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Managing Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: an emerging threat to the sugar beet industry
Full text linkRecent studies have reported S. sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary as an emerging pathogen of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) causing leaf blight, seedling damping-off and root necrosis, becoming a fundamental production problem in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. The continuous spread of this pathogen's damaging impact across sugar beet-producing states necessitates proactive management measures to reduce the risk of potential outbreaks. This study aimed to (1) assess inoculation methods for sugar beet reaction to S. sclerotiorum, varietal response and cross-infectivity, and (2) evaluate fungicide efficacy against Sclerotinia diseases in three sugar beet varieties. Disease evaluation was measured as lesion size. Results from this study indicated that colonized barley inoculum was particularly effective in causing leaf blight on sugar beet plants (P= 0.05). Crystal M837 variety showed reduced susceptibility to Sclerotinia leaf blight. ACH 166 and Beta 7029 were moderately susceptible to leaf blight, but for root infection, they showed reduced susceptibility which was significant at all stages during the fungicide efficacy study (P= 0.05). Proline and Priaxor provided the most effective control against Sclerotinia leaf blight and root necrosis in sugar beet (P= 0.05). These findings offer critical insights into sugar beet variety and fungicide selection for effective control of S. sclerotiorum. Also, vital information about the cross-infectivity status of major host crops (soybean, sunflower and canola) provides valuable information for crop rotation decisions towards mitigating losses caused by S. sclerotiorum. This study gives a first look into managing S. sclerotiorum, an emerging pathogen of sugar beet and a potential threat to the sugar beet industry
Additive manufacture of advanced composites using reactive resins and continuous carbon fiber
Full text linkTo overcome the significant limitations such as slow processing times, substantial energy needs of conventional additive manufacturing technology, reactive extrusion additive manufacturing (REAM) process was developed. As printed objects with neat reactive resin exhibited insufficient mechanical performance for advanced application, continuous fiber reinforcement is an effective route to improve mechanical performances. Continuous carbon fiber reinforced 3D printing was performed using a commercially available reactive resin system and an experimentally synthesized one at NDSU. The mechanical properties of the printed carbon fiber reinforced samples were compared with the neat resin samples. The tensile strength of printed sample using Pentaerythritol-xylendiamine resin system increased by 217% with 2.88% carbon fiber content. Similarly tensile strength of Epon-Epikure sample increased by 151% with the fiber-volume fraction of 4.4%. Therefore, reinforcement with continuous carbon fiber has potential to overcome the barrier of low mechanical strength exhibited by neat reactive resin system
Mental health: implementation of the SMHAT-1 tool to screen for mental health concerns among collegiate athletes attending a midwestern university
Full text linkCollege athletes experience increased prevalence of anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, substance misuse, and eating disorders when compared to general college student population. When suffering from mental illness, signs and symptoms that elite, or professional athletes portray may mimic behaviors that are normative for dedicated athletes with demanding schedules and high-performance expectations. Early identification by athletic staff, coaches, and healthcare professionals is the key to facilitating early intervention. Routine screening for mental health has been proven effective in identifying athletes who are at risk for, or currently suffering from mental health disorders. Early identification, intervention and treatment offer athletes a better outcome.
The purpose of this project is to identify Division I college athletes who may be at risk for, or currently suffering from mental health illness. The mental health of the athletes was assessed over the duration of pre-season to mid-season of the indoor competitive sport season to determine if psychosocial distress is positively correlated with the progression of the sport season. The Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) was administered via Qualtrics survey to freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior track and field athletes at a Midwestern University pre- and mid-season to evaluate the trend in psychological well-being
Beyond heteronormativity and the gender binary: inclusivity in rape myth acceptance scale design and sexual violence bystander intervention programming
Full text linkSexual violence perpetuates inequalities based on a range of factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, class, age, sexuality, and ability status. However, the study of sexual violence in these areas has been limited leading to a lack of knowledge about its role in perpetuating social inequality. Understanding bystander intervention and its effects on violence prevention is complex and unclear. Three studies were conducted to investigate the use of language in the Green Dot Violence Prevention programming and the design of a sex and gender-inclusive rape myth acceptance scale. Study 1 employs Critical Discourse Analysis to analyze the language used in the Green Dot curriculum, examining its influence on social structures and meanings. Study 2 involves survey research and cognitive interviews to explore how undergraduate college students comprehend and interpret the Gender-Inclusive Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (GIIRMAS). Study 3 utilizes the Rasch validity framework to assess the psychometric properties of the Sex and Gender-Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (SGI-RMA). Key findings in Study 1 suggest that despite the Green Dot Curriculum text?s intention to promote inclusion, empowerment, unity, and change, its use of terms such as ?we and ?us? (representing cisgender women) and implying the distinction with ?they? and ?them? (representing cisgender men) does not support the desired objectives. Study 2 revealed that while respondent?s interpretation of the item in the GIIRMAS aligned with the underlying conceptual framework, further examination identified potential issues with 11 of the 19 items that require careful consideration. Study 3 demonstrated that 10 of the 19 SGI-RMA items effectively measure the underlying construct of rape myth acceptance. The findings have implication for enhancing violence prevention programs and ensuring the use of inclusive language to challenge and debunk misconceptions around sexual violence
Initiation of an adolescent school-based electronic nicotine delivery system prevention program
Full text linkThe leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States is tobacco product use. The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which was completed in 2022, showed that the e-cigarette epidemic among youth continues to remain a public health threat. The survey revealed that over 2.5 million middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes.
The purpose of this project was to provide youth with evidence-based education in a classroom setting. The education was designed to increase participant knowledge about health-related concerns of ENDS products, decrease participant intent to use ENDS products, and foster sustainability through training a school staff member in CATCH My Breath (CATCH, 2022). Seventh grade students at Kindred Middle School were educated using the CATCH My Breath (CATCH, 2022) vaping prevention program. The education was taught by the co-investigator and occurred in one class period for four weeks. This project was evaluated using pre- and post-survey results from the students.
The need for e-cigarette prevention in youth is evident. While the knowledge questions from this project did not show a statistically significant change, students demonstrated through comments, class discussion, and activity completion that they found the experience to be beneficial and educational. Enhanced knowledge is expected to decrease students? intent to use ENDS products in the future. Lastly, staff member CATCH My Breath (CATCH, 2022) training was accomplished on the last day of implementation. E-cigarette prevention is recommended due to continued rise in youth?s e-cigarette use and the significant harm associated with it
Combining metabolite breeding with good agronomic performance in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Full text linkGrowth habit is one of the most important domestication traits in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In the U.S., Type II indeterminate upright varieties have helped farmers to switch from historic two-pass harvest to one-pass in direct harvest. Previous work suggested a stem diameter of 5.6 mm as threshold to select Type II architecture plants suitable for direct combining. In addition, the metabolic profile of indeterminate plants in dry bean is of great interest not only to define differences in seed coat color but to observe relationships with other traits, plant growth one of them. This study aimed to validate the correlation between stem diameter and other agronomic traits using breeding lines from a commercial program; further, this study investigates stem diameter as selection criteria to select genotypes that combine high seed yield and upright architecture, and to find genetic regions related to plant height, stem diameter and metabolic profile using a GWAS. Overall, mean stem diameter values were above 7.5 mm, higher than the proposed threshold of 5.6 mm. Stem diameter, showed no significant GxE interactions and the highest broad-sense heritabilities for pinto and slow darkening pinto. In market classes black, great northern, and navy plant height was the most relevant trait for seed yield variation, while stem diameter had low effect. In contrast, plant height and stem diameter are required to explain part of seed yield variability and continue selecting upright plants for pinto, red/pink, and SD-pinto. According to the GWAS, a region on chromosome Pv07 (40 Mb), was shared between plant height and stem diameter. Genes found in this region relate to plant growth and disease avoidance, which makes this region interesting to continue with further studies for plant architecture. Regarding metabolic studies GWAS identified a very interesting region on chromosome Pv01 (61.4 Mb), related to the enzyme Flavonoid 3'-monooxygenase / Flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase. This enzyme is present in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. However, it could also have relationship to plant growth. Further cloning of this region would be ideal to confirm differences in seed coat color and plant growth
Using traditional foods and food preservation of the Great Plains American Indians to address food insecurity and chronic disease in the Great Plains tribal regions
Full text linkThe American Indian (AI) population has a history that goes back at least 10,000 years on the land of the Great Plains. Their traditional foods helped them survive on a land that no other human had ever stepped foot on; however, traditional foods and food ways were erased during colonial occupation of tribal lands and the relocation of tribes to resource poor reservations.
The purpose of this project is to evaluate how traditional AI foods and preservation of these foods can be used to address the high rates of food insecurity and chronic disease in the AI population. The project will explore the history, traditional foods, and traditional food preservation of the Great Plains AI. It will also consider modern day food preservation methods and how they can be used to preserve traditional foods.
Grant funding to North Dakota State University and Cankdeska Cikana Community tribal College allowed for the creation of online modules that teach how to preserve traditional foods using modern and traditional food preservation methods. These modules can be used to increase food preservation knowledge in Spirit Lake Nation along with other tribal communities. The hope is that the modules offer a way to empower AI individuals to increase food sovereignty and food security while lowering chronic disease in their own homes
Augmented Reality and Cross-Device Interaction for Seamless Integration of Physical and Digital Scientific Papers
Full text linkResearchers face the challenge of efficiently navigating vast scientific literature while valuing printed papers in the digital age. Printed materials facilitate deeper engagement and comprehension, leading to superior exam performance and enhanced retention. However, existing digital tools often need to pay more attention to the needs of researchers who value the tactile benefits of printed documents. In response to this gap, we introduce AR-PaperSync, a transformative solution that leverages Augmented Reality (AR) and cross-device interaction technology. AR-PaperSync seamlessly integrates the physical experience of printed papers with the interactive capabilities of digital tools. Researchers can effortlessly navigate inline citations, manage saved references, and synchronize reading notes across mobile, desktop, and printed paper formats. Our user-centric approach, informed by in-depth interviews with six researchers, ensures that AR-PaperSync is tailored to its target users' needs. A comprehensive user study involving 28 participants evaluated AR-PaperSync's significantly enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and system usability and reduced cognitive load in academic reading tasks compared to conventional methods. These findings suggest that AR-PaperSync enhances the reading experience of printed scientific papers and provides a seamless integration of physical and digital reading environments for researchers
A multi-omics multi-environment prediction in pulse crop
Full text linkUnderstanding the genetic bases underlying seed yield and protein, and eventually recombining them in desired genetic backgrounds, continues to be a challenge to pulse crop breeders. Phenotypic selection for seed yield and protein in preliminary yield trials is hindered by the need to phenotype a large number of early-generation lines (>10,000) with limited seeds, resulting to trials with few replications and limited environments. In this study, we evaluated and applied a multi-trait multi-environment (MTME) and a multi-omics prediction framework to address phenotyping bottleneck and the complexities underlying negatively correlated traits, and maximize connectivity among genotypes for predicting performance of untested genotypes in diverse set of environments. Using over 200 NDSU modern advanced breeding lines and 300 USDA diverse accessions, our findings demonstrated that MTME prediction significantly enhanced predictive ability by 1.3 and 1.8-fold for yield and protein, respectively. For the environments with low heritability of tested trait, however, using the MTME prediction led to small increases in prediction accuracy. To further maximize connectivity among genotypes and environments, a subset of individuals was included from the testing population that led to 1.6 and 1.2-fold improvement for yield and protein, respectively. Incorporating additional orthogonal information such as gene expression (RNA) into the prediction framework showed potential for further increasing prediction accuracy. Using ~300 USDA diverse accessions assessed in two environments, integrating genotypic and expression data (DNA+RNA) resulted to higher predictive ability (0.48-0.55) over using DNA only (0.42) or RNA only (0.43-0.53). Overall, we found that maximizing the relationship among genotypes and environments, along with integration of additional orthogonal information (e.g. RNA) into genomic prediction framework can further enhance predicting performance of untested genotypes in diverse environments
In Touch with Prairie Living, August 2024
Full text linkAugust 2024 column for North Dakota and South Dakota newspapers