Digital Commons Network^™

Trailblazing Healthcare: Institutionalizing And Integrating Complementary Medicine, Barbara F. Sharf, Patricia Geist Martin, Kevin-Khristián Cosgriff-Hernández, Julia Moore

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

Objectives — This study examines three integrative health centers to understand their (1) historical development, organizational goals, and modalities, (2) the processes and challenges of integrating complementary and allopathic medicine, while encouraging staff collaboration, and (3) how each center becomes institutionalized within their community.

Methods — We focus on three organizational case studies that reflect varying forms of integrative health care practices in three U.S. cities. Participant-observation and in-depth interviews with center directors were analyzed qualitatively.

Results — Important patterns found within the three cases are (1) the critical role of visionary biomedical practitioners who bridge complementary and allopathic practices, …

Knockout Of The 15 Kda Selenoprotein Protects Against Chemically-Induced Aberrant Crypt Formation In Mice, Petra A. Tsuji, Bradley A. Carlson, Salvador Naranjo-Suarez, Min-Hyuk Yoo, Xue-Ming Xu, Dmitri E. Fomenko, Vadim Gladyshev, Dolph L. Hatfield, Cindy D. Davis

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Evidence suggests that selenium has cancer preventive properties that are largely mediated through selenoproteins. Our previous observations demonstrated that targeted down-regulation of the 15 kDa selenoprotein (Sep15) in murine colon cancer cells resulted in the reversal of the cancer phenotype. The present study investigated the effect of Sep15 knockout in mice using a chemically-induced colon cancer model. Homozygous Sep15 knockout mice, and wild type littermate controls were given four weekly subcutaneous injections of azoxymethane (10 mg/kg). Sep15 knockout mice developed significantly (pGBP-1 in humans has been associated with a highly significant, increased five-year survival rate in colorectal cancer patients. In …

Establishing A Student Organic Farm At The University Of Nebraska–Lincoln: Collected Ideas From Student Organic Farms At Other Midwestern Universities, Daniel Martin

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate and discover what is necessary to establish a Student Organic Farm (SOF) at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). A case study evaluated student farms at three different Midwestern Universities: University of Wisconsin (UW), University of Minnesota (UM), and Iowa State University (ISU). The study consisted of an investigation into the establishment of each university’s SOF and the factors contributing to each SOF’s success. The investigation was conducted over the course of a six day field study in August 2012 at the three universities. Prior contacts with key players from the …

Motivation For Consumers Participating In A Sustainable Food System, Brittney Albin

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Currently there are trends for consumers to start choosing more sustainable options in every aspect of their life, including food. There are many negative consequences for both the environment and human health due to conventional industrial agricultural practices (Horrigan et al., 2002; Leitzman and Cannon, 2005). Sustainable agricultural practices are being promoted as part of a larger sustainable food system. As Leo Horrigan et al. describe it, “sustainable agriculture is not merely a package of prescribed methods. More important, it is a change in mindset whereby agriculture acknowledges its dependence on a finite natural resource base” (Horrigan et al., 2002: …

"Good. Fresh. Local." An Examination Of Local Food Initiatives In College Systems In Lincoln, Ne, Jennifer Simons

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

In September of 2005, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln University Dining Services/University Housing set out to try an innovation at the cutting edge for this region’s universities. The Good. Fresh. Local. (GFL) initiative was the product of a team of people and organizations looking to implement a program integrating the local food movement at the university level. The program has since grown in scale and prominence within the UNL setting. Students living in the dorms were surveyed to acquire an inside look at students’ definitions of “local,” measures of its value, awareness of the GFL program, and desire for more locally …

Building Healthy Communities: Integrating Walkability Concepts Into Local Land Use Planning, Jenna Danelle Muhlbach

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

In recent years, American communities have been diagnosed with several chronic health diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Several researchers attribute sedentary lifestyles as one of the contributing factors to chronic diseases. The lack of physical exercise can be blamed by the auto-dependent suburbia lifestyle that many generations have become accustomed to. Poor land use developments have roads and freeways dominating the use of space, with the intent of having an automobile get from one place to another as efficiently as possible. This has allowed places to be much further apart therefore it has had a negative impact …

Beef Cattle Production: Understanding The Effect Of Heifer Development System, Late Gestation Protein Supplementation, And Ovarian Steroidogenic Environment On Productivity, Reproduction, And Longevity, Adam Summers

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

Beef cattle longevity is related to reproductive success, which can be influenced by development system and maternal environment. Three experiments were conducted to determine the impact of development system, maternal protein supplementation, and ovarian steroidogenic environment on beef cattle reproduction. Experiment 1 evaluated the effect of heifer development system on heifer performance and reproduction. Heifers developed on corn residue (CR) had reduced BW from prebreeding through pregnancy diagnosis compared with drylot (DL) developed heifers, but there was no difference in reproductive performance. A subset DL and CR heifers were placed in an individual feeding system to …

The Impact Of Genetic Background On Body Temperature Regulation In Beef Cattle During Periods Of Heat And Cold Stress, Jeremy T. Howard

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

Cattle are reared in environments that differ and vary greatly in climate, thus the ability to regulate body temperature across multiple environments is essential. However, inherent differences between animals do exist and can influence their response to extreme temperatures. The objectives of the current study were to model the impact of myostatin genotype (MG) on body temperature during heat and cold stress and conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to better understand the genetic basis of body temperature regulation during extreme temperatures.

Crossbred steers and heifers (n= 239) with varying degrees of Piedmontese influence were fed in four groups over …

Spoilage Of Wet Distillers' Grains Plus Solubles When Stored In A Bunker, Jana L. Harding

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

Five studies evaluated the impact of spoilage of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) on nutrient composition, nutrient losses, and cattle performance. Exp. 1 and Exp. 2 utilized barrels to evaluate the ability of various cover treatments to prevent nutrient changes and losses due to spoilage. In Exp. 3, a 140-d barrel study was conducted to mimic bunker storage under ambient temperature but with no precipitation. Barrels were weighed and sampled on 28 day intervals. In Exp. 4, a 130-d finishing study utilized 60 individually-fed steers fed 3 treatments: a dry-rolled corn based diet (control) and 2 diets containing 40% …

Investigations On Rangeland Grasshoppers: Ecoregion Level Distribution, Identification, Feeding Performance, And Vegetation Clipping, Muhammad Ullah

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) were studied in the field as well as in laboratory for their distribution, identification, preferred food plants and feeding damage. These grasshoppers are important potential pests of rangelands where they compete for forage with cattle. Examination of the 20 most common grasshoppers by levels 3 and 4 of Nebraska ecoregions revealed specific habitat use and may be helpful in predicting hotspots. The relative abundance of all species analyzed showed at least some significant differences at ecoregion level 4 and two species showed single ecoregion that differed from all others at level 3.

Grasshoppers belonging to subfamilies …

Morphometric, Biochemical, And Raman Spctral Analyses Of Muscle Damage In Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: Provising Objective Criteria For Diagnosis And Treatment Monitoring, Kim Cluff

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which affects approximately 10 million Americans, is characterized by atherosclerosis of the non-coronary arteries. PAD produces a progressive accumulation of ischemic injury to the limbs that is reflected in a gradual worsening in the myofiber morphology and oxidative damage in the gastrocnemius muscle. In this study, we evaluated the hypothesis that quantitative morphological and biochemical parameters of gastrocnemius myofibers change in a consistent manner during the progression of PAD, provide an objective grading of muscle degeneration in the ischemic limb, and correlate to clinical stage of PAD. Myofiber morphometrics were determined precisely with mathematical equations that …

Interactions Of Zoo Plankton And Phytoplankton With Cyanobacteria, Rebecca J. Alexander

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

Cyanobacteria are a major concern in Nebraska reservoirs and are capable of producing toxins that can cause skin irritations and gastrointestinal problems, as well as affect the nervous system. It is important to determine the mechanisms that can cause cyanobacteria blooms due to the effect they can have on human health. The interaction of zooplankton and other phytoplankton groups with cyanobacteria is important because there is a biological component in surface waters that should be taken into consideration along with the physical and chemical parameters that have been noted to promote cyanobacteria. For example, zooplankton have the ability to alter …

Interactions Of Zooplankton And Phytoplankton With Cyanobacteria, Rebecca Alexander

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

Cyanobacteria are a major concern in Nebraska reservoirs and are capable of producing toxins that can cause skin irritations and gastrointestinal problems, as well as affect the nervous system. It is important to determine the mechanisms that can cause cyanobacteria blooms due to the effect they can have on human health. The interaction of zooplankton and other phytoplankton groups with cyanobacteria is important because there is a biological component in surface waters that should be taken into consideration along with the physical and chemical parameters that have been noted to promote cyanobacteria. For example, zooplankton have the ability to alter …

The Effects Of Social And Environmental Enrichments On Leg Strength And Welfare Of Tom Turkeys, Patricia A. Weber

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

Two trials (T1, T2) were conducted to determine the effects of enrichment: A) broiler chick addition on early mortality and B) providing environmental enrichments on leg strength and welfare of tom turkeys. Trial 1A utilized 248 1d poults and 8 3d broiler chicks. Four pens of 32 poults were placed for the control. Four pens of 30 poults and two 3d broiler chicks were placed for the trt group. Trial 2A utilized 296 1d poults and 24 3d broiler chicks. Four trts were randomly divided among 16 pens (20 birds/pen). Trt 1 brooders were placed with assistance finding resources. Trt …

Evaluation Of Soybean Hulls And Feed Additives In Finishing Beef Diets, Curtis J. Bittner

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

Replacing the amount of corn in finishing diets with ethanol byproducts, such as distillers grains, has been well researched and improves performance. However, research when including soybean hulls (SBH) in feedlot finishing diets with distillers grains is limited. Two feedlot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of SBH on animal performance and carcass characteristics in finishing diets. Dietary concentrations of SBH used were 0, 12.5, 25, and 37.5% of diet DM, in both experiments. Modified distillers grains plus solubles was included in the diet at 25% for Exp.1 while Exp. 2 contained an inclusion level of 40% wet distillers …

Grazing Cover Crops As An Alternative To Fallow And The Interaction Between Corn Processing Method And Condensed Distillers Solubles, Alex H. Titlow

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

Recently, producers in dryland wheat farming regions have made a shift from the typical winter wheat fallow rotation to a no-till system paired with cover crops. Cover crops have been shown to minimize these problems associated with the conventional fallow and possibly provide a source of forage. A 2-year grazing study was conducted to evaluate forage quality and utilization of cover crops (CC) planted to replace fallow in no-till wheat systems compared to crested wheatgrass pastures (CWP). Hand clipped and diet samples were greater in digestibility and CP for CC compared to CWP. The NDF and ADF content of the …

Gene Duplication And The Evolution Of Hemoglobin Isoform Differentiation In Birds, Michael T. Grispo

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The majority of bird species co-express two functionally distinct hemoglobin (Hb) isoforms in definitive erythrocytes: HbA (the major adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the α^A-globin gene) and HbD (the minor adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the α^D-globin gene). The α^D-globin gene originated via tandem duplication of an embryonic α-like globin gene in the stem lineage of tetrapod vertebrates, which suggests the possibility that functional differentiation between the HbA and HbD isoforms may be attributable to a retained ancestral character state in HbD that harkens back to a primordial, …

Intestinal Flow Of Microbial Protein And Rumen Undegradable Protein In Cattle Fed Corn Distillers’ Grains And Solubles, With Emphasis During Lactation, Ezequias Castillo Lopez

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

Metabolizable protein (MP) is the true protein absorbed by the intestine, supplied by rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and microbial crude protein (MCP). This research was focused on evaluating the effect of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on the nature and supply of MP, with emphasis during lactation.

Experiment 1 evaluated the use of DNA markers and the effects of fermentation time and DDGS on rumen microbial growth

in vitro. Treatments were 1) CONTROL, 0% DDGS; 2) 20% DDGS replacing corn; 3) 20% DDGS replacing soybean meal and 4) 20% DDGS replacing corn and soybean meal. Results indicate that …

Attitudes Of College Students In Relationship To Weight And Physical Activity, Emily N. Estes

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

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a limited amount of knowledge of the impact current and goal weights of college students have on their attitudes surrounding weight and physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine weight/body image and physical activity attitudes of students and whether those attitudes correlate current and goal weights of students.

SETTING: The questionnaires utilized were completed between the years 2006-2011 at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.

PARTICIPANTS: Male and female students from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.

RESULTS: The mean BMI of all participants (n=2255) was 23.8 ± 4.1; for females (n=1403) 23.0 ± 4.0; and for males (n=852) 24.9 ± …

Natural History Of Four Species Of Platydracus Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) In Heliconia Bourgaeana Petersen (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) Flower Bracts, J. H. Frank, M. A. Morón

Insecta Mundi

Abstract. The insect fauna within inflorescences of Heliconia bourgaeana Petersen (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) was evaluated in Parque Metlac, Fortín de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico between May and October 1995. Floral bracts were present in May and some persisted to October, despite much destruction in August by a grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (JF Gmelin) (Icteridae). Flowers were abundant in the bracts in May-June, after which their number declined as fruits matured. Insects that fed on the flowers were most abundant in May-June; several of them could be pollinators; the immature stages of most of these insects were absent from Heliconia Linnaeus. The floral …

New Technologies For Whole Wheat Processing: Addressing Milling And Storage Issues, Andres F. Doblado-Maldonado

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

Whole wheat flour production and demand has increased dramatically during the last decade due to evidence supporting the benefits of whole grains in the diet. Hence, the food industry has provided a wide variety of new whole grain products. There are unique challenges that accompany whole wheat flour production, especially related to milling and storage. The present thesis provides new strategies on the adaptation of new technologies to overcome whole wheat processing issues. These issues are first discussed in a literature review and then followed by three research studies. In the first study, retail whole wheat flours were evaluated for …

Improved Understanding Of Factors Influencing The Re-Emergence Of Goss's Bacterial Wilt And Blight Of Corn, Craig B. Langemeier

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

Goss’s bacterial wilt and blight (Goss’s wilt) is a serious and sometimes severe disease of corn. Goss’s wilt was first identified in Dawson County Nebraska in 1969. Today Goss’s wilt can be found in two countries including the U.S. and Canada, and twelve states including Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Goss’s wilt was observed in Nebraska throughout the 1970’s, and from the early 1980’s until recently developed only sporadically. Around 2006, a re-emergence of the disease was observed in western Nebraska, northeast Colorado, and southeast Wyoming. Since then, reports of …

The Evolution Of Host Specificity In The Vertebrate Gut Symbiont Lactobacillus Reuteri, Steven Frese

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

The vertebrate gut is home to one of the densest populations of life on Earth. This microbial community has a profound effect on host health, nutrition, development, behavior, and evolution. However, very little is known about how these microbes have evolved with their vertebrate hosts, how and whether they select hosts or how they remain associated with their hosts. Recent work identified Lactobacillus reuteri as an organism that is composed of host-specific sub-populations, each population associated with a different host animal. Representatives from each host-associated population were tested for their ability to colonize gnotobiotic mice, which only rodent strains could …

Investigating The Tolerance Response Of Early Vegetative Stage Soybeans To Aphis Glycines Matsumura, Lia Da Silva Marchi

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the impact of soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) feeding on the yield response of V1, V3, and R1 KS4202 soybean plants and examine the effect of soybean aphid feeding on peroxidase activity in V1 and V3 KS4202 plants. KS4202 plants infested during the early vegetative stages (VC, VE and V1) were identified as highly susceptible based upon plant damage and stunting of the plants. In contrast, V3, V4, and V5 stage KS4202 soybeans were classified as moderately resistant. In the yield response study, V1, V3 and R1 plants had aphid numbers …

Body Mass Index Trends And Nutrition Goals Of College Students Between 2007–2011, Alison L. Lynn

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

The incidence of overweight and obesity has become a major public health concern in the United States. The college years are a time during which many dietary and physical activity habits are formed. Health professionals on college campuses have the ability to reach large numbers of people and provide nutrition education to help reduce the rising rates of obesity. The purpose of this study is to examine the body mass index (BMI) trends of college students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, between the years 2007-2011 and to determine the nutrition-related goals of these students. Data was previously collected from NUTR …

Economic Impact Of The Ability Of Nebraska Agriculture To Irrigate: The Case Of 2012, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Decision Innovation Solutions

Nebraskiana Publications: Resources and Materials on the 37th State

With the harsh 2012 growing season behind for Nebraska crop producers, sights are now on the prospects for 2013. An exceptional drought gripped much of the United States from mid-June to the end of the growing season. In many regards, the drought persists in many parts of the country. Without significant moisture accumulations prior to spring planting 2013, drought conditions may continue into next year’s growing season. Since the drought of 2012 became a cause of concern in mid-2012, there have been discussions regarding ways to limit the use of water for agricultural purposes. Many of these discussions will result …

Soybean Allergy: Effect Of Genetic Modification (Gm), Heat And Enzymatic Treatment On Overall Allergenicity, Rakhi Panda

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

Soybean allergy affects approximately 0.4% of children worldwide. At least 16 proteins in soybean bind IgE from some soybean allergic subjects. Although the relative allergenic importance and abundance of individual proteins in soybean varieties is not understood, the allergenicity assessment guideline for the safety of genetically modified (GM) food crops (Codex, 2003) includes assessing potential increases in expression of endogenous allergens in an allergenic crop like soybeans that might be due to insertion of the new DNA. The studies described in this dissertation included comparison of binding of IgE from individual soybean allergic subjects to proteins in three transgenic soybean …

Intsormil- Centa’S New Bmr Sorghum Varieties Create A Surge In Dairy Production, René Clará Valencia

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

Scientists from the INTSORMIL-CENTA project based at the National Center for Agricultural Technology and Forestry (CENTA) of El Salvador have worked for five years to develop varieties of sorghum for grain and forage that are highly nutritious to cattle. Using the gene bmr-12, received from Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of Purdue University, they combined commercial varieties CENTA S-2, S-3 CENTA, CENTA RCV and VG 146 and were able to form new varieties containing this same gene. The first generation created 76 new varieties.

Cross Regulation Of Sirtuin 1, Ampk, And Ppary In Conjugated Linoleic Acid Treated Adipocytes, Shan Jiang, Wei Wang, Jess Miner, Michael E. Fromm

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10c12 CLA) reduces triglyceride (TG) levels in adipocytes through multiple pathways, with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) generally facilitating, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) generally opposing these reductions. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a histone/protein deacetylase that affects energy homeostasis, often functions coordinately with AMPK, and is capable of binding to PPARγ, thereby inhibiting its activity. This study investigated the role of SIRT1 in the response of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to t10c12 CLA by testing the following hypotheses: 1) SIRT1 is functionally required for robust TG reduction; and 2) SIRT1, …

Gene Duplication And The Evolution Of Hemoglobin Isoform Differentiation In Birds, Michael T. Grispo, Chandrasekhar Natarajan, Joana Projecto-Garcia, Hideaki Moriyama, Roy E. Weber, Jay F. Storz

Jay F. Storz Publications

The majority of bird species co-express two functionally distinct hemoglobin (Hb) isoforms in definitive erythrocytes as follows: HbA (the major adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the α^A-globin gene) and HbD (the minor adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the α^D-globin gene). The α^D-globin gene originated via tandem duplication of an embryonic α-like globin gene in the stem lineage of tetrapod vertebrates, which suggests the possibility that functional differentiation between the HbA and HbD isoforms may be attributable to a retained ancestral character state in HbD that harkens back to …