Digital Commons Network^™

Ellagic Acid Inhibits Α-Synuclein Propagation And Alleviates The Neurotoxicity By Enhancing Autophagic Flux In Animal Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Nada Akram Abdellatif

Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder pathologically characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNc) as well as the formation of Lewy bodies composed mainly of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates. It has been documented that abnormal aggregation of α-syn is one of the major causes of developing PD. Ellagic Acid (EA) is a widely known dietary supplement found in pomegranates as well as a plethora of berries and nuts. EA has been shown to prevent α-syn aggregates’ toxicity in cellular model of PD. In the current study we aim to evaluate whether …

Investigating The Mass Mortality Induced Factors Of Pearl Oyster (Pinctada Radiata) At Abu Dhabi Pearls Farm, Uae, Hamad Ahmed Almansoori

Theses

The aquaculture of shellfish plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime environments by mitigating algal blooms and improving water quality through the filtration of organic matter, nutrients, and bacteria. This study investigated the environmental factors influencing oyster (Pinctada radiata) mortalities through a comprehensive analysis of water quality in Al Mirfa and Al Mughirah farming sites of Abu Dhabi (UAE), from February 2021 to February 2022. To reach such understanding of the main factors led to mass mortalities of cultivated oysters, different monthly sampling and both chemical and biological analyses of the farm water, sediments as well as for both living …

Consumer Acceptance And Sensory Evaluation Of 3d Printed Dairy Snacks, Laura Davis

Theses

3D printing technology has been established since the early 1980s by the inventor Charles Hull, with its initial applications in the moulding of plastic veneers for furniture. More recently, 3D printing has been gaining popularity as a food technology due to its potential benefits, such as personalised nutrition and reduced environmental impact. This study explored the consumer acceptability of 3D printed dairy snacks across participants in the UK and Ireland, through an online survey and sensory trials. The online survey was designed and distributed across 402 UK participants and 400 Irish participants. The sensory trial was conducted with a group …

Strategic Use Of Once-A-Day Milking For Pasture-Based Dairy Cows In Ireland, John Paul Murphy

Theses

The current perception of dairy farming in Ireland is one of long hours, physically demanding work and poor remuneration, especially when compared to that of a modern, high-tech industry with career opportunities and advancement possibilities at many levels (Teagasc, 2018). One of the biggest factors in attracting and retaining people to work on Irish dairy farms is that they must be desirable places to work (Teagasc, 2018). Milking is the most labour demanding task on Irish dairy farms (Deming et al., 2018) and one, which necessitates farmers being present on the farm twice daily if milking twice-a-day (TAD). Altering milking …

The Impact Of Data Quality On Beef Genetics, Shauna Walsh

Theses

Efficiency and profitability in the beef industry are driven by cattle live-weight, therefore, to optimise live-weight data it is essential to maintain consistency across data collection methods. Data for this thesis was collected from 97,780 Irish suckler herds across the years 2019 to 2022, inclusive, with a total of 1,311,870 calf and dam live-weight records available. Live-weight data originated from five different sources including: professionally-recorded, producer recorded using either owned, borrowed or hired weighing scales, or from an unknown recording source. The objectives of this thesis were to: i) identify anomalies within cattle live-weight data for both calf and dam, …

A Clinical Review Of Adult Obesity And Weight Management In The United States, Megan Helf

Theses

The standard of care for obesity has been lifestyle modifications, dietary changes and the use of some anti-obesity medications, however, given the increased rate of growth of obesity in not only the United States but globally, new drug therapies are needed. This paper aims to summarize and compare the current safety and efficacy evidence of new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved weight loss drugs and to discuss the availability, cost-effectiveness, and use of these drugs in combating the obesity epidemic.

Web of Science and PubMed searches of obesity revealed primary sources and review articles on the topic …

The Efficacy Of Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Compared To Manual Total Knee Arthroplasty In Regards To Accuracy, Operative Time, And Patient Outcome, Chris Ewell

Theses

Objectives: This review evaluates the literature comparing Robotic-assisted and Conventional Knee Arthroplasty based on accuracy, operative time, and patient outcomes. It aims to determine the potential of robotic-assisted surgeries in orthopedics and other surgical fields to provide guidance to medical professionals on best practices in Knee Arthroplasty. Methods / Evidence Acquisition: This study conducted a search for evidence primarily on two databases: PubMed and Web of Science, with two additional articles found in the National Library of Medicine. The search utilized the term “Robotic Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty” matched with various Mesh terms. Only articles published between 2018 and the …

Emerging Treatment And Prevention Options In Diet Through The Gut-Brain Axis, And Its Impact On Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Jewel Amrich

Theses

Objectives:

To outline the most recent data regarding diet in the role in moderating prevention and progression of Alzheimer’s disease using the relationship between the gut microbiome and central nervous system. In addition, the Mediterranean diet and the components that make up the diet, and those alike will be thoroughly discussed.

Evidence Acquisition:

Using key terms “Alzheimer’s Disease” and “Diet”, Web of Science searched for papers that were published between 2012 and 2023, which yielded 807 results. Refining the search to “Neurodegenerative Diseases” returned 292 results. Adding “Gut-brain axis”, “gut microbiome”, and “Mediterranean diet” to separate search inputs yielded 25 …

Improving The Most Gg Model To Predict Environmental Impact And Improve On Farm Grass Growth Prediction, Laeticia Bonnard

Theses

The increasing need for highly productive and eco-friendly agriculture is driving demand for decision-support tools to assist agricultural operators in managing systems more precisely and sustainably. Although grasslands provide a cost-effective option for ruminant production and can offer many environmental benefits (biodiversity, carbon storage etc.), grasslands management is challenging due to the inherent climate and soil sensitivities and their potential negative impact on water quality. In Ireland, the Moorepark Saint Gilles Grass Growth (MoSt GG) model was developed for the dual purposes of research-based simulations and on-farm grass growth prediction for farmers. The objective of this thesis was to improve …

Optima: Optimal Protein For Optimal Ageing, Eunice Ti-Oluwani Olaniyan

Theses

The older adult population is increasing globally, and this is associated with an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. This, together with increased consumer concern regarding the overconsumption of animal proteins, has led to a need to consider alternative dietary strategies for older adults. This study developed novel plant protein blends using combinations of pumpkin, pea ad rice protein isolates, and investigated their amino acid profiles, protein content and bioactive properties to identify optimal blends for functional food formulation. A major objective of this study was to formulate protein-rich products. It was hypothesised that blending multiple sources of plant proteins in …

A Comparative Analysis Of The American Revolution And The Jacobite Rebellions As “Civil Conflicts” Against Great Britain, Mandi Nash

Theses

British history consists of a large number of armed conflicts engaged against almost every country and continent in the world. While British history has a history rich with conflicts, two particular conflicts feature front and center when one is thinking in terms of a civil conflict– the American Revolution and the Jacobite Rebellions. A civil conflict is any conflict that takes place between citizens of the same country. Both the Jacobite Rebellions and the American Revolution were conflicts against Great Britain when Scotland and America were under British rule. Despite being two separate civil conflicts that differed in many ways, …

Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, Exercise Dependence, Injury Prevalence, And Fueling Habits In Female Crossfit® Participants, Alyssum Reno-Smith

Theses

No abstract provided.

Hesychasm And The Jesus Prayer: Spiritual Formation In An Ecumenical World – Exploring The Practice Of The Eastern Orthodox Jesus Prayer With The Evangelical Protestant Tradition, Craig Francis Bosman

Theses

The question that forms the heart of this research is: “Can the Jesus Prayer establish roots to develop and flourish, and be accepted as a new, legitimate practice in Evangelicalism?” To begin answering, the practice will be explored within its Eastern Orthodox context focusing on the Jesus Prayers’ biblical roots, early development, and official acceptance within Orthodoxy. Then the Evangelical movement will be surveyed to gain an understanding of its identity from a sociological and theological perspective with special attention on its soteriological framework, customary spiritual disciplines, and general attitudes toward mysticism (defined as direct experience of God through apophatic, …

Does Alzheimer’S Disease Begin In Your Gut? A Review Of The Gut-Brain Axis Effect On Cognitive Impairment And The Potential For Therapeutic Targeted Interventions., Jane Greenberg

Theses

Objective: To summarize current data regarding the bidirectional communication of the gut microbiota and the brain, specifically in relation to cognitive improvement, microbiota diversity, and dietary interventions. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying these relationships will be explored. Evidence Acquisition: Using the key terms “gut-brain axis" and "Alzheimer’s disease” PubMed and Web of Science were searched for papers published between 2014 and 2023. This yielded 297 results, of which 23 were relevant to this topic. Articles that failed to address cognitive impairment or only studied animal subjects were excluded. After scanning each paper, nine review articles and 14 new studies were selected …

Study On The Chemical Composition And Antioxidant Activities Of Essential Oil Extracted From Horwoodia Dicksoniae Growing In The Uae, Salama Sari Al Mansoori

Theses

Plant-derived substances including essential oils, secondary metabolites and other chemical substances are gaining attention due to their broad spectrum use in different fields. Native medicinal plants can play a key role in the healthcare field in any country. Horwoodia dicksoniae is a native endangered plant in UAE. The current study is about the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of H. dicksoniae’s essential oil as well as the evaluation of growth of this native endangered plant under different environmental conditions. For this purpose, the first step included confirmation of the viability of seeds obtained from a seed bank following the …

Uncovering The Link Between Diabetes And Pulmonary Hypertension, Nishant Nundlall

Theses

Background

Diabetes is a common disorder in the general population with most studies focusing on its role on the left ventricle and coronary artery disease, however it effects on pulmonary hypertension (PH) have not been fully studied. There is a pressing need to more completely explore the cardiovascular impacts of diabetes. The impact of diabetes might vary according to the various forms of PH, their predominant contribution is likely to be in PH due to left heart disease (group II, the most common form of PH).

Thus far, most studies have offered a focussed perspective with data from specialised referral …

An Investigation Into The Nature Of The Knee Pain Experience In People With Knee Osteoarthritis, Gemma Mary Orange

Theses

Knee osteoarthritis poses a substantial and escalating socioeconomic burden globally, exacerbated by demographic trends towards an aging population, sedentary lifestyles and increasing obesity rates. Defined by knee pain and functional limitations (Wood et al., 2023; Zhang, Doherty, et al., 2010), traditional approaches have viewed knee OA related pain and disability primarily through a biomedical lens, linking symptoms directly to structural damage and advocating surgical interventions such as total knee arthroplasty to address presumed causative pathology (Bunzli et al., 2019; Darlow et al., 2018). Despite the capacity of surgery to ameliorate structural pathology, patient centred outcomes vary considerably. Up to 30% …

Digital Fitness Support - Proplus, Weinan You

Theses

This thesis presents the design of a fitness app aimed at enhancing the workout experience by providing advanced video tracking and data visualization tools. Utilizing user-centric methods like personas, journey maps, competitive analysis, and user testing, the app features innovative video tracking for real-time feedback and a personal fitness log for tracking progress and physical changes. Findings indicate that such comprehensive tracking significantly boosts motivation, aids in continuous progress, and minimizes the risk of injuries and inefficiencies in workouts, demonstrating the app's potential to revolutionize fitness routines for enthusiasts.

Mmmworld: Health Modern Food, Xindi Wang

Theses

The societal concern for maintaining a healthy lifestyle has endured the test of time, especially given the transformative impact of globalization, urbanization, and industrialization on dietary patterns. The evolution of eating habits, propelled by the modernization of societies, has ushered in unprecedented changes in the way people consume and engage with food. While modern diets offer unparalleled convenience and variety, they also introduce a plethora of industrially processed products, contributing to the inadvertent neglect of the intrinsic value of natural ingredients. This shift has, in turn, resulted in profound implications for human health, giving rise to an increase in chronic …

Identifying The Drivers Of Pollen Limitation In Apples (Malus Domestica) Within The Urban Orchards Of St. Louis, Mo, Jordan Hathaway

Theses

The human population is projected to continue growing throughout the remainder of the 21st century. Thus, agricultural production will need to increase drastically in order to ensure global food security. Management strategies aimed at enhancing crop pollination by promoting pollinator diversity have shown potential as an environmentally sustainable method of increasing yields. Optimizing the design and implementation of these strategies will require us to expand our understanding of the processes which influence crop pollen limitation. In this study, we examined pollen limitation in self-incompatible apple trees (Malus domestica) within urban orchards located in St. Louis, MO. In our first field …

The Psychological Motivations Of Attendees To Engage And Share Their Event Experiences, Denise Matoushek

Theses

Social media usage, content creation and consumption has increased steadily throughout the years. This facet has impacted the event industry and their audiences’ expectations of immersive and high-end digital opportunities with the goal of memory capturing and user generated content. In addition to providing digital event opportunities, meeting audiences on their psychological level when in attendance at events heightens the likelihood of revisits, word-of-mouth, and social media sharing. The two main psychological aspects to study are that of belonging and internal motivation. In the event field, belonging is the feeling or association to a community of peers and internal motivation …

Rooted In Meaning: Plant Iconography On Nasca Polychrome Ceramics, Amanda G. Lange

Theses

This thesis explores the Nasca use of plant iconography as part of their polychrome ceramics produced at the end of the Early Horizon around 100 BCE to those produced in the beginning and middle of the Early Intermediate Period circa 1to 450 CE. During this time the religious site of Cahuachi was in use as a pilgrimage center as well as the production center of polychrome pottery. The Nasca created their colorful ceramics here to distribute to visiting pilgrims during times of festival or ritual. The culture’s iconography has been studied extensively, most of which focuses on the forms of …

The Association Between Total And Types Of Dietary Protein Intake And Prevelence Of Impaired Fasting Glucose And Type 2 Diabetes, Afra Salah Alsammach

Theses

People with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) need to modify their dietary composition. This could assist in the management and prevention of the disease. However, the role played by the composition of specific dietary macronutrients on the risk of IFG & T2D needs further research. This study sought to examine the association between total and type of dietary protein (animal and plant) consumption with prevalence of T2D and IFG. Aims: To investigate the association between total intake and types (animal vs plant) of dietary protein intake and prevalence of IFG & T2D in adults. Data …

Exploring Food And Physical Activity Behaviours Of Adolescents After Bariatric Surgery: A Qualitative Study, Baraa Osama Alries

Theses

In recent years, both globally and in the United Arab Emirates, adolescent obesity has emerged as a severe public health concern. Bariatric surgery is a viable treatment for adolescent obesity. However, an equally important aspect is examining the lifestyle changes, specifically concerning dietary habits and physical activity after this surgical intervention. Moreover, there is limited research on the postoperative nutrition-related nutritional and physical activity behaviors of adolescents after bariatric surgery globally, regionally, and in the UAE. The main aim of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators of diet and physical activity regimens of adolescents who had undergone bariatric …

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Eating Disorders, And Mental Stress Among United Arab Emirates University Students, Maram Braikan Alotaibi

Theses

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Eating Disorders (EDs), and mental stress are understudied in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially among university students. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of IBS, ED, mental stress, their associations, and the determinants of IBS among United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) students. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted via a 48-item online-survey shared with 14,268 undergraduate/graduate students, registered during academic year 2021-2022 in UAEU. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the predictive factors associated with IBS among UAEU students in total and by ED status. Significance was determined at p< 0.05. The prevalence of IBS was 39%, ED 55.9%, and high mental stress 53.2%, and they co-existed in 15.9% of UAEU students. Students who reported consuming trigger-food were 6 times more likely to have IBS than their counterpart [AOR: 5.859; 95% CI: 3.092–11.102, p< 0.001]. Those who reported intakes of relief-food were 4 times more likely to have IBS compared to their counterpart [AOR: 3.881; 95% CI: 1.669 – 9.022, p=0.002]. Students with family history of IBS (FHIBS) were 2.6 times more likely to have IBS than their counterpart [AOR: 2.572; 95% CI: 1.420–4.660, p= 0.002]. Students with high mental stress were 1.7 times more likely to have IBS than those with low-moderate stress, when adjusted for sex and age [AOR:1.730; 1.058–2.830, p= 0.029). No significant associations existed between IBS and ED, Socioeconomic Characteristics (SEC), lifestyle, dietary, and health-related factors. UAEU students reported high prevalence of IBS, ED and mental stress. A significant relationship was found between IBS and FH-IBS, trigger- and relieving- food. This study confirmed the prevalence of IBS, ED and mental stress. Large cohort studies on university students in the UAE are warranted to establish the relationships among IBS, ED, mental stress and their determinants.

The Association Between Attachment Styles And Binge Eating Behaviours: Examination Of The Mediational Role Of Emotional Dysregulation In The Arab Region, Diala Kassab

Theses

Many factors are said to affect binge eating behaviours, one of these factors is the individual’s attachment style. Attachment styles is the early relationship that shape a child's ideas and expectations about themselves and the availability of other people. This can be mediated by the ability to effectively respond and manage emotional experiences. This thesis aimed to examine the role of emotional dysregulation on attachments styles and binge eating behaviours in the Arab region.
/="/">A sample of 326 Arab university students, predominantly Emirati and Lebanese, were recruited using convenience sampling and snowball sampling technique. Participants were asked to complete …

Biochemical Charactrization Of A Fructosyltransferase Enzyme From A Halophilic Archaeon, Haloarcula Marismotui, For Biotechnological Applications, Ahlam Khalifa Al Ameri

Theses

Fructosyltransferase enzymes are involved in the production of fructans, which are polymers of fructose and naturally present in many foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cereals. Fructans with short chain lengths are called Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are small dietary fibers having low caloric values and are known as “prebiotics”. Fructans have a broad range of applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and chemical industries. They have unique physiochemical properties and functionalities depending on the source of enzyme used for their production. The present study aimed at the utilization of a recently discovered unique fructosyltransferase enzyme from an extremely halophilic microorganism, …

The Association Between Added Sugar And Abdominal Obesity In Adults, Noora Salem Alhammadi

Theses

Excessive body fat accumulation is a complicated medical condition known as obesity. Obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer. Numerous studies have shown that adults who regularly consume added sugar, mostly from sugar sweetened beverages, are more likely to be overweight or obese and/or abdominal obesity, however results remain controversial. The primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between Greek adults’ consumption of added sugar and abdominal obesity. The primary outcome was to investigate the intakes of added sugars in relation to weight status, fat mass, and specific …

Development Of Popcorn Thermal Insulation Panels, Yonis Hussein Mohamud

Theses

The research and development of sustainable and renewable materials that can take the place of conventional plastics derived from petroleum has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Polylactic acid (PLA) and Polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) are viable alternatives biopolymers due to their biodegradability. Also, the enhancement of material properties can be achieved through the incorporation of fillers. In this study, the utilization of popcorn in developing of insulation materials has been employed in two distinct methodologies. The first involves the coating of popcorn with varying percentages of PLA using the solvent casting method, while the second involves the integration of popcorn …

Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Dietary Supplement Use Among Students Enrolled In The United Arab Emirates University, Aaesha Hamad Alnaqbi

Theses

An adequate diet, with proper nutrients, is key to a healthy life. However, managing an adequate diet with a proper intake of nutrients is difficult. Therefore, dietary supplements (DS) represent an important source of essential nutrients which often help maintain a healthy intake of required nutrients. However, there is limited knowledge about DS usage among the younger generation. The main objective of this research study was to analyze the prevalence of usage, level of knowledge, and attitudes toward DS among Students enrolled in the United Arab Emirates University. The current research adopted a cross-sectional design. Participants completed a valid and …