Digital Commons Network^™

The Prediction Of Wellness Factors On Alcohol Consumption And Behaviors Related To Alcohol Among College Students, Angela Cole Golson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation study was to investigate wellness as a predictive variable of alcohol consumption among college students. The Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-Wel-A) was used to measure the five second-order factors of wellness (e.g. Essential Self, Creative Self, Physical Self, Social Self, and Coping Self). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) determined college student alcohol consumption by measuring the frequency of consumption, number of drinks, binge drinking, inability to stop drinking, normal expectations of drinking, morning drinking, guilt, memory loss, injury, and recommendations by others. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationships between …

Optimization Of Hydrothermal Pretreatment And Membrane Filtration Processes Of Various Feedstocks To Isolate Hemicelluloses For Biopolymer Applications, Badamkhand Sukhbaatar

Theses and Dissertations

Hemicelluloses (HC) are the second most abundant plant polysaccharides after cellulose, constituting 25-30% of plant materials. In spite of their abundance, HC are not effectively utilized. Recently, considerable interest has been directed to HC-based biomaterials because of their high oxygen barrier properties, which has potential in food packaging applications. In this study, HC were extracted from sugarcane bagasse and southern yellow pine using a hydrothermal technique which utilizes hot compressed water without catalyst. The parameters affecting the yield of extracted HC such as temperature, time and pressure, were tested and optimized. Eighty four percent of xylose was extracted from sugarcane …

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging And Its Use In Domestic And Non-Domestic Species, Susan Denise Bowers

Theses and Dissertations

Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that is used to detect symmetry and asymmetry of surface temperature gradients. DITI can examine many different aspects of thermal physiology and diagnose injury and disease. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the use of DITI to determine whether differences in temperature gradients exist between late gestation and non-pregnant mares, (2) to evaluate whether velvet antler (VA) temperature gradients, as measured by DITI would pattern VA growth, and (3) to determine if “normal” temperature gradients of the foot exist among elephants as detected using DITI. To investigate …

Cryopreservation Of Equine Spermatozoa: Identification Of Good And Poor Freezer Stallions And Effect Of Sperm Density Per Straw, Abed Sharqy Fahad

Theses and Dissertations

This study was carried out primarily to evaluate the cryo-tolerance of equine semen from four stallions through assessing the spermatozoa motion characteristics with Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). Four stallions were collected during the breeding season (summer). For each ejaculate, fresh and cryopreserved samples were taken for sperm motility characteristics evaluation. Data analysis demonstrated that sperm cells of stallions were significantly affected by (P<0.05) cryodamage. Stallion (A) was cryotolerant, and was classified as a good freezer, whereas stallion (D) was not and classified as a poor freezer regardless of the concentration of sperm. In addition, a concentration of 0.4 x 109 sperm cells/ml had higher percentages of rapid sperm and velocity parameters (P<0.05) compared to 0.8 x 109 sperm/ml. Further research is necessary to identify potential biomarkers for good and poor freezer stallions.

Effect Of Hand Pinching, Dikegulac-Sodium, And Gibberellic Acid On Chile Pepper (Capsicum Annuum), Abdulfatah Mousa

Theses and Dissertations

Hand Pinching increased branching and fruit yield. At first harvest dikegulac-sodium at 50 ppm increased fruit yield compared to the control. However, dikegulac sodium at 100 ppm reduced fruit yield initially but had no effect on fruit yield at 2-4th harvests. Digkegulac-sodium, Gibberellic acid, and hand pinching did not affect fruit length at third and fourth harvests. However, first and second harvests dikegulac sodium reduced fruit length whereas GA3 had no effect. None of the treatments affected fruit width. Dikegulac sodium and Hand pinching increased the number of branches after three weeks, but GA3 did not. At 8 weeks after …

Effects Of Preblending And Water Addition On Physical And Sensory Characteristics Of Seasoned Pork Patties, Molly Sheppard Field

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to establish the consumer acceptability of preblended and nonpreblended post rigor seasoned pork patties with added water levels of 0, 3, 6, and 9 percent for each formula. Other parameters measured were proximate analysis, texture, cooking loss, and consumer acceptability. Nonpreblended treatments had a higher (P<0.05) percentage of protein and a lower (P<0.05) percentage of fat as compared to preblended treatments. Texture analysis revealed a lower (P<0.05) amount of total energy required to shear through a single patty in preblended treatments than nonpreblended treatments. No differences (P>0.05) were detected among treatments at varying water levels. Consumer acceptability showed no differences (P>0.05) among selected treatments. Consumer acceptability scores indicated that consumers would consume both preblended and nonpreblended seasoned pork patties at varying water levels.

Effects Of Supplemental Citrulline Malate During A Resistance Training Protocol, William Kinnard Luckett

Theses and Dissertations

Ergogenic L-citrulline and malate are amino acids used in specific combination to effect muscular endurance during athletic performances. Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the ergogenic properties of citrulline-malate (CM) during a resistance training protocol. Methods: Utilizing a randomized, counterbalanced, double blind study, fifteen trained males completed a resistance training protocol once using placebo (PL) and once with CM (8.0g). Results: CM supplementation increased repetitions in chin-ups, reverse chin-ups, push-ups, and total trial repetitions. Blood lactate was significantly increased post-exercise compared to pre-exercise, but was not significantly different between CM and placebo. Further, a significant interaction effect was revealed for …

Modulation Of Inflammation And Oxidative Stress In Canine Chondrocytes, David L. Dycus

Theses and Dissertations

Little research has focused on the involvement of oxidative stress as it relates to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA); while inflammation has been extensively studied. The present study evaluates the ability to modulate the response of canine chondrocytes to both inflammation and oxidative stress in an in-vitro model. Chondrocytes were incubated and then stimulated to under-go oxidative stress by using hydrogen peroxide or inflammation using interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha. For inhibition of oxidative stress an antioxidant, N-acetyl-cysteine, was used prior to induction with hydrogen peroxide in a subset of chondrocytes. Measures of oxidative stress were superoxide dismutase …

Field Survey Of Native And Non-Native Subterranean Termites In Southeastern United States Forests, Nathan Allen Blount

Theses and Dissertations

Subterranean termites are ecologically and economically important insects that play major roles in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is an invasive species known to cause significant damage in urban areas through aggressive consumption of wooden structures and infestations of living trees. Little is known about the presence and impact of C. formosanus in forested ecosystems of the southeastern U.S. as the majority of studies have taken place in urban settings. This study investigates the prevalence of C. formosanus in localized forests, as well as the utilization of living trees by C. formosanus …

Generation Of Biodiesel And Carotenoids From Rhodotorula Glutinis Using Sweet Sorghum Juice, Miriam Llanto Revellame

Theses and Dissertations

The growth of Rhodotorula glutinis in sweet sorghum juice in three levels of three factors of temperature, carbon to nitrogen ratio and pH was evaluated. Accompanying of this growth was the generation of lipids converted to fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs) and carotenoids. The optimized condition for maximum biomass and carotenoid accumulation was determined to be at 25C, pH of 5.5 and carbon to nitrogen ratio of 10. This condition yielded 22.7 g/L biomass with specific growth rate of 0.213 hr-1. At this condition the carotenoids generation was also maximum with 2.6 mg/gram biomass, comprising of torularhodin, beta-carotene and torulene. …

Evaluation Of The Immune Response Of Angus Heifers With Different Genetic Markers For Marbling When Challenged With Lipopolysaccharide, Joe O. Buntyn

Theses and Dissertations

Nineteen heifers (274 ± 24 kg) were blocked into two treatment groups based upon DNAm; heifers with no DNAm (noQG), and heifers with one or more DNAm (1+QG). Prior to challenge (24 h), heifers were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters and indwelling vaginal temperature (VT) monitoring devices. Blood samples were collected at 30-min intervals while RT were collected at 1-min intervals from -2 to 8 h relative to a lipopolysaccride (LPS) challenge (0.5 ìg/kg BW) at 0 h. Serum was analyzed for concentrations of cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines. All physical, endocrine, and immune measurements increased relative to LPS challenge. No …

Evaluation Of Wildrye (Elymus Sp.) As A Potential Forage And Conservation Planting For The Southeastern United States, Jason Brett Rushing

Theses and Dissertations

In the southeastern United States, there is a need for a native, cool-season grass component for restoring and reclaiming grasslands and providing quality forage for livestock. Experiments were conducted on southeastern wildrye [Elymus glabriflorus (Vasey) Scribn. & C.R. Ball] to assess agronomic parameters, and establish a base of information for use in future research and breeding programs. Optimal germination requirements (temperature, light, pH, and physical dormancy) were evaluated. Our data suggests that for southeastern wildrye, the optimal temperature required for germination is between 15 and 20oC. Light treatments (constant dark, constant light, short day, and long day) did not influence …

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: A Public Policy Approach To Saving An Iconic Species, Timothy Patrick O'Brien

Theses and Dissertations

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is perhaps the most magnificent and most marvelous nomadic wild animal living in the world. It lives in the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the largest of the world’s fin fish and the largest of the 48 other species of tuna (Kuhn, 1996). It is a species that seems to have been designed and sculpted by an artist—sleek, smooth, and beautiful—instead of having been a product of an evolutionary process. Today, the existence and future of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is in question because of the constant overexploitation …

Transcriptome Analysis Of Drought Induced Stress In Chenopodium Quinoa, Joshua Arthur Raney

Theses and Dissertations

RNA-seq transcriptome analysis of Chenopodium quinoa at different water treatment levels was conducted in a greenhouse study using four water treatments (field capacity to drought) on a valley ecotype quinoa (variety Ingapirca) and an Altiplano Salares ecotype quinoa (variety Ollague). Physiological results support the earlier findings that the Salares ecotypes display greater tolerance to drought-like stress conditions than the valley ecotypes (as determined by growth rate, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and stem water potential). cDNA libraries from root tissue sample for each treatment x variety combination were sequenced using Illumina Hi-Seq technology in an RNA-seq experiment. De novo assembly of …

Mtor Pathway Activation Following Sciatic Stimulation In Wild-Type And Desmin Knockout Mice, Daniel S. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

The 52 kDa intermediate filament protein desmin plays an important role in force transmission in skeletal muscle by connecting myofibrils at Z-lines and to the sarcolemma. Desmin content in muscle adapts to contractile activity and may be involved in cellular signaling mechanisms responsible for muscle growth. Purpose: To compare signaling responses of the mTOR pathway in wild type (WT) vs desmin knock out (KO) mice. Methods: WT (n=12) and KO (n=12) mice were exposed to high frequency electric stimulation of the left hindlimb to elicit an acute response of the mTOR pathway. Non-stimulated right hindlimbs were used as a within …

Psychological Well-Being And Dietary Quality Of College Women: Examining The Confounding Influence Of Sleep And Physical Activity, Whitney Ann Hebbert

Theses and Dissertations

Objective. To determine the relationship between overall psychological well-being and stress on diet quality among young adult women and to examine the potential confounding influence of season, physical activity and sleep on these relationships. Design/Participants. The study used a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and fifty-one women were recruited to participate in the study. All participants were university students (20.2 ± 1.6 y). Overall psychological well-being was assessed using the General Well-being Schedule (GWB) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Diet intake was measured using three 24-hour recalls over a seven day period. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated to …

Improving Phosphorus Use Efficiency Through Organically Bonded Phosphorus, Micheal W. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Current maximum efficiency of phosphorus (P) fertilizers that is utilized by plants in the same year of application ranges from near zero to thirty percent. Despite low utilization of P in crop production, yields are often limited by P deficiencies. Innovative technology is requisite to achieve greater efficiency as fertilizer demands are increasing, while phosphorus mineral resources are rapidly being depleted. A growing environmental concern for nutrient pollution of surface waters also carries significant weight. A novel new product, Carbond® P, is promising technology to increase P use efficiency. Research is needed to understand its capabilities and the functioning mechanisms …

Text Messaging As Adjunct To Community Based Weight Management Program, Claudia Bouhaidar

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity ascending rates are still a public health priority. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of tailored text messages on body weight change in overweight and obese adults in a community based weight management program. A secondary aim was to detect behavioral changes in the same population. The study design was quasi-experimental with pre and posttest analysis, conducted over 12 weeks. A total of 28 participants were included in the analysis. Body weight, eating behaviors, exercise and nutrition self-efficacy, attitude toward mobile technology, social support and physical activity were assessed at baseline and at 12 …

Summer Watering Patterns Of Mule Deer And Differential Use Of Water By Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Mule Deer, And Pronghorn In Utah, Andrew V. Shields

Theses and Dissertations

Changes in the abundance and distribution of free (drinking) water can influence wildlife in arid regions. In the western USA, free water is considered by wildlife managers to be important for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Nonetheless, we lack information on the influence of habitat and landscape features surrounding water sources, including wildlife water developments, and how these features may influence use of water by sexes differently. Consequently, a better understanding of differential use of water by the sexes could influence the conservation and management of those ungulates and water …

Microflora Of Traditional Mexican Corn Masa And Its Effect On Folic Acid Degradation, Stephen J. Adolphson

Theses and Dissertations

Many Mexican women consume inadequate amounts of folic acid. Fortification of the corn tortilla could be an effective way to help increase the folic acid levels among the Mexican population. Previous studies have shown significant folic acid losses in fortified tortilla dough (masa) as it is held before baking. This loss in folic acid could be due to degradation by lactic acid bacteria naturally present in the masa. The microflora of traditionally made nixtamalized corn masa from six tortilla mills in Guadalajara, Mexico were isolated and characterized, and their effect on folic acid content was evaluated. Isolated bacteria were identified …

The Role Of Megalin In The Transport Of Aminoglycosides Across Human Placenta, Amal Akour

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Intra-amniotic infections (IAIs) are common complications of labor and delivery. If inadequately treated, these infections can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in the mother and the fetus. Intrapartum aminoglycoside (AG) administration is recommended for the management of IAIs. AGs are known to cross the placenta and achieve bactericidal concentrations in fetal serum. However, the highest and most persistent fetal levels are achieved in renal tissue. So, the fetus may be vulnerable to the nephrotoxic effects of AGs. Megalin, a 600 kDaendocytic receptor, is responsible for the uptake of AGs into renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. This receptor is …

Dexmedetomidine As An Adjunct To General Anesthesia In The Adult Obese Surgical Population, Bryan J. Phelps

Theses and Dissertations

Current estimates place over one-third of the adult population in the obese category. Obesity is associated with a number of pathophysiologic disturbances that complicate the anesthetic course for these patients. The increasing prevalence of obesity and the established positive outcomes for surgical weight loss therapies have led to obese patients presenting for surgery at a rapidly increasing rate. Obesity places the surgical patient at an increased risk for cardiovascular events, respiratory dysfunction, airway management difficulties and increased postoperative pain. It is imperative for the anesthesia provider to be aware of these risks, unique anesthesia considerations, along with alternative therapies, which …

Assessment Of The Impact Of Integrated Simulation On Critical Thinking And Clinical Judgment In Nursing Instruction, Rita Allen Meyer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of using simulation and didactic instruction on critical thinking and clinical judgment with student nurses enrolled in a fall semester medical-surgical class. Specifically, it was of interest to compare the performance of these fall semester nursing students with the performance of nursing students enrolled in a spring semester class who received only didactic instruction.

The study consisted of 18 participants who were nursing students enrolled in the senior level Adult Medical-Surgical 111, the third medical-surgical class in the curriculum. There were two non-randomized groups. The experimental group received the intervention, …

The Effects Of River Sediment, Endosulfan, And Moderate Hypoxia On Blue Crabs (Callinectes Sapidus) From The Tidal, Freshwater James River, Laura Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Juvenile male blue crabs move into the tidal, freshwater James River during warmer months to feed and grow by undergoing molting. In crustaceans, growth and molting are hormonally controlled. The physiological effects of a multiple-stressor environment are determined by comparing the blue crab’s oxygen uptake after exposure to pure sand, James River sediment, or endosulfan-spiked sand. The effect of multiple stressors on molting is measured by the activity level of N-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase (NAG), an enzyme in epidermal tissue important to molting. The oxygen uptake was decreased by exposure to James River sediment but not for exposure to endosulfan for seven days. …

Perceived Stress And Surgical Wound Cytokine Patterns, Valentina Lucas

Theses and Dissertations

Normal wound healing is a complex process that occurs in overlapping phases and depends upon interactions of the patient, environment and a large number of cells, growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and other biochemical mediators. Psychological stress has been shown to adversely affect the normal wound healing process through its impact on cellular immunity. Cellular immunity impacts wound healing through the production and regulation of many of the above biochemical mediators of wound healing. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the relationships among pre- and post-operative psychological stress experienced by women who were undergoing either immediate or delayed …

Investigating A Model For Fetal Alcohol Damage In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Lindsay Kondo

Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol use and abuse has many harmful effects, especially to children exposed prenatally, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). The disabilities due to fetal alcohol exposure continue throughout life and cause major financial burdens to society. The molecular mechanisms underlying FASDs are not well understood. We have taken a genetic approach to characterize ethanol’s effect on changing a discrete cell fate decision during embryogenesis in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Our preliminary data suggest that ethanol can affect the development of AWC neurons, a pair of olfactory neurons in C. elegans. We suggest that lipids can protect AWC neurons …

Development Of A Closed-Loop Force Reduction Mechanism In A Gait Rehabilitation Device, Jeffrey Frankart

Theses and Dissertations

Elliptical trainers are prescribed in rehabilitative exercise but difficult to implement in populations with significant functional gait deficits. Typical elliptical machines do not mimic normal gait and therefore require modifications for clinical rehabilitation. This research builds on previous modifications of an elliptical trainer designed to simulate level-surface walking. This design differed from a commercial version. It included articulated footplates and an electromechanically-driven virtual-cam to control footplate position. Ankle dorsiflexion elicited lower-extremity muscle spasticity which produced an unwanted gait variant during stroke patient testing. Spasticity is a hyperexcitable stretch reflex causing inefficient gait. This project’s purpose was to develop an autonomous …

Nobody’S Perfect: A Qualitative Examination Of African American Caregivers And Their Adolescent Daughters’ Perceptions Of Adolescent Girls’ Body Image, Michell Pope

Theses and Dissertations

The increasingly high rates of body dissatisfaction among adolescent girls are alarming. Research suggests that cultural norms emphasizing thinness and unrealistic standards of beauty may be contributing to this growing problem. This is concerning given the link between negative body image and a host of unhealthy behaviors in girls. Although historically African American adolescent girls have exhibited higher levels of body satisfaction than their counterparts, there is growing evidence to suggest that this may be changing because of the body-related messages they receive from their parents, peers and the media. The present study examines these messages from both maternal caregivers’ …

The Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation, Food Motivation, And Energy Intake In Normal-Weight And Obese Females, Lora Light Romney

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Sleep deprivation has been proposed as a potential correlate of obesity, particularly influencing energy intake. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare neural indices of attention related to food motivation and energy intake in normal-weight and obese women under two separate sleep conditions: 1) sleep-restricted (<5 hours) and 2) recommended sleep (~8 hours). This study used a combined cross-over and ex post facto design with condition order counter-balanced. Methods: Twenty-two normal-weight (age=30.9±9.5y, BMI=22.0±1.6 kg/m2) and 18 obese (age=29.7±10.7 y, BMI=36.4±5.3 kg/m2) women completed both sleep conditions. To confirm sleep levels, participants recorded sleep quality and quantity via sleep logs and wore a wrist actigraph. Following each condition, participants reported to the laboratory under the same fed state (energy shake ~10% of total daily needs) to verify they followed the sleep protocol. Subsequently, motivation for food was tested using electroencephalogram (EEG); participants completed a computerized passive-viewing task of food and flowers, while event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded. After EEG testing, participants continued their normal routine but recorded all energy intake using weighed food scales. There were no instructions or limitations on dietary intake. Analyses included P300 and LPP amplitudes in response to picture type, total next day energy intake, and energy intake by several periods of the day. Results: Participants averaged 4.7±0.4 hours of sleep during the sleep-restricted condition and 7.7±0.3 hours during the recommended sleep condition (F=1057.02; P<0.0001). There was no group*condition interaction for next day food motivation (P300: F<2.896, P>0.09; LPP: F<2.967, P>0.093). Next day total energy intake also did not differ by group*condition (F=1.81; P=0.187). When participants were pooled, there was no difference in energy intake by sleep condition (F=0.00; P=0.953). However, when participants’ energy intake was analyzed during the lunch period (following testing to 1:30pm) there was a …

Changing The Game: Corporate Social Responsibility In Women's Professional Sport, Lorie Coker

Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that female athletes have long occupied marginal and sometimes invisible positions in sport settings and mainstream media. The focus of this study is on understanding and analyzing how race, class, gender, and other forms of oppression shape women’s professional sport using as the focal point, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the type of mainstream media coverage it receives. The researcher believes that a better understanding of these varied experiences would add depth and knowledge to research on CSR in sport, women and sport research, as well as allow professional leagues and teams to move forward with a more …