Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Eugenol And Carvacrol In Combination Against Salmonella In Hummus, Lauryn Ashley Heidelberg

Theses and Dissertations

Hummus consumption has risen but multiple foodborne outbreaks due to Salmonella contamination have been reported. Essential oils (EOs) eugenol and carvacrol have been found to inhibit the growth and survival of Salmonella in food products. The objective was to evaluate antibacterial properties of various concentrations of eugenol (EU) and carvacrol (CA), alone or in combination (EUCA) against Salmonella in vitro and in hummus. Eugenol demonstrated a MIC of 0.125 mg/mL and an MBC of 0.25 mg/mL, while carvacrol showed a MIC of 0.0625 mg/mL and an MBC of 0.125 mg/mL. In the hummus study, 2% EUCA was the most effective …

Identification Of Bacterial Species Composition And Diversity Of Chicken Breast Meat During Processing., Lizzie Raquel Zaldivar

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the bacterial profile of chicken during processing is essential to identify spoilage-related bacteria. Using advanced methods like Oxford Nanopore sequencing, specific bacterial species on chicken meat can be identified. This study aimed to characterize bacterial composition and diversity on chicken breast during processing. Results showed a reduction in aerobic bacteria, E. coli, coliform, and lactic acid bacteria counts. However, three thermophilic bacteria, Anoxybacillus contaminants, Neobacillus thermocopriae, and Anoxybacillus flavithermus, dominated across processing steps. Notably, Pseudomonas species were undetected by conventional plating but identified via Nanopore sequencing, highlighting the need for molecular detection methods. Although antimicrobial interventions significantly reduced bacterial …

The Effect Of Teacher Efficacy On Career Technical Education Program Participation In Select Mississippi Schools, Lori Parkman Nail

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine to what degree school staff understood the benefits and outcomes of Career Technical Education programs and how this level of understanding impacted Career Technical Education program enrollment in five selected schools in Mississippi. The levels of understanding keyed in on three pivotal factors. First, perceptions of the availability and accessibility of Career Technical Education programs to students in the participating schools were measured. Second, the perceptions of the benefits students reap from being involved in Career Technical Education programs were examined. Next, the perceptions of the benefits Career Technical Education programs …

Description And Influence Of Diseases On The East Mississippi Catfish Industry, And The Role Of Clay Minerals, Iron, And Aluminum Salts In The Susceptibility Of Channel Catfish To Aeromonas Hydrophila And Edwardsiella Ictaluri, Mark Alan Peterman

Theses and Dissertations

In 2014, a virulent clonal group of Aeromonas hydrophila (VAH) was the predominant disease impacting the east Mississippi (EMS) commercial catfish industry. The EMS aquatic ambulatory service observed an area not prone to VAH outbreaks. In addition, frequent underestimations of the scope and economic impact of the EMS catfish industry and its diseases warranted a descriptive effort. Therefore, the EMS catfish industry, its economic impact, the diseases of this region and their economic impact were described. Further, differences in water and geological chemistry of the area not prone to VAH outbreaks, and the sensitivity of VAH and Edwardsiella ictaluri to …

Invasive Bigheaded Carp Distribution Patterns In Oxbow Lakes Of The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Michaela Ann Palmieri

Theses and Dissertations

Large populations of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), collectively called bigheaded carps, may have significant impacts where they are invasive. In the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV), bigheaded carps have been documented in major rivers; however, knowledge of their distribution in oxbow lakes is lacking. Species distribution models are tools that can be used to estimate species distribution with presence data and environmental variables. As a cost-effective alternative to onsite sampling, I administered a questionnaire to biologists to inventory bigheaded carp presence and obtained environmental data from existing datasets. I used Maximum Entropy (Maxent) to illustrate …

Investigations Of Guayule Resin As A Wood Protectant, Queen Aguma

Theses and Dissertations

Wood products are subject to deterioration by numerous processes, as a biological material. Today, a significant area of preservative development is the utilization of existing plant residues that have water-repelling, antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties as components of wood protectants. Parthenium argentatum, known as guayule (wy-oo-lee), is a promising wood protectant due to its resin. However, the resin's complicated chemical, physical, and solvent-resistant properties make it difficult to use. The primary goal of this study was to eliminate the use of any solvent and rely on thermal modification only to fractionate usable compounds from guayule resin. Utilizing heated dialysis and …

Deep Learning - Based Automated Detection And Classification Of Foreign Materials In Poultry Using Color And Hyperspectral Imaging, Rohini Maram

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the use of Deep learning for detection and classification of small foreign materials (FMs) in poultry meat using color and hyperspectral imagery (HSI). The study employs You only look once (YOLO) object detection models on color images for precise localization, and one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN), two-dimensional convolutional neural network (2D CNN) was used on HSI (600 – 1700 nm) for classification. Twelve different FMs commonly known as polymers including PVC, PET, LDPE and HDPE, were examined using 52 color and 52 hyperspectral images. Four YOLO models (v5x, v7x, v8x, v10x) were implemented, trained, tested and …

Innovative Methyl Bromide Alternatives: Efficacy Of Acetic Acid Coated Ham Nets And Carboxymethyl Cellulose Films In Inhibiting Mite Infestations On Dry-Cured Ham, Sawyer Wyatt Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Dry-cured hams may become infested with Tyrophagus putrescentiae (ham mites) during the aging process. Traditionally, methyl bromide (MB) fumigation has been used to control these infestations, but its phase-out due to environmental concerns has prompted the need for alternative methods. This study evaluated the effectiveness of acetic acid-coated ham nets and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based edible films with propylene glycol (PG) in mitigating mite infestations. Laboratory trials assessed the impact of these treatments on mite orientation, reproduction, infestation rates, and sensory quality. Results indicate that CMC films were effective at controlling mite growth and reproduction with minimal sensory impact. In contrast, …

Sulfhydryl-Containing Compounds And Iron Homeostasis: Mechanisms Of Labile Iron Pool Dysregulation And Consequences For Cellular Health, Steven Lowell Mann Christiansen

Theses and Dissertations

While iron's unique coordination chemistry and redox activity have resulted in its broad incorporation into biological systems, dysfunction in key iron-regulating mechanisms can transform these biochemical advantages into factors that contribute to several pathological conditions. This dissertation explores the complex interactions between iron and sulfhydryl-containing compounds (SCCs), with particular focus on glutathione's (GSH) role in stabilizing iron reactivity juxtaposed with homocysteine's (Hcy) ability to disrupt iron homeostasis and promote disease progression. Through rigorous biochemical analysis and experimentation, we demonstrate that Hcy disrupts iron regulation through several mechanisms: (1) Hcy competitively displaces protective iron-binding molecules in the Labile Iron Pool (LIP), …

The Learner's Experience Using Augmented Reality, Michael Lionel Atkinson

Theses and Dissertations

Augmented reality (AR) is a promising learning tool that has the potential to improve learning experiences in unique ways. While AR has been extensively studied in terms of learning outcomes, relatively little has been researched about the qualitative aspect of the learner experience and how that may inform better instruction. This multi-article, journal-ready dissertation addresses this gap. The first article is a review of the literature on what researchers have learned about AR in learning, systematically identifying six areas that appear salient yet underrepresented in the literature. The second article expands further upon this theme by conducting a qualitative study …

Cellular Air Quality Sensors With Lora Backchannel A Robust Sensor Suited For Remote Deployment In Harsh Environments, Joseph R. Miera

Theses and Dissertations

Air quality significantly impacts health and overall quality of life, making its measurement essential. However, most affordable air quality devices are designed only for use within WiFi range and cannot handle extreme temperatures, limiting their usefulness for people in remote or extreme environments, such as regions with harsh winter climates. This limitation is concerning, as winter often brings worse air quality due to temperature inversions that trap pollutants and increase fuel burning for heating. Inversion is a problem as close to home as Utah Valley, and as far away as Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Most low-cost air quality sensors are not built …

Understanding The Transitional Needs Of Servicemembers To Veterans: A Focus On Mental, Social, And Behavioral Health, Marieann C. Raguso

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to fill the gaps on the transitional American veterans’ lived experience using their own voice. The reconstruction of an American Veteran’s identity after transitioning back into civilian life is a process with many challenges. Transitional practices often fail to help veterans to acculturate back into the civilian world. This includes the formulation of identities and associations. There is a lack of consistency in military transitional practices leading to identity loss and the formulation of mental and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the lived experiences of veterans who have transitioned back …

Enhancement Of Ambient Air Quality Index Forecasting Using Optimized Ensemble Model, Vanitha M

Theses and Dissertations

Forecasting ambient air quality is essential for environmental sustainability and public health, especially in heavily populated regions such as China, India, and the United States where air pollution remains a serious concern. Traditional forecasting models often struggle to accurately represent air quality data because of its complex patterns and nonlinear interactions. To address these challenges and improve forecast performance, this research proposes a comprehensive strategy that integrates parallel heterogeneous ensemble modeling with Bayesian optimization.

The study begins with a seasonal machine learning–based imputation technique (SeasonalMLImpute) designed to handle missing data in meteorological and air quality parameters. This method is evaluated …

Survey And Comparative Analysis Of Pollinator Diversity, Abundance, And Foraging Activity Of Diptera And Hymenoptera In Selected Habitats Of South Texas, Melissa Villarreal

Theses and Dissertations

With the declining bee population, non-bee pollinators can serve as an alternative source for pollination. Diptera is a potential source of untapped pollinator resources based on their abundance and visitation rate, but they are understudied in the field of pollination ecology. This study aimed to characterize the pollinator community in selected areas of South Texas. It focused on the Diptera and Hymenoptera families to compare their diversity, relative abundance, foraging behaviors, environmental influences, and vegetation associations. Active sampling and line transect were used in the survey to sample the Hymenoptera and Diptera communities to their family taxonomic rank. Statistical analyses …

The Influence Of Wind Energy Development On Occupancy Of Medium And Large-Sized Mammals In South Texas, Elwynn Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

Conservation paradigms have shifted from single to multi-species approaches for assessing and conserving mammalian populations and the habitats that they occupy. The effect of wind turbine development is an important anthropogenic change to study due to the increasing demand for wind energy in Texas. In this study, I gathered remote camera trap data on medium and large-sized mammal populations in south Texas Tamaulipan thornscrub habitat. The objectives were to determine species presence, the effect of habitat characteristics and anthropogenic disturbances on species occupancy, and the effect of temperature on species detection. The results showed that distance from wind turbines did …

Population Genetics Of Deer In The Northern Great Plains, Usa, Sarah Elizabeth Daman

Theses and Dissertations

Deer are currently under threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD) throughout North America. With CWD distribution increasing globally, understanding the spread of the disease is paramount for the effective management and conservation of deer populations. Conservation genomics has been shown as an effective method to study the behavior and movement of individuals on the landscape at a broad spatial scale. This approach allows for a multi-state evaluation of habitat and landscape features that may influence the dispersals and subsequent gene flow between populations. This study was designed to assess the genetic population structuring of deer within North Dakota and surrounding …

Personality Across Realities: Correlations Between Personality Profiles And Preferences Within Roleplaying Games, Brittany Lee Mancha

Theses and Dissertations

Clinically maladaptive behaviors and personality types have been studied within gamers, both those who play video games and those who roleplay in tabletop games. However, the connection between personality types and the preferences of the players themselves in what and how they roleplay is just barely being studied. Personality traits, such as extraversion/introversion and motivation by pain or pleasure, may be both influencing the gameplay decisions and preferences of players, and vice versa. A total of 500 respondents completed the Millon Index of Personality Styles, Revised (MIPS-R), followed by a demographics survey and finally a survey assessing Dungeons and Dragons', …

The Role Of Carbon Source And Redox Potential On Microbial C1 Gas Fermentation For Ethanol Production, Ademola Owoade

Theses and Dissertations

In the quest for sustainable and renewable energy sources, microbial gas fermentation has emerged as an alternative method for producing bioethanol and other valuable chemicals. Bioethanol is notable for its extensive application as a biofuel and its capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional ethanol production predominantly depends on sugar and starch feedstocks, which compete for food resources. Microbial C1 gas fermentation presents a sustainable alternative by using industrial waste gases, or gases from gasification of municipal solid wastes, biomass, agricultural residues, animal wastes, and energy crops, which are all nonfood-based. Microbial gas fermentation is influenced by temperature, pH, gas …

Detection Of Apiary Sites From Remote Imagery, Ning Li

Theses and Dissertations

Honey bees are essential for honey production and pollination services, but their colonies have been declining despite increasing demand. This decline may be due to various factors, including habitat loss, altered land use, climate shifts, and pesticide exposure. In order to assess the quantity and quality of habitats for honey bees and determine their availability and suitability for supporting bee colonies, it is crucial to identify the spatial location of registered apiary sites being used. However, such data is not available, which makes it a challenge for researchers in the field to further advance honey bee-related investigations. In my study, …

The Impacts Of Using Geogebra On Students’ Perceptions And Achievement In Learning Trigonometric Ratios, Robert Carlos Trejo

Theses and Dissertations

GeoGebra, a dynamic mathematics software, was used to study high school students’ perceptions and achievements in learning trigonometric ratios. The study addresses a critical gap in the literature concerning the use of GeoGebra for understanding trigonometric concepts, particularly in fostering conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills. Rooted in a constructivist pedagogical framework, the research examines how GeoGebra facilitates interactive and exploratory learning environments that encourage active student engagement and deeper comprehension of trigonometric ratio principles.

The study employed a quantitative approach to evaluate the efficacy of GeoGebra. Quantitative data focused on student achievement in solving trigonometric ratio problems through pre- and …

How Many Tiny Snails? Circumscription Of Three Species Of Pyrgulopsis (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae)In Nevada Mountain Springs, Trenton Meadows

Theses and Dissertations

The springsnail genus Pyrgulopsis is one of the most diverse groups of freshwater gastropods in North America (Hershler, 2014), with many species displaying high levels of endemism (Hurt, 2003). This study attempts to circumscribe three putative species of springsnails: Pyrgulopsis serrata, Pyrgulopsis marcida, and a newly identified clade, referred to as Lineage C, from the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, USA and nearby springs. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we combined morphological, anatomical, and molecular data to examine species boundaries and evolutionary relationships.

Many lines of evidence were considered to determine species boundaries. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial …

Feasibility Study On Microwave Glucose Level Monitoring, Ricardo Cepeda

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes management heavily relies on regular blood glucose monitoring, which traditionally involves invasive techniques. In recent years, significant research has been directed towards developing non-invasive glucose monitoring methods, particularly using electromagnetic waves. This study explores the feasibility of detecting blood glucose levels non-invasively by measuring the resonant frequency shifts of an antenna, influenced by the dielectric properties of blood. Microwave measurement techniques have garnered attention due to their ability to safely penetrate human tissue and detect biochemical markers like glucose. While previous studies have established a link between glucose concentration and dielectric properties, many techniques suffer from poor sensitivity or …

Directivity Improvement Of A Broad-Beam Patch Antenna By Means Of A Flat Metamaterial Lens, Tyler Midas

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the development of a flat metamaterial lens intended to enhance antenna directivity in RF applications. Development and evaluation was performed with ANSYS HFSS, where a theoretical convex lens model was developed and used as a basis for unit cell refractive indices of the metamaterial lens. The unit cell demonstrated in this study leverages the properties of a nested split-ring resonator merged with a center column. Adjusting the rings allow for refractive index optimization and effective beam focusing. The work presented also provides a 2x2 antenna array with a feed network, which enables the future work of bench …

Evaluating Uas As A Tool For Improving Elk Population Counts In A Suburban Forested Area Of North Central Colorado, Michael Wussow

Theses and Dissertations

For decades, wildlife researchers have taken advantage of an aerial perspective for performing population counts because of challenges associated with ground observations. Due to advances in aviation technology and regulations, unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) have become increasingly available for wildlife population monitoring in addition to manned aircraft, with success largely dependent on the species, their habitat, and UAS utilized. This study compares a currently accepted method of counting North American elk (ground/spotting scope counts) to a novel method (UAS) to evaluate if a commercial-off-the-shelf quadcopter (COTS) UAS equipped with zoom-capable RGB cameras would be an acceptable tool for counting elk …

Researching Chlorophyll-Α Levels In Freshwater Lakes To Understand The Environmental State Of The Turtle Mountains Using Ndci Through Remote Sensing Techniques, Elliot Quinn Peltier

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorophyll α is one of the main indicators of water quality. Increasing levels have various triggers such as agricultural runoff, wastewater from treatment plants, sewage, and humus. Addressing chlorophyll α is crucial since high concentrations are precursors to eutrophication and are hazardous to human health. The Turtle Mountains in North Dakota and Manitoba is an island forest laden with lakes and trees. However, the noticeable extent of agricultural surface on the United States side of the border has made obvious the disintegration of forested area. Also, a lack of information and studies do not allow anyone to comprehend the level …

Using Problematic Sexual Behaviors And The Developmental Life Course Model To Predict Criminal Justice Involvement And Psychopathology By Early Adulthood, Amanda Schwartz

Theses and Dissertations

The developmental life course (DLC) model explains risk factors and developmental patterns among juveniles who have committed more than one sexual offense by considering the impact of major life events, experiences, and risk and protective factors throughout various developmental stages. Using an archival longitudinal dataset, the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), this study applied the DLC model to explore the relationship between gender and onset and persistence of problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs) in childhood and adolescence with criminal justice involvement and psychopathology by early adulthood (N = 330, 46% male, M = 18.26 years) after controlling for …

The Reservoir Geomechanics And Production Effects On Permafrost Stability During Polymer Eor, Shane S. Namie

Theses and Dissertations

The North Slope of Alaska (ANS) contains an estimated 40 billion barrels of heavy oil in relatively shallow formations (984 to 1,969 ft / 304 to 600 m) within the Prudhoe Bay Unit (PBU), Milne Point Unit (MPU) and Kuparuk River Unit (KRU). Extracting this resource presents unique challenges, especially when hydrocarbon-bearing zones are near the permafrost. Research on tertiary recovery processes in these shallow zones is limited, with prior studies indicating minor permafrost thawing and subsidence over 30 to 40 years but lacking a numerical simulation model supported by laboratory data.This study investigates the feasibility of an enhanced oil …

Demonstrating Feasibility Of Ultrasound-Sensitive Microbubbles Delivery To Treat Disruptions In The Blood Brain Barrier Endothelium, Rubens Jourdain

Theses and Dissertations

Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is one of the main causes of dementia. VCID is caused by age and other genetic factors that lead to disruptions in the blood brain barrier (BBB) and allow blood components to enter the brain. The currently available treatments of VCID include opening the BBB with high-frequency-ultrasound to deliver drugs to the brain. However, this only treats the already developed disease. Consequently, we developed a new drug delivery system whose goal is to restore the brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC) lining the blood vessel. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility …

Machine Learning Methods For Quantification Of Glacier Variations Through Satellite Imagery, Robert D. Breininger

Theses and Dissertations

Glaciers around the world have experienced a trend of recession within the past century. Quantification of glacier variations using satellite imagery is of great interest due to the importance of glaciers as freshwater resources and as indicators of climate change. The potential methods to quantify glacier variations with increasing complexity include detecting the terminus location, quantifying the glacier surface area, and measuring glacier volume. Although there are methods in literature designed purposefully for glacier area segmentation that have achieved acceptable results, they are often localized to the region where their training data were acquired and further rely on training sets …

Cries From The Arroyo, Samyra Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Cries from the Arroyo is a fictional story told from the perspective of the main character Eztli Morales. Eztli derives from a lineage of cursed women, each marked by adversity and loss. The narrative flows between past and present. Her past in her college years, where she tries to escape her cursed legacy through education. While Enrique represents the promise of a normal life, Isandro offers a darker path to defy the Morales curse. The loss of her first pregnancy seems to settle her supernatural debt, but only feeds the generational pattern of suffering. The present revolves around the months …