Object-Based Segmentation and Classification of One Meter Imagery for Use in Forest Management Plans

This research developed an ArcGIS Python model that extracts polygons from aerial imagery and assigns each polygon a vegetation type based on a modified set of landcover classes from the Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project. The model showed an ability to generate polygons that accurately represent vegetation community boundaries across a large landscape. The model is for use by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to assist in the preparation of forest management plans. The model was judged useful because it was easy to use, it met a designated 50% threshold of useable polygons, and it met a designated 50% threshold of vegetation class assignment accuracy

Broad and thematic remodeling of the surfaceome and glycoproteome on isogenic cells transformed with driving proliferative oncogenes.

The cell surface proteome, the surfaceome, is the interface for engaging the extracellular space in normal and cancer cells. Here we apply quantitative proteomics of N-linked glycoproteins to reveal how a collection of some 700 surface proteins is dramatically remodeled in an isogenic breast epithelial cell line stably expressing any of six of the most prominent proliferative oncogenes, including the receptor tyrosine kinases, EGFR and HER2, and downstream signaling partners such as KRAS, BRAF, MEK, and AKT. We find that each oncogene has somewhat different surfaceomes, but the functions of these proteins are harmonized by common biological themes including up-regulation of nutrient transporters, down-regulation of adhesion molecules and tumor suppressing phosphatases, and alteration in immune modulators. Addition of a potent MEK inhibitor that blocks MAPK signaling brings each oncogene-induced surfaceome back to a common state reflecting the strong dependence of the oncogene on the MAPK pathway to propagate signaling. Cell surface protein capture is mediated by covalent tagging of surface glycans, yet current methods do not afford sequencing of intact glycopeptides. Thus, we complement the surfaceome data with whole cell glycoproteomics enabled by a recently developed technique called activated ion electron transfer dissociation (AI-ETD). We found massive oncogene-induced changes to the glycoproteome and differential increases in complex hybrid glycans, especially for KRAS and HER2 oncogenes. Overall, these studies provide a broad systems-level view of how specific driver oncogenes remodel the surfaceome and the glycoproteome in a cell autologous fashion, and suggest possible surface targets, and combinations thereof, for drug and biomarker discovery

Identification of H19 polymorphism for an assessment of biallelic expression

Abstract only availableAnimals produced from assisted reproductive technologies suffer from developmental abnormalities and early fetal death at a higher frequency than that observed in those produced by natural breeding. These symptoms are reminiscent of imprinting disruptions, suggesting the possibility of an alteration in the expression of imprinted genes such as biallelic expression or silencing. H19 is one of the imprinted genes first identified in mice and humans, but its imprinting status has not been determined in pigs. The objective of this study was to identify an H19 polymorphism and estimate its frequency in the commercial pig population. In this study a polymorphism in the H19 gene was identified. The PCR products contained a pooled genome with over 900 specimens to support this finding. From the positive PCR products, the DNA was cloned and transformed with a TOPO TA Cloning kit (Invitrogen). Positive colonies were identified and digested with an AciI enzyme, which cut the DNA in specific fragments that were identifiable in a gel. Analysis of the gel showed evidence that a polymorphism exists on the H19 gene.F.B. Miller Undergraduate Research Program in Animal Science

The integration of virtual reality technology into agricultural education

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine virtual reality (VR) technology in the context of agricultural education. This study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches to address three objectives: (1) describe the opinions that school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers have about VR technology in the context of SBAE settings, (2) describe the perspectives that students have regarding the use of VR technology in the context of a university-level agricultural mechanics course, and (3) determine the impacts of the use of VR technology on university students’ achievement in the context of welding skill performance. To address objective one, a census study was conducted during the 2017-2018 academic year with 90 SBAE teachers across Iowa. A questionnaire was distributed to the teachers via Qualtrics. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the teachers generally held favorable opinions about VR technology intertwined with a considerable degree of uncertainty about the technology and its uses. To address objective two, a qualitative study was conducted with nine students in a university-level agricultural mechanics course who provided their perspectives on using a VR technology application to develop welding-related psychomotor skills. Two focus groups were convened during the Spring 2018 semester. Qualitative data analysis procedures were used. Three major themes emerged: (1) VR welding and live welding have some degree of alignment, (2) VR technology can have some form of utility as a tool for teaching and learning, and (3) the value of using VR technology often depends on the individual. Student feedback indicated that while using a VR technology application can be useful, it should not take the place of using actual welding equipment as part of the teaching and learning processes. To address objective three, an experimental study was conducted with 101 undergraduate- and graduate-level students at Iowa State University (ISU). All participants were randomly assigned to undergo one of four training protocols: (1) 100% live welding, (2) 100% VR welding, (3) 50% live welding / 50% VR welding, or (4) 50% VR welding / 50% live welding. Each training protocol was an hour long. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were no statistically significant differences (p \u3e .05) in total weld scores between participants in the four training protocol groups. The mixed results from this dissertation indicated that while VR technology may have potential for inclusion in agricultural education settings, further examination of the suitability of this technology is needed. Future research should include a focus on the efficacy of VR technology for teaching and learning purposes. Research should also examine the effectiveness of other educational technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR), to determine their potential for impacting the teaching and learning processes. Regarding implications for practice, agricultural education practitioners (e.g., SBAE teachers and university faculty) should consider a myriad of factors before making educational technology adoption decisions, including cost, ease of use, and alignment with course and program objectives