Digital Commons Network^™

Efficacy Of Ropel® As A Coyote Repellent, Elizabeth A. Miller, Julie K. Young, Scott Stelting, Bruce A. Kimball

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We examined the repellency of a commercially available animal repellent to determine the efficacy of its application to objects that are attractive to coyotes (Canis latrans). Specifically, we aimed to both prevent chewing behavior by coyotes on a nylon-like strapping material, which is used to construct barrier-arresting systems on military airstrips, and determine the ability of the solution to prevent the animals from repeating the undesired behavior. We mixed Ropel® Animal and Rodent Repellent with a liquid latex sticker to form a 2% latex and 98% Ropel solution. We used a 2% latex and 98% water solution as …

Oil And Gas Impacts On Wyoming’S Sagegrouse: Summarizing The Past And Predicting The Foreseeable Future, Dave H. Applegate, Nick L. Owens

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Historical impacts from oil and gas development to greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) habitat are well-documented in some areas of Wyoming, in particular within natural gas development fields, such as the Powder River Basin and JonahPinedale. The drilling techniques and pad densities in these fields have been extrapolated to estimate future oil and gas impacts in the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2010) warranted-but-precluded listing determination for the sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act. Further, assumptions regarding the scale of oil and gas development are incorporated within various resource management plan amendments by the Bureau of Land Management …

Wildlife In Airport Environments: Preventing Animal–Aircraft Collisions Through Science-Based Management, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of A Simulated Pack To Manipulate Wolf Movements, Christine M. Anhalt, Timothy R. Van Deelen, Ronald N. Schultz, Adrian P. Wydeven

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Bioboundaries, also called biofences, are deterrents that attempt to exploit certain innate behaviors to exclude wildlife from target areas. We hypothesized that human-deployed scent marks and playbacks of foreign howls could simulate a territorial gray wolf (Canis lupus) pack impinging on a resident pack, thereby causing the resident pack to move. During summer 2010, we deployed a simulated-pack bioboundary near 3 wolf packs in northern Wisconsin and monitored their movements relative to 3 wolf packs experiencing a sham treatment, to control for effects of human presence. We analyzed wolves’ locations (≥1 location per week) and used linear models …

Soil Quality Manipulation To Reduce Bird Presence At Airports, Theresa K. Johnston, Bruce Branham, Jeffrey Brawn

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Aviation safety is an important concern in wildlife management as bird strikes risk human lives and result in costly damage. Habitat management can decrease bird abundances locally at airports. We tested soil manipulation as a technique to reduce local bird presence by establishing experimental plots with either intact topsoil or “stripped” subsoil with the aim of decreasing foraging substrate for birds. We estimated invertebrate abundance, and observed bird presence from 2006 to 2008. More birds visited topsoil plots (151.5 birds/ ha/hour) than subsoil plots (72.7 birds/ha/hour). Topsoil plots supported a greater biomass of invertebrates than subsoil plots ( = 0.39 …

A Spatially Explicit Model Of The White-Tailed Deer Population In Delaware, Brian Jennings, Jacob L. Bowman, Elizabeth L. Tymkiw

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Population models of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are used by many states to predict population levels and aid in making management decisions. Delaware did not have a deer population model, so we developed one and used it to investigate the implications of changes to the harvest. We modeled 7 changes to the harvest regime and compared these changes to the base line of no changes to the harvest regime. We used survival rates, reproductive rates, harvest data, a population estimate, and spotlight counts to construct the model. The model scenario began in February 2006 and ran until August …

Effects Of Salinity And Dissolved Organic Matter On Cu Toxicity To Americamysis Bahia In Estuarine Environments, Rabia Nasir

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

As salinity increases the geochemical speciation of Cu is altered as a result of organic/inorganic complexation/competition. Such salinity changes may further challenge the osmoregulatory capabilities of euryhaline organisms. This chemical-biological interaction complicates the understanding of the impacts of Cu in estuarine waters. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been widely established to be an important modifier of Cu toxicity in freshwaters however its effectiveness in modulating Cu toxicity across the range of salinities that occur in estuarine conditions has not been studied in a systematic manner. Site to site differences in DOM quality with respect to the potential for toxicity mitigation …

Investigating The Persistence And "Naturalization" Potential Of Salmonella In Non-Host Environments Using Culture-Based And Molecular-Based Fingerprinting Techniques, Robyn L. Morrison

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Recent studies suggest the potential exists for enteric microorganisms to become “naturalized” to the complex natural environment through maintenance of their populations via replication and adaptation to the stress imposed by their external surroundings. The aim of this research was to better understand the potential for antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Salmonella to become “naturalized” and the physiological adaptations that allow for non-host survivability as reflected by AMR and community profiling. To better elucidate the prominent factors leading to a “naturalized” condition, two approaches were taken: 1) survey-based field research to gain perspective on the prevalence of AMR Salmonella isolated from variously …

Musical Chairs In A Boreal Peatland: How Permafrost Thaw Reverses Successional Processes, Mélissa M. Fafard

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The current climate trends indicate amplified high latitude warming. Boreal peatlands can be found within those high latitudes and have important functions hydrologically, ecologically and also in terms of carbon cycling. Peatland’s are wetlands that have accumulated more than 40 cm of peat and can range from minerotrophic fens to ombrotrophic bogs. Naturally, a rich fen can be converted to a bog once groundwater sources are cut off by Sphagnum spp. In areas underlain by discontinuous permafrost, landscape changes are occurring particularly rapidly as the permafrost there is sensitive to both vertical and horizontal thaw. The purpose of this thesis …

Surface Complexation Of Monosubstituted Organoarsenicals On Hematite: Atr-Ftir Investigations, Md Abdus Sabur

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Little is known about the surface chemistry of organoarsenic compounds with iron-containing materials commonly found in geosorbents and arsenic removal technologies. In this thesis, these organoarsenicals include aliphatic and aromatic arsenicals that historically have been used as herbicides, pesticides and in the poultry feed industry, respectively. Attenuated total internal reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used to study the surface interactions of organoarsenicals at the molecular level under various environmentally-relevant conditions. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters extracted from these molecular level experiments provide trends that are not observed in any published bulk experiments. Apparent initial rates of adsorption and desorption …

A Computational Study Of Small Gold Clusters With H2s, Thiols, H2o, And Alcohols, Silvija C. Smith

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Alkane thiols, RSH, are commonly used in aqueous solution to stabilize and prevent aggregation of gold clusters, Au_n. Initially a RSH-Au_n complex is formed and, subsequently, there is hydrogen atom transfer to form a RSAu_nH complex. We examine the rate of this reaction for small neutral gold clusters, with n=1-2 and short-chain thiols with R = H, CH₃, and CH₃CH₂, using transition state theory. The comparison of DFT (with the functionals, BP86 and M06-2X), and MP2 was performed. A pseudopotential was employed to account for the large relativisitic effects …

A Structure-Function Analysis Of The Arabidopsis Chloroplast Import Protein Attic20, James H. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Arabidopsis thaliana protein Tic20 (atTic20) is a member of the translocon at the inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts. Evidence to date suggests it is part of the main preprotein conducting aperture in the complex, but its exact role is still debated. To help characterize its role, a protocol optimizing yield and purity of recombinantly expressed atTic20 was developed, and a series of experiments was performed to examine its secondary structure and its ability to interact with chloroplast transit peptides. The attempt to increase protein yield was successful, with growth at 20^oC in the auto-inducing media ZYP-5052 showing the …

Through An Intersectionality Lens: Service Provider Views On The Sexual Health Needs Of Racialized Lgbtq Youth In Toronto, Shanshan Yan

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis explores the needs and gaps in knowledge and service delivery in sexual health for racialized LGBTQ youth living in Toronto, Canada from the perspective of service providers. Through a grounded theory approach, data were analysed using an intersectionality lens with the intention that the complex identities of the youth be considered. The findings of this study shed light on the barriers that operate at the micro (ie. personal), meso (ie. community) and macro (ie. societal) levels that affect the sexual health outcomes of racialized LGBTQ youth. Key findings from this study point to: 1) the need to closely …

Characterizing Dsrna Production In Virus-Infected Fish Cells, Amal Brek Aloufi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Viral dsRNA is produced by almost all viruses sometime during their replicative cycle. These viral nucleic acids are potent inducers of both innate and adaptive immune responses, and are therefore considered important immuno-modulators. Previous studies have shown that viruses produce dsRNA when replicating in mammalian cells; however, to date no one has demonstrated viral dsRNA production in virus infected fish cells. Therefore, the goal of this study is to investigate dsRNA production by fish viruses in fish cells, verifying production and performing initial characterization of the dsRNA molecules being produced. Three different rainbow trout cell lines were used in this …

Causes And Consequences Of Female Mate Choice In Drosophila Melanogaster: A Hemiclonal Analysis, Hannah Me Tennant

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

One of Darwin’s greatest questions, the reason why females prefer elaborate sexually selected male traits and displays, was elucidated by the Fisherian coevolution of male traits and female preferences. While variation in male attractiveness and ornamentation has received much attention, there has been little attempt to evaluate the causes and consequences of intraspecific variation in components of female preference. Furthermore, demonstrating a genetic basis to female preference does not answer the question of how within-population genetic variation is maintained.

Understanding the sources of variation in potential mating interactions between males and females is important because this variation determines the strength …

Response To Mental Health Calls: The Frontline Perspectives Of Police Officers, Communicators And Administrators, Sarah C. Dougall

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of frontline police personnel of a mid-sized police service in Southern Ontario. As the prevalence of mental illness increases, so do the calls for assistance to police services. Police officers often find themselves on the frontline and are often the first responders to mental health calls when an individual is in crisis (Wells & Schafer, 2006). With the majority of current research being quantitative in nature, this qualitative study allowed the voice of frontline police personnel to be heard in order to provide a complete picture of …

Children's Cognitive Processing Of Abuse As Described In Investigative Interviews., Kayleen A. Willemsen, Kim P. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

A great deal of research has examined ways in which investigative interviewers can elicit accurate information from children. More recently, research has studied children’s own thoughts or comprehension of abuse, and how these types of statements relate to disclosure, others’ perceptions of child witnesses, and psychological trauma. However, little research has investigated multiple types of children’s thoughts about abuse as they occur in an actual investigative interview. The current study examined seven types of statements children made about their abuse in a sample of 86 transcripts of investigative interviews conducted by Child Protective Services and a police department in a …

Comparative Study Of Factors Influencing Seed Germination And Seedling Longevity In Cuscuta (Dodder, Convolvulaceae), Behrang Behdarvandi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Cuscuta (dodder), the only parasitic genus of Convolvulaceae family, is a significant plant from ecological, economical, and conservational point of views. The genus consists of c. 200 described species with wide ranges of ecological distributions. Cuscuta spp. are categorized as stem parasitic plants with reduced (or lost) photosynthesis-related genes. The filamentous coiled embryo, embedded in the endosperm, lacks cotyledons and is covered with a multiple-layered seed coat. The seedlings carry a vestigial root-like organ which is not considered a ‘true’ functional root. Members of the genus differ in their germination rate and seedling survival. It is known that seed …

Microbial Community Characterization And Pathogen Profiling Of Land-Based Aquaculture Systems Using Culture-Based And Molecular-Based Fingerprinting Techniques, Nicole S. Kteily

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The growing worldwide demand for fish production has prompted research towards intensive aquaculture. Innovative system designs, such as recirculating and flow-through aquaculture systems, have been developed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of intensive aquaculture practices. These LBAS systems exhibit a wide range of spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Although such heterogeneity suggests the potential for culture water to support a diverse and spatially complex assortment of microorganisms, there is a lack of information regarding the overall diversity and composition of microbial communities (including pathogens) in the different compartments of these systems. To better understand the diversity and functionality of microbial …

Pen Pal, By Francesca Forrest. Reviewed By Susan Dorman., Susan Dorman

Mythprint Book Reviews

Mythprint is the quarterly bulletin of the Mythopoeic Society, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. To promote these interests, the Society publishes three magazines, maintains a World Wide Web site, and sponsors the annual Mythopoeic Conference and awards for fiction and scholarship, as well as local discussion groups.

Cytosolic Carboxypeptidase 5 And Cilia Development In Zebrafish, Philip E. Giddings Iv

Honors Theses

My research project is focused around a specific gene - cytosolic carboxypeptidase 5 (CCP5). Previous research suggests that the CCP5 gene is essential for the modification of alpha-tubulin which is necessary for normal growth of cilia in the olfactory pit of zebrafish. Using a CCP5-MO to knockdown the gene I was able to compare the resulting phenotype to that of a control specimen in order to determine any visible differences with respect to cilia morphology. Through analysis by scanning electron miscroscopy I wasw able to that cilia morphology did appear to be effected by the knockdown of CCP5. However, similar …

The Role Of Sabbath-Keeping, Christian Internalization, Need Satisfaction, And Parental Environment In Well-Being, Paola S. Caceres

Honors Theses

Identifying which specific religious practices promote religious internalization is crucial in understanding the relationship between practice and well-being. The current study employs surveys along with an episodic memory recall task to examine whether the relationship between Sabbath-keeping internalization and well-being is mediated by Christian religious internalization, parental environment, and basic need satisfaction as outlined in Self-Determination Theory. Our mediation analysis results demonstrate a large mediation effect size for daily basic needs satisfaction (autonomy, competence, and autonomy) on the relationship between internalization of Sabbath-keeping and well-being. Small to medium effect sizes were found for a general measure of Christian internalization and …

A Note On The Krone Deposition Equation And Significance Of Floc Aggregation, Aj Mehta, Aj Manning, Yp Khare

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of "Stress Inoculation" On Anxiety-Related Behaviors In A Rodent Model, Rebecca Ruth Clouse

Master's Theses

Problem. Humans may face psychological stressors in their everyday life due to their ability to contemplate future events. While long-term stress exposure may be detrimental to health, this study examines the possibility that exposure to unpredictable/controllable, moderate stress may cause resilience against future stressors. This is referred to as the "stress inoculation hypothesis." The effects of unpredictable/controllable stress can be illustrated as a rightward shift in an inverted U-shaped curve, where optimal performance (the top of the curve) can be maintained at higher stress levels. -- Method. Thirty-three male Sprague-Dawley rats were tested on the elevated-plus maze (EPM) for trait …

Feeding Interactions Between Juvenile And Adult Flightless Cormorants., James Hayward, Libby C. Megna, Brianna G. Payne

Faculty Publications

We report observations on chick feedings by adult Flightless Cormorants Phalacrocorax harrisi, indicating that, contrary to the literature, the sequence of interaction is similar to that of other Pelecaniformes.

Egg Cannibalism In A Gull Colony Increases With Sea Surface Temperature, Lynelle M. Weldon, Shandelle M. Henson, James Hayward, Brianna G. Payne, Libby C. Megna, Andre E. Moncrieff

Faculty Publications

Cannibalism occurs regularly across a broad range of taxa with a variety of ecological and evolutionary consequences. Rises in sea surface temperature (SST) have been linked to increased cannibalism in some species, including polar bears (Ursus maritimus), Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens), and Peruvian hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus), and might be expected in birds that depend on marine food webs for sustenance. Increased SSTs are associated with lowered ocean thermoclines and weakened upwellings. These changes, in turn, lead to decreased productivity in surface water and movement of surviving forage fish to deeper water, thereby food-stressing surface feeders such as gulls, diminishing …

Effects Of Plastic Pollution Density On The Crawling Rates Of Hawksbill Hatchlings In Utila, Honduras, Kyungje Sung

Honors Theses

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered species. Hence, various conservation efforts by groups such as ProTECTOR are taking place to stabilize its population. To support such efforts, my study focused on the turtle population in and around the island of Utila, Honduras. Specifically, I sought to determine if various densities of plastic pollution had an effect on crawling times during the migration of hawksbill turtle hatchlings from nest to water. A reduction in crawling time could increase predation time and cause the hatchling to expend additional energy before they reach the ocean. We constructed four experimental corridors …

Hcnabc Operon Transcription Of Pseudomonas Putida Under Varying Iron And Oxygen Concentrations And Culture Age, Christine Lee

Honors Theses

The species Pseudomonas putida produces hydrogen cyanide (HCN) through the transcription of the hcnABC operon. Previous research by Myrna Biswas (2010) demonstrated that microaerobic +FeCl3 cultures had the greatest HCN production, but the effects of varying iron and oxygen levels on HCN production were unclear. Isaac Kim (2011) assessed HCN production of P. putida in sand versus soil using different iron concentrations and found that iron was necessary for HCN production. The purpose of this experiment was to determine how the hcnABC operon is affected by varying levels of iron and oxygen, and the age of bacteria culture. To test …

The Effect Of Celite Formulated Rhizobium Rubi At3-4rs/6 And Tryptophan On Velvetleaf Plant Growth, Jonathon Ahn

Honors Theses

Rhizobium rubi AT3-4RS/6 and tryptophan may be useful in replacing chemical herbicides as biological control agents (Kennedy et al., 1990). Previous research has shown that Rhizobium rubi AT3-4RS/6 produces IAA-like compounds that are deleterious to weed growth. In this project R. rubi AT3-4RS/6 will be formulated in Celite, a granular, diatomaceous earth carrier. The purpose of this research is to analyze if tryptophan influences R. rubi AT3-4RS/6 populations in the velveltleaf rhizosphere, and if this colonization is associated with reduced root weight and shoot length. The experiment design consists of five soil treatments (bacteria+tryptophan+celite, tryptophan+celite, bacteria+celite, celite alone, and soil …

Factors Affecting Phonotaxis In Male House Crickets, Acheta Domesticus, Erik Thordarson

Honors Theses

This research addresses some of the possible factors that affect male Acheta domesticus phonotactic responses to calls of males of the same species. The study examines cricket age and social interaction with females as possible factors affecting this behavior. Through Friedman rank test analysis, the study attempts to demonstrate a link between these factors and the responsiveness of the male crickets in the study. As the crickets aged, they responded to a wider ranges of syllable periods, which may imply that they follow a similar pattern of decreasing selectivity in their response with age as their female counterparts. A Friedman's …