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Delta Tocotrienol Attenuates Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activation Via Inhibition Of Nf-Κb Priming And Reactive Oxygen Species Generation, Teresa Buckner

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Chronic, low-grade inflammation during obesity is associated with the development of metabolic dysfunction. The NLRP3 inflammasome is assembled in response to cellular stressors and leads to cytotoxic cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 production, which implicates the NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammatory conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Tocotrienols are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory forms of vitamin E. Delta-tocotrienol (dT3) displays NF-κB inhibitory and anti-oxidant abilities, and is easily isolated from the Annatto plant. My primary aim was to determine whether dT3 inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and to compare the extent to which dT3 inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome with other tocotrienol forms, i.e. alpha-tocotrienol (aT3) and …

Modeling Of Soybean Under Present And Future Climates In Mozambique, Manuel António Dina Talacuece, Flávio Barbosa Justino, Rafael De Ávila Rodrigues, Milton Edgar Pereira Flores, Jéssica Garcia Nascimento, Eduardo Eduardo Santos

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

This study aims to calibrate and validate the generic crop model (CROPGRO-Soybean) and estimate the soybean yield, considering simulations with different sowing times for the current period (1990–2013) and future climate scenario (2014–2030). The database used came from observed data, nine climate models of CORDEX (Coordinated Regional climate Downscaling Experiment)-Africa framework and MERRA (Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications) reanalysis. The calibration and validation data for the model were acquired in field experiments, carried out in the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 growing seasons in the experimental area of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Angónia, Mozambique. The yield …

Rural Grocery Stores-More Than Just Groceries, Jim Crandall

Cornhusker Economics

The National Rural Grocery Summit was held this week in Wichita, KS hosted by Kansas State University's Center for Engagement and Community Development. This was the 5th summit which is held every other year, focused on the Rural Grocery Initiative (RGI) "Strengthening Our Stores, Strengthening our Communities" program.

The Relationship Among Fifth Grade Physical Education Students' Body Size Perception, Fitnessgram Scores, And Physical Activity Level, Ashley N. Cleveland

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Purpose: This study aims to explore the correlation between students’ self-perception of body image and FITNESSGRAM scores, the relationship between children’s body perceptions and their actual body mass index (BMI), and to see if body image in children affects their physical activity level.

Methods: FITNESSGRAM fitness testing protocol and a survey developed for the KidQuest nutrition intervention program by South Dakota State University (SDSU) was used to assess the correlation between students’ (n= 319) self-perception of body image and FITNESSGRAM scores. In addition accelerometers were used to assess the physical activity level of a subsample (n=57) of the …

Cooled Perch Effects On Performance And Well-Being Traits In Caged White Leghorn Hens, J Y. Hu, P Y. Hester, M M. Makagon, G Vezzoli, R S. Gates, Y Xiong, H W. Cheng

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We assessed the effects of chilled water cooling perches on hen performance and physiological and behavioral parameters under “natural” high temperatures during the 2013 summer with a 4-hour acute heating episode. White Leghorns at 16 wk of age (N = 162) were randomly assigned to 18 cages (n = 9) arranged into 3 units. Each unit was assigned to one of the 3 treatments through 32 wk of age: 1) cooled perches, 2) air perches, and 3) no perches. Chilled water (10◦C) was circulated through the cooled perches when cage ambient temperature exceeded 25^◦C. At the age of …

Nebline, June 2016

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: The Garden Grocery — Food Safety & Selection at Farmers’ Markets

Food & Health

Farm & Acreage

Pests & Wildlife

Horticulture

Early Childhood

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

Isotopes From Fecal Material Provides Evidence Of Recent Diet Of Prairie Deer Mice, John W. Doudna, Brent J. Danielson

The Prairie Naturalist

Prairie deer mice are important predators in many agricultural systems, and through their diet they can help to regulate pest insect and weed populations. Our objective was to test whether fecal material is an effective means of detailing the foraging ecology of small mammals. We conducted three studies to evaluate the efficacy of this technique: 1) field-collected fecal material from unknown deer mice from late winter to early spring, 2) fecal material collected in an enclosure with mice fed a mix of C3 and C4 plant seeds, and 3) fecal material from tagged female mice in the field. We detected …

A Hedonic Analysis Of Community Supported Agriculture Share Prices In Midwestern United States, Binod Khanal

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

As concerns mount over the consequences of conventional food production for health, the environment, and animal welfare, consumers are increasingly demanding what they perceive as more nutritious, safer, and ethically produced food. Local food in general and community supported agriculture in particular have emerged as promising alternatives that could allay those concerns and, judging by recent growth, the share of local food in total food sales will most likely continue to grow. This represents an opportunity and a challenge for both incumbent farms serving the local food market as well entrants who are looking to capitalize on the growth in …

Characterization Of Extraction Methods To Recover Phenolic-Rich Extracts From Black Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris) That Inhibit Alpha-Amylase And Alpha-Glucosidase Using Response Surface Approaches, Mazen Alharbi

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Black beans contain high phenolic contents that are considered potent antioxidants. Relatively little is known about their ability to inhibit the carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase from releasing glucose from starch and/or disaccharides. The objective of this project was to determine the optimum procedures for extracting total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and total condensed tannins (TCT) from black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and then to determine the ability of the phenolic rich extracts to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Due to their high phenolic levels, it was hypothesized that black beans would be an effective inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which …

A Brief History Of Corn: Looking Back To Move Forward, Jon Derek Pruitt

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Maize was domesticated from teosinte in Mexico some 7,000 to 10,000 years ago and quickly spread through the Americas. It has become one of the most important crops at a local and global level. Two types, Northern Flint corn and Southern Dent corns provided the basis of the genetic background of modern maize hybrids. The development of hybrids, first double-cross and later single-cross hybrids, along with a transition to high input farming provided huge yield increases, which have continued to improve with improving technology.

Increase in maize production also caused a rise in Western corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera …

The Effect Of Salt Reduction On The Microbial Composition And Quality Characteristics Of Sliced Roast Beef And Turkey, Chad Gary Bower

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study analyzed the effects of salt reduction on microbiological composition and quality characteristics of deli-style turkey breast and roast beef. Turkey breast and roast beef were manufactured with four different salt concentrations: 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% on a meat block basis in addition to sugar, phosphate, and water. Samples were cooked, chilled overnight, sliced, and packaged. On the day of slicing, samples were evaluated for water activity, cooking yield, proximate composition and percent salt. Samples were evaluated throughout 18w of refrigerated storage for pH, texture profile analysis, aerobic plate count (APC), and anaerobic plate count. Bacterial communities were …

Nebline, May 2016

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Emerald Ash Borer is Getting Closer

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

Viruses, Vaccines And The Public, Judy Diamond, Julia Mcquillan, Amy Spiegel, Patricia Wonch Hill, Rebecca Smith, John T. West, Charles Wood

World of Viruses

Current research in virology is changing public conceptions about vaccines and infectious disease. The University of Nebraska State Museum collaborated with research virologists, science writers, artists and learning researchers to create public outreach materials about viruses and infectious disease. The project, funded by the National Institute of Health’s SEPA program, developed comics, a book with Carl Zimmer, and other materials and programs. The project launched three kinds of learning research: 1) a survey of Nebraska adults on their opinions about vaccines and infectious disease; 2) a study comparing the mental models of viruses, vaccines and infection from virologists, teachers, and …

Feasibility, Safety, Economic And Environmental Implications Of Whey-Recovered Water For Cleaning-In Place Systems: A Case Study On Water Conservation For The Dairy Industry, Yulie E. Meneses-GonzáLez

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Several countries around the world are facing the challenge of producing food with limited water resources for a growing population. This reality is forcing all sectors involved in the food supply chain to look for water conservation strategies that contribute to assure global food security. Besides water consumption, the food industry has to deal with wastewater generation; therefore, water reconditioning and reuse is an attractive solution to address both issues. The goal of this research was to demonstrate that high quality water can be recovered from whey, a by-product of the cheese making process, and reused in cleaning-in place (CIP) …

Influence Of Cattle Grazing Practices On Dung Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) Communities In The Sandhill Rangelands Of Central Nebraska, Patrick M. Wagner

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) have a significant role in regulating the ecosystem services they provide on rangelands. Colonization of dung piles by dung beetles can help facilitate the decomposition of dung, control dung-breeding pests, and cycle important nutrients into the soil to improve pasture quality. Cattle are grazed on pastures at various stocking densities depending on the type of grazing practice. The influence of grazing practices on dung beetle communities and services remains largely unknown.

Our first study investigated dung beetle activity across different cattle grazing practices to determine how grazing might influence dung beetle abundance and diversity. Dung beetle …

Evaluation Of Qualitative Food Allergen Detection Methods And Cleaning Validation Approaches, Rachel C. Courtney

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Allergen control plans are increasingly used by the food industry to prevent allergen cross-contact and validation of these plans involves methods to detect allergen protein residues. A commonly used rapid allergen detection method is lateral flow devices, although research about their validation is lacking. The objective of this research was to investigate lateral flow devices, their specificity and sensitivity to milk proteins and milk-derived ingredients, swabbing conditions, and applications in cleaning validation.

Several lateral flow devices advertised to detect total milk did not detect whey proteins or whey-derived ingredients. The overload level of the kits was highly variable (ranging from …

Exploring Elementary Students’ Agricultural And Scientific Knowledge Using Evidence Centered Design, Molly R. Brandt

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The public is more disconnected from agriculture than ever. Americans are two to four generations removed from the farm, and a majority of Americans, even in rural agricultural states have no direct link to agriculture. As a result, the public lacks the knowledge and appreciation of the food, fuel, and fiber it demands. The National Center for Agricultural Literacy (NCAL) uses National Agricultural Learning Objectives (NALOs) to measure student’s agricultural knowledge. The purpose of this project is to develop assessments aligned with the NALOs and to use results from the assessments to further understand students’ agricultural literacy. This study focuses …

The Relationships Between The Home Food Environment And Weight Status Among Children And Adolescents, Ages 6–17 Years, Martha J. Nepper

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The home food environment is an important setting in regard to a child’s dietary intake and the development of obesity, since 65% to 72% of daily calories are consumed in the home. Research is beginning to explore how the home food environment may influence children’s weight status. It is suggested that homes with healthy weight children are more likely to have healthier food options available and limit access to unhealthy foods. Prior research on the influence of the home food environment on children and adolescent’s weight status is not clear, as some researchers have found that the home food environment …

Impact Of Healthy Food Labels On Consumer Choice And Valuation, Mattingly Perlinger

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The obesity epidemic is prevalent across the entire United States, but minority communities are affected most of all. The Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota is a minority community that has been particularly affected by the obesity epidemic, exhibiting higher rates of obesity and lower life expectancy than the rest of the country.

In this study we conducted a hypothetical choice experiment to test the effectiveness of three healthy food labels in increasing the likelihood of consumers choosing to purchase healthy products. We also calculated the consumer willingness to pay for each of these labels and examined differences in label …

Grazing Method Effects On Forage Production, Utilization, Animal Performance And Animal Activity On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow, Torie Lindsey

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A study was conducted on a subirrigated meadow in the Nebraska Sandhills to determine differences in aboveground plant production, utilization, trampling, harvest efficiency, ground cover, plant functional group composition and animal performance among four grazing treatments. Grazing treatments included ultrahigh stocking density, four-pasture rotation with one occupation (4-PR-1), and four-pasture rotation with two occupations (4-PR-2). Pastures were grazed from May to August in 2014 and 2015 at equal stocking rates within years but varied among years. Stocking densities were 225,000 kg ha^-1 for ultrahigh stocking density, 7,000 kg ha^-1 for 4-PR-1, and 5,000 kg ha^-1 for 4-PR-2. …

Jazz Epidemics And Deep Set Diseases: The De-Pathologization Of The Black Body In The Work Of Three Harlem Renaissance Writers, Shane C. Hunter

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This dissertation argues that the Harlem Renaissance was, in part, a response to Victorian-era medical and scientific racism, and that the three writers on which it centers, Langston Hughes (1902-1967), Wallace Thurman (1902-1934), and Richard Bruce Nugent (1906-1987), participated in subverting these racist discourses. I focus on elements of their creative work that de-pathologize the black body. Specifically, I consider how these writers undermine Victorian-era medical racism that had, by the 1920s, come to inform American racial politics. Hughes’s, Thurman’s, and Nugent’s work from the mid-1920s to the early 1930s is at least partly concerned with undermining medically racist ideology …

Gene Duplication And Evolutionary Innovations In Hemoglobin-Oxygen Transport, Jay F. Storz

Jay F. Storz Publications

During vertebrate evolution, duplicated hemoglobin (Hb) genes diverged with respect to functional properties as well as the developmental timing of expression. For example, the subfamilies of genes that encode the different subunit chains of Hb are ontogenetically regulated such that functionally distinct Hb isoforms are expressed during different developmental stages. In some vertebrate taxa, functional differentiation between co-expressed Hb isoforms may also contribute to physiologically important divisions of labor.

Integrative 3d Recording Methods Of Historic Architecture: Burg Hohenecken From Southwest Germany, Aaron C. Pattee

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This research explores the methodology and application of photogrammetric and laser-scanning recording methods to a castle ruin, with the primary purpose of digitally preserving the castle. Both methods generated interactive 3D models via the combination of still images (photogrammetry) and precise laser measurements (laser-scanning), which were then combined into a single model. The case study is the medieval castle ruin Burg Hohenecken located in the city of Kaiserslautern in southwest Germany. The castle was active from 1212-1689, as one of over fifty castles within the region of the Pfalz. The inhabitants included the noble von Hoheneck family and various …

Managing Drought Stress In California Agricultural Systems, Gregory D. Brittain Jr.

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

California is currently facing a historic drought, and this has led many farmers in the state to severely cut back on irrigation. Optimal use of water for irrigation requires a comprehensive understanding of how plants respond physiologically to water stress (Chapter 1). By monitoring water requirements in crops and managing irrigation to meet those requirements, growers can significantly reduce water use (Chapter 2). This can be done through improving application efficiency of irrigation technology as well as increasing the water use efficiency of the crops themselves. Deficit irrigation practices can be used to manipulate the physiology of water use in …

Synbiotic Ice Cream As A Probiotic Carrier Tested In A Human Blind Crossover Trial, Erin M. Mcnamara

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Diet is an important factor in gastrointestinal health. A synbiotic food option utilizing prebiotic and probiotic ingredients may be beneficial for improving gastrointestinal health. To conduct a human subject study of synbiotic ice cream containing prebiotic (inulin) and two strains of probiotics (Lactobacillus casei KE99 and Bifidobacterium bifidum) to determine its effectiveness as a carrier for a these ingredients and to identify any negative gastrointestinal side effects.

The study started with baseline data collection including a food frequency, a three day food recall, and one stool sample. The study was a 12 week crossover design with three weeks consuming …

Improved Microplate Fluorometric Soil Enzyme Assay For Β-Glucosidase Detection, Emily C. Hoehn

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Soil microbes produce extracellular enzymes responsible for degrading complex organic compounds to release energy and nutrients. Measurement of soil enzymes can be considered an indicator of soil health and microbial community composition because of its sensitivity to agricultural and management practices. Fluorescence enzyme assays tend to be more sensitive than spectrophotometric (ie. colorimetric) assays and a 96-well plate has the potential capacity for high-throughput use. Development of a newly modified enzyme assay using fluorometric (4-methylumbelliferone), automated pipetting system and sonication, as well as a reduction in replicates allows for a higher sample throughput rate suitable for service laboratory use. The …

Export Of Insect Ecosystem Services From Hayed Native Prairie, Wayne J. Ohnesorg

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Natural areas, such as prairie, have the potential to provide the benefits of pest suppression and pollination for agricultural production. In Nebraska, prairie is often used for hay production. The impact of prairie hay production management practices on beneficial arthropods is not well understood. Four prairie hay meadows adjacent to row crop fields were selected in northeast Nebraska. The goal was to assess the impact of haying them on beneficial arthropods and the movement of natural enemies into adjacent crop fields. Three management practices were evaluated for hay harvested from prairie meadows one cut per growing season, two cuts per …

Electromyographic And Mechanomyographic Time And Frequency Responses During Fatiguing, Submaximal, Isokinetic Muscle Actions Of The Biceps Brachii, Ethan C. Hill

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the time-course of changes in electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG), time and frequency domain responses during repeated, submaximal, concentric, isokinetic, forearm flexion muscle actions. Twelve men (mean age ± SD = 22.6 ± 2.2 yrs; body weight = 84.0 ± 8.3 kg; height = 178.6 ± 8.3 cm) performed 50 repeated, submaximal (65% of concentric peak torque), concentric muscle actions of the dominant forearm flexors on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°·s^-1. Surface EMG and MMG signals were simultaneously recorded from the biceps brachii muscle. Polynomial regression analyses (first, second, …

Improving The Utilization Of Dry Edible Beans In A Ready-To-Eat Snack Product By Extrusion Cooking, Franklin Sumargo

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The growing snacking habit and steady increasing demand for healthy snacks have drastically changed the ready-to-eat snack market in recent years. While the current healthy, ready-to-eat snack products are still dominated by whole cereal grains, legumes, especially dry edible beans, have a high potential to emerge in nutritional, novel food. Dry edible beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L) are not only economically valuable but also nutritionally important, since they are important sources of proteins, B vitamins, mineral elements, and soluble dietary fibers even when compared to whole grain cereals. Recent studies have shown extrusion processing is not only effective at producing …

Does Predation Influence The Seasonal And Diel Timing Of Moose Calving In Central Ontario, Canada?, Brent R. Patterson, Kenneth J. Mills, Kevin R. Middel, John F. Benson, Martyn E. Obbard

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Birth synchrony is well documented among ungulates and is hypothesised to maximize neonate survival, either by minimizing the risk of predation through predator swamping or by synchronising birthing with increased seasonal food availability. We used encapsulated vaginal implant transmitters to locate and capture neonatal moose calves and document the seasonal and diel timing of parturition in two adjacent study areas with different predation pressure in central Ontario, Canada. We tested the hypothesis that predation promotes earlier and more synchronous birth of moose calves. Across both areas, proportionately more births occurred during the afternoon and fewer than expected occurred overnight. Mean …