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Smartphone Gaming And International Students: Exploring The Experiences Of Hypercasual Gameplay For Practicing English Vocabulary And Learning About The United States Culture In Mediated Action, Se He Hwang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The use of smartphones in everyday settings is widespread, and people around the world use smartphones not only for making phone calls and sending text messages but also as a tool for searching for information and playing smartphone games during their free time. Since people around the world have easy access to smartphones regardless of their physical locations, smartphones can function as a tool for learning purposes, and playing games for learning purposes also supports the students to learn information in less stressful settings since playing games is predominantly for entertainment. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study in mediated …

Development And Validation Of Aronia Melanocarpa Berry Recipes For Home Canning: Integrating Thermal Lethality Studies, Microbiological Safety, And Antioxidant Analysis, Juan Diego Villegas Posada

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Aronia melanocarpa, also known as chokeberry, is gaining popularity for its high antioxidant content and health benefits, including reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting cancer gene expression. However, its characteristic bitterness and astringency limit its broader appeal. Chokeberry's low pH places it in the acid foods category, making it ideal for safe home canning. An acidic environment combined with heat treatment inhibits harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum. Home canning preserves food by sealing it in airtight containers and heating it to destroy spoilage microorganisms.

Developing safe and palatable recipes is essential for making chokeberries suitable for home canning. A …

Removing The Deficit Lens: Determining Support For Hispanic Newcomer Families In Public School Based On Their Unique Needs And Experiences, Shauna Schubiger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to better understand the diverse needs of Latine newcomer families relocating to the United States and enrolling in a southeastern elementary school. Specifically, this study gathered and analyzed the unique experiences of these families immigrating into the U.S. to fully comprehend what they have been through to arrive here and how schools can help their families become involved in their children’s education. In K-12 education, there is a void which exists regarding who these families are and the need to humanize their journeys. This lack of research can be exacerbated by the …

The Effect Of Fat Content On The Inactivation And Recovery Of Listeria Spp. In Ready-To-Eat Foods After High Pressure Processing, Yhuliana Kattalina Niño Fuerte

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

High-pressure processing (HPP) is recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) as a post-lethality treatment to control Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. A scoping review of 603 journal articles, which ultimately was narrowed down to 16 articles, revealed that the efficacy of HPP varies with fat content. The studies demonstrated that L. monocytogenes inactivation by HPP tends to be lower in RTE meats with greater than 5% fat content, compared to products with lower than 5% fat. The wide range of HPP parameters used in these studies …

Development Of An Egg-Specific Mass Spectrometry Targeted Method For Processed Food Matrices, Liyun Zhang

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Egg is a major food allergen in the United States, causing symptoms from mild reactions to severe anaphylaxis. An egg-free diet remains the only management approach for egg allergy. Therefore, individuals and families living with egg allergies rely heavily on allergen statements on packaged food products for informed food choices. Currently, no labeling regulations exist for unintentionally introduced allergens, posing risks to consumers with egg allergies. Therefore, it is critical to have an accurate and reliable detection method in allergen control and management to determine the concentration of total protein from allergenic food sources. Traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are routinely …

Role Of The Malate Dehydrogenase-Citrate Synthase Metabolon In Metabolic Flux Regulation, Joy John Omini

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The TCA cycle enzymes- malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and citrate synthase (CS)- interact to transfer oxaloacetate from the active site of MDH to the active site of CS, through an electropositive channel. The MDH-CS metabolon is highly conserved across different domains of life, and it has been associated with many advantages. Some of these advantages include protecting oxaloacetate from competing enzymes like aspartate aminotransferase, allowing the thermodynamically unfavorable MDH forward reaction to occur and increasing the local concentration of oxaloacetate within the active site of CS. These advantages and conservativeness of the MDH-CS metabolon indicate that it is highly important to …

Dynamics Of Soybean Seed Protein And Oil Content With Depth In The Canopy, Hafith Furqoni

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Understanding the physiological basis of variation in seed composition is critical for optimizing soybean seed composition. Also, studying dry matter accumulation and nitrogen uptake, partitioning, and redistribution in soybeans is crucial due to its direct impact on seed yield levels and overall plant productivity. This study aimed to test the primary proxy influencing seed protein and oil content, which is their accumulation rate determined by the assimilate supply per seed. The second objective was to comprehensively understand soybean dry matter (DM) accumulation and nitrogen (N) uptake, partitioning, and removal patterns within the canopy. Field experiments were conducted using two soybean …

The Effects Of Anchor Scheme On The Central And Peripheral Contributions To Performance Fatigability, Perceived Responses And Sensations, And Psychological Factors Following Sustained, Isometric Forearm Flexion Tasks To Failure, Robert Walker Smith

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The Effects of Anchor Scheme on the Central and Peripheral Contributions to Performance Fatigability, Perceived Responses and Sensations, and Psychological Factors Following Sustained, Isometric Forearm Flexion Tasks to Failure Robert W. Smith, Ph.D. University of Nebraska, 2024 Advisor: Terry J. Housh This study assessed time to task failure (TTF), performance fatigability (PF), neuromuscular responses, central and peripheral measures of fatigue, and perceived responses including sensations and psychological factors that contributed to task termination during sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and the torque corresponding to RPE. Fifteen men (age = 21.5 ± 2.3 yrs; …

Assessing, Restoring, And Centering Social–Ecological Relationships For Advancing Social–Ecological Resilience In The Northern Great Plains Grasslands, Katia Pilar Carranza Bernal

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Northern Great Plains grasslands are social-ecological systems that were shaped by evolutionary and Indigenous social-ecological relationships. European colonization disrupted many of these interactions, including the coupling of fire and grazing, and degraded social-ecological resilience, shifting these grasslands to a new state. For those reasons, my research focused on assessing, restoring, and centering evolutionary and Indigenous social-ecological relationships for advancing social-ecological resilience in the Northern Great Plains grasslands. I first performed a study in the Nebraska Sandhillls assessing the potential of patch-burn grazing to support grassland resilience by comparing its effects to those of rotational grazing. Through vegetation and bird …

A Descriptive Study: Aging In Place In The Rural Southeastern United States, Dama G. Cooley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Older Americans will soon outnumber children and younger adults. In 2022, there were 58 million older adults. By 2050, older adult numbers will grow to 82 million, and by 2060, 100 million. The National Institute on Aging calls for ongoing research on the impact that a historically large aging population will have on health, well-being, and quality of life. A key concern is how to meet needs while decreasing costs associated with institutional long-term care.

Most of these elders reside in the community and wish to live in their homes throughout their lives, but they will experience an increased need …

Effects Of The Russia-Ukraine Conflict On The Internationalization Of Higher Education In Kyrgyzstan, Martha Merrill

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of The Drivers Of Adoption Of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices Among Field Crop Farmers In Zambia, Faindani Nyirenda

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) practiced has been promoted in Zambia since the 1980s to address the declining crop productivity due to increased occurrence of drought or dry spells caused by climate change. Despite considerable research indicating that CSA practices have many potential benefits such as increased yield and income, the adoption rate in southern Africa is still low especially where farmers have stable off farm income. This might be because most of the research and promotion has been directed to the main staple crop maize and other context specific impacts related to agroecological and socioeconomic heterogeneity. In this study we …

B.R. Wells Arkansas Rice Research Studies 2023, J. Hardke, X. Sha, N. Bateman

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Arkansas is the leading rice producer in the United States. The state represents 49.0% of total U.S. rice production and 49.6% of the total acres planted to rice in 2023. Rice cultural practices vary across the state and across the U.S. However, these practices are also dynamic and continue to evolve in response to changing political, environmental, and economic times. This survey was initiated in 2002 to monitor and record changes in the way Arkansas rice producers approach their livelihood. The survey was conducted by polling county extension agents in each of the counties in Arkansas that produce rice. Questions …

Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens Persist In The Upper Respiratory Tract Following Initiation Of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor Therapy, Yasmin K. Hilliam, Catherine R. Armbruster, Glenn J. Rapsinski, Christopher W. Marshall, John Moore, Junu Koirala, Leah Krainz, Jordan R. Gaston, Vaughn S. Cooper, Stella E. Lee, Jennifer M. Bomberger

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) for most affected individuals but the effects of treatment on sinus microbiota are still unknown. Changes to the airway microbiota in CF are associated with disease state and alterations to the bacterial community after ETI initiation may require changes to clinical management regimens. We collected sinus swab samples from the middle meatus in an observational study of 38 adults with CF and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) from 2017 to 2021 and captured the initiation of ETI therapy. We performed 16S and custom amplicon sequencing to characterize the sinus microbiota pre- …

An Examination Of The Impact Of College Health And Wellness Courses On Mental Health – Two Paper Format: A Literature Review And A Comparison Of The Impact Of Two College Health And Wellness Courses On Affect, Perceived Stress, And Cognitive Distortions, Robin Phipps Woodall

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To compare the impact of two 15-week health and wellness courses on mental health measures in college students. Participants: College student volunteers were recruited after enrolling in one of two 15-week health and wellness courses. Methods: The control course (N=19) had an ethical emphasis, and the experimental course (N=21) had a cognitive behavioral emphasis. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and pre- and post-tests of the Perceived Stress Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-General Form, and the Cognitive Distortion Questionnaire. Pre- to Post-Changes were analyzed using a mixed model repeated measures ANOVA between the two courses. Results: Both courses …

Assessing Chronic Exposure To Glyphosate Using Urine Analysis, Jianna Gimenez

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The herbicide glyphosate is the most heavily used agricultural chemical in the world, and exposure has been linked to carcinogenic and reproductive effects, although this remains controversial. Glyphosate has a short biologic half-life, challenging the assessment of associations between chronic exposure and potential health effects. Long-term glyphosate exposure has often been evaluated using a single urine sample, potentially resulting in exposure misclassification and resulting in systematic underestimation of the association between glyphosate exposure and health outcomes. To determine the minimum number of urine samples required to accurately characterize chronic glyphosate exposure during pregnancy, we collected and analyzed 453 urine samples …

Enriching The Pcos Lifestyle, Callie Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting approximately 4 – 20% of women worldwide. It is associated with insulin resistance, fertility problems, and an increased susceptibility to chronic conditions through multiple inflammatory pathways. Women with PCOS are also at increased risk for disordered eating. The Mediterranean diet is associated with decreased inflammation and risk of chronic conditions, and intuitive eating principles are associated with decreased disordered eating patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine if a six-week nutrition education workshop incorporating information and skills related to both the Mediterranean lifestyle and intuitive eating principles can improve …

The Frequency And Predictive Factors Of Change In Alcohol Consumption During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Results From A Multi-Country Longitudinal Study, Carolien Verhei, Nadja Alexandrov, Erica I. Lubetkin, Gouke J. Bonsel, John N. Yfantopoulos, Mathieu F. Janssen, Stephanie C.E. Schuit, Suzanne Polinder, Pleunie P.M. Rood, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple health and behavioral effects in the general population worldwide, including effects on nutritional and lifestyle behavior such as alcohol consumption. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and predictors for change in alcohol consumption two years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among participants from the general population of six countries. Methods: Longitudinal study design with 4999 participants (47% male; aged 18–75 years) from a general population cohort from six countries: Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). Measurements: Three web-based surveys at …

Elucidating The Roles Of Septin Proteins In Thermotolerance And Cell Wall Integrity In Cryptococcus Neoformans, Stephani S. Martinez Barrera

All Dissertations

Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally distributed fungal pathogen responsible for causing cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. This pathogenic yeast must adapt to changes in temperature upon entering the human host. Septin proteins are conserved filament-forming GTPases that assemble as higher-order complexes at the cell cortex to support cytokinesis and morphogenesis in fungal and animal cells. In C. neoformans, four septin homologs (Cdc3, Cdc10, Cdc11, and Cdc12) assemble at the mother-bud neck, contributing to cytokinesis through poorly understood mechanisms. C. neoformans strains lacking the septins Cdc3 or Cdc12 are viable at 25°C, but fail to proliferate at 37°C, and are …

Inflammatory Markers In Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index And Inflammatory Response Index To Predict Early Pregnancy Loss, Nihal Çallıoğlu, Derya K. Gül, İlke Ö. Arslan, İpek Geyikoğlu, Ergül Demirçivi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To uncover the predictive value of systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) on early pregnancy loss. Methods: A total of 535 individuals were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The early pregnancy losses (EPL) group included patients between 18-35 years old who experienced EPL. The control group comprised healthy pregnant women who gave birth at ≥37 weeks. Results: The EPL group had significantly lower plateletcrit ( p =0.04), platelet distribution width (PDW, p <0.0001), and RDW ( p <0.0001) and higher monocyte ( p <0.0001) and SIRI ( p <0.0001) values than the control group. The hemoglobin, white blood cells, platelet count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, mean platelet volume, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and SII values were not significantly different between the EPL and control groups ( p >0.05). The cut-off value for the SIRI that offers the best sensitivity/specificity balance was 1.48 (sensitivity of 63%; specificity of 63%) in the …

Association Between Time From Surgery To Radiation Therapy And Multimodality Treatment Outcomes In Hpv+ Head And Neck Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Cohort Experience, Muneeb Niazi, Ryan Miller, Ryann Kolb, Wenyan Ji, Alicia Lozano, Monica Ahrens, Alexandra Hanlon, Max Pickles, Andrew Song, Voichita Bar-Ad, Neil Hockstein, Sujung Park, Adam Raben, Gaurav Shukla

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Purpose: Oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers (OPSCCs) are traditionally managed with surgery and, if indicated, adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy. NCCN recommends keeping the time from surgery to the start of RT (TSRT) within 6 weeks to avoid possibly compromising patient outcomes. HPV+ OPSCCs behave more favorably than HPV- OPSCCs. We hypothesized that TSRT beyond 6 weeks may not portend poorer outcomes for the former. Methods: We identified nonmetastatic, high-risk HPV+ OPSCCs treated with multimodal therapy at 2 institutions. Prolonged TSRT was defined as >6 weeks and was evaluated for association with recurrence-free survival (RFS). Radiation treatment time …

Unveiling Facilitators And Barriers Of Breastfeeding Initiation And Continuation And Designing Culturally Tailored Intervention For African American Mothers, Nadia Boahemaa Kyeremeh

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the determinants of breastfeeding initiation and continuation among African American women in the United States and evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention using WordPress to disseminate culturally relevant breastfeeding information to African American women. First, secondary data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) was used to test factors influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation among White and Black women. The results showed that the foreign-born (vs. US-born) status, residing (vs. non-residing) with grandparents, and strong (vs. weak) cultural identity were positively associated with breastfeeding initiation and continuation across racial groups. Based on the secondary …

Acculturation, Well-Being And Identity Of Oromo Immigrants, Hawi M. Wako

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between racial and ethnic identity, acculturative stress, and well-being for first generation Oromo immigrants. Studies regarding immigration, acculturative stress, identity, and well-being have primarily centered on Hispanics, Asians, and Caribbean individuals, but there has been a lack of attention toward Black African immigrants, including Oromo immigrants. The lack of inquiry into Black African immigrants, especially Oromo immigrants, creates a perception that all immigrants are the same, leading to a generic approach toward immigrant interventions and falls short of meeting the unique mental health needs of specific African communities.

Immigrants must …

The Effects Of An Acute Dose Of Cannabidiol On Health And Two-Mile Time Trial Performance, Elyssa Bell

Master's Theses

As more studies exploring the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in both clinical and non-clinical populations continue to increase, there is a renewed interest in the ability of CBD to affect performance. In fact, many anecdotal reports in the media and online suggest that CBD may improve performance. Unfortunately, very few studies support these claims and research in the area is limited. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of an acute dose of CBD on anxiety symptoms, GI distress, heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), blood lactate (BL) rate of perceived …

The Benefits Of Biofouling – Promoting The Growth Of Benthic Organisms To Enhance Ecosystem Services, Kailey Nicole Richard, Kelli Z. Hunsucker, Travis J. Hunsucker, Geoffrey Swain

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

For the marine industry biofouling has a negative reputation. On ship hulls, the accumulation of these unwanted plants and animals can lead to increased drag, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Offshore platforms are also subject to biofouling which can result in corrosion and hydrodynamic loading, thus shortening their lifespan. While the harmful impacts of biofouling are commonly reported throughout the literature, biofouling can also benefit both aquatic and human populations. Common biofouling organisms act as natural filtration systems, thus improving water quality. Many of the same flora and fauna serve as a food source, and structures could be designed …

Testing The Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Mindful Self-Compassion Group Workshop Among Individuals With Eating Disorders: A Pilot Study., Brenna Mary Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background. Shame and self-criticism are mechanisms shown to influence eating disorders (EDs). Self-compassion has been theorized to target shame and self-criticism and is a protective factor against EDs. One intervention shown to increase self-compassion and reduce shame and self-criticism is the Mindful Self-Compassion program (MSC). However, MSC has yet to be tested among individuals with an ED diagnosis. The current study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of MSC delivered in a live, online format among individuals with an ED. Methods. Sixty-one participants completed baseline questionnaires measuring ED symptoms, trait self-compassion, self-criticism, and shame. Participants also answered questionnaires at …

Exploring Medicaid Stigma In Kentucky., Malea Hoepf Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Health insurance is only one of many factors involved in becoming and staying healthy, but the importance of having coverage in the U.S. cannot be overstated. Medicaid provides health care coverage for millions of Americans, with enrollment increasing dramatically after the Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand eligibility. While there is a great deal of research on the impacts of Medicaid expansion on newly eligible adults, there is little research on negative attitudes towards people using Medicaid, or on Medicaid stigma. This study used qualitative methods to conceptualize stigma around Medicaid through discussions with individuals using Medicaid and enrollment …

Sympathetic Baroreflex Sensitivity Is Enhanced In Postmenopausal Women, Shane J. Mcginty, Evan L. Matthews, Jody L. Greaney, J. Kevin Shoemaker, Megan M. Wenner

Department of Kinesiology Scholarship and Creative Works

The sympathetic nervous system is critical for regulating blood pressure (BP) via the arterial baroreflex and sympathetic transduction in the peripheral vasculature. These mechanisms interact, and both may be altered with aging and impacted by menopause. Although age-related decreases in sympathetic transduction have been demonstrated in women, it remains unclear whether sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is impaired in postmenopausal women (POST). We tested the hypothesis that sympathetic BRS would be enhanced in POST compared with premenopausal women (PRE). We examined beat-by-beat BP and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in 19 PRE (22 ± 2 yr, 22 ± 3 kg/m^{2 …}

Docosahexaenoic Acid And Pregnancy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of The Association With Improved Maternal And Fetal Health, Kiran Bilgundi, Gollapalle Lakshminarayanashastry Viswanatha, Kowshik Muttur Purushottam, Jeena John

Open Access archive

This study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on pregnancy outcomes through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We hypothesized that prenatal DHA intake through supplements will improve pregnancy outcomes. Detailed literature search was performed using online databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar till November 2022, to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCT) with maternal intake of DHA supplementation during the latter half of pregnancy compared to the placebo/control. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, nine RCTs involving 5710 subjects were included. This meta-analysis showed that DHA supplementation (450-800 mg/day) was associated with …

The Adaptation Wedge: Capacity-Building Scenarios For India’S Cities, Jagan Shah

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

The increasing frequency and severity of floods, heat waves, and storm surges impacting global cities, combined with the growing morbidity in public health, necessitates prompt and effective climate action. Adaptation and mitigation require adequate and appropriate institutional, technical, and societal capacities—all of which are in short supply in most low- and middle-income country cities that are experiencing growth while suffering vulnerabilities. Although national governments are alerted to climate risk and the imperatives of planning, financing, and managing climate transitions, their responses to capacity constraints and approaches to capacity building display neither urgency nor scale. We use a scenario-building methodology to …