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Cardiovascular Fetal Programming in Quail (Colinus virginianus), An Avian Comparative Model (open access)

Cardiovascular Fetal Programming in Quail (Colinus virginianus), An Avian Comparative Model

The consequences of early embryonic insults and how they affect subsequent life reflects the emerging concept of "fetal programming". The aim of this project is to study the effects of embryonic insults as they subsequently manifest themselves in adults, with emphasis on the heart and vasculature. My experiments establish that fetal programming operates on the bobwhite quail inducing similar changes as those observed in mammalians and other birds. The quail's fast development provides reliable data in a short period of time than other avian models (e.g. domestic chicken). Data on quail showed a correlation between egg mass and hatchling mass; where small eggs produce small hatchlings but a high mortality made it impractical as a stressor for this study. Hypoxia was used as a stressor during embryonic incubation, where it induced a low hatching weight in quail that was not observable in adult birds. Morphological measurements demonstrated an increased ventricular collagen content and reduced ventricular lumen in birds in adults incubated in hypoxia consistent with hypertension. The hematological analyzes showed few differences indicating organ remodeling instead of hematopoietic compensation. The assessment of vascular reactivity pointed out an impaired endothelium dependent relaxation commonly associated to hypertension in birds and mammals. Fetal …
Date: December 2016
Creator: Flores Santin, Josele R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect of pH on the Persistence and Toxicity of Cyfluthrin to Chironomus Tentans (open access)

Effect of pH on the Persistence and Toxicity of Cyfluthrin to Chironomus Tentans

The effect of pH upon the aquatic toxicity of cyfluthrin was determined in 48 h static acute toxicity tests using 2nd instar Chironomus tentans larvae. Tests were conducted in both dechlorinated tap water and lake water of pH 8.0, 7.2, and 6.6. After 48 h, immobilized and dead larvae were removed and replaced with 2nd instar larvae to assess the persistence of toxicity. Midges were cultured in water adjusted to the pH values used in testing. Toxicity if cyfluthrin varied inversely with pH. An increase in the pH of tap water by 2 units resulted in a 2-decrease in toxicity. Toxicity of cyfluthrin also varied between tap and lake water of the same pH. EC50 values in lake water were approximately 2-3 times lower than those in tap water. Toxicity in the lake water and tap water at every pH tested was also significantly different when regression line elevations were compared. Natural waters amended with cyfluthrin were consistently more toxi to the chironomids than tap water of the same pH. Persistence of cyfluthrin at low pH also influenced chironomid behavior. Recovery of normal behavior generally began within 24 h at pH 8.0 At pH 6.0, recovery did not begin until …
Date: May 1992
Creator: Hambleton, Faith Ann (Faith Ann Elizabeth)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Advanced Techniques in Microbial and Molecular Biology: Laboratory Procedures for a Graduate Level Course (open access)

Advanced Techniques in Microbial and Molecular Biology: Laboratory Procedures for a Graduate Level Course

Advanced laboratory techniques for Microbial and Molecular Biology at the graduate level are presented in this thesis. The procedures for the laboratory experiments are set forth in detail. This laboratory is conducted as two parts, each by a different professor. Part 1 covers the experiments conducted by Dr G.A.O. Donovan. These experiments include an introduction, staining procedures, biochemical reactions, mutagenesis experiment, essays,. preparation and analysis of plasmid DNA and various other topics. Part 2 covers the experiments conducted by Dr. Daniel Kunz and includes various topics like media preparation, phenotyping strains, conjugative transfer of plasmids, SDS-PAGE, induction and measurement of enzyme and transposon mutagenesis
Date: August 1998
Creator: Kumar, Shalini
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Water Quality Study of Lake Texoma (open access)

A Water Quality Study of Lake Texoma

A series of four stations for sampling the waters of the Red Rivers and Lake Texoma was established. Water samples from top, middle, and bottom levels of these four stations were taken on monthly intervals during periods of homothermousity and on two-week intervals during periods of thermal stratification. These samples were analysed for the cations sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and for the anions normal carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, water hardness (expressed as calcium carbonate), and phosphates. Determinations for dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, temperature, and specific conductance were performed. Using these data, vertical profiles of the lake at these four stations were established. From the study of these data it was concluded that the waters of the Red River improve in quality coincident with impoundment, and that these improvements are sufficient to warrant the use of these waters.
Date: June 1959
Creator: Goodman, John Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of Nutrient Media on Growth and Morphology of Azotobacter Vinelandii (open access)

Effects of Nutrient Media on Growth and Morphology of Azotobacter Vinelandii

The work described in this thesis was undertaken to study the reasons why Azotobacter vinelandii ATCC 12837 after incubation in Burk's nitrogen-free liquid will not form as many colonies when plated on Difco Tryptic Soy Agar as when planted on Burk's nitrogen-free agar. The difference in growth of A. vinelandii on the two agars was established by performing viable cell-plate counts. The difference in growth was most apparent at 24-hours incubation of the Burk's liquid-media cultures. Phase contrast microscopic observations of Tryptic Soy media cultures of A. vinelandii disclosed the regular formation of fungoid cells at early stages of growth of the bacteria, 18 to 24 hours.
Date: August 1974
Creator: Butsch, Robert W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Thermogenesis by Selected Substrates on Hypothermic Rat Liver (open access)

A Comparison of Thermogenesis by Selected Substrates on Hypothermic Rat Liver

The thermogenic effects in hypothermia of four substrates--alanine, glycine, ethano, and pyruvate - were studied in seventeen experiments. Albino rats were decapitated, and their livers were removed. The livers were homogenized with phosphate buffer at -5° C. After equilibration in a refrigerated Warburg apparatus at 20° C, the substrates were added and tissue respiration was recorded over three hours. Heat production was calculated from O2 uptake and CO2 production. Results showed that alanine, glycine, and pyrvate yielded 93.19, 89.86, and 89.89 x 10^6 kg-cal compared to a control value of 86.11 x 10^-6 kg-cal. Ethanol provided 110.31 x 10^-6 kg-cal, a value significantly greater than for the other substrates. The substrates studied, especially ethanol, did, therefore increase heat production in an artificially hypothermic environment in homogenized rat livers.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Long, James T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Impact of a Genetically Engineered Probiotic Therapy and IGF-1 Genomics in the PAHenu2 Mouse Model of PKU (open access)

Impact of a Genetically Engineered Probiotic Therapy and IGF-1 Genomics in the PAHenu2 Mouse Model of PKU

Absence of functional phenylalanine hydroxylase results in phenylketonuria (PKU). Viable treatments remain few, expensive and secondary conditions such as osteopenia occur in most PKU patients. Objective 1: Given the recently described roles of gut microbes to aid host digestion, an orally administered genetically engineered probiotic as the delivery vehicle for enzyme replacement therapy was created. The engineered probiotic, pHENOMMenal, produced phenylalanine ammonia lyase with significant production of trans-cinnamate (phenylalanine cleavage product) in vitro and resulted in a reduction of 515 μM in blood phenylalanine when fed to PKU animals for 14 days (from 2307µM ± 264µM to 1792µM ± 261µM, n = 6, P < 0.05). The control probiotic produced no change in blood phenylalanine. Thus, pHENOMMenal treatment in PKU mice demonstrated engineered microbes could compensate for a metabolic deficiency of the host. Objective 2: Evaluate the PAHenu2 mouse model of PKU for a genetic discrepancy causing ocular enlargement and delayed development observed only after the PAHenu2 mutation was crossed to the C57BL/6J mouse. When compared to healthy littermates, ELISA indicated a consistent but insignificant decrease in plasma IGF-1 and an increase in ocular IGF-1 in PKU animals. SNP screening demonstrated a differential inheritance of IGF-1 alleles in healthy and …
Date: December 2015
Creator: Durrer, Katherine Elaine
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Some Congenital Anomalies of the Teeth (open access)

A Study of Some Congenital Anomalies of the Teeth

Anomalies of the teeth include a variety of expression such as: anodontia, hyperdontia, peg teeth. opalescent dentine, mottled enamel, and other imperfections of the teeth. This paper is concerned primarily with anodontia in human subjects, although other abnormalities of interest are mentioned. Insufficient datum is the principal difficulty encountered in determining the mechanism and means of transmission in human genetics. Small families, slow breeding, and inability to subject humans to experimentation account, in part, for this difficulty. The lack of reliable data is the second major difficulty in determining the mode of transmission. Often normal or unaffected members of a family are forgotten due to insignificance placed on them--thus an untrue pedigree is the result. The fact that one must rely on information from one or two members of a family lends itself to error. Therefore, an absolutely accurate determination of Mendelian ratios in human genetics would be impossible. This error, however, can be reduced by the gathering and compilation of large numbers of family pedigrees from which calculations can be made and results determined which will reveal the mode of transmission of various hereditary traits. With this view in mind, this paper is presented, first, to add several more …
Date: August 1955
Creator: Jones, Alvin Watt
System: The UNT Digital Library
Relationship of Certain Fungi to Azotobacter in Nitrogen-Free Media (open access)

Relationship of Certain Fungi to Azotobacter in Nitrogen-Free Media

Azotobacter and various fungi were grown together in nitrogen-free media. Maximal fungal growth in the medium used was possible only at the expense of Azotobacter cells and growth was always accompanied by acid production. When the medium reached a pH of 2, the bacterial cells were aggregated on fungal hyphae and the culture fluid appeared to be free of Azotobacter. Aspergillus niger grew well at the expense of viable bacteria and other fungi grew well on heat-killed cells of A. vinelandii. Members of the genus Hormodendrum, although not causing significant decrease in pH, were also able to clear turbid cultures of Azotobacter. However, clearing, which involved the attachment of bacteria to fungal hyphae, was dependent on acid production by the fungi. Bacterial aggregation was followed by hyphal attachment, bacterial inactivation, and finally, bacterial cell lysis.
Date: August 1976
Creator: Ray, Manfred G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Multiphasic Study of the Interaction Between the Branchiobdellid Cambarincola Vitrea and its Crayfish Host Procambarus Simulans (open access)

A Multiphasic Study of the Interaction Between the Branchiobdellid Cambarincola Vitrea and its Crayfish Host Procambarus Simulans

The host-parasite interface between the branchiobdellid Cambarincola vitrea Ellis and its crayfish host is investigated along ecological, ultrastructural, serological, and endocrinological lines of evidence. Monthly analysis of a natural branchiobdellid from a vernal habitat demonstrates the annelid to be particularly sensitive to changes involving both the physical habitat as well as the host crayfish.
Date: August 1973
Creator: Koepp, Stephen John
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Evaluative Study of the Grasslands of the R.J. McMurry Ranch, Denton County, Texas (open access)

An Evaluative Study of the Grasslands of the R.J. McMurry Ranch, Denton County, Texas

It is the purpose of this problem to classify the four major pastures of the McMurry ranch using the discussed classification system. The definite measurable qualities characterizing each condition of the system are used extensively in this study. The problem is concerned also with the observation of results of misuse, the present practices that could result in further depletion of portions of the McMurry ranch, and procedures being employed at the present time aimed toward the restoration of these depleted portions.
Date: June 1951
Creator: Nolen, Bette Rudd
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of Smoking on Gastric Secretion and Gastric Motility in Man (open access)

Effects of Smoking on Gastric Secretion and Gastric Motility in Man

This thesis is concerned with the use of some of the newer techniques in a study of some of the effects of cigarette smoking on gastric secretion and gastric motility in normal subjects and in patients with active duodenal ulcers.
Date: June 1956
Creator: McKenzie, Jess Mack
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Quantitative and Qualitative Bacterial Analysis of the Sewage Disposal System of Perryton, Texas (open access)

A Quantitative and Qualitative Bacterial Analysis of the Sewage Disposal System of Perryton, Texas

This investigation had for its purpose the determination of first, the inefficiency of the Perryton, Texas, sewage disposal plant proper; and second the potential effectiveness of a lagoon now used to complete the sewage purification; and consequently, offset an apparent health hazard. The problem, as pursued, has consisted of first, the collection of sewage samples from the six stations listed in Table 1 over the period of time from September 23, 1949 to May 14, 1950; second, a quantitative analysis of each sample in order to determine the number of bacterial organisms present; third, a qualitative analysis of each sample in order to determine more expecially the presence of members of the genera Aerobacter, Escherischia, Salmonella and Shigella; and fourth, an attempt to evaluate the potentialities of the natural purification factors of the lagoon.
Date: August 1950
Creator: Sullivan, Troy G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of Range Condition Classes for Coleman County, Texas (open access)

Development of Range Condition Classes for Coleman County, Texas

This paper deals with a study of the rangelands in Coleman County just west south and west of the Western Cross Timbers of Texas. This problem consists of classifying certain rangelands in this area according to whether they are excellent, fair, good, or poor, the chief basis for which is their deterioration.
Date: June 1951
Creator: McMinn, Philip Morris
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Impact of Developmental Stress on Cardiovascular Physiology of Two Archosaur Species: American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus) (open access)

The Impact of Developmental Stress on Cardiovascular Physiology of Two Archosaur Species: American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus)

Crocodilians and birds comprise sister taxa of archosaurs, the development of these vertebrates occurs within an egg case that leaves developing embryos susceptible to fluctuations in the nesting environment. Studies suggest that sub-optimal conditions alter morphological growth and cardiovascular physiology. Regulation of the cardiovascular system is immature in the subjects studied, and embryos may rely on humoral rather than neural control of the cardiovascular system. The primary focus of this dissertation was to assess regulatory mechanisms responsible for maintenance of arterial pressure and heart rate. Dehydration stress had marked effects on embryo growth, and altered baseline cardiovascular parameters, while leaving the response to humoral regulator, angiotensin II (Ang II), unaffected. However, dehydrated alligator embryos developed cholinergic tone on heart rate. Hypoxic incubated chicken embryos were reduced in embryo mass, and altered response to humoral regulatory components Ang I and adenosine in addition identifying a novel regulatory component of the cardiovascular response to acute hypoxia. Collectively, these studies add to the existing knowledge of cardiovascular physiology in embryonic archosaurs and suggest that some components of cardiovascular regulation are plastic following developmental stress.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Tate, Kevin B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of Common Electrolytes on Growth and Development of Selected Species of Aquatic Actinomycetes (open access)

The Effects of Common Electrolytes on Growth and Development of Selected Species of Aquatic Actinomycetes

The role that aquatic actinomycetes play, in the production of tastes and odors in water supplies has been investigated since 1948. The ability of these organisms to produce by-products in lakes and streams, which renders the water unpalatable, is of considerable public health importance. It is desirable that the waterworks industry has as much information as possible concerning the factors that contribute to the growth of these organisms. Since it appears that the aquatic actinomycetes may be isolated from most fresh-water sources, the problem of diversified environments and nutritional requirements offers an excellent field of investigation. The fresh-waters of the world contain variable quantities of electrolytes that may determine in part the biological activity of these organisms. The unsolved questions in this instance are concerned with the electrolytes present and their quantitative effects on the growth and development of these forms.
Date: August 1959
Creator: Sissom, Stanley L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Responses to Diets High in Phenylalanine Compounds as Genetic Parameters in Mice (open access)

Responses to Diets High in Phenylalanine Compounds as Genetic Parameters in Mice

The induction of phenylketonuria in mice through the use of excess dietary phenylalanine is an area in which limited research has been done. This study intends to pursue further work in this area, more specifically, to study the effects of excess dietary phenylalanine and the phenylalanine analogue A.P.B.A. (2-amino-3-phenyl butanoic acid) (7) on brain serotonin and brain norepinephrine. In addition, the effects of these two compounds on the incidence of audiogenic seizures will be explored.
Date: June 1966
Creator: Boughey, Frederick W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bacteriological Studies of the Campus Drinking Fountains of North Texas State Teachers College Denton, Texas (open access)

Bacteriological Studies of the Campus Drinking Fountains of North Texas State Teachers College Denton, Texas

"In order to gain an adequate idea of the sanitary condition of the drinking fountains on the North Texas State Teachers College campus, it was found necessary to approach these bacteriological studies from a seasonal point of view."--1.
Date: August 1941
Creator: McCoy, Eloise
System: The UNT Digital Library
Microflora in Prepared Foods Dispensed from Eating Establishments in Dallas, Texas (open access)

Microflora in Prepared Foods Dispensed from Eating Establishments in Dallas, Texas

A bacteriological study was made of a number of prepared foods that were bought ready-to-eat, for home consumption, from several food establishments in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of this study was to show whether these foods could be a potential source of food poisoning; whether there are any particular foods that should have greater care than others in order to protect their quality; and whether the bacteriological contamination could have been prevented by strict observance of the city regulations for handling foods.
Date: August 1948
Creator: Phillips, Margaret
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Selected Factors Influencing Science Majors Toward Science Careers (open access)

A Study of Selected Factors Influencing Science Majors Toward Science Careers

"The purpose of this study is to gather information concerning some factors which may have operated to influence science majors in North Texas State College toward science careers."--4.
Date: August 1957
Creator: Bragg, Louis Hairston
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of a Selected Group of Science Related Characteristics of Non-Science Majors (open access)

A Study of a Selected Group of Science Related Characteristics of Non-Science Majors

The purpose of this study is to gather information related to the characteristics of two groups of undergraduate non-science majors; namely, those students who once considered science as a career and subsequently changed to a non-science major and those who have never considered a career in science. It is frequently observed that children in the elementary school have an intense interest in science. One of the principal concerns of this study is how and for what reasons has the interest in science changed between elementary school and college? It is also the purpose of this study to gather information related to the attitudes of these college students toward the science courses they have had in high school and toward their science teachers. In attempting to arrive at an answer, the group who once considered a science career and those who have never considered an occupational choice in a field of science will be compared in the following areas: 1. General information such as sex, age, size of high school attended, rank within their graduating classes, college classification and military experiences. 2. Occupations and hobbies of parents. 3. Experiences which may influence attitudes toward science such as elementary school science, high …
Date: August 1957
Creator: Bearden, Bennie Paul
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect of Light and Other Environmental Factors on Growth and Carotenogenesis of Corynebacterium Species Strain 7E1C (open access)

Effect of Light and Other Environmental Factors on Growth and Carotenogenesis of Corynebacterium Species Strain 7E1C

This investigation studies effects of environmental factors on growth and carotenogenesis in Corynebacterium strain 7ElC. Changes in pH were found to effect growth more than carotenogenesis. However, certain nutrients or long incubation periods stimulated carotenoid formation more than growth. Dark conditions in a mineral salts-glucose medium stimulated growth, but minimized carotenogenesis. Tryptic soy broth or yeast extract elicited carotenogenesis in darkness. Although brief light exposure during inoculation was photoinductive, continuous exposure to light following inoculation was required for maximum pigment synthesis. Dark grown stationary phase cells required 24-hours of light for maximum pigment synthesis. Chloramphenicol inhibition of carotenogenesis in dark grown cells exposed to light showed that enzymes needed for carotenoid synthesis were absent from dark grown cultures.
Date: August 1974
Creator: Howard, Marta E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Population Dynamics and Trophic Relationships of Seven Species of Fish in a Small Southwestern Pond, with Special Attention Toward Young-of-the-Year Fish (open access)

The Population Dynamics and Trophic Relationships of Seven Species of Fish in a Small Southwestern Pond, with Special Attention Toward Young-of-the-Year Fish

Production rates of seven species of fish, along with food-web interactions, were determined for one year in a pond. Production of fish in the pond amounted to 208.9 q/m2/yr. Over 95% of the production occurred in the summer, with Y of Y fish contributing 83.8%. There were two food-web interactions observed in Y of Y fishes: crappie vs. bass and bullhead vs. sunfish. When Y of Y fish shifted to benthic diets in the spring, the small biomass of benthos available could not sustain the larger biomass of fish. Competition for the available food resulted in decreased production rates for the fish community.
Date: August 1975
Creator: Jones, Fredrick V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Investigation of Naturally Occurring Tastes and Odors from Fresh Waters (open access)

An Investigation of Naturally Occurring Tastes and Odors from Fresh Waters

The Problem of the cause and control of tastes and odors in water supplies has been the subject of a great many investigations during the last half-century; however, many questions in this field remain to be answered. Theories relating to the cause of tastes and odors occurring in water are still rather numerous and, at present, only a few of them are compatible. Although several procedures have been employed for the eradication of tastes and odors from water supplies, none of them are completely successful.
Date: May 1955
Creator: Pipes, Wesley O'Feral, Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library