Digital Commons Network^™

Establishing Healthy Habits In Early Childhood: Lessons Learned From Early Care Professionals, Connie B. Clay

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is comprised of two studies, which taken together aim to enhance healthy lifestyle habits of young children. In the first study, early childhood professionals (N = 39) identified their beliefs and values regarding the role of physical activity and sleep in child development, and their role in assisting children with establishing healthy behaviors. Correlational analyses were conducted to examine if early childhood professionals’ beliefs and values were associated with an array of demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, and ethnicity) and/or the early care professional’s perceived personal health and body mass index. Descriptive analyses revealed that early care professionals …

An Evaluation Of The Effects Of Annual Ryegrass Cytotype On Herbage Mass, Nutritive Value, And Cattle Performance, Sarah Marie Montgomery

Theses and Dissertations

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) can be divided into two cytotypes: diploid (2n = 2x = 14) or tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28). Transforming annual ryegrass from diploid to tetraploid often results in increased seedling vigor, more robust growth and, thus, supposedly greater yield. There has been conflicting research that suggests no difference in yield between diploid and tetraploid cultivars, but livestock producers’ question whether benefits exist to utilizing tetraploid cultivars for grazing cattle. This study sought to determine if annual ryegrass cytotype affected cattle average daily gain. Although there were no differences in average daily gain between cytotypes, …

Alternative Methods Of Movement Incorporation In Middle School Classrooms, Katherine Elise Spring

Theses and Dissertations

Physical inactivity is linked with several chronic disease. This study has a twofold purpose: first, to examine the effect bouncing feet on a band have on middle school student’s physical activity level. Secondly, to examine the relationship between fidget behavior and academic engagement. Sixth grade English classrooms (2) from a local middle school participated in the study. All students were issued a physical activity monitor to be worn on their, and during the intervention, an under-the-desk apparatus was provided to students to freely fidget. Total sedentary time increased during intervention. Use of under-the-desk band did not positively or negatively impact …

Effects Of A 28-Day Carbohydrate-Restricted Diet On Metabolic And Performance Markers In Professional Firefighters, Hunter Scott Waldman

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in firefighters (FF) around the nation. Recent observational studies have emerged suggesting that FF consume calorically dense foods, high in sugar and fat, but low in nutritional value which can exacerbate heart diseases and impair performance. The potential to improve cardiometabolic and performance measurements when following a carbohydrate (CHO) restricted diet (CRD) has gained interest in the literature. To date, only one study has employed a nutrition intervention in FF, yet its’ focus was on nutrient dense foods and antioxidant supplements. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the cardiometabolic …

Differences In Eating Patterns And Body Mass Index Of Home School Children And Public School Children, James Turner Sanderson

Theses and Dissertations

Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and to help prevent chronic diseases. Many factors contribute to healthy eating patterns, and one of the most influential factors is the home and school environment. Both settings have role models who may affect a child’s eating behaviors. This study consisted of 54 home school and 21 public school participants who lived in northeast Mississippi and were between 6-12 years old. Public school children consumed significantly more total calories, net carbohydrates, vitamin C, and calcium compared to the home school children. Also, the public school children consumed …

Dairy Consumption And Its Influence On Body Composition A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of College-Aged Students In Mississippi, Hannah Grace Swisher

Theses and Dissertations

Regular consumption of dairy is thought to aid in preserving lean body mass while decreasing body fat, however, studies have reported inconsistent results. The overall aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the influence of dairy consumption on body composition, specifically body fat percentage, among college-aged individuals in Mississippi. Total dairy consumption, type of dairy, and the relationship between race and sex were examined in 580 participants aged 18-26 years. Two-tailed correlation tests revealed a nonsignificant relationship between frequency of dairy consumption and body fat percentage among males, (r = .02, p = .68, n = 98) and females, …

Effects Of Feeding Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Seed On Beef Cattle Performance, Hepatic Enzyme Activity, Lipid Oxidation, Metmyoglobin Reductase Activity, And Mitochondrial Lipid Composition, Brandon J. Mcclenton

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding endophyte-infected tall fescue seed to Angus steers on average daily gain, carcass characteristics, ergovaline concentration, lipid oxidation, hepatic enzyme activity, metmyoglobin reductase activity, and mitochondrial lipid composition. Animals were blocked into light, medium, and heavy body weight groups and were randomly assigned to either a KY31 seed treatment (6796 ppb ergovaline; 20 MUg/kg BW; E+; n = 6) or a KY32 control (< 100 ppb; E-; n = 6). There was a 2-way treatment × time interaction effect on ADG (P < 0.001). The E+ steers gained 0.56 kg/d less than the E- steers from d 0 to 14 (P < 0.001) until d 56 (ADG difference = 0.27 kg/d; P = 0.007) but both group had similar ADG from d 70 till the end of the feeding period 2 (ADG = 0.53 kg/d; P > 0.070). No difference in carcass characteristics were found between the E+ and E- steers by at the time of ultrasonography (P >= 0.120) or at …

Effects Of Reed Sedge Peat On Lambs At Weaning With Regard To Stress And Apparent Nutrient Digestibility, Rhianwedd O. Price

Theses and Dissertations

For this study 14 lambs were obtained, which were split into two groups; a control group (CON) and a group that was supplemented Reed Sedge Peat (RSP). We wanted to test whether RSP could decrease stress at weaning, increase immune response and also increase digestibility of the animal. Lambs were subjected to an ACTH challenge 48 hours post weaning. After weaning (d 28 of study) 10 of the lambs (5 CON; 5 RSP) also underwent a digestibility challenge. We found that there was no difference (P = 0.8764) within cortisol concentration during the weaning portion of the study between the …

Efficacy Of A Gluten Free Diet To Help Relieve Migraines In Chronic Migraine Patients, Kristen R. Ensor

Theses and Dissertations

When examining the world population, approximately 11% of people experience migraines. A chronic migraine is classified as a headache that occurs on a frequent basis in which the pain is quick to occur unilaterally, and is a throb that is considered a moderate to intense level of pain. It is believed that a migraine brain is intensely sensitive to deviations from homeostasis. This case series research investigated the effect of a glutenree diet on individuals with chronic migraines. Participants completed a five-month study consisting of dietary and physical measurements, recording migraines, and a glutenree diet with a re-introduction period. In …

Evaluation Of Food Insecurity In Students Attending A University In The Southern Region Of The United States, Jaqlene Villalpando

Theses and Dissertations

Food insecurity plagues college students and is associated with negative health and academic outcomes. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of food insecurity, its determinants, and food intake outcomes associated with students found to have low food security. A cross-sectional study design of Mississippi university students completed online surveys that included socio-demographic, Adult Food Security questions, coping strategies, and money expenditures. Descriptive, correlation, and chi-square analyses determined how student characteristics were associated with food security. A total of 246 (41.3%) students were food insecure. Significant variables associated with food insecurity were African American or other minority, …

Study Of Subterranean Termite Gut Symbionts As Affected By Chitosan Treatment Of Wood, Telmah Telmadarrehei

Theses and Dissertations

The overall aim of this study was to investigate the potential influence of chitosan, a biodegradable and antimicrobial compound, on termite hindgut symbionts. For this purpose, a morphological quantifying technique was conducted on the protist community’s hindgut after feeding termites on chitosan-treated wood. The aim was to characterize the diversity of protist species in the economically important dark southern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes virginicus. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the V3 and V4 hyper-variable regions of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of the bacterial community in the hindgut of R. virginicus was performed on termites exposed to chitosan treatment. Light microscopy …

The Developers And The Independents: White Mississippi Cattle Producers’ Perspectives On Government Farm Programs And Success, Kelli J. Russell

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I explore how white producers of U.S. agriculture’s top commodity—cattle—understand participation in government farm programs. As such, the central research question guiding this research is: how do white Mississippi cattle producers portray their decisions to pursue (or not pursue) government farm programs? Specifically, I offer insights into how farmers reconcile tension between being independent/self-sufficient and accepting government subsidies. Using data from 289 hours of participant observation at agricultural events and 33 interviews with producers, I examine sociologically how these understandings of farm program participation relate to producers’ ideological notions of “success” and how race and gender shape …

Functional Identity Mediates The Net Effects Of Experimental Mass Mortality Events, Mariah Ellen Hodge

Theses and Dissertations

Mass mortality events (MMEs) can affect communities through large amounts of carcass biomass and significant reductions in population sizes. I conducted laboratory experiments to compare effects of predator and herbivore MMEs on a community using a study system of convergent lady beetles (Hippodamia convergens), pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), and fava beans (Vicia faba). I used a factorial design crossing input (addition of carcasses) and mortality (removing 75% of the population) of aphids and lady beetles. Lady beetle mortality reduced the top-down pressure on the aphid population, which increased aphid abundance and decreased plant height. Input of aphid carcasses increased aphid …

Impact Of Water Management Strategies On Populations Of Rice Water Weevil, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Franklin Read Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments were conducted to determine the impact of water management strategies on populations of rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel. One experiment was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center during 2017 and 2018. The performance of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam was evaluated in combination with flood removal of a field as a cultural control tactic for rice water weevil. Seed treatments significantly reduced rice water weevil populations at the prelood sample timing, only chlorantraniliprole reduced populations at the post-drainage sample timing. Overall, flood removal had little impact on rice water weevil management. An experiment was also conducted to determine …

The Effect Of The Fresh Program On Crime Rate In Nyc, Ashley M. Kraus

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines whether opening up grocery stores in underserved areas in New York City have an affect on the occurrence of crimes in those neighborhoods. Using data from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) on the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) grocery stores and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on crime statistics by precinct, regressions are run to determine how the different types of crime varies across precincts over time with the introduction of the FRESH program by employing a difference in difference regression with fixed effects. The primary data for my project …

Link Link Circus, Isabella Rossellini

Theses and Dissertations

Link Link Circus is a theatrical script that presents historical, philosophical and scientific perspectives on the evolutionary, cognitive, behavioral and communicative links between humans and other animals. On stage two actors and a trained dog address the core question “Can animals think and feel?“

Naloxone And Ethanol Addiction Reinforcement, Roland T. Smith Iii

Theses and Dissertations

A study was carried out examining how naloxone administered after high-incentive ethanol exposure can interrupt the reinforcing effect of drugs of abuse in C57BL/6 mice. Naloxone was shown to be an effective tool for blunting preferential and motivational behaviors associated with ethanol addiction.

Dismemberment Diaries, Elizabeth B. Englander

Theses and Dissertations

An investigation of the sculptures featured on HBO’s the Sopranos leads to a broader investigation of the work of Robert Graham, which in turn opens on to broader questions of fragmentation in the history of sculpture. A personal sculptural journey.

Special Education Teachers' Self-Efficacy Regarding Improving The Reading Comprehension Of Students With Working Memory Deficits, Amy Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Significant discrepancies in reading comprehension rates exist for students with disabilities compared to their grade appropriate peers. Educational neuroscientists suggest that identifying breakdowns in the cognitive processes required for reading comprehension and applying specialized strategies have significant implications for improving the reading proficiency of students with working memory deficits. Despite the availability and implications of educational neuroscience, a significant gap between theory and classroom practice exists. The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods research study was to examine special education teachers’ self-efficacy regarding their ability to increase the reading comprehension of students with working memory deficits. The quantitative phase, …

The Genome Of Cañahua: An Emerging Andean Super Grain, Hayley Jennifer Mangelson

Theses and Dissertations

Chenopodium pallidicaule, known commonly as cañahua, is a semi-domesticated crop grown in high-altitude regions of the Andes. It is an A-genome diploid (2n = 2x = 18) relative of the allotetraploid (AABB) Chenopodium quinoa and shares many of its nutritional benefits. Both species contain a complete protein, a low glycemic index, and offer a wide variety of nutritionally important vitamins and minerals. Due to its minor crop status, few genomic resources for its improvement have been developed. Here we present a fully annotated, reference-quality assembly of cañahua. The reference assembly was developed using a combination of established techniques, including multiple …

Two-Stage Mixed Integer Stochastic Programming And Its Application To Bond Portfolio Optimization, Nasser Aedh Alreshidi

Theses and Dissertations

We consider a two-stage stochastic bond portfolio optimization problem, where an investor aims to optimize the cost of bond portfolio under different scenarios while ensuring predefined liabilities during a given planning horizon. The investor needs to optimally decide whether to buy, hold, or sell bonds based upon present market conditions under different scenarios and varying assumptions, where the scenarios are determined based on interest rates and buying prices of the bonds. Three stochastic integer programming models are proposed and applied to real-data from Saudi Sukuk (Bond) Market. The case-study results demonstrate the varying optimal decisions made to manage bond portfolio …

Training Caregivers To Implement A Structured Meal Protocol To Decrease Food Selectivity Among Young Children With Autism, Ronald Joseph Clark

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated a method of training caregivers to implement the Structured Meal protocol to treat children with autism who exhibit food selectivity. A treatment package consisting of written instructions and video modeling as well as in-vivo prompting and feedback (when necessary) was used to teach participants to conduct the protocol. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the effects of training. In addition to the primary dependent variable (i.e., correct caregiver implementation of the Structured Meal protocol), data on three secondary dependent variables (i.e., child bite acceptance, mouth cleans, and inappropriate mealtime behavior) were collected. Results …

Social Influences On Vocal Development In A Wild Parrot, Caleb Michael Mand Arellano

Theses and Dissertations

The Social Intelligence Hypothesis (SIH) proposes that navigating complex societies requires increased neural processing to monitor shifting relationships. SIH evolutionary focus of brain size variation in adults originally ignored the developmental frameworks leading to increased sociality. I studied the ontogeny of early sibling interactions in wild Green‐rumped Parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) in a Venezuelan population that exhibited large variation in brood size and engaged in elaborate social interactions and complex social learning during nestling development. To test if nests of varying brood sizes exhibit differences in social complexity, I quantified the number and strength of sibling play partnerships, as a proxy …

Effects Of Elevated Temperature On Gonadal Functions, Cellular Apoptosis, And Oxidative Stress In Atlantic Sea Urchin (Arbacia Punctulata), Jackson B. Johnstone

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing surface sea water temperatures effect on growth, reproduction and development in marine organisms. Sea urchins are excellent indicator species and ideal model organisms to focus on. In this study, I tested the effect of higher temperatures on reproductive functions, heat shock protein (HSP, a chaperone protein produced by cells in response to heat stress) and nitrotyrosine protein (NTP, an indicator of reactive nitrogen species, RNS) expressions, cellular apoptosis, and ceolomic fluid (CF, a body fluid which regulates important physiological processes) conditions in Atlantic sea urchin at three different temperatures. Ten sea urchins were placed in each of six aquariums …

Effects Of Global Warming On Gonadal Functions, Cellular Apoptosis, And Oxidative Stress In The American Oyster, Sarah B. Nash

Theses and Dissertations

Global warming due to climate change is predicted to intensify the heat stress in marine and coastal organisms, affecting their development, growth and reproductive functions. In this study. I analyzed gonadal development, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), nitrotyrosine protein (NTP), dinitrophenyl (DNP) expressions, cellular apoptosis, and coelomic fluid (CF) conditions in American oyster. Oysters were placed in six aquariums and exposed to control (24°C), medium (28°C), and high (32°C) temperatures for one week. Higher temperature significantly decreased the number of eggs and sperm. CF protein concentrations also declined compared to control. In contrast, CF pH and HSP70 expression in gonad …

Ecological Responses To Eutrophication And Restoration In A Shallow Subtropical Estuary, Xiao Ma

Theses and Dissertations

Like many other estuaries in the world, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is experiencing serious environmental health challenges in recent years. Ecosystem challenges include the connected phenomena of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) due to eutrophication and accumulation of fine-grained organic-rich sediments on the benthos. Fine-grained organic-rich sediments, referred to as “muck”, is a source of nutrients and fuels algal blooms in the water column, and excess particles associated with algal blooms sink to bottom and contribute to muck. This dissertation aims to better understand these problems by addressing two main objectives: first, to determine whether key herbivorous mesozooplankton have the …

Investigating Limitations To Nitrogen Fixation By Leguminous Cover Crops In South Texas, Stephanie L. Kasper

Theses and Dissertations

Many farms use leguminous cover crops as a nutrient management strategy to reduce their need for nitrogen fertilizer. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) depends on a symbiotic relationship between legumes and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Under certain conditions despite inoculation with appropriate rhizobial strains, this symbiosis fails to form. Such failure was observed in a 14-acre winter cover crop trial in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas when three legume species (forage pea, crimson clover, and hairy vetch) produced no signs of nodulation and nitrogen fixation. This study examined nitrogen, phosphorus, moisture, micronutrients and biotic interference as potential causes for the failure and …

Early Educator Awareness Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Preschool Hispanic Populations, Karla Cecilia Vidaurri

Theses and Dissertations

Christensen et al. (2016) highlights how "there are disparities by race/ethnicity in estimated ASD prevalence, particularly for Hispanic children, as well as disparities in the age of earliest comprehensive evaluation and presence of a previous ASD diagnosis or classification, suggesting that access to treatment and services might be lacking or delayed for some children" With an increase in autism prevalence and Hispanic population, there's a crucial demand for effective servicing and referrals for early identification of Autism.

The aim of this study was to analyze how prepared early educators are in identifying children that fall under the category of autism …

Functional Characterization Of The Novel Gene Cia7 From Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Hector Guillermo Gonzalez Cantu

Theses and Dissertations

Heavy metal contamination presents a constant threat to biological systems. These metals interact with the catalytic-domain of enzymes, interfering with their normal rates of activity as well as inducing oxidative stress. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an excellent model organism used in studies of heavy metals due to its high endogenous tolerance. In C. reinhardtii, a novel gene, designated as CIA7, was isolated and hypothesized to confer tolerance to heavy metals. This was due to CIA7’s conserved Cys-residue motif and its homology in a number of bacterial metal binding proteins. This study aimed to demonstrate what role CIA7 exerts on tolerance towards …

Training Older Adults To Use Technology: Facing The Challenges, Edna Rodgers

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses development of a training manual with a computer course curriculum for seniors. The curriculum can be used in part of a training manual designed for people who are interested to teach older adults basic computer technology skills at the Dunbar Community Center located in central Little Rock. This project was completed using primarily research articles, books, newspaper reports, and voluntary interviews with people age 60 or older. A letter of consent was given to each participant, and interviews questions were completed using an anonymous assessment questionnaire form. The questionnaire form was used to examine the participant level …