Digital Commons Network^™

A Quality-Tested Hay Market Association In The South-Eastern Usa, Jimmy C. Henning, G D. Lacefield, B Sims

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A hay marketing association was formed in Kentucky in 1989 as a means of increasing farm income and ·10 hedge against the uncertain future of tobacco production. The Kentucky Pride Hay Grower's Association (KPHGA) was designed to work in concert· with a hay testing and inspection service operated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). This testing service used near• infrared reflectance (NIR) technology as well as a visual appraisal by trained hay inspectors. The association may sell hay only which had been tested and inspected by the KDA. The hay association is a non-profit organisation designed to market Kentucky …

Adopting New Technologies For Grazing Lands: The Role Of Decision Systems, John A. Ludwig, Steve Marsden

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The management of Australia's arid and semi-arid grazing lands involves the consideration of many complex and interconnected issues related to both ecological and economic factors. Climates are highly variable across these lands and markets fluctuate widely; decision making is . difficult at the best of times, As new grazing and land management technologies become available through research organisations, such as CSIRO, the adoption of these technologies is a prime concern, Traditionally, State extension services provide this information to grazing land managers, which has proven effeclive for transferring information about current short-term problems (e,g,, locust plagues) and easy to apply products …

Applying "Farmer-First Research" In New Zealand, A F. Mcrae, F M. Anderson, R Brazendale

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The disciplinary orientation and other characteristics of traditional agricultural research may result in farmers' research needs not being central to the research proces·s. A Farmer-First Research programme (FFR) has been initiated to complement the traditional research approach. This programme involves collaboration with hill country sheep and beef farmers chosen at random from across the fuff range of farmer circumstances. It sets out to diagnose and describe where scope· exists to Improve farmers' circumstances, and lo design and test relevant innovations on-farm. In addition to seeking to improve research output for far1ners, the· programme has the objective of evaluating the Farmer-First …

Technology Transfer Strategies For Products Of Environmental Research And Development Projects, N D. Macleod, J A. Taylor, P.G H. Van Beek, P N. Vance

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Potentially high net benefits from Research and Development on sustainable grazing systems will not be captured unless the outcomes are adopted. Adoption is a complex process, often requiring integration with other technologies, and specialised extension packages. Technology transfer strategies based on experiences with relatively simple innovations are unsuited to more complex environmental innovations, A 6-stage interactive process involving researchers, extension specialists and potential end-users is suggested.

Development Of Environmental And Agricultural Professionalism, Robert F. Barnes, Thomas J. Hall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The American Society of Agronomy {ASA) is' co-ordinating the development of a \ioluritary certification programme for the men and women who··make nutrient management strategies for farmers .• This paper examines the need, "history and obstacles in developing a crop advisor certification programme. Past arid proposed state and national legislative initiatives have indicated to some industry leaders that certification programmes' will be needed ·to operate in the coming regulat6ry environment. Other members· of industry· feel chat voluntary certification will bring on mandated programmes, The' differences in outlook, the diversity of the audience and the academic orientation of ASA ·have all created …

Grazier's Pattern Of Understanding Vegetation In The Semi-Arid Rangelands Of New South Wales, S.M M. Kersten, R L. Ison

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A matrix ranking (MR) technique was used by graziers in western New South Wales to rank rangeland plants according to preference. Graziers preferred a variety of plant species in their paddocks: "bushes" and "50f1 feed", perennials and annuals, winter-and summer­growing plants, on both stock-based and non-stock-based criteria, The criteria for evaluation were rarely independent of each other nor of different soil types on the grai:ier's property. Drought resistance was perceived as one of the more important criteria, followed by stock-based criteria such as "nutritious", "palatable" or "quick fattening" stock feed. The utility of MR for allowing graziers' knowledge to be …

Composition Of The Fractions Of Dry, Mature Subterranean Clover Digested In Vivo And In Vitro, L Klein, S K. Baker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A modified pepsin-cellulase procedure was used to improve the prediction of in vivo digestibility of dry, mature subterranean clovers (Trifolium subterraneum). Feed, faeces, and the residues from this /11 vitro procedure and the i11 vitro procedure of Tilley & Terry were analysed for protein, ash and fibre fractions lo determine the composition of the cell-wall functions that were digested. The extent of digestion of the cell-wall fractions differed between the two in vitro procedures, but the cell-wall fraction that was digested contained similar proportions of cellulose, hemicellulose, protein and lignin. The cellulose and protein contents of the cell-wall digested …

Effect Of Plant Leaf Age On The Production Of Tannins, Phenols, Proanthocyanidins And Flavanols In Eulalia Villosa, M M. Wolfson, E W. Du Toit, P Chesselet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Histochemical and biochemical analyses have confirmed the presence of condensed tannins in a number of southern African tropical grasses. The ability to precipitate proteins, total phenols, condensed tannin and proanthocyanidin levels were significantly higher in mature leaves of Eulalia villosa than in young leaves. The ratio of condensed tannin to Jlavan 3,4-diols indicated that the young leaf material contained more monomeric unpolymerised flavan 3,4-diol units than mature leaves. The trend is repeated in the ratio 'of proanthocyanidin to flavan-4-ols, These low molecular weight proanthocyanidin precursors probably do not have the ability to precipitate proteins, The histochemical tests can be used …

Effect Of Inoculants And Absorbents Incorporated In Grass Silage On Silage Quality, Effluent Production And Animal Performance, Raymond Jones

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Unwilled ryegrass crops (151 kg DM) were enslled in 70-t bunker silos. Crop analysis (g/kg/DM) was water-soluble carbohydrates 153, nitrogen 24.1 and predicted digestibility (DOMD) 0.67. Molassed sugar beet feed pellets were incorporated at a rate of 25 kg/t in the harvested crop with or without inoculant treatment ("Live Systems", MMB, UK), and compared with a control silage with no additive. Absorbent addition with or without inoculant significantly reduced silage pH and ammonia-N compared with the control. Inoculant treatment further increased lactic acid content. Silage effluent production was reduced by up to 33% by absorbent inclusion with effluent DM losses …

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis Of The Nutrient Content Of Dairy Pastures, R C. Kellaway, C Stimson, R J. Tassell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pasture samples from temperate and tropical species were collected before and after grazing, at regular intervals, on 3 dairy farms in New South Wales over a period of 3 years. All samples (n=693) were analysed on a near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer with a scanning monochromator. Subsets of samples selected for calibration and validation, were analysed by wet chemistry methods for estimated metabolisable energy (MID), crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), acid-detergent fibre (ADF), Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, S, Cu, Mn and Zn. These data were used lo develop NIR equations using partial least squares analyses. Standard errors of laboratory analysis …

Influence Of Oxygen Leakage Through Stretch Film On Quality Of Round Bale Silage, P Lingvall, C M. Pettersson, P Wilhelmsson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The ensiling-process is based on anaerobic conditions. Therefore, it is important to get "air tight" parcels covering big-bale silage. Wrapping round bales wilh stretch film has improved silage quality, and reduced diy matter (OM) and energy losses. In this experiment we studied the influence of stretch film quality, film thickness, .storage temperature and storage place on fermentation, microbial growth/ and DM losses. Additionally, oxygen permeability of stretch film wrapped in 4 or 6 layers around artificial bales (metal) and DM losses was tested In a model. High storage temperature, low total film thickness and high film permeability to oxygen increased …

The Role Of Efflux Pump Inhibitor In Enhancing Antimicrobial Efficiency Of Silver Nanoparticles And Methylene Blue As An Effective Photodynamic Therapy Agent, Yaran Allamyradov

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Efflux pumps are critical active transport systems utilized by cells to expel toxic substances, including antibiotics and photosensitizer complexes, thereby contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), which are compounds that obstruct the transport of molecules through these pumps, play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies against pathogens. This study investigates the effects of the EPI reserpine on the photodeactivation rate of pathogens when used in conjunction with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and methylene blue (MB), a common photosensitizer.

Our research reveals that the application of reserpine, in combination with Ag NPs and MB, leads …

Evaluating Stormwater Erosion Prevention And Sediment Control Best Management Practices Using High-Resolution Rainfall Monitoring And Field-Based Assessment Tools, Brittany Pekara

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Advancing stormwater management methods and technology is critical as runoff from impermeable surfaces increases with urbanization and development. Stormwater runoff is highly susceptible to contamination from non-point source pollution and causing flood impacts following rain events, which varies spatially and temporally in an urban landscape. To counteract the impacts of contamination and drainage issues, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are implemented to reduce the effects of stormwater runoff; however, the unpredictable nature of storm events can make methods for effectively monitoring impacts difficult in trying to capture first flush inputs, flood threats, and sedimentation sources. This research utilizes a highresolution rainfall …

Effects Of Perceptions Of Forest Change And Intergroup Competition On Community-Based Conservation Behaviors, Matt Clark, Haji Masoud Hamad, Jeffrey Andrews, Vicken Hillis

Human-Environment Systems Research Center Faculty Publications and Presentations

Approximately one quarter of the earth's population directly harvests natural resources to meet their daily needs. These individuals are disproportionately required to alter their behaviors in response to increasing climatic variability and global biodiversity loss. Much of the ever-ambitious global conservation agenda relies on the voluntary uptake of conservation behaviors in such populations. Thus, it is critical to understand how such individuals perceive environmental change and use conservation practices as a tool to protect their well-being. We developed a participatory mapping activity to elicit spatially explicit perceptions of forest change and its drivers across 43 mangrove-dependent communities in Pemba, Tanzania. …

Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Autoimmune Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Pre-Clinical Studies, Hailey N. Swain, Parker D. Boyce, Bradley A. Bromet, Kaiden Barozinksy, Lacy Hance, Dakota Shields, Gayla R. Olbricht, Julie A. Semon

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Are of Interest in the Clinic Because of their Immunomodulation Capabilities, Capacity to Act Upstream of Inflammation, and Ability to Sense Metabolic Environments. in Standard Physiologic Conditions, They Play a Role in Maintaining the Homeostasis of Tissues and Organs; However, there is Evidence that They Can Contribute to Some Autoimmune Diseases. Gaining a Deeper Understanding of the Factors that Transition MSCs from their Physiological Function to a Pathological Role in their Native Environment, and Elucidating Mechanisms that Reduce their Therapeutic Relevance in Regenerative Medicine, is Essential. We Conducted a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human MSCs …

Surface Patterning On Zirconia Dental Implants Via Laser-Induced Shockwave Imprinting, Inomjon Majidov

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Zirconia is rapidly becoming a preferred alternative to titanium in dental applications, primarily due to its aesthetic resemblance to natural teeth. This material’s tooth-like color avoids the aesthetic issues associated with the grey metal tint of titanium implants. Additionally, zirconia is hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for patients with metal sensitivities or allergies. Despite these advantages, zirconia generally exhibits lower biocompatibility and osseointegration compared to titanium implants. This study investigates laser-assisted, controlled imprinting technique on zirconia surfaces to enhance these properties. Our research used zirconia pellets, produced from powdered monoclinic zirconia pressed in a pellet press machine. Two methods …

Stimuli-Responsive Phosphate Hydrogel: A Study On Swelling Behavior, Mechanical Properties, And Application In Expansion Microscopy, Yokly Leng, Collin N. Britten, Fatema Tarannum, Kayla Foley, Christopher Billings, Yingtao Liu, Keisha B. Walters

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Phosphorus-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels have potential in a wide range of applications due to their ionizable phosphorus groups, biocompatibility, and tunable swelling capacity utilizing hydrogel design parameters and external stimuli. In this study, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) (PMOEP) hydrogels were synthesized via aqueous activators regenerated by electron transfer atomic transfer radical polymerization using ascorbic acid as the reducing agent. Swelling and deswelling behaviors of PMOEP hydrogels were examined in different salt solutions, pH conditions, and temperatures. The degree of swelling in salt solutions followed CaCl₂ < MgCl₂ < KCl < NaCl with a decrease in swelling rate at higher concentrations until reaching a saturation point. In water, the degree of swelling increased significantly around neutral pH and remained constant at basic pH values. The effects of polymerization conditions, including pH, temperature (30, 40, 50 °C), and MOEP concentration (40, 50, 60% v/v MOEP/H₂O), on the hydrogel swelling behavior in various salt solutions were also investigated. PMOEP hydrogels …

Localized Hermite Method Of Approximate Particular Solutions, Kwesi Acheampong

Dissertations

A localized Hermite method of approximate particular solutions (LHMAPS) is presented in this dissertation. This method is designed to improve the accuracy of the localized method of approximate particular solutions (LMAPS) for solving partial differential equations. LMAPS is a strong-form method that defines local radial basis function approximations to the solution values at a group of collocation points before applying the differential operator to this approximation function. Based on the LMAPS's local scheme, LHMAPS seeks Hermite-type local approximations based on both function values and derivatives. Numerical experiments validate the superior accuracy of the proposed method to the LMAPS by solving …

Contaminant Transport Mechanisms And Source Tracking In Karst Groundwater Systems Under Agricultural Land Use, Shreya Pandey

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Karst areas in general face severe groundwater contamination problems that can degrade their water quality. In comparison to other landscapes, groundwater within karst regions is more susceptible to contamination. The situation gets worse when agriculture is practiced in these karst regions, because the nutrients and bacteria like nitrates and E. coli (Escherichia coli) are released into the groundwater systems which contaminate the water quality of those karst groundwater systems. This research aims to study the impacts of these contaminants, specifically nitrates and E. coli., by identifying the contaminant transport mechanisms and source tracking of these contaminants in the groundwater under …

Development And Application Of The Sinkhole Hazard Risk Index To Inform Karst Policy And Mitigation Planning, Meghan Puente

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Sinkholes are geologic hazards that occur in karst landscapes and can be highly destructive and costly. Sinkhole mitigation plans and development policies are nonexistent at the federal level within the United States and vary significantly at the state level. The lack of a unified standard for sinkhole mitigation planning is partly due to a lack of available data and resources needed to assess sinkhole risk. While there are established sinkhole assessments within the literature, they focus more on the detection and prediction of sinkholes rather than a holistic approach to risk assessment. The goal of this study is to create …

Parameter Estimation For Stroke Patients Using Brain Ct Perfusion Imaging With Deep Temporal Convolutional Neural Network, Shake Ibna Abir

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Acute ischemic stroke, caused by cerebral artery blockage, is a leading cause of long-term disability and mortality. Effective management relies on accurate, timely assessments from neuroimaging data. Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging is crucial in evaluating stroke patients, offering detailed maps of cerebral perfusion to identify irreversibly damaged tissue and at-risk areas. This detailed assessment is essential for informed therapeutic decisions.

Key perfusion parameters derived from CTP imaging, including cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), time to peak (TTP), and mean transit time (MTT), are crucial for understanding the extent and nature of cerebral ischemia, providing valuable insights …

Assessing Regional Responsibility Of Plecoptera (Stoneflies) Across Two U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Regions, Josie Griffith

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Developing an objective metric to designate taxa that are the responsibility of the region is imperative for the proper allocation of conservation funding. This project focused on stoneflies (Order Plecoptera), an imperiled group of aquatic insects at the global scale, in two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regions. At the regional scale, a baseline designation of Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need (RSGCN) was applied to each species where their range included at least 75% of states within either the Midwestern or Northeastern regions. Two sets of data were accumulated for each RSGCN. One, distributional information was collected from valid …

Landuse And Microplastic Transport In Karst Groundwater Of South-Central Kentucky, Katie Norman

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Groundwater in karst areas is susceptible to contamination from various sources of pollution. Microplastics are a prevalent source of pollution entering groundwater. This study examines karst groundwater in three areas of investigation. One point of interest is an area that is impacted by urban activities, the Lost River Groundwater Basin, which includes water drainage from the City of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Another study location is Great Onyx (GO) Spring, which is a part of the Great Onyx Groundwater Basin located in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, and that is relatively unimpacted by urban activities. The third point of interest is …

Proceedings Of The 2024 Berry Summer Thesis Institute, University Of Dayton. University Honors Program, Magdelyn Stewart, Noah Clemens, Sarah Theewis, Henry Salisbury, Kevin Johnston, Adin Stoller, Meggie Bailey, Erin T. Flaherty, Adelyn Hughes, Marc Nya

Proceedings of the Berry Summer Thesis Institute (2013-Present)

Thanks to a gift from the Berry Family Foundation and the Berry family, the University Honors Program launched the Berry Summer Thesis Institute in 2012. The institute introduces students in the University Honors Program to intensive research, scholarship opportunities and professional development. Each student pursues a 12-week summer thesis research project under the guidance of a UD faculty mentor. This contains the product of the students' research.

Contents:

Testing the Influence of Lithology and Ice Sheet Dynamics on Waterfall Formation in Hocking Hills State Park // Magdelyn Stewart

Step-Rate Manipulation for Improved Performance: A Review// Noah Clemens

Alfred Rosenberg: An …

Developing A Controlled Traffic (Tramline) Farming System, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Controlled traffic farming (CTF) is a farming system built on permanent wheel tracks where the crop zone and traffic lanes are permanently separated. It can improve profitability and sustainability.

Implements for seeding, spraying, spreading and harvesting have a particular span, or multiple of it, and all wheel tracks are confined to specific traffic lanes.

CTF increases profit by more yield, better grain quality, improved operation timeliness, and reduced costs. The environment can improve, with less nutrient leaching, less water erosion, better water infiltration, and less greenhouse gas emission. Implementation needs a clear, long-term plan, and prioritisation of soil health.

Another …

Assessing Soil Properties & Suitability For Optimized Irrigation Development In Sudan, Northern Africa, Suhib O. Hamid

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

In Chapter 1, soil properties essential for efficient irrigation are thoroughly assessed. Factors such as soil texture, infiltration rates, and nutrient content are analyzed to provide insights into the selection of modern irrigation systems. Utilizing data collected from 3,192 locations through GPS and laboratory analyses, alongside sophisticated ranking systems, the research determines the most suitable irrigation methods for specific soil series. Findings highlight the remarkable efficiency of drip irrigation across various soil types, contrasting with the consistently lower performance of surface irrigation. The chapter emphasizes the significance of considering soil variability, evapotranspiration, and investment factors in selecting irrigation methods for …

Lactoferrin And Lysozyme To Promote Nutritional, Clinical And Enteric Recovery: A Protocol For A Factorial, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Randomised Trial Among Children With Diarrhoea And Malnutrition (The Boresha Afya Trial), Ruchi Tiwari, Kirkby Tickell, Emily Yoshioka, Joyce Otieno, Adeel Shah, Barbra Richardson, Lucia Keter, Maureen Okello, Churchil Nyabinda, Indi Trehan

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Introduction: Children with moderate or severe wasting are at particularly high risk of recurrent or persistent diarrhoea, nutritional deterioration and death following a diarrhoeal episode. Lactoferrin and lysozyme are nutritional supplements that may reduce the risk of recurrent diarrhoeal episodes and accelerate nutritional recovery by treating or preventing underlying enteric infections and/or improving enteric function.

Methods and analysis: In this factorial, blinded, placebo-controlled randomised trial, we aim to determine the efficacy of lactoferrin and lysozyme supplementation in decreasing diarrhoea incidence and improving nutritional recovery in Kenyan children convalescing from comorbid diarrhoea and wasting. Six hundred children aged 6–24 months with …

Effects Of A Protection Zone In A Reaction-Diffusion Model With Shifting Bounded Habitat And Allee Effect., Davis Henderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We consider a reaction-diffusion equation that models a population in a shifting bounded habitat with a protection zone and the Allee effect. We assume that the population growth function exhibits the strong Allee effect and has a positive integral within the protection zone (indicating population persistence) and a negative integral in the surrounding patches (indicating population decay). We prove that the existence of steady-state solutions to this system depends on the length of the protection zone. It is demonstrated that there exists some value H* such that, for a protection zone of size H*, there exists a solution and, for …

Contemplating Existence: Ai And The Meaning Of Life, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with existential philosophy, examining how AI technologies influence human conceptualizations of purpose and meaning. Despite rapid advancements in AI, the domain's implications for existential thought remain underexplored. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, philosophy, and AI ethics, this study elucidates how AI can shape, challenge, or enhance our understanding of life's purpose. It investigates theoretical frameworks and practical implementations of AI engaging in existential questions, analyzing both the capabilities and limitations of AI systems such as ChatGPT in simulating human existential thought. The ethical implications of AI's role in existential inquiries …

Variability In Nutrient Concentrations Across Regions Of The Winyah Bay River Plume, Anne Mackenzie Gossman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

River plumes are one of the few large-scale features responsible for transporting particulates and terrigenous materials to coastal oceans. Macro-nutrients, such as dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphorus (PO43-), are basic requirements for marine food webs. Due to the plumes’ ability to transport large quantities of these constituents, these systems contribute heavily to coastal productivity. This study focuses on the dynamics of the Winyah Bay river plume located in Georgetown, South Carolina. River plumes, including the Winyah Bay plume, are dynamic systems whose structures are comprised of a multitude of regions and features including the source, lift off, near-field, mid-field, …