K-State Electronic Theses, Dissertations, and Reports: 2004 -
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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 Identifying pedagogical and performance benefits of playing the euphonium and singing.(2024) Shaw, Jr, Edward JamesThis Master’s report focuses on a comparison of the physical and pedagogical benefits and challenges of comparing vocal pedagogy with euphonium pedagogy. The report will describe how this approach can be useful to an instrumental teacher and how they can implement the benefits in their own teaching. There are many ways that we can learn from a comparison of vocal and brass pedagogy. This report was written to answer the question, “Why is it important to use vocal pedagogy to strengthen our playing capabilities on wind instruments, specifically euphonium.” Using information already presented from some of the great pedagogical minds in both singing and wind playing, this report will begin by accounting for available resources to learn about these two pedagogical methods congruently. This chapter will include a review of important published books and articles relating to vocal and brass pedagogies. Next, this report will present applications and challenges I have personally learned and encountered from taking performance lessons in both singing and euphonium. Finally, the report will address how, as a teacher, one can implement vocal pedagogy elements into brass pedagogy and how in doing so, help students produce better tone, articulation, sound, and musicality.Item Open Access Evaluation of extruded and germinated sorghum as a potential ingredient in dog and cat diets(2024) Bailey, KatelynSorghum has many unique features that can be utilized in the pet food industry. However, its growth is hindered by outdated livestock literature and negative connotations. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate various sorghum accessions and preparations as an ingredient in extruded and raw pet foods for utilization by dogs and cats. The first study determined the processability of different sorghum pericarp varieties (white sorghum A, white sorghum B, burgundy sorghum, and sumac sorghum) compared to four small grains (rice, barley, oats, and millet). All four sorghum varieties produced well-expanded kibbles providing evidence for a good substitution for other small grains. Digestibility and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) of the sorghum containing diets were evaluated with 12 adult beagles in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment. Dietary treatments comprised 50% of white sorghum A or B, burgundy sorghum, or rice (as the control). No differences were observed in crude protein and fat apparent total tract digestibility (P>0.05). Furthermore, ORAC values were similar among all treatments (P=0.4928). Dogs fed the rice diet had higher plasma cholesterol levels compared to dogs fed the three sorghum treatments (P=0.0007); otherwise, diet had little influence on humoral constituents. This suggests that sorghum may be a good substitute for rice in canine diets. Consumers are demanding “natural” and less processed – even raw diets for their pets. Raw diets consist of raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables. However, they cannot undergo any heating to be considered “raw.” Because carbohydrates typically require cooking, they are not commonly included in raw diets. Germination may solve this problem as it mobilizes the nutrients within the plant. To evaluate this, five common cereal grains (corn, millet, sorghum, soy, and wheat) were selected for evaluation. Seeds were germinated to initial sprout eruption and also allowed to grow into microgreens and then compared to the raw seeds. In general, a decrease in ash, fat (except for soy), resistant starch (except for soy), phytic acid (exception for corn and soy) and increases in in vitro protein digestibility (exception for wheat) were observed in the germinated seeds compared to their raw seeds. From this, sorghum was selected to evaluate further for seed growth, diet processing, and animal utilization. Sprouts and microgreens were grown in a commercial microgreen tower (Throckmorton Hall, Kansas State University). Growth optimization was undertaken to determine the best substrate and seed density. Once a protocol was developed sprouts and microgreens were grown for food production. Raw diets containing 30% seeds were produced in the laboratory and then diets were pasteurized at high pressure (HPP) and verified for microbial safety at a commercial laboratory. Eleven shorthair cats were enrolled in a replicated incomplete 4 × 4 Latin square designed feeding study that consisted of 5 d adaptation followed by 5 d collection in each of the 4 periods. Treatments included raw sorghum, cooked sorghum, sprouts, and microgreens. Cats fed the sprouted and microgreen-based diets had similar dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy apparent total tract digestibility to the raw sorghum, and all were lower digestibility compared to the cats fed the cooked sorghum diet (P < 0.05). Among treatments, no differences were observed in protein digestibility (P> 0.05). However, fecal scores were the major difference in this study as cats fed the raw and sprouted diets had more diarrhea and loose stools compared to cats fed the microgreen and cooked diets. Further evaluation is needed on sorghum microgreens as an ingredient in raw diets. Overall, sorghum is a good substitute for other common grains as it can process well in an extruded diet, provides high levels of polyphenols, and provides potential for new products in raw diets.Item Open Access Sensory evaluation in the healthcare industry: a literature review(2024) Trejo, CelinaSensory evaluation includes a wide variety of methods, and each method can range from a few to a large number. These methods can be used in the food and beverage industry, personal care, healthcare, and many other products. The objective is to review studies based on health and wellness of patients, products, and concepts, incorporating product efficacy to acceptability of sensory properties. The methods discussed in this review are discrimination (triangle test and paired-comparison test), descriptive analysis (consensus descriptive analysis and quantitative descriptive analysis), quantitative research (central location tests and home use tests), qualitative research (focus groups and one-on-one interviews) and emotion research (EsSense Profile®, MemVOC and emoSemio).Item Open Access The perceived barriers among Prescribed Burn Association members to burning on Kansas Grasslands and Conservation Reserve Program Lands(2024) Cheney, WyattPrescribed burning, the intentional application of fire to the landscape is used for meeting land management goals like grassland rejuvenation and nuisance species removal. While this practice is beneficial, studies in Oklahoma and Texas reveal barriers to using prescribed fire among individual land managers. Prescribed burn associations (PBAs) are collectives of landowners pooling knowledge and resources together, promoting safe burn practices and reducing many of the the barriers individual land managers otherwise face. This research examines the barriers to prescribed burning in Kansas and examines how PBA membership perceive barriers to prescribed burning on grasslands, including those enrolled in conservation lands. It advances knowledge on the diversity existing between PBAs in different Kansas ecoregions and communities. This study takes a mixed-methods approach that deploys a Qualtrics survey on Kansas PBA members as well as semi-structured key informant interviews with Kansas PBA leaders. My research also analyzes secondary survey data from landowners across the Southern Great Plains and compares their perceptions of burning on CRP to those held by Kansas PBA members. Overall, this research reveals similarities and differences in the perceptions of barriers faced by PBAs in prescribed burning and identifies drought, social perceptions, and liability as inhibitors of PBA prescribed fire application. Designing policy to better support burning in dry conditions and PBA activity and promoting gross negligence liability may help address these barriers to PBAs and increase the use of prescribed fire across Kansas.Item Open Access An examination of police academy cultural competence education and training on new police officer performance(2024) Lingle, Neil DuaneCommunity colleges educate and train significant numbers of U.S. police officers; however, an erosion of public trust and confidence in the police has overcome communities nationwide (Fagan, 2008; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2015). High-profile law enforcement-related deaths of unarmed Black citizens have further heightened calls for police education reform nationwide. Community colleges are uniquely positioned to bring about social change, particularly in police reform and race relations (Dennis, 2020). Many states mandate diversity, implicit bias, or cultural competence curricula for police academy students; thus, new officer cultural competence education and training begins in the police academy and establishes community expectations for law enforcement behavior and performance (Oakley, 2020). Effective cultural competence education and training of new peace officers could contribute to facilitating trust, legitimacy, and just policing demanded by communities nationally. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined the cultural competencies of new police officers who completed a police academy but had less than 3 years of police experience at the time of data collection. The study explored two different geographic regions of the United States, demonstrating socioeconomic and cultural differences. The findings of this study can inform community college and professional policing personnel and contribute to the social transformation of law enforcement.Item Open Access Embeddings in high dimension(2024) Gauniyal, NeetiThe spaces of smooth high dimensional spherical and long embeddings attracted a lot of attention starting mid-20th century. In 1966, Andre Haefliger proved that the group of isotopy classes of spherical (framed) embeddings of Sn in Sn+q for q ≥ 3 can be described by means of homotopy groups of spheres and orthogonal groups. We show in the second chapter of this dissertation that Haefliger’s result can be adapted and extended to spherical and long embeddings modulo immersions of codimension at least three. The spaces of such embeddings have been actively studied in the last 20 years. Moreover, we prove that a partial result is true for concordance classes of spherical and long embeddings modulo immersions of codimension two. Our motivation for third and fourth chapters is to utilize the combinatorial techniques developed in 1990’s and further on for classical knots and links in R3, to gain a geometric intuition about high dimensional knots and links. In particular, we are interested in generalizing the work of Polyak and Viro in the classical knot theory, where they provided explicit formulas for finite type knot invariants in terms of Gauss diagrams. We obtained Polyak-Viro type formulas for 2- and 3-component spherical and long links of dimension (2ℓ − 1) in R3ℓ, ℓ ≥ 2, as discussed in chapter three. Although, the generalization to knots (one-component links) in these (co)dimensions turns out to be a more difficult problem, we give a conjectural formula for an invariant distinguishing such knots in the final fourth chapter.Item Open Access INVESTIGATION OF LASER-DRIVEN IONIZATION AND DISSOCIATION USING SPIN-ROTATIONAL DYNAMICS(2024) Wangjam, Tomthin NganbaOne of the most important goals of doing research in ultrafast molecular dynamics is to make molecular movies and the reason to make molecular movies is to understand the molecular dynamics which occurs during a chemical reaction. Given the fast timescales of molecular motion, typically ranging from a few nanoseconds to attoseconds and the motion can be only be resolved using ultrafast lasers. In this thesis we will study dynamics in diatomic molecules using the pump-probe technique. We will use an intense pump laser to coherently excite rotational wave-packets in either the ground state of the neutral molecule or low-lying states of the molecular cation and probe the dynamics induced by the pump pulse using photoionization and photodissociation process. Following the previous work done by Makhija et al.1 and Lam et al.2 on strong-field ionization after impulsive molecular alignment using a time-domain approach called Orientation Resolution through Rotational Coherence Spectroscopy (ORRCS) we will explore the strong-field ionization process from triplet ground state molecular oxygen3. In this thesis, we will expand the work done previously into spin-coupled rotational wave-packets. When spin is coupled to the rotation, the wave packet is no longer purely rotational, and the delay-dependent ionization yield becomes non-periodic. We report the first measurement of such non-periodic dynamics in oxygen. With long delay-dependent data we obtain a high-resolution frequency spectrum after doing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). With the high resolution frequency spectrum we are able to identify rotational Raman lines from the triplet ground state of molecular oxygen. We have used both time and frequency-domain analysis to gain insights into the role played by spin during strong-field ionization. In the second part of the work we have used time, frequency, and Kinetic energy release spectroscopy with data acquired using the Velocity Map Imaging (VMI) spectrometer touncover the intricate chemical pathways involved in photo-dissociation following a strongfield ionization of oxygen (O2), nitrogen (N2), and deuterium (D2) molecules. With the calculated rotational frequencies and KER from the low-lying potential curves of O+ 2 , N+ 2 , and D+ 2 cations, we are able to uniquely identify the intermediate electronic states involved. In the O+2 , we have shown the role of the resonant coupling in the 800 nm pump pulses as proposed by Xue et al.4 with b4Σ− g state rotational coherences dominating the FFT spectrum. We also found a vibrational Cooper minimum5 in the O+ 2 between the intermediate a-state and the dissociative f-state. In both O+2 and N+ 2 , we have found the strong effect of the few photon resonance-enhanced dissociation with a 264 nm probe. We anticipate that this technique will have broad applicability to ultrafast-laser driven processes in molecules, offering distinct insights into molecular physics and chemistry.Item Open Access How Websites have impacted the sports journalism industry(2024) Meyer, AdamThe concept of a sports journalist starting an independent website, gaining an audience and establishing a brand with the website, and attracting a larger media company to purchase the business, has become a common practice. There have been instances where a website has sold at a low price, and there have been instances where the publisher of the website made a lot of money from the sale. This report will explain how this idea of independent sports websites came about, and why they are sold to a media business to further the gains of the website. This report will discuss the overall transition from the focus of the printed newspaper to online. This topic is important because it offers clear guidance and understanding of how the sports journalism business, and the journalism industry, has transitioned from the printed newspaper to the web. This is important because journalism is how news is disseminated to the general public and how viewers see advertisements. This report will examine examples of independent sports journalism websites founded by individuals, then discuss how they came to be purchased by businesses as well as the purchase benefits to both parties.Item Embargo Immune cell response to external and internal signals: Regulation of breast tumor infiltrating leukocytes by cell surface ADAM proteases and neutrophil precursor cells by the mitochondrial CLPB(2024) Wang, GuanpengThe immune system constitutes a dynamic network involving lymphoid organs, cells, humoral factors, and cytokines. Its crucial role becomes most evident when dysregulation occurs - insufficient activity of the immune system leads to severe infections and immunodeficiency- related tumors, and excessive activity of the immune system contributes to allergic and autoimmune diseases. There are two distinct categories of immune responses. Innate responses involve the use of phagocytic cells like neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages, while acquired responses encompass the proliferation of antigen-specific B and T cells. Innate responses remain constant regardless of the number of encounters with the infectious agent, while acquired responses enhance upon repeated exposure to a specific infection. The goal of my research was to explore the regulation of the immune system in two diseases, cancer and neutropenia. Several studies have now shown a correlation between the immune infiltrate in various human cancers, patient prognosis, and therapeutic responses. It has been shown that the anomalous infiltration of immune cells into tumors or normal tissues might facilitate tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. The clinical success of cancer immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has further redirected the focus onto tumor infiltrating immune cells. In my research, I investigated the composition of immunosuppressive cell populations, like TIMs (Tumor-Infiltrating Macrophages) and TINs (Tumor-Infiltrating Neutrophils), or PMN-MDSCs (Polymorphonuclear Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells), as well as adaptive immune cell populations like T cells, B cells, in the tumor microenvironment using a mouse model of claudin- low breast cancer. I showed that ADAM12 and ADAM9, which belong to the cell surface family of ADAM metalloproteases, affect the composition of tumor infiltrating immune cells. I found that the deletion of ADAM12 in tumor cells results in reduced numbers of TINs/PMN-MDSCs and an increase in the numbers of tumor-infiltrating B cells and T cells. Importantly, the lack of ADAM12 in breast cancer cells enhances tumor sensitivity to the ICB therapy, but the initial response eventually leads to acquired therapy resistance. However, the deficiency of ADAM9 in cancer cells leads to an increase in both TINs/PMN-MDSCs and B cells, and this alteration does not enhance the efficiency of ICB therapy. Neutropenias constitute a diverse group of hematological disorders marked by the impaired maturation of neutrophilic granulocytes. The human mitochondrial CLPB protein is a widely expressed homolog of caseinolytic peptidase B, belonging to the ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA+) family. Previous studies indicated that the presence of biallelic mutations in the CLPB gene is linked to a syndrome encompassing 3-methylglutaconic aciduria with cataracts, neurologic disease, and variable neutropenia. In contrast, a different group of monoallelic CLPB mutations is the cause of severe congenital neutropenia (SCN). In my study, I explored the role of CLPB in neutrophil differentiation and assessed its impact on mitochondrial function. I found a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in cells with CLPB knockout. Additionally, we noted a reduction in cell viability during differentiation of neutrophil precursors with CLPB knockout. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the complex roles of immune cells in the disease.Item Open Access Bounding the largest inhomogeneous Diophantine approximation constantPaudel, BishnuFor an irrational real α and real γ ∉ αZ + Z, one defines the two-sided inhomogeneous approximation constant M(α,γ):= liminf_{|n|→∞} |n| ||nα-γ||, and the worst-case of inhomogeneous approximation ρ(α):=sup_{ γ ∉ αZ + Z} M(α,γ). By a well-known theorem of Minkowski, we have ρ(α) ≤ 1/4. This dissertation focuses on bounding ρ(α) in terms of R:=liminf_{i→∞} aᵢ, where aᵢ are the partial quotients in the negative (i.e. the `round-up') continued fraction expansion α. We prove that if R is odd, then the upper bound 1/4 can be replaced by 1/4(1-1/R)(1-1/R²), which is optimal. The optimal upper bound for even R≥ 4 was already known. We also obtain bounds of the form ρ(α)≥ C(R) for any R≥ 3 which are best possible when R is even (and asymptotically precise when R is odd). In particular, ρ(α) ≥ 1/(6√3+8)=1/18.3923..., when R=3, 1/(4√3+2)=1/8.9282…, when R≥4.Item Open Access Effects of oxidative stress, exercise training, and aging in an animal model of autism spectrum disorder.Rogers, LizaBackground: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has increased 175% since 2000 with 1% of the world’s population identified with ASD. Today, ASD affects 1 in 36 children and is characterized by delayed language, motor, and cognitive skills. ASD is characterized by two pillars of pathology: oxidative stress and inflammation. These have been identified as closely related to ASD and many intervention strategies in the literature target these parameters. Purpose: this project will evaluate brain and skeletal muscle oxidative stress via antioxidant expression in a rat model of ASD and the impact of exercise and aging. Methods: Sixteen Long-Evans pregnant rat dams were injected with a single dose of either saline (n=5) or VPA (Sodium Valproate (sigma), 250mg/ml, mixed in saline, 600 mg/kg, n=11). This prenatal exposure to VPA is known to increase the risk of ASD development in offspring. Rats were provided with free access to food and pair-housed with a light cycle of 7 am-7 pm. Rats were enrolled in experiment 1 (exercise study) or experiment 2 (aged ASD study). Experiment 1 animals began a 4-week exercise protocol on the treadmill (Harvard Apparatus, Holliston, MA) on post-natal day 40. Rats ran 5 days a week for 10 minutes at 4.98 m/min, 10 minutes at 7.98 m/min, and 10 minutes at 15.96 m/min for a total of 30 minutes at 0 inclination. Motor coordination was measured with a rotarod both pre and post-intervention. The rod maintained a constant 5rpm speed and the trial ended after 180 seconds. Latency time was recorded for each trial. The littermates of the animals enrolled in the exercise protocol were placed in experiment 2, and aged between 6-18 months to understand the effect of aging on autism. Before the end of life, aged animals performed the Novel Object Recognition task (NOR). Following behavioral testing for both experimental groups, brain and skeletal muscle tissues were collected. Skeletal muscle (soleus, red gastrocnemius) and brain tissue (hippocampi) were homogenized, and western blots were conducted to quantify antioxidant expression. Results: Reduced motor coordination was identified in the experiment 1 VPA groups which was improved with exercise. To confirm an exercise effect, citrate synthase expression was quantified in the soleus muscles. Treadmill-trained animals resulted in higher citrate synthase (CS) activity compared to sedentary animals (p=0.04). Antioxidants superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and catalase were measured in skeletal muscles (experiments 1 & 2), and hippocampi (experiment 2), resulting in declines to antioxidant expression in experiment 1 animals (p<0.05), and declines in aged male antioxidant expression (p<0.05). Conclusion: The protective effect of exercise against ASD pathology is important to understand both in its use as a therapy but also as a tool to highlight the protective pathways.Item Open Access Envisioning Kansas State University as an accredited arboretum with a climate-ready tree collectionOrnelas, DanielClimate change poses a significant threat to the survival and prosperity of trees in Kansas and beyond (Esperon-Rodriguez et al. 2021, Matthews et al. 2018, Mao 2021). As the climate becomes increasingly unpredictable and extreme, numerous tree species will find it challenging to adapt and manage the emerging threats and changing conditions. Anticipated rapid changes in conditions include; drought, shifting hardiness zones, heat zones, increased growing degree days, severe storms, and the emergence of new pests and diseases (Esperon-Rodriguez et al. 2021, Matthews et al. 2018, Primack and Miller-Rushing 2009, Rakow and Lee 2011). Given Kansas's changing climatic conditions and uncertainty about the long-term survival of its existing, regionally adapted trees, there is a pressing need to develop and study an expanded palette of suitable tree species. This project aims to create recommendations for the establishment of an accredited arboretum with a dedicated climate-ready tree collection at Kansas State University (KSU) to disseminate groundbreaking knowledge about trees tailored to Kansas's anticipated end-of-century climatic projections. This study included precedent studies of notable University arboreta were conducted to understand their arboretum components. A survey of subject matter experts from the Kansas Forest Service to understand the current and future challenges, public concerns, and research needs regarding trees in Kansas. A site inventory was performed to understand factors within each of the five K-State campus landscape typologies investigated that could inform the future species selection and placement of new trees within each typology. A climate evaluation examined recent and projected variables related to tree growth and survival across the United States to understand the implications for Kansas by the end of the century and to identify regions that recently exhibit the climatic projections for Kansas. By identifying regions with recent similar climatic conditions, informed decisions were made regarding selecting tree species suited for Kansas’ future. These findings offer insight into what efforts are needed to establish an accredited arboretum with a climate-ready tree collection at Kansas State University. This work provides recommendations that would reinforce KSU's commitment to its land-grant mission by serving as a platform for propagating novel tree information and exemplifying its dedication to education and outreach.Item Embargo Structures and dynamics of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle over the central and eastern North American continent, constrained by numerical modeling based on tomography models.Onyebum, TochukwuDespite being located within a continental plate, the central and eastern United States (CEUS) has been associated active seismicity, often concentrated along seismic zones such as the New Madrid, the East Tennessee, or the South Carolina Seismic Zones. The influence of mantle convection on the CEUS seismicity is still debated. In this study, we investigate the relationship between mantle dynamics and intraplate seismicity. We do this by modeling mantle convection and the induced tectonic regimes and maximal shear stresses, SHmax, from seismic tomography models. Such an approach has already been used by a few authors, but the results seem to be very sensitive to the parameters of the model, particularly the input tomography models, that depict different structures of the mantle and the lithosphere. In this study, we investigate the sensitivity of the model parameters in reproducing the observed seismicity pattern. The uniqueness of our approach is that we use several global (SEMUCB-WM1, TX2019slab, 3D2018_08Sv, and SL2013Sv) and regional (DNA13, CSEM North America, and CURSA2021) tomography models. Using recent conversion laws, R/v, we convert the seismic velocity anomalies provided by tomography models into density anomalies. The density anomalies are then used to compute the instantaneous mantle flow, by considering several rheologies. The modeled convection velocities are used to compute the stress tensor and assess the tectonic regimes and the maximal shear stress, SHmax. Our findings reveal that all the model parameters (i.e., the input tomography models, the conversion factor Rrho/v, and viscosity laws) significantly influence the modeled tectonic regimes and SHmax directions, emphasizing the complexity of the problem. However, the SEMUCB-WM1 and TX2019slab global tomography models, provide a better fit to several observed patterns, such as the compression in the northeastern United States, the extension in the Rio Grande Rift and Basin & Range, and the compression reported in most of the seismic zones. The strike-slip deformation evidenced by earthquake focal mechanism in the central US and extension in the region bound by longitudes 257 and 266 degrees remain unexplained by mantle dynamics alone, warranting further investigation regarding alternative causative factors such as Glacial Isostatic Adjustment and Gravitational Potential Energy. Furthermore, our results show that the regional tomography models generally fail to capture observed tectonic regimes in CEUS, suggesting that the seismicity is created by a larger scale mantle flow than the one occurring beneath CEUS.Item Open Access Transit-Oriented Denver: The impact of transit-oriented development on socioeconomics in Denver County, ColoradoRehm, BenjaminThe aim of my research is to explore if the reconstruction of Denver Union Station had an impact on the socioeconomics in Denver County, Colorado. Additionally, this research seeks to identify what characteristics of gentrification and sustainability are implemented when a new transit infrastructure is introduced to a community. This study specifically adds to the literature in socioeconomics, how to use statistical tools to determine if households have been impacted, and how the community changes. In this report, I examine how the redevelopment of Denver Union Station impacted socioeconomical factors in Denver County, Colorado. To provide a holistic perspective to this exploration, I used a case study and semi-structured interviews with representatives from Denver, Colorado. This site was specifically chosen for its explicit adaptation of Transit-Oriented Development.Item Open Access Functionality and characterization of intermediate wheatgrass in spontaneous fermentation and end product qualityIorga, BriannaIntermediate wheatgrass (IWG) is a perennial wheat and found to have better environmental effects compared to annual plants. Soil nutrition is increased, the plant is drought and disease tolerant, and there is a decrease in labor input. There are also nutritional benefits found in IWG, such as a higher protein, fiber, and mineral content than that of wheat. IWG yield and kernel size is smaller, when compared to wheat though. But the biggest drawback is the decreased amount of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS). Throughout various research IWG has been tested in bread products and due to lack in HMW-GS has a poor performance. The Land Institute has been spearheading breeding efforts however and has made improvements to the mixing quality. This study evaluated the breeding efforts and measured the performance of four IWG cultivars in bread making, where one cultivar was specifically bred for mixing quality (MQ). Mixograph parameters and baking trial results were found to be significantly different for MQ. The breeding efforts were found to be successful as dough quality, mixing tolerance, bread volume, and number of cells all increased. The high protein, ash, and starch content indicated IWG would be a suitable candidate in sourdough fermentation. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of IWG in a spontaneous fermentation process, compared to a whole wheat (WW) flour. Three fermentation trials were conducted to determine processing, acidification kinetics, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and metabolite evolution. IWG was found to have a slightly higher Vmax than WW but achieved higher final TTA. The fermentation quotient (FQ) and lactic acid production were also found to be higher for IWG, in agreement with high LAB enumeration. The sourdough was also utilized in a wheat-based bread trial and were analyzed for specific volume, firmness, acidity, and a first day to visual mold analysis. The IWG bread was found to be more acidic but had no negative effects to the product quality including volume and post-bake firmness. The spontaneously fermented sourdoughs were also evaluated in a sensory analysis. IWG sourdough or whole wheat sourdough was added to a wheat-based formulation and evaluated with a degree of difference (DOD) test and Just About Right scale (JAR) (N= 50 responses in 2 sessions). This was to determine how similar or different IWG was from WW and determine how the breads do or do not meet consumer expectations. Four attributes (appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture) and overall questions were analyzed for both DOD and JAR. An action criteria of 2 was chosen for the DOD, signifying that below 2 there was low risk consumers would notice a difference. IWG had a DOD average of 2.4. However, panelists also found differences in a WW blind control (1.8). This is an indication that panelists were looking for a difference, thus actual difference can be assumed to be smaller. Both IWG and WW had an average JAR score above 3 (“meets expectations”), indicating that despite the differences noticed IWG still met consumer’s expectations. With formula optimization the samples could align more, allowing for the potential use of IWG in a sourdough process and wheat-based bread.Item Open Access We work better together: using an ensemble of natural language processing and forced choice to measure conscientiousnessHeron, XavierThe primary aim of this thesis was to implement a research design which collected forced choice data and text data simultaneously, then examine the psychometric properties of an ensemble model generated from both the forced choice data the text data. Forced choice (FC) and language models offer psychometric advantages, as well as advantages in selection settings when compared to Likert scales – the traditional method of measuring personality traits (Ozer & Benet-Martinez, 2006). The present research provides psychometric evidence of the validity of a multi-method ensemble approach to measuring conscientiousness. Over 45 trials, participants selected one of two statements in a FC block and then provided a short text explanation of their choice. The FC data was scored using the Generalized Thurstonian Unfolding Model (Zhang et al., 2023). The text data was embedded using pre-trained BERT-base-uncased (Devlin et al., 2018) and trained to predict conscientiousness scores generated from the Chernyshenko Conscientiousness Scale (CCS; Chernyshenko, 2002) using ridge regression. FC scores and Natural Language Processing (NLP) scores were ensembled using linear regression to predict scores generated from the CCS. Construct validity was evaluated using a Multi-Trait Multi-Method table comparing the CCS scores, the NLP-derived scores, the forced choice scores, and the ensemble model scores. Incremental validity of the ensemble model above and beyond the other models was evaluated through two hierarchical regressions predicting GPA and subjective well-being. The ensemble model yielded good criterion-related validity and convergent validity, acceptable discriminant validity, but poor reliability – likely due to unstable forced choice estimates. The ensemble model did not demonstrate incremental validity above and beyond the other estimates.Item Open Access Phenotypic plasticity and ecological memory in Andropogon gerardii: responses to simulated grazing pressureMohammadi, ShahlaThis thesis explores the effects of ecological memory on plants responses to subsequent stressors, specifically focusing on the physiological and biochemical responses of Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) to grazing pressures. By examining the concept of ecological memory, this research highlights how past environmental stressors, such as grazing, influence future plant responses. Utilizing a multifaceted approach that spans predictive modeling, physiological assessments, and biochemical analyses, this study rigorously tests the hypothesis that the legacy effects of grazing, embodied in ecological memory, profoundly impact A. gerardii's physiological fabric and biochemical mechanisms. Structured into three chapters, the thesis first explores the biochemical and physiological foundations of stress responses, investigating the role of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in mediating A. gerardii's response to simulated grazing stress (Chapter 2). It then examines how these biochemical responses underpin post-defoliation growth and biomass allocation, revealing the echoes of ecological memory in plant growth patterns and resource allocation strategies (Chapter 3). Our findings reveal that ecological memory influences A. gerardii's response to simulated grazing, manifesting in nuanced physiological adaptations. Despite initial hypotheses, the interaction between plant memory and clipping treatments showed a complex effect on chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rates, with plants exhibiting a history of grazing demonstrating enhanced photosynthetic performance post-defoliation. Interestingly, the study underscores the significant role of flavonoids in mediating physiological responses to stress, independent of ecological memory. These secondary metabolites were pivotal in optimizing photosynthetic efficiency and gas exchange, contributing to the plant's defensive responses and recovery post-clipping. Furthermore, the research delves into biomass allocation strategies in response to defoliation, revealing that early-season biomass removal does not significantly affect end-of-season growth traits across plants with and without grazing memory. However, a notable finding was the consistent influence of relative growth rates (RGR) during early and late growth stages on end-of-season biomass, underscoring the inherent growth dynamics as a critical determinant of plant vigor. Contrary to the anticipated benefits of grazing memory on growth enhancement, the study suggests that A. gerardii's immediate physiological responses to defoliation play a more pivotal role than previously hypothesized. While grazing memory appears to confer some degree of adaptive advantage, it does not significantly modulate the correlation between RGR and end-of-season biomass attributes, indicating that innate growth responses are paramount. In conclusion, this thesis illuminates the complexity of ecological memory and its impact on the physiological and growth responses of A. gerardii to grazing. The findings highlight the crucial role of secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids, in mediating plant responses to stress and suggest that managing the timing and intensity of defoliation may be more effective than leveraging ecological memory in grassland management practices.Item Open Access Optimization of residual herbicide applicationsMeyeres, TylerOptimization of residual herbicide applications is critical to control of herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) and waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus [Moq.] Sauer). In this dissertation, one greenhouse study and three field studies were established to optimize residual herbicide applications. The objective of greenhouse trial was to evaluate the response of multiple-resistant Palmer amaranth to combinations of PS II- and HPPD-inhibitor herbicides. The first field experiment was established to quantify the effect of application timing and spray volume on residual herbicide efficacy in corn. The second field experiment was established to compare Palmer amaranth control with residual herbicides applied preemergence (PRE) or postemergence (POST) in Enlist (2,4-D-resistant) and XtendFlex (dicamba-resistant) cotton systems in Kansas. The final field trial was established to compare the impact of environmental conditions on the efficacy of VLCFA-inhibiting herbicides when applied at various times throughout the growing season. In the greenhouse trial, PRE applications of metribuzin alone, metribuzin combinations, and atrazine + mesotrione resulted in 61 to 87 % control of a Palmer amaranth population resistant to TIR1-, EPSPS-, HPPD-, ALS-, PS II-, and PPO-inhibiting herbicides. POST treatments of atrazine alone and combinations with metribuzin resulted in 40 to 60% control of the same Palmer amaranth population. These results indicate herbicide combinations can be useful to manage multiple-resistant Palmer amaranth, even if resistance to those herbicides has been confirmed. In the corn trial, Resicore (clopyralid + acetochlor + mesotroine) and TriVolt (isoxaflutole + thiencarbazone-methyl + flufenacet) were applied at 56, 122, and 187 L ha-1 in PRE-only or PRE followed by (fb) POST systems in 2021 (Colby and Ottawa, KS) and 2022 (Manhattan, Ottawa, and Scandia, KS). Palmer amaranth control was 94% or greater in Colby throughout the growing season. Resicore provided greater Amaranthus control than TriVolt in no-till systems. Amaranthus control was greater in PRE fb POST systems as compared to PRE-only systems. Spray volume did not effect weed control apart from waterhemp control in Ottawa 2021, where Resicore applied at 56 L ha-1 provided less control than TriVolt applied at 56 L ha-1 and Resicore applied at 187 L ha-1. Data suggests that improper herbicide selection may be of greater consequence than spray volume for residual weed control. Applications in the cotton trial included PRE fb early POST (EPOST) fb late POST (LPOST) in 2021 and PRE fb EPOST in 2022. In 2021, pendimethalin was applied as a blanket PRE. The EPOST application in 2021 included acetochlor, dimethenamid-P, or S-metolachlor + 2,4-D or dicamba or the trait premix, which was glyphosate + 2,4-D or dicamba + S-metolachlor, applied alone. In 2021, the LPOST included glyphosate + 2,4-D or dicamba. In 2021, the LPOST included glyphosate + trait herbicide. In 2022, PRE herbicides were fluometuron or fluometuron + acetochlor, dimethenamid-P, S-metolachlor, or pendimethalin fb EPOST including glyphosate + trait herbicide or in combination with residual herbicides. In 2021, there were no differences in end of season Palmer amaranth control (48 to 71%) observed among residual herbicides as long as more than one herbicide application was utilized. In 2022, Enlist systems provided less control than XtendFlex systems. The greatest control was observed when two applications of residual herbicides were utilized as compared to no over lapping residual apart from two applications of pendimethalin. Results indicate cotton herbicide trait system influences Palmer amaranth control; but, residual herbicide selection, multiple applications, and layered residual herbicides may be of greater importance. To fulfill the objective of the final field trial, a bare-ground field experiment was established in Manhattan, KS in 2021 and 2022 where acetochlor, dimethenamid-P, pyroxasulfone, and S-metolachlor were applied at various dates throughout the growing season to capture variations in rainfall and temperature. The effects of rainfall and accumulated soil growing degree days (SGDD) on the probability of successful weed control were tested by subjecting binary responses (greater or less than 80%) of each herbicide to logistic regression. Excessive rainfall and/or elevated temperatures decreased the probability of successful control of Palmer amaranth with acetochlor, dimethenamid-P, pyroxasulfone, and S-metolachlor, but pyroxasulfone and S-metolachlor may have an advantage at high temperatures and high rainfall. In a scenario, where the rainfall forecast is predicting little rainfall within 3 WAT, pyroxasulfone and S-metolachlor may not be the most effective options. However, acetochlor may be the best fit for hot and dry conditions, as less accumulated rainfall was required to achieve high probability of successful weed control. Dimethenamid-P had a disadvantage in hot and dry conditions but was more likely to have >80% control in cool and wet conditions, indicating dimethenamid-P may be a better fit at plating or prior to planting of corn and soybeans when conditions are cooler.Item Open Access Three essays on the effects of oil prices on imports and exports to ChinaLiu, JiazhenThis dissertation consists of three essays: In the first study, I investigate the macroeconomic response of Asian crude oil importers to oil supply news shocks based on OPEC public announcements using a Structural VAR framework. I look into the macro aspects of the seven largest crude oil importers in Asia through exchange rate channels. My empirical results on the economic aspects indicate that Asian oil importers’ economies receive effect from oil supply news shocks, especially aggregated exports and aggregated imports. My analysis suggests that the effective exchange rate can be an additional channel through which oil news shocks affect the Asian economies indirectly. In terms of the second study, I investigate the export prices for primary agricultural commodities in responses to oil supply news shocks based on the OPEC public announcements. The research is carried out using a Structural VAR instrumented variable framework. I look into the primary agricultural commodities sold from ASEAN members to China, including rubber, palm oil and rice. My empirical results indicate that export prices for primary agricultural commodities in ASEAN receive in but short-run effects from oil supply news shocks. My findings also suggest that the shipping costs between ASEAN and China may be a key channel for the information transmitted from the oil supply news shocks to the ASEAN agricultural commodities prices. The third essay looks into the Chinese non-ferrous metal imports in response to the oil supply news shocks based on the OPEC public announcements as well as the Chinese trade policy uncertainty. The research on oil supply news is carried out using a Structural VAR instrumented variable framework while the trade policy uncertainty is investigated with TVPVAR model. In this paper, I look into the primary non-ferrous metals imported by China, including copper, nickel, aluminum, lead, zinc and tin. My empirical results indicate that the values and spot prices of Chinese non-ferrous metal imports receive little effects from the oil supply news shocks due to contract settlement method. My findings also suggest that an increasing of the Chinese trade policy uncertainty leads to diverse responses of the non-ferrous metal import values but negative responses for the non-ferrous metal import prices.Item Open Access Bridging the Gap Between Intention and Execution: Effective Tree Planting Practices in Manhattan, KansasSaunders, GabrielleTrees provide ecological, social, health, and economic benefits in urban and suburban environments. These include stormwater management, improved perception of safety, shade, and carbon sequestration. The realization of these benefits is contingent on trees growing to their full maturity and the overall wellness of trees. Tree planting ordinances in urban design often call for a certain number of trees for each new development, but design practices and the maintenance needed to keep trees alive often fall short. Young, vulnerable trees planted in harsh environments may only survive a few years past planting, while large, established trees are removed from sites to make way for future development. As trees die due to their surrounding conditions, projected benefits—why they were required and planted—are foregone completely and cities fall short in reaching climate action goals and creating healthy living environments. Insufficient attention is being paid to the implementation and maintenance strategies needed to keep the trees alive and thriving — past the establishment period — in order to actualize their benefits. This study aims to identify those strategies, and how to implement them effectively as high-density residential zoning districts densify from single-family homes to multi-family complexes. Several methods were used to answer the following question: As two sites in Manhattan, Kansas are densified, how can street trees be implemented and maintained to maximize their longevity and receive the full benefits they can provide, based on their contextual and biophysical conditions? Three precedent study reviews are followed by an analysis of residential blocks that have experienced densification and significant tree loss in the last 10 years. Projective designs show how innovative planting strategies can be applied to two sites. Planting design guidelines for future development, including site design essentials, tree planting drawings, and required implementation and maintenance strategies, will help ensure tree health past the establishment period. Design guidelines applied to two sites in Manhattan, Kansas (which have yet to be densified, but have a potential to be based on their zoning classification and contextual patterns of the neighborhoods they belong to) will help the City of Manhattan and Kansas Foresters as they review development proposals. This study builds upon past research and practices to identify when specific planting design, implementation, and maintenance strategies must be applied, and provides a framework that can be used in Manhattan, Kansas and other densifying urban landscapes.
