Life Sciences Commons^™

Using High-Pressure Processing To Improve Dark-Cutting Beef Color In Tenderloins, Ashley A. Hahn, Leila G. Venzor, Shelley A. Curry, Grace C. Johnson, Mary-Grace C. Danao, Ranjith Ramanathan, Gary A. Sullivan, Jordan C. Wicks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Dark-cutting beef is a quality defect that negatively impacts consumer appeal and affects the carcass value for both producers and meat processors. These economic losses stem from poor visual appearance and reduced consumer appeal in the retail setting. Notably, different muscles within a carcass exhibit varying degrees of color stability which can influence how dark-cutting manifests across cuts. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of high-pressure processing (HPP) on dark-cutting color-labile muscle. Dark-cutting and normal tenderloins were collected and portioned into two equal sections. Dark-cutting tenderloins were assigned one of 3 treatments: No HPP, 300 …

Defining The Parameters Of High-Pressure Processing To Improve The Quality Of Dark-Cutting Beef, Ashley A. Hahn, Leila G. Venzor, Shelley A. Curry, Grace C. Johnson, Mary-Grace C. Danao, Ranjith Ramanathan, Jordan C. Wicks, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Dark-cutting beef is a result of preharvest stress and devalues the resulting carcass. High-pressure processing (HPP) has been recently identified as a potential strategy to improve the undesirable appearance of dark-cutting beef. Dark-cutting beef strip loins were collected from a local processing facility, sectioned, and assigned an HPP pressure (300 or 450 MPa) and holding time (0, 1, 30, 60, or 90 s). Overall, HPP increased the lightness and redness of dark-cutting beef, particularly the longer the pressure was held at both pressure levels. Additionally, negative effects such as increased meat discoloration, decreased tenderness, and increased rancidity …

Evaluating Sorghum X Sudangrass Seed Digestibility, Evan Blank, Thomas E. Aquino, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A sorghum-sudangrass hybrid was swathed in the hard dough stage and grazed by growing steers from November 2023 to January 2024. Steers appeared to select the seedheads when grazing. The seed made up approximately 12.6% of swathed forage mass, but its energy contribution appears limited due to poor digestibility. When incubated whole, only 23% of dry matter and 13% of starch was digestible. Grinding improved digestibility but still left 40% of the dry matter and over 85% of starch unavailable. Weathering over two months did not improve digestibility, indicating the seed coat remains intact through winter. Compared …

Long-Term Trends Of Annual Herbaceous Expansion In The Nebraska Panhandle: Rangeland Analysis Platform Data, Karley Dieckmann, Mitchell B. Stephenson, Miranda Mueller

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This descriptive analysis evaluated changes in Annual Forb and Grass (AFG) herbaceous cover in the Nebraska Panhandle from 1986 to 2023 using the Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP). It was hypothesized that AFG herbaceous cover would show an increasing trend over time, indicating the potential expansion of the annual invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). County-level RAP data were used to calculate long-term means as an indicator. Results showed an increase in AFG cover across the region. Trends were cyclical, with cover peaking and dipping over time, but the overall trajectory showed increases in AFG in the Panhandle. The increasing …

Impact Of Feeding Palm Oil To Finishing Cattle On Performance, Carcass, And Meat Characteristics, Tate S. Johnson, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Josh R. Benton, Galen E. Erickson, Jessie C. Morrill, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This finishing study evaluated the effect of feeding palm oil products on performance and carcass characteristics, and beef quality measures. Dietary treatments included no supplemental fat or feeding: crude palm oil, crude high-oleic palm oil (HOPO), refined, bleached, and de-odorized palm olein oil (RBD olein), or tallow. Supplemental fat was included at 3.5% of diet dry matter. Cattle fed diets containing supplemental fat had improved feed conversion compared to no supplemental fat. Feeding cattle crude palm oil resulted in improved F:G compared to cattle fed RBD olein, with steers fed tallow and crude HOPO being intermediate and …

Comparison Of Spayed Heifer Performance To Intact Heifers Fed Melengestrol Acetate On Feedlot Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Tate S. Johnson, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Halden J. Clark, Jim C. Macdonald, Jessica L. Sperber

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Pregnancy and estrous cycle management are critical considerations when feeding intact heifers in the feedyard. Alternatively, producers can opt to spay heifers, which eliminates hormonal fluctuations associated with the estrous cycle. A proportion of U.S. feedlots have spayed heifers on feed, although there is limited data comparing the performance of spayed heifers to intact heifers. A commercial feedlot experiment was conducted to compare performance between spayed and intact heifers fed melengestrol acetate. Intact heifers had greater ADG and tended to have greater DMI compared to spayed heifers, although no difference in feed conversion was observed. Carcass weight …

Summary Of The Value Of Distillers Grains Plus Solubles For Feedlot Cattle, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

An analysis of over 6,100 head of finishing cattle across 50 experiments was conducted to determine the feeding value of full-fat and de-oiled distillers grains. This analysis was limited to studies where dry-rolled corn, high-moisture corn, or a combination of the two corn processing methods were displaced by 15% or more distillers grains. Dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), and wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) were evaluated as either full-fat or de-oiled. The feeding value of distillers grains was assessed relative to a corn-based control diet containing no distillers. Results …

Sae For All: Curriculum Guide, Emily Carpenter

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a critical component of agricultural education, designed to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. The SAE for All model ensures that every student participates in meaningful experiential learning tailored to their interests and career goals. By integrating SAE into the curriculum, students develop technical skills, career readiness competencies, and an understanding of real-world agricultural applications. This guide includes a teaching plan and a comprehensive set of assignments.

Western Massasauga (Sistrurus Tergeminus): A Species Conservation Assessment For The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, Colleen Rothe-Groleau, Melissa J. Panella

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Publications

The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project recognizes the western massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) as a Tier I at-risk species. Provided are some general management recommendations regarding western massasaugas. Conservation practitioners will need to use professional judgment to make specific management decisions based on objectives, location, and a multitude of variables. This resource was designed to share available knowledge of this at-risk species that will aid in the decision-making process or in identifying research needs to benefit the species.

Criteria for selection as Tier I: State listed, G3

Estimated Population in NE: 1,000–2,500

Estimate based on: Field surveys

Trends since 2005 …

Hydroponics In The Classroom: Cultivating Plants, Captivating Young People, Stacy A. Adams, Christian Stephenson, Theresa James, Kim Todd

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Few students take the initiative to pursue coursework beyond that required for progression to graduation. Limited are opportunities that connect educational content to industry application, potentially inspiring young people towards impactful careers. The United States government has emphasized the importance of STEM education to ensure national security and to maintain economic competitiveness globally. STEM education is not a defined discipline but an approach for building knowledge through application and engagement. Developing and managing a hydroponics prototype provides numerous opportunities for embedding STEM content into a fun and interactive project. This poster provides inspiration for constructing a simple deep water culture …

Dataset: Participation Versus Points: Examining The Impact Of Grading Conditions On Student Resource Use During An Out-Of-Class Biology Concept Assessment, Tiffany J. Burgess, Crystal Uminski, Brian A. Couch

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Instructors use concept assessments to collect diagnostic information regarding student learning and to inform decisions surrounding instructional interventions and course modifications. Administering concept assessments out-of-class helps preserve already limited instructional time, but instructors still must consider whether to apply a lower-stakes (i.e., participation) versus higher-stakes (i.e., correctness) grading scheme. An increase in stakes is likely to prompt additional effort, but it may also increase undesired behaviors and inadvertently prompt external resource use, such as students leveraging their notes, the internet, or their peers. In the present study, we compared student self-reported resource use on a biology concept assessment administered under …

Geographic Distribution: Pseudacris Sierra (Sierran Treefrog). Usa: Florida: Escambia Co., Justin A. Anto, Logan P. Cutts, Jakira A. Davis, Dyrana N. Russell, Renee M. Shiska, Kayla L. O. Walker, Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

No abstract provided.

Comparisons Of Zooplankton Communities Before And After Chemical Renovation In Lake Ogallala, Nebraska, Theo Huber, Melissa Wuellner, Alexandria Keiler-Klein, Alexander D. Engel, Keith D. Koupal

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Rotenone is commonly used to remove undesirable fish species and support recreational fisheries. Lake Ogallala, a 263-ha tailwater reservoir located in western Nebraska, has had a history with rotenone use dating back to 1969. While past renovations of the reservoir have documented impacts on water quality, aquatic vegetation establishment, and benthic invertebrate and fish communities, zooplankton responses had not been studied. To evaluate potential effects, we compared zooplankton densities and community composition before and after the most recent renovation. Monthly samples were collected from April – September in 2023 (pre-renovation) and 2024 (post-renovation) using an 80-μm circular plankton net at …

Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis Elegans) Consuming A Western Meadow Vole (Microtus Drummondii) In The Sangre De Cristo Mountains Of New Mexico, Joseph W. Paysen, Peggy M. Huss, Jacob C. Cooper, Lance J. Bernal, Carter Kruse, Keith Geluso

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans) is a dietary generalist occurring in the western half of the United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Terrestrial Gartersnakes are known to consume a variety of small mammals, including voles (Microtus). Herein we report on an observation of the Terrestrial Gartersnake consuming a Western Meadow Vole (Microtus drummondii). On 27 June 2025, we captured a large adult Terrestrial Gartersnake underneath a log just upstream of a North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) dam on the Vermejo River, Colfax County, New Mexico that regurgitated a partially digested adult …

A New Subspecies Of Celastrina Lucia (W. Kirby) (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) In The Central Appalachian Mountain Region, Harry Pavulaan

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

The Celastrina (“Azure”) populations of the central Appalachian Mountain region have traditionally been identified as Celastrina ladon (Cramer) by numerous authors. However, the discovery of elongated dorsal wing scales in males of C. ladon (Wright & Pavulaan, 1999; Ômura et al., 2015) established that this diagnostic trait is limited to C. ladon, C. nigra (W. Forbes), and subsequently C. iryna (Pavulaan). Microscopic examination of male “Spring Azure” specimens from higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountains revealed a complete absence of these elongated scales in the resident populations, despite their outward resemblance to C. ladon …

Interview With Orca Award Winner John J. Janovy, Jr., Unl Biological Sciences; Parasitologist And Author, Mark Griep, John J. Janovy Jr.

UNL ORCA Interview Series

Professor John Janovy, Jr., was awarded the ORCA in 1998. John was born in Louisiana, but his family moved to Oklahoma, where he grew up in Tulsa and then Oklahoma City. Something in his youth must have sparked an interest in science because he earned three degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Norman: a bachelor of science in math in 1959, a master of science in zoology in 1962, and doctoral degree in zoology in 1965. Next, he ventured 1400 miles east to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he did post-doctoral work for about a year. …

Update To: New Butterfly Taxa And Findings From Genomic Analyses, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Due to the United States government shutdown, GenBank services were unavailable, and accession numbers could not be obtained for the sequences reported in the original publication. This update provides the GenBank accession numbers for these sequences, together with additional taxonomic findings accumulated since the initial study. One genus, 16 species and four subspecies are proposed as new (type species or localities in parentheses): Madaga Grishin, gen. n. (Artitropa alaotrana Oberthür, 1916), Udranomia eurianus Grishin, sp. n. (Ecuador: Napo), Entheus dalina Grishin, sp. n. (Brazil: Pará), Entheus ambo Grishin, sp. n. (Colombia: Cauca), Entheus pico Grishin, sp. n. (Colombia: Valle …

An Updated Annotated Checklist Of The Mammals Of The Crane Trust, Hall County, Nebraska, Bethany L. Ostrom, Amanda H. Medaries, Andrew J. Caven, Jenna M. Malzahn, Alexa Rojas, Matthew R. Schaaf, David M. Baasch, Thomas E. Labedz, Greg D. Wright

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The Crane Trust is a regional nonprofit conservation organization that has protected land in the biologically important Central Platte River Valley for over four decades. A mammal inventory was conducted on the Crane Trust’s main habitat complex in 1980. Since, a variety of environmental conditions have shifted locally, regionally, and globally. An analysis of the mammal community was conducted using past and recent data to determine how species composition and relative abundance have shifted categorically from 1980 to 2021. We used all available data to categorize relative abundance during two distinct time periods per a modified “DAFOR” scale including 7 …

The Nebraska Bird Review (December 2025) 93(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Changes to The Nebraska Bird Review, by Janis Paseka

Fall Field Report, August–November 2025, by W. Ross Silcock

First definitive records of Hermit Thrush and Wilson’s Warbler subspecies for Nebraska, by Stephen J. Brenner and Joel G. Jorgensen

Ogallala Fall Field Days, Sept. 26–28, 2025

Index to Volume 93

Subscription and Organization Information

Index To Volume 93

Nebraska Bird Review

Adams, Morgan
Aguiar: Maritza, Stephanie
Albright, Don
Alexander: Jeff, Jan
Aliferis, Taylor
Allard, Savannah
Allen, Edward
Allison, Betty
Altman, Dakota
Alvarado, A. H.
Ammon, E. M.
Anandan, Sampath Kumar
Andersen, Brett
Anderson: Ann, Chris, Will
Andrews, Ryan
Anhinga
Ani, Groove-billed
Annunziata, Laura
Armstrong, Nancy
Augustine, Jackie
Aurilio, James
Avocet, American

. . .

Zagst: Fred, Kay
Zeillemaker, Fred
Zemaitis, William
Zicafoose, Kirby
Zonotrichia leucophrys: gambelii, leucophrys, oriantha

First Definitive Records Of Hermit Thrush And Wilson’S Warbler Subspecies For Nebraska, Stephen J. Brenner, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

During the fall of 2025, we initiated a pilot migratory bird-banding project in the Nebraska Panhandle. While the project’s goals included examining species composition, volume, and body condition of migratory birds at the western edge of the state compared to the eastern edge of the state, we also used this project to document the occurrence of subspecies and species which are very challenging or impossible to identify through field observation. Here, we report on the first definitive records of two subspecies in Nebraska.

On 16 September 2025, SJB banded an adult male Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) that was …

Fall Field Report, August–November 2025, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

As in previous fall seasons, by far the most modifications to BONO came from late departure dates; around 87 species were included, no fewer than 13 of these setting record late dates, notably Eastern Whip-poor-will, Mountain Plover, Brown Thrasher (north), Henslow’s Sparrow (flight call only), and Orchard Oriole.

Although this is a Fall Seasonal Report, noted or suggested breeding activity is of interest. Exciting were the 2nd and 3rd presumed breeding records of Black-chinned Hummingbird and, in Dodge Co, the 5th record of breeding by Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. Perhaps the strangest west to east occurrence was a Golden Eagle adventure in …

Changes To The Nebraska Bird Review, Janis Paseka

Nebraska Bird Review

As of this issue, The Nebraska Bird Review has been in existence for 93 years, looking very much now as it did when it began in 1933. However, due to the increasing costs of printing and postage, there will be some changes in its future. Our newsletter, The Burrowing Owl, is already provided online to our members, in a user-friendly and informative form. Future issues of The Nebraska Bird Review will also utilize a digital format to offer a more timely and colorful publication.

This is the final issue for which Ross Silcock will be compiler of the seasonal …

Defining The Causal Contribution Of The Gut Microbiota To Cardiomyopathy Pathogenesis As A Basis For Developing Microbiome-Targeted Therapies, Xu Shi

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, placing substantial clinical and economic burdens on society. Although advances in therapy have improved patient outcomes, the biological mechanisms that drive HF onset and progression remain incompletely understood. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota, the trillions of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a key role in some forms of heart disease, especially cardiovascular disease. Moreover, gut microbial dysbiosis has been associated with systemic inflammation, metabolic imbalance, and immune dysregulation, all of which contribute to the pathophysiology of HF. Cardiomyopathy, a primary disorder of the heart …

Patch Mow Grazing: Investigating The Effects Of Mowing On Forage Nutritive Value, The Biomass–Nutritive Value Relationship, And Herbivore Selection, Trace R. Stauble

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbivore foraging behavior plays a critical role in shaping grassland structural heterogeneity, with selection often driven by forage biomass and nutritive value. Currently, it is thought that herbivores primarily select areas that are greater in nutritive value, and low in biomass. More specifically, disturbances like fire and grazing have been thoroughly studied showing that recently burned and grazed areas are not only higher in nutritive value but disproportionately selected by herbivores in comparison to undisturbed areas. However, most studies address only narrow ranges of defoliation, comparing intensely defoliated sites (< 10 cm) to those that are either not defoliated or have experienced a much longer time since defoliation, thereby decreasing grazing pressure as biomass increases. However, one of the most widely used methods of defoliation in grasslands, mowing, hasn’t been thoroughly studied for its effects on nutritive value, and how it impacts herbivore selection. Our study aimed to (1) evaluate how mowing treatments—i.e., short (5 cm), medium (18 cm), and tall (>30 cm, unmown)—affect nutritive value and herbivore selection, (2) assess …

Cover Crop Influence On Arthropod Biodiversity And Soil–Water Dynamics In A Semi-Arid Maize–Soybean Sequence Of The Nebraska High Plains, Carlos Eduardo De Oliveira Martins

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

With the expansion of cover crop (CC) use in semi-arid regions, producers in the Nebraska High Plains are increasingly interested in understanding how CCs influence both beneficial arthropods and soil-water within maize-soybean (Zea mays L., Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotations. Integrating CCs in these systems can enhance soil water availability and beneficial insect activity, but potential trade-offs include higher early-season water use by CCs and the risk of increasing potential pest populations. This thesis addresses these questions through two complementary studies conducted under field conditions near Brule, Nebraska. The first study evaluated the effects of a multi-species CC mixture …

Assessing Crop Rotation Productivity, Soil Health, And Fertility, And Economic Performance, To Enhance Semi-Arid High Plains Cropping Systems Sustainability, Ezequiel Maria Villamil

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Sustainable crop production in the semi-arid High Plains of Nebraska faces challenges from limited precipitation, high interannual variability, and economic risk. This dissertation investigates the long-term productivity, water use, soil health, and economic sustainability of dryland crop rotations, with emphasis on the role of pulses as alternatives to fallow.

Chapter 1 analyzes nearly three decades (1995–2023) of on-farm data from the High Plains Agricultural Laboratory (Sidney, Nebraska) to compare seven crop rotations, including wheat, corn, millet, sunflower, and field peas. Results showed that wheat–corn–fallow (W–C–F) consistently outperformed traditional wheat–fallow (W–F) and more intensified four-year rotations, providing the highest grain yields, …

Development Of Databases For Glycan Utilization And Anti-Prokaryotic Defense In Microbiomes, Yuchen Yan

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Microbiomes in humans, animals, plants, and other environments are necessary components of the biosphere for global nutrient cycling and maintaining ecosystem balance. In particular, the gut microbiome plays an essential role in modulating human health through glycan utilization. Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), CAZyme gene clusters (CGCs), and polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) are key genomic features that determine microbial capacities for carbohydrate metabolism. Meanwhile, the arms race between phages and prokaryotes has led to the evolution of various anti-prokaryotic immune systems (APIS) in phages to counteract prokaryotic immune systems (PIS).

As bioinformatics methods used to analyze microbiome information advance rapidly, there is …

The Role Of Peroxisomal Acot4 And Acot8 In Modulating Lipid Metabolism And Stress Pathways In Steatotic Hepatocytes, Sylwia Miekus

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and the development of lipotoxic stress that disrupts cellular homeostasis. Peroxisomal lipid metabolism plays an important role in maintaining acyl-CoA balance during fatty acid overload, yet the contribution of peroxisomal acyl-CoA thioesterases to early lipotoxic responses remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional involvement of the peroxisomal enzymes acyl-CoA thioesterase 4 (ACOT4) and acyl-CoA thioesterase 8 (ACOT8) in hepatocyte lipid handling under acute lipotoxic conditions. An in vitro model of steatosis was established in AML12 cells through exposure to a …

Evaluating Metamitron Efficacy For Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) Management In Sugarbeet Across The Central High Plains, Abraham Akuoko

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbicide-resistant (HR) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is regarded as one of the most prominent weeds within sugarbeet fields across the Central High Plains, with limited chemical control options. Although a few herbicides are available, their use is restrictive due to crop injury concerns and can only be applied at or after the 2–4 true leaf (TL) growth stage, which will provide no control for already emerged weeds. However, Palmer amaranth often emerges between sugarbeet planting and the 2 TL sugarbeet growth stage. Consequently, as of 2023, there were no herbicide options to control Palmer amaranth in sugarbeet …