Digital Commons Network^™

Fatty Acids And Lipogenesis In Ruminant Adipocytes, Taber Burns

All Dissertations

Obsesity, the excess deposition of white adipose tissue, is a growing problem in the U.S. and other developed countries. Formerly thought to be inert, adipose tissue is now recognized as a dynamic endocrine organ with its secretion of adipokines and a newly proposed class hormone class 'lipokine'. Adipocytes are the functional unit of adipose tissue and can influence the tissue through hyperplasic and hypertrophic growth. In order to investigate the mechanisms involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis of adipose tissue, stromal vascular cultures were isolated from adipose tissue of finishing cattle for use in experiments.
There is a positive relationship between …

The Toxicity Of Carbon Nanotubes To Daphnia Magna, Aaron Edgington

All Dissertations

A particle is classified as nano in size if it has at least one dimension less than 100 nm which gives them chemical and physical characteristics that are different from the bulk material. Over the last twenty years nanotechnology has exploded as an industry. It has been estimated that there are 1000 consumer products on the market today that contain nanomaterials and 2 million jobs worldwide will be devoted directly to nanotechnology research, development, and product manufacturing by 2015. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be visualized as sheets of graphene rolled into a cylinder. Carbon nanotubes small diameter (nanometer scale) and …

Thermal Inactivation Of Stress Adapted Pathogens In Compost, Randhir Singh

All Dissertations

In the United States, 1.3 billion tons of animal wastes are produced annually. Disposal of this huge amount of waste on agricultural land without proper treatment is a public health safety issue as animal waste is a potential source of several human pathogens. Therefore, composting of animal wastes is an economical solution to this problem. The high temperature reached during this process also brings about inactivation of pathogens in the waste. However, survival of pathogens has still been reported from different composting studies, indicating the complex nature of this process. The objectives of this study were to: 1) study thermal …

Issues In The Care Of Farm Animals: Current History Of The Movement In Selected States, Jennifer N. Dunn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many animal care practices commonly accepted as a regular part of the agricultural industry are being questioned by organizations advocating for the care of farm and companion animals. The use of gestation crates for pregnant sows, veal crates for veal calves, and battery cages for egg-laying hens are being banned in some states in the United States. While appearing to be a modern phenomenon, animal rights/animal welfare issues actually can be found throughout history. The purpose of the study was to trace the history of the care of farm and companion animals movement in the United States. This included the …

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Methods For Prediction Of Brook Trout Salvelinus Fontinalis Percent Dry Weight, Andrew William Hafs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reliable fish condition estimates are valued by fisheries ecologists and managers. Fish condition is used as an indicator of ecosystem health or to assess the population status for a species of interest. In aquaculture, proximate composition estimates are often wanted because of their relationship to fillet quality. Past researchers have used bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to provide nonlethal mass based estimates of proximate composition for fish. Percent dry weight (PDW) of a fish is highly correlated to proximate composition values and energy density, therefore reliable predictions of PDW would eliminate the need for costly and laboratory analyses lethal to the …

Can Changes In Sr Protein Acetylation Affect Alternative Splicing?, Heather E. Knupp

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cellular phenotype and function is determined by the cellular proteome. Within the cellular proteome there are processes that have a potential to significantly alter the composition of the proteome. One such process is called alternative splicing. Splicing is the removal of introns from a pre-mRNA sequence and the remaining pre-mRNA sequences, called exons, are combined. Alternative splicing modifies the intron-exon combination, and can form novel products from the different arrangement of the coding sequences. This process, due to the high potential for new, possibly unwanted products, is highly regulated and can occur in a tissue and developmental-specific fashion. The misreguation …

Development Of Soil Lead And Tree-Ring Methods For Characterizing Atmospheric Deposition Gradients And Subsequent Tree Growth Responses, Bradley P. Breslow

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Atmospheric deposition of pollutants and nutrients can have a range of effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite its ecological importance, it remains a challenge to model patterns of deposition across complex terrain and also to assess how forest ecosystems are reacting to chronic inputs of atmospheric deposition. I measured the lead (Pb) content of forest soils adjacent to atmospheric deposition monitoring stations throughout the central Appalachian Mountains to examine how well patterns of soil Pb relate to regional patterns of inorganic nitrogen (N) deposition. While I found no significant relationship between organic soil Pb content and N deposition, I …

Lanthorn, Vol. 46, No. 28, December 1, 2011, Grand Valley State University

Volume 46, July 14, 2011 - June 18, 2012

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Montana Kaimin, December 1, 2011, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

The Competitive Response Of Panicum Virgatum Cultivars To Non-Native Invasive Species In Southern Illinois, Lauren Michele Schwartz

Theses

Historically, the tallgrass prairie (TGP) was the largest ecosystem in North America, but today only about 10-15% of the original extent exists today. Some areas have experienced more extreme loss, for example in the state of Illinois less than 0.01% of high-quality native tallgrass prairie remains. Non-native invasive species are a recent phenomenon that threatens the integrity of surviving TGP communities. Ecotypes of dominant C4 grasses are the basis of numerous cultivars, many of which are utilized in prairie restorations. In this study, the effects of three invasive species (Bromus inermis, Schedonorus phoenix, and Poa pratensis) on two lowland (`Alamo' …

Stimulation Of The Hypothalamic Ventromedial Nuclei By Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Induces Hypophagia And Thermogenesis, Jon M. Resch, Joanne P. Boisvert, Allison E. Hourigan, Christopher R. Mueller, Sun Shin Yi, Sujean Choi

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the hypothalamic ventromedial nuclei (VMN) regulate energy homeostasis by integrating and utilizing behavioral and metabolic mechanisms. The VMN heavily express pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide(PACAP) type I receptors (PAC1R). Despite the receptor distribution, most PACAP experiments investigating affects on feeding have focused on intracerebroventricular (icv) administration or global knockout mice. To identify the specific contribution of PACAP signaling in the VMN, we injected PACAP directly into the VMN and measured feeding behavior and indices of energy expenditure. Following an acute injection of PACAP, nocturnal food intake was significantly reduced for six hours after injections without evidence …

Magnesium, A Drug Of Diverse Use, Mohammad Irfan Akhtar, Hameed Ullah, Mohammad Hamid

Department of Anaesthesia

Magnesium has evolved as a drug with diverse clinical applications. Mg++ is an important caution and its homeostasis is very important for normal body functioning. The physiological role of Mg is due to its calcium channel blocking properties at smooth muscle, skeletal muscle and conduction system levels. The analgesic properties are due to NMDA receptor blocking action. Mg++ is beneficial in acute Myocardial Infarction, protection during open heart surgery and treatment and prevention of heart rhythm disturbances. Mg has an established role in the management of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Magnesium prevents or controls convulsions by blocking neuromuscular transmission and decreasing …

Measuring Physical Activity In Youth Settings: Considerations For Instrument Selection, Benjamin Hickerson

Journal of Youth Development

Increasing physical activity participation has become one of the primary strategies for prevention of early-onset health conditions including obesity and Type II diabetes. Youth programs including summer camps and after-school programs are premium providers of physical activity opportunities, but researchers and administrators of these programs must be able to effectively collect and interpret physical activity data to make program adjustments and communicate results. This article reviews existing methods for physical activity measurement including self-reports and objective instruments and makes suggestions for their applicability. Pedometers are covered in-depth as they may be the method of choice in many youth settings. These …

Behavior That Hurts: Theoretical Orientation, Terminology, And Diagnosis Of Self-Injury, Susannah C. Rowan Flamm

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Self-injurious behavior prevalence continues to rise in both adolescent and adult non-clinical populations and within adolescent and adult clinical populations. Despite a large volume of literature regarding the antecedents and functions of self-injury, exploration of clinician factors in regard to these clients is sparse. This study examined the associations among 346 doctoral level clinicians' theoretical orientations, preferred terminology to describe self-injurious behaviors, and preferred diagnoses for clients who engage in self-injury. Therapist variables such as age, years in practice, and gender were examined for their association with terminology and diagnostic preferences. Chi-square analyses were conducted for the two-way interactions and …

The Association Between Reading Comprehension And Prerequisite Skills For Children In Poverty, Hyo Jin Yoon

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between reading comprehension and the prerequisite skills typically assessed by a school based speech pathologist with a focus on children raised in poverty. Based upon previous studies, three hypotheses were developed. First, children from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds would not perform as well as children from the standardization sample on norm referenced language tests although the language tests would predict reading comprehension. Second, decoding would not be as good a predictor of reading comprehension for children from low SES backgrounds as it is in typically developing children from middle …

Call-Shift Fatigue And Use Of Countermeasures And Strategies By Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Ramona M. Domen Phd, Crna

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) experience fatigue during call and to assess their use of fatigue avoidance strategies (practices that prevent fatigue) and fatigue countermeasures (practices that decrease fatigue) to mitigate its effects. Method: Using a cross sectional descriptive survey design, data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 323 practicing CRNAs who worked call shifts. Data analysis: Data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistics. Results: The sample was fairly evenly distributed with slightly more female respondents, 55% (n = 179). Fifty four percent worked a weekday call …

Black Bear Conflicts And Safety And Utah Campgrounds, Barrie Gilbert

All Current Publications

Utah had its first black bear attack in June of 1992 when a young girl was dragged from a camper at Strawberry campground.

Fathers And Their Views On Discussing Sex And Sexuality With Their Daughters, Kindann M. Stone

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research project was to identify characteristics and perceptions of fathers associated with discussions about sex and sexuality with their daughters. Parental communication, education, and value sharing reduces the risk of STD's and teen pregnancy. Participants were fathers (N=108) who were recruited by their daughters who were attending a Southeastern University. Demographics were utilized and researcher developed modified scales used in previous studies (citation). The newly developed scales were the Sexual Knowledge Inventory (SKI), Value of Self-Efficacy of Sexuality Communication (VSESC), Safe Sex of Self Efficacy of Sexuality Communication (SSSESC), Father's Role as Sex Educators Outcome Expectancy …

A Multiple Case Study Of Principals' Instructional Leadership In "Level 5" Schools Of Excellence For Improvement, Janice V. Mccoy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

After 28 years of federal and state policy development, regional and local initiatives and various budgetary appropriations, the status of American schools continues to decline. Lyne (2001) reported that Finland, Japan and Korea had the world's highest literacy in reading, math, and science, while the United States ranked 15 in reading literacy, 19 in mathematical literacy, and 14 in scientific literacy. Many factors may contribute to the decline in America's schools. However, with the prevailing economic decline in the United States schools continue to struggle with student achievement, especially students with who are low socio-economic. In addition, to meeting the …

Protein Utilization And Requirements In Broiler Breeders, Ricardo David Ekmay

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Advances in the genetics of poultry have created unintended consequences to the broiler breeder industry. Excessive weight has been shown to have many negative effects, including double hierarchies, multiple ovulations, and fatty liver. In an effort to curb excessive body weight gain, both the protein requirements and feeding strategies of broiler breeders are being revisited. A series of studies were conducted to determine the protein and amino acid requirements of broiler breeders during the production phase and to determine the interrelationship between protein turnover and egg formation. In the first trial, a 2x3x3 factorial study was conducted to determine the …

Determination Of Poultry Litter's Nitrogen-Fertilizer Value For Winter Wheat Production, Brett Lee Gordon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N) availability in poultry litter (PL) applied in the fall as a nutrient source for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has not been adequately characterized. Our objective was to determine a potentially available N (PAN) coefficient based on the inorganic-N fertilizer equivalence (FEQ) of fall-applied PL to winter wheat via field and laboratory research. Wheat grown at six site-years received 0, 84 and 168 kg N ha-1 as PL applied preplant and/or at-planting. The FEQ of PL-N was based on growth and yield responses of wheat fertilized with 22 to 191 kg N ha-1 applied in late winter as …

Phytoplankton Ecology In The Skidaway River Estuary, Darren Parris

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Short-term and seasonal variation in abiotic factors such as salinity, nutrient concentration, and light availability strongly influence total phytoplankton biomass but less is known about their effects on species-level changes due to difficulties associated with identifying and enumerating individual taxa. Understanding taxon-specific shifts is important as species often contribute differently to primary productivity and food web support for higher trophic levels. The goals of this study were to examine changes in overall phytoplankton abundance and community composition following short-term increases in freshwater input (Chapter 1), seasonal variation in abiotic conditions (Chapter 2), and manipulated nutrient concentrations within the Skidaway River …

Biological Analysis Of Prebiotics In Various Processed Food Matrices, Kristina Elise Moore

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The addition of prebiotic to a variety of food products has become a more common occurrence in recent years. Although research on the stability of prebiotics has been conducted, knowledge of the stability of prebiotics in processed foods is limited. The purpose of this research was to determine the biological stability of five prebiotics in a variety of food matrices when processed under various conditions. A biological test, the prebiotic activity assay, was used to test for stability of six food products (muffin, cookie, granola bar, breakfast cereal, sports drink, and bread) containing five different prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, galactooligosaccharides …

Identification And Characterization Of Putative Allergens In Pecan Species, Jelena Spiric

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The identification and characterization of soluble pecan proteins was found to be qualitatively dependent on the chemical characteristics of the extraction buffer that also had a significant influence on the total protein content of an extract. The ionic strength of the extraction buffer had a greater impact on protein extractability than pH. A high salt phosphate buffer (0.01 M PBS, 1M NaCl, pH 7.2) was used as an optimal extraction solution that allowed remarkable detection of clinically relevant allergens.

The 2S albumin family of seed storage proteins has been shown to be one of the most stable allergens, thus potentially …

Does Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (Nsaid) Use Affect Dementia Progression And Survival Rates In Alzheimer's Disease? The Cache County Study, Trevor R. Buckley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has multiple factors that contribute to the disease process. Among these is a state of chronic inflammation that is endured by the brain during the aging process. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decreases the amount of neuroinflammation sustained by the brain, and greater levels of NSAID use have been demonstrated to be associated with decreased probability of developing AD. This study looked at whether greater rates of NSAID use were also associated with decreased rates of cognitive and funtional decline and survival in a population-based sample of persons with AD. Linear mixed models failed to …

Acute Effects Of Advocare Spark® Energy Drink On Repeated Sprint Performance And Anaerobic Power In Ncaa Division I Football Players, Nnamdi I. Gwacham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade, have been designed to refuel athletes during and after their performance. Specifically they are designed to have optimal levels of carbohydrates to replenish electrolytes and prevent dehydration. In contrast, energy drinks are reported to increase mental alertness and physical performance during exercise. These drinks are designed to have substantial levels of caffeine as the main ingredient. For some years, energy drinks have become widespread both in recreational and trained athletes, because of their presumed influence on physical performance. A variety of energy drinks are currently on the market today and are purported to …

Effects Of Tannin-Containing Feed On Haemonchous Contortus In Sheep And Its Behavioral Implications, Jessica A. Juhnke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Herbivores prefer foods that supply required nutrients and avoid those with excess nutrients and plant secondary compounds (PSC). Nevertheless, PSC such as condensed tannins can provide beneficial medicinal effects to herbivores. The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) if parasitized lambs increased preference for a tannin-rich food after they experienced the beneficial antiparasitic effects of tannins relative to parasitized lambs that did not experience such benefits, 2) if preference for the tannin-containing food in the former group decreased when parasite burdens subsided, and 3) if the tannin-enriched food decreased parasitic burdens.

Twenty-two lambs were familiarized with beet pulp …

Molecular Interactions Of Salmonella With The Host Epithelium In Presence Of Commensals, Prerak T. Desai

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Food-borne infections are a major source of mortality and morbidity. Salmonella causes the highest number of Food-borne bacterial infections in the US. This work contributes towards developing strategies to control Salmonella by (a) defining receptors used by Salmonella to adhere to and invade the host epithelium; (b) developing a host receptor based rapid detection method for the pathogen in food matrix; (C) and defining mechanisms of how probiotics can help alleviate Salmonella-induced cell death in the host epithelium.

We developed a cell-cell crosslinking method to discover host-microbe receptors, and discovered three new receptor-ligand interactions. Interaction of Salmonella Ef-Tu with …

A Comparison Of Caregiver Report And Performance-Based Measures Of Functional Ability In Dementia: An Examination Of Moderating Variables, Christine M. Snyder

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the association between data collection techniques used to measure functional abilities in individuals with dementia. Cognitive, functional, and behavioral data were collected through the Cache County Dementia Progression Study for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The caregivers’ reports of care recipients’ functional status were compared with the care recipients’ scores on a performance-based measure of functional abilities. Analyses showed moderate correlation between caregivers’ reports and objective measures, with no significant effect of caregiver demographic or mental health factors. However, care recipients’ sensory motor impairments reduced the association between the two assessment methods.

Visits occurred at the …

The Potential For Growth In Foreign Direct Investment In The Horticultural Sector Of Armenia, Mikayel Khachatryan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examines why foreign investors choose to invest in companies in Armenia and is specifically attempting to understand how to attract more investment into the fruit and vegetable companies of Armenia. Investment by foreigners in domestic companies is referred to as foreign direct investment of FDI. The research was completed by gathering information from foreign firms that are already investing in companies in Armenia. This was done by conducting a face-to-face questionnaire with business managers of these companies in Yerevan, Armenia during August and December of 2010. The information gathered from these interviews was used in a statistical analysis …