Digital Commons Network^™

Un-Packing The Pantry: Evaluating And Addressing Nutritional Gaps In Full Circle Food Pantry Service, Gweneth J. Keith-Powell

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Arkansas has the highest food insecurity rate in the U.S., and college students are disproportionately food insecure. Food insecure populations tend to have worse nutrition and face poorer health outcomes, exacerbating the economic disparities they already face. The purpose of this study was to analyze specific food pantry usage trends, healthy diet access barriers, and processed food consumption drivers of Full Circle Food Pantry clients at the University of Arkansas as they related to food insecurity and nutrition disparities, as well as design a targeted project to improve nutation in an underserved client demographic. Findings supported existing literature regarding lower …

The Influence Of Additional Zinc Supplementation During Gestation On The Trace Mineral Concentrations Of Tissues, Milk, And Calf Serum At Birth, Hunter Miller

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Minerals are known to play a key role in the immune system, growth, and development of animals. An important part of a calf's life is receiving colostrum immediately after birth, which provides the calf with immunoglobulins and necessary nutrients that are required. Furthermore, the gestation period is another very important aspect of the calf's life where they can take in the necessary nutrition. This study compared how two different supplements fed during the gestation period ultimately affected the mineral concentrations of the colostrum, placenta, calf plasma, and cow liver. The supplements that were provided were a 1) control that provided …

Clawing Our Way To Inclusion: Identifying Minority Students’ Barriers To Entering The Veterinary Medicine Profession, Danielle Reeves

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Veterinary services are being utilized more each year as pet owners are increasingly viewing and treating their pets like family members. Due to this changing perspective, the veterinary profession has grown significantly. Yet, despite this change, there is a lack of ethnic/racial diversity within the veterinary field. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors and/or barriers associated with minority students' desire or lack of desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This study used an online survey tool to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 423 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas during the spring …

The Effect Of Blue-Green Light On Behavioral Repertoire And Fear Responses In Broiler Chickens, Addie Walker

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The broiler chicken industry has increased the number of birds produced each year,

making the mitigation of stressors that affect broiler health and meat quality increasingly

important. New management strategies, like lighting protocols, could help combat stressors and

promote behavioral indicators of positive welfare. This study compared the effects of blue-green

and white light on broiler fear response using a tonic immobility test and behavioral repertoire in

the home pen using continuous focal sampling. Day-of-hatch male broiler chicks (N=600) were

randomly divided into 12 pens (n=50 chicks/pen). The pens had either a white LED light

(control, n=6) or a blue-green …

Effect Of 1,25(Oh)₂D₃ Glycoside Supplementation Duration On Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis (Bco) Lameness In Broilers, Zoe R. Zeman

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is a significant cause of lameness in commercial broilers, resulting in substantial animal welfare concerns and economic losses. This study evaluated the effect of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ glycoside supplementation duration on the incidence of BCO-related lameness in broilers. Cobb surplus male broiler chicks were assigned to four treatment groups: a wire-flooring positive control, a litter-flooring negative control, and two treatment groups on litter flooring receiving 1 μg 1,25(OH)₂D₃ as glycosides supplementation per kg diet for either 14 or 28 days. Lameness incidence was recorded from day 22 through day 56, and all lame birds were evaluated for …

Structure Of The Spoiie Protein In Clostridioides Difficile, Robert B. Bauer

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Clostridioides difficile is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for severe gastrointestinal infection. C. difficile-related infection is extremely prevalent in healthcare facilities, causing roughly 30,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. Its main mechanism of virulence is sporulation, which is directed by the SpoIIE protein. This makes SpoIIE an attractive target for the remedy and prevention of infections. The objective of this study was to analyze its structure using both lab techniques and artificial intelligence modeling. A truncated version of this protein, SpoII∆TM, was expressed and analyzed using optimal conditions previously determined in the lab. SDS-PAGE results and analyses confirmed …

From Chaos To Clockwork: Investigating The Role Of Circadian Genes In Metabolic Development Of 2nd And 3rd Instar Drosophila Larvae, Elliott R. Ruegsegger, Stephanie Hood, Amy Poe

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Circadian clocks regulate daily physiological and metabolic rhythms across many organisms. In Drosophila melanogaster, the molecular clock involving period (per) and timeless regulates gene expression across 24-hour cycles. Circadian rhythms are well characterized in adult, mature organisms, but their emergence during early developmental stages remain poorly understood. In D. melanogaster, the circadian regulation of sleep and feeding rhythms emerges during the 3rd instar larval stage. This suggests that the circadian regulation of metabolism may also arise during this stage. Further, the metabolic consequences of circadian clock disruptions during this developmentally rich period remain unclear. This research aimed to …

Decomposition In Urban Forest Patches Across A New York-New Jersey Urbanization Gradient, Cailee Sprouse

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

"Urbanization causes habitat fragmentation, pollution, homogenization of soil profiles, and replacement of native flora and fauna, which can alter vital ecological processes like decomposition. It is essential to investigate the impacts urbanization may have on ecosystem functioning to better inform urban land management. Studies have shown conflicting results on the impacts of urbanization on soil decomposition rates, with some showing higher, lower, or similar decomposition rates in urban soils compared to rural soils. This study aims to investigate the effects of urbanization and soil characteristics on decomposition rates in three urban forest patches in New Jersey and New York using …

Effects Of Cyclic Heat Stress On Blood Cell Profiles And Antibody Concentrations In Broilers Selected For Low Water Conversion Ratio, Luke B. Janski, Chrysta N. Beck, Jossie M. Santamaria, Gisela F. Erf

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Heat stress is a major environmental challenge in poultry production that reduces growth, welfare, and immune function. As global temperatures rise, understanding how genetic selection influences responses to heat stress (HS) is critical for sustainable production. Broilers selected for low water conversion ratio (LWCR) represent a potential strategy for improving resource efficiency; however, their immune response capabilities under HS remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of cyclic HS on hematological parameters and immune function in LWCR and modern random-bred (MRB) broilers. Birds were reared under thermoneutral conditions (24 °C) or exposed to cyclic HS (36 °C for 8 h …

How Does Five Days Of Tapering Effect Rates Of Fatigue And Recovery In Collegiate Male Swimmers?, Riley Yerks

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

This study was conducted on the members of the 2025-26 St. John's "Johnnies" swim and dive team. This study used both subjective surveys and objective HRV readings that the swimmers took before and after practice. The first day of testing occurred on the last day of the regular training season, and the second day of testing occurred on the last day of tapered training. Results of the surveys and HRV readings were compared between pre and post-practice, and pre and post-taper. The subjective surveys showed how the swimmers themselves felt in terms of physical and mental energy and fatigue, and …

The Role Of Floodplain Connectivity In Shaping The Abundance, Size-Class Distribution, And Schooling Behavior Of The Associated Fish Assemblage, Adam H. Quade

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The life histories of many Louisiana fishes are closely tied to the timing, magnitude, and duration of the Mississippi River flood pulse, which regulates the ecological connectivity and productivity of adjacent floodplain habitats. Anthropogenic modifications such as levee construction and water-control structures have disrupted these natural hydrologic linkages, altering habitat quality and community structure across the Lower Mississippi River Basin. This dissertation used high-resolution imaging sonar to investigate how fish assemblages, species, and collectives respond to changes in floodplain connectivity within the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area prior to hydrologic restoration. In the first chapter, I applied imaging sonar …

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 …

Recovery Timeframe Is A Critical Component In Preserving Carbon Stocks In Disturbed Tropical Seagrass Meadows, Taylor Renee Condron, Timothy M. Smith, Paul H. York, Nicholas J. Murray, Pere Masque, Michael A. Rasheed

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass meadows, though covering a small percentage of the ocean floor, play a critical role in marine carbon sequestration. However, the mechanisms behind this role remain uncertain due to challenges in mapping seagrass extent and flux, accounting for spatial variation in carbon storage, and incorporating site-specific histories. This study investigates the effects of short-term (≤10 years) seagrass loss on sediment carbon stocks within a large seagrass meadow in the Great Barrier Reef region. Using remote sensing data to construct a seagrass recovery timeline, combined with field sampling and assessments of ecological factors, we found higher sediment organic carbon in areas …

Belowground Consequences Of Herbivory In Tomatoes And Cucumbers And Its Lasting Effects, Anthony Ignacio Barrera

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Plants recruit soil microorganisms to help mediate biotic stressors such as herbivory, forming dynamic communities in the rhizosphere known as the root microbiome. This study investigated whether artificial herbivory could induce shifts in the root microbiome of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and whether those shifts could be transferred to subsequent plants as a soil legacy effect. Plants were grown in sterilized or non-sterilized soil with or without simulated herbivory across two experimental phases, with Phase 2 plants receiving inoculum conditioned by Phase 1 plants. Bacterial community composition was assessed via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and analyzed using …

Efficacy Of Tick Sampling Methods In Urban Parks., Emma Staples

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Amblyomma americanum (Lone star ticks) are parasites and vectors of diseases, including Ehrlichiosis. Questions remain about how an urban environment affects the host-seeking behavior of A. americanum across different life stages and thus the efficacy of different sampling methods. We sought to compare the efficacy of different sampling methods on A. americanum ticks in urban parks during the fall season and explore how the urban heat island (UHI) effect may impact each method’s efficacy. We hypothesized that, where the UHI effect is weaker near the city’s periphery, the CO₂ trapping method would collect more A. americanum adults and nymphs …

The Influence Of Valence On Action Control: A Comparison Of Simon Effects In The Extrinsic Affective Simon Task (East) And The Spatial Simon Task, Yaara Aleissa

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

People adjust their thoughts and actions in response to a changing environment every day and emotions may influence these actions. Understanding how emotion impacts action control in situations where emotion is central to the action (task-relevant) compared to when it is present in the environment as distracting information (task-irrelevant) is essential. Currently it is unclear when emotion most significantly modulates action control. This study seeks to compare how valence (positive versus negative emotion) impacts action control performance when valence is task-relevant and task-irrelevant by using two modified versions of the Simon conflict task.

The Simon task is a paradigm to …

Ecological Responses To Living Shoreline Restoration, Aaron S. Bland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Coastal built communities and natural coastal ecosystems face similar and interrelated hazards: shoreline sediment erosion, shoreline retreat, and worsening storms, each of which is exacerbated by relative sea level rise. Living shorelines are coastal defense projects that incorporate natural habitats to provide more sustainable shoreline defense and improve the coastal ecosystem. Living shorelines have been widely adopted, but their performance has been highly variable, and the mechanisms of project success and failure are unclear. The overarching goal of this dissertation was to better understand the ecosystem responses to coastal restoration, focusing on the primary habitats of coastal salt marsh and …

Volume 17, Christian O’Neill, Kyara Greene, Savva Sidorov, Laura Bisaillon, Luke Clemmer, Hannah Gordon, Kitt Benson, Taylor Blount, Rachel Danzitz, Nicholas Duellman, Chase Gionis, Hima Fernando, Seth Franzyshen, Onyx Gonzalez, Bryan Lin, Samantha Start, Ysabel Wells, Maggie Duncan

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Cover Artist’s Statement Maggie Duncan

On Mentoring Dr. Yulia Uryadova

Ukrainian Resistance in the Face of Russification: Nestor Makhno and Anarchism

by Christian O’Neill

Life Vest by Kyara Greene

Isolation and 16S rRNA Identification of Bacteria from Fire Department Connection Pipe by Savva Sidorov

The Effectiveness of Planned Exercise in Reducing ADHD Symptoms in Children by Laura Bisaillon & Luke Clemmer

Linguistic Analysis on Confidence and Communication Strategies with Disparities Between Sign Fluency and Hearing Impairment by Hannah Gordon

Freedmen in Indian Territory by Kitt …

Linking Urban Forest Ecosystem Services With The Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric And Thematic Synthesis (2008–2022), Whisnu Febry Afrianto, Muhammad Ilham

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

Despite growing recognition of urban forests as vital providers of ecosystem services (ES) that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), existing scientific literature remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive synthesis. This study addresses that gap through a systematic bibliometric analysis of global research on urban forestry ecosystem services published between 2008 and 2022, encompassing 229 articles. The analysis examined the three main classifications of ecosystem services and all 17 SDGs. Publications on urban forestry ecosystem services have shown a steady increase since 2008, peaking between 2018 and 2022, while citation counts reached their highest point in 2012 and gradually declined …

Species Distribution Modeling Of Parasitic Corpse Flower Rafflesia Arnoldii Var. Arnoldii R. Br Related To Host’S Fractional Photosynthetically Active Radiation In Tanggamus, Sumatra, Indonesia, Andriwibowo Andriwibowo, Suyud Utomo

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

Corpse flower, or scientifically known as Rafflesia arnoldii var. arnoldii R.Br, is one of the species that is endemic to Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java Island. As a parasitic plant, this species depends on its tree host species. While the host species depends on environmental variables include Fractional Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), forest covers, and elevation for its growth. Then those variables were important to develop the Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) of R. arnoldii using the MaxEnt technique. One of the important regions for R. arnoldii in Sumatra is Tanggamus in Lampung, and currently, information about suitable habitats for R. arnoldii …

The Status Of The Endangered Rafflesia And Conservation Efforts In Java Island, Indonesia, Bahana Aditya Adnan, Purnomo Purnomo, Suwarno Hadisusanto

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

Rafflesia species (Rafflesiaceae) is a small endo-holoparasitic South-East Asian plant genus known for its exceptionally large flowers, rare species, and high island endemism. Three species of Rafflesia, i.e. R. patma, R. rochussenii, and R. zollingeriana, are known from Java, Indonesia. All three species are threatened with extinction due to human activities that cause habitat loss and fragmentation. Our literature review revealed that currently, factors influencing the existence of this genus, including its life cycle and environmental factors that support its life, are still not well understood. In particular, studies of the distribution and population of Rafflesia on the …

Influence Of Pruning And Organic Fertiliser On 9-Month-Old Ginger Productivity In An Acacia Auriculiformis Agroforestry, Yuda Vatra Erlangga, Arom Figyantika, Cintya Nurul Apsari, Rizki Bagus Indratmoko, Muhammad Syahru Ramadhan, Anastasya Clara Srinila Tampubolon, Fanny Elisabeth Panjaitan

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

Acacia auriculiformis (formis) offers various advantages that can be integrated with agricultural crops like ginger (Zingiber officinale var. amarum) through agroforestry systems. Pruning and fertilisation are potential strategies to optimise this approach. However, existing research remains limited. Further quantification and analysis are required to elucidate the effects of pruning on the growth of 7-year-old formis trees 11 months after treatment. In addition, more comprehensive studies are needed to examine the combined effects of pruning and organic fertiliser on the growth, productivity, and gingerol content of 9-month-old ginger plants. This research employed a Split-Plot Randomised Complete Block Design, examining the …

Species Diversity And Estimation Of Aboveground Carbon Stocks In Sugar Palm Forest And Lowland Forest In Negeri Hatusua, Maluku, Irwanto Irwanto, Andjela Sahupala, Febian Tetelay, Yulianus Komul

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

Tropical forests are essential for climate change mitigation, but limited data on species diversity and aboveground carbon stocks in Indonesia constrain evidence-based forest management. This study aims to assess species diversity and aboveground carbon stocks in sugar palm forests and lowland forests in Negeri Hatusua, Maluku Province, Indonesia. Vegetation analysis was employed to determine species structure and diversity, while carbon stock measurement and calculation followed the Indonesian National Standard (SNI 7724:2019) for land-based carbon assessment, with certain modifications. The results indicated that the species diversity index in the sugar palm forest was 2.21 for trees, 1.95 for poles, 2.26 for …

Sustainability Of Peatland Area Management With Peat Drainability Assessment At Various Depths, Aulia Bahadhori Mukti, Heru Bagus Pulunggono, Yuli Suharnoto

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

This study aims to analyze the distribution of drainability assessment components, including Peat Basal Contact (PBC) and Natural Drainage Limit (NDL) elevations, Drainage Limit Time (DLT), and volume loss, as well as their relationship with peat thickness, subsidence, and groundwater level (GWL) in peatlands. The assessment is conducted to estimate the potential productive lifespan of oil palm plantations by determining the natural drainage limit (NDL) and predicting the time required to reach the drainage threshold, considering subsidence rates across different peat thickness classes. The analysis and calculations were performed using the drainage assessment formulas and procedures outlined by the Roundtable …

Site Characterization And Integrated Irrigation-Forestry Solutions For Mangrove Restoration In The Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam, Manh Quy Do, Huy Quoc Nguyen, Minh Duc Nguyen, My Tra Ha, Tuan Anh Le, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Tu Ngoc Pham

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

The research was conducted in 2023 in a degraded mangrove forest area in Giao Hoa commune, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. This area is part of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve (RRDBR), which was recognised by UNESCO in 2004. The study employed methods such as surveying topographical features, assessing soil and water characteristics, and evaluating the status of the mangrove forest. It also used GIS and The Analytic Hierarchy Process method to analyse and evaluate the current condition of the forest and its site characteristics. The research results show that, regarding the topographical features of the degraded mangrove area, it …

Urban Bird Community Interaction With Ficus And Non-Ficus Tree, Eka Alifikri, Yeni Aryati Mulyani, Ani Mardiastuti

Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea

Ficus trees are recognised as keystone species in forest ecosystems and are crucial for urban wildlife, especially birds. IPB Darmaga Campus, a biodiversity-rich urban area, hosts a variety of plant species, including Ficus and non-Ficus tree species, along with diverse bird species. This study aimed to compare the utilisation of Ficus and non-Ficus plants by birds in the area. Observations were conducted on 5 Ficus benjamina, 5 Ficus microcarpa, and 10 non-Ficus tree individuals. Ficus trees were used by 15 bird species from 12 families, with 1700 recorded interactions. In contrast, non-Ficus trees were …

Group B Streptococcus In Pregnant Women: Universal Guidelines And Protocols, Dania Presteguin

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of maternal sepsis and neonatal mortality globally. Variability in screening and treatment guidelines influences global disease burden.

Objective: This study uses a cross-national analysis to compare screening and treatment guidelines and their impact on prevalence, screening, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP), and maternal-neonatal clinical manifestations Methodology: A systematic review of secondary literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL (2010-2025). Inclusion criteria include maternal GBS colonization and one or more measures of interventions and neonatal infection rates. No geographic or demographic restrictions were applied. A total of 67 studies were screened, and …

Shark Immunology And Its Biomedical Potential: Evolution, Innovation, And The Imperative Of Conservation, Reesha Bhagat

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This review aims to shed light on a significant ecological deficit and its implications for the future of science and medicine. Sharks possess a uniquely adaptive, cancer-resistant, and evolutionarily refined immune system with transformative biomedical potential, making their conservation a scientific and medical imperative. We are losing something medically irreplaceable, and we don’t even fully understand it yet. Shark conservation is a pressing scientific imperative because sharks are ecologically essential and represent an irreplaceable biomedical resource.

Assessing The Conservation Needs Of Native Texas Crayfish Species Through Distribution Analysis And Species Distribution Modeling, Elizabeth J. Croft

Biology Theses

Crayfish have essential roles in ecosystems because they are ecosystem engineers and keystone species. However, crayfish species are threatened by degradation and loss of habitats, introduction of invasive species, and high levels of endemism. Texas provides no legal protections for crayfish, despite its large number of species and endemics in the state. The overall goal of this study is to clarify the distributions of native Texas crayfish species using literature records, citizens science, and field sampling data, and highlight species in need of more conservation research. Occurrence records from all collected data were combined to visualize the distributions of species …

Prevalence Of Disordered Eating Behaviors In Junior And Senior Human Nutrition And Dietetics Students At The University Of Arkansas, Grace P. Carroum, Mallori Roberts

General Human Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Disordered eating (DE) is a prevalent concern among college students and may be particularly relevant among nutrition and dietetics students due to their academic focus on food, weight, and health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and frequency of disordered eating behaviors among junior and senior Human Nutrition and Dietetics students at the University of Arkansas using item-level responses from the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form (EDE-QS). A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected via an anonymous online survey (n = 11). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the frequency of specific behaviors. Overall, most …