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Effects Of Ergot Alkaloids And Antioxidants On Bovine Sperm Motility, Ryan James Page

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The studies that comprise this thesis were performed in an attempt to identify and eliminate stressful conditions that may lead to infertility in the male bovine. The first project was performed to determine if ergot alkaloids directly affect bovine sperm motility. Percentage of motile spermatozoa was affected (P = 0.015) by a three-way interactions between time, concentration, and alkaloid. Ergotamine and dihydroergotamine decreased (P = 0.01) sperm motility in a concentration and time dependant manner and ergonovine had a minimal effect on overall sperm motility. The number of static spermatozoa also was affected (P < 0.01) by a three way interaction and increased as ET and DHET concentrations increased. Percentages of progressively motile and rapidly motile spermatozoa decreased (P < 0.01) in a two way interaction between alkaloid and concentration. Overall, sperm motility was decreased by ET and DHET. Furthermore, the qualities of motility as represented by progressive, rapid, path velocity (VAP), progressive velocity (VSL), track speed (VCL), beat frequency (BCF), lateral amplitude (ALH), straightness (STR), elongated, and area were decreased by those alkaloids. These data verify that ergot alkaloids commonly found in toxic tall fescue are detrimental to bovine spermatozoa. In the second study two antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid) were added to bovine sperm culture media and cryopreservation extender. The antioxidant capabilities of these two vitamins could help reduce free radical production and help preserve sperm viability. There was an interactive effect between ascorbic acid concentration and storage method on the bovine sperm motility characteristics: motile, progressive, rapid, track speed (VCL), and straightness (P < 0.05). A bull by ascorbic acid interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for motile, progressive, rapid, path velocity (VAP), progressive velocity (VSL), and VCL characteristics. Alpha tocopherol had no affects on sperm motility characteristics. Lipid peroxidation was affected (P < 0.01) by bull and ascorbic acid. Malondialdehyde concentrations for ascorbic acid treatments (0, 5, 10, 20 mM) were 3.25, 4.2, 2.96, and 2.15 ìM respectively. Results from the second study indicate that the addition of ascorbic acid may reduce sperm motility, but help prevent lipid peroxidation.

Dynamic, Stochastic, Computational, And Scalable Technologies For Smart Grids, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The smart electric power grid will evolve into a very complex adaptive system under semi-autonomous distributed control. its spatial and temporal complexity, non-convexity, non-linearity, non-stationarity, variability and uncertainties exceed the characteristics found in today's traditional power system. the distributed integration of intermittent sources of energy and plug-in electric vehicles to a smart grid further adds complexity and challenges to its modeling, control and optimization. Innovative technologies are needed to handle the growing complexity of the smart grid and stochastic bidirectional optimal power flows, to maximize the penetration of renewable energy, and to provide maximum utilization of available energy storage, especially …

Magnolia : Polyploidy, Genome Size, And Refinement Of Protocols For Micropropagation, James Parris

All Theses

The genus Magnolia includes over 250 species that range in ploidy level from diploid to hexaploid. Although there is basic information on ploidy levels of various species, sampling is limited with specific cultivars and hybrids. The objective of this research was to determine relative genome sizes and relationships to ploidy levels among a diverse collection of species, hybrids, and cultivars using flow cytometry. Nuclei were extracted, stained with 4’, 6–diamidino–2–phenylindole (DAPI), and analyzed using a flow cytometer. Relative genome sizes were determined using Pisum sativum as the reference genome. Genome size was calibrated with ploidy level for species with documented …

Dietary Whey Protein Decreases Food Intake And Body Fat In Rats, June Zhou, Michael J. Keenan, Jack N. Losso, Anne M. Raggio, Li Shen, Kathleen L. Mccutcheon, Richard T. Tulley, Marc R. Blackman, Roy J. Martin

Faculty Publications

We investigated the effects of dietary whey protein on food intake, body fat, and body weight gain in rats. Adult (11-12 week) male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three dietary treatment groups for a 10-week study: control. Whey protein (HP-W), or high-protein content control (HP-S). Albumin was used as the basic protein source for all three diets. HP-W and HP-S diets contained an additional 24% (wt/wt) whey or isoflavone-free soy protein, respectively. Food intake, body weight, body fat, respiratory quotient (RQ), plasma cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and leptin were measured during and/or at the end …

George Steiner And The War Against The Jews: A Study In Misrepresentation, Roger W. Smith

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

The literary and cultural critic George Steiner has been described as the pre- eminent literary critic of the past fifty years. Certainly, he has written eloquently about aspects of the Holocaust, and his emphasis on language and its power to make and unmake much of human life, has been widely influential. Yet Steiner’s work on the Holocaust is misleading in its interpretations, explanations, and implications. Part of this stems from his worry that the Jews brought their near destruction upon themselves: that they had invented the practice of genocide, had invented the idea of a ‘‘chosen people,’’ had through Moses, …

An Examination Of Educators' Perceptions Of The School's Role In The Prevention Of Childhood Obesity, Sharon Harris Johnson

Dissertations

Childhood obesity is a prevalent subject of research currently, and many researchers have studied the effectiveness of school programs in battling obesity among students. This case study, utilizing ethnographic tools of observation, interviews, and investigation of artifacts, examines educators' perceptions of the role of the school in the prevention of this epidemic, how perceptions affect practices, and the barriers to prevention efforts. The lens of caring theory, social justice, and critical theory frame the analysis of how educators in a medium-sized elementary school contend with the problem of childhood obesity. Educators in this setting perceived their role in the prevention …

Investigating Nitrate-Dependent Humic Substance Oxidation And In-Service K-12 Teachers' Understanding Of Microbiology, Nastassia N. Jones

Dissertations

Humic substances (HS) are the humified portions of totally decomposed soil organic matter that are ubiquitous in nature. Although these substances have been studied for more than 200 years, neither their metabolic capabilities nor a specific chemical structure has yet to be determined. HS have been studied as a carbon source in many environments where they are degraded; however, previous studies have shown that some microorganisms are capable of utilizing humic substances as electron acceptors and electron donors in anaerobic respiration. Even though there have been humic-reducing and humic-oxidizing microorganisms isolated and studied in recent years, the mechanism of humics …

A Long-Term Control Project For An Invasive Plant: Assessment Of Phragmites Australis Reduction And Redevelopment Of Native Vegetation In Interdunal Swales Of Sandy Neck Barrier Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Dena Tomassi

Biology Masters Theses Collection

Phragmites australis is a perennial wetland grass that is native to North America. However, salt marshes, estuaries, and other wetlands throughout the northeast USA and Canada have witnessed a dramatic range expansion and population increase of the introduced genetic variant Phragmites australis haplotype M (Saltonstall 2002), with loss of native vegetation through competitive exclusion. Within the dune system of Sandy Neck Barrier Beach, freshwater wetland swales form in low elevation areas, which harbor a diverse wetland plant community dominated by shrubs, and sedges -- and including some rare and endangered species. To conserve and protect these wetland plant associations, annual …

Nr1l: A Novel Nuclear Receptor Group Activated By Juvenile Hormone Analogs, Yangchun Li

All Theses

Annotation of the Daphnia pulex nuclear receptors revealed a novel group of three receptors designated NR1L, and named HR97a/b/g because of their similarity to the HR96 receptors involved in xenobiotic detection. We cloned and sequenced the three receptors from a related species often used in aquatic toxicology studies, Daphnia magna, and then analyzed their genomic structure and conducted phylogenetic studies. Phylogenetic studies confirmed that the HR97s do form a distinct group with HR97g being the precursor of HR97a and b. They also confirmed that the HR97 receptors are related to the HR96 (NR1J) receptors, and the VDR/CAR/PXR (NR1I) group. Mining …

Retrofit Solutions For Sealed Pervious Concrete Pavements, Gregory Bunting

All Theses

The goal of this research was to design, implement, and evaluate several retrofit solutions for sealed pervious concrete. Properly functioning pervious concrete pavements allow water to drain through the structure, eliminating the need for traditional drainage infrastructure. A recent study of South Carolina porous pavements (Putman 2010) revealed that some pervious concrete pavements are not properly draining, either because of sealing at the surface. Sealed pavements are generally a result of construction processes, and sealed pavements cannot be fixed with sediment removal techniques such as vacuuming and pressure washing. This study investigates a technique to increase infiltration of sealed pervious …

Changes In Expression Of Akt Pathway Proteins Following Treatment With Rg3 In Vitro, Kathryn Schalkoff

All Theses

To assess changes in AKT pathway signaling, a recombinant protein of the G3 domain of rat laminin-5 (rG3) that specifically binds the alpha subunit of integrins α6β1 and α6β4 expressed on cancer cells (e.g., MDA-MB-231) was produced. This recombinant protein is believed to interrupt the intracellular signaling events of the AKT pathway, causing a decrease in proliferation and survival of cells after treatment. Viability assays confirmed an apoptotic effect of rG3 on cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, data from gene expression studies of Caspase-9, GRB10, and CDKNIB proved non-conclusive that rG3 is acting upon gene expression, leading to the …

Going All The Way: Phylogeography And Trans-Pacific Divergence Genetics Of Nucella Lima, Lisa Cox

All Theses

Fluctuating climate over the last 2 million years (MY) has repeatedly caused latitudinal shifts in species distributions, fueling the hypothesis that the glacial-interglacial dynamics of the Pleistocene could have driven regional genetic differentiation and potentially speciation. For species whose distributions spanned the entire North Pacific, regional extinction of northern populations during cooler glacial periods may have resulted in isolation and genetic differentiation of eastern and western populations. To test this hypothesis, I gathered genetic data from a rocky shore intertidal gastropod, Nucella lima, whose current (i.e. warm interglacial) distribution spans the entire North Pacific. Mitochondrial DNA sequences are genetically structured …

Role Of Belowground Fungal Mutualisms And Nutrient Cycling Alteration In Invasion Success Of Polygonum Cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc. (Polygonaceae) In The Eastern United States, Gretchen Addington

All Theses

Plant species invasion is problematic around the world due to its negative effects on native plant biodiversity, ecosystem function, and ecosystem stability. Understanding the mechanisms of plant species invasion is necessary to predict new invasions and to control current problematic species. Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc. (Polygonaceae, Japanese Knotweed) is an invasive species found in 40 of the 50 United States and listed as a noxious species in nine states. It is known to exclude native plant communities, and its eradication is nearly impossible. The extensive negative effects associated with this species make understanding its mechanism of invasion a prerogative. …

Sediment Based Turbidity Analyses For Representative South Carolina Soils, Katherine Resler

All Theses

Construction activities have been recognized to have significant impacts on the environment. Excess sediment from construction sites is frequently deposited into nearby surface waters, negatively altering the chemical, physical and biological properties of the water body. This environmental concern has led to strict laws concerning erosion and sediment control, such as imposing permit conditions that limit the concentration of suspended solids that can be present in effluent water from construction sites. However, sediment concentration measurements are not routinely used to detect and correct short-term problems or permit violations because laboratory analysis of sediment concentrations is time-consuming and costly. Nevertheless, timely, …

Substrate Topography Design And Fabrication For Osteoblast And Dental Pulp Stem Cells Studies, Gloria Chen

All Theses

Research for cell guidance based tissue engineering has rapidly grown due to the increasing interest in tissue engineering and reconstructive medicine applications, such as cranial reconstruction. Many research teams have begun the process of identifying what factors influence cell behavior (including cell growth, proliferation, alignment and spreading). Published studies have pointed to the influence of the cell medial pH, substrate stiffness, chemistry and topography. Conclusive results are often hard to identify since researchers often vary many of these factors simultaneously and it is hard to decouple individual factor influence. These reports also points out that the cellular response can be …

Assessing The Influence Of Hemlock Mortality On Streams Due To Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation, Celestine Che

All Theses

For the past 30 years eastern hemlock forests in the US have been declining rapidly due to damage caused by a destructive exotic insect pest, the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae), a native of the Far East. The impact of the loss of hemlocks, which occur naturally in cool hillside and ravine environments along streams, is poorly understood. The loss of these trees has the potential to cause significant environmental disturbance by changing energy inputs into streams, stream microclimates, and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities.
In May 2009, after hemlock mortality due to A. tsugae was already severe, I …

Analysis Of Dna Methylation Differerences Between High And Low Chill Peach (Prunus Persica [L. Batsch]), Sherri Hughes-Murphree

All Theses

Chilling requirement is a critically important phenological trait that controls the timing of vegetative bud break and floral bloom, and impacts the climatic distribution of temperate tree species. However, the molecular basis of the chilling requirement trait is not well understood. Analysis of chilling requirement QTL from peach and apricot has detected numerous genes known to modulate DNA and histone methylation pathways. Evidence from other plant systems suggests these types of epigenetic mechanisms may play a role in temperature-modulated plant developmental responses.
For this study, DNA from vegetative buds of overwintering peach trees was examined for changes in methylation status …

A Study Of Satisfaction And Perceived Learning And Development Of Peer Mentors In Higher Education, Karen L. Posa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to examine the satisfaction and perceived learning and development of university peer mentors. Mentoring research exists that focus on student retention, academic achievement, and satisfaction of university students who are mentored, but little research exists that provides a comprehensive, quantitative perspective of learning and development of university peer mentors.;This study was conducted at a master's level, public university which has an extensive peer mentoring program designed to assist new students with the transition to the university. The peer mentors are primarily traditionally-aged students (under the age of 25), and the majority of these students …

Analog Intelligent Wake-Up Systems For Wireless Sensor Networks, Robert Joseph Fernandez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The applications of Wireless Sensor Networks have grown exponentially over the last several years. These networks help to monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, pollution, motion, acoustics, and vibration in a variety of different ways. Each node (mote) in the network typically contains the following: a microprocessor, sensors, circuits that interface sensors with the mote, a radio transceiver, and a power source; typically a battery.;These sensor networks typically work by having the mote's Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) convert raw analog sensor data into digital, so processing can be done by the mote's microprocessor. If an event of interest has occurred, …

The Effects Of Genetic Strain And Finisher Diet Non-Phytate Phosphorus Level On Performance, Lysine Degradation And Litter Composition Of Large Tom Turkeys, Brittany Nicholle Swiger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Successful commercial turkey production requires proper genetic strain selection to optimize live performance and profit. In addition, sustainable practices relative to manure disposal are essential due to perceptions that land application of poultry manure is a primary contributor to watershed eutrophication. The objective of our research was to assess genetic strain and finisher diet non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) level effects on large tom performance and litter composition using a research facility that mimics commercial production. Experiments were 2x2 factorial designs utilizing 2 strains (Nicholas and Hybrid) and 2 levels of dietary nPP (normal and low) in finishing diets. Two experiments of …

Exploring Influences On Parent Support For Child Physical Activity In West Virginia, Jill A. Nolan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Physical activity enhances child health. On average, boys are more active than girls. The causes of this disparity are not fully known, but are likely due to factors at multiple levels including individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy. Further, gender stereotypes that associate males with sports and physical activity behavior may also influence child physical activity. What is known is that girls benefit from physical activity just as boys do, and that parental support for boys' physical activity is generally higher than is parental support for girls. Additionally, parental supportive behavior for childhood physical activity is positively associated with increased …

Nanosize Effects In The Magnetic Properties Of The Two Layered Hydroxides Of Nickel, James D. Rall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Investigations of properties of materials with lower lattice dimensionality (one and two dimensions) often provides good opportunity to advance physics since solutions to corresponding theoretical models are more easily obtained. In this work, results on magnetic properties of two quasi two-dimensional (2D) systems viz. the layered hydroxides of nickel, beta-Ni(OH)2 and alpha-Ni(OH)2, are reported. For beta-Ni(OH)2, there have been conflicting reports in the literature whether the magnetic ordering is ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic. For the less stable alpha-Ni(OH) 2 with the larger spacing between the layers, the nature of magnetism is largely unexplained. Therefore, the results and their interpretation present here …

Institutional Data Book 2010-2011, University Of Minnesota, Morris Office Of Institutional Research

Campus Documents and Reports

No abstract provided.

Feeding Low-Fat Wet Distillers' Grains And Beef Quality, Asia Haack

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Feeding distillers grains to cattle decreases shelf life stability of retail displayed steaks due to the increased polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) content. High levels of PUFAs cause rapid oxidation of the fats in meat. To improve shelf life, a low-fat distillers grain ration, without solubles (LFWDG; 4.72% fat), was compared to a traditional diet containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (TWDGS; 6.91% fat) and a corn-based control diet (Corn; 3.64% fat). Strip loins (M. longissimus lumborum) from 45 USDA Choice steers (15 per dietary treatment) were selected to determine the effects of diet on fatty acid profile, fat composition, oxidation, …

The Rate Of Shattercane X Sorghum Hybridization In Situ, Jared J. Schmidt

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cultivated sorghum (Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor) can interbreed with its close weedy relative shattercane (S. bicolor subsp. drummondii). The introduction of traits from cultivated sorghum into a shattercane population could contribute to the invasiveness of the wild shattercane population. An in situ experiment was conducted across two years to determine the potential for pollen-mediated gene flow from grain sorghum to shattercane. Shattercane with juicy midrib (dd) was planted in a soybean field in concentric arcs at varying distances from a sorghum pollen source with dry midrib (DD). The arcs were placed …

Implementing Recommendations From The Universal Periodic Review: A Toolkit For State And Local Human Rights And Human Relations Commissions, Human Rights Institute

Human Rights Institute

The United States’ international leadership in promoting human rights around the world is strengthened by state and local officials’ efforts to employ and advance human rights close to home. Indeed, state and local human rights and human relations commissions can play a pivotal role in help- ing the U.S. meet its own human rights obligations by ensuring fairness, dignity and opportunity for all in their communities.

This Toolkit provides information about a recent review of the United States’ human rights record under the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (“UPR”), which revealed a number of areas in which the United States …

Effects Of Developmental Conditions On Nestling American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius) Corticosterone Concentrations, Erin H. Strasser, Julie A. Heath

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

How nestling birds respond to stressful situations may constitute an important survival component that has lasting developmental effects on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. As birds are exposed to increasing amounts of potential anthropogenic stressors through land use change, understanding how these factors contribute to HPA development is important. We examined whether conditions experienced during the nestling stage affected free-living American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) HPA activity prior to fledging. Kestrels experienced varying levels of human disturbance around their nest and we classified this environmental exposure as high or low environmental human disturbance based on traffic patterns and …

The Health Status, Concerns, And Reform In Uruguay With An Emphasis On Health Promotion Programs Geared Towards The Care And Development Of The Country's Children And Adolescents, Melissa Raquel Ramírez

Honors Scholar Theses

This study was conducted in Montevideo, Uruguay, where I examined the actions that the country and society as a whole, its various communities, the Uruguayan government, and the people take in order to prevent disease and promote a healthy society. An ethnographic experiential and evidence-based approach, including personal experience, interviews, and official government documents, was used to fully describe the way the system operates. Due to Uruguay's demographic characteristics, particular attention was paid to children and adolescents. For this thesis, Uruguay is described in terms of its history, physical and mental health issues, society's shared health concerns, and its vulnerable …

Assessing Environmental Conditions At The Friar Tuck Mining Complex, Dugger, Indiana, Windy Jo Mcbride

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many abandoned mine lands (AML) continue to present significant environmental concerns. The abandoned Friar Tuck Mining Complex in Greene and Sullivan counties, Indiana, continues to impair local water quality despite closing in 1952 for operations and multiple remediation attempts. Most areas within the Friar Tuck Mining Complex have been successfully remediated; however, the area of research interest requires additional treatment and continues to be impacted by runoff from gob piles. Subsequently, areas characterized by a loss of vegetation where mine seeps occur behave unpredictably and are characterized by the exposure of bare soil. These mine seep areas are of particular …

Image Registration And Visualization Of In Situ Gene Expression Images., Ernur Saka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the age of high-throughput molecular biology techniques, scientists have incorporated the methodology of in-situ hybridization to map spatial patterns of gene expression. In order to compare expression patterns within a common tissue structure, these images need to be "registered" or organized into a common coordinate system for alignment to a reference or atlas images. We use three different image registration methodologies (manual; correlation based; mutual information based) to determine the common coordinate system for the reference and in-situ hybridization images. All three methodologies are incorporated into a Matlab tool to visualize the results in a user friendly way and …