Digital Commons Network^™

Selecting Dwarf Tomato Cultivars For Space-Limited Systems: Tradeoffs In Size, Yield, And Fruit Quality, Abigail Lazier, Bruce Bugbee, Noah Langenfeld

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Global food systems face increasing pressure to produce more food with fewer resources, while urbanization limits access to traditional growing spaces. Urban agriculture offers a strategy to improve local food production, but space constraints remain a major challenge. Dwarf crops, bred to be compact and high yielding, can improve production efficiency in these systems. This study evaluated the growth habit, yield, and fruit quality of 18 dwarf tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivars grown in controlled environment rooms under LED lights. Cultivars differed substantially in growth habit, size, yield and fruit quality. Generally, larger cultivars produced higher per-plant yields but …

Cognitive And Mental Health Challenges: Addressing The Impact Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Adults, Hannah E. Smith, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr, Anne Mcdonnell, Mpa, Otr/L, Cbist

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone examined the challenges adults face following traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and explored interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive functioning and mental health. This capstone also aimed to reduce caregiver stress and burnout by expanding knowledge and resources focused on cognitive and mental health within the population. TBIs can result from a variety of causes, affecting cognitive abilities, mental health, and functional outcomes. This capstone shows evidence-based interventions designed to improve cognitive functioning, facilitate engagement in meaningful activities to improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life for adults recovering from TBI. This also will demonstrate potential for occupational …

Changes In Depression, Eating, Sleep, And Emotion Regulation In Air Force Rotc Cadets After The 12-Wk Star Training Program, Antonella V. Schwarz, Hunter Haynes, Sheena Puleali’I, Jacob Mota, Molly F. Johnson, Maria G. Kaylor, Andrew Addison, Robyn Braun-Trocchio, Austin J. Graybeal

Faculty Publications

Introduction: – Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets must balance collegiate demands with military preparation, leaving them vulnerable to psychological stressors. While structured strength and conditioning (S&C) programs enhance physical readiness, their impact on psychological health in cadet populations remains unclear. This study evaluated changes in depression, eating behaviors, sleep quality, and emotion regulation during a 12-wk S&C program. Methods: – Forty-nine U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets (21 female, 28 male; age: 20 ± 2 yr; body mass index: 24.2 ± 4.4 kg·m⁻²; body fat %: 27.1 ± 9.0%) completed the Supporting Tactical Athlete Readiness (STAR) program, a …

Does Volume Cycling Elicit A Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy Re-Sensitization Effect? A Comparison Of Constant Versus Cycled Resistance Training Protocols, Joshua C. Pelland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study examined whether volume cycling in resistance training can elicit a skeletal muscle hypertrophy re-sensitization effect without muscle atrophy. We hypothesized that muscle size would be maintained during lower volume phases, that re-sensitization would occur following these phases, and that overall hypertrophy would be similar between cycled and constant volume conditions.

Methods: Thirty-seven trained men and women had their lower limbs randomized to either a constant volume (12 sets/week throughout) or cycled volume (alternating 4-week phases of 12 and 4 sets/week) condition for unilateral calf press training over 20 weeks. Lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness (MT), calf …

Detection Of Lupine Alkaloids In Earwax Of Sheep, Clinton A. Stonecipher, Stephen T. Lee, Benedict T. Green, Daniel Cook

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

Lupines (Lupinus spp.) are a common plant species located on western U.S. rangelands. Most livestock death losses due to lupine toxicosis occur in sheep. Cattle are often affected due to the teratogenic nature of lupines in which crooked calf syndrome can occur. Earwax has been used to detect lupine alkaloids in cattle, but it is unknown if the alkaloids in lupine can be detected in the earwax of sheep. The objective of this study was to evaluate earwax as a noninvasive specimen to determine sheep exposure to lupine. Fifteen sheep (45 ± 3.8 kg body weight) were group housed …

Field Evaluation Of Date Palm Biochar With Chickpea As Model Crop, Shamsa Alketbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Arid and semi-arid regions are continuously threatened by soil degradation, high salinity, low organic matter, water scarcity which necessitate soil amendments to ensure sustainability and food security. This study measures the potential of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) frond derived biochar, applied alone and in combination with compost, to overall improve the soil properties, physiological, biochemical performance and the crop productivity of chickpea grown under desert field conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Through controlled pyrolysis the biochar was produced and its physicochemical, elemental properties were characterized. Field experiments commenced with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: …

Pleistocene Glacial Effects On North American Phylogeographic Patterns, Noah Garland, Ingrid Jordon-Thaden

Scholars Week

The biodiversity of alpine ecosystems are grossly underestimated, in turn threatening habitat loss. Much work is needed in this respect to better understand the process of speciation and extinction in these environments, given the threat of global climate change. We are testing hypothesis regarding rapid radiation of plant lineages both into and out of refugia in the context of dispersal during post-glacial and inter-glacial periods, focusing on the phylogeny of trans-Beringian alpine plant species by observing circumpolar lineages extending into southern portions of the North American Cordillera, the Rocky Mountains and the Intermountain Region.  Focal taxa include species of Draba …

Site-Directed Mutagenesis Of The He1Α Subunit Of Human Branched Chain Α-Ketoacid Dehydrogenase Complex, Riley B. Corcoran, Isabel Wilson, Bálint Csuka-Nagy, Stephen Baron

ASPIRE 2026

No abstract provided.

Protocol For Inducing Focal Striatal Stroke In Mice Using Photothrombosis, Bridget R. Boyle, Eileen Collyer, Andrea P. Berghella, Elena Blanco-Suarez

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

Here, we present a protocol for inducing focal striatal stroke in mice using photothrombosis. We describe steps for photothrombotic striatal surgery, magnetic resonance imaging, open field behavioral assessment of stroke-induced motor deficits, and post-stroke monitoring. We then detail procedures for tissue collection and immunofluorescence. This protocol provides a standardized approach for consistently modeling striatal stroke in mice, enabling mechanistic studies and preclinical therapeutic testing.

Development, Validation, And Comparative Evaluation Of A Rheotaxis-Based Microfluidic Device To Isolate A Subpopulation Of High-Performance Human Spermatozoa, Charlene S. Fournier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fertility has declined over the past decades, and male infertility is now recognized as contributing equally to the need for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Current clinical sperm processing methods rely on multiple centrifugation steps, which are time- and labor-intensive and may be detrimental to spermatozoa. Therefore, improved methodologies are needed to select functional, healthy spermatozoa while mimicking natural sperm selection. Microfluidics has expanded in reproductive biology and offers an efficient approach to selecting spermatozoa based on progressive motility and rheotaxis—their natural ability to swim against a constant flow. In this study, I developed a rheotaxis-based microfluidic device to isolate highly …

Characterizing The Diet, Movement, And Hooking Frequency Of Pier-Hooked Juvenile Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas), Cody R. Mott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Green sea turtles are impacted by their interactions with recreational fishing piers, but how these interactions affect their diet, behavior, and hooking risk remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to characterize and quantify interactions between juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and a recreational fishing pier in southeast Florida. The goals were to evaluate how proximity to the pier influences turtle diet, behavior, and incidental hooking. We compared pier-hooked turtles with individuals captured on an adjacent reef and at a control site lacking a nearby pier. Dietary preferences were assessed using nitrogenous blood analytes and stable isotope analysis. …

Transcriptomic Analysis Of Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C Skin Samples, Austen N. Gleave

Theses and Dissertations

Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a rare genetic disorder caused by defective DNA damage repair enzymes. This condition results in an increased risk of developing skin cancer and other symptoms in those affected. In this thesis, we examined the effects of Xeroderma Pigmentosum on gene expression in patient skin biopsy samples. To accomplish this, we utilized statistical analysis of spatial transcriptomic and single-cell RNA sequencing techniques to discover differences between patient and heterozygous carrier skin samples. We found that the skin samples from Xeroderma Pigmentosum patients showed elevated levels of inflammation, immune activation, and cellular stress, while the carrier skin samples leaned …

Oxygen Under Pressure: A Comparative Study Of Maximal Oxygen Uptake In Firefighters And Civilians, Jordan N. Hunt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study aimed to investigate and compare V̇O2max levels between firefighters and age-matched individuals from the general population. This study used a quantitative, comparative, cross-sectional design to assess differences in directly measured V̇O2max with a breath-by-breath portable analyzer between firefighters and matched civilians, determine the percentage of firefighters meeting NFPA recommended fitness thresholds, and examine the accuracy of estimated V̇O2max values. A total sample size of 52 participants (26 per group) participated in this study. Firefighters exhibited significantly higher directly measured V̇O2max and V̇O2peak than age-, sex-, and BMI-matched individuals from the general population. Firefighters in this …

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Risk Perceptions And Patient Burden, John William Glisson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational study examined relationships among perceived environmental risk factors, depressive symptoms, and functional symptom burden in adults diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative condition with an unclear etiology, and some individuals attribute the diagnosis to environmental exposures such as pesticides or military service. The purpose of this study was to assess whether environmental risk perceptions were associated with depressive symptoms or functional impairment, and whether depressive symptoms were associated with functional status. Participants were recruited through online ALS support networks and advocacy organizations, resulting in a final sample of 145 adults …

25 Rules Of Thumb For Field Crops, Matt Yost, Niel Allen, Grant Cardon, Earl Creech, Ryan Larsen, Rhonda Miller, Mark Nelson, Claudia Nischwitz, Matthew Palmer, Steven Price, Ricardo Ramirez, Corey Ransom, Benjamin Scow, Randall Violett

All Current Publications

This article is not a comprehensive list of the practices farmers need to be successful in their operations, but it represents an attempt to capture 25 common tips or “rules” from a wide range of Extension experts throughout Utah, from seedbed preparation, to harvesting guidelines.

On-Farm Research Guide, Matt Yost, Jody Gale, Earl Creech, Megan Baker, Jeffrey Austin, Grant Cardon, Cody Zesiger

All Current Publications

Many growers want to increase crop productivity and farm profitability. On-farm research is a way growers can achieve this goal by discovering answers to important questions about the benefits of using specific products or practices they are uncertain about or are unproven. Validating the efficacy of already-implemented practices is another important reason to do on-farm research trials (Nielsen, 2008). Each farm is unique and can benefit from individualized on-farm research, especially since university and industry researchers cannot study every product or practice for every unique field or farm growing condition. This how-to guide covers benefits and best practices for conducting …

Irrigation Water Loss And Recovery In Utah, Bradley S. Crookston, Troy Peters, Matt Yost, Burdette Barker

All Current Publications

When deciding which irrigation systems to adopt, permit, or promote, it is important to consider how their efficiency and losses affect the water balance of Utah’s watersheds and drainage basins. Irrigators have no control over precipitation and only limited control of surface waters entering and leaving the state, as most of those are controlled by legal agreements. However, Utah’s water managers, elected officials, and water users can consider how surface water flows and groundwater storage is affected by using more efficient irrigation systems. Sprinkler, surface, or drip irrigation systems each have trade-offs in irrigation application efficiency, cost, and other factors. …

Guide To Drought Tolerance Of Utah Field Crops, Matt Yost, Tina Sullivan, Dakota Boren, Luree Johnson, Melanie Mills, Earl Creech, Boyd Kitchen, Randall Violett

All Current Publications

Crop variety selection is one of the most important choices on the farm. Crop genetics determine a significant portion of the yield potential and resource use efficiency. Crop types and genetics that use water more efficiently will become increasingly important as water becomes scarcer. Throughout Utah and the Western United States, water availability is decreasing due to various factors, including reduced snowpack and rapid urban growth. Alfalfa, other hay, small grains, and corn are grown on more acres than any other crops in Utah and much of the Intermountain West. These crops all have varieties, hybrids, and cultivars with the …

Sorghum-Sudangrass Production Guide, Dakota Boren, Matt Yost, Luree Johnson, Tina Sullivan, Earl Creech, Grant Cardon, Corey Ransom, Randall Violett, Cheyenne Reid, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Michael Pace, Jody Gale

All Current Publications

Sudex is a warm-season forage crop that performs well in Utah’s dry climate due to its drought tolerance. It can be especially useful during drought years or when irrigation supplies are limited. As well as being a high-quality feed, Sudex has many benefits, including weed suppression and soil-building properties. Although there are concerns for prussic acid and nitrate poisoning, these concerns can be reduced and often eliminated with proper management. This fact sheet provides information to producers about using Sudex and best production practices. Much of the information may also apply to forage sorghum and a few of the major …

Small Grain Forage Production Guide, Matt Yost, Megan Baker, Earl Creech, Justin Wyatt Clawson, Michael Pace, Kalen Taylor, Cory Farnsworth, Jacob Hadfield, Corey Ransom, Steven Price, Claudia Nischwitz, Clara Anderson

All Current Publications

Small grain forages can be used for pasture, hay, and silage and have become more common in cropping systems in Utah and the western United States. The most common small grain species used for forage production are barley, oat, rye, triticale, and wheat. Although there has been an increase in the use of small grains for forage production in the western U.S., little published information is available on best management practices for small grain forage production. This guide will discuss the key production practices for small grains used for forage.

Irrigation, Crop, And Soil Management Impacts On Water Use In Pivots/Laterals, Tejinder Singh, Matt Yost, Masoumeh Hashemi, Burdette Barker, Cheyenne Reid, Rebekah E. Iverson

All Current Publications

In this fact sheet, we describe evapotranspiration (ET), introduce a new tool, the soil moisture evapotranspiration (SMET) model, and share results from multi-year trials across Utah evaluating different center-pivot irrigation technologies, deficit irrigation strategies, crop types, drought-tolerant crop genetics, and conservation agriculture practices. These findings highlight how Utah growers can improve water productivity and maintain profitable production under limited water supplies.

The Effect Of Livelihood Capital Accessibility On The Financial Security And Financial Well-Being Of Sheep Farming Households (Survey In Wanaraja Subdistrict, Garut Regency), Suhendarsyah Suhendarsyah, Unang Yunasaf, Sondi Kuswaryan

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study analyzed the influence of livelihood capital accessibility on the financial security and financial well-being of sheep-farming households in Wanaraja Subdistrict, Garut Regency. A quantitative approach was used through a survey with organized interviews of 95 sheep farmers. The research variables include livelihood capital accessibility (X), financial security (Z), and financial well-being (Y). The livelihood capital accessibility construct was built as a Higher-Order Construct with five dimensions: human, natural, financial and physical capital. Data analysis used Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS_SEM) with a two-stage approach. The results evince that social capital are the most influential dimensions in …

Reproductive Performance Of Friesian Holstein Crossbred Dairy Cattle After A Foot-And-Mouth Disease Outbreak In Lembang, Indonesia, Hanunghanindito Pamungkas, Septiyani Septiyani, Nurcholidah Solihati

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that may impair reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the reproductive performance of Friesian Holstein crossbred dairy cows following an FMD outbreak at UPTD BPTSP and HPT Cikole, Lembang, West Java, Indonesia. A retrospective study was conducted using reproductive records collected from 2019 to 2023. The reproductive parameters analyzed were calving interval, service per conception, conception rate, service period, and first mating postpartum. Differences between the pre- and post-FMD periods were assessed using paired sample t-tests. The results showed significant differences in calving interval, service …

Polymorphism Of The Mx Gene In Riau Kampung Chickens, Elfawati Elfawati, Restu Misrianti, Sadarman Sadarman

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

One of the genetic markers for avian influenza is the Mx gene. The purposed of this study was to determine the polymorphism of the Mx gene of kampung chicken in Riau Province. A total of 61 samples from three subpopulations have been genotyped using PCR-RFLP. Allele and genotype frequencies have been calculated using PopGene. The Mx gene was amplified, producing a DNA fragment measuring 299 base pairs. This fragment was digested with the Hpy81 enzyme, which yielded three genotypes: the AA genotype showed by a single 299 bp band; AG showed by 299, 200, and 99 bp bands; and GG …

The Potency Of Inulin Extraction Waste Fermentation From Local Tubers As A Feed Additive, Mohamad Septian, Danes Suhendra, Mikael Sihite, Dyah Saputri

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aims to determine the potential of inulin extraction waste fermentation as a feed additive based on the content of lactic acid, dry matter, pH, and Fleigh points. This research was conducted from March to June 2022 at the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Laboratory, Tidar University. The experimental design used in this study was a Completely Randomized Design with 4 treatments (fermentation of inulin extraction waste: T1 Dioscorea alata (uwi), T2: ganyong (Dioscorea alata discolor), T3: gadung(Dioscorea hispida), and T4: umbi ungu (Ipomoea batatas). Each treatment was replicated 5 times. The variables …

The Potential Of Bioactive Peptides From Goat Milk Kefir With Antibacterial Activity As An Antibiotic Substitute, Dhea Athillah, Jajang Gumilar, Eka Wulandari

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aims to determine the optimal incubation time for goat milk kefir that produces the highest antibacterial peptides, and to determine the antibacterial activity of purified goat milk kefir. Protein levels were determined using the microassay method. Kefir, which is known to have the best incubation time for producing the highest antibacterial activity when ultrafiltered with a 10 kDa cut-off membrane, was analyzed for its molecular weight using SDS-PAGE. The antibacterial activity was tested against pathogenic bacteria E. coli and S. aureus. The highest soluble protein content was found in kefir incubated for 36 hours, with a soluble …

Intersecting Determinants Of Health: Correlating Food Insecurity And Sleep Deprivation Across Southern Adventist University Demographics*, Heaven Robles, Jesica Paralafox Ramirez, Kimberly Mongare, Joshua C. Jenkins, Melany Castillo, Philip Chen Dr, Aaron Corbit Dr

Campus Research Month

For university students, social determinants of health such as food security and sleep patterns heavily dictate both health outcomes and academic success. Using a cross-sectional study design, statistical analyses will be conducted using the Jamovi software platform to compare mean sleep durations and food access scores across multiple academic departments and ethnic demographic groups. The study evaluates four primary hypotheses: (1) Consistent food access positively correlates with sleep quality; (2) Food security and sleep metrics vary significantly across academic departments; (3) Systemic ethnic disparities exist in food accessibility; and (4) Underrepresented ethnic groups experience a compounded burden of food insecurity …

Not Just Static: Evolutionary Throughlines In The Female Voice, Maria Hand '26

Honor Scholar Theses

Vocal communication is essential for many forms of human interaction and discourse. As such, the human voice has been the subject of extensive scientific research in a variety of contexts, including that of potentially evolved characteristics. Researchers have long studied the various changes that occur in direct relation to hormonal shifts across the ovulatory cycle, but one particularly interesting facet of this research is the voice. There are numerous acoustic parameters that are highly socially salient, and thus an ideal means with which to study potential ovulatory cycle related changes. Studies of this subject additionally provide further insight into the …

Psychosocial Mediators Of A Physical Activity And Dietary Intervention In Pregnant Women With Overweight Or Obesity, Meghan Baruth, Sarah Wilcox, Jihong Liu, Rebecca Schlaff

Faculty Publications

Background

Mediation analyses provide insight into both ‘pieces’ of the mediation chain; they allow us to look into the ‘black box’ that is behavior change. They allow researchers to better understand the ‘how’ of an intervention’s effects and/or the ‘why’ behind why an intervention worked or did not work. The lack of publications in pregnant populations highlights the need for additional studies to be conducted and published. The purpose of this study is to examine the psychosocial mediators of physical activity and dietary outcomes in a sample of pregnant women with overweight or obesity participating in the Health in Pregnancy …

Ratfish (Chimaera Monstrosa) Chondocranium, Riley B. Glogowski, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.