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Impact Of Minimally Processed Red Meat On Biomarkers Of Cognitive Decline, Saba Vaezi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Early/Mid-Gestation Shearing On Umbilical Blood Flow And Lamb Birth Weight, Mara Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies outside the USA have reported that shearing pregnant ewes during mid to late gestation increases lamb birth weight. Our hypothesis was that shearing pregnant ewes on day 50 of gestation would increase umbilical blood flow (UBF), fetal size, lambing and placental weights. Twenty-eight Polypay ewes were randomly assigned to two treatments: shorn (S) and sham-shorn (Control, CON) and divided in singleton (S: n=4; CON: n=4), twins (S: n=5; CON: n=5) and triplets (S: n=5; CON: n=5). Umbilical BF and fetal and placental measurements were obtained via ultrasonography every 10 days from day 50 to 110 of gestation. Lamb birth …

Of Mice And Men: The Regulation Of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency In Mouse And Human Neurons, Paige N. Canova

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes latent infections in sensory neurons, from which HSV sporadically reactivates, often due to external stress and other stimuli. Latency and reactivation are commonly studied using in vivo and ex vivo models in a variety of hosts, as well as in vitro models including primary mouse neurons and neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The criteria for authentically modeling HSV latency include the ability to easily manipulate host genetics and biological pathways, as well as mimicking the immune response and viral pathogenesis in human infections. Presently, there remains a pressing need for …

Hybrid Mixtures Of Factor Analyzers For High Dimensional Data, Kazeem Abiodun Kareem

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Factor analysis is a powerful tool for modeling latent structures in high-dimensional data, traditional approaches assume a single global structure, limiting their ability to capture heterogeneity. The Mixture of Factor Analyzers (MFA) extends classical factor analysis by modeling data as a mixture of Gaussian-distributed local subspaces, effectively uncovering cluster-specific latent structures. However, MFA relies on Gaussian mixtures, making it sensitive to outliers and ill-suited for heavy-tailed data. The Mixture of $t$-Factor Analyzers (M$t$FA) addresses these limitations by incorporating multivariate $t$-distributions, improving robustness. Despite their advantages, both MFA and M$t$FA face significant computational challenges in high-dimensional settings, particularly due to costly …

Patient Handling Interventions And Their Role In Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Healthcare Workers, Ashley L. Hawke

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prominent among healthcare professionals, especially those who perform manual patient handling tasks. Assistive devices (e.g., slider sheet, gait belt, mechanical lift) have been used for patient handling. However, the effectiveness of these devices in reducing MSD risk factors is varied. Additionally, the relationship between healthcare workers’ acceptability of patient handling devices and organizational policies that facilitate or hinder widespread implementation is not well understood. The goal of my dissertation was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing patient handling devices and their role in mitigating MSD risk among healthcare workers. For Study 1, I conducted a …

Effects Of Energy Drinks On Crayfish Physiology, Melyna Sweeney

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Energy drinks have become the drink of choice among many college students due to the rush of energy it provides via the megadose of caffeine (Vercammen et al. 2019). Because of their newfound popularity, there is much research to be done about the effects on human physiology. Energy drinks are known to increase endurance in muscles of rat subjects (Imagawa et al. 2009) and stimulate enhanced “alertness” (Smit & Rogers, 2002). The purpose of this research was to uncover the potential effects that energy drinks have on metabolic rate and/or stress responses in crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), with the …

Statistical Approaches In Evolutionary Biology: Using Threespine Stickleback Fish To Test Fisher's Geometric Model And Evaluate Methods For Handling Missing Data, Aaron Mathew Myrold

Dissertations

This thesis explores two distinct yet complementary aspects of evolutionary biology. The first chapter tests predictions from Fisher's geometric model of adaptation using a finely resolved fossil sequence of Gasterosteus doryssus spanning approximately 21,250 years. I analyze phenotypic changes in three armor traits during adaptation to a new environment and find that while step sizes follow the predicted exponential distribution—with many small steps and few large ones—they do not adhere to the model's temporal prediction that large-effect mutations should fix early in the adaptive walk. This discrepancy likely reflects adaptation from standing genetic variation rather than de novo mutation. The …

Perceptions Of Plant-Based Meat And Cultured Meat Within The Northern Great Plains Region, Donald Chase Stehly

Dissertations and Theses

Conventional meat consumption derived from livestock farming is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation on our planet. Substituting conventional meat products with “meat alternatives” such as plant-based meat or cultured meat would drastically decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce land and water pollution, and decrease land and water usage. However, it is necessary to first gauge how people feel about eating plant-based meat and cultured meat before it is possible to discern the magnitude of environmental benefits that occur with a significant dietary change such as this. By administering a questionnaire to over 400 participants …

Confronting Indecision, Lane Allison Murray

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This course aims to increase students' understanding of indecision and how to confront it. The class provides insight into how the fear of the unknown holds people back from making decisions and about understanding one's values as a means to combat indecision. Students and teachers alike explore instances of indecision and evaluate their own impulses & thought processes by reflecting on the deeper reasons for their choices. Students will increase their comfort level of asking themselves and their peers questions about the values that guide them and, in doing so, strengthen their relationships with themselves and others.

The Role Of Chronic Activity-Based-Anorexia In Drug-Paired Environmental Preference, Abby Bendixen

Behavioral Neuroscience Honors Papers

Anorexia nervosa (AN) has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders. This disorder, and other eating disorders, have features that overlap with substance use disorder (SUD), including reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of chronic, restrictive eating disorders on the development of cocaine-paired environmental preference. Seven-week-old female rats were induced to a model of chronic activity-based-anorexia (ABA) and underwent conditioned place preference (CPP) testing to examine cocaine-paired environmental conditioning. The activity patterns of rats that underwent chronic ABA were not consistent with previous studies inducing chronic ABA in …

Emotion Processing In Adolescents With Epilepsy And Healthy Controls Using Multi-Modal Neuroimaging, Frances Kathryn E. King

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Epilepsy is increasingly recognized as a disorder not only of seizures but also of widespread network dysfunction, impacting cognitive and emotional processing. One critical cognitive process affected in epilepsy is emotional conflict processing, which relies on the interplay of multiple brain networks. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of emotional conflict processing in epilepsy, particularly in adolescents, have remained poorly understood. This dissertation investigated the neural mechanisms underlying emotional conflict processing in typically developing adolescents and adolescents with epilepsy using magnetoencephalography (MEG). The first study elucidated the spatiotemporal profile of emotional conflict processing in 24 typically developing adolescents using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Cluster-based …

How To Approach Medical Education Research, Stefanie Attardi, Jeff Cross, Sarah Lerchenfeldt

Books and Book Chapters

Medical education research blends two of the core functions of academic medicine: teaching and scholarship. Its value is increasingly recognized in promotion and tenure decisions, and in the number of funding sources available. Similar to other types of research, it starts with a well-crafted question and a thorough review of the literature. For a successful project, it is critical to select the research design that can best answer the research question, keeping in mind its advantages and limitations. Because the research design must also adhere to ethical principles, working closely with the local Institutional Review Board prior to starting the …

Severe Aggression Among Zoo-Housed Coconut (Trichoglossus Haematodus) And Rainbow (Trichoglossus Moluccanus) Lorikeets: Wellbeing Considerations For Free-Flight Aviaries, Emily Simkins

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As conservation and education institutions, modern zoos balance the needs of animals with the interests of visitors through several strategies which can increase animal wellbeing and improve visitor experience. Environmental enrichment is frequently employed to increase the suitability of anthropogenic environments for zoo-housed animals, such as through walkthrough habitats and free-flight aviaries. While habitats such as these are important for visitor experience and can be enriching to animals, there are also wellbeing considerations for these spaces. Walkthrough habitats can be a potential source of fear and stress for animals, as shown by increased frequencies of vigilance, undesirable behavior, and aggression. …

Parental Sources Of Nutrition Information And Their Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors: Impact On Children's Dietary Intake In Ages 2-5 – A Cross-Sectional Study, Mara O. Fiorio

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Nutrition in early childhood is critical to long-term health outcomes and parents play a key role in shaping children’s eating habits. This study examined where U.S. parents of children aged 2–5 obtain nutrition information, source credibility, and how parental nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) relate to children’s dietary intake.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 126 parents, recruited via social media and community networks using convenience sampling. The survey assessed parental sources of nutrition information, perceived trustworthiness, nutrition knowledge, feeding attitudes and behaviors, and child dietary intake. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics and source utilization. Chi-square …

“What’S Supp” Developing An In Vitro Model For Healthy Oral Biofilms, Alex Labossiere

Open Access Dissertations

The study of oral plaque has largely been influenced by the study of pathogens. Here in Chapter 1, I will discuss how this pathogenic focus has been dominant until the onset of microbiome research and begin to explain microbiomes in the context of supragingival plaque in homeostatic communities. From there we will then discuss the possible roots where dysbiosis may arise from plaque to cause disease and ways in which we can study healthy supragingival plaque by in vitro models.

In chapter 2, I will discuss molecular commensalism and how it can be viewed as a tool to further understand …

The P3 Event-Related Potential (Erp) In Visual And Auditory Tasks: Implications For Executive Functioning In Adhd Preadolescent Children, Alex Visal Seng

Open Access Master's Theses

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a widespread psychological disorder in children, poorly impacting executive functioning domains of inhibitory control and working memory. Event-related potentials (ERPs) provide neuroelectric insight into these cognitive processes. However, most ERP research focuses on one task type, limiting direct comparisons of cognitive demands across different task paradigms. This study examined P3 amplitude and latency in ADHD children using a visual NoGo task (response inhibition) and an auditory oddball task (working memory), and associations between the P3 ERP and behavioral measures of executive functions.

Cross-sectional data of symptomatic ADHD children (N=13; F=5; aged 9.15 ± 1.86 years) were …

Alterations Of Serotonin Receptor 7 Expression In The Spinal Cord In A Model Of Cerebral Palsy, Tracy Santos

Open Access Master's Theses

Cerebral palsy often results from perinatal hypoxia-ischemia and is characterized by motor and sensory dysfunction associated with altered serotonergic signaling in the spinal cord. The 5-HT₇ receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor implicated in both motor control and nociceptive modulation, may thus play a critical role in these post-injury changes. However, the regional and developmental patterns of expression of 5-HT₇ following HI injury are not well understood.

In this study, we investigated the expression of spinal 5-HTR₇ in a neonatal rabbit model of HI injury at P1, P5, and P8 using Western blot analyses normalized to total protein. Tissue was …

Out-Of-Pocket Healthcare Expenses Are Associated With Food Insecurity Among South Dakotan Families Who Have Children With Disabilities, Halie E. Kruid

Health and Nutritional Sciences Graduate Students Plan B Capstone Projects

Background
In 2023, 17.9 percent (6.5 million) of households with children experienced household food insecurity, i.e., an inability to acquire enough food to meet household members’ needs. Many socioeconomic factors can influence food security status, such as environmental conditions, social factors, and financial costs. Families with children with disabilities (CWD) may be at higher risk for food insecurity due to additional financial stressors related to these children’s care.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of food insecurity, as well as the medical and financial factors associated with an increased food insecurity prevalence, among South Dakota …

The Effect Of Feedback On A Remote Operator’S Maneuvering Control For Mass Remote Navigation Competency, Hyoseon Hwang, Ik-Hyun Youn

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The rapid advancement of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) technology has highlighted the growing need for Remote Operators (ROs) to manage MASS effectively. ROs possess specialized competencies in areas such as situational awareness, crisis management, and system operation. Despite the introduction of competency-based training and assessment in the maritime sector through the international convention on standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers convention, the framework's implementation remains incomplete, particularly in remote operator training for MASS. This study is purpose to identify which competencies improve rapidly with performance feedback and which improve slowly. This study conducted an experiment to quantitatively …

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 …

Investigating Social Attenuation Of The Stress Response In Juvenile Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus), Alyssa Owens

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

When social organisms encounter a stress-inducing event, the presence of a conspecific can dampen the physiological and/or behavioral response elicited by the stressor. This concept, termed ‘social buffering’, has been well documented in mammals, but there are few studies investigating this phenomenon in organisms traditionally perceived as asocial, including reptiles. However, the paradigm is shifting, and social behavior is now more widely recognized in reptiles, including snakes. In this study I tested whether juvenile Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorous) experience social buffering by measuring changes in heart rate in snakes following an acute stressor with and without the presence …

A Study Of Collegiate Equine Team Funding, Expenditures, And Recruitment Strategies, Sydni Marie Nilles

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Collegiate equine teams (including horse judging, equestrian, ranch horse teams) have been recognized for their contributions to students' personal and professional development for post- graduation success. Teams have been used to provide opportunities, a sense of belonging and allow for experiences students may not have elsewhere. However, there is a notable gap in knowledge as to where funding comes from and how much teams may be able to budget for expenditures. Recruitment tactical knowledge provides other teams with knowledge of potential areas they may be lacking or unaware of. I used an online survey to understand current ranges of support …

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 …

Associations Of Different Types Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior With Self-Rated Health In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review Of Research From 2010 To 2024, Yahan Liang, Xihe Zhu, Ji-Hye Yang, Fei Wang, Danqing Zhang, Xingyi Yang, Sitong Chen, Yang Liu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Self-rated health (SRH) is one of the common measures to evaluate individuals’ overall health. Many studies have explored the associations between different types of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and SRH in children and adolescents. These studies report inconsistent findings and sometimes highlight gender differences. This systematic review aims to synthesize findings to provide a comprehensive evaluation of these associations.

Development Of A Personalized Conversational Health Agent To Enhance Physical Activity For Blind And Low-Vision Individuals, Soyoung Choi, Jooyoung Seo, Ashwath Krishnan, Sanchita Kamath, Justin Haegele

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: With the advancements in mobile health (mHealth) technologies, sighted individuals can benefit from mobile apps and wearable devices to more easily manage their physical activity (PA) and wellness data through intuitive touch gestures and effective data visualizations. However, for blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals, these conventional interaction methods are often challenging, not only limiting their ability to use these technologies but also potentially diminishing their motivation to adopt them to support health-promoting behaviors. We aimed to develop a health monitoring application called Personalized and Conversational Health Agent (PCHA) that supports BLV individuals with self-monitoring and management of their PA …

Knee Health Is A Major Determinant Of Mobility Across The Healthspan, Brandon M. Peoples, Kenneth Harrison, Michael A. Samaan, Christopher B. Mobley, David T. Redden, Jaimie A. Roper

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

Knee health constitutes a pivotal determinant of locomotor function and overall mobility throughout the healthspan. Impairments in knee function lead to a series of biomechanical and physiological alterations that pose substantial public health challenges and economic burdens worldwide. This review synthesizes evidence that delineates the complex and multifaceted relationship between knee health and mobility, emphasizing the interplay across various domains in adult populations. Knee health is conceptualized as a dynamic, interconnected system whereby structural integrity, neuromuscular mechanisms, biomechanical adaptations, and functional mobility are intricately interrelated through cascades of mechanistic processes operating across different temporal stages. A comprehensive understanding of these …

Risk Factors Of Covid-19 Mortality, Ellie Wolff

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

This paper investigates the relationship between key health demographics and COVID-19 mortality while focusing on identifying both physiological and genetic factors that contribute to variations in mortality rates. Specifically, it examines how pre-existing conditions—such as sex, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity—interact with COVID-19 pathophysiology to influence patient outcomes. While previous research has highlighted demographic disparities in hospital mortality rates, this study aims to establish a causal, mechanistic link between these health factors and COVID-19 severity. Methods to extract and analyze data included literature review using existing studies such as peer-reviewed articles and reports from PubMed, CDC, etc. By analyzing …

The Bidirectional Gut-Brain Axis: Impact Of Dysbiosis On Depression Through The Hpa Axis, Matan Shiller

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Emerging research suggests that depression is not solely a brain disorder but is deeply influenced by the gut microbiome. The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication system linking the gastrointestinal system and the brain, modulating mood, behavior, and mental health. Gut microbiota produce metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and tryptophan catabolites, that influence neurotransmission and the stress response via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, disrupts these pathways, contributing to a major depressive disorder (MDD). Evidence from germ-free animal studies and fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) highlights the role of gut microbiota in emotional regulation and …

Assessment Of Coastal Navigation Safety: A Case Study Of Boka Bay With Stakeholder Perspectives, Ivan Mraković, Rino Bošnjak

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The navigational safety of Boka Bay, i.e., a critical maritime area along the Adriatic coast, is of great importance owing to its ecological sensitivity, diverse marine traffic, and significant economic activity. This study provides a comprehensive assessment by analyzing the perspectives of various stakeholders, including seafarers, local pilots, skippers, regulatory authorities, and others engaged in maritime activities within the bay. Using a structured questionnaire survey, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in formats such as descriptive responses, Yes/No choices, and Likert scale ratings, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of navigational practices and challenges. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, …