Digital Commons Network^™

Comorbidity In Context: Identifying Patterns Of Depressive And Anxiety Symptoms In African American Early Adolescents, Kathryn Behrhorst

Theses and Dissertations

Depression and anxiety during adolescence includes symptoms of irritability, sleeplessness, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, worry, avoidance, and/or restlessness. Anxiety and depressive symptoms are often comorbid and are associated with impairments across academic, social, and emotional areas of functioning. No studies to date have examined patterns of depressive and anxiety symptoms together for African American adolescents using person-centered analyses. The current study examined patterns of symptoms and domains of anxiety and depression during early adolescence using latent profile analyses (LPA). A sample of 196 African American early adolescents in grades six through eight (M_age = 12.6; 50% female) were …

Women’S Perspectives On Human Security: Violence, Environment, And Sustainability, Richard Matthew, Patricia A, Weitsman, Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, Nora Davis, Tera Dornfeld

Ohio University Press Open Access Books

Violent conflict, climate change, and poverty present distinct threats to women worldwide. Importantly, women are leading the way creating and sharing sustainable solutions.

Women’s security is a valuable analytical tool as well as a political agenda insofar as it addresses the specific problems affecting women’s ability to live dignified, free, and secure lives. First, this collection focuses on how conflict impacts women’s lives and well-being, including rape and gendered constructions of ethnicity, race, and religion. The book’s second section looks beyond the scope of large-scale violence to examine human security in terms of environmental policy, food, water, health, and economics. …

Influence Of The Digital Divide And Socio-Economic Factors On Prevalence Of Diabetes, Loknath Sai Ambati, Omar F. El-Gayar, Nevine Nawar

Research & Publications

More than 100 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes (29 and 84 million, respectively). Factors such as overweight, sedentary behavior, and history of diabetes in the family have been commonly associated with the onset of type 2 diabetes. Extant literature now points to the effect of socio-economic factors such as education, income, ethnicity, and physical location on the prevalence of the disease. This research aims to investigate the impact of social determinants on diabetes with a particular emphasis on the digital divide. We used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for diagnosed diabetes prevalence, obesity prevalence, …

Occurrence Of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes On Enset (Ensete Ventricosum) In Ethiopia With Focus On Pratylenchus Goodeyi As A Key Species Of The Crop, Selamawit A. Kidane, Beira H. Meressa, Solveig Haukeland, Trine Hvoslef-Eide, Christer Magnusson, Marjolein Couvreur, Wim Bert, Danny L. Coyne

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Summary - Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is an important starch staple crop, cultivated primarily in south and southwestern Ethiopia. Enset is the main crop of a sustainable indigenous African system that ensures food security in a country that is food deficient. Related to the banana family, enset is similarly affected by plant-parasitic nematodes. Plant-parasitic nematodes impose a huge constraint on agriculture. The distribution, population density and incidence of plant-parasitic nematodes of enset was determined during August 2018. A total of 308 fields were sampled from major enset-growing zones of Ethiopia. Eleven plant-parasitic nematode taxa were identified, with Pratylenchus (lesion nematode) being …

Morphology, Development And Reproduction Of Atractomorpha Acutipennis (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae), Sévilor Kekeunou, Marcelle Mbadjoun-Nziké, Alain Christel Wandji, Steve Bernard Soh-Baleba, Alfiery Laurel Djomnang-Nkwala, Alain Simeu-Noutchom, Charly Oumarou-Ngoute, Philene Corine Aude Um-Nyobe, Linda Gaelle Guiadem-Simo, Patrick Ntonga Akono

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

For a better knowledge of Atractomorpha acutipennis bio-ecology and to facilitate its identification, we studied the morphology, development and reproduction of this grasshopper on Manihot esculenta under laboratory conditions. Five hundred and fifty-one first nymphal stages obtained in the laboratory were reared in cages. Some body parts allowed a clear identification of different nymphal instars. Post-embryonic development passed through six stages (males) and seven stages (females). Mean nymphal development time was 17.14 ± 0.62, 12.91 ± 0.62, 13.45 ± 0.69, 13.80 ± 0.68, 15.23 ± 0.55 days respectively in males nymphal instars 1 to 5 and 16.18 ± 0.54, 13.13 …

Unlocking Maize Crop Productivity Through Improved Management Practices In Northern Tanzania, Kihara J, Kizito F, Jumbo M, Kinyua M, M. Bekunda

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Addressing the problem of low crop productivity and food insecurity can be accelerated through community-centered implementation of good agricultural management practices. This study was conducted in Babati, Northern Tanzania. The objective of the study was to determine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) application requirements for maize, and demonstrate economically viable best bet yield-improving management technologies under three ecozones namely; ‘low elevation low rainfall', ‘medium elevation high rainfall' and ‘medium elevation low rainfall' ecozone. Two sets of trials were conducted: N (0, 45, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1) and P (0, 15, 30, 40 kg ha-1) response trials in 16 …

In Vitro Antifungal Activity Of Desmodium Intortum And D. Uncinatum Root Extracts Against Growth Of Toxigenic Fusarium Verticillioides And Aspergillus Flavus, Nancy Karimi Njeru, Charles Aura Odhiambo Midega, James Wanjohi Muthomi, John Maina Wagacha, Zeyaur Rahman Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Maize grown under push-pull cropping system has been reported to contain lower concentrations of fumonisin and aflatoxin than maize monocrop. This study determined the inhibitory effect of desmodium root extracts on spore germination and radial growth of toxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides. Aspergillus flavus and F. verticillioides were isolated from maize and soil and tested for ability to produce aflatoxin and fumonisin by inoculation on mycotoxin-free maize. Aflatoxin and fuminisin were detected and quantified by direct competitive ELISA. Desmodium roots were dried, ground to fine powder and extracted with methanol and dichloromethane and evaluated for anti-fungal activity by inhibition …

Changes In Chemical And Microbiological Quality Of Semi-Processed Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens L.) Larval Meal During Storage, E. Kamau, C. Mutungi, J. Kinyuru, S. Imathiu, S. Ekesi, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Edible insects are receiving attention as a protein source in the food and feed sector. However, successful commercialisation requires mass production matched with appropriate processing and storage techniques. The quality of dried and pulverised black soldier fly larvae stored in woven polypropylene (PP) sacks, polyethylene (PE) bags and plastic containers with screw lid (PL) in ambient and refrigerated environments was monitored over six months. Chemical indicators (oxidation, fatty acid profile), microbiological parameters (total viable counts, yeast and moulds, Enterobacteriaceae, presumptive coliforms, Salmonella) and colour change were examined. Temperature and relative humidity of the storage environments were monitored. In the ambient …

Seed Quality And Mycoflora Associated With Chickpea (Cicer Arientinum L.) Seed In Ethiopia, G. Getaneh, T. Tefera, F. Lemmessa, S. Ahmed, A. Zewudie

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The study was conducted at Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Haramaya University and Jimma University, Ethiopia. Crop yield is directly associated with the physical and biological quality of planting material or seed. Ninety-nine (99) chickpea seed lot samples were collected for physical purity, seed health and germination tests from major chickpea growing areas in Ethiopia in the 2016/17 cropping season to assess the status of chickpea seed health and quality among subsistence farmers, research stations and seed growers. The seed lots were grouped as researcher saved, farmers saved and seed growers’ saved seed. The maximum physical purity of 97.5% was …

A Cross-Sectional Observational Study Investigating The Association Between Sedges (Swamp Grasses, Cyperaceae) And The Prevalence Of Immature Malaria Vectors In Aquatic Habitats Along The Shore Of Lake Victoria, Western Kenya, Getachew E. Bokore, Paul Ouma, Patrick O. Onyango, Tullu Bukhari, Ulrike Fillinger

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Strategies that involve manipulations of the odour-orientation of gravid malaria vectors could lead to novel attract-and-kill interventions. Recent work has highlighted the potential involvement of graminoid plants in luring vectors to oviposition sites. This study aimed to analyse the association between water-indicating graminoid plants (Cyperaceae, sedges), other abiotic and biotic factors and the presence and abundance of early instar Anopheles larvae in aquatic habitats as a proxy indicator for oviposition. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 110 aquatic habitats along the shores of Lake Victoria was done during the rainy season. Habitats were sampled for mosquito larvae using the sweep-net …

Restricting Pesticides On A Traditional Crop: The Example Of Khat (Catha Edulis) And The Njuri Ncheke Of Meru, Kenya, James S. Krueger, Daniel M. Mutyambai

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Rampant increase and diversification of synthetic pesticides poses health, environmental, and livelihood risks especially to smallholder farmers who dominate agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Legal mechanisms for regulating pesticides, although important, have not fully addressed the dangers of ecological services disruptions due to accumulation of different pesticides over time. Legal mechanisms also are not well suited to developing countries because of weak monitoring and enforcement capacity. Understanding the role of other accountability mechanisms in farming, driven by norm leaders in the community, is thus of paramount importance. We investigated the effectiveness of a traditional accountability mechanism, i.e., local councils of elders …

Mineral Fertilizer Use In Land-Scarce Conditions: Case Of Rwanda, Josaphat Rusisiro Mugabo, Eric Tollens, Jonas Nwankwo Chianu, Bernard Vanlauwe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This study was undertaken to investigate the use of mineral fertilizer by smallholder farmers in order to understand the set of factors influencing the decisions of smallholder farmers to use fertilizers in land-scarce conditions. Using descriptive analysis and the Cragg's double-hurdle model, the study identified and analyzed factors that determine smallholder farmer adoption of mineral fertilizers and those that affect the intensity of household mineral fertilizer use. From factors that only influence the decision of smallholder farmers to use mineral fertilizers, distance to fertilizer market and livestock affects it negatively; while farmer association membership, landholding per capita, access to extension …

Diversity Of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda And Their Gut Bacterial Community In Kenya, Joseph Gichuhi, Subramanian Sevgan, Fathiya Khamis, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Hannalene Du Plessis, Sunday Ekesi, Jeremy K. Herren

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: The invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a polyphagous pest that causes widespread damage particularly to maize and sorghum in Africa. The microbiome associated with S. frugiperda could play a role in the insects' success and adaptability. However, bacterial communities in S. frugiperda remain poorly studied. Methods: We investigated the composition, abundance and diversity of microbiomes associated with larval and adult specimens of S. frugiperda collected from four maize growing regions in Kenya through high throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The population structure of S. frugiperda in Kenya was assessed through amplification of the …

Impact Of Integrated Fruit Fly Management Strategy On Food Security Among Smallholder Mango Farmers In Kenya, P. N. Nyang'au, B. W. Muriithi, J. M. Nzuma, P. Irungu, H. M. Gichungi, G. Diiro

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Adoption of agricultural innovations is perceived as a key avenue for poverty reduction and improved food and nutritional security in developing countries. The International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) has developed and implemented a set of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in several sub-Saharan African countries aimed at controlling mango infesting fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis). Although positive returns from the use of fruit fly IPM have already been documented, the impact of these technologies on food security is not well understood. This study evaluated the impact of the IPM strategy on food security with the help of a …

Gendered Analysis Of The Demand For Poultry Feed In Kenya, John Njenga Macharia, Gracious Malton Diiro, John Rono Busienei, Kimpei Munei, Hippolyte D. Affognon, Sunday Ekesi, Beatrice Muriithi, Dorothy Nakimbugwe, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Komi K.M. Fiaboe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This paper uses a translog cost function approach to study the farm-level demand for poultry feed in Kenya. The study estimates the demand elasticities of the three common types of poultry feed; mixed feed, grain, and leafy vegetables. The estimated model was used to obtain estimates of Marshallian demand elasticities for poultry feed in Kenya for male-headed and female-headed households. The elasticities reported can be used by researchers and policy analysts to evaluate policy effects of changes in feed demand quantities within the livestock economy in Kenya. Moreover, these parameters can provide more reliable estimates of the total change in …

Pandemic Surveillance - The New Predictive Policing, Michael Gentithes

Con Law Center Articles and Publications

Now that the first wave of the coronavirus is behind us, what will the future bring? As governments reopen society following lengthy stay-at-home orders, they must strike a difficult balance. If the return to normalcy is too abrupt, infections could spike again in just a few months, creating a death toll as high as it might have been with no quarantine at all.1 An effective removal of quarantine orders, then, must ensure that the return to normalcy is appropriately paced. But how can we best plan to put our economy back together without jeopardizing public health?

Officials in New York …

More Than The Vote: The Nineteenth Amendment As Proxy For Gender Equality, Tracy Thomas

Con Law Center Articles and Publications

The original idea behind the Nineteenth Amendment was never just about the vote. Instead, the first women's rights movement 175 years ago, like the modern movement for the Equal Rights Amendment, sought comprehensive equality for women in all avenues of life. The constitutional text for women’s full equality and emancipation has changed over the centuries; first embodied in the grant of the vote as a proxy for structural change, and now incorporated into the demand for “equal rights.” Yet women have been consistent over time in understanding the radical idea that systems of governance, family, industry, and church need dismantling …

Effects Of Phosphorus On Mycorrhizal Colonization Of Wetland Plants Under Natural And Controlled Conditions, Miriah Tucker

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

An important symbiotic relationship that forms in wetland environments occurs between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In terrestrial communities AMF colonization is limited by phosphorus; excessive phosphorus can lead to an uncoupling of the relationship. Few studies have examined the relationship between AMF and phosphorus concentration in wetland plants. The studies that have, found a decrease in AMF colonization at phosphorus concentrations as low as 0.03 mg/L P, however, methodological issues limit the interpretation of these results. To address this, a field and greenhouse study were completed using more realistic exposure conditions, field deployable assays (FDA), and natural intact …

Implementing Welfare Science: Case Studies In Evidence-Based Zoo Management, Marisa Suzanne Spain

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Animal welfare science is a field that focuses on how we can improve the lives and well-being of animals in human care. Modern welfare science has moved away from simply preventing suffering and on to promoting positive welfare states, a concept that has been coined animal “wellness”. A process called evidence-based zoo management has been implemented in many zoos as a way to promote and ensure wellness. This is the idea that husbandry and housing standards should be evaluated and tested for their efficacy using data rather than relying on traditional best practices. In this manuscript we discuss an informal …

Applications Of Artificial Intelligence To Cryptography, Jonathan Blackledge, Napo Mosola

Articles

This paper considers some recent advances in the field of Cryptography using Artificial Intelligence (AI). It specifically considers the applications of Machine Learning (ML) and Evolutionary Computing (EC) to analyze and encrypt data. A short overview is given on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and the principles of Deep Learning using Deep ANNs. In this context, the paper considers: (i) the implementation of EC and ANNs for generating unique and unclonable ciphers; (ii) ML strategies for detecting the genuine randomness (or otherwise) of finite binary strings for applications in Cryptanalysis. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview on …

In Vivo Activity Of Copper(Ii), Manganese(Ii), And Silver(I) 1,10-Phenanthroline Chelates, Rafael M. Ghandra, Pauraic Mccarron, Livia Viganor, Mariana Farias Fernandes, Kevin Kavanagh, Malachy Mccann, Marta H. Branquinha, André L.S. Santos, Orla L. Howe, Michael Devereux

Articles

Candida haemulonii is an emerging opportunistic pathogen resistant to most antifungal drugs currently used in clinical arena. Metal complexes containing 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) chelating ligands have well-established anti-Candida activity against different medically relevant species. This study utilized larvae of Galleria mellonella, a widely used model of in vivo infection, to examine C. haemulonii infection characteristics in response to different copper(II), manganese(II), and silver(I) chelates containing phen, which had demonstrated potent anti-C. haemulonii activity in a previous study. The results showed that C. haemulonii virulence was influenced by inoculum size and incubation temperature, and the host G. mellonella immune …

Breastfeeding Practices 2008–2009 Among Chinese Mothers Living In Ireland: A Mixed Methods Study, Qianling Zhou, Katherine Younger, Tanya M. Cassidey, Wenyi Wang, John Kearney

Articles

Background

Migration to another country has a potential influence on breastfeeding practices. A significant difference in breastfeeding rates between Irish nationals and non-nationals has been reported. This study was conducted to explore breastfeeding practices of the Chinese in Ireland, one of the largest Irish ethnic groups, and to explore the influence of living in Ireland on breastfeeding practices. This is the first and the only migration study so far on breastfeeding practices among the Chinese in Ireland.

Methods

A sequential explanatory mixed methods approach was adopted. The first phase was a cross-sectional self-administered retrospective mailed survey, to explore breastfeeding practices …

The Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity In Irish Children Between 1990 And 2019, Aisling O'Donnell, Maria Buffini, Laura Kehoe, Ann Nugent, John Kearney, Janette Walton, Albert Flynn, Breige Mcnulty

Articles

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the temporal prevalence of overweight and obesity in Irish children through different methodologies and evaluate the change in rates between 1990 and 2019.

High Tunnel Pest Management - Thrips, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes thrips, their hosts, life cycle, crop injury, monitoring, and management in high tunnels.

Shrub Management Handbook For Utah Rangelands, Rebecca Mann, Tom Monaco, Kari E. Veblen, Eric Thacker, Elizabeth A. Burritt

All Current Publications

This handbook is a guide to developing realistic project plans and implementing appropriate management strategies by enhancing your understanding of basic shrub biology, ecological concepts,and management principles.

Beyond The Belloni Decision: Sohappy V. Smith And The Modern Era Of Tribal Treaty Rights, Monte Mills

Articles

Indian tribes and their members are leading a revived political, legal, and social movement to protect the nation’s natural resources. In doing so, tribes and their allies employ many effective strategies but core to the movement are the historic promises made to tribes by the United States through treaties. Tribes are asserting treaty-protected rights, which the United States Constitution upholds as the supreme law of the land, to defend the resources on which they and their ancestors have relied for generations. Those claims have resulted in significant legal victories, igniting a broader movement in favor of tribal sovereignty and securing …

Latinx Diversity Officers In Higher Education: Capacitating Cultural Values As Champions Of Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion, Maria Teresa Chavez-Haroldson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this research study is to share scholarly data that may assist in the recognition and cultural understanding of LatinX Chief DOs in higher education institutions. This multi-phase, qualitative study critically considers the participants’ sociopolitical, psychological, and, cultural situated-ness as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) leaders in higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite the psychological stressors, the participants described how and why they are energized by their commitment to creating change as social justice campeonas (champions). This study explains why LatinX DOs leading EDI institutional change in the 21st century, places them in precarious sociopolitical circumstances. Cultural values are …

Understanding The Context And Social Processes That Shape Person- And Family-Centered Culture In Long-Term Care: The Pivotal Role Of Personal Support Workers, Ellen Helena Melis

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This single, exemplar case study explored the context and social processes that shape person-and family-centered culture in a long-term care (LTC) home, using grounded theory and situational analysis for the data collection and analysis. Findings revealed one core dimension: needing to be heard, valued, and understood, and five key roles: personal support workers (PSWs), executive director (ED), senior leadership, nurse managers, and residents and families, which informed five dimensions, each focused on enhancing care for residents: (a) attending to residents’ daily care needs (PSWs), (b) advocating strategically (ED), (c) translating vision into programs and policies (senior leadership), (d) ensuring quality …

University Of Richmond Magazine, Winter 2020

University of Richmond Magazine

The University of Richmond's Alumni Magazine was first published as The Alumni Bulletin in 1936 and continues to this day as the University of Richmond Magazine.

Resource Selection And Calving Success Of Moose In Colorado, Forest P. Hayes

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Across much of North America, moose populations (Alces alces) are declining due to disease, predation, climate, and anthropogenic pressures. Despite this, populations of moose in Colorado have continued to grow. Studying successful (i.e., persistent or growing) populations of moose can facilitate the continued conservation of the species by identifying habitat features critical for moose persistence.

First, I evaluated calving success of moose in Colorado and the impact of willow habitat quality and nutrition. I then estimated the probability of female moose having a calf using repeated observations in a Bayesian occupancy model. I assigned values for dry matter …