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Development Of A High-Throughput Framework For Studying Choice-Movement Dynamics In Freely Moving Rats Across Motivational And Pharmacological States, Atanu Giri

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis develops and applies high-throughput behavioral assays and analysis pipelines to study how external contingencies and internal state shape rodent decision-making. First, it introduces RECORD (Reward-Cost in Rodent Decision-making), a modular platform that combines 3D-printed arenas, microcontroller-based control, and closed-loop trial structure to deliver graded rewards and costs in a foraging-like environment. RECORD supports scalable data collection across multiple arenas and a software stack for parsing, databasing, and extracting spatiotemporal behavioral features and psychometric choice functions. Using this framework, the thesis quantifies how animals integrate sucrose reward magnitude with aversive light cost, revealing structured individual differences and sex-dependent movement …

Salience Network Circuit Dynamics In Distress Tolerance And Drug-Seeking Vulnerability, Marina Alicia Smoak

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The psychological distress experienced during drug withdrawal can lead individuals with substance use disorder to abandon their goal of abstinence. Numerous human studies demonstrate that an inability to persist in challenging, goal-directed behavior while experiencing psychological distress is associated with multiple stages of substance use, including relapse. This behavioral construct is referred to as low distress tolerance (DT). Rodent models of DT similarly show that low DT predicts elevated cocaine relapse, particularly when DT is assessed following extended abstinence. This abstinence period corresponds with the incubation of craving, a phenomenon characterized by progressively increased cocaine-seeking over time. Importantly, relapse vulnerability …

High-Resolution Mapping Of Brainstem Feeding Circuits: A Framework For Targeted Neuroscience Tools, Geronimo Tapia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The neural control of energy balance is mediated in part by distributed brainstem circuits that integrate metabolic, visceral, and hormonal signals to coordinate appropriate motivated behaviors and autonomic responses. Despite extensive study, the precise neuroanatomical architecture regulating metabolism remains incompletely defined within standardized atlas frameworks. This work addresses that gap through complementary studies examining an acute glycemic challenge methodology known to stimulate feeding, the acute delivery of an anorexigenic-associated neurohormone, and the chemoarchitecture of a major feeding-related region, the parabrachial nucleus. First, utilizing 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) induced glucoprivation, we map the rapid response of dorsal medullary neuronal populations with high spatial …

Exploring A 'Fishy' Solution: Uncovering Human Norovirus Using A Zebrafish Model, Sahaana Chandran

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide; however, the lack of robust laboratory culture systems and reliable animal models has limited progress in understanding viral replication and developing effective intervention strategies. While alternative models such as the zebrafish system have been explored, gaps remain in evaluating their ability to support replication across diverse HuNoV strains and in identifying factors that influence infectivity. This dissertation provides a comprehensive investigation into the use of the zebrafish model for studying viral replication, host interactions, and potential inhibition strategies. Initial studies focused on optimizing viral delivery methods using Tulane virus …

Bats And Bacteria: Infection Dynamics At The Human-Wildlife Interface, Isabella Katherine Deanglis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the second most diverse mammalian order, bats host an array of pathogens, some of which are known to infect humans. Synanthropic bats share spaces with humans, resulting in bat-borne pathogen exposure. While most bat-borne disease research has focused on viral pathogens, bats host numerous bacterial pathogens with zoonotic potential. By integrating a global meta-analysis with field studies in Sub-Saharan Africa, I characterize the structural attributes that facilitate shared interfaces, the bacterial pathogens present in synanthropic bats of rural Kenya, and the physiological and environmental dynamics influencing odds of infection in these synanthropic bats. Finally, I evaluate the clinical relevance …

Applying Motivational Interviewing-Based Health Coaching Within An Existing Exercise Referral Program: A Cost, Implementation, And Effectiveness Analysis, Zachary Joseph Friedman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Higher levels of physical activity (PA) are known to be associated with lower rates of chronic disease and better quality of living. However, population-wide deficits in PA continue to demand strategies for supporting PA-related behavior change. Health coaching represents a promising intervention strategy for behavior change, but its effectiveness in generally healthy, non-clinical populations is not clear. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the feasibility, cost, and effectiveness of integrating student-delivered, motivational interviewing (MI)-based health coaching into an existing university-based exercise referral program (ERP). Additionally, this study aimed to use students as health coaches, and to document training …

Validation Of Rice Tissue Sampling For In-Season Nutrient Management Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium, Tanner Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the 3 most important nutrients involved in rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and development. Tissue sampling has been proven to be a potential tool to provide inseason information about plant nutrient concentrations at specified timings and growth stages. With increased interest in tissue sampling and improving nutrient management effectiveness, more information is needed to validate plant tissue concentrations at which additional fertilizer inputs may be warranted. Experiments were conducted in 2024 and 2025 at the Rice Research and Extension Center (RREC) near Stuttgart, Ark.; Pine Tree Research Station (PTRS) near Colt, Ark.; …

Lumbopelvic Kinematics And Muscular Co-Contractions In Walking Prior To And Immediately Following A Bout Of Prolonged Standing., Stephanie Cotariu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Prolonged standing is a common daily activity in a wide array of occupations, and approximately 44% of sample populations develop low back pain (LBP) during prolonged standing. Prolonged standing-induced LBP developers (“Pain Developers”) are three times more likely to develop clinical LBP and can therefore be considered a pre-clinical LBP population. Changes in typical gait have been observed in LBP patients, and walking has been hypothesized as being protective or preventive against LBP development. However, it is unknown whether Pain Developers exhibit similar kinematic adaptations to chronic LBP patients during common daily activities, such as walking. The exact muscular …

Evaluating Management Strategies And Technology To Improve Grazing Efficiency, Thomas E. Aquino

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Increasing land costs and labor constraints continue to challenge beef producers. More intensive practices can increase harvest efficiency; however, many producers are deterred from implementing them due to increased labor and management considerations. Virtual fencing (VF) may provide a reduced labor alternative to traditional fencing for managing intensive grazing. This dissertation evaluated management strategies and VF technology to improve grazing efficiency of stocker cattle systems. In Experiment 1, VF was used to effectively manage groups of steers grazing in adjacent paddocks separated by only virtual boundaries. There was no difference in VF containment (99%) when steers were grazing co-fenced, with …

Potential Impact Of Parasites In The Transmission Of Chronic Wasting Disease, Paulina Soto, Rodrigo Morales

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Biocultural Profile Of The Undocumented Populations Of The Sonoran Corridor: A Skeletal Assessment Of The Prevention Through Deterrence Strategy, Mary A. Vaughn

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

Over the last thirty years the mortality rate of the undocumented population at the US-Mexico border has risen, requiring methods distinguishing US-born individuals from immigrants to improve the likelihood of identification and repatriation through foreign consulates. Forensic anthropologists with the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner (PCOME) have advocated for the use of the biocultural profile, combining the biological profile with factors including oral health, osteological stress, and personal effects. The biocultural profile serves two purposes, functioning both as a tool for identification and with which to document structural inequality within communities of origin.

This study examines changes in …

Nadh Flim Reveals Cellular Bioenergetics And Mitochondrial Morphology During Drosophila Convergent Extension, Maria Espana Pena

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can fragment or fuse to support different bioenergetic demands and cellular processes, although the role of mitochondrial fission and fusion during embryonic development is not well understood. Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of the mitochondrial cofactor NADH can be used to visualize mitochondrial networks and infer aspects of cellular bioenergetics in a label-free manner. We used NADH FLIM to test whether germband cells undergo changes in cellular metabolism during Drosophila convergent extension (CE)––a process in which hundreds of epithelial cells undergo coordinated intercalation to elongate the embryo. Contrary to our expectations, we did not observe significant …

Exploring Agricultural Pathways: An Analysis Of Arkansas Community Colleges, Natasha Hightower

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As demand for a highly skilled agricultural workforce continues to grow, Arkansas must strengthen accessible and clearly defined academic and career pathways to prepare future agricultural professionals. Community colleges serve as a critical entry point into higher education, particularly for rural and first-generation students, and play a vital role in both workforce development and transfer preparation. However, information related to agricultural education offerings, transfer pathways, and faculty at Arkansas community colleges is often decentralized and difficult for students and stakeholders to locate. The purpose of this study was to examine agricultural education offerings at community colleges in Arkansas, specifically agricultural …

Arkansas Soybean Research Studies 2024, Jeremy Ross

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The 2024 Arkansas Soybean Research Studies includes research reports on topics pertaining to soybean across several disciplines from breeding to post-harvest processing. Research reports contained in this publication may represent preliminary or only data from a single year or limited results; therefore, these results should not be used as a basis for long-term recommendations. Several research reports in this publication will appear in other University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station publications. This duplication is the result of the overlap in research coverage between disciplines and our effort to inform Arkansas soybean producers of the research being …

Low Methane Emissions From Nutrient-Rich Former River Channels In A Hydrologically Managed Dryland Delta, Siena Stassi, Jude A. Benavides, Chu-Lin Cheng, Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, Nicholas E. Ray, Nathan O. Barros, Rafael M. Almeida

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Anthropogenic stresses in dryland regions can alter hydrology, salinization, and biogeochemical processes. How these pressures influence methane (CH4) cycling and emissions from aquatic ecosystems remains poorly understood. Over the course of 1 year, we measured diffusive and ebullitive CH4 emissions from resacas—shallow, hydrologically managed distributary channels prevalent throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley along the US–Mexico border. Despite warm, nutrient-rich waters, CH4 emissions from resacas were low, and more comparable to rates observed in estuarine systems. CH4 fluxes were positively related to temperature but negatively related to salinity and rainfall. Elevated salinity, driven by evaporation and source water from the …

Comparing Microbial Communities Of Diseased And Healthy Isopora Palifera Corals And Adjacent Waters At The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Sophie Preston, Jacquelyn Jones, Megan J. Huggett, Arne A.S. Adam, Nicole E. White, Kar Chun Tan, Zoe Richards

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Growth anomalies (GAs) are coral diseases characterised by tumour-like skeletal lesions reported globally, yet their causes remain poorly understood. Microorganisms are integral to coral health, but the role of bacterial communities in GAs remains unclear. We investigated an outbreak of GAs in Isopora palifera at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to compare bacterial communities of GA-affected and asymptomatic corals, surrounding water and potential pollution sources. Significant differences in bacterial beta diversity were observed across sites, with an interaction between location and coral health status. Coral and water samples hosted distinct microbial communities, but there was no …

Biohybrid Robotic Jellyfish For Swimming-Enhanced Vertical Ocean Profiling, Kelsi M. Rutledge, Sean Colin, John H. Costello, Noa Yoder, Simon R. Anuszczyk, Kelly R. Sutherland, Brad L. Gemmell, John O. Dabiri

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Ocean monitoring is essential for understanding climate change and marine ecosystem dynamics, yet achieving comprehensive global coverage remains a challenge in oceanography. Current technologies face limitations in cost, power, hardware, and depth capacity that restrict widespread monitoring capabilities. Here we show that biohybrid robotic jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) can serve as autonomous vertical ocean profilers by integrating microcontrollers with positively buoyant sensor payloads, achieving controlled vertical-profiling capabilities. Laboratory experiments demonstrated repeatable up–down trajectories, quantified force balance limits, and identified predictable, size-dependent descent swimming speeds. Field deployments in Massachusetts coastal waters and the open ocean off the Florida Keys demonstrated field operation …

Post-Exercise Vitals Recovery Response In Barrel Horses: A Field Study On Cooling Methods Used By Competitors, Lauran E. Hetrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Barrel racing demands peak physical performance from equine athletes, yet limited research evaluates the field-based strategies used to optimize equine recovery at competition. This study assessed recovery management approaches used by competitors to elucidate their influence of physiological recovery by measuring heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature during a high-profile barrel race competition. Physiological data were collected at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and during a 15–30-minute cooldown period to characterize recovery under real-world conditions. Significant increases in HR, RR, and BT occurred from baseline to post-run (p < 0.001), followed by reductions during cooldown (p < 0.01), though values remained elevated (p < 0.05). Rinsing reduced HR and RR (p < 0.01), while shade and fans decreased RR and variably influenced HR. Noise, as a confounding variable, decreased HR but increased BT (p < 0.001). Ultimately, these results emphasize multimodal recovery approaches in competitive equine management in the field.

The Delivery Dilemma: Unintended Consequences Of Cesarean Sections, Cecilia Odegard, Ellie Rose Piette

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Cesarean sections (C-sections) are a major surgical procedure intended to minimize the rate of maternal and infant mortality due to complications during birth. While they were originally intended to only be performed when medically necessary, rates of non-medically indicated C-sections have increased significantly. This poster examines the unintended consequences (UICs) that are associated with C-section delivery, focusing on both short-term and long-term effects. A major focus is how C-sections disrupt early microbial exposure during birth, which plays an important role in the development of the infant gut microbiome and immune system. Research has shown that infants born via C- section …

Survival Of The Fittest: Extremophilic Actinomycetes As The Future Of Antibiotic Treatment, Kyley Nelson, Ben Reddan

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The antibiotic resistance crisis is an emerging global health threat. In 2019 alone, 1.27 million deaths were attributed to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and researchers predict the problem will worsen without intervention. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a primary model for this crisis because it utilizes genomic adaptations to bypass β-lactam antibiotics. Although temperate actinomycetes have historically provided the majority of clinical antibiotics, recent bioprospecting has revealed that extremophilic actinomycetes represent a critical untapped resource. These organisms exhibit several adaptations to thrive in extreme environments, which results in the production of novel secondary metabolites and resilient extracellular enzymes. This literature review …

Beyond The Brain: Environmental Forces Driving Α-Synuclein Misfolding And Toxic Aggregation In Parkinson's Disease, Emily Mccarthy

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an advanced neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the proliferation of protein aggregates within the brain. This capstone thesis investigates the unique biochemical environment of the gastrointestinal tract and whether it contributes to the formation of distinctive α-Synuclein (αSyn) aggregates affecting PD. Key promoters of αSyn aggregation include genetic mutations, oxidative stress, post-translational modifications, interactions with metal ions, and dopamine (DA) oxidation. These factors result in diverse structures such as oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, which result in unique functional outcomes, with oligomeric conformations leading to the highest level of neuronal toxicity. Evidence …

Sex Or Survival: Does Wounding Elicit A Somatic Reproductive Tradeoff In Narnia Femorata Males?, Lillian E. Burbulis

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Animals must partition resources into different life history traits resulting in tradeoffs because resources are finite. A tradeoff is the allocation of resources to one trait over another. Theory states that energy is allocated in a hierarchical fashion. For example, somatic maintenance should be a higher priority than reproduction, resulting in more resources being allocated to somatic maintenance compared to reproductive traits. The metabolic investment hypothesis states that energy must follow a hierarchical order prioritizing somatic maintenance over reproduction. Another hypothesis for energy allocation is the terminal investment hypothesis. This hypothesis states that energy will be allocated to reproduction over …

Elucidating The Role Of The Gastrointestinal Microbiome And Diet In Dopamine Release In Relation To Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder., Meaghan Mcdonald

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Currently affecting 340-580 million people worldwide, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how the brain controls attention, behaviour and impulses often beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood. ADHD is known to be associated with monoamine neurotransmitters including dopamine. This work aims to uncover the ways in which metabolism of monoamine precursors in the gastrointestinal microbiome influences dopamine release in the brain. Previous studies have indicated that children with ADHD display distinct gut bacteria profiles with unique microbiota species that result in the disruption of monoamine precursor pathways of phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism. Emphasis on our western diet and …

The Relationship Between Consumption Frequency And Energy Intake Of Ultra-Processed Food And Obesity Based On Body Fat Percentage Among Fph Ui Students In 2025, Sarah Keisya Budiargo, Triyanti Triyanti, Asih Setiarini, Dieta Nurrika

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Obesity is the accumulation of excessive body fat and increases the risk of various non-communicable diseases. Obesity prevalence among FPH UI students based on health examination data in 2022-2024 has reached 13.6%, exceeding the public health concern threshold and requiring more accurate measurement than Body Mass Index. This study aimed to determine the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption frequency and energy intake with obesity incidence based on body fat percentage among 147 FPH UI students in 2025. This cross-sectional study utilized the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) based on NOVA classification to assess UPF intake. Body fat percentage was …

The Relationship Between Obesity Among Children And Adolescents With Dietary Intake And Physical Activity: A Scoping Review, Devi Dwi Yolani, Tania Okta Wardhani, Rani Aqilah Ni’Matul Maula, Almira Sitasari, Tri Siswati

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Childhood and adolescent obesity remain a significant public health issue worldwide. This review summarizes research on the relationship among obesity, physical activity, and diet. This study aims to investigate the relationship between children's and adolescents' obesity, their physical activity levels, and diet. A scoping review was conducted by assessing 81 research journal articles from 2014 to 2023 from electronic databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed. The search strategy used Boolean operators as follows: (“child*” OR “adolescent”) AND (“obesity”) AND (“diet” OR “food intake”) AND (“physical activity”), selected based on the inclusion criteria of children and adolescents aged 1-18 years …

Mechanistic Insights Into Enterolactone-Mediated Glut4-Dependent Glucose Uptake, Merritt Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with approximately 25% of healthcare expenditures directed toward its management and associated metabolic complications. In response to the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies, recent research has focused on bioactive compounds derived from dietary sources. In light of that, we identified the plant lignan matairesinol (MA) and its gut-derived metabolite, enterolactone (ENL), as agents capable of enhancing glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes. These results suggest that enterolactone may represent a promising dietary supplement for improving glycemic control in patients with …

Reinforcement Learning Improves Llm Accuracy And Reasoning In Disease Classification From Radiology Reports, Yishu Wei, Yi Lin, Adam Flanders, George Shih, Yifan Peng

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Accurate disease classification from radiology reports is essential for many applications. While supervised fine-tuning (SFT) of lightweight LLMs improves accuracy, it can degrade reasoning. We propose a two-stage approach: SFT on disease labels followed by Group Relative Policy Optimization (GRPO) to refine predictions by optimizing accuracy and format without reasoning supervision. Across three radiologist-annotated datasets, SFT outperformed baselines and GRPO further improved classification and enhanced reasoning recall and comprehensiveness.

Time And Dose Dependent Effects Of Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Exosomes On Human Dental Pulp Stem Cell Proliferation, Sylva Dinie Alinda, Anggraini Margono, Indah Julianto, Dini Asrianti Bagio

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Background: Cell proliferation is essential for tissue repair and immunomodulation in regenerative dentistry. Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (AD-SVF) is a promising autologous source for tissue engineering. Its exosomes (AD-SVF Exo), as cell-free products stable under ischemic conditions, represent an ethical and attractive modality for dental tissue regeneration and broader regenerative applications. Prior study indicates that AD-SVF Exo can enhance human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) migration and proliferation, particularly at low concentrations, but their detailed time- and dose-dependent proliferative effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the time- and dose-dependent effects of low-concentration AD-SVF Exo on hDPSC proliferation …

Adherence To Malaria Treatment And Its Associated Factors: A Narrative Review, Lafie Urwatul Wutsqo, Eli Halimah, Sofa Dewi Alfian

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Malaria is an infectious disease that remains a global health concern, particularly in Asia and Africa. The success of malaria medication largely depends on patients' adherence to the prescribed therapeutic regimen. This article aims to identify the level of adherence to malaria treatment and the factors that influence it, based on observational studies. A narrative review was conducted using the PRISMA approach, involving 12 articles published between 2019 - 2023 from various countries. The results indicate that adherence levels vary widely, ranging from 15.6% to 93.31%, depending on respondent characteristics and the intervention strategies implemented. Factors influencing adherence include patient-related …

Food Fortification Strategies To Address Micronutrient Deficiencies In Cambodia: A Scoping Review Of Policy Implementation, Industry Capacity, And Public Health Outcomes, Sokha Yem, Sreypeov Tun, Sokunthea Kem

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies remain a major public health challenge in Cambodia, with iron deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency disorders, zinc deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency disproportionately affecting women of reproductive age and children under five. Food fortification—the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients to commonly consumed foods—has been widely recognised as a cost-effective population-level intervention to address nutritional gaps. Objective: To systematically map and synthesise existing evidence on food fortification strategies in Cambodia, focusing on policy implementation, industry production capacity and compliance, regulatory enforcement, and public health outcomes. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and …