Life Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of Oscillating And Static Retort Thermal Processing Technology Using An Institutional Size Pouch, Judith Trevino

All Theses

The effects of oscillating and static retort thermal processing on heat penetration using an institutional size pouch were evaluated. A literature review of general information on retort thermal processing, process modes, processing mediums, retort pouches and starch was presented.
Frigex-W starch (National Starch Food Innovation) and water mixtures were prepared at three different concentrations (1%, 3% and 5%). Five replications of starch and water mixtures were processed using water spray as the processing medium in institutional size retort pouches (29.2 cm. x 38.1 cm.) using both oscillating and static processing modes.
Viscosity (by Brookfield viscometer and Bostwick consistometer), residual air …

Life History Characteristics Of The Turquoise Darter (Etheostoma Inscriptum) In The Upper Piedmont Of South Carolina, Stephan Irwin

All Theses

ABSTRACT
The intention of this study was to estimate population density, time of spawning, and fecundity of the turquoise darter (Etheostoma inscriptum) in Six Mile creek of the Clemson SC experimental forest. Population density estimates were conducted on 18 riffles within the lower 1,524 m of the creek starting 304.8 m above its confluence with Lake Issaqueena from January to April 2008. Density was determined using the Leslie Depletion method, and darters/m2 was calculated. Random point collection was performed From October 14 to November 13, 2008, and 301 specimens were measured and released to determine length frequency of the population. …

Using A Multimedia Assessment Tool To Impact Evolution Education Strategies In South Carolina's Public High Schools, Matthew Johnson

All Theses

The theory of evolution is widely accepted as one of the fundamental disciplines of modern science. Evolution provides a foundation for all aspects of biology, and thus it is essential that present and future biologists have a detailed understanding of evolutionary principles. However, since the famous Scopes trial in 1925, the teaching of evolutionary theory in the public school system has been under attack. Though several court cases over the last 85 years have continually supported evolution and discredited creationism (the idea that evolution cannot explain the diversity of life on earth and therefore must have arisen through the influence …

Erk 1/2 And P38 Mapk Pathways Are Both Invovled In The Expression Of Interleukin-6, -8, And Cyclooxygenase-2 In Thrombocytes Stimulated With Lipopolysaccharide, Candace Hitchcock

All Theses

This study was conducted to determine if the p38 and ERK1/2 MAPK pathways are involved in transcription of IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2 in the chicken thrombocyte response to ligation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by Salmonella minnesota lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Thrombocytes were isolated and subsequently treated with either p38 MAPK or ERK inhibitor, and then with LPS during in vitro cell culture. Transcription of IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2 mRNA was determined using real-time PCR. The experiments were repeated using pM, nM and μM concentrations of both inhibitors to test cell sensitivity. Stimulation with LPS induced expression of IL-6, IL-8 and COX-2 …

The Effect Of Moderate Exercise On Folliculogenesis, Cortisol, Estradiol And Luteinizing Hormone In Mares, Dale Kelley

All Theses

Assisted reproductive technologies allow mares to remain in training and produce offspring; however, limited data regarding the impact of exercise on folliculogenesis exists. Mares in training are reported to have reduced embryo recovery rates and ovulated smaller follicles. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effect of exercise on folliculogenesis using ultrasound technology. Additionally, cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol concentrations in mares were evaluated. The exercise period was from April to September 2008 at Latitude: 34¡ 41' 1' N. Thirteen horses were assigned to Exercise (n=6) or Control group (n=7). Mares were exercised …

Cloning And Expression Of Porcine Dicer And Argonaute-2, Heather Stowe

All Theses

In vitro-produced embryos exhibit aberrations in development, but the reasons for these developmental problems are unknown. Recently, a class of small non-coding RNA called microRNA (miRNA) has been described and reported to have roles in normal mammalian embryonic development. These miRNAs are encoded in the genome, transcribed by RNA pol II and processed into fragments approximately 22 nt in length by ribonuclease enzymes, the final one being a protein called Dicer. miRNA work through the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), of which the argonaute gene family are key proteins. Argonaute-2 (Ago2) has been identified as the only member possessing endonuclease activity, …

Molecular Analysis Of Split Hand/Foot Malformation (Shfm) At The Shfm3 And Shfm5 Loci, Megan Chryst-Ladd

All Theses

Split hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is a congenital limb malformation observed in humans characterized by a reduction or loss of the central digits of the hands and/or feet. The condition affects one in every 8,500 to 25,000 births, accounting for 8-17% of all limb reduction defects. A tandem duplication of approximately 500 Kb has been determined to be the causative mutation at the SHFM3 locus. Patients that are heterozygous for this duplication have three copies of the genes BTRC, POLL, and DPCD as well as an extra copy of exons 6-9 of FBXW4. The SHFM3 critical region also contains the FGF8 …

Low-Dose Of Sodium Arsenite Causes Delayed Differentiation In C2c12 Mouse Myoblast Cells Through The Repression Of The Transcription Factor Myogenin, Amanda Steffens

All Theses

A number of epidemiological studies have correlated arsenic exposurwith cancer, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and adverse developmental outcomes such as stillbirths, spontaneous abortions, neonatal mortality, low birth weight, and delays in the use of musculature. The current study used C2C12 mouse myoblast cells to examine whether low concentrations of arsenic could alter their differentiation into myotubes, which would indicate that arsenic has the ability to act as a developmental toxicant. Myoblast cells were exposed to 20nM sodium arsenite and allowed to differentiate into myotubes and expression of the muscle-specific transcription factor myogenin, along with the expression of myosin light chain …

A Contrast Pattern Based Clustering Quality Index For Categorical Data, Qingbao Liu, Guozhu Dong

Kno.e.sis Publications

Since clustering is unsupervised and highly explorative, clustering validation (i.e. assessing the quality of clustering solutions) has been an important and long standing research problem. Existing validity measures have significant shortcomings. This paper proposes a novel contrast pattern based clustering quality index (CPCQ) for categorical data, by utilizing the quality and diversity of the contrast patterns (CPs) which contrast the clusters in clusterings. High quality CPs can characterize clusters and discriminate them against each other. Experiments show that the CPCQ index (1) can recognize that expert-determined classes are the best clusters for many datasets from the UCI repository; (2) does …

Bed Bugs: For Homeowners, Ryan S. Davis, Erin W. Hodgson, Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe

All Current Publications

Bed bugs are notorious around the world for their impact on humans and have been recognized as important pests for hundreds of years. Infestations were common before World War II, but heavy insecticide use eliminated most bed bugs in North America for almost 30 years.

Bed Bugs: For Pest Control Operators, Ryan S. Davis

All Current Publications

Over the past decade reports of bed bug infestations (Cimicidae: Cimex lectularius) throughout North America and abroad have been on the rise. Accordingly, bed bug submissions to the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab have also been increasing.

Harvesting Corn Silage By Plant Moisture, James Barnhill, Linden Greenhalgh, Clark Israelsen, Michael Pace, Jody Gale

All Current Publications

This publication discusses the appropriate moisture level for ensiling corn silage as a forage.

Chopping And Storing Quality Corn Silage, Clark Israelsen, James Barnhill, Linden Greenhalgh, Michael Pace, Jody Gale

All Current Publications

This publication explains proper harvesting and storage of corn silage as a quality forage.

Northern Utah Alfalfa Nutrient Survey 2008, J. Barnhill, G. Cardon, M. Pace, C. Israelsen, D. Miner, L. Greenhalgh, S. Banks, M. Shao, D. Rothlisberger, S. Olsen

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Trade-Offs Between Predation Risk And Forage Differ Between Migrant Strategies In A Migratory Ungulate, Mark Hebblewhite, Evelyn Merrill

Wildlife Biology Faculty Publications

Trade-offs between predation risk and forage fundamentally drive resource selection by animals. Among migratory ungulates, trade-offs can occur at large spatial scales through migration, which allows an "escape'' from predation, but trade-offs can also occur at finer spatial scales. Previous authors suggest that ungulates will avoid predation risk at the largest scale, although few studies have examined multi-scale trade-offs to test for the relative benefits of risk avoidance across scales. Building on previously developed spatial models of forage and wolf predation risk, we tested for trade-offs at the broad landscape scale and at a finer, within-home-range scale for migratory and …

Don't Diss Integration: A Comment On Ricklefs's Disintegrating Communities, Rob W. Booker, Ragan M. Callaway, Lohengrin A. Cavieres, Zaal Kikvidze, Christopher J. Lortie, Richard Michalet, Francisco I. Pugnaire, Alfonso Valiente-Banuet, Thomas G. Whitham

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Attempted Cloning Of A Wnt Gene From Botrylloides Violaceus, Manasa Chandra, James Tumulak

Biological Sciences

Botrylloides violaceus is a colonial ascidian with the ability to undergo sexual and asexual reproduction as well as regeneration. The canonical pathway starts with the extracellular protein Wnt and ends with β-catenin, a transcription factor, which also functions in cell adhesion. The Wnt signaling pathway is involved in embryogenesis and regeneration in a variety of other species. In our studies we attempt to isolate and sequence both a Wnt gene and from Botrylloides via degenerate primer design and PCR. Using bioinformatic methods we aligned sequences from other organisms, as the Botrylloides genome has not yet been sequenced. Using mouse, Ciona, …

Methods For Karyotyping And For Localization Of Developmentally Relevant Genes On The Chromosomes Of The Purple Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus, Celeste C. Eno, Stefanie A. Boettger, Charles W. Walker

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Seeing The Future: Biology Research Allows Undergraduates New Insight Into Their Own Futures, Merideth Krevosky, Jeffery Bowen

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Formation Of Cull Cow Program For The Artificial Insemination Class, Brian O. Medeiros

Dairy Science

Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy is one of the great traits that the University holds. However it is this philosophy that is also one of the most expensive and hardest to maintain. “Production agriculture majors use more dollars per unit than any other major in the entire college,” as Dr. Golden stated during his talks about herd cut backs. Never the less the College of Agriculture prides itself on supplying knowledgeable and experienced students to the industry that supports it so much. One of the amazing classes that are offered at the university is the Dairy Science Artificial Insemination …

Exploring Red-Tailed Hawk Migration Using Stable Isotope Analysis And Dna Sexing Techniques, Kara Clare Donohue

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the movements of migratory birds and connecting the different stages of their annual cycle is necessary for the conservation and management of migratory bird species. Stable isotope technology has the potential to shed light on the movements of migratory species and to help us better understand their population dynamics. Several studies use stable hydrogen isotopes in particular to predict origins of birds sampled during migration or in winter. However, recent work on stable hydrogen isotopes in feathers (δD_f) draws into question the utility of this technology in estimating origins of migrants. My objective was to determine whether …

Heterologous Expression Studies Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Reveal Two Distinct Trypanosomatid Caax Protease Activities And Identify Their Potential Targets, David Z. Mokry, Surya P. Manandhar, Kristen A. Chicola, George M. Santangelo, Walter K. Schmidt

Faculty Publications

The CaaX tetrapeptide motif typically directs three sequential posttranslational modifications, namely, isoprenylation, proteolysis, and carboxyl methylation. In all eukaryotic systems evaluated to date, two CaaX proteases (Rce1 and Ste24/Afc1) have been identified. Although the Trypanosoma brucei genome also encodes two putative CaaX proteases, the lack of detectable T. brucei Ste24 activity in trypanosome cell extracts has suggested that CaaX proteolytic activity within this organism is solely attributed to T. brucei Rce1 (J. R. Gillespie et al., Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 153: 115-124. 2007). In this study, we demonstrate that both T. brucei Rce1 and T. brucei Ste24 are enzymatically active when …

Immunomodulatory Effects Of Diesel Exhaust Particles, Ashley Kay Masterson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) represent a key component of particulate matter pollution and a serious cardiopulmonary health risk, as these particles have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality following exposure. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory properties of DEP on helper T cells by measuring changes in activation, cytokine production, and viability. The expression of CD40L, a key regulatory protein, was increased by DEP in the absence of physiologic stimuli without parallel increases in the expression of CD25 and CD69 activation markers. Additional studies utilizing a variety of T cell stimuli, including T cell receptor signaling and CD28 …

Water Uptake Threshold Of Rabbiteye (Vaccinium Ashei) Blueberries And Its Influence On Fruit Splitting, Donna A. Marshall-Shaw, James M. Spiers, Kenneth J. Curry

Faculty Publications

Split-resistant and split-susceptible rabbiteye blueberry fruit were evaluated at all stages of development to determine ''water uptake thresholds'' by soaking in distilled water. Weight increase after soaking was measured, and percent weight gain was calculated to take into consideration the weight increase of the fruit from development. The ratio of percent increase in volume to weight increase resulting from water uptake was calculated. Ratios of percent water uptake to weight increase between splitsusceptible 'Tifblue' and split-resistant 'Premier' blueberries were found to be similar. The split-susceptible 'Tifblue' had a 1.6 g/50 fruit increase with a 1.7% water uptake and a ratio …

Dietary Response Of Sympatric Deer To Fire Using Stable Isotope Analysis Of Liver Tissue, W.D. Walter, T. J. Zimmerman, D. M. Leslie Jr., J. A. Jenks

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in biological samples from large herbivores identify photosynthetic pathways (C3 vs. C4 ) of plants they consumed and can elucidate potential nutritional characteristics of dietary selection. Because large herbivores consume a diversity of forage types, δ13C and δ15N in their tissue can index ingested and assimilated diets through time. We assessed δ13C and δ15N in metabolically active liver tissue of sympatric mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) to identify dietary disparity resulting from use of burned and unburned areas in a largely forested landscape. Interspecific variation in dietary disparity of deer …

Nesting Ecology Of Greater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus Urophasianus At The Eastern Edge Of Their Historic Distribution, Katie M. Herman-Brunson, Kent C. Jensen, Nicholas W. Kaczor, Christopher C. Swanson, Mark A. Rumble, Robert W. Klaver

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus populations in North Dakota declined approximately 67% between 1965 and 2003, and the species is listed as a Priority Level 1 Species of Special Concern by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The habitat and ecology of the species at the eastern edge of its historical range is largely unknown. We investigated nest site selection by greater sage-grouse and nest survival in North Dakota during 2005 - 2006. Sage-grouse selected nest sites in sagebrush Artemisia spp. with more total vegetative cover, greater sagebrush density, and greater 1-m visual obstruction from the nest than at random …

Looking Ahead To Spring's Returning Bounty: Natal Homing, Jason Vokoun, Benjamin Gahagan

Wrack Lines

Natal homing plays a part in fisheries restoration. This article describes research by Dr. Jason Vokoun and his students on otoliths in migratory finfish such as river herring, alewives, etc.

Techniques For Triggering Germination Of Adenostoma Fasciculatum In Revegetation Projects At Rocky Canyon Quarry, Stephanie B. Scolari

Master's Theses

Rocky Canyon Quarry is a granite mine located in the Santa Lucia Mountains about 5 miles southeast of the city of Atascadero. The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA), which passed in 1975, dictates that California mines must rehabilitate lands disturbed by mining operations. Dr. V. L. Holland and his students in the Biological Sciences Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) have been working on restoration and revegetation of the Rocky Canyon Quarry since the early 1990’s.

Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise) dominates the chaparral communities (chamisal chaparral) found in Rocky Canyon. Chamise is the most common …

Analysis Of A Pinus Radiata Seed Stock Field In The Native Año Nuevo Stand In California, Christina Brassey

Master's Theses

This study was a part of the international collaborative IMPACT project, which aims to address the potential threat that the pitch canker disease poses to the use of Pinus radiata D. Don in plantations in New Zealand, Australia, and Chile. A field trial of 264 seedstocks was planted adjacent to a native stand of pitch canker infected P. radiata on the central coast of California, and disease symptom development was recorded over a period of 3 years. The results did not correlate with a greenhouse study of the same seedstocks inoculated with Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg & O'Donnell, the causal agent …

Forest Change And Balsam Woolly Adelgig Infestation In High Elevation Forests Of Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina., Laura Lusk

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Black Mountain range of western North Carolina supports some of the most extensive, but threatened high elevation forests in the southern Appalachians. Of particular note, the insect pathogen, balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae Ratzeburg) has been present on Mt. Mitchell for over fifty years. In anticipation of potential changes in forest composition, vegetation surveys were first conducted in 1966 on nine one-acre plots near the summit of Mt. Mitchell. These plots were re-surveyed in 1978, 1985 and 2002. The purpose of this study was to re-census those plots and use those data to analyze long-term trends in forest …