High Throughput Phenomics Pipeline For Pulse Crop Nutritional Breeding, Amod Udayanga Madurapperumage

All Dissertations

Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) are major pulse crops valued for their high nutritional composition and importance to global food systems. Pulses are rich in carbohydrates, protein, and essential minerals, making them ideal whole foods and critical contributors to food and nutrition security. Due to these advantages, pulse breeding programs are increasingly focusing on enhancing nutritional traits, such as protein quality, amino acid balance, and micronutrient density, through the process of biofortification. However, improvement of agronomic traits remains equally essential. Characteristics such as plant height, standability, stress tolerance, …

An Economic Analysis Of Sustainability Efforts In The Personal Care And Cosmetics Industry, Anna Briscoe

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Sustainability has become a topic of interest in the personal care and cosmetic industry due to current climate crises and increased consumer awareness. While many definitions of sustainability exist, this paper focuses on sustainability from economic, environmental, and societal perspectives. In recent years, interest in understanding how sustainability efforts impact consumer’s willingness to pay and a firm’s long term success has grown. This research paper examines current sustainability efforts from top firms in the industry, changes in consumer behavior, and the potential economic long term benefits and drawbacks of these efforts. iv

Living Shorelines: A Regenerative Landscape Approach To Coastal Protection And Community Resilience In Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, Anamul Hoque Mojumder

Landscape Architecture Theses

Bhasan Char is a newly formed, unstable silt island in Bangladesh which is home for more than one million Rohingya refugees—an ethnic Muslim minority from Myanmar who have fled decades of systematic persecution and violence—suffering from an ecological and humanitarian crisis. This community faces extreme vulnerability from cyclones and sea-level rise on a landscape of profound precarity.

Traditional hard-engineered defenses are costly, ecologically damaging, and ineffective against the island’s dynamic geomorphology. This research proposes a regenerative "Living Shorelines" model, intersecting coastal resilience with refugee empowerment through Blue-Green Infrastructure. Drawing on successful global precedents in Vietnam and the USA, the study …

Illinois State University, One Hundred And Sixty-Seventh Annual Commencement, May 2026, Illinois State Universtiy

Commencement Programs

Illinois State University

One Hundred and Sixty-Seventh Annual Commencement

May 2026

Solvent-Dependent Proteome Profiling In Edible Mushrooms (Hypsizygus Marmoreus And Agaricus Bisporus), Tanvir Ahmed, O'Lone, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Kenneth U. Agbo, Netsanet Shiferaw Terefe, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study compared five solvents - urea, carbonate-bicarbonate, citrate, phosphate, and water - for their ability to extract proteins from beech (BM) (Hypsizygus marmoreus) and Swiss brown (SB) (Agaricus bisporus) mushrooms. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatics, we found that urea produced the highest total protein identifications by data-dependent acquisition at 1% false discovery rate (FDR): BM: 1739, SB: 1907; and by data-independent acquisition: BM: 1969, SB: 2172 proteins, especially enriching cytosolic and ribosomal proteins. Carbonate-bicarbonate favoured the extraction of metabolic and translational proteins, while citrate targeted extracellular and membrane-associated proteins related to cell wall dynamics. Phosphate-enriched catalytically active proteins, …

Beyond The First Bout: Adaptations To Repeated Injuries Across Physiological And Pathological Conditions, Cory W. Baumann, Christopher P. Ingalls, Kazunori Nosaka, Jarrod A. Call

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Skeletal muscle exhibits remarkable plasticity following injury, yet most research has focused on responses to a single bout of eccentric contractions. This review addresses adaptations to repeated eccentric contraction–induced injuries across physiological and pathological conditions, with emphasis on insights from preclinical rodent models. In healthy muscle, the repeated bout effect (RBE) reduces strength loss and accelerates recovery after subsequent bouts. However, these adaptations are highly condition dependent. Aging can attenuate the RBE, while dystrophic muscle remains vulnerable to repeated injury despite compensatory remodeling. Other factors, including but not limited to, chronic alcohol intake and malignant hyperthermia can influence these responses, …

Engineered Uio-66-Nh2 Hybrid Nanocomposites For Antifouling Ultrafiltration Membranes With Dual Resistance To Microplastics And Protein Fouling, Mitra Golgoli, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing presence of microplastics (MPs) in water and their impact on ultrafiltration (UF) membranes during the early stages of wastewater treatment highlight the need for effective mitigation strategies. This study explores the innovative modification of UF membranes by incorporating various hybrid metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticles, including UiO-66-NH2 hybrids with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (UiOM), chitosan (UiOC), and sulfobetaine zwitterions (UiOZ). These nanoparticles were synthesized and integrated into innovative UF membranes to compare their performance on MPs fouling effect in particular. The integration enhanced membrane hydrophilicity and altered surface roughness, creating a hydrophilic functional network that improved water permeability. Water …

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction And Functional Application Of Pithecellobium Dulce Seed Protein Isolate In Compound Coating Formulations, Aaliya N. Fathima, Shruti Mishra, Manorma Negi, Sarvanan Mani, Raju Sasikumar, T. Selva Kumar, Irengbam Barun Mangang, S. Chakkaravarthi, Amit K. Jaiswal

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

This study explores the extraction and application of Pithecellobium dulce seed protein isolate (PSPI) in chocolate compound coating formulations. PSPI was extracted via ultrasonication-assisted isoelectric precipitation under optimized conditions (solute-to-solvent ratio 1:30, pH 12, 10 min), yielding 23.64% with 38.28% recovery. PSPI exhibited high protein content (75.3%), low water activity (0.22), near-neutral pH (6.94), and favorable techno-functional properties, including high water (3.27 g/g) and oil holding capacities (4.81 g/g), improved solubility (↑21.3%), and superior thermal stability compared to skim milk powder (SMP). While in vitro digestibility was slightly lower than SMP (88.52% vs. 92.42%), PSPI outperformed other reported plant protein …

2026 Ccfan Priority Area Teams And Goals, Mikayla Cerney

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Kroc Ipj Border Fellows Report 2024 — English, Rebeca Cázares Adame

Kroc IPJ Research and Resources

The Kroc Border Fellows Program brings together change agents from academia, civil society, the public sector, and the private sector to build a more inclusive and peaceful Mexico-U.S. border region through action-oriented research and meaningful community partnerships.

The non-residential fellowship spans 10 months and provides financial and technical support for Fellow-designed and -implemented projects. This model reflects a core belief that those closest to border communities' challenges are best positioned to develop effective solutions — and that lasting change must be built on existing community assets and strengths.

Throughout the fellowship, cohort members meet regularly to foster collaboration, mutual learning, …

Evaluation Of The Weed Control Efficacy And Potential Economic Returns Of An Autonomous Weeder In Vegetable Production Systems, Claire Plassmeyer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Vegetable production requires intensive weed management. Conventional producers rely on herbicide applications to manage weeds effectively at low costs; however, growers are under pressure to minimize chemical use due to environmental concerns and increased incidences of herbicide resistance. Non-conventional systems, including organic and sustainably focused small-scale production, rely primarily on cultural practices and physical weed control methods, which are labor-intensive and costly due to limited labor availability and rising wages. These concerns have prompted the development of autonomous weeding devices, such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) equipped with navigation sensors and implements to provide repeated, high-precision weed control. Compact devices …

Latinos In Rural Areas Of Massachusetts, Phillip Granberry, Rodolfo R. Vega, Florita Coto Tristán, Rafael M. Pérez Medina

Gastón Institute Publications

In previous reports, the Gastón Institute has noted that the Latino population is dispersed across the state, but mainly to urban areas. In 2024, Latinos living in Massachusetts rural areas1 numbered 38,500, or 3.6% of the state's overall Latino population. Although Massachusetts is the third most densely populated among the fifty U.S. states, 52% of its land is classified as rural. These rural areas hold over 45% of the state's cities and towns and about 700,000 residents (9.9% of the total population). This report underscores the limited Latino presence in rural areas compared to urban areas and analyzes differences in …

Adolescent Social Media Use And Associations With Parental Screen Time Practices, Joseph A. Simon, Josiah Leong

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The rise of electronic use among younger generations has raised concerns surrounding  the developmental and behavioral effects of increasing usage. While past research has found some associations between screen time and mental health, there is less knowledge about how parenting practices influence these developmental and behavioral patterns of social media use. Our study examined longitudinal trajectories of social media use from ages 9 to 13 among 9,211 subjects at baseline, year 1, year 2 and later a complete 3-year parent questionnaire on screen time reward, limiting, and monitoring to then examine whether parenting behaviors were associated with previous social media …

A Series Of Investigations On The L. Cornutus Host System And Bivesiculid Sp. Cercariae, Briana K. Zaffiro

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Rising global temperatures are likely modulating parasite-host interactions, yet the direction and magnitude of these changes remain uncertain. Rarely are these interactions viewed from both a host and parasite perspective. Using both CT_max, or Critical Thermal Maximum, and Clark-type polarographic oxygen microelectrodes, the physiological metabolic effects are investigated. CT_max is examined in Common Shiners, Luxilis cornutus, and is shown to be modulated by parasitism: uninfected fish had the highest CT_max average of 37.0°C, whereas heavily infected fish had decreased CT_max averaging 35°C. Prior to the parasite metabolic investigation, a suitable medium was determined, as …

A Clinical Study Examining The Effects Of Dietary Nitrate On Urinary N-Nitrosamines, Catherine P. Bondonno, Michaela L. Sundqvist, Sujata Shinde, Kevin Croft, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Mattias Carlström, Eddie Weitzberg, Jon O. Lundberg

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

BackgroundInorganic nitrate from dietary sources has raised health concerns due to its possible conversion into carcinogenic N-nitrosamines, leading to strict regulations on nitrate concentrations in food and drinking water.ObjectivesIn this study, which was a part of a larger randomized controlled trial, we evaluated urinary excretion of N-nitrosamines in response to daily dietary nitrate intake over a 5-wk period using 2 different forms of nitrate administration.MethodsA total of 231 participants with mild hypertension were randomly assigned into 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 78) consumed vegetables low in nitrate along with a placebo capsule (300 mg potassium chloride). Group 2 (n …

Neuromuscular Performance Changes In Response To The Australian Special Forces Selection Course, Angela Uphill, Kristina L. Kendall, Stuart Guppy, Michael Vacher, Simon Parker, Hannah Brown, Brendan Ashmore, Travis Zomer, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Strenuous military activities, such as Special Forces (SF) selection courses, are known to involve high physical loads in the presence of food and sleep deprivation, which can have detrimental impacts on physical performance. Understanding the magnitude of performance deficit and the time required for recovery associated with these events, is important for injury prevention and maintaining operational readiness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in physical performance in response to the Australian SF Selection Course (SF-SC) and to monitor recovery throughout 8 weeks following the course. Materials and Methods: Ninety-three healthy male participants (age: 28 …

Men’S Preconception Diet Quality Patterns Predict Supportive Food Parenting Practices: Evidence From A Longitudinal Cohort Study, Mariane H. De Oliveira, Brian K. Lo, Matthew M. Lee, Stephanie Armbruster, Natalie Grafft, In Young Park, Alejandra Cantu-Aldana, Katherine W. Bauer, Rebekah Levine Coley, Sebastien Haneuse, Kirsten Davison, Jess Haines

Human Genetics Publications

Background: Food parenting practices play a vital role in shaping children's food intake, yet evidence linking fathers' earlier diet patterns to later parenting is limited. This study examined the association between fathers' diet quality patterns during their adolescence and food parenting practices during fatherhood.

Methods: Data were drawn from Fathers & Families (F&F), a father-based cohort that recruited participants from an ongoing cohort in the United States that has followed participants since adolescence. Participants (n = 584) reported their dietary intake during adolescence (ages 10-18) using a Youth/Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire across multiple survey waves (1996-2011), and reported their food …

The Flourishing Child: Study Protocol For An Acceptability And Feasibility Trial Of A Digital Early Childhood Flourishing Intervention, Zenobia Talati, Jack Kennare, Natasha L. Bear, Lisa Y. Gibson, Robyn Power, Van Zyl Kruger, Desiree Silva, Susan L. Prescott, Jacqueline A. Davis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Globally, rates of children with physical and mental health problems are increasing. Health issues in early childhood often persist into adulthood, highlighting the need to ensure children are supported to flourish from the start of life. Objectives: This protocol describes methods used to test the acceptability and feasibility of a novel digital Flourishing Intervention (designed to empower parents and promote child wellbeing), comprising a Flourishing Check (a newly developed online questionnaire) and a Pathway Tool (an online directory of high-quality, evidence-based programmes and resources). Methods: Using a randomised feasibility trial, participants (N = 600 parents of children aged 0–5 …

Post-Exercise Vitals Recovery Response In Barrel Horses: A Field Study On Cooling Methods Used By Competitors, Lauran E. Hetrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Barrel racing demands peak physical performance from equine athletes, yet limited research evaluates the field-based strategies used to optimize equine recovery at competition. This study assessed recovery management approaches used by competitors to elucidate their influence of physiological recovery by measuring heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature during a high-profile barrel race competition. Physiological data were collected at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and during a 15–30-minute cooldown period to characterize recovery under real-world conditions. Significant increases in HR, RR, and BT occurred from baseline to post-run (p < 0.001), followed by reductions during cooldown (p < 0.01), though values remained elevated (p < 0.05). Rinsing reduced HR and RR (p < 0.01), while shade and fans decreased RR and variably influenced HR. Noise, as a confounding variable, decreased HR but increased BT (p < 0.001). Ultimately, these results emphasize multimodal recovery approaches in competitive equine management in the field.

Propagation And Cultivation Of Sarracenia Species, Kathryn M. Huether

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the effectiveness of seed treatments on Sarracenina species to overcome seed dormancy; as well as evaluating fertilizer concentration and substrate mixture impacts on the growth of Sarracenia × wrigleyana, ‘Scarlet Belle’. The first portion of this study evaluated the effects of cold stratification and chemical treatments (smoke water and gibberellic acid) on the germination rates of Sarracenia alata and leucophylla. The primary objective was to determine whether increasing concentrations of these treatments paired with or without stratification could significantly enhance germination and serve as viable seed treatments for horticultural use. Germination did occur within all the …

Body Size Variation And Floral Associations Of The American Bumble Bee, Bombus Pensylvanicus, In East Texas, Sabekun Nahar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American bumble bee, Bombus pensylvanicus, is an important pollinator species that was once widespread in much of North America but has experienced population declines in recent decades in some regions. As a species of conservation concern, it is important to understand how body size varies in response to environmental conditions and to identify the key floral resources that support this species. I examined body size variation in East Texas and floral resource use of B. pensylvanicus across Texas. In the first chapter, body size variation among queens, workers, and males was quantified using thorax width and size variation …

Food Is Medicine: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Medically Tailored Produce Boxes, Mia Santos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Low consumption of nutritious food is a significant problem in Watsonville and is associated with negative health outcomes such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, a non-profit in Watsonville, offers the Veggie Rx program, which provides medically tailored produce boxes and nutrition counseling to patients with qualifying health conditions. An evaluation was conducted to assess its effectiveness by examining participants’ use of the produce and identifying areas for improvement. Data was collected through phone surveys of participants who had already completed the program and one-on-one interviews with dietitians. Findings from the data indicated …

Addressing Postsecondary Lack Of Preparedness Through Exposure And Empowerment, Deztiny A. Ochoa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many high school students are not college or career ready when they graduate. At Learning For Life Charter School, the school counselor and the intern worked together to implement a project to address the issue. The community served was 7th graders to 12th graders. A lot of these students were on the verge of dropping out or completely dropped out of traditional school. The capstone project consisted of taking 10 students on a field trip to a community college nearby. The purpose of this trip was to give students the opportunity to see their options after high school and …

Reducing Childhood Dental Decay: Fluoride Education Campaign With The Monterey County Health Department, Shelby L. Minter

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Dental decay is a significant problem for youth across Salinas, contributing to preventable oral health disparities. The Monterey County Health Department Oral Health Program provides oral health education and prevention services across Monterey County. This project focused on improving parental knowledge and confidence about fluoride usage in areas where pediatric dental caries rates are high. Its purpose was to support the prevention of dental decay through the promotion of fluoride benefits. Two educational campaigns were conducted at elementary schools in Salinas; Monte Bella Elementary School and Alisal Community School. The expected outcomes were increased knowledge, confidence, and positive attitudes towards …

Improving Fafsa Completion For High School Graduates, Haylee B. Padilla

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many students at Learning For Life Charter School graduate without a clear understanding of social mobility and are unprepared for the academic and practical demands of college. This project addressed the need for increased FAFSA completion and college and career readiness among 11th and 12th grade high school students graduating in the 2026 school year. The purpose of this project was to provide support to help students get federal student aid by walking them through filling out the FAFSA form and giving clear steps so they could apply without stress. Key activities included workshops, one-on-one support guiding students through …

Adapting Preventive Health Education For Teens, Marcela G. Daniel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many low-income individuals are developing type 2 diabetes. Limited health education and socioeconomic barriers increase the risk of type 2 diabetes among Monterey County residents. This capstone project was conducted at Community Health and Wellness, a department of Montage Health that provides prevention-focused programs, including Healthy Together. The project served middle and high school students (ages 12–18) from communities across Monterey County. The purpose of the capstone project was to gather teen input on how to improve a teen-focused prevention program and increase engagement among participants. The project was implemented through a survey distributed in local schools, with the …

Improving Nutrition Education Curriculum, Angela Quintero Sepulveda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project examines the need for improved nutrition education in elementary schools settings and presents the development and implementation of an interactive curriculum for second-grade students. Recognizing that many children lack foundational knowledge about healthy eating and the five major food groups, the project aimed to promote better nutritional understanding and decision-making at an early age. Grounded in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the curriculum emphasized hands-on, developmentally appropriate learning strategies to enhance engagement and comprehension. The intervention consisted of a structured lesson delivered to 20 second-grade students at Schilling Elementary School in Newark, California. Activities included interactive discussions, …

Impact Of Nutrition Programs In Schools On The Well-Being Of Elementary School Students, Sophia Perea Manriquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone explores the impact of school-based nutrition programs on the well-being of elementary school students. This research draws on the experiences and perspectives of four teachers, one principal, and three food service staff members who provide insight into how these programs are implemented and perceived within the school environment. Through the use of literature review and surveys the findings indicate the importance of school nutrition programs and the value of children having access to healthy, nutritious food, which is important for their learning and academic success. Therefore, schools should recognize the importance of nutrition programs and continue to …

The Effects Of Poverty On Student Achievement And Behavior, Dwayne Lucas

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Poverty can have a devastating impact on the academic achievement of students and their potential for positive adult outcomes. One of the most impactful aspects in the fight against the impact of poverty is student engagement. There must be attention paid to how engagement impacts a student’s potential for success as well as what strategies can be employed to improve engagement. It was the goal of this study to determine how relationships and engagement impacted student outcomes and educational experience. This study attempted to determine what strategies educators utilize to increase student engagement. Using observations and semi-structured interviews, the researcher …

Beyond Home And Child Care Centers: Reimagining Affordable Child Care Through Pod Design In East Grand Forks, Minnesota, Kassidy Allard

Architecture Theses

Due to rising operational costs, increasing regulatory pressures, and a steady decline in home-based providers, Minnesota is facing a child care shortage. In turn, the state has adopted community-based family child care, or pod model. A majority of the existing facilities are retrofitted spaces that neglect essential design considerations affecting the daily experiences of children and the well-being of the child care provider. This project explores how architectural design can strengthen and reimagine the emerging pod model by creating an affordable facility designed to prioritize daylight, spatial flexibility, comfort, and safety. This research aims to create a shared environment where …