Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Music And Word Learning In Children Diagnosed With Developmental Language Disorder, Rebekah G. Sweeney

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Purpose: This study investigates whether incorporating music into vocabulary interventions improves rate of learning and retention of words in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Emerging literature continues to show the plentiful benefits of music as a tool for intervention in many settings, including the world of speech pathology (Levitin, 2024). However, it is also evident that there is a connection between struggling with language, and struggling with musical elements, such as rhythm and pitch perception, particularly in children with DLD (Boorom et al., 2022; Kreidler et al., 2023). This study seeks to tease out if music is an effective …

Investigating Child-Informed Considerations For Animated Picture Symbols Representing Emotion For Aac Use In Children With Asd, Hannah Kitsmiller

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Development of emotional competence is an important area of consideration when supporting individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Emotional competence includes skills related to identifying and communicating about one’s emotions. Individuals who use AAC may struggle to develop strong skills in emotional competence. One potential barrier to developing emotional competence may be access to symbols that facilitate understanding of the represented emotion. Emotions are abstract and challenging to represent in visual symbols. Additionally, evidence suggests individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have visual perceptual differences when viewing faces. Current emotion symbols are often depicted using isolated facial …

The Impact Of Provider Communication On Treatment Adherence In Patients With Hypertension And Diabetes, Trey Carlson

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Current research cites effective provider communication as an important factor in improving treatment adherence and the health outcomes of patients. This study examines the effect of provider communication on treatment adherence in patients with chronic illnesses with a specific focus on hypertension and diabetes. Provider communication was measured using patient satisfaction surveys and treatment compliance was measured as the percentage of hypertensive and diabetic patients with a blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg and hemoglobin A1C levels below 9%. A one-way MANOVA revealed that provider communication had no significant impact on the combined treatment compliance variables for hypertension and diabetes (Wilk’s …

Dental Disparities: An Analysis Of Dental Caries Risk Factors Promoting Disparities Between Rural And Urban Communities In Nebraska, Nick Lounsbery

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The prevalence of dental caries in the United States remains a public health concern, as it is one of the most common chronic conditions across people of all ages. Research shows that preventative measures including brushing, fluoridated water, and regular checkups are effective strategies to mitigate tooth decay. However, there appears to be a divide between rural and urban populations, as the presence of dental cavities is significantly greater in remote areas in the State of Nebraska. Research methods used in this analysis included analyzing accredited academic literature to illustrate how cavities form from a biochemical perspective. Research methods also …

Understanding How Family Dynamics Affect Mental Health Communication In Inside Out: A Content Analysis, Kataryna Morton

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This study examines the impact of open communication between family members on mental health and a child’s sense of belonging in the film Inside Out. Previous research has shown the impact of media on children’s socialization, which can influence stigma and make it less likely for vulnerable communication to occur. It is crucial for children to learn to communicate their emotions, and the media can play a key role in shaping these beliefs. Inside Out provides a positive example of mental health communication, which is specifically explored through Riley’s communication with her parents throughout the film. Using a content analysis, …

Unveiling The Stigma: Doctor Mental Health And Intervention Strategies, Joseph Heirigs

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Background

The mental health of physicians is a pressing issue that has received increasing attention in recent years. The alarmingly high suicide rates for physicians underscores the critical need to address the mental health challenges that doctors face. Physicians are exposed to stressors that are unique to their profession, including high-stakes decision making, long work hours, traumatic patient situations, and the emotional toll of patient care. These challenges contribute to high rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and other mental health issues. However, despite these factors, physicians are often reluctant to seek mental health treatment due to fears of professional repercussions, …

Domain Communication In Bifunctional Proline Utilization A From Sinorhizobium Meliloti, Emma Bitterman

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The reduction potential of flavin bound to Sinorhizobium meliloti proline utilization A (SmPutA) is beneficial in providing vital information on enzyme activity and the active site environment. Flavin is crucial in biological metabolism such as aerobic respiration and other important processes like oxygen activation that are catalyzed by flavin-dependent enzymes. (4). In this study, we seek to determine whether the redox potential of SmPutA-bound flavin can be used to characterize potential long-distance communication and analyze the possibilities of inactivation reversibility. SmPutA is a large bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the overall oxidation of proline to glutamate via two catalytic domains (1). …

Cardiometabolic Benefits Of A Non-Industrialized-Type Diet Are Linked To Gut Microbiome Modulation, Fuyong Li, Anissa M. Armet, Katri Korpela, Junhong Liu, Rodrigo Margain Quevedo, Francesco Asnicar, Benjamin Seethaler, Tianna B. S. Rusnak, Janis L. Cole, Zhihong Zhang, Shuang Zhao, Adele Gagnon, Edward C. Deehan, Joao F. Mota, Jeffrey A. Bakal, Russell Greiner, Dan Knights, Nicola Segata, Stephan C. Bischoff, Laurie Mereu, Andrea M. Haqq, Catherine J. Field, Liang Li, Carla M. Prado, Jens Walter

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Industrialization adversely affects the gut microbiome and predisposes individuals to chronic non-communicable diseases. We tested a microbiome restoration strategy comprising a diet that recapitulated key characteristics of non-industrialized dietary patterns (restore diet) and a bacterium rarely found in industrialized microbiomes (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) in a randomized controlled feeding trial in healthy Canadian adults. The restore diet, despite reducing gut microbiome diversity, enhanced the persistence of L. reuteri strain from rural Papua New Guinea (PB-W1) and redressed several microbiome features altered by industrialization. The diet also beneficially altered microbiota-derived plasma metabolites implicated in the etiology of chronic non-communicable diseases. Considerable …

Applications Of Archaeal Antioxidant Coenzyme M As An Agricultural Biostimulant, Jeremy Hunter Brown

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

As the demand to meet global food security goals continue to increase, the need to increase efficiency and productivity of agricultural output also rises. This calls for innovative and cost-effective methods for improving plant growth and yield. Here we explore how antioxidants, molecules that inhibit oxidation and are necessary for redox based signaling and redox homeostasis, can be utilized as chemical biostimulants. Specifically, we investigated Coenzyme M, an antioxidant from archaea that holds potential economic advantages over other antioxidants. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive review of antioxidants and how exogenously application of them affects plant growth and biology, highlighting the …

Contraceptive Hormone Influences On The Role Of Primary Reinforcement And Reinforcer-Enhancement In Nicotine Self-Administration, Kathleen Robin Mcnealy

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

Hormonal contraceptives contain a synthetic estrogen (e.g., ethinyl estradiol/EE) and/or a synthetic progestin (e.g., levonorgestrel/LEVO) and can exacerbate nicotine intake. However, whether altered intake reflects changes in nicotine reinforcement or enhancement by nicotine of co-occurring reinforcers is unknown. This reinforcer-enhancement effect is evidenced in rats when nicotine self-administration is increased by the presence of a visual stimulus (VS) reinforcer. This dissertation examined the effects of EE and LEVO on nicotine reinforcement and reinforcer-enhancement in ovary-intact female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were implanted with a jugular catheter and assigned to receive daily injections of EE (Vehicle, 0.125 [Low], or 0.18 [High] μg/day; …

The Importance Of Public Health In College Populations: Why Vaccines Are Important, Kashish Poore

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This paper examines the importance of vaccines in college populations, where high-density living environments create unique vulnerabilities to infectious disease outbreaks. Despite vaccine mandates at most institutions, research indicates that many college students possess incomplete understanding of vaccine mechanisms and importance. The paper addresses three interconnected aspects: the biological foundations of vaccine-induced immunity, the significance of vaccination in collegiate settings, and the current state of vaccine literacy among students. Historical outbreaks on campuses, including meningitis at Princeton and mumps across several institutions, highlight the consequences of undervaccination. Social media misinformation has contributed significantly to vaccine hesitancy, particularly since COVID-19. The …

Exploring The Pathogen Profiles Of Ancient Feces, Drew Capone, David Holcomb, Amanda Lai, Karl Reinhard, Joe Brown

Karl Reinhard Publications

Analysis of ancient desiccated feces – termed paleofeces or coprolites – can unlock insights into the lives of ancient people. We collected desiccated feces from caves in the Rio Zape Valley in Mexico (725-920 CE). First, we extracted DNA with methods previously optimized for paleofeces. Then, we applied highly sensitive modern molecular tools (i.e., PCR pre-amplification followed by multi-parallel qPCR) to assess the presence of 30 enteric pathogens. We detected ≥1 pathogen associated gene in each of the ten samples and a mean of 3.9 pathogens per sample. The targets detected included Blastocystis spp. (n=7), atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (n=7), …

Effect Of Feeding Fenugreek Extract And Encapsulated Lecithin On Finishing Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Liver Abscesses, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Joshua R. Benton, Robert Bondurant, Willard Lemaster, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding fenugreek extract and encapsulated lecithin (Furst-McNess Company, Rockford, Illinois, United States) on finishing cattle performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscesses. Treatments were applied as a 2×2 factorial that included a control diet with no additive; a diet containing fenugreek extract; a diet containing encapsulated lecithin; and a diet containing both fenugreek extract and encapsulated lecithin. Tylosin was not included in any diets to test natural occurrence of liver abscesses. No interactions were observed between fenugreek extract and encapsulated lecithin treatments but neither feed additive impacted intakes, …

Effects Of Allocation Frequency On Cattle Performance And Forage Utilization When Swath Grazing A Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid In Eastern Nebraska, Thomas E. Aquino, Mary E. Drewnoski, Pedro Henrique J. Fernandes

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A sorghum-sudangrass hybrid was swath grazed by growing steers (529 ± 18 lb) from November 2023 to January 2024. Treatments were offering new forage once (1X) or twice (2X) per week to determine the effect of allocation frequency on animal performance and forage utilization. Average daily gain was not impacted by treatment (1X = 0.45 ± 0.1 lb/day, 2X = 0.45 ± 0.1 lb/day). Pre-and post-graze biomass samples were collected to estimate forage utilization, which was not different between treatments (1X = 57.1 ± 3.6%, 2X = 61.1 ± 3.6%). However, there was a difference in carrying …

Artificial Insemination Of Beef Heifers With Multi-Sire Semen, Dempster Christenson, Jordan M. Thomas, Daniel J. Kelly, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study compared pregnancy rates of beef heifers artificially inseminated with multi-sire semen to single-sire semen. It was hypothesized pregnancy rates resulting from multi-sire semen would be increased compared to single-sire semen. Heifers were artificially inseminated with semen from one of three single-sires or semen from a combination of the same three sires. Pregnancy rates did not significantly differ. Paternity testing suggests sire parentage can be unequal when semen is mixed from multiple sires. In summary, producers can expect similar pregnancy rates using single-sire and multi-sire semen, but progeny may have unequal sire representation.

Impact Of Overwinter Gain On Growth And Reproductive Performance In March-Born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. Mccarthy

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Heifers developed to lower rates of overwinter gain may reduce development costs without growth and reproduction impacted. A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate different overwinter rates of gain on heifer growth rates, reproductive, and economic performance. Heifers were managed together and individually supplemented (January-May) with dried distillers grains to achieve either a low (0.75 lb/d) or high (1.50 lb/d) average daily gain. At breeding, high gain heifers were heavier than low gain heifers. Average daily gain and body condition score were similar between treatments. Overwinter treatment did not impact attainment of puberty, pregnancy rates, or the …

Impact Of Pre- And Post-Breeding Supplementation On Performance Of May-Born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. Mccarthy

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications This 3-year study compared growth, reproductive performance, and economics of May-born yearling heifers that either received 2.00 lb/ heifer/ per d of a dried distillers grain supplement from pre-breeding (July) through breeding (August) or no supplement. Supplementation was offered approximately 24 days before breeding, averaging 55 days total. Heifer body weight was unaffected by supplementation. Supplementation increased average daily gain until pregnancy diagnosis, but no differences were noted after pregnancy diagnosis. Providing dried distillers grain increased the percentage of heifers that were cycling before breeding; however, no differences in pregnancy rates, percent that gave birth in the …

Interaction Of Backgrounding System And Implant Use On Growing Calf Performance, Sydney T. Vanderhoff, Braden C. Troyer, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell M. Norman, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Galen E. Erickson, Mary E. Drewnoski, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A two-year study utilized 480 weaned steers each year targeted to gain either 1 or 2 lb/d during the winter followed by ad libitum forage intake during the summer to determine the effects of winter rate of gain and implant strategy during the winter backgrounding and summer phases on steer performance, forage intake, and compensatory gain. During the winter, steers received a Revalor-G or no implant. In the summer, steers either received a Revalor-IS or no implant. The use of Revalor-G and increased rate of gain during the winter backgrounding phase had additive effects to increase animal …

Quantifying Cereal Rye Pastures Biomass With Image Analysis, Pedro Henrique J. Fernandes, Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, Biquan Zhao, Wei‑Zhen Liang, Mary E. Drewnoski, Yijie Xiong

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

By accurately assessing the amount of forage available, producers can estimate the pasture carrying capacity to make informed decisions on management. To provide producers with a feasible and efficient approach to estimate forage mass, this project evaluated performance of two image analysis tools, Crop Canopy Image Analyzer (CCIA) and Canopeo, in estimating forage mass for cereal rye. Forage mass measured by clipping the forage (areas with 5.625 ft²) was correlated with plant cover analyzed by the two tools using photos of the forage taken 37 in above the ground. Results obtained have supported the feasibility …

Impact Of Constant Versus Variable Inclusions Of Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Paige M. Madison, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Isaque F. Vicci, Joshua R. Benton, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles compared to a constant inclusion throughout the entire feeding period on finishing cattle performance. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial with two inclusions of modified distillers grains plus solubles (10% and 25%) that were constant or varying in dietary inclusion, and a corn control (0% modified distillers grains plus solubles). Increasing the inclusion of distillers grains from 0 to 25% increased both DMI and ADG when fed at a constant inclusion of 10 …

Impact Of Full-Fat Wet Distillers Grains Inclusion In Steam-Flaked Corn Based Finishing Diets, Gatlin Hissong, Bill Dicke, Doug Smith, Andrea Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Steam-flaked corn and distillers grains are common feed ingredients in finishing rations, but the interaction between the two is not well understood. A finishing trial at a commercial feedlot using 700 calf-fed heifers was conducted to evaluate cattle performance when fed 18 or 30% (dry matter basis) full-fat wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked corn based diets with 8% roughage (hay + corn silage). No effects on cattle performance were observed due to distillers grains inclusion in the diet. Final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion, and hot carcass weight were not …

Effect Of Feeding Palm Oil On Finishing Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Methane Production, Anna M. Kobza, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell C. Norman, Joshua R. Benton, Long Zou, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Increased demand for biofuel production has increased demand and price of commonly fed supplemental fat sources in beef operations. This finishing study evaluated the effect of feeding palm oil products on performance, carcass characteristics and methane production of feedlot finishing steers. Dietary treatments were feeding no supplemental fat or feeding one of the following fat sources at 4% of diet dry matter: whole palm oil, palm stearin, palm olein, or corn oil. Feeding supplemental fat, regardless of source, increased final body weight, average daily gain, and hot carcass weight. Feeding supplemental fat had no effect on dry …

Effect Of Feeding Two Different Feed Additives (Optipartum C+ And Prime Force) On Finishing Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Sofia Suarez-Lorences, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Joshua R. Benton, Robert Bondurant, Willard Lemaster, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding two different natural feed additives, Prime Force and Optipartum C+, on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were applied as a 2×2 factorial that included a control diet with no additive; a diet containing Prime Force; a diet containing Optipartum C+; and a diet containing both Prime Force and Optipartum C+ combined. Treatment diets were fed the last 67 d prior to slaughter as designed. Cattle fed Prime Force had greater live final body weight, carcass weight, intake, and average daily gain compared to cattle …

Effects Of Replacing Wet Corn Distillers Grains With A Purefield Distillers Grains® At 15% And 30% (Dm Basis) In Feedlot Diets, Sofia A. Canafoglia, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 2×2 +1 factorial experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of replacing wet corn distillers grain (WCDGS) with PureField distillers grains, a proprietary blend of wet distillers grains plus wheat middlings (Purefield LLC, Kansas, United States) at 15% or 30% of the diet (DM basis), on finishing performance and carcass characteristics. The inclusion of either byproduct resulted in improved steer performance, and carcass characteristics when compared to the treatment without the byproduct inclusion. No interactions between byproduct and inclusion level were observed for steer performance or carcass characteristics. A tendency for higher average daily gains was …

2025 Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-calf Nutrition, Reproduction, and Management

Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi-sire Semen, Dempster M. Christenson, Jordan M. Thomas, Daniel J. Kelly, Rick N. Funston

Impact of Overwinter Gain on Growth and Reproductive Performance in March- born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. McCarthy

Impact of Pre- and Post-breeding Supplementation on Performance of May-born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis. Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. McCarthy

Growing Calf and Yearling Management

Effects of Allocation Frequency on Cattle Performance and Forage Utilization when Swath Grazing a Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid in Eastern Nebraska, Thomas E. Aquino, …

Effect Of Using Whole Soybeans, Roasted Soybeans, Or Soybean Meal In Finishing Cattle Diets, Melissa K. Bausch, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study compared the effect of using whole or roasted soybeans at two inclusion rates (12% and 16% of diet dry matter), soybean meal, distillers grains, or a dry-rolled corn with urea control in finishing cattle diets. Steers fed the diet with the 16% inclusion of roasted soybeans had better average daily gain, feed conversion, and hot carcass weight. All other diets resulted in similar performance to the dry-rolled corn and distillers grains treatments. Roasted soybeans fed at a 16% inclusion improved F:G over the 12% roasted soybeans as compared to the whole soybeans which were …

Metallic Nanoparticles And Cosmetics: The Role Of Mitochondria And Premature Aging, Veronica Montesinos-Cruz, Justin Olmanson

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

The cosmetic industry has developed and commercialized numerous products using new technologies, making them increasingly appealing to the public. The use of metallic nanoparticles (MtNPs) as key ingredients in cosmetics has become more widespread due to their demonstrated benefits. However, the use of these products remains controversial, as some studies have shown that MtNPs can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and disrupt homeostatic balance. It has also been demonstrated that the interaction between MtNPs and keratinocytes increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to oxidative stress, a condition associated with premature aging. Mitochondria, as …

Why The Museum Matters To Honors, Mimi Killinger

Honors in Practice Online Archive

Using classroom displacement and pandemic pivoting during COVID as a touchstone, author presents ways in which museums complement and reinforce pedagogical goals in honors. Community and campus museums offer immediate and innovative teaching opportunities that require minimal technology, present diverse viewpoints and cultural perspectives, and foster visual and cultural literacies. Demonstrating how teaching within a museum aligns with the educational mission of her home institution, author suggests that these spaces can be creative, collaborative, and engaging learning locations for honors colleges and programs throughout the country. Detailed descriptions of curated collections are provided.

Building Place-Based Experiential Learning Into The Honors Curriculum At Ohio University, Geoffrey L. Buckley, Nicole Finnicum, Michelle O'Malley, Jennifer Bowie, Yolonda Youngs

Honors in Practice Online Archive

Observing the demand for interdisciplinary experiential learning opportunities post-COVID, authors present a place-based curriculum in honors. Workshop-style special topics classes provide students with an immersive and flexible learning environment, energize faculty, and engage alumni and community partners. Coursework, fieldwork, internships, and study abroad opportunities all contribute to the development of an informed and engaged citizenry. Authors address challenges in funding, access, and equity, and they suggest ways these challenges might be met.

How To Create A Self-Sustaining Meditation Garden, Heather Salazar, Lydia Barrett-Miller, Kaitlyn Parisan

Honors in Practice Online Archive

This essay presents the creation and maintenance of a campus meditation garden as an outgrowth of four successive philosophy classes in honors. The authors describe the garden’s inception, execution, curricular advantages, and administration, with specific examples of the impact on student health and well-being. The authors observe the ways in which honors students attained skills in transformational leadership by collaborating to develop projects and lead events, suggesting that a meditation garden may be appropriate for any learning environment emphasizing cooperation, creativity, mindfulness, and well-being.