Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Diet, Size, And Phylogeny On Primate Dental Proportions, Rudolph J. Wilkins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It is generally appreciated that there is a relationship between the relative size of the incisors, mandible length, and diet in primates. More specifically, the differences in relative incisor size among primate species are believed to be evolutionary adaptations to their use during food processing and acquisition. While this satisfactorily explains relatively large incisors, it fails to address the relatively small incisor size seen in many taxa. One hypothesis is that there is a trade-off between molar size and incisor size in species with relatively short mandibles. The following study uses two-way ANOVA to evaluate the possibility that spatial constraint …

Determination Of P Availability In Feedstuffs And The Effect Of Feedstuffs And Anti-Nutritional Factors On Secretory Iga Production And Host Nutrient Losses In Poultry, Benjamin Parsons

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The availability of P in feedstuffs and the effect of feedstuffs, feed additives, and anti-nutritional factors on secretory IgA (sIgA) production in chickens were evaluated. A rapid method was developed using the precision-fed rooster assay to evaluate phytic acid disappearance, P digestibility, and phytase efficacy. Further, exogenous phytase was found to be effective at degrading myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis, however, the enzyme was less efficient at P release from lower inositol phosphates. The availability of P in feedstuffs was found to be affected by dietary Ca content, where increasing Ca linearly reduced (P < 0.05) both phytic acid hydrolysis and P digestibility. For example, the standardized ileal digestibility of P was reduced from 73 to 47% in soybean meal when the dietary Ca content was increased from 0.30 to 0.75%. The digestibility of P in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn fermented protein (CFP), however, was high across all Ca levels (71 to 80%). Relative P bioavailability based on tibia bone ash was also found to be high for DDGS and CFP, being 81 and 78%, respectively. Upon further evaluation, it was observed that utilizing low dietary Ca levels (0.30%) when P digestibility in individual plant-based feedstuffs was determined overestimated the P digestibility in practical grower diets by up to 16 percentage units. Utilization of higher Ca levels (0.75%) when P digestibility in individual plant-based feedstuffs was determined, however, resulted in calcualted P digestibility values that were within 1 to 3 percentage units of the measured digestibility in practical grower diets. Aside from P, feedstuffs were also evaluated to determine their effect on sIgA production in the intestine. Roosters excreted approximately 6 to 30 mg of sIgA / 24 h. Further, the proportional contribution of sIgA to total endogenous amino acid (AA) losses ranged from 1 to 13%, with the greatest contribution being observed for Trp. The addition of casein to a protein-free diet increased (P < 0.05) sIgA production in both roosters and broiler chickens. There was no change (P > 0.05) in sIgA production compared with the protein-free diet …

Editorial: Respiratory Microbiome In Health And Disease, Yimin Zhuang, Tao Ding, Jiangchao Zhao, Jianmin Chai

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Editorial on the Research Topic:

Respiratory microbiome in health and disease

Educational Outcomes Of Recess In Elementary School Children: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review, Erin K. Howie, Kristi L. Perryman, Joseph Moretta, Laura Cameron

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Recess provides a key physical activity opportunity for students in school, yet a wide range of recess requirements exist. To design optimal recess policies, the effect of recess on students’ educational outcomes must be better understood. Therefore, the purpose of this mixed-method systematic review is to identify and systematically evaluate research on the effects of recess on student educational outcomes, including behavior, cognitive performance and academic achievement.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature in ERIC (EBSCO), ProQuest Central, PsycINFO, Teacher Reference Center, MEDLINE Complete (EBSCO), and CINAHL Complete was performed through September 2022. Data was extracted from quantitative …

Innovative Approaches To Poultry Processing Wastewater Treatment: The Stainless Steel Ultrafiltration Membrane As A Viable Option, Saubana Olorunrola Dada, Chidambaram Thamariselvan, Mahmood Jebur, Sumith Ranil Wickramasinghe

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In pursuit of sustainability, we explored replacing conventional dissolved air floatation (DAF) in poultry processing wastewater (PPW) treatment with a precisely tuned 0.02 µm stainless-steel ultrafiltration (SSUF) membrane. SSUF is a robust, homogenously porous membrane with strong chemical resistance, ease of cleaning, and exceptional resistance to organic fouling. Unlike polymeric membranes, it can be regenerated multiple times, making it a cost-effective choice due to its compatibility with harsh chemical cleaning. The PPW used for the study was untreated wastewater from all processing units and post-initial screening. Our study revealed the SSUF membrane’s exceptional efficiency at eliminating contaminants. It achieved an …

The Alternative Livestock Revolution: Prospects For Consumer Acceptance Of Plant-Based And Cultured Meat In South Africa, Chiedza Tsvakirai, Lawton Nalley, Shelby Rider, Ellen Van Loo, Makgopa Tshehla

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Although South Africa accounts for half of the alternative meat market for the African continent, there remains a lack of information about consumer demand for plant-based and lab-cultured meat and its market potential domestically. This study reports the results of a nationwide survey of 649 South African consumers who completed a choice experiment in which they selected among conventional beef and three alternative burger patties at varying prices. Results indicate that holding prices constant and conditional on choosing a food product, 21% of the market share was estimated for plant-based meat alternatives and 38% for lab-cultured meat.

Leucine Supplementation Exacerbates Morbidity In Male But Not Female Mice With Colorectal Cancer-Induced Cachexia, Eleanor R. Schrems, Wesley S. Haynie, Richard A. Perry Jr., Francielly Morena, Ana Regina Cabrera, Megan E. Rosa-Caldwell, Nicholas P. Greene, Tyrone A. Washington

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cancer cachexia (CC) is a multifactorial wasting syndrome characterized by a significant loss in lean and/or fat mass and represents a leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. Nutraceutical treatments have been proposed as a potential treatment strategy to mitigate cachexia-induced muscle wasting. However, contradictory findings warrant further investigation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of leucine supplementation on skeletal muscle in male and female Apc^Min/+ mice (APC). APC mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates were given normal drinking water or 1.5% leucine-supplemented water (n = 4–10/group/sex). We measured the gene expression of regulators of …

Understanding Functional Benefits Of Isoleucine And Arginine On Poultry Performance And Health., Roshan Adhikari, Jason T. Lee, Keith Haydon

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Poultry industry is rapidly moving towards utilizing the best ingredients to precisely feed the birds for better performance, welfare, health, and profitability. One of the practices that evolved over time with research is better optimization of amino acid utilization in the diets thus changing the crude protein landscape. Historically, if we compare the modern diets to diets from 1980, significant changes are visible in the use of unbound or crystalline amino acids leading to reduced levels of CP and reduced unutilized nitrogen in the diets. Multiple feed-grade amino acids are available in a cost-effective manner in poultry diets. Multiple research …

Shinyfruit: Interactive Fruit Phenotyping Software And Its Application In Blackberry, T. Mason Chizk, Jackie A. Lee, John R. Clark, Margaret L. Worthington

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Horticultural plant breeding programs often demand large volumes of phenotypic data to capture visual variation in quality of harvested products. Increasing the throughput potential of phenomic pipelines enables breeders to consider data-hungry molecular breeding strategies such as genome-wide association studies and genomic selection.

Methods: We present an R-based web application called ShinyFruit for image-based phenotyping of size, shape, and color-related qualities in fruits and vegetables. Here, we have demonstrated one potential application for ShinyFruit by comparing its estimates of fruit length, width, and red drupelet reversion (RDR) with ImageJ and analogous manual phenotyping techniques in a population of blackberry …

Editorial: Parasitism: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Marco A. Juarez-Estrada, Danielle Graham, Xochitl Hernandez-Velasco, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Editorial on the Research Topic

Parasitism: the good, the bad and the ugly

Feed Formulation: Expanding Our Horizons Beyond The Simple Provision Of Least-Cost Diets, Rick Kleyn, Mariana Ciacciariello

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Commercial feed formulation is typically based on linear programming (LP) algorithms that derive a least-cost solution for a blend of ingredients that meet specific nutrient criteria. This methodology has been effectively used for decades, but how we achieve our primary goal, which is sustainable poultry production, needs to be reconsidered in broader terms. Some of the issues that this paper will deal with are: not all parameters that we consider are linear and additive; we are still unsure of how to build the matrix required for feed formulation; dealing with the variability encountered in every batch of ingredient remains a …

Reducing Feed’S Environmental Footprint: Where Are The Opportunities?, Lara Moody

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Working with animal food industry members and stakeholders up- and down-stream in the supply chain, the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) developed a ‘Sustainability Road Map’ to support the U.S. animal food industry as it pursues continuous improvement on impacts important to industry members and their customers. For IFEEDER and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), sustainability is defined and managed by each individual organization to deliver measurable, continuous improvements on the impacts related to people, planet and governance that are most important to them and their stakeholders.

No Antibiotic Ever (Nae) Versus Conventional Broiler Production: It’S Complicated, Marcos H. Rostagno

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Broiler production has evolved significantly over the years to meet a constant growing demand for animal protein. Rooted on major advances in genetics, facilities and environmental conditions, management, and specially, in nutrition and health, the U.S. broiler industry improved tremendously in productivity and efficiency, clearly demonstrated by a marked reduction of the average market age (i.e., days to market), while significantly increasing average market weight, breast meat yield and feed efficiency (National Chicken Council, 2023). For decades, conventional broiler production was dominant, with extensive use of antibiotics to promote growth and manage disease challenges (prevention and control). However, concerns over …

Organic Trace Minerals In Environmentally Sustainable Systems, Sergio L. Vieira, Julmar C. Feijó, André Favero

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Essential trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and I) are traditionally included as supplements through mineral premixes in poultry feeds. In comparison to other essential nutrients, as well as energy, they are scarcely studied. The essentiality of a nutrient, by definition, refers to the nutrient role in normal body function, such as growth or egg production, and considers that they cannot be synthesized by the body and, therefore, must be supplied from the feed.

Application Of New Molecular Tools To Assess Virus Viability In Production Animals, Declan C. Schroeder

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Persistent viral infections routinely impose an inconvenient, always costly but thankfully not all too often catastrophic outcome on our modern food system. Managing viruses is key for all concerned if our objective is to meet the ever-growing demand to high-value animal protein. Whether it’s the impact influenza A virus (IAV) has on the avian or swine industries, Porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) on the swine or Deformed wing virus (DWV) on honey bees in both the honey and pollinator sectors - the negative impact and damaging cost to the individual producer, country and global economy cannot be overstated.

A View Of Poultry Production In The Americas, Michael Donohue

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

The primary goal of the presentation is to share a long-term overview of how broiler production has changed over the last 35 years in areas of bird performance, production costs, particularly in the area of feed ingredient cost per lb. and illustrating how poultry nutritionists have adapted feed formulations to meet the changes in performance and cost.

Effects Of Measurement Methods And Growing Conditions On Phenotypic Expression Of Photosynthesis In Seven Diverse Rice Genotypes, Megan Reavis, Larry C. Purcell, Andy Pereira, Kusum Naithani

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Light response curves are widely used to quantify phenotypic expression of photosynthesis by measuring a single sample and sequentially altering light intensity within a chamber (sequential method) or by measuring different samples that are each acclimated to a different light level (non-sequential method). Both methods are often conducted in controlled environments to achieve steady-state results, and neither method involves equilibrating the entire plant to the specific light level.

Methods: Here, we compare sequential and non-sequential methods in controlled (greenhouse), semi-controlled (plant grown in growth chamber and acclimated to field conditions 2-3 days before measurements), and field environments. We selected …

Freshman Course Credit And Unexcused Absences: An Arkansas Policy Analysis, Sarah R. Morris, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Miranda Vernon

Arkansas Education Reports

This policy analysis examines the implementation of A.C.A. 6-18-222, a statewide policy in Arkansas that addresses unexcused absences and course credit consequences for students. Using anonymized student-level data from the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years (N=65,651), the study explores variations in policy implementation across districts and investigates the relationship between absences and course failures for freshmen. Our results highlight the wide variability in the number of allowed unexcused absences and the language of course credit consequence among districts. Additionally, our multivariate logistic regressions reveal FRL-eligible students more likely to fail a course after reaching their district’s unexcused absence threshold. Lastly, …

Skeletal Age During Hurricane Impacts Fluctuating Asymmetry In Cayo Santiago Rhesus Macaques, Ashly N. Romero, Edwin Dickinson, Cassandra M. Turcotte, Claire E. Terhune

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

As natural disasters become more frequent due to climate change, understanding the biological impact of these ecological catastrophes on wild populations becomes increasingly pertinent. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), or random deviations from bilateral symmetry, is reflective of developmental instability and has long been positively associated with increases in environmental stress. This study investigates craniofacial FA in a population of free-ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) that has experienced multiple Category 3 hurricanes since the colony's inception on Cayo Santiago, including 275 individuals from ages 9 months to 31 years (F = 154; M = 121). Using geometric morphometrics to quantify …

The Effect Of Symbioses Between Mold Mites (Acaridae: Tyrophagus Putrescentiae) And Aspergillus Flavus On Their Respective Populations In Stored Maize., Paige Pionke Cummins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Zea mays is the most commonly grown grain in the world and is used for animal feed, human consumption, and the creation of other products such as ethanol and bioplastics. Contamination of stored maize with stored grain invaders can lead to loss of revenue, reduced food availability, and potential health complications. Two such storage invaders; the mold mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae and the fungus Aspergillus flavus can work as symbionts within the grain storage system. To determine resulting population growth from this symbiosis, maize was inoculated with three treatments: A. flavus with no mites, T. putrescentiae with no fungus, and both …

Toxicity Of Different Insecticides To Sitophilus Oryzae, Tribolium Castaeneum And Tribolium Confusum Infesting Corn, Amina Twaibu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Corn is an important cereal crop cultivated across various countries, including the United States. Corn serves multiple purposes such as human and livestock food and raw material for industrial processes. Despite being an important crop, corn production faces challenges due to factors such as weather fluctuations and the presence of insect pests and diseases, both in the field and during storage. Among these challenges, insect infestation poses a major threat, as the insect damage not only reduces the quantity and quality of the grain but also renders it unfit for human and animal consumption, leading to a decrease in market …

The Effects Of Pesticide Exposure And Diet On The Health, Reproduction, And Behavior Of Mason Bees (Osmia Spp.), Olivia Mae Kline

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Several mason bees (Osmia spp.), such as Osmia lignaria and Osmia cornifrons, are efficient and valuable pollinators in orchards. They can be used to supplement honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination, to improve yields and reduce costs compared to A. mellifera alone. Osmia spp. encounter many stressors in their environment, which can negatively impact their health and pollination ability. These stressors include pesticide use and habitat loss due to agricultural expansion. Apis mellifera are often used as surrogates for pesticide risk assessment, but different bee species can vary widely in their response to stressors. Therefore, research into the impact of stressors …

Determinants Of Market Participation Among Milk Producers In Kyrgyzstan, Akhmadjon Nurullaev

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the key factors that drive milk producers to enter the milk market as sellers in Kyrgyzstan. The study utilizes the Life in Kyrgyzstan dataset, a nationally representative survey that tracks 3,000 households and 8,000 individuals throughout Kyrgyzstan. The results were analyzed with two different models: Heckman’s two-stage and the double hurdle models. The results show that regional location, ethnic group origin, risk awareness, dependency ratio, vehicle ownership, total value of assets, distance to agro market, and family shock occurrence significantly impact both market participation and the volume of milk sales. The findings hold great significance in establishing …

Editorial: Fat Metabolism And Deposition In Poultry: Physiology, Genetics, Nutrition Volume Ii, Sami Dridi

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Editorial on the Research Topic

Fat metabolism and deposition in poultry: physiology, genetics, nutrition Volume II

Explicit And Implicit Measurements Of Sensory And Emotional Responses To Stimuli In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asmita Singh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that causes significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges and it is often involved in sensory processing issues that lead to feeding problems. While our understanding of how sensory responses differ in people with ASD is limited, past studies indicated atypical responses to certain stimuli. If these stimuli can be identified, they could be good indicators to identify the risk of autism in young children. The main objective of this dissertation was to identify a specific stimulus leading autistic children to exhibit atypical responses in terms of sensory or emotional aspects. Children between …

The Effect Of Carbohydrate Source As Part Of A High Protein, Weight-Maintenance Diet On Outcomes Of Well-Being In Adults At Risk For Metabolic Syndrome, Mariya Hayat

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is a growing epidemic affecting at least 312 million people worldwide and is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III, as having 3 or more of the following: waist circumference greater than 102 cm in men or greater than 88 cm in women; serum level of triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or greater; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women; systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or greater or …

An Exploration Of Saudi Women’S Experiences And Perceptions Towards Participation In Physical Activity And Sports In The United States, Ahmed H. Sumayli

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A significant proportion of Saudi women are currently living in different Western countries, including the United States of America. Physical activity and sports participation play a significant role in maintaining health and well-being for all individuals. Understanding their physical activity experiences and perceptions regarding participation in sports activity during their stay in the United States is important. This study aimed to understand if the length of residence in the United States and/or acculturation to the U.S. environment could significantly change Saudi women's patterns, attitudes, and behaviors towards sports and fitness activities. This qualitative study was carried out to explore and …

Nutrient Responses To Hippuric Acid In Sheep Urine Applied To Pasture Soil Cores, Ethan Avery Collins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hippuric acid is a breakdown product of tannins, which bind with proteins in the animal rumen and slow down protein metabolism, thus increasing nitrogen (N) retention in the animal. Increased hippuric acid concentration in bovine and ovine urine applied to soil may decrease rates of nitrification, denitrification, and nitrous oxide fluxes in pasture soils. Additionally, condensed tannins have increased rates of carbon mineralization when incorporated in humus and leaf litter. To evaluate effects of hippuric acid concentration, treatments of urine from sheep fed a tannin-supplemented diet, synthetic urine, or urea controls were applied to intact soil cores seeded with crabgrass …

Rice Material State Diagrams: Trends Of Contemporary Cultivars And Influence Of Nitrogen Application During Production, Evans Ameyaw Owusu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice is typically harvested at high moisture content (MC) levels which necessitates drying to low MC levels for safe storage. However, drying at inappropriate temperatures and durations can lead to deterioration of kernel quality such as fissure formation. Kernels with these fissures are typically associated with reduced head rice yields and significant economic losses. Material state diagrams for rice have been created by the University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program (UARPP) as a tool to aid in predicting the ideal temperatures to use during drying and tempering (a process of holding rice at the drying temperature for some duration). The …

Dietary Histidine: Broiler Responsiveness With And Without Endogenous Histidine Reserve Consideration, Kenneth Blake Nelson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the past, histidine warranted little concern from poultry nutritionists because it was seldom deficient in practical broiler diets. With most essential amino acids now commercially available as feed-grade forms to partially replace intact protein ingredients, histidine and its minimum in least-cost formulation are receiving fresh attention. Published histidine requirement data for broilers are sparce, and many of these studies have been conducted on males within the first three weeks post-hatch. Moreover, rudimentary dose-response experimental designs may not be applicable to estimate histidine requirements in later growth periods because histidine is uniquely stored within the body. In times of dietary …