Digital Commons Network^™

Food Stamp Participation And Health Outcomes In Ca Immigrants, Esther Kang

Scripps Senior Theses

The U.S. social welfare system includes programs aiming to increase access to nutritious food to reduce nutrition insecurity. However, studies suggest that immigrants continue to face disproportionate risks of nutrition insecurity and may face barriers to enrollment due to legal status. This study, using secondary data from the 2023 California Health Interview Survey, examines the associations between food stamp participation, food insecurity, and clinical diagnosis of diabetes among adult U.S.-born, naturalized, and non-citizen adults in California. The findings suggest that those enrolled in food stamps are more likely to report food insecurity than those who are not enrolled, and that …

Mitochondrial Efficiency: Bridging Early-Life Environment And Organismal Performance, Kayla E. Lichtner

Master’s Theses

Mitochondria operate at the forefront of organismal-environmental interactions. Despite remarkable diversity in mitochondrial function both within and among species, all mitochondria serve a universal role in facilitating the flow of energy between organisms and their environment. Energetic efficiency, the way in which organisms assimilate and transform environmental substrate into physiological currency, is a major determinant of organismal performance. Although previous studies have shown that early-life environment can have lasting effects on metabolism, the underlying mechanisms driving the emergence of mitochondrial phenotypic variation remain poorly understood. Leach’s storm-petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous) provide a valuable opportunity to investigate longitudinal hypotheses of …

Ethanol And Iron Absorption Interactions Within Crayfish Invertebrate Models, James Rollman, Andrew Wissmar

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Analysis of the effects of alcohol consumption (ethyl-alcohol) on iron absorption within crayfish model. The use of tube-feeding provides a novel, more precise output, and less invasive procedure compared to the traditional approach of dissolving the target substance in tank water and measuring hemolymph changes. The project aims to determine the extent to which alcohol influences iron absorption. Ultimately, the choice of iron reflect the future potential to aid in research with genetic hemochromatosis and or Iron overload.

Physiological Development Of Hypertension As A Result Of High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity, Michael Nguyen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This literature review focuses on the physiological development of obesity due to the consumption of diets rich in fats and the resulting pathophysiological development of hypertension. This review aims to identify causes of obesity and hypertension as well as current treatments to propose future areas of study. The literature review analyzed a wide variety of literature sources on obesity and hypertension published between the years 1995 and 2025. The review identifies high-fat diets as a cause of obesity and the resulting health effects of elevated leptin, insulin, and nervous system activity as contributors to the development of hypertension. Future areas …

Measuring The Rise And Fall Of Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations In Blue-Tongued Skinks (Tiliqua Scincoides) Following Ultraviolet B Exposure And Withdrawal, Ashleigh Godke, Haerin Rhim, M. Graciela Aguilar, Keishla Marrero-Acosta, Mark Mitchell

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Species-specific husbandry guidelines remain limited for blue-tongued skinks (Tiliqua scincoides), especially in relation to ultraviolet B (UVB) lighting and vitamin D requirements. This study aimed to determine whether UVB exposure is necessary for these skinks and how long 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations persist after UVB withdrawal. Eleven adult skinks who had been fed with wet cat food were exposed to 12 or 2 h of UVB per day for four weeks. Plasma 25-OHD concentrations were very low at the baseline, and significantly increased post-UVB in both groups (p < 0.01), with the 12-hour group increasing from baseline concentrations of 18.5 [12.8–20.5] nmol/L to 820 [730–1251.3] nmol/L and the 2-hour group increasing from baseline concentrations of 22 [15.5–22] nmol/L to 635 [401–892.5] nmol/L. Following the discontinuation of UVB exposure, 25-OHD gradually declined and was not significantly different from baseline concentrations at 7 and 4 months for the 12-hour and 2-hour groups, respectively. Dietary vitamin D3 (2.5 IU/g as dry matter basis), provided through wet cat food alone, appeared insufficient to support sustained plasma 25-OHD concentrations. These findings strongly suggest that blue-tongued skinks rely on UVB exposure to increase their 25-OHD concentrations. Moreover, the shorter 2-hour exposure provided a significant rise in 25-OHD concentrations and remained above baseline for 4 months, suggesting the shorter exposure can benefit these animals, while potentially reducing secondary risks associated with UVB exposure.

Investigating The Interaction Of Gram-Positive Lactobacillus Species With Mucin In The Context Of Barrett's Esophagus, Ritisha Suresh

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) can progress to the precancerous Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) condition, in which the normal esophageal squamous epithelium is replaced with a columnar epithelium containing goblet cells. Mucins, sticky substances, are secreted in response to bile acid exposure during reflux episodes to protect the esophageal epithelium. Goblet cells secrete these mucins, which can also scaffold microbial colonization. Probiotic Lactobacillus bacteria can use glycosidase enzymes to process mucin and metabolize them into their component sugars (glycans). This project aims to identify the role of the Lactobacillus-mucin interaction in BE, as glycan availability could confer an advantage to Lactobacillus …

Feeding Mode Is Associated With Infant Night Sleep Trajectories During The First Postnatal Year, Magdalena Olson, Li Liu, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Dean V. Coonrod, Sarada S. Panchanathan, Megan E. Petrov, Corrie M. Whisner

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Short sleep and formula feeding during infancy are associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. Feeding practices and sleep arrangements vary during infancy and may also be dynamic, yet their impact on infant night sleep duration remains unclear. Understanding these relationships is crucial for formulating recommendations to support breastfeeding and address sleep concerns. Objective: We examined the association between feeding mode and parent-reported infant night sleep duration during the first postnatal year, while additionally evaluating night-weaning and bedsharing as contextual sleep-related practices. Methods: Infants in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area (n = 193) were followed up at 3, 8, 13, …

A Novel Superaug Adaptive Data Augmentation Strategy For Metabolic Syndrome Prediction: The First Egyptian National Cohort Study With Multi-National Comparison, Nihal Elsonny, Ashraf Elsharkawy, Abeer Tawakol, Amira Y. Haikal

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity-related complications. Early and accurate prediction of MetS remains challenging due to heterogeneous data sources, class imbalance, limited sample sizes in regional studies, and poor generalization across populations.

This study introduces a comprehensive machine learning framework for predicting MetS and its prognostic factors using two heterogeneous datasets: a newly collected Egyptian clinical cohort and the U.S.-based (NHANES) [CDC, 2023] dataset. For each dataset, multiple experimental pipelines are developed, integrating preprocessing, feature selection, data augmentation, hyperparameter tuning, and ensemble modeling. …

Estrogen Deprivation During Primate (Papio Anubis) Pregnancy: Impact On Systemic Microvascular Flow And Cardiovascular Development And Function After Birth In Offspring, Sifa Turan, Jeffery S. Babischkin, Graham W. Aberdeen, Gerald J. Pepe, Eugene D. Albrecht

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Suppressing estradiol (E₂) during baboon pregnancy lowers offspring skeletal muscle capillary density, vital for insulin-mediated glucose uptake, and induces insulin resistance. We examined whether E₂ deprivation also impairs microvascular flow and cardiac function.

Methods

Offspring of untreated baboons, letrozole-treated baboons, or letrozole plus E₂ (maternal s.c. injections during the second half of gestation) underwent contrast-enhanced microbubble ultrasonography to quantify microvessel flow and echocardiography to assess cardiac performance.

Results

Letrozole reduced maternal serum E₂ by 95% (p <  0.01). In letrozole offspring, microbubble flux rate (β) fell 55% (p <  0.02), replenishment was 5 s slower (p <  0.03), and microvessel flow declined 40% (p = 0.05); all were restored by added E₂. Indices of systolic (isovolumic contraction), diastolic (isovolumic relaxation), global performance (Tei index), and cardiac output were unchanged.

Conclusion

Prolonged gestational E₂ deprivation programs a reduction in microvascular flow without altering cardiac function; maternal E₂ prevents this, supporting E₂'s role in …

Selenium And Liver Steatosis And Fibrosis: Opposing Direct And Steatosis-Mediated Associations In A Large Cohort, Neda Rehan, Jubilee Benedict, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background and Aims

Epidemiologic studies have reported conflicting associations between selenium exposure and liver disease. Whether selenium exerts opposing direct and steatosis-mediated effects on liver fibrosis is unknown. To evaluate the associations of blood selenium with elastography-defined hepatic steatosis and fibrosis and to determine whether hepatic steatosis mediates the relationship between selenium and fibrosis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults aged >= 18 years in NHANES 2017-2023. Hepatic steatosis was assessed using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and fibrosis using liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Blood selenium was categorized into quartiles. Survey-weighted multivariable linear regression and structural equation modeling …

Activity-Dependent Remodeling Of Muscle Architecture During Distinct Locomotor Behaviors In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Adina Fazyl, Akash Anbu, Sabrina Kollbaum, Andres G. Vidal-Gadea

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Muscle structure is dynamically shaped by mechanical use, yet how distinct locomotor behaviors influence sarcomere organization remains poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, crawling and swimming constitute discrete gaits that differ in curvature, frequency, and mechanical load, providing a tractable model for studying activity-dependent remodeling. Using confocal imaging of phalloidin-stained body-wall myocytes, we quantified myocyte geometry, sarcomere length, and sarcomere number across anterior, mid-body, and posterior regions in animals reared exclusively under crawling or swimming conditions. Quantification and hypothesis testing used linear mixed models that accounted for repeated myocyte measurements within animals, with interaction terms testing region-specific effects of locomotor …

To Flea Or Not To Flea: Abiotic And Biotic Factors Driving Flea Parasitism On Wild Deer Mice, Parker Todd, Angela Luis, Mike Kinsella

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are an abundant North American rodent and the primary reservoir for Sin Nombre virus (SNV), a hantavirus with a 30-40% case fatality rate in humans. While ectoparasites, such as fleas, are not considered vectors of SNV, their bites may indirectly affect the transmission of SNV by impacting host condition or immune function. These impacts could potentially lead to an increase in host susceptibility and/or an increase in viral shedding, yet there is still little knowledge on what influences flea parasitism on deer mice in western Montana. This study looks to examine how mouse sex, …

The Sub-Lethal Effects Of Trematode Parasites On The Migratory Behavior Of Lesser Scaup (Aythya Affinis), Scott Alan Herman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The introduction of the invasive freshwater faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) and its associated parasites in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region provides the opportunity to investigate how anthropogenic stressors impact the life history of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) using the Mississippi Flyway. To understand the life histories and interactions between lesser scaup and faucet snails we examined historical records, research, and ecology textbooks. Our literature review identified critical knowledge gaps in lesser scaup literature surrounding population dynamics, reproduction, and migration. Specifically, the sub-lethal effects of invasive trematodes on the migratory behavior of lesser scaup in the Upper Mississippi …

Climate Change Effects On Biomass And Greenhouse Gas Emissions Are Ameliorated By Nontoxic Endophytes In Southeastern Usa Transition Zone Tall Fescue Pastures, Rebecca Kay Mcgrail, Jonathan D. Moore, A. Elizabeth Carlisle, Jim A. Nelson, Rebecca L. Mcculley

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: The plant–microbe interaction between tall fescue and its endophyte Epichloë coenophiala can affect ecosystem responses to changing rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures. Endophyte-infected (E+) stands often exhibit improved stress tolerance and differing soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to endophyte-free (E−) stands. However, it is unknown if mammalian nontoxic endophyte (NTE) strains introduced into some tall fescue cultivars confer differing stress tolerances or reduce soil GHG emissions.

Methods: We quantified the impact of fescue-NTE symbioses in Jesup and Texoma on biomass and GHG emissions in response to increased temperature (+3°C) and altered precipitation (50% lengthened interval between events) using …

Disrupted Circadian Rhythms Affect Hallmark Pathologies In Alzheimer’S Disease-Related Mouse Models, Valeria Buzinova

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with two hallmark pathologies: extracellular amyloid-b (Ab) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Ab is proteolytically processed from amyloid precursor protein (APP) by b-secretase and g-secretase as a monomeric peptide prone to aggregation. Eventually, the aggregate-prone monomers will form dense plaques that are difficult to break down and remove. These plaques begin to deposit into the cortex decades prior to the formation of NFTs and the onset of cognitive decline. NFTs are comprised of hyper-phosphorylated tau. Tau is a protein that serves to promote and stabilize the formation of microtubules. The formation of …

Investigating Changes In White Blood Cell Composition In Wild Hosts In Response To Viral Infection, Anna Bolding

2026 Research Poster Competition

Reservoir hosts play a critical role in the persistence and spillover of zoonotic pathogens. Upon infection, reservoir hosts can shed viral loads sufficient for transmission and spillover often without displaying apparent pathogenic effects. Investigating how their immune systems control infection can provide insights into the factors that facilitate spillover events. Understanding the mechanisms that enable these infection characteristics is crucial for informing public health and conservation strategies. Though reservoir hosts’ immune responses are well-documented in controlled laboratory settings, these studies are not representative of natural populations. The bank vole - Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) system is well suited for investigating such …

Effect Of Organic Vs Inorganic Zinc Sources In Beef Cattle Diets During Gestation On Calf Immune Function And Colostrum Quality, Naija Sharpley

2026 Research Poster Competition

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of zinc supplementation in cattle feed on beef cattle during gestation and the influences of the trace mineral zinc on colostrum and calf immunocompetence measuring immunoglobulin concentrations and body weight. Cow-calf systems rely on the effectiveness and consistency of their nutritional intake. Beef cattle are fed forages and grain alongside specific minerals and supplements to meet nutritional requirements. The effectiveness of these trace minerals added to the diet helps to ensure that the animal gets the most out of its feed and the producer gets the most out of the …

Effectiveness Of Occupational Recommendations In Maintaining Cognitive Function Under Hot-Dry And Warm-Humid Conditions, Zane Garner

2026 Research Poster Competition

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommendations dictate heat safety practices in occupations throughout the United States. Currently, the effectiveness of these recommendations is unknown. Likewise, there is a lack of consensus regarding the effect of combined heat and exercise stress on cognitive function. PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of NIOSH heat safety recommendations in maintaining cognitive function after moderate work in the heat, alongside whether the type of heat has any effect. METHODS: A counter balanced, repeated measures, randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate differences in cognitive function in two distinct environments. Participants completed two experimental …

Invasion Of Microplastics Into The Reproductive Tissues Of Feral And Domestic Felines, Emma K. Quade

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Although plastics have many useful properties in modern society, once these materials are introduced into the environment, they can cause extensive damage. Following degradation into microplastics (MP), plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, these contaminants can make their way into a variety of different environments and organisms. There are many studies that have investigated the prevalence of MP in marine environments, but fewer studies have looked into terrestrial systems, and even less that have focused on contamination in companion animals. This study sought to investigate the invasion of MP into the reproductive tissues of felines, Felis catus, …

The Role Of Resistance Training In Managing Menopause-Related Changes, Alyson K. Strauss

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Resistance training serves as a critical non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating the physiological and psychological declines associated with the menopausal transition. This natural biological phase, marked by declining estrogen levels, typically leads to accelerated bone mineral density loss, sarcopenia, metabolic regulation disturbance, and heightened mood disturbances. To evaluate the efficacy of targeted exercise interventions, a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. From an initial pool of 60 relevant articles, 13 studies met the specific inclusion criteria, focusing on structured resistance training protocols for perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal cohorts.

The synthesis of these studies indicates that resistance training is a highly …

Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Implants And Nanobubble-Based Delivery Systems: Integrated Strategies For Bone Loss Treatment With Cytocompatibility Evaluation, Lucas José Martinho Bizuti

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis intends to investigate the development of different multimodal therapeutic strategies for combating bone loss. Most specifically, this paper will emphasize the utilization of Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Implants (MMNC) and Nanobubble-Based Delivery Systems as options for future treatment focus. The effects of biodegradable magnesium implants were evaluated for cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility via Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Masson’s Trichrome staining, as well as radiological images. The Nanobubble-Based Delivery System is being developed and optimized as a delivery system to target osteoclast activity. This paper focused on optimizing experimental parameters, which include Rotational speeds for nanobubble stimulation under microgravity conditions …

Coral Holobiont Lipidome Response To Global Change, Lauren Zane

Open Access Dissertations

Climate change is fundamentally restructuring macro-scale marine ecosystem structure and function by altering microscale metabolic processes and patterns of energy allocation. Scleractinian corals, as major ecosystem engineers, play outsized roles in ecosystem structure and function. They also occupy diverse habitats that differ in temperature regimes, light environments, hydrodynamics, and other environmental conditions, exposing corals to substantial spatial variation in stress and resource availability. Their fragile nutritional symbiosis with algal endosymbionts helps them navigate these environmental variations, but are also highly sensitive to environmental stress, particularly the timing and magnitude of water temperature changes. As pressure from environmental changes increases, the …

Scientific Kenyon: Neuroscience Edition (Full Issue)

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

Get The Fruc(Tose) Out Of My Food, Johanna Huelsman

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

Injury To Insight: Exploring The Influence Of Media On Acl Rehabilitation Experiences Of Female Soccer Players, Chynna Ho-Young Cadogan, Jill Tracey

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Participation in soccer inherently carries a risk of injury, with female athletes facing a significantly higher susceptibility to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries (Campbell et al., 2014; Le et al., 2025; Silvers-Granelli, 2021). The increasing participation in women’s soccer, coupled with the growing demand for its consumption through spectatorship, has contributed to a rise in ACL injuries, and increase in media coverage on this phenomenon (Parsons et al., 2021). Understanding how media narratives surrounding ACL injuries and recovery may influence rehabilitation experiences can educate coaches, mental performance consultants, athletic therapists, and female soccer players to better understand and navigate ACL …

Combining Crispr And Nanoasv To Uncover The Rare Bacterial Communities Of The Human Oral Microbiome, Gilma Ruth Sevilla Alvarez

Master's Projects

Studying the oral microbiome is vital because its health implications are not contained to the mouth. Cariogenic bacteria cause tooth demineralization and oral microbes that translocate to extra-oral organ systems are linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Some of these pathogens belong to the most abundant phyla in the oral cavity: Bacillota, Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, Actinomycetota, Spirochaetota, and Fusobacteriota, which together comprise 94% of the oral microbiome. This project uses CRISPR-Cas9 to deplete sequences from highly abundant phyla and the Eubacteria domain, enriching the remaining 6% of rarer taxa. Paired with NanoASV for single-nucleotide resolution, this …

The Coral Microbiome Under Climate Change: Shifting Symbiotic Interactions, Katherine E. Parker, Kate M. Quigley

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Host–microbe symbioses are central to organismal health, yet these complex partnerships are often strongly shaped by the environment. Climate change is increasingly altering environmental conditions, disrupting the balance of host–microbe interactions and pushing them along a continuum from mutualism (both partners benefit) toward parasitism (one partner gains at the other’s expense). Reef-building corals provide a clear example of this vulnerability, as the coral holobiont, an ecological unit comprising diverse photosynthetic algal symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) and other microbial partners, depends largely on these mutualistic interactions for nutrition, immunity, and stress tolerance. Increasingly, evidence suggests that under heat stress, the algal symbionts retain …

Integrated Crop Management For Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) Grain Production In Kentucky, Maria M. Ricciardi

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Cannabis sativa L. is legally defined (U.S.) as hemp if the total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration remains less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. Hemp can be produced for cannabinoid extraction, fiber, or grain. Hempseed meal and hempseed oil were approved as feed ingredients for chickens and performance horses in Kentucky. To leverage this opportunity, production requires improvement through an integrated crop management approach. This dissertation (1) reports the main arthropod and disease pests impacting hemp grain; (2) identifies grain yield components and their relationship with corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (CEW); (3) evaluates Fusarium head blight (FHB) development across …

Breeding For Fhb Resistance And Post-Harvest Quality In Soft Red Winter Wheat, Margaret E. Gillum

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is both an economically and nutritionally important crop in the global food supply. Despite its global importance, wheat is continually threatened by fungal diseases. Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating fungal disease affecting wheat worldwide, resulting in low yields, reduced test weight and mycotoxin production. The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is toxic to humans, results in feed rejection in livestock, and is heavily monitored in the food supply. Because of wheat’s importance in the food system, post-harvest quality (milling, baking, and flavor) has been a growing area of …

Evaluating Spatial Variability Of Corn Yield Response To Phosphorus Fertilizer For Improved Precision Phosphorus Management, Jennifer Fridgen

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Soil scientists did not develop soil test-based fertilizer recommendations to support precision nutrient management. Knowledge of crop responses to applied essential nutrients, such as phosphorus (P), and the processes governing these responses at high spatial resolution are necessary to improve precision agronomic recommendations. This dissertation investigates the limitations of current soil sampling methodologies and recommendation frameworks for crop response to fertilizer, with particular emphasis on P fertility in Kentucky (KY) corn production. The first study examined the relationship between the resolution of systematic grid sampling and the spatial structure of soil test variables (Mehlich-3 P (M3P), Mehlich-3 potassium (M3K), and …