Digital Commons Network^™

Hospitality Highway Career Fair: An Exploratory Study, Lilly Miller

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The goal of this creative project is to conduct research on career fairs and hospitality events to successfully host the first ever Hospitality Career Fair at the University of Arkansas. The lack of career advancement opportunities on the campus for hospitality management students continued to increase despite the rapidly growing industry across the community, so the creation of the career fair would allow improvement for the students and the companies. With a creative project, it allows more creativity and research to develop the overall plan for the event.

The project studies hospitality career events hosted at other universities to gain …

Understanding The Impact Of Food Insecurity Among First Generation College Students On The University Of Arkansas Campus, Madison Price

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to: 1) better understand food insecurity among first generation college students and how it might differ from that of other college students, and 2) gather opinions from students that may serve as solutions to alleviate food insecurity. This study was conducted with a mixed-methods survey that included both open-ended and close-ended questions. This study had six detailed parts, including research design, population sampling, instrumentation, data collection, data analysis, and finally, the results. All of these unique phases allowed for first generation students’ voices to be heard and to help meet their needs on the …

Evaluating The Sustainability Of The Portraits Of Progress Event Using The Meter Method To Achieve More Sustainable Small-Scale Events, Anna Switzer

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Global warming and climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions are causing society to re-evaluate how our actions affect the environment. This can be seen in many people’s professional and personal lives (Roy & Verplanken, 2016). The event management industry is no exception to this change of mindset. The purpose of this study is to measure the environmental impact of the Portraits of Progress Event on September 9, 2022, using the Measuring Events Through Environmental Research (METER) Method and provide recommendations to improve the sustainability of the event.

Sincerely, Regan Leigh Chrisman-Boman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sincerely is a compilation of diaristic narratives depicted through the lens of a distorted reality. This distortion is manifested through the influence of social norms placed on me and my gendered experience of this world. The stories I tell through my work deal with the mind, body and daily life. My images within this body of work are sourced from my written journal, and creating a visual diary. I provide a space of relatability for the viewer to feel seen and not alone through the discussion of personal experiences that are both unique and not unique to myself. The work …

Food Insecurity Among Women: The Data Gap And The Path Forward, Beth Dedman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Quantification frames the world in terms of hierarchies, reputation, and status, thereby making important indicators comparable, and subsequently stripping them of their context, history, and meaning. Numerical knowledge is essential, yet if it is not closely connected to more qualitative forms of knowledge, it leads to oversimplification, homogenization, and the neglect of the surrounding social structure. Feminist-based research is completely antithetical to this form of research, focusing on qualitative experiences, the effects of relationships of power, and adding the necessary context to the quantifiable information. As of yet, most research in the Northwest Arkansas region as it pertains to the …

The Costs Of Convenience: A Case For Regulating Online Food Marketplaces In The Public Interest, Angela Lee

Journal of Food Law & Policy

As digital platforms have become more popular, including those relating to food ordering and delivery, the range of both their positive and negative impacts have become more apparent. In response, governments in various jurisdictions have made efforts at regulating such platforms, as part of their mandate of balancing complex and often competing goals in the public interest. Unfortunately, attempts at governing digital platforms to date have largely proven ineffective at checking the power of the large corporations that are behind their growth and expansion. I argue that a critical assessment of these new forms of online food marketplace further supports …

Misinformation In U.S. Food And Agriculture: A Policy Analysis Of Impacts And Recommended Solutions, Jamie Woodside

Journal of Food Law & Policy

This paper aims to review the current state of play of misinformation in the U.S. food and agriculture sectors—delving into the roots of misinformation, its propagation through social media and traditional channels, and its consequences for the agricultural sector and society at large. Additionally, through an examination of existing laws, regulations, and potential legal remedies, this paper aims to shed light on the challenges posed by misinformation and offers recommendations for mitigating its harmful effects.

I’M Not Lovin’ It: Re-Thinking Fast Food Advertising, Brody Shea, Michael S. Sinha

Journal of Food Law & Policy

In 1971, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) agreed to prevent injury and deception to the consumer in advertising, detailing their respective roles in a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”). The MOU has been amended and an addendum added since 1971, but the material provisions have remained consistent for over a half-century. The FTC has regulatory authority over fast food advertising while the FDA regulates fast food, which creates a proverbial fork in the road. The fork in the road widens when considering the FDA has an active role in curbing the obesity epidemic through …

Developing An Efficient Regulatory Framework For Safe Street Food In Bangladesh: Lessons From Comparative Analyses With India, Thailand, And New York City, Usa., Abu Noman Mohammad Atahar Ali

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Globally, approximately 2.5 billion individuals consume street food1 daily. Street food is affordable, convenient, and sometimes nutritious, offering diverse and appealing food choices. A World Health Organization (WHO) report in 1996 ascertained that 74% of countries recognized the substantial contribution of street foods to their urban food supply The following parts of the article look into street food's impact on public health and its implications for the lives of people in Bangladesh. Subsequently, it will examine previous initiatives and current endeavors to ensure street food safety and hygiene. Following this literature review, the study will conduct a detailed examination of …

Towards A New Urbanism- Using Artificial Intelligence To Reconcile Modernist Aesthetics With New Urbanist Principles, Nicholas Hurley

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

As urbanization and densification of cities have become undeniable trends of the past few centuries, designers have theorized ways of building the ideal environment for its inhabitants to thrive. These methods include the Garden Cities, Late Modern Housing Estates, and New Urbanism. This study will focus on New Urbanism. Known for its reluctance to embrace new architectural styles and ways of building, incorporating contemporary architectural styles presents a challenge to the future applicability of New Urbanism.

To analyze this issue, this study will leverage the ability of Artificial Intelligence image generation software to evaluate the compatibility of New Urbanism principles …

A Triadic View Of Name, Image, And Likeness From The Point Of Athletes, Universities, And Consumers Of College Athletics, William Monroe

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Name, Image, and Likeness is a new era of college athletics that allows student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness through personal appearances, social media platforms, commercials, selling merchandise, signing autographs, serving as ambassadors, and leading camps or clinics, among others. In simpler terms, NIL allows student-athletes to be paid to play. Before it was introduced, the NCAA took a strong stance against this but soon flipped its stance once states started passing laws relating to the subject. In the past, athletic departments, coaches, and student-athletes were punished by the NCAA because of bribes as well as athletic departments …

Barriers To Breastfeeding In Low Socioeconomic Populations, Nikki Goldberg, Paige Daws

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This literature review assessed and determined common themes among vulnerable populations for the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding habits. The barriers identified were divided into four themes including: lack of support, inflexible employment environment, differences of breastfeeding norms and education, and financial burden. Interventions identified in this literature review were community support programs and the implementation of hospital programs and initiatives to encourage breastfeeding. The need for this research and discussion stems from the sub-optimal infant feeding practices that contribute to infant mortality rates (Gallegos et al., 2020).

Exploring Growth: A Multifaceted Approach To Development In The Stann Creek District Of Belize, Brady A. Voss

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis delves into the multifaceted approach to development within the Stann Creek District of Belize, as undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in collaboration with the international non-profit Peacework. Authored by Brady A. Voss under the guidance of Dr. Amy Farmer, this research is a culmination of efforts aimed at enhancing economic growth and sustainability in the region.

The thesis begins by outlining the author's involvement in three primary projects during a summer internship in 2023: assessing market awareness of dragon fruit, estimating the cost of production for habanero peppers, and formulating a business plan for the …

Screening For Potential Swine-Origin Probiotics With Antimicrobial Activities, Christina Lim

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a leading issue worldwide. Recently, there was a new law banning the use of antibiotics within the swine industry. For decades swine producers have mixed subtherapeutic amounts of antibiotics in swine feed to prevent potential infections and to increase growth rate. However, due to the constant exposure of antibiotics to these ever-evolving pathogens, the population of antibiotic resistant bacteria has increased exponentially. Currently, the swine industry is scrambling to find a suitable alternative to antibiotics that possesses antimicrobial activity and potentially promotes growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability …

Effects Of Maternal Infant-Directed Sensory Cues On Early Weaned Piglet Behavior, Mattie Still

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the commercial pig production industry, weaning is a stressful time. Stress is related to loss in production due to increased incidence of illness, increased aggression, and reduced rate of gain, which results in economic losses for the producer. The purpose of this continuous behavior study was to explore the effects of provisional own-mother olfactory and auditory stimuli on early weaned piglet behavior and growth. During days 7-14 postpartum, the grunting of 12 individual sows was recorded while their piglets nursed. The audio files were put into a single loop with grunting occurring for 20 minutes followed by 60 minutes …

Bilateral Asymmetry In The First Metacarpal: The Influence Of Handedness In Humans And Non-Human Primates, Lucyna A. Bowland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Muscle attachment sites (entheses) are often used to infer soft tissue anatomy and reconstruct behaviors within skeletal populations, but there remains a significant debate about whether and to what degree muscle use is accurately reflected in bony morphology. One of the most difficult problems in establishing the relationship between variation in muscle use and entheseal development is the inability to exclude a variety of external factors thought to influence enthesis development, including age, sex, body mass, and activity patterns. One way around this is to take advantage of the fact that humans are handed (preferentially using one hand over another, …

Comparative Analysis Of Sensory Attributes, Acceptance, And Evoked-Emotions Between Gluten-Free And Gluten-Containing Cookie Products, Shaelyn Frauenhoffer

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The demand for gluten-free products has increased over the past few decades as more people have been diagnosed with gluten-related dietary restrictions. Although there has been much research into certain gluten-free food products, there remains a gap in understanding the sensory attribute differences between traditional and gluten-free cookies. The aim of this study was to determine differences in sensory attributes and consumer acceptance of gluten-free versus gluten-containing chocolate chip cookies. Twelve chocolate chips across 11 brands were used in this study with 7 being gluten-free and 5 containing gluten. Eighty-nine participants were involved in the two-day study, with six cookies …

Moisture Sorption And Quality Characteristics Of Instant Rice, Anna Mays, Griffiths Atungulu

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Market demand for instant rice--a processed form of rice that is cooked and dehydrated before it is sold--has risen tremendously and become a significant component of the rice industry. Compared to freshly cooked rice, the quality of instant rice (in terms of texture, color, aroma, etc.) is much lower. There exists little information regarding how instant rice’s storage conditions affect its quality. Such information may be elucidated by studying sorption isotherms which describe the storage temperature, relative humidity, and instant rice moisture relationships.

The purpose of this study was to generate moisture sorption isotherms of instant rice for temperatures and …

Artificial Intelligence In The Hotel Industry: The Benefits And Effects On Corporations, Carlie Malone

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research delves into the benefits and effects of artificial intelligence in the hotel industry. Through a qualitive design, the study shows how the hotel industry since Covid-19 has tried to grow in the technology. The findings were valuable insights from CEO’s, CFO’s, Executives, Directors, and Managers. Nine hotel and technology executives from around the country participated in interviews covering the basic topics of demographics, AI utilized in/on the hotel property, AI and employee experiences, and guest satisfaction with AI.

The challenges stated by the participants were that AI is still in its early stages and being developed. An additional …

Believe In Yourself And Keep The Doctor Away: Health Self-Efficacy Mediates The Relationship Between Retrospectively Reported Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) And College Students’ Current Self-Reported Physical Health, Amber Sale

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events occurring during the first 18 years of life (CDC, 2022) and are strong predictors of later negative outcomes such as poor physical health, risky health behaviors, and poor lifestyle habits (Felitti et al., 1998; Lovis-Schmidt et al., 2022; Windle et al., 2018). Previous literature has suggested that self-efficacy may explain the negative impact ACEs have on later physical health (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2011). Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between college students’ retrospectively reported ACEs and current self-reported physical health, in the context of health self-efficacy levels (i.e., self-perceptions of one’s …

Exploring The Effects Of N,N-Dimethylbiguanide And Ω-3 Pufas On Muscle Stem Cell Differentiation, Enayah Alhshim

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The impacts of omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acid and metformin hydrochloride (Met-HCl) on muscle stem cells differentiation, mimicking the fetal muscle development under gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), were investigated. ω-3 fatty acids have been known for their ability to regulate adipogenic transcription factors such as Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protien (SREBPs) and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs). This regulation resulted in gene expression modification for lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation, thus preventing excessive fat accumulation. Additionally, emerging evidence suggested that ω-3 fatty acids may also exert direct effects on myogenic processes that influence muscle stem cells proliferation, differentiation, and maturation. Meanwhile, Met-HCl, an …

The Effects Of Fermented Vegetables On The Gut Microbiota For Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease, Melissa Baron, Bin Zuo, Jianmin Chai, Jiangchao Zhao, Alireza Jahan-Mihan, Judy Ochrietor, Andrea Y. Arikawa

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study investigated the impact of regular consumption of fermented vegetables (FVs) on inflammation and the composition of the gut microbiota in adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Eighty-seven adults ages 35–64 were randomized into an FV group, who consumed 100 g FVs daily at least five times per week for eight weeks, or a usual diet (UD) group. Blood and stool samples were obtained before and after the intervention. Dependent samples t tests and adjusted linear models were used for within- and between-group comparisons. The mean age and body mass index of participants were 45 years and 30 …

Assessing The Impact Of Spraying An Enterococcus Faecium-Based Probiotic On Day-Old Broiler Chicks At Hatch On The Incidence Of Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness Using A Staphylococcus Challenge Model, Anh Dang Trieu Do, Amanda Anthney, Khawla Alharbi, Andi Asnayanti, Antoine Meuter, Adnan Ali Khalaf Alrubaye

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is a bone disease characterized by the translocation of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, which colonize microfractures in broiler leg bones caused by rapid animal growth rate and weight gain, resulting in lameness. As such, BCO lameness represents a significant challenge for the poultry industry. This study aims to evaluate the effect of spraying broiler chicks on d0 at hatch with an Enterococcus faecium probiotic on the incidence of BCO-induced lameness, utilizing a Staphylococcus aureus challenge model. There were four treatments: (1) negative control (no probiotic + no challenge, NC); (2) positive control (no …

Effects Of Nicotinamide Riboside In Ovo Feeding On High-Yield Broiler Performance, Meat Quality, And Myopathy Incidence, Clay J. Maynard, John M. Gonzalez, Taketo Haginouchi, Olivia G. Ellis, Ashunti R. Jackson, Casey M. Owens

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of in ovo nicotinamide riboside (NR) feeding on high-yield broiler growth and meat quality.

Methods: Fertilized Cobb 700 by-product eggs (N = 3,240) were randomly assigned to one of four in ovo treatments and injected with 0 (0NR), 250 (250NR), 500 (500NR), or 1,000 (1,000NR) mM NR at incubation-day 10. Chicks were hatched, vent sexed, and randomly placed 18 per pen in one of 32 floor pens. On day 48, birds were processed and deboned.

Results: There were dose effects …

Effects Of Varied Fertilization, Tillage, And Supplementation Strategies On Grazing Steers And Wheat Pasture Performance, Cody Everett Gruber

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objectives for the two experiments were to determine the impact of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate, establishment method through no-till (NT) or clean-till (CT), and supplementation on stocker, wheat stand, and economic performance. Within study 1, 24, 1.62-ha pastures, were used over a two-year period. Pasture treatments consisted of a combination of N fertilization rate (100.88, 134.5, or 168.12 kg/ha), applied as broadcast urea and split between two equal applications of 50% at planting and the remaining 50% in the spring when daytime average temperatures trend above 10°C, and of NT establishment or CT establishment. Steers were weighed on arrival, …

Evaluation Of Protein Turnover, Lipid Turnover, And Calcium Utilization On Broiler Breeder Performance, Cole Umberson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Broiler breeder performance is based upon egg production. Breeders are reared from day of hatch to ovulation with the main goal of controlling body weight. Maintaining body weight in breeders is highly emphasized prior to first egg as to reach optimum peak production feeding increases dramatically to meet energy needs. Energy is supplied to the breeder in three forms carbohydrates (fast energy), protein (medium energy), and fat (slow energy). Carbohydrates are quickly used by the breeders, while protein is constantly being utilized by the breeder for growth and egg production, fat is stored and used lastly as the energy requirements …

Gaseous Ozone To Improve The Microbial Safety Of Spices, Seeds, And Nuts, Arshpreet Kaur Khattra

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Due to the increasing number of reported outbreaks of pathogens in low-moisture foods (LMFs), there is a need to investigate novel non-thermal gaseous technologies to increase the microbiological safety of spices, nuts, and seeds without compromising the product quality. The objective of this study was to inactivate Salmonella spp. in different spices, seeds, and nuts using gaseous ozone treatment and evaluate the suitability of Enterococcus faecium as a potential surrogate for Salmonella. Each food product (dried basil leaves, black peppercorn, chia seeds, and walnuts) was separately inoculated with a 5-strain Salmonella and E. faecium cocktail and equilibrated to water activity …

The Effect Of Gentle Yoga On Average Daily Step Count, Francesca D'Agrosa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While walking is a widely accessible form of exercise that is highly effective at increasing overall wellness (Kadir et al., 2019; Zhao et al., 2015) and is a recommended form of physical activity for overweight and obese individuals, studies still indicate low step counts and levels of physical activity in people with obesity (Shultz et al., 2011). Sedentary overweight individuals may avoid walking for several reasons, including physiological and/or biomechanical factors that make walking more difficult. This study attempted to explore and address these avoidant behaviors by employing a single-case ABAB reversal design to implement bi-weekly gentle yoga sessions over …

Clinical Assessment Of Erosive Tooth Wear Objective Outcome Measures, Elizabeth Wewers

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether enamel surface texture can be used as objective and quantitative measurements to detect and monitor erosive tooth wear (ETW) as an adjunct to the subjective Basic Erosive Wear Evaluation (BEWE) that is commonly used today. This longitudinal observational clinical study enrolled 32 subjects with a sample of n = 584 teeth. Conventional dental microwear surface texture parameters (surface complexity, roughness, and anisotropy - Asfc, Sa, Str, respectively) (were generated using white-light scanning confocal profilometry) from the buccal surfaces of each tooth accepted to the study. I personally scanned and analyzed n …

Workplace Wellness, Hannah Holder

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The evolving landscape of workplace dynamics underscores a growing emphasis on achieving a better work-life balance and healthier lifestyle, particularly among younger generations entering the workforce. This shift in preferences highlights the importance of companies adapting to meet the needs of employees by offering flexibility and support for wellness initiatives. A workplace culture that promotes work-life balance not only enhances employee satisfaction but also leads to increased productivity and decreased healthcare costs. While comprehensive wellness programs and flexible work arrangements are beneficial, they may not be universally applicable. However, the overarching commitment to creating a supportive and healthy work environment …