Digital Commons Network^™

Managing Forest Disturbances: Effects On Mule Deer And Plant Communities In Montana's Northern Forests, Teagan Ann Hayes

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are frequently the focus of population and habitat management in the western United States. Land and wildlife managers use disturbance to reset forests to earlier successional stages and improve the quality and quantity of forage available to mule deer. However, the effects of management practices on nutrition and selection vary widely, so the implementation of management practices raises ecological as well as management-related concerns. This work investigated how disturbance from wildfire, prescribed fire, and timber harvest influences the spatial and temporal distribution of nutritional resources in mule deer summer range, and therefore, how the …

Recapitulating The Bayesian Framework For Neurosurgical Outpatient Care And A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Telemedicine For Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Patients In The Philippines During The Pandemic, Kevin Paul Ferraris, Jared Paul Golidtum, Brian Karlo W. Zuñiga, Maria C G Bautista, Jose Carlos Alcazaren, Kenny Seng, Joseph Erroll Navarro

Graduate School of Business Publications

Objective: In the Philippines during recent months, a neurosurgical center that caters primarily to socioeconomically disadvantaged patients has encountered unprecedented changes in practice patterns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the usual task of outpatient care has shifted to the telemedicine format, bringing along all of its attendant advantages and gargantuan challenges. The authors sought to determine the responsiveness of this telemedicine setup to the needs of their disadvantaged patients and explored the application of Bayesian inference to enhance the use of teleconsultation in daily clinical decision-making. Methods: The authors used the following methods to assess the telemedicine …

Effects Of A Campus Dining Tour Intervention On First Year Students Perception Of Healthfulness Of Environment, Paige Pappadackis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many young adults experience unwanted weight gain upon entering college. Making healthy choices in a food environment with a plethora of convenience and fast foods is important for preventing unwanted weight gain. The objective of this study was to determine if a Healthy Campus Dining Tour intervention improves perception, behavior, and priorities related to healthier choices on campus. Participants were recruited for this quasi-experimental study from freshman introductory classes at a land-grant public university and assigned to intervention or a control group. Intervention participants completed a 50-minute Healthy Campus Dining Tour that educated on how to make healthier choices at …

Global Gene Expression And Dna Methylation Of The Hypothalamus In Feeder Calves Fed A High Concentrate Diet Upon Entering Feedlot Phase, Jason E. Griffin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Feedlot finishing diets contain high energy to allow for rapid growth and fat deposition. Previous studies have shown the use of high concentrate diets changed DNA methylation and expression of genes in the hypothalamus involved with regulating feed intake, metabolism, signaling, and neuronal communication. This study investigates whether feeding a high concentrate diet to calf-feds enter the feedlot could alter DNA methylation in the hypothalamus affecting expression of growth and development genes. Angus-influenced steers (n=12) were randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups: 1) High Energy/High Concentrate (HE/HC, 1.33Mcal/kg net energy gain NEg) for 202 days; or 2) traditional Backgrounding/Finishing (B/F), …

Identification And Genomic Characterization Of Candidate Starch And Lactate Utilizing Bacteria From The Rumen Of Beef Cattle, Venkata Bandarupalli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rumen functions as an anaerobic fermentation chamber where microbial communities ferment feedstuffs into SCFAs. These SCFAs are critical to the ruminant host since they fulfill 70% of its energy requirements. In intensive management systems, ruminants are fed with grain-rich diets, which contain high levels of starch that help meet the energy demands of high producing animals. When grain-based diets are fed to ruminants, ruminal amylolytic and lactate metabolizing bacteria predominate. Grain overload can cause rapid production and accumulation of lactate, resulting in proliferation of amylolytic bacteria and death of lactate metabolizing bacteria. Consequently, high lactate levels result in a …

Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Effective For Preventing Relapse Of Depression In Adults?, Katelynn S. O’Brien

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective for preventing relapse of depression in adults.

Study Design: Review of three English-language randomized controlled trials published between 2014 and 2015.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals comparing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to comparable treatment options found via PubMed.

Outcomes measured: Outcome measured was presence or absence of relapse of major depressive episodes in adults determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.

Results: Kuyken et al. found that there was not a statistically significant difference in the …

Does The Use Of Probiotics Reduce The Incidence Of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (Urtis) In Adult Athletes?, Abigail M. Zora

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotics reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in adult athletes.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three placebo-controlled randomized trials. The articles were published in peer reviewed journals between 2008 and 2018 in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Three placebo-controlled, single- or double-blinded, randomized trials comparing the efficacy of placebo vs. probiotics in reducing URTI episodes in athletes over the age of 18 years old. The articles were found using PubMed and Cochrane via key words.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The outcome measured compared placebo …

On "Being There" In A Pandemic: Are Classrooms Without Bodies Still "Real" Places Of Learning?, Lauren Angelone

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

In March 2020, schools and universities were abruptly shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as abruptly as they shut down, they were moved to fully online instruction. It was and continues to be an adjustment from classrooms with bodies to online classrooms without bodies, and now in-person classrooms with distanced masked bodies, or some combination of the two. As such, a discourse has appeared decrying the absence of what we know was the “real” educational environment. In this commentary, I use a series of vignettes to illuminate the ontological and epistemological dilemma of this discourse and then bring …

Influence Of Light Availability On Tree Growth, Defense, And Emerald Ash Borer (Agrlius Planipennis) Success In White Fringetree (Chionanthus Virginicus) And Black Ash (Fraxinus Nigra), Michael S. Friedman

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

White fringetree is a host for the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) despite being lower quality than black ash. Observations suggest that host trees grown in full sun are more resistant to EAB than those grown in shade, however chemical defense mechanisms and the impact of environmental stress have not been assessed. We quantified constitutive and induced defenses and other characteristics white fringetree and black ash phloem tissue grown under differential light conditions, and these traits were related to EAB larval performance. White fringetree had significantly lower constitutive and induced activities of defense associated enzymes and lignin but higher phenolic, …

Determination Of Iron-Reducing Bacterial Activities In Lake Sediments., Alexandra Kahn

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Algal blooms are growing rampantly in lacustrine systems due to an increase of phosphorus, a nutrient for algae. Phosphorus is being released into the environment causing overpopulation and eutrophication which damages the ecosystem. The availability of phosphorus is affected by the solubility of iron which is regulated through iron reducing and iron oxidizing bacteria. Phosphorus adheres to insoluble Fe(III), which prohibits algae from utilizing it, while phosphorus does not attach to soluble Fe(II) and therefore it remains available to algae. The purpose of this study was to determine how bacteria influence iron solubility and what are the ideal environmental conditions …

Desired Nutrition Education Topics For The Field Of Oncology, Kasey J. Stefan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of the proposed honors research project is as follows, compare differing perspectives on desired nutrition education topics in relation to oncology; perspectives representing either oncology patients or their family or support systems. A benefit of the research includes the overall results being analyzed and used as a reference for future creation of nutrition programs. Specifically, working with Stewart’s Caring Place, a free-service oncology resource center, in implementing programs with detailed, nutrition curriculum that could be taught and available to their members. Upon an initial meeting with the program director at the center, it was clear, nutrition education was …

Perspectives On Student Hunger And Poverty, Ruchi Patel

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Poverty is a factor that affects many aspects of one’s life. For a student looking to get a bachelor’s degree at a university or college, money is one of the top priorities to look at. The high cost of universities and colleges create financial strain affecting the ability of students to obtain better opportunities. Furthermore, many college students struggling financially come from economically challenged backgrounds. Economic struggles related to college cost, housing and food insecurity can lead to malnourished students as well as high stress levels. Approximately 36% of Univeristy students and 42% of community college students were food insecure …

Effects Of Nonpharmacological Interventions On Outcomes In Neonates With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Systematic Review, Alexandrea Gray, Rachel Smith, Trina Miller, Nina Vaccaro, Ashlyn Milhoan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a growing issue in today’s society, especially in women of the childbearing age who use substances during pregnancy. As use of substances, such as opiates, increases in the United States, the healthcare industry has noticed a significant rise in the number of neonates born with symptoms of NAS withdrawal. Through the analysis and synthesis of research, the purpose of this paper is to appraise the evidence regarding the effects of supplemental nonpharmacological interventions, specifically rooming-in and breastfeeding, compared to standard pharmacological treatment, on NAS withdrawal symptoms. Twenty peer-reviewed research studies conducted between 2010 and 2018 …

Exercise And Physical Activity In Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes, Shelby Fisher

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper will investigate, describe, and discuss the challenges that youth and adult athletes with Type 1 Diabetes face in order to successfully perform in sports while maintaining their health treatment goals. This paper will also describe how these challenges are overcome and this paper will share individual experiences from both adults and youth who have Type 1 Diabetes. This paper will describe meal management with sport, blood glucose monitoring with sport, medication management with sport, and interaction with the healthcare team and the athlete. This paper will also investigate the school personnel’s involvement in regard to assisting the athlete …

Is This The Perfect Time, Or The Worst Time, To Bend The Climate Change Curve?, R.M. Filley, J.S. Dukes

Purdue Climate Change Research Center Publications

No abstract provided.

Community Pharmacists’ And Residents’ Decision Making And Unmet Information Needs When Completing Comprehensive Medication Reviews, Kacie L. Mcpherson, Omolola A. Adeoye-Olatunde, Jayna M. Osborne, William R. Doucette, Stephanie A. Gernant, Heather Jaynes, Shobha Phansalkar, Alissa L. Russ-Jara, Margie E. Snyder

Department of Pharmacy Practice Faculty Publications

Objective

To (1) characterize community pharmacists’ and community pharmacy residents’ decision making and unmet information needs when conducting comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) as part of medication therapy management and (2) explore any differences between community pharmacists and community pharmacy residents in CMR decision making and unmet information needs.

Design

Thirty-to 60-minute semistructured interviews framed using a clinical decision-making model (CDMM) were conducted with community pharmacists and residents.

Setting and participants

Participants were recruited from practice-based research networks and researchers’ professional networks. Eligible participants had completed or supported the completion of at least 2 CMRs in the last 30 days.

Outcome …

Internet Of Things In Agricultural Innovation And Security, Abdul Salam

Faculty Publications

The agricultural Internet of Things (Ag-IoT) paradigm has tremendous potential in transparent integration of underground soil sensing, farm machinery, and sensor-guided irrigation systems with the complex social network of growers, agronomists, crop consultants, and advisors. The aim of the IoT in agricultural innovation and security chapter is to present agricultural IoT research and paradigm to promote sustainable production of safe, healthy, and profitable crop and animal agricultural products. This chapter covers the IoT platform to test optimized management strategies, engage farmer and industry groups, and investigate new and traditional technology drivers that will enhance resilience of the farmers to the …

Internet Of Things For Sustainable Human Health, Abdul Salam

Faculty Publications

The sustainable health IoT has the strong potential to bring tremendous improvements in human health and well-being through sensing, and monitoring of health impacts across the whole spectrum of climate change. The sustainable health IoT enables development of a systems approach in the area of human health and ecosystem. It allows integration of broader health sub-areas in a bigger archetype for improving sustainability in health in the realm of social, economic, and environmental sectors. This integration provides a powerful health IoT framework for sustainable health and community goals in the wake of changing climate. In this chapter, a detailed description …

Internet Of Things In Sustainable Energy Systems, Abdul Salam

Faculty Publications

Our planet has abundant renewable and conventional energy resources but technological capability and capacity gaps coupled with water-energy needs limit the benefits of these resources to citizens. Through IoT technology solutions and state-of-the-art IoT sensing and communications approaches, the sustainable energy-related research and innovation can bring a revolution in this area. Moreover, by the leveraging current infrastructure, including renewable energy technologies, microgrids, and power-to-gas (P2G) hydrogen systems, the Internet of Things in sustainable energy systems can address challenges in energy security to the community, with a minimal trade-off to environment and culture. In this chapter, the IoT in sustainable energy …

Ultraviolet (Uv) B Effects On Growth And Yield Of Three Contrasting Sweet Potato Cultivars, Z. Chen, W. Gao, K.R. Reddy, M. Chen, S. Taduri, Stephen L. Meyers, M.W. Shankle

Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Faculty Publications

Ground-level UV-B will stay at a high level in the next several decades and influence sweet potato growth and yield because of the remaining chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. The study explored three UV-B (none, ambient, and elevated/projected) levels on three contrasting sweet potato cultivars (Beauregard, Hatteras, and Louisiana 1188) using sunlit plant growth chambers at Mississippi State University. The results showed that UV-B influenced three cultivars differently. Growth, photosynthetic rate, epidermal and leaf structure of Beauregard were negatively influenced under ambient and elevated UV-B. On the contrary, Hatteras was positively influenced, and Louisiana 1188 was influenced by elevated UV-B positively …

A Systematic Review: Effectiveness Of Complementary Therapies On Mental Status Of Pediatric Oncology Patients, Sara Fredricks, Jessica Lloyd, Whitney Wendling

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Children with cancer frequently suffer from depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and psychological stresses related to knowledge of potential risks, associated treatments, and the illness itself. These psychological problems can cause many additional physiological problems for these already chronically ill patients and may be detrimental to their overall health. The purpose of this systematic review is to review and critically appraise the evidence to determine if the use of Complementary and Alternative Methods (CAM), along with standardized care, affects mental health outcomes in pediatric cancer patients. Twenty-one primary source publications between 2013 and 2019 were analyzed for this systematic review. …

Youth Suicide In The United States, Sydney Schermond

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Youth suicide continues to be a public health crisis in the United States. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has identified four critical areas where a coordinated approach to suicide prevention can make a powerful contribution to this goal. One of these critical areas is healthcare systems. To fully equip these clinicians to develop the most effective suicide prevention interventions, it is important that they gain a complete picture of who may commit youth suicide. The central aim of this paper is to collect information relevant to suicide and suicide prevention to help educate allied healthcare professionals who may …

Termination-Independent Role Of Rat1 In Cotranscriptional Splicing In Budding Yeast, Zuzer Hakimuddin Dhoondia

Wayne State University Dissertations

Rat1 is a 5′→3′ exoribonuclease in budding yeast belonging to the XRN-family of nucleases. It is a highly conserved protein with homologs being present in fission yeast, flies, worms, mice and humans. Rat1 and its homolog in metazoan have been shown to function in multiple facets of RNA metabolism. In this study, we report a novel role of Rat1 in splicing of pre-mRNA in budding yeast. In the absence of the functional Rat1 in the nucleus, an increase in the level of unspliced transcripts was observed in yeast cells. Strand-specific TRO analysis revealed that the accumulation of unspliced transcripts upon …

Innovation In Meat Production: A Problem And An Opportunity, Christopher J. Bryant

Animal Sentience

Innovation in meat production has enabled modern humans to inflict far greater harm on animals, the environment, and public health than was possible just a few decades ago. Wiebers & Feigin aptly express the urgency with which these issues must be addressed. Those advocating for animals on moral grounds face resistance from omnivores citing taste, price and convenience. Further innovation in meat production (plant-based and cultured meat) will enable us to preserve the experience of eating meat whilst phasing out the many problems caused by industrial animal farming.

Mental Illness Awareness In The State Of New Hampshire, Susan Pomerleau

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

New Hampshire is a small state with 1.36 million people reported in 2019. In New Hampshire, 4% of adults live with serious mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression (Resources to Recover, 2020). The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) has a chapter in New Hampshire to help support, promote, and educate on the topic of mental illness. I would like to partner my effort with NAMI NH and also with the STAMP OUT STIGMA Campaign through the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) to bring greater awareness of serious mental illness (SMI) and any …

Students’ Perceived Experiences Of Competitive Activities Through Electronic Platforms, Eve Bernstein

Publications and Research

The purpose of this study was to understand students’ experiences through digital YouTube clips focusing on middle school competitive activities in physical education class. This study was guided by the transactional framework, which states that individuals and institutions, in this case students and competitive activities in physical education class, create certain transactions, and these transactions are shared. Twenty-six YouTube posts were examined. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative method to find patterns in the posting of students’ experiences of participating in these activities. Three major themes of the digital clips clearly emerged. These themes included (a) perceived skill …

The Relationship Of Internship Setting To Internship Directors' Perspectives On Cultural Competence In Psychological Assessment, Micharra Joshua

Theses and Dissertations

Psychological assessment represents a core competency and a highly specialized skill in professional psychology that is central to the identity of many practicing psychologists. However, more research is needed on the quality of assessment training that psychology doctoral students receive, particularly in relation to developing competence in the assessment of diverse individuals and groups. Moreover, diversity-related considerations for assessment should be broad and incorporate dimensions that include age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, socioeconomic status, and other factors. This clinical dissertation consisted of an archival study that examined predoctoral internship directors' perspectives on their interns' preparation …

Books Or Food? Food Insecurity And The Rise Of Campus Food Pantries, Sonya Sharififard

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a quantitative study of campus food pantries located in public four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The research aims to explain relationships among campus food pantries and surrounding neighborhood characteristics affecting local food environments. There are two parts to the study: (a) the quantitative analysis through responses from a participant questionnaire; and (b) a case study analysis to accompany the quantitative analysis. The researcher identified three metropolitan counties within U.S. census tracts, to determine the relationship between neighborhood demographics, the local food environment, and the impact on campus communities. The researcher explored food accessibility within …

Development Of A Resilience-Oriented Stress Management Group Intervention For Mothers Experiencing Homelessness, Lily Danielle Rowland

Theses and Dissertations

Family homelessness, particularly of mothers and their children, continues to remain an unfortunate epidemic throughout the United States. Personal, relational, and systemic adversity and trauma leave this population at high risk for instability, physical and mental health challenges, and impaired wellbeing. However, despite these difficulties, research strongly suggests that positive functioning can remain in families experiencing homelessness and that many go on to leave shelters and maintain stability, particularly when mothers have effective strategies to manage stress in contexts of adversity. In addition to identifying the needs of mothers experiencing homelessness, the literature also has highlighted factors of individual and …

An Evaluation Of A Transorganizational Development Process Promoting Positive Social Change, Erin Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Humanity's largest and most complex social problems are not going to be adequately addressed by one organization working alone. This study addressed two research questions: (1) what ingredients enable successful transorganization collaboration seeking positive social change? and (2) what roles does trust play? Using a case study methodology, participants and observers were interviewed. The data was analyzed using Ainsworth and Feyerhem's diagnostic model of transorganzational systems and Vangen and Huxham's trust-building and trust-sustaining theory. The findings emphasize the interdependence of transorganizational system (TS) design components and, in particular, of trust with each of the components.