Digital Commons Network^™

Physiological And Genetic Studies Of Hydrotropism In The Maize Primary Root, Muyu Gu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Dietary Consequences On Body Mass And Thermal Heat Flux Of North American Bison (Bison Bison) Yearling Heifers, Kendall Marie Wald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Effects Of Copper Sources In Nursery Pig Diets And Phytase Inclusion And Diet Interactions On Water Usage In Growing And Finishing Pigs, Daniel Rosales

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In modern swine production, nutritional strategies that optimize growth performance, resource utilization, and carcass quality are essential. Three independent trials were conducted to evaluate how dietary modifications involving copper (Cu) sources, phytase inclusion, and amino acid reformulation affect nursery and grow-finish pigs. The first trial assessed the effects of three different Cu sources on nursery pig growth performance. A total of 1,145 pigs (5.9 ± 1.3 kg BW) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: control, tri-basic Cu chloride source #1 (TBCC1), Cu chelate (cCu), or tri-basic Cu chloride source #2 (TBCC2), each providing 150 ppm of Cu. Over …

Optimizing Heifer Development On Dormant Rangelands By Integrating Precision Livestock Technologies With The Range Supplementation Model And The Evaluation Of Short-Term Rotations Of Precision Technology On Plant Communities, Hadley Ann Dotts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heifer development on dormant rangelands offers a cost-effective alternative to feedlot or drylot systems. However, traditional bunk supplementation methods often result in uneven intake, inefficient feed use, and ecological degradation around static feeding sites. This thesis evaluated the integration of precision livestock technologies and a dynamic Range Supplementation Model to improve individual animal performance, weight uniformity, and rangeland sustainability in extensive heifer development systems in the Northern Great Plains. The first study involved a seven-month trial (November 2023–May 2024) with 50 yearling Angus heifers grazing dormant native rangelands at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station. Heifers were stratified into two treatments: …

Biotransformation Of Camelina Meal Via Pretreatment And Fermentation For Functional And Nutritional Upgrading, Ram Kumar Bhattarai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Camelina sativa, an oilseed crop of the Brassicaceae family, has seen increased cultivation in North America in response to the rising demand for biofuels over the past two decades. With this growth, camelina meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, has emerged as a promising yet underutilized resource, particularly for applications in animal nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of camelina meal as a substrate for submerged fungal fermentation and to examine how this bioconversion affects its physicochemical and nutritional properties. The influence of mild pretreatments (unwashed, washed only, and washed/dried and ground) on fermentation outcomes was also assessed. …

Target Cell-Associated Cd47 Suppresses Nadph Oxidase Activity In Macrophages During Antibody Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis, Seuly Akter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CD47-SIRPα signaling is a well-known immune checkpoint that suppresses macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). In this study, we explored how CD47 influences reactive oxygen species (ROS) production driven by Fcγ receptor (FcγR) signaling. Our results show that macrophages produce significantly more ROS when encountering IgG coated target cells lacking CD47.Polarization with IFNγ further amplified this effect. ThusCD47-SIRPα interactions limit phagocytosis and suppress oxidative ROS production by macrophages. We found that CD47 blockade and IFNγ stimulation enhanced ADCP through distinct mechanisms. CD47 blockade removed the inhibitory "don't eat me" signal supporting ADCP and ADROS. Similarly, IFNγ enhances ADCP by upregulating FcγRI …

Testing The Effect Of Source And Environment On Native Seed Germination To Inform Seed-Based Restoration Of Grasslands, Brandon Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet, and they provide a variety of important ecosystem services that people rely on. Losses of grasslands can be mitigated through restoration. Seed-based restoration is a regularly used practice due to its practicality and cost-effectiveness. Planting non-local seed that may not be suitable for its destination environment can have consequences in plant establishment and subsequent restoration success. This experiment tested the response (final germination and germination rate) of seed from 11 perennial tallgrass species sourced from 3 different locations to different germination temperature conditions. Seeds from three sources of each …

In Defense Of Intellectual Autonomy, Paisley Agyare Boaitey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent attention in virtue and social epistemology has been devoted to analyzing intellectual virtues. However, intellectual autonomy is underappreciated and has been underexplored. The lack of specificity about the formal character of autonomy makes evaluating it as an intellectual character trait and virtue difficult. Here, I will examine extant accounts of intellectual autonomy and show why puzzles about them remain. I then offer intellectual autonomy under a compositional framework. Ultimately, I aim to show that intellectual autonomy—when adequately conceived—is a viable intellectual virtue that epistemic agents in an intellectual community [ought] to cultivate and maintain.

Structure And Function Of Sulfated Fucans And Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfates: Therapeutic And Mechanistic Insights, Marwa Farrag

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are heteropolysaccharides widely exploited in the clinic and as molecular models in biomedical research. Marine-derived GAG analogs, particularly sulfated fucans and fucosylated chondroitin sulfates exhibit unique and diverse glycan motifs that are not found in the typical mammalian GAGs. The distinctive structures of the marine sulfated glycans (MSGs) not only expand the structural landscape of GAG-like molecules but also provide valuable platforms to elucidate structure-activity relationships and explore their potential as novel scaffolds for glycan-based therapeutic development. This dissertation presents the isolation, structural characterization, controlled depolymerization, and functional evaluation of several MSGs, highlighting their therapeutic potential, particularly those …

Missing Physics Or New Physics? Understanding Biases In Gravitational Wave Tests Of General Relativity, Purnima Narayan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gravitational wave (GW) observations from binary black hole (BBH) coalescences offer a powerful means of probing general relativity (GR) in its most extreme regime: the strong- field, highly dynamical merger phase. One can compare observed signals to theoretical waveform models to constrain possible deviations from GR. However, the reliability of such comparisons can be compromised by waveform systematics, especially when key physical effects are not incorporated into the models. This dissertation investigates the impact of three such missing physical effects: orbital eccentricity, strong gravitational lensing, and waveform systematics due to precession, higher-order modes, and memory on standard GW tests of …

Measurement Of Forces In Standing Wave Ultrasonic Fields, Milan Rai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The acoustic radiation force provides the physical mechanism for the non-contact levitation and manipulation of particles in ultrasonic standing wave fields. This thesis presents a study on the measurement, simulation, and validation of acoustic radiation forces acting on spherical particles levitated in air. The motivation for this work is to provide high-precision measurements of acoustic radiation forces in trapping systems, which are of particular interest in biomedical manipulation, materials science, and contactless assembly.

The study employs a three-part methodology: theoretical analysis, experimental observation, and numerical simulation. Theoretically, the acoustic radiation force was derived from Gor’kov’s potential (valid for ka « …

Effect Of Vibration Isolation During Transportation On Beef Sirloin Subprimal And Steak Quality, Kylie Nevada Krueger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of vibration during transportation on beef sirloin water holding capacity, color, and tenderness. USDA Choice center-cut sirloin top butts (n = 45 cases) were collected at a commercial processing facility and randomly allocated to one of three treatments 1) regular pallet driven 241 km (Reg241), 2) regular pallet driven 644 km (Reg644), and 3) vibration isolation pallet driven 644 km (Iso644). All subprimals were transported at -2.2 °C (d0) and stored for 10 days to mimic industry practices for product aging. Following storage (d11), one subprimal per case was evaluated …

Effects Of Essential Oils Alone Or In Combination With Monensin In An In Vitro Model Of Ruminal Acidosis, Jorge L. Bonilla Urbina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils and/or monensin on the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia, and pH in a ruminal acidosis in vitro model. Red Angus steers (n = 4; BW = 435 ± 9 kg) with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were allocated in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were 1) Fed no essential oils (RB) or monensin sodium (MON:CON); 2) Fed RB at a rate of 14 g daily with no Mon (RB+); 3) Fed no RB and fed Mon at 400 mg daily (MON+); 4) Fed …

Climate Variability Study For Arid Regions, Faisal Almutairi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Water is the primary source for all living species to thrive, and water scarcity has been a primary concern for biological species and plants in arid regions due to urban planning, population growth, poor water management, and overgrazing. The objective of this research was to study the climate variability in precipitation and temperature for an arid region. This research encompasses two distinct studies. The first study examined the impact of climate variability on precipitation in Phoenix. Precipitation data were acquired from NOAA from 1948 to 2023 and the study was broken down into three time scales: annually, seasonally, and monthly. …

Prospective Use Of Detection Dogs As A Screening Tool For Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae In Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis), Michele C. Lovara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is a bacterium that can spill over from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) to bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), with effects in bighorn sheep ranging from low to no lamb recruitment to whole-herd all-age die-offs from resulting pneumonia. Fast and reliable pathogen or disease detection is essential for managing outbreaks in bighorn sheep and emergences in affected populations. Detection dogs are increasingly being enlisted to close gaps and further complement various disease, pathogen and virus research and response efforts. This thesis explores the use of conservation detection dogs as a potential tool for M. ovipneumoniae surveillance in bighorn sheep through …

Development Of Food Preservative Hydrogel Using Bioactive Compounds Extracted From Canola Meal, Kayla Christopherson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With an ever-growing population comes the need for a greater food supply. Yet land and other agricultural resources put a limit on the availability of food production. As farmers strive to optimize higher produce yields, society must turn to greener, more sustainable food preservation techniques to reduce food spoilage. The inclusion of extracted bioactive compounds found in canola meal into a food preservative hydrogel is such a solution for food spoilage reduction. In this thesis, extraction parameters of glucosinolates were examined along with their inhibition of E. coli DH5αZ1 when incorporated into 2 developed hydrogels: gelatin A Schiff-base and agar-agar. …

Phytogenic Feed Additives Pre- And Post-Calving And Effects Of Substituting Ddgs With Soybean Meal On Protein Metabolism In Beef Cattle, Grace H. Jardon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of these studies was to evaluate nutritional strategies to improve beef cattle productivity through targeted supplementation and protein source manipulation. The first study investigated the effects of a phytogenic supplement (PHYT; a blend of turmeric, capsicum, and black pepper oleoresin) on colostrum yield and composition, calf passive immunity, and cow–calf performance. Twenty-three Angus-based cows were assigned to either a control group or received 250 or 500 mg/head/day of PHYT from 30 days pre-calving to 60 days post-calving. Supplementation with PHYT linearly increased colostrum fat and calf serum IgA concentrations. Milk fat, calf serum IgG, and colostrum IgM tended …

Effect Of Six-Day Germination On Chemical Composition, Functional, And Nutritional Properties Of Pea Varieties, Hojjat Abdollahikhamene

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pulses, particularly peas, have long been a crucial source of protein in vegetarian and cost-effective diets worldwide. They have gained popularity in Western diets as more people turn to plant-based proteins as alternatives to animal products. Peas are known for their high protein content; however, their use in food products has been limited due to factors like poor solubility and digestibility. Germination improves the nutritional profile of peas by enhancing protein content and digestibility. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of six days of germination on the nutritional composition and functional properties of different varieties of …

Biopolymer-Induced Soil Ductility Enhancement: Mitigating The Effects Of Desiccation Cracks, Rabindra Prasad Bohara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses the formidable challenges of expansive clayey soils, notorious for their swelling-shrinkage characteristics, which often lead to ground instability and structural damage. While effective in mitigating soil swell-shrink potential and enhancing strength, traditional calcium-based stabilizers can react with higher sulfate content to form ettringite, causing volumetric changes and infrastructure distress. To assess the impact of stabilizing sulfate-rich soils and determining the various engineering properties, samples of both control and stabilized soils were prepared using lime, biopolymer (guar gum), and lime with guar gum at concentrations of 2% and 4% lime only, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% guar gum only, …

Investigating The Ruminal Metagenome Of Grass And Forage-Fed Bison To Uncover Metabolic Activities That Impact The Efficiency Of Plant Fiber Utilization, Anlly Fresno Rueda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the ruminal microbiome of American plains bison (Bison bison) to uncover the metabolic activities that enable efficient utilization of plant fiber, with a particular focus on bacterial composition and functional capabilities in response to forage quality. Using both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic approaches, this research provides a comprehensive view of microbial diversity and metabolic potential in the rumen of bison, offering insights into their ecological resilience and efficiency in nutrient extraction. Chapter 2 focuses on the metabolic potential of bacterial communities in the rumen of bison fed a grass-based diet. Using high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic …

Identification Of Gut Bacterial Symbionts From Atlantic Salmon That Are Involved In Metabolizing Feed Ingredients Derived From Soybean Meal, Emily Fowler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the aquaculture industry, plant-based protein sources have emerged as an economically and environmentally sustainable replacement for traditional animal protein sources. Yet, due to reduced digestibility, the presence of anti-nutritional factors, as well as an increased risk of inflammation of the digestive system, the inclusion of plant-based protein ingredients must be limited, especially in the diets of carnivorous fishes. To gain further insight on how to adapt the fish digestive tract to more effectively utilize or tolerate plant-based protein ingredients, slurry from cultured Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) was used as a proxy in an in vitro model system to identify …

Development Of A Collagen-Based Bioink For 3d Printing Biomimetic Tendon-To-Bone Tissue Grafts For Rotator Cuff Repair, Samiul Nibir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study presents the development of a collagen-based bioink for 3D printing tendon-to-bone tissue grafts, specifically designed for rotator cuff repair applications. Three different bioink formulations were developed: (i) 5.1% (w/v) collagen I, (ii) 5% (w/v) collagen I and collagen II, and (iii) 4.5% (w/v) collagen I combined with β-TCP. The bioink containing collagen I and collagen II was prepared by mixing the two components in a 1:1 ratio, while the collagen I plus β-TCP formulation was made by incorporating 20 wt % β-TCP into the collagen I solution. These formulations were developed to replicate the natural tendon-to-bone complex interface …

Shifting Waters: A 41-Year Time-Series Analysis Of Surface Water Change In The Prairie Pothole Region, Madison Dejarlais

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Prairie Pothole Region (PRR) is a landscape defined by a dynamic surface water system, with wetlands, lakes, and rivers playing critical roles in supporting biodiversity, regulating floods, and maintaining hydrological balance. This study conducts a time-series analysis of surface water change in the PPR from 1984 to 2024, using remote sensing tools including Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS Pro, and ENVI. 41 annual surface water presence rasters were compiled into a cumulative dataset, allowing for both year-to-year comparisons and broader trend analysis. Results indicate that the presence of surface water in the PPR has not followed a simple linear trend. …

Synchronization Protocols Utilizing Progesterone Implants Associated With Estrus Expression, Vaginal Microbiome, And Immune Response In Beef Cattle, Riley James Puck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to provide a deep understanding of presynchronization strategies and the varying factors affecting their efficacy. Beginning with a literature review of the estrous cycle and the endocrinology driving it. Building on this foundation, the physiological basis for estrous synchronization is described, followed by the advancement of pre-synchronization protocols designed to increase estrus and conception. Further, we will focus on the influence of estrus expression on insemination time and conception rates. Finally, how the immune system interacts with the conception process. In addition, the review goes beyond exogenous endocrine manipulation and dives into the emerging role of the …

One Rung At A Time: Climbing The Ladder Toward Aquatic Connectivity In Eastern South Dakota, Evan Spencer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Roads and streams are synonymous with their connection to movement, the acquisition of resources, and as pathways to new opportunities. However, the factors that define good roads and ecologically connected streams are rarely without conflict. Road infrastructure at stream-road crossings has the potential to fragment stream networks. Tube culverts, where streams pass under the road through metal pipes, are particularly concerning for stream connectivity. Undersized, aging, or inappropriately installed culverts can develop vertical drops at the outflow due to high velocities and stream bed scouring. The outlet drop can function as a barrier, preventing the upstream movement of fish. Due …

Fungal Biotransformation Of Thin Stillage And Soybean Hulls And Bacterial Production Of Lysine In Ethanol Industry Co-Products, Bhawana Khadka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thin stillage (TS) and whole stillage (WS) are major by-products of the corn ethanol industry. These by-products are generated in large quantities and contain nutrients that remain after yeast fermentation. Current industrial utilization of these by-products involves a series of downstream processing steps such as centrifugation and evaporation, which are energy-intensive and often result in nutrient losses. Traditionally, these by-products are dried to produce distillers dried grains with solubles. In this study, microbial fermentation was investigated as an alternative bioprocessing tool to expand the utilization of these by-products. The first objective was to explore the upcycling of TS, both alone …

Evaluation Of Soil Microbiome And Edaphic Factors In Response To Nitrogen Fertilizer Application In Western South Dakota Croplands, Riya Jain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Extended Days On Feed: Influences On Growth Performance, Efficiency, And Carcass Characteristics Of Steers And Heifers Of Different Proportions Of Angus And Limousin Genetics, Grace Henley Olinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, cattle feeders have extended days on feed (DOF) resulting in hot carcass weights (HCW) exceeding the limits of existing serial slaughter datasets. This study's goal was to determine the impact extended DOF exerts on growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics of steers and heifers with varying proportions of Angus (AN) and Limousin (LM) genetics. In 2022, commercial AN cows from two MT ranches were artificially inseminated to 9 sires from 3 breeds (AN, LM, and Limflex (LF)) with parentage confirmed by DNA. In 2023, 216 calves (sired by 72 AN, 73 LF, and 71 LM; 105 steers and …

No Neutral Ground: Sports Political Ideology In The 1936 Olympic Games, Lea Zeitler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

By using literary and cinematic narratives to explore changing cultural and ideological positions, my thesis demonstrates how the 1936 Berlin Olympics became a defining event of the intersection of sports and politics. Through analyzing Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympia, Richard Mandell’s The Nazi Olympics, and Elise Hooper’s Fast Girls, I show how distinct historical circumstances inform understandings of race, gender, and nationalism. The Berlin Games, used by the Third Reich as a platform for Nazi propaganda, stand as an example of how international sporting events become battlegrounds for ideological struggles and political messaging. This thesis argues that these narratives are not just …

Exploring A Modern Deep Learning Technique For Wetland Mapping And Monitoring Using Worldview-2 Satellite Products, Mizanur Rahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands play a significant role in the world’s hydrology, climate, and biodiversity. Even with the benefits and values wetlands provide to the environment, they have been undergoing loss and degradation due to natural and anthropogenic processes. To protect wetlands from loss and degradation and to restore their function, it is essential to develop a sustainable wetland monitoring system. One of the key elements of a wetland monitoring system is wetland mapping. This dissertation research developed an object-based deep learning protocol for mapping heterogeneous wetlands with many communities from a high-resolution WV-2 satellite image. To test this developed protocol, an object-based …