Digital Commons Network^™

The Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of The Hybrid-Online Hatch-Out Program, Tannah Leigh Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

In today’s society, the majority of our population lacks knowledge about agriculture and its importance. Therefore, there is a demand for agricultural programs to increase a general knowledge of agriculture. This study aimed to develop, pilot test, and evaluate the Hybrid-Online Hatch-out Program. Due to limited resources with the current Hands-on Hatch-out program, this Hybrid-Online Hatch-out Program could reach a larger population of youth and aid in educating more youth about poultry (one of the largest sectors of agriculture). The RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) was utilized to guide the evaluation process. The program was pilot-tested in …

Positive Correlation Between A3 Subunit Of Glycinin And Firmness Of Tofu Made From Soybeans Grown In Three Locations Over Two Years, Ruiqi Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Producing desirable firmness is important in manufacturing tofu from soybeans. This study’s objective was to explore the environmental impact (location and year) on soybean chemical components and identify the correlations between chemical composition and the firmness of tofu made from soybeans planted in three locations over two years. Seventeen soybean Plant Introductions (PI) from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection and eight check varieties were planted in Mississippi, Virginia and Missouri in 2017 and 2018. Protein subunit composition, protein secondary structure, phytic acid content, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ content were determined. The result showed that A₃ subunit content was …

The Development Of Authentic Virtual Reality Scenarios To Measure Individuals’ Level Of Systems Thinking Skills And Learning Abilities, Vidanelage L. Dayarathna

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops virtual reality modules to capture individuals’ learning abilities and systems thinking skills in dynamic environments. In the first chapter, an immersive queuing theory teaching module is developed using virtual reality technology. The objective of the study is to present systems engineering concepts in a more sophisticated environment and measure students learning abilities. Furthermore, the study explores the performance gaps between male and female students in manufacturing systems concepts. To investigate the gender biases toward the performance of developed VR module, three efficacy measures (simulation sickness questionnaire, systems usability scale, and presence questionnaire) and two effectiveness measures (NASA …

The Effects Of Grazing Cover Crops On Animal Performance, Soil Characteristics, And Subsequent Soybean Production In East-Central Mississippi, Bronson Scott Bass

Theses and Dissertations

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) incorporate cropping systems and livestock production by grazing cover crops. With a growing awareness in recent years regarding agricultural sustainability, these systems have begun to be re-introduced into the southeastern U.S. This study evaluated cover cropping systems under grazed no-till (GNT), un-grazed no-till (UNT), and un-grazed conventional tillage (UCT) management, in Mississippi. Beef cattle (Bos spp.) performance was significantly less in the cover crop treatment of oats (Avena sativa) + crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) + radish (Raphanus sativus; OCR) in both average daily gain (ADG; 3.03 lb hd^{-1 …}

Evaluating The Effects Of Pine And Miscanthus Biochar On Water Activity And Escherichia Coli Populations In Commercial Broiler Litter, Christopher Austin Marty

Theses and Dissertations

The decrease in subtherapeutic antibiotic administration in poultry has increased the need to address production challenges caused by pathogens, such as E. coli. One potential way to improve bird health and reduce bacterial infection is through the addition of litter amendments that absorb moisture. Biochar (BC) has previously been shown to increase water holding capacity in poultry litter, but its effects on E. coli mitigation are unknown. The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate water activity of poultry litter amended with pine and miscanthus BC, and 2) determine the effects of different BC inclusion rates on litter …

The Effects Of Cover Crops In An Integrated Livestock/Continuous Corn Cropping System In East-Central Mississippi, Ken Randolph Waddell

Theses and Dissertations

There is growing interest within the agricultural industry on how cover crop systems affect soil health and economic productivity in integrated crop-livestock systems. This study investigated the combined effects of cover crop species; no-till and conventional till; and grazed (G) and un-grazed (UG) in a continuous corn (Zea mays) production system in east-central Mississippi. Cover crops were established in the fall of 2019 and 2020 in two separate field studies. Corn yield was not affected by grazing or tillage but was affected by cover crop species. We then compared the difference in cover crop species treatments with their respective corn …

Systematics And Population Structure Of Amblyomma Maculatum Group Ticks And Rickettsia Parkeri, An Emerging Human Pathogen In Southern Arizona, Usa, Michelle E. J. Allerdice

Theses and Dissertations

The recent discovery of Amblyomma maculatum sensu lato (s. l.) ticks in southern Arizona has renewed discussions around species designations for members of the Amblyomma maculatum tick group. Amblyomma maculatum s. l. from Arizona appear to be morphologically intermediate between A. maculatum sensu stricto (s. s.) and A. triste s. s. At present there is no conclusive species designation for the ticks from Arizona. My research focused on analyzing the systematics of both A. maculatum s. l. and Rickettsia parkeri, a common bacterial pathogen transmitted by these ticks.

In the laboratory, A. maculatum s. l. from Arizona and A. maculatum …

Examining The Need For Parental Satisfaction With The Msu Extension Equine Assisted Therapy Program, Ashlyn Ann Kiker

Theses and Dissertations

Animal assisted interventions are becoming more prevalent in our society. Animal interventions have become a popular therapy technique that exist to aid a variety of disabilities. Equine therapeutic riding has become one of the most popular forms of animal assisted therapy for both children and adults. While research shows the importance and benefits of animal assisted therapy for children, there is a lack of research concerning parental satisfaction within therapeutic riding programs.

This study tested a newly developed instrument for measuring parental satisfaction for therapeutic riding programs. The Parent/Caregiver Evaluation Tool (Kerr, 2021) was administered to parents/caregivers whose children participated …

The Efficacy Of The Low-Fodmap Diet To Alleviate Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Adults: A Systematic Review, Jacqueline Nicole Rustom

Theses and Dissertations

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder with 6.5% worldwide prevalence that causes gas production, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain or discomfort. This systematic review describes efficacy of the Low-Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAP) diet (Low-FODMAP diet or LFD) to alleviate IBS symptoms using the PRISMA guidelines. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one non-RCT consecutive controlled study published between 2015 to 2019 were identified using PubMed and CENTRAL. Included studies involved adult IBS participants with symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, and/or diarrhea. A total of 530 participants completed the interventions from the 10 studies included …

The Art Of Amphibian Conservation: Linking In-Situ And Ex-Situ Populations Of Endangered Species Through Genome Banking, Isabella Joann Burger

Theses and Dissertations

Limited breeding success in captive breeding programs has necessitated the development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to preserve and increase genetic variation and population numbers of both captive and wild amphibian groups. ART has been shown to be successful in numerous anuran species, and current studies focus on the application of ART in ex-situ populations. The focus of this project is to show that linking in-situ and ex-situ amphibian populations through sperm cryopreservation, genome banking, and in-vitro fertilization is possible, with the goal of increasing gene diversity throughout groups in order to produce self-sustaining, wild populations in the future. Specific …

Description Of The Conjunctival Microbiome Of Normal Non-Brachycephalic Dogs And The Effects Of Antiseptic Preparation, Lindsay Seyer

Theses and Dissertations

Surgical preparation reduces commensal bacterial load. Currently, no standardized preoperative ocular preparation method in the dog has been reported. Previous studies use culture-based methods to determine commensal bacterial populations. Recent reports suggest that high-throughput sequencing may be superior to culture techniques to determine bacterial communities in the eye and other tissues. The goal of this study was to describe the conjunctival commensal ocular microbiome and bacterial community using DNA sequencing and aerobic cultures of six normal, healthy dogs and investigate the short and long-term effects of an antiseptic protocol on the ocular microbiome. Samples were obtained prior to, immediately following, …

Macronutrient Intake: A Multi-Sport Study Of Female Division I Collegiate Athletes, Ffion Price

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Macronutrients play a critical role within collegiate athletes’ performance and health, with carbohydrates providing most of the energy needs for most athletes. There is little research examining the macronutrient intake of healthy collegiate female athletes across sports. The aim of the present study was to compare macronutrient intakes of female collegiate athletes within different sports and compare their intakes to recommendations. Methods: An observational study was conducted to determine whether a sample of female collegiate athletes (n=26) consumed the IOC nutritional recommendations. Sports included within the study were soccer, basketball, volleyball, and cross-country. Athletes were asked to complete a …

Enhancing Situational Awareness For Rotorcraft Pilots Using Virtual And Augmented Reality, Ardit Pranvoku

Theses and Dissertations

Rotorcraft pilots often face the challenge of processing a multitude of data, integrating it with prior experience and making informed decisions in complex, rapidly changing multisensory environments. Virtual Reality (VR), and more recently Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have been applied for providing users with immersive, interactive and navigable experiences. The research work described in this thesis demonstrates that VR/AR are particularly effective in providing real-time information without detracting from the pilot's mission in both civilian and military engagements. The immersion of the pilot inside of the VR model provides enhanced realism. Interaction with the VR environment allows pilots to practice …

Investigating The Influence Of Available Drinking Water On Wildlife In Utah's West Desert, Danielle K. Finlayson

Theses and Dissertations

The availability of water is a limiting resource for many wildlife species in arid and semi- arid environments. Free water is essential for critical life stages for numerous species, including migration, reproduction, survival, and habitat selection. Riparian areas in the desert occur relatively infrequently, but support a disproportionally large percentage of plant and wildlife species found in arid environments. Our study covered two aspects of water use in the west desert of Utah. The first was assessing the impacts of nonnative ungulates (specifically feral horses and cattle) on natural springs, and how they influenced water quality, vegetation, and wildlife diversity …

Identifying Sinorhizobium Meliloti Genes That Determine Fitness Outcomes, Alexander B. Benedict

Theses and Dissertations

The remarkable metabolic capacity of the soil-dwelling bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is encoded on its three circular replicons: the chromosome and two large megaplasmids, pSymA and pSymB. Despite making up 45% of the genome, the pSymA and pSymB megaplasmids can be cured from S. meliloti. This unique attribute provides an opportunity to study the essentiality of chromosomal genes in the presence or absence of nearly half the genome. By interrogating chromosomal genes via massively parallel transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-seq) in the presence and absence of pSymA and pSymB, we identified 307 genes as being essential for viability regardless of the genomic …

Saprotrophy Among Endophytic Fungi, Emily Marissa Weatherhead

Theses and Dissertations

Endophytic fungi have been found in every terrestrial plant investigated thus far. They can receive nutritional benefits from their host tissues. Two major modes of nutrition for endophytic fungi include biotrophy and saprotrophy. In chapter 1, I set out to determine whether endophytic fungi isolated from Quercus gambelii in Utah, USA were capable of saprotrophy and, if some were, how much variation in saprotrophic ability exists among them. Because saprotrophy requires moisture and, in Utah, moisture is largely unavailable outside winter and early spring, in chapter 2 I set out to determine if any of our isolated endophytic fungi were …

Small Mammal Community Ecology And Ectoparasite Dynamics In A Tamaulipan Thornscrub Habitat, Brandi Giles

Theses and Dissertations

Small mammals play many roles in ecosystems and are known as great indicators of overall ecosystem function and health, but they are also highly competent hosts for ticks and tick-borne disease. In this study, I gathered data on small mammal community ecology and species diversity, abundance, and overall ectoparasite (i.e., ticks) dynamics in a south Texas Tamaulipan thornscrub habitat. I also assessed differences in these parameters in edge versus interior habitats across a gradient of habitat fragmentation and species assemblage. Lastly, I assessed which host and environmental factors can be utilized for predicting parasitization of small mammals in this habitat. …

"Nothing Sacred" And The Impact Of Catharsis, Religious Iconography And Satire In Film, Jaime Danielle Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

Writing, or art of any kind, can be cathartic, depending on the subject matter. The term catharsis here refers to the experience shared by the tragic hero and audience in a common emotional tension that gets released in a fictional process that provides clarity. I would assert that the author should be included in this aesthetic and intellectual process. Creative writing can also be cathartic work and can allow the author to release pity and fear and gain clarity. In Nothing Sacred, the thesis screenplay written and explored here, I aim to find if catharsis can exist in both …

Role Of Hsp70 And The Tlr4-Md2 Complex In The Vasculature: From Function To Dysfunction In Diabetes, Amanda Almeida De Oliveira

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes impairs vascular functionality, which contributes to the pathophysiology of its associated complications. Recently, it was suggested that innate immune receptors assist in the development of diabetic vasculopathies, which sustains the pro-inflammatory state of the disease. Among these receptors, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a strategic player as its activation prime the release of inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are well-known pathological mechanisms linked to diabetic complications. The TLR4-Myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) complex has gained much attention over the last decade, primarily because it interacts with self-produced molecules. In vascular tissues, the Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) …

Growth Kinetics Of Salmonella Spp. During Post-Harvest Storage Of Fresh And Fresh-Cut Papaya, Amandeep Singh

Theses and Dissertations

Fresh produce safety is major concern in United States. Fresh produce has been associated with numerous food-borne outbreaks each year. Salmonella has been a recurring issue in the papaya industry. Since 2010, imported papayas have been implicated in 8 multistate outbreaks associated with Salmonella spp. causing 480 illnesses, 113 hospitalization and 3 deaths. The main reason behind this problem is as fresh papaya is grown on fields where they are constantly exposed to preharvest microbial contamination through contaminated irrigation water, agricultural soil, raw manure and/or feces deposited by intruding domestic or wild animals. Moreover, majority fresh papaya is also consumed …

The Skeletal Structure Of Hot Mix Asphalt And The Effects Of Fiber Additives, Samantha A. Avila

Theses and Dissertations

Hot mix asphalt (HMA) has proven to be successful in providing a proper paving surface for transportation services throughout the world. Asphalt pavement could be altered as the gradation of the mixture is adjusted. For instance, mixtures could vary from Dense Graded (DG) that contain a fairly even percentage of all aggregate size allowing for a more compact fit to Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) where the coarse aggregate compromise the main skeleton while fine aggregate fills the voids. This study investigates the effects of fibers and skeletal structures on mechanical properties of HMA. Two types of fiber additives are tested …

Bullet-Proof Boll Weevil: The History Of Boll Weevil Eradication, Evan A. Berg

Theses and Dissertations

Farmers and entomologists have all experimented with various methods to find the best way to defeat the United States' boll weevil. The techniques themselves, while expansive, can be examined within the scope of the years that they were used. This provides an exciting insight into how cotton pest management became more complex as the decades moved on and revealed how the science of cotton pest management evolved to deal with the boll weevil and other future cotton threats.

Evolutionary Development Study Of Firebrat (Thermobia Domestica), Luis Cantu Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

As most evolutionary development studies regarding wing origin take place using insects taxonomically closer to model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, there is a need of expanding studies to lower clades. While D. melanogaster is higher phylogenetically, basal clades would allow for a historical perspective of what occurs within the gene flow of conservative biomarkers. Further understanding of wings and flight would allow for a clearer understanding of how the migration of insects from sea to land has allowed them to become one of the most speciose taxa. Through the study of Thermobia Domestica, part of the Zygentoma, we expand on comprehension …

Characterization Of Soil Nematode Community As Influenced By Weedy Plants And Edaphic Properties, Orlando Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Nematodes are one of the most critical species globally as they are part of most nutrient recycling. While nematodes play a vital role in nutrient cycling, little is known about them from an ecological standpoint. The majority of current research has focused on a singular component of the community, being those of herbivore/plant-parasitic nematodes. In this study, the community shifts of the nematode trophic groups were analyzed as influenced by native and invasive grasses species in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) with the addition of edaphic soil properties.

In our study, the results indicate changes in the composition of …

A Gis-Based Model To Assess On-Site Sewage Facility (Ossf) Contamination Risk To Local Water Resources, Alvaro Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

In a collaborative effort between Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), Cameron County Public Health (CCPH), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (TAMAE), and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a GIS database that includes relevant OSSF information, such as location, system age, lot size, and other important parameters was created.

This OSSF database, along with publicly available GIS data, was used to create an integrative GIS-based risk assessment model where OSSF risk parameters were assigned a risk factor and combined into a spatial contamination risk for surrounding areas and their receiving waterbodies. Parameters were broken down into two categories: environmental …

Early Embryology In Collembola With An Emphasis On Wing Development, Samantha A. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study was to further the understanding of the wing origin in insects. Currently there are several theories which are popular such as the tergum theory, the pleural plate theory, and the dual theory of wing origin. Studies for these theories have been done on crustaceans, the ancestors to modern day insects. By utilizing a pre insect hexapod, it may be possible to better understand the transition to insect wings. Members of the Collembola species Hypogastrurid are one of these pre-insect hexapods which may provide a clue into origins of wing development. During this study, the …

Cowboy Conversations, Abraham Garza

Theses and Dissertations

I have always had a profound interest in the past; how that past affects the present, and ultimately, anticipating how the present will affect the future. Circumstances change, but the lessons we’ve learned will, inevitably, determine how we handle impending events. Using fiction as a platform, my intent is to reveal, through each chapter, how one’s past dictates future decisions.

I have been working with a vaquero, my wife’s grandfather, who was raised on different South Texas ranches. Taking odd jobs from stall boy to ranch hand, and horse trainer, his unique experiences will illustrate period-based scenarios that emphasize his …

Characteristics Analysis Of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (Eis) For Different Electrode Patterns, Shanzida Kabir

Theses and Dissertations

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a rapidly developing technique used in characterizing materials and interfaces. Using equivalent circuits as models can determine the electrical properties of heterogeneous systems like membranes or electrolytes. Different electrochemical processes like the electron transfer rate of a specific reaction or the capacitive behavior of the system, or even the diffusion-limited response can coincide. EIS is applicable to determine different electrochemical processes that can happen simultaneously. The purpose of this research is to find the optimal operating range for other AC electrokinetic mechanisms. Analysis of EIS can be helpful in both fundamental examinations of electrokinetic transport …

Duet Phonology And Syntax Of The Red-Crowned Parrots In South Texas, Abigail Pozulp

Theses and Dissertations

Bird behavioral interaction systems show a preference for temporal precision. This preference is exemplified in the way many species avoid masking of vocal signals. Antiphonal duetting in songbirds suggest that overlapping notes are a sign of poor temporal coordination which can signify a weak pairbond, a possible cue for conspecifics seeking to usurp territories or mates. However, parrots (Psittacidae) are accomplished yet understudied duetters in nature. I recorded antiphonal duets produced by a wild population of red-crowned parrots (Amazona viridigenalis) in Brownsville, Texas. Temporal and acoustic variation of signals was assessed within and across a sample of mated …

Development Of Vegetable Oil-Based Nano-Lubricants Using Montmorillonite Clay (Mmt) Nanoparticles As Lubricant Additives, Md Mashfiqur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Because of the environmental impact and price volatility, there has been a growing concern on the use of petroleum-based lubricants. This issue has stimulated research into the development of biodegradable lubricants like vegetable oils. In this study, the tribological and rheological behavior of sunflower, peanut, and corn oils modified with Montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT) as lubricant additives were evaluated at various concentrations. A custom-made block on ring tribotester was used to evaluate the wear and friction characteristics of the nano-lubricants, following the ASTM G-077-05 standard. The effects of concentration and shear rate on shear viscosity were studied using a parallel plate …