Life Sciences Commons^™

Developing Strategies To Mitigate And Control Environmental Listeria Monocytogenes In Retail Delis, Susan Rose Hammons

Open Access Theses

There are many research avenues being investigated at institutions nationwide with the intent to reduce the public health risk of listeriosis. Approaches include studies on L. monocytogenes transmission dynamics in retail delis, observations of deli worker practices, a structured expert elicitation on transmission dynamics and statistical modeling of listeriosis risk impact factors. This thesis describes my contribution to the work being done in our group to (i) understand prevalence and persistence of L. monocytogenes and Listeria species non-monocytogenes on environmental surfaces (food contact and non-food contact); (ii) identify characteristics or practices which place stores at increased risk for L. …

Anticipatory And Reactive Responses To Chocolate Restriction In Frequent Chocolate Consumers, Chelsey L. Keeler

Open Access Theses

Many individuals have difficulty adhering to a weight loss diet. One possible explanation could be that dietary restriction paradoxically contributes to overconsumption. The objective of this study was to examine ingestive behavior under a forced chocolate restriction, with a focus on the anticipatory restriction period and the post-restriction period in frequent chocolate consumers. Fifty-six male (N=18) and female (N=38) high chocolate consumers with high or low cognitive disinhibition aged 27.70 ± 11.09 years with a mean BMI of 25.68± 5.92 kg/m2 participated. Chocolate snacks were provided for the first, second, and sixth week of the study to establish baseline, pre-restriction …

Towards The Development Of Ash Varieties Resistant To Emerald Ash Borer, Lindsay Ann Kolich

Open Access Theses

The emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a destructive invasive beetle from Asia which has killed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) throughout North America. This phloem-feeding borer is capable of killing otherwise healthy trees and colonizes trees as small as saplings - most affected trees die within four years of colonization. Asian ash species (i.e., Manchurian and Chinese) appear to be more resistant to EAB than those native to North America (e.g., green, white, and black ash). In this project we use reciprocal and conspecific grafts of these five ash species to determine the …

Impact Of Antimicrobials With Or Without The Addition Of Phytase On Phosphorus Digestibility And Utilization In Swine And Broiler Chickens, Katherine A. Mccormick

Open Access Theses

Three studies were conducted for this thesis. In study 1, effects of antimicrobials on nutrient digestibility and retention of 18 to 20-kg pigs was investigated. The study used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 treatments and 6 replicate pigs in individual metabolism crates per treatment. The four treatments consisted of, negative control (NC) devoid of antimicrobials with 0.41% total P and 0.71% Ca, NC with 55 mg/kg carbadox (Mecadox 10, Phibro Animal Health), 44 mg/kg tylosin (Tylan 40, Elanco Animal Health), and 11 mg/kg virginiamycin (Stafac 20, Phibro Animal Health). A 5-d total collection period with chromic oxide …

Naturalized Offspring From An 85-Year-Old Chinese Chestnut (Castanea Mollissima) Planting: Stand Dynamics And Genetic Relationships, Amy Christel Miller

Open Access Theses

Chestnuts, members of the genus Castanea , family Fagaceae, are valuable worldwide, and all species have noteworthy ecological, economic, and cultural importance in their native ranges. Historically, American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh.) was an abundant tree species in eastern North America until its decimation in the early 20 th century by chestnut blight, caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica . To regain the benefits of this prized species in North America, efforts are ongoing to produce and introduce blight-resistant hybrids of C. dentata and the blight-resistant Chinese chestnut ( C. mollissima Blume). It is important that the C. …

A Novel Three Degree-Of-Freedoms Oscillation System Of Insect Flapping Wings, Yi Qin

Open Access Theses

We propose an oscillation system to replicate the dynamic behavior of flapping wings, inspired by insect flight muscles. In particular, we study the flight of the fruit fly Drosophila virilis . We model the wing as a rigid body with three degree-of-freedom, described by three Euler angles: the stroke angle, the rotation angle and the deviation angle. Insect flight muscles are separated into two types: power muscles and control muscles. One actuator and one torsional spring at the stroke angle act as the power muscles. Two torsional springs at the rotation angle and the deviation angle mimic the control muscles. …

Deforestation Of Cloud Forest In The Central Highlands Of Guatemala: Soil Erosion And Sustainability Implications For Q'Eqchi' Maya Communities, Ian Christopher Pope

Open Access Theses

Understanding the nexus between deforestation, food production, land degradation, and culture contributes knowledge that is useful for development practitioners working to enhance conservation and food security. Documenting deforestation and soil erosion in the Sierra Yalijux and Sierra Sacranix in the Central Highlands of Guatemala adds new knowledge about the rates and dynamics of deforestation and land degradation in areas with unique and sensitive cloud forest ecosystems. It also suggests possible areas of emphasis for efforts targeted at combining cloud forest conservation with sustainability for indigenous Q'eqchi' communities. In addition, this work contributes to a small but growing body of literature …

Neurotrophins And Their Effects On Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation And Migration, Kayla Elise Minser

Open Access Theses

Cancer is a large health issue in all parts of the world. In the United States alone, approximately 1 in 4 deaths are cancer related. Breast cancer is a particularly prevalent form, accounting for a little over 14 percent of all cancer incidence. The largest obstacle to overcome for breast cancer morbidity is metastasis. Over 90 percent of all breast cancer related deaths are due to metastasis. Because metastasis is a complex, multi-step process, it is difficult to treat. A recent observation in the Kirshner lab has revealed a type of phenotypic plasticity, where migratory cancer cells have a neuronal-like …

Investigation Of Macrophomina Phaseolina On Soybeans From A Regional Perspective, Zachary Forbes Sexton

Open Access Theses

The fungal pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina, causes the disease charcoal rot (CR), which greatly impacts soybean production. Host resistance to CR is the primary means of managing this disease, yet resistance in commercial soybean cultivars in Maturity Groups (MG) I-III is currently unknown. Thirty (30) and sixty-seven (67) entries to the 2012 Wisconsin (MG I-II) and Indiana (MG II-III) Soybean Variety Trials, respectively, were evaluated for resistance to CR using a cut-stem assay. Disease was characterized as an area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) based on lesion development and resistance assessed in relation to the resistant check (DT97-4290). In each …

Biochar And Vermicompost Amendments In Vegetable Cropping Systems: Impacts On Soil Quality, Soil-Borne Pathogens And Crop Productivity, Nathan Lee Shoaf

Open Access Theses

Amending soils with biochar and vermicompost has the potential to provide multiple benefits for specialty crops including pathogen suppression and increased crop productivity. Oomycete pathogens such as Phytophthora capsici can devastate crop fields and they are difficult to control presenting significant management challenges for Midwestern growers. Soils amended with a microbially-inoculated softwood biochar increased carrot root growth relative to the control and corn stover biochar in 2011, while the corn stover biochar also increased carrot root growth relative to the control, but only in two varieties. Neither biochar treatment influenced carrot growth in 2012. In greenhouse trials, vermicompost amendments provided …

Evaluation Of Forage Soybean Yield And Quality Characteristics And Potential As A Feed Resource For Developing Replacement Beef Heifers, Emily G. Taylor

Open Access Theses

Two agronomic studies were conducted to evaluate the yield and quality potentials of forage soybean (Glycine max ( L .)) grown with and without pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L .)). Results indicate that there were no differences between row spacings of 18 cm or 36 cm and targeted populations of 469,500 seeds ha-1 or 234,750 seeds ha-1 on dry matter yield or overall quality of the forage soybean. While harvest date had significant effects on quality as the crop matured, forage soybean as a monoculture proved to be a very forgiving crop, and recovered in quality as …

Prediction Of The Protein Complex Assembly Pathway Using Multiple Docking Algorithm, Yoichiro Togawa

Open Access Theses

Proteins often function as a complex of multiple subunits, and the quaternary structure is important for proper function. An ordered assembly pathway is one of the strategies nature has developed to obtain the correct conformation: studies have shown a relationship between the assembly pathway and evolution of protein complexes. Identification of the assembly pathway and the intermediate structures helps drug development as well. Therefore, elucidation of the assembly pathway of protein complexes is important for understanding biochemical processes central to cellular function. Recent studies have demonstrated the assembly pathway of a protein complex can be predicted from its crystal structure …

Ecological Interactions Affecting American Chestnut Restoration And Allegheny Woodrat Conservation In Indiana, Rita Michelle Blythe

Open Access Theses

The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister ) is a small rodent native to rocky habitats surrounded by deciduous forests in the eastern United States. Woodrats have recently experienced a severe range-wide decline and are a species of conservation concern throughout their range. In Indiana, the persistence of woodrat populations is threatened by a loss of genetic diversity, so captive propagation was initiated to ameliorate the immediate threat of inbreeding depression and improve local genetic diversity. However, achieving the objectives of captive propagation ultimately depends on the ability of captive-reared individuals to survive in the wild until they can contribute reproductively …

Application And Timing Effects Of Qoi And Dmi Fungicides And A Foliar Fertilizer On Overall Plant Health And Grain Yield In Corn, Jason Phillip Geis

Open Access Theses

The use of fungicides on corn has recently increased as a result of higher grain market prices, changes in cropping practices, higher disease incidence and severity, and the availability and marketing claims of new fungicides. Some of the marketed potential "plant health(TM)" benefits include improved tolerance to drought and heat, improved N utilization, and increased stalk strength. Previous studies have displayed delayed canopy senescence, changes in water use efficiency, and reduced ozone damage in controlled environments. Foliar fertilization has also increased in popularity in recent years due to an increase in grain prices, manufacturer claims, and product availability.

Large-scale field …

Study Of The Sustainbility Issues Of Food Production Using Vertical Farm Methods In An Urban Environment Within The State Of Indiana, Victor Mendez Perez

Open Access Theses

There are several problems around the globe related to water scarcity, energy shortages, deforestation and loss of fertile land, and food security. Climate change is making environmental and social issues arise. Issues such as, changes in the agricultural landscape, increasing population (9 billion is the expected population for 2040), rising food borne illnesses, scarcity of drinking water, and more crop failure due to plant pathogens and insect pests, among other factors make this study specially significant. Vertical farming could be a potencial solution to some of these problems.

Due to these problems the present thesis analyzed vertical farming as a …

Parent Tree Selection And Evaluation Of Frost Resistance, Wood Quality, And Seed Relatedness Of Acacia Koa., Oriana Rueda Krauss

Open Access Theses

This project represents an important effort to develop an improvement program for a valuable native hardwood tree species in Hawai'i, Acacia koa. The ultimate goal of the tree improvement program is to provide improved stock of A. koa through classical breeding, focusing mainly on stem form. In addition, wood quality assessment on young A. koa trees is important to try to develop markets for pre-commercial thinning. This project also clarifies some of the trends related to frost resistance fluctuations over the different seasons in Hawai'i. The main questions that were addressed are: Which are the best families to maintain in …

Efficacy Of Manual Dishwashing And Sanitizer Wiping In Removing Food Soils From Chel Knives, Xiaodi Sun

Open Access Theses

Improperly cleaned and sanitized chef knives may present a potential contamination risk and thus be a risk for foodborne illness. Therefore, ensuring effective cleaning and sanitization of knife surfaces may help prevent the spread of foodborne pathogens. The primary objective of this research was to compare the efficacies of two different cleaning methods (three-compartment manual dishwashing and sanitizer wiping) at removing food soils from contaminated chef knives using procedures that are typical of restaurant kitchens. Knife wiping and washing procedures were determined and standardized according to an observation of knife cleaning behavior in a kitchen. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence was …

Effects Of Wheat Grain Moisture: Quality, Germination, And Relationship To Accumulated Growing Degree Days, Kirsten Thomas

Open Access Theses

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a cereal crop of global importance. As global demand increases, it is essential to increase the quality and efficiency of crop production. Harvesting wheat early provides an opportunity for increased grain quality, and it may also allow the grower to double-crop soybean ( Glycine max L.) after wheat more effectively. Our objectives were to determine if harvesting grain early, at high moisture would, 1) increase milling and baking quality and 2) improve germination potential. As a result of these objectives, we will develop a model to predict dry-down of wheat. Five soft red …

Effect Of Carvacrol-Loaded Nanoemulsions On A Bioluminescent Strain Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7, Clara Maria Vasquez Mejia

Open Access Theses

Nanoemulsions have been shown to be effective delivery vehicles for poorly water soluble natural antimicrobials. In this study the antimicrobial activity of carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) nanoemulsions against a bioluminescent Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated using light emission as an indicator of cell viability. Different emulsifiers (Ultralec Lecithin and Tween 20), oils (Palm stearin and Coconut oil) and various carvacrol concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 2.5%) were evaluated. Bioluminescence was monitored in situ using a Hamamatsu (photo multiplier tube) sensor module integrated with a Programmable Logic Controller interfaced with a PC for data acquisition. Bioluminescence decreased rapidly with the addition of emulsions …

Quantifying Subsurface Hydrology Effects On Chemical Transport In Agriculture Drainage Ditches Using A 20 Meter Flume, Colton Eugene Yoder

Open Access Theses

Agriculture drainage ditches serve as the veins of the Midwestern agricultural landscapes. The transport of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in these ditches affects both local and downstream ecosystems. Although much research has already been conducted on chemical transport in streams and drainage ditches, as well as through drainage tiles, there has not been sufficient research on the effects of subsurface hydrology on nutrient storage and interactions between the stream water and the hyporheic zone. In this study, a 20-meter flume was filled with ditch sediment from Marshall Ditch at Purdue University's Agronomy Center for Research and Education in West Lafayette, …

Pharmaceuticals And Personal Care Products: Emerging Contaminants In Aquatic Ecosystems, Jenny E. Zenobio

Open Access Theses

In recent years, the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in aquatic systems has led to research on their fate and effects. PPCPs have been found in mixture in wastewater effluents, surface, ground, and drinking water at low concentrations from areas of intense urbanization. Although adverse effects to human health from the current environmental concentrations are unlikely, the impacts to ecological receptors are not clear. We performed field and laboratory studies to quantify and evaluate effects of PPCPs on fish. First, a field study was conducted at the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado (2010-2012) because a portion of …