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Tsdaf-21/Hsp90 Is Expressed In All Examined Stages Of Trichinella Spiralis, Yurong Yang, Weiwen Qin, Dante Zarlenga, Lei Cao, Guimei Tian

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Trichinella is an important parasitic nematode of animals worldwide. Heat shock proteins are ubiquitous in nature and allow organisms to quickly respond to environmental stress. A portion of the Tsdaf-21 gene, a Caenorhabditis elegans daf-21 homologue encoding heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) was cloned from Trichinella spiralis. The partial nucleotide sequence resided near the 5′-end of the gene and encoded a polypeptide of 254 amino acid residues harboring a HATPase-c superfamily domain and Hsp90 protein domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Tsdaf-21 is highly conserved and formed a monophyletic clade with other nematodes. The partial Tsdaf-21 transcript was subcloned and expressed for …

Use Of Ethanol Extract Of Mycobacterium Bovis For Detection Of Specific Antibodies In Sera Of Farmed Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) With Bovine Tuberculosis, Ashutosh Wadhwa, Rachel E. Johnson, C. G. Mackintosh, J Frank Griffin, W Ray Waters, John Bannantine, Shigetoshi Eda

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in wildlife species poses a threat to domestic livestock in many situations. Control programs for bTB in livestock depend on testing and slaughtering the positive animals; however, the currently available diagnostic tests often have poor specificity. In our previous study, we developed a specific and sensitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for another mycobacterial disease – Johne’s disease, using surface antigens of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) extracted by briefly agitating the bacilli in 80% ethanol solution. The ELISA test was named ethanol vortex ELISA (EVELISA). The objective of this study is to examine whether EVELISA …

High-Impact Animal Health Research Conducted At The Usda’S National Animal Disease Center, J. P. Bannantine, Steven C. Olsen, Marcus E. Kehrli Jr., Thad B. Stanton, Eduardo Casas, Diana L. Whipple, Kurt A. Zuelke

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Commissioned by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 and opened with a dedication ceremony in December 1961, the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC) celebrated its 50-year anniversary in November 2011. Over these 50 years, the NADC established itself among the world’s premier animal health research centers. Its historic mission has been to conduct basic and applied research on selected endemic diseases of economic importance to the U.S. livestock and poultry industries. Research from NADC has impacted control or management efforts on nearly every major animal disease in the United States since 1961. For example, diagnostic tests …

Particulate Emissions Calculations From Fall Tillage Operations Using Point And Remote Sensors, Kori D. Moore, Michael D. Wojcik, Randal S. Martin, Christian C. Merchant, Gail E. Bingham, Richard L. Pfeiffer, John H. Prueger, Jerry L. Hatfield

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Soil preparation for agricultural crops produces aerosols that may significantly contribute to seasonal atmospheric particulate matter (PM). Efforts to reduce PM emissions from tillage through a variety of conservation management practices (CMPs) have been made, but the reductions from many of these practices have not been measured in the field. A study was conducted in California’s San Joaquin Valley to quantify emissions reductions from fall tillage CMP. Emissions were measured from conventional tillage methods and from a “combined operations” CMP, which combines several implements to reduce tractor passes. Measurements were made of soil moisture, bulk density, meteorological profiles, filter-based total …

Downstream Approaches To Phosphorus Management In Agricultural Landscapes: Regional Applicability And Use, R. Kröger, E. J. Dunne, J. Novak, K. W. King, E. Mclellan, D. R. Smith, J. Strock, K. Boomer, M. Tomer, G. B. Noe

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This review provides a critical overview of conservation practices that are aimed at improving water quality by retaining phosphorus (P) downstream of runoff genesis. The review is structured around specific downstream practices that are prevalent in various parts of the United States. Specific practices that we discuss include the use of controlled drainage, chemical treatment of waters and soils, receiving ditch management, and wetlands. The review also focuses on the specific hydrology and biogeochemistry associated with each of those practices. The practices are structured sequentially along flowpaths as you move through the landscape, from the edge-of-field, to adjacent aquatic systems, …

Switchgrass Biomass Composition Altered By Six Generations Of Divergent Breeding For Digestibility, Kenneth P. Vogel, R. B. Mitchell, G. Sarath, H. G. Jung, B. S. Dien, M. D. Casler

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Biomass composition of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) can affect its utilization by ruminants and its conversion to liquid fuels in a biorefinery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of six generations of divergent breeding for forage in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) on switchgrass biomass composition, forage quality traits, and ethanol yield. Initially there was one cycle of selection for both low (C-1) and high IVDMD (C1 = cv. Trailblazer), followed by four additional breeding cycles for high IVDMD. In cycles 4 and 5, winter survival was included as a selection criterion because of decreased …

Efficacy In Pigs Of Inactivated And Live Attenuated Influenza Virus Vaccines Against Infection And Transmission Of An Emerging H3n2 Similar To The 2011-2012 H3n2v, Crystal L. Loving, Kelly M. Lager, Amy L. Vincent, Susan L. Brockmeier, Phillip C. Gauger, Tavis K. Anderson, Pravina Kitikoon, Daniel R. Perez, Marcus E. Kehrli Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Vaccines provide a primary means to limit disease but may not be effective at blocking infection and pathogen transmission. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of commercial inactivated swine influenza A virus (IAV) vaccines and experimental live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vaccines against infection with H3N2 virus and subsequent indirect transmission to naive pigs. The H3N2 virus evaluated was similar to the H3N2v detected in humans during 2011-2012, which was associated with swine contact at agricultural fairs. One commercial vaccine provided partial protection measured by reduced nasal shedding; however, indirect contacts became infected, indicating that …

Seasonal Temperature And Precipitation Effects On Cow–Calf Production In Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie, Justin L. Reeves, Justin D. Derner, Matt A. Sanderson, Mark K. Petersen, Lance T. Vermeire, John R. Hendrickson, Scott L. Kronberg

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Quantifying the effects of seasonal temperature and precipitation on cow–calf production on rangelands is challenging, as few long-term (420 yrs) studies have been reported. However, an understanding of how seasonal weather inconsistency affects beef production is needed for beef producers to better manage their herds on native rangelands to minimize enterprise risk with respect to climatic variability. Cow–calf beef production data collected at the USDA-ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station near Cheyenne, WY, USA from 1975 to 2012 were tested using model averaging for effects of spring (April–June) and summer (July–September) temperature and precipitation, as well as prior winter (October–March) …

Methyl-Β-Cyclodextrin Alters Adipokine Gene Expression And Glucose Metabolism In Swine Adipose Tissue*, T. G. Ramsay, L. Blomberg, T. J. Caperna

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This study was designed to determine whether methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD) can substitute for albumin in incubation medium for neonatal swine adipose tissue explants, or whether MCD affects metabolism and cytokine expression. Subcutaneous adipose tissue explants (100±10 mg) were prepared from 21-day-old pigs. Explants were incubated in medium 199 supplemented with 25mM HEPES, 1.0 nM insulin at 37°C. The medium also contained bovine serum albumin (BSA) or MCD at 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% or 0.3%. Tissue explants were treated with these media for 1 h and then switched to the same basal incubation medium containing 0.05% BSA. Explants were removed from basal …

Temperature And Precipitation Affect Steer Weight Gains Differentially By Stocking Rate In Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie, Justin L. Reeves, Justin D. Derner, Matt A. Sanderson, Mark K. Petersen, Lance T. Vermeire, John R. Hendrickson, Scott L. Kronberg

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Cattle weight gain responses to seasonal weather variability are difficult to predict for rangelands because few long-term (>20 yr) studies have been conducted. However, an increased understanding of temperature and precipitation influences on cattle weight gains is needed to optimize stocking rates and reduce enterprise risk associated with climatic variability. Yearling steer weight gain data collected at the USDA-ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station at light, moderate, and heavy stocking rates for 30 years (1982–2011) were used to examine the effects of spring (April–June) and summer (July–September) temperature and precipitation, as well as prior-growing-season (prior April–September) and fall/winter (October–March) …

Double Cropping Opportunities For Biomass Crops In The North Central Usa, Kenneth J. Moore, Douglas L. Karlen

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Increased biomass crop production is essential for the development of sustainable bioenergy and bioproduct industries. Double cropping is one strategy that may help meet those goals, but in more northern latitudes traditional double cropping has been limited by a short growing season. However, since lignocellulosic biomass crops do not need to complete their lifecycle and produce seed, double cropping those species could be successful and provide several beneficial ecosystem services. This includes providing nearly year-round ground cover to reduce soil exposure to water and wind erosion, and diversifying landscapes to help mitigate the unintended consequences of many current agricultural practices. …

Employment Law Inside Out: Using The Problem Method To Teach Workplace Law, Rachel Arnow-Richman

UF Law Faculty Publications

This Article, prepared for the Saint Louis University Law Review’s 2013 Symposium on Teaching Employment & Labor Law, explores the use of the problem method in employment law instruction. Drawing on my experience teaching the basic employment law course, I suggest that those areas of the field that require transactional lawyering skills are perhaps best taught contextually through a hypothetical problem, rather than through cases. Adopting the problem method in such circumstances not only gives students a richer understanding of the law and how it operates, but also the opportunity to cultivate problem-solving skills and professional judgment, thereby advancing the …

Law School Disciplinary Procedure, 2013 (Digital Version), Suffolk University Law School

Suffolk University Law School Academic Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Conceptual And Jurisprudential Aspects Of Property In The Context Of The Fundamental Rights Of Indigenous People: The Case Of The Shuar Of Ecuador, Winston P. Nagan, Craig Hammer

UF Law Faculty Publications

This article draws attention to several problems relating to indigenous ownership of both real and intellectual property, and their related impact upon the well-being and essential dignity of indigenous peoples. Part II of this article introduces the concept of indigenous ownership of real and intellectual property. Part III digs deeper into challenges to indigenous ownership of land, using the Shuar people of Ecuador as a case study. Part IV examines the problem of bioprospecting, as well as some of its implications, and discusses how the problem has affected the Shuar. It additionally summarizes a few steps toward developing an effective …

Threshold Responses Of Forest Birds To Landscape Changes Around Exurban Development, Todd R. Lookingbill, Marcela Suarez-Rubio, Scott Wilson, Peter Leimgruber

Geography and the Environment Faculty Publications

Low-density residential development (i.e., exurban development) is often embedded within a matrix of protected areas and natural amenities, raising concern about its ecological consequences. Forest-dependent species are particularly susceptible to human settlement even at low housing densities typical of exurban areas. However, few studies have examined the response of forest birds to this increasingly common form of land conversion. The aim of this study was to assess whether, how, and at what scale forest birds respond to changes in habitat due to exurban growth. We evaluated changes in habitat composition (amount) and configuration (arrangement) for forest and forest-edge species around …

Law Firm Malpractice Disclosure: Illustrations And Guidelines, Anthony V. Alfieri

Articles

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Anaerobic Dairy Manure Co-Digestion And Effluent Solid Separation On Volatile Fatty Acids During Manure Storage, Laura Page

Open Access Theses

Volatile fatty acids (VFA) are among the most abundant organic compounds found in animal manure and act as important intermediates in the production of methane under anaerobic digestion (AD). However, VFA also contribute to odor emissions from manure. Anaerobic digestion and separation of solids may help to reduce odor pollution during manure storage and subsequent land application by reducing VFA concentrations.

Little information about the characteristics and concentrations of VFA in dairy manure related to AD is available. This thesis presents the results of VFA production during two three-month storage studies of dairy manure collected from four different sources on …

An Anti-Pyruvate Kinase Monoclonal Antibody And Translocated Intimin Receptor (Tir) For Specific Detection Of Listeria Species And Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia Coli, Titiksha Dikshit

Open Access Theses

Foodborne illnesses pose a significant health concern and economic impact worldwide. In this study, we aimed at developing alternate and improved methods for Shiga toxigenic E. coli (STEC) and Listeria species detection. In Listeria monocytogenes, an auxiliary secretory system, SecA2, plays an important role in translocating virulence and housekeeping proteins to cell surface to aid bacteria to maintain saprophytic and intracellular life styles. Here we investigated if pyruvate kinase (PyK), present in both pathogenic and nonpathogenic Listeria, is translocated by SecA2 system and determined its potential application in immunologic detection of these bacteria. Additionally, cell surface localization and enzymatic activity …

Biomass Production And Hydrological/Water Quality Impacts Of Perennial Crop Production On Marginal Land, Qingyu Feng

Open Access Theses

Marginal land has been proposed to be a viable choice for biomass production to meet the biofuel development goal set by Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). However, very little information is currently available for quantifying biomass production potential and impacts on hydrology and water quality. The objectives of this study were to: (1) quantify availability of marginal land in a typical agricultural watershed; (2) test whether the biomass feedstock produced from marginal land in the study watershed can support a hypothetical small bio-refinery with annual capacity of 50 million gallons of ethanol produced; and (3) evaluate the hydrological/water quality …

Development Of A Starch-Based Mussel-Mimetic Adhesive Polymer, Jeffrey Kazimir De Kozlowski

Open Access Theses

Mussel-mimetic adhesive polymers have gained lots of attention for their strong adhesive strength, moisture resistance, and unique ability to crosslink. These properties are mainly attributed to the high content of catecholic 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in mussel adhesive proteins. While there has been success in creating mussel-mimetic synthetic polymers, less effort has been given to create a renewable, green, biocompatible counterpart. This thesis explores the possibilities of starch-based mussel-mimetic adhesives. Carboxymethyl starch of various molecular weights and degree of substitution was synthesized and subsequent conjugation of dopamine to these polymers by 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide was investigated. The polymers suffered from very low substitution (DScatechol …

Analysis Of Sources Of Variation And Relationships Among Sow Productivity Traits, Richard L. Cutshaw

Open Access Theses

The swine industry has witnessed major changes in the past three decades in terms of selection tools and implementation of effective selection. As the pork industry continues to consolidate, it is increasingly important to be able to accurately predict and direct future performance toward increased overall profitability. Overall, sow productivity greatly affects a pork producer's ability to be profitable in the industry and have sufficient knowledge of production levels to improve the likelihood of remaining profitable into the future.

The relationships among sow productivity traits including total number born, litter birth weight, number weaned, preweaning survival, mean piglet birth weight, …

Photochemical Reactions Of Naproxen, Ibuprofen And Tylosin, Yang He

Open Access Theses

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) include a wide range of compounds that are used extensively and sometimes daily by people. Some PPCPs have been detected in surface water (streams, rivers, lakes) due to incomplete removal in wastewater treatment plants. The water contaminated by PPCPs is harmful to aquatic organisms and human. Naproxen (NXP), ibuprofen (IBP) and tylosin (TYL) are chosen as representative PPCPs in the current research, because they are consumed in large quantities throughout the world and there is limited data about photodegradation of these compounds in aqueous solution at the wavelength of 254 nm.

The combination of …

Cowbird Behavioral Responses To Lights Tuned To Their Visual System: Implications For Bird-Aircraft Collisions, Megan S. Doppler

Open Access Theses

Collisions between birds and aircraft cause extensive monetary expenses and are a risk to human lives, as well as the lives of endangered and threatened birds. Birds are highly visual organisms with visual system substantially different from humans. Previously, studies show that the use of white broad-spectrum lights have the potential to enhance bird avoidance behavior; however, no study has investigated the effects of light colors that would be more salient from the avian perspective. The purpose of this project was to assess detection and avoidance responses of brown-headed cowbirds exposed to a radio-controlled (RC) aircraft with a lighting system …

How Population Density Influences Agricultural Intensification And Productivity: Evidence From Ethiopia, Anna Leigh Josephson

Open Access Theses

We use household-level panel data to estimate how population density impacts agricultural intensification and farm income in Ethiopia. We hypothesize that increases in population density affect agricultural intensification and farm income directly through information flows, institutional development, and reduction in transactions costs. Increases in population density also affect agricultural intensification and farm income indirectly through farm size, agricultural wage rates, and staple crop prices. We find that increases in population density lead to lower farm sizes, which has major implications for agricultural intensification and household well-being. Our analysis indicates that increases in population density cause farmers to purchase more inorganic …

Autonomous Orientation And Geolocation Via Celestial Objects, Cheng Liu

Open Access Theses

Based on a hemispherical sensor geometry, a novel celestial navigation system is developed to use celestial objects to determine the absolute location and orientation information without the aid of satellites via two different approaches.

The first approach employs a hemispherical arrangement of light intensity sensors to determine the vector to the dominant light source. We present the sensing system to measure the sun vector via least squares method and achieve the application of a low-cost, small-sized solar compass. The system is shown to work well under ideal conditions but is susceptible to noise and uncertainties in some situations.

The second …

Effects Of Housing And Calcium-Deficient Diet On Health And Egg Production In Bovans Brown Hens., Jiaying Hu

Open Access Theses

Public concern about the welfare of hens kept in conventional cages has become an important issue worldwide. The conventional cage system has been banned by the European Union since 2012. Several housing systems, including free range, have been developed as welfare friendly alternatives to the conventional cage system. Experiment 1, the study examined the effects of housing environment, conventional cages vs. floor pens, on hens' health and egg production. A total of 84 19-wk-old Bovans Brown hens were randomly assigned into 2-bird cage with 12 replications (n=12), providing 968 cm2 floor space per hen or 10-bird floor pen with 6 …

Vibrational Photoacoustic Tomography: Deep Tissue Imaging With Biomarker Sensitivity, Rui Li

Open Access Theses

As a molecular and functional imaging modality, photoacoustic imaging has been applied to animals or human organs such as breast, brain and skin. Till now, the contrast mechanism of photoacoustic imaging is mainly based on electronic absorption in visible and near infrared region. Inherent molecular vibration offers a contrast mechanism for chemical imaging in a label free manner. In vibrational microscopy based on either infrared absorption or Raman scattering, the imaging depth is limited to the ballistic photon mean free path, which is a few hundred microns in a biological sample. Owing to much weaker acoustic scattering in tissues as …

The Effect Of Individual Milk Proteins On Bioaccessibility Of Green Tea Flavan-3-Ols, Sydney Elizabeth Moser

Open Access Theses

While information regarding the impact of flavan-3-ol-protein interactions on food quality attributes (flavor, texture, and physical stability) exists, insight into the potential consequence of these interactions on bioavailability of health-promoting flavan-3-ols remains unclear. The ability of nonspecific protein interactions in flavan-3-ol rich foods and beverages to alter digestive stability and/or digestive release (bioaccessibility) of flavan-3-ols has been previously proposed but unconfirmed. The primary objective of this study was to characterize effects of individual milk proteins and the milk matrix on in vitro bioaccessibility of green tea flavan-3-ols from model beverage systems. As a secondary objective, the impact of protein gastrointestinal …

Impact Of Microwave Processing On Quality Of High Value Shelf Stable Fruit Products, Milena Maria Leon Garcia

Open Access Theses

Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of health promoting micronutrients and phytochemicals, and their consumption has been associated with reduction of many chronic and degenerative disease. Thermal processing techniques are used to preserve quality and extent of the shelf life of foods, although these traditional processes are associated with specific quality changes in fruits and vegetables. Compared to traditional thermal processing methods, microwave heating provides the potential to improve product quality by virtue of its energy transfer mechanism that provides rapid volumetric heating of food and can potentially enhance overall quality of processed fruit and vegetable products. Though direct …

Stories Of Journalistic Careers: From Serial Killers To The Changing Nature Of Journalism, Linda Hughes-Kirchubel

Open Access Theses

A career narrative is a story that helps a person define who she is, and how she should act, within the context of career (Meijers & Lengelle, 2012). This thesis is an analysis of three distinct, yet related, career narratives: a metanarrative, a mesonarrative, and a micronarrative. I examine the field of journalism through metanarratives that reflect the sea-change brought about by the advent of the Internet and the production of on-demand news (see 111th Congress, 2009; Rainey & Wellman, 2012; Weldon, 2008). Using the story of two serial killers, I show how the industry has begun to think differently …