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 …

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 …

Market Analysis Of Fresh Berries In The United States, Kristina Sobekova

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains a market analysis of fresh berries in United States. Specifically, it addresses strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry markets during 2008-2011. A double log model and the Almost Ideal Demand model are used to gain insight into the demand side of the market. An equilibrium displacement model is used to develop suggestions for producers and decision makers. The results demonstrate that retail demand for berry crops is elastic and that the different berries are substitutes for one another. The equilibrium displacement model is used to predict producer surplus changes to industry wide efforts aimed at both production efficiencies …

Food Environment And Childhood Obesity, Yucong Jiao

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines whether children's food environment, especially food stores that have fresh produce, affects obesity prevalence among elementary school children in the state of Arkansas. Misclassified food outlet types in the Dun and Bradstreet commercial data set were first corrected and then food environment measures were computed and aggregated to geographic regions corresponding to school attendance areas. After applying classical panel estimation, it was found that the fixed effects model fit the data best. Results indicate that an additional supermarket within a one-mile radial of the census neighborhood block center will bring down childhood obesity prevalence by 0.58 percent, …

Socio-Demographic And Economic Determinants Of Food Deserts, Zhongyi Wang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this paper we utilized a panel data set from 2004 to 2010 to identify and determine the demographic and economic drivers of food deserts in both urban and rural areas in Arkansas. We defined food deserts as areas where access to healthy foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits are limited. More specifically, separate distance measures from the census block centroid to the nearest supermarket or grocery store were used to determine if the area is an urban food desert (1 mile) or rural food desert (10 miles). These distance measures were then aggregated at the census block group …

The Potential Environmental Benefits Of Hybrid Rice Varieties, Haxhire Myrteza

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With water insufficiency being already a major issue and potential carbon policies on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Arkansas rice producers may need to undergo some changes in regards to rice cultivar selection. The purpose of this study is to estimate the environmental benefits of cultivating hybrid rice varieties as opposed to conventional and Clearfield rice varieties. To accomplish this goal, water use and GHG emissions were estimated on per acre (ac) and per bushel (bu) basis for most commonly cultivated rice varieties in Arkansas. The study focuses particularly on six main rice stations in the State of Arkansas. The hypothesis …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Relationship Of Women's Magazines And Their Websites: A Comparative Analysis Of Print And Web Content, Allison Walker Ruff

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the digital expansion of magazines, it is essential to determine how a magazine's online and digital content compares to its print content. The editorial strategy for print content versus Web content could make a difference in consumers' brand attachment and loyalty to a magazine. Magazines must have a dynamic online strategy that offers a different experience than printed material in order to gain new relationships and strengthen those relationships people already have with the brand. A comparative analysis of the print content versus the online website content of four separate women's publications can help determine if each magazine is …

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 …

The Truth Between The Teeth: An Analysis Of Interproximal Tooth Wear At The Ables Creek Cemetery, Amy Reynolds Warren

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Current archaeological knowledge suggests that, by the Late Mississippian period, inhabitants of the southeastern United States had adopted maize agriculture and that maize was a key component of the normal diet. However, in some regions where wild food resources were easily attainable, there is evidence that the transition to agriculture was delayed or did not occur at all. This thesis examines Late Mississippian skeletal collections from two sites in eastern Arkansas, Ables Creek and Upper Nodena. Analysis of differences in interproximal tooth wear facet size and caries rates between the two populations reveals that the diets at these roughly contemporary …

Trauma At Akhetaten (Tell El-Amarna): Interpersonal Violence Or Occupational Hazard, Rebecca Marie Hodgin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The New Kingdom individuals excavated from the site of Akhetaten, modern day Tell el-Amarna in Middle Egypt, exhibit traumatic injuries relating to construction of the new city. This site is important for Egyptological and bioarchaeological interpretations because the city was only occupied for approximately 15 years. The cemetery provides an archaeological instant in history providing information on the individuals who lived, worked, and died at Akhetaten. A total of 233 individuals have been excavated and analyzed to date. The incidence of forearm fractures as chronic ulnae stress fractures instead of parry fractures are indicated by the presence of Schmorl's nodes, …

Identification And Confirmation Of Ssr Markers And Qtl For Seed Calcium Content And Hardness Of Soybean, Moldir Orazaly

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The health benefits and the nutritional values of soyfood products have expanded the demand for food-grade soybean varieties. For whole soyfood products such as natto, small seeded varieties with proper texture are essential. Seed calcium content and hardness are main factors in determining the seed texture. Utilizing molecular markers associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) for marker assisted selection (MAS) has been an efficient technique for breeders. To find molecular markers associated with a trait is an initial step. The confirmation of QTL in different environments and in different genetic backgrounds is important for MAS. The objectives of this research …

Effect Of Enzymatic Treatments On The Physiochemical Properties Of Different Corn Starches, Curtis Robert Luckett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Amylose readily reassociates to form films and crystalline structures that are resistant to digestion by amylolytic enzymes and known as resistant starch type III (RS3). This study investigated the RS3 formation and cereal coating properties from enzyme-modified corn starches with varying amylose contents, including Hylon VII (70% amylose), Hylon V (50% amylose), and common corn (25% amylose). For RS3 formation, corn starches were first gelatinized and then hydrolyzed using β-amylase to varying degrees. The resultant hydrolyzed starch was debranched with isoamylase and then exposed to 3 times of temperature cycling at 135/133/133°C for 30 min and 95°C for 24 hr …

A Typology Of Preadolescent Sexual Abusers Based On The Emerging Personality Patterns In The Millon Preadolescent Clinical Inventory, Sam Wallace

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a personality-based typology of preadolescents with sexual behavior problems based the Emerging Personality Patterns in the Millon Preadolescent Clinical Inventory (M-PACI, Millon et al., 2005). Grounding a typology in a theory driven personality system may offer clarity and specificity in understanding preadolescents with sexual behavior problems in a manner that has not yet been explored. A personality and theory driven typology could provide a more comprehensive framework for assessing and treating children who sexually abuse than any of the current taxonomic models.

The study used an ex post facto design with test …

Senior Center Participation In Northwest Arkansas: An Examination Of Future Marketing Strategies, Policy Implications, And Program Needs To Attract The Baby-Boomer Generation, Wanda Faye Turner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of the Baby Boomer Generation on the future services provided by Senior Centers in Northwest Arkansas, specifically in Benton, Madison, and Washington counties. The study was a mixed methods design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Three research groups were used: Nine Senior Center Directors, which were interviewed; one focus group composed of four Baby Boomers; and a print survey distributed to ninety-two Baby Boomers. The data revealed that changes are needed in the program and services in Senior Centers to attract the Baby Boomer Generation. Changes will need to …

Anxiety And Sleep Disorder Comorbidity: Affecting The College Students' Performances, Amanda Rhenee Grimes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects that anxiety disorders and sleep disorders have on students' academic performance. The prevalence of both disorders is rising in the college student population. This study examines those who have been physician diagnosed with the one or both of the disorders and how the students' grade point average (GPA) is affected.

The National College Health Assessment was used for data collection; this survey assesses college students' health habits, behaviors, and perceptions. The sample was comprised of 57 institutions representing every region in the U.S. totaling 34,208 participants. Data was acquired through …

Intake, Digestibility, Insitu Disappearance And Ruminal Fermentation Of Bermuda Grass Hay By Lactating Beef Cows Offered Corn Or Hominy Feed As Supplements, Zibani Madzonga

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hominy feed, a co-product of dry corn milling, has been evaluated to a limited extent in feedlot and dairy rations, but has not been evaluated as a supplemental energy source for lactating beef cows. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of level of hominy feed supplementation on intake, digestibility, in situ DM disappearance, and ruminal fermentation characteristics of medium quality bermudagrass hay. Five ruminally cannulated lactating beef cows (BW = 596 kg, SE = 13.9) were used in an experiment with a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Treatments were low hominy (LH; 0.25% …

Diversity, Identification, Mapping And Pyramiding Of Genes For Resistance To Soybean Mosaic Virus [Glycine Max (L.) Merr.], Innan Gloria Cervantes Martinez

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Soybean Mosaic Virus (SMV) is a prevalent viral pathogen transmitted by aphids and via seed, causing significant yield loss and quality reduction. There are seven SMV strain groups (G1 to G7) and three resistance loci( Rsv1, Rsv3, and Rsv4) reported in soybean. New sources of SMV resistance would be valuable for breeding cultivars with durable resistance to multiple strains. The objectives of this research were to analyze genetic diversity of SMV-resistant soybean germplasm at the molecular level; to pyramid three genes from different sources for durable SMV resistance; and to identify and map new genes/alleles for differential reactions to SMV …

Growth Promoting Implants And Nutrient Restriction Prior To Feeding: Effect On Carcass Composition, Carcass Quality, And Consumer Acceptability Of Beef, Jessica Ann Robinette

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Implant strategy and nutrient restriction prior to finishing may alter feedlot performance, as well as carcass characteristics and consumer acceptability of beef. The objectives of these studies were to determine the effect of prefinishing implant strategy and plane of nutrition on prefinishing and feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and quality, and consumer acceptability of beef. In 2 experiments, spring-born calves were weaned in the fall (Exp. 1, n =120; and Exp. 2, n = 96) and were either finished as calves (CALF-FED) or placed on a growing program with a target ADG of 0.45 kg/d (RSTR) or 0.91 kg/d (UNRSTR) before …

The Effect Of Weighting Development Indicators On Countries Eligibility For International Development Funding: The Case Of The Millennium Challenge Corporation (Mcc), Idrissa Noma

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. government agency whose purpose is to promote economic growth and reduce poverty in low and low middle-income countries. It uses indicators to endorse countries eligibilities for international development funding. These indicators are related to economic growth and are developed by independent third parties (e.g., United Nations, World Bank), to evaluate a country's policy performance in three specific areas: (1) Ruling Justly, (2) Investing in People, and (3) Encouraging Economic Freedom (MCC, 2011). The MCC weighs indicators equally regardless of their myopic in-country relevancy to economic development. The goal of this study is …

Early Season Population Dynamics And Residual Insecticide Effects On Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid, Rhopalosiphum Padi In Arkansas Winter Wheat, Beven Mcwilliams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bird cherry-oat aphid is a common pest of Arkansas winter wheat. This aphid vectors barley yellow dwarf virus which may cause extensive crop damage and yield loss when wheat is infested by virulent aphids in the fall. Some suggest this damage may be avoided using insecticide seed treatments if growers are unable to delay planting, as is recommended. Field population dynamics of bird cherry-oat aphid during fall 2009 and 2010 was assessed through random sampling of whole plants and pan trapping methods to evaluate aphid immigration. The field plots were divided into four subplots treated with a systemic insecticide seed …

Lameness Associated With A Possible Neural Problem In The Lower Spinal Cord Of Chickens, Gallus Gallus, Gurueswar Nagarajan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since the second half of the twentieth century lameness in broiler chickens has been known to be caused by different types of disorders, however the etiology of several type of lameness remain unknown. Because of the intense selection of broilers for rapid growth, some birds are more prone to physiological insults resulting in lameness. This study focuses on possible neural problems in the lower spinal cord associated with lameness in broilers. Broilers were raised in pens with wire floors and provided with food and water ad libitum. Three groups of birds 1) birds displaying a normal gait (Controls), 2) lame …