Life Sciences Commons^™

Public Policy And Advocacy In The Dietetics Curriculum: Challenges And Opportunities, Jessica Garay, Meghan Donnelly, Amy Herman, Kathryn Lawson, Sarah Martin, Leah Reed

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and other health professionals should be involved in advocacy efforts related to food access and health care. However, education about, and opportunities to actively participate in, public policy are often limited for dietetics students. The goal of this project was to identify how dietetics programs meet ACEND standards relating to public policy in their current and/or accredited program. Methods: An online survey was sent to dietetics faculty at U.S. higher education institutions. Survey questions focused on how programs currently meet ACEND standards for public policy or plan to meet standards in their dietetics program. Respondents were …

Incorporating Experiential Learning And Reflection Related To Sustainable Food Systems In Undergraduate Dietetics Courses, M Elizabeth (Beth) Miller, Kara Quigg, Cassidy Hanner, Iris Puthoff, Diana Cuy Castellanos

Journal of Dietetic Education

Objective: Knowledge and competence in sustainable food systems is a priority in dietetic programs and outlined in program accreditation standards and standards of practice for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). However, limited literature exists on how students are learning about sustainable food systems. The purpose of this study was to explore dietetic student experiences and perceptions after the inclusion of a farm-based experiential-learning activity. Methods: A qualitative approach was utilized to explore student reflections following their experiential-learning with sustainable food systems via university-based farms. Students completed sustainable food systems modules and completed five hours on the university farm. Students then wrote …

Student Perceptions Of An Undergraduate Nutrition Peer Mentoring Program, Sarah Hudnall, Rayanna Becker, Laura Meza Esparza, Sara Sanders, Ann Diker

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: Peer mentoring programs help students navigate challenges and stressors in their undergraduate education. There is minimal research on the effectiveness of these programs in nutrition and dietetics. Objective: The objective was to explore the perceptions of student mentors and mentees in an undergraduate nutrition peer mentoring program. Design: This qualitative research study utilized thematic analysis of student reflection papers. One hundred students were contacted via email to provide consent to review reflection papers. Reflection papers were collected from 33 students: 11 mentees and 22 mentors. Papers were imported into NVivo qualitative analysis software and coded for themes. Participants: Thirty-three …

Challenges Of Competency Management For Dietetics Program And Internship Directors: An Application Of Design Thinking, David Gaviria, Elizabeth Chen

Journal of Dietetic Education

Objective: Dietetics education transitioned to competency-based education (CBE) in July 2022. Despite its benefits, managing competencies may be a challenging aspect of CBE for dietetics program and internship directors (PDIDs), yet it is unclear what specific aspects of competency management are difficult. Using design thinking, this study sought to capture the impact recent CBE implementation had on PDIDs by identifying specific pain points (i.e., challenges) related to competency management. The results of this work serve to document such pain points and may be used to generate solutions to address or eliminate the pain points. For example, this research can support …

Stakeholder Perceptions Of A Hybrid Competency-Based Education Program In Dietetics, Kristen Heitman, Stephanie M. Fanelli, Jennifer A. Garner, Kristen M. Roberts, Marcia Nahikian-Nelms, Julie Kennel, Christopher A. Taylor

Journal of Dietetic Education

As requirements for entry-level dietitians advance to the master’s degree level, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics has published a Future Education Model (FEM). At present, FEM utilizes Competency-Based Education (CBE) for optional program implementation at early adopter demonstration sites. A limited number of CBE programs exist within the field of dietetics, and there is little published literature on its use in this arena. The present study leverages focus groups with students and interviews with faculty and preceptors to evaluate use of a novel CBE program in dietetics and explore factors that facilitate or hinder implementation of …

Table Of Contents, Editors' Message, M Elizabeth (Beth) Miller, Diana Cuy Castellanos

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

Consequences Of Spatial Structure In Soil–Geomorphic Data On The Results Of Machine Learning Models, Daehyun Kim, Insang Song, Lorrayne Miralha, Daniel R. Hirmas, Ryan W. Mcewan, Tom G. Mueller, Pavel Samonil

Biology Faculty Publications

In this paper, we examined the degree to which inherent spatial structure in soil properties influences the outcomes of machine learning (ML) approaches to predicting soil spatial variability. We compared the performances of four ML algorithms (support vector machine, artificial neural network, random forest, and random forest for spatial data) against two non-ML algorithms (ordinary least squares regression and spatial filtering regression). None of the ML algorithms produced residuals that had lower mean values or were less autocorrelated over space compared with the non-ML approaches. We recommend the use of random forest when a soil variable of interest is weakly …

Transcriptional Pausing Factor M1bp Regulates Cellular Homeostasis By Suppressing Autophagy And Apoptosis In Drosophila Eye, Anuradha Venkatakrishnan Chimata, Hannah Darnell, Akanksha Raj, Madhuri Kango-Singh

Biology Faculty Publications

During organogenesis cellular homeostasis plays a crucial role in patterning and growth. The role of promoter proximal pausing of RNA polymerase II, which regulates transcription of several developmental genes by GAGA factor or Motif 1 Binding Protein (M1BP), has not been fully understood in cellular homeostasis. Earlier, we reported that M1BP, a functional homolog of ZKSCAN3, regulates wingless (wg) and caspase-dependent cell death (apoptosis) in the Drosophila eye. Further, blocking apoptosis does not fully rescue the M1BP^RNAi phenotype of reduced eye. Therefore, we looked for other possible mechanism(s). In a forward genetic screen, members of the Jun-amino-terminal-(NH2)-Kinase (JNK) pathway …

Proceedings Of The 2023 Berry Summer Thesis Institute, University Of Dayton. University Honors Program

Proceedings of the Berry Summer Thesis Institute

Thanks to a gift from the Berry Family Foundation and the Berry family, the University Honors Program launched the Berry Summer Thesis Institute in 2012. The institute introduces students in the University Honors Program to intensive research, scholarship opportunities and professional development. Each student pursues a 12-week summer thesis research project under the guidance of a UD faculty mentor. This contains the product of the students' research.

Contents:

• “How Porous Materials Affect the Boundary-Layer Transition of Hypersonic Flight Vehicles” (Megan C. Sieve)
• “Ultra-Stretchable, Self-Healing, DLP 3D-Printed Elastomers for Damage-Resistant Soft Robots: A Review” (Robert M. A. Drexler)
• “Extrapolation of Scalar …

Short-Term Improvement In Self-Perceived Knowledge And Weight Bias Following A 15-Week Course On Pediatric Obesity, Rosanna P. Watowicz, Harrine Ramesh

Journal of Dietetic Education

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs)are an integral part of weight management teams; however, previous research indicates that RDNs may hold weight-related biases. Additionally, there may be a gap between what RDNs learn about weight management during their education and training and the competencies that RDNs should achieve before working in weight management. The objective of this study was to examine whether a 15-week graduate course on pediatric obesity led to a short-term increase in self-perceived knowledge of 13 Obesity Medicine Education Collaborative competencies, as well as a short-term decrease in weight bias. Nutrition graduate students enrolled in the course completed a …

Effectiveness Of Simulation-Based Learning On Clinical Competence In Dietetics Students: A Narrative Review, Claudia W. Scott, Rena Zelig, Diane L. Rigassio Radler

Journal of Dietetic Education

Clinical supervised practice experiences offered through dietetic internships have historically been among the most challenging to obtain. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the scarcity of these experiences and forced dietetics education programs to offer alternative experiences in the absence of direct patient care opportunities. Simulation-based learning experiences (SBLE) or objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) are one method of providing these alternative options, and if effective, could be routinely incorporated into dietetics education. This review evaluates five original research articles to determine the effectiveness of simulation-based learning on perceived or observed clinical competence in dietetic students. The findings of the studies unanimously …

Dietetic Students’ Changes In Attitudes After Participating In Online Interprofessional Education, Kelly Jackson, Terri L. Kurz, Mary Marian

Journal of Dietetic Education

Interprofessional education (IPE) is an accreditation requirement and an important component of training for future registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and access to quality IPE is often limited in online programs. An online IPE module was developed to provide dietetics students the opportunity to build collaborative skills with students in other healthcare training programs. A research study was designed to answer the following research question: How and to what extent does participation in an online IPE module impact online dietetics students’ attitudes of interprofessional practice? Participants were dietetics students enrolled in an upper-division online dietetics course. Data gathered included a retrospective …

Undergraduate And Graduate Students’ Retrospective Perception Of Flipped Learning In Dietetics Curricula, Rachel L. Vollmer, Teresa Drake

Journal of Dietetic Education

Most studies investigating flipped learning fail to assess how student perceptions of flipped learning may change once the class is complete, and students have a chance to reflect on the experience. Follow-up studies are needed to evaluate the sustainability of the benefits from flipped learning among students and how they feel it prepares them, if at all, for future classes and/or their professional lives. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore how graduate and undergraduate dietetics students retrospectively perceive a course that used flipped learning 2 years after they completed the course. Two focus groups with undergraduate (n=5) …

The Impact Of A Graduate-Level Applied Research Course On Graduate-Level Nutrition Students’ Research-Related Perceptions, Attitudes, And Knowledge, Alexandria Caljean, Kaitlyn M. Eck

Journal of Dietetic Education

Nutrition professionals report low levels of research utilization and engagement. This study explored the associations between completion of an applied nutrition research (capstone) course and students’ research-related perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge. Nutrition graduate students at a university in Pennsylvania completed an online survey at the beginning and end of a semester. The survey assessed perceptions of research participation and application, attitudes regarding research, and self-efficacy for conducting research, engaging in evidence-based practice, and collaborating on research. Students in a capstone course (n=17) learned about applying research in the field and conducted a research project. Non-capstone students (n=11) were not in …

A Cross‐Sectional Survey Of Research Involvement And Interest Among Graduate Dietetics Students, Courtney Wedemire, Rebecca Brody, Joachim Sackey, Laura Byham-Gray

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: Dietitians are not frequently participating in or leading research. Cultivating greater research interest and involvement starts with dietetics education, but little is known about dietetics students’ research involvement and interest. This study examines relationships between research involvement and interest among graduate dietetics students. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey design incorporating participant characteristic data, the Practice-Based Dietitian Research Involvement Survey (PBDRIS), and the modified Interest in Research Questionnaire (IRQ) tools; 89 of 327 (27.2%) graduate dietetic students from 3 US universities were included. Participant characteristics, PBDRIS scores, and IRQ scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Relationships between variables …

Table Of Contents, Editors' Message, Editorial Board, Diana Cuy Castellanos, M. Elizabeth Miller

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

N-Acetyltransferase 9 Ameliorates Aβ42-Mediated Neurodegeneration In The Drosophila Eye, Prajakta Deshpande, Anuradha Venkatakrishnan Chimata, Emily E. Snider, Aditi Singh, Madhuri Kango-Singh, Amit Singh

Biology Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, manifests as accumulation of amyloid-beta-42 (Aβ42) plaques and intracellular accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that results in microtubule destabilization. Targeted expression of human Aβ42 (GMR > Aβ42) in developing Drosophila eye retinal neurons results in Aβ42 plaque(s) and mimics AD-like extensive neurodegeneration. However, there remains a gap in our understanding of the underlying mechanism(s) for Aβ42-mediated neurodegeneration. To address this gap in information, we conducted a forward genetic screen, and identified N-acetyltransferase 9 (Mnat9) as a genetic modifier of GMR > Aβ42 neurodegenerative phenotype. Mnat9 is known to stabilize microtubules by inhibiting c-Jun-N- …

Surveillance And Stewardship: Where Infection Prevention And Antimicrobial Stewardship Intersect, Fred C. Tenover, Debra A. Goff

Biology Faculty Publications

Colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is a risk factor for subsequent infection. Surveillance for MDROs, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, and carbapenemase-producing organisms, is commonly conducted in hospitals to prevent spread of MDROs, in part to reduce the potential for additional infections. Although colonization is a risk factor for infection, data on colonization with various MDROs are often not considered when selecting anti-infective therapy. There are conflicting data on the strength of the positive and negative predictive values of the colonization test results to guide therapeutic strategies. Defining therapeutic strategies for patients with complicated or …

Directed Carbapenemase Testing Is No Longer Just For Enterobacterales: Cost, Labor, And Workflow Assessment Of Expanding Carbapenemase Testing To Carbapenem-Resistant P. Aeruginosa, Fred C. Tenover, Christian M. Gill, Poonam Rajkotia, Amity L. Roberts, David P. Nicolau

Biology Faculty Publications

Molecular carbapenem-resistance testing, such as for the presence of carbapenemases genes, is commonly implemented for the detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales. Carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa is also associated with significant morbidity and mortality, although; prevalence may be underappreciated in the United States due to a lack of carbapenemase testing. The present study sought to compare hands-on time, cost and workflow implementation of carbapenemase gene testing in Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa isolates versus sending out isolates to a public health laboratory (PHL) for testing to assess if in-house can provide actionable results. The time to carbapenemase gene results were compared. Differences in cost …

A Two-Day Virtual Workshop On The Micronutrient-Directed Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam For Ghanaian Nutrition Professionals: Examining Perceived Self-Efficacy And Innovation, Leah Anne Qubty, Freda Intiful, Andrea Arikawa, Leslie Van Horn, Lauri Wright

Journal of Dietetic Education

Micronutrients are key components of various physiological processes. In Ghana, micronutrient deficiencies are common and medical resources are limited. Biochemical markers of nutrition status are costly and require specialized medical equipment. In the absence of available biochemical markers of nutrition status, the micronutrient-directed nutrition-focused physical exam is a viable tool. This mixed-methods research aimed to determine whether a two-day virtual workshop for Ghanaian nutrition professionals (N=131) would improve perceptions regarding the usefulness and self-efficacy of the micronutrient-directed nutrition-focused physical exam. Quantitative data were collected via a virtual pretest (immediately prior to the workshop) and a virtual posttest (immediately following the …

Salary Negotiation Among Dietetics Professionals: Lived Experiences And A Three-Pronged Approach To Advancing Negotiation Skills And Confidence, Leila M. Shinn, Suzi Hinck, Lisa Jones, Katie Goldberg, Adrien B. Paczosa, Erin M. Mckinley

Journal of Dietetic Education

There is a lack of tools and training to assist in salary and benefit (S&B) negotiations within the nutrition profession. This study is the first to analyze thoughts, feelings, and experiences with S&B negotiations among nutrition and dietetics professionals. The 32-item, web-based, cross-sectional survey study was completed by English-speaking individuals of any gender who identified as a “nutrition and dietetics professional,” were 18 years of age or older in the United States or US Territory. Participant demographics, experience, confidence, and success with negotiation of S&B, value of negotiation, and interest in learning more were the primary outcome measures determined before …

Integration Of Disability Studies And Culinary Instruction Into Nutrition Curriculum Development, Joanne Sullivan, Regina Subach, Janice Goldschmidt

Journal of Dietetic Education

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is currently promoting the advancement of cultural humility as a means for nutritional professionals to better appreciate the lived experience and identities of others as well as the power dynamics that create health inequalities. At the same time, the Academy has struggled to advance services to underserved populations such as those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and autism spectrum disorder. Here the authors argue that both goals can be achieved by involving nutrition students in the teaching of food preparation skills to individuals with IDD. Dietetic students emerge with an enhanced understanding of …

Navigating The Adoption Of Interprofessional Education As A Performance Standard In Dietetics Education, Paige Whitney, Mary Ann Kluge

Journal of Dietetic Education

Abstract: The purpose of this collective case study was to explore the diffusion of interprofessional education (IPE) in response to specific Future Education Model (FEM) Graduate Program accreditation standards and performance indicators. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 FEM program directors from geographically diverse US states. Website and document review were triangulated with the interview data, and Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) was used as a theoretical framework to add dimension to the study. Three themes emerged from analysis: 1) Accreditation standards are not the driving force of IPE; 2) Program Directors can serve …

Exploring Dietary Patterns With The Rapid Eating And Activity Assessment For Patients (Reap) Tool In A Dental School Clinic, Katherine Wiley, Rena Zelig, Hamed Samavat, Diane Rigassio Radler

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: Dietary pattern assessment by healthcare providers leads to a better understanding of usual intake and evaluation of nutritional status, systemic health, and disease. Interprofessional team members can use such information to provide interventions leading to improved health outcomes. Objective: The aim was to explore the dietary patterns of adults seen in a dental clinic using the Rapid Eating and Activity Assessment for Patients (REAP) tool. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of data from 220 adult patients (aged 18-89 years) who had a diet evaluation completed in a dental school clinic. Demographic information and REAP responses were obtained from …

Table Of Contents, Editors' Message, Editorial Board, Diana Cuy Castellanos, M. Elizabeth (Beth) Miller

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

A Pooling Strategy For Detecting Carbapenem Resistance Genes By The Xpert Carba-R Test In Rectal Swab Specimens, Fred C. Tenover, Peng Zhang, Qi Wang, Chaoe Zhou, Feifei Zhang, Xinghui Gao, Yi-Wei Tang, Hui Wang

Biology Faculty Publications

Rapid and accurate detection of carriers of carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO) in hospitalized patients is critical for infection control and prevention. This study aimed to evaluate a pooling strategy for the detection of carbapenem resistance genes (CRG) in multiple specimens using the Xpert Carba-R test. Two rectal swabs each were collected from 415 unique patients. One swab was tested by Carba-R on the five specimen-pooled strategy. The other swab was tested individually by culture followed by DNA sequence analysis for CRG as the reference. At the first 5:1 pooling testing, 22 of 83 pools were positive, which yielded 34 positives from …

Clinical Practice Guidelines: The Road Map To Better Care, Mary I. Fisher

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are important tools in translating research evidence into clinical practice as they critically evaluate and summarize the body of evidence on clinical topics. Clinicians can use these studies to quickly survey the current literature base to increase understanding of a clinical diagnosis they make, with the intent of using this information to improve their clinical practice. A well-written systematic review or meta-analysis, with critical evaluation of study quality, is then that Cliffs Note version of what to know and what to do. Therefore, with the proliferation of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, we should see a corresponding …

Leaf Phenology And Freeze Tolerance Of The Invasive Tree Pyrus Calleryana (Roseaceae) And Potential Native Competitors, Margaret E. Maloney, Abby Hay, Eric B. Borth, Ryan W. Mcewan

Biology Faculty Publications

Pyrus calleryana is one of the most problematic invasive species in the eastern United States. The mechanisms that enable Py. calleryana to establish and outcompete native plants are not fully understood but likely include a profile of advantageous traits. Extended leaf phenology is a characteristic noted in many woody invasive plants. Leaf phenology of Py. calleryana and two native woody species, Populus deltoides and Platanus occidentalis, was observed in natural areas near Dayton, OH from December 2019 to November 2020. A frost event in May also gave us the serendipitous opportunity to assess frost tolerance of these species. We …

Screening And Assessment Of Cancer-Related Fatigue: An Executive Summary And Road Map For Clinical Implementation, Joy C. Cohn, Shana Harrington, Jeannette Lee, Daniel Malone, Mary I. Fisher

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) prevalence is reported as high as 90%. Cancer-related fatigue is multidimensional and associated with lower health-related quality of life. Effective screening and assessment are dependent upon use of valid, reliable, and clinically feasible measures. This Executive Summary of the Screening and Assessment of Cancer-related Fatigue Clinical Practice Guideline provides recommendations for best measures to screen and assess for CRF based on the quality and level of evidence, psychometric strength of the tools, and clinical utility.

Methods: After a systematic review of the literature, studies evaluating CRF measurement tools were assessed for quality; data extraction included psychometrics …

Mechanisms Of Carbapenemase-Mediated Resistance Among High-Risk Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Lineages In Peru, Isabella A. Tickler, Juan Carlos Gomez De La Torre, Luis Alvarado, Anne E. Obradovich, Fred C. Tenover

Biology Faculty Publications

Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections globally. High-risk carbapenemase-encoding P. aeruginosa clones are disseminating in many regions. The aim of this study was to learn more about the lineages and mechanisms of resistance of P. aeruginosa circulating in Peru.

Methods: A total of 141 carbapenemase-producing isolates recovered from hospitalized and ambulatory patients in Lima were sequenced and analyzed to infer their lineages through whole-genome sequence typing (wgST) and to identify their antimicrobial resistance genes.

Results: wgST identified nine sequence types (STs); ST111 and ST357 were the most frequently encountered (44.0% and 38.3%, respectively), followed …