Digital Commons Network^™

Oral Status Of Residents Of Long-Term Care Facilities In Kentucky., Lynn Donnelly Austin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oral health is a critical component of every individual's general health and well-being. There is evidence that consistently demonstrates that age, poverty, education levels, minority status, and living in a rural area are risk factors for poorer oral status. In Kentucky, it is projected that there will continue to be an increase in the rural population and a decrease in the urban population; this projection is more pronounced for the aged 65 and over cohort. In 2005, a state-wide oral health survey (KEOHS) which assessed the oral health status and treatment needs of residents aged 65 and over was completed. …

Correlates Of Soy Food Consumption In Adventist Health Study-2, Yen Ang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Much has been discussed about the health benefits and risks of soy consumption but very little is known about who the consumers are. Most of what is known has been observed mainly in Asian populations who consume high levels of soy. Very little is known about soy food intake in the western population who typically has low consumption level. The Seventh-Day Adventist cohort in North America is the only population known in the West with soy food intake that is comparable to the Asian population living in the East.

Soy consumers in a population known for its healthier lifestyle and …

The University Of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study: Predictors Of Human Serum Dioxin Concentrations In Midland And Saginaw, Michigan, David H. Garabrant, Alfred Franzblau, James Lepkowski, Brenda W. Gillespie, Peter Adriaens, Avery Demond, Elizabeth Hedgeman, Kristine Knutson, Lynn Zwica, Kristen Olson, Timothy Towey, Qixuan Chen, Biling Hong, Chiung-Wen Chang, Shih-Yuan Lee, Barbara Ward, Kathy Ladronka, William Luksemburg, Martha Maier

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Background: We conducted a population-based human exposure study in response to concerns among the population of Midland and Saginaw counties, Michigan, that discharges by the Dow Chemical Company of dioxin-like compounds into the nearby river and air had led to an increase in residents’ body burdens of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), here collectively referred to as “dioxins.”

Objectives: We sought to identify factors that explained variation in serum dioxin concentrations among the residents of Midland and Saginaw counties. Exposures to dioxins in soil, river sediments, household dust, historic emissions, and contaminated fish and …

Development Of A Laboratory Protocol For The Micropropagation Of Monterey Pines (Pinus Radiata), Año Nuevo Stand, Karen E. Wells

Master's Theses

Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), a native tree to California and two Mexican islands, is important both ecologically and economically. Outside native stands, Monterey pines are grown for landscaping in California and on plantations around the world. Pitch canker, a disease caused by the fungus Gibberella circinata Nirenberg & O’Donnell (Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg and O'Donnell) is threatening the survival of Monterey pines. The disease currently affects Monterey pines in many parts of the world including the native stands. No effective chemical or biological control is available but some Monterey pines show resistance to the disease. The purpose of this project was …

A Statewide Intervention Reduces Bmi In Adults: Shape Up Rhode Island Results, Rena R. Wing, Angela Marinilli Pinto, Melissa M. Crane, Rajiv Kumar, Brad Weinberg, Amy A. Gorin

Publications and Research

Given the epidemic of obesity, approaches to weight loss that can be applied on a community, state, or national level are needed. We report results from Shape Up Rhode Island 2007 (SURI), a state-wide Internet based program involving team-based competition to increase physical activity and achieve weight loss. A total of 4,717 adults (84% female; mean BMI = 29.6 kg/m2 ) enrolled in the 16 week weight loss competition of SURI and 3311 completed at least 12 weeks. Completers reported losing 3.2 ± 3.4 kg, and 30% achieved a clinically significant weight loss of 5% or more. Although modest, these …

Best Management Practices For Corn Production In South Dakota : Corn Diseases In South Dakota, Troy Bauder, Dwayne L. Beck, Sue L. Blodgett, C. Gregg Carlson, Michael A. Catangui, David E. Clay, Sharon A. Clay, Darrell L. Deneke, Martin A. Draper, B. Wade French, Billy W. Fuller, Robert G. Hall, Curt A. Hoffbeck, Daniel S. Humburg, Marie A. Langham, Douglas D. Malo, Mike J. Moechnig, Richard E. Nicolai, Kurtis D. Reitsma, Bradley E. Ruden, Thomas E. Schumacher, Dennis P. Todey, Todd P. Trooien, Hal D. Werner, James A. Wilson, Howard J. Woodard, Leon J. Wrage

SDSU Extension Circulars

Corn diseases can be separated into 1) seed and seedling diseases, 2) root-infecting nematodes, 3) leaf diseases, 4) rusts, 5) stalk rots, and 6) ear and grain molds. Yield losses can result from diseases directly reducing yields or from harvestability, spoilage, or marketing and/or use issues associated with mycotoxin contamination. See Table 9.1 for corn disease management information. Attention to optimal seed quality, hybrid selection, seed treatments, weed and insect control, crop rotation, soil fertility, irrigation, and prompt harvest can reduce disease impacts. This chapter discusses aspects of recognizing and managing South Dakota corn diseases.

The Effects Of Cecropia Obtusifolia And Cecropia Polyphlebia On Lung Capacity In Relation To Alkaloid Concentration, May 2009, Mai Lee Xiong

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

For centuries, people have depended on nature to alleviate their ailments. A popular natural remedy for asthma is the use of Cecropia adenopus (Rivero 2008). In this study, I looked at two Cecropia spp., C. obtusifolia and C. polyphlebia, found in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Cecropia obtusifolia is found at lower elevation and has a mutualism with Azteca ants while C. polyphlebia is found at higher elevation in the Cloud Forest with no ant mutualism. A previous study by Ross (2003) found that ingestion of C. obtusifolia leaf decoction increased lung capacity by three to four percent compared to a placebo …

Food Justice As Crime Prevention, Avi Brisman

Journal of Food Law & Policy

In December 2008, Governor David Paterson (D-NY) proposed an 18 percent tax on nondiet sodas and fruit drinks containing less than 70 percent natural fruit juice. While the tax was part of a broader budget proposal designed to address New York State's fiscal crisis - a plan that that included new taxes and tax hikes on 137 items and services' - state officials promoted the "obesity tax," as the soft drink levy came to be called, as a public health measure.

Whatever Happened To Old Mac Donald's Farm… Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, Factory Farming And The Safety Of The Nation's Food Supply, Julie Follmer, Roseann B. Termini

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Today, livestock farming is a far stretch from the nostalgic notion of animals grazing in green pastures, roaming free in the fresh country air and returning at the end of the day to a cozy barn. Simply stated, livestock farming is a large scale business, where tens of thousands of animals are swiftly raised industrial-style for maximum profit. Under the "factory farm" model, large corporate owned operations grow quantities of animals for slaughter for human consumption as food. In fact, livestock farms now raise 40% of all animals in the United States.

Nanofood: Legal And Regulatory Challenges, Abu Bakar Munir, Siti Hajar Mohd. Yasin

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Nanotechnology will have a significant impact on food production in a variety of ways, both directly and indirectly. The growth and complexity of nanotechnology in food applications poses new challenges for the existing food regulation as well as the regulatory authority. This article seeks to examine the legal and regulatory challenges posed by the nanotechnology applications in the food industry. This article reviews some of the relevant legislation in the U.S. and E.U. in dealing with nanofood and the industry. This article also provides an assessment on the adequacy of those laws and identifies the possible gaps and weaknesses in …

Effects Of Aerobic And Resistance Exercise On Hunger And Energy Intake In Young Physically Active Adults, Derek Laan

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

Background: Aerobic exercise (AEx) has been shown to induce a transient anorexia of exercise. The impact of AEx on hunger and energy intake is controversial. The effects of resistance exercise (REx) on appetite and energy intake are undocumented.

Methods: Nineteen young, fit adults (9M, 10F; age 22±1 y; VO2max 55.9±3.0 ml•kg-1•min-1) completed duplicate sessions of: AEx (35 min of cycling at 70% heart rate reserve); REx (35 min, 3 sets at 70% one rep max for five exercises); and no exercise (CON). Perceived hunger was assessed throughout each session. 30 min post-Ex a pasta meal was consumed ad libitum. Total …

Are Adolescent Attitudes Toward Calcium-Rich Foods And Intake Of Dietary Calcium Related To The Presence Of Grandparent(S) Living In The Household?, Leslie Cradler

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

Introduction. Early adolescents are a group at risk for reducing calcium intakes during a time of maximal bone accretion. Sociological research suggests that grandparents can positively influence their grandchildren’s self esteem. Therefore, this study hypothesized that early adolescents from households with a grandparent(s) would have a more positive attitude toward calcium-rich foods and a higher consumption of total calcium than their counterparts in households without a grandparent(s).

Methods. This study used a cross-sectional design involving the administration of a questionnaire to a child (10 - 13 y) and a questionnaire to the adult responsible for food acquisition and preparation in …

Development And Evaluation Of A Tool To Assess Television Viewing During Meals And Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Among Families Receiving Services From Efnep, Fnp, And Wic, Rebecca Howden

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

Studies have shown an association between the frequency of family meals and the meal time environment and the dietary quality of those meals, including the presence of fruits and vegetables. One aspect of meal time environment that may be an important factor is television viewing during meals. The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate a family meal assessment tool to measure television viewing during meals and fruit and vegetable consumption within families served by the programs targeted by Indiana’s State Nutrition Action Plan (SNAP). A quantitative survey of family meal assessment questions was pilot tested with a …

The Effects Of 1.25-Dihydroxyvitamin D On Hif-1a Expression In Breast Epithelial Cells Containing The Erbb2 Oncogene, Jessica Harris

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

There is evidence that the active form of vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), may lead to reduced tumor formation by inhibiting vascularization, and thus feeding the tumor (1). Vascularization is controlled in part by the release of proteins which can be stimulated by low oxygen (hypoxia) to increase the transcriptional activity of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) (2). HIF-1α controls the level of an important protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates vascularization (2). The level of HIF-1α protein level is regulated both transcriptionally and by protein stability through the activity of prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) (2). The purpose …

Is Breakfast Or Breakfast Skipping Associated With Adiposity In Adults? Methodological Considerations, Brittany Behrens

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

Objectives: Our aims were to describe morning eating habits and to determine whether different definitions for breakfast were independently related to adiposity and eating styles. Design: Cross-sectional data from previous studies on diet and obesity in our lab were used. Dietary intake and waking time was assessed by 3 unscheduled multiple-pass 24-hour recalls. Subjects whose 3-day average energy intake was not within ± 25% of predicted energy requirements were excluded from this analysis. Breakfast was defined in 3 ways: 1) self-defined by subject; 2) the first eating occasion after waking; and 3) the largest eating occasion before 11am.

Subjects: Subjects …

Development And Evaluation Of A Tool To Assess The Frequency Of Family Meals, Characteristics Of The Mealtime Environment, And Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Among Families Receiving Services From Wic, Efnep And Fnp, Chelsea Kingston

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

Research indicates a positive association between family meal frequency, positive family meal environment, and increased fruit and vegetable consumption among children.

The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate a tool to assess frequency of family meals, characteristics of the mealtime environment, and fruit and vegetable consumption in families served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Family Nutrition Program (FNP), the programs targeted by Indiana’s State Nutrition Action Plan (SNAP).

A quantitative survey of family meal assessment questions was pilot tested with …

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Regulation Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Vegf), Prolyl Hydroxylase (Phd), And Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (Hif-1) In Mammary Epithelial Cells With Erb2 Expression, Erin Harpenau

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer among American women. Vitamin D has been shown to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, in part by preventing the formation of new blood vessels (termed angiogenesis) within tumors.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic factor, has been shown to be regulated by the active form of vitamin D, 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). It has been proposed that 1,25(OH)2D does not directly decrease the expression of VEGF, but rather acts indirectly through Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α), a direct transcriptional regulator of VEGF. 1,25(OH)2D may impact HIF-1α …

Differences In Response To “No Bones About It!” Between Boys And Girls, Amy Conklin

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

Early adolescence is a critical time for skeletal development, as this is when maximal bone growth occurs (1). Development of bones mass during adolescence can help reduce the risk for childhood fractures and osteoporosis later in life. Low calcium intakes can contribute to poor bone health and can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis (2). An adequate intake of 1300 milligrams per day of calcium was set for both male and female adolescents by the Institute of Medicine (3). Unfortunately, most adolescents do not attain this recommendation. Thus, researchers have aimed to investigate various effectively reaching young people to adopt …

Engineering Division

Sci-Tech News

The objectives of the Engineering Division are to provide an association for those having an interest in library and information science as they apply to engineering and the physical sciences and to promote the use of materials and knowledge for the benefit of libraries and other educational organizations.

Effect Of A 15-Week Wellness Course On Health Indicators And Six Areas Of Wellness In College Students, Andrea Michelle Alameda

Dissertations

The current state of health of the United States, including physical inactivity, dietary intake, and overall lifestyle habits is of concern for educators. Specifically, the health of the college population appears to be under-represented in health and wellness research. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a 15- week university wellness-based course on health indicators and six dimensions of wellness: physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual. The researcher hypothesized that students who participated in the wellnessbased course (intervention group) would experience positive health outcomes and increased perceptions of wellness in the six areas of wellness. The intervention group …

Survey Of Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients And Parents Of Cystic Fibrosis Patients On Nutrition Education, Dixie Lea Durham

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disorder affecting more than 30,000 Americans, primarily Caucasians (CF Foundation, n.d.a). A defective gene on the seventh chromosome is inherited from the mother and the father. This gene causes the body to produce an abnormal protein that leads to thick, sticky mucus that is secreted by the lungs, pancreas, liver, sweat glands, and reproductive organs. The pancreas normally excretes enzymes that aid in the digestion of food, however this function is impaired in CF, and therefore CF patients must ingest replacement enzymes (CF Foundation, n.d.a). Despite advances in treatment, including replacement enzymes, under-nutrition and …

Yolk Androgens And Development In American Kestrel Nestlings, Melanie Dawn Berg

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Maternally derived yolk androgens affect many aspects of phenotypic development. To explore this phenomenon I injected clutches of American kestrels (Falco sparverius) with one of three different dosages of testosterone + androstenedione or with vehicle. Morphological measurements taken from nestlings 26 days after hatching showed no significant treatment effect. In 2007, nestlings with more yolk androgens had lower hatching mass and higher hematocrit levels 15 days after hatching than nestlings with less yolk androgens, but the effects disappeared by day 26. In 2008, there were no effects of androgens on mass or hematocrit. Because the results were not …

Improving Success Of Translocating Southern Idaho Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus Endemicus), Katie Lea Busscher

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Populations of the southern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus endemicus; SIDGS), a federally listed candidate species, have declined in the last 30 years mainly because of habitat degredation, loss, and fragmentation. As a management tool, translocation is commonly used to augment, establish, or re-establish wildlife populations, although translocation has historically not been the most successful conservation strategy for species that are threatened or endangered animals as a result of habitat loss. I employed various techniques to improve translocation success of southern Idaho ground squirrels. To establish new populations, I relocated SIDGS to areas within their native range not already occupied by …

The Effect Of Concurrent Cell Phone Use And Walking On Gait Characteristics, Jennifer Marie Aldridge

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examined the effects that cell phone use has on gait and situation awareness. Subjects (n=18; 24.67±3.60 yrs) completed three five-minute treadmill walking conditions (self-selected speed): (1) CONTROL (walking only), (2) TALK (walking and talking), and (3) TEXT (walking and texting). The number of detected lights presented in the visual field was recorded, as were kinematic data of the feet. Using a one-way repeated measure ANOVA it was determined light detection (F _(2,17) =39.777, p<0.001) and TC_min (F_(2,17) =8.574, p=0.001) were different between conditions. Specifically, light detection decreased during TEXT (2.6±2.2 lights) versus TALK (5.8±0.05 lights, p<0.001) or CONTROL (5.9±0.05 lights, p<0.001); TC_min decreased …

Mercury Concentrations In Muscle Tissue From Sportfish In Lake Mead, Nevada, Joanna L. Kramer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lake Mead is the largest reservoir by volume in the United States and provides fishing opportunities for numerous anglers. Considerable attention has been given to the bioaccumulation of methylmercury in fish tissues, however, no formal study utilizing approved USEPA methodology has been conducted to quantify the amount of mercury present in fish tissue from Lake Mead. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentrations of mercury present in the most commonly consumed fish from Lake Mead and to identify if any of the 4 major basins contain fish with elevated concentrations of mercury. Largemouth bass (n=49), striped bass …

Effects Of Carbachol And Vitamin C On Submandibular Salivary Gland Branching Morphogenesis, Nasiratu Larry

Biological Sciences

The Submandibular Salivary Gland (SMG) is formed by iterative branching of epithelial cells into secretory acinar endbuds and branched ducts that are extensively innervated by parasympathetic nerves which can influence gland development. Carbarrylcholine or carbachol, (an acetylcholine neurotransmitter analog), is a drug that binds to and activates the acetylcholine receptor. Previous research has suggested that carbachol on SMGs might delay ductal differentiation and affect actin localization in cells lining the lumen of ducts. Vitamin C has been shown to enhance matrix protein synthesis, which may accelerate cell differentiation. My goal was to test whether and how carbachol or modulation of …

Effect Of Obesity On The Traditional And Emerging Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors In African American Women, Queen Obiageli Henry-Okafor

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Obesity is a growing health care concern with cardiovascular disease (CVD) implications. African American women (AAW) have the highest prevalence rate of obesity and highest CVD morbidity and mortality rate of all ethnic groups. The traditional CVD risk factors have not been sufficient to explain this disparity in disease prevalence and outcomes. Current knowledge is limited regarding the interaction between various levels of adiposity and both traditional and emerging CVD risk factors, particularly in AAW. This study sought to explore these interactions.

Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational analysis of 48 AAW ages 18 to 45 …

Regulation Of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 By Thyroid Hormone / Role Of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1 Alpha And Ccaat Enhancer Binding Protein, Ramy Naguib Attia

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) regulates pyruvate oxidation through the phosphorylation and inhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). The PDC catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and it is an important control point in glucose and pyruvate metabolism. Previous studies had reported that PDK4 gene expression is induced by thyroid hormone (T3). These studies did not investigate the mechanisms by which T3 regulated PDK4 gene expression. I have examined the role of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR), transcriptional coactivators especially the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1α) and other transcription factors that act as accessory factors in …

The Right Ascension Children's Center: Orphaned Refugee Rehabilitation, Newton, Ma, Jonathan Fox

Architecture Theses and Projects

An all encompassing facility placing an emphasis on safety and protection for rescued refugee children. Large open spaces are critical to the success of the children’s recovery, creating a healthy therapeutic environment. The flexibility of the building allows each child to experience the transitional functionality of living and cohabitating at the center. As the children progress through the rehabilitation process, a greater emphasis is placed on integration and community, allowing them another chance at a healthy, successful life.

Analysis Of Selective Petrochemicals: A Case Study Of The Houston Texas Metropolitan Area, Joana Idakwo

Theses (Pre-2016)

With an increasing focus on environmental issues, a concentration on petrochemicals and their importance in commerce along with the role they play towards the issues affecting the ecosystem is a dominant topic of debate. One major product of crude oil is petroleum, which continues to play an important role in the social, economic, and political history of the United States and the world. Petroleum is a very complex mixture of many hydrocarbons. There are varieties of petroleum products, each of which has its own unique mix of molecules, which delineate its physical and chemical properties. Houston happens to be one …