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Cytological And Molecular Analyses Of The Ns Genome In Russian Wildrye, Psathyrostachys Juncea (Fisch.), Junzhi Wei

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea Fisch. 2n=2x=14, NsNs) is an important forage grass and a potentially useful germplasm in wheat improvement. A standard C-banding karyotype of Ps. juncea has been developed based on the C-bands of chromosomes in geographically diverse materials. Although there are C-banding polymorph isms, the seven pairs of chromosomes can be distinguished from each other according to their basic banding patterns. Based on C-banded karyotype, one deletion-translocation heterozygote, four primary trisomies, one double-deletion trisomic, and two tertiary trisomies were identified. These cytogenetic stocks will be useful in genetic studies of Russian wildrye.

Genetic variations in Russian wildrye 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Seasonal Variation In The Behavior Of Sterile And Nonsterile Coyotes, Doris E. Zemlicka

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of mechanical sterilization on social and territorial behavior among captive coyotes (Canis latrans) was studied from November 1989-November 1990. Experimental treatments included control, tubal-ligation, and vasectomy and were replicated 4, 2, and 3 times, respectively. Focal animal sampling was used to estimate the frequencies of 6 social and 6 territorial behavior over 3 seasons: nonbreeding, mating/pregnancy, and pup-rearing. Frequencies of social and territorial behavior were analyzed by summed social behavior, summed territorial behavior, and by individual social and territorial behavior. I found no evidence that sterilization treatments affected social or territorial behavior exhibited by captive coyotes, …

Factors Associated With The Highway Mortality Of Mule Deer At Jordanelle Reservoir, Utah, Laura A. Romin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Highway mortality of deer (Odocoileus sp.) is a nationwide concern. In 1991, 538,000 deer-vehicle collisions occurred nationwide. Property damage to vehicles, human injuries and fatalities, and potential impacts to local deer populations occur from deer-vehicle collisions. Techniques have been evaluated to reduce highway mortality of deer; however, an effective, cost-efficient solution does not exist for widespread use. If mitigative technologies are to be successful, we need to understand deer behavior and movement patterns associated with highway relationships. Most research about highway deer kills has focused on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in mixed hardwood habitat types. The …

Consumption Of Iron-Fortified Cheese And Lipid Peroxidation In Females, Gene Joseph Giunti

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Dairy products are important sources of calcium and other nutrients but are a poor source of dietary iron. Cheese comprises a substantial portion of dairy food consumption and has been determined an appropriate medium for iron-fortification. However, iron may promote the potentially harmful process in food and biological systems known as lipid peroxidation. Therefore, the safety of consuming iron-fortified cheese was examined.

Commercial-scale batches of Cheddar cheese were iron-fortified to a level of two milligrams of iron per ounce with either ferric chloride, ferric-casein complex, or ferric-whey protein complex. Fifty-four premenopausal females were divided into three treatment groups and supplemented …

Density And Feeding Habits Of Elk And Deer In Relation To Livestock Disturbance, Kenneth Clegg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) density and foraging behavior were monitored in conjunction with disturbance by livestock (cattle and sheep) from 1991 to 1993 at Deseret Land and Livestock property near Woodruff, Utah. Elk and deer densities declined by as much as 92% in response to introduction of livestock, while associated areas where livestock were absent did not show this response. Biting rates and bite sizes were estimated and used to determine instantaneous intake rate. These measures were similar between pastures with cattle present or absent in 1992 but differed in 1993 for …

The Effects Of A Cd-Rom Computer Storybook Program On Head Start Children's Emergent Literacy, Susan Talley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the effects of a computer CD-ROM storybook program on 73 Head Start children in Logan, Utah. A variation on the two-group pretest/posttest design was used to determine if there was any increase in emergent literacy skills after spending an average of 15 minutes per day for an average of 12 days on the computer.

Previous research suggests that a child's home environment is integral to the preschool child's emergent literacy development. A parent questionnaire designed for assessing information regarding the child 's Iiterate environment at home was administered. Mean scores indicated that those children scoring highest on …

The Effect Of Climate And Spittlebug (Aeneolamia Albofasciata) On Buffelgrass (Cenchrus Ciliaris L.) Productivity In The Sonoran Desert, Martha H. Martin-Rivera

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I conducted field studies during 1984-1988 to determine how (1) precipitation amount and distribution affect buffelgrass [Cenchrus ciliaris L. (Link) l productivity, (2) summer rainfall amount and distribution and temperature influenced the spittlebug (Aeneolamia albofasciata Lalleman) life cycle, and (3) summer burning affects spittlebug densities and buffelgrass productivity.

Experiment I was conducted from 1985 through 1988. Forage samples collected at 15-day intervals were separated into live, recent-dead standing, old-dead standing, and litter. There was a positive relationship between the summer precipitation and the live biomass. Recent-dead standing and old-dead standing decomposed during the summer, fall, or spring.

Experiment …

Immune And Endocrine System Responses To Acute Skin-Temperature Reductions And Thermal Biofeedback, Kenneth E. Bell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the cold pressor test on skin temperature, natural killer cell activity, plasma concentrations of interleukin-1 and cortisol, and the numbers of white blood cells, CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, and CD56+ cells in the peripheral blood. In addition, the study examined whether thermal biofeedback, when presented following the cold pressor tests, would mitigate the effects of the cold pressor tests.

Four male university students completed pretest psychological inventories and were pretrained during nine laboratory sessions to increase their skin temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. During the experiment, blood …

Transcervical Versus Laparoscopic Insemination In Nulliparous And Multiparous Ewes After Estradiol Cypionate Treatment, Tami L. Gage

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The only practical method for artificially breeding ewes with frozen semen is laparoscopic insemination into the lumen of the uterine horn. Like all surgical procedures, however, laparoscopic artificial inseminatiom has limitations. The procedure requires surgical skill and costly equipment. Repeated passage of the laparoscope through the abdominal wall causes adhesions. Depositing frozen/thawed semen at the os cervix results in low conception rates. The inability to pass an insemination pipette through the cervix has prevented artificial insemination in sheep from becoming a standard breeding method as in the cattle industry. This study compared laparoscopic and transcervical methods of insemination in nulliparous …

Phenotypic Profiles Of Lymphocytes In Adult C57bl/6n Mice Infected With Cryptosporidium Parvum, Diane Rose Bienek

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to quantitate the populations o f lymphocytes in the spleens and intestines of normal and immunosuppressed adult C57BL/6N mice that were noninfected or infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. This was accomplished by using the following methodologies: immunohistochemistry, ELISA-spot assay, and flow cytometry.

Mice in groups 1 and 2 were immunosuppressed, but only group 2 was infected. Mice in group 3 were only infected, whereas group 4 served as the normal control. Mice were immunosuppressed with dexamethasone (DEXI at a dosage of 125µg/mouse/day. Infected mice received 10⁶ oocysts per os. The numbers of lymphocytes were …

Molecular Toxicology Of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids, Hea-Young Kim

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are cytotoxic, carcinogenic, and anti-carcinogenic in vivo and in vitro, and they produce many hazardous effects in humans and animals. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) also cross-link with DNA and/or protein. However, whether such cross-linking is important to the toxic action of PAs is not known. In addition, the exact mechanism underlying these DNA cross-links or cytotoxicity is also not clear.

In three separate studies, I characterized the nature of PA-induced DNA cross-links and the relationships between PA structures and cross-linking potency. In the first study (Chapter II), I found that cross-linking potency of PA congeners coincided with their …

Agribusiness Management In Utah Dairies, Rick L. Hirschi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis outlines the theoretical factors impacting dairy profitability. The theoretical portion includes: a general review of production and profit maximization theory, a review of related studies, and an outline of the variables impacting dairy profitability.

An empirical study follows using data gathered from three applied technology centers in Utah in conjunction with dairy herd improvement production records for the farms where these data were available. The empirical section includes a synopsis of the methods and procedures used to collect and analyze the data. Regression analysis was used to determine the significant production and financial factors influencing returns per cow; …

Pantothenate-P-Nitroanilide As A Substrate For Pantetheinase Assay, Robert T. Davidson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Pantothenate-p-nitroanilide has been synthesized for use as a substrate in a continuous spectrophotometric assay of pantetheinase activity monitoring absorbance at 410 nm. Pantothenate-p-nitroanilide is a crystalline compound with a molecular weight of 338.0 and a melting point of 146-149°C. Use of this substrate in the described assay is suitable for enzyme activity determination in high protein content media such as blood serum. Serum pantetheinase activity was determined for rats of varying pantothenate nutriture. Rats with mildly (but significantly, p < 0.05) lower serum pantothenate levels had significantly higher serum pantetheinase activities than the control group (6.24 nmol/min/ml ± 0.72 and 16. 16 nmol/min/ml ± 4. 14, respectively, p=0.0005).

Uptake, Absorption, And Adsorption Kinetics Of Ferrous And Ferric Iron In Iron-Replete And Iron-Deficient Rats, Madhavi Ummadi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Various concentrations of ferrous and ferric iron solutions were held at room temperature for 60 min before they were assayed for ferrous iron, which may be unstable due to oxidation. The ferrous and ferric solutions (in pH 2 HCl) were maintained as such for 60 min without the use of chelators. There was no significant oxidation of ferrous iron. Also, four different levels of each ferrous and ferric iron were injected into proximal duodenal loops of rat intestine and uptake was determined at four different time intervals. Two iron-replete rats were assigned to each of the treatments. The in situ …

A Response Surface Study Of Extruded Corn Starch/Skim Milk Powder Blends, Sachin Singh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Skim milk was ultrafiltered to three lactose/protein ratios and spray dried. The skim milk powder was extruded with pearled corn starch at different moisture contents, protein contents, lactose/protein ratios, and feed rates (control variables). Response surface methodology and a central composite in cube experimental design were used. This design required 30 experimental runs with 16 factorial points, 8 axial points, and 6 center points for replication. The physical and functional properties evaluated were expansion ratio, product temperature, bulk density, color, shear stress, viscosity, and water absorption index (response variables). Scanning electron microscopy was done to evaluate the microstructural attributes of …

Effects Of Whey Protein Concentrate, Phosphate, And Sodium Hydroxide On Texture And Acceptability Of Turkey And Beef Rolls, Igor V. Moiseev

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Processed turkey rolls were prepared with 1 or 3% whey protein concentrates WPC-50 (pH=5.80), WPC-60 (pH=4.53) and WPC-75 (pH=6.85} containing 50, 60 and 75% protein along with controls (phosphate and no phosphate). Control rolls made with 0.5% phosphate had the highest bind strength, and sensory evaluation scores. Only WPC-75 (1%) was acceptable as a binding agent and flavor enhancer. WPC-60 reduced pink discoloration of rolls, but flavor, bind and cohesiveness scores were unacceptably low. WPC-50 was not an effective binding agent. In general, rolls made with 3% WPC had lower scores for intensity of turkey flavor.

Bind strength and sensory …

In Vivo Biopotency Evaluation Of Chromium-Containing Complexes, Jay Rulon Keller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Seven chromium-containing complexes were tested for effects on blood glucose regulation, serum cholesterol levels, serum triglyceride levels, and body composition. The compounds included Cr picolinate, Cr chelidonate, chromate, Cr chelidamate, Cr arginate, nichrome, and Cr chloride.

The study was divided into two major sections, a rat study and a chicken study. In the rat study all seven chromium-containing complexes were tested. They were administered to the rats in four different testing periods at 1 ppm, 5 ppm, and 25 ppm of chromium. Methods of administration varied for each testing period. After the chromium compounds were administered, a glucose tolerance test …

The Contribution Of Meats To Energy And Essential Nutrient Intakes Of Women In The United States, C. Dian Martin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study used the 1987-88 USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey to investigate the contribution meat products make to intakes of nutrients at risk of inadequate or excessive consumption by women. The study is unique in that meat nutrients were extracted from mixed dishes, providing a more accurate picture of consumption. Cluster analysis was used to classify nonpregnant, nonlactating women 19 years and older based on their consumption patterns of total meat and individual meats (beef, poultry, processed meats, pork and seafoods) as percent of caloric intake.

Total fat and SFA intakes exceeded National Research Council (NRC) goals regardless of meat …

The Pharmacodynamics And Toxicodynamics Of Inotropic Drugs In Calves With Natural And Artificial Hearts, Scott D. Everett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Inotropic support for the failing myocardium as the therapy for congestive heart failure (CHF) is intended to achieve an increase in cardiac output via positive responses in myocardial contractility and vasodilation. A novel approach to differentiate these two responses is the use of an animal with an implanted total artificial heart (TAH). Three inotropic drugs, dobutamine, enoximone, and pimobendan, were tested in eight animals with their natural heart intact and five animals implanted with a TAH. Baseline values of the TAH and natural heart (NH) were compared to determine their hemodynamic similarities. Each of the three drugs was given randomly …

Assessing Mourning Dove Population Declines: Changes In Nesting Dynamics And The Role Of Perch Sites, Paul M. Meyers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I replicated a nesting study carried out 40 years ago in southern Utah to assess reasons for long-term population declines of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) in the western United States. I compared current nesting patterns to similar data collected in 1952. I saw little difference in nest success and nest predation, but reproductive output and nest density decreased dramatically. The number of young fledged per pair of adults was only 64% of that estimated in 1952. A 1-2 week delay in the nesting season contributed to this decrease, but cannot explain it entirely. Nest density was about 20% …

Incorporating Vegetative Diversity Measures In Forest-Level Planning: A Case Study On The Utah State University School Forest, David N. Holland

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three indices of forest stand structural and compositional diversity were incorporated into a linear programming, timber-harvest scheduling model to examine the tradeoffs between managing stands for timber production and biodiversity objectives. While harvest-level objectives were fairly compatible with the maintenance of biodiversity, present net worth maximization resulted in substantial reductions in all three measures of biodiversity.

Dungpat Microenvironmental Effects On Germination And Establishment Of Crested Wheatgrass, Ghulam Akbar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Complementary greenhouse and field studies investigated the effects of ambient environmental conditions on cattle dungpat moisture, temperature, nutrient concentration, and crust formation dynamics, which in turn influence seed germination and seedling establishment in dungpats. 'Hycrest' crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) X A. cristatum (L.) Gaert.] was used as a representative revegetation species.

After collecting feces from Holstein steers that had been fed crested wheatgrass seeds, uniform dungpats were prepared and placed on two soil types (loam and coarse sand) in containers under three watering treatments (field capacity, 1/2 field capacity, and no water) in the greenhouse. Dungpat …