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Effect Of Pepsin Limited Enzymatic Hydrolysis From Wheat Bran Protein On Lipid Lowering In Vitro, Zheng Wenjing, Bai Yang, Liu Cong, Jiri Gala, Wang Jilite, Zhang Yanxia, Li Yuxin

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To elucidate the lipid-lowering effect of wheat bran protein from the Hetao region and provide a scientific basis for its deep processing and high-value utilization. [Methods] This paper employs wheat bran protein from the Hetao region as the raw material to prepare pepsin limited enzymatic hydrolysates (P1, P3, P6, and P 12), and investigates their effect on lowering lipid. [Results] Different enzymatic hydrolysates vary in vitro lipid-lowering effects, and the higher mass concentration of samples means a better effect. The cholesterol micelle solubility inhibition rate of 5 mg/mL wheat bran enzymatic hydrolysate P 1 is (45.47±0.36) %, significantly higher …

Effects Of Different Heat Treatment Methods On Physical Properties And Freeze-Dried Quality Of Tremella Fuciformis, Fan Yufei, Wu Bingbing, Shi Nengpai, Zhang Yuanhui, Lin Xiangyang

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To determine the optimal pretreatment method that preserves the colloidal structure of Tremella fuciformis and ensures shelf-life stability via systematic comparison between hot-water blanching (80 ℃) and steam blanching (about 100 ℃). [Methods] A series of time gradients is set for each blanching treatment. Then, the effects of the two blanching processes on the water absorption and swelling ratio, microstructure, and texture profile (TPA) of fresh T.fuciformis are evaluated. Furthermore, the whiteness, rehydration ratio, and water activity of the freeze-dried products are measured to comprehensively evaluate the modulating effects of different heat media on the quality of T.fuciformis. [Results] …

Effects Of Permeation Treatment On Textural Quality Of Malus Doumeri (Bois) Chev . Fruit Chips Dried By Vacuum Microwave, Liu Yan, Meng Yanmei, Tang Xiaoxian, Zhang Qiao, Ren Aiqing, Duan Zhenhua

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To explore the effects of permeation conditions with sucrose solution on the textural quality of Malus doumeri (Bois) Chev. fruit chips dried by vacuum microwave. [Methods] Fresh M.doumeri fruit chips are subjected to permeation treatment with permeating agents with different sugar content (20, 35, and 50 °Brix) and at different permeation temperatures (30, 65, and 100 ℃). Then, the pretreated samples are dried by vacuum microwave. The texture quality of dried M.doumeri fruit chips is evaluated regarding the color, texture, expansion rate, apparent density, volume ratio, and pore size distribution. [Results] The M.doumeri fruit chips pretreated by the permeating …

Preparation Optimization Of Trionycis Carapax Collagen Peptide Using Response Surface Methodology And Research On Antioxidant Activity, Zhang Ruiqi, Song Wei, Wu Zhiyi, Zhao Qiongyu

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To optimize the enzymatic hydrolysis process for collagen peptides from Trionycis Carapax and investigate their in vitro antioxidant activity and cytoprotective effects against oxidative damage. [Methods] With collagen peptides from Trionycis Carapax as the raw material, enzymatic hydrolysis parameters were optimized by using Box-Behnken response surface methodology. Ultrafiltration fractionation was applied to obtain collagen peptide fractions of different molecular weights, and the in vitro free radical-scavenging capacity was assessed. The cytoprotective effects were evaluated using an H2O2-induced oxidative damage model in B 16F10 cells. [Results] The optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were as follows: acid protease as the enzyme additive, …

Vacuum Concentration Process And Antioxidant Activity Of Pressed Walnut Green Husk Juice, Kuerban Gulimire, Chen Kai, Wang Jing, Li Yue

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To explore the quality change trend of walnut green husk juice during the concentration process. [Methods] This paper optimizes the concentration process by the single factor combined with response surface tests, and investigates the effects of temperature, time and rotation speed on the mass fractions of polyphenols and polysaccharides. The antioxidant activity of walnut green husk concentrate is detected, and polyphenols in walnut green husk juice are identified and quantitatively analyzed by adopting high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). [Results] The optimal concentration process of walnut green husk juice is the time of 32 min, temperature of 60 ℃, and …

Research Status And Application Of Plant Protein Amyloid Fibrils, Wang Pengwei, Chen Jun, Wang Haoqiang, Shuai Xixiang, Dai Taotao

Food and Machinery

Most natural plant proteins have dense spherical structures, reducing their functionality and accessibility to proteases, which limits their application in the food industry to some extent. The preparation of plant protein amyloid fibrils with high aspect ratio and excellent interfacial properties through acid-heat-induced self-assembly can significantly improve the physicochemical properties, nutritional value, and functional characteristics of plant proteins. This study reviews the formation mechanism and preparation methods of acid-heat-induced self-assembly of plant protein amyloid fibrils, summarizes the relationship between their structure and properties, discusses the application directions of plant protein amyloid fibrils, and looks forward to their future research directions.

Research Progress On Nutritional Components, Bioactive Properties, And Application Of Chlorella Vulgaris In Food, Xu Bingzheng, Xu Zongxi, Zhang Jian, Liang Rongrong, Liang Yusi

Food and Machinery

Chlorella vulgaris, a green microalga, is widely recognized in the food industry for its outstanding nutritional value. This review systematically summarizes the diverse nutritional components enriched in this microalga, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, pigments, and minerals, as well as the various bioactivities conferred by these components, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial and antiviral, anticancer, detoxifying, adjuvant antidiabetic, antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, and prebiotic activities. Additionally, the research progress of C.vulgaris in food applications is elaborated, and the current challenges in its commercialization are discussed, including the technological gap in large-scale production that coordinates nutritional composition and low-cost …

Artificial Meat 3d Printing Technology And Application Progress, Shi Zhongfen, Yang Zishan, Chen Hongyan, Tian Sumei

Food and Machinery

With the global population growth and increasing pressure on resources and the environment, traditional meat production methods face severe challenges. In contrast, artificial meat, a sustainable meat substitute, has received widespread attention in recent years. As an additive manufacturing technology for the precision construction of food structures, food 3D printing technology has shown great application potential in artificial meat. This paper reviews the application progress of food 3D printing technology in artificial meat manufacturing, focusing on artificial meat 3D printing technology based on plant protein and cell culture. Additionally, this paper analyzes the challenges faced by food 3D printing technology …

Conflict, Climate, And Child Health: Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa, Brian C. Thiede, Nigel C. James

Health Studies Faculty Publications

Many parts of the world are experiencing social and political instability, as well as ongoing climatic changes that are expected to accelerate in the years ahead. These changes can undermine children's health through multiple pathways, and the growing frequency of sociopolitical and environmental stressors increases the likelihood that individuals are exposed to multiple risks simultaneously. Few studies have quantified the effects of such concurrent shocks despite conceptual motivations for doing so. We address this gap by measuring the independent and compounding effects of conflict and climate exposures on the weight-for-height of 0–23 month-old children across 32 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. …

Assessing Legacy Collections: Analyzing The Preservation, Recovery, And Interpretive Value Of Archaeobotanical Remains From Site 15le70 (Pine Crest Rockshelter), Lee County, Kentucky, Jennifer Carroll

Graduate Final Projects

This paper uses the archaeobotanical assemblage from Site 15Le70, a multi-excavated and extensively looted rockshelter in eastern Kentucky, while opening new lines of inquiry into gendered labor and practice during the Archaic-Woodland transition. Because legacy collections are often dispersed across institutions and/or research projects, the materials from any single site may be fragmented, as was the case for 15Le70. Such collections can be overlooked, yet this investigation into 15Le70’s archaeobotanical assemblage demonstrates that partial or scattered datasets can yield meaningful results and hold the potential to fill gaps in the archaeological record left by looting.

In this study, a small …

2026 Commencement Program For The School Of Arts And Sciences, Merrimack College

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

2026 Commencement Program For The School Of Arts And Sciences – Accessible Version, Merrimack College

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Evidence-Based Child Development Account Elements And The 530a Account Design, Jin Huang, Michael Sherraden, Lissa Johnson, Margaret Clancy

Center for Social Development Research

Drawing on the 10 evidence-based CDA design elements identified by Sherraden, Clancy, and Beverly, this brief examines the points at which 530A Accounts align with, partially meet, or fall short of the design standards that evidence shows are necessary for a universal and effective children’s account policy.

The Extraction And Chemical Characterization Of The Avian Pigments Turacin And Turacoverdin, Sarah R. Bekkali

Honors Scholar Theses

Bird coloration is a trait that extends beyond mere aesthetics as it has an extensive range of biological significance. Plumage patterns and hues can influence camouflage, mate choice, social dominance, and physiological performance. Bird fitness, their ability to survive and reproduce, is greatly dependent on color. Melanins, carotenoids, and pterins are well-studied pigment systems that are commonly found across many avian species’. Alternatively, porphyrin-based pigments are rare and less-studied as they only found in turacos a sub-Saharan African bird belonging to the family Musophagidae. This thesis focuses on two pigments of interest: turacin, the deep crimson-red pigment found in …

Saving The Great Basin: Creating Places For The Birds, Bees And Beyond, Carlos Gomez

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

This project looks at how vacant and underused parcels along the Truckee River in Reno, Nevada, can be rethought as part of a larger ecological system. Rather than treating these parcels as empty leftover spaces, the project sees them as opportunities to create small habitat patches that can support native species, improve stormwater function, and strengthen the river corridor over time. The work focuses on three sites along the Truckee River: California Avenue, Island Avenue, and Commercial Row. Each site responds to a different condition along the urban transect, from a sloped residential river edge to a tighter urban parcel …

The Biowell System: An Integrative Framework That Connects Ecological Sustainability And Mental Wellbeing Through The Regenerative Processes Of Bioswales, Nathan A. Bussa

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

The Biowell System is an evaluative framework that connects ecological sustainability and mental well-being through the regenerative processes of bioswales.

The Effect Of A Rehabilitation Program Supported By Suspension Training Straps Among Tennis Players With Medial Elbow Muscle Tendon Injuries, Mustafa Muhammad Ali Farhan

Modern Sport

The objective of this study is to design a rehabilitation program involving the use of suspension training straps and find out whether it helps improve the range of motion for injuries of the medial elbow muscle tendons. It is assumed that there exist statistically significant differences between the pre-tests and post-tests concerning the range of motion in the elbow joint, in favor of the post-test results. The experimental approach is used, with the adoption of the single-group pre-test/post-test experimental design. The research population includes seniors tennis players that have sustained injuries to their medial elbow muscle tendons at Middle Euphrates …

Ecological And Nutritional Drivers Of Floral Fidelity In Wild Pollinators, Adelaide Elise Ergastolo

Master's Theses

Plants must receive pollen from the same species in order to successfully reproduce. For most flowering plants, the transfer of pollen occurs via animal pollinators while they forage on plants to obtain food. Therefore, the fidelity of pollinators to individual plant species during foraging trips is directly related to the amount of conspecific pollen plants receive. Low floral fidelity of pollinators can reduce plant reproductive success, which in turn has the potential to lower food resources for pollinators in the future. While many factors can potentially influence pollinator floral fidelity, several important ones may be the nutritional resources provided by …

Anatomy Academy: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Enhancing Youth Health Literacy, Roselle Antikoll, Jonathan Nakamine, Jessica Tran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

To enhance health literacy among the underserved youth population in Las Vegas, Nevada, Anatomy Academy (AA) is an eight-week, seven-lesson program that educates students through structured and interactive lesson plans covering basic anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. Our program was implemented in three different Title-I elementary schools between five different classrooms across Las Vegas. These lesson plans highlighted specific body systems including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems. Our primary aim was centered around involvement of more interdisciplinary healthcare professions including occupational therapy, dental medicine, osteopathic medicine, and nutrition to aid in the delivery of the AA program. Our secondary aim …

Enhancing Independence: A Home Environmental Safety Program For Stroke Survivors, Ka'iulani-Joy Genevieve Conlu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Stroke is a common cause of physical limitations, leading to decreased independence and participation in daily activities. Individuals post-stroke transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care typically do not receive in-person home safety recommendations to decrease environmental challenges and improve overall well-being. Methods: Participants were recruited conveniently during the inpatient and outpatient care process at Post Acute Medical (PAM) Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson. The Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) was administered to identify environmental hazards and to guide individualized home safety recommendations. Participants will complete a questionnaire before and after the program within 14 weeks to …

Student-Athlete Flourishing In Intercollegiate Athletics: A Mixed Methods Study, James Hines

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Comprehending the complexities associated with student-athlete well-being while competing on campus is important for both institutions of higher education and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Studies relating to student-athlete well-being have researched many different areas such as suicide prevention (Gross et al., 2020), mental health treatments (Ryan et al.,2018), and injury recovery (Martin et al., 2021). Few studies have examined student-athlete flourishing which focuses on helping individuals thrive and reach their greatest potential. This study employs an explanatory sequential mixed method design to examine student-athlete flourishing along with factors associated with student-athlete flourishing. Survey data (N=89) provided insight on …

Feasibility Of High-Intensity Training (Hit) For Academic Engagement In Young Adult Women, Raleah Tenorio Kastner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: This feasibility study aimed to identify the impact of a high-intensity training (HIT) exercise protocol on healthy behaviors related to academics to decrease stress levels and enhance academic engagement and overall quality of life in young adult female students, measured by a modified version of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and the Occupational Experience Profile (OEP).

Methodology: One young adult female student enrolled at UNLV who is 18-25 years old was recruited via convenience sampling to engage in a 12-session HIT exercise program, developed by a certified personal trainer and licensed occupational therapist, with the participant’s target …

Postpartum Depression Protocols In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Benefits And Outcomes, Myrnnda Miller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project aimed to reduce postpartum depression symptoms in mothers with infants admitted to the University Medical Center (UMC) of Southern Nevada’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by integrating early screening with occupation-based, trauma-informed support. The intervention combined the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for early detection with occupational therapy–facilitated maternal support sessions, providing emotional validation, education, and strategies for coping and parent–infant bonding. Guided by Trauma-Informed Care and Backwards Design frameworks, the project prioritized maternal safety, empowerment, and confidence. A paired sample t-test was conducted to compare pre and posttest EPDS scores and showed that the participant’s EPDS …

Expanding Access To High-Quality Child Care For Infants And Toddlers With Disabilities And Their Families In Nevada, Turia M. Penkalski

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Access to high-quality child care significantly impacts outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, yet persistent inequities remain. This dissertation employed an instrumental case study design (Stake, 1995; Stake & Visse, 2023) to investigate Nevada's state-level policies and procedures that shape the accessibility and quality of child care for infants and toddlers with disabilities. Using a triangulated approach that integrates document analysis, family interviews, and a survey with state leaders, this study explored the perspectives and experiences of diverse key players. The research illuminates how policy intentions align with or diverge from system-level perceptions and the experiences …

Movement-Based Program To Support Quality Of Life For Adults With Down Syndrome, Jillian Sanalila

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This doctoral project focused on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a community-based movement program designed to support quality of life (QoL) among adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities at GiGi’s Playhouse Las Vegas. Adults with Down syndrome often experience significant health and participation disparities that negatively impact quality of life. These disparities include reduced physical activity, limited opportunities for social engagement, and barriers to engagement in meaningful occupations. Grounded in occupational therapy principles, this project introduced a structured intervention integrating dance, Pilates, and yoga to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. A program development design …

Examining Demographic And Contextual Differences In Stress-Related Sport Interference Among U.S. Collegiate Sport Participants, Heather Tran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Collegiate athletes experience a range of stressors that may interfere with sport performance; however less is known about how stress-related sport interference varies across demographic groups and contexts. Guided by the transactional model of stress and coping, this study examined differences in stress-related sport interference by gender, race/ethnicity, and year in school, as well as across situational contexts (training, competition, and life outside of sport). Data were drawn from a secondary dataset of 288 collegiate sport participants who completed the Sport Interference Checklist (SIC). Independent samples t-test and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examined demographic differences, and a …

Examining The Effects Of Tailored Ergonomic Interventions On Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders For Taxi Drivers, Amal Youssouf

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Taxi drivers are frequently exposed to prolonged sitting, whole-body vibration, limited rest opportunities, and psychosocial stressors, placing them at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This can be mitigated with the use of ergonomics, which changes one's environment to match an individual's needs within the context and demands of the job. Although ergonomics is a recognized area of occupational therapy (OT) practice, current research is limited to office-based or computer-related settings, leaving a gap in OT-led ergonomic interventions tailored for professional drivers. This capstone project aimed to determine whether OT-based ergonomic strategies, along with an ergonomic checklist as a guideline …

Visual Interpretability Of Multimodal Tissue Perfusion Classification Using Grad-Cam And Saliency Maps, Metehan Zorluoglu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Accurate identification of the tissue perfusion phase from hand images can aid doctors in decision-making with non-invasive techniques. The present study proposes a multimodal deep learning model for classifying the tissue perfusion phase using infrared, thermal, and visible spectrum images of the human hand. The proposed model consists of various preprocessing techniques such as manipulation, homography alignments, and masking. The significant contribution of this thesis is the interpretability analysis of deep learning models, achieved through the analysis of saliency maps and the Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) methods. The purpose of this method is to find out how the convolutional …

Proceedings Of The 18th Indonesian Occupational Medicine Update (Iomu) 2026 - Occupational Medicine Without Borders: Emerging Risks, Evolving Workforces, And Inclusive Collaboration, Indonesian Association Of Occupational Medicine Specialists (Perhimpunan Kedokteran Okupasi Indonesia / Perdoki)

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

This Supplemental Issue of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia (OEMJI) compiles the scientific abstracts presented at the 18th Indonesian Occupational Medicine Update (IOMU) 2026, convened in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 15 to 17 May 2026. The IOMU has matured into the most prominent annual scientific platform of the Indonesian occupational medicine community, hosted by the Indonesian Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists (Perhimpunan Kedokteran Okupasi Indonesia / PERDOKI). Since its inception, the conference has served as a meeting point where clinicians, academics, industrial hygienists, regulators, employers, and worker representatives gather to translate emerging scientific evidence into …

Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Improving Quality Of Care In Breast Cancer, Deborah Schindele

Group: Northern Arizona University School of Nursing, DNP Doctoral Papers

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women and leads to decreased quality of life owing to increased anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress, and a lack of social support. The American Society for Integrative Oncology ranks mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) as the most highly recommended integrative interventions known to decrease anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients. However, they were not regularly used or recommended by support group facilitators of the project. A quality improvement project was implemented with the five support group facilitators to address this deficit. The purpose was to …