Browsing by Subject "Department of Animal Science"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Determining an Optimal Observation Method to Assess Behavior of Raptors in Captivity
    (2020) Wickert, Scarlet
    Continuous behavioral sampling yields the best approximation of an animal’s behavior but from a practical standpoint is difficult to carry out in many captive animal facilities. One challenge facing people who manage captive wildlife is how to best observe and record behavior data on their captive animals, so as to optimize their health and welfare. Previous research has identified behaviors associated with stress in captive raptors, but no studies have identified efficient behavioral sampling methods that can approximate daily behavioral patterns. The aim of this study was two-fold: 1) to establish a 24-hour time budget of two captive raptors using continuous sampling, and 2) to identify an intermittent scan sampling method that best approximates the results obtained by continuous sampling. The behavior of two captive raptors (Buteo jamaicensis and Strix varia) at The Raptor Center (TRC) was recorded continuously via video camera to produce an ethogram and time budget of behaviors performed within a single 24-hour period. Instantaneous scan samples of the 24-hour videos were performed every 2 hours, 4 hours, and during 13 randomly selected times throughout the 24-hour sample, as well as every 2 hours, 3 hours, and at 4 random times between 9:00am-3:00pm, within TRC’s operating hours. Time budgets from each of these sampling methods were compared to those generated by continuous observation. Results showed that intermittent scan samples were not successful at approximating the results of behavioral observations yielded from continuous sampling, regardless of interval length. It is hoped that these findings can help caretakers around the world choose which behavioral sampling strategies are best for assessing the welfare of captive raptors.
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    Effects of DEET on Proteins in Mosquito Cells
    (2009-04-08) Hellestad, Vanessa
    DEET, N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. It is a chemical applied to the skin or clothing that is used to protect against arthropods such as ticks and mosquitoes. We did preliminary experiments that showed the surprising result that DEET kills mosquito cells in tissue culture. This was unexpected because cultured cells do not have sensory organs to detect a repellent. While running SDS gels we discovered a protein that was expressed in cells that were treated with DEET and absent in those that were not.
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    Interview with C. Eugene "Gene" Allen
    (University of Minnesota, 1997-08-14) Allen, C. Eugene; Chambers, Clarke A.
    Clarke A. Chambers interviews C. Eugene "Gene" Allen, a thirty year employee of the University.
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    Investigating the Impacts of Kombucha Consumption on Metabolic and Mental Health In a Murine Model: The Microbiome Nexus
    (2021) Walker, Grace
    Kombucha, a popular fermented tea beverage with touted health benefits due to its metabolic and probiotic profile, is largely understudied in the extent of its potential health promotion. To this end, we designed an experiment using murine models to investigate the metabolic and mental health impacts of kombucha consumption. We administered treatment to four different experimental groups of twelve mice each over seven weeks, using a Total Western Diet of high-fat high-sugar HFS content and standard (STD) diet. DNA was extracted from fecal samples collected at the end of the project and sent to be sequenced using 16S rRNA methods. Tests for anxiety and depression were performed as well, and data was analyzed to make conclusions about the extent to which kombucha consumption alleviated mental health outcomes of a HFS diet. Overall, results indicated that kombucha consumption has significant positive metabolic health effects; behavioral implications are less conclusive but leave room for future directions of research. DNA sequencing and analysis of gut microbiome profiles are also further areas of research discussed.
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    Widespread Recycling in Local Restaurants to Reduce Waste
    (2009-04-08) Block, Lindsay
    Widespread recycling and composting is uncommon in restaurants; everything used is thrown into the garbage, which usually ends up in a landfill. Recycling reduces the amount of waste as well as provides raw material for making new products. Composting naturally increases the nutrient content in soil and reduces greenhouse emissions from landfills. Restaurants in this study produce an average of 30 tons per year of garbage that ends up in a landfill. For three consecutive days the garbage from each of four restaurants was sorted into plastics, metals, glass, paper products, food and other waste. The average percent amount for each component was 5%, 4%, 3%, 25%, 15%, and 18% respectively. Composting food and paper products would decrease the amount of waste added to landfills each year to only 6 tons, which represents a 500% reduction in total landfill accumulation each year. Recycling and composting represents a small, but important step in reducing emissions and protecting the environment.