Digital Commons Network^™

Diel Vertical Migration And Feeding Of Underyearling Bear Lake Sculpin Cottus Extensus (Pisces, Cottidae), Darcy Neverman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Underyearling Bear Lake sculpin exhibit a diel pattern of vertical migration throughout the pelagic region of Bear Lake (Utah-Idaho) until they are approximately 22 mm standard length. Individuals move from the bottom of the lake (5° C) during the day into the water column (13-16° C) at night. The migration, however, is not related to feeding. Although the dominant copepod in the water column, Epischura nevadensis, do undergo a similar diel vertical migration, stomach analysis of juvenile sculpin captured by trawling shows that they do not feed in the water column. Instead, from July through October, their diet is dominated …

A Study Of Denitrosation Of N-Nitroso Compounds By Irradiation With Long-Wavelength Uv Light, Zhenyu J. Wang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

N-Nitrosamines and N-nitrosamides have been reported to be mutagenic. N-Nitrosamides are direct mutagens that need no activation to be mutagenic, whereas N-nitrosamines need to be enzymatically activated to exert their mutagenicity. Oxidative demethylation of nitrosamines is a commonly accepted activation mechanism. Another pathway of nitroso compounds, denitrosation, has recently been proposed. The mechanism of denitrosation, however, is still unknown.

The purpose of this study was to use a photo -reaction model to explore the possible denitrosation mechanism of N-nitroso compounds. An N-nitrosamine, N-nitrosomorpholi ne (NMOR), and an N-nitrosamide, N-methyl-N'-nitrosoguanidine (MMNG), were irradiated with long-wavelength UV light in the presence of …

A Quantitative Assessment Of Minerals Of Toxicological Importance In Utah Fast Foods, Lisa R. Williams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

X-ray flourescence (XRF) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) measurements for manganese, iron, copper, and zinc were compared for 96 samples of 21 foods from different sources. Correlation coefficients were 0.94 for manganese, 0.99 for iron, 0.93 for copper, and 0.91 for zinc for XRF vs. AAS determinations.

Similiar comparisons were performed on 228 samples of fast foods purchased in Utah retail outlets. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.91 for copper to 0.97 for iron and zinc. Comparisons of values generated by XRF for manganese, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, arsenic, and aluminum to values certified by the National Bureau of Standards indicated …

The Influence Of Embryo Cell Culture Systems On Pretransfer Development Of Early Ovine Embryos, Pablo Gabriel Daniel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The complete requirements for early embryo development in vitro of the ovine and other domestic species remain unknown. Many studies have concentrated on new media, supplementation, and gas atmosphere formulations.

A newer approach is to coculture early embryos with different cell types to provide the physico-chemical requirements for their development.

In this study, oviduct epithelial (OEC) and dissociated embryo cell (DEC) growth were tested in minimum essential media (MEM) and RPMI. Media were supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS) and equine derived serum (EDS). Fetal calf serum supported maximum cell confluence in OEC collected on day 3 and day 13 …

Production Of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific For The Gamonts Of Eimeria Tenella, Nancy Carol Larsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cecal coccidiosis, caused by the protozoan Eimeria tenella, may manifest as a devastating disease in young chickens and result in substantial economic loss for producers. The parasite progresses through a complex life cycle, exhibiting both asexual and sexual (gamont) stages of development. The purpose of this study was to produce a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against epitopes contained on surface antigens (Ags) of the gamonts of E. tenella with the intent of blocking the fertilization process. Gamonts were harvested from infected ceca, partially purified by differential centrifugation throught a discontinuous 5050% Percoll density gradient and used as a …

Utilization Of Poultry Waste (Composted Caged-Layer) As A Supplement For Sheep Fed Straw During Late Pregnancy, Raul Meneses R.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The utilization of composed caged-layer waste (CCLW) in diets for pregnant ewes fed cereal straw was evaluated. Five sheep were assigned to five diets containing, 0, 5.72, 11.37, 23.80, and 32.69% CCLW in a 5x5 Latin square design. Water intake, feed intake and feces output were measured. Feed and feces were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter, hemicellulose and minerals. Thus, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance could be calculated. Forty dry, pregnant ewes in the last third of generation were assigned to four dietary treatments contained 0, 11.25, 22.08 and …

Some Factors Affecting The Postpartum Interval In Sheep, Jose Pedro Cannas Simoes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of genotype on the occurrence of ovulation and estrus during the interval from lambing to ovulation accompanied by estrus (postpartum interval) was measured in White-Face and Black-Face ewes that lambed during the breeding season in 1986 and 1987. A group of St. Croix ewes was added to the study in 1987. The influence of lactation on the events of the postpartum interval was measured by comparing intact and mastectomized White-Face and Black-Face ewes. The effect of prolactin on postpartum interval was measured in these two genotypes and in a group of bromocriptine-treated Black-Face ewes that lambed in 1986. …

Immunologic, Hematologic, And Endocrine Responses To Subacute And Subchronic Exposures To Graded, Subanesthetic Levels Of Nitrous Oxide In Cd-1 Mice, Charles E. Healy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) oxidizes vitamin B12. disrupting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. Occupational exposures to subanesthetic levels of the gas have been documented that may result in suppressed proliferative cell activities. Male CD-I mice were exposed to 0, 50, 500, and 5000 parts of N₂O per million parts of air (ppm) for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 2 and 13 weeks. Splenic lymphocytes were assayed for responsiveness to mitogens and for the ability to produce interleukin-2 (lL-2) . Tritiated-thymidine ([³H]-TdR) uptake was measured in CD-I splenic lymphocytes cultured in a mixed-lymphocyte culture (MLC). Cytolytic cell …

Selenium And Iron In The Rat Intestine: Effects On Lipid Peroxidation, Sileny Vega

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Effects of Fe and Se status on GSHPx activity and lipid peroxidation in liver and intestinal mucosa were studied. Rats were Se and Fe supplemented (+Se+Fe), Se-deficient and Fe-supplemented (-Se+Fe), Se supplemented and Fe overloaded (+Se++Fe) by intramuscular injection, or Se deficient and Fe overloaded (-Se++Fe) for 20d. Fe overloaded tissues had more Fe, but hemoglobin was unaffected. Liver and mucosal GSHPx activity was low in Se-deficient rats. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were higher in Fe overloaded and -Se++Fe vs +Se++Fe tissues. Mucosal TBARS was higher in -Se++Fe rats gavaged with CBrCl₃. In experiment 2, Fe overload …

Development Of A Computer-Adapted Form Of The Scientific Literacy Test, Douglas M. Allred

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to computer-adapt the Scientific Literacy Test. The challenges in doing so were: (1) developing a programming procedure that would make it possible to present complex graphics on an Apple lIe while administering the computerized Scientific Literacy Test, (2) designing equivalent graphic test-items, and (3) developing a program that a majority of students favor.

Factors that may affect student performance on computer-administered tests are reviewed, the program developed to present complex graphics is listed, assessment of test-item equivalency and student attitude are discussed, and suggestions regarding further development of the product are proposed.

Bluetongue Virus Evolution: Sequence Analyses Of The Gene Coding For The Major Serogroup Antigen, Timothy F. Kowalik

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study was undertaken to better understand the genetic relationship of five United States prototype bluetongue virus serotypes. Genomic double-stranded RNA segment S1, which encodes the major core protein and serogroup antigen, VP7, was used as a marker gene for the sequence analyses. The S1 segments from BTV-2, 11, 13, and 17 were cloned and sequenced by methods developed during the course of this investigation. These results were compared with previously published sequence data from segment S1 of BTV-10. The Sl segments are 1156 base pairs long and contain a common open reading frame capable of coding for a protein …

Root Exploitation Of Fertile Soil Microsites, Robert B. Jackson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Root exploitation of enriched soil microsites was examined for the tussock grasses Agropyron desertorum and Agropyron spicatum and the shrub Artemisia tridentata. Two mechanisms of exploitation of the microsites were examined: root proliferation and changes in nutrient uptake capacity. One day after nutrient solution was applied to small soil patches, the mean relative growth rate of Agropyron desertorum roots in enriched patches was two to four times greater than for roots of the same plants in soil patches treated with distilled water. This rapid and striking root proliferation occurred in response to N-P-K enrichment as well as to P or …

Management, Foraging Behavior, Diet Composition And Forage Quality Of Free-Ranging But Herded Camels In Ceeldheer District, Central Somalia, Ahmed A. Elmi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In Somalia, camel (Camelus dromedarius) survivability and milk production has been higher than for other domestic livestock and contributes substantially to the subsistence of Somali pastoralists. The objective of this research was to study management, foraging behavior and nutrition of camels in their natural habitat to determine how production continues under seasonal nutritional stress.

Management systems of Ceeldheer pastoralists are based on available natural pasture and water. The natural rotation grazing system maintained an ecological equilibrium in the District.

Pastoralists manipulate their herds to suit existing environmental conditions, family needs and labor availability for herding. In herd management, …

Effects Of Methylene Chloride On Immune Function In Mice And The In Vitro Effect Of Methylene Chloride In Immunologic Assays, Man-Ping Wang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A number of toxicities associated with methylene chloride have been found in both human subjects and mice. However, relatively few studies have probed immunotoxicities of methylene chloride. In order to examine possible immunotoxicities or immunomodulating effects of methylene chloride, several tests of cellular immune function were performed using both human in in vitro studies and a mouse model.

Body weights and specific organ weights of thymus, spleen, liver, and kidney were normal in CD-1 mice given various concentrations of methylenechloride. However, a significantly reduced mitogenic response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA} and reduced interleukin-2 (IL-2} production was found in these methylene-chloride-treated mice. …

Impact Of Root Competition On Survival And Growth Of Seedlings Of Important Great Basin Species, Günther Reichenberger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Belowground competition is pronounced in the arid Great Basin sagebrush ecosystem. Plant demographic and root exclusion approaches were used to examine the influence of roots of adult Artemisia tridentata, Agropyron desertorum, and Agropyron spicatum individuals on seedling survival of Ar. tridentata, Ag. desertorum, Ag. spicatum, and Bromus tectorum. Furthermore, growth rates of Ar. tridentata seedlings and seed production of B. tectorum were assessed.

The probability of a seedling being alive versus dead significantly depended on the seedling species, the neighboring adult species, and on the depth to which root competition was excluded. As seedlings, …

Plasmin In Milk: Activity Measurement, Effect Of Environmental Factors, And Correlation With Milk Coagulation, Eric D. Bastian

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bovine plasmin activity was measured on H-D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-lysyl-4-nitroanilide by following absorbance changes at 405 nm. Steady-state kinetic parameters V_max, K_m, K_I, and K_I' were estimated. Bovine plasmin is competitively inhibited by casein and has a K_cat of .0158 ΔA₄₀₅/min/nM, K_m of .107 mM substrate, and K_I of .86 mg/ml casein. Bovine plasmin can be measured directly in bovine milk without interference from casein.

A total of 380 milk samples from nineteen Holstein (one herd) and nineteen Jersey (one herd) cows was collected monthly during one lactation period. Samples …

Chemical Evaluation And Biological Vitamin A Activity Of The Major Carotenoids In The Hybrid Carrot Beta Iii, Cynthia M. Schweitzer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Genetically enhanced high-carotene Beta III hybrid carrot was compared to a commercial carrot cultivar, Nantes Coreless, for carotene content and macronutrient composition. Beta III contained more than twice the total carotene content of Nantes Coreless, with α-carotene/β-carotene ratios higher in Beta III. Total solids from protein, lipids, and carbohydrate were greater in Beta III than in Nantes Coreless. Beta III contained about five times the amount of sucrose and one-fifth the amount of glucose and fructose than Nantes Coreless or reported literature values.

Comparison of the bioavailability of carotenes in Beta III and Nantes Coreless to purified β-carotene and retinyl …

Proteolytic Activity Of Some Milk-Clotting Enzymes On K-Casein And K-Casein Macropeptide, Khalid M. Shammet

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This work reviews studies of bovine K-casein and specifically K-casein macropeptide. Properties of K-casein, its structure and heterogeneity, proteolytic activity of some milk clotting enzymes on K-casein, and K-casein sensitive bonds are discussed. Macropeptides of other species are also presented. The carbohydrate moieties of bovine macropeptide together with their biological and physiological functions are reviewed.

Macropeptides were produced by enzymic hydrolysis from whole casein solution using crystalline chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4). Trichloroacetic acid (final concentrations 2, 8 and 12%) was added after 5, 30 and 60 min of incubation to precipitate protein and inactivate the enzyme. The filtrate was then exhaustively …

A Longitudinal Study Of Dietary Intake And Influence Of Iron Status On Infants' And Toddlers' Mental And Motor Development, Steven Matley Wood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thirty-two non-anemic children were assessed clinically, biochemically and anthropometrically at six months, one year and two years of age to investigate the relationship of iron status to mental and motor development. Using dietary history and dietary record instruments, dietary iron was estimated and compared to the National Food Consumption Survey (1985) and the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for corresponding age groups. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development (which assess mental and motor development) and the Caldwell Home Inventory (which evaluates the environmental stimuli) were performed and correlated with blood iron parameters, anthropometric measurements and dietary nutrient intakes.

Nutrient intakes of …

Perceived Affective And Behavioral Characteristics Of Mother-Daughter Relationships And Subsequent Mentoring Relationships, Anne Marie Mcshane

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mentoring has been recognized as an important relationship in a variety of circumstances. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the perceived benefits or disadvantages of a mentor relationship and identifying characteristics of the relationship. Another objective was to explore to what extent the nature of the mother/daughter relationship functions as a factor that makes the choice of a mentoring pattern more likely.

The study sample consisted of 47 females, 12 graduate students and 35 assistant or associate professors on the faculty at Utah State University. The subjects completed several mother/daughter inventories, a mentoring inventory, and a personality …

In Vitro Identification Of The Effect Of Serotonin On Lymphocyte Dna Synthesis And Natural Killer Cell Activity, Kim Kartchener Kane

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the neurotransmitter, serotonin (SE), on the immune function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of normal, healthy subjects. This was done as a preliminary investigation to studies on the association of SE with immune changes in autistic subjects.

The PBMC isolated from normal male subjects were treated with various concentrations of SE for 48 hrs. Their incubation in SE at a concentration of 10^-3 M induced about a 35% decrease in DNA synthesis. However, incubation of the cells in lower concentrations (10^-4 to 10^-10) of …

An Assessment Of Thematic Mapper Satellite Data For Classifying Conifer Types In Northern Utah, Madeline R. Mazurski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Land-cover identification and mapping are an integral part of natural resource planning and management. Satellite imagery provides a way to obtain land cover information, particularly for large tracts of land such as those administered by federal and state agencies.

This study assesses the usefulness of the Brightness/Greenness Transformation of Landsat Thematic Mapper data for differentiating conifer forest types in northern Utah. Satellite data for the Logan Ranger District of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest were classified into 27 vegetation classes. Of these, nine were determined to be conifer classes and were used in subsequent analyses. Ten sites of each conifer class …

The Feasibility Of Concurrent Enrollment Of High School Students In College-Level Introductory Plant Science, Gregory H. Egan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of allowing concurrent enrollment in the College of Agriculture to selected high schools in the state of Utah. "Introduction to Agricultural Plant Science" (Plant Science 100) was the course being tested. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify four vocational agriculture programs to participate. There were 86 high school students in the study and 38 college students who took the course on campus at Utah State University.

In this study, 47.7% of the high school students passed the course with a 70% average or above. Comparisons between high school …

Development Of A Management Plan For Grey Goral: Lessons From Blackbuck And Cheer Pheasant Reintroduction Attempts, Maqsood Anwar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of grey goral (Nemorhaedus goral) in the Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan, was conducted to develop a management plan for this animal. Goral are listed as endangered in Pakistan and elsewhere. They are confined to the steep slopes and difficult terrain that cover 28 percent of the total park area. Another 21 percent of the park area has similar habitat, but currently no goral occur there. Forty to 60 animals are estimated to be living in the park. Groups of two to three animals are common. During observation, goral spent most of their time in feeding, …

Incremental Returns To Cattle Feeding From Alternative Feedlot Practices, Ibrahim R. Hani

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main goals of this study are to: 1) identify the influence of various breeds, feeds, and hormone additives on the final weight or the rate of gain of feeder cattle; 2) determine the physical relationships among breeds, feeds, hormone additives, and other variables; and 3) estimate the costs and benefits associated with alternative feed and/or hormone additives and other variables to determine whether the benefits of using different breeds, feeds, and hormone additives exceed the costs. The linear mode l was initially chosen and showed that Rumensin additive and Angus and Simmental cross breeds were not significant on the …

Fee Hunting Opportunities On Private Land In Utah: An Economic And Policy Analysis, Lucy A. Jordan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Objectives of this research were (1) to describe fee hunting as it is currently practiced in Utah and (2) to assess the adequacy of fee hunting efforts in addressing the problems of wildlife habitat and hunter access on private land. To collect information, Utah landowners who charged for deer (Odocoileus hemionus) or elk (Cervus elaphus) hunting in 1986 were surveyed by telephone and mail.

Compared to the average Utah livestock rancher, those involved in fee hunting have larger livestock operations and have owned their property longer. They are Utah natives. Fee hunting is concentrated in northern …

The Effects Of Prey Vulnerability, Density, And Patch Replenishment In An Operant Analogue Of Foraging, Michael James Dewulf

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Foraging behavior has recently become a popular area of research with which ethologists, behavioral ecologists, and experimental psychologists converge their traditionally separate disciplines into a more multidisciplinary framework. Ethologists and behavioral ecologists usually study foraging as it occurs in the natural environment or the "field," while experimental psychologists contrive laboratory simulations of foraging and make the assumption, sometimes incorrectly, that generalization occurs across settings, situations, and species. Scientific advances are now beginning to occur in the ability of laboratory researchers to better simulate foraging as it occurs in the field. Field researchers are also becoming more willing to accept these …

Kinetics Of Two-Substrate Reactions Using Integrated Rate Equations, Leonard D. Holmes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The usual procedure employed in enzyme kinetic analysis is the method of initial rates. However, it has been appreciated for years that the analysis of enzyme-catalyzed reactions could, in principle, be more efficiently performed by examining the entire time course. There is much more information contained in a progress curve than in a simple initial rate. With the appearance of the computer, the formidable computations necessary for the use of integrated-rate equations are quite possible. The intention of this research was to develop the analytical and statistical methodology for applying an integrated-rate equation to a two-substrate reaction. I have analyzed …

Winter Ecological Energetics Of Blue Grouse, Peter Jeffrey Pekins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated relationships between blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) winter habitat and blue grouse adaptive strategies and overwinter survival. Blue grouse metabolism, physical characteristics of use-trees and roost sites , microclimatic parameters at roost sites, daily winter energy costs, and specific energy-saving behaviors were studied. Blue grouse have a relatively low standard metabolic rate (SMR; 0.835 ml 0₂ · g^-1 · hr^-1) and lower critical temperature in comparison to other northern tetraonids . Metabolic rate did not significantly increase from -5 to -20 C. Ambient temperature (T_a) and the square root of …

Studies On Encephalomyocarditis Virus-Induced Diabetes In Mice, John Henry Huffman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The D-variant of encephalomyocarditis (EMC-D) virus was given to SJL/J mice by the artificial, intraperitoneal (ip) route of infection, or by the natural routes of infection per os (po) or intranasal (i.n.), in comparable concentrations. The po route of infection was found to be ineffective. Mice given virus by either the ip or i.n. routes of infection became diabetic. Mice were more resistant to the infectious and diabetogenic properties of the virus when given by the i.n. than when given by the ip route. Glycosuria in mice given virus i.n. usually lagged one day behind that in mice given virus …