Digital Commons Network^™

Internship With Mission Produce, Inc., Joshua Elias Krueger

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Safety Hazard Analysis And Corrective Measures For Koot Dairy, Billy Koot

Dairy Science

The objective of the study was to determine any potential safety hazards at Koot Dairy in order to prevent injuries and lawsuits. A hazard walkthrough was performed with employees to help discover hazards and determine the correctible actions that must take place. A farm safety checklist was used to assess some of the most common dairy hazards and to ensure law compliance. The checklist included many potential areas of hazard—first aid and emergency, power and electrical, farm equipment and machinery, farm chemicals, fuel tanks, confined spaces, environment, and workplace policies. After implementing the checklist, it was clear as to what …

2x Compared To 3x Milking Frequency In A California Dairy Herd, Jordan Leal

Dairy Science

No abstract provided.

Determining Immunoglobulin Transfer And The Relationship To Calf Health At Cal Poly Dairy Through The Assessment Of Serum Protein Concentration, Kevin M. Mcevilly

Dairy Science

The objective of this study was to determine the success of current calf management protocols at the Cal Poly dairy by measuring Immunoglobulin (Ig) uptake at 48-hours post-partum, and by following mortality rate through weaning. By measuring serum protein concentrate (SPC) and using it as a direct indicator of Ig uptake we were able to grade the rate of passive immunity. Serum protein concentrate levels were obtained using a refractometer, and were measured in degrees Brix (°Bx). Blood samples were acquired via jugular venipuncture at the 48-hour mark from a mixed breed, mixed gender sample comprised of both Holstein and …

Supplementing Transition Cow Rations With Prequel21 And Stratag To Improve Breeding Efficiency In Jersey Cattle During Summer Months, Brenton Wickstrom

Dairy Science

The objective of this study was to determine if supplementing transition rations with the Omega system produced by Virtus Nutrition could improve breeding efficiency in jersey cattle, with a focus on the summer months of the California central valley. Beginning in March of 2011 the rations for the close up pen, all animals 21 days and under pre-fresh, was supplemented with Prequel21 at a rate to supply each animal with .25 pounds daily. When those animals that were supplemented during the pre-fresh period began calving, the ration for the fresh pen was supplemented with the rumen bypass fatty acid StrataG …

Dna Collection With Performagene Nasal Swabs: Quantity, Quality, And Cost Effectiveness, Robert Kamper

Dairy Science

The objective was to determine the quality and quantity of DNA collected via nasal swab in Holstein and Jersey cows compared to the time taken to collect the samples through a person inexperienced with the Performagene™ LIVESTOCK product. DNA was collected from 100 cows at the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Dairy. Holsteins (n=47) and Jerseys (n=53) were collected and samples were shipped to Iowa State University where DNA was extracted by Dr. Jim Reecy’s lab. Results were compiled into a spreadsheet based on DNA quantity in ng/ul, and protein to DNA ratios (A260/A280). Extracted DNA was sent …

Effect Of Cnv Of Production Related Genes On Expression Of Production Traits In Dairy Cattle, Tyler Kamper

Dairy Science

The objective of this project was to determine if copy number variation (CNV) at specific genes related to BST had an effect on milk production. Hair samples from 1000 fresh heifers from Maddox Dairy in Riverdale, CA were sent to Geneseek, a Neogen Company for DNA extraction and processing. The DNA was processed using the BovineSNP50 BeadChip and the data were loaded into the GenomeStudio software. The data were manipulated in GenomeStudio to estimate the CNV at each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of which a vast majority was two. The SNPs with a copy number of two were excluded and …

Science & The Senses: Perceptions & Deceptions, William D. Stansfield

Biological Sciences

Science requires the acquisition and analysis of empirical (sense-derived) data. Given the same physical objects or phenomena, the sense organs of all people do not respond equally to these stimuli, nor do their minds interpret sensory signals identically. Therefore, teachers should develop lectures on human sensory systems that include some common examples of sensory limitations, variations, deficiencies, malfunctions, and diseases (as discussed herein) because they have important implications for conducting scientific investigations, science education, and introspection that are seldom included in biology textbooks. Students need to be made aware of the human tendency to self deception in order to avoid …

Partial Budgeting Analysis Of On-Site Calf Raising Versus Off-Site Calf Raising, Ashley Diana Oostdam

Agribusiness

This study examined whether it is more cost effective for a dairyman who operates two dairies (A and B) in west Texas to own-raise or custom raise his dairy calves. The two dairies currently raise calves differently: calves are own raised on Dairy A and custom raised on Dairy B. Existing resources would allow a switch to own raising on Dairy B or custom raising by Dairy A, so an analysis of the comparative costs was appropriate.

This study analyzed information on key costs associated with own raising calves on Dairy A during a 135-day period in 2011. Because differences …

Potential For Barn Owl As Rodent Biological Control In Central California Vineyards, Hannah Tillmann

Biological Sciences

The pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) and voles (Microtus spp.) cause significant economic damage to vineyards. In response, many growers have taken steps to attract Barn Owls (Tyto alba) to their properties to help keep these rodent populations in check. This research project investigated Barn Owl consumption of pocket gophers and voles in Central California vineyards in order to assess the efficiency of this integrated pest management strategy. I collected a total of 715 owl pellets from five vineyard locations in Templeton and Paso Robles, California over an eight-month period during nesting and post-fledging seasons. I …

Fishing Top Predators Indirectly Affects Condition And Reproduction In A Reef-Fish Community, S.M. Walsh, S.L. Hamilton, Bi. Ruttenberg, M.K. Donovan, S.A. Sandin

Biological Sciences

To examine the indirect effects of fishing on energy allocation in non-target prey species, condition and reproductive potential were measured for five representative species (two-spot red snapper Lutjanus bohar, arc-eye hawkfish Paracirrhites arcatus, blackbar devil Plectroglyphidodon dickii, bicolour chromis Chromis margaritifer and whitecheek surgeonfish Acanthurus nigricans) from three reef-fish communities with different levels of fishing and predator abundance in the northern Line Islands, central Pacific Ocean. Predator abundance differed by five to seven-fold among islands, and despite no clear differences in prey abundance, differences in prey condition and reproductive potential among islands were found. Body condition …

Amidst Invasion, Conversion, And Extinction, The Power Of Communication Prevails: An Ethnographic-Inspired Account Of The Chumash Indians, Arielle Mease

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

El Choteo En Cien Botellas En Una Pared Y Raining Backwards: El Gracioso Disfraz De Las Circunstancias Trágicas Durante La Revolución Cubana Y El Período Especial, Kristin Nicole Lisenby

World Languages and Cultures

This project attempts to explore the idea that the combination of tragedy and humor in Cuban and Cuban-American literature is a form of “choteo” or “no tomar nada en serio,” which demonstrates a coping strategy used by Cubans during hard times. In the case of Ena Lucía Portela's Cien botellas en una pared, and Roberto Fernandez's Raining Backwards, I believe that the two authors use his and her own personal insight into a Cuban's life during the Cuban Revolution of the 60's and the Special Period of the 90's, and that those personal experiences are reflected throughout the novels …

Design, Acnd Construction Of A Portable Artificial Insemination Chute, Chris Herrera

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project report discusses the design, construction, and evaluation of a portable artificial insemination chute for the use of the Cal Poly Beef Department. The design was based on the suggested modifications from operators of several other chutes currently in use.

The main areas considered for the design were; Ergonomics, cattle safety, factors effecting maximum breeding conception rates, and Portability.

The breeding chute proved superior over traditional chutes in a variety of ways. Improvement occurred in the areas of consideration as follows, user operation was simplified, animal stress was decreased, and maximum breeding efficiency was obtained.

Rapid Battery Exchange For Electric Vehicles, Michael Cocchi, Adam Rizkalla

Computer Engineering

No abstract provided.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea In Dairy And Beef Cattle, William Tyler Stevenson

Dairy Science

The objective of the literature review was to understand the nature and characteristics of BVD within dairy and beef herds. The paper reviewed important aspects of the disease that are relevant and practical to producers. The ideas and opinions presented in the paper were a result of compilation and review of the current literature focused on BVD. Some particular areas of focus were general information about the disease, costs and effects, pathophysiology, virology, transmission, prevention and testing. Information provided throughout the paper attempts to link practices that producers may adopt or modify in order to minimize effects of the disease. …

Proposal To Implement A Surveillance System At The Cal Poly Dairy, Madelyn Cobb

Dairy Science

The objective of this project is to determine how to implement a cost effective and efficient surveillance system at the Cal Poly Dairy. This system would help monitor labor, feed, and cows while increasing the biosecurity, accountability, and efficiency throughout the Cal Poly Dairy. To make this determination, I researched different types of products and the equipment necessary that will meet the needs of the dairy currently and for future projects. A list of specifications was created that help guide the search for appropriate companies and products for this project. Talking to surveillance experts also helped create a better sense …

Fuego Y Paz En Napsena, Suzanne Christine Heller

World Languages and Cultures

No abstract provided.

Understanding & Benchmarking The Mobile Web Experience, Stuart Grffiths

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to identify best practices in design for mobile web browsing user experiences, analyzing the newest strategies for optimizing efficient and pleasurable interfaces in a mobile device context. This involved understanding the history of mobile device communications, basic web design principles, and modeling how businesses project their mobile web experiences to end users. The research includes current design trends, thought processes to consider, and expert advice from industry professionals. In addition, user experience survey’s supplement the analysis, scoring industry leaders on how they present their mobile web experiences (viewed from iPad2 & iPhone 4). The …

The Proteomic Response Of Sea Squirts (Genus Ciona Congeners) To Hyposalinity Stress, James S. Koman

Master's Theses

The ascidian species Ciona savignyi and C. intestinalis are invasive species but show interspecific differences in their population response to hypo-saline stress associated with heavy winter-run off events that are predicted to become more frequent due to climate change. Despite an almost world-wide distribution, C. intestinalis seems to be more susceptible to hypo-saline stress than the geographically more limited C. savignyi. Given that the genomes of both species are fully sequenced, we were able to compare their proteomic response to both acute and chronic salinity to characterize the mechanisms that are responsible for setting tolerance limits to hyposaline conditions …

Identifying And Reducing Potential Risks Of Contamination In Food Packaging, Jeffrey Daniel Stollenwerk

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to identify the possible health hazards in food packaging and evaluate each component of food packaging for risks and potential improvements. There have been recent cases in which contaminants have been identified in various food packaging products that pose potential harm to consumers. National authorities, like the Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Standards Agency, regulate these contaminants and create regulations for industry standards.

Contaminants travel from food packaging to the food-surface through a process called migration. Migration varies depending on the usage of different substrates, inks, varnishes, and printing technologies. Each …

Generation Yine: The Millennial Generation And Wine Label Trends, Annalise (Annie) Larson

Graphic Communication

This paper focuses on the importance of the Millennial Generation and their perceptions of wine label design. As one of the most dominant consumer market segments in the United States in terms of their buying power, the Millennial Generation can have a significant impact on the success of the wine industry as a whole. A survey and two taste-tests were conducted in order to determine which design attributes millennials find most desirable in wine label design. It was found that millennials prefer wine labels that are brightly colored, less traditional, and more graphically focused. Further, millennials prefer wines that feature …

An Analysis Of Preservation Versus Conservation: The Future Of Whaling, Elizabeth Paige Fennie

History

No abstract provided.

Vitamin D Sub-Set Analysis From The Flash Study, Megan Bishop, Laura Hall, Ann Mcdermott, Aydin Nazmi

Master's Theses

Vitamin D is important to the health of college students. The objective of our study was to measure sun exposure, skin pigmentation, vitamin D intake, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in a subset of participants from The Following the Longitudinal Aspects of Student Health (FLASH) Study to determine the best predictors of 25(OH)D status. Participants were college-aged freshman who had their blood drawn in spring (Visit 1) and fall 2010 (Visit 2) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, CA. (35.3°N). Vitamin D intake was measured using a 28-day food frequency recall questionnaire (specific to vitamin D …

Development Of A Standardized Method For Comparing Biomechanical Properties Of Various Sternal Closure Techniques, Ramzi P. Hawit

Master's Theses

Background:

33.6% of all deaths in America are caused by cardiovascular disease. An estimated 82.6 million adults (>1 in 3) in America have some form of cardiovascular disease. There were over 400,000 bypass surgeries requiring open-heart surgery. Sternal dehiscence is associated with a morbidity rate of over 47% if mediastinitis supervenes. A rigid closure is required to avoid healing complications, and wire, plates, and bands are all used in an attempt to make a better closure. The purpose of this study it to compare multiple closures and validate a new testing method.

Methods:

Polyurethane foam blocks will be used, …

Mousetraps And How To Avoid Them: The Convergence Of Utilitarian And Scientific Cases For Limiting The Mouse Model In Biomedical Research, Cynthia Townley, Brett Lidbury

Between the Species

The primary aim of biomedical research is to discover and develop new knowledge to advance human medicine. Frequently a ‘mouse model’ is taken to be a necessary step towards understanding a disease, biological mechanism or intervention. We argue for caution with respect to the mouse model: theoretical reasons, meta-analyses of empirical data, and viable alternatives all support a more restricted use of animals in laboratories than is current practice. On its own terms, a utilitarian scientific justification for using animals in biomedical research converges more closely with welfarist claims than is usually recognised.

The Chicken Challenge – What Contemporary Studies Of Fowl Mean For Science And Ethics, Carolynn L. Smith, Jane Johnson

Between the Species

Studies with captive fowl have revealed that they possess greater cognitive capacities than previously thought. We now know that fowl have sophisticated cognitive and communicative skills, which had hitherto been associated only with certain primates. Several theories have been advanced to explain the evolution of such complex behavior. Central to these theories is the enlargement of the brain in species with greater mental capacities. Fowl present us with a conundrum, however, because they show the behaviors anticipated by the theories but do not have the expected changes in the brain. Consequently fowl present two challenges of interest to us here. …

Executive Committee - Agenda, 2/21/2012, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Who Will Create The Iphone Equivalent In Dairy Foods?, Phillip S. Tong

Dairy Science

No abstract provided.

Animal Models For Human Disease – Reflections From An Animal Researcher’S Perspective, Imke Tammen

Between the Species

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a group of lethal inherited neurodegenerative disorders in humans and many animal species. Critical reflections on a range of ethical issues concerning NCL have been instigated by my research on sheep and cattle affected with NCL, the claim that these sheep and cattle are useful models for the disease in humans, and engagement with families and support groups. My reflections on moral status of animals and validity of animal models are outlined in this paper.