Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Running Orientation On Gecko Locomotor Performance, Austin Keith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

While many studies have investigated gecko adhesive locomotion, most studies investigate gecko locomotor performance while geckos are traveling upwards on an inclined or vertical substrate. Recent studies have suggested that geckos modulate the position of their hind limbs while descending an angled substrate, and that this modulation, does not appear to affect sprint velocity on substrate declines up to 45°. While there appears to be no performance decrement at relatively shallow substrate angles, it is unclear whether more challenging substrate angles would lead to different results. Given the directionality of the gecko adhesive system, traveling downward on a vertical substrate …

Body Composition Vs Athletic Performance In Volleyball, Elizabeth Decaro

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine if body composition affected athletic performance in the sport of volleyball at the University of Akron.

Methods: The study was conducted in the School of Sports Science & Wellness Education on the 3^rd floor of Infocision Stadium at the University of Akron using the computer containing the Bod Pod data for the women’s volleyball team.

Results: 20 subjects of the women’s varsity volleyball team were studied. The averages of each test were varied between the different skills tests in counter-movement vertical jump, approach vertical jump, block, broad jump, chin-ups, and …

A Label Law That Requires No Label, Amy Mclaughlin

University of Dayton Law Review

No abstract provided.

Corn Grain Yield Components And Nutrient Accumulation In Response To Nitrogen, Plant Density And Hybrid, Maria Julia Santoro

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Modern maize hybrids exhibit higher yields, increased biomass production, stress tolerance and greater nitrogen (N) use efficiency. Increased biomass accumulation can influence nutrient uptake and lead to increased nutrient removal. Hybrids were tested at seeding rates (SR) of 74000 (low) and 148000 (supraoptimal) plants ha^-1 and at N rates of 0 (deficient) and 390 (non-limiting) kg N ha^-1. Plants were sampled at V7, V14, R3, R5 and R6 and separated into vegetative and reproductive fractions for determination of dry matter and N accumulation. Grain yield was harvested at R6.

The high SR and high N treatment combination …

Evaluating Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) As A Forage Based On Yield, Nutritive Analysis, And Morphological Composition, Carol Elizabeth Stringer

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

This experiment examined the forage potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa) and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). The objectives were to evaluate yield and forage nutritive value (i.e. NDF, ADF, ADL, IVTD, and CP) fluctuations over the course of a growing season based on planting date, morphological composition, and management. Three types of hemp (grain, fiber, and a dual- purpose type) and kenaf were planted on two dates and were sampled approximately every two weeks throughout the growing season at the University of Kentucky (UK) Research Farm in Lexington, KY. Subsamples were separated into morphological components (i.e. leaf, flowers, stem, core fiber, and …

The Effect Of Parental Involvement On Student-Athlete Academic Performance, Academic Self- Efficacy, Functional Independence, And Achievement Of Adulthood Criteria, Grace Harris Gardner

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Parental involvement in student- athletes’ lives is ubiquitous and important. Despite efforts of many to determine the best means for student-athletes to succeed academically, little is known about the relationship between levels of parent involvement and an athlete’s ability to succeed academically. Having an involved, but not over-involved, parenting relationship is key to having their children develop the necessary academic skills to be ready for the realm of collegiate athletics.

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative analyses of NCAA Division I student-athletes in the Big Sky Conference was to examine the relationship (if any) among parental involvement, academic performance, academic …

Effect Of A Carbohydrate Beverage On Exercise Performance In Youth 7-17 Years Old, Lauren Jording

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Sports enhancement products go through trends as new products are introduced and as old products are redesigned and re-introduced to the market. Gatorade© is a sports beverage that is often used by youth during sports. However, the effects of sports beverages on youth performance are unknown. One aim of this study was to determine if youth experience the same performance benefit from carbohydrate beverages as adults. A second aim of this study was to determine differences in metabolic measures (VO2, VE, & RER) between the carbohydrate and water performance trials in youth and adults. A third aim was to examine …

Instructional Practices In Holistic Education For Patients With Cancer, Alicia Oberle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the past few decades, holistic education has increasingly emerged in academia. However, limited research has been conducted on how holistic education impacts instructional practices in real life situations like the well-being of cancer patients. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how a holistic education program impacts instructional practices designed to improve the well-being of cancer patients. The conceptual framework was based on transformative learning theory and learner-centered teaching. This single case study was conducted at a non-profit cancer center in the Western United States which emphasizes multiple dimensions of well-being for cancer patients, including holistic education. …

Discharge Calls And Avoiding Hospital Readmissions, Wanda Lee Cassavettes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital readmissions are disruptive and costly for patients and hospitals. As hospital discharge instructions are a key nursing responsibility, this project implemented a nurse follow-up phone call intervention within 12-48 hours of patient discharge from an indigent care facility in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The project was designed to understand whether follow-up phone calls from nurses that clarified discharge instructions, symptom management, and medications would be associated with decreased readmission rates within 30 days post-discharge among chronic care patients. The theoretical framework was the health belief model, which proposes that the patient's knowledge of illness severity, …

Life On The Edge: Risk Of Predation Drives Selection Of Habitat And Survival Of Neonates In Endangered Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep, Shannon Forshee

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Long-term viability of endangered populations requires development of effective management strategies that target the population vital rate with the highest potential to influence population trajectories. When adult survival is high and stable, juvenile recruitment is the vital rate with the greatest potential to improve population trajectories. For my thesis I examined how lactating Sierra Nevada Bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis sierra) balance forage and predation risk during the neonatal period. I first identified resource selection strategies employed by lactating females to promote survival of neonates and then determined the primary factors affecting survival of neonates. I found lactating females selected for …

Practice Survey: Adherence Monitoring And Intervention In Pediatric Gastroenterology And Hepatology., Michele H. Maddux, Shawna Ricks, Julie A. Bass, James F. Daniel, Ellen Carpenter, Kimberely Radford

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Purpose: Despite significant medication nonadherence rates among youth with pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology disorders, little is known about current adherence practices in pediatric gastroenterology care. This study summarizes current practices surrounding adherence monitoring and intervention in pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatologic care in the USA.

Participants and methods: One hundred and fifty-four pediatric GI providers completed an online survey designed to examine current practices surrounding adherence monitoring and intervention, specific strategies used to monitor and treat poor adherence, and the barriers currently experienced in relation to adherence monitoring and intervention.

Results: Practices varied greatly in terms of when and how …

Can Student-Driven Changes Increase Salad Bar Usage In Schools?, Shannon Leeke, Kathy B. Knight, Hyun-Woo Joung, Scott S. Knight

Faculty and Student Publications (Open Access)

No abstract provided.

Physical Activity, Muscle-Strengthening Activities, And Systemic Inflammation Among Retinopathy Patients, Emily Frith, Paul D. Loprinzi

Faculty and Student Publications (Open Access)

Objective. We evaluated the specific association between muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) and accelerometer-assessed physical activity on systemic inflammation among retinopathy patients in the United States. Methods. Data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to identify 157 retinopathy patients between 40 and 85 years of age with complete data on select study variables. MSA was assessed via self-report. Participation in moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA) was determined from objective accelerometer data. Systemic inflammation was assessed using C-reactive protein (CRP), which was quantified using latex-enhanced nephelometry. Nonproliferative retinopathy was determined using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grading criteria, …

Evaluation Of Parental Involvement In The Families In Transformation (Fit) Weight Management Program For Children, Kathy Knight, Heather Walker, Anne K. Bomba, Sydney A. Devers, Meagan Maloney, Kathy Tucker

Faculty and Student Publications (Open Access)

No abstract provided.

Individual-Specific Physical Activities On Cognitive Function Among Older Adults, Emily Frith, Paul D. Loprinzi

Faculty and Student Publications (Open Access)

No abstract provided.

A Description Of Nesting Behaviors, Including Factors Impacting Nest Site Selection, In Black‐And‐White Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia Variegata), Andrea L. Baden

Publications and Research

Nest site selection is at once fundamental to reproduction and a poorly understood component of many organisms’ reproductive investment. This study investigates the nesting behaviors of black-and-white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata, a litter-bearing primate from the southeastern rainforests of Madagascar. Using a combination of behavioral, geospatial, and demographic data, I test the hypotheses that environmental and social cues influence nest site selection and that these decisions ultimately impact maternal reproductive success. Gestating females built multiple large nests throughout their territories. Of these, females used only a fraction of the originally constructed nests, as well as several parking locations as infants …

Rapid And Simultaneous Determination Of Nutritional Constituents Of United States Grown Oats Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (Nirs), Devendra Paudel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oats is a unique cereal owing to its nutritional and health benefits. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) is an efficient tool for monitoring the quality of cereal foods. NIRS holds potential for non-destructive multicomponent oat analyses with advantage of large sample throughput, speed, and reduced cost. The purpose of this study was to develop predictive calibration models for estimating beta-glucan, protein, and oil content of US oat cultivars using NIRS and validated AACCI reference methods. A rapid, non-destructive (whole oat groat), and secondary NIRS method was developed to estimate beta-glucan, protein, and oil content based on the standard reference analyses …

Is Tanezumab More Effective Than A Placebo In Reducing Pain In Patients With Osteoarthritis?, Nesdi Rivera

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not, “Is tanezumab more effective than a placebo in reducing pain in patients with osteoarthritis?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials from 2012 to 2015.

DATA SOURCES: Three double-blind randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were found using PubMed, and selected based on outcomes measured and relevance to the objective.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Clinical outcomes of knee and hip osteoarthritis pain were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale to assess pain before and after treatment with tanezumab and comparison. …

Are High-Dose Cocoa Polyphenols Effective In Improving Emotional States In Healthy Individuals Ages 18-65 Years Old For Long-Term Treatment?, Melissa M. Sharkey

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not high-dose cocoa polyphenols are effective in improving emotional states in healthy individuals ages 18-65 years old for long-term treatment.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one randomized parallel open-label clinical trial, all published between 2008 and 2013, all English language.

DATA SOURCES: These three studies that evaluate the effectiveness of cocoa polyphenols in emotional state improvement were found using the PubMed database based on their relevance to the clinical question and their inclusion of patient-oriented outcomes.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: These three articles …

Are The Use Of Probiotics An Effective Treatment For Relieving Symptoms Of Depression In Adults?, Olynda B. Mileon-Etuk

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM is to determine whether or not, “Are the use of antibiotics an effective treatment for relieving symptoms of depression in adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, published between 2010- 2016.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found using PubMed- NCBI. These studies analyzed the effectiveness of probiotics in adults with symptoms of depression.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The main outcome measured was improvement of symptoms of depression after the administration of probiotic supplements. Outcomes were assessed using data from self-reported questionnaires, which include the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-90), Hospital …

Is Daily Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids Effective In Reducing The Severity Of Dry Eye Syndrome In Adult Patients?, Julie A. Laureni

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not daily supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids is effective in reducing the severity of dry eyes in adult patients with dry eyes syndrome (DES).

Methods: Three randomized controlled trials are included in this review that were published in 2013, 2016 and 2017.

Data sources: The author of this paper performed the research as well as selected the articles for review by conducting searches on PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library.

Outcomes: The outcome measured is the severity of dry eyes symptoms measured subjectively by each patient through a …

Is Acupuncture An Effective Adjunct Therapy In Improving Quality Of Life Outcomes Of Women, 18-25 Years Old, With Clinically Diagnosed Disordered Eating?, Margaret Hornbake

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this EBM is to determine whether or not acupuncture can be used as an adjunct therapy in improving quality of life outcomes in women, 18-25 years old, with a clinically diagnosed eating disorder.

STUDY DESIGN: Systemic review of one randomized cross-over pilot study published in 2010, one randomized controlled trial published in 2013, and one pilot randomized controlled trial published in 2014, all published in the English language

DATA SOURCES: Data sources for this review were articles published in peer-reviewed journals using PubMed Database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured include patient response to treatment and improvements …

Is Maintaining A Gluten-Free Diet Effective In Decreasing Symptoms For Irritable Bowel Syndrome?, Christina T. Larkin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not a gluten-free diet is effective in decreasing symptoms for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Study Design: Systemic review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials published between 2010-2016, all in the English language.

Data Sources: Data sources obtained for this review were studies published in peer reviewed journals found using PubMed Database and were selected based on outcomes measured and relevance to the objective.

Outcomes Measured: The outcomes measured were based on reduction in abdominal symptoms in IBS patients. Outcomes were measured by a series of 10 cm …

Are Curcuminoids Effective In Reducing Knee Pain In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis?, Katie Jo Wacker

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not curcuminoids are effective in reducing knee pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of two English language double-blind placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials and one double-blind randomized control trial (RCT) published within peer-reviewed journals after the year 2013. The studies include adult participants age 40 and over.

DATA SOURCES: Double-blind randomized controlled trials were found using PubMed database. These studies compared treatment with curcuminoids with ibuprofen or a placebo.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Clinical outcomes of pain, stiffness and function were measured using the traditional Western …

Does The Use Of Prophylactic Probiotics Prevent Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea In Adults Using One Or More Antibiotics?, David E. Castillo

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine if the use of probiotics can prevent the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in adults using one or more antibiotics.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials in the English language published between 2013 and 2014.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources obtained for this review were articles published in peerreviewed journals found using PubMed and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOME MEASURED: All three studies defined diarrhea as the passage of three or more loose stools in a 24-hour period. All the studies used the Bristol …

Tennessee Coordinated School Health Annual Summary 2017-18, Tennessee. Department Of Education.

Coordinated School Health

No abstract provided.

No.72 An Order Suspending Certain Vehicle Restrictions And Allowing Medical And Other Health-Related Services To Provide Relief To Victims Of Hurricane Florence, Bill Haslam

Executive Orders

No abstract provided.

Availability Of Fermentable Nutrients Affect Gut Microbiota Composition, Trupthi Mehta

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies have increasingly established the role of gut microbiota in human health and disease. Diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, cardiovascular disease and many neurological disorders have been linked to specific gut microbiota composition and disturbances. There have also been attempts in recent years to modulate gut microbial composition with the use of prebiotics and probiotics to promote healthy gut and prevent diseases. This thesis investigates whether the availability of fermentable nutrients high in fiber and antioxidants such as found in green coffee, roasted coffee, and salami infused with various prebiotics altered the composition and abundance of …

Exercise And Cancer: A Summary Of Therapeutic Intervention, Cassandra Gillespie

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Background: There is strong evidence to support the benefits of exercise for cancer patients. However, there are few literature reviews that summarize exercise as it plays a role in all aspects of the cancer diagnosis including during cancer prevention, prehabilitation in surgical cancer patients, cancer treatment, and cancer recovery. This review serves to provide a comprehensive resource for students and health care professionals for research based findings related to the interactions between exercise and cancer.

Purpose: To summarize the current research findings involving the relationship between cancer and exercise.

Data Sources: ZipSearch, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE; 2008-2018

Methods: All data …

Reaching Food Insecure College Students Through An On-Campus Interactive Education Program, Danielle Buchbinder

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Need/Purpose: Emerging research suggests food insecurity is a problem for college students. Unpublished data from our campus (a large, Midwestern public institution) suggests 36% of students struggle with food insecurity, yet the campus has no pantry or meals/swipe donation program. While little research has been conducted examining food insecurity’s impact on academic success in college, it is well established that food insecurity negatively impacts academic performance in adolescents, mental and social health, dietary choices, and overall health. Program/Participants: In order to learn more and begin to mediate this problem on our campus, a series of nutrition education classes was created …