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Gastrointestinal health of feedlot cattle and its relation to liver abscesses
No full textLiver abscesses are a persistent problem in the fed cattle industry, costing both cattle feeders and beef processors millions of dollars annually. At the core of liver abscess pathogenesis is gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction that allows bacteria to translocate from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver. However, the causes of barrier function disruption and what characterizes a “healthy” gastrointestinal tract are poorly defined. Antimicrobial supplementation can reduce the prevalence of liver abscesses, but growing scrutiny around antimicrobial use means alternatives are needed. Addressing the true cause of liver abscess formation is crucial but first, a baseline of gastrointestinal health needs to be established. Therefore, 4 research trials were conducted to approach liver abscesses from a systems perspective. In Chapter 2, three durations of tylosin phosphate supplementation were explored to determine the effect of early withdrawal of antimicrobial intervention on liver abscess outcomes. Data generated from the randomized controlled trial were then added to a Bayesian network meta-analysis to provide the most up-to-date estimates of tylosin phosphate efficacy. Ultimately, Chapter 2 suggests that tylosin phosphate is an effective tool for controlling liver abscesses, but early withdrawal of the product is not non-inferior to continuous use. In Chapter 3, gastrointestinal mucosal microbiota were characterized in 10 different locations to explore the biogeography of the gastrointestinal tract. Results from Chapter 3 indicate that gastrointestinal microflora are unique populations in cranial vs dorsal ends of the gastrointestinal tract. However, there is still a similarity in the community structure of each organ system to directly adjacent systems. Chapter 4 attempts to establish a baseline of gastrointestinal characteristics for feedlot cattle in the Texas Panhandle and strengthens the claim that each organ system contains a unique microbial community structure. Using an array of laboratory techniques, Chapter 4 begins to explore the host gene and protein response through the evaluation of tight junction proteins. Similarly to microbial communities, tight junction protein gene and protein expression are highly variable among organ systems, only further highlighting the complexity of the beef gastrointestinal tract. Chapter 5 sought to determine novel markers of liver abscess presence. Chapter 5 reports differences in alpha diversity, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidota ratio, and differentially abundant taxa in the small intestine, this suggests a larger role of the small intestine in liver abscess pathogenesis than previously believed. Overall, this collection of works provides a comprehensive evaluation of feedlot cattle gastrointestinal health and its relationship to liver abscesses. Throughout the four studies, antimicrobial, microbial, and host influences on health are explored to provide a systems approach to gastrointestinal health
Comparison of 7&7 CO-Synch and 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR Fixed Time Artificial Insemination Protocols in Beef Heifers using Conventional Semen
No full textThis experiment was designed to compare the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR and the 7&7 Synch protocols for estrus synchronization amongst beef virgin heifers prior to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) with conventional semen. Bos Tarus heifers (n = 79) were randomly assigned to protocol. Semen was not randomly assigned. All black baldie females received conventional Angus semen. All Hereford females received conventional Hereford semen from one of the three sires selected. The Hereford females were assigned semen based on their status of either being horned, polled, or commercial. Heifers treated with the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol (n = 40) received administration of gonadotropin – releasing hormone (GnRH) and insertion of intravaginal progesterone releasing insert (CIDR) on Day -7, and administration of prostaglandin F2α (PG) coincident with CIDR removal on Day 0. Heifers treated with the 7&7 CO-Synch protocol (n = 39) received administration of prostaglandin (PG) and insertion of CIDR on Day -14, GnRH on Day -7, and administration of PG coincident with CIDR removal on Day 0. Estrus detection aids (Estrotect™) were applied to all heifers coincident with CIDR removal, and activation status was recorded at FTAI. Activation status was determined using guidelines from Estrotect™ Patches, and a numerical scale of 0 to 4 (0 = missing patch, 1 = 0-25%, 2 = 25-50%, 3= 50-75%, and 4 = 75-100%). Estrus was defined as 50% or greater of patch activation. Heifers in both protocols received FTAI 54h after CIDR removal with conventional semen. Artificial Insemination was performed by two technicians. Females were randomly assigned to technician. The 7-day-CO-Synch + CIDR resulted in no difference between conception rates when compared to the 7&7 Synch protocol. (p = 1.0
Investigation of the Murky Middle in Engineering: Graduation in the Balance
No full textThis study investigated the Murky Middle (MM) population of engineering students in the engineering disciplines of civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), specifically focusing on the impact of academic performance indicators and advising interventions on student persistence and graduation rates. The MM is typically characterized by the academic challenges that hinder progress toward degree completion. However, in order to more accurately identify the MM population, a GPA refinement was made, then data was collected from the remaining 101 students. One-on-one intrusive advising was conducted with this group of students during the period of this study. Both qualitative and quantitative data for each student was obtained with a focus on key characteristics such as high school indicators, student origin, GPA indicators, and detailed analysis of student transcripts. Findings revealed that while a significant portion of the MM population faces academic challenges, advising interventions and the ongoing persistence of students toward their degree and coursework have a positive impact on graduation outcomes. The results further indicate that the characteristics mentioned previously can help refine the MM in the engineering population at WTAMU to more accurately help support these students academically. The study highlights the importance of intrusive advising efforts and tailored interventions to support MM students and improve retention rates in engineering programs
Comparative Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Temozolomide on Glioblastoma Multiforme
No full textGlioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an extremely aggressive form of brain cancer with an average survival time of 14 months. The standard treatment of Temozolomide (TMZ) for GBM has not changed in over 20 years, suggesting a need for new treatment options that can increase survival time and limit negative side effects. However, many challenges stand in the way of drug discovery for GBM, including the blood-brain barrier that can prevent entry of drugs, a compromised immune system, and a unique tumor microenvironment that conditions surrounding cells to support tumor growth and invasion.
Chemotherapeutics cannot specifically target cancer cells, which results in typical side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. However, there can also be significant organ toxicity. Such effects can be mitigated following combination treatments with natural products. Of the natural products, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has shown promise with its anti-cancer effects and cytoprotective effects on healthy tissue. This study investigates the role of EGCG in combination with TMZ in both healthy astrocyte cells (SVG) and GBM cell lines. Cell viability assays demonstrated that combination treatments of TMZ + EGCG exhibited no cytotoxic effects on SVG cells, but significantly decreased cell viability of GBM cells. This result demonstrates the ability of EGCG to enhance TMZ efficacy as well as implement a cytoprotective effect on healthy cells. A probe of 84 Cancer Inflammation and Immunity Pathways showed numerous genes that were targeted by individual and combination treatments that play a role in GBMs pathogenesis. Seven of these genes were further validated to confirm their effect from treatments, as well as their implications in healthy cells compared to GBM tumor cells
A Transformative Mixed-Methods Study: Legitimizing Affective Learning Outcomes Assessment
Full text linkAll the data were collected from three publicly accessible data sources, including 1. Student learning outcome statements listed on the official websites of the 228-baccalaureate nursing program parent institutions. 2. Institutional characteristic data were collected through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) online College Navigator. 3. Institutional characteristic data were collected through the Carnegie Classification System lookup tool.This poster demonstrates an empirical transformative mixed-methods study. Learning-outcome statements for 227 undergraduate nursing programs accredited by the SACSCOC and the CCNE were evaluated for references to ALOs, in order to determine how widespread affective assessment actually is, and at what level it is implemented. A novel taxonomy was employed to categorize each school, in hopes of finding which factors can predict which institutions are most likely to implement affective learning outcomes at an exemplary level. A statistically significant F (3, 202) = 3.28, p = 0.02, η² =0.05 relationship between retention rate and exemplary ALO assessment practices
Examining Informal STEM Learning and Instruction in Rural Robotics
Full text linkData collection for the current project consisted of survey instruments administered to robotics competition youth participants in the four Title I schools, interviews conducted with the teachers at these schools, observation protocol data collected at robotics competition events, and focus groups conducted with a purposeful sample of youth participants.This project used a mixed methods research design to investigate informal student learning outcomes (e.g., Social and Emotional Learning Development) and practitioner instruction that resulted from participation in robotics competitions in rural Title I schools. Although over 70 definitions of what it means to be rural exist (Crumb et al., 2022), much of the Texas panhandle carries some form of the rural label. In fact, Texas currently has the largest number of students in rural schools in the U.S. (Showalter et al., 2018). Moreover, rural students often have less access to advanced STEM coursework than their urban and suburban counterparts (Saw & Agger, 2021), and rural schools often struggle to find high quality STEM teachers (Goodpaster et al., 2012). While the state of STEM education in rural schools looks grim, the success of competitive robotics programs in rural Texas Panhandle schools resists this trend (several Texas Panhandle High Schools hold Texas UIL 1A-4A Robotics Champion designations) and should be studied as a model for the provision of high quality, informal STEM opportunities in schools with limited resources. Research of these programs has implications for STEM education in Texas and beyond, as information can be used to grow and develop STEM teaching and learning, and social emotional growth, through academic competition in robotics
EFFECTS OF FOUR RECEIVING REGIMENS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS, AND RUMEN BUFFERING CAPACITY IN LIGHTWEIGHT FEEDER STEERS
No full textThis study evaluated the effects of four feeding management regimens during the receiving period on growth performance, health, ruminal pH, rumination, and carcass characteristics of auction-derived, crossbred beef cattle (avg initial BW = 233 8.2 kg). Steers (n = 193) and bulls (n = 283) were blocked by arrival truckload, allocated to 48 pens in a generalized complete block design, and pens were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments: 1) 7 d of a commercially available complete starter diet (RAMP; Cargill Branded Feeds, Blair, NE) followed by an 18-d transition to a common finishing diet (FIN; RAMP-7), 2) 56 d of RAMP followed by an 18-d transition to FIN (RAMP-56), 3) 7 d of RAMP (Cargill Branded Feeds, Blair, NE) followed by a 49-d transition to FIN (RAMP-LT), and 4) 7 d of a receiving diet containing a novel feed product (Cargill Branded Feeds, Blair, NE) followed by a 49-d transition to FIN (GROW-LT). Within each pen, the 2 median BW steers received an indwelling ruminal bolus to quantify pH and a 3-axis accelerometer ear tag to quantify rumination. Fecal samples were collected on d 0, 28, 56, and 84 to determine pH. On d 28, BW was greatest for cattle consuming RAMP-7 and GROW-LT, intermediate for RAMP-LT, and least for RAMP-56 (P = 0.02). On d 56, BW was greatest for GROW-LT and RAMP-LT, intermediate for RAMP-7, and least for RAMP-56 (P = 0.03). Average daily gain (ADG) from d 0 to 28 was greatest for RAMP-7 and GROW-LT, intermediate for RAMP-LT, and least for RAMP-56 (P = 0.02). Dry matter intake (DMI) did not differ (P ≥ 0.48) throughout the feeding period. Gain:feed (G:F) from d 0 to 28 and d 28 to 56 was greatest for RAMP-7, GROW-LT, and RAMP-LT, and least for RAMP-56 (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in performance from d 84 to final (P ≥ 0.35) or health outcomes from d 0 to final (P ≥ 0.32). A tendency for a treatment × day interaction (P = 0.06) was observed for daily rumination, where rumination increased as roughage was added in the RAMP-LT, GROW-LT, and RAMP-7 treatments. No treatment × day interaction was observed (P > 0.12) for ruminal pH. The GROW diet had the greatest physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) concentration, followed by RAMP and FIN (P < 0.01). Steers fed RAMP-56 and GROW-LT tended to have more 12th-rib fat than RAMP-7 and RAMP-LT (P = 0.10), but no other differences in carcass traits were observed (P ≥ 0.19). These results suggest that a complete starter diet with either gradual or rapid transition to FIN may improve performance transiently, but did not impact feedlot cattle performance or health overall
Amarillo Symphony Support Staff Lesson
No full textThis lesson includes introduction/warm-up questions, selected readings (and reading questions), podcast interviews with key members of the Amarillo Symphony’s support staff (with an accompanying worksheet), and some ideas for fun engagement activities.In this lesson students will learn what is all involved in running a symphony orchestra. They will meet the people who run the Amarillo Symphony through podcast interviews and learn about the work that these folks do and the job opportunities that exist in a symphony office
The ChatGPT Learning Challenges and Benefits of Diverse Students in Higher Education
Full text linkData collection methodology was primary/interview qualitative methods.The use of generative AI such as ChatGPT has increased during the past academic year. Prior research has examined generative AI in higher education; however, there is still a need to investigate diverse college students' personal experiences in relation to their use of generative AI in their educational journey. This study will examine the experiences of diverse students' ChatGPT usage to identify learning challenges and opportunities in higher education. This study focused on examining diverse college students' perspectives by examining intersectionality theory and connectivism learning theory. A qualitative methodology was employed by interviewing 27 diverse student participants from a public, higher education institution. Several themes emerged identifying the learning challenges (i.e., inaccuracy and misinformation) and opportunities (i.e., time management) of using ChatGPT in higher education. Implications and research future directions are also offered to identify strategies to promote learning inclusion in academic environments
AN INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS: PRESERVICE TEACHER FIELD EXPERIENCE FOR LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE CLASSROOMS.
Full text linkAbstract
Purpose: This qualitative research study aimed to explore the perceptions and feelings of preservice teachers regarding the field experience practices of teacher preparation programs that they recognize as influential in becoming teach-ready professionals for emergent bilingual student communities before completing the program. The study focused on the field supervisor, teacher mentor, field placement, and time in the field. Research Method: The qualitative approach used for this study was interpretative phenomenological analysis. This approach explored the experiences and perceptions of preservice teachers’ field experiences on their perceived understanding of being teach-ready for a diverse, bilingual student classroom. Findings: The study found that field supervisors are a primary factor in providing student teachers with guidance and support to plan, deliver, and recognize students’ unique learning differences in diverse, bilingual settings with empathy and understanding. Their overall expertise is valued by teacher apprentices to help construct that knowledge. Teacher mentors are crucial for solidifying the connection between the learner and the teacher apprentice. They help build connections with the emergent bilingual population to enhance their knowledge of their unique needs. Additionally, placement and time in the field are critical in increasing preservice teachers’ feelings about being prepared. The empowerment and cultural competence directly impact their teaching readiness for diverse linguistic settings. Conclusion: Teacher preparation program training practices need refinement in the affective domain and effective leadership qualities to ensure strong connections are built to guide and direct learners to be successful and effective leaders as future teachers in the expanding, diverse, bilingual classroom setting