Digital Commons Network^™

A Computational Study Of The Kinematics Of Femoroacetabular Morphology During A Sit-To-Stand Transfer, Brandon K. Marine

Theses and Dissertations

Computational modeling in the field of biomechanics is becoming increasingly popular and successful in practice for its ability to predict function and provide information that would otherwise be unobtainable. Through the application of these new and constantly improving methods, kinematics and joint contact characteristics in pathological conditions of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) were studied using a lower extremity computational model. Patients presenting with FAI exhibit abnormal contact between the femoral neck and acetabular rim leading to surrounding tissue damage in daily use. THA is the replacement of both the proximal femur and acetabular region of the …

Come Fly With Me: Using Amixicile To Target Periodontal Pathogens And Elucidating The Innate Immune Response In Drosophila Melanogaster, Kathryn Sinclair

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal diseases (PD) affect 46% of American adults over age 30. These diseases cause symptoms including bleeding and swelling of the gums, bone resorption, and tooth loss, that affect quality of life and have a high economic burden. Periodontal diseases are caused by an imbalance in the oral microbiome, from a healthy state that contains anti-inflammatory commensals like Streptococcus gordonii and mitis, to a diseased state that has pro-inflammatory anaerobic pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Tannerella forsythia. The latter initiate disease progression in the oral cavity. However, it’s the host immune …

The Experiences And Perceptions Of Behavioral Factors That Contribute To Successful Weight Loss In Male Bariatric Patients, Stephen P. Sowulewski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of behavioral factors that contribute to successful weight loss in male bariatric patients. By analyzing participant experiences and perceptions, this study contributes to a better understanding of which factors are most important in the postoperative phase of gastric bypass in males owing to successful weight loss. Although there is a tremendous amount of quantitative research within the bariatric population, there is a significant gap within the qualitative literature as it relates to male outcomes. As such, by conducting interviews with 10 postoperative male gastric bypass patients, this study …

Educational Predictors For Postsecondary Living Status, Irina Cain

Theses and Dissertations

This study was performed as the result of gaps in the literature in the area of transition to independent living (IL) using secondary data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS-2). Its findings identify individual, skills, family, and school factors that predict postsecondary living status and moderators of the relationships between predictors and the outcome. Specifically, results indicated the following factors as predicting postsecondary living status: individual factors (ethnicity and disability label), skills (self-care, functional mental, personal autonomy, self-realization, and social), family factors (parental expectations and parental involvement in school), and school factors (student’s role in transition planning and …

Person-Centered Treatment To Optimize Psychiatric Medication Adherence, Natalie Bareis

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Adherence to psychotropic medication is poor among individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). To understand treatment experiences and associated adherence among these individuals, we developed a novel construct of Clinical Net Benefit (CNB) using psychiatric symptoms, adverse effects and overall functioning assessments. We tested whether adherence differed across classes of CNB, whether individuals transitioned between classes over time, and whether these transitions were differentially associated with adherence.

Methods: Data come from individuals aged 18+ during five years of the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD). Latent class analysis identified groups of CNB. Latent transition analysis determined probabilities of …

Weighted Quantile Sum Regression For Analyzing Correlated Predictors Acting Through A Mediation Pathway On A Biological Outcome, Bhanu M. Evani

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Weighted Quantile Sum Regression for Analyzing Correlated Predictors Acting Through a Mediation Pathway on a Biological Outcome

By

Bhanu M. Evani, Ph.D.

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2017.

Major Director: Robert A. Perera, Asst. Professor, Department of Biostatistics

This work examines mediated effects of a set of correlated predictors using the recently developed Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression method. Traditionally, mediation analysis has been conducted using the multiple regression method, first proposed by Baron and Kenny (1986), which has since …

Diabetes-Induced Expression And Regulation Of Glp-1 Levels By Bile Acid Receptors (Tgr5 & Fxr), Joseph R. Spengler

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes Mellitus has continued to drastically affect the health of the world and many complications can prove fatal. As long as this metabolic disease persist, research discoveries will need to continue to be made so that patient outcomes and healthcare are dramatically enhanced. In recent years, GLP-1 has been the topic of conversation for diabetes research, due to its promising effects in promoting insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, bile acids and their receptors (TGR5 & FXR) have shown promise in their actions in the regulation of GLP-1, and thus glucose homeostasis. Here we have shown the detection and increased expression of TGR5 …

Community Gardens: Exploring Race, Racial Diversity And Social Capital In Urban Food Deserts, Jennifer F. Jettner

Theses and Dissertations

Study purpose. The study examined race and racial diversity in community gardens located in Southern urban food deserts, as well as the capacity of community gardens to generate social capital and promote social justice. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was used to describe characteristics of gardeners and community gardens located in urban food deserts, and test Social Capital Theory hypotheses. A convenience sample of 60 gardeners from 10 community gardens was obtained. Data was collected using surveys and semi-structured interviews. Analyses. Univariate and bivariate statistics were used to describe gardeners and gardens. Leader rationales for garden characteristics were analyzed using thematic …

Short And Long Chain Free Fatty Acids Differentially Regulate Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 And Peptide Yy Transcript Levels In Enteroendocrine Cells (Stc-1), Colin M. Catherman

Theses and Dissertations

The regulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide YY hormone levels are regulated based on different influential factors, but primarily levels are dependent upon ingested food content. As meals today become more fat-enriched, there is greater requirement for evaluation of these hormones that regulate insulin and satiety levels within the body. We have shown that the gene expression transcript production of glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide YY are modulated by different concentrations, and times of short-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids. Although the peptide hormone levels have the influential physiological role on effector tissue, the regulation of these hormones begins at …

The Dual Faces Of Misery, Arden Moscati

Theses and Dissertations

Major Depression (MD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are psychiatric disorders that arise from dysfunction of the core human capacities for emotion. Sapience is inextricably bound up with the potential for feelings of regret, worry and concern. When these emotions lead to clinically significant impairment or distress, they may result in one or both of the disorders of MD and GAD. The occurrence of MD and GAD in the same person, known as comorbidity, is remarkably high; substantially higher than would be expected by chance.

MD and GAD have been studied since the mid-20^th century, resulting in a substantial …

A Dull Soldier And A Keen Guest: Stumbling Through The Falstaffiad One Drink At A Time, Emma Givens

Theses and Dissertations

Theatre history has long interwoven with the production, consumption, and peddling of alcohol. While the seedier aspects of our past generally go unremembered, we can find traces of them in the culture of the times. If we read Shakespeare through the lens of drinking culture, what can we discover about the play and what can that tell us about how to produce his works today? By looking at the rules and customs surrounding alehouses during the English Renaissance I have analyzed the three plays contained within the Falstaffiad (1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, and Merry Wives …

Biochemical Analysis Of Putative Single-Stranded Nucleic Acid Binding Proteins In Porphyromonas Gingivalis, Steve H. Kokorelis

Theses and Dissertations

Proteins that bind to both DNA and RNA embody the ability to perform multiple functions by a single gene product. These nucleic acid binding proteins in prokaryotes can play a vital role in many cellular processes, including replication, transcription, gene expression, recombination, and repair, to name a few. Nucleic acid binding proteins have unique functional characteristics that stem from their structural attributes that have evolved in a widely-conserved manner. In Escherichia coli (E. coli), the highly-conserved histone-like protein, HU, which predominates as a heterodimer of HUα and HUβ, has been found to bind to both dsDNA and ssDNA. …

Active Design: Creating A Blue Zones Model For Interior Environments, Alexis Holcombe

Theses and Dissertations

How might interior environments play a role in promoting life long well being? According to Passarino, et al., genetic variety only accounts for about 25% of the variation of human longevity. A combination of diet, environment and exercise comprise the greatest factors. The amount of time Americans spend indoors presents a challenge to increasing physical activity: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that Americans spend 93% of their lives indoors (Roberts, 2016). Therefore, if physical activity is crucial to living longer, the design of interior environments could logically be a critical factor in promoting natural movement and sustaining lifelong well-being. …

Read-In Arts, An Liu

Theses and Dissertations

As interior designers, we strive to design everything for our clients, from complex environments to the joinery of a chair. We rarely consider inviting our clients or the users to join us in finishing the space.

Read-In workshop is not a school, but a kind of home, a home belonging to children, which provides the possibilities for children to play, to learn, to occupy, to personalize, and to share. An emotional space that will not limit the user, but keep inspiring them. It helps children notice, think, and grow.

Half of the interior space will be a fixed design, designed …

The Effects Of Bicycling Exercise On The Metabolic Cost Of Walking In Older Adults, Daniel Hugo Aslan

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Impaired walking performance is a key determinant of morbidity among older adults. A distinctive characteristic of impaired walking performance among older adults is a greater metabolic cost compared to young adults. Specifically, healthy older adults have been shown to have a 15-20% greater metabolic cost of walking compared to young adults. However, a recent study suggests that older adults who routinely run for exercise have a lower metabolic cost of walking compared to older adults who walk for exercise. Yet, it remains unclear if other aerobic exercises such as bicycling elicits similar improvements on walking metabolic cost among older adults. …

Weight Perception And Weight Loss Behaviors: A Comparison Between Adolescents With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elanor J. Anderson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of weight status perception among adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. A secondary purpose is to compare weight loss behaviors between children with and without ASD.

METHODS: This study measured weight-perception and weight loss behaviors among Irish-thirteen-year olds with ASD (n=47) and typically developing (TD) children (n=47) (72% male). Participants completed questionnaires assessing perception of weight and weight loss behaviors. . Based on BMI, calculated from height and weight measurements, participants were classified as non-overweight, overweight and obese. Several Chi-square tests were used to examine (1) differences …

The Influence Of Physical Activity Participation And Externalizing Behaviors Among Children With And Without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Nikander Jonte

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

BACKGROUND: ADHD is brain disorder described by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. One in every 20 children is affected by ADHD. PURPOSE: To examine the effect between physical activity participation and externalizing behaviors (conduct and hyperactivity) among children with and without ADHD. METHODS: The Growing Up in Ireland National Data set was used for analysis, only children with a diagnosis of ADHD were included (n = 77), and a gender-matched, random sample of children without ADHD for comparison purposes (n= 77). A Factorial ANOVA was conducted to compare the main effects of …

The Differences In Academic Achievement In Fit, Healthy, And Unfit 7th Grade Students, David Pauls

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

There is an abundance of research showing significant positive relationships between academic achievement and physical fitness. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between academic achievement and different levels of physical fitness. The participants were 283 7^th grade students from a small, rural middle school in Northern California during 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15 academic school years. Academic achievement data came from the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) test and CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Learning and Progress) test. Physical fitness data came from the FITNESSGRAM Physical Fitness Test. A MANOVA was performed on the academic achievement and …

The Effect Of Workload Reductions On Anaerobic Work During High Intensity Running, Taylor Keith Kennon

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Anaerobic capacity has implications in health and sport. Sprint interval training improves anaerobic capacity, aerobic factors, as well as performance. Optimal durations for taxing anaerobic capacity have been shown to be 60 seconds, and have been elicited using the Anaerobic Speed Test. In order to maintain this optimal duration for multiple sets, a decreasing workloads method must be used as fatigue increases following each set. These work-loading methods must be compared to determine which protocol allows for the maximum exercise volume to be achieved. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of three different workload protocols on …

Darlingtonia Californica Phytotelma Organisms: Spatial Relations Within The Metacommunity, Stefani Marie Brandt

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The California pitcher plant, Darlingtonia californica, provides a unique setting to research community ecology because it harbors small ponds of water, or phytotelmata, in its modified leaves. Each phytotelma hosts a unique community of various invertebrates who live among carcasses of drowned plant prey. These pitchers and their inquiline communities are relatively small yet abundant in the wild, resulting in an ideal natural setup for community composition comparisons. There have been no previous studies that research D. californica inquiline communities across multiple geographic regions concurrently. This study sought to survey phytotelma communities throughout the range of D. californica at …

Recipe For Collection Assessment: Mixing Together Key Ingredients To Make A Roux, Paula Barnett-Ellis, Charlcie Pettway Vann

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Collection assessments are conducted at the Houston Cole Library to ensure that current programs are supported adequately and to find out if materials are needed for newly added programs. The Collection Development and Assessment guide (http://libguides.jsu.edu/cmdg) serves up assessments as well as links to the Collection Management and Development Policy (http://www.jsu.edu/library/pdfs/policies/cmd.pdf) and Collection Assessments (http://www.jsu.edu/library/information/collection_assessments.html).

Metabolic Indicators For Early Pregnancy In Zebu And Crossbreddairy Cows Reared In A Subtropical Climate, Muzamil Abdulah, Tushar Kumar Mohanty, Mukesh Bhakat, Arumugam Kumaresan, Tapas Kumar Patbandha, Ambadas Rakhamaji Madkar, Ashok Kumar Mohanty

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

To identify metabolic indicators in blood and urine for early pregnancy in dairy cows (32 crossbred and 12 purebred zebu cows), blood and urine samples were collected on days 0, 15, 20, 24, and 30 postbreeding. The plasma progesterone (P4) concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in pregnant cows than in nonpregnant cows after day 15. The plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration remained significantly (P < 0.05) higher in pregnant cows on day 15. The plasma concentrations of cholesterol, glucose, protein, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) did not differ between pregnant and nonpregnant cows. The urine protein concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pregnant zebu cows compared to nonpregnant zebu cows. Plasma P4 was significantly (P < 0.001) and positively associated with urine glucose levels in nonpregnant crossbred cows. In nonpregnant zebu cows, the correlation between P4 was positive (P < 0.05) with plasma cholesterol, glucose, urine glucose, and protein. In pregnant zebu cows, P4 was negatively associated with plasma BUN and positively (P < 0.05) associated with both plasma and urine glucose levels. Thus, urinary proteins can be used as a noninvasive tool for early nonpregnancy confirmation in cows with very high accuracy at around 24 days after artificial insemination.

Addition Of Molasses, Corn Steep Liquor, And Rice Polish As Economical Sources To Enhance The Fungal Biomass Production Of Wheat Straw By Arachniotus Sp., Faisal Shahzad, Muhammad Abdullah, Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry, Abu Saeed Hashmi, Jalees Ahmed Bhatti, Makhdum Abdul Jabbar, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Tauseef Rehman, Farah Ali, Mian Muhammad Khubaib Sattar, Fayyaz Ahmed, Irfan Irshad

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was planned to see the additive effects of various industrial residues including molasses, rice polish, and corn steep liquor for the bioprocessing of wheat straw (WS) through solid-state fermentation (SSF) using Arachniotus sp. as a fermenting agent. The performance of fungal-based WS (seed culture) was evaluated in terms of the favorable changes in crude protein (CP) contents. WS (5 g) was mixed with our selected carbon and nitrogen sources in a basal medium containing optimized salt concentrations to attain the desired level of water and nutrients. An increased (P < 0.0001) CP value was observed at a 25:1 C:N ratio and maximum fungal protein contents (13.40%) were found by mixing 0.4 mL of molasses, 0.8 g of rice polish, and 3.0 mL of corn steep liquor in treated WS at a setting time of 48 h in SSF. It was seen that the growth rate of Arachniotus sp. was greatly improved by the addition of our selected amounts of carbohydrate and nitrogen sources. Hence, our current results support the use of these economical byproducts for cheap biomass production.

Meat Quality Traits Of Male Herik Lambs Raised Under An Intensive Fattening System, Mustafa Uğurlu, Bülent Eki̇z, Bülent Teke, Mustafa Salman, Fi̇li̇z Akdağ, İsmai̇l Kaya

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of the study was to determine certain meat quality traits of Herik lambs finished under the intensive husbandry conditions. Twenty single male lambs with an average final weight of 42 kg were used in the study. Concentrate feed and fresh water were given ad libitum, whereas 300 g of alfalfa per lamb per day was provided. At 24 h postmortem, the pH levels were 5.51, 5.63, and 5.24 for musculus longissimus dorsi, musculus semitendinosus, and musculus semimembranosus, respectively. The corresponding Warner-Bratzler shear force values (P < 0.001) of cooked meat were 3.359, 2.318, and 3.601 respectively. At 24 h postmortem, the L*(42.18) and a* (19.95) values of Herik lambs were near the acceptable values of L*(34-35) and a*(19.00). At 72 h postmortem, cooking loss and water holding capacity were 34.78% and 10.55%, respectively. Chemical composition traits, namely dry matter (26.35%), protein (22.21%), ether extraction (2.98%), and ash percentage (1.02%), were similar to those of other indigenous breeds. Consequently, these results indicated that the meat of Herik lambs may be suitable for sale after the lambs are raised under an intensive fattening system.

Factors That Affect Whether Arabian Horses Have Earnings During Their First Year Of Racing, Doğukan Özen, İsmayi̇l Safa Gürcan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study of Arabian horses in Turkey evaluates factors that may affect the possibility of having earnings during the first year of horses? racing careers. A total of 2046 Arabian horses were included in the study population; 1020 Arabian horses (49.85%) did not earn any money during their first year of racing. To explore the shared characteristics of those that had earnings, a retrospective study was done with racing records of Arabian horses that were born between 2008 and 2011. The factors were ownership status, sex, age at first race, type of stud farm, and racing on one or both …

Proteomics And Sequence Analysis Of A 30-Kda Saliva Protein Of Indonesian Local Goat (Capra Hircus) Using Maldi-Tof/Tof-Ms And Related Techniques, Ruslin Ruslin, Maskur Maskur, Enny Yuliani, Sulaiman Ngongu Depamede

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study aimed to analyze and sequence a protein with molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa found in the saliva of the Indonesian local goat (Capra hircus) using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) and related techniques. Saliva was collected from 50 healthy male and female local goats of 4-30 months old. The results showed that the average value of the total saliva protein was 669 ± 251.293 µg/mL, in the range of 350-1550 µg/mL. Mascot search and NCBI BLAST search revealed that the peptides were "PREDICTED: short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein 2A-like", with …

Slaughter And Carcass Characteristics Of Herik Male Lambs Raised Under A Finishing System, Mustafa Uğurlu, Bülent Teke, Fi̇li̇z Akdağ, Mustafa Salman, Bülent Eki̇z, İsmai̇l Kaya

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the slaughter and carcass characteristics of Herik lambs finished under intensive husbandry conditions. Twenty single male lambs, ten of which had long, semifat tails and ten of which had short, round, and fat tails, all with an average live weight of 20 kg, were used in the study. Concentrate feed and fresh water were given ad libitum and alfalfa hay as forage was given in the amount of 300 g/lamb per day. The lambs were slaughtered when they reached a final weight of 42 kg. The average hot and cold dressing percentages, …

Effect Of Utilization Of A Controlled-Release Intraruminal Monensin Device On Drymatter Intake, Milk Yield, And Some Reproductive Parameters In Dairy Cows, Seçki̇n Salar, Oğuz Çalişici, Duygu Çalişici, İdi̇l Baştan, Ayhan Baştan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the prepartal administration of the monensin release capsule on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and some reproductive parameters of dairy cows. The cows were divided into study (n = 35) and control (n = 41) groups. The study group cows were administered the intraruminal-monensin releasing capsules at 21 $\pm$ 3 days before expected calving and the control group cows were not subjected to treatment. Monthly mean DMI; cumulative milk yield at 30, 45, and 60 days in milk (DIM); peak milk yield; days of 1st AI; days open; …

Effects Of Housing Environment On Social Isolation Response,Weaning Stress, And Immune Reaction In Goat Kids, Cemi̇l Tölü, Semra Göktürk, Türker Savaş

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study investigated how environmental structuring in the growing units of goat kids influences their ability to cope with social isolation and weaning-induced stress. Two experimental groups were arranged in an enriched (E) or barren (B) environment and each of the two groups had 10 female and 10 male kids. During the social isolation, the goat kids in group E started bleating earlier (P = 0.1612) and more frequently (P = 0.0125). Goat kids also bleated earlier (P = 0.0005) and more often after the weaning period (P = 0.0006). Only the rearing behavior of the groups exhibited significant differences …

Effect Of Feeding Broken Rice And Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles In A Flaxseed-Based Diet On The Growth Performance, Production Efficiency, Carcass Characteristics, Sensory Evaluation Of Meat, And Serum Biochemistry Of Broiler Chickens, Nasir Akbar Mir, Praveen Kumar Tyagi, Ashim Kumar Biswas, Pramod Kumar Tyagi, Asit Baran Mandal, Faneshwar Kumar, Chandra Deo, Avishek Biswas

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study investigated the effect of broken rice and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in a flaxseed-based diet on the growth performance, production efficiency, carcass characteristics, sensory evaluation of meat, and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens. Six dietary treatments were formulated with no flaxseed in the first group (C), 10% in another five (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5), and 20% broken rice, 40% broken rice, 5% DDGS, and 10% DDGS in the T2, T3, T4, and T5 treatment groups, respectively. Each treatment was allocated 6 replicates with 8 chicks in each at random. Treatment with 10% flaxseed and …