Digital Commons Network^™

Of Geese And Grass: Investigating Impacts Of Brant Grazing On Eeelgrass, Dakota L. Osborne

Master's Theses

Grazing pressure is important in structuring plant communities, particularly in aquatic environments. Eelgrass (Zostera marina), a keystone species in estuaries across North America, is experiencing widespread population declines. As a keystone species, eelgrass provides numerous important functions, including: 1) water filtration, 2) sediment stabilization, 3) providing refuge and nursery habitat for numerous species, and 4) carbon sequestration. Benefits which could be lost if eelgrass beds continue to diminish. California has experienced some of the greatest eelgrass declines, and Morro Bay, CA experienced a 96% decrease in eelgrass from 2007 to 2017. Most studies to date have examined bottom-up …

Development Of Extruded Puffed Snack Utilizing Carrot Pomace, Bean Flour, And Rice Starch As Primary Ingredients, Julia Zoe

Master's Theses

Every year, the carrot industry worldwide wastes up to 50% of carrots as raw material due to processing (Šeregelj et al., 2020). When carrots are juiced, the remaining fibrous pulp is often discarded as carrot pomace. In order to redirect this food waste, the first objective of this research was to optimize formulations for an extruded puffed snack that is most similar to commercially available puffed snacks, utilizing baby lima bean flour and carrot pomace

Hardness (kg), cross-sectional expansion ratio, bulk density (g/cm³), moisture content (%), water activity, specific mechanical energy (kJ/kg), carotenoid concentration (ppm), and total dietary …

Terrestrial Salinization Impacts On Growth And Behavior Of A Common Detritivore Armadillidium Vulgare (Isopoda), Danielle Harmoney Orcutt

Master's Theses

Climate change and human activities are changing the nutritional landscape by increasing the availability of some essential elements and decreasing others. Sodium (Na) is an essential element in heterotrophs, which is required for water regulation, nerve function, and muscle function. Heterotrophs can acquire Na through diet and environment, often experiencing limited availability of Na due to plants concentrating Na 10-100 times less than heterotrophs need. The Sodium Subsidy-Stress (SSS) hypothesis posits that organismal performance follows a hump-shaped curve of a physiological response, where Na acts as a subsidy, increasing organismal performance such as growth until an optimal threshold is reached, …

Assessment Of Mediterranean Diet Adherence Using The Kidmed Diet 2.0 Tool: College Student Questionnaire, Nakia Cyrice Hilton

Master's Theses

The Mediterranean Diet has garnered increasing popularity due to its multifaceted health benefits. The MedDiet enhances well-being across all age groups, emphasizing high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains and moderate fish, poultry, and dairy intake. Recent research underscores the significant impact of Mediterranean diet adherence on college students' physical and mental health. The diet's emphasis on nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants supports cognitive function, which is pivotal for academic performance. Moreover, the abundant presence of healthy fats, particularly from olive oil and fatty fish, may contribute to improved mood regulation, potentially …

Adherence To Mediterranean Diet Principles In Minority College Students, Bridgette Lorraine Barbre

Master's Theses

Every year, millions of young adults attend college. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists heart disease and diabetes as the top health concerns for minority Americans. African American and Hispanic/Latino communities could see a reduction in illness risk by promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits such as the Mediterranean Diet. Research indicates that young adults may benefit significantly from taking charge of their eating habits at the crucial point in their transition from high school to college. By determining the dietary patterns of minority college students, as related to the Mediterranean diet principles, this study intends …

Oral Nutritional Supplement Prescription And Adherence Perspectives, Kristyn Bordelon Hood

Master's Theses

Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are nutrient-dense beverages that aid in meeting the nutrient needs of patients. Recent research has indicated that patient adherence to prescribed nutritional supplements may depend on palatability, tolerance, and taste fatigue. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are healthcare professionals who may prescribe these supplements directly or make recommendations to the patient’s physician for a prescription, thereby influencing patient adherence. Little research has been documented regarding taste fatigue and the influences of the RDN’s decisions on patient adherence to nutritional supplement adherence. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the perspectives of nutrition professionals …

The Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of Exopolysaccharide From Bacillus Subtilis, Nikolay Todorov

Master's Theses

Commensal microorganisms can be used therapeutically to ameliorate a variety of diseases. The laboratory of Dr. Katherine L. Knight studies these therapeutic properties in the commensal microorganism known as Bacillus subtilis. Previously, the Knight lab has demonstrated that B. subtilis can protect against colitis caused by Citrobacter rodentium suggesting that B. subtilis possesses anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are specific to the polysaccharide capsule of the microorganism known as exopolysaccharide or EPS. EPS can be produced and purified for study. EPS has been demonstrated to be protective in a variety of diseases such as allergic eosinophilia, sepsis, Graft versus Host disease, …

Single-Caregiver Families: Using Lived Experiences To Build Effective Resilience And Protect Future Children Against Negative Outcomes, Andrew Chakalian

Master's Theses

Among many cited risk factors that disproportionately affect children who grow up in a single-caregiver family, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and related behavioral and health outcomes are some of the most significant. Comparatively, there has been a substantial gap in the research exploring protective factors that support healthy development for children with this family composition. The present study used a phenomenological methodology to explore how nine participants aged 18-25 viewed their childhood in a single-caregiver family. Through the use of semi-structured interviews, participants shared their experiences; analysis yielded four themes: (1) further dysfunction in the social system exacerbating the effects …

Overnight Rice Fermentation: An Analysis Of The Physicochemical Changes In White, Brown, And Enriched Rice Varieties, Kavin Sivakumar

Master's Theses

Fermentation refers to the activity of microorganisms breaking down substrates, resulting in changes to a food product. One fermented food practice from the Indian subcontinent is overnight fermented rice. The traditional preparation consists of covering cooled cooked rice in water and leaving it at room temperature to ferment overnight. The objective of this project was to investigate overnight rice fermentation through quantifying its physicochemical changes. The study utilized three types of rice: white, enriched white, and brown. Mixtures of cooked rice and water at a 1 gram: 2 milliliter ratio were fermented at 29 degrees Celsius and 60% humidity for …

Undocumented And Unsupported: How College Students Navigate To Meet Their Basic Needs, Mario Alberto Gonzalez

Master's Theses

The cost of attendance at colleges and universities across the United States has risen exponentially year after year. Among these costs include tuition, lodging, food, textbooks, academic materials, and health care, many of which are considered “basic needs” that are ultimately essential for human survival. At the same time, certain groups of students continue to be marginalized and presented with additional barriers in accessing higher education in equitable ways. Undocumented students are one of these groups of students, and are the focus of this study. Although the passage of DACA in 2012 presented opportunities for approximately 800,000 undocumented students, it …

Identification Of Bacterial Transcriptomic Signatures In Breast Cancer Tissues Using Publicly Available Datasets, Rasaq Awosemo

Master's Theses

Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with increasing evidence suggesting a link between bacterial infections and cancer progression. This study aims to identify bacterial transcriptomic signatures within breast cancer tissues using publicly available datasets. While previous work in our lab has extensively explored the role of Borrelia burgdorferi in cancer, this research broadens the focus to investigate the presence of various bacterial species across different breast cancer samples.

Employing advanced bioinformatics methodologies, including the STAR aligner and MetaPhlAn for metatranscriptomics analysis, we analyzed RNA-sequencing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Our findings reveal diverse bacterial communities within …

Development Of A Flow Cytometry Method For The Identification And Enumeration Of Enterococcus Faecalis, Riza Magbitang

Master's Theses

A multi-color flow cytometry method coupled with fluorescent staining was developed to detect and quantify E. faecalis concentrations in coastal waters as an alternative to the traditional membrane filtration method. The developed method was used to characterize E. faecalis during batch growth and yielded consistent results across the various physiological states of the cells. Additionally, the application of propidium iodide (i.e., a viability stain), afforded the method the ability to differentiate between cells with intact and compromised cell membranes, which raises the potential of quantifying cells that are in viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) state. Initial field test using natural seawater samples spiked …

Effects Of Increasing Cycling Cadence On Post-Cycling Gait Velocity: An Experimental Study, Nitu Lama

Master's Theses

Previous research has shown that increasing cycling cadence, rather than the workrate, can result in improved post-cycling gait velocity. However, the specific threshold of cycling cadence required to bring about clinically meaningful changes in gait velocity remains unknown. To address this knowledge gap, our study aimed to determine the minimum incremental increase in cycling cadence that would lead to a significant improvement in post-cycling gait velocity. A total of 42 young adults participated in our study and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: TEN, TWENTY, and THIRTY. Each group was assigned to cycle at a cadence at the …

Peripheral Vascular Function In Young Adults With Increased Risk Of Cardiometabolic Disease, Ryan S. Aultman

Master's Theses

Objective: To determine if young adults with elevated metabolic syndrome severity scores (MetS_index) suffer from peripheral vasculature dysfunction.

Methods: Mean arterial pressure (MAP), Femoral (FBF) and Brachial Blood flow (BBF), Femoral (FVC) and Brachial Vascular Conductance (BVC), and Tissue Saturation Index (TSI) were assessed in twenty-four age (19 + 2.25 years), Sex (male: n=18; female: n=6) and Race (White: n=4; Black/African American: n=4; Asian: n=16) matched individuals during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (RHBF), passive limb movement (PLM) and Functional Sympatholysis (FS) trials. Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was also collected at baseline, and all values were compared between …

The Effects Of An Acute Dose Of Cannabidiol On Health And Two-Mile Time Trial Performance, Elyssa Bell

Master's Theses

As more studies exploring the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in both clinical and non-clinical populations continue to increase, there is a renewed interest in the ability of CBD to affect performance. In fact, many anecdotal reports in the media and online suggest that CBD may improve performance. Unfortunately, very few studies support these claims and research in the area is limited. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of an acute dose of CBD on anxiety symptoms, GI distress, heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), blood lactate (BL) rate of perceived …

Effects Of Extreme Starvation On The Fasting-Adapted Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus Oreganus), Brandon R. Kong

Master's Theses

Ambush-hunting snakes have long been of great interest in the biology of fasting and starvation, as they are adapted to withstand well over a year without taking a meal. Well-justified ethical constraints have limited our understanding of their biology at the limits of these abilities. Unfortunate circumstances, in which the California Department of Fish and Wildlife confiscated over 50 Western Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) from an animal hoarder that had long neglected them, culminated in the euthanized animals ending up in the hands of our lab. Some of these snakes were extremely starved, being only one-half to one-third of …

Effect Of Enzymatic Pretreatment On Biomethane Production From Olive Pomace, Ningjing Zhong

Master's Theses

In 2023, approximately 2.36 million metric tons of olive oil were produced globally. Olive pomace, a byproduct of the flesh and pits left after olive oil extraction, presents environmental challenges when used as landfill due to its high polyphenol and organic contents, or when combusted due to greenhouse gas emissions. Its potential as animal feed is limited, yet it holds promise for methane production via anaerobic digestion (AD), providing a source of renewable energy. However, the highly crystallized polysaccharides in olive pomace, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin, impede its conversion to methane, and the high polyphenol content inhibits methanogen …

Characterization And Evaluation Of Bacteriophages Φpa-C And Φpa-Tc Infecting Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Joanne Harrison

Master's Theses

Pseudomonas aeruginosa are prevalent opportunistic bacterial pathogens that cause nosocomial infections in at-risk individuals. The rise of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa poses an immense threat to hospitals. Additionally, P. aeruginosa are common food spoilage organisms that contribute to food waste. Alternative effective treatment methods are needed to improve public health and reduce food waste. Recent studies have shown that bacteriophages, viruses that only kill host-specific bacteria, are promising alternatives. This study characterizes two lytic P. aeruginosa phages, ΦPa-C and ΦPa-Tc, and evaluates their efficacy against P. aeruginosa in two model food systems. The morphology, genome, structural proteins, host range, growth kinetics, …

Exploring The Relationships Between Food Insecurity, Wic Participation, Early Life Feeding Practices, Diversity Of Dietary Exposures, And Diet Quality In The First Two Years Of Life, Vivian M. Drewelow

Master's Theses

Diet quality during early childhood is a strong predictor of mental and physical outcomes, as well as future diet quality. Although many factors determine diet quality during childhood, food insecurity is a significant predictor of lower diet quality. On the other hand, participation in nutrition assistant programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a significant predictor of higher diet quality. In addition, specific feeding practices, including timing of complementary food and beverage (CFB) introduction, types of CFB introduced early, and diversity of dietary exposures (DD), in the first year may predict future …

Characterization And Evaluation Of Bacteriophages Φpa-C And Φpa-Tc Infecting Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Joanne Harrison

Master's Theses

Pseudomonas aeruginosa are prevalent opportunistic bacterial pathogens that cause nosocomial infections in at-risk individuals. The rise of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa poses an immense threat to hospitals. Additionally, P. aeruginosa are common food spoilage organisms that contribute to food waste. Alternative effective treatment methods are needed to improve public health and reduce food waste. Recent studies have shown that bacteriophages, viruses that only kill host-specific bacteria, are promising alternatives. This study characterizes two lytic P. aeruginosa phages, ΦPa-C and ΦPa-Tc, and evaluates their efficacy against P. aeruginosa in two model food systems. The morphology, genome, structural proteins, host range, growth kinetics, …

Engineering An Injectable Hydrogel With Self-Assembling 3d Vasculature, Kendyl Cohn

Master's Theses

This research developed methods for culturing self-assembling capillaries in an injectable gel as a potential method for vascularizing tissue-on-a-chip models to mimic physiological drug delivery. Additionally, a mathematical model was developed as a tool for understanding nutrient delivery and comparison of potential delivery systems. Organs-on-a-chip provide novel platforms for studying biology and physiology in 3D, allow exploration of tissue engineering on a manageable scale, and serve as models for drug screening and drug-delivery testing.

Methods were first developed for co-culture of endothelial cells and fibroblasts (3T3s or HDFs) in 2D, evaluating culture time, seeding density and ratio of HUVECs and …

Sustaining Sustainable Farming: An Evaluation Of The Reasoned Action And Comprehensive Action Determination Frameworks For Persistence, Jet J. Tan

Master's Theses

This paper investigates the persistence of agricultural practices funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (CDFA OEFI). The central inquiry revolves around determining the most effective behavior model for analyzing persistence, comparing the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA), Comprehensive Action Determination Model (CADM), and CADM augmented with structural variables. The study's methodology integrates literature review, analysis of OEFI-funded practices, and statistical modeling to assess persistence levels. Contrary to existing literature, our findings reveal significantly higher levels of persistence than anticipated. Moreover, through model comparison, CADM augmented with political economic variables emerges as the …

Assessment Of Caloric And Micronutrient Intakes In Female Collegiate Student Athletes, Rachel L. Victor

Master's Theses

Nutrition can play a key role in athletic performance. Optimal nutrition can help athletes maintain their overall health and well-being and can contribute to training adaptations, recovery, performance, and injury prevention. Many studies focus on the intakes and importance of macronutrients in athletic performance. However, micronutrient intakes may also play important roles. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the calorie and selected micronutrient intakes of female collegiate student-athletes across a variety of sports. The participants were instructed to complete 3-day food records which were analyzed and compared to their individual nutrition needs. Results of this study indicated …

Red Raspberries Attenuate Blood Glucose Spike Of A High Glycemic Load Breakfast Cereal, Dante J. Martin

Master's Theses

Blood glucose (BG) spikes increase chronic disease risk in those with and without diabetes. The fiber and phytonutrient content of fruit, such as raspberries has the potential to attenuate the BG spike of a high glycemic load (HGL) meal. We examined the effect of red raspberries (RRs) on the BG spike when added to a HGL meal. In this randomized cross-over trial, 16 university students were given breakfast cereal and almond milk (control), the control breakfast with 140g added RRs, and the control breakfast with sugar equivalent to the sugar content of the RRs (50% sugar increase from control). Meals …

The Effect Of Probiotic Supplementation On Serum Metabolite Concentrations In Young Holstein Heifers, Emily G. Meissner

Master's Theses

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on serum concentrations of selected metabolites in young calves. Holstein heifers (n = 112) from a commercial dairy were enrolled within 48 h of birth and placed into individual hutches. Calves were weaned at 60 d of age and remained in their hutches until 90 d of age, when they were moved to group housing. Calves were placed into 2 treatment groups: 1) control and 2) B. subtilis, B. lichenformis, L. animalis, and P. freudenreichii probiotic (Bovamine Dairy Plus, Chr. Hansen, Milwaukee, WI). Control calves received …

Effective And Sustainable Strategies For Federally Qualified Health Centers To Engage Young Adults, Olivia Mcnulty

Master's Theses

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are instrumental in providing top tier healthcare and other resources to underserved populations. Whether they administer services in house or refer patients to other providers, FQHCs aim to provide comprehensive primary and preventative care services to people of all ages. They offer a range of services, from doctor and dental appointments to mental health and substance abuse counseling, regardless of a patient’s insurance status. To receive funding, FQHCs must follow the regulations and quality standards set forth by groups like the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Health Resources and Services …

Identification Of Downy Mildew Resistance In Wild Arugula And Evaluation Of Downy Mildew Causing Pathogens And Management Practices, Reilly B. Blair

Master's Theses

Downy mildew has been a potentially devastating constraint to crop production within the Brassicaceae family worldwide (CABI, 2022) and on the Central Coast of California (Smukler, et al, 2008; Koike, et al. 2007). Downy mildew is a foliar disease, caused by the pathogens in the Hyaloperonospora genus on plants within the Brassicaceae family (Goker, et al, 2009). Downy mildew is a disease that is common in region of the world with Coastal climates that provide humidity and moderate temperatures (Sarahan, et al, 2017). Crops within the Brassicaceae family maintain a predominant role in agricultural systems worldwide (Cartea, et al, 2011) …

Barriers To Gluten-Free Diet Adherence And How They Relate To Quality Of Life And Self-Efficacy In College Students With Celiac Disease, Caitlin Elizabeth Wall

Master's Theses

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder with an increasing global prevalence. As the only current treatment is a strict gluten-free diet (GFD), adherence is imperative to maintain optimal health in individuals with the disease. There are many potential barriers to GFD adherence, including social, mental, and financial difficulties. College also presents a unique set of challenges for students with CD that may not be experienced by those without the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential barriers to GFD adherence experienced by college students with celiac disease in the United States. This study also …

Impact Of Temperature On Children’S Nutrition: A Comparative Study Of Three Ecological Regions Of Nepal, Prakriti Shakya

Master's Theses

Nutrition obtained during the growth period of childhood significantly influences long-term well-being and overall productivity, ultimately contributing to the economy of a society. However, weather shocks can wreak havoc by damaging crops, changing yields of important crops and disrupting market access, which directly impacts the food intake of both adults and children. When these adverse events occur during childhood, short term and long term inadequacy in nutrition as well as disease incidence can cause malnutrition leading to stunted growth and cognitive impairment that may persist into adulthood, affecting the labor market and increasing health expenditure. To address this issue, we …

Human Trafficking: Foreign National Adolescent Survivors In The United States, A Call To Expand Otip Eligibility Letters, Ailleene L. Maldonado

Master's Theses

The Office of Trafficking in Persons grants child eligibility letters to foreign national minors who have been confirmed victims of trafficking. These OTIP Eligibility Letters provide recipients with public benefits to the same extent as a refugee but do not grant protection from removal or pathways towards legal permanent residence. Additionally, many OTIP recipients have unaccompanied minor status in the United States. In order to capture the experience of OTIP recipients, this research explores existing literature on trafficking trauma and migration stressors/ trauma. Additionally, this research identifies international and national legal frameworks to define trafficking and acknowledge the responsibility that …