Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Farm Management Decisions By Analyzing Production Expenditure Allocations And Farm Performance Standing, William A. Osborne

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

This study examines the potential effects of categorical increases in production expenditures on farm income performance according to farm standing. The objective of this study is to expose differences in anticipated net farm income return from production expenditure investments and the optimal expense allocation strategy for each performance level. Studying farm performance through segregation by utilizing a two-tier analysis and quantile regression acknowledges the possibility that managerial strategy can differ based on managerial ability. Study outcomes are useful to farm managers because they offer more prescription style results and interpretations than found in other farm performance studies. Study findings show …

Latexin’S Role In Regulating Hematopoietic Stem And Progenitor Cells, Yi Liu

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Previous studies in our lab identified a novel gene, latexin (Lxn), that regulates murine hematopoietic stem cells through balancing apoptosis, self-renewal and proliferation. In these dissertation studies, I performed a series of experiments to examine the function of Lxn using a Lxn conventional knockout mouse, and characterize Lxn’s role in the presence of hematopoietic stresses such as ionizing radiation, cytokines induced-mobilization, and hematopoietic malignancy.

The first series of experiments was designed to determine the role of Lxn in hematopoiesis under homeostatic conditions. I found that Lxn-/- mice exhibited hyperproliferative hematopoiesis, a repopulation advantage and elevated self-renewal capacity …

Preclinical Development Of Phytocannabinoid- And Endocannabinoid- Based Pharmacotherapies For The Treatment Of Ethanol-Induced Neurodegeneration, Daniel J. Liput

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Excessive ethanol consumption, characteristic of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), is associated with widespread neurodegeneration and cognitive and behavioral impairments that may contribute to the chronic and relapsing nature of alcoholism. Therefore, identifying novel targets that can afford neuroprotection will undoubtedly aid current treatment strategies for AUDs. The cannabinoids have been shown to provide neuroprotection in a variety of preclinical models of neurodegeneration; however minimal data is available regarding the use of cannabinoid-based pharmacotherapies for treating ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. Therefore, the current dissertation examined the overarching hypothesis: the cannabinoids are a therapeutic strategy to afford neuroprotection in the context of ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. …

Forage News [2013-01], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Dr. Jimmy Henning to Open AFGC Conference
• Forages at KCA
• Heart of America Grazing Conference
• 2012 U.K. Forage Variety Results
• Missouri Farmers Fright Rise in Hay Thefts
• "Beef: The Real Health Food"
• More VALUE from Pastures in 2013
• Renovation: More Important in 2013
• Perennial Forages Benefit Soils, Other Crops, and Water Quality in Important Way
• JBS to Beef up Production from Grass-fed Brazil Herd

Comparison Of Th1 Cytokines And T Cell Markers Gene Expressions Between Virulent And An Attenuated Eiav Vaccine Strain, Talia R. Henkle

Lewis Honors College Capstone Collection

The equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is closely related to HIV and has been used as a model to identify protective mechanisms against lentivirus infection. In horses, EIA infection progresses for about a year before infected horses manage to control virus replication. This naturally-gained protection is absolutely dependent on active immune responses as evidenced by the fact that immunosuppressive drugs can induce the recurrence of disease. As the resolution of initial viremia correlates with the appearance of virus specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), we believe that cellular immune responses play a key role in controlling EIAV in the horse. In …

The Buzz On Bees, Rebecca Ruiz

Lewis Honors College Capstone Collection

Apis mellifera, more commonly known as the honeybee, plays a pivotal role in the ecosystem and in the survival of the planet. Many do not understand, nor realize, that the honeybee offers a wide array of products and services besides sweet honey. Honeybees have become endangered at a time when their presence is vital and evidence indicates that they can be the means to a more sustainable future for our planet. Particularly focused on in this research are the ideas of honeybees’ essential presence in medical advances, their participation in global economics, and their involvement in the development of …

Alternative Methods Of Control For Phytophthora Nicotianae Of Tobacco, Anna M. Holdcroft

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Kentucky is the nation’s leading producer of burley tobacco and the crop’s most economically important disease is black shank, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae (Pn). Current management is effective, however, problems with expense and pathogen persistence are issues. Two alternative methods for control of Pn were examined: biofumigation and soil application of an organic, yeast fermentation‐derived product (Soil‐Set). Field studies in 2009 and 2010 found no effect on populations of fungi, disease severity of Pn, and yield between mustard‐ and wheat‐amended plots. Experiments in the greenhouse suggested that survival of Pn was impacted by biomass rather than biofumigation. Biofumigation is not …

Diagnosis Of Systemic Inflammation Using Transendothelial Electrical Resistance And Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic Materials, William L. Mercke

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Systemic inflammation involves a complex array of cytokines that can result in organ dysfunction. Mortality remains high despite the vast amount of research conducted to find an effective biomarker. The cause of systemic inflammation can be broad and non-specific; therefore, this research investigates using transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements to better define systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)/sepsis within a patient. Results show a difference in TEER measurements between healthy individuals and SIRS-rated patients. This research also displays correlations between TEER measurements and biomarkers currently studied with systemic inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α, C- reactive protein, procalcitonin). Furthermore, this research also presents …

Uses Of Phage Display In Agriculture: Sequence Analysis And Comparative Modeling Of Late Embryogenesis Abundant Client Proteins Suggest Protein-Nucleic Acid Binding Functionality, Rekha Kushwaha, A. Bruce Downie, Christina M. Payne

Horticulture Faculty Publications

A group of intrinsically disordered, hydrophilic proteins-Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins-has been linked to survival in plants and animals in periods of stress, putatively through safeguarding enzymatic function and prevention of aggregation in times of dehydration/heat. Yet despite decades of effort, the molecular-level mechanisms defining this protective function remain unknown. A recent effort to understand LEA functionality began with the unique application of phage display, wherein phage display and biopanning over recombinant Seed Maturation Protein homologs from Arabidopsis thaliana and Glycine max were used to retrieve client proteins at two different temperatures, with one intended to represent heat stress. From …

Uk Law Notes, 2013, University Of Kentucky College Of Law

Annual Magazines

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Coal Combustion By-Product–Encapsulated Ammonium Nitrate On Wheat Yield And Uptake Of Nitrogen And Metals, Eton E. Codling

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Ammonium nitrate (AN) is an essential plant nutrient for plant growth. Ammonium nitrate is also an ingredient in explosives. Research is being conducted on reducing the explosiveness of AN by encapsulating it with the use of coal by-products. The objective of this greenhouse pot study was to determine the effects of class C and F fly ash and flue gas desulfurization-gypsum-encapsulated AN on biomass, grain, and straw yield and nitrogen and metals uptake by wheat. Encapsulated AN was mixed with a low-nitrogen soil at 56 and 112 kg N ha^-1^, as well as unencapsulated AN as a control, and planted …

Effects Of A Proprietary Premix On Productive Performance And Egg Quality Of White And Brown Egg Laying Hens Fed Diets High In Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (Ddgs), Megan D. Van Benschoten

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate inclusion of up to 35% by-product DDGS (with reduced Ca and P) with and without addition of a proprietary premix (enzyme and antioxidant; Alltech Inc.) on productive performance and egg quality of white and brown egg laying hens. A total of 288 white or brown hens were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: 1) corn-soybean meal (control), 2) 25% DDGS, 3) 25% DDGS plus premix, 4) 35% DDGS, and 5) 35% DDGS plus premix. Hen body weight values were impaired with addition of 25 and 35% DDGS when compared to …

Compost Bedded Pack Barns: Management Practices And Economic Implications, Randi Alyson Black

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Compost bedded pack (CBP) barn design and pack maintenance procedures vary considerably, making advising and problem-solving challenging. One objective of this research was to characterize herd performance and management practices employed by Kentucky CBP managers (42 farms and 47 CBP facilities). Producer satisfaction, changes in historical bulk-tank somatic cell count, and improvement in herd performance parameters after transitioning to a CBP barn support reported CBP barn system benefits. Daily milk production increased from before moving into the CBP barn to the second year after (29.3 ± 0.3 vs. 30.7 ± 0.3 kg, respectively; P < 0.05) for farms using the CBP barn as the primary housing facility (n = 8). Increasing stirring frequency, stirring depth, and ambient temperatures increased pack temperature. Increased drying rate decreased CBP moisture. Increased 20.3 cm depth CBP temperature and ambient temperatures improved cow hygiene. Mastitis-causing bacteria thrive in conditions similar to optimal composting bacteria conditions, making reduction of these bacteria difficult in an active composting environment. Producers must pay attention to other management areas where preventive measures can be employed. The New Dairy Housing Investment Analysis Dashboard provides users an interactive and flexible decision tool to make more informed facility investment decisions.

Offspring And Maternal Health Benefits Of Exercise During Pregnancy, Lindsay G. Carter

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Maternal lifestyle and nutrient intake during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the health of offspring as well as the mother. This dissertation focuses on the impact of maternal exercise during pregnancy on offspring insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake and the maternal effects of exercise during pregnancy.

The first aim of this dissertation was to investigate if exercise prior to and during pregnancy and nursing would improve glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in mice and rats. In both mice and rats, it was concluded that maternal exercise could enhance whole-body insulin sensitivity and increase glucose uptake into skeletal muscle and …

An Investigation Of Perinatal Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure On Body Composition And Glucose Homeostasis, Cetewayo S. Rashid

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Recent advancements have uncovered environmental contributions to obesity and diabetes etiology. In fact, perinatal malnutrition resulting in low birth weight (LBW) has been shown to correlate with later life obesity and impaired glucose tolerance in aged offspring. LBW can result from a myriad of developmental perturbations including macronutrient restriction, hypoxia, maternal stress and toxin exposure.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that bioaccumulate in the food chain resulting in dietary exposure in humans. Maternal and cord blood PCB levels are inversely associated with birth weight, and recent studies indicate that perinatal exposures to PCBs contribute to gender-specific obesity development …

Investigating Therapeutic Options For Lafora Disease Using Structural Biology And Translational Methods, Amanda R. Sherwood

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Lafora disease (LD) is a rare yet invariably fatal form of epilepsy characterized by progressive degeneration of the central nervous and motor systems and accumulation of insoluble glucans within cells. LD results from mutation of either the phosphatase laforin, an enzyme that dephosphorylates cellular glycogen, or the E3 ubiquitin ligase malin, the binding partner of laforin. Currently, there are no therapeutic options for LD, or reported methods by which the specific activity of glucan phosphatases such as laforin can be easily measured. To facilitate our translational studies, we developed an assay with which the glucan phosphatase activity of laforin as …

Designing Contour Weep Berms To Reduce Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution, Richard C. Warner, Carmen T. Agouridis, Ross L. Guffey

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) of surface waters is a significant issue in agricultural lands, and best management practices (BMPs) are often used to reduce these impacts. Since the effectiveness of a BMP depends on a large number of widely varying factors, it is important to continue to develop BMPs in order to provide designers with more tools to use to maximize NPS removal. The contour weep berm is a new structural BMP constructed out of earth and subsequently vegetated. It is a linear BMP that is used in combination with a down-gradient vegetated filter strip or forested riparian buffer. Preliminary …

Table Of Contents For Volume 5, Issue 2, Kentucky Journal Of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Factors Responsible For The Decline Of The U.S. Horse Industry: Why Horse Slaughter Is Not The Solution, John Holland, Laura Allen

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

Survey Of Damages Measures Recognized In Negligence Cases Involving Animals, Alison M. Rowe

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

Mirror, Mirror In The Stall: Animal Cloning And Its Legal Implications For Equine Registry Associations, Mary W. Craig

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

The Livestock Seller's Lien: A Source Of Protection For The Cattle Producer, Megan Crenshaw

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

Lasix And Horseracing: Till Death Do Them Part, Wes Bright

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

Let's Horse Around: How Utilizing Equine And Horsemanship Activities Furthers The Goals Of The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, Yvette Delaguardia

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

Unbridled "Spirits": An Integrated Analysis Of The Law, The Science, And The Future Of Thoroughbred Medication, Alexandra D. Logsdon

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

California's Proposition 37: Will Its Failure Forecast The Fate Of The Gm Food Labeling Movement In The United States Once And For All?, Meredith K. Schuh

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

Defying The Law: Northern Plains Resource Council, Inc. V. Surface Transportation Board And The State Of Nepa Jurisprudence, Rachel Shelton

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of The Agricultural Cluster On The Fayette County Economy, Alison Davis, Lori Garkovich, Leigh Maynard, James Allen, Shaheer Burney, Tarrah Dunaway

Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky Reports

From the executive summary:

The project contains multiple studies that use different methods and information sources to gain a more complete picture of a complex topic. The studies contained in this report are:

I. Economic Impact of Agriculture in Fayette County, Kentucky
II. Interviews with Fayette County Business Leaders
III. The Impact of Equine Sales and Horse Racing Facilities on Non-Agricultural Industries

The purpose of the project is to gather evidence useful in guiding local policies and economic development strategies.

Immunomodulatory Effects Of Massage In Skeletal Muscle, Christine Waters Banker

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

The inflammatory process is a critical component of the repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle following injury. The influx of innate immune cells following injury is intricate, and temporal nature. Although required for proper repair and regeneration, the inflammatory process has been shown to exacerbate initial damage, prolonging the healing process. Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments, such as massage therapy, are a promising substitute for pharmaceutical modulation of the inflammatory response, and recent studies into the efficacy of massage have begun to report the physiological benefits of massage application following injury. Nonetheless, there is a significant lack of sound mechanistic …

Current Therapeutic Approaches To Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, L. Dirikolu, Jonathan H. Foreman, Thomas Tobin

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is the most important infectious neurologic disease of horses in the Western Hemisphere. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis can interfere with a horse's ability to race, work, and perform; untreated, EPM can be lethal. Antemortem diagnosis of EPM is challenging, requiring careful evaluation of the animal's history, clinical signs, and laboratory data, with rigorous exclusion of other causes.

Therapeutic approaches to EPM are evolving. First-generation therapeutic approaches for EPM were based on the classic anti–Toxoplasma gondii pyrimethamine–sulfonamide combinations; treatment is prolonged and can be associated with a considerable relapse rate, which may be associated with the difficulty in …