Digital Commons Network^™

Response Of Waterbirds To Salt Pond Enhancements And Island Creation In The San Francisco Bay, Stacy M. Moskal

Master's Theses

Historically, San Francisco Bay supported the largest salt pond complex on the Pacific coast of North America, and these areas have been used by large numbers of migrating and wintering waterbirds for more than a century. In 2003, salt ponds in the South San Francisco Bay were purchased with a goal of restoring 50-90% of the 6100 ha of former salt ponds to replace lost tidal marsh habitats. However, a major challenge for the restoration project has been maintaining the abundance of non-breeding waterbirds in a smaller footprint of managed ponds. Thus, in 2009-2010, Pond SF2 was enhanced with 30 …

Mastermind-Like 1-Dependent Notch Target Gene Activation Requires A Sequence-Paired Site And A Tata Box, Cassandra Agbayani Ramos

Master's Theses

Notch signaling plays an important role in mammalian cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. To activate target genes, the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) forms a complex with CBF1 and Mastermind-like protein (MAM). The Notch activation complex binds to a response element containing the consensus sequence RTGRGAR (R= purine) on target gene promoters. The promoter of one well characterized target gene, Hes1, contains four Notch response elements (NREs). Site-directed mutagenesis and reporter gene assays were used to examine the activation of Hes1 by mutating individual and combinations of NREs. Results indicated that NREs 2 and 4 are important for Hes1 activity, confirming …

Effects Of Compression On The Temperature Distribution Of A Tissue-Mimicking Material During High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (Hifu) Ablation, Austin Robbins Roth

Master's Theses

Local blood flow near a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) target has been shown to decrease ablation effectiveness and predictability, creating a barrier to clinical use for breast cancer treatment. This study investigated the effects of compression on HIFU ablation of a perfused tissue-mimicking material. Gellan gum-based phantoms, with thermal and acoustic properties similar to those of soft tissue, were ablated with a 1.13 MHz HIFU transducer while being subjected to varying levels of external compression. Phantoms were designed with an embedded 6 mm diameter vessel meant to mimic a thermally significant blood vessel near a breast tumor. The internal temperature …

Effects Of Site Characteristics, Pinyon-Juniper Management, And Precipitation On Habitat Quality For Mule Deer In New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Jon C. Boren, Heather Halbritter, Shad Cox

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife enterprises are increasingly important to ranch income in the western United States. Habitat management practices that facilitate wildlife are needed for optimal management of multiple-use ranches, particularly for economically important species, such as mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), that are declining throughout much of their range. We tested the effects of vegetation cover type, site characteristics, pinyon-juniper management treatments, and precipitation on body condition and size of spring-summer-autumn (SSA) home ranges of mule deer to assess habitat quality on the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center (CRLRC), a multiple-use research ranch in east central New Mexico. Accrual of …

Deer-Activated Bioacoustic Frightening Device Deters White-Tailed Deer, Aaron M. Hildreth, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Kurt C. Vercauteren

Human–Wildlife Interactions

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) damage urban and suburban plantings, as well as crops and stored feed. We tested the efficacy of a frightening device that played pre-recorded distress calls of adult female white-tailed deer when activated by an infrared motion sensor for a period of 13 days. This deer-activated bioacoustic frightening device reduced deer entry into protected sites by 99% (δ = -558, P = 0.09) and bait consumption by 100% (δ = -75, P = 0.06). The frightening device that we evaluated demonstrated potential for reducing damage in disturbed environments and agricultural settings.

Do Artificial Nests Simulate Nest Success Of Greater Sage-Grouse?, Jonathan B. Dinkins, Michael R. Conover, Scott T. Mabray

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Artificial nests have been used to study factors affecting nest success because researchers can manipulate them more than natural bird nests. Many researchers have questioned the validity of generalizing the results from artificial nests onto naturally occurring nests. Other studies have assessed the validity of artificial nest studies by simultaneously comparing overall depredation or daily survival rates, depredation timing, predator species, or habitat characteristics of artificial and natural nests. To evaluate how well artificial nests simulated nest success of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sagegrouse), we used the unique approach of monitoring artificial nests (n = 69) placed …

Jaguar And Puma Attacks On Livestock In Costa Rica, Ronit Amit, Elias José Gordillo-Chávez, Raquel Bone

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human–felid conflicts threaten long-term conservation of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor). We interviewed ranchers from 50 ranches and inspected farms in northern Costa Rica that reported recent attacks on livestock by these 2 felids. We analyzed ranch characteristics, livestock management practices, details of predation, estimated market-value of economic losses, and ranchers’ perception of damage. Ranchers reported 81 felid attacks on livestock, including 60 head of cattle, 16 horses, 3 sheep, 1 pig, and 1 goat. Mean size of ranches was 233 km², and mean livestock herd size was 109, including cattle, horses, …

Recommended Management Strategies To Limit Anthropogenic Noise Impacts On Greater Sage-Grouse In Wyoming, Gail L. Patricelli, Jessica L. Blickley, Stacie L. Hooper

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Recent research has demonstrated that noise from natural gas development negatively impacts sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) abundance, stress levels, and behaviors. Other types of anthropogenic noise sources are similar to gas-development noise and, thus, the response by sage-grouse is likely to be similar. The results of research suggest that effective management of the natural soundscape is critical to the conservation and protection of sage-grouse. The goals of this review are to discuss current approaches in the management of new and existing noise sources in Wyoming and recommend research priorities for establishing effective noise management strategies. We make 4 interim …

Monumento Piece For Symphonic Orchestra, 8'30", Rafael Langoni Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Monumento is a piece for symphonic orchestra finished in November, 2012 under the guidance of Dr. John Oliver Beall. It asks for piccolo, 2 C flutes, 2 oboes---with the second oboe player doubling on English Horn---2 clarinets in B-flat, 2 bassoons; 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 3 trombones, tuba; 4 timpani, first percussionist with snare and tenor drums, second percussionist with bass drum, triangle, large gong and suspended cymbals; strings. Monumento has an approximate duration of 8 minutes and thirty seconds.

A Survey Of Journalism Schools' Online Publication Of Student Content, Sarah E. Moore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Journalism in the digital age has changed dramatically as the needs and demands of journalism consumers have changed. In turn, the institutions preparing journalists to enter the field must adapt their methods. How can a school of journalism effectively integrate the web into their daily practices and equip students for post-graduation employment through the publication of an online magazine? This paper explores the broadly divergent methods and philosophies of three journalism schools and offers suggestions for schools developing their own online publication based on these observations.

Sustaining Abundance And Distributional Patterns Of Benthic Diatoms From Streams In Kentucky, Usa, K. M. Manoylov, R. J. Stevenson, Y. K. Wang

Faculty and Staff Works

A sustainable approach to the preservation of natural aquatic communities requires detailed understanding of primary producers in those communities. Diatom species abundance depends on the ecological conditions and species' ability to distribute and grow at conditions close to its optima. The abundancedistribution relationship of diatom species was studied along an anthropogenic gradient in Kentucky streams. Mean relative abundance of diatoms found in reference streams decreased with an increase of nutrients and chloride, while distribution remained wide. Diatoms from the non-reference streams had higher diversity, but even with wide distribution, they had low abundance. Species that were most common and most …

More Restrictive Than Necessary: A Police Review Of Secure Housing Units, Zafir Shaiq

UC Law Journal of Race and Economic Justice

When almost seven thousand Pelican Bay inmates refused food for weeks on end, California took notice of the unacceptable living conditions in its Secure Housing Units (or SHUs). SHU residents live for months and years with almost no human contact, and succumb to serious mental illness as a result. Despite the attention that the hunger strikes brought to the issue, however, meaningful improvement to California's SHUs does not appear to be on the horizon.

This note begins with the history of isolation in American prisons and its use as a means of long-term punishment and control. It then depicts the …

An All You Need To Know Guide To Studying Abroad At Cal Poly, Kendall Loggins

Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Public Relations On News, Laura Follis

Journalism

No abstract provided.

The Volta Convention: An Effective Tool For Transboundary Water Resource Management In An Era Of Impending Climate Change And Devastating Natural Disasters, Megan Matthews

Denver Journal of International Law & Policy

No abstract provided.

Mine Action And Land Rights In South Sudan: Key Findings And Recommendations, Sharmala Naidoo, Francesca Marzatico, Lisa Monaghan

Global CWD Repository

In March 2013, GICHD and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) undertook a joint mission to South Sudan on land rights and mine action in order to provide mine action organisations with analysis on land related conflict and practical guidance on how they can ensure their mine action operations “do no harm” and take land issues into consideration. This report summarises the key findings and recommendations from that mission.

Sawmill Slough Preserve At The University Of North Florida, James Taylor

Professional Presentations

Taylor, J.W., J. Lemmons and C. Hubbuch. 2013. Sawmill Slough Preserve, University of North Florida. Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Annual Conference. Nashville, TN. (Powerpoint)

Of Termites And Men: On The Ontology Of Collective Individuals, Brian G. Henning

Philosophy Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Patterns Of Computer-Mediated Interaction In Small Writing Groups Using Wikis, Mimi Li, Wei Zhu

English Faculty Research

Informed by sociocultural theory and guided especially by “collective scaffolding”, this study investigated the nature of computer-mediated interaction of three groups of English as a Foreign Language students when they performed collaborative writing tasks using wikis. Nine college students from a Chinese university participated in the wiki-mediated collaborative writing project. Analyses of data from the wiki “Discussion”, “Page”, and “History” modules on each group tab revealed that the three small groups displayed three distinct patterns of online interaction: collectively contributing/mutually supportive, authoritative/responsive, and dominant/withdrawn. These patterns were substantiated by the roles group members assumed and members’ task approaches in terms …

An Experimental Investigation Into The Effects Of Biodiesel Blends On Particulate Matter Oxidation In A Catalyzed Particulate Filter During Active Regeneration, James Pidgeon

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Active regeneration experiments were carried out on a production 2007 Cummins 8.9L ISL engine and associated DOC and CPF aftertreatment system. The effects of SME biodiesel blends were investigated in this study in order to determine the PM oxidation kinetics associated with active regeneration, and to determine the effect of biodiesel on them. The experimental data from this study will also be used to calibrate the MTU-1D CPF model. Accurately predicting the PM mass retained in the CPF and the oxidation characteristics will provide the basis for computation in the ECU that will minimize the fuel penalty associated with active …

Biochemical And Cellular Mechanisms Of Retina And Retinal Pigment Epithelium Apoptosis, Srinivasa Rao Sripathi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Oxidative stress, intense light exposure and oxygen imbalances such as hypoxic or hyperoxic conditions perturb mitochondria, nuclear function and further lead to cellular damage of retina and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Our major aim is to understand the various biochemical and proteomic events that occur during the progression of retina and RPE cell death. The comprehensive objectives of this dissertation are to understand the functional aspects of protein expression, posttranslational modifications, protein or lipid binding changes, phenotypic, morphological alterations and their regulation during the retina and RPE apoptosis under oxidative stress. The entire study is divided into four chapters …

The Role Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi On Fertilized And Unfertilized Nursery Grown White Spruce, Alistair James Henry Smith Ii

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Nursery grown seedlings are an essential part of the forestry industry. These seedlings are grown under high nutrient conditions caused by fertilization. Though grown in a controlled environment, symbionts such as ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcMF) are often found in these conditions. To examine the effects of EcMF in these conditions, colonized Picea glauca seedlings were collected from Toumey Nursery in Watersmeet, MI. After collection, the EcMF present were morphotyped, and seedlings with different morphotypes were divided equally into two treatment types- fertilized and unfertilized. Seedlings received treatment for one growing season. After that time, seedlings were collected, ectomycorrhizas identified using morphotyping …

Living With Differences: From Everyday Fundamentalisms To Invitational Communication, Lisa M. Watrous

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This project examines fundamentalism understood as an everyday way of living poorly with difference. It demonstrates that the fundamentalist is not reducible to stereotypes of the terrorist, extremist, irrational madman, or religious zealot. All of these characterizations--common in mainstream media--depict the fundamentalist as them, and rarely, if ever, as us. Rather, this project understands fundamentalism in terms of fundamental interpretive constructs that constrain our ways of being-with others, skew our interpretive and responsive possibilities, distort our perceptions of difference, and affirm our poor treatment of others. Following Martin Heidegger's conception of the hermeneutic structure of existence, this dissertation calls attention …

Spatial And Temporal Patterns In Ungulate-Ecosystem Interactions, Bryan D. Murray

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Ungulates are important components of a variety of ecosystems worldwide. This dissertation integrates aspects of ungulate and forest ecology to increase our understanding of how they work together in ways that are of interest to natural resource managers, educators, and those who are simply curious about nature. Although animal ecology and ecosystem ecology are often studied separately, one of the general goals of this dissertation is to examine how they interact across spatial and temporal scales. Forest ecosystems are heterogeneous across a range of scales. Spatial and temporal habitat use patterns of forest ungulates tend to be congregated in patches …

The Laboratory Evaluation Of Bio Oil Derived From Waste Resources As Extender For Asphalt Binder, Xu Yang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

A shortage of petroleum asphalt is creating opportunities for engineers to utilize alternative pavement materials. Three types of bio oils, original bio oil (OB), dewatered bio oil (DWB) and polymer-modified bio oil (PMB) were used to modify and partially replace petroleum asphalt in this research. The research investigated the procedure of producing bio oil, the rheological properties of asphalt binders modified and partially replaced by bio oil, and the mechanical performances of asphalt mixtures modified by bio oil. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) is conducted on the test results for the significance analysis. The main finding of the study includes: …

Agroforestry Addressing Social And Environmental Issues In Paraguay, Brian T. Pattullo

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Paraguay is characterized in part by an economy reliant on a massive soy industry and as facing social and economic challenges resulting from highly inequitable distribution of wealth and land ownership, particularly for smallholder farmers in the rural areas of the country. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), a native tree of which the leaves are used in tea, has become an increasingly common crop grown among common among smallholder farmers (owners of 10 hectares or less) as a viable alternative to soy production on a small scale. In the rural agricultural community of Libertad del Sur, located in the …

General Catalog 2012-2013 (Spring 2013), Utah State University

University Catalogs

This catalog contains information on the Academic Departments and Programs as well as Course Descriptions for the above school year at Utah State University. To avoid large file downloads, the Academic Departments and Programs information is located in this file. The Course Description information is located in the secondary file.

Potential Natural Product Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors, Michael John Cunningham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three different studies set forth to investigate the role of phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzyme inhibitors in sexual dysfunction and mood regulation. First, naturalproducts were screened by computer modeling of PDE5A1. Second, compounds were isolated from a plant traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. Third, a new synthesis of psychoactive PDE4 inhibitor was attempted. An in silico screen was performed using chemical structures of isolated compounds thought to have some PDE inhibitory activity based on traditional use of the plants. A collection of compounds with structures similar to known natural product inhibitors was also included in the docking library. Glide docking software (Schrödinger) …

Barnett Directs The University Museum At Siue, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Expert: Reasons For Debt Partly Cultural, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.