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Exploring fungal and viral pathogens associated with intermediate wheatgrass, a promising new small grain crop
Full text linkSmall grain production in Kansas and other states in the central United States is a crucial component of agricultural economies. One emerging small grain is Kernza®, the grain harvested from intermediate wheatgrass (IWG, Thinopyrum intermedium). This crop is a perennial grass in contrast to common annual wheat varieties grown worldwide. This aspect of IWG allows it to develop a large root structure which provides soil structure and prevents the need for yearly tillage. With its recent emergence, however, there is little data available about the susceptibility of Kernza® to common small grain diseases. We are collecting and analyzing samples of Kernza® from growers to identify pathogens, with a special focus on Fusarium head blight (FHB). We cultured 29 samples by surface disinfesting grains, then incubating them on Spezieller Nahrstoffarmer Agar (SNA). The nutrient composition of SNA encourages growth of Fusarium spp. The resulting cultures were then used for DNA analysis to determine the species of fungi present. Additionally, 22 leaf samples obtained from growers were subjected to DAS-ELISA to determine if intermediate wheatgrass can be infected with wheat streak mosaic virus, a common viral pathogen of wheat. Our results indicate that Kernza® is susceptible to both FHB and wheat streak mosaic virus. Growers looking to plant Kernza® should be aware of these potential pathogens and take appropriate action to mitigate potential yield loss. Further investigation regarding the potential of other pathogens that could infect IWG is necessary.
Modifying Camelina Seed Oil Production Using CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing
Full text linkCamelina sativa, a member of the mustard family, is an increasingly studied oil seed crop with valuable agronomic traits that make it a potential source of biofuels in the future. Seed oil is composed mostly of triacylglycerol (TAG) which is synthesized by two major enzymes: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1) and phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT1). Acetyl-triacylglycerols (acetyl-TAG), an alternate triacylglycerol produced by Camelina, has desirable biofuel properties including reduced-viscosity and a low freezing point. Production of acetyl-TAG is competed by production of TAG by DGAT1 and PDAT1. The objective of this project is to induce mutations using clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) into the genes encoding for DGAT1 and PDAT1, inhibiting enzyme function to increase yield of acetyl-TAG within viable seeds that maintain these mutations in their germline. Camelina sativa has a hexaploid genome with three homeologs for each gene. Induced mutations could occur on some, none, or all three gene loci. This study uses gel electrophoresis to identify deletions within CsDGAT1 and CsPDAT1 gene loci and observe continuation of mutations between first- and second-generation plants. Ninety-nine second-generation (T2) Camelina plants were grown including wild- type and DGAT1-CRISPR mutant lines. Only one line with a deletion mutation was identified. However, this plant possessed a diseased phenotype, having stunted growth with sickly, wrinkled and spotted leaves. One possibility is that off-target effects of Cas9 that caused unwanted mutations leading to the defective phenotype. Future work should aim to screen for deletions in additional Camelina plants and in plants of diploid genomes like Pennycress.
EcoBrew Design Group: Collection and Implementation of Trüb into Animal Food Products
No full textKirmser Undergraduate Research Award - Group category, grand prizeEdwin BrokeshOur team focused on researching and developing a design for collection of Trüb, a byproduct found in the beer brewing process, and utilizing it as a protein additive in animal food products such as dog treats or feed. Our team wanted to reduce the waste entering the sewage system at Manhattan Brewing Company by collecting the Trüb at the brewery and developing a debittering and drying process, as well as a process to make dog treats or feed with the dried product. This can help other breweries learn how to reduce their environmental impact on local water resources and add a new life cycle for a waste product
Fostering Community Well-Being in Farming Practices
No full textIn recent years, there has been a growing recognition of agriculture’s critical role in promoting the well-being of both you [farmers] and your communities, which is a crucial outcome of many sustainability efforts. The role of agricultural producers extends beyond fields to support their livelihood and the well-being of their communities and their nation. Producers’ decisions and actions have, therefore, a profound and lasting impact on the well-being of their communities. This story map explores this interconnection of farming and community well-being and highlights key management decisions that farmers are consciously considering in their decision-making process. It also describes some potential benefits this agriculture– community relationship might have on both farm profitability and the overall well-being of agricultural communities. Through interviews with agricultural stakeholders, we gain valuable insights into practices and approaches that farmers across various regions in the U.S. are embracing to create a positive and sustainable impact on their communities
Arte de España y México
Full text linkThroughout the Spring 2023 semester, I took Dr. Bender’s graduate-level course “SPAN 779: Art of Spain & Mexico in the L2 Classroom.” By taking this course I gained a better understanding of using Content Based Instruction and of utilizing authentic artwork from Spain and Mexico within the classroom. I implemented this knowledge in the classroom, through student teaching, and reflected on its value for future teaching. This project consists of three sections. The first section is a thematic, virtual gallery-map of relevant artwork which will serve as a resource for my current and future practice. The next is the creation a thematic lesson planning unit which centers around the art within the gallery-map. Finally, is the implementation ofthis unit within my student teaching placement and the evaluation of the efficacy of the strategies utilized. The goal of this project is to investigate and implement strategies which will inform my future teaching
The Business Plot in the American press
Full text linkMaster of ArtsDepartment of HistoryDonald J. MrozekIn the fall of 1934 Major General Smedley Butler, U.S.M.C. (ret.) testified before Congress that he had been approached by a representative of a cabal of wealthy Wall Street bankers, powerful industrial magnates, and shady political operatives to lead a fascist coup to overthrow the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Congress investigated Butler’s allegations of a conspiracy against the government and deemed them to be true. The American news media, however, was noticeably divided in the nature of their coverage of the congressional investigation. Previous historians have claimed that elements of the American news media were markedly sympathetic toward fascism in the United States during the 1930s. An analysis of the newspaper coverage of this investigation reveals a stark contrast between ways in which media outlets headed by individuals suspected of fascist sympathies portrayed the story as opposed to media outlets known to be editorially anti-fascist. These findings lend credence to previous historians’ claims about identifiably pro-fascist strains in the American media during the time in question
Art (that) works: design guidelines for equitable public art
Full text linkMaster of Landscape ArchitectureDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community PlanningJessica CanfieldPublic art within a public space should be experienced by all people (Hein 2006; Phillips 1989; Zebracki 2013). However, when attitudinal, organizational or systemic, and architectural or physical barriers exist, the experience of public art may exclude Persons with Disabilities (Council of Ontario Universities 2013; Schaffer 2020). When people are unable to equitably experience public art, they are also excluded from cultural communities and artistic interpretations of society. If artists and designers do not know how to purposefully accommodate the experiential needs of diverse audiences, including Persons with Disabilities, public art may not be equitably experienced by all people. While some guidelines exist for equitable art in private settings, such as museums, there is a lack of knowledge about how to create and site equitable public art in public spaces. Thus, to fill this knowledge gap, this project developed design guidelines for artists, designers, and creatives when creating and siting equitable public art in public space. The guidelines consider the needs of “all” people to include mobility (physical disabilities), cognition (intellectual disabilities and/or neurodiversity), hearing (D/deaf and Hard of Hearing), and vision (B/blind and Low Vision) disabilities. Notably, the graphic design of the guidelines adheres to established graphic design standards for accessibility. Methods used to inform the development of the guidelines included interviews with artists and site designers, and precedent analysis of multi-sensory art and universally-design sites. To demonstrate how the guidelines can be used, a projective art and site design was developed with site analysis and documented through memoing. Findings reveal that for public art to be equitably experienced by all people, it must be both physically accessible and multi-sensory, to engage two or more senses (Barnes 2003; National Recreation and Parks Association 2015; Robinson 1998). Additionally, and most importantly, findings indicate that the most essential component of equitable public art is social. Public art needs to foster social interaction, which can occur when the art is interactive and “comes alive” with engagement (Papalia 2022). By considering the needs of Persons with Disabilities, artists, designers, and creatives have an opportunity to make a more enriching art experience for all people- an experience that all people may not have had otherwise
Transforming K-12 Education By Blending the Ubuntu Philosophy and Social Justice Principles
No full textConsidering the highly diverse nature of U.S population, there is no surprise for the calls for a socially just education and a transformative diverse pedagogy in schools seeking to promote a sense of community and belonging. The researcher is of the view that while sections of the population such as Native Americans, People of African Ancestral Origin (Blacks), and Hispanics come from a background of oppression, marginalization, limited opportunities, and exclusion, a blends of ubuntu philosophy and Social Justice principles can be essential to enact K-12 students with values capable of cultivating consciousness about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). • Ubuntu is an ancient African worldview associated with humanness or being humane (ed. Letseka, 2000; Caracciolo & Mungai, 2009 ). • It translates to I am because you are, you are because I am. Ubuntu concerns with ‘I/We’ which are more acceptive of interdependence, as opposed to the ’I/You’ relationships, which assert individualism (Letseka, 2000)
Recommendation Report on Campus Transit
No full textThe Kansas State University Student Governing Association (SGA), in coordination with the Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency (ATA), established the ATA Student Advisory Board. The Board identified the following goals:
1. Increase ATA’s engagement with and representation of students
2. Stabilize ATA’s pool of KSU funding sources
3. Preserve free-to-ride bus service for student
Impact of Academic Advising Activities on International Students' Sense of Belonging
No full textResearch on international students suggests they have a low sense of belonging at the U.S. institutions they attend. This study examined whether academic advisor’s cultural empathy, advisor-advisee rapport, and international students’ advising satisfaction influenced international students’ perspectives of belonging to the institution. We further examined whether cultural empathy and advisor-advisee rapport mediated the effect of advising satisfaction on international students’ sense of belonging. The cross-sectional quantitative study used a convenience sample of 209 international students enrolled in two institutions in the United States. Results indicated that cultural empathy and student advising satisfaction had a statistically significant influence on the sense of belonging, not advisor-advisee rapport, and cultural empathy mediated the effect of advising satisfaction on sense of belonging. We offered recommendations for institutions and academic advisors when working with international students