Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation On Immunoglobulin A-Secreting B Cell Gut Homing, Linda Ortiz

Master's Theses

Within the United States, foodborne diseases are estimated to result in more than 100,000 hospitalizations each year with 3,000 fatalities. Acute gastroenteritis impacts more than 1.5 million children each year in the United States. Worldwide, childhood morbidity and mortality are largely attributed to infectious diarrheal diseases. To combat infection at mucosal surfaces, immunoglobulin (Ig) A is produced by antibody-secreting B cells to inhibit and neutralize pathogens and their toxins. B cells are influenced by various extrinsic signals through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The AhR is a ligand-activated transcription factor that links diet and environmental factors to intestinal …

The Validity Of The Vmaxpro During Countermovement Jump And Back Squat Performance, Hunter Haynes

Master's Theses

Background: Advances in technology have resulted in an increase in the utilization of velocity-based training in the strength and conditioning field while utilization of inertia measurement units (IMUs) shows promise. Methods: Recreationally trained participants (N=25, 28.3 ± 2.9 years) were recruited to determine the validity of the VmaxPro device for measuring performance variables in the back squat and countermovement jump (CMJ) against a gold standard force plate. Squat variables assessed included mean concentric velocity (MCV), mean concentric power (MCP), depth, and duration while CMJ variables assessed included MCV, MCP, depth, duration, and jump height. Squat variables were assessed across 3 …

Intermittent Standing And Prior Exercise As Strategies To Prevent Arterial Stiffening That Can Arise From Prolonged Sitting, Alexander Wright

Master's Theses

Prolonged sitting can cause adverse vascular responses, including elevations in aortic stiffness which might contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Few studies have investigated the impact of intermittent standing and/or prior exercise as strategies to mitigate these deleterious vascular changes. Purpose: to explore vascular health responses to prolonged sitting, with and without intermittent standing and/or prior exercise. Methods: 15 males aged between 18 and 31 years were recruited. Participants completed a control condition (Sitting Only), and three randomized strategy conditions (Sitting Plus Standing, Exercise Plus Sitting, Exercise Plus Sitting Plus Standing). For all conditions, measurements of carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) were taken …

Value-Added Opportunities For Tomato And Peach Seeds, Valerie Michelle Lavenburg

Master's Theses

The food industry is increasingly concerned with operational sustainability and food waste reduction. In the United States, the tomato industry was worth $1 billion in 2020, and tomatoes are currently ranked second as the most consumed vegetable after potatoes. Tomato processors have striven to valorize pomace by-products, which contain seeds with valuable compounds such as 45% fiber, 30% oil, and 26% protein. The U.S. peach industry, which was worth $599 million in 2017, is also looking for alternative ways to utilize their seeds, made up of 52% oil. Both tomato and peach seeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as …

Subjective Observation Of Loss Of Subcutaneous Fat And Muscle Tissue – Is That The Answer To Pediatric Hospital Malnutrition Screening?, Grace C. Barcus

Master's Theses

Background: Hospital malnutrition is a prevalent issue with critically ill pediatric patients being at increased risk for nutritional loss. Nutritional risk screening has been associated with increased documentation of nutrition diagnosis and positive clinical outcomes, however, is not mandatory in developing countries. A nutrition screening tool that uses subjective examination of loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle tissue may be an efficient way to identify nutritional risk in hospitalized critical care pediatric patients.

Objective: To determine whether loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle tissue in specific body locations was associated with moderate or severe malnutrition determined by SGA in pediatric …

Spatial And Temporal Variation In Growth Rate Of Blue Rockfish (Sebastes Mystinus) In Nearshore Central California Determined Using A Physiological Biomarker, Ellie M. Brauer

Master's Theses

Identifying areas of high fish population productivity is crucial for protecting habitats essential to fish growth and reproduction and, ultimately, for achieving sustainable fisheries. Historically, evaluations of habitat quality have relied heavily on linking spatial variation in fish abundance to environmental parameters such as substrate category, depth, or bathymetry. That approach, however, assumes that areas of high fish abundance best support growth and reproduction of a species and thus may fail to detect spatial or temporal variation in population attributes, such as somatic growth rate, which can be central to recruitment success and survival. In this study, we employed a …

Youth Pitching Kinematics: Associations With Body Overweight Parameters, Christina K. Fong

Master's Theses

The objective of this study was to investigate associations between injury-related kinematic parameters and overweight measures for youth baseball pitchers. The injury-related kinematic parameters considered were measurements 1) at foot contact: stride length, front foot position, shoulder external rotation, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion; 2) between FC and ball release: peak knee extension; and 3) at BR: shoulder abduction. Data from three separate collection sites examined pitching mechanics of 18 10- to 11-year-old pitchers, 11 14- to 16-year-old pitchers, and 104 16- to 18-year-old pitchers Linear regression analyses were performed to determine significant correlations between kinematic parameters and body mass …

Lytic Bacteriophages And Lactic Acid As Processing Aids Against Salmonella Spp. And Escherichia Coli O157:H7 On Marinated And Tenderized Pork Loins, Sherita Li

Master's Theses

Within the last decade, pork consumption has steadily increased and continues to be the most consumed meat globally. However, pathogenic bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics have also been increasingly found in pig farms, animals, and the environment. Bacterial food poisoning cases due to Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 appear to be linked with a variety of pork products. The meat industry has recognized that research is needed to combat the multi-drug resistance in foodborne pathogens with alternative methods of control. This study evaluated the effects of both E. coli- and Salmonella-specific lytic bacteriophages and …

Inverse Association Between Yogurt Consumption And Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence In United States Adult Males, But Not In Females Or In The Total Population: Nhanes 2017-2018, Diana K. Lee

Master's Theses

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is prevalent in the United States (US) population andconcerns lie in related chronic diseases and financial burdens. To mitigate MetS, modifying the diet is a possible solution. Yogurt is known for its nutrient density and is a possible health food. The growing interests in yogurt and the growing concerns for MetS are met with the gap of unraveling the yogurt consumption status and MetS prevalence in the US. We evaluated the association between yogurt consumption and MetS using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 and Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies data. The …

No Association Between Macronutrient Intake And Body Composition Indices In Collegiate Athletes, Bryan Singharaj

Master's Theses

A scarcity of literature follows the relationship between macronutrient intake and bodycomposition indices within an athletic population. Therefore, the primary aims of the present study were to evaluate the relationship between the percent intake of carbohydrates, dietary fat, and protein with fat-free mass percentage (FFM %), fat mass percentage (FM %), fat mass index (FMI), and lean mass index (LMI). In addition, a secondary objective was to determine if there were any sex differences in the relationship between macronutrient intake and body composition indices. A total of 58 San José State University student-athletes from multiple sports were included in the …

Evaluating Schizochytrium Sp. As An Alternative Ingredient In Fish-Free Feeds For Sablefish (Anoplopoma Fimbria) Aquaculture, Katherine A. Neylan

Master's Theses

Alternative feeds for marine finfish aquaculture are critical for the sustainable expansionof the aquaculture industry. Fish that are farmed for human consumption are often carnivorous; therefore, the industry uses wild-caught forage fish as a primary ingredient in feeds in the form of fishmeal and fish oil. As the aquaculture industry grows, it is important to identify alternative feed ingredients with high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations. This study was designed to test a microalga, Schizochytrium sp., as an alternative feed ingredient for sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) using six test diets. The first diet (+FM+FO) contained both fishmeal and fish oil. …

Unveiling Bacterial Hitchhikers In The Urobiome, Genevieve Baddoo

Master's Theses

Microbial communities of bacteria, viruses, and fungi form complex interactions in nature. However, our understanding of these communities is limited to those that can be cultured in the lab. Enhanced culture methods have enabled the isolation of numerous fastidious species from urinary tract, definitively proving that the urinary tract of asymptomatic individuals is not sterile. In working with these isolates, our group has observed several instances in which a “purified” isolate actually harbors more than one species. We refer to these additional members as bacterial hitchhikers, a term previously used to describe similar occurrences in soil communities. I hypothesized that …

Andrews University’S Thought Leadership Communication On Linkedin: A Textual Analysis, Nana Ama O. Akoto-Boateng

Master's Theses

Thought leadership is fast becoming a powerful communication tool for most industries and sectors including higher education institutions (HEIs). This study employed textual analysis to determine how Andrews University's thought leadership on LinkedIn compares with four other top-ranking Adventist universities, namely Loma Linda University, Pacific Union College, Southern Adventist University and Walla Walla University. The text elements that were analyzed during the study were image posts and video posts on the respective LinkedIn pages of these institutions, spanning from January 2021 to June 2021. Among other findings, the results of the study revealed that Andrews University compares as the least …

Effects Of Lemon Or Cinnamon Essential Oil Vapor On Physicochemical Properties Of Strawberries During Storage, Elise Christine Anita Freche

Master's Theses

Essential oils are currently being investigated for their potential role as food preservatives. They contain a mixture of bioactive compounds that would help increase the shelf life of food and might help preserve fruits without using synthetic chemicals. Although much research has been conducted on their antimicrobial properties, their effect on the physicochemical properties and organoleptic characteristics needs more investigation. In this study, the effects of lemon or cinnamon essential oil vapor on the physicochemical properties of strawberries were analyzed, focusing on the weight loss, color, firmness, acidity status, sugar content and visible decay. Strawberries were treated for 12 hours …

Recommendations For A Water Conservationist Diet In California, Helen M. Lee

Master's Theses

As the world’s population continues to increase, a focus on nutrition security and water sustainability is needed to ensure enough resources for future generations and their wellbeing. The agricultural sector uses the most water worldwide, so identifying agricultural commodities that use less water and are more nutritious could help society reach these goals. California is the largest producer of agriculture in the United States. Therefore, an analysis of water use and nutritional value was conducted using water footprint (WF) and nutrient rich food scores (NRF) of California’s agricultural products. The results of the WF and NRF analysis showed that the …

Food Insecurity And Dietary Changes During Covid-19 In The San Francisco Bay Area, Iris Vanessa Tablas-Mejia

Master's Theses

Shelter-in-place and social distancing protocols were issued across the country to containthe spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); however, these safety measures gave rise to unprecedented unemployment rates and disruptions to food access. This study investigated how COVID-19 affected food security and food consumption patterns in the San Francisco Bay Area. A validated survey developed by the National Food Access and COVID Research Team (NFACT) was distributed online from August to November 2020. The survey measured food access and eating behaviors during the pandemic. Seven hundred and twentyfour participants (403 female, 76 male, average age 43.9 ± 15.0 years) completed …

Association Between Meal Dietary Inflammatory Potential And Postprandial Sleepiness, Samantha Beth Kalb

Master's Theses

The amount and composition of food that is consumed are known to contribute toinflammation and may affect how we feel in the following hours. The aim of this research was to determine if the inflammatory potential of a single meal is associated with level of postprandial sleepiness. Participants (n = 70) recorded intake of one of their meals, then reported their degree of postprandial sleepiness (Stanford Sleepiness Scale), average activity level, average hours of nightly sleep, and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) of the meal was estimated by adjusting DII parameters by 26%, reflecting the …

The Filipino American Diet: Generational Comparison Of Acculturation, Health Literacy, And Dietary Patterns, Regina Reina

Master's Theses

There is evidence to suggest that Filipino Americans (FAs) are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic conditions when compared to other Asian American subgroups. However, research on possible risk factors for this group is limited as race classifications are seldomly disaggregated. Having limited health literacy is known to be a contributing factor in health disparities among immigrant populations, though it has largely been understudied among FAs. The comparison of dietary intake, acculturation, dietary acculturation, and health literacy between Philippine-born (PBs) FAs and U.S-born (UBs) FAs has not previously been described. PBs and UBs (n=140) from across the …

Exploring Health And Fitness In Cannabis And Cannabidiol Users, Blake Butler

Master's Theses

Cannabis has been reported to decrease fatigue symptoms and aide in sleep quality, among other use cases. It is unclear whether cannabis is linked to alterations in physical activity and fitness. Cannabidiol, an active compound in cannabis, has also been reported to decrease fatigue symptoms and aide in sleep. Cannabidiol has been reported to aide in recovery from physical activity, but there is no clear connection between cannabidiol use and the likelihood of engaging in physical activity. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore fatigue, sleep, physical activity, fitness markers, and fitness outcomes in cannabis and cannabidiol users. …

Competitive Dance: The Physiological And Psychological Effects From The Perspectives Of Current Versus Retired Dancers, Kristen Demaria

Master's Theses

The intent of this research study was to inform students, teachers, and parents of the advantages and disadvantages associated with participation in competitive dance. Through the use of an electronic survey and questionnaire, the researcher evaluated the responses of forty participants through quantitative and qualitative analysis. The participants provided detailed information regarding their personal experiences, both past and present, in regard to the physical, mental, and emotional impact competitive dance had on their life. The research questions addressed in this study were: Q1 What are the effects of competitive dance on a dancer’s physical body? Q2 What are the effects …

Effects Of Nitrogen Management And Cultivar On Strawberry Production Under Disease Pressure, Kamille A. Garcia-Brucher

Master's Theses

Effects of nitrogen management and cultivar on strawberry production under disease pressure

Kamille Garcia-Brucher

California strawberry growers face increasing regulatory pressures to manage nitrogen (N) applications in their production system. Standard practice in the California strawberry industry is to apply a synthetic pre-plant controlled release fertilizer (CRF) to ensure the crop has sufficient N during winter establishment. Some research from the UC Cooperative Extension suggests this practice is not efficient at delivering N to the crop since most of the N is released from CRF before strawberry crop N uptake is significant. Another concern for California strawberry growers is loss …

Collateral Damage: How Expanding Public Charge Policy Influences Adult Esl Enrollment, Allison M. Eckert

Master's Theses

This study used statistical analysis of enrollment records for ESL programs at community colleges throughout California from 2015-2019 to determine whether adult immigrants’ participation in public ESL programs was reduced under President Donald Trump. Immigrant families’ lesser use of public education services and means-tested federal benefits has been widely documented in the wake of Trump’s expansion of the public charge rule, which counted immigrants’ use of a wider array of public benefits against their case for residency in the United States than had any previous iteration of the rule. Failing the public charge test can block an immigrant’s entry into …

A Descriptive Study Of The Foster Grandparent Program In Support Of The Creation Of An Afterschool Program To Address Food Insecurity And Chronic Disease Risk In Older Adults And Children, Sara Sorrell

Master's Theses

Volunteer service is associated with self-reported health improvement by older adult volunteers in AmeriCorps Senior programs. However, little is known about how specific chronic diseases and mental health issues affect Foster Grandparents, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic’s influence on volunteer activities for older adults. Using Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, this study outlines the structural influences of the Foster Grandparent program on volunteers’ motivation for volunteering, mental and physical health status before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and current household food security status. The study utilizes a survey, which was distributed by the National Senior Corps Association and …

Third Trimester Plasma Metabolites Associated With Gestational Diabetes: An Ancillary Analysis Of The Healthy Beginnings Trial, Rodrigo D. Rosario

Master's Theses

Introduction: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) results in complications affecting both mother and child. The implementation of metabolomics to assess metabolite alterations is needed to better understand its etiology. Prior research by our lab in first trimester samples of GDM patients indicated altered fatty acid utilization and purine degradation products.

Objective: Metabolomics analysis was conducted on third trimester (28 -35 weeks) plasma samples to observe differences associated with GDM.

Methods: Fifty samples taken from the Healthy Beginnings trial and their corresponding data were included in the study. Plasma samples were analyzed using UPLC-MS with metabolomic assays for primary metabolomics, aminomics, and …

Examination Of Methylation Status And Occupancy Of Dna Methylation Modifying Proteins On Regulatory Regions Of The Dax-1 Gene, Caroline P. Riedstra

Master's Theses

Epigenetic modifications influence gene expression and thereby play a pivotal role in development and disease. Misregulation and mutations in the DAX-1 gene, or Dosage-Sensitive Sex Reversal, Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita, Critical Region on the X chromosome, gene 1, have been implicated in Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita (AHC) and Dosage Sensitive Sex Reversal (DSS). The orphan nuclear hormone receptor DAX-1 is expressed predominantly in tissues such as the testes, ovaries, breast, adrenal cortex, and lung. Critically, DAX-1 may serve as an indicator of aberrant growth in these tissues. Here we hypothesize that DAX-1 is epigenetically regulated, specifically in cancer cells, thereby reducing its …

Analysis Into Artificial Intelligence And Its Developing Dynamic And Relationship In Agricultural Supply Chains, Samantha Jane Ault

Master's Theses

The thesis explores artificial intelligence (AI) in agricultural (Ag) supply chains (SCs) and presents a new typology to understand artificial intelligence-based solutions in agricultural SCs. The thesis was performed utilizing a research-based review to investigate the current uses of artificial intelligence-based solutions in agricultural SCs. The AI-based solutions were found in case studies that reviewed AI operations in different areas internationally.

The typology was formed on the foundation of two dynamics, the location of AI applications in Ag SCs and the driving values to integrate the AI applications. In order to develop the typology, the AI applications were studied in …

The Relationship Between Vitamin D Intake, Sun Exposure, Handgrip Strength And Hg Alc Levels In College-Age Adults, Janelle Melancon

Master's Theses

Vitamin D is known for its importance to bone health and calcium metabolism and plays a role in insulin resistance. Recent research has recognized its role in insulin secretion, inflammatory response, and adipose tissue changes as possible reasons for its association with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The CDC (2019) reported that 20% of adolescents are now living with prediabetes. Most individuals with prediabetes progress to type 2 diabetes within ten years. Because many studies have focused on adults of all ages, it is important to research young adults. This study aimed to determine prevention efforts; therefore, the younger adult …

An Assessment Of On-Campus Food Pantry Management And Nutrition Environment At Louisiana Colleges And Universities, Courtney Hammons

Master's Theses

The use of the Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool (NEFPAT) along with an examination of food pantry management systems will fill a needed gap in the understanding of the effectiveness of college on-campus food pantries. This descriptive, exploratory research study is designed to assess 4-year and 2-year higher education food pantries in the state of Louisiana. Specifically, food pantry management, nutrition education provided, and available food items will be assessed using the validated Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool (NEFPAT). This study assessed: (1) the characteristics of the food pantry management system, including the presence of nutrition professionals; (2) …

Multi-Assay Nutritional Metabolomics Profiling Of Low Vitamin A Status Versus Adequacy Is Characterized By Reduced Plasma Lipid Mediators Among Lactating Women In The Philippines: A Pilot Study, Catherine M. Johnson

Master's Theses

Background: A significant portion of lactating women in less developed countries have vitamin A (VA) deficiency. Lactation has substantial effects on a mother’s metabolism and VA is known to be needed in multiple biological processes, including growth, vision, immunity, and reproduction.

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to utilize metabolomics profiling to conduct a broad, exploratory assessment of differences in plasma metabolites associated with low VA status versus adequacy in lactating women.

Methods: Plasma samples from lactating women who participated in a survey in Samar, Philippines, were selected from a cross-sectional study based on plasma retinol concentrations indicating …

The Shortcomings Of Maize: Using Tipu To Assess Maize Consumption And Its Impact On Stature And Limb Proportions Among The Maya, Peter Mercier

Master's Theses

A reliance on maize among the ancient and modern Maya has been reasoned to cause short statures and short legs compared to overall height. The goal of this study was to test this proposition using a sample of contact period Maya from the site of Tipu in western Belize. Long bone length data from 100 individuals were compared to that from two other prehistoric maize agriculturalist societies: the Schild site in Illinois and Pecos Pueblo in New Mexico.

Four hypotheses were tested: 1) Tipu would be the shortest, 2) Tipu would have the shortest femora relative to tibiae, 3) Tipu …