Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Research Theses and Honors Research Theses
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Undergraduate Research Theses and Honors Research Theses from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. More about the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Honors Program can be found at: https://students.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/academics/undergraduate/honors-and-scholars
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Item Consumers' Perceptions of Ethics and Lab-Cultured Proteins(The Ohio State University, 2021-05) Beach, Schelby; Specht, AnnieMany consumers across the world are searching for alternatives to conventional proteins such as beef, pork, and poultry as our population grows and the ability to feed people comes into question. Cultured meat, or laboratory-developed proteins, could impact a large sector of industries and people such as livestock producers and processors, food safety workers, and food scientists. Previous research has shown that livestock producers and consumers view cultured meat negatively due to a lack of knowledge. Values and ethics come into question and consumers may make assumptions, with or without evidence, about the outcomes of cultured meat, which may include improving the environment with less greenhouse gas emissions, ethics of slaughter and harvest, the rising cost of meat production cost globally, and greater demand for animal proteins driving higher prices. In this study, I examined social media conversations and describe how ethics play a key role in consumers' and producers' perceptions of this technology. Using behavioral reasoning theory, I conducted a content analysis of Twitter conversations about meat substitutes to identify beliefs and values and the reasoning and evidence for those values, which may allow us to infer their future actions. I analyzed a random sample of the Twitter data to further discuss the concepts of ethics. Using the behavioral reasoning theory, I examined the attitudes and inferred the conversations of ethics by choice of language and topic. I also took sentiments into consideration to allow for further understanding of consumers' views on the topic. This will allow both sides of the industry to develop marketing strategies for how to properly approach the topic of ethics within the media.Item More efficient formation of 10-phenyl-pyranoanthocyanins using 4-vinylphenol(The Ohio State University, 2021-05) Cheng, Yesen; Giusti, M. MonicaAnthocyanins (ACNs) are dietary flavonoids with vivid colors found in plant tissues. ACN-rich juice-concentrates or extracts can be used as food colorant substitutions for artificial ones. Health concerns associated with the consumption of artificial colorants and an increased consumer demand have accelerated the transition towards colorants from natural sources. However, problems arise in the application of ACNs as food colorants due to their limited stability. Pyranoanthocyanins (PACNs) are anthocyanin-derived pigments with enhanced stability that bear a fourth pyran ring in their structure. Hydroxyphenyl–PACNs (HP-PACNs) are a class of PACNs found in wine resulting from the cycloaddition reaction between hydroxycinnamic acids and ACNs. Their synthesis is expensive and time-consuming, restricting their use as colorants by the food industry. We hypothesized that the production of HP-PACNs with 4-vinylphenols, decarboxylated hydroxycinnamic acids, may occur faster. The objectives of this study were to determine the most efficient ACN to 4-vinylphenol molar ratio for production of HP-PACNs and to compare it to its precursor, p-coumaric acid (pCA), under accelerated formation conditions. Black carrot anthocyanins were saponified, diluted in pH 3.1 HCl water and mixed with 4-vinylphenol in molar ratios of 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, and 1:30. A positive control of anthocyanins with pCA was prepared at a molar ratio of 1:30. PACN formation and remaining pigment were evaluated after incubation at 45°C for 24 hours in the dark using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS analyses. PACN production with 4-vinylphenol was at least 34 times greater (p<0.05) than with pCA (~0.5%). Moreover, PACN yields with 4-vinylphenol at a molar ratio of 1:5 (~37%), 1:10 (~40%) and 1:20 (~35%) were significantly higher than with 1:1 (~14%) and 1:30 (~29%). 4-vinylphenol in a ratio of 1:5 and 1:10 had higher content of pigment remaining (~40%) than the anthocyanin without cofactor (~23%) but lower than with pCA (~46%). Overall, formation of PACNs using 4-vinylphenols was faster than with pCA, yielding ~40% PACN in only 24 hours and requiring less cofactor (1:10). Ultimately, this will facilitate the transition from synthetic colorants to naturally derived alternatives for the food industry.Item Auxinic Herbicide Damage Quantification and Mitigation(The Ohio State University, 2024-12) Hollerich, Audrey; Blakeslee, JoshuaIn the U.S., the use of auxinic herbicides like 2,4-D and dicamba for weed control monoculture row crop systems continues to rise. The volatile nature of these chemicals and inappropriate application can lead to off-target drift, causing auxin transport misregulation and damage to broadleaf plants and woody species. Vitis vinifera (grape) is particularly vulnerable, as damage from auxinic herbicide drift can lead to stunted growth, yield loss, and vine death. The project aimed to develop methods to quantify herbicide residues on plant leaves, using novel technology developed by the Blakeslee Laboratory and QQQ LC-MS/MS analysis. Additionally, the project investigated potential pre-protectant substances that could be used to protect vineyards from herbicide drift damage. Experimentation involved growing grape cuttings hydroponically in a growth chamber and subjecting plants to simulated drift events, followed by developing methods to improve the efficiency of herbicide residue analysis using previously developed technology from the Blakeslee Lab.Item Influence of Calcium and Magnesium Supplementation on Foal Growth Parameters(The Ohio State University, 2024-12) Ivey, Paisli; Cole, KimberlyAdequate nutrition is vital in promoting foal growth and development. Essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium play an important role in this early stage of life. To evaluate the influence of calcium and magnesium supplementation on foal growth and development, eight Quarter Horse foals were blocked by gender (5 males, 3 females) and randomly assigned to a treatment (TRT) or control (CTL) group. Foals and their dams were kept in outdoor group housing at The Ohio State University Equine Facility and had access to shelter, forage, and water ad libitum. A commercial feed supplement was fed in a crossover design for 28d with a 14d washout period between diets. Body weight, body length, body condition score, topline score, wither height, hip height, girth circumference, upper leg length, lower leg length, cannon circumference, toe growth, and hoof width were assessed weekly. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and PROC CORR in SAS v.9.4. There were no differences in any of the growth measurements due to supplementation (p > 0.05). However, there were several differences in growth measurements due to foal gender. Colts were heavier compared to fillies (458.72 ± 5.56lb vs 409.96 ± 7.18lb, p < 0.0001). Colts were taller at the withers compared to fillies(119.96 ± 0.58cm vs. 115.49 ± 0.75cm, p < 0.0001) but not different in hip height. As expected, there were several positive correlations among growth measurements. Additional studies with increased periods of supplementation are needed to further evaluate differences in foal growth.Item A Radiographic Evaluation of Lower Limb Angles of Shod and Unshod Horses(The Ohio State University, 2024-12) Duesing, Carlie; Cole, KimberlyA horse’s lower legs and hooves are vital in providing support and shock absorption when standing or moving. The angles of a horse’s leg joints directly influence how a horse moves, distributes weight, absorbs shock, and ultimately impacts its performance and soundness. Horseshoes are often used to provide protection and support for the hoof and lower leg; however, there is little evidence of the influence of wearing horseshoes on joint angles. The aim of this study was to compare lower limb angles of shod and unshod horses using Metron Imaging Software. Lateral radiographs were taken of each horse’s (n = 38) front left and right lower limbs at a horse show in central Ohio. Horse breed, age, hoof status (shod/unshod), lameness history, and hoof care information were collected via owner surveys. Metron Imaging Software was utilized to measure and record pastern-joint angle, coffin-joint angle, hoof angle, and palmar angle for each limb. Data was analyzed using PROC MIXED and PROC CORR in SAS v 9.4. Results indicated a significantly greater coffin-joint angle in shod horses compared to unshod horses (p = 0.03). However, no differences were noted between shod and unshod horses for hoof angle, palmar angle, and pastern-joint angle. As the coffin joint acts as a primary shock absorbing mechanism in the horse’s foot, changes in the angle may result in uneven weight distribution, increased pressure, and uneven hoof growth. More research is needed to further assess the effects of horseshoes on internal lower limb angles and performance.Item Pasture Species Composition Under Differing Grazing Management(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) DeBruin, Grant; Barker, DavidMany philosophies exist regarding the management of pastures for grazing. Most philosophies focus on reaching one of two goals: maximizing pasture dry matter production or optimizing dry matter production and forage quality. Either method can have merit if utilized properly, though most ruminant species, including cattle and sheep, need to consume good quality pasture to attain proper health and high production. Regardless of which goal is pursued, minimizing production costs is a priority for most graziers. One method of improving forage quality in mixed pastures is to increase pasture legume content, which can be done through rotational grazing management under a system of management intensive grazing. However, there is differing evidence on how grazing should be managed to achieve this goal. This study sought to determine whether a fast, 10-14 day, “rototinuous” management or a slow, 20-28 day “rotational” management was more effective at retaining a common legume – red clover (Trifolium pratense) – throughout the growing season in mixed grass and legume pastures grazed by sheep. The initial hypothesis was that the rotational management would retain more clover throughout the growing season than the rototinuous management due to increased rest time between grazings. Pasture species composition was measured weekly from mid-May through mid-August using visual evaluation, where randomly placed quadrats were used to select areas for data collection. Measurements of the amount of clover present in each pasture were done both pre-grazing and post-grazing, and control quadrats were harvested, separated into grass and legume fractions, dried, and weighed every week to audit the accuracy of the visual evaluations. Throughout the experiment, the average amount of clover pre-grazing in the rotational treatment was greater than the amount in the rototinuous treatment. The rotational treatment maintained clover stands at around 30% of the total pasture mass during the experiment, while the rototinuous treatment began at around 30% clover but steadily lost clover at an absolute rate of 2% of total pasture mass each week. The post-grazing data showed that the rotational treatment had more clover than the rototinuous treatment throughout the experiment, but both treatments lost clover over time at an absolute rate of 1% of pasture mass each week. These results suggested that traditional rotational grazing was superior at retaining clover compared to rototinuous grazing. It was predicted that the greater amount of clover present in the rotational pastures can result in greater animal productivity and meat quality from harvested animals over a longer term than could be measured in the study.Item Evaluating the Effect of Maternal Gestation Diet, Differing in Type and Amount of Fiber, on Ewe and Offspring Body Weight and Feed Intake(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Flaherty, Kara; Relling, Alejandro; Campbell, BradenThe objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of feeding different types and amount of fiber during gestation on ewe body weight (BW) and dry matter intake (DMI), and lamb BW at birth, weaning, and finishing and DMI at finishing. Ninety Dorset × Hampshire ewes were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to one of three treatments (3 pens/treatment; 10 ewes/pen;): ad-libitum hay (CONT), limit-fed hay (LH), and soybean hulls (SH). The concentrate roughage ratio for the LH and SH diets was 1:3. From d0 (28 days post mating) to d63, LH and SH ewes were fed using slick bunk management. Ewes in the CONT diet were offered an equal amount of concentrate as LH ewes and SH ewes with ad-libitum access to hay. On d63 ewes were offered the same diet to meet, but not exceed, maintenance requirements for late gestation. Feed offered and refused were collected daily for LH and SH ewes whereas hay refusal was collected weekly for CONT ewes. Ewe BW was collected on days 28, 34, 76, and two-days after lambing. Fifty-five whether lambs were blocked by BW and day of lambing and allocated to 18 pens (6 pens/treatment; 3-4 lambs/pen). Lamb BW was collected at birth, weaning, and finishing, and DMI was collected during the finishing phase. Data were analyzed as a mixed model considering the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of ewe or lamb (pen), pen, and block. Ewe dry matter intake was similar the first 28 days (P=0.13), however, SH ewes consumed more by d62 (P=0.02). As ewe DMI increased, BW also increased during gestation for SH ewes (P≤0.01) but was similar two-days after lambing (P=0.21). Lambs born of SH ewes were heavier at birth, but lighter at weaning (P≤0.02). There was no difference during finishing on lamb BW (P=0.65), DMI (P=0.54), ADG (P=0.48), or feed efficiency (P=0.48). Despite each diet having the same forage to concentrate ratio, forage source affected ewe BW during gestation and lamb BW at birth and weaning. Feeding hay ad-libitum or in a controlled manner did not change ewe or lamb BW.Item Genetic diversity and dissemination strategies in Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens populations(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Ebeling-Koning, Lillian; Jacobs, JonathanXanthomonas translucens, the bacterium responsible for Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) in barley, is a reemerging pathogen growing in concern for barley production in North America. Phylogenetic research has exposed the intricate genetic diversity within Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens classifying it into three subgroups: K0, K1, and K2. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the distribution of the subgroups within the population. According to studies in the 1980s, X. translucens pv. translucens possesses ice nucleation activity (INA), which plays an important role in bacterial dispersal, particularly through cloud systems and precipitation. Ice-nucleating proteins like InaZ, allow bacteria to act as ice crystal centers in supercooled water droplets within clouds, enabling long-distance dispersal via atmospheric processes and precipitation. Early evidence suggests that the K0 subgroup of X. translucens pv. translucens exhibits disruptions in their INA, restricting transmission to local regions rather than long-range dispersal through aerial systems. To assess the distribution of X. translucens pv. translucens subgroups and INA positive and negative variants within the population, a systematic survey was conducted. Barley leaf samples displaying BLB symptoms were collected from Idaho barley fields during the summers of 2022 and 2023. X. translucens pv. translucens isolates were successfully obtained and typed into genetic subgroups using a novel multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) through this effort. The project had a two-fold objective: firstly, to investigate the population dynamics between the two seasons of isolation, and secondly, to examine the distribution of INA across subgroups within this population. Understanding the population distributions of X. translucens pv. translucens and their corresponding dissemination strategies can provide insight into the evolutionary history of this pathogen alongside the factors driving its dispersal and adaptation.Item Defining the Catalytic Region of Mms7 in Magnetosome Formation(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Gonos, Megan; Lower, BrianMagnetosomes are lipid-encased magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria (MTB). Because they are small, magnetic, and biologically active, magnetosomes have significant applications in medicine, physics, and bioremediation. MTB are prokaryotes believed to use magnetosomes to align with the Earth’s magnetic field and influence their movement. These motile organisms have the potential to remove heavy metals from wastewater and achieve targeted drug delivery. However, there is currently no method of manufacturing substantial amounts of magnetosomes in a laboratory setting to reap these benefits. MTB are difficult to isolate and grow, and information about the Mms proteins involved in magnetosome formation is too limited to determine a process of artificial synthesis. This project aimed to identify regions within one Mms protein, Mms7, that play a role in magnetosome synthesis by comparing predicted protein structures of wild-type and mutationally-altered Mms7 proteins in silico. Upon analysis, five α-helices were consistently affected by substitutions in Mms7. Previous studies concluded that Mms7 is involved in magnetosome growth and crystal morphology, and the protein’s structure indicates that loops and transmembrane helices may contribute to these roles. With computational structural predictions, it may be possible to define active domains in Mms7 and identify residues critical to Fe3O4 growth or crystal morphology. Knowing how to synthesize well-defined Fe3O4 nanoparticles could advance the use of MTB in improving the health of the planet and its inhabitants.Item Social Media Usage in Ohio State ANR Extension Communication(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Holbrook, Kiley; Specht, Annie; Summerfield, EricaEffective communication plays a pivotal role in organizational success, especially in distributing information and promoting services. This study analyzes the social media usage of Ohio State University's Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension teams, to understand their communication strategies compared to national trends. Utilizing Berlo's Sender-Message-Channel-Receiver Model as a conceptual framework, the research team conducted a quantitative content analysis of social media platforms employed by 31 ANR teams. The findings reveal that while ANR Extension teams demonstrate a presence on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, their engagement rates and frequency of posting fall below national averages. Recommendations include enhancing ANR Extension's activity on platforms where they lack a consistent presence, like YouTube, while also exploring opportunities on emerging platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn. Aligning communication strategies with evolving national trends can enhance outreach efforts and improve engagement with stakeholders.Item The supplementation of pumpkin seeds as an alternative to reducing parasite burden in naturally infected lambs(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Tacuri Vera, Melva; Wenner, Benjamin; Campbell, BradenParasite management is a major concern for the sheep industry because of the increased cost associated with treatment as well as the growing risk of parasite resistance to common small ruminant (i.e., sheep and goat) anthelmintic products. At the same time, fall agritourism results in many pumpkins going to waste after the season concludes. Pumpkin seeds have demonstrated anthelmintic properties in vitro that may be applied on-farm to control for parasitic infection. Therefore, my objective was to observe changes in parasite burden due to pumpkin seed (PS) supplementation, estimated by measuring lamb body weight (BW), fecal egg count (FEC), FAMACHA© eye score (FAM), and packed cell volume (PCV). I hypothesized that the supplementation of PS would decrease the parasite burden within the host. Each treatment group had 5 pens of 2 sheep each (n=10/treatment) and all sheep were fed a common pelleted diet with chopped hay. The control group (CON) was supplemented 0.21 kg/hd per day of WSC while the pumpkin treatment group supplemented 0.45 kg/hd of PS per day. These treatments were isocaloric and limit fed for four weeks to prevent confounding by refusals. Analysis of the data included a fixed effect of pen and treatment, random effect of lamb, and repeated measure of week. Lamb FAM and log(FEC) did not differ between groups, with FAM (1.08 and 1.02; P=0.17), and log(FEC) (2.94 and 2.96; P=0.90) for CON and PS, respectively. However, lamb PCV was greater (P<0.01) for PS (38.7%) than CON (36.4%). Lamb BW was lesser for those lambs in the PS treatment when compared with CON [(40.2 kgs Vs 42.4 kgs), P<0.01)]. Furthermore, when monitored one month after the completion of PS supplementation, there was numerical evidence for compensatory gain as the daily weight gain tended to be greater for PS lambs when (0.25 kg /day) compared to CON lambs (0.19 kg /day; P=0.14). Under the conditions of this experiment, parasite burden did not differ between treatments. The lack of difference may be attributed to decreased feed intake of PS and behavioral variation within pen. More work is needed to find a preferred method of including PS in a diet to improve feed intake and thus treatment efficacy. Additionally, the variability of FEC urges experiments involving the need for fecal analysis to include more regular collection intervals to ensure that changes in parasite burdens are captured accurately.Item Process Optimization of Epoxidized Coffee Oil(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Sugiyama, Sakura; Hatzakis, EmmanuelThe use of coffee oil to form biopolymers via epoxidation grants a novel use of spent coffee grounds, a waste product. One common method of epoxidation uses hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid such as formic acid. While the use of formic acid is more efficient, acetic acid is a desirable alternative due to its lower cost and reduced corrosivity, making it a better fit for metallic industrial reactors. The objectives of this project were to optimize several factors of the epoxidation process of coffee oil, including reaction time, temperature, and choice of acid. Additionally, the formation of an undesirable middle layer during extraction of the epoxide product was examined. It was hypothesized that acetic acid would yield a complete epoxidation after optimization of the process, and that middle layer formation would have a significant effect on the product yield. The epoxidation was done using coffee oil, hydrogen peroxide, and either 85% formic acid or glacial acetic acid. The success of the epoxidation was evaluated by process yield, measured by the mass of epoxide relative to the mass of coffee oil, as well as by reaction completion, which was determined using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy. Increasing the reaction time resulted in a higher degree of conversion for the formation of epoxides using both formic and acetic acid. However, it was also weakly associated with an increase in middle layer formation, as well as a decrease in product yield for epoxide processed with formic acid, but not with acetic acid. The reaction completion increased over time and appeared to plateau after 16 hours with formic acid and 20 hours for acetic acid, indicating completion of the reaction. Increasing the temperature to 70 °C and using acetic acid gave comparable results after 16 h as it did at 60 °C for 20 h. These results indicate that acetic acid may serve as a suitable alternative for formic acid, as it could achieve a similar reaction completion, while also increasing product yield as it was less prone to middle layer formation.Item The Association Between Cattle Temperament and Carcass Quality: A Review(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Belmonte, Sarah; Bohrer, BenjaminWhen breeding cattle, producers strategically choose what they are breeding for and what genetics they introduce into their herd. In order to pick a bull that will best benefit the herd, different traits are considered, including calving ease and other maternal traits, production characteristics such as weaning weight and yearling weight, and carcass merit traits such as ribeye area and marbling. In addition to these maternal, production, and carcass traits, docility is a critical factor when running a beef operation. While docility is crucial from human safety and animal welfare standpoints, it has also been shown to correlate with other economically important traits such as those regarding live performance and carcass quality. Many different ways to measure cattle temperament have been established, with chute score, exit velocity, and pen score being the most common. Many studies have utilized these methods to assess temperament and divide cattle into groups based on docility levels. These different groups are then used to compare both live performance and carcass quality using a variety of different parameters. This review will discuss the relationship between docility and average daily gain, feed efficiency and metabolism, and immunity for live performance, as well as ribeye area, tenderness, hot carcass weight, and quality grade for carcass quality. Overall, it can be concluded based on existing literature that live performance and carcass quality are significantly impacted by docility levels, and that more docile animals result in increased live performance and more desirable carcasses. These relationships are relevant to cattle producers as docility levels can have a significant economic impact on cattle operations. The main goal of a cattle operation is to return the most profit, and by selecting for animals with docile temperaments, more desirable carcasses are produced and more profit is generated for the beef industry.Item The Relationship Between Anthocyanins and Tannins to Sensory Traits in Various Apples(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Barrett, Rachel; Cooperstone, JessicaApples (Malus × domestica Borkh) are an important fruit for the United States economy as they are the number one fruit consumed by Americans. There are various phytochemicals in apples that offer potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits for humans. These include anthocyanins and tannins, both which are often perceived as having bitter or astringent taste in many foods, though the effect of these compounds on flavor in apples is not defined. Understanding the relationship between phytochemical content and consumer sensory traits has important implications on creating an apple higher in phenolics. A parallel study has been conducted to evaluate consumer sensory liking on 33 apple selections. The aim of this study was to quantify anthocyanins and tannins in these diverse apples and determine if there is a correlation between overall phytochemical class content and consumer liking. Correlation analyses show no significant relationships between total anthocyanin or tannin content and overall flavor liking of the selected apples. These data suggest that it may be possible to increase anthocyanin and tannin content in apples without sacrificing consumer liking.Item Influence of localized massage on biobehavioral responses of mature horses during exposure to unfamiliar stimuli(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Maddocks, Sophia; Cole, KimberlyExposure to unfamiliar stimuli can lead to increased heart rate (HR), an increased incidence of locomotor behaviors, and changes to facial expressions. Responses of horses to unfamiliar stimuli can have important consequences for both horse and human safety. Horses preferentially groom conspecifics in preferred areas, and imitating grooming of horses in this location has been shown to decrease horse HR. The objective of this study was to determine if localized massage along the preferred area would influence HR, behavior, and facial expressions during exposure to unfamiliar stimuli. Eleven Quarter Horse mares (11.6 ± 4.9 yr) were fitted with a Polar H10 Equine HR monitor and led from their group housing area to an open-front, 3.1 x 3.1 m grooming stall in a barn. After 5 min pre-stimulus (P1), hair clippers were turned on and held 30.5 cm from the horse’s left ear for 3 min consisting of: stimulus/pre-massage (45 sec; P2), stimulus/massage (90 sec; P3) and stimulus/post-massage (45 sec; P4). Afterward, the clippers were turned off for 5 min (P5: post-stimulus). HR and video recording occurred throughout the experiment. Scan sampling of videos was used every 15 sec during P1 and P5, and every 5 sec during P2-P4 to determine counts of behavior and facial expressions. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS v. 9.4. Significant differences in HR, locomotor behaviors, and facial expressions were observed between horses in the study, highlighting the role of individual variation among horses. No differences were observed in HR during P2-4 compared to P1 and P5. Horses moved their hind feet more frequently during exposure to the clippers once the localized massage stopped (p < 0.05). The frequency of ears facing the same or different directions in a relaxed position was greater during P3 (p < 0.01). Horses lowered their heads more often during exposure to the stimuli, except during P3 (p < 0.01). Although these findings indicate that localized massage may reduce stress-related behaviors and facial expressions during exposure to unfamiliar stimuli, more research in this area is needed.Item Effects of Supplemental Colostrum Intake to Jersey Calves after 24 hr of Birth on Health and Growth(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Rivera Fernández, Gabriella C.; Eastridge, Maurice L.The objective of this research was to determine the effect feeding colostrum supplements (CS) beyond the 24-hour gut closure period would have on Jersey calves, specifically its impact on serum protein concentrations and growth rate. Twenty calves were assigned to either the control or treatment group. Calves assigned to the control group (n=14) received regular milk replacer, while calves in the treatment group (n=6) received colostrum supplement added to their regular milk replacer twice daily for the next 14 days of life, each feeding containing 10 g of immunoglobulin G (IgG). Dams whose colostrum IgG level met or exceeded the minimum requirement (60 g/100mL IgG) were included in the study. Calf body weight (BW) and wither height (WH) were measured weekly, and fecal, and respiratory scores were recorded tri-weekly up until the time of weaning (56 days of age). Blood samples were drawn on days 1, 7 and 14 to assess serum protein concentrations. The treatment group calves exhibited on average higher WH than the control group (P=0.03), while BW, starter intake, and fecal scores showed no significant differences. Both treatment and control groups-maintained serum protein levels above the 5.5 g/100 mL threshold. Administering CS did not significantly alter serum protein concentrations on days 7 and 14, and a decline in these concentrations was noted as the calves aged. Without CS, a more pronounced disparity in serum protein levels might have emerged by day 14, suggesting a potential benefit of CS, especially under challenging environmental conditions. Further studies with additional animal numbers are required to confirm these findings.Item Securing the Future of the Farm: Impacts of Farm Succession Planning(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Tietje, Ryanna; Jodlowski, MargaretOver the last two decades, the average age of farm operators has trended upwards while farm consolidation has accelerated, often because many individual operations face uncertainty about their future. One driver of that uncertainty is the barriers to farm succession planning. This study explores these and provides insight into how agricultural operations in Ohio plan to transition from one generation to the next. Through a self-designed survey of Ohio’s farmers, I collect data from the primary operators of different types of operations across the state. Key sections of the survey are those that ask the operator to evaluate his/her future plans and to provide detailed information about the nature of the succession plan. These details represent a clear advancement from the earlier literature, which has typically relied on a binary measure of farm succession planning. I summarize the data from the survey using descriptive statistics, including difference-in-means tests and other distributional analysis. I then use these survey data to analyze factors impacting whether an operation has a succession plan; I also estimate the relationship between succession planning and operational performance using linear regression methods, including probit models and ordinary least squares. Initial results indicate a strong correlation between farm financial stability and quality of a farm succession plan. Unsurprisingly, there is also a strong relationship between an operation’s performance and the presence of successors. However, operations with limited succession planning appear to be the most optimistic in terms of their expectations for the operation’s future financial success. Ultimately, this work describes how these plans (or lack thereof) impact the growth potential and financial stability of Ohio’s farms. It also lays the groundwork for future research that analyzes the direction of the relationship between, for example, the financial and productive performance of the operation and the extent to which successors are involved.Item Using molecular markers to determine sex of date palm seedlings, Phoenix dactylifera(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Pilutti, Francesca; Gschwend, AndreaDate palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae), is a globally important food crop. Date palms are dioecious perennials with pollen-producing and fruit-producing flowers located on separate individuals. Maximizing fruit yield requires farmers to maintain a high ratio of fruit producing (female) to pollen producing (male) plants. Flowers only appear once the plant is mature, which can take 5-8 years. The ability to quickly and accurately determine the sex of date palm seedlings would be beneficial for date palm agricultural practices. One method to determine the sex of seedlings that has shown great potential is to test for the presence of sex-specific molecular markers via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Several studies have developed date palm sex-specific PCR primers, but their efficacy has not been proven across cultivars and populations. The sex of date palm is determined by an X/Y chromosome system, with the male being heterozygous and female being homozygous for the sex determination region. In this study, primers were designed from two male-specific genes located on the Y chromosome: GPAT3 and CYP703. Previous sequencing of these genes across the genus revealed that they are present in the sex determination region of males in all 14 species of Phoenix. By designing primers that amplify male-specific DNA in the sex determining region of the Y chromosome, PCR can be used to determine the sex of date palms at the seedling stage. Seedlings from a Florida population of date palms were used in this study to test the efficacy of the molecular markers. The background of this population was unknown and potentially genetically distinct from available reference genomes. DNA extracted from leaf tissue of 5 samples, two of know sex and three of unknown sex, was used for PCR and was visualized using gel electrophoresis. The primers designed from GPAT3 and CYP703 selectively amplified DNA in the male samples. GPAT3 and CYP703 gene sequences from the male Florida samples were aligned with available GPAT3 and CYP703 reference sequences from species in the genus, Phoenix. Sequences from the Florida population shared the greatest identify with species P. sylvestris, P. paludosa, and P. canariensis. Notably not P. dactylifera. These results support that primers designed from gene sequences in P. dactylifera can accurately amplify male-specific DNA in species across the genus. The primers identified in this study will be beneficial in date palm food production systems, as it reduces the time and cost of plant sex determination from a minimum of 5 years to just one day in a laboratory.Item Targeted Mitigation of Antibiotic Resistance from Animal Host to Consumers via Vegetable Products(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Fox, Nicholas; Wang, HuaAntibiotic resistance (AR) is a critical global health issue with far-reaching implications for healthcare, agriculture, and society. Recent data from the Wang lab revealed high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in traditionally fermented foods. The consumption of foodborne antibiotic resistant bacteria, passing through the gastrointestinal (GI) track has the potential to spread and amplify the amount of AR bacteria and the encoding AR gene within our own body. The objective of this study is to examine: 1) the prevalence and abundance of antibiotic resistant bacteria in vegetables associated with different production practices, and 2) the effect of post-harvest processing methods, such as sanitizers, exemplified by an electrolyzed water wash, on mitigating these AR bacteria from raw vegetables. In this study, green onion was planted in triplicate within three distinct types of soil: traditional potting soil (control), potting soil containing poultry feces (acting as fertilizer, experiment), and potting soil containing autoclaved poultry feces (control, with nutrients of feces). Each soil type was potted with replicates. Microbial assessments of the harvested plants were then conducted by plating the green onions on Brain Heart Infusion (BHI), for gram positive bacteria, and Luria Broth (LB), for gram negative bacteria, agar plates, with and without the supplementation of representative antibiotic, tetracycline, or ampicillin. Samples of green onion washed with electrolyzed water, pH of 4.4, for 5 minutes were further assessed by plate counting for the efficacy of the treatment. Our results suggest that the electrolyzed water treatment effectively inactivated pure cultures of E. coli and Lactobacillus sp. strains by at least 4 logs, and AR bacteria from purchased retail green onions by at least 2 logs. The abundance of AR bacteria in green onions grown in potting soil with and without autoclaved feces were low, but 1-2 logs higher in green onion grown in soil supplemented with unautoclaved feces. Electrolyzed water treatment also effectively mitigated total and AR bacteria in harvested green onions. Our data illustrated the potential transmission of AR bacteria from fecal fertilizer through the plants, and the effective mitigation of microbial risks in raw vegetables by electrolyzed water. The data paved the way for interrupting the ever- escalating circle of AR transmission via the chain of host feces, plants, food, and host gut/feces by targeted mitigation.Item Acceptance and Avoidance Behaviors of Equine Participating in Equine-Assisted Services(The Ohio State University, 2024-05) Adams, Christina; Cole, KimberlyHumans and animals have been interacting with one another for centuries. While humans and animals began by merely coexisting, many instances now exist of symbiosis or even somewhat of a social partnership between humans and animals (Waiblinger, 2017). Human-animal interactions (HAI), particularly those involving companion animals like dogs and cats, have been shown to provide both physiological and psychological benefits for the humans involved (O’Haire, 2010). A more specific scenario of HAI called equine-assisted services (EAS) is an overarching term used to describe a variety of activities incorporating horses that can focus on one of the categories of therapy, learning, or horsemanship (Wood et al., 2021). Due to a lack of research, it is not established what effects EAS has on the equines involved, so this study set out to explore acceptance and avoidance behaviors of equine during EAS to assist with future research on welfare implications of EAS on equine. Equines (n=10) were chosen by human participants (n=36) at The Ohio State University Equine Facility to interact throughout four consecutive, weekly 30-min sessions. Each session was video recorded to allow for scan sampling of behaviors every 30 sec. The resulting data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS v 9.4. It was found that certain behaviors were affected by the session. Standing toward, moving toward, acceptance, standing away, and avoidance behaviors all showed increased incidence in the first and second sessions compared to the third and fourth sessions. The results of the sessions’ impacts suggest that changes need to be made to the structure of EAS research to remove the usage of leads or find a way to better define equine behavior on a lead. The individual variation in behavior suggests that equine are going to exhibit certain behaviors based on their own personalities.