Digital Commons Network^™

Dynamics Of Plant Root Growth Under Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, M. Madhu, J. L. Hatfield

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

Plant growth is influenced by above- and belowground environmental conditions and increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations enhances growth and yield of most agricultural crops. This review covers current knowledge on the impact of increasing CO₂ concentration on root dynamics of plants in terms of growth, root/shoot (R/S) ratio, root biomass, root length, root longevity, root mortality, root distribution, root branching, root quality, and the response of these root parameters to management practices including soil water and nutrients. The effects of CO₂ concentration on R/S ratio are contradictory due to complexity in accurate underground biomass estimation …

Lysine Optimization Of A Commercial Fishmeal-Free Diet For Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone Chrysops × M. Saxatilis), Steven D. Rawles, S. Adam Fuller, Benjamin H. Beck, T. Gibson Gaylord, Frederic T. Barrows, Matthew E. Mcentire

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

Substitution of fishmeal with alternate proteins in aquafeeds often results in dietary imbalances of first-limiting essential amino acids (EAA) and poorer fish performance. This growth trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that ideal protein theory accurately predicts first-limiting amino acids and optimumlysine level for a fishmeal-free, commercial-grade diet formulated for hybrid striped bass (HSB). The ideal model for formulation was the amino acid pattern of hybrid striped bass muscle. A negative control diet based on soybean (45%), corn gluten (10%), and poultry by-product (13%) meals was formulated on an ideal basis to contain 18% lipid, 40% crude protein (CP), …

Biofortified Cassava Increases Β-Carotene And Vitamin A Concentrations In The Tag-Rich Plasma Layer Of American Women, Michael R. La Frano, Leslie R. Woodhouse, Dustin J. Burnett, Betty J. Burri

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

Biofortification of cassava with the provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene is a potential mechanism for alleviating vitamin A deficiency. Cassava is a staple food in the African diet, but data regarding the human bioavailability of b-carotene from this food are scarce. The objective of the present study was to evaluate provitamin A-enhanced cassava as a source of β-carotene and vitamin A for healthy adult women. The study was a randomised, cross-over trial of ten American women. The subjects consumed three different porridges separated by 2 week washout periods. Treatment meals (containing 100 g cassava) included: biofortified cassava (2mg β-carotene) porridge with …

Dry Matter Production And Nutrient Content Of Longan Grown On An Acid Ultisol, Ricardo Goenaga

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

Little is known about the adaptability of longan (Dimocarpus longan) to acidic soils high in aluminum (Al). A two-year field study was conducted to determine the effects of various levels of soil Al on dry matter production, plant growth and nutrient content in shoots of four cultivars of longan. Soil Al and cultivars were statistically different for all variables measured in the study. Total leaf, petiole, stem and root dry weights significantly decreased at soil Al concentrations ranging from 5.1 to 12.1 cmol kg⁻¹ but this reduction was of a smaller magnitude in roots than in other organs. …

Soil Quality Response To Long-Term Tillage And Crop Rotation Practices, Douglas Karlen, Cynthia A. Cambardella, John L. Kovar, Thomas S. Colvin

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

Soil quality is influenced by inherent and anthropogenic factors. This study was conducted to provide multiple groups guidance on how to achieve and maintain improved soil quality/health. Our hypothesis was that tillage intensity was the primary anthropogenic factor degrading soil quality, and our objective was to prove that hypothesis through an intensive 2005 sampling of a central Iowa, USA field study. Chisel plow, disk tillage, moldboard plow, ridge-till and no-till treatments, used for 31 years in a twoyear, corn (Zea mays L.)/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (C/S) rotation or for 26 years of continuous corn (CC) production, were …

Using A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach To Address Individual And Community Health In Charleston, Ms. The Initial Step: A Formative Needs Assessment, Catherine Dane Woodyard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this formative study was to use a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach to conduct a comprehensive health needs assessment (CHNA) in Charleston, Mississippi (MS) to determine perceived needs of the community and identify priority health issues. A second purpose was to provide methodological and scholarly contributions to the existing literature regarding CBPR and CHNAs. The target population was residents living in Charleston, MS (N=2,193). Eighty-five residents participated in the study. This was a five-part study including: (1) Key informant interviews (n=11), (2) Focus groups (n=8), (3) Assessment of the built environment, (4) Assessment of the nutrition environment, …

Development And Prospect Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technologies For Agricultural Production Management, Yanbo Huang, Steven J. Thomson, W. Clint Hoffmann, Yubin Lan, Bradley K. Fritz

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

Unmanned aerial vehicles have been developed and applied to support agricultural production management. Compared with piloted aircraft, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) can focus on small crop fields at lower flight altitudes than regular aircraft to perform site-specific farm management with higher precision. They can also “fill in the gap” in locations where fixed winged or rotary winged aircraft are not readily available. In agriculture, UAVs have primarily been developed and used for remote sensing and application of crop production and protection materials. Application of fertilizers and chemicals is frequently needed at specific times and locations for site-specific management. Routine …

Creation Of A High-Amylose Durum Wheat Through Mutagenesis Of Starch Synthase Ii (Ssiia), A.C. Hogg, K. Gause, P. Hofer, J.M. Martin, Robert A. Graybosch, L.E. Hansen, M.J. Giroux

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

In cereal seeds, mutations in one or more starch synthases lead to decreased amylopectin and increased amylose content. Here, the impact of starch synthase IIa (SSIIa or SGP-1) mutations upon durum starch was investigated. A screen of durum accessions identified two lines lacking SGP-A1, the A genome copy of SGP-1. The two lines were determined to carry a 29 bp deletion in the first exon of SSIIa. The SGP-A1 nulls were crossed with the durum variety ‘Mountrail’ and F₅ derived SGP-A1 null progeny lines were treated with EMS. From each EMS population, one SGP-B1 null mutation …

Altered Physiology, Cell Structure, And Gene Expression Of Theobroma Cacao Seedlings Subjected To Cu Toxicity, Vânia L. Souza, Alex-Alan F. De Almeida, Jadiel De S. Souza, Pedro A. O. Mangabeira, Raildo M. De Jesus, Carlos P. Pirovani, Dário Ahnert, Virupax C. Baligar, Leandro L. Loguercio

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

Seedlings of Theobroma cacao CCN 51 genotype were grown under greenhouse conditions and exposed to increasing concentrations of Cu (0.005, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg Cu L⁻¹) in nutrient solution. When doses were equal or higher than 8mg Cu L⁻¹, after 24 h of treatment application, leaf gas exchange was highly affected and changes in chloroplasts thylakoids of leaf mesophyll cells and plasmolysis of cells from the root cortical region were observed. In addition, cell membranes of roots and leaves were damaged. In leaves, 96 h after treatments started, increases in the percentage …

Discovery Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Candidate Genes Associated With Fertility And Production Traits In Holstein Cattle, Sarah D. Cochran, John B. Cole, Daniel J. Null, Peter J. Hansen

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

Background: Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for specific genes involved in reproduction might improve reliability of genomic estimates for these low-heritability traits. Semen from 550 Holstein bulls of high (≥ 1.7; n = 288) or low (≤ −2; n = 262) daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) was genotyped for 434 candidate SNPs using the Sequenom MassARRAY^® system. Three types of SNPs were evaluated: SNPs previously reported to be associated with reproductive traits or physically close to genetic markers for reproduction, SNPs in genes that are well known to be involved in reproductive processes, and SNPs in genes that …

Characterization Of White Mold Disease Avoidance In Common Bean, Phillip N. Miklas, Lyndon D. Porter, James D. Kelly, James R. Myers

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

White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a devastating fungal disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) worldwide. Physiological resistance and disease avoidance conferred by plant architecture-related traits contribute to white mold field resistance. Our objective was to further examine white mold disease avoidance in common bean. A comparative map composed of 79 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for white mold resistance (27), disease avoidance traits (36) and root traits (16) was generated. Thirteen white mold resistance QTL, six with strong and seven with weak associations with disease avoidance traits, were observed. Root length and lodging QTL co-located in …

Volatile Induction Of Infected And Neighbouring Uninfected Plants Potentially Influence Attraction/Repellence Of A Cereal Herbivore, D. Piesik, D. Pańka, M. Jeske, A. Wenda-Piesik, K. J. Delaney, David K. Weaver

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

Pathogen infection can induce plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We infected ‘McNeal’ wheat and ‘Harrington’ barley with a Fusarium spp. blend (F. graminearum, F. avenaceum and F. culmorum). Both cereals had the greatest VOC induction 14 days after pathogen innoculation, only slightly lower induction occurred at 7 days, but displayed no induction at 1 days. The induced VOC bouquet for both cereals included six green leaf volatiles (GLVs; e.g. (Z)-3-hexenol and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate), four terpenes (linalool, linalool oxide, (Z)-β-ocimene and (E)-β-caryophyllene) and benzyl acetate. Neighboring, uninfected individuals …

Effect Of Phosphorus Nutrition On Growth And Physiology Of Cotton Under Ambient And Elevated Carbon Dioxide, S. K. Singh, G. B. Badgujar, V. R. Reddy, D. H. Fleisher, D. J. Timlin

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

Phosphorous deficiency in soil limits crop growth and productivity in the majority of arable lands worldwide and may moderate the growth enhancement effect of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration. To evaluate the interactive effect of these two factors on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) growth and physiology, plants were grown in controlled environment growth chambers with three levels of phosphate (Pi) supply (0.20, 0.05 and 0.01 mM) under ambient and elevated (400 and 800 μmol mol^‒1, respectively) CO₂. Phosphate stress caused stunted growth and resulted in early leaf senescence with severely decreased leaf …

Platyrrhine Phylogenetics With A Focus On Callitrichine Life History Adaptations, Natalie Mae Jameson

Wayne State University Dissertations

The life history of a species is highly impacted by their reproductive strategy. In my dissertation I address the changing reproductive strategies in callitrichine New World monkeys and their genetic underpinnings using a phylogenetic approach. The necessity for a resolved phylogeny is universal to any comparative genomic study. Here we have constructed a reliable phylogenetic framework from which reproductive strategy could be studied in callitrichines. First, to determine the most recent common ancestor of Anthropoid primates we took a phylogenomic approach, using the publicly available whole genome sequences of 17 mammal species. With high confidence, we determined here that Tarsier …

Social Support, Parent-Child Communication And Reactions To Pediatric Cancer Medical Procedures, Amy Marie Peterson

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between social support, parent-child communication during pediatric cancer treatment-related medical procedures, and parent and child reactions to these procedures.

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in children (ACS, 2012) and children and their parents both report that cancer-related medical procedures are worse than the disease itself (Hedstrom et al., 2003). Social support may serve as a buffer against parent and child negative responses to treatment.

One hundred and fifteen families were included in the analysis from two pediatric oncology treatment centers. Self-report questionnaire data and observational coding of …

Headbanging By Pigeons Iii. A Systematic Replication And Extension Of An Animal Model Of Psychopathology, Darin Allen Casler

All NMU Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Diet Comparison Among Native And Introduced Salmonids In A Tributary To Lake Superior, Julie L. Howard

All NMU Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury And Disordered Eating In Female Collegiate Athletes, Mariah Israel Lash

All NMU Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Method Development Using Laser Ablation And Solution Icpms And Their Application In Environmental Science And Forensic Provenance Studies, Kaixuan Bu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is an analytical technique that can be used to determine multiple elements and isotope ratios in a wide variety of samples. In this work, four projects are described that involve the method development using laser ablation (LA) and solution-based ICPMS and their application in environmental science and forensic (provenance) investigations. In the first project, plutonium (Pu) concentrations and 240Pu/ 239Pu atom ratios were measured in kelp, lichen, aquatic moss, and horse mussel collected on or near Amchitka Island, a former nuclear test in Alaska, and at a background site. The Pu in terrestrial and …

Twenty Years Of Immunocontraceptive Research: Lessons Learned, Lowell A. Miller, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Douglas C. Eckery

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) began immunocontraception vaccine research by testing porcine zona pellucida (PZP) on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Early PZP research demonstrated that PZP induced infertility; however, increased length of the rut was observed in PZP-treated deer. An alternative vaccine using a keyhole limpet hemocyanin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (KLH-GnRH) conjugate formulated with modified Freund’s adjuvant was developed at NWRC. Suppression of GnRH has reduced reproduction in both sexes but is most effective in females. This vaccine was effective in preventing contraception in female deer for several years after a prime and boost. Due to adverse side effects …

Engaging Undergraduate Students In An Online Science Course: The Relationship Between Instructor Prompt And Student Engagement In Synchronous Class Sessions, Todd C. Shoepe

Theses and Dissertations

The number of online courses in higher education is on the rise; however, empirical evidence elucidating best practices for synchronous online instruction is needed to implement these courses. The purpose of this dissertation was to perform a mixed-method investigation into the relationships between instructor prompt and student engagement in 5 areas based on the 7 Principles of Good Practices in Undergraduate Education using recorded chat, video, and audio transcripts of two recent fully online nutrition courses. A total of 25 previously recorded synchronous sessions including oral and textual chat interactions were transcribed. Every line of student interaction was determined to …

Maintaining Adolescent Sobriety With Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: An Experiential Learning Intervention Guide, Elizabeth Jane Ledbetter

Theses and Dissertations

Given the prevalence of substance abuse among American adolescents, the implementation of innovative treatment modalities is highly indicated. The practice of animal assisted therapy, specifically equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP), has been demonstrated to effect positive changes and personal growth within participants and is suggested within this work to be applicable to adolescents in residential substance abuse treatment facilities. Due to the benefits evidenced by the therapeutic modality of EAP, participation is hypothesized to promote and maintain abstinence among this population. Thus, this project focused on highlighting the empirical evidence associated with animal assisted therapy, particularly EAP, as well as reviewing …

A Chicken In Every Lot: The 2007 Chicken Ordinance In Missoula, Montana, Kate Margaret Sheridan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In 2007, the City Council of Missoula, Montana passed an ordinance allowing six chickens per urban lot. Missoula followed the lead of many other cities seeking to expand urban agriculture and food security opportunities through microlivestock. This paper gives context to the implementation of a specific ordinance, investigates the benefits and challenges experienced by twenty households in Missoula, and connects it back to the food system as a whole.

Identification And Characterisation Of Campylobacter Ureolyticus: A New And Emerging Gastrointestinal Pathogen, Susan Bullman

Theses

Campylobacter jejuni is universally recognized as the leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis. However, within recent years a growing number of non- jejuni/coli Campylobacter species have been acknowledged as emerging human and animal pathogens. Advances in molecular diagnostics and development of pioneering culture methodologies have led to the detection of a range of under-appreciated and nutritionally fastidious Campylobacter species, including C. ureolyticus. Herein, we provide the first report of C ureolyticus in the faeces of patients presenting with gastroenteritis and suggest a role for this organism as an emerging enteric pathogen.

Employing a two-tiered molecular study, we report C. ureolyticus …

Evaluation, Adaptation And Validation Of A Model To Predict Grass Growth In Ireland, Christina Hurtado Uria

Theses

Budgeting grass supply allows producers to minimise the quantity of purchased feed required in the diet of grazing livestock. One tool for managing grass supply could be a mathematical model that can simulate grass growth. The development of such a model would allow better management around the variability of feed supply and help identify feed surpluses and deficits, and therefore increase the accuracy of management decisions. This would be a key feature of profitable milk and meat production systems in the future which will be hugely important as global food demand increases due to population growth. It is forecasted that …

Comparison Of Energy Expenditure In Your Shape [Trademark] Fitness Evolved 2012 Calorie Counter And Indirect Calorimetry, Robert D. Cimball

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Survey Of The Cancer Patient Experience With Oral Care Information, Debbie Mahre

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

"Cancer incidence continues to rise. Standard cancer management therapies are known to cause oral complications, such as mucositis (OM), that can range from mild to very severe. Severe OM can require interruption of treatment, and possibly hospitalization for IV rehydration, pain control, and nourishment. Utilizing good oral care practices during treatment has been shown effective to help limit severity and/or reduce duration of OM. Patient education on this concept, and on ideal products and self-care techniques are integral to patient implementation of supportive oral health practices. Unfortunately, patients may not receive comprehensive oral health education that promotes good oral health. …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Mental Health Professionals Considered Effective In The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Bonita H. Erb

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that has been documented in medical and mental health literature for over 100 years (Still, 1902). ADHD is a neurobiological based disorder characterized by three major symptoms identified at clinical levels and validated by diagnostic criteria established for the diagnosis of children before the age of seven (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th edition-Text Revision; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The three diagnostic criteria are inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that have been observed at clinical levels.

Because many signs of the disorder were believed to discontinue …

The Cave Environment Influencing The Lipid Profile And Hepatic Lipogenesis Of The Fish Ancistrus Cryptophthalmus Reis, 1987 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), Valquíria Aparecida Alves Bastos, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira, Daniel Cardoso Carvalho, Marina Lages Pugedo, Luciana De Matos Alves Pinto

International Journal of Speleology

The metabolism of hypogean organisms is frequently molded by the cave environment traits, especially food scarcity. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of such environment on lipid composition and hepatic lipogenesis in the fish Ancistrus cryptophthalmus. For this, the species was compared to an epigean population of the same species. A greater accumulation of total lipids was observed in the cave-dwelling fish (18.36 g/100 g tissue) compared to the surface fish (14.09 g/100 g tissue). The muscle fatty acid profile also varied between the populations. Arachidonic acid was only detected in the epigean fish, while …

Diversity And Biosynthetic Potential Of Culturable Aerobic Heterotrophic Bacteria Isolated From Magura Cave, Bulgaria, Iva Tomova, Irina Lazarkevich, Anna Tomova, Margarita Kambourova, Evgenia Vasileva-Tonkova

International Journal of Speleology

Biocapacity of bacteria inhabiting karstic caves to produce valuable biologically active compounds is still slightly investigated. A total of 46 culturable heterotrophic bacteria were isolated under aerobic conditions from the Gallery with pre-historical drawings in MaguraCave, Bulgaria. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of bacterial isolates affiliated with Proteobacteria (63%), followed by Actinobacteria (10.9%), Bacteroidetes (10.9%), and Firmicutes (6.5%). A strong domination of Gram-negative bacteria (total 81%) belonging to nine genera: Serratia, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Sphingobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Commamonas, Acinetobacter, Obesumbacterium, and Myroides, was observed. Gram-positive isolates were represented by the genera Bacillus, Arthrobacter, and Micrococcus. One isolate …