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Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis In Broilers: Etiology And Selected Mitigation Measures, Khawla Saud Alharbi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is the predominant cause of lameness in broiler chickens. It mainly impacts broiler production and animal welfare, causing substantial financial losses accounting for 1- 2% due to bird condemnations at the marketing age. Remediating BCO lameness disease demands investigating its causes using appropriate models and evaluating preventive measures, such as enhancing epithelial tissue health and tight junction integrity in the digestive and respiratory tract, strengthening immune functions, and improving bone strength. Therefore, the objectives of this dissertation were to 1) study predisposing factors for BCO lameness by investigating the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin …

Fungi To Form: Exploring Mushroom Mycelium As A Bio-Material For Zero-Waste Interior Furnishings And Forms, Drew M. Gobbi

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

This capstone explores new applications for mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, in the architecture and interior design industry. Due to its naturally renewable and 100% compostable nature, mycelium proves itself to be a highly sustainable material. Through a combination of research, analysis, and hands-on experimentation, both the challenges and possibilities of mycelium are documented and defined in the context of solutions for fast-furniture waste, a phenomenon that includes mass-produced, low-cost items designed for short-term use. Following a foundation of literature reviews and case studies, this paper documents small-scale prototyping of mycelium-based models for the Ground-Up Chair, a simple yet …

Social Identity And Eating Behaviors: How Cultural Norms Impact Disordered Eating, Cierrah J. Fulenwider

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs), such as frequent dieting, emotional eating, and obsessive “clean eating,” are increasingly prevalent in our society and have been linked to significant physical and psychological health risks. However, the role of sociocultural influences, such as discrimination and social media, are often overlooked. This study examined the relationship between disordered eating behaviors and perceived discriminatory experiences, social media use, physical self-description, and attitudes toward eating among undergraduate college students. The sample consisted of 110 undergraduate students. Participants completed an electronic survey comprised of the Everyday Discrimination Scale-S (EDS-S), Social Media Usage Scale (SMUS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), …

The Relationship Between Anxiety, Self-Esteem, And Religiosity Among College Students At A Private Christian University, Maximo Fuentes Rojo Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT This study investigates the relationships among anxiety, self-esteem, and religiosity in a sample of 131 college students attending a private Christian university. Anxiety is a prevalent mental health concern for college students, often leading to detrimental effects on academic performance and overall well-being (Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2020, 2022, as cited in Tan et al., 2023). Self-esteem, a critical component of self-concept, plays a significant role in mental health outcomes, with lower self-esteem linked to higher levels of anxiety (Baumeister et al., 2003; Beck, 1967). Religiosity has been identified as a potential coping mechanism, offering emotional support and …

#Girls Gone Viral: Girlification Trends And The Digital Postfeminist Sensibility, Madison Rose Mcbride

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides a critical analysis of viral girlification trends on TikTok to bolster understanding of the rhetoric of popular feminism in the emerging digital landscape. Grounded in feminist cultural theory, this thesis posits that women’s digital engagement influences their notions of self-actualization, their avenues for resisting sexist ideals, and ultimately, their political mobilization. Extending scholarship on postfeminism, I offer two unique but co-constructive features of the postfeminist sensibility: post-irony and the confession paradigm. The first chapter analyzes the “girl dinner” trend as a site of post-ironic discourse. Characterized by ambiguity and ambivalence, post-ironic discourse muddles the line between sincerity …

Rectosigmoid Intussusception Due To A Nonmalignant Etiology: An Extremely Rare Cause Of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding In An Elderly Patient, Kashif Ali, Samra Sohail, Grecia Dominguez Rivera, Valeska Balderas

School of Medicine Publications

An intussusception at the rectosigmoid junction with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is exceedingly rare. We present a case of an 88-year-old man who presented in the emergency department with bilateral lower quadrant abdominal pain and frank rectal bleeding for 2 days. A computed tomography abdomen pelvis angiogram with contrast showed a target sign, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy showed congested bowel, ischemia, frank blood, and intussusception at the rectosigmoid junction. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy with the removal of the affected part. The pathology and the peritoneal fluid cytology results came out negative for dysplasia and malignancy.

The State Of Latino-Serving Community-Based Organizations In Massachusetts, Fabián Torres-Ardila, Phillip Granberry, Rachel Paz, Luna Páez Abaunsa, Valentina Valderrama Pérez

Gastón Institute Publications

Massachusetts has a diverse Latino population with large numbers of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Mexicans. Nearly a third (32%) of the Latino population is foreign-born. Of this foreign-born population, 61% are not U.S. citizens. Nearly 210,000 Latino children are enrolled in K-12 schools. Of the Latino population over age five who speak Spanish in the home, 33% have limited English proficiency. Among the adult population, 28% have less than a high school education, and 60% are in the labor force.3 The varied needs of this population require a strong ecosystem of local organizations that provide services to support …

Refractive Error And Axial Length (Real) Study: Feasibility Of A Population Study In The United States, Sarah E. Singh Dr, Lisa A. Ostrin, Kristen Kerber Dr, Concepcion Cayle, Celia Gong Dr, Lal Barsha Dr, Ian Flitcroft, Síofra Harrington, James Loughman, Kathryn Saunders Prof, Fuensanta Vera-Diaz Dr

Articles

Myopia is the most common eye disease and a leading cause of blindness. A contemporary, large, and ethnically and geographically diverse study of ocular biometry and refractive error in children in the United States is needed to help better describe differences between myopic and nonmyopic eyes.

This is an initial cross-sectional report from the Refractive Error and Axial Length Growth Curve Study that includes ocular component data as a function of age, gender, and geographic location. This feasibility report will inform a planned larger longitudinal ocular growth study in children in the United States.

Cross-sectional data on children, ages 3 …

Unplanned In-Store Purchase Behavior Of Organic Grocery Product Users: Effect Of Consumer Innovativeness Traits And Traditional And Digital Promotional Stimuli, Dale A. Cake, Vikas Agrawal, Wooyang Kim

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship of consumer innovativeness traits and traditional or digital in-store promotional stimuli and their effect on in store unplanned shopping of organic products. Within a framework of trait theory, consumer buying behavior theory and decision-making processes, SEM and r software applied to U.S. retail organic user panel data showed a unique, positive relationship of hedonistic, price-consciousness and quality-seeking traits with domain-specific (organic products) consumer innovativeness. This had a direct, positive effect on traditional and digital stimuli use, as well as leading to unplanned shopping and spending of organic goods. Knowing the …

A Comparative Analysis Of Advertising Appeals In Anti- Smoking Advertisements (Print And Online Display Ads) From 1990s To 2020s In The U.K, Ayomide Adebare Mr, Jill Nash Dr

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

This study provides a comparative analysis of advertising appeals in static anti-smoking advertisements in the U.K. from the 1990s to the 2020s, using quantitative content analysis. The research evaluates print and online display advertisements, focusing on the prevalence of rational (gain-framed and statistical) and emotional (fear and guilt) appeals. The study investigates shifts in appeal usage over time and the broader societal and regulatory influences driving these changes. Findings indicate a strategic shift in public health messaging, moving from fear-based appeals in the 1990s to increased reliance on gain-framed appeals by the 2020s. This study enhances academic understanding of how …

Guest Editorial: When Multimedia Meets Food: Multimedia Computing For Food Data Analysis And Applications, Weiqing Min, Shuqiang Jiang, Petia Radeva, Vladimir Pavlovic, Chong-Wah Ngo, Kiyoharu Aizawa, Wanqing Li

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Food is central in our life for its fundamental role in our survival, health, mood and culture. The deployment of various networks (e.g., IoT and mobile networks), devices (e.g., hyperspectral imaging devices, electronic nose/tongue), databases (e.g., nutrition tables and food compositional databases), recipe-sharing websites (e.g., Yummly and Meishijie) and social media (e.g., Twitter and Weibo) has generated unprecedented volumes of multi-modal food data. Such multi-source multi-modal food data provides new perspectives to analyze and understand food consumption via multimedia computing. Riding on the wave of AI, food-oriented multimedia computing integrates AI, multimedia technology and food science to enable a wide …

Photochemical Transformations Of Crude Oil In Marine Environments: Temporal And Thermal Dynamics Of Oxygenated Photoproducts And Genotoxic Effects, Mohamed Elsheref

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the photochemical transformation of different crude oil types in marine environments, focusing on the time and temperature dependency of the formation of oxygenated photoproducts and their potential genotoxic effects. Using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), we examined the time and temperature dependence of aldehyde and ketone oxocarboxylic acid photoproduct generation from crude oil-seawater systems under simulated solar irradiation. The study revealed a near-linear increase in photoproduct concentration over an 18-hour irradiation period, with production rates ranging from 0.6 to 69 µmol/hm² of oil surface. Temperature effects on photoproduct formation were complex, but generally showed increased total …

Glim Consensus Approach To Diagnosis Of Malnutrition: A 5-Year Update., Gordon L Jensen, Tommy Cederholm, M Isabel T D Correia, M Cristina Gonzalez, Ryoji Fukushima, Veeradej Pisprasert, Renee Blaauw, Diana Cardenas Braz, Fernando Carrasco, Alfonso J Cruz Jentoft, Cristina Cuerda, David C Evans, Vanessa Fuchs-Tarlovsky, Leah Gramlich, Han Ping Shi, Jeanette M Hasse, Michael Hiesmayr, Naoki Hiki, Harriët Jager-Wittenaar, Shukri Jahit, Anayanet Jáquez, Heather Keller, Stanislaw Klek, Ainsley Malone, Kris M Mogensen, Naoharu Mori, Manpreet Mundi, Maurizio Muscaritoli, Doris Ng, Ibolya Nyulasi, Matthias Pirlich, Stephane Schneider, Marian De Van Der Schueren, Soranit Siltharm, Pierre Singer, Alison Steiber, Kelly A Tappenden, Jianchun Yu, André Van Gossum, Jaw-Yuan Wang, Marion F Winkler, Charlene Compher, Rocco Barazzoni

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

BACKGROUND: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) introduced an approach for malnutrition diagnosis in 2019 that comprised screening followed by assessment of three phenotypic criteria (weight loss, low body mass index [BMI], and low muscle mass) and two etiologic criteria (reduced food intake/assimilation and inflammation/disease burden). This planned update reconsiders the GLIM framework based on published knowledge and experience over the past 5 years.

METHODS: A working group (n = 43 members) conducted a literature search spanning 2019-2024 using the keywords "Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition or GLIM." Prior GLIM guidance activities for using the criteria on muscle mass …

Personalized Nutrition Recommendations For Arab Communities: Transforming Diet And Health Through Machine Learning, Khalfan Aldoobi

Theses

A lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. The Arab population faces unique challenges due to cultural dietary customs and lifestyle changes that have made obesity and diet illnesses major global public health challenges. The rapid shift to high-calorie but undernourished foods and less physical activity has resulted in alarming rate increases of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. The lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. This study focuses to fills the existing gap by applying Artificial Intelligence …

Unh Extension Nutrition Connections Fy24 Snap-Ed, Amy Hollar

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial And Feasibility Study Of An Oral Probiotic Intervention To Reduce Group B Streptococcus Colonization In Pregnant People By The Time Of Birth, Katrina Nardini, Lisa Hanson, Noelle Borders, Maharaj Singh, Anna Shields, Victoria Y. Trujillo, Robyn Lawton, Emily Malloy

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The purpose of this midwife-led study was to determine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of probiotics to reduce group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization by the time of birth in healthy, GBS-positive, pregnant adults.

Methods

An open-label randomized clinical trial comparing Florajen Digestion, a commercially available combination oral probiotic, with usual care (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04721912) was conducted in a midwifery practice serving a racially and ethnically diverse population. Eligible patients who tested positive for GBS at routine third-trimester screening were offered informed consent and participation. The primary outcome was feasibility for a larger RCT, including feasibility of probiotic …

Understand The Power Of Resilient Adult Survivors Of Childhood Neglect, Sheena Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of adults from New York (NY) and New Jersey (NJ) who have overcome adverse childhood experiences and describe their experiences in becoming resilient. Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to various health disparities, including depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and physical health concerns. However, limited research focuses specifically on resilience among survivors of childhood neglect and adversity. The study investigated the subjective experiences of adults residing in New York and New Jersey who have experienced high levels of ACEs, including neglect and abandonment. The study answered the following …

School Counselors’ Lived Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Katie M. Guzman Dunn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how school counselor perceptions of their roles may have been permanently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory, which relates to the interactions of an individual and the environment around them, guided the study. The study’s central research was: What are public school counselors’ lived experiences regarding their role perception during the COVID-19 pandemic? Data was collected through virtual semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation with 10 school counselors who were members of the Kentucky School Counselor Association. The data collected from the interviews was analyzed using bracketing to …

Establishing A Comprehensive Cancer Center: Integrating Holistic Care To Enhance The Well-Being Of Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment, Morgan Rae Nelson

Architecture Theses

Cancer treatment is both physically and emotionally taxing, often intensified by care environments that prioritize clinical efficiency over holistic patient well-being. Thoughtful architectural design has the potential to transform these spaces into therapeutic environments that address the mental, emotional, and physical needs of patients. While holistic care models have gained traction, many facilities lack design elements that promote mental resilience, relaxation, and community connection.

Despite advancements in cancer care, a significant gap remains in how design addresses the mental and emotional well-being of patients. Many facilities continue to prioritize functionality over creating environments that foster holistic healing. This thesis investigates …

A Study Of Special Districts: Research Of Financial Indicators As Predictors Of Fiscal Distress, Scott Keith Harrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 1946, Special Purpose Districts (SPDs) have become the most prevalent form of government in the United States. Unfortunately, they fail more often than General Purpose (GP) governments. This study researches the predictability of the Florida State Auditor’s financial condition indicators for SPD financial health and the influence of intergovernmental transfers (IGT) on government financial health. The significance of this research lies in confirming whether a national SPD fiscal distress predictive model can be generalized to a single state. Additionally, the study researched the influence of intergovernmental transfers (IGT) on financial health. The quantitative research design used the Cox regression …

The Effect Of Cardiac Rehabilitation On Diastolic Heart Failure, Lucas Clouse

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The newest diagnosis approved for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was systolic heart failure with ejection fractions less than or equal to 35% in 2013. CMS did not approve diastolic heart failure as a diagnosis for CR as there has not been ample research done linking a possible benefit between the two. To date, limited research has been done regarding a CR’s resources (health education, exercise training, risk factor modification, meeting with dietitian) and its effects on diastolic heart failure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if CR can improve quality …

Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (Sans) And Its Countermeasures, Tuan Nguyen, Joshua Ong, Tyson Brunstetter, C Robert Gibson, Brandon R Macias, Steven Laurie, Thomas Mader, Alan Hargens, Jay C Buckey, Mimi Lan, Peter Wostyn, Cihan Kadipasaoglu, Scott M Smith, Sara R Zwart, Benjamin J Frankfort, Sarah Aman, Jessica M Scott, Ethan Waisberg, Mouayad Masalkhi, Andrew G Lee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Astronauts can develop a distinct collection of neuro-ophthalmic findings during long duration spaceflight, collectively known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). These clinical characteristics include optic disc edema, hyperopic refractive shifts, globe flattening, and chorioretinal folds, which may pose a health risk for future space exploration. Obtaining knowledge of SANS and countermeasures for its prevention is crucial for upcoming crewed space missions and warrants a multidisciplinary approach. This review examines the potential causes and countermeasures of SANS, including space anticipation glasses, lower body negative pressure, venoconstrictive thigh cuffs, impedance threshold devices, translaminar pressure gradient modulation, centrifugation, artificial gravity, pharmaceuticals, and …

High-Throughput Phenotyping Of Early Generation Small Grains Breeding Lines To Indirectly Select For Grain Yield, Dalton Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In small grains breeding programs, breeders aim to develop better varieties by selecting for important traits like grain yield. However, it takes many years before yield can be measured because several generations of selection are required to fix lines and increase sufficient seed for yield measurements. This process can be slow and expensive

High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) is a modern approach that can increase breeding efficiency by leveraging technology to quickly measure secondary traits which can be used to indirectly select for important traits in crop plants. For example, researchers can use cameras on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, i.e., drones) to …

On The Multi-Modal Psychological Experience Of Competence In Youth Sport, Liam O'Neil

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Over the past half century, beliefs about athleticism (i.e., sport competence) have been thought of as central to motivation for youth sport. In this time, however, these competence beliefs have been narrowly studied which has limited their value in explaining youth sport participation. To expand our understanding of competence beliefs and their motivational significance in youth sport, the three studies of this dissertation tested a longstanding but understudied idea that competence beliefs encompass both judgments of, and emotions about, competence. In Study One, existing research on judgments of competence in youth sport was reviewed. This study showed that many personal …

Influence Of Physical Properties Of Fat On Product Quality, Shelf-Life And Consumer Acceptance Of Chocolate-Coated Products, Audrey Lidgard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In chocolate-coated products, oil migration in fats can lead to chocolate softening, filling hardening, discoloration, and lower consumer acceptance. This study examined three different fats (soy- palm-, and palm-kernel (PK) based), crystallized under different conditions (cooling rate and use of high intensity ultrasound (HIU)) to examine how the crystallization conditions impact the physical properties of confectionery products. These conditions produced fats with high and low oil binding capacities (OBCs); the ability of crystal networks to entrap liquid oil. Model systems were created to examine measurable quality degradation and consumer acceptance of chocolates placed in contact with the fats; one with …

Seeding Rate, Planting Date, And Herbicides For Dormant Seeded Safflower In Utah, Rodney Daniel Nelson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dryland crop production in the Intermountain West is largely limited by the amount of precipitation received. Increasing dryland safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) production yields in a semi-arid climate is possible with a dormant planting but is not well understood. A two-year (2020-22) project was designed to gain an understanding of the effects of variety, seeding rate, and planting date, on dormant seeded safflower. Chemical weed control options for safflower were also evaluated. One study, conducted at three Utah State University research farms near Blue Creek, Clarkston, and Kaysville, UT, evaluated four varieties, S-208, S-333, 7325 and Hybrid-446, seeded at …

Exploring The Utilization Of Benefits And Participation Experiences Among Immigrants And Refugees In Wic Program: A Mixed-Method Study, Melissa Murillo Timoschenco

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Food insecurity is a critical issue globally and in the United States. The USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) aims to address this by improving the nutrition of low-income pregnant women and children. However, immigrants and refugees, who are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, often encounter barriers to accessing WIC benefits. This study aimed to: i) evaluate how immigrant and refugee families in Utah utilize WIC benefits, and ii) explore their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improving the program. This mixed-method study combined surveys with 116 participants and in-depth interviews with 25 participants. Surveys were …

Seasonal And Temporal Influences On Successful Crossing Rates By Ungulates Of A North Utah Wildlife Overpass, Blake Ledbetter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Encroachment of human infrastructure fragments wild landscapes and introduces a suite of negative impacts for humans and wildlife. In Utah, roadways threaten migratory ungulates by creating a barrier to movements and preventing access to seasonal migration routes. To mitigate these conflicts, state transportation agencies often install wildlife crossing structures to allow animals to safely cross over or under roadways. Selecting the proper crossing structure requires consideration of the species of interest, landscape, location, and structural dimensions. Often there is balance between the optimal location, the dimensions of the crossing structures, and what is feasible given the landscape. In 2018, the …

Novel Horticultural Approaches For Reduced Gravity And Controlled Environment Agriculture, Sarah Elizabeth Schreck

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 achieved the first successful moon landing, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration. This historic moment effectively ended the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, and since then, countries around the world have continued to advance their space programs. While the space race has evolved, the next major challenge lies in sending humans to Mars—a journey that could take 6 to 9 months each way, presenting numerous challenges, including the critical issue of nutritional sustainment for the crew.

This thesis addresses key aspects of a broader effort to support …

The Effect Of Dietary Protein Source On Gut Health, Spencer Lawson Schow

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

We investigated the impact of protein source in a western-style diet on colon cancer, colitis, and the gut microbiome. The Western dietary pattern is energy-dense, low in fiber, and has a sub-optimal micronutrient profile. Our group has formulated the Total Western Diet (TWD) that emulates the Western dietary pattern using survey data (NHANES), and we have demonstrated that this diet increases gut inflammation and colorectal cancer relative to a healthy control diet (AIN-93G), which is optimized for mouse health. However, the effect of protein source in the TWD and its effects on gut health have yet to be investigated.

Recent …