Digital Commons Network^™

Use Of Rumen Modifiers To Manipulate Ruminal Fermentation And Improve Nutrient Utilization And Lactational Performance Of Dairy Cows, Christopher M. Dschaak

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A series of lactation studies reported in this dissertation hypothesized that supplementing different rumen modifiers would have consistent responses on ruminal fermentation and lactational performance under optimal rumen conditions.

The first experiment investigated the influence of magnesium exchanged zeolite on ruminal fermentation and lactational performance. Intake of dry matter (DM), milk yield, milk fat, and feed efficiency were not affected. Milk protein concentration tended (P = 0.15) to be higher for cows fed the zeolite. Ruminal pH tended to increase (P = 0.11) by feeding the sodium bicarbonate or the zeolite.

A second lactation experiment determined …

A Multicase Study Of The Impact Of Perceived Gender Roles On The Career Decisions Of Women In Science-Related Careers, Stephen Frank Hren

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was done to determine how the perception of gender roles developed throughout childhood and early adulthood affected the career decisions of women who showed early promise in science. In addition, this study was done to determine if my experiences as a researcher would have any impact on me personally. Four women were chosen as case study participants, providing for comparison within and across cases.

Gender roles were found to relate to the career decisions made by the four cases in three ways: (a) support from family members, teachers, mentors, and collaborators; (b) opportunities within the family, school and …

Determining Compost Carryover For Optimal Use In An Organic Corn Squash Rotation, Davey J.R. Olsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In 2008–2011 a graduate project was undertaken by Davey Olsen under the supervision of Utah State University (USU) Plant, Soils and Climate professors, Drs. Jennifer Reeve, Dan Drost, and Astrid Jacobson. The project investigated a new way of measuring the benefits of applying compost to organically certified horticultural crops. In particular, the carryover of these benefits in the three years following a one-time application was studied. A field trial at the USU Organic Farm modeled the carryover of nitrogen and phosphorus in a corn and squash rotation, while laboratory analysis investigated aspects of nitrogen availability and compost decomposition over time. …

Isolation And Purification Of Anthocyanins From Black Bean Wastewater Using Macroporous Resins, Xiaoxi Wang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Isolation and purification of anthocyanins from black bean canning wastewater by column chromatography with macroporous resins were investigated in this study. Different adsorption materials and adsorption conditions were compared and the most effective material and adsorption conditions were selected to purify anthocyanins. Purified anthocyanins then were identified by high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The most effective macroporous resin was selected by comparing the adsorption performance of five different types of macroporous resins (Diaion Hp20, Sepabeads Sp70, Sepabeads Sp207, Sepabeads Sp700, and Sepabeads Sp710). Equilibrium adsorption isotherms of five resins with wastewater were measured and analyzed using Langmuir …

The Relationship Of Outdoor Recreation And Gardening With Depression Among Individuals With Disabilities, Justin Floyd Wilson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Activities involving natural environments have positive psychological impacts on participants. Both outdoor recreation and gardening have been shown to reduce feelings of depression. However, the effects of these activities on the depression levels of individuals with disabilities have not yet been studied. In order to better understand the relationship between these activities and depression among individuals with disabilities, two separate studies were conducted.

The first study seeks to better understand the relationship between outdoor recreation participation and depression among Montana residents with disabilities using publicly available Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. It hypothesizes that depression would be negatively …

Chemical Characterization Of Meat Related To Animal Diet, Rossarin Tansawat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

There is currently much interest in increasing health benefits from consuming nutritious food, including beef. Plant secondary compounds (PSC) such as tannins or saponins in various forages have an influence on animal nutrition and health, depending on the type of PSC and the amount consumed. However, relatively little is known about effects of PSC on meat color, flavor, and nutritional value. Thus, additional information is needed to better understand and to develop new animal feeding regimes for optimum animal growth, meat flavor, and meat nutritional quality.

In the first study, grain- vs. pasture-fed beef rib steaks were evaluated. The objective …

Assessments Of An Exogenous Proteolytic Enzyme In Beef Steer Diets To Improve Growth Performance And Ruminal Fermentation, Juan Manuel Vera

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of adding an exogenous proteolytic enzyme (EPE) on growth performance and ruminal fermentation characteristics of beef steers fed growing and finishing diets containing 30% dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS).

In the first experiment, 48 beef steers were divided into two treatments: DDGS diets with and without EPE. Dry matter intake (DMI) was increased (P = 0.02) by the addition of EPE, but neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility was decreased on the growing phase. For the finishing phase, average daily gain ( …

The Effects Of 24r, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 And 24s, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 On Phosphate Transport In Vivo, Yu Meng

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research studied the effects of the two isomers of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ on phosphate absorption in vivo to increase our understanding of the effects of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ on phosphate transport in vivo, and its two isomers. The current work demonstrates that 24R,25(OH)₂D₃ is capable of decreasing phosphate absorption after a 1h injection in vivo and 24S,25(OH)₂D₃ can increase phosphate absorption after a 5h injection, but this stimulation disappears at time points after 5h.

Since 24,25(OH)₂D₃ is made in vitamin D-replete animals, the observation that 24R,25(OH)₂D …

Rotating Algal Biofilm Reactors: Mathematical Modeling And Lipid Production, Paul A. Woolsey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Harvesting of algal biomass presents a large barrier to the success of biofuels made from algae feedstock. Small cell sizes coupled with dilute concentrations of biomass in lagoon systems make separation an expensive and energy intense-process. The rotating algal biofilm reactor (RABR) has been developed at USU to provide a sustainable technology solution to this issue. Algae cells grown as a biofilm are concentrated in one location for ease of harvesting of high density biomass. A mathematical model of this biofilm system was developed based on data generated from three pilot scale reactors at the City of Logan, Utah wastewater …

Does Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (Nsaid) Use Affect Dementia Progression And Survival Rates In Alzheimer's Disease? The Cache County Study, Trevor R. Buckley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has multiple factors that contribute to the disease process. Among these is a state of chronic inflammation that is endured by the brain during the aging process. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decreases the amount of neuroinflammation sustained by the brain, and greater levels of NSAID use have been demonstrated to be associated with decreased probability of developing AD. This study looked at whether greater rates of NSAID use were also associated with decreased rates of cognitive and funtional decline and survival in a population-based sample of persons with AD. Linear mixed models failed to …

Acute Effects Of Advocare Spark® Energy Drink On Repeated Sprint Performance And Anaerobic Power In Ncaa Division I Football Players, Nnamdi I. Gwacham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade, have been designed to refuel athletes during and after their performance. Specifically they are designed to have optimal levels of carbohydrates to replenish electrolytes and prevent dehydration. In contrast, energy drinks are reported to increase mental alertness and physical performance during exercise. These drinks are designed to have substantial levels of caffeine as the main ingredient. For some years, energy drinks have become widespread both in recreational and trained athletes, because of their presumed influence on physical performance. A variety of energy drinks are currently on the market today and are purported to …

Effects Of Tannin-Containing Feed On Haemonchous Contortus In Sheep And Its Behavioral Implications, Jessica A. Juhnke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Herbivores prefer foods that supply required nutrients and avoid those with excess nutrients and plant secondary compounds (PSC). Nevertheless, PSC such as condensed tannins can provide beneficial medicinal effects to herbivores. The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) if parasitized lambs increased preference for a tannin-rich food after they experienced the beneficial antiparasitic effects of tannins relative to parasitized lambs that did not experience such benefits, 2) if preference for the tannin-containing food in the former group decreased when parasite burdens subsided, and 3) if the tannin-enriched food decreased parasitic burdens.

Twenty-two lambs were familiarized with beet pulp …

Molecular Interactions Of Salmonella With The Host Epithelium In Presence Of Commensals, Prerak T. Desai

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Food-borne infections are a major source of mortality and morbidity. Salmonella causes the highest number of Food-borne bacterial infections in the US. This work contributes towards developing strategies to control Salmonella by (a) defining receptors used by Salmonella to adhere to and invade the host epithelium; (b) developing a host receptor based rapid detection method for the pathogen in food matrix; (C) and defining mechanisms of how probiotics can help alleviate Salmonella-induced cell death in the host epithelium.

We developed a cell-cell crosslinking method to discover host-microbe receptors, and discovered three new receptor-ligand interactions. Interaction of Salmonella Ef-Tu with …

A Comparison Of Caregiver Report And Performance-Based Measures Of Functional Ability In Dementia: An Examination Of Moderating Variables, Christine M. Snyder

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the association between data collection techniques used to measure functional abilities in individuals with dementia. Cognitive, functional, and behavioral data were collected through the Cache County Dementia Progression Study for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The caregivers’ reports of care recipients’ functional status were compared with the care recipients’ scores on a performance-based measure of functional abilities. Analyses showed moderate correlation between caregivers’ reports and objective measures, with no significant effect of caregiver demographic or mental health factors. However, care recipients’ sensory motor impairments reduced the association between the two assessment methods.

Visits occurred at the …

The Potential For Growth In Foreign Direct Investment In The Horticultural Sector Of Armenia, Mikayel Khachatryan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examines why foreign investors choose to invest in companies in Armenia and is specifically attempting to understand how to attract more investment into the fruit and vegetable companies of Armenia. Investment by foreigners in domestic companies is referred to as foreign direct investment of FDI. The research was completed by gathering information from foreign firms that are already investing in companies in Armenia. This was done by conducting a face-to-face questionnaire with business managers of these companies in Yerevan, Armenia during August and December of 2010. The information gathered from these interviews was used in a statistical analysis …

Orchard Floor Management, Marc A. Rowley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Managing fruit orchards involves both the management of the orchard trees, and the orchard floor. Orchard floor management is vital to tree health, yield and fruit quality. Current standard management practices include maintaining a vegetation free tree row and a grass-covered alleyway. This system effectively controls weeds and creates a favorable environment for the fruit trees. However, limitations to standard orchard floor practices are that the grass alleyway provides no nutrient benefit, and current practices do not readily lend themselves to organic management. Alternative in-row and alleyway systems are requisite to creating improved orchard floor management systems.

Three different approaches …

Effect Of Voluntary Exercise And Diet On The Unfolded Protein Response In The Brain Of Mice, Yu Ho Kim

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The medical costs for many chronic diseases are increasing dramatically and placing a major financial burden on nations and individuals in both developed and developing countries. A number of chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and some neurodegenerative diseases are all attenuated by a history of physical activity suggesting that they may be interconnected in some way. It has been suggested that cellular stress is a major factor promoting these chronic diseases.

Cellular stress occurs in a specific compartment within the cell, the endoplasmic reticulum, whose normal function is in the synthesis and folding of proteins into the …

The Interrelationship Between The Bio- And Sequence Stratigraphy Of The Middle Cambrian Spence Shale Of Northern Utah And Southern Idaho, Eva Lyon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This project was undertaken with the objective of discerning the relationship between sea level change and changes in the fauna of the Spence Shale. A combination of field and lab work was employed to undertake this research. The Spence Shale is rich in fossils from the earliest period of visible life on this planet. It provides a unique window onto the evolution of life and changes in the Earth at this time. It is important to study this relationship between sea level and life changes as these conditions are constantly changing, particularly in this day and age. A better understanding …

Effect Of Pseudoephedrine On 800-Meter Run Times Of Ncaa Division I Women Athletes, Caroline Berry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter drug commonly used as a decongestant, but also thought to have ergogenic effects. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has prohibited large doses (> 150 μg∙ml^-1) of pseudoephedrine, while the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) does not include it on the banned substance list. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of body weight dosing of pseudoephedrine on 800-m run times of NCAA female runners. Fifteen NCAA female track runners volunteered to participate in the randomized, double blind, crossover design. In trials that were a week apart, participants were given both 2.5 …

Effect Of Adjunct Cultures, Sodium Gluconate, And Ripening Temperature On Low-Fat Cheddar Cheese Flavor, Rebekah M. Lance

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Low-fat Cheddar cheese flavor is different from full-fat Cheddar cheese and is not acceptable to many consumers. This 2-part experiment was designed to examine effects adjunct cultures have on low-fat Cheddar cheese flavor as determined through descriptive analysis and consumer feedback.

In Part 1, low-fat (5%) Cheddar cheese was produced in duplicate, using 6 combinations of DVS850, LH32, CR540, CRL431, Emfour, and CR319 bacterial cultures. Due to a previously observed positive effect by sodium gluconate on low-fat cheese flavor, each replicate was split into treatments of 0.0% and 0.8% sodium gluconate. Each of these treatments was then split into ripening …

Evaluation Of Levulinic Acid For Topical Decontamination Of Meat Surfaces, Jeffrey V. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of wash treatments, consisting of hot water, 2% lactic, 2% acetic, or 2% levulinic acid, for decontamination of pathogenic bacteria previously inoculated onto meat surfaces, to inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria inoculated onto previously washed meat surfaces, and on the organoleptic quality of sliced turkey roll and beef trim. Acid washes were no more effective at reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on beef plate, Listeria monocytogenes on sliced turkey roll, and Salmonella on pork belly than was water wash. Only lactic acid treatment was more effective than water at reducing Salmonella on chicken skin, …

Ecologically-Based Manipulation Practices For Managing Bromus Tectorum-Infested Rangelands, Beth Fowers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is an invasive annual grass common in several semiarid plant communities in the western U.S. B. tectorum presence increases fire frequency and size, reducing species diversity, and leading to annual species-dominated systems with inconsistent livestock forage potential and degraded wildlife habitat value. Most efforts to manage B. tectorum-dominated rangelands have focused on controlling the plant itself rather than addressing the causes of vegetation change. An alternative approach, ecologically-based invasive plant management (EBIPM), identifies treatments that can alter factors associated with the causes of succession, leading to a more desirable vegetation state. This study utilized …

Characterization Of Volatile And Metabolite Compounds Produced By Lactococcus Lactis In Low-Fat And Full-Fat Cheddar Cheese Extract, Michael J. Young

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted to compare and contrast potential aroma compounds in the headspace and small molecule metabolites produced as a result of starter culture metabolism in a full-fat and low-fat cheddar cheese model system. Past studies have indicated differences in the headspace flavor compound profiles between full-fat and low-fat Cheddar cheeses with no indication as to what compounds were produced as a result of starter culture metabolism.

Starter cultures were incubated in a Cheddar cheese extract environment that was made up of the water-soluble portion of Cheddar cheese with environmental conditions mimicking full-fat and low-fat Cheddar cheese by altering …

A Sensory-Based Multi-Component School-Based Nutrition Intervention Among Fifth-Grade Students, Stacy Lyn Bevan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The nutritional status of children is declining as evidenced by the steady rise in childhood obesity rates over the last three decades. Consuming five servings of fruit and vegetables (FV) daily has shown to help with weight maintenance, but children are consuming far less than the recommended servings. This study was designed to test the efficacy of a sensory-focused multi-component school-based program at increasing vegetable intake among fifth-graders. Classroom, family, and community components allowed children to explore thirteen target vegetables with their senses including taste. Vegetable consumption was measured by digitalized observations of lunchtime vegetable selection and consumption. Vegetable acceptance …

Reducing Reliance On Supplemental Winter Feeding In Elk (Cervus Canadensis): An Applied Management Experiment At Deseret Land And Livestock Ranch, Utah, Dax L. Mangus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wildlife managers have fed elk in North America for nearly 100 years. Giving winter feed to elk can compensate for a shortage of natural winter range and may boost elk populations while also helping prevent commingling with livestock and depredation of winter feed intended for livestock. In contrast to these benefits of supplemental feeding, there are economic and environmental costs associated with feeding, and elk herds that winter on feeding grounds have a higher risk of contracting and transmitting disease. Brucellosis is of primary concern now, and Chronic Wasting Disease may be in the future. Many see the discontinuation of …

Investigating The Strategies To Improve The Quality Of Low-Fat Mozzarella And Cheddar Cheeses, Ranjeeta Wadhwani

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ranjeeta Wadhwani in supervision of Dr. D. J. McMahon, has worked on investigating the various strategies to improve three qualities of low-fat cheeses. These three qualities were meltability, color, or feasibilities to incorporate dietary fiber into the low-fat cheese with its simultaneous effect on texture. There has been an ongoing research on improving the quality of low-fat cheese. In our study, low-fat Mozzarella cheese curds of 4 different fat content (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0%) were comminuted and externally added with melted butter in the amount to get 6% fat in final cheese for low-fat claim. Addition of melted butter …

Effect Of Heavy Metals Found In Flue Gas On Growth And Lipid Accumulation For Green Algae Scenedesmus Obliquus, Reece Butler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent years there has been a growing interest within the United States to replace fossil fuels with biofuels for environmental and national security reasons. Algal feedstocks have the potential of producing significantly higher yields of oil for biofuels than any other source. It is well known that high concentrations of CO₂ can increase algal yields. Flue gas from coal fire power plants is an obvious source of CO₂. The flue gas, however, will contain other chemicals besides CO₂ that may not be beneficial to the algae. The research objectives for this study were to determine …

Algal Biofilm Production And Harvesting System For Wastewater Treatment With Biofuels By-Products, Logan Christenson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in discharged wastewaters can lead to downstream eutrophication, ecosystem damage, and impaired water quality that may affect human health. Chemical-based and physical-based technologies are available to remove these nutrients; however, they often consume significant amounts of energy and chemicals, greatly increasing treatment costs. Algae are capable of removing these pollutants through biomass assimilation, and if harvested, can be utilized as a feedstock for biomethane or biodiesel production. Currently, difficulties in harvesting, concentrating, and dewatering algae have limited the development of an economically feasible treatment and production process. When algae are grown as surface-attached biofilms, the biomass …

Global 4-H Network: Laying The Groundwork Survey, Jennifer Major

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A descriptive study examining 4-H programs in Africa, Asia, and Europe was conducted for the National 4-H Council. Program size, scope, structure, organization, and funding varied greatly by country and few of the programs were connected to a university, but many partnered with other 4-H organizations around the world. Program participants were found to be primarily male with few programs specifically for women. A list of content areas provided by the 4-H programs was also obtained and compared to top agricultural commodities in their country. Very few content areas offered by the country aligned with their major agricultural commodities even …

Causes, Extent, And Consequences Of Lead-Pellet Ingestion By Chukars (Alectoris Chukar) In Western Utah: Examining Habitat, Search Images, And Toxicology, R. Justin Bingham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Lead ingestion adversely affects humans and over 130 species of wildlife. Wild chukars (Alectoris chukar) are documented to ingest lead, but the causes and consequences of this ingestion are poorly understood. The objectives of this research were to 1) examine the influence of habitat use, the hunting season, and seasonal climate on the extent and severity of lead ingestion by chukars in western Utah, 2) assess the effects of habitat use, feeding behaviors, and lead density on the causes of lead-pellet ingestion in captive and wild chukars, and 3) investigate the consequences of lead-pellet ingestion in captive chukars as a …