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Assessing The Above- And Belowground Productivity Of Fall-Planted Cover Crop Cultivars In Nebraska's Diverse Ecoregions, Bridget Mckinley

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

Cover crops (CC) provide essential ecosystem services including soil conservation, nutrient cycling, and weed suppression, through the accumulation of aboveground (AGB) and belowground (BGB) biomass. While AGB has been widely studied, BGB contributions, particularly root development and distribution, remain less understood. This study evaluated fall-planted CC across three Nebraska ecoregions, assessing AGB productivity, BGB biomass, and correlations between ground cover, plant height, and AGB.

Thirty treatments, including grasses, legumes, brassicas, and mixtures, were evaluated over two fall growing seasons (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) at three UNL research centers in northeast, west central, and west Nebraska. AGB was highest at west site …

Accelerated Bridge Construction (Abc) Decision Tool, Phil Barutha, Marc Maguire, Elio Saldana, Fray F. Pozo-Lora

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

This report investigates the creation and assessment of a decision-making tool developed to aid the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) in determining the suitability of the Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) method for bridge replacement projects. The tool utilizes the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to integrate different criteria, including Average Daily Traffic (ADT), Average Daily Truck Traffic (ADTT), detour time, railroad impact, economy of scale, and the use of typical details, which were found to be paramount in the decision-making process across the state. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the tool’s performance and identify the most significant factors influencing …

Effect Of Antioxidant Additives And Recycling Agents On Performance Of Asphalt Binders And Mixtures – Phase Ii, Nitish R. Bastola, Muhammad Ahmad, Mahdieh Khedmati, Jamilla Teixeira, Hamzeh Haghshenas

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in combination with recycling agents (RAs) (i.e., rejuvenators or softening agents) has gained significant attention from the pavement industry as a sustainable pavement solution, reducing the carbon footprint of manufactured products through the conservation of energy and reduction on the use of raw materials. Current research has found that RAs can improve RAP recycled asphalt mixture’s cracking resistance, while being capable of maintaining their rutting resistance. However, there are some concerns about the effect of RAs on the moisture damage resistance and the long-term performance (aging) of these additives. The current need is …

Effects Of Cultivars And Fungicides On Foliar Fungal Diseases And Fusarium Head Blight In Winter Wheat, Mahnoor Asif

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Foliar fungal diseases and Fusarium head blight (FHB) are among the major causes of significant yield losses in wheat production, particularly in Nebraska. Resistant cultivars and fungicide applications are common management strategies, but the overuse of fungicides has raised concerns about resistance in Fusarium graminearum populations in Nebraska. This study evaluated the effects of cultivar resistance, fungicide timing and their economic benefits. It also assessed the sensitivity of Nebraska isolates of F. graminearum and F. boothii to a triazole fungicide. In 2022 and 2024, 14 fungicide treatments and a control were arranged in a split-plot experimental design with …

Development Of Crop2cloud: An Iot-Integrated Platform For Automated Irrigation Scheduling Using Multi-Source Stress Indices, Bryan Nsoh

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

Efficient water management in agriculture is critical, as irrigation accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. While precision agriculture technologies offer potential solutions, integrating diverse data streams for real-time irrigation scheduling remains challenging, particularly in combining plant and soil-based stress indicators. This research addresses these challenges through three interconnected studies.

A systematic review first examined the current state and future potential of IoT-based automated irrigation management systems, analyzing how these technologies can enhance agricultural water use efficiency and crop productivity. The review identified critical gaps in data integration and real-time processing while highlighting opportunities for combining multiple stress indices for …

Navigating Non-Orthogonality: Exploring Latent Mean Differences In Unbalanced Conditions, Jay B. Jeffries

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

Researchers understand that conducting numerous pairwise comparisons between group means increases the Type I error rate, prompting the use of planned contrasts like orthogonal contrast sets. Implicit to orthogonal contrast sets is the principal assumption that groups are balanced in size. Further, when dealing with complex variables like latent constructs, specialized modeling is necessary. Understanding how violations of the assumptions of an orthogonal contrast set and the latent variable model approach can help identify variation in the accuracy of group mean difference. However, hindrances to the accuracy of latent mean orthogonal comparisons when this assumption is untenable remains unsettled. This …

Development Of Fortified Blended Food Using Great Northern Bean, Aemiro Tadesse Zula

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

Undernutrition is a global health challenge affecting people across all stages of life. While everyone is susceptible, certain groups face a significant burden. These include those living in poverty, young children, adolescents, older people, and lactating and pregnant women. Food insecurity is another primary global concern affecting billions of individuals worldwide and is closely associated with undernutrition. Implementing interventions to address these two significant global burdens is critical, and international organizations are playing a crucial role through food aid programs using Fortified Blended Foods such as corn-soy blend (CSB), corn-soy blend plus (CSB+), and corn-soy blend plus plus (CSB++). CSB+ …

Effects Of Heat Moisture Treatment On Dietary Fiber Utilization By The Gut Microbiota, Yichen Bai

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

The present study investigates the impact of heat moisture treatment (HMT) on the utilization of dietary fibers from red lentil hulls and wheat bran and its subsequent effect on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production. HMT significantly decreased the water absorption index in red lentil hulls but increased it in wheat bran. For resistant starch (RS), HMT elevated its content in red lentil hulls but diminished it in wheat bran. In terms of dietary fiber content, HMT increased soluble dietary fiber in red lentil hulls. However, carbohydrate utilization and SCFA production by gut microbiota did not significantly change after …

Understanding Limitations In Photosynthesis And Cold Tolerance In Panicoid Grasses: Maize And Sorghum, Fangyi Li

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Sorghum and maize, both key crops within the Poaceae family (commonly known as the grass family), are staple foods in various regions and play a vital role in global food systems and economic development. These crops thrive in similar climates, particularly in warm, arid, and semi-arid regions. As subjects of extensive agricultural research, both maize and sorghum are being studied to enhance stress resistance and improve yield. Due to their botanical similarities, advances in one crop often inform practices in the other. The goal of this dissertation is to deepen our understanding of the photosynthesis process and cold tolerance in …

Study Of Graduate Student Instructors’ Attempts To Incorporate And Reflect On Using Discourse Practices In Undergraduate Mathematics Courses, Katie Johnson Sprague

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Within the last decade, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has made a call to action, asking educators to engage in effective teaching of mathematics which includes having classrooms rich in mathematical discourse (NCTM, 2014). In this nine-week dissertation study, three mathematics graduate student instructors (GSIs) teaching undergraduate students at a large midwestern university enacted discourse practices to promote mathematical discussions as part of a participatory action research study. The participants were video tapped teaching six times and attended four whole group meetings. The whole group meetings were used to discuss the practices, planning, and enactment of the …

Perspectives Through The Lens Of Educators And Students: Teaching Flood Mitigation And Other Controversial Food, Energy, Water Nexus Issues In The Classroom, Sumaiya Tabassum

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Science and society are inseparably linked, shaping each other in ways that define our world, emphasizing the need to teach science for empowering students capable of taking meaningful action toward building a sustainable and just society. Developing sustainability competencies in students is an important step toward this goal, with controversial socio-scientific issues (SSIs) providing a valuable teaching context, that encourage students in analyzing interdisciplinary evidence while considering the social, economic impacts of potential solutions. However, recognizing the unique perspectives individuals bring to the classroom is prerequisite for tailoring effective, inclusive instruction, as perspectives often shape learning and classroom-engagement. This study …

'More Is Caught Than Taught:' Parental Cultural And Racial Socialization Beliefs And Practices In The Midwest United States, Sarah Barker Ladd

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Parents are critical socialization agents for their children, especially in middle childhood. It is through parent-child interactions that beliefs, values, and attitudes can be particularly influential for a child’s identity and social development. In particular, understanding how parents socialize their children has important implications for their own child’s racial identity development and critical consciousness – and later civic engagement and social behaviors. The current study sought to investigate ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) and critical consciousness of parents with children in middle childhood who live in the Midwestern United States. Based on interviews and quantitative survey data from 28 parents, results revealed …

Leading The Way: An Exploration Of Leadership Behaviors In Academic Advising, Amanda Bergeron-Bauer

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Academic advisors in higher education serve as more than a resource for planning classes. These student affairs professionals also assist with success plans, identifying career paths, connecting students with relevant campus resources, and working through academic and personal concerns. Over time, the field of academic advising has transitioned from a prescriptive form of advising that consisted primarily of transactional interactions to a hybrid approach that incorporates developmental advising or helping to develop the whole student. As institutions emphasize the importance of developmental advising on their campuses, it is necessary for academic advisors to expand their skill sets to better meet …

Access To Science And Scholarship: Building An Evidence Base To Support The Future Of Open Research Policy, Clarke & Esposito

Copyright, Fair Use, Scholarly Communication, etc.

Today, the MIT Press is releasing a comprehensive report that addresses how open access policies shape research and what is needed to maximize their positive impact on the research ecosystem.

The report, entitled “Access to Science & Scholarship 2024: Building an Evidence Base to Support the Future of Open Research Policy,” is the outcome of a National Science Foundation-funded workshop held at the D.C. headquarters of the American Association for the Advancement of Science on September 20, 2024.

While open access aims to democratize knowledge, its implementation has been a factor in the consolidation of the academic publishing industry, an …

Implementation Of Mash Surrogate Test Vehicles For Sign Supports, Breakaway Poles, And Work Zone Traffic Control Devices, Mahfuza Rahman Doreen

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This describes the development of two surrogate test vehicles, or "bogie vehicles," for performing compliance testing of breakaway devices found on the roadside according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). Historically, surrogate vehicle testing and approval of roadside structures was not permitted, because critical vehicle behaviors could not be emulated using the existing or modified rigid frame structures. Therefore, Project NCHRP 22-55 was funded to develop two reusable bogie vehicles to emulate the MASH 1100C small car and 2270P pickup truck. This thesis describes the background data collection, initial …

Navigating Non-Orthogonality: Exploring Latent Mean Differences In Unbalanced Conditions, Jay B. Jeffries

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Researchers understand that conducting numerous pairwise comparisons between group means increases the Type I error rate, prompting the use of planned contrasts like orthogonal contrast sets. Implicit to orthogonal contrast sets is the principal assumption that groups are balanced in size. Further, when dealing with complex variables like latent constructs, specialized modeling is necessary. Understanding how violations of the assumptions of an orthogonal contrast set and the latent variable model approach can help identify variation in the accuracy of group mean difference. However, hindrances to the accuracy of latent mean orthogonal comparisons when this assumption is untenable remains unsettled. This …

Trucks, Trains, And Barges: For Brazilian Soybeans, It’S Not Your Grandpa’S Infrastructure Anymore, Fabio Mattos

Cornhusker Economics

In the popular movie “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”, the tagline said, “Steve Martin had no reason to panic… until John Candy came along”. In the soybean market, we could say, “We had no reason to panic… until Brazil came along”. Brazil has been rapidly growing its soybean production for the last 30 years and has recently become the largest exporter in the world. In 2024/25, USDA estimates that Brazil will account for 58% of soybean exports worldwide, followed by the United States with 28%. These are roughly the numbers for 2023/24 and 2022/23 as well.

Still, despite the massive growth …

Wics Conference 2024: Creating Connections Together: Agenda And Abstracts, Daren D. Redfearn, Christopher A. Proctor

Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Conferences

WICS Conference 2024: Creating Connections Together

Agenda and Abstracts

Water Security (Quantity/Quality)

Nebraska Groundwater Quality Clearinghouse; Augustine Adjei, Martha Rhoades, and Kent Eskridge

Assessing the AquaCrop model’s accuracy for soybean under variable irrigation; Anmol Singh

Yield response of irrigated maize hybrids to water availability; Thais Murias Jardi, Saleh Taghvaeian, Chris Proctor, Daran Rudnick, and Chuck Burr

Using the DSSAT CERES-Maize model to evaluate farmers' irrigation decisions; Rintu Sen

Nutrient Management and Cycling

Effect of cover crop mixtures and crop rotation on nitrogen dynamics and crop yield in southeast Nebraska; Madhusudhan Adhikaari

Nitrogen inhibitors reduce nitrogen losses via ammonia volatilization, nitrous …

Adding Gastrointestinal Parasite Resistance To The Breeding Objective In Hair Sheep: Initial Step, Robert M. Forbes, Thomas W. Murphy, Joan M. Burke, David R. Notter, Matthew L. Spangler, Michael D. Macneil, Ronald M. Lewis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The U.S. Maternal Hair Index was designed by the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) to increase total weight of lamb weaned per ewe lambing (TW). Producers are interested in adding gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) resistance to this breeding objective since parasitism causes substantial economic losses. The NSIP provides producers with estimated breeding values (EBV) for postweaning fecal egg count (PFEC), an indicator of GIN resistance. Our objective was to gauge the effects of including PFEC as another selection criterion and goal trait. Selection index theory was used to construct 11 indexes. …

New Country Records And Annotated Checklist Of Non-Dacini Tephritidae (Diptera) In Bangladesh, M. Aftab Hossain, Allen L. Norrbom, Luc Leblanc, Md. Forhad Hossain, Kajla Seheli

Insecta Mundi

Tephritidae (Diptera) were sampled in Bangladesh between 2019 and 2023 by hand-collecting on bamboo shoots and using traps separately baited with 2-component BioLure (ammonium acetate and putrescine) or torula yeast. We report here results of our surveys that yielded 1,907 specimens of 20 species belonging to subfamilies or tribes other than Dacini. New species occurrence records for Bangladesh include Acroceratitis bimacula Hardy, A. parastriata David and Hancock, Galbifascia soalia (Séguy), and Xanthorrachis annandalei Bezzi (Dacinae, Gastrozonini), Felderimyia fuscipennis Hendel, Ptilona conformis Zia, and Tritaeniopteron tetraspilotum Hardy (Phytalminae, Acanthonevrini), Adrama apicalis Shiraki, Euphranta flavothoracica (David, Hancock and Sachin), and an …

First Record Of Molorchus Minor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) In North America, Marc F. Digirolomo, Michael J. Bohne

Insecta Mundi

We report the first documented occurrence of the Palaearctic longhorn beetle Molorchus minor (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) based on specimens collected from bycatch of a bark and ambrosia beetle early detection trapping program in Massachusetts, USA. Diagnostic characters are discussed, and a modified key is presented to facilitate species identification of the genus in North America.

New Insights And Comparative Morphology Of The Rare Western Palearctic Species Ochodaeus Montanus Fuente, 1912, And Its Closest Relative, O. Inermis Reitter, 1893 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Ochodaeidae), Jean-Bernard Huchet, José Luis Lencina Gutierrez

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

The combined study of Ochodaeus montanus Fuente, 1912 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Ochodaeidae) type material and recently collected specimens from the southeastern Iberian Peninsula provided evidence for the description of new specific morphological characters, and to clarify recurring mistakes present in the literature. A comparative study between O. montanus and its closest representative, O. inermis Reitter, 1892, was completed. An updated distribution map of O. montanus as well as a bilingual identification key for the four taxa occurring within the Iberian Peninsula is given.

Resumen

El estudio combinado del material tipo de Ochodaeus montanus Fuente, 1912 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Ochodaeidae) …

Waking Up Before We Die: Aging And Spirituality, Marcelline Hutton

Zea E-Books Collection

In retirement, I have more time for prayer and reflection, to rest in the Lord, and hence to have my spirit renewed. We choose how we interpret our situations. Positive, spiritual aging ideas enhance our sense of well-being. Of course, the loss of loved ones decreases our sense of self-worth at times, but the Spirit can renew us. As Genesis reminds us, God was still working in the lives of Sarah and Abraham in old age, and they can serve as models for us. Indeed, Sarah laughed at the angels and shows us how humor exists even as we age. …

Insects All Around Us: A Four-Session Bug Club Lesson Plan For Grades 3-5 Covering The Biology And Importance Of Insects In Nebraska, Carolyn Almonte

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Insects are often overlooked in science curricula when talking about conservation due to the surrounding fear and disgust regarding insects. This disgust not only permeates the mindsets of students, but also teachers, which leads to a hesitance to incorporate an insect-based curriculum or club into a lesson. In response to this, I have created a four-session club curriculum that can be used across four two hour long sessions spread out across four weeks. The goals of this club are: to explain the key traits of insects and arthropods, differentiating the two groups; to explain and define the basic stages of …

Your Sco/Eco Policy Under The Hood: What County Yield Is The Rma Using?, Cory Walters, Ken Harrison, Connor Whalen

Cornhusker Economics

Over the past decade, crop insurance has continued to expand contract offerings through new area-based policies. Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) was introduced in the mid-2010s. Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) was introduced in the early 2020s, and Margin Protection (MP) was introduced in the mid-to-late 2010s. The ECO premium subsidy was recently increased for the 2025 crop year to further encourage producer participation. Both the SCO and ECO programs have experienced increased participation for a variety of reasons.

Determination Of A New Spring-Flying Species Of The Pterourus Glaucus Complex (Papilionidae) In Southern New England, Harry Pavulaan

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

The Pterourus glaucus complex in three southern New England states is analyzed for cryptic speciation. What was historically considered to be one species, P. glaucus (Linnaeus, 1758), was recently split to separate P. canadensis (Rothschild & Jordan, 1906) at species rank (Hagen et al., 1991). Additionally, P. appalachiensis Pavulaan & Wright, 2002, was described as an Appalachian Mountain endemic. The western member of the complex, P. rutulus (Lucas, 1852), has frequently been considered a subspecies of P. glaucus (Scott, 1986; Tyler, Brown & Wilson, 1994), as was P. alexiares (Höpffer, 1866) (Tyler, Brown & …

Shan Song Xiao: English Edition, Xifu, Jane Li, Paul Royster

Zea E-Books Collection

This book describes the family story of three generations of daughters over the past century, starting from the grandmother to the mother, and then to the daughter. They lived overlapping lives, but each follows a different life path in different eras with different main themes. As time flies and life rushes by, they look back on the past and document their lives.

The story travels from a rural village in Northeast China to an overcrowded modernized metropolis. It unfolds against a backdrop of invasion and occupation, liberation, collectivization and famine, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and the emergence …

How To Communicate Your Estate Plan To Family When Dividing Assets Unequally, Anastasia Meyer

Cornhusker Economics

Provides a guide on how to effectively approach estate planning conversations with family members.

Effectively communicating an estate plan with unequal division of assets can be challenging, but approaching it with honesty, clarity, and empathy can help prevent misunderstandings and family disputes. Open, respectful dialogue—paired with thoughtful explanations and transparent documentation—ensures that your family understands your intentions and feels valued, even when tough decisions are involved.

Ultimately, your goal isn’t just to pass down financial assets, but also to preserve family harmony and, where applicable, secure the future of a viable business. By fostering open communication, you can create a …

Asphalt Binder Laboratory Short-Term Aging - Phase Ii, Farzad Yazdipanah, Ahmad Muhammad, Zahra Kamali Khanghah, Mahdieh Khedmati, Jamilla Teixeira, Mohammad Ghashami, Hamzeh Haghshenas

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

This study examined the effectiveness of laboratory short-term aging processes for warm mix asphalt (WMA) binders using response surface methodology (RSM) with various combinations of aging parameters: time, temperature, airflow, and binder weight. The research aimed to enhance understanding of aging parameter efficacy and propose a modified laboratory short-term aging protocol that accurately simulates plant short-term aging in WMA binders. Additionally, the study explored the potential of thermal simulation techniques to model the heat transfer within asphalt mixtures during the compaction procedure. To achieve these goals, three WMA mixtures produced at 135 ºC were collected from plants, and their asphalt …

United States Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Scientific Integrity Policy

Copyright, Fair Use, Scholarly Communication, etc.

US CDC SIP