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THE PREVALENCE OF COXIELLA BURNETII IN BEEF AND DAIRY CATTLE COTYLEDONS
Get PDFTo assess the potential public health risk of the zoonosis Coxiella burnetii in cattle (coxiellosis in cattle and Q fever in humans) we assessed the overall prevalence in beef and dairy cattle.
We extracted DNA and performed real-time PCR on 286 cotyledons from both beef (n= 150) and dairy (n= 136) cattle from individual live operations and a single beef processing plant. These locations included Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Arizona, and Nebraska. Prevalence of C. burnetii detected was 5.6%. Chi-square analysis indicated that prevalence did not differ (p=0.75) between beef and dairy cattle. Likewise concentration of bacterial cells per gram of cotyledonary tissue was similar (p=0.36) for beef and dairy cattle.
Of the 16 positive samples, 13 were obtained from a beef processing plant. This indicates a great necessity to wear personal protective equipment in processing plants to prevent the indirect, direct, or airborne transmission of infectious particles to humans while working with livestock animals. Furthermore, any person working with livestock animals on a day to day basis should wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent the transmission of C. burnetii
Reconstruction of the Soul
Get PDFMy work transforms negative emotions, thoughts, and experiences into positive results through the act of painting and weaving. This process of overcoming the internal battle of negative emotions through painting and weaving is inherently dualistic, often combining contrasting elements, processes, and concepts. By taking my emotions and turning them into gestural abstract paintings, my active style of painting becomes a physical representation of the chaos behind my emotions and the struggle to make sense of them. I then take these source paintings and shred them by hand into strips of varying lengths and widths, illustrating the break down of my emotions. I then weave together the strips into a woven object. The woven object illustrates the transformation of overwhelming emotions into an order and unified work. Even if it is diverse in its makeup coming from the previous abstraction, it still embodies strength, stability, and control. The dualistic process of deconstruction and reconstruction paintings into
woven objects represent the process of rebuilding one’s self and taking back control
Mexico as a Crossroads: Mexican Artistic Influence on Elizabeth Catlett and her Contemporaries
Get PDFThere are many lenses through which to explore the identities of Elizabeth Catlett;
she was an African American, a citizen of both the United States and Mexico, the wife of
a Mexican, the mother of three mixed-race sons, an artist, an educator, an activist. This
thesis uses Catlett’s story—especially her writings, speeches, and artworks—to explore
her place in a larger dialogue about race, identity, and aesthetics in both the U.S. and
Mexico. Catlett’s transnational status and her hybrid, fluid identities challenge us to rethink the norms and narratives of gender, geography, and nationality of artistic modernism. Her life and art demonstrate how important the geography and culture of Mexico
has been for American modernism both in and outside of the U.S. Indeed, I argue that
Mexico is a key crossroads of art in the twentieth century, with Catlett as a case study, but
one that situates her within the many contexts that she navigates—from race and the Civil
Rights Movement, to Cold War politics, censorship and exile, to the gendered expectations of being a woman artist at the time. Her art was challenging and poignant in its day,
but also remains sharp and relevant today with our continued racial and political strife
unfolding on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border
Cybersecurity: Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Detect SQL Injection Attacks
Get PDFExpected findings: A software module that predicts and prevents cyber attacks.Cybersecurity is a prevailing issue across the nation. In the twenty-first century, almost everyone around the globe is using at least one of the internet websites that contain his/her private information. Since privacy concerns us, this research effort focuses on one of the most recent cyber-attacks which is the SQL injection (SQLi) attacks. As a result of SQL injection attack on websites, data could be destroyed, stolen, or manipulated. SQL injection attacks are done by injecting despicable SQL statements through the entry field of the website or the application; thus, manipulating the database. SQL injection attacks had proven their danger on several website types such as social media, e-shopping, etc... In order to prevent such attacks from occurring, this research effort investigates on efficient ways of detection and prevention, so we can preserve each cyber-user’s right to privacy. This research effort is aimed at investigating and looking at different ways to protect websites from SQL injection attacks. In this research effort, machine learning algorithms were used to detect such SQLi attacks. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are algorithms that can learn from the data provided and infer interesting results from the dataset. We have used SQL code as our data and ML algorithms to detect malicious code. The machine learning model developed in this research can detect such attacks from happening in the future. The precision and accuracy of the machine learning algorithms in terms of predicting the SQLi attacks have been calculated and reported in this research paper
Live and carcass production traits for progeny of an F1 USDA Prime - Yield Grade 1 carcass clone sire in comparison with progeny of popular reference sires
No full textThe cloning of beef carcasses that grade USDA Prime – Yield Grade 1 (P1) has produced a sire that ranked well against high performing bulls from multiple breeds. An F1 (P1 x P1) sire would ideally outperform its high performing parents. A terminal sire study was conducted comparing progeny of an F1 (P1 x P1) sire (AxG1) against progeny (heifers and steers) of four high performing sires of varying breeds {P1 (Alpha); Angus; Simmental; Angus x Simmental}. Production traits included morbidity and mortality frequencies, weaning weight, feedlot arrival weight, and days on feed; carcass traits included frequency of abscessed liver and lung health, quality and yield grade (YG) parameters, total carcass value, and carcass value per cwt. A completely randomized experimental design was used; data was analyzed using a mixed model with a fixed effect of sire and random effects of harvest date, sex, and pen. AxG1 sired heifers had the highest (P < 0.01) marbling score, the highest (P < 0.01) carcass value per cwt, and numerically had the lowest calculated yield grade and highest frequency of YG one carcasses. Steers sired by AxG1 had the least (P = 0.05) backfat thickness, lowest (P < 0.01) calculated yield grade, highest (P < 0.01) marbling score, highest (P < 0.01) frequency of USDA Prime carcasses, the highest (P < 0.03) total carcass value, and highest (P < 0.01) carcass value per cwt respectfully. Collectively, AxG1 steers and heifers exhibited the least 12th rib fat thickness and lowest USDA YG in addition to the largest longissimus muscle area, highest marbling score, and greatest frequency of
USDA Prime. These data suggest that AxG1 outperformed other high performing industry reference terminal sires in carcass quality and yield grade outcomes
ENERGY FROM COMBINED WASTE STREAMS IN A BEEF PRODUCTION AGROECOSYSTEM
Get PDFWastewater from hydraulic fracturing (HF) and manure from beef cattle production are two of the largest waste streams in the Texas Panhandle. The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate the potential of generating bio-methane (CH4), a renewable natural gas, from the combination of HF wastewater and beef manure through anaerobic digestion (AD), 2) simulate the annual amount of energy that can be produced from these two waste streams, and 3) evaluate the environmental impacts and sustainability of biogas through an emergy analysis. The research included a laboratory study and the development of two dynamic systems models. Substrate combinations of manure mixed with produced and flowback water (PFW) were evaluated at four moisture contents (MC; 65, 70, 80, and 90%). Substrate combinations mixed with well water (WW), and a 50/50 mixture of WW and PFW were evaluated at MC of 80 and 90%. Manure was harvested from the WTAMU Research Feedlot. The PFW was collected from a HF operation in the Texas Panhandle. Regression analyses were used to predict bio-methane production based on MC for each water type. The regression model statement for WW was y ̂ = -2,176 + 59.3 x, which indicated that CH4 volume (ml) increased with increasing MC. Conversely, CH4 volume decreased with increasing MC for the 50/50 mixture (y ̂ = 2.94x109e-0.199x) and PFW (y ̂ = 343,662e-0.118x).
Regression model statements from the biogas data were used in the energy estimation model, which simulated feedyard manure production and the amount of diesel and electricity generated from AD. The optimum MC for PFW was 70%, with simulated results of 59,800 L of fuel and 139,200 kWh of electricity. These results were for raw methane and did not account for cleaning/upgrading gains or losses of CH4. The results from the biogas experiment and the feedlot energy model provided inputs for the emergy model. The emergy model was used with traditional emergy analysis methods to determine the relative sustainability and environmental impact of the transformation of energy from dry-lot beef cattle manure and PFW at the WTAMU Nance Ranch. Three options were evaluated: no AD, AD with WW, and AD with PFW. Several emergy indices were used to compare the three options. The percent renewable index simulated by the model was 0.49 for no AD, 0.50 for AD with PFW, and 0.33 for AD with WW. The environmental sustainability index was 7.25 for no AD, 31.62, for AD with PFW, and 6.14 for AD with WW. These results suggested that AD with PFW was the best long-term option from a sustainability perspective
Evaluation of dietary additives to improve feedlot cattle health and performance
Get PDFThe study objective was to determine the effects of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and/or chromium propionate supplementation on health, performance, serum chemistry and complete blood count variables, and fecal Salmonella spp. count in high-risk beef cattle during a 56-day feedlot receiving period and the subsequent finishing period. Four truckload blocks of crossbred beef bulls (n = 300) and steers (n=84; BW = 220 ± 16.2 kg) were sourced from regional auction markets and assigned randomly to treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. The generalized complete block design consisted of 3 pen replications per treatment within block, totaling 12 pen replications per treatment (24 pen replications per main effect) with pen as the experimental unit. Treatments were: 1) placebo control (CON); 2) 13 g/animal/d of Bacillus subtilis PB6 (CST); 3) 450 ppb DM chromium propionate (CHR); and 4) 13 g/animal/d of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and 450 ppb DM chromium propionate (CST + CHR). Treatments were top dressed in feed bunks daily using 0.45 kg/animal/d ground corn carrier immediately following feed delivery. Cattle fed CON received an equivalent amount of ground corn only. Feedlot personnel were blinded to experimental treatments by assignment of color codes to treatment pens and ear tags. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture on days 0, 14, 28, and 56 for analysis of serum chemistry and complete blood count (CBC) variables from a pen subset (n = 2/pen). Additional blood samples were collected for CBC analysis every subsequent 28 d following the end of the receiving period (d 56). Data were analyzed using mixed models. Repeated measures analysis was used for blood variables and salmonella counts. During the receiving period, DMI was increased (P ≤ 0.03) for CST during each interim period and overall receiving period DMI was 0.35 kg/animal/d greater for CST (P = 0.01). The CST supplemented cattle had greater (P ≤ 0.06) BW on days 14, 28, and 56. Likewise, ADG was improved for CST from day 0 to 14 (P = 0.04) and for the overall receiving period (day 0 to 56; P = 0.04). During the finishing period, CHR lowered (P = 0.02) final BW and ADG during the finishing period (day 56 to final; P = 0.01) and the entire feeding period (day 0 to final; P = 0.03). In addition, CHR fed cattle had lower (P = 0.02) DMI from d 224 to final. Main effects of both CST (P = 0.02) and CHR (P = 0.03) were observed to lower the overall percentage of calves treated for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Morbidity was 28.0 and 39.9% for cattle with and without CST supplementation, respectively. Similarly, BRD morbidity was 28.6 and 39.3% for cattle with and without CHR supplementation, respectively. Cattle fed CHR had greater total leukocyte count (P = 0.04) and neutrophil count (P = 0.02) during the receiving period. In addition, cattle fed CHR had greater serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration (P = 0.04) and less (P = 0.02) serum calcium. Day affected (P ≤ 0.03) all serum chemistry variables evaluated except total CO2 (P = 0.34). During the finishing period, percent monocyte concentration was greatest in CST, with CON and CHR being intermediate and CST + CHR being the least (CST × CHR P = 0.03). Day affects during the finishing period were observed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, platelet count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and percent, monocyte count and percent, and neutrophil:lymphocyte (P ≤ 0.04). Hot carcass weight decreased (P = 0.01) in cattle fed CHR. An interaction of CST × CHR existed such that percentage of YG1 (P < 0.01) carcasses was greater in cattle fed CST and CHR, with CST + CHR being intermediate and CON being the least. Further, a CST × CHR interaction was observed among percent YG2 (P = 0.03) carcasses where numerically, CON and CST + CHR had a greater percentage. Interaction of CST × CHR (P = 0.05) was observed to increase percentage of YG 4 or 5 carcasses among CST and CHR, with CON being intermediate and CST + CHR being the least. Percentage of edible livers tended to increase (CST × CHR; P = 0.08) numerically in the CST treatment. Cattle fed CST had lower (P = 0.07) overall fecal Salmonella spp. count as well as during week 4 (P = 0.01). Feed intake and performance outcomes during the receiving period were improved by CST, but not CHR supplementation. However, both CST and CHR supplementation decreased BRD morbidity rate. During the finishing period, performance and HCW was reduced in cattle supplemented with CHR
Doping dependence and high-pressure studies on EuxCa1-xFe2As2 (0 < x < 1)
Get PDFWe have investigated the electrical transport and magnetic properties of EuxCa1-xFe2As2 (ECFA) (0 < x < 1) at ambient and high pressures. Temperature dependence of resistance shows a distinct anomaly at TSDW ~ 165 - 190 K due to the spin density wave (SDW) transition. Initially, TSDW increases rapidly with x up to 0.45, and then more slowly at higher x until it saturates at TSDW = 191 K for x = 1. Also, there exists another transition at low temperature, TN ~ 10 - 20 K, due to the antiferromagnetic ordering of Eu2+ spins. Magnetization does not show clear evidence of TSDW while exhibiting a sharp anomaly at TN. The TN values in both the resistance and magnetization measurements are comparable to one another and vary linearly with x. At ambient pressure, none of the ECFA samples show properties of superconductivity down to 1.8 K. With the application of external pressure, the SDW order is gradually suppressed and superconductivity with a critical temperature as high as, Tc ~ 19 K is induced in the ECFA samples (x = 0.14, 0.32, and 0.45). We have studied the pressure dependence of Tc and TSDW, and we present the pressure-temperature phase diagram
The Mystery of Memory
Get PDFMy body of work comments on the fluidity of memories, and uses water as a metaphor to depict time’s distortion of memories. As we age, we begin to lose the ability to recall certain memories- memories that at one time were very important to us. Memories can also sift and change over time, making it hard to find the “truth” in what we remember. My paintings and drawings are a balance between representation and abstraction, reflecting both on things that actually happened in my own past, and on the difficulty I have in remembering these things exactly, given the mental struggles I have undergone the past two and a half years.. Drawing on the works of such artists as Bill Jacobson, Vija Celmins, and Marilyn Minter, I have found successful ways to combine these different approaches into harmonious compositions, through layering, the delineation of details, and the addition of enhanced levels of saturation. These techniques have resulted in bright, mysterious, and even surrealistic paintings. Surrealism means “beyond reality” and my paintings are just this: both real and more than simply “real.” My subject matter is based on photographs as a means to capture and represent past memories, but of course an imperfect one. Each source photo consists of family members or friends because it is the people, not the place, that are most important to me. I then use water to distort the photos to suggest how memories would look if we could see into our brains- faces become distorted, individuals appear and disappear, and colors become
more and less vivid as the memory is accessed then forgotten, or they even lose their intensity altogether, depicting the drastic effects time has on our memories
A Great Time to Be a Nerd: A Phenomenological Study of Pop Culture Enthusiasts and Fandom
No full textThis thesis explores the significance of pop culture and fandom in the lives of local pop culture enthusiasts. Existing fandom studies focus on sports, religion, or politics whereas most media-based pop culture research involves niche fandoms. This study is important because it broadens the scope of the latter, aids to the dissolvement of associated stereotypes, and contributes to a third-wave movement of pop culture fandom research. Eight individuals were selected to participate in this study using purposive sampling. In-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted. By employing Colaizzi’s seven-step method of phenomenological data analysis, subthemes were identified and then categorized in terms of similarity. From there, three dominate themes emerged: nostalgia, connection to media, and social belonging/self-identity. These three themes allow for better understanding as to why pop culture is integral to an individual’s life