http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/210 http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/24576 Supplementing fatty acids to improve sperm characteristics Adams, Leah Research was conducted to determine whether the supplmentation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to the diets of miniature stallions would affect the motility and viability of their sperm following cooling and freezing. This study is important, as some stallions are unable to ship semen because their semen has poor tolerance to cooling and freezing procedures. Results for this study are inconclusive as of yet, but it could potentially make it possible to ship semen from many more sires, thus increasing the number of sires available to breeders across the country. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Leah Adams, advised by Dr. Kristina Hiney (University of Wisconsin-River Falls), to determine whether the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids would improve the post-thaw progressive motility and viability of stallion spermatozoa. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/24574 The impact of Cooperative Guided Reflection on student learning: the case of optimization problem solving in Calculus I Tomlinson, Kathy We examine the influence of Cooperative Guided Reflection (CGR) on student learning in the optimization unit in Calculus I. The investigation uses both quantitative and qualitative methodologies: pre and post surveys of student understanding and attitudes about problem solving; comparison of exam performance between treatment and control groups; and analysis of students' written work. The study finds a qualitative positive impact of CGR, with no significant effect on exam scores. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Dr. Kathy Tomlinson (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) on the use of Cooperative Guided Reflection to improve student learning on optimization problem solving in Calculus I. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/24572 A case for using locally grown food on campus Townsend, Justin As The University of Wisconsin River Falls has made the decision to be at the forefront of sustainable community development in the region, it becomes very important to look at all aspects of campus. Since our current food service contractor uses unsustainable practices, I researched the possibilities and benefits of using our local food stocks. My research was primarily looking at hidden costs of the food we eat here on campus based on previous research done by ecologists and economists. I also studied the feasibility of using our local food stock by using other universities, local programs, and our current use of local products. What I discovered was two important facts about our food services on campus. First, it was not sustainable and promoted a system that harmed our local economy, our neighbors, and the environment around the globe. Secondly, I found if we made a few changes in procurement our food services could provide a higher degree of freshness and nutrition to River Falls' students and staff. The conclusion I came to is that UW-River Falls should support imposed guidelines that tell our food service how much they must spend in our community. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Justin Townsend, advised by Dr. Kelly Cain (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) on the idea of using locally grown food on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/11461 Using DNA fragments to measure genetic variability within a natural stand of wild rice in northwestern Wisconsin Downes, Diana Understanding site criteria for the preservation of genetic variability in American wild rice (Zizania palustris) is necessary if healthy wild rice populations are to remain viable. Leaf samples were collected on a single day, from a wild-grown stand of approximately 45 acres location in northwestern Wisconsin. Characteristics of each plant and site criteria were recorded at the time of collection. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) was used to assess genetic variation. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Diana Downes, advised by Dr. Kim Mogen (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that used DNA fragments to measure the genetic variability of a natural stand of wild rice in northwestern Wisconsin. Sat, 28 Apr 2007 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/7947 Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Flowering and Plant Quality of Potted Ranunculus Asiaticus Rud, Nicole Ranunculus asiaticus is an important horticultural crop, both in cut flower and potted plant production; however a thorough production method for potted ranunculus has not yet been fully established. This experiment examined the roles of temperature and photoperiod in producing a quality potted crop. Color poster with text describing the research conducted by Nicole Rud, advised by Dr. Terry Ferriss (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) examining the effects of temperature and photoperiod on the flowering and plant quality of potted Ranunculus asiaticus. Sat, 28 Apr 2007 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6844 A walking exploration of the pilgrimage route El Camino de Santiago Crownhart, Andrea In the fall of 2005, I walked the pilgrimage route El Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. During my time on the Camino, I interviewed fellow pilgrims to discover why people want to complete this pilgrimage, as well as evaluating my own experiences as I walked. Color poster with text describing the research project conducted by Andrea Crownhart, advised by Dr. Margarita Hendrickson (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that examined the pilgrimage route El Camino de Santiago. Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6778 Design and Synthesis of TRPV1 Antagonists; Probing the D-Region Binding Site Using Amidoalkyl Substituents Held, Victoria Transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily 1 (TRPV1) is a membrane bound ion channel that mediates the pain response elicited by capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, and similar drugs. Structure activity studies of compounds that bind to TRPV1 indicate several binding sites, namely: 1) an aromatic “A” region, 2) a polar “B” region, and 3) a hydrophobic “C” region. A fourth region has recently been proposed based on the structure of resiniferatoxin. This “D” region is thought to be responsible for the increased potency of the drug. A new series of potential TRPV1 antagonists was designed incorporating molecular features intended to interact with the known A, B, and C binding sites. In order to investigate the interaction of the D binding region, amidoalkyl groups were incorporated into the target structures. The synthesis of several members of the target series was accomplished using a convergent synthetic strategy. Ultimately these compounds will be tested for their effectiveness as TRPV1 antagonists. 14 p. Sun, 29 Jan 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6776 The Differences in Profitability Among Higher Debt AgFA Dairy Farms 2003 Arnold, Elsa Hadley, Gregg Debt can be an effective tool to improve dairy farm businesses’ profitability. Over time, farmers and lenders perceptions of acceptable debt loads have changed. In today’s dairy business expansions, it is not uncommon to see farms with >70% debt compared to asset values. This study evaluates ROROA (rate of return on assets) on a subset of high-debt farms defined as those with a debt-to-asset ratio greater than 0.4 or 40% debt. Key significant differences were pinpointed between high and low profit farms within this subset. One of these was the asset turnover ratio. Higher milk prices and more efficient asset utilization were key factors in the profitability of the high-profit farms. 14 p. Sun, 29 Jan 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6774 Residents of the Republic: Missing Lands and Fingers Albert, Leila This paper will demonstrate the damage that the practices of North American companies have caused the nations of Central America while conducting business abroad. Beginning in the 1870s international fruit companies exploited the local land and labor of Central America in their pursuits of wealth. The general attitude of the companies toward the people and governments of Central America was paternalistic. Foreign fruit companies acquired vast tracts of land throughout Central America and built relationships with community leaders to ensure local favor. Findings confirm that fruit companies received concessions from local and national governments. Foreigners owned or controlled nearly all fruit plantations and production in Central America. Rarely did laborers employed by the fruit companies enjoy the benefits of company profits. Research has determined that lower class residents and workers had no means of opposing the oppressive fruit companies. The profits of fruit companies served only to increase the wealth of foreign investors and local elites. Evidence indicates that foreign fruit companies created pristine enclaves for white US citizens working in Central American countries. These white workers held all the management jobs while local workers held only manual and unskilled positions. Studies reveal that investment in Central American countries by these international companies was only done if it proved beneficial to either the fruit company or the fruit market. As factors emerged which made the plantations less profitable, the companies abandoned them and the countries in which they were located. Natives were left with no more than missing lands and fingers. 10 p. Sun, 29 Jan 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6772 Using Geographic Information Systems to Determine Potential Bald Eagle Nesting Sites in Washington County, MN Nelson, Zachary In North America, there is only one native eagle, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalis). The bald eagle population in the lower 48 states of the United States of America has declined dramatically. The population was estimated to be as much 500,000 in the 1700s, and it has fallen to approximately 20,000 in 2000. In 2000, Minnesota had an estimated 680 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Sixteen of the thirty-five active breeding sites in the Twin Cities Metro Area are located in Washington County. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) helped to determine where potential nesting sites are in Washington County. Slope and aspect of the known nesting sites were measured to determine the GIS model. The GIS helped establish other characteristics of the existing nests, such as distance to open water, proximity to roads, railroads and other man-made features. By developing and analyzing the GIS model of bald eagle nests, it was concluded that of the 1,015 square kilometers in Washington County, 88 square kilometers would be suitable for bald eagle nests. 10 p. Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6770 The Hosoya Index, Lucas Numbers and QSPR Westerberg, Tina Dawson, Kevin McLaughlin, Kevin The 2-methyl alkanes, the cyclic alkanes, and the 1-methyl bicyclo[X.1.0] alkanes are shown to possess identical values for the Hosoya index. For these specific molecular graphs, this topological index generates the integer sequence known as Lucas numbers. The implication of these results for quantitative structure-property relationship development is illustrated using normal boiling point data. 15 p. Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6593 MINDS@UW: a digital institutional repository service Southworth, Heidi Malzacher, Valerie In spring 2005, Chalmer Davee Library took the first steps towards sponsoring a presence for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the MINDS@UW project. MINDS@UW is a digital institutional repository service that is intended to provide a "safe haven" for published and unpublished electronic content of any discipline and is designed to capture, store, index, distribute and preserve the intellectual output of the university. By August 2005, the Library had posted its first collection to the site. Working in collaboration with the University’s Office of Grants & Research, this first collection consisted of undergraduate student and faculty posters from the 2005 Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Day (RSCA day). Now, the Library is taking the next step towards establishing more collections within the MINDS@UW project and invites you to offer feedback and discuss with us your questions on this exciting new service. Color poster with text describing the efforts of Heidi Southworth and Valerie Malzacher from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls' Chalmer Davee Library to establish a presence for the University in the MINDS@UW project. The poster provides a general overview of institutional repositories and the MINDS@UW project. Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6591 Determination of reinforcer value in rats with an adjusting-delay choice procedure involving a correspondence between location and amount of reinforcement Ridge, Thomas Linwick, Daniel Many models of reinforcement value predict that an animal should value a large delayed reinforcer more than a small immediate reinforcer. However, as the delay between choices and presentation of the large reinforcer increases, eventually, an animal should value the small reinforcer more highly. The current experiment employed a discrete-trials choice procedure to test these predictions. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Thomas Ridge, advised by Dr. Daniel C. Linwick (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that assessed self-control in rats and evaluated a quantitative model that included a delay-of-reinforcement parameter. Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6585 Calculating discharge energies needed to transport largest boulders within eskers Karlstad, Paul One main sediment transport feature within glaciers is eskers created by water from melting glacial ice. During times of rapid melt the amount of sediment that can be transported is at a maximum as well as the size of grains that can be transported. From the remnants of eskers I looked at these maximum flow events. The areas of investigation have been the northwestern portion of Wisconsin and the northeastern portion of Minnesota. These esker remnants are being investigated to find the unusually large grains infrequently transported during times of maximum discharge, and with that, find the maximum amount of energy in eskers. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Paul Karlstad, advised by Dr. Robert Baker (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) on calculating the energy necessary to transport large boulders within eskers. Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6575 A research internship at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Regan, Erin Ferriss, Terry Through a USDA Challenge Grant, tissue culture, Cedrus germination, and propagation of new plant material was researched at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Field trips to study the management structures of local gardens with the Longwood Graduate Fellows and Graduate Director Dr. Robert Lyons complemented the research activities. Color poster with text describing research and work conducted by Erin Regan, advised by Dr. Terry Ferriss (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) during an internship at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The internship involved working with tissue cultures of Cannas and Chrysanthemums, germination of Cedrus seeds, and propagation of a variety of different plants. Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:58:59 GMT