Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect On Incorporating Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Into An Emergency Food Box Program In Rural Appalachia Kentucky, Zixuan Li

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

About 1 in 8 Kentuckians experiencing food insecurity. Low-income Appalachian Kentuckians often utilize food assistance programs and community resources to obtain food and they have lack regular access to fresh food, especially fruits and vegetables. Of concern is nutrition quality and the ability to use food items. The study aimed to explore if and how low-income Appalachian Kentuckians living in a food desert utilized their standard food pantry box as well as a supplemental box of free fresh produce. The study was done through distribution of supplemental fruit and vegetable boxes along with their emergency food box seven different times …

The Effects Of Cannabidiol On Senior Equine Health, Shelley Turner

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Cannabis sativa L., has been revealed to produce hundreds of phytocannabinoids, of which cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most desired. It has been revealed that CBD can potentially treat inflammation and act as an analgesic in humans without psychoactive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Recently, there has been interest in understanding the potential health benefits of CBD for horses. With an increasing senior horse population (< 15 years old), alternatives to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone, firocoxib, and flunixin meglumine, are desired as these common anti-inflammatory treatments have negative side effects. Because senior horses may have chronic low-grade inflammation, termed inflamm-aging, they are a natural model to investigate the efficacy of CBD on inflammatory responses as well as other health parameters. Given this interest, and due to the lack of research conducted on CBD in the horse, the overall objective of this dissertation work was to conduct both basic and applied research investigating the effects of CBD on equine immune function and health. The first objective was to determine the in vitro effects of CBD as an anti-inflammatory. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from senior horses were cultured in vitro with increasing concentrations of pure CBD dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). These cells were …

Spatial Ecology Of Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus Canadensis Nelsoni) Cows In Southeastern Kentucky, Nathan Dennis Hooven

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

The elk (Cervus canadensis) was extirpated from its range in eastern North America by the end of the 1800s, prompting several U.S. states and Canadian provinces to begin translocation programs with the goal of reestablishing elk populations. While eastern elk managers have relied on information from western herds to guide population and habitat management, there is a need for region-specific research on the spatial ecology and habitat associations of translocated elk given the stark differences in landscape, climate, predator communities, and harvest regimes across the continent. While the Kentucky elk reintroduction is one of the best documented programs …

Sediment Nitrogen Dynamics In Backwater Wetland Confluences Of A Regulated River, Gina Degraves

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

As harmful algal blooms in regulated river systems have increased in the past decade, the importance of understanding sediment nutrients has also increased. Research linking nutrient processes and fine sediment dynamics to harmful algal blooms in confluence wetlands along regulated rivers has recently become apparent. However, the relationship between sediment nutrient dynamics in confluence wetlands has been understudied. Utilization of sediment fingerprinting, high-frequency water quality monitoring, and tracer unmixing mass-balance modeling, was able to suggest sediment N mineralization in Appalachia confluence riparian wetland was not a dominate source of nitrate downstream. Further measures of supplementary tracers and additional sediment sources …

Effects Of Physiological Stage And Diet On Drosophila Suzukii Olfaction, Aerianna Shindindowi Littler

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Massive economic damage by spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, results from their unique egg laying behavior. Gravid SWD flies employ a complex suite of behaviors to find fruit with the optimum firmness and chemistry. We tested for SWD attraction to various fruits and found overripe raspberries to be most attractive to gravid flies which was unexpected since they oviposit in ripe fruit. We next tested the same choice assay in a T-maze and found that the results were comparable. We also found discrete odor profiles among the ripening stages. When testing for sugars and CO2 concentrations from field-collections, overripe …

Midgut Metamorphosis In The Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, Najla Mohammed Albishi

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Remodeling of larval tissues including the midgut is essential for the completion of metamorphosis in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). The midgut structure and function have been extensively studied in adult Ae. aegypti, because adult females need to blood feed to reproduce, and the alimentary canal is the first barrier that encounters pathogens ingested through the blood meal. The midgut of Ae. aegypti undergoes remodeling during the larval-pupal metamorphosis. The degeneration of larval cells and the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells to form pupal-adult midgut are the major events that take place during metamorphosis. …

Attentional Bias, Inhibitory Control, And Food Reinforcement As Mechanisms Promoting Eating Behavior After Exercise, Kylie F. L. Mcfee

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Background: Excess weight and obesity are serious health conditions characterized by modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. Exercise is a common method for achieving weight loss; however, results are not always achieved due to post-exercise compensatory behaviors. Increased energy intake (EI) is thought to be the main compensatory behavior hindering weight loss among overweight and obese adults. It is important to determine and understand the mechanisms behind energy compensation following exercise, as this will allow for the discovery of future interventions that may provide individuals with ways to improve exercise as a weight loss treatment.

Objective: To determine if a single …

Pilot Study: The Role Of Online Grocery Shopping In Meal Planning & Prepartion: Utilizing Text Message Based Behavioral Nudges, Brittany Nikole Cox

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Purpose: To examine if an online grocery shopping intervention improves meal planning and preparation and subsequent dietary intake. The primary hypothesis was that online shopping can improve meal planning and meal preparation habits while also improving dietary intake.

Method: Participants were randomized to either online only (O), online plus nutritional nudges (O+I), or standard brick and mortar (BM). Those in the O+I arm received behavioral nudges three (3) times per week and were part of a Facebook group assisting them with meal planning, nutrition education, and reminders to shop online. The O arm only received reminders to shop online, and …

The Mount Laurel Prescription: The Potential For Public Health Improvement Through Community Desegregation In New Jersey, Patricia Kane O’Connor

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Solutions To The Negative Consequences Of Ai On American Jobs And Tax Policy, Shelby Ward

Student Works

No abstract provided.

West Egg Versus East Egg: The Superficial Distinctions And Double Standards Of Cannabis Use, Valerie L. Murphy

Student Works

No abstract provided.

The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side Of The Ocean: Adopting Foreign Reforms To Improve Mental Health Care In The United States, Sydney Schubert

Student Works

No abstract provided.

When Farmacies Replace Pharmacies: Regulating The “Food-As-Medicine” Movement, Elizabeth Sharpe

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Lemongrass Essential Oil On Galleria Mellonella Hemocytes, Kyndra Chastain

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

In modern agriculture, the use of pesticides is unavoidable. However, improper use has resulted in pest resistance and negative impacts on the environment and human health. Changes are needed in the agricultural industry to account for the damage already caused. Researchers have turned to essential oils as key ingredients for potential biopesticides, with some mixtures already on the market. Most studies involving essential oils and a pest’s response concentrate on mortality or interruptions in development during and between life stages. My study, however, focused on immune responses; specifically, lemongrass essential oil’s impact on Galleria mellonella. Such responses include a …

Decomposition And Macroinvertebrate Shredder Colonization Of Autumnal Shed Sycamore Leaves In Mining-Contaminated Streams, Leslie Marie Hatch

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Leaf decomposition in streams is an important ecological function facilitated by bacteria, fungi, and macroinvertebrates. Metal contamination can decrease leaf decomposition rates and reduce macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity. In the current study, I focused on mining-contamination in well-buffered streams in two different Missouri mining districts with varying extents of mining contamination, Big River and Pierson Creek. I measured decomposition rates of sycamore leaves, and abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrate shredders in leaf pack experiments with a full-factorial design to determine the effects of metal contamination of leaves and stream substrates. Comparisons were made between leaf packs upstream and downstream of …

Garlic Curing: Post-Harvest Nutrient Remobilization From Leaves To Cloves, Mary L. Books

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is grown on small and large scales worldwide. After harvesting, garlic undergoes a drying process for long-term preservation, called curing. Some producers cure with leaves intact, while others will remove and discard the leaves, curing only the bulbs. Due to the ability of plants to remobilize nutrients from leaves to underground storage organs, such as bulbs, the curing method of garlic may affect clove nutrient content. This study explores nutrient remobilization responses in garlic when cured with leaves intact compared to leaves separated from bulbs. Four cultivars of garlic, German White, Chesnok Red, Romanian Red, and …

A Pilot Randomized Trial To Assess Motivating Operations In Delay Discounting Of Food, Breeanna Michelle Slusher

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This pilot study addresses the impact motivating operations have on delay discounting of food in the presence of real food. Six participants were recruited and randomly assigned to three food stimuli groups (donut, vegetable, and control) and assigned to either a deprivation or non-deprivation condition within the group. Participants were asked to complete a set of questionnaires and a delay discounting task. Demographics and anthropometric measurements were obtained from each participant. The pilot study showed support for previous delay discounting research that as the delay to more nutrient dense meals increases the subjective value of the delayed reward decreases. Thus, …

Metabolomics Reveal Size-Dependent Impacts Of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles On Grains Of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.), Naum Jepkemei Kirwa

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Plants are exposed to emerging contaminants including nanoparticles, due to the novel but wide uses of these materials. However, researchers have shown contradicting effects of CeO₂-NPs on barley grains with focus mostly on concentration effects and not sizes of these CeO₂-NPs. Therefore, this study aimed at comparing the effects of 0nm (control), 8nm, and 40nm (250 mg CeO₂-NPs/kg soil) on the metabolite profile of barley grains. GC-FID and GC-QTOF-MS were used to measure fatty acid contents and metabolomic changes respectively. GC-FID analysis revealed that palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and the total fatty …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Chinese Adults: Patterns And Comparison Between Adults Who Grew Up As Single And Left-Behind Children, Yuan Qu

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Over the last 40 years, China implemented many socioeconomic policies, among which the “open-door” and “single-child” policies were two of the most noteworthy. Therefore, in China, the study of child maltreatment requires understanding the impact of family constellation changes that resulted from national policies. This study sought to examine adverse childhood experiences (ACE) differences among Chinese adults who grew up as left- behind children (LBC) and single-children (SC). In addition, as a response to the Ho et al. (2019a) call for “further investigations on cultural specific patterns of ACEs” (p. 187), this study examined patterns of ACEs among the Mainland …

Meat May Never Die, Carlo Alvaro

Publications and Research

The goal of ethical veganism is a vegan world or, at least, a significantly vegan world. However, despite the hard work done by vegan activists, global meat consumption has been increasing. Vegan advocates have focused on ethics but have ignored the importance of tradition and identity. And the advent of veggie meat alternatives has promoted food that emulates animal products thereby perpetuating the meat paradigm. I suggest that, in order to make significant changes toward ending animal exploitation, ethical vegans give more attention to tradition and identity. Furthermore, I propose that raw veganism is the most ethical diet and can …

Protecting Against Pain And Stress In The Nicu: An Evidence-Based Eye Examination Guideline, Heather Jo Bowman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to create an evidence-based Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) eye examination guideline and associated resources that supported use of non-pharmacological interventions and emphasized the importance of parent education and involvement from both an interdisciplinary and occupational therapy perspective.

Literature Review: Although medically necessary, researchers and practitioners in the NICU interdisciplinary field have discussed pain and stress associated with preterm infant eye examinations (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], 2016; Fierson, 2018; Francis, 2016; Pollaci et al., 2020; Samra & McGrath, 2009). Pain and stress likely impact sensory and overall brain development (AAP, 2016; Brummelte …

The Development Of A Transition To Motherhood Education And Support Program: Elevate Motherhood, Chloe R. Haas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background The transition to motherhood is a transformative event. The postpartum period is a significant timeframe that challenges a mother in all areas of her life through occupational, physical, hormonal, emotional, and cognitive changes. Although most mothers receive routine care throughout their pregnancy, it is known that standard education and support are typically inadequate, placing mothers at a greater risk for postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and other challenges of the postpartum period (Howell, Mora, Chassin, & Leventhal, 2010; Martin, Horowitz, Balbierz, & Howell, 2014). Research findings indicate that sufficient education and support prior to birth and through the postpartum period …

Wellness Education For The Food Insecure Population, Erin M. Grensteiner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Food insecurity is a problem facing the United States that often has few solutions. Those who face the challenges of food insecurity are known as the food-insecure population. Since the persistence of food insecurity, poorer health outcomes have become positively associated with the food-insecure population. After reviewing the literature, it was found that difficulties with the occupations of maintaining personal and home hygiene and resource seeking were prevalent and found to lead to poorer health outcomes. Difficulties with maintaining personal and home hygiene were found to stem from a lack of access or money to spend on personal and home …

Supporting Participation In Daily Tasks, Quality Of Life, And Well-Being For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease Dementia, Miranda Kay Evanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by a decline in cognitive functioning severe enough to impact participation in daily life which can occur for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at least one year or more following their PD diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022b). There are currently almost one million people living with PD in the United States with about two thousand of those individuals living in North Dakota (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022b; Parkinson’s Foundation, 2022b). Studies show that 50-80% of those individuals will develop PDD throughout the course of the illness (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022b). The treatment …

Bridging The Gap: A Comprehensive Discharge Guide, Ashley Marie Mutziger

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Much attention is paid to clients while they receive services, but after they have met their goals and are ready for their next steps, they can perceive a lack of support and feelings of uncertainty. Returning home from any healthcare setting can be a time of uncertainty for clients. There are many questions to be answered and potential unknowns surrounding the discharge processes. Literature shows there is a need for improving discharge practices to promote client understanding and follow-through to end the treatment experience with the confidence that the client has the tools and resources necessary to be successful in …

Sex, Drugs, & Rockin’ Referrals: An Interprofessional Guide For Young Adults With Cancer, Nicole Cathryn Merchlewicz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Sex, Drugs, & Rockin’ Referrals: An Interprofessional Guide for Young Adults with Cancer

Introduction According to the National Cancer Institute (2020), about 89,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) ages 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year, accounting for about five percent of all cancer diagnoses in the United States. It is common for AYAs to be diagnosed with pediatric cancers yet receive treatment in a setting that is dedicated either children or older adults. Due to unique developmental milestones that occur during adolescence and young adulthood, the models of care for pediatric or older adult patients do not meet …

Occupational Therapy Program Development For Group Threatment For Outpatient Pediatric Clinics: Technology Management, Amy Lynn Fust Shaver

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem Statement: Children and adolescents are experiencing difficulty managing the technology in their lives as evidenced by excessive technology use leading to negative effects on their occupational performance. The overuse of technology is associated with a variety of problems, especially for growing children and adolescents, including shorter sleep duration, reduced scholastic achievement, musculoskeletal concerns, obesity, and exacerbated symptoms of depression and anxiety (Gerwin, 2017; Glover, 2021; Gwynette, 2017).

Description of Product: To address these issues, a group treatment program was developed for outpatient pediatric clinics focused on helping children and their families benefit from the use of technology without experiencing …

Antibacterial Effectivity Of Coffee Bean Extract And Instant Coffee (Spray Drying) Against Porphyromonas Gingivalis, Tantin Ermawati, Nazilaturrohmah, Achmad Gunadi, Dessy Rachmawaty

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

No abstract provided.

Effervescent Tablets Of Tobacco Leaves (Nicotiana Tabacum L.) Potential As Denture Cleansers, Dewi Kristiana, Ady Soesetijo, Gunadi, Rahardyan Parnaadji, Amiyatun Naini

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

No abstract provided.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (Mic) And Minimum Bactericidal Concentration Of Beluntas Leaf Ethanol Extract Against Streptococcus Mutans, Elin Septiani, Natallia Pranata, Vinna K. Sugiaman

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

No abstract provided.