Kansas State University

The number of food safety issues linked to wheat milled products have increased in the past decade. These incidents were mainly caused by the contamination of wheat-based products by enteric pathogens. This manuscript is the first of a two-part review on the status of the food safety of wheat-based products. This manuscript focused on reviewing the available information on the potential pre-harvest and post-harvest sources of microbial contamination, and potential foodborne pathogens present in wheat-based products. Potential pre-harvest sources of microbial contamination in wheat included animal activity, water, soil, and manure. Improper grain storage practices, pest activity, and improperly cleaned and sanitized equipment are potential sources of post-harvest microbial contamination for wheat-based foods. Raw wheat flour products and flour-based products are potentially contaminated with enteric pathogens such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STECs), and Salmonella at low concentrations. Wheat grains and their derived products (i.e., flours) are potential vehicles for foodborne illness in humans due to the presence of enteric pathogens. A more holistic approach is needed for assuring the food safety of wheat-based products in the farm-to-table continuum. Future developments in the wheat supply chain should also be aimed at addressing this emerging food safety threat.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (DGAT1) is the major enzyme that synthesizes triacylglycerols (TAG) during Arabidopsis seed development. Mutant dgat1 seeds possess low oil content in addition to a high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition. Two genes encoding endoplasmic reticulum localized desaturase enzymes, fatty acid desaturase2 (FAD2) and fatty acid desaturase3 (FAD3), were upregulated in both dgat1‐1 and dgat1‐2 developing seeds. Crosses between both dgat1 mutant alleles and fad2‐1 failed to generate plants homozygous for both dgat1 and fad2 . Reciprocal crosses with wild‐type plants demonstrated that both male and female dgat1 fad2 gametophytes were viable. Siliques from DGAT1/dgat1‐1 fad2‐1/fad2‐1 and dgat1‐1/dgat1‐1 FAD2/fad2‐1 possessed abnormal looking seeds that were arrested in the torpedo growth stage. Approximately 25% of the seeds exhibited this arrested phenotype, genetically consistent with them possessing the double homozygous dgat1 fad2 genotype. In contrast, double homozygous dgat1‐1 fad3‐2 mutant plants were viable. Seeds from these plants possessed higher levels of 18:2 while their fatty acid content was lower than dgat1 mutant controls. The results are consistent with a model where in the absence of DGAT1 activity, desaturation of fatty acids by FAD2 becomes essential to provide PUFA substrates for phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) to synthesize TAG. In a dgat1 fad2 mutant, seed development is aborted because TAG is unable to be synthesized by either DGAT1 or PDAT.

Oats (Avena sativa L.) provide unique nutritional benefits and contribute to sustainable agricultural systems. Breeding high‐value oat varieties that meet milling industry standards is crucial for satisfying the demand for oat‐based food products. Test weight, thins, and groat percentage are primary traits that define oat milling quality and the final price of food‐grade oats. Conventional selection for milling quality is costly and burdensome. Multi‐trait genomic selection (MTGS) combines information from genome‐wide markers and secondary traits genetically correlated with primary traits to predict breeding values of primary traits on candidate breeding lines. MTGS can improve prediction accuracy and significantly accelerate the rate of genetic gain. In this study, we evaluated different MTGS models that used morphometric grain traits to improve prediction accuracy for primary grain quality traits within the constraints of a breeding program. We evaluated 558 breeding lines from the University of Illinois Oat Breeding Program across 2 years for primary milling traits, test weight, thins, and groat percentage, and secondary grain morphometric traits derived from kernel and groat images. Kernel morphometric traits were genetically correlated with test weight and thins percentage but were uncorrelated with groat percentage. For test weight and thins percentage, the MTGS model that included the kernel morphometric traits in both training and candidate sets outperformed single‐trait models by 52% and 59%, respectively. In contrast, MTGS models for groat percentage were not significantly better than the single‐trait model. We found that incorporating kernel morphometric traits can improve the genomic selection for test weight and thins percentage.

The nucleolus is the largest membraneless organelle and nuclear body in mammalian cells. It is primarily involved in the biogenesis of ribosomes, essential macromolecular machines responsible for synthesizing all proteins required by the cell. The assembly of ribosomes is evolutionarily conserved and accounts for the most energy-consuming cellular process needed for cell growth, proliferation, and homeostasis. Despite the significance of this process, the substructural mechanistic principles of the nucleolar function in preribosome biogenesis have only recently begun to emerge. Here, we provide a new perspective using advanced super-resolution microscopy and single-molecule MINFLUX nanoscopy on the mechanistic principles governing ribosomal RNA-seeded nucleolar formation and the resulting tripartite suborganization of the nucleolus driven, in part, by liquid–liquid phase separation. With recent advances in the cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) structural analysis of ribosome biogenesis intermediates, we highlight the current understanding of the step-wise assembly of preribosomal subunits in the nucleolus. Finally, we address how novel anticancer drug candidates target early steps in ribosome biogenesis to exploit these essential dependencies for growth arrest and tumor control.

Thermal conductivity is a key parameter governing heat transfer in rocks and soils with applications to geothermal systems and groundwater studies. Its accurate measurement is crucial to understand energy exchange in the Earth's subsurface. This study explores the application of the percolation-based effective-medium approximation (P-EMA) model to a broad range of soil types using a database including 158 soil samples. The P-EMA model for soil thermal conductivity, introduced by Ghanbarian and Daigle, is validated through robust optimization of its parameters and by comparing with the laboratory measurements where we find an excellent match between the theory and the experiments. A regression-based model is developed to estimate the P-EMA model parameters directly from other soil properties, such as sand, clay, bulk density, and thermal conductivities at completely dry and full saturation. The proposed regression-based relationships are evaluated using unseen data from two databases: one from Kansas containing 19 soil samples and another from Canada containing 40 soil samples. These regression-based relationships offer an approximation for the P-EMA model parameters, providing a practical approach to estimate the thermal conductivity of soils. Furthermore, a curve-clustering approach is proposed to classify soil thermal conductivity curves based on their similarities, providing insights into the heterogeneity of samples. We find seven clusters for each of which the average P-EMA model parameters are reported. The classification and regression models generally extend the seamless applicability of the P-EMA model.

Uniform plant spacing, seeding depth, and emergence are important factors heavily influenced by both machine settings and soil conditions. Understanding load distribution across the planter toolbar at varying planter settings and soil conditions provide feedback to improve planter performance and achieve desired seed placement consistency. One important soil property that affects opening disc load requirement in creating seed trench is soil texture which relates to soil strength. However, none of the existing methods (soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) maps, historic soil maps, and cone penetrometer) provide accurate soil strength data on a high spatial resolution which could be used to optimize planter performance. This study was conducted to (1) quantify the percentage of time row-planters need uplift during planting and (2) quantify opening disc loads using real-time machine control system recorded data across different ECa zones. Results showed that uplift events varied from 13 to 18% with wing and track sections revealed higher instances of uplift. Higher instances of uplift were observed on the non-track section for planter with wing wheels. Results revealed a modest correlation between soil ECa and opening disc load with 435 N more or 12% higher opening disc load applied on high soil ECa zones as compared in low soil ECa zones.

For decades, infrared (IR) spectroscopy has advanced on two distinct frontiers: enhancing spatial resolution and broadening spectroscopic information. Although atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based IR microscopy overcomes Abbe’s diffraction limit and reaches sub-10 nm spatial resolutions, time-domain two-dimensional IR spectroscopy (2DIR) provides insights into molecular structures, mode coupling and energy transfers. Here we bridge the boundary between these two techniques and develop AFM-2DIR nanospectroscopy. Our method offers the spatial precision of AFM in combination with the rich spectroscopic information provided by 2DIR. This approach mechanically detects the sample’s photothermal responses to a tip-enhanced femtosecond IR pulse sequence and extracts spatially resolved spectroscopic information via FFTs. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we elucidate the anharmonicity of a carbonyl vibrational mode. Further, leveraging the near-field photons’ high momenta from the tip enhancement for phase matching, we photothermally probe hyperbolic phonon polaritons in isotope-enriched h¹⁰BN. Our measurements unveil an energy transfer between phonon polaritons and phonons, as well as among different polariton modes, possibly aided by scattering at interfaces. The AFM-2DIR nanospectroscopy enables the in situ investigations of vibrational anharmonicity, coupling and energy transfers in heterogeneous materials and nanostructures, especially suitable for unravelling the relaxation process in two-dimensional materials at IR frequencies.

Kansas State University (KSU) Engineering Extension conducted an abridged evaluation of eight consumer grade digital radon monitors. Using the KSU secondary radon chamber, these devices were exposed to three different radon concentrations for 7 days in average household temperature and relative humidity conditions. The three different radon concentration ranges used were: 12.8 pCi/L to 15.5 pCi/L (473.6 Bq m-3-573.5 Bq m-3), 27.7 pCi/L to 29.4 pCi/L (1024.9 to 10857.8 Bq m-3) , and ambient room level average radon concentration of 0.6 pCi/L (22.2 Bq m-3). The American National Standards Institute/American Academy of Radon Scientists and Technologists Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon Gas in Air (ANSI/AARST MS-PC)[7] minimum performance metrics were used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of each model type for each radon concentration tested. The eight different device models performed within the 0 ± 25% requirement for the Individual Percent Error (IPE) for radon concentrations between 27.7 pCi/L and 29.4 pCi/L (1024.9 to 10857.8 Bq m-3). For radon concentrations between 12.8 pCi/L and 15.5 pCi/L (444 to 592 Bq m-3) and ambient room radon concentrations, seven of the eight monitors fell within the IPE ANSI/AARST MS-PC minimum performance requirement[7] ranges. All eight device models fell within the ± 15% ANSI/AARST MS-PC minimum performance requirement [7] Coefficient of Variation (CV) range for radon concentrations between 12.8 pCi/L and 15.5 pCi/L (444 to 592 Bq m-3) and for radon concentrations between 27.7 pCi/L and 29.4 pCi/L (1024.9 to 10857.8 Bq m-3). In the future, evaluating the performance of these models over time to observe their long term accuracy and precision is anticipated.

Sternal luxation/dislocation is a rare condition and is most often the result of trauma. Medical and surgical management have been described, with scarce information regarding the best treatment option for these cases. A 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for severe sternal dislocation and a left humeral fracture. Given the displacement observed at the level of the sternum and pain associated, surgical stabilization was elected. A partial lung lobe hernia was identified during the open stabilization of the sternum. Management of the hernia and sternal luxation stabilization were performed with the aid of video-assisted thoracoscopy. The cat recovered uneventfully, and no postoperative complications were reported.

Fragmentation isolates individuals and restricts access to valuable habitat with severe consequences for populations, such as reduced gene flow, disruption of recolonization dynamics, reduced resiliency to disturbance, and changes in aquatic community structure. Translocations to mitigate the effects of fragmentation and habitat loss are common, but few are rigorously evaluated, particularly for fishes. Over six years, we translocated 1215 individuals of four species of imperiled fish isolated below a barrier on the San Juan River, Utah, USA, that restricts access to upstream habitat. We used re‐encounter data (both passive integrated transponder tag and telemetry detections and physical recaptures) collected between 2016 and 2023, to inform a spatially explicit multistate mark–recapture model that estimated survival and transition probabilities of translocated and non‐translocated individuals, both below and above the barrier. Individuals of all four species moved large (>200 km) distances upstream following translocation, with the maximum upstream encounter distance varying by species. Results from the multistate mark–recapture model suggested translocated fish survived at a higher rate compared with non‐translocated fish below the barrier for three of the four species. Above the barrier, translocated individuals survived at similar rates as non‐translocated fish for bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus) and flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), while survival rates of translocated endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius; mean, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.55–0.88) and endangered razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus; 0.86, 0.75–0.92) were higher relative to non‐translocated individuals (Colorado pikeminnow: 0.52, 0.51–0.54; razorback sucker: 0.75, 0.74–0.75). Transition probabilities from above the barrier to below the barrier were generally low for three of the four species (all upper 95% CI ≤ 0.23), but they were substantially higher for razorback sucker. Our results suggest translocation to mitigate fragmentation and habitat loss can have demographic benefits for large‐river fish species by allowing movements necessary to complete their life history in heterogeneous riverscapes. Further, given the costs or delays in providing engineered fish passage structures or in achieving dam removal, we suggest translocations may provide an alternative conservation strategy in fragmented river systems.

The current study sought to examine attachment styles as mediators between intimate partner violence (IPV) and stress coping styles among Iranian women. Data were collected from September to December 2020. The study population was composed of 102 women who were referred to Social Emergency Centers in Isfahan and affected by domestic violence. They were given self-report questionnaires to measure IPV (the Haj-Yahia Violence Questionnaire), Stress Coping Styles (CISS), and Attachment Styles (AAQ). Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Sexual IPV victimization was related to both avoidant attachment (β = .229, p = .015) and anxious attachment (β = .245, p = .008). Anxious attachment style was related to emotion-oriented coping (β = .437, p = .000). There was a negative relationship between avoidant attachment and anxious attachment (β = −.237, p = .032) with avoidance-oriented coping. Sexual IPV victimization and economic IPV victimization were associated with avoidance-oriented coping (β = −.225, t = 0.816, p = .015; β = .188, t = 0.816, p = .044). Women who had experienced IPV and had an insecure attachment style were more likely to utilize avoidance and emotional coping strategies. For women who had a secure attachment style, there was no association was found between IPV victimization and coping styles. Attachment styles may influence the relationship between IPV and coping strategies in Iranian women who have experienced violence.

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), also known as white graphite, is a transparent layered crystal with a wide bandgap. Its crystal structure resembles graphite, featuring layers composed of honeycomb lattices held together through van der Waals forces. The layered crystal structure of hBN facilitates exfoliation into thinner flakes and makes it highly anisotropic in in-plane and out-of-plane directions. Unlike graphite, hBN is both insulating and transparent, making it an ideal material for isolating devices from the environment and acting as a waveguide. As a result, hBN has found extensive applications in optical devices, electronic devices, and quantum photonic devices. This comprehensive tutorial aims to provide readers with a thorough understanding of hBN, covering its synthesis, lattice and spectroscopic characterization, and various applications in optoelectronic and quantum photonic devices. This tutorial is designed for both readers without prior experience in hBN and those with expertise in specific fields seeking to understand its relevance and connections to others.

OBJECTIVE Develop a cytochrome P450 (CYP) phenotyping cocktail for dogs using specific substrates for hepatic P450 enzymes CYP2B11, CYP2D15, and CYP3A12 and determine whether alternative sampling methods (saliva and urine) or single time point samples could be used instead of multiple blood sampling. ANIMALS 12 healthy client-owned dogs (8 females and 4 males) from February 2019 to May 2019. METHODS In a randomized crossover study, dogs received oral administration of the probe drug bupropion (75 mg), dextromethorphan (30 mg), or omeprazole (40 mg) alone or as a 3-drug combination (Program in Individualized Medicine [PrIMe] cocktail) to evaluate simultaneous phenotyping of CYP2B11, CYP2D15, and CYP3A12. Pharmacokinetic profiles for the probe drugs and metabolites were determined using plasma, saliva, and urine. Dogs received probe drugs alone or combined. Pharmacokinetic profiles up to 6 hours postdose for the probe drugs and metabolites were determined using plasma, saliva, and urine. RESULTS The PrIMe cocktail was well tolerated. There was no statistically significant interaction between the probe drugs when administered together. Single time point plasma metabolic ratios at 4 hours postdose for all probe drugs strongly correlated with the corresponding area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve (AUC) ratios. Saliva AUC metabolic ratios for CYP3A12 and CYP2D15 and 6-hour urine for CYP2B11 and CYP2D15 were correlated with plasma AUC ratios. CONCLUSIONS The PrIMe cocktail can be used for simultaneous CYP phenotyping using plasma 4-hour single time point sample metabolic ratios. Saliva and urine sampling are suitable for specific CYPs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The PrIMe cocktail has potential as a useful tool in dogs to detect clinically important CYP-mediated drug-drug interactions, identify novel pharmacogenes, determine the drug-metabolizing phenotype of individual dogs, aid in individualized dose selection, and evaluate the effects of various physiological states on drug metabolism.

OBJECTIVE Assess femorotibial features in foals with and without medial femoral condyle (MFC) subchondral radiolucencies (SR+ and SR–). METHODS 3 independent, sequential radiographic studies were performed. Study 1 retrospectively measured femorotibial morphological parameters in repository radiographs (SR– and SR+). Study 2 qualitatively compared drawings of intercondylar notch shape in postmortem radiographs (SR–). Study 3 prospectively measured femorotibial parameters in 1-month-old foals (SR–). In studies 1 and 3, 13 morphologic parameters were measured. Limb directional asymmetry was assessed in 2 age groups (< 7 or ≥ 7 months). RESULTS Study 1 (SR– group; n = 183 radiographs) showed increased femoral measurements with maturation, except the distal femoral intercondylar notch width (FINw al ), which decreased. In contrast, in SR+ stifles (53 radiographs), 3 femoral parameters (MFC width [MFCw pf ], MFC height, or FINw al ) showed no changes. Tibial plateau width alone increased with maturation in both groups. Interobserver reliability was good to excellent. Study 2 (n = 53 radiographs) confirmed a distal FINw decrease in SR– foals. In study 1, left SR– stifles in greater than or equal to 7-month-old fillies had significantly larger femoral bicondylar width and FINw, while right SR+ stifles in fillies greater than or equal to 7 months had a significantly larger MFCw. In study 3 of 1-month-old foals (n = 94 SR– radiographs), the MFCw, femoral condyle bicondylar width, and lateral femoral condyle height were all greater on the left, whereas the intercondylar intereminence space width was larger on the right. CLINICAL RELEVANCE In SR+ stifles, the distal femur exhibited divergent maturation, indicating a wider MFC in the right stifle in older foals. As SR lesions are more common on the right, this suggests a potential association with MFC morphology.

This study examines the grazing management plans (GMPs) adoption and prioritization of environmental and economic objectives among U.S. cow-calf and stocker operations, utilizing 2020–2021 survey data and logistic regression analysis. Findings reveal regional adoption differences, with higher rates in the Midwest. Operations with succession plans, larger grazing lands, and stocker activities are more likely to adopt GMPs. Operations with more privately owned land and smaller herd sizes prefer environmental goals, while those with less grazing land prioritize economic outcomes due to resource concerns. The study provides insights for policies promoting GMP adoption and sustainability in the U.S. beef sector.