behavioral theories for prediction and control of contextual effects on class formation. In Experiment lA, contextual control of stimulus classes was established successfully in all six college-student subjects. Matching-to-sample training successfully transferred the function of the contextual stimuli to four novel stimuli, whim resulted in the formation of two three-member classes of contextual stimuli. The first portion of Experiment 1B replicated Experiment 1A with three additional subjects. …

The Relationship Between Raw Scores On The Kaufman Assessment Battery For Children And School Attendance For Sioux Children Ages 8-12, Mike Cummings

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study was conducted to examine one aspect of construct validity for the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Forty-eight Sioux children at five age levels (8 to 12.5) were used in this study. Relying on theories of child development, most tests of mental abilities have been constructed so that raw scores will increase with age. Pearson r correlation coefficients between age and raw scores were calculated across five age levels for this sample of Sioux children. The Simultaneous-, Sequential-, and Achievement-scale raw scores significantly correlate with age at the .05 level for a one-tailed test of significance. Number Recall …

Comparative Foraging Ecology Of Sheep And Goats In Caatinga Woodland In Northeastern Brazil, Scott L. Kronberg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Small-ruminant production is an important part of the agricultural economy of northeastern Brazil. However, mild-to-severe undernutrition of livestock is an annual occurrence. Goats can tolerate the marginal forage conditions better than sheep, but the mechanisms underlying their superior tolerance are not understood.

An analysis of animal liveweights at the end of the year-long study indicated that reproducing mixed-race goats gained nearly twice (P<.05) the weight of reproducing hair-sheep of the Santa Ynez breed, and non-reproducing goats gained about 1.2 times more (P<.05) weight than non-reproducing sheep. Daily weight gains of lambs were less (P<.10) than those of kids for their first 80 days of life.

In the wet season, reproducing sheep and goats gained similar (P>.05) weight, while non-reproducing sheep gained more (P≤.05) than non-reproducing goats. Non-reproducing goats had greater (P<.05) forage organic matter intake (OMI) than the corresponding sheep in the two wet periods. In the late-wet period, non-reproducing goats had greater (P<.05) digestible energy intake (DEI) than corresponding sheep did but had similar (P>.05) digestible protein intake (DPI) as sheep.

In the dry …

Immunological Effects Of Ketoconazole, Itraconazole And Fluconazole On Lymphocyte Cell Proliferation And Natural Killer Cell Activity In Immune-Normal, Cyclosporine-Compromised And Cyclophosphamide-Compromised Mouse Models, Jeffrey Tullis Mitchell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Over the past several years there has been a steady increase in the incidence of immunologically compromised patients. This has been the result of both chemical agents, such as those used in cancer chemotherapy, and biological agents such as HIV, the cause of Acquired lmmunodefeciency Syndrome (AIDS). The increase in immune-suppressed patients has lead to an increase in life-threatening mycoses requiring treatment with antifungal agents. Pharmaceutical companies have increased research for the development of new antifungal agents which are more effective and less toxic than those that are currently used. Several researchers have reported on antifungal agents that demonstrate both …

Pesticide And Water Management Alternatives To Mitigate Potential Ground-Water Contamination For Selected Counties In Utah, Majid Ehteshami, Antonio M. Requena, Richard C. Peralta, Howard M. Deer, Robert W. Hill, Ahmad Yar Ranjha

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Production of adequate supplies of food and fiber currently requires that pesticides be used to limit crop losses from insects, pathogens, weeds and other pests. Although pesticides are necessary in today's agriculture, they can be a serious problem if they reach and contaminate ground water, especially in places where drinking water needs are supplied from ground water. The relative reduction of potential ground-water contamination due to agricultural use of pesticides was analyzed for particular sites in Utah. The potential reduction of pesticides in ground water was considered by utilizing alternative irrigation systems, water management practices and pesticides. A one-dimensional simulation …

Yellowstone's Northern Elk Herd: Critical Evaluation Of The "Natural Regulation" Paradigm., Charles Edward Kay

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Prior to 1968, the National Park Service contended that an unnaturally large population of elk had severely damaged Yellowstone Park's northern winter range, including aspen and willow communities. However, under "natural regulation" management adopted in the earl y 1970s the agency now believes that vegetation changes in the park are due to normal plant succession, climatic change, or fire suppression, not ungulates. The agency also believes that large numbers of elk (12, 000 - 15, 000) have wintered on the park's northern range for the last several thousand years. This study tested several of the major assumptions or predictions of …

Interrelationships Among Magnesium Deficiency, Ketogenic Diet, And Fasting On Seizure Susceptibility, Hamdia Mohammed Shahwan Ai-Hamdani

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fasting and ketogenic diet prevent seizures in epileptic children, magnesium-deficient rats and other animal models of seizure disorders. This effect has been attributed to increased levels of circulating ketone bodies. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of serum ketone bodies, measured as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), in preventing audiogenically-induced seizures in weanling rats fed a magnesium-deficient diet for 17 days.

The effect on seizure susceptibility was investigated by feeding a magnesium-deficient diet to weanling rats for 17 days. Fasting and ketogenic diet (dietary medium chain triglycerides, MCT) markedly decreased seizure incidence that was associated with increased serum BHB …

Morphological Responses Of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) To Changes In Phytochrome Photoequilibria, Blue Light And Photoperiod, Charles Barnes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) plants were exposed to three different levels of phytochrome photoequilibria (φ), two different photoperiods, end-of-day far-red radiation, two different levels of blue (400-500 nm) light, three levels of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), and two types of high intensity discharge lamp types. Tillering was reduced by lowered φ, by reduced amounts on blue light and by end-of-day far-red. Main culm development was increased by lowered φ, by increased PPF, and was reduced by shortened photoperiod and by reduced blue light. Leaf length was increased by increased PPF, lowered φ, and reduced blue light but was …

Energetic Requirements For Bacterial Protein Export, John Andrew Corbett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bacterial protein export involves the translocation of precursor proteins across the inner cytoplasmic membrane. Over 100 proteins are exported from Escherichia coli. This study showed that energy in the form of ATP and membrane gradient energy is essential for the export of leucine specific binding protein and β-lactamase precursors. Ionophores or combinations of ionophores (SF6847, valinomycin/nigericin and valinomycin/monensin) which dissipate protonmotive force inhibit protein export. Valinomycin alone also inhibits export, but not as well as reagents which dissipate protonmotive force. Nigericin or monensin alone slightly stimulate protein export. These results suggest that the transmembrane electrical potential (∆Ψ) is the …

Carbon Dioxide Toxicity In Wheat, Robert Spanarkel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research was conducted to quantify short- and long-term effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide on wheat. Growth, development, and yield of the spring wheat cultivar Veery-10 were measured in response to CO₂ concentrations of 340 (ambient), 1200, and 2500 μmol moI^-1 of CO₂ air. These 3 CO₂ levels were chosen to provide a control group, a predicted optimal CO₂ environment, and a potentially toxic CO₂environment, respectively. A recirculating hydroponic system provided a near-optimal root-zone environment that was identical for all CO₂ treatment levels. Environmental factors, other than CO₂, were …

The Effects Of Disease, Prey Fluctuation, And Clear-Cutting On American Marten In Newfoundland, Canada, Richard J. Fredrickson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Individual variation in survival and behavior of American marten (Martes americana) was studied in relation to disease, prey fluctuation, and clear-cutting from 10 January 1986 through 20 August 1987 in Newfoundland, Canada. Thirty-seven of forty marten captured on the study area were telemetered and monitored for part or all of the study.

Marten mortality was concentrated in two intervals, fall 1986 and late winter 1987. Mortality during fall 1986 was attributable to encephalitis, while marten deaths during late winter 1987 resulted from predation and starvation attributable to the prey decline. Nonsuppurative encephalitis was first detected 7 October 1986; …

A Descriptive Study Of Range Livestock Operations In The Somali Central Rangelands, Abdinasir M. Abdulle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Information on livestock operations, particularly what kind of livestock operations are practiced in the Somali central rangelands, and how these operations differ for different herders in different vegetation types and farming systems, could serve as a major tool in making management decisions. This study provides a detailed description of range livestock operations in the Somali Central Rangelands. It also answers some important management questions.

Range livestock operations were inventoried through personal interviews with the owners and herders. Data are supplemented by previous nation-wide and regional survey statistics. Herd productivity data which include herd structures, age, age-related sales, slaughters, gifts, and …

Natural-Resources Education In Utah's Public Schools, John J. Van Niel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Several aspects of natural-resources education were explored in this study. First, a statewide survey of science, social studies, and elementary teachers was conducted to determine the current form and extent of natural-resources education in Utah. Returns were received from 51% of the surveyed teachers. The percent of time devoted to natural resources, the factors affecting natural-resources instruction, and the need to improve that instruction were assessed.

Utilizing that information, the Natural-Resources Curriculum Framework was developed. The Framework is designed to provide educators with the essential concepts to be included in a comprehensive natural-resources program.

Finally, examples of classroom support materials …

Recreation Specialization And Preferences Of Utah Anglers, Bruce P. Andersen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this study were to gain a better understanding of anglers and angler preferences and to examine differences between subgroups of anglers based on level of specialization. Understanding these similarities and differences between user groups will provide valuable input for more effective fisheries management.

A randomized mail survey was sent to resident, adult fishing-license holders in Utah. A 68% response rate yielded 1216 usable returns for data analysis. An analysis of three recreation specialization dimensions (participation, equipment and investment, and lifestyle) and further analysis of participation and investment variables were used to develop a typology of Utah anglers. …

Forest Canopies: Form And Functional Relationships, Steven B. Jack

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forest canopy structure is strongly influenced by stand density due to changing competitive interactions among the individual trees and in turn directly influences stemwood volume production. The structure and dynamics of forest canopies, particularly in relation to the production of stemwood, were examined in unmanaged, even-aged stands of two dissimilar tree species, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. and Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. The analysis of structure-production relationships was guided by a conceptual model which generated hypotheses and led to examination of assumptions incorporated in the model.

Mean crown dimensions were related to stand density through a negative exponential function for …

The Response Of Coyotes To Novel And Familiar Visual And Olfactory Stimuli, Yiting Zhang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore the response v of coyotes (Canis latrans) to certain olfactory and visual stimuli. It was assumed that the findings would be of value in refining techniques used in sampling and controlling coyotes. The specific objectives were to determine (1) if coyotes were more likely to approach and remain in the vicinity of a familiar than unfamiliar scent, (2) if the response to olfactory and visual stimuli differed, (3) if positively reinforcing an approach to the stimuli differentially altered the response to visual and olfactory stimuli, and (4) if the response …

The Effect Of Seasonal Cattle Grazing On California Bighorn Sheep Habitat Use, Melanie J. Steinkamp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of seasonal cattle grazing on a newly reintroduced population of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Idaho, was studied. The hypothesis that bighorn sheep avoid cattle was tested. The issue of avoidance between bighorn sheep and livestock is arguable. Some studies have found that bighorn sheep avoid cattle while others have found no response of bighorn sheep to cattle.

Evidence was found to document the avoidance of cattle by bighorn sheep. The size of the bighorn's home range and core area decreased with the movement of cattle into areas of high bighorn …

The Importance Of Cover For Juvenile Rainbow Trout In Lentic Systems: Field Observations And An Experimental Study On Predation, Roger Allen Tabor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss stocked into mid-elevation reservoirs in Utah are vulnerable to predation from piscivorous fish and birds. I determined how effectively juvenile trout used cover to avoid these predators by (1) direct observations (snorkel transects) of habitat selection in two reservoirs and (2) measurements of survival and growth rates in a pond experiment where adult brown trout Salmo trutta were predators. Observations of juvenile trout were conducted within five weeks of stocking in 1988 and 1989. During the day, juvenile trout were abundant in complex inshore habitats and avoided simple habitats such as sand and gravel. Measurements …

Seasonal Movement Patterns Of Coyotes In The Bear River Mountains Of Idaho And Utah, Glen F. Gantz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Coyotes (Canis latrans) prey upon domestic sheep. The Animal Damage Control (ADC) program currently relies heavily on aerial gunning in winter to control coyote depredations on mountain grazing allotments. Some people claim that winter aerial gunning is not effective because coyotes migrate to lower elevations during winter, following herds of big game animals, and may not be on the allotments where summer depredations occur. I studied the seasonal movement patterns of coyotes in the Bear River Range of Utah and Idaho to determine if coyotes in montane habitats move on a seasonal basis. Radio-collared coyotes were located from fixed-wing aircraft …

Purification And Immunological Reactivity Of Commercial Microbial Milk Clotting Enzyme Preparations, Chima I. Osuala

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Commercial microbial milk clotting enzyme preparations were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using purified antibody covalently coupled to porous glass beads as the column matrix. Commercial enzyme preparation diluted in 1 mM sodium acetate buffer at pH 5.0 was then biospecifically adsorbed to the column matrix by end-over-end mixing of the glass-antibody complex in the enzyme solution for 12 h at 5°C. The antibody bound enzyme adsorbed glass beads were soaked in .2 M glycine or ethanolarnine at pH 7.0 to block uncoupled reactive sites on the matrix. Following this, the column was washed with 1 mM sodium acetate …

Enhancing Female Adolescent Identity Development Through Ideological Perspective-Taking Training: A Replication And Extension Study, Deborah Lynn Huston

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ideological perspective-taking training on female identity development. The primary hypothesis of the study was that those subjects engaged in the training sessions would show advancement in identity development that exceeded that of normal adolescent development. Ninety-eight subjects were pretested for the study. Attrition due to elimination during prescreening and failure to complete the training phase of the study left 50 subjects. Participants were assigned to a treatment group, an engaged control group, or a maturational control group. Both the treatment and engaged control groups participated in two sessions a …