Life Sciences Commons^™

Habitat Utilization And Seasonal Movements Of Black Bears In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Patrick C. Carr

Masters Theses

A radiotelemetry study to determine seasonal movements and habitat utilization of black bears (Ursus americanus) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was undertaken from June 1980 to May 1982. Annual home range size in a year of poor hard mast production was 119 km² and 13 km² for males and females, respectively, and 36 km² and 6 km² in a year of good hard mast production. Bear movements were governed by seasonal food availability. Bears exhibited an affinity to summer home ranges but traveled to widely dispersed fall ranges. Seasonal range shifts were more evident …

Effect Of Age, Caloric Restriction, And Dietary Protein On Bone Composition Of Male Rats, Melany H. Looper

Masters Theses

Thirty-day old male Wistar rats were fed 1 of 8 purified diets. Three groups were fed diets containing either 12, 20, or 28% casein (protein) ad libitum. Three other groups were fed diets containing 18, 30, or 42% casein with a feed intake restricted to two-thirds of that consumed by the ad libitum groups. In addition, two groups were initially fed diets containing 20% casein, then the casein level was either gradually (0.8%/month) decreased to 12% or increased to 28% by 1 year of age. At either 1 or 2 years of age, the rats were sacrificed, and their femurs …

The Effects Of Photoperiod On The Prolactin Cells Of Notropis Cornutus (Mitchell), Matthew Kevin Hettinger

Masters Theses

Three groups of the common shiner (Notropis cornutus, Mitchell) were adapted to three different photoperiods. These photoperiods were 16L:8D (summer), 12L:12D (controls), and 8L:16D (winter). The prolactin cells were studied histologically and morphologically with respect to staining characteristics, cell and nuclear morphology, nuclear size, and cellular density. The prolactin cells of those fish under the long photoperiod exhibited greater cellular activity than the controls as evidenced by an increase in nuclear size, cellular density, and by becoming more circular. The prolactin cells of those fish under the short photoperiod exhibited the same characteristics as those in the long photoperiod. The …

Histopathology In Rat Temporal Bones Resulting From Excess Dietary Fluoride In Conjunction With Suspected Water Born Toxins, Donna Lee Healy

Masters Theses

The occurrence of perinatal deaths, bony extoses, and deafness in dog kennels in certain areas of Michigan led The Upjohn Company and Western Michigan University to suspect fluoride toxicity and/or water born toxins. The present project was designed to examine the ability of excess fluoride ingestion and/or the ability of suspected water born toxins to induce histopathology in Sprague-Dawley rats. An otopathological assessment of the rat temporal bones showed no otopathology nor any changes in cochlear dimensions, however, a quantitative assessment of osteoclastic density showed a large increase in the numbers of osteoclasts of spongy bone in the high fluoride …

Paleoecological Analysis Of Holocene Vegetation, Lake In The Woods, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Jean Leighton Davidson

Masters Theses

Lake in the Woods is a woodland hollow pond formed on colluvium at the western end of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The modern flora of the lake is dominated by Liquidambar styraciflua and includes several species with Coastal Palin affinities--Acer rubrum variety trilobum, Woodwardia virginica, and Helianthus angustifolius. The fine-scale vegetation changes at Lake in the Woods from 6600 BP to present have been studied using the paleoecological analysis of pollen, fungal palynomorphs, and charcoal influx. Results show that the dominants of the pond changed from Liquidambar to Salix between 6600 and 6500 …

Effect Of Forage Feeding And Length Of Grain Finishing Period On Selected Performance, Carcass, And Sensory Characteristics Of Serially Slaughtered Hereford Steers Of Varying Frame Score Classifications, Henry Walker Stockley Iii

Masters Theses

Eighty-one Hereford steers were backgrounded on fescue-orchard grass-clover pasture and then removed after summer grazing and assigned subjective scores for frame size and muscling. Steers were then fed whole shelled corn ad libitum for 0, 28, 56, 84, 112, and 140 days on feed (DOF), evaluated for performance traits and slaughtered. Carcass data were collected then the left side of each carcass was fabricated and evaluated for various yield, quality, chemical, physical, and palatability characteristics.

Large framed steers had heavier live weights (P<.05) and were taller at the withers (P<.05) than small framed steers throughout the forage feeding phase. All frame size groups were similar in ultrasonic fat thickness measurements during forage feeding.

During grain-finishing, the large framed steers were taller (P<.05) at the withers than the small-framed cattle through 140 DOF but past 28 DOF no advantage in frame size, with respect to live weights was discovered. Live fat thickness measurements did not differ (P>.05) among frame size groups. The small framed …

Habitat Utilization And Movement Ecology Of Black Bears In Cherokee National Forest, R. Steven Garris

Masters Theses

Home range, movements, and habitat use of black bears in the Cherokee National Forest were monitored from June 1980 through December 1981.

In 1980, home range sizes averaged 192 km² for male bears and 23 km² for females, whereas the average range in 1981 for males was 60 km² and 15 km² for females. Larger ranges for males likely reflect a social structure that enhances reproduction. Differences in home range sizes between years was attributed to the availability and abundance of hard mast, especially acorns. Both sexes exhibited seasonal shifts in range use between summer and …

Compliance Of Prenatal Patients With Dietary Instructions Prior To Blood Glucose Testing And A Comparison Of Mixed Meal Screening Tests To Glucose Load Screening Tests, Rebecca A. Walton

Masters Theses

Three different instruction methods and their influence on selection of a breakfast test meal were studied. Subjects were 139 pregnant, Caucasian females screened for gestational diabetes by two-hour postprandial blood glucose evaluation. Macronutrient components and kilocalories of the self-selected meals were variables analyzed and compared to the nutrient pattern of a standard meal plan. The effect of varying levels of nutrients on blood glucose values was examined.

Subjects were assigned randomly to one of three groups. Subjects in Group I were given no written or verbal instructions about test meal selection but were instructed to eat breakfast. Written instructions in …

Reproduction And Denning Of Black Bears In The Great Smoky Mountains, William Gregory Wathen

Masters Theses

The reproductive biology and denning ecology of black bears were studied in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. The majority of information was collected from 36 radio-instrumented females monitored from June 1980 to May 1982.

Females entered dens from 21 November to 16 January (x=20 December, n=38), and emerged from 18 March to 4 May (x=10 April, n=41), for an average denning period of 113 days. Females with newborn cubs denned significantly longer (P< 0.001) than other females. Tree denning females emerged later and remained in dens longer than others.

Twenty-five ground dens and 33 tree dens were examined. Significant differences (P< 0.005) in den utilization were observed between winters, with more tree dens being utilized during the winter of 1980-81 (79.3%) than in the winter of 1981-82 (34.5%).

Females in estrus were captured from 22 June to 12 …

Seasonal Effects On Blood Pressure, David C. Dotson

Masters Theses

The relationship of seasons and blood pressure was investigated. The individuals in the sample groups were of two types: normal individuals and individuals who have been diagnosed as hypertensives and under medical supervision. This was a seasonal study? measurements were taken during midsummer and early fall, 1979. Factors constituting the variable for individual differences included: sex, age, genetic factors, diet, general body build and managerial vs, laborer workload.

Individual differences were controlled by use of a randomized complete block design with each individual constituting a block. Season was the treatment factor, and individual was the blocking factor. Measurements were taken …

The Effect Of Indoleacetic Acid And Related Chemicals On Growth Patterns Of Decapitated Bean Plants, Lewis V. Buchanan

Masters Theses

Bean plants were used to study effects of IAA and related chemicals on plant growth patterns. Plant apical growth tips were removed, eliminating apical donimance. Decapitated plants were treated in experimental groups with IAA, tryptophan, 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid, serotonin, and melatonin. Two other groups served as controls, one cut, and one uncut.

Growth measurements were taken to determine if the treatments could effectively restore apical dominance. Cut control plants showed a loss of apical dominance, with decreased apical growth, and release of inhibition of axillary growth, when compared to the uncut group.

Tryptophan and meltonin treatments restored little or no …

Technical, Human, And Conceptual Skill Development For Potential Foodservice Administrators In Four-Year Degree Programs, John E. Brady

Masters Theses

An inquiry was conducted to investigate the need for technical, human, and conceptual skills in the foodservice industry and to investigate the role of baccalaureate degree programs in developing these skills for potential foodservice administrators. Technical, human, and conceptual skills are collectively referred to as administrative skills.

Courses in colleges and universities which emphasize administrative skills, were identified and used in the development of a Semantic Differential scale. The purpose of the Semantic Differential scale is to measure the meaning of specific concepts by various people by having them judge the concept against a series of descriptive scales. The Semantic …

The Impact Of Computer Use On Food Service Organizations, Stephanie D. Ference

Masters Theses

An investigation was conducted in college and university food services to assess the present situation and probable future developments in the use of computers as well as to identify and evaluate the effect of computer use on employee skill requirements and employment trends. Results were obtained by two mail questionnaires. The first questionnaire inquired about the present and future use of the computer. The second questionnaire was used to evaluate the effect of computer utilization on employee skill requirements and labor trends. Eighty-five or 40% of the college and university food service directors responded to the questionnaire.

Forty-seven percent, or …

Noncompetitive Effects Of Morning Glory On Growth Of Soybeans, D. R. La Bonte

Masters Theses

Competitive effects of weed infestations in soybean fields can severely reduce yields. Noncompetitive factors (allelopathy) may also be involved. Soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Asgrow A 3127 mid group 3) show a marked reduction in growth due to root exudation, leaf leachate and total plant extracts from white-flowered morning glory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.).

Vegetation Analysis Of Three Zones Of Belmont Prairie, Dupage County, Illinois, Susan Eckert Ruta

Masters Theses

Belmont Prairie is located in Downers Grove, DuPage County, Illinois, and is one of the few preserves of a native tall grass prairie. It is located in the Morainal section of the Northeastern Morainal Division, and harbors over 100 species of native prairie plants which are typical of the community type. Three vegetation zones were sampled for species composition and both frequency and relative frequency. These areas are as follows: Dry mesic upland area, sedge meadow, and transitional area.

The upland dry mesic zone had diverse vegetation including forb and grass species such as Parthenium integrifolium, Silphium laciniatum, …

Some Effects Of Simulated Acid Rain On Cool Season Turfgrasses, Robert C. Morrow

Masters Theses

Six varieties of cool season turfgrasses were exposed to simulated acid rainfall with treatments consisting of a sulfuric acid solution, a nitric acid solution, and a 50-50 mixture of both. Each solution was used to make "acid rain" of pHs 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, and 1.5.

Height measurements showed decreases in growth throughout the experiment for all treatments except the nitric and 50-50 acid treatments at pHs of 2.0 and 1.5, which maintain fairly constant growth. Analysis of nitrate, phosphorous, and potassium levels in the soil indicated heavy leaching of the nitrates and potassium from most soil samples, which probably account …

Residual Phytotoxicity Of Mon-097 In Sludge Enriched Soils, Jennifer A. Woods

Masters Theses

Aerobically and anaerobically digested sludges were added to soil at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, and 10% (v/v). Dry weights of Avena sativa var. Noble plants, harvested 28 days after planting, were greater with increased sludge concentrations. Plant dry weights were consistently greater with aerobically than with anaerobically digested sludge. MON-097, an acetanilide herbicide, was applied to these soil/sludge mixtures at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 ppm. Residual phytotoxicity of MON-097 was not significantly affected by sludge concentration. These results suggest that increased concentrations of sludge in the soil do not contribute to detoxification …

Analysis Of The Surface Polysaccharides Of R. Trifolii Su843 And Its Sym Plasmid Alterated Mutants, Jauh-Lin Duh

Masters Theses

The Rhizobium trifolii polysaccharides from SU843 and mutants--HC843(pBR1AN), HC843, 8002--in which the sym plasmid is replaced, absent, or mutated by transposon Tn5 were isolated. The surface polysaccharides of genetically altered mutants were compared quantitatively and qualitatively with one another and with the parent strain. The interpretation of these results is discussed in relation to the function of Rhizobium surface polysaccharides in the symbiotic process. The symbiotic ability of SU843 and mutant strains is as follows: (a) SU843, nod⁺, fix⁺; (b) mutant 8002, roa⁺ (still attaches to root hair), hac^-, nod^-; (c) …

Observed Changes In The Largemouth Bass Population Since Construction Of A New Pump Storage Reservoir At Charleston, Illinois, Lawrence B. Durham

Masters Theses

Lake Charleston, Illinois was electrofished to determine the status of the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, Lacepede) population after its reconstruction into a pump storage reservoir. The changes observed were an increased rate of growth of the initial year class, increased average growth increment of older bass, and a more abundant bass population. Factors which may have influenced increased growth were decreased turbidity, alkalinity, and increased water level. There is a possibility the increase in water level led to an increase in terrestrial invertebrates as a food source, and increased spawning substrate and cover due to submerged terrestrial vegetation. …

Factors Influencing Reforestation Of Surface Mined Lands In Southern Illinois, Jill R. Medland

Masters Theses

Studies of surface coal mined lands have focused primarily on older lands mined prior to the enactment of reclamation legislation. Current laws will require extensive grading, soil replacement and revegetation. In order to more effectively reforest these lands, I have evaluated sites planted to woody species during the past decade.

The vegetational characteristics, as well as both avaian and small mammal populations of several reclaimed surface mined areas, differing in age and reclamation procedures, were compared. Success of planted trees ranged from 50 to 91% and survival varied with the species planted. There was no relationship between tree survival and …

Raw Water Quality In The New Charleston, Illinois Pump Storage Reservoir, Kevin G. Lookis

Masters Theses

Charleston, Illinois, a city located in east-central Illinois, recently implemented a new concept in a raw water system. Due to storage capacity-sedimentation problems in the old Lake Charleston-Embarras River raw water supply, the Charleston Pump Storage Reservoir was constructed. The new system involved building a dike separating the Lake Charleston impoundment from the Embarras River. Water to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir can now be selectively pumped into the impoundment from the river.

Raw water quality in the reservoir was monitored on a weekly basis for a full year from August, 1981 to August, 1982. The levels of …

Autumn Olive Reproduction In Three Illinois State Parks, James Daniel Nestleroad

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Whole Brain Catecholamine Depletion In Carassius Auratus And The Exposure To Inescapable Shock In A Learned Helplessness Paradigm, Roderick J. Misunis

Masters Theses

Learned helplessness is a psychological concept that describes the subsequent escape-avoidance behavior of experimental subjects who are exposed to uncontrollable stressors. Subjects after treatment are unable to respond in situations where escape is possible. Two major theorists, Seligman and Weiss, have proposed explanations concerning the phenomena. Seligman feels that the subject is unable to respond due to the fact that the exposure to an uncontrollable stressor has caused him to learn to be "helpless". Weiss feels that the inability to respond can best be described by alterations in the subject's brain neurochemistry, specifically the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This paper is an …

The Effect Of Repeated Spermiation On Sperm Density In The American Toad (Bufo Americanus), Michael A. Kriz

Masters Theses

Bufo americanus (American toad) responds to LH-RF injections by releasing sperm into the cloaca. An ANOVA test (repeated measures) was used to determine that spermiation number and body size but not frequency of injection affected sperm density. The affects of body size on sperm density were that large toads produced the highest sperm densities, followed by the medium and then the small toads. Sperm density decreased with repeated spermiations which could correlate with the explosive breeding pattern of the American toad.