Digital Commons Network^™

Urban Forests And Their Potential To Combat Food Insecurity: Analyzing Street Trees In Baltimore, Md For Their Edibility, Victoria Bearden

Environment and Sustainability Summer Fellows

Food insecure environments, in which residents lack consistent access to nutritious food materials, can occur in urban settings. Literature on urban forests suggests that trees can provide a range of provisioning ecosystem services, including edible uses. We consider this to determine if street trees in Baltimore, Maryland have the potential to provide nutritious food materials to address food insecurity in Healthy Food Priority Areas (HFPA), designated by Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future.

Feasibility And Efficacy Of The "Funpals Playgroup" Intervention To Improve Toddler Dietary And Activity Behaviors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Aliye B Cepni, Ashley Taylor, Christine Crumbley, Debbe Thompson, Nancy E Moran, Norma Olvera, Daniel P O'Connor, Katherine R Arlinghaus, Craig A Johnston, Tracey A Ledoux

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

This study evaluated the feasibility and effects of the Families Understanding Nutrition and Physically Active Lifestyles (FUNPALs) Playgroup on toddler (12–36-month-old) diet and activity behaviors. Parent–toddler dyads were recruited from disadvantaged communities and randomly assigned to receive 10-weekly sessions of the FUNPALs Playgroup (n = 24) or dose-matched health education control group (n = 26). FUNPALs Playgroups involved physical and snack activities, delivery of health information, and positive parenting coaching. The control group involved group health education for parents only. Process outcomes (e.g., retention rate, fidelity) and focus groups determined feasibility and perceived effects. To evaluate preliminary effects, …

Relation Between Academic Advisor And Cohort Support With Well-Being In Graduate Students, Morgan Delong

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Well-being issues like the limitations of typical treatment protocols and common mitigating factors for mental health problems for graduate students, specifically the importance of therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs) were explored. The current study aims to determine if TLCs, individual engagement in the TLCs as well as support of them by mentors and peers, predict overall well-being, satisfaction with the graduate program, and job stress in masters’ students. This study was conducted during COVID-19 which is a limitation.

Lessons Learned From The Development Of The North Carolina Extension Master Food Volunteer Program, J. Dara Bloom, Julia Yao, Harriett Edwards

Journal of Extension

This article describes the curriculum and program development process that was used to create the North Carolina Extension Master Food Volunteer program. We used a rigorous program development process, including conducting a needs assessment, piloting and evaluating the program, incorporating revisions based on feedback, and receiving external reviews that were incorporated into the final product. We provide lessons learned and best practices for others to follow. These include the importance of piloting the program, involving agents and key partners throughout the entire process, and providing flexibility and adaptability in program delivery.

Musculoskeletal Injury In Military Special Operations Forces: A Systematic Review, Joanne Stannard, L. Fortington

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Special Operations Forces conduct military activities using specialised and unconventional techniques that offer a unique and complementary capability to conventional forces. These activities expose Special Operations Forces personnel to different injury risks in comparison with personnel in the conventional forces. Consequently, different injury patterns are expected in this population. The purpose of this research is to establish high-level evidence informing what is known about musculoskeletal injury epidemiology in Special Operations Forces.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using three online databases to identify original studies reporting musculoskeletal injury data in Special Operations Forces. A critical appraisal tool was applied …

A Novel To Method To Measure Food Waste: The Mobile Food Record, Kaitlin Danible, Chloe Panizza, Carol Boushey, Deborah Kerr, Fengqing Zhu, Jinan C. Banna

Journal of Extension

The mobile food record^™ (mFR^™) is a novel app that allows for the tracking of individual food waste and addresses the limitations of current methods to accurately quantify food waste. Extension educators may use data from the mFR™ to create educational initiatives for food waste prevention and education that may be implemented in settings such as schools and universities. The mFR is an innovative application that simplifies the process of collecting food-based data and accurately quantifying food waste for use in Extension.

Designing Educational Newsletter Interventions: An Example That Supported Grandfamilies’ Physical Wellness Needs, Priscilla Brenes, Mary Meck Higgins

Journal of Extension

Effective newsletters have theory-based content and designs tailored to their readers and offer limited-cost community-level approaches to providing helpful, relevant, and engaging information. In accordance with this, we offer an example of a newsletter intervention that supported grandfamilies’ physical wellness needs. Six issues of a brief mail-delivered newsletter were sent yearly for up to 5 years to low-income custodial grandparents. In evaluating the newsletter, most respondents reported reading it, discussing its information, and having greater awareness, knowledge, and motivation or confidence regarding wellness recommendations. Furthermore, 91% described improving 1 or more of their grandfamilies’ cooking, eating, or physical activity practices.

The Fatty Acid Profile Of Traditional Home‐Made Kurut In Xinjiang Pastoral Regions, Yimamu Aibibula, Masaaki Hanada, M. Hirata, M. Renaguli, M. Goto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Biorenewable Energy: New Opportunities For Grassland Agriculture, Kenneth J. Moore, Steven L. Fales, Emily A. Heaton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Bringing Hospital And Community Together: Interventions To Bridge The Transitional Care Gap, Jeremy Yates

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem

As healthcare spending continues to increase and overall quality lags in comparison to other developed countries, hospital readmission has been targeted to increase quality while decreasing cost. Components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have placed an emphasis on preventative and transitional care which has created programs aimed at reducing readmission, including the Community Health Access Programs (CHAP). One program in St. Louis, Missouri consisted of advanced practice paramedics and an occupational therapy assistant that performed discharge follow-up through in-home, in-office, and telephone visits. An in-depth program evaluation can create a foundation to build other programs in communities …

Potentiation Of Acetylcholine-Induced Relaxation Of Aorta In Male Uc Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Ucd-T2dm) Rats: Sex-Specific Responses, Farjana Akther, Md Rahatullah Razan, Sonali Shaligram, James L. Graham, Kimber L. Stanhope, Kaitlin N. Allen, José Pablo Vázquez-Medina, Peter J. Havel, Roshanak Rahimian

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

Previous reports suggest that diabetes may differentially affect the vascular beds of females and males. The objectives of this study were to examine whether there were (1) sex differences in aortic function and (2) alterations in the relative contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing factors in modulating aortic reactivity in UC Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDV) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) was measured in aortic rings before and after exposure to pharmacological inhibitors. Relaxation responses to sodium nitroprusside were assessed in endothelium-denuded rings. Moreover, contractile responses to phenylephrine (PE) were measured before and after incubation of aortic …

Cardiovascular Risk Factor Status In Hospitalized Patients With Type 2 Diabetes In China, Xiaoyun Yang, Qian Liu, Yuxin Fan, Li Ding, Ruodan Wang, Gang Hu, Ming Liu

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: Controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipid is of great importance for patients with type 2 diabetes, not only for cardiovascular disease, but also for other complications. Previous studies mainly focused on the control rate of outpatients, and the results were suboptimal, but few studies aimed at the inpatients. Method: The present study involved 3,245 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes from 2013 to 2017 in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. The percentages of inpatients who attained the goals of the China Diabetes Society and the American Diabetes Association were calculated …

Survey Says, Sarah Schaier

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Low Lactose Formula On The Short-Term Outcomes Of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Systematic Review., Mahdi Alsaleem, Jarrod Dusin, Gangaram Akangire

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The use of low lactose formula (LLF) in term and near-term infants in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has been increasing recently. However, the clinical evidence of such use is limited. Our aim in this paper was to systematically review the current literature about the use of LLF in infants with NAS. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles published between 2015 and 2020. Only randomized controlled trials, prospective, and retrospective studies. The risk of bias was assessed by using published tools appropriate for the study …

Ruminant Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Nutritional And Therapeutic Opportunity?, Siew Ling Ong, Cherie Blenkiron, Stephen Haines, Alejandra Acevedo-Fani, Juliana A.S. Leite, Janos Zempleni, Rachel C. Anderson, Mark J. Mccann

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Milk has been shown to contain a specific fraction of extracellular particles that are reported to resist digestion and are purposefully packaged with lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids to exert specific biological effects. These findings suggest that these particles may have a role in the quality of infant nutrition, particularly in the early phase of life when many of the foundations of an infant’s potential for health and overall wellness are established. However, much of the current research focuses on human or cow milk only, and there is a knowledge gap in how milk from other species, which may be …

'There Are No Bathrooms Available!': How Older Adults Experiencing Houselessness Manage Their Daily Activities, Ellis Jourdan Hews

Dissertations and Theses

Older adults living unhoused encounter limitations and challenges that drastically decrease their wellbeing and quality of life. The purpose of my study was to understand how experiencing houselessness impacted older adults' ability to conduct their activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) within their communities. I conducted phone interviews with older adults aged 50 and older who experienced houselessness in the Portland metro area. The participants described the persons and places that shaped their community life when they were living unhoused, and they described how those entities intervened to alleviate barriers to daily activities. The …

Book Review: The Wildlife Techniques Manual, Eighth Edition, Justin Small

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife researchers and managers are consistently tackling ecological and conservation issues that are increasing in complexity and scope. Wildlife issues often span beyond singular research frameworks and management jurisdictions, preventing modern wildlife conservation from operating in mutually exclusive arenas (i.e., research or management). As a wildlife researcher whose research is conducted on both public and private rangelands, and across multiple stakeholder groups, techniques to answer difficult questions and offer time-sensitive solutions must pull from both research and management arenas. Historically, book or journal resources that wildlife professionals could readily access for necessary scientific guidance were contained in many documents, making …

Evaluation Of Damage To Forest Tree Plantations By Wild Boar In The Czech Republic, Vlastimil Skoták, Jakub Drimaj, Jiří Kamler

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Central Europe have been growing long-term, and damages to crops and forests where boars damage freshly planted tree seedlings are growing too. In addition to having a significant economic impact, these damages worsen the prospect of successful restoration of bare land. This study presents an analysis of damage to tree seedling plantations caused by wild boar in the Czech Republic. We used data from an extensive questionnaire survey among forest owners, our own survey of the extent of damage in model areas, and experiments in locations with a large boar population. Damage …

Characteristics Of Non-Fatal Attacks By Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000–2017, Janel M. Scharhag, Cady Sartini, Shawn M. Crimmins, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Jeffrey B. Stetz

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Attacks on humans by bears (Ursus spp.) have increased in recent decades, as both human and bear populations have increased. To help mitigate the risk of future attacks, it is important to understand the circumstances in past attacks. Information and analyses exist regarding fatal attacks by both American black bears (Ursus americanus) and brown bears (U. arctos) as well as non-fatal attacks by brown bears. No similarly thorough analyses on non-fatal attacks by black bears are available. Our study addressed this information gap by analyzing all (n = 210) agency-confirmed, non-fatal attacks by black …

Effects Of Plant Spacing Variability And Non-Uniform Emergence On Corn Yield, Justin Dufour

LSU Master's Theses

Plant spacing variability and non-uniform emergence in corn (Zea mays L.) is not uncommon in Louisiana corn fields. Variation in planting depth, non-uniform surface crop residue distribution in no-tillage systems, microsite variation in the seed bed condition, and seed vigor are major factors responsible for non-uniform emergence. Also, planters with low precision in seed placement and careless planting operations can cause non-uniform spacing. Two studies were conducted to quantify the effects of plant spacing variability and non-uniform emergence on grain yield in corn. Six plant spacing treatments at 47,770 plants ha^-1 were evaluated. Uniform spacing, seed skip, double …

Evaluation Of Cool-Season Annuals Effect On Soil Health In Warm-Season Perennial Pastures In Southestern Us., Paola C. Muela Negrete

LSU Master's Theses

Perennial grass crops represent approximately 8 million hectares of the land area of the humid lower southeastern United States. These forage crops receive high rates of fertilizer, especially nitrogen (N), and near monoculture remains have often been treated with repeated applications of herbicides. Pasture management is crucial to improve soil properties in pasturelands. Common pasture management practices include introducing cool-season multispecies in warm-season pasture systems and forage harvest frequency of pasture systems. It is known that cool-season multispecies in warm-season pasture systems ensure cattle feeding during winter season and have beneficial effects on soil microbial biomass, soil organic matter (SOM), …

Effect Of Biochanin A On The Rumen Microbial Community Of Holstein Steers Consuming A High Fiber Diet And Subjected To A Subacute Acidosis Challenge, Brittany E. Harlow, Michael D. Flythe, James L. Klotz, David L. Harmon, Glen E. Aiken

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) occurs when highly fermentable carbohydrates are introduced into the diet, decreasing pH and disturbing the microbial ecology of the rumen. Rumen amylolytic bacteria rapidly catabolize starch, fermentation acids accumulate in the rumen and reduce environmental pH. Historically, antibiotics (e.g., monensin, MON) have been used in the prevention and treatment of SARA. Biochanin A (BCA), an isoflavone produced by red clover (Trifolium pratense), mitigates changes associated with starch fermentation ex vivo. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of BCA on amylolytic bacteria and rumen pH during …

How Do Modifiable Risk Factors Impact The Progression Of Alzheimer’S Disease?, Shamso Jama

Theses and Graduate Projects

Alzheimer’s disease remains a significant health burden that affects millions in the United States. This research pursued to shed light on the modifiable risk factors and help individuals at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease minimize the chances of cognitive decline. A search of literature was conducted on databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline. Randomized control trials, longitudinal studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were identified and included in the paper. The modifiable risk factors that play a role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease include stress, inadequate physical exercise, lack of sleep hygiene, and lack of social …

A Comparison Of Heat Treatment-Induced Skeletal Muscle Adaptations Relative To Exercise Training, Jamie Puanani Brun Kaluhiokalani

Theses and Dissertations

In vitro and animal studies indicate that the response to heat stress is associated with beneficial adaptations that promote cell health and survival. Few studies to date have examined this finding in human subjects, and it is unclear how the adaptation compares in magnitude to exercise training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skeletal muscle adaptations (namely mitochondrial biogenesis and capillarization) of 6 weeks of deep-muscle heat treatment relative to exercise training. We hypothesized that heat treatment (HT), applied through pulsed shortwave diathermy (2 hr, 3 days/week) over a 6-week intervention period would lead to increased mitochondrial …

Second-Career Ms2s Learn From Oncology And Survivorship Expert Through Cares; Use Prior Experience To Guide Current Research, Mary Ashley Canevaro

Browse All News

No abstract provided.

Gwu Summer Leadership Experience Gives First-Year Students Preview Of Campus Life, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

The Gardner-Webb University Center for Personal and Professional Development welcomed 17 future leaders to campus recently for its Summer Leadership Experience. The three-day event for incoming first-year students is coordinated by Micah T. Martin, Center director, and Shea Mattingly, associate director.

Nesting Habits Of Cavity Nesting Bees And Wasps In Portland, Oregon, Stefanie Kay Steele

Dissertations and Theses

Native bees are threatened by habitat loss through urbanization, however, there is increasing interest in creating bee nesting habitat in urban areas. Few studies have determined what species are present in the region, or examined the role of nest height or cavity size in attracting the approximate one-third of native bees that nest in cavities. To determine what species were present, and whether they showed preferences for nesting at a certain height or cavity width, we set up artificial wooden cavity nest blocks across fourteen locations in the greater Portland, OR area. Wooden posts were erected with nest blocks at …

Temporal Trends In Smoking And Nicotine Dependence In Relation To Co-Occurring Substance Use In The United States, 2005-2016, Yun Wang, Ying Liu, Mary Waldron, Alexandra N. Houston-Ludlam, Vivia V. Mccutcheon, Michael T. Lynskey, Pamela A. F. Madden, Kathleen K. Bucholz, Andrew C. Heath, Min Lian

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background
Despite an overall decline in tobacco use in the United States, secular trends of smoking and nicotine dependence with co-occurring substance use are not well characterized.

Methods
We examined self-reported tobacco and other substance use in 22,245 participants age 21–59 in the United States from six waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Using Joinpoint regression, we assessed secular trends of smoking and nicotine dependence as a function of co-occurring use of alcohol, prescription opioids, marijuana/hashish, cocaine/heroin/methamphetamine, or other injection drug use. Multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to identify the potential risk factors.

Results
During 2005–2016, …

Genetic, Social And Behavioral Risk Factors Associated With Alzheimer’S Disease, Vineela Nagamalla, Jay Patel, Mir Saleem

Biology Faculty Articles

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition which consists of stages of mental, memory, and cognitive decline. As it continues to stand as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., 44 million people worldwide are affected. The objective of this paper is to explore the risk factors for AD in an attempt to examine potential causes for the incidence of AD. We examined genetics, lifestyle, and pre-existing conditions as risk factors for AD. We found that there are various alleles, such as APP, PSEN, ADAM, APOE, and TREM2, that play a role in the development of AD. It …

Face-To-Face Nursing Promotion Of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Marika Whitaker

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: The burden of cardiovascular disease is rising at global and national levels, and cardiac rehabilitation is recognized as one of the most beneficial and cost-effective strategies to manage it. One significant problem globally, nationally, and locally is the low numbers of eligible patients who enroll in cardiac rehabilitation.

PICOT: In patients with isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (P), how does face-to-face nursing promotion of cardiac rehabilitation (I) compared to the patients who do not have face-to-face nursing promotion (C), affect the percentage of patients enrolling in cardiac rehabilitation after discharge (O) within 8 weeks (T)?

Evidence: …