Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Feeding High Levels Of Wet Distillers Grains And Straw On Beef Quality, Siroj Pokharel

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

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding high levels of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) with straw on fatty acids profiles, lipid stability, retail color, and proximate composition (fats and moisture) of aged beef. Cattle (n = 336; 270 ± 9 kg) were fed corn/5% straw; 40 Distillers grain (WDGS)/5% straw; 70 WDGS/8% straw; 70 WDGS/25% straw; 77.5 WDGS/9% straw; 77.5 WDGS/17% straw, and 85 WDGS/10% straw on dry matter (DM) basis. There were significant increases in the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), omega 6, omega 3, and trans fatty acids when high levels …

Exploring Familial Themes In Malaysian Students' Eating Behaviors, Car Mun Kok

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

As international students, Malaysian students have the added stress of adapting to new food as well as to the responsibilities of preparing their own meals. Failure to do so would jeopardize the health and studies of Malaysian students. In order to address this problem, the purpose of this study was to explore and understand the role of family on the eating behaviors and food choices of Malaysian students who live apart from their families. Five Malaysian students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln were interviewed. Six themes were identified in this study; “family plays an important role,” “family mealtimes,” parental preferences …

Examining Student Achievement And Motivation Using Internet-Based Inquiry In The Classroom, Julie M. Lokie

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

The purpose of the pilot study was to compare middle school Family and Consumer Science student achievement and motivation in a classroom using Internet based inquiry to the achievement and motivation of students without the use of Internet based inquiry. The control group had 37 students and the experimental group had 21 students participate in the study.  Each group was taught a two-week lesson on child growth and development.  The control group was taught with a conventional, teacher-directed, method using textbooks and worksheets.  The experimental group was taught with computers and an Internet based inquiry method.  Students in each group …

Reassessing The Architecture Of The Health Beliefs Models In Low-Income Diverse Families, Krista B. Highland

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Health beliefs contribute to health outcomes. These health beliefs extend to include health beliefs parents have regarding their children’s health. However, the role of parental health beliefs remains unexplored among a low-income population. This study aims to assess these beliefs and the effects they have on child health. Furthermore, this study aims to delineate potential belief differences between socioecological-level groups (e.g. population density, Latino identification, and insurance coverage).  The long-term goal is to understand the relationships among various personal health beliefs and parental health beliefs, psychosocial factors, community factors, cultural factors, organizational factors, and healthcare perceptions among this at-risk population. …

A New Single Workbout Test To Estimate Critical Power And Anaerobic Work Capacity, Haley Bergstrom

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

The purpose of the present study was to develop a new 3-min, single workbout test to estimate critical power (CP) and anaerobic work capacity (AWC) using the Monark cycle ergometer with the resistance based on the individual’s body weight. Twelve moderately-trained adults (6 men and 6 women; mean age ± SD = 23.2 ± 3.5 yr) performed an incremental cycle ergometer test to exhaustion. The CP and AWC were estimated from the original work limit (W_lim) versus time limit (T_lim) relationship (CP_PT) and a 3-min all-out test (CP_3min) against a fixed resistance …

Characterization Of Potential Health Promoting Lipids In The Co-Products Of De-Flossed Milkweed, Vicki Schlegel, Richard Zbasnik, Tammy Gries, Bo Hyun Lee, Timothy Carr, Ji-Young Lee, Curtis Weller, Susan Cuppett

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The floss and oil of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) seeds are currently used to produce comforters/pillows and skin care products, respectively. As an outcome of these products, copious quantities co-products (pressed seed meal and pod biomass) are disposed of each year despite the presence of potential health benefiting lipids. The objective of this project was to determine the feasibility of developing the lipid fraction from of these co-products for the fast growing dietary human health market. Although certain types of lipids were affected by the extraction solvent used (hexane and diethyl ether) as were overall amounts, analysis …

Animal Performance And Diet Quality While Grazing Corn Residue, Jennifer A. Gigax

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

Grazing cattle on corn residue as a winter feed source has become an integral part of many Nebraska producers’ management plans. Utilizing corn residues extends the grazing season and is often more economical than grazing winter range or dry lot situations. Corn residue is high in OM and NDF, moderate in digestibility, and low in CP. Cattle grazing corn residues may need to be supplemented with a protein source to meet requirements. The development and application of DNA technology to create new corn hybrids has improved yields with fewer inputs, leading to a continued low cost food supply for consumers. …

Replacement Alternatives For Beef Cow Herds: An Analysis Of Retaining Non-Pregnant Cows, Trenton T. Bohling

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

A non-pregnant cow is a liability to a producer. Over the last four years, cow-calf producers have had an increased number of non-pregnant cows due to factors like environmental conditions and diseases like trichomoniasis. While most research has indicated that culling a non-pregnant female and replacing the cow with retained heifers, purchased heifers, or purchased cows are the only economic alternatives, recent trends in the cattle market have suggested that keeping a non-pregnant cow may also be an alternative.

Annual beef cow budgets were created based on typical Nebraska Sandhills conditions. Revenues and costs in these budgets vary according to …

Parks And Obesity In Rural And Urban Nebraska, Michaela S. Wolf

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

In order to better understand the role community design plays in obesity rates, this project studies a potential relationship between distance of parks from homes and obesity rates in four Nebraska counties. Park use may contribute to important health benefits, such as reducing risk of obesity by increasing physical activity levels. There are limitations to park use, such as crime rates and facility upkeep that are important to understand so that they might be managed and communities can reap greater benefits from their parks, including better fitness. This study examines park distance from homes as a potential limiting factor to …

Designing A School Garden Space That Emphasizes Children's Wants And Uses Permaculture Design Methods, Mikhaela Mullins

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

A case study was organized at Saratoga Elementary school in Lincoln, Nebraska to obtain data on what children desire in a garden space. To collect this data a school garden space was constructed and an after school garden club was implemented. Students who participated in the after school garden club partook in the study by drawing their ideal garden. Elements that the subjects drew were identified and categorized into ‘highly desired’ and ‘somewhat desired’.

These elements were then incorporated into a proposed garden design plan for Saratoga. The proposal plan uses Permaculture design methods to emphasize sustainability.

Extraction Of Bioactive Compounds From Whole Red Cabbage And Beetroot Using Pulsed Electric Fields And Evaluation Of Their Functionality, Valli Kannan

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

Application of high voltage pulsed electric fields (PEF) to plant tissues increases porosity of the plant cells, enhancing juice extraction from fruits and vegetables. Red cabbage and beetroot are rich sources of bioactive compounds anthocyanins and betalains, respectively. Pulsed electric field (red cabbage: 1 kV/cm electric field strength, 0.66 µF and 20 pulses; red beets: 1.5 kV/cm electric field strength, 0.66 µF and 20 pulses) was applied to whole red cabbage and beetroot to enhance juice extraction. Total polyphenols, anthocyanins (red cabbage), betalains (beetroot) and total antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH) of the extracted juice was determined. The bioactivity of …

Intent Of Expecting Fathers To Encourage Breastfeeding, Perceptions Of Support And Barriers To Encouraging Breastfeeding, Katrina Harwood

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

Breastfeeding is well known to be the optimal feeding method for healthy infants.  Although the benefits of breastfeeding have been well documented, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2010 breastfeeding report card, breastfeeding rates at 3months, 6 months and 12 months post-partum have fallen below the objectives set by Healthy People 2010.  A mother’s decision to breastfeed has been associated with a variety of factors including, income, education level, geographic location and level of breastfeeding support provided by health care professionals, her mother and the infant’s father.  The father of the unborn child has been identified as being …

Effects Of Malting And Fermentation On The Composition And Functionality Of Sorghum Flour, Onesmo N.O. Mella

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

Sorghum is an ancient crop grown almost everywhere in the world and used for different purposes. In the U.S, and other developed countries, sorghum is used largely for animal feeding.  In developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, it is used primarily as human food.

Sorghum is a dependable food crop in Tanzania and its production and use ranks second after maize. Different traditional methods including malting and fermentation have been used in addition to decorticating and milling to process sorghum for the purpose of providing diverse materials. However, sorghum has major drawbacks of poor starch and protein digestibilities that …

Adaptation And Validation Of Existing Analytical Methods For Monitoring Prebiotics Present In Different Types Of Processed Food Matrices, Pei Tze Ang

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

Interest in resistant starch (RS) as a prebiotic is increasing due to its putative impacts on the gastrointestinal microbiome and thus colon health. Application of RS as a food ingredient is also increasing because of its unique functionality. However, a major obstacle when correlating RS containing food systems to the potential health benefits is the discrepancy in the analytical tests applied and  the limitations of those methods used throughout the literature. Therefore, the Megazyme resistant starch assay was adapted and developed to monitor RS present in different types of products commonly consumed in the United States, including an extruded ready-to-eat …

Identification And Engineering Of Human Variable Regions That Allow Expression Of Stable Single-Chain T Cell Receptors, David H. Aggen, Adam S. Chervin, Francis K. Insaidoo, Kurt H. Piepenbrink, Brian M. Baker, David M. Kranz

Food for Health: Publications

Single-chain antibody fragments (scFv), consisting of two linked variable regions (V_H and V_L), are a versatile format for engineering and as potential antigen-specific therapeutics. Although the analogous format for T cell receptors (TCRs), consisting of two linked V regions (Vα and Vβ; referred to here as scTv), could provide similar opportunities, all wild-type scTv proteins examined to date are unstable. This obstacle has prevented scTv fragments from being widely used for engineering or therapeutics. To further explore whether some stable human scTv fragments could be expressed, we used a yeast system in which display of properly folded …

Regulation Of Sterol Transport By Dietary Phytosterol Esters, Trevor J. Carden

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

LDL cholesterol is associated with the development of atherosclerosis and is therefore considered an important target for intervention to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The inhibition of cholesterol absorption in the small intestine is an attractive approach to lowering plasma cholesterol, one that is exploited by drug therapy as well as dietary supplementation with plant sterols. The mechanism of action of plant sterol esters (PSE) is still incompletely understood, therefore this study was conducted to test the hypothesis that hydrolysis of plant sterol esters is necessary for their cholesterol-lowering effects to be realized.

Male Syrian hamsters were fed diets containing no PSE, …

Adherence Inhibition Of Cronobacter Sakazakii And Other Pathogens By Prebiotic Oligosaccharides, Plant Extracts, And Other Naturally Derived Molecules, Maria I. Quintero

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

For most bacterial pathogens, adherence of the bacterium to the surface of the host cell tissue is a necessary first step for colonization and infection.  Agents that inhibit adherence, therefore, could be useful for preventing infections.  The goal of this research was to assess the anti-adherent activity of several food-grade prebiotic carbohydrates, plant extracts, and other naturally-derived molecules against enteric pathogens. First, the antiadherent effect of galactooligosaccharides (GOS), polydextrose (PDX), and a GOS-PDX blend was tested against two strains of Cronobacter “Enterobacter” sakazakii. When measured microscopically or by cultural methods, significant reductions in adherence (56% and 71%, respectively) of C. …

Dried Distillers' Grain With Solubles In Laying Hen And Pullet Rations, Mahmoud K. Masa'deh

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

The objective of this dissertation was to test different inclusion rates of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) with or without enzyme supplementation.  Study one was conducted to test DDGS at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% on egg production parameter (24 through76 wk). As DDGS increased, egg wt. decreased during Phase I.  However; no difference in egg wt. was observed during Phase II.  Yolk color linearly increased with increasing DDGS level.  Nitrogen and P retention increased as DDGS increased.  Nitrogen and P excretion decreased with increasing DDGS.  Study two was conducted to test DDGS inclusion of 0, 2.5, …

Exploring Student Perceptions To Explain The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Academic Achievement In Adolescents: A Mixed Methods Study, Megan J. Hylok

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

A nationwide survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control in 2007 reported 65% of high school students did not meet the recommendation that youth participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week (CDC, 2008). While research has focused its attention primarily on bodily health, growing evidence supports the benefits of physical activity on brain health (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008). Physical activity is important and many adolescents are not meeting the recommendation, therefore, it is important to explore the adolescent perceptions to understand which factors influence physical activity participation. The significance of this study …

Integrated Soil–Crop System Management For Food Security, Xin-Ping Chen, Zhen-Ling Cui, Peter M. Vitousek, Kenneth Cassman, Pamela A. Matson, Jin-Shun Bai, Qing-Feng Meng, Peng Hou, Shan-Chao Yue, Volker Römheld, Fu-Suo Zhang

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

China and other rapidly developing economies face the dual challenge of substantially increasing yields of cereal grains while at the same time reducing the very substantial environmental impacts of intensive agriculture. We used a model-driven integrated soil–crop system management approach to develop a maize production system that achieved mean maize yields of 13.0 t ha−1 on 66 on-farm experimental plots—nearly twice the yield of current farmers’ practices—with no increase in N fertilizer use. Such integrated soil–crop system management systems represent a priority for agricultural research and implementation, especially in rapidly growing economies.

Diet And Disease: Subsistence Change And Tuberculosis Among The Pawnee, Omaha And Winnebago In The Nineteenth Century, Owen J. O'Reilly

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

The mid- to late nineteenth century was the beginning of the reservation era for most Native Americans, ushering in a series of unprecedented changes that affected the cultural traditions and physical health of groups across the United States. For the Pawnee, Omaha and Winnebago in Nebraska, changes in subsistence patterns not only destroyed traditions but influenced the spread of disease and malnutrition. Government rations, consisting largely of wheat flour, beef, bacon, pork, sugar and coffee, were a drastic departure from the traditional diet of lean bison meat, corn, beans, squash and wild food and those who depended on these rations …

Wetland Management Guidelines For Nebraska's Wildlife Management Areas, Ted Lagrange, Randy Stutheit

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

Prior to Euro-American settlement, wetlands covered about 6% of the Nebraska landscape. Since settlement, the state’s wetlands have suffered serious decline. For example, approximately 90% of Rainwater Basin playa wetlands and 90% of the eastern saline wetlands have been destroyed or are highly degraded. Remaining wetlands are threatened by conversion to other uses (e.g. agriculture), invasive and aggressive vegetation, siltation, and lack of proper management. Only through sound management can the wetlands on our Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) be preserved for the citizens of Nebraska, as well as the native plants and wildlife dependent on them.

This section is directed …

Effects Of Rodent Species, Seed Species, And Predator Cues On Seed Fate, Kelly J. Sivy, Steven M. Ostoja, Eugene W. Schupp, Susan Durham

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

Seed selection, removal and subsequent management by granivorous animals is thought to be a complex interaction of factors including qualities of the seeds themselves (e.g., seed size, nutritional quality) and features of the local habitat (e.g. perceived predator risk). At the same time, differential seed selection and dispersal is thought to have profound effects on seed fate and potentially vegetation dynamics. In a feeding arena, we tested whether rodent species, seed species, and indirect and direct predation cues influence seed selection and handling behaviors (e.g., scatter hoarding versus larder hoarding) of two heteromyid rodents, Ord’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii) and …

Malian Thick Porridges And Satiety, Intsormil

INTSORMIL Impacts and Bulletins

A study was recently conducted through INTSORMIL (Purdue Hamaker Project) to examine thick sorghum millet consumption related to preference and satiation in the Sikasso, Segou and Mopti regions of Mali. This is part of a larger study to understand the effect of thick porridges, and delayed glucose delivery to the body, on satiety and overall food consumption.

The conclusions from the following data is that porridges (tô) are generally eaten more frequently and are consumed in a thicker consistency in the villages (Figures 1 and 2), and are very satiating (Figure 3 thicker porridges correlated with lower hunger scores at …

The Role Of Sorghum In Food Security In Central America, Lloyd W. Rooney

INTSORMIL Presentations

Discusses the qualities of sorghum that make it suitable for human consumption, with a focus on its use in Central America.

Nebraska Chapter Gamma Sigma Delta Newsletter Issue #42 Spring 2011

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

President’s Message - Julie Albrecht

Recipients of 2010 Gamma Sigma Delta Awards
Award of Merit for Service: Keith L. Glewen
Excellence in Extension Award: Harshavardhan Thippareddi
Excellence in Teaching Award: Martha Mamo
Excellence in Research Award: Curtis L. Weller
Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Jessie Fernandez
Outstanding Senior Student Award: Zach Badura
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award: Ross Jensen
Clayton Kelling is recognized for service as Gamma Sigma Delta President in 2009

In Memoriam: Edward Francis Vitzthum

Health And Fertility Implications Related To Seasonal Changes In Kidney Fat Index Of White-Tailed Jackrabbits In South Dakota, Dustin Schaible, Charles D. Dieter

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) populations in the Northern Plains have been in a general decline for the past decade or longer. A suggested reason for this population decline was reduced body condition of individual jackrabbits due to habitat changes. In order to evaluate body condition, we determined the kidney fat index of 314 white-tailed jackrabbits harvested in 44 counties throughout South Dakota. We removed and weighed kidneys and all perirenal fat associated with the kidneys from collected jackrabbits. We measured kidney weight to determine times of high metabolic activity as indicated by an increase in mass. Body condition was …

Unsaturated Fatty Acids Repress The Expression Of Atp-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 In Hepg2 And Fhs 74 Int Cells, Chai Siah Ku, Heather E. Rasmussen, Young-Ki Park, Elliot D. Jesch, Ji-Young Lee

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) plays a critical role in the formation and metabolism of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette transporter A1 in the liver and small intestine, in particular, accounts for approximately 90% of plasma HDL cholesterol. Therefore, any alterations in the hepatic and intestinal expression of ABCA1 could have a large impact on HDL biogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that ABCA1 expression is regulated differentially by different types of fatty acids in the liver and small intestine. Human hepatoma HepG2 and human small intestine epithelial FHs 74 Int cells were used as an in vitro model. …

Heifer Development Management: One Size Does Not Fit All, Matthew Stockton, Roger K. Wilson

Cornhusker Economics

A substantial cost to beef cattle producers is the development or purchase of replacement females. Each year, beef cattle producers may replace as many as 20 percent of the herd, with the average being close to 16 percent. With so much of the producer’s success riding on the proper care, development and cost of supplying replacement heifers, it is no surprise that the literature is filled with studies devoted to determining the ideal maturity and strategies to develop them.

While the question of determining beef heifer replacement strategies has been studied in some detail, the complexity of relationships between the …

Nebline, April 2011

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Supplemental Kits Make Learning Nutrition Fun

Farm Views

Horticulture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Environmental Focus

Urban Agriculture

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events