Digital Commons Network^™

Immune Variation Across Different Contexts In Non-Model Systems, Kwanho Claudia Ki

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The immune system is important to an animal’s survival against disease-causing agents and physical injuries. Accordingly, many resources are required to maintain and activate the immune system (such as energy). However, as these resources also need to be shared with other important systems of the body, the portion of resources that can be allotted to the immune system is variable. Thus, many different factors may alter how well the immune system operates. My dissertation sought to understand what sorts of factors can lead to changes in the immune system. Reptiles are known to have a very robust immune system. Therefore, …

From Pasture To Plate: Striking An Omega Balance Between Grass-Fed And Grain-Fed Beef Ribeyes - Fatty Acid Composition, Minerals, Soil, And Forage Analysis, Travis Earl Statham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Most beef cattle in the US are feedlot-finished where intensive feeding of grains is used to increase weight and yield; however, a minority are raised in grass-fed operations that use exclusive pasture, rangeland, and hay for feeding, possibly leading to benefits for the land, soil, ecosystems, forages, and the meat itself. These operations use a variety of methods, and the goal of this was to recognize differences in the soil and forage metrics to help understand the resulting meat fatty acid composition and mineral content. We collected these samples from 78 sets of farmers while testing 25 sets of grain-fed …

Physical Activity In Play Environments Inclusively Designed For Children With And Without Disabilities, Mckall E. Vigil

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study examines physical activity within inclusively designed play environments for children with and without disabilities. The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent children in the third grade with and without disabilities differ in physical activity across various behavior settings of an inclusively designed play environment. Of the 50 third-grade students, 34 participated in eight weeks of observations conducted during lunch recess. Accelerometers and GPS units were utilized to collect data during the observations. The majority of settings on this playground were identified as inclusive. Children with disabilities didn’t engage in organized games as often as …

Are Universities Adequately Preparing Undergraduate Students For Careers As Professional Wildlife Biologists?, Trevon D. Strange

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The demands for diversely skilled wildlife biologists and scientific researchers in the wildlife profession are projected to increase. Increasing urbanization has affected wildlife management, and the recruitment of future wildlife professionals. Thus, state and federal supervisors in agencies that hire wildlife professionals are concerned that recent graduates of university wildlife programs lack the necessary skill-sets to address these complex contemporary wildlife management issues. My research sought to identify where the educational performance gaps may exist between university wildlife programs, wildlife agencies, and student expectations. To conduct my research, I evaluated undergraduate wildlife curricula offered by 42 accredited universities listed on …

Adolescent Mental Health And Social Media: The Roles Of Psychosocial Development And Online Interaction, Mark L. Ferguson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Social media has become an integral part of adolescent life, and its effects on adolescents’ mental health has been studied for over twenty years. However, the research approaches used to discover connections between adolescent social media use and their mental health have been diverse, and findings have varied over time. This study sought to explore the potential relationships between adolescent social media use and mental health by including several different variables that aren’t typically accounted for in the same study, such as attachment to parents and peers, internal psychological development, emotional intensity towards social media use, and how adolescents feel …

Meeting Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines And Associations With Physical Fitness In Men With Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Baseline Results Of The Multicentre Interval-Gap4 Trial, Lisa Umlauff, Stacey A. Kenfield, Robert U. Newton, Nicolas H. Hart, Fred Saad, Kerry S. Courneya, Rosemary Greenwood, Wilhelm Bloch, Moritz Schumann

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: This study compared the physical activity level of men with metastatic prostate cancer at baseline of the multicentre INTERVAL-GAP4 trial to the American Cancer Society guidelines and examined associations with physical fitness. Methods: A total of 140 men on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were included in this cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the INTERVAL-GAP4 trial. Exclusion criteria included a maximum of 1 h of vigorous aerobic exercise or one structured resistance exercise session per week but no restrictions on habitual physical activity. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed using a modified Godin–Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Physical fitness …

Protocol To Implement And Evaluate A Culturally Secure, Strength-Based, Equine-Assisted Learning Program, "Yawardani Jan-Ga" (Horses Helping), To Support The Social And Emotional Wellbeing Of Australian Aboriginal Children And Young People, Juli Coffin, Sharmila Vaz, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, Helen Milroy, Craig Olsson, Meg Kirby, Lesley Nelson, Rob Mcphee, Donna Cross

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australian Aboriginal people experience stressors from inequalities across crucial social determinants, including deep and entrenched disadvantage and exclusion. The impact of unaddressed historical issues is pervasive and intergenerational. The disproportionate rates of Aboriginal youth suicide, juvenile detention and imprisonment highlight the inadequacy of existing social and emotional wellbeing programs and services for Aboriginal children and young people. There is increasing recognition in Australia that aligning social and emotional wellbeing interventions with Western values and conceptions of mental health is one of the main barriers to service uptake among Aboriginal people. This suggests fundamental questions remain unanswered about what type of …

Joint Association Of Tyg Index And High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein With Cardiovascular Disease: A National Cohort Study, Cancan Cui, Lin Liu, Yitian Qi, Ning Han, Haikun Xu, Zhijia Wang, Xinyun Shang, Tianjiao Han, Yining Zha, Xin Wei, Zhiyuan Wu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Both the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation are predictors of cardiovascular diseases; however, little is known about the coexposures and relative contributions of TyG index and inflammation to cardiovascular diseases. Using the nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we conducted longitudinal analyses to evaluate the joint and mutual associations of the TyG index and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with cardiovascular events in middle-aged and older Chinese population. Methods: This study comprised 8 658 participants aged at least 45 years from the CHARLS 2011 who are …

Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Discrete Tumour Microenvironments And Autocrine Loops Within Ovarian Cancer Subclones, Elena Denisenko, Leanne De Kock, Adeline Tan, Aaron B. Beasley, Maria Beilin, Matthew E. Jones, Rui Hou, Dáithí Ó Muirí, Sanela Bilic, G. Raj K. A. Mohan, Stuart Salfinger, Simon Fox, Khaing P. W. Hmon, Yen Yeow, Youngmi Kim, Rhea John, Tami S. Gilderman, Emily Killingbeck, Elin S. Gray, Paul A. Cohen, Yu Yu, Alistair R. R. Forrest

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is genetically unstable and characterised by the presence of subclones with distinct genotypes. Intratumoural heterogeneity is linked to recurrence, chemotherapy resistance, and poor prognosis. Here, we use spatial transcriptomics to identify HGSOC subclones and study their association with infiltrating cell populations. Visium spatial transcriptomics reveals multiple tumour subclones with different copy number alterations present within individual tumour sections. These subclones differentially express various ligands and receptors and are predicted to differentially associate with different stromal and immune cell populations. In one sample, CosMx single molecule imaging reveals subclones differentially associating with immune cell populations, fibroblasts, …

Genome-Wide Cross-Disease Analyses Highlight Causality And Shared Biological Pathways Of Type 2 Diabetes With Gastrointestinal Disorders, Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Tenielle Porter, Eleanor K. O’Brien, Oladapo Olaniru, Giuseppe Verdile, Simon M. Laws

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Studies suggest links between diabetes and gastrointestinal (GI) traits; however, their underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we comprehensively assess the genetic relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and GI disorders. Our study demonstrates a significant positive global genetic correlation of T2D with peptic ulcer disease (PUD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis-duodenitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diverticular disease, but not inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We identify several positive local genetic correlations (negative for T2D – IBD) contributing to T2D’s relationship with GI disorders. Univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomisation analyses suggest causal effects of T2D on PUD and gastritis-duodenitis and …

Comparative Analysis Of Household Food And Nutrition Security In Selected Philippine Urban And Rural Households During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jay-Al Reyes, Julieta Delosreyes

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study analyzed the food and nutrition security of selected urban and rural households in Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. It determined the prevalence of food insecurity among the selected urban and rural households, analyzed the determinants of food insecurity in these households, determined the prevalence of malnutrition, and assessed the relationship between the households’ food security and nutrition security. Primary data from a survey of 185 urban and rural households and secondary data from the Electronic Operation Timbang Plus (e-OPT) Tool were used to determine the prevalence of food insecurity using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale …

Bioactivity And Synergism Of Tagpo (Ardisia Tomentosa) Molluscicidal Extracts, Darwin C. Gomez, Grechelle Socias, Rosemarie Galanza, Florlyn C. Gayas Ma., Fe T. Piedad, Brian John Sarno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Population control of golden apple snails (GAS, Pomacea canaliculata) is beneficial in rice farming; however, the associated control measures can be expensive and time-consuming. Currently, farmers use synthetic molluscicides such as niclosamide to control GAS infestation, but this has some drawbacks. For example, niclosamide has broad toxicity to non-target organisms and negatively affects the growth of rice seedlings. Plant extracts with potent bioactivity and low toxicity to non-target organisms are attractive alternatives to synthetic molluscicides. In this study, the bioactivity of the crude fruit extract of tagpo (Ardisia tomentosa) was assessed against GAS and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fries. The potential …

Field Assessment Of Fertilization, Nursery, And Crop Management Practices Among Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Growers In The Ilocos Provinces, Philippines, Annalissa Aquino, Sancho Bon, Angelica Guanlao, Ann Mylalulex Magnaye, Filomena Sta Cruz, Pompe C. Sta. Cruz

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Growth and yield of many economically important vegetables like tomatoes are heavily influenced by crop management practices, particularly fertilizer application, irrigation scheme, and pest management. To attain maximum tomato yields and increase farmers’ profits, these crop production components must be optimized in local farm levels. Before optimization measures can be conducted, baseline information on prevailing practices needs to be evaluated. To assess the nutrient management and other crop production practices of tomato farmers in the Ilocos provinces, Philippines, on-farm surveys were conducted in 16 and 18 barangays planting fresh-type and processing-type tomatoes, respectively. The study involved a total of 88 …

Association Between Microsatellite Instability Status, Clinicopathological Features And Mitochondrial Dna Amplification In Patients With Colorectal Cancer, Junmi Lu, Hong Tan, Tao Guo, Xi Chen, Zhongyi Tong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The relationship between BRAF-V600E mutations, mitochondrial DNA amplification and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) in colorectal cancer (CRC) has yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between the MSI status and BRAF-V600E gene mutations/clinicopathological features/mitochondrial DNA amplification in CRC. A non-interventional study analysis was performed using the clinicopathological features of 455 patients with CRC. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate four mismatch repair proteins (MutS homolog 2, MutS homolog 6, MutL homolog 1 and postmeiotic segregation increased 2), Ki-67 index, and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. …

Understanding Patients’ Experiences During Transitions From One Electronic Health Record To Another: A Scoping Review, Alison M Cogan, Trenton M Haltom, Stephanie L Shimada, Jessica A Davila, Bryan P Mcginn, Gemmae M Fix

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Identify existing research on impacts of transitions between electronic health record (EHR) systems on patients' healthcare experiences.

Methods: Scoping review. We searched MedLine, OVID, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases for articles on patient experiences with EHR-to-EHR transitions.

Results: Three studies met inclusion criteria. All three used validated surveys to compare patient satisfaction with care pre- and post-transition. The surveys did not include specific questions about the EHR transition; one study focused on patient perceptions of provider computer use. Satisfaction levels initially decreased following EHR implementation, then returned to baseline between six and 15 months later in two of three …

Persistent Growth-Promoting Effects Of Vosoritide In Children With Achondroplasia Are Accompanied By Improvements In Physical And Social Aspects Of Health-Related Quality Of Life, Ravi Savarirayan, Melita Irving, William R Wilcox, Carlos A Bacino, Julie E Hoover-Fong, Paul Harmatz, Lynda E Polgreen, Klaus Mohnike, Carlos E Prada, Takuo Kubota, Paul Arundel, Antonio Leiva-Gea, Richard Rowell, Andrea Low, Ian Sabir, Alice Huntsman-Labed, Jonathan Day

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: Evaluate the impact of vosoritide on health-related quality of life in children with achondroplasia.

Methods: Participants received vosoritide (15 μg/kg/day) in an extension trial (NCT03424018) after having participated in a placebo-controlled trial (NCT03197766).

Results: The population comprised 119 participants (mean [SD] age 9.7 [2.6] years). Mean treatment duration was 4 (0.78) years. At year 3, the largest mean (SD) changes were observed in the Quality of Life of Short Stature Youth physical score (5.99 [19.41], caregiver reported; 6.32 [20.15], self-reported) and social score (2.85 [8.29] and 6.76 [22.64], respectively). Changes were greatest in participants with …

Is That Controversial Or Is It Just Me?, Joseph D. Cochran

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The purposes of this study were to explore the decision-making process behind delineating issues as controversial or not, identify the risks considered by administrators when faced with potentially controversial issues, and provide recommendations for educators to consider in their own deliberations. I interviewed seven charter school principals and used thematic analysis to explore the influence of contained risk-taking on administrator decision-making concerning controversial issues. The findings of this study suggest that administrators generally consider the same risks their teacher counterparts do but often prioritize larger-scale solutions that ensure equity for the entire school. The products of this process emphasize a …

Engineered Microalgae Cultivations Systems: Conversion Of Wastewater Nutrients Into Biofuels And Bioplastics, Jacob Watkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dissolved Nitrogen and Phosphorus in wastewater can contribute to harmful algae blooms if released into the environment. One technology that can be used to recover dissolved nutrients from wastewater is the Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR), which supports microalgae growth in an easily-harvested biofilm and produces nitrogenand phosphorus-rich biomass that can be used to produce slow-release fertilizers, biofuels, and compostable bioplastics. This thesis (1) examines the effects of several environmental factors on the biomass production rate and nutrient removal efficiency of RABRs treating municipal wastewater, (2) quantifies the composition and biofuel yields of microalgae biomass cultivated using a RABR at …

Pavlovian Conditioned-Reinforcer Training As A Means Of Reducing Impulsive Choice, Emma Visser

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Impulsive choice is associated with a host of human maladaptive behaviors warranting investigations aimed at reducing impulsive choice. Pavlovian conditioning was explored in 22 male Wistar rats. The experimental group was exposed to a stimulus that signaled a large delay-reduction to an food, whereas the control group experienced a stimulus that was controlled by a random schedule that did not predict food. Subsequently, a test of conditioned reinforcement was conducted, indicating a difference in conditioning between groups. Finally, a test of impulsive choice failed to find effects of training on impulsive choice.

Script Fading And Training: Evaluating The Necessity Of Visual Cues To Teach Contextually Appropriate Play Commenting, Devanio J. Cousins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is marked by many areas of need, including play and communication. These areas of concern can have a negative impact on a child's development. Applied behavior analysis, specifically script training and fading procedures, has shown promise in teaching communication during play to young autistic children. However, traditional script training and fading methods have some limitations, including the skills the children already possess to learn the scripts and the resources needed to teach the scripts. Recent studies have shown that script frames can be taught without using traditional training formats (i.e., text, auditory) but by using generic …

Course Of Disease Progression And Time To Death Among Different Dementia Types In A Population Based Study, Kaitlyn E. Kauzor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, Other types of dementia include vascular (VaD) and mixed forms, like AD with VaD, other mixed forms of dementia or dementia of unknown etiology (DUE). Research has focused on factors that may increase risk of developing dementia, with less understood about disease course. Factors associated with risk for developing dementia onset include age, female sex, family history of dementia, genetics (e.g. having the ε4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E or APOE gene), and various health conditions. This project used previously collected data from the Cache County Study on Memory and …

Channel Dynamics In Response To Compounding Hydrogeomorphic Disturbances In A Steep Burned Watershed, Paxton Ridgway

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wildfires significantly increase sediment input to rivers through various pathways, including post-fire debris flows. Understanding how mountain rivers respond to these sediment inputs is crucial for predicting and managing downstream impacts on infrastructure, water security, and aquatic habitats. While the causes and characteristics of post-fire debris flows have been extensively studied, the morphological changes in downstream fluvial channels remain poorly understood. This study uses scripted spatial analysis toolsets, high-resolution pre- and post-fire DEMs, repeat cross-sectional surveys, time-lapse footage, and pebble counts to document channel responses to sediment supply in a burned steep mountain stream in the upper Colorado River Basin, …

Agriculture In The Urbanizing Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Views On Water Quality, Agricultural-Related Conflicts, And The Adoption Of Nutrient Management Plans, Edem Avemegah

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation analyzes Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW) agriculture by exploring residents' views on water quality issues, agriculture-related conflict, and farmers' adoption of nutrient management plans. The following questions were asked: What is the level of concern among non-agricultural and agricultural residents about water quality issues in local streams and waterways and the CBW, and to whom do the two groups attribute water quality problems? What are nonfarming residents' and farmers' levels of support for various interventions outlined in previous research on water quality issues in local streams and waterways and the CBW? What is the level of nonfarming residents' and …

Westward Words: An Exploration Of Western Beats And Their Legacy, Brenna Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis examines the art, poetry, and experiences of western Beats or Beatniks. Also known as the Beat Generation, this literary movement is traditionally associated with East Coast writers. However, a prominent Beat culture was also present on the West Coast throughout the 1950s and 1970s. The thesis explores how the West influenced the literature and art produced by Beats during this time.

Exploring Resilience: Insights From The Western U.S. Drink Tourism Industry During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Camillo Salvi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

COVID-19 harmed the resilience of the United States tourism industry, undermining its economic stability. Specifically, the drink tourism sector was negatively affected by the pandemic due to its heavy reliance on consumer demand. Enhancing the ability to withstand, recover, and adapt to changing conditions is fundamental to promoting financial development and economic growth. This study aims to explore the determinants of resilience within this industry, focusing on wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the western United States during 2020 and 2021. Through a survey-based analysis, we identified what factors impacted their resilience and how these influenced the drink tourism domain, thereby …

Systematic Review On The Use Of Self-Monitoring Interventions With Adhd/Asd Students In School Settings, Sari Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This systematic literature review was done to determine characteristics and descriptive analysis of the use of self-monitoring behavior interventions (SMI) with students in the educational setting who are diagnosed with ASD/ADHD. The objective was to create resources for future practitioners and interventionists to direct future use of SMI in schools and identify areas of study needed. Behavior interventions are often used to support students with disabilities to access their education in a school setting. Individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are included in this population. A type of behavior using the analysis of …

Understanding And Influencing Public Concerns About Prescribed Fire Use In Utah, Brooke Richards

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Prescribed fire is beneficial for improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk, which is especially important for residents who live near forested areas. To expand the use of prescribed fire, Utah land managers must first ensure there is public support. Therefore, better understanding public concerns and what shapes their beliefs about prescribed fire can help managers improve outreach and education methods. Through interviews with south-central Utah land managers, private landowners, and Health departments employees, a focus group discussion with Park City natural resource managers, and observation of Summit County public commentary, two outreach messages were suggested to address the five …

Assessing Canopy Features, Its Shading Factor, And Their Influence In The Estimation Of Evapotranspiration In Almond Orchards Using Uas Information And The Two-Source Energy Balance Model, Moises R. Duran-Gomez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study explored how canopy biomass and shadows affect evapotranspiration (ET) estimates, a crucial factor for irrigation management in almond orchards in California’s Central Valley. Data from 24 drone flights over three almond plots in 2021 and 2022 were analyzed using the Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB) model, combined with meteorological data from EC-towers. The study found that filtering out shadows improved ET estimation, particularly in young orchards, and identified the importance of using new Leaf Area Index (LAI) models for better accuracy. This research is part of the T-REX initiative, which integrates drone and ground-based data to enhance water use …

Insights From Diverse Environments: Investigating The Fate And Transport Of Semivolatile Organic Contaminants In Alpine, Arctic, And Arid Regions, Jeffrey Perala-Dewey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation investigates the fate and transport of pollutants through four field-based studies in a diverse array of environments. These pollutants travel through the atmosphere and end up in places far from their original sources. In this work I explore how chemical properties of the pollutants and the environmental processes that are present change the way the pollutants travel through the environment. In the first study, pollutants from car engines were quantified in the vegetation along transects in three alpine valleys. Using these measurements, I investigated how the chemical properties of the pollutants impacted their interplay with wind systems in …

Examining Support By Residents For Community Scale Wildfire Mitigation Strategies In The Wasatch Front, Conner R. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Current development trends along the Wasatch Front are causing a greater threat of wildfires to the Utahns who reside there. Research indicates that although studies meant to examine wildfire mitigation strategy preferences do exist, their findings are not applicable to the Wasatch Front. This thesis addresses the lack of applicable data and the resultant lack of understanding of the Wasatch Front residents' preferences. In my project specifically, I will be looking at what wildfire mitigation strategies, at the community scale, residents of the Wasatch Front prefer. Additionally, I will be comparing the preferences of residents living in areas with above …