Digital Commons Network^™

Total Nutrient Uptake And Partitioning In Midsouthern U.S. Irrigated Soybean, Brian Kimbrell Pieralisi

Theses and Dissertations

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] biomass and yield has increased over the past several decades in the midsouthern United States; therefore, a better understanding of the nutrient requirements of the crop is needed. Nutrient uptake and partitioning in soybean is fundamental to understanding the physiology of nutrient accumulation relative to crop yield. Technological advances and improved management strategies in soybean production have contributed to significant yield increases. Research was established in 2017 and 2018 in Stoneville, MS, to evaluate soybean nutrient uptake and partitioning across multiple soybean cultivars and two planting dates. Coarse- and fine-textured soils commonly cropped in Mississippi …

The Application Of Food Grade Short Chain Fatty Acids To Prevent Infestation Of Tyrophagus Putrescentiae On Dry Cured Ham And The Effects On Sensory Properties, William D. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

Tyrophagus putrescentiae, (ham mite) is difficult for commercial dry cured ham producers to control. This research was conducted to test the efficacy of C8C9C10 fatty acids combined with and without food grade coatings to control mite infestations on dry cured hams. Ham cubes were coated directly or wrapped in nets saturated with combinations of xanthan gum (XG) or carrageenan (CG), propylene glycol alginate (PGA), and either propylene glycol or C8C9C10 fatty acid. The use of 10% C8C9C10 with XG and CG + PGA in direct coatings and 1% C8C9C10 with XG or 10% with both XG and CG/PGA in saturated …

Instrumental And Sensory Quality Differences In Marinated Chicken Breasts And Chicken Patties Formulated With Varying Severities Of Wooden Breast, Tessa Jarvis

Theses and Dissertations

Wooden breast (WB) is a Pectoralis major muscle myopathy in broilers that has negatively impacted breast meat quality and the poultry industry for over five years. The objective of this research was to evaluate quality differences in normal (NOR), moderately woody (MOD), and severely woody (SEV) broiler breast meat marinated with water (control), water, sodium phosphate, and salt (traditional) and water, potassium carbonate and salt (clean label). The second objective of this research was to evaluate quality differences in chicken patties made with varying percentages of NOR to SEV breast meat (0% NOR, 33% NOR, 67% NOR, 100% NOR) and …

Measuring The Effectiveness Of The Mississippi Agriculture In The Classroom Program On Elementary Students’ Agricultural Literacy Levels, Alyssa Hutcheson

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, the United States faces a time where the majority of the population is illiterate about the origins of their food. Thus, the population is considered to be agriculturally illiterate. Agricultural illiteracy allows skewed and misconceived agricultural information to infiltrate the populations’ beliefs about how their food is made. The United States Department of Agriculture along with the National Research Council have taken the initiative to start programs like the National Agriculture in the Classroom program to help combat low agricultural literacy levels. This study observes agricultural literacy levels in elementary students in Mississippi before and after new and existing …

Metagenomic Sequencing, Microbiome Reconstruction, And Analysis Of Ancient North And Central American Dental Calculus, Jonathan Belanich

Theses and Dissertations

Analyses of human oral microbiomes reveal substantial amounts of information about health, diet, and diseases of individuals and their communities within the archaeological record. In order to examine bacterial genomes from the past, specific archaeological samples that contain remnants of the microbial communities in question must be utilized. Recent developments in high-throughput, next-generation DNA sequencing have enabled the characterization of entire oral microbiomes and genomes from the remains of the bacteria trapped in calcified dental plaque. This project analyzed samples of ancient human dental calculus from North and Central America, which were examined for the changes within the oral microbiome …

Forage Contribution Of Cool-Season Annuals As Cover Crops In Warm-Season Pastures, Abiola Elizabeth Bruce-Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops (CC) can contribute to production in pastures, but the diversity of CC mixtures and defoliation frequency (DF) may alter productivity. A 2-yr experiment conducted at Raymond, MS, quantified CC × DF effects on forage mass (FM) and nutritive value of winter CC and subsequent summer hay production. Treatments were factorial combinations of 10 CC (using several species of grasses, legumes, and brassicas) and three DF (harvested every 4 or 8-wk or cut and left as mulch) in a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design experiment with three replications. Generally, mixtures with legumes had greater FM and …

Genome Editing In Kenaf: Initial Studies And Target Gene Characterization, Kangqi Li

Theses and Dissertations

The potential for Hibiscus cannabinus L. (kenaf) improvement via genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate gene knock-outs was explored. Studies included target gene identification, target guide RNA (gRNA) selection, plant tissue (explant) choice and media composition for plant regeneration. A putative kenaf phytoene desaturase gene (pds, GEED01047592.1) was identified in the kenaf transcriptome, and molecularly confirmed. Kenaf seedling tissues were transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing the cas9 gene (endonuclease required for gene knock-out) and each gRNA separately; putative transgenic calli and adventitious shoots arose on a medium containing 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, thidiazuron and silver nitrate. Tissues appeared chlorotic/albino and …

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: Analysis Of Metabolic Pathways In A Minimal Genome, Maria Guadalupe Hinojosa

Theses and Dissertations

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium lacking a cell wall, is one of the main causative agents of atypical pneumonia and contributes to the development of chronic respiratory disease. This organism has undergone reductive evolution and relies on the human host for the acquisition of most nutrients. Around 33% of M. pneumoniae proteins are of unknown function. The aim of my research was to grow this organism in various carbon sources and media to understand which metabolic pathways could be present in this minimal organism. Twenty-seven carbon sources and seven different media were tested. The results show that glucose, maltose, and dextrin …

Black American Students With And Without Disabilities: Stress And Coping Strategies, Gabriel Asare Sarpong

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined if perceived level of stress for Black /African American students was exacerbated by their disability status. This study also examined the relationship between Africultural coping, minority stressors (racial minority stress, disability related stress) and perceive stress level. 123 students who identified themselves as Black/African American enrolled in two Midwestern universities participated in the online survey of this study (n = 39 with disabilities; n= 84 with no disabilities). Results showed that Black students with disabilities reported higher level of perceived stress compared to those with no disabilities. Racial minority stressors, and societal barrier component of disability related …

Bridge Or Barrier?, Andrea Denise Piercy

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to determine how participation in a summer bridge program prior to beginning an undergraduate collegiate career positively or negatively affects student success throughout their time at a college or university Additionally, the study took a look at the positive and negative transitional experiences of the students who participated. This qualitative study was completed by student participants who are currently enrolled at Rowan University and have participated in the ASCEND/EOF program. As a result of the study, the research will suggest recommendations based off of the feedback and experiences she received from the students who …

The Impact Of Anthropometric Measurements On Lactate Levels At Rest And During Exercise, Ashley Kristine Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

49 Pages

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measures with heart rates (HR) at specific blood lactate concentrations [bLa] during exercise.

Method: Participants and data for this study were collected by an orthopedic rehabilitation center in Central Illinois. Participants underwent lactate testing following METHOD CRA protocol on an upright cycle and an optional DEXA scan. Heart rate values at Prime (2 mmol/L), Anaerobic (4 mmol/L) and Peak (6 mmol//L) blood lactate concentrations were recorded. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlations.

Results: A total of 59 participants were included. Participants ages ranged from 21 …

In Vivo Silicon Lance Array Transfection Of Plant Cells, Taylor Andrew Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Arrays of silicon lances were made using photolithographic and STS DRIE Bosch techniques. Arrays consist of a 10 mm square grid pattern of lances measuring 100 m tall and having a 3 mm diameter, each lance being spaced 30 mm apart. The tips of lances are pointed, allowing easier penetration through plant cell walls. A nanoinjector device was also made to accept the silicon lance arrays and perform nanoinjections. A nanoinjection consisted of 2 silicon lance arrays, with lances oriented towards each other, being moved into and out of a plant cotyledon placed between them. Prior to the nanoinjection, polar …

The Characterization Of The Novel Gene Cia7 Using Pb Exposed Wild-Type And Mutant Strains Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Jose Angel Gutierrez

Theses and Dissertations

Industrialization has increased the risk of heavy metal contamination. This leads to contamination of the ecosystem surrounding microalga and other primary producers. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular alga that is of interest in toxicity studies due its detoxification pathways. This study aims to compare three common markers of cellular health and heavy metal homeostasis namely, levels of Pb bioaccumulation, chlorophyll fluorescence, and cell size between two strains of C. reinhardtii: a wild type (CC4425) and a mutant (CC5013). The mutant strain has a gene designated as Cia7 that has been disrupted by Ble insert. Cia7’s cysteine rich protein product (CIA7) …

The Effects Of Nutrition Smartphone Applications On Parents’ Grocery Shopping And Meal Planning Behaviors, Lacey Bertram

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this experimental research study was to determine the effects that nutrition smartphone applications, specifically grocery list generation applications, have on parents’ overall grocery shopping experience and meal planning behaviors for their families. The prevalence of adolescent obesity in today’s society has significantly increased to an alarming rate and family mealtimes together have decreased. Family mealtimes together can impact a child’s weight status and future health outcomes. A total of 10 participants investigated and classified the aspects in a nutrition smartphone application that were beneficial to meal planning and grocery shopping. The findings indicated that a nutrition smartphone …

Effect Of Water Consumption On Resting Metabolism In Adults, Brittany Leigh Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the acute effect of water consumption on resting metabolic rate (RMR). It was hypothesized that water would have a small, nonclinically significant effect on RMR. Men and women ages 18–40 years participated in a crossover study in which each participant received a No Water and Water condition (order determined randomly) with a 7-day washout period between each condition. Both conditions began with visual analog scales to gauge hunger and thirst levels, urine spectrometry to quantify hydration status, and height and weight measurements. The No Water condition consisted of a 30-minute rest period followed by 45 minutes of …

Characterization Of Hemicellulose Biosynthesis Genes In Avena, Melissa Coon Fogarty

Theses and Dissertations

Avena sativa L. (2n = 6x = 42, AACCDD genome composition) or common oat is the cereal grain possessing the highest levels of water-soluble seed (1-3,1-4)-β-D-glucan (β-glucan), a hemicellulose important to human health due to its ability to lower serum LDL cholesterol levels. Understanding the mechanisms of β-glucan accumulation in oat endosperm is, consequently, of great interest. We report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling β-glucan production in oat, identifying 58 significantly associated markers. Synteny with the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genome identified four major regions of interest, the CslF and CslH gene families …

The Relationship Between The Prevalence Of Cardiovascular Disease And Health Risk Appraisals In College-Age Students, Brandi Curtis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in college-age students as compared to their health risk appraisal score for cardiovascular disease. Two-hundred fifty-seven females and two-hundred eight males from a moderately-sized, midwestern university participated in the study with the subjects having a mean age of 21.06 ±2.13 yr. and 21.57 ±2.34 yr., a BMI of 23.89 ±4.64 and 25.73± 4.03, and a body fat of 27.88 ±8.91% and 17.86± 8.49%, respectively. All testing was completed during a single session. Height and weight were obtained to calculate body mass index (BMI). Physical fitness …

In Utero Nutritional Shocks And Non-Cognitive Skills: Evidence From Ramadan Fasting In Indonesia, Timothy M. Kell-Fien

Theses and Dissertations

This paper estimates the effects of prenatal exposure to maternal Ramadan fasting on the development of non-cognitive skills. To study this relationship, I employ a general structural equation model (GSEM) on a sample of Muslims from the fifth wave of the Indonesian Life and Family Survey (IFLS). The results of this study find that in utero exposure to Ramadan is associated with lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness, and higher levels of neuroticism. The impacts I find on agreeableness and conscientiousness are driven by third trimester exposure and the sub-sample of women. The impacts on neuroticism are driven by exposure …

The Role Of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate In Altering Adipose Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, Chase Mitchell Walton

Theses and Dissertations

The rampant growth of obesity worldwide has stimulated explosive research into human metabolism. Metabolic rate has been shown to be altered by diets differing in macronutrient composition, with low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets eliciting a significant increase over other interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) on mitochondrial respiration and coupling status in adipose tissue. To explore this, we employed three distinct systems, namely cell, rodent, and human models. In every model, βHB robustly increased mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, in cultured adipocytes and rodent adipose, we quantified the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial …

Designing And Assessing New Educational Pedagogies In Biology And Health Promotion, Kristian Ciarah Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Recent developments in educational research raise important questions about the design of learning environments—questions that suggest the value of rethinking what is taught, how it is taught, and how is it assessed. During the past few decades, STEM disciplines began formally recognizing and integrating discipline-based education research (DBER) into their research programs to improve STEM education. One of the less literature-affluent areas of DBER addresses curriculum order and design appertaining to concept types and the order in which we teach those concepts. As educational researchers, we pose the question: does content order matter? In this project we designed, implemented and …

Edukimi I Pacienteve Për Vetë Menaxhimin E Hipertensionit Në Komunën E Pejës, Fellona Gjukaj

Theses and Dissertations

Hyrje: Shtypja e gjakut është shtypja apo forca e gjakut brenda murit të arterieve. Shtypja mesatare e gjakut është 90/60-120/80 mmHg. Shtypja prodhohet kryesisht nga tkurrja e muskulit të zemrës.Ngritja e vazhdueshme e shtypjes së gjakut quhet hipertension. Hipertensioni mund të karakterizohet në dy lloje: hipertensioni primar dhe sekondar. Më shumë se 95% e pacientëve kanë hipertension primar, ndërsa më pak se 5% e pacientëve kanë hipertension sekondar

Qëllimi i punimit: Qëllimi i punimit ishte të vlerësohet edukimi i pacientëve spitalor dhe ambulator me hipertension nga mjekët dhe infermierët në spitalin e përgjithshëm në Pejë.

Metodologjia: Të dhënat janë mbledhur …

Stomat Kirurgjike Tek Të Ushqyerit Enteral Dhe Roli I Infermierit/Es, Donjeta Avdiu

Theses and Dissertations

Qëllimi i këtij punimi është që të mësohet më tepër për të ushqyerit enteral, cilat janë sëmundjet më të shpeshta ku është i nevojshëm ushqimi enteral, mënyrën se si mirret, si dhe moshat më të prekura, ndikimet pozitive apo negative që shkakton.

Metodologjia– Studimi analizon të dhëna në mënyrë retrospektive pacientët gjatë vitit 2019 të cilët kanë qenë të trajtuar në Klinikën e Anesteziologjise në repartin e Intensivës Qendrore, Qendrën Klinike Universitare të Kosovës (QKUK), Prishtinë.

Rezultatet – Të dhënat na tregojnë se numri më i madh i pacientëve me të ushqyerit enteral janë meshkuj (220) 58% dhe femra …

Social Networks, The Local Food Environment, And Maternal Food Choice For Children Ages 1 To 5 Years Old In Rural Mexico, Ligia Ivette Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

Children’s nutrition is largely determined by the food choices their primary caregivers make. Food choice for children has important implications for nutrition, development, and the dietary habits and preferences that are formed during early life food exposure. Little is known about the food environments in which food choices are made and the role of social networks in maternal food choice during habit- and preference-forming years in contexts undergoing nutrition transitions and facing the double burden of malnutrition. The overall objective of this study was to gain an indepth understanding about how mothers, as primary caregivers, make food choices for their …

Social Media Posts' Influence On College Athletes' Protein Knowledge, Kriston T. Love

Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to examine how Instagram can be used as a means of education for collegiate athletes and their knowledge of protein. More specifically this research aimed to compare the prior knowledge about protein that collegiate athletes have to the knowledge they may have retained after being exposed to posts on Instagram about protein. It also aimed to determine the knowledge of protein collegiate athletes already had and if their sport and year in school influenced their protein knowledge. This study surveyed Division I collegiate athletes on their social media use and knowledge of protein before and after being …

Investigating The Role Of Iron-Sulfur Signaling In Yeast Transcriptional Regulation, Malini Gupta

Theses and Dissertations

As an essential cofactor in a myriad of cellular processes, uptake and mobilization of iron must be tightly controlled. Iron homeostasis in fungi involves balancing iron uptake and storage with iron utilization to achieve adequate, non-toxic levels of this essential nutrient. Extensive work in the non-pathogenic yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe have uncovered unique iron regulation networks for each organism that control iron metabolism via distinct molecular mechanisms. The activities of all fungal iron-sensing transcription factors characterized to date are regulated via iron-sulfur cluster signaling.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, expression of iron uptake, utilization and storage genes is primarily regulated …

Identifying And Characterizing Transgenic Lines That Drive Gene Expression In The Adult Fat Body Of The Drosophila Melanogaster, Michael Edward Meyerink

Theses and Dissertations

Adult Drosophila Melanogaster is a powerful model organism in genetic studies and has high tissue and gene homology to humans. Like humans, Drosophila tissues communicate in order to respond to physiological stimuli, such as diet, aging, and disease. The fat body, homologous to human adipocytes and hepatocytes, functions as both an endocrine and energy storage organ; and has been shown to play a critical role in many metabolic processes. The aim of this study is to characterize differences in fat body gene expression to ultimately identify if there are subpopulations of adipocytes with different functions related to fat body communication …

Checkmate: Exploring Father-Son Communication Regarding Reproduction And Sexual Health In Males With Cystic Fibrosis, Dianna C. Sanderson

Theses and Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a heritable monogenic condition with allelic heterogeneity. A variety of sequence alterations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene results clinically in multisystem disease including a reduced reproductive capacity in affected males. Knowledge of reproductive capacity is often disclosed to parents by medical providers and to affected male children by medical providers and their parents. Despite advanced technology and therapeutics yielding the benefits of increased life expectancy and quality of life, males affected with CF largely remain uninformed in broader areas of sexual health and particularly in how their concept of masculine …

Natural Product Berbamine Enhances The Efficacy Of Doxorubicin Treatment For Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Jake Tyler

Theses and Dissertations

According to breast cancer statistics, 279,100 new cases are expected in the United States in 2020 (Siegel et al., 2020). Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a significantly shorter median overall survival compared to other subtypes of breast cancer. Unlike hormone-positive or HER2-positve breast cancers with effective hormonal or targeted therapies available, there has been very little clinical success from targeted therapies for TNBC. Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most used chemotherapy drugs. The only limitation of Dox treatment is its cytotoxicity. Berbamine dihydrochloride (BBM) is a natural benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that …

The Impact Of Personalized Learning Strategies On Educational Growth And Achievement Of Low Socioeconomic Elementary Students, Michele L. Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Two Essays Examining Consumer Responses To Product And Service Failures, Sotires Pagiavlas

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is comprised of two essays that examine consumer responses to product and service failures. In essay 1, I use the U.S. automobile industry as a backdrop to investigate how consumers respond when their products experience a defect-related failure identified by the manufacturer that necessitates a recall. I develop a conceptual framework to test the impact of a regulator-initiated digital marketing campaign (DMC) on consumer compliance to product recalls. The empirical context is the launch of a nationwide DMC by the U.S. automobile industry’s regulator. The analysis spans 12 quarters of recall completion data pertaining to 296 recalls falling …