Digital Commons Network^™

Glulam Timber Bridges For Local Roads, Zachary Charles Carnahan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The most common type of bridges on South Dakota (SD) local roads are prestressed precast double-tee bridges. Currently, there is only one double-tee girder manufacturer in South Dakota (SD). In an attempt to provide more bridge type selection options for local governments, a study was performed at South Dakota State University to investigate the feasibility and performance of new types of single-span bridges suitable for local loads with low traffic. In one part of the study, Mingo (2016) developed a fully precast bridge incorporating full-depth deck-panels and prestressed inverted bulb-tee girders. The study presented in this thesis was performed to …

Managing Phomopsis Stem Canker Of Sunflower Using Improved Diagnosis And Quantification Of The Causal Pathogens, Taylor Rae Olson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Phomopsis stem canker is a disease that severely affects sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in the United States. From 2001 to 2015, disease prevalence has increased from 1.5% to 61%, and two new causal agents, Diaporthe gulyae and Diaporthe stewartii, have been described along with Diaporthe helianthi, which was always regarded as the main causal pathogen of the disease. At this time, options to manage the disease are limited. Currently, no commercial sunflower hybrids have resistance to all three species of Diaporthe, and no fungicides are labeled for control of Phomopsis stem canker of sunflower in the United …

Perimeter Cropping As A Means Of Reducing Insect Injury And Increasing Crop Yield, Brett L. Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The squash vine borer, Melittia cucurbitae Harris, (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) is a destructive insect known to injure a broad range of cucurbit crops. Many studies have focused on insecticide management of this insect in squash (Cucurbita) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo Linnaeus) production; however, little work has been documented on organic approaches to reduce or eliminate injury from this pest to these crops in the Midwest. This study used trap cropping and pollinator mixtures to test whether a reduction of squash vine borer could be achieved in a specific cultivar of pumpkins, Cucurbita pepo ‘Howden’. The study was …

Cbl And Cbl-B Dictate Csf-1r Endocytic Traffic And Signaling In Macrophages, Lu Huang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor (CSF-1R or MCSFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase essential for the growth and function of macrophages. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate CSF-1R activation and deactivation will provide insights to clinical treatment of macrophage related diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. Previously, our laboratory showed that CSF-1R undergoes a novel membrane trafficking route that involves macropinocytosis to deactivate CSF-1R signaling. This thesis makes the discovery that the ubiquitin ligases Cbl and Cbl-b cooperate to regulate CSF-1R endocytosis and traffic to macropinosome in macrophages. Macrophages were derived from mice knocked out for Cbl, Cbl-b or the double …

Reagents And Tools To Identify Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2, Meghan Syrstad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to define monoclonal antibodies against viral proteins from Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) to be used in quality control of vaccines produced by an industrial partner, and development of tools to identify EHDV. EHDV is an Orbivirus, which also includes Bluetongue Virus and African Horse Sickness, which are all transmitted through arthropod vectors. EHDV causes significant morbidity and mortality in white-tailed deer, but has recently been found to infect cattle. EHDV recently caused significant outbreaks affecting both the farmed and wild cervid industry, however few reagents and tools exist to protect against this disease …

Assessment Of Nutritional Counseling Frequency On Weight Status In Renal Transplant Recipients, Kelly Butler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine if there is an association between educational interventions by a RD and weight in the twelve months’ post-transplantation. A secondary aim is to study trends in blood lipid profiles in participants and the number of times visited with a RD.
Methods: A retrospective study of electronic medical records from consenting, de-identified RTR at a Midwest transplant center were collected. Specific biological and anthropometric measures were analyzed.
Results: Patients that met with the out-patient dietitian more frequently (4 to 9 times) experienced less weight gain than patients that only saw the …

A New Species Of Shrew (Soricomorpha: Crocidura) From Java, Indonesia: Possible Character Displacement Despite Interspecific Gene Flow, Terrence C. Demos, Anang S. Achmadi, Heru Handika, Maharadatunkamsi, Kevin C. Rowe, Jacob A. Esselstyn

Faculty Publications

We describe a new species of shrew (Soricomorpha, Soricidae, Crocidura) from Mt. Gede, West Java, Indonesia. Relative to other Javan shrews, the new species is small with a relatively thick, dark brown, medium-length tail. The new species is known only from the type locality at 1,611 and 1,950 m elevation on Mt. Gede. It occurs syntopically with at least 3 other Crocidura species: C. orientalis, C. abscondita, and C. monticola. Phylogenetically, the new species is nested among sympatric and allopatric populations of C. monticola. Although topological inferences differ slightly between the mtDNA gene tree and multilocus species tree, the new …

Improvement Of Milling And Nutritional Quality Characteristics Of Oats Through Genomic Selection, Sudha Neupane Adhikari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oats can lower cholesterol, reduce risks of type-2 diabetes, and help prevent heart diseases when consumed daily. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and select breeding lines with desirable milling and nutritional quality traits. Genomic selection, which uses genotyping data to predict the breeding value of an individual, is a promising method to increase genetic gain by selecting for quality traits earlier in the line development process. In this study, we collected phenotypic data for three nutritional traits (protein, β- glucan, and fat content) and five milling quality traits (percent plumps, percent thins, percent plump groat, groat percent and thousand …

Evaluation Of Woodchip Bioreactor Denitrification Kinetics, Abdoul Aziz Kouanda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Agricultural subsurface drainage is a water management practice used to remove excess water in poorly drained soil. The use of fertilizers combined with subsurface drainage practice affects negatively surface water quality due to nutrient loss. Woodchip bioreactors have previously been used as a technology for removing nitrate from agricultural subsurface drainage. Understanding the mechanism that governs nitrate removal in woodchip bioreactors is crucial for field bioreactor design and application. The objective of this project is to determine woodchip bioreactor denitrification kinetics parameters under different operating conditions including hydraulic retention time, temperature and influent nitrate concentrations. Laboratory column experiments were conducted …

Soil Response To Cropping Sequences And Grazing Under Integrated Crop-Livestock System, Hanxiao Feng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) is helpful in diversifying a farm for improving its long-term sustainability and economic benefits. In the United States, the ICLS has been increasing in recent years because of its economic and environmental benefits. However, the impacts of ICLS on soil quality is not well documented in North Dakota. The objective of our study is to assess the impacts of cropping sequences and cattle grazing on the selected soil properties in the crop diversity and livestock integration practice. This study site was established in 2010 at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, Dickinson, North Dakota. The study design …

Mechanical Property Characterization Of Discontinuous Fiber Reinforced Composites By Computer Modeling, Amrit Bhusal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The desire to make high strength, lightweight, less corrosive, high fatigue resistance materials in auto industries, aero industries, biomedical industries have given a chance for in-depth study of composite materials. To get the profound knowledge of composites, different experiments are conducted which often take huge resources, cost and time. Computer modeling and analysis have gained popularity in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) because it can be used to predict the mechanical property of different materials. In this thesis, FEA technique has been used to predict mechanical property of discontinuous fiber reinforced composites (FRC). If we are able to foretell the mechanical …

Analysis Of Novel Cyanide Antidote Dimethyl Trisulfide For Pharmacokinetic Studies, And Sulfur Mustard Metabolites For Identification Of Biomarker Of Inhaled Dose, Erica Manandhar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cyanide poisoning by accidental or intentional exposure poses a severe health risk. The current FDA approved antidotes for cyanide poisoning can be effective, but each suffers from specific major limitations. Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), a sulfur donor that detoxifies cyanide by converting it into thiocyanate, is a promising next generation cyanide antidote. Although a validated analytical method to analyze DMTS is not currently available from any matrix, one will be vital for the approval of DMTS as a therapeutic agent against cyanide poisoning. Hence, a stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed and validated …

Evaluation Of Woodchip Bioreactors And Phosphorus Adsorption Media For Nutrient Removal From Subsurface Drainage Water, Utsav Thapa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased subsurface drainage over the past few decades in eastern South Dakota contributed to agricultural water quality problems. Nutrient losses, primarily nitrate-N and dissolved P, from subsurface drainage, have been identified as major contributors to eutrophication in the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico. Denitrifying bioreactors and P adsorption structures are edge-of field practices that can be used to protect water quality in waters downstream of subsurface drainage systems. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of woodchip bioreactors and a P adsorption structure in removing nitrate-N and dissolved P from subsurface drainage water. Four woodchip bioreactors …

Molecular Characterization Of Spot Blotch And Bacterial Leaf Streak Resistance In Bread Wheat, Girma Ayana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spot blotch (SB), caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem, and bacterial leaf streak (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa (Smith et al.), two important foliar diseases of wheat in the major production regions of the US and the world. Deployment of adequate host resistance against them depends on determining the resistance genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for the trait and identification of genetic markers linked to QTL that facilitate markers assisted breeding. We conducted two independent studies and characterized QTLs for BLS and SB resistance. In the first study, we constructed a genetic linkage map of 1,211 …

A Cost-Effectiveness Study Of The Quadrivalent Hpv6/11/16/18 Vaccination In A Two-Dose Scheme In Girls Of 9-11 Years Old Compared To Bivalent Hpv 16/18 Vaccination In Ecuador And Challenges For Public Health And Screening, Maria-Isabel Roldos, Isabel Espinosa, Amit Kulkarni, Matthew Pillsbury, Andrew Pavelyev, Homero A. Monsanto, Diego Guarin, Miguel Cashat-Cruz

Publications and Research

Abstract

Aims: Assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of the quadrivalent HPV6/11/16/18 vaccination as administered in a two-dose scheme to girls between 9 and 11 years old, as compared to the bivalent HPV 16/18 vaccination administered in Ecuador, and to estimate the cost-saving of preventing GW while preventing cervical cancer with both vaccines.

Study Design: We used a previously developed transmission dynamic mathematical model to evaluate the impact of routine vaccination of 9-11 year-old females. The model assumed coverage of 90% for two doses of HPV6/11/16/18 vaccine at international price rates versus HPV16/18 vaccine and costs for genital warts treatment. Other simulation …

Fisheries Report, Warmwater Streams And Rivers Region Iv 2016, Tennessee. Wildlife Resources Agency.

Region IV Stream Reports

No abstract provided.

Thinking About The Trans-Pacific Partnership (And A Mega-Regional Agreement On Life Support), Peter K. Yu

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Beyond Tpp: Legal Reform For Financing Intellectual Property And Innovation In Vietnam, Xuan-Thao Nguyen

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Learning While Teaching: Disability And Religion In The Classroom, Meghan Henning, Kirk Vangilder

Theology and Religious Studies Faculty Publications

This article serves as an introduction to themes explored in the special issue of the Journal of Disability and Religion on disability and religion in the classroom. Dr. Kirk VanGilder (Gallaudet University) and Dr. Meghan Henning (University of Dayton) share their reflections from two academic workshops focusing on pedagogical strategies for teaching at the intersection of disability studies, religion, and theology. Rather than limiting the concept of classrooms only to higher education environments, the authors explore the variety of sites where teaching and learning about disability and religion occur. Challenges, resources, and future directions are mapped out for transdisciplinary teaching …

Effects Of Root Isoflavonoids And Hairy Root Transformation On The Soybean Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Structure, Laura White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rhizodeposits play a key role in shaping rhizosphere microbial communities. In soybean, isoflavonoids are a key rhizodeposit component that aid in plant defense and enable symbiotic associations with rhizobia. However, it is uncertain if and how they influence rhizosphere microbial communities. Isoflavonoid biosynthesis was silenced via RNA interference of isoflavone synthase in soybean hairy root composite plants. Successive sonication was implemented to isolate soil fractions from 3 different rhizosphere zones at 1 and 3 weeks post planting. PCR amplicons from 16S rRNA gene variable regions V1- V3 and V3-V5 from these soil fractions were analyzed via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis …

Optimized Multilayer Perceptron With Dynamic Learning Rate To Classify Breast Microwave Tomography Image, Chulwoo Pack

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most recently developed Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems and their related research is based on medical images that are usually obtained through conventional imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), x-ray mammography, and ultrasound. With the development of a new imaging technology called Microwave Tomography Imaging (MTI), it has become inevitable to develop a CAD system that can show promising performance using new format of data. The platform can have a flexibility on its input by adopting Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as a classifier. Among the various phases of CAD system, we have focused on optimizing the classification phase …

Differential Gene Expression In Two Nodule Zones Of Soybean, Sunita Pathak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soybean, a leguminous plant and rhizobia establishes symbiotic relationships, forming root nodules. Nodule organogenesis starts with cortical cell division forming infection and parenchyma zones which houses N-fixing bacteria and block O2 for nitrogenase enzyme function, respectively. The mechanism by which root cortical cells give rise to two structurally and functionally different nodule tissues is not known. One approach to address this knowledge gap is to evaluate global gene expression patterns in these two tissue types during nodule development. Using INTACT method, we developed two promoters, ENOD2 (nodule parenchyma) and ENOD40 (infection zone) driven nuclear envelope biotin tagging constructs and isolated …

Mountain Lion (Puma Concolor) Population Characteristics And Resource Selection In The North Dakota Badlands, Randy D. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have significant ecological impacts on the ecosystems they inhabit, leading to both biological and social ramifications. Yet, due to the relatively recent natural recolonization by mountain lions of the Little Missouri Badlands Region of western North Dakota, detailed data regarding many aspects of this population have been lacking. Therefore, we studied mountain lions occupying the Badlands Region to improve our understanding of mountain lion population ecology, resource selection, and occurrence in North Dakota. Our objectives were to: 1) improve the accuracy of home range size, subadult movement, and survival estimates of mountain lions in …

Regulation Of Arf16-2 By Microrna160 During Soybean Root Nodule Development, Spencer Schreier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soybean is an excellent candidate for sustainable agriculture due to its production of nutritious, versatile beans and the ability to form symbiotic organs called root nodules that perform nitrogen fixation. As demand for both yield and sustainable agriculture continue to increase, root nodules offer an attractive alternative to expensive and environmentally harmful nitrogen fertilizers. Understanding root nodule formation may open genetic engineering avenues for optimizing nitrogen fixation performance and transferring the nodule-formation ability to other plants. A major determinant of nodule numbers and quality in soybean is microRNA 160 (miR160), which dictates developmental stage-specific auxin sensitivity by targeting repressor auxin …

A Statewide Assessment Of Drivers Influencing Biotic Integrity In Perennial, Wadeable Prairie Streams Of South Dakota, Lyntausha Kuehl

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biological assessments are used to evaluate the biotic integrity of a system. Great Plains prairie streams are harsh environments due to variable climate, topography, vegetation, and human development. This presents a challenge to water resource managers who must detect impairment and determine causation. The objectives of this study were: 1) to develop a macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for the Northwestern Great Plains (NWGP) and compare it to an existing Northern Glaciated Plains (NGP) IBI, and 2) to identify and evaluate statewide abiotic drivers of biotic integrity. The IBIs were hypothesized to differ regionally, as were abiotic drivers explaining …

Genetic Factors Associated With Thermal Tolerance In Grow-Finish Pigs As Measured By Feeding Behavior, Amanda Jeanne Cross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were: one, use electronic monitoring to determine feeding behavior patterns of grow-finish pigs throughout the year and to identify changes that occurred during heat stress events, and second, identify genetic markers associated with changes in feeding behavior due to heat stress. Pigs were placed in a grow-finish barn at approximately eight to ten weeks of age in 6 pens of 40 animals and monitored for 4-months. Gilts and barrows were from three different sire breeds, Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire. Each pen had one feeder, designed to feed 5 animals at a time. Feeders were fitted …

Comparative Study Of The Distribution Of Repetitive Dna In Model Organisms, Mohamed K. Aburweis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Repetitive DNA elements are abundant in the genome of a wide range of organisms. In mammals, repetitive elements comprise about 40-50% of the total genomes. However, their biological functions remain largely unknown. Analysis of their abundance and distribution may shed some light on how they affect genome structure, function, and evolution. We conducted a detailed comparative analysis of repetitive DNA elements across ten different eukaryotic organisms, including chicken (G. gallus), zebrafish (D. rerio), Fugu (T. rubripes), fruit fly (D. melanogaster), and nematode worm (C. elegans), along with five mammalian organisms: human (H. sapiens), mouse (M. musculus), cow (B. taurus), rat …

Development Of Computational Techniques For Regulatory Dna Motif Identification Based On Big Biological Data, Jinyu Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accurate regulatory DNA motif (or motif) identification plays a fundamental role in the elucidation of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in a cell and can strongly support the regulatory network construction for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Next-generation sequencing techniques generate a huge amount of biological data for motif identification. Specifically, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by high throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) enables researchers to identify motifs on a genome scale. Recently, technological improvements have allowed for DNA structural information to be obtained in a high-throughput manner, which can provide four DNA shape features. The DNA shape has been found as a complementary factor …

Screen Printed Carbon Electrode Based Microfluidic Biosensor For Sweat Cortisol Detection, Shailu Shree Poudyal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A simple, cost-effective, microfluidic, field-deployable biosensor with screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was developed for detection of sweat cortisol with point of care applications. Cortisol detection in artificial sweat is an important screening tool for diagnosis and monitoring of various health conditions like Addison’s disease, stress disorder, and Cushing’s syndrome. A self-assembled monolayer of graphene oxide (GO) is functionalized on SPCE electrode, onto which cortisol antibodies are immobilized for cortisol detection. Microfluidic system ensured precise and controlled flow of reagents and antibodies. Electrochemical measurement is done using cyclic voltammetry, as a function of cortisol concentrations. Cyclic voltammetry measurement gives current …

Impacts Of Integrated Crop-Livestock System On Soil Surface Greenhouse Gas Fluxes At A Farm Scale In South Dakota, Brant Douville

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Grazing and cover crops (CC) can impact soil nutrient cycling but may increase the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soils. However, little is known about their impacts on soil properties and soil surface GHG emissions in an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) in South Dakota, USA. The present study was conducted at a farm scale at the Research Farm of South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, to assess the impact of cover crops and grazing on soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and bulk density (BD), and soil surface carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide …