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

2026 Research Poster Competition

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

Investigating The Incorporation Of Milled Rice In Brewing Non-Alcoholic Beer To Enhance Sensory Quality, Christian Schubert, Rahul Sen, Nils Rettberg, Scott Lafontaine

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The influence of substituting barley malt with milled rice on the sensory and chemical characteristics of nonalcoholic beers (NAB) was investigated. Physicochemical and volatile analyses were conducted on the NABs. Original gravities ranged from 6.71% w/w (100% barley malt) to 7.15% w/w (100% rice), with alcohol contents between 0.33% v/v (70% barley/30 %rice) and 0.45 % v/v (100% rice). Color decreased from 10.8 EBC (100% barley malt) to 3.3 EBC (100% rice). Descriptive analysis sensory evaluations by trained panelists in the United States and European Union were used to characterize the sensory profiles of the NABs. Principal component analysis showed …

Plowing With A Pencil: Policy Approaches For States Squaring Agricultural Interests With Select Public Interests, Mary Eichenberger

Journal of Food Law & Policy

From a fifth-generation wheat farmer on the Kansas plains to a cattle rancher in Montana to a beginning peach producer in Georgia, American agriculture produces, provides, and protects sources of food, fiber, fuel, and shelter. American agriculture, once solely supported by rural family farmers and steeped in an agrarian system, now relies heavily on industrialized operations, creating an arena ripe for the clash of diverse policy perspectives. As farmers produce the food enjoyed at dinner tables across the country, the inevitable impacts of agriculture production on the environment have led to policy and legal arguments surrounding the regulation of agriculture. …

Key Contributions To Agricultural Law Select Works By Agricultural Law Professor, Susan A. Schneider, An Annotated Bibliography, Susan A. Schneider

Journal of Food Law & Policy

The authors provide an annotated list of publications, remarks, books, and book chapters authored by agricultural law scholar and professor, Susan A. Schneider, in honor of her forthcoming retirement.

The growth and evolution of the study of agricultural and food law may be attributed to several legal scholars who, based on a personal connection with agriculture, chose to dedicate their careers to advocating for the family farmer. Professor Susan A. Schneider is one such legal scholar.

Professor Susan A. Schneider, a native of Minnesota, is currently the William H. Enfield Professor of Law and the Director of the LL.M. in …

An Interview With Former United States Department Of Agriculture General Counsel Janie Simms Hipp And Former Farm Credit Administration General Counsel David Grahn: Reflections On The Past & Future Of The Field Of Agricultural Law, Lauren Wustenberg

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Former United States (“U.S.”) Department of Agriculture (“USDA” or “Department”) General Counsel Janie Simms Hipp and Former Farm Credit Administration (“FCA”) General Counsel David Grahn have worked as public servants in the field of agricultural law for over forty years. They have led careers that are illustrative of the meaningful impact that a career in agriculture can have, the breadth and value of the Department of Agriculture, and the diversity of experiences and opportunities that a career in agricultural law can bring.

Janie and David graciously agreed to sit for the following interview in recognition of the 20th Anniversary Edition …

Municipalities, Let The People Have Their Chickens And Eat Them, Too, Cindy Vong

Journal of Food Law & Policy

In the pre-industrial era, before the advent of long-distance transportation or food preservation, human survival necessitated proximity to where food was grown or husbanded. Cities located near agriculturally productive lands and domesticated livestock animals were commonplace within cities. But by the 1920s, the technological innovations of the Second Industrial Revolution left urban areas free of farm animals and farm-related activities. Local governments exercised their powers to codify the separation of residential and agricultural uses within cities and reinforce the idea that food production was not proper in community neighborhoods. Yet, a century later, local governments use those same powers to …

Reflection And Gratitude: The Journal Of Food Law & Policy From A Twenty-Year Perspective, Margie Alsbrook

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Twenty years after the Journal of Food Law & Policy published its first issue, I find myself looking back with deep gratitude for the people who helped create it, for the students who sustained it, and for the community that continues to make it thrive. What began as an untested idea has grown into a respected publication and a cornerstone of a still-growing field. This essay is both a reflection on that journey and a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made it possible.

Rapid Detection Of Chicken Residues On Poultry Plant Surfaces Using Color And Fluorescence Spectrometry, Clark Griscom, Dongyi Wang, Corliss A. O'Bryan, Rimmo Room, Philip G. Crandall

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Color and fluorescence spectrometry were evaluated as rapid, objective tools for verifying the cleanliness of poultry-processing food-contacting surfaces contaminated with a model chicken solution across six common materials. Both techniques detected chicken residues at dilutions several orders of magnitude below human visual and olfactory thresholds, with stainless steel and blue plastic yielding the largest color differences between clean and contaminated states and fluorescence measurements remaining highly sensitive on all tested surfaces. Representative limits of detection were on the order of 1:50-1:100 dilution of chicken residue for color measurements on most surfaces and approximately 1:50 for fluorescence measurements, compared with human …

Incidence Of Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness In Commercial Duck Flocks In Mojokerto, Indonesia, Andi Asnayanti, Siti Azizah, Anif Mukaromah Wati, Ahmad Ridwan, Ahmad Arman Dahlan, Dinda Rosalita, Anh Dang Trieu Do, Adnan Alrubaye

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is an infection of opportunistic bacteria in the structural skeletal bones impacting multiple animal species, particularly poultry species. BCO lameness results in significant financial losses to industrial poultry production and increases the risk of foodborne illnesses, posing a major threat to consumers' food safety. As BCO lameness is an inherent risk of fast body weight gain in poultry species, especially broiler chickens, abundant studies have been conducted in broilers and turkeys. Nevertheless, BCO lameness incidence in ducks remains elusive. Thus, this is the first survey investigating the prevalence of BCO lameness cases in ducks. …

Acid And Sequential Acid–Alkali Extraction To Mitigate Enzyme Activity And Off-Flavors In Chickpea Protein: Implications On Structural, Functional, And Bioactive Properties, Kavitha Lakshmipathy, Sukanya Poddar, Nikitha Modupalli, Scott Lafontaine, Md Mahfuzur Rahman

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Chickpea proteins offer significant nutritional and functional benefits in food products; however, their utilization is often restricted by off-flavors, primarily for lipoxygenase (LOX) and lipase activity. This study aims to develop a novel extraction method by combining acid (pH 2.0) extraction with the conventional alkali (pH 9.0) method to inactivate enzymes and enhance protein quality. Acid-extracted proteins exhibit the highest purity (83.4%), albumin content, and structural flexibility (46.65% random coil). Both acid and sequential acid-alkali-extracted proteins significantly reduced LOX (0.75 and 0.88 U/g) and lipase (0.10 and 0.08 U/g) activity. Acid extraction significantly lowers volatile compounds such as hexanal (0.0409 …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of An Air Purification System In Reducing Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness In Broiler Chickens, Abdulaziz Ali Alqahtani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is the primary cause of lameness in commercial broiler production and has a profound impact on animal welfare and cost-effectiveness. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effect of an air purification system on mitigating BCO lameness in broiler chickens. One thousand eight hundred broiler chicks were reared in two side-by-side research barns. Eight air filtration units were installed in one building, and none in the other. Treatment groups in both houses included positive control birds on wire flooring to induce BCO, as well as negative control, feed additive, vaccination, and a combination …

The Effect Of Exercise On The Development Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus In Pregnancy: A Systematic Review Of Literature, Abigail Reiche

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize literature examining the relationship between using exercise as a preventative method for gestational diabetes development during pregnancy, and the effect it may have on lowering glycemic levels. Health Source: CINAHL and PubMed were systematically searched for peer-reviewed journal articles that studied pregnant women (P), and the relationship of consistent exercise (I), compared to no physical exercise (C), on lowering glycemic levels resulting in positive pregnancy outcomes (O), throughout gestation (T). Twenty articles were retrieved in accordance with the PICOT objectives. Additional criteria included only articles from 2019-2024 and articles that were …

Investigating Nutrient Management & The Impacts Of Nitrogen On Blackberries Across Arkansas And The Southeast, Amanda Michelle Lay-Walters

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Current blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) research on nutrient needs, monitoring practices, and dynamics in the United States has primarily been conducted on cultivars popularly grown in the Pacific Northwest. Thus, regional research is required to understand the needs of blackberry cultivars grown in the southeastern U.S., with southeastern U.S. production practices. In 2022 and 2023, 12 cultivars of blackberry, across seven states, were leaf tissue sampled across multiple phenological stages for nutrient analysis. In Clarksville, AR from 2022 to 2024, six rates of N were applied to established ‘Ouachita’ blackberry plants. During the trial, plant yield, post-harvest fruit quality, fruit …

Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Apio Tuber, Jeehye Seo, Oluwatobi Amusat, Yu-Yun Wang, Annegret Jannasch, Sun-Ok Lee

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Inflammation is a crucial component of the body’s defense system but can lead to chronic diseases when uncontrolled. Diets rich in anti-inflammatory compounds are recognized as an effective strategy for mitigating chronic inflammation. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of Apio (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), an underutilized Andean tuber. The goal of this study was to explore the health-promoting properties of Apio tuber, which could expand its commercial value to support local farmers and contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Phenolic compounds were extracted from white (WAT) and yellow Apio tuber (YAT), and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity …

Broiler Responsiveness To Dietary Amino Acid Density In A Commercial Setting, Virginia Slick

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The majority of research assessing the amino acid responsiveness in broilers has been conducted in experimental designs utilizing pens that contain 12 to 25 birds with high replication. While this trial design is beneficial as a way to perform high replications with multiple treatments in a way that is both economically and spatially feasible, it may not accurately translate to a rearing environment more similar to that of commercial open floor housing. This research was conducted to determine if the effects of lysine driven amino acid density diets that have been found in the traditional floor pen setting correlate to …

Reframing Fitness And Nutrition For Women: Understanding Hormonal And Metabolic Differences, Brooke J. Luecke

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores how women can consider approaching fitness, nutrition, and recovery based on the physiological differences between men and women. While much of the existing fitness and nutrition research has been based on male participants generalized to women, this paper aims to woman-centric, tailored recommendations. By focusing on hormonal cycles, metabolism, and muscle physiology, my paper will suggest a need for women to adjust their exercise and dietary practices for optimal health outcomes, including fat loss and raised energy levels. My suggestions in this paper are supported by the latest research, including Dr. Stacy Sims' insights on female health, …

Optimizing Cobb Mx X 500 Broiler Diets Through The Investigation Of Lysine And Energy Synergies, Soybean Processing “Add-Backs” Ingredients, And Soybean Genotype Amino Acid Selection, Savannah Caroline Wells

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored strategies to optimize Cobb MX x 500 broiler chicken nutrition by investigating lysine and energy synergies, the utilization of soybean processing by-products (“add-backs”), and soybean genotype selection for enhanced amino acid composition. Three independent but complementary research objectives were pursued to improve feed efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in modern broiler production. The first objective assessed the interactive effects of dietary lysine and metabolizable energy (ME) on the performance and carcass traits of Cobb MX × 500 broilers. Using a central composite design, nine dietary treatments were formulated across multiple feeding phases. Results demonstrated that broiler performance responded …

Hyperspectral Indicators And Characterization Of Glyphosate-Induced Stress In Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium Album L.), Mario Andrés Soto Valencia

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hyperspectral sensing enables detection of herbicide stress in weeds, but practical use requires strategies for redundancy control, rating variability management, and evaluator bias mitigation. This thesis evaluates common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) under glyphosate exposure, aiming to identify key wavelengths, construct vegetation indices, and improve injury modeling. Greenhouse experiments used dimensionality reduction methods (principal component analysis, Relief F, Bayesian discriminant analysis) to isolate 34 unique wavelengths from about 3,200 bands. Calibration data were collected 14 days after treatment (DAT) to support wavelength selection and model development, while data from 27 DAT were used for independent validation. Class comparisons across six statistically …

Establishment Of Native Warm-Season Forages Using Organic Practices, Kolten Ray Wright

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Grassland agriculture is seen as a particularly sustainable form of agriculture. Many opportunities are known to use organic production methods or incorporate native warm-season grasses (NWSG) to accomplish both production goals and environmental or social outcomes. Environmental concerns have led some practitioners to question the use of organic methods to establish NWSG. As limited work has been accomplished in the northern bermudagrass belt, this project sought to compare organic establishment strategies for common NWSG species. A field trial conducted at the USDA ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, AR found that NWSG establishment success in the …

Ecological Elemental Homeostasis And Stoichiometric Shifts: Biotic Responses To Ionic And Viral Stress, Samuel Anthony Tooru Dias

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic activities are reshaping the elemental composition of freshwater ecosystems, often creating stoichiometric imbalances that influence the growth, physiology and interactions of aquatic organisms. Ecological stoichiometric theory (EST) provides a framework for examining these changes by linking organismal elemental regulation to broader ecosystem processes. While traditionally focused on elements, such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), emerging stressors highlight the need to expand this framework to be more elementally inclusive for the examination of novel interactions. My dissertation integrates abiotic (salinization) and biotic stressors (viral infection) into an EST framework to evaluate how these factors alter elemental regulation …

Using Color And Fluorescent Spectrometry As A New Rapid Cleaning Verification Method In Poultry Processing Plants, Clark Griscom

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The poultry industry is expected to be growing at 3% in the total global market with the U.S. being the largest producer of poultry meat. Poultry processing plants are expected to produce 140 birds per minute with the potential of up to 175 birds per minute to meet the market demand. With the growing market and need for faster production, maintaining food safety needs to be a priority to ensure the safety of consumers. Over 9.9 million foodborne illness cases are reported each year in the United States. A change in food safety is needed, and one area lacking is …

Next-Generation Salmonella Inactivated Vaccine Platforms And Phytobiotic-Modulated Immune Responses In Poultry, Santiago Uribe Diaz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Here, a comprehensive understanding of immune responses triggered by either a multimeric CD40 receptor-agonistic DNA aptamer-based or mannosylated chitosan-based Salmonella Enteritidis inactivated vaccine platforms, along with phytobiotic supplementation as an immune modulatory strategy in response to Salmonella lipopolysaccharides, is presented. This dissertation supports the development of next-generation Salmonella vaccine platforms that simultaneously stimulate both protective cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, while indicating the potential immunomodulatory effects of phytobiotics supplementation to reduce the immunological impact of Salmonella lipopolysaccharides in chickens. The first chapter describes that both vaccine platforms administered in broiler chickens initiated local inflammatory responses, recruiting heterophils and macrophages from …

Micro-Greens, Not Micro-Yellows: Evaluating Dehydration-Based Preservation Techniques For Reducing Foodborne Pathogens And Quality Preservation On Microgreens, Travis S. Sananikone

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Microgreens are increasingly popular among consumers due to their high nutritional value. However, their limited shelf-life remains a significant challenge. To extend their usability, small-scale growers increasingly apply home preservation methods like warm air drying or freeze-drying. However, the effects of these methods on common foodborne pathogens are not well understood. Radish and alfalfa microgreens were inoculated with cocktails of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes 4b (ca. 8.0 log CFU/g). Treatments included dehydration in a commercial dehydrator, freeze-drying (-20°C, 24 h), and convective drying in an oven (60°C for 4 h), and convective drying in an oven …

A Comparison Of Cultural Aspects Of Breastfeeding In The United States Vs Italy, Madison P. Wallace

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Healthcare systems internationally differ from policies, funding and resources available, and it is evident when comparing the United States and Italy. Participation in the Nursing Across the Lifespan study abroad program at the University of Arkansas Rome Center and Tiny Tusk Breastfeeding and Infant Support internship inspired a comparative exploration of breastfeeding practices in the United States versus. Italy. The United States has a mixed public- private insurance system, workplace policies and government assistance, while Italy has a universal healthcare system with a mandated maternal work paid leave to support breastfeeding mothers. Italy's program supports education and physical care needed …

Dual-Stage Ultrasound Application For Rice Bran Protein Extraction: A Novel Method To Improve Yield, Functional Properties, And Nutritional Profile, Saydul Md Safwa, Nikitha Modupalli, Md Mahfuzur Rahman

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

While ultrasound-assisted protein extraction is well-studied, the application of ultrasound in both the extraction and precipitation stages has not been explored. This study explored the ultrasound (U)-assisted alkaline extraction (AE) at pH 9.5 and ultrasound-assisted isoelectric precipitation (UIP) at pH 3.5 on the rice bran protein yield, functionality, and nutritional quality. The UAE and conventional precipitation (UAE-IP) yielded the highest protein yield of 65.7 %, while conventional extraction yielded 38.9 %. FTIR showed that UAE-IP increased beta-sheets by 96.8 % while AE-UIP decreased the alpha-helices by 42.4 %. Although UAE-IP showed no significant change in surface hydrophobicity, UAE-UIP decreased it …

A Novel Drying Technology Based On Supercritical Carbon Dioxide To Enhance The Functional Properties Of Red Lentil Proteins, Niveditha Asaithambi, Arda Tuhanioglu, Ali Ubeyito

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Red lentils are protein-rich sources that are highly regarded in the plant-based food industry for their color. Appropriate drying methods are essential for maintaining the physicochemical and nutritional properties of the proteins. This study investigates the impact of three drying methods, namely oven drying, freeze-drying, and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) drying, on the physicochemical and functional properties of red lentil proteins (RLP). SC-CO₂ drying was optimized at varying temperatures (35–55 °C), pressures (10–20 MPa), and CO₂ flow rates (2–3 L/min), with optimal drying observed at 55 °C, 20 MPa, and 3 L/min, resulting in significantly reduced moisture content (5.7 %). …

Effects Of Injectable Trace Mineral Timing On Calf Performance And Health Indicators, Marie E. Goulais

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One hundred and fourteen calves (average BW= 224kg ± 89kg) were utilized to evaluate the effects of injectable trace mineral (ITM) administration on calf performance and health when administered pre-weaning and at weaning. Calves were blocked by sex, stratified by age, and randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: 1) no ITM injection (CON), 2) ITM administered 28 d before weaning (PW), or 3) ITM administration at weaning (WEAN). Calves were vaccinated against respiratory pathogens on D-28 and D0. At weaning, cattle were transported to a local auction market, held overnight and returned the following morning. Body weight …

Transcriptomic And Contractile Adaptations In Skeletal Muscle In A Rodent Model Of Anorexia Nervosa, Oscar Armando Vicen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder marked by severe chronic caloric restriction and is primarily diagnosed through psychological and behavioral symptoms. AN has the highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Many individuals with a history of AN experience incomplete recovery despite intervention treatment. Skeletal muscle molecular mechanisms under chronic energy deprivation remain poorly understood. PURPOSE: To investigate transcriptomic profiles of the gastrocnemius muscle following one month of a rodent model of AN. This study analyzed whether the molecular changes correlate with collected muscular force data to provide a comprehensive understanding of …

Effect Of Peracetic Acid Dip Frequency On The Quality And Functional Properties Of Non-Marinated And Marinated Broiler Tenderloins, Joaquin Jose Esquivel Vergara

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The poultry industry continues to balance the need for effective antimicrobial interventions with the preservation of meat quality. Among the most widely used antimicrobial agents, peracetic acid (PAA) has proven effective for reducing foodborne pathogens in poultry products. However, excessive or repeated exposure to PAA can influence meat functionality by altering protein structure, color, and water-holding capacity. Therefore, the broad objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of PAA dip frequency and post-treatment marination timing on the physicochemical and functional quality of broiler tenderloins (Pectoralis minor), in order to provide processing insights that optimize both microbial safety and …

Factors Affecting Diet Selection In Sheep Fed Endophyte-Infected Toxic Fescue, Jordan Thomas

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tall fescue infected with endophyte‑producing fungi can induce fescue toxicosis in grazing ruminants, reducing performance and altering forage intake. Isoflavones—such as biochanin A, a major compound in red clover (Trifolium pratense)—have been proposed to mitigate these effects through improved palatability and vascular relaxation. This study examined whether inclusion of ground red clover (GRC)—either directly or combined with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)—affected voluntary diet selection in lambs offered toxic fescue.

Thirty‑two lambs were housed individually and assigned randomly to one of four diets: (1) toxic fescue silage (CONT), (2) silage + 5% GRC (RC5), (3) silage + 10% …