Digital Commons Network^™

Prevalence And Disparities In Receiving Medical Advice To Quit Tobacco Use In The Us Adult Population, Monalisa Chandra, Rajesh Talluri, Joel Fokom Domgue, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Evidence suggests that advice from health care professionals (HCP) increases the likelihood of quit attempts and successful quitting of tobacco use. However, previous studies primarily focussed on cigarette smoking and did not include all forms of tobacco products. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and disparities in receiving HCP's advice to quit tobacco use (combustible or noncombustible) in the US adult population.

Methods: Using the 2022 National Health Information Survey (NHIS) data, we examined 4,424 adults who reported (i) any tobacco product use within the past 12 months and (ii) having seen an HCP within the past 12 …

Metal Contamination In Household Dust And Their Health Risk Assessment: A Study In Two Malaysian Cities, Xin Yi Lim, Ting Fang Lye, Joo Hui Tay

Applied Environmental Research

Investigating the composition of household dust can provide crucial insights into potential environmental and health implications. This study aimed to determine the concentration of selected metals in 30 household floor dust samples collected from two cities in Peninsular Malaysia, namely Melaka and Butterworth. The samples were collected using nylon socks attached to a vacuum cleaner nozzle during January-February 2021. All samples were sieved through a 200-µm sieve, acid-digested with aqua regia, and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean metal concentrations decreased in the order of Fe>Al>Mg>Zn>Mn>Ba>Cu>Cr>Pb. Cd was not …

Exposure To Metal Accumulation In Chicken Giblets And Human Health Risk In Lokoja, Nigeria, Jude Ehwevwerhere Emurotu, Lami Habib, Ephraim Musa Dallatu, Adamu Shuaibu Onakpa, Aloysius Akaangee Pam

Applied Environmental Research

When consumed, the toxic heavy metals in chicken giblets pose a grave risk to humans. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to measure the concentrations of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Pb) in the liver, gizzard, and kidney of chickens from the Lokoja poultry market. Except for lead, which slightly exceeded the FAO/WHO limit of 0.1 mg kg-1, the metal concentrations found were all within the threshold limit. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were used to assess the risks that humans would face …

Outlooks And Challenges For Urban Green Space Development: A Review Case Study In Thailand, Kanawat Paoin, Chanathip Pharino

Applied Environmental Research

Even though prior studies have provided ample proof of the benefits of urban green space, Thailand's development and exploitation of urban green space remain insufficiently efficient. To assess the prospects for urban green space development in Thailand, our review study highlighted gaps and challenges related to these areas. This review study discussed the rationale for urban green space, its definitions, as well as its benefits and co-benefits (i.e., economic, social, health, and environmental). The review research additionally discussed Thailand's current urban green space issues, associated challenges (such as difficulties valuing and using urban green space, budgetary limitations, low priority for …

Path Analysis Of The Relationship Between Diarrhea, Climate And Environmental Variables In Province Of West Nusa Tenggara-Indonesia, Khadijah Azhar, Ika Dharmayanti, Dwi Hapsari Tjandrarini, Bambang Wispriyono

Applied Environmental Research

Diarrhea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, due to certain factors. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of climate, economic status, demographic, water, sanitation, and hygiene factors on diarrhea. The study procedures were carried out using an ecological design that focused on the characteristics of the sample population. The unit of analysis was districts/cities, where data on diarrhea cases from 2017–2020 were used, along with other variables in the same period. The dependent variable was the number of diarrhea cases per month, while the independent variables included average temperature, …

Addressing The Consumer Food Waste Crisis: A Decade Of Psychological Interventions, Pei ๋Jun Woo, Yohanna Veshanya, Lai Ti Gew

Applied Environmental Research

Food waste has become an increasing global crisis, especially in the last few years. Researchers and policymakers have attempted to work towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. While much research has been conducted, we are still far from achieving the SDG by 2030. Many interventions have been studied, but each outcome varies. Thus, this review summarizes 30 psychological-based interventions between 2010 to 2022, retrieved via the Scopus database. It is found that each method of intervention works differently based on each type of food waste. Institutional food waste appears to be the most common …

Theoretical Approaches To Food Waste Behaviours: An Overview, Dane Chia, Chin Choo Yap, Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, Lai Ti Gew

Applied Environmental Research

Food waste around the world has emerged as a pressing issue that calls for attention and intervention. Analysing the food waste problem without understanding wasteful behaviour antecedents may oversimplify this multi-faceted issue, which will then compromise the development of interventions. This paper provides an overview of the theoretical approaches to food waste behaviour antecedents, followed by evidence-based interventions, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the Norm Activation Model (NAM), and the Social Practice Theory (SPT). These theories encompass the psychological, behavioural, societal, material, and structural factors that influence food waste practices. Our aim is to provide a holistic understanding …

Unraveling The Effects Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Plant Growth, Nutrient Content, And Heavy Metal Accumulation In The Contaminated Soil: A Meta-Analysis, Bela Putra, Anuraga Jayanegara, Irwan Susanto

Applied Environmental Research

This study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growth, nutrient uptake, and heavy metal accumulation on polluted land using a meta-analysis approach. Data from 33 relevant studies were selected based on inclusion criteria, specifically articles in English, observational research, and investigating the role of AMF in plant growth and productivity on polluted land. The results showed that plants inoculated with AMF experienced significant accumulation of heavy metals in roots, such as Pb (p<0.01), Ni (p<0.01), Cr (p<0.01), Mn (p<0.05), Fe (p<0.05), and As (p<0.05). The AMF significantly reduced the accumulation of heavy metals such as Cr, Ni, Fe, and Cu on the upper part of fodder forage (p<0.01). Forage growth was also enhanced due to AMF. The AMF greatly increased the fresh weight, length, and phosphorus (P) content of fodder forage roots (p<0.01). It also increased the plant's biomass, fresh weight, dry weight, height, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents (p<0.01). In conclusion, AMF is important in increasing plant growth, nutrient uptake and reducing heavy metal accumulation in forage on polluted land.

The Relationships Between Physical Activity Behaviors And Self-Perceived Fear And Anxiety Of Covid-19, Psychological Distress, Sleep Disturbance, And Life Satisfaction, Tien-Jung Lee

Research Papers

This research study aimed to investigate the correlations between international students’ daily physical activity behaviors and their self-perceived fear and anxiety of COVID-19, psychological distress, sleep disturbances, and life satisfaction. The study found a significant weak positive correlation between VIG and FAC, suggesting that as international students engage in more vigorous physical activities, their fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 tend to increase (r=0.425, p

Dishes Of Yesteryear: Memories, Stories, And Representations Of The Past Within Food Media, Diana Willis Bottomley

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

In 1963, Julia Child revolutionized cooking television. Child’s The French Chef, which ran for ten years on the Boston public television station, WGBH, changed how American’s viewed, produced, and consumed food. And in the sixty years since Child’s debut, food media has grown in scope and popularity, increasingly altering how we communicate identity in and through food and foodways. In this dissertation, I examine the relation between food, media, and memory, with particular attention to: how the past moderates the connection between food and identity; how food media produce a sense of place integral to identity; and how food …

Plasma Per-And Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (Pfas) Mixtures And Maternal Cardiometabolic Health, Yuting Wang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Food is a common exposure pathway to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but dietary factors related to PFAS concentrations in pregnant people have not been adequately evaluated. PFAS have been linked to the increased risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and adiposity. However, less is known regarding the effect of PFAS mixtures on blood pressure (BP) trajectories in normotensive pregnancies or weight retention postpartum. We used data from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) to examine dietary intake and PFAS concentrations and associations of PFAS with BP trajectories and postpartum weight retention. PFAS concentrations were measured in plasma collected at …

What Is In Your Tampon? Increasing Transparency In Menstrual Products, Elianna Spitzer

Seattle University Law Review

The average person who menstruates will bleed for an average of five days, every twenty-four to thirty-eight days, over several decades and could use thousands of disposable menstrual products in their lifetime. Menstrual products line retail shelves. They can be found in homes, bags, and bodies—but until 2021, manufacturers were not required to disclose the ingredients used to make these products to consumers at all. In fact, they still are not federally required to disclose menstrual product ingredients on product packaging. Instead, in recent years, changes to menstrual product labels have largely been the result of state legislation. In 2019, …

Examining Potential Causal Associations Of Sedentary Time And Physical Activity With Heart Failure Using Subjective And Objective Measures: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis, Jessica Geller

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the causal relationship between both subjectively and objectively measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) with heart failure (HF) risk, utilizing Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach.

Methods: The present MR used genetic instruments identified for self-reported ST and PA extracted from 51 genome wide association studies (GWAS), encompassing data from 703,901 individuals. The GWAS identified 89 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with leisure screen time. Eleven loci were reported to be associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). From another GWAS examining accelerometer-based activities, three loci were found to …

Sleep, Sedentary Time, And Physical Activity In Heart Failure Subtypes: Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis (Mesa), Demi M. Nott

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have examined the associations between physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and sleep on the risk of heart failure (HF). The primary aim of this study was to examine PA, ST, and sleep quality (SQ) in those diagnosed with preserved ejection fraction HF (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction HF (HFrEF). The secondary aim of this study was to examine these relationships in those with and without HF, independent of sub-type.

METHODS: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) collected data from 6,814 adults from a diversified cohort who range in age from 45 to 84. Subjects were classified …

Fitness Consequences Of Depressive Symptoms Vary Between Generations: Evidence From A Large Cohort Of Women Across The 20th Century, Christopher I Gurguis, Renée A Duckworth, Nicole M Bucaro, Consuelo Walss-Bass

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Depression has strong negative impacts on how individuals function, leading to the assumption that there is strong negative selection on this trait that should deplete genetic variation and decrease its prevalence in human populations. Yet, depressive symptoms remain common. While there has been a large body of work trying to resolve this paradox by mapping genetic variation of this complex trait, there have been few direct empirical tests of the core assumption that there is consistent negative selection on depression in human populations. Here, we use a unique long-term dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that spans …

2024 Cheshire County Ac Agenda & Minutes, Diane Dugray

Advisory Council

No abstract provided.

Teachers Do It All: A Cluster-Based Analysis Of Abbott Elementary, Peter Heryla

Iowa Journal of Communication

This study employs rhetorical criticism to analyze the television sitcom Abbott Elementary (2021). Through close examination of the episodes “Pilot,” “Development Day,” and “Egg Drop,” this analysis aims to uncover key ideas about the multifaceted roles and responsibilities educators are required to assume outside of their main job as “teacher.” Utilizing cluster criticism, the study shows that being a teacher is about more than educating, and that teachers are motivated by common themes when they act outside of their role. The study also focuses on the mediated representation of teachers and the harmful demographic tropes that have historically characterized them, …

Social Protection System: A Case Study Of Migration And Families Left Behind In Ban Sandin, Lao Pdr, Kritsada Theerakosonphong

Asian Review

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection, serves as a policy framework guiding the international agenda of ASEAN member countries. This emphasis on social protection within the regional bloc is aligned with the United Nation's global agenda, particularly, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This presentation analyzes the social protection system in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), exploring traditional and innovative coping mechanisms and how they reflect community social dynamics. Drawing on case studies of families left behind and insights from fifteen additional informants in Ban Sandin, Lao PDR, this article synthesizes scholarly literature to …

The Influence Of Chemical Fertilizers On The Effectiveness Of Biochar In Mitigating Cadmium Mobility In Soil, Chompoonut Chaiyaraksa, Navapat Sangworn

Applied Environmental Research

The focus of this study was to explore how various fertilizers influence the movement of cadmium in soil treated with biochar. The research utilized a strong acid sandy loam soil from Chanthaburi Province, naturally rich in organic matter with moderate cation exchange capacity and low nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfate, salinity and chloride levels. The soil was purposely contaminated with 50 mg kg-1 of cadmium and treated with biochar derived from water hyacinth through pyrolysis at 450°C for an hour. This biochar displayed moderate alkalinity, high organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and cation exchange capacity, but low nitrogen content. Analytical techniques like …

Simulated Microgravity, Indole-3-Acetyl Acid, And Cow Dung Influence On Zea Mays Plant Growth In Contaminated Soil, A. Ovenseri, A.O. Ogunkeyede, A.A. Adebayo, P. Tawari-Fufeyin, A.O. Orukpe, C. Udeochu Uche

Applied Environmental Research

This study investigated the effects of simulated microgravity, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and cow dung on Zea mays L. plants growing in soil contaminated with crude oil. Crude oil contamination affects plants negatively in morphology and physiology. For simulated microgravity exposure, IAA introduced and non-IAA introduced seeds of Zea mays L. were grown in a clinostat for 4days before taken to the nursery for planting. IAA was introduced to the seed by soaking in IAA solution for 90 minutes after which it was introduced to the microgravity stimulator (clinostat). After 14 days in the nursery, the seedlings were taken to the …

Assessing The Relationship And Effect Of Air Pollution [Pm 2.5] On Child Respiratory Illness And Child Mortality In The Philippines, Roel F. Ceballos, Rachell C. Gallano, Lenard D. Visaya

Applied Environmental Research

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, which can seriously impact human health and the environment. Among the air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5, being a microscopic particle, poses serious health risks since it can enter the blood circulation and go deep into the lungs. PM 2.5 has been linked to several health problems, such as early mortality, problems with children's development, and unfavorable birth outcomes. In this regard, the study aims to investigate the relationship and effect of PM 2.5 on child respi-ratory illness and child mortality in the Philippines. Data on child respiratory …

A Review On Chemometrics And Climate Change: Insights From Malaysia Case Study, Ismafatin Nabilah Ismail, Mohd Khairul Amri Kamarudin, Wan Nor Azilawanie Tun Ismail, Noorjima Abd Wahab, Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi, Mohd Ekhwan Toriman, Firdaus Mohamad Hamzah, Septi Ariadi

Applied Environmental Research

Climate change consider as main issues and concerns in Malaysia over the decade. Chemometrics techniques have been used in many climate change issues to address the limitations of climate change monitoring studies. In climate change areas, chemometrics is a valuable tool for assessing the correlation between different climate change factors, especially in vast and intricate databases. The purpose of the review was to evaluate and summarise the available data and restrictions regarding the use of chemometrics techniques in Malaysian environmental studies. The study conducted a thorough analysis of pertinent scientific papers published between 2019 to 2023 that addressed the main …

Optimizing Tenebrio Molitor Feeding Strategy To Induce Physical Degradation Of Tires: A Novel Approach For Sustainable Waste Management, Abdussalam Topandi, Khadijah Sayyidatun Nisa, Fatimah Azizah Riyadi, Ibnu Maulana Hidayatullah, Pranata -, Firah Gustianda Ayu, Reynaldi Ivan Prasetya, Frederick Soetandar, Dimas Rafi Narawangsa, Eka Rahayu

Applied Environmental Research

Due to the increased usage of tires, the accumulation of worn tires has become a significant environmental concern and necessitates environmentally friendly waste management strategies. Conventional methods, such as tire incineration or improper disposal, contribute to environmental degradation. It is reported that organisms, such as Tenebrio molitor larvae, can degrade a wide range of polymers. This study explores the promising potential of Tenebrio molitor larvae in addressing this concern. Through a series of experiments, Tenebrio molitor larvae were fed with cut-worn tires to facilitate degradation. The larvae exhibited remarkable capabilities, surviving and thriving on tires as a sole carbon source …

Distribution And Population Structure Of Corallivorous Drupella Snails In The Coral Reefs Of Kenting In Taiwan, Chih-Jui Tan, Dun-Ru Kang, Li-Lian Liu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The corallivorous Drupella snails are common predators of living hard corals in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, and they can significantly threaten coral reef ecosystems when outbreaks occur. In Taiwan, a Drupella outbreak, which resulted in the dramatic decline of Acropora and Montipora corals, was reported in Penghu in 2002 – 2009. However, the Drupella species involved was not identified, and no further research has been conducted. To obtain current knowledge on the predation pressure of corallivorous snails on hard corals, we investigated benthic communities and the distribution and population structure of Drupella snails in the coral reefs of Kenting, Taiwan. The …

Numerical Investigations On Particle Collection And Discharge Of Rounded Rectangle Aquaculture Tank In Dual-Diagonal-Inlet Layout, Xiaozhong Ren, Shupeng Du, Hangfei Liu, Xianying Shi, Meng Li, Xian Wang, Suping Liu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

To improve the space utilization rate of aquaculture tanks in aquaculture facilities and investigate the effect of the length-width ratio parameter (abbr. L/W, with L being the length of the tank and W being its width) on the particle collection and discharge characteristics of the rounded rectangle aquaculture tank with diagonal double inlet pipes. The study simulates the particle discharge procedure of the tank using a solidliquid two-phase numerical model (discrete phase model and RNG k-ε turbulence model adopted). The validity of the numerical model was confirmed through physical experiments. The simulation results for two jet condition indicate that when …

Investigation Of L-Serine Synthesis And Transport As Stabilizing Feedback Mechanisms Within The Tsetse-Wigglesworthia Symbiosis, Ryan Phillips

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans), which are the obligate vectors of Old-World trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.) that cause African trypanosomiasis, have a bacteriome that houses the intracellular endosymbiont Wigglesworthia glossinidia. The ancient coevolution of these species has led to the integration of Wigglesworthia metabolism into tsetse physiology and a subsequent reliance on nutrient exchange for maintaining the fitness of both partners. The establishment of this obligate mutualism has facilitated the emergence of feedback mechanisms that stabilize the symbiosis, such as that which involves the exchange of L-serine and B vitamins. The Gammaproteobacteria Wigglesworthia supplement B vitamins lacking …

Targeting Pyruvate Metabolism Leads To Distinct Cd8+ T Cell Responses To Virus Infection And Cancer, Taewook Kang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

CD8⁺ T cells are crucial immune cells that control viruses and cancers due to their high antigen specificity and proliferative capacity. Consequently, CD8⁺ T cells are being extensively explored in adoptive T cell therapy for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infections in clinical and pre-clinical studies. Given that T cells rely on nutrient microenvironments and employ various nutrient processing pathways, metabolic intervention presents a promising strategy to enhance CD8⁺ T cell function and differentiation.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) serves as a critical bifurcation point in the metabolic pathway, determining whether glucose-derived pyruvate undergoes mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) or cytosolic …

Insulin Responses, Diet Composition, And Fat Loss, Amanda Finn

All ETDs from UAB

Some but not all studies show participants who have higher baseline insulin responses lose more weight on a low glycemic load compared to a high glycemic load diet. Most prior research tested the relationship between insulin and weight changes with only one insulin response variable, such as insulin from an orally or intravenously (IV) administered metabolic test. We tested whether insulin responses (IV or oral) predicted changes in body fat among participants undergoing diet-induced weight loss. This study was a secondary analysis of a clinical trial. In the parent study, participants were randomized to either a reduced carbohydrate (ReducedCHO) or …

Predictive Modeling Using Clinical Data And Compositional Microbiome Data, Li Zhang

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation focuses on developing predictive modeling using data from two areas: clinical data and microbiome data. Compositional data in real life are mainly represented by relative proportions. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, researchers can now collect a large volume of metagenomic sequencing data, which is valuable for investigating associations between the microbiome and host diseases. Current methods for dealing with such data are either constrained by generalization or limited by application. In the first part, to address this, we propose Bayesian compositional generalized linear models for analyzing microbiome data (BCGLM). This model incorporates a structured regularized …

Using Hope To Cope: Chronic Stress, Religious Coping, And Masked Hypertension In African American Adults: The Jackson Heart Study, Miriam Miles

All ETDs from UAB

USING HOPE TO COPE: CHRONIC STRESS, RELIGIOUS COPING, AND MASKED HYPERTENSION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN ADULTS: THE JACKSON HEART STUDY ABSTRACT Chronic stress experienced at home or work has been associated with acute increases in blood pressure (BP) measured in the doctor’s office. Few data are available on the association of chronic stress with BP measured outside of the office setting. Religious coping, applying religious beliefs to adapt to stressful situations, and functional and structural social support may protect against MHT by promoting active coping behaviors and increasing emotional well-being. High levels of religious involvement and high social support have been …