Life Sciences Commons^™

Nebline, March/April 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Seven Garden Gaffes to Avoid This Year by Sarah Browning

Youth Advance Health Equity with Community-Based Research by Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the Month: Crunchy Kohlrabi Salad by Emily Gratopp

GROBigRed Virtual Learning Series

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

2024 Lincoln Early Childhood Conference

2024 Chemigation Training

Corn Yield Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members

Lancaster County Ag VIP Awards

4-H Teens Work Together to Lead the Lock-In

4-H Horse/Livestock Judging Teams at Nationals

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Sheridan Swotek and Kim Bowen

4-H Club Gives Youth With Disabilities Opportunity to Show Lambs

4-H Rabbit Show, March …

Method For Calibrating An Arduino-Based Soil Moisture Sensor Using Van Genuchten’S Equation, Victorino A. Bato, John Osbert Alindogan

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Instructions on building a do-it-yourself soil moisture sensor using Arduino microcontrollers abound on the Internet. These do-it-yourself soil moisture sensors are favorite projects by both plant and microcontroller enthusiasts because the parts are affordable and the end product is functional. In the absence of proper calibration, these soil moisture sensors cannot generate usable information on the status of plant-available-water in the soil. This research demonstrates the calibration of an Arduino-based soil moisture sensor using the soil moisture characteristic curve of a clay loam soil. Van Genuchten’s model was used to generate an equation and various parameters specific to the soil. …

Water Regime And Fertilizer-Phosphorus Source Effects On Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Rice, Diego Della Lunga, Kris R. Brye, Trenton L. Roberts, Jonathan Brye, Michelle Evans-White, Daniel J. Lessner, Christopher G. Henry

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice (Oryza sativa) systems have been correlated to water management practice, but to date, no study has directly evaluated three main GHGs (i.e., methane [CH₄], nitrous oxide [N₂O], and carbon dioxide [CO₂]) under flood- and furrow-irrigated conditions at the same time as affected by various fertilizer-phosphorus (P) sources, in particular the reportedly slow-release struvite-P source. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of water regime (flooded and furrow-irrigated) and fertilizer-P source (diammonium phosphate, chemically precipitated struvite, electrochemically precipitated struvite [ECST], triple superphosphate, and …

Microplastics In Atlantic Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia Demissa) From The Delaware Inland Bays, Usa, Jeffrey Ashley, Amanda Pilat, Ariana Ohlweiler, Connor Ogden, Priya Modi, Spencer Talbot, Caya Smith, Justin O'Pella, Gulnihal Ozbay

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Due to the prevalence of plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, aquatic organisms are at high risk for accumulating microplastics (MPs). Filter-feeding bivalves, such as mussels and oysters, may be exposed to, and subsequently accumulate, MPs due to the high volume of water they pass through their bodies. This study assessed the levels of MPs within Atlantic ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa), a common filter feeder found along the United States Atlantic Coast, from 12 sites within Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay, collectively known as the Delaware Inland Bays. Composited mussels from each site were digested using potassium …

Investigating The Mechanisms Through Which Autophagy Controls Lipid Levels In Cyst Stem Cells., Jared Langdon

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

With an increase in the average age of the American population, incidents of age-related diseases and illnesses are rising across healthcare communities. Addressing these pathologies with a focus towards novel treatments warrants further research into their mechanistic origins. Lipid build up within cells has been correlated with increased risk for certain pathologies, namely Alzheimer's disease and type-2 diabetes (Demarco, 2020). In this study I aimed to investigate the origin of the increase in lipids, specifically we consider the effects of lipid build up on the maintenance of stem cell populations.

First Egg Dates Of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta Bicolor) Nesting In Boxes In West Michigan Advanced With Increasing Spring Temperatures Between 1993 And 2018, Michael P. Lombardo, Nathaniel Wagner, Jared M. Laughlin, Sango Otieno, Levi Rosendall, Clara Voetberg, Alejandro Hoban

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Many bird species have advanced their first egg dates in response to recent milder winters and increases in spring temperatures. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) begin egg laying earlier in warmer springs at most, but not all, study sites. We examined whether Tree Swallows that nested in boxes in west Michigan responded to an increase in spring temperatures from 1993 to 2018 by advancing their first egg dates. May, but not April, mean daily temperatures got significantly warmer from 1993 to 2018. We found that the first egg dates, but not mean first egg dates, of both second year …

The Past, Present, And Future Of Predator–Prey Interactions In A Warming World: Using Species Distribution Modeling To Forecast Ectotherm–Endotherm Niche Overlap, Jessica L. Hill, Matthew Grisnik, Ryan J. Hanscom, Jeet Sukumaran, Timothy E. Higham, Rulon W. Clark

Biology

Climate change has the potential to disrupt species interactions across global ecosystems. Ectotherm–endotherm interactions may be especially prone to this risk due to the possible mismatch between the species in physiological response and performance. However, few studies have examined how changing temperatures might differentially impact species' niches or available suitable habitat when they have very different modes of thermoregulation. An ideal system for studying this interaction is the predator–prey system. In this study, we used ecological niche modeling to characterize the niche overlap and examine biogeography in past and future climate conditions of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) and Ord's kangaroo …

Metropolitan Monitoring Program 2023, Alissa C. Tate, Lucy J. Rudd, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan

Fisheries Research Reports

Annual surveys of shore- and boat-based recreational fishers within the Metropolitan zone of the West Coast bioregion provide information on human dimensions and catch-per-fisher as well as mean length and weight of key recreationally caught species. For shore-based fishers, estimates of effort, catch and harvest are also presented for key nearshore species. This information is used to support ongoing assessments for key demersal and nearshore species and review the effectiveness of fisheries managements, such as Australian Herring and Southern Garfish.

A roving creel survey of shore-based fishers was used to collect data between Ocean Reef and Point Peron (30% of …

Target-Site Mutations Ile1781leu And Ile2041asn In The Accase2 Gene Confer Resistance To Fluazifop-P-Butyl And Pinoxaden Herbicides In A Johnsongrass Accession From Arkansas, Usa, Fidel Gonzalez-Torralva, Jason K. Norsworthy

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] is a troublesome weed species in different agricultural and non-agricultural areas. Because of its biology, reproductive system, and seed production, effective management is challenging. An accession with low susceptibility to the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides fluazifop-p-butyl (fluazifop) and pinoxaden was collected in eastern Arkansas. In this research, the molecular mechanisms responsible for ACCase resistance were investigated. Dose–response experiments showed a resistance factor of 181 and 133 for fluazifop and pinoxaden, respectively. Molecular analysis of both ACCase1 and ACCase2 genes was researched. Nucleotide comparison of ACCase1 between resistant and susceptible accessions showed no single nucleotide …

Human Population Density And Blue Carbon Stocks In Mangroves Soils, Shih Chieh Chien, Charles Knoble, Jennifer Adams Krumins

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Mangrove soils provide many important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, yet they are vulnerable to the negative impacts brought on by anthropogenic activities. Research in recent decades has shown a progressive loss of blue carbon in mangrove forests as they are converted to aquaculture, agriculture, and urban development. We seek to study the relationship between human population density and soil carbon stocks in urban mangrove forests to quantify their role in the global carbon budget. To this end, we conducted a global analysis, collecting mangrove soil carbon data from previous studies and calculating population density for each study location …

Pollinator Communities And Their Ecosystem Services At Conservation Grasslands And Adjacent Croplands, Araceli Gomez Villegas

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Pollinators are intrinsically linked to the success of unmanaged and managed ecosystems by providing pollination services that aid in the reproduction of wildflowers and many crops. Land use change, habitat loss, fragmentation, and related landscape-level phenomena (for example, increased pesticide exposure) threaten pollinators and have been associated with population declines. In the Midwestern region of the United States, land conversion of native prairies and grasslands to row-crop agriculture has been one of the largest contributors to pollinator habitat loss. Conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program, have worked towards removing environmentally sensitive lands from agriculture production and enrolling them …

A Dietary Variety: Analyzing The Impacts Of Diverse Vs Worm-Exclusive Diets On The Blanding’S Turtle (Emydoidea Blandingii), Caitlin F. Copenhaver

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The endangered Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is a species with a generally diverse diet in their freshwater wetland habitats; they consume prey such as crayfish and snails. In captivity, these options often become more limited due to logistical reasons. As ex situ conservation efforts such as captive rearing and head-starting are becoming more popular for this species, it will be important to gain more insight on how these more limited diets might affect these turtles. This study describes a comparison between diets in six captive Blanding’s turtles from September to November of 2023, with three turtles receiving only …

Thrust Production And Chordal Flexion Of The Flukes Of Bottlenose Dolphins Performing Tail Stands At Different Efforts, David Kramer, Maura J. Sheehan, Frank E. Fish

Biology Faculty Publications

Dolphins have become famous for their ability to perform a wide variety of athletic and acrobatic behaviors including high-speed swimming, maneuverability, porpoising and tail stands. Tail stands are a behavior where part of the body is held vertically above the water's surface, achieved through thrust produced by horizontal tail fluke oscillations. Strong, efficient propulsors are needed to generate the force required to support the dolphin's body weight, exhibiting chordwise and spanwise flexibility throughout the stroke cycle. To determine how thrust production, fluke flexibility and tail stroke kinematics vary with effort, six adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were tested at three …

Experimental Evolution Under Varying Sex Ratio And Behavioral Plasticity In Response To Perceived Competitive Environment Independently Affect Calling Effort In Male Crickets, Jack T. Mckermitt, Bert Foquet, Will Kuna, John Hunt, Ben M. Sadd, Scott K. Sakaluk

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

The operational sex ratio (OSR) is a key component influencing the magnitude of sexual selection driving the evolution of male sexual traits, but males often also retain the ability to plastically modulate trait expression depending on the current environment. Here we employed an experimental evolution approach to determine whether the OSR affects the evolution of male calling effort in decorated crickets, a costly sexual trait, and whether plasticity in calling effort is altered by the OSR under which males have evolved. Calling effort of males from 2 selection regimes maintained at different OSRs over 18–20 generations (male vs. female biased) …

Impact Of Sodium Benzoate And A High Fat Diet On Kidney Of Mice., Anna Lipinski

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Sodium Benzoate (SB) is a commonly utilized food preservative with potential therapeutic uses for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and hepatic encephalopathy. Consumption of SB is generally regarded as safe (GRAS), by the Food and Drug Administration, at amounts of 0.1% by weight of food. However, previous reports indicate that SB exposure may induce histological alterations in kidney structures and promote oxidative stress. Thus, with increasing obesity rates and fatty diets, the effects of SB coupled to a high fat diet (HFD) remain to be determined. This study addressed the hypothesis that SB with a HFD will increase extracellular …

Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests 2023, F. Bourland, J. Gann, B. Milano, B. Guest, L. Martin, J. Mcalee

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas. This information helps seed companies establish marketing strategies and assists producers in choosing varieties to plant. These annual evaluations will then facilitate the inclusion of new, improved genetic material in Arkansas cotton production. Adaptation of varieties is determined by evaluating the lines at five University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture research sites (Manila, Keiser, Judd Hill, Marianna, and Rohwer). The 2023 tests at Keiser were adversely affected …

Foraminifera As A Model Of Eukaryotic Genome Dynamism, Caitlin Timmons, Kristine Le, H. B. Rappaport, Elinor G. Sterner, Xyrus X. Maurer-Alcaláh, Susan T. Goldstein, Laura A. Katz

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

In contrast to the canonical view that genomes cycle only between haploid and diploid states, many eukaryotes have dynamic genomes that change content throughout an individual’s life cycle. However, the few detailed studies of microeukaryotic life cycles render our understanding of eukaryotic genome dynamism incomplete. Foraminifera (Rhizaria) are an ecologically important, yet understudied, clade of microbial eukaryotes with complex life cycles that include changes in ploidy and genome organization. Here, we apply fluorescence microscopy and image analysis techniques to over 2,800 nuclei in 110 cells to characterize the life cycle of Allogromia laticollaris strain Cold Spring Harbor (CSH), one of …

Investigating The Mechanisms Of Surface Sensing Using Motility Appendages By Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pa14, Christopher James Geiger

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Biofilms are surfaced attached communities of cells encased in an extracellular matrix. The transition from free-swimming planktonic cells to a surface attached biofilm begins with cellular changes that occur after surface contact. This process is known as "surface sensing" and the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 uses its two motility appendages, type IV pili (T4P) and a single, polar flagellum to sense and traverse surfaces. The first cellular changes to occur within this organism upon surface contact is an increase in the second messengers cAMP and cdi- GMP. While the genes involved in surface sensing by P. aeruginosa are known, …

Ecotheology In Context: A Critical Phenomenological Study Of Graduates Of Environmentally Focused Seminary Programs In The United States Of America, Cherice Bock

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In recent decades, the field of ecotheology has emerged in dialogue with the context of the interconnected environmental and climate crises, particularly relating to the critique of Christianity being used to justify human and resource exploitation. A range of disciplines within the religious academy have taken up these intersecting concerns, together termed “ecologically informed theological education.” Graduate institutions training faith leaders and theological educators have created degree programs and certifications, and/or incorporated awareness of ecology, sustainability, and care for creation into their curricula. A research approach for ecotheology is described through the conceptual framework of critical ecotheology, which acknowledges ecotheology …

Ellagic Acid Inhibits Α-Synuclein Propagation And Alleviates The Neurotoxicity By Enhancing Autophagic Flux In Animal Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Nada Akram Abdellatif

Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder pathologically characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNc) as well as the formation of Lewy bodies composed mainly of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates. It has been documented that abnormal aggregation of α-syn is one of the major causes of developing PD. Ellagic Acid (EA) is a widely known dietary supplement found in pomegranates as well as a plethora of berries and nuts. EA has been shown to prevent α-syn aggregates’ toxicity in cellular model of PD. In the current study we aim to evaluate whether …

Can Steam Be Usable As A "Plus" For Ventilation Shutdown?, A. V. Mendoza, S. Weimer, Z. Williams

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), preferred depopulation methods (i.e., foam, containerized gassing, and mechanical methods) can be challenging when depopulating cage and aviary commercial laying hen houses for multiple reasons. When preferred methods are not feasible or resources are unavailable, ventilation shutdown plus (VSD+) heat and/or carbon dioxide (CO₂) is approved for emergency situations. Both recognized “pluses” work but can have issues as VSD+ heat typically causes a decrease in environmental humidity and can affect PVC structures, while CO₂ can be a human safety concern and has procurement problem during emergencies. …

Assessment Of The Impact Of Humic Acids On Intestinal Microbiota, Gut Integrity, Ileum Morphometry, And Cellular Immunity Of Turkey Poults Fed An Aflatoxin B1-Contaminated Diet, Jesus A. Maguey-Gonzalez, Jing Liu, Guolong Zhang, Juan D. Latorre, Juan O. Hernandez-Ramirez, Maria De Jesus Nava-Ramirez, Roberto Señas-Cuesta, Sergio Gomez-Rosales, Maria De Lourdes Angeles, Andressa Stein, Bruno Solis-Cruz, Daniel Hernandez-Patlan, Ruben Merino-Guzman, Xochitl Hernandez-Velasco, Inkar Castellanos-Huerta, Santiago Uribe-Diaz, Alma Vazquez-Duran, Abraham Mendez-Albores, Victor Petrone-Garcia, Guillermo Tellez Jr., Billy M. Hargis, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

A recent study published data on the growth performance, relative weights of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, liver histology, serum biochemistry, and hematological parameters for turkey poults fed an experimental diet contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and humic acids (HA) extracted from vermicompost. The negative effects of AFB₁ (250 ng AFB₁/g of feed) were significantly reduced by HA supplementation (0.25% w/w), suggesting that HA might be utilized to ameliorate the negative impact of AFB₁ from contaminated diets. The present study shows the results of the remaining variables, as an extension of …

Novel 4th-Generation Phytase Improves Broiler Growth Performance And Reduces Woody Breast Severity Through Modulation Of Muscle Glucose Uptake And Metabolism, Carrie L. Walk, Garrett J. Mullenix, Craig W. Maynard, Elizabeth S. Greene, Clay Maynard, Nelson Ward, Sami Dridi

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of a novel (4th generation) phytase supplementation as well as its mode of action on growth, meat quality, and incidence of muscle myopathies. One-day old male broilers (n = 720) were weighed and randomly allocated to 30 floor pens (24 birds/pen) with 10 replicate pens per treatment. Three diets were fed from hatch to 56- days-old: a 3-phase corn-soy based diet as a positive control (PC); a negative control (NC) formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous to the PC and with a reduction in Ca and available P, …

Health-Promoting Benefits Of Lentils: Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Microbial Effects, Rachel Alexander, Abdullah Khaja, Nicholas Debiec, Alex Fazioli, Mary Torrance, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

This paper describes how lentils (Lens culinaris species) can positively affect health by reducing inflammation, providing antioxidants, and displaying antimicrobial properties. Lentils are rich in proteins, essential amino acids, minerals, and fibers, making them a valuable source of nutrition, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Lentils have many health benefits, including positive effects on diabetes management, support for cardiovascular health, and antioxidative properties. The antioxidative properties of lentils, attributed to their phenolic content, and their ability to inhibit inflammation-related enzymes are also discussed. We discuss the potential of lentils as a dietary tool in promoting immunity, reducing disease burdens, …

Variation In Leaf Chlorophyll Concentration In Response To Nitrogen Application Across Maize Hybrids In Contrasting Environments, Kyle M. Linders, Dipak K. Santra, James C. Schnable, Brandi Sigmon

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Leaf chlorophyll concentration was measured for 84 publicly available maize hybrids grown under three nitrogen fertilizer treatments in two contrasting environments in Nebraska. The effect of nitrogen treatment on chlorophyll response was found to be significant (p < 0.05) for both locations. In Scottsbluff, chlorophyll concentrations increased significantly with increasing nitrogen rate, while no significant difference was found between medium and high nitrogen in Lincoln. Within equivalent nitrogen treatments, chlorophyll was more abundant in Lincoln than Scottsbluff for nearly every hybrid. Hybrid response was not consistent between environments, with approximately 11% of variance explained by genotype by environment interaction.

Spontaneous Alignment Of Myotubes Through Myogenic Progenitor Cell Migration, Lauren E. Mehanna, Adrianna R. Osborne, Charlotte A. Peterson, Brad J. Berron

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

In large-volume muscle injuries, widespread damage to muscle fibers and the surrounding connective tissue prevents myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) from initiating repair. There is a clinical need to rapidly fabricate large muscle tissue constructs for integration at the site of large volume muscle injuries. Most strategies for myotube alignment require microfabricated structures or prolonged orientation times. We utilize the MPC’s natural propensity to close gaps across an injury site to guide alignment on collagen I. When MPCs are exposed to an open boundary free of cells, they migrate unidirectionally into the cell-free region and align perpendicular to the original boundary …

Evaluation Of Ndot’S Sediment Barrier Practices Using Performance Data, Michael A. Perez, Wesley N. Donald, J. Blake Whitman, Brian G. Roche

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

To protect waterways adjacent to construction projects with disturbed land, a 50 ft (15 m) vegetated buffer or equivalent sediment controls are required. However, there is little guidance on the effectiveness of vegetated buffers in removing sediment or how sediment barriers can aid shorter buffers or replace buffers. A modeling methodology was developed and used to determine the performance of 11,664 50 ft (15 m) vegetated buffer configurations with Nebraska conditions; sediment capture averaged 92.6% and ranged from 18.5% to 99.5%. To determine the performance of Nebraska Department of Transportation standard and modified sediment barrier installations, a large-scale testing methodology …

Effects Of Anthropogenic Noise On The Provisioning Behavior Of Western Bluebirds And Artificial Light At Night On Nestling Development, Kerstin H. Ozkan

Master's Theses

Sensory environments are rapidly changing due to increased human activity in urban and non-urban areas alike. For instance, background sounds can interfere with parent-offspring communication and mask cues reflective of predation risk, resulting in elevated vigilance at the cost of provisioning. In chapter 1, we studied nestling provisioning behavior among Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) in response to short-term (1 hr) and long-term (continuous exposure throughout nesting period) noise exposure. Provisioning rates were lower at nests exposed to short-term experimental traffic noise compared to exposure to ambient background sounds. Trial order strongly influenced provisioning behavior, with the decline in …

Mycoplasmoides Genitalium Macrolide Resistance Detection Is Needed In University Settings, Stephen C. Lavey, Brittany Cassel, Erik Munson

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Mycoplasmoides genitalium remains a difficult sexually-transmitted infection (STI) to manage due to its potential for antimicrobial resistance and post-infection sequelae. University students are especially vulnerable, as this demographic has the highest rate of STI in the United States. As a result, investigating prevalence rates and therapeutic outcomes in this population is essential to minimize future impact of M. genitalium. The purpose of this study was to investigate a university student population for M. genitalium distribution and treatment outcome.

Design: Retrospective chart-review of university health clinic attendees, augmented by laboratory detection of M. genitalium following therapeutic intervention.

Methods: A total …

Assessing Biological Condition Of Restored Streams In An Agriculturally Impaired Chesapeake Bay Sub-Watershed, Julia M. Portmann, Bruce Wiggins

Department of Biology - Faculty Scholarship

Intensive agricultural practices can be detrimental to aquatic biological conditions; however, restoration such as removing livestock and creating in-stream habitat can strengthen biotic communities. Smith Creek, a sub-watershed of the Chesa- peake Bay, was designated a showcase watershed in 2010 by the United States Department of Agriculture to demonstrate the efficacy of widespread restoration. Our study sought to follow up on these efforts by assessing the individual and combined impacts of restoration, habitat, and land cover on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in Smith Creek. We predicted that longer-restored sites, sites with less surrounding pasture, and streams with larger substrate size would …