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The Spirulina Strategy, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

This is an adapted version of the SMU Case, “Navigating an Eternal Ocean: EnerGaia’s Emergent Strategy in the Market for Spirulina" written by Research Fellow Ryan Merrill and Assistant Professor Simon Schillebeeckx. To see the full case, please click on the following link: https://cmp.smu.edu.sg/case/3986

EnerGaia began life trying to address nutrition issues in the developing world. The prospect of profit is testing its founder to balance both or choose one over the other

The Effect Of Sappan Wood Extracts In Treating Diabetes Induced In Mice, Noviana A I Sakir, Jae G. Kim

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Since 2015, an estimated 415 million people had diabetes worldwide. Although, there is no scientific research related to the effectiveness of chemical substance (brazilin) in Caesalpinia sappan L. that can decrease blood glucose level in humans, many people in Sulawesi consume this wood for diabetes treatment. This study aimed to prove the effect of sappan wood extract on decreasing blood glucose levels in mice and to identify the most effective dose. Methods: Experimental research (pretest and posttest randomized controlled group design) was conducted on 20 male albino mice [body weight (bw): 20–30 g] used as alloxan-induced diabetic models and …

Home Is The Key: A Study Of The Social Impact Of Habitat For Humanity In South Carolina, Rachael M. Bowers

All Dissertations

Rates of housing instability are increasing in the United States, largely due to surging rental costs (Kusisto & Malas, 2018). Public housing systems are full and waiting lists are long (Evans, Sullivan & Wallskog, 2016; Katz, Kling & Liebman, 2002). Low-income homeownership policies have faced strong critiques, especially concerns of coercing people into risky financial situations (Shlay, 2006). With a human development perspective (Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2006) and in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity program in South Carolina, this cross-sectional study examined the social benefits associated with low-income homeownership achieved through a robust preparation and support program. Using survey …

The Outcomes Of Fundoplication And Gastrostomy In Neurologically Impaired Children In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Saudi Arabia, Mohammed K. Alnamshan, Nawaf M. Alkharashi, Stanley J. Crankson, Saud A. Aljadaan, Nasir U. Khawaja, Shahad A. Alsaif

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the outcomes of fundoplication and gastrostomy (GT) in neurologically impaired (NI) children. Methods: A retrospective review of medical charts was performed on 178 NI children up to the age of 14 years inclusive, who underwent fundoplication and GT between 1999 and 2014. Results: After fundoplication, the incidence-rate (person-month) of all hospital admissions (0.95 versus 0.13; p <0.001), gastroesophageal reflux (GER) - related admissions (0.67 versus 0.09; p <0.001), and admissions for seizures (0.21 versus 0.01; p <0.001 were significantly decreased. Furthermore, all emergency department visits (0.94 versus 0.23; p <0.001), GER visits (0.61 versus 0.12; p <0.001), seizure visits (0.24 versus 0.01: p <0.001) were significantly reduced. The mortality rate after fundoplication was 35%. The risk factors for predicting mortality were being male (odds ratio: 2.2, p =0.027) and being a do not resuscitate (DNR) child (odds ratio: 5.2, p <0.001). Majority of the children that died within a year after the procedure were DNR. Conclusions: Fundoplication with GT is effective in reducing hospital admissions and emergency department visits from GER and seizures in NI children. Because of high mortality within a year of fundoplication with GT in DNR children, anti-reflux medications with GT might be an alternative.

The Association Between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And 25-Hydroxivitamin D And Related Analytes Among Hispanic/Latino Adults: A Pilot Study, Ramon A. Durazo-Arvizu, Reyna L. Pacheco-Dominguez, Christopher T. Sempos, Holly Kramer, Andrew N. Hoofnagle, Amber Pirzada, Richard S. Cooper, Martha L. Daviglus

Faculty Publications

Although the association of vitamin D levels with cardiovascular risk profiles among Hispanics/Latinos has been studied, little is known about this association among Hispanics/Latinos with chronic conditions. This pilot study determined serum vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in a sample of participants from the University of Illinois at the Chicago Cohort of Patients, Family and Friends (UIC Cohort) and examined their association with traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. From July 2012 to June 2016, the UIC Cohort study enrolled and conducted clinical examinations on men and women ages 18 years and older, who had one or more diagnosed …

A Multi-Ancestry Genome-Wide Study Incorporating Gene-Smoking Interactions Identifies Multiple New Loci For Pulse Pressure And Mean Arterial Pressure, Yun Ju Sung, Lisa De Las Fuentes, Thomas W. Winkler, Daniel I. Chasman, Amy R. Bentley, Aldi T. Kraja, Ioanna Ntalla, Helen R. Warren, Xiuqing Guo, Karen Schwander, Alisa K. Manning, Michael R. Brown, Hugues Aschard, Mary F. Feitosa, Nora Franceschini, Yingchang Lu, Ching Yu Cheng, Xueling Sim, Dina Vojinovic, Jonathan Marten, Solomon K. Musani, Tuomas O. Kilpeläinen, Melissa A. Richard, Stella Aslibekyan, Traci M. Bartz, Rajkumar Dorajoo, Changwei Li, Yongmei Liu, Tuomo Rankinen, Albert Vernon Smith, Salman M. Tajuddin, Bamidele O. Tayo, Wei Zhao

Faculty Publications

Elevated blood pressure (BP), a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, is influenced by both genetic and lifestyle factors. Cigarette smoking is one such lifestyle factor. Across five ancestries, we performed a genome-wide gene-smoking interaction study of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) in 129 913 individuals in stage 1 and follow-up analysis in 480 178 additional individuals in stage 2. We report here 136 loci significantly associated with MAP and/or PP. Of these, 61 were previously published through main-effect analysis of BP traits, 37 were recently reported by us for systolic BP and/or diastolic BP through …

Bluebills And Bayou Bivalves: Hurricane-Driven Trophic Cascades Affect Wintering Abundance Of Lesser Scaup In Louisiana, Clay M. Stroud, Claire E. Caputo, Michael A. Poirrier, Larry A. Reynolds, Kevin M. Ringelman

Faculty Publications

The estuaries of coastal Louisiana overwinter a continentally significant proportion of Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis; colloquially, “bluebills”), a migratory bird species of conservation concern since population declines began in the 1980s. Thirty-eight years of aerial waterfowl surveys of Lake Pontchartrain—an oligohaline estuarine lagoon in southeast Louisiana—show that scaup abundance fluctuates between 0 and 1,194,907 birds, though the mechanisms driving this variation are unknown. Previous studies have shown that scaup feed primarily on mollusks, and so changes in the benthic prey community have the potential to strongly influence scaup dynamics on the Lake. Benthic communities are in turn shaped by both …

Similar Muscular Adaptations In Resistance Training Performed Two Versus Three Days Per Week, Thiago Lasevicius, Brad Jon Schoenfeld, Jozo Grgic, Gilberto Laurentino, Lucas Duarte Tavares, Valmor Tricoli

Publications and Research

The purpose of the present study was to compare changes in muscle strength and hypertrophy between volume-equated resistance training (RT) performed 2 versus 3 times per week in trained men. Thirty-six resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups: a split-body training routine (SPLIT) with muscle groups trained twice per week (n = 18) over four weekly sessions, or a total-body routine (TOTAL), with muscle groups being trained three times per week (n = 18) over three weekly sessions. The training intervention lasted 10 weeks. Testing was carried out pre- and post-study to assess maximal muscular …

Postactivation Potentiation Effects From Maximal Isometric Contractions Performed At Different Hip Joint Angles, Kyle Derosia

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) production and myoelectric activity after performing maximal isometric contractions at different hip joint angles. 10 healthy, experienced participants reported to the lab on two separate occasions where they performed 3 power cleans at baseline, then 4 maximal isometric deadlifts at either ~50° hip flexion angle (Max) or ~90° hip flexion angle (Min). Following the isometric deadlifts, another 3 power clean trials at 70% 1 repetition maximum were performed and used as a post-test. The isometric deadlifts served as the conditioning contraction (CC) to induce …

Cognitive Strategy Intervention For Elders Living In A Residential Care Facility., Thomas Michael Vorwerk

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Residential care facilities are communities for elders that encourage residents to maintain their independence for everyday activities. These individuals may experience memory dysfunction which can negatively impact their confidence and well being. Through the implementation of an intervention focusing on teaching elders strategies to improve everyday memory functioning, older adults’ knowledge of memory strategies, confidence in their memory, and quality of life may improve. The present study examines the efficacy of a five-session cognitive strategy program for elders on memory self-efficacy, quality of life, and memory strategy knowledge. The memory self-efficacy of participants of elders in the intervention group improved …

The Archaeology Of Mississippian Vulnerability And Resilience In The New Madrid Seismic Zone, Michelle Megan Rathgaber

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work examines the vulnerability and resilience of Mississippian people in the Central Mississippi Valley to the large-scale New Madrid seismic zone earthquakes of the late15th to early 16th century. This is done using the theory of eventful archaeology/anthropology to look at cultural materials both before and after an event (such as an earthquake and sand blows) to look for evidence of changes to the schema and resources on which a society relies. If changes are present, the event can be labeled as such, if there are no changes, it means that the society affected did not see the event …

Men's Basketball Media Guide, 2018-2019, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Athletics Media Relations

Arkansas Men’s Basketball

No abstract provided.

Validity Of Maximal Oxygen Consumption Prediction Equations In Young Saudi Females, Marwah M. Almakhaita, Nazish Rafique, Rabia Latif, Anas M. Alduhishy

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the applicability of Jones, Hansen, and Wasserman predictive equations for maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) in Saudi females. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between March and May 2017. Maximal oxygen consumption was measured directly through the COSMED system for cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 102 girls with normal body mass index (19-25 years old). Maximal oxygen consumption was indirectly predicted by Jones, Hansen, and Wasserman equations. Paired t-test, Pearson correlation, and Bland-Altman plot were used for comparison, correlation, and agreement analysis. Results: The difference between …

Use Of Long‐Acting Reversible Contraception In A Cluster‐Random Sample Of Female Sex Workers In Kenya, Frances H. Ampt, Megan . S.C Lim, Paul A. Agius, Matthew F. Chersich, Griffins Manguro, Caroline M. Gichuki, Mark Stoové, Marleen Temmerman, Walter Jaoko, Margaret Hellard, Peter Gichangi, Stanley Luchters

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objective: To assess correlates of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use, and explore patterns of LARC use among female sex workers (FSWs) in Kenya.

Methods: Baseline cross-sectional data were collected between September 2016 and May 2017 in a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Mombasa. Eligibility criteria included current sex work, age 16–34 years, not pregnant, and not planning pregnancy. Peer educators recruited FSWs from randomly selected sex-work venues. Multiple logistic regression identified correlates of LARC use. Prevalence estimates were weighted to adjust for variation in FSW numbers recruited across venues.

Results: Among 879 participants, the prevalence of contraceptive use was 22.6% for …

Behavior Change Interventions Delivered Through Interpersonal Communication, Agricultural Activities, Community Mobilization, And Mass Media Increase Complementary Feeding Practices And Reduce Child Stunting In Ethiopia, Sunny S. Kim, Phuong Hong Nguyen, Yisehac Yohannes, Yewelsew Abebe, Manisha Tharaney, Elizabeth Drummond, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Marie T. Ruel, Purnima Menon

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are critical for optimal child growth and development, but in Ethiopia, complementary feeding (CF) practices are very poor. Alive & Thrive (A&T) provided intensive behavior change interventions through 4 platforms: interpersonal communication (IPC), nutrition-sensitive agricultural activities (AG), community mobilization (CM), and mass media (MM).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of A&T intensive compared with nonintensive interventions (standard nutrition counseling and agricultural extension service and less intensive CM and MM) on CF practices and knowledge and child anthropometric outcomes.

METHODS: We used a cluster-randomized …

Microbial Community, Functioning, And Its Relationship With Heavy Metals In An Urban Brownfield, Jay Prakash Singh

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The ubiquity of urban brownfields presents a challenge for environmental managers for managing degraded ecosystems that are in close contact with human habitation. Presence of metal contaminants in brownfields further complicate the matters as it cannot be degraded and hence pose a high risk to human and environmental health, and well-being of the local community. However, previous studies indicate that management and restoration of brownfields are possible through the use of low input longer term and sustainable remediation approaches. These sustainable approaches include the use of plants, fungi, and bacteria to increase soil function and mitigate risks from the contaminants. …

Predictive Biomarkers Demonstrating The Effect Of Levels Of Copper And Zinc From Exposure To World Trade Center 9/11 Particulate Matter On Human Esophageal Cells In Vitro, Rossara Nunez

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The World Trade Center Attack on September 11th, 2001 was the largest environmental attack that has ever happened in New York City. In the aftermath of the collapse of the twin towers, many first responders and rescue workers were exposed to the resulting clouds of dust. This toxic material has been shown to be responsible for membrane damage in human lung cells and can possibly become the cause of increased oxidative stress. The underlying factors that produce these findings are thought to the synergistic effects of the many components found within the market street sample. Complete analysis of the heavy …

Examining A Hypothyroid Model Of Depressive Symptoms In Mice: Tests Of Behavioral Measures, Hannah S. Ovadia

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

There is abundant evidence suggesting that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is closely related to thyroid hormone (TH) function, but the exact nature of this relationship is poorly defined in the literature. The present study examined whether hypothyroidism could viably model symptoms of MDD in mice using established behavioral paradigms. It was expected that hypothyroidism would produce anhedonia-like behavior in the saccharin preference test, anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze, and spatial memory impairment in the object placement task. C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of three groups, which received either a control diet, diet infused with 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (hypothyroid …

Current Perspectives Into The Evaluation And Management Of Hepatitis B: A Review., Vignan Manne, Eric Gochanour, Kris V Kowdley

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Hepatitis B is a widespread disease which affects millions of people worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality due to complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathophysiology of hepatitis is critical to diagnosing CHB. Deciding which patients with CHB should be treated is an important decision as treatment can often lead to better outcomes in the appropriate patient population. The nucleos(t)ide analog inhibitors entecavir and tenofovir are currently the mainstay of treatment as they are able to successfully suppress the virus and lead to fewer complications. Novel therapies are currently being developed which …

Comparison Of Gait Kinematic And Temporospatial Measures Between Lock And Pin And A New Vacuum Suspension System In Transtibial Amputees, Vanessa A. Kellems

Master's Theses

Walking in healthy populations has been characterized by symmetrical gait patterns and used to determine variability within pathological populations. Gait patterns of individuals with transtibial amputation are commonly asymmetrical due to the inability to completely replicate the physiological ankle with prosthetics; thus, contributing to inter-limb asymmetries. Currently, only a few studies have reported the effects of suspension systems on gait mechanics. In this study, functional differences between lock and pin (PIN) and a newly developed internal vacuum suspension system (Smart PUCKTM) (PUCK) during overground and treadmill walking were evaluated in five transtibial amputees. Statistically, no differences were found between groups …

Effects Of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation On Cytochrome C And Caspase-9 Expression In Skeletal Muscles From Doxorubicin Treated Rats, Yeon Hee Kim

Master's Theses

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug for many types of cancer. However, the deleterious effect of DOX is also observed in heart and skeletal muscles. Doxorubicin-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria causes muscle dysfunction and atrophy leading to the release of cytochrome c (cyt c) and activation of caspase-9 (casp-9) which cause apoptosis, a programmed cell death in skeletal muscles. Previous studies have proposed that creatine (Cr) possesses antioxidant capacity by reducing ROS in oxidative environment. Creatine supplements have shown to reduce mitochondrial ROS production and decrease apoptotic enzyme activities in oxidative skeletal muscles; however, Cr’s effects on …

Effects Of Creatine Supplementation And Doxorubicin Treatment Of Myostatin And Muscle Ring-Finger Protein-1 Expression In The Rat Diaphragm, Addison M. Shepard

Master's Theses

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly potent chemotherapy drug that impacts the entire body rather than a targeted treatment area. While DOX treatment assists in the disruption and prevention of certain types of cancer growth, it damages many physiological processes in the body that were functioning normally and otherwise healthy prior to its administration. Damage induced by DOX on organ functioning can lead to other malignancies in the body, such as cachexia, cardiotoxicity, and myotoxicity, among others. Skeletal muscle relies on myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), transcription factors expressed by satellite cells, for positive regulation of phases of muscle development and response …

A Correlational Study On The Relationship Between Pupil Control Ideology, Color-Blind Racial Attitudes, And Teacher Efficacy Among Urban Teachers, Kyria Parker-Hart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher efficacy describes teachers’ beliefs in their ability to impact student achievement, regardless of external factors. The present study’s purpose was to determine factors that influence teacher efficacy such as color-blindness and pupil control ideology. The goals were to determine the following: If there was a relationship between color-blind beliefs and teacher efficacy, do color-blind racial attitudes moderate the relationship between pupil control ideology and teachers’ sense of efficacy, and can beliefs about student behavior and color-blindness predict levels of teacher efficacy? The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale, Pupil Control Ideology Scale, and the Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale were used …

The Implementation Of The Teach-Back Method In Dash Diet Education To Improve Blood Pressure Control In Patients With Hypertension And Low Health Literacy, Patrice Helen Spencer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Low health literacy is closely correlated with poorly-managed chronic disease conditions. Hypertension is a common chronic disease condition which can be better controlled through compliance with the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet; however, patients with low health literacy may have difficulty understanding the DASH diet without proper education. The teach-back method is an evidence-based education tool which can empower patients with low health literacy to better control the management of hypertension through adherence to the DASH diet. This is an evidence-based project which purposes to reveal the effectiveness of the teach-back method in providing DASH diet education in …

A Case Study Of Home Visits Conducted By Kindergarten Teachers In A Low-Income Elementary School, Sheena Brannock Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single case study was to develop an in-depth description of the practice of home visits conducted by kindergarten teachers with students at the beginning of the school year in a suburban, low-income elementary school in North Carolina. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory of human development, as it states that important child development occurs in all environments where children interact. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews, mock letters of advice, and a focus group. The purposive sample included kindergarten teachers who conducted home visits, parents of kindergarteners who had a home …

The Powers That Be: A Phenomenological Study Of College Students' Impressions Of The Bias In Religious Narratives In History Textbooks, Sarah Irene Herrero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perception of bias of college students at a local college regarding the religious narratives in history textbooks. The theory that guided this study was reader response theory, as it identified the tendency of readers to bring their experiences and backgrounds to the literature they read. The study accomplished this by answering (a) how do college students who claim to perceive bias describe their experience of that perception of bias in religious narratives in history textbooks; (b) how do college students describe bias; (c) how do college students construct perceptions of …

An Educational Intervention To Raise Obesity Awareness, The Importance Of Follow-Up, And The Need To Utilize Recommended Strategies And Interventions Among Advanced Care Practitioners In A Sleep Center Setting, Cindy L. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obesity is a national epidemic that affects approximately 40% of adult Americans. A lack of advanced practitioner (AP) knowledge about obesity and follow-up may contribute to the obesity epidemic. Diagnosing obesity and beginning prompt weight loss (WL) management with the aim to prevent the development or progression of chronic illnesses associated with obesity is imperative. Research has shown that WL of 5% to 10% of initial body weight can reverse or reduce the onset of chronic illnesses. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) scholarly project was to raise the awareness of weight management resources among APs caring for patients …

Evaluation Of Patient Education To Facilitate Advance Directives Completion With Dialysis Patients, Xuesi Liu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Completion of advance directives (ADs) is an important part of identifying a patient’s treatment preferences. Lack of patient understanding regarding the scope and importance of advance directives is a common barrier to AD completion. This project reports on the effectiveness of a patient education intervention in facilitating patient understanding in an outpatient dialysis facility in rural Virginia. Thirty patients were selected by convenience sampling to participate in a 10-minute verbal presentation based on a brochure entitled “Advance Care Planning: Tips from the National Institute on Aging” and completed two short questionnaires, one before and one after the education session. Patients …

Early Life Child Micronutrient Status, Maternal Reasoning, And A Nurturing Household Environment Have Persistent Influences On Child Cognitive Development At Age 5 Years: Results From Mal-Ed, Benjamin J J. Mccormick, Stephanie A. Richard, Laura E. Caulfield, Laura L. Pendergast, Jessica C. Seidman, Beena Koshy, Reeba Roshan, Rita Shrestha, Erling Svensen, Muneera Rasheed

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Child cognitive development is influenced by early-life insults and protective factors. To what extent these factors have a long-term legacy on child development and hence fulfillment of cognitive potential is unknown.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between early-life factors (birth to 2 y) and cognitive development at 5 y.
Methods: Observational follow-up visits were made of children at 5 y, previously enrolled in the community-based MAL-ED longitudinal cohort. The burden of enteropathogens, prevalence of illness, complementary diet intake, micronutrient status, and household and maternal factors from birth to 2 y were extensively measured …

Effect Of Cultivar And Substrate On The Efficacy Of Biopesticides To Suppress Pythium On Greenhouse Crops, Liza May Degenring

Master's Theses and Capstones

Oomycetes, such as Pythium, are soil-borne plant pathogens that can cause significant losses in greenhouse crop production due to their swimming zoospores and wide host range. Additionally, the increasing use of substrates that lack microbial diversity in greenhouse production creates a “biological vacuum” that can reduce the substrate’s capacity to resist microbial invasion by soil-borne diseases. The lack of competition by a natural microbial community and the environmental conditions of greenhouse production creates an ideal situation for the use of biopesticides. Biopesticides are commercial products that use beneficial microorganisms (biocontrol agents) to suppress disease and promote plant health. Greenhouse producers …