K-State Electronic Theses, Dissertations, and Reports: 2004 -
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2097/4
This is the collection for doctoral dissertations and masters theses and reports submitted electronically by K-State students. Electronic submission of doctoral dissertations was required beginning Fall semester 2006. Electronic submission for masters theses and reports was required beginning Fall 2007. The collection also contains some dissertations, theses, and reports from the years 2004 and 2005 that were submitted during a pilot test project. Some items before 2004 have been digitized and are available in K-State Electronic Theses, Dissertations, and Reports: pre-2004. Check the Library catalog for dissertations, theses, and reports not found in these collections.
All items included in this collection have been approved by the K-State Graduate School. More information can be found on the ETDR Information Page. Items within this collection are protected by U.S. Copyright. Copyright on each item is held by the individual author.
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Item Open Access The relationship of precipitation intensity, cover crops, and P management on hydrograph characteristics and water quality(2025) Moylan, SarahAn increased frequency of intense precipitation events will impact flood potential, soil erosion, and nutrient loss from agricultural lands. Current management practices include the application of cover crops to reduce sediment loss and increase infiltration, thereby reducing surface runoff. However, the effects of cover crops and phosphorous (P) fertilizer management on water quality and runoff characteristics need to be examined to understand how these practices will perform in an environment with more frequent intense precipitation events. The objective of this study was to analyze the change in water quality and surface runoff under a range of naturally occurring precipitation intensities with the application of cover crops and P fertilizer. Runoff and water quality data were collected from the Kansas Agricultural Watershed (KAW) field laboratory in Ashland Bottoms, KS from 2015-2022 from a corn-soybean cropping rotation with edge-of-field runoff monitoring. The KAW field lab had 18 0.5-ha plots arranged in a 2x3 factorial randomized complete block design with two levels of cover (winter annual cover crops and no cover) and three levels of P fertilizer application replicated 3 times. This study used data from only two levels of P fertilization, control (CN) and spring injected P fertilizer (SI), both without cover crop (NC) and with cover crop (CC). For the SI treatments, ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0) was subsurface applied at spring planting at a rate of 61 kg P2O5 ha-1 from 2015 to 2019 with a slight decrease in rate to 55 kg kg P2O5 ha-1 from 2020 to 2022. The CN plots did not receive P fertilizer. Real-time precipitation events were monitored for runoff and samples were collected and analyzed for total suspended sediment, total P, and dissolved reactive P concentrations. Mass losses of runoff, total suspended sediment, total P, and dissolved reactive P were normalized based on precipitation depth to isolate the effects of precipitation intensity. Depth measurements taken inside the flume during the runoff event were paired with precipitation data to identify the point of runoff initiation, peak flow, and runoff termination. A multiple regression analysis was completed using SAS proc glimmix (version 9.4; Cary, NC) to test if treatment effects on response variables would change under increasing precipitation intensities. The runoff ratio increased with increasing precipitation intensity for the SI-CC and the CN-NC treatments, with the greatest effect on the CN-NC treatment. Total suspended sediment load and total P load per unit of precipitation both increased with increasing precipitation intensity, with the greatest increase also occurring in the CN-NC treatment. Precipitation intensity had no effect on dissolved reactive P loss per unit of precipitation (DRPp) for the treatments receiving P fertilizer, whereas DRPp increased with increasing precipitation intensity for treatments not receiving P fertilizer. The time to runoff initiation and time to peak flow uniformly decreased with increasing precipitation intensity for all treatments. While not always significant, times to initiation and peak flow were longest in the SI-CC treatment. The time of concentration decreased for all treatments with increasing precipitation intensity. Cover crops significantly increased the time of concentration in the CN plots and significantly decreased the time of concentration in the SI plots. Peak flow increased with increasing precipitation intensity for all treatments. Cover crops and P fertilizer decreased the peak flow when compared to the CN-NC treatment with the SI-CC treatment having the smallest peak flow. Cover crops alone were shown to reduce sediment loss, total P loss, peak flow and the runoff ratio under intense precipitation. For most of these variables the addition of P fertilizer further reduces the losses except for total P loss. Under the most intense storms in this dataset plots treated with P fertilizer showed no difference in total P loss than the CN-NC treatment which was the treatment most sensitive to precipitation intensities. Dissolved reactive P was also the greatest with P fertilizer application at all intensities. Implementing these conservation management decisions should be weighed against what losses would most likely occur on the land and what local climate modeling predicts for the area. An increase in precipitation intensity is likely to occur with climate change, these management practices have shown to continue to work as a conservation effort.Item Embargo The Role of Organic Amendments and No-Tillage in Enhancing Soil Health: Insights from a 34-Year Field Experiment(2025) Mushtaq, MuazzamaThe rising challenges of climate change have emphasized the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices that promote long-term soil health and productivity. This thesis evaluates the impact of 34 years of tillage and nitrogen sources on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage, biological activity, and overall soil health at the Kansas State University Agronomy North Farm. A split-plot randomized block design with four replications was employed, with two tillage systems: no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (T) as the main plots, and three nitrogen sources (compost, urea, and control) as the subplots. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 90 cm and analyzed for chemical, biological, and microbial properties. Long-term application of compost (OF) significantly enhanced C and N storage in 0–30 cm of soil. Although the no-till system with OF improved storage compared to conventional tillage, the difference was only significant in the 0-5 cm layer. As C and N reached effective saturation with compost at the 0-5 cm depth, there was translocation of C and N to the 5-15 cm layer, and subsequently to the 15-30 cm layer. No-till also supported deeper root growth (up to 45–60 cm) and reduced C and N losses in subsurface layers compared to conventional tillage. Enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase) were highest in the upper 0–30 cm depth and were consistently greater with compost. No-till further increased enzyme activity compared to conventional tillage, although the differences were not always significant. Compost also supported higher microbial biomass, including fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes, with stronger effects under no-till. Interestingly, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were more abundant where no N had been applied for 34 years, suggesting that reduced inputs may create the need for AMF. Enzyme activity and microbial biomass were positively correlated with soil C and N levels, reflecting the strong link between organic matter availability and soil biological function. Overall, long-term implementation of no-till and organic fertilizer improved soil health by increasing nutrient retention, enhancing microbial activity, and promoting C and N storage in the soil. These changes contribute to the development of more stable and resilient soil systems, capable of supporting sustainable crop production. Furthermore, increased soil C and N storage play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the combined use of no-till and compost represents an effective management strategy to enhance soil function, improve agricultural sustainability, and address environmental challenges associated with climate change.Item Open Access Mental health and quality of life among Veterans: The role of prayer/meditation and faith in God/higher power(2025) Switzer, JenniferThe aim of this study is to better understand the role of spirituality in reducing the adverse effects of mental health conditions on Veterans’ quality of life. The study explored which aspects of spirituality – rituals or faith in God/Higher Power – were associated with mental health conditions and if spirituality mediated the relationship between mental health conditions and Veterans’ quality of life. Participants included 1048 military Veterans in the U.S. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the proposed mediation model. The results indicated that depression and anxiety were correlated with less engagement in prayer/meditation and greater faith in God/Higher Power. Trauma was correlated with more engagement in prayer/meditation and greater faith in God/Higher Power. Suicidal risk was correlated with greater faith in God/Higher Power. Results of indirect effects suggested that prayer/meditation had the potential to reduce the adverse effects of trauma but not depression or anxiety on quality of life. No indirect effects were found for faith in God/Higher Power. The results have implications for clinical practice and future research.Item Open Access CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing to enhance cover crops(2025) White, DexterCover crops provide environmental benefits and a potential source of sustainable oil, but their uncertain economic viability remains a challenge. Specialty oils, valuable even at lower production volumes, are often derived from species with poor agronomic traits. Camelina sativa L. Crantz (camelina) and Thlaspi arvense L. (pennycress) are oilseed cover crops amenable to metabolic engineering and genetic transformation. Increasing the value of the oil produced in these crops through metabolic engineering addresses a key barrier to implementation and could encourage higher cover-cropping rates among farmers. Efficiently redirecting carbon flux towards engineered triacylglycerols (TAGs) requires minimizing competition from endogenous TAG biosynthesis pathways. We hypothesize that disrupting native Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) and Phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (PDAT1), the terminal enzymes in TAG biosynthesis, would enhance the accumulation of specialty TAGs produced by transgenic acyltransferases. Eliminating endogenous DGAT1 and PDAT1 activity effectively channels diacylglycerol (DAG) towards transgenic TAG-synthesizing enzymes, boosting specialty TAG production. Previous work demonstrated the potential of RNAi-mediated DGAT1 knockdown to increase specialty-TAG production (Alkotami et al. 2024). However, RNAi-based gene silencing can exhibit variable knockdown efficiency and residual enzyme activity remains. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we generated dgat1 and pdat1 knockout lines in both camelina and pennycress. CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts offer a genetically stable solution for long-term metabolic engineering by eliminating enzyme activity. These results demonstrate a scalable and stable genetic engineering strategy to enhance the commercial potential of cover crops by tailoring seed oil composition for diverse industrial applications.Item Open Access Sorghum kombucha’s impact on lean pigs and obese pigs during early weight loss(2025) Gaya Macaneiro, Maria EugeniaThe use of pigs in research has expanded to serving as valuable translational models for humans. This thesis investigates the body composition changes and behavioral effects of fermented sorghum kombucha in lean Ossabaw pigs and obese Ossabaw pigs during early weight loss. Ossabaw pigs are an established model for studying obesity due to their genetic predisposition to store fat under high-calorie diets. For the first 16 weeks after enrollment, pigs were first grown into a lean body type using a standard diet or an obese body type using a hypocaloric, high-fat, high-fructose corn syrup diet (i.e., Western Diet). Then, liquid supplementation was applied while obese pigs underwent a 6-week weight management program (lean pigs had no dietary changes). The liquid supplementation was twice daily administration (1 L per day) of either an isocaloric control solution or fermented sorghum kombucha. In Study 1, besides the body weight, weekly ultrasound imaging was used to assess body composition, including back fat thickness and loin eye area. Results revealed that fermented sorghum kombucha was associated with reduced average daily gain and increased back fat loss in obese pigs compared to those receiving the isocaloric control. These outcomes suggest that sorghum kombucha may influence adipose tissue metabolism during the early stages of weight loss. Study 2 explored how the supplement affected feeding motivation, social interaction, and cognitive flexibility using an automated cognitive feeder test. Behavioral observations revealed that obese pigs, during the early weight loss period, receiving sorghum kombucha demonstrated changes in latency to drink, frequency of bowl switching, and decreased dominance indices, suggesting that sorghum kombucha may modulate social interactions and feeding behaviors. Together, these findings show that fermented sorghum kombucha may influence early physiological and behavioral markers of obesity in pigs, offering insights into nutritional strategies for metabolic health.Item Open Access Application of complex radiation risk models and exposure uncertainty propagation to large-scale radiation cohort survival analysis with Colossus(2025) Giunta, EricStudies on the effects of low-dose-rate chronic radiation exposure in populations require large amounts of data to find statistically significant associations between low radiation doses and different carcinogenic and cognitive health outcomes of interest. These studies are important not only for furthering the understanding of safe limits on Earth but also for improving the safety of missions to space. Existing statistical software packages were not designed to run complex risk models on millions of rows of data, and generally cannot consider exposure uncertainty or competing events in the data. This need was met with the development and testing of the R package Colossus, which can apply risk models that were not typically available in R packages and take advantage of the available hardware to run regressions on big datasets quickly. One important aspect of Colossus is that it is open-source and uses a modular design to allow future capabilities to be added as needed. A series of tests were performed to verify that Colossus performed as intended and could perform analyses similar to other existing software. The first novel application of Colossus was the analysis of large-scale plasmode simulations. A hypothetical study was proposed to characterize the competing risk effects of lung cancer mortality on the risk model parameter estimates of smoking status on Parkinson's disease mortality. Standard methods of plasmode simulations could not increase the observation time of individuals, which was hypothesized to lead to competing risk effects in the model parameter estimates. A random forest algorithm was used to extend the observation of individuals, and event rate models were simulated in the extended and unextended datasets. Analysis of the unextended data with only Parkinson's disease mortality produced results similar to the extended data with multiple competing events modeled, demonstrating that the unextended plasmode simulations induced effects similar to competing risks. Thus, simulation studies investigating the effects of competing risks in existing data require a method of extending the observation of individuals to simulate outcomes without the effects of events in the original data. The availability of exposure uncertainty propagation methods is one of the most significant capabilities of Colossus. Functions were implemented to perform Frequentist Model Averaging and Monte Carlo Maximum Likelihood algorithms using multiple realizations of radiation exposure. These automated functions could analyze thousands of realizations several times faster than manual methods because of the large amount of time required to process the data for each realization. These capabilities allow researchers to propagate exposure uncertainties into their analyses. Colossus can currently perform radiation cohort analysis, which was previously not available with public software; however, further work is required. Additional capabilities are planned to be added, particularly different logistic model regression options. A multiple-realization analysis with real data is planned, which will provide more meaningful regression results and a better understanding of the true uncertainty in the risk-model parameters. Finally, further work is required to optimize Colossus. Further research into available libraries and alternative code bases may open up optimizations that would allow these analyses to be performed with even less time and memory required.Item Embargo SEX DIFFERENCES IN INFLUENZA VACCINE-INDUCED IMMUNITY AND PROTECTION IN MICE WITH OBESITY(2025) Wolfe, BrianHost-associated factors, including biological sex (i.e., male or female as determined by chromosomes, gonads, and sex steroids) and obesity, impact immune responses to influenza vaccines. Whether or not obesity impacts influenza virus vaccine responses in a sex-specific manner is not known. Our objectives were to investigate sex differences in influenza vaccine-induced immunity and protection in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Five- to six-week-old male and female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either a high-fat diet (HFD, 60kcal% fat) or a low-fat diet (LFD, 10kcal% fat), and body mass was recorded weekly. Mice on HFD with body mass ≥20% than the average body mass of age- and sex-matched mice on the control diet were considered obese. Obese and non-obese male and female mice, obtained after a diet treatment for 12 weeks, were vaccinated with the mouse-adapted inactivated A/California/04/2009 H1N1 (ma2009 H1N1) vaccine (20µg in 40µL phosphate buffered saline) and boosted after 21 days post-vaccination (dpv). At 35 dpv, plasma samples were collected to measure antibody responses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and virus-neutralizing assays. Subsets of mice were euthanized at 35 dpv to quantify B and T cell responses in the spleen and bone marrow by flow cytometry. At 42 dpv, vaccinated mice were challenged intranasally with 5 log10 TCID50 of the mouse-adapted A/California/04/2009 H1N1 drift variant virus (i.e., ma2009 H1N1dv) (in 30µL of Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium). Body mass was recorded daily for 21 days post-challenge (dpc) to determine disease severity and protection. Another subset of mice was euthanized at 3 dpc to collect lung samples for measuring replicating virus titers and assessing inflammatory changes. After 12 weeks of diet treatment, 100% of the male and 67% of the female mice became obese. Males and females with obesity had significantly greater body mass, glucose intolerance, and body mass index than the non-obese controls (p<0.05 in each case). At 35 dpv, IgG, IgG2c, and virus-neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers were higher in females than in male mice, irrespective of obesity. Importantly, males with obesity had the lowest levels of IgG, IgG2c, and nAb titers compared with the other groups. After the virus challenge, a change in body mass was compared for 21 dpc. In agreement with the lowest levels of antibodies, vaccinated obese males were least protected, as evidenced by higher absolute (i.e., in gm) and relative (i.e., percentage change from the baseline) body mass loss. Similarly, both obese and non-obese females had higher antibody titers than males, which allowed them to more effectively clear replicating virus from the lungs within 3 dpc. While 75% (i.e., 3/4) of the vaccinated non-obese males were able to clear, none of the vaccinated obese males (i.e., 4/4) could clear replicating viruses from the lungs. Vaccinated obese males also had higher inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the lungs and suffered with greater pulmonary inflammatory changes in histopathology analysis. Despite the lower effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in males with obesity, vaccination still significantly reduced virus replication in the lungs and lowered inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 compared to the unvaccinated mice, indicating the benefit of getting vaccinated for all groups, including the obese males. Flow cytometry analysis of splenic cells at 35 dpv showed similar frequencies of B cells, including plasmablasts, plasma cells, and memory B cells, as well as T helper and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in the spleen. However, in the bone marrow, the frequencies of plasma cells at 35 dpv were higher in female mice compared to males, irrespective of obesity. Our data illustrate that biological sex differences to inactivated influenza vaccine-induced immunity and protection are observed even in mice with obesity. We also observe that the antibody production after influenza vaccination is inferior in males with obesity, and they are less protected from subsequent influenza virus challenge. This is likely mediated by the inefficiency of B cells to produce antibodies in obese males, which warrants further investigation. These data highlight the need of consideration of the interaction of biological sex and obesity during the design and testing of influenza vaccines in animal and human models.Item Open Access Assessment of bias associated with person-year grouping methods in individual and pooled epidemiological cohorts from the Million Person Study(2025) Eckerberg, DanielRadiation epidemiology has progressed from analyses of accidental and wartime exposures to today’s studies of low-dose exposures resulting primarily from occupational settings and medical interventions. In the age of low-dose, chronic radiation exposure studies, it is imperative that cohorts are large enough to detect radiation-related health outcomes with precision. Statistical software capabilities for studies of this type have recently been improved to support cohorts with over 50 million person-years of data. Prior to these advancements, follow-up records in large datasets had been grouped into uniform intervals, reducing the size to accommodate software limitations. For example, if grouping into two-record intervals, an individual’s history consisting of with 30 years of annual follow-up would be represented by 15 records. The resulting data are less granular and potentially misrepresent exposure and outcome measures. Enhanced software capabilities permit survival analysis regressions on unprecedentedly large datasets. Full-size and grouped datasets can now be rapidly processed and results can be compared in an effort to characterize grouping-related bias. Three of the largest Million Person Study cohorts are analyzed. Individual cohort, pooled, and meta-analysis risk estimates are presented for ungrouped and grouped data. Grouping is performed three different ways to identify where biases are most likely introduced. Additionally, grouping bias is assessed for simulated data where the expected risk estimate is known. By utilizing these various methods, generalizations can be made on the expected magnitude of grouping bias. Findings reveal observable bias associated with person-year grouping, dependent on grouping method and cohort characteristics. The impact of these findings is assessed and recommendations are made for ongoing radiation epidemiology studies.Item Embargo Scalable manufacturing of atomically thin two-dimensional materials for electrochemical detection of molecular phosphates(2025) Nagaraja, ThibaOver the past two decades two-dimensional (2D) atomically thin materials have sparked groundbreaking scientific discoveries and research advancements, paving the way for a wide range of potentially transformative applications addressing key societal needs. In parallel, the rapid evolution of electronics beyond traditional microelectronic chips and silicon-based platforms, particularly through the exploration of research-grade non-silicon materials, has been accelerated by the growth of Internet of Things (IoT), promising innovative avenues for technological solutions. This convergence of nanomaterials, their unique physics and chemistry, and their functionality beyond silicon chips have fueled extensive research and innovation in sensing technologies. Unlocking their full potential requires an interdisciplinary approach to gain knowledge on fundamental sensor materials, the development of their scalable manufacturing techniques, and the architecture of sensor devices and networks that enable data driven decision-making across diverse application domains such as agriculture, healthcare (biomedical), energy, and the automotive industry. In agriculture specifically, the urgent need to maintain healthy and economically viable crop productivity amid global issues such as climate change, population growth, and environmental pollution has intensified the demand for critical sensing technologies that support sustainable practices. One promising strategy to address these agricultural challenges is to deepen our understanding of the macronutrient sustainability within the broader framework of “soil health”. Among these macronutrients, phosphate plays a critical role in plant growth and reproduction. Maintaining phosphate at optimal levels is essential not only to ensure crop productivity but also to prevent water pollution caused by nutrient leaching when it is present in excess. The development of soil and/or water phosphate sensors based on 2D materials offers a compelling path forward. Due to their nanometer-scale thickness, 2D materials such as graphene (semi-metal) and Ti3C2Tx MXene (metal) exhibit unique electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and biochemical properties that are unattainable in their bulk counterparts. These exceptional characteristics have the potential to significantly improve the performance and sensitivity of phosphate sensors. Such sensors could also enable fundamental insights into 2D material-environmental fluid (nutrient in solution) interactions by detecting electronic signals originating from the nanoscale solid-liquid interface. While no such sensor currently exists, its invention, research and development, and eventual integration into an IoT platform would represent a game-changing technology that could strengthen precision agriculture by improving crop productivity and reducing environmental impact. However, despite extensive research on 2D materials, achieving scalable, high-quality manufacturing remains a significant challenge. This thesis addresses two challenges: (1) Manufacturing scalable 2D materials inks for printing, and (2) Development of printed electrochemical phosphate sensors for environmental sensing. The study uses graphene as a model system, demonstrating a scalable approach to produce high quality graphene with average graphene flake thickness below 10 atomic layers. The process involves an ultrasonic-based shockwave application as the primary energy source to exfoliate graphite into graphene with a solvent medium, followed by a series of processing steps to formulate graphene nano ink. The ink was subsequently used in additive manufacturing to fabricate 2D sensors/electrodes for electrochemical phosphate sensing using the modified molybdenum blue technique. Additionally, Ti3C2Tx MXene was investigated as another promising 2D material for phosphate sensing. Both these studies have provided a fundamental insight into 2D material/phosphate interactions for the first time. Other 2D materials such as MoS2 (semiconductor) have also been incorporated into graphene ink for the development of phosphate sensors, aiming to understand the synergistic effects of 2D materials while advancing solid state phosphate sensors. The results of this research lay the foundation for developing in-situ, continuous phosphate monitoring systems for agricultural and environmental applications, fostering sustainable practices.Item Open Access The role of calcidiol supplementation in optimizing vitamin D status, growth performance, and immune function in beef cattle(2025) Weigand, MacieA series of experiments were conducted to evaluate vitamin D status in beef cattle and the effects of supplemental calcidiol (HyD®; DSM Nutritional Products, Plainsboro, NJ) on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] concentrations on performance and health. In experiment 1, 96 high-risk, crossbred heifer calves (initial BW = 222 ± 17.0 kg) were sourced from auction markets around Dickson, TN, and transported 1,086 km to Manhattan, KS. Upon arrival, Calves were allocated randomly to one of four dietary treatments: neither supplemental vitamin D3 nor calcidiol (CON); 0.075 mg (3,000 IU) per head per day of vitamin D3 (D3); 0.5 mg calcidiol per head per day (HyD Low); or 1.0 mg calcidiol per head per day (HyD High). Cattle were fed once daily, and treatments were top-dressed onto feed. Blood samples were collected on days -1 (prior to transport), 0 (on arrival), and at days 14, 31, and 60 of dietary treatment period and analyzed for serum 25(OH)D3 concentration (TMAS, Belvidere, NJ). HyD High heifers had greater (P < 0.001) serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations compared to all other treatments at days 14, 31, and 60. HyD Low heifers had greater (P < 0.001) serum 25(OH)D3 than CON and D3 heifers at days 14, 31, and 60. In experiment 2, 603 crossbred steers and heifers were evaluated at four seasonal time points (spring, summer, fall, and winter) at a commercial feedlot in western Kansas to investigate vitamin D status. Cattle were housed in outdoor pens without shade and fed a common corn-based finishing diet supplemented with 275 IU per kg of vitamin D3. Cattle were stratified by lot number; odd lot numbers received 1.0 mg per head per day HyD® (HyD) while even lot numbers did not receive HyD® (CON). Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations in CON cattle were greatest in summer (108 ± 22.6 ng/mL), intermediate in spring and fall (61 ± 15.3 and 59 ± 24.5 ng/mL), and least in winter (35 ± 6.4 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Cattle supplemented with HyD maintained significantly greater (P < 0.01) serum 25(OH)D3 across all seasons compared with non-supplemented cattle: 196 ± 58.0, 258 ± 54.3, 183 ± 40.4, and 184 ± 30.7 ng/mL in spring, summer, fall, and winter, respectively. In addition, hide pigmentation influenced vitamin D status. Red-hided cattle had greater (P < 0.01) serum 25(OH)D3 than black and white-hided cattle. No effect of sex was observed (P = 0.40). In experiment 3, eight cannulated, crossbred heifers (initial BW = 289 ± 44.9 kg) were randomly assigned to receive a single pulse dose of calcidiol solution via ruminal fistula at 3 or 5 mg per 272 kg BW. The elimination half-life (t1/2) of calcidiol was 7.1 days. Calcidiol remained circulating in serum above baseline for an average of 32.6 days. Multiple predictive modeling simulations were analyzed. According to the model simulations performed for this experiment, the combination of two oral doses of 5 mg calcidiol 14 days apart with daily supplementation of 1 mg has the potential to sustain elevated serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations above 100 ng/mg during a 56 day period; however, this should be confirmed in vivo. In experiment 4, 480 market-sourced, high-risk, crossbred heifer calves (226 ± 16.9 kg), were used to evaluate the effects of calcidiol supplementation on health and growth performance. Heifers were blocked by truck load on arrival and assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments for 56 days: 0.075 mg (3,000 IU) vitamin D3 per head per day (D3), 0.5 mg calcidiol per head per day (HyD Low), 1.0 mg calcidiol per head per day (HyD High), or 1.0 mg calcidiol + 100 mg beta-carotene per head per day (HyD + BC). All treatments were top-dressed onto the daily ration. Individual BW was recorded on days 0, 14, 28, and 56. There were no significant differences (P = 0.36) in final BW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, or feed efficiency across treatments. Respiratory-related morbidity and mortality was not different between treatments (P = 0.16). Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) in HyD-supplemented groups compared to D3 on d 14, 28, and 56. Dietary treatment did not influence antibody titer levels or haptoglobin concentrations (P > 0.10). Antibody titers for bovine viral diarrhea type 1 and type 2 increased linearly (P < 0.01) over time, with the greatest levels on d 56. Titers for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis increased linearly (P < 0.01) until d 28. In summary, calcidiol supplementation increased and maintained serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations in beef cattle under various management and environmental conditions. Although growth performance and health outcomes in high-risk cattle were unaffected in the short term, the consistent elevation in serum 25(OH)D₃ concentrations suggests that calcidiol was absorbed and metabolically circulating potentially supporting vitamin D-dependent functions not directly measured in this study. It was observed that seasonal variation in vitamin D status existed, vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial during periods of limited sunlight exposure. Further research is warranted to determine the optimal serum 25(OH)D3 concentration for achieving optimal health and performance outcomes in beef cattle.Item Open Access Essays on Forecasting and International Trade in Grain Markets(2025) Ac Pangan, Walter OliverEssay 1 – Forecasting Long-term Grain Supply of Low- and Middle-Income Countries Forecasting models are powerful tools for predicting food supply trajectories, helping policymakers design strategies to improve food security. This study aims to enhance the accuracy of long-term grain supply forecasts by incorporating country-specific characteristics and evaluating alternative modeling techniques. Using a dataset spanning 1980 to 2021 for 78 countries, we evaluate various models to forecast aggregate grain production in each country. To assess model forecast accuracy, we employed a time-series cross-validation approach. Our analysis reveals that Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average models with exogenous variables, country-specific coefficients, linear trends, and weather variables significantly improve forecast accuracy. Our preferred model achieved a mean absolute error of approximately 10% of average production. While there is room for further improvement, our approach represents a substantial advancement over existing methods used by USDA reports. Essay 2 – In-Season US Corn Acreage Forecasting Using Machine Learning Estimates of US corn acreage planted estimation are released in two reports. First is the “Prospective Plantings Report,” released in March, and the “Acreage Report,” published in June. The acreage values from these two surveys are later incorporated into the WASDE monthly reports. Most of these reports rely on statistical survey methods to gather data directly from the farmers, with information released on established dates throughout the year. Our study aims to develop machine learning models to deliver accurate and timely updates for in-season corn acreage forecasts. Our methodology employs a dataset from 1995 to 2020 with 92 variables on markets, weather, and field conditions to assess if publicly available data up to May can provide additional information to predict acreage allocation. The results reveal that we improve the accuracy level to forecast acreage planted. The RF model yields a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 33,440 acres, which is lower than the 88,744-acre MAE generated from USDA’s Acreage Report estimates. Also, our findings demonstrate the significant predictive value added by incorporating the information of USDA’s Prospective Plantings Report estimates into models. This indicates modeling complexity alone cannot compensate for the unique insights embedded in farmer survey data. Our study offers a valuable tool to generate a forecast of acreage planted that complements the information provided by the WASDE reports. Essay 3- Effects of Non-Tariff Trade Barriers in Rice Markets: The Case of Rice Export Bans Imposed by India In 2024, as a consequence of export market restrictions imposed by major rice exporters, the FAO’s price index of rice reached its highest nominal level in 16 years. When international grain market prices surge, national governments frequently intervene to minimize the impact on their domestic food markets. India, the world’s major rice exporter, implemented an export ban on broken rice in 2022 and on non-basmati rice in 2023. This paper investigates the effects of the rice export bans imposed by India on the trade flows in the international market. We exploit the differences in export quantities and values on the two major types of rice . Our results indicate that the broken rice export ban had a larger impact on the international broken rice markets since India had a major market share of exports, and the increased exports from other countries were not statistically significant. Also, the results showed that the milled rice export ban had a smaller negative impact because the increase in exports from other countries was larger and statistically significant.Item Open Access Environmental and biological drivers of bacterial and antimicrobial resistance carriage by house flies (Musca domestica L.)(2025) Pickens, Victoria LynneHouse flies (Musca domestica L.) pose a significant risk to human and animal health worldwide due to their filth-associated lifecycle, mobility, and ubiquity in urban and rural environments. Frequent interactions with decaying microbe-rich organic matter used as developmental and nutritional resources for house flies results in the acquisition and movement of pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria between environments visited for these reproductive and trophic needs. Confined cattle operations serve as an optimal environment to study fly-mediated pathogen and AMR acquisition, transmission and persistence due to the high antibiotic use, abundant bacteria sources and large house fly populations at these facilities. The first objective of this study was to assess biological and environmental drivers of bacterial abundance, as well as trends of AMR for suspected coliform (SC) bacteria carried by adult house flies in both dairy and beef cattle production facilities in Kansas. Cultured aerobic bacteria and SC were enumerated from field collected male and female flies from beef and dairy cattle operations and a subset of SC isolates were tested for susceptibility against five antibiotics to identify multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. Female flies harbored more bacteria than male flies and abiotic factors such as ambient and soil temperatures correlated with both culturable bacteria and SC abundances in flies. The type of farm (beef or dairy) only correlated with SC abundance in flies. Antimicrobial resistant and MDR isolates were recovered from male and female flies from all beef and dairy operations, but SC isolates from beef flies had a notably wider range of AMR phenotypes than isolates from dairy flies. Escherichia/Shigella sp. was the most commonly identified taxa displaying AMR and MDR phenotypes. The second objective assessed biological and environmental drivers of Gram-negative bacteria abundance in house flies collected from beef cattle operations in Kansas and compared AMR Gram-negative bacteria isolated from house flies to isolates cultured from environmental substrates (manure compost, manure patties, feed, and water). Gram-negative bacteria were enumerated from cultures of male and female house fly, manure patty, feed, and water samples, followed by the selection and identification of AMR isolates after antibiotic susceptibility testing. Female flies carried greater bacterial loads than males, and bacterial abundance in flies varied between locations over time. Correlations between AMR phenotypes of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from flies and environmental samples were dependent on the location, with fly isolates typically reflecting AMR phenotypes observed in environmental isolates from the same location. Because AMR and MDR Escherichia coli were commonly observed in house flies and all environmental sample types in this study, the final objective further explored the relationship between AMR house fly and environmental isolates (manure, feed, etc.) through comparative genomics. Whole genome sequencing and predictive phylogenetic tree reconstruction of assembled isolate genomes indicated that AMR E. coli isolated from flies were closely related to isolates from manure patties, feed, and water from the same location. Furthermore, 90% of the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) identified across all environmental isolates were present in the genomes of fly isolates. Additionally, observed resistance genotypes and predicted ARG mobility overlapped between AMR E. coli from flies, manure patties, feed, and water. Overall, the findings of these studies not only emphasize the environmental and biological factors influencing the role of house flies carrying and potentially disseminating microbial threats to human and animal health, but also the potential of using adult house flies for surveillance of bacteria and AMR in cattle operations.Item Open Access Pharmacokinetics and target animal safety of meloxicam and persistence of xylazine and ketamine after rendering in cattle(2025) Fritz, ScottPharmacologic pain control in food animals undergoing normal management procedures is a recent focus in food production in the United States. Currently, there is only one analgesic drug that is FDA-approved for pain control; however, this drug is limited to control pain only associated with infectious pododermatitis in dairy cattle. Veterinarians can legally prescribe drugs to control pain in food animals for pain associated with other conditions or management procedures under the guidance of the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act provided the mandates of that act are met. The lack of FDA-approval for pain control labels on analgesic drugs in food animals can largely be attributed to the difficulty in assessing pain in these species which contributes to variable reports in efficacy studies. Another significant hurdle in achieving regulatory approval is investigations into the safety of these drugs. Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug often selected to control pain associated with painful management procedures in cattle. Adverse effects associated with oral meloxicam administration in other species include damage to the gastric mucosa, hypoxic kidney damage, and potential negative effects on the liver and bone marrow. Oral meloxicam dosed at 1 mg/kg bodyweight is approved to control pain in cattle in Canada. In this dissertation, the pharmacokinetics, milk concentrations, and safety of a single dose of meloxicam thirty times the magnitude of the Canadian product were evaluated in lactating dairy cattle. Drug concentrations were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. Pharmacokinetic parameters were modeled with non-compartmental methods using a commercially-available computational software. The potential adverse effects of this dose were monitored with ante-mortem testing using complete blood counts, serum chemistry analyses, urinalysis, and fecal evaluations. These animals were euthanized, and post-mortem evaluation included descriptions of gross lesions and histologic evaluation of potential target tissues. There was no impact on absorption of the large dose and maximum concentrations in serum and milk were approximately thirty and eighty times higher than those reported for 1 mg/kg oral doses with similar half-lives, respectively. There were no identifiable changes in blood parameters, urinalysis, or fecal evaluations from baseline. There were also no effects noted at necropsy and the study population tolerated the large dose well for ten days following administration. A target animal safety study was conducted in Holstein calves between 6 and 10 weeks of age. This study was modeled using FDA guidance documents on study design and outcome measures. The 1 mg/kg dose was used to calculate 3x and 5x doses and these were administered for three consecutive days. Serum drug concentrations were measured daily, and blood parameters were utilized for antemortem organ function monitoring. Calves were euthanized at multiple time points and gross and histologic lesions were described. There was a treatment-associated effect on gastric ulceration with the increasing doses which has not been previously described in cattle. Overall, the effects were clinically minor and unidentifiable via antemortem testing. This work may pave the way for evaluations of targeted analgesic regimens that may prove more effective for controlling pain. Xylazine and ketamine are two anesthetic drugs that may be used during the euthanasia process of food animals. Sodium pentobarbital was used previously but significant environmental concerns exist regarding its persistence following use. There have also been reports of pentobarbital contaminating pet foods as it survives the rendering process. Xylazine and ketamine were administered to cattle as part of the euthanasia process and samples of liver, kidney, fat, and muscle were collected. Concentrations of both drugs were determined in the raw tissues. The tissues were then exposed to a simulated rendering process using a commercial autoclave. Drug concentrations were determined in the rendered tissue and both drugs appear to persist through rendering. The concentrations detected after administration were relatively low and unlikely to pose a risk to pet foods. Future studies related to this work hinge upon the development of validated pain assessment techniques that regulatory bodies will recognize. Meloxicam is well-tolerated by cattle and studies evaluating the timing of different dose magnitudes could demonstrate increased effectiveness compared to the 1 mg/kg dose used in cattle in Canada. There are established limits of xylazine and ketamine in animal products meant for human consumption. Future work should focus on determining oral doses causing sedation and the associated concentration in pet food which may allow animals administered these drugs as part of the euthanasia process to be used for rendering capturing a valuable revenue stream for producers while minimizing the risk for adverse effects in animals consuming these products.Item Embargo A quantitative assessment of soybean yield and nitrogen economy(2025) Antunes de Almeida, Luiz FelipeImproving the nitrogen (N) economy in soybeans (Glycine max L.) production is essential for developing more efficient, profitable, and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems. While soybeans can meet much of their N demand through biological N₂ fixation, uncertainty remains around when and where fertilizer inputs are needed and how environmental conditions influence N uptake, seed yield, and quality. This dissertation combines field data, crop modeling, and machine learning to provide data-driven insights into soybean N dynamics across diverse U.S. environments. Chapter 1 provides a summary and presentation of the background and objectives of this dissertation. Chapter 2 uses a standardized protocol to evaluate soybean yield responses to N and sulfur (S) fertilization across 26 field trials located across the Midwest region of the United States (US). Results showed that N fertilization rarely increased yield and often introduced uncertainty. In contrast, S fertilization improved N uptake, yield, and N status in some environments. An apparent N dilution curve was developed to help identify in-season plant N limitations, improve nutrient diagnosis, and provide more precise recommendations. Chapter 3 explores the effect of weather and soil factors that influence seed yield, N₂ fixation, and their uncertainty using data from 35 sites. Precipitation, vapor pressure deficit, and soil texture emerged as key factors explaining variability in both yield and N₂ fixation. Small additions of S helped improve N uptake and yield stability in environments with limited organic matter or water availability. Chapter 4 focuses on characterizing seasonal patterns of N₂ fixation using plant samples collected at reproductive stages and analyzed through Bayesian modeling. Peak N₂ fixation typically occurred between full pod and seed fill stages but varied widely depending on water availability and atmospheric conditions. These results highlight the limitations of relying on single-timepoint measurements and the value of time-series data for modeling complex biological processes. Together, the findings of this dissertation support more targeted, data-informed recommendations for improving yield and N use efficiency while delivering practical tools to help farmers, advisors, and researchers advance soybean productivity and long-term sustainability.Item Embargo Improving fresh produce safety: Application of UV tunnel technology and visual educational tools(2025) Pokhrel, SagarFresh produce is an important component of the human diet, and about 50% of the total fresh produce consumed in the US is domestically produced. Immigrants and refugees form a large part of the workforce in this industry, accounting for nearly 70% of all workers. Despite this reliance, most non-English-speaking growers struggle to learn and follow produce safety practices. This issue is further complicated due to a lack of relevant training materials tailored to different cultures and languages. To address this gap, visual educational materials for non-English-speaking growers were developed and evaluated in this study. A needs assessment with Iowa and Kansas refugee growers was conducted and involved feedback from extension personnel and community organizations. This assessment identified four critical areas of food safety knowledge: (1) workers’ health and sickness symptoms, (2) visitor management on produce farms, (3) contamination on produce farms through animals, and (4) appropriate application of Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origins (BSAAOs). The ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) Design-Based Research framework was used to design four multilingual produce safety posters in Swahili, Burmese, Kirundi, and Nepali. The posters had animated, and culturally meaningful visuals based on the Produce Safety Rule. An evaluation was done with 26 growers using a pre-post-test design that relied on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). All TPB constructs significantly improved after the poster intervention, with the largest gains observed in Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) and intention, with statistically and practically significant improvements. The strong correlation between PBC, attitude, and intention demonstrated that posters had a strong positive effect on growers’ motivation to act, indicating that visual materials helped to improve produce safety awareness. In addition to the educational barriers, another critical issue in the fresh produce industry is the lack of an effective decontamination strategy for root vegetables, with reliance on traditional dip-washing using sanitizers. This results in a lack of effective decontamination due to organic load, surface texture, irregularities, and restrictions on using high concentrations of chemicals on fresh produce. These limitations can be overcome by the application of UV light or their combined application with effective chemical sanitizers. To address this gap, a study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a novel decontamination tunnel system to reduce Escherichia coli contamination on whole carrots. The experiment used four groups: control, UV-C, Peracetic Acid (PAA), and combined treatment of UV-C and PAA, and was repeated in three trials. The study revealed that the highest mean microbial reduction (2.83 ± 0.10 log CFU/g) was found with the combination of PAA and UV-C, and this was significantly greater than PAA (2.38 ± 0.06 log CFU/g) and UV-C alone (1.49 ± 0.16 log CFU/g) (p < 0.0001). Such a complementary effect of UV-C and PAA illustrates superior effectiveness for root vegetable decontamination. By empowering underserved groups with culturally sensitive educational resources and by advancing decontamination strategies through innovative postharvest interventions, the scientific findings reported in this thesis work have practical relevance in ensuring improved microbial safety of fresh produce in the U.S.Item Open Access Creative movement in 3rd grade general music classroom: Using a Dalcroze plastique anime to demonstrate ¾ meter(2025) Bachand, JodiThe topics demonstrated in this report are focused on student creative movement in triple meter using the Dalcroze approach. The Dalcroze approach utilizes students’ becoming a part of the music making while using their hearing and movement skills. These lessons incorporated Dalcroze-inspired approach using different movement warmups, experiencing meter in different ways, identifying different parts of music, and developing a plastique anime with a group of other students to demonstrate their response to music. I designed these lessons for my students based on new ideas I gained from study during my master’s program in the areas of Dalcroze in music symposium. I have noticed that as a teacher, my students experienced moving with a steady beat, but did not experience different types of meters or being able to hear or feel what meter they were moving in. By using the different techniques learned in the Dalcroze method, students were able to use new movement activities that previously have not been utilized, new listening skills to become part of music making, and use a different outlet for their creativity. Over the course of my Masters’ degree, I have expanded my knowledge and understanding of a different methodology and listening in my World Music class as well as moving and listening techniques in the Dalcroze course helped me create lessons based on listening and moving. Being certified in the Orff-Schulwerk methodology has been extremely beneficial to my teaching, but I am always striving to become a more skilled teacher to give more experience to my students. When creating this creative movement unit, I wanted to use the new Dalcroze techniques I learned in symposium.Item Open Access Bridging Agricultural Gaps Through Experience: Evaluating Conservation Attitudes Among Youth and Hydroponics Learning Outcomes Among Interns(2025) Carpenter III, CharlesMany urban and minority youth have little exposure to sustainable crop production and therefore have a minor understanding of the importance and various practices used in conserving natural resources. To combat this knowledge discrepancy, the Student and Staff Success Office (SSSO) at Kansas State University has hosted Junior MANRRS groups since 2021 to expose youth to different facets of agriculture and provide hands-on/experiential learning opportunities. During the summer of 2024, the KSU Switzer-Nicodemus educational camp was hosted in partnership with Willow Lake Student Farm, engaging 25 minority youth (ages 7–17). Activities introduced participants to soil and water conservation practices to improve awareness, understanding, and attitudes toward natural resource conservation within crop production. Participants completed pre- and post-assessments, including Likert-scale and open-ended questions, as well as a nine-question multiple choice worksheet to evaluate learning outcomes. Results indicated that campers demonstrated improved agricultural knowledge and increased awareness of sustainability following lectures and hands-on experiences, with urban youth showing the greatest gains. This thesis also investigates the impact of hydroponics instruction on undergraduate students participating in a Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU)-sponsored internship program. With growing global food demands and limited arable land, hydroponic systems represent an innovative solution to sustainable crop production. However, barriers such as technical complexity and limited educational exposure hinder adoption. This study explores how structured learning—including a lecture and hands-on hydroponic workshop—affects students’ agricultural knowledge, perceptions, and confidence. Pre-, post-, and follow-up surveys showed statistically significant gains, particularly among students who received hands-on instruction. The findings support experiential learning as a critical tool in building understanding and confidence in both youth and undergraduate populations, while highlighting the importance of integrating experiential approaches into agricultural education to address knowledge gaps and prepare future leaders in sustainable agriculture.Item Open Access Optimization of nutrient solution management for leafy greens production in recirculating hydroponic systems under controlled environments(2025) Subedi, PujaNutrient solution (NS) and electrical conductivity (EC) management of soilless cropping systems is crucial to optimize the yield and quality of hydroponic crops. The first objective of this thesis was to complete a comprehensive review of current nutrient management strategies in recirculating hydroponic systems, including hydroponic systems design, nutrient formulations, and nutrient management strategies. The review identified critical gaps in knowledge relating to how NS volume in recirculating hydroponic systems impacts nutrient management, along with gaps in knowledge to optimize EC for less-studied leafy greens, such as kale (Brassica oleracea ‘Winterbor F1’) and Malabar spinach (Basella alba ‘Rubra’), which may have different nutrient requirements compared to lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Salanova Red Butter’) and basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Large leaf’), which are most frequently studied. Secondly, two greenhouse experiments were conducted to study the effect of NS volume low (75 L; 2 L per plant) or high (150 L; 4 L per plant) on growth, yield, tissue nutrient concentration; and postharvest quality parameters, including vitamin C, anthocyanins, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity of four leafy greens species: butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Salanova Red Butter’), arugula (Eruca sativa ‘Standard’), kale (Brassica oleracea ‘Red Russian’), and the emerging crop Malabar spinach (Basella alba ‘Rubra’). Results showed that using a low NS volume resulted in higher nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency and lower N retention in the nutrient film technique (NFT) system in both seasons’ trials. NS volume had no impact on growth and yield parameters, but it influenced nutrient composition and quality attributes of leafy greens. Tissue N and potassium (K) in summer and phosphorus (P) and K in fall increased with high volume. Low NS volume reduced nitrate levels in shoots of arugula, lettuce, and Malabar spinach during both seasons, suggesting that lower volume may help minimize excessive nitrate levels in plant shoots, while kale consistently surpassed recommended safe nitrate levels regardless of treatment. NS volume influenced key postharvest attributes of color, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity. Third, in experiments with indoor growth tents, effects of NS EC levels (standard:1.8 and elevated: 3.6 mS.cm-1) on growth, yield, shoot nutrient concentrations, and postharvest nutritional quality of four leafy green species (basil, kale, lettuce and Malabar spinach) were studied. Plant height and SPAD values were higher with elevated EC across species, with SPAD particularly increased in Malabar spinach. Shoot fresh weight was increased by elevated EC across all species. Shoot and root dry weights were increased by elevated EC, particularly in kale. Tissue analyses revealed high potassium (K) concentration at elevated EC. Standard EC reduced nitrate levels in basil, lettuce, and Malabar spinach within safe range limits, while kale surpassed recommended safe nitrate levels regardless of treatment. Standard EC levels could be a potential strategy to produce K-limited leafy greens to support a low K diet for kidney-diseased patients. Postharvest quality, including color, texture, and nutritional quality, vitamin C, anthocyanin, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity, was not affected by EC levels. Based on our results, standard EC is optimal for basil and lettuce, while elevated EC may benefit kale and Malabar spinach. For Malabar spinach, high wire production systems should be explored to support its vining growth habit and extend harvest duration to increase yield. This thesis advances the understanding of species-specific responses to nutrient solution volume and EC in recirculating hydroponic systems, providing evidence-based recommendations to improve nutrient use efficiency, crop nutritional quality, and sustainability in controlled environment agriculture.Item Open Access A food science and foodservice interdisciplinary framework for the development of sorghum and wheat products(2025) Cairns, AidanInterdisciplinary Course Framework A framework for two undergraduate food product development courses involving interdisciplinary work between food science and foodservice (university dining center) was implemented. Former students were surveyed to determine framework impact. Students agreed that the framework gave them experience with larger-scale food production equipment, and taught about foodservice perspectives (feasibility requirements, how dining centers operate) and the scale-up process. Students also developed research/laboratory skills, soft skills, and food production knowledge. In return, new recipes were developed for the dining center. This framework could be implemented at other universities to develop interdisciplinary relationships between dining centers and food science programs. Development and Scale-Up of Gluten-Free Sorghum-Based Bakery Goods for Kansas State Dining Services To create new product opportunities for sorghum in the state of Kansas, the FarmUs project had three primary pillars: Innovate, Scale, and Connect. The project aims to close the gap between industry and consumers by peaking interest in sorghum, its nutritional and sustainable benefits, and consumption of sorghum-based products. The primary focus of this study was to develop and scale-up three gluten-free sorghum-based products for Kansas State Dining Services. The secondary objective was to evaluate the sensory and physical properties of these products to provide developmental and research experience for students. Preliminary testing involved identifying optimum ratios of sorghum flour, xanthan gum, starch, and eggs for proper binding. Whipped egg whites were tested at different levels for product volume and texture. Repetition and reformulation of the products provided various renditions of each product. Quantity equipment needs; staffing feasibility, ingredient availability, and cost were determined. Dining staff evaluated each product and once recipes were finalized, parameters (color, specific gravity, internal temperature, moisture loss, height/width, water activity) were evaluated. Dining center customers provided acceptability feedback for the three gluten-free products using the 9 point Hedonic scale. The first product, a savory waffle, can be stacked with turkey sausage and cheddar cheese for a breakfast sandwich. It utilizes sorghum flour, egg whites, xanthan gum, starch, and flaxseed for structure. This product received a range of 7.03–7.63 (n = 43) for all sensory attributes (acceptability, flavor, mouthfeel, texture, and aftertaste). The lemon blueberry muffin contains sorghum flour, eggs, buttermilk, xanthan gum, potato starch, and egg whites. Sensory data (n = 49) measured at acceptability (7.4), flavor (7.6), mouthfeel (6.4), texture (6.6), and aftertaste (7.6). The third product, a sweet potato muffin top, contains sorghum flour, xanthan gum, eggs, egg whites, and sweet potatoes. All three recipes were formatted via Computrition Menu Management system to provide methodology, nutritional analysis, costing, and labeling for university dining use. These recipes, along with sorghum-based educational materials, were shared with higher learning facilities across Kansas. The Impact of Rum on Physicochemical Properties of Sorghum and Wheat Pound Cakes Sorghum, a sustainable flour for gluten-free baked-products, typically results in products with decreased volume, less flexible crumb, and gritty mouthfeel. Ethanol can affect starch properties by increasing gelatinization, swelling, and surface wrinkling, but these effects have not been tested in a cake system. One previous study evaluated rum in wheat cakes and observed increased elasticity and volume. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of rum on sorghum and wheat-based pound cakes. A 2x2 factorial design (n=3) was used to compare pound-cake formulations: sorghum with rum (SR), sorghum without rum (SN), wheat with rum (WR), and wheat without rum (WN). White pearled sorghum flour or soft wheat flour was used with rum (7.58%), xanthan gum (0.25%) and potato starch (4.9%) by weight. Water was used instead of rum in the control formulations (SN and WN). Specific gravity (SG) of the batters was determined immediately after mixing. Cakes were baked in pup-loaf pans and cooled for 1h prior to testing. Finished products were evaluated for weight, volume (using laser topography), internal structure (using the C-Cell imaging system), and texture (hardness and cohesiveness, using a texture analyzer fitted with a 2.5cm probe). Data was analyzed using SAS Proc Mixed and Tukey’s test (p<0.05). Sorghum-based batters had lower SG than their wheat counterparts, indicating higher air entrapment during mixing. Rum significantly decreased the SG for both grains. Final volume for wheat-based cakes was higher than sorghum, indicating better air retention, despite formulation with xanthan gum and potato starch for structure-creation. In contrast with SG data, rum significantly decreased cake volume. It also increased top concavity for SR and WR, indicating structural collapse. Regarding internal structure, rum led to an increased number of air cells in SR, and decreased cell wall thickness for both SR and WR. SR had lower hardness compared with WR, while WR presented increased cohesiveness. No differences for bake loss (5.9-6.6%) were noted. Aeration, collapse, and gluten structures play important roles in cake quality. Sorghum and rum contributed to more batter aeration; however, cakes containing sorghum and/or rum had lower volumes. The increased top concavity suggests delay or inadequate structure setting. With the current trend for alcohol-flavored baked goods, understanding the ingredient functionality of alcohol in baked goods can improve future products. This work indicates product structure is of primary concern in both wheat and gluten-free flours.Item Open Access Mental Health and Quality of Life Among Veterans: The Role of Prayer/Mediation and Faith in God/Higher Power(2025) Switzer, JenniferThe aim of this study is to better understand the role of spirituality in reducing the adverse effects of mental health conditions on Veterans’ quality of life. The study explored which aspects of spirituality – rituals or faith in God/Higher Power – were associated with mental health conditions and if spirituality mediated the relationship between mental health conditions and Veterans’ quality of life. Participants included 1048 military Veterans in the U.S. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the proposed mediation model. The results indicated that depression and anxiety were correlated with less engagement in prayer/meditation and greater faith in God/Higher Power. Trauma was correlated with more engagement in prayer/meditation and greater faith in God/Higher Power. Suicidal risk was correlated with greater faith in God/Higher Power. Results of indirect effects suggested that prayer/meditation had the potential to reduce the adverse effects of trauma but not depression or anxiety on quality of life. No indirect effects were found for faith in God/Higher Power. The results have implications for clinical practice and future research.
