Digital Commons Network^™

Role Of Physical Activity For Weight Loss And Weight Maintenance., Carla E Cox

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

This article reviews the impact of exercise on weight loss and weight maintenance and the possible reasons that weight loss outcomes resulting from exercise are not consistently realized.

Effects Of A 12-Week Exercise Intervention On Joint Kinetics During Curb Negotiation In Cancer Survivors, Anastacia Fraijo

Master's Theses

Cancer is very prevalent in the United States and many people who live with cancer are older adults. Cancer and cancer treatments can be very difficult on the body causing many symptoms that can increase the survivor’s risk of falling. Risk of falling can be even greater when people are required to negotiate obstacles such as curbs or stairs. Research has shown that exercise can reduce symptoms of cancer and cancer treatments and potentially decrease risk of falling. Fourteen cancer survivors, recruited from University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute, completed a pre assessment session followed by a gait assessment …

Optimizing Postpartum Care: The Development Of A Debriefing Tool And Guideline For Healthcare Providers, Shirelle L. Claggett

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

This capstone project was a quality improvement project to reinforce evidence based practice for the care of postpartum women and their infants. The aim of the project was to provide a guideline and tool to allow for assessment of needs, resources available, and ongoing support to promote well-being, improved quality of life, and physical and mental health needs. Research showed postpartum care in the United States has been found to be fragmented with communication deficits between healthcare providers including maternal and pediatric providers and patients (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2016). Patients who attended a scheduled postpartum visit …

Nebline, August 2017

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Back-to-School Nutrition

Food & Health

Farm & Acreage

Pests & Wildlife

Horticulture

Early Childhood

4-H & Youth

and other extension news and events

Special pullout section: Lancaster County Super Fair 2017 Schedule & Map

Infant Home Apnea Monitoring: A Quality Improvement Project For Provider Training Of Practice Recommendations, Amanda Dunlap

Student Projects for Graduate Degrees

The use of home apnea monitoring for infants is a technology that has been utilized for over 40 years. Home apnea monitoring is currently prescribed for infants considered high risk following discharge from the hospital. Management of these monitors is within the scope of practice for pediatric providers in the primary care setting. Confusion has existed among pediatric outpatient providers about medical management of the monitors and when they should be discontinued. This project reviewed the evidence related to home apnea monitoring and sought to share current evidence with local pediatric primary care providers. Prior to presenting current evidence to …

Effects Of Embryonic Arsenic Exposure On Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus) Growth, Feeding Behavior, And Intestinal Morphology And Cell Types, Kaleigh Caroline Sims

All Theses

Arsenic is found as a contaminant of drinking water, rice, and other crops. Epidemiological studies have shown that embryonic exposure to arsenic can cause changes in behavior and reductions in growth, but the mechanisms for these effects are not well understood. So, we were interested in examining potential mechanisms by which arsenic could be affecting growth. Additionally, while many studies have looked at higher levels of arsenic exposure, we wanted to focus on environmentally-relevant levels to see if these concentrations could have lasting consequences on growth, even after the exposure had ended. Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were used as the model …

A Study On Factors Affecting Sleep During Pregnancy In Clinical Trials, Zihan Yan

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Regular sleep is required for sensory processing, learning, and brain plasticity. During pregnancy, poor sleep quality and dysregulation of hormones are all associated with increased risk for diseases like postpartum major depression^[1]. Seventy-eight percent of pregnant women experience sleep problems at some point during pregnancy according to the National Sleep Foundation's 1998 Women and Sleep poll_. Chronodisruption is a frequent sleep disturbance experienced by pregnant women that can be primary or due to co-morbid conditions^[2]. For this reason, chronodisruption, which includes insomnia, is currently regarded as one of the most important factors determining pregnancy outcome. …

Gamma Power In Pakistani Children: Links To Executive Function And Verbal Ability, Amanda R. Tarullo, Jelena Obradovic, Brandon Keehn, Muneera Rasheed, Saima Siyal, Charles A. Nelson, Aisha K. Yousafzai

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Children in low- and middle-income countries are at high risk of cognitive deficits due to environmental deprivation that compromises brain development. Despite the high prevalence of unrealized cognitive potential, very little is known about neural correlates of cognition in this population. We assessed resting EEG power and cognitive ability in 105 highly disadvantaged 48-month-old children in rural Pakistan. An increase in EEG power in gamma frequency bands (21-30Hz and 31-45Hz) was associated with better executive function. For girls, EEG gamma power also related to higher verbal IQ. This study identifies EEG gamma power as a neural marker of cognitive function …

Benefits Of Reduced Meat Consumption In The U.S.: Cost-Benefit Analysis Of An Increase In Plant-Based Diets, Rebecca Zahora

Senior Honors Projects

How sustainable is our food system? An investigation of diet choices and their environmental impacts

Food is often thought of as a commodity, when fundamentally it is our nourishment and foundation of life. In the United States, it appears as if we have a functional food system, but in reality what we have is an unsustainable system of industrialized agriculture perpetuated by a disproportionate allocation of resources. Current consumer behavior within our food system is detrimental to future environmental and human well being, ultimately exacerbating the timing and magnitude of global climate change.

With negative impacts of climate change looming …

Investigation Of Uranium And Thorium Uptake In Pinus Taeda (Loblolly Pine) And Dichanthelium Commutatum (Variable Panicgrass) From A Naturally Occurring Source, Sam Santoso

All Theses

Mobilization of radioactivity from natural sources could lead to concentrations of naturally occuring radioactive material (NORM) in groundwaters past the EPA maximum concentration limit (MCL) for drinking water (Hughes et al., 2005; Powell et al., 2007). The Piedmont and Blue Ridge aquifers are a continuous source of water for much of the Eastern U.S., however there are sources of natural contamination due to the area's geologic history. In the Tamassee and Salem Quadrangles (N 34° 56.152' W 83° 00.284) area of Upstate South Carolina off Highway 130 near Burgess Creek, an abandoned logging road dug through a sandy loam unit.This …

Data Mining In Large-Scale Clinical Visit Data For Rett Syndrome Patients, Neela Saranya Avudaiappan

All Theses

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurological disorder that predominantly affects girls. Research on RTT has mostly centered around gene mutations and possibility of cure using gene therapy. In this thesis we perform the first large scale systematic study of RTT patient records. The thesis has two major goals. One is to identify behavioral groups and the other is to study the association of medications and behavior or conditions. To achieve the first goal we apply standard clustering techniques like non-negative matrix factorization and k-means. We identify behavioral groups which could be used by clinicians for formulating better treatments. For …

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors Effects On Hybrid Striped Bass Predatory Behavior And Internal Chemistry, Lauren E. Stoczynski

All Theses

Prescription drug use continues to increase across the United States. An important part of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that function as anti-depressants and include drugs as citalopram (Celexa) and sertraline (Zoloft). SSRI's main mode of action is the inhibition of the serotonin reuptake transporter, causing a buildup of extracellular serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous system. SSRIs can be considered persistent pollutants due to their continuous release from wastewater treatment effluent, drug manufacturing effluent, and agricultural runoff. Aquatic organisms can become non-target organisms when subjected to sub-lethal concentrations (low ppb to …

Formulating A Composite Scaffold With Tissue Regeneration And Anti-Cancer Activity, Kendyl Marie Williams

All Theses

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States and is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Many treatment options, such as chemotherapy or surgery, are invasive, ineffective, or detrimental to the body. It has been previously demonstrated that tannic acid has anti-cancer properties and is effective in killing cancer cells while not adversely affecting healthy cells. Tannic acid crosslinks collagen type I. We have proposed using tannic acid crosslinked collagen type I beads to fill in the void left after surgery while simultaneously treating any remaining cancer cells after a breast cancer patient has a …

Content Analysis Of Spanish-Language Materials Targeting Consumers With Information About Human Norovirus, Ana Romero Vega

All Theses

Background and Rationale: Worldwide, human norovirus is a significant public health problem. One way to reduce the burden of illness attributed to norovirus is to educate consumers about prevention and control strategies. A common vehicle to do so is the Internet. Unfortunately, the accuracy of information posted to the Internet is not well known as no universal review system is in place. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if web-based Spanish-language norovirus educational materials targeting consumers were clearly written and accurate (aligned with evidence-based prevention and control strategies). The objectives were: (1) determine if the …

An Incremental Approach To Improving Evaluation Response Rates For Multiday Events, Robert Goodling, Winifred Mcgee, Coleen Jones

Journal of Extension

Online survey systems have improved evaluation costs and efficiencies but tend to result in lower response rates. We developed an incremental approach for online evaluation of multiday events. The incremental approach splits a complete evaluation into smaller sections and provides respondents access to both current and past sections. We selected two annual events (one national and one state-level) at which to evaluate the approach. Overall, evaluation response rates with the incremental approach averaged 45.9%, nearly double the 25.3% response rate that is typical with traditional online evaluations. Use of this incremental approach for online evaluation resulted in improved assessment of …

Dietary Analysis Of The Emerald Shiner (Notropis Atherinoides) In The Upper Niagara River Using Fatty Acids, Stomach Contents, And Stable Isotopes, Colleen Kolb

Great Lakes Center Masters Theses

Describing ontogenetic and temporal shifts in diet is a fundamental step in understanding food web structure in any ecological community. I conducted a dietary analysis of the emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides), a keystone species in the Niagara River (NY), using a detailed analysis of fatty acids combined with data on stomach contents and stable isotopes. For both 2014 and 2015, oleic acid and DHA were important fatty acids responsible for the majority of the differences among groups. There was a seasonal shift in fatty acids from relatively high levels of 22:5n-6 and DHA early in the season to …

Noninvasive Measures Of Stress And Lameness In Broilers, Shawna L. Weimer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The concept of broiler chicken welfare has evolved from a component of animal husbandry to a label on a chicken product package. Recent attention from the public has led to the need for higher welfare standards for animal production. A primary concern of broiler production is low activity/locomotion attributed to fast growth rates leading to poor leg health. To collect the scientific data necessary to determine conditions providing the best welfare for the bird, multiple methods of assessment are required. Stress is influenced by external (temperature, humidity, lighting, stocking density) and internal (metabolism, thermoregulation, hormonal balance) factors. This series of …

Membranes For Food And Bioproduct Processing, Alexandru Marius Avram

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Modified membranes for process intensification in biomass hydrolysis

Production of biofuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass is one of the leading candidates for replacement of petroleum based fuels and chemicals. However, conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and chemicals is not cost effective compared to the production of fuels and chemicals from crude oil reserves. Some novel and economically feasible approaches involve the use of ionic liquids as solvents or co-solvents, since these show improved solvation capability of cellulose over simple aqueous systems. Membranes offer unique opportunities for process intensification which involves fractionation of the resulting biomass hydrolysate leading to …

Swedish Social Welfare And Its Application To American Welfare Systems, Ben Wilson Galloway

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Swedish Social Welfare and its Application to American Welfare Systems concerns itself with the issue of determining the origins of the modern Swedish social welfare system. Additionally, the causes behind the formation of the system are evaluated for their relevancy concerning the formation of the American welfare system. Multiple areas of study are considered, including racial impacts, economic factors, sociological impactors, and demographic variables.

Attitudes Of Students With And Without Disabilities Toward Physical Education And Their Sports And Activities Preferences In Saudi Arabia, Zuhair Abdaladeem Al Salim

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest countries in the Middle East, and it has paid particular attention to public education to prepare students to become good citizens. Physical education (PE) can have a vital influence on all children and adolescents’ lifestyles, including those with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes of Saudi Arabian students with and without disabilities toward PE as well as their sport and activities preferences. A second purpose was to investigate the effect of school levels and student participation in physical activity after school on students’ attitudes in PE. A final purpose …

Rna Sequencing In The Development Of Cancer-Cachexia, Thomas Allen Blackwell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cancer is a major public health problem in the U.S. and the world. In 2013 there were an estimated 1,660,290 new cases of cancer in the U.S. Cancer-Cachexia (CC) is a common effect of many cancers, and is directly responsible for 20-40% of cancer-related deaths. The mechanisms that control the development of CC are not well understood. Most investigations of CC focus on the post-cachectic state and do not examine the progression of the condition. The purpose of this study was to utilize RNA sequencing to analyze transcriptomic alterations throughout the progression of CC. Methods: Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells …

During The Wait: A Phenomenological Study On Denied Social Security Dissability Applicants Awaiting Appeal, Stefanie A. Ford

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the essence of the experience of individuals who were denied Social Security Disability benefits and who sought the appeals process. In the first round, five semi-structured face-to-face interviews allow the participants to share their thoughts, feelings, and actions taken and, if any, what life changes occurred during the appeals process. Data analysis using phenomenological methods create textural-structural descriptions from which, in a second interview, applicants choose to confirm, edit, or add to their analyzed interviews. The findings present as seven major themes that describes the phenomenon. They are: (a) procedural unfairness …

Characterization Of The Relationships Between Soybean Yield, Trifoliolate Leaf Chloride Concentration, And Cultivar Chloride Inclusion/Exclusion Rating, Dillon Cox

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chloride toxicity is recognized as yield limiting problem in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production. Limited information is available to accurately diagnose and manage Cl toxicity. The only recommendation for Cl toxicity management is to plant an excluder cultivar, however the cultivar Cl sensitivity rating system (excluder, includer, and mixed) does not appear to capture the variability in cultivar Cl tolerance. The objectives of this research were to i) develop critical tissue-Cl concentrations in which yield loss occurs for excluder and includer cultivars and ii) investigate the variability in cultivar Cl ratings. A study was conducted across five site-years using …

Experiment-Based Quantitative Modeling For The Antibacterial Activity Of Silver Nanoparticles, Mohammad Aminul Haque

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Silver (Ag) has been well known for its antimicrobial activity for a long time. Recent research showed the potential of Ag nanoparticles as emerging antimicrobial agents. However, little quantitative analysis has been performed so far to decipher the mechanism of interaction between nanoparticles and bacteria. Here, a detailed analysis based on kinetic growth assay and colony forming unit assay has been carried out to study the antimicrobial effect of Ag nanoparticles against Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. It was observed that the presence of Ag nanoparticles increased the lag time of bacterial growth while not affecting the maximum growth rate …

Mushroom Inoculation On Switchgrass Feedstock During Storage: Effects Of Subsequent Pre-Processing For Intended Biofuels Production, Amandeep Singh Turay

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this project was to examine the effect of fungal treatment and liquid hot water pretreatment of switchgrass combine in view of increasing glucose release. The fungal treatment consisted of incubating Pleurotus ostreatus in square switchgrass bales, at 50% moisture content for 25 days, 54 days, and 82 days. The digestibility of the switchgrass biomass was subsequently evaluated using Accelerase 1500 enzyme. Lignin is an important barrier to enzymatic hydrolysis, and it was stipulated that incubation with P. ostreatus would disrupt plant cell walls, resulting in enhanced saccharification. Three different concentrations of P. ostreatus were evaluated: 0%, 2%, …

Supplemental Trace Minerals (Zn, Cu, And Mn) As Sulfates Or Hydroxy Trace Mineral Sources For Beef Heifers, Randy Hunter Burnett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Crossbred heifers (n = 286, 255 ± 4.5 kg initial BW, 295 ± 16.5 d of age) were used over a 2-yr period to determine the effects of mineral source on beef heifer development at 2 locations (n = 71 and n = 72, Fayetteville, blocks 1 and 4; n = 72 in each of 2 breeding groups, Batesville, blocks 2 and 3). Heifers were stratified based on initial BW, age, health, prior research projects, and sire, and then assigned to 6 groups of 12 heifers, that were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 trace mineral treatments. The 2 treatments …

A Comparative Analysis Of Feed And Environmental Factors On Broiler Growth In The United States, Alexandra Gulli

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Broiler production in the United States has become an important industry within the last half century. As the demand for poultry continues to increase and the concern of climate change also increases, it will become an important part of the industry to become more sustainable. This study uses a feed optimization model, a broiler growth model, and a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine how feed ingredients and the barn environment can affect the broiler’s growth and production emissions. A multi-criteria ration optimization model is used to produce feeds based on carbon footprint and cost. A growth model is used …

Phylogenetic Diversity Of The Bacterial Communities In Craft Beer, Lindsey Rodhouse

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The craft beer industry is increasing in popularity in the United States. The craft brewing process typically does not use a pasteurization step, therefore the boiling process is the primary critical control step. Any microorganisms introduced after boiling, or those that are not killed during boiling, are likely to participate in fermentation and persist in the final product. Previous culture-based studies have isolated bacteria and yeast from craft beers at specific time points, but little research has been done on the process as a whole. The objectives of this research are to (1) track bacteria development throughout the brewing process …

Factors Impacting Iron Transfer Into The Rice Kernel During Parboiling, Katherine Wilkes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Efforts to deliver essential micronutrients through existing rice fortification methods are challenged by poor consumer acceptance of fortified rice, production costs, and equipment availability. Current research efforts seek to explore the potential of parboiling to improve nutrient delivery. This study investigates factors that affect iron transfer into the kernel endosperm via parboiling by evaluating the impact of varied milling durations, iron concentrations in the soaking water, and parboiling conditions upon iron penetration into the rice kernel. Long-grain rice grown in Arkansas was parboiled as rough, brown, and milled rice under various soaking and steaming temperature conditions. Visual quality of the …

Evaluation Of Screening Methods To Detect Heat Stress In Diverse Cotton Genotypes, Mathilda M. Van Der Westhuizen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is sensitive to heat stress (HS) during reproductive development. The objective of this study was to evaluate different screening methods for identification of heat tolerance in cotton genotypes. Three growth chamber studies and four field trials were conducted from 2014 to 2017 using genotypes Arkot 9704, VH260, DP 210 B2RF and DP393. Measurements were made of membrane leakage (ML), chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF), glutathione reductase (GR), and sucrose concentration. In the growth chambers, measurements were made at 30 and 40°C and at 2, 4 and 6 hours of HS, as well as 3 and 7 days after …