Life Sciences Commons^™

Comparing Biofilm Forming Potential Of Listeria Species On Non-Food And Food-Contact Surfaces Of Importance To The Dairy Industry, Hannah Cooper

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a foodborne pathogen of major safety concerns. This bacterium can resist/adapt to environmental stressors and persist through forming robust biofilms despite dairy plants following stringent surface cleaning protocols. Surface roughness is considered a major factor controlling bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. Food contact surfaces like stainless steel (SS) have low surface roughness for easy cleaning. On the other hand, non-contact surfaces like floors need a rougher surface to ensure employee safety. Hence, we hypothesized that Listeria biofilm formation would be lower on stainless steel compared to clay brick (CB; common flooring material in dairy plants). …

Attitudes Toward The Environment: How Do The Attitudes Of Conventional, No-Till, And Organic Farmers Compare?, George A. Youngs, David L. Watt

Great Plains Sociologist

One of Che key dynamics in today's increased interest in alternative fanning is concern for the environment (Beus and Dunlap, 1990). Many advocates of alternative farming argue that conventional farming harms the environment and may even destroy the future of agriculture. The implicit, and often explicit, notion associated with this view is that conventional farmers are less concerned about the environment than are alternative farmers. The present study will test this notion by comparing the attitudes toward the environment of conventional farmers with two types of alternative farmers, organic and no-till. By definition, conventional farmers are those farmers who practice …

Design Of A 3d Printed Bioreactor For Bone Cancer Research, Brooklyn K. Vanderwolde, Katelyn Hillson

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bone cancer is an aggressive disease and has peak occurrence during physiological stimulation of growth and aging. Astronauts who undergo long-term space missions also acquire an increased risk of bone tissue degeneration and cancer. Few in-vitro models currently exist capable of reproducing the complex microenvironment of bone tissue to support multicellular activity in a three-dimensional structure. This limits the ability to understand disease progression and develop suitable treatment strategies. Therefore, developing a bone tissue model and an associated bioreactor is critical to understand the risks associated with cancer progression and improve treatment and preventions related to those risks. The goal …

Influence Of Six Herbicides Applied To Silage Corn On Fall Planted Rye And Radish Cover Crop Growth In South Dakota Soils, Sydney Pridie

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Spring preemergence herbicide applications are often used for burndown of existing weeds and residual control, eliminating weed presence during early season crop growth. There has been an increase in the interest in planting cover crops soon after cash crop removal, due to the potential soil and production benefits. However, soil herbicide residuals may result in poor cover crop growth. This study examined the growth of radish (Raphanus sativa) and rye (Secale cereal), species often used as cover crops, in soils that had been treated with residual herbicides about 100 d prior to cover crop planting. The …

The Associations Between Meal Planning And A Healthy Diet For Incoming College Freshmen, Morgan Brower, Lacey Mccormack

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Background: Meal planning has been shown to be positively associated with a more healthful diet among adults; however, there is not much information on how meal planning is associated with young adults, which is why it is important that more research is done on this topic. The goal of this project was to determine the associations between meal planning and a healthy diet for incoming college freshmen at eight universities that participated in the GetFRUVED study.

Results: 1,149 first-year college students passed the initial required criteria to participate in the study. The results from this data collection were analyzed to …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: 2019

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 17.

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: 2017

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 15.

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: 2018

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research , Volume 16.

Quantitative Analysis Of Endocytosis Of Macrophage Growth Factor Receptor By Molecular Imaging, Victor Georgiev, Emily Toering, Christopher Callahan

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Endocytosis is a critical cellular process responsible for nutrient uptake, sampling the environment, and cellular signaling. Endocytosis of growth factor receptors is an important step in the regulation of receptor signaling functions. The macrophage growth factor receptor controls growth and differentiation of macrophages, however, the pathway by which the receptor is internalized is not well understood. The analysis showed that for the first time, knockout of endophilin A2 decreases the internalization of macrophage growth factor receptor in primary bone marrow macrophages. This shows that fast endophilin-mediated endocytosis plays a role in the control of the amount of growth factor receptors …

Influencing Food Choice: Effects Of Stress And Sleep Deprivation On Dietary Habits Of Young Adults, Amy L. Leiferman

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Introduction: Lifelong dietary habits are shaped during young adulthood; hence, preventing poor food choice practices during this period is vital. Stress and sleep deprivation are two important lifestyle elements that affect eating habits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate stress and sleep deprivation as factors contributing to poor dietary choices of college-aged students. Methodology: During finals week, a survey inquiring about sleep duration, perceived stress, and dietary patterns throughout the semester (typical week vs. finals week), was administered to university students (n=83). Fifty-five participants (21 male) provided an ID number, which allowed university-collected demographic and food-purchasing …

Determining How Campus Food Environment Influences Eating Behaviors Utilizing Focus Groups, Jennifer Swanstrom

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study set out to explore what factors in a campus environment influence students’ eating behaviors through qualitative methods. The student researcher developed questions based on a similar study and with the help of the faculty advisors. Researchers conducted focus groups and asked 9 open-ended questions. This study utilized a qualitative focus group approach along with a demographic survey that yielded quantitative data. Findings in the present study suggest that students eat unhealthier options when healthier options are available because of time, convenience, and cost. Students would like to cook in the dorm kitchens to eat healthier, however, most participants …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 14.

Evaluating Physiological Responses Of Ten Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa Subsp. Falcata) Germplasm To Drought Treatments, Austin Hanson

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alfalfa is the most widely produced perennial forage legume in North America. However, its use in the semiarid northern Great Plains is limited due to poor stand establishment and persistence under drought condition. The development of drought-tolerant alfalfa cultivars is of great need. Some Medicago sativa subsp. falcata populations have demonstrated promising drought resistance when compared to M. sativa. Morphological and physiological mechanisms play a critical role in drought tolerance by influencing seedling survival, stand establishment and drought recovery. Assessment of variability in physiological responses to drought among germplasm lines to drought is necessary for developing cultivars with improved drought …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 13

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 13.

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 12

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 12.

Identifying Promising New Falcata Alfalfa Populations For Use In Semiarid Rangelands, Derek Kannenberg

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a valuable crop worldwide. In addition to its use as forage, the nitrogen fixation capabilities of root nodules make it a valuable component for improving soil health. Unfortunately, the semi-arid region of the Northern Great Plains introduces a number of environmental stresses that are detrimental to stand establishment and persistence. The ability to produce adventitious shoots from roots is generally considered a favorable trait for increasing stress resistance. This study aimed to identify alfalfa populations possessing the ability to produce adventitious shoot from root segments. Seven Plant Introductions (PIs), selected from the National Plant …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 11

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 11.

Contributions Of Seed Bank And Vegetative Propagules To Vegetation Composition On Prairie Dog Colonies In Western South Dakota, Emily R. Helms

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Characterizing the contributions of the seed bank and vegetative propagules will enhance our understanding of community resiliency associated with prairie dog disturbances. Our objective was to determine the effects of ecological condition (EC) and distance from burrows on the soil seed bank and vegetative propagules. Based on species composition of the extant vegetation, two prairie dog colonies were selected on the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in western South Dakota. Within each colony, two prairie dog burrows were randomly selected at each of three sample points located about 150m apart. Two soil cores were taken at 0.5m, 1.0m, and 1.5m distances …

Seedling Root Morphology Of Six Alfalfa Populations, Brianna J. Gaughan

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Seedling root morphology plays a crucial role in seedling survival and stand establishment. Naturalized yellow-flowered alfalfa (YFA) (Medicago sativa subsp. falcata) has demonstrated adaptation to semiarid conditions of the Northern Great Plains and tolerance to grazing. Seedling stage root morphology is poorly defined. Our objective was to compare morphological traits of seedling roots for six alfalfa populations. Six entries were evaluated: one M. sativa population as a control, two M. falcata entries, with reported “spreading characteristics” and three naturalized YFA populations. Uniform seeds of each entry were scarified with 320 grade sand paper and inoculated with rhizobium before planting. A …

Prevalence And Behavior Of Blastobasis Repartella (Dietz) In Switchgrass, Krista Hegge

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is growing in recognition as a potential source for biomass. In order to use switchgrass optimally as a crop for biofuel production potential pests need to be detected and studied. Currently, one pest being studied is the stem-boring larva of the moth Blastobasis repartella. The objective of this experiment was to compare effects of larval feeding on rhizome buds for two cultivars of switchgrass, and to observe and document feeding behavior of the larva. The two cultivars of switchgrass used were Pathfinder (PTH), a lowland variety, and Sunburst (SBS), an upland variety. Six, 15-cm2 samples of rhizome …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 10

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 10.

Shoot Morphology Of Eleven Alfalfa Populations, Jessica A. Schmuck

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a major component of feed for dairy and beef cattle and one of the most productive forage species in North America. Alfalfa has been planted on millions of acres. More than 100 varieties have been developed in North America over the past 100 years. However, historically, alfalfa persistence under grazing in semiarid rangeland has generally been poor. Recently, it was discovered that naturally-selected populations of predominantly yellow-flowered alfalfa have been proven to be adapted to rangelands of western South Dakota and adjacent areas. A study was initiated in May 2006 to evaluate persistence and vigor …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 09

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 13.

The Equitarian Initiative: International Humanitarian Aid Using Horses, Angela Gebhart

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This harrowing comment from a Mexican laborer echoes the worldwide importance of working horses, mules, and donkeys. For many in the United States, a horse is a source of recreation, a sport vehicle of sorts, a decoration, or a pet. For most other parts of the world, a working equid (horse, donkey, or mule) is a family’s sole vehicle, a day laborer, and the only constant source of income available. Many of these communities lack a steady food source for the animals, much less a competent veterinarian; thus, the world’s veterinarians treat only about 10% of the world’s total equid …

Long Term, Continuous Temperature Monitoring Of A Simple Anaerobic Digester And Open Manure Storage Pond In Eastern South Dakota, J. Darrington, E. Cortus

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

A two-cell manure storage system with a cover on the first cell was constructed in the late summer of 2009 in Eastern South Dakota. The covered cell acts as a simple anaerobic digester. Continuous temperature monitoring for 8 months shows the winter effluent temperature equilibrated to around 6°C, and that the effluent temperature trend lagged the ambient temperature trend by a month. Manure composition was also analyzed and was found to be relatively steady throughout the system. Volatile solids were the only component that dropped appreciably across the treatment cell, with an observed maximum of 50% reduction.

Biosolar Conversion Of N2 And H2o To Ammonia By Engineered N2-Fixing Cyanobacteria, Seth T. Harris

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

The cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is capable of using solar energy to produce ammonia through conversion of atmospheric dinitrogen in differentiated cells called heterocysts. Harnessing this system could enable cyanobacteria to be used in ammoniafertilizer production, creating a renewable alternative to the current Haber-Bosch process. The genes patA and alr3304 in the Anabaena 7120 genome are important in heterocyst formation; an increase in heterocyst formation is seen with over-expression of patA or inactivation of alr3304. This research aims to create a novel mutant that forms more heterocysts by simultaneously over-expressing patA and inactivating alr3304, producing higher amounts of ammonia. …

Effect Of Standing Estrus Prior To An Injection Of Gnrh On Steriodogenic Enzyme Expression In Luteal Tissue, Kaycee Gebhart

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cows detected in estrus around the time of fixed-time AI had increased pregnancy success and progesterone concentrations. Additionally, GnRH following onset of estrus influenced LH pulse frequency and CL formation/function. Therefore our objective was to determine steriodogenic enzyme expression within luteal tissue of cows that were or were not detected in standing estrus prior to an injection of GnRH. Cows were synchronized with the CO-Synch protocol (day -9 100 mg GnRH; day -2 25 mg PGF2α; day 0 100 mg GnRH). Estrus was detected with the HeatWatch system. Location and size of the ovulatory follicle was determined on day 0 …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 08

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 8.

Selection Of Winter Wheat Mutant Lines Resistant To Drought Stress, Brian Kontz, Sean Franklin, Charles Brunel

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Mutated winter wheat lines were screened for improved drought resistance compared to the wildtype by withholding water for 3 weeks after 9 weeks of normal growth, and noting their responses upon re-watering. Of the 146 mutants grown, 73% were either killed due to water stress or showed poor recovery, while 27% recovered better than the wildtype line. This experiment enabled the selection of candidates for further investigation to better understand the genetic basis of drought tolerance in winter wheat.

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 07

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 7.