Digital Commons Network^™

Maternal Environment And Fescue Cultivar Effects On Growth, Development, And Fertility Of Beef Heifers, Jennifer Denyse Patterson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Eighty Brahman-influenced cows (5.6 BCS) were assigned to graze common bermudagrass (CB) or toxic tall fescue (E+) during a 60-d breeding season. Body condition (BC) was assessed at d 0, 30, and 60 of breeding season. Cows were managed to achieve marginal (4.2 BCS) or good (6.3 BCS) BC during last trimester. Heifer birth and weaning (WW; 7 to 8 mo) weights were recorded. The Angus sired heifers were weighed and randomly assigned to E+ or non-toxic (Novel) tall fescue at 9 to 10 mo of age for 190d. Heifer weight, growth data, and antral follicle count (AFC) were collected …

Comparative Response Of Different Broiler Genotypes To Dietary Nutrient Levels, Franco Javier Mussini

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Three studies were conducted to evaluate how the broiler has changed over the years due to intense genetic selection. Four different broiler genotypes, one unselected since the 1950's (HER) representing the old meat-type bird and three current strains (Ross 308, Ross 708, and a test product (TY)) were studied. Differences in growth, morphometry, and response in performance and processing yield to different nutrient levels were studied.

Experiment 1 evaluated growth and morphometric analysis. Birds of each strain were killed weekly from day 7 to day 56, necropsied and cut up parts and organs weighed. Measurement of small intestine segments …

Of Dice And Men: An Ethnography Of Contemporary Gaming Subculture, Christopher Shane Brace

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tabletop roleplaying is a dynamic and flourishing hobby that has become increasingly accessible to a wide variety of participants. The games themselves, as well as the gaming subculture, offer players a number of personal and Social benefits that continue to enrich their lives long after they leave the table. Using Goffman's theories of Dramaturgy and Frame Analysis, this paper seeks to examine the positive impact of gaming in three key areas.

The first is an analysis of the subculture which includes the evolution of the games, the growth and diversification of the roleplaying community, and the current shift in stereotypes …

The Relationship Between Middle Level School Science Programs And A Residential Environmental Learning Center, Ryan Mathew Walker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A multiple case study investigation examines the relationship between a residential environmental learning center and six schools that attend their program. Pre-experience interviews were conducted with teachers to gain understanding of how they integrate the residential experience with formal classroom instruction. On-site observations of teacher participation during the program provided insight into how they foster student learning during the experience. A student questionnaire was used to reveal students' perceptions of three areas of interest: 1) most meaningful aspects of the experience, 2) most confusing aspects of the experience and 3) topics they would like to know more about. These data …

Consumer Sensory Preferences And Willingness-To-Pay For Nutraceutical-Rich Fruit, Lydia Lawless

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Health-oriented juices are prime candidates for the nutraceutical market due to their inherent healthfulness and convenience. Fruits such as açaí berries, blueberries, blackberries, black cherries, Concord grapes, cranberries, and pomegranates are rich in potentially health-supporting polyphenolics, which makes the juices of these fruits attractive for nutraceutical optimization. The compositional, sensory, and stability properties of blueberry, blackberry, and Concord grape juice blends were explored in an extended shelf-life study. Initially, 100% blueberry juice had the highest total monomeric anthocyanins (67.40 mg/100mL), 100% blackberry juice had the highest total phenolics (249.24 mg/100mL), and 100% Concord juice had the highest polymeric color (23.21%). …

Evaluation Of Internal Markers For Predicting Digestibility And Fecal Output By Cattle Fed Bermudagrass Hays Of Varying Quality, Juvenal Kanani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The potential of in situ rumen undegradable dry matter (RUDM), indigestible neutral-detergent fiber (INDF), indigestible acid-detergent fiber (IADF), acid-detergent insoluble ash (ADIA), alkaline-peroxide lignin (APL), and acid-detergent lignin (ADL) to predict digestibility (DMD) and fecal output (FO) by cattle fed bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay-diets categorized by their low (L), medium low (ML), medium high (MH), or high (H) CP concentrations (79, 111, 131, and 164 g/kg DM, respectively) was evaluated. The second objective was to evaluate the effects of time (0600, 1200, 1800, and 2400 h) of fecal sampling on the prediction of FO and DMD. A replicated …

Determination Of Methionine And Lysine Requirements Of Growing Broilers Using The Ideal Protein Concept, Changji Lu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the responses of broiler performance to Lysine (Lys) and Methionine (Met) during the starter, grower, and finisher feeding phases. All the experimental diets were formulated based on the Ideal Protein Concept.

Experiment 1 evaluated the responses to Lys and Met on live performance of young broiler chickens from 0 to 18 d of age. The mean amino acid ratios to Lys suggested by literature values were used in the formulation based on the Ideal Protein Concept. Six levels of Lys and eight levels of supplemental Met were used in the diets resulting in a …

Yeast Surface Display Of Cd154, Iaryna Masniuk

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The CD154 (CD40L) is a member of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family that plays a crucial role in regulation of both cell-mediated and humoral immunity by activating antigen presenting cells (APCs). Previously, studies in the laboratory demonstrated that yeast surface display system allows the expression of biologically functional antigen, such as subunit HA, against influenza virus. Yeast surface display system seems to be an excellent system to be utilized to develop anti-influenza virus vaccine. Thus, it is of interest to study the adjuvant function of CD154 on the subunit HA vaccine against influenza virus. In this project, the CD154 encoding …

Impact Of Hybrid Rice On Food Security: A Spatial Equilibrium Analysis Of Global Adoption And Diffusion Of Hybrid Rice Varieties, Till Ludwig

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice is the staple crop for most consumers in Asia. More than half of the global population depends on rice. However, scarce resources for agricultural production and unfavorable conditions will make it hard to meet future demand in rice and threaten future food security. Hybrid rice technology is a method to increase the productivity of resources needed for rice production. Current developments show not only yield improvements in comparison to existing conventional and hybrid varieties, but also fuel hopes for new abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. The objective of this study is to determine what impact hybrid rice varieties can …

Assessing Knowledge Acquisition Through Lecture And Cooperative Learning: Traditional And Non-Traditional Secondary Students In Agriculture, Beth Ann Jean Bills-Hunt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Currently, students entering secondary agricultural education programs have less knowledge and hands-on experience about agriculture than previous generations. Agricultural educators are challenged to vary teaching practices to meet student needs. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in knowledge acquisition between students enrolled in secondary agricultural education classes taught by cooperative learning and lecture instruction. Additionally, this study explored the knowledge acquisition of traditional and non-traditional secondary agricultural education students and perceptions of instructional methods presented. Eight schools participated in the study. No significant difference was seen in test scores between methods of instruction, …

Remembering Arkansas Debate: The Use Of Collective Memory In Analyzing The Role Of Intercollegiate Debate At The University Of Arkansas, Barry John Regan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As one of the most successful organizations on campus for nearly a century, the University of Arkansas debate team created many memories and stories from their time in competition. According to the framework of collective memory, the production and dissemination of these stories is what connects the past, present, and future of a debate team together.

I first reconstruct the history of debate at universities, beginning with development of debate at the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford. I then detail the history of debate and argumentation at American universities, including the first intercollegiate debate in 1881. I then …

The Role Of Antioxidant Rich Berries In The Prevention Of Postmenopausal Bone Loss, Lydia Karimi Kaume

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most prevalent form of osteoporosis and results in fragility fractures. Smoking is one of the major risk factors for osteoporosis and is known to aggravate bone loss in postmenopausal women due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Diet-based interventions using berries have shown bone protective affects in animal studies partially due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of their phenolic compounds. The goal of this research was to determine the effects of antioxidant-rich fruits in the prevention of postmenopausal bone loss. Our first study examined the dose dependent effects of blackberries in preventing bone loss in an …

A Daily Temperature Record For Central Texas, 1896-2011, Matthew Kain Taylor

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A continuous record of 882,693 daily maximum, minimum, and mean temperature measurements for seven weather stations in central Texas dating from August 1, 1896, to August 31, 2011, were screened and corrected for missing values and inhomogeneities. The resulting data were averaged to create a 115-year unbroken regional record of daily temperature for central Texas. This record indicates warming in daily, seasonal, and annual temperatures. Winter warm temperature extremes have increased over the period of record while warm temperature extremes during the summer months have remained largely unchanged. Summer heat wave days and the length of heat waves have increased …

Cell Bioenergetics In Leghorn Male Hepatoma Cells And Immortalized Chicken Liver Cells In Response To 4-Hydroxynonenal Induced Oxidative Stress, Alissa Laura Piekarski

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bioenergetic mechanisms responsible for ATP production are essential in carrying out maintenance and cell-specific functions. In this study, hepatocytes (liver cells) were used to test both endogenous and exogenous stress on cellular respiration. The secondary lipid peroxide, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), was used because it alters bioenergetics by increasing mitochondrial proton leak that attenuates mitochondrial radical production and, therefore, endogenous oxidative stress. The major objective of this study was to demonstrate effects of HNE-induced oxidative stress on avian hepatocyte bioenergetics. Various chemical which help enable the determination of oxygen (O2) consumption linked to ATP synthesis (oligomycin), maximal O2 consumption (FCCP), and proton …

The Effects Of Symbolic And Realistic Threats On Moral Exclusion From The Scope Of Justice, Dana Charles Leighton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Moral exclusion refers to a psychological process that removes others from our moral community--those whom we treat with fairness and concern for their welfare. The present research is concerned with how perceived symbolic threats (threats to the ingroup's values, morals, and worldview) and realistic threats (threats to the ingroup's well-being and resources) are related to moral exclusion. Perceived symbolic and realistic threats from an outgroup (Mexican immigrants) were measured (Study 1) and manipulated (Study 2) to discover their predictive and causal relationships with moral exclusion. It was found that both symbolic and realistic threats predicted moral exclusion and did so …

The Contradictory Nature Of Natural Mothering: A Discursive Analysis, Britni Lee Ayers

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In our contemporary sociopolitical rhetoric breastfeeding is something that is natural and something women ought to do because breast is best. The problem with this contemporary discourse of breastfeeding and motherhood is that the dominant medical, political, technological, and patriarchal discourses surrounding breastfeeding have merged to create an highly unattainable definition of what it means to be a "good mother" (Blum 1993). Moreover, upon a close examination, the most pressing political and Social debates of today surrounding the welfare reform, women's employment, reproductive technologies, and abortion, among many others, construct distinctions between "good mothers" and "bad mothers." However, there has …

A Reexamination Of The Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus Collaris Collaris) In Arkansas, Ashley A. Grimsley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Loss of suitable habitat is a threat to species worldwide. Habitat destruction, including loss, change, and fragmentation of habitat, is the leading cause of species extinction. Eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris collaris) are habitat specialists on glades. Both C. c. collaris and glade habitats are rare and of special concern in the state of Arkansas. Many glade populations have already been extirpated in the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri. Increasing knowledge of the distribution, habitat structure, and population dynamics of C. c. collaris is important to ensure the survival of this species in Arkansas.

A literature review of …

Characterization And Consumer Acceptance Of White Striping In Broiler Breast Fillets, Vivek Ayamchirakkunnel Kuttappan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

White striping is an emerging issue in the broiler meat industry which causes concerns among the producers. The condition is characterized by the occurrence of white striations, parallel to the direction of muscle fibers, mainly in broiler breast fillets and thighs. Fillets can be categorized as NORM (normal or no striping), MOD (moderate) and SEV (severe) depending on the degree of white striping. As a result of few previous research studies on the condition, there is no information available on the impact of white striping on the consumer acceptance and various meat quality attributes. Our hypothesis was that the occurrence …

Time Waits For No One: Using Time As A Lens In Information Systems Research, Christopher M. Conway

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite considerable research interest, IT projects still fail at a higher rate than other projects. Primary causes for these failures are relational, motivational, and scheduling issues on the team. Using the concept of time as a lens, the four essays in this dissertation examine how the ways that individuals and teams structure time can help explain these failures. The essays formulate the concept of temporal dissonance at the individual and team level, and explore how temporal dissonance causes negative consequences for IT workers and IT teams.

Essay one synthesizes temporal dissonance from concepts of temporal congruity and cognitive dissonance. It …

Water Quality Trends And Nutrient Loads For The Watershed Research And Education Center In Northwest Arkansas, 2009-2012, John Metrailer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment transport is a concern for Northwest Arkansas due to high exports through riverine discharge. Urban, agricultural, and pastured watersheds have been associated with increased N, P, and sediment concentrations when compared to forested catchments. The objective of this study was to evaluate discharge and nutrient loads associated with a small urban, agricultural (row crop), wetland influenced, and pasture/farmland sub-catchment within four ephemeral drainages and located at the Watershed Research and Education Center in Fayetteville, AR. Samples were collected during base flow conditions and periodic storm flow conditions from 2009-2012. Flow adjusted concentration trends were used to …

Livestock Production And Wildlife-Based Tourism: Articulating Land-Use And Policy Conflicts In The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site In Botswana, Nelson Kgamanyane Sello

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The management of common pool resources and policy conflicts between livestock and wildlife, two land-use types that take place in the same geo-spatial area has been a subject of debate among scholars for decades. This conflict in policies has engendered in communities which are beneficiaries attitudes that are either negative towards wildlife or favorable depending on the benefits they derive from them. This research therefore set out to understand the conflicts in the management of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site (ODRS) where the OD is situated. The study used the grounded theory to collect and analyze the data in the …

The Effects Of Body Modifications And Dress On Perceived Professionalism And Competency Of A Female Model, Ashley Donell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Through the norms of a society, people must meet certain expectations in order to survive and provide for their family. For example, job expectations driven by human judgment on appearance creates a norm that society must follow. The question is how much appearance attributes such as dress and hair color effect others' interpretation of who a person may be? The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between specific appearance and body modifications (dress and hair color) of a young female professional and perceived competency level as determined by a convenience sample of students in selected senior level …

The Impact Of Selected Forage Legumes On Cattle Performance, Forage Production, And Soil Quality, And Evaluation Of Legume Persistence Under Grazing, Bradley Edward Briggs

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Interest in substituting legumes for N fertilizer in beef cattle grazing systems has recently increased with rising fertilizer prices. Legumes are well known for their ability to fix atmospheric N and decrease dependence on input of N fertilizer. However, there are still difficulties associated with legume utilization including establishment and persistence. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate legume performance under herbivory. The objective of Experiment 1 was to compare forage production and beef cattle gains from annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum (L.)] and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures fertilized with N or overseeded with legumes. Gelbvieh × Angus …

Flight Period And Species Composition Of Sirex (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) And Associated Deladenus (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae) Within Arkansas Pine Forests, Danielle Keeler

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), which is a known destructive pest of pine in the southern hemisphere was recently discovered in the eastern United States. Before we can understand how S. noctilio may affect pine forests throughout the United States, we need a better understanding of native Sirex and the role they play in the ecosystem. The objectives of this research were to 1) determine species composition and flight period for native Sirex; 2) confirm presence of parasitic nematodes, Deladenus (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae), within adult Sirex; 3) investigate Deladenus parasitism rates; 4) verify the number of Deladenus species …

Groundwater Quality Assessment From Domestic Water Wells In The Fayetteville Shale Gas Play Area In Central Arkansas, Anna Marie Nottmeier

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study establishes a spatially distributed domestic water well groundwater quality data set, throughout the Fayetteville Shale Gas Play (FSGP) in central Arkansas. The data set facilitates characterization of the geology and groundwater quality across the study area, benefits residents who may have concerns about the potential impacts on their well water quality, and provides a groundwater quality basis to which complaints can be compared and resolved. The assessment included: research of the study area, site reconnaissance, water sampling and collection, interviews with owners of the property, analytical analysis, Quality Assurance and Quality Control, and groundwater data interpretation.

The study …

Integrating Human Variables In Cross-Boundary Monitoring Of Aberdare Preserves In Kenya, Peter K. Njuguna

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research critically examines extant data systems and their linkage of scientific research to policy and public education in east African highland forest conservation preserves. The research indicates that the current state of data and monitoring systems in the region imposes substantial limitations on the ability to manage these preserves. Major outcomes of those constraints manifest in unprecedented cross-boundary pressure such as encroachment and conversion of forest to agriculture, increased human-wildlife conflicts, and constrained relations among primary stakeholders. Current monitoring is biodiversity focused within preserves and fails to capture human dimensions in adjoining areas across preserve boundaries. This study proposes …

Pixel; Ghost, John Christopher Kelley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pixel; Ghost is an exhibition of video and sound installations that explore the creation, change, and degradation of memory, transitional states of mind, and family. The pieces are structured around cinematic clichés such as dream sequences, flashbacks and establishing shots, using them as a language to translate personal experience into something more universal.

In my work, Pixel refers to the individually active component of a larger system. A pixel itself changes and has its own characteristics, though these are ultimately subservient to its role in the larger system of a screen. The purpose and meaning of a pixel comes not …

Dental Microwear Texture Analysis Of Pliocene Bovids From Four Early Hominin Sites In Eastern Africa: Implications For Paleoenvironmental Dynamics And Human Evolution, Jessica Renee Scott

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many researchers have suggested that Plio-Pleistocene climate change was a motive force for human evolution. The basic idea was that a shift toward drier, more open settings, led to adaptations for bipedality and the consumption of savanna resources, including large grazing mammals. However, more recent paleoenvironmental reconstructions suggest that Pliocene hominins occupied variable or mosaic habitats including both open and closed settings. Many techniques have been used to refine our understanding of the paleoenvironments of eastern Africa; however these have not led to consensus reconstructions. At Kanapoi, ecological diversity analysis indicates that at least part of the site was composed …

Investigation Of A Locus On Chromosome 9 For Contributions To Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome In Broilers, Sriram Krishnamoorthy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although the ascites syndrome in chickens has been investigated for years, it continues to inflict financial losses to the world poultry industry. It is estimated that 8% of the 361 million broiler deaths are due to ascites leading to losses of millions of dollars annually. Efforts to curb the incidence of ascites are typically designed to slow early growth. This limits the birds' ability to show its true genetic potential and impacts later yields. In 1994 lines divergent for susceptibility to ascites were established from a commercial sire line through sibling selection of birds reared at local altitude after testing …

Playing Ann In Arthur Miller's All My Sons: One Actress' Approach In Creating A Role, Abbey Jo Molyneux

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The intent of this thesis, Playing Ann in Arthur Miller's All My Sons: One Actress' Approach in Creating a Role, is to document the research, analysis, and personal journey that informed the rehearsal and production processes in my portrayal as the character in the aforementioned title. This thesis includes the following five chapters: Script Analysis, Character Analysis, Created Materials, Reflections on the Audition, Rehearsal, and Production Processes, and A Summation of the Creative Process. All My Sonsby Arthur Miller was produced by the University of Arkansas in the University Theatre February 1-10, 2008, and directed by Michael Landman.