Life Sciences Commons^™

Impacts Of Eastern Redcedar Juniperus Virginiana L. On Avian Communities In Eastern South Dakota, Jay Holm

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

Eastern redcedar (ERC) (Juniperus virginiana L.) is the most rapidly spreading woody species in the Northern Great Plains due to fire suppression, planting in windbreaks, and overgrazing. Its encroachment has converted already fragmented and/or degraded grassland into woodland, and there is concern that it may negatively impact grassland-obligate/dependent avian species. In this study, I evaluated avian community composition between ERC-encroached and non-encroached grasslands in eastern South Dakota. Six sites each of encroached grassland and non-encroached grassland were selected. Bird surveys were conducted by performing point counts placed equidistantly along a transect for two years. Presence and abundance of each species …

Evaluation Of Growth Performance, Energy Utilization, And Carcass Trait Responses Of Finishing Lambs Administered Zeranol, Emily Nold

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

The objective of this research was to determine the influence of implanting heavy wether lambs with 12 mg zeranol (1 pellet Ralgro, Merck Animal Health. Madison, NJ) 59 d before harvest. Average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, and carcass merit were evaluated. Polpypay and crossbred wethers (n = 32 total) were equally divided into two treatment groups within a randomized complete block design. Sixteen pens were used resulting in 8 replicate pens per treatment. Wethers were fed a finishing diet consisting of cracked corn, soybean meal and soybean hulls ad libitum for 59 d. Lambs had access to clean water …

Kidney Stones And Energy Drinks: A Literature Review, Donovan D. Bentz

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

Kidney stones are common, painful, and expensive to treat. Several factors play a role in the development of stones, particularly the consumption of sugars such as fructose. As such, the consumption of sugary energy drinks contributes to the development of kidney stones. However, there is a lack of understanding behind the mechanism of kidney stone development and the role energy drinks play in stone development. This review analyzes the mechanism of kidney stone development and the effect energy drink consumption has on stone development. Here, we also detail the dietary roles calcium, oxalate, ascorbic acid, and animal protein have on …

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma And New Treatments In Development, Melissa J. Moisan

Biology and Microbiology Graduate Students Plan B Research Projects

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most frequently mutated (95%) 5exocrine pancreatic cancers. Patients with PDAC are also the least likely to survive more than 5 years with only 8% overall survivability. The median survival for patients with distant metastasis is less than one year. Most pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma occurs in the pancreatic head, and the remainder can be found within the body (5% to 15%) or tail (10% to 15%) (14). This extremely aggressive cancer has an increasingly large metastatic dissemination rate to surrounding organs such as the liver, lung, and peritoneum, or can be seen as distant metastases …

Evaluation Of Precision Ingredient Inclusion On Production Efficiency Responses In Finishing Beef Cattle, Santana R. Hanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two randomized complete block design feedlot experiments were conducted over the course of two years. These experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of 1) evaluate the observed-to-expected ratio for ingredient inclusion using no commodity inclusion assistance technology or using commodity inclusion assistance technology; and 2) evaluate the influence that varying degrees (highly variable at random or 0.454 kg asfed tolerance for each ingredient) of accuracy on ingredient inclusion have on growth performance, carcass traits, efficiency of dietary NE utilization, and ingredient inventory management in finishing beef cattle. Experiment 1 used single source Black Angus heifers (n = 60; initial …

Effectiveness Of Atmospheric Cold Plasma In Inactivating Microorganisms, Nadee Shanika Kaluwahandi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the food processing industry, Cold Plasma (CP) is an emerging green process with a number of potential applications. Cold plasma has mostly been used to reduce microbial counts in foodstuffs and biological materials as well as in different levels of packaging, particularly in cases where there is thermal sensitivity. Recent studies have demonstrated that CP technology is being developed for use in the food and agriculture industries. The primary focus is on the interactions between reactive species and food-borne microbes to inactivate them. The literature review discusses both proven and potential applications for cold plasma in food processing, as …

Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Beads For Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Prashant Dahal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Rye Cover Crop Termination Timing Influenced Early Corn Growth, Gene Expressions, And Yield In A No-Till System, Janet Moriles-Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

College Of Natural Sciences 2022 Year-End Publication, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

This is the 2022 issue of the annual College of Natural Sciences year-end publication.

Contents:
[Page] 2 Dean's message
[Page] 3 Department highlights
[Page] 4 Overview of Bold & Blue Campaign
[Page] 5 Dr. Edward Hogan recognition & endowment
[Page] 6 Career milestones
[Page] 7 Student travel and research
[Page] 8 $11 million COBRE grant
[Page] 9 Professional Science Masters & Research highlights
[Page]10 Outreach highlights throughout the state
[Page] 11 2022 events recap – join us in 2023!
[Page] 12 Updates on our VR initiative
[Page] 14 Overview of awards and recognitions from 2022

Evaluation Of Feed Additives And Delivery Method For Receiving And Finishing Cattle, Thiago Lauro Maia Ribeiro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trace minerals (TM) and vitamins are essential to improve production output and efficiency in beef cattle. The first experiment was conducted to investigate if the delivery method of TM and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture influence growth performance and hepatic TM content of receiving steers. The second experiment evaluated the effect of supplemental protected B - vitamins to finishing steers. Experiment 1 used Charolais x Angus steers calves (n = 192; 256 ± 14 kg) in a 49-d receiving experiment. Within 36h of weaning, steers were weighed, allotted to 24 pens (n = 8 steers/pen; 8 pens/treatment) and randomly assigned to …

In-Vivo Assessment Of A Direct-Fed Microbial On Lactation Performances, Blood Biomarkers, Ruminal Fermentation And Microbial Abundance In Transition To Mid-Lactation Holstein Cows, Marcela Bulnes Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The transition period is a crucial stage in the lactation cycle and can lead to significant metabolic changes in cows. The use of nutritional interventions, such as direct-fed microbials, may assist cows during the transition from pregnancy to early lactation, reducing the occurrence of metabolic disorders and improving overall health. The primary goal of this study was to assess the effects of a commercial rumen-derived directfed microbial (DFM) product (Galaxis™ Frontier (GF) Native Microbials Inc., CA, USA) on various factors such as performance, blood biomarkers, rumen fermentation, and bacterial population in dairy cows during the transition period up to 100 …

Stem And Pre-Health Students’ Diminishing Online Conversation Volume Regarding Majors And Careers Within The Field: Why Higher Education Should Care, Susan Roh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the STEM and pre-health online mention volume change regarding STEM and pre-health majors, careers, and universities, with the data collection period encompassing August of 2018 through June of 2021. We evaluated if the mention sentiment shifted between academic year periods. The data gathered for this study was procured in collaboration with Campus Sonar and the social-listening tool of Brandwatch, which allowed for specifications of the data collected. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine the means of the majors, careers, and universities mentions and mean sentiment volumes. Changes in not only online conversation …

Development Of Novel Cellular Assay Model And Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvents To Optimize The Activity Of Anticancer Agents, Nizam Uddin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major burden behind chemotherapeutic treatment failure. It is the principal mechanism by which cancer cells evade chemotherapeutic treatment. As a result, aggressive cancer cells survive and continue uncontrolled cell division. Multidrug resistance affects survival rate of almost all types of cancer patients and death toll rises at an alarming rate. There are seven different mechanisms for evolving MDR. The most common mechanism in efflux activity of overexpressed ABC transporters. MRP1 is a prominent ABC transporter that pumps out a wide variety of anticancer drugs from the cells and thereby reduces intracellular drug concentrations and develops …

Physically Adjusted Neutral Detergent Fiber System: Effects Of Dextrose And Non-Forage Fiber On Performance, Feeding Behavior, Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation And Rumen Bacterial Abundance In Dairy Cattle, Jorge Luis Bonilla Urbina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The newly proposed physically adjusted NDF system (paNDF) system aims to maintain a favorable rumen environment (e.g., pH) by taking into account both the physical and chemical composition of diet. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and non-forage NDF inclusion in a paNDF system on production performance, rumen pH and fermentation profile, rumen bacterial abundance, feeding behavior and nutrient digestibility in late-lactating Holstein cows. Nine fistulated multiparous Holstein cows (2nd and 3rd parity) were used in a triplicated 3×3 Latin Square experiment. Each period lasted for 21 d with 14 d …

Evaluation Of Yeast Postbiotic In Sow Diets On Sow And Offspring Performance And Microbial Succession, Joel Kieser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Litter size and the resulting nutritional demand on the sow continue to increase while sow mortality and culling rate are also increasing. Non-nutritive feed additives may enhance sow health and thereby improve offspring growth and productivity after weaning. Development of the gut microbiome in piglets via microbial succession is critical for maximizing their productivity and providing stability for overcoming weaning stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of yeast-based postbiotic supplementation in gestation and lactation diets on offspring performance through the nursery period and on whether a yeast postbiotic could impact the sow fecal microbiome as …

Soil Health Influenced By Livestock And Cover Crops Integration In Row Cropping Systems In South Dakota, Namrata Ghimire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Genotypes On Rancidity Development During Storage Of Naked Oats, Aastha Gautam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oats, rich in lipids, lipase, and unsaturated fatty acids, can develop bitterness from triglyceride hydrolysis and unpleasant aromas through unsaturated fatty acid oxidation. To counteract these effects, the processing of hulled oats includes kilning, a step aimed at inactivating the enzymes responsible for lipid degradation. Kilning plays a crucial role in preserving the quality of oats by preventing undesirable flavors development linked to lipid breakdown. Despite the benefits of free threshing and absence of a dehulling requirement in naked oats, assessing lack of enzyme inactivation during processing is crucial for potential storage rancidity issues. Our aim was to determine the …

Phosphate2 And Pin-Likes7 Affect Symbiotic Nodule Phenotypes In Soybean, Bhawandeep Kaur

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Legumes and soil rhizobia share a symbiotic relationship, wherein rhizobia fix atmospheric dinitrogen in exchange for photosynthates from the host plant. This exchange of mutual benefits occurs in a specialized root structure called ‘nodule’. Soybean (Glycine max) nodules arise from root outer cortical cells. De novo cell differentiation of cortical cells during nodule development leads to the formation of two distinct nodule zones in the mature nodule: the central infection zone where nitrogen fixation occurs and the peripheral parenchyma zone that houses vascular bundles. Plant signaling mechanisms that dictate the development of these nodule zones are not known. To address …

Factors Influencing Mortality Of Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis), Emily Moberg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reintroduced bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Nebraska faced a devastating pneumonia epizootic resulting in variable ewe reproductive success and poor lamb recruitment in many of the herds. From 2015-2017, no lamb recruitment was observed in the northern Pine Ridge subpopulation and as many as 60% of adults died. This was in stark contrast to the healthier Wildcat Hills herds to the south, where lamb recruitment was estimated to be between 50-70% during the same years. From 2018-2020, we radio-collared and recaptured 76 adult female bighorn sheep from 2 of 3 Pine Ridge herds and 1 of 2 Wildcat Hills herds. …

Diets Of Invasive Channel Catfish Are Subsidized By Invasive Riparian Trees, Christopher A. Cheek, Brandon K. Peoples, Reuben R. Goforth

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is an invasive, fruit- bearing riparian tree that dominates riparian zones of the San Juan River in the southwestern United States. Previous research in this river suggests olive fruit is common in diets of invasive channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), but its energetic importance is unknown (i.e. critical for catfish fitness vs. incidental consumption). We assessed Russian olive consumption in channel catfish diets bimonthly for 1 year, hypothesizing that olive consumption would be greatest during periods of high olive availability and low benthic aquatic invertebrate availability. We found that catfish consumed olive fruit throughout the year and …

Facing Into The Blizzard: Resiliency And Mortality Of Native And Domestic North American Ungulates To Extreme Weather Events, Jeff Martin

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Unseasonably early blizzards in the northern Great Plains threaten large mammal populations unacclimated for variable and extreme winter conditions. This region averaged 22 blizzards per winter season during the 2010s, up from 6 during the 1960s, and is anticipated to average 32 blizzards by the 2050s. In early October 2013, the fatal Atlas Blizzard affected four livestock and captive species in 16 counties of western South Dakota. Expected one-week total death losses for the study area were estimated from national average background mortality rates: 161 cattle, 102 sheep, 9 horses, and 6 bison. However, observed death loss varied significantly (McNemar’s …

Would Ai Stocks Estimate Be As Surprised To Usda Stocks Reports As Private Market Analysts?, Asif Mahmud Chowdhury

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The USDA survey-based Quarterly Agriculture Stocks (QAS) reports are the primary source of information regarding the relative supply of U.S. corn, soybeans, and wheat for the last fifty years. Research has examined USDA stock reports and their relevancy to the market (e.g., Isengildina-Massa et al., 2021). In addition, private industry analysts estimate expected quarterly grain stock reports before USDA releases them. Market information firms such as Bloomberg and Reuters publish a subset of these estimates a few days before the USDA reports. Previous research has found that when industry analysts have significant differences in stock expectations compared to what the …

Addressing Soil Carbon Sequestration Response From Multispecies Dairy Forage Systems And Modeling Rangeland Beef Cow Dry Matter Intake Using Precision Enteric Emissions Measurements, Lillian J. Mcfadden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Regenerative agriculture is a pressing matter for the dairy industry to address cropland sustainability and carbon sequestration. One regenerative management practice that has been identified to help with row crop sustainability for key metrics like soil organic carbon (SOC) is complex covers. When producers use complex covers one of the main challenges is that it takes time to detect a change in SOC. However, simulation models are a tool that can be used to help determine if a regenerative practice is a strategy that gives the best results (i.e., increased SOC) while aligning with long-term production goals. Therefore, our objectives …

Improving The Utility Of Precision Agriculture Through Machine Learning And Climate-Smart Practices, Skye Brugler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Climate Smart Practices are management strategies that focus on increasing soil and crop productivity, utilize site-specific strategies to increase resiliency against the effects of climate change, and mitigate these negative effects by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Decision Support Systems (DSSs) using machine learning (ML) can adjust models based on new information and help farmers make climate smart decisions within their operation. The 4R nutrient management model of right source, rate, location, and time also demonstrates a framework that may be considered climate smart by improving soil and crop productivity. However, when initially conceptualized, the 4R model did not consider …

Role Of Human Gut Microbiota In Shaping The Diet-Induced Metabolome, Samitinjaya Dhakal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Assessing How Long-Term Conservation Agricultural Practices Impact Soil Properties And Soil, Water, And Nutrient Dynamics Through Soil Profile, Ajoy Kumar Saha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Expanding The Use Of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography For Varietal Identification Or Verification Of Selected Cereal Crops, Johnna Jorgensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a form of analytical chemistry where adsorption is a key factor in which the purpose is to separate, identify and quantify each component in a mixture. It is the optimal separation technique of chemical and biological compounds that are non-volatile including proteins and natural products (i.e., plant extracts). As each sample component interacts differently with the absorbent material within the column, the flow rates change leading to the separation of peaks, which are plotted via computer software. Most commonly HPLC analysis has been used for chemical manufacturing and pharmaceutical purposes. When using HPLC for crop …

Genomics-Assisted Approaches To Improve Grain Yield And End-Use Quality In Hard Winter Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.), Harsimardeep Singh Gill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Global wheat production needs to be increased by 60% to meet the future demand of feeding nine billion people by 2050. Simultaneously, it is important to improve the enduse quality to meet the requirements of producers, grain markets, processors, and consumers. Thus, the development of more productive wheat varieties with better enduse quality remains the primary focus for all wheat breeding programs. However, direct phenotypic selection for improving grain yield and end-use quality is difficult as it is highly influenced by environmental factors. This dissertation focuses on harnessing advancements in genomics applications, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), for the genetic …

Application Of Crispr/Cas9 Whole Genome Screens To Advance Macrophage Biology, Kevin Wanniarachchi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technologies present opportunities to better understand the contribution of individual genes to complex eukaryotic cellular processes. I have applied CRISPR whole genome screen technologies to inform further mechanistic understanding of macrophage fitness and neutral lipid metabolism. This work is important because macrophages play critical roles in immune function and are implicated as causative agents in disease states. Chapter One of this dissertation provides insights into how CRISPR genome screening technologies have improved biological discovery and key findings from their application and discusses how this technology can be implemented to advance the discovery of novel macrophage …

Strategies To Optimize Confinement Fed Beef Cattle In The Northern Plains, Erin R. Gubbels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation was to understand the strategies needed to optimize performance of confinement fed beef cattle in the Northern Plains. This was accomplished through three objectives: 1) evaluate health, growth performance, and antibody titers in previously vaccinated, newly weaned calves administered a respiratory and clostridia vaccine upon arrival compared to no vaccination; 2) determine the influence of manger space restriction on program-fed feedlot heifers during the growing phase; and 3) to evaluate growth performance and carcass traits following transit of feedlot heifers sourced and finished in different regions of the United States. For objective 1, single-sourced, newly …