No description available.

<p>Rainbow trout took up Zn from both the diet and the water. Trout on a low Zn diet became Zn-deficient, based upon mortality, lack of growth, and depressed plasma protein and hematocrit. Both plasma and whole body [Zn] were also depressed. Elevated [Zn], in either diet or water, reversed all symptoms of Zn deficiency. At high [Zn], Zn was taken up in excess of requirements, but in an attenuated fashion. These results support a relative homeostasis for Zn for both plasma and whole body, but also indicated that Zn uptake from water and diet were partially independent. There was no overt toxicity. Metal-binding proteins, important in mineral metabolism, were induced by this exposure in gill and intestine but not in liver.</p> <p>The gill was identified as the major site of Zn uptake from the water by the use of an in vitro preparation which directly measured flux rates. Pre-exposure of trout to soft water for 5 days gave considerably higher influx rates than occurred in tapwater-acclimated trout, probably by stimulating proliferation of gill chloride cells. Zn influx in soft water, studied from 0.4 to 7.5 mg Zn/L followed saturable, first-order kinetics, suggesting a restricting pore or carrier mediation. Influx was studied in vivo for 24 h using a novel technique which overcame the limitations of non-specific adsorption found with traditional methods. Influx rates measured with this technique confirmed the saturable nature of influx, but were much higher. Waterbone Ca interacted with Zn influx in two separate ways. Acute increases in [Ca] up to 5 fold showed a competitive interaction, suggesting that Zn and Ca compete for the same mechanism of branchial entry. Acute removal of Ca however revealed in addition, a large influx with increasing [Zn], indicative of opening of a paracellular leak pathway across the gill.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p> Silvopasture, the sustainable integration of livestock and trees on the same unit of land, may have the potential to contribute to agricultural productivity in the Northeastern United States and concurrently encourage the ecosystems services which trees provide. Extremely little is known regarding the ecological characteristics of silvopastures being utilized, their social and economic drivers, or their agricultural productivity. Silvopasture characteristics, management, and reasons for use were documented through a purposeful sample of silvopasture practitioners in New York and New England. Results document the functional role of silvopastures on regional farms. This research also investigated the ecological and production dynamics of silvopastures in the Northeastern United States, their management, and the reasons for their use. Forest conversion to silvopasture, open pasture, and heavily thinned forests were utilized to investigate the ecological and production dynamics during the establishment phase of forest conversion to pasture. Results suggest the potential for silvopasture as a competitive management option for forestland. This dissertation establishes a baseline for future investigations into the management of silvopastures in the Northeastern United States.</p>

<p> The positive psychosocial association between humans and animals suggests there may be a specific utilitarian task in which canines could assist and enhance interactions that extends beyond the field of behavioral sciences and into other fields, such as criminal justice. Additional research is needed in order to study the efficacy of incorporating AAI into the interview process by law enforcement when questioning children of suspected abuse. Interviews with sexually abused children can be ineffective in producing clear and usable evidence for prosecution due to increased anxiety, stress and fear. The purpose of this qualitative study was to ascertain the viewpoints, opinions and perspectives of forensic investigators regarding the utilization of AAI in the interviewing of sexually abused children. Specifically, how the introduction of AAI affects the ability of forensic investigators to obtain critical information when interviewing children of sexual abuse. Participants who utilize AAI while investigating children of sexual abuse were identified through purposive sampling via recruitment email flyer (Appendix A). This qualitative exploratory study conducted in-depth telephone interviews with five forensic investigators who utilize AAI while investigating children of suspected sexual abuse. Data analysis was consistent with existing literature and findings suggest when implemented as part of an effort to improve practice, AAIs could complement the interview process and help to alleviate anxiety, stress and fear and improve emotional and cognitive behavior. The participants&rsquo; narratives identified several key factors associated with the use of AAI: better rapport with the victim, reduced stress and anxiety, and ability to obtain more information from the victim. Data obtained from this research provided additional insight into this phenomenon and can help guide the direction of future research.</p>

<p> This Master&rsquo;s thesis investigated efficacy of equine assisted modality studies for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The data was collected by means of Literature Review and utilized textual analysis. All participants in the studies examined met the study eligibility criteria. The results and findings were compiled and analyzed to support the data reflected; additional studies were highlighted to aid in the comparison of the data retrieved from the four studies featured. A brief history of the synergistic relationship between horse and humans was reviewed as well as historical perspectives on equine assisted programs and their accredited organizations. The student critiqued the future of equine co-facilitated curriculum for individuals with autism, communication between equine and humans, neurophysiological adaptation and biophilia.</p>

<p>Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) and Campylobacter play a major role in foodborne illness caused by the consumption of food contaminated by pathogens worldwide. A comprehensive understanding of the genetic factors that increase the survival fitness of these foodborne pathogens will effectively help us formulate mitigation strategies without affecting the nutrition ecology. The objective of this study was to identify the genetic determinants of Salmonella and Campylobacter that are required for fitness under various in vitro conditions. For the purpose, we used a high throughput Transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) that utilizes next generation sequencing (NGS) to screen hundreds of thousands of mutants simultaneously. In Chapter 1, we reviewed the technical aspects of different Tn-seq methods along with their pros and cons and compressive summary of recently published studies using Tn-seq methods. In Chapter 2, we exposed complex Tn5 library of Salmonella Typhimurium 14028S (S. Typhimurium) to the mimicked host stressors in vitro conditions. Such as low acidic pH (pH 3) found in the stomach, osmotic (3% NaCl) and short chain fatty acid (SCFAs, 100 mM Propionate) found in intestine, and oxidation (1mM H2O2) and starvation (12-day survival in PBS) found in macrophage. There was an overlapping set of 339 conditionally essential genes (CEGs) required by S. Typhimurium to overcome these host stressors. In Chapter 3, we screened of S. Typhimurium Tn5 library for desiccation survival. Salmonella spp. is the most notable and frequent cause of contamination in low-water activity foods. We identified 61 genes and 6 intergenic regions required for fitness during desiccation stress. In Chapter 4, the essential genome of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) NCTC 11168 and C. jejuni 81-176 was investigated using Tn-seq. We identified 166 essential protein-coding genes and 20 essential transfer RNA (tRNA) in C. jejuni NCTC 11168 which were intolerant to Tn5 insertions during in vitro growth. The reconstructed library C. jejuni 81-176 had 384 protein coding genes with zero Tn5 insertions. The genetic determinants Salmonella and Campylobacter identified in this study have high potential to be explored as food safety intervention, therapeutic and vaccine target to curb the spread of the foodborne pathogens making world a safer place.

<p> Resistance to synthetic anthelmintics has become a worldwide threat to various livestock species. The use of nutraceuticals and livestock management practices is being explored as an alternative to this issue. Foods containing a high amount of tannins are known to decrease gastrointestinal parasite infection. It is known that goats self-medicate by ingesting tannin-rich feed mixtures that they often avoid (Villalba et al. 2010). Studies have offered animals a particular mixture of feed that is known to be medicinal to decrease a parasite burden. In this study, we offered a tannin-rich plant in a concentrated pellet form so it could be more applicable to livestock management practices. We addressed our issue by using 20 kids that were separated into two groups. One group was dosed with parasites, PK, and another group was not dosed with parasites, NPK. These kids were observed in a 30-day experiment to determine if they dosed themselves efficiently with a tannin-rich plant, sericea lespedeza, Lespedeza cuneata, when the need arose. Each group was conditioned and given preference tests between alfalfa, a feed they were familiar with, and sericea lespedeza, the tannin-rich feed. Fecal samples (FEC) were taken periodically to monitor the eggs per gram of the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus. Eggs per gram decreased in the parasitized group throughout the experiment. The parasitized group was found to be self-medicating with the correct doses of sericea lespedeza specialized to their internal needs after they were conditioned, whereas there were no significant results that the non-parasitized group chose sericea lespedeza over alfalfa.</p>

<p>It is widely known that orexin A and B peptides as well as their receptors are expressed in the hypothalamus and distributed throughout the central nervous system, but there have been few studies regarding its presences in other parts of the body. There is now evidence that orexin (ORX) and its receptors (ORXR1/2) are present in the avian liver; however, their regulation under different environmental conditions is still unknown. In the current study, we sought to determine the effects of heat and oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) on the hepatic expression of ORX and ORXR1/2 in the avian species. Overall, heat stress significantly down regulated the expression of ORX, and ORXR1/2 mRNA and pro1tein in quail liver and LMH cells. LMH cells treated with H2O2 had decreased ORX protein and increased ORX mRNA levels (P < 0.05). There was a biphasic effect of 4-HNE on the expression of ORX and ORXR1/2 in LMH cells. There was a significant upregulation at low doses (10 and 20 ?M) and significant down-regulation at a high dose (30?M) of 4-HNE. In light of the current data, the hepatic expression of orexin could serve as a molecular signature in the heat and oxidative stress response.

Nutritionists, the medical profession, and the public in general have become increasingly interested in low fat food products. Cheddar cheese, as it is now made, has a high caloric value and therefore may be discriminated against in some diets. The production of a reduced fat cheddar-like cheese would be of importance to the cheese industry by providing a reduced fat, high protein product. The chemical nature of the casein furnishes the foundation for the body and texture in cheese. The body and texture of typical cheddar cheese is influenced principally by its fat and moisture content. The use of hydrogen peroxide in the manufacture of cheese has been shown to produce a softer body with a greater retention of moisture. Catalase was used to destroy the residual hydrogen peroxide. Thus, the hydrogen peroxide-catalase treatment demonstrated potential application in the manufacture of a lower fat, cheddar-like cheese. To obtain a typical cheddar cheese body and texture using low fat milk, it was proposed that the hydrogen peroxide-catalase treatment of the milk be used in the manufacture of the cheese in this study. Objectives 1. Determine the minimum per cent in the milk that may be used to produce cheddar cheese characteristics using the hydrogen peroxide-catalase treatment. 2. Compare the effects of the pasteurization and hydrogen peroxide-catalase treatments of the milk on the body and texture of the reduced fat cheese. 3. Study the influence of cooking temperatures on the moisture content of the reduced fat cheese. 4. Compare the relative effects of the pasteurization and hydrogen peroxide-catalase treatments on the casein by the use of the infrared spectrophotometer.

While commonly thought of as a waste product, food scraps and residuals represent an important opportunity for energy and nutrient recapture within the food system. As demands on production continue to increase, conservation of these valuable resources has become a priority area. In the wake of new legislation in Vermont, Act 148, the Universal Recycling Law, the fate of microbial species in food waste, scraps and residuals is increasingly important. The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in all types of foods calls for an increased need to estimate risk of antibiotic resistance transfer and maintenance across all segments of food production and distribution systems, from farm to fork. Specifically, the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in these co-mingled food wastes has not been sufficiently characterized; as legislative programs increase in popularity, surveillance of these materials is pressing and should be documented to assess the risk and potential measures for mitigation and management as we approach commercial scales of implementation Previous studies have relied on a combination of targeted techniques, such as 16S rRNA sequencing and qPCR on a specific subset of ARGs; however, these may not cover the full extent of resistance or microorganisms of concern in any given sample. As sequencing technologies improve and costs continue to drop, more comprehensive tools, such as shotgun metagenomic sequencing, can be applied to these problems for both surveillance and novel gene discovery. In this study, we leveraged the increased screening power of the Illumina HiSeq and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to identify and characterize ARGs, microbial communities, and associated virulence factors of food scraps, on-farm composts, and several consumer products. Isolates were also screened for antibiotic resistance to demonstrate the functionality of ARGs identified. The resistome, microbiome, and virulence genes were characterized in all samples. Fifty unique ARGs were identified that spanned 8 major drug classes. Most frequently found were genes related to aminoglycoside, macrolide, and tetracycline resistance. Additionally, 54 distinct virulence factors and 495 bacterial species were identified. Virulence factors were present across the farm setting and mainly included gene transfer mechanisms, while bacteria clustered distinctly into site and farm, as well as separate on farm niches. The relationship between these categories was also assessed by both Pearson correlation and co-inertia analysis, with the most significant relationship being between ARGs and virulence factors (P = 0.05, RV = 0.67). While limited in this study, these patterns reinforce the finding that spread of antibiotic resistance genes may be dependent on the virulence factors present enabling transfer, rather than total microbial community composition.