Digital Commons Network^™

Strategies For Increasing The Release Of Pigments In Red Wine, Briana Heywood

Master's Theses

The perception of wine’s quality is directly influenced by its color. Anthocyanin molecules are responsible for imparting color to red wines. They are extracted from grape skins during alcoholic fermentation. This work compares the effects of three parameters: berry integrity, enzyme addition, and fermentation temperature, on phenolic compound extraction (total phenol, tannin and anthocyanin) during the production of Paso Robles’ Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Analyses on phenolic compounds were completed during alcoholic fermentation and barrel aging over the course of eighteen months. Berry integrity compared the degree of berry crushing (whole destemmed berries versus fully crushed berries). Results showed that phenolic …

Investigating The Potential Of Plant-Derived Antimicrobials And Probiotic Bacteria For Improving The Microbiological Safety Of Dry Pet Food, Chi-Hung Chen

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of The Nutrient Composition And Digestibility Of California Perennial And Annual Grasses At Four Stages Of Growth, Elaina Cromer

Master's Theses

Beef products represent the fourth largest agricultural commodity in the state of California, valuing more than $3 billion from 2013 to 2015 (CDFA, 2016) and procure 90% of the income for the range livestock industry (FRAP, 2003). Forages found on California’s coastal, desert, foothill, and mountain ranges are the basis of the state’s beef cattle industry. Understanding their nutritional quality of these forages is important for their effective use (George et al., 2001a; Waterman et al., 2014). The objectives of this research were to investigate the nutritional characteristics, and in situ digestbilities in Angus beef cattle, of common California annual …

Using Stable Isotope Analysis To Infer Breeding Latitude And Migratory Timing Of Juvenile Pacific-Slope Flycatchers (Empidonax Difficilis), Emily Bailey Moffitt

Master's Theses

Effective conservation of migratory species is hindered by a lack of knowledge of population links between breeding, wintering and stopover habitats. The Pacific-slope flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) is one of the many Neotropical migratory songbirds whose populations are steadily declining throughout western North America. This research contributed to the assessment of connectivity in this species by inferring relative breeding origins and habitat selection of juvenile birds that migrate along the Pacific Flyway to the South San Francisco Bay Area in the fall. Feather data collected from July 20 to October 12, 2014 were analyzed for three stable isotopes (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N). …

Biochemical And Enzymatic Studies Of The Midgut Serine Protease Aaspvii From The Aedes Aegypti Mosquito, James Thientoan Nguyen

Master's Theses

The Aedes aegpyti mosquito is an efficient biological vector of four known neglected tropical arboviruses: the yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Since the female mosquito can acquire multiple blood meals to complete the gonotrophic cycle, she can potentially infect multiple hosts. With the reemergence of these viruses, especially due to global warming, it is crucial to slow the spread of the mosquito and the blood-borne diseases she transmits. The Ae. aegypti mosquito relies heavily on midgut serine proteases that digest blood meal proteins to provide nutrients required for the egg laying process. The focus of this work is …

An Examination Of Daily Dietary Intake And Swallow Function In An Older Adult Population, Lillian A. Barone

Master's Theses

This study aims to determine the relationship, if any, of daily dietary intake of adult individuals living independently in the community and swallow function/ dysfunction. It appears that individuals modify their diet as they age and the correlation between this awareness of diet modification and dysphagia is unclear. Using the Yale Swallow Protocol and a study specific questionnaire, this relationship was examined. The results indicate future research should focus on the bi-directional relationship between malnutrition and dysphagia in the aging, community dwelling population.

“You Don’T Just Eat ‘Em, You Get Match Ready With ‘Em”: A Content Analysis Of Alcohol, Food, And Non-Alcoholic Beverage Advertising In The United States During The 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil, Melissa M. Feulner

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Pink And Dude Chefs: Efficacy Of An Online Train-The-Trainer Mechanism And Student Program Outcomes, Jacqueline Chen

Master's Theses

Background: The rate of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 12-19 years has quadrupled since 1980. Reducing obesity is a key public health priority, as obesity is associated with individual and population-level health and economic consequences. Afterschool-based obesity prevention programs that aim to develop nutrition and culinary self-efficacy have shown promise. However, the level of aptitude among program instructors is directly correlated with student success, suggesting the importance of effective train-the-trainer (TTT) mechanisms for implementing and scaling up these strategies.

Pink and Dude Chefs (PDC) is an afterschool nutrition education and culinary skills program for middle-school adolescents aged between 11-14 …

The Recovery Of Protein From Egg Yolk Protein Extraction Granule Byproduct, Irene Jennifer Kaufman

Master's Theses

In addition to proving an excellent source of nutrients, eggs are used in the food, cosmetic, and biotechnology industries for their rheological and bioactive properties. Much of the potential for the added value is in individual components of the egg, rather than the whole egg. At low speed centrifugation, yolk separates into two distinct fractions—granules and plasma. It is becoming increasingly popular in the industry to remove the plasma fraction of the egg yolk to use for its livetins, particularly immunoglobulin Y, leaving behind a granule by-product (“yellow cake”). Previous research has shown potential added-value from the granule fraction, especially …

Effects Of Food Consumption On Cell Proliferation In The Brain Of Python Regius, Stacy Star Habroun

Master's Theses

Neurogenesis is an important and vastly under-explored area in reptiles. While the ability to generate new brain cells in the adult mammalian brain is limited, reptiles are able to regenerate large populations of neuronal cells. Pythons exhibit a characteristic specific dynamic action (SDA) response after food intake with an increase in metabolic rate that facilitates processing the meal. Associated with this change in SDA, pythons (Python spp.) also exhibit impressive plasticity in their digestive and cardiovascular physiology due to the sheer magnitude of the increase in organ growth that occurs after a meal to speed digestion, absorption, and assimilation of …

Agricultural Technology Adoption And Adaptation Under Climate Change: Microevidence From Niger, Berenger Djoumessi Tiague

Master's Theses

Many regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are experiencing fast increases in human population pressure and urbanization. By 2050, feeding a planet of 9 billion people will require an estimated 50 percent increase in agricultural production. Farmers in in the Sahel are exposed to a highly variable weather over time, and to their limited adaptive capacity, therefore often use livestock as income generator, export earnings, and as insurance against weather risk. There is an increasing demand for livestock products, which increase pressure on crop residues use on the land. In this study, I use panel socio-economic data combined with village rainfall …

Income Shocks And The Acceptance Of Intimate Partner Violence In Indonesia, Matthew N. Krupoff

Master's Theses

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue affecting 1 in 3 women worldwide. Despite the negative welfare impacts, it is still seen as acceptable in some parts of the world, even amongst women. This paper examines how elastic these accepting attitudes towards IPV are to changing economic conditions. Specifically, this paper focuses on changes in intra-household resources from negative shocks to male-sourced income. The setting and context takes place in coastal communities in Indonesia, where fishing is a main source ofincome generated primarily by men. This paper uses satellite-derived fishing conditions to measure how women's attitudes towards IPV change …

Financial Sector Development And Agricultural Productivity, John J. Onoja

Master's Theses

Global concern is rising about the performance of the agricultural sector in view of its integral role in poverty alleviation, economic development and meeting an ever-increasing nutritional demand. At the epicenter of the concern is declining productivity due to poor financial inclusion of the sector leading to low investment and returns to agriculture. A cursory examination of the existing literature on the subject reveals quite varied dimensions to the analysis of agriculture productivity-financial development nexus. Focusing on the role of financial sector development as a catalyst to agricultural productivity, we employ panel data and advances fixed-effects econometrics approach to empirically …

Gender Differences In Willingness To Compete: Experimental Evidence From Bosnia, Boris Jokic

Master's Theses

Abstract: This research examines gender differences in willingness to compete with differing incentives . The results of previous experiments show that women are significantly less competitive, even when they perform equally well as men. However, in these experiments cash was the only incentive provided. Therefore, we investigate what happens to gender differences in willingness to compete when we switch the incentive from cash to non-cash prize. Similar to Cassar, Whordofa, and Zhang (2016) who found that women become equally competitive as men when incentive is related to wellbeing of their children, we find that the gender gap in competitiveness still …

Ambiguity Aversion: Adoption, Uptake, And Trends, Adam Franklin

Master's Theses

What is ambiguity aversion and what is its role as a determinant of technology adoption? This study develops and implements a novel ambiguity preference instrument in the context of an ongoing RCT pilot program in southwest Uganda promoting adoption of an improved variety of sweet potato. No correlation between ambiguity aversion and crop adoption is observed, although it is suspected that RCT treatment arms including supply- and demand-side information reduced the ambiguity of the new variety, probably overcoming any ambiguity-preference-related constraints and clouding the picture. Methodological lessons learned regarding the development and implementation of an apporopriate ambiguity preference measure point …

Predictors Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Children And Adults: Findings From The Continuous National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey Nhanes 2001-2006, Lina Jaradat

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Mediterranean Diet And Low-Fat Diet, With And Without Statin Drug Therapy, On Serum Lipids In Adults At High-Risk And With Existing Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis, Marisa L. Creatura

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Food Security Status, Dietary Behaviors And Health Outcomes In Cambodian Americans With Depression And At High-Risk For Diabetes, Living In New England, Chelsey Hahn

Master's Theses

Background:

Refugee survivors of starvation and trauma during the Khmer Rouge rule of Cambodia suffer myriad poor health outcomes, 30 years after the genocide. Having high rates of food insecurity, depression, and the highest rate of type 2 diabetes mellitus for an Asian subgroup complicates nutritional health outcomes.

Objectives:

(1) To document household food insecurity of Cambodian Americans who were alive during the Pol Pot era, with depression and elevated diabetes risk in New England; (2) To document the dietary behaviors of Cambodian Americans; and (3) To explore preliminary associations between household food insecurity, dietary behaviors and diabetes risk …

Hip Muscle Activity During A Functional Movement Assessment, Colleen M. Driscoll

Master's Theses

CONTEXT: Neuromuscular control throughout functional movement is a risk factor for lower extremity injury. When implemented correctly, some preventive training programs (PTPs) decrease injury risk while focusing on strengthening the gluteus medius. Specific changes to faulty biomechanics are typically not accomplished. Understanding the causes of these risk factors, and techniques to manipulate them are crucial in injury prevention. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate potential differences in hip musculature activation, gluteus medius (GMed), gluteus maximus (GMax), and adductor magnus (ADD), during a jump-landing task between females with and without medial knee displacement (MKD). Additionally, to determine associations between hip muscle activation, vertical ground …

The Effect Of Blood Flow Restriction Training With The Quadmill On Peak Isometric Knee Extensor Strength 2017, Brandon Schrom

Master's Theses

Traditional training methodologies that improve muscular strength use loads as low as 75% of a person’s one-repetition maximum and as high as 110% of a person’s one repetition maximum. With these high loads comes a greater risk for injury. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a potential solution to this problem. BFR training originated in Japan, where it was called Kaatsu. With this method of training, a trainee ties a tourniquet around the proximal end of a limb to reduce blood flow to and from the limb’s muscles. The purpose of this study was to determine whether three-weeks of BFR …

A Comprehensive Program Plan For Providing Therapeutic Recreation Services In A Private Practice Setting 2017, Tracy J. Frenyea

Master's Theses

The purpose of this project was to create a comprehensive program plan and operations manual as an example of a private practice in therapeutic recreation. One goal was to provide a fresh approach to therapeutic recreation, one that embraces a strengths-based paradigm in a holistic environment nurturing the six domains of well-being and the aspirations of individuals served. To operationalize this goal, a thorough review of literature was undertaken and reported on; theoretical foundations and practice models were explored and selected; guiding principles, goals, and objectives were identified; a comprehensive program plan as well as specific intervention plans were created; …

Potato Plant Gene Expression And Physiology During Three-Way Interactions With Mycorrhizal Fungi And Lepidopteran Larvae, Andrew P. Schoenherr

Master's Theses

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are integral components of ecosystems and form root associations with the majority of land plants (>80%). In these relationships, AMF provide essential nutrients to their hosts, primarily phosphorus, in exchange for photosynthates, which enhance plant growth and help plants overcome environmental stress. The below-ground interaction between plants and AMF can indirectly alter aboveground plant interactions with insect herbivores. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) which are considered one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide, naturally form symbioses with AMF. However, it is not well understood how the association between potatoes and AMF can potentially affect leaf-chewing insect …

Tripartite Relationships: A Model System For The Study Of Plant-Mycorrhizal Fungus-Aphid Interactions, Eric Rizzo

Master's Theses

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate biotrophs known for forming mutualistic associations with over 80% of terrestrial plant species. Plants forming symbiosis with AMF, in general, exhibit enhanced nutritional status as well as abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. In addition, plants benefit from mycorrhiza-induced resistance (MIR), which “primes” plant defenses, enabling a faster and stronger response against subsequent attacks by pathogens and insect herbivores. Nevertheless, MIR against insect herbivores is primarily dependent on the feeding guild of the attacking insect. Herbivory by leaf-chewing insects and generalist species on mycorrhizal plants often results in decreased insect weight gain and reproductive rates, …

Validation Of The Six-Minute Walk Test For Predicting Peak Oxygen Consumption Cancer Survivors, Alexandra Nicole Schumacher

Master's Theses

Exercise improves cardiovascular function in cancer survivors (CS) suffering from treatment-related toxicities, such as decreased peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Establishing valid assessment protocols that determine VO2peak are essential for developing individualized exercise prescriptions for cancer rehabilitation programs. The University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute (UNCCRI) has developed a valid cancer-specific VO2peak treadmill protocol to address this need. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is an exercise assessment used in many populations with chronic disease to predict VO2peak but it is not clear whether this test accurately assesses VO2peak in CS. The 6MWT is simple, inexpensive, and representative of daily living …

Going With The Flow: Using Menstrual Education As A Tool For Empowering Post Pubescent Nepali Girls, Graceann L. Cadiz

Master's Theses

Global discourse and research evidence on the benefits of girl’s education show that prioritizing girl’s education is the most successful strategy of breaking the cycle of poverty, gender inequality, and overpopulation. Moreover, there is a growing interest in closing the gender gap in education, but there has been insufficient attention to the specific needs of girls experiencing menses or menarche within schooling environments. The beginning of menstruation represents a pivotal event in development of the adolescent girl but is under-recognized and deemed insignificant with a culture of silence present throughout the rest of their lives. While providing access to education …

Life History Of The Non-Native Invasive Red Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Alexander Q. Fogg

Master's Theses

Invasive Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) were first detected in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) in 2010 and since then their numbers have increased dramatically. From 2010 to 2015, more than 15,000 Red Lionfish were collected opportunistically from the nGOM for this study. Length and weight relationships differed significantly among ecoregions by sex and there was clear sexual dimorphism in size with males being larger and heavier. Red Lionfish age ranged from 0-4.5 years old and males achieved greater growth rate (K) and asymptotic maximum lengths (L_inf) compared to females and these parameters were also different …

The Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (Igf1) System As A Potential Biomarker For Nutritional Status And Growth Rate In Pacific Rockfish (Sebastes Spp.), Nicole L. Hack

Master's Theses

Growth performance in vertebrates is regulated by environmental factors including the quality and quantity of food, which influences growth via endocrine pathways such as the growth hormone (GH) / insulin-like growth factor somatotropic axis. In several teleost fishes, circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) correlate positively with growth rate, and it has been proposed that plasma Igf1 levels may serve as an indicator of growth variation for fisheries and aquaculture applications. Here, I tested whether plasma Igf1 concentrations might serve as an indicator of somatic growth in olive rockfish (Sebastes serranoides), one species among dozens of rockfishes …

Effects Of Art In Hiv Infected Population On Body Habitus Change: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis, Nusrat Nuireen Habib

Master's Theses

Importance: Different ART treatments to HIV patients has been shown to be effective in improving a variety of disease outcomes, including CD-4 cell count improvements and viral suppressions. In addition to these improvements, investigators are also interested to evaluate the association between ART treatments and the body habitus changes of the HIV patients. It is unclear that which body habitus change outcomes are more greatly associated with what type of ART treatments and how those effects could vary depending on context and sample characteristics.

Objective: To obtain overall effect sizes for the body habitus change outcome variables (weight, body mass …

Diet Induced Obesity Alters Muscle Spindle Afferent Function In Adult Mice, Lubayna Elahi

Master's Theses

Individuals with obesity are more likely to fall and exhibit balance instability. The reason for this is likely multifactorial, but there is some evidence that sensory function is impaired during obesity. We tested the hypothesis that muscle proprioceptor function is compromised in a mouse model of diet induced obesity. We used an in vitro muscle-nerve preparation to record muscle spindle afferent responses to physiological stretch and sinusoidal vibration. We compared the responses of mice on a control diet (10% kcal fat) with those eating a high fat diet (60% kcal fat) alone or in combination with either aspirin (120mg/kg/day in …

Defining The Roles Of The Lipoic Acid Ligases In Promoting Staphylococcus Aureus Metabolic Homeostasis And Virulence, Irina Laczkovich

Master's Theses

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen known to cause disease in a wide range of tissues. In order to thrive in such diverse environments, S. aureus uses multiple adaptive traits such as trace metal/nutrient acquisition, shifts in metabolic activity, and expression of detoxification systems, all of which allow the bacterium to proliferate and survive in nutritionally deficient and inhospitable environments.

One essential metabolite used by S. aureus is lipoic acid, a cofactor of enzyme complexes used in aerobic metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, glycine detoxification, and maintenance of redox homeostasis. Prior studies in the lab used a genetic approach to …