Digital Commons Network^™

Prediction Of Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions Using Machine-Learning, Cristian Loaiza

Student Research Symposium

Host-pathogen protein-protein interactions (HPIs) plays vital roles among several biological processes. Furthermore, there is an interest in those interactions that are related with infectious diseases, which seems crucial to understand the mechanism behind the infection process per se and therefore, unravel potential targets to develop therapeutic approaches. Recently, efforts have been made to collect most of the data present in the literature about HPIs and algorithms to transfer that knowledge into unknown systems has been implemented. Although, beyond intra-species PPIs there is not information about modeling those wide-range databases using machine learning techniques, which have been proved ideal to summarize …

Effects Of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles On Drought Tolerance In Winter Wheat, Justin Deakin

Student Research Symposium

Drought commonly reduces crop yields in agricultural production systems located in semi-arid regions around the world. Commonly, wheat (Triticum aestivum) is grown in these regions. The goal of this study was to determine if zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) applied as a soil amendment reduces drought stress in wheat seedlings grown in the presence of Pseudomonas chloraphis isolate O6 (PcO6), a beneficial root colonizer. To show a nanoparticle-specific benefit, ZnO NP treatments were compared with bulk zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and ZnO, the most commonly applied Zn amendments. Wheat was grown in a controlled environment, using sand amended with 5 mg/kg …

Impact Of The Introduction Of Black Raspberries In A Standard Western-Style Diet On Colitis And Colorectal Cancer Risk In Mice, Daphne Rodriguez, Korry Hintze

Student Research Symposium

Approximately 1.4 million people suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, which is major risk factor for developing colitis associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Dietary interventions with the goal to reduce colon inflammation and encourage gut microbiome homeostasis may be a strategy to reduce the risk of CAC. The antioxidants and antiinflammatory compounds present in black raspberries (BRB) have demonstrated protective effects in the colon epithelium and may alter the composition of the gut microbiome. Previously, we showed that dietary supplementation with black raspberries significantly suppressed coliti and colon tumorigenesis promoted by the consumption of a Western type diet in mice. The goal …

Tree Resprout Dynamics Following Fire Depend On Herbivory By Wild Ungulate Herbivores, Eric M. Lamalfa, Duncan M. Kimuyu, Ryan L. Sensenig, Truman P. Young, Corinna Riginos, Kari E. Veblen

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

1. Savanna tree cover is dynamic due to disturbances such as fire and herbivory. Frequent fires can limit a key demographic transition from sapling to adult height classes in savanna trees. Saplings may be caught in a ‘fire trap’, wherein individuals repeatedly resprout following fire top-kill events. Saplings only rarely escape the cycle by attaining a fire-resistant height (e.g. taller than the minimum scorch height) during fire-free intervals.
2. Large mammalian herbivores also may trap trees in shorter size classes. Browsing herbivores directly limit sapling height, while grazing herbivores such as cattle facilitate sapling growth indirectly via grass removal. Experimental studies investigating …

Improved Production Of Antifungal Angucycline Sch47554 By Manipulating Three Regulatory Genes In Streptomyces Sp. Scc-2136, Ozkan Fidan, Riming Yan, Du Zhu, Jixun Zhan

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Sch47554 and Sch47555 are two angucyclines with antifungal activities against various yeasts and dermatophytes from Streptomyces sp. SCC‐2136. The schgene cluster contains several putative regulatory genes. Both schA4 and schA21were predicted as the TetR family transcriptional regulators, whereas schA16shared significant similarity to the AraC family transcriptional regulators. Although Sch47554 is the major product of Streptomyces sp. SCC‐2136, its titer is only 6.72 mg/L. This work aimed to increase the production of this promising antifungal compound by investigating and manipulating the regulatory genes in the Sch47554 biosynthetic pathway. Disruption of schA4and schA16 led to a significant increase …

Relative Salt Tolerance Of Seven Japanese Spirea Cultivars, Yuxiang Wang, Liqin Li, Youping Sun, Xin Dai

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Spirea (Spiraea sp.) plants are commonly used in landscapes in Utah and the intermountain western United States. The relative salt tolerance of seven japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) cultivars (Galen, Minspi, NCSX1, NCSX2, SMNSJMFP, Tracy, and Yan) were evaluated in a greenhouse. Plants were irrigated with a nutrient solution with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dSmL1 (control) or saline solutions with an EC of 3.0 or 6.0 dSmL1 once per week for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment, all japanese spirea cultivars irrigated with saline solution with an EC of 3.0 dSmL1 still exhibited good or …

Faculty Senate Agenda, April 1, 2019, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• EPC Monthly Report - March 7, 2019
• 2019-2020 Faculty Senate Calendar
• Budget and Faculty Welfare Annual Report
• Research and Graduate Studies Annual Report
• 405.11.2 Term Appointment Promotions (second reading)
• Library Discussion (subscription costs)
• Call for Nominations - Faculty Senate President Elect

Faculty Senate Minutes, April 1, 2019, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 2019-2020 Faculty Senate Calendar
• Budget and Faculty Welfare Annual Report
• Research and Graduate Studies Annual Report
• Library Discussion (Subscription Costs)
• Spring Break 2020 Calendar Update
• Koch Task Force Resolution

Raising Replacement Ewes For Dairy Sheep Production, Jacob Hadfield, Allen Young

All Current Publications

This fact sheet explains how producers who are seeking more milk production yield, along with more economic value from their replacements can do these three different ways: a) manage replacement rate; b) improve nutrition; and c) optimize reproduction.

Colostrum: The First Meal, Sara Menchu, Allen Young

All Current Publications

The first milk produced after calving is known as colostrum. It is important for calves to consume adequate amounts of colostrum as soon as possible, and this fact sheet tells why, including its quality and quantity.

Anxiety And Depression: Can Diet Help?, Megan Jensen, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Ashley Yaugher, Sandy Sulzer

All Current Publications

This fact sheet explains the role of diet with anxiety and depression.

Buying A Home Freeze-Dryer: What To Know Before You Go, Brian Nummer, Chris Jessen, Cathy Merrill, Paige Wray, Callahan K. Ward

All Current Publications

This fact sheet discusses home freeze-dryers,both the pros and cons of ownership.

Mapping Of Dynamic Transcriptome Changes Associated With Silica-Triggered Autoimmune Pathogenesis In The Lupus-Prone Nzbwf1 Mouse, Melissa A. Bates, Abby D. Benninghoff, Kristen N. Gilley, Andrij Holian, Jack R. Harkema, James J. Pestka

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Crystalline silica (cSiO₂) is a widely recognized environmental trigger of autoimmune disease. In the lupus-prone female NZBWF1 mouse, airway exposure to cSiO₂ triggers pulmonary ectopic lymphoid neogenesis, systemic autoantibody elevation, and glomerulonephritis. Here we tested the hypothesis that upregulation of adaptive immune function genes in the lung precedes cSiO₂-triggering of autoimmune disease in this model. The study include three groups of mice, as follows: (1) necropsied 1 d after a single intranasal instillation of 1 mg cSiO₂ or vehicle, (2) necropsied 1 d after four weekly single instillations of 1 mg cSiO₂ or …

The Utah Statesman, March 26, 2019, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Providing Education To Enhance Wildlife Conservation In South Africa Through The First Wildlife School For Game Rancers - A Grassroots Effort By Government Authorized Conservationists, David L. Bergman, Nico Avenant, Francoais Schutte, Michael J. Bodenchuk

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The establishment of the game ranching industry in South Africa has resulted in the conversion of 20 million hectares of marginal agricultural land to an economically viable and conservation oriented industry. The single biggest driving factor in the growth of the game ranching industry in South Africa was the promulgation of the Game Theft Act 105 of 1991 which conferred private ownership of game. Due to the Act, wildlife became economically viable and were managed according to the creation of this new market. The growth in game animals has reached its highest point since 1850 with over 20 million animals. …

Black Bear Use Of Forest Roads In Western Washington, Gary W. Witmer

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Radiolocations (108) of 20 black bears were used to assess use or avoidance of 3 forest road types in western Washington. Distances of bears to each type of road were compared to distances of 108 random points using t-tests. Females and males avoided 2-lane roads, while only males avoided 1-lane roads, the most common road type in the area. Females, but not males, were located closer to overgrown, spur roads than expected. This road type has substantial cover of grasses, forbs, and berry-producing shrubs along with protective tree cover. This situation may provide easy travel for females along with security …

Single-Dose, Multi-Year Immunocontraception Using Spayvac®, Mark Fraker, Ursula Bechert

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Managing populations of certain species such as free-ranging horses (Equus caballus) is a significant challenge, with animal-welfare, environmental, sociological, public policy, and economic dimensions. Immunocontraception is a useful tool, but vaccines must have multi-year efficacy to be technically feasible and cost-effective. SpayVac^® has demonstrated single-dose, long-term contraceptive efficacy in several species. Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) experienced an 80-85% decrease in fertility for at least 10 years post-treatment. No fallow deer (Dama dama) treated with SpayVac became pregnant for 3 years following vaccination. In a field trial with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), …

The Utah Statesman, March 19, 2019, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Is Grassfed Meat And Dairy Better For Human And Environmental Health?, Frederick D. Provenza, Scott L. Kronberg, Pablo Gregorini

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The health of livestock, humans, and environments is tied to plant diversity—and associated phytochemical richness—across landscapes. Health is enhanced when livestock forage on phytochemically rich landscapes, is reduced when livestock forage on simple mixture or monoculture pastures or consume high-grain rations in feedlots, and is greatly reduced for people who eat highly processed diets. Circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis that phytochemical richness of herbivore diets enhances biochemical richness of meat and dairy, which is linked with human and environmental health. Among many roles they play in health, phytochemicals in herbivore diets protect meat and dairy from protein oxidation and lipid …

Migratory Goose Arrival Time Plays A Larger Role In Influencing Forage Quality Than Advancing Springs In An Arctic Coastal Wetland, Karen H. Beard, Ryan T. Choi, A. Joshua Leffler, Lindsay G. Carlson, Katharine C. Kelsey, Joel A. Schmutz, Jeffrey M. Welker

Ecology Center Publications

With warmer springs, herbivores migrating to Arctic breeding grounds may experience phenological mismatches between their energy demands and the availability of high quality forage. Yet, how the timing of the start of the season and herbivore arrival influences forage quality is often unknown. In coastal western Alaska, approximately one million migratory geese arrive each spring to breed, where foliar %N and C:N ratios are linked to gosling survival and population growth. We conducted a three-year experiment where we manipulated the start of the growing season using warming chambers and grazing times using captive Pacific black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) to …

Public Perceptions Of The Health Risks Of Extreme Heat Across Us States, Counties, And Neighborhoods, Peter D. Howe, Jennifer R. Marlon, Xinran Wang, Anthony Leiserowitz

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. Many individuals, however, fail to perceive this risk, which will be exacerbated by global warming. Given that awareness of one’s physical and social vulnerability is a critical precursor to preparedness for extreme weather events, understanding Americans’ perceptions of heat risk and their geographic variability is essential for promoting adaptive behaviors during heat waves. Using a large original survey dataset of 9,217 respondents, we create and validate a model of Americans’ perceived risk to their health from extreme heat in all 50 US states, 3,142 counties, and 72,429 …

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda, March 7, 2019, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Program Proposals

• Establishing a Division of Career and Technical Education
• Offering a BA/BS in Finance with emphases
• Offering an online BS degree in Technology
• Changing the name from Parks and Recreation to Recreation Administration
• Offering an undergraduate Anticipatory Intelligence Minor
• Changing the name from English: Professional and Technical Writing Emphasis to English: Technical Communication and Rhetoric Emphasis

Semester Course Approval Reviews

Other

• EPC/Curriculum Handbook

A Rolling Perspective: Running On Empty, Jennifer Holland

Blog Posts

The blog post is about food nutrition.

Educational Policies Committee Agenda, March 7, 2019, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes, March 7, 2019, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Program Proposals

• Establishing a Division of Career and Technical Education
• Offering a BA/BS in Finance with emphases
• Offering an online BS degree in Technology, Design and Interaction
• Changing the name from Parks and Recreation to Recreation Administration
• Offering an undergraduate Anticipatory Intelligence Minor
• Changing the name from English: Professional and Technical Writing Emphasis to English: Technical Communication and Rhetoric Emphasis

Semester Course Approval Reviews

Other

• EPC/Curriculum Handbook
• General Education Assessment

Educational Policies Committee Minutes, March 7, 2019, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Curriculum Subcommittee report
• Academic Standards Subcommittee report
• General Education Subcommittee report
• Request from the Department of Geology in the College of Science to change the department name from Geology to Earth Sciences
• EPC/Curriculum Handbook

The Utah Statesman, March 5, 2019, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Silkworms With Spider Silklike Fibers Using Synthetic Silkworm Chow Containing Calcium Lignosulfonate, Carbon Nanotubes, And Graphene, Xiaoli Zhang, Ana Laura Licon, Thomas I. Harris, Paula F. Oliveira, Bailey J. Mcfarland, Blake E. Taurone, Brittney J. Walsh, Brianne E. Bell, Caleb T. Walker, Randolph V. Lewis, Justin A. Jones

Biology Faculty Publications

Silkworm silk has become increasingly relevant for material applications. However, the industry as a whole is retracting because of problems with mass production. One of the key problems is the inconsistent properties of the silk. A means by which to improve the silk material properties is through enhanced sericulture techniques. One possible technique is altering the feed of the silkworms to include single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) or graphene (GR). Recently published results have demonstrated substantial improvement in fiber mechanical properties. However, the effect of the surfactant used to incorporate those materials into the feed on the fiber mechanical properties in …

Faculty Senate Agenda, March 4, 2019, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• EPC Monthly Report - February 7, 2019
• Spring Break 2020 Calendar Update
• Parking Committee Annual Report
• Koch Task Force Resolution
• 405.11.2 Term Appointment Promotions (second reading)
• 405.12.2 Review of Faculty (first reading)

Faculty Senate Minutes, March 4, 2019, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Spring Break 2020 Calendar
• Parking Committee Annual Report
• Koch Task Force Resolution
• Academic Freedom and Tenure
• Council on Teacher Education
• Greenhouse Gas Resolution