Digital Commons Network^™

Food For Thought: Flexible Farm To School Procurement Policies Can Increase Access To Fresh, Healthy School Meals, Lauren Tonti

Health Matrix: The Journal of Law-Medicine

The article focuses on the enactment of farm to school procurement policies for providing students health and its impact in increasing access to fresh, healthy school meals in the U.S.

Subtle Microbiome Manipulation Using Probiotics Reduces Antibiotic-Associated Mortality In Fish, Victor Schmidt, Marta Gomez-Chiarri, Chelsea Roy, Katherine Smith, Linda Amaral-Zettler

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

Prophylactic antibiotics in the aquaculture and ornamental fish industry are intended to prevent the negative impacts of disease outbreaks. Research in mice and humans suggests that antibiotics may disturb microbiome communities and decrease microbiome-mediated disease resistance, also known as “colonization resistance.” If antibiotics impact fish as they do mice and humans, prophylactic administrations on aquaculture farms may increase downstream disease susceptibility in target hosts, despite short-term pathogen control benefits. We tested the effects of antibiotics on mortality after a pathogen challenge in the Poecilia sphenops black molly and subsequently tested if probiotic inoculations could reverse any antibiotic-induced losses of disease …

A Qualitative Study To Explore Puerto Rican Caregiver Needs And Supports To Better Feed Their Children, Nelly E. Carmona

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

"The worldwide prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased 10% between 1990 and 2010". Boneta, Toro, Garcia, Torres, & Palacios (2015). According to the authors, "Obesity rates of Puerto Rican children residing in mainland US and in Puerto Rico are among the highest (23-32%) when compared to other racial groups/ethnic groups". (p.2)

The purpose of this research is to first primarily understand the challenges that Puerto Rican caregivers’ have in providing a diet with high nutritional content for their school age children. A secondary purpose is to use these perspectives of Puerto Rican caregivers to inform social work practice as …

Workout Your Burnout : An Exploratory Look At The Role Of Perceived Barriers And Benefits To Physical Activity In Social Workers, Samuel Shapiro

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This mixed-methods exploratory study aimed to develop better understanding of the relationship between social workers’ participation in physical activities and their perceptions of potential barriers and benefits to participating in exercise. Sixty-four individuals completed an online survey, disclosing their physical activity habits as while growing up as well as those of their parents and/or caregivers. Quantitative questions asked participants to measure: their recent physical activity rates, defining them as light, moderate or vigorous; their perceived potential benefits of and barriers to physical activity, and, finally, their contentedness with aspects of their body and their work. Participants reported few barriers and …

"A Whole Lot Of Conscious Effort" : Exploring How Protective Factors Contribute To Resiliency In Parents Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events In Childhood, Annelies J. Spykman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this research project is to address the multiple variables that contribute to trauma exposure in childhood and how it manifests in the traumatized person’s later parenting styles. The over-arching research question is: do protective factors provide sufficient supports to parents who were subjected to traumatic experiences in childhood in order to lessen the transmission of trauma to their own children? This qualitative study is an assessment of interviews with 18 participants who identify as parents who have experienced at least one traumatic event in childhood. Findings of this study implicate a high level of resilience that has …

Patients' Perceptions Of Stressors In The Intensive Care Unit : A Meta-Analysis, Nancy Sohier Welch

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study reveals what intensive care unit (ICU) patients from different countries consider most stressful about the ICU experience. A review of 16 independent studies on patients’ perceptions of ICU stressors yielded 10 data sets from seven countries that met criteria for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Stressors were categorized according to three types – bodily, psychological, and physical environmental – and were selected for comparison based on their frequent appearance among the top 20 stressors in each study selected. Findings showed considerable agreement between studies. Being in pain, Having tubes in the nose and mouth, and Being thirsty were …

Limiting Food Waste In Child Care Facilities Through Implementation Of Portion Sizes, Margaret E. Wright, Kelly A. Way

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Food waste in child care facilities is both a monetary waste and a danger to the environment. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of portion control in a child care facility on the amount of food wasted and the costs associated with food waste. It was hypothesized that establishment of portion control will result in a reduction in the amount of food waste of lunches and afternoon snacks generated by preschool children attending the University of Arkansas Bumpers College Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center (JTCDSC). A four-week study was conducted where two trials were introduced: …

Comparative Viability Of Spray Dried Lactobacilli Affected By Different Protective Agents And Storage Conditions, Vondel Vandeker Reyes Ortega

LSU Master's Theses

Because of their health benefits, probiotics are a significant part of the functional food industry. Spray drying is reported as the most common method used in the food industry to encapsulate probiotics. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of protective agents on the viability of lactobacilli after spray drying and during storage at different conditions and to evaluate spray drying conditions to produce these probiotic powders. Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-4496 (LP) and Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL B-4495 (LA) were separately grown (~109 CFU/ml) and suspended in a 200 g/L solution of high maize starch (HM); maltodextrin (MD); …

Evaluation Of The Microbial Quality Of Cantaloupe Fruit Produced On Raised Or Flat Beds Following A Flooding Event, Isaack Kikway

LSU Master's Theses

Floodwater can contain microbial contaminants such as plant and foodborne pathogens and can compromise the quality of fresh fruit and vegetables produced in Louisiana. The goal of this research was to determine the impact of flooding on microbial quality (foodborne and plant pathogens) of cantaloupe fruit produced on raised or flat beds. Cantaloupe fruit produced on 30 cm raised beds or flat ground, were flooded with a mixture of surface and well water spiked with three generic Escherichia coli strains (ATCC 23716, 25922, 11775). Mean baseline generic Escherichia coli and total coliform populations in flood water (mixture of spiked well …

Physiological And Psychological Well-Being During The Spring Season In Female Soccer Players, Adam Conrad Lowe

LSU Master's Theses

Female student-athletes are an understudied population that are exposed to athletic stressors in addition to academic and social stressors. This study is designed to investigate the physiological and psychological well-being during the spring season in female Division I soccer players. During the 2017 spring season, participants competed in five matches over five weeks and participated in three to four soccer training sessions in between match days. To measure well-being, both objective and subjective measures were used. Activation state was collected via the Activation Deactivation Adjective Checklist (AD-ACL) before all matches. Heart rate and heart rate variability were measured during all …

Pots, Pans, And Politics: Feasting In Early Horizon Nepeña, Peru, Kenneth Edward Sutherland

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis explores Early Horizon (900 – 200 BCE) feasting practices visible through the pottery assemblage at three archaeological complexes in the lower Nepeña Valley, north-central coast of Peru. Ceramic vessels were used for production, transportation, and storage of foods consumed for daily subsistence and during feasting events at the settlement of Caylán, a large town or city interpreted as the primary center of a multi-tiered polity. Secondary settlements at Samanco, a small coastal town, and Huambacho, an elite ceremonial center, indicate the complexity of this polity. Analysis of ceramic rim sherds reveals the types of vessels used at these …

Susceptibility Of The Southern House Mosquito, Culex Quinquefasciatus, In East Baton Rouge Parish To Larval Insecticides, Nicholas Alexander Delisi

LSU Master's Theses

Mosquito control districts in Louisiana focus their efforts on Culex quinquefasciatus, the primary vector of West Nile virus in the southern United States, with rigorous larvicide treatments. However, the development of resistant populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus in response to extensive insecticide application has been demonstrated repeatedly. Examining changes in insecticide susceptibility and larvicide efficacy in real world scenarios can help inform mosquito control districts as to whether or not their treatments are killing mosquitoes. We hypothesized that frequent larvicide applications for the control of mosquitoes in East Baton Rouge Parish had lowered susceptibility of wild Cx. quinquefasciatus to insecticides, and …

The Effect Of Storage Temperature And Time On The Quality Of Spray Dried Egg Powder, Fallon Polette Salinas Gonzalez

LSU Master's Theses

Dehydration is a good approach for egg preservation. However, dried egg products may still suffer from deterioration if stored in an abused temperature environment or prolonged times. Storage conditions can induce undesirable reactions and loss of functionality and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and functionality of spray dried egg yolk powders, which included plain whole egg (PLWE), free flow yolk (FFY), enzyme modified yolk (EMY), and free flow whole egg (FFWE) stored at 4 °C, 25 °C, 43 °C or 54 °C, over a 2-month period; and provide useful suggestions to maximize quality …

A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial To Compare Free Gingival Grafts And Connective Tissue Grafts Around Implants With A Lack Of Keratinized Mucosa, Jeffrey Thomas Hsu

All ETDs from UAB

A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL TO COMPARE FREE GINGIVAL GRAFTS AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE GRAFTS AROUND IMPLANTS WITH A LACK OF KERATINIZED MUCOSA JEFFREY T HSU PERIODONTOLOGY ABSTRACT Although evidence is equivocal regarding the need for keratinized mucosa around dental implants, the consensus among researchers and clinicians is that peri-implant keratinized mucosa is beneficial to the health and stability of the implant prosthesis. An adequate width of keratinized mucosa (WKM) provides a resistant barrier to bacterial infiltration, facilitates restorative procedures, improves esthetic outcomes, patient comfort, and ease of oral hygiene. Many surgical approaches have been used to increase WKM around dental …

Relationship Between Protein Timing And Body Composition In Colegiate Women Soccer Players, Rachael Gabriel

All ETDs from UAB

Nutrition plays an invaluable role in the ability of an athlete to perform at an optimal level. Numerous studies have provided considerable information regarding the amounts of various macronutrients thought to maximize body composition and performance. However, few studies have explored macronutrient intake frequencies, in particular protein, and the impact feeding frequency may have on body composition and performance. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between protein frequency and body composition in collegiate female soccer players. Participants completed food and activity logs over a three-day period along with a nutrition history form. Relationships between the …

Associations Among Perceived Stress, Pain Sensitivity, And Physiological Reactivity Following An Acute Noxious Stressor, Hailey Waddell Bulls

All ETDs from UAB

We recommend using HCCM estimators to estimate the variance of a regression model

The Benefits Of A Vegetable Gardening Intervention For Cancer Survivors, Mallory Gamel Cases

All ETDs from UAB

Due to improvements in screening and treatment, the number of cancer survivors continues to increase. Cancer survivors are at increased risk for second malignancies, comorbidities, and functional decline. All three papers draw data from Harvest for Health, a 12-month home-based vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors. This dissertation aimed to (1) explore changes in physical functioning and physical health-related quality of life in 44 cancer survivors aged >65 years old pooled from two iterations of Harvest for Health; (2) examine predictors of continued gardening and garden expansion 12-months post-intervention; and (3) assess the capacity of sustainability of Harvest for Health …

A Community-Based Nutrition And Physical Activity Intervention For Children Who Are Overweight Or Obese And Their Caregivers, Furong Xu, Stephanie Marchand, Celeste Corcoran, Heather Dibiasio, Rachel Clough, Christopher S. Dyer, Jennifer Nobles, Jade White, Mary L. Greaney, Geoffrey Greene

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

There is a need for efficacious interventions to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity, and a limited body of research suggests that collaborative community-based programs designed for children and their caregivers may be effective in reducing obesity rates. This paper reports the results of a community-based obesity intervention, South County Food, Fitness and Fun (SCFFF), designed for preadolescent children who are overweight or obese and their caregivers. SCFFF was developed in response to community concerns. Families were referred to the program by their physician and participated in the program at no cost. The 16-week intervention includes weekly group nutrition and …

Latino Parents’ Perceptions Of The Eating And Physical Activity Experiences Of Their Pre-School Children At Home And At Family Child-Care Homes: A Qualitative Study, Ana C. Lindsay, Mary L. Greaney, Sherrie F. Wallington, Faith D. Sands, Julie A. Wright, Judith Salkeld

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Objective: Research indicates that healthful eating and physical activity (PA) practices implemented in child-care settings can have a positive effect on children’s healthful behaviours in this setting, and this effect on healthful behaviours may possibly transfer to the home environment. While more research is needed to examine whether behaviours learned in family child-care homes (FCCH) transfer, the potential for transferability is especially important given that Latino children’s home environment has been characterized by obesogenic parenting practices. We aimed to examine Latino parents’ perceptions of their pre-school children’s eating and PA experiences at home and at FCCH.

Design: Qualitative study. Six …

Brazilian Immigrant Mothers’ Beliefs And Practices Related To Infant Feeding: A Qualitative Study, Ana Cristina Lindsay, Sherrie F. Wallington, Mary L. Greaney, Maria Helena Hasselman, Marcia M. T. Machado, Raquel S. Mezzavilla

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and timely introduction of appropriate solid foods are important determinants of weight status in infancy and later life stages. Disparities in obesity rates among young children suggest that maternal feeding practices during the first 2 years of life may contribute to these disparities. Brazilians are a growing immigrant group in the United States, yet little research has focused on parental beliefs and behaviors affecting the health of Brazilian immigrant children in the United States.

Research aim: This study aimed to explore beliefs and infant-feeding practices of Brazilian immigrant mothers in …

Content Validation Of A Home Parenteral Nutrition–Patient‐Reported Outcome Questionnaire, Tracy-Lee Miller, Geoffrey Greene, Ingrid E. Lofgren, Mary L. Greaney, Marion F. Winkler

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Patient‐reported outcome (PRO) instruments collect information from patients about health conditions and disease management, including quality of life (QOL). Clinicians acknowledge patient concerns about QOL but need guidance to assess the nature and severity of individually experienced problems. The Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN)–Patient‐Reported Outcome Questionnaire (PROQ) was developed for use during medical appointments or homecare visits to address this gap. The purpose of this research was to provide evidence that the HPN‐PROQ items and scale possess content validity. Methods: A mixed‐method study design was used. In phase 1, cognitive interviews (CIs) were conducted with 32 HPN patients. …

Social Support For Changing Multiple Behaviors: Factors Associated With Seeking Support And The Impact Of Offered Support, Mary L. Greaney, Elaine Puelo, Kim Sprunck-Harrild, Jess Haines, Serena C. Houghton, Karen M. Emmons

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Introduction. Social support is important for behavior change, and it may be particularly important for the complexities of changing multiple risk behaviors (MRB). Research is needed to determine if participants in an MRB intervention can be encouraged to activate their social network to aid their change efforts. Methods. Healthy Directions 2, a cluster-randomized controlled trial of an intervention conducted in two urban health centers, targeted five behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, red meat consumption, multivitamin use, and smoking). The self-guided intervention emphasized changing MRB simultaneously, focused on self-monitoring and action planning, and encouraged participants to seek …

Frequency Of Chronic Gastrointestinal Distress In Runners: Validity And Reliability Of A Retrospective Questionnaire, Patrick B. Wilson

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms may affect up to 90% of competitors during endurance races. Studies have typically assessed GI symptoms retrospectively or only over an acute timeframe, and information on the validity and reliability of the questionnaires employed is lacking. This investigation aimed to estimate the frequency of GI distress experienced by runners over 30 days and to establish the validity and reliability of a retrospective GI symptom questionnaire. Runners (70 men, 75 women) recorded GI symptoms with a prospective journal for 30 days. Retrospective GI symptom data were then collected after the 30-day period on two occasions within one week. …

Identification And Characterization Of Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (Doss) As An Obesogen And Metabolic Disruptor, Alexis M. Temkin

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The National obesity epidemic has reached a point where 36.5% of the adults are obese. While diet, exercise and genetics are major factors driving obesity, recent studies also implicate environmental chemical agents known as ‘Obesogens’. Research efforts have begun to identify obesogens, which promote obesity and metabolic syndrome and are especially potent during fetal and childhood development. The research presented herein provides a logical framework for the identification, characterization and validation of obesogens in environmental samples. This framework was developed based on potential obesogens present in crude oil (MC252 oil) and dispersant (Corexit) from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill given …

Guidelines For The Establishment Of Enterprise Infirmaries, Royal Government Of Cambodia

Reproductive Health

The "Guidelines for the Establishment of Enterprise Infirmaries" was launched in December 2017 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as a tool to guide different stakeholders who work directly with health services at workplaces. The guidelines provide the operational guidance to employers, managers and relevant stakeholders for raising wider awareness in preparing and managing the operations of the enterprise's infirmary. They were the result of a multi-stakeholder policy process led by the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training with technical and financial support from a working group comprised of development partners, UNFPA, USAID, and other NGOs, Population Council through the Worker Health …

Health Education Materials For The Workplace: User's Guide For Partner Organizations, Ulrich Madeja, David Wofford, Carolyn Rodehau

Reproductive Health

No abstract provided.

Private Sector Action For Women's Health And Empowerment: How Business Can Invest In Women And Realize Returns, Robyn Russell, Ilze Melngailis, Andrea Lilja, Elissa Goldenberg, Lisa Staxang, Carolyn Rodehau, David Wofford

Reproductive Health

The business guide, How Businesses Can Invest in Women and Realize Returns, is co-authored by the UN Foundation, the Evidence Project led by the Population Council, and BSR’s HERproject. The guide encourages corporate leadership and showcases how companies can take action in the field of women workers’ health and empowerment. It highlights current investments from 26 companies working with 11 NGOs in 19 countries, and provides 8 actions for companies to take action.

Partenariat Avec Le Secteur Privé Pour Renforcer La Fourniture De La Contraception, Karen Hardee, David Wofford, Nandita Thatte

Reproductive Health

Ce document fait partie de l’un des sept Résumés des preuves sur la planification familiale préparés dans le cadre du Sommet de la planification familiale tenu à Londres le 11 juillet 2017. Les résumés mettent en exergue les éléments de preuve et fournissent des considérations sur la recherche et les programmes pour améliorer l’accès à la planification familiale et réduire les grossesses non désirées. Les considérations relatives aux programmes sont basées sur les opinions expertes des auteurs, qui ont procédé à des examens documentaires sur la base des preuves existantes.

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This is one of seven Family Planning Evidence Briefs …

Partnering With The Private Sector To Strengthen Provision Of Contraception, Karen Hardee, David Wofford, Nandita Thatte

Reproductive Health

Family planning is most successful when clients have a variety of methods to choose from and a variety of service delivery sites from which to obtain them. The private sector plays a critical role in family planning and can contribute to a total market approach to providing contraceptives. Among private sector service options, social marketing, social franchising, and pharmacies and drug shops most readily contribute to sustainable markets for contraceptive services. Corporate sector workplace programs also show promise for reaching millions of women. This evidence brief outlines a number of policy and program considerations for countries as they move toward …

Bangladesh: Using Strong Evidence And Strategic Collaboration To Increase Access To Menstrual Regulation With Medication, Nancy Termini Lachance, Sharif M.I. Hossain

Reproductive Health

Through close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, and other partners, STEP UP generated strong evidence and cultivated ongoing collaboration that contributed to policy changes and program expansions to increase access to menstrual regulation with medication (MRM). Study results demonstrate that MRM is acceptable and effective in Bangladesh, and has thus been legalized and folded into the national FP program and scaled up nationwide. However, ongoing observation and studies are still needed to understand whether the efficacy and acceptability of MRM remains the case when services are delivered at scale on a national level. Furthermore, …