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Elucidating The Sloth Hair Microbiome: A Metagenomic Comparison Of Two- And Three-Fingered Sloths, Maya Kaup

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sloths are unusual mobile ecosystems containing a high diversity of symbionts living and growing in their fur. These symbionts include poorly studied algae, arthropods, fungi, and bacteria, making sloths likely reservoirs of unexplored biodiversity. I aim to identify gaps and eliminate misconceptions in our knowledge of sloths and their symbionts, and to identify key questions to spur future research into the functions and roles of sloths within a broader ecological and evolutionary context. I also seek to position the sloth fur ecosystem as a model for addressing fundamental questions in microbial and metacommunity ecology. I used whole-community shotgun metagenomic sequencing …

Adequate Carbohydrate Intake And Hydration Status In Female Division I Collegiate Soccer Players, Peyton William Byars Dixon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discern whether total grams of carbohydrate (CHO) consumed is associated with next day urine specific gravity (USG). Twenty-four Division I female collegiate soccer players with a mean age of 19.6 (SD=1.15) who were part of the team during pre-season summer training camp in August of 2019 volunteered to participate in this research. Athletes recorded food intake for six days during pre-season summer training camp. Food records were verified by a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and analyzed using NDSR. Athletes’ hydration statuses were evaluated using a daily assessment of USG, via spontaneous urine …

Transgenerational Effects Of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Infection In Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis), Sarah Danielle Amonett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parents can transmit pathogens to their offspring. Neonatal hosts are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, as they have immature adaptive immune systems at birth. In this study, I examine parental transmission of a combacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) in wild eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and its impact on nestling growth. By diagnosing infections in all family members, I confirmed that eastern bluebird nestlings can contract MG infections, and that infection was more comin older nestlings compared to adults and neonates. Furthermore, unlike in other avian hosts, MG infection does not significantly impact nestling body condition. In response to infection, eastern …

Making The Cut: Nutrition, Hydration, & Performance In Combat Sports, Katharine Halfacre

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated nutrition, hydration, supplementation, and body composition in relation to performance among mixed martial arts athletes practicing rapid weight loss. Mixed martial arts athletes practice intentional dehydration and nutritional fasting to achieve rapid weight loss, a practice that can damage health and performance. Male mixed martial arts athletes practicing rapid weight loss participated in the study during a week of competition which was not the same for all athletes. Food/activity journals were collected to assess nutrition, fasting, and supplementation. Urine specific gravity was assessed at baseline, weigh-ins, and endpoint. Body composition and punch velocity were assessed at baseline …

Is Vegan Confectionary Sold In The United Kingdom Safe For Milk Allergy Sufferers?, Faye Harrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background
Milk allergy is the most common childhood allergy. Reading food labels is important to prevent an allergic reaction. By United Kingdom (UK) law, milk needs to be listed on the food label if it used as an ingredient. Products can be called ‘free from’ milk if manufacturers have undergone rigorous process and testing to ensure it is not contaminated with milk. Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) like ‘may contain milk’ statements are unregulated and can be used at manufacturer’s discretion. Similarly, ‘Vegan’ products are not regulated by law and appear to be on the increase. Objective
The study aimed to …

Effects Of A Campus Dining Tour Intervention On First Year Students Perception Of Healthfulness Of Environment, Paige Pappadackis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many young adults experience unwanted weight gain upon entering college. Making healthy choices in a food environment with a plethora of convenience and fast foods is important for preventing unwanted weight gain. The objective of this study was to determine if a Healthy Campus Dining Tour intervention improves perception, behavior, and priorities related to healthier choices on campus. Participants were recruited for this quasi-experimental study from freshman introductory classes at a land-grant public university and assigned to intervention or a control group. Intervention participants completed a 50-minute Healthy Campus Dining Tour that educated on how to make healthier choices at …

Global Gene Expression And Dna Methylation Of The Hypothalamus In Feeder Calves Fed A High Concentrate Diet Upon Entering Feedlot Phase, Jason E. Griffin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Feedlot finishing diets contain high energy to allow for rapid growth and fat deposition. Previous studies have shown the use of high concentrate diets changed DNA methylation and expression of genes in the hypothalamus involved with regulating feed intake, metabolism, signaling, and neuronal communication. This study investigates whether feeding a high concentrate diet to calf-feds enter the feedlot could alter DNA methylation in the hypothalamus affecting expression of growth and development genes. Angus-influenced steers (n=12) were randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups: 1) High Energy/High Concentrate (HE/HC, 1.33Mcal/kg net energy gain NEg) for 202 days; or 2) traditional Backgrounding/Finishing (B/F), …

Identification And Genomic Characterization Of Candidate Starch And Lactate Utilizing Bacteria From The Rumen Of Beef Cattle, Venkata Bandarupalli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rumen functions as an anaerobic fermentation chamber where microbial communities ferment feedstuffs into SCFAs. These SCFAs are critical to the ruminant host since they fulfill 70% of its energy requirements. In intensive management systems, ruminants are fed with grain-rich diets, which contain high levels of starch that help meet the energy demands of high producing animals. When grain-based diets are fed to ruminants, ruminal amylolytic and lactate metabolizing bacteria predominate. Grain overload can cause rapid production and accumulation of lactate, resulting in proliferation of amylolytic bacteria and death of lactate metabolizing bacteria. Consequently, high lactate levels result in a …

Effects Of Nutrition, Hydration, Exertion, And Sleep On Injury And Illness In Female Collegiate Soccer Players, Ronald Corbit Franks Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT Injury and illness rates in collegiate athletics continue to rise. Women’s soccer tends to have high numbers of injuries because it is a contact sport. Research has shown that there are several contributing factors to injury and illness rate in collegiate athletics. This study will provide an in depth look at female athletes, more specifically female collegiate soccer players and several factors – including dietary intake, hydration status, exertion and sleep that may attribute to injury and illness in this population. Researchers utilized weekly 3-day diet records, daily urine specific gravity, training load and self-reported sleep quantity to establish …

The Impact Of Dietary Intake On Concussion Recovery In Division I Ncaa Athletes, Matthew Richard Frakes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to observe the relationship between total calorie and macronutrient intake on return to baseline measurement times in concussions collegiate athletes. Forty division I collegiate athletes (19.83 + 1.01 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 22) or intervention group (n = 18) once diagnosed with a concussion. Macronutrient intake and daily caloric intake were analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research. Concussion related symptoms were assessed using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool. Statistically significant differences were found on the number of days until symptoms reached baseline based on overall average …

Parenting Styles, Parenting Practices, And Dietary Intakes Of Preschoolers And Their Parents, Biyi Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Emerging research efforts have focused on the role of parents in the development of dietary behaviors of their children. Parental influences play a particularly important role in determining the children’s weight and shaping children’s dietary behaviors, especially during early childhood. Parent-related determinants can be classified as two types—general parenting (parenting style) and specific parenting practices (e.g, food parenting practices). Examining the interactions between parental influences and preschoolers’ and their parental dietary behaviors and may reveal important insights into how parents influence children’s dietary behaviors. Therefore, the goal of this research is to examine the associations between parenting styles, food parenting …

The Effect Of Neonicotinoid Clothianidin On Ring-Necked Pheasant Survival And Reproduction, Michael Sundall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are economically important to the state of South Dakota bringing in over one hundred million dollars in revenue each season. The population is known to fluctuate temporally for many reasons, often weather related. Unfortunately, no research has been conducted involving ring-necked pheasants that evaluated the impact or interaction of neonicotinoids on the species. The objective of our study was to gain an understanding of how the neonicotinoid, Clothianidin, affects survival and breeding in pheasants. Our first experiment was to determine if there was a selection bias for seeds treated with neonicotinoids. In this experiment, eight ring-necked …

Biophysical And Socioeconomic Impacts Of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration In Burkina Faso, Basnewende Brice Fulgence Zoungrana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human actions such as overgrazing, the development of cities at the expense of forests, high intensity and poor agricultural management, and so forth, reduce the resources available for future generations. Because Earth has limited resources, it is important to judiciously use and manage natural resources. Human actions towards nature are the focus of my research in Africa. Increased demands for grazing, agriculture, and ecosystem services led some farmers in developing countries to use unsustainable practices, which may lead to low incomes and poor food nutrition for households. Farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) may be a solution to these issues. FMNR …

Improving Low Health Literacy In Poststroke Patients By Educating The Health Care Staff, Marthilde Brzycki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Lack of health literacy in the poststroke patient population is a serious issue; with the addition of the homeless population to that group, the result may be devastating. According to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA, 2016), stroke is considered the primary cause of death and one of the chief reasons for disability in the United States, and nearly75% of strokes occur in those who are 65 years of age or older. Nurse practitioners are vital, providing necessary training and stroke education to the nursing and other health care staff. This DNP project was initiated to …

The Ethical Justification Of Increasing Awareness Of Preventive Medicine Among Healthcare Professionals, Patients And The General Public In The United States, Karishma Ether Moazzam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While practiced for centuries, preventive medicine has received increased attention during the recent times. Preventive medicine has a distinct mission to protect, promote, and maintain health as well as to prevent diseases, disabilities, and premature deaths. It aims to fulfill its mission through the combined form of clinical intervention and health promotion. In the recent years, preventive medicine has begun to lean more towards the clinical interventions, taking away from the health promotion. This imbalance has caused preventive medicine to lose its effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. One of the leading causes for such imbalance is the lack of proper …

The Effects Of A Virtual Wellness Community Upon Participants’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs, Ashly Locklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the effects of a virtual wellness community on the self-efficacy of participants to attain their wellness goals through a mixed-methods design. Eight female participants between the ages of 25-38 completed a pre- and post-survey with 5-point Likert scale questions and open-ended questions before and after participating in a 28-day virtual wellness community. Instruments were developed for this study based off Bandura’s (2006) Self-Efficacy to Regulate Exercise and Bandura’s (2006) Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Habits surveys. Quantitative data were analyzed by summing item level scores and calculating percentages to examine the distribution across the scales, through paired-samples t-tests, …

Influence Of Biosolids Upon The Uptake Of Mn And Cd By Radish (Raphanus Sativus L.), Oluwadamilola O. Fateru

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The influence of biosolids upon the uptake of Mn and Cd by radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was investigated through the characterization of biosolids, sequential extraction of the biosolids, and the determination of the metal content in the root, shoot and leaves of radish (Raphanus sativus L.).The biosolid samples from Nacogdoches Wastewater Sludge (NWWS), Lufkin Wastewater Sludge (LWWS), Soil Therapy Compost (STC) had pHs between 5.33 – 6.74. The elemental compositions of the biosolid samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and SEM/EDX. Major elements (K, Mg, Mn, P) needed for plant growth …

Reaching Zero Waste: Determining The Student Perspective On Campus Food Waste., Cassie Anne Parkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Food waste is an ongoing problem in the complex global food system. College campuses are in a unique position to address food waste through reducing it in their own food systems and by encouraging students to develop behaviors to reduce and divert waste from landfills. In this thesis project I seek to understand how students consider food waste and their attitudes and ideas about reducing it. To this end, I observed student behaviors and waste in University of Louisville’s all-you-care-to-eat dining hall and weighed plate waste there. I conducted informational interviews with University and Aramark employees, along with semi-structured interviews …

Charting A Course Through Confusion: Mapping Pathological Cranial Lesions In An Archaic Population From Kentucky., Austin Warren

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osteological observations interpreted as evidence for anemia (porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia) have been used to interpret health and diet of past populations. These observations have contributed significantly to arguments that a deterioration of human health over time can be attributed to the adoption of agricultural subsistence practices and increased settlement aggregation. This study utilized a sample (n=110) from the Ward site (15Mcl11), a pre-agricultural, fisher-hunter-gatherer cemetery site dated to the Archaic Period in Kentucky, a part of the Shell Midden Archaic cultural complex. The impact of porotic alteration on differential mortality was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The Ward …

Teacher Competencies Related To Family Engagement: The Impact On Families, Melissa Kay Williamson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although there is a large body of research that addresses the essential elements of family engagement, little information was available on the impact that a family engagement program had on teacher evaluation and familial self-efficacy. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to assess teacher competencies and family self-efficacy in a large urban district in West Texas. The research was conducted by gathering baseline data using questionnaires derived from the Measure of School, Family, and Community Partnerships survey and the 2015 Equitable Parent-School Collaboration Research Project University of Washington. In-depth interviews followed with both teachers and parents. Findings indicated …

“Pissing In The Wind”: Racially Discriminatory Economic Policies’ Impact On Today’S Banking Status, Use Of Alternative Financial Services And Health Outcomes., Gaberiel Jones Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Centuries of discriminatory policies and practices in the United States have created racially segregated, resource-poor urban communities. Differential benefits of banking and housing legislation were among the consequences of these policies as they contributed to drastic racial inequities in wealth. Today, racial differences in banking status and financial practices persist. However, a void exists in the literature exploring what alternative financial services (AFS) are used in lieu of banks by Black Americans, why those services are used, the thoughts and beliefs of Black Americans about the use of those services, the impact of bank locations on financial behavior patterns, and …

The Manipulation Of Host Transcription By The Ankh Effector Of Legionella., Juanita E. Von Dwingelo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium that can be found dispersed throughout freshwater environments, where it primarily parasitizes amoebae and other protozoan species. Humans are an accidental host for L. pneumophila, and infection occurs upon inhalation of aerosolized water droplets that contain the bacteria. L. pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ Disease, which is the result of intracellular proliferation within alveolar macrophages. Pathogenesis of L. pneumophila is dependent on the Dot/Icm type 4 secretion system (T4SS) apparatus, which is comprised of 27 proteins and is responsible for translocating over 330 effector proteins into the host cell. Many …

Influence Of Competitive Sports On Disordered Eating Behaviors In Young Female Athletes, Jill Bernstorf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The field of treating and learning about eating disorders in athletes is a growing field that continues to flourish as more knowledge is acquired. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence that length of time in the sport, age at which an individual starts a competitive sport, level of competitiveness, and type of sport (leanness vs. non-leanness focused) has on disordered eating behaviors. The participants were college students who were involved in at least one competitive sport in their life. They completed the EAT-26 questionnaire as well as a basic questionnaire. There was not enough data collected …

Statistical Methods For Estimating And Testing Treatment Effect For Multiple Treatment Groups In Observational Studies., Xiaofang Yan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Note: Abstract would not save due to an issue with some of the characters.

Synthesis And Study Of Hydroxytyrosol Derivatives, Ebenezer Ametsetor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hydroxytyrosol is one of the most powerful known antioxidants. It is a naturally occurring polyphenol, most commonly produced in olive trees, (Olea europaea). The remarkable antioxidant and pharmacological properties of hydroxytyrosol has made it an outstanding compound in the polyphenol family and of great interest to many researchers. Hydroxytyrosol can scavenge free radicals produced during cellular oxidative stress and helps to protect the integrity of cells in living systems. Despite its numerous biological and pharmacological uses, it is found in very low concentration in olive oil, this limits its availability for biomedical applications. This work reports a novel and effective …

Cannabidiol, Behavior, And Immune Biomarkers In Idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder., Sarah Huang Shrader

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder currently estimated by the CDC to affect 1 in 36 children in the U.S.. This uniquely human condition is characterized by a spectrum of symptoms that feature social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors with restricted interest. Autistic individuals commonly exhibit multiple comorbidities, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and seizures, which can complicate an already multi-faceted presentation. The majority of ASD cases are idiopathic in nature. Developing a well-validated animal model of ASD for translational research comes with many challenges, but is crucial for advancing our understanding of autism and …

Characterization Of The Impact Of Prenatal Cigarette Smoke Exposure On Age- And Sex-Specific Sirt1-Mediated Hepatic Molecular Phenotype In C57bl/6 Mice., Kendall S. Stocke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the U.S., 7.2% of women still report having smoked at some point during pregnancy despite known risks to fetal health. Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) in children puts them at risk for low birth weight, premature birth, and other adverse impacts on developmental and postnatal health. Children subjected to prenatal CSE have a higher risk of adulthood metabolic disease predicted by the Barker Hypothesis. The hepatic molecular phenotype associated with this risk is unknown. This dissertation characterizes the prenatal CSE-induced hepatic molecular phenotype during three key life stages. We used a murine model of prenatal CSE utilizing a Teague …

Online Ultrasound Programs: Program Directors’ Perspective, Ashley Morgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on opinions of diagnostic medical sonography program directors concerning online education within an allied health field that is clinically based. Although the study is centered around sonography, the findings can be applied to many online programs with clinical aspects. There was limited information concerning online education within a clinically based healthcare field, therefore the literature review focused on distance or online education in general. The participating program directors used online/distance learning terms interchangeably. The objective of this study was to identify factors that attributed to or hindered the progress of an online program in diagnostic medical sonography. …

Using Behavior Economic Nudges To Facilitate Client Follow-Through In Financial Coaching, Charlene Hurst

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While benevolence-based programs have been a large part of meeting immediate financial needs of the poor, they lack the relational aspect needed to facilitate long-term behavior change. Recently many social service organizations have adopted financial coaching as a promising replacement for benevolence programming. The field of coaching has dealt with its own challenges. Most coaching practitioners surveyed in 2016 and 2019 acknowledged lack of client follow-through as their number one challenge. Behavior economics offered nudges as a solution. Nudges are cues placed within the physical environment to prod clients toward behavior change. A quantitative field study was conducted to evaluate …

Principal Retention: Why Leaders Stay, Carrie Parker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the problem of principal retention. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influenced elementary principals to remain in the position and the factors that influenced incumbent principals to leave the elementary principalship. This qualitative case study used data from one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions, and student demographic data from the campuses represented to determine the factors that best influence retention. The sample population was 10 principals from 3 districts in Central Texas; 6 elementary school principals that continued to serve for 5 or more years and 4 incumbent principals that left the elementary …