Evaluation Of Commercially Available Sanitizers Efficacy To Control Salmonella (Sessile And Biofilm Forms) On Harvesting Bins And Picking Bags, Colton Ivers, Samhitha Chalamalasetti, Blanca-Ruiz Llacsahuanga, Faith Critzer, Manreet Bhullar, Londa Nwadike, Umut Yucel, Valentina Trinetta

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

This study evaluated the efficacy of five commercially available sanitizers to reduce Salmonella (sessile and biofilm forms) count on experimentally inoculated materials representative of harvesting bins and picking bags in the fresh produce industry. Sessile Salmonella cells were grown onto tryptic soy agar to create a bacterial lawn, while multistrain Salmonella biofilms were grown in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reactor at 22 ± 2 °C for 96 h. Samples were exposed to 500 ppm free chlorine, 500 ppm peroxyacetic acid (PAA), 75 psi steam, and 5% silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) for 30 sec, 1, or 2 …

Unilateral Tongue Atrophy In Smad3: A Case Report, Gloria Galloway

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog 3 (SMAD3) is a disorder of the protein encoded at locus 15q22.33 and involved in the transcription of growth factor-beta (TGF) signalling. In this disorder, SMAD3 encoding is impaired, resulting in a connective tissue disorder with multisystem involvement (Bertoli-Avella et al., 2015; Dulac et al., 2019). This case is the first to describe unilateral tongue atrophy as an initial presentation of SMAD3, thereby providing an important contribution to the literature. Clinical History and Exam: A 43-year-old patient described a 1–2-week history in which he noted that half of his tongue had wasted away, and he …

First Breeding Confirmation For Red-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis) Along The Big Bend Reach Of The Platte River, Jacob C. Cooper, Cody Mcgregor, Letitia M. Reichart, Janet Steele

Nebraska Bird Review

The Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) is a highly nomadic species of North American nuthatch prone to large movements across the entire continent (Ghalambor and Martin 2020). This behavior has resulted in both a lack of geographic variation across the continent and propensity to colonize isolated patches of suitable habitat (Ghalambor and Martin 2020). In the Bessey District of the Nebraska National Forest (NNF), Red-breasted Nuthatches were one of the first coniferous-forest bird species to colonize and begin breeding in the isolated planted stands of pine (Zimmer 1913, Bray 1994). Despite the increasing number of records for the species …

Index To Volume 92

Nebraska Bird Review

Able, K. A. 131
Adams, H. 88
Alexander, Jan 33
Allard, Savannah 33
Allen: C.R. 167; Edward 58
Allison, Betty 34
Altman, Dakota 33
Ames, Cheryl 68
Amy, Peter 68
Anderson: Ann 157; Brett 32, 34; Logan 61; Rachel 33; Will 125
Andersson, Justin 34
Ani, Groove-billed 134
Archer, Kellen 33
Arends, Jim 34
Audubon, John J. 18, 19, 20
Austgen, Jane 34
Avocet, American 58, 92, 111, 148, 169

. . .

Zach, Joel 34
Zicafoose, Kirby 32
Zimmer, J.T. 167
Zimmerman, Kelsey 63
Zoller, Lawrence 61
Zonotrichia leucophrys: leucophrys 16, 72; oriantha 16, 72

Mccook Fall Field Days, Sept. 20–22, 2024, Gary Roberts

Nebraska Bird Review

The 2024 NOU Fall Field Days were held in McCook on September 20–22, with approximately fifty-one people in attendance. The programs were held at McCook Community College Student Union. A special thanks to Boni Edwards and Jan Johnson for planning the meeting.

Field trips were led by Bill Flack—Medicine Creek Reservoir and Cambridge Park, Robin Harding—Red Willow Reservoir and Culbertson Trail, Joel Jorgenson—Swanson Reservoir and Hitchcock County, and T.J. Walker—Rock Creek Recreation Area and Dundy County. Counties included were Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Lincoln, Perkins, and Red Willow.

A total of 139 species were observed with notable sightings …

Fall Field Report, August–November 2024, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

First off, I should reiterate that records are only mentioned in this Introduction and in the text when they add to or fine-tune data included in BONO (Birds of Nebraska – Online (outdoornebraska.gov). It was my expectation that as the number of birders and in particular those reporting to eBird continue to increase, gaps in the database will be filled and my job will become simpler. However, this expectation is yet to be realized, likely due to increasing movements and activity among birds that appears to be due to increasing severity of weather events, such as heat, cold, and drought, …

Evaluation Of Biochar As A Remediation Tool For Aminopyralid Contaminated Compost, Steven James Parris

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Aminopyralid is a synthetic auxin herbicide which is applied to grass pastures to control broadleaf weed populations. Aminopyralid can contaminate compost through inputs derived from treated pastures such as manure and grass clippings. This possibility poses the threat of inadvertent herbicide exposure to sensitive vegetable plants through using compost contaminated with aminopyralid. Biochar can absorb pollutants and has a synergistic effect with compost when applied to the compost mixture. This study examined the relationship between biochar and aminopyralid through compost consisting of dairy manure and sawdust 1:1 mixture, aminopyralid (10μg/kg), and biochar at four treatment levels of total mass of …

The Atheroprotective Impact Of Anti-Mir-33a-5p/3p In Cultured Pro-Inflammatory Endothelial Cells, Kun Huang

All Dissertations

Atherosclerosis is the process of cholesterol buildup within arterial cells, which is considered a leading factor that causes certain cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol accumulation within pro-inflammatory endothelial cells is thought to induce atherogenesis and accelerate atherosclerosis progression. Evidence suggests inhibiting the microRNA miR-33a in arterial cells may promote atheroprotection via increasing ABCA1 protein expression. MiR-33a is processed into two functional strands, miR-33a-5p and miR-33a-3p. The potential atheroprotective effect of inhibiting miR-33a-5p and/or miR-33a-3p precisely in pro-inflammatory endothelial cells is not fully understood, as data is scant regarding what potential atheroprotective impact ABCA1-dependent cholesterol within pro-inflammatory endothelial cells demonstrates, which occurs via …

Research Angler Program Newsletter: Recognition Of Two Decades Of The Research Angler Program, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Research Reports

For over two-decades, volunteer recreational fishers have been diligently filling in angler logbooks as part of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Research Angler Program (RAP). The program, which began in 2004, was initially designed as a tool to enhance data collection for estuarine finfish in the West Coast Bioregion.

Throughout time, the program expanded to collect data on all species, habitat types and bioregions, generating community involvement all over the state. To date, fishers have reported data on over 19,000 fishing trips and more than 450 different fish and invertebrate (crustaceans and molluscs) species.

Fishers participating …

Evaluating The Current State Of Evolution Acceptance Instruments: A Research Coordination Network Meeting Report, M. Elizabeth Barnes, Rahmi Q. Aini, James P. Collins, Ryan D.P. Dunk, Emily A. Holt, Jamie Jensen, Joanna R. Klein, Taya Misheva, Louis S. Nadelson, Michael J. Reiss, William L. Romine, Andrew Shtulman, Amanda L. Townley, Jason R. Wiles, Yi Zheng, Sara E. Brownell

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Hundreds of studies have explored student evolution acceptance because evolution is a core concept of biology that many undergraduate biology students struggle to accept. However, this construct of “evolution acceptance” has been defined and measured in various ways, which has led to inconsistencies across studies and difficulties in comparing results from different studies. Many studies and essays have offered evaluations and perspectives of evolution acceptance instruments, but publications with a focus on consensus building across research teams is still needed. Further, little attention has been paid to how evolution acceptance instruments may be interpreted differently by students with varied religious …

Interspecific Selection In A Diverse Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, Megan A. Rúa, Jason D. Hoeksema

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Coevolution describes evolutionary change in which two or more interacting species reciprocally drive each other’s evolution, potentially resulting in trait diversification and ecological speciation. Much progress has been made in analysis of its dynamics and consequences, but relatively little is understood about how coevolution works in multispecies interactions, i.e., those with diverse suites of species on one or both sides of an interaction. Interactions among plant hosts and their mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) may provide an ecologically unique arena to examine the nature of selection in multispecies interactions. Using native genotypes of Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), we performed a common …

Transcription Factor Expression Landscape In Drosophila Embryonic Cell Lines, Robert A. Drewell, Daniel Klonaros, Jacqueline Dresch

Biology

Background: Transcription factor (TF) proteins are a key component of the gene regulatory networks that control cellular fates and function. TFs bind DNA regulatory elements in a sequence-specific manner and modulate target gene expression through combinatorial interactions with each other, cofactors, and chromatin-modifying proteins. Large-scale studies over the last two decades have helped shed light on the complex network of TFs that regulate development in Drosophila melanogaster. Results: Here, we present a detailed characterization of expression of all known and predicted Drosophila TFs in two well-established embryonic cell lines, Kc167 and S2 cells. Using deep coverage RNA sequencing approaches we …

Investigating Brain Reward Mechanisms: A Comparative Study In Male And Female Rats, Valeria Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Drug addiction is a serious public health concern. Recently, electronic cigarette use has become increasingly popular among vulnerable populations such as adolescents and women. Previous research on conventional cigarette use has shown significant sex differences in drug-seeking behavior and withdrawal symptoms, which are driven mainly by hormonal differences. However, changes in sex hormones do not completely explain the enhanced reward sensitivity reported in females. Thus, this dissertation aims to examine other alternative reasons that can explain these sex differences, such as differences in reward-seeking and neuronal reactivity. Additionally, there is a dearth of consistency across papers intending to map electrode …

Victory Gardens: Helping On The Home Front, A Curriculum Outreach Project, Kelly Hoomes

Master's Theses

The Victory Garden: Helping on the Homefront traveling trunk outreach project links past, present, and future by introducing students to the historical significance of World War II victory gardens and emphasizing the continued relevance today. Partnering with Kennesaw State University’s Museum of History and Holocaust Education (MHHE), the traveling trunk focuses on a fifth-grade audience, aligning with Georgia Standards of Excellence for Social Studies, Health, and Science. The traveling trunk designed as a “museum-in-a-box" includes primary sources, artifacts, and a practical gardening activity that fosters critical thinking and analysis. By encouraging an understanding of the past and the connections to …

The Relationship Between Chute Behavior And Morbidity In Cattle, Andrea Rankin

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Most cattle see a handling chute at least once in their lives. Handling plays a huge role in cattle management, whether it’s for transportation, auction sales, deworming, medical treatments, or AI purposes. Morbidity related to Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is one of the biggest causes of economic loss for ranchers and can be related to handling stress. Auction-derived calves (ADC; n=92) were brought to the University of Arkansas Savoy Research Facility for processing and monitoring for behavioral cues and disease. The objective of this study was to find a relationship between the calves’ behavior in the chute and morbidity. The …

The Diverse Effects Of Continual Organic Inputs On Soil Biogeochemical Properties And Microbial Communities In Sandy Ultisols Under Organic Production, Zhine Wang

All Dissertations

The objectives of this study were to understand how continual organic amendment inputs improve Nitrogen (N) cycling, microbial diversity and functional traits. Fully crossed factorial experiments were designed to test four cover crop treatments (cereal rye, hairy vetch, mixture of the rye and vetch, and no cover crop fallow) and two levels of manure compost application (with manure application and blank control) in organic vegetable production from 2020 to 2023. Cover crop biomass, soil chemical and biological properties were analyzed for the distribution and availability of soil labile N (Chapter 2), the abundance of N-cycling genes (Chapter 3), the structure …

Exploring Mechanisms Of Chemical Resistance In Xanthomonas Arboricola Pv. Pruni And Strategies To Mitigate Resistance And Improve Disease Control, Milan Panth

All Dissertations

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (XAP) is a phytopathogenic bacterium that causes bacterial spot of peach. It causes spotted lesions on leaves and fruit, leading to early defoliation and unmarketable fruit, respectively. The pathogen can overwinter in twig cankers, which serve as the primary initial inoculum source for the next season’s leaf and fruitlet infection. The current disease management practice mainly relies on routine application of chemical bactericides containing copper or oxytetracycline (OTC) in the growing season. However, disease incidence can still be high despite chemical control measures in warm, rainy seasons.

Frequent applications of copper and OTC in United …

Bap1: Genotype-Phenotype Correlation, Variant Classification, And Treatment Efficacy, Elizabeth Hobbs

All Dissertations

BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 3p21.3 and encodes a deubiquitinase enzyme (DUB) involved in DNA repair, cell cycle and metabolism, and apoptosis. BAP1 pathogenic germline variants are primarily associated with a familial cancer syndrome, Tumor Predisposition Syndrome 1 (TPDS1), but new missense variants have been linked to a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Kury-Isidor Syndrome (KURIS). Patients with TPDS1 variants have an increased risk for developing cancers, such as uveal and cutaneous melanomas, mesothelioma, and renal cell carcinoma, at an earlier age with lower thresholds for environmental exposures, mainly UV rays and asbestos, compared …

Characterizing Mechanisms Of Dna Repair And Genome Stability, Joshua Turner

All Dissertations

Every day our cells are bombarded with DNA lesions that threaten the stability of our genome. To help maintain genomic integrity our cells evolved to have a network of enzymes dedicated to repairing DNA lesions. Upon encountering a site of DNA damage, a cell recruits enzymes that remodel the stalled replication fork by reannealing the newly synthesized DNA together known as fork regression. Loss of fork regression activity has been shown to promote replication stress resistance after induced DNA damage. In this thesis, I discuss the role F-Box Helicase 1 (FBH1) plays in fork regression and how FBH1 promotes the …

Leveraging High-Frequency Water Quality Data And Machine Learning For Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms, Ibrahim Busari

All Dissertations

Freshwater management is one of the most critical resources on the earth due to the plethora of water use and its limited availability. Increased algae proliferation is one of the significant problems of freshwater bodies that is triggered by nutrient enrichment and enabling conditions such as light and warm temperatures. This algal proliferation is toxic to the ecosystem through their biomass and potential toxin production that can cause hypoxic conditions and is often referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Current monitoring approaches include laboratory analysis of water samples to observe algal cells, monitoring of water quality parameters using water …

Advancing Substance Use Disorder Treatment Using Genomics And Metabolomics, Lindsey Contella

All Dissertations

Advancing our understanding of genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors in substance use disorder (SUD) could lead to more effective therapies. In 2022, 16.5% of the U.S. population was diagnosed with SUD, yet current treatments lack efficacy for all patients, making a precision medicine approach crucial. This dissertation explores SUD's relationship with tryptophan (TRP) metabolism through the kynurenine pathway (KP) as a potential therapeutic target. Chapter I reviews current knowledge on SUD and KP. Chapter II identifies how SUD alters KP metabolite concentrations, identifying a reduced concentration of the neuroprotective metabolite, kynurenic acid (KA) and elevated concentrations of the neurotoxic metabolite, …

Behavior In Phelan-Mcdermid Syndrome: Clinical Characteristics, Genetic And Metabolic Contributions, And Evaluation Of Behavioral Assessment Tools, Emily Payne

All Dissertations

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is characterized by genetic and phenotypic variability with varying levels of developmental delay, intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), speech delay, minor dysmorphic features, and behavioral issues. Genetic causes of PMS involve deletions in the 22q13.3 region or pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in SHANK3. Due to the significant heterogeneity and complexities seen in individuals with PMS, there are numerous challenges surrounding research, accurate diagnoses, assessments, and the creation of treatments. Behavioral issues are present in the majority of individuals with PMS, including lower levels of adaptive behavioral skills needed for daily functioning, disruptive behaviors, restricted and …

Drosophila Model Of Cocaine Use Disorder, Jeffrey Hatfield

All Dissertations

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a major public health challenge. While the primary mechanism of action of cocaine has been well characterized, and family studies have identified a strong genetic component, the specific genetic factors that influence susceptibility to development of CUD remain poorly understood. Genetic studies of cocaine use disorder are difficult in humans, but can be readily performed in Drosophila, where environment, genetic background, and cocaine exposure can be controlled. Drosophila exhibit behavioral and transcriptomic responses to cocaine, which binds to the dopamine transporter in fruit flies as it does in humans. Here, we use Drosophila to …

Quantifying Effects Of Partial Genetic Backgrounds To Decode Genetic Drivers Of Clinical Phenotypes, Rini Pauly

All Dissertations

Understanding partial genetic backgrounds illuminates the genetic architecture of complex traits and diseases, revealing how diverse genetic backgrounds contribute to phenotypic diversity. With this approach we could advance personalized medicine by identifying population-specific variants affecting drug metabolism, tailoring medical treatments to individual genetic profiles. Additionally, it offers evolutionary insights into human history, shedding light on past migrations and the spread of genetic traits. This research leverages cutting-edge statistical genetics techniques and novel machine learning approaches to efficiently analyze extensive population genomic datasets, distilling complex admixture signals into meaningful genetic markers.

The study introduces Admix-AI, an innovative convolutional neural network-based tool …

Acupressure For Rescue Treatment For Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting, Kimberly Amerson, Jennifer Smith

Doctoral Projects

This doctoral project investigates acupressure as a non-pharmacological option for PONV management, focusing on the P6 point (Neiguan). The physiological processes involved in regulating nausea are highlighted in the discussion of the mechanisms of action. This research also looks at the valuable uses of acupressure in clinical settings and the education of PACU nurses and anesthesia providers. By utilizing knowledge, including acupressure, PACU nurses and anesthesia providers can improve satisfaction with care, expedite recovery, and boost overall patient well-being. This doctoral project strives to decrease healthcare costs associated with prolonged hospital stays, optimize patient recovery experiences, expand knowledge for PACU …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Investigate The Possibility Of Producing Healthier, Safer Peanuts Through Molecular Breeding And Novel Fungal Pathogen Management Strategies, Tariq Alam

All Dissertations

Peanut allergy, a critical health concern with high morbidity and mortality rates, is a leading cause of fatal anaphylactic reactions in the United States. Managing peanut allergy is challenging due to the prevalence of peanuts in processed foods and the risk of contamination. This dissertation evaluates the U.S. peanut mini-core collection for four major immunogenic proteins, Ara h1, Ara h2, Ara h3, and Ara h6, using gel electrophoresis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The study identified 26 genotypes with reduced concentrations of allergenic proteins. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of protein traits revealed 10 significant SNPs and identified …

A Multiplex Metabolomic Approach For Quality Control Of Spirulina Supplement And Its Allied Microalgae (Amphora & Chlorella) Assisted By Chemometrics And Molecular Networking, Nesrine Hegazi, Amira R. Khattab, Hamada H. Saad, Bishoy Abib, Mohamed A. Farag

Faculty Journal Articles

Microalgae species are of economic importance regarded as “green gold” being rich in bioactive compounds. Spirulina and Chlorella are the most popular microalgal species and are marketed as healthy food supplements. At the same time, Amphora holds potential as a source of healthy lipids and essential fatty acids. Yet, there are considerable variations in their reported chemical composition, and less is known about their compositional differences. A multiplexed metabolomic approach was adopted for the quality control (QC) of Spirulina supplements and to compare its constitutive metabolome to Chlorella and Amphora. The adopted protocol comprised gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), ultra-high performance …

Genome-Wide Expression Profiling And Phenotypic Analysis Of Downstream Targets Identify The Fox Transcription Factor Jumeau As A Master Regulator Of Cardiac Progenitor Cell Division, M. Rezaul Hasan

Bakerman Student Research Awards

Forkhead box (Fox) transcription factors (TFs) mediate multiple conserved cardiogenic processes in both mammals and Drosophila. Our prior work identified the roles of two Drosophila Fox genes, jumeau (jumu) and Checkpoint suppressor 1-like (CHES-1-like), in cardiac progenitor cell specification and division, and in the proper positioning of cardiac cell subtypes. Fox TF binding sites are also significantly enriched in the enhancers of genes expressed in the heart, suggesting that these genes may play a core regulatory role in one or more of these cardiogenic processes. We identified downstream targets of Jumu by comparing transcriptional expression profiles of flow cytometry-sorted mesodermal …

Quantifying The Mechanisms Behind Carbon Sequestration And Soil Health Following Compost Application In A Rangeland Chronosequence, Grace Damaschino

Master's Theses

Compost application to rangelands has the potential to sequester carbon (C) and add essential plant nutrients to the soil. The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Healthy Soils Project (HSP) provides financial support to farmers and landowners to implement innovative practices that promote soil health. The CDFA is currently recommending compost application rates of 6-10 tons per acre; however, previous research suggests that degraded soils may require a larger dose of compost to overcome limitations, therefore this recommendation might not meet soil health or soil carbon sequestration objectives. This study examines the compost rate effects on soil health, while …