The Farmington Canyon Complex, situated along the Wasatch front in northern Utah, has been the target for many studies. The FCC has been interpreted to be a passive margin sedimentary wedge. Previous studies have yielded isotopic ages that broadly support an Archean age of formation, and a prominent mid-proterozoic amphibolite grade metamorphic event. Based on this study, a new interpretation for the FCC is presented. Field relations and whole-rock geochemistry as well as recent advances in understanding Archean crustal processes have resulted in the FCC to be considered as an accretionary complex that formed along the SW margin of the Wyoming province in the early Archean. Rock assemblages such as mafic and ultramafic metavolcanics have chemistries that resemble oceanic crust and arc related volcanics. The extensive quartzo-felspathic gneiss and schist units have compositions that reflect greywacke, and are presented here as a melange matrix. The quartzites have chemistries, which may represent cherts or silicified microbial mats. The field relations and timing of these rocks indicate that the FCC may represent a continental arc synchronous with the closing of an ocean basin, forming an accretionary wedge. This culminated with the mid-proterozoic metamorphic event as this continental arc collided with the Santaquin arc, as well as the SW margin of Laurentia. This amphibolite grade metamorphic event has subsequently reset or overprinted isotopic evidence and obscured any textures that may have existed. Although much has yet to be learned about Archean processes, comparison to other recognized Archean accretionary complexes has yielded striking similarities, and it is presented here that the FCC represents an active margin, and is likely an accretionary melange.

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumour in adults. Despite the aggressive standard of care currently used, median patient survival following treatment is only 14 months. Innovative treatment options are needed for these patients. Recently, oncolytic viruses have emerged as promising immunotherapies for the treatment of solid tumours. Preliminary work in our lab has demonstrated that Farmington virus, a novel brain-safe oncolytic rhabdovirus, can be engineered to encode a tumour-associated antigen (TAA) to prime and boost antigen-specific adaptive immune responses. Since other rhabdoviruses share this boosting capacity, a heterologous rhabdovirus prime/boost regimen can be designed to combine two powerful oncolytics and a robust anti-TAA adaptive immune response. We evaluated Farmington’s ability to vaccinate against a self- glioblastoma antigen and two foreign glioblastoma-associated antigens. Farmington was able to vaccinate against the foreign antigens, leading to efficacy in prophylactic and therapeutic glioblastoma models. Additionally, treatment with heterologous rhabdoviruses demonstrated efficacy in an aggressive murine mammary carcinoma model. Herein, we demonstrate promising preliminary results for a novel glioblastoma therapeutic approach. Le glioblastome est la tumeur primaire la plus fréquente chez l’adulte. La survie moyenne des patients n’excède pas 14 mois malgré une prise en charge thérapeutique agressive. Par conséquent, la mise au point de traitements innovants et efficaces est une nécessité pour ces patients. Des avancées récentes ont mise en évidence l’intérêt des virus oncolytiques dans le traitement des tumeurs solides. Des travaux préliminaires réalisés au sein de notre laboratoire ont, en effet, démontré que le virus Farmington pouvait être modifié afin d’exprimer un antigène associé aux tumeurs (AAT), pour initier et potentialiser une réponse immunitaire adaptative spécifique. D’autres rhabdovirus possèdent des capacités de potentialisation immunitaire similaires et peuvent être utilisés en association avec le virus Farmington modifié pour amorcer et amplifier la réponse immunitaire oncolytique de l’hôte. Le but de ce projet était d’évaluer le potentiel du virus Farmington comme vaccin contre des antigènes tumoraux d’origine endogène ou exogène associés au glioblastome. Nos résultats ont montré que le virus Farmington a la capacité d’induire une réponse immunitaire prophylactique et thérapeutique contre les antigènes tumoraux exogènes dans des modèles de glioblastome. De plus, l’utilisation de rhabdovirus hétérologues s’est aussi révélée efficace pour le traitement de carcinome mammaire agressif chez la souris. Cette étude préliminaire apporte des résultats prometteurs pour le développement de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques efficaces dans le traitement du glioblastome.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 1935. / Photolithographed. "Private edition, distributed by the University of Chicago libraries." Bibliography: p. 144-145.

Surface mining operations require a comparison of post-mining erosion rates with pre-mining soil loss to ascertain if remedial measures are needed. In this study the Universal Soil-Loss Equation (USLE) was modified to reflect conditions of western rangelands to develop a procedure for estimating pre-mining soil loss rates. The modification used back-calculation for the C-Factor and an adjusted R-Factor based on storm size. Soil loss simulation based on stochastic precipitation patterns is appropriate to the site--the La Plata mine area in northern New Mexico--and increases the flexibility of the USLE as a soil loss predictor for western rangelands.

This study was begun in June 1935, and continued up to and including the fall of 1937. The work was carried out at the Davis county Experiment Farm at Farmington, Utah, with some survey work also having been done in the central and northern parts of the state. This work was made possible through the cooperation of the Entomological and Horticultural Departments of the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. The green soldier bug, Acrosternum hilaris (Say), is also called the green stinkbug. Thomas Say was the first to describe this insect as belonging to the genus Pentatoma, but in some publications one may find it also listed under genera Nezara and Raphigaster. This insect is a native of this country and was first described in 1831. It is one of the serious insect pests of orchard fruit in Utah, and this study was undertaken for the purpose of learning the life history and feeding habits of the insect in this state.

Farmington Bay of Great Salt Lake receives a significant amount of the nutrient-polluted runoff from Salt Lake and Davis Counties, Utah. This nutrient-laden runoff has led to seasonal blooms of blue-green algae, Nodularia spumigena, which produce a toxin called nodularin that has been shown to be toxic to aquatic organisms, birds, and mammals. Nodularia spumigena are the most common algae found in Farmington Bay. This study focused on understanding the physical and chemical factors controlling the growth of Nodularia spumigena in order to improve our knowledge about how nutrients impact algae in the Great Salt Lake. The salinity of the bay ranged from almost fresh water (less than 0.2%) to water twice as salty as the sea (7.0%). Nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) levels were high in the bay, and showed patterns of change from south to north. Nodularia spumigena was found in concentrations that greatly exceeded the World Health Organization’s standards for contact recreation. Laboratory studies suggest that nutrients and salinity are significantly correlated with levels of Nodularia spumigena from Farmington Bay. In combination with complex ecosystem interactions, nutrients and salinity in Farmington Bay apparently contribute to the high levels of Nodularia spumigena that we measured.

The major purpose of this study is to analyze the economic feasibility of bloom delay by sprinkling as a means of protecting delicious apples from frost. The framework of this study is based on decision making theory under uncertainty. It demonstrates the usefulness of the Bayesian approach to determine optimum action to take in face of uncertain climatic conditions. The economic analysis was conducted for Farmington, Utah, where significant relationships were found between the end of winter rest (end of chill-unit accumulation) and time of full bloom of red delicious apples. A posteriori probabilities for the state of nature were determined using accumulated data of end of winter rest of the apple trees. Applying the Bayesian approach, optimal strategies were determined by use of a posteriori probabilities and knowledge of time of end of winter rest. It was concluded from the analysis that the installation of solid set sprinklers and use of sprinkling to delay bloom is an effective means of frost protection. Sprinkling provides two methods of freeze protection. Bud development can be delayed increasing the hardiness of the bud to colder temperatures. Sprinkling can also be used during periods of freezing temperatures to protect the buds from freezing. It was found that a combination of protection by delay and by sprinkling for freeze protection would result in increased net returns over any other alternative. An important finding of this study is that with the dual protection afforded by sprinkling, extended amounts of delay are not necessary to obtain the desired results.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), the intra-abdominal dissemination of malignancy, is equated with a 5-year survival of 15%, depending on the source. Appendiceal PC is a challenge to treat as cancer cells are embedded in copious amounts of mucin and are difficult to target. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) preferentially replicate and lyse cancer cells and present a targeted, novel strategy for PC. The hypothesis of this study is that appendiceal PC will show variable susceptibility to OVs and that protein expression in these tumours will predict OV replication efficiency. Human appendiceal PC infected ex-vivo with 4 different OVs displayed variable infectivity and replication by fluorescence microscopy and plaque assay. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed differential expression of IRF3, pERK and TK in tumour compared to normal appendix. No correlation of protein expression with viral replication was observed. Personalizing OV therapy will be critical in the optimization of future care of patients treated with this modality.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), the intra-abdominal dissemination of malignancy, is equated with a 5-year survival of 15%, depending on the source. Appendiceal PC is a challenge to treat as cancer cells are embedded in copious amounts of mucin and are difficult to target. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) preferentially replicate and lyse cancer cells and present a targeted, novel strategy for PC. The hypothesis of this study is that appendiceal PC will show variable susceptibility to OVs and that protein expression in these tumours will predict OV replication efficiency. Human appendiceal PC infected ex-vivo with 4 different OVs displayed variable infectivity and replication by fluorescence microscopy and plaque assay. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed differential expression of IRF3, pERK and TK in tumour compared to normal appendix. No correlation of protein expression with viral replication was observed. Personalizing OV therapy will be critical in the optimization of future care of patients treated with this modality.

The influence of human activity on surrounding environments is an important field of research. With respect to aquatic settings, lacustrine deposits provide excellent proxies of environmental change since the sediment accumulates at a relatively constant rate, recording environmental change. This study employs isotopic, mineral, and chemical records from Farmington Bay freeze cores, in particular δ13C, δ15N, and 210Pb isotopes as well as phosphorus level fluctuation and trace metal analysis. In particular, 210Pb isotopes permit estimation of the age of sediment with depth and δ15N, δ13C, and concentration of P provides a record of changing nutrient sources and level of eutrophication. Results from 210Pb isotopes have allowed ages to be assigned to depths along the core dating back roughly 100 years at 30 cm. At this depth, a dramatic shift in the δ15N isotope is observed. Initial δ15N levels indicated a nutrient source related to agriculture. However, beginning around 100 years ago, the δ15N shows the main nutrient source for the bay became wastewater which correlates to the completion of a sewage canal in 1911 that began routing wastewater directly into the bay. Results have also shown a large rise in phosphorus levels beginning around 1970 which may be due to the construction of the automobile causeway that isolated Farmington Bay from the rest of the Great Salt Lake.