Digital Commons Network^™

Sensory And Chemical/Nutritional Characteristics Of Concept Foods Made From Underutilized Sweet Potato Roots And Greens, Shinyoung Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Frozen desserts and a smoothie were developed from underutilized sweet potato roots and from greens, respectively. Frozen desserts were formulated with mashed sweet potato, coconut oil, and dairy, almond, or soy milk. Sweet potato greens were blanched and frozen before being made into a smoothie. Increased mash in the frozen desserts resulted in better (p≤0.05) color, overall intensity of flavor, and sweet potato flavor. Descriptive and consumer panelists found no differences (p>0.05) in frozen desserts with difference base milk products. Almond milk frozen dessert was lower in total solids, protein and Brix (p≤0.05), compared to dairy and soy milk. …

Possible Barriers To Mississippi's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Redemption, Mildred Elizabeth Murphree

Theses and Dissertations

Trending ahead to the year 2050, concerns continue to rise regarding feeding a world population of nearly 10 billion people (Smith, Tarawali, Grace, & Sones, 2013). The United States provides many federal programs to feed the hungry (Talk Poverty, 2018). Despite these provisions, barriers exist and prevent access to healthy foods (Innis, 2014). Residents in the state of Mississippi are posed with the challenge of accessing nutrient rich foods (Gunderson et al., 2018). In an effort to combat hunger in Mississippi, Mississippi WIC and MDAC have partnered to bridge farmers with low-income residents with the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (“Mississippi …

Landscape Performance Of Callistemon Citrinus Under Environmental Stress Conditions, Riyadh Mannaa Mohsin

Theses and Dissertations

Woody ornamental plants are considered the key for well- designed landscapes; Callistemon citrinus is one of those plants. In arid and semiarid areas, Callistemon has been used in gardens and landscapes for its unique characteristics. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of Callistemon in landscapes under different environmental stress conditions including water, and heat. Further, the potential of using 3D software SketchUp in landscape design was also investigated. Callistemon plants were grown under 100, 50 or 30% of field capacity with or without shredded hardwood mulch. When field capacity decreased, root: shoot ratio and water use efficiency were …

Evaluation Of Cobb Mv × Cobb 500 Broiler Response To Various Nutrient Regimens To Maximize Performance And Economics, Rosana Hirai

Theses and Dissertations

To maximize the economics of a new commercial broiler cross, research on its nutritional specifications is necessary. Study 1 investigated the effects of feeding four amino acid densities (AAD) on performance and yield of Cobb MV × Cobb 500 broilers at d 33 and 36. Data demonstrated a stepwise decrease in feed conversion ratio (FCR) as AAD level increased. Improvements in performance, processing, and economic return were observed when feeding higher AAD levels. Study 2 estimated the digestible lysine (dLys) requirements of Cobb MV × Cobb 500 broilers from d 0-14 and evaluated the impact of varying starter dLys levels …

Analysis Of Defense Signaling Pathway Genes Associated With Fungal Resistance To Aspergillus Flavus And Aflatoxin Accumulation In Corn, Felicia Marie Parish

Theses and Dissertations

Aspergillus flavus exemplifies a pathogenic fungus that remains a significant contributor to the loss of corn (Zea mays) crops. The production of carcinogenic aflatoxins renders the crop hazardous for consumption and causes significant loss to farmers. Therefore, the prevention of A. flavus contamination continues to persist as a topic for research intervention. Host resistance to this pathogen provides a promising source of defense for the corn plant. Corn inbred line Mp313E was previously identified to exhibit significant resistance against the A. flavus fungal infection and aflatoxin contamination. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping has previously established four major QTL locations associated …

Utilizing Inter-Seeding Techniques And Brachiaria Species As A Fall Cover Crop To Control Post-Harvest Amaranth, Justin Calhoun

Theses and Dissertations

Early planting soybean (Glycine max L.) strategies across the mid-southern United States has complicated weed management in the form of post-harvest weed control. Research has investigated the use of cover crops to aid in management of weed populations during winter months, but conventional cover crops provides minimal weed management benefit immediately following cash crop harvest. Inter-seeding cover crop into crop canopies has potential to promote earlier cover crop establishment, thus creating higher potential for post-harvest weed management. However, factors such as inter-seeding timing, herbicide residue, as well as harvest aid applications must be considered. Therefore, studies were conducted in Mississippi …

Varietal And Residual Soil Test K Level Effects On Soybean Leaf K Status And Yield, Andrew Dygert

Theses and Dissertations

Newer multi-trait soybean varieties have resulted in greater yields, bringing into question whether current soil test K (STK) correlation, calibration, and recommendations need updating to maximize yield. The objective of this study was to refine soil test correlation and calibration using a range in residual STK levels and response in temporal leaf and seed K concentrations and yield across soybean maturity groups IV and V. For the 0- to 15-cm soil depth STK levels greater than 125 mg K kg-1, K did not limit yield. Critical tissue K varied between years and maturity group. Critical K at R1, R3, and …

Longitudinal Evaluation Of Habitat Use And Foraging Ecology Of Piscivorous Avian Species Wintering In The Mississippi Delta, Paul Burr

Theses and Dissertations

Piscivorous avian species are of particular importance in Mississippi due to their depredation of cultured catfish throughout the states aquaculture industry. The three most common of these species include the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and great egret (Ardea alba). Information on these species aquaculture use can aid in effective and ethical management while also providing insight into their foraging ecology and habitat use, which is particularly important given these species augment their nutritional requirements using man-made food sources. The objectives of this research were to explore numerous aspects of avian foraging ecology in relation to …

Foraging Ecology And Depredation Impact Of Scaup On Commercial Baitfish And Sportfish Farms In Eastern Arkansas, Stephen Clements

Theses and Dissertations

Scaup (Aythya spp.) are suspected of consuming substantial quantities of fish from Arkansas commercial baitfish and sportfish farms. We investigated the foraging ecology and depredation impact of scaup on farms by surveying ponds and collecting scaup during two autumn-winters (2016-2018) in Arkansas. Scaup abundance and fish they consumed were highly variable between winters. More scaup were present and they ate more fish during the second winter (2017-2018) than the previous winter. In the second year, there were an estimated 874,941 scaup use-days and 18% of Lesser Scaup diet was fish. We found that scaup use of ponds was more likely …

Illusionary Success: Modern Failures In Child Welfare, Courtney Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Child welfare is constantly labeled as “failure- riddled” and “scandalous” with high rates of children who are in an endless cycle of removal, reunification, and removal. Some children have lifelong abuse ramifications due to a longstanding history of childhood abuse. Other children, unfortunately, pay the ultimate price and die. State Child Welfare entities are working within their confines and become bound by federal and state statutes and laws. While media and citizen onlookers criticize and blame the state, workers, and families, the field suffers from a lack of better offers. This dissertation seeks to use the state of Tennessee as …

Impact Of Early Season Insect Management Decisions On Yield Of Soybean, John Hartley North

Theses and Dissertations

To determine the optimal seeding rate and utilization of seed treatment combinations for maximizing soybean yield within optimal and late planting dates. Also, experiments were conducted to quantify effects of soybean stand loss and to determine optimal seeding rates at various planting dates comparing three seed treatments. Experiments were conducted to test influence of planter type and seeding rate on soybean. Soybean seed treated with at planting insecticides showed no difference in yield compared to fungicide only treated seed. Also, yields were maximized at low seeding rates where no stand loss occurred. Soybean yields benefited from where seeding rates were …

Artificial Intelligence The Use Of Knowledge Graphs, Besar Mehmeti

Theses and Dissertations

In this digital age, an overwhelming amount of unstructured data found in the web is increasing at an unprecedented rate. In response, information extraction techniques have been developed to automatically extract information from unstructured text and populate knowledge bases. This thesis will introduce the reader to the idea of Knowledge Graphs, the history of how they were first experimented on and later developed, and in particular, this thesis is going to elaborate how Diffbot, Wikidata and IBM Watson technologies are modeled, stored and queried. By having this information at our fingertips, we believe that we can make smarter decisions, keep …

Efficacy Of An Online, Concepts-Based Fitness And Wellness Course, David Townsend Mann

Theses and Dissertations

With the sudden growth of distance education at the turn of the century, online offerings of fitness and wellness courses spread quickly across college curriculums. However, the emergence of rigorously designed research regarding the ability of online, concepts-based fitness and wellness classes to significantly improve student health has progressed at a more leisurely pace, leaving stakeholders within higher education unsure of its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine changes of levels health-related fitness among 28 undergraduate students enrolled in an online, 15-week fitness and wellness course. The study centered around the concept of health-related fitness having five …

Investigating The Relationship Between Children's Experiences During A Museum Health Promotion Program And Their Motivation To Learn And Adopt A Healthy Diet, Dawn Nguyen Truong

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods study was to investigate children’s learning experiences during the Eat a Georgia Rainbow program and to understand their motivation to learn about healthy eating and healthy cooking in relevance to the development of their intentions to adopt a healthy diet. The experiential learning theory was used as a lens during this study to emphasize the importance of participants learning experience through hands-on, task-oriented activities, and reflecting on the experiences. Recording camera-glasses, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) survey, Motivation for Diet survey, and follow-up individual interviews were used to collect data. In Phase …

Leaf Fiber Strength And Fruit Nutrient Content Of Yucca Species Native To The Navajo Nation, Anna Therese Bartlett

Theses and Dissertations

The strength of leaf fibers and the nutritional value of the edible fruit of several yucca species native to the U.S. southwest were studied to aid in the determination of species best suited for commercial cultivation by the Navajo Nation. The leaves were softened in an autoclave to facilitate the removal of the leaf matrix, conditioned in environmentally controlled chambers, and the fibers were broken using a texture analyzer. The fibers were frozen and cross sectioned and photographed to determine cross sectional area. Official methods were used to determine the nutritional content of the fruit. The mean tensile strength of …

Development Of A Novel Bioprinting System:Bioprinter, Bioink, Characterizationand Optimization, Chandler Alan Warr

Theses and Dissertations

The use of 3D printing in biological applications is a new field of study given that 3D printing technology has become more available and user friendly. Possible uses include using existing 3D printing polymers to use in extracorporeal or in vitro devices, like Lab-on-a-Chip, and the development of new biologically derived materials to print cell-containing constructs. The latter concept is what is more commonly known as bioprinting. Our research had the goal of developing a bioprinting system including the printer, a bioink, and a feedback system for printing parameter optimization which could be done cheaply and within the reach of …

Relationships Between Hospitals' Music Therapy Services And Hospital Consumer Assessment Of Healthcare Providers And Systems ( Hcahps ) Scores, Kimberly S. Iverson

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The implementation of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey measured patients’ satisfaction with their hospital stays. The HCAHPS brought increased public access regarding hospital performance and changes to repayment polices. As such, patient satisfaction became a popular topic in hospitals within the last several years. Previous research demonstrated medical benefits for the use music therapy in hospitals, but research regarding its relationship to patient satisfaction was limited.

Hypotheses: The hypothesis of the current study was that patients who received music therapy services while in the hospital would have higher HCAHPS scores than those who …

Need Fulfillment And Happiness In Botswana, Carolyn Moe

Theses and Dissertations

Happiness has been an important aspect of people’s lives spanning centuries and continents; as such, it is a widely researched area. A current prominent theory in happiness research is Needs Theory which has the premise that there are universal human needs and having these needs met would lead to a person’s happiness. Most often, the needs referenced are those presented by Abraham Maslow including needs of physiology, safety and security, love and belonging, esteem, knowing and understanding, aesthetics, self-actualization and transcendence. However, some studies have found that there are individuals who do not fit this theory either through having their …

An Intersectional Examination Of Criminally Involved Women Of Color With Mental Illness, Cailin Rosemary Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

Women, people of color, and people with mental illness are fast growing populations in the criminal justice system. However, research tends to overlook the women of color with mental illness who exist at the intersection of these statuses. The current thesis attempts to apply an intersectional framework to the analysis of the narratives of these multifaceted women to explore the ways that their varying positions in society interact to shape unique life experiences. I analyzed a secondary data set of semi-structured life-course interviews with 65 women on a Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) probation caseload. Implementing a grounded-inspired approach, the interviews …

Consumers And Augmented Reality In Shopping And Services: Drivers And Consequences, Atieh Poushneh

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the effect of augmented reality on user experience and also the mediation effect of user experience in the relationship between augmented reality and the outcome variables including user satisfaction and user’s willingness to buy/user’s willingness to use augmented reality. Three studies were conducted in three different contexts, including buying consumer products, entertainment services and vehicle service use. The results indicate that augmented reality significantly and positively influence user experience, and user experience fully mediates the impact of augmented reality on user satisfaction and user’s willingness to buy/ user’s willingness to use augmented reality. Further, the results showed …

Whole-Genome Assembly Of Atriplex Hortensis L. Using Oxfordnanopore Technology With Chromatin-Contact Mapping, Spencer Philip Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Atriplex hortensis (2n = 2x = 18, 1C genome size ~1.1 gigabases), also known as garden orach, is a highly nutritious, broadleaf annual of the Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae family that has spread from its native Eurasia to other temperate and subtropical environments worldwide. Atriplex is a highly complex and polyphyletic genus of generally halophytic and/or xerophytic plants, some of which have been used as food sources for humans and animals alike. Although there is some literature describing the taxonomy and ecology of orach, there is a lack of genetic and genomic data that would otherwise help elucidate the genetic variation, phylogenetic position, …

Use Of Plant Growth Regulators To Expand The Period Of Sagebrush Seed Germination And Reduce The Risk Of Restoration Failure: Laboratory Trials, Chelsea Elizabeth Keefer

Theses and Dissertations

Seed germination during unhospitable environmental conditions can be a major barrier to direct seeding efforts in dryland systems. In the sagebrush steppe, Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis and Artemisia arbuscula are important shrub species that are being used in restoration, but seeding success is highly sporadic due to inter-annual and intra-seasonal weather variability. Altering and expanding the period of germination, as a form of bet-hedging, may improve plant establishment. Our objective was to determine if we could expand the period of germination using plant growth regulators (PGRs) applied in a conglomerated seed coating treatment. In a laboratory study, the seed …

Mechanism Of Positive, Non-Additive Litter Decomposition, Na Yin

Theses and Dissertations

Litter decomposition is a fundamental ecosystem process. It is responsible for nutrient cycling and influences carbon (C) sequestration, and soil physical and chemical properties. In nature, litter is usually heterogeneous and may not decompose the way homogeneous litter does. For example, heterogeneous litter decomposition is frequently non-additive. This makes the rate of nutrient cycling as well as fluxes of C into and out of soil C pools impossible to predict. The most frequently proposed mechanisms for positive, non-additive decomposition include the supply of limiting mineral nutrients, the supply of available C (priming), and the improvement of micro-environmental conditions. However, all …

Media And Parents: Socializing Factors Of Relational Aggression, Kjersti Maye Summers

Theses and Dissertations

Exposure to relational aggression in various contexts has been found to predict relationally aggressive behavior in adolescents. Past research has examined socializing factors of relational aggression separately. The current study expounds upon this research by looking at three important contexts for socialization of relational aggression during adolescence together: media relational aggression, parental psychological control, and couple relational aggression. Specifically, this study looked at how these different socializing factors combine to predict relational aggression. Participants consisted of 423 adolescents and their parents. A person-centered approach was used to determine different profiles. Latent profile analysis found three profiles, including "average" (78%), "high …

How Exemplary Elementary School Principals Sustain High Achievement In High-Poverty Contexts Of The Rural South, Sharon Jefferies

Theses and Dissertations

One of the greatest challenges in America’s public education is overcoming the economic and demographic disparities facing high-poverty schools, particularly in rural areas. Despite the obstacles, some high-performing, high-poverty schools are beating the odds. Research on successful leadership practices in high-poverty, high-performing elementary schools has been focused primarily in urban settings. There is limited research on the leadership practices of principals in high-performing, high-poverty elementary schools in rural contexts, particularly in the South. This study examines the lived experiences, beliefs and daily practices of two elementary exemplary principals who lead rural, high-performing, high-poverty schools in South Carolina. Particularly, the researcher …

The Role Of Ampk In The Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle Proteostasis During Cancer Cachexia, Dennis K. Fix

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer-induced cachexia is a debilitating disease that diminishes quality of life due to severe loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Skeletal muscle proteostasis fluctuates diurnally depending on different fasting and feeding durations as well as in response to activity and exercise stimuli. Nutrient availability is key in the net loss and gain of skeletal muscle protein. The adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK) is a nutrient sensitive kinase that has long been established as a critical regulator of both protein synthesis and protein degradation. AMPK is capable of being activated by many different stimuli as well as diseases such as …

The Contribution Of Adipose Tissue From Ovariectomized Mice To Colon Cancer, Meredith Smith Carson

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is considered a major public health concern worldwide due to the increased incidences of metabolic dysfunction and cancer risk. The obese state is, in part, attributable to the overconsumption of calorie-dense foods commonly seen in a standard Western diet, which aids in the progression of chronic, lowgrade inflammation. The role of estrogen varies depending on menopausal status, where estrogen deficiency coupled with increased visceral fat associated with post-menopause leads to increased secretions of pro-inflammatory adipokines and cytokines. However, the presence of estrogen in a premenopausal state has been shown to attenuate the pro-inflammatory response, which has been demonstrated when …

The Impact Of Mindfulness Practices On The Dispositions Of Eight Third-Grade Elementary Students At An Elementary School In The Southeast Region Of The United States, Jakob Lauffer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact mindfulness sessions had on the dispositions of eight third-grade students. In the Spring of 2019, mindfulness practices were presented to third-graders in their regular classroom setting every Monday and Thursday over the six-week qualitative action research study. During this time, the teacher-researcher administered 15-minute mindful lessons that aimed to help increase coping strategies in the student population. The instruments used for data collection in this qualitative action research study were: a pre/post-intervention questionnaire, weekly exit slips utilizing multiple choice and open-ended questions, field notes, and digital video recordings. Students utilized …

The Persistent Maladaptation Of Pieris Macdunnoughii: Constraints On Adaptation To An Evolutionary Trap, Rachel A. Steward

Theses and Dissertations

Evolutionary traps arise when organisms use novel, low-quality or even lethal resources based on previously reliable cues. Persistence of such maladaptive interactions depends not only on how individuals locate important resources, such as host plants, but also the mechanisms underlying poor performance. Pieris macdunnoughii (Remington) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) lays eggs on a non-native mustard, Thlaspi arvense (L.) (Brassicaceae), which is lethal to its larvae. However, in the 150 years since T. arvense invaded this butterfly continues to recognize and oviposit on the invasive mustard.

I evaluated two possible constraints on the evolution of decreased preference within an invaded population. First, an …

Leveraging Geotagged Social Media To Monitor Spatial Behavior During Population Movements Triggered By Hurricanes, Yago Martín González

Theses and Dissertations

In a world of increased mobility and interconnectedness, the study of spatial behavior becomes more relevant than ever. However, multiple researchers have highlighted that the understanding of these dynamic processes has reached a bottleneck derived from the rigidity of traditional spatial behavior inquiry methods and the unavailability of trustworthy and relevant information. These difficulties are even more prominent during emergencies and disasters as these events often create scenarios where spatial behavior does not follow regular and logical patterns and where conventional mobility datasets are often skewed or not existent. Thus, many scholars working within the spatial behavior sub-discipline are pursuing …