Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of Black Plastic Mulch Alone And In Combination With Various Types Of Plastic Row Covers On Production Of Sweet Corn, Morteza Jabalameli

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of black polyethylene (PE) mulch alone and in combination with plastic film tunnels (Agronet, Reemay, whiteperforated, clear, and clear-slitted) were studied on morphology and yield of sweet corn in North Logan, Utah. Yields of "Miracle" sweet corn (Zea mays L.) were increased significantly by using black PE mulch and with a combination of various types of plastic row covers, as compared to unmulched soil. Standard-growth analysis procedures were conducted to verify responses among treatments. Treatment effects were determined by measuring days to first flowering, ear weight, number of side tillers, cob length, cob circumference, cob fill length, number …

Marten Use Of Subnivean Access Points In Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Stuart Scott Sherburne

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Subnivean prey appeared to be the primary reason for subnivean access point use by martens. A logistic regression was used to create a predictive model for differential access point use. Prey biomass in grams and percent ground cover of coarse woody debris (CWD) were used as variables in the model. Goodness of fit of the multivariate model was 0.216; biomass was significant al p = 0.0003, CWD was significant at p = 0.0718. Mean values for prey biomass at used and unused access points were 174.2 g and 81 g, respectively, while mean values of CWD were 24.7% and 18.5%, …

The Influence Of Redd Distribution And Microhabitat Availability On The Distribution And Abundance Of Young-Of-The-Year Trout In The Green River, Utah, Michael J. Buntjer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Redd distribution, redd density, and physical habitat were used to explain the distribution and abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Green River, Utah. The importance of variables at both a microhabitat and macrohabitat scale were assessed using stepwise regression analysis. Availability of cover (rock and vegetation) and proximity to spawning sites were the most important variables used to explain the distribution and abundance of YOY brown trout and rainbow trout. In addition, YOY brown trout and rainbow trout occupied specific microhabitats and showed patterns of use for …

The Behavioral Responses Of Utah Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Parvidens) To Translocation, Steven H. Ackers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In cases where refuge acquisition or captive breeding programs are not practical or justifiable, wild caught animals are frequently translocated into areas of suitable habitat. Such management programs seldom are designed to account for the behavioral responses of translocated animals to an unfamiliar habitat, breakup of social units, and/or interactions with existing social units in the new habitat. Ongoing efforts to translocate threatened Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parvidens) from areas where conflicts with other land uses are occurring to public land sites have met with limited success. This could be due, in part, to behavioral responses associated with …

Dynamic Multi-Species Animal Habitat Modeling With Forest Succession Models, Stephen A. Compton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research determines and demonstrates the ability to simulate dynamic multi-species animal habitat suitability with forest succession models. A literature review of dynamic animal habitat models is presented. The structure of an existing forest simulation model (MASS10) was modified from a basal area-based model to a volume-based model (DYNAM10). The forest model was calibrated using data from permanent-plot growth and vegetation samples collected by USDA Forest Service Forest Survey procedures. The theoretical growth parameters used to simulate stand development were validated. Predictions of DBH and height growth, as well as stand-level behavior, were verified. A subroutine, VEGDYN, was added to …

Soil Heterogeneity And Its Exploitation By Plants, Robert B. Jackson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In this dissertation I first examine the ability of individual plants in the field to garner localized soil nutrients. I then measure actual soil variability around perennial plants and use various statistics to quantify the scale and degree of that variability.

Soil patches on opposite sides of Pseudoroegneria spicata tussocks were treated with distilled water or a nutrient solution containing N, P, or K in three field experiments. When P was augmented in the enriched soil patches, rates of P uptake increased significantly for roots from enriched patches compared with roots in control patches. Rates of ammonium and potassium uptake …

Influence Of 2,5-Hexanedione, Acrylamide, Tri-O-Tolyl Phosphate, Leptophos And Methylmercury On Endogenous Levels Of Tryptophan, Serotonin And 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid And Serotonin Turnover Rates In Rat Brain, Craig H. Farr

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Several industrial and environmental chemicals cause distal and/or central neuropathy among other diverse toxic effects. Spague-Dawley derived rats were fed doses of 2,5-hexanedione, acrylamide, tri-o-tolyl phosphate, Leptophos and methylmercury via gavage. The dose levels and administration periods were established in previous experiments designed to assess clinical neuropathy using rats trained to walk on a rotorod apparatus fitted with an electrode floor. After intravenous injections of ³H-Tryptophan, whole rat brain homogenates were analyzed using liquid scintillation and spectrofluorometric techniques for levels of tryptophan, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Serotonin turnover rates were calculated using the specific activities of tryptophan and serotonin …

Relationships Among Birds, Willows, And Native Ungulates In And Around Northern Yellowstone National Park, Sally Graves Jackson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although the impacts of livestock and human activities on riparian zones and associated wildlife have been well documented, little is known about the impacts that browsing by large native ungulates such as elk and moose may have. In the northern Yellowstone area, some willow stands experience intense browsing by elk and moose whereas others experience medium or very low amounts of browsing. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare the species and densities of birds among willow stands that have experienced different intensities of browsing by native ungulates, (2) to measure the relationship between five species of birds …

Circulating Antibodies To Thymic Antigens In Autism And Alzheimer's Disease, Chih-Li Chen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Abnormal T lymphocyte reactions in both autism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been reported. This research investigated the possibility that these abnormalities may involve circulating antithymic antibodies. Plasma samples from autistic patients, AD patients, and normal-matched controls were tested for reactivity against murine thymocytes.

In the first of 3 studies results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were statistically significant for binding (P < 0.001) between antithymic antibodies in plasmas of AD patients and murine thymocytes. Binding (P < 0.05) in low dilutions (1/2.5 and 1/5} of autistic patient plasmas was also observed. In the second study, plasmas of neither autistic nor AD patients significantly inhibited DNA synthesis of thymic cells in the presence of interleukin-1 (IL-l} and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). In the third study, no significant increases (P > 0.05) in cytotoxic activities were detected using AD patient plasmas and both untreated and heat-treated autistic patient plasmas. After further testing, these heat-treated plasmas diluted 1/64 and 1/128 had increased cytotoxicities (P < 0.05) when rabbit complement was added, an indication that cytotoxicity of antithymic antibodies is complement dependent.

Therefore, circulating antithymic antibodies may …

Equine Operant Conditioning: Autoshaping, Observational Learning, And Discriminative Stimulus Intensity, Paul H. Stewart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis is compromised of three studies in which basic principles of operant conditioning were applied to horses. Autoshaping was examined as a method for horse training. Observational learning was investigated to confirm that naive horses can, in fact,

acquire novel behavior by observing experienced horses, and the rate of acquisition with observation is more rapid than spontaneous responding without observation. A third study examined the effect of discriminative stimulus intensity on the acquisition rate of novel behavior.

All subjects learned to use an operant conditioning device. Subjects in the first study autoshaped. Observational learning was also demonstrated to be …

Effect Of Various Growth-Promoting Factors On Preimplantation Bovine Embryo Development In Vitro, Mark Randall Flood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to define the effects of various growth-promoting factors on in vitro embryonic development of in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized bovine embryos. The control medium was a chemically defined medium which improves the possibility of closely determining the in vivo conditions the embryo is actually exposed to. The growth-promoting factors tested in this experiment included transferrin, IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor-one), IGF-II (insulin-like growth factor-two), TGF-𝛼 (transforming growth factor-alpha), TGF-𝛽1 (transforming growth factor-beta1), PDGF (platelet derived growth factor), EGF (epidermal growth factor), NGF (nerve growth factor), and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor). Transferrin was …

Effect Of Feeding A Viable Yeast Culture With Or Without Aspergillus Oryzae On Milk Production, Apparent Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation, And Nutrient Degradability In Holstein Cows, Daeyoon Kim

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-four early to midlactation Holstein cows were allocated to one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) basal ration plus 60 g wheat bran per day per head (control); 2) basal ration plus 57 g yeast culture per day per head; 3) basal ration plus 57 g yeast culture plus 3 g Aspergillus oryzae per day per head. Feed intake and milk yield were recoreded daily and milk composition and body weights were recorded weekly. Feed and fecal samples were recorded weekly. Feed and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent nutrient digestibility. No statistical difference was observed in milk …

The Heart Rate Responses Of Dairy Cows To Two Types Of Disturbances--Transportation And Aircraft Noises, Hoon M. Ahn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three experiments were conducted using implanted heart rate (HR) transmitters. In the first experiment three lactating Holstein cows' HR signals were monitored telemetrically for three successive days under the normal herd management. Overall mean and standard error for these cows was 76.1 ± 0.46 bpm. In the second experiment the same three cows' HR signals were monitored with a portable computer and receiver. The cows were transported 400 kilometers one way over various road surface conditions. The HR signals were monitored consecutively at the beginning of the trip and at hourly intervals during travel. The cows stayed overnight and were …

Effects Of Rumen Protein Degradability On Rumen Characteristics, Milk Production And Reproductive Performance In Holstein Dairy Cows, Mario Raul Figueroa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with rumen cannula were used to determine crude protein and dry matter rate of disappearance of two protein supplements: 1) soybean meal and 2) bypass protein blend by using the in situ bag technique. Rate disappearance (%/hr) was higher for soybean meal. Two collection periods were completed using 6 cows with a minimum of 21 d adaptation to the treatment top dressed on to the total mixed ration. Ruminal concentration of ammonia N, blood ammonia, and urea did not differ between treatments. Total concentration of volatile fatty acids was higher for bypass protein blend-fed cattle …

The Effects Of Feeding A High Level Of Rumen Protected Fat With Rumen Undegradable Protein With Or Without Niacin On Rumen Fermentation Characteristics, Apparent Nutrient Digestibility, And Milk Production In The Early To Mid Lactation Holstein Cow, Carlos Eduardo Batallas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forty high producing early to mid lactation Holstein cows were blocked according to stage of lactation and previous two-week milk yield (experiment 1). Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated nonlactating Holstein cows were used for experiment 2. The objective was to determine the effects of the ration's high fat content (11.53%) when rumen degradable or rumen undegradable protein is fed with or without added niacin. Cows received one of five treatments: 1) basal ration (TMR); 2) basal ration with added rumen undegradable fat (RUF) (1.6 kg); soybean meal (SBM) (1.73 kg), and niacin (12 g); 3) same as treatment 2, without …

Interactions Between Populations Of Intermediate Wheatgrass And Western Wheatgrass As Influenced By Short-Duration Grazing And Moisture Availability, Gerrit B. Bartels

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of grazing and moisture availability on the competitive interactions of intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey) and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii (Rhydb.) A. Love) were examined under a short-duration grazing system in central Utah. The fate of tiller cohorts was observed at approximately monthly intervals at the interface between patches of these two rhizomatous grasses and in monospecific stands. The effects of short-duration grazing, clipping of western wheatgrass following grazing to achieve levels of utilization equivalent to that of intermediate wheatgrass, irrigation, and removal of the competitor were assessed in terms of the …

Wheat Kernel Hormone Levels During Development And Their Relevance To Zygotic And Somatic Embryogenesis, J. Richard Hess

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) zygotic embryogenesis occurs in a dynamically regulated ovular environment, and in ovulo hormones regulate embryogenic processes. Levels of ABA, IAA, and the cytokinins Z, ZR, DHZ, DHZR, iP, and iPA were studied in developing wheat kernels from anthesis to maturity. High cytokinin and low IAA and ABA levels were associated with the early stage of embryo formation and active tissue histodifferentiation. Following histodifferentiation, cytokinin levels declined while IAA accumulated throughout the stage of active grain growth and then declined with grain maturity. ABA levels increased at the soft-dough developmental stage and through to grain maturity. …

Desert Bighorn Sheep And Riverboat Interactions In Cataract Canyon, Utah, Mark C. Stanger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I studied desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) behavior and habitat use in response to boating activities during 1985. The percent of total observed time in attention behavior before the boating season, during the boating season, and while riverboats were< 0.8 km from bighorn sheep groups was 1, 1.4, and 12.2, respectively. Estimated energy expenditure did not significantly differ for high riverboat pressures (2 > 0.2) or seasonal comparisons (2 > 0.1). Habitat use significantly differed for proximity to the river, which was probably related to the summer use of the river for drinking. Moderate, minor, and no responses to passing riverboats were observed 3, 39, and 58%, respectively. Responses to riverboats did not significantly differ according to time of day (2 > 0.15) or …

Comparative Economics Of Cattle And Wildlife Ranching In The Zimbabwe Midlands, Urs P. Kreuter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The economics of ranches in the Zimbabwe Midlands, generating income from cattle, or wildlife, or both, were compared during 1989/90 to test the claim that wildlife ranching can generate greater profits than cattle ranching on semi-arid African savannas. Both financial (market) prices and economic prices (opportunity cost) were used.

Financial data were obtained from 15 cattle, 7 wildlife and 13 mixed ranches in four areas with wildlife and from 15 cattle ranches in two areas with sparse wildlife. Estimates of economic prices were obtained from official data.

In the first paper, gross revenues, costs, net revenues, and capital investments of …

Mobilization Of Iron Enhances The Iron-Dependent Biochemical Reactivity Of Asbestos In Vitro And Contributes To The Cytotoxicity Of Asbestos In Cultured Cells, Loren Glen Lund

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Asbestos related research began approximately 60 years ago, yet, the mechanism(s) by which asbestos exerts its biological effects is not well understood. The hypothesis upon which this dissertation is based is that mobilization of iron from asbestos enhances the iron-dependent biochemical reactivity of asbestos in vitro and contributes to asbestos-dependent cytotoxicity. The specific aims for this hypothesis were, 1) to determine whether iron was responsible for the biochemical reactivity of asbestos in vitro and asbestos-induced cytotoxicity in cultured cells, and 2) to determine whether mobilization of iron from asbestos enhanced the reactions catalyzed by asbestos in vitro and contributes to …

Effects Of Stabilizers And Ph Adjustments On Milk Proteins In Uht-Treated Citrus Juice/Skim Milk Blend Drink, Sandra M. Newman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A UHT-processed skim milk (85%)/orange juice (15%) drink was developed. Product integrity and stability were maintained by two methods. Proper homogenization of the blend before UHT processing stabilized a drink formulation containing .25% carboxymethyl cellulose and .025% carrageenan. Adjusting the pH of the blend (pH 6.3 and 6.5) resulted in a different stabilization. After 28 days at room temperature, settling of milk solids was 5.2% of volume height in the prehomogenized sample and 86.9% of volume height in the same blend that had not been homogenized prior to UHT processing. After storage, the two treatments were analyzed to verify that …

A New Method For Measuring Macroparticulate Systems Applied To Measuring Syneresis Of Renneted Milk Gels, Jonathan R. Maynes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Syneresis is an integral part of cheese manufacture. The rate and extent of syneresis affect the properties of cheese. There are many factors that affect syneresis, but measured results vary because of inaccuracies in measuring techniques. To better control syneresis, an accurate mathematical description must be developed. Current mathematical models describing syneresis are limited because of inherent error in measuring techniques used to develop them. Developing an accurate model requires an accurate way to measure syneresis.

The curd becomes a particle in a whey suspension when the coagulum is cut. The most effective technique to measure particle size, without interference, …

Zeta-Potential Of Casein Micelles As A Factor In Age Gelation Of Ultra-High Temperature Processed Concentrated Skim Milk, Douglas W. Olson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of ultra-high temperature processing by direct steam injection and room temperature storage of pH-adjusted and unadjusted 3X (volume reduction) skim milk retentate and the effect of storage at various temperatures of 3X skim milk retentate without pH adjustment on their ζ-potential, viscosity, and pH were determined. Pasteurized skim milk was concentrated to 3X by ultrafiltration. In the pH study portions of skim milk retentate were adjusted to pH 6.38 ± .02 with HCl and 6.85 ± .01 and 7.32 ± .02 with NaOH between ultrafiltration and ultra-high temperature processing. In the storage temperature study, storage temperatures used for …

Characterization Of Pigments Responsible For Red Or Pink Discoloration In Cooked Pork, Viswasrao M. Ghorpade

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The pigments responsible for pink or red discoloration in cooked vacuum-packaged meat products {bratwurst (pork and beef), ground pork, and pork roasts} were investigated. In bratwurst, this study attempted to characterize the red pigment that appears upon refrigerated storage, and to determine the effect of pH, cooking and storage temperature, and sodium lactate on incidence of red discoloration. Myoglobin was identified in the exudate of samples with red discoloration. Myoglobin levels of cooked products were significantly lower in samples of low initial pH (5.5) or cooked to higher than normal internal temperature (74°C). Red discoloration was associated with microbial growth. …

Properties Of Low-Fat Yogurt Made From Ultrafiltered And Ultra-High Temperature Treated Milk, Richard Alan Dargan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Yogurts were made from intermediate-high temperature (100, 110, 120, and 130°C for 4 or 16 s), ultra-high temperature (140°C for 4 or 16 s), and vat heat (82°C for 20 min) treatments of skim milk fortified to 5% protein by either ultrafiltration or the addition of nonfat dry milk (NDM). Whey protein denaturation in heated milks increased with temperature and holding time from indirect plate heating and was highest in vat-heated milks. Whey protein denaturation and yogurt water-holding capacity increased with protein levels in the fortified milks compared to skim milk. Penetrometer gel strength and stirred viscosity in 21 day-old …

Estimation Of Selected Milk Protein Genetic Variants By Multi-Component Analysis Of Amino Acid Profiles, Carol M. Hollar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cation-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography separated whole casein into β-casein A², A¹, and B, K-casein, α_s1-casein, and α_s2-casein fractions as well as γ-caseins and several unidentified peaks using a urea-acetate buffer at pH 5 and a NaCl gradient. The whole casein fractions eluted in the following order: breakdown products of β-casein and unidentified peaks; β-casein A², A^l, and B; additional breakdown products of β-casein and unidentified peaks; K-casein; α_s1-casein; and α_s2-casein. The calculated composition of the four major caseins correlated well with values obtained …

The Effect Of Computer-Assisted Nutrition Education On Nutrition Knowledge, Nutrition Status, Dietary Compliance, And Quality Of Life Of Hemodialysis Patients, Julianne Stewart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted to assess the effect of nutrition education utilizing computerized dietary analysis on nutrition knowledge, dietary compliance, nutrition status, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Twenty patients of the Bonneville Dialysis Center in Ogden, Utah voluntarily agreed to participate in this six-month study. All participants completed quality of life assessments, the Beck Depression Inventory© (BDI), and a nutrition knowledge assessment pre- and post-study. Patients in the treatment group (n=12) completed monthly 3-day food records which were analyzed by Computrition® nutrient analysis software. Results were discussed with the patients during one-on-one education sessions. Control patients (n=8) completed …

Responses Of Canada Thistle To Defoliation And To Damage From A Stem-Mining Weevil In Utah, Wendy Sue Halsey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The responses of Canada thistle stems to damage by two types of herbivores were investigated to determine the potential role of these herbivores as biological control agents. Canada thistle stems at a cattle exclosure in Rich County, Utah were cut at one to two centimeters aboveground in June, 1991, to mimic grazing by cattle. Neighboring stems within 30 centimeters were also cut in some treatments to investigate the effects of physiologically connected ramets on the growth and reproductive responses of individual focal stems. I measured plant height, stem diameter, and number of flowerheads for each of the focal stems during …

Effects Of Polyacrylamide On Rangeland Soils And Plants, Saud Leily R. Al-Rowaily

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of two forms of polyacrylamide (PAM) conditioners (Cross-linked and Non-cross-linked PAM) on evaporation, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, crust and crack formation of soils, seed germination, and seedling and tubeling growth.

The two PAM conditioners, 0.2% concentration by weight, were mixed with seven soils of different textures (sandy loam, silt, silty clay loam, silt loam, fine sand, medium sand, and coarse sand) to investigate the effects on evaporation, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and water retention. Soil samples of different textures were brought to field capacity and placed in a growth chamber …

Use Of The Polymerase Chain Reaction In The Detection Of Bovine Leukosis, Emma Jane Kelly

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A diagnostic test for bovine leukosis was developed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a 375 base pair region in the gag gene of the proviral genome.

Blood samples were collected from 3 adult Holstein cows shown to be infected with bovine leukosis virus (BLV) by the agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID) technique. The 3 samples were mixed and the composite blood was used to inoculate 10 cows. Five of the cows were inoculated with 0.1 ml of blood, and the other cows were inoculated with 1 ml of blood. Five of the cows were negative for BLV by AGID …