Digital Commons Network^™

Diversifying Cornfields By Interseeding Cover Crops: Practical Implications And The Response Of Invertebrate Communities, Michael Bredeson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The lack of suitable habitat conditions for beneficial organisms in simplified agroecosystems leads to unstable invertebrate communities and overreliance on chemical control of herbivores. It is possible to manage pest populations without agrichemicals by manipulating farmland so that herbivores are impaired by plant-driven bottom-up and enemy-driven top-down antagonisms. Interseeding cover crops between established crop rows is a method used by farmers to improve habitat suitability for natural enemies and hinder host-finding, feeding and movement by herbivores. Here I address three important research gaps related to interseeding cover crops. A calcium carbonate seed coating, used to improve seed-broadcasting efficiency, was tested …

Effects Of Energy Development On Movements, Home Ranges, And Resource Selection Of White-Tailed Deer In The Western Dakotas, Bailey S. Gullikson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oil and natural gas development has increased in recent years and research is needed to assess potential impacts on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Our objectives were to document movements, home ranges, and resource selection of female white-tailed deer in response to energy development in the western Dakotas. Our study areas included Dunn County, North Dakota, an area with current oil and gas development, and Grant County, North Dakota, and Perkins County, South Dakota, areas without current oil and gas development. We captured and fitted 150 female deer with Very High Frequency (VHF) collars across study sites, and …

Stoichiometric Homeostasis In Two Native And Two Invasive South Dakotan Grasses, Joshua Thonas Harvey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased nutrient availability has been widely linked to the success of invasive plants, however a general mechanism explaining these observations is lacking. Stoichiometric homeostasis (H), which is the regulation of internal nutrient concentrations, has been used to explain changes in plant community diversity under alterations in nutrient availability. One hypothesis holds that plants with high regulation (larger H) decrease in abundance in nutrient enriched conditions but are stable in nutrient deficient and drought conditions, likely due to extensive root systems. Additionally, plants with low regulation (lower H) increase in abundance under nutrient enriched conditions but are sensitive to drought …

Species Of Fusarium Causing Root Rot Of Soybean In South Dakota: Characterization, Pathogenicity, And Interaction With Heterodera Glycines, Paul Nyawanda Okello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In South Dakota, Fusarium-associated diseases (e.g. seedling diseases, root rot and sudden death syndrome) are emerging threats to soybean production. Several species of Fusarium have been reported to cause these diseases in the soybean producing regions of the United States and in the world. However, little information is available on the species of Fusarium causing soybean root rot in South Dakota and their pathogenicity. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the species of Fusarium causing soybean root rot in South Dakota; (2) evaluate the cross-pathogenicity of species of Fusarium causing root rot of soybean and corn; …

Development Of Tissue-Derived Biomaterial ‘Cornea-Ecmix’: Its Utility In The Management Of Corneal Diseases, Somshuvra Bhattacharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transparent cornea, at the front of the eye, mediates vision by refracting incoming light. Due to its anatomical position, cornea is susceptible to a variety of physical and chemical insults. Severe damage caused to cornea due to trauma or disease conditions can impair vision. While the cornea’s inherent repair mechanism restores partial vision loss, transplantation is the only viable treatment option if its transparency is completely lost. A global shortage of transplantable donor tissues necessitates the need for the development of functional corneal prosthetics. As cornea mostly is made up of extracellular matrix (ECM), several studies have explored the utility …

Impacts Of Small Intestinal Enzyme Activity And Varying Corn Grain Processing Types On Feeding Behavior, And Growth Performance Of Finishing Beef Steers, Wyatt Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to quantify the differences in activity of jejunal maltase and isomaltase between 2 groups of steers with average dry matter intake (DMI) and differing average daily gain (ADG). Dry matter intake and ADG were measured in crossbred steers (n = 69). Jejunal mucosal samples were collected from 8 steers with the greatest (high) or least (low) ADG and average DMI (± 0.55 standard deviation). Homogenates of jejunal mucosa were incubated with increasing amounts of maltose and isomaltose to determine the disaccharidase kinetics. Neither the Km of isomaltase (P = 0.15) or maltase (P = …

Physical Activity Environments In Rural Communities: Exploring The Relationship Between Community Perceptions And The Environment, Elizabeth M. Bye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To assess the physical activity environment, community perceptions of the physical activity environment, and the relationship between these variables in rural and/or underserved communities with high obesity prevalence.
Methods: The Rural Active Living Assessment (RALA) was used to assess the programs and policies (PPA), town-wide amenities (TWA), and street segments (SSA) of the physical activity environment and the Rural Active Living Perceived Environmental Support Scale (RALPESS) was used to assess community perception of the physical activity environment within eleven rural and/or underserved communities. Each section of the RALA and RALPESS are further broken down into additional subsections in order …

Effects Of Weight Loss On Gut Microbiota, Samitinjaya Dhakal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Incidence of obesity continues to rise for several decades now. Despite the availability of the multiple weight loss programs, losing or maintaining weight remains a universal challenge. A comprehensive lifestyle modification is usually the cornerstone for achieving weight loss. A wealth of new information on gut microbial responses to diet to impact human health has introduced a new frontier in nutrition science that may help better understand inter-individual response variations to weight-loss interventions. This observational study examined the microbiota changes after weight-loss in relation to age, sex, and body-composition features in adults. A 10% reduction in body weight resulted in …

Food Assistance Programs In The Us And Their Impact On Childhood Obesity, Jannatul Kawsar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Numerous food assistance programs (FAP) aim to ensure food security among low income American households. However, the literature suggests that participation in food assistance programs may be associated with the US childhood obesity epidemic. The goal of this study is to analyze the association between the number of major food assistance programs children participate in and childhood obesity. The major food assistance programs considered are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the School Breakfast Programs (SBP). This is the first study to …

Efficiency Of Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Utilization For Whole Body Protein Deposition In Pregnant Gilts And Sows During Early, Mid And Late Gestation, Christian Daniel Ramirez-Camba

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The total daily amino acid (AA) requirements for pregnant sows are based of Lys which is the first-limiting AA in swine diets. The SID Lys requirements are estimated by the NRC (2012) gestating sow model as the sum of those required for maintenance and protein retention divided by the efficiency of SID Lys utilization. The NRC (2012) gestating sow model assumed AA efficiency is constant across stages of gestation and parities; however, this does not reflect the change in metabolic demand of various age sows at different stages of gestation. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of …

Novel Approaches To Evaluate And Enhance Neonatal Calf Gastrointestinal Health And Development, Fernanda Trindade Da Rosa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physiological adaptations of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) epithelial cells as well as methods to manipulate early life GIT microbiota colonization during the neonatal stage, is of great importance to the dairy industry. The first objective of this research was to optimize a method based on evaluation of bovine transcripts in fecal RNA via RTqPCR using L-selectin (SELL) as a marker for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL), keratin 8 (KRT8) and fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) for GIT enterocytes, and tight junctions in fecal RNA and GIT sections in dairy calves. To test the reliability of the fecal RNA method, fecal and …

Wellness Policy Awareness Among School Leaders And The Impact On Written Policy Scores, Mariah Reil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: All schools participating in the National School Lunch Program must possess a written School Wellness Policy (SWP) as mandated by the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010.1 School officials and leaders play a major role in SWP implementation. It is essential to written SWP implementation that school level officials and leaders in the district are aware of the SWP. However, the association between school leader awareness of SWP and policy quality has not yet been studied.
Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine if school leader awareness of a SWP impacts the written SWP quality. …

Diet, Prebiotics And Probiotics: Effects On Gut Microbiota In Obesity And Metabolic Disorders, Thamer Aljutaily

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Targeting gut microbiota with diet, prebiotics, and probiotics are emerging as a promising intervention in the comprehensive nutritional approach to reducing obesity and metabolic disorders. Recent human and animal studies suggest that such intervention can promote health benefits by influencing the aspects of metabolism and immunity. However, study of the multi-role association between the diet, the host and the microbiota remains to be clarified. My dissertation attempts to clarify the problem of how gut microbiota (taxonomic composition and predicted functional capacities) affects obesity and metabolic disorders.
In chapter 2, I conducted a placebo-controlled intervention clinical trial to evaluate effects of …

Part 1: Preparing Entry-Level Occupational Therapy And Physical Therapy Students To Promote Health And Wellbeing With Individuals With Disabilities, Brooks C. Wingo, Donald H. Lein Jr., Beth A. Barstow, Christopher A. Eidson, Tara S. Pearce, Laurie A. Malone, David M. Morris

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

To address accreditation standards for health and wellbeing within entry-level occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) programs, the OT, PT, and Human Studies Departments at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) collaborated with community partners to conduct an interdisciplinary service learning activity based on the I Can Do It, You Can Do It Program (ICDI). This program is a structured community health program where individuals without disabilities are partnered with individuals with disabilities to enhance physical activity, healthy eating, and community participation. The purpose of this paper is to describe a formative evaluation of ICDI at UAB, and …

“Wide-Awake Drunk”: Observing The Combined Effects Of Alcohol And Caffeine On Somatic Withdrawal Signs In C57bl/6j Mice, Montana Jenkins

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Caffeine is one of the most widely used psychoactive stimulants in the world and is often used in combination with other substances. The combination of caffeine and alcohol has been shown to induce a stimulated, rather than sedated state, which may result in increased alcohol-attributable accidents (e.g., drunk driving, unprotected sex, and over intoxication). Preclinical research has found mixed results regarding the co-consumption of caffeine and alcohol – some found that caffeine increases alcohol intake while others the opposite. The current study expanded on previous research by testing the effects of combined caffeine and alcohol exposure in a binge-like, mouse …

Soil Health Indicators And Sustainable Practices On Indy Urban Farms: An Investigation Of Ecosystem Functionality, Rebecca Lewis

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Urban agriculture is capable of restoring ecosystem services like food production, recreation, and clean soil and water to cities. Urban farms in particular can help relieve pressure for areas with limited food access, also known as food desserts. This is especially important to the community of Indianapolis because the city is tied for the most food desert areas within a U.S. metropolitan area. To help a community, an urban farm must have healthy, nutrient rich soils. Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for plants when it comes to growth and development. Plants cannot produce nitrogen; they acquire the mineral by …

Is Leptin Receptor Expression Triggered In The Case Of Embryo Transfer To Endometrium Coculture?, İskender Kaplanoğlu, Gülnur Take Kaplanoğlu, Özgür Çinar, Güleser Göktaş, Serdar Di̇lbaz, Cemi̇le Merve Seymen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: A synchronized dialogue between maternal and embryonic tissues is required for successful implantation. Low uterine receptivity is responsible for two-thirds of implantation failures and leptin is effective in the physiology of reproduction by binding to specific receptors. In this study, we investigateleptin receptor expression in cases of embryo transfer to endometrial coculture. Materials and methods: Biopsy materials were taken from 20 females with indication for coculture application and were cultured in an appropriate medium after the epithelial cells were isolated. The grown cells were cultured in chamber slides as the first group. For the second group, day 3 embryo …

Association Between Ppargc1a Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms And Increased Risk Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Iranian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Leila Saremi, Shirin Lotfipanah, Masumeh Mohammadi, Hassan Hosseinzadeh, Zahra Hosseini-Khah, Behrooz Johari, Zohreh Saltanatpour

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Environmental and genetic factors may play a major role in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among people with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Based on the fact that PGC-1?, as the protein encoded by the PPARGC1A gene, plays a key role in energy metabolism pathways, it has been hypothesized that polymorphisms within the PPARGC1Agene may be associated with increased risks of NAFLD. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the Gly482Ser polymorphism (rs8192678) within the PPARGC1A gene and its association with the increased risk of NAFLD in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and methods: …

Reflections On Representing Incarcerated People With Disabilities: Ableism In Prison Reform Litigation, Jamelia Morgan

Faculty Articles and Papers

Over the last five decades, advocates have fought for and secured constitutional prohibitions challenging solitary confinement, including ending the placement and prolonged isolation of individuals with psychiatric disabilities in solitary confinement. Yet, despite the valiant efforts of this courageous movement to protect the rights of incarcerated people with disabilities through litigation, the legal regime protecting these rights reflects a troubling paradigm: ableism.

Ableism is a complex system of cultural, political, economic, and social practices that facilitate, construct, or reinforce the subordination of people with disabilities in a given society. In this Essay I argue that current Eighth Amendment jurisprudence in …

Orda Weekly Update, 2019 02 18, Office Of Research Development And Administration

ORDA Weekly Update

No abstract provided.

A Critical Ethnographical Exploration Of Disability Under Apartheid Conditions: The Promising Potential Of Palestinian Higher Education Institutions, Yasmin Snounu

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Utilizing a critical ethnographical methodology, this dissertation explores the experiences and practices of professors and administrators towards accommodating disabled students mainly in Palestine, but also taking into consideration the importance of the both political and disability contexts of the United States, primarily in light of critical disability studies, while also drawing from critical discourse analysis in regard to aspects of language, power hierarchies, and identity. Elements of teacher development theories are used in relation to transformational ways of thinking and the role of educators in combating stigma and promoting/adopting inclusive pedagogical practices towards accommodating disabled students in higher education. My …

Celiac Disease: A Physiological Overview And Possible Future Work With Emphasis On Raman Spectroscopy, Katlyn Curtin Mehne

Wayne State University Theses

Celiac Disease is a condition whereby ingesting Gluten causes an autoimmune reaction in the intestines with adverse effects throughout the body. Although statistic analysis estimates that 1% of the general population is affected by this condition, the diagnosis and treatment research lacks in key areas of understanding. This is a summary of current research and physiological information on the impact of Celiac Disease. In the last twenty years, Raman Spectroscopy assisted in diagnosis and treatment of various other ailments. In this case, Raman Spectroscopy can be used to research immunological cells involved in Celiac Disease and further research.

Imbalance Of Uracil Dna Glycosylase And Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase Expression In Folate Depleted Human Lymphoblastoids, Elizabeth Zanley

Wayne State University Theses

Background: The DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway is responsible for processing of genomic uracil lesions however, in some tissue types the excisional and gap-filling steps performed by UNG2 and POLβ, respectively, are impaired by folate deficiency in human and murine models in vitro. Genomic uracil damage can be acquired by inadequate conversion of uracil to thymine nucleotide precursors resulting from insufficient folate cofactors, or through activation induced cytosine deaminase (AID) activity during antibody diversification in B-cells in the context of adaptive immunity. The immunoglobulin (Ig) diversification methods in B-cells depend on the coordinated interaction between AID and UNG2, and …

Effect Of Oil Palm Phenolics (Opp) On Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines, Inaam Abdul Karim

Wayne State University Theses

Pancreatic cancer (paca) is currently the fifth causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It’s an aggressive form of cancer with very low survival rates because of delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options. Gemcitabine is the chemotherapy drug that provides minimal benefits along with many side effects. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro effects of oil palm phenolics (OPP) fraction-5, the water-soluble component of palm oil, in human pancreatic cancer cell models. Two pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc-1 and BxPC-3) were categorized into control and treatment groups. The control group received cell culture media …

Understanding Diabetes Through Pathway Analysis Evaluation, London Cavaletto

Research Opportunities for Engineering Undergraduates (ROEU) Program 2018-19

Metabolic disorders affect many people and identifying significantly perturbed biological processes in a metabolic disease can provide valuable insight into the disease’s mechanisms. Evaluating the proposed Metabolic Pathway Analysis Method (RAMP) will enable us to reliably use it to identify significantly perturbed metabolic pathways that could help identify disease mechanisms and potential therapy targets or disease bio-markers of a metabolic disorder.

Guide To Ms275 West Texas Health Systems Agency Records, Abbie Weiser

Finding Aids

The WTHSA provided community groups and health organizations assistance through grant writing, needs assessment and program development, staff training, and data collection and analysis. The collection consists primarily of material detailing the operations of the West Texas Council of Governments and the West Texas Health Systems Agency, mostly in the form of reports and proceedings. Also included are health-related books, monographs, and journals. The collection is an important source of information on the delivery of health care in West Texas during the period 1974-1983.

Supporting Adults Who Anticipate Or Live With An Ostomy (2nd Ed.), Registered Nurses' Association Of Ontario

General Submissions: Community and Population-based Materials

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide nurses and the interprofessional team with evidence-based recommendations for the most effective strategies to support adults (18 years and older) who anticipate or live with an ostomy that will:

• promote self-management
• enhance access and delivery of care
• lead to positive health outcomes

For this BPG, persons who anticipate an ostomy are those who are in the preoperative phase and awaiting an ostomy surgery.

This BPG will address the most common types of ostomy which include:

• colostomy
• ileostomy
• urostomy

For more information including supplementary documents and available translations, visit https://rnao.ca/bpg/guidelines/ostomy

Evaluating And Improving Consumer Perceptions Of The Agriculture Industry, Katelyn Berndt

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

Consumer perceptions of the agriculture industry are increasingly important as alternative labeling and non-conventional options become more common. Consumers are seeking a more dominant role in the conversation about their food. This study explores how the agriculture industry can respond in a way that improves consumer perceptions and builds trust. The study also seeks to answer the question of whether country of birth or background affects consumer perceptions of agriculture. The research model includes a QuestionPro survey completed by students at South Dakota State University, representing consumers in the Millennial generation who are more likely to respond positively to transparent …

Multiplatform Urinary Metabolomics Profiling To Discriminate Cachectic From Non-Cachectic Colorectal Cancer Patients: Pilot Results From The Colocare Study, Jennifer Ose, Adetunji T Toriola, Et Al

Open Access Publications

Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that is characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass in cancer patients. The biological pathways involved remain poorly characterized. Here, we compare urinary metabolic profiles in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients (stage I-IV) from the ColoCare Study in Heidelberg, Germany. Patients were classified as cachectic (

Sedentary Behaviors, Tv Viewing Time, And Risk Of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer, Long H. Nguyen, Po-Hong Liu, Xiaobin Zheng, Nana Keum, Xiaoyu Zong, Xiao Li, Kana Wu, Charles S. Fuchs, Shuji Ogino, Kimmie Ng, Walter C. Willett, Andrew T. Chan, Edward L. Giovannucci, Yin Cao

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.