Digital Commons Network^™

Bioinformatics Analysis Of Transcriptome Dynamics During Growth In Angus Cattle Longissimus Muscle, Sonia J. Moisa, Daniel W. Shike, Daniel E. Graugnard, Sandra L. Rodriquez-Zas, Robin E. Everts, Harris A. Lewin, Dan B. Faulkner, Larry L. Berger, Juan J. Loor

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Transcriptome dynamics in the longissimus muscle (LM) of young Angus cattle were evaluated at 0, 60, 120, and 220 days from early-weaning. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using the dynamic impact approach (DIA) by means of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) databases. Between 0 to 120 days (growing phase) most of the highly-impacted pathways (eg, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, drug metabolism, cytochrome P450 and Retinol metabolism) were inhibited. The phase between 120 to 220 days (finishing phase) was characterized by the most striking differences with 3,784 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). …

Chem 109: General Chemistry I—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Eric D. Dodds

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio has been developed for CHEM 109: General Chemistry I. The course is the first of a freshman level two semester sequence in General Chemistry taken by students with majors in a wide variety of technical and scientific disciplines. CHEM 109 is a high enrollment class, with class sizes for individual sections nearing 200 students. The development of this portfolio was conducted with the following objectives: 1. Clearly identify, justify, and codify the major learning objectives for this course, 2. Describe and rationalize the course structure and learning assessment methods, 3. Analyze and reflect on student achievement in the …

Mushroom Ganoderma Lucidum Prevents Colitis- Associated Carcinogenesis In Mice, Daniel Sliva, Jagadish Loganathan, Jiahua Jiang, Andrej Jedinak, John G. Lamb, Colin Terry, Lee Ann Baldridge, Jiri Adamec, George E. Sandusky, Shailesh Dudhgaonkar

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that mushroom intake is inversely correlated with gastric, gastrointestinal and breast cancers. We have recently demonstrated anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene extract isolated from mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (GLT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether GLT prevents colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice.

Methods/Principal Findings: Colon carcinogenesis was induced by the food-borne carcinogen (2-Amino-1-methyl-6- phenylimidazol[4,5-b]pyridine [PhIP]) and inflammation (dextran sodium sulfate [DSS]) in mice. Mice were treated with 0, 100, 300 and 500 mg GLT/kg of body weight 3 times per week for 4 months. Cell proliferation, expression of cyclin D1 and COX-2 and …

Use Of A Virtual-Reference Concept To Interpret Active Crop Canopy Sensor Data, Kyle H. Holland, James S. Schepers

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Active crop canopy sensors make possible in-season fertilizer nitrogen (N) applications by using the crop as a bio-indicator of vigor and N status. However, sensor calibration is difficult early in the growing season when crops are rapidly growing. Studies were conducted in the United States and Mexico to evaluate procedures to determine the vegetation index of adequately fertilized plants in producer fields without establishing a nitrogen-rich reference area. The virtual-reference concept uses a histogram to characterize and display the sensor data from which the vegetation index of adequately fertilized plants can be identified. Corn in Mexico at the five-leaf growth …

Morpho-Physiological Parameters Affecting Iron Deficiency Chlorosis In Soybean (Glycine Max L.), Marta W. Vasconcelos, Michael A. Grusak

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Background and aims Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) leads to severe leaf chlorosis, low photosynthetic rates, and yield reductions of several million metric tonnes each year. In order to devise breeding and genetic transformation programs that aim at generating high-yielding and IDC-tolerant soybean lines, it is necessary to better understand the mechanisms that enable tolerant plants to survive under Fe-limiting conditions.

Methods An in silico analysis in the USDA soybean collection allowed the identification of a set of novel efficient and inefficient soybean cultivars which can be used in future studies concerning IDC response. Plants were grown in iron deficient and …

Variant High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits Arising From Biolistic Transformation Of Wheat, Ann E. Blechl, William H. Vensel

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Genetic transformation via the biolistic method has been used to introduce genes encoding natural and novel high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) into wheat. The appearance of new seed proteins of sizes not predicted by the transgene coding sequences was noted in some experiments. In this report, the identities of thirteen of these novel proteins were determined by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Seven different proteins larger than and two proteins smaller than the native protein were shown to contain peptides from 1Dx5. A novel protein found in some progeny of crosses between a transgenic plant and Great Plains winter wheats was larger …

Invited Review: Sustainability Of The Us Dairy Industry, M. A. G. Von Keyserlingk, N. P. Martin, E. Kebreab, K. F. Knowlton, R.J. Grant, M. Stephenson Ii, C.J. Sniffen, J.P. Harner Iii, A.D. Wright, S.I. Smith

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The US dairy industry has realized tremendous improvements in efficiencies and milk production since the 1940s. During this time, farm and total cow numbers have decreased and average herd size has increased. This intensification, combined with the shift to a largely urban public, has resulted in increased scrutiny of the dairy industry by social and environmental movements and increased concern regarding the dairy industry’s sustainability. In response to these concerns, a group of scientists specializing in animal welfare, nutrient management, greenhouse gas emissions, animal science, agronomy, agricultural engineering, microbiology, and economics undertook a critical review of the US dairy industry. …

High-Impact Animal Health Research Conducted At The Usda’S National Animal Disease Center, J. P. Bannantine, Steven C. Olsen, Marcus E. Kehrli Jr., Thad B. Stanton, Eduardo Casas, Diana L. Whipple, Kurt A. Zuelke

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Commissioned by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 and opened with a dedication ceremony in December 1961, the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC) celebrated its 50-year anniversary in November 2011. Over these 50 years, the NADC established itself among the world’s premier animal health research centers. Its historic mission has been to conduct basic and applied research on selected endemic diseases of economic importance to the U.S. livestock and poultry industries. Research from NADC has impacted control or management efforts on nearly every major animal disease in the United States since 1961. For example, diagnostic tests …

Switchgrass Biomass Composition Altered By Six Generations Of Divergent Breeding For Digestibility, Kenneth P. Vogel, R. B. Mitchell, G. Sarath, H. G. Jung, B. S. Dien, M. D. Casler

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Biomass composition of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) can affect its utilization by ruminants and its conversion to liquid fuels in a biorefinery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of six generations of divergent breeding for forage in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) on switchgrass biomass composition, forage quality traits, and ethanol yield. Initially there was one cycle of selection for both low (C-1) and high IVDMD (C1 = cv. Trailblazer), followed by four additional breeding cycles for high IVDMD. In cycles 4 and 5, winter survival was included as a selection criterion because of decreased …

Seasonal Temperature And Precipitation Effects On Cow–Calf Production In Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie, Justin L. Reeves, Justin D. Derner, Matt A. Sanderson, Mark K. Petersen, Lance T. Vermeire, John R. Hendrickson, Scott L. Kronberg

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Quantifying the effects of seasonal temperature and precipitation on cow–calf production on rangelands is challenging, as few long-term (420 yrs) studies have been reported. However, an understanding of how seasonal weather inconsistency affects beef production is needed for beef producers to better manage their herds on native rangelands to minimize enterprise risk with respect to climatic variability. Cow–calf beef production data collected at the USDA-ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station near Cheyenne, WY, USA from 1975 to 2012 were tested using model averaging for effects of spring (April–June) and summer (July–September) temperature and precipitation, as well as prior winter (October–March) …

Temperature And Precipitation Affect Steer Weight Gains Differentially By Stocking Rate In Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie, Justin L. Reeves, Justin D. Derner, Matt A. Sanderson, Mark K. Petersen, Lance T. Vermeire, John R. Hendrickson, Scott L. Kronberg

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Cattle weight gain responses to seasonal weather variability are difficult to predict for rangelands because few long-term (>20 yr) studies have been conducted. However, an increased understanding of temperature and precipitation influences on cattle weight gains is needed to optimize stocking rates and reduce enterprise risk associated with climatic variability. Yearling steer weight gain data collected at the USDA-ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station at light, moderate, and heavy stocking rates for 30 years (1982–2011) were used to examine the effects of spring (April–June) and summer (July–September) temperature and precipitation, as well as prior-growing-season (prior April–September) and fall/winter (October–March) …

Short- And Full-Season Soybean In Stale Seedbeds Versus Rolled-Crimped Winter Rye Mulch, Frank Forcella

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Stale seedbeds are used by organic growers to reduce weed populations prior to crop planting. Ryemulches, derived from mechanically killed (rolled and crimped) winter rye cover crops, can serve the same purpose for spring-planted organic crops. Both methods can also be employed by conventional growers who face looming problems with herbicide resistant weeds. The objective of this research was to compare these methods over 2 years in central Minnesota in terms of weed seedling emergence, populations, biomass and manual-weeding times, as well as stands and yields of short-season and full-season soybean varieties planted late, in mid June. Rye mulch greatly …

Thirty-Year Tillage Effects On Crop Yield And Soil Fertility Indicators, Douglas Karlen, John L. Kovar, Cynthia A. Cambardella, Thomas S. Colvin

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Long-term studies are crucial for quantifying tillage effects on productivity and soil fertility. Moldboard plow, chisel plow, spring disk, ridge-tillage, and no-tillage systems were evaluated after 32 years of a corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation and 27 years of continuous corn in central Iowa, U.S.A. Productivity was quantified using yield, while soil fertility status was evaluated by collecting four, 5-cm diameter soil cores to a depth of 0.9 m from each treatment, dividing them into four depth increments (0–15-, 15–30-, 30–60-, and 60–90-cm), analyzing them for bulk density (BD), NO₃-N, …

28Th Nebraska Women In Agriculture Conference, Cheryl Griffith

Cornhusker Economics

Communicating in Challenging Times was the theme of the 28th Nebraska Women in Agriculture (WIA) Conference, February 21-22, 2013 in Kearney, NE – and challenging was certainly the keyword this year! A blizzard on the opening day of the conference created challenges not only for conference organizers but also for the more than 65 speakers and booth sponsors, as well as the 425 registered participants. With roads closed and impassable around Kearney, nearly 30 of the speakers and booth attendants were still able to make it to the event. This annual conference is hosted by the Department of Agricultural Economics, …

Nebraska Household Participation In The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Randolph L. Cantrell

Cornhusker Economics

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has become a point of contention during negotiations over the passage of a new Farm Bill, with a version of the bill now being offered in the House of Representatives that contains no provision for the massive nutrition program. This is a move that is largely unsupported by the agricultural industry, for which SNAP has long been seen as a way to align urban interests with agriculture.

If Honors Students Were People: Holistic Honors Education, Samuel Schuman

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs

Acknowledgments. . vii

Chapter 1: Introduction. . 3

A Classroom. 3

Preview. . 8

Honors, Physical Wellness, and Spiritual Cultivation: A Rationale . 11

Definition of Terms . . 18

Wholeness. . 24

Chapter 2: History. 27

Colonial Colleges: 1636–1776. . 27

From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War: 1776–1865 . 32

From the Civil War to World War II: 1865–1944. . 38

From World War II (1945) to the Present. . 45

Interview One: Dr. Richard Chess. . 59

Chapter 3: Mens Sana in Corpore Sano . 67

Autobiographical Note. . 67

Neuroscience and Exercise. . 71

Faculty …

Modeling Social Transmission Dynamics Of Unhealthy Behaviors For Evaluating Prevention And Treatment Interventions On Childhood Obesity, Leah M. Frerichs, Ozgur M. Araz, Terry T.-K. Huang

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

Research evidence indicates that obesity has spread through social networks, but lever points for interventions based on overlapping networks are not well studied. The objective of our research was to construct and parameterize a system dynamics model of the social transmission of behaviors through adult and youth influence in order to explore hypotheses and identify plausible lever points for future childhood obesity intervention research. Our objectives were: (1) to assess the sensitivity of childhood overweight and obesity prevalence to peer and adult social transmission rates, and (2) to test the effect of combinations of prevention and treatment interventions on the …

Does Location Really Matter? An Inter-Colony Comparison Of Seabirds Breeding At Varying Distances From Productive Oceanographic Features In The Bering Sea, Ann Harding, Rosana Paredes, Robert Suryan, Daniel Roby, David Irons, Rachael Orben, Heather Renner, Rebecca Young, Christopher Barger, Ine Dorresteijn, Alexander Kitaysky

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Central place foragers, such as breeding seabirds, need to commute between their nests and foraging grounds, thus close proximity of the breeding colony to productive oceanographic features might be beneficial for seabird reproduction. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the at-sea foraging and breeding behavior of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) nesting at three colonies (Bogoslof, St. Paul, and St. George Islands) in the Bering Sea located at different distances from the productive continental shelf-break. We found that distances to feeding are as differed only during night trips among colonies. St. Paul murres foraged entirely on the shelf, whereas …

Heifer Calving Date Positively Influences Calf Weaning Weights Through Six Parturitions, R. A. Cushman, L. H. Kill, Richard N. Funston, E. M. Mousel, G. A. Perry

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Longevity and lifetime productivity are important factors influencing profitability for the cowcalf producer. Heifers that conceive earlier in the breeding season will calve earlier in the calving season and have a longer interval to rebreeding. Calves born earlier in the calving season will also be older and heavier at weaning. Longevity data were collected on 2,195 heifers from producers in South Dakota Integrated Resource Management groups. Longevity and weaning weight data were collected on 16,549 individual heifers at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC). Data were limited to heifers that conceived during their first breeding season. Heifers were grouped …

Effects Of Feeding Microbial Feed Additives On Growth Performance And Carcass Traits Of Steers Fed Steam-Flaked Corn-Based Diets With Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla H. Jenkins, Stephanie A. Furman Furman, Kelly K. Kreikemeier

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding two commercially available direct-fed microbials (DFM) on finishing steer performance fed steam-flaked corn based diets. Dietary treatments included a control diet without DFM, and two commercially available products (10-G and Bovamine). No significant differences were observed among treatments for animal performance or carcass characteristics. However, numeric advantages were observed for ADG and feed efficiency when cattle were fed a DFM.

Effects Of Feeding 44 G/Ton Rumensin® During Grain Adaptation On Animal Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Cody J. Schneider, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla Jenkins Jenkins, Stephanie A. Furman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle were adapted to a finishing diet over 20 days while feeding 33 or 44 g/ton (DM) of Rumensin. Following grain adaptation, all cattle were fed a common finishing diet containing 33 g/ton Rumensin for the remainder of the feeding period. Feeding 44 g/ton of Rumensin during the adaptation period did not affect performance during the adaptation period or over the entire feeding period when compared to the 33 g/ton adaptation level.

2013 Beef Cattle Report (Whole Report)

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow/Calf

Effect of Beef Heifer Development System on ADG, Reproduction, and Feed Efficiency During First Pregnancy

Effect of Development System on Heifer Performance and Primparous Heifer Grazing Behavior

Heifers with Low Antral Follicle Counts Have Low Birth Weights and Produce Progeny with Low Birth Weights

Effect of Two Estrus Synchronization Protocols on Reproductive Performance of May Calving Cows

Efficacy of Newborn Bovine DNA Samples Taken Via Different Mediums in Assigning Paternity

Growing

Effect of Winter Supplementation Level on Yearling System Profitability

Applying Corn Condensed Distillers Solubles to Hay Windrows Prior to Bailing: I Procedure and Effects

on Bale Temperature and …

Cover-Acknowledgements -Index

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Table of Contents 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Cow/Calf

Growing

Forage Resource Management

Finishing

Beef Products

Effect Of Winter Supplementation Level On Yearling System Profitability, Kari L. Gillespie, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider Schneider, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calves backgrounded in a forage-based system at a high winter supple- mentation level maintained a performance advantage through finishing. High level supplemented cattle gained an additional 0.2 lb. daily during finishing, consumed less total feed in the feedlot, required fewer days on feed to reach a common finish point and produced an additional 85 lb. of saleable live weight compared to cattle backgrounded at a low supplementation level. High level supplemented cattle returned $56.01 more than cattle fed a low level of supplementation during the winter backgrounding phase.

Synthetic Biology Of Cyanobacteria: Unique Challenges And Opportunities, Bertram M. Berla, Rajib Saha, Cheryl M. Immethun, Costas D. Maranas, Tae Seok Moon, Himadri B. Pakras

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

Photosynthetic organisms, and especially cyanobacteria, hold great promise as sources of renewably-produced fuels, bulk and specialty chemicals, and nutritional products. Synthetic biology tools can help unlock cyanobacteria's potential for these functions, but unfortunately tool development for these organisms has lagged behind that for S. cerevisiae and E. coli. While these organisms may in many cases be more difficult to work with as "chassis" strains for synthetic biology than certain heterotrophs, the unique advantages of autotrophs in biotechnology applications as well as the scientific importance of improved understanding of photosynthesis warrant the development of these systems into something akin to a …

Out On The Land: Income, Subsistence Activities, And Food Sharing Networks In Nain, Labrador, Kirk Dombrowski, Emily Channell, Bilal Khan, Joshua Moses, Evan Misshula

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

In recent Inuit ethnography, a major concern has been how and to what extent contemporary Inuit participate in and depend on subsistence activities, particularly in the context of increasing wage employment and growing participation in the cash economy. This paper provides an analysis of these activities in the predominately Inuit community of Nain, Labrador. Using social network data and demographic information collected between January and June 2010, we examine the interconnections between subsistence activities—obtaining “country food” through activities such as hunting, fishing, and collecting—with access to the means of obtaining subsistence resources (such as snow mobiles, cabins, and boats), employment …

Competencies And Experiences Needed By Pre–Service Agricultural Educators To Teach Globalized Curricula: A Modified Delphi Study, Nathan W. Conner, T. Grady Roberts

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

The 21st century graduate must be able to interact with people from all over the world and must also be knowledgeable about the world (Longview Foundation, 2008). In order to produce graduates that are globally competent, The National Council for the Accreditation of Teachers (NCATE, 1982) has mandated that multi–cultural education be incorporated as part of the teacher–preparation curricula. The purpose of this study was to identify competencies and experiences needed by agricultural pre–service teachers in order to teach globalized curricula. A modified Delphi method was used and the panel consisted of 13 (n = 13) experts in the field …

Dynamics Of Plant Root Growth Under Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, M. Madhu, J. L. Hatfield

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Plant growth is influenced by above- and belowground environmental conditions and increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations enhances growth and yield of most agricultural crops. This review covers current knowledge on the impact of increasing CO₂ concentration on root dynamics of plants in terms of growth, root/shoot (R/S) ratio, root biomass, root length, root longevity, root mortality, root distribution, root branching, root quality, and the response of these root parameters to management practices including soil water and nutrients. The effects of CO₂ concentration on R/S ratio are contradictory due to complexity in accurate underground biomass estimation …

Lysine Optimization Of A Commercial Fishmeal-Free Diet For Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone Chrysops × M. Saxatilis), Steven D. Rawles, S. Adam Fuller, Benjamin H. Beck, T. Gibson Gaylord, Frederic T. Barrows, Matthew E. Mcentire

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Substitution of fishmeal with alternate proteins in aquafeeds often results in dietary imbalances of first-limiting essential amino acids (EAA) and poorer fish performance. This growth trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that ideal protein theory accurately predicts first-limiting amino acids and optimumlysine level for a fishmeal-free, commercial-grade diet formulated for hybrid striped bass (HSB). The ideal model for formulation was the amino acid pattern of hybrid striped bass muscle. A negative control diet based on soybean (45%), corn gluten (10%), and poultry by-product (13%) meals was formulated on an ideal basis to contain 18% lipid, 40% crude protein (CP), …

Biofortified Cassava Increases Β-Carotene And Vitamin A Concentrations In The Tag-Rich Plasma Layer Of American Women, Michael R. La Frano, Leslie R. Woodhouse, Dustin J. Burnett, Betty J. Burri

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Biofortification of cassava with the provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene is a potential mechanism for alleviating vitamin A deficiency. Cassava is a staple food in the African diet, but data regarding the human bioavailability of b-carotene from this food are scarce. The objective of the present study was to evaluate provitamin A-enhanced cassava as a source of β-carotene and vitamin A for healthy adult women. The study was a randomised, cross-over trial of ten American women. The subjects consumed three different porridges separated by 2 week washout periods. Treatment meals (containing 100 g cassava) included: biofortified cassava (2mg β-carotene) porridge with …