Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating Mcdonald’S Sustainability Practices: Real Commitment Or Greenwashing?, Lorena Elizabeth Alonso De León

Business ETD Collections

This study critically examines McDonald's sustainability claims and practices, focusing on its greenhouse gas emissions and beef consumption. Through secondary research, the study contrasts McDonald's sustainable initiatives with data from reputable sources and climate institutions. While McDonald's has set a net-zero emissions target for 2050, its position as one of the largest beef buyers, contributing 1-2% of global beef consumption, undermines these efforts. The company’s approach to achieving net-zero emissions is described as vague and unattainable without significant changes to its plant-based menu, agricultural practices, and consumer awareness. The findings highlight a gap between McDonald’s sustainability claims and its operational …

Bord Bia: Global Marketing Challenges., Guzel Khabibullina

Business ETD Collections

This research examines global marketing challenges faced by Bord Bia, an Irish agency in the food, drink, and horticulture sector, as it seeks to increase market share in the European Union (EU). The study combines primary and secondary research, utilising a case study approach to analyse Bord Bia’s branding, marketing strategies, and digital transformation efforts. Key areas of focus include leveraging sustainable production as a unique selling point, enhancing the Country of Origin (COO) effect, and addressing cultural diversity in marketing activities. Findings highlight the value of a blended marketing strategy, integrating traditional and digital methods, and recommend adopting AI-driven …

Retrospective Awards Section, Sally Brown, Stephanie House-Niamke, Chansotheary Dang, Qazi Arka Rahman, Lara Farina, Colleen Moretz

Art in the Libraries Retrospective: 2015-2024

This section of the WVU Art in the Libraries Retrospective (2015-2024) includes a summary of awards given by the program to students, faculty and staff.

Another Round For Petrella V. Mgm, Laches, And Raging Bull: Resolving The Circuit Split Over Copyright’S Statute Of Limitations, David E. Shipley

Scholarly Works

There is a split between the Second Circuit and the Ninth and Eleventh Circuits over the interpretation and application of the Copyright Act’s three-year statute of limitations. The disagreement is about whether it bars a copyright infringement plaintiff from recovering for infringing acts occurring outside the statute’s three-year window. The Second Circuit stated in 2020 in Sohm v. Scholastic that the U.S. Supreme Court explicitly delimited damages to the three years prior to the commencement of an infringement action. However, the Ninth Circuit in Starz Entertainment in 2022 and the Eleventh Circuit Nealy v. Warner Chappell Music in 2023 both …

Coalescence: A Carnivore Coexistence Curriculum That Braids Indigenous & Western Ecological Knowledge Into A Relevant And Experiential Learning Opportunity For Youth, Stephanie Anne Barron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horriblis) begin to reoccupy more of their historic range, and as humans and large carnivore populations continue to increase, incidences of human carnivore conflict are on the rise. A decolonial curriculum designed in collaboration with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s wildlife biologists stands to increase awareness of Indigenous ecological knowledge and teach youth about the importance of coexistence with carnivores. Additionally, this project could greatly influence youth perceptions of grizzly bears and other large carnivores. This research project examines the development and implementation of a carnivore coexistence curriculum for youth that is guided by …

Retrospective And Interactive Analyses Of Parent-Adolescent Storytelling About Alcohol, Kiersten Marie Falck

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Parent-child communication about alcohol is a beneficial method for protecting adolescents against the risks of alcohol use, and may be particularly helpful among adolescents in the athletic community, where membership is a risk factor for alcohol use. Communicated Narrative Sense-Making theory (CNSM) was used as a guiding framework to ask 10 parent-adolescent dyads in youth sports to jointly tell a story about alcohol. Analyses were conducted thematically as well as through quantitative coding of Interactional Sense-Making (ISM) behaviors. Results show that in joint storytelling about alcohol in this study, parents often communicated tragedy, sought out their child’s thoughts about alcohol, …

Effects Of Mortality Risk And Ecological Conditions On Songbird Movement, Foraging, Parental Care, And Body Mass Management, Timothy Robert Forrester

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Examining why species vary in behavior and life history strategies is a fundamental part of ecology and evolution. Yet, due to the difficulties of quantifying behavior in the field, we know surprisingly little about how species spend their time and energy daily, why interspecific differences occur, and what are the physiological and demographic consequences of these differences. In this dissertation, I use songbirds to examine the influence of ultimate selection pressures (e.g., mortality risk) and proximate ecological conditions (e.g., temperature) on foraging and reproductive behavior. I also examine the influence of reproductive behaviors on fitness correlates (e.g., body mass, reproductive …

Interview With Emilia Soriano And Kristian Cordero, Patrick Michael L. Capili

Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia

No abstract provided.

Obitwaryo Para Kay Marne L. Kilates, Michael M. Coroza

Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia

No abstract provided.

Sieving Silence: The Communal Question And The Archive Of Indian Constitutional History, Kanika Gauba

National Law School Journal

This paper shows how the archive of Indian constitutional history limits access to constitutional disagreement. It attempts an alternative framing of the issue of political safeguards for religious minorities (‘the communal question’) as a triangle of disagreement among the Sikhs, the Anglo‑Indians, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel. However, the task is complicated by the silence in the official archives on all three actors. If, as critical historians argue, silence is the very condition of the archive and the writing of history, this paper argues that the historian must ‘sieve’ the inevitably silent archives of Indian constitutional history for perturbations, follow …

Water And Hornets And Bears – Oh My: When Nature Disregards Human-Made Boundaries, Bonnie M. Pace

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Application And Development Of Conjugation Technology To Enhance Therapeutic Index Of Tlr7/8 Agonists For Vaccines, Noah Robert Powers

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) agonists represent a promising vaccine adjuvant target as they directly activate innate Th1-type proinflammatory responses inducing both humoral and cell mediated immunity. However, co-delivery of the small molecule agonists with subunit antigens to the target dendritic cells (DCs) is difficult due to their highly divergent physical and chemical properties resulting in rapid dissociation of the two components. Conjugation of adjuvant to antigen can co-deliver to DCs, mimicking the natural infection these cells have evolved to detect though successful formulation can be difficult due to poor aqueously soluble adjuvants and antigen instability. We have previously shown and …

Integrating Individual And Species Traits To Better Identify Risks To Persistence And Survival In Amphibian Populations, Ross Kenneth Hinderer

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Amphibians have experienced major declines and are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Yet we still lack sufficient information to understand where amphibians are most vulnerable to changes in climate and how effects might manifest. In this dissertation, I worked to understand risks due to climate change and investigate effective indicators of survival in amphibians. To predict which species might be most affected by increasingly dry conditions, in Chapter 1, I extended the climate change vulnerability assessment framework to rank amphibian vulnerability based on projected climate change and species life history traits. Traits including clutch size, daily activity …

Tracing Socio-Ecological Resilience In The Milpa, The Monte, And The Kitchen: Milpero And Campesino Perspectives From Tiholop, Yucatan And La Union Libertad, Oaxaca, Mexico, Marisela Chavez

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Agrobiodiversity, the diversity of crops that been co-produced through humanenvironment interactions over millennia, constitutes an important part of humanity’s cultural heritage. Agrobiodiversity is as much about the local ecosystem and biotic resources, such as soil, water, pollinators, and microbes, as it is about human processes like sociocultural and linguistic practices, including farming methods, knowledge, skills, and natural resource management. At the center of these dynamics are the smallholder farmers who engage in a range of stewardship practices that contribute to the diversification and evolution of the native crops that in turn support their food security. This research focuses on understanding …

Using Ethnobotanicals For Language Preservation And Cultural Connections, Riza James Mcclurkin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The creation and implementation of interpretive ethnobotanical trails can be used to help preserve and teach about the use of native, and in some instances, non-native plants that were brought into use, both historically and in present day by Indigenous peoples. As examples, I will use my work assisting on the Reserve Street Trail in Missoula, Montana and the Pioneer Park Campground Interpretive Trail on the Colville National Forest in Washington. The Reserve Street Trail is still in its beginning phases but has the goal to cultivate plants identified as being culturally significant to Indigenous peoples and to create trail …

Beyond The Participation Gap: Exploring How Affinity Groups Make Outdoor Recreation More Accessible And Inclusive For Underserved Communities, Jaclyn Fox Rushing

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Outdoor recreation is associated with numerous health and wellness benefits for participants. Yet, there has been a long-term underrepresentation of underserved communities in outdoor recreation (i.e., people of color, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities). This phenomenon has spurred substantial research since the 1970s, which has characterized the problem well and identified many of the underlying reasons. In recent years, there have been widespread efforts to increase relevance, diversity, equity, and inclusion (RDEI) in outdoor recreation and public land management, however participation among underserved communities remain relatively unchanged despite an increasingly diverse American public. This study seeks to move beyond describing …

Green Synthesis And Characterization Of Senps Using Pediastrum Boryanum Extract And Evaluation Of Their Biological Activities, Ahmed H Al-Wakeel, Samia Elbahnaswy, Amany Abd El‐Moaty, Ayman M. El-Ghamry, Ayman Y. El-Khateeb, Engy Risha, Eman Zahran

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized using a green method with Pediastrum boryanum extract as the reducing and capping agent. Objectives The algal extract and green synthesized SeNPs were characterized for their morphological characters and biological efficacy. Methods Characterization was conducted using UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zeta potential analysis. Results TEM revealed spherical and tetragonal SeNPs with sizes ranging from 72.16-89.45 nm. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups from the algal extract on the SeNPs surfaces, indicating their role as capping agents. Phytochemical analysis showed that the extract had higher …

The Anti-Inflammatory And Antioxidant Effects Of Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm)On Paracetamol Induced Hepatotoxicity In Broiler Chickens, Ghada A. Abou Zead, Sara T. Elazab, Azza E. Hassan, Ahmed I. Ateya, Magdy S. Amer

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

background : This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Melissa officinalis (M officinalis) against paracetamol N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of 48 one-day-old cobb healthy chicks were divided into four groups of (12 chicks). The control group received a basal diet for 21 days, while the APAP group received APAP at 2 g/kg body weight daily from the 15th day onwards and until the termination of the experiment; M officinalis + APAP group was offered a 10 g/kg diet for 2 weeks followed by APAP for one week; and the APAP + M officinalis …

Association Between Lactoferrin Gene Polymorphisms And Mastitis Susceptibility In Baladi Goat, Osama Muhammad, Mohamed Fouda, Basma Hendam, Ahmed Ateya

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: To explore the association between lactoferrin (LTF) gene polymorphisms and mastitis resistance and susceptibility in Baladi goats. Design: Crossover study Animals: Thirty female Baladi goats. Procedures: Blood samples were collected from each animal into tubes containing disodium EDTA as an anticoagulant for DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the 430-bp LTF gene. Results: PCR-DNA sequencing genetic assessment revealed nucleotide sequence variants in the LTF gene associated with mastitis susceptibility among the enrolled Baladi goats (GenBank accession numbers gb|PP037928| and gb|PP037929| for healthy and mastitic does, respectively). One non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) G299A was discovered …

Detection Of Hepatitis A Virus And Enteroviruses In Raw Milk And Some Dairy Products From Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt Using Real Time Pcr, Ahmed El Hady, Mayada Gwida, Waled Morsy El-Senousy, Seham F. Hasan, Maha Al-Ashmawy

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and enterovirus (EV) in raw milk and dairy products and highlight the potential significance of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of foodborne viruses.

Methods: A total of 165 samples of dairy products (including milk cream and kareesh cheese, 15 samples each) and 135 raw milk samples were randomly collected from different households with either hand milking or bulk tanks in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, over a period of 28 months from July 2020 to November 2022), using real-time PCR as a diagnostic method.

Results: …

Individual Genomic Loci In The Caprine Β-Lactoglobulin Gene Linked To Mastitis Incidence In Baladi Goats, Yosra Abdel-Maksoud, Mohamed Fouda, Adel Abdelkhalek, Ahmed Ateya

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

This research attempts to inquire at the genetic differences in the β-lactoglobulin gene (β-LG) along with how it affects mastitis tolerance/susceptibility in Baladi goats. For the purpose of extracting DNA, blood samples have been gathered from thirty female Baladi goats and loaded into tubes containing the anticoagulant disodium EDTA. PCR was implemented to amplify the β-LG gene's 427 base pairs. PCR-DNA sequencing analysis spotted β-LG gene differences taking the form of C390A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) correlated with mastitis tolerance in Baladi goats (GenBank with accession numbers submissions gb|PP265530|, and gb|PP265531|| for healthy and mastitic does accordingly). The β-LG gene …

Poor Water Quality As A Trigger Of Harmful Algal Blooms In Lake Manzala, Mohammed A. Hussein, Alaa Eldin Eissa, Reham M. Eltarabily, Mohamed F. Abdelghany, Mahmoud A. Elnakeeb, Eman M. Ismail, Reham H. Ragab, Amina A. Dessouki

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: The current study aimed to assess the direct effects of poor water quality on the eruption of heavy harmful algal blooms and to assess the physicochemical properties of water in Lake Manzala, as well as the molecular identification of the retrieved green algae.

Procedures: Subsurface water samples were collected from three different sites in September 2023 for water quality assessment. Moreover, morphological and molecular identification of suspected harmful algae is the most reliable diagnostic tool for this eruption.

Results: This study was conducted in the northern and northeastern regions of Lake Manzala. These regions receive large amounts of municipal, …

Influence Of Spirulina Platensis Inclusion Upon Some Biochemical Markers Besides Quality Of Meat In Broiler Chickens, Enas Hassan, Gehad El-Sayed, Azza Hassan, Shimaa El-Sayed

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of Spirulina Platensis inclusion on biochemical indices besides meat quality in broilers.

METHODS One hundred newly hatched meat-yielding chicks purchased from a local hatchery in Gamasa City were randomly divided into five groups, with 20 birds per group.

RESULTS Spirulina platensis acted as an excellent growth-promoting agent. Spirulina platensis inclusion at doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 g in the poultry diet enhanced growth performance indices, as body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption. Spirulina positive influence on meat quality was evident through decreased thawing and cooking losses, an increase in …

Antioxidant, Anti-Apoptotic, And Anti-Inflammatory Potential Of Nigella Sativa Extract Orchestrates Its Role Against Fipronil-Induced Toxicity In Rats’ Brain, Naglaa Mostafa Maher, Ola A. Habotta, Fathy Sleem

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background: Fipronil (FPN) a phenyl pyrazole insecticide, is widely applied in agriculture and veterinary products. However, its use is accompanied by neurotoxic effects. Hence, the current study was designed to assess the possible neuroprotective action of Nigella sativa extract (NS) against FPN-induced neurobehavioral toxicity in Wister male albino rats.

Methods: Thirty male albino rat weighing one hundred fifty to one hundred eighty grams. Animals were given FPN (12.6 milligrams per Bodyweight) orally or pre-treated using NS (100 and 200 mg/kg BW, respectively). The research study had been carried out within a four-week period.

Results: The findings demonstrated considerable …

Genetic Characterization Of Growth Hormone Gene In Dromedary Camels, Ahmed Kamel, Ahmed Ateya, Adel Abdelkhalek, Huda El- Emam

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background: This work aimed to explore the genetic characteristics of the GH gene in dromedary camels.

Methods: Thirty dromedary she-camels were used to provide blood samples using disodium EDTA as an anticoagulant for DNA extraction. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the 613-bp GH gene was amplified. The dromedary she-camels that were enrolled were examined for polymorphisms in the GH gene (613 bp) using the PCR-DNA sequencing method.

Results: The GH gene sequence comparison among the camels under investigation revealed nucleotide sequence variation in the form of the A430C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which has been submitted to GenBank under …

Characterization And Antimicrobial Susceptibility Of Salmonella Enterica Isolated From Broiler Chicks, Rana Hagras, Noura F. Mostafa, Asmaa Sadat, Amal Awad

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: Salmonella is frequently implicated in several harmful processes that affect both humans and animals, including poultry. This study aimed to isolate and identify Salmonella serovars from clinically diseased broiler chicks collected from poultry farms as well as evaluate the susceptibility of the isolates to the antimicrobial agents frequently used in poultry farms. Design: Two- hundred broiler chicks’ samples were collected from broiler farms located in Dakahlia province and subjected to bacteriological examination for the isolation of salmonellae. Salmonella isolates were then subjected to serological identification to detect Salmonella serovars circulating in broiler farms. In addition, the isolated strains were …

Cryptosporidium Infection In Ducks And Pigeons Collected From Live Bird Markets In Two Nile Delta Governorates (Dakahlia And Gharbia), Egypt, Ahmed Essam, Ibrahim Abbas, Bassem Elmishmishy, Salah Abu Elwafa

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background: Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease that infects a wide range of hosts, including birds. Cryptosporidium infections vary across avian species and cause considerable economic losses. Data on cryptosporidiosis in ducks and pigeons are scarce.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate Cryptosporidium infections in household ducks and pigeons collected from live bird markets in two Nile Delta governorates (Dakahlia and Gharbia) in Egypt.

Methods: The intestinal contents of household ducks (n=109) and pigeons (n=57) collected from live bird markets in two Nile Delta governorates (Dakahlia and Gharbia) were tested using a sugar flotation test coupled with modified …

Impact Of Ellagic Acid Loaded Zinc Nanoparticles On Cardiac And Hepatic Tissue On Type 1 Diabetic Rats, Gehad R. M. Elsayed, Afaf D. Abdelmagid, Hatem B. Huseiny, Ahmed Fotoh, Faten E. Shoker

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background:

Biochemical, molecular, and histopathological alterations are the most noticeable clinical and pathological characteristics attributed to diabetes mellitus. An imbalance in these parameters increases the risk of developing complications. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the cardiac and hepatic protective effects of ellagic acid-loaded zinc nanoparticles (EA-ZnNPs) on diabetes, which were evaluated biochemically, molecularly, and histopathologically.

Methods: Four groups of 40 adult male rats were established in this study. The groups were subsequently classified as control, streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic, STZ treated with ellagic acid-loaded zinc nanoparticles (EA-ZnNPs), and STZ treated with insulin. After six weeks of …

Enhancing Yogurt Quality With Inulin: A Study On Chemical, Microbial, And Sensory Improvements, Md Sodor Uddin, Snigdha Sharmin, Fahmida Jahan Fahim, Sohel Rana, Kazi Zinnah, Ferdaus Mohd Altaf Hossain

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: This research investigates the impact of inulin, a fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), on enhancing the chemical, microbial, and sensory attributes of yogurt, aiming at improving its overall quality and shelf-life. Design: Through a controlled experimental setup, yogurt samples were prepared with 1.5% concentrations of inulin and analyzed against control samples over different storage conditions. Results: Our findings indicate that the control group has a better sensory profile than the inulin-treated samples, and microbial stability by fostering the growth of beneficial Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), thereby enriching the yogurt's probiotic profile. Additionally, sensory evaluations reveal that inulin addition maintains desirable yogurt characteristics, …

The Secret Feminine: The Distortion Of The Womb In The Medieval Period, Lindsey Craig

Research Papers

No abstract provided.