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Two Basic Methodological Choices In Wildland Vegetation Inventories: Their Consequences And Implications, Donald Alan Shute

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In designing inventories of wildland vegetation, two of the many basic methodological choices are: 1) whether data are collected, reduced, and stored in discrete classes or as continuous variables, and 2) whether data are gathered as general purpose variables to bear upon many questions, or as specific purpose variables optimized for only one type of prediction. The effects of these two choices on accuracy of vegetation inventories to predict plant community production were examined by comparing regression models built upon differing sets of independent variables "inventoried" from a common data base. Contrary to expectations, discrete variables of classified community types …

Interrelationships Between Benthic Macroinvertebrates And Habitat In A Mountain Stream, John M. Payne

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study to determine habitat differences of benthic macroinvertebrates was conducted on the upper Strawberry River, Utah. The investigation was part of a large scale project to determine minimum stream flow requirements for trout. The effects of time, habitat, depth and velocity on the distribution of benthic fauna were evaluated.

Samples of benthic invertebrates (146 total) were collected every 2 months at 8 stations on the river from November, 1975 through August, 1976. Representatives of 59 taxa were collected. Eight taxa comprised 90 percent of the mean annual community standing crop in numbers. Biomass was not dominated by any group …

Spectral Signature Studies For Application In Deer Census Using Remote Sensing Techniques, Maran C. Pate

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was performed to determine the spectral signatures of deer and their natural background elements for censusing purposes. Consideration was given to atmospheric transmittance, acceptable flying weather, and terrain. Possible spectral bands between 0.3 and 14.0 μm were obtained (over a pathlength of 1500 feet at an altitude of 5000 feet) based upon atmospheric transmittance using the LOWTRAN 3B computer program. They are: 0.30 - 1.33, 1.49 - 1.79, 2.00 - 2.50, 3.00 - 3.16, 3.38 - 4.10, 4.59 - 5.05, and 8.00 - 13.33 μm, for transmittance greater than 75%. Weather conditions are favorable for flying and taking …

Effects Of Forage Availability On Voluntary Intake And Feeding Behavior Of Grazing Heifers, Anastasios S. Nastis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forage intake by animals is an important factor in determining production of livestock products from rangelands. However, relatively little is known of effects of such forage variables as availability and distribution in space upon intake. Even less is known about how the grazing animal modifies its feeding tactics when confronted with diminishing or limited supplies of available forage and how such altered behavior may affect the animal's energetic cost for existence. Forage intake, body weight gain, grazing time and biting rate of Angus heifers was related to forage availability and plant height on semiarid crested wheatgrass rangeland during the late …

The Effects Of Abrupt And Graduated Temporal Reductions On Academic Behavior, James Pezzino

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The author investigated the effects of abrupt and graduated temporal reductions on academic performance. Six elementary school children who were referred to a remedial special education classroom received token reinforcement contingent on the number of correct math problems answered during daily sessions. A multiple baseline across subjects design with replication of baseline and experimental conditions was employed. The design also balanced the order of exposure to an abrupt reduction in time limits (20 - 5 - 20 min.) and a graduated sequence of time reductions (20 - 15 - 10 - 5 - 20 min.). Children also performed copying tasks …

A Comparative Study Between Department Of Education Assigned-Marks And Accredited High Schools' Assigned-Marks In Alberta, Douglas Harold Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine if there had been a significant change in the academic achievement, as measured by Grade XII grade-point averages, of Alberta's matriculation graduates since the accreditation of Alberta high schools in 1973.

The experimental population consisted of 100, 1971-72 and of 100, 1976-77 matriculation graduates who had graduated from schools in the rural school jurisdictions in Education zone 6; and of 100, 1971-72, and of 100, 1976-77 matriculation graduates who had graduated from schools in the Medicine Hat urban school jurisdiction. All of the students in the experimental population had completed their freshman …

Diffuse Irradiance In The Rocky Mountains At 40° Latitude, Brock Allen Lebaron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of the parameters effecting diffuse irradiance in mountainous terrain was made. Ground/location parameters of site elevation, ground albedo, elevated horizon and surface tilt were examined under the pertinent atmospheric conditions of clear, polluted, overcast, and cloudy. Measured diffuse irradiance data used for comparisons were taken from fall 1977-spring 1979 at four sites located in northern Utah.

Diffuse irradiance varied with elevation according to the existing atmospheric conditions. For clear sky, diffuse irradiance decreased with elevation due to the shorter optical pathlength, thus less scatter of the direct beam. However, with completely overcast sky, diffuse irradiance increased with elevation. …

Structural Geology Of Eastern Part Of James Peak Quadrangle And Western Part Of Sharp Mountain Quadrangle, Utah, Steven L. Rauzi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A detailed study was made of the James Peak-Sharp Mountain area, in the southern part of the Bear River Range, Utah. The mapped area is located in north-central Utah between lat. 41°22'30" N. and lat. 41°30' N. and long. 111°42'30" W. and long. 111°46' W. It measures about 3.8 miles in the east-west direction and 8.7 miles in the north-south direction. The area is centered about 22 miles south-southeast of Logan, Utah.

Stratigraphic units of late Precambrian to Mississippian age underlie the mapped area. The Precambrian units include the Mutual and Browns Hole Formations. The Brigham, Langston, Ute, Blacksmith, Bloomington, …

The Problems Of Generating Sufficient Revenue In A Rapidly Growing Small Community, Jeffery L. Memmott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of rapid growth on the various revenue and expenditure categories at the local level. A model is presented to project local revenues and expenditures based upon projected per capita income, population, and average daily attendance. The model is based upon previous models from a review of the literature with modification and additions by the author. Revenues and expenditures are estimated simultaneously reflecting the budgetary process at the local level.

Coefficients in the model are estimated using sample data from Duchesne and Uintah counties. These coefficients are then used to project …

Regional Analysis Of The Industrial Structure Of The Bear River District: An Employment Approach, Jaime B. Agbayani

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With the profound interest in regional planning by local administrative units to establish a more definitive criteria for policy implementation and framework for decision analysis, this study seeks to formulate a simplistic methodological approach in the construction of a fundamental tool for socioeconomic research. By utilizing the Bear River District as a case study, we have focused on the generation of basic informational requirements for manpower planning in analyzing the size, structure and distribution of the population and labor force; changes in the employment capacity of the region; sector interdependence; and historical economic base.

Based on the results of the …

The Use Of Shorthand As An Employment Criterion In Selected Utah Businesses, Robert Jon Ackley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to gather data to answer the following:

(1) Is shorthand used as an employment screening device when there is little expectation of the use of that shorthand skill; and if it is, what are the competencies which employers believe individuals possess if they have completed a shorthand course?

(2) Are persons who have completed a course in a particular shorthand system (alphabetic, symbolic, or machine) as acceptable to employers for positions which require ability to take shorthand as persons who have taken a course in a different shorthand system; and if not, why are …

The Development And Validation Of An Assessment Instrument To Measure Environmental Education Competencies For Level Iii Of The Elementary Teacher Training Program At Utah State University, Francine Fukui

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to construct and validate an assessment instrument which could effectively measure the impact of implementing an environmental education component to the Level III program of the elementary teacher training program at Utah State University. It was the hope of this researcher that the test would also be administered to Level III students upon completion in subsequent quarters to indicate individual competence in environmental education.

Care was taken in the construction of the instrument to assure content validity of concepts considered important by local, university, and state environmental education reviewers. A preliminary form of the …

Estimation Of Floods When Runoff Originates From Nonhomogeneous Sources, David Ray Olson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Extreme value theory is used as a basis for deriving a distribution function for flood frequency analysis when runoff originates from nonhomogeneous sources. A modified least squares technique is used to estimate the parameters of the distribution function for eleven rivers. Goodness-of-fit statistics are computed and the distribution function is found to fit the data very well.

The derived distribution function is recommended as a base method for flood frequency analysis for rivers exhibiting nonhomogeneous sources of runoff if further investigation also proves to be positive.

A Comparison By Sex, Age, And Marital Status Of The Needs And Educational Goals Of Students In A Community College, Susan Carol Bracken

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible differences in needs and educational goals of community college students based on their sex, age, and marital status, particularly between older women students and other student groups. Information was gathered from the college application forms of all day students enrolled in any class during the fall of 1976 at Southwestern Community College. The total number was 6,854, 51% were men, with a mean age of 27.9; and 49% were women with a mean age of 25.2. Thirty-one percent were married.

The specific questions under study were:

1. Would there be …

The Impact Of The Act Automated Admissions System As Perceived By The High School Counselors In Utah, James Rodney Clark

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The ACT automated admissions system was adopted by the Colleges and Universities in the Utah system of higher education in 1974. The automated admission system was conceived at a time when College enrollment all over the United States was decreasing, and thus was viewed by its proponents as a positive step in alleviating some of the articulation problems between post secondary institutions, high school counselors and prospective students.

Educators who developed the program felt that it would be an advantage to prospective students by providing an admissions decision shortly after the ACT was taken. Automated admissions appears to be an …

Multicollinearity And The Estimation Of Regression Coefficients, John Charles Teed

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The precision of the estimates of the regression coefficients in a regression analysis is affected by multicollinearity. The effect of certain factors on multicollinearity and the estimates was studied. The response variables were the standard error of the regression coefficients and a standarized statistic that measures the deviation of the regression coefficient from the population parameter.

The estimates are not influenced by any one factor in particular, but rather some combination of factors. The larger the sample size, the better the precision of the estimates no matter how "bad" the other factors may be.

The standard error of the regression …

Surficial Deposits And Geologic History, Northern Bear Lake Valley, Idaho, George C. Robertson Iii

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Detailed geologic mapping and subsurface study of late Pleistocene and Holocene sediments in northern Bear Lake Valley show at least four episodes of deposition of fluvial, marsh, bay, and lacustrine sediments. from oldest to youngest, these are the Ovid, Liberty, Wardboro, and Lifton episodes. These episodes are substantially different than those proposed by previous investigators. The informal term Bear Lake Formation is formally redefined here as the Bear Lake Group, and includes the newly defined Ovid Formation, Liberty Formation, Lanark Formation, and Rainbow Gravel. The overlying Wardboro Loess, also defined here, provides a probably age of 11,000 to 8,000 years …

Autecology Of Selected Genera Of Mississippian, Permian And Triassic Ammonoids: Analysis Of Coiling Geometries, Edward Ellis Chatelain

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ammonoids were collected from the Chainman Formation (Mississippian) of southeastern Nevada and southwestern Utah, the Phosphoria Formation (Permian) of southeastern Idaho and westernmost Wyoming, and the Thaynes Formation (Triassic) of northeastern Nevada and southeastern Idaho. The collections are interpreted to represent unwinnowed, untransported death assemblages of ammonoids which were subject to chemical conditions of the nekto-benthic environment. Associated lithologies were sampled and geochemically analyzed for content of phosphate and organic matter. Ammonoid fossil collections, combined with ammonoids illustrated in the literature, were subjected to the graphical W and D analysis of Raup (1967). The basic parameters involved in the description …

Adaptive Significance Of Lactate Dehydrogenase B2 Isozymes In Rainbow Trout, Salmo Gairdneri And A Biochemical Genetic Comparison Of Cutthroat Trout (Salmo Clarki) Populations, Gerald Thomas Klar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Rainbow trout lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) B²' B²' , B²' B²" and B²" B²" phenotypes were tested under a variety of conditions for swimming endurance, oxygen consumption rates, and blood pH, pO₂, and lactate. The B²" B²" phenotype exhibited a lower swimming endurance, under a limited oxygen supply, than the B²' B²' and B²' B²" phenotypes. Blood pH at fatigue did not differ among the LOH phenotypes that swam under low oxygen conditions (2 mg/1). …

Conflict In Outdoor Recreation, Gerald R. Jacob

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The causes of conflict among users of outdoor recreation resources have received little attention from recreation researchers. Knowledge of factors responsible for conflict might assist recreation planners' attempts to reduce future instances of conflict and help management focus its conflict resolution efforts. A theory of conflict is offered as the first step in systematically procuring such knowledge. A definition and characteristics of outdoor recreation conflicts are presented; four comprehensive causes of user conflicts are proposed. Ten propositions are used to link these factors to conflict and suggest future research hypotheses. The social psychological dynamics of conflict, as described here, have …

A Discriminant Function Model Of Gray-Headed Junco Habitat, Andrew R. Grainger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper presents a description of gray-headed junco habitat in the form of a model based on discriminant function analysis. Junco nests were found by searching randomly located grids on a 7.8 km² study area in central Utah. Vegetation data was gathered on 500 m² circular plots surrounding nests and contrasted with similar data from searched grids where nests were not found. The model explains 28 percent of the between-groups variance and correctly classifies 68 percent of the plots.

Plant cover types are good predictors of areas where gray-headed juncos nest, while plant community type descriptions do not …

Park Visitor Responses To Natural Hazards, Lee H. Rentz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Natural hazards have been an increasing problem in wildland recreation areas. This study attempted to identify factors affecting park visitor perception of and preparedness for hazards.

A model was formulated incorporating three major independent variables which might affect park visitor responses to hazards. These were: (1) previous experience, (2) information about hazards provided by the park administration (such as warnings located on signs or in brochures), and (3) visitor perception of whether responsibility for hazards rests with the individual or with an outside authority such as government or God. Trip length and knowledge of hazards were also thought to be …

Coordination Chemistry Of Bidentate Difluorophosphines, Darrell Lynn Gallup

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The reactions of 1, 2–bis(difluorophosphino)cyclohexane, PF₂C₆H₁₀PF₂, with hexacarbonyls of Cr(O), Mo(O), and W(O) have been extensively investigated. The hexacarbonyls react, either under photolytic or thermolytic conditions, to produce carbon monoxide and oily mixtures of products of the general formulations, [M(CO)₄(PF₂C₆H₁₀PF₂C)]_x, where x varies apparently from 1 – 4. The higher values of x, corresponding to species involving bridging ligands, are more common to the photolysis rather than the thermolysis reactions. Photolysis reactions of Mo(Co)₆ with increasing amounts of the …

Physiological Response To Hooking Stress In Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides), A. Wayne Gustaveson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Recent concern about large initial and delayed mortalities resulting from tournament angling for largemouth bass has indicated that it would be desirable to further evaluate the fate of fish that are released after being captured by angling. This study was designed to evaluate sublethal physiological disruptions caused by hooking stress after largemouth bass were played under standardized conditions (0-5 minutes) and to estimate the time needed for recovery of the homeostatic mechanisms (to 72 hours). Blood lactate was used as a measure of metabolic fatigue; plasma osmolality and chloride measurements were used to evaluate osmoregulatory disturbances and gill ion-exchange; and …

Plant Succession Studies On Subalpine Acid Mine Spoils In The Beartooth Mountains, Patricia Lea Howard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Large areas within alpine and subalpine tundra have been by disturbed by mining during this century. The most promising method for retarding deterioration of these areas is revegetation with native species through both seeding and transplants. One natural process of revegetation which occurs on portions of many existing disturbances seems to be the establishment of a few species that expand with time to form matts of plants.

At the McLaren Mine, located at 3000 m elevation in the Beartooth Mountains, Montana, active succession is occurring and is dominated by Carex species. Seed viability and successional patterns studies were conducted on …

Population Dynamics And Net Production Of Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta) In Two Areas Of A High Gradient Mountain Stream, Jeffrey C. Gosse

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Estimates of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) population were made in two areas of the Blacksmith Fork River, Cache County, Utah, from June 1972 to June 1973. Additional data were obtained on movement, growth, mortality, biomass, production, and yield.

Population density was highly variable in the area where habitat alterations had occurred, but was relatively uniform where the habitat was undisturbed. The brown trout exhibited little movement except during spawning season. Instantaneous growth and mortality rates are provided for each age group.

Mean annual biomass in the two areas was 12.0 and 10.2 grams per square meter and …

The Use Of Self-Control Procedures With Pre~Adolescents Classified As Educable Mentally Retarded, Lizabeth A. Mcgill

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effectiveness of self-recording and self-reinforcement procedures implemented in the classroom setting with six pre-adolescent children classified as Educable Mentally Retarded was determined relative to changes in on-task behavior. A multiple baseline design was used and each subject was exposed to both a self-recording procedure and a self-reinforcement procedure. After an initial baseline period, three subjects were exposed to self-recording first, and three subjects went through self-reinforcement first. Contingent reinforcement was not provided for accuracy in either self-recording or self-reinforcement patterns. Observations were conducted to investigate generalization effects of each procedure, and two weeks of follow-up observations were conducted to …

A Mathematical Model Of Stratified Bi-Directional Flow Through The Railroad Causeway Embankment Of Great Salt Lake, James T. Cameron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A two-dimensional, finite-element, porous-media flow model is developed to simulate stratified bi-directional flow of brine through the earth embankment carrying the Southern Pacific Railroad across Great Salt Lake. The model is part of a two-year research program whose objective is to develop a computer model of circulation in Great Salt Lake. This overall model is to be used as a predictive device for salinity distributions and circulation patterns in the lake. The porous media flow model is designed to establish flow rates through the Southern Pacific Railroad causeway embankment which traverses the north central part of the lake and divides …

Feeding Habits And Reproduction Of Three Sympatric Lizard Species From West-Central Utah, John B. Andre

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The feeding habits and reproduction of Uta stansburiana, Crotaphytus collaris and Cnemidophorus tigris during spring and summer 1976 are described. Feeding habits are expressed in percent total number and volume of prey items and frequency of occurrence of each prey category. Importance Values are also calculated. These values better illustrate the feeding habits of the lizard species than either percent total number and volume and frequency of prey category occurrence.

Lizards consume a variety of food items throughout the growing season. Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera and Arachnida are the major prey categories of U. stansburiana. The major prey categories …

Interregional Competition In Markets Facing Utah Livestock And Poultry Producers, Terrell O. Sorensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this thesis is to make an evaluation of the competitive position of the Utah livestock industry based on feed ingredient and transportation costs, This is done by the use of a linear programming model (MPS-360). This is on the basis of the least cost means of production to meet the quantity demanded of the livestock products. This is accomplished by dividing the United States into six regions where Utah is one of these regions to enable careful consideration of Utah's agricultural enterprises.

Beef, pork, broilers, turkeys, eggs, and milk are the agricultural products used in the model. …