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Planted Grasslands And Native Sod Prairie: Equivalent Habitat For Grassland Birds, Kristel K. Bakker, Kenneth F. Higgins

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Little is known about how avian relationships to tracts of native sod prairie compare with avian relationships to single and multiple species of cool- and warm-season grassland plantings. We compared grassland bird species richness and density in 5 grassland cover types (n = 97) in the tallgrass prairie region of eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota, 2001–2004. Grassland bird species richness was significantly higher in native sod prairies than it was in all planted cover types except warm-season mixes. Grasslands dominated by exotic species did not support as many grassland bird species or have species densities as high as grasslands …

Dietery Response Of Sympatric Deer To Fire Using Stable Isotope Analysis Of Liver Tissue, W. D. Walter, T. J. Zimmerman, D. M. Leslie Jr., J. A. Jenks

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in biological samples from large herbivores identify photosynthetic pathways (C3 vs. C4 ) of plants they consumed and can elucidate potential nutritional characteristics of dietary selection. Because large herbivores consume a diversity of forage types, δ13C and δ15N in their tissue can index ingested and assimilated diets through time. We assessed δ13C and δ15N in metabolically active liver tissue of sympatric mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) to identify dietary disparity resulting from use of burned and unburned areas in a largely forested landscape. Interspecific variation in dietary disparity of deer …

Glucocorticoid Physiology And Behavior During Life History Transitions In Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria Immutabilis), Rachel Seabury Sprague

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Organisms have different life history stages where their energetic priorities differ between the goals of growth, survival, and reproduction. Behavioral decisions within stages and in the transition between stages have significant repercussions for future success so the timing of behaviors is extremely important. In this dissertation, I ask: How do intrinsic and extrinsic factors control the timing of behavioral decisions during tradeoffs within life history stages (the tradeoff between reproduction and self maintenance in breeding adults), and transitions between life history stages (the transition to independence in young animals) in a pelagic seabird, the Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis).

First, I …

Synthesis Of Water Soluble Transition Metal Complexes For Applications In Molecular Biology, Rakesh Kumar

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The present thesis work entitled “Synthesis of transition metal complexes for its various applications” and “Key intermediate in a strategy for isoxazole glutamate analogues" includes three rather independent chapters. The idea has been to gain much diverse research experience in at least two different laboratories. The presentation of each of these chapters has been specific and brief.

Farmers' Perceptions And Reactions To Changes In Grain Elevator Size And Location In Central Montana, Jessie June Reynolds

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In Central Montana, grain elevators serve as the primary market for wheat. What began in the 1910’s as numerous small grain elevators scattered at short intervals along the railroad has now been condensed to a few very large grain elevators at central points in the region, increasing their efficiency and reducing their costs as they can load larger trains in less time with fewer employees. For farmers, this often means reduced competition among elevators that buy grain and an increase in the distance they must transport their grain. Existing literature addressing agricultural markets and transportation costs typically employs a quantitative …

Characterization Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Virulence Factors: Plasticity Zone Macpdf Domain Family Protein Ct153 And Polymorphic Membrane Protein D, Lacey Diane Taylor

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

C. trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that is a leading cause of sexually transmitted diseases and blinding trachoma worldwide. Genes encoded in the plasticity zone (PZ) and the polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps) represent major virulence determinants for chlamydiae. Elucidating their roles will be essential for the development of a vaccine to control human chlamydial diseases.

The PZ MACPF domain protein CT153 is expressed as a 91 kDa polypeptide in elementary bodies of all human serovariants suggesting a common function. CT153 is processed during infection into an N-terminal p42 and a C-terminal p59 that contains the MACPF domain. Similar processing …

Investigation Into Regulatory Mechanisms That Limit The Th2 Response In A Mouse Model Of Allergic Asthma, Teri Alyn Girtsman

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The prevalence of asthma has markedly increased in recent decades. Asthma affects approximately ten percent of the population of the United States, and is the leading cause of childhood hospitalization. This epidemic has been attributed to air pollution, childhood immunizations and a more sanitary living environment. Allergic asthma is clinically characterized by airway hyperreactivity (AHR), increased mucus production and airway remodeling. On the cellular level, pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration and augmented levels of serum IgE arise as a consequence of a CD4⁺ Th2 cell response in the airway following exposure to allergen. It has been proposed that the chronic inflammation …

Evaluation Of Management Options For Groundwater Resources In Khatt Basin Area, Uae Using Gis And Modflow, Nada Buti Khalifa Buthiana Alsuwaidi

Theses

Khatt springs area has been chosen in 1979 to be a major recreational site in Ras Al Khaimah. The outflow water from these springs has been used to irrigate the surrounding farms. In the period 1999-2004, there was a severe drought which affected the flow and water temperature from the spring as the flow decreased to almost one tenth of its average value and temperature decreased from 40 to 33 C. This work is an attempt to develop a GIS-based groundwater flow model for the Khatt springs area with the following main objectives: 1) Characterize the general hydrogeological setting of …

Screening For Latent Or Silent Celiac Disease “Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy” In Uae Adults Nationals, Waheeba Salman Al Zaabi

Theses

No abstract provided.

Germination Ecology Of Two Indigenous Range Grasses Lasiurus Scindicus And Panicum Turgidum, Naeema Sultan Abdullah Al-Shamisi

Theses

The utilization of indigenous forage species to replace the exotic ones could help in saving large amounts of water. The indigenous forage grasses Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum have been ranked among the plants that could tolerate drought during vegetative and reproductive stages and are currently being successfully used as fodders under experimental conditions in the UAE and in some parts of the world. However, there are no enough information about their dormancy and the environmental factors affecting their seed germination. In this study, the innate dormancy, light and temperature requirements, drought and salinity tolerances and the impact of dormancy …

Impact Of Heavy Metals On Childhood Behaviors And Development: A Uae Study, Said Yousef Ahmad Abdel Razeq

Theses

BACKGROUND: Environmental toxic metal exposure is well known to adversely affect children's development and behavior. To our knowledge, there are no studies that carefully examined this potential hazard in UAE and Gulf countries.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this case-control study was to determine blood concentrations of 12 heavy metals in school-age children in Al Ain City. The other aim was to correlate the blood levels with developmental (e.g., learning disability) and behavioral (e.g., Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) problems in children.

METHODS: One hundred and forty seven subjects (73 with developmental and/or behavioral disorders and 74 controls) participated in the study. The …

Ontology Driven Integration Platform For Clinical And Translational Research, Parsa Mirhaji, Min Zhu, Mattew Vagnoni, Elmer V. Bernstam, Jiajie Zhang, Jack W. Smith

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Semantic Web technologies offer a promising framework for integration of disparate biomedical data. In this paper we present the semantic information integration platform under development at the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) as part of our Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program. We utilize the Semantic Web technologies not only for integrating, repurposing and classification of multi-source clinical data, but also to construct a distributed environment for information sharing, and collaboration online. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is used to modularize and distribute reusable services in a …

Understanding Relationships In Health Related Quality Of Life For Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Norah Louise Johnson

Dissertations (1934 -)

Nurses encounter many parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both parents are under stress that ultimately impacts their health related quality of life (HRQL). Few studies assess the mediators of parenting stress on HRQL for both parents. This study explored the relationship of parenting stress, family functioning and HRQL for parenting dyads of children with ASD. Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and Lakey and Cohen's (2000) Social Support Theory framed the study.

Implementing a cross sectional, descriptive design, 387 parents (n=64 dyads) of ASD-affected children, from 46 states, completed web-based surveys. Demographics, the …

Habitats In A Rhode Island Coastal Lagoon Experiencing Episodic Hypoxia, Marisa L. Guarinello

Open Access Master's Theses

Identification of spatial and temporal patterns in ecosystem processes and habitats across various scales is at the core of ecological research. As human activities continue to place increasing pressure on marine and coastal ecosystems, ecosystem-based management that includes an understanding of such patterns and embraces complexity is needed. Habitat classification and mapping can be used to identify existing patterns, spatial and temporal scales of variability, and locations vulnerable to human-induced changes. To truly examine ecosystem dynamics, characterization of habitat response to stressors should be paired with conceptual and quantitative models of ecosystem and stressor dynamics.

Quonochontaug Pond, a coastal lagoon …

Contribution Of A Portable Air Plasma Torch To Rapid Blood Coagulation As A Method Of Preventing Bleeding, S. P. Kuo, O. Tarasenko, J. Chang, S. Popovic, C. Y. Chen, H. W. Fan, A. Scott, M. Lahiani, P. Alusta, J. D. Drake, M. Nikolic

Physics Faculty Publications

The effectiveness and mechanism of a low temperature air plasma torch in clotting blood are explored. Both blood droplets and smeared blood samples were used in the tests. The treated droplet samples reveal how blood clotting depends on the distance at which the torch operated, and for how long the droplets have been exposed to the torch. Microscopy and cell count of smeared blood samples shed light on dependencies of erythrocyte and platelet counts on torch distance and exposure time. With an increase of torch distance, the platelet count of treated blood samples increases but is less than that of …

Environmental Enrichment Effects On The Activity Of A Nearctic River Otter, Kenneth O. Nelson

Theses

Environmental enrichment has been used to identify and change a stimulus in a captive environment to increase the animal's welfare by bring out species-appropriate behaviors and combating stereotypic behaviors. One captive North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) was presented four enrichment initiatives (live fish, frozen fish, swim tube, PVC scent tubes) in a random order and placement throughout the exhibit. Baseline data showed that the otter preferred to spend mornings in the lower level of the exhibit and the afternoons in the upper level. Food initiatives (i.e. live fish, and a lesser degree frozen fish) were most effective in deterring …

Mrcraig: Mapreduce And Ensemble Classifiers For Parallelizing Data Classification Problems, Glenn Jahnke

Master's Projects

In this paper, a novel technique for parallelizing data-classification problems is applied to finding genes in sequences of DNA. The technique involves various ensem- ble classification methods such as Bagging and Select Best. It then distributes the classifier training and prediction using MapReduce. A novel sequence classification voting algorithm is evaluated in the Bagging method, as well as compared against the Select Best method.

Msg: A Gap-Oriented Genetic Algorithm For Multiple Sequence Alignment, Philip Heller

Master's Projects

Traditional Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) Algorithms are deterministic. Genetic algorithms for protein MSA have been documented. However, these are not able to exceed in all cases the scores obtained by Clustal­W, the freely available de­facto standard. My solution, called “MSG”, places gaps rather than amino acids. The algorithm is multi­tribal, uses only a few very simple operators with adaptive frequencies, and jumpstarts one population from the Clustal­W solution. Results are reported for 14 data sets, on all of which MSG exceeds the Clustal­W score.

Analysis Of Machine Learning Based Methods For Identifying Microrna Precursors, Steve Ikeoka

Master's Projects

MicroRNAs are a type of non-coding RNA that were discovered less than a decade ago but are now known to be incredibly important in regulating gene expression despite their small size. However, due to their small size, and several other limiting factors, experimental procedures have had limited success in discovering new microRNAs. Computational methods are therefore vital to discovering novel microRNAs. Many different approaches have been used to scan genomic sequences for novel microRNAs with varying degrees of success. This work provides an overview of these computational methods, focusing particularly on those methods based on machine learning techniques. The results …

Dna Sequence Representation By Use Of Statistical Finite Automata, Asmi Shah

Master's Projects

This project defines and intends to solve the problem of representing information carried by DNA sequences in terms of amino acids, through application of the theory of finite automata. Sequences can be compared against each other to find existing patterns, if any, which may include important genetic information. Comparison can state whether the DNA sequences belong to the same, related or entirely different species in the ‘Tree of Life’ (phylogeny). This is achieved by using extended and statistical finite automata. In order to solve this problem, the concepts of automata and their extension, i.e. Alergia algorithm have been used. In …

Vibrational Control Of Chaos In Artificial Neural Networks, Ralph Bean

Theses

Neural networks with chaotic baseline behavior are interesting for their experimental bases in both biological relevancy and engineering applicability. In the engineering case, the literature still lacks a robust study of the interrelationship between particular chaotic baseline network dynamics and 'online' or 'driving' inputs. We ask the question, for a particular neural network with chaotic baseline behavior, what periodic inputs of minimal magnitude have a stabilizing effect on network dynamics? A genetic algorithm is developed for the task. A systematic comparison of different genetic operators is carried out where each operator-combination is ranked by the optimality of solutions found. The …

House Cats As Predators In The Australian Environment: Impacts And Management, Christopher R. Dickman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This paper provides an overview of the predatory activities of the house cat (Felis catus) in Australia, focusing principally on the interactions of domestic and stray cats with native species of prey. Like their free-living, or feral, counterparts, domestic cats take a broad range of prey, with small mammals, birds, and human-derived foods forming the bulk of the diet. Domestic and stray cats have contributed to declines of suburban populations of eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) and superb lyrebirds (Menura novaehollandiae) in Victoria, Australia. The effects of cats on prey communities remain speculative. In …

Historical Review Of Elk-Agriculture Conflicts In And Around Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada, Ryan K. Brook

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Conflicts between elk (Cervus elaphus) and farmers have been occurring since the 1880s when agriculture began around what is now Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP). Initially, the conflicts were related to low elk numbers caused primarily by unregulated harvest of elk. The creation of RMNP in 1930 and the associated ban on hunting allowed elk numbers to reach critically high levels. Since farming began, elk have been associated with considerable damage to fences and crops around RMNP, with annual damage often >$240,000. Hunting on agricultural lands has been the most common approach to mitigating elk impacts, despite its …

A Device To Record The Specific Time An Artificial Nest Is Depredated, Jennifer S. Borgo, Michael R. Conover

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We designed a timing device that records the calendar date and time of a depredation event on an artificial nest. The clock was simple to construct and successful in field trials, with only 6% failure (3 of 48 clocks). The average difference between actual and estimated depredation time was 4.6 minutes. Use of this clock improves daily survival estimates, provides insight into predator activity patterns, and allows the evaluation of investigator-induced depredation.

Translocation Of Nine-Banded Armadillos, Daniel J. Gammons, Michael T. Mengak, L. Mike Conner

Human–Wildlife Interactions

During the last 150 years, nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) have increased their range and abundance in the southeastern United States. When foraging, armadillos cause damage to agricultural crops, as well as structural damage to driveways and foundations. Homeowners frequently use translocation to reduce local armadillo abundance. Despite its popularity with the general public, however, the appropriateness of nuisance wildlife translocation presents concerns for biologists. Our objective was to address some of these concerns by examining survival and movements of translocated armadillos. We translocated 12 armadillos (9 male, 3 female) equipped with radio-transmitters and compared their survival and movements …

Factors Contributing To The Success Of A Single-Shot, Multiyear Pzp Immunocontraceptive Vaccine For White-Tailed Deer, Lowell A. Miller, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Donald C. Wagner, Gary J. Killian

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We evaluated 6 different porcine zona pellucida (PZP) preparations used as a single-shot vaccine for multiyear contraception of captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The study compared 2 PZP preparation technologies from ImmunoVaccine Technologies™ (IVT) and National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) over a 7-year period. The study compared both the use of oil in an emulsion and in suspension delivery, as well as replacement of the oil with an alum adjuvant. The study demonstrated that the oil emulsion adjuvant provided the longest lasting response. PZP isolated by the IVT provides a longer-lasting response than the preparation used by NWRC. …

Developing Bird-Strike Risk Assessment Models For Open-Water Restorations, Justin D. Hart, Alison Colyer, John R. Allan

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Mineral extraction sites that are restored to open water can increase bird-strike risk if they are planned near airports. This can generate conflict between the minerals industry and safeguarding authorities. To help resolve this potential conflict, it would be useful to predict how new restorations affect local water-bird populations so that mineral deposits can be exploited and restored in safeguarded zones without compromising flight safety. Bird abundances and movements at new restorations can be estimated with statistical models that use the environmental characteristics of restoration schemes as predictor variables. These models can improve guidance in safeguarding, provided that they comprise …

From The Field Suspending Vulture Effigies From Roosts To Reduce Bird Strikes, Steven A. Ball

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Adolescent Technology Usage During Sleep-Time: Does It Influence Their Quality Of Sleep, Attention Difficulties And Academic Performance?, Kristin Dehmler

Theses

Many adolescents use the Internet, cell phones, television, and computer and video games on a daily basis. Therefore, an important question for educators is: how is technology affecting adolescents' quality and quantity of sleep, their attention difficulties, and their academic performance? The purpose of the current project was to examine the relationships between adolescent self-reports of technology usage, sleep patterns, attention difficulties and academic achievement. Results indicated that nocturnal technology use has a negative impact on adolescents' quality and quantity of sleep. Furthermore both technology use in general and reported attention difficulties have a negative impact on adolescents' academic achievement. …

The Elimination Of Erosion Phenomena In The Main Cooling Water Pumps In Thermo Power Plant (Tpp) “Kosova B” : [Presentation Given October 7, 2009], Abedin Kabashi

Theses

This Capstone Project will address the erosion phenomena on the impeller blades of the main cooling water pumps in Thermal Power Plant (TPP) “Kosova B”. These are vertical mixed flow pumps and are part of the cooling system that play an important role in TPP “Kosova B”. In this investigation I will study the line between the cooling tower basin and the pumps intake. This line includes the pipe with a 2220 [mm] diameter through which the water, from the cooling tower basin, goes into the pumps intake. In fact we have two lines where one is for unit B1 …