Agriculture Commons^™

Student Perceptions Of Male And Female Instructors In A Post-Secondary Welding Course, S. Kjersti R. Decker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Agricultural mechanics and welding have traditionally been perceived to be careers reserved for males, yet more females have entered professions using welding such as agricultural education. This research was developed because of the lack of gender research in welding. The purpose of this study was to examine students’ perceptions of learning from a male instructor versus a female instructor in a post-secondary welding course. We examined associations and differences between students’ preference of a male and a female welding instructor as well as individual self-efficacy and perceptions towards using welding technology. The population for this study was undergraduate students and …

Laser Inscribed Graphene Aptasensor For Detection Of Apple Stem Pitting Virus, Yifan Tang

All Theses

Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) is a latent RNA virus that could cause significant loss to apple production; early-stage field diagnosis could reduce the economic loss caused by ASPV infection. Biosensor is a promising user-friendly detection tool that could transduce biological or chemical interactions into electric signals. Among various types of biosensors, aptasensor, which use aptamers as recognition elements show potential as a high throughput, in-field test. The goal of this thesis is to develop an electrochemical aptasensor testing system for ASPV detection. The quality control study of laser inscribed graphene (LIG) based working electrode of the biosensor was conducted …

Peers And The Choice Of Irrigation Practices In The Arkansas Delta, Kent Kovacs, Christopher Henry, Qiuqiong Huang, Larry Jason Krutz

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

There are a range of demographic, climatic, and economic factors that influence the use of irrigation practices, along with the effect of peers and Extension agents on agricultural technologies. This research was conducted to determine how a peer's use of multiple irrigation practices influences the use of common irrigation practices in the Delta region of Arkansas. Using data from a producer survey conducted by telephone in 2015, we identify the determinants of the use and the share of an irrigated farm with five common irrigation practices in the Arkansas Delta. The role of peers for irrigation practice use depends on …

Winter Hardy Small Cereals For Grazing Or Silage In Eastern Nebraska, Abigail M. Sartin

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Two, 3-year studies were conducted to evaluate the value of cereal rye, winter wheat, and winter triticale as forage sources for either for silage or early spring grazing. For silage, the objective was to evaluate species and maturity effects on dry matter yield, nutritive value, and fermentation of small cereal silage. There are no major differences between wheat, rye, or triticale in terms of the relative timing of each species reached each maturity stage. There are no differences among species in dry matter (DM) yield, except for wheat which tends to decline at soft dough due to senescence of the …

An Evaluation Of U.S. Horseback Riding Instruction Certifications: Availability, Acquisition, Barriers, And Industry Need, Makenna L. Osborne

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to analyze the U.S. equine industry’s availability of riding instruction certification options, describe the relationship between professional certification and the self-efficacy of horseback riding instructors in the U.S., and explore the expectations that consumers have of instructors and instructor selection criteria. Two surveys were developed and sent out to instructors and consumers aligned with the research objectives designed to collect information on instructors’ self- perception of self-efficacy after certifying their perceived barriers to receiving certification, and consumers’ selection criteria for instructors. The average certified instructor was extremely satisfied with their decision to pursue …

Methods To Reduce Nitrogen And Carbon Losses From Finishing Beef Cattle, Hanna K. Cronk

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A finishing experiment evaluated the effect of incremental supplemental rumen-protected lysine on beef cattle performance. All cattle were fed the same diet of high moisture corn, dried rolled corn, modified distillers grains plus solubles, corn silage, and supplement with inclusion levels of lysine ranging from 0 to 7 grams/day, in 1 g increments. Dry matter intake (P ≤ 0.04) and ADG (P ≤ 0.04) decreased linearly as supplemental lysine increased in the diet with no effect on final carcass adjusted feed efficiency (P ≥ 0.34). In the initial 64 days of the experiment, increasing lysine in the …

The Evaluation Of Encapsulated Megasphaera Elsdenii In An Accelerated Beef Step-Up Program And An Acidosis Challenge Model And The Evaluation Of Ramp Versus A Traditional Forage Grain Adaptation Strategy On Methane And Respired Carbon Dioxide, Cindy D. Mansfield

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A metabolism experiment (Exp 1) was conducted to evaluate daily feeding of encapsulated Megasphaera elsdenii (M. elsdenii) NCIMB 41125 along with a one-time drench of 1×10¹¹ CFU of M. elsdenii on dry matter intake (DMI), in-vitro lactate utilization, volatile fatty acid (VFA), and lactate concentration. Treatments consisted of steers which were fed no M. elsdenii (CONTROL), steers drenched with the commercial dose 1×10¹¹ CFU of M. elsdenii (LactiproNXT) on d 1 of the experiment and received no other M. elsdenii (DRENCH), and steers drenched with a commercial dose of LactiproNXT on d …

Characterizing The Utility Of Atonik On Improving Rice Response To Herbicides, Srikanth Kumar Karaikal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Biostimulants can improve plant tolerance to abiotic stress by improving plant growth and development. Herbicides cause abiotic stress to crops shortly after application, which may affect yield. Preliminary tests showed that rice yield benefits from Atonik seed treatment or tank-mixture of Atonik with foliar herbicides. Experiments were conducted in the field and greenhouse to: (1) determine if seed treatment with Atonik improves rice tolerance to pre-plant herbicides; (2 and 3) evaluate the effect of Atonik seed treatment on rice response to pre-emergence and delayed pre-emergence herbicides; and (4) determine if Atonik improves crop safety of foliar-applied herbicides. Field studies were …

Investigating Effect Of Seed Source And Developing Germination Protocols To Improve Success In Restoration Of Arkansas Tallgrass Prairies, Rhiannon Spencerosa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

American tallgrass prairie has faced losses estimated at 87-98% of original land area since European settlement. Native seeds are often used to supplement struggling or extinct plant populations in tallgrass prairie restoration and establishment sites. Two main considerations in restoration and establishment are from where to source seed and how to obtain high germination rates. In order to determine the effect of seed source, a common garden experiment was performed in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2022 with five prairie species: Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), and Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass). Seed was …

Consumer Valuation And Preferences For Sustainably Produced Rice In Ghana, Vera Adabrah-Danquah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sustainable agricultural production is a systematic concept that integrates environmental health, economic profitability, and social/economic equity goals. Improving the sustainability of food production is of utmost importance to the human race, given the growing population and the increased depletion of natural resources. Improving sustainability is particularly important for rice, a global food staple with a significant environmental footprint. Rice accounts for 10% of global methane emissions. The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standard is the first globally recognized certified sustainable production standard for rice. This study focuses on consumers' preferences for sustainable rice in Ghana, including consumers’ perceptions of different SRP's …

An Investigation Of Seed Hardness And Seed Coat Color Values In Natto Soybean, Joshua Winter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Natto is a specialty fermented soyfood made from small-seeded (seeds-1) soybean varieties. Seed hardness and seed coat color are important seed traits that determine the texture and appearance of natto and are thus valuable to breeders. Prior research has identified quantitative trait loci (QTL, hereafter) for seed hardness, but its nature as a quantitative trait heavily influenced by the environment means that it is still poorly understood. Prior research has identified the primary genetic components of seed coat color using simple visual inspection, but few studies have investigated the usefulness of more quantitative measurements, such as the color space coordinates …

Influence Of Cover Crops On Soybean Yield And Partial Returns As An Alternative To Double-Crop Soybean In Arkansas, Drew Kirkpatrick, Trenton L. Roberts, Kris Brye, Jeremy Ross

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The number of hectares dedicated to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the southern United States has been trending downward for almost a decade, presenting an opportunity for producers to utilize alternatives in their soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations, such as winter cover crops. A study was established to compare the cover crops to traditional cropping systems by determining the effect each had on a successive soybean crop and to examine partial economic returns. Cropping systems implemented were winter fallow, winter wheat, and seven cover crop treatments, including cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), black-seeded oat ( …

Ireland V. United States: Agricultural And Environmental Sustainability Policies, Lauryn O'Grady

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States and Ireland have varying practices to achieve similar objectives in regard to environmental sustainability. While the European Union has maintained and updated a uniform policy throughout its existence--the Common Agricultural Policy--the United States instead created short-term solutions to a long-term problem. Not only does the United States tend to solve issues in the short-term, the policies between agricultural production and environmental sustainability are not necessarily aligned or remotely relative to the other. While the United States’ new Global Food Security Strategy implements parts of both agricultural and environmental sustainability, much of the history was not based off …

Case Study: Modeling A Grain Bin For Safe Entry Retrofit, Michael Dyer, Serap Gorucu, Randall Bock, Roderick Thomas, Jude Liu, Linda Fetzer

Office of Research Faculty and Staff Publications

All new grain bins produced after 2018 are recommended to have anchor points capable of handling a 2000 lb loading for attachment of bin entry lifeline systems. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a safe entry anchor point retrofit by using finite element analysis (FEA). We used a grain bin owned by Penn State for 3D FEA modeling in SolidWorks. To validate the model results from the FEA model, first strain and then deflection measurements were conducted on the grain. Strain gauges were applied to the grain bin in five locations and strain values were obtained after applying …

Global-To-Local-To-Global Interactions And Climate Change, Uris Baldos, Maksym Chepeliev, Brian Cultice, Matthew Huber, Sisi Meng, Alex C. Ruane, Shellye Suttles, Dominique Van Der Mensbrugghe

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Climate change by its very nature epitomizes the necessity and usefulness of the global-to-local-to-global (GLG) paradigm. It is a global problem with the potential to affect local communities and ecosystems. Accumulation of local impacts and responses to climate change feeds back to regional and global systems creating feedback loops. Understanding these complex impacts and interactions is key to developing more resilient adaptation measures and designing more efficient mitigation policies. To this date, however, GLG interactions have not yet been an integrative part of the decision-support toolkit. The typical approach either traces the impacts of global action on the local level …

Predictors Of Tropical Cyclone-Induced Urban Tree Failure: An International Scoping Review, Allyson B. Salisbury, Andrew K. Koeser, Michael G. Andreu, Yujuan Chen, Zachary Freeman, Jason W. Miesbauer, Adriana Herrera-Montes, Chai-Shian Kua, Ryo Higashiguchi Nukina, Cara A. Rockwell, Shozo Shibata, Hunter Thorn, Benyao Wang, Richard J. Hauer

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Background: Trees are critical components of rural and urban ecosystems throughout the world. While they have adapted to the historic conditions of their native environments, climate change, urbanization, and human-assisted range expansion may test the storm resiliency of many tree species.

Objective: In this global multilingual scoping review, we investigate a range of intrinsic (i.e., tree characteristics) and external (i.e., environmental and management) factors which have been used to predict tree failure during tropical cyclones.

Design: We searched online databases and journals in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish to find peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. We retained papers that …

A Deep Learning Framework For Processing And Classification Of Hyperspectral Rice Seed Images Grown Under High Day And Night Temperatures, Víctor Díaz-Martínez, Jairo Orozco-Sandoval, Vidya Manian, Balpreet K. Dhatt, Harkamal Walia

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A framework combining two powerful tools of hyperspectral imaging and deep learning for the processing and classification of hyperspectral images (HSI) of rice seeds is presented. A seed-based approach that trains a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) using the full seed spectral hypercube for classifying the seed images from high day and high night temperatures, both including a control group, is developed. A pixel-based seed classification approach is implemented using a deep neural network (DNN). The seed and pixel-based deep learning architectures are validated and tested using hyperspectral images from five different rice seed treatments with six different high temperature …

Corn Grain Marketing Strategy Unbiasing For 2023, Matthew Stockton, Shannon Sand

Cornhusker Economics

Discusses cognitive biasing errors that may be employed--in the context of corn market strategizing--such as the Dunning-Krueger effect, availability or distancing bias, gambler's fallacy, and anchoring bias.

Fighting Malnutrition In Kenya, Jessica Payton, Tara Ross, Adalyne Nehus

ATU Scholars Symposium

No abstract provided.

Environmental And Agricultural Effects On Waterfowl Population In Arkansas, Caleb Sipes, Ellison Stephens, Marissa Young

ATU Scholars Symposium

This paper discusses some of the positive and negative effects of environmental and agricultural influences on the waterfowl population in the state of Arkansas. Waterfowl hunting has been a prominent source of revenue to the state of Arkansas for many decades. Waterfowl hunting will continue to be prominent in this state in future as long as Arkansans maintain and preserve the natural resources here as well as use our own to further progress the waterfowl industry in Arkansas. Through aerial surveying, requiring hunters to purchase licenses and stamps to legally hunt waterfowl, and conservation efforts from the Arkansas Game and …

Advances Of Multi-Omics And Its Research Progress In Food, Li Lin, Deng Na, Zhang Bo, Li Hui, Liu Miao, Wang Jian-Hui

Food and Machinery

In recent years, omics has received a lot of attention from researchers in the field of food and nutrition because of its prominent role in revealing the mechanisms of complex biochemical actions and macro-regulatory dynamic network systems in living organisms and has been applied to research in the field of food. This paper focuses on the application of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics in the food field from the basic concept of histology, which is expected to provide a theoretical basis and scientific guidance for the further use of histological tools for food ingredient control, quality improvement and safety mechanism …

Preparation, Characterization And Functional Analysis Of Casein Gyleq Antioxidant Peptide-Calcium Chelate, Li Rong-Yu, Li Hong, Zheng Peng, Yang Cheng, Qian Sen-He

Food and Machinery

Objective: Preparation of GYLEQ-Ca chelate with antioxidant activity and calcium supplement function. Methods: On the basis of solid-phase synthesis of GYLEQ antioxidant peptide, the conditions of chelation reaction between casein GYLEQ antioxidant peptide and Ca²⁺ were optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiment. The structure of GYLEQ-Ca chelate was characterized by IR and SEM. Meanwhile, the in vitro antioxidant activity, calcium retention in simulated gastrointestinal juice of GYLEQ-Ca chelate and its effect on cell viability were analyzed. Results: The optimum conditions for GYLEQ-Ca chelation reaction were temperature 50 ℃, time 40 min, pH 7.5, and peptide-calcium mass ratio 4∶1. …

Preparation Of W/O/W Pickering Emulsion Based On Ursolic Acid, Liu Dong-Xue, Xiao Qian, Liu Cheng-Guo, Luo Jie, Luo Yang, Zhou Hui

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study aimed to improve the application range and bioavailability of ursolic acid. Methods: The W/O/W pickering emulsion was prepared by a two-step process with ursolic acid as emulsifier and pectin as external aqueous phase. The preparation conditions of W/O emulsion were optimized by a single factor experiment, and the effects of pectin mass concentration on physicochemical properties, microstructure, rheological properties and long-term stability of W/O/W pickering emulsion were studied. Results: The optimal preparation technology of W/O emulsion was ursolic acid mass concentration of 4 g/100 mL, water-oil mass ratio of 2∶3, homogenization speed of 9 000 r/min, homogenization …

Study On Supercritical Co2 Extraction Process, Volatile Components And Antioxidant Activity Of Rose Oil From Dianhong Rose, Liu Jin-Yun, Chang Jian, Jiang Zhuo-Fang, Xu Chong-Jun, Cheng Wan, Wu Heng

Food and Machinery

Objective: Comprehensive utilization of Dianhong rose resources to improve the added value of products. Methods: The single-factor experiment and response surface experiment were used to optimize the extraction process of supercritical CO₂ with essential oil yield as the measurement index. The composition and relative content of different rose oils were analyzed by GC-MS. The components and relative contents of different rose oils were analyzed by GC-MS, and the antioxidant activities of different rose oils were evaluated. Results: The results showed that the optimal extraction parameters were as followed: particle size of 40 mesh, extraction pressure of 25.5 MPa, extraction …

Comparison Of Fermentation Effects Of Six Kinds Of Probiotics On Rice Wine, Huang Zhi-Guo, Pu Ling-Ping, Ren Zhi-Qiang, Cheng Guo-Fu, Deng Jie

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of 6 kinds of probiotics and their different adding ways on the production of rice wine. Methods: The probiotic rice wine was prepared by adding Lactobacillus rhamnosus BV-77, Lactobacillus fermentans TF-331, Lactobacillus saliva AP-32, Lactobacillus johnsoni MH-68, Lactobacillus acidophilus TYCA-06 and Lactobacillus casei CS-773. To compare the effects of saccharifying enzyme alone, saccharifying enzyme and yeast at the same time and adding methods （probiotic bran koji and probiotic powder） on alcohol content, reducing sugar, total acid and sensory quality of rice wine. Results: Yeast can promote the fermentation of probiotic rice wine …

Determination Of Discrete Element Simulation Parameters Of Rice Milling Machine, Zhang Ning, Cao Xian-Zhou, Wang Xin-Yu, Sun Yan-Ling

Food and Machinery

Objective: To solve the problem that the roller is inconvenient to operate and the concept of rolling friction coefficient and sliding friction coefficient is confused. Methods: EDEM software was used to simulate the white milling process. Taking MNAW18 rice mill as a reference and taking Feng Liangyou series brown rice as a sample, a set of method for measuring discrete element simulation parameters of rice mill was established by independently setting up an experimental bench and combining with simulation calibration. Results: Using the self-made collision coefficient experimental device and video motion processing software, the collision recovery coefficients between brown rice …

Determination Of Bisphenol A And Nonylphenol In Food Packaging Material By High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Tang Ji-Wang, Yuan Lie-Jiang, Xiao Yong, Wang Shu-Xia, Pan Zhao, Deng Hang

Food and Machinery

Objective： A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A and nonylphenol in food packaging material. Methods: The extraction solvent and extraction method were investigated. Solid-phase extraction （SPE） conditions were optimized. The effects of solid phase extraction column, loading solvent, eluting solvent and elution solvent on the purification effect were systematically analyzed. The samples were ultrasonic extracted with dichloromethaneand cleaned up on a solid-phase extraction （SPE） cartridge equipped with packing material of silicone. The separation was performed on a Venusil MP C₁₈（2）（100 mm×2.1 mm,2.6 μm）by gradient elution with 0.1% ammonia …

Preparation And Analytical Application Of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Electrochemical Sensor Forganoderic Acid A, Huang Gui-Zhen, Wang Qing-Xiang, Chen Jin-Mei, Zhan Feng-Ping, Wei Lan, Zheng Wan-Rong

Food and Machinery

Objective: Construction of a simple and rapid method for the analysis of ganoderic acid A （GAA）. Methods: The molecular imprinted polymer （MIP） that can specifically recognize ganoderic acid A （GAA） were prepared by cyclic voltammetric deposition using GAA as template molecule and o-phenylenediamine as functional monomer. The structure, morphology and electrochemical behavior of MIP were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical methods. Using [Fe（CN）₆]^3-/4- as the active indicator, the analytical performance of the sensor for GAA was investigated. Porous MIP for GAA can be prepared on the electrode surface by one-step electropolymerization. Results: The …

Defect Detection Method Of Red Globe Grapes Bunches Based On Near Infrared Camera Imaging, Gao Sheng

Food and Machinery

Objective: The study aimed to explore a fast and accurate method to detect brown spot and damage decay in grape bunches. Methods: Colour images （RGB） and near-infrared images （NIR） of red globe grapes bunches were captured by a near-infrared industrial camera. The edges of the samples and the edges of the defective parts were first extracted by applying the Sobel algorithm to the NIR images （NIR）, and then the images were binarized by the adaptive thresholding algorithm to achieve the segmentation of the images. Then the sample edges and fruit stalks were removed by the normalized supergreen method and the …

Optimization And Experiment Of Vibrating Screening Device For Constricted Razor, Liu Han, Shentu Liu-Fang, Sun Xing-Zhao, Wang Meng, Zhang Peng-Cheng

Food and Machinery

Objective: To improve the separation efficiency of constricted clam shell and meat. Methods: Taking Lianyungang double-headed razor as the test object, taking frequency, amplitude, and sieve surface inclination as the test factors, and taking the screening efficiency and the ratio of the shell in the meat as the main control targets, a single-factor test was carried out, and the test results were analyzed by Design-Expert software. An analysis of variance was performed to establish a regression model matching the frequency, amplitude, and inclination of the screen surface to the screening efficiency and the ratio of husks in the meat. Using …