Digital Commons Network^™

Call The Doctor! A Study Of Parental Medical Nonadherence Within Child Custody Proceedings, Karissa Lynn Cummons

Theses and Dissertations

Medical nonadherence is a common and formidable problem that many pediatric healthcare providers face when treating children with acute and chronic medical conditions because adhering to a physicians’ treatment recommendations is beneficial for successful treatment, disease prevention, and healthy promotion (Dawood et al., 2010). It was estimated that at least one third of patients are unable to complete or adhere to relatively short treatment regimens (Dawood et al., 2010). Reasons for nonadherence to a physicians’ recommendations range from extended duration of treatment, multiple prescribed medications, and periods of symptom remission (Dawood et al., 2010). Despite a parent’s or family’s reason …

Comparative Metabolites Profiling Of Sesamum Indicum Seeds In Context Of Their Origin, Processing And Biological Activity Using Bioinformatics Tools, Bishoy Fayez Abib

Theses and Dissertations

Sesame (Sesamum indicum), is a significant oilseed crop with great economical and nutritional value, encompassing a plethora of primary and secondary metabolites that exhibit pharmacological and therapeutic merits. The present study, using untargeted comparative metabolomics, aims to authenticate and classify sesame seed accessions from different countries of origin i.e., Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria, based on their metabolite variations and in relation to their biological activity and nutritional value such as mineral content. Also, to further assess the impact of processing on sesame’s nutritional value and biological activity using the industrial production of sesame paste as a case study. To achieve …

Trypanosome Infection Disturbs The Gut Microbiota Of Bumble Bee Hosts, Bryan Sierra-Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

Host-microbe interactions are ubiquitous with both positive and negative outcomes for host health and fitness. While pathogens abound, there has been an increased focus beneficial host-microbial community associations, such as native gut microbiota that can aid in disease resistance, nutrient sequestration, and detoxification. However, while beneficial microbes can protect against infection, there is a limited appreciation for how pathogen infection may disrupt healthy gut microbiota structure and function. Crithidia bombi is a common trypanosomatid gut parasite of bumble bees with fitness-relevant effects on individuals and colonies. The native bumble bee gut microbiota has been shown to increase protection against Crithidia, …

Of Mites And Brains: Ectoparasitism In Nestlings Alters The Development Of Song Control Nuclei In European Starlings, Elliot Parker Lusk

Theses and Dissertations

The developmental stress hypothesis suggests that birdsong can reflect the current condition and developmental history of a songbird. Developmental stressors such as food restriction or ectoparasitism can hinder normal song development, leading to altered song quality in adulthood. Previous research has demonstrated that early food restriction results in reduced growth of song control nuclei, which may account for the effects of early food restriction on adult song quality. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of early ectoparasitism on birdsong have not been directly investigated. In this study, we examined the development of song control nuclei in European starling (Sturnus …

Effects Of Depth And Cover Crop Treatment On The Functioning And Diversity Of Soil Microbial Communities, Emily N. Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

Globally, agriculture is strained by the unpredictable effects of climate change, as well as flooding, drought, erosion, and decreases in soil fertility. To meet these challenges, agricultural systems must develop new techniques while promoting sustainable intensification practices. Cover crops can provide farmers with an off-season cash crop, while also positively impacting the soil and reducing reliance on less sustainable conventional farming practices. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of different cover crops on soil microbial communities at varying depths. Soils were sampled in the fall and spring from experimental plots (ISU Farm, Lexington, IL) that contained …

Nutrition Facts Label Use Among U.S. Adolescents, Jennifer Beth Mandelbaum

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the promise of Nutrition Facts label (NFL) use as a population-level intervention with broad reach, few studies have examined determinants of adolescents’ NFL use, and how this label use may be associated with nutrition behaviors. This study used data from the International Food Policy Study, an online cross-sectional survey of trends in dietary patterns and policy-relevant behaviors in the U.S. and five other countries. First, this study examined 1) whether NFL use was associated with healthy eating efforts and 2) whether there were sociodemographic differences in NFL use among U.S. adolescents. Results demonstrated that NFL use was positively associated …

The Role Of Village Savings And Loan Associations In Poverty Graduation Programs: A Process Analysis, Noha Abdel Hamid

Theses and Dissertations

Ten percent of the global population live in extreme poverty under $1.90 a day. To combat chronic multidimensional poverty, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)created the Graduation Approach, which consists of a Big Push effect implemented through a series of interventions including asset transfer, mentoring, saving groups and a series of service provisions, to push ultra-poor households to exit poverty sustainably. Implemented so far in over 50 countries, the model has shown positive results even after ten years of the first interventions. Sawiris Foundation for Social Development partnered with BRAC and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Laboratory (J-PAL) to …

The Effects Of Trauma And Statelessness On Refugee Employment Outcomes, Seth Hershberger

Theses and Dissertations

An empirical study, this paper examines the relationship of pre-resettlement refugee characteristics on their respective economic outcomes post-resettlement. In particular, it places special focus on the correlation that a refugee’s level of trauma and duration of statelessness, or time spent in a temporary country of asylum, have with that refugee’s real wages, probability of being employed at 180 days post-resettlement, and duration of initial unemployment in the country of final resettlement. Through the development of three sets of models, this paper finds a quadratic relationship between the length of a refugee’s statelessness and real wages post-resettlement, where increases in duration …

Association Of Prior Periodontal Disease With Cancer – Exploring Epidemiologic Evidence Of Periodontal Exudate-Exposed Site Cancer Risk Versus Remote Gastrointestinal Sites, Asma Alzahrani

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection of the gums, if untreated, causes chronic inflammation over years and eventual tooth loss. The associations between periodontal disease (measured by missing teeth) and certain sites of cancer have been established, in epidemiological studies, and attributed to systemic inflammatory impacts causing carcinogenic change over decades. Because periodontal exudates are toxic, containing locally bioactive bacteria and toxins, this study hypothesized and studied the potential higher cancer risk of anatomic sites exposed to oral exudates (exudate-exposed site cancers (EEC); head and neck, oral, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach). The study studied the risk of exudate exposed …

Deciphering The Molecular Circuitry That Controls Iron Regulation In Non-Pathogenic Yeast, Debolina Hati

Theses and Dissertations

The trace metal iron is essential for the survival of almost all living organisms. It is a co-factor for many proteins involved in a variety of vital functions such as respiration, nitrogen fixation, and DNA biosynthesis, to name a few. Iron homeostasis in non-pathogenic fungi such as Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been extensively studied over the past few decades to better understand how intracellular iron is regulated under different environmental conditions. Iron regulation in S. pombe is controlled by two Fe-responsive transcriptional repressors known as Php4 and Fep1. Both rely on iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters as signals to balance iron acquisition, storage, …

Novel Dietary Index For Gut Microbiota And Associations With Colorectal Cancer And Breast Cancer Risk, Bezawit Eyob Kase

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Diet serves as a driving force for shaping the gut microbiome. Understanding how diet may modify gut microbiota and subsequently may be associated with chronic disease is critical to public health prevention efforts. Aims: We aimed to develop a novel dietary index that captures the quality of diet with respect to attaining beneficial composition and function of gut microbiota. We then examined the relationship between the dietary index and two gut microbiota-related cancers, i.e., colorectal and breast cancers.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies that examined the effect of foods on gut microbiota in adult populations. Dietary …

Assessment Of The Quality Of Emergency Obstetric Care In Public Hospitals In Bangladesh: Evidence From The National Health Facility Assessment Survey, Kaji Korotki

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: The quality of obstetric care is low in Bangladesh, especially at the sub-district level, and below sub-district level facilities such as union health centers and community clinics. Using nationally representative health facility assessment survey data, this study assessed the change in the quality of basic and comprehensive obstetric care in terms of human resources, equipment, and service availability at sub-district public health facilities in 2014 and 2017.

METHODS: Based on Donabedian’s model of quality of care (QoC), the quality of comprehensive delivery care was measured using an index of 9 indicators known as Signal Functions (SF), while basic obstetric …

Xenobiotic Exposures On Women’S Reproductive Health, Maria Zubizarreta Mcclam

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental and chemical exposures are continually introduced into our bodies. The female reproductive cycle is complex and particularly sensitive to toxic substances. A recent rise in infertility and reproductive diseases and cancers make reproductive toxicity a public health concern. The overall purpose of this dissertation is to explore how environmental and chemical exposures impact women’s reproductive health and overall wellbeing. To do this, a variety of topics related to women’s reproductive health are explored, including how environmental exposures can impact reproduction, methods for studying reproductive dysfunctions, fertility preservation among cancer patients, and the overall wellbeing of female cancer patients.

The …

Investigating The First/Last Mile Problem In Underserved Communities: A Case Study In Camden City, Nj, Ruqaya Alfaris

Theses and Dissertations

The first/last mile (FLM) is defined as the distance a transiting person should complete before boarding or after alighting at a transit station. The FLM trip is one of the major barriers to access transit, which significantly affects individuals' accessibility to critical services. Specifically, this is prevalent in underserved communities in which public transportation constitutes the major mode of travel. As a case study, the current study discusses the FLM barriers in Camden City, NJ. The study comprehensively reviews the existing literature of the FLM practice to identify the lessons learned from previously conducted plans and programs. To supplement the …

Finding Biomarkers From Long-Non-Coding Rnas In Serum Of Patients With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nouran Yonis

Theses and Dissertations

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a serious global public health problem as it is a highly prevalent condition, that begins as simple liver steatosis and develops into an inflammatory steatosis form known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD has been linked with multiple comorbidities, which in certain cases predisposes to mortality secondary to extrahepatic neoplasms and coronary diseases. On the other hand, NASH leaves patients at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of NAFLD- based HCC is steadily increasing and is projected to surpass the incidence of HCC from viral origins. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been …

Relationships Between And Student Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy, Growth Mindset, And Mathematics Identity Of Adolescents In A Rural South Georgia Charter School, Carrie Cooper Pierce

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study investigated the relationships between the constructs of self-efficacy, growth mindset, and mathematics identity among middle school students at a South Georgia charter school. Constructivist grounded theory was used to investigate the strength of these constructs along with student perceptions of what factors make one a math person. The study was an explanatory sequential design consisting of an online survey followed by student interviews. Ninety-one students participated in the survey. Multiple linear regression was used to determine whether a correlation existed between the variables as well as among student subgroups. Self-efficacy was found to be a predictor …

Effectiveness Of Group Interventions For Weight Loss For Youth: A Meta-Analytic Review, Monica Carolina Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Nearly 19.3% of children in the United States have obesity. There are several behavioral weight loss (BWL) programs available for children and adolescents that have proven effective in managing weight. Many of these treatments are delivered to groups of children rather than to individual youth. However, previous reviews of the literature have not explored the unique effects of group treatment modalities. Research has shown that social ties, particularly with peers, have an impact on adolescents' physical activity engagement and dietary habits. Therefore, it is important to explore how the interaction component of group delivered BWL treatments contributes to their …

Critical Access Hospital Nurses' Qualitative Reports Of Major Obstacles In End-Of-Life Care, Con K. Newman

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Critical Care Nurses have previously noted obstacles in caring for dying patients. Obstacles noted by nurses working in more urban settings have been reported. What is not known is the obstacles to providing end-of-life (EOL) care as perceived by nurses working in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Objective: To determine the stories/experiences related to obstacles in providing EOL care as reported by nurses working in CAHs. Methods: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional study. Previous quantitative data has been reported. Documentation of the qualitative stories/experiences of nurses working in CAHs related to obstacles to providing EOL care for dying patients and …

Exploring New Jersey Public And Public Charter School Nurses' Knowledge Levels And Perceptions Of Food Allergies In Schools: A Mixed Methods Study, Lorelei Lorissa Cheli-Voorhees

Theses and Dissertations

The number of children affected by food allergies in the United States is large and increasing. The potential for life-threatening food-induced allergic reactions presents significant risks for students and schools. In the state of New Jersey, nurses are responsible for managing the risks associated with food allergies in elementary and secondary schools. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore and understand the knowledge, perceptions, policies, and practices of New Jersey public school nurses towards food allergies in schools. The participants were certified school nurses who currently work in public and public charter elementary and secondary schools in …

Air Quality Impacts From Mineral Dust, Fireworks, And Urban Pollution Revealed By Trace Element Chemistry And Strontium Isotopes Ratios In The Wasatch Front, Utah, Usa, Micah J. Marcy

Theses and Dissertations

Airborne particulate matter (PM) in urban areas is derived from a combination of natural and anthropogenic sources. To identify PM sources and their effects on air quality, we collected PM using active filter samplers over a two-year period in the urban Wasatch Front, northern Utah, an area affected by multiple pollution sources. Filters from active samplers and other PM samples were analyzed for major and trace element concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr ratios. We identified wind-blown mineral dust from dry lake beds, winter inversions, and fireworks as primary PM sources affecting air quality in the Wasatch Front. Dust contributes Al, Be, Ca, …

Consumption Of Fruits And Vegetables In The Mississippi Delta And The Role Of The Food Environment, Shannon Giscombe

Theses and Dissertations

Differences in the prevalence of obesity are generally associated with disparities in the food environment which partially determine diet quality. In this research, I examine the relationship between the local food environment and the consumption of fruit and vegetables among individuals living in the Mississippi Delta region using survey and store availability data for individuals living in seven counties with the highest obesity rates in the state. An ordered probit model with an endogenous covariate is used to assess the marginal effect of food environment variables on the frequency of fruit or vegetable consumption. I find that longer distance traveled …

The Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Food Security Of Mississippians, Hannah Noel Irwin

Theses and Dissertations

Mississippi leads the United States in food insecurity, with 15.3% of Mississippians experiencing food insecurity in a given year. To determine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food insecurity of Mississippians, a survey containing the USDA Household Food Security Questionnaire was distributed to adult Mississippi residents. By employing the USDA Household Food Security Scale and the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke Methodology, this study finds that the food insecurity rate, food insecurity gap, and squared food insecurity gap have worsened in Mississippi since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study finds that households which were food insecure prior to March …

The Effect Of Maternal Melatonin Supplementation During Mid To Late Gestation On Offspring Muscle Growth And Development In Swine, Thomas Warren Dobbins

Theses and Dissertations

Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone most often associated with circadian rhythms, but also has antioxidant and vasodilative properties. Through these properties, exogenous melatonin supplementation has been shown to increase both fetal and postnatal parameters in livestock species, however no research has been performed in swine. This project was split into a prenatal and postnatal study, wherein sows were supplemented from approximately gestational day 38 to 100 before undergoing a terminal hysterectomy for the prenatal portion, and from gestational day 60 to farrowing. Melatonin increased fetal morphometrics in a seasonal dependent manner, where fetuses from melatonin supplemented sows had increased measurements …

Assessing Virtual Free-Choice Agricultural Learning: A Mixed Methods Approach, Richard John Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

Since the mid-19th century, agricultural museums and living history sites, first in Scandinavia and then in the United States and Canada, have provided historical, cultural, and, sometimes, scientific information about farming to visitors. Many of these visitors have been school children on field trips. Assessment of this learning, however, has been scant, particularly within the free-choice style inherent in these types of educational venues. At the same time, assessment of free-choice learning, often analyzed through the Contextual Model of Learning (Falk & Dierking 2000), has taken place at educational sites like zoos, natural history museums, and science centers. This study, …

Incorporating Follicle Stimulating Hormone To Stimulate Multiple Corpora Lutea For Embryo Transfer In Beef Cattle, Bryan Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Assisted reproductive technologies, such as estrus synchronization and embryo transfer, can aid producers in improving genetics by increasing the number of progeny produced from elite females. The success of embryo transfer is dependent on a viable, competent embryo and a recipient with a receptive uterine environment. Follicular development and luteinization are pertinent for the recipient to establish a functional corpus luteum (CL) that can produce adequate concentrations of progesterone (P4) and provide a uterine environment conducive for the establishment of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to determine if exogenous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), would increase the number of …

Effects Of Anthropogenic Global Change On A Grassland Prairie Community, Carter Wolff

Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic global change is altering food web dynamics. Global change comprises factors, like temperature, sound, light and more. In this dissertation, I evaluate how two factors, sound and temperature, alter prairie communities. In Chapter 1, I test if sound influences grasshopper respiration rate, thereby altering diet. Some sound frequencies increased grasshopper respiration rate while others decreased respiration rate. Frequencies that elevated respiration rate led to grasshoppers consuming more carbohydrate-rich foods compared to protein-rich foods. This diet change stems from a carbon deficit due to increased respiration rate and could act as a mechanism by which sound pollution indirectly alters plant …

Using Stimulus Equivalence To Improve Portion Size Estimates In Emerging Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Laura M. Quintero

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this current study was to evaluate the use of a stimulus equivalence paradigm to teach emerging adults with developmental disabilities to accurately estimate portion sizes. This study also aimed to integrate nutritionally recommended foods to incorporate a socially significant component to promote health related behaviors. Three emerging adults with various developmental disabilities participated in this study. A pre/post-test embedded in a multiple baseline design across food was used to demonstrate experimental control. Results of this study indicated that all participants exhibited accurate portion size estimations following stimulus equivalence direct training trials and test of untrained relations. When …

Assessing The Usefulness Of The Livingroom Learning Gardens At Galloway Elementary School, Partnership Middle School, And Leland Park Middle School For Teaching, Benjamin Little Gunter

Theses and Dissertations

As more schools incorporate learning gardens into their campuses to help educate school children on nutrition (Parmer and Stuempler, 2009), connect students to nature (Bucher, 2017), and grow healthy food; there is a need to better understand how the physical design and components of the garden facilitate the use and programming of the gardens for teaching. There is little research on how the physical characteristics of a garden influence those benefits and challenges. This study seeks to assess the usefulness of an intentionally designed garden typology that has been implemented at three different school sites. By documenting the differences between …

Assessment Of Postural, Locomotor, And Physical Fitness Status In Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Alana J. Turner

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Postural control and locomotion deficits can be observed during the early years of childhood development and throughout life. For those with disabilities, these deficits can advance past the development years and into adolescence and adulthood while affecting the quality of life and daily activity. Finding interactive rehabilitative activities to delay or limit these deficits is essential for people with disabilities to improve their quality of life, inclusion, and overall movement. Adapted physical activity/sports like badminton and virtual reality could promote improvements in postural and locomotor status for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy (CP), intellectual …

Inosine 5’- Monophosphate Derived Umami Flavor Intensity Of Beef Determination By Electrochemistry And Chromatography, Kezia Virellia To

Theses and Dissertations

The umami sensation contributes to beef flavor and acceptability. Inosine 5’- monophosphate (IMP) was the most abundant nucleotide in meat known to impart umami taste which thus far had been overlooked in meat flavor studies. The objectives of this study were to determine the umami taste threshold of inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP), the effects of spiking IMP on the sensory descriptive attributes of various USDA graded beef strip steaks, and to differentiate beef by IMP content using electrochemistry. USDA Prime, Choice, and Select steaks were spiked with 0.3 and 0.6 mM IMP and analyzed chemically and organoleptically. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and …