Digital Commons Network^™

Reducing Inorganic Phosphorus In Poultry Diets: Nutritional Constraints And Strategies For Successful Implementation, Elizabeth Ann Lynch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Applied poultry nutrition and feed manufacture science can be described as a “three-legged stool” supported by pellet quality, feed hygienics, and nutrient availability, where imbalance in any one component can compromise overall bird performance. The research presented herein primarily addresses feed hygienics and nutrient availability, with pellet quality serving as an underlying theme, to better understand how processing conditions and dietary formulation influence performance and nutrient utilization.

In Chapter 2, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of hygienizer retention time on bacterial reduction during feed manufacture using Enterococcus faecium as a Salmonella surrogate. Pellet mill motor …

Motivation And Well-Being: A Study Of Wvu Extension Volunteers, Amber Renae Goff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Volunteers are the heart of the land-grant outreach model. They bring education and resources to communities across West Virginia. Volunteers have been relied upon in many aspects of Extension programming and current budget conditions have reduced the level of staffing within WVU Extension. There may be an increased demand for volunteers to help with programming. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between motivation and the perceived level of well-being within the WVU Extension volunteer programs. The study yielded 464 responses from a descriptive survey. Based on the results, WVU Extension volunteers are motivated based on their …

Implementation Of The Novel Nurse Intuition Patient Deterioration Scale To Assess For A Correlation Among Nurse Intuition And Patients Returning To The Intensive Care Unit, Janie L. Walsh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/Background: Adult hospitalized medical and surgical patients at an academic medical center are being transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the step-down floor and having rapid response calls in less than 48 hours after the transfer. Nurse intuition is not a consideration in the decision to transfer a patient. Physiological variables such as Modified Early Warning Scores (MEWS) and vital signs are relied on heavily as indicators for escalation or de-escalation of care. There is evidence supporting the use of acknowledging nurse intuition to better predict a patient’s readiness for transitions of care.

Purpose: To evaluate the …

3d Printed Microfluidic Platforms For Elisa-Based Diagnostics: Advancing Toward Point Of Care, Brandi Marie Binkley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Protein biomarker detection is a critical analytical method for quantifying proteins in biological samples. It is relevant not only in medical diagnostics and research but also numerous other fields such as environmental monitoring, pharmacology, food safety, and biotechnology. Sensitive detection at picogram-per-milliliter (pg/mL) levels is essential for diagnosing diseases, monitoring progression, and tailoring treatments, especially for low-abundance biomarkers like troponin, interleukin 6, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), activin A, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunoassays, particularly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), are the gold standard for protein biomarker detection due to their high specificity and sensitivity. The development of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic …

The Dna Methylation Capacity Of The Tsetse Fly: Glossina Morsitans, And Its Integration With Symbiont Nutrient Provisioning, Dylan Forrest Richmond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the vector of trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.), which are responsible for African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. African trypanosomiasis is a significant health and economic burden yet remains a neglected tropical disease. As an obligate blood feeder, tsetse flies are reliant on B vitamin supplementation from intracellular Gammaproteobacteria, Wigglesworthia glossinidia. Folate (B9) is essential for tsetse development and reproduction, as well as DNA methylation in animals. As a reversible modification, DNA methylation typically occurs in a CpG dinucleotide context and can alter gene expression via the restriction of transcription. Across insects, the …

Raman Spectroscopy For Rapid Quantification Of Macronutrients In Heirloom Beans, K. Chandler Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Quantification of macronutrients in food requires a large investment in facilities and instrumentation as well as ongoing expenses of labor, reagents, and hazardous waste disposal. These costs pose a significant barrier to determining macronutrient quantities in the thousands of uncharacterized landrace and heirloom crops and discourage traditional crop breeding projects from ensuring that their selected crops maintain desirable macronutrient profiles in addition to target agronomic traits. Our objective was to test whether a hand-held Raman spectrometer—a technology which has found use in plant disease diagnostics but remains largely overlooked in nutrient quantification-- could provide a feasible means for quantifying the …

Thermal Inactivation Of E. Faecium On Ground Poultry, Joseph Katz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chicken products in grocery stores are contaminated with Salmonella that is ranked number one as a foodborne pathogen, and causes about 1.35 million cases of foodborne illness, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually. The objective of this study is to determine thermal kinetic parameters of Salmonella surrogate bacteria E. faecium in ground poultry as affected by different temperatures and salt concentrations. The raw chicken was sliced up into a 500 g batch with a total of 6 batches per replicate, ground up in the meat grinder followed by inoculation with E. faecium resistant to 200 ppm Nalidixic Acid. NaCl …

Psychophysiological Tools & Techniques To Predict Perceptual Motor Task Outcomes, Bobby Gerald Rawls Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The process of perceiving environmental information, analyzing it, formulating a plan of action, and carrying out said plan is vital to our day to day lives. This loop occurs for every motor task we perform, from actions as simple as elbow flexion to as complex as performing surgery. As such, it is imperative to understand what physiological, psychological, and neurocognitive factors most dictate success or failure in the motor performance loop.

Prior research has shown that measures from each of these facets have strong relationships with motor performance outcomes, though these findings tended to rely on artificially produced stress in …

An Investigation Into How The Prostate And Androgens Mediate Greater Levels Of Uric Acid In Males Compared To Females, Rachel D. King

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chronic elevated circulating uric acid (UA) levels (hyperuricemia) are associated with gout as well as cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal dysfunction. Men have greater mean circulating UA levels than women and are more likely to exhibit hyperuricemia. This may be partly driven by the hormonal regulation of renal UA transporters; however, a direct link between hormones and UA production has not been established. Production of UA is catalyzed by xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR / XDH), which is ubiquitously expressed but has the greatest specific activity in the liver. Interestingly, an extensive gout genome-wide association study (GWAS) recently revealed a robust genetic …

Improving Postpartum Outcomes Through Therapeutic Individual And Group Occupational Therapy Sessions In Hospitalized Antepartum Patients, Melissa C. Learish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Extended hospitalization in the postpartum period is occasionally medically indicated due to a variety of diagnoses, but can pose challenges to the psychosocial well-being of pregnant women, such as social isolation, anxiety, alteration of normal life routines, and less preparation for postpartum life. In acute care settings, however, maternal management tends to focus on physical stabilization rather than holistic maternal care, including opportunities for emotional support, occupational engagement, and postpartum planning. This doctoral capstone project was designed to assess the effect of individualized and group-based occupational therapy interventions for antepartum women who have been hospitalized for extended periods of time, …

Inactivation Kinetics Of Escherichia Coli And Listeria Monocytogenes In Edible Insects, Precious Aduloju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Edible insects are emerging as sustainable and nutritious alternatives to conventional protein sources. However, concerns about food safety, particularly the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes, remain a barrier to consumer acceptance and industrial use. This study evaluated the effectiveness of thermal processing in inactivating E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and their non-pathogenic surrogates (E. coli JM109 and Listeria innocua) in both fresh and dehydrated forms of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) and Acheta domesticus (cricket). It also evaluated the influence of insect species, moisture content, and temperature on microbial inactivation. A microbial challenge …

Improving Hospital Discharge Readiness Among Caregivers Of Children With Complex Medical Needs, Megan M. Bruce

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Advancements in medicine and technologies have led to an increase in the population of children living with complex and chronic health conditions. Children with medical complexities (CMCs) and their caregivers frequently have challenges navigating home life after transitioning from hospital to home-based care. A 14-week doctoral capstone project was conducted at Dayton Children’s Hospital to improve caregiver readiness for hospital discharge. Project participants included caregivers of CMCs (n = 6) admitted to the hospital and pediatric acute care occupational therapists (n = 4). The Pediatric Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale – Long Form (Peds-RHDS) was used as a pre-and post-intervention …

A Multi-Case Study Exploring Ncaa Division I Athletic Departments’ Mental Health Culture Through Stakeholders’ Perspectives, Kimberly Ann Granados Tolentino

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite the NCAA’s ongoing efforts to guide athletic departments into providing sufficient mental health support to student-athletes, psychological well-being continues to be a primary area of concern for collegiate athletes. Student-athletes are as likely as the regular college population to experience mental health issues, but less likely to seek services (Watson, 2005). Researchers have continued to examine the perceived barriers preventing student-athletes from utilization of mental health services which include a lack of knowledge, limited access, and perceived negative stigma (e.g., Harris & Maher, 2023; Yoon & Petrie, 2023). Organizational culture–loosely defined as a group’s accumulated shared learning in which …

Comparison Of Compositional Characteristics Of Protein Extracted From Spent Hemp Seed Cakes By One-Step Defatting With Organic Solvents Followed By Isoelectric Solubilization Precipitation Using Strong And Weak Acids, Miah Nicole Gathman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Hemp seed cakes (HSC) are the byproduct of pressing hemp seeds for oil and are a significant agricultural waste product, with hundreds of tons produced annually. These nutrient-rich cakes have potential for sustainable applications in animal feed and food products. However, they could offer even greater value to the food industry through further extraction of the lipids and separation of the proteins they contain. Protein is a key nutritional component and companies are seeking cost-effective, time-efficient processes to concentrate protein from underutilized resources like HSC. Hexane (HEX) is a common solvent used in one-step defatting processes but may cause issue …

Evaluating The Adaptation Of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) To West Virginia Climatic Conditions, Kayode Joseph Ajayi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Climate change impacts agriculture and food security across the globe, therefore higher temperatures could increase in the length of the growing period and new crops would take advantages of. Research was conducted in Morgantown, WV in 2022 and 2023 to understand the growth pattern of Taro in West Virginia, and to analyzing the chemical composition of the Taro plant. The experiment was a completely randomized design in direct planting-low tunnel technology (2 replications, and 10- plants/plot), and two fertilization treatments (fertilized and non-fertilized). Spacing was 1 m within and between rows. Data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS. Dependent variables …

The Characterization Of Il-27 Production And Its Impact On T Cell Antigen-Specificity And Diversity In A Neonatal Bcg Vaccination Model, Ashley M. Divens

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and it has plagued humans for most of recorded history. Despite strong efforts to prevent and treat TB, it remains the leading cause of death due to a pathogen and is most prevalent in certain regions of Asia and Africa. Currently, the only approved vaccine to prevent TB is the live-attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Most countries have a universal BCG vaccination policy, but the vaccine ultimately fails to be protective. The BCG vaccine is most effective in children and protects against disseminated TB, but protection wanes 10-15 years after vaccination causing …

Five-Year Analysis Of Kiko Buck Growth Rate, Carcass Muscling And Parasite Resistance In A Feedlot Setting, Garrett Thomas Vaughan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Five-year analysis of Kiko buck growth rate, carcass muscling and parasite resistance in a feedlot environment

Garrett T. Vaughan

From 2018 to 2023, Kiko bucks born from January 1^st to March 15^th were performance tested at West Virginia University to evaluate growth rate, ultrasound carcass characteristics and parasite resistance under an artificial infection. Kiko bucks were submitted by producers from 17 different states and over 5 performance tests, 830 Kiko bucks were evaluated. Bucks were group housed and fed ad libitum with a 16% CP pellet containing soyhulls, serving as the dietary fiber component. Upon arrival, bucks were …

A Vegan Diet Compared To A Mediterranean Diet On Plasma/Serum Cholesterol Concentrations In Hypercholesterolemic Adults, Karina Bharat Patel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Hypercholesterolemia, or atherosclerotic cholesterol, is characterized as elevated concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-C). According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), vegan diets have proven to be the most effective diets for improvement of heart disease risk factors. On the other hand, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the Mediterranean-style diet as a diet pattern for the prevention of heart disease, stroke, and reduction of risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. Therefore, the current literature review uses a systematic approach to examine the effects of a vegan diet compared …

Improving Food Safety Practices Among Fsma-Exempt Small-Scale Produce Growers: A Manuscript-Based Dissertation On Risk, Adoption, And Practical Barriers, Jesica Marie Temple

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Improving Food Safety Practices Among FSMA-Exempt Small-Scale Produce Growers: A Manuscript-Based Dissertation on Risk, Adoption, and Practical Barriers

Jesica Temple

Foodborne illness outbreaks associated with fresh produce continue to pose a public health risk in the United States. Although the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) established science-based standards to prevent contamination, many small-scale farms are exempt from these requirements. Consequently, voluntary adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) varies widely across regions. Strategies to improve engagement among FSMA-exempt growers are key to advancing postharvest food safety and reducing contamination. This manuscript-based dissertation examined how knowledge, attitudes, …

Characterization Of Lipids In Tenebrio Molitor Larvae And Pupae Under Various Extraction Methods, Nariman A. Ktil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tenebrio molitor, or the yellow mealworm is an edible insect widely recognized and consumed for its rich nutritional value. Mealworms are known for their flexible nature of adapting to various environmental conditions and being able to thrive under harsh conditions and low-value wastes. In this paper, our main goal was to investigate the mealworm’s ability to grow and develop while being reared on apple pomace, the biowaste from apple production, and the effect it would have on its nutritional value specifically its lipid profile. Then these reared insects were used for oil extraction and analyzing their fatty acid profiles. …

Therapeutic Roles For Alkaline Phosphatases To Target Intestinal Dysfunction In Mouse Models Of Experimental Sepsis And Ischemic Stroke, Rhiannon V. Macom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Therapeutic Roles for Alkaline Phosphatases to Target Intestinal Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Experimental Sepsis and Ischemic Stroke

Rhiannon V. Macom

Stroke is a disease that primarily affects the brain; however, ongoing research continues to show that stroke has far reaching systemic effects that can affect both short- and long-term recovery. The gastrointestinal tract has been shown to be affected post-stroke, and these effects are likely due to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain via the gut-brain-axis. Alkaline phosphatases (APs) are common membrane bound enzymes that are known to have a role in mitigating inflammation. The …

The Impact Of Political Party Control On Health Outcomes In U.S. States, Trevor G. Samaha

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines the impact of political party control on health outcomes in U.S. states, focusing on three key indicators: infant mortality, Type II Diabetes deaths, and COVID-19 deaths. Using quantitative methods and data primarily from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this study investigates whether the party affiliation of governors and state legislatures significantly influences these health outcomes. While existing literature suggests that Democratic-led states may achieve better health outcomes due to greater public investment in healthcare, the findings of this dissertation challenge these assumptions. Across all three cases, the analysis reveals predominantly null results, suggesting that …

Sensory Evaluation And Consumer Acceptance Of A Protein Enriched Energy Bar, Brennah T. Groves

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Acceptance of a Protein Enriched Energy Bar

Brennah Groves

This study evaluated the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of a protein enriched energy bar. The objectives of this study were to 1) formulate a high-protein energy bar containing at least 20 g of protein per 100 g serving, and 2) determine whether increasing the protein content in an energy bar would enhance the sensory evaluation and improve consumer acceptance among collegiate athletes. The control energy bar featured a shortbread base, date caramel with whey protein, a nougat layer, and a chocolate coating. Additional collagen protein …

Adminstrative And Programmatic Supports To Enhance Veteran-Service Dog Programming, Madison Davisson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Service dogs have long served as a valuable resource to assist veterans in overcoming challenges such as transitioning to post-military life, re-engaging in life roles, and navigating the community. There is substantial research on the benefits and impacts that service dogs have on the lives of veterans. Because of this, the number of service dog-veteran partnerships is on the rise, and each service dog program has its individualized programmatic method to enhance its offerings. However, there is limited information on administrative and programmatic support for service dog training programs intended for veterans and staff members. The veteran perspective is …

Sensory Integration In The Intensive Care Unit Environment, Kara M. Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) commonly experience deficits in areas linked with cognition, mental health, and physical functioning (Rapolthy-Beck et al., 2023). Delirium is the most common complication among individuals who are mechanically ventilated, which can be associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality, cognitive decline, and decreased functional outcomes (Martinez et al., 2017). The primary purpose of the capstone project was to create a sensory-based program for patients admitted into the ICU. The program aimed to enhance the quality and consistency of care, ultimately reducing the prevalence of delirium. By doing so, it seeks to improve …

Genomic Differences And Parentage In West Virginia's Reintroduced Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Adam A.V. Cook

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Elk (Cervus canadensis) reintroductions have been common in the 20th and 21st centuries, yet 40% have failed to establish self-sustaining elk populations due to a lack of post-reintroduction demographic monitoring. Elk were reintroduced to West Virginia in 2016 following more than a century of absence after the species was extirpated in 1875. Elk were translocated to West Virginia from Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) in eastern Kentucky and from Arizona. The two groups of elk differ in their subspecies, physiology, reintroduction history, connectivity, and habitat. Reintroductions create genetic risks such as the founder effect and …

Microbiological Examination Of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) Larvae Under Various Processing And Storage Conditions As Potential For Human Consumption, Rachel Midkiff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae have gained attention as a sustainable and nutritionally balanced food source, yet their high natural bacterial load raises food safety concerns. This study investigates the impact of pre-processing, processing, and storage conditions on microbial load and diversity in mealworms, comparing thermal (hot) and non-thermal (cold) treatments. These treatments include freeze-drying, wet heat treatments, dry heat treatments, and the combination of wet and dry heat treatments against untreated controls. Microbial loads were quantified by plate counts after day 0, day 10, and day 28 of vacuum-sealed refrigerated (4°C) storage. Water activity (Aw), pH, and moisture content …

Facilitating Independence: Developing A Hands-On Life Skills Program For Youth In Residential Treatment, Shayna Rexrode

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Life skills competency in adolescence can be an important predictor of success in adulthood. Educational and training programs focused on life skills can help youth develop the skills that they need to live independently. Though occupational therapy literature surrounding these types of programs is limited, occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to provide intervention in life skills based on the profession’s scope of practice.

This capstone project focused on the development and evaluation of a new life skills program, the Life Skills Practice Program, at a residential treatment facility for youth with substance use and behavioral diagnoses. Stakeholders at the facility …

Impact Of Whey And Soy Protein Supplementation On Resistance Training In Young Adults: A Systematic Literature Review And Meta-Analysis, Brandon Eric Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Whey protein is a popular supplement in sports nutrition. Soy protein is an alternative to whey protein, often marketed to individuals following a plant-based diet. Evaluating whey and soy protein supplementation's role in resistance exercise is essential for providing evidence-based nutrition guidance.

Objective: The study aim was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on randomized control trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of whey and soy protein supplementation on outcomes of lean body mass (LBM), squat, bench press, and plasma essential plasma amino acid (EAA) levels in young adult men and women.

Methods: The databases …

Microwave-Assisted Reduction Of Critical Metal Oxides From E-Waste Mixture, Kurundu Shavinka Jayasekera

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The efficient recovery of critical metals such as tantalum (Ta), manganese (Mn), gallium (Ga), and indium (In) from electronic waste (e-waste) is essential for resource sustainability and environmental protection. This research uses microwave-assisted treatment to investigate the carbothermal reduction of these four specific metals from their oxides in a simulated e-waste mixture, with carbon black serving as both a microwave coupling and reduction agent. Microwave processing is used specifically because it offers a rapid and energy-efficient alternative to conventional thermal methods, with the benefits of intrinsic heating and selective heating of materials. The first experiments centered on understanding the effects …