Digital Commons Network^™

Hay: A Hedonic Study, Chester R. Broadbent

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Hedonic price theory posits that the price of a product is influenced by the values consumers assign to its individual attributes. Hay is a versatile commodity with variation across several attributes helping to cater to diverse needs of consumers. A detailed analysis using hedonic regression techniques within hay pricing can help producers, stakeholders, and educators more fully understand the marginal values consumers place on diverse hay attributes. Previous studies focused on limited scopes within the hay industry or other sectors, allowing room for broader investigation. This study examines qualitative attributes impacting hay pricing, revealing significant influences from factors like location, …

Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction During Acute Multi-Joint Eccentric Exercise On Muscle Recovery, Cody Fisher

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise has become an increasingly common modality due to evidence that it may yield positive muscle-related effects from low-intensity exercise. However, eccentric-only exercise in a multi-joint format has not yet been investigated in regard to the BFR influence on muscle recovery characteristics. The purpose of this study was to assess muscle recovery responses via isometric peak force (PF), soreness (i.e., VAS, PPT, PPD), and functional power (i.e., SLHD) following a 5-minute low-load multi-joint eccentric exercise bout with or without blood flow restriction. Thirty participants were randomly assigned into either an eccentric-only (CON) or an eccentric BFR …

Asymmetries In Ncaa Division I Tennis Players Compared To An Athletic Control Group, Elizabeth Cafferty

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Limb asymmetries are an expected adaptation to years of training for athletes participating in dominant-sided sports. Previous research on this topic lacks an athletic control group. PURPOSE: To determine the magnitude of upper limb asymmetries in dominant-sided athletes (tennis players) compared to nondominant-sided athletes (cross-country runners). METHODS: Male and female NCAA Division I athletes (10 tennis, 11 cross-country) participated. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and lean mass (LM) of the whole body, upper extremities, and forearms. Circumference measurements were taken at mid-biceps and the widest part of the forearms. …

Assessing Impact Of Food Structure On Oral Tribology And In-Vitro Digestion Of Dairy Products, Lamis Ali

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In this research, we focused on understanding the critical elements impacting consumer experience and the nutritional value of dairy products, specifically their texture, mouthfeel, and protein breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract. Our study aimed to accomplish two main goals. First, we performed analysis of the tribological attributes of various commercially dairy products. The second objective was to investigate the process of disintegration and protein release in selected dairy products.

The study included an assessment of eight dairy products of varied consistencies: solid like cheddar, cheese curd, and parmesan; semi-solid such as cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and yogurt; and liquid represented …

The Effects Of Ammonia On The Functionality Of Bovine Granulosa Cells, Micah Henrie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

It is common practice in the livestock animal production industries to feed high levels of protein to maximize the yield of each animal in production. However, diets high in protein can cause decreased reproductive success within these animals. The causes behind this decrease are not fully understood. Increased dietary protein leads to increased levels of both ammonia and urea in the blood of the animal. These increased metabolite levels may be a possible explanation for the decline in reproductive success. The goal of this study is to identify how various levels of ammonia affect the function of bovine granulosa cells …

Contrasting Nitrogen Sources Impact Nitrogen Use Efficiency And Soil Health Under Silage Corn Production In A Semi-Arid Environment, Phearen Kit Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Silage corn production challenges sustainable intensification and soil health in semi-arid environments because the entire aboveground biomass is harvested and removed from the field. An irrigated silage corn field study was conducted over a decade comparing nitrogen fertility sources using a complete randomized block design with four treatments: control with no nitrogen fertilizer (control), low ammonium sulfate at 112 kg N ha⁻¹ (AS100), high ammonium sulfate at 224 kg N ha⁻¹ (AS200), and steer manure compost at 224 kg total N ha⁻¹ (compost). Research focused on the impact of these contrasting nitrogen sources on silage corn production, …

Uv-A Light: A Novel Method For Food Dehydration, Mckade S. Roberts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dehydration is one of the most prevalent forms of food preservation, with approximately 85% of food is hot air drying due to the simplicity of the process. The high temperatures employed in this method may also induce a loss in nutritional quality, which involves destruction of micronutrients (vitamins), and loss of color.

The aim of this work is to develop a low energy, non-thermal method of food dehydration that results in a high-quality product through the application of Ultraviolet light, within the UV-A range. UV light can be separated into its 3 categories based on the wavelength of light from …

Collective Teacher Efficacy And Effective Title I Eligible Schools: A Mixed Methods Approach, Donald R. Mendenhall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Students living in poverty have historically scored lower than more affluent peers. However, research suggests that collective teacher efficacy (CTE) may be more strongly associated with student academic success than socioeconomic background. Therefore, this study identifies successful Title I eligible schools that also have high levels of collective teacher efficacy to identify methods for increasing CTE in schools. A mixed methods research study model is used to explain how two successful Title I schools were able to achieve academic success and high levels of CTE. The study finds some of the perceptions of school staff, and the actions and processes …

Spatial Ecology Of Mule Deer Migrations From Grand Teton National Park And The Teton Range, Justin K. Schwabedissen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem hosts several of the longest, fully intact ungulate migrations remaining in the continental United States. However, expanding development and an increasing human footprint continue to truncate migratory routes. While the endpoints are often a seasonal range on protected lands, these migration corridors frequently cross other jurisdictional boundaries, including large tracts of private or multiple-use lands, with varying levels of protection. Thus, it is critical resource managers understand the dynamics of migratory movements to define population-level corridors and prioritize appropriate conservation strategies. Mule deer in Wyoming have been documented traveling long distances between summer and winter ranges; …

The Influence Of Individual Strategies On Cougar Ecology: Insights From Predation, Space Use, And Reproduction, Kristin Nicole Engebretsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Carnivores are ecologically important to global ecosystems because they interact with their prey species and other carnivores in a variety of ways. Many carnivores have suffered habitat loss and persecution by humans, which has led some populations to become imperiled or locally extirpated. Despite these challenges, cougars (Puma concolor) continue to exist across North, Central, and South America. They exhibit behavioral adaptation across their wide range, thriving in terrain that ranges from temperate forests, to steppe scrub, to rainforest, to rugged deserts. Across these diverse ecosystems, cougars can successfully establish territories, hunt prey, and raise young to persist …

Morphological And Physio-Biochemical Responses And Gene Expression Analyses Of Landscape Plants Under Salinity Stress, Asmita Paudel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Soil salinity is a significant global issue that adversely impacts the growth and development of landscape plants. One of the effective strategies to prevent salinity damage to landscape plants is to cultivate species that are tolerant to the prevailing salinity levels. Salinity tolerance varies among plant species and cultivars. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the salinity tolerance of nine landscape plants [Albizia julibrissin (mimosa tree), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick), Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (alder-leaf mountain mahogany), Penstemon barbatus ‘Novapenblu’ (rock candy blue^® penstemon), Penstemon strictus ‘Rocky Mountain’ (rocky mountain beardtongue), Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’ (pomegranate), …

Top-Down Vs Bottom-Up Effects On Predator-Prey Interactions In Aquatic Communities, Catherine Mary Mcclure

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Ecology is studied at multiple scales to better understand how small changes at the individual level scale up to affect our ecosystems and global systems. These ecological scales include individuals (single organism), populations (group of organisms of the same species), communities (populations of different species interacting with each other), and ecosystems (species interacting with other species and their local environment). The research in this document is focused on the individual, population, and community scale. In particular, this research addresses questions regarding how changes in environmental conditions (i.e., predation and resources) affect species interactions which ultimately affects the composition of ecological …

Do Physical Activity, Diet And Sex Modify The Association Between Neurotrophin Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms And Insomnia?, Hector Leonardo Gonzalez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Sleep disturbance is common in older adults at prevalence rates ranging between 30 - 50% in the United States. Neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), play a role in sleep (Bachmann et al., 2012) as do lifestyle factors such as physical activity (Dolezal et al., 2017) and diet. This study examined the associations of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs related to BDNF or its receptors and lifestyle factors of physical activity and diet, as well as their interactions on the risk for sleep disturbance in older adult males and females. This thesis examined existing data from the Cache …

Nutrient Management Of Cannabis In Controlled Environments, Julie A. Hershkowitz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Cannabis has been cultivated for millennia as a multipurpose crop for food, fiber, and medicine. Secondary metabolites called cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and the psychoactive Δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9 THC), are responsible for the medicinal properties of cannabis. The intoxicating nature of THC resulted in legislation prohibiting the possession and production of cannabis within the United States during the 20^th century. As a result, research programs on cannabis production were halted at most institutions. In recent years, cannabis production has become widespread within the US as a result of increasing legalization. However, modern cannabis production nutrient management programs often include …

Determining The Sap Yield Of Three Maple Species And The Viability Of A Maple Syrup Industry In Northern Utah, Jesse Mathews

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Maple syrup is an agricultural product produced from the sap exuded by maple trees. All maples can produce sap, and in Utah, the maples include the two native species bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum) and boxelder (Acer negundo), and the introduced species Norway maple (Acer platanoides). Little is known about the sap production of these species, and this research aims to examine the volume of sap yield and sugar content of these maples, evaluate the performance of bucket and tubing collection systems, and explore the potential economics of a maple industry in the state. Research …

Survival And Cause-Specific Mortality Of Mule Deer In The Eastern Sierra Nevada, California, Usa, Glenden Taylor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Survival of adult females is a key driver of population dynamics for ungulate species such as mule deer. Accurate survival estimates are therefore critical knowledge for managers trying to maintain ungulate populations. Additionally, understanding causes of mortality and their effects on populations is vitally important to enacting meaningful and appropriate management decisions. For this project, we estimated annual survival rates of six mule deer herds in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA, and calculated rates of mortality for different causes to better understand factors affecting survival of mule deer in this region.

We estimated baseline annual survival using Cox proportional …

Processes For Improved Variable Rate Irrigation And Nitrogen Within Potato-Wheat-Wheat Cropping Systems, Elisa A. Flint

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Proper irrigation and nutrient management are vital for optimal crop production within agricultural fields. Improving irrigation and nutrient application through precision agriculture is necessary to conserve the limited resources available, while improving yield and quality of crops produced through such a system. Variable rate irrigation (VRI) and variable rate nitrogen are systems used to apply water and nitrogen more precisely to agricultural fields to reduce runoff, deep percolation, leaching, and other negative impacts of over application, while providing the optimal rates to produce maximum yields. However, the processes to utilize these systems have proven to be more difficult than expected, …

Chemical-Mediated Mate Attraction In Clover Root Curculio (Sitona Hispidulus F.), A Belowground Pest Of Forage Crops, Kristin Leutgeb

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Curculionid beetles are well known for their production of semiochemicals, including contact (e.g. cuticular hydrocarbons) and volatile pheromones that mediate conspecific attraction and mating. Clover root curculio (CRC; Sitona hispidulus) in particular is an emergent, soil-borne pest of significant concern to producers of alfalfa and other leguminous crops in the United States. Producers have few control options for CRC and a greater understanding of chemical-mediated attraction in this species can potentially improve the sustainability of its management. To examine which chemical cues are important for affecting the behavior of CRC and whether there are sex-based differences in response, I …

Simulating Ice Particle Properties Under Varying Electric Fields, Joseph Thomas Cooney

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In this study, the interactions between atmospheric water molecules and an electrically charged dust particle were simulated in python to determine the role of electric charge and electric fields in atmospheric ice formation. Multiple levels of electric charge were tested, corresponding to different strengths of atmospheric electric fields. The TIP4P-2005 model for water was used to simulate these molecules under the influence of a central electric potential to represent the charged dust particle. These included a control group with no electric field (0 C), a group under a fair-weather strength of electric field (1.6*10-14 C), a foul-weather electric field (1.6*10-12 …

How Variation In Activity Time And Duration At Water Sources Affects Feral Horse Vulnerability To Cougar Predation In Southern Nevada, Katelyn Davies

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Feral horses have become prominent in the Intermountain West. Approximately 43,000 horses are found in Nevada alone. With increasing numbers, they have become a large portion of ungulate biomass. Thus, it is important to understand their behavior, as they become integrated into western wildlife communities. However, little research has been conducted on the ecology of feral horses, and their relationships with native ungulates, carnivores, and local resources such as water.

To address these concerns, I outlined three objectives: (1) determine if horses changed their water visitation activity times in relation to temperature. As a primarily diurnal species, we were interested …

The Utah Statesman, April 29, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Faculty Senate Minutes April 29, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Information
• Reports
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

The Utah Statesman, April 22, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Faculty Senate Agenda April 29, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

No abstract provided.

Cocoa Polyphenols Modulate The Fecal Microbiome In A Mouse Model Of Colitis, Independent Of Basal Diet And Colon Inflammation, Abby D. Benninghoff

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Chronic inflammation increases the risk of developing multiple chronic diseases, including cancer. The risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) specifically is increased in individuals who suffer from colitis, a characteristic of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Diet is another risk factor for developing CRC, particularly an inflammation-promoting Western-type diet. Thus, supplementing a Western diet with functional foods containing anti-inflammatory polyphenols is a potential approach to decreasing CRC risk by reducing gut inflammation and altering gut microbiome profile. This study aimed to determine the effects of cocoa polyphenol (CP) supplementation on inflammation status and microbiome profile before, during, and after colitis when …

Patterns Of Fruit And Vegetable Incentive Use By Consumers With Low-Incomes, Sarah Moore Smith

Student Research Symposium

Situation:

• 9.5% or 316,980 Utahns are food insecure. That’s 1 in every 11 people who are experiencing hunger.¹
• Hunger is often accompanied by poor diet quality as a result of inadequate access or resources to purchase nutrient dense foods² (i.e. fruits and vegetables, F&V).

Public Health Response:

• Utah Double-Up Food Bucks (Double-Up) addresses this situation by providing a monetary incentive to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers to purchase fresh F&V. Double Up matches the amount of SNAP EBT withdrawn (up to $30) to be spent on F&V.
• Double Up has resulted in:
• New farmers market customers
• Increased …

Impact Of Snac On Physical And Mental Health, Halle Larson, Kaylee West

Student Research Symposium

Food insecurity is a common occurrence among college students and may have profound impacts on a student’s physical and mental well-being. It is vital that college campuses create not only access to food, but a culture of food security among students and student service organizations. Many institutions are striving to provide food assistance to their students and create this culture through a variety of methods. Ninety seven percent of institutions involved in programs to fight food insecurity implement a food pantry to combat this issue, but only 54% track the impact of their food pantries. Through this study, the impact …

Social And Economic Impacts Of Snac, Sara Marshall, Carson Johnson

Student Research Symposium

Food security is a common concern among college students.¹ Compared to 10% of U.S. households experiencing food insecurity², many college campuses report food insecurity prevalence about four times the national average.³ Approximately 39% of Utah's higher education student's face food insecurity.⁴ The stability of food for an individual can greatly impact different aspects of life including social and economic factors, such as social relationships.⁵

Impact Of Snac On Academic Success, Maeci Armstrong, Alivia Fonnesbeck

Student Research Symposium

This study aimed to address the impact of the intervention of SNAC. Based on the results, the USU SNAC pantry has made a substantial positive impact on students’ academic performance.

The main themes of participants’ comments indicate that SNAC helped them have more energy, increased focus, and increased time spent at school. These results are consistent with other studies that discuss the impact food pantries have on students’ academic success [1].

Participants expressed gratitude for the alleviation of food insecurity stressors, allowing them to better concentrate on their studies. These findings resonate with prior research highlighting the crucial role food …

An Indigenous Kitchen: Using Design To Preserve Indigenous North American Food Cultures And Edible Plants, Alida Cummings

Student Research Symposium

Examine the causes and the detriment of reduced rood access, loss of knowledge, nutritional deficit, and reliance on imported foods on Indigenous American populations, with emphasis on the Pueblo, Diné, Apache, Hopi, and Zuni peoples of the American Southwest. Examine attempts to restore cultural food knowledge and Indigenous plant cultivation. Examine traditional foodways of the American Southwest. Propose and demonstrate possible solutions brought about by use of architecture and interior design.