Digital Commons Network^™

Bd Medical Tour | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

On October 6, 2016, 19 students, mostly from the Biological Engineering Department, traveled to Sandy, UT to tour BD Medical. Students were able to experience a medical manufacturing company first hand. They were able to see the various steps that go into the research, development, production, and quality control when producing and streamlining a product. The tour featured questions and answers about what BD Medical does, career and internship opportunities, and a walk-through of the manufacturing facility.

Identification Of Snps Located On Bta 6 And Bta 20 Significantly Associated With Bovine Respiratory Disease In Crossbred Cattle, S. L. Miller, S. Mizell, R. Walker, T. Page, Matthew D. Garcia

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The objective of the present study was to evaluate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in two quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions (BTA 6 and BTA 20) that are associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). A population of 323 crossbred steers sired by five purebred sire breeds during 2010-2013 (Angus, Braford, Braunvieh, Charolais, and Simmental) were evaluated for BRD susceptibility during the finishing process at a commercial feedlot. A total of 21 animals representing all sire breeds were affected with BRD at some time during the finishing process over the 4-year period. Although multiple sire breeds were evaluated in the present …

Faculty Senate Agenda, October 3, 2016, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• EPC Items –September 2016
• Honors Program
• Libraries Advisory Council
• Parking Committee
• Student Code of Conduct

The Mediating Role Of Sibling Maintenance Behavior Expectations And Perceptions In The Relationship Between Family Communication Patterns And Relationship Satisfaction, Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, Jenna Mcnallie

Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications

Sibling relationships are influenced both by the behaviors performed within the relationship (e.g., relational work) and by the family system as a whole. This study extends family communication patterns theory (FCP) by examining whether communicative relationship maintenance plays a role in the relationship between FCP and sibling relationship satisfaction. Data from 327 adult siblings from across the United States tested using Hayes (2013) PROCESS revealed that conversation and conformity orientation had positive indirect effects on sibling relationship satisfaction through both (a) relational maintenance expectations and (b) perceptions of sibling actual maintenance behavior in nearly all models (i.e., including positivity, openness, …

Utah State Magazine, Fall 2016, Utah State University

Utah State Magazine

The quarterly magazine for friends and alumni of Utah State University.

Forecasting Climate Change Impacts On Plant Populations Over Large Spatial Extents, Andrew T. Tredennick, Melvin Hooten, Cameron L. Aldridge, Collin G. Homer, Andrew R. Kleinhesselink, Peter B. Adler

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Plant population models are powerful tools for predicting climate change impacts in one location, but are difficult to apply at landscape scales. We overcome this limitation by taking advantage of two recent advances: remotely sensed, species-specific estimates of plant cover and statistical models developed for spatiotemporal dynamics of animal populations. Using computationally efficient model reparameterizations, we fit a spatiotemporal population model to a 28-year time series of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) percent cover over a 2.5 × 5 km landscape in southwestern Wyoming while formally accounting for spatial autocorrelation. We include interannual variation in precipitation and temperature as covariates in the …

Shrub Consumption And Immediate Changes In Shrub Community And Spatial Patterns By Reintroduced Fire In Yosemite National Park, California, Usa; Supplemental Information, J. A. Lutz, T. J. Furniss, S. J. Germain, K. M. L. Becker, E. M. Blomdahl, S. A. Jeronimo, C. A. Cansler, J. A. Freund, M. E. Swanson, A. J. Larson

Browse all Datasets

Fire behavior in the Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot during the Rim Fire as captured by the USFS Fire Behavior Assessment Team and reported in Ewell, C., D.F. Smith, M. Hilden, S. Greene, D. Coultrap, K. Robinson, N. Vaillant, A. Reiner, T. Norman. 2015. 2013 Rim Fire Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park Fire Behavior Assessment Team Summary Report. Each video was started based on a thermocouple trigger when the fire reached it.

Evaluating Impacts Using A Baci Design, Ratios, And A Bayesian Approach With A Focus On Restoration, Mary M. Conner, W. Carl Saunders, Nicolaas Bouwes, Chris Jordan

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Before-after-control-impact (BACI) designs are an effective method to evaluate natural and human-induced perturbations on ecological variables when treatment sites cannot be randomly chosen. While effect sizes of interest can be tested with frequentist methods, using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling methods, probabilities of effect sizes, such as a ≥20 % increase in density after restoration, can be directly estimated. Although BACI and Bayesian methods are used widely for assessing natural and human-induced impacts for field experiments, the application of hierarchal Bayesian modeling with MCMC sampling to BACI designs is less common. Here, we combine these approaches and extend …

Cottontails And Jackrabbits, S. Nicole Frey

All Current Publications

This fact sheet explains the difference between rabbits and hares and describes their conflicts with humans, methods to prevent damage including excluding, repelling, or removing, and population control. It also describes Tularemia, a disease caused by infection of a bacteria Franisella tularenis.

Caterpillar Pests Of Brassica Vegetables, Cami Cannon, Bonnie Bunn, Diane Alston, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes three common caterpillar species that are pests to cabbage and mustard plants in Utah, including their life history, type if injury they cause, and management options.

Cynthia Hanson's Proposal Defense | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

The Biological EngineeringDepartment is pleased to announce that Cindy Hanson will be presenting her proposal defense onMonday, October 3, 2016 at 1:30 pm in ENGR 326

Proposal title: The use of microfluidics and dielectrophoresis for separation, concentration, and identification of bacteria

Angela Akude's Thesis Defense | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

The Biological Engineering Department is pleased to annouce that Angela Akude will be presenting her thesis defense on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 9 am in the BENG Conference Room (ENGR 402C).

Water Management Decision Making In The Face Of Multiple Forms Of Uncertainty And Risk, Morey Burnham, Zhao Ma, Joanna Endter-Wada, Tim Bardsley

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

In the Wasatch Range Metropolitan Area of Northern Utah, water management decision makers confront multiple forms of uncertainty and risk. Adapting to these uncertainties and risks is critical for maintaining the long‐term sustainability of the region's water supply. This study draws on interview data to assess the major challenges climatic and social changes pose to Utah's water future, as well as potential solutions. The study identifies the water management adaptation decision‐making space shaped by the interacting institutional, social, economic, political, and biophysical processes that enable and constrain sustainable water management. The study finds water managers and other water actors see …

A Novel Qtl Associated With Dwarf Bunt Resistance In Idaho 444 Winter Wheat, Jianli Chen, Mary J. Guttieri, Junli Zhang, David Hole, Edward Souza, Blair Goates

Green Canyon Environmental Research Area, Logan Utah

Dwarf bunt [Tilletia controversa J.G. Kühn [as ‘contraversa’], in Rabenhorst, Hedwigia 13: 188 (1874)] is a destructive disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that reduces grain yield and quality. A number of distinct genes conferring resistance to dwarf bunt have been used by breeding programs for nearly 100 years. However, few markers were identified that can be used in selection of dwarf bunt resistance. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the bunt-resistant germplasm, Idaho 444 (IDO444), and the susceptible cultivar, Rio Blanco, was evaluated for phenotypic reaction to dwarf bunt inoculation in four trials in …

A Novel Benzodiazepine Compound Inhibits Yellow Fever Virus Infection By Specifically Targeting Ns4b Protein, Fang Guo, Shuo Wu, Justin Julander, Julia Ma, Xuexiang Zhang, John Kulp, Andrea Cuconati, Timothy M. Block, Yanming Du, Ju-Tao Guo, Jinhong Chang

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Although a highly effective vaccine is available, the number of yellow fever cases has increased over the past 2 decades, which highlights the pressing need for antiviral therapeutics. In a high-throughput screening campaign, we identified an acetic acid benzodiazepine (BDAA) compound which potently inhibits yellow fever virus (YFV). Interestingly, while treatment of YFV-infected cultures with 2 MBDAA reduced the virion production by greater than 2 logs, the compound was not active against 21 other viruses from 14 different viral families. Selection and genetic analysis of drug-resistant viruses revealed that replacement of the proline at amino acid 219 (P219) of the …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda, September 19, 2016, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• EPC Items - September 2016
• Honors Program
• Libraries Advisory Council
• Parking Committee
• Student Code of Conduct

The Utah Statesman, September 19, 2016, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Interactions Between Temozolomide And Guanine And Its S And Se‐Substituted Analogues, Okuma Emile Kasende, Aristote Matondo, Jules Tshishimbi Muya, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Temozolomide was paired with guanine, 6-selenoguanine, and 6-thioguanine, as well as the SH tautomer of the latter. The potential energy surface of each heterodimer was searched for all minima, using Dispersion-Corrected Density Functional Theory and MP2 methods. Among the dozens of minima, three categories were observed. Stacked geometries place the aromatic systems of the two molecules parallel to one another, while the two systems are roughly perpendicular to one another in a second category. Also found are coplanar structures held together by H-bonds. Dispersion proves to be a dominating attractive force for the stacked structures, less so for perpendicular, and …

Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit 2016 Proceedings, Utah State University

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the first Large Animal Genetic Engineering (LAGE) Summit. Our objectives for the summit are twofold: 1) to provide an update on new approaches to the genetic modification of large animal species for development of better animal models for biomedical research, biomanufacturing, and improved agricultural production; and 2) to provide a forum for discussions on funding mechanisms and regulations effecting development of genetically engineered large animals. Our first summit is being held in Bethesda, Maryland, to facilitate participation by representatives from various federal agencies who either fund or regulate the production of …

Educational Policies Committee Program Proposal, College Of Humanities And Social Sciences, September 16, 2016, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Utah State University requests approval to offer the following Baccalaureate degree(s): English Teaching Composite effective Fall 2016.

The Utah Statesman, September 15, 2016, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Convergence In Nitrogen Deposition And Cryptic Isotopic Variation Across Urban And Agricultural Valleys In Northern Utah, Steven J. Hall, E. M. Ogata, Samantha R. Weintraub, Michelle A. Baker, James R. Ehleringer, C I. Czimczik, David R. Bowling

Biology Faculty Publications

The extent to which atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition reflects land use differences and biogenic versus fossil fuel reactive N sources remains unclear yet represents a critical uncertainty in ecosystem N budgets. We compared N concentrations and isotopes in precipitation-event bulk (wet + dry) deposition across nearby valleys in northern Utah with contrasting land use (highly urban versus intensive agriculture/low-density urban). We predicted greater nitrate (NO3−) versus ammonium (NH4+) and higher δ15N of NO3− and NH4+ in urban valley sites. Contrary to expectations, annual N deposition (3.5–5.1 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and inorganic N concentrations were similar within and between valleys. …

Secondary Structure Adopted By The Gly-Gly-X Repetitive Regions Of Dragline Spider Silk, Geoffrey M. Gray, Arjan Van Der Vaart, Chengchen Guo, Justin A. Jones, David Onofrei, Brian R. Cherry, Randolph V. Lewis, Jeffery L. Yarger, Gregory P. Holland

Biology Faculty Publications

Solid-state NMR and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are presented to help elucidate the molecular secondary structure of poly(Gly-Gly-X), which is one of the most common structural repetitive motifs found in orb-weaving dragline spider silk proteins. The combination of NMR and computational experiments provides insight into the molecular secondary structure of poly(Gly-Gly-X) segments and provides further support that these regions are disordered and primarily non-β-sheet. Furthermore, the combination of NMR and MD simulations illustrate the possibility for several secondary structural elements in the poly(Gly-Gly-X) regions of dragline silks, including β-turns, 310-helicies, and coil structures with a negligible population of α-helix observed.

The Utah Statesman, September 12, 2016, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Faculty Senate Agenda, September 12, 2016, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Faculty Forum–November 14, 2016
• Presidential Search
• 369.2.3 Special Leave
• 402.12.1 –402.12.8 Senate Standing Committees
• Honors Call for Courses
• Research and Graduate Studies
• 406.1 –406.6 Financial Integrity (to be sent to PRPC)

Fire-Induced Negative Nutritional Outcomes For Cattle When Sharing Habitat With Native Ungulates In An African Savanna, Wilfred O. Odadi, Duncan M. Kimuyu, Ryan L. Sensenig, Kari E. Veblen, Corinna Riginos, Truman P. Young

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

1. Prescribed burning is used in tropical savannas to improve habitat conditions for domestic and wild herbivores, but its effects on the ecological interactions between these herbivore guilds have never been assessed experimentally. Understanding such effects will contribute towards more informed management of both guilds in landscapes where they share habitats.

Explaining Success And Failure In The Commons: The Configural Nature Of Ostrom’S Institutional Design Principles, Jacopo A. Baggio, Allain J. Barnett, Irene Perez-Ibarra, Ute Brady, Elicia Ratajczyk, Nathan Rollins, Cathy Rubiños, Hoon C. Shin, David J. Yu, Rimjhim Aggarwal, John M. Anderies, Marco A. Janssen

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Governing common pool resources (CPR) in the face of disturbances such as globalization and climate change is challenging. The outcome of any CPR governance regime is the influenced by local combinations of social, institutional, and biophysical factors, as well as cross-scale interdependencies. In this study, we take a step towards understanding multiple-causation of CPR outcomes by analyzing 1) the co-occurrence of Destign Principles (DP) by activity (irrigation, fishery and forestry), and 2) the combination(s) of DPs leading to social and ecological success. We analyzed 69 cases pertaining to three different activities: irrigation, fishery, and forestry. We find that the importance …

Challenges And Opportunities In Coding The Commons: Problems, Procedures, And Potential Solutions In Large-N Comparative Case Studies, Elicia Ratajczyk, Ute Brady, Jacopo A. Baggio, Allain J. Barnett, Irene Perez-Ibarra, Nathan Rollins, Cathy Rubiños, Hoon C. Shin, David J. Yu, Rimjhim Aggarwal, John M. Anderies, Marco A. Janssen

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

On-going efforts to understand the dynamics of coupled social-ecological (or more broadly, coupled infrastructure) systems and common pool resources have led to the generation of numerous datasets based on a large number of case studies. This data has facilitated the identification of important factors and fundamental principles which increase our understanding of such complex systems. However, the data at our disposal are often not easily comparable, have limited scope and scale, and are based on disparate underlying frameworks inhibiting synthesis, meta-analysis, and the validation of findings. Research efforts are further hampered when case inclusion criteria, variable definitions, coding schema, and …

How Do Children Become Workers? Making Sense Of Conflicting Accounts Of Cultural Transmission In Anthropology And Psychology, David F. Lancy, Christopher A.J. Little

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

This article uses children’s work as a lens to examine methodological concerns in the study of cultural transmission and children’s learning of useful domestic and subsistence skills. We begin by providing a review of the relevant literature concerning cultural transmission in the context of the ethnographic record, as well as more recent studies originating largely from psychology. We then offer an ethnographic case study concerning Asabano (PNG [Papua New Guinea]) childhood to make an important methodological contribution in the interdisciplinary study of cultural transmission. The case study centers on the paradox that Asabano parents, in interviews, claim that their children …

Are Cattle Surrogate Wildlife? Savanna Plant Community Composition Explained By Total Herbivory More Than Herbivore Type, Kari E. Veblen, Lauren M. Porensky, Corinna Riginos, Truman P. Young

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The widespread replacement of wild ungulate herbivores by domestic livestock in African savannas is composed of two interrelated phenomena: (1) loss or reduction in numbers of individual wildlife species or guilds and (2) addition of livestock to the system. Each can have important implications for plant community dynamics. Yet very few studies have experimentally addressed the individual, combined, and potentially interactive effects of wild vs. domestic herbivore species on herbaceous plant communities within a single system. Additionally, there is little information about whether, and in which contexts, livestock might functionally replace native herbivore wildlife or, alternatively, have fundamentally different effects …