Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Processing On The Content And Composition Of Bovine Milk Extracellular Vesicles, Anna Colella

Food Science (MS) Theses

Bovine milk (BM)-based formula is an alternative for many newborns who do not consume human milk. BM contains extracellular vesicles (EVs), bioactive compounds involved in intercellular communication which regulate critical developmental processes in early life. It was hypothesized that the industrial processing of raw BM affected the content and composition of BM EVs. It is critical to understand how industrial processing affects EVs in BM since changes in the content and composition may attenuate the functions of these bioactive compounds in human health. EVs from raw BM were isolated and characterized in accordance with the Minimal Information for Studies of …

How Long-Term Case Management Can Decrease Poverty, Abigayle Brianna Brooks

Social Work Theses - Archive

Poverty is a complex issue caused by many interconnecting factors. Long-term case management programs provide an individualized approach to combating these factors in the lives of clients and helping them overcome poverty. Previous studies have found that while clients find case management programs to be helpful, there are mixed results regarding the effectiveness in outcomes of these programs. This study conducted interviews or surveys with four clients and seven case managers from two different organizations in a large Texas metropolitan area to get their opinions on the effectiveness of long-term case management programs in decreasing poverty and what can be …

Blockchain Technology Applied To The Consortium Etna Doc To Avoid Counterfeiting, Matarazzo Agata, Edoardo C. Spampinato, Sergio Arfo, Ugo Sinigaglia, Antonino Bajeli, Salvino Benanti

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The main task of this paper is to show how blockchain technology is one of the main anti- counterfeiting methods and one of the main tools to guarantee and promote the originality of the Etna DOC brand. In order to achieve this objective, a case study has been carried out to; this is concerned the administration of a questionnaire to the companies of the consortium Etna DOC. The latter is considered one of the main technological innovations in agriculture 4.0 in the wine sector, as it ensures greater safety, promotion of the individual product, transparency and traceability of the entire …

Diabetes And Physical Activity Among Saudi Women, Zainab Mohammed H Alyousef

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Given the fact that Saudi women with DM have more obesity but lower levels of physical activity compared to men, and have additional cultural barriers to physical activity, new interventions are needed. Home-based interventions would be ideal as the women would not need to rely on transportation to a gymnasium or park for exercise. Although, home-based interventions are relatively low-cost, for both the patient and the healthcare system, no studies were found in which researchers tested an exercise intervention in Saudi women with DM delivered at home using the Internet. The purpose of this proposed study will be to evaluate …

Glucose Gel As A Treatment For Neonatal Hypoglycemia, Karen Christine Stanzo

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

This article-based dissertation consists of two complete manuscripts related to oral glucose gel, which is used to treat neonatal hypoglycemia (NH). In the first manuscript, a pre and post-intervention retrospective study was completed to examine the effects of the introduction of glucose gel on the exclusive breastfeeding rate and the admission rate to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on neonates over 35 weeks gestation who were at risk for NH in a mother-baby unit of a Baby-Friendly hospital. There were 198 newborns in the pre-intervention sample and 203 in the post-intervention sample. The exclusive breastfeeding rates in the pre-intervention …

The Role Of Video Game Play, Gender Roles, And Career Decision Self-Efficacy In Development Of Stem Career Interests & Motivation, Michael Saunders

Doctoral Dissertations

The gender wage gap, disadvantaging working women, continues to grow despite progress toward women’s rights and occupational equity. With the world economy prioritizing growth in technological industries, the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields perpetuates systemic gender inequity. Further, given traditional social gender roles, women and girls may be less likely than boys and men to pursue STEM careers. Though specialized programs seek to grow the number of girls and young women engaged in STEM-related education and prepare them for the growing demand for STEM laborers, these programs are regional, seasonal, and not widely available …

Epoc Comparison Between Resistance Training And High-Intensity Interval Training In Aerobically Fit Women, Beau K. Greer, Julie O'Brien, Lyndsey Hornbuckle, Lynn B. Panton

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Previous research has shown that various modes of exercise may elicit significant increases in resting metabolism for up to 24 hours post-exercise, but typically using untrained or moderately active subjects. The purpose of the present study was to compare excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) between circuit-style resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in young, aerobically fit women. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, seven participants reported to the laboratory for evening and morning baseline resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurements via indirect calorimetry. Participants fasted and slept overnight in the laboratory between RMR measurements. Following the morning …

Application Of A Dna Mini-Barcoding System Based On The Mitochondrial Control Region For The Identification Of Raw And Processed Tuna Products, Jiahleen Roungchun

Food Science (MS) Theses

Accurate species identification methods are needed to combat tuna fraud, improve tuna stock regulation, and mitigate health risks associated with mislabeled tuna products. The objective of this study was to conduct a market survey of raw and processed tuna products using a DNA mini-barcoding system based on the mitochondrial control region (CR). A total of 80 samples of raw, dried, and canned tuna products were collected at the retail level for CR mini-barcoding analysis. The samples underwent DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing of the 236-bp CR mini-barcode. The resulting sequences were searched against GenBank using the …

Improving Literacy Homework In The Primary Grades Through Interactive Family Reading, Lisa Mulder

Masters Projects

Homework is common practice in most elementary school classrooms as teachers try to reinforce material learned in class through the help of parents and families at home. However, research has shown homework to have little impact on students’ academic achievement in the elementary grades. Homework can even cause an increased stress level in young students, a negative impact on motivation, and friction with family members. Elementary parents and teachers need to reevaluate homework’s effectiveness and its impact on today’s busy families.

This project proposes reframing traditional paper-pencil review homework in favor of family-centered reading time. When students are given too …

Documenting The Costs Of Social Behavior Change Interventions For Health In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Avenir Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Understanding the costs associated with social and behavior change (SBC) interventions for health is critical for budgeting, price setting, program planning, and economic analysis. Breakthrough RESEARCH performed a literature review and analysis to identify, classify, and synthesize published costs associated with SBC programming in low- and middle-income countries.

Frequency Of Primiparous Mother Initiated Breastfeeding Earlier After Birth And Factors Associated With It In Sindh, Pakistan: A Secondary Analysis, Asma A. Bham, Sucheta Sharma, Akash Sardool, Umer F. Mujahid, Amrat Ayaz, Komal Valliani, Nawaal Maredia

Community Health Sciences

Background: Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after delivery plays a vital role in a newborns life by not only increasing their survival rate but also reducing many life-threatening diseases in the newborn. The aim of the study was to determine frequency of early initiation of breastfeeding among primiparous mothers in a rural district of Thatta, Pakistan.
Methods: This study was conducted using survey data extracted from a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 on prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and factors associated with it among women in Thatta. The outcome was early initiation of breastfeeding. To determine factors associated with it, …

An Investigation Of Body Image Among Ncaa Female Athletes, Colleen Madden

Bakerman Student Research Awards

Over the last several decades, body image perceptions of collegiate female athletes have been investigated in the realms of both physical and mental health. The issue has been evaluated from various standpoints including sport type and competition level; however, body image is highly individualized among young women and thus remains an unpredictable challenge with unanswered questions. This comprehensive study includes an extensive literature review of research involving collegiate female athletes and factors that contribute to their body image; additionally, a newly developed survey for female athletes at the NCAA Division I level was administered, and more than 150 responses were …

Application Of The Ultra-Poverty Graduation Model In Understanding Community Health Volunteers’ Preferences For Socio-Economic Empowerment Strategies To Enhance Retention: A Qualitative Study In Kilifi, Kenya, Njeri Nyanja, Nelson Nyamu, Lucy Nyaga, Sophie Chabeda, Adelaide Lusambili, Marleen Temmerman, Michaela Mantel, Anthony Ngugi

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: A significant shortage of healthcare workforce exists globally. To achieve Universal Healthcare cover- age, governments need to enhance their community-based health programmes. Community health volunteers (CHVs) are essential personnel in achieving this objective. However, their ability to earn a livelihood is compromised by the voluntary nature of their work; hence, the high attrition rates from community-based health programmes. There is an urgent need to support CHVs become economically self-reliant. We report here on the application of the Ultra-Poverty Graduation (UPG) Model to map CHVs’ preferences for socio-economic empowerment strategies that could enhance their retention in a rural area …

Multi-Assay Nutritional Metabolomics Profiling Of Low Vitamin A Status Versus Adequacy Is Characterized By Reduced Plasma Lipid Mediators Among Lactating Women In The Philippines: A Pilot Study, Catherine M. Johnson

Master's Theses

Background: A significant portion of lactating women in less developed countries have vitamin A (VA) deficiency. Lactation has substantial effects on a mother’s metabolism and VA is known to be needed in multiple biological processes, including growth, vision, immunity, and reproduction.

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to utilize metabolomics profiling to conduct a broad, exploratory assessment of differences in plasma metabolites associated with low VA status versus adequacy in lactating women.

Methods: Plasma samples from lactating women who participated in a survey in Samar, Philippines, were selected from a cross-sectional study based on plasma retinol concentrations indicating …

Growth And Resilience During Covid-19: Research On The Impact Of The Pandemic On Older Adults In Singapore, Centre For Research On Successful Ageing

ROSA Research Briefs

It has been a year since the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) was established in place of the Centre for Research on the Economics of Ageing (CREA). While it was a year full of challenges (least of all the COVID-19 pandemic), the team at ROSA adapted and worked hard to overcome these challenges, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share this annual report that presents a snapshot into the centre’s work to better understand the ‘ageing Singaporean’. Much of the work that has been done in the first year has been focused on establishing a good …

Analytical Determination Of Mitochondrial Function Of Excised Solid Tumor Homogenates, Elizabeth R.M. Zunica, Christopher L. Axelrod, L. Anne Gilmore, John P. Kirwan

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Mitochondria are essential to the onset and progression of cancer through energy production, reactive oxygen species regulation, and macromolecule synthesis. Genetic and functional adaptations of mitochondria to the tumor environment drive proliferative and metastatic potential. The advent of DNA and RNA sequencing removed critical barriers to the evaluation of genetic mediators of tumorigenesis. However, to date, methodological approaches to evaluate tumor mitochondrial function remain elusive and require technical proficiency limiting the feasibility, ultimately diminishing diagnostic and prognostic value in both experimental and clinical settings. Here, we outline a simple and rapid method to quantify rates of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and …

Initial Weight Change And Long-Term Changes In Weight And Compensation During Supervised Exercise Training, James L. Dorling, Christoph Höchsmann, S. Nicole Fearnbach, John W. Apolzan, Daniel S. Hsia, Neil M. Johannsen, Tim I.M.S. Church, Corby K. Martin

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Introduction Our primary aim was to investigate the association between initial weight change and longer-term changes in weight and compensation (predicted weight loss-observed weight loss) during exercise. As secondary aims, we investigated if initial weight change was related to change in cardiometabolic risk markers and energy balance modulators. Methods Two 6-month randomized controlled exercise trials conducted in individuals with overweight or obesity were analyzed (study 1, n = 312; study 2, n = 102). In both studies, participants in an exercise condition (4 kcal·kg-1·wk-1 [KKW], 8 KKW, 12 KKW, or 20 KKW) were split into tertiles based on percent weight …

The Effect Of Adding Novel Attributes To Hedonic Vs. Utilitarian Base: Role Of Holistic Vs. Analytic Thinking Style, Juyon Lee, Wujin Chu

Asia Marketing Journal

Combining theories of the goal-derived product evaluation and holistic versus analytic thinking style, the authors investigate the effects of adding novel attributes on new product evaluation. While one may predict that adding novel attributes may be appealing to consumers as it provides new benefits, the authors propose that, in some cases, it may not. The current research investigates consumers’ view of new attribute addition depends on the novel attribute’s goal congruence with the consumption goals of the base product, which may be hedonic or utilitarian in nature. Further, consumers’ holistic versus analytic thinking style moderates the effect of such goal …

Network Analysis To Identify Critical Links For Relief Activities During Extreme Weather Events, Kate Kyung Hyun, Stephen P. Mattingly Ph.D, Mehrdad Arabi

Publications

As one of the principal lifeline systems, transportation networks are crucial for evacuation and delivering essential resources and services during the response and recovery phases of extreme weather events and must remain intact to enhance regional resiliency. The conventional evaluation measures that estimate the vulnerability or criticality of road network based on travel time or link volumes do not capture the community impacts due to disruptions. This study seeks to develop a framework to evaluate road network infrastructure criticality during extreme weather events by introducing measures that evaluate the vulnerability of roads users, rather than the physical aspects of link …

Effect Of Disclosed Information On Product Liking, Emotional Profile, And Purchase Intent: A Case Of Chocolate Brownies Containing Edible-Cricket Protein, Cristhiam E. Gurdian, Damir D. Torrico, Bin Li, Georgianna Tuuri, Witoon Prinyawiwatkul

Faculty Publications

Edible insects, a sustainable and nutritious alternative to conventionally derived proteins, are unfamiliar to Westerners and often associated with negative sentiments. Edible-cricket protein (ECP) added to chocolate brownies (CB) [0% ECP = CBWO (without) vs. 6% w/w ECP = CBW (with)], and disclosed information [no ECP added = (−) vs. ECP with benefits = (+), ECP− and ECP+, respectively] yielded four CB treatments (CBWO−, CBWO+, CBW−, and CBW+). Subjects (n = 112 female and n = 98 male) rated liking, selected emotions before-and after-tasting, and determined consumption (CI) and purchase intent (PI) after tasting. Likings were analyzed with mixed-effects ANOVA …

The Role Of Reduced Methionine In Mediating The Metabolic Responses To Protein Restriction Using Different Sources Of Protein, Han Fang, Kirsten P. Stone, Sujoy Ghosh, Laura A. Forney, Thomas W. Gettys

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Dietary protein restriction and dietary methionine restriction (MR) produce a comparable series of behavioral, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional responses. Both dietary regimens produce a similar reduction in intake of sulfur amino acids (e.g., methionine and cystine), and both diets increase expression and release of hepatic FGF21. Given that FGF21 is an essential mediator of the metabolic phenotype produced by both diets, an important unresolved question is whether dietary protein restriction represents de facto methionine restriction. Using diets formulated from either casein or soy protein with matched reductions in sulfur amino acids, we compared the ability of the respective diets to …

Novel Epigenetic Link Between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Macrosomia, Brian T. Joyce, Huikun Liu, Leishen Wang, Jun Wang, Yinan Zheng, Drew Nannini, Alex Drong, Stephanie Shiau, Weiqin Li, Junhong Leng, Yun Shen, Ru Gao, Andrea Baccarelli, Gang Hu, Lifang Hou

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background & objectives: Examine maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), macrosomia and DNA methylation in candidate genes IGF1, IGF2, H19, ARHGRF11, MEST, NR3C1, ADIPOQ and RETN. Materials & methods: A total of 1145 children (572 GDM cases and 573 controls) from the Tianjin GDM study, including 177 with macrosomia, had blood DNA collection at median age 5.9 (range: 3.1-10.0). We used logistic regression to screen for associations with GDM and model macrosomia on 37 CpGs, and performed mediation analysis. Results: One CpG was associated with macrosomia at false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05 (cg14428359 in MEST); two (cg19466922 in MEST and cg26263166 in IGF2) were associated at p < 0.05 but mediated 26 and 13%, respectively. Conclusion: MEST and IGF2 were previously identified for potential involvement in fetal growth and development (Trial Registration number: NCT01554358 [ClinicalTrials.gov]).

Trends In Self-Reported Sitting Time By Physical Activity Levels Among Us Adults, Nhanes 2007/2008-2017/2018, Emily N. Ussery, Geoffrey P. Whitfield, Janet E. Fulton, Deborah A. Galuska, Charles E. Matthews, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, A. Carlson

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: High levels of sedentary behavior and physical inactivity increase the risk of premature mortality and several chronic diseases. Monitoring national trends and correlates of sedentary behavior and physical inactivity can help identify patterns of risk in the population over time. Methods: The authors used self-reported data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007/2008-2017/2018) to estimate trends in US adults' mean daily sitting time, overall, and stratified by levels of leisure-time and multidomain physical activity, and in the joint prevalence of high sitting time (>8 h/d) and physical inactivity. Trends were tested using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. Results: …

Increased Ploidy Of Butomus Umbellatus In Introduced Populations Is Not Associated With Higher Phenotypic Plasticity To N And P, Nathan E. Harms, James T. Cronin, John F. Gaskin

Faculty Publications

Separate introductions or post-introduction evolution may lead to multiple invader genotypes or cytotypes that differ in growth rates, biomass or chemical profile responses (phenotype) to a range of environments. If the invader has high trait plasticity to a range of resource levels, then sediment N or P enrichment may enhance invasiveness. However, the ways in which ploidy, plasticity, and available N or P interact are unknown for most species despite the potential to explain spread and impacts by invaders with multiple introduced lineages. We conducted a common garden experiment with four triploid and six diploid populations of Butomus umbellatus, collected …

Red Blood Cell Transfusion In Critically-Ill Children And Its Association With Outcome, Hafsa Sohail, Shah Ali Ahmed, Parveen Usman, Farah Khalid, Anwar Ul Haque, Qalab Abbas

Department of Emergency Medicine

Objective: To determine the indications and threshold of haemoglobin levels for packed red blood cell transfusion and its association with outcomes in a paediatric intensive care setting.
Methods: The retrospective study was conducted in the paediatric intensive care unit of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised medical records of all inpatients with age between 1 month and 16 years who received packed red blood cell transfusions between January and December 2017. Data was retrieved from the hospital database and was analyzed using SPSS 22.
Results: Of the 147 subjects with a mean age of 67.89±65.8 months, 76(51.7%) were …

2021-2022 Undergraduate And Graduate Catalog, The University Of Alabama In Huntsville

Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Trauma-Informed, Integrated Primary Care: A Medical Home Model For Children With Prenatal Drug Exposure Who Enter Foster Care, Jill Mcleigh, Hilda Loria, Kelsey Craker, Susanna Bird

Integrated, Trauma-Informed Care

The rise in prenatal or childhood substance exposure diagnoses resulting from parental substance use has led to an increase in the number of children placed in foster care. Meeting the multifaceted health care needs of children with prenatal drug exposure (PDE) who enter foster care requires significant time, resources, and coordination. In addition to conditions resulting from their experiences of trauma, children in foster care often have unmet health care needs and experience disproportionate rates of adverse physical, mental and developmental health outcomes. This article outlines the barriers to providing comprehensive and high-quality care to this pediatric population and …

The Effect Of Restricted Parental Movement During The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Utilization Of Pasteurized Donor Breastmilk In The Nicu: A Quality Improvement Project, Cayenne Sirois

Student Projects for Graduate Degrees

The COVID-19 pandemic presented as a major health crisis that caused shutdowns and restricted access to healthcare facilities globally. Not only did this have an immeasurable impact on adult critical care units, but also on neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). One impact of COVID-19 was restricted access and movement to Providence Alaska Medical Center’s (PAMC’s) NICU, affecting both families and designated caregivers. This movement restriction caused families to choose whether to stay at the bedside or leave the NICU without the ability to re-enter for an undefined or restricted period of time. The purpose of this retrospective chart review was …

Prohibiting Cashless Retailers And Protecting The Impoverished, Allison Kretovic

Georgia State University Law Review

A growing number of customer-facing businesses have opted to implement cashless policies, declining to accept cash for payment and limiting consumers’ options on how they can pay for goods and services. Proponents for cashless policies cite the efficiencies gained by removing cash from a business and concerns about theft as their primary reasons for supporting such policies. Opponents to the move toward cashless express concerns that the policy is discriminatory and has a disparate impact on lower-income consumers who do not have access to financial institutions. Policymakers at the local and state levels have responded by proposing and enacting legislation …

Cyclic Sulfones From Double Conjugate Addition Of Rongalite, Hao Zong

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

We report a cyclic sulfone synthesis method from the addition of sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate to doubly electrophilic dienone substrates. The novel synthesis of the cyclic sulfone thus avoided the using the toxic and odorous sulfides, and also oxidizing reagents. We prepared both the symmetrical and unsymmetrical substrates, and then used the substrate for the synthesis of cyclic sulfone.