Life Sciences Commons^™

Assessment Of Cell Death Parameters In Bovine Parvovirus-Infected Ebtr Cells, Lubna Salah Eldin Abdel Latif

Theses and Dissertations

Bovine parvovirus (BPV) is a helper-independent parvovirus. It has a small icosahedral capsid with a single stranded DNA genome. It is a highly stable virus with a narrow host range. It causes acute gastroenteritis in calves. It is considered to be a cytolytic virus because it kills the host cells. However, the mechanism by which the virus causes cell death is not known. The work described in this thesis assessed different parameters of cell death in BPV infected embryonic bovine tracheal (EBTr) cells. There are several ways for viruses to induce cell death. Viruses can induce apoptosis in the infected …

Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance, And Blood Metabolites In Llama And Alpaca Fed Barley And Barley Alfalfa Forages., Heather Loree Davies

Theses and Dissertations

These projects were conducted to determine the digestibility of forage diets with differing CP levels in llamas and alpacas. The Utah study was designed to compare llama and alpaca nutritional parameters to determine if nutritional recommendations for llamas can be directly extrapolated to alpacas. The first study evaluated the effects of forage quality on blood metabolites and nitrogen balance in mature, intact male llamas (n = 4, 36 ± 4.4 months, 87 ± 17 kg) at high altitude in Letanias, Bolivia (4,267 m = aprox.14,000 ft above sea level). A second experiment was conducted with eight adult gelded camelids (n …

Alterations In Uterine And Placental Sodium Pump Abundance May Contribute To The Onset Of Mouse Labor, Carlos Jacob Vance

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Reductions in sodium pump (SP) abundance can give rise to increases in contractile force in uterine and vascular smooth muscle as well as an increased secretion in secretory cells, including potentially those of the placenta. To determine whether the mouse might serve as a model for human pregnancy in terms of the SP and to determine whether changes in SP abundance anticipate or follow labor, we studied pregnant mice over the final trimester of their pregnancy.

Study Design: C57Bl6 dams (n=46) were bred and studied during their pregnancy. Animals (n=4) were sacrificed at specific gestational time points. Other mice …

Ion Transmission In The First Vacuum Stage Of An Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer, Jeffrey Harris Macedone

Theses and Dissertations

The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is the instrument of choice for trace and ultra-trace elemental analysis. However, the ICP-MS suffers from matrix effects. Matrix effects occur when instrument response varies as the composition of the sample matrix is changed. Matrix effects, or non-spectroscopic interferences, limit the accuracy of routine analysis. Identification of the sources of matrix effects provide a basis for reducing or eliminating them. As inaccuracies in the ICP-MS are more severe than those in the ICP atomic emission spectrometer, the problem may be due, at least in part, to the vacuum interface used to couple the …

Phylogenetic Relationship Of Forest Spiny Pocket Mice (Genus Heteromys) Inferred From Mitochondrial And Nuclear Markers With Implications For Species Boundaries, Malinda Wallentine Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

I constructed a best estimate phylogeny based on congruence of multiple data sources. In recent years molecular data has been used both to construct phylogenies of taxonomic groups and to aid in the delimitation of new species. I generated and analyzed sequence data for forest spiny pocket mice (Genus Heteromys) for the mitochondrial gene cyt b (1143 bp) and two nuclear gene segments MYH2 (252 bp) and EN2 (189 bp). I used maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses to infer relationships among species and to provide a framework for using a species delimitation method to investigate the possibility of multiple …

The Difference In Hr Response Between Track And Treadmill Running At A Pre-Determined, Self-Selected Pace, Marisha Corey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not differences exist in heart rate (HR) between jogging on the track and jogging on the treadmill at the same speed. Twenty-four college-age (19-31 years old) male (n = 12) and female (n = 12) recreational runners volunteered to participate in this study. Each participant performed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) and four exercise sessions. During the first exercise session, participants completed a 1-mile steady-state jog on either the track or treadmill at a self-selected submaximal pace that could be maintained for 30 minutes. The following three exercise sessions …

Differences In Maximal Speed Running Between Baseball Players And Sprinters, Erin Kathleen Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in technique between sprinters and baseball players while running at maximal speeds. 20 male NCAA Division I athletes participated; ten members of the track and field team specializing in the 100 m or 200 m sprint or the 100 m hurdles and ten members of the baseball team. Each subject performed a maximal effort 80 m sprint while their sprint times were recorded every 10 m starting at the 20 m mark. Each subject was filmed at they ran through a set10 m marking that included where they reached their …

Effects Of Same-Day Strength Training On Serve Performance In Female Collegiate Tennis Players, Staci Kayleen Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of same-day strength training on velocity and accuracy of a tennis serve among five female Division I intercollegiate athletes at the second and sixth week of a strength training program. Velocity and accuracy of 20 tennis serves were measured approximately four hours after a morning split-body (lower legs and trunk) strength training session termed the lift-day (LD) and were compared to measures taken on days that no lifting took place, termed the non-lift day (NLD). For each test day, velocity was multiplied by accuracy to provide an overall serve performance …

The Effects Of Choice On Student Motivation And Physical Activity Behavior In Physical Education, Jillian Ward

Theses and Dissertations

Public school physical educators have the opportunity to help students understand the importance of engaging in regular physical activity in order to combat America's obesity problem. However, students are often unmotivated to participate in their physical education classes. Providing students with an autonomy supportive environment increases intrinsic motivation. Self-determination theory states that higher levels of intrinsic motivation should lead to an increase in behavior, or higher activity levels in a physical education class. This study examined (a) the effects of increased autonomy on self-determination, and (b) the effects of increased autonomy on physical activity levels. Seventh and eighth grade girls …

Effects Of Neuromuscular Training On The Dynamic Restraint Characteristics Of The Ankle, Christena Linford

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To examine the influence of a 6-week training program on the electromechanical delay (EMD) and reaction time of the peroneus longus muscle.

Design and Setting: The study was guided by a 2 x 2 factorial design with repeated measures on the time factor. The independent variables for this study were group (training and control) and time (pre- and post-training). Dependent variables for this study were muscle reaction time and electromechanical delay of the peroneus longus muscle.

Subjects: Thirty-six healthy, physically active, college-age (21.8 ± 2.3 yr) male and female (M = 14, F = 28, height = 173.7 ± …

The Impact Of A University Wellness Requirement On Student Nutrition And Physical Activity Behavior, Lisa Marie Blaser

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The Brigham Young University General Education Wellness Program has three options available to students to fulfill the programs requirement. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of these three wellness options. Specifically we wanted to know; does the university wellness requirement affect student nutrition and physical activity behaviors and do the various options available differ in their abilities to impact student nutrition and physical activity behaviors?

Methods: A three-group pretest/posttest design was used and a survey was administered, at both the beginning and end of the semester, to all students enrolled in HEPE 129, live and …

Vegetation Response Of A Wyoming Big Sagebrush (Artemisia Tridentata Ssp. Wyomingensis) Community To 6 Mechanical Treatments In Rich County, Utah, Daniel David Summers

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, the importance of sagebrush to shrub-steppe ecosystems and associated plant and animal species has been recognized. The historical removal of herbaceous species by excessive and uncontrolled livestock grazing on many of our sagebrush ecosystems has resulted in a stagnant state where dense, competitive stands of sagebrush prevent herbaceous species from recovering. Most early research on sagebrush control was directed toward eradication to increase herbaceous forage for livestock production, rather than sagebrush thinning to improve shrub vigor and understory production for wildlife habitat and community diversity. Mechanical treatments have the ability to retain shrub and herbaceous components, while …

Phylogenetic History, Morphological Parallelism, And Speciation In A Complex Of Appalachian Salamanders (Genus: Desmognathus), Nathan D. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the mechanisms that generate shared morphologies across closely related taxa is important when identifying distinct evolutionary lineages using morphological characters. Desmognathus salamanders are an ideal group for testing hypotheses concerning the correlation between morphological similarity and genetic exchange within and among nominal species due to a pattern of high discordance between the two. Phylogeographic hypotheses are tested for populations of the D. quadramaculatus species complex throughout southern Appalachia by combining phylogenetic and population genetic methods with geographical information. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic inferences are then assessed in conjunction with morphological characteristics that have traditionally diagnosed taxonomic entities to understand the …

The Effect Of Religiosity And Spirituality On Transformatinal Leadership Characteristics Of Hospital Food And Nutrition Managers, Anna Naegle Sarver

Theses and Dissertations

Effective leadership in the field of dietetics is becoming increasingly vital in a rapidly changing world. A determination of factors which impact leaders and their followers is essential. This study was designed to examine the relationship between religiosity and spirituality and transformational leadership characteristics of hospital food and nutrition managers as rated by self as well as by those directly supervised by the managers. The influence of religious and spiritual beliefs on the workplace and workplace practices was also examined. Respondents were selected from the American Hospital Association database. Hospitals from 250 to 499 beds were included. Directors of Foodservice …

Calorespirometric Evidence For Adaptation Of Blackbrush And Shadscale To Growth Season Temperatures In Cold Deserts, Heidi A. Summers

Theses and Dissertations

Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. (blackbrush) and Atriplex confertifolia [Torr. & Frem.] Wats. (shadscale) are cold desert shrubs from different families that often grow together in the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau in the life zone between 800 and 2000 m elevation. Tissue and seeds from the two species were collected from several localities. Metabolic heat and carbon dioxide production rates were measured with calorespirometry on tissue from field-grown plants and on seedlings at temperatures from 5 to 35°C at 5°C intervals. Blackbrush adapts to higher temperatures earlier than does shadscale, and once it has adjusted to higher temperatures, anabolic rates …

Reporting Quality Of Randomized Trials In The Diet And Exercise Literature For Weight Loss, Cheryl A. Gibson, Erik P. Kirk, James D. Lecheminant, Bruce W. Bailey Jr, Guoyuan Huang, Joseph E. Donnelly

Faculty Publications

Background

To adequately assess individual studies and synthesize quantitative research on weight loss studies, transparent reporting of data is required. The authors examined the reporting quality of randomized trials in the weight loss literature, focusing exclusively on subject characteristics as they relate to enrollment, allocation, and follow-up.

Methods

An extensive literature review, which included a computerized search of the MEDLINE database, manual searches of bibliographic references, and cross-referencing of 92 review articles was conducted. A checklist, based on CONSORT recommendations, was used to collect information on whether or not authors reported age, gender, co-morbid disease, medication use, race/ethnicity, and postmenopausal …

Temperature Dependence Of The Double Layer Capacitance For The Restricted Primitive Model Of An Electrolyte Solution From A Density Functional Approach, Douglas Henderson, J. Reszko-Zygmunt, Stefan Sokolowski, Dezso Boda

Faculty Publications

We apply a different version of the density functional theory, given by Pizio, Patrykiejew, and Sokolowski [J. Chem. Phys. 121, 11957 (2004)], for a nonuniform restricted primitive model of an electrolyte solution to evaluate the temperature dependence of the capacitance of an electric double layer. We show that this theory is capable of reproducing the computer simulation data at a quantitative level. In particular, the reversal of the temperature dependence of the capacitance at low temperatures is predicted. This phenomenon has been difficult to predict from theory. Further, this theory also leads to an accurate description of the double layer …

Metabolic Profile And Live Weight Of Male Llamas (Lama Glama) Fed With Barley Hay, Alfalfa, And Quinoa Scrub, Karla Coaquira Arratia

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years llamas have attracted great national and international interest for their qualities of human food production, fiber production for high-quality textiles, and for being an ecological animal. These qualities have allowed a resurgence of cultivating them for commercial ends. One of the principal limits is secure food for allowing a constant, sustainable growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile and live weight of male llamas (Lama glama) fed with barley hay, alfalfa hay, and quinoa scrub. The fieldwork occurred in metabolic chambers in a closed environment at the demonstration farm of the Benson …

Feed Conversion Index In Two Populations And Two Lines Of Guinea Pigs For Meat Production, Kathia Jordán Vargas

Theses and Dissertations

The guinea pig (Cavia aperea porcellus) is an alternative to improve human nutrition because its meat is of excellent taste and quality. Thus, it is an important nutritional source. The feed conversion index was determined under the basic (forage) and mixed (forage and concentrate) diets during the growth phase. This was done with both sexes located in the Tamborada and MEJOCUY populations, using the AUQUI, and San Luis lines. This was done in order to quantify how many kilograms of feed an animal must eat to gain one kilogram of live weight. The animals were randomly distributed into individual pools …

Apparent Digestibility In Llamas (Lama Glama) Fed With (Stipa Ichu) Treated With Urea And Molasses At The C.E.A.C., Ninfa Jacqueline Magne Colque

Theses and Dissertations

The following work was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Center under the title of : Apparent digestibility in llamas feed with stipa ichu (Peruvian feather grass) treated with urea and molasses, for which 3 assays were performed in reference to the study : 1) percentage of assimilation of the treated and non- treated grass, 2) apparent digestibility of fiber and protein after and before feeding, and 3) determine the adequate levels of urea and molasses for the chemical treatment of the grass (Stipa ichu). For the first assay, the greater consumption was obtained at the level of 3 (3% of …

Genetic Variation In Ustilago Bullata: Molecular Genetic Markers And Virulence On Bromus Tectorum Host Lines, Mikel Stevens, Daniel J. Fairbanks, Susan E. Meyer, David L. Nelson, Suzette Clement, Jennifer Waters

Faculty Publications

The pathogen Ustilago bullata often causes epidemic levels of head smut disease in Intermountain populations of the inbreeding annual grass Bromus tectorum. We examined patterns of genetic variation for virulence and for amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers in four U. bullata populations on B. tectorum in northern Utah and southern Nevada. Patterns of disease incidence generally supported a genefor-gene model for virulence and resistance in this pathosystem. Most host lines were susceptible to most or all paired isolates included in cross-inoculation tests, but we found evidence for the existence of four avirulence genes. Host lines with alleles conferring resistance …

Seasonal Acceptance Of Fourwing Saltbush By Sheep When Crested Wheatgrass Is The Alternative, Val J. Anderson, R. D. Horrocks, Christine W. Royer, Stephen B. Monsen

Faculty Publications

Many sagebrush-grass ranges have been seeded to crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fischer ex Link) Shultes]. These ranges are generally nutritionally inadequate for sheep (Ovis aries L.), except for short grazing periods in the spring and fall. To increase production and diversity, particularly crude protein for late-season grazing, fourwing saltbush [Atriplex canescens (Pursch.) Nutt.] was planted in an existing stand of crested wheatgrass. Quantification of sheep forage preferences on these improved ranges aids in determining the length of the grazing season and the extent to which shrubs provide the supplemental nutrition required. This seasonal grazing study was conducted on a characteristic …

Living Digestibility Of Alfalfa And Barley In Llamas (Lama Glama) In The Agricultural Experimental Center Condoriri, Adelaida Alarcon Chuquichambi

Theses and Dissertations

The following investigation was carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Center Condoriri (CEAC), dependent on the Faculty of Agricultural Livestock Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, located to the North of the Province border of the Department of Oruro, a distance of 12 km from the town of Caracollo and 49 km from the city of Oruro. The production of llamas and alpacas in our country is an activity of ecological, social, and especially ecological importance for Andean inhabitants. In nutrition, the fundamental factor is the power of absorption; this is because the yield of animal production depends on the quantity and …

In Vivo Digestibility In Llamas (Lama Glama), Fed With Barley And Paja Brava At The C.E.A.C., Martha Jesusa Llanos Pérez

Theses and Dissertations

The Highlands of Bolivia present a great diversity of native botanical species with strong forage characteristics, providing them with a considerable potential for usage as a resource in the feeding of cattle. The following work was performed with the idea of taking advantage of the zone’s native species as a source for the feeding of llama cattle. In order to accomplish it, we took into consideration the following variables: food consumption, water consumption, amount of fecal excretions, urine volume, body weight, and the digestibility of the nutrients found in the food prepared with paja brava and barley (ash, protein, fiber, …

Evaluation Of The Agronomic Performance Of Six Varieties Of Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) In The St. Felix Community Of The Coroico Township (Nor Yungas-La Paz), Viviana Marleni Quisbert

Theses and Dissertations

The peanut is an important crop in most countries due to its industrial, nutritional, and pedological potential. It grows well in subtropical areas. This study was planned based on the weather characteristics of the Yungas and the St. Felix community. A completely randomized block design with 6 treatments and 3 repetitions was used. An analysis of variance and a Tukey test were used for statistical analysis of the variables. With respect to time required for maturation, the Coloradito Palmar variety was most premature with a time of 134 days while the Local variety took 177 days to mature, which is …

Agronomic Performance Of Two Baby Lettuce Varieties (Lactuca Sativa L.) At Three Planting Densities Using Panqar Huyus In The Ingavi Province, Francisco Javier Orruel Fusco

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted in the experimental unit of the Benson Agriculture and Food Institute, which is located in the Letanias community of the Ingavi province in the department of La Paz. Our objective was to compare the agronomic performance of two baby lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa L.) at three planting densities in panqar huyus. In order to provide the rural farmer communities of Contorno Letanias and Contorno Medio a possible cost-effective alternative and to employ the use of moderate environments called panqar huyus, we introduced two varieties of baby lettuce: 1) Little Gem in seed form and 2) Tom …

Brucellosis In Alpacas (Lama Pacos) In Communities Of The City Ulla Ulla, Franz Tomayo Province, Department Of La Paz, Macario Suxo Blanco

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation was performed in the Altiplano Altoandino sub-humid region in the Ulla Ulla district, Pelechuco township, Franz Tomayo province, department of La Paz, Bolivia. The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the presence of Brucellosis in male and female alpacas (Lama pacos) at ages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 500 alpacas from the Hichucollo, Huacuchani, Ucha Ucha, and Ulla Ulla communities. The serum from each sample was separated and a serological diagnosis was performed by rapid agglutination with Rose Bengal chemical stain. In the …

Replacement Of Fish Meal By Meal Worm (Eisenia Foetida) In The Feed Of Broilers As An Alternative Source Of Protein, Carlos ÁNgel Cervantes Cevallos

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation was conducted in the rural community of Cuambo, located in the northeast of Imbabura province, in the Mira river basin of Salina parish, at 1530 meters above sea level and with an average temperature of 19 C. The principal objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of four levels of substitution of fish meal for earthworm meal in broiler chicken diets. The fieldwork occurred in two stages over the course of 20 months: A. Creation of the feed: This step lasted from the installation of an earthworm culturing area through the cultivation, harvest, and drying of …

Biochemical And Molecular Nutrition Blocks As Dietary Supplements In Llamas (Lama Glama) In The Last Third Of The Gestation Period Of The Ceac, Janette Illanes Callejas

Theses and Dissertations

The present work consisted in the use of biochemical and molecular nutrition blocks (BMN) in llamas during the last third of the gestation period, at the Agricultural Experiment Center of Condori (CEAC), located 49 km north of the city of Oruro, and 12 km north of the Caracollo population, in the province of Cercado. For this research work, we used 20 pregnant llamas in the last third of their gestation period, between the ages of 2 and 3 years old, 10 of which belonged to the Khara breed, and 10 to the Thampulli breed. Two corrals of 7 x 7 …

Agronomical Evaluation Of Six Species Of Forage Grass Tolerant To Salinity In The Tamborada Region, Bladimir Vargas Rojas

Theses and Dissertations

Six forage grass species from the United States were evaluated for salinity tolerance and growth performance. A randomized block design was used with six repetitions of five furrows each to maintain experimental consistency. The study was conducted in the Tamborada region of Cochabamba, Bolivia from December 2003 through June 2004. Results indicated that significant differences exist between species (Pr<0.01). The species Elymus cinereus and Agropyron elongatum demonstrated the best performance regarding plant height, achieving heights of 35.4 cm and 32.7 cm respectively. Festuca arundinacea and Agropyron elongatum obtained larger percent coverage than the other species with 79.59% and 76.53% respectively. These species also exceed the others in production of green forage (1500.00 kg/ha and 13985.80 kg/ha) as well as in production of dry matter (5000.70 kg/ha and 4862.85 kg/ha). They are recommended for production in the region of Tamborada, Cochabamba, Bolivia.