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Utah is a popular second-home destination due to its unique landscapes that offer numerous natural amenities. Therefore, this research utilizes a mail survey of residents in six Utah counties to examine if seasonal residents become attached to their local communities in the same way as year-round residents. The objective of this research was two-fold: 1) to determine if the commonly cited dimensions of community attachment are an accurate representation of the concept itself; and 2) to determine if the foundations of community attachment, based on those conceptual dimensions, are different for year-round and seasonal homeowners. Prior research has shown that length of residence is the best predictor of community attachment. Therefore, a measure of length of residence for year-round residents is used, while a proxy measure of frequency of visitation to seasonal homes is used for seasonal residents. In addition to the residency categories, traditional sociodemographics are used as control variables. Structural equation models, which allow for the use of latent variables, are utilized to complete the objectives of this research. In general, levels of attachment were highest for longstanding year-round residents. Additionally, newcomer year-round residents and seasonal residents who visit their secondary communities more often possessed attachment, but at slightly lower levels than year-round longstanding residents. Seasonal residents who visit their seasonal communities less frequently had the lowest levels of community attachment. The multivariate results revealed that a multidimensional conceptualization of community attachment is appropriate. The operationalization of the commonly cited dimensions of community attachment (social bonds, participation and sentiments) used in this research all proved to be important elements of the higher order construct "community attachment" for both year-round and seasonal residents. Finally, the results indicated that the foundations of community attachment are different for seasonal and year-round residents. For year-round residents, community attachment is best predicted by the social bonds dimension, while for seasonal residents the participation dimension is the most important. In all, however, all three of the dimensions of community attachment used herein are important, thereby indicating that any future research on this important topic would be best suited to use a multidimensional conceptualization of community attachment.

We hypothesized that marked reductions in secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) during transitional and anovulatory periods can be accounted for by similar reductions in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Catheters were inserted surgically into the intercavernous sinus (ICS) of seven non-pregnant mares via the superficial facial vein during the ovulatory season (August 12-23), fall transition (November 15-30), the anovulatory season (January 19 - February 1) and spring transition (March 24 - May 12). Catheter placement was confirmed and standardized in each mare by lateral radiography. Ovarian status was monitored throughout the study by transrectal ultrasonography and serum concentrations of progesterone. During the breeding season, ICS blood samples were collected at 5-min intervals for 8 h when the dominant follicle reached approximately 35 mm and estrous behavior was observed. All mares ovulated within 5 d after sampling, except one mare who ovulated < 24 h before sampling. During the fall, mares were anovulatory (n = 5) or had a final ovulation within 5 d following intensive sampling (n = 2). Winter anovulation sampling was performed when all mares were anovulatory. During spring transition, each mare was sampled just before the second ovulation of the season. Similar to the ovulatory season, mares were sampled when the dominant, preovulatory follicle reached approximately 35 mm and estrous behavior was observed. Mean concentrations of LH were markedly higher (P < 0.01) during the breeding season than during all other seasons. Lower mean concentrations of LH in the fall transition, winter anovulation and spring transition sampling periods occurred coincident with a similar reduction (P < 0.01) in amplitude of LH pulses. Unexpectedly, neither the frequency (pulse/8 h) of LH pulses, frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses, nor mean concentrations of GnRH differed among seasons. In addition, there were no differences observed due to season in mean concentrations of FSH or amplitude of FSH pulses. However, a small but significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the frequency of FSH pulses was observed during fall transition compared to all other seasons. In summary, contrary to accepted dogma, these results indicate that the photoperiodic initiation of seasonal anovulation in the mare is mediated at the level of the anterior pituitary, and appears to occur through a dampening of gonadotroph responsiveness to an unchanging pattern and magnitude of GnRH secretion.

Tracking migratory movements of birds between breeding and wintering areas is important for both theoretical and conservation purposes. In particular, information about linkages between stages of the annual cycle (i.e., migratory connectivity) is essential for identifying factors and processes limiting population sizes of birds. Further, this information is necessary for testing assumptions and hypotheses about the evolution of avian migratory patterns. Here, I used stable hydrogen isotope (δD) analyses of tissues representing different periods and geographic regions of the annual cycle of white-throated sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis, to provide new information on spatial and temporal linkages between stages of the annual cycle of this species. To achieve this objective, I sampled white-throated sparrows during spring and fall migration of 2002 and 2003 at a key staging ground for North American migratory birds located at Delta Marsh, Manitoba. Based on evaluations of the correspondence between δD values of feathers, claws, and cellular portions of blood of migrants, I determined that δD values of claws and blood cells were not suitable for estimating wintering origins of individuals captured en route to breeding areas. However, δD values of head feathers grown on wintering areas and tail feathers grown on breeding areas corresponded to values expected for feathers grown in broad areas within the wintering and breeding range of the species, respectively. The δD values of feathers showed no relationship between estimated breeding or natal and wintering latitudes of white-throated sparrows. However, band-encounter analyses indicated a clear eastwest segregation of populations across Canada, a finding that suggests that this species has a parallel migration system. Temporally, all components of the breeding populations migrated together during spring migration. However, as expected, white-throated sparrows exhibited sex-biased differential timing of spring arrival and latitude of wintering origin. Consistent with several other differential migrants, female white-throated sparrows arrived later and originated from more southern latitudes. There was also a negative relationship between wintering latitude and arrival dates of individuals during the second spring of the study. The existence of this relationship is a key assumption of differential migration hypotheses that had not been previously validated. Furthermore, since timing of arrival at breeding areas is critical to establishing high-quality territories and pair bonds, relationships between wintering latitude and arrival date of individuals could have important carry-over effects to reproduction. Based on standard body condition indices, white-throated sparrows migrating longer distances to reach breeding areas were not in poorer body condition than those migrating shorter distances. Thus, the cost of migrating longer distances does not appear to affect pre-breeding body condition, a parameter known to be linked with reproductive success.

Tracking migratory movements of birds between breeding and wintering areas is important for both theoretical and conservation purposes. In particular, information about linkages between stages of the annual cycle (i.e., migratory connectivity) is essential for identifying factors and processes limiting population sizes of birds. Further, this information is necessary for testing assumptions and hypotheses about the evolution of avian migratory patterns. Here, I used stable hydrogen isotope (δD) analyses of tissues representing different periods and geographic regions of the annual cycle of white-throated sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis, to provide new information on spatial and temporal linkages between stages of the annual cycle of this species. To achieve this objective, I sampled white-throated sparrows during spring and fall migration of 2002 and 2003 at a key staging ground for North American migratory birds located at Delta Marsh, Manitoba. Based on evaluations of the correspondence between δD values of feathers, claws, and cellular portions of blood of migrants, I determined that δD values of claws and blood cells were not suitable for estimating wintering origins of individuals captured en route to breeding areas. However, δD values of head feathers grown on wintering areas and tail feathers grown on breeding areas corresponded to values expected for feathers grown in broad areas within the wintering and breeding range of the species, respectively. The δD values of feathers showed no relationship between estimated breeding or natal and wintering latitudes of white-throated sparrows. However, band-encounter analyses indicated a clear eastwest segregation of populations across Canada, a finding that suggests that this species has a parallel migration system. Temporally, all components of the breeding populations migrated together during spring migration. However, as expected, white-throated sparrows exhibited sex-biased differential timing of spring arrival and latitude of wintering origin. Consistent with several other differential migrants, female white-throated sparrows arrived later and originated from more southern latitudes. There was also a negative relationship between wintering latitude and arrival dates of individuals during the second spring of the study. The existence of this relationship is a key assumption of differential migration hypotheses that had not been previously validated. Furthermore, since timing of arrival at breeding areas is critical to establishing high-quality territories and pair bonds, relationships between wintering latitude and arrival date of individuals could have important carry-over effects to reproduction. Based on standard body condition indices, white-throated sparrows migrating longer distances to reach breeding areas were not in poorer body condition than those migrating shorter distances. Thus, the cost of migrating longer distances does not appear to affect pre-breeding body condition, a parameter known to be linked with reproductive success.

We hypothesized that marked reductions in secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) during transitional and anovulatory periods can be accounted for by similar reductions in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Catheters were inserted surgically into the intercavernous sinus (ICS) of seven non-pregnant mares via the superficial facial vein during the ovulatory season (August 12-23), fall transition (November 15-30), the anovulatory season (January 19 - February 1) and spring transition (March 24 - May 12). Catheter placement was confirmed and standardized in each mare by lateral radiography. Ovarian status was monitored throughout the study by transrectal ultrasonography and serum concentrations of progesterone. During the breeding season, ICS blood samples were collected at 5-min intervals for 8 h when the dominant follicle reached approximately 35 mm and estrous behavior was observed. All mares ovulated within 5 d after sampling, except one mare who ovulated < 24 h before sampling. During the fall, mares were anovulatory (n = 5) or had a final ovulation within 5 d following intensive sampling (n = 2). Winter anovulation sampling was performed when all mares were anovulatory. During spring transition, each mare was sampled just before the second ovulation of the season. Similar to the ovulatory season, mares were sampled when the dominant, preovulatory follicle reached approximately 35 mm and estrous behavior was observed. Mean concentrations of LH were markedly higher (P < 0.01) during the breeding season than during all other seasons. Lower mean concentrations of LH in the fall transition, winter anovulation and spring transition sampling periods occurred coincident with a similar reduction (P < 0.01) in amplitude of LH pulses. Unexpectedly, neither the frequency (pulse/8 h) of LH pulses, frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses, nor mean concentrations of GnRH differed among seasons. In addition, there were no differences observed due to season in mean concentrations of FSH or amplitude of FSH pulses. However, a small but significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the frequency of FSH pulses was observed during fall transition compared to all other seasons. In summary, contrary to accepted dogma, these results indicate that the photoperiodic initiation of seasonal anovulation in the mare is mediated at the level of the anterior pituitary, and appears to occur through a dampening of gonadotroph responsiveness to an unchanging pattern and magnitude of GnRH secretion.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Background Explore the mystery of seasonal organizations and how they are able to (re)create themselves as “the same” after a period of dormancy. Aim To find out the organizational mechanisms that enables such (re)creation. Methodology This qualitative study was done at Astrid Lindgren’s World, a seasonal organization open from mid-May until the beginning of November. The study conducted ten interviews with both permanent and seasonal employees to find out how a year in the organization looked like to later be able to identify the seasonal mechanism. Findings This study has provided seven organizational mechanisms that are vital for Astrid Lindgren’s World to (re)create itself as “the same” from season to season. Concepts Regeneration: the process of reproducing a seasonal organization as “the same” from season to season.(Re)create: The creation of an organization that has previously been existent.“The same”: Due to individuals being subjective an organization cannot completely be (re)created as exactly the same, but rather very similar.

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