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Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport: Risk Assessment In Collegiate Female Athletes Using The Reds Cat2 Tool, Kelsea Elizabeth Nunes

All Master's Theses

Context: Alterations in energy intake (EI) and high exercise energy expenditure (EEE) may increase the risk of low energy availability (LEA) in Division II female collegiate ball sport athletes. Furthermore, chronic LEA can transition to problematic LEA, leading to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the current severity and prevalence of REDs using the REDs CAT2 Tool and the Female Athlete Triad using the FAT CRA in Division II collegiate female volleyball, basketball, soccer, and rugby athletes.

Design: Cross-sectional design.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants …

Characteristics Contributing To The Risk Of Diabulimia In Adults Living In The United States, Danielle L. Van Hout

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors that contribute to the risk of diabulimia by using the validated Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) (Markowitz et al., 2009) screening tool in adults living in the U.S., as well as to examine differences in individuals at-risk and not-at-risk for diabulimia. This observational study involved a 30-question Qualtrics survey containing the DEPS-R distributed via various social media outlets and flyers on the CWU Ellensburg campus. Participants were required to be 18 years or older, diagnosed with T1DM for more than one year, and live in the U.S to …

Focus Group Interview: Perspectives Of Virtual Dietary Counseling Methods Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Maria R. Mendoza

All Master's Theses

In response to the prevalence of morbidity and mortality, studies to avert these conditions in a cost-effective and accessible manner are also increasing. Developing new methods to provide nutrition education that are more accessible is critical to reaching individuals who may experience socioeconomic barriers impacting their ability to access healthcare. The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions related to different delivery methods of dietary counseling. This qualitative research study will examine the perceptions related to different methods of dietary counseling (telephone calls, video calls, or face-to-face visits). Focus group one contained provider participants (N = 7), which …

Predictors Of Facultative Siblicide In Black-Legged Kittiwake (Rissa Tridactyla) Chicks, Maria Pisciotta

Honors Theses

In Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), a seabird species, competition between siblings can arise when more than one chick is present in a nest. The first-hatched chick, known as the “A” chick, frequently establishes dominance over the second-hatched chick, known as the “B” chick. Many different factors can drive the presence and intensity of this competition, including the size discrepancies between chicks, and their physiological state. A likely factor is resource limitation, seen in many instances of sibling competition to be a prominent component because limited food must be allocated between both chicks by parents. In some cases, competition can escalate …

Characterizing On- And Off-Shift Dietary Intake And Quality Of Ems Personnel And Firefighters In Southern New Hampshire., Ellianna Jordan, Noereem Mena

Honors Theses and Capstones

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers and firefighters are a demographic at greater risk for cardiovascular disease than the general American public. An atherogenic dietary pattern with limited physical exercise due to occupational stresses and time constraints could lead to increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart events. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers and firefighters may face barriers to preparing meals due to unpredictability and inconsistency of call volume; one day may be quiet with only a few calls, while another may consist of many back-to-back ones. This may lead to a reliance on foods that can be eaten quickly …

Bovine Serum Albumin (Bsa) Impacts Morphology Of Fowler’S Toad (Anaxyrus Fowleri) Sperm During Short-Term Cold Storage, Jane A. Dill, Michelle K. Roy, Renato E. Naranjo, Andrew J. Kouba, Carrie K. Vance

Endeavors: Mississippi State Undergraduate Research Journal

Short-term cold storage of amphibian sperm is a valuable technique for overcoming challenges associated with asynchronous gamete release during breeding events or for transferring sperm between institutions for genetic management. Unfortunately, sperm longevity declines over time even when kept cool. Maintaining sperm form and function is critical to achieving the highest possible fertilization rates. Thus, cold storage of amphibian sperm would benefit from the addition of compounds that could extend their quality, improve fertilization and result in more offspring. One such compound is bovine serum albumin (BSA), which provides membrane stabilization, prevents lipid peroxidation of cells, protects against free radical …

Journal Of Earth And Life Science, Academic Year 2024-2025, Megan Boche, Nathan D. Pyburn, Ben Hoover, Jayden R. Alsleben, Hector Montoya, Jr, Reed Cumberland, Rose Kuhlmann, Ray Anderson, Ellie Isakson, Seth Sisneros-Martinez, Zanden Mellen, Quady Bernu, Cian Verbridge, Benjamin D. Strei, Madelaine Adamich, Arian Garcia, Tegwen Romportl, Sandra J. Marcu, Bemidji State University

Journal of Earth and Life Science

No abstract provided.

Age Class Is Not Related To Size Or Composition Of Home Ranges Among Suburban White-Tailed Deer During Parturition, Nathan D. Pyburn

Journal of Earth and Life Science

How white-tailed deer use the landscape in an urban environment can help us understand the effects of urbanization on deer populations. White-tailed deer form observable matriarchal hierarchies in studied populations. This study examines the matriarchal structure, home range size, and home range composition of 25 collared white-tailed deer within the city limits of Bemidji, MN. The results found no significant difference between age class and home range size or composition. However, movement metrics from yearling and mature age classes were more similar than the juvenile age class females. I propose this is because social acceptance between mature females was higher …

Effects Of Liraglutide On The Gut Bacterial Community, Jami Anne Bull

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Overweight and obesity are major health concerns associated with metabolic disorders and gut dysbiosis. Treatment options such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, like liraglutide, promote weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity; however, their impact on the gut bacterial community remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of liraglutide on the gut bacterial community of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice using Illumina DNA sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. My study used twelve-week-old male C57BL/6J DIO mice. They were placed on a high-fat diet and treated with liraglutide (0.2 mg/kg) via daily subcutaneous injection for 14 Days. High-fat and low-fat diets control …

The Influence Of Flower-Microbe Interactions On Bumble Bee Behavior And Gut Microbiome Composition, Success Chiamaka Ekemezie

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis examines how microbial interactions in floral nectar and environmental variation influence bumble bee (Bombus spp.) foraging behavior and gut microbiome composition. Pollen germination experiments and behavioral assays in the lab tested whether Metschnikowia reukaufii (yeast) and Acinetobacter nectaris (bacteria) induce pollen germination and bursting in nectar and affect bee behavior subsequently. Both microbes reduced intact pollen, but bees did not alter flower preference. Furthermore, the study also assessed how floral and bee community composition shaped gut microbiome composition across six Missouri prairies. Using amplicon-sequenced fungal ITS and bacterial 16S rRNA genes, I found that fungal microbiome composition varied …

A Mystery Of Microecology: Revealing The Ecological Relationship Between Allorhizobium Vitis And Missouri Native Grape Species, Hunter White

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Crown gall disease can be very detrimental to grape and wine producers around the world by reducing vine vigor and yield. It is caused by the bacteria Allorhizobium vitis (A. Vitis) carrying a tumor inducing (Ti) plasmid. The A. vitis bacteria have been found in soil and cane tissues in vineyards around the world, and infect all cultivated grapes. However, there have been no reports of crown gall on native wild grapevines, and very little is known about the ecology of A. vitis in native ecosystems. I have sampled cambium tissues from three native wild grape species of …

The Effects Of Calcium Availability On Growth And Calcium Content Of Hydroponic Daikon Radish Microgreens, Cory Michael Reichmuth

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Microgreens are young, edible seedlings harvested upon emergence of the first true leaf. Their popularity is growing as a nutritionally dense food source that can be grown quickly in space-efficient systems. However, little is known about optimal cultivation practices and the effects of fertilization on growth and nutrition of microgreens. This study investigates the role of calcium (Ca) fertilization in optimizing the growth, yield, and nutrient content of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus) microgreens. A hydroponic system was designed to consistently deliver nutrient solution to microgreens grown in a closed-environment chamber. This study tested different Ca fertilization rates of 0, 5, …

Inoculating Soybean Plants At Different Growth Stages: Selecting Bradyrhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Or Both, Matthew R. Knoll

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Soybean plants rely on nitrogen for growth, however atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is not a usable form and needs to be converted into different forms that are available to the plant. Nitrogen fixing bacteria such as rhizobia form symbiotic relationships with Soybeans in exchange for shelter and excess plant sugars. As a result, the plant can get the nitrogen it needs. There are four main genera of rhizobia that can form root nodules on Soybean including Bradyrhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Rhizobium. At this point, the effect that age of the host plant has on the selection of …

Restoration Of Giant River Cane (Arundinaria Gigantea) In Southwest Missouri, Lyndsey D. Rightnowar

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Giant river cane (Arundinaria gigantea), a native bamboo species, once dominated riparian landscapes across the southeastern United States but has declined to approximately 2% of its historic range. This study evaluated restoration techniques for giant cane in southwest Missouri by examining the influence of rhizome source (putative genotype), planting type, and restoration site on restoration success. I compared two planting types: greenhouse-to-field (G2F) transplanting, where rhizomes were first propagated in the greenhouse before planting, and field-to-field (F2F) transplanting, where rhizomes were directly transplanted from source canebrakes to restoration sites. Rhizomes were collected from four existing canebrakes in Taney …

Menstrual Cycle Phase Effects On Exercise Thermoregulation And Performance In The Heat, Kailei J. Eustis

All Master's Theses

Hormone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle (MC) may influence physiological responses. This study examined whether thermoregulatory measures differ across MC phases, and if these changes impact running performance in the heat. Ten eumenorrheic adults completed two treadmill runs in simulated conditions (wet bulb globe temperature 31.7 ± 1.4°C) during early follicular (EF) and midluteal (ML) phases. First 45min was a constant self-selected light pace followed by a 15min performance test for distance. Core temperature (Tc), mean skin temperature (Ts), heart rate (HR), perceived exertion (RPE), thermal perception (THERM), and comfort perception (COMF) were assessed every 5min. Sweat perception (SP), sweat …

Fine Root And Ectomycorrhizal Functional Traits Of Quercus Rubra Populations From Across A Latitudinal Gradient, Emma L. Shedd

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Forests are increasingly considered for their carbon sequestration value, but their ability to store carbon is dependent on a close balance between carbon fluxes into and out of ecosystems. Nutrient uptake of roots and associated symbiotic communities results in respiratory carbon release, which is projected to increase with warming and represents a substantial uncertainty in earth system modeling. Traits that are functionally related to nutrient uptake can be used to estimate carbon fluxes, but our understanding of the trade-offs that govern root, and especially fungal, traits is limited. Fine roots in surface soils are responsible for the bulk of plant …

Evaluating Dietary Consequences On Body Mass And Thermal Heat Flux Of North American Bison (Bison Bison) Yearling Heifers, Kendall Marie Wald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Effects Of Copper Sources In Nursery Pig Diets And Phytase Inclusion And Diet Interactions On Water Usage In Growing And Finishing Pigs, Daniel Rosales

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In modern swine production, nutritional strategies that optimize growth performance, resource utilization, and carcass quality are essential. Three independent trials were conducted to evaluate how dietary modifications involving copper (Cu) sources, phytase inclusion, and amino acid reformulation affect nursery and grow-finish pigs. The first trial assessed the effects of three different Cu sources on nursery pig growth performance. A total of 1,145 pigs (5.9 ± 1.3 kg BW) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: control, tri-basic Cu chloride source #1 (TBCC1), Cu chelate (cCu), or tri-basic Cu chloride source #2 (TBCC2), each providing 150 ppm of Cu. Over …

Optimizing Heifer Development On Dormant Rangelands By Integrating Precision Livestock Technologies With The Range Supplementation Model And The Evaluation Of Short-Term Rotations Of Precision Technology On Plant Communities, Hadley Ann Dotts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heifer development on dormant rangelands offers a cost-effective alternative to feedlot or drylot systems. However, traditional bunk supplementation methods often result in uneven intake, inefficient feed use, and ecological degradation around static feeding sites. This thesis evaluated the integration of precision livestock technologies and a dynamic Range Supplementation Model to improve individual animal performance, weight uniformity, and rangeland sustainability in extensive heifer development systems in the Northern Great Plains. The first study involved a seven-month trial (November 2023–May 2024) with 50 yearling Angus heifers grazing dormant native rangelands at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station. Heifers were stratified into two treatments: …

Biotransformation Of Camelina Meal Via Pretreatment And Fermentation For Functional And Nutritional Upgrading, Ram Kumar Bhattarai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Camelina sativa, an oilseed crop of the Brassicaceae family, has seen increased cultivation in North America in response to the rising demand for biofuels over the past two decades. With this growth, camelina meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, has emerged as a promising yet underutilized resource, particularly for applications in animal nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of camelina meal as a substrate for submerged fungal fermentation and to examine how this bioconversion affects its physicochemical and nutritional properties. The influence of mild pretreatments (unwashed, washed only, and washed/dried and ground) on fermentation outcomes was also assessed. …

Leaf-Based Varietal Categorization Of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas L. Lam.), A Potentially Healthful Vegetable, Using Image Processing And K-Means Clustering, Shahidul Islam, Md Towfiqur Rahman, Md Hamidul Rahman, Abdul Momin

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) leaves contain higher concentrations of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenoids that are remarkable in health promotion. However, the nutrient content in sweetpotato leaves varies from variety to variety, and leaf shape and color are the key identifying factors for the varietal classification of sweetpotatoes. So, detecting sweetpotato leaves is essential for the in-situ identification of sweetpotato varieties and for developing intelligent agricultural systems. This study aimed to create a leaf-shape-based varietal classification technique for sweetpotato using image processing techniques coupled with a K-means clustering algorithm. 38 leaf images (RGB) of two sweetpotato cultivars were collected …

Hip Strengthening In Female Collegiate Soccer Players: Effects Of Gluteus Medius Strengthening On Biodex Balance Scores, Caitlin Bruni, Morgan Shansky

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of gluteus medius (Gmed) strengthening program on single leg stability in collegiate female soccer players. Given the role of Gmed in stabilizing the hip, improving its strength may reduce lower extremity injury risk. Weakness in Gmed has been linked to conditions such as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears and Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). This study investigates whether an 8-week strength program improves single-leg stability, measured using the Biodex Balance System. Thirty-three female soccer players (18-23 years) from The University of Akron were recruited, with 22 completing the study. Participants underwent …

Review Of Research On Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (Red-S), Paige Mcmaster

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The following research article review serves to summarize and evaluate peer-reviewed research articles on the topic of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). The paper will cover RED-S's effect on males versus females, endurance athletes versus non-endurance athletes, recreational athletes versus competitive athletes, and different age groups. Methodology includes strategically reviewing current literature and providing common themes or key points. The goal is to effectively summarize the subject of RED-S, provide in-depth understanding of the condition, and establish the need for education to prevent or reduce the incidence of RED-S.

The Role Of Fruiting Bodies In Protecting A Community Of Myxococcus Xanthus Spores From The Environment, Dave Lall

Wayne State University Dissertations

Environmental microorganisms have evolved a variety of strategies to survive fluctuations in environmental conditions, including the production of biofilms and differentiation into spores. Myxococcus xanthus are ubiquitous soil bacteria that produce starvation-induced multicellular fruiting bodies filled with environmentally resistant spores (a specialized biofilm). Isolated spores have been shown to be more resistant than vegetative cells to heat, ultraviolet radiation, and desiccation. The evolutionary advantage of producing spores inside of fruiting bodies is not clear. Here, we examine a hypothesis that the fruiting body provides additional protection from environmental insults. We developed a high-throughput method to compare the recovery (outgrowth) of …

Environmental Pollution And Early-Life Metabolic Programming, Lisa Koshko

Wayne State University Dissertations

Substantial evidence demonstrates that parental pollutant exposures can induce harmful health effects in the offspring, including the predisposition to Type II Diabetes. As rates of Type II Diabetes continue to rise in younger populations, a crucial gap lies in understanding the role of parental influence in the etiology of later-life metabolic disease. Therefore, the central goal of this work was to determine how early life exposure to smoking level benzene, an endocrine-disrupting air pollutant, affects the metabolic health of offspring, and to identify potential developmental mechanisms involved in disease susceptibility. This goal was achieved using two models of early life …

Phenotype Specific Nuclear Lamina Remodeling In Hipsc Derived Cardiomyocytes Bearing Tnnt2 Sarcomeric Variants, Isabella Leite Coscarella, Olalekan H. Usman, Lili Wang, Maicon Landim-Vieira, Lillian Wirstiuk, Amber N. Brown, Diego A. R. Zorio, Brian K. Washburn, Cynthia Vied, Bjorn C. Knollmann, Christopher Solís, Vitold E. Galkin, P. Bryant Chase, J. Travis Hinson, Jerome Irianto, Jose Renato Pinto

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

[Summary] Cardiomyocytes endure physical stress from the myocardium environment while generating their own mechanical strains. The force generated by sarcomeres is transmitted both longitudinally to adjacent sarcomeres and laterally to the cytoskeleton via intermediate filaments. This mechanical stimulus impacts other organelles, including the nucleus, thus playing a vital role in sensing and signaling nuclear adaptations. However, there is limited understanding of how changes in cardiac contractility affect nuclear mechanics. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of hyper- and hypo-contractility in nuclei of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) bearing TNNT2 pathogenic variants associated with hypertrophic (HCM) or dilated …

In The Clear: Timber Harvest Informs Elk Summer Nutrition And Resource Selection In A Densely Forested Landscape, Trevor C. Weeks

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As wildlife and habitats face unprecedented challenges in the form of landscape conversion, shifting disturbance regimes, and climate change, it becomes increasingly important for land and wildlife managers to find avenues for collaboration as they seek to maintain habitat to support robust wildlife populations. Timber harvest may provide one such avenue for collaboration. It has been shown to increase the quality and quantity of ungulate nutritional resources by reverting stands to early successional stages. Additionally, timber harvest may allow for a more precise application of such effects, as managers choose where and how to harvest timber. However, the exact effects …

Towards A Framework To Integrate Smart Urban Agriculture Into City Planning In Egypt, Heba Adel Ahmed Hussein

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study discusses challenges facing the expansion of urban agriculture in Egypt, investigates overcoming these challenges using smart solutions, and proposes a framework to integrate smart urban agriculture (SUA) into Egyptian cities’ plans. The proposed framework provides an insight into the aspects that should be considered before, during, and after transformation to SUA. This study could serve as a basis for the integration of smart agriculture into urban planning theories and practices, and as an inspiration for urban planners, designers, landscape architects, policymakers, and decision-makers to create strategies for promoting digital transformation in Egyptian cities.

Effects Of Ionophore And Yeast Addition To The Diet On Starch Digestion And Rumen Andblood Parameters In Sheep With Subacute Rumen Acidosis, Şevket Evci̇, Mehmet Aki̇f Karsli, Mehmet Demi̇rci̇, Gökhan Şen

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study aimed to investigate the prevention of acidosis in ruminants, which causes yield and financial losses, and toevaluate the effects of feed additives on starch digestion. Four male Bafra yearling lambs with cannulated rumens were used in a 60-daystudy. Each lamb underwent 10 days of adaptation to a ration and 5 days of sampling for four different rations including a control ration(CR), monensin ration (MR), Saccharomyces cerevisiae ration (SR), and a ration with the combination of monensin and Saccharomycescerevisiae (MSR). The experiment followed a 4 × 4 Latin-square design. Dry matter intake and digestion rates were recorded as 2404 …

Evaluating And Mapping Habitat Suitability And Effects Of Woodland Treatment On Breeding Pinyon Jays In Colorado, Emily Diane Macklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) is a highly social, colonially nesting corvid endemic to the interior western United States whose populations have declined by ~72% since 1966, prompting the species’ current review for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Pinyon jays inhabit pinyon pine (Pinus subsect. Cembroides) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodlands and other dry conifer woodlands, portions of which are treated through tree thinning and removal for fuels reduction, ecological restoration, and habitat improvement for wildlife. As a result there is pressing need to better understand how woodland treatment and other potential drivers impact pinyon jay habitat suitability and …