Life Sciences Commons^™

Use Of Seeded Exotic Grasslands By Wintering Birds, Andrew D. George, Timothy J. O'Connell, Karen R. Hickman, David M. Lesliee Jr.

The Prairie Naturalist

Despite widespread population declines of North American grassland birds, effects of anthropogenic disturbance on wintering habitat of this guild remain poorly understood. We compared avian abundance and habitat structure in fields planted to the exotic grass Old World bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum; OWB) to that in native mixed-grass prairie. During winters of 2007–2008 and 2008–2009, we conducted bird and vegetation surveys in six native grass and six OWB fields in Garfield, Grant, and Alfalfa counties, Oklahoma. We recorded 24 species of wintering birds in native fields and 14 species in OWB monocultures. While vegetation structure was similar between field …

Whooping Cranes Consume Plains Leopard Frogs At Migratory Stopover Sites In Nebraska, Keith Geluso, Brad T. Krohn, Mary J. Harner, Michael J. Assenmacher

The Prairie Naturalist

Whooping cranes (Grus americana) currently consist of a single, wild population that migrates annually from breeding grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, to wintering grounds on and around the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge along the Texas coast, USA (NRC 2005). This population reached a low of less than 20 individuals in 1941 (Allen 1952) but has rebounded to over 250 individuals (Chavez-Ramirez and Wehtje 2012, Gil-Weir et al. 2012). Whooping cranes migrate approximately 4,000 km each spring and autumn, traversing much of the North American Great Plains (Lewis 1995) and periodically landing along rivers, wetlands, and other …

Hayden, Tristram, And A Pigeon From “Nebraska”, Rick Wright

Nebraska Bird Review

A passenger pigeon skin in the World Museum in Liverpool, England, was collected during an expedition to Nebraska and Dakota led by Gouverneur K. Warren between 1855 and 1857 and later cataloged by geologist and naturalist Ferdinand V. Hayden. For a time it was in the collection of Henry Baker Tristram, a famous naturalist and a founder of the British Ornithologists’ Union. Passenger pigeons were once “quite abundant” along the Missouri River.

The Effects Of Isolation On Endemic Cozumel Island Rodents: A Test Of The Island Rule, Brittany Marie Nuttall

Theses and Dissertations

Island isolation can cause changes in body size, cranial characteristics, and genetic variation in mammals. We use geometric morphometrics to test skull and mandible shape and size change across three species of endemic Cozumel Island rodents in order to test the “island rule” of larger size in isolated rodents. We also sequenced the D-Loop and cytochrome b region of the mitochondrial genome and tested for differences in genetic variation between island and mainland groups, as well as population structure and gene flow in order to assess the effect of island isolation on these three rodents. We found that the three …

Application Of Next-Generation Transcriptomic Tools For Non-Model Organisms: Gene Discovery And Marker Developmentwithin Plecoptera (Insecta), Nicholas Gregory Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Phylogenetic research on non-model organisms has been hindered by limited marker availability. Next generation sequencing techniques are eliminating that barrier. Using Illumina sequencing technology, Trinity assembly software, custom Perl reciprocal BLAST scripts, and Primer3 primer prediction software, we produced and analyzed 7 Plecopteran transcriptomes, representing 7 of the 16 total families, in an attempt to identify and develop conserved orthologous genetic markers. The transcriptomes were used to reconstruct a gene content phylogeny using a simple distance matrix generated from reciprocal blastn data. By producing and filtering a reciprocal blast network we identified and aligned over 450 putative orthologs. Out of …

Population Genetic Structure Of Bromus Tectorum In The American Desert Southwest, Desiree Rochelle Eldon

Theses and Dissertations

Following its introduction to North America in the late nineteenth century, Bromus tectorum L., an inbreeding invasive winter annual grass, has become dominant on millions of hectares of sagebrush steppe habitat throughout Intermountain Western North America. It appears that within the last 30-40 years, B. tectorum has expanded its range southward into the Mojave Desert and also into more climatically extreme salt desert environments. Previous research using microsatellite markers and experimental studies has suggested that lineages found in desert habitats are genetically distinct from those found in the sagebrush-steppe habitat and possess suites of traits that pre-adapt them to these …

Habitat Selection By Two K-Selected Species: An Application To Bison And Sage Grouse, Joshua Taft Kaze

Theses and Dissertations

Population growth for species with long lifespans and low reproductive rates (i.e., K-selected species) is influenced primarily by both survival of adult females and survival of young. Because survival of adults and young is influenced by habitat quality and resource availability, it is important for managers to understand factors that influence habitat selection during the period of reproduction. My thesis contains two chapters addressing this issue for K-selected species in Utah. Chapter one evaluates habitat selection of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercusurophasianus) on Diamond Mountain during the critical nesting and brood-rearing period. Chapter two address selection of birth sites by bison (Bison …

Exploring Post-Fire Recovery Of Biocrusts And Desert Ecosystem Services, Jason R. Bahr

Theses and Dissertations

Biocrusts and the ecosystem services they provide are becoming more susceptible to fire as exotic annual grass invasions facilitate the spread of desert wildfires. Further, precipitation patterns across the western United States are predicted to change over the next century, and have the potential to dramatically influence fire regimes and the recovery of burned biocrusts. Despite these changes to desert fire and precipitation cycles, our understanding of post-fire biocrust recovery is limited, especially regarding the first two years after fire. To investigate biocrust recovery, we created burn manipulations (i.e., unburned and burned) and tracked crust form and function over two …

Importance Of Placement Depth In Evaluating Soil Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Sulfur Using Ion Exchange Resin Capsules In Semi-Arid, Low Fertility Soils, Rachel Lynn Buck

Theses and Dissertations

Ion exchange resin capsules provide a possible alternative to conventional soil testing procedures. Previous studies with semi-arid, low fertility soils observed poor relationships with poorly mobile nutrients such as phosphorus (P). We propose that placement depth may improve those relationships. Our objective was to (1) determine if placement depth could improve resin capsule estimation of the bioavailability of nitrogen (N), P, and sulfur (S) and (2) to determine if resin capsules can effectively estimate S availability in semi-arid, low fertility soils. Field sites were established in Rush and Skull Valleys, Utah on loam and sandy loam soils, respectively. Fertilizer was …

Involvement Of Ampk And Ap-1 Biochemical Pathways In Il-6 Regulation Of Steroidogenic Enzymes In The Adrenal Cortex, Matharage Shenali De Silva

Theses and Dissertations

The adrenal cortex is a crucial endocrine gland in the mammalian stress response. In chronic inflammatory stress, cortisol is elevated whereas adrenal androgens are decreased. Furthermore, ACTH levels have poor correlation with the plasma cortisol in these conditions, thus suggesting that other factors are driving the stress response during chronic inflammatory stress. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine which is released during chronic inflammatory stress, is assumed to be one such factor. Thus the biochemical pathways by which IL-6 increases cortisol release from the zona fasciculata (ZF), and decreases adrenal androgen release from the zona reticularis (ZR) were investigated. Since IL-6 activates …

Ferritin-Based Photo-Oxidation Of Biomass For Nanoparticle Synthesis, Bioremediation, And Hydrogen Evolution, Oscar Petrucci

Theses and Dissertations

The cell is the basic unit of all living organisms. It is an amazing machine capable of self-replicating, growing, and synthesizing and shuttling thousands of compounds. To perform all of these activities the cell needs energy. The original source of energy for all living beings is the Sun. The energy of the sun is collected by the autotrophs (mostly plants) through photosynthesis and stored in the chemical bonds of carbohydrates and lipids through carboxylic acid intermediates; animals use these compounds to obtain the energy for their cells. Most of the energy extracted by the cell comes from the citric acid …

Fgf4 Induced Wnt5a Gradient In The Limb Bud Mediates Mesenchymal Cell Directed Migration And Division, John C. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

The AER has a vital role in directing embryonic limb development. Several models have been developed that attempt to explain how the AER directs limb development, but none of them are fully supported by existing data. I provide evidence that FGFs secreted from the AER induce a gradient of Wnt5a. I also demonstrate that limb mesenchyme grows toward increasing concentrations of Wnt5a. We hypothesize that the changing shape of the AER is critical for patterning the limb along the proximal to distal axis. To better understand the pathway through which Wnt5a elicits its effects, we have performed various genetic studies. …

Raman Spectroscopic Investigation Of Chondroitinase Abc Treatment After Spinal Cord Injury In An Organotypic Model, Shane Ruberto

Theses - ALL

This study investigated (1) the ability of an organotypic model of spinal cord injury (SCI) to recapitulate significant pathobiological events of in vivo SCI from a Raman spectroscopic perspective, and (2) the Raman spectroscopic effects of chondroitinase ABC (cABC) treatment on said model of SCI. Tissue from mouse spinal cords was excised, sectioned, and placed into culture, before being systematically injured to induce trauma. Cultures with and without cABC treatment were assessed using Raman spectroscopy at varying times post-injury. We demonstrate that Raman spectral phenomena characteristic of SCI can be observed using an organotypic model. By comparing these phenomena with …

Nature Of Science Conceptions, Attitudes Towards Evolution And Global Climate Change, And Course Achievement In An Introductory Biology Course, Benjamin Elijah Carter

Theses - ALL

Many researchers have studied student attitudes toward and knowledge of evolutionary science, attitudes towards global climate change (GCC), conceptions about the nature of science (NOS), and course success. However, at the time of this writing, no studies explicitly link these topics.

It is overwhelmingly acknowledged by the scientific community that evolution and global climate change (GCC) are undeniably supported by physical evidence. And yet, both topics remain very politically contentious in the United States. Efforts to mitigate the disconnects between the scientific community and the general public on these issues are imperative to science education. Such undertakings need to examine …

The Effect Of Caffeine On Neurocognitive Testing, B. I. Esianor, C. M. Cullum, L. Khan, D. Blueitt, M. Schneider, R. Azmar, C. Shubet, J. Wilson, J. E. Resch

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Baseline assessments using computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT) has been advocated for the management of sport related concussion (SRC) The ImPACT is a commonly used CNT used in SRC management protocols. A potential extraneous variable, which may influence baseline ImPACT test performance, is caffeine. Caffeine ingestion is prevalent amongst children and adolescents due to the need to increase or boost energy levels. Sources of random error such as caffeine may limit the clinical utility of the baseline ImPACT assessment following a SRC. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the effect caffeine on computerized neurocognitive testing, using ImPACT, …

The Effects Of Creatine Supplementation On Anaerobic Power Performance, Dominic Igbaji Ugar

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Creatine is one of the most popular dietary supplements in the field of sport worldwide and is the most popular and widely researched natural supplements. Creatine is one of the few sport supplements that have not been banned and is used by athletes at various levels. Creatine is commercially available in different forms, but regardless of its form, supplementation with creatine has consistently shown to increase strength, fat free mass, muscle morphology and the synthesis of muscle contractile proteins. Scientific studies by: Stone et al.(2003), McGuine et al.(2002) and Zuniga JM et al.( 2012) have shown that creatine supplementation …

The Effects Of Caffeine On Blood Lactate Levels During Submaximal Exercise, Sara Cleveland

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Blood lactate concentration reflects the balance between lactate production and clearance. It is considered a marker of exercise intensity and muscle glycolysis. It is expressed in mmol/L of lactate found in the plasma of blood. Research shows that caffeine, a stimulant with ergogenic properties, increases blood lactate levels. It is also shown to improve aerobic performance and increase time to exhaustion during exercise. The physiological underpinnings of caffeine-provoked endurance performance gains are not yet fully understood but may be related to enhanced calcium availability, adenosine receptor antagonism and consequential reductions in pain and perceived exertion, and augmented lipolysis and …

Physical Stress On The Body Using A Vo2 Max Test And Its Effects On Short-Term Memory In Male Students, Kimberly Alvarez

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Introduction. Research shows that rhythmic exercise changes in serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine levels all affect cortical arousal and cognitive function (Potter & Keele, 2005). There are many reasons why the brain is affected during exercise. Some of these include: increased glucose, oxygen and nutrient levels to the brain. Exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function in both short and long term memory. However, when the body is put under a large amount of physical stress, less oxygen is left in the brain due to the fact that the muscles require more of that oxygen and glucose. Does this …

The Effects Of Caffeine Consumption On The Blood Lactate Levels In Recreationally Active College-Aged Males, James S. Hoerig

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Caffeine has become the most widely used drug in the world. This xanthene derivative causes an increase in catecholamines circulating throughout the blood, and is commonly used by athletes looking for an increase in athletic performance. Besides having a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular and nervous system, many report a decrease in their levels of perceived exertion while performing exercise in conjunction with the drug. Blood lactate is a common way to quantify objectively the levels of exertion an athlete may be experiencing during exercise, as it is shown to increase linearly with perceived exertion and muscular fatigue. Additionally, …

A Brief Study Of Cognition, Alfred Brown

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

BACKGROUND: The goal of this experiment was to determine the relation between cognition and fitness in the senior citizen population. METHODS: For the purpose of obtaining cognitive abilities, 41 participants completed a written exam called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) in a quiet location. No more than one participant was allowed to be in the testing area at a time. Before beginning the exam, participants were asked to complete a consent document. Participants were then asked to complete a series of questions pertaining to visual spatial awareness, memory, naming, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation. After completion, no participant …

The Effects Of C4 During A Graded Exercise Treadmill Test To Max, Donna Khounvivongsy

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: C4 is a pre-workout supplement which is a type of ergogenic aid. Ergogenic aids helps to enhance athletic performance, energy use, and recovery time. There are different types of pre-workout supplement ingredients such as caffeine, creatine, and nitric oxide precursors that all claim to work together to promote energy and improve performance. These supplements are used increasingly in the regimen of many athletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of C4 during a graded exercise treadmill to maximal exercise levels on college males. METHODS: Six men (age 21.17 + 1.79 yrs) of the UTA …

Effects Of Caffeine On Anaerobic Power During Wingate, Javier Plascencia

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Introduction: The ergogenic effect of caffeine on short-term, high intensity exercise has been shown to be controversial throughout the literature. Some studies have shown little to no effect on anaerobic power with caffeine supplementation while a select few have shown significant gains. Anaerobic power is the energy that is stored in muscles that is readily available at any time and can be accessed without the use of oxygen. It may be expressed as an absolute value in Watts (S) or as a relative rate in Watts per Kilogram (/Kg). Anaerobic power has long been an integral part of sports that …

The Association Between Muscle Contraction Ratings From Manual Muscle Testing Performed By Pre-Physical Therapy Students And Electromyography Readings Obtained From Isometric Contractions, Jason Ngu

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Manual muscle testing (MMT) is utilized in different fields like physical therapy and other fields that require diagnosis of a person’s muscular strength and progression over time. MMT involves stabilization of a certain part of the body while external resistance is provided by the manual muscle tester. Muscular activity is graded on a 0 to 5 scale. Another way to measure muscle activation is by electromyography (EMG). EMG uses electrodes to record electrical activity produced by a muscle. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between ratings of muscular activity by pre-physical therapy students and …

The Effect Of Post Activation Potentiation On An Isometric Bicep Contraction, Nickesh Mistry

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Post activation Potentiation (PAP) is a new concept that has a need for further research. The performance of a muscle depends on the historic activity of that muscle. The concept of PAP is activating the muscle prior to maximal contraction. This concept works on the basis that the muscle has history of activating and, in turn, will be able to produce a greater force and torque. This idea was utilized with a biceps isometric contraction. An isometric contraction is a contraction where the joint angle as well as the muscle length is not going to change during the contraction. …

The Effects Of An Energy Drink Containing Caffeine On Maximal Exercise Performance, Kandice Reed

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Consuming energy drinks before exercising has become popular among young adults. Most people consume energy drinks to increase their exercise intensity and duration. Investigations have been performed to analyze the effects of the caffeine from various energy drinks on exercise performance. During maximal exercise performance, heart rate, Rate of Perceived Exertion, and systolic blood pressure increase linearly with exercise time and workload. Diastolic blood pressure generally, changes very little with increasing exercise intensity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research study was to examine the effect that caffeine in an energy drink has on maximal exercise performance. METHODS: Five male, …

The Comparison Of Vertical Jump Height Between Gender And Body Fat Percentage, Allison Jack

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Vertical jump height is seen as a muscle performance test that indicates power and force production. It is a kinematic measure used to determine the differences between males and females based on their frontal plane hip angle. Along with different hip angles, males also have greater leg girths than females that could be an anthropometric measurement that influences power production. Males generally have a greater vertical jump height than females with arm swing because of their upper body strength, which influences power production. This is an important factor when determining training program and types of exercises because males and …

Effects Of Dynamic Vs Static Warm-Ups On Athletic Performance In Youth, Morgan Melton

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: A typical warm-up involves some form of stretching depending upon the activity being performed. Stretches can be either dynamic (meaning they involve motion) or static (meaning they involve no motion). Dynamic stretches affect dynamic flexibility and static stretches affect static flexibility (and dynamic flexibility to some degree). Static stretches are designed to hold a position for a joint/muscle that is minimally challenging. Dynamic movement stretches are designed to take a joint/muscle through a challenging and repetitive motion, moving a body part farther with each repetition. Research over the benefits and risks of static and dynamic stretching protocols during warming …

The Effects Of Submaximal Exercise On Cognitive Function, N. Stewart, Judy Wilson

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Submaximal exercise is exercise that is below the maximum level of which an individual is capable. Research has shown that regularly exercising can be very beneficial, both physically and mentally, for all individuals. This study looks at the acute effects of submaximal exercise on a person’s mental capabilities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to see whether submaximal exercise has any positive or negative effects on cognitive function. METHODS: Six men (M; age 35.2 ± 13.7 yrs.) and 4 women (W; age 42.3 ± 21.3 yrs.) volunteered to participate in this study that was conducted at the University …

The Effects Of L-Carnitine Supplementation On Body Weight, Body Fat Percentage And Fat Metabolism, Mohamed Abdurahman

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: L-carnitine is a nutritional ergogenic aid. Long chain fatty acids are a major source of energy at rest and during exercise for the body. L-carnitine is an enzyme that transports these fatty acids to the mitochondria for beta oxidation. It has been theorized that by increasing L-carnitine availability, fat oxidation will be increased within the body and glycogen can be spared, thus, increasing aerobic endurance capacity. Previous studies have shown mixed results. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether 10 days of L-carnitine supplementation in a recreationally active college-aged sample would result in increased fat metabolism. …

Genetic Variability Of Spined Soldier Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Sampled From Distinct Field Sites And Laboratory Colonies In The United States, Fatima Mustafa, Muhammad Ullah, Kathleen M. Kneeland, Thomas A. Coudron, W. Wyatt Hoback, S. R. Skoda, Jaime Molina-Ochoa, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), is an important biological control agent of agricultural and forest pests; and it preys on eggs and larvae of lepidopteran and coleopteran species. Genetic variability among field samples collected from Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Florida and established laboratory colonies was examined using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism-Polymerase Chain Reaction (AFLP-PCR). Four AFLP primer pairs generated a total of 340 molecular markers for evaluation. Results from Analysis of Molecular Variance showed that the majority of the genetic variation occurred within populations (individuals from each sample site). Nei’s method indicated reduced genetic diversity in laboratory populations compared …