Digital Commons Network^™

The Invisible Meat Microcosmos: Investigations Of Processed Meats' Specific Spoilage Organisms, Rebecca Furbeck

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

As humankind grows in population, so will our need to compete against bacterial populations which spoil foodstuffs before we are able to consume them. This dissertation aims to identify the bacterial communities responsible for meat spoilage, and the mechanisms that govern the behaviors of these organisms. The literature review summarizes the state of knowledge regarding factors that influence meat microbiome composition, and how analytical methods can influence research outcomes. Study 1 aimed to identify the impact of additional ingredients and processing steps on the microbial ecology of processed turkey products. The main specific spoilage organisms (SSOs) belonged to the orders …

Impacts Of Feeding Biochar To Beef Cattle On Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Performance And Characterizing Yearling Steers Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pasture Using Gps, Holly A. Heil

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

As global warming continues to rise, the pressure and growing demand for sustainable animal production is increasing. Livestock naturally produce greenhouse gas emissions through enteric fermentation. Dietary manipulation strategies have been sought out to decrease emissions in ruminants using feed additives.

Two independent finishing feedlot experiments evaluated two types of biochar and its effects on animal performance, carcass characteristics and greenhouse gas emissions. Experiment 1 utilized pistachio shell biochar and experiment 2 utilized biochar sourced from ponderosa pine wood waste, both types included at 1% of the diet DM. The addition of biochar to the diet did not impact animal …

The Nebraska 4-H Equine Advancement Level Program’S Role In Positive Youth Development Using The Five Cs Model: An Exploratory Study, Eunhye Mccarthy

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Positive youth development (PYD) focuses on developing the strengths of youth through positive activities and behaviors rather than reducing negative tendencies. A well-researched model of PYD is the five C’s model that is popularly used in youth development organizations such as 4-H. The Nebraska 4-H Equine Advancement Level program was intended to serve as a guidebook for instruction and assessment of youth as they learn more about horses and horsemanship skills. Each of the four levels has an emphasis in developing a 4-H member’s responsibility, self-discipline, self-reliance, patience, and pride of accomplishments. The program was started approximately 30 years ago …

Variance Component Estimates For Growth Traits In Beef Cattle Using Selected Variants From Imputed Low-Pass Sequence Data, Chad A. Russell

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A beef cattle population (n = 2,343) was used to assess the impact of variants identified from imputed low-pass sequence (LPS) on the estimation of variance components and genetic parameters of birth weight (BWT) and post weaning gain (PWG). Variants were selected based on functional impact and were partitioned into four groups (Low, Modifier, Moderate, High) based on predicted functional consequences and re-partitioned based on consequence of mutation, such as missense and untranslated region variants, into six groups (G1-G6). Each subset was used to construct a genomic relationship matrix (GRM) for univariate animal models. Multiple analyses were conducted to …

Communication As Conscience, Florence Chee

School of Communication: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Focusing on ethics in games studies, Chee notes the importance of
communication as it has played parts in these other fields and how that might
reflect back on our community.

Cortical Bone Relationships Are Maintained Regardless Of Sex And Diet In A Large Population Of Lgxsm Advanced Intercross Mice, Nicole Migotsky, Michael D. Brodt, James M. Cheverud, Matthew J. Silva

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Introduction: Knowledge of bone structure-function relationships in mice has been based on relatively small sample sets that limit generalizability. We sought to investigate structure-function relationships of long bones from a large population of genetically diverse mice. Therefore, we analyzed previously published data from the femur and radius of male and female mice from the F34 generation of the Large-by-Small advanced intercross line (LGXSM AI), which have over a two-fold continuous spread of bone and body sizes (Silva et al. 2019 JBMR). Methods: Morphological traits, mechanical properties, and estimated material properties were collected from the femur and radius from 1113 LGXSM …

Draft Genome Sequence Of Staphylococcus Epidermidis Umb7543, Isolated From A Female Patient With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections, Sandra Jablonska, Alan J. Wolfe, Catherine Putonti

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a Gram-positive bacterium that is part of the normal human flora, found in multiple anatomical sites. Here, we present the 2.6-Mbp draft genome sequence of S. epidermidis UMB7543, isolated from a catheterized urine sample from a female patient with a documented diagnosis of recurrent urinary tract infection.

Polygenic Transcriptome Risk Scores (Ptrs) Can Improve Portability Of Polygenic Risk Scores Across Ancestries, Yanyu Liang, Milton Pividori, Ani Manichaikul, Abraham A. Palmer, Nancy J. Cox, Heather E. Wheeler, Hae Kyung Im

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background: Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are valuable to translate the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) into clinical practice. To date, most GWAS have been based on individuals of European-ancestry leading to poor performance in populations of non-European ancestry. Results: We introduce the polygenic transcriptome risk score (PTRS), which is based on predicted transcript levels (rather than SNPs), and explore the portability of PTRS across populations using UK Biobank data. Conclusions: We show that PTRS has a significantly higher portability (Wilcoxon p=0.013) in the African-descent samples where the loss of performance is most acute with better performance than PRS when …

Internal And External Validation Of An Alcohol Biomarker For Screening In Trauma, Majid Afshar, Kenneth Baker, Josefine Corral, Erin Ross, Erin Lowery, Richard Gonzalez, Ellen L. Burnham, Rachael A. Callcut, Lucy Z. Kornblith, Carolyn Hendrickson, Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Cara Joyce

Biostatistics Collaborative Core: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Objective: We aimed to examine biomarkers for screening unhealthy alcohol use in the trauma setting.

Summary and Background Data: Self-report tools are the practice standard for screening unhealthy alcohol use; however, their collection suffers from recall bias and incomplete collection by staff.

Methods: We performed a multi-center prospective clinical study of 251 adult patients who arrived within 24 hours of injury with external validation in another 60 patients. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test served as the reference standard. The following biomarkers were measured: (1) PEth; (2) ethyl glucuronide; (3) ethyl sulfate; (4) gammaglutamyl-transpeptidase; (5) carbohydrate deficient transferrin; and (6) …

Evaluating The Transition To Zero-Emission Vehicles And The Impact On Clean Electricity Demand Under The Effects Of Climate Change In San Francisco, Tamara Totah

Master's Projects and Capstones

California is considered a global leader in environmental policy relating to climate change and greenhouse gas emission mitigation. The state has implemented policies to limit greenhouse gas emissions and phase-out the use of fossil fuels in transportation. The transportation sector is one of the major emitters of greenhouse gasses in California. In 2020, Executive Order N-79-20 established the goal of having 100% of in-state sales of new light-duty passenger vehicles and trucks to be zero emission by 2035. The use of electric vehicles has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, but we need to be able to power these vehicles …

Evaluation Of Nutritional Factors Affecting Sow Reproductive Longevity, J'Nan E. Wittler

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sow reproductive longevity is an important trait for swine operations from a production and economic standpoint. Previous research has shown that a sow needs to produce 3 litters before she covers the costs associated with introducing her to the operation. A literature review of research conducted related to sow longevity is discussed in Chapter 1. Chapters 2 and 3 present data from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s long-term sow longevity research. The research looks at the effects of energy restriction with soy hulls during gilt development on sow reproductive longevity through 4 parities. Chapter 2 presents data from replications …

Students' Perceptions Of Online Equine Courses And Their Impacts On Learning Outcomes, Blaire L. (Gibbens) Speck

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Post-secondary education is always changing and evolving. Over the last few years, significant changes in education have resulted in an increased number of online courses. Approximately 28% of students seeking higher education participate in at least one online course and 14% are enrolled exclusively in distance or online programs (Allen & Seaman, 2016). However, courses that are typically hands-on, like equine science, may be more challenging online. The hands-on experiences in equine science classes help prepare students for future careers. Due to an increase in students choosing to take courses online, a review of online teaching methods was conducted to …

Wild Foods Contribute To Higher Dietary Diversity In India (Dataset And Code), Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek

NRM Departmental Data Sets

This data set and code files are in relation to a submitted research article with the working title : Wild foods contribute to higher dietary diversity in India

Article abstract:

Wild foods, from forests and common lands, can contribute to food and nutrition security. Most previous studies have established correlations between wild food consumption and children’s dietary diversity in Africa, but other groups and geographic contexts remain understudied. Here, a rigorous quasi-experimental method was combined with monthly-interval data to assess the contribution of wild foods to women’s diets. We collected 24-hour diet recall data monthly, from November 2016 to November …

Using Response Surface Methodology To Optimize Biodiesel Production From Sweet Almond (Prunusamygdalus Dulcis) And Jatropha (Jatropha Curcas) Seed Oils, Aliru Olajide Mustapha, Ahmed Dare Sarumi, Sheriphdeen Abiodun Adewuyi, Emmanuel Oluwatobi Ayantoyinbo, Blessing Ruth Adebayo, Rhoda Opeyemi Adams, Zainab Jasmie Abdulsalam, Samson Oladapo Bello

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

The depletion of natural resources and the negative impact of oil on the environment have sparked interest in biodiesel as an alternative source of energy. Indigenous vegetable oils have the potential to be used as biodiesel feedstocks. Transesterification of vegetable oils produces biodiesel, which is regulated by numerous inputs factors, such as catalyst dosage, temperature, speed, and time while the density and specific gravity are outputs. Sweet almond (prunusamygdalus dulcis) and jatropha (jatropha curcas) seed oils were used to optimize conditions for the transesterification processes using the response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental matrix at different sodium hydroxide doses (0.3 …

Rheological Properties Improvement Of Treated Palygorskite Drilling Mud By Adding Prepared Nano Magnesium Oxide, Worood Abd-Alameer, Aqeel Al-Adili, Sadeer Khatab

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

Attapulgite clay is a hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate mineral. Attapulgite clay stone in the Bahr al-Najaf region contains calcite and quartz minerals (43.4%. and 13.9% by weight), respectively. This work is devoted to develop the attapulgite clay found in Bahr Al-Najaf  to be suitable for oil wells drilling. The goal of this project is to develop attapulgite mud that meets the American Petroleum Institute (API) for the application of oil well drilling mud in Bahr Al-Najaf. To achieve this objective, unwanted materials (calcite and quartz particles greater than 75 µm in diameter) should be removed and the attapulgite rods dispersed. …

Recent Advances To Overcome Methane Hydrate Formation Challenges Using Nanostructure Promoters: A Mini Review Towards Industrialization, Mohsen Hosseini

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

Natural gas has recently drawn considerable attention due to its low emissions upon combustion. Pipeline transmission of natural gas is costly and always encounters different obstacles. Therefore, an effective industrial alternative for the storage and transmission of natural gas is needed. Hydrates, also known as solidified natural gas, have been proven to be a more feasible replacement compared to pipeline transmission, CNG, or LNG. Scientists have introduced promoters to shorten the induction time, increase the storage capacity, and improve the stability of hydrates. Nanostructure materials have demonstrated promising promotion results, suggesting a bright future and a critical step in the …

Experimental Study Of Thermal And Catalytic Decomposition Of Pvc Wastes, Murtadha Al-Eissa, Riaydh Almukhtar, Bashir Sherhan

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

The excessive use of plastics in the last years is the challenge that has arisen in managing plastic wastes to avoid dangerous effects. Polyvinyl chloride is part of these wastes. It can be utilized to produce fuel-like petroleum fractions depending on pyrolysis, which is the thermal decomposition of plastics in the absence of oxygen. This work aims to reduce environmental pollution and reuse plastic waste as an alternative fuel source. A comparison of the thermal and catalytic processes under the optimum temperature 450 oC, pressure 20 bar, and residence time 1hour in a semi-batch reactor with and without adding Pt/Al2O3 …

The Medical Study Of Denture Base Resin Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Reinforced By Zno And Tcp Nanoparticles, Fatin Asim, Entessar Al-Mosawe, Wafaa Hussain

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

Denture base poly (methyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin is one of the most frequently used materials in denture base synthesis, but due to its poor mechanical properties, PMMA can be considered a medium for the attachment and growth of a variety of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, particularly due to PMMA's pores and rough surface. The porosity percentage and surface roughness of the PMMA resin sample was lowered in this study, which resulted in a reduction in microorganisms' surface adhesion by varying the ratios of additives such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) nanoparticles with (1, 2, 3, and 10% …

Thermal And Catalytic Pyrolysis Of Plastic Waste: Catalysts Characterization And Properties Of The Liquid Products, Zahraa Hussein, Zaidoon Shakor, Mohammed Alzuhairi

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

Nowadays, sustainable energies can be found by thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste. This study uses high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to investigate thermal and catalytic pyrolysis using a stainless-steel semi-batch reactor at different conditions: Temperatures (350 - 500°C) and residence times (60, 90, and 120 min). The catalysts were undergone to different characterization techniques such as EDX, SEM, and BET that revealed the PR.9 catalyst consists of Cobalt, Molybdenum, and Platinum loaded on Al2O3. Whereas, the chemical compositions of Platinum RG-412 catalyst contain Chlorine and Platinum. The SEM analysis …

2d Particle-In-Cell/Monte Carlo Collision Simulation Of Zn-C Mosaic Target Erosion, Ali Addie, Raid Ismail, Mudhafar Mohammed

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

In this work, a simulation analysis of a commercial magnetron sputtering source was performed using the finite element method Particle-in-Cell/Monte Carlo Collision (PIC/MCC) to optimize the configuration of the Zn-C mosaic target. The magnetic field distribution was solved in a two-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system, and particles such as electrons, atoms, and charged ions of argon, zinc, and carbon were tracked in a DC magnetron sputtering system. The sputtering yield profile and particle flux for the eroded target were studied considering the ion and electron density distributions. The maximum sputtering flux of zinc and carbon was 1.975´1021 m-2.s-1 and 3.7´1018 m-2.s-1 …

Pregnancy And Childbirth: Male Partner Involvement In Uasin Gishu, Kenya, Kamau Tabitha, Roselyter Riang’A, Mwanzia Lydia, Buluku Elizabeth, Sawe Caroline, Wambugu Beth, Patel Kirtika, Mutai Judith, Pauline Mwenje, Kemboi Sharon

Population Health, East Africa

Introduction: In many African countries, pregnancy and childbirth has traditionally beenregarded as a woman’s affair. As a result, male partner involvement and participationin pregnancy and childbirth has been minimal, which is thought to have contributed tothe high rate of maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities. Male partners areoften key decision-makers in African households for cultural reasons, yet their role inpregnancy and childbirth is not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to examine anddocument male partner involvement in maternal healthcare in Kenya.

Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study design was used.Systematic random sampling was used to …

An In Depth In Vitro And In Vivo Analysis Of Metabolism And Pharmacokinetics Of Polydatin And Its Active Metabolite, Resveratrol: In Rats., Robin Sunsong

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Upon oral administration, polydatin undergoes hydrolysis by intestinal microbial b- glucuronidase, releasing its active metabolite, resveratrol. Resveratrol is easily absorbed by the gut lumen and is further metabolized in the liver, producing a glucuronide conjugated metabolite. Following conjugation, the metabolite is actively secreted through the bile duct back into the small intestine. There, the microbiota may again hydrolyze the compound, releasing resveratrol back into the gastrointestinal tract for absorption, a process known as enterohepatic recycling. A sensitive, specific, and reproducible ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated. This method was applied for the determination of …

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit And The Role Of Public Participation, Juan Antonio Sorto

Dissertations (2016-Present)

This dissertation analyzes the role of public participation and the implementation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded developments in higher socio-economic communities. Using archival research, participant observation, and in-depth interviews, the dissertation examines the placement of North Court Villas, Frisco, Texas and 2640 Fountain View, Houston, Texas. The literature shows that the placement of LIHTC-funded developments continues to be distributed in low-income communities. Housing policies have not been able to resolve these imbalances, which has resulted in multiple court interventions. However, court rulings have not sufficiently addressed the aspects of public participation of these developments. Research shows that these …

The Impact Of Selected Variables On Persistence And Progression Of First-Year Students At A Historically Black College And University., Syreeta Yvette Landy-Blacklock

Dissertations (2016-Present)

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship and predictability of demographic factors, and academic factors on the persistence and progression rates among first-year, full-time, four-year degree seeking students at a Historically Black College and University. Specifically, this study focused on the predictive power of demographic factors (gender, ethnicity, and SES), and academic factors (high school GPA and the number of hours passed) on the persistence and progression rates among first-year, full-time, four-year degree seeking students attending a Historically Black College and University. A correlational research design was employed in the study. Data was provided by the Office …

Discipline Strategies, Gender, And Disabilities That Impact The High School Graduation Rates Of African American Students With Special Needs., Danielle Corbie-Archey

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if discipline strategies, gender, and disabilities impact the successful cohort graduation of African American students with special needs. While much research has been conducted to investigate the achievement gap and discipline gap, there is a paucity of research on how discipline affects the graduation rate of this population. Furthermore, this research is also to expose the inequities within the special education system. A quantitative research design was selected to study the graduation rates of African American students over the past years from 2017 to 2020. For this study, data regarding Five-Year …

Working Paper No. 74, Some Influential Effects Of The Typewriter On The American Economy, Bander Qadan

Working Papers in Economics

This inquiry seeks to establish that the introduction of the typewriter generated effects upon the American economy by promoting productivity increases, enhancing communications, and improving management. In addition, this inquiry seeks to illustrate how the typewriter affected American businesses by providing efficiency in time management and documents’ production. Furthermore, this inquiry shall showcase how the typewriter affected women’s work in the American economy, especially with respect to inclusivity within the workplace as well as the enhancement of communications. Additionally, this inquiry shall analyze how the development of the QWERTY keyboard and its related “lock-in” generated effects on the American economy.

Towards The Electronic Response Of Carbon-Based Van Der Waals Heterostructures In A Diamond Anvil Cell, George Thomas Foskaris

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The nanoscale regime of materials has been at the forefront of research and interest in condensed matter physics for many years. In a merger of the fields of two-dimensional (2D) materials and high pressure physics, we present an investigation of the electronic response of carbon-based, van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures in a diamond anvil cell (DAC). Combining these fields presents us with the ability to study the characteristics of such systems both optically, and through electrical transport. Properties such as conductance, band structure, and layer number are considered. The samples in this study are assembled using exfoliation and stacking techniques …

How Medical Students Use Social Support To Cope With Burnout: A Grounded Theory Approah, Michelle Nicole I. Janeo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Medical education to become a physician is a rigorous training process resulting in high rates of burnout in medical students. Research on burnout in human service providers results in negative impacts on professionalism, well-being, and the future healthcare workforce. Previous research investigating strategies to combat burnout has demonstrated that resilience is a dominant explanation for recovery from burnout. There is limited data exploring how social support is used by medical students as a resource to cope with the demands of training. Considering that social support is one primary factor that contributes to resilience, it is important to understand the process …

Reparations For The Wrongly Convicted, Gillian Trost

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Wrongly convicted persons should be offered reparations in instances where they have suffered or faced harm as a result of their wrong conviction. Harms can include, but are not limited to, losing physical time, mental health damages, monetary harm, and damages to the person’s reputation. Harms are anything that has diminished a person's quality of life throughout the conviction process and even after exoneration. Failure to offer reparations to these persons is unethical and reparations are a necessary consequence when the judicial system convicts the wrong person. Failure to offer reparations also lessens the judicial system’s accuracy and reliability when …

Evaluating Post-Training Engagement, Alyssa B. Trinity, Caitlyn D. Gonzalez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Impact Launch (IL) is a collective of social impact professionals dedicated to creating sustainable and equitable change. IL provides strategic planning, project design, collaborative capacity building, coaching, and leadership intensives. Similar to those who’ve undergone other training programs, alumni of IL’s leadership training are prone to becoming disengaged with the tools and stagnant in their learning. The purpose of this project was to begin efforts to increase alumni engagement with the tools and each other through conducting a series of interviews. Six alumni were interviewed to collect feedback on how IL can better support engagement. The major expected outcome for …