Life Sciences Commons^™

Snac Patrons' Typical Use And Overall Evaluation Of Services, Joy Bruneel, Melody Loutzenhiser

Student Research Symposium

Food insecurity among students in higher education programs is a relatively new area of research with the first study being published only 14 years ago.¹ Over the years, the costs associated with higher education have steadily increased leading to more financial burdens for students than ever before. According to the 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, over 4 million students nationwide struggle with food insecurity.²

While the incidence of food insecurity among students is increasing, many students are not taking advantage of community and university resources aimed at targeting this issue on college campuses.³ In a study …

Exploring Nitrogen Uptake Dynamics Of Wetland Plants In Floating Treatment Wetlands, Saroj Burlakoti

Student Research Symposium

• Nitrogen (N) is major plant nutrient that limit plant growth and are often over used aiming to improve plant growth and quality.
• Generally, only 2-10% of applied N is taken up by crops. Excess N can move into water and air impacting biodiversity, human health, air, and water quality (Fields, 2004; Sengupta et al., 2015).
• U.S. EPA has imposed regulations limiting the discharge of water containing nitrate-nitrogen concentrations exceeding 10 mg/L or 45 mg/L when expressed as (NO₃-) (U.S.EPA, 1986).
• Increasing demand for fertilizers – high cost
• Excess use – effect on ground and surface water quality
• Leachate …

Assessing The Influence Of ”Small Town Feel” On Wellbeing In Utah, Madison Fjeldsted Thompson

Student Research Symposium

Background

- Utah Wellbeing Project involvement

- Emergence of “small town feel”

• ”Please tell us what you value most about living in [city]?
• ”Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about wellbeing in [city]?

- Term and idea relatively sparce in existing literature

The Effect Of Medical Interpreters On Patient Outcomes Through Overcoming Linguistic Barriers, Klaire Dilworth, Annie Heaton, Allison Orton

Student Research Symposium

Many patients feel overwhelmed by the excess of information and emotional stress of the health problems they are experiencing. This can be especially stressful in situations where there is a language barrier. This can cause a substantial discrepancy in the healthcare that different ethnic populations receive. It can be difficult for patients to communicate what they are feeling, understand what the providers are telling them. It can also be a disadvantage to medical providers, as they might be unable to understand the experiences and needs of the patient. Medical interpreters hold the responsibility to help patients navigate these stressful times, …

Farmers' Adoption Of Nutrient Management Plans In The Chesapeake Bay Watershed (Cbw), Edem Avemegah

Student Research Symposium

Farming and the Environment

• Some agricultural practices lead to environmental problems.

Hpipy: Decoding Host-Microbe Crosstalk With Computational Homology Models For Protein Interaction Prediction, Raghav Kataria

Student Research Symposium

Various pathogens affect plants

Fungi, bacteria, virus — Disease infection Loss to global agriculture economy

Molecular interactions regulate biological processes

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) crucial for understanding disease infection mechanisms

Enhances study of protein function and cellular behavior

Asymmetries In Ncaa Division I Tennis Players Compared To Control Group, Liz Cafferty

Student Research Symposium

Examine BMD, BMC, and lean mass asymmetries in the upper extremities of NCAA Division I tennis players compared to an equally athletic control group with no sport side dominance.

Temporal Dynamics In Forage Value: Assessing The Seasonal Shift In Legumes And Non-Legume Forb Quality During The Growing Period, Fnu Surbhi

Student Research Symposium

Project Goal: The establishment of resource islands containing high-protein species to replace costly late-season nutritional supplements for beef cattle, promoting productivity and biodiversity while reducing environmental impact.

Seasonal Effects On Bovine Oocyte Quality, Harper Sjostrom

Student Research Symposium

• Bovine oocytes are impacted by the environments they grow in and the climates of those environments.
• Supplementation of melatonin or cytokine (FLI) could aid in oocyte quality and mitochondrial membrane distribution/potential.
• The aim of this study was to evaluate 1) if supplementation of melatonin/cytokine (FLI) during in vitro maturation has an impact on maturation rates in oocytes and 2) if supplementation/temperature affect mitochondrial membrane distribution/potential in bovine oocytes.

Repeatability Of Fecal Egg Counts In Wild Horses, Jaron Dixon

Student Research Symposium

- Fecal floats are one of the most commonly used methods of quantifying parasite infections.

- Despite being used for over a century, each variation of the method differs in accuracy and precision.

- In this study, we quantified parasite egg counts in wild horses using a centrifugal technique and Sheather’s sucrose solution.

- Our aim was to confirm the repeatability of the technique so it may be used in additional studies.

Cyp2d6, Autism, And Oxytocin Receptors, Ethan Dayley

Student Research Symposium

Who cares? Differences in oxytocin receptor density have been observed in two brain regions in autism. CNVs of the CYP2D6 gene appear associated with these differences. The CYP2D6 gene has been previously associated with

Effects Of Nitrogen On The Nodulation Of Ceanothus Velutinus, Prakriti Nepal

Student Research Symposium

• Ceanothus velutinus (snowbrush ceanothus) is a nitrogen-fixing species native to North America.
• It helps improve soil fertility through nodulation, a symbiotic process with bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen.
• It is valued for its drought tolerance, ability to enrich soil with nitrogen, and vibrant flowers (Fig. 1).
• However, limited research has been conducted to develop C. velutinus as a specialty crop for sustainable green industry production and understand its nodulation with native Frankia bacteria.

Impact Of Reduced Irrigation Frequency On Landscape Plants, Zirui Wang

Student Research Symposium

Utah is currently facing a historic drought. Last year, 99.3% of the land in Utah was experiencing varying levels of drought (U.S. Drought Monitor, 2024).

Landscape irrigation accounts for 70% of per capita residential water use in the western United States (Hayden et al. 2015).

Evapotranspiration (ET) refers to the water loss resulting from the processes of evaporation and transpiration. Reference ET (ET_o) is calculated using data from local weather stations and is employed to schedule irrigation frequency (Evans et al. 2022).

Size Variation In Bumble Bees, Mj Cantwell

Student Research Symposium

Typically, a size distinction exists between queens and workers in eusocial bee species¹ (Fig. 1).

Body size of workers varies throughout the season depending on time of emergence and resource availability² (Fig. 2).

Information regarding how time of emergence impacts Bombus fervidus body size is lacking.

Developmental Characteristics And Renovating Pattern Of Reed Canarygrass Shoots In A Sward, M Ito, S Mizuno, T Otani, S Kobayashi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Developmental and renovating traits of shoots were investigated ecomorphologically in a reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L., cv. Palaton) sward harvested 3 times per year. Reed canarygrass shoots exhibited notably high growth rates both in the 1st and 2nd crops together with rapid leaf formation (around 7 days/leaf) and active internode elongation. Vigorously growing shoots, which regenerated soon after the 1st cutting and dominated in the 2nd crop canopy, mainly originated from the stubble formed with 3 to 4 phytomers that developed after the beginning of spring growth, thus resulting in higher shoot density than that of the 1st crop. …

Canopy Changes In Healthlands (Erica-Ulex) Grazed By Sheep Or Goats, R Celaya, K Osoro

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The grazing effects of sheep and goats on vegetation dominated by heaths (Erica spp) and gorse (Ulex gallii) were studied for two years. Two plots were grazed from May to October 1992 by 7 ewes or 7 does and in the following year each plot was subdivided into two subplots subsequently grazed either by sheep or by goats in a factorial design. During the first grazing season both sheep and goats reduced similarly the cover percentage of shrubs since the herbaceous content was scarce, although goats reduced more the height of the shrubs than sheep. The cover …

Effect Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium And Cutting On The Regrowth And Insect Infestation Of A Sorghum And Berseem Clover In Egypt, M B. Attia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum quantities of phosphorus and potassium which must be applied with varying amounts of nitrogen in order to maintain maximum hay production and minimum level of insect infestation. This was more pronounced at the higher N rates and caused a significant N x K interaction during each of these years. There was no yield response to applied phosphorus at any N rate. Relation between levels of nitrogen and infestation percentage was positive but infestation rate decreased with the increase of potassium levels while there was no relation between levels of phosphorus …

An Overview Of The Physiology And Biochemistry Of N Reserves Mobilization In Forage Species, F Le Dily, A Ourry, J Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Recent works focusing on the physiological and biochemical events associated to perennial forages sustainability (re-growth after defoliation, winter survival), provided evidence that vegetative storage proteins (VSPs, ca proteins stored in remaining organs and specifically mobilized) were key organic compounds for shoot regrowth. Attempts to elucidate environmental conditions involved in VSPs deposit ability of different species are under progress today. In contrast, mechanisms of spring- or cut-induced proteolysis are investigated at a lesser extend. This contribution is an opportunity to summarize our knowledge of N-reserves mobilization and to set the question of VSPs breakdown regulation.

Intraspecific Competition In Lucerne And Relationships With Reserve Availability, Jean Christophe Avice, Alain Ourry, Gilles Lemaire, Jeffrey J. Volenec, Jean Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Below-ground reserves are thought to provide an indication of a forage potential for shoot regrowth after defoliation. The aim of this work was to re-evaluate the causal relationships existing between organic reserves (non-structural carbohydrates and N reserves) and shoot regrowth of alfalfa. The variations brought about by cultivar differences (cv Lodi or Europe), length of the previous regrowth period (30 or 45 d), or by intraspecific competition for light within a dense canopy, were studied. Field grown plants were harvested at weekly intervals, and separated as dominant, intermediate and suppressed plants. Shoot regrowth yield was determined and taproot were analyzed …

Seasonal Fluctuations Of Vegetative Storage Proteins And Starch Concentrations In Stolons Of Trifolium Repens L., V Bouchart, A Ourry, J C. Simon, J Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The seasonal pattern of nitrogen, starch and vegetative storage protein (VSP) concentrations was studied in the stolons of two Trifolium repens L. genotypes (cv Aran and Rivendel). Maximum concentrations of starch were found in summer months; its hydrolysis occurred in winter, at the time, where VSP and nitrogen were accumulated. The decrease of nitrogen and VSP concentrations occurred during spring, and an inverse relationship was found between VSP concentrations in stolons and mean temperatures. The causal implications of starch and VSP availability on spring regrowth potential are discussed in relation with regulatory mechanism inducing VSP synthesis.

Cynodon Dactylon Control In Conservation Tillage Systems, A Rios, J M. Sanz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. PERS.) is the most important weed in Uruguay. With the development of conservation tillage systems, chemical control of bermudagrass becomes essential. The objective of this research was to evaluate, in a long term integrated program, bermudagrass chemical control during the first year of a pasture. Application of glyphosate and no-tillage seeding of the pasture took place during fall. A 70% reduction of underground part of the weed was detected. The chemical control, together with a conservation tillage system and an adequate pasture management allowed an important reduction in bermudagrass level for the first year pasture. …

Legume Seedling Development In No Till Pasture Establishment, J L. Rossi, V A. Deregibus

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to compare no-till and conventional seeding of pasture and their effects on legume establishment. The presence of residue cover reduced legume seedling establishment and weed population under no-till seeding. The reduction in establishment was associated with the physical impediment of the residue cover and the decay of seedling vigor when passing through that cover.

Water Relations In Berseem Cultivars Under Drought Stress, A Iannucci, A Rascio, M Russo, P Martiniello

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is a crop of particular interest in semi-arid regions, used for herbage and hay productions. However, its seed yield is reduced by drought stress that occurs during seed filling. In this study five cultivars (Axi, Big Bee, Lilibeo, Sacromonte and Saniros) subjected to four irrigation frequencies in controlled environment, were compared for their physiological responses to subsequent water stress period (3 days). Some parameters (leaf water potential (), osmotic potential (þ), relative water content (RWC) and gravimetric soil water content (GSWC)) related to plant water status were recorded. Plants subjected to previous periods of …

Modelling The Effect Of A Variable Light Extinction Coefficient And Leaf Dispersion On Light Partitioning Between Species In A Grass-Clover Mixture, M Nassiri, A Elgersma

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Light partitioning in a grass-clover mixture was studied using a general competition model. The model assumes a fixed extinction coefficient (k) and no leaf dispersion. This was compared with modelling the effect of different k of both species over height as well as the effect of type of leaf dispersion. These new assumptions led to a better estimation of the light partitioning between both species. For grass the effect of variable k and leaf dispersion was similar and in both cases the total absorbed light was lower than under default conditions. For clover the new assumptions led to a higher …

Ecotypic Adaptation Of Medicago Polymorpha Along A Gradient In Central Chile: Growth And Seed Production, A Del Pozo, C Ovalle, J Avendano

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Relative growth rate, total dry weight and seed yield on 19 accessions of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.) from different bioclimatic conditions, were assessed at Cauquenes (35°58’;72°17’W) in the subhumid mediterranean region. The accessions were sown in microplots over raised beds during two years (1991 and 1992), and swards cut periodically at 2, 6 and 10 cm height. There were significant differences between accessions in both total dry weight and seed yield (P < 0.001, Table 1), but the interaction between accessions and height of cutting was not significant (P > 0.05). Total dry weight was positive correlated with days to flowering (r2 = 0.81; P > 0.01).

Effects Of Nitrogen On The Growth Of Hyparrhenia Diplandra, J Nkandza

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The nitrogen effects on Hyparrhenia diplandra were studied. Plants were grown on nutrient solutions of variable concentrations in nitrogen. The supplied nitrogen increased tillering, leaf production, lamina area, total dry matter accumulation and total nitrogen accumulation in lamina. A detailed examination showed that the effect on tillering was the main cause of the differences observed in dry weights between different treatments. The nitrogen supply elongated significantly the lamina and nitrogen deficiency increased its thickness; but this was not enough to compensate the loss of weight in lower nitrogen treatment. The lamina area as well as nitrogen accumulation in the lamina …

Biochemical And Isoenzyme Analysis Of Seven Pennisetum Purpureum (Schum.) Cultivars, E E. Bach, V B.G. Alacantara, P B. Alcntara, E A. Veasey

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study characterized seven Pennisetum purpureum cultivars, namely cv. Anão, Bajra, Cameroon, Guaçu, Roxo, Taiwan A-144 and Uruckwami, through biochemical analysis, including protein, glucose and fructose contents, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using the esterase system, by sampling 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 dayold leaves. Cultivar Taiwan A-144 presented the highest number of nodes per stem and percentage of emerging buds. Protein concentration decreased gradually after 60 days for all cultivars, except for Anão. Cultivar Guaçu presented the highest level of glucose in 90 day old plants, whereas Cameroon presented the highest levels at 120 and 150 days. The esterase …

Effect Of Phosphorous Fertiliser On The Competition Between Two Tropical Grasses And Two Tropical Legumes, F D. Hu, R J. Jones

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effect of P fertiliser on the competition between grass and legume in four grass-legume mixtures : Urochloa mosambicensis cv. Nixon/ Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano; Nixon/S.scabra cv. Seca; Bothriochloa pertusa cv. Bowen/Verano and Bowen/Seca were studied. Each mixture was grown in a low P, low N soil, in pots. A standard replacement series design with two P levels (0 and 10 kg/ ha equivalent) and 3 replicates were used. Seventy days after sowing, Nixon mixtures outyielded Bowen mixtures, and Verano mixtures outyielded Seca mixtures. P increased top and root yields of all mixtures but there was no significant (p …

Selection And Agronomic Characterization Of Leucaena Spp. Genotypes For Cold Tolerance. I. Dry Matter Yield., M C. Goldfarb, J F. Casco

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Biotypes of Leucaena spp (56) were evaluated in order to identify those with tolerance to low temperature and with desirable characteristics as a forage crop. Selection was done at two phases. Phase I: 92 days old seedlings (n=2800) were subjected at two temperatures treatments during 14 hours: T1= -8 °C and T2= -3 °C. Selection criteria was established as 50% of live leaves remained after treatments were applied. Phase II: Plants that survived phase I were planted at field conditions and agronomic characteristics were measured. Seventeen plants were selected from eleven different biotypes, resulting one from T1 and the rest …

Effect Of Snowtrapping And Fertilization On Production Of Crested Wheatgrass And Native Pastures In Southwest Saskatchewan, M P. Schellenberg, J Waddington

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The benefits of increasing soil water with snow management and fertilizer for annual and perennial crops have been demonstrated for semiarid environments. We examined the combined effect of snow management and fertilizer on forage production. In 1985, vertical wood slat or slotted plastic snow fencing (0.7m high) were erected on crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) pasture. In 1986, five rates of fertilizer: 400, 200, 100, 50, 0 kg ha-1 nitrogen each with 50 kg ha-1 phosphorous and a sixth treatment with no fertilizer were applied to each side and type of the snowfence. A second site was selected on …