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X-Ray Microanalysis Of Diffusible Elements In Plant Cells After Freeze-Drying, Pressure-Infiltration With Ether And Embedding In Plastic, E. Fritz

Scanning Microscopy

The technique of vacuum-pressure infiltration of freeze-dried plant tissues with diethyl ether and plastic, originally developed for the cellular localization of water-soluble ¹⁴C-assimilates, proved to be suitable for X-ray microanalysis of diffusible elements at the sub-cellular level. Apart from movements of elements caused by ice crystal formation and collapse of eutectic structures several lines of evidence suggest that additional dislocations of elements during the preparation were minimal: (1) Soluble Ca remained evenly distributed in vacuoles, (2) the contents of K relative to Ca were the same at different sites within a vacuole, (3) the relative vacuolar Ca-contents of different …

Calcium Levels In Ruffle-Ended And Smooth-Ended Maturation Ameloblasts, S. H. Ashrafi, D. R. Eisenmann, A. E. Zaki

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy was used to distinguish the topographical characteristics of two maturation ameloblast types in freeze-dried blocks of enamel organ tissue. This distinction was based primarily upon the configuration of the distal ends of the ameloblasts and the presence or absence of wide intercellular spaces.

Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry was applied to compare calcium levels in various regions of tissue identified as constituting either ruffle-ended or smooth ended ameloblasts. Greater levels of calcium were found in the distal ends of the ruffle-ended cells than in their proximal ends. In addition, greater calcium levels were found in the distal ends …

Duration Of Spermatogenesis And Spermatozoan Transport In The Mink (Mustela Vison), Holly Ruth Franz

Biology

The objectives of this study were twofold: first, to determine the time required for development of spermatozoa in the mink (Mustela vison) from the primary spermatocyte to the differentiated spermatozoa in the testis and appearance of sperm in the epididymis; and, the second, to determine the epididymal transport time of the spermatozoa. Using radiotracer techniques, ten mink were injected intravenously with tritiated thymidine and 16 testes were removed over a period of 56 days. Samples were obtained between January and March, the period of maximal testicular development of mink. The tissues collected in the study were processed using …

Evaluation Of Persistence Of Infection In Mice Inoculated Intranasally With Cryptococcus Neoformans, Hossein Mohammadi Sagha

Biology

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen capable of causing chronic-to-acute disease in man when resistance has been decreased by malnutrition, debility, immune deficiency or immune suppression. Because there have been few studies of infection travelling through the upper respiratory airway, the purpose of this study was to examine the spread of challenge doses of intranasally instilled cryptococci from the nose to the lungs, liver, spleen and brain in mice. Cryptococcus neoformans, suspended in sterile saline, was directly deposited into the anterior nares of anesthetized mice. Animals were sacrificed at various times post-inoculation. Cryptococci persisted within the nasal passages throughout …

Apple Maggot In Utah: Developmental Parameters Related To Temperature And Weather Conditions, Sheri Lee Smith

Biology

Populations of apple maggot were collected from an abandoned tart cherry orchard and from a native black hawthorn patch. Developmental times for egg, larvae and pupae were determined at 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C and then were compared to determine if differences existed between populations. For the egg stage, there were no significant differences between the populations at any temperature. For the larval stage, there was a significant difference in developmental times between populations only at 15 °C. For pupae undergoing diapause, significant differences were found at 15, 20 and 25 °C. Based on developmental times, pupal developmental thresholds …

A Comparison Of The Metabolic And Water Relations Of Five Congeneric Species Of Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae), John Martin Wrublik

Biology

The metabolic rates and water relations of five closely related grasshopper species in the genus Trimerotropis were examined. Each grasshopper species was collected from several sites to allow interpopulation comparisons of their physiological traits. At 20°C, interspecific differences in metabolic rate were not found. At 30°C, T. verruculata suffusa had the greatest metabolic rate of all five species. Significant interpopulation differences in metabolic rate at 20 and 30°C were observed for each species. In general, little of the variation in grasshopper metabolic rates was associated with factors reported to affect metabolism (e.g., habitat elevation, latitude, body mass). Significant differences in …

Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) Development In Mummified, Sunburned, And Walnut Husk Fly (Diptera:Tephritidae) Damaged Walnuts, Mark Douglas Shelton

Biology

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), completed development in sunburned walnuts late in the growing season, but moths did not emerge until post-harvest. Only sunburned walnuts with undamaged kernels were suitable for larval development. Navel orangeworm infestation levels up to 38% were recorded in sunburned walnut samples from the San Joaquin Valley of California. Sunburned and green, undamaged walnut kernel temperatures averaged 4.1°C and 1.8°C higher, respectively, than orchard shade air temperature. Premature hullsplit occurred in sunburned walnuts of early and later maturity varieties. Development of U.S.D.A. culture navel orangeworm moths in mummy Payne walnuts required a mean of 621 …

Utah State University Commencement, 1989 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

Ninety-Sixth Annual Commencement of Utah State University

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Two Bathyplectes Parasitoids Among Alfalfa Weevil Strains, (Hypera Postica (Gyllenhal)), Christopher M. Maund

Biology

The effects of Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) and Bathyplectes anurus (Thomson) as parasitoids of the western, eastern, and Egyptian alfalfa weevil strains, (Hypera postica) (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: curculionidae), and of hybrid weevils from overlapping zones was assessed in laboratory studies. Field studies assessed the effectiveness of B. curculionis on the western and Egyptian weevil strains and on weevils from the western/Egyptian and eastern/western hybrid zones. Laboratory and field studies showed a decreasing trend of B. curculionis effective parasitism from high in northern Utah, where the western strain occurs to intermediate within the western/Egyptian hybrid zone of southern Utah to low …

Properties Of Esterases From Lygus Hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) And The Roles Of The Esterases In Insecticide Resistance, Kunyan Zhu

Biology

Properties of esterases from Lygus hesperus Knight and the roles of the esterases in insecticide resistance were studied with field populations. The esterases are 8-type esterases, and carboxyl esterases are predominant in both susceptible (S) and resistant (R) populations. The optimal pH and temperature were 7.0-8.0 and 40-45° C, respectively, for general esterases, and 8.5 and 35-40° C, respectively, for acetylcholinesterases. For general esterases, Km determined with 1-naphthyl acetate at 43° C was 8.8x10^-6 M for the males and 1.3x10^-5 M for the females, while Vmax was 27.0 and 136.1 umol/min/mg protein for the S and R populations, …

A Comparison Of The Activation And Detoxication Of Aflatoxin B1 In The Upper Airway From Three Mammalian Species, R. Wayne Ball

Biology

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) appears to be a risk factor in the development of tracheobronchial tumors in workers occupationally exposed to AFB₁-laden dusts. Tracheal microsomal preparations and explant cultures from species rich (rabbit and hamster) and poor (rat) in numbers of metabolically active non-ciliated tracheal epithelial (NC) cells were used to study the possible effects of this mycotoxin in the upper airways. The metabolism of AFB₁ and AFB₁-DNA adduct formation was greatest in rabbit tracheal explants followed by the hamster with minimal AFB₁ metabolism and AFB₁-DNA binding in the rat. …

Socio-Behavioral Correlates Of 6- To 11-Year-Old Offspring Of Alcohol Consuming Parents, Jan Garver Bacon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

There is a lack of simple random sample based research into whether there are social skill and behavior problem differences for six- to eleven-year-old boys and girls which correlate with rates of parental alcohol consumption, social sequelae of parental alcohol consumption, reported level of marital conflict, and extended family history of alcoholism.

This simple random sample study correlates the above variables with T scores on the behavior problem and social competence scales of the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist and Child Behavior Checklist - Teacher's Report Form for six- to eleven-year-old children (N=100). Behavior problem scales include disorders of affect, thought, …

Public School Preschool For Disadvantaged Children: Program Quality And Long-Term Effects, Ellen Frede

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although preschool for disadvantaged children is strongly supported nationally as a beneficial endeavor, the research that underlies this support has mostly been limited to small-scale, high-quality experiments. Some have questioned the ability of public schools to provide similar experiences for young children and to produce long-term effects. This study is a long-term follow-up in first-grade children who attended preschool in a statewide public school program. The classrooms were observed to assess the quality of treatment. It was determined that children who attended classrooms that provided medium- to high-quality experiences outperformed those in poor-quality classrooms, as well as comparison children who …

An Analysis Of Institutional Approaches For Management Of Common Rangeland Resources In Sub-Saharan Africa, Mohale Gabriel Sekoto

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

The purpose of this report is to address the issues that are relevant to the management of common rangeland resources in Sub-Saharan Africa. I feel that the issues presented here are among some of those which are important and need to be considered in order to understand the kind of performance perceived about the efforts to develop the range and livestock in pastoral societies. In this report, three case studies have been reviewed, regarding institutional approaches tried to manage common rangelands. These case studies are about group ranches in Kajiado District, Kenya and in Upper Volta and the Sehlabathebe Grazing …

Mate Selection In Contemporary America: An Exchange Theory Perspective, Margaret H. Young

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of exchange theory as it applies to human relations has escalated dramatically in the past 20 years. The present study applies exchange theory as the basis of mate selection in contemporary society. Whereas an actual barter system was used in the past and families played a major role in choosing prospective mates, participants in the mate selection process are not virtually on their own and must rely upon their own bargaining skills to present their assets on the marriage market. A number of characteristics are thought to enhance or detract from a person's "worth" on the marriage market. …

Psychosis In A Developmental Psychopathology Context: A Factor Analytic Study Of Schizophrenia In Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients, Paul R. Adams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Demographic, historical, psychometric, and clinical data were obtained from the psychiatric files of all patients manifesting schizophrenic symptomatology who were hospitalized in an adolescent psychiatric facility during a five year period (N= 71). Factor analysis of the usable data resulted in three interpretable factors, which included: (1) aggressive behavior; (2) disturbed family functioning; and, (3) thought disorder. Age of first hospitalization correlated positively with factor three.

The results provide support for concerns expressed by a number of scientists and clinicians that schizophrenia may not be a discrete, unitary disorder; and that uncritical downward extension of adult diagnoses to adolescents and …

Neuroanatomical Asymmetry, Handedness, And Family History Of Handedness: A Study Of The Markers Of Structural And Functional Lateralization, Steven A. Lifson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the associations between (1) handedness (demonstrated preference of one hand for the performance of most unimanual tasks) and neuroanatomical asymmetry (measurable differences in width between the cerebral hemispheres) and (2) familial history of handedness (the presence of a left-handed sibling or parent of a right-handed subject) as an intervening factor in the relation between handedness and neuroanatomical asymmetry. Width measurements of the brain were derived from computerized tomographic (CT) films and grouped in to categories by hand preference (measured by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory) and family history. The measurements of right (n=68), right with left-handed relatives (n=24), …

The Development Of The Stress-Response Scale For Adolescents, Steven Curtis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescence is an important period in the life cycle for which to study stress, due to the many involved developmental changes that require adaptation. This adaptation can be very stressful and result in pathology. Stress is defined as a "process" involving a continual transaction between stressors in the environment, mediating variables, and stress responses.

The Stress-Response Scale for Adolescents (SRSA) was developed to measure self-perceived stress responses of those between the ages of 14 to 20. The SRSA's development involved three studies. Study 1 involved item selection, scale construction, item reduction, and estimations of internal consistency and validity. Truthfulness items …

An Examination Of Open- And Closed-Economic Conditions In Operant Research, Craig R. Loftin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of economic condition on the relation between responding and overall rate of reinforcement has been an area of recent interest in operant research. The present research was conducted to determine whether the manipulation of the economic condition, by the systematic manipulation of the provision of substitute food, has an effect on this relation and whether open- and closed-economies represent two opposing alternatives or two parametric extremes along a continuum. The results of two experiments conducted with pigeons using variable-interval and fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement suggest that the manipulation of economic condition has a controlling effect on the relation …

Reaction Time In Elderly Subjects: The Effects Of Practice On Two Different Reaction Time Tasks, Dawn Marie Birk

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The reaction time of four groups of elderly human subjects were examined to determine the effects of stimulus presentation and task practice. Each group practiced different tasks, each requiring a response when more than one alternative was available. Two tasks involved making responses based on either visually or auditorily presented stimuli only. One task required decisions to be made on the basis of both auditory and visual stimuli. The fourth group acted as a comparison group and did not practice a reaction-time task; although they did perform a task on the computer and their reaction times were measured. Before and …

Moral Development Theories: Controversy, Bias, And A New Perspective, Julie Ann Robinson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This thesis examines the well-established Kohlberg hierarchical model of moral development and allegations of bias within the model. The Cognitive-Development approach to moral development, the Kohlberg model, and a counter-model proposed by Carol Gilligan are presented. The interview methodology commonly used by moral development researchers as well as the applicability of interview data to actual moral decision-making is questioned. A web model that includes the interactions of culture and education in moral modifications is presented as an original alternative to the step-wise models currently in use.

Existentialist Themes In Three Works, Mark D. Morrison

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The goals behind researching and writing this thesis are multifaceted and although many are outside of the scope of this paper, they express basic reasons for my choice. The paper is titled "Existentialist Themes in Three Works", and development and discussion are literary and philosophical in focus.

The first and most important reason for my choice was that, being a biology major, this project has provided the opportunity to pursue one of my minors, French. It has given me the chance to work under the direct tutelage of Dr. Lynne Goodhart, whom I would like to thank wholeheartedly. All three …

Purification And Characterization Of A Chemically Induced Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Deoxyribonuclease, Guang-Yuh Hwang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Purification of Epstein-Barr virus-associated deoxyribonuclease (EBV-DNase) from Raji and P₃HR-1 cells treated with 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and sodium butyrate was performed by sequential ion-exchange column chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography. The enzyme activity, protein concentration, yield, specific activity, purification profiles, and polypeptide patterns by electrophoretic analysis in each column purification step were determined. The characteristics of the partially isolated EBV-DNase were demonstrated by the enzyme activity, DNA binding affinity, and inhibition by the nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient sera and rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the partially purified EBV-DNase. A nonisotopic assay was developed as a new method in detecting the nuclease. …

Immunological Characterization Of An Sds/Kcl Isolated Total Protein Antigen Of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 13, Vicki L. Shore

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Because of the damaging effects of bluetongue disease on the livestock industry, interest exists in developing a means of inducing passive immunity in infected animals. Antibodies against VP2, the polypeptide responsible for immunoantigenicity in bluetongue virus (BTV), have been found to elicit neutralizing antibodies; however, production of this purified antigen is very costly and thus impractical for commercial purposes. Total viral protein, prepared by a simple, rapid, highly reproducible SDS/KCl method, was injected into rabbits and found to produce antibodies which are useful in immunoblots. However, plaque neutralization assays failed to detect any neutralization activity by these antibodies. Denaturation of …

Obesity Management: A Meta-Analysis Of Key Factors, David E. Christian

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Obesity is a prevalent and refractory disorder. This study consisted of a meta-analysis of research focusing on diet and exercise treatments and their impact on obesity related measures. Only studies that report data for periods of 6 months or more after treatment onset were included. Forty-four studies were analyzed. These were drawn from 16 previous reviews of the literature as well as several computer data bases.

Following are some of the tentative conclusions drawn: (a) diets consisting of improved nutritional quality yield superior results to restricted calorie diets; (b) flexible, self-directed exercise yields better results than more regimented exercise; (c) …

Modeling Forest Dynamics Based On Stand Level Resource Allocation, Geoffrey Candler Poole

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An ecologically based model of forest succession is presented. In the model, trees compete for a share of limited growth resources available from their environment. Competition is reflected by each tree's effect on the resource pool and is not explicitly modeled. Model parameters were fit to field data from subalpine forests of the Rocky Mountains. A technique for estimating model parameters from understory-tolerance rankings and silvical characteristics of each species is also presented. The model's output was consistent with our current understanding of forest dynamics. Emergent properties of the model also mimicked natural processes such as self-thinning, release, and maximum …

Using Computer Imaging To Assess Visual Impacts Of Forest Insect And Disease Pests, Daniel Rabin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forest insect and disease pests alter the appearance of trees, thereby impacting visual resources. Because of the complexity of most forest landscapes, the degree of visual impact of pest-infested forest stands is difficult to quantify.

This paper describes a method of measuring visual impacts of pest-infested forest stands. Photographs of healthy Ponderosa pine trees were entered into a computer video-image-processing system. Using this system, images of trees were altered to simulate different degrees of infestation by limb rust, a forest pathogen.

The altered and unaltered images were shown to groups of observers who rated the scenes in terms of "scenic …

Seasonal Variation In The Species Composition, Abundance, And Size-Frequency Distribution Of Zooplankton In Bear Lake, Utah-Idaho, Edmundo G. Moreno

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bear Lake, a large oligotrophic lake (282 km²), was studied from October 1986 to December 1987 to determine the temporal changes in the zooplankton assemblage at one site in the pelagic zone and one in the littoral area. In this study, species composition, abundance, biomass, and size frequency distribution were determined. Additionally, chlorophyll a, water transparency, and temperature and oxygen profiles were measured to help interpret zooplankton changes during the study.

The zooplankton species assemblage comprised eight species of cladocera, seven species of copepods, and five species of rotifers. The abundance and biomass of the zooplankton assemblage, particularly …

A Preschool-Age Neurodevelopmental Comparison Between Normal-Birthweight Infants And Low-Birthweight Infants With And Without Intraventricular Hemorrhage, William Frederick Corey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Advances in medical technology have provided the mechanisms for sustaining life in premature and low-birthweight infants, resulting in the survival of more of these infants. Low-birthweight (LBW) and preterm infants are placed at risk by a number of medical complications, including intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

The outcome of low-birthweight infants with intraventricular hemorrhage has been the subject of a great deal of research and continues to be a much-discussed topic in the medical and psychological communities. As more data become available, it appears that more questions arise concerning the later neuodevelopmental and neuropsychological outcome of these infants.

For this reason, research …

The Involvement And Relationship Of Ferritin And Ceruloplasmin In Oxygen Radical Toxicities, David Wilson Reif

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The intent of this dissertation is to demonstrate that ferritin iron may be involved in alloxan, diquat, and radiation-dependent damage and that ceruloplasmin may afford protection by limiting the availability of ferritin iron. Initial studies demonstrated that the alloxan radical formed by glutathione-dependent reduction of alloxan reductively mobilized ferritin iron and the released iron catalyzed lipid peroxidation. SOD and catalase were without effect, whereas ceruloplasmin effectively inhibited both iron release and lipid peroxidation. Using ¹³⁷Cs gamma-radiation it was demonstrated that radiolytically generated superoxide released iron from ferritin with an efficiency of 67%. Lipid peroxidation strictly required both superoxide and …