Digital Commons Network^™

Identification And Characterization Of Pd-L1 In Bovine Placentas, Andre Nguyen

Fall Student Research Symposium 2020

Successful bovine pregnancy requires that the maternal immune system modulate T lymphocytes. Program death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an inhibitory protein that is associated with immune tolerance and modulation of T cells. Previous studies have linked PD-L1 to suppressing T cell activity and modulating cytokine production, therefore, inducing maternal tolerance and acceptance of the fetus. PD-L1 may be a possible mechanism involved in establishing successful bovine pregnancies. To this day, no evidence of PD-L1 RNA or protein was found in bovine placentas. We hypothesize that PD-L1 is present in the bovine placenta and its expression differs between trimesters. To analyze the …

Dogs And Dehumanization, Carter Ottley

Fall Student Research Symposium 2020

Oppressors have categorized enslaved groups as less than human through animalization. In my research I find the role that comparisons with dogs had and look at the impacts on our current society.

How Alternative Proteins Are Helping Consumers Reduce Their Carbon Footprint, Samantha Petersen

Fall Student Research Symposium 2020

The alternative protein market is trending toward creating more animal product alternatives, not just meatless meat. Alternative protein is a growing market that creates meat alternatives for groups like vegans and vegetarians. Large meat companies are starting to invest in meatless meat research and technology. Reducing meat consumption is one of the best ways to reduce land and water usage as well as reducing carbon emissions.

Drought Tolerant Plants For The Western United States In Response To Climate Change, Emily Rice

Fall Student Research Symposium 2020

The Southwest United States has been severely impacted by climate change. Already the driest region of the US, temperatures in the area have risen approximately 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the previous century ("Climate Impacts in the Southwest", 2017). Those temperatures are expected to rise by 3.5 to 9.5 degrees before the end of the current century ("Climate Impacts in the Southwest", 2017). In a region already considered to have many drought areas, this temperature increase will stress water sources, making the competition between farmers, urban areas, and native groups to become more intense. The same temperature increases that cause severe …

Dogs In The Home Improve The Quality Of Life Of The People Living Inside, Tanner Stevenson

Fall Student Research Symposium 2020

This poster explores how dogs improve the quality of life of the people they interact with. Regardless of underlying issues that the human faces, every dog helps to improve the situation of that human. From service animals helping to improve the quality of life of their owners in other ways than what meets the eye, to dogs improving the chance of allergy immunity for children, dogs impact the lives of humans for good. This project explores the way that studies have proven the worth of the dog in the home.

The Dog As A Trend In Art, Whitney Stewart

Fall Student Research Symposium 2020

I have always believed that art is one of the biggest forms of communication and signs of cultural assimilation and it has been throughout history. I choose to explore the role that dogs play in this theme. From changes in the symbolism of the dog and the ethics of breeding, art reveals a lot about our furry friends. While I learn much about dogs by themselves, the way we represent them also says a lot about our society. Do we see animals as more than us in some way and less in others? Is a dog painting really about the …

Characters And Dogs: Relationships Between Dogs And Humans In Fictional Literature, Emily Van Wagoner

Fall Student Research Symposium 2020

Works of fiction provide a new outlook on life without the constraints of society's expectations. Fiction provides the opportunity to explore relationship boundaries in a safe way that society might deem as improper or wrong. One way that fiction shows us this is the symbolism between the relation of humans and dogs, especially the similarities and how they can reflect one another. Using this as a basis, reflection upon real-life relationships can happen as well as viewing how they are discussed through fictional means.

Relationships are not simply how two beings interact with one another, rather it is also about …

Elephants Are People Too., Rachel Robinson-Greene

Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications

37 years ago, the daughter of a Pakistani dictator was gifted a 1-year-old Asian Elephant calf named Kaavan. Kaavan ended up in Marghazar Zoo, a run-down facility in Islamabad. He had one elephant companion; a female named Saheli. When Saheli died in 2012, Kavaan spent days in his enclosure with her dead body before she was finally removed. Elephants are known to experience grief in response to the death of their companions. Since then, Kaavan has spent all of his time apart from other elephants, earning him the nickname “the loneliest elephant.” He has spent much of his existence in …

On Improving The Memorability Of System-Assigned Recognition-Based Passwords, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen, Sonali T. Marne, Kanis Fatema, Matthew Wright, Shannon Scielzo

Computer Science Faculty and Staff Publications

User-chosen passwords reflecting common strategies and patterns ease memorization but offer uncertain and often weak security, while system-assigned passwords provide higher security guarantee but suffer from poor memorability. We thus examine the technique to enhance password memorability that incorporates a scientific understanding of long-term memory. In particular, we examine the efficacy of providing users with verbal cues—real-life facts corresponding to system-assigned keywords. We also explore the usability gain of including images related to the keywords along with verbal cues. In our multi-session lab study with 52 participants, textual recognition-based scheme offering verbal cues had a significantly higher login success …

Criollo Cattle As A Strategy To Maintain Output Of Ecosystem Services Under A Changing Climate, Kari E. Veblen

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Exploration Of Pregnancy Recognition In Ruminants Using A Novel Type I Interferon Receptor Knockout Sheep Model, Christopher J. Davies

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

The Utah Statesman, December 7, 2020, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan

Utah State Engineer, Fall 2020, College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Magazines

Annual magazine for the College of Engineering at Utah State University.

Las Notas, David Peterson

Microrrelatos (Flash Fiction) Collection

A la nota le encantan las celebraciones. Puede ser una fiesta del cumpleaños, el día de San Valentín, el día de los padres o el día de las madres.

La nota le gusta ser usada y dar mensajes de felicidad y amor.

Marginalia No. 45, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University

Marginalia

• Dear Friends, page 2
• New Librarians, page 3
• New Library Position Bolsters First-Year Student Success, page 4
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at USU Libraries, page 5
• Historical Document Transcription Project Engages Library Staff, page 6
• Supporting USU Graduate Student Scholarship, page 7
• Telling Our Story: 130 Years of Aggie Women, page 8
• Stay Safe, Stay Well, Stay Productive, page 9
• Digital Preservation at USU Libraries, page 10

Molly - El Mejor Pececito Del Mundo, Nolan Krawczak

Microrrelatos (Flash Fiction) Collection

¡Moly ha crecido un poco y seguirá creciendo! Ha estado enfermo antes, pero mejoró poco después.

Sustaining Wildlife With Recreation On Public Lands: A Synthesis Of Research Findings, Management Practices, And Research Needs, Anna B. Miller, David King, Mary Rowland, Joshua Chapman, Monica Tomosy, Christina Liang, Eric S. Abelson, Richard L. Truex

All Publications

Humans and wildlife interact in multifaceted ways on public lands with both positive and negative outcomes for each group. When managed well, wildlife-based tourism and other forms of recreation can benefit conservation goals. Public lands planners and managers often must decide how to best manage recreational activities and wildlife habitats that overlap spatially and temporally. We conducted an extensive literature review and categorized recreational activity into five types based on the use of motorized equipment, season, and location (terrestrial vs. aquatic), expanding on findings summarized in prior reviews. Our findings provide a reference for public lands planners and managers who …

Identification Of Bovine T-Cell Populations Involved In Placental Growth And Development, Kelsy A. Leppo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Today, the dairy industry is comprised of cows that can produce around 20,000 pounds of milk in a year, yet producers often see only 30% to 50% of animals produce a live calf after each breeding. While many factors may be at play, there is evidence that the immune system plays a large role in regulating pregnancy and in preventing immune mediated abortions. Maternal immune system changes during pregnancy have been shown to occur both locally in the uterus, which is in direct contact with the placenta, and systemically in the blood. Research in humans and mice has shown that …

Designing Water Conservation Landscapes Using Local Water Audit Data, Logan Oates

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In 2016, Eagle Mountain City (EMC) entered into a collaborative agreement with Utah State University Extension to complete several water conservation projects. These projects include Water Checks, landscape water conservation publications, educational programs, and a water-wise landscape design for Eagle Mountain City Hall and a nearby roundabout.

The Water Check program is sponsored by Utah State University’s (USU) Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) and offers residential water efficiency checks to EMC residents. Data collected from the Water Check program includes lot size, square feet (sf) of turfgrass, sprinkler types, sprinkler efficiency, and existing watering schedules.

This thesis examines the …

Novel Polymorphisms Of Zrsr2 And Gpm6b Gene Homologs And Their Use In Sex Identification Of Bovine And Porcine Species, Evan K. Peterson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Accurate and cost-effective PCR based sex identification is important in animal production because it gives producers the ability to determine the sex of embryos prior to transfer, saving time and money. The most efficient PCR sex identification assays work by using a single primer pair to amplify a specific target region located on the Y-chromosome and a second, separate target region on the X-chromosome.

This thesis reports the design of two novel assays. The first assay was designed to target the Zinc finger CCCH-type, RNA binding motif and serine/arginine rich 2 (ZRSR2) gene found on the X-chromosome and its Y-chromosome …

Exploring The Feasibility Of Introducing Alternative Fuel Vehicles Into Fleet, Samia Rubaiat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Transportation is one of the most significant contributing sectors to emissions and consequently air pollution in the United States. Many state and private fleet agencies have announced their visions of zero-emission fleet programs. Adopting alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) is a viable option for achieving this objective. AFVs offer lower emissions along with low operating and maintenance costs, and higher fuel economy. The advancement of technologies has provided several AFV options, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), electric vehicles (EV), compressed natural gas vehicles (CNGV), and liquefied petroleum gas vehicles (LPGV). The main challenges in adopting AFVs are the high purchasing …

Hitting The Trail: An Exploration Of An Outdoor Educational Experience At Intermountain West Junior High School, David N. Joy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Outdoor educational experiences are one of the ways that young people learn about and experience the benefits that are found in the outdoors. However, despite the benefits that outdoor educational experiences have to offer, many young people do not participate for one reason or another. These reasons are often rooted in issues of social injustice. This study adds to about how outdoor educational experiences effect the perceptions of and attitudes toward the outdoors and learning in the outdoors, as well as what may be keeping so many people from participating in these experiences. One junior high school in the intermountain …

Current And Projected Water Reuse For Irrigation In Utah, R. Ryan Dupont, Joan E. Mclean, Randal S. Martin, Courtney Flint, L. Niel Allen, Jennifer L. Weidhaas

Reports

Reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation in some cases can help meet increasing agriculture and urban water demands in Utah. The last report describing existing and potential reuse efforts in Utah was in 2005 (Utah Division of Water Resources, 2005). This report provides information on existing and proposed water reuse and perceptions among water providers and users regarding the use of reclaimed wastewater. Wastewater reuse is one of many practices to conserve water and improve water quality. In a broad sense, water reuse occurs by downstream users, but in some cases, deliberate strategic reuse of water is undertaken to provide …

Row Covers, Nick Volesky, Katherine Wagner

All Current Publications

In agricultural use, a row cover is a transparent or semitransparent material that is used over crops (typically vegetables) for a variety of purposes. As an integrated pest management tool, row covers act as a physical barrier that prevents the movement of pests such as insects, birds, and mammals, to host plants. This form of management is popular in organic production to avoid chemical application. Row covers are also used to shield crops from environmental factors like cold or hot temperatures, and wind. Commonly used methods of application include floating row covers, hoop-supported row covers (also called low tunnels), and …

Market Steer Projects: Getting Started, Jacob Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, Jessie Hadfield

All Current Publications

Raising a market steer as a 4-H project can be a very rewarding experience for youth. However, it is important to note up front that raising a market steer requires higher input costs and larger living spaces than all other 4-H livestock projects. A successful market steer project involves a lot of time and effort to train, feed, and clean your animal. If the necessary time and resources are available, raising market steers can be one of the most enjoyable livestock projects that 4-H has to offer. This fact sheet has some tips to get you started with your market …

Economic Analysis Of Backgrounding Calves, Jayden Gunnell

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this thesis is to allow beef producers a better insight into the costs and benefits associated with carrying over fall calves to yearling weight and selling them the following spring. Producers are usually seen as risk-averse when it comes to selling their livestock. (Feuz, Fausti 1995) Cattle producers face several decisions during the year when it comes to calf input costs and the premium to be received for fall calves, with the final decision coming at the last minute, when making the decision to keep or sell calves. Said calves might be sold in the fall or …

Maladaptive, Megan Thomas

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This ceramics MFA thesis presents themes of environmental and emotional transition through metaphorical bird imagery. The artist juxtaposes humans and ravens, who are capable of adapting to changing environments, with songbirds, who are less capable of surviving change. The artist asks viewers to consider the loss of ways of existing in the world that goes hand in hand with loss of biodiversity. Works include sculpture, sculptural and functional vessels, and drawings.

The Potential Of Ivf, Jae Anderson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

As in-vitro fertilization (IVF) has become more available and more affordable, it has become one of the top breeding technologies in the beef and dairy industry. Intermountain Embryonics of Twin Falls, Idaho has made it an available technology for producers in Idaho and parts of surrounding states. Intermountain Embryonics has struggled to show potential clients the financial potential IVF has to offer. This study shows the revenues, expenses, and risks involved in IVF. This study looks at the comparison of breeding natural service with a bull, artificial insemination, and in-vitro fertilization. The comparison shows that natural service comes with the …

Retaining Ownership Of Calves- Obendorf Farms, Gabrielle Bishop

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Retaining Ownership is when a producer chooses to obtain ownership of their calves until they have reached a finished weight and are ready to be sent to slaughter. Cow-calf producers generally sell their calves at weaning time or within a few months of weaning. Every operation as their own way of doing things and sometimes change is hard to come by. Obendorf Farms wanted to evaluate, at what point in time would it be best to sell their 2020 calf crop? Four different scenarios were analyzed. The first scenario involved no change from previous years which, is selling their calves …

The Economic And Health Impacts Of Community Gardens On Refugee Populations: Cric Garden Case Study, Joseph Montoya

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this paper is to examine the economic benefits of community gardens and incubator farms, both of which support the populations they serve from an economic viewpoint as well as socially, and as a benefit to public health and nutrition. The findings were gathered from the large body of research concerning the benefits of community gardens as well as program evaluation responses conducted with gardeners at the Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection (CRIC) garden in Logan, Utah in 2020. They are also informed by experiences had and lessons learned while working as the garden manager. There is a …