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The Effects Of Photoperiod And Water Temperature On The Reproductive Development Of Black Sea Bass, Centropristis Striata, Katie Strait

Master's Theses and Capstones

Black sea bass are a potential candidate for marine aquaculture due to their high market value, high demand, and limited seasonal supply. One of the most significant impediments to commercial production of black sea bass is the lack of a year-round supply of eggs and larvae. Further, control of reproductive development is poorly understood in this species. Black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites that change sex between 2-5 years of age. It is unclear why adult black sea bass undergo sex change in the wild. Therefore, the first part of study sought to determine if density is involved in sex …

The Development And Utilization Of Est (Expressed Sequence Tag) Resources In The Diploid Strawberry Model System, Robin Leigh Brese

Master's Theses and Capstones

Enhancement of genomic resources is needed for the cultivated octoploid strawberry Fragaria x ananassa (2n=8x=56). A diploid (2n=2x=14) relative, Fragaria vesca, has been used as a model system for strawberry genomics because of its small (~200 Mb) basic genome size, ancestry to the octoploid strawberries and availability of inbred lines, among other favorable features.

In this study, a cDNA library was constructed from developing flower buds of Fragaria vesca ssp. vesca cv. 'Yellow Wonder'. A cDNA library of 7680 clones was created using the CLONTECH SMART cDNA Library Construction kit. Sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of 3298 clones resulted in 2717 …

Microvascular Endothelial Cells Of The Bovine Corpus Luteum: A Comparative Study Of The Estrous Cycle And Pregnancy, Jessica A. Cherry

Master's Theses and Capstones

Endothelial cells derived from the corpus luteum (CLENDOs) exhibit a diverse array of characteristics that seemingly complement their wide-ranging properties in luteal function and fate. Reproductive status of the animal (i.e., non-pregnant vs. pregnant) may contribute to the phenotypic/physiologic diversity of microvascular endothelial cells, but information in this regard is limited. Here, structural and functional attributes of CLENDOs derived from the estrous cycle (Days 9-12) were compared with those of pregnancy (Day 60). Initially, lectin binding properties were examined in the cells. Using fluorescent-tagged lectins for Bandeiraea simplicifolia I or concanavalin A, flow cytometric analysis indicated that lectin-binding on CLENDOs …

Effects Of Essential Oil Supplementation Of A Corn Silage Based Diet Fed To Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows, Carly Ann Crawford

Master's Theses and Capstones

Thirty multiparous early lactation Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design to determine whether the addition of VERTAN (a specific blend of essential oils, major components: thymol, eugenol, vanillin and limonene) to corn silage based diet would increase alter protein metabolism in the rumen and increase milk yield and alter milk composition. Dietary treatments were 0 (control) and 0.08% VERTAN in diet DM. The pretreatment diet (fed 0 to 20 DIM) contained (DM basis) 32.1% corn silage, 14% grass silage, 7.7% alfalfa hay, 0.53% grass hay, 19.4% finely-ground corn, 1.8% beet pulp, 1.8% citrus pulp, 3.6% soybean …

Effects Of Stz Induced Hyperglycemia And Hyperlipemia On Ppargamma And Abca1 In A Hamster Model Of Atherogenesis, Craig Lamarca

Master's Theses and Capstones

Diabetes mellitus accelerates atherogenesis, but the exact mechanisms involved are unknown. This study examined the effects of hyperglycemia on the inflammatory transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), known to be involved in atherogenesis, and the ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) protein that is a downstream product of PPARgamma. ABCA1 is a membrane bound transporter that is involved in reverse cholesterol transport via high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Hamsters were divided into two groups; hyperlipemic animals fed a high fat/high cholesterol control diet (C) and hyperlipemic/hyperglycemic animals that received the high fat diet and were administered streptozotocin. Half of …

Temporal Expression Of Protein Mediators During Pgf2alpha-Induced Luteolysis In Sheep, Bryon F. Ricketts

Master's Theses and Capstones

To study dynamic in vivo biochemical changes within the corpus luteum (CL) during luteolysis, a physiological model mimicking the onset of natural luteolysis was established, in which sheep received sequential systemic pulses of PGF2alpha (20ug/min/lhr) at mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle. We previously demonstrated that after one pulse of PGF2alpha, the protein levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) regulators, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) -1 and -2 decreased dramatically within one hour of PGF2alpha infusion, while matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity increased 4 hrs post infusion. In summary, the early and dramatic decrease in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 proteins, accompanied by an …

Environmental Effects On Early Life Stages Of American Shad (Alosa Sapidissima) And Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus Mordax ), Kristen Fuda

Master's Theses and Capstones

Recruitment of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) has steadily declined over the last few decades, possibly due to the construction of physical impediments to migration and increases in anthropogenic pollution. In order to elucidate environmental parameters influencing early life stages of anadromous fish, both laboratory and field studies were conducted. The effects of abiotic factors, including dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, salinity, nitrate, and phosphate, on hatch and survival of larval and juvenile American shad and rainbow smelt were examined in laboratory studies. Field studies on shad emigration were conducted in the Exeter River, and studies on …

An Experimental Approach To Understanding The Impact Of Vernal Pool Buffer Size On Wood Frogs (Rana Sylvatica), Nicole Alexis Freidenfelds

Master's Theses and Capstones

Strategies to conserve vernal pool-dependent amphibians emphasize the maintenance of adequate areas (buffers) of terrestrial habitat surrounding the pool. I conducted a large-scale field study that specifically examined the effects of buffer width manipulation on adult and metamorph wood frogs at eleven vernal pools in a managed forest in central Maine. Buffer width treatments were 30 m or 100 m forest buffer surrounded by a 100 m clearcut, or no cut (reference). I encircled pools with drift fences and monitored wood frogs from April--November, 2004 and 2005 using pitfall traps and radio-telemetry. Buffer width had no effect on the number …

2005-2006 Legislative Review, Sunrise Cox

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

Factors Influencing The Participation In Environmental Stewardship Programs: A Case Study Of The Agricultural And Forestry Sectors In Louisiana, Carrie Castille Mendoza

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Considerable research has been conducted to evaluate the adoption of agricultural best management practices and their overall impact on improving environmental quality. However, limited studies have been conducted to evaluate the behavioral factors that influence the adoption of these practices in the context of educational programs The goal of this study is to determine the factors that influence farmer conservation behavior that might lead to an increased probability of improving agriculture and forestry watersheds. A conceptual model was developed to identify the: 1) identify landowner participation in watershed conservation projects, and 2) determine the factors influencing agriculture and forestry landowners …

The Polluter Pays Principle In Canadian Agriculture, Marie-Ann Bowden

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Polluter Pays Principle In European Community And Its Impact On United Kingdom Farmers, Michael Cardwell

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Forest Clear Cutting On Spotted Salamander ( Ambystoma Maculatum) Migration, Jessica Susannah Veysey

Master's Theses and Capstones

Upland buffer zones are a proposed management tool for vernal-pool-breeding amphibians. Substantial validation of buffers, via experimental upland habitat disturbance, is lacking. Specifically, no studies have examined immediate effects of clear cutting on spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum ) migration. I used clear cutting to experimentally manipulate upland buffer widths at 11 vernal pools. I then radiotracked 40 adult spotted salamanders at these pools, and modeled their migration with mixed-effects regression. Mean maximum distance from the pool was 106.0 +/- 15.4 m (range = 1.6 to 427.6 m). At clear cut-treatment pools, mean percent of time in the cut was 27.2 …

Potential Impacts Of Climate Change On Agricultural Land Use Suitability : Oats, Dennis Van Gool, Luke Vernon

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Characteristics And Dynamics Of A Moose Population In Northern New Hampshire, Anthony Richard Musante

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abundance indices suggest that the moose (Alces alces) population in northern New Hampshire has stabilized despite favorable habitat and conservative harvest. Natural mortality of unknown cause is presumed a primary reason although little is known about moose reproduction and survival in New Hampshire. This study (2002-2005) was designed to investigate the dynamics that impact this population.

Analysis of harvest reproductive data (1988-2004) indicated that average field-dressed weight of adult cows increased although corpora lutea count declined from ∼1.4- 1.2/cow in the study area and statewide. Yearling ovulation rate (∼42%) and average weight (<211 kg) declined about 25% and 4%, respectively. Parturition of radio-marked cows ranged from 8 May-13 July (median=19 May) with 78% of births from 13-27 May. Calving rate of yearlings and adults (>2 yr) averaged 30 and 85%, respectively, …

0544 Interim Committee On Rural Economic Development Issues, Colorado Legislative Council

All Publications (Colorado Legislative Council)

No abstract provided.

Cornelius P. Lott And His Contribution To The Temporal Salvation Of The Latter-Day Saint Pioneers Through The Care Of Livestock, Gary S. Ford

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis combines two studies: the role of livestock in the temporal salvation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mormon exodus of 1846 and Cornelius P. Lott's contribution in the care of cattle and sheep during that time period. At Winter Quarters, the Church and its members depended in large measure for their survival upon the sizeable cattle herds they had acquired prior to their exodus from Nauvoo and during their trek across Iowa. Church leaders relied on men like Lott, whose expertise in the care of livestock, contributed significantly to the salvation of the …

Breeding Soundness Evaluation Of Bulls, Clell V. Bagley, C. Kim Chapman

All Current Publications

Very few bulls are “sterile” and unable to produce any offspring. But, 10% to 25% of bulls have reduced fertility or possess physical problems which reduce their ability to sire calves. The breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) is a useful tool in identifying these bulls. Eliminating bulls with physical problems or reduced fertility from the breeding herd will improve overall reproductive efficiency of the herd.

Agricultural Situation And Outlook Fall 2005, Matt Ernst, Kenneth H. Burdine

Agricultural Situation and Outlook

No abstract provided.

Basic Show Steer Feeding And Care, Darrell Rothlisberger

All Current Publications

The junior livestock program is a unique opportunity to use live animals to help youth develop. Youth learn something about agriculture and livestock production and develop an appreciation for the livestock industry.

Modular Neural Network To Predict The Distribution Of Nitrate In Ground Water Using On-Ground Nitrogen Loading And Recharge Data, M. Almasri, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Artificial neural networks have proven to be an attractive mathematical tool to represent complex relationships in many branches of hydrology. Due to this attractive feature, neural networks are increasingly being applied in subsurface modeling where intricate physical processes and lack of detailed field data prevail. In this paper, a methodology using modular neural networks (MNN) is proposed to simulate the nitrate concentrations in an agriculture-dominated aquifer. The methodology relies on geographic information system (GIS) tools in the preparation and processing of the MNN input–output data. The basic premise followed in developing the MNN input–output response patterns is to designate the …

Proceedings: Abstracts Of Papers, 83rd Annual Meeting Of The Virginia Academy Of Science

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the papers presented at the 83rd Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 17-20, 2005, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Cache County, Utah Resource Assessment, Utah Association Of Conservation Districts, Utah Department Of Agriculture And Foods, Natural Resources Conservation Service

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This resource assessment is designed to gather and display information specific to Cache County, Utah. This report will highlight the natural and social resources present in the county, detail specific concerns, and be used to aid in resource planning and target conservation assistance needs. This document is dynamic and will be updated as additional information is available through a multi-agency partnership effort. The general observations and summaries are listed first, followed by the specific resource inventories.

An Evaluation Of Supplemental Methionine Sources For Lactating Dairy Cows, Ryan S. Ordway

Doctoral Dissertations

The most effective method for increasing supplies of MP-Met to dairy cows to increase milk protein production is to feed rumen-protected Met ( RP-Met) products; however, not all RP-Met products are absorbed by the dairy cow in the same manner. Universally acceptable methods must be developed to determine the efficacy of different RP-Met products.

The first study was designed to compare the feeding of two sources of supplementary Met beginning 21 d prepartum and continuing for 140 d postpartum. The results indicated that feeding both sources of RPMet to periparturient dairy cows is effective in increasing milk protein production; however, …

Characterization Of The Major Extrapallial Fluid Protein Of The Mollusc, Mytilus Edulis: Implications For Function, Yan Yin

Doctoral Dissertations

The major protein component of the extrapallial (EP) fluid of the mollusc Mytilus edulis, named the EP protein, has been previously isolated and partially characterized. It has been proposed to play an important role in shell mineralization because of its intriguing property of Ca2+ -binding induced self-assembly.

This dissertation reports on the characterization of the primary structure of the EP protein by RT-PCR and cDNA sequencing methods. The EP protein is comprised of 213 amino acids post cleavage of a signal peptide of 23 amino acids, and is rich in His, Glu and Asp residues. The consensus site of N-glycosylation …

Nf05-632 Protecting Your Watershed, Thomas G. Franti, Steven R. Tonn

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Everyone lives in a watershed. A watershed is the land area that contributes water to a location, usually a stream, pond, lake or river. Everything we do on the suface of our watershed impacts the water quality of our streams, wetlands, ponds, lakes and rivers. Like organs in a body, every part of the watershed is essential. What happens in one part affects other downstream parts. This NebFacts discusses the threat of pollutions in our watersheds, common runoff pollutants, and best management practices for protecting the watershed.

Ec05-839 Livestock Risk Protection Insurance: A Self-Study Guide, Darrell R. Mark, Allen L. Prosch, Rik R. Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This 2005 self-study guide is designed to provide livestock producers, insurance agents, and educators with information about USDA Risk Management Agency's Livestock Risk Protection program. Livestock Risk Protection insurance (LRP) provides single-peril price risk coverage for future livestock sales and can be used as a risk management tool for livestock producers.

The Cotton And Sugar Subsidies Decisions: Wto's Dispute Settlement System Rebalances The Agreement On Agriculture, Stephen J. Powell, Andrew Schmitz

UF Law Faculty Publications

As far back as David Ricardo's shattering insight as to comparative advantage in 1817, agriculture has enjoyed special favor in trade. The unique place of farming was so well established by the time the 1947 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade ("GATT") was negotiated that GATT's tight disciplines on government interference with free trade not only exempted government protections to growers, but in fact were drafted to be fully consistent with the agricultural policies of the major signatories. While it would be an exaggeration to argue that GATT' s first half century was without impact on agricultural benefits, the sector …

Wagin-Woodanilling (Zone 5) : Catchment Appraisal 2005, K Ohlsen, T Schulz, T W. Mathwin, Gina Pemberton, Henry Brockman, J Firth, Mitchell Davies, Heather M. Percy

Resource management technical reports

The aim of this report is to assess the current extent of salinity and other natural resource degradation issues and provide landholders with the best current management options to address natural resource management issues and enhance sustainable agricultural production.

Bioprospecting, Philip A. Reed

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The article discusses that the product applications of bioprospecting are almost limitless. This area of biotechnology has been labeled bioprospecting, and it is a practice that is creating worldwide controversy. Defined simply, bioprospecting is "scientific research that looks for a useful application, process, or product in nature." However, as with most biotechnologies, the definition does not address the complexities of bioprospecting. Archeologists are finding that some biotechnologies, such as the use of herbs for medicine and the use of fermentation and yeast in food products, date back 5,000 to 10,000 years (De Miranda, 2004). The four main categories of biotechnologies …